#it's a soft goal for me (has been for a while; I used to memorize stuff regularly and miss it)

[cultivating-wildflowers]

"Everyone Sang" - Siegfried Sassoon

Everyone suddenly burst out singing; And I was filled with such delight As prisoned birds must find in freedom, Winging wildly across the white Orchards and dark-green fields; on - on - and out of sight. Everyone's voice was suddenly lifted; And beauty came like the setting sun: My heart was shaken with tears; and horror Drifted away ... O, but Everyone Was a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing will never be done.

[blackknight-kai]

Hello! I've been reading your works and I absolutely love it 💖💖 you're actually the first few people who got me into this fandom, and for that I'm eternally grateful ☺

As for the ask, is it ok if I ask general yan HCS of both monkeys? Maybe with fem reader? NSFW is fine. Thanks so much and have a good day! ❤

OOoOOooOOkay! So Ima give this my best shot! Keep in mind I do more ‘soft’ yandere mainly because I do like me a bit of romance with my darker stuff. I WILL add some darker things at the end though!! (I don’t delve into yan often so bare with me 🫶🫂 I’m learning)

Keep in mind before proceeding this isnt your typical HC everyone :)! It’s going to have some Non Con/stalking/whatever comes to my mind. I went with whatever direction my brain was going so I hope this came out okay!

Warning: Yandere ideas

Destined One

At first you didnt notice anything different about him compared to anyone else outside of the obvious physical traits and some personality traits. He’s reserved, quiet, and focused entirely on his goals. His determination and strength is something that awes you to this day. Something you do notice about him though is that hes observant. Always taking note of his surroundings and using his senses to keep himself aware of what going on. When you first started traveling with him he seemed to almost…ignore you a bit. As though you weren’t really a scratch on his so called journey and mission. But over time you start to notice him staring at you and watching you. It’s a little intense but you just chalk it up to him being him, maybe he’s curious about his companion finally?

- [ ] He hadnt really thought much of you when you first joined him. It honestly took him a bit of time to realize he’d grown a bit….attached to you. His eyes always following your every move and his ears always listening for you. Your scent? He has that memorized.

- [ ] DO is going to start off subtle about his attentions towards you. He’s not going to be rash, unless something pushes him to it.

- [ ] He’s ALWAYS watching you. Always knows where you are and what youre doing.

- [ ] His feelings for you go from zero to almost 100 - although he’s silent about it at first. You’re going to notice him staring or even sometimes getting things you needed for you before you even knew you needed it.

- [ ] DO doesnt do things in half measures. He’s focused. Which means once he’s turned his attentions on you, ALL of him is focused on you.

- [ ] DO knows it’s wrong, but cant stop himself from doing some of the more…inappropriate things with you. Such as watching you while you bathe or change.

- [ ] *Non Con - He’s going to end up touching you while you sleep. Be it an accident at first (yeah right) or he just doesn’t stop his urge to do so. But he’s going touch you because you’re too inviting to him. He won’t go so far as full on sex, but you will be caressed and eventually as he gains confidence you’ll find marks you’re not sure where they came from. He’s going to decide the very first night his hands slip under your clothes that you are his.

- [ ] No one else will EVER see you or touch you like he had. Ever.

- [ ] He’s going to be hyper attentive to you, lulling you into this sense of “Aw he cares for me and takes care of me”. While YES he does, it’s also to further his own goal in regards to you. The foods he brings? Not every time, but sometimes might have a little something in them that makes you a little…sleepy. Pliant. So he can run his hands under your clothes or leave little marks on you without you making a fuss. Your body will NOT be afraid of his touch, he’s going to make sure of it. Sex is still something he’s reserving for…claiming you fully. For now, he’s going to take his time getting your body just used to his hands and the way he makes you feel with them or his tail.

- [ ] He’s going to manhandle you, sit you where he wants you and if you fuss he’s stubborn and won’t budge about it, using his strength to hold you where he put you, to the point you let him have his way because it’s not worth arguing over.

- [ ] You dont realize it but he’s also been scenting the hell out of you, your clothes, and even your bed furs. To you, it just smells like a combination of you, the forest, and of him - which you dont think anything of because he carries stuff for you a lot.

- [ ] But him scenting that stuff? It’s a very loud claim especially since it’s not just him rubbing his face or neck on the items….no he’s rubbing those materials around his cock and balls. Getting his musk all over it.

- [ ] On you, he will be a bit more subtle with his scenting. Wrapping a tail around you or brushing his hand through your hair or against you as he walks by. But sometimes DO shoves his hand down his pants, coating his hand or even tail in his musk and then rubs it on you. You are HIS.

- [ ] He’s jealous as all hell too and will make it known by how he behaves towards others in regards to you. Does NOT like anyone even looking at you, it makes him want to carry you off to some makeshift nest and KEEP you there, to prevent wandering eyes.

- [ ] Speaking of, as soon as his journey ends thats exactly what he wants to do. If he doesnt have a place in mind he’s definitely going to make sure he finds one. It will be the nest for the two of you. He will make sure he gets you everything you need so you wont need to go out.

- [ ] Before that though, he’s going to do everything in his power to make sure you know that you’re his and he’s going to make sure you dont want anyone else.

- [ ] When his journey is over, immediately youre thrown over his shoulder. He’s carting you off to your permanent home, away from any dangers or the possibility of someone stealing you away from him.

- [ ] Here is where he’s a bit more…demanding and forceful. See, by this point he knows your body wants him, he’s smelled and felt how wet you get for his touch and he’s seen your eyes on him. You’ve been slowly pulled into his orbit once he has you in his chosen space he’s going to have all of you.

- [ ] He’s not going to just strip you and shove himself in, no. He still wants to make sure your body is willing. So he’s going to be more bold and more obvious about his touches.

- [ ] Bathing alone? Not anymore. Changing alone? Nope. Unless he’s gone doing something like gathering food or a quick patrol, your body is for his eyes. He will let you have some modesty but he’s going to slip his hands under your clothes when he pleases and feel your soft warm skin.

- [ ] You’re going to be awake when his tail or fingers forcefully slip between your legs, he’s going to pull orgasms out of you until your awake conscious learns to relax for his touch like your sleeping body and conscious do.

- [ ] You wont be allowed to leave, he will make sure a clone is around you at all times if he cant be and when youre sleeping he’s wrapped around you, his limbs like vices.

- [ ] Your skin will be marked with his bites and some claw marks, not deep enough to truly harm but enough to remind you of him when he’s out of sight.

- [ ] He will slowly get you addicted to his taste as well, slipping a pre or cum coated finger into your mouth as you orgasm so your brain learns that his taste means pleasure.

- [ ] When he takes you he’s going to be gentle but firm, he wants you to feel good but also wont let you resist him. He’s CLAIMING you now. His fangs will bite into you, this time with the purpose to scar his claim on you.

- [ ] After this, he’s going to make sure youre always ready for him, is not above using a clone to keep you spread open and wet for him via cock warming or a prefucking. You will be molded to the shape of his cock.

- [ ] He’s also going to slip inside you when you sleep, waking you as he ruts into you or touches your body.

- [ ] Your body WILL know that his touch means pleasure, but if you resist he’s going to make sure you remember your place. He will be rougher with you. Wanting you to submit.

- [ ] He will always pamper you after, cuddling you and cleaning you. But his cum will remain inside you until he’s ready to help you wash it out.

- [ ] He’s going to make sure you are so reliant on him, his touch, his presence, and all he does for you that you wont remember that his possessiveness isnt normal, that he’d stolen you away without asking and that he continues to lay his claim on you.

- [ ] No, youre lulled into a sense of belonging with him….youre his to care for, protect, and take.

- [ ] All in all and in general, Destined One is a quiet but firm yandere lover. Only when you really push back/push his dominance does he get too harsh with you. Depending on WHEN he finds you will depend on how quickly he steals you away. But he’s going to take care of you, you are HIS mate and mates are to be cared for, protected. He knows it’s not exactly normal to keep you the way he does, but something in him wont allow for you to even have the possibility to consider someone else. He’s going to show you that HE is the best for you. That HE knows the best for you. He may be jealous and possessive but he wont harm you so much so that you would be repulsed by his touch. No, he wants you pliant and giving in when he reaches for you, relaxing in his embrace or even seeking his touch out. If you take your pleasure with out him, he’s not going to let you sleep, it will get to the point you will end up passing out and he will keep going. He’s going to take you again when you wake. Your pleasure is for him to take and give.

Wukong:

Wukong is…very friendly to you. He also is a very good, if sometimes annoying, traveling companion or protector. So you really don’t notice anything out of the ordinary with him in the beginning. By the time you do it’s honestly too late for you. He’s lulled you into his intricate web and there’s no escape from him. Because he’s had his eyes on you and what Wukong wants, Wukong gets. He also knows there is no one else better than him for you.

- [ ] He knows almost immediately after meeting you that he wants you. It’s not a normal ‘want’ either. It’s the kind of greed he that claws at him from the inside desperate to get out and get a hold of you.

- [ ] Wukong will temper SOME of his more…greedy tendencies down. At first. But he has a way about him that is very demanding and commanding. Being the King and powerful being he is.

- [ ] He has a way of making you feel comfortable around him, as though you belong by his side. He’s going to make sure you see HIM as your protector and someone to go to for help or anything you need.

- [ ] Wukong will be outright flirtatious with you, but he wont be overtly forceful with his touches right away. He wants to get you warmed up to him and used to his ‘casual’ touches. Something he does NOT do for others but you dont need to know that.

- [ ] He definitely disguises himself when you go bathing, be it a fish in the water or a bug flying about. He wants his eyes on you at all times. Yes, this means he may brush against you often while in his forms of trickery.

- [ ] Would absolutely disguise himself as a woman in a bathhouse if you went to one and offer to help you bathe. (He will fish for compliments about himself if you mention him traveling with you)

- [ ] Wukong is going to be manipulative in a way you dont even realize. He’s mouthy and cunning so he’s going to use his words to steer you in whatever direction he wants things to go in.

- [ ] He’s also very opinionated and stubborn, sometimes using that to his advantage to get you to submit to him with some kind of benefit after, be it something he gets for you or he’s just all around more pleasant. He’s subtle about it all at first.

- [ ] Everything will be orchestrated to his needs/wants even if it LOOKS like it’s yours, because in his mind he knows what’s best FOR you.

- [ ] You’re going to wear clothes he finds for you (will probably take your preferences into consideration because he wants you happy but will definitely get things that suit his taste too), you will periodically have to share his clothes (because he dirty’s yours on purpose or ruins them).

- [ ] He wants you to rely on him for most things, getting you food to cook, personal effects/items, etc. Essentially hes going to be a sugar daddy LMFAO but in a way that he’s not necessarily giving you money, he just gets the thing for you while you wait for him because he wants you getting used to HIM taking care of you.

- [ ] *Non Con - Wukong will definitely slip things at times into your food or drink, wanting to make you think your having lovely dreams about him but in reality he has you in his lap, your legs spread wide open, one over each of his knees as he’s caressing your body or filling your hole with his tail or fingers. The wet sounds filling the air while youre out of it. Come morning there wont be a trace on you - besides the ever present lingering scent of his on your skin thanks to how touchy he is in general. Through this he explores your body, getting it needy for his touch.

- [ ] He’s also going to cum on you while you sleep or will rub his precum on the inside of your panties so when you wear them you dont even realize what he’s done as its mixed with your natural discharge of fluids that end up on your underwear throughout the day. But HIS precum and scent is pressed directly against your pussy all day.

- [ ] Depending on the situation - he may steal you away right away or he might wait and bide his time, getting you to be relaxed with him before he takes you away for himself.

- [ ] Either way, once he has you to himself he’s going to get more intense. He may not penetrate you right away but he’s going to make you crave him, until you finally beg him to bully his cock into your hole.

- [ ] He’s going to press against you all the time, rubbing his body on yours, striping you and bringing you to the edge of pleasure with his fingers, mouth, or tail until UH OH, you didnt beg him to claim you. Oops….cant orgasm because you clearly dont need him like you should. But that doesnt mean HE cant cum. So he’s going to do so and rub it into your skin or cuming against your mouth as he holds it open. Wukong wants to cum in your pussy but he holds back, instead cleaning his cock off with your panties and making you wear them all day. Showing ownership over you.

- [ ] As mentioned before, hes mouthy. He’s going to be good at using his words and voice to pick at things and make you question things. Including calling you out on your body’s reactions to him. He finds it amusing when you try to hide it. He’s going to dig into those things about you and make you squirm - get you worked up as he whispers filthy things to you. Things you might not even have thought about but now you are.

- [ ] All you’re going to know is him, what he can give you and what he does for you. He’s made sure of it. So by the time you finally beg him to stuff you full, finally fully submitting to him and giving up your stubborn pride, he’s not going to hesitate. He’s going to press you down, ass up face pressed to the floor or bed with his hand on the back of your neck as he holds you down. His cock is going to enter you in one thrust and he will be nice for just a moment to let you spasm around his shape. Wukong will coo at you and the second you even slightly relax hes going to pull back and thrust in hard. The way he takes you that first time is total dominance, you will know who you belong to and where you belong. His finger prints will be bruised into your skin and his bite mark on you as he fully claims you as HIS MATE.

- [ ] He’s going to take care of you after though dont worry, he will be gentle and kiss your body. But he’s going to make you orgasm no matter how sore or overstimulated you are - this second round will be softer. The part of him that loves you and wants to pamper you taking over.

- [ ] Wukong wont have any issue playing with you in front of his monkeys (adult ones), so if there’s a meeting going on expect his tail to wander where it shouldn’t, slipping inside you. Or he will have a clone who’s bullied his way between your legs under the table. He might even have you sit on his cock, keeping still as he deals with whatever monkey business is going on. No one will ever see an intimate part of you, he wants to keep that for himself. But they will hear you screaming his name and they will see his marks on you.

- [ ] Over all Wukong as a yandere is much more vocally and mentally manipulative. He is also raw power and strength not used to being denied. If youre too stubborn or push back he’s going to show you who is boss and why HIS way is best. He wont ever truly harm you, but youre going to know punishment / consequences for your actions if you displease him. You’re his mate, so he’s going to take care of you but it’s going to be in the way he deems best. If you fully give yourself over to him he will pamper the absolute fuck out of you while also probably pushing your boundaries here and there. Because he LIKES showing his ownership of you. Wukong wont mind you taking your own pleasure but for every orgasm you have (essentially taking them from him) he’s going to have some form of punishment lined out for you. Your body is going to know the feel of him and him alone, or him and his clones because he has zero problem with pushing you to your limits with his clones, wanting to see you cock drunk on him.

General Both:

- [ ] Regularly walks around with your juices on his chin or on the fur surrounding his cock.

- [ ] Good at after care but doesn’t hold back when he wants something

- [ ] Loves seeing his marks on your skin and presses against them regularly with his fingers to watch you squirm and remember how you got the marks.

- [ ] Not above using all the tricks in the book to get you.

- [ ] Will happily chase you down if you run - into predator/prey stuff.

- [ ] Sensitive to your returned (given willingly) affection.

Extra dark -

these are harsher so skip if you don’t like: Doing a “both” here because it’s easier. These are in general terms so different AUs/situations apply

- [ ] Very jealous & possessive. If someone shows interest in you…they aren’t gonna live long.

- [ ] Will manipulate the things around you without you knowing to get what he wants which is YOU. Be it people or events etc - will make himself look like a good option/only option you have. (If he has to clone into someone or kill someone / make them look bad he will do it)

- [ ] He thinks he knows what’s best for you so whatever he needs to do he will and you will learn that too.

- [ ] Will kill someone you may have been interested in/with/might be married off too.

- [ ] Will assert his dominance by fucking you/making you scream for him in front of someone who had eyes on you/dating you/married to you/getting married to you while a clone of his holds them captive- will kill them after he’s done showing the person who you belong to.

- [ ] Will have you cock warm him while he’s doing important things (WK kingly duties etc). Doesn’t care if others are in the room but they better not LOOK at you. That’s the rule.

- [ ] Will use you until he’s done - especially if you fight him. But he’s going to make sure you crave him and his touch/pleasure.

- [ ] Rough with you, you will have his marks on your body at all times be it scratch’s or bites and bruises. (Might make a special mark - maybe his initials)

- [ ] Going to keep you open and wet for him for when he needs you. Loves you cock drunk and mindless. Uses you as stress relief too after a hard day/fight

- [ ] Would absolutely baby trap you.

- [ ] If he wanted to really play with you, he’d capture you, fuck you, and release you with his cum still filling you (he’s going to be near by don’t worry). He will do this many times until all you can dream about is him/his touch. (Yes he could just keep you but he wants to mentally mess with you - make you crave the pleasure he forces on you)

- [ ] In that same category- will spike your food/drink and will fuck you into his shape. You’ll wake thinking you had some erotic dream but in reality he had genuinely claimed you.

- [ ] Will stalk the fuck out of you, you’ll catch him out of the corner of your eye because he WANTS you to. Wants to smell your fear a little because it excites him.

- [ ] Will make you walk around with his cum on your skin/In you - you WILL smell like his.

- [ ] Will get you anything you need but takes his payment from your body/pleasure. (Publicly too)

- [ ] You will wear the things he picks for you, some for his eyes only. Be it body jewelry or sexy items. When you’re in public you wear his favorite colors on you or the things he adorns you with.

- [ ] Fighting him is useless and only eggs him on - push him too much though and he WILL assert his power over you. You won’t be moving anywhere and will feel his ‘punishment’

- [ ] Mentally/emotionally will make it so you are so far gone on him and dependent on him you don’t even consider escaping anymore.

- [ ] Because while he’s dominant and forceful he adds enough sweetness to keep you addicted to him. Yes, he will take care of you and your basic needs and even provide good after care. You are his mate at the end of the day.

- [ ] You sleep with him every night - snug against his body. (If he hasn’t stolen you away he’s definitely sneaking into your bed)

- [ ] Regularly uses his clones not only to monitor you but to keep you ready for him. Might play punishment games if you cum while being touched by a clone.

- [ ] If someone tries to help you escape you’re going to be given their head as a trophy.

- [ ] If someone tries to take you from him, he’s going to level mountains.

- [ ] Might test you to see if you will try to escape….punishments as consequences.

- [ ] Will protect you with everything he has and any children you give him.

- [ ] Depending on the situation is suspicious if you returning affection - but if he sees it’s genuine he’s going to be smug as fuck and also very vulnerable about it but won’t show that.

[thus-wrote-mrs-zeppeli]

Diego Brando x Reader in:

He Asked me to Stay

And I Stole His Room

Content PLZ READ: Established relationship, Married only in the public eye (at first), implied cheating, suggestive content, under the influence of Scary Monsters so he has some Primal Urges iykyk, but ends fluffily in weird Diego Brando fashion, reader and Diego are kinda both jerks, violence and gore talk

MDNI

Not explicit smut but features suggestive scenes, implications and dialogue

Starts headcanon style and evolves into a fic

-Relationship Headcanons:

What a gold digger.

He’s cute. Handsome, wealthy…and sure you knew he only wanted you for your money and renowned family name, but once you mentioned you knew what he was up to, he’s blunt with you.

Yeah, he does just want you for what he can get from you. But he reminds you of what he can give you in return. He likes money, he likes having that status and living the extravagant life…so he won’t be stingy with you if he were your husband. You want expensive clothes and jewels and carriages and horses? He’ll give them to you. He likes being rich, and spoiling his partner and watching them flaunt that wealth makes him feel rich.

You’ll be living right next to the spotlight constantly on Dio. Diego had just come in first on some prestigious race? The crowd disperses around him just enough for you to get through and give him a congratulatory kiss. Then he’d hold you close as you posed for a picture for the press. You’d smile and go along with it, a hand on his chest, but you weren’t really a fan of being so close when he was all sweaty after a race. Still, if his one expectation of you was to make him look good in public, you could grin and bear it. Especially since you knew he’d hand you a thick stack of cash if you asked while he was in a good mood.

Your marriage is not the most romantic and passionate at first, given it was much more of a mutually beneficial thing than a mutual attraction and affection thing.

When you look at him, you do find him attractive. Surprisingly soft, handsome features, paired with his small but lean build, and his hair always felt nice in the rare moments where you got to touch it. If he had nothing else that appealed to you, he was undeniably easy on the eyes.

He doesn’t care if you see anyone on the side, as long as you’re not getting spotted by any prominent newspapers. Play with whatever people you want, he’ll even pay for your dates on occasion if he’s feeling generous.

He doesn’t care if you want to sleep in two separate beds either; the two of you only have to keep up appearances in public.

He is a man, though. Sometimes he wants his spouse in bed with him.

-transitioning into fic:

(Timeline wise I guess it’s take place after the race, au where he survived but hasn’t accomplished his goals entirely.

First time he’s been around reader under the influence of Scary Monsters)

-The first few times he implied he was longing for you were quite memorable. He doesn’t usually pay you much attention when he gets home. You go about your normal evening schedule, reading on the sofa, not even bothering to look up when you hear the front door opening.

To your surprise he doesn’t head straight to the bedroom like he normally does. He’s just standing in the living room, watching you, even after he’s unbuttoned his jacket and hung it up.

“What are you staring at?” you didn’t mean for it to come out so harshly. You’re not even used to talking to him in the first place, let alone in a kind manner.

You feel his admittedly pretty eyes look you up and down. You imagine most of Diego’s fans wish they were you right now. Otherwise you don’t think much of it, just assuming he’s feeling especially irritating today.

He tilts his head. You feel his gaze right on your thighs. “I just never noticed how attractive your legs are.”

You have to look up at your book at that.

“What? What’s gotten into you?” you huff, assuming this is another one of his strange jokes.

He sits down next to you, his hand on the back of the sofa, so his arm is right behind your head. He leans in real close. You weren’t unfamiliar with him being in your personal space, but this was totally different than the usual instances when you were close to him, so you instinctively scoot away from him.

“What’s gotten into YOU?” he counters, gently poking your shoulder. “Can’t I sit next to you? I’m your husband, so I don’t think it’s strange.”

“I suppose not,” you reply dismissively, forcing yourself to cease your shifting.

He doesn’t say anything else. His eyes are boring a hole into your side profile. You try to return to your reading, telling yourself Diego is just messing with you again for some reason.

He lets you read for just long enough that you start to think he’s going to be satisfied with observing you for a bit before he eventually wandered his way to his bed.

“DIO?!” you squeaked out when he suddenly buried his face into your neck. One hand goes to the back of your head, tugging your hair so your chin tilts up and he can have easier access to the flesh of your neck. His other hand shuts your book and tosses it aside, and then grips your thigh.

You’ve been in a public relationship with him for a while now. His presence, his touch…none of it was unfamiliar or uncomfortable to you. Just…confusing. Especially when he decided to randomly snuggle you. It was one thing to pose as a romantic, handsome couple for the public. But you have no idea what he thought he was up to right now.

You can hear that irritating and invasive sniffing he does, feel his nose pressed up against your neck. It’s odd but. He’s not hurting you or doing anything you especially hate so…you trail one hand up to his wrist, holding it softly to simulate something affectionate.

“Have you started using a new soap or something…?” he places a wet kiss where he can feel your pulse in your neck, giving you a test lick, and then loudly licking his lips. “You smell so good tonight.”

Why was your husband so WEIRD?! You just raise an eyebrow at him.

“No…no new soap.”

“Huh.” He somehow buries his face even deeper into your neck, sniffing and prodding your skin with his nose, apparently determined to smell every inch he could reach. “…guess I’ve just never noticed before.”

His face trails down your body, sniffing and nuzzling, all the way down to your thighs, where he rubs his cheek along them. “Soft…” he thinks out loud. He makes himself comfortable in your lap, curling up almost like a cat. He’s making a low rumbling sound in his throat that made you think of purring. You’re not entirely sure how to react, so you gently run your fingers through his pretty blond hair, like stroking a pet. He hums in approval of this, then abandons exploring your clothed thighs with his hands and decides his face is much more appropriate.

First just a couple of kisses, but he’s in a Mood tonight apparently.

You squeaked much more with surprise than pain when he gives your thigh a bite.

“DIO-”

“Mm? Did I hurt you?” he blinks up at you, not quite pulled out of whatever trance has overtaken him.

Well, no, the bite didn’t really hurt, but there was a bit more force behind it than just a playful nibble.

Well if he was going to be all bold tonight, you were going to do what you wanted to him, too.

“No, it didn’t hurt, but…” you cup his cheek in your hand. His skin is not as soft as usual…a bit dry and hard and surprisingly cold. “…Your teeth.”

He leans into your cheek, and as your fingers approach his mouth he parts his lips to give you access to his teeth. You have a feeling he’s going to use this opportunity to lick your fingers but you let your curiosity get the best of you.

You trace the tips of your index and middle finger along his top teeth, but only a quick glance is necessary to see a glinting set of fangs in his mouth.

“Diego?”

You hook your fingers around one of the fangs, the gesture much more intimate than you were intending, eliciting a particularly loud purr from him at your boldness.

“Were your teeth always so sharp…” you comment more than ask. He playfully nips at you in reply, flashing those teeth at you.

“No~” he remarks cryptically, a smug smirk on his face telling you he had no interest in elaborating. He rests his chin on his hand, still using your thighs as his bed.

You frown, poking him in the cheek, the skin still feeling strange. He was being especially odd tonight.

He shrugs.

“You know, the nights have been getting colder recently,” he seemingly changes the subject.

“Have they? I haven’t noticed.”

“They have, I’m sure of it!”

“Mm, it might just be you,” you reply, placing your palm on his forehead. His skin is definitely cold.

“It’s the night,” he insists, pouting a bit because he doesn’t like when you talk back.

“Ok…”

“You don’t believe me.”

“I do.”

“No you don’t. You’re just saying that.”

“….I haven’t noticed any cold nights,” you admit. You Really didn’t want to argue with him over something dumb.

He furrows his eyebrows a bit at you, but doesn’t seem too irritated.

“You’re warm,” he points out, intertwining his fingers with yours. You notice his nails are very sharp from the way he curls them into the back of your hand. You make a mental note to trim them for him later.

“Am I?”

“Yeah. Like a rock that’s been sitting out in the sun. It’s very nice, I want to lay on you.”

You can’t help a tiny huff of laughter from that ridiculous simile. He seems happy he got you to laugh.

“You’re sounding like a reptile right now,” you sigh, a small smile tugging at your lips. Something about his oddness could effortlessly drop your guard once he talked enough.

He’s getting sick of being subtle.

“You should be in my bed with me tonight.”

Your eyes widen for a second, but you did see where this was going. You find it a bit cute and you’re not really opposed…but you’re not going to make it that easy for him.

“If you’re cold, you could just get another blanket.”

He frowns in disinterest at the idea, pretending to think about it. “Well yeah, I guess. But don’t you get lonely cooped up in a different room from me every night?”

“No,” you smirk, poking the tip of his nose. “Do you?”

Teasing him flips a switch. The smile disappears from his face, his eyes darkening.

He sits up at an almost inhuman speed, straddling your lap, hands gripping the back of the sofa on either side of you. He’s short and slim, so he doesn’t really weigh much on your thighs, but the sheer weight of his gaze and the suddenness of his movement makes you shut up and pay attention.

He leans his face close to you, tilting his chin just enough to be as physically close as possible without your faces actually touching.

He moves slowly, deliberately, everything around you seeming to quiet down so that the only thing you hear is Diego’s breathing, and the sound of him swallowing as he angles his mouth closer and closer to your ear.

In contrast to how cold his skin is, his breath is hot against your ear.

“Maybe I do. Is it so wrong for me, as your husband, that I actually want you in my bed tonight? You smell so good and your body is so warm and even the sound of your breathing is cute.”

He moves one hand to your neck, poking with a sharp nail the exact spot he can feel your pulse.

“Your heart is beating faster,” he notes.

“We-well YEAH!!” you gasp. “Do you HEAR yourself? ANYONE would be embarrassed after hearing that!” You place a hand on his shoulder and push him slightly away, so you can escape the spotlight of his eyes that was making your already warm skin heat up further.

“Dio, what the HELL, this is-you’re…if this is another one of your weird jokes it’s not funny!”

He holds your chin with just enough force so he can pull your gaze back to his, but not enough to hurt you.

The almost primal intensity in those blue eyes doesn’t quite fade.

“That would be a cruel joke, don’t you think? I’ll even carry you to the bedroom if you want.”

He pulls your hand to his chest.

“Please.”

There’s a genuine hint of yearning in his face. You knew him well enough to know that when Dio really wanted something he’d do almost anything for it, even ask nicely.

You’re suddenly acutely aware of how warm your cheeks are, and how hard you’re breathing. You swallow.

“I’ll say it again if I have to.”

“No…no, I believe you…” your voice is a bit shaky. You quickly give him a few short nods, telling him you’re willing to sleep in his bedroom tonight.

He presses his lips against yours, finally. For the first time in private, after a year of a purely materially beneficial marriage, the two of you are actually expressing some affection outside of the public eye.

His lips are a bit dry and cold. But at the moment you don’t find yourself minding, slipping your arms along his shoulders, before tangling one of your hands in his blond hair. You grip a large chunk tightly, pushing the back of his head with your shut fingers, simultaneously deepening and extending the kiss.

He’s practiced in multitasking, using the opportunity to readjust, moving his feet firmly on the ground, slipping a hand down your thighs, cupping the area right above your knees, and then moving his other hand strategically to your back.

Applying pressure on your back pushes you up against him further, and the new position allows him to pick you up with ease.

You let out a cute little gasp of surprise at the movement, breaking the kiss, but unwilling to keep your mouth off of him for long.

As he carries you to the bedroom, your lips explore his face, kissing and nipping at his jaw and the corner of his mouth, not stealing his entire attention so he can concentrate just enough on walking.

Then you nuzzle the top of your head under his chin.

It all felt so…comfortable. Like you could fall asleep in his arms in this moment where he actually felt like a doting and devoted husband to you, instead of just some charismatic gold digger that wanted you for that sexy inheritance your rich daddy left for you. It’s making you realize how pent up you’ve been for some real affection, you can’t keep your hands or your mouth off of Diego after he’s finally shown you something resembling passion.

“Could you get the door for me?”

You didn’t realize you closed your eyes until his voice prompts you to open them.

You reach out and swing open the door handle of the master bedroom. He pushes the door with his back.

As your eyes explore the master bedroom, you’re reminded of how rarely you actually come in here. If you ever did go into “his parts” of the house, it was usually his office, which functioned more as a trophy room than anything…and you usually only went in there to curtly inform him supper was ready, or that he received mail.

He’s taken good care of the bedroom. Fancy sheets, silk pillows…your eyes wander from the bed to around the room. You don’t even remember when he went shopping for such expensive curtains for the windows. The furniture though…the large wardrobe and elegant game table with a golden chess set sitting atop it…you remember him commissioning those from a renowned craftsman. It was one of the rare moments he had let you in to his world, showing you some of the designs he was thinking, and asking your preferences. Though you were sure he was going to go with whichever one he personally liked best it was nice that he tried to include you in something for once.

“You really love feeling rich, Dio,” you note out loud. It’s faint now after such a long day, but he was always generous with his gaudy, expensive cologne. You can smell it clearly on his neck.

“I love BEING rich,” he corrects you, tossing you gently into the fluffy blankets of the bed. You lose sight of him as soon as you land because you sink so deeply into the pillows and sheets.

You squirm around in an attempt to see over the ocean of blankets, catching a glimpse of his bare back. He’s getting changed into his luxurious pajamas, never having any issue with removing his clothes in front of you.

Such confidence. Confidence that bordered on, and sometimes was plain arrogance…

Right in this moment you’re beginning to realize you like that about him. The small sparks of attraction you had initially felt for him before your quick courtship, you knew now it was because of that confidence and the way he carried himself.

And he had so many fans. They clung to his chest and kissed his cheeks or followed him around crying and screaming for his attention…he was a prize…

You were no better than Diego.

He saw you as a status symbol, and you saw him as a first place trophy waiting to be won by you.

You’re pulled out of your thoughts when he sits on the bed beside you in his expensive silk pajamas, that low rumbling still in his throat and his demeanor more relaxed than usual.

“I’ve closed all the windows and yet it’s still so cold in here,” he points out, his eyes wandering from your face.

You’re beginning to think it’s not just an obvious ploy to get cozy with you, and he actually is cold.

“I’ll buy you some thicker pajamas tomorrow then,” you reply, stretching out and nuzzling your face against a large pillow, savoring the softness and the smell of Diego lingering on it.

He laughs, slipping his freezing hand under your shirt so he can access the warmth of your skin. Apparently he was serious about wanting to use you as a heat source tonight.

“COLD!” you giggle and squirm at his frozen fingertips on your stomach.

“I told you,” he replies as if you were just reacting to the temperature in the room.

He flips the blanket over the two of you, and then slides his other hand onto the skin of your torso, settling his cold hands comfortably on your back. He nuzzles his face into the crook of your neck, purring contentedly.

“Goodness, if you were any closer you’d be literally under my skin,” you comment, rubbing his upper back. His shoulders were stiff from all that horseback riding.

“I WISH…” he replies with a loud yawn. “I’m sure you’re even warmer inside.”

“Oh…”You blush a bit at that comment, and he mumbles something about your skin heating up pleasantly.

Though, as usual, he makes it weird.

“If I could somehow get under your skin without killing you, your blood and organs and everything would still stay warm because your beating heart would keep everything working. Now that would be one pleasant sleep; I could use your lungs as a pillow.”

“Dio, what the hell are you talking about?” You know he’s just thinking out loud again and being weird on purpose but STILL, what a thing to say.

“There’s no way to do that without hurting you though so…forget it. This is nice too.”

He wraps a leg over your thigh, placing a few lazy kisses along your collarbone before resting his cheek against you with a soft sigh.

“You’re so strange,” you place a kiss on the top of his head. The only reply you get is his snoring.

He must’ve been quite comfortable to have fallen asleep so fast.

You figure you better hurry up and do the same before his snoring drives you crazy.

-

Author’s note: I think I captured his weirdness decently but I think I’m a little off on his actual attitude towards being rich and famous. Meh this is just a silly little fic and not an in-depth character analysis so I won’t let it bother me too much.

The title is a verse from Scary Monsters (and super creeps) by David Bowie

[randomlyblues]

Yandere!Zane X Librarian!Reader

Part 1

CW:Mention of kidnapping not beta read 1.3k word count

You were on a cloud, melted into the soft fabrics, you didn't want to leave. After stirring a bit in your bed, the memories from the day before made you realize that you weren't home and this isn't your bed. The fabrics were made of the finest, it reeked of luxury. You quickly snapped up from the bed you were once relaxed in. "Good you're awake, you would have been useless to me dead," the mask man responsible for the position you are in at the moment spoke, calmly flipping a page from the book he purchased from you. The High Priest stayed by your side as you slept for the day, watching as you slept soundly while he wished the pillow you held was him. He made sure to put the guard that knocked you hard in the dungeon, he asked for them to knock you unconscious, not harm you.

 Zane didn't bother looking up at you as you slowly began to get off of the soft bed. “Hey, I’m sorry we must have gotten off on the wrong foot, I didn’t mean to offend you especially with that jok-” Zane raised his hand as a way to silence you. Your voice was laced with fear, a nice way to boost this powerful man’s already huge ego. “ Please, I am not easily wounded with jokes about myself, I am aware of the rumor said about me,” he spoke nonchalantly but also with power, still not looking up from his book. “Besides, my goal is to have you alive, you have knowledge.” 

“Believe me High Priest, I have nothing of use to you, I have never left Phoenix drop–”

“It's no use lying to me,” the masked man finally looked at you, his ice cold gaze can drive anyone to the deep end, “ You are originally from Pikoro village, traveled with your father who was a traveling merchant. Your mother dying from a mysterious illness leaving your father having to take care of you when you were the age of ten; soon he succumbed to the same illness as your mother. Later you found Phoenix Drop and have been there for about five years.”

After knocking you out, Zane took it upon himself to ask about you before his departure from the village. He was lucky that Phoenix Drop was pathetically trusting, and also lucky that farmer Brandon didn’t know how to shut up. If he wasn’t looking for information he would have had that man killed. Zane stood up from the comfort of the chair and towered over you, he stood as if he was proud about all the information he memorized about you. His eye looked back and forth to yours, trying to decipher your reaction. He was trying to see if you were proud of him, he was actually looking for your approval.

Your mouth hanged open in shock, soon your face distorted into disgust. “ Oh…wow… that’s actually very disturbing.”

Zane’s confidence was immediately crushed. Him? Disturbing? The guard must have hit you harder than he thought. He kept a mental note for that guard to get lashes as he is finished talking with you. “It’s called being informed,” the High Priest shut his book, causing you to jump at the sudden noise. “Now I will not tolerate any lying, I’ll let this one slide because you are slow as well as me having a certain…liking towards you.” He hesitated on the last of his words but non the less stayed standing and settled his book down on the desk next to the bed.  

Before you even got the chance to say anything about his confession Zane continued on, “That being said, don’t even think about using that knowledge against me, even if it would hurt me, I would have to punish you.” Zane held his hand out, causing you to walk back, your wide eyed expression caused him to stop. His hand turned into a fist and he walked out of the room with a slam of the door.

So many questions ran through your mind, especially the main one. Why me? You knew that Zane was serious about what he said, even if he does have some…romantic feelings towards you, you are not immune to his cruelty. “First, to find a way out, if it has been a day or a few that means we aren't far away. We can’t possibly be in O’khasis.”

Opening the door with a creak, the hallways were strangely empty with multiple doors. “An inn? “I’ve never been in an inn with fancy bedding,” continuing down the hall you notice fancy works of art on the walls, most with Lady Irene. Going down the staircase, the front desk was vacant, if there wasn’t a fancy room, you would have thought that this was abandoned. 

This was too easy. You looked through the curtained windows and saw O’khasis guards standing post in front of the building. Moving to the back, more guards. At every exit it seemed there were guards. “Great, this means I must take things into my own hands…Perfect just great,” you started patting yourself to see if they took your knife and they did even the one in your boot, “My Irene he thought of everything.” Sighing, you started to see if there was anything heavy you can at least knock them unconscious or start some ruckus. The nearest thing was a chair, it looked ancient, calling for you to take it out of its misery. “Worth a shot, as long as I can get as far as I can to know where I’m at.” 

With the backdoor being locked, you broke it off and pushed your way out and didn’t think twice and swang without looking. The guard fell to the ground with a thud.

 “Wow.. That easy? I feel insulted,” making sure the guard was unconscious, you started to loot him to see if he would have at least any money on him. “Score! This would last me for a damn good while!”

“IT CAME FROM OVER HERE!”

Crap. Running as fast as you could, you took notice of the village and realized that this was Meteli. Thank Irene I’m not that far from Phoenix Dop! 

Hearing the guards gaining speed, you decided to hide in the woods and waited for them to pass you. After a while, you continued to run towards the docks, hoping you remembered the way. Thanking yourself for staying in Meteli for a year or else you would’ve gotten lost. It was a nice town, besides the crazy chicken Shaman that was near. The trees guided the path as if nature was cheering you on. Seeing the glistening water, you laughed. Your breath was already getting ragged, legs yelling at you to stop, the side of your ribs felt like knives were poking at you. That couldn’t  stop you, it was there right there.

A boat was already there, wasn’t this such a lucky day. The grin that had just started to take place soon faded as you made eye contact with a certain piercing blue eye. Stopping where you were, you took deep breaths and glared at him. 

Zane knew blood was on his hands that he'd never be able to wash off. He glared at his darling, if you wanted to play cat and mouse. He would. There was nowhere for you to run and you knew that. He looked as you started to get surrounded. Zane nodded at his guards to obtain you. He ignored your cries and how you started thrashing at his guards as he got closer to you, face to face. 

“ I warned you–” Silence. Wet saliva slid down his face. He couldn’t believe it, you actually spat on his face. He started laughing while wiping away the spit. Your eyes were filled with fiery, face with a sly smirk. Zane couldn’t help but love that expression, that is for him, only for him. The hatred you have for him, the passion. 

“Guards, throw her into the dungeon on the ship, I think my pet got too comfortable.”

[klonnieshippersclub]

Fueled Desires

Happy Day 2 of Klonnie Week/Weekend! This one is set in Bulgaria way back then with a human Katherine. For this AU, Klaus recruits Bonnie as a spy and feelings arise. Let me know what you think.

It was desperation. That was why she took this job. Her childhood was hard. Bonnie has no mother for she had died in childbirth. The only family she had was her father. He tried his best to raise her all by himself while working to put food on the table. Luckily for him, Bonnie was an easy child. She didn't seek out any trouble. She just had a curious mind. She was always seeking answers.

Without her mother, Bonnie lacked the magical knowledge to truly blossom as a witch. However, the girl was determined. All she had was her mother's grimoire and she memorized spell after spell. In her magical studies, she discovered her passion for plants. It was unfortunate that her passion was useless when her father fell ill.

Bonnie knew magic could do anything. It had to fix this. Her mother's grimoire did not have the spell she needed to aid her father. It was then that the Original appeared to her in the family garden. Klaus Mikaelson offered her a deal. If she served him, then she would be given access to his magical library and extensive knowledge on healing with witchcraft. Bonnie jumped at the chance.

The petite young lady did not anticipate how he intended to make use of her. She wasn't in the kitchen or waiting on his hand and foot. No, he needed her to be a spy and monitor some silly girl. She never expected her relationship with the Original. She thought she would fear him. She does not. She thought she would hate him. She does not. She thought she would find him disgusting. She does not. 

In fact, Klaus was appealing even with blood around his mouth. The truth sickened her. She didn't bother knocking at the door to his room or announcing herself. “You requested my presence?”

Klaus acknowledged her with a nod as he sat on the edge of his bed. “Yes, please sit.”

Bonnie moved towards him and sat beside him with space between to keep their knees from touching. She kept her face blank as she asked, “may I inquire about the purpose of this meeting?”

“I need you to give me a report,” Klaus said.

“Regarding what?”

“I need you to provide details on Katerina's behavior and whereabouts.” 

It took everything in Bonnie not to react. She could sense his deception and worried about his true motives for calling her to his room. “We already discussed the subject this morning.”

“You are correct.” His eyes lingered on her body while Klaus memorized her soft curves. “I just wanted an excuse to invite you to my bedroom.”

Bonnie sighed in response. “I am not like the other servants.”

“You are not. That is why I like you.”

“I do not believe you. You may not use me for your dark fantasies.”

“I want you by my side, that is my true desire.” 

“You lie to me!” Bonnie exclaimed with irritation. Klaus had been persistent in his pursuit of her since her employment began. She had never taken his words seriously, but she could not ignore the goosebumps tingling on her skin when he was near. 

“Trust my word. Are we not partners?”

“No, we are not,” Bonnie remarked. “We work together for your benefit. I work for you to provide for my sick father.” They do not share the same goal and their power dynamic as employer/employee made it clear to Bonnie that they were not equals as you should be in a partnership.

Klaus moved closer to Bonnie and grabbed her hand. “I have given you everything that you ask for, even spell books for healing potions.”

“You treat me like a dirty secret you are ashamed of.” Stolen kisses didn't make a relationship in Bonnie’s mind, especially when the man will fuck almost any girl around. “I know of your previous dalliances with the girls of the streets.”

Klaus in frustration felt the urge to pull out his hair. Those girls were before Bonnie and meant absolutely nothing. “How can I prove that you are the only one I want as queen?”

“You can’t,” said Bonnie as she stood and took a step to leave. “Do not request me again unless necessary.”

Bonnie couldn’t leave quick enough with Klaus able to maneuver her body away from the door. Klaus pinned her body on his desk nearby. She wasn’t like the past witches he’s dealt with. Bonnie was courageous, understanding, accepting and loyal. Damn, the business arrangement! 

Klaus lust for Bonnie grew brutal by the day. Ready to explode. Bonnie kissed him with thirst, savoring the taste of his lips on her own. She was weeping between her legs. This intimacy was wrong, but felt so right. She had heard the whispers of other servants about his sexual prowess. Bonnie secretly longed to experience his skills. An airy moan freed itself from her lips as she was pulled from her thoughts.

“Would you like me to stop?”

“No,” Bonnie replied quickly as Klaus' hands traveled up her gown.

The knock at the door ruined it all.

[hwenvs3000f24]

Blog #1: Describe your current relationship with nature. How has this developed/evolved? Who offered you a "sense of place" as described in our textbook?

Nature is a multitude of hands to hold me. I occasionally carry my tired body to the arboretum, or to the nearest trail by my house, and my pores seem to breathe a sigh of relief. My life is not particularly difficult-- in fact, I feel lucky to have the opportunity to work hard towards things that feel meaningful to me, whether it is in my courses or through being involved in activism, or through pursuing my personal goals. However, there is always an undercurrent of a battle-- against myself, against the status quo, against time. I have no complaints about this, I believe it's how life is. But surrounded by trees I feel temporarily released from the need to fight, as my only "task" is to be present and soak it in.

My relationship to nature is not as strong as it once was. When I was in high school, I would sit by a creek or under a tree hoping to more intimately understand the pace at which nature moves and how to better harmonize myself with it, and how to be a good steward of it. Nature has been my teacher and my source of comfort. These days I move too quickly to take this time, but I still go to nature to heal and connect with myself. Sometimes, when I stare at the patterns in the water of a river, it feels like, for a moment, it seeps into my mind, giving me something soft to hold in me besides the heavy and jagged thoughts and emotions I have. 

There are two people who have, in the past, offered me a “sense of place”, or a feeling of understanding what makes a place special and/or significant, bringing me to experience it more fully and to forge connection to it. The first was my mom, who would always take me on walks as a child. I came to understand my own love of nature through this; in particular, one experience involved walking on falling logs. The act of focusing on maintaining my balance led me to feel a transition into a more present, and more wonderful state of mind. The second person was a facilitator named Skid who led guided walks in the woods for youths attending Ontario Nature’s Youth Summit for Mother Earth. One memorable moment was when he told us to stand under a tree and breathe. He reminded us that as the carbon molecules in our body became the carbon dioxide we exhaled, which was then taken up by the trees to become its tissues— its bark and leaves. We were literally becoming the tree. This helped me better understand on a felt level that we are in relationship with nature, that there is little separation. Furthermore, this experience helped solidify the annual Youth Summit in my memory as a key experience that reminded me of the importance of connecting to nature, and how right it felt to be surrounded by it as well as by like-minded youths with an enthusiasm for nature. I think, because of this, I will never forget how important it is to me to take time to be immersed in nature every once in a while.

[lovelyney]

─────DATING THEM !! MONSTANDT GUYS────

CHARACTERS: albedo, bennett, diluc, kaeya, mika, razor, venti.

SCENT: headcanons

WARNINGS: gets a tad suggestive on Albedo's

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯2022 !! #©LOVELYNEY

꒱₊˚ 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐄𝐃𝐎 !! 𝐊𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐙

𖠵𝟎𝟏: He was somewhat oblivious when he first started developing feelings for you because he had never fallen in love beforehand.

after the strange feeling stuck with him for a few weeks, he finally consulted Sucrose about it, hoping she knew what he was feeling.

𖠵𝟎𝟐: When she explained that he had, indeed, fallen in love with you, everything clicked. The way his heartbeat sped up whenever you smiled, his sketchbook filled to the perimeter with sketches and drawings of you, his mind wandering to your smile late at night. . . everything.

𖠵𝟎𝟑: Thus, he composed a painting of you and asked if you could continue to be “his muse” and how could you possibly refuse when he practically painted you as the Mona Lisa?

𖠵𝟎𝟒: He is ever so charming. He loves to see what’ll make you tick and whatnot. watch out for that, lmao.

𖠵𝟎𝟓: Loves to call you “(my) love,” “princess/prince,” and “sweetheart.”

𖠵𝟎𝟔: Sucrose finds it adorable how he looks at you with so much love and admiration.

oh yeah, you and Albedo are practically her parents by always watching over and protecting her. she appreciates you two a lot.

𖠵𝟎𝟕: Kisses on your fingertips and shoulder blades are a regular with him.

𖠵𝟎𝟖: Always brings extra blankets when you two go out adventuring in Dragonspine. He’s accustomed to the cold at this point, so he brings them for you (:

𖠵𝟎𝟗: One of his soft spots is seeing you play with Klee (“: He always thinks about what it would be like to start a family with you.

𖠵𝟏𝟎: The first about. . . five pages of his newest sketchbooks are just you. Doing what ?? Well, that’s up to your imagination.

❝Oh, welcome back, my love. Busy day, I presume? Your timing is perfect, I must say. I just finished my last experiment for the day. . . Sit down on the bed, and I’ll brew us a pot of tea, then you can tell me all about your day, sound good?❞

𖠵𝟏𝟏: Likes to experiment with the things you like, the things you don’t. . . different things you’ll react to. One of his favorite things about you are your reactions.

𖠵𝟏𝟐: If you’re cooking or like looking through your commissions, he’ll come up from behind you and start pressing kisses down your neck and onto your collarbone. Just. . . randomly ??

𖠵𝟏𝟑: He’s a little obsessed with you. he finds himself memorizing everything you do and indulging himself in it. Sometimes he’ll even finish your sentences because he’s just been studying you for so long he knows what you’re going to say.

𖠵𝟏𝟒: Wear his coat, and he will literally melt into a puddle right before your eyes.

however, wear just his coat, and you’re playing with fire. you do know he can probably create a potion for just about anything, right ??

𖠵𝟏𝟓: His kisses are always slow and passionate, even with his tongue !! His goal is to pull away with you wanting more.

has a thing for you pulling his hair when you two are making out. it drives him crazy (in a good way.)

𖠵𝟏𝟔: Makes you breakfast in bed since he always wakes up earlier than you to get a headstart on his research.

he'll always cover you with an extra blanket when he first wakes up as well.

𖠵𝟏𝟕: Whenever you're sleepy, he'll ask you to sit in his lap while he's still researching so that you aren’t alone/feel lonely when you're sleeping.

𖠵𝟏𝟖: If you can't sleep, he'll always hum until you can.

𖠵𝟏𝟗: Didn't believe human interactions and relationships were worth his time before he met you; he mainly focused on his research and work alone.

𖠵𝟐𝟎: Doesn't really grasp what's 'right' and what's not regarding relationships. So what he says is mostly unfiltered.

𖠵𝟐𝟏: Has a notebook filled with notes about you and your relationship, both from the past and now present.

𖠵𝟐𝟐: Loves whenever you kiss his birthmark; he's slightly insecure about it, but feeling your lips on it puts him at ease.

𖠵𝟐𝟑: One of the best ways to calm him down from stress or anger is to trace lines in his palms.

꒱₊˚ 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐓 !! 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄

𖠵𝟎𝟏: THE ABSOLUTE MOST SWEETEST BF EVER!

𖠵𝟎𝟐: He was highly hesitant about asking you out at first because of his bad luck, but with enough assurance from Fischl and Razor (he tried his best to understand), he decided to do it.

𖠵𝟎𝟑: He had bought you a bouquet of cecilias from Flora because he was scared that if he picked them himself, they would like start on fire or something. You assured him that you appreciated the gesture either way.

𖠵𝟎𝟒: The relief on this boy’s face when you accepted his confession is hallucinatory. He engulfed you in his arms while thanking you repeatedly. And after realizing that you might be uncomfortable with his impulsive hug, he pulled away with a face as red as a rose and apologized awkwardly.

𖠵𝟎𝟓: he was a little too shy at first to call you a pet name, but then he overheard other couples, and he started to think that maybe you didn’t feel loved enough because he never called you one, which is how he started calling you “clover” or an occasional shy “baby.”

❝Ah! W—Welcome home, clover! O—Oh, um. . . You don’t mind me calling you that, do you? I heard other couples calling each other cute names, and I thought clover was fitting for you because you always give me a sense of g-good luck. . . I-If it makes you uncomfortable, t-then I can always drop i-it!❞

𖠵𝟎𝟔: This boy is so infatuated with you; please treat him with care.

𖠵𝟎𝟕: You act as the group’s (Bennett, Fischl, and Razor) designated parent, always carrying extra supplies with you when you go out with them.

𖠵𝟎𝟖: He’s insecure that you’re gonna leave him because of his luck ): He needs lots of assurance from you; please give it to him.

𖠵𝟎𝟗: When you two are cuddling/sleeping, he prefers that you rest on his chest because it keeps him grounded and assures him that you’re there with him and haven’t left.

𖠵𝟏𝟎: Generally, in the mornings, you’ll find him with his arms tightly wrapped around your waist and his face nuzzled in the crook of your neck. He won’t let you go for a while.

𖠵𝟏𝟏: Gushes about you like you’re some kind of super famous celebrity.

𖠵𝟏𝟐: The amount of times he’s tried to cook you something but almost burnt down the house is unruly. He almost always feels guilty, but you give me a kiss on the forehead as consolation, and he feels better :)

𖠵𝟏𝟑: Speaking of kisses, when you first kissed him, he stared at you dumbfounded with a face redder than Diluc’s hair before asking for another one.

𖠵𝟏𝟒: He’s like a touch-starved puppy. He melts at the slightest touch from you and always leans into your palm.

𖠵𝟏𝟓: Loves when you run your fingers through his hair or kiss the corner of his eyes—especially in the early mornings.

𖠵𝟏𝟔: You always give him a kiss before he leaves for his commissions as a “good luck charm.”

𖠵𝟏𝟕: One of the best people you can rant to. He’ll always sit patiently and listen to your troubles.

𖠵𝟏𝟖: You’re always there to patch him up whenever he gets injured from his commissions.

𖠵𝟏𝟗: Scared of touching you or bringing you anywhere because he's terrified that his bad luck will end up hurting you someday.

𖠵𝟐𝟎: Brings you home little souvenirs from his adventures to always show that he's thinking of you (':

𖠵𝟐𝟏: He always has to drag you away from punching someone who trash-talks him.

꒱₊˚ 𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐔𝐂 !! 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍

𖠵𝟎𝟏: He didn’t give falling in love much thought because he figured he’d be too busy running the tavern and protecting Monstandt from the Abyss Order.

he also thought that no one would like him that way because of his cold and blunt demeanor. at least compared to his brother.

𖠵𝟎𝟐: Then you came along, and everything changed. You showed him patience and kindness, and with the snap of a finger, he fell head over heels

𖠵𝟎𝟑: He had two different thoughts running through his head: “what if she doesn’t feel the same and ends up getting the wrong idea of my motives and never shows her face to me again” and “what if she feels the same but right when we’ve finally settled down, she dies in my arms like father did.”

𖠵𝟎𝟒: Those thoughts alone were enough to keep him quiet cause seeing you fall in love with someone else was more bearable than losing you for good.

on the other hand, Kaeya did not let his brother staring at you with such adoration go overturned. so, he kept nagging at him to confess to you which FINALLY got him to give up.

𖠵𝟎𝟓: He had no idea how to confess to you, definitely not taking any pointers from his brother. Therefore, he just awkwardly told you, hoping his sincerity was enough to woo you.

𖠵𝟎𝟔: And when it was, it felt like he could finally see color in the world again. He felt so thankful that someone like you, kind and gentle, could love someone as vacant as him.

𖠵𝟎𝟕: You are always his number one priority. Your. Safety. Comes. First !!

𖠵𝟎𝟖: Your drinks are free at the tavern !! (Which a certain bard and cryo user think is unfair. . .)

𖠵𝟎𝟗: Likes to call you “dear” and “(my) dove.”

❝My dove, what’re you doing with that glass of wine? No. Put it down. You’ve had enough to drink for one night. Archons, you’re starting to remind me of my brother.❞

𖠵𝟏𝟎: Is terrified the Abyss Order will target you to get to him.

𖠵𝟏𝟏: Is fully aware you know how to protect yourself, but he still prefers that he goes with you on your commissions, so he at least knows that you’re unscathed.

if you were to get fatally injured under his watch, he wouldn’t ever be able to forgive himself despite your protests.

𖠵𝟏𝟐: Expresses his love with actions rather than words.

𖠵𝟏𝟑: Doesn’t know how to convey his feelings properly; he’s a bit stiff and awkward; bare with him here.

𖠵𝟏𝟒: Hugs you from behind whenever you’re cooking or reading if he’s feeling exceptionally touchy.

𖠵𝟏𝟓: Sometimes, you’ll help him bartend at the tavern when you’re free, and there’s always these occasional drunk men who flirt with you that he wants to burn alive LMFAO.

𖠵𝟏𝟔: Similar to Albedo, Diluc undoubtedly melts whenever you wear his jacket !! Most of the time, he lets you wear it unless he has to go to Dragonspine for something.

will always drape his jacket over your shoulders whenever he notices you’ve grown cold.

𖠵𝟏𝟕: Always kisses you on the forehead before he’s off somewhere.

𖠵𝟏𝟖: He doesn’t trust the world with you, which is why he’s so possessive and overly cautious whenever you go out.

𖠵𝟏𝟗: His kisses are slow-burn if that makes sense ?? Like they start slow and sweet, then escalate to passionate and needy.

always has a hand on your chin while kissing you, using his index finger to lift it so that you meet his gaze before firmly grasping it so that you can’t shyly turn away.

his lips are always warm, so kissing him is quite pleasant (:

𖠵𝟐𝟎: Imagine on cold nights, when you’re shivering and all, Diluc peppers warm kisses down your shoulders and onto your stomach to help warm you up. (Which 100% doesn’t actually help.)

𖠵𝟐𝟏: Whenever he wakes up before you, he’ll always observe you sleeping because he finds you adorable whenever you’re so at peace with yourself.

draws shapes and patterns on your hips or legs while waiting for you to wake.

𖠵𝟐𝟐: He lets you play with and do his hair, and he tries not to admit that he adores it. He does.

𖠵𝟐𝟑: Whenever you patch up his wounds is when he sometimes feels the luckiest to have you. 

𖠵𝟐𝟒: You keep extra ointment and cooling patches on you because Diluc sometimes burns himself from his vision ‘cause he clutches his claymore so tightly.

𖠵𝟐𝟓: If you were to gently kiss his scars. . . He would not be able to control himself and just throw himself on you, his lips eagerly on yours in seconds.

𖠵𝟐𝟔: Imagine his hands are giant. . . for some reason, so whenever you hold his hand, his completely envelops yours, and he absolutely lives for it. 

꒱₊˚ 𝐊𝐀𝐄𝐘𝐀 !! 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐍

𖠵𝟎𝟏: He was a hard one to read at first because you couldn't tell if he was just being his normal playful self or if he genuinely liked you.

in reality, he was actually very smitten by you and, similar to Diluc, was hesitant to tell you.

𖠵𝟎𝟐: His main concern was that he didn't want you to think he was being a creep with some ulterior motive or something of the sort.

𖠵𝟎𝟑: And so he went to Lisa for some words of advice, and she made sure to emphasize he shouldn't sound so flirtatious when confessing and should be a bit more genuine.

𖠵𝟎𝟒: Asked you over for dinner, pushing a bouquet of windwheel asters and cecilias into your arms when you got to his house.

𖠵𝟎𝟓: When he finally got to confessing to you, he stumbled over his words a little because he was so scared of messing it up.

so when you accepted his feelings, it felt like he could fully breathe again. he immediately pulled you in his arms and squeezed you, promising you he'd take good care of you (:

𖠵𝟎𝟔: Nicknames can arrange from flirtatious to lovesick. Some of his favorites are “angel,” “doll,” “baby,” and “princess/prince.”

❝Ah, I see my angel has decided to come visit me from the heavens. How's your day coming along, my princess/prince? No one's been giving you trouble, I presume? Archons know if someone is and what'll I do to them. . .❞

𖠵𝟎𝟕: Lots and lots of teasing !! He loves to see you all flushed because of him.

𖠵𝟎𝟖: His hands are naturally very cold because of his vision, and he'll sneak them up your shirt or press them against your cheeks to mess with you.

𖠵𝟎𝟗: Diluc doesn't know how you put up with him but is grateful that you keep him in check.

and even though he won't admit it, he's glad his brother found someone that makes him so happy.

𖠵𝟏𝟎: You humble him from time to time when he gets too prideful.

𖠵𝟏𝟏: He stopped going to the tavern as much because you mentioned that you started getting worried and frustrated that he drank so much.

𖠵𝟏𝟐: Always keeps an arm slung around your waist or shoulder while you're out together.

𖠵𝟏𝟑: Wants to celebrate every accomplishment you achieve. Finished all your commissions for the week ?? Fuck yeah, date time !!

𖠵𝟏𝟒: Although he's flirty, ever since he started dating you, he reserved his flirting for you alone. If someone makes a move on him, he'll scoff and brush them off.

𖠵𝟏𝟓: His kisses are always passionate and warm. He wants you to be reminded that you're his s/o and nobody else's with each kiss.

he normally has a hand on your jaw or chin so that you can't move away from him.

he loves to trail his kisses down your jaw and collarbone. seeing you shiver from pleasure boosts his ego, LMFAO.

𖠵𝟏𝟔: Leaves love bites down your neck and collarbone.

𖠵𝟏𝟕: Doesn't take people giving you trouble lightly. . . He'll happily give someone a lesson or two if it means they'll leave you alone for the greater good.

𖠵𝟏𝟖: Won't sleep for days if you're hospital-ridden because you got critically injured. He'll be at your side through all of it.

𖠵𝟏𝟗: Gets so worried that you're going to disappear like everyone else in his life.

꒱₊˚ 𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐀 !! 𝐂𝐎𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐓

𖠵𝟎𝟏: He’s so so sweet but overall very shy !! And slightly inexperienced when it comes to dating. . . He’s learning as he goes, LOL.

𖠵𝟎𝟐: The poor boy had no idea what to do with himself when he first fell in love with you, so he rushed to Kaeya for advice. Can’t tell if that was a bad or good idea. . .💀💀

𖠵𝟎𝟑: You’ll have to be patient with him ‹/3 Even a few weeks into the relationship, he’ll still be a little sheepish when initiating affection.

𖠵𝟎𝟒: (↑) Don’t let that distract you from the fact that he loves any ounce of love you throw at him !!

𖠵𝟎𝟓: He’s incredibly reliable !! If you need help with something with physical or mental, he’ll gladly help you in any way he can ‹3

𖠵𝟎𝟔: Finds himself scribbling hearts on the maps he’s planning out because his mind wanders to you.

𖠵𝟎𝟕: Hopes to find the time to visit one of the other nations with you !! It doesn’t necessary matter which one, he just wants to travel the world with you at his side ‹3

𖠵𝟎𝟖: You didn’t hear it from me, but he’s planning on making a giant map, color-coded and all, with some of his favorite moments with you jotted down on it ‹3

𖠵𝟎𝟗: Absolutely hates whenever you’re upset !! It breaks the poor boy’s heart because he lives to see your smile ):

𖠵𝟏𝟎: Likes to call you “angel,” “cecilia,” “love,” “sweetheart,” and “baby/babe.”

❝Angel? Are you home? I’m back from my expediti—wOAH! Oh! There you are, (NAME)! I—I missed you too, sweetheart! So, so much. . . Say, are you, by chance free right now? You maybe want to grab some snacks from Good Hunter and g-go to Windtrace?❞

𖠵𝟏𝟏: Is completely smitten with you and will do anything in his willpower to keep you safe ‹/3

𖠵𝟏𝟐: Sometimes adventurers will find you two passed out together under the Windtrace Tree, cooing quietly at cute you guys are.

𖠵𝟏𝟑: Always, ALWAYS gets you some type of gift on important days: your birthday, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, Windblume, etc, etc. . .

𖠵𝟏𝟒: (↑) One of his favorite holidays is Valentine’s Day because it gives him a reason to spoil you ‹3

𖠵𝟏𝟓: Always writes you really cute love letters when he’s away on the more lengthy expeditions ‹3

you can guarantee that the grand master (cannot remember the name of him for the life of me 💔) teases the hell out of him about you ‹/3 he always makes sure to ask him if he’s proposed yet. . . just you wait til’ he replies with yes, LMAO.

𖠵𝟏𝟔: If he sees you’re shivering, his coat is around you in seconds. He hates whenever you’re even the slightest uncomfortable.

𖠵𝟏𝟕: Doesn’t catch a break from Kaeya’s teasing ‹/3 Jean or Diluc normally have to slap him on the back of the head for him to shut up.

DILUC: “Give the boy a break, Kaeya. At least he has someone; the only thing you seem to have these days is a crippling alcohol addiction.”

KAEYA: “(Scoffs.) Well, as far as i’m concerned you don’t seem to have a significant other either, Diluc. Takes another drink of wine.”

“Um. . . let’s—let’s go get some fresh air, s—shall we, cecilia?”

𖠵𝟏𝟖: People tend to underestimate his strength. If he sees you walking towards a puddle, he’ll lift you with one arm and carry you over it.

𖠵𝟏𝟗: He’s very articulated and swift !! I mean, he uses three different weapons and can switch between within a second—in which, he’s very good at protecting you from unwanted attacks.

𖠵𝟐𝟎: Gets INCREDIBLY flustered whenever you compliment him. 😭

꒱₊˚ 𝐑𝐀𝐙𝐎𝐑 !! 𝐖𝐎𝐋𝐅 ��𝐎𝐘

𖠵𝟎𝟏: GOODEST BOY #1 !1!1!1

𖠵𝟎𝟐: Poor Razor had no knowledge and experience in crushes, so when he gained butterflies in his stomach when he was around you one day, he internally panicked because he thought he was sick with something.

however, when he explained how he felt to Bennett, his friend happily assured him that he had not fallen to some new illness but rather was in love with you!

𖠵𝟎𝟑: Bennett encouraged him to tell you because he thought you two would be the cutest couple in all Teyvat. (And let’s be honest, you are.)

𖠵𝟎𝟒: Since he had no prior knowledge of confessions, he didn’t know if there was an appropriate time for it or if he should dwell on it, so he just flat-out told you how he felt when he saw you next.

you didn’t understand what exactly he was implying at first, but when you put the pieces together, you melted right on the spot.

𖠵𝟎𝟓: His nonexistent tail wagged when you cheerfully explained that you reciprocated the feelings !!

𖠵𝟎𝟔: Since he isn’t as adapted to relationship customs, he usually refers to you as “lupical.” but when Bennett described what affectionate nicknames are, he started to call you “pup” as well. (Because baby wolves are called pups !!)

❝Um, lupical. . . Friend Bennett told Razor that a. . . kiss was something humans in relationships do. So Razor wanted to know i-if you wanted to try it. . .❞

you had to explain to him what it was at first and what to do before placing a chaste kiss on his lips (:

𖠵𝟎𝟕: Is a sucker for any affection; he always indistinctively leans into your touch. He is quite literally a touch-starved puppy.

𖠵𝟎𝟖: Bennett playfully teases him about how lovey he gets with you.

𖠵𝟎𝟗: Looves to cuddle you !! his favorite position is when he’s lying on your chest or stomach so that he can fall asleep to your heartbeat with his arms enclosed around your lower half. he finds you very warm and soft !!

𖠵𝟏𝟎: You teach him a lot of things he never got to learn growing up (:

𖠵𝟏𝟏: Protective of you, but not in a possessive way. He just can’t stand the thought of you getting hurt. So he always stands in front of you whenever you guys encounter any hilichurls, treasure hoarders, etc.

𖠵𝟏𝟐: Pouts whenever he smells another guy’s scent on you before hugging you tightly so you’re covered in his scent.

𖠵𝟏𝟑: You like to brush through and do his hair and he adores it.

𖠵𝟏𝟒: Teaches you lots of survival skills.

𖠵𝟏𝟓: Teaches you how to make lots of veggie and meat-based dishes!

𖠵𝟏𝟔: Good luck trying to hide any injury from him; he can smell blood from a mile away. Also danger !! You're in good hands here.

𖠵𝟏𝟕: Ever since you taught him how to kiss, he’ll randomly go up to you, grab your face, and just give you a biiig smooch.

his kisses are hard to put into words. they’re warm and passionate, per sé. you can tell how much he loves you when he kisses you.

𖠵𝟏𝟖: You and Bennett help him with bigger vocabulary words that he isn’t generally used to—then focusing on how to form a sentence correctly.

𖠵𝟏𝟗: Lots of camping dates! he gets nervous with lots of people around, preferring to be with you alone in the woods somewhere with not as much noise.

𖠵𝟐𝟎: He sometimes licks you as a form of affection ):

he’s also tried licking your wounds clean, but you’ve gently explained to him that it’s unsafe and unsanitary. he’s resorted to just pressing a simple kiss to them now.

𖠵𝟐𝟏: He likes to affectionately bite/nibble on you, so you have various bite marks scattered on your body because of him.

꒱₊˚ 𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈 !! 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐃

𖠵𝟎𝟏: He feared falling in love because being an archon meant that he was immortal, and he knew the chances that whoever he would fall in love with wouldn’t be.

and he was doing good at first! so for a while, he didn’t get so worked up about it.

𖠵𝟎𝟐: Then you showed up in Monstandt, and after becoming close friends with you, fell hard.

𖠵𝟎𝟑: At first, he decided against the idea of telling you for a few reasons, such as not to ruin what you guys had and not to get insanely attached to you as he did with the nameless bard, just for you to die right in front of him.

but his feelings for you deepened with time, and he didn’t want to live tied down by his past and rather just live in the moment with you at his side.

𖠵𝟎𝟒: And so, he confessed to you via a song he wrote and, at the end, gifted you a bouquet of cecilias.

it felt like time stopped for him when you said you felt the same, and he couldn’t help but squeeze you in his arms.

𖠵𝟎𝟓: Likes to call you “windblume,” “(my) love,” and “(my) cecilia.”

❝Ah! Welcome home, windblume! Did the warm winds bring you any comfort today? I hope you know that whenever the wind envelops you, that’s me hugging you when I’m not at your side!❞

𖠵𝟎𝟔: If you’re taller than him, he’ll beg you to give him piggyback rides everywhere.

𖠵𝟎𝟕: Dedicates most of his songs and poems about you.

𖠵𝟎𝟖: He’ll give you random kisses just out of nowhere; it doesn’t matter when or where; he just likes to watch the color rise to your face (given if it’s visible with your skin color.)

𖠵𝟎𝟗: If you need to destress or relax, he’ll take you up to the hands of one of the Statues Of Seven or up to Starsnatch Cliff.

𖠵𝟏𝟎: If he sees you injured or upset by another person’s hands or words, he will GLADLY rearrange whoever did it.

𖠵𝟏𝟏: Begged Albedo to help him find a way to maintain your youth if not make you immortal.

𖠵𝟏𝟐: This boy is so infatuated with you; it’s unreal 💔

𖠵𝟏𝟑: You’re the only one he gets to see him in his archon form, and he finds that really special.

he absolutely melts whenever you kiss or trace over his archon markings. his stomach always fills with butterflies when you do it.

𖠵𝟏𝟒: If your hair is braid-able, he’ll braid your hair to look like his so that you’re matching !!

he taught himself to do all different kinds of braids, so don’t worry about your hair type.

𖠵𝟏𝟓: He likes to hum you to sleep or to calm you down; his voice is pleasant to listen to, so you never digress.

𖠵𝟏𝟔: If you asked him to flip the world upside down, he probably would. . . ?? He’s that in love with you.

[tinydestinybear]

His To Keep

Pairing: Prince!Harry Styles x (f.) Princess!Reader

Warning: Mentions of scars, Threats, Abuses

Word Count: 1294 words

A/N: i’m so excited for you guys to read this! if you missed it, this was inspired by a request here 💕 if you guys like this, please give feedback or come talk to me ☺️

-

You had been born to the very best of nobility, however that didn’t stop you from achieving your own goals from being a child till now where you’re pursuing your higher studies in the city and soon you were to graduate with your academic excellence and gain experience with the job offered to you. While everything in your life seemed much happening recently, what you were most delighted for was a celebration. 

Your upcoming grand wedding with the prince of the Styles dynasty, Harry Styles.

While rumours spread around of your marriage being one of connivence, you and Harry were perhaps correct to say, much in love. And so you were both preoccupied with the task of making this as memorable as it could be for the two of you. 

You had been involved in every single detail going behind the events. After all, this was one of your dreams come true - to marry the love of your life. You had grown up to reading about fairytales and to see your own fairytale take a start delighted you.

“We might need to change the date of the ball. It clashes with my Theatre exam,” You said, letting out a sigh at the thought of doing all the changes now. 

You were rubbing your forehead with your hand in an attempt to distress when Harry spoke, “We can do that. You need not stress darling, I’ll make sure to send in the changes.” 

You looked towards him with a soft smile, “Thank you.” 

“Of course, it’s our wedding. Wouldn’t make sense for you to not be there!” 

You hugged your arms closer to yourself, the chilly air now making you shiver in the balcony you two stood in. “Come here, let me hold you,” His hand reached out, grabbing you by the waist and you were immediately swept closer to him. 

"Hey!" You said, clearly taken aback by his action. "Someone might see us. The queen made it clear to not show any public intimacy until we're married."

You struggled to get out of his hold while he kept his hold on you firm, "I think I’m allowed to hold my future wife,” He levelled his head down till yours, the heat evident in your cheeks. Seeing you like this comforted his heart, he wouldn’t ever like to share you with anyone else, “I love you.” He kissed your cheek before he opened his arms more and snuggled you closer to himself, covering the two of you in his overcoat. 

What you didn’t expect was the storm to now reach earlier than ever. 

"This has to work, handle it carefully and we’ll get ride of her," Two low whispers were heard in the locked closet before the door was unlocked and they went separate ways. 

Meanwhile, Harry had earlier texted you, letting you know that he wished to take you for a visit to a place very dear to him. You had agreed before you let him know that you had been summoned into one of your professor’s office for help. 

You had been oblivious to what was about to happen so the sheer quietness down the hall didn’t seem to strike a hint. Just when you entered the room, you heard it instantly close scaring you. 

And you were surprised to meet with Cathy, a woman who is known to have to have despised you ever since Harry took an interest in you himself. 

"Hello Y/N S/N." She said, an eerie smile on her face as she walked closer towards you. You scoffed at her attempt of being polite towards you. "The next queen seems to have an attitude?” She tutted. “Or perhaps the future queen is nothing but a shameless lady leading on the prince?” 

"Cathy, you say I'm a petty woman then you should perhaps also know that I belong to the nobility. It isn't my fault that Harry doesn't return your feelings while you are so obsessed with him." You defended, you were tired of her constantly being after you when you had displayed not even a single ounce of hatred towards her. 

"How dare you slut!" She yelled before grabbing you by the hair, now whispering in your ears, “You think it’s gonna be all lovey-dovey? You think he isn’t gonna wish for someone else to be by his side when he sees those scars you hide so perfectly from the war? I wonder whether he’ll choose me to stay by his side while we see you rote.”

Humiliated. That’s what you felt like. You felt disgusted that Cathy had been able to voice each of your insecurity - the thought of Harry leaving you when he sees your scars scared you. 

Scoffing at your now teary face, Cathy gathered herself together before she set back towards her cart. 

Had it been three weeks? Harry wonders just when he will hear any news of you. He has been increasingly worrying of your absence - no letters, no messages or visits from your end. What surprised him more was that you had moved back to your nobility state without letting him know as if you wanted to possibly break every bond with him. 

Your absence had left a void in his heart and he couldn’t help but want to see you more. So he travelled down to the estate of your nobility in an attempt to see you. 

He knocked before entering your room, spotting you standing near the mirror as you glanced at your scars on your back with a frown. 

"I'll confiscate that mirror soon if you don’t stop hurting yourself by seeing yourself in that way," He said boldly before he closed the door and walked towards you. 

"Harry W-what are you doing here?” Yo looked around in search for something to cover yourself, before Harry grabbed the shawl by your bed and covered you while turning you towards the mirror.  

“I’m here to take you back and to stop yourself from hurting this way. It truly breaks my heart, why are you hurting yourself by distancing from me darling?” He whispered. 

"Please, go away." You muttered, the confidence in your voice now lacking. Seeing him after this long and now requesting him to leave truly pained you like no other. 

"If you say that as you look me in the eye, I shall."

You turned sideways to look up at him, gathering all your confidence yet losing it as soon as you made contact with him, "I....I'm not worthy of your love nor to be your wife. You’re a prince, one handsome and brave prince who doesn’t deserve a woman full of scars like me.”

"And these are the same scars which prove your bravery.” His hand gently travels down your spine as he made you look at yourself in the mirror, “You may think otherwise but my love for you is for who you are. Not how you appear. My heart knows that it is you who I want."

He stepped back, walking out of the mirror, "I know who did this to you and I cannot change what has happened but I can reassure you a thousand times that it is because of you that I’ve learned how to love someone, to take care of someone and show them the world by solely looking at them and I would like to do just the same so I’ve come here to take you back to our home, where you truly belong.” 

It doesn’t take a split second for you to run into his arms as he sways you gently while you sob, cherishing each other’s warmth again, “Shh, I’m gonna take care of you. We’ll fight this together. Always."

"We will. I love you Harry."

[astaroth1357]

Brothers React to the MC Looking at Them Lovingly

This is a personal experiment. This is the very first time I've written one of these with a goal in mind, "Make them fall in love all over again." It's a tall order. I hope I succeeded. 🙏 Special thanks to @a-chaotic-dumbass for picking the mood for this one!

Intro:

We all know that look. The one where one person stares at another like they just realized they're the only thing in the universe and they're in fucking awe of it. The kind of look that tells you they're utterly enthralled by that other person and just can't get enough of their presence. That look. Yeah, the brothers just got that look out of the MC.

Let's warm some cold hearts, everybody.

Lucifer

Lucifer was always beautiful. Always has been, as an angel or a demon.

A morning star is one that outshines all the rest. It stands out when the other stars have dimmed, holding onto its luster in defiance of the sun. 

There couldn't be a truer title for Lucifer to have. Not the horrors of war nor the fires of Hell could tarnish his radiance in any way…

But there were moments, like right then, where the MC caught a glimpse of a different sort of Lucifer.

His brothers would often only see the uptight Lucifer, the practiced visage of perfection that he tried so hard to keep up… 

But after a long day, when he thinks he's alone, he retires to his room to listen to his music and the difference is astonishing.

There's something so entrancingly calm about him… How the light of the fireplace flickers and dances across his alabaster skin to the subtle slouch of his posture. His face no longer marred by creases of stress and frustration… 

And his expression is so pure… So tranquil and at peace… Beauty without effort. A shine that can't be ignored. A morning star, in the truest sense of the word…

It took awhile for Lucifer to see the MC leaning against his doorframe.

They were staring at him with the oddest look… Smiling like they were enraptured by something, but he didn't have a clue why. He was just sitting there…

So, naturally, he turned to suspicion.

"Am I really that amusing…?"

Frankly, he wasn’t prepared for the little laugh they let out in response.

"Mm? No, no... I'm just always so amazed by you, is all. I'll leave you to your music..."

Having thoroughly ruined the mood, the MC then turned to leave. But Lucifer was already upon them before they could step away, wrapping his arms around their waist and letting contented hum escape his chest.

"Going so soon…?"

Apparently he appreciated the compliment.

Mammon

He didn't have to do it.

When Belphie bumped into one of the House's vases, shattering it against the tile, he didn’t have to take the fall for it.

It wasn’t connected to him at all. He could have stayed quiet and no one would have pointed a finger at him for once.

But he did.

When Mammon set his phone down on the table, MC knew instantly that he had lied in the chat.

He was with them the entire day, he didn't have the time to accidentally break a vase. He hadn't even gone down that hallway all day...

But he said something anyway.

And he didn't even look fazed. He didn't turn towards them seeking approval nor did he look irritated that Belphie didn't speak up. He didn't curse at himself for doing something so self-sacrificing either...

When Mammon leaned back into the cushion of his couch, the MC saw something truly remarkable on his face… A smile. A small one, sure, but relaxed… 

Assured in his own actions. Confident in his choice and accepting the consequences… undeserved, and likely thankless, they may be.

A genuine, serene smile…

Mammon wasn't sure what he expected to see when he turned to the MC. Probably confusion or disbelief that he, the Great Mammon, could be so selfless.

Definitely not the awed, lovestruck look he got...

"G-gah!" He panicked slightly and pressed himself back against the armrest of the couch in shock. "Wh-... What'cha lookin at me like that for??"

When the MC didn't answer after a few seconds and just kept staring, he honestly didn't know what to do. Were they broken or something??

"Oi, MC! I asked ya wh-Hey wait a minute!!"

He made a noise between a yelp and a shout when the MC leapt forward and latched their arms onto him. What had gotten into them??

"U-uh… MC? MC?? Damnit MC, answer me already!! Or at least stop squeezin so tight!!... MC!!!"

Leviathan 

To anyone else, it was just Levi being Levi.

He had finished a new episode of his latest animated obsession and he had to share it with someone. Anyone would do, but the MC was always willing to lend an ear.

Something about Levi really changes when he talks about his passions… It's like he comes alive in a whole new way.

He speaks at a mile-a-minute, but that's because he's so excited the words fly from his mouth. 

Some part of him is always bouncing, be it his leg or body. Sometimes even his tail will swish and curl behind him like an ecstatic puppy. And his eyes… 

Citrine pools that glimmer and dilate from the exhilaration of it all. It's his little world and anyone can see he's thrilled to be sharing it. 

You'd never know he was shy. You'd never think he'd look down himself. You'd never guess that he hid himself away… Why would someone so full of passion and life ever want to? Some things are just too beautiful to keep hidden...

Levi had only gotten six minutes into his latest rant before he finally registered how the MC was staring at him…

This man has seen enough shoujo to know what that look means and it shut him up sooo quick. If anyone else were in the room they would have seen a beet-red Levi desperately trying to hide his face.

"M-MC…! S-top staring at me like that…!!"

"Like what~?" 

He didn't have to look at them to hear the teasing lilt in their voice.

"MC…" He peeked out from behind his fingers to see them still staring and covered himself up more vigorously. "Stoooop…!!!"

But secretly? He wished they'd never stop. His cheeks may have been red from embarrassment, but his heart was trying to hammer its way out of his chest to hug them itself. Hell, he'd have happily given it over to them if they'd asked…

Please just let those loving eyes be for him and him alone...

Satan

Soft isn't exactly a word anybody would use to describe Satan, least of all himself.

His anger was quick to spark, his strength was nothing to scoff at, and even his smiles were nothing but plastic for nearly all of his existence…

Nearly.

The MC learned surprisingly quick that there was one thing that could bypass all of the hidden ferocity to Satan's personality. Something that could make him melt like butter in the summer sun…

Satan had always looked a little cute when he was reading. He was easily at his most expressive when engrossed in a thrilling story or deeply intrigued by something he found between the pages of a book…

But watching Satan read about cats, as he was right then, was really something else entirely.

Maybe it was the way his emerald eyes would sparkle or the lopsided grin he just couldn't hide as he would scan the pages about the playful habits of Bengals or the relaxed nature of Ragdolls…

Maybe it was the sheer impassioned dedication he took the subject, pouring countless hours into collecting and memorizing every fact he could from their diets to coat maintenance.

Or maybe it was the sheer fact that anytime he saw a picture of kitty in-print he looked like a besotted schoolgirl drawing hearts around her crush in a teen magazine.

Really, who's to say? But to the MC, it was proof that under all that anger, there was a tender, loving center even for the smallest, softest creatures…

Satan automatically snapped his book closed when he saw MC watching him from behind a bookshelves. Caught red-handed…

He knows exactly how he looks when he's doing his research internally squealing over cat pictures so he tries to do so in private...

He was about to sputter out a defensive explanation but then he registered their face…

He'd seen that look described in stories, romance novels mostly, but he'd rarely seen it in action… and never once leveled at him with such intensity…

Not to be cliche, but frankly his heart skipped a beat.

Satan forgot about his book briefly and got up to close the distance between them, tilting their chin up to keep their eyes on him.

"Like something that you see, Kitten?"

"You could say that…"

He laughed at their attempt to play coy, but let it slide just this once… Easy to do with them looking at him so amorously.

Asmodeus 

Asmo is a very popular demon. Someone so free ought to know quite a lot of people, after all.

And, of course, he had plenty of fans. He made DevilTube videos, hosted radio shows, fashion designed, and even modeled.

So it wasn't very surprising when a young demoness stopped him while he and the MC were out shopping. It wasn’t the first time he had been asked to sign autographs, but this meeting… it was different.

It was clear to them both that this girl was shy. Though she held out the paper, her eyes stayed firmly on the ground and she stumbled on her question… She likely a fan from afar, but everything about her seemed meek… unassuming.

Most people would have just gave the autograph then went on with their day. The interaction could have taken five seconds at most… but not Asmo.

He asked her name… where she was from, how she was feeling, her favorite foods, outfits, makeup, you name it. All with investment.

It was amazing to watch the shy young woman slowly open up, getting more bright and cheerful with each passing question until it evolved into a healthy conversation.

When their little meeting finally wrapped up, he gave her back the paper (now signed) but also fished out a bottle of perfume from among the mountains of bags he was carrying. He gave it to her and wouldn't hear anything to the contrary, he could always buy another.

None of his brothers ever gave Asmo enough credit for his giving nature… even if he had his own way of going about it. Though he cared so much about image and his ability to shine, he never hesitated to make sure that the people around him shined too...

Asmo waved to the fan as she scampered away and was about to  apologize to the MC when he saw their face…

The man knows this look well. He's seen it a billion times, though it was particularly cute coming from them.

"Awww MC! Taken by my beauty are you~?"

He was about ready to kiss their cheek when they responded.

"No, not your looks, Asmo… with you."

… Oh.

It was very rare to see Asmo speechless, but for a few seconds his mind seemed to take in their words… letting them fully sink in before his heart utterly melting.

Oh MC… His sweet MC!!

Asmo ended up dropping the rest of his bags just so he could properly litter his human in nuzzles and kisses, the both of them humming and giggling in delight despite their shameless PDA.

Of course it would be his MC to see that part in himself… Who else would take the time?

Beelzebub 

Food is a precious resource to Beel. For him, it's a lifeline. A good meal could save him from the brink of starvation…

But that still doesn't make him incapable of sharing from time to time.

He and the MC were walking back to the House after getting takeout from Hell's Kitchen. Beel hadn't even waited until they left the restaurant to start eating his share, spilling the smell of fresh food into the air around them…

Things were going fine on their route back until they heard whimpering behind them…

A hellhound puppy, not quite old enough to bear its fangs, seemingly followed them as they were walking… It looked like it had been out for some time and eyed their food with hungry eyes, but weak posture. Who knows when it last had a meal?

The MC was about to tug at Beel's sleeve and say something, but their demon was ahead of them this time.

A casual observer might have gawked at the sight of Gluttony kneeling down to offer such a lowly creature a sandwich. But the MC knew better. When you spend your whole life hungry, nobody more than you understands that kind of pain in someone else. 

This reaction wasn't out of character for Beel, it was elementary.

And when the puppy finished its meal and covered Beel's cheeks with appreciative licks, he just laughed and scratched behind its ears. Amethyst eyes looking more relieved at its health than disappointed he lost some of his lunch...

Food was Beel's lifeline, but kindness is what made him who he was…

When the pup finally scampered off, Beel looked over at the MC to tell them it'd be alright and saw their face…

He wasn't really sure what they were staring at… Did he have something between his teeth again?

"MC? Are you okay...?"

They laughed at him for some reason but pulled him in for a hug so they must have meant well.

"You're so sweet, Beel…"

Beel's never one to refuse a compliment so he just hugged them back, beaming.

"Thank you, MC…"

Belphegor 

To say that Belphegor tended to be on the melancholic side would be an understatement… It wasn’t that he was incapable of expressing joy, it was just harder for him to do than most. Not helped, of course, by his tendency to keep his true feelings vague and hard to pinpoint.

But on those rare occasions where he was overjoyed… Belphie could really be something special…

The MC and Belphie were attending one of Beel's games and it was a tight one… Both teams had spent most of it tied and Beel's team was running out of time to overtake that slim margin.

Belphie had always been a supporter of his twin's athletics, but this time it was tense even for him. He kept on the edge of his seat and didn't even nod off during the breaks like he normally would… The MC could just tell how nervous he was for Beel…

But right as the time was about to run out, Beel made a last minute score and sure, the whole field erupted, but Belphie? Belphie hollered.

The normally sleepy and mellow demon was on his feet in an instant and practically shredding his vocal chords in excitement. If his tail had been out, it would have been beating against the bleachers like a war-drum. And his expression?

Belphie's smile is said to stop hearts for a reason. When he puts his all into a grin it's almost like he ascends to Heaven once more, as pure as an angel's choir and as warm as a summer's breeze… Nothing in his eyes but pride and adoration for his beloved twin brother.

Truly, a heartwarming sight to behold…

Belphie didn't calm down until the rest of the crowd settled and was about to point out Beel's skill to the MC when he noticed their face.

… oh no… Why do they look so sappy…?

"You really love your brother, don't you?"

Belphie quickly hid his thoughts behind an irritated frown and plopped back down in his seat… but that didn't shield them from seeing his pink cheeks.

"Of course I do. What kind of question is that?"

He debated just joining Beel on the field to hide his embarrassment when he heard them snicker back.

"Yeah, you're right… Don't mind me."

Oh he minded. He minded a lot that he let his carefully veiled image slip like that. But thinking back to that smile on their face…?

Maybe being a little open wasn't so bad after all...

[maya-custodios-dionach]

Hello, older Steddies (steddies who's been shipping this for way longer than I have), quick question for y'all.

Joe Keery, as I recently found out, is a SINGER. With his own band and stuff.

...I was patiently waiting for Eddie getting flustered over Steve singing to himself headcanons, i-

* pouts * I guess I'll do it myself. Get ready y'all, this has been marinating in my Steddie brainrot for two weeks now.

Steve Harrington is a songwriter and plays piano and I will DIE. ON. THIS. HILL.

The piano thing is something he picked bc he learned that his mother used to take piano lessons as a child, and he wanted to do something to impress her. Turns out, he really like the sounds the piano makes and keeps learning how to play better.

Steve loves the piano bc its one of the few moments in his childhood that his mom pays 100% of her attention to him in order to teach him everything she knew, aka the basics and some classic sheet music she memorized.

Wait no, I'm gonna make myself cry, baby stevie aggressively practicing the classical piano pieces bc maybe if he plays it perfectly, he'll perform it for his mom whenever she'll home, why do I do this to myself.

Let's think of some fluffy stuff about the songwriting first before I sob myself dry.

Lil Stevie, while he was still in his experimental piano phase, before he strictly adheres to sheet music, used to play nonsense lil ditties to himself. Usually stuff he did during his day, like "hmmmm I put on my clothes and I made my bed, hmmmm, put on my socks then put on my shoes~ hmmmm" (I'm really sorry for the shitty creativity, my brain is blanking on what tiny Steve does in his free time except for TV, sports and piano)

Eventually, he starts actually writing lil snippets. Nothing great bc yk he's a kid starting out, but pieces if put together in a coherent and melodic way could have a lot of potential. Tiny lil puzzle pieces with the potential to be something more, something incredible.

Steve's parents never did find out about his songwriting. It was his and his alone, a safe haven where the thoughts of others don't matter. When his parents are away, when the boredom becomes to much, Steve sneaks into the piano room to turn his lyrics into music, for his ears only.

I like to pair this headcanon with another precious headcanon of mine, which is if Steve wasn't trapped in his jock era, that man is a KID WHO LOVES MUSICALS. (Am I projecting my love of musicals onto my blorbo? Mayhaps, but who's gonna stop me?). Every song in a musical elicits so much story and emotion that Steve never lets himself feel in his daily life, its very comforting to listen to songs of characters who know what they want and sing about how much they wants it and how they're gonna achieve their goals. A characters freedom to unapologetically express themselves on stage, not caring if anybody hears (no projecting or intense longing from Steve here, nosiree). All this to say that Steve's songwriting and singing style reflects a lot of musical I Want songs.

Fast forward to high school, his King Steve era, his music is his best kept secret. Vulnerability is NOT an option, so whenever he throws parties at his house, he always ALWAYS makes sure that the piano room is locked, where is notebook of lyrics also reside. There was a period of time where he didn't play piano at ALL because of how much his sports life consumes most of his free time. Sometimes, he feels the itch to write something down, but can't because he's surrounded by a lot of people who would target any sign of softness he shows. Furthermore, Steve becomes less and less confident about his songwriting the more his reputation of a dumb jock solidifies. (WHY DO I HURT MYSELF LIKE THIS-)

Being with Nancy, however, lit a FIRE in him. I'm talking scribbled out lyrics of love songs at night to process his feelings, giddy piano covers of popular love songs, singing the Grease soundtrack in the shower, the WORKS. This boy is GONE, and the only way to process all his emotions in order to appear cool and chill in public is to let it out through music. Its not a foolproof way of processing emotions, bc he's not suddenly immune to doing stupid shit just because he has an outlet (see The Entire Steve-Nancy-Jonathan love triangle business). His honeymoon phase with Nancy definitely produced some of his more structured and polished work bc she inspires him in a positive way. (Nancy'ssosmatthatifSteveisgonnamakesongsabouthertheyhavetobesmarttoobecausethat'swhatshedeservesand-)

After his first encounter with the Upside Down and the breakup after, however??? STEVE'S REPUTATION ERA. His most emotionally driven songs were written at the dead of night when he couldn't sleep because of the nightmares. Frenzied piano notes ring into the night, Steve and the stars its only audience. Boys don't go to therapy, they forcefully beat up their emotions into songs that they would never share with anyone else, and impulsively adopt any child within a 10 mile radius.

(imma skim over season 2, im sorry, truthfully i didnt watch a single second of the show, all i know about stranger things are from steddie fanfics binged over the course of 2 weeks and tumblr gifs, thats it)

The first person to ever find out about Steve's musical hobby is Robin (i know, very predictable, but hear me out). Back when those two are drugged to hell and back, Steve sings out nonsense lyrics that he hasn't done since he was a kid, singing about the what he can see in the bathroom they were resting in. Steve feels VERY STRONGLY about Robin defending Tammy Thompson's singing bc he could literally sing better WHILE DRUGGED. Robin hates that she can't dispute that bc she's heard both. After the starcourt fiasco, whenever robin cant sleep, she sneaks into steve's home and listens to steve playing the piano in order to drown out the nightmares. Steve doesn't sing any of the songs he's written, no matter how much she pesters him about it.

OKAY SEASON 4, LETS DO THIS!!

After Max's first encounter with Vecna at the cemetery, Steve asks for the favorite songs of EVERYONE in the Party, and spends all-nighters trying to memorize every single one.

The first anybody aside from Robin hears Steve sing was when they were panicking about Nancy getting vecna'd. After the iconic THIS!! IS!! MUSIC!! scene, they all stop bc they all hear singing they haven't heard before. They all look up, and are flabbergasted to see Steve singing “Love Is A Battlefield” by Pat Benatar in the most beautiful tenor voice you've ever heard, like an angel beating down the devil's curse. No one is more bamboozled than Eddie, who just keeps staring at Steve while having the most ill-timed gay panic in his entire LIFE. If El were to peek into Eddie's head at all at that moment, all she would hear is the TV static with background noises of gay thoughts at mach 4 speed.

(In this reality, Steve goes along with Dustin and Eddie bc dustin feels betrayed about steve "keeping this a secret from them" and won't stop pestering him. Steve's bi awakening is seeing Eddie shredding Master of the Puppets ofc)

Post-Vecna (Eddie LIVES dammit, fireman carried by steve out of the upside down), Eddie goes to Steve and Robin's place of work and joins her in begging pestering Steve to sing them one of his songs (the first time eddie heard that steve writes his own songs, he had a gay panic so strong, that Corroded Coffin is tired of his bullshit, pull yourself together man, this is getting embarrassing. poor eddie had to self-quarantine in his room screaming in his pillow for two days). Eddie, the upside down trauma newbie, also joins robin to sneaking into steve's house in order to listen to him play the piano. robin had to close eddie's mouth while he was gawking at steve the first time he sees him play piano (bless oblivious sleep-deprived steve, his music is the only thing keeping him sane).

also, platonically, i just love the idea of Steve singing lullabies at the "we just saved the world, lets have a sleepover so that we can take comfort in the fact that everyone is alive" sleepover, and all the kids going to sleep clutching at each other, dreamless and feeling safe at last.

Look, im not creative enough to think of a getting together scene, so we're skipping over to established steddie now, im so sorry.

First time they sang a duet together????? RATED R-18, THE MOST TENDER OF LOVE-MAKING COMMENCES AFTER THEY DUET, I DON'T MAKE THE RULES, I'M GETTING SUFFOCATED BY THE ROMANTIC AND SEXUAL TENSION JUST THINKING ABOUT IT.

Dear lord, steve and eddie both writing songs inspired by the other, DONT TOUCH ME, IM FRAGILE.

STEVE FEELING INSECURE ABOUT HIS SONGWRITING IN COMPARISON TO EDDIE, WHILE EDDIE IS JUST TRYING HIS BEST NOT TO CRY WHILE HEARING ANY OF STEVE'S SONGS FOR HIM, AAAAAAHHHHHH

Epic battles have been fought on what music to play in the car, im talking THEATER LEVELS OF DRAMA. If anybody in the party wants to see the most aggressive of bickering (coughDustincough), all the party has to do is ask who's turn it is to pick the music between them, WEEK LONG PETTY FIGHTS COMMENCE.

NO, BUT STEVE GOING TO ONE OF EDDIE'S CONCERTS WITH HOMEMADE MERCH- STEVE SOMETIMES JAMMING WITH CORRODED COFFIN, IM GOING FERAL-

THE SONG THE NIGHT THEY EXCHANGED VOWS (lemme dream, they could have done this underground or some shit, promise rings and all) IS SOMETHING THEY COLLABORATED ON, AND WILL ONLY EVER BE SUNG AND HEARD BY THE TWO OF THEM.

JUST!!!!! STEVE HARRINGTON SINGING!!!

[aqqleshiqqing-archive]

Genshin Anon here! It's been a while but I finally finished the Sumeru part of the main story and you know, I really haven't been this attached to a group of characters since the knights back in Mondstadt. They all felt much more connected to the main plot than the other two nations to me. However, the final mission is easily one of the best in the game so far. It really felt like a large scale plan happening all at once, which was cool. It was especially nice that it wasn't simply the traveler winning a fight or doing all the errands. I hope they do something similar with later nations.

Speaking of the traveler, I've stopped using mine for now. Maybe if a later element catches my interest, I'll grab her from the bench. For now, my team is Keqing, Tighnari, Chongyun, and Heizou, though Heizou may end up replaced. I like having swirl but he just doesn't keep up with the team. Kaeye made it all the way to friendship 10 before he was benched because I use too many swords.

I haven't been on tumblr much recently, so I haven't seen too many of your posts but it looks like you made it to Red? He's a strong trainer, it took me ages to win against him! -Genshin Anon

:00000!!!! HI AGAIN!!!! I was wondering how's everything with you since you last talked but it's good to know you're doing alright anyways! :D

maaan, already finished sumeru huh? i haven't made much progress since I stopped for a bit. the last thing I remember is talking to cyno in aaru village and that's it :') but that's awesome dude!! I'm so excited for fontaine!! also about the attachment part - I definitely felt the same. I remember reading somewhere that mondstadt was the only nation that felt welcoming because everyone wasn't against each other and you can see everyone knows each other like a neighbour. liyue was alright, but their connections were always very business oriented and its not too personal. inazuma is probably the most obvious as not even they like ei because of her decree. it's super oppressive and everyone is on edge. I think the only person who made us feel welcome was thoma and yoimiya (though that's more on when we hung out with her before sayu did her thing irrc) because I was definitely excited until I realized the severity of what was happening. (we literally had to wage war against kujo sara and her clan....) hard to say for sumeru YET, but I think I can get the general idea that everyone's too busy to have a friend as they're all scholars.

you have an interesting team comp! i really love elemental reactions with dendro so i can't help but smile knowing you have tighnari hehe, and chongyun!! i have a soft spot for chongyun so it makes me happy he's being used as well haha. im surprised heizou's going to be replaced because he's scarily cracked for a 4*, and anemo is an op element. but that's okay because it seems like kaeya had better usage than heizou did, hehe so go off! I believe any character is effective when built right C:

AND YES!!! oh man, I could be playing platinum right now but I really enjoyed the extra patch of gameplay after the actual goal (becoming a champion and getting rid of team rocket) and I can't stress how giddy I was to go back to Kanto, a small detail I really liked was how there are reoccurring npc characters that you can tell has grown up as their pokemon also evolved or improved. I remember in FRLG there was a girl with her slowpoke(?) she kept throwing commands at it but it didn't understand. later in HGSS I would see this girl with a slowbro now but it can follow her commands now! there's many more who does this, but she was the most memorable to me~

but anyways, yes, red.... I was so excited to battle red but I eventually remembered that he's SCARILY strong LIKE HIS PIKACHU IS 88 and my team only ranges at 50+ but because I am hardheaded and excited - I went on to see red anyways on mt silver and I was not disappointed 🥺 I admittedly wished I played as red when I played FRLG blindly but it was simply tradition for me to pick the girls lmaoao (but that changed now, the boy protags are much cooler for me) it just felt right that I experience the adventure as red, and then see him become a toughened trainer that i have to battle. your first and last enemy is yourself, perhaps.

I didn't beat him yet, I don't know if I can but I really want to, grinding is my least favorite thing to do in games so it would take me a lot of willpower and patience to do so, but I can simply shelve that game and come back to it later! I also don't feel like deleting it... it's my favorite gen so far haha

anyways, I also checked b&w! i had to play it in my computer since my phone is not too good with games in general and b&w really amped up in quality, it started off as "i wanna see what unova is like" (is obsessed with the music) HABSHDHHSHEHS I don't want to get too deep into it, but I'm very in love with the quality. I'm going to take a crack at platinum soon so you might expect me to post about it!

and lastly.... i started reading pokemon adventures/special. aka that manga that mr. satoshi would recommend to every fan. for the first time in forever have I been so facinated in manga - I thought it was just gonna be a clever story but it's HONESTLY more than that, it's so creative and innovative, not just the fleshed out pokemon battles but even the trainers are so colorful in their techniques! still in the early chapters but im just so happy I got to check it out ehe...

alrighty, that's all for now haha. thank you for coming back, it's so fun to talk to you! take it easy back there! 💚

[cryptiql]

riptide

pairing: dabi/m!reader

warnings: smoking, some mildly suggestive flashbacks + detailed descriptions of drowning. as always, please do not read forward if any of the listed warnings might trigger you in any way, and stay safe <3

words: 4.9k

a/n: welcome to the sequel of smoke signals. perish :)

dabi made a mistake. the knowledge sits in the bottom of his stomach like a lump of lead; his innards twisting into a knot whenever the memory of you crosses the expanse of his sleep deprived mind. the burns under his eyes might as well be bags, but they aren't large enough to bear the weight of his guilt. it isn't much better sitting on his shoulders, but the repercussions of pain are what keep him from letting it go, and that's exactly what he wants. no—it's what he deserves. he deserves the feeling like his head is going to burst; the ache in his spine from too many hours spent hunched over himself with a bottle clutched between his shaking hands; the burning intensity from overuse of his quirk. the extra inches of marred skin serve as reminders of what he did, but it's not half as satisfying when the pain doesn't last.

he wants to scratch at the wounds until they ooze that bitter garnet liquid; until he's suffocated by the metallic scent and forced to endure as the taste of blood engraves itself on his tongue when he chokes on it. he wants to suffer—the slower the better—because not even the strongest alcohol can cleanse his sins, nor the stench of his regret.

dabi made a mistake. it won't be the last time, he's able to admit, because his ego is too shriveled from the lack of your warmth, and his heart yearns for the passion of your kiss that still lingers on his lips. when the loft echoes with fragments of the city's ambience, drowning him in an incessant racket, he longs for the lighthouse. this place is infested with selfish ingrates, scuttling about in search of the next outcast to torment, and it makes him wish he still had that safe space at the shore. your siren song was a drug to put him at ease, and now he is without it, and the withdrawal has taken effect.

he knew this would come to pass. dabi overdosed on your love; your affection; your everything; all while watching the consequences unravel at a snail's pace, almost as if he were being teased by the inevitable end. he let it happen. he did this to himself, so he won't shake his hands at the sky, cursing gods he doesn't know exist; as if they would concern themselves with the faults of men like him.

he knew this would happen.

but then, so did you. you had to have known by the empty space in your bed where he used to lay; by the dates that kept getting postponed and the meaningless promises made to make up for them; by the shortage of visits, even just to say "hello" before he dropped from the face of the earth once more. if this were true, it meant that you were suffering just the same—nay, more than him, by forcing yourself into a state of compliance whenever he told you it was time for him to go. dabi could pretend like he didn't see your fingers twitching; resisting the urge to reach out for him; just as he could pretend like the rivulets of tears on your cheeks did not exist, though they begged to be swept away by him. god, he wants to hold your face again, noses brushing together and your dreamy sighs melding with his raspy laughter.

he had told himself that you wouldn't deter him from his goal, but even that seems like a pipe dream now. he feels like an underachiever, chasing a future that can't be set in stone when he already had you, which should have been enough. dabi realizes that the flames of his own passionate desire for freedom have burned you in the process, and it hurts more than he can put into words. you were always better with words, he reminisces, tracing the coffee stained parchment sitting in his pocket.

dabi has long since stopped reading the letters you sent, but he still carries them with him wherever he goes. they anchor him to both earth and sky; the reality that he's lost you, threatening to swallow him from under his feet; and the hope that he'll find you again, one day, after all this is over. "and just what do you think you're doing?"

you can see his reflection in the stove's glass sheen, his mouth drawn up into a devious smirk as he leans on the bedroom doorframe, clad in nothing but his briefs from the previous night. the purplish burns scaling his collarbone and abdomen give him a roguish look that—if you possessed no self-restraint—would normally have you lunging at him like a starved beast. you manage to smirk back at him, subtly shaking your hips while opening the stove door to pull out the doughy mound of bread inside. to your delight, you hear him grumble something not-so family-friendly before he snakes his arms around your waist, pulling you flush against his chest. you had never once thought that the feeling of staples against your skin would feel so good, but now you can hardly imagine being without it, and you immediately melt into dabi's touch.

he breathes softly in your ear, chuckling when you flinch in response, goosebumps stippling your flesh. by the way your cheeks puff out in embarrassment, he should take that as a sign to stop, but fuck, your pouting is just too cute for him to resist, especially when your worship-able body is basking in the afterglow of dusk. you keen when dabi starts peppering your shoulder blades with kisses, but nearly dropping the pan causes your senses to return, and you whisper a plea. luckily, he appears to be in a merciful mood, because he relents his onslaught of affection to rest his chin in the crook of your neck.

when he finally notices what you're making, he can't help but squeeze you tighter.

"is that a cake?"

you turn to give him a peck on the nose, which is rewarded with a halfhearted snap of his teeth just millimeters from your mouth.

"that'd be right. though, i'm astonished you know which way is up after last night." your sing-song tone of voice spurs him to squeeze your thigh, and you would have shooed him away if not for how much you liked it. dabi murmurs something unintelligible, the vibrations shooting straight down your spine, and proceeds to remove himself from you in order to better observe the baked delicacy.

"mm. what's it for?" he asks, discretely swiping a bit of the pink colored icing from the bowl to his right. sweet, but not sickeningly so.

you are none the wiser when dipping a spatula into the contents and smoothing it over the cake, a soft smile playing at your lips.

"you never told me when your birthday is, so i'm taking a wild guess. figured i'd whip this up as a surprise, but you woke up earlier than i suspected." dabi swears that his heart is about to burst from behind his ribcage, and all because you're too goddamn perfect. you may as well be a priceless work of art in museum that he's been prohibited from touching. however, the fading marks on your skin signify that he's done more than just touch, and he takes pride in the fact you can't seem to move further than two steps in any direction without faltering.

"i know angel food cake is your favorite—" dabi silences you with a kiss; bruising and passionate; and takes the spatula from your hand, blindly setting it aside on the counter. your protests are short-winded as he lifts you from your behind before promptly turning the oven off and spinning on his heel. he's memorized these halls well enough to not bump into anything during his trek back to the bedroom. you pull away, albeit with a hint of reluctance, just to glare at him.

"what about the—" dabi kisses you again, and while you don't seem too happy about being interrupted twice in a row, the shared heat between your bodies distracts you from being upset.

"you're off by about two months, doll. besides, i think i'd much rather have you as a late birthday treat."

dabi clenches his jaw at the memory, his knuckles whitening with how tenaciously he grips the tattered fabric of his jeans. the league's new base is just as rundown and close to crumbling as he feels, but his despair is masked by the rage that overpowers it. why couldn't you have been a normal couple? why couldn't dabi have grown up with a father who loved him; with a quirk that didn't gradually destroy him and without the resulting scars that made him a hideous monster in the eyes of all who saw him? why couldn't he be as beautiful on the inside as you said he was on the outside? why couldn't he just be happy, after all this time?

why? why? why?

dabi finds his answer hidden in the ashen battleground strewn with rubble and remnants of burnt remains. he finds it in the fear of his victims' expressions before the snare of death claims them in a flourish of blue inferno. it's written there in bold, ichor dripping from his fingers as they smear the message with red.

the privilege of living a normal life is, and always will be, beyond his reach. murder does not warrant mercy, and the only person willing to give it to him is miles away, still desperate for him to come back.

as fate would have it, you and dabi lived worlds apart, but you still look at the same sunset; the same array of stars forming constellations that told stories of your life shared together. they replay in his head like a record stuck on repeat, and only when the song ends does he find himself back in the clutches of his childhood trauma, rather than your embrace.

"dabi? dabi!" his trademark scowl automatically takes place when a finger prods and pulls at his cheek, the familiar voice of twice shaking him from his deep contemplation. jin has been so unfortunate as to suffer minor scorches from the ravenette's flames, on account of him being too bothersome at the wrong moments, and so he instantly backs away at the first indication of danger brewing in the air around him. with how on edge he's felt lately, he really should have gone on a walk to relieve some stress, but the looming knowledge that he can't go to the lighthouse would only ruin the trip.

dabi is fully prepared to smack jin's hand away until he sees what he's holding. he'd recognize that handwriting anywhere, and even without it, the scent of saltwater and freshly baked bread clings to the paper, altering him of yet another one of your efforts to communicate with him. dabi feigns indifference towards the object; quite the contrary to his thinning patience as twice waves it above his head excitedly.

"you've got mail! who's is from? probably a useless nobody! or maybe a secret admirer? but who would admire you?"

to his dismay, the commotion has grabbed toga's attention, and she veers over to their location with a giddy grin on her face. she all but drapes herself over dabi as he snatches the letter from jin, and it doesn't help his struggle when she clings to him like a koala. after a bout of kicking and shoving, he manages to break free of her grasp, grimacing at her lengthy, high-pitched whines of disapproval.

"and can you believe hawks was the one to deliver it? i didn't take him for a carrier bird. . ."

dabi doesn't hear the rest, nor does he intent to, because he's already making his way to the nearest exit with haggard breaths. whoever calls out for him and whatever they say are the last of his concerns right now, and they're abruptly cut off when he slams the door behind him. the summer heat wills beads of sweat to paint his forehead, but he soon finds comfort under the shade of a tree, cicadas buzzing noisily overhead. he would sooner keel over and die than thank the birdbrain hero for catering to him—and by extension, you—but now that the note is there, begging to be read, he can't help but feel some sort of gratitude.

"i need you to do something for me."

the bristles of hawks' feather hover over dabi's pulse in a threatening manner, but he feels no more in peril than he would at the cruelty of a baby chick. he knows the number two hero won't harm him, at least not without regretting it later, and this is the perfect time to use that to his advantage. hawks narrows his eyes at him, nose wrinkling in accord.

"why would i do anything for you after that stunt you pulled?" he snarls, and dabi almost has to laugh at the drastic switch in personality. the way he presents himself to the public is a true contrast compared to the persona only he and the league have had the pleasure of seeing.

"because if you don't, everyone will know you've been fraternizing with the enemy, and we wouldn't want number two falling off his high pedestal, now would we?"

this time, dabi audibly laughs when hawks' guise wavers. the other grits his teeth, slowly withdrawing the feather and allowing it to fall limp at his side. he revels in his victory, short though it be, and reaches into his pocket to procure a letter marked with your name and address. putting your location at the disposal of a hero isn't something he's proud of doing, but it's all he has left, and he doesn't have the resolve to tell you directly.

coward, his conscious mocks as he holds it out for hawks to take. the winged man stares at it with befuddlement, his movements stalling here and there when he seizes the paper between his thumb and pointer finger. dabi tuts lightly but menacingly, yanking hawks towards him by the wrist and igniting his quirk to leave a faint mark there.

"you're gonna deliver this for me, no questions asked. don't you dare open it."

despite the clear uncertainty, hawks took heed of the ominous demand and carried it out later that night. he had not expected a young man with tear-stained cheeks to greet him at the door, much less the endless babble of 'thank you's as you took the letter with shaking hands.

dabi hadn't wished for you to send one back, but the ongoing stream of them was considered fair, after he'd left without much of a trace. still, he had promised himself that he would never read them, for fear of it opening the wound inflicted by having to say goodbye.

dabi can't understand the sudden change of mind for the life of him, and yet, he finds that he doesn't care whether it opposes every rule he set to keep you safe—to keep himself safe. he tears open the envelope and slumps against the tree trunk, bark and leather grating together as he hesitantly unfolds the parchment, briefly shutting his eyes as a last act of resistance to the helpless cry from within; longing for the familiarity of your poetic words. instead of the delicate precision that was to be anticipated, dabi stared down at your messy scrawl, a carnal fear rising from within and causing his throat to clamp up. the memories begin to flash at a faster rate, like an old-timey picture film. dabi has just finished putting the kettle on to boil when hears the floorboards creak, followed by the sound of your slippers shuffling across the floor. he snickers, remembering that the only pair you have is the one he bought you; a well worn match that looks oddly like cloud bunnies. you've made sure to exemplify how much you love the gift by wearing them around the house on rainy or lazy days, all paired with a wistful smile. this morning is no different as you worm your way under dabi's hold and press your face into his chest, a satisfied groan escaping you when he cards his fingers through your hair and scratches the scalp.

the robe you wear is half-hanging from your shoulders, which makes for an enticing view from where dabi stands, but he simply kisses the crown of your head and continues waiting for the pot to simmer.

"did you hear that noise?" you slur, just barely discernable over the kettle's shrieking. dabi quirks a brow in question as you rub the leftover grogginess from your eyes, tiredly nodding at the back window.

"little past midnight, i think. coulda sworn i heard somethin' rifling around in the trash." dabi squints at this new information while eyeing your appearance. the dark circles and intermittent yawning indicate a lack of sleep, and if he weren't there to keep you steady, you might collapse onto the floor as a snoring heap. if it really disturbed him, he should have woken me up, he thinks, pulling you closer with an ever-deepening frown. you snuggle up to him as if it's second nature, sleepily giggling away when his digits stray too close to your side.

"s'probably raccoons, but if you're worried, i can stay longer just to make sure." you look up at him with nothing short of pure, unbridled adoration, cupping his face and squishing it gently, to your own entertainment. after a moment of consideration, you shake your head.

"nah, you're probably right."

the feeling hits dabi like a tidal wave, dragging him below the raging surface; far below where the light of day cannot touch. it suffocates him and brings rise to the sickening taste of bile on his tongue, but he doesn't have time to spare in throwing it all up, so he swallows it. withered patches of grass crunch under his feet as he peels himself from the tree and breaks into a dash, sparing your letter the flames fueled by his anguish as to let it drift in the breeze, the single sentence written on it already engraved in his mind.

it wasn't raccoons.

dabi doesn't care what shigaraki will have to say about this when he gets back. the only thing he cares about is that you'll still be alive to say anything to him when he reaches you, and that whoever has invaded your home is willing to die for what they've done, or what they're currently doing, and fuck—he isn't even sure if this is you calling for help or not, but he can't risk being right.

the distance between the base and the lighthouse feels lightyears apart, yet simultaneously at arms length when dabi is running at speeds he hasn't ever been able to achieve before. if he stumbles at any point during his sprint, or if he happens to bump into an unsuspecting civilian on the street, he doesn't notice. the resonant thumping of his own heartbeat is all that he can hear as he thanks the gods for the flow of traffic being so spaced out, otherwise it would be near impossible for him to reach you in time.

in time for what? he has to ask. dabi doesn't even want to think about the repercussions, but the scenarios arrive in rivulets despite the mental trapeze he goes through to push them down, and they only continue to grow into oceans; darker, colder and harboring thoughts too gruesome for even someone of his caliber to handle. he won't realize until much later that he'd forgotten to put on his disguise, but the way people ogle at him with fear and disgust does not suppress the need to protect you.

even now, he can sense the pressure building behind his eyes, though it's more painful that it used to be. dabi hasn't cried in months, and it shows by how unabating the rivers of blood trickle from his skin grafts, despite his feverish attempts to stop them. look at yourself, holding together by a thread and weeping in public like a child whose lost his mother in the crowd. it wouldn't have come to this if he had stayed.

something shifts in the scenery; a distinct line drawn between the city and its neighboring countryside; but it makes no difference to the impending peril that looms ahead. the closer he gets, the sooner he'll find you waiting for him, dead or alive. dabi staggers, his breath hitching at the thought, as well as the harsh sting of pain that erupts when his knee collides with the gravel below. he pushes himself forward in little time, a strangled yell ripping his throat raw as his vision settles on the top of the lighthouse, peeking over the hillside. you have to be there—you just have to. he isn't done with you yet, and you're sure as hell not done with him.

the earth is damp beneath his feet, and it soaks through the canvas of his shoes whilst he darts past the boulevard and onto your property, crying out to you. surely, you must hear him. surely—

dabi practically hurls himself at the front door, his blood running cold when it opens for him effortlessly and swings ajar to reveal the living room, upturned and scattered with broken bits and pieces of furniture. there's no sign of you or whoever did this. the oakwood flooring groans under his weight as he barrels down the hall, peering into every room, beneath your bed and any other place where you could be hiding. nothing. his search ends in vain at the front doorstep, where he stands hunched over and dry heaving. no, no, no. you can't be gone.

"y/n!" he shouts. his only response is the crashing of waves against the shore and the incessant cawing of seagulls. for a moment, dabi forgets how to breathe, and then the ability returns to him; his legs aching horribly as he rushes to the beach. the arrangement of rocks is sporadic at first, but they gradually form large clumps the further he carries on, urging him to squeeze between the narrower openings. it comes with some difficulty, but at last he is able to hobble onto the sandy coast and rest his sights upon the vast sea. he can recall when seeing its murky blue sea would have put him at ease, but now it only causes his senses to be clouded with distress.

"y/n!" the once calm ripples rise into rolling billows that drench the shoreline in frothy heaps of algae, wreckage and blood. it curls and disbands within the ocean to pollute its cerulean hues with ones of scarlet red, and just like that, dabi's heart sinks like the titanic. he'll never forget the sight of you, face-down in the water; your favorite shirt slashed to shreds, clinging to your body as nothing more than a tattered mess. dabi wades into the water until it reaches his ankles, completely numb to its freezing temperature as he sinks down to hoist you up. he rests you on his thighs and presses his lips onto yours with urgency, shortly pulling back so that he can thrust his palms upon your chest and push. he doesn't care to remember how many times he repeats this, but when he finally sits back on his haunches to release a stifled curse, the feeling of dread has only just begun to take control.

you've never looked so pale.

a guttural sob wrenches itself past his grinding teeth as more tears arise, dappling your cheeks like raindrops. it wracks his body and sends forth a surge of agony to course through his veins. dabi cups your face with a shaking hand, the other secured around your waist while he kisses you, his erratic pleas falling upon deaf ears.

"come back. . .come back." his bawling ceases to end, no matter the abrasive pain blossoming in his gullet.

"c'mon, doll. where's that sweet voice of yours?" his thumb strokes your bottom lip as though beckoning you to speak. when nothing follows, he makes a pathetic sniveling sound mixed with something broken; a blubber or whine, he does not know. the burden of your lifeless form causes the reality to set in; a dagger piercing his insides and twisting as to drag the most blood-curdling screams from him.

dabi loved you, and he wishes he had the strength to say it when you were still there. it was only within the presence of his own demons that he was able to utter his affections; curled into himself and waiting for a reply that would never come, carried on the wind that bit his skin. he loved you because you held him like a child when his father hadn't even the heart to acknowledge him as his own. you spoke his name—his real name—as though the blood on his hands was not there; like you had washed it away yourself through acts of tenderness that he did not deserve.

and now you're gone.

you're gone, and—

dabi's entire body jolts with a start, a familiar heat dancing across the grafts of his marred skin. a faint blue glow radiates from his fists, which are tightly fastened the weighted blanket that lays crumpled atop his legs. he lets go with a shuttering gasp, observing the black smudges that reside where his flames once were, then blinking owlishly at his surroundings. the room is shrouded in darkness, all save for the bedside table to the left of him that is dimly lit by a flickering oil lamp. that, and the spaces illuminated by the moon's brilliance, showering the floor with multicolored spots as it glistens through the stained glass window. something slots into place, but all it does is send dabi's mind into overdrive.

where is he? where are you? are you really dead? everything hurts.

his nails drag down the length of his arms, seeking some sort of comfort in the pain that blooms there. it doesn't last long, however, when the bed suddenly dips, and a soothing warmth is placed on the small of his back.

"touya?" you croak, your words lingering with the remnants of sleep. dabi—no—touya, swears that he could cry again, right then and there. his eyes flit over your torso, where several scars in varying sizes have desecrated the skin. as he idly traces the pink lines, one final memory surfaces from the depths of his subconscious. him, desperately pounding your sternum; the last threads of denial snapping in tune; and you, coughing and spewing both curses and whatever seawater that had clogged up your lungs. touya held you in that same position for hours, listening as your ragged wheezing turned into hiccupping sobs. hauling you inside had been no easy feat, and having to hear your muffled groans while he stitched you up by the crackling hearth was no better, but the evening after had been pleasant.

you could not recollect the face of the intruder, and with such little information to go off of, touya was left to wallow in self-loathing for love he had almost lost. no amount of therapy could prevent the following nightmares and panic attacks, but in time, the rekindling of your relationship was proved successful, and dabi was prepared to repay you for the moments where you consoled him.

it wasn't just a dream. it had all happened, and yet here you were, alive and well.

a pensive look crosses your features when you note how quiet touya is, and you take it as a sign to break the tension with a tried-and-true method from the past. he doesn't resist as you coo softly, pulling him under the covers and wrapping yourself around him, a garbled tune fleeing from past your lips before you press them to his shoulder. you trail the faintest of butterfly kisses along his neck, his jaw, his cheeks and so on. the anxiety coiled in touya's chest starts to untangle, leaving him as a trembling bundle of nerves in your arms as you shush him, your nimble fingers carting through his hair.

if he weren't so tired, he would have laughed at how the tables have turned; with you cradling him in the way he's so used to doing. still, not even he can deny that it feels nice to be held like this.

"s'alright sweetheart. i'm here. . ." you whisper, and the effect is instantaneous. touya stills as he inhales the scent of buttercream and fresh pine that wafts into the bedroom, his eyelids fluttering shut. all he can hope for is that your presence will drive away any nightmares that foreshadow his well-needed rest, and that when he wakes up in the morning, you'll still be at his side.

dabi made a mistake, and thousands more will come to pass, because underneath the grit and grime that makes up his callous exterior, there is a human being; struggling to survive and struggling to please, just as much as the next. but he'll never leave you again. he had promised you as such with the band of gold now encircling your ring finger, and as long as he lives, he'll never break it.

[tweedlydumbtweedlydoo]

the Consulting Detective | Spencer Reid x reader

Requested by @thekillingjoke-haha / Summary: The BAU is getting no where with a time sensitive case and you, the Consulting Detective from London, are called in to help.

A/N: Hi! I am so sorry for the long wait. I hope you enjoy!! xx 

Tag list is at the end. Let me know if you want to be added xx

**MASTERLIST**

Requests: {OPEN} CLOSED

** Rules for Requesting **

** Who I Write For **

********************************************************************************************NOT MY GIF, CREDIT TO OWNERS

“This case is time sensitive. You all know that.” Hotch informs the team who sits around the table, a mess of case files in front of them. Multiple children had been kidnapped and their bodies were dumped on the side of a highway 3 days later. Now, there was another victim and they only had a day to find her before she ended up like the other kids. However, the team had gotten no where with the case and were in dire need for help. 

“We’ve looked at every possible piece of evidence, but there’s nothing.” JJ says with a defeated sigh. 

Hotch is in his normal stance, his face serious and his arms crossed over his chest, “That’s why I’ve called in for help.” He turns his attention to the door as you walk in. 

“Consulting Detective y/f/n y/l/n from London. She’s a new set of eyes to maybe see something we don’t.” 

Spencer’s eyes are glued to you as you walk in, his heart pounding. Wow, you were beautiful. He watches as you set your brief case on the nearby table, giving a smile to the team, to him. 

“I want to find this little girl as much as you guys do. So please don’t see me as someone who is stepping on your toes and taking over this case. I’m here to see something you all may have missed.” 

Hotch introduces you to the team and you greet them with a smile and a nod, “So, how about we get started on what you all have so far?” 

~ 

“You all have profiled this unsub as a male?” You ask with curiosity, your eyes scanning over the crime scene photos. 

“Everything points to a male unsub.” Spencer comes up behind you, pointing at something on the crime scene photo, “The way he just laid out the bodies. He didn’t do it with care. A female would have dumped the body with care due to feeling some kind of remorse.” 

“Okay but that doesn’t mean the unsub isn’t a female.” You look up at Spencer, “Just because the bodies weren’t cared for when they were dumped doesn’t immediately point toward a male unsub.” 

“But statistically, that is how these cases play out. 85% are males who kidnap children are pedophiles.” 

“Okay..” You drag out, turning in your chair to face Spencer, “But these children weren’t molested. Right?” 

Spencer has no idea where you’re getting at. This was how he’d profiled the unsub, how the rest of the team had profiled. It was textbook and there was no way this unsub was a female. 

“Well, no they-” 

“The unsub could possibly be a female, but with no motherly instincts.” You point out and stand, making your way toward the board with all the crime scene photos, “Statistically most female unsubs are mothers, they care for the children even until their death. The women feel a longing to be a mother but some can’t and that in the future turns out to be an overwhelming desire to take a child and make that child theirs.” You face the team, who all wear confused looks. 

“But those statistics aren’t completely accurate or updated.” Spencer’s eyebrows furrow. A statistic he may have missed? Not possible. 

“Actually, yes they are. New statistics were shown a month ago at a conference in New York.” You correct. 

“Detective y/L/n has a point.” Hotch instructs his team to start looking at this unsub as a female, one who is not a mother and never has been. 

Spencer sits back in his chair, slightly embarrassed, but impressed with your ability to practically “out-smart” him. How could he have missed that new statistic? It was always his goal to keep updated no matter what. You never knew when you’d need a statistic.

~ 

“Hey I hope I didn’t step over your toes in there earlier.” You say to Spencer as the team are gathering their things to head out to a possible lead. 

“Oh..” Spencer shakes his head, “No. You didn’t.” You knew he was probably lying. You had overstepped and made this highly intelligent man feel small. 

“Okay good.. Cause that’s not what I was trying to do. I was only looking at the case in a different eye.” 

“I just can’t believe I missed that statistic and new research. It would have been great to know for this case.” Spencer frowns, “It’s a goal of mine to always be updated.” 

“It’s easy to let things slip through.” 

“Yeah I guess so. Are you coming along with us?” 

“Oh no.” you shake your head, “Not a field detective. I work the desk.” You let out a soft laugh, “I’m a poor shot. You guys wouldn’t want me around.” 

“Reid, let’s go.” Hotch calls out. 

“yeah. Okay I’m coming.” Spencer hurries out the door after the team, glancing back at you once more. You were already putting case files in boxes. He just hoped you’d still be here when they got back. 

~ 

The unsub had been caught and the little girl was returned safely to her parents. It was a good outcome, thanks to you. 

“What are you in such a hurry for, pretty boy?” Morgan teases as Reid was the first to exit the vehicle and already near the entrance of the police station. 

Spencer ignored Morgan and made his way toward where their room had been set up for the team. However, his heart sank when he’d found it empty, your belongings gone. He never even got to say goodbye. 

~ 6 months later ~ 

It was a special and much needed trip for the BAU team to visit their friend and former BAU agent, Emily Prentiss in London. They had settled in to their hotel and would be meeting Emily at her ‘flat’ for dinner later that evening. 

Deep down, he knew it was highly unlikely that he’d run into you while he was here. However, he couldn’t help but hope maybe fate would give him a second chance with you. While on the plane, he’d stared at the large map of London and wondered his chances of running into you in such a large city. Probably one out of 1000. London was a large city. You may have not even been in London while he’d be there. He’d looked at every possible outcome and decided, fate wasn’t on his side. 

Spencer being the guy he was, couldn’t sit in the hotel room and catch up on sleep like his colleagues. So, he decided to do a little sight seeing on his own. He’d already memorized the map of London on the flight here and headed toward the closest attraction. 

Glancing up, his eye caught a small cafe and thought a coffee might do him well. He opened the door and started to enter the cafe. His eyes were fascinated by the artwork on the wall and had not noticed the person exiting at the same time he was entering.

He quickly apologized, “I am so sorry-” His eyes met yours and you were already smiling up at him. 

“Is this your turn to step on my toes?” 

Criminal Minds tag list: @thelovelydreamer17​ , @la-vie-en-amour1​ , @mrs-joel-pimentel-23-25​ , @astra-inclinant-sed-non-obligant (possibly: @astra-x-inclinant​)  , @bluerose512​ , @lolychu​ , @varsityalthete​ , @televisiondreamstomorrow​ , @harry-hollands​ , @lumineshawn​ , @lyss-xo​ , @rexorangecouny​ , @sassy-hades​ , @britishspidey​ , @ateez-star​ , @l0ve-0f-my-life​ , @ceeellewrites​ , @newtkyloskywalkerstiliski , @in-some-fandoms​

All my works tag list:  @blossomreed​ , @mggstyles  , @simonsbluee​ , @thewolf-and-thesheep​ , @obxrafejjwhore​ , @abbiesthings​ , @itstaskeen​ , @reniescarlett​

[demonslayedher]

do you think the village where Uzui was born and raised is not on that kind of map because the location of a ninja village has to be hidden? I know it's a bit silly question but when I saw that in that map there were all the places where the other columns live and not the position of Uzui I thought wtf maybe it's because the position of a ninja village is hidden and unknown to the common people (???) from the last official databook we know that there really is a ninja village

In general, yes, I think it's because the ninja village location was kept totally secret from the general public. The "unknown" almost seems like a joke on the readers, like, "duh, THEY'RE NINJA, they hiiiiide."

But while we're on the ninja topic, hey! Uzui's Dad! What in tarnation were you thinking!!? Not gonna go that in depth, but let's talk about how Tengen's experience is not the ninja norm, and being hidden was probably a huge matter for the Uzui clan.

First off, let me break your heart: THERE WERE NEVER ANY REAL NINJA.

(Yes, go ahead, cry. Just two days ago I learned that the use of short swords with square hilts to set against walls and kick off of to start climbing was only fiction that got accepted as the ninja-loving public’s collective headcanon. I was....... naive............)

Or at least, it’s complicated. There is a sort of fanon image of ninja which took over the public consciousness throughout Edo and Meiji popular culture, long after (as Daki pointed out) there weren’t really any ninja villages left. Besides purely “wouldn’t that be badass” ideas and “hey, let’s make the Kabuki stagehands the ninja, that’d be theatrical” conventions, it’s also a matter of different specialized roles and skills having been spread out across wider groups of people who worked alongside or against the local warlords in the Sengoku/Warring States era, and they all just wound up getting clumped together into the idea we hold so dearly today of the ninja badass. 

But, accepting that the super-awesome-special-cool ninja is not quite reality but the standard in most ninja-related lore and culture, let’s think a bit more about the people who most closely lived up to the ninja image. 

While not the only ones, the most notable ninja villages were in Iga and Koga (in modern day Mie and Shiga prefectures, close enough to each other that you can wake your friends up early and announce that you’re taking them on a surprise day of ninja training and hit both spots before the museums close). The goal of these villages was to survive as local jerklords like Oda Nobunaga were raising hell and saying, ‘yeah, I want all these Warring States for myself. While they did enact guerilla work tactics that made their territory difficult (but ultimately not impossible) to take over, they also worked with enemies of their enemies by working as spies to collect and pass on information. And sure, yeah, maybe assassinations were helpful sometimes and it helped to have tools ready to defend yourself if you ran into anybody in the dark.

But they didn’t go on these missions all the time. Most of the time, they had to eat. They had to farm. They spend a lot of time farming. And since the whole village needed to eat, they spent a lot of time farming together. 

And yeah, the fact that they just looked like normal farmers was their greatest cover, and they did it well because they were farmers. 

So then you get Mr. Uzui’s “only the strong eat” ideas and I’m like, “...sir???”

We can very, very easily place the Uzui clan’s ninja background in the realm of OUT AND OUT TOTAL FICTION OF SUPER-AWESOME-SPECIAL-COOL style ninja, the stoic ones who an inspiration to us all when we need to pull off a smooth kill. But, I question, what is their clans’ motivation for continuing to exist? If he’s fine with killing off the majority of his potential heirs, despite the callous culture of having lots of wives for the sake of producing many, many heirs, then pure and simple clan survival is not the goal. If it’s to be the strongest among other potential rival ninja clans, then having a bunch of your strongest members kill each other off is also not a way to do that. Also, if (again) clan survival is the goal, and your clan is doing so poorly that you can only afford to feed a small number of your members, you’re not farming right. 

So where did the Uzui clan go so wrong? 

Let’s keep roughly the same timeline of close-knit villages trying to survive when harassed and slaughtered by samurai warlords and having to go underground throughout the entirety of the Edo period, but look at a different group: the Christian converts. 

The same might had happened in the Uzui clan, warped by centuries of direness to stay hidden, and nursing some regrets of not having been strong enough in the past, or perhaps, for having been too soft and affectionate and humanitarian and everything Mr. Uzui hated and wished to quash in his surviving children. 

Although Christianity was gaining popularity in the time (what we now think of as) ninja were active, it was pretty effectively outlawed and squelched in the early Edo period, but pockets of it stayed alive. Often the villages would all make the choice together whether to be martyred or to deny their faith and keep it underground, and those who kept it underground retained it with a remarkable degree of fervency, so much so that when missionaries were later allowed back into Japan they were impressed with how well the Jesuits’ teachings had been retained. 

However, the “Hidden Christians” had also grown into their own culture, and gained an identity somewhat warped by the experience of being so hidden, and for carrying the shame of their ancestors for having been cowardly and publicly denying the faith. This unique shame-shaped denomination of sorts is small, but can still be found in practice today. 

Tengen grew up in a fanatical cult, albeit one with less straightforward motivations that the cult Obanai was born into. While Obanai had a clear understanding of how physically escaping was his only means of physical survival, Tengen and his wives needed to break free of the mindset. As the women in their clan are not supposed to value themselves over their husband, they are dumbfounded when Tengen tells them their lives are the top priority, because this is so contrary to everything they’ve ever been told. The fact that Tengen would assign value to the lives of people who require assistance to protect themselves is also a major affront to everything they’ve grown up knowing, in which their leader (in this case, Mr. Uzui) tells them to kill, then without a second thought, they kill. 

With this perverted system of not valuing lives apart from their leaders, it’s unsurprising that core ninja skills like farming would have been lost. 

And hell, if Tengen had to completely turn everything he had ever known upside-down in order to escape it, then HELL YEAH, TIME TO DO ANYTHING BUT BE HIDDEN. Maybe he didn’t have it in him to kill his father and remaining younger brother and eliminate the rotten cultish clan for good, but being HELLA FLAMBOYANT is the second best option he’s got to stick it to him. 

----

So anyway. Two more thoughts: 

1. I’ll bet Zenitsu reads popular fiction and feels like he’s a know-it-all about ninja. But any time he starts to spout something Tengen’s like, “ugh, no, that’s not real, if ninja used swords with square hilt guards they’d jab themselves in the ribs.” and Zenitsu would be like, “...... >: [ “

2. When Tengen presents himself to be in the Demon Slayer Corp’s service, he probably divulges ninja secrets by offering his wives’ expertise in ninja memorization, encoding, and communication techniques for passing super secret spy info.

And Ubuyashiki smiles and says, “That’s nice, but we have birds. ^_^” and Tengen is like, “......>: [ ” 

[a-monsters-love]

Hi! Can please request some spicy headcanons for Tamaki, Hawks and Shoto losing their virginity with a fem reader ? Thank you!

Oh man yES, ahh I love these boys, I will do my best for the ✨spice✨

[Master List]

Amajiki Tamaki (Sun Eater):

boi that anxiety

Realistically it would take a long term relationship to get to second or even third base

He understands sexual desire but god if it only makes him feel more anxious

You need to become his wall

Literally

Instead of him putting his head into a wall he will start putting his head against your head or shoulder or back (idk how tall you are)

He LOVES your body

Claims you’re soft in all the right places

Loves the way you feel pressed into his embrace not that he could ever admit that

With that in mind

It would start with just embracing him

You’d offer your lap and play with his hair

He feels safe in your embrace

So

The two of you are cuddling

You’re both facing each other

You’ve pulled him into your bust like it’s a pillow and start playing with his hair with your arms wrapped around each other

And then it happens

Your breath hits his ear

You move slightly to adjust

It happens

You feel his grip tighten around you, forcing you to stop moving

“Maki? Are you okay?”

He’s hidden his face and you can feel the heat radiating from his blush

“I, uh, well… I d-don’t know…”

You’re obviously confused

Then you feel it

“We can stop if-“

He cut you off with a sudden burst in confidence and has you on your back while hovering over you

“I-I don’t want to…” His eyes slowly glance over you

Your shirt is loosely pulled down your shoulder exposing your collar bone and the top of your breasts and racked up your stomach slightly exposing your skin

His face was beat red

Yours was heated

You reach up for his face and pull him in for a kiss

When you start touching him something snaps

He’s almost feral with need for you

He has no idea what he’s doing

You have to tell him what to do

If it’s your first time too you MUST tell him when you like things

Greedy for how you taste

He’s needy

Praise kink

JeSUS THE PRAISE KINK

You must tell him that he feels good or what he’s doing is great etc

Will eat you out like you’re his last meal before death

*Ahem.*

Will 100% ask you what you need during/after

He will not know how to look at you afterwards but will cuddle tf out of you

Takami Keigo (Hawks):

So, on a real note

He probably didn’t lose his V card until after he got his own agency

He was raised and monitored by the HPSC since he was 6, I highly doubt they gave him the time

As much as we all agree he has a rut I doubt having one would make a difference in him popping his cherry

He got his agency at 18 and rose the ranks to being a top ten hero by age 20

So I high key doubt he had time to relax and take care of his sexual needs until about 20

The boi also doesn’t actually have friends

He wasn’t raised to make friends, only connections

Realistically you were probably a sidekick at his agency

You found him attractive sure but knew he never gave himself ‘personal time’

You made it your mission to give him the break you knew he deserved

You’d finish all his paperwork that didn’t need his signature

You’d manage to help make sure all the documents he’d have to submit daily would be quick and easy to go through

You’d kick him out of the office to make sure he went and got lunch

You bring/order him lunch when he refused

You kick him out to go home early when he could afford to

At first he didn’t notice

After a week he was confused

After a month he’d start to understand

He’d take time to thank you and make sure you were doing well with all the extra work you decided to take on

The first time he complimented you and your work you blushed a shade he didn’t even know you could get

It was over for you

He made it his goal to see that again

It started with flirty comments

Then he took you on a date

He researched everything he could on dating and what is ‘required’

He was aware of sexual intimacies

He had a sex-Ed class with the HPSC

What he wasn’t prepared for was having to use that education on someone he cared for (not that he’s ever used it before)

He watched you work at the office one day after doing his research like a predator would watch a prey it’s been stalking

Without realizing it he started fantasizing about how your thighs would feel in his hands

How your bust would taste

He wondered what you’d look like under him

He was curious to know what you’d sound like crying out his name

“-wks? Hawks?” Your voice calling him snapped him out of his perverted fantasy

His face blushed brightly as you stared at him with an eyebrow raised

“Can you come look at this for me?” You pointed to your computer

He nods and goes to stand up but quickly sits back down with his legs crossed “N-No I can’t, can you send it to me?” He give a nervous TV approved smile

Did he just stutter?

You give him a once over and he refused to make eye contact with you

You smirk when you see his ‘problem’

“I guess I can just take it home tonight” you shrugged nonchalantly and give him the side eye, “You’re welcome to come help if you’d like.” You crossed your arms under your bust making it more eye catching

He just nodded furiously

Never had he ever finished paperwork so fast

He nearly crashed into your patio’s sliding glass door like a concussed bird as he arrived

When you let him in he smothered your face with kisses as he kicks off his shoes and sheds his jacket and goggles

They were messy and needy

His usually accurate hands fumbled with the fabric of your clothing

You walk backwards and usher him to your room

You only pull away from the sloppy make out session when you fall back on your bed and pant for air

What he’s actually doing doesn’t hit him until he sees you under him

Clothes disheveled, skin and bra exposed, blushing and panting from his attention

A nervous blush set in on his face

You cupped his cheek, “Is this your-“

He nods before you can finish the question

What a cute baby

You didn’t press him any further but helped him with the clothing removal

You told him you can stop at anytime

He refused every time

The whines this boi makes when you first touch him

He’s a quick learner

You make suggestions and he quickly finds out how to please you

Before you’re even close to finishing you’re nearly certain that he wasn’t a virgin

Nearly

He seems to get harder when you praise him

He has the stamina of a god

He makes sure to memorize everything about your body

Memorizes what makes you cry and melt in his grasp

Stays inside you when you both finish

Buried his face into your bare breasts afterwards

Makes happy noises as he dozed off to you combing your fingers through his hair

Happy birb

Todoroki Shoto:

oh man

This fuckin’ guy

Realistically never cared for the topic

Not that he doesn’t feel the urge but just thinks nothing of it

He probably never realized he even liked you until someone pointed it out

Similar to Hawks he never really got the opportunity to think of such matters

Also same as Hawks would research the shit out of the topic

Boi didn’t know the word for ‘concert’ you really think he’d know shit about dating at first?

*ahem*

He’d take you on dates

He’d realize quickly how much he likes touching you

Touch starved babe

He’d go out of his way to touch you after he noticed how much he likes it

He’d initiate holding hands

He’d hug you randomly

Lay his head on yours or your shoulder or lap

One day he’d hug you from behind as you were doing something in your room

He’d wrap his arms around you under your bust

You’d smile and look up at him

You’d adjust yourself to holding his arms but you’d rub against him just right

Then it happens

The shock of the situation would cause him to freeze

You can feel his temperature control go haywire

“Sho?” You’d ask quietly

Then you’d feel it

To be fair it would be low key stabbing you

N E WAYS

You’d blush loudly

He’d blush and bury his face into the crook of your neck

You’d make a soft noise in surprise

He’d only get harder and more embarrassed because of said noise

You’d ask if he wants to do anything about it

“What?” He asks

I swear this boy doesn’t understand real life you can’t change my mind

You’d whisper what you meant

His grip on you would get tighter

He’d agree

He had a basic understand of how it works

You’d sit him on your bed and you’d sit on his lap

The two of you would make out and remove articles of clothing

The best at unhooking a bra clasp out of the three

Calm externally

Internally freaking out

You can tell by the crazy fluctuation in his temperature

“We don’t have to if you’re not ready” you’d say pressing your forehead to his

He smiles softly and kisses your collarbone

“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready but I want this”

You blush loudly at the comment

He moves you so that he’s hovering over you

You pull him into you and run your hands down his muscular frame

He’s surprised at how easily he melts in your touch

Like Hawks he’s a quick learner

Makes a point to ask if you like how things feel

Could get off on just making you feel good

Uses his quirk unintentionally to make you feel good

Leaves marks all over you without meaning to

Low key wants to mark his territory subconsciously

Kisses all the marks he’s left in the end

Does everything for aftercare without being asked

Pulls you into his chest and smiles into your hair

Snuggle bug

[bubblegumbeech]

The Librarian’s Trick

Day one Ectoberhaunt: Trick or Treat

https://archiveofourown.org/works/34213519

 1:

 Wes was certain this Cassius guy was a ghost. He had to be. Humans didn’t live on the outskirts of town in large decrepit clock towers that Wes was      pretty sure didn’t exist last week    .

 Humans didn’t have red eyes and white hair (unless they had a condition called Albinoism, Wes had looked it up. But Albinoism      also     meant they had no melanin      anywhere    and Cassius Dark was decidedly tan in an admittedly attractive but decidedly not Albino kind of way)

 Humans didn’t have fangs when they smiled but normal teeth whenever Wes tried to point out that      He had FANGS. They were right there!!!  

 Humans didn’t spend all their time either with Danny Fenton (who was Also very much a ghost!! Which should be in the list of proof but no one believes it so it’s seperate but still!) or mysteriously absent.

 And humans didn’t seem to know everything all the time but talk like a bad astrology website.

 So Wes was going to find a way to prove it.

 His first try had him sneaking a “ghost translator” he didn’t remember the stupid name Fenton’s dad called it when he bought it with his allowance, into the library where Cassius Dark supposedly worked.

 Supposedly, because while he could be found there, Wes had never actually seen him doing anything other than reading. And it was never a book Wes recognized, like, he wasn’t reading the Twilight series or anything. The last book Wes saw had been a large ancient looking tome written in a language Wes didn’t recognize. But Everytime he tried (subtly! He was super nonchalant about it!) to take a picture it ended up blurry!! And No Kyle, it wasn’t because he was      bad at taking photos    .

 But that didn’t matter because Wes had a different plan now. He was going to use the Fentons’ new version of their “ghost translator” thing, and see what happened. It was supposed to be both a translator and a truth decoder at the same time. So no matter what a ghost said, the device should say what they actually mean. Or something.

 With Danny, a bunch of innocuous stuff went off around him, but people always hand waved it as faulty tech. Wes wasn’t sure that was the case, in fact he was positive it wasn’t. But if he could get something useful to build up from, that would be a good start. And every good reporter needed a start.

 He stepped up to the Library’s front desk, where Cassius was sitting reading what was      clearly     a spell tome if the different summoning pentagrams in the open page Wes could see were anything to go by.

 “Welcome Young Weston,” Cassius said, the hint of a smile hidden behind his red eyes as he closed his book. Wes could swear they were glowing slightly. Geez did this guy get his ‘how to pretend to be human’ classes from      Fenton    ?

 … that would certainly explain why no one ever believed Wes, since that was a long beaten dead horse in his closet.

 He, very discreetly, had the device hooked up to one of his earphones, which he kept in one of his ears like any normal less than perfectly mannered teenager as he asked Cassius Dark his questions.

 “Excuse me sir? Do you work here?” he started with, it was a more or less innocuous question and one he actually wanted the answer to.

 Cassius Dark smiled. “I do.”

 My Job is all that was, is, and shall be. That which I set as my goal is beyond mortal comprehension and those I call master shall fall to my machinations. But yes, I get paid for sitting at this desk and answering questions sometimes. I am a ghost, fear me.

 Wes tried not to sweat too obviously. What the fuck?

 “Can you tell me where the journalism section is?” Wes decided to make a tactical retreat, at least his voice didn’t crack.

 “Straight back for eight shelves and then turn right. It’s next to the Non-fiction books.”

 I know what you’re looking for, I know why you are here. I know the exact time of your death and what will happen next. Your efforts amuse me though. I am a ghost, fear me.

 What Wes did next was not      exactly     fleeing. But it wasn’t      not     fleeing either.

 He’d have to try something else.

 2:

 The next thing he wanted to try was a bit riskier. If you thought about it a certain way. But it also wasn’t if you thought about it the way Wes did.

 He was going to use a phase-proof net.

 Genius, because unlike the translator machine thing, it would actually stop the ghost from attacking Wes if it got angered. Which it would, probably, since Wes was throwing a net at it.

 The plan was really simple though, he’d gotten a very large net, paid extra for the little aim thing, practiced half a billion times of his brothers before they went to the parents and got him grounded for a week, and then memorized the path Cassius Dark took in the mornings to go to his “job” at the library.

 Right now he was hiding in one of the leafier trees, right above the path that Cassius always used, waiting.

 And waiting.

 And…      waiting.  

 Honestly he was about to go home and was fairly certain this guy was going to be like, super late to work, when he finally appeared.

 Wes wasted no time aiming, making sure the trajectory was absolutely perfect, and firing the net off. He was just about to jump in celebration, watching the net as it curled slightly around its target, but before it could hit and wrap around him, Cassius was suddenly not there.

 Or he was, but just a little bit to the left, so that the net sailed harmlessly past.

 Wes cursed.

 3:

 The third one was fool proof. It had to be.

 Which was why Wes was staring at a large conspiracy board, covered in paparazzi-esque shots of the librarian and random notes he’d taken, all connected with a dizzying amount of red string.

 “Kyle, seriously. I need to figure out what kind of ghost he is or he’s always going to have the upper hand!!”

 Kyle just rolled his eyes and continued playing his video game, as if he didn’t care that Wes had set up his very important planning and plotting in the middle of the living room so long as it didn’t interfere with his own plans.

 “It has to be pretty powerful, he was able to dodge my net before it even touched him. And the translator thing clearly said ‘my goal is beyond comprehension’ or something,” Wes mused, “and he also said his job was like, everything?”

 Wes checked his notes, “yeah, ‘all that is was and shall be’. What could he mean by that?”

 His very annoying and clearly not taking this as seriously as he should brother just chuckled. “I don’t know Wes, maybe he can see the future?”

 That… no. That’s way too OP. Just the thought of it sent a shiver down Wes’ spine. There was no way a ghost could see the future right?

 Right?

 He had to test this theory.

 But how do you even test something like that?

 “Kyle, how would you test if someone could see the future?”

 “Throw something at the back of their head and see if they dodge?” He answered way too quickly.

 Wes thought about it for a moment. “No, what if they just have really good reflexes?”

 “Oh huh, I guess that could be true. No idea then.” He shrugged and Wes had to fight the urge to throw something at the back of      his    head.

 Whatever. He had to make plans.

 He’d tried just throwing things. It was risky, and kind of terrifying, but Kyle was right it      was     the first that came to mind.

 But Cassius never dodged. He was always just, not where Wes thought he was. Or Wes had      really bad aim,    which he didn’t!!! He was a basketball ace!! He had great aim! And great situational awareness!!

 So why couldn’t he hit Cassius Dark?

 Obviously it was because he could see the future. And the smug smile he always had when he knew Wes was looking reminded him an awful lot of a certain other Phantom.

 4:

 Ask him about his family.

 Easy enough. Especially without the Fenton’s weird translator because that might have been a bit terrifying. And also this time he had back up.

 He dragged Kyle by his sleeve into the library.

 “Mr. Cassius!”

 Cassius looked up from his book, removing the delicate reading glasses balanced on his nose. “Can I help you Mr. Weston?”

 “Yes!” He smiled broadly, taking out a small notebook that he had used to take notes on the suspicious and ghoulish things going on around town until it was mostly shreds of paper. “I’m writing an OP ED on the town library, and would like to know more about the librarian. Can you answer a few personal questions?”

 Kyle snorted and Wes had to elbow him in the side to get him to shut up. He was here as back up, not to ruin his plan.

 “So,” he began, “is Cassius a family name?”

 “No.”

 Wes nodded. And then frowned. Did ghosts have families? Supposedly they were alive once right? At least that was the general idea, Wes thought.

 “So what can you tell us about your parents? Like, what’s your father’s name?”

 Cassius raised an eyebrow, and had a soft smile filled with good humor. Wes felt it hit him like a threat. What was this ghost hiding?

 Well, other than the fact that he’s a ghost.

 “I can’t tell you much I’m afraid. My mother is long gone and I never had a father.”

 Kyle grimaced and elbowed Wes himself before saying, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

 “It’s no matter,” Cassius replied, still smiling, “I may yet see her again.”

 Ah, so either she wasn’t dead or he’s convinced she became a ghost too. That made sense. It could be his unfinished business as they say among the paranormal hunters. At least, the not fight-y and crazy ones.

 “So Dark was your mother’s name?” Wes asked, wondering if he could maybe find any records on her where he had failed to find them on Cassius himself.

 The smile slid right off his face. Wes and Kyle both felt the subtle chill in the air as Cassius leaned back and looked off to the side, as if to glare at something that wasn’t there. “No, I’m afraid Dark is my ex-husband’s name.”

 “Why keep it?” Kyle asked, completely ignoring the danger of the situation.

 The smile came back, except this time instead of soft and barely there as if he were indulging a child, it was sharp and twisted. He chuckled at an inside joke no one else in the room would ever understand and then he said, “Well, it’s not like      he     has any use for it now.”

 Wes paled. Had he killed his husband?!

 5:

 After a hasty retreat from the library Wes treated Kyle to a milkshake and fries at the nasty burger just as he had promised. Payment for going along with his ‘weird ghost theories’.

 But Wes couldn’t eat, he was too busy thinking. This one actually helped! He found information about the ghost’s previous life! He had a mother, but not a father, and had a husband.

 With the current politics it was one of two options. Either he was from a previous culture that allowed men to marry each other, or he was a more recent ghost than Wes had been expecting. He had already taken out his laptop and was scrolling through obituaries with the surname Dark, trying to think if he knew any off the top of his head that might have been in town when they died.

 Nothing particular came to mind.

 Wes’ thinking was interrupted by a loud, obnoxious slurping noise from his brother. He shot him a glare, but Kyle didn’t react. Wasn’t even looking at him. Instead he was looking out the window and watching one of the daily ghost attacks with Phantom playing hero as always.

 “You know, it’s kinda cool that they’re hiring actors to build the town’s lore like that,” he said, clearly ignoring the obvious evidence of ghosts right outside his window.

 “What the      hell     are you talking about?” Wes groaned, rubbing at his eyes. He needed coffee or something, it was a shame the Nasty Burger only served sludge no sane person would drink.

 Kyle finally looked away from the window, his eyes wide as if      he     was the one confused. “You know, how they got the librarian to say he was married to Pariah Dark? And then imply he’s the reason he’s a ghost?”

 Wes felt like the seat underneath him had suddenly disappeared. “Where did you get      That    from?!”

 “He said his ex-husband was named Dark! Pariah Dark’s Ghost Zone show is the first thing that comes to mind!” Kyle argued back. “Isn’t it?”

 Holy shit this guy was married to the ghost king.

 He thought back to the ominous answers he’d gotten that first day from the Fentons’ translator. Maybe he should leave this one alone.

 +1

 Wes was at the library, studying quietly and absolutely avoiding the librarian. Not that he’d seen him today, but it didn’t hurt to keep his head down. With any luck the guy had a short memory and would forget Wes had been trying to find a way to out him to the town.

 A portal ripped from the air in front of him, sending a static energy throughout the library and causing Wes’ hair to stand on end. It was a swirling purple, deeper and more… well      more     than most of the natural portals that Wes had seen appear around town.

 He wanted to scream, but years of living in Amity Park had fully trained that out of him. Screaming was the number one way to get a ghost locked on you as their first target. Especially if you were there when the portal opened.

 Before Wes could even think to duck under the table he was using a figure stepped out of the portal, poised and composed. He had a deep purple hood that seemed to swirl with the fabric of galaxies and a large ornate clock embedded into his chest. His skin was a rich blue and he had glowing red eyes.

 Wes recognized him immediately.

 “Oh, hello Mr. Weston, is there something I can help you with?” Cassius Dark asked.