#lighter x wise

[cheeweekiwi]

Based on that trust event where you can borrow his shades ❤️

[jiro-sensei]

WHO WAS GOING TO TELL ME...

THAT ZZZ IS NOW AN OTOME GAME?!

From motorcycle date to being super protective!!! 😭❤️ I can't with this game!

[yierrem]

lighterwise brainrot but its the song nasa iyo na ang lahat because its quite literally them, i fear….

like…

“lahat na mismo nasa ‘yo; ang ganda, ang bait, ang talino […] kaya nung lumapit ka sa’kin ay bigla akong nahilo; ‘di akalaing sabihin mong ako na ‘yon ang hinahanap mo”

eng trans: “you already have everything; the beauty, the kindness, the brains […] so when you approached me, i suddenly got dizzy; i never would’ve thought you would say the one you’re looking for is me”

lighter whose heart was slowly but surely captured by wise who’s smart, caring, and attractive in a quiet, almost gentle way (definitely not projecting my super secret big fat crush on wise). the proxy’s too good for him, though, he thinks. wise is skilled at what he does, whether it be through managing the video store or working as phaethon. he’s amicable, too, even if he’s a little mysterious or closed-off sometimes, and, to top it all off, he’s pretty…

but all lighter can do is admire from afar. he wouldn’t want to impose on wise. besides, he probably has a lot on his plate due to the two jobs he has to juggle with his sister and, considering that the proxy had such a well-rounded personality and attractive characteristics, there was sure to be lots of people in pursuit of his favor.

(that's not to say lighter isn't attractive, though. he literally gets love letters-- which usually come along with letters aiming to challenge him but that's irrelevant-- and i do have eyes, thank you very much.)

he just thinks he's too much or not enough to be a lover for wise. lighter's past isn't quite as clean as he'd like it to be and he believes he's a little rough around the edges in terms of emotional availability, personality, and appearance, among other things.

so when the proxy confesses one day, the biker’s brain just... ceases all its functions because ??? what??? me?? he feels nothing and everything all at once because wise (wise!!!) just told him he likes him romantically. while he struggles to process this fact, a surge of courage just runs through wise and he pulls lighter in by the lapels of his leather jacket and its game over for the undefeated (now defeated) champion.

...sarap siguro magmahal pag panalo.

eng trans: must be nice to love if you're a winner.

[roseyrays]

lighter x male reader x wise poly relationship anyone?? :3

[sukzuuhh]

lighterwise wip>:]

lighter is the complete opposite of what I was expecting him to be. He is just so adorable when he talks to wise 🥹😔🤏

[pocket-luv101]

Everlasting ‖ LighterWise

Fandom: Zenless Zone Zero Ship: LighterWise

Summary: Wise is uncertain if he should invite Lighter on a date to the concert.

The store was quiet as they approached closing time. There were only a few customers left lingering over the display case of movies. Wise sat at the counter and twirled a ticket around his finger. He felt grateful for the quiet so he could think of what he should do with the extra ticket. Should they give it to a friend or use it to promote the store with a raffle?

His sister begged him to use Fairy to help buy tickets to Astra Yao’s upcoming concert. She was a widely loved and talented singer so her concerts would sell out in mere hours. Wise couldn’t say no to his sister so he bought a ticket for her. Unexpectedly, the next day, Astra sent the siblings two tickets for her show. He thought of what they should do with the extra ticket.

Wise gaze moved from the ticket to the large storefront window. He couldn’t deny how his heart skipped a beat when he saw Lighter’s broad back. They hired Lighter to promote the store for the day and Wise took the opportunity to simply watch him. Throughout the day, Lighter had awkwardly approached customers to recommend movies and chase away rebellious teenagers who loitered next to Random Play. Those different aspects of Lighter were endearing and intriguing to Wise.

“So, are you going to ask Lighter on a date?” Belle’s voice startled him. He slammed his hand on the desk to balance himself before he could fall off his chair. When faced with her brother’s frown, she only grinned back at him. They were close siblings and she knew that there was little that could make him truly angry at her. She slid onto the chair and he shifted to share half with her. “Give the ticket to Lighter. I know you want to. You don’t have to worry about me. I can enjoy the concert with Eous.”

“I can’t consider dating anyone right now. I’m too busy and there are risks.” Wise whispered, cautious of the customers. Most who overheard him would assume that he was referring to managing the video store. His life was far more complicated. Between working as a proxy and trying to prove his teacher’s innocence, he didn’t have time for romance.

He couldn’t stop himself from stealing another longing glance at Lighter. The sun was setting and he was reminded of how he looked on Settlement Days. The soft hue of the sunset complimented his red scarf and the shadows they created highlighted his well toned body. Despite Wise’s earlier protest, he had imagined what would happen if he confessed his budding crush.

Wise quickly shook the image from his mind. “We need to be careful, Belle. Lighter knows that we’re Phaethon but what will he think about Teacher? Starting a relationship while keeping secrets wouldn’t be fair to him. I don’t want to endanger Lighter with our investigation either. Anyways, I don’t even know whether he likes me.”

“How can someone be so smart yet dense at the same time?” She sighed.

A chime rang as Lighter entered Random Play. Wise silently gestured for Belle to end the conversation. He hoped that Lighter wouldn’t notice how flustered he was as he stopped in front of them. He placed a stack of flyers on the desk and then gave Inky a quick pat. “It’s closing time. I flipped the sign on my way in. Did a lot of people come in?”

“We were busy today thanks to you, Lighter. A few girls asked us to give their numbers to you. They’ll be surprised if they learn that Inky is your favourite fan.” Wise joked and nodded at Inky nestling against his hand. He hated to admit that he was jealous of a cat. He picked up Inky and cradled it in his arms.

Seeing an opportunity, Belle bumped her shoulder against Wise’s and pushed him off the chair. He couldn’t stop his fall while holding Inky. Lighter reached across the counter and grabbed his arm to catch him. He pulled him forward with more strength than he intended and Wise stumbled into the counter. Wise didn’t feel the slight pain when he found himself so close to Lighter. He felt heat rush up his neck to his cheeks.

“You okay, Proxy?” Lighter’s brows furrowed when Wise turned away from him. He assumed that he was too rough when he caught him in a panic. He didn’t want to hurt him but he had rushed forward without thinking the moment he saw him fall. Growing up in the Outer Ring, he was rarely shaken. Wise became one of his rare exceptions. A simple fall wouldn’t have hurt him but he still had the instinct to protect him. He didn’t fully understand the reason why yet.

“Sorry, Wise, I just remembered that I need this chair.” Belle said innocently but Wise knew her intentions were far from that. Her smile never faltered as he frowned back at her. She picked up the chair and added: “I’ll be stocking the movies in the back. Don’t forget to ask Lighter if he can drive you home tomorrow. I need the car after Astra’s concert.”

Before he could stop her, Belle scurried into the storage room and left them alone. He knew that his sister only wanted to help him but he wished she could be more subtle. Wise could feel Lighter’s expectant eyes on him even through his sunglasses. He looked down at the concert ticket and tried to think of how to invite him without revealing how he felt.

Wise slid the ticket across the table to Lighter. “If you’re free tomorrow, do you want to go to Astra Yao’s concert with me? You don’t have to feel obligated to agree because of what Belle said. I know it’s a long drive from the Outer Ring. I can call a taxi.”

“Isn’t this the singer with the cool sunglasses who you introduced to me? Lucy said she has a great voice and it’s not easy to get praise from her. I’ve only heard a few of her songs on the radio.” He leaned against the counter and gave him a lazy grin. They were close enough for him to see his unique eyes through his shades. “Do you think my sunglasses are cooler than hers?”

Wise couldn’t imagine someone as handsome and confident as Lighter to be jealous or possessive. Whether his question was simple teasing or possessiveness, excitement made his heartbeat quicken. Even when they were standing next to a celebrity like Astra or Monica, he couldn’t take his eyes off Lighter. “You’re the undisputed champion in many things.”

“I…” He had received countless love letters but he never considered dating anyone until now. He found himself flustered and fumbling over a response. Lighter was glad that the other Sons of Calydon weren’t there. They would tease him that the undefeated champion was helpless against Wise. Burnice already poked fun with Caesar for enjoying romance novels and she would no doubt be more relentless with him.

Lighter’s ringtone interrupted the moment. He leaned away from the table and took out his phone. They could both predict that it was Piper reminding him to return before the sun fully sets. Wise was disappointed that their night would end soon. A part of him wondered whether it was selfish of him to want so much of Lighter’s time.

He glanced out the window and towards the winding road to the Outer Ring. New Eridu wasn’t far from the town but he knew the sun would set by the time Lighter reached the highway. He asked: “Do you want to stay the night? It’s already late and driving at night is dangerous. You won’t be able to see if a hollow expands onto the highway.”

“I have a carrot and ethereals can’t catch me on my bike. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done it.” His words were meant to reassure Wise yet his frown only deepened. He playfully poked Wise’s forehead so he would look at him again. “Trust me, Proxy.”

“How many times have I told you to call my name?” Wise sighed. He was the one who decided to distance himself from people to keep his secrets safe. In spite of that, the casual dismissal stabbed at his heart. “I know you’re strong. That won’t stop me from worrying about you, Lighter. You have to be careful because… You have people waiting for you at home.”

The Sons of Calydon were like family to Lighter but they rarely questioned him when he disappeared on missions without telling them. That was the nature of life in the Outer Ring, afterall. He didn’t know how to respond to Wise’s open concern. Lighter reached across the counter and his fingertips brushed over Wise’s hand. He didn’t hold it like he wanted to though.

“Don’t make that face, Wise. I’m not going to do something reckless. I have to take you to the concert tomorrow.” Lighter slipped the ticket from Wise’s hand. With that promise, he left Random Play.

The artificial lights and constant noise of the city always made Lighter feel out of place. The concert only further exasperated that. Lighter sat in the crowd of waving lights and excited fans. The excitement of the concert was still tangible in the atmosphere even after the curtains fell on stage. For someone’s song to affect so many people, he understood why Astra Yao became popular. 

He rarely had the chance to enter the city outside of work or to buy supplies for the Sons of Calydon. Life in the Outer Ring was slower and had more risks but it was home to Lighter. Recently, he would drive to New Eridu to simply spend time with Wise. The eclipsing city didn’t bother him as much when he could focus on Wise. Lighter leaned against his bike and watched Wise and Belle say goodbye to each other. 

The siblings were close and he didn’t want to interrupt their conversation. Though, he was a little confused why Belle would take the car and leave Wise to go home alone. It would be simple to drop off Wise at their store and then go on her errand. If Belle hadn’t invited Lighter, he would’ve offered to take Wise home himself. He didn’t like the thought of Wise walking alone in the dark. The dangers of the city were different from the Outer Ring but he still wanted to protect him.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Lighter.” Wise called out to him as he stopped in front of him. His reply was a quick nod as he climbed onto his bike. He waited for Wise to sit behind him and wrap his arms securely around his waist before he lifted the kickstand with his heel. He expertly wove between the cars and left the concert hall’s parking lot.

Soon, they were on the road back to the store. The wind rushed past them but Wise barely felt the push while protected by Lighter’s strong body. They had driven together on his bike a few times before but Wise felt his heart beating faster than usual. Was it from the concert or the anticipation of the night drive? The lyrics of Astra’s song echoed in his mind and he tilted his head back to stare up at the starry sky.

With one hand, Lighter tugged on his arm so Wise was holding him tighter. “Be careful or else you might slip off. That’s dangerous in the city with all these cars.”

“Starlight illuminates the horizon. A memory that belongs to us. Everlasting.” He spoke the lyrics of the lulling ballad that ended the night. He shifted closer to Lighter so he could talk to him without needing to raise his voice over the passing wind. “I was just thinking that it’s a shame we can’t see the stars as clearly in the city. They’re drowned out by the streetlight and neon billboards.”

“The stars?” Lighter mumbled to himself. He didn’t say anything further before he drove his bike off the familiar path back to Sixth Street. Wise was confused by the sudden diversion but he didn’t stop him or question him. He trusted him and his curiosity was piqued.

Traffic became sparse the further they drove until they reached the highway and they were the only two left. The even hum of the engine and the sound of the night replaced the constant rustle of the city. Wise glanced back to the city that was now a soft glow in the distance. He wanted to hold Lighter tighter but he was certain that he would be able to feel his heart racing in his chest.

He stopped his bike at the side of the highway where they could overlook the Outer Ring and New Eridu beyond that. Most would prefer the city but the view in front of them left Wise breathless. The rustic charm of the desert and canyons reminded him of Lighter. At first glance, they could appear rough and scared. Wise fell in love with the resolute man who survived those struggles and continued to fight for those he cared for.

He didn’t tell him directly but he understood why he brought him to the cliffside. It touched his heart that he drove him to the Outer Ring based on such a small comment. Wise climbed off his bike and walked to the guard rail. He leaned against the cold metal and gazed at the endless sky. He felt Lighter’s warm breath brush over his ear before he saw him stand next to him.

“The Outer Ring doesn’t have much over the city but we have the stars.”

“I never thought that one place was better than the other.”

He knew that Wise was honest and his words were different from the empty platitudes that others told him growing up. Staring at the night sky, Wise’s turquoise eyes were soft and wistful. Lighter injured his eyes and it caused him to be sensitive to light. He didn’t mind wearing shades because it dulled the colour of blood. Now, he was grateful that he could see Wise clearly in the dim moonlight.

“The concert was fun. Though, I was waiting for another person to attack and force us to save the show. You attract danger like a movie hero, Proxy.” Lighter joked and let out a soft laugh. “It’s nice to have a relaxing night like this. You were cute singing along with the final song.”

“You heard that?” A bright blush appeared on his cheeks and he quickly broke his gaze from Lighter out of embarrassment. He was swept into the moment and sang with the crowd. Wise assumed that no one would notice because they would be focused on Astra Yao and many others were singing. “Don’t make fun of me. My sister is the one with the beautiful voice between us.”

“You’re too humble. It was nice.” Lighter hesitantly lifted his hand to Wise’s face. When he didn’t pull away, he ran his fingers through his silver hair. “There’s a guitar in your room. Do you play?”

“I don’t play that often and it’s more of a souvenir of life before Hollow Zero. The Academy wanted Belle and I to be well rounded so they enrolled us in every class they could. Belle’s more skilled with music. I preferred the more analytical classes such as programming. I remember one time, Belle almost got caught playing video games in class instead of finishing the algorithm.”

“That sounds like a fancy school.” Wise silently cursed himself for mentioning his time in the Helios Academy. Lighter was so easy to talk to and he lowered his guard without thinking. Luckily, he didn’t connect his school to the prestigious Helios Academy.

“It was a regular school with a gifted program. They saw how ambitious Belle is and they thought I had some potential too.” Wise quickly added. The mixture of lies and truth was all that Wise could give Lighter in that moment even though he wished he was able to tell him everything. He looked up at Lighter framed by the stars.

Wise made a promise to himself that he would confess everything to Lighter once he uncovered the truth about his teacher. Until that day came, Wise hoped he could keep Lighter by his side. He shifted closer to him and leaned his head against his shoulder. “It’s cold but can we stay here a little longer? The stars are beautiful tonight.”

“Starlight illuminates the horizon. A memory that belongs to us. Everlasting.” Lighter sang softly.

[razorfartz]

lighter and wise are literally each other's whole world brah 😿🩷🩷

AAHHH ILOV THEM SM !!! 😭😭🩷🩷

[peachy-mp3]

12 Days Of Christmas #2 - Trapped Together In A Snowstorm

The Face Of A Lover With A Fire In His Heart Day 2 - Trapped Together In A Snowstorm Zenless Zone Zero - Lighter x Wise Warnings (if applicable): Spoilers for Lighter's Trust Events and overall lore! Word Count: 1687 Words

the face of a lover with a fire in his heart (1687 words) by peachy_mp3 Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Zenless Zone Zero (Video Game) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Lighter/Wise (Zenless Zone Zero) Characters: Lighter (Zenless Zone Zero), Wise (Zenless Zone Zero), Inky (Zenless Zone Zero) Additional Tags: 12 Days of Christmas, Ambiguous Relationships, Spoilers, Fluff, Light Angst, Mild Hurt/Comfort, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Regret, Flirting, Blizzards & Snowstorms, Movie Night, First Dates Summary:

Lighter gets stranded in New Eridu due to a freak snowstorm and he seeks shelter at Random Play, more than happy to slum it with his favorite companion. Wise has no intentions of letting him leave until the storm subsides tomorrow, though, so he says that Lighter has to spend the night.

Not that Lighter is complaining, though.

@12daysofchristmas

[r0-boat]

🪶 anon here! Can I request headcanons for ZZZ Lighter, Billy, Anton, Ben Bigger, Wise, and Lycaon reacting to being under a mistletoe with his gn crush please?

Oh my God Oh my God I'm so late.

Pretend it's Christmas! just pretend! shut up!!

ZZZ Boys react being under the mistletoe

You smiled and chatted with a little group of your friends, the managers at random play hosted a Christmas party in their parking lot and who are you to decline your best friends! With a few chairs and tables Christmas lights and even a giant projector playing classic Christmas movies it quickly became very lively Even some of the people running the shop next door brought homemade food and treats, and some alcohol. After a drink or two and introducing yourself to a few people, You somehow made your way under a familiar green plant with someone you knew.

Lighter Lorenz

He'll try to act like he wasn't the one who tried so hard to look so casual standing close enough between you and the mistletoe. He'd been trying to get you underneath all night, And now that you're right next to him he had to hold back how much he was smiling as all he did was look up.

"Well, would you look at that... I'm not too familiar with the rules, are you?" The big fat liar said, letting a little curve of a smile grace his freshly moisturized lips from the chapstick he had used earlier. He was already sneaking his arms around your waist pulling you closer to kiss him. You decided to not call him out for his blatant lie as he almost completely took the lead and kissed you.

Billy Kid

He generally thought mistletoe was a myth, a myth that someone like him would never be under a plant like that. He didn't even know that The plant actually was a real life plant until Nicole had to explain to him what he was underneath. And once everything hits him all at once.

Billy.exe stopped working

He doesn't care if he can't feel your soft lips, the fact that you kissed him counts. But damn it was one of those days where he really wish he could feel maybe he should get that skin sensation update. It's expensive but any price he would pay to feel your lips again.

Anton Ivanov

The most chill out of everyone. "Oh I'm just giving you a kiss? Sure!" As he goes in to kiss you. Using the mistletoe as an excuse to kiss you has him fist bumping the air.

Anton is the kind of guy who makes his feelings for you known. He's also so blatant with his feelings that you think he's joking. If it was anywhere else on that mistletoe, he would have kissed them on the cheek or something, but no, for you. He makes sure to kiss you where it counts. He'll even ask "do you want more?"please say yes he would like that.

Ben Bigger

Poor bear he's practically shaking. Despite being twice your size He scared that he might hurt you or nip you on accident with his sharp teeth. "You don't have to if you don't want to... You can just kiss me right here." He says with a smile His claw pointing to his cheek. He could never accept a kiss from your lips. It's not the right time!

He'll make sure to bend to your height. His eyes closed, bracing for your soft lips. He could hear his heart pounding so loud that it drowned out everyone else. He hopes no one is looking. He might die from embarrassment or cardiac arrest, whichever one comes first.

You surprise him by touching his cute face and kissing his little nose. He hopes that you can't see his blushing face through his brown fur, but he's not helping to hide how he feels with his paws covering his face.

Wise

Damn it! He told his sister not to hang up that thing! And when trying to take it down you just so happen to bump into him. His eyes went wide as his heart jumped in his throat instantly forgetting what he was doing. His voice cracks as you point out the mistletoe that he's trying to reach for.

"Y-yeah That's there... Um... So listen you don't have to if you-" You were done hearing it as you kissed him on the lips. Thanking his self-restraint that day for swallowing his internal screaming. But he couldn't do much to hide the blush on his face as he smiled. "Forward aren't you... Save some for me." Four words that he will be regretting for the rest of his life.

Fine, the mistletoe can stay... For now, he'll have to thank his sister later.

Von Lycaon

To him a mistletoe is childish, Even as a younger pup He thought it was a little stupid. But with that bright smile on your face how could he refuse. Why spoil your fun? You look so happy to see him and you're cute face always makes his tail wag.

"where would you like my lips to lay?" He asks. When you appoint to your lips his eyebrows flick up for just a second before his smile widens. "Who am I to turn down such a request." He can't help but give you a little extra pressing his nose against your hand before moving to kiss your lips. Now he definitely understands the appeal of mistletoe.

Asaba Harumasa

He would probably take the mistletoe that is tied to the ceiling and bring it over to you. He taps your shoulder and jiggles it in his hand with a smug smile. He will regret this for the rest of his life, but who cares? He has a little alcohol in his system, and you're right there. His heart could burst when he felt your lips against his. He wanted more so badly. He tried to pull you in closer. His eyes were half-lit as if he were under a spell.

He had to stop himself from going in for another kiss. Your lips were so perfect. He wished he could do more than a quick peck, but with people watching, he couldn't just slip his tongue in your mouth.

[kiwicopia]

Did you get 2 requests?

The first one is "NSFW headcanons of his female s/o spanking ZZZ Wise, and Lycaon"

The second one is "NSFW headcanons of his female s/o spanking ZZZ Lighter, and Anton"

Thanks! Please take your time though!

Anton

"You wanna do... what?"

There's slight apprehension towards the idea, at first, but give him some time to think about it. Anton will, eventually, come around to testing it out in bed, and bed only.

With a safe word in place, and after the first three smacks, he's silently questioning himself on why he didn't try this with you sooner. Admits in passing, after the session, that he enjoyed it enough to try it again.

Won't admit early on about how he liked the way each smack on his ass made his cock throb with need, but there were signs. Anton prefers the rhythm being out of sync. Not knowing when a slap is coming just ups the anticipation of the impact, and it just might make his cock throb again. It absolutely does.

Lighter

"Mm, 'kay."

He confused spanking with something else, at first, but that first slap sent a sudden jolt through his body, causing his cock to ache for another. Lighter tries to keep his cool with each repetitive smack against his ass, but he fails miserably.

Soft curses fall from his lips each time your hand makes contact with his ass, and he can't help it when the word "harder" slips out. He's used to enduring pain in battles, but this is different. The red-hot sting leaves him craving more.

Will eventually bring up using a paddle. It isn't that he opposes your hand, because that's not the case. He's just slightly curious to feel the difference between the two. If anyone mentions hearing anything, he's just silently denying it all.

Von Lycaon

"I beg your pardon?"

Apprehensive at first, but eventually gives in after some coaxing and reassurances that this isn't because you're mad at him. The first smack has him groaning, claws digging into the sheets while his tail gives a little wag.

It shouldn't feel good to be spanked so harshly, but he can't help that it makes his cock twitch. Give his tail a little tug while smacking his ass and it gets him going, causing his hips to hump against the bed.

Call him a "good boy" during a session of spanking and he's creaming all over the sheets. Will try and deny that he likes it. Can't beat the good boy allegations here.

Wise

"Seriously?" ... "You're being serious."

He thought you were kidding when first mentioning it, but Wise is a "try things for the first time" type of dude, so he gave it a go. It felt silly for him to be bent over against the bed, but all of those thoughts left his mind after the first two smacks. He liked the way his body jerked forward and how his dick rubbed against the edge of the bed.

A bit vocal with grunts and groans, but he'll throw in the occasional beg here and there when he's close to spilling. Likes it when you keep a steady rhythm and will especially enjoy it if you incorporate a paddle or a whip. A bit of a guilty pleasure for him.

Wise secretly likes the marks that are left on his skin. Won't make eye contact or even answer when someone points out that he's walking a bit stiffly. He just sat in his chair for too long. Not like he was bent over it moments prior.

[luminique]

hear me out: lighter with a reader who's sick, tired and dehydrated 24/7 with very deep eyebags. he's effortlessly doing pushups while you sit on him but you can jog for 5 secs without becoming a panting mess.

imagine him u up like a bunch of grapes and manhandling u

oh that is so me. he has shown in game that he would tease you a little for it (he laughed at our poor attempt of pull ups) but i don’t think he’d be mean about it. if you really wanted to, he’d help you get started so that it isn’t intimidating but he wouldn’t force you to do it. he would DEFINITELY try to help you live a healthier lifestyle in other ways like cuddles to sleep earlier, getting drinks together, etc.

i think something that’s fun to think about is actually helping lighter when he’s practicing/exercising. he feels a lot more motivated when you’re around but he doesn’t want you to just watch him. if it’s an actual fight, sure he doesn’t mind, but this is precious time that could be spent together.

so now he has you keeping his feet down while he does sit ups. it doesn’t ask much from you and he gets to see your face, unlike sitting on him when he does push ups. it’s like a reward in a sense, your voice counting each rep and your smile that just pushes him to do more every time. he doesn’t know if he’s feeling weak from the exercise or from your presence, as he’s beginning to slow down.

you observe that he’s getting tired, sweat running down his face. he doesn’t wear his shades when he’s practicing, they just get in the way sometimes, so you can see the focus in his eyes disappearing. “6, 7, 8,” you continue counting for him, keeping a mental note of how many reps he has done until now. just before he finishes, you decide to give a little boost of motivation to him. he gets ready to sit up, taking his time to ensure he does it safely. right as he sits up, you place a little kiss on his nose and he doesn’t register that for a moment. his body was ready to lie back down but then it stops half way and then it clicks in his head. a smirk on his face before lying back down, his heart rate increasing from both the exercise and you.

also i do think that he can easily manhandle you. his hands on your waist and you’re up in the air, placing you on the nearest surface. but if there’s anything that you’ve shown clear discomfort to, he would never do. i don’t think he’d slam you into a wall or anything like that, but instead would pin you to a wall slowly mhm

[queenendless]

○•°♡ GIFT ♡°•○

A/n: Dropped Phantom Parade all to play this game for my #1 man who is the reason being me playing a Hoyo game. Everything about him is too good to ignore. So forgive me for this writing dump.

~Also this is now an impromptu piece for his birthday today so happy birthday you beautiful man~

Pairing: Adult!Lighter Lorenz x F!Adult!Reader

CW: Kinda spoilers for the game, but basically fluff/intimacy with our dear Champ. My first time writing for Zenless and for Lighter so please go easy on me. I hope you enjoy.

“Hey there.”

Butterflies raced through you, nerves getting to you, as the sight of the Red Scarf Champion walked through the front door the moment you walked in from the parking lot, trolley filled with sealed boxes stuffed with new inventory.

“L – Lighter.” Your heart skipped a beat as his amused grin grew.

“Are the managers around?”

“No, they had to make an emergency run and won't be back for a while. Left me and Eous in charge in the meantime.” You avert your gaze, turning your back to him to focus on settling the weighty box at the top of the stack down on the floor, using your box cutters to pry it open, eyeing the newly obtained video tapes. A looming shadow enveloped you as a tape was presented right before you.

“In that case, here. I’m returning this video.”

“Thank you. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“Actually, there is.” You gulped at how easy it was for him to take the second to last packaged box from the trolley and rested it on his bicep, literally flexing his strength for your eyes only. “If I asked you to go out with me, would you?”

Your brain screeched to a halt, winding back the reel tape, in the hopes of making sense of how you had gotten to this point.

The fact of the matter is, the past few weeks were spent readjusting to a new life in New Eridu on Sixth Street, bunking with the siblings, and working for them full time as compensation for all their aid, you had seen this man around Radio Play as long as you have been there.

Introducing you two to each other and explaining your situation, Wise and Belle exchanged knowing looks as Lighter offered his gloved hand for you to shake, your mesmerized gaze and smitten smile not going unnoticed.

And ever since then, every time he visited the store to either commission them or just to rent another tape, your nervous shy smile and waves resulted in his sole pupil peaking out over his shades twinkling intriguingly, lips curling, as he chuckled softly at your goofy self trying not to stare too much while nearly knocking into the store counter with packages still in your arms. Belle’s exasperated giggle filled the air as she tugged you in the staff room, Wise sheepishly apologizing on your behalf.

So how did all that come to this?

“Excuse me?”

The surprised look he gave had him clearing his throat, setting his box down, awkwardness showing through, featuring a new side of Lighter for your viewing pleasure. “Going out. D – Dating. With … me. Just you and me.”

“Uh … can I ask … what brought this on?”

“To be honest, being the Champion for the Sons of Calydon has always been my highest priority. It didn’t leave me much room for dating. But before, I never really thought much about it, believing that I had all I needed.” He fell so in tune with you, helping you unload and slide those tapes in the display racks, his shoulder brushing yours so slyly. “Despite the fans and admirers I’d gotten over time, I was never interested. Until recently, that is.”

The friction that came in, the air thick with such sexual tension, had you turning the corner to the other side of the display, stealing a glance at him, in between slotting in some tapes. “I see.”

He had on quite the bashful expression to get you going doki doki. That small red tint to his cheeks and him coughing into his gloved fist made you gush internally. “I am serious, though. I get that I can be stoic and intimidating. But just being around someone that’s as gentle and carefree as you kinda – no, really – lightens me up.” The sudden cringe got a laugh outta you, his lopsided grin got you blushing more. ��Even your laugh is adorable. And that blush … I just can’t get enough of you.”

You got a tickle in your dry throat, ducking your head, remembering you still had his return tape in your grasp. A rom com. You then felt those leather bound fingers brushing yours holding said videotape. You flinched back at how close his face had gotten the moment you looked up.

“I can see I make you nervous. I don’t mean to … but I admit … it is kinda cute.” Pressing the videotape to your face to hide your flustered state was as futile as it was enjoyable to him. “And trying to hide your face just makes me wanna see it more.” His gentle yet firm prying, pulling the tape away and setting it aside, he grinned at spotting your pouting look. “I’m asking you, not as the Red Scarf Champion of the Sons of Calydon, but as Lighter … will you be my girl?”

The arrow did pierce your heart at his honest confession.

Oh, how can he be so cute and handsome all at once?!

The sudden tug on his red scarf by you pulled his face in, right into yours, as your timid chaste kiss met his lips. A few slow gestures had him curling against such sweet succulence.

“Yes.”

Your whispered consent got him going.

Such smooth swift movement swooped in like a blur, expected from a former boxer, as his arm draped snugly around your sides to make you spin at how easily you melted within his grasp. Your touch starved self never thought they’d ever be satiated, let alone by the very man you couldn’t help but fall for the day you met him in the flesh; his handsome, noble, honor bound self.

His gloved hand weaved through your hair, held the back of your head, pulled you gently closer, ready to make his own kiss go deeper. Your hum brought delight to his ears, sensually moving with your lips, to pull more pleased sounds out of you. Your hands trailed up his jacketed chest, careful when moving through the spiky details, brushing the nape of his neck, giving him goosebumps as your sneaky fingers gently but firmly massaging his skin.

“Keep turning me on like that … and I'll really never let you go.” His low purr surprised you as much as his seriousness did. “I mean it.” Your hand moved to cup his cheek, your thumb rubbing circles, as your other hand brushed through his dark teal bangs, velvety to the touch.

The deep hums he responded with by your actions had you smiling all dopey like. Your forbidden desire, your inner longing, seeped right into your core. “Then don’t.”

Your eyes dare peek open only to feel breathless by how that one lone green eye with scarlet encircling his pupil burned with such a primal longing; not unlike your own gaze.

In a moment, your back was flushed against the Staff Room door. His hands were on both sides of your head, keeping you caged, blocking the front door out of your sight.

Two firm pricks tugged on your bottom lip, carefully so as not to draw blood for his sake. The sight of his fangs brought shivers throughout you, his toothy grin bringing a beautiful blush out of you, licking your lips with enough persuasion to have you open up.

Running your hands along his back, your tongues danced together, sounds of wet lips smacking being heard had got Bangboo 18, 6 and Eous acting flustered as evidenced by their digital face screens, befuddled at how miraculously no one had entered the shop to see such the passionate public display.

Lost in the depths of intimate liplock for a while when puffs of heat were exchanged as you broke apart, taking in much needed air, his hazy eyes staring into yours with an added layer of tenderness.

“Getting light headed, are we?”

The cheesiness had you snort. “Quit it.”

His nose lightly brushed yours. “Thanks, by the way.”

Your petal soft peck to his cheek had his lips curling. “For saying yes?”

He nodded, his mouth whispering heatedly in your ear. “And on my birthday, no less.”

Your face glowed and your eyes swelled up all chibi like at this new revelation. “Aw, you could have told me that sooner, you know~!”

His eyes crinkled with mirth at your adorable self. “Well, now you know.”

The abrupt sound of the bell ringing followed by rough coughing had you two on edge as your faces turned to spot Wise raising a suspicious brow and Belle giggling quietly behind him as the siblings caught you red handed.

“We're lucky it's a slow day. Otherwise you two would be swarmed by Lighter’s fanbase. Especially if they saw your PDA.” Wise sighed with caution.

“Sorry we took so long. But Caesar and the others messaged us while we were out about the big news. Happy Birthday, Lighter!” Belle cheered.

“Thank you, manager.” He was able to keep a steady gaze, even as he pushed off the wall to give you some breathing room, but that did not keep him from your side.

“They also invited us to a party in Blazewood to celebrate~!” Belle was over the moon for it.

Lighter sighed, exasperated. “I told them they didn't have to throw me a party. But they insisted.”

“I guess we can close shop early today.” Wise spoke.

“ … Unless you two would rather be left alone right now~?” Belle teased.

Your head drooped in burning shame. “No, a trip would be fine, thank you very much.”

“This will also be your first time visiting the Outer Ring. If we're planning on spending the night there, you may want to pack some things.” Wise pointed out.

“Really? In that case, let me be your personal guide. The Sons of Calydon are gonna wanna meet you, after all.” The suave bow and taking your hand in his just for you to feel him smirking against your knuckles had you nearly get a nosebleed.

“Come on, Y/n. Let's get packing.” Belle dragged you upstairs by hand before that could happen.

And yet your dazy eyes looked back to Lighter whose burning gaze followed you, bewitching you further by his very presence.

By the time you girls got your bags packed, Wise was already in the driver's seat of the van with his stuffed bag and Eous in the back seat. As Belle got into the passenger seat, you approached Lighter as he straddled his motor bike, with your stuffed bag strapped to your back.

“Your chariot awaits, my lady~”

“Is that my pet name now?”

“And lots more where that came from. Now, you better hold on tight. It's gonna be quite the ride.” Snugly pressed against his back, you hugged his waist tightly as the engine roared to life. He leaned into your embrace as he took the lead with the Random Play van following shortly behind, going down the usual route, outta the big city and down the highways.

Resting your cheek along his spine, you become entranced by the changing landscape from buildings to the outback like land.

Spotting the town in the distance, he felt a bundle of anticipation and anxiousness in the pit of his stomach.

He's dating you now.

And he was gonna introduce you to his crew – his closest friends – his found family.

Wonder how that's gonna play out.

He hoped for the better.

After all, you are quite literally the best present he could ever receive, indeed.

[jiro-sensei]

So, my only options to communicate with this man are...

1. Very mindful, very demure... Not too much.

Or

2. Please love me?! 🥺❤️

Wise is all about this man 😶

.....

OMG HIS RESPONSES 😭🎉

[yierrem]

dating headcanons - zzzero men edition (((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o)))♡

ft. gn!reader x anton ivanov, ben bigger, lighter, von lycaon, wise ; no applicable warnings! my first request (i tried to finish it before christmas in my timezone, but still, merry christmas to the anon who requested this :DD and to those reading!!) hehehhe i hope its good enough｡ﾟ(ﾟ´ω`ﾟ)ﾟ｡

anton ivanov

you cannot look me in the eye and tell me this man isn’t the type to yell “this is for you!” or “if i hit this you give me a kiss” and completely miss whatever target he’s supposed to hit. he hits it. sometimes. he still gets a kiss anyways.

[“dude” “we’re literally dating and you’ve placed your lips on mine do NOT call me dude.” “…babe”]

big on gift giving and words of affirmation in terms of love languages. he makes sure to put a lot of thought into whatever he gives to you to properly convey his appreciation and show just how much you mean to him.

"strong, sincere, and straightforward." he's definitely the type to encourage you to try new things especially when you're the type to get easily nervous. if you're scared of looking stupid, don't worry; he'll do it with you hand-in-hand so you can be stupid together. becomes your no. 1 hype man and would give you his honest opinions whenever you need ‘em.

you see or hear him talking to his jackhammer bro for the most mundane or random things and you've become used to it at this point. its honestly endearing (you're hopeless)

["bro do you think they'd still love me if i was a worm?" "vroom vroom vroom" “you think so?” “vroom” "yeah, you're right."]

ben bigger

scary bear privileges meaning no one wants to mess with you knowing that you're dating someone who cuts such an intimidating presence but you know better than them because ben would much rather use his paws to tap away at a calculator or spreadsheet than willingly get into fights.

on that note, he's most likely to be the best companion for grocery shopping; he'll know how to get all the good discounts and haggle for the best prices for sure.

best cuddle partner to have during colder seasons no. 1. although he puts his fur care second, it's still soft and fuzzy to the touch and he likes that you appreciate the warmth it provides too.

since he struggles with some of his accounting responsibilities due to the size of his paws, sometimes you help him with sorting some of belobog industries' financial documents and eventually you end up finding the task quite relaxing after a while of doing it.

but, of course, he loves spending time with you outside of work. anything to take his mind off of the horrors of accounting. he'll mentally file away anything he learns about you when you're together for future purposes, may it be gift or date ideas.

he's the bear thiren between both of you, but in private he loves cuddling against you like you're some sort of plush toy. you don't mind. another win-win situation because you get to rest against him like a giant pillow as well.

lighter

he tries to be flirty with you and sometimes it works! but when you match his energy and it backfires on him he turns into a blushing mess who doesn’t know what to do with himself.

also the type to want to show off or act all suave. he has an image to keep as the undefeated champion! the red scarf! (he’s internally giggling and kicking his feet from one [1] cheek kiss you left in passing).

date nights with him sometimes consist of drives on his bike and stargazing at a nice little spot he found in blazewood. then halfway through, he’d get distracted from seeing the stars in your eyes and think that its a hundred times better than the real thing and fall in love all over again.

“gets as many challenges as love letters” but he makes sure that you and anyone who tries to make a move know that he only has eyes for you. could be in the form of having an arm around your waist or his jacket on you when you feel cold.

a physical touch and acts of service guy because. well. he did say he’d like to die for love one day. that’s a very romantic thing to say and do. also his heart still races whenever you hold his hand but he swears he’s getting used to it (he isn’t). probably melts when you gently run your fingers over his face or any of his scars

i honestly feel like he's one of those "me and my bae don't argue they just tell me to shut up and i do" types.

von lycaon

an ideal date for him would be a fancy dinner or picnic somewhere nice and discreet. complete with scented candles, your favorite flowers, and homecooked food (which probably tastes better than anything you've ever eaten at any restaurant). then at some point when both of you have finished eating and you're both in conversation, he brings your hand up to his lips and leaves a kiss on your knuckles.

["darling, your face is...concerningly red. are you feeling alright?" "i'm fine. i think."]

you WILL be receiving that prince/princess treatment (threat). breakfast in bed when he isn’t busy, spontaneous massages offered when you mention ONCE that you feel tired, and all that jazz. you probably will never have to open another door yourself with him around and he ALWAYS offers his arm for you to take when you're walking together.

best cuddle partner to have during colder seasons no. 2. just prepare yourself for horrendous shedding as summer begins… but you don’t mind helping him brush through his fur (*´ω`*) its therapeutic and you’re one of the very few people he trusts with the task so its a win for both of you.

since he's a wolf thiren, he sometimes unwillingly attracts the attention of stray cats and dogs; he usually pays them no mind but it is somewhat of an inconvenience for him. however, the sight of you playing with them while quietly cooing eases some of his discomfort. seems like you aren't the only one suffering from cuteness aggression.

his guilty pleasure is squishing your cheeks in his hands. no i will not elaborate

wise

this is one of the random play managers we’re talking about, so. movie date nights are mandatory. both of you alternate when picking movies but sometimes you bicker over options like an old married couple just for the fun of it.

a lot more chill when it comes to PDA but he can be flirty when he wants to be. if he knows you have a weak spot for it, he uses it to his advantage to get what he wants. scheming little minx. /pos

words of affirmation and quality time guy, i think. since he's always so busy with managing the store and completing commissions alongside belle as proxies, he makes the most out of the time you guys can spend together alone. even if it's just laying in his bed or on the couch doing nothing together sometimes.

everyone and their mothers and grandmothers on sixth street will probably know that you’re dating or figure something out at some point even when both of you don’t really do much together in public/are trying to keep it on the low. never underestimate these aunties man

unfortunately for wise, he will become the target of teasing or nagging from belle when it comes to your relationship. once you get close enough she'll also share embarrassing stories from when they were younger or before you and wise started dating much to her brother’s chagrin.

secretly likes clinging and cuddling up to you like a koala. both of you are in bed? oh okay, don’t mind him, he’ll just scooch a bit and wrap his arms and legs around you, claiming that having you in his bed helps fix his insomnia (it does, to some degree). [“wise i can’t move.” “you don’t need to.”]

on the days you help out with tasks in random play, you could quite literally just be standing while doing something and then you’ll feel a pair of arms sneak around your waist from behind as he leans his head on one of your shoulders with a quiet, satisfied sigh.

[roseyrays]

This was originally a Lighter x Reader idea but I vibe with Lighter x Wise more so here ya go, also this is a yap session, you can do whatever you want with this idea

Lighter x Wise, but it’s doomed. By that I mean the relationship is impossible. Lighter just can't open up, he just can't bear losing one more and being used like the debt collectors used him. So he made a vow to not make deep connections to spare himself the pain of loss. He cares about the Sons of Calydon, he says that it’s just a basic level friendship, but they’re like family to him. He denies it, but once he realizes, he’ll shut himself out. The same happens to his and Wise’s relationship, and Wise can't stop it, he’s helpless. No matter how hard he tries to help, Lighter’s walls are too built up, too hard to break down. If the relationship gets started, which I doubt it will, it’ll just be constant stress for both sides, constant arguments about Lighter shutting himself out and not making an attempt to heal, constant arguments about what Lighter views as an attempt to heal, and constant pain on both sides. No matter how much they love each other, pain will get in the way.

Yes, this is based on Ekko and Jinx’s relationship and the song “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” from Arcane, how can you tell?

Oh my gof oh my god

This could work for both reader and wise lowkey haha

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SENDING ME THIS

😣😣⁉️⁉️🩷🩷

[postmoe]

Can you do a Yandere ZZZ men getting rejected. like the genshin version same reason that they just weren't their type and misunderstood. Also I saw this art about Seth older brother.

https://x.com/yougei_/status/1872198958057169238

omg pls if Seth's brother isn't something cool like that. They bring him up slightly in Harumasamasa story and I was so O.O tell me more.

Happy new year everyone! Welcome 01/01/2025!

Wise, Ben, Billy, Anton, Seth, Lycaon, Lighter, Harumasamasa - drugging, fighting, suggestive themes, I think i made it pretty gn so it could go either way, knocking out.

.

Wise:

It takes a lot of courage for someone introverted like him to speak up about his feelings. He goes through all the possible scenarios before even bringing this up, deciding that if he's going to be true than he will shoot his shot in person and not message you the dozens of deleted texts he had initially typed.

That's why when you say 'no', it's very disheartening but he's not all that scared about the consequences.

"The city is a terrible place, you know? Generic crime is the least of its worries, not when corruption is rampant in every security and business corporation that exists."

You're not really listening to his rambles, shoulders shaking as you cry through the gag in your mouth, saliva ripping down your chin. Your arms are tied tightly behind you, around the back of the chair you're sitting on and preventing you from moving freely. When Wise finally removes the blindfold from your eyes, the room around you is blurred by your constant tears. He has the generosity to wipe them for you, seeing your a concrete room with a few necessities. A bed in the corner, a small couch, a television with some movie tapes (nothing too scary), a small, wooden coffee table. You see a mini fridge ahead and the bottom of a staircase. There's no windows, though a mirror behind a plastic sheathe in front of you shows a room behind you with a toilet and possibly a shower.

Despite your spit coating your face and the hyperventilation through your nose, he tenderly cups your chin and kisses the corner of your mouth, almost shyly if it weren't for the heated glint in your eyes, "Humans can adjust to anything, with time. Don't worry, you know I'll always keep you safe, with or without your consent."

+-+-+-+-+

Billy:

"What do you mean?! It's because I'm a robot, isn't it? That's low, starlight, suuuper, suuuuuuper low."

You shake your head, smiling innocently with your hands up to indicate that that's not the case at all. "Billy, you're one of the most charming people I know-"

"- Then date me! C'mon, I promise I'll be the perfect partner for you. I'm your knight in shining armour, after all! Literally," he taps against his chest to make a 'ding ting!' sound.

You refuse the laugh that bubbles up, thinking back to all the times he has 'coincidentally' been there when you needed it most. "Yeah, about that... I wanted to talk to you..." How do you say this? 'Billy, be honest, have you been stalking me?' It is probably best to just be out with it, "Have you been following me, Billy? It's kind of weird that we keep running into each other all the time, especially whenever you seem to think I'm 'in danger'." Which could literally be you mis stepping and having him rush over to you in worry from seemingly nowhere.

As a robot, you'd think one of the better things he was capable at was lying. However, the animated nature of his gives him away too easily. He knows that all too well, deciding it was easier to just come out with the truth. Billy nervously rubs the back of his neck, "Ah, Anby said it would come across as creepy... But, you have to understand from my perspective, starlight! You're made of breakable materials. Flesh, bones, muscles, meat, it's all something that can be so easily taken advantage of."

With a sigh, you shake your head, hoping to get through to him since he obviously has the wrong idea about your species, "No, we're not that fragile. Humans-"

"-No, but, see, you are!" He's too into it now, grasping your wrist with little effort. You step back in shock, wincing at the pain, asking him to let go but he doesn't. Billy's voice is softer, the yellow lights of his eyes narrowing in on the pained expression your face so easily portrays, "I'm not even using a lot of pressure here. If you listen closely, you can hear the splitting of your bone. No, seriously! Put your ear to it," he holds up your wrist when you start to cry, looking around desperately for anyone nearby. It's late, not even a bangboo in sight.

With a loud 'snap!', your voice chokes and your crumple to your knees, except Billy doesn't let you fall to the ground. He picks you up in his arms and holds you to his cool, metal chest. He's cooing over you as you cry and cradle your wrist. You look up with such a hurtful expression, "W-Why did you do that? I need a hospital."

As if something clicks, he quickly changes mode and started fretting, holding you tighter, "Oh, shoot! Dammnit, starlight, why'd'ya make me do that? I didn't mean to go that far. Hah... Come on, let's get you home and fix you up. No more late night escapades, 'kay?"

+-+-+-+-+

Ben:

The guilt riding him when he takes you is immeasurable... He knows it's for the best. Statistically speaking, you're more likely to get hurt without him around to protect you. It's just unfortunate it had to go this route.

At the moment you were in a cage in the corner of his home office, shaking with anger and cold as he had stripped most of your clothes in punishment, your arms restrained behind your back and a blindfold to keep you more sensitive. He checks the time on the corner of his computer; it's only been 20 minutes.

Once you rejected him, he had seemed to take it in stride. It wasn't meant to be, sometimes you see a juicy fish just too late and miss it, he had to move on.

But he couldn't.

Your fiery attitude and boisterous laughter filled the calm void inside him. You are everything to him.

So one night, when he's walking down the street to clear his mind, he sees you getting off work late. When salmon travel upstream to go home, it's the bear's job to catch it. Or, something like that. With the way his mouth salivates and his body jitters in excitement, he can't help but compare you to a delicious meal, even if he doesn't want to devour you - in that sense.

Once you wake up, you fight, of course you do. He doesn't necessarily blame you for it, but, bad behaviour needs to be punished. It's when you tried to bite through his thick fur did he snap. Intentionally hurting someone is a no-go. Though, it is your first offence. Another ten or fifteen minutes and he'll let you out.

"I don't want to keep you trapped here forever. I'd like if we could go out together, too. We just need to be civil about this," he states, hoping to appeal to you with calm incitements.

Instead, you grit your chattering teeth and curse, "Fffff-uck yo-ou."

His shoulders sag, his frown deepening as he turns back to his monitor to continue working.

+-+-+-+-+

Anton:

He and his bro had spent countless hours rehearsing and none of the answers to come out were negative. So, how is it that you say anything but a resounding YES?

"I dunno," you say, shyly rubbing your arm as you avert your eyes, "I just always thought I was one of the guys. Whenever you introduced us it was always 'Anton and his two bros'."

His jaw goes slack as his brain catches up. It takes a moment of cogs turning and mathematical calculations as every moment he's ever 'friend-zone'd you comes flashing in his mind. Then, he bursts out laughing, his large hand coming to land on your shoulder, "Dude, no way! Okay, I can see where you might think that." In a completely different display of affection, one you haven't exactly experienced from a man like Anton, he runs his hand down your arm and catches your own hand in his, collecting your other as well to intertwine his fingers and hold you close. He swallows the lump in his throat, as though saying it a second time is harder than the first, - though in his defense, he and his bro had concluded that you would say yes after the first confession, this wasn't in the script. "I really do like you, (Y/n). A lot. I'd do anything for you."

Anton truly is one of the sweetest people you know. However, "I'm sorry, Anton. I think our lifestyles are just too different to begin with. But hey! I'll always be your bro!"

It's getting awkward, and you have to tug a few times before he lets go. With a small farewell, you turn on your heel to leave and give you both some time to think. He will be okay, Anton always bounces back, no problem!

Except, he doesn't. In another turn of events for someone like him, he zeroes in on a nerve near the back of your neck and hits it hard. Immediately, you collapse into his arms, unconscious.

The drill on his hip shifts from the adjustment he has to make to carry you, causing him to look down before averting his gaze with a guilty conscience, "What? Don't look at me like that, they were getting away! Besides," the smile of his is unparalleled as he stares at your sleeping face, "We just need to show them their place with us; they'll come around."

+-+-+-+-+-+

Seth:

He knows it's wrong, it's so wrong. The stalking. The lying. The manipulation. Saying something as, "Wow! What a coincidence, I didn't expect to see you here, (Y/n)." is enough to make his heart hurt with deceit. You deserve better, you deserve the word.

But you just won't listen.

You run down any empty alley to help someone who calls for help and have been scammed and attacked four times this month because of it. Yes, he knows he does it too, but, he has the skills to deal with it! It also means your money gets stolen easily and you're left with cup noodles every night for a week because you can't afford a proper meal. Not to mention your sleep schedule taking a toll because you refuse to close up shop if a customer is taking their time because you don't want to 'hurt their feelings'. Or what about that cat bite that struggled to heal because-

Seth takes a deep breath, calming his racing and distraught thoughts. His superior Zhu Yuan said it herself, "If someone I love kept putting themselves in danger, then I'd step in, no questions."

He's offered countless times to handle things, to get you to call him in any sort of emergency, and wishes so badly that you would accept his feelings rather than saying something stupid like you'd get in the way of his goals.

Why is he so scummy?

The sound of the lock to your shop is loud in the empty street. It's 11pm, you usually shut at 9 tonight. You're so tired and unconcerned that you don't even jump at his presence when you finally turn around. Your parted lips spread into a smile, tired eyes crinkling as you greet him, "Officer Seth! What a lovely surprise, are you out patrolling?" When you step forward, you notice that he's hunched in on himself, a prominent frown on his usually cheerful face, ears back and looking solemn. You come even closer, unaware of any possible signals he could be giving you to stay away, "Seth? Are you okay, what's happening?"

Instead of saying anything directly, he just walks forward until his body meets yours, collapsing into you for a hug. You let him melt in your embrace, hands coming up to rub his back gently and pet the soft tufts of his hair, murmuring how you're there for him. He has to stop his hand from shaking when he holds up the injection pen, calmly moving your hair away from your neck as though he was simply returning the favour of comfort. "I'm sorry," he mumbles into your skin, his own tired eyes closing to shut out the world, allowing it to be only him and you, "It'll only get worse if I do nothing, and it's already so bad now."

You don't have time to ask him what he means, the sudden pressure in your neck causing you to yelp. The sting comes after the shock, you try to pull away but he doesn't let you move, only continuing to squeeze you against him as your legs buckle and go numb. "Seth...?" You whisper his name, looking up with such a worried expression that he can't help but smile softly.

"No, dummy," he lifts you up when your arms go paralysed next, walking in the direction of his car, "You're supposed to scream for help when something happens."

Your lips wobble as you begin to cry, unsure of what your dear friend is planning by doing something like this. His car comes into view and you shift your head against his chest, voice weak, "Help."

"Shh," he hushes you, savouring your warmth in the quiet night, "It's too late for any of that now. You'll be safe with me."

For weeks he had been dealing with this dark, malicious substance oozing through his veins at the prospect of doing something so criminal. Now, though? Now, as he holds you and feels you and sees you in front of his, he feels like everything is suddenly right with the world. He must've been overthinking everything like usual.

+-+-+-+-+

Lycaon:

You shouldn't be so surprised to see that Lycaon has such a nice apartment. His job isn't exactly middle class and he rarely spends money outside of his fur upkeep products.

Still, as you sit the wet umbrella in its plastic sheath - curtesy of the building staff - next to the door way, you can't help but look around in awe. There's no a lot going on, a large lounge that has enough space for at least ten people, accompanied by a larger tv that is currently off. An open kitchen, hallways to the left and right, an upstairs with a balcony over half the floor plan.

And a lovely table and chairs by the floor-to-ceiling windows that looked over the city of New Eridu, which was currently pouring with rain and being illuminated by lightning.

Lycaon was standing by the lovely table, placing down the teapot down after pouring two cups before turning to face you. In an unusual turn of events, he wasn't wearing his signature uniform which you have grown accustomed to seeing, instead, he was in a simple black, buttoned down shirt and long pants. He hadn't changed the patch and belts on his face, however, which he regards with a tender touch and explanation, "Apologies, I barely had time to change before you arrived. Even though I invited you over, it's unforgivable of me."

You purse you lips at him, walking towards the set-up and stating, "You said you had feelings for me and yet you still talk to me like I'm one of your clients."

The corners of his lips tick up in a dejected smile, "I suppose it's habitual at this point. Besides, I'm still a little unsure how to go about this."

He pulls out the chair for you to sit, your body resting in the comfortable cushion on the hard seat. It takes you a moment to realise that what you said probably wasn't the best call right now. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that... I was just trying to lighten the mood."

This time, his smile is a little more sincere, "Please, do not worry about it. Our previous meetings have been a tad awkward so I understand."

This relaxes you greatly, your shoulders sagging in relief. You turn your attention to the hard rain hitting the windowsill next to you, the home is warm but you're close enough for the cool air on the window to still hit you, "It's really coming down, huh?"

"Indeed," he agrees, not that he could really argue against it. Lycaon takes your cup and opens a small sugar bowl, taking a spoonful and stirring until it all dissolves, "I believe the forecast stated that it would be storming all week."

"I hope the outer circles are okay, they tend to flood easily," you mindlessly pray, accepting the teacup once he's placed it back on the saucer. You both enjoy a silence of words as you sip from your respective beverages, the rain soothing your mind.

Lycaon's ears flicker every-so-often to the sound of thunder, an endearing attribute to witness. You wonder if days like these would be common if you had said yes. It would be nice, but, you know now just isn't the right time for something like that.

Lycaon considers differently.

He clears his throat after a while, once you both had enjoyed a substantial amount of tea, "I must admit, my reasons for inviting you over are not quite... honourable."

You finally look away from the drowning city lights and to your friend, "What do you mean?"

He sets his palms in his lap and takes a deep breath, exhaling from his mouth to steady any unease, "I'm afraid I won't be allowing you to leave here, (Y/n). I've contemplated back and forth about my actions and decided that this was the most favourable outcome."

Confusion hits you before any sort of fear or anxiety, "Huh? Are you going to kill me?"

When Lycaon stiffens at that, you can't help but feel like your joke wasn't exactly off the mark. It's only until he shakes his head, almost exasperated, that you finally remember to breathe, "Goodness, no! I would never entertain such a thing. I merely mean that unless supervised by myself, you won't be leaving the premises."

You roll your eyes and play along, "Okay, so, do I have to find a hint to unlock the door? Is this a new thing for your business-" everything suddenly blurs and you double over in exhaustion. What the heck? It takes a moment to recover but when you do, you stand abruptly from the table, both hands steadying you as your body is overcome with unease, "Actually... I don't wan'na to play anymore..."

One step turns to two, and perhaps you get another half in before you're knees are collapsing beneath you and Lycaon is holding you up. He's kneeling, carefully monitoring your condition to make sure you go down as simply as the drug entices. He's talking calmly, saying something to soothe the process, perhaps, but you'll never know beyond the jumbled noise being muffled by your own hearing.

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Lighter:

"You're not taking this seriously!" You shout at him, charging forward to get one good, hard punch to his cheek.

Lighter easily sidesteps you, grabbing a hold of your arm and twisting it backwards. You yelp in pain as he pins you down, finally doing something other than dodging your attacks, "Oh? Is that better or, do you want me to punish you more?"

His knee rubs suggestively between your thighs, your eyes tearing up in frustration as you thrash and kick. Mercifully, he retreats off of you and you you're quick to stand in another defensive position, "What is your problem?! If you're going to fight me than fight me properly!"

"I think you've forgotten that you're the one who issued this challenge," he pushes his sunglasses up his face nonchalantly, refusing to take them off despite the fact it's nighttime.

You growl and rush in to deliver a swift kick to his shin - which he artfully evades, "Only because you won't leave me alone! I'm fine by myself, I've always been fine by myself! I only ever started having troubles when you came into my life!"

He tuts and shakes his head, jumping back from another attack, "You know Big Daddy says it's not okay to tell porky pies. Little pigs like you who do get in big trouble for it."

That makes you falter, stepping back in bafflement and frankly a bit of discomfort, "What?"

Lighter is quick on his feet, stepping aside you, kicking out to trip up your ankle and catching you from behind. He spreads your legs with his own and holds your wrists behind your back, "If it weren't for me, nobody in the outer ring would look twice at you before robbing you blind and leaving your body dead in a ditch. Vulnerable city folk like you aren't exactly welcome here."

"Why go through all that trouble for someone like me, then?" You try to get out but this time, he isn't faltering, so you relinquish yourself for a moment of clarification, "If you guys hate me so much then why did you step in?"

"Because I like you. I really, fucking like you. And all I wanted was a bit of thanks and appreciation," he leans down to mumble in your ear, biting the lobe not all that gently. Again, you're pushed to the ground, his hips easily keeping you down without so much as breaking a sweat, "I win. Now, as per our agreement, this time you have to say, 'yes'."

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Harumasamasa:

You're hands are shaking so badly that you can't hold a cup of liquid without spilling it. Your head is swimming with nausea and you seeing double of everything. How long had he been doing this without you knowing? Was this why your back didn't seem to ache the same way anymore, or your knees or your shoulders?

The door to your cell opens and you're greeted with the man himself. It's amazing how easy it is for people with power to abuse the system. "So, how're you feeling, honey? Changed your mind yet?"

"Y-You're a monster," you spit, stuttering not because you're scared or cold, but because your teeth won't stop chattering from withdrawals.

Harumasa laughs, closing the cell behind him and crouching down so he's at the height of your quivering body on the bench, "Awh, I never claimed to be a good guy! But, I wouldn't go as far as say 'monster.' Still," he reaches out and gently tucks back some of your hair, "In this scenario, you might not be wrong."

You jut your head back, smacking the brick wall with the back of your skull, 'thud!', "Fuck off."

"Oof," he winces, eyes cringing, "That had'ta hurt. C'mon, baby, just say yes and I can make all this disappear."

You're swaying from lack of balance, gods you think you might throw up, "Can't you find someone else to force your love onto?"

He stands abruptly and the motion makes you fall back, only being supported by the construction that was now the cause in your skull, "Nope! I want you. I have since I started dosing you with these." He pulls out a baggie of colourful tablets, his medication for his rare affliction. Sighing wistfully, he cradles the rainbow meds against his cheek, "If it weren't for these bad boys than I wouldn't have been able to get you do addicted to me. No one else can help you now, honey. I'm all you've got."

"Someone will come," you wish under your breath, body falling forward while you clutch your stomach in pain, "Someone will notice."

Harumasa purses his lips at you, humming in thought. With a defeated moan, he pockets the medication and stretches his arms above his head, "Welp, let's see how strong your will is after another day in the cell." Striding to one corner of the room, he grabs the little, plastic rubbish bin and brings it between your legs, "Here, you're gonna need this. The next 24 hours will not be fun for you."

You only notice he's gone when the shutting door echoes through the room, too lost in trying to keep your withdrawing body from keeling over.