#like put this long haired man in the middle of a flower field and have a love-in where everyone makes out afdgfhjgh

[lacebird]

hear me out

this vibe

but with him in the middle of it

or dare i say, HIM-

[gunshots]

[milliesfishes]

Hii! Do u think u could write something about maybe how in the second episode in season 1 billy and reader r together and she accidentally gets herself in the middle of him and antrims feuds and billy becomes very protective?

౨ৎ꣑ৎprotective billy antrim౨ৎ꣑ৎ fem reader x billy the kid

Billy Antrim came to you like a rainstorm soaking a flower field.

His family had moved into town less than a year ago, a lovely mother, adorable little brother, a tired looking man and Billy. Your attention was piqued immediately by them. Plenty of new families moved to Silver City all the time, but there was something about this one...well, something about their oldest son...that kept your eye on them.

You merely watched from afar at first, eyeing them from the marketplace or the general store. It wasn't that you set out to see them, but they happened to be in town often at the same times you were.

But it wasn't until you met Mrs. Antrim that you started to get closer to them.

You were looking at a bolt of fabric, running your fingers along the material and debating making a new dress out of it when she appeared beside you. She was looking at another fabric, pinching it between her fingers. Noticing you, she smiled. "That's a lovely color." A lilted Irish accent made her words all the more charming to you. "It'll look fetching with your hair."

"Thank you," you smiled, looking over at the blue color she was examining. "Is that for you?"

"My son, Billy," she explained, holding up a bit of it and considering. "He needs a new shirt. He's had the old one for a long while."

"I see," you nodded, measuring out a stretch and handing the shopkeeper the money for it. "Do you live in town?"

"Yes," she smiled sweetly. "Just moved here a few weeks ago."

"Do you like it so far?" you questioned, folding up your cut.

"It's a far sight from some of the towns we've lived in," she laughed. "In the best way."

"I'm glad to hear it," you said, watching as she paid for her own fabric. "It'll be wonderful to have you here."

"Kathleen," she introduced herself, holding out her hand. You shook it nicely, telling her your name. She eyed you with a smile. "You're a sweetheart. I'll be happy to come across you again."

Indeed, every time you did after that she was. Kathleen always had a kind word for you, and you looked forward to seeing her. She was the first of the Antrims you met.

The second was Joe, whom you quickly grew fond of. He was with his mother one day in the market, and after that you'd slip him a sweet in passing every time you saw him. He was a sweet little boy who clearly loved his mother dearly.

Mr. Antrim was next, although you didn't exactly meet him. He came often to the bar you worked at, and you served him whiskey after whiskey almost every time you had a shift.

And then there was Billy. You'd heard Kathleen speak of him several times, but never come across him.

Until one day when you were out walking on a cloudy day as you often did, in a meadow close to town. Musing to yourself as you wandered, you were surprised by a raindrop hitting your nose. Looking up, you noted the dark grey color of the sky. Hopefully it wouldn't be too bad during the walk back.

But quickly your hopes were put to death when it began to pour, the rain soaking your skin and dress. You laughed, spinning once and holding your hands up to the sky.

A voice startled you out of your bliss, and you spun to see a man standing behind you with a concerned expression on his face. "You alright miss?"

Nodding in a bit of a daze from the shock, you realized who it was. The only member of the Antrim family you hadn't met.

You couldn't help but study him up close. So many times he'd been observed from far away, and your curiosity had gotten ahold of you this time. Billy was tall, on the leaner side but with broad shoulders. There was a gun belt slung around his hips, and a hat on his head, with dark brown curls peeking out. His shirt, you noticed with a modicum of satisfaction, matched the fabric Kathleen had been looking at awhile back.

"I'm okay," you assured him, pushing some of your wet hair out of your face. "I was just taking a walk and now..." you looked up at the sky then back at him. "I don't mind the rain."

This brought a little smile to his face, but he still moved closer to you. Now you could see the color of his eyes. Pure, deep blue, like the sky on a cloudless day. He was less than a foot away from you. "Still, it's gonna be a rough storm, looks like. Would ya-?"

Thunder rumbled nearby, and you jumped, automatically moving toward Billy. His hand came to your back in a protective way that nearly made you swoon.

"Ain't safe to walk back now," Billy commented, looking down at you. "Here, we can go into the clearing 'n wait out the worst of it."

"Okay," you nodded, and he took your hand, leading you through the meadow and into the trees, hiding where it was dry. The both of you were soaking wet.

"I know a little spot nearby," Billy explained, still guiding you through the clearing. "Lightning hits trees, don't want ya to get struck."

"That wouldn't be great," you agreed, and he gave you a nod.

"It's just-ah!" Billy led you to a slot in the nearby mountain akin to a gaping mouth. "Here. We'll be safe in here."

"You've been here before?" you asked, shivering a bit as you stepped in. It was dark and cold and you folded your arms around yourself to try and maintain a little body heat.

"Come here sometimes," he explained, nodding at a little circle of stones near you. "I'll start a fire. Could be awhile." You noticed a stack of cut wood to the side. It was clear he was a frequent visitor.

"Sit," he nodded, stacking wood in the circle and pulling out matches. "Can't have ya freezin' to death."

You did so hesitantly, putting out your hands when the flames started to catch on the wood. Looking up at him, you tilted your head. "Do you often rescue strange girls from thunderstorms?"

A smile quirked his lips. "I know who you are. My momma's rather fond of ya. M' brother too."

That made you smile, and you looked down. "I see."

He was sitting with one leg propped up, an elbow resting on his knee. "My momma reckons you're a sweetheart."

"That's nice of her," you blushed, looking down. "She's lovely as well."

"She is," he agreed, studying you. There was a moment of silence as the fire crackled, and with the way he was looking at you, you shivered in a way that didn't have anything to do with the cold.

He held out his arm. "C'mere."

"Hm?" you furrowed your brow in confusion.

"You're still soakin' wet," he said, his arm still extended. "I've got plenty've heat to go around."

"You're wet too," you pointed out and Billy laughed.

"Yeah but I'm bigger than you. C'mere," he flexed his fingers. "Lemme warm you up."

Carefully you moved over, into the safe looking space of his arm. He pulled you against him, settling his hand on your midsection as he held you close. "This alright?" You nodded, letting yourself lean into him. His clothes were still damp, but he was warm. You liked his hand there, big and warm with fingers sprawled across you.

"I've seen you around town before," you said quietly, your cheek smushed against his shoulder.

"Have ya?" he sounded amused, his fingers twitching on your side. "'nd ya never said anything?"

"No," you said simply, and he chuckled.

"Think I woulda noticed such a pretty girl," he commented, and you saw him set his hat by the fire to dry off.

That made you blush more, and you couldn't help your smile. "I keep to myself."

"Ah," he nodded in an understanding way. Billy rubbed your side in a respectful way, trying to warm you up more. "Has your family lived here long?"

"Not too much longer than yours," you said, staring into the fire and watching it dance.

"What's the story?" he questioned, looking down at you. "If ya don't mind me asking?"

"My father married someone new," you explained, looking up at him with a soft smile. There was something about him that made you want to tell him everything in your mind. "He wanted a fresh start."

He was looking at you in a way you couldn't place, but it felt warm. Cautiously, he lifted a bent thumb to brush a strand of wet hair from your cheek. "D'ya like it here?"

"More and more," you said, looking up at him. Something changed in his eyes and you looked up at him with doe ones. "Why did your family move here?"

Billy chuckled lightly, brushing your cheek with his thumb. "Y'know, it was pretty much the same reason as you. 'cept it was my mother who got married a lotta years back."

You nodded in understanding, looking up at him. "It must've been hard."

"Was," he nodded. "I'm gettin' used to it though. The town, not my mother's husband."

"Don't like him much?" It slipped out before you could filter it. "Oh- I'm sorry-"

"It's okay," he assured you, giving you a fond look. "It's okay. No, I don't. He's...well, he's done things no man should be proud of."

You nodded sympathetically. "I'm sorry. It can't be easy living with him." Your hand moved to his on your stomach, interlacing the fingers and squeezing. It felt so natural that you barely remembered you'd only met him today.

Billy smiled softly. "Yeah. But it's okay." He squeezed back. "He ain't my whole life."

The storm turned out to be far more perilous and long than the two of you had originally thought, and when he suggested you spend the night in the cavern, you agreed straightaway. You were happy with your choice when he laid down by the fire and snuggled up to you from behind to keep you warm.

After the night in the cave, you found yourself drawn to him. He would come up to you in town and chat, leaning against a market stall or the railing of the porch to meet your eyes. You enjoyed spending time with him and found yourself missing him when he wasn't near you.

When he kissed you for the first time it was raining again, but this time you were in town, ducking under a roof in an alleyway. You were both laughing, and you'd accidentally fallen into him, holding onto his arms to steady yourself. He held onto you tight, looking into your eyes and the next thing you knew his lips were on yours, cool from the rainwater. You kissed him back, wrapping your arms around his neck and standing on your tiptoes to reach him.

From that point on, the two of you were inseparable. You fell hard and fast for him, jumping into his arms like he was a lake on a hot day. He adored you, was with you at every possible moment.

It was such a whirlwind, and you loved every second. You quickly learned what it meant to be Billy's girl, and it was a smooth river of flowing love and attention and time. He took you for walks in the clearing where you'd met and let you sit in his lap while you braided daisies together. He'd sneak you onto the rooftop of his house and show you his favorite stars, telling you all their names. Especially concerned with your safety, he escorted you everywhere, keeping an arm around you so everyone knew whose you were.

Billy would come wait for you at the bar in the tail ends of your shifts, drinking a whiskey and watching for wandering eyes. His stepfather was still a frequent visitor, and Billy didn't like you around him at all.

It was true that Antrim's eyes had a tendency to linger, as did his hands, but he seemed to keep to himself when Billy was around.

You didn't know much of what had happened between them, only that Antrim had done some horrible things in the city from which they'd come. You knew it was a sensitive topic, so you didn't ask many questions.

One night, when you were finishing cleaning up at the bar, you noticed Antrim still at the table he'd occupied all evening. Everyone else had cleared out, but he nursed a glass of whiskey, staring at the wood of the table.

You approached him, drying off another glass as you did. "We're just about closed, Mr. Antrim. Can I pour you one more?"

He looked up at you, eyes catching on parts of you that you'd rather they didn't. "That's alright darlin'. I'd best be headin' out." There was a look in his eyes that you didn't like, and you took one step back.

"Okay, I'll-"

Suddenly he stood up, grabbing your arm. You could smell the alcohol on his breath as you tried to wriggle away. He chuckled lowly. "You're real pretty, y'know that?"

"Mr. Antrim-" you tried, but he held firmer, and the glass slipped from your hand and shattered at your feet.

"Oh ya look even sweeter up close," he whispered, and your breathing quickened, your eyes wide with fear. One of his hands came to your waist, trailing upward to your chest. "Bet if I could touch-"

"Antrim."

Both of you looked up and saw Billy at the door, arms folded. Antrim didn't let go of you. "Kid."

Coming closer, Billy gave him a warning look. "Let go of 'er."

"Aw you're not gonna kick my ass over this little thing," Antrim scoffed. Billy got close to him, grabbing hold of his arm that was holding yours.

"I said let go." His words were glaringly threatening. When Antrim still didn't loosen his grip, Billy shoved his arm off you, sending the drunk man stumbling a few paces backward.

Billy's boots crunched over the broken glass on the floor as he brought you close to him, putting his hand on the back of your head and bringing your face to his shoulder. "Out."

You heard the sound of footsteps scurrying out, and Billy heaved a sigh of relief. He rubbed your back, his big hand on your head making you feel safe. "M' baby," he murmured, hugging you tight to him. "You okay? He didn't hurt ya?"

Shaking your head, you drew back to look at him. He rested his palms on your cheeks and you held his wrists. "I'm sorry, 'm so sorry this happened to you. He's rotten, ain't ever leavin' ya alone here 'gain."

"Billy," you were a little shaky from the experience and he recognized that, drawing you back into his arms and kissing your head, whispering sweet things into your hair.

He led you to his bed for the first time that night, not for anything sexual, but for protection, assuring you Antrim wouldn't come home. And even if he did, he'd have Billy to deal with. You snuck past Joe, reaching into your pocket for a piece of candy to leave on his pillow by his head.

Billy smiled at the gesture and reached out his hands for you, holding you like a teddy bear between his arms. You settled your head on his chest since he only had one pillow, and besides, you liked better here anyways.

It became a bit of a habit after that- coming to his bed after work for that feeling of safety that you had only ever found in his arms. You loved him for wanting you to feel that way. Kathleen never said a word about it when she saw you leave in the morning, only smiling at you in her sweet way.

Rarely did you come across Antrim in their home, and when you did you were always under Billy's arm, feeling like he was a shield. The nights you spent with him were always peaceful, and you treasured them dearly.

One night, after collapsing into him after a longer shift, you woke up in the still, eerie hours of the morning and Billy wasn't there. Looking up, you realized it was raining, the steady sound making you smile.

You waited a few minutes, but Billy didn't come back. Standing up and stretching, you smoothed your dress and made your way out to see if he was in the kitchen. No Billy.

Once you were there though, you could hear a distinct, violent sound coming from outside, easier to hear over the rain now that you were closer to it. Hesitantly curious, you opened the door, and immediately, you were frozen.

Billy was throwing a punch at Antrim, sending the man tumbling to the muddy ground. He shouted something and Billy did too, their words impossible to make out through the rain.

But before you could go back inside, Billy turned around and saw you, his face falling. He just stood there, in the pouring rain for a moment, staring at you and gaging your reaction.

Finally you willed yourself to move, and you came forward to him, not caring that your clothes were getting soaked. Reminded of the first time you met, you let the memory make this scene a little softer.

You reached for his knuckles and saw how bloody they were, the rainwater washing some of it off. Without saying a word, you led him by the hand back inside, and he followed.

Grabbing a rag from the sink, you pressed it to his hands, one at a time. The blood stained your hands, but you didn't care, your eyes never leaving him. He seemed ashamed, and he avoided your gaze the entire time you were cleaning him up.

Putting the rag down, you took both his hands in yours, squeezing them. "Billy," you started softly. "What happened?"

He exhaled softly, still not looking at you. "'S not for you to know, baby."

"Billy," you repeated, leaning in closer. Your words were unmoving, intentional in their purpose.

Squeezing your hands back, he closed his eyes as he spoke. "He was tryna come back in. Said some things I won't repeat."

"About what?" you pressed.

Billy met your eyes. "'bout you, sweetheart. He hit me where he knew it'd get me."

You inhaled sharply, searching his eyes. "You..."

"Hey," Billy squeezed your hands again, sensing your distress. "I get into it with Antrim all the time. Ain't no big deal."

Shaking your head, you found yourself on the verge of tears. "Your hands were bleeding..."

"Alright, alright," Billy removed his hands from yours and brought them to your waist instead, pulling you into his lap, your back against his chest. One of your legs was situated between his knees, and the tiny gesture comforted you. He rested his chin on your shoulder, his arms around your middle. The both of you were still wet from the rain but neither of you cared.

"Needed ya to be nice 'n close when I told ya this," he murmured, kissing your shoulder and lightly rocking you back and forth. "Angel...there ain't nothin' I wouldn't do to keep ya safe. You're my girl. That means you've got me no matter what. Understand?"

You nodded, leaning sideways so you could rest your head on his shoulder. Instantly you knew the gravity of what his love for you meant. Here was a man who loved you enough to protect you.

The realization only made you love him more, and you told him so when the two of you were cuddled back up in bed that morning, the sunrise starting to peek through the window.

"I love you," you breathed against his chest, your affection swelling from your heart and pouring out your mouth like sunshine.

He held your head to him and kissed your hair. "I love you, sweetheart. You're safe with me. I promise."

And as dawn stretched its rosy fingers into the sky, the way you loved him was smooth and soft like the rain that had brought you two together, only leaving joy in its wake. The steady flow of his love was something you could hold onto, something safe and solid, always found when you were nestled in his arms.

come talk about billy here!

[sanest-bsd-delegate]

𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙛𝙛

Headcanon: Daily life of you dating them. Ft Dazai, Chuuya, Nikolai and Ranpo

A/n: accept this as a payback for being gone for to long. Miss you guys, how have you been?

ARMED DETECTIVE AGENCY

PORT MAFIA

MASTERLIST

Dazai:

You need to deal with him fr to much.

Can see him ordering drinks during you dates, specifically asking the waiter to bring two straws only to see him drink it from both.

Are you even dating him if you both haven't already taken couple quizzes on the Internet.

This mf istg. LIKE you are about to kiss and he would bump his forehead with yours.

Either he is 10/10 romantic or will be the worst lover in history.

Aww but imagine, if you are in bad mood and insecure or stuff, or saying why you hate your self, he would overhear that and list you things he likes about you. Cute, BUT STOP HIM BEFORE IT GOES FOREVER.

Never leave him alone at home. This man would bring those glow in the dark stars and paste it all over your room. THE LIGHT SO BRIGHT IT BLINDS YOU EYES.

UwU that gives him and you a reason to sleep together on the couch.

You both tried to set up yourself as avatars on games, trying to get your virtual self together only for Dazai's avatar to turn into a bread and commit arson.

Chuuya:

Can imagine you both raking up leaves and jumping into them.

he trying their best to be quiet while you are taking a nap.

This man gets into a heated argument with someone begins threatening them, only for you to pick him up and toss him over your shoulders walking away while he still shouts.

10/10 perfect dynamic couples

You both will visit a field of flowers as a dating spot and thinking you have time to take photos but then both of you end up laying in the field together and picking beautiful flowers for each other. Bonus when both of you make flower crowns for each other.

He kisses you before heading out to kill people, while you lie still in bed trina cope up completing your education degree he can never have. (Lets be real, they are 22, people are finishing college at that moment and not killing people for fun-)

You tried to connect to his Wi-Fi and jokingly put your own name in as the password.

WELL that actually worked and you are connected to his Wi-Fi. (STFU ITS NOT CRINGE ITS FLUFF)

Nikolai:

THIS MAN likes stealing your phone to change your phone's wallpaper into cursed pics from your Pinterest. 10/10 morning trauma

He helps you dry and brush your hair after a shower and visa versa.

Normalising playing on the swings at a small playground that nobody goes to anymore because that's what two sane persons do.

Hands down, both of you tried to cross your kitchen playing three-legged race.

Never let this man draw. You both will be drawing each other and man will breakdown just because he cant lift a pencil. HOW CAN YOU LIFT A MF GUN THEN??

Once you and him were stranded on a raft in the middle of a lake. DONT ASK WHY.

Ranpo:

You have to tie balloons around his hand so he doesn't get lost in the crowd.

JUST IMAGINE-, He has a french fry in his mouth and dares you to steal it from him. and when you try to do it, he puts the whole fry in his mouth and makes you kiss him. 10/10 RIZZNPO.

Thanks to his amazing direction skills, you both get lost in IKEA.

HUJFDISF He will touch your face and tell you its really soft while he gives nose kisses!>>>

Presuming you can knit, he forced you to make a very very very long scarf, only for him to make you sit beside him and share it. (No dazai, that cannot be your rope)

Thanks for reading! I am thinking to change my writing theme. But either ways Do vote if you like ig? Byee lysm :D ๑ARMED DETECTIVE AGENCY ๑PORT MAFIA ๑MASTERLIST ๑HEADCANONS

[hardyshoe]

Sonnenblumen - Chapter four: Camellias, for longing.

Also posted on AO3 - here

⚘⚘⚘

How much of something bad can someone bear if the suffering is indefinite? If the promise of liberty and love is pulled ever-further from one’s reach, is there a point where the wanting overwhelms? Could you endure grey solitude forever if there was even a slight chance that you may, one day, be bathed in the warm sunlight of everything you have ever yearned for in the private crevices of your unspoken mind?

Perhaps these are not the questions to ask.

Your dreams had always been vague and blurred, scuffed at the edges like someone were shaking them about inside of you. Yet they were resolute. With time, pigment bled deeper into the ciné-reel of places you find the names of in books and magazines and songs whose provenance are so very far from the limited scope of your world that you cannot fill the middle in; it is not the journey that matters in dreams, merely the destination.

You have never taken a train, not even seen more of one than the steam billowing past the treeline in the distance of the far fields. The nearest station is not close, mostly serving the school from where it lies on the far side. There is normally just one a day, if that, pulled without haste by a striking red locomotive that sparks like embers through the gaps in the trees. On its way back south, it draws briefly close enough to the village that you can smell the smoke as it eats itself in the air behind the departing train. It has always smelled like mocking exclusion.

You haven't seen a plane since you were very young, only ever the one-man planes of the war as they flew across to air bases some miles away. You cannot say you miss the streaking lines of white fog in the sky, nor the ominous dread they left in their wake. You have seen commercial airliners in shining magazines, grainy photographs of mechanical raptors ferrying those of importance and money from one excitement to another. Images of life which bear no resemblance to your own.

So when you think of your leaving, you can only picture the destination. The cobbled-together collage of photographs of continental streets, the beds of artistic movements and human revolutions, the stories which take place there. All that commands so much of you that you have never given much thought to getting there.

A vision of the bright boy who is beginning to consume so much of you swims forth as you look at the clippings of magazines on your walls. In truth, you have not stopped thinking of him since he left you, a flame of white-hot heat in the frost. However, it is one of the central cuttings that evokes him so strongly that you squeeze your index finger down with your thumb until it clicks, leaving your knuckle aching.

A sun faded print of Gustav Klimt’s Sonnenblume. His sunflower. You gave it prime retail when you first put it up, a border of reverence in the form of naked green-blue wallpaper. You know if you took it down there would be an unbleached visage of it left behind, imprinted as permanently on the wall as it is in your mind.

He could not have known the coincidence of his name for you but it brings you back to that first time you had seen the painting. The resonance you had felt in the lonely flower, standing by itself amid a blur of homogeneous sameness. When you look now, the background is still imposing in that familiar, almost comforting way, but the foreground is changed. It is Aegon you see in the small buds that climb the base of the title-piece, his hair in the white blossoms, his eyes in the curling lilac petals and his skin in the pinkness, raw and new. The yellow heads that peek through are so blinding in their likeness to him, how they shine through the encroaching commonality of the green foliage.

As the buds climb the sunflower, you dream of a destination you cannot put name to. It is hazy in the way so many of your dreams used to be, when they were new and unexplored, however one feature stands starkly clear through the fog. You are not alone.

⚘⚘⚘

Marlene is flushed and jolly, her glass of wine cradled funnily against her chest where she has her hand almost all the way around it. Her eyes are bright and she looks so happy.

She has left Elsie with her husband, dragging Barbara and Joan with her for a night at the pub. Your parents send you out from behind the bar as soon as the group piles in, shedding jackets and scarves in colourful layers onto the coat rack. They are warmed by the fire, pulling you into their fold as though it had always been done. You are silenced by the comfort of the huddle for a moment and you push back that old intrusive claustrophobia. They are making an effort and you will do the same for them.

Joan and Marlene lean further into each other the later the hours get, Marlene is tipsy and Joan is not far behind. Marlene’s fine golden curls are weaving between the mousy ends of the latter’s bob, it reflects their entwined hands. They are beaming.

“I suppose I am looking after them again,” Barbara leans over and says to you, not low enough though as the other two perk up in offence.

“You are too sensible for your own good, maybe you ought to get truly soused one day and make them return all your years of service.” You joke, turning slightly to catch that small smile of Barbara’s in the corner of your eyes. It is all light in the face of the fondness in her eyes.

Barbara herself seems strangely adrift too, you feel the kinship between you and her like an unknown bond. She looks to the side from time to time, to the chair on their quiz table where Mary Crillen had sat and her absence seems to hover in Barbara’s vision like a ghost. When she had opened her black leather purse, you had seen the back of a postcard, every visible inch covered in scratching blue ink save for the corner stained pink with a lipstick kiss.

“You two need to catch up,” Marlene asserts, Joan nodding sagely beside her, “On my rare night out I demand a good time.”

“Are we not good enough company?” Barabra asks, wry in her way.

Marlene narrows her eyes and glares at her, “That is not what I meant and you know it.”

“Besides,” Joan chirps in, swishing her glass precariously through the air as she points the rim at you, “this is the first time we have had this one out with us since we were sixteen, it has to be special.”

The sentiment is touching and you share an appreciative look with her, it breaks when Marlene jabs her in the side for spilling wine on her skirt.

“Exactly!” Marlene near shouts latently hearing Joan’s words, hand abandoning where it had been scrubbing at the drops of red on the blue of her skirt to point at you. “Tell us something good.”

You point at yourself and feign confusion.

Barbara chuckles beside you, “Don’t think we don’t know exactly what you’ve been up to lately.”

“Oh you traitor!” you yelp, she just sips her vodka tonic with a devious little smirk behind the glass.

Joan and Marlene chorus a round of giggles and demands for more information. Your cheeks heat at the knowledge that they have been discussing you behind your back but you know, at least, that it is not in malice.

“Go on!” Marlene urges, “tell us more, tell us more.”

Joan joins the chant, the two of them relishing in your burning face, bouncing up and down to the beat they have created. You attempt to quell them but when Barbara starts copying them you know all hope is lost.

“Fine! Fine, have it your way,” they cheer and you send them all pretend daggers, they take no notice. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything,” Joan claps her hands together quickly with excitement.

“Are you going steady?” Marlene asks as she leans forward in her seat.

Joan pipes up again, “Have you kissed him yet?”

“Joan!” Barbara balks, scandalised. When you don't she whips her head to you, “Wait, have you?”

“Just once,” you say hesitantly.

Even Barbara yells this time.

They devolve into a gaggle of hounding questions once more, Joan and Marlene looking between each other with open mouths between harried talking.

“I don’t want you thinking I go around doing that normally though,” you say, they hush at the evident insecurity in your tone, “He’s…”

The strange afterglow of laughter lingers in the air as they look at you, ears ringing from the sudden lapse into quiet.

It’s Barbara who breaks the cast, speaking for you yet knowing exactly what you had failed to say, “He is important to you.”

You just nod. Marlene leans over to squeeze your hand and Joan smiles in what looks a bit like an apology.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” you say, “I don’t know how to make sense of it all.”

“Make sense of what, love?” Marlene asks, her eyes open and kind. All traces of hysteria ebbed away, leaving that maternal kindness of hers behind.

“I cannot take him out of my life now he is in it,” you say. It isn't an answer to her question but it feels easier to start with something you do know, however mad, and work towards the ball of knotted and tangled mess that pulls more and more of you into its fray as time passes. “I feel as though-”

You cut yourself off abruptly as the thought shutters into sharp focus like blinking morning sleep from your eyes, an intangible distance between the limitless unconscious and the firm clarity of daylight. Awareness sweeps through you like that crystalline lucidity of being alive.

“If I lived the rest of my life without seeing him again, I would still find him in everything I saw, every sound I heard and-”

“My fingers would compare every sensation to the softness of your skin.” The words come as a whisper in your ear and you are so taken with listening that you forget to be shocked by his presence. You can feel his lips on your ear and the heat of his chest warms your back in a curving line as though you were sitting against a stove.

The voices of the girls are a distant hum as you turn to him, not with the franticity that the preluding conversation had held but with the hopeful slowness that wishes not to break a dream.

He is there, half-crouched with his hair falling over his face to play with his cheekbones.. Something in you tips over an edge and you are changed both momentarily and permanently by the meeting of your eyes. You think that, unless someone were to intervene, the contact would be held forever.

His smile carves a mirror on your lips. “Hello, my sunflower.”

The greeting feels so insignificant against the confrontation of what has just passed. And yet-

“Hello Aegon.”

-it is everything.

⚘⚘⚘

It is odd how something can feel like an extension of yourself simply through your awareness of it.

You can feel the back leg of Aegon’s chair against your own every time he moves and, it’s Aegon, he is shifting constantly. In the brief moments of stillness from him, his presence hums through the wood to claw at your spine where it is half pressed against the back of the chair. It is utterly maddening.

“-too loud for me, besides,” you tune back into the conversation on the tail end of Aegon answering a question from one of the girls. You aren't sure which “Two hours is far too long to sit in the dark for, no matter how good the show is.”

“Oh, but isn’t it so exciting?” Marlene asks, her newly filled wine perched on an invisible ledge between her mouth and her knee. “Sitting in the darkness like that, watching a picture from a far off land, with an amor…”

He swings one leg over the other and the knuckles of his left hand ghost across your back as he adjusts in his seat. The way they stay there, drawing the fabric of your jumper a fraction tighter between their hold before falling back away, speaks of deliberation.

“You’re such a romantic Marlene,” Barbara sounds long suffering from her seat by the fire. She had shuffled her chair further from you to allow Aegon to wiggle the front legs of his own between yours and hers.

“Of course I am!” She has moved steadily further from sobriety, growing more resolute in her fantastical ideals as the frost draws its sheath higher on the windows. “I don’t understand how anyone could be anything but.”

“Me neither,” Joan says, to the surprise of no one.

“I don’t know,” begins Aegon from behind you, leading you to turn enough to watch him talk, “I have seen some pretty unromantic things.”

Joan and Marlene frown and Barbara asks him to go in with her beckoning, “Oh?”

His demeanour takes on that curling self-conscience which has him pushing a finger under the leather band of his unmoving watch. “All I’m saying is that perhaps some people are beyond love.”

“I don’t think that's true of anyone,” you say before you can think.

“Never a lost cause to you,” Joan says and, though you can feel the affection in her tone, you still feel she has misunderstood you.

“I don’t believe in lost causes, only causes that are lost to me. I am not saying that there is someone for everyone, that is too idealistic in my mind, I am only saying that-” you twist back to face Aegon as you finish, finding his face as open as the sky. The shining pink of the scars on his knuckles catch in the light as he scrubs a hand up his neck. “I do not think anyone is beyond love, especially not those who think that they are.”

Marlene says something and one of the other girls respond, the lower cadences of their voices becoming indistinguishable from one another when Aegon looks at you with his lips pursed, like he is muddling through what you are saying. He reaches out to graze his nail through the knit of your jumper, tracing the pattern as he draws a line from your elbow, up to the middle of your forearm. You want to scratch at the skin beneath it until it burns pink and raw, if only to dispel the sensitivity of the sensation.

“I think you think too highly of those people,” he says, quiet enough to not draw the attention of the other girls from their conversation as it moves away from the topic at hand.

“I think you underestimate the human capacity for love.”

He simply looks at you for a minute, smiling in that funny little way of his that you are coming to understand to mean that he is fiddling around with his thoughts, confirming or dispelling something or other.

“Not yours.”

His finger slips between the weave of wool and you feel it on your bare skin like the low hum of exposed electricity. You both look down, then back up.

Another moment passes, the gravity of feeling dropping heavier over your shoulders, not like a burden but like the staying power of magnetism.

The flowers climb higher on the base of the sunflower, you see now that they are not consuming it at all. It is an embrace.

From there, the conversation is dominated by Marlene and Aegon. She takes an instant liking to him, their boundless giddy energy matching up perfectly. She ruffles his hair when he goes to the bathroom and he blushes like a little boy.

When he lets slip that he lives in London, Joan fires a barrage of long unanswered questions at him. Even the rapidly moving Aegon’s eyes go wide at the speed with which she talks. She takes no notice of his expression, barrelling on with demands about Oxford Street and Kensington but, above all, Buckingham Palace.

“Have you ever seen one of the royals, in the flesh?” Her pupils are so wide it is almost as though her eyes have no colour at all, the brown fully eclipsed by black. You can almost see her collection of coronation and wedding tea cups and plates panning before her eyes.

He barks a laugh, “Not recently, very thankfully.”

Joan gapes. “So, you have before?”

“Not in months, the last of the Mountbatten cousins finished last year and I have been avoiding the insipid things mother is invited along to for years, everyone got so serious when Elizabeth was crowned.”

“Marlene.”

“Yes, Joan?”

“Pinch me, very hard.”

He continues, oblivious to Joan’s near hysterical crisis. “Honestly, they are all painfully dull. The problem is that I have been ill so many times I fear there is no chance of missing whatever Christmas do they throw this year.”

He looks downright green at the prospect and you poke him decisively in the arm. “Don’t ruin the illusion.”

He puts his hands up in surrender but leans close to you to whisper under his breath, “Bunch of boring bastards.”

You cannot help but laugh.

Barbara changes the topic, hoping to deescalate Joan before she falls from her chair. “Why are you at school all the way up here then? Why not somewhere nearer to home?”

He shrugs, “My father was sent here, along with his brother. It's tradition now I suppose. I think he hoped that I would follow in his footsteps and become head boy but apparently they don't give it to no-good miscreants.”

He looks at you in a pretence of surprise at the fact and you would smile at his humour if it wasn't for the twinge you see in his eyes when he turns back to the group.

Marlene says something in his defence and he shakes his head. Your heart crackles when you catch the beginnings of that old familiar smile of fault pulls his eyes unbiddenly wide and vulnerable. A mask covered in cracks.

You can feel the blame he is shouldering through his jaunty tone. Yet another way that he fails to match up to the idea that someone else has sculpted who he ought to be.

“It’s fine,” he says, quickly. Too quickly. “They will give it to my brother when he is old enough, they were always going to. He’s right for it and it shows ability to overcome, good for image.”

He speaks like he is reading from a script of someone else's devising, but you are too caught up in another part of what he is said to focus on that.

“Overcome what?” you ask, holding back what you want to say about Aegon himself having ‘overcome’ a great deal more than any boy his age should have had to.

He seems to piece together that you are missing a bit of the story and shakes his head, gesturing with his chin in a jerky movement towards the girls. “I’ll tell you another time, it’s not exactly a story for a pleasant evening.”

You don’t quite know what to make of that. You hear Marlene protesting at being labelled a delicate flower like a low ringing in your ears while you reconcile the darkness of his tone and the way he is smiling to himself. Like he is resigned to a fate you are yet to see a glimpse of.

When the clock chimes half ten, Marlene gives a comically exaggerated sigh and rises clumsily from her seat, half dragging an outcrying Joan up with her. Barbara scoops her friend from Marlene’s arm and ushers the two girls towards the door. She smiles at you over her shoulder, glancing briefly towards the back of Aegon’s head then back to you before nodding.

Joan laments the end of the night, loudly. “But I never got to ask him about Princess Margaret.”

Barbara just groans and pushes her through the door in Marlene’s wake.

“Sorry about that,” you say as he moves to sit across from you in one of the newly freed seats.

The skin on your arms feels foreign where his fingertip has left it cold, the wool of your jumper is too rough by comparison. However, when he sits and kicks one of his legs out to align the bones of his ankle with yours in a bruising surfacing of nerves, you find you dont mind so much.

“Sorry about what?” He seems genuinely confused.

“The interrogation,” you clarify, rolling your eyes with affection, “Joan’s fanatic royalism.”

He laughs, shaking his head slightly. You get swept up for a moment in the way the ends of his hair flutter over the peaks of her shoulders. “I don’t mind, I like them. I just struggle to talk of London like I have anything good to say about it.”

That strikes you unexpectedly. You had known he didn’t really feel he fitted in at his home after coming back and leaving Davey but when he speaks now you get the impression that he hardly views it as deserving of the word at all.

Did he have somewhere to go back to? Was there anywhere that he genuinely felt had a space in it for him? You are reminded of the way he spoke of that overcrowded Poplar kitchen and the smile he had for his long lost brother.

As much as you long for another place, your home is a home, the pub an extension of it. It was everything else that felt like something you didn’t belong to. To feel so very transient must be exhausting and ever so isolating. You twist your ankle further around his until the loops of his boots catch on your laces, anchoring yourself to him.

“Where would you go then, if you had all the freedom in the world?”

“I’m not sure anymore,” he says, elaborating before you can ask him to. “I was going to go to Australia when I was fifteen on one of those £10 tickets, after…everything it seemed a fine idea. I made it all the way to the East end.”

“Why didn’t you go?” You ask through the faltering at your heart, the bare presentation of how different things could have been sending you spinning a little.

His mouth pinches to the side like he is thinking about it for the first time in a while, or maybe, just looking at it differently. “I thought I fancied an odyssey but a part of me realised, when i was on the dock and standing in the queue for the boat with everything that mattered to me in one of my mother’s suitcases that, despite all my practice, I’m not very good at being alone.”

Somehow, he manages once again to test how tiny the fragments of your shattered heart can be. By now they feel as fine as sand.

“I was so excited, I had all these grand plans for what I was going to do, who I could be somewhere no one knew me, where I hadn’t made any mistakes yet and fucked it all up yet.”

He has this faraway look in his eyes, like he can hear the seagulls echoing in his ears and the way the water had slapped against the metal of the ship.

“But then, Otto found me, saw right through all of it and he took my suitcase away and dragged me back to the house. I fought him of course, it didn’t matter in the moment how pointless I knew it was.”

His hand is trembling slightly when he brings it to his forehead to pull back the fringing wisps of hair as they fall over his forehead. He runs his pointer over the scar that runs from the middle of his right eyebrow diagonally back towards his hairline.

“I cracked my head on the car window when he tried to put me inside, shattered the thing completely. It bled like mad. He was so angry.” he drags a hand down the side of his face sharply, as though he were wiping still flowing blood from his eye. “And I thought ‘good’, at least now he knows how I feel.”

You couldn’t have found a word to say if you had a dictionary in your hands. The only sounds that register are the ragged intakes of Aegon’s breathing.

“Then he said to me, ‘just because they don't know you doesn’t mean they won’t be able to tell exactly how much of a waste of space you are, Aegon. Like he could read my fucking mind.”

He spits his own name like a curse, shaking his head until the scar is covered again by his cascading hair. His hand moves to wiggle a finger under the band of his watch, leg bouncing under him.

“I stopped fighting after that.”

The thorny shadow of Aegon’s mother gains a companion in the faceless Otto. His rosy binds draw tight around his body until his stony exterior starts to pinch, white and bloodless.

Your vitriolic silence spurs his fidgeting onwards and shifts to remove something from his pocket, the tarnished metal gleaming in the light of the fire. When he opens it with a nail slid down the seam, you realise that it is a cigarette case. Though inside, the elastic straps hold two finely packed stacks of scraps instead of fags. He looses a wad from one side and fans them shakily over the table in a blur of coloured paper and faded lettering.

When his fingers still on one of the pieces, so does his entire body. For a single, terrifying moment, Aegon is rendered as still as a block of alabaster. It is frightening. He slides it over to you and it quivers like a leaf in the wind between your forefingers.

The black ink has faded into a ridged vein over the crease in the middle, you can see the light through the middle where it has been double folded. You can still read the words printed damningly clearly between the pink boxes that must have been red once.

15th August 1951. One way. London to Adelaide. Youth. Aegon Targaryen.

The way he stares at it is almost unwatchable. He wears the stolen chance like a crown of thorns.

“He made me watch the boat leave before we left. I could hear the horn going in my mind all night for weeks, it was like it was rattling around in my bones.”

“Would you go now, if you could?” You cannot help but ask.

He takes back the ticket like he is lifting a baby bird from your hands. He stares at it for a while before refolding it into the mad kaleidoscope of sentimentality in the little case. You want to know what every single piece means to him.

“There’s no use. I’m still me wherever I go. It’s always been the same, why should it be any different there?”

“You’re still you here, Aegon,” you point out gently and his face falls, almost imperceptible through his attempt to hide it but you catch the drop nonetheless. You rush to correct yourself. “I have never met anyone like you, I don’t think such a person exists.”

You pause to gather what you are trying to say. “Aegon when you aren’t around it is like the world is losing its colour.”

“You don’t mean that, you can’t.”

“Why would I say it if I didn’t?”

He just shrugs, brushing over the small section of untarnished brass. A shiny golden fingerprint right under the carved A.

“Every time you tell me about what has been done to you and how you have been treated, and I see the look in yours eyes like you truly believe that you could ever deserve any of it,” he isn't blinking as he watches you take a harsh breath, “I get so angry I feel like my skin is going to burn off.”

“You don’t know all of it yet,” he says, shaking his head.

“So tell me,” you urge, voice bordering on full desperation.

He smiles, almost placating. “I will,” and you can tell that he means it, too. “But I am going to be selfish for just a little while longer.”

⚘⚘⚘

After he has kissed you again, left you searing and bruised and alive, you agree to his wild plan, to go back with him in the dead of the night. He tells you he will come for you the next night, that you should stay up and pack your toothbrush. The anticipation runs down your tendons and twitches under the fine skin of your hands and feet. You feel like you're sitting on a wire.

In the darkness of your room, you look to the wall covered in clippings and strain your eyes to see. The vague outline of the sunflower looks back at you and you copy an approximation of the climbing buds with your finger on the sheet underneath you.

Perhaps the question to ask is this: When you are revealed by someone, as you inevitably will be if someone who cares enough to draw back your skin until the gristle of your sinew is exposed to the air comes along, can you bear an existence in which you are looked at in such a state by anyone, who is not them?

You want the world to see Aegon for every beauty and flaw but you are unsure whether that is something he can give when his life has been mired in abuse and rejection for those very things which are so fundamental to him.

You cannot change the world but you can try to adjust his perspective, give him a world which does not shoulder him like a burden.

⚘⚘⚘

Welcome back my dear readers! I hope you are all well and that you enjoyed this chapter, I have so been looking forward to diving deeper into the characters that surround our sunflower and giving them a bit more life. I hope you like them as I do, I really am a little too fond of my original characters. As always, comments and love are so appreciated you cannot begin to understand how much! All my love, SlaginSecret xxx

@neithriddle

[avalil18]

Flowers and Lace

Summary: you and Joe attend your friends wedding but little did you know what the night would turn into!

Warnings: fluff

————————

It was a cool summer day in Cincinnati. Your childhood best friends Rose and Tommy are getting married and you couldn’t be more excited! Joe and you are going together since both of you are very good friends with the bride and groom. You have always had feelings for Joe but you never knew he felt the same way about you.

You were putting the last final touches of makeup on your face in the bathroom when you heard a familiar voice radiate through your apartment. “Y/n?”Joe asks. “In here!” You say. Joe walks in wearing a navy striped suit and white t-shirt underneath with black dress shoes. He looked so handsome. You turn around to face him and you give him a look. “What’s the face for?” Joe asks. “You look fancy!” You say in a joking why trying to make him laugh. Joe smirks and says “why thank you”. but then he pauses to look at you top to bottom and he was left speechless. You were wearing a floral dress with lace cut into it and a long v-neck showing some cleavage. You smile knowing very well he didn’t know what to say which made you blush. “You look gorgeous” Joe says with a smile. God that smile. “Thank you Joey!” you say.

Once done with your makeup you make sure your curled hair looks good and you leave your bathroom to find Joe sitting at the edge of your bed on his phone looking at some outfit ideas for this upcoming football season. You always love seeing Joe on the field and you are so proud of him for what he has accomplished. “I like those pants” you say in sarcasm. “Really!” Joe says.

“No.” You laugh and give him a smirk. “Haha so funny” joey says in sarcasm. “Alright let’s get going” you say trying to put your heels on. Once out the door you and Joe walk to his car and he opens the car door for you. “Thank you”you say. “Of course” Joey says closing the door to get to his side. Once in the car Joe turns on his playlist filled with his favorite songs. “You still love your Kid Cudi!” You saying knowing joe still listens to him every day since middle school. “Duh!” He says.

After an hour long car ride to the venue you two get out. You wait in the car knowing Joe likes to give you a hand out of the car and would be mad if got out yourself. “What a gentleman!” You say. “Why thank you!” Joey says. As you two walk into the beautiful venue filled with flowers and guests you link your hand with joes knowing he gets nervous with all these people around. You look up at him giving a, you ok? Look. He gives you a smile and a nod which reassures you but you still know he is a little nervous. You and Joe go your separate ways for bit greeting your old friends from your childhood. As you are talking to one of your old high school friends Anna you notice Joe is looking at you from the corner of your eye which grabs your attention and you tried to stay focused in your conversation so you turned your head quickly back to Anna. Anna quickly grasps on to what you were so distracted by and says “so you and Joe huh?” She says with a smirk. Oh! Haha no still just really good best friends!” You say. Oh! I thought you guys were a thing because of the way I see you guys look at each other. Anna says with a laugh. What do you mean the way we look at each other? You ask with a little laugh intrigued with what she is about to say. “You don’t notice y/n? You guys look at each other like you are in love!” She says. “Really? I don’t think so.” You say surprised at what Anna just said. “Oh you guys look like you are in love with the way you guys have kept looking at each other all night.” Anna says while drinking her champagne. “God I’ve never really noticed.”You say. “Go over to him I bet he has been wanting you because he’s been looking over here every second.” Anna says with a laugh. “Haha fine! I will catch you later!” You say. “Go get your man y/n!” She says and you give back a smirk. Once you reached Joe who was at a standing table talking to one of his best friends Zach with a drink in hand he quickly notices you and turns to Zach and shakes his hand and they both say catch you later. “Hey! Where’s Zach going?” You say confused to why he left. “Oh he just went to go catch up with some other friends and get another drink.” Joe says with a smile. There’s that smile again. “Oh ok!”You say placing your drink down on the table. “It feels so weird seeing everyone again.” You say with a laugh. “Tell me about it! Everyone looks so different but the same.”Joe laughs. “Yeah! And it’s so weird seeing our best friends get married! God where did the time go!” You laugh. “I know right!” Joe says. Joe then gives you a smirk and says “do you remember when everyone thought we were going to get married first? Crazy right?” Joe laughs awkwardly. You look up at him and say “haha! I do and everyone thinks we are a couple since we came together.” “Yeah! People have been coming up to me saying so you and y/n huh?” Joe says. “Really? That’s funny!” You say fidgeting with your ice in your drink keeping eyes on Joe then looking down. “Yeah I guess it is!” Joe says with a little laugh and then says something you never thought you would hear come out of his mouth. “Do you ever think of what it would have been like if we dated?”Joe asks. You look up at him surprised that he said that and you say “only when people ask me if we are a couple. But it honesty would have been weird.” You say kinda disappointed that you are even saying this because ever since you were 9 years old you thought Joe would have been your boyfriend or better yet your husband by now but you are both 25 and you know that he would never like you back after all these years you thought. “Yeah, I guess it would be kind of weird.”Joe says awkwardly with a little laugh. After a moment of silence and complete awkwardness you ask “do you want to dance?” Once you said it you knew it was the alcohol talking and Joe does not like dancing but to your surprise he say yes and took your hand. Once on the dance floor a slow song came on and it was one of your favorite songs ever. “The night we met” by Lord Huron. You smiled and wrapped your arms around joes neck.

————-

Authors note: it’s maxed out so go to part 2! Sorry!

[lqversinterlude]

Dance the Knight away (Steven Grant x Reader)

Warnings - None! It’s just pure fluff, and a bit of swearing from the reader. She couldn’t watch her mouth at all!

Pairing - Steven Grant x Female Reader

Synopsis - The reader goes to prom with Steven.

(A/N: the title’s a TWICE song reference, stream their music! And, this is my first time writing a fanfic so, bare with me if it kinda sucks! I hope you enjoy it! <3)

(p.s - this is just a one shot because I’m not into writing lengthy fan fictions yet. :P)

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The evening was filled with laughter and joy, the music surrounds the area and the moon shines brightly from above. It’s been weeks since you asked Steven out if you could be his date for Prom Night and you’re hoping to see him during the evening, the big door creaks open and you see him, in his white suit, all fixed up with him carrying a bouquet of flowers in his hand, he searches the area to look for you, he finally sees you and decides to approach you in the middle of the crowd.

“Ello’ love, I’m really sorry it took me time to get here, now, here we are!” He waves at you and manages to stay enthusiastic as he apologizes for being tardy. He suddenly hands you the bouquet he was holding in his hand. “I wouldn’t want to forget about giving you something as my prom date like all the other boys would do if they get asked out by someone.” He rubs the back of his neck with his hand.

“It’s okay that you weren’t able to get here on time, at least you’re here with me, at this very moment, and that’s what matters to me. Oh, and thank you for the little gift, I appreciate it.” You smile and take the bouquet from his hand, you weren’t really amused that he had his time mixed up in arriving for the event.

You look at him, oh man, this guy hasn’t gotten any sleep at all, his eyes looking all sleepy and his hair, all messy, yet, that did not stop you from liking him. Although he may be your friend, you still happened to like him, and for unusual reasons, the way you had to think twice on liking a friend just feels different when it comes to him. He just happens to have this different “effect” on you that most of your friends don’t even have.

“Well, shall we start.. Dancing?” He offers you his hand as he looks around to see the people in the venue, dancing together. You take his hand and he pulls you close, he then puts one of his hands on your waist and one on your hand, you hold his hand and shoulder, you two start dancing. Moments after, he suddenly looks at you and asks “Can we take this outside? I’m so sorry but the environment happens to overwhelm me so much.. I just don’t like it when people watch us dance, although its a free space and everyone is free to dance together.” He apologizes yet, he tries to make sure that you don’t get pissed off or annoyed by his request.

You then smile, and take his hand, suddenly pulling him towards the door with caution, “It’s okay, there’s no need to worry because I can always take you wherever you’re comfortable with, so.. Let’s get out of here?” He just stares at you and freezes, you then ask him again as you noticed that he zoned out from all the nervousness that he’s currently experiencing, “Shall we?” He finally snaps out and nervously nods at you and looks back at the venue, the two of you finally leave.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Moments after walking down the long hallway of the building, the both of you finally reach the outer field, as the moon illuminates the field, the both of you run around the field with no one else watching, he then suddenly picks you up, bridal style, and he spins you around the field, he pulls you close and you rest your hands on his shoulders, “You aren’t that heavy as I thought you were, well, honestly, you’re actually that light, I can’t deny.” He playfully chuckles, he then puts you down and points to the Gazebo that’s built in the middle of the field.

“So.. Do you want to go there? Like look, no one’s around except us, it would be bonkers if somebody caught us hanging around here, yeah?” He asks if the two of you can get in the small building, you nod at him and the two of you enter.

The two of you are sat on a small side bench in an open space, “Huh, I guess the moon’s the only thing that’s watching us right now, unless someone’s nosy ass happened to follow us on our way here.” You shrug and point out the bright moon that’s illuminating the wooden flooring of the gazebo. “Well, Steven, listen to me, I have something to tell you, it will definitely sound so fucking weird at first but I hope you understand.” He suddenly brings his head up to look at you as you try to tell him that he hasn’t known for a long time.

“Oh? What is it? Care to tell me? It would be such a blunder if you don’t tell me what you’re willing to tell me at this very moment.” He smiles at you and rests his hands on his knees, he then smoothens out his vest that’s inside of his coat, he tilts his head and raises his brows.

You sigh and slap both of your knees, it took you moments to finally tell him “Steven, I like you, like more than a friend. Ever since we grew closer and closer, my feelings grew as well and I mean that. I was just too afraid to tell you in any other day because I have this really bad experience of getting rejected by my past crushes but, that never stopped me from telling this to you because I knew that I wanted to give romance another chance, again.”

He looks at you with awe, blush creeps up his face, realizing on what you just told him at that very moment, “Well, (Y/N), you’re a really brave one for telling me about your feelings, and it’s mental that you happened to tell me at this very moment, I didn’t expect any of that.” He chuckles.

“You know, it’s funny that I happen to.. Uhm, how do I say this, oh yeah! I happen to like you as well, it may sound a bit of a shocker but I hope that doesn’t overwhelm you as much as it does for me.” He takes your hand and rubs his thumb on top of your hand’s surface, he’s definitely flustered right now, “It’s just that.. It’s surprising that you happened to handle all the things I’ve been experiencing in my life and you happened to be so kind to me, unlike how other girls treat me because they think I was too “nerdy” or “strange” for their liking, not to forget, they thought my accent was too thick for them to understand.” He adds as he looks down on the floor with a saddened expression.

“Oh, forget about that bullshit.” You then pull his collar and bring his lips to yours, he hugs you tightly and he pulls away. “Oh wow, okay, that was nuts. I definitely did not expect that, darling.” He says after the two of you breaks away from the kiss, you definitely haven’t had your first kiss but now, you did, with someone who’s described as a “weird ass guy who looks like he hasn’t slept in days”.

He just sits there, in shock, not knowing what to say. Well, that must’ve gone too fast, didn’t it? It definitely is a crazy thing that you suddenly kissed him, with no hesitation. “You know what, I think my parents will kill me if they knew I kissed you without hesitation, especially my dad!” You joke as the two of you exchange laughters in the gazebo.

“It’s getting a bit late, isn’t it? Do you want to go back to the venue to say our goodbyes to our friends or do you wanna go somewhere else?” He glances at you as he stands up, “Well, Steven, you wanna go to a coffee shop?”, he raises a brow and shrugs, “Oh? What’s up? Don’t have money or something? I’m always willing to treat you, I asked you out on this little date, not you.” She smiles and grabs his hand.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

They both leave the area and end up spending time in a small coffee shop that happens to be in a walking distance, the day ends with the both of them falling asleep in (Y/N)’s house, her parents don’t mind as they’re both sat in the couch with Steven laying on her shoulder, the both of them still wearing their formal attire.

> end. <3

[rosemary-morgan]

Headcanons - Confession of love

Hello, lovely ones (❁´◡`❁) I hope you’ll enjoy my HC’s  🖤 A big thank you to my dear friend @fangirl-ramblings​ 🖤 she has been beta reading for me 🌹

Characters: Draco Malfoy, Fred Weasley, Young Sirius Black

Draco Malfoy

Draco attaches great importance to his appearance. After all, he wants to be the most beautiful man for you. His hair must fit perfectly, as well as his clothes! Is he nervous, you ask? Yes, very much so!

Draco applies aftershave, but not too much, after all, he wants to smell pleasant. 

He plans everything for the perfect evening. You are so important to him and he would like to tell you how much he is in love with you.

As a sign of his affection, he brings you red roses. The symbol of passion and love. He fails to find the right words, but flowers have their own language. Although they are silent, they say so much.

Draco takes you to a very fine restaurant.

You have never had dinner at this quality before! 

Draco looks you in the eye all the time. Your eyes are full of love and affection while he's holding your hands.

After that delicious dinner, he will walk you to a carriage

Suddenly, while you are sitting in the carriage, it starts to snow. Nobody knew where this snow came from, but it is so romantic!

“Are you cold, Y/N?” You don´t need to answer him, because he is a gentleman, and he knows what to do.

He puts his coat over your shoulders so that you don't have to freeze. You immediately snuggle against him.

When you looked up at him, with your eyes sparkling like two stars, Draco couldn’t help but kiss your pretty lips…

"I've wanted to tell you for so long, Y/N, but..." "I love you Draco..." And when Draco hears that, he is more than happy and his smile is the most beautiful thing you have seen in a long time. Because just as Draco wants to see you happy, you want to see him happy too ♥

Fred Weasley

You’ll have a picnic in the forest. Fred has discovered a wonderful place that he doesn't want to keep from you.

He can't wait to see how your eyes will shine. This place is magical and very special. 

In the forest is a hidden place surrounded by beautiful flowers and fireflies. Created by magic? Or maybe an illusion? Whatever, it is a special place

"Fred? Where are you taking me?" Of course you are very curious and to make it even more exciting for you, Fred has blindfolded you."Patience, Y/N." You smile as you feel Fred squeeze your hand. "Trust me." "I trust you." You do with all your heart.

When Fred finally stops and takes off your blindfold, you are speechless.

You have never seen anything as beautiful as this place before. Was it a dream? It looked like something out of a fairy tale. 

"Come with me, Y/N." His voice is so soft, there is so much love and affection for you in his eyes.

In the middle of the flower field was a large blanket. A basket and two glasses. Fred has prepared everything, for a cozy picnic for two.

You laugh a lot, and Fred shows you a whole other side that you didn't know before. Hidden deep inside he hid a romantic side.

Fred even makes a crown of flowers for you while fireflies surround you. He himself has to laugh softly and he blushes. You've really turned his head, because he no longer recognized himself.

When Fred puts the crown on you, he leans forward and kisses your cheek tenderly.

He looks deep into your eyes as he slowly backs away. Oh dear god, what was he thinking? But he can't take his eyes off your pretty face.

You can't help but kiss him gently and carefully. Afraid you might scare him off, or be rejected, you look at him quite shy.

But Fred can't imagine anything more beautiful than kissing you. For so long he has dreamed about it.

He smiles lovingly at you as he places his hand to your cheek, coming a little closer again. "I think... I've fallen in love with you, Y/N. No, I've fallen hard for you!"

This time you kiss him without fear. "I love you too, Freddy." You both laugh softly as you lean your forehead against his and just lie in his strong arms. Safe and sound ♥

Young! Sirius Black

Sirius will bring you white jasmine. This beautiful flower stands for sweet love. Your story started early. Sirius had spent a lot of time with you and flirted with you. You have stolen his heart.

You go out for a ride together on his motorcycle

You will first drive through the illuminated streets of London by night. There is so much life and joy!

You feel Sirius tense under your embrace, but he really enjoys having you so close. He enjoys the feeling that you trust him.

Walking through the park, you notice that Sirius is different today. More quiet and yet you can feel that something very special was in the air. 

That gleam and hunger in his eyes. Your heart is racing, your knees are getting weak. Oh, you've been feeling for weeks that something very special is going to happen between you. You're really just waiting for him to kiss you.

But when he tries, you just slip away and smile cheekily at him. He should earn his kiss by catching you.

Sirius is confused at first, but immediately understands what you want to do and goes straight into your game.

However, you don't make it that easy for him and that spurs young Sirius on even more. He loves every challenge.

"What's going on? Not fast enough, Sirius?"

And you can't even look that fast beforehe grabs your arm and makes you stop instantly. As he pulls you to his chest in a swoop, you gaze into each other's eyes and both of your hearts pound in rhythm.

"I got you," he whispers. "And?" you ask softly, leaning forward to his face, your hands resting on his chest. Sirius just smirks and runs his hand through your hair. Ever so gently.

Before any of you could take the first step, it started raining heavily. 

You look up to the sky, the summer rain soaked you both completely - It is very erotic and romantic. "Don't you want your prize, Sirius? I'm waiting for it!"

He chuckles softly, as you reach for his wet shirt, pulling him closer. 

Sirius did not hesitate for a moment and kisses you deeply and passionately. Sighing softly, you respond to his kiss, snuggling up to his warm but very wet body.

"I love you..." "Love you too, babygirl."

The next day Sirius is lying in bed with a cold. But you take care of him ♥

[moremaybank]

klaus listening to every single thing you say and committing it all to memory so he can surprise you later.

note i have no idea what this is, i’m just daydreaming about my original-hybrid husband. soft & romantic!klaus has my heart.

❥ you mention in passing that you'd love to go out for a picnic in the middle of nowhere and spend the day in tranquillity. not long after, the man drives you a little ways from home, blindfolds you and surprises you with a picnic in a large field of wildflowers. there's no one for miles, and the absence of bustling city noise isn't lost on you. just a cool breeze on a warm day, the sounds of the flowers blowing in the wind and the leaves rustling in the trees. there are heaps of your favourite pastries from the bakery down the street from the compound, a bottle of champagne (naturally), and loads of fresh fruits. he brings the book you've been reading so you can read to him, and he can get lost in your voice. "thank you for this," you smile. "it's my pleasure, love.”

❥ one day, klaus walks into your shared bedroom and notices you trying to cram a book into your already over-capacitated bookshelf. "love, that's never going to fit in there," he spoke. "well, where else am i supposed to put it?" a week later, your boyfriend leads you to one of the many abandoned rooms in the compound. he opens the door for you, and you step inside, your eyes gazing over the many ceiling-high bookshelves lined against each wall. your fingers brush over the countless spines of books you haven't gotten around to reading yet, many of the titles being ones you'd added to your secret (or so you thought) wish list. "you deserve to live out every single disney-themed fantasy you conjure up. this just happens to quell your desires for ceiling-high bookshelves like in beauty and the beast," he says. he can see how ecstatic you are, and he's reminded of how happy it makes him to help you achieve your dreams, no matter how big or small.

❥ "oh, and they do this huge carnival to kick off the summer. the mayor goes all out, and the town is filled with twinkly lights and the sweet smells of caramel popcorn and cotton candy. there's a ton of live music, and the sunsets are to die for. i really want to bring hope there one day. i think she'd love it." klaus lets you go on about your hometown, twirling your hair between his fingers as he watches your face light up with happiness. in his mind, he's already booking a week off to take both of his favourite humans up to your hometown so you can share your excitement with his daughter.

[going-to-ikea-for-the-fries]

Whiskey on Love

Ofc taking this OC questionaire from Connie (@crashtestbunny)

(01) Is your OC in love? If so, with whom, and for how long? ♥

Yup. Victoria (MW19 timeline) is in love with Simon. He's in love with her too.

Depending on the 'timeframe' you pick, they either JUST met and have mutual respect for one another (slowly inching toward love) OR have been married for 3 years.

(02) Does another OC love your OC? If so, whom, and does your OC know? ♥

Victoria is a very 'People don't like me' believer. And yet somehow she has a loving husband and is very good friends with Meabh and knows Meabh loves her, so... (She loves her back)

(03) Are there any romantic gestures that your OC loves? ♥

Victoria is pragmatic and a fan of acts of service. In days where she's swamped and hasn't had time to take care of herself, Simon drops off food, drinks, meds, and runs a hand over her hair before promptly leaving. It always puts a smile on her face.

Secondarily, she likes flowers. Tulips, especially. Whenever Simon gets home from missions (if it's not the middle of the night), he brings her tulips from the local flower shop.

(04) Are there any romantic gestures that your OC hates? ♥

PDA. When you're out in public, do not perceive that she has a physical form. She will allow her partner (Simon) to do ANYTHING in private. But in public? God forbid he tries to so much as hug her, she's punching him in the balls.

(05) What is the most romantic thing your OC has done for someone else? ♥

If we're going off of 'traditional' romance, she crocheted a balaclava for Ghost. It's the only balaclava he has that isn't covered in chalk or paint from him making designs on it. It's black all over. He uses it a lot for winter missions underneath his regular skull-faced balaclava. It has her initials crocheted in the back.

If not then, she's fireman carried Simon after a bad mission back to the helo, down from a goddamn skyscraper: 30 floors, while he was actively bleeding out against her neck. Yelled at him the whole way down to keep him awake and responsive.

(06) What is the most romantic thing that has been done for your OC? ♥

Traditionally romantic: Simon slow-dances with her in the kitchen, in their pajamas, every Sunday morning (as long as they're both on leave). She doesn't know why she likes it or how it started.

Non-traditional: Simon's killed the man who got her father and brother killed. Got Victoria's heart going badunk badunk when he dragged the guy's aliven't body in front of her and dropped it at her feet.

(07) How successful is your OC at flirting with others? ♥

She knows how to flirt and consciously chooses not to. I'd say she could be successful if she intended to be.

(08) What is your OC’s dream marriage proposal? ♥

Victoria sort of imagined the stereotypical Go Out for Dinner > Go for a Secluded Walk > He Gets Down on One Knee as being the go-to and never considered anything else. Anything else would be too flashy for her either way.

Until Simon murmurs in her ear, one late night when they're both struck by a bout of insomnia:

"If something happens to me, I'd want you to get the widow's pension." "Yeah, same, it'd just make sense to- Are you proposing to me, Simon?" "Yes." "Okay."

(09) What is your OC’s favorite small way to show their love? ♥

She catches Simon eye and then fidgets with her wedding band (or bare ring finger!) in his field of view. It's an unspoken 'I love you'. He responds by doing the same to his own.

(10) What is your OC’s favorite big way to show their love? ♥

Acts of service. Both in private or in public. Refilling Simon's tea cup has been her go-to 'big' gesture for years. Even before they fell in love, the fact he trusted her to do it and to get it right every time, spoke volumes.

(11) What do others love most about your OC? ♥

She's direct. And that's a good and a bad thing. She can look both a General and a Private in the eye and speak to both with the same bluntness (as long as she has a decent rapport with them!). You'll never doubt if she has hidden intentions, she doesn't. She says what she thinks.

(12) What do you love most about your OC? ♥

She's got a strong personality and yet she's so *simple* to 'step into', her voice is clear when I'm writing for her. She's strong and determined and honest and blunt!

(I came up with her sort of on a whim because I had a plot and no OC to execute it with and so tailored her to the plot instead of the other way around... And somehow still came up with an OC that makes my heart swell with pride and joy.)

(13) How does your OC show their love to those that are not their partner(s)? ♥

She makes an effort to care for them, to use their love language, even if it's not something she's comfortable with. Using Meabh as an example, Victoria chuckles at her shenanigans/jokes (plus gets involved), hugs her, lets her sleep in her bed, etc.

(14) Does your OC have any romantic traditions? ♥

Victoria and Simon bathe together whenever they came back from missions. (Not as soon as they come back! But in the evening of the same day/following day.)

All other times they shower alone and are quick and efficient. But after a mission, especially a hard one, they bathe together and hold each other tight.

(15) What is your OC’s favorite type of Valentine’s Day candy? ♥

Surprisingly enough, Victoria likes chocolate-covered strawberries.

(16) What is your OC’s ideal first date? ♥

It's been so long since she's dated!!! When she was younger and less jaded, it would've been 'Coffee and a walk' and maybe some type of activity together like an arcade. Now? The woman's happy with a movie where they can sit down and not talk.

(17) Could your OC fall in love with someone they’ve never met in person? ♥

No. Not because looks are important, but because a lot of her communicating with people is through body language and eye contact. Can't do that over a phone camera or something, when your body language cuts off at the shoulders.

(18) Does your OC have a “type”? ♥

Men: She likes them tall, mysterious, with deep voices and the ability to kill a man. (Simon. Her type is Simon.) She didn't know she had a type until she met Simon.

Women: Masculine women, surprisingly. Also goths.

(19) How highly does your OC value love (platonic, romantic, or otherwise)? ♥

They're all at the same level and that's low. Doesn't mean she doesn't value it or cherish it or anything. But between her career and trauma, she's trying to heal and she definitely puts that first. Which is why falling for Simon and making friends (other than Meabh) is not something she's expecting.

(20) How does your OC feel about public displays of affection? ♥

Answered that above: KILL IT. KILL IT WITH FIRE.

(21) Does your OC believe in love at first sight? ♥

No. But she definitely believes in 'Romantic interest at first sight'.

(22) How often does your OC read romantic literature? ♥

Victoria likes romance. Not the sappy stuff. But she's a sucker for Wild West, Regency or Viking themed novels and they've gotta be somewhat dark/dangerous. More like prefers action/adventure with some romance in there.

(23) What is your OC’s favorite nice thing to do for themselves? ♥

Self-care! Face masks (away from the scar!), a nice soak in the bath, paints her nails! Also tries and fails to restore the damage she does to her hair with hair-gel and tying it up into a bun for work.

(24) How does your OC determine that they’re attracted to someone? ♥

When she finds herself looking at them more often than ever before. Queen of Eye Contact Until They Look Away. ™️ Doesn't work with Ghost. Or, rather, the 'looking away' doesn't work. The eye contact does work and VERY well.

(25) Does your OC believe in soulmates? ♥

Yes. Not like 'omg you're my soulmate' but, 'My soul feels at peace around you, that has to mean something'.

(26) Is your OC ever the first to say “I love you”? ♥

Victoria does NOT say the words ever. Finds it actually cringe. Simon doesn't either. They don't need to say it though. The amount of eye contact they make and hand signs they communicate through, anything can be deemed an affectionate display of devotion.

(27) How does your OC typically spend their Valentine’s Day? ♥

On leave: Eating chocolate-covered strawberries and drinking whiskey in her living room while watching a bad romance movie with Ghost.

Deployed: He sends her a picture of his hand holding a tumbler of whiskey wherever he is. / She returns the sentiment with one of her own/chocolate.

(28) What is something unconventional that your OC thinks is romantic? ♥

Nothing more unconventional than Simon killing a man for her.

That being said, sometimes when they've got enough freedom to talk to one another during missions (doing overwatch), they'll debate all sorts of things over comms. If someone taps in to call one of them, all they hear is Whiskey on minute 27 of an in-depth film analysis of Good Will Hunting, Fight Club, etc.

(29) What is your OC’s favorite love song? ♥

Ed Sheeran - Give Me Love (she's a big Ed Sheeran fan!)

(30) What is your OC’s favorite romantic movie?

Me Before You.

[funnyjb]

Flowers and lace

You were putting the last final touches of makeup on your face in the bathroom when you heard a familiar voice radiate through your apartment. “Y/n?”Joe asks. “In here!” You say. Joe walks in wearing a navy striped suit and white t-shirt underneath with black dress shoes. He looked so handsome. You turn around to face him and you give him a look. “What’s the face for?” Joe asks. “You look fancy!” You say in a joking why trying to make him laugh. Joe smirks and says “why thank you”. but then he pauses to look at you top to bottom and he was left speechless. You were wearing a floral dress with lace cut into it and a long v-neck showing some cleavage. You smile knowing very well he didn’t know what to say which made you blush. “You look gorgeous” Joe says with a smile. God that smile. “Thank you Joey!” you say.

Once done with your makeup you make sure your curled hair looks good and you leave your bathroom to find Joe sitting at the edge of your bed on his phone looking at some outfit ideas for this upcoming football season. You always love seeing Joe on the field and you are so proud of him for what he has accomplished. “I like those pants” you say in sarcasm. “Really!” Joe says.

“No.” You laugh and give him a smirk. “Haha so funny” joey says in sarcasm. “Alright let’s get going” you say trying to put your heels on. Once out the door you and Joe walk to his car and he opens the car door for you. “Thank you”you say. “Of course” Joey says closing the door to get to his side. Once in the car Joe turns on his playlist filled with his favorite songs. “You still love your Kid Cudi!” You saying knowing joe still listens to him every day since middle school. “Duh!” He says.

After an hour long car ride to the venue you two get out. You wait in the car knowing Joe likes to give you a hand out of the car and would be mad if got out yourself. “What a gentleman!” You say. “Why thank you!” Joey says. As you two walk into the beautiful venue filled with flowers and guests you link your hand with joes knowing he gets nervous with all these people around. You look up at him giving a, you ok? Look. He gives you a smile and a nod which reassures you but you still know he is a little nervous. You and Joe go your separate ways for bit greeting your old friends from your childhood. As you are talking to one of your old high school friends Anna you notice Joe is looking at you from the corner of your eye which grabs your attention and you tried to stay focused in your conversation so you turned your head quickly back to Anna. Anna quickly grasps on to what you were so distracted by and says “so you and Joe huh?” She says with a smirk. Oh! Haha no still just really good best friends!” You say. Oh! I thought you guys were a thing because of the way I see you guys look at each other. Anna says with a laugh. What do you mean the way we look at each other? You ask with a little laugh intrigued with what she is about to say. “You don’t notice y/n? You guys look at each other like you are in love!” She says. “Really? I don’t think so.” You say surprised at what Anna just said. “Oh you guys look like you are in love with the way you guys have kept looking at each other all night.” Anna says while drinking her champagne. “God I’ve never really noticed.”You say. “Go over to him I bet he has been wanting you because he’s been looking over here every second.” Anna says with a laugh. “Haha fine! I will catch you later!” You say. “Go get your man y/n!” She says and you give back a smirk. Once you reached Joe who was at a standing table talking to one of his best friends Zach with a drink in hand he quickly notices you and turns to Zach and shakes his hand and they both say catch you later. “Hey! Where’s Zach going?” You say confused to why he left. “Oh he just went to go catch up with some other friends and get another drink.” Joe says with a smile. There’s that smile again. “Oh ok!”You say placing your drink down on the table. “It feels so weird seeing everyone again.” You say with a laugh. “Tell me about it! Everyone looks so different but the same.”Joe laughs. “Yeah! And it’s so weird seeing our best friends get married! God where did the time go!” You laugh. “I know right!” Joe says. Joe then gives you a smirk and says “do you remember when everyone thought we were going to get married first? Crazy right?” Joe laughs awkwardly. You look up at him and say “haha! I do and everyone thinks we are a couple since we came together.” “Yeah! People have been coming up to me saying so you and y/n huh?” Joe says. “Really? That’s funny!” You say fidgeting with your ice in your drink keeping eyes on Joe then looking down. “Yeah I guess it is!” Joe says with a little laugh and then says something you never thought you would hear come out of his mouth. “Do you ever think of what it would have been like if we dated?”Joe asks. You look up at him surprised that he said that and you say “only when people ask me if we are a couple. But it honesty would have been weird.” You say kinda disappointed that you are even saying this because ever since you were 9 years old you thought Joe would have been your boyfriend or better yet your husband by now but you are both 25 and you know that he would never like you back after all these years you thought. “Yeah, I guess it would be kind of weird.”Joe says awkwardly with a little laugh. After a moment of silence and complete awkwardness you ask “do you want to dance?” Once you said it you knew it was the alcohol talking and Joe does not like dancing but to your surprise he say yes and took your hand. Once on the dance floor a slow song came on and it was one of your favorite songs ever. “The night we met” by Lord Huron. You smiled and wrapped your arms around joes neck.

Authors note: re-post

[badmusejail]

KOGA. [ modern / fantasy ]

note: this muse is based on the Pokemon muse of the same name, with many other inspirations from the Pokemon world. while this post focuses on the details of the fantasy variant, most of this can be applied to the pokemon verse as well.

overview.

name. Koga [甲賀] or ∆V˄П age. 54 (main verse), 30 (younger verse) species. shinshoku [神職] | human that channels kami powers sex. male occupation. assassin

appearance.

Koga is a Japanese man standing at 5'5" with a slender build emphasizing dexterity and agility over strength. Trained from youth, he is fit and toned and stands with the general stance of a trained, alert fighter.

He has black hair (fading to grey in his older years) that has a slight blue hue in the right light and is always styled into spikes that stick out around his head. His eyes are dark brown.

His clothing style varies and he can be seen wearing almost anything, though a red scarf is a common part of his outfit, even in the middle of summer.

His hands are rough from years of weapon use, and a variety of scars minor and major litter his body. Despite being married, he does not wear any ring and tends to avoid anything irrevocably distinct. Even so, he has a variety of tattoos across his abdomen. Most notably, a field of pink flowers around his waist with a black squirrel sitting among them on his lower right back. The rest of the tattoos are actually a special method of storing techniques for later use, and can have a variety of effects if triggered.

family.

mother. Hayai [速い] | ∆VwʎⱿ father. Doksu [毒手] | W∆VɅ> sister. Aya [紋] | ∆V∆ wife. Hiroka Nakao [博華 中尾] daughter. Janine (younger verse) / Anzu [杏] | ∆VꞰⱿ (main verse) other. too many to list.

Koga was born to two practicing members of a clan called the Kikyodai [一族の桔梗毒 • ichizoku no kikyodai • Clan of the Toxic Bellflower]. The clan has been practicing for approximately 400 years, in service of a kami named Azaku [ϺꞰꞰ∆V].

The history of the clan is long and complex, but in short, it's tradition for members of the clan to bind their souls to Azaku, gaining access to a limited degree of his power, which they use mainly for the protection of their land and home, and by extension, Azaku's territory.

abilities.

Koga channels the powers of the kami Azaku, a kami with the domain of nightmares, trickery, and deception. The clan has spent hundreds of years training and honing the use of the kami's powers, developing a variety of useful techniques, focused around disorienting and overwhelming the enemy.

That being said, while they're capable of a great range of abilities, none of them are made for direct combat, and they can easily be overpowered by sheer brute force.

Examples of techniques include smokescreens, teleportation, illusions, putting someone to sleep, peering into their dreams, briefly clinging to walls, or sensing the surroundings.

skills.

Though some of Koga and the clan's success are owed to Azaku and the magic they borrow from him, the clan also puts a heavy emphasis on training the mind, body, and soul as well, and Koga has decades of diligent training supporting his skillset.

He is well versed in many forms of combat, particularly the use of a variety of weapons including katanas, knives, throwing darts / shuriken, staffs, kusarigama, and yes, guns if they exist within the universe.

He does have some knowledge of unarmed combat for emergency use, but frankly, if pressed that far he's more likely to flee than to continue fighting. He's not difficult to overpower and he's not interested in fighting fair.

He's highly knowledgeable about all sorts of poisons and drugs -- both healing and harming, and practical and recreational use.

He's trained in subterfuge, reconnaissance, and survival, along with reading people and manipulating them to act to his advantage.

He's also well read on a variety of tactical and philosophical material.

Perhaps most important of all, he's trained to keep himself healthy, to tend to all needs of the person, and keep the aspects of the self in balance.

personality.

More often than not, Koga tends to present himself as a cold, standoffish individual (though that tendency fades as he gets older), mainly because he and his clan both have a reputation and potential enemies may take advantage of any sign of weakness.

Beneath the facade, he tends to be a gentle and compassionate individual, caring a great deal about the world and the people around him, often offering his advice and support to others and holding himself as a role model to them.

Though his skillset often leads him to violent encounters, either as a hired hand, defending his home, or serving local leadership, he views the taking of life as a very solemn duty, something he does out of necessity.

He and his clan believe heavily in love and friendship, harmony, forgiveness, and second chances, and while Koga believes in the capacity of humanity to do great good, he holds no delusions of the great atrocities they are capable of.

While he does try to keep his targets to the worst of humanity, he doesn't view his actions as good or heroic, but rather an example of evil combating evil. Ultimately, he believes that there is no unified concept of good, and what may be his good or for the good of the clan is almost certainly another man's evil.

On the other side, he has a sadistic streak, particularly enjoying watching people suffer to a variety of poisons. He is aware that he enjoys killing far more than he should, a trait he struggles with and tries to reign in. By his older years, he has found peace within himself.

He can also be vindictive and cruel, sometimes without any real reason or even realizing he's being so.

He's also a liar, compulsively so, and may lie about things as simple as what flavor tea he's drinking or what path he took home. It's a problem he's aware of, and a consequence of his bond to Azaku, and he makes an effort to not lie about important things, but it's still fairly common for him to completely omit important details or obscure aspects of his life for no real reason.

He often acts without explanation, and sometimes in drastic ways, requiring that those around him trust that he ultimately has good intentions, even if it doesn't seem as so at first. He is aware that the demand is unfair, and does not expect people to do so, and as such, he keeps few companions outside of his family.

However, even though his loyalty is first and forever to his clan, those that manage to earn friendship are protected. Aggressively so.

history.

Some things might shift here and there depending on the verse, but these events are mostly consistent across all verses.

0. Koga is born on January 4th.

3. Aya is born.

6. Hayai is murdered.

10. Koga is guided by his father in a systemic torture and murder of another human being.

13. Koga binds his soul to Azaku.

20. Koga meets Hiroka.

21. Koga marries Hiroka.

25. Janine is born.

29. Doksu passes leadership of the clan to Aya.

50. Hiroka dies.

52. Koga finally starts coming out of the grief.

54. Present day. Koga's health is failing.

[francesminos-tt]

Twisted -1-

The countryside was quiet and peaceful, almost ethereal in the late spring sun. There was only one paved road in the small village, with numerous unpaved paths stretching from the main road, like branches from a huge tree, or blood veins from the main artery. The whole village was dead quiet at 3:37pm, only the occasional dog barks reminding people that this was not a ghost village.

Daeron looked at his watch, then the small notebook he kept in his pocket at all times. He could have used his phone for navigation, but the internet was practically useless in such remote place. He walked 3 miles just to get to the entrance of this village, a crooked metal board on a tree, reading Arcadia.

There was nothing Arcadia about this place, Daeron thought, except that it was located in the middle of nowhere. But remoteness and isolation seldom meant idleness. It was a fact known by many that remoteness and isolation was the birthing parents of all things sinister.

Daeron stopped in front of a small tavern and put notebook back into his pocket. The tavern was a three story building located at the center of this village, Arcadia, and the only place for social gatherings. According to its website, it was opened in 1894 and had served the community for more than 100 years. Also, it was the only restaurant and the only “hotel” in this small village. Daeron tried to push the door open, but the heavy carved door seemed to be locked. He knocked, no answer. He rang the easily neglected door bell, still nothing.

“Miss K must be taking her nap now.” A voice came from behind Daeron, nearly shocking the young man out of his skin.

Daeron turned back, only to find a friendly face smiling at him. It was a young man, probably 20 or less, with shockingly dark hair and a handsome face. He was almost as tall as Daeron, but a bit slenderer, his shoulders wrapped under a plain sweatshirt. The collar was too loose, exposing his pale neck and delicate collar bone. He wore a washed tight jeans underneath, paired with a pair of pointy oxfords. He looked like any young adult Daeron had met in the city, but there was a delicacy to him, with his nicely shaped eyebrow, long lashes, flushed cheeks and soft lips.

“I am sorry?” Daeron said, tilting his head to the side.

“The tavern owner, Miss K. She always takes a nap in the afternoon. You won’t be able to wake her unless there is a fire.” The young man said; he sounded boyish, his voice high-pitched compared to Daeron’s deep one. “You won’t set a fire to her tavern, will you?”

“Of course not.” Daeron replied immediately. “I booked a room here, but I guess I arrived too early.”

“Oh, a visitor! We haven’t had a visitor in years!” The young man clapped his hands, his darks eyes sparkling with excitement, “I am Joffrey, by the way. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you.” Daeron replied, shaking Joffrey’s outstretched hand. Joffrey’s hand was small and soft, perching neatly in Daeron’s sweaty palm. Perhaps too soft for a young man like him.

“Will you come and take a stroll with me? I can tell you some nice things to see around here. Perhaps share a little gossip as well.” Joffrey offered. He seemed friendly, if not a tad too flirty. He came to stand next to Daeron, all giddy and goofy smile. If Joffrey was not a 6 feet tall man, Daeron would say that he was approached by a teenager girl.

Daeron considered for a moment. He had nothing to do. His phone wasn’t working and he had no one to talk to except for this overly chatty young man. Joffrey looked nice, and naive for his age, a perfect starting point for Daeron’s investigation.

“All right.” Daeron said, putting his hands into his pocket, his fingers brushing against the notebook’s leather cover, over and over again, a habit he had developed in the academy.

“Let’s go! We can go see the flower fields! Oh, do you know Mr. X adopted a new goat? We suspect it’s stolen, but he won’t admit it.” Joffrey put his hand into the hollow of Daeron’s arm and hooked their arms together like a pair of Victorian lovers.

Daeron noticed two things. One, not only did Joffrey talk like a girl, he acted like one too. Second, Joffrey used plural in his speech, we instead of I, which meant that he probably lived with someone. It was strange for a young man like him to have such a sense of collectiveness. Most young men in their 20s wanted to be as unique as possible, imagine themselves as lone fighters against the world. Childish and stupid, in Daeron’s opinion.

“You are going to love our village.” Joffrey smiled, his dark lashes fluttering like butterfly wings, “There. That’s our house, just above the hill.”

Daeron looked at the direction Joffrey was pointing and saw a lovely farm house perched on a small hill just off the main road. The house was painted a lovely cream white, with dark roofs and old style windows. It was well maintained with a row of white fences around, a bicycle leaning against them sluggishly. It was idyllic, dreamy, a perfect image of country life.

“It’s nice.” Daeron commented.

“Oh, it is.” Joffrey said dreamily, a shy smile on his face. Was it the dusk, or Daeron’s imagination that Joffrey was blushing?

There were more to write on his notebook, Daeron thought.

[princessbettina]

Birthday Surprise-Horatio Godkin x Arabella / Fem! reader

Summary: A birthday weekend of plans spent with your best friend suddenly turns into a slightly unexpected adventure filled with a new romance with a charming young man you'd be suprised to run into unexpectedly in the exact cottage your best friend rented out for your special weekend.

A/N: This is heavily inspired by Thomas Doherty's 'The Inventor's Apprentice' spicy Quinn audio / ASMR(ish) series he did a few months back. If you know... you know ;) ;)

In this story, your name is Arabella as in the audio story that is narrated by Thomas.

Warnings: None. Really fluffy!

I apologize if there are any spelling or grammar mistakes in this. I hope you all enjoy!

*

I woke up and instantly had butterflies in my stomach. Today was my birthday weekend. The party and celebrations don't stop after the actual day, and that's exactly what is happening. 

My best friend, Shay, had surprised me with a rented out cottage for the day that I could spend the day in. The only downfall is, I would be spending time in this cottage alone. 

All of my friends, including Shay, all have plans for the day, which is fine. It's not like I'm spending my actual birthday alone, the day was a few days ago and it was marvelous! 

It would have been fun to spend time with them there and not completely and totally alone in an empty but aesthetically pleasing cabin cottage by myself. 

It can't be so bad, I'm sure I'll find something fun to do, right? 

*

I got out of bed and got ready for the day. Putting on one of my favorite outfits, which is this white, long, knee length, and flowy summer dress that flowed along with the summer breeze. 

After that, I brushed my long sandy blonde hair and quickly pulled half of it up and tied it back in a half up, half down ponytail. I then applied face makeup like usual and then I was ready. 

A little bit of time went by and I heard a knock on my door. Getting up to answer it and opened it, I was greeted by a cheery younger woman who had reddish brown shoulder length hair, a bright smile, and a bubbly personality 

 "Hi, hi! My name is Celeste! I'm your driver to the birthday cottage. You're Arabella, right?" She asked cheerfully, making me smile. 

 "Yes, that's me. It's nice to meet you, Celeste. I'm Arabella. I take it you're here to take me to the cottage that Shay arranged for me?" I asked while tilting my head to the side

 "It's lovely to meet you, Arabella. You're absolutely right. Shay gave me all the details. Now, come on girlfriend! Your birthday cottage awaits you!" Celeste squealed. 

I smiled more and then quickly grabbed my shoulder purse, phone, and key to lock up my actual house and out the door we went, getting in her car and driving to the cottage. 

*

The car ride ended when Celeste pulled into a luxurious and spacious looking driveway that had a humongous grass field with sunflowers, roses, and poppies scattered everywhere in the field. 

My breath was already taken away at the sight of it. My love for gardening and flowers was strong, ever since I was a little girl. Seeing them was always a breath of fresh air to me. 

The front of the cottage had a fountain in the middle of the front yard and pebbles and small rocks that scattered around all over the ground, which was typical. 

Celeste got out of the car first and politely opened my car door for me, squealing and brightly smiling at me once more. "Here we are, Arebella! Your birthday cottage" 

 "Thank you so much, Celeste!" I thanked her with a smile. The view of this place really took my breath away. 

 "Wow! This place looks beautiful!" I gasped while looking around as Celeste traveled to the trunk and opened it, taking out my suitcase and wheeled it over to me, hence the wheels on the bottom haha

Quickly turning my attention to Celeste, I gently took my suitcase holder from her and thanked her again. "Come on, girl! Let's go take a peek inside!" She squealed once more, while holding out the keys a little in her hand and rattled them, and the two of us walked to the front door of the cabin.

Celeste practically skipped the entire way which caused me to giggle to myself. She unlocked the door and stepped inside, as I followed suit behind her, "here we are! Sure is beautiful isn't it?" 

 "It's gorgeous! Sure is a shame none of my other friends are here to experience this with me, Shay and the others are booked but it's alright. Selfcare by yourself isn't so bad, right?" I chuckled while looking down at the floor for a second. 

 "There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I wish I could join you and keep you company but I gotta run more pickups. I'll leave you my number, text me if you need anything!" Celeste smiled and then winked at me, and we exchanged numbers and said our goodbyes and Celeste was gone. 

Leaving it just be me alone in the cottage,

Or so I thought… 

*

The quiet but peaceful ambience filled my ears as I walked and gave myself a tour of the cottage. The sound of birds chirping could be heard from a short distance outside. 

I walked through the hall that led to the main bedroom area and examined it in its beauty. I then closed the door and walked back where I came, seeing the bathroom and storage closet on my left, and another bedroom on the right. 

Making my way back to the kitchen area and examining it, where I once before, when suddenly I heard a strange noise coming from the living room which startled me out of my thoughts. 

 "Wh-who's there?" I questioned out loud, acting like there was a ghost or something there. 

A silence was heard for a second before a young man got up from sitting down on one of the couches in the room, stunning me for a moment because I didn't realize there was someone else in the cottage with me. 

The young man stood tall, and had a bright smile on his face and the brightest of blue eyes, with dark brown hair that fell just a few inches away from his eyes as his bangs danced to the side of his face. 

He was dressed in this whitish tan dress shirt that had ruffles at the end of the sleeves, a dark blue and a tint red vest, along with a red neck tie that covered the majority of the long sleeved shirt, and pants that were the same color as the shirt with little stripes on them and topped them off with a black pair of dress shoes. 

This man was also holding a pocket watch which I thought was cute, but kind of confusing as to what or why he was holding and carrying that around with him.

Shocked at first to see this incredibly gorgeous man standing by a bookcase in the living room that was placed to the side in the cottage caused me to lose control of myself on the inside, 

“Oh! I’m so sorry. There must be a mistake or confusion. I thought this was my cottage cabin?” I stammered through my words,while turning red because of how extremely good looking this stranger looked. 

The young man chuckled while smiling more at me while taking a few steps towards me as I stood still for a few more minutes,

“I’m sorry, darling but you might have the wrong cabin. Please, it’s quite alright though” He softly replied, calming me down.

I took a deep breath and nodded my head, and then grinned at him.

 I sighed in relief softly and took a step toward the young man. 

 "That's a relief. Uhm, what's your name? If you don't mind me asking" I asked as we both smiled at each other. 

 "My name's Horatio Godkin. But please, you can call me Horatio. What's your's, love?" 

I can already feel my face start to burn from blush. I really hope Horatio doesn't think I'm crazy, blushing in front of him, and the fact that we literally just met two minutes ago. 

 "Oh I'm Arabella. Just Arabella" I replied as my smile grew and grew each minute, as Horatio did too. 

 "Beautiful name. It's nice to meet you, Arabella." Said Horatio as we both smiled more. 

A silence was heard for a few moments, but it was a comfortable one. 

“So….Are you included in the birthday cottage package that my best friend gave me?” I asked, instantly shutting my eyes from the slight embarrassment and blushing after hearing the question I asked. 

Horatio chuckled more as he looked down at the floor for a moment, and then crossed his arms while staring at me.

“Uh, no I don’t think so, but I think seeing you here changed my mind to where I would like to be” Horatio sent a wink my way, causing me to flush to myself. 

Screaming in my mind because I wasn’t expecting this drop dead gorgeous guy to be mistakenly in the wrong cottage that I had for myself and to be flirting with me too. 

*

 "Maybe Celeste-my driver who took me over here must have gotten the cottage mixed up. If you want, I could call her and have her get a new cottage. I'm so sorry for barging in like this" I stammered again as I paced slowly. 

Horatio was gentle and understanding. He stepped closer to me and gently grabbed hold of my hands, pulling me close to him just a little. 

 "It's alright, love. Yes, this was originally my cottage, you're more than welcome to have this one. I can be the one who leaves and finds a new one." 

Hearing Horatio's extremely kind words and amazing Scottish accent, I think I was really starting to fall for this man. 

What? Come on, if you were in my shoes I'm sure you'd feel the same way.

 "Thank you, Horatio. I don't think you'd need to leave either. And have we been flirting with each other and didn't know it?" I question, raising my eyebrow in a flirty way, causing Horatio to giggle. 

 "Have you ever tried sharing? It's surprisingly fun. We could share this cottage together if you want, Arabella" Horatio offered as he wiggled his eyebrows, causing me to blush again. 

Quickly laughing my blush off my face, I shook my head and then turned my attention back to him. 

"That sounds like fun but we hardly know one another. Would you really be comfortable sharing a cabin with a complete stranger you don't even know? But yet again, you did flirt with me a few minutes ago so maybe you have other ideas?" 

 "I'm flirting with you because I'm trying to impress you, Arabella," Winked Horatio, causing me to be taken back by what he just confessed. 

My face was becoming hotter by the minute. Who knew a total stranger could make you head over heels in just a few minutes? I can't believe this guy was totally unfazed and not bothered by a stranger, me, who was about to share his cottage with him. 

 "Well, consider me already impressed, Horatio. Standing here has already changed my perspective and I'm starting to think you're quite charming, if you can believe me on that. I think I'll take you up on your offer of sharing the cottage with you" I giggled through my words as Horatio smirked and then blushed a little. 

 "Smart choice made by a lovely and smart and dare I say, beautiful girl. I would be honored to get to know you more, Arabella. Of course if that's what you want too." 

How could I say no? I've never had interactions like this with a guy before and honestly I quite liked the experience. I wanted to see where this would go. 

I smiled and nodded my head, because that was exactly what I wanted to do too. 

 "You're such a charmer. And I'd also be honored to get to know you more too, Horatio" 

He and I couldn't stop smiling at each other. It was a cute sight to see. 

*

Fast forward to a few minutes and Horatio and I settled comfortably on one of the couches for a moment, before Horatio got a cute but really interesting idea. 

 "You know something? I'd say I'm a fabulous masseur.  Maybe to make you feel even more comfortable and feel at home, If you'd like I could give you a back and shoulder massage if you want, Arabella" Said Horatio with a bright smile. 

I could almost hear how bright his smile was to the side of him. I widened my eyes and covered my mouth with my hand because I was not expecting him to offer to do that. 

Taking another deep breath, and trying to control my beat red face, I simply turned to face Horatio and smiled and nodded my head, signaling that I gave him my full permission to do that. 

After seeing my response, Horatio nodded his head and giggled softly while then proceeding to get up and adjust his seating, from first sitting shoulder to shoulder with me, to sitting directly behind me. 

I tried my best to remain calm as I relaxed and sat up tall in front of him, waiting for what he wanted me to do or do next. 

Horatio then gently placed and rested both of his hands delicately onto my shoulders, and began to rub my shoulders with just little, but enough pressure. 

The second he touched my shoulders and proceeded with the massage, I closed my eyes and breathed steadily, as my heart kept racing from the inside.  

 "How does that feel, my darling?" Horatio asked softly, while still massaging my shoulders. 

Man, he wasn't lying when he said that he gave good massages. I felt at peace and comfort with him. Maybe I was developing feelings for him? 

Who cares? Crush on the people you want to crush on. You never know, something beautiful and magical could happen from it. 

My eyes fluttered open for a moment and a smile on my face appeared, "Ooh, it feels delightful, Horatio. You can move lower if you want and if that's okay" 

 "Certainly my love" He chirped and without hesitation, he moved his hands just a few tads lower, now massaging the middle but still upper part of my back. 

All of it felt extremely relaxing because I found myself closing my eyes again, relaxing in Horatio's touch. 

Again, I could practically hear Horatio's smile from the back of my neck. It felt like he was enjoying all of this too. Moving slower and slower as his fingers danced across my skin on my back. 

Horatio slowly moved his hands back up towards my shoulders, and then began to massage and then caressed my neck, causing me to quickly open my eyes and blush once more. 

 "Will you be my goddess, Arabella?" Whispered Horatio while still giving my neck attention. Was this his way of asking me out? Did he really just ask me to be with him romantically? 

Sign me up! 

 "Yes!" I quickly whispered back to him with a quick breath. With that, Horatio began to kiss my neck, peppering it with kisses on every inch of skin on my neck that he could cover. 

Once Horatio was finished, I turned my body around to face him as he rested his back against the arm rest of the couch and as I gently laid on top of his chest. 

 "Did you just ask me out? Are you serious about us being together?" I whispered as I gently ran my hand through his hair. 

 "Mmhm, yes I did. You're a beautiful, smart, charming and funny young woman who I am attracted to and I think we should give it a shot" Hummed Horatio while gently resting his hand atop my back. 

 "You took the words right out of my mouth. I feel the same towards you too, Horatio. I'm ready!" I replied back as I lifted my head up to face him and played with his hair some more. 

 Horatio noticed me looking at him which caused him to giggle, while rubbing my back. 

 "What, my love?" 

 "When are you going to kiss me?" I blushed while giggling and hid my face on his shoulder. 

Horatio chuckled and adjusted us both comfortably, cuddling with one another as he wrapped his arm around me. 

 "Ask and you shall receive,my beautiful darling queen" He whispered as he winked at me and then leaned in closer towards me, as I did too. Our noses and lips centimeters apart and before I knew it, our lips touched and a magical kiss blossomed. 

This was way better than self care, wink wink <3 

*

-the end

I hope you all enjoyed the read. I adore Thomas Doherty so so much and all of his tv and movie characters. Writing stories of and about them is something I've always loved and enjoyed to do. Writing a story of Horatio and turning it (the story) into a mini series was something I've always wanted to do, espcially after hearing those Quinn audios! They are *chefs kiss*

I don't think there's any other Horatio fanfics on here or anywhere (please let me know if there are! I need more of him lol) I think it's cool that I might be the first writer of a Horatio fanfic. I will be uploading part two of this real soon! And I will see you in the next one <3

[tvrningout-a]

"ay, can't ya look where ya goin'?" the brown-haired male playfully barked at niko whilst his hand were covering the eyes of chiyo, guiding her to a different location. "i stumbled, man." the grin of the taller male could be heard through his voice whilst they continued to walk through somewhat uneven territory. "yeah, yeah . . . work on ya lies, idiot." rayo would roll his eyes at the other, a smile persistent upon his lips as he made sure that the other was still comfortable. "ya okay, mami?" after receiving reassurance from the girl, the half-demon's features brightened visibly before they came to a halt. the wind was light & breezy, yet no sounds of the busy city travelled atop the currents. slowly would rayo remove his hands from the female's eyes, sprinting to stand next to niko, who had already positioned himself in front of a mural.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHIYO!" they both exclaimed in unison, presenting the colorful mural somewhat dramatically. whilst niko seemed a bit less pleased about having to play up such dramatics, he was still genuinely smiling at the birthday girl. once chiyo's eyes adjusted to the light, she was greeted with a large, abandoned building that had been left in tall grass. it was not far from gaia's garden & she could hear the distant calling of trains. however, what would really catch her eye was the painted mural: as if one had taken a photograph of the young woman & spread it across the largest wall. there she was; a painted chiyo standing amidst roses & sunflowers whilst looking at the viewer with a sentimental smile. she was wearing a summer dress & her eyes sparkled with the intensity of a thousand suns. a peace sign was held up whilst she urged the viewer to follow her into the flower field. the artwork must have taken days if not weeks judging by how large & intricate it was. in bubble font, above the gorgeous mural, 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHIYO' was written out. if the woman was to look at the males again, she would notice them not having moved, at all; a nervous glint among their smiles. "how do you like it? we did it together . . . " niko's voice burst into the silence, adjusting himself whilst slowly walking towards her. "we thought ya might enjoy this spot since it's so peaceful . . . " & then it was rayo's moment to talk, one hand moving behind his head as he scratched his scalp sheepishly. — ( part 2/2 )

it's chiyo's birthday! | @metrictita painted her a gift!

she hasn't ever cared very much for taking pictures of herself. from an objective point of view, chiyo can admit that she has a nice enough face -- she's got an eye for pretty things, after all. yet she's never quite liked the way she looks in photos. maybe it's the perfectionist in her that can't stand how messy her hair can look, or how she seems to never angle her face just right; maybe it's the memories of middle school children and their words carving into her self esteem; or maybe it's the fact that for so long, she hasn't particularly liked the person in those photos. maybe it's a combination of all three. chiyo doesn't like to dwell too much on it, doesn't like to acknowledge such feelings because if she did, she would have to actually handle them. she's not good at that ( helping herself -- she's never known how to help herself ).

as she stares up at a mural that is undeniably beautiful not in spite of its subject but because of it, chiyo lets out a shaky breath. if the situation was different, if this wasn't a mural that niko and rayo spent so much time on, she would simply feel embarrassed and uncomfortable, unused to being at the center of someone's art. she would be able to turn away and miss the beauty her friends see when they look at her. she would miss the person they see, and the love they put into every stroke of color would be lost on her simply because she wouldn't be able to bear the sight of her own smile.

how long had they worked on this? how long had they taken to paint the curve of her smile, the way the sun danced in her eyes? chiyo can't wrap her mind around it, the idea of someone staring at her face for ages and not growing sick of it. yet that's exactly what niko and rayo did, and still, they gaze at her, waiting with nervous smiles for her reaction.

chiyo can't say for sure that she's as pretty as the mural in front of her, but it means infinitely more to her that this is how niko and rayo see her. that knowledge soothes something small and fearful inside her heart ( you have always seen yourself as the lonely moon, a placeholder for the sun; you couldn't see that to others, you are the sun ).

how does chiyo like it? well, she's trying not to cry, if that answers the question.

" this must've taken you forever, " the mangaka finally answers, trying and failing to hide the emotion seeping into her voice. with a huff that turns into a smile, chiyo allows the tears to fall -- even if she immediately wipes at them. there's no point in holding back, not around them. bit by bit, it's becoming easier to remember that.

chiyo shakes her head, walks forward to wrap her arms around niko and hide her face against his torso. blindly she reaches a hand out to beckon rayo over; only once all three of them are successfully squished in a group hug, does chiyo finally speak. her words are muffled, and it's a little hard to breathe, but it's worth it. the warmth inside her chest is back, just as overwhelming as before.

" i love it. how could i feel any differently, you dorks? "

[doitwrite]

Prompt: "The manor is full of paintings, some cursed, most merely bored. Ladies step lightly from picture frames to gather in the kitchen. A lion leaves its canvas to stalk the upstairs halls."

The background of lush green vegetation and blooming flowers seemed to wilt without the gardener bending over them with his bright yellow gloves and floppy straw sunhat. I sighed, dusting off the gilded golden frame that enclosed the scene. Honestly, where had he gone off too? Stepping back, I swept my eyes to both my left and my right. Paintings of all shapes and sizes crowded the wall, all devoid of their usual occupants. A beach with a white spray of water crashing over the shore, a snowy winter field with barren trees clustered around the edges. All of them were empty. A few stray deer from the Holman portrait at the edge of my periphery leapt out of the scene, their oil-painted tails bouncing out of sight.

I flicked the feather duster in annoyance and pinched the bridge of my nose. The duke in the painting on the third floor landing was having another party, I bet.

Honestly. I should at the very least be granted the title of “Painting Control” in addition to maid. 

***

Mother had been sick for a few months when I saw the ad in the paper. I’d been sitting next to her in the living room while she lay on the couch, with the fire blazing because she kept complaining that she was cold. It was the middle of July. I had put Marigold to bed already, and I was reading aloud the weekly gossip column to Mother, trying to ignore the way that my back was sticking to the leather armchair when I noticed the ad.

It stood out from the rest of the paper because its colors were inverted—black background with white text. I pushed my glasses up my sweaty nose and peered closer. In bold, sharp font, it announced: “MAID WANTED. GOOD PAY. INQUIRE AT 485 BOGWOOD MANOR.” I read it a few more times, just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. This was the break I was waiting for. The Bogwoods lived in a pristine manor on the edge of town, and not even the mailman had the nerve to deliver their mail to the box at the front of the house. He just left it at the edge of the pathway leading up to the house, and even though no one ever saw who retrieved it, it would always be gone by the time he came around again. Brimstone is a small town, and everyone knew everyone else and their mother. But the Bogwoods were odd. They seemed to just show up out of the blue one day, and they’d never left. The Bogwoods never came to any of the town meetings, and their kids were apparently homeschooled. Summer, winter, autumn, spring—it didn’t matter what the weather was. The windows were always shuttered and the gate to their home was always locked, as sure as night follows day. We would have started to doubt their existence if every few weeks there wasn’t a rumor of someone in the neighborhood spotting a dark carriage in front of the walkway.

We’d all long since stopped trying to understand the family’s strange behavior, and eventually they settled into the town, like a tombstone in a field of wildflowers.

Well, I could cook and clean like nobody’s business, and I wasn’t afraid of some strange family.

The position promised “good pay,” and that was all I needed to know.

***

I tiptoed across the plush green carpet, taking care to be extra quiet as I passed the sleek black door at the end of the hall. I never saw anyone entering or exiting, but when I’d been admitted I was told in no uncertain terms never to disturb the occupants, not even if the house was on fire. In fact, the only person I ever saw here was Ruskins the butler, a startlingly cheerful young man who always seemed to gush rather than talk. Between his stark white hair and lively brown eyes, he stuck out from the dark Gothic furniture like a shining merry-go-round in a graveyard.

He’d given me a complete tour of the place with the unflinching enthusiasm of a cicerone, from the basement filled with machines that I suspected would not be out of place in a torture chamber to the garden filled with toothy plants that he’d airily warned me to stay away from if I wanted to keep all my fingers. I didn’t quite know what to make of him—There was something simultaneously magnetic and off putting about Ruskins. Despite his apparent good nature, there was something steely in the way he carried himself, like he wouldn’t hesitate to slit my throat with a smile if I acted out of line.

I had wanted to ask questions, but then I thought of the twenty pounds I was promised at the end of each week and decided to keep my mouth shut. As long as that crisp note was waiting for me on the dining table at the end of every Friday, they could be conducting demonic rituals for all I cared. And judging by the faint smell of sulfur and smoke that seemed to emanate from the crack beneath the door, they probably were. 

***

As soon as I reached the stairs, I scampered up silently, making sure to avoid the second step, which I learned the hard way triggered a booby trap that resulted in the dropping of an axe on the unfortunate victim’s head. I eye the gash in the wood with a touch of guilt as I step lightly over it.

 I kept an eye on the row of paintings hanging along the side of the wall as I made my way up. 

A luxurious sitting room with velvet furniture, a booth in a lonely diner. There’s still steam rising from the half-empty cup of coffee on the greasy plastic table.

The top of the landing looms over me, like a yawning maw. The spindly railing that runs along the balcony, which had always reminded me of teeth, only adds to the effect.

I strain my ears for a snatch of music, laughter, or conversation. But I don’t hear anything.

That’s odd.

It’s strangely dark up here too, even though Ruskins always lights the lamps on the walls by the time I get here to clean up in the evening.

But they aren’t on now.

A sense of foreboding starts to envelop me. There’s a distinct wrongness about finding yourself alone in the midst of a normally lively place, like stumbling upon the half-eaten remnants of an abandoned dinner party.

I paused at the top of the stairs with a soft creak. Without the lamps lit, I had to squint to see in the semidarkness. Even so, I could tell that the paintings are completely empty. 

“Armadius? Rosalia?” My voice seemed too loud. No response.

I jumped back, startled, as I stepped on something. It’s flat, like a book.

I reached for the knob of the nearest lamp, and a weak, yellow glow radiated from the bulb, barely keeping away the shadows. It illuminated the nearest canvas, and I stifled a gasp. Bits of it hung off the painting. It looks like someone took a carving knife to the piece, slashing with such ferocity that colorful chunks of painting were scattered around, like fallen petals from a huge flower.

What I’d stepped on was a ragged piece of canvas the size of my hand. A window.

I don’t like this at all. I take a slow, deep breath.

Rust.

And that’s what saved me.

In a split second, I spin around, just in time to see a silver glint of a blade whistling through the air, down toward the top of my head. The blade nearly nicks my forehead as I leap backwards. A few hairs from my bangs catch the dim light as they drift down onto the carpet.

Adrenaline fills my body, my heart kicking up to a thrum in my chest as I squint in an attempt to make out my attacker. I can’t make out anything distinctive in the dim light, though. I raised the feather duster like a pointer, which in hindsight was definitely not the most intimidating thing I could have been wielding.

“Show yourself,” I hissed.

Silence.

I waited, tense.

[starsofcybertron]

ERROR - A Steve Saga AU

2 | When Memories Hit

💛▬Alizza’s P.O.V.▬💛

I slowly woke up to the sound of hushed whispering next to me. 

I groaned, slowly lifting my head. As I opened my eyes, I saw a guy in some weird chicken onesie standing next to a boy with galaxy-themed clothes and…hair? ‘Okay, then.’ I took in my surroundings. There were wooden walls, oak doors, glass windows, and green grass outside. A forest surrounds the plain full of colorful flowers. I finished looking around, a feeling of anxiety beginning to bubble up in my stomach. 

"Who are these people? What are they doing here? What am I doing here? Where is here?!" I mumbled, my tone rising in panic.

The chicken man stepped forward to the side of the bed. “Calm down, you’re just in our cabin. You need to rest; you don’t look too good.”

I sat up and attacked the chicken guy and the galaxy-looking one in an attempt to disable them somehow. I kicked my way out from the bed I woke up in, struggling to open the door in my hurry. I felt a warm hand grab my wrist just as I managed to yank it open. 

I jumped, startled, and elbowed the arm away. “Let go of me!" I screamed, the grip on my arm tightening when I tried to pull myself free. The feeling in my stomach was growing. I turned around and found a dark face inches away from mine. “I said, let me go. I'm not sure I even know you!" I yanked my wrist out of his hand and rushed out of the door, not bothering to shut the door behind me as I ran as fast and as far as I could from the wooden house. 

After putting some distance between me and the cabin, I paused and took in big gulps of air. I was surrounded by birch trees, oak trees, and grass, a pond nearby. I found an oak tree and sat against its trunk as I tried to figure out what happened. As I recalled the faces of the two people I woke up next to, I remembered that the guy in the chicken onesie was wearing a sort of bandana over his eyes. ‘I wonder why…’ I began to make up reasons as a distraction, but my thoughts were interrupted by a grumbling noise. I felt a small fire eating away at my stomach. I stood and looked up into the oak tree in hopes of finding something, like berries. 

“An apple!" I exclaimed, reaching up and snatching the red fruit off a low branch. The juice trickled down my throat as I bit into the apple. Flower fields stretch endlessly into the distance, an oak forest nearby. “This place is pretty, isn't it, Rai-" I started without thinking. I cut myself off, remembering that he was gone. All of them were. Everyone I knew before was gone. My best friend was dead because of me. And my brother? 

“I miss you, Rainbow…" My voice cracked slightly as the memories of my older brother flooded into my brain. He had left home earlier than I had wanted him to. He said that he had some “personal problems’ to deal with. He was gone for a long time. A few years later, I heard that he had been destroyed. He had saved multiple people, but forgot one: me. The news had broken my heart. I didn't understand why it happened back then, and I still don't understand now. I sighed. 

“It just takes some time. Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride. Everything, everything will be just fine. Everything, everything will be alright, alright…" I sang quietly. I forced a little smile. Rainbow Steve used to sing that song to me when I was little, every time I got scared or was overwhelmed. I took a deep breath in, then slowly let it out. “Okay...You are fine. Everything is fine. You just need to find somewhere to stay for the night until you can figure stuff out…" I mumbled to myself. I thought for a moment, then it hit me.

“Uuuhuuhuugh! Why did I run away? I should have just stayed there instead of panicking like some freak!" I scolded myself, hitting my forehead with my fist over and over. After I could feel my temples throbbing, I told myself that I need to walk back and apologize for freaking out and attacking them. Even so, the idea of going back made me cringe in embarrassment. I sighed and stood again, forcing myself to put one foot in front of the other. Eventually, I was walking at a steady pace back to where I ran away from.

A little while after I retraced my steps, I heard a noise behind me. I turned my head to see what it was, and I saw what looked like a Steve in front of me. He looked like some type of light blue Steve with big green splotches all over his body. 

“Who are you?" I asked cautiously.

The Steve looked at me and said, “I’m Plague Steve. I can help you."

“I don’t need help," I stated. Plague Steve stared at me like he knew I was lying. "Ok, maybe just a little…" I admitted.

“What do you need help with? I can do anything you like!" Plague Steve said lightly.

“I need help crossing these plains so I can stay with some people."

“Is that all?"

“Yes."

“Are you sure?" Plague Steve asked. I hesitated to answer. Is that all I want? To go back to that cabin and start again?

“I- Well..." I stuttered.

“Come on, don’t be afraid. Just say what you want and I’ll do it, free of charge." Plague Steve grinned. He seemed like a nice guy; I didn't see why I shouldn't tell him.

“I want my brother back…" I said quietly. 

Plague Steve’s grin turned into a full-on smile, and he asked me, “Where is he, then?"

“He’s dead," I muttered.

“Oh...Well, I can still help with that!" Plague Steve said. My eyes opened a little more, a feeling of excitement sprouting from that one sentence. 

“Really? Can you bring him back?" I asked excitedly. Plague Steve simply nodded. “When?" I looked at Plague expectantly, knowing what answer I wanted.

“Whenever. Right now even." Plague Steve said. I stepped away and motioned for him to begin. Lightning began to strike, and for a moment, I was genuinely happy.

§˜FavreMySabre’s P.O.V.˜§

“Man, that girl got really defensive!" Galaxy Steve said, rubbing his chin where the girl had hit him. I muttered a ‘yeah’ in response, only partially paying attention. She reacted the same way Rainbow Steve did when we first met. Not only that, but she looked almost identical. He never mentioned any family, but it could be possible. A few seconds later, I heard lightning coming from out the door. I headed outside to see what was happening. The rainbow girl from earlier stood next to someone else in the distance.

“Who is that, Sabre?" Galaxy Steve asked.

“I don’t know. Let’s get a closer look." I answered. We started running towards the girl, and I stopped, causing Galaxy to bump into me. He steadied himself and turned to look at me. 

“What’s wrong, Sabre?" Galaxy Steve asked me.

“That guy, the Steve she’s with, is Plague Steve," I said. Rainbow Steve and I had told Galaxy all about our past enemies, and Plague was one of them.

“Oh. Well, I still want to know what’s happening. I guess I’ll meet you back here, Sabre." Galaxy ran off to watch them, and I stayed here, remembering when Plague had infected Rainbow Steve. I shuddered, and suddenly the air around me got a lot colder. 

I wanted to go with Galaxy Steve, but I was afraid. Not for other people, but for myself. I was scared that if I died again, I wouldn’t be able to come back. How could I protect my friends if I was dead?

When I blacked out, I felt something. Something bad. I don’t know what happened. I tried to log off the server, but the menu wouldn’t pop up. Neither would the chat. What is going on? I pushed my brain harder to try and figure out what happened in those few minutes, and I finally came to the realization:

I was stuck here, again.