#it coincides with the last day of cat watching so i need to know like if i gotta get up real early

[xxsycamore]

BAD LIAR

╰┈➤ You love Harrison, but he gets on your nerves sometimes. You know you can't lie to him, but you can still get back at him in other ways...

Harrison Gray/f!Reader • rating: E (MDNI) • tags: Jealousy; Make-up Sex; Couple Arguments; Rough Kissing; Vaginal Sex; Riding; Dirty Talk; Swearing; Rough Sex; Creampie • wordcount: 2,405 • masterlist

Visions of Temptation 2024/KINKTOBER DAY 5: Make-up Sex

"I told you already. Even if I didn't have my curse, I'd still see right through you. Because you're simply that bad of a liar."

The tiny gasp you let out only makes Harrison that much more amused. You feel the blood boiling in your veins, not even caring anymore if you're overreacting or not.

"I swear, this has nothing to do with you, Harry. I too like to drink strawberry milk sometimes, okay? It's as simple as that! I wanted to drink some so I got myself some. It was my strawberry milk. It wasn't strawberry milk I left for you because I'm too shy to tell you I got you a gift! Jeez!"

"I told you it's fine. I know how shy you can be when it comes to expressing your feelings…"

He pauses to take a sip - the last sip, precisely - of the glass before setting it down where you can see it.

The audacity.

"…So now that you saw me enjoying your gift, we can close the topic if you want to. No need to get so worked up over it… though I'd admit, it's a good look on you."

You watch the empty glass in disbelief.

"…It's sexy, even."

And in the next second, you simply storm out of the room.

***

Later that night, you enter the castle with your cheeks hurting from the big grin you’ve been sporting for quite some time now. With a spring in your step, you walk into the foyer while still linking arms with Liam.

You caught a carriage ride back home together after you ran into him, as your late afternoon going out happened to coincide with him finishing his rehearsal at Scala. Spending some time with him was definitely better than sulking by yourself while browsing the marketplace, seeing how quickly and effortlessly he cheered you up with his bright and bubbly persona. You're not sure if he asked out of politeness or if he picked up the signs of you having a bad day that easily - great, not only are you a bad liar but it seems like you can't hide your feelings at all now - but it wasn't long before you were telling Liam all about your lovers' quarrel earlier that day.

Liam's initial reaction was to smile. Just a smile, not a mocking laugh that reminds you of a certain someone's relentless teasing. Then he made sure to comfort you about it, saying he understands why you're upset with Harry. He's a good friend of his, after all, he knew exactly what you're talking about.

Liam's magenta eyes lighted up for a second, like an imaginary pair of cat ears tingling in attention on the top of his head, with a new smile blooming on his face. A mischievous one this time. He told you he has a plan.

"We're hooooome!" Liam announces out loud, making sure the figure sitting with its back to the door is able to hear it. Of course, both you and Liam know who this is, but you pretend you don't.

"Oh, Harry, it's you!"

Turning to face you while still holding onto the book he's been reading while waiting for your arrival, you and Liam make sure he sees your linked arms just for a bit longer before you let go of each other. You approach first, resting your arms on the backrest of the sofa where Harrison is sitting and gushing about the fun time you had with Liam.

"…And then he looked down and saw he was still wearing those funny-looking medieval shoes from the rehearsal!"

"I can't believe you had to point them out to me… In my defense, Tom is absolutely working me to the bone these days! He's so excited for this new play we're putting on!"

"Who wouldn't be? When you told me about the plot of it, it got me all excited too! Can't believe I haven't seen this play before… I definitely have to come see it. Hey, Harry, you're coming too, aren't you?"

Between the animated gesturing of you and Liam, Harrison remains quiet and mostly still. He crosses his arms in front of his chest, tilting his head for a second as if he's been distracted until you spoke his name.

"Hm? Oh, sure. I'll be there."

"Yaaay!" You clap your hands, before turning your attention to Liam again, as he apologizes for having to leave the two of you so soon. He doesn't forget to say that he's going out early in the morning and probably won't be back till the end of the day. And you don't forget to show how much you're going to miss him, giving him a nice goodbye hug. Right in front of Harrison's eyes.

Once he's gone, you let out a sigh, but don't hurry to move your attention to Harry just yet, even as you walk past him on the sofa. This, however, leaves you wide open, as a pair of arms wraps around your waist in a flash, pulling you right into the lap of the cunning fox.

"Eeek! What's gotten into you, Harry?"

Up this close, reading Harrison's gaze is not hard, even while he's doing the same to you. It's rare to see him so unlike himself, but if there's one thing you know for sure, it's that this is the face of a man being jealous. You need no special abilities to tell this much.

"Nothing much. What's gotten into you? You seem to be in high spirits."

You scrunch your nose at him, opening your mouth to bite back… but you select your words carefully so as not to be caught telling a lie, answering the question with a question.

"Can't I be?"

"'Dunno. It's not the face of someone whose treat was stolen earlier."

It's tempting to break the intense eye contact with a roll of your eyes, but you hold back, even if his words provoke you to do just that.

"Oh, that? I got over it already! I'm not childishly stingy about getting my treats stolen, like a certain someone."

Ouch, that must have hurt. You worry about going too far, but you can't deny the amusement of getting back at him. Especially when you can bask in the results of your earlier performance being written across his face. Maybe your place is in Scala, after all.

His teal eyes shimmer with an unfamiliar light in them, and trying to figure it out makes you feel dizzy. In the next moment, it ceases mattering altogether, because both of you go in for a kiss at the same time.

It begins slowly despite the dramatic pause that preceded it, neither of you wanting to give in first. You let Harrison in your mouth, just to ambush him; wrapping your tongue around his, you turn the kiss into something rougher, and he doesn't back down to you in the slightest. The mass of frenzied energy inside you manifests in clinging to his arms, to his shoulders, tugging at his hair, at his clothing; you maintain your iron grip even as you notice you're disheveling his shirt at this point.

He is the first to withdraw, and despite looking slightly out of breath, he's still staring at you with the same look in his eyes, almost as if he's mad at you. Good, the feeling is mutual.

"Bedroom. Now."

Thank god he said it already.

Once you find yourself in private with Harrison, you know you will not hold back, and neither will he. It's a surprise that a mindful hand still reaches for the light switch, though it's hardly important for either of you right now. With the way you're set on your goal, bodies knowing the way, you hardly need to be able to use your vision at all.

"You're the worst. I'm so mad at you."

"No, you aren't."

Ignoring his words, you relish in the feeling of the naked torso you drag your fingernails down, once that shirt is finally gone. But you're after his belt next, even if Harrison's own hands are on the way.

He's got your skirt removed already, trying to distract you with a kiss while he removes your blouse next, but you refuse to lift your arms up - not until you claim the next article of clothing on him. He breaks the kiss and clicks his tongue, fed up and impatient. Not unlike you.

He easily finds your wrists and grabs them, backing you to the bed and pushing you down until your body hits the fluffy duvet. From there on, his plan seems to be holding your wrists in one hand above your head while he attempts to lift the hem of your blouse again with the other, but it proves hard with you squirming underneath him. You can't stop looking at the expression he makes, and you remember to use your strongest weapon, your tongue.

"You're pretty worked up, aren't you, Harry? Could it be that you really got jealous…?"

He'd never confess to it straight up, so you can at least have your fun teasing him for a little longer.

"I didn’t."

"Liar."

The growing need to kiss his puckering lower lip is what makes you give up on the undressing war, letting the piece of clothing be taken off of you and discarded somewhere on the floor, joining the pile that's already there. Harrison keeps the kiss short because there's still more he can take off of you.

"Yeah, that's what I am."

That's it? No "at least I know when to stop", anything? You lift your head up to catch him moving down on you and tugging at your underwear using his teeth, and the sight makes you forget about your grudge for a split second. Damn it, you want him so bad.

You know once he gets between your legs you'd be screaming with pleasure no matter how stubborn you are. But at least you want to be the one calling the shots while your anger still fuels your boldness. It takes a little bit of effort and a little bit of tongue down Harrison's throat, but at last, you manage to push him down the bed and turn the tables on him.

Once you're on top, you drag down his pants in a rush together with his underwear, letting his erection spring out in your awaiting hands. You rub the blunt head onto your drenched entrance, teasing him one last time before you gradually sink down on him. Though it lacks the usual gentleness Harry treats you with, always mindful of his own size, and the result has you cursing him.

"F-Fuck you…"

"Yeah, it seems like you're trying to do that."

His big hands snake their way up your waist, already there to support you, and a part of you wants to smack them away and show him how well you can ride him without his aid. But you don't, despite yourself and despite the provoking words that his dirty mouth keeps on spilling.

You don't know what's to blame here, but the pleasure of becoming one with him grows tenfold under these circumstances. You need to keep going like you need air. Like it's the only way to channel the emotions rushing inside you right now. The only pause you're willing to take is to unclasp your bra and throw it down at Harrison.

He catches it, bringing it down to his lips for a second while flashing you another dirty look, before it ceases being of interest to him and he throws it away.

"You're- Haaah- You're seriously bad at this. Aren't you going to say something in defense?"

"I'm more interested in fucking you right now."

Your walls clench as you hear this, your body being way more honest than the words coming out of your mouth tonight, but it's hardly a surprise between the two of you.

"Since when did that become your priority? I thought you were having more fun teasing me?"

"Since yesterday. Remember when I commented on how sexy the look on your face is?"

The pace of your hips falters. Thinking about Harrison desiring you like this is, admittedly, hot, but it's his honesty that messes with your head here. As much as he uses his lies to his advantage, it seems like he can use honesty in just as dangerous ways.

Another lowering of your guard, and another chance for him to flip the two of you around.

Now that he's back on top, Harrison hooks your legs on the folds of his arms and it's your only sign to brace yourself for what's to come.

"Come on, say it. Say that you want me to fuck you. Or lie if you wish, I'm not stopping you."

You have to give up clutching your jaw the second Harrison starts pounding inside you in earnest, but the fear of him stopping is what makes you really say the words.

"Fuck me… Fuck me, please! More! Don't stop!"

"As you wish."

Unlike how talkative both you and Harrison have been so far, the following minutes are filled with nothing but moans and the sound of skin slapping against skin. When he leans over you, caging your body completely in his arms, you can't resist wrapping your own arms securely around his shoulders, afraid of him playing tricks on you again. Even if you know he won't. You need this so badly, and so does he.

"Harry… Harry, tell me you love me…! Ngnnhh-I'm gonna-!"

"I love you. I love you so much."

"I love you too-Ahhhh-!"

Hot-white takes over your vision as Harrison's pace shatters, his thrusts deepening just as you reach your peak, milking him for everything he has. He keeps rutting inside you while he cums, his heavy pants muffled into the crook of your neck as he leaves open-mouthed kisses against your feverish skin. You hold him so tightly even after the strong climax relaxes its grip on you, as if wanting him to sink into your ribcage and completely become one with you.

The kiss the two of you share once you can find your breath again, or maybe even before that, is a sweet one, but the aftertaste of it promises another round of this. It seems like there are still some things you have to settle with Harrison.

Liam when he came up with the idea: Oh they're fucking fucking tonight!

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[hey-august]

A Favor for the Captain - Chapter 2 | NSFW (Buggy x afab!reader)

→ Chapter 1

Description: The day after helping your captain with a favor, you end up stuck on night duty again. As much as Buggy wanted to avoid you and his feelings, he still has something he needs your help with. Word count: ~2.3k A/N: This is the last chapter for this story. Sorry it took so long, perfectionism and imposter syndrome fight dirty, lol. I hope you enjoy this! Warnings: NSFW, MDNI, buggy x afab!reader, no use of Y/N, dry humping, heavy petting, buggy is still bad at feelings and communicating. All parties are consenting adults. Tags: @angeli-fucking-cat

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ ✩ ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ ✩ ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ ✩ ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

You woke up the next day as restless as the sea. Waves swayed the ship as you slept, rocking your body through memories of the night before, cloaked in dreams. A party of stars laughed and danced around you, each one burning brighter than the next, until they all exploded into darkness leaving you behind. Whispers of loneliness and confusion slipped away like sand as the mid-morning sun carried you to consciousness.

A big yawn and stretching didn’t shake the sleep from your body as efficiently as sharp knocks at the door, followed by words that flipped your stomach with an icy chill. 

“Hey, you ‘wake? I need a favor.” 

With the weight of an iceberg in your body, you cracked the door and were greeted by a face of desperation and hope worn by one of your crewmates. You slumped against the doorframe as relief melted the tension in your body. The pirate frantically explained that he was scheduled for night duty and needed to switch, but everyone he asked so far had refused. The reasoning was difficult to follow. There was something about a friend of their cousin, dancing, a dinner party, and not wanting to let down family. Once the pieces were cobbled together, you were able to see the whole puzzle.

“So, you don’t want to miss a date with a townie?” you asked bluntly.

“I mean- well- that’s a part of it. Ya’ see, I told him that…”

You cut off the rerun by agreeing to swap duties - one overnight shift for two bathroom cleaning shifts. After an appreciative handshake with both of his hands wrapped around one of yours, he bounced off to prepare for the date. His jubilant exit left you wondering if you should have bargained for a better deal. At least this gave you a reason to look for the meteor shower again. You ignored the pit in your stomach, choosing to believe it was from the last-minute changes and not related to anything else that might involve stars or favors.

With only a half-day left before your shift, you headed to town for food and freedom. Elsewhere, someone breathed easier knowing that you were no longer on the ship. It was only a coincidence that the captain was watching the dock when you departed. He’s responsible for his crew and should monitor who comes and goes - that’s what Buggy told himself. Truthfully, he kept finding reasons to stay near portholes so that he could look for you without the risk of getting too close. 

Buggy felt dirty. Shame had him in a vice grip - stuck between remorse about what happened and guilt because he enjoyed it. Commitment to the crew had you willingly follow your captain’s filthy, degrading orders. Every lecherous detail - the way you felt, how you sounded, your sinful expressions - was etched into his memory. Yet, he still wanted more. For that reason, he also wanted to avoid you. 

The second desire was bypassed when Buggy went to check on the night guard. Unaware of the shift change, he didn’t expect to see you lounging against the railing, back to the sea. Most of the crew opted to stay on shore when they weren’t working, and the rare few who did come back only returned to sleep. Unfortunately for Buggy, you were awake, alone, and alert. Despite darkness flooding the deck, the captain was in clear view. What fucking luck. He considered a wordless exit, but before he could retreat, you called out to him.

“Good evening, Captain.”

A simple greeting. One that tugged at his achy heart and added to the guilty pressure he felt. He knew that walking away would only add to the restlessness. Pulling courage from the part of him that was glad to have an excuse to be near you, Buggy walked over to return the greeting. He joined you in leaning along the railing, foolishly hoping that your presence might actually pacify the turmoil in his body.

The tension radiating from your captain mirrored the nervousness you felt. It was obvious you startled him and you didn’t know why. Not exactly. Did he want to see someone else? Was he trying to avoid you? Both questions were similar and neither offered comfort. You stared at the illuminated town, hoping to find clarity in your tangled thoughts. The ambient sound of waves from the sandy shore and trickles of music emphasized the silence on the ship.

“On guard duty, again?” Buggy repeated his questioning from last night, feeling stuck in the stillness between you two.

You wondered if that was the answer you were looking for. The captain of the ship wasn’t aware of who was protecting the ship and expected to see someone else. That sounded reasonable and the thought made your heart lighter.

“Yeah, I was asked to swap shifts. Something about going on a date,” you explained while waving a hand towards town.

“You- going on a date?” The question cannonballed out of the pirate’s mouth faster than he thought it, along with an uncontrolled glare. Both were met with a confused look. 

“Not me… I just swapped shifts,” you responded with a softness that disarmed him.

Buggy nodded silently, his jealousy collapsing into humiliation. Unlike yesterday, being near you was anything but peaceful. Each piece of him was screaming to get closer and he could hardly control himself. Everything he did or said added to the rubble of guilt he was trapped under.

“It gives me another chance to look for shooting stars, though.” You continued talking, desperate to move past the awkward miscommunication by clinging to one topic that felt safe.

“I guess you haven’t seen any yet. If I knew you were here, I woulda came prepared.” Buggy picked up on your unspoken cue. Following the script, he aimed a finger towards the sky above the town and cocked his hand back as he let loose an imaginary shot.

“Well, there’s always next time.” And with that, the space between you two shrank.

Buggy marveled at how you handled his clumsy conversational skills with ease. Each step he took with uncertainty or pushed by feelings he couldn’t handle, you redirected until he was on the path he really wanted. One that he could pretend he was walking with you, hand in hand.

“You don’t mind being stuck on the ship while the island is all freaked out?” Buggy chuckled when you groaned at his choice of words. 

“Not at all, actually. I like it here…I like the ocean.” You turned your back to the town and spoke to the water’s horizon. “I also don’t mind helping out when I can. I’m just glad to be part of your crew.” 

His crew. You watched Buggy in the corner of your eyesight, hoping he understood what you were telling him. Nerves had you dancing around the subject, afraid to get too close to the fire burning in your chest. But the light and the heat were too much to ignore or keep inside.

The spark you sent his way ignited thoughts that were far too flammable. Fragile ideas that housed his insecurities. Buggy heard that you liked to help the crew. That must be why you indulged him yesterday - you simply wanted to help the captain of the crew you belong to. Anything beyond that was a shadow puppet cast by his desire and used to chase away loneliness. Something inside the pirate clung to that puppet, begging Buggy to say the words that would let the errant fire consume him entirely. He listened to that small voice and chose to believe the ache in his body was just physical desire.

“In that case, I need you to help me with something,” Buggy said before stepping behind you.

The familiar tone in his voice had your heart pounding wildly. A similar sensation was mirrored down lower as Buggy pressed his body against yours. With gloved hands holding the railing on each side, you were surrounded. Buggy rested his head on the back of yours as he fitted his body around your form, only softening when you eased into his touch. 

You weren’t surprised by his hardness this time. Actually, you may have surprised Buggy with how you accepted his request. His grip on the railing tightened as you pressed your ass against his erection to make sure it was nestled and snug.

“Is this what you need help with, Captain?” You hoped the shake in your voice was unnoticeable. A nod against the back of your head confirmed both hopes, so you began to grind against him.

Buggy’s face was buried in your hair and the roll of your ass against his cock took away what little breath he had left. In need of fresh air, he moved his head until his cheek was resting on your shoulder. Now he could clearly hear the quiet huffs you let out as you rolled your hips. The sweet sounds enticed his body to buck against yours, making the soft sounds crescendo into throaty moans that you tried to hold back. Craving more, Buggy pressed his lips against your neck. Your skin was hot and smelled delicious. He needed a taste.

The feel of his tongue and heavy breath on your neck sent electricity through your body. Every nerve was lit up, lighting the way for instinct to come and overtake your mind and body. The slide of Buggy’s cock against your ass did nothing for how your body desperately craved more. Your underwear was soaked and you could feel the slickness as you angled your hips to grind against his entire length. The slippery feeling filled your head with images of his thick cock sliding deep into your dripping cunt before fucking you like an animal.

“C-captain, can I-” Your words were cut off as a hand flew up and squeezed your cheeks, silencing you like the night before. Frustrated, you snatched Buggy’s hand off your face and shoved it between your legs. 

“I wanna come,” you whined as you pressed his fingers against your clothed folds until there was contact with your needy clit. You guided his movements, making his digits circle and massage exactly where you needed them. 

Buggy’s hips stuttered, before moving to a rhythm that your unrestrained sounds orchestrated. His thrusts were hard, wedging his aching cock in your ass and helping him imagine he was fucking your pussy. Imagining how it would hold and squeeze him, as if it didn’t want his cock to leave. As if it belonged there. As if he belonged with you. Giving in to those feelings, Buggy smothered your neck and shoulder with sloppy kisses in between mindless moans that tickled your skin. 

His impassioned attention was fierce and intense, overwhelming you until your body gave in with a loud cry. Trembling against your captain, ecstasy took over. Your blissed-out sounds and movements carried Buggy with you. His hand continued rubbing your clit under your shaky grasp as you both rode through your climaxes.

Eventually, his movements stilled and your sounds quieted down. Buggy’s chest pressed against your back with each heavy breath. His hand returned to the railing, taking its warmth away. He felt weak, both physically and mentally. Seeing, hearing, feeling your orgasm against his body was more than he ever hoped for, but it only happened because you were following your captain’s orders. Because you’re a nice person.

“That felt good…I’m glad you needed my help.” Your breathless voice cut through the noise in Buggy’s head, but didn’t bring comfort. 

“Don’t say that,” he snapped with a little more bite than he meant. He didn’t really need your help, he just took advantage of your willingness to help.

“Why?” you asked as you turned to face him, despite being caged by his arms.

Buggy avoided your gaze, wishing that his body would finish recovering so he could leave. This wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have. He would rather have his perverted memory tainted by self-pity, not by vulnerability or because he hurt your feelings.

Cautiously, you placed a hand on one of his before picking it up. You removed his glove and repeated the question, breaking through the wall he hid behind. Green eyes finally met your gaze as he succumbed to your request for sincerity.

“You were just following orders. Doing something nice for the captain of your crew,” he spat. “Saying that kind of shit might make me think that I could be more than just your ‘captain.’” 

The words hardly left his mouth before they were replaced by your lips. You pressed into the kiss, ignoring how his mouth twitched with words that died under the contact. Pulling back, you were greeted with eyes opened wide in shock and you had to hold in a giggle.

“You can think that. I would like it if you were more than that…if this was something more.”

Buggy studied your face, looking for any hint of a joke. Deep inside, he knew you wouldn’t tease him like this. You refused to waver under his scrutinizing stare, holding fast until he accepted your unabashed confession.

“Me?” he finally croaked out. You nodded in response so quickly that Buggy felt butterflies fill his chest with the same eagerness.

You watched patiently as he leaned in, hesitated, and then closed the space for another kiss. This one was messy and full of nervous excitement. Buggy started talking against your lips long before he pulled away.

“M’gonna extend the stay.” He planted kisses on your cheeks. “You’re also off guard duty - there are more important things that you should be doing than this.”

“Like you?” He set you up for the response and you couldn’t resist sending it back with a grin.

Buggy could have sworn he fell into the sea and died. Even if that had happened, his oxygen-deprived mind couldn’t have concocted a story like this.

Before he could say another word, something caught his attention. Buggy twirled you around and tilted your head up towards a shooting star. Your shout of joy seemed to encourage more stars to begin their journeys and soon the sky was full of dazzling light - a beautiful show for two.

[ihni]

Of pets, chapter 1/2

For @harringrove-flip-reverse-it day 4, prompt "Collar and leash" (NSFW prompt made SFW)

~~~

“Have you gotten a dog?”

Jim hadn’t meant to startle the kid, but Steve Harrington jumped about a foot in the air and let out a noise that was best described as a squeak at his innocent question. Whirling around so he was face to face with Jim – or, rather, face to chest; Jim was very well aware of his size – he looked even more startled when he saw who was there. Jim nodded meaningfully at the leather collar Steve was still holding.

“Oh,” Steve said, eyes wide and unblinking. “No? I mean, yes. It’s for Billy–“ His eyes widened a bit more and he added, almost shouting, “–s dog! Billy’s dog!”

“Hargrove?” Jim asked, and watched as Steve’s head bobbed up and down in something akin to a nod. “I didn’t know you were friends.”

“Oh, we are. Friends. The best of friends, nowadays, actually.” Steve pointed to himself with a thumb and grinned somewhat unsteadily. “Yup, all those bygones are … under the bridges.” He made some vague gestures with the hand that was still holding the collar, which brought both of their attention to said collar. Steve let out a little sound that sounded suspiciously like a ‘meep’ and hurried to lower his hand. When he spoke again, his voice was a little strained. “Sooo, what are you doing here?”

Jim sighed. “El wants a hamster.”

“A … hamster.”

“Yeah. Someone’s been telling her stories about the merits of having a pet, and since I’m not letting her start out with a cat or a dog, and she vetoed fish since they’re apparently ‘too boring’, here we are.” He indicated the store around them; shelves upon shelves of pet-related items. “Figures, right? The closest pet store around, and it’s two towns over. Gotta say, I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

“Yeah,” Steve said, his smile just a tad too wide. “What a coincidence.”

“I didn’t know the Hargroves had a dog. I haven’t heard Max mention it, and I’m sure El would have insisted on a pet earlier if she had.”

“It’s … uh, new. And not really, uh, a sure thing, just yet.” At Jim’s look, Steve took a deep breath and continued, “It’s … He found it.”

“Found it?”

“Yeah. It’s a stray, um, he found it out by the … by the junk yard. He’s thinking of maybe … keeping it.” Jim’s mind flashed to images of demodogs and four-legged faceless monsters as Steve obliviously continued, “I offered to help with some, uh, with some things.” The kid held up the collar with a sheepish smile, waving it around a little. Then he took a deep breath and started saying, “Well, I should probably –“

Shaking away the image of monsters, Jim offered, “You know, I used to have a dog when I was younger. A German Shepard, great dog.” Bessie. She’d been Jim’s best friend for a good while. “I could give you guys a few pointers if you want.”

“Oh god.”

“What?”

“I said, ‘oh good’.”

“Oh. Well, first of all, what kind of dog is it?”

Steve’s whole face was looking strained at this point. “We don’t know.”

Jim had to frown at that. “You don’t know?”

“No, it’s a … mutt. Like a wild dog probably.” He grimaced as if he regretted his words, but twisted it into a smile almost seamlessly. “But hey, you know how Billy is! With challenges, I mean. He, uh. Really wants to, um. Help that dog.”

At the mention of a wild dog, Jim’s eyebrows drew together further, because he’d honestly had enough of ‘wild dogs’ to last him a lifetime. He leaned in closer and lowered his voice as he asked, “It’s not some kind of … monster dog, is it?” It probably wasn’t, but kids these days were stupid – proven by the Henderson kid – so he felt he had to ask.

Taken aback at the – honestly valid - question, Steve shook his head. “No! No no. No monster … dog.”

“Hmm,” Hopper said with a nod. “Still, a wild dog can be dangerous. You shouldn’t approach it alone, it can bite you if it feels cornered.”

“Oh, uh,” Steve said, “don’t worry about it. It’s a … good dog. Just an overgrown puppy, really. All he needs is some … love and affection.” He paused a bit, and then added, “And food.” Then, after a beat and under his breath, “And like … someone to play with, I guess.”

“Hm,” Jim said again. He nodded to the collar in Steve’s hand. “Well, if you do catch it, make sure you keep it collared. You should probably invest in a leash as well,” Steve made a choked noise. “You don’t want it running away from you. And I don’t need another feral thing running around town.”

“Yup. Yup. Understood.” Steve yanked down the closest leash and held it up with the collar. “Well, that’s my shopping done. I should really get going, wanna get home before it gets … dark.” He cleared his throat. “So I’m gonna.” Pointing at the front of the store, he nodded again, slightly resembling a bobblehead. “Go. I’m gonna go.” He’d been backing up while he was talking, and when he reached the end of the aisle he threw up a pair of fingerguns. “Good luck with the hamster!”

He’d barely dashed out of sight when Jim called after him, “Get some treats, too! It’ll help with training your mutt.”

Another choked noise was his only answer.

What a weird kid.

(On AO3) (Chapter 2)

[sageyxbabey]

Whiskers & Wishes - Gaz x Reader (1)

jesus christ, i can't believe i'm doing this...

two of the images used are renders done by loneghostwolf88 (@loneghostwolf ) and BettyBRenders3D

Gaz x F!Reader, eventual smut (final chapter only).

this is: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | (TBA)

Summary:

Gaz knows you very well - he's been in love with you for the better part of a year. So when he jilts the wrong woman and ends up being turned into a cat for his troubles, surely the person who knows him best will recognise him, even like this... right?

You know Gaz very well - you've been pining over him for the past year. So when he disappears without a trace and a strange cat appears at your apartment, the little coincidences that remind you of Kyle are just your anxious mind making false connections... right?

Read on AO3 or below the cut!

Kyle kept his head down as he made his way to the pub near your apartment, rain slipping down the slope of his nose. 

This was his last night of leave, and he had spent the entire day with you, the same way he had for each time off he’d had for the past year of his life. Outside of his task force, you had become his closest friend. To his heart, you had become something more. You were the lightness in his chest, threatening to float away with his heart in tow every time you smiled. You were the warmth that settled over his skin when you hugged him hello and laughed at his quips. You were safety and peace. You were still and mundane compared to his working life. And with a job like his, God only knows how magical the mundane could be.

But he could never tell you this. He couldn’t tell you this because you were his best friend, and you had been for a year now. A year spent spinning in your orbit and eclipsing you in sweet, soft moments. He had flirted, he had touched, he had watched. And now, in this dance of yours, he had spun you out and waited for you to keep the waltz going, but the longer he stood with arms outstretched, the less likely it seemed you would spin back into him. Being with you but not being with you was the sweetest torture. Your blade was carving him up, but all he wanted was to kiss the hand that held it. 

Sergeant Garrick was trained to hold up under pressure, but Kyle was about to crack. He knew he had to move on for his and your sakes. For better or for worse, Kyle needed you in his life now, and if the only way he’d get to keep you was as a friend, so be it. So, he pushed open the door of the Crossroads Hotel and bought himself a goddamned drink. 

And when he finished that one, he bought another.

And another. 

A hand grazed his wrist when he raised the bottle to his full lips for one last swig. 

“You’re drinking awfully quickly there, handsome.” Kyle turned to find the owner of the voice. She was nothing like you.

Maybe that would make it easier.

He leaned one hip against the bar and grinned, “Is this you offering to get my next one?” 

“Maybe, what are you offering me in return?” The woman purred.

“Hmm… Where to start? I have several talents, you know.” Kyle moved in closer as the stranger laughed. This was why he was here. He needed to try to shift his attention to people who would want him back. This bout of flirting went back and forth like a tennis match, and felt like one, too. It was performative, a hollow game. When she excused herself to the bathroom, Kyle was on his sixth drink and still just as drunk on thoughts of you. 

When he turned to scan the bar (hypervigilance was a serious work hazard), he spotted someone else who looked so similar to you… How could he resist? It was a terrible idea, but he was already feeling terrible. He approached this new player and started the same kind of game as he had before. His only prize was frustration at himself.

“Well, you don’t waste time,” a sharp voice groused – the woman from earlier.

In his self-pity and irritation, he said the words that he would both curse and praise himself for later. “No offence, but I don’t exactly owe you anything, do I?”

The woman cocked her head to the side, her smile just on the wrong side of inhuman. When her grey eyes locked onto his, he felt a shiver down his spine. “Fine. Since you’re so concerned with getting pussy, maybe you’d enjoy being one instead.” 

Gaz let out a grunt as the woman’s palm smacked into the centre of his chest, an odd sensation spreading out from his heart to the tips of his fingers and toes. By the time he collected himself, both women he’d been speaking to were gone.

He was alone. Wonderful…

With a heavy sigh and a heavier heart, he closed his tab for the evening.

Shuffling back out into the cold and biting night air, Kyle made his way towards the end of the block. Nausea was setting in. God, how hard did that woman hit him? ‘ Clearly, the alcohol isn’t helping ,’ he thought, as an aching started in his head and joints.

Then, there was nothing but excruciating pain. If Gaz could’ve screamed, he would. But he could not breathe. He could not think. He felt like his bones were being pushed to breaking, like his skin was tightening in on itself.

Snap.

Now he screamed.

Crack, snap.

Holy shit, his bones were breaking. They must be because he knew that sound all too well. What the bloody hell was going on? Gaz moaned out in pain, shaky breaths getting smaller and tighter as he closed his eyes to try and brace through it.

As suddenly as it had started, it was over. 

When he opened his eyes, everything looked… wrong. Colours were not what they should be, and things were too clear for this time of night. That streetlamp was also… a lot bigger than it had been a moment ago. Kyle went to stand before freezing when he caught a glimpse of himself.

Was that a fucking paw ? Why was it moving when he tried to move his left arm? Kyle swung his head around to see not his torso and two legs but a cat's body and a full, long-haired tail. A glossy brown-black coat of thick fur.

‘I didn’t think I’d had that much to drink…’ Kyle thought. He was dreaming. He must be dreaming. But he felt very much awake, very much in pain, and he knew he had not made it home yet. Oh God, home. How the fuck was he supposed to get home? His clothes and belongings were not lying around after his… episode? Transformation? The half-an-hour taxi back to his place was now out of the question, and – assuming this was real and he wasn’t just having a fit in the gutter – he was not about to get very far on foot. On paw?  

“Shit…” Kyle tried to mutter.

“Meow…” was what he heard. 

Oh… you’ve got to be having a fucking laugh.

He was a soldier, a problem-solver. He just needed to think and find a way out of this. He needed help. He needed…

You. 

He’d come from your apartment, not two blocks away. Your building was pet-friendly, and he remembered the little dog door leading onto your balcony. Bless you – even when you didn’t know it, you were helping him. If he could get to your apartment, get inside, and figure out how to convince you who he really is, you could help him.

If this were all a dream, he would wake up in his bed tomorrow morning and laugh it off. 

If this was real, you were his only shot at getting out of this mess.

Moving was strange. Kyle’s brain was thinking about moving his limbs the same way he usually would, but the sensations he was getting back were all wrong: the strange tingling from the wind  moving in his fur and whiskers, the lightness of his body, and his shifted centre of gravity. 

He was grateful for how easily he could jump once he reached your block – scaling up the tree to your balcony with sharp claws. In one leap, he landed at the glass door. He ducked his head into the plastic dog door…

It did not budge. Locked. Shit . 

‘Hey!’ Kyle called out in his head. A loud ‘mrrow’ came out instead.

– – – – –

You startled at a strange flurry of taps and yowls as you tugged on your sleep shorts. You followed the noise with cautious steps out into your living room and breathed a sigh of relief when you spotted the culprit. The cutest little long-haired cat with wide hazel eyes stood on its hind legs, tail swishing eagerly with front paws pressed into your sliding balcony door. 

“Aww! Hi there, kitty!” you cooed. In response, you received a string of pathetic meows. 

“Do you live here? Did you get stuck outside, silly?” 

Your building was pet-friendly. You had a few neighbours with cats who liked to laze around outside on the warm pavement. The cat batted a paw at the small dog door. “Demanding little thing,” you laughed and reached down to unlock the flap. As soon as you did, your new guest darted through in a chocolate-coloured blur. The cat’s fur was shiny, and it looked well-fed. It was definitely not a street cat. ‘No collar…’ you thought, ‘Odd.’ You sent a quick message to your building tenants' group chat to see whose cat you’d accidentally acquired. 

In the meantime, your fluffy friend was mrow -ing up a storm as though you’d personally offended them. You knelt down on the carpet and offered your hand for a sniff. “Hi, baby,” you cooed. The cat stopped meowing and stared at you, blinking. You gently scratched behind their ears, watching how their eyes closed and head tilted in pleasure.

— — —

He knew you didn’t realise it was him, but hearing you call him ‘baby’ in that soft voice had floored him for a moment. 

He’d been chatting your ear off, hoping that something vaguely human-sounding would get through, to no avail. He was going to start thinking up Plan B, he swore, but then you’d kept cooing at him and scratching behind his ears – Oh, that feels very good, thank you – and before Kyle knew it, he’d leaned so far into your touch, he was flopped on his back, purring. You giggled sweetly, and Kyle felt his heart melting in his chest. 

“Oh, what a sweet baby! You’re such a pretty girl,” you fussed.

Kyle’s eyes opened, and he let out an indignant chirp. 

“Hang on, are you a girl?” He watched you lean forward with a surreptitious gaze before realising your intent. Kyle yowled and flailed away, but you had seen enough. “Oh, pretty boy. My mistake.”

You were completely unfazed. 

This was the most mortifying moment of Kyle’s life. 

In all the ways he’d imagined you seeing him naked for the first time, this was never one of them. Oh, God… was he technically walking around naked the whole time? No… ‘The fur counts as clothing! The fur counts as clothing! ’ he thought. That was the only way to stop himself from curling up into a ball and dying of embarrassment.

You’d gone back to patting him at some point during his existential crisis, complimenting his fluffy tail and chest. “What a handsome little man!” You praised, stroking a gentle finger down his nose. 

He was going into cardiac arrest. He just knew it. 

“Where do you live, little guy?”

Your question snapped Kyle back into action. With a chirp, he was up and running across your living room.

— — — 

You watched the cat bound past your couch to sit in front of your TV console, right next to the framed picture of you and Kyle from the day you’d helped him move into his apartment. The cat just flicked his tail, looking at you almost expectantly. 

“What?” 

“Meow!”

“What!?”

He sniffed at the picture before turning back to you.

“That still doesn’t answer my question, mister.”

This time, the cat turned to paw at the photo of you and Kyle, and you jolted upright.

“No, no, no, we don’t touch that!” You took him into your arms and carried him back to your couch. He meowed in protest the entire time. “That’s a very special picture, pretty baby, so you leave that alone.” He flopped onto his side, the image of dejection at being denied the chance to cause chaos. You checked your phone to see responses from most of your neighbours; no one recognised the cat. “Well buddy,” you sigh, “Looks like you’re stuck with me for the moment. How do you feel about chicken for dinner?”

“Mrrp!” His tail twitched. 

You narrated your cooking process to him, picking him up to show him the pans on the stove. Your little sous chef sniffed the air before giving his approval, but complained the second you put him back down. “What’s the matter?” you whispered. His pleading eyes bore into yours as he pawed at your calf. “You wanna come back up? Okay, you big baby.” You supported his weight with one arm, his front legs resting on your shoulder while he watched you cook, tail swishing lazily. Now and then, you pulled a strip of chicken off the grilled fillets and fed it to him, laughing as he licked your fingers clean. You ate your dinner on the couch as he sat beside you, staring at your face the whole time – strange cat…

You may as well enjoy this little fluffball before sending him on his way. 

Your new friend gave a quiet chirp and nudged your hand where you had been absentmindedly scratching his chin. He rolled over to show you his belly when you looked down, blinking up at you expectantly. 

“Wow,” you deadpanned. “I see how it is. You’re just using me for cuddles, huh?” You hesitantly ran your hand down his tummy, barely brushing the soft fur. You’ve had one too many cats lure you in with this trick, only to scratch and bite you when you give in and pat the sensitive spot. You pulled your hand away from his belly, not wanting to risk a finger. He wiggled and meowed at you – almost petulant in tone – and you returned your hand to his stomach, feeling a purr vibrate against your fingertips. 

This odd fellow was changing your perception of the typical cat. “You are such a weird little guy!” He mrrped back at you and stretched out lazily, presenting more of his belly to you. You couldn't  help but laugh. “Cheeky little bugger,” you muttered before pressing your face into the long fur of his chest, dropping obnoxiously loud kisses there whilst you scratched his sides. You reached up to rub behind his ears before sitting up to grab your phone. 

“I’ve got to tell Kyle about you; he’s never going to believe this!” You starte dtyping out a message, but soon, a chocolate-coloured tail obscured your vision. Your new friend frantically meowed, demanding your attention. 

You hushed him, stroking his back with a soothing hand until his cries ceased. You briefly re-read your texts with Kyle. Normally, he’d have told you he was home by now and maybe sent you a meme or two before heading to sleep. You hope he’s just knocked out after packing his bags to leave tomorrow morning. This deployment wasn’t supposed to be a long one, thank God. 

You’d already started missing him before he left your apartment earlier today. You used his goodbye visits as an excuse to hold him tighter, like you could press him into your chest and keep him there if you tried hard enough. 

Your eyes flicked to the time. It was getting late.

“Alright, pretty baby, I think it’s time for you to go home.” You picked up the cat and walked towards your balcony door, but he wriggles out of your grasp for the first time tonight, darting back to the couch. You kneeled next to the small cat flap, holding it open. 

“Come on,” you coaxed. “You need to go home, little kitty. Your people will miss you!” The cat kept staring, unmoved, even as you pspsps to try and get him closer. You sighed, resigning yourself to leave the little plastic covering unlocked. “Fine, I guess you’ll leave on your own at some point.” You stand and make your way towards your bedroom before freezing in your tracks. You turned back to point a stern finger at your feline friend. “Do not. Shit. In my apartment.” You stared each other down in silence. Satisfied with your quiet agreement, you turned and crawled into bed. 

Half an hour later, you were fast asleep when silent paws padded into your room and leapt onto your bed. You didn't feel it when a gentle weight sank into the pillow next to you, one paw stretched out towards your face.

[temptaetions]

not in that way 🌼 l.mh

a/n: i do not own the photo above, it is from stray kids' rock-star concept photos. that being said, this drabble is based on sam smith’s “not in that way.” absolute banger and i will never get over it. thank you.

synopsis: he says he’s sorry, believe him, he loves you...but not in that way.

genre: friends with benefits au | unrequited love | gn!reader | angst pairing: lee minho x gn!reader

word count: 2.2k | lowercase intended.

rating: general audience. minors do not interact.

warnings: unrequited love? one-sided love? rejection. a lot of crying.

what to listen to: not in that way - sam smith | don’t watch me cry - jorja smith | love in the dark - adele

in the beginning, it was smooth.

he was smooth. from best friend…to whatever this was.

his voice sent chills down your spine and goosebumps prickled your skin, your tongue tied as his own softly grazed the shell of your ear. your shivers would send him into hyperdrive, loving your gentle whimpers as he worked his way down your shoulders. he would nip at your collarbones, leaving small signs of his adoration for you all over.

he would leave your body in a state of disarray, your mind swirling with his sweet nothings and the aftermath of his lips on your own. your eyes would shimmer with tears as he would wave his goodbyes from his car down the stairs, and your heart yearned to follow him to the end of the world.

he played with you like he loved you, and it was too much.

eventually, you would know the truth.

the way he said your name was no coincidence, and the way he spoke to you was nothing short of love. he loved talking to you. when you weren’t around, he’d constantly message you things he thought you’d like, updates about his day, or simply that he missed you.

minho was the warm caress of the summer breeze, the soft sprinkle of rain in a drought. he was the freezing of the ice on your fingertips, the crunch of leaves under your boots. minho was something you’d seen every season of, and yet, never got bored.

he’d never hurt you, not on purpose. everything he did was simply because he cared about you, and loved having you around. you were his best friend, his pal, his road trip buddy. you’d watch movies, sing songs aloud in the car together, and share water regardless of sickness or health. admittedly, gross, but it was love.

he knew what you searched for. he knew you’d always taken care of someone else, always molded yourself for someone else. always gave every last ounce you had until whoever received it decided they no longer wanted to entertain someone who needed reciprocation.

yet, he never set any expectations. he came over whenever you asked him to, without a fight. he’d kiss your forehead with the utmost tenderness, and hold you in his arms until you felt like letting go. he cooked your dinner, he washed your hair, and held you close under the showerhead’s running water. he would rub lotion on your feet as you ate melting ice cream, slipping your socks on for you after taking the bowl back to the kitchen. he took care of you, and you felt like he was the black cat to your golden retriever.

his voice would be hushed as you played piano for him, mumbling his sweet praises for you from the bed. he’d watch the way your fingers played the keys like the strings of his heart, the way you would curl those same fingers through his hair when you’d kiss him delicately, your lipstick staining his skin in hues of reds and purples.

he liked watching you just do things, he often sat in your living room (after offering to help) just observing you as you tidied up. he was your practice audience for presentations, he’d give you feedback and ask all the important questions. it was hard for him to admit his own feelings, but he knew you’d have no problem doing so.

“i love you. so much.” your eyes were filled with tears as you watched him pack. he was leaving for a trip, the first one in ages (and the first he wasn’t taking you on.) he’d been the first person to care for you in such detail, the first to really know you without boundaries and the first to continue being excited about your presence in his life.

“yes, y/n. i love you, too.” he absentmindedly folded his favorite shirt (you got it for him) and tossed it into his duffel. you slide off the bed, grabbing his arm to get his attention. “y/n, i really need to pack, love.”

smiling slightly, you pull him into an embrace, your arms meeting the warmth of his neck, only slightly touching the cool metal of his necklace. he rubs your back in routine, slowly moving the both of you towards his bed, pushing his duffel out of the way to lay down, and pulling you on top of him. “you feel so safe.” he’d once said, and ever since, he’d do this in times of stress.

“what’s on your mind, babe?” his fingers slid through the sleeves of your shirt, his fingers tracing shapes in your shoulders, and you nestled into his touch. “i love you, minho.”

“you’re very affectionate today. is this because i’m going on my trip?” he’s still rubbing circles into your skin, and you chuckle lightly. “no. i just want you to know that i love you.”

he stops, like a lightbulb lit up in his mind.

“right, and i love you. is there something you’re hiding from me?” his tone changes, and you lift your head up to look into his eyes. they give you the butterflies something awful, and minho can suddenly feel your heartbeat a little faster. he blinks once, twice, three times before taking his hands out of your shirt, but you’re too lost in the sight of him to notice.

“you don’t know how lovely you are, really.” your voice is saccharine, and he feels mildly nauseous as he quickly tries to sit up, helping you slip off him. your eyes change, and he can feel the frog in his throat. “what? y/n, are you okay?”

“what do you mean? of course i’m okay, i’m just expressing my love for you.” your face says you don’t understand what you could have possibly done wrong, but minho feels his stomach sink as the words leave his mouth. “love? in what way?”

your eyebrows raise quickly before falling straight just as fast, your lips pursing before you speak once more. “as in, love? i’m in love with you, i love you, minho. you don’t have to say it back right away, it’s fine. i know these things take time.”

minho nearly throws up as you say that, but he doesn’t know why. he feels like he’s been hit by a truck, all of your words start falling onto him like anvils from the sky. you feel your throat tighten at his reaction, and move away from him. quietly, you grab your jacket, slipping it over your arms as he dry heaves.

“y/n, please, wait. i do, i love you!” he’s chasing after you, your vision blurry as you search for your car in the parking lot of his building. your shoes are unlaced, and you nearly trip as you reach your car. “it’s okay, minho. it’s fine.”

“please, it’s not your fault. believe me, i love you, but not in that way. please, i’m sorry, i don’t want you to feel differently–”

“minho, i think i just need some space from you.” your words bite at him, and he feels his face fall as you slam your car door shut. you crank the engine, pressing your foot to the gas and missing his hip by a hair as you speed off.

he will never know that feeling.

message from: lee minho (monday) [09:33] are you still upset? can i please come over when i get back? [10:47] i saw a bunny at a thrift here at reminded me of you, and i got it [15:10] i understand. i will text you tomorrow.

message from: lee minho (tuesday) [08:11] good morning, i hope you slept well. i had a bagel with smoked salmon and capers for breakfast. what did you have? [11:38] my mom asked about you. said she misses you and hopes you can come with me next time. would you want to? [17:59] any plans for tonight, y/n?

message from: lee minho (wednesday) [10:42] good morning.

[10:43] y/n y/l/n: stop messaging me. (read: 10:43)

message from: lee minho (saturday) [08:22] i’m coming home today. will you let me see you?

message from: lee minho (tuesday) [00:42] i can’t sleep without you.

you felt many things.

you didn’t feel angry. you felt confused, but not angry. you asked for space just to figure things out, to figure out if you really wanted him the way you’d expressed.

sometimes, our feelings get the best of us. it’s okay not to know what you want, as long as you can communicate that well. in this case, no one really gave an expectation as to what was acceptable and what wasn’t. you just kissed each other, held each other, bared your all to each other and figured that’d be the end of it.

you’d been packing up your apartment the past few days. you were set to move a few weeks ago, but minho never came over to help you pack like he’d promised. your dad was outside, loading boxes into the bed of his truck when minho pulled into the parking space next to him. he greeted your father, making small talk with him until he saw you barreling down the stairs with two boxes in hand. “hey, dad, these are my plates. please be careful, they’re nana’s antiques.”

“y/n.” his voice is breathless, and your ears perk at the sound of it. you’re silent as your father takes the boxes from you, packing them into the bed gently. “y/n, please let me talk to you.”

“there is nothing to talk about, minho.” you smile at your dad, who knows to not butt in. minho follows you like a lost puppy up the stairs, and into your empty apartment, aside from a few boxes. “please, just let me explain.”

“you don’t love me. it’s not a big deal. i just wish we had set some sort of expectation for whatever it was we were doing, because clearly i felt something you didn’t.” minho is quiet as you speak, and he knows you’re not facing him because if you do, you just might burst into tears. his suspicions were confirmed when you turned, holding another box with tears in your eyes. he takes it from you, trying to get your hands in his own before you just shove them in your pocket.

“i do love you, babe. i really do.” he doesn’t realize he’s crying until he sniffles, and you just shake your head. “this is not the love that you want, minho. i can understand that, you’re just not ready.”

your voice is as gentle as it was the day you first met, and the day you told him he was cute, and the same way it was when you told him you were scared before he kissed you for the first time. “i can learn, i can.”

your smile is as soft as it was when you took his birthday picture last year, and the day you held his hand for the first time, and the day someone asked you if he was your boyfriend. “you’re not ready. maybe if you can answer this, i will listen to what you have to say.”

minho nods frantically as you run the tape across the top of another box, and you sigh.

“if love was not what you were looking for, why did you start this? what was the purpose of the burning skin, of the way you held me at night? why did you grasp onto me for dear life like it was nothing without me?”

his tears are streaming as you run out of tape, and you look up to him.

“i do…i do love you.” his voice is trembling, and you can feel a single tear drip down your face as you pull him in closely. your embrace is snug, like it was when he graduated college, and when he took care of you when you were sick, and when you told him you loved him. he can’t let you go, even as you attempt to pull away. “please, please don’t leave. i’m so dependent on you, i can’t let you go. i’m such a fool, please. i love you, i do.”

you feel your stomach churn as you pull away, wiping another stray tear from your cheek.

“i have to go. please, don’t contact me for a while. i have a lot to figure out.” you take both of the boxes in your hands, beelining for the door before stopping. you timidly place a chaste kiss on his lips, your lipstick staining his lips for the last time. a cherry red, his favorite on you.

“i do, i love you. please.” his voice is full of desperation, but you can’t bear to look at him a second longer. it was a huge deal. it was upsetting.

you will move on. you will be okay, promise.

you stand in the doorway, lower lip trembling as you try not to cry into your words.

“i’m sorry, believe me. i love you, but not in that way.”

temptaetions © 2023. no translations, reposting or modifications are allowed. do not claim as your own. viewer discretion is advised. your media consumption is your responsibility.

[pennyblossom-meta]

The Ides of April, (part of) upcoming one-shot.

Title: Unfortunate and confusing

Summary: He only said it to blow them off his trail. The events of the next few days manage to baffle him beyond reason.

Lost moments during chapter [x]. Written in L’s POV, after he casually mentions that he ‘could fall’ for Misa — in Anna’s presence. [World building. Character analysis. Misunderstandings. LxOC]

--

I've been feeling a bit down in the past couple of weeks and having trouble finishing chp3 in the timeframe I wanted, so I've written this little one-shot to cheer myself up. This is only the first of 2/3 parts, but I hope it's fun to read :) Should be released in full once I get to chapters 6-10.

No one knows that Anna is a witch. L is confused. Misa has a kind of reverent respect towards her and Yotsuba!Light can't help but to be polite.

--

There are Spoilers Ahead for future chapters (not yet released). You've been warned. Read at your own peril.

--

Part 01

The lights in the ceiling flicker, at first shy and then in quick succession. Something about it reminds him of a disco ball or, perhaps, a low budget horror movie.

The flashing lasts for a total of 15 seconds before stabilising again. He makes a mental note to ask Watari to have that fixed soon before it short-circuits the wiring on the whole floor. The last thing he needs right now is to deal with third-party maintenance on the premises, especially when they’re so close to capturing the latest Kira.

Uneasy, he watches her leave Misa Amane’s apartment, a tense smile playing on her lips as she excuses herself with the very much believable explanation that there’s some pending project she has to wrap up for university soon — though it may just be a coverup, a ruse for whatever business she’s been tending to in the privacy of her own room. With some luck, Wedy and Watari are likely to have finished setting up all the new cameras in secret; he’s insisted on a more durable model this time since the previous ones stopped working the moment he turned them on, for some reason. 

And the previous ones, too. The ones before that as well.

Suffice to say, Anna Green’s bedroom seems to be a hotspot of technical trouble. 

Not even the 5 laptops he’s purchased for her are able to escape this fate, with only one exception much to his chagrin. She’s still using that mammoth from a bygone era, happily typing away for assignments with all the giddy excitement of a child learning how to write. How curious that there's something faulty with the electrical installation localised specifically in the area where she inhabits, one that affects every appliance except for that ridiculous 1989 Macintosh Portable she insists on carrying everywhere. Inside an antique Victorian-style case, no less — made of either crocodile leather or the skin of a rather large snake (01), judging by the sheer size of the scales. A coincidence indeed, that over 2 months later no one has been able to figure out where the true issue lies.

He’s had to carefully consider whether she might’ve cleverly tricked him somehow and placed a bug on the cat. Nowadays, it spends an abnormal amount of time with Watari down at the main control room, or following him around the building (a betrayal, she called it more than once, shaking her head at the two strolling through the corridors or when Watari assembles his afternoon snack in the kitchen); it’s more than plausible that she might’ve attached some kind of micro device he’s unaware of to listen in to their conversations so she knows when new cameras are being set up. When an impromptu X-ray proves him wrong (02), he grudgingly reverts to a state of befuddlement — and slight irritation — the next time some electrical appliance eventually breaks beyond repair.

His eyes linger for a second too long, and he feels his stomach give a sharp lurch. The warm lights on the ceiling cast a golden glow on the back of her head, almost as if the brown strands of her hair were alight with the sun, giving them a halo that endures even under fluorescent lights.

The door closes with a sharp click. In response, L clenches his fists inside the pockets of his jeans before turning towards the two Kiras. 

Under normal circumstances Misa would have thrown him a knowing look, perhaps even given him a not-so-subtle jab that he’d be quick to deflect and use to throw her off his trail, but she’s been quiet — unusually so, in fact. He notices that she’s looking at the door with a strange expression, a blend of concern and caution, biting her bottom lip as she taps her fingers on her thigh, deep in thought. Light gives him a puzzled glance while scratching his head, obviously uncomfortable.

Giving no outer indication of his actual thoughts, he furiously reviews the last few minutes, trying to remember whether there’s some small detail that he’s missed, anything that would’ve caused the previously excited mood to drop so fast.

Ever quick to cogitate a variety of scenarios, he soon reaches a conclusion; one that brings more questions than answers. Was this because of…?

“That was…is Anna alright?” Light asks, frowning at the door. Misa glances between the two of them, though she says nothing. She does look ready to bolt after her friend, something he can’t quite allow right now.

“I’m certain Miss Graham is fine, (03)” he deadpans, keeping an eye on Misa. Under his and Light’s scrutiny, she stays put. “Now, we were discussing our upcoming plans and, most importantly, Misa-san’s role in all this.”

Lights clears his throat. “Yeah…Ryuzaki, what exactly are you planning? Like I said, I've opposed this investigation since the start. If it means Misa’s involvement, I can’t allow it; this is too dangerous for her! And let me tell you…”

The attempt to go back to the previous subject before this untimely interruption snaps him out of any lingering reverie. He nods, listening, but also taking in several other aspects surrounding them, to further analyse later when there’s some peace. As if he’s unable to multitask. Misa, he sees from the corner of his eye, has gone back to sitting on the couch, cross-legged. She picks up a magazine on the latest fashion shows from the Tokyo collective that she and Anna had likely been pouring over and places it on her lap, though not before carefully folding the tip on one of the pages in a neat triangle. They seem to have been mid-way through it before he and Light barged in to interrupt their moment’s indulgence in frivolous fun.

In a dash of cynicism, he wonders whether the next ‘date’ their resident idol is bound to suggest — or rather, demand, as is her custom, especially given how long it’s been since the fiasco of their last outing to the zoo — would be to watch one of the upcoming runway shows for next year’s Spring/Summer collection. The logistics alone would be a nightmare. She’ll want VIP seats, no doubt. He’ll need to veto it when the time comes; they don’t have the time to partake in such distractions anymore, certainly not with the latest development on Yotsuba — nor does he particularly want to be under the spotlight with a thousand cameras flashing in his direction. The show itself would be boring enough without considering the blatant security implications. Another option would be to send Matsuda with them, though Misa will complain endlessly about Light’s absence. But it’s a small price to pay if it keeps them both somewhat satisfied and out of his way.

At least Anna should be easy enough to handle once he lists all foreseeable hypotheticals (and edge cases, even the most extreme ones) to her. She’s not usually unreasonable when it comes to following the rules he’s set, barring some exceptional misunderstandings. Bristling aside, he’s confident she’ll be agreeable to his concerns.

As if drawn by a magnet, his eyes briefly land on a book detailing the fauna and flora of the Hokkaido region that sits half-hidden on a small table, next to the couch. He immediately identifies it as the gift he’d asked Watari to buy for her birthday at the end of June, one of his first attempts to endear himself to her and gain her trust, short days after she’d found out about the conditions of Misa’s imprisonment. From the creases on the cover and spine he can tell it’s been loved more than enough times. 

He takes a thumb to his lips and bites down until the nail starts to hurt. It’s the only way to keep the smile off his face and prevent that warm, electric feeling in his stomach that threatens to spread until it muddles his brain.

“Ryuzaki, are you even listening?” Light demands, an annoyed look plastered on his face as he faces him. L can feel the tension emanating and forces himself to focus once more.

Of course he’s listening. Though perhaps his thoughts have, once more, drifted towards other (more pleasant) topics.

“Hmm? Oh, of course. There’s a few things we need to discuss in detail first, namely —”

CRACK

Misa screams, clinging onto Light's arm for dear life. The three of them jump when one of the table lamps suddenly blows up, followed by a flickering of all the lights in the living room. Then, with a resounding whoosh, they all shut down at the same time, leaving them in the dark. Outside, the lights of Tokyo’s nightlife shine like neon stars in the distance.

Grunting, L picks up his phone and activates the lantern feature while Light tries to do the same to the best of his ability, with Misa all but cutting off the circulation in his arm. Bathed under the limited light of both their phones, the shadows cast in her round face look odd, as if caught in a dance of subtle mockery that is both irritating and beyond his understanding, making her eyes look even wider when filled with fear.

It seems that Misa’s floor is also cursed by the same faulty wiring that plagues Anna Green’s bedroom. Whether this is coincidence or another labyrinth he needs to pursue, only time will tell.

Nonetheless, something about the whole situation gnaws at the back of his mind. Instinct tells him something’s afoot, and indeed he’s proven correct when he bashes his big toe on the leg of a chair that he could swear wasn’t there a few moments ago.

TBC

--

(01): It's actually dragon leather, but poor L couldn't know.

(02): Yes, L asked Watari to covertly get Rufus through an X-ray test to find any hidden devices. No one came out of it happy (especially not the Kneazle in question). Watari stills bears the scratches, though he was quickly forgiven after a peace offering of freshly cooked brill and tender chicken.

(03): L gives Anna the alias 'Anna Graham', which is a clever way to call her Anagram, which in turn is a jab for whatever it is that she's hiding from him. He's nothing if not subtly acidic, at times. Anna is, naturally, quite annoyed at this.

[trashland-llamas]

Meow?

Regulus who puts together that Remus Lupin is a werewolf. His insomnia causing him to spend his nights in the Slytherin common room's entry. A hot chocolate and a battered copy of Alice in Wonderland in hand as he occasionally gazes out the low window. A menagerie consisting of a stag, a mouse, and what looked to be the grim ran down to the Whomping Willow. Sipping as he then saw Madam Pomfrey half-carrying a ghastly looking Remus. Not even needing to check the sky to know it was a full moon. Regulus always found it odd that their astronomy lessons never coincided with one. Bestowed with the secret that his brother was hiding, and how far the Marauders would go for one of their own, he wanted in. Where else would he find the perfect excuse to become an animagus?

Casting a concealment charm on himself, he walked down to the herbology classroom. Taking a few attempts to discern which one held the mandrake from the current week’s lesson. Regulus made sure to put a pair of earmuffs on as he didn’t want to be found dead on the floor. Retracing his steps as he returned, casting a sticking charm once he placed the leaf in his mouth. It’d give him an entire month to figure out the rest of the process needed to turn into an animagus. Regulus didn’t plan on registering as one once he completed the task. If the precious Marauders can get away with it, why can’t he? Thus he spends hours in the library, hiding his research as simple homework.

'What are you up to dear brother?' Sirius mutters to himself.

'Thank you so much for agreeing to this.' Regulus told Professor Slughorn, taking the classroom key from him. 'No troubles. Now I'll be back later in the evening, you can just place the key along the door sill when you leave.' Regulus nodded, watching until the potions professor left the accompanying hallway. Downing the blood-red liquid after the last 'Amato animo animato animagus' left his lips. 'Ugh, that's vile. Only have to do it once though.' Regulus let out a groan of pain, his bones shifting into some form of quadruped. Hair of some sort shooting from every pore. 'Hopefully, this gets easier.' Regulus thought to himself.

‘Alright, who lost their cat this time?’ James asked, plopping the black cat into Sirius’ lap. ‘Huh, you like that kitty-cat?’ Regulus wanted to laugh so badly, but all he could do is purr as Sirius found the right spot behind his ear to scratch. ‘Oi, don’t jinx it now!’ James chastised Remus when the werewolf doubted that the night would go smoothly. ‘We’ve been doing this for 2-3 years now. Yea, stuff can go wrong but you’ll tire yourself out.’ As jealous as Regulus was, he was also touched at how much they cared about one another. Thus he watched, learning their routine.

‘Hey there lovely, that for me?’ Remus asked, seeing the black cat nudge a cup of tea towards him. The liquid somehow not sloshing over. ‘How’d you know the way I like my tea?’ And Remus questioned if he saw the cat shrug or if that was just his mind playing tricks on him. ‘Are you talking to the cat again?’ James sat down across from him, scratching Regulus’ head as he past, rubbing against James’ leg. ‘Gotta find your owner eventually.’ Regulus hoped they’d forget about that despite not wearing a collar. The Marauders adored the cat’s company but they had to remind themselves that the cat didn’t belong to them.

‘Hello Reggie.’ Sirius had figured out why the green eyed cat seemed familiar to him. It didn’t make sense to him. Countless hours spent thinking about it and he was still asking himself what Regulus got out of all this. ‘I know it’s you, shift back.’ Ugh, fine, if you insist brother. Regulus rolling his shoulders & cracking his neck. Standing back on two legs. ‘They don’t.’ His voice gruff from not using it. 'Then how have you avoided questions of where you go during the day?' Sirius gaze hardened, his questions coming across more akin to an interrogation. 'I tell them I'm in the library, they truly are dumber than they look.'

'Why have you been hanging out with us then? Not that I mind, honestly. It's the only question I've been unable to answer.' The elder registering how exhausted his little brother looked, a muted-ness to his every action. 'Because I'm in love with your friend, the werewolf.' Refusing to look at Sirius, expecting hostility. 'You like Remus?'

'Well, yeah. It's why I became an animagus. That and I was jealous of your friend group, how chummy you all are with each other.' His voice small as he admitted how lonely he'd been. 'I guess I approve, but you do know Remus has to know you actually exist for it to work, right? Not as a cat, but as Regulus.'

'Oi! I'm not that daft.'

[angelforstyles]

Lonely (together) Chapter Two

Harry’s POV

I wake up at 5 am, and I couldn’t go to sleep again so i go downstairs to the gym. I finished almost 7 o’clock. I feed my cat Grey (she’s black) then I ate breakfast and shower before I went to work. Usually I work from eight until five sometimes six pm. I took the elevator to my office, my assistant gave me my schedule and we got through the meetings and dinners i needed to go to this week. I can handle everything at my company, the difficult clients, the precautions, the pressure, but I still hate those fucking dinners with fake faces.

I went out of my office at 6. I have nothing to do for the rest of the night. So i pull my car to her apartment and get out of my car. Since she’s the only one who lives in the building, that means the lights belong to her apartment. I couldn’t know what room this is but there’s a shadow moving inside. I keep watching until the lights turn off.

I stayed a bit longer, then got to my place. I keep reading the files over and over again. I searched about all her family members, her parents have no relatives nor does she. I made for myself food and turned on the TV and watched a movie. It’s 11 pm so I went to bed I rarely go out especially since I gave up on dating. Everyone is so boring and only go out with me for my money. For now the only creatures I care about are Grey and Angel. I slept until 6 am and woke up and did it all over again.

I go near her work building around 3 pm act busy while I look around. She passed right away and went to the grocery store. I go right behind her and grab random things. “Hi, what a coincidence” am i fucking nervous? Shit. “Oh” she smiles softly. “Where do you live? We must live so close to each other” we actually do, it just 10 minutes walking. “Near” she mumbled and turned to face me I almost lost it. She wore long pants, the pants so tight on thighs, tempting to bite. The same white shoes and pink crop top so low, I looked at her breasts line and between them a red rose necklace. Fuck me. And an oversize unbuttoned white shirt. “Going to work?” There is no way I am serious. “Hmm” she sook her head no. She looked up at me with her wide blue eyes, they were a bit watery and so tired. She bit her lip and turned around and walked away. When we got out I called her “Lillian” she looked at me she’s an Angel. “can I have your number?”, she walked away without looking back. I wanna die.

Lillian’s POV

My heart throbs so hard while I’m walking (running) to my apartment, when I saw him I couldn’t breathe. I don’t know what’s getting into me. But I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

Two days later I have a day off so there I am, setting in the coffee shop and reading. I don’t like to go outside but i needed to. Besides this place is not crowded at all. There’s barely three people.

I was so busy reading that I didn’t notice that someone was standing next to me until he said “Is this chair taken?” Green eyes looked down at me with so perfect curls around that beautiful face, so pink lips, and so cute nose. Old band shirt, tattooed arms, a cross necklace, and fingers full of rings, will be okay if I sketch his hands and lips? STOP! .

I shook my head no. He set. I feel my heart beating so fast in my chest. “Reading huh” he smile at me and god. He’s so gorgeous. “What are you reading?” I flip my book and show him. “Never Let Me Go, about what?” I can’t breathe, I can’t talk. “Um.. ahh- a.. just start it” “ you know I watched the movie, it was amazing i am sure you will like it” then why you asking me?.

movies? I hate movies. I watched a couple back then when the girls did movie night, and I never liked it. I hate watching TV, the only thing I watch is Barney and the last time I watched it when I moved to my apartment and was too scared so I rewatched. Comforts me.

“Will see” i mumble, “what’s your favourite movie?” He moved his chair closer to the table and put his cup on the table, black coffee, like mine. “I don’t have one”, “no way everybody has favourite movie” I smiled, i couldn’t think of anything to say.

“Okay what’s your favourite book?”, yes i can answer that. “There is a lot of, but now I think The Course of Love” looked at my lap “that’s a good book! I read it twice” he said and his smile got bigger. We sit for a couple minutes in silence. “What’s you do for work?”, “write short articles..you?” “Where can i read them?” He asked, where? No where. “Um.. they never been published” I said and my heart sank. “Why?” He looked at me expressionlessly. “I'm a beginner, and there are better writers than me who just want me for my ideas and they pay me well”. He said nothing. “You?” I said after a few seconds without looking up. “Me.. I work at a security company” wow he must feel safe all the time and— “let go out sometimes” he asked me to go on date with him or w— “you know as friends do?” Oh.. of course he doesn’t want to date me who wants? “Um sure” “give me your number” I put my number on his phone with trembling hands, please god don’t let him notice. He said See you soon and go out then I took a breath I didn't know I was holding it back.

A week passed and Harry still didn't text me, I was starting to think he didn't want to hang out with me (not that I really want to hang out with a stranger I didn't know anything about or that I'm waiting for him) but he asked for my number! It had to be something right?

It was Saturday and the girls wanted to go out for drinks, I had gotten home from work and hadn't slept so l was feeling a little dizzy. I made myself a sandwich and a fruit smoothie then i drank coffee because I looked like a zombie.

I took a shower and dried my hair but kept my curls then did my make up, deep sharp black cat eyeliner with warm soft eyeshadow, concealer and a light blush, it was going to be a bit hot and my cheeks will turn red so..

I put on some lip gloss I didn't want to wear lipstick because my eyes make up was too much.

I put on a black skirt that went up to the middle of my thighs, with a dark red silk top, I put on red high heels (I'll regret the pain tomorrow) and my red bag. I was wearing my usual necklace and small pink earrings and two rings.

llooked at myself in the mirror one last time. I won't drink but I definitely need to glow a little because my energy has been so low lately.

It was only 6pm but the girls wanted to get out early. I walked to the bar, it was about 15 minutes away. When I walked in it was very warm and loud even though it wasn't very crowded.

I spotted the girls and there were the four guys too. I slowly walked over to them until Joll saw me. "Oh my god you look amazing." She hugged me tightly, a faint smell of alcohol coming from her. The rest of the girls hugged me and then I went with Ami and her boyfriend to the bar to get them more drinks.

I ordered a Sprite with lemon. I'm not a big fan of soda but it made me feel a little better since I don't drink. I sit in the edge of the booth and there was a conversation going on around the table. After about half an hour the girls were almost drunk. I got up and went to the bathroom. I needed to be in quiet place for a moment.

I walked out of the bathroom and on my way out the hallway, a man grabbed my wrist. "You look beautiful" Panic rose inside me and I pulled my hand away and tried to walk but he blocked my way. "Please step away" "There's no chance I'm leaving this beauty" | tried to walk past him but he wouldn't move away until I felt tears about to fall. Only seconds later I heard Meiie's voice "Are you okay?" Her boyfriend behind her looked at me for a second then his hand flew to grab the man's neck

"Did you know how stupid you have to be to bother a woman?"

I moved away until I was behind Meiie then she whispered in my ear "Did he hurt you?" | shook my head no. Then we went to the table again. I tried to recover but my hands were still shaking and I felt the edge of a panic attack but I tried to distract myself.

A few minutes later my phone vibrated under my hand. I lifted it to see and then stopped breathing, distraction itself came into my hands.

Unknown number: Hi.

Unknown number: it's Harry.

Harry: How are you?.

Oh. my. god. My heart is beating so hard in my chest

Me: Hi Harry, I'm fine. How are you?

Harry: Good.

Harry: Are you up for dinner? It's been a busy week, and I'm only free for today.

Harry: If you're not free, that's fine we can find another time.

Oh god what should i say?

Me: I'm out with my friends but we're going out soon.

It was about 7 and the day didn't end yet, but i wanna go home too.

Harry: So you can have dinner with me?.

With me

Me: I think so

30 seconds ..

Harry: Do you want me to pick you up?.

Me: where is the place?

Harry: Location.

Me: It's close to me, i will walk, Thanks though <3

Harry: Good.

I said goodbye to the girls and then left, nervous and adrenaline pounding my body. My heart was beating like crazy and I felt like I was going to die. The panic of the man who had cornered me had gone away but my stomach pain was growing with tension. I looked too much good for dinner with someone who was like a "friend".

I walked for ten minutes until I reached a restaurant. It was a small but fancy restaurant in the corner. I walked in without looking around and headed straight to the bathroom. I closed the door and took a few deep breaths, I looked in the mirror and I was like— I didn't even know what to say about myself.

My skirt was really short, how did I get out of the house in it? I tried to lower it a little and pull my top down a little to cover my stomach, but either my thighs would come out a lot or my stomach or my breasts. For once I regretted not bringing a jacket. I adjusted my makeup a little and tried to reduce it, but the eyeliner was the problem. I didn't wipe it off because it was going to be a mess. I took a deep breath and left. I looked around and saw Harry's back in the corner to the right facing the door. Did he saw me when I walked into the restaurant?

I quietly walked to a table. "Hi" I said in a low voice. I wasn't sure if he heard me. He got up from his seat. "Hi, Lillian." He's wearing a black suit with half unbuttoned shirt, his tattoos almost visible, and the cross silver necklace on his chest, his hair a bit greasy but his curly sit on his shoulders perfectly. And his shiny rings tempt me to play with them, but i look at the table and sat next to him, not facing him. My back to the rest

of the restaurant. I don't know why, but I felt a bit comfortable with my slightly exposed skin now. One person staring at my skin was better than an entire restaurant. I need to pay more attention to what I wear next time.

"I didn't make you leave your friends behind, Right?" | wanted to get out of there anyway. "No" | smiled.

The server came to take our drinks orders. Harry ordered a red wine and looked at me, and I lowered my gaze to the table.

"Water, please," | said, holding out the napkins on the table.

The server walked away and Harry said, "Are you sure? They have great wine, or would you like champagne?" I shook my head. "Thanks," | mumbled. "Where did you and your friends go?"

"Um.. bar" I said quietly, "hm you don't look drunk" I looked at him "I don't drink" The server interrupted us with the drinks and menu.

"How's work?" he asked. "Good, you?" "Today was slow but I got a lot of stuff done so that counts as an accomplishment." | nodded.

"When are your days off?" | sipped my water. "Every Sunday." | said

"One day?" I nodded. "Did you know that's against the terms of any job?" "I signed off on a one-day. No compulsion." I felt the heat run through my entire body from his deep, calm voice, from the prices of the food, from my exposed skin to him, and from the fact that we were talking as if we had known each other for a long time, and also because I was with a person for dinner whom I had only met three times in passing on the street and once in a coffee shop.

There was a good chance he was dangerous, stop it

I didn't feel hungry after flipping through the menu at least three times. There was a caesar salad and pasta.

I had to choose one of the two dishes because it was very expensive and I couldn't afford it, the cost of one dish is the same as what l literally spend on the grocery store for a whole month.

"Are you done?" Harry asked and I nodded. He raised his hand to the server to came over. "What would you like?" Harry said softly. I pointed to the pasta on the menu without taking my eyes off it.

"Caesar salad, chicken salad, two medium steak, two mushroom soup, alfredo pasta, shrimp pasta and margherita" he said to the server.

My eyes were wide open, I couldn't believe it, the restaurant was so expensive. The waiter left and I said to Harry, "Are you sure? You ordered a lot" "You should try it, it's delicious, in fact one of the best." "But I can't afford it." I whispered to him, his eyes narrowed a little and his brows furrowed. "We'll see." He said dryly

We sat in silence for a few minutes, "Did you know that this restaurant has been around for over sixty years?" I looked up to meet his, smiling slightly. "Wow." I smiled to him.

"Did you graduate from college?" I nodded "This summer",

"What was your major?", "English Literature and Translation"

"Interesting. why did you choose it?", "I like reading." Silence again.

"What did you major in?"

"Business."

"How old are you?" he asked after a few seconds of silence.

"Twenty one" My cheeks flushed and I hoped they didn't turn red. "You?" "Twenty seven"

What. the. hell!!!! He's old!

llooked at him for a few seconds, a smile on his face that I hoped would be etched in my memory. My stomach was filled with a strange feeling, and the weather so hot I might pass out.

Then the food arrived in a few seconds.

I came back to reality and realized how much food there was.

I hadn't reached out to eat yet because Harry kept putting some of everything on my plate and on his plate too. Until he was done and then he said, "You okay?" My cheeks burned again, a shiver ran down my toes and I felt heat all over my body, no one has ever put food out like that for me before.

Harry's POV

She was wearing a tight top I could see the edges of her bra.

Her thighs were so full and I feel my pants tingling. She was trembling a little as she played with her necklace and bit her lip from time to time. The food arrived and I put some of everything for her and for me.

We started eating but she was eating so slowly that for a moment I thought she didn't want to eat. But then I remembered when she mentioned it was expensive. "I have an idea" I said and she jumped "Hmm?" Her eyes a little watery

"Dinner is on me this time, next time we can share" she smiled

"please no, we can share, it's okay", "yes next time" I said harshly and her face was a little sad but then she nodded. I immediately regretted the way my words came out.

She started eating a little more and I couldn't help but smile

until my cheeks hurt. We ate in silence, commenting every few minutes about how good the food. She didn't eat much but she tasted everything.

"They have a really nice dessert let's try it"

"Thank you but i can't I'm really full" she said playing with a strand of her hair.

My cock twitched again. "Let me take you home" my voice so low.

She looked at me with sleepy eyes and her shoulders slightly lowered, making her breast line deeper, I looked at her and raised my eyebrows when she opened her mouth to speak

“ca- um.. yes please," she whispered.

I paid and we walked to my car. Her eyes looked up as I opened my car door for her. "Is this your car?" She asked slowly "Do you like it?" Her pupils dilated until half of the blue in her eyes was gone. She looked at me for a few seconds and then got in, her skirt rising even higher. My cock was getting hard, I tried to control myself but when I got to my seat, we were so close and quiet, I could hear her breathing and see her breasts rise as she breathed. Her thighs were pressed together and a lot of skin was showing.

The car started and I looked at her face, sweat were forming on the bridge of her nose and above her lips, her forehead was covered by her bangs but I could see some hairs damp from the sweat.

"Where is your house?" "Um, uh, I- close?" | laughed softly "Location?" She flipped open her phone and sent me the location, I looked at it even though I knew the way by heart from the many times I stood outside all night and morning watching her apartment.

"Do you want a specific song?" She shook her head no. I turned on the radio, the volume very low that I still can hear her slightly ragged breathing. Her apartment was about 17 minutes away. I drove very slowly, I didn't want us to arrive too fast.

The silence was so comfortable despite the tense air.

"Um, thanks for dinner, you really didn't have to pay" she said quietly, a tremor in her voice. We stopped at a red light and I looked at her, her cheeks flushed even with the red light on her I could still see her cheeks burning. "It's okay," we looked at each other for a moment.

"Can I ask you a question?" she whispered. "Anything." "I know nothing about cars, but I know this one costs a fortune. How?" I laughed. "I don't give free business advice. But l've worked hard since college. So it should make sense"

She pressed her thighs together again, her fingers trembling as she gripped he bag, her eyes on the window as the light turned green. A few minutes passed and then she spoke. She said quietly and slowly "I want to quit." We stopped at another red light "I've saved up enough money to last me ten months" she took a deep shaky breath "but I don't know if I'll find a job easily in that time. I don't know why I'm telling you, but I don't know what else to do, and you seem to know the right thing to do" she said in a low voice and her knuckles turned white. The light turned green.

"I think you should take unpaid vacation if your work allows it. If not, you could quit for five months at least and then look for a job." We stopped at the door of her building.

We sat in silence for a full minute, until she unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to me, "Thank you, good night" she whispered quietly, not looking me in the eyes.

She got out of the car and walked to the door, her hips moving seductively, even though she was walking tiredly in her high heels. She put the code on the door and entered, closing it behind her.

I returned to the house and opened the door, Grey walked between my legs. I got down to pat her a little bit. "Hey, have you been alone all day? Hm?" I left her and went upstairs to my room, I went to take a shower, my cock was hard as a rock, and the guilt washing over me because it's hard for her, the water washing me until my hand tightened on the rock between my legs. An inhuman sound came out of me as I fucked my hand.

The image of her lips, legs, thighs. I shouldn't think of her this way, but she has been living freely in my mind for over a month, it's unfair, she should be mine. Release and pleasure wash me over until my breathing returns to normal. I finished taking a shower and put on underwear. I went downstairs to get water. It's 11pm so I went to sleep but she's still in my mind.

I stayed up until 2am. Throughout my career I didn't change a single thing about my routine. I woke up at 6am, worked out, showered, breakfast, went to work at 8am sharp. I worked 10 hours, slept at 11pm for 8 hours. In one month I broke all the rules of my day. I stayed up more than 24 hours, I missed half the work day. Not only that, I stayed up all night, leaving work early to see her walking to her apartment. I was really starting to lose my mind.

Please tell me what you think :3

[searenbound]

Like I said, same ingredients different results

Fated mates trope with abo + taboo (last time pseudocest this time a 15 year age gap)= it’s complicated aka interesting dynamic

I was busy and missed his birthday so let’s go with Bakugou for this one.

Thinking about Alpha Bakugou never taking an interest in Omegas outside of needing someone to help with his ruts. Who thought the whole concept of courtship and all the fussing that comes with it pointless and boring.

Until he gets a new sidekick. Just 20 to his 35 years and the first Omega to ever pull his Alpha out in a salacious manner.

He knows what’s happening. It’s rarely occurring these days but he knows what a fated pull looks like and it’s exactly what he’s feeling.

He wants to ignore. Write off as a coincidence that doesn’t mean anything at all, but they seem hellbent on making it harder for him.

They refuse to wear their scent blocker.

“Forget” sweaters and jackets in the office so he feels obligated to lend his to them and when he finds theirs he can barely resist the urge to press his face into it to get his scent on it.

Simple, possibly innocent. But it escalates. They start turning off comms to test if he can pick up on them like the myths about fated mates says. And when he answers without hesitation and gets confused feedback from the others on their team that day they know their answer.

Now they’re playing a dangerous cat and mouse game because he can’t risk this, not with someone so much younger. Fate be damned.

“Bakugou—”

“We’re working, don’t—”

“Ok then, katsuki? Maybe, Alpha?”

“I’m not— don’t look at me like that, you know I can’t”

“I know you’re a coward running away from fate”

“Watch your mouth little brat, I’m still your boss”

“If you’re a real Alpha, make me”

This isn’t new. They challenge him like this every time he calls them and tries to reason with them, but this time. He didn’t want to fight it. He wanted his Omega no matter the ramifications this’ll have

[sigyn-foxyposts]

Headcanon/Theory: If Loki is Askeladen then..was Sigyn the princess?

So I felt like researching was very fun and not talked about enough folklore surrounding Loki. Like we all know how he has his own little traditions: being the tooth fairy and the vættir living under or in the fireplace. 

Some like to think that this very well know tale of a boy named Askeladen "The ashland" is actually Loki, or based on him anyways! 

After all the ashland does start out as being regarded as an incapable underachiever, but eventually proves himself by overcoming some prodigious deed, succeeding where all others have failed.

Too add further comparison, in the stories Askeladden is characterised as the runt of the family, being:

"the youngest, smallest, and weakest", yet "clever, bold, patient"

He had two brothers, who he often proved wrong whenever they teased him and when they failed in a task, their father would be surprised, since he thought his brothers would succeed. No, in fact it was askeladen.

He is also said to love the fireplace, poking around the ash all day watching over the fires while his mother nags him in doing something with his life, hence the nickname his family gave him! 

In the story: "The Giant Who Had No Heart in His Body" or "The Boy Who Had an Eating Match with a Troll". He ends up tricking a giant/troll into.. taking his own life in an eating contest. How Loki is that? 

Now onto the princess part! The whole reason i am writing this. In the story titled: "The Princess who always had to have the Last Word" (Which I love so much!! Sounds like a girlboss) 

First published in 1843, this fairytale tells of a princess who is "so headstrong and obstinate", that her father the king promises her hand in marriage and half of the kingdom to the whoever who can silence her tongue. 

By the way, they're indicating that she has a silver tongue and a loud-mouth to anyone that she meets. 

By and by, the royal estate becomes so run down by people, that the king decides that if they fail, they will have their ears swayed with an iron.

(I dont really know what this could mean, but im guessing they became a slave or its a way of burning a mark into them?? feel free to share what we know about that one.)

Nonetheless, three brothers set off to try their luck with the princess. 

The youngest, called the Ashlad, picks up several items along the way, consequently being ridiculed by his two older brothers.

As the story unfolds however, it appears that it is not necessarily the things in question which prove to be helpful in the end. 

Mind you the whole time, when his brothers ask "what could you possibly need that for?"

He responds "Oh, I have things to do, and this will do,"

The Ashlads' approach to the road ahead of him reminds us to be attentive and mindful of events and coincidence on our way. Although he is initially mocked in the beginning, it turns out that doing things differently is perhaps not such a bad idea after all.

After his older brothers go in first they're ridiculed by the princess. 

"Good day," he said.

"Good day to you too," she answered and turned in her seat.

"It sure is warm in here," he said.

"It's warmer in the coals," answered the princess; the branding iron was lying there, ready to be used. 

When he saw that, he couldn't say a word, and he failed. It didn't go better with the second brother.

"Good day," he said.

"Good day to you too," she said and turned in her seat.

"It's very warm in here," he said.

"It's warmer in the coals," she answered. 

Then the cat got his tongue as well, and the iron was pulled out again.

Then it was the Ashlad's turn.

"Good day," he said.

"Good day to you too," she said and turned in her seat.

"It's nice and warm in here," he said.

"It's warmer in the coals," she answered; she did not care to be nicer to him than she was with the others.

"Then maybe I can fry my magpie there?" he asked, pulling out his first find. 

"I'm afraid she'll burst," said the king's daughter.

"Not to worry, I'll put this birch ring around it," said the boy.

"It's too wide," she said.

"I'll use this wedge," said the boy.

"The fat will drip out of her," said the princess.

"I'll hold this underneath," answered the boy, showing his broken pottery.

"Your words are all crooked," said the princess.

"No, I'm not crooked, but this is crooked," answered the boy, pulling out one of the ram's horns.

"Now, I've never seen anything like it!" yelled the princess.

"Here's one like it," said the boy, and pulled out the other horn.

"You're trying to wear me out, aren't you?" she said.

"No, but this is worn out," answered the boy, pulling out the sole.

The princess didn't know what to say.

"Now you're mine," said the Ashlad, and he got her and half the country into the bargain.

Now don't we all also theorise that Sigyn might be related to Freya or at least have been raised by Njord, one you'd consider wealthy and a "king" of the vanir? 

Just a thought! Might make a fan fiction of this in the future. 🤭

[hils79]

Hils Watches The King's Avatar - Ep 26

I didn't think Mo Fan was going to join the team just like that. But did Ye Xiu just give him a tour and then go to bed in the middle of the day? (Yes I know this is probably a test). Also, Ye Xiu, you wouldn't have to sleep with your arm over your eyes like that if you closed the curtains in your room

OMG he IS a sullen kitten!

Okay, when @1ebilcat told me Mo Fan was a sullen wet kitten I did not realise that was literal

Whether you need them or not I think you're going to end up with them anyway. Baozi is going to be so delighted to have another kitten to play with. Actually I think everyone on Ye Xiu's team is a cat except for Baozi

Oh no Ye Xiu's in his tight black sleep shirt again

He's a stray who has decided that being inside out of the rain with a bunch of annoying people is better than being outside alone and wet

"I'll stay just long enough to earn my stuff back." He needs to talk to An Wenyi who was only going to be there for 'a couple of months'. Sorry Mo Fan you live there now

Hasn't even made it out of the building yet and he's already feeling guilty. This is how they get you. Again, just ask An Wenyi

See, I knew Baozi would love him. I mean he loves everyone but he especially loves introverted kittens

Is Ye Xiu wearing headphone at the dinner table?

Oh his new family are going to fuck this dude up

I should have realised that all this was a plan, and Ye Xiu wasn't wearing headphones it's an earpiece which is all part of the plan. There are no coincidences in this drama

A massive elaborate plan involving all of them just to humiliate his former boss and make the kitten smile. They're all so extra I love them

Ye Xiu understands that some people are introverts

Oh my god they drew a little cartoon of him

Oh my god they made him a ninja cake because he plays as a ninja

Oh my god

He has to be the last one, right? There's no space for anyone else

YES FUCK HIM UP

The kittens are socialising!

[akihabara-division03]

Today is a big day for the young freeloader at Kiyozaki’s residence; however, since Anika isn’t home at the moment, the girl has to do some troublesome job like receiving the deliveries for her guardian figure. 

And because of that, she almost stumbles over one package laying in front of her doorstep. 

Looking closer and she sees that on the package is written 

“Happy Birthday Setsukura-san, we hope you have a nice year.

—Nara Division”

With some curiosity about what this rather new division got for her, Makina uses the cutter to open the package and then she sees a very comfy neck pillow in shape of a long cat, and also one round box full of Japanese senbei and more snacks.

Not only that, she also discovers a blue card placed at one spot in the package with the logo of blue full-moon …which she remembers, it’s the symbolic icon of one of her streamer friends.

“Happy Birthday ‘Screen Shot’. 

Hope you have a nice day and look forward to our Chilla’s Arts collab soon.

P.S. I’ve already sent you the games we agreed to play tomorrow on Steam. Please think of that as my present to you. I’ve looked into some synopsis beforehand but still, I kinda wonder which game you would like to play first.

—Aozora🌌”

————— Meanwhile at some place in Nara.

“TXXXXX, I’ve sent your present to Setsukura-san today.”

The boy with the reddish hair turns to his dark-haired friend, who is sitting next to him. In front of them are the bright screens of their laptops.

“Oh Thanks, for both this and your help in mixing my new cover on the channel.”  

“You’re welcome, friend. Your singing is already great to begin with. And to be honest, I should be the one who feels indebted to you ever since the time I asked you to be the club’s president for me —Ah, I also heard that Setsukura-san is going to stream some horror games tomorrow and so are you? What a coincidence. Are you guys having a collaboration?”

“Hmm, spoilers aren’t fun. Why not find out about that yourself? Besides that, I still don’t forget the last time you killed me in [Among us], you remember?”

“That—”

“Kidding. I know that’s just a game. If I were the imposter, I would probably do the same.” 

“*sheepishly laughs* …Vengeful, do you?”

“*chuckles* Nevermind that, I owe you a lot too. So, don’t forget to ask me when you need some help, pal.”

Makina brought the presents to her bedroom. She put on her headphones and searched for the microphone icon on her monitor.

“I’m back, chat,” Makina said. She held up the items high enough for her viewers on the other side of the screen to see. “Nara Division sent me some goodies just now. Aren’t they cute?”

“And I also got a steam notification from ‘Aozora’ about some of the games I’ll be playing in today and tomorrow’s collabs. Like I said at the start of the stream, we’ve got tons of horror games in the lineup, so look forward to that…”

She hugged the neck pillow and the box of senbei. “I really like my friends…” she whispered as she watched the endless flood of ‘happy birthday,’ ‘ty nara division,’ messages and cute emotes fill up her chat box.

She chuckled softly and wrapped the pillow around her neck, getting comfortable. “And don’t worry, I’m sharing the senbei with Anika and Shian. Shian’s gonna kill me if I don’t share these with her.”

Thank you for the gift!

[dollycas]

Sunday Salon / Sunday Post – A Week in the Life of Dollycas – Weekly Rewind – New Arrivals

The Sunday Salon is a Facebook group that has become an informal week-in-review gathering place for bloggers. It is also a place to share our thoughts about things of a bookish nature. You can also link up weekly on Readerbuzz. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE! It was a big week around here. When Daughter #2 got engaged we were told they didn't want a big wedding. Then about 2 weeks ago she told us they were getting married on August 7th at 4:30 p.m.. A Wednesday! To put it lightly we were scrambling. Daughter #1 was scheduled for a 12-hour shift and her fiancé was starting a new job. Son #2 and his fiancée were on vacation and had used up all their time off. Mr. Dollycas had to request off. My mother-in-law was recovering from eye surgery. I think our son Kris was watching all this from heaven because Daughter #1's shift was shortened to 8 hours. Her fiancé starts his job tomorrow instead of last week. Son #2's work shutdown was extended. His fiancée worked extra hours every day so she could leave early. My mother-in-law felt great and happy to attend and one of my sisters-in-law was able to bring her. Natalie's mom just happened to be on vacation so they were the only family members Daughter #2 knew could attend. We let her know we were coming as soon as Mr. Dollycas's time off was approved. But everyone else decided to surprise her and boy, was she surprised. It was a beautiful ceremony outside of the courthouse in a small pavilion.  The ceremony was not your typical courthouse wedding. The judge who married them was just awesome. She made it personal, comfortable, and relaxed. After the ceremony, she gathered everyone together, grabbed one of the girl's phones, and took a ton of pictures. We are still sorting through them. Daughter #2 wore my veil from 41 years ago. In her bouquet, she attached a money clip that belonged to Son #1. She also wrapped a garter crocheted by her great-grandma that I wore for my wedding around the flower stems. Then on Friday, we had a cookout/birthday party for two little girls that coincided with the final Waupun Truck-n-Show. The truck show included 2 parades. One, on Friday night, with all the lights, and another on Saturday where you can actually see the trucks and all the work the owners put in on them for the show. This event has been held here for 35 years but apparently, it is getting harder to get volunteers. I am unsure if it is moving to another city or if this is the end of the event. Most important though - Charlotte and Athena celebrated their birthdays. Charlotte will be 5 on August 26 and Athena turned 1 on August 4th. How was your week? Weekly Rewind - August 5 - 10, 2024 Monday - My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #32 – 2024 Tuesday - Requiem for a Mouse (Cat in the Stacks Mystery) by Miranda James #Review @BerkleyMystery Wednesday - Cozy Wednesday featuring There’s No Murder Like Show Murder (Backstage Mystery) by M. S. Greene #Review / #Giveaway @matthew.uai Thursday - The Tarnished Son by Elizabeth McKenna #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @ElizaMcKenna Friday - Haunting License (A Haunted Haven Mystery) by Carol J. Perry #Spotlight / #Giveaway @KensingtonBooks Saturday -  Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor by AJ Skelly #CharacterGuestPost / #Giveaway Plus - Special Guest Marion Crook – Author of Murder in Vancouver 1886 #AuthorGuestPost / #Giveaway @MarionCrookAuthor You need to find some time to Escape Into A Good Book today! Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent   Read the full article

[tnlbarth-blog]

Nov 12 2023 - 12:40am

Warning: All people places and things resembling any real people places or things are merely coincidence and are not to be taken as such.

NaNoWriMo for those of you who don't know is National Novel Writing Month. The month that it takes place during is November. Writers from around the world sit down at their computers and write as much as they can in their novels. Some write a whole new book. Others trying to get through an already started novel

Even though I am an author I never participated. This was because my, now ex friend did and never explained what it was to me. And when I would ask questions she refused to inform me acting as if my lack of knowledge made her better than me. I wish I could say I am over exaggerating and just feel bitter. She acted as if she were better than me even in subjects that I knew about and was clearly better at. I am pretty sure she didn't want to worry about me being better than her at something else especially since I am not a competitive person. I think that lack of competitive spirit bugged her. I don't know why she continued being friends with me.

Another reason I didn't participate was, when I did learn what it was, I found out through other people online acting as if they are better than everyone else because they participated in it. Which hit some old wounds and made me run away from the event.

And my last reason for not participating is that last year I spent the whole year taking care of my dying cat. I had so much stress induced writers block I couldn't even write a sentence.

This year while I was on my other social media app that I enjoy I watched a video from a woman about NaNoWriMo. She was someone I enjoyed watching. She was always impartial in her videos preferring not to put her personal opinions in her videos and when she did she made sure to make her video come across level headed and not like her opinion was the only right opinion.

Anyway I watched a video she made on the topic of NaNoWriMo. She discussed why you should do it and ways you could do it. She didn't make it sound like if you participated you were better than people who don't. She just talked about the benefits like being able to possibly finish that book you've been writing for six years now and things like that.

Watching that video made me want to try this year. And with my cat gone I had a lot of free time to fill. So I decided this was what I will do this month.

On the first day I didn't write, instead I prepped myself. I set up my space, moving things around to best suit my writing needs. I cleaned up the mess that had accumulated from the last three weeks; two taking care of my dying cat and the week after of morning. I restocked my incense. I took a shower so I wouldn't be sidetracked. I went shopping for food I could eat that was healthy and filling so I would have the brain power to work and I set out my computer glasses.

The second day is when the writing started. I set my goal for five hundred words and I went for it. I checked at every natural stopping point in my story until I reached at least five hundred words. And I stopped just after five hundred.

The first few days went well. Then on day nine when I got onto my computer it malfunctioned and I messed up resulting in me losing the previous day's five hundred twelve words. I was devastated. But after some time of grieving those words, complaining about it to the Internet and taking several breaks I rewrote them plus a little more ending the chapter I was on. I then continued and finished writing day nine's five hundred words too. That day I wrote almost one thousand five hundred words total. It took me eight hours but I did it.

I was so proud of myself that the rest of the week I ended up writing at least seven hundred words a day. Including today which was a total of one thousand one handed and one words total.

But today was special. I decided that I needed to read through my eight year old unfinished book I am working on to make sure it makes sense, is cohesive up to the point I have written. And that the characters didn't change too much since the book had only taken place over the core of ten days so far. But I had to read through sixteen chapters at forty-five thousand two hundred seventy eight words long. It took all day because I couldn't stop myself from editing all the mistakes I saw.

All I have to say is that even though it took me sixteen hours I am very proud I did it. I was able to fix plot holes and unwanted character changes. I could fix continuity errors that I didn't notice before. And now I feel very good about what I've written so far.

I was sitting here before writing this thinking about how I want to read more of my book. It may sound conceited but I love my book. It's entertaining, exciting and funny. It's unique too. This book has been my best idea so far and I cannot wait to see it finished.

My goal for this NaNoWriMo is to get as close to finishing my book as I can. I want to make sure though that I am pacing myself well. Which is one of the reasons I decided on a five hundred words a day goal.

If you decide you want to participate in NaNoWriMo I really hope you enjoy yourself. But remember this is not a competition. Participating doesn't make you better than anyone else. And have fun.

If you don't want to or can't participate that's perfectly fine there is nothing wrong or bad about that. I hope you enjoy your November.

Regards,

TNL Barth

[riley1cannon]

🧠🌙🏅

🧠 What’s an idea you have that you can’t quite call a WIP yet?

Oh boy, so so sooooooo many... There's the one I scribbled down after watching the first Enola Holmes movie, and remembering how in COPPER BEECHES Sherlock tells Violet Hunter he shouldn't like any sister of his to take Jephro Rucastle's wacko job offer. So that had me thinking of Enola going undercover as a governess to carry out an investigation (me being me, there would be some kind of HOUND-like spooky shenanigans going on), and Sherlock going undercover as a groom, ala SCANDAL, to be close at hand in case of trouble, of which there would of course be tons.

Still love the idea but no idea if anything will ever come of it. Same with a couple of Superbat AUs, both mysteries. One is an Agatha Christie-style manor house mystery, set in the 1950s. The other would be more of a thriller, where Clark is part of a true crime program doing a show for the 25th anniversary of the still unsolved murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne. Bruce, naturally, wants nothing to do with it, but when (Option A) Clark uncovers new evidence, or (Option B) the killer/someone claiming to be the killer, contacts Bruce and starts a sinister cat-and-mouse, catch me before I kill again game, the two of them join forces to solve the mystery. The biggest hold up for both fics is that they really need to be of the no-capes variety, and I'm just not sure how to write them, Bruce especially, if Batman and Superman aren't in the picture.

There are also plans to do the sequel to "Curses Foiled Again," where they team up with Constantine to stop the Ouija Board Killer. There's the X Files fic I never completed but still think about from time to time, where they're mixed up with the Cthulhu Mythos. Not to mention a sequel to my Ramses & Nefret AUish fic...

Don't even ask me about this Star Wars western AU that flits across my mind at times, that would sort of be like Magnificent Seven, except in space...

:sigh:

🌙  What time of day do you prefer to write? Why?

Mornings are so-so, but late evening is really the best. Mainly because there are fewer interruptions. The only drawback is bedtime, and how ideas will continue to churn when I really should be sleeping.

🏅 What is something you recently felt proud of in regard to your writing (finished a fic, actually planned for once, etc).

My daily kudos email from AO3 gives me a happy buzz every morning, as does any comment that might turn up. It's a bit mystifying why either one occurs, since these are all old fics (some have been up there for more than a decade), and I have no idea how anyone even finds things like Disclosures or Clark Kent Kissed Me. It's a treat to know folks do unearth them, though, and find them pleasing. Lately it's been particularly pleasing to see my Trinity threesome fic, When You Least Expect It, getting kudos. That's the last fic I wrote that warranted an explicit rating, so it does my ego a bit of good to know some people think it was kind of sexy. (When I first posted it on LiveJournal, some Anon mocked me for thinking I'd written something sexy -- "Nah, it's not sexy. But you tried." And yep, I remember the comment verbatim after all this time. It's not coincidence I haven't written anything that wasn't fluff since.)

Yes, well, let's finish on a happier note by saying I am incredibly pleased with myself for having pulled off Duck, Duck, Goose without ever going over the top. That is no mean trick when you've got Batman picking a fight with the Soulmate Goose of Enforcement. (Wasn't good enough for the Rec Center to include in their recent roundup of Soulmate Goose of Enforcement fics, though. Hmph)

Thank you!

Fanfic Ask Game

[seekforwarmth]

HELLOOOOO from your secret santa🎄🧑🏻‍🎄🤍:

I'm really sorry for the very late message, life it's been very busy this couple of days and the closest we get to Christmas, the more crazy my work gets:( But here I am again, just trying to cheer up your day a little bit<33. I hope you didn't miss me too much;).

First things first, how are you? I'm glad you had a good day yesterday and I really hope you had a wonderful day today as well ❤️‍🩹.

So, you're a math teacher, huh? You clever girl. That's amazing! I've always been the worst at Maths, I don't hate them, I respect them but they're so difficult! I mean, I know it's just practice and logic but sometimes my brain frozes at the sight of many numbers hahaha:( So, how you do it? Have you always liked Maths? I'm interested! ☺️

Omg, such a nice combo of colors! I like Pink too! It's really cute and you can mix it with a lot of different colors and it'll look good! And pink it's definitely a calm person color! So i get it <3 One of your favorite numbers it's also one of mine😱. Crazy coincidence, don't you think?

It's amazing to know that our birthdays are close to each other. My birthday is in July and it's also when the springs ends and summer begins. I'm a summer baby!! 🌞 What season do you like more? I used to love summer but where I live it's really really hot, it's unbearable but when it's winter it's too freaking cold, so I prefer autumn, always.

This message is getting so long, my god. I'm sorry but I love to talk a lot, if you can see. So I'll make this quick, my questions for today are: do you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert person? Do you like cats or dogs? And last but no least, favorite song when you where a child? 👀

I'm loving getting to know you better, hope you been liking it too <33

Have a good rest of your evening/night. Sending you a big and warm hug. xx 😙

helloooooo! omg santa, you’re so sweet! please don’t worry abt the messages, i was too happy that i got two yesterday that i didn’t worry much abt getting one today, please don’t stress abt it! hopefully you’re not too stressed? if you even feel too tired just send an emoji and i’ll know, okay? no need to say more <3 but yes, i still missed you.

i’m good, today was eventful really except for some disciplinary matters that i had to deal with my students but nothing big. after worked i came home and watched a match from the world cup, then i read a fic and took a nap. do you like football? fics? naps? hehe. how was your day?

i’ve always been interested in maths and i think part of me being a teacher comes from the times i used to help my classmates with their exercises. i think we’re all good at math bc they’re literally everywhere. you don’t have to solve a quadratic equation to be good at maths, so i’m sure you’re excellent!

i’m so happy to know we both like pink and, what was the number we coincide on? it’s crazy but maybe it’s just something telling us that we’ll get along just fine!

oh, a summer baby! i think we’re in the same hemisphere then hehe. i think i always say fall is my fave season but where i live it’s always hot so there isn’t really a difference between seasons. i like the ~aesthetic though.

you can write and talk as much as you want to, please feel free! i love reading your thoughts. :) and to answer your questions; i’m definitely an introvert even if i talk a lot, but it takes some time for me to be totally comfortable sharing my thoughts hehe. i like both, but i lean towards cats bc i have one! he’s my most precious thing in the world! and a song that i remember listening and singing when i was a toddler was “what’s up?” by 4 non blondes. every time i listen to it, i get flashbacks. it’s not my fave song but i wouldn’t know how to pick one. do you have a fave song?

thank you so much for your message, it brightened up my day! hope you’re having a nice evening. sending a hug back. <333