#in skimming i found this part and just lost it

[ilkkawhat]

Sorjonen 3x06: Poikia ja rakastajia 3/3

[pepperyduck]

growing old with kento nanami, pt. 2

word count: 3.5k

warnings: having kids, raising kids, naming kids after lost loved ones, descriptions of growing old, like actually growing old and having grandchildren, descriptions of body changes after birth, dad nanami, no angst in this one just living a happy life with husband nanami :3 (18+ mdni!)

notes: i love u all sm, i am giving this man the ending he deserves. now get ready bc i just went through a terrible breakup and must project it in my writing. much love!!!

part 1 | masterlist

nanami watched you with loving eyes as you laid in your hospital bed, exhausted and sleeping so peacefully after the delivery of your baby. your hair stuck to your face in messy patterns from all the sweat, your chest rose and fell on the perfect, comfortable beat. this time, he was sitting in the chair next to your bed, a book open and ready to be read, but kento���s eyes refused to skim the pages – you looked so beautiful. the room was quiet, only the soft buzzing of an air conditioner and beeping from one of the monitors stuck to you would infiltrate the silence. kento paid close mind whenever you began to stir, lightly fluttering your eyes open to look at him, oh so tired.

“good morning, beautiful,” kento cooed, closing his book to rest it on his thigh. he reached out his hand to lay it atop yours, a soft smile grazing his lips when he looked at you.

“hi,” you groaned, slightly rolling over and wincing when the sharp pain began to shoot through your body. kento’s brows furrowed whenever he saw your discomfort.

“how are you feeling?” he asked.

“tired…it hurts,” you muttered, closing your eyes again. kento’s thumb lightly grazed over the back of your hand, tracing the veins.

kento made sure the nurses that came to check on you administered some pain medicine, and after a while, you began to not be in as much torment as before. you were told you could go home in a day or two, after the pain subsides and the baby is evaluated to be in good health.

kento pushed you down the hallway in a wheelchair towards the nursery, and politely asked to see your baby. you cried so many tears of joy the moment your baby boy was settled in your arms, swaddled in a hospital blanket and sleeping gently. he was so beautiful, a spitting image of his father from the word go. even though he was tiny, and his features weren’t so defined, you could already see the resemblance.

“have you decided on a name yet?” the nurse sweetly asked, clipboard in hand with all your information. you and kento swapped looks for a moment, obviously unprepared for the question. for a minute, you thought in your mind about all the names you discussed, finally landing on one that would be thoughtful and fitting.

“what about ‘yū’ kento?” you suggested, looking up at your husband for his approval.

the gesture of naming his son after his passed best friend made kento a little sad, but he knew haibara would be proud and so happy, so he nodded his head in agreement.

“yes, yū. that’s perfect.”

taking care of such a tiny human came so naturally to kento. he was easily able to balance work on top of making sure the baby was okay. for the first few months, it seemed as if yū would always cry when he was with you, until kento finally would pick him up and settle the baby in his arms. kento had taken an adequate amount of time off from work, working only 3-4 days a week, he made sure you had enough time to rest in between taking care of the baby for days at a time.

after a while, yū began to calm down, reverting into a happy, smiley, giggly baby. you felt more comfortable taking care of him on your own without kento there. so, in return, kento began working even more, picking up his normal 40-hour work week. since you had moved cities, you hadn’t found a stable job yet, but that was okay. because kento wanted to take care of you. he wanted to be the one to take care of his family.

so, you let him. he provided as much as possible for you and your child, all the while ensuring he wasn’t overworking himself in the process. he wanted to live a happy life, after all, he was never going to revert back to the ways of his 24-year-old self; working impossible hours and remaining exhausted 24/7.

since yū had began to grow older, hitting the year-old mark in the blink of an eye, you came to realize that you only took care of him. not that you minded, of course, you loved your baby. but you were less active, and it showed on your body. more and more, you looked in the mirror to find the pregnancy weight still latched on to you, the body you once had just didn’t seem to be there. you knew your husband should be the one to talk about insecurities, sure, but with all the surgeries he went through, and all he did to improve his health; you thought he looked just as ravishing as the day you met him. he did look just as handsome, even with the scars covering half of his body. he was simply a beautiful man.

and you began to feel undeserving. ugly. lesser than the person you were married to. and for what? because of some baby weight? it was natural. so why did you feel so increasingly terrible about yourself as time went on? you worked out, you stayed as healthy as possible; but it was like nothing was going to let you get back to how you looked before the baby.

you were looking in the mirror in your bathroom, a huge one, just like you dreamed of. but the large size of the mirror only gave you more sight into your own reflection. a reflection that filled you with disgust. you frowned at the weird shape and size of your tummy, or at least the shape you thought was weird, and the way your face seemed chubbier, and your thighs had grown in size.

“hey, honey,” kento greeted you, walking around the frame of the bathroom door. his sights were immediately infiltrated with the picture of his gorgeous wife, with her sleep shorts tugged down below her stomach, endearing stretchmarks littering the skin that once carried his beloved son.

you tugged your shorts up quickly and replied to him, “hi, kento.” with a quick turn on your heel and a step forward, you planted a light peck on his lips. he smiled down at you, eyes glittering with the very glimpse of such a beautiful woman.

“what are you doing?” he asked, snaking an arm around your waist to pull you close. you sort of slumped your body against him, resting a head on his shoulder, and you sighed.

“do you think i look…different now?” you couldn’t stop yourself from asking the question, blurting it out as you rested against your husband. he pulled you away and rested his hands on your waist to look you in the eyes.

“what do you mean, hm?” kento’s thumbs grazed up and down your soft skin.

you looked back into the mirror, frowning once more at the silhouette your body created. with a pitiful tone, you began to speak, “my body. ever since i had yū, it’s just been…ugly. i feel ugly.” you described yourself with one of the most hurtful words and caused kento’s eyebrows to furrow as he looked at you.

ugly? how dare his own wife speak about his wife that way. because, in his eyes, you were the most breathtaking individual on the planet. in the universe, actually. sure, he had noticed the changes of your body – the changes that came from you growing a human being inside of you, single-handedly giving him the best gift he’s ever received. if anything, he loved the changes of your body, somehow your skin became even softer to him, contrasting his rough hands perfectly.

“i’m sorry,” you apologized, noticing your husband’s glare once you looked back up at him. he shook his head.

“don’t apologize, i understand.” kento comforted you, bringing a sweet hand up to your cheek to pull you in for a soft kiss. once he pulled back, he ran a thumb over your cheek, “do you want to know what i think, sweetheart?”

brows furrowing, you looked up at him with a confused expression, “think about wh-,” he cut you off with another kiss to the lips. he skimmed his lips over different parts of your face, planting light pecks over all the skin.

“i think,” kento’s lips trailed down your neck slowly, then to each off your shoulders, beginning down one of your arms. “i have,” his kisses didn’t waver as he made his way down your arm, giving a firm kiss to the back of your hand as he held it, kneeling down. “the most,” he smiled up at you before focusing on your tummy, kissing the shirt that laid atop your soft skin, trailing all over your abdomen.

“beautiful wife in the world.”

you giggled at his gesture, the laugh soon faltering because kento’s stare on you was full of complete seriousness. the things that kento thought were always fact, never fiction, you should’ve known that. so yes, what he said was true. it would always be true in his eyes, too. always.

with all the intimacy conjured in the bathroom, that was the night you got pregnant with your second child, a daughter named mayu.

parenthood came with its own highs and lows as your children grew. your daughter loved her father til’ the earths end, always opting to stay under his arm whenever he was home. mayu had taken more of your looks this time, not quite the spitting image like yū was to your husband, but enough to tell that you were her mother. she was full of energy and happiness and took on a sassy personality from a young age. yū, however, was very emotional and laidback compared to his sister. it was quite funny how much their personalities showed, even when they were unable to talk. but as they began to grow up and adopt certain mannerisms, their personalities began to bloom even more.

as kento got older, he had gained just a tiny amount of weight, filling out his muscular form even more. his abs slowly faded with time, turning into a less-defined version of themselves. and your favorite part about kento growing older was his hair. once your children reached 3 and 5, kento had reached a good 35, turning 36 soon, little grey pieces began to pepper themselves into his hairline, shining brightly in between the blonde strands. he began to have small crow’s feet in the outsides of his eyes, and smile lines from the amount of smiling he did with you.

on yū’s first day of school, kento had to hold you as you sniffled back tears, watching your oldest boy walk through the front doors of the school. he held his arm around your shoulders and waved his son off, shushing you and saying he will only be gone until 3 p.m. little did you know, kento had to hold back his own tears, because in that moment he felt so accomplished as a father, even though that was only the beginning of yū’s journey.

not to worry, though, because on mayu’s first day – your husband cried like a baby seeing his daughter walk off into school, nervous for the first time in her life.

the first few years of your children’s school life were smooth sailing. yū and mayu alike made many friends and looked at school in a positive light. you and kento never got tired of their endless stories – about a game they played or a lesson they learned or a book they read. every little art project and 100 on a test decorated the fridge. kento made sure to teach them both about the importance of schooling and how to remain at the top of their class, along with balancing the increasing schoolwork the older they got.

it wasn’t until yū hit middle school that things began to go downhill.

neither you nor kento thought that your children would be able to see curses. only one of you was a sorcerer, and kento was the only one in his family that was able to be a sorcerer, too. but when kento took him to a bakery, yū saw the same creature as his father crawling around on the floor, eliciting an ear-shattering scream – kento felt doomed.

“what do you think we should do?” you questioned, leaning against the counter as your husband sat at the kitchen table, lips pursed beneath intertwined fingers pressed on the lower half of his face.

“i do not want him to be a sorcerer,” kento stated, a stern tone in his voice, “but he…he’s…i don’t know if we can stop it.” your husband sounded defeated at the statement.

he could only ask himself why this had to happen to him of all people; someone that had run away from jujutsu twice now. you and kento both decided to wait until your children were older to explain it all, and where all their uncles and aunts and family friends came from, but at the time, it all seemed inevitable but to give some sort of explanation.

so, of course, he called one of the people he trusted – and now respected – the most.

“nanami!” gojo squealed as soon as the front door was opened, revealing the still tall and lanky satoru. kento seemed to still be annoyed by his presence, yet inside he was thankful for his friend to show up on such short notice. gojo had been around your children some, obviously, but you and kento tried to keep your distance because of how dangerous it all was.

after giving satoru the rundown of the past days’ events, you sent mayu off to a friend’s house and sat yū in the living area with all the adults. until that point, he had no explanation as to what he saw in the bakery. but with ease, just as everything was with gojo, he gave yū the clarification needed to understand he had a special gift, and to use it wisely. kento made up his mind as to not scare your son by telling him about how he got all those scars, saving that for a later date. yū still didn’t understand everything entirely, but ended up having some sort of grasp on his abilities. that was all that was needed.

you and kento collectively decided it would be yū’s choice when he was old enough to decide to become a sorcerer, with the help of gojo, of course.

fortunately, or unfortunately, for mayu, she would end up not having the same abilities as her father. it was sort of a blessing, only having to worry about one kid being raised to fight the second they turned 14.

the years spent waiting for yū to become old enough to decide about jujutsu felt like a ticking time bomb for you and kento. many, many nights were spent in the kitchen, talking endlessly about your concerns but also the upsides to having your son learn under one of kento’s most trusted partners. but the both of you became more honest with your son about the reality of going into jujutsu, the pros and cons of becoming a sorcerer, and how it could both positively and negatively affect his life.

ultimately, though, kento was the most relieved he’d ever been when your son gave his answer about becoming a sorcerer, a few days away from the end of middle school.

“uh, no, dad. it sounds way too dangerous. i want to go to college.” yū’s words came off as that of a normal, moody teenager, but in the end made a weight lift off you and your husband’s shoulders.

they say time flies when you’re having fun, and that was the truest of statements when it came to raising your children with kento. yū’s high school years approached quickly, mayu’s seemingly approached even faster, it was all a rush of images that remained in your head. the sports teams, never missing a thursday night game to cheer on your son from the stands, as he led his soccer team to the regional levels. the first time yū brought a girl home, with you and kento seemingly even more nervous to meet the sweet young lady that attached herself to your son’s arm. prom was so much fun, seeing your husband knot the same printed tie around his son’s neck that he wore in his sorcerer days, before taking a thousand photos of yū and his girlfriend. your son had the most elated, idiotic smile on his face once he opened the door to find his girlfriend dressed to the nines in a stunning dress, the same smile on his face when he came home after a fun night with his friends. and of course, graduation topped it all off, yū standing at the top of his class just like his father. both you and kento had to stifle back tears watching him walk across the stage.

mayu’s high school days were a flash as well, a very fond memory looking back. she remained with the same snappy and sassy personality, just as when she was little. mayu remained close with her father, but began to talk to you as she got older, needing advice for any decision she made. it made you feel like a proud mother, someone she wasn’t embarrassed of because even through her mood swings and bad days, she always found refuge in you. mayu became the student council president by her second year, running every school event like a ship, making sure to always get extra t-shirts for you and kento because you would always show up. while yū was away at college, mayu became your focus as you let your son navigate his way through life.

kento thought he was going to have a heart attack the second his beloved daughter said she had a boyfriend she wanted the both of you to meet. the night that boy rolled up in his car, knocking on the door frantically, kento put on a stern and serious face as he was the one to open the door. mayu came running up behind kento, to no avail, as her boyfriend was already bowing and then shaking your husband’s hand. he politely introduced himself, practically shaking with how intimidated he was by your husband. but the night went on smoothly, you had dinner together and found out more about mayu’s boyfriend and his aspirations. at the end of the night, after he had left and mayu went to bed, kento said he was an, “alright young man,” which was the biggest compliment if you were going to date his daughter.

mayu’s graduation was the time for kento to sob again, seeing his daughter get so much recognition for all she did for the school, feeling like the proudest dad of two children. yū had driven into town, sitting next to you and kento in the stands, a bouquet of flowers for his sister. mayu moved into her dorm only a few weeks later, leaving you and kento in an empty house, riddled with the memories of raising two beautiful, accomplished, important and thriving children.

it all went by too fast.

after your birds had successfully left the nest, you and kento spent all your time together once again. the days would mix up as he began to work less and less to prepare for his retirement. time flew by, aging you and your husband both, the wrinkles becoming delicately pronounced each year, the grey hairs eventually taking over all the blonde in his head. you spent your time reading, baking, and most of all, traveling as soon as kento’s last day at work hit.

you flew all around the world, visiting the most gorgeous and diverse cities alike, emerging yourselves in all the different cultures, practices, and kento’s favorite part – the food. you visited malaysia with him again, just as you did on your honeymoon, the love you felt all those years ago still present within you both. you walked along the beaches and toured all the spots you favorited on your honeymoon again.

your life with kento nanami was beautiful.

you lay in bed with your husband at your side, his peaceful yet loud snores endearing as he sleeps so soundly. tomorrow, your 25th wedding anniversary will be here. you’ll walk out on the porch of the beautiful condo kento bought after retirement with a cup of coffee for him. you’ll read a book as your husband basks in the view of the beach he longed for all his life. your children and their spouses will drive in around afternoon, and spend the weekend with you both, letting you get time in with yū’s new baby, your grandchild. you will mingle, laugh, maybe cry and reminisce in all the memories you and your husband built up over the course of decades. your house will be loud with the sounds of kids and family and friends, all there to celebrate the life you’ve had with your husband.

even if kento were to die the next day, or in a year, or in 10 years, something would always remain true.

kento nanami had successfully spent his life with his true love.

taglist: @kundere20000000 @missakward123 @cherriee-ee @lagataprrr @ourfinalisation @ynniksslirg

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[writetheidea]

Shadows of the past

Hello, I made this blog solely to publish this fan fiction I wrote because the idea for the plot has been tugging at the back of my mind for months. I tried requesting it from a few writers but since they didn’t write it I remained unsatisfied. Then I remembered I also do have the ability to write.

This was thought of as a one shot. Upon receiving positive feedback and requests, a second part has been written.

Part 2

Pairing: Oscar Piastri x named!female character

Plot: Oscar's new relationship is strained by his family's constant reminders of his ex, Lily, and he fails to notice how this is affecting his girlfriend.

Tag: angst, hurt/no comfort, sad ending.

Word count: 2989

Disclaimers: english is not my first language - I feel like you could tell from my writing style - so I apologize if some of the sentences structures are off, or if I use outdated or inappropriate-for-the-context words, I used a synonym dictionary to try and stop myself from repeating the same words, I still did do that though. I also haven’t written any work of fiction since I was a teenager, so this could be bad, I just had a need to get this fan fiction out of my brain. And once I wrote it, it felt like a waste to keep it on my laptop.

The new girlfriend has a name as I wasn’t able to write this without a name, I apologize, I made it a shorter name so it can be skimmed over. There is no physical description of them.

I would like to explain that I do not think that Oscar's family would behave this way. This idea came from watching Nicole's interview in which she spoke highly about Lily and an unrelated conversation that day about families still speaking about and with ex-girlfriends.

Oscar sat in his motorhome, absentmindedly scrolling through social media notifications and posts. He wasn’t really paying attention to them. His mind was already on the track, anticipating the feel of the car and revising the strategies for the weekend. But, even as he tried to focus on the race ahead, something distracted him at the back of his mind. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on yet, something that had been running in his head for weeks.

Across from him, Mia sat quietly, going through her phone, though he knew it wasn’t holding her attention either. She hadn’t said much all day, her silence stretching thin between them like a thread on the verge of snapping. It wasn’t like her. At least, it wasn’t like how she used to be. When they first met, Mia had been a burst of energy, her laughter infectious, her smile like a safe heaven that had pulled him out of the chaos of being a public figure. But now… something had changed.

"Oscar, did you hear what I said?" Mia’s voice was soft, almost hesitant, her eyes searching his face for any sign that he had been paying attention to what she had been saying. But he hadn't.

Oscar blinked, eyes tearing away from his phone. "Sorry, darling. What did you say?"

Mia smiled, a small, strained smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "I was asking if you wanted to go out for dinner later. You know, somewhere quiet, just the two of us. I found this place…"

Oscar nodded absentmindedly, his attention already drifting away. "Yeah, sure. Sounds good."

Mia noticed his lack of attention, but she didn’t press the issue. She had grown used to his distracted responses over the past few months, so she just sat there, her fingers gripping her phone a little too tightly, and the silence between them growing heavier. It had been like this for a while now—Oscar lost in his racing, and Mia fading quietly into the background, unnoticed.

It wasn’t always like this. There was a time when his attention had been solely hers, when Oscar had looked at her with the kind of focus he reserved for the track. Lately, though, she had started to feel like she was slipping out of view, like she was losing her place in his world. And Oscar, so wrapped up in his career, didn’t see it. Not yet.

-----

It had started subtly, in ways Mia hadn’t been able to notice at first. When she had met Oscar, she knew this relationship wouldn’t have resembled her previous ones; she was stepping into a world of fame, pressure, and expectations. But she had been prepared for that—at least, she thought she had been.

The first time she had met Oscar’s family had been over a casual dinner. Nicole had been polite, her eyes studying Mia a little closely but never purely cold. And then there were his sisters, who seemed stuck between curiosity and indifference, their questions friendly but calculated.

It wasn’t until halfway through the meal that Mia first heard the name.

“Do you remember when Lily got us pizza in Monza?” Hattie had asked with a deliberate tone, her gaze flickering toward Oscar.

Mia had frozen for a second, her fork suspended midair. Lily. She had heard the name before, of course, Oscar had talked about her, the ex-girlfriend who had been with him through his early career. Mia hadn’t worried about her, assuming she was just part of his past.

“Oh, yeah,” Mae chimed in, laughing. “From that little family-run restaurant, right? God, I miss that place.”

Nicole smiled, her eyes lighting up. “Lily was always so thoughtful. She always knew how to make us feel at home, no matter where we were.”

Mia’s chest tightened, the casual and affectionate mention of Lily, compared to how she had been addressed throughout the evening, slicing through the conversation like a shard of ice. She forced herself to smile, to nod along, pretending it didn’t bother her. But it did more than she wanted to admit.

Oscar had shifted uncomfortably beside her, clearing his throat. “Yeah, Lily was great” he had said quickly, then tried to change the subject. But the damage was done. The ghost of Lily hung over the rest of the evening like a shadow, lingering at the edges of every conversation and Mia’s mind.

-----

As the months passed, Mia couldn’t shake the feeling that she was living in someone else’s place, that no matter how much Oscar claimed to love her, no matter how much she tried to integrate herself into his life, she was no comparison to Lily. It wasn’t that his family was blatantly rude towards her, they were kind, but there was a warmth in their voices when they spoke about Lily that they didn’t extend to Mia.

Every race weekend, every family gathering, even every private moment with Oscar was tainted in her mind by the weight of someone else’s ghost.

It wasn’t until one afternoon in Monaco, when Mia stumbled across the ring, that the full weight of it hit her.

She had been tidying the bedroom while Oscar was out, taking advantage of the free time to clean the apartment, cleaning up a drawer of old clothes when she found it—a small, velvet box. Her heart had skipped a beat as she opened it, revealing a stunning diamond ring.

Her breath caught in her throat.

She wasn’t unrealistic, Mia knew this wasn’t meant for her, her relationship with Oscar still too young to warrant a proposal. No. This ring wasn’t for her. It had been bought for someone else. For Lily.

Mia closed the box with trembling hands, her chest tightening as the realization washed over her. Oscar had been planning to marry Lily. He had been ready to propose, to make her his wife, to share his life with her in a way that as of lately Mia wasn’t sure he would ever want to with her.

She had never brought it up to Oscar. She couldn’t. How could she confront him about something like this? How could she admit that she had found evidence of a future he had once planned with someone else, a future that might have happened if things hadn’t fallen apart between them?

From that day on, the weight of it pressed down on her like a constant reminder. She tried to ignore it, to push the self doubt away, to remind herself it was all part of the past. But every time Oscar’s family mentioned Lily, every time they talked about her like she was still part of their world, Mia felt herself slipping further away from the confident, energetic woman she had once been.

-----

The Monaco GP was supposed to be a new start. Mia had somewhat convinced herself that her doubts were unreasonable, that her presence in Oscar’s life was concrete. She had been trying so hard to convince her mind, to smile through the subtle slights, to act as if Lily’s constant presence in conversations didn’t bother her. But Monaco was different. Monaco was where everything changed.

The paddock was buzzing with energy as usual, the yachts in the harbor reflecting the morning sun. Mia stood beside Oscar, her hand in his as they made their way through the crowd. Fans called out to him, snapping photos, but Mia barely noticed. Her attention was elsewhere—on the small group standing near the McLaren garage.

There stood Oscar’s family. And Lily.

Mia felt her heart skip at the sight. Lily was just standing there, laughing with Nicole, looking as comfortable and at ease as she had in all the stories Mia had had to listen to in the past months. She was so effortlessly beautiful, with an air of confidence that Mia had always admired but now found unbearable.

Nicole’s eyes found Oscar, lighting up as she waved him over. “Oscar, darling! Come say hello.”

Mia felt herself stiffen, her stomach twisting into knots. Oscar hesitated for a moment, glancing at Mia before offering her a quick, apologetic smile. “I’ll just be a minute,” he murmured, squeezing her hand before walking over to his family. To her.

Mia couldn’t bring herself to do anything but watch as he greeted them, his interactions with Lily casual but friendly, too friendly in her doubt filled mind. It was like watching him slip into an old role, a role he played with ease, with a counterpart Mia couldn’t quite replace.

They talked for what felt like hours, though it had only been minutes. Mia stood there, frozen as her heart pounded in her chest as she watched Oscar laugh at something Lily said, as his mother beamed at them, as if this was how things were supposed to be. As if Mia was the outsider, the intruder in a story that had never been hers to begin with.

-----

That night, the silence in their room was deafening.

Oscar had been talking about the race, but Mia hadn’t been able to focus. She hadn’t really said much all weekend, her responses short and her mind elsewhere.

“Mia?” Oscar called, his brows furrowed as he looked at her. “Is everything okay?”

She just stared at him for a moment, unsure of how to put her thoughts into words, unsure of how to explain the feelings that had made a home in her mind. “Oscar… Do you ever think about her?”

He frowned, confused. “Who?”

“Lily,” Mia whispered, voice barely audible. “Do you still think about her? About… what could have been?”

Oscar blinked, startled by the question. “Mia, no. Of course not. I’m with you now.”

She shook her head, as she fought her anxiety and tried to gather the courage to say what had been haunting her mind for months. "You say that, Oscar, but… it feels like I’m always competing with her, against her presence in your life. And I don’t know how to stop feeling like I’m constantly fighting against someone who’s not even here anymore."

Oscar’s expression softened as he stepped toward her, one of his hands reaching out to gently cup her face. "Mia, you are not. I don't think about Lily like that anymore. That part of my life is over."

"Is it?" Mia’s voice cracked, her eyes searching his for the reassurance she so desperately needed. "Because I’m not sure your family feels the same way. They still talk about her, still invite her to races. Nicole talks about her like she could still be a part of your life, like she is supposed to be a part of your life. And Oscar… I found the ring."

Oscar’s hand dropped from her face, his eyes widening in shock. "What ring?"

"The one in your drawer," Mia said, her voice trembling. "The engagement ring. The one you bought for her."

Oscar froze, his breath catching in his throat. "Mia… I didn’t mean for you to find that. I—I should have gotten rid of it a long time ago."

"Why didn’t you?" she asked. "Why didn’t you get rid of it if you had moved on? You kept it, Oscar, that has to mean something. And every time she is brought up, every time I notice her presence still somewhat in your life, I feel like I’ll never be good enough. Like I’m standing in her shadow, no matter what I do."

Oscar sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair as he sat on the edge of the bed. "Mia, I didn’t keep the ring because I still have feelings for her. I kept it because… I never knew what to do with it. You are right, I did want to propose to Lily at some point, I couldn’t see that our relationship was dying, I was trying to deny it. But I didn’t propose in the end. I realized it wasn’t right. I never told you because I didn’t want to hurt you."

Mia hugged herself, staring at the floor. "But it does hurt now, Oscar. And it hurts every time they bring her up, every time they talk about how perfect she was, how much they loved her. It feels like I’m just… filling a spot that’s still meant for her."

Oscar stood up and reached for her again, his voice carrying an underlying urgency. "Mia, you’re not filling a space. I love you. I want to be with you. I thought you knew that."

"I thought I did too," she whispered, tears filling her eyes. "But… I don’t know anymore. And I feel like I’m losing myself trying to live up to the memory of someone I’m not while you didn’t even notice how much it’s been affecting me."

Oscar’s heart sank as he took in her words, the weight of his and his family’s actions finally settling on his shoulders. He had known that they still cared for Lily, but he hadn’t understood how much it had been hurting Mia. And he hadn’t noticed how distant she had become, how her bright light had started to dim under the constant comparisons.

He sat back down, hands resting in his lap as he stared at the floor. "Mia, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize… I didn’t know it was this bad."

Mia took a deep, shaky breath, tears staining her face. "You didn’t. I don’t know if I can keep doing this, Oscar. I love you, so much so that I have been willing to hurt myself to be with you, but I can’t keep feeling like I’m not enough. Like I’ll never be enough."

Oscar looked up at her, desperation in his eyes at the implications of her words. "You are enough, Mia. You’ve always been enough."

She shook her head, wiping her eyes. "If I was enough, your family wouldn’t still be holding onto Lily. They wouldn’t be talking about her like she’s still the one for you… They wouldn’t make me feel like I’m always in second place in a one person competition."

Oscar felt his throat tighten, his guilt and frustration rising to the surface. He had been so focused on his career, on the races, that he hadn’t noticed how much this had been affecting Mia. And now, standing in front of him, she looked so lost, so hurt, that he wasn’t sure how to fix it.

"I’ll talk to them," he said, his voice firm. "I’ll make sure they understand. They can’t keep doing this to you—to us. I’ll set boundaries. I don’t want to lose you, Mia."

Mia’s gaze softened for a moment, but the pain in her eyes was still there. "It’s not just about them, Oscar. It’s about how I’ve been feeling invisible, like I don’t matter as much in your life. I don’t know if talking to them will change how I feel about myself now. I don’t know if it’ll be enough to fix this."

Oscar’s heart clenched. He could see the cracks in their relationship now, the ones he had been too blind to notice before. And he realized, with a sinking feeling, that this wasn’t something he could just fix with a few words or promises. This was deeper.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked quietly, his voice almost breaking. "Tell me what I can do to make this right."

Mia stood there for a long moment, staring at him, the weight of the decision she had come to after months of suffering heavy on her shoulders. She loved him, she had given everything to this relationship, but the constant reminders of his past with Lily had killed her confidence, her sense of security.

"I think…" she began, her voice shaky, "I think I need some time. Time to figure out if I can keep doing this, if I can keep being in this relationship without losing myself further."

Oscar felt a chill run through him at her words. "Mia, please don’t say that. Don’t say you’re leaving."

"I’m not leaving," she clarified, though the look in her eyes betrayed her uncertainty of their future. "But I need space. I need time to think about what’s best for me, because right now… I don’t feel like I’m good for you. And I don’t feel like this is good for me."

Oscar’s chest tightened painfully as he stepped toward her, his hands trembling as he reached for hers. "I love you. I don’t want to lose you."

Tears spilled from Mia’s eyes again as she looked down at their hands. "I love you too, Oscar. But love isn’t enough if I don’t feel like I belong in your life. If I don’t feel like your family accepts me. Like I can accept myself."

He swallowed hard, fighting his own tears. "I’ll make them understand. I’ll fight for us."

She pulled her hands away gently, taking a step back. "I need to fight for myself first."

Oscar felt the floor drop from under him as Mia turned toward the door. She paused for a moment, her hand resting on the doorknob, before looking back at him with tears in her eyes.

"Please don’t hate them," she whispered. "I know they didn’t mean to hurt me. But… they did. And I don’t know how to fix that."

And with that, she slipped out of the room, out of the apartment, leaving Oscar standing alone, silence deafening around him. The weight of his family’s actions, of his own inaction, pressed down on him.

He had always thought he could balance everything—his career, his family, his relationship—but now, as the door closed behind Mia, he realized that he had been wrong. He had been so focused on winning races, on making his family happy, that he hadn’t seen the cracks forming beneath the surface of his relationship and in the heart of the woman he loved.

And now, he wasn’t sure if he would ever get her back.

[minimomoe]

How to Train your Demon

Pairing: trueform! Sukuna x Fem Reader

Summary: Life has all kinds of wins and losses. You don't know which category to put your new demon husband in though.

Tags: MDNI!, red string of fate trope, true form sukuna, librarian reader, soul mates, reincarnation, accidental summoning, love at first sight (but it's one-sided (until it's not)), Sukuna is demon, but he's v much in love, smut and stuff eventually i guess....

Part: I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI.

Revisit rule: "Don't Show Fear"?

Your whole day soured at the notion of you not being able to get the book as soon as you had hoped. Your mind raced at the possibilities that would happen if it was gone for good, but you had to think of happy thoughts as patrons began to ask you if you were feeling alright on the job. You hadn’t expected your emotions to show so openly on your face. 

Uraume did not interfere with your work at all. If you had made a wincing sound loud enough for them to hear, their head would dart to your attention, silently asking if you needed their assistance. You would shake your head to assure them you were doing just fine, and then Uraume would stick their nose back in their book. They seemed to be earnestly reading, absorbing the information from one non fiction novel to the next in astonishing speed. You think they must have finished at least two books by the third hour of your shift. 

The only time you lost sight of Uraume was when Kento made a surprise comeback to the front desk. 

“Mr. Nanami? Don’t tell me you finished all those books already?” 

He gave you a weary smile. Yuuji was no longer on his hip, but instead holding his hand with an apologetic frown. 

“I left my favorite jacket here. We had to come back to get it,” Yuuji mumbled. 

“Oh that’s not a problem. I’m sure it’s in the kid section right where you left it. There hasn’t been that many people today,” you assured them. To make the boy feel better, you led him to the last place you saw him, holding out your own hand for him to take. That’s when Nanami saw your foot and tried to make you stay back. 

“Trust me, I want to move around. I’ve been stuck up there pretty much all day,” you waved Nanami off. 

Just as you expected, Yuuji’s beloved jacket was crumbled up on one of the colorful beanbags in the reading zone. He dropped your hand to dash towards it. Once Yuuji collected his belongings he ran back to you with a running hug that almost knocked you off of your feet. 

“Thank you!” He gushed. 

“Yuuji, be careful!” He peeled the young boy with the strength of two men off of your body. “I’m sorry about that. Are you sure you’re alright?” 

“Kento, I’m fine. Now go have fun at the beach for me,” you smiled. 

You waved them off for the second time. On your trip back to your desk is when you noticed that Uraume was nowhere to be found. They weren’t sitting at the desk that they have been reading at, or skimming through the shelves when you did a quick look around. 

As you plopped back to the front desk, Jess popped up from the office space behind you. 

“You wanna work back here for now? I’ll take the front. You’re moving around too much for my liking.”

She practically wheeled you to the back before you could agree, but you knew it would be better for you. 

“Have you seen that one person with white hair?”

“Not in a while. Why, you think they're sketchy?”

“No no, I was just curious.” The last thing you needed was attention on Uraume, because more attention on them would lead to Sukuna. Since they found their way to the library, you had no doubt that they would get home safely. 

Now in the back, or the Book Nursery as your library liked to call it, you scanned the stack of new novels that you have not seen before. 

“When did this delivery come in?” 

“I just picked it up from the donation box,” Jess explained. Your shoulders dropped at her words and she gave you a concerned look. “Do you want to go home? You don’t live too far. I can drop you off and have somebody cover me for twenty minutes while I come back.”

“I can’t make you do that,” you shook your head. You got comfortable in your chair and picked the first book in the stack. It was a children’s book that had the plastic covering torn to shreds and a few loose pages. All it needed was a little TLC and it would be as good as new. “I’m fine. Just a little tired. I’ll be okay back here.” 

“If you say so,” she said, unconvinced. “Holla if you need me.” 

Being away from the needs of the public was exactly what you needed. With quiet music playing in your headphones, you were in the groove of putting books back together until your shift was over. You had gotten through half of the stack and most of them were salvageable. When Jess rapped on the door to tell you that it was time to leave, your mood was noticeably lifted. 

Right before Jess dropped you off at your house, she gently held your hand. 

“If your new man does anything— and I mean anything— that breaks your heart…”

“You’ll be the first to know,” you promised. 

“Good. Call me if you need anything!” 

Once inside, you were greeted to the sounds sourcing from the kitchen and the living room. Your TV was on with a show that you didn’t recognize at first until you saw the familiar opening sequence of none other than Hannibal. You smirked at the screen, passing it to see what Sukuna could possibly up to in the kitchen, especially when you had listed that place as off limits. 

“My lord, you can no longer use that knife. She doesn’t like meat or residue from meat in her meals. We will have to wash them or retrieve new utensils,” Uruame softly reminded.

“Some meat would do her good,” Sukuna grumbled. Still, he grabbed a new knife like Uraume said and began to chop the vegetables in front of him. He squinted at the cookbook propped up at the corner of the countertop before giving up and telling Uraume to read it outloud. 

You could barely hold in your laugh. Both heads popped up to see you standing in the corner. 

“What are you doing?” You giggled. 

“Preparing dinner, ma’am,” Uraume bowed. “Welcome home.” 

“I’m glad that you made it back safely,” you said. Sukuna washed off his hands before greeting you with a bear hug with all four of his arms. 

“You’ve reduced me to be the one at home waiting at home for you to return.” 

“I think being a housewife suits you,” you squeezed out. His hold was tight, genuinely missing your presence and now he didn’t want to let you go. 

“I’ll leave that to Uraume for the time being. There is something we need to do.” 

There is nothing more that Sukuna loves doing than picking you up so that he can move faster, and that’s exactly what he did to walk you to the living room and placed you on the couch. You looked at him bewilderedly as he unstrapped. When you swung your foot off the couch to stand up limply, he gave you an unimpressed glare. 

“Don’t look at me like that, you didn’t explain anything! What are you gonna do?”

“I am going to heal you if you can stop moving around,” Sukuna growled. He grabbed your wrist, attempting to have you fall into his lap but you stumbled back. 

“Heal me? How? Why?” The rapid fire questions thinned Sukuna’s patience. He held out one of his hands for you to take but you were stubborn in your stillness. 

“You and your questions. How? Why?” He repeated mockingly. He slowly rose from the bed, taking slow, predatory steps towards you until there was no more space for you. You bumped into a wall and couldn’t hide from his gaze. “Do you think I am incapable?”

“N-no.”

“Do you think I have ill intentions?”

“I don’t think so?” You squeaked.

“Then settle down. Concern yourself with matters you can control.” 

You were practically plastered on the wall when Sukuna sank down to one knee, taking it upon himself to remove your boot to look at your toe himself. He muttered something that you couldn’t make out, a language that you have yet to learn, and the dull pain in your toe you felt since you broke it disappeared. You gasped squatting down to look at your foot and saw that the bruising around it had faded away. You poked at your toe, expecting to wince at the touch but was greeted with… nothing. 

Sukuna watched you carefully as you inspected your body. You flexed your muscles, wiggled it, stomped on it with hawk eye attention. 

“It’s really healed,” you muttered to yourself. “How did you do that?” You demanded. 

“It’s a simple spell for a minor injury locked away in the book that I’m bound to. It was easy enough to learn,” Sukuna said. 

“You learned it just now? From the book? You never had to use it on yourself?” “The need was not there before. I never got hurt in battle.” 

You concluded that Uraume was at the library on multiple orders, one being to watch for you, but once they were sure you were alright, Uraume must have grabbed the journal when you were no longer watching. Sukuna scooped you up in his arms despite your new ability to walk on your own to take you to your room. Before he could sit you down on your bed, you tighten your arms around his neck, signaling that you didn’t want to be placed down just yet. He looked at you expectantly, waiting for you to say something. 

You placed a soft kiss on his cheek, taking him by surprise. 

“Thank you,” you muttered. “I’m sure I would’ve gotten better all on my own, but this was very kind of you.” 

While his face remained unchanged, Sukuna’s ears turned scarlet. You shifted uncomfortably in his arms, unsure if you had done the right thing. Usually Sukuna was pretty expressive even if he wasn’t saying anything. This time, all you got was a deep stare into your soul that left nothing to hide. 

“I told you that I wouldn’t have to beg for your kiss,” he smirked. 

Heat rushed to your face. “I’ll never give you another one!”

“Never? Why lie to yourself?” He crooned in your ear, making your embarrassment rise. You pushed away his face only to get your finger caught in his mouth. It sent a shock right down to the apex of your thighs, leading you to hiss loudly. Sukuna knew exactly the effect he had on you, and his teeth grazed across your finger length. 

“Eating me because of a kiss is a bit much, no?” You nervously laughed. 

You had no idea how Sukuna could devour you if you allowed him. You slowly took your hand out of his mouth, opting to tenderly cup the side of his face. You could hear your heart pounding, the blood rushing in your veins as your face drifted closer to his. Sukuna’s parted lips waited for yours, allowing you to take the lead. When you finally tasted his mouth you sighed in relief. The attraction between you and Sukuna has always been palatable, even if you willingly chose to ignore it, but now there was no denying it. He stirred something deep within your stomach that you could no longer ignore. You wanted to be dragged down deeper, to have his hands all over your body. 

Sukuna gently lowered you into your bedding, his mouth still locked on yours. His tongue pushed yours with assertion. Everything he did was meaningful, and all you felt was possession. There was barely enough space for him to fit between your legs but still you tried. You were clawing at his back to place his whole weight on your body when you heard soft rapping at the door. You barely had enough self control to actually check who it was. With one eye open you saw your poor cat trying to leave the room before you got freaky with a demon. 

“Sukuna– wait–” 

You had to deal with him biting and sucking your neck, almost dragging you back down in bed with him but you will was stronger. 

“I’m not going anywhere, give me a second!” 

Sukuna held himself over your body. Two hands planted at your head, the other two creeping up your shirt. 

“Cleo cannot be in here if we’re about to do anything. Let me take our child out.” You held his face in your hands and shook him gently. Your words finally reached his brain and he rolled over, petulantly crossing his arms over his chest while staring at the ceiling. 

You petted Cleo’s ears while apologizing to her. 

“Sorry honey. I almost let you see something R-rated,” you chuckled. At the front of your open door stood Uraume waiting patiently who made you jump back. They bowed as an apology, still speaking with their head down. 

“Your dinner is ready to be served.”

“Leave us, Uraume," Sukuna ordered from behind. 

“Yes, my L–”

“No, we’ll eat now,” you stepped in. Cleo ran down the hall for her own meal with loud meows after purring around Uraume’s feet. You could feel Sukuna’s growing scowls from behind boring into your head. 

“As you wish,” Uraume bowed again. 

You turned to a very annoyed demon who rolled his eyes when you pecked another kiss on his cheek.

“Don’t look so down. I gave you another kiss despite my words earlier. That’s gotta count for something.”

Sukuna narrowed his eyes on you. “Eat well. Once you are fed, I will not let you go.” 

Thanks for reading loves!! lemme know what ya think xx

Part: I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI.

M.list || Twitter || Ao3

[hitomisuzuya]

How about threesome with Scaramouche and childe, it’s something like who eats her out better?

Threesome. Scaramouche x fem! reader Childe x fem!reader. Smut. Cunilligus.

A little competition was healthy.

Normally, Scaramouche didn't like to share. You were his, and that was that. However, Childe always looked so smug whenever he talked about potentially eating you out better than he could that he just couldn't stand to ignore it anymore.

Childe practically quivered in anticipation as he settled himself on his stomach between your legs. Licking his lips, his hands smoothed over your thighs. "Keep those legs spread for me, girlie," He said, not giving you time to respond before he licked a line down your cunt.

Skimming his thumb along your inner thighs, he groaned in appreciation when your fingers found there way into his hair to push his mouth against your cunt, letting it vibrate against your clit.

His licks were agonizingly slow, smirking when your sighs of pleasure bled into moans, rolling your hips up into his mouth. You squirmed, feeling his skilled tongue slip inside of you, making your body tremble in pleasure. "Squirm more for me, girlie. I can't get enough of it," Childe moaned, swirling his tongue accurately, aiming to lick as deep inside of you as he could.

He wanted Scaramouche see every quiver of pleasure, hear every moan that spilled erotically from your lips.

You were coming to discover that Childe fucked like he fought. Not one move was ever wasted, that much was even more evident with the way he was building up your orgasm, bringing his lips to latch around your clit, swirling his tongue around it as he sucked.

You were breathless, your walls clamping around his tongue, blinking back tears as you squirted on his tongue. That didn't stop Childe from getting carried away as he eagerly lapped up your release.

He only stopped when Scaramouche pried him from between your thighs. "Remember who she really belongs to," He chided dangerously, the look of possession in Scaramouche's eyes sent a chill up his spine.

Wiping his mouth, Childe shoot him a smug smirk, moving behind you so he could rest your head in his lap.

Scaramouche was nothing but confident, spreading the lips of your dripping, twitching cunt with the two fingers. He knew your body better than anyone. He knew exactly where to suck and lick, what would make you moan the loudest.

It was time to put up, or shut up.

You mmediately pushed his mouth down onto your cunt, choking back a sob of pleasure as he set his tongue to work between your legs. Every part Childe had worked over only throbbed more sensitive, bringing your to walls to clamp almost instant around his tongue.

You put a hand over your mouth, which Childe promptly grabbed. There was just something so erotic about seeing you lost in the throes of pleasure that was so arousing.

"Don't stop, Scara!" You cried out, tugging on his hair, your hips bucking feverishly into his mouth. Hearing this, he smirked into your cunt, slurping as he sucked on your clit.

He knew he had won.

He couldn't wait to hear his name tear from your throat in a scream while you creamed hard on his tongue. No matter how many times it happened, Scaramouche could never get enough of it.

He was intent to drag out building up your orgasm. Your thighs trembled, your body beginning to twitch with overstimulation. Your head spun, reeling from the intensity of your approaching orgasm.

Just when you thought Scaramouche couldn't carry you any higher, one last firm suck on your clit brought you screaming as your release flooded over his tongue. He groaned in bliss, nudging his nose against your throbbing clit, lapping his tongue inside your cunt.

"And that is how is it's done," Scaramouche said, smirking at Childe as he reluctantly picked his head up from between your legs. Curling his fingers underneath your chin, he kissed you, making you taste yourself on his tongue.

"Shouldn't we let her decide," Childe asked, leaning in for a kiss of his own after Scaramouche pulled away.

He batted Childe away possessively. He was always selfish when he came to you. He didn't give a damn that Childe whined being denied the kiss.

[hoe4hotchner]

Lavender | [S.R]

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Reader CW: Sensual, it's not smut but Spence might act a little horny in it, emotional intimacy. WC: 0.6k

This is part of #Teddy-ber hosted by @angellsell

           The scent lingered in the air, subtle yet intoxicating. Spencer had always loved it - how it seemed to hang around long after you’d left the room, a quiet reminder of you. But now, standing in the doorway, watching you move through the space, it felt different. Stronger. More intimate.

           You hadn’t noticed him yet. The glow of the late afternoon sun bathed the room in golden light, casting soft shadows that danced along the floor. You were bent over the small pot by the window, fingertips brushing the petals. He couldn’t help but be drawn to you.

    ��      Slowly, he stepped closer, the faint creak of the wooden floor giving him away. You didn’t turn immediately, but the soft curve of a smile tugged at your lips as if you had already sensed him. He stopped just behind you, close enough to feel the warmth of your body but not quite touching. The scent filled his senses, its soothing presence blending with something else - something distinctly you.

           “You always smell like this,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly would break the spell the room had cast.

           You turned your head slightly, meeting his gaze over your shoulder, eyes soft with warmth. “Like what?”

           “Like lavender,” he breathed, leaning just a little closer, enough to feel the brush of your hair against his skin. “It’s… calming. But at the same time-” His breath hitched as the words hung in the air, the unspoken pull between you thickening with every passing second.

           You smiled, turning fully to face him, your hands slipping up to his chest. “I didn’t know you paid that much attention to it.”

           Spencer’s fingers found their way to your waist, slow and deliberate. He always moved with such care, as if he was afraid of breaking something fragile. His thumb brushed over the fabric of your shirt, barely grazing your skin, but it was enough to send a shiver down your spine. “I notice everything about you,” he said softly, his voice low, intimate. His nose skimmed just above your shoulder, and you could feel his breath against your neck, warm and unhurried like he was savoring the moment. “Especially this.”

           You closed your eyes, letting his closeness envelop you. The blend of him- warm, familiar - made your heart race, made you want to drown in it.

           “You make it sound like a good thing,” you teased, your voice a breathy whisper, your hand moving up to trace the line of his jaw.

           “It is,” he whispered against your skin, his lips grazing your collarbone, slow and calculated. His breath was warm, the air between you almost a tangible thing now, swirling around you both, making it impossible to think of anything but him, but the way he made you feel.

           Spencer pulled back just enough to meet your eyes, his gaze soft but dark with something deeper. His hand slid up to your neck, his thumb resting gently against the pulse point beneath your ear. He could feel the way your heartbeat quickened, and it made something stir inside him. “You don’t know what you do to me,” he murmured, leaning in to press a soft kiss just below your jaw, his lips brushing against your skin with the same delicate touch he always gave you.

           The space between you was thick with tension now, no longer calm, but intoxicating, mixing with the warmth of your closeness. You were lost in it, lost in him.

           Spencer’s lips trailed up your neck, his breath warm against your ear as he whispered, “Lavender… it’s soothing. But with you, it’s… more.” His fingers tightened slightly on your waist, pulling you closer. “It’s… addictive.”

           Your breath hitched, your hands sliding up his arms, needing to feel every inch of him as he pulled you into the scent that had become so much more than just a fragrance. It was him - it was you - it was the two of you wrapped up in something that felt like it was never meant to end.

[meiieiri]

STOLEN MOMENTS WITH THEM [FT. JUJUTSU KAISEN]

❁—CHARACTERS: suguru geto, gojo satoru, nanami kento

warnings: suggestive themes in gojo’s part (bc why not haha), mentions of canon-typical violence

a/n: i’m so sorry for all this tooth-rotting fluff, i’m sad rn so hehe :’>> song inspo: you are in love (taylor swift). am accepting requests/prompts btw, just shoot me a message-

༊*·˚ SUGURU GETO

winter afternoons cooped inside your one bedroom apartment are always special days, commonly consisting of freshly-brewed piping hot tea sitting peacefully on your small living room side table, a good book, and the warmth of a knitted throw blanket. snowflakes fall entrancingly from the sky and make a feather-like landing on the glass windows that peek into your home.

suguru geto was lounging silently on the couch with you, your head on his strong lap as he gently combs his fingers through your hair, a leather bound book in his free hand, his eyes leisurely skimming the yellowed pages trying to make sense of the decadent shakespearean sonnets that liken love to that of honey and flowers. you were just about to fall asleep when suguru’s melodic baritone caresses your ear.

“don’t you think he’s so full of shit?” he asks suddenly. how could one speak with such vulgar words and still make it sound like poetry?

“shakespeare?” you sit up and you readjust yourselves so that you can rest your head on his shoulder, peeking over it to inspect sonnet 55. his arms comes up to pull you closer to him, tucking you into the warmth of his chest in a bid to keep you warm. “i thought you liked his work,” you take the offending book into your hands, scanning through the words.

“i do,” he clarifies, tracing shapes on your shoulder, his cheek resting against the top of your head as he waits for you to finish reading through the passage.

when you look up from the book, you are surprised when his lips abruptly yet softly meet yours in a loving peck. his hand moves to cup your cheek as he deepens the kiss, your lips moving together in a perpetual waltz, your heartbeats in total sync. you thought the kiss would last forever, and you and suguru wouldn’t give a flying fuck, but he pulls away teasingly, his forehead resting against your own, his nose lovingly bumping yours as you both come down from your respective highs.

“not as much as i like you, though.”

you shake your head, rose blush tinting your cheeks, hopelessly in love. he truly was the light of your life, the lighthouse that brings you to safe waters.

༊*·˚ GOJO SATORU

despite the horrors that have long plagued the grounds of jujutsu tech, the school, being tucked away in a remote location deep in tokyo’s forgotten countryside, was actually quite beautiful. the backdrop of the tall cedar-wood and red maple trees in the forest adjacent to the teachers’ dormitories that served as a protective cover from unwanted prying eyes is a particularly wonderful sight and in an autumn evening such as this one, emitted a fresh aroma of sweet cherries and almonds.

“i was wondering where you were,” gojo satoru walks in the teachers lounge just as the electric kettle automatically switches off. he woke up in a panic when he noticed you’d gone missing, your side of the bed having lost all its warmth, indicating you must have been out of bed for a good while now. it didn’t help his nerves to see your bedstand digital clock display the time: 1:58 AM in bright neon green on its screen.

he moves behind you, his strong arms wrapping around your dainty figure as you busy yourself pouring the boiling hot water into the two instant ramen cups you had prepared. “that for me?”

“nope,” you shrug. “it’s for nanami.”

that was obviously a lie — he looks at the label of the ramen cup and scoffs when he sees the indicated flavor: seafood curry, his favorite, now, if that wasn’t enough to convince him, he has to remind himself that his adorable blonde junior hates instant crap like this. but still, you found it endearingly funny to see your husband pouting like some kicked dog when you push past him to bring the two cups over to the nearby dining table. “i’m kidding,” you chortle, beckoning him to join you.

“you meanie,” he sticks out his bottom lip as he follows you to the table. he sits down, his elbows resting on the table as his hands come up to cradle his chin, mirroring the image of a child who’d been told “no” by his parent. “i think i want a divorce now,” he sulks.

you feign guilt, playing along with him. you stand up to take a seat next to him. “i’m sorry, baby,” you tell him. he only responds by pointing to his cheek, silently telling you to “kiss it better” if you really were sincere in your apology. you reach up to place a loving kiss on his cheek and a smile spreads across his lips. “better?” you chuckle when he lets out an amused breath.

having made peace, you move to retrieve your cup of ramen when without warning, he pulls you by the hand, crashing his lips against yours in a passionate kiss, his teeth needily sucking at your bottom lip, the heat of the kiss seemingly warming up the entire room that had been filled with the chill of the autumn night breeze. your arms move to rest on his shoulders, as he effortlessly pulls you into his lap, his hands resting on the small of your back. it’s only when you need to take a steadying breath of air that he breaks the kiss.

“all better,” he winks, the ramen having gone cold, utterly forgotten, as the night peacefully went on.

༊*·˚ NANAMI KENTO

“i knew i should have brought an umbrella,” nanami kento sheepishly rubs the back of his head.

“i’m sorry,” his shoulders slump when a low rumble of a thunderclap suddenly goes off, lightning illuminating the sky in a brilliant glow. the date had gone so well — you visited the best art galleries in tokyo, even saw a performance at one of those cozy hidden gem jazz clubs — kento had thought that his luck would hold out ‘till you got home.

but the universe seems to have decided otherwise. now, here you were taking shelter, stranded under the fiberglass roof of a deserted bus stop’s waiting shed. “kento,” your gentle voice quells the dread in his chest, chipping away at the block of anxiety forming in his throat. “it’s okay,” you scoot over, patting the spot next to you, silently telling him to sit down.

reluctantly, he takes a seat, keeping himself at a reasonable distance from you, thinking that you would, at the very least, be upset at him for this slight mishap. “sorry,” he repeats the apology like a broken record, and a compassionate smile forms on your lips.

you slowly scoot on over next to him, closing the gap between the two of you, your pinky finger reaching for his own, as if you were asking for permission. kento notices the gesture instantly, and takes your hand in his, his thumb rubbing your knuckles comfortingly. “…today was fun, kento,” you tell him, a genuine grin on your face, “seriously. what’s a little rain?”

a burden seems to have been lifted from his shoulders. kento nanami was not a man who put much value into love, with how dangerous his profession is, fighting the lurking malevolence hiding in the world’s darkest shadows, he didn’t have time for the childishness of falling in and out of love. it was inconvenient, and troublesome.

at least, that’s what he used to believe before you came crashing into his life and touched the heartstrings he has long resigned to keep under lock and key with your delicate hands.

he silently takes off his overcoat then to wrap it around your shoulders like the gentleman he was (he wasn’t about to let the love of his life get drenched in the rain), resisting the urge to grin when he sees just how small you look in it. the next few minutes pass by in absolute silence, the sound of your breaths being the only conceivable sound for a long while.

“…i’m glad you had fun,” he looks up at the stormy sky again. “i did, too.”

“next time, let’s be sure to check the weather forecast ahead of time,” you giggle. he joins your laughter, bringing your hand to his lips, his warm breath tickling your skin, as he lets his lips touch your flesh in a quintessentially classic affectionate kiss on the back of your hand like they do in those vintage hollywood movies. he tucks a stray strand of hair behind your ear. “i know how much you hate the rain.”

“…i think i can make an exception,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper.

the decibels of his tenor fight against the loud pitter patter of raindrops crash landing on the fiberglass roof of the waiting shed. but you hear his lyrical confession of love anyway, with your heart’s ear perhaps.

“i have the sun with me all the time, anyway,” kento says, planting a soft kiss on your forehead as the rain washes the remnants of his old world away.

[greynatomy]

regret

leah williamson x reader

actually finished writing something! wooo! the poll i put out was a close one, but this pair ultimately won. thanks to all who voted.

i’ve decided to split this into two parts, so this isn’t the end peoples!

part 2

———

“Alright. Remember, when we get there—”

“—pretend that we’re still happily married. I know.” You say annoyed, getting out of the car.

“Hey, don’t be like that!” Leah gets out of the car, catching up to you.

“Be like what? I’m not the one who got us in this situation.”

“Can we just be civil? This is the last time we’ll go through this.”

“Piss off will you! We wouldn’t have to act civil if you kept your mouth to yourself. And you had the audacity to file for divorce.”

Before Leah could reply, the front door opens to reveal Amanda, Leah’s Mom.

“Oh, I’ve missed you girls so much!”

Putting up a smile on your face, you engulfed the woman in a hug.

“Missed you too Amanda.”

“Come in! Come in!”

“Oi! David how’ve you been pops?”

“Oh, I’ve been wonderful! Glad to have you here!” He pulls you into a hug.

“There’s my favorite sister!” You hear behind you, Jacob just coming down the stairs from his room.

“Come here you! It’s been a while, huh?”

“It has! You gotta visit me more often.” You tense a bit, but not enough for him to notice in your embrace, putting up a smile on your face.

“I’ll try to visit more.”

What you don’t see behind you is Leah watching your interactions with her family.

You’ve known each other young. You’ve both been dating since you were fifteen, marrying at nineteen, divorced at twenty-one.

Her family’s have welcomed you with open arms since the beginning. You were her first serious relationship. The only one of her girlfriends that her family loved. You’ve had your whole life basically planned out, Leah would become a footballer, you a doctor, marriage, kids, the dream basically.

Leah didn’t know the exact reason why she did what she did, but it happened and she couldn’t take it back. She knew this teammate of hers has liked her for a while and never told her off.

She woke up to an unfamiliar bed, an arm around her that certainly wasn’t you. She regretted it the moment she woke up, didn’t know how to tell you, but you found out before she could. Ashamed of herself, Leah filed for divorce.

———

Leah didn’t know what she was thinking divorcing you. She didn’t have the right to be the one to file as she was the one who fucked up. It was impulsive and shameful. It was the best option she could think of at the time.

Now here she was, five years later, at the Emirates training grounds, about to run for the first time since her ACL injury. She missed you so much during this time. Every time she was injured in any way, you were always by her side nursing her back to health. You were her support system, making her fall more in love with you. This time, without you by her side, she realized how much she took you for granted, how she didn’t show you enough love, betraying you in the worst way possible.

She’d already signed the divorce papers, pressuring you to do the same all while making you go to her family’s for a dinner pretending that nothing has changed between the two of you. It was when she finally saw your signature on the papers was when she realized how she’s lost you for good.

———

Getting back home after a family walk, Amanda spots a stack of papers on the kitchen counter, a folded paper on top, along with two rings. Curious, she opens it up and quickly skims through them, shock fills her body after she finished reading.

“Leah!” She yells for her daughter.

“Yeah, mum?” Leah walks into the kitchen to see her mom holding something up.

“What the hell is this?”

Leah being clueless, grabs the sheet, reading it herself.

Leah,

I’ve finally signed everything you’ve been wanting me to sign. I don’t know why I’ve put it off for so long even if I’m not the one at fault. Guess it’s just hard to let go of the one you love the most.

Don’t contact me. Don’t look for me. You’re free.

Yn

Leah couldn’t even respond to her mother. All the emotions she bottled up came at her all at once, breaking down in front of her family. Six years of relationship, one year of marriage over.

[santobambis]

ALCOHOL-FREE — G. Satoru

blurb — i'm alcohol free but you make me drunk. in which satoru just can't get enough of you, and it makes you both heady.

pairing — gojo satoru x afab!reader

warnings — gojo is sort of his own warning, oral (fem), making out, established relationship, pwp, reader doesn't drink alcohol for the sake of this story (look after your livers everyone!). reader is referred to as 'my girl'

word count — 1.5k!

note — because twice's comeback got announced. also this is my first smut piece, please be kind <3

The room was thick with the scent of sweet cedar, the low light casting a warm glow that danced over the two of you. Gojo's large hands cradled your face, thumbs brushing over your cheekbones as his lips pressed against yours, slow, intoxicating and so maddening. Each kiss of his deepened, such heat and urgency as he drew you closer until there was no space left between your bodies.

'God, you’re so tempting,' he murmured against your mouth, his skin hot against your hands. The way he looked at you — the jewel-tone of his eyes almost smouldering — made your heart race, igniting a fire deep within that had you shifting your legs uncomfortably.

You giggled softly, feeling bold and reckless, 'And you’re not helping, 'Toru.'

His lips curled into a smirk, and he captured your bottom lip between his teeth, tugging it gently before releasing it, and you taste sweet flecks on his tongue. 'Maybe I want to get you drunk on me,' he teased, his voice low, deeper as it would get when he was wanting.

You tried to snicker, in some attempt to pretend that his words had less of the effect he so desired, and were more humorous, but the dampness between your legs spoke volumes otherwise.

'Alcohol-free, remember? Some of us didn't stumble out of a bar, singing sea-shanties last week, entirely off our rockers,' you shot back, though your voice tremoured, such easy betrayal from your own body.

'And here I was thinking that Nanami was going to keep that part a secret,' Gojo grumbled, but he tangled his fingers over the nape of your neck, 'but I can still make you feel high,' Gojo challenged, his hands trailing down your sides, warm fingers skimming over your waist until they found the hem of your shirt.

With a swift motion, he lifted it, exposing your skin to the cool air, and you gasped as the chill autumn night hit your bare flesh.

You gasped, but he silenced you with another deep kiss, his tongue sliding against yours, coaxing you to open up. You melted into him, your hands tangling in his white hair, pulling him closer as you lost yourself in the taste of him — rich, sweet, and utterly addictive.

As the kiss deepened, his hands roamed further, fingers brushing against the creamy lace of your panties, teasingly close yet maddeningly far away. You could feel the heat building, desperation creeping in as he continued to explore, his touch igniting every nerve ending in your body.

'Let me,' he whispered, breaking the kiss to trail his lips down your neck. His breath was hot against your skin, and you felt your resolve melting away.

'Please, oh, Satoru!' you breathed, your voice barely above a whisper, as his teeth snuck into the soft skin over your collarbones.

With a primal growl, he swept you off your feet, carrying you to the plush couch, where he laid you down gently. Gojo knelt before you, his gaze locked onto yours, a wicked grin spreading across his face. 'You don’t know what you’re asking for.'

'Then show me,' you challenged, your heart racing with anticipation.

Gojo's slender fingers slid beneath the waistband of your panties, teasingly slow. 'You’re gonna regret this,' he said, but the rough heat in his voice told you he wanted it just as much.

As he pulled your panties down, he leaned in, his hot breath sending waves of pleasure coursing through you, even though he had barely touched you.

'You’re so beautiful, my love,' he murmured, his tongue flicking out to taste you before he dove in, his mouth enveloping you with an eagerness that made your entire body tremble.

You responded with a soft whimper, your hands tangling in his hair, pulling him closer to the apex of your thighs.

'More,' you urged, your voice barely above a whisper. 'Please, 'Toru.' You could barely gasp out his name.

With a sly smirk, your lover pulled back just enough to look into your eyes, the cerulean of his gaze darkened. 'More, huh? You really think you can handle it? My girl's getting brave now?'

His fingers brushing against your slick folds. 'So wet for me already,' he murmured, his breath warm against your skin and it left you shaking.

With that, Gojo leaned in, his mouth finally connecting with you, once more. The warmth of his tongue sent waves of pleasure coursing through your body, and you gasped, arching your back as he expertly licked and sucked, drawing soft moans from your lips.

'Just like that,' you encouraged, your fingers clawing at the fabric around you. Every flick of his tongue sent you higher, the world around you fading until it was just the two of you, lost in this intoxicating moment.

Gojo's hands gripped your thighs, holding you open as he devoured you, his eyes locked onto yours, watching the pleasure bloom on your face. 'You really do get me drunk,' he murmured between licks, and the way he said it made you smile through the haze of lust.

His mouth was a relentless wave, each flick of his tongue sending jolts of pleasure coursing through you. You could feel the heat radiating from his body, the way his breath hitched every time he tasted you deeper, the way that your glittering slick coating the lower half of his face.

'Ah, Satoru!,' you gasped, your fingers tangling in his hair, urging him closer, and closer.

'Just like that,' he encouraged, his voice a low growl that vibrated against your sensitive skin, and puffy cunt. He pulled back just enough to catch your gaze, a wicked grin spreading across his face, 'Tell me how good it feels.”

Your response was a breathless whimper, the words lodged in your throat as his mouth resumed its delicious torment. Every stroke of his tongue felt like a shot of pure ecstasy, intoxicating and heady. 'I —oh my god, 'Toru!,' you managed, your back arching instinctively, desperate for more.

He chuckled into your dripping core, a dark, sultry sound that sent another wave of heat pooling in your abdomen, ready to snap and release. Gojo's hands tightened around your thighs, fingers digging into your soft skin as he feasted on you, showing no signs of slowing down.

You felt the familiar pressure building, coiling tight within you, and you instinctively lifted your hips to meet his mouth. 'I’m so close,' you breathed, your voice trembling with urgency.

'Good,' he lowly purred, his eyes glinting with mischief. 'I want to make you come apart for me.'

With that, he focused on your most sensitive spot, his tongue swirling around your swollen bud in a rhythm that drove you absolutely nuts.

The world around you faded, leaving only the sensations he was igniting within you. You were floating, lost in a whirlwind of pleasure, every lick and kiss pulling you deeper into bliss.

'Satoru, please,' you begged, the words spilling from your lips like a prayer, urging him on.

'Please what?' he teased, pulling back just enough to let you catch your breath, his lips glistening with your gloss.

'Don’t stop. I need…I need to feel you.'

He smirked, a devilish glint in his eye, before diving back in with renewed fervor. You could feel the heat radiating off him, the way he savored every moment, every taste. His determination only heightened your arousal, pushing you closer to the edge.

“C’mon, let go for me,” he murmured, the vibrations of his voice sending shockwaves straight to your core. You could barely form words, the pressure tightening with each flick of his tongue. “That’s it, just let it happen.”

With a final, exquisite stroke, the coil snapped, and pleasure surged through you, washing over you like a tidal wave. You gasped, your body trembling as you surrendered to the overwhelming bliss, your fingers clutching at him as the world exploded in colour, in shades of shimmering white snow and vibrant blues that painted the sky.

Gojo didn’t stop; he continued to lick and tease through your climax, drawing out every last shred of pleasure. You whimpered, caught between the ecstasy and the sensitivity, the sensation almost too much to bear.

As your lover finally drew back, his breath mingling with yours, you could see the satisfaction etched across his handsome features. He wiped his lips with the back of his hand, the remnants of your shared pleasure glistening on his skin, and you couldn't help but wrinkle your nose. 'You’re addictive, you know that?' he said, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, amused at your expression. You weakly chuckled, still riding the waves of bliss that washed over you, feeling both exhilarated and utterly spent.

You leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek, savouring the closeness. 'Maybe I should keep you around, then,' you teased, your fingertips tracing the contours of his jaw.

Gojo's eyes sparkled with mischief as he pulled you in closer, his warmth enveloping you like a soft blanket. 'Only if you promise to keep getting me drunk.'

[beaniegaebie]

i don't really have any solid conclusions about this yet but i noticed A Thing in a rewatch and i haven't found it mentioned elsewhere yet so here we go

(apologies for the appalling image quality you're about to see, i can't screenshot easily rn pls bear with)

OKAY so in the scene where crowley confronts gabriel about "shut up and die", something about the arrangement of book stacks caught my eye a little

the majority of the books are angled so that we mostly just see the page edges and not the spines clearly, EXCEPT for a particularly shiny and familiar colour combo right here-

but nothing too weird going on there, i thought, crowley coloured books in a bookshop so what? right up until i registered crowley's line when we get a closer look-

hhhhmmmmMMmmmm yes yes "everything just the way you wanted" huh, very interesting considering that we know how much thought goes into props huh

and for most of the shots we get of crowley in this position those freaking books are just quietly nestled right there in the corner-

look at that god damn framing i fuckin see you, you glorious bastards

so i paused to see if i could figure out what the hell was up with those fuckers and this is when i absolutely lost my mind, your honour

A and C you say?? in crowley colours???? framed like this?????? localised entirely within your kitchen???

anyway long story short they're two books from an Agatha Christie Crime Collection set (24 volumes, three stories per volume) and guess whats on the mfing front covers I'm-

(its a rant for another post but when paired with this other set of initials spotted in s2 i want to scream actually)

ANYWAY back to the books, through an absolutely unhinged comparison of the formatting of gold text blobs i reckon the two we have here are:

(on top) The Pale Horse; The Big Four, The Secret Adversary

(on bottom) 4:50 From Paddington, Lord Edgeware Dies, Murder in Mesopotamia

(I'm fairly confident but if anyone has a better image to confirm/correct this pls do)

now here is where I'll need a bunch of help from some Christie-heads out there bc I haven't read any of these and I've only seen the tv adaptation of one of them, so i dont know for sure if these are like A Clue, or A Cool Thing, or if I've just fully brainrotted myself into a fun lil corner here? wa-hoo

but here's some initial stuff that jumped out at me after skimming the basics:

(some of) the titles: Pale Horse/Big Four - death's horse ofc, the four horsemen mayb? the them+adam?? ; Mesopotamia is a very biblical choice bbz ; 4:50 From Paddington- azi likes trains i guess? idk that one's tenuous lmao ; honestly no idea with the other two but Secret Adversary feels a tad ominous

iirc Big Four just has kind of an unusual history, it was initially twelve short stories that she later compiled into one, and it was published fairly soon after christie's mysterious disappearance/reappearance

in Big Four, poirot fakes his death at one point and doesnt even let hastings in on it and I'm hoping sure its totally irrelevant to the ineffable bois

part of the Pale Horse story is a group of assassins that basically try to pass off all their murders as being actually caused by like ✨satanic powers✨ which is interesting

christie knew a fUCkton about poisonings thats why she wrote so many into her work and, while i don't believe the poison coffee theory myself, it sure is an interesting link with how cyanide is associated with almond smell/flavour and that metatron chooses almond syrup in particular

(ALSO random side note that is mostly meaningless but I've worked in a good few uk coffee shops and have never worked anywhere that stocks almond syrup; almond milk yes, hazelnut syrup yes, but never almond syrup...? prob just the places i worked though lmao)

EDIT forgotten point: I've seen some speculation that the bently's plate reading "CURTAIN" could be a reference to poirot's last story, along side that alternate scene of crowley ordering the sherry for "miss marple", its just one too many agatha christie references for my melted brain to handle and I'm SUS

so this is where i run out of idea steam and hand it over to you lot because i have no clue what this could mean, if it even means anything other than a cool set feature

is there something here actually or am i yelling into the void just for fun?

who knows, who cares!

[marvelfanfics1]

I know Halloween already passed but imagine looking for Halloween costumes with CG Rafe and Sofia. I feel like little!reader would pick a super cute costume(I imagine she goes as a bunny, and suggests a magician and assistance for Rafe and Sofia so they match) and rafe begrudgingly doing it for little!reader and Sofia lighting hitting him in the chest when he makes a face.

(Sorry if this is incoherent, my ears are stilling ringing from dance class😬)

Your fingers skim through the different costume options of the store, not having found the right one yet. Rafe and Sofia are following right behind you, hand in hand while keeping an eye on you so you won't get lost like the last time you guys went to the mall.

Rafe decided to throw a Halloween party at his house this year, with costumes, decoration, and all that. So you just have to wear the perfect outfit for that occasion.

Frustration starts to creep up as you're still searching until your eyes catch the sight of a white full body bunny onesie, quickly grabbing it off the hanger and holding it up for your caregivers to see. "This one!"

Sofia smiles softly, checking if it's your size and nods. "Good choice, sweetie. You'll be the cutest bunny at the party."

Rafe nods as well, looking down at his watch. "A'ight, we gotta go now...before someone gets cranky when she doesn't get her nap." He mutters the last part to Sofia.

"But Rafey! We gotta find you both costumes to match mine!" You pout at him.

"I'll stick to my ghostface mask." He responds quickly, sighing when your frown deepens, trying to find a reasonable excuse. "And- look, they sadly don't have any more matching ones in my size."

Sofia's heart breaks at the disappointment on your face as you sadly nod your head. "What Rafe's trying to say is we gotta see if we can order something online instead." She says, ignoring Rafe sending her a look.

The way your face instantly lights up has him groaning quietly. "Right. That's exactly what I meant."

And that's how Rafe finds himself standing in front of a mirror, adjusting the bow tie of his magician attire, a scowl on his face.

"You better wipe that look off your face when she comes out of the bathroom." Sofia warns him, pulling up the black tights up her legs, in the process of getting in her own costume as Rafe's assistant.

"This is ridiculous, I'm never gonna hear the end of this from Topper and Kelce." He mutters, grabbing the hat and putting it on his head.

"Just remember who you're doing this for." She responds, going to stand in front of him, fumbling a little with his collar with a small smirk on her face. "You know she loves Halloween 'cause she can dress up as whatever she wants without people giving her weird looks."

Rafe sighs before eyeing her up and down, a smirk forming on his face. "I gotta say, you look hot in that. Can't wait to rip this off you later." He says, reaching up to grab her tie, pulling her into a kiss.

Just as their make out session could escalate, the sound of the bathroom door opening has them pulling away from each to look at you.

You stand there with a big smile on your face, dressed in your bunny onesie and the hood already on your head, a little messily drawn whiskers and button nose painted on your face.

Rafe, for the first time since putting on his costume, smiles at the sight of you so happy and excited for the coming evening. "There's our beautiful bunny. Better be good tonight or I'll have to make you disappear." He teases, waving the plastic wand before your face.

Sofia hits his chest at the comment but you just giggle, rushing over to hug them both and they quickly return your hug, each of them kissing your cheeks at the same time.

Taglist

For Everything:

@my-river-lilly @pauntedblacknails @fanfictioniseverything @devilslilbabysblog @buckymydarlingangel @hallecarey1 @daybreakwinter @loveshineslikethesky @wandaslittlewhore @vase-of-lilies @white-wolf1940 @simpingbutch @mischiefsemimanaged @alina02 @teddybearsgrr @doozywoozy @angelbabydoll28 @glxwingrxse @lilymurphy03 @veryvaughnny @lokigirlszendaya @youngstarfishdinosaur @little--baby--bear @minideathgoddess @rach2602 @gh0stgurl @flourishandblotts-inc @lovelyy-moonlight @yoruse

@mythixmagic @iris-xoxo-juhu

For Rafe:

@chiaraanatra @chimindity @erikasurfer

[suppose-i-was-worm]

Ghost on the Stairs

**alright, alright. I asked and y'all answered. Here's my siblings Bruce and Danny fic!**

“Boo!”

Bruce clattered to a stop on the floor, holding his arms out for his baby brother as the boy toddled his way forward.

“Hey, Danny! Did you miss me while I was at school?”

Danny waved chubby arms, clearly delighted that Bruce was waiting for him. He was all of two years to Bruce’s seven, and the two of them were almost inseparable.

Chancing a look over to his mother, Bruce found her and father smiling fondly at the two of them. Alfred was coming up behind them with a tea tray.

“Boo!”

Bruce turned back to his brother, only to lurch forward as his tiny brother took a step straight into a swirling green portal that opened up from nowhere.

Danny’s screech as he fell was cut off by the portal shutting with a snap, leaving Bruce on his hands and knees, reaching for air.

Mother, father, and Alfred all clustered around him as he began to cry, and the four of them began desperately looking for the youngest member of the family.

They never found him, and a year later, Bruce lost his parents to a gun. At least that was something he could fight against.

When Bruce became Batman at the age of twenty-two, he finally erected a gravestone for his baby brother, right next to their parents. If Danny ever came back, he wouldn’t be the same boy who had vanished.

~~~

Red Robin swung into the building, breaking through the window with his momentum. The cult surrounding a magic circle on the floor of the warehouse had been causing a ruckus in Gotham, and the bats had finally had enough.

Just as they finished knocking out the cultists, the magic circle flared to life and a green pool bloomed from the floor.

Tim, purely out of scientific curiosity, leaned closer, only to be pulled back roughly by Batman.

“Stay away from it.”

“B?”

Batman grabbed a batarang from where it had landed in the melee and threw it with a precise hand, cutting through one of the lines of chalk surrounding the pool.

Narrowing his eyes, Tim watched Bruce’s face- his expression right now was all Bruce, no Bat in sight- sorrow mixed with relief.

Once the pool had vanished completely, Bruce pulled Tim into his arms.

“Woah, what’s up B?”

“I cannot lose you too.”

The moment passed, and Red Robin found himself following Batman as the vigilante swept out of the building.

~~~

“Constantine.”

“Bats. Nice of you to call. What do you need?”

“I sent you a data packet. What is the summoning circle for?”

Constantine was quiet for a long while as he perused the files Bruce had sent him. Bruce paced in front of the batcomputer, glad that all his children were in bed for the night. Somehow they had known something was wrong, and every single one of them had come to the manor- even Jason.

“Looks like an attempt to summon a being of the Infinite Realms to me.”

“Infinite Realms?”

“Mhmm. The afterlife, if you will.”

Bruce couldn’t help the small wheeze as his airways caught. Constantine didn’t seem to notice, as he continued.

“The ghosts haven’t been as active lately, not since the new king came into power. It’s been maybe two decades since?”

“I would like to meet this king.”

“Why?”

“It would be politically intelligent of us to make allies.”

Constantine sighed, long and loud.

“Fine. Give me a week to gather up the stuff.”

~~~

Jason glanced over the thin information brief that Bruce handed down, skimming it at first, until something caught his eye.

“B?”

“Hn.”

“According to this, the being we’re trying to summon is damn powerful. Wouldn’t it be better to do this on the Watchtower with more backup?”

“Yeah B,” Dick chimed in, “Constantine’s report does say that the guy is rumored to be a wandering spirit, which limits his power, but what if that’s not right?”

Jason looked back down at the papers, his eyes darting through to find out what a wandering spirit was.

A ghost that couldn’t find its grave. Part of Jason ached at the thought, and he didn’t quite understand why.

“Fine. We will summon the king at the Watchtower.”

Small victories.

~~~

Bruce was not a praying man, and yet here he was, hoping against hope that this ghost could assist him in finding out what happened to his brother.

The sigils on the floor flared to light, and a now familiar green portal swirled into being. The entire room waited with bated breath for a few moments, and then a young woman rose from the portal.

Batman knew what it felt like to be stabbed. There was no way he could have been, and yet there was a knife in his gut as he stared at this girl who looked so much like his mother, except for the inverted colors.

“The Ghost King thanks you for your call- Unfortunately he is currently unavailable. Please leave your message after the-“ the girl’s professional, almost robotic voice petered off. “Wait a minute- it’s here!”

Her eyes were wide, as was the smile she flashed at the group.

“Please hold.”

She sunk back into the pool, and Bruce took a step towards it, despairing of his chance.

And then she returned, dragging a young man up with her.

“Can you feel it, Phantom? It’s here! We can find it!”

“Calm down, Phantasm. We can go looking soon- first we need to find out why I was summoned.”

The young man turned to Diana, who was standing at the front of the group. She had been chosen as diplomatic leader, seeing as she was a Princess and Ambassador.

“Pardon my sister, how may I assist?”

Bruce let their conversation wash over him as he cataloged the young man’s features. They were so very similar- so close.

The man was both too young and too old. Daniel would be in his mid-forties had he lived, and only two if he’d died. This young man couldn’t be older than thirty.

As Diana’s explanation ended, the young man smiled.

“I agree. It would be advantageous of us to be allies, knowing what I know of this reality now. As allies, I must ask- what is the real reason I was summoned?”

He turned his green (wrong, too much like Damian’s) eyes to Bruce.

“Will you explain? The summoning was filled with great longing for something.”

Bruce stumbled forward, and surely to the shock of his teammates, friends, and children, fell to his knees before the king.

“My- my brother. He fell through a portal so similar to yours and I- I need to know what happened to him. Please.”

The king and his sister looked at each other before looking back at Bruce.

“The Infinite Realms are just that, infinite. However, I may be able to help.”

“Phantom!”

The king ignored his sister.

“What was his name, this brother of yours?”

Bruce hadn’t spoken his brother’s name in decades.

“Danny. Daniel Wayne.”

The room was so silent he could have heard a pin drop.

“And you gave him a grave when he never returned to you.”

Bruce looked up at the king, who was looking back contemplatively. The king’s sister was staring up at her brother with her mouth agape.

“I did.”

The king was very, very quiet, and the moment stretched on and on and on.

After a time, the room grew darker as the green pool closed slowly, and the two ghosts landed with barely a whisper of sound.

“I died at age fourteen,” the king began, musing his own thoughts. “As I died, I thought that the color of the ectoplasm surrounding me was too familiar in color and movement for that to have been my first experience with a portal.”

He took a step towards Bruce.

“It was terrifying and I was so afraid that I would be ripped away from everything I ever loved again.”

Two bright white rings circled the king, and Bruce found himself looking at a man who looked just like his mother, but with a twitch of the lips that was entirely his father’s.

“Hello, Boo. I’m afraid I can’t remember your name properly.”

Bruce took his cowl off slowly, wanting his baby brother to see him despite the fact that he was crying.

“We’ve got his chin, Danny.”

The girl was standing a little behind Danny, smiling. She winked at Bruce.

“He always did want to find his bio family.”

Bruce held his hand out, and Danny took it, using his position and apparently superior strength to pull Bruce into a hug.

“Bruce. Bruce Wayne.”

“Danny Nightingale- well. Nightingale-Wayne, I suppose.”

~~~

Danielle Nightingale (Wayne?) watched her original and his brother(!?!) hug it out. The big man in black was obviously not used to hugs.

“Miss?”

She turned to the inquirer, the nice looking ambassador from before. (Sue her, Dani hadn’t been listening to the conversation. She had been trying to pinpoint the location of their grave!)

“How can I help?”

Ambassador lady smiled at her.

“We were unaware that our teammate had siblings, and clearly Daniel has introduced himself. May we ask your name?”

Dani grinned.

“Oh, I’m not a sibling. I’m sibling-adjacent. Sibling clone? One of those. My name is Danielle, but I go by Dani with an i. It gets a little confusing since he’s Danny with a y.”

“I see. Welcome to the Watchtower, Dani. May I ask what you and his majesty are looking for that was found here?”

“Our grave, of course! Since I’m Danny’s clone, I can feel it too- a little distantly, but it’s not like I’ll get my own. I was born dead.”

Ambassador lady was looking a little faint. Dani took pity on her.

“But now I’m a kickass princess, so all’s well that ends well.”

“I suppose so.” The ambassador looked over at Danny and surprise brother with a small smile. “I suppose so indeed.”

[cevansbrat0007]

A Man Starved

Summary: Ari lives for the taste of you on his tongue...

Warnings: Mature Themes, Ari Being A Menace, Smut, Manhandling, Oral Sex (fem rec), Light Rimming, References to Anal Sex (mentioned), CMNF, Ass Slapping, Pussy Slapping, Light Edging, Cursing, Minors DNI

A/N: This fic is part of my Sweet Renegades Series. Takes place directly after the events in Off the Market. Not beta'd. Not beta'd. All mistakes my own. Likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated.

You were working on borrowed time. Shaking your head, you reach for another plate as you take your time cleaning up after dinner. All that was left after you finished the dishes was wiping down the range. 

The floors looked good, which meant that you could probably get away without sweeping. You’d already convinced Ari to invest in the magic that was a Swiffer WetJet. It wouldn’t take more than a few minutes to do a quick touch-up.

Your eyes stray to the clock, noting the increasingly late hour. Ari could afford to be patient for a little while longer. If anything he was probably exhausted after the busy day you’d had, what with the shopping spree and the hour long drive back home to Bell’s Creek. 

He was probably half asleep by now. Meanwhile, you were secretly dreaming about the next time you’d be able to enjoy another one of those hand-dipped milkshakes like the one you’d had at lunch. Preferably without that damned Stella. 

Your lip curls into a snarl at the memory of your waitress. Having to stomach that heifer’s attempt to flirt with your man had left you feeling madder than a wet settin’ hen.

You yank the Swiffer out of the closet, jumping backwards as the broom clatters to the floor. Shit. Perhaps you were still a touch riled up. You’re just about to lean down to pick it up when you feel two large hands settle on your hips. 

“Yeah?” You huff out.

“I’ve been patient long enough.” Ari rasps. “Time for bed, sweet Bird.” Soft, warm lips skim along the curve of your throat, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. “Let’s go.” 

“Ten more minutes and I’m all yours.” You assure him as your pulse kicks up, the familiar feeling of butterflies dancing in your belly.

“No.” That one word has your spine stiffening in rebellion. 

“Patience.” You remind him, shimmying out of his grasp while still clutching the Swiffer. “Some might even say it’s a virtue. I think I heard that in a movie or something. Can’t quite remember where, but I’d like to think it’s still a good rule of thumb.”

You continue to prattle on as you set down the mop to search for a new bottle of cleaning solution found under a nearby cabinet.  

“Already told you, baby.” Ari growls, the sound rumbling from deep in his chest. “I’m all outta patience.” He reaches for you then, needing to touch you. Wanting to feel the softness of your submission as your body melts for him. 

“Ari…” You blow out an unsteady breath as your pussy spasms, your empty walls clenching around nothing. 

“You made me wait all day for a taste of you.” Your man purrs at the same time as he grabs the edges of his faded black t-shirt before tugging it over his head, revealing his brawny hair-covered chest. “You wouldn’t let me have you earlier. I admit I didn’t like it very much at the time. A man needs his fix, you know? Especially after watching you show off all those sweet curves during our trip today.” 

Frankly, even he’s surprised that he’s been able to last as long as he has. You have no idea just how close he was to snapping and simply taking what he felt was owed to him. 

Especially after he’d spent the entire afternoon fantasizing about splaying you out on his kitchen table and getting lost between your luscious thighs. He’d already gone too long without the taste of you on his tongue. 

And if Ari was being honest, he wasn’t sure if he’d be able last another minute without you – let alone ten of them. Something had to give. 

And that something was you. 

“Surely you can wait until I finish mopping, can’t you?” You whisper, scarcely recognizing the sound of your own voice as butterflies give way to raw need under the weight of your man’s heated gaze.

You’d never had anyone look at you the way he did. And even after these last couple of months together, you still weren’t quite used to it. 

“Afraid not.” Your Bounty Hunter is quick to shake his head “no”. And he doesn’t look the least bit ashamed of it either. “Time to feed me, Duchess.” His wolfish grin sends ripples of desire coursing through you, straight to your dripping core. “I’ve spent all day thinking about all the ways I plan to wreck that greedy little pussy.”

His intoxicating blue eyes dip to your waist as he growls low in his throat. You were wearing too many clothes for his liking, which meant your pink cotton panties and matching satin nightdress were about to be a thing of the past. 

“Y–you have?” You stammer as he begins to approach, his sinewy muscles bunching and moving as he bridges the distance between you. The next thing you know, he’s standing in front of you, his sinful lips hovering mere inches above yours. 

“I wasn’t joking earlier when I asked you to stay the night. I sleep best after I’ve spent the evening getting all tangled up in the sheets with my woman.” Ari leans in to nuzzle your nose with his, eliciting a quiet whimper from you. “Never had anyone as sweet as my stubborn little Bird.”

Your grip on the Swiffer goes slack as you allow it to fall to the floor, your hands going to rest on Ari’s thick biceps to keep yourself upright. Because at this point, the man’s ability to make your legs turn to jelly might as well be his goddamn superpower. 

“And I’ve never had anyone like you.” You murmur before rising on your toes to give him a swift, but meaningful kiss. “Never had my very own Beast of a man who makes me weak in the knees on what feels like a daily basis.” You’re rewarded for your honesty with another nuzzle, this one accompanied by a sharp hint of teeth, signaling that Ari was close to his breaking point. “And if you give me just two more minutes, I promise to show you just how much I appreciate – oooh!” 

Your words end in a scream when your Hunter bends down to throw you over his shoulder. Your world tilts on its axis yet again as he turns on his heel and strides off in the direction of the bedroom. “Put me down, damn you!” You screech as you pound fists pounding on his back.

Not hard enough to do any real damage, but just enough to be annoying.  

“I warned you, sweetness. I did.” Ari delivers a resounding slap to your upturned ass, loving your little whine of protest. “Told you I needed my fix. It’s just not right to let a man starve the way I have.” 

Of course he would paint himself as the victim in all of this. Nothing unusual there.

Thirty seconds later you find yourself flying through the air as he unceremoniously tosses you on the bed. You didn’t know this, but there’s a small part of him that takes special pleasure in watching you bounce on the padded surface.

After all, you’d brought this on yourself. And as such, he was certain there wasn’t a jury in the world who would convict him for all the dirty things he was about to do to your delectably curvy body. 

Ari’s head cocks to the side as he watches you sit up, your hardened nipples peeking through the thin material of your nightdress. A low hum of appreciation escapes when you reach up to readjust the silky garment, exposing even more of your cleavage.  

Oh yeah. Tonight was about to get downright filthy. 

“I suppose I brought that on myself. I should’ve known better than to…” You trail off, smoothing your hands along your sides before pulling yourself up on your knees. “Shame on me for treating you so insensitively.”

“I take it that was your version of an apology?” 

You nod sheepishly, a light blush warming your cheeks. And now it’s your turn to watch as a slow, devilish smirk spreads across your Hunter’s chiseled features.

Fuck. If your panties weren’t soaked before, they definitely were now.

“Well, sweetheart, as nice as that was…” Ari’s large hand moves to cup his impressive erection, giving himself a squeeze through his boxers. “I’m afraid I can’t accept.” He chuckles softly, not missing the way your eyes glaze over with lust as he continues to touch himself.

“Why not?” You rasp, your pink tongue darting out to wet your bottom lip. “I promise to be more mindful.” You reach for him then, intending to drag his big body down onto the bed with you. “I hate the thought of you being made to suffer all day long the way you have.” You give him your best pout, bating your eyelashes at him as you do.

It earns you nothing.

“You wanna make it up to me, Bird?” His nostrils flare as he breathes deep, almost as if he can scent your arousal. “Then I think it’s time I finally got my taste, don’t you?” His smirk returns when you nod once more. 

Your eager hands fly to the hem of your gown, lifting it over your head and tossing it to the side before your man can so much as blink. You briefly hesitate before repeating the same action with your panties, all but ensuring they would survive this erotic encounter.

“Fucking beautiful.” Ari rasps, his voice coming out hoarse. “Every single fucking inch of you.” He motions for you to turn and face away from him. “But right now, I’m dying to see you on your hands and knees for me.”

“But I–”

“Hush.” Your Beast commands, effectively cutting you off. “If you want me to believe your apology is sincere then you’ll shut that sweet mouth and do as you’re fucking told.” While there’s no bite to his words, they still make you shiver nonetheless. 

Ari smacks your left flank as you scramble to do as you’re told. Goosebumps rise across your heated flesh as you give him your back, your bare bottom on full display.

“Good girl.” Comes his silky purr. “Push that ass up for me. Now spread your thighs a little more – yeah, that’s it. There’s that pretty fucking pussy you’ve been keeping from me.” You find yourself preening at his praise, your slick coating your inner thighs.    

“I…please touch me, Beast.” You whine, your body trembling with need. “Please.” You allow your head to droop when Ari finally joins you, the bed dipping beneath his delicious weight.

But your relief, however, is short-lived.

“Tonight I’m gonna give you as much of me as you can take.” He growls, his slightly calloused palms possessively rubbing and kneading the generous globes of your ass. “And I’m not gonna stop until I’ve had my fill…”

A tiny whimper escapes when Ari parts your cheeks, exposing your drenched pussy and puckered hole to his gaze. You jump when he uses one long, thick finger to part your slippery folds so that he can toy with your sensitive little clit. 

“Can’t say when that’s gonna be, baby.” He swirls the pad of his finger over the nub, making your hips arch as white hot pinpricks of pleasure dance along your spine. “Because as you know, I've worked up quite the appetite.”

“S’okay!” You cry as you attempt to bear down, wishing he would add another finger. Or at the very least allow you to ride his thigh or something. Last time you tried that you came so hard you’d–

Your thought stream is interrupted by the sudden feeling of something hot and wet taking the place of your man’s fingers. Although you try to pull away, Ari’s grip on your hips remains steady, making it clear that you weren’t going anywhere without his explicit permission.

Leaving you with no doubt that you'd also be sporting a fresh set of bruises before the night was over.

And you can’t help the sweet moan that gets stuck in your throat when he briefly pulls away long enough spit on your tight, virgin hole before brushing his finger along the rim. “Can’t wait to take you here too.” He snarls, tracing along the seam with his wicked tongue. “Gonna make you mine in every way that counts.”

“Ooh! Christ, Ari, I fuck–!”

You’d never had a man do that to you before. Anything involving your ass had always been off limits. Until now.

A fresh wave of arousal has you trying to rub your thighs together, hoping to obtain some kind of relief in spite of your torture. Your hand slaps down hard on the bed when Ari buries his face between your thighs once more.

He takes his time devouring you, savoring your essence with each frenzied stroke of his tongue. This man planned to enjoy every sob, every moan, every cry of pleasure he rang from your body before this night was over. 

In hopes that you would think twice before denying him again. For depriving him of all your sweetness. 

“So sweet.” Ari’s eager tongue continues to lap at your passion-swollen cunt, his eyes rolling backwards in carnal bliss. “Always so fucking sweet.” The compliment comes on the heels of a desperate growl. It’s peppered by several sharp smacks, each one harder than the next.

Tears spring to your eyes as he continues to drink you down, the filthy wet sounds of his sensual feast echoing throughout his bedroom. Your hands fist the covers as you try to crawl away, only to be dragged back into position seemingly without him so much as even breaking a sweat.

“Please!Please!Oh, fuck, right there!Please!” You chant over and over like a fevered prayer. “God, yes!” 

Your voice sounds hoarse, even to your own ears. But you don’t let that stop you. Because now that Ari had seen fit to whet your appetite, you were ready for more. 

A hell of a lot more. 

You feel the coil tighten in your belly as your orgasm approaches. Sensing that you’re close, Ari tightens his grip on your hips, granting himself better access to your weeping pussy. God, you were so close you could taste it.

But right as you’re about to topple over the edge, Ari suddenly pulls away. The fucking rat bastard!

“But why?” You whine, turning to look at him over your shoulder, pleased to see your slick coating his bearded chin. His unrepentant grin making you want to scream.

“Aww.” Ari coos rather mockingly, his eyes alight with mischief. “What happened to patience being a virtue and all that?”

“Oh, you can fuck right off!” You snarl, attempting to twist out of his grasp so that you can rough him up. 

He simply shakes his head as laughter bubbles up and out of his chest. And then he flips you onto your back, parting your thighs so that he can get himself another nice, long look at your still glistening cunt. 

“Maybe later. But first, I'm gonna need another taste.” He purrs, his hand delivering a wet slap to your throbbing core. “Now be a good girl and hold these pretty thighs open for me.”

END

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STRANGER (xii) - KAZ BREKKER

tags: @beekeepingageissome @shadowzena43 @nikfigueiredo @mp-littlebit @starmansirius @hadesnumber1daughter @directioner5life @strvngestark @hostilityghost @ofmenanduhhhwellmen @justnerdystuffs @faeriepigeons // previously // next

Pairing: Kaz x Davina Rollins (enemies to lovers)

Word Count: 5,734

Summary: Guilt is one hell of a burden to carry, and Davina decides to carry it all on her own. The question becomes whether or not she’ll drive away everyone she cares about in the process under the guise of protecting them.

The next few minutes were a flurry of overlapping conversations.

“What happened? Are you hurt?” Kol rushed to your side, falling to his knees beside you. You vaguely felt his hands skimming your back and arms.

Inej and Jesper had gotten there too. You barely registered their presence on Kaz’s other side. You had your good hand pressed against the oozing wound while you forced the other into his hand. In the chaos, no one seemed to notice how Kaz had a tight grip on it.

“The rifleman on the roof.” You sniffled. The wet cloth across your mouth now felt like it was suffocating you. The heat from the flames bit at your back and part of you wished it would engulf you, just to end the Saints forsaken nightmare. “He must’ve got a shot off at the same time Jesper did. I didn’t even hear it.”

“We have to get him somewhere safe.” Inej spoke. She was calm on the outside, with a level voice, but the concern in her eyes had to be mirroring your own. “We have to get him to the Slat.”

“He’s losing a lot of blood.” Kol muttered.

“It was meant for me.” You whispered, hoping your voice was lost to the chaos. You only knew it wasn’t when Kol’s head snapped up.

“It’s too far.” Jesper shook his head. “Crow Club?”

“Not much better.” Wylan countered.

“We have to do something!” Inej snapped.

“Kol..” You tried. When he met your gaze, you knew your eyes were pleading. You could blame the smoke and ash in the air, but you knew the tears were due to the crisis you found yourself in. “Our building is closest.”

“Are you sure?” He asked.

“He did it for me.”

He sighed to himself then nodded. Jesper helped get Kaz up. He was the only one Kaz allowed to grab onto him. Since Kaz tried to swing on Kol when he tried, the sharpshooter supported most of his friend’s weight while Kol was on the other side. Nina and Wylan carried Melli, who was gently stirring and mumbling. You led the way after one last look at the burning building and Inej promised to keep an eye out from above. Before you could say anything, she had scampered up the nearest building.

You kept your pistol in your hand as you led the mixed crew through the streets. Worry was gnawing at you, forcing you to disregard your usual caution, while your anger fueled you.

The empty streets should’ve been your first sign. You should’ve clocked the shooter earlier. What if killing Vicente is what set off the chain of events for the rest of the night? How could you be so stupid?

You banged the secret knock against the side door and shoved past Nik when he opened the door. You directed Kol and Jesper to your room and Nina and Wylan to Melli’s. Kol filled in the specific directions. Inej met your group as you were coming in and she hovered beside you.

“Seriously, Davina?” Nik scoffed and you took a deep breath before facing him.

You holstered your pistol and pulled the fabric from your mouth. You shook the hood off your head before glaring at your Snake. The pain in your arm was now throbbing and you recognized you’d need to reset it soon. You cradled the pained limb against your chest.

“What?” You asked. You made no attempt to keep the apace out of your tone.

“Why are you bringing Dregs here?”

His loud question drew the attention of the others in the main room.

“Because they helped bring Melli home.” You announced. Some of the Snakes showed visible relief. “They took damage and I’m helping them. That’s how this kind of thing works, Nik. They’re here as allies tonight.”

“He’s scared of Brekker.” Inej spoke from your side and you flinched. You forgot she was there.

“Isn’t everyone?” He said nervously.

“He’s banned from the Crow Club. Brekker warned that if he ever saw him again, he’d kill him.” She continued and Nik paled.

“Make yourself scarce till I say otherwise. I want Carmen on the door.” You warned and then gestured for Inej to follow you.

“You’re hurt.” She said plainly as you two were climbing the stairs.

“It’s not that bad.” You shook your head but tugged your cloak tighter around your frame as if hiding the arm would make it hurt less. “I’ll ask Kol or Nina to reset it whenever they’re free… What’d Nik do at the Club?”

“Nothing.” Inej answered. “Kaz banned him when he learned about his habits at the Menagerie.”

“He’s one of Heleen’s clients?”

“He was. Someone beat him half to death soon after I left. Hasn’t been back since that I can tell.”

“Interesting…”

She made a small noise of agreement and the topic died out. You stopped in the gap between your room and Melli’s. You gestured to your door but Inej didn’t go in right away.

“Davina, I may have misjudged you.” She confessed.

“Happens all the time.” You shrugged your good shoulder. “I don’t take it to heart anymore.”

“I saw the way you looked at Kaz tonight. Do you truly care for him?”

“I do.” You admitted. What good was it to try and hide anything for the Wraith? “Kaz is… complicated. I don’t know what’ll happen once he’s in good health. I want his help but if this is what’ll cost, I don’t see how it’s worth it.”

“I doubt he’ll let you take this fight on your own.”

“I don’t answer to him, Inej. He can’t stop me from anything, especially if he doesn’t know anything.” You glanced at your door again, knowing Kaz was on the other side. “Go. Take care of him. I’ll be in later.”

She nodded and moved towards the door. When your hand hit the knob for Melli’s, Inej added one last thing.

“He’s lost a lot too, you know.” Inej spoke plainly. “You coming back into his life means something, even if he’s a stubborn bastard and won’t admit it.”

You cracked half a smile. “Don’t let him die until he does then.”

You pushed into the room and found Nina at Melli’s beside. You gently shut the door behind you and practically ran to your friend. You sat at the edge by her feet, your hand gently finding her leg.

“How is she?” You asked quietly.

“She’s strong.” Nina promised, focusing on her task. “But I should warn you, Davina, there’s a lot of damage here. Bruises, cuts - some infected - a few broken bones. The men that did this were brutal. I thought druskelle were the worst of man but…”

“But my father’s cruelty is something else.” You finished, fighting back tears. “Thank you, for caring for her.”

“What about you, dear?” She turned to you after placing a damp cloth on Melli’s forehead. She must be running a fever from the infections. “You can’t be unscathed.”

“It’s-“ You tried to shrug and immediately regretted it as the new wave of pain coursed through your arm. “Dislocated.” You confessed instead.

Nina clicked her tongue in disappointment before her hands found the joint. You closed your eyes tightly while she worked. Healing was arguably worse than getting the damn injury in the first place. Your other hand closed into a tight fist around Melli’s blankets and Nina giggled at you.

“And here I was, thinking you were immune to pain.” She teased before patting your arm. “Good as new.”

“Thank you.” You smiled softly, rotating your repaired arm. “Do I need to do anything for her?”

“Other than that burning need for revenge?” She quirked a brow and you frowned at her. “I can see it in your eyes, Davina. You remind me of Brekker in that way.”

You looked at Melli’s closed eyes instead. She had her blanket up to her chest and her shirt had been removed. You could just make out the tight wrapping around her chest and over her shoulder instead.

“And look what that’s gotten me.” You sighed.

Her throat had an angry red line running across it that you assumed had been purple moments before. The swelling of her left eye and cheek was considerably less, as was the bruising across her face. Her nose, which seemed crooked when you last saw her, was now pristine. Most of the dried blood had been cleaned away. The only evidence it was ever there was the red tinted water on the bedside table.

You couldn’t bring yourself to think of the injuries under the blanket.

“You saved her life tonight, Davina.” Nina offered, kneeling in front of you. Her gentle hands on your thighs made you turn to face her. “I’m not sure she would’ve lasted another night of that torture.”

“She never should’ve been there to begin with.” You whispered. “I should’ve been paying more attention. I got too comfortable… I put her in this position because I care about her and Pekka used it against me.”

“You don’t bear the weight of your father’s sins.” She tried.

“Maybe not, but he needs to answer for them. He will answer for them.”

“Right now, you and your friends need to focus on rebuilding your strengths.” She said gently. “As a soldier myself, I understand what you’re feeling. I understand your need to fight back, but you need a strategy. Going in blind against your father again will end in death.”

“I know.” You confessed.

“Tread carefully, Davina. A war on two fronts is a war you cannot win.”

“Two?” Your brows furrowed. Before she could answer, Wylan burst in.

“He hit me.” He exclaimed, almost offended by the action. You had to laugh.

“I didn’t tell you to get close to him!” Nina scolded. “I told you to see how Kol was getting on.”

“And when I stood by Kol, Kaz swung at me!”

“I’ll handle it.” You smiled. You reached to squeeze Melli’s hand then offered Nina a small bow. She nodded in return and you smiled apologetically to Wylan.

You could see the red mark on his jaw as you passed.

When you stepped into your room, it was utter chaos.

Jesper was on one side of Kaz with Kol on the other. Kaz’s jacket and waistcoat were discarded on the floor and his shirt was unbuttoned. Jesper was trying to hold Kaz’s arm down while Inej was trying to help Kol.

“Will you stop?” Kol exclaimed in frustration.

“Get your hands away from me!” Kaz argued loudly.

“Saint’s sake, he’s trying to help you, man!” Jesper shouted.

“Don’t touch me!”

“Kaz, it’s alright!” Inej tried.

“What is going on here?” You yelled, slamming the door behind you for emphasis.

All of them froze.

You stared pointedly at Kaz and he hesitantly flattened against the mattress. Jesper sighed in relief before he let out a stressed laugh. Inej smiled to herself as she returned to helping Kol. Kol was complaining to himself in Ravkan. You went and stood at the foot of your bed, arms crossed as you watched Kaz.

He was rigid in the bed, pale as the sheets beneath him and covered in a thin layer of sweat. He had his eyes tightly closed and both hands in tight fists. His chest was rising and falling with shallow breaths and you could just make out what was left of the injury.

“It didn’t pierce his lung.” Kol explained and you turned your focus to him. “The shot collapsed it and broke what looks like two ribs, but by some miracle, it didn’t puncture.”

“He may or may not have ruined your bedding.” Jesper said apologetically, motioning to the new deep red stain,  and Inej reached over to whack his arm.

You laughed slightly. “It’s fine. We can use it as dressing… Why’d he punch Wylan?”

“Pretty sure he was aiming for me.” Kol chuckled. “I ducked. Wylan didn’t.”

“I should go check on him, actually.” Jesper nodded.

“You all should go get something to eat, too.” You offered. “It’s not exactly fine dining but it’s a hot, fulfilling meal.”

“Adrin was cooking tonight, so that usually equates to some sort of stew.” Kol filled in.

“Kol can take you all.”

“What about you?” Kol wiped his bloody hands on your sheets. You scowled at him and he smiled sheepishly.

“I’ll stay with him.” You nodded to Kaz. He was so still you wondered if he had passed out. “Someone can bring some up whenever they can.”

“I’ll make sure we do.” Jesper promised, patting your back as he headed towards the door.

“Make sure Nina and Wylan eat too, please.” You added.

Inej rose and put a hand on your arm. She met your gaze for a few moments before she smiled in thanks. You returned the expression before she joined Jesper. Kol rose last and put his hands on either side of your face.

“One step at a time, Davina.” He said quietly. “Pekka won’t get away with this.”

All you could do was nod.

You couldn’t tell him that you were resigned to fight the war without them. You wouldn’t risk him or Melli again. It was in Melli’s contract that upon your untimely demise, she would head the Snakes. No doubt she’d name Kol her lieutenant. He’d earned that much in his time with you. Maybe they’d switch roles instead. You were fine with either taking your mantle.

You couldn’t tell him that you knew it was your fight. Not his. Not Melli’s. Not even Kaz’s.

When the door finally closed, you let out a long exhale before kneeling by the bedside. You frowned slightly at the stained sheets before pulling a blade to cut a long strip. You gently moved the loose fabric of Kaz’s unbuttoned shirt aside and saw how Kol had healed the wound.

Likely due to Kaz’s uncooperativeness, the gunshot wound was more open than you expected. You assumed Kol focused more on the collapsed lung and broken ribs than the flesh wound. You were just glad it wasn’t bleeding anymore. 

“Vina…” Kaz said and his gravelly voice startled you.

“Can you sit up?” You asked.

He nodded and you stood to help him. You kept your hands on covered areas of skin, using his shoulder and forearm to pull him up. He winced at the movement, grasping your wrist tightly.

“You’re alright.” You said gently. “Kol fixed the worst of it, but I need to wrap it. Is that okay?”

“I can manage.” He countered, though the heavy breaths told you otherwise.

“Stop being so stubborn.” You rolled your eyes slightly. “Let me help you.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“I know. Would you rather it get infected?”

He shot you a weak glare before he gestured vaguely to the wound. He hesitantly lifted his arms and you had to lean in close to secure the wrap. You rolled the end over itself three times to form a bit of padding before looping it around his torso.

“How did you know to come tonight?” You asked despite knowing the answer. You figured he could use the distraction from your proximity. “Last time I brought it up you told me no.”

“Wylan told me everything.” He answered tensely.

“That’s why you sent him… If he was in danger, you’d have to come and help.”

“I wouldn’t have to, no, but it was a convenient excuse.”

You laughed slightly before tucking the end of the fabric and standing tall. You took your hand and ran it along the wrap, smoothing any bumps.

You thought of your mother for a moment and the way she would kiss your bandages. She said it would heal easier if healed with love. You kissed your fingers instead and gently touched the bandage. His eyes didn’t leave yours once they found each other.

“Your arm.” He changed the subject.

“Nina set it.” You shrugged. “It aches a little but at least it’s where it should be.”

“Melli’s lucky to have you.” He said suddenly. “Not many people in the Barrel would take on Dime Lions with no backup.”

“Maybe I had faith you’d show.” You joked. “Or maybe the Saints were looking out for me for once.”

“Makes one of us.”

“You were right to tell me no, Kaz, and you should’ve stuck to that decision.” You spoke honestly. “You and the rest of your friends. It wasn’t worth the risk.”

“They were insistent on coming to help you, Davina. Inej and Jesper were going to come regardless once Wylan explained it all.”

“You still shouldn’t have let them.”

“They are as stubborn if not worse than you are, Dear. The only way I could’ve stopped them would’ve been if I had nailed their feet to the floor.”

“I’ll get you a new shirt.” You went to your drawers where Kaz’s borrowed shirt waited neatly folded. “You and your friends can stay as long as you need. I’ll make up some of the spare rooms and-“

“Davina.” Kaz tried, but you ignored it.

“-I can have Adrin put waffles together in the morning for Nina.”

“Davina.”

“It might be best for you all to lay low tonight, anyways. I don’t doubt Dime Lions are out looking for blood.”

“Davina!” He said loudly then grimaced.

You faltered for a second then handed over the shirt. He looked down at it then broke a half smile before accepting it. You went to your wardrobe to allow him privacy to change while you stripped off your cloak. Your own shirt had vague stains from the gas but it was otherwise intact. You untied the damp cloth from around your neck and tossed it, feeling it stick to the base of your throat slightly. You prodded the area and your fingers came back red.

You pulled your sleeves over the heel of your hand and gently rubbed it away before turning back to Kaz.

“I’m not worried about what will happen to us.” He explained, his expression tight as he fought to get the shirt around his shoulders.

“Do you want help?” You offered.

“I lost everything before, Davina. Everything.”

You sighed slightly and went behind him. You shifted the fabric over his shoulder and held it out so he could slide his other arm in. He shot you an incredulous look over his shoulder but didn’t move away.

Not even when your knuckles brushed his arm.

“An ‘R’ .” You commented as you patted his now covered arm.

You turned and began to strip the stained blankets with a small frown.

“Yes…” He answered.

You knelt and pulled a new bundle of sheets from under the bed, pushing the old ones near the wall. You waited patiently for him to say something else about the simple tattoo on his bicep while you finished putting on the new sheets.

He didn’t.

“I’m grateful that you all showed up.” You confessed, gesturing for him to sit again. He did, wincing as he did so. “But I won’t have any of you die in my fight.”

“It isn’t just your fight.”

“It is now.”

“No, now we’re more involved than ever. The Lions will report back that we were there.”

“And it pulls the Dregs into a fight they didn’t need to be in.” You cut in. “This was exactly what you wanted to avoid, Kaz, yet you walked right into it. Why?”

“For you!” He nearly shouted.

“And you took a bullet that was meant for me!” You shouted back. “The shooter was aiming for me and yet you’re the one with a hole in your chest!”

“It was a fluke.”

“Don’t give me that! You’re the one so adamant that caring about anyone around here is a Saints forsaken death sentence! Guess what, Kaz? You were right! You’re always right and this-“ You threw a hand towards the wound. “-proves it! Is that you wanted to hear? Is that what you wanted to prove?”

“Why do I even bother?” He muttered to himself, dragging a hand down his face. “Why do you think I showed up tonight, Davina?”

“You never listen to me, do you?” You rolled your eyes.

“Maybe if you said something that had any truth to it.” He retorted.

“Of course.” You scoffed. “Of course! My mistake. Saints forbid I try to get through to you, that I try to connect with you, that I try to find some sort of emotion in you!”

“Emotion.” He spat.

“Yes, emotion.”

“You want to see my emotions.”

“You know, that part of you that means you’re human. Or did you leave that in the harbor with J-“ You clamped a hand over your mouth before you could finish the thought.

Kaz stared blankly at you. You may not have fully said it, but you recognized the look in his eyes. You crossed a line. You threw his brother’s death at him. After a moment, he was practically daring you to finish your sentence.

It made you feel sick. It made you feel cruel. You had been looking for something to get a reaction out of Kaz, but you had never thought you’d go that far. It was what made you your father’s daughter, that instinct to be cruel and hurtful. It was what had gotten you that far in the Barrel, but might also be what broke the tenuous relationships you fought to keep.

If you could go that far with Kaz, what would you pull out against Kol? Against Melli? Just how hurtful could you be?

You turned and left the room without another word.

You nearly collided with the Crows in the hall. Jesper, Wylan, and Inej all came back up with an extra bowl each. Wylan brought Nina’s. Inej brought Kaz’s. Jesper brought yours and Kol wasn’t far behind. His brows furrowed when he caught your watery gaze, which you quickly wiped away.

“Woah.” Jesper said as he expertly avoided you, not even spilling a drop. “Everything alright?”

“I already told Kaz. I’ll make up some spare rooms for you all if you’d like to sleep it off here.” You answered instead, fighting the shake in your voice. “Thank you.” You took the bowl and felt their worried looks.

You saw Inej’s focus land on the oozing slice at the base of your throat. You barely felt the blood leaking.

“What did he do?” She sighed.

“It wasn’t him.” You confessed, quickly smearing the blood with your sleeve. You glanced over your shoulder at your closed door, wondering what he was thinking. “I did what I had to.”

“Did you?” Jesper asked gently and you turned back to face him. “Davs, you don’t understand what lengths he would go to for you, do you?”

“It doesn’t matter… It can’t matter.”

You saw Wylan open his mouth to chime in.

“It can’t.”

“Davina?” Kol spoke up. When you met his eyes, he nodded to Melli’s room.

“Yeah.” You basically whispered. You nodded to the Crows in the hall and stepped into Melli’s room.

Kol spoke briefly with Nina before she shuffled out and joined her friends. You sat on the floor, your back against Melli’s bed, and Kol dropped beside you.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked.

He didn’t look at you, instead focusing on his bowl. You wondered if it was for your benefit or his.

“I care about Kaz but you knew that already.” You stared into your own bowl of stew, mindlessly stirring it. “If this is what happens to Melli, what could happen to him? The bullet he took was meant for me. I went over it in my head the entire trip back here. If the rifleman hadn’t been hit, that bullet would’ve been through my heart instead of clipping Brekker’s lung… All of it would’ve been over.”

“Would you have rather died?”

You shrugged.

“Brekker cares about you, too.” Kol continued. “His heartbeat changes when you come around.”

“You sure it’s not hate?” You snorted.

“It’s not. You bring out something that I think scares him. He didn’t get the name Dirtyhands by being sentimental, right? So you being able to soften him, even a minuscule amount, it panics him. Everything you’re afraid of is the same thing he is.”

“Tell that to him.”

“The difference, Davina, is that you are a lot more impulsive than he is. You’re rushing into every battle without the same resources and planning he does. That’s why it seems like you are the only one taking these hits. You're throwing yourself into the line of fire every time.”

“I’m well aware that all of this is my fault.” You sighed. “I can’t fix any of it. All I do is make it worse.”

“He can be your ally, but you have to slow down and play this more as he would.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.” Your head fell back and you stared at the ceiling. The gesture tugged the wound on your neck and you winced. “At the end of the day, the Snakes won’t willingly join the Dregs, let alone work with them. I won’t make them. And I doubt the Dregs would want to have us around.”

“So leave it behind.” He offered honestly. His fingers gingerly ran the length of the wound and you felt the familiar tingle of his healing. “You’re allowed to be happy, Davina.”

“These people are all here because I brought them here. I gave them somewhere to sleep, somewhere to be safe. I can’t just turn away from them for a guy.”

“I don’t think he’s just a guy. You’ve never looked at anyone the way you look at Brekker.”

“Have you ever seen anyone else that pretty in the Barrel?” You tried to shrug it off.

“Not just in a good-looking way.” He laughed slightly. “You look at him like he raises the sun and moon each day, like he arranges the stars every night, like-“

“Like the way you look at Mel.” You added, glancing at him for a second. You caught the flush across his cheeks. “She likes you, too… You’ll take care of her for me, right?”

“Davina-“

“Just promise me. In case anything happens to me, I need to know that at least she’ll be okay.”

“I swear I will keep her safe.” He squeezed your arm. “You do realize that if anything happens to you, Kaz Brekker is going to tear Ketterdam apart, right? He’ll watch the whole country burn.”

“You overestimate my value, Kol Gethos.” You patted his leg then finally found the want to eat.

You fell asleep in your spot on the floor. You weren’t sure how long it had been when Wylan came knocking on the door.

“Kaz thinks we should get going before the sun comes up.” He said quietly.

“Okay.” You nodded, rubbing your tired eyes. “I’ll walk you all out.”

Wylan was fidgeting with his fingers.

“What is it?”

“He told me to find Kol for that.” He answered awkwardly.

You shook your head and stood. “Mel needs him more. I’ll take you.”

“But Kaz said-“

You put up a hand. “Kaz isn’t in charge here. My building, my rules. He can complain to me about it on the walk if he cares to speak to me again.”

Wylan smiled, seemingly glad to know someone who doesn’t cower from Kaz. You collected the empty bowls before meeting Wylan in the hall. Inej and Jesper were beside Kaz. Nina carried the rest of the bowls and Wylan still lingered beside you.

You nodded for them to follow you. They maintained their own conversation for the most part and at some point, Wylan and Nina switched places.

“Whatever you said to him really put him in a mood last night.” She said quietly. You sighed regretfully.

“I shouldn’t have said it.” You admitted. “But I did and it’s for the best.”

“Is it?”

“I’m tired of everyone asking me that.”

“Then maybe they’re onto something that you’re ignoring.”

“Maybe when I’m not trying to usurp my father I can think of other things. For now, I need to keep the people I care about safe. If that means taking on my father alone, so be it.”

“You may not want to risk them-“ She nodded to the Crows that had fallen a few steps behind. “-but you can always call on me, Davina. I’m still a soldier behind all the waffles and jewels and silks.”

“I will keep that in mind.” You smiled slightly.

When you and Nina reached the end of the stairs, you brought her with you to drop the bowls in the kitchen. A few Snakes were up and milling about. Some stopped to stare at Nina and you had to physically close their mouths. A couple pulled a face of disgust and you shot them a single warning glare. They quickly fixed their expressions.

You led the Crows out the same door they came in and gave them brief directions back to the main road. Jesper tipped his hat to you and Wylan gave you a quick, awkward hug that made you giggle. Nina patted your cheek. Kaz barely glanced at you, but you forced yourself to swallow your pride and block his path.

“Uh oh.” Jesper mumbled and you kicked lightly at his shin.

Kaz met your eyes with a subtle intensity that almost had you reconsidering. You rested your hands on your lower back and forced yourself to keep the eye contact going. His brow raised expectantly. You wanted to curse at him for not speaking.

“I crossed a line.” You admitted and his chin tilted up slightly. What the gesture meant, you didn’t know so you continued with your improvised apology. “You don’t have to forgive me, for anything. In fact, you probably won’t. However, I am woman enough to admit when I’m wrong…There were better ways to go about it.”

It made you your mother’s daughter to try and smooth it over with him. Even if you wouldn’t get anything in return, you had made the effort.

“Go about what, exactly?” He asked.

“Ending our work together… Keep them off the Dime Lions’ radar and my father should move on soon enough.”

“Davina!” Jesper tried.

“She’s made her choice.” Kaz said flatly. “How long until she regrets it?”

You almost admitted you already did. Instead, you stepped quietly aside.

Inej lingered.

“The Suli have no words for ‘I’m sorry’.” She said idly, watching her friends go.

“What do you say when you hurt the one person you swore you’d never hurt again?” You asked, fighting the shake in your voice.

“Mati en sheva yelu. This action will have no echo. It means we won’t repeat the same mistakes, that we won’t continue to do harm.”

“I like that. I wish I could say that to him and mean it.”

“He’ll come around.”

“You don’t know what I said.”

“I don’t need to. I know Kaz and I know you well enough. You have a good heart. He will forgive you, Davina.”

“Saints willing.” You offered a tight smile. 

“He’d be a fool not to.”

“Shouldn’t you be leaving with them? I don’t need anyone thinking I’ve stolen the Wraith.”

She chuckled slightly. “Actually, I need your help.” She hesitated. “I just didn’t want them to know about it.”

“Keeping secrets from Dirtyhands now? Must be serious.” You took a step further out, setting your hand in the doorframe to keep the door from closing. You didn’t feel like waiting to be let back in.

“I do owe you quite the debt.” You admitted. “What’s going on?”

“We have a job in a few days that’s taking us out of Ketterdam, but I can’t go unless Kaz can pay off my indenture to Heleen.” She explained quickly. “The problem is that Kaz doesn’t have that kind of money.”

“If Kaz doesn’t have it, then I can assure you I don’t either.”

“That’s not what I’m asking. I know Kaz and he’ll find something else to trade.”

Your brows furrowed as you thought about it.

“You want me to find whatever he trades?” You tried.

“And potentially take it back, depending on what it is.”

“Any ideas on what it could be?”

“No. With Kaz, it could be anything.”

“Can you get me any information on Heleen and the Menagerie? Where she would keep that kind of high value items. When she tends to be out of office. A floor plan of the building.”

“Yes. And there’s a girl there, like me, she can help you.”

“Alright.” You agreed. “Leave the information in my office at the Rook before you leave. And here.”

You reached your other hand to her vest and removed one of her blades. You dropped it into your boot and switched it for one of yours.

“If he notices, you can tell him it got switched during the chaos at the cafe. Keep it till you come back. Use it as an excuse to see me and we’ll go over what I find.”

She smiled slightly.

“Last question. Is Heleen an avid user of candles?” You asked innocently.

“Why?”

You shrugged a shoulder, leaning to open the door. “Maybe there was an accident and your friend’s indenture contract is lost. Maybe any trace of yours is too. Fire is a tricky thing to contain, isn’t it?”

She grinned widely at you.

“Davina Rollins, you just might survive this place yet.” She said proudly.

“I’m a quick study.” You waved her off. “I’ll leave the window unlocked.”

She was gone before the door clicked shut behind you. You knew she didn’t need the window unlocked either. You had questions about what they would be up to that would take them out of Ketterdam, but it’d be better that they left.

It meant you wouldn’t have to risk running into Kaz anywhere. You could think of a way to truly make amends for your near unforgivable blunder and maybe get a leg up on your father. If you could gain your own traction in the battle, you wouldn’t need to lean so heavily on Kaz’s knowledge which would put less of a target on him.

But you also had a new side project to play with.

You had a chance to rob Tante Heleen.

[small-z24]

One-Shot: A Poet's Discovery

Summary: 

Azriel finds Y/N’s journal filled with heartfelt poetry about a mysterious man, sparking jealousy and curiosity. As he tries to uncover the identity of her muse, Cassian's playful teasing leads him to a surprising revelation that could change everything.

Word Count: 976

Warnings: None

Azriel prowled the halls of the House of Wind, shadows whispering around him. He had been tasked with delivering a message to Y/N, a priestess living in the library. Rescued by Rhysand and Azriel from a brutal attack on her church, Y/N had since found solace and purpose among the books and scrolls. As he approached her room, he noticed the door slightly ajar. He hesitated for a moment before deciding to knock, but the soft sound of rustling paper caught his attention.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he peeked inside. Y/N’s room was a mess of papers and books, but one particular journal lay open on her desk, its pages filled with delicate handwriting. Azriel knew he shouldn’t invade her privacy, but the temptation was too strong. He stepped inside and picked up the journal.

His eyes skimmed over the lines of poetry, his heart pounding as he realized the words were filled with longing and admiration for someone. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy, wondering who had captured Y/N’s heart so completely.

His eyes, dark as the night, hold secrets I wish to unravel. His touch, gentle yet strong, leaves me breathless with desire. In his presence, I am whole, yet shattered by the distance between us.

Azriel’s jaw tightened. Who was this man she wrote about? He continued reading, the poetry becoming more intense with each line.

Oh, how I long for his embrace, to feel his shadows wrap around me, to be lost in his world. He is my night, my stars, my everything.

Azriel’s mind raced. Shadows? Stars? Could it be... No, it couldn’t. He shook his head, trying to dismiss the thought. It had to be someone else. But the jealousy gnawed at him, making his shadows swirl restlessly.

“What are you doing?” Cassian’s voice broke the silence, startling Azriel.

Azriel quickly shut the journal and turned to see Cassian leaning against the doorframe, a wide grin on his face. “Nothing,” Azriel muttered, trying to compose himself.

Cassian’s grin widened. “Nothing, huh? You look like you’ve just read something scandalous.”

Azriel glared at him, but Cassian’s teasing expression didn’t waver. “It’s none of your business.”

Cassian stepped into the room, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Oh, but it is. You’re my brother, and seeing you all flustered is my favorite pastime. So, what did you find?”

Azriel sighed, knowing there was no escaping Cassian’s curiosity. “It’s Y/N’s journal. She’s written poetry about someone she’s clearly infatuated with.”

Cassian raised an eyebrow. “And you’re jealous because...?”

“I’m not jealous,” Azriel snapped, but the words lacked conviction.

Cassian laughed, clapping Azriel on the back. “Sure, you’re not. Let me see.”

Azriel reluctantly handed over the journal, and Cassian began to read. As he reached the parts about the shadows and stars, his grin grew even wider. “Oh, this is gold. She’s talking about you, you idiot!”

Azriel frowned, feeling a flicker of hope. “What makes you so sure?”

Cassian rolled his eyes. “Shadows, stars, night—who else fits that description? She’s smitten with you, and you’re too dense to see it.”

Azriel’s heart raced as the realization sank in. “You really think it’s me?”

Cassian laughed again, shaking his head. “Az, you’re supposed to be the smart one. Yes, it’s you. And now you have to do something about it.”

Azriel felt a mix of relief and panic. “But what if I’m wrong? What if she doesn’t feel that way?”

Cassian smirked, handing back the journal. “There’s only one way to find out. Talk to her. And maybe, just maybe, stop being so broody all the time.”

Azriel sighed, glancing down at the journal. “You make it sound so easy.”

Cassian shrugged, heading for the door. “It is. Now go, before I start writing poetry about how hopeless you are.”

Left alone in Y/N’s room, Azriel took a deep breath. Cassian was right. He needed to talk to her, to find out the truth. He couldn’t let jealousy and doubt control him.

Gathering his courage, he left the room and went in search of Y/N. He found her in the library, surrounded by books, her expression peaceful as she read. She looked up as he approached, a smile spreading across her face.

“Azriel,” she greeted him warmly. “What brings you here?”

He hesitated for a moment before sitting down beside her. “I found your journal,” he admitted, watching her expression closely.

Her eyes widened, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “You read it?”

He nodded, feeling his heart pound in his chest. “Yes. And I need to know... the poetry. Is it about me?”

Y/N’s blush deepened, but she met his gaze, her eyes filled with vulnerability. “Yes, Azriel. It’s about you.”

Relief and joy washed over him, and he couldn’t help but smile. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

She looked at him, her expression a mix of hope and uncertainty. “You were?”

He reached out, taking her hand in his. “Yes. Because I feel the same way, Y/N. I’ve just been too blind to see it.”

Her smile brightened, and she squeezed his hand. “Then we’re both idiots.”

Azriel laughed softly, leaning in to kiss her gently. “I can live with that.”

As they sat together in the library, surrounded by the quiet rustle of pages and the soft glow of lanterns, Azriel felt a sense of peace and happiness he hadn’t known in a long time. Cassian’s teasing might have been annoying, but it had led him to the truth. And for that, he was grateful.

And somewhere in the House of Wind, Cassian was probably writing his own poetry about how hopelessly romantic Azriel could be. But for now, Azriel didn’t care. He had found his light in the darkness, and that was all that mattered.

[sabbathbloodysabbeth]

Never Say Die [2]

| Part one | you are here | part 3 | part 4

Everyone seemed to want a part two… so here’s another part! (Also name title comes from a Black Sabbath song lol)

Steve took a few steps in the house. His hands shook as he barely could see through the shirt that was over his face. Concealing his identity from the neighbors. He knows that Hopper and Joyce’s intentions were positive, but his mind was playing tricks on him. For a split second he was back in Russia, blind fold over his eyes as he’s being dragged from a van. Still in his sailer suit. Blood all over his face, the ashes of star-court still lingering on him. Not even given the chance to wash them off on the flight here.

Though When the blindfold is pulled off he’s in the doorway of a very nice home, not in the middle of a Russian cell. He can feel his body shaking a bit from the memory. Before he takes a shaky breath, closing his eyes. All of this seemed a little to easy. What if he was making it all up in his head? What if he was currently in a cell right now losing his mind. He wouldn’t put it past himself. He has had dreams so real about returning home before, to only wake up and get the shit beat out of him.

Hoppers quick to stand in front of him. Protecting him. Steve’s eyes snap open quickly, tears slowly forming in his eyes when he realizes what the older man is doing. It’s been a while since someone’s protected him, and not the other way around. Sure, once upon a time in the prison someone did protect him. But that barely lasted a couple of days before the guy disappeared in the middle of the night. Now Steve knew he fought a demogorgan and lost.

“Mom, what’s going on?” It’s Will’s turn to voice his concern. Steve can’t see him through Hoppers back but he knows how his face is pinched up. Joyce, who was currently standing next to Steve smiles shakily. Tears in her eyes, light footsteps moving fast across the wooden floor start to come in their direction.

“Will, everything’s fine. It’s just.. a surprise guest dropped in. A good surprise. “ Joyce explains putting her hand up. Gesturing for the other to stop. Which is what immediately happens. “Why don’t you go back and tell everyone to go gather in the living room. Let them know we’ll be out in a second.” Joyce instructs. Moving forward out of Steve’s sight. Who can already picture her smoothing the boys hair, wrapping her arms around Will in a comforting manner. Something he’s seen thousands of times and has always envied.

“And tell them, if any of them even think about stepping out of that living room I’ll make sure no one’s allowed to play that Dogs and Donuts game.” Hoppers voice is stern. Steve was standing behind him and it was bringing the fear of god into him. Though he has to hold back laughter because he knows the guy was purposely getting the name wrong.

A few footsteps and seconds past and he can hear Will in the living room. Voices starting to echo through the walls as both of the adults. Who were very concerned, pull Steve into the kitchen. Joyce is already pulling food out for him. Setting a plate on the table within seconds. He hesitates, before he’s moving and awkwardly sitting down. Eyes skimming the room. A habit of his that he’s picked up. Within seconds he already knows where he can exit quickly if it was needed.

“How are you alive?” Hopper asks first, getting straight to the point. Moving and leaning on the table as he looks at Steve with that serious expression again. The same one he held in interrogation rooms.

Steve chuckles shakily, “Russian Prison.” He answers simply before he’s wolfing down his food. He’s sure he was going to throw it up in a little bit anyway. It’s been a long time since he’s had home cooked food. His stomach was already shifting uncomfortably from how much he was eating. “I didn’t die during the explosion thingy, I hopped down and well. Here I am. Woke up in a van in the middle of Russia later on and found my way back home. In quick summary.” Steve explains quickly. Body tense at even the mention of the prison. Thankful for the fact Hopper knew when to back down from something like this. Eyes filled with concern.

“How do you want to do this?” He asks changing the subject.

“We can pull them one at a time in here and have them see you?” Joyce tosses the idea out there.

“No. Just want to rip it off like a bandaid. Get it all done and over with. I cant-” Steve says shakily. Dropping the fork on the plate as he stares down at the table. “I can’t choose who I want to see first. I want to see them all at once or none at all.” He admits. Moving his eyes up to challenge Hopper. Unsure whether or not they were going to allow him to see them. There shouldn’t be doubt in his mind, but there was just a smidge. Hard to trust anyone anymore. He barely knew the two adults in front of him. Only a few awkward conversations in the past.

“Alright… you ready?” Hopper asks. Moving to stand properly. Not even bothering to battle whatever imaginary war that was in Steve’s head. Steve was not ready, he never would be. He moves standing up. Left arm holding his side as he nods his head. Moving to follow the other. Hearing the hushed panicked voices in the living room. A couple curse words following along with them.

Before Steve can get a step in Joyce is stopping him. “Hold on, let me give them a warning.” She smiles softly before turning and moving into the living room. That was still mostly bare from the move in. Steve shakily crosses his arms over his chest as he tries to focus on breathing. He didn’t want to freak out to much while everyone was. He had to be the emotional rock. He looks down at the floor, not wanting to look up at Hopper. Faintly listening to Joyce begin to ramble right behind him.

“So… this wasn’t planned at all. It’s news to me.” She sounded like she was crying already. “But- this person. You aren’t expecting him and I know some of you are going to be excited to see him but he has some injuries. So maybe try not to jump him or overwhelm him.” Joyce warns. Everyone’s already starting to ask questions all at once. “I’m serious guys. He came from god knows where, doing god knows what.” She says finally hushing the crowd down.

Steve finally gets his signal from Hopper. His hands were shaking as he moves. Carefully limping a bit to the doorway. One hand on his side as he leans on it. Eyes landing on everyone in the room. Searching for Dustin and Robin. “Where’s Henderson?” Is his first question. Eyes squinting trying to see, his vision wasn’t nearly as good as what it used to be. Along with the fact he could barely hear out of his right ear. But thanks to the amazing government he was able to get a hearing aid fitted.

He knew that everyone was going to be shocked, but the way everyone’s faces go white makes a shiver go up his spine. All color leaving the room with the acceptation of Eddie and the boy with long silky hair. Both who didn’t know him. Steve’s looking around the group, to many faces and reactions overwhelming him before he sees Dustin throwing himself at him. Moving away from Eddie, who was stunned by how fast the kid could move.

Before he could tackle Steve, Hoppers catching him as says something. Dustin’s already in tears as he moves more carefully as he still hugs him. Steve’s hands shakily wrapping themselves around him, only taking a second before he’s tightly hugging the boy. Squeezing his eyes shut as he feels like one of the numerous missing pieces was just placed in his heart. He didn’t realize how much he missed the little shit until now.

“I watched you die.” Dustin sobs, body shaking in Steve’s arms. Steve feels like a leaf, he’s close to falling from the effort to keep them both up. He’s in tears himself, when he catches the green of his letterman jacket walking in from the other side of the room. Coming from the bathroom most likely.

“What’s happening?” Robins voice is loud and clear as she looks at everyone. Not given a chance to process Steve standing in the walkway.

“Didn’t figure you to be a basketball jock there buck.” Steve laughs softly. Watching as it all hits her as well. And she’s already sprinting, squirming out of Hoppers reach as she nearly tackles Steve and Dustin.

“Ow ow ow, I think you guys just turned my lungs to dust.” He gasps in pain. Both of them stepping back from him as he nearly falls. Holding his side, as he try’s to steady his breathing.

“Here let’s get you sitting.”

Steve nods his head as he moves to Joyce, who’s concern was only peaking. Leaning on her a bit as she helps him to the empty spot on the couch. Which was right next to Eddie. He’s coughing a little, lungs burning from the pain in his side. A shaky inhale of air as he looks at the other curiously. Before his eyes move to land over on the boy with silky hair who was watching him confused.

“Hey.” He chuckles awkwardly lifting his hand up as the boy smiles waving back at him.

“This- this is Argyle.” Jonathan pops in. Looking anxious at the sight of him. Nancy looked like she was a goldfish.

“Hey wheeler.” Steve chuckles, not caring about her what’s so ever. Who he cared about the most were both standing in front of him now. Nearly hyperventilating. He opens his arms out a bit, “come on you dorks. Be careful of the stitches though. I am not redoing them again.” He laughs as they both move carefully. Robin in his lap curling in on his chest. He moves getting comfortable, the exhaustion getting the best of him as he offers a arm for Dustin who was also seeking some comfort. His eyes and nose were burning from the effort of holding back tears.

“No offense but you look like shit, and I can barely see.” Max tosses in. Standing up now to get a better look at him.

Steve snorts, “I can barely see or hear and you sound and look like shit kid.” He says amused. Earning a snort. “What happened to you?” He asks curiously.

“Vecna.”

He freezes. Everybody was looking at him as he glances around, “wait the big cone head looking dude with the ET fingers?” Steve asks. He hadn’t realized that he had made it to Hawkins within the time he was away. He’s gotten hints, even seen him once. Drawings of what he looked like up on the Russian walls. From his understanding he created a portal, to trade demogorgans for the life of the prisoners. Which was apparently how he got so strong to be able to finally reach his way to Hawkins and use his powers without needing the person physically in the upside down.

“You know who Vecna is?” Eddie asks, speaking for the first time. His voice is wavering a bit as he does.

“Well that’s not what me and the prisoners called him. But yeah. We were wondering why he stopped… well snapping our bones like twigs for.” He admits.

“Prisoners?” Is the question everybody all say at once. He winces as he tries to stay relaxed. He was starting to get overwhelmed. As much as it was a relief to see all of them it was getting a little to much.

“Yeah, Russians don’t take to kindly to someone ruining one of their bases.” He chuckles dryly. “Can we- um change the subject.” He winces as he moves a hand up to his head. Feeling a migraine forming. His head hasn’t been the same since he was near that radiation shit in the mall. He blinks as he feels a random nose bleed starting to hit him. Feeling dizzy Robin and Dustin hop off from him when he starts to shake more while underneath them. El moving and offering him a tissue with a knowing look. His hands shakily take the paper, confused as to why she would be looking at him like that. It was just a random nose bleed, he wouldn’t be shocked if he got radiation poison or something.

He moves back into the couch after a second of wiping his nose, completely worn out. Blinking at the effort it was taking him just to stay here mentally. His eyes meet Joyce’s who was already getting Hopper on it. “You look exhausted hon, why don’t you go get some rest in our room.” She smiles as he nods. Moving, his legs begin to shake as he holds the bloody tissue to his nose. Walking the way Hopper wanted him to.

Unaware but fully aware at the same time of the amount of eyes that were on him.

So… I only had a few scenes that I really wanted to write for this. This was one of them. The next part I also really wanted, and I don’t know how I’m separating each part. I’m used to writing 10k word chapters so this is kind of like fresh air lmao. So I’m just writing to relief some stress as I graduate in less then a week 🥳 I just didn’t expect so many people to also want to read this.

Though, I would like to say if you like the idea of Steve disappearing and coming back out of nowhere I do have another fic called Bark at the moon! (Sorry self plug) it’s on a pined post on my account and the link leads you to ao3! (It’s werewolf steve fic and he does disapear😉) ok self plug over. Thank you guys for showing so much interest! It means the world to me!

Tag list; I tagged everyone who seemed interested! Let me know If you want to be added :)

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