#like. he’s getting thinner and paler and just. looks like shit all the time now

[shmorp-mcdurgen]

Mandela Prophet AU: Sleepless Nights

Adam is unable to fully get over Jonah’s death, and to make things worse, he’s starting to feel…different.

TW: body horror, blood, vague arachnophobia/spider mentions, character death mention

Notes: this is around 3,400 words I think? This is just a random thing I wrote cause I wanted to write something based on this au cause. I think it’s neat

Adam had been awake all night. Lying in his twin-sized bed, he stared at the ceiling, his expression blank and his mind the same. Adam had shifted his sleeping position at least 17 times, yet could not for the life of him get comfortable enough to drift off. Every single time he was able to even somewhat fall asleep, a twitch or squirm in his torso woke him back up. He sighed deeply, groaning as he pressed his hands against his face; might as well get up if staying in bed wasn’t doing any good.

Adam sauntered out of his room, deliberately ignoring the second bed resting next to the opposite wall to his. He looked down the hallway, seeing Sarah’s bedroom to his right before looking left, walking through the hallway and immediately entering the kitchen. He opened one of the cabinets, grabbing a nearly empty box of off-brand cereal before placing it on the small, pathetic excuse of a dining room table. When he went to the fridge to get milk however, he saw nothing in there besides a few cans of soda and a couple condiment bottles.

“…Figures.” Adam sighed quietly before slamming the fridge door closed. He grabbed the box of cereal before all but throwing it back into the cabinet, slamming the door of it shut as well.

“Adam?”

Adam audibly groaned, looking over to see Sarah, sleepily staring at him from the hallway entrance. She was in her pajamas, being a cheap T-shirt and shorts, and her long, chestnut-colored hair was a mess.

“What?” Adam questioned.

“It’s four in the morning…” Sarah said as she attempted to fix her hair a little. “Why are you awake?”

“Could ask you the same thing.” Adam replied.

“How could I not be, with you being loud as hell in here?”

Adam sighed, moving his arm to itch his upper back before lowering it again. “I say you mind your business.”

“…What’s your problem?” Sarah questioned. “Ever since you got back last week, you’ve been acting so…shitty.”

“It…it doesn’t matter, okay?” Adam responded, unable to help himself from scratching his back again when he noticed the itch didn’t leave.

“…Is this because of Jonah being go—?”

“Shut up.” Adam’s tone seemed…harsh and stern, as if mentioning Jonah’s name was taboo. “No…I…I don’t care about him, alright? He ran off, and that’s that. I don’t get why it’s such a big deal.”

Sarah appeared stunned by the response, feeling somewhat unnerved by Adam’s tired and annoyed glare. “…He was your best friend.” Sarah said softly. “Yet I feel more sympathy towards him than you do.”

“I was his best friend.” Adam said, trying to ignore how irritated his back was. “I…I don’t…have friends.” Adam glanced at the ground before looking back up at Sarah, trying to keep his harsh glare despite the hesitation in his tone. He doesn’t need friends��right?

Sarah shook her head slightly before shrugging. “Alright. Sure.” She said with a hint of cynicism. “If that’s true then I guess I’ll go back to bed and leave you to sulk alone. Goodnight.”

With that, Sarah sighed and walked back down the hallway to her room, closing the door behind her. Adam watched her leave, with his brow furrowed and his glare able to melt ice. He winced slightly, his gaze fading when he felt a slight sharp pain in his back, as if someone poked him with a tack multiple times. The pain felt somewhat…familiar, though he couldn’t place why. He walked down the hallway, entering the bathroom before closing the door behind him.

He pressed his hands against the counter, staring at the sink for a moment before grabbing his plain white shirt and pulling it off. The first thing he noticed when he threw the shirt onto the ground was how thin he was; he could see his ribs through his skin, and his arms seemed almost longer than usual. He was still losing weight, even though he figured he had been eating just fine. In fact, he only seemed to be losing more weight the more he ate.

He groaned, going back to try and satiate the itch on his back once again before he paused. His finger brushed past something that felt somewhat hard, like a small hook. He stayed still for a moment before pushing his hand further, rubbing his upper back before he once again felt something under his fingers. This time, it wasn’t as small, and it felt almost fuzzy, in a prickly kind of way. He started to feel worry build in his chest as he poked whatever was sticking out of his back, feeling his blood run cold when it twitched away.

He pulled his arm down to his side, able to feel…something moving in his skin; multiple things. He quickly threw open one of the drawers, grabbing a hand mirror, one they had salvaged from the mirror destruction act, before holding it up. He held his breath as he turned his head the most he could, pointing the mirror towards whatever was on his back. His heart sunk when he saw a glimpse of multiple small, black, almost arachnid looking appendages sticking out of his skin, small hooks at the end of every single one.

Adam tried to suppress the urge to hyperventilate before he hesitantly used his other hand to prod at one of them. It didn’t move for a moment before it suddenly twitched, wrapping itself around his finger. Adam yelled in surprise before ripping his arm away, out of its small grasp. He dropped the mirror, unable to catch it before it slammed against the ground, cracking as a portion of it broke off. Adam stumbled back, trying to scratch the spider-like appendages off of his back, even grabbing one of them. He took in a breath before ripping it out, swearing he could hear something like an inhuman scream in the back of his mind. He looked down at his hand in front of him, uncurling it to reveal the limb itself.

It was bleeding something viscous and dark, like clotted blood. It had two joints, curling in on itself despite the fact it was no longer connected to anything. Adam was unsure whether to drop it on the ground and try ripping the others out, or try and figure out what the fuck it even was. However, before he could make any decision, he heard a knock on the bathroom door.

“Adam? What the fuck’s going on?” It was Sarah, sounding especially concerned.

Adam couldn’t spit out anything for a moment, flinching slightly when Sarah knocked on the door again. “Adam?”

Adam threw the small limb into the sink before fumbling with his shirt, sliding it on and trying to forcefully get rid of the horrified expression on his face. Sarah prepared to knock again before Adam swung the door open, his eyes still wide.

“…Are you—”

“I’m fine.” Adam interrupted, walking out of the bathroom before slowly closing the door behind him, his eyes locked on Sarah. “…I’m okay.”

“…You…don’t sound like it.” Sarah’s voice seemed shaky.

“I uh…I’m…y-yeah, I’m fine—”

Sarah caught a glance of a small splotch of blood soaking into the back of his shirt as he attempted to brush past her. “Oh my god, you’re bleeding—”

“NO.” Adam shook his head when he realized he said it louder than he wanted. “I…I’m fine, alright? Mind your fucking business for once.” Adam pushed past Sarah, hurrying into his room before slamming the door shut. He locked the door as soon as he was inside, walking backwards before sitting on his bed. He pressed his hands against his face, despite the right one still having traces of blood on it. He planted his elbows on his knees as he thought to himself.

“Such a fucking idiot. You absolute moron.” He muttered, grasping his hair. He had no clue what was happening to him, but he knew deep down that whatever it was, it was his fault. Before he could wallow in self-pity however, Sarah started speaking from the other side of the door.

“What’s going on with you?” Sarah asked. “Do…do you need help with anything?”

Adam glanced through the gaps in his fingers, towards the door. He was tempted to yell at her to go away, but for once, bit his tongue. “…Things…have been…weird, okay?” He said, putting his situation lightly. “I…feel like shit all the time, and…I don’t know why.”

“Like…you’re…sad?”

“No, not…I don’t think so.” Adam said. “I’m…I’m…”

“…What?”

“…scared.” Adam could barely hear himself say the word, but he knew it was true. He was scared; scared of the things happening to his body that he can’t control, and scared of the fact that his mind rarely felt like his own anymore. He was scared of how Sarah would react when he eventually had to tell her the truth about Jonah. Every time his name was mentioned, Adam couldn’t stop the image of his cold, lifeless, headless body from creeping into his mind.

 He was scared of the fact that something in him wanted to open the door and strangle Sarah to death.

 “Well…you…know I’m here to talk, right?” Sarah asked as she leaned against the door.

“…Yeah.” Adam responded, almost choking on his words. “I…I guess.”

“...I’ll…be in the other room then.” Sarah said softly. “And…try and get some sleep, okay?”

Adam murmured a response she couldn’t even hear before Adam heard her walk away, back to her own room. He stared at the ground, trying desperately to ignore the feeling of something pushing against the back of his shirt. He wondered what the hell was happening to him, and why. Ever since—

The angel.

The false angel that stopped him on his way back to Bythorne that night.

That fucking thing is the reason he’s like this.

Adam felt a twitch in his torso when he thought of the alternate, making him hunch over as he pressed his arms against his stomach. He was too tired to think any further than that, but he wasn’t sure how he could sleep, knowing what was sticking out of his own skin right behind his head. He laid down on the bed, resting on his stomach, before hesitantly closing his eyes. Hopefully it was a strange, vivid nightmare he was having from sleep deprivation. He’d wake up the next morning, with no strange spider legs, no twitches in his torso, and hey…

Maybe Jonah would be there.

…

 It wasn’t a nightmare.

After only around an hour of sleep, Adam woke back up, finding himself on the floor next to his bed. He was drenched in sweat, from a nightmare he couldn’t remember. He sat up, wincing when he felt something shift inside of him. He stood up, grasping his torso, uncontrollably twitching his head and arms. His back hurt; a dull, yet intense pain rushing over him. He wanted outside, with no clear reason why. He wanted out of there, he needed out of there. He needed fresh air.

He stumbled towards the door, opening it before slamming against the wall in front of it. He tripped over his feet, nearly falling as he approached the living room, his wide, dilated pupils fixed on the front door. “Out…out…” He muttered under his breath as he reached for the doorknob. He swung open the door, stumbling away from the house, not even bothering to put on a jacket or boots to protect him from the cold winter air. The door remained open, wind rushing through into the living room as Adam disappeared from sight.

 Sarah awoke to the very faint sound of screaming; muffled, yet gut-wrenching screams from outside of the house. In her half-asleep state, Sarah couldn’t tell if it was real or if her mind was playing tricks on her, unsure whether to ignore it or try and help. Her fear of it being real was only confirmed when she fully woke up and still heard the screams, though when she stood up from bed, they abruptly stopped. She froze in place, unable to come up with a single plan of what to do. It could be someone in genuine danger, or an alternate mimicking the screams of its victim, and she wasn’t sure which one it was, nor how to differentiate them.

She hesitantly walked towards her bedroom door, pushing it open as she looked down the hallway, thankfully seeing that no one was there. She walked towards Adam’s room, seeing that the door was open. When she peeked inside, she saw that no one was there, and that it was completely silent. “Adam?” She called as she turned down the hallway. “God damn it, where did you go now?”

As she inched down the hall, she caught a glimpse of the bathroom, seeing that the door was also open. She flicked on the light, seeing the broken mirror on the ground. She glanced towards the sink, seeing that part of it was stained with a dark liquid. She looked into it, seeing a small appendage curling and uncurling itself in a pool of its own blood. “What the fuck…?” She asked herself before backing out of the bathroom.

She walked into the living room, immediately feeling the cold breeze hitting her. She saw the faint moonlight coming from the open front door, her heart sinking as her mind started putting things together. “Oh��god fucking damn it Adam—” She jogged back to her room to put on warmer clothes, only hoping Adam didn’t get himself killed.

When she had put on her jeans, jacket, and shoes, she grabbed a pistol from her nightstand and immediately left to go look for the missing BPS member. She closed the front door behind her, shivering when the cold air hit her face and blew through her hair. She looked around the front yard, seeing the street in front of her, yet no sign of Adam. She glanced towards the ground, seeing something in the snow; footprints, leading towards the side of the house.

She followed the trail, seeing that it was leading into the woods behind the home, seeming to go on for what felt like forever into the darkness. Sarah swallowed hard before she hesitantly began to walk into the forest, hoping that the pistol she held tightly in her hand was enough.

“Adam?” She called, almost afraid of how loud she was being. “Adam, where the fuck are you?!” When no response came, she only felt the sinking feeling in her chest become worse, knowing she had to keep following the uneven footprints, deeper into the woods.

After a few minutes of walking, she stopped, seeing that the trail had ended, and her eyes widened as she stared at what it led to; a pool of rapidly freezing blood. The impressions in the snow were messy and unclear, as if Adam was struggling against something. Sarah crouched down, lightly grasping something that was sticking out of the snow, being a torn piece of blood-soaked fabric.

“Shit.” Sarah stood up quickly, dropping the cloth and turning to head back for help. However, she froze when she heard something behind her; a faint, hoarse voice.

“Saaarrah…?” It sounded as if it was in pain, drawing out the word. Sarah hated that it was Adam’s voice.

She turned her head, looking behind her before freezing in place, not from the bitter cold, but the figure standing by the trees, barely visible in the shadows aside from the moonlight bleeding through the leaves above. She found Adam, just…not in the way she wanted.

His clothes were stained with blood and grime, and he was around a foot off of the ground. Sarah noticed in horror that there were…hands covering most of his face, one barely holding his mouth shut and three others covering his eyes and grasping his hair. Two large, mangled arms held his limp body up, its hands pressed against the forest floor. Every single blackened arm was attached to his back, the main body hanging from them almost lifelessly.

Sarah watched as Adam lifted his own arm weakly, the pitch-black hand covering his left eye shifting its fingers so Sarah could see his eye; his horrified, tear-filled eye.

“H…Help…me…” He choked before his human arm fell to his side and the hands covered his eye and mouth fully.

The two large arms shifted, “running” to the side and out of view in the blink of an eye. Sarah stumbled backwards before turning and sprinting away. It was a hunt, and she could hear the alternate behind her, chasing her from behind the trees. She didn’t dare look behind her, even when she heard Adam’s voice telling her to come back; she knew it wasn’t really him talking.

Sarah finally made it out of the woods, turning towards the house to see the van in the parking lot. She sprinted towards it, seeing her salvation as she ran around it, fumbling with the car door handle before swinging it open. However, she heard a loud thump from on top of the van, and when she looked up, she froze. The alternate was perched on top of the van, its two walking hands grasped firmly on the roof. Adam’s head was facing her, forcefully moved around by the hand clasped on his hair. Two free arms from his back appeared, reaching for Sarah before she swung up her gun and fired.

           The shot hit Adam’s shoulder, and she could swear she heard a muffled, human scream under the cacophony of horrid screeches. She didn’t spend any time figuring out if she was simply hearing things or now before she spun around and ran. Sarah rushed down the street, wishing she actually worked on her cardio often as the alternate continued its pursuit.

She felt her foot hit a rock before she yelled, slamming against the asphalt before she scrambled back onto her feet. She felt something grab her ankle however, and fell to the ground once again before turning over and seeing the alternate right above her, staring down at her. Adam’s head tilted slightly before Sarah’s shoulders were grasped by two of the arms sprouted from his back. She kicked at him, but it did nothing as she was lifted off of the ground and brought to eye level. She watched as the hand covering Adam’s mouth was brought away, and when he opened it, eight spider like mandibles flicked out, his body shuddering at the action.

The hand that was covering his mouth reached for Sarah’s neck, and the one grasping his head let go and joined the other before beginning to strangle her. She struggled to move, coughing and choking as she felt the ice-cold hands tighten around her neck. She felt herself slowly losing consciousness as the alternate tried to crush her windpipe. She shakily held up her gun, struggling against the arms holding her shoulders before pointing it towards Adam’s body, and as much as Sarah felt guilty for doing so, for the sake of her life, she pulled the trigger of her pistol once again.

The bullet hit him square in the middle of his torso, right under his sternum. Adam screamed, and the hands let her go. Sarah slammed against the ground with a thump before seeing the arms forcefully jam themselves back into Adam’s back, retracting before his limp body fell to the ground unconscious. Adam grew still as Sarah’s quickened breath echoed in the silent street. Her wide eyes fixed on Adam’s body, seeing the open wounds in his back and the blood that was pouring out of them.

Sarah had no fucking clue what she should do. She had no idea a situation such as this was even possible, and as she stood up, she wondered if the Adam she had been talking to was even the real him. She hesitantly approached Adam’s body, her gun trained on him before Sarah looked back down the street, barely seeing the apartment from where she stood.

She shoved the gun into its holster before crouching down, shakily grabbing Adam’s leg before beginning to drag him down the street. If what she was thinking was correct, Adam could be saved, though she never encountered a possession of that sort before. Whether she was actually able to help him was unclear; either way, she had many questions to give him when he woke up.

[todomochi-uwu]

Who. (2/?) J. Y & S. M

Pairing: Poly! Jeong Yunho x reader x Song Mingi

Genre: Angst, Smut

Warnings: This content is for a mature audience

Synopsis: You can't remember when was the last time you spent time with them, the last "I love you", the last time any of them kissed you.

Other chapters: Part 1 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

If you enjoy my work, please consider buying me a coffee ☕

Yunho kept checking the file in his hands, reading over and over the same words not being able to register anything, his head was all over the place, between the tiredness, the stress and his broken heart, concentrating was proving to be impossible.

“Careful, Jeong. If you think any harder your head might catch on fire.” Said Lee Minho entering the doctor’s launch with an empty coffee mug.

“Piss off, Minho.” He didn't turn his eyes from the paper, determined to make it work no matter how much it took.

Minho’s eyes focused on the taller man in front of him, his skin was paler than normal, a slight blue tint covered it; his eyes were sunk in their sockets, dark purple bags underneath them; lips dry and crusty; he looked thinner, he looked sick. Yunho and Minho weren’t by any means close, they had spent the entire med school fighting for the top spot in their class; Jeong Yunho had proved to be a real pain in the ass, managing to balance school, work, friends and a fucking three-way relationship while Lee Minho could barely sleep and see his, now, husband.

“Not that I care, Jeong but, are you okay?” Said Minho, leaning against the countertop and waiting for the coffee to be done.

Yunho tossed the folder on the table, completely done. He pressed his fingers against his eyelids, trying to calm the blinding headache he had been carrying around his entire shift. “I don’t think it’s any of your business, Lee.”

The cat-eyed doctor shrugged, not wanting to dig any further, he tried. He took his mug and made a beeline straight to the door, but he couldn’t help but look back at his school rival, and what he saw shocked him a bit. His shoulders were slumped, and shaking, his face in between his hands, and small but heavy sobs left his mouth. A suffering Yunho was something he had never expected to see, and while he thought it would bring him joy, it just made him feel weird. He would have to ask Jisung what was going on, he was friends with Mingi, and he would have to know.

______________________________________________________________

Mingi was not doing any better at work. He fell asleep on his desk, barely paid attention at meetings, and was hostile to his co-workers and possible clients. Jongho was done with attitude, he had been patient, as much as he could, and he tried to understand the situation, but it was becoming too much.

“Mingi, I am begging you, please go home, you cannot continue like this. Get some sleep, eat and come back when you are better.” Jongho said as softly as possible, not wanting to trigger another fight with the dirty blonde lawyer in front of him.

“Jongho, I’m okay. I would rather just be working, there’s nothing to do at home anyways.”

“Mingi…” He was interrupted.

“Jongho, I won't repeat myself, leave me alone.” He turned his chair away from the younger lawyer.

That was it. He was done.

Jongho slammed his hand against the desk, startling Mingi, “Listen to me, Mingi, I get that you are sad, okay? I get it. But you cannot come here and act like a fucking dick and expect everyone to be okay with it. We tried to be nice and give you a couple of weeks to recover, but so far, we have lost two important clients because of your attitude and you pissed off three more. I’m sorry she left, but I highly doubt she would come back if she saw the mess you’ve become. Yelling at people, turning work in late, getting drunk, fighting with Yunho, do you think she wants that? Because I highly doubt it.” He jabbed his finger into Mingi’s chest. “Get. Your. Shit. Together.” And with that he left the office, slamming the door on his way out.

Mingi sighed, taking off his tie. He closed his eyes trying to calm down, but it seemed impossible. Anxiety had been tormenting him for almost a month now, and it didn’t seem like it would stop any time soon. He misses you. A lot. He just didn’t know how to function without that missing piece. Nothing was working right now, his head was always a mess, always going back to that night, trying to remember every moment he neglected you; he was trying to balance out his pain and stress to not mess up his relationship with Yunho as well; while also trying to balance out work as to not get fired, or at least not to piss off Jongho even more, but nothing is working. He misses you, and without you, nothing in him works.

______________________________________________________________

Chan was in the kitchen bar working; his heavy and expensive headphones sat on the top of his head while he was nodding along to the rhythm of his last track. He kept replaying it to try and figure out what was missing, what he could change or fix, but he just couldn’t concentrate. Flashbacks kept showing up in his head, replaying again and again, memories of his college days, memories of the time he fell in love with his now roommate and failed to do something about it.

It was the winter semester; the campus was covered in snow and everyone found refuge inside the library. Chan was planning to go there and work on a paper that was due that same night, but once he saw the amount of people inside the building, he decided he wouldn’t be able to work there. And just as he was about to leave, he saw Hongjoong sitting on a couch in the corner, next to him was something that made the producer’s mouth dry. A woman so beautiful his eyes couldn’t believe what they were seeing, his brain couldn’t comprehend what was happening, his feet moved on their own in that direction, he needed to talk to her, to know her name, to introduce himself. His friend got up as soon as he saw him, greeting him and introducing her. Y/n. That was her name, a name Chan would never be able to forget.

A friendship was established that day. You would start by hanging out with Hongjoong, going out to eat, watch a movie or to a party; but soon it became just the two of you. Hanging out at each other’s dorms, he showed you some of his music, and you showed him some of her stories; at first, he would walk you back to her room every night, but after some time you would stay over, “it’s easier” you said. One fateful night, Christopher finally made a move, giving you a quick peck on the lips while listening to your favourite artist’s latest album, the largest seconds of his life were right after, waiting for your reaction; you ended up fucking on top of his desk, pushing all his books, and cd’s to the floor.

That was the way the next months were spent, hanging out and finding any and every excuse to have sex, but never giving a title to what you were. Chan just assumed you weren’t ready for that kind of commitment, convincing himself he was fine with what you had, not admitting he was just too much of a coward to ask if you felt the same as him.

“I just don’t understand him, Jisung. One day he acts as if we were a couple, and the next he calls me his best friend. Friends don’t treat each other the way we do, friends don’t do what we do.”

“Maybe he isn’t ready for that kind of commitment, he would just rather stay as friends with benefits.” Jisung pat her on the back, trying to comfort her.

“But I don’t want to be just friends with benefits.” You pouted her lips.

“Hey, come on, don’t be sad. I'll tell you what, why don’t you come with me to Wooyoung’s party this Friday? You’ll have fun and forget, at least for a bit, about Chan.”

Christopher’s first mistake was introducing you to Jisung. The second one was allowing you to befriend him. And his last, but most fatal one was not going to that party. Why? Because Yunho and Mingi were there.

“Y/n, this my friend Mingi. Mingi, this is Y/n.” And just like that, it was over before it could even begin. That same night Mingi had introduced you to Yunho, and they both were heads over heels for you, they asked you to hang out the very next day and while at first you were confused as to how it would work, they won you over, pushing completely out the idea of Chan off your head.

He remembered the first time you talked about them, he thought you had just made out with one of them at the party, and while he wasn’t exactly happy about it, he could let it slide, no idea of what was about to come. Texts left unanswered; calls that went to voicemail; and long nights waiting for you to show up, but at some point, it became clear, that you were not just sleeping around with them, you were in love. That very same night he went out and got drunk out of his mind, only being able to get back home after Changbin and Minho found him trashed on a bench in front of their building. He blamed himself, if he hadn’t been so scared, if he had just tried, you would be his, and he promised himself that if that door ever opened again, he would be there. But as time went on, it became more apparent that would never happen… until now.

He kept repeating over and over to himself that you weren’t ready, that you still love them and that you were still mourning that relationship, but he couldn’t help himself, he wanted you.

The last month he had been in some kind of hell in heaven. When you first had shown up, he was pissed off beyond comprehension, how could they let this happen? How could they treat you like that? He had spent every second of his existence since he met you, loving and worshipping the ground you walk on and they had let you slip away? Unbelievable. But he couldn’t help but see the perks of all of this. He was the one to console you, to build you back up, and through the course of the weeks, you were better.

He would come back home to you cooking, greeting him the second he went in; you telling him about your day or a new show you were watching; you showed him your work and asked his opinion. Everything went back to how it was; it was even better. This is what he had been missing out all this time?

“Good morning, Channie.”

“Welcome back, Chan. I made some spaghetti; I hope you like it.”

“Hey, Chan. How was work?”

Oh, blissful domesticity. But everything was too good to be true. They would show up in the most subtle ways, in the middle of a conversation, in the notifications of your phone, even in the clothes you wore, they still smell like them; your ex-boyfriends were everywhere in his apartment, tormenting him. And, of course, he wasn’t blind, he could see it, your face still showed how heartbroken you were, and he could also hear it at night, small sobs escaped your mouth, whispering their names again and again.

Yunho…

Mingi…

Never his name.

______________________________________________________________

Jisung had just arrived home, his hands full of grocery bags balancing them while trying to open the door, and just as he was about to spill everything on the ground, a soft hand came to his rescue.

“Jesus, Sungie be careful.” The person behind him giggled.

“Y/n?” His eyebrows furrowed, confused, but he still leaned in and hugged you. “What are you doing here? How did you get in the building?”

“Oh, I live here now.”

“Mingi gave up his rent control apartment? Is he crazy?”

“Um… not exactly.” You scratched the back of your head.

“Okay, come inside and tell me what��s going on.”

…

“And that’s how I ended up living with Chan.” You took a small sip of the hot chocolate Jisung had prepared.

“Have you talked to them?”

You shook your head.

Jisung’s arms were folded against his chest, his eyes looking directly at yours, not sure what to say, “So it’s over between you and them?”

“I don’t know, Hannie. I love them, so much it hurts, but I don't think they feel the same way, they act as if I'm not even there, as if I'm not important to them.” You lay down on the kitchen table, controlling your breathing so you won't start crying.

“Well, that’s just not true.” He put his hand on top of your head, petting you, “Mingi can be an idiot sometimes and the same goes for Yunho, but they love you, baby. From the very first moment they met you, they have loved you, maybe they just lost their tracks for a moment, but they will come back to you.” He kissed you on the forehead, “and if for some reason they don’t, I will be there to help you pick up the pieces.”

______________________________________________________________

Minho arrived late at night, completely done with work and with stubborn patients who thought they knew more than him because they read an article on the internet. Jisung ran to the front door as soon as he heard the jiggling of the keys, ready to receive his grumpy husband. He accompanied him into the kitchen, where he served him a hot plate of his favourite food and told him about this day.

“I found the chips you like on sale so I bought a couple, I also bought the ingredients I was missing for that ramen you want to try, oh and I tried that juice I’ve been craving, but it wasn’t that good.” Minho couldn’t keep up with the number of things that came out of his husband’s mouth, but he was happy to listen. “Oh, oh my god I almost forgot, guess who I ran into?”

“Who?” He said while shoving a spoonful of soup into his mouth.

“Y/n, she broke up with Mingi and Yunho, and she’s staying with Chan.”

Minho choked, coughing aggressively, not believing the words that came out of Jisung’s mouth. Everything made sense now, that’s why the puppy-like doctor had been so miserable the last couple of weeks. And why Chan had been avoiding him lately. He got up and headed towards the door, “Give me a second, love I’ll be right back.”

He made his way down the hall, he was in no mood to do this, but it had to be done. He had witnessed first-hand how completely devastated had Chan been after you had broken his heart (not that he thinks you did it on purpose), how hard it was to get him to shower, to go to work, how long it took him to go back to normal, and he feared it would happen again. He pounded on the door, not caring if the neighbours next door complained. The door opened harshly, a sleep-deprived Christopher on the door side, looking at him as if he had grown to heads.

“Min, it’s two in the morning, what the hell are you doing here?”

The doctor grabbed him by the arm and shoved him into the wall next to the door, “You are going to explain to me exactly what you think you are doing.”

“I'm not doing anything. She’s my friend, I want to help her move…”

He interrupted, “What? Move on? Were you planning to be her saviour so she would fall in love with you? Bang Chan, she’s been engaged to them for almost a year now, they are just going through a rough patch…”

“They broke up.”

“They will get back together, it's more than obvious, they are in love.” He whispered yelling, he was worried, did Chan think he had a chance?

“They neglected her, Minho they took her for granted, I would…”

“Chan, listen to me, she’s not in love with you, whatever you two had it's over, it's been over for years, for Christ's sake.” He shook his shoulders, trying to get some sense into him.

“I know what I'm doing.”

“You clearly, don’t.” He pushed his friend back into his apartment and went back to his. His entire body ached, but anxiety filled his head, not letting him rest.

______________________________________________________________

“So, she finally dumped your ass, good for her honestly,” Minho said as he entered Yunho’s office. The latter one looked up at him, the look in his eyes completely dead. “Geez, you look like shit.”

“What do you want, Minho? I'm busy, I don’t have time for your bullshit.”

“I know where she is.”

“What?” Yunho looked at him with wide-open eyes. “Don’t you fucking dare lie to me about this.” He got up and grabbed Lee by the collar and shook him, “How the fuck do you know that?”

“Because I saw her.” Little white lie, but he technically did know where she was. He pushed him back, “I don’t like you, Yunho, at all. But I know what it's like to be in your shoes, so I’ll make you a deal, you get your shit together and I might just tell you where she is.”

______________________________________________________________

Yunho’s hands kept trembling, he had barely been able to drive home without crashing. He wanted to scream, to cry, to tell Mingi what Minho had told him, all at the same time, but he also thought, what would he say? How could he apologize? Would she take them back? He went into the house, Mingi was lying on the couch, a book in his hands and glasses sitting on his face, his eyebags and skin tone resembling his boyfriend’s, he turned to look at him, noticing how fidgety and dishevelled he looked.

“Are you okay? Did something happen at work?” He got up and approached Yunho, he grabbed his face in his hands and caressed his cheeks.

“Um…” he bit off some of the skin in his lip, not knowing how to deliver the news, his head couldn’t put the words together, not even able to process them. “Minho told me something today.”

“Ugh, that asshole. I don’t know how Jisung married that guy, he's such a nice guy and Minho is so…”

Yunho interrupted him, not able to hold it in any longer, “Minho says he knows where Y/n is staying.”

Mingi felt how the air left his body, all thoughts abandoning his mind in the same way, tears were quick to rush to his eyes, “What?”

“Yeah, he saw her and knows where she’s been staying.” He paused to order his next words, “And he said he will tell me if we manage to get our shit together.”

Mingi took him into his arms and squeezed him till he was out of breath, not being able to contain his happiness. Together they cried and smiled while the thought of everything going back to normal filled them, that was until something crossed their minds at the same time, would you even want them back?

______________________________________________________________

Tag list:

@tunaasan @scuzmunkie

[unprofessionalprofessionalbinger]

Put it down Spencer Reid x fmc

Big shout out to everyone that liked my first little writing. Y'all give me motivation <333 summary: Spencer suffers silently, thinking nobody notices. He's wrong. Spoilers for criminal minds season 2 episode 12

tw: cursing, drug abuse, addiction, eating disorder(?), short little hint at selfharm

"Don't you think Spencer has been acting weird lately?" I ask Morgan concerned. I let it slide the first three weeks. It isn't something small to get kidnapped by some crazy guy with three personalities. It wouldn't be unusual for Spencer to act weird or close himself off a little. But he's done such a 180. The only thing that stayed is his awkwardness. Sweet Spencer Reid sassed at me multiple times the last weeks. He even insulted me (I made a joking jab at him and he told me I'm wasting the precious oxygen a tree is tiredlessly producing)

His hands are shaky. He fumbles more. He rants less. He's gone colder and quieter. He scratches his arms through his sleeves and seems tired and unfocused. He's also gotten paler. And thinner? "He won't talk to anyone, it worries me, what if he needs help but can't bring himself to ask and then one day it'll be too late and-" Derek quickly interrupts my ramble before I go any further down the rabbit hole.

"Hey, pretty girl, relax. I'm sure he'll be fine. He just needs some time to really get back, y'know? Hankel did quite the number on him, you saw how Reid's foot looked." His voice is soothing. He always has that soothing tone. But it doesnt work. My mind easily picks words and the way they sounded apart and leaves only the cold, harsh truth behind.

"Exactly what I mean! He was digging his own grave and then had to shoot a man he pitied! That's horrifying! I don't expect him to be fine, but I sure as shit expect him to talk to one of us. Better, all of us. Not at once. But it's important. Who does he trust? JJ. He trusts JJ. I should go ask her if she knows anything." My tone is determined as if nothing could bring me from that path.

"Go ask if JJ knows what?" Prentiss. Prentiss joined not long ago. She's trying hard to fit in, but Gideon isn't exactly easy on her. Not that I can't relate. Looks like the only women he can stand are JJ, Greenaway and Garcia. Well, not that bad. But he's honestly a little... how can I say it? Different.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just about Reid. Do you know how he's doing?" I don't expect her to know. But I'm not shutting her out. She seems nice. At first I feared she was a nepo baby, but she definitely proves herself well. She had gotten sass from Spencer too. Honestly, for the lack of a better word, I'd say he's acting bratty. But I strongly doubt he enjoys whatever is happening.

"Well... last time I asked him what's going on with him, he told me quite clearly that I have no idea what I'm talking about, so I guess I'm not exactly the right person to ask, I'm sorry. I don't actually know him that well anyway." She seems genuinely sorry that she cannot help the issue. "It's alright, Em. I'm sure we'll get him back somehow." I reply with a gentle smile.

Turns out JJ doesn't know anything either. But I know. Not because he told me, but because it's obvious. Also, I'm pretty sure the others know too. Either they're in denial or just decided to ignore Spencer's obvious drug addiction and let him fight it himself or rott alone in his apartment. Great. So much for 'we are a family'. First Elle pulls the fucking card of just shooting the rapist. Then she has to leave? I mean, I'd get it if there was evidence, we couldn't have let that slide, legally speaking, but IA said it was legit. Self-defense. She got shot in her own home, she was traumatized and not ready to come back. Then she got pushed. Further and further. Instead of helping, the team just pushed her away. I can't let that happen again. Not to Spencer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have been knocking on this damned door for ages now. I knock again. Maybe knocking is the wrong word. It had evolved into more of a banging. An angry woman opens the door a couple feet over and glares at me. I throw her an apologetic look and tell her I'll stop.

Just as I turn away, a muffled thump reaches me from the other side of the wood. My mind immediately spins. What if he's hurt? I knock one last time and call out "Reid?!" He doesnt answer. Without thinking, my hair is let down, pin in my hand. Then the pin is in the lock, next thing, the door is open. I step inside, gently close the door again, dump my bag and scan the room. My eyes quickly find the hunched over figure on the floor of the dimly lit room.

After closer looking, I notice the small bottle of medicine next to his thigh and the syringe tightly grasped in his hand. "Fucking hell, Reid put that down right now." He lazily tilts his head in my direction and squints weirdly at me. Dipshit is already higher than his IQ. He slurs a 'no' in my direction. "Don't make me hurt you." I say, half jokingly. With a few quick steps, I reach him. My fingers wrap frimly around his hand. His knuckles are white from how tightly he holds that damned thing. But that needle will not breach his skin again.

"Spencer. Please. Put it down." I say gently. It seems like he's high enough to not have that much willpower in him. He lets go and slumps back against the wall. I carefully put the drugs in my bag. He needs rehab. But that will cost him his job. He can't lose his job. It'd end him. The only way is to help him quit without getting forced by someone else's hand. I definitely need to have an insightful conversation with sober Reid.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow is when our few little paid vacation days start. Ten days without a case. It'd be a great time to start withdrawal. I leave a container with pasta, chicken and creamy sauce in his kitchen, put a post-it on it saying 'Call me when you're sober ~Romanov' and take his dilaudid with me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I should've expected that I wouldn't be able to sleep in until lunchtime. But hey, can't blame a girl for trying. My phone rings at nine and I pick up with a sleepy voice, not looking at the caller ID. "Are you seriously still asleep? Did breaking into my apartment and stealing from me make you that tired?!" Spencer's sassy voice reaches me through the phone. He sounds upset. I get it. I pinch my nose and sigh.

"No, actually, I'm just tired of getting shut out." I reply in the same tone. The line goes quiet for a while. "What do you want?" his voice is suddenly small and quiet, it breaks my heart. "I just want to talk, Goldie. Need some company the next couple days? I swear I'm great company." My voice is soft. An underlying plea swings in my words. "Depends. You got some more of that pasta? Haven't thrown up in two hours. And it's really good." I can't quite put what about his tone it is, but it makes my heart melt and I can't help my next words. "I could teach you. We could do a little cooking lesson. Promise I'll wash my hands really, really good." I add the last part teasingly, wanting to bring a little more lightness. "This is not a question, by the way, it's now officially an order. My place, four o' clock. I'll send you the address. Don't be late. You have to bring nothing but yourself in one piece. Don't think I didn't see that knife yesterday. You can't hide anything from me, Goldie." I hang up without letting him answer. I know Spencer Reid well enough. He'll show. He can't argue with me if I hang up, and if he doesn't show, he will 100% feel bad about it.

Morally problematic? Maybe. But it's for a good cause.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alrightyyyy, this is it for tonight. Might be rushed. Isn't proofread. I again didn't write enough Spencer aghhhhh.

But tomorrow. I promise. I'll feed fluff. Cooking together and a little angsty talk. Cuddles, lot of trust aaaand more fluff!

Again, thanks for the support, every last little thing means the world to me. It is an honor to know people actually read my shit (even if it's only for Spencer)

Feel free to leave any kind of critisism <333

[amuseoffyre]

“Why would I give a shit about that?”

The ghost made a snotty, irritated sound. “I don’t know. Maybe because they escaped fucking Blackbeard and lived to tell the tale? To rub it in your nose how shit you are at your job right now? And they stuck the red heart on to make sure you noticed.”

“Hey!”

“What? You just got beaten by some random pirate no one ever heard of!” Lucius retorted. “Or maybe it’s not even a cat and they just really like tigers or something. And what about the bone? You never said what that means.”

“What bones always mean, you arse,” Ed grumbled. “Death. Big fucking flag of death.”

“Or… you know… bone.” Ed twisted around, trying to squint at someone who wasn’t fucking there. “Oh for– you know? To… bone someone?” He could hear the grin as clear as day. “Maybe this Captain Thomas is flirting with you.”

Ed burst out laughing and regretted it immediately, sagging back on the table. “Fuck you,” he groaned, pressing his hand over his eyes.

“Just putting it out there.” Little shit sounded far too pleased with himself. “Oooh, look at me, robbing these ships right in front of you, waving my little matching heart and bone and making you chase me. Aren’t I mysterious and alluring?”

Cracking his fingers open, Ed squinted between them. “You’re a dick is what you are,” he said, but something – fuck, why wasn’t his brain fucking working – in Lucius’s words was scratching at his mind. The shape of it was right fucking there and yet…

He crawled onto his side, pushing himself upright.

Maybe some other captain had picked up Jim and Frenchie and was gloating. Maybe not. Or maybe someone was just taking the piss out of him for the time he spent under the flag. The fucking cat, though. Something about the fucking cat.

“You really should have something to drink.”

That was–

He sounded closer. Not as muffled.

Ed turned in the direction of the voice and recoiled.

Fuck no.

Lucius standing right there, leaning against the bookshelves, bottle in hand. Thinner and paler than Ed remembered, more hair, all dressed in white, but there. Twisting himself away on the table, Ed stared at the floor, heart in his throat. Fucking shitting hell. Voices were bad enough, but seeing things again wasn’t good.

“Fuck off, ghost,” he spat out.

Lucius sighed dramatically. “Fine,” he said.

Ed waited for thirty seconds, then glanced warily over his shoulder. Oh thank fuck, he was gone.

But the bottle. The bottle was still there.

Staggering upright, he ripped the flag down off the wall and retreated into the auxiliary wardrobe, closing the door behind him.

Ohhhhhh I love this scene.

There had been moments before this when Ed was gradually becoming more vulnerable around his "ghost" and Lucius was slowly, slowly starting to thaw a bit after everything Ed did, but this scene was the culmination for both of them.

Lucius was willing to put his life in Ed's hands in this moment because he was genuinely worried of the state Ed was getting himself into. And if he hadn't been haunted to hell and back by him for the last few months, Ed might have been willing to listen.

And the thing is there was so much evidence for Lucius being there and Ed just... wasn't seeing it for the guilt: Lucius leaving a drawing for him, draping a blanket around him, giving him a bottle of whisky when he was in withdrawal. All solid and tangible and real evidence but Ed's brain was so fugged up with alcohol and grief and guilt that his clever little brain chose not to put the pieces together.

If he'd stopped and thought for a moment, if he'd let himself pay attention to all the pieces, he would have seen and realised. Lucius was kind of expecting him to put the pieces together. Everyone knew how smart Ed was. But Lucius hadn't counted on how shattered Ed was and how much he wasn't seeing. Can't see the living person because of shame and guilt for the death.

[whumpurr]

Adrien and Sawdust part 5

masterlist

cw: descriptions of an emaciated body, disordered eating, pet whump, it as a pronoun, dehumanization, conditioned whumpee

Adrien swore he’d never moved so fast in his life. The second he saw Sawdust’s bony body tip over, he was running up the stairs to meet him. The instant he got to the second floor, he was dropping to his knees with a heavy thud, and properly touching Sawdust for the first time. He carefully lifted his face, seeing Sawdust’s eyes still open- though hardly.

The pet looked to be in worse condition than he was when Adrien had first gotten him. His skin was even paler, stretched thinner across rigid bones, his face was more sunken, the only color on it being the thick scratched scar across his nose bridge, and the deep rings under his eyes. He felt chilled. Adrien maneuvered his body like it was nothing, putting Sawdust’s head and torso to rest elevated on top of his folded legs.

“What’s wrong, Sawdust?” Adrien muttered just loud enough for the pet to hear. He was at a loss, he thought that everything was okay.

“‘M sorry, Master,” Sawdust whimpered, turning his head so he could look away from Adrien. “Need food, please, I’m- I’m sorry.” His voice was hardly a wheeze, but at least he seemed strong enough to move, so Adrien wouldn’t need to rush him to the hospital right that second. Sawdust’s words only came out in rough little squeaks and hiccups, tears gathering in his eyes. He looked terrified. “Food for- for dogs, please. If- if Master w- uh- Master may do whatever he wants but- pet- but- need-”

“Shit, okay, will you be okay if I leave you here to go get it? It’s just in the kitchen, I’ll be right over there.” Adrien was horrified and disgusted with himself as he looked down at Sawdust’s hollow figure. The tattered, oversized t-shirt he had come with was draped across his body, and with his head in Adrien’s lap and chest upturned, Adrien could see the thin fabric catch on the ridges of Sawdust’s ribs, pooling in the dip of his stomach, raised up by the ranges of his hip bones. Adrien handled him like glass, moving him off of his lap before standing and running down to the kitchen, nearly slamming his foot into the corner of his counter with his speed and recklessness.

He’d never been more grateful that he bought the dog food. He grabbed it out of the plastic grocery bag it still sat in on the counter and sliced the top of the bag with a knife, filling a bowl with it and- resigned to the situation- he poured some water into a bowl to go with it. He carried the two bowls up to Sawdust, putting them on the floor and pushing them towards the skeletal figure of his pet.

It looked like it took Sawdust considerable effort to roll himself from his back onto his elbows and knees, but he managed it and immediately dove into eating the chow out of the bowl without so much as a second thought. Adrien couldn’t help but feel like he shouldn’t be watching this. Like it was some sort of invasion to see Sawdust wolfing down his food in such a manner, but Adrien felt like if he took his eyes off him for a second, something terrible would happen.

--

Sawdust had never been more scared than when he saw Master racing up the stairs. He continued to break records of fear when he confessed, begging Master to give him something he could eat. He knew that if Master wanted to, he could deny him that, too. Sawdust was never more aware of that fact than when he asked for something to eat, but Master was merciful today. He brought him some chow.

Sawdust didn’t pause to think about whether or not the food could be poisoned, or if it would make him sick or kill him. Going that way, or not eating, it would have been death either way. Regardless of that, if Master saw fit for such things, as much as it made Sawdust want to cry, he would simply have to accept it. So he ate. He ate until the bowl was empty and he felt nearly sick, and he even drank after that.

Master would make him pay for this at some point, he was sure, but for now he could focus on his full stomach. He pulled back from the water bowl gasping, liquid dripping from his lips and chin. With his hunger sated, all he could think about was how tired he was. He didn’t care that Master was right there, and that he’d certainly hurt Sawdust soon. The dumb mutt couldn’t find the energy in him to do much about it as he laid down on the floor, curling up to sleep.

“S-Sorry, Master, pet is- is tired. Sleepy.” Sawdust murmured. “Please forgive it.”

“That’s okay, that’s okay baby.” Master was quiet. It made Sawdust confused, the way Master’s voice broke with his words. But the pet didn’t have the energy to think on it for very long, just nodding against the floor and letting his eyes shut.

--

Adrien was not going to let Sawdust sleep on the floor of the corridor. The second Sawdust was asleep, he took the pet’s dog ears off and undid the tail, setting those aside before he scooped him up in his arms and pushed Sawdust’s bedroom door open with his back, stepping in.

The room smelled of rot and spoil. Adrien muttered an expletive under his breath as looked around. Everything was as undisturbed as it had been when he first gave Sawdust the room, save for one corner that had some puddles of water sitting on the floor. He sat Sawdust down on the bed, pinching his nose. There was no way the pet smelled this bad when he got him.

He got to work looking for the source of the scent, thinking that an animal had found its way into the room or ceiling and died, but that was far from what he found. It took a few minutes of checking behind the wardrobes and dressers before looking under the bed, lifting the bedskirt only to be buffeted by the foul odour. Hidden underneath the bed was a pile of food scraps, composed of everything he’d been feeding Sawdust. Every piece of food that was missing from Sawdust’s plates was underneath his bed.

Adrien was never someone who was grossed out by things easily, but the sheer smell of the food was nothing short of disgusting. Regardless, he still had to get the room to a condition where Sawdust would actually be able to sleep in it, so with the help of a dust pan to use like a shovel, he dumped the remnants of the food into a garbage bag and tied it shut. He was at a loss for how the pet could have been tolerating this the whole time. He went through the room with a bit of air freshener, trying to solve the problem before he pushed a mop around under the bed.

With the room in a far better condition, he glanced over to Sawdust. The pet was still sleeping soundly, in near the exact same position that Adrien had left him in. Adrien took the edge of the blanket, folding one side over Sawdust’s frail body in hopes that it’d keep him warmer. Sawdust wasn’t disturbed at all when Adrien put the blanket over him, and he continued to sleep as Adrien started working to make the room more comfortable for the pet.

Once he got to see the room, it didn’t take him long at all to put together that Sawdust hadn’t been sleeping on the bed, and that he was sleeping in the corner that all the water was splashed around. Adrien mopped that up and swung by his linen closet, bringing every extra blanket and pillow he had and tossing them into the corner before arranging them in the most nest-like formation he could.

He wasn’t about to leave the pet unattended, not after an occurrence like that. Adrien grabbed his laptop and sat down in the seat in the other corner of the room, remembering just how uncomfortable the guest room’s furniture was, and why it was in this room and not being used in the living room. Disregarding that, he opened his laptop and kept himself busy.

--

When Sawdust opened his eyes the room was dim and he immediately froze up. The only source of light was warm and coming from one of the corners. Reluctantly, Sawdust sat up, body stiff. Master was sitting in the chair at the corner with a tall lamp on next to him. He looked like he was asleep, but the second Sawdust sat up, Master was awake again.

The very next thing Sawdust realized- not that he had the capacity to care much about it considering he was surely about to be punished within an inch of his life- was the new smell in the room. The old smell wasn’t good, but this new one was giving him a pounding headache. It was far too strong, but that was the least of his worries as he found himself a deer in headlights under his Master’s stare.

“Hey, Sawdust,” Master shifted a little. His voice was low and rough. “Damn, what time’s it?” He squinted at his phone in the dim light. Sawdust clenched his jaw shut, trying to stop any fear from showing on his face, but from Master’s wide eyes, he obviously wasn’t doing that good a job.

“Sorry, Master,” Sawdust whimpered, trembling under the covers. “I- didn’t- it- it-” His eyes darted all over the room and Master got up, walking over to him and sitting at the bottom of the bed.

“You weren’t eating the food?” Master asked, tilting his head. His long hair fell over his shoulder. Sawdust wasn’t ever good at figuring out what somebody really meant with their words, but Master’s tone was steady. He didn’t sound angry, and that made it worse. The punishment would be worse. Sawdust waited for the screaming to start, but all that stretching out through the room was a deafening silence.

“I just want to know why, Sawdust. I didn’t know you weren’t eating.” Master asked. Sawdust reached up to fiddle with his hair, only to realize another thing that was amiss. His ears were gone. His whole body stung with that realization, and he glanced around the room, not seeing them. His tail was also missing and he couldn’t spot them anywhere. Still, Master asked a question and he had to answer.

“Can only eat dog- dog food. Dogs eat dog food.” Sawdust said, flinching and getting ready for when the blows would come.

“Dog-” Master started before sighing. “Okay.” He dragged his hands down his face. “I found that paper with the rules on it. I don’t want to do this and I didn’t think I’d have to, but I have some rules for you, too.”

--

Adrien didn’t miss the way Sawdust perked up at the mention of rules. It made him sick, but he had to press on now that he said it.

“Three meals a day, with me, downstairs.” Adrien tried his best to sound firm in what he was saying, attempting to walk the line between stern and intimidating. “I’ll come get you when it’s time to eat.”

“Is that all, Master?” Sawdust responded. That sounded rehearsed to hell and back, but more confident and solid than anything else Adrien had heard him say before.

“This room’s yours, treat it as such.” Adrien gestured with an outstretched arm, “The bed’s yours, I put some stuff in the corner if you’d rather stay there.”

“Is that all, Master?” Again. Adrien knew there was probably more he should tell Sawdust, but he was blanking.

“For now, yes. If I think of more things I’ll tell you.” The bed shifted with the movement of Adrien standing up. “Try to get some sleep, I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned off the lamp, gathered his laptop, and left, shutting the door behind him as softly as he could.

The second he stepped into his bedroom, he sat down on his bed and ran his fingers through his hair, that familiar, heated upset rising through his body. Sawdust was someone he took into his care and he let him get to such a state. Adrien was disgusted, and thoroughly disappointed with himself. He was in over his head, and he didn’t know what to do.

Night passed slowly for the both of them.

taglist: @starnight-whump @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi@neuro-whump @whump-me-all-night-long @cupcakes-and-pain @whumpzone @whumpcreations @dancinglifeboat @pinkraindropsfell @looptheloup @cowboy-anon @meetmeinhellcroutons @thingsthatgo-whump-inthenight @firewheeesky

[impala1967dwinchester]

Hello I just wanted to say ur amazing writer and I was wondering if I can request Winchester brother x sister reader where the reader is the youngest Winchester maybe around 16- 17 you can choose the fits but I was hoping u can do like where the reader is depressed and has ED (eating disorder ) and doesn’t tell the brothers and one day it gets worse and passed out the brothers are worried trying to help her out but it hard for her I hope this ok if not I can do different request it just I found comfort in angst topics with struggles I go through you know sorry if this doesn’t makes sense

It started years ago. To be exact it started when your father lost it, going mental on your oldest brother Dean. The three of you were thick as thieves and it physically hurt to see the complete and utter destruction your father left behind for Dean to clean up.

Living your life on the road was okay, you had two great older brothers that kept you up. Kept you in good spirits but it's hard when your whole world around you is crashing. You know it, your family knows but no one else.

How Dean and Sam ever dealt with the massive weight on their shoulders. It blew your mind. You. You weren't worth anything, especially not your mother burning on the ceiling. Your father resented you. You didn't need him to say it, because you could tell. Dean was his soldier, Sam was the disappointment, but the smartest out of the three of you. But you, you were the reason all four of you were in this mess. The reason why John was searching for that revenge every day.

Covering it up with the idea of saving people, but you were smart, so very smart. Sam had complimented you many times on your quickness, and sharpness when it came to the lore, but regarding your father, it was never the approval you were looking for.

Lots of things happened, to get you to the age of seventeen and drowning in the pit of your stomach all because you all no desire to be here anymore. You weren't helping your older brothers you were just in the way.

In the way of progress, a major setback to them. For them to prove to John that they would be like him, do like him. They'd have to leave you behind. It was for the best.

It started off as a way to conserve the little food the four of you had. At the ripe age of seven you learned quickly that offering your food to Sam was a better idea, or skipping off to lay in a shitty motel bed was better than eating. Yes your stomach would growl and the acid would burn, but anything to keep the weight of your brother off your shoulders.

As you grew up you learned that if you stayed at school as long as you could it was the best. Dean had just learned how to drive driving was his passion, reading was Sam. And yours... yours was to stay away, out of the way.

By the age of fifteen, you had your patterned packed down and tight. You leave with Sam since he drove you to school, and since he was a senior. You felt a wave of dizziness almost every morning. The night's dinner is still wrapped in its paper bag. Claiming to take it for lunch. Dean never argued with you. Kiss your forehead and hitting the pillow quicker than he hit on the girls that passed by the motel's door.

Your father was already starting to become absent. The shadow of what a perfect family no one ever talked about. You thrived in the school building though. Sam kissed your forehead his height greatly giving him the advantage before saying his goodbyes to you and running to meet with his senior friends.

You walked alone in the hallways. The bullying started almost immediately the second you stepped into the building. Near of my brothers were aware of the shit I went through on a daily basis. Years later they still weren't.

You had settled on never telling them about my dislike for eating, you hoped and prayed most night that they'd never find out. It was better without their acknowledgment of your weakness. Who knows they might be the same way everyone was at school.

The last year had been hard for you and your brothers, your father making less, and less of an effort with all three of you. Your relationship was already straining to stay alive, the burning and hurt in the bit of your stomach was something that was constant now, and from what you could tell it wasn't going to get any better.

Your brothers are now in their early 20's still taking care of their baby sister. Nights you guys sat down for dinner were odd, without John there. The quiet days where a now older Sam would drive you to school, along by yourself all day long. The teasing being relentless.

The whole idea, you were constantly dizzy, constantly on the verge of falling asleep no matter if you were in class, or at the crappy motel room with your brothers.

Tonight though, tonight your world fell apart as you walked in through the door, your final year of schooling was just starting your summer of staying inside and reading was over. The hot day of September had gotten to you more than you were willing to say. As you walked in through the motel door, the cool air hitting you in your face, and the hot air of the evening summer day kicking you in your ass.

It was too much, down you and your light bookbag went. Dean had been on one of the motels' beds when he heard you fall, Sam behind hadn't been able to catch you even with his long arms.

You don' remember much. You do remember hearing the sounds of your brothers frantically rushing around the room, one dropping his gun, and the other rushing over to your side.

"Dean what the hell just happened?" Sam asked in a frantically worried voice. "I don't know all I heard was the engine of Baby, and then her fall to the floor," Dean said rushing to your thin frame. Neither had noticed until now when they finally had time to pay attention to their baby sister that she was rather thinner than a normal seventeen-year-old.

Paler then normal, "Sam do you notice it?" Dean asked as Sam pulled the lightweight bookbag from your small shoulders. A small hum came from Sams's lips, maybe it was too much to say it. The words making truth when they leave his lips.

Sam picked you up feeling just how boney you were. "How did we let her get this bad Dean?" He questioned, Dean kept his head down grabbing her bag and following behind Sam to the bed's side.

When you woke up your two brothers were talking quietly in the tiny kitchen. Sam saw you try to get up their conversation stopped at a halt, and they both came over to help you.

Quiet overcame the room. Dean was the first to speak. "How are you feeling, Y/n?" He asked, you shrugged your shoulders, the ache in your body was strong, but not enough to make that your brother's problems.

"Y/n please be honest with us... Is this the first time something like this has happened?" Your brother Sam asked. Swallowing hard, before talking you answered Dean's question. "I feel fine guys really nothing to worry about." Answering Sams was going to be harder, you don't really remember the last time something like this happened, maybe last week in school, maybe a few years ago. "I don't remember Sam." That was all you said. Sad expression littered their coarse and worn faces.

"Y/n, how long have been like this?" Dean asked, furrowed brows as he asked the question. "Like what?" You replied. "Like how you don't eat at dinner and think we don't notice, how long Y/n? Just answer please." Dean said.

You tried opening your mouth, but the pressure of being truthful with your brothers was overbearing. Trying again and still, nothing slipped out. Sam ur interrupted your train of thought. "Since dad started on with his hunt for yellow eyes?" Simple questions always have a simple answer.

"If you want an honest answer I'd say seven or eight." You said, pushing yourself up from laying in the bed to sitting up against the headboard. The gasps for air were real between your two brothers. One hand came to rest on top of yours while the other paced around the motel room.

Your guess as to which was mad, and empathic wasn't hard for you. Dean pacing around the room meant he was angry, and Sam's empathic hand on top of yours meant he to wanted help. "Why didn't you tell us?" Dean questioned me, Sam turned to look at his older brother. "That won't help, we were talking remember. We need to help her, bot questions her about her actions or even her reason why." Sam said, Dean, calm down as he continued to pace.

Sam returned his attention to you. Hand still laying on top of yours, "Y/n why don't we, all the three of us help you yeah?" He said you laughed a little and Dean looked up from his pacing feet. "I don't think you guys could ever help me. I've been and felt this way for ten years now. This is just how I am now. Broken and worthless to this Winchester family." You said the strain of holding back was harder than you thought. Dean had paused his pacing staring at you and Sams's hand had engulfed yours.

Dean came over, putting his finger under your chin, grabbing your attention. "You listen here, to Sam and I. We care more about you than you'll ever know. We don't care what any person thinks, we don't care about Dad as much as we care about our little sister. Now believe me when we say that all we want to do is help you, helping you is what Sam and I are here for. Y/n you aren't alone, you aren't, worthless, and you most definitely aren't broken. We can help you all you have to do is let us in." Dean said sitting down next to you when he was down.

"We love you and don't wanna see so much potential be wasted especially when we knew we could have helped you," Sam added. You were having a hard time believing them, but nothing would stop you from trying especially when you had your brothers by your side.

[yikesharringrove]

I know it's dark and maybe you don't want to touch the subject and you've not been doing well lately but can I request one of the boys with an eating disorder? I can totally see Steve being restrictive or purging (anorexia or bulimia) or Billy with an obsession on being healthy (orthorexia)

So, I actually have another drabble request coming soon with orthorexic billy, so I’m gonna do one for our sweet boy stevie. Wanna wreck this babey

Trigger Warnings for: disordered eating (anorexia), hospitalization, and an ng feeding tube.

-

Steve’s mother had a drawer full of diet pills.

She would take a few with her wine, and be much too full, no really she couldn’t dream of having another bite whenever dinner rolled around.

She would smile sadly at Steve and pinch at the softness of his belly, tell him darling, our looks are all we have.

And the diet pills were an easy solution.

Steve stole a few bottles. Not that she would even notice, began taking them to replace dinner. Then to replace breakfast and dinner.

Then he just, kinda stopped eating.

He would have something every few days, a few crackers or a spoonful of peanut butter, when the groans of his stomach were unbearable.

But then he learned to ignore it, to file it away and go days without food.

He kept the weight off.

Of course he did, he wasn’t putting anything in his body to balance it out.

And the thinner he got, the thinner he wanted to be.

He stopped working out.

Didn’t have much in the way of energy for it anyway.

And then his muscles were gone, and you could see his ribs through his skin.

Our looks are all we have.

He liked tracing his bones as he lay in bed at night, liked how delicate his collar bones felt, how sharp his hip bones were.

It didn’t matter that he’d wake up the next morning with a migraine and clumps of hair on the pillow.

His softness was gone, his cheeks weren’t pinch able anymore.

His parents came home to an empty fridge, and an empty drawer where diet pills used to be.

His father sneered at him, told him he looked like death warmed over.

His mother fussed with his clothes, tried to get them to fit right.

Nothing fit right.

But it didn’t matter.

Because he had his looks.

It doesn’t matter if his skin was waxy, or his hair was thinning.

Because his elegant bones stood out so beautifully.

“Jesus, Harrington.”

Billy was staring at him, staring at him like he wasn’t elegant. “You’re. Real skinny.” Steve tried to sit back up, tug on his shirt and kick Billy out of his house.

But he didn’t have enough energy to push Billy off him.

He couldn’t help getting angry, snapping at Billy.

“What about it, Hargrove?” Billy furrowed his brows, rolling off of Steve to sit next to him on the bed.

“Are you, like, are you anorexic?”

He watched Steve’s muscles shift under his skin as he sat up.

“You look-”

“I look how I want.”

“There’s no way you want this. Steve, you look like a fucking skeleton.” Steve pulled the blankets up of himself. Billy wouldn’t understand. “Why are you doing this?”

Because of a mother that always said our looks are all we have and Steven, must you eat like such a piglet? and a father that would say if you were a girl I’d tell you to marry well and people respect you if you’ve got money and looks. Don’t be an idiot and lose them.

“It’s what I want.”

“It’s killing you.” Billy’s eyes were wide. “Steve, you’ve gotta, like, go to the hospital or something. I don’t even know what to do.” He looked panicked, his hands clenching and unclenching by his sides.

“You don’t have to do anything.”

But then Steve stood up.

His vision always fuzzed at the edges these days, but sometimes it just went black.

He woke up some time later, a dull pain in his head.

He opened bleary eyes, found himself in a hospital bed.

He glared at Billy sitting next to him. Billy glared right back.

“Why am I here?” His voice was raspy, his throat hurt.

Billy rolled his eyes, scoffing at him.

“Isn’t it fucking obvious?” Steve went to wipe at his nose, found a tube taped to his face, shoved up his nostril. His eyes went wide. “Yeah. Feeding tube.”

“What the fuck?”

“Look, you fucking passed out and I wanted to make sure you weren’t concussed. Basically, you’re fine but severely malnourished, so, feeding tube.”

“Fuck you.” Steve slumped against the bed. He had half a mind to yank the thing right out of him.

“Yeah, whatever.” Billy mirrored him, slumping back in the chair, his arms crossed over his chest. “Just, a lot of shit made sense, I guess. Every time I suggest a dinner date, you get this weird look in your eye. And you never eat the popcorn when we go to the movies.”

Steve looked down at his hands.

“How long?” Billy’s voice was soft again.

“I don’t even know. I’ve always, I don’t think I’ve ever felt good about myself.” He was fidgeting with his fingers.

Since when were they like that? So pale and frigid. They looked like skeleton hands.

“Steve, you do realize you’re hurting yourself, right? Like I mean, you’re just slowly starving to death.”

“Maybe that was the idea. To die in the slowest, most painful way I could on the off chance that someone would actually notice. Would bother to care.”

“I did. I noticed. I care.” Steve gave him a look.

“Not for nothing, but we’ve gone on like, six dates, and were just about to fuck when you got weirded out by my body. Not exactly the best reaction I’ve had.”

“Yeah, but at least I reacted.” Billy’s jaw was tense. He checked his watch. “They called your mom. She consented to have you admitted. You’re keepin’ the feeding tube and doin’ all kindsa therapy and shit. Your mom gave a big ol’ performance. I could hear her screaming through the phone about my precious, beautiful baby!” Billy put on a high voice to imitate her.

“So, they’re institutionalizing me?”

“Nah. You just can’t be trusted right now, so they’re getting you help.”

“So, it’s more like prison.”

“If prison was nicer and you got food shot through your special nose tube and a therapist told you how worthwhile you are every day.” Steve cracked a little smile at that. Just a tiny one.

“Will you visit me?”

“Probably not. I think if I did, they’d lock me up too.” Billy grinned as Steve laughed lightly. “‘Course I’ll visit.”

“Did they say how long?”

“Tops, a month. But your mom was babblin’ about some rehab center in Ottowa that her friend’s sister’s cabana boy’s cousin’s wife’s daughter’s husband went to, or some shit like that.”

“Isn’t rehab like, drugs?”

“Not necessarily.” Billy huffed, his face going serious. “I want you to, like, try. Talk your shit out in therapy and try to work up to eating on your own. I want you to be healthy.”

“But what if, what if my healthy is, like, a little bigger?” Steve had always had a little tummy, some extra meat on his hips and thighs, a round ass.

“Then I’ll fucking welcome it. I don’t care what your healthy looks like. I just want it.”

“You won’t when you realize I’m fat.”

“Yeah? Why not?” Billy had a challenge in his voice, had a sharpness in his eye.

Steve just shook his head.

“Okay, I  seriously, don’t care if your body is big. If you’re happy, and you’re healthy, I don’t fucking care. There’s nothing bad about being fat.”

“Yeah? Tell that to my mother.” Steve scrunched his nose. The tube was uncomfortable, threaded through his nose and down his throat. The tape securing it to his face was itchy, and really, he just wanted to rip the damn thing out. “I don’t wanna hear what she’s gonna say.”

“I’ll stay here the whole time. Tell her to stuff it when she gets goin’.”

Steve smiled at him weakly.

“I just meant, like. If I start getting fat again.”

Billy narrowed his eyes. 

“I think you meant, when you start getting healthy. Because you will. And that will come with weight gain, but that’s not bad. Having fat, being fat isn’t bad, Steve. I know you really don’t believe me right now, but I hope you will. Because it sucks seeing you hurt yourself when I think you’re still absolutely amazing no matter how your body looks.”

Jesus, it was so goddamn sweet. Kinda made Steve melt a little bit inside.

“I, uh, thanks. Thank you, Billy.”

Billy reached forward to take one of Steve’s hands in his. One of his cold, thin, hands. It was shocking, the difference between his hand and Billy’s. It was so much paler, so much thinned despite his hand being overall bigger.

“I’m kinda. I’m kinda scared. Is that stupid?”

“No. Getting better is probably gonna be hard. But, it’s important. You’re, important.” A deep flush was creeping up Billy’s neck, but he was holding eye contact with Steve. “And I’ll be around for you. If you want.”

“Yeah. Yeah. I want you around.”

Billy brought their hands up to press a kiss to the back of Steve’s hand.

“Then I’ll be there.”

[mythrilhusk]

!!Kill Techno-Sensei!! - Chapter One

Dream SMP x Assassination Classroom AU. Quackity-centric. No ships. 

Words: 1850 Chapter Two (Next) AO3 Version

ALL characters are based off of the Dream SMP characters, Not the content creators (some people are left out due to this, since they have no perceivable RP character). This was a lot of fun to write, and I hope y’all enjoy.

Content warnings: violence, panic attacks/anxiety, death mention, swearing (lots)

CHAPTER ONE (Kill A Little Time):

"Ten billion dollars??" Sapnap's amazed cry startles Quackity out of his tired stupor. Connor and Foolish crowd around Sapnap's desk, babbling with excitement. 

"What the fuck are you on about?" Quackity grumbles, but he can't help peeking over Sapnap's shoulder. The creased document seems to be a bunch of lousy legal drivel. 

"Big Q, the price on this guy's head! We'd be set for life!" 

Quackity makes a grabby gesture, and Sapnap gives the papers to him. His little gang of three-- (missing Karl, since the bastard had to get himself transferred to a different class)-- gathers around him as he flips through them.

That man’s face-- printed in thick, bold strokes on the third page-- clamps a vise around his throat, so tight it constricts the scream he wants to let out. He takes a deep breath. Holds it. Lets it out slowly. "This fucker??" He tosses the papers away dismissively. "He'll be dead in a day with that bounty." Foolish and Connor scramble to snatch the papers, vying for the prestige of being the first to share with the whole class. 

Sapnap, sweet Sapnap, leans over and murmurs worriedly, "You okay, Big Q?" 

"Fuck, I'm great!" Hysteria bites in Quackity's laugh. "Fucking hell, I'm- I'm- I'm abso-fucking-lutely screwed." 

"Why?" 

"Why?? That's- you know who that is!!" Quackity cries, not caring that the attention of his peers is being drawn to his outburst, like moths to fire, or like vultures to roadkill. 

"Yeah, but- yeah, he'll be dead in a day." Sapnap lets Quackity squeeze his hand. "You'll be fine. And if he dares to come anywhere near you, the Ducklings have your back." 

Quackity shudders. The thought of his friends going up against the dark shadow from his past fills him with terror. The terror fills him with helpless weakness. Which in turn feeds the vitriolic bitterness rooted deep inside his veins. "N-no, Sapnap. If he comes near, you run." 

"Who teh fock are you runnin' from? I wouldn't run. I'd stand there, and I'd fight it. I'd beat the shit outta it!" Tommy puffs his chest out as he stomps to his desk beside Quackity's, a sunny ray of cheering bravado. "All the ladies, all the ladies say, there goes a man who beats the shit outta what- whatever bothers him." 

Quackity laughs, burying the fear and acidic rage. "Aww, Big T, you'd fight a thousand armies for me?" 

"What?? No, I'd die." Tommy states.  

"You're a good man, Tomathy." 

"No man is good, Big Q. No man is good." 

The other students have all seated themselves in their assigned desks. There's a new teacher this year. Quackity wishes he'd had time to set up a few more pranks than horseradish sauce in the hand lotion dispenser and whoopee cushions on the teacher's chair. But he's not bad at improvising. 

The door opens, and the principal of the school strides in, her fluffy rainbow hair bouncing with every step. "All rise and bow for Captain Pussy!!" Tommy cries. Quackity busts a lung, he's laughing so hard. 

"T-Tommy, that's- that's not very nice, Tommy." Captain Puffy frowns, tapping her five-inch heels on the grimy linoleum. 

"Oh, right. Sorry, Captain." Tommy accepts the reproach with equanimity. "Fucking cold out, am I right, boys?" 

"And girl!!" Rose cries from the front of the class. 

"Yes, well, I was talking to mah boys." Tommy retorts with exaggerated stiffness. 

"Fucking shut up and let the goddamned principal speak!" Quackity cries upon regaining his breath from guffawing. He smiles at Sapnap. The worrywart smiles back gratefully. 

"Uh. Thank you, Quackity." Puffy sighs, looking downcast. "I'm sorry, kids. I tried to keep our school out of this. But Skeppy had- uh. The Prezz called in a few favors." 

"What's going on?" Tommy asks without raising his hand, because he's just that much of a rebel. 

Quackity's neck itches as though he's- being hunted again- no, no, that would never happen here, he's just a regular kid, in a regular school, no war criminals nearby.

But Puffy calls uncertainly to the door, "Mr. Blade?" And Quackity's heart leaps into his throat, choking him with the pounding thump-thump-thump so familiar to prey. 

"Yup." Technoblade's low, dry voice resonates through the numbly silent classroom. His shadow darkens the door. 

Quackity reaches for Sapnap's hand and squeezes tight. "No-no-no-no-" Sapnap squeezes back, fury beating in his firm pulse. Quackity takes a deep breath. Holds it. Lets it out. His friend is furious for his sake. 

Technoblade's clicking steps are the only sound in the quiet, other than Quackity's racing heartbeat. Quackity refuses to look away from Sapnap's hand, refuses to look up at the man who slaughtered his family without a single qualm. 

"I guess I'm your teacher or somethin'." A farting noise rips through the tense stillness. Quackity muffles a hysterical giggle; somebody sat on a whoopee cushion. "What a bunch of nerds." Techno's words are lightly spoken, suffocating Quackity with the terrible normalcy of it all. 

"Are you the Mr. Blade??" Of all people who could've spoken, it just has to be Tommy, doesn't it. 

"I am. Apparently." 

"Well, then. I'm going to fockin' beat the shit outta you." Tommy's voice is bright and clear, filled with brave anger. 

"K." Technoblade answers laconically, seemingly apathetic, but Quackity knows better. The fucking asshole is just restraining delight at yet another bloody massacre to feed his God with. 

"No." Quackity snarls, surprising himself with the loud intensity of his own voice. "Tommy, you're not fighting him." 

"But, Big Q-" 

"Let me handle this." Quackity flashes a grim smile to Tommy, then glares up at Captain Puffy. "Why are you letting a fucking war criminal teach highschoolers??" 

"I've renounced my violent ways, Quackity." Technoblade's calm retort chills him. "But I wouldn't even be here if it weren't for your government." Anyone else would miss the slight emphasis. Not Quackity. 

"It's not my fucking government. You killed my government, you killed them all!"

"I did what I had to do. For the greater good." 

"Um." Captain Puffy raises a hand. "Excuse me. Yes, all of you. Please calm down. We have insurance that makes it impossible for Technoblade to harm any of you-" 

"A hostage, you mean." Rage flickers beneath Technoblade's calm tone.   

A vengeful grin cracks across Quackity's dour face. "Oh... Techno, we're going to have so much fun." He dares to turn his gaze on the muzzled murderer. 

The man is smaller than he remembered. Paler. Thinner. His silky platinum hair cascades over his shoulders, braided haphazardly, with hints of pink dye streaking the tips. Technoblade doesn't smile, doesn't make any perceivable expression at all. Quackity stares him down, shooting every drop of vitriol he can muster. 

Technoblade winces, almost imperceptibly, and breaks eye contact. Battle won. A surge of euphoric power floods Quackity with confidence. "Yo, I'm going to fucking kill you." 

"You can try." Technoblade smiles. 

"You're just a human, Technoblade. Terrifying? Yeah, sure. But your days are fucking numbered and I'm the one who's going to take your goddamn life." 

"Uh, actually." Puffy interrupts again. "That's the thing." 

"What is??" 

"You're all going to have to try your best to kill him before the year is out." Puffy says in a rush.  

Quackity scoffs, but before he can say anything, Techno raises a hand. "See, there's the catch, Quackity." His form glitches. "I'm not actually a Human." 

Quackity gulps down his apprehension as the piggy monster in Technoblade's chair stares him down. "What are you, then??" 

"I dunno. Maybe I'll think of a name before my tragic end." 

Puffy sighs. "Drama kings. Okay, big guy, I'm going to, uhh, yeah, I have work to do. Y'all have fun." She leaves the stricken class with the monster. 

Technoblade scratches at the horny protusions wrapping around his head like a crown. The glowing irises inside his black sclera dance around the classroom, landing on each student before leaping away again. His pig-muzzle  wrinkles. Tusks curl out from his jaws. The blood-red cloak pinned around his shoulders hides most of his bulk. If he was scary before, he's fucking terrifying now.

"A fucking pig-man?? That's what you are??" 

"Eh." Technoblade grunts noncommittally. "You should see the other guys." 

Quackity frowns. "Why us?" 

"Huh?"

"Why does the government want us to kill you??" 

"Because I told them I wouldn't let myself be killed unless they let me teach a class." Technoblade the pig-monster smiles reminiscingly. "And then I killed my captors to prove the point. The Prezz thinks he can keep me under control because I wouldn't dare hurt a child... his words, not mine." His eyes twinkle. "I'm perfectly fine with dropkicking kids, particularly if it's in self-defense." 

Gulping, Quackity shrinks a bit in his chair. Against his will, the years-old wild laughter of the bloody former-human rings through his head once more. He'll never be rid of the ecstatic sound, never be rid of the dread that poisoned his veins as he hid while Technoblade obliterated his home. Blood for the Blood God... His breath comes short and fast. 

Sapnap squeezes his hand comfortingly. The fire blazing in his best friend's eyes tells Quackity that Sapnap won't just step aside and let Technoblade hurt him again. 

"That's focken cruel!" Tommy pipes up. "You're a focken menace, yeah. Boys, I say we take him down before anyone gets hurt." 

"You can try." 

Tommy snatches the shank slipped to him by Tubbo. "You're going down, you are!" 

Quackity stands up hastily and holds Tommy back before he can storm up to the implacable monster. "Big T, sit the fuck down, you're just going to get hurt." 

"I'll decide who gets hurt, thanks." Tommy retorts. "Techno, you're not going to hurt my friends." 

"See, Tommy, I can't really do that anyway." Technoblade growls. "But if I could, do you really think that measly pin could take me down?" 

"We'll focken see!!" Tommy rips himself from Quackity's grasp and leaps froggy-like over Hannah's desk. 

Quackity can only watch in horror as Technoblade doesn't even to bother standing up. The monster deflects Tommy's first wild slash. "Tommy, that's a piercing weapon." 

"I fuckin' know that, I'm trying to shank you with it!" 

"Tommy, you're doing it wrong." Technoblade sighs, starting to sound exasperated as Tommy fails swing after swing. 

"Tell me how to kill you, then!" 

"You can't." Technoblade spreads his arms. "Go ahead, try." 

Quackity gasps with delight as Tommy stabs the shank into Technoblade's chest. But Tommy screeches and lets go of the shank. The metal boils and melts into Technoblade's skin. 

"Wh-what the hell??" Tubbo leaps up and drags the stunned Tommy back to his desk. 

"The fuck was that??" Quackity cries, desperate to regain some semblance of control. 

"That? Merely a side effect." 

"Of what??" 

"Of being the first Mutant Earth has ever seen." Technoblade smiles unpleasantly. "And the last to ever exist. Make no mistake. If I'm not killed by this time next year, I will destroy this world."

==Please reblog and like if you enjoyed!! Thank you!!== 

Chapter Two (Next)

[sonicgetsrawed]

Put it on Repeat, Don’t Let it Stop

Basically a fic with the boys as exes in a ghost hunter au!!! Warning for blood, violence, temporary character death, emotional angst, actual death but in the past it’s a ghost hunter au someone had to be deaded!!!! There is a happy ending though!!! Enjoy!!!!

It had been six months, two weeks, and three days since Varian left. Five months, one week, and four days since Yong returned to school. Four months on the dot since Nuru accepted an internship at some tech company and quit. Three months and five days since his last case. And back to six months, two weeks, and three days since it all fell apart.

Hugo dragged his feet across the floor as he poured himself another cup of coffee before promptly sitting back down at his desk. The sunlight barely shining through the blinds on the windows of the dingy studio apartment. It was a temporary arrangement he kept telling himself, just until he could get back on his feet, but that temporary arrangement somehow quickly turned to half a year. Hugo sighed as he propped his feet up on the desk, scrolling through job searches as he sipped at his coffee, still hoping his work phone would ring, the outdated phone sitting on the corner of the desk, the screen covered in a thin layer of dust. His lips curled in disgust as he scrolled past yet another add for a dog walker, just how many dogs were there in this god forsaken city? He reluctantly clicked on it, he was almost out of money and he was fairly certain Donella wouldn’t excuse his rent again. He was halfway through the application when he heard his work phone ring.

“Fuck.” Hugo cursed under his breath, jumping at the sound, some of his coffee spilling from the mug and onto his shirt. He eagerly reached for the phone that had remained dormant for the past three months, his breath hitching when a familiar name and picture flashed across the screen. Babe, with hearts on both sides of the name, Varian’s freckled face and buck tooth smile staring back at him, his blue eyes captivating even in the picture. Hugo’s heart stopped, his finger hovering over the answer button, he hadn’t heard from Varian since they broke up. He’d pretty much erased all existence of the boy from his life, burned photographs, deleted pictures off his phone, he’d even gone as far as to delete his contact information, the only thing he didn’t have the heart to toss out was that stupid plush raccoon Varian had somehow left behind, which now was stuffed into a box and shoved underneath his bed. He thought he’d purged Varian from all places except his head, heart. Obviously the only thing he missed was clearing out his work phone. But this had to be a work call or else Varian would’ve just called his personal number. He wasn’t petty enough to scream at him through his work phone, and as much as Varian could hold a grudge it wasn’t likely he was calling to argue after six months. With only another moment of hesitation Hugo accepted the call, shakily bringing the phone to his ear.

“Hello?” He could hear the sharp intake of breath on the other side of the line. It made his heart stop, all the memories he had since locked away of their two years together came rushing back, the nights they spent together, the arguments they had, the tears they shed. Even the small moments they shared, Varian starting his day with a cup of hot chocolate instead of coffee, the way he’d pack Hugo’s lunch with two apples because he always seemed to skip breakfast, and the random kisses to his cheeks whenever Varian got particularly excited about something. He almost missed it, but it was all tainted with the memory of their breakup. The hurtful things Varian said, the things he said in return, when Varian packed his things and left with nothing more than a slam of the door. How he spent day after day waiting for a call, a text, anything that might hint at there still being a chance at salvaging their relationship, but nothing ever came, and as many times as he typed out his own apology, his finger hovered over the call button, he never had the guts to actually go through with it, so the best thing to do, the only thing to do was to move on.

“Hi.” Varian answered, his voice soft, hesitant, shaking slightly from what had to be nerves. Hugo bit his tongue fighting back the urge to both comfort him and yell at him for the things he said. Varian spoke again before Hugo could calm himself enough to address the call rationally. “I, uh, I need your help.”

This time Hugo’s breath hitched. They had worked together once upon a time, Varian knew just as much about this kind of stuff as he did, if he was asking for his help it must be pretty serious. “What did you do?” Hugo asked, not caring that his annoyance slipped into his words. Varian always seemed to push the boundaries further than he should, it was only a matter of time before it bit him in the ass, and now Hugo had to help clean up the mess.

The silence on the other side stretched out longer than it should’ve, Hugo’s patience wearing thin. He was about two seconds from just hanging up the phone when Varian spoke again, something odd in his voice, was it fear? “It’s probably best if I show you.”

Hugo pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a sigh. He didn’t really want to see Varian in person, but he had to if he wanted this case, if he wanted to get paid. “Okay.”

*******************

Two hours and a lot of cleaning later, not that there was a lot of cleaning to be done, it was mostly surface cleaning and trying to hide the peeling paint, the hole in the floor that he’d thrown a rug over, although there was nothing he could do about the terribly outdated appliances. He was just trying to make it look like his life hadn’t fallen apart the moment Varian walked out of it. A soft knock rang out through the apartment. Hugo mentally cursed himself for not changing out of his pajama bottoms and coffee stained tank top. Reluctantly he swung the door open, the creak of its hinges almost deafening, the cold air biting his exposed skin.

He felt sick, it was almost like he was looking at a ghost, ironic given his line of business, but Varian looked the same as the day he walked out. Those infuriatingly adorable front teeth sticking out from his slightly parted lips, the splash of freckles along his nose and cheeks, his dark hair sprinkled with white from the snow, that odd blue streak sticking out amongst the dark locks, and his eyes, his eyes, the same beautiful blue that he could easily get lost in, even though they had lost some of their sparkle, their wonder.

“Can I come in?” Varian asked, his voice sending shivers down Hugo’s spine. It was so different seeing him in person, hearing his voice loud and clear without the static of the phone line. The younger shaking slightly as he pulled his too big coat tighter around his frame, the patchwork on it making Hugo think it had to be a hand me down from Eugene.

“Yeah.” Hugo answered, his throat feeling unusually dry all of a sudden as he stepped out of the doorway to let Varian in. Hugo quickly shut the door before anymore warm air could escape, taking a moment to examine his ex a little more closely. He looked thinner than he already was when they were together, his ribs poking out slightly against the fabric of his shirt, he looked paler too, his dark hair only making it more evident, and then there were the dark circles underneath his eyes, it looked like he hadn’t gotten a good night's sleep in six months. The more bitter part of him was happy that Varian seemed to be doing as poorly as he was, but the more compassionate side wanted to see Varian thriving, doing better without him, to come back stronger.

“Nice place.” Varian said, startling Hugo out of his thoughts, his eyes narrowing at the comment. Although he wasn’t entirely sure if it was a jab or not, Varian’s tone even and neutral.

“Thanks.” Hugo replied flatly. His eyes momentarily locked with Varian’s, something flashing across Varian’s face before he shook his head, settling in the seat across from Hugo’s. Hugo frowned, taking his seat and pulling out a notebook to write on. “So, why does the great Varian need my help?”

“Can we please not do this?” Varian said with a roll of his eyes. He was hunched in on himself, defensive, nervous, spooked even, Hugo refused to believe it was solely from having to come to him.

But ever the asshole he was Hugo feigned innocence, curious as to how far he could push Varian’s buttons. How much did he actually need his help? “Do what?”

“Thi- never mind.” Varian sighed in defeat, slumping back in his chair, eyes closing for a brief second. He looked downright exhausted, guilt welling in Hugo’s chest at trying to push him. “You know the castle my dad was hired to renovate?”

“No shit. I’ve been trying to get in there for years.” Hugo said. He remembered Varian showing him the blueprints he sketched just a few weeks before their breakup, he was surprised they hadn’t started renovating yet. The castle was a major tourist attraction, and it was rumored to have supernatural activity through the roof. Hugo had never gotten to see it though, the castle had been closed to the public for the past five years, which just so happened to be when he moved to New Saporia. There had been a tragic accident at the castle, the public was told, someone died and it needed to be shut down. However it seemed that time was coming to an end. He knew the tourist industry had taken quite the hit when the castle shut down even though the main island was still open, the castle had been the main attraction.

“Well, today’s your lucky day. A few of the workers complained about some odd activity and my dad asked me if I could check it out and, well-“ Hugo raised an eyebrow at Varian’s unexpected pause, the younger rolling up the sleeve of his jacket and presenting his arm.

“Shit.” Hugo mumbled underneath his breath, his fingers ghosting over the angry red mark on Varian’s forearm, a crudely drawn Coronan sun etched into his skin by what he assumed to be a nail. It was strangely warm to the touch, almost as if he were sticking his fingers close to a flame. There was only one way he could’ve gotten that mark, only one spirit that was known for using the last symbol of the Coronan reign. “Varian, what did you do?”

“I summoned the Princess.”

Hugo’s breath caught in his throat, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. It was no wonder Varian needed his help, this was way out of his league, hell it was way out of Hugo’s league. There were books, a shit ton of books, on the history, the legends, of the last princess of Corona. On how her life ended unexpectedly and it led to the fall of Corona, and more importantly how she never seemed able to move on from the castle, left wandering the halls waiting for her loved ones to return for all eternity. Which is why he moved here in the first place, to catch a glimpse of the Princess, if he could prove her existence he’d finally be taken seriously for once. It was a dangerous task, the few people that had supposedly gone looking for her turned up dead, all sporting the mark that Varian now had on his arm. And apparently his stupid ass ex-boyfriend had decided it was a good fucking idea to do the same.

“What the fuck were you thinking?” Hugo ground out, his jaw clenched in anger, frustration, definitely not concern.

“I thought I could handle it. I thought I could help her.” Varian shot back, pulling his arm out of Hugo’s grasp.

“Help? You can’t help her! She’s a fucking ghost! This is why I always have to clean up your messes! This is why you can’t handle it!” Hugo shouted, slamming his hands down on the desk. He hadn’t even realized when he stood, but he was damn well aware of when Varian did. The chair he had been sitting in clattering to the floor, the shorter’s lips pursed, eyebrows furrowed, the small twitch of his nose that happened only when he was particularly worked up over something. They were nose to nose, so close he could feel the soft puffs of Varian’s breath. It was enough to send him spiraling, forcing him to take a step back, his expression softening when he realized Varian was more than scared, he was terrified.

“Fuck off! I was just- forget it. I don’t have to explain myself to you!” Varian huffed, turning on his heel, a determined look on his face as he marched towards the door.

“Varian, wait!” Hugo protested, grabbing Varian’s arm before he could get any further. He released him immediately, a burning sensation shooting up and down his arm as soon as he came into contact with Varian’s skin. Varian pulled away as well, tugging his sleeve down, his eyes wild in fear. Hugo looked down at his hand, the tips of his fingers an angry red as if he’d touched a hot stove, but the rest of his hand fine due to the gloves he wore. He frowned at it, it was an odd effect but they could figure it out. If the Princess really had been the mythical Sundrop he supposed it made sense for her mark to burn.

“Hugo, I’m-“ Varian started, stopping himself before he could say that word, the word they both had trouble saying, because if he said it now, here, why couldn’t he say it then? When he needed to hear it.

Hugo swallowed thickly, placing a fake smile on his face as he waved his hand through the air. “Don’t sweat it, Goggles.” Hugo froze, Varian stiffening at the nickname. He hadn’t meant to say it, it was a stupid slip of the tongue, but he’d said it nonetheless. It could’ve been worse he could’ve used an actual pet name. At least Goggles he could work with. Still, it didn’t help the already awkward situation, Varian seemed more on edge, his ears tinted pink from embarrassment, anger, annoyance? He wasn’t sure which, but none of them would do him any favors. And they needed to be able to somewhat work together to figure this out.

“This was a bad idea.” Varian said finally, an odd look crossing his face as he took a step back, looking ready to run. Hugo’s stomach flipped as he was hit with the overwhelming feeling of deja vu, it was so much like that night, so much like it. Every part of his mind was screaming at him not to let Varian go again, he couldn’t lose him again, he wouldn’t let him slip through his fingers, he couldn’t, he couldn’t.

Hugo took a deep breath, it wasn’t the same, it wasn’t like that night, this was strictly business. He had to push aside personal feelings and do his fucking job. “Varian.” The name felt odd on his tongue now, bitter almost, but Varian seemed to take more kindly to it than nicknames, relaxing just the smallest amount. “I’m- let me help you. This isn’t something you can do on your own, obviously.”

He expected an argument, something to hint at that attitude that he used to love so much, but Varian simply nodded, and maybe that was the scariest of all. “Okay. I- thank you.”

*******************

Varian’s car was exactly as he remembered it. The beat up leather seats peeling, the scratch on the left side from that particularly bad accident Varian had been in last year still had yet to be patched up, the car still taking three turns of the key to actually turn on, even the passenger's seat was adjusted just the way Hugo liked it, so if he had to guess Varian hadn’t had anyone in the passenger’s seat since their breakup, or at least anyone that cared to adjust it. Hugo scrolled through the radio stations, looking for something to fill the suffocatingly awkward silence, it was an hour drive and he really didn’t want it to be miserable. Hugo froze, an eyebrow raising as he realized all the preset stations were still to the ones he liked, and he knew for a fact Varian did not like them. They always had vastly different music tastes, usually sticking to instrumental music when they were working on projects together.

“I haven’t had time to change them.” Varian said, casting a sideways glance at Hugo, his shoulders tense.

“Naturally.” Hugo said, settling on a station and sitting back in his seat, eyes focused on the passing buildings.

“I’ve been busy.” Varian explained, his grip tight on the steering wheel.

“I believe you.” He didn’t.

**********************

“We’re here.” Came Varian’s soft voice, Hugo jolting awake.

“Fuck.” Hugo mumbled, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. A lot of good that coffee did. Hugo unbuckled his seatbelt, scrambling out of the car, Varian already out and unlocking the gate that surrounded the island.

“We’ll have to walk to the castle.” Varian said, pushing the gate open. Hugo nodded, grabbing his equipment from the backseat. “I don’t think you’ll need that.”

Hugo frowned at that, pulling his bag closer, the chill of the night air sending shivers down his spine, or perhaps it was something else. “I’d like to be on the safe side.”

“Suit yourself.” Varian shrugged, gesturing for Hugo to follow him to the other side of the gate, locking it behind them, a strange feeling washing over Hugo. For better or for worse things were going to be drastically different once they left.

The walk to the castle was just as quiet as the car ride, perhaps more so. There was something bone chilling about the empty streets at night, just the two of them, the echoing of their shoes on the cobblestone, and the white puffs of air in front of them. It stopped when they got to the castle. Usually spirits gave off a colder aura, but it was strangely warm the closer they got to the castle, Hugo even shedding his winter coat by the time they reached it.

“Why is it so fucking hot?” Hugo groaned, trailing behind Varian as he led them into the castle, their flashlights their only guide.

“You’ll see.” Varian said, his eyes darkening. He had opted to keep his jacket on, shivering even in the overbearing warmth of the castle. Hugo placed his jacket around Varian’s shoulders, averting his eyes as soon as it was on. Varian didn’t say anything but he could tell he was grateful by the way he pulled the jacket closer.

Something was very wrong and it was affecting Varian.

Hugo moved his flashlight around, looking at all the various paintings that lined the wall. He recognized a few from history classes, stopping briefly at the portrait of King Andrew the first ruler of New Saporia. His rule hadn’t lasted long, the man dying an untimely death somewhere in his first year of rule. There was something disturbing about the man, much of the history before the rise of New Saporia had been erased, no one but the man in the picture knowing the truth. He wondered what secrets he kept, what the truth actually was about this place. Why had Corona actually fallen?

“This way.” Varian called, Hugo tearing his eyes away from the portrait and following the sound of Varian’s voice. Varian was half sticking out of the wall, a large tapestry covering the hole in it.

“Of course there’s a secret passage.” Hugo huffed, quickly making his way inside the dark tunnel. Somehow it got hotter still. Hugo could feel the sweat starting to form on his brow, Varian shivering more intensely. He was really starting to get worried. As much as he’d claim that he hated the younger for breaking his heart he didn’t want anything bad to happen to him, he didn’t want him to die.

“This is it.” Varian said, stopping in the middle of a circular room, various items lining the walls as if they had been put down here for storage. One item in particular caught Hugo’s eye, another portrait but this time of the last Princess of Corona. She sat in a chair, her parents on either side, one side torn, the other faded to time, only the Princess really recognizable. Her smile was bright and kind, her green eyes welcoming, her long blonde hair done up in an intricate braid. There was nothing that screamed wrong about her, and yet she was the source of all their current problems.

“Hello!” A female voice called, the painting suddenly lighting up as a golden transparent figure came out of it. Hugo let out a yelp, dropping his flashlight as he scrambled back, not that he needed it anymore, the whole room lighting up at the Princess’s arrival. “Oh, I see you brought a friend!”

Her laugh filled the room, bouncing off the walls in a tone that was far too high to be human. In fact she looked almost nothing like her portrait. She glowed a golden yellow from her chest, the color fading the further it moved away from the center, her hair was loose, the strands moving through the air as if she was under water, her feet not even visible, not that she needed them she hovered in the air, dangerously close to Hugo’s face. He couldn’t help but stare into those soulless golden orbs she had for eyes, her smile stretching her face too wide, her lips too thin, just the edges of her sharp teeth visible in her smile. And she was warm, so terribly warm.

“He’s not a friend.” Varian said, sounding weak. Hugo would’ve turned to look at him but he was terrified to let the Princess out of his sight.

She frowned as she tapped her nails together, her too long nails, almost as long as her fingers themselves. In fact it didn’t even look like there was a separation from her fingers and her nails. “Oh, dear.” She said, a pout forming on her face as she gave Hugo a once over, clicking her tongue in distaste before she flew over him and to Varian. “Did he hurt you?”

She floated upside down, watching Varian with a sick sort of amusement in her eyes. The gold aura pulsing in time with the mark on Varian’s arm, which was now glowing. Hugo cursed under his breath, so that was how she was killing them. She was draining their energy until they dropped dead, for what he didn’t know, but he didn’t really care to find out. Hugo swung his bag around fully intending to pull out the ghost banishing plasma gun they had developed early on in their ghost hunting careers, but a small shake of Varian’s head stopped him. Hugo froze, listening for now. He could watch wait for a better moment to blast the bitch to hell.

The Princess’s head snapped towards Hugo, the rest of her body not even moving with it, a questioning look on her face before turning back to Varian. And then she laughed, it was a different laugh than before, while it previously had an almost playful tone to it, this one only spoke of ill intent, almost like nails on a chalkboard. Every inch of his body screamed to run to leave Varian to the fate he chose, but he stayed, this time he stayed.

“He did hurt you, didn’t he?” She asked, her nails dragging along Varian’s face, his complexion getting paler still. He looked like he might drop at any second, the only thing keeping him upright being her clawed hand and her golden locks cocooning him. He watched entranced as her eyes glowed brighter, Varian’s taking on the golden hue for just a second, a gasp escaping his lips, a tear rolling down his cheek. What the fuck was happening? What the fuck was she doing? “I won’t tolerate people hurting my friends.”

In an instant it felt all the warmth was sucked from the room, leaving nothing but the biting cold air as her hair started to change from golden to pitch black. She let go of Varian and he dropped like a stone, his knees hitting the cold floor with a thunk, blood dripping from the newly acquired cuts on his face from the Princess’s sharp nails.

“Varian!” Hugo called, running towards the younger, the mark on his arm glowing a bright blue, the middle of the Princess’s chest matching. Hugo threw caution to the wind as he pulled out the gun, fully intending to put himself between the ghost and boyfri- ex, he meant ex. He didn’t get the chance, the Princess intercepting him before he could reach Varian, her soulless black eyes staring into his terrified green ones.

“Wither and decay.” Her words rolled off her tongue, her hair filling the entirety of the room, blocking Varian from his line of sight, the air draining from the room. He couldn’t breathe, as much as he tried he couldn’t get any air into his lungs, the steady drip of blood coming from his nose, it felt like his insides were being torn apart and rearranged. And if this is what he was going through he couldn’t imagine what Varian was.

“You’re the one that’s hurting him, you bitch!” Hugo shouted, pointing the gun in her direction, his finger on the trigger. He didn’t pull it faster enough, the Princess surging forward her claws digging into the flesh of his arm, the gun clattering to the floor, Hugo slamming into the nearest wall. Ice spread through his veins, his chest throbbing with the effort to breathe, to get any intake of air into his lungs. He couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t fucking breathe. She smiled that wide toothy smile, all her sharp teeth on full display, her hand raised poised to strike his heart. Hugo squeezed his eyes shut as her hand soared through the air, he didn’t want to see it, he knew the pain would be unbearable, he just hoped it would be quick and Varian got out alive.

“Stop! Princess, please, stop this!” Varian shouted, and to Hugo’s surprise she had stopped, her claws just centimeters from his chest, but stopped nonetheless. She screamed, ear shattering, blood curdling, more shrill than anything he’d heard before.

“No!” She shouted, trying to move her claws closer, but she couldn’t, some invisible force holding her back. Her hair dropped to the ground, gravity affecting it in a way it hadn’t before, clearing the way enough for Hugo to see Varian standing behind her, his arm with the mark outstretched like hers was, the other holding it back, blood coating his hand as the mark freely bleed. Hugo gasped as he was suddenly able to breathe again, greedily gulping in air as the Princess put all her effort into fighting against Varian’s hold on her. “Let me go! Let me help you!”

“This isn’t helping! This isn’t his fault, I walked out, I broke his heart, I was selfish, I was stubborn, I refused to apologize. This is my fault, all my fault. So, please let him go. Please, Rapunzel.” Varian cried, tears mixing with blood as they rolled down his cheeks. Despite the situation Hugo’s heart soared, Varian still cared about him, enough to admit that he was wrong. It was almost as if a switch flipped, all the pent up rage and anger melting away into relief, happiness, at the fact that after this was over they had a chance to properly fix things.

“You called me Rapunzel.” The Princess said, her hair flickering back to gold for a second as she turned to face Varian.  

“Yeah, yeah I did.” Varian said, his voice rushed, desperate, his eyes darting between Hugo and the Princess. Hugo taking the opportunity to inch closer to the gun.

“So you remember?” Her voice was low, dangerous, deadly. Varian’s mouth opened slightly as he fumbled for words, only able to provide a shake of his head. “You remember how you tried to tear my family apart? How you tried to kill my mother? How you tried to kill me and anyone who stood in your way?! I apologized to you and still you threw my apology back in my face! Do you remember that?!”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Varian stuttered, stepping back as the Princess moved closer, her hair swirling around her again. Hugo’s fingers brushed the gun, trying desperately to get a hold of it with his slick blood coated fingers.

“Of course you don’t! But I won’t let you hurt anyone else, you don’t deserve my friendship, you don’t deserve forgiveness! Why did I have to die when someone like you got to live?!” She screeched, lunging towards Varian just as Hugo grabbed the gun and fired a shot.

He was a second too late, an inch off his mark, her claws digging deep into Varian’s chest, a strangled gasp escaping from his lips. The Princess removed her bloody claws, as Hugo forced himself to move. And for the second time that night, Varian dropped. Hugo discarded the gun, skidding on his knees to catch Varian before he hit the ground, blood already bubbling from between his lips. Hugo shook as he cradled Varian close to his chest, tears blurring his vision.

“‘M sorry.” Varian forced out, his eyes glassy, unfocused, his hand clinging tightly onto Hugo’s as his body jerked in pain.

“No, no, no. You have nothing to be sorry about.” Hugo said, smoothing back Varian’s bangs. His own voice shook with tears. “I should’ve called, I should’ve gone after you, but I was scared you didn’t want me to, I was scared you didn’t love me anymore.”

“I wanted you to.” Varian said, looking like he wanted to say more but a bloody cough wracked his body. “I-I-“

“Don’t strain yourself. You need to save your strength. I’m going to get you out of here, we’re going to get out of here.” Hugo reassured, placing a shaky kiss to Varian’s knuckles. He glanced around the room looking for something to help, he wasn’t sure if he could carry Varian with his torn up arm, hell he wasn’t even sure if the Princess was still here.

“Hugh.” Hugo turned his attention back to Varian, the younger’s voice softer than he’d ever heard it before. There was something strangely peaceful in his eyes, a soft lopsided smile on his lips. “‘S okay. I love you too.”

And with one more jerk of his body Varian’s eyes went dull.

“Varian? Please, I need you. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I- I can’t lose you, please don’t leave me. I love you, I love you so much.” Hugo pulled Varian’s body closer, sobbing into his shoulder. “Come back, please, come back.”

“You really did love him. Why?” The Princess asked, her feet padding against the cold stone floor for a second before she dropped to sit across from Hugo.

“Why?! You- you want to know why?” Hugo snarled, pulling Varian’s body as far away from her as possible, nothing but hurt and sadness in his green eyes. “I loved him because no matter how shitty life got, no matter how shitty people were, he always saw the bright side of things. Sure he was stubborn as hell about it, but he never let people down. He was selfless, kind, he had such a wild imagination, and his dreams, damn they were impossible, but he made you feel like anything was possible.”

“Dreams?” She repeated, testing out the word as if it were something completely foreign, something long forgotten.

“Yeah, dreams. Haven’t you ever had a dream before? ‘Cause Varian he was mine.” Hugo said, wiping a few stray tears away, not caring about the blood he smeared on his face.

“I didn’t know. I guess I spent so long here, alone, I forgot all about my dreams. Thank you, for reminding me.” The Princess said, her face softening as she stood, her teeth becoming less pointy, her smile more natural, her claws shrinking into normal fingers, her gold eyes turning a bright green, she became so much more human.

“Where are you going?” Hugo asked, watching her as she smiled at the ceiling.

“To find my new dream. I’m sure he’s out there waiting for me.” Rapunzel said, her hands clasped over her heart, her golden hair separating from her choppy brown hair. “Tell Varian I’m sorry.”

Hugo’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, the gold swirling around the two of them. “I don’t understand.”

Rapunzel simply smiled, a single tear rolling down her cheek as she started to fade into the golden light. “Flower gleam and glow.”

************************

“Hugo? Hugh, are you okay?”

Hugo forced his eyes open, Varian’s blurry face coming into focus. “Hey, Sweet Cheeks.” Hugo drawled, a lopsided smile on his face.

Varian laughed, a few relieved tears rolling down his cheeks as he wrapped Hugo in a tight hug. “I was so worried about you.” He mumbled into the crook of Hugo’s neck.

“I was worried about you. You’re the one that died.” Hugo said, holding Varian as tightly as possible, for once not questioning the logic of how Varian was alive, just grateful that he was.

“What happened?” Varian asked.

“I don’t know, but I think she’s in a better place now.” Hugo answered, placing a soft kiss to the top of Varian’s head. “And I think we are too.”

“Yeah. Hugo?” Varian lifted his head, his eyes searching Hugo’s, a thoughtful look on his face. “Did you mean what you said? When you thought- when I-“

“Every damn word.” Hugo interrupted, smiling widely as he cupped Varian’s face, pressing their foreheads together.

“I’d like to give us another try.” Varian said, his smile matching Hugo’s.

“It’s going to be a hell of a lot of work. I’m not that easy to get along with.” Hugo said, stroking Varian’s cheeks, trying not to question how every injury he had acquired was now gone.

“I know.” Varian responded with a small laugh.

“Then me too.” Hugo closed the distance between them, capturing Varian’s lips in a passionate kiss. It wasn’t going to be an easy road to repair their relationship, but this time he was going to fight for it.

[userdokja]

Not from around here | Kylo Ren x Reader | Thirteen

Summary: Reader is from earth, living a normal boring life. What happens if one day she randomly teleports and ends up in space, with people who had laser swords and troops who can’t shoot in the right direction? And then meets a very handsome man?

Warnings: Curse words, My Writing and Grammar.

Prologue || One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six ||Seven || Eight || Nine || Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen

Masterlist

----

The whole travel was a blur, you couldn't pay attention to it because of the pain on your stomach but once the ship landed you could barely keep your eyes open.

"Y/n, come on get ready." You faintly nodded at his words and tried to keep yourself conscious. You felt hid arms under you then lifting you up, you whimpered in pain and clenched your fist.

After a long while of fighting it off, you finally let your eyes close.

----

Normally, after passing out like that you would wake up barely feeling anything, but this time you woke up to an unbearable pain crawling through your body.

You felt someone's hands on your shoulders, your eyes couldn't focus on anything but as you looked around your surroundings changed, and once again you saw Kylo's lifeless body, this time he was beside you.

A scream ripped through your throat and you were back into reality in a blink of an eye.

"Y/n?" And Kylo was the first person you saw.

And he was alive.

"I'm here.." His hand reached for yours and softly held it, you let your free hand comb through his hair.

"Your hair's getting too long." Your eyes locked with his gaze, you lstayed like that for a moment before you punched his shoulder.

"One sign would have been enough!" You punched him again. "One sign to let me know you were alive!"

"It would've gotten on the way of our plan..."

"I could have helped!"

"You were going to panic if we told you."

"I'm a calm person!"

"You're stubborn!" Kylo firmly said, you kept your mouth shut but a frown clearly visible on your face.

"Did you know how much it hurt to hear that you were dead?" You said with a lower voice. "To hear those words in the middle of chaos, adding to the fact that there's a low chance of getting back home?"

He didn't say anything back, you sighed and closed your eyes shut.

After a long silence, he finally spoke. "I'm sorry."

You didn't reply to that.

"I just want to go back home."

---

A day later you were finally allowed to walk around, you were assured that the first order won't find were you were anymore, but it didn't stop the uncontrollable worry and anxiety that sweeps through your body everytime you think of it.

Kylo had explained almost everything clearly, how he planned everything once he arrived at the resistance.

He knew that you'd one day come for him so he had to make a plan for that as well, you didn't say anything to him anymore and simply asked what he was planning to do with Palpatine.

"End him," He simply says. "And I'm hoping to do it alone."

At that moment you felt utterly useless, if he didn't want you to help him then what will you do? If he didn't what you to help him then who?

"I said alone, Y/n." Kylo clears out, "I'm not planning to take Rey with me, it's too dangerous if she comes with, Palpatine's blood still runs through her veins."

"It's rude to read my mind without permission." You scowled at him but it was obvious that you were more embarrassed about the fact that he knows that you were jealous.

"I didn't, It was written all over your face." He smiled, you didn't say anything, no comebacks this time.

You just accepted the fact that he knew you too well.

Too much. ----

"Rey."

"Y/n."

You both stared at each other blankly, it was the first time you're seeing her in person.

"You're not going to let him go alone are you?" She says.

"Of course I'm not." You immediately replied.

"Yes, of course she's not." Vicrul rolls his eyes behind you. "If she was then we probably got a clone."

You glared at him and he held up both of his hands as a sign of his surrender.

"I can't follow him alone... Will you help me?"

"Now I'm helping you?" Rey raises her eyebrows. "Why should I?"

"... Because I'm asking for it?" You said hesitantly. "And I'm definitely going to die if I go alone."

"Yah! You won't go alone, I'll still go with you remember?" Vicrul adds in.

"We're both going to die if we go alone." You corrected yourself, "I'm also dying anyways so just think of this as your farewell thingy for me."

Rey let's out a sigh. "Fine, I was planning to follow him as well anyways."

You raised your eyebrows at her.

"Come on, we both know that no matter how powerful or ready he is, it's possible that he'll kill himself in the process."

"That's... Very true." Vicrul muttered.

----

That night, Kylo announces that he'll go in the morning.

"What?!" The three of you exclaimed loudly.

"Finn and Poe aren't back yet, they'll be the one to bring you there remember?" Rey reasoned.

"I think you forgot that I am very capable of flying my own ship." Kylo furrowed his eyebrows at her.

"But are you even--"

"I'm going, and that's final." He said with a firm voice. You shared a look with Rey, your plan just fell apart right before you.

Without Poe and Finn giving him a ride you won't be able to follow safely.

"You're still so selfish." You frowned.

"And what part of this selfish?" Kylo questioned in return.

"Everything!" You raised your voice. "You're going alone! What about me? I might never be able to get back home, I'm going to die any day--"

"Y/n--" you ignored him and continued.

"What about Rey? Doesn't she get to fight? She worked hard for this as well didn't she? And Vicrul? He risked his life to make sure your plan all works out and..." You let a sob escape your lips, you could feel the throbbing in your head but the pain in your chest drowned it away.

"I hate you." You said weakly, looking down to avoid his eyes.

"I'll wait then," he finally says with a softer voice, "...and I'll take Rey with me?"

He asked as if he was asking for your confirmation.

You gave him a nod, you felt his hand on your shoulders before he walked away.

"Oh thank god that worked." You looked up after a few moments.

"You're a lunatic." Vicrul gasps.

"Did he just go all soft on you?" Rey says, shocked. "I was sure he was about to kill us all."

"I was ready to have my head separated from my neck." Vicrul agrees with Rey.

"Good acting, woman."

----

You were laying on your bed, hoping to catch some sleep but your thoughts kept you awake, you thought about how you haven't talked properly with Kylo since you came here, and a proper talk means no one mentioning about what they were going to do.

You sat up from your bed, if you needed a proper talk you're going to get one.

As you walked towards Kylo's door, it suddenly opened. "Holy shit, you scared me."

"Why are you here?" He asked, you just shrugged.

"I can't sleep." He looked at you for a moment before opening the door wider for you to get in, after he closed the door, you immediately engulfed him in a hug.

"Why are you suddenly like this?" You felt the vibration in his chest as he spoke, "Ever since you came back all I heard was--"

"Are you really going to be affected by those? I was honestly waiting for you to fight back but it never came." You mumbled, "You changed so much.."

He sighed before pulling you away. "Come on."

You laid on the bed beside him and put your head on top of his chest, Kylo studied you, how your got a little bit thinner, your lips were paler and yet... It still seemed like stars shined in your eyes.

"Y/n?" He called, "I'm.. I'm glad I have you back."

You smiled at him. "Me too, so don't leave me again, hmm?"

"As long as you do the same."

You let out a chuckle. "I like this."

"Like what?"

"Soft and calm Kylo, Grumpy and Short tempered Kylo was good too but with this you're just a big teddy bear."

"I'm not." He scowled, "I was the supreme leader of the fi-"

"Grumpy and short tempered Kylo is back I guess." You teased, his face softened. "Aaaand, soft and calm Kylo returned."

"How are you still so positive even if you're..." He trailed off, not knowing if it was right to continue.

"I'm not going to die, atleast not now. I'm definitely not going to die because my body was too weak for my own abilities." You shook you head.

"Then how do you want to...die?"

"A heroic end would be nice." You joked.

"If you're planning to follow me, don't."

"Who says I was going to follow you?"

Kylo gave you a look, you sighed and nodded, it grew silent again, and this time you didn't bother to initiate another conversation.

"I wish we can stay like this forever." Kylo mumbled, heard drumming inside his chest. "But I guess tonight is all we can have."

"For now." You immediately added, trying to be optimistic.

Kylo nodded, agreeing with you. "For now."

You both knew that this might be one of the last moments you'll have together, everyone knew that, your own body is slowly giving up on you and Kylo was going off to a possible suicide mission.

But for now this was enough.

Each others warmth was enough.

----

Permanent Tags: @aintnouseofpretending @just4muggles @heartbeats-wildly @lookinsidemyhead  @katiegoddessofmischief

Star Wars Tags: @melcutie @jxhn-mxrphy

Series Tags: @i-just-wanna-run-hell @treestarrrrrrrr @rintheemolion @pan-lokistan @petalduck @mintchip17 @drawlfoy @channna @celebrity-obsessed @sammyxorae

Kylo Ren/ Ben Solo Tags:  @dark-night-sky-99 @souriemickey

[ayatosmlktea]

Trigger warning: mentions of date rape

𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑻𝒐 𝑩𝒆: 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕 2

Part 1

Y/N had fully meant it when she had said that she was going to look for her own place at the time but as the weeks went by and depression got the best of her she had ended up staying at Hanji’s for longer than anticipated. Not that the brunette minded, her best friend was in need of something-someone to keep her grounded during this dark time in her life, especially when she was pregnant.

Levi was relentless in trying to get in contact with Y/N, he called her, left voicemails, countless text messages and had even shown up at Hanji’s apartment one night. She had only heard his voice begging the brunette to let him in, and the sound of his voice only further broke her heart. Her knees were drawn up to her chest as she hid her face in her arms trying not to make any sound as she sobbed on the floor of the bathroom listening to Hanji deny his request to see his former lover.

In summary, Y/N was a mess, showering required more effort than it ever had, work was torturously long and her performance was beginning to slack. The only times she would eat would be when Hanji physically dragged her out of bed scolding her for neglecting the tiny life dependent on her for survival. In the end she had decided to go through with the pregnancy, although she wasn’t sure why. The bump on her stomach went from being non-existent to protruding slightly which made her look constantly bloated.

They hadn’t spoken or seen each other for the past month and while she was still angry and hurt her heart longed for Levi. The years they had spent together, the memories they’d made and the feelings she had developed for him wasn’t something that was going to disappear any time soon it seemed.

During the day she could play off her feelings, acting like she wasn’t screaming with rage and pain on the inside. But at night when she was alone with nothing but her thoughts she cried until she couldn’t cry anymore while clutching her stomach and yearning for a future that would never be. Hanji never let on that she heard the heartbroken sobs muffled by the door but she did. This mess was tearing apart two people she cared for dearly and made up her mind to do something about it even if Y/N wouldn’t like it.

The next morning the apartment was far too quiet for her liking, normally she’d hear Hanji making a bunch of noise as she rushed around the house getting ready for work or to meet up with her lab assistant Moblit on the weekends.

Figuring that she must’ve left while she had still been asleep she makes her way to the kitchen to start the kettle for tea. She lets out a yawn and stretches her arms over her head but stops dead in her tracks when she sees Levi and Hanji sitting at the kitchen island. Her eyes dart over to Hanji’s and then back again to Levi who’s attention was focused solely on the tiny bump uncovered by her sleep wear.

“Why is he here? I don’t care what he has to say.” She growls clenching her jaw so hard her teeth hurt. Her brunette friend walks around to her cautiously, it was obvious they had been waiting for to to wake up as she notes that Hanji was dressed and ready to leave.

“Please Y/N just listen to him, you don’t have to make any decisions today but just hear him out.” Y/N scoffs but says nothing, feeling slightly betrayed by the fact that she had been cornered into being in the same room as her cheating ex fiancé. Her whole body remains tense as the door closes leaving the two of them alone. She wills herself not to look at him, fearing that if she did she wouldn’t be able to hold back the floodgates of tears that were sure to come. Neither of them says anything for a few minutes, the tension in the air so thick it felt suffocating. The sound of his chair scraping against the floor makes her jump in surprise as she notices that Levi is moving to stand in front of her. Still not looking at him she steps back, missing the look of utter hurt on his face at how cold she had become.

“Y/N I’m so sorry.” His voice is barely louder than a whisper and she balls her fists tighter digging her nails into her palm to keep from punching him. “I never slept with Jess, at least not on purpose.” She laughs harshly at his pathetic excuse of trying to lesson the blow of his actions.

“Yeah I’m sure, I accidentally sleep with people all the time Levi.” He flinches at the venom lacing the tone of her voice when she spits out his name. Deciding that beating around the bush wasn’t going to help he takes a deep breath and tells her everything.

“Erwin and Mike dragged me out for drinks that night to celebrate you coming back. Jess was at the bar too but I didn’t notice her until Mike and Erwin left and she showed up next to me. Obviously I told her to fuck off. She started spewing some bullshit about how we were meant to be together and that you were going to meet some guy in Korea and leave me.” She can’t help but snort at the ridiculousness of that statement. From what Levi had told her about his previous relationship with her, Jess was manipulative and obviously had no idea of what a healthy relationship was supposed to look like.

“Anyway, while I wasn’t paying attention she drugged my drink. I don’t even remember leaving the bar.” He mutters in disgust balling his fists at his side. She looks up at him in shock, her lips slightly parted. “The morning after you left I called the cops on her and went straight to the hospital. The doctors confirmed that she drugged me from the results of my test.” Y/N feels her heart drop to her stomach in horror and disgust and for the first time she notices how awful he looked. His skin was paler than usual making the dark circles under his eyes even more prominent. He looked a little thinner too, his hair was a mess- something that was uncommon for someone so tidy.

“I feel disgusted that I can’t even remember what happened that night. I betrayed your trust and because of me our relationship fell apart.” She sees tears sliding down his cheeks and it breaks her resolve. This entire time she had been blaming him for something that wasn’t his fault and to see him beating himself up over it so harshly because of her tore her apart. She rushes forward and buries her head in his chest feeling her own tears soaking into his shirt. Out of habit his arms wrap around her, pressing her body as close to his as physically possible.

“I would never cheat on you Y/N. I love you so much. I’m so sorry I put you through this.” He chokes out.

“I’m such an idiot, it’s not your fault Levi. You had no control over the situation, I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you before.” Y/N sobs into his chest feeling guilty that she had prolonged his self-deprecating thoughts. Desperate to feel his touch after being apart for a month she grips his face in both her hands and pulls him down into an apologetic yet passionate kiss. He groans against her lips, savouring the feeling of finally being able to touch her again as his arms slide down to her hips. He backs her up against the counter as they claw at each other relentlessly, her hands moving upwards to grip his hair and his fingers dig her skin harder to bring her closer. They pull away when the need for oxygen becomes too much, their foreheads leaning against each other as they pant heavily trying to catch their breath. Levi’s hands move from her hips the cover her stomach.

“You’re pregnant?” He asks quietly, looking into her eyes.

“Yeah. I wanted to tell you when I got back but...things happened.” She sighs feeling horrible at what he had gone through, knowing the kind of person Jess was she should’ve known that she would take desperate measures to win Levi back.

“It’s not your fault love, she staged it well. Anyone would have reacted the way you did, I just want to move past this and focus on rebuilding our family, if you still want to be together.” He whispers against her skin rubbing small circles on her back.

“Of course I do! I missed you so much.” Y/N clings to Levi’s shirt like it’s the only thing anchoring her to the ground. He releases a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and feels a huge weight lifted off his chest.

“I missed you too love. Let’s go to bed now, you look like shit.” He kisses her forehead before guiding her back to the bedroom.

“You’re one to talk.” She retorts playfully, her heart pounding with emotions at finally having her Levi back. For the first time in weeks the two of them had fallen asleep peacefully.

It would be difficult for them to move past but time and their unconditional love for each other would heal their wounds.

Shortly after getting back together they made the mutual decision to move out of their house and began looking for a new one. Deciding that it would be better to leave those dark memories behind and make new ones with their growing baby girl in a fresh environment. Hanji had cried when they’d asked her to be their baby’s godmother, after all she was the reason they were a family again. To say that neither of them had come out of this unscathed would be an understatement, there were times that both of them felt angry at the other and after one particularly nasty fight they had realized that they both needed to seek professional help not only for themselves, but to provide the best care they could for their daughter.

They weren’t perfect but Y/N was forever grateful that she had decided to keep the baby, she was the perfect mixture of them.

“You did so well love, she’s beautiful.” Levi murmurs as he places a gentle kiss on her sweaty forehead. He hadn’t thought that he would have cried at seeing his baby girl for the first time but a few tears had managed to escape as he held her for the first time. Later that night after they had taken Lea to the nursery and Y/N had fallen asleep from exhaustion, he had sneaked into bed with her. Holding her against his chest and stroking her hair unconsciously he made a silent promise to his family. He would do his best to prove to Y/N that no matter what happened, they were meant to be.

Masterlist

[bowieandqueen11]

Afraid/ Barry Berkman Angst

Request: hello i love ur barry stories and I was wondering if I could request one where the reader finds out of Barry’s true job and barry tries to get her to stay by saying that he’s a good person and some angst ensues 🤭 thank u keep up the good work 

Hey lovely anon, why you got to make me cry like this??

If Barry Berkman were to tell you when he was ten years old how his life would turn out, he would have guessed he’s be riding a dragon before he guessed this.

Standing in the cold kitchen, he couldn’t fault it for its sleek, methodically planned design; every detail was intricate, every granite counter spotless and stainless with its steel appliances. A clean folded tea towel swished against his hip, nearly falling out of the back pocket of his jeans as his shoes tapped against the tiled floor, enjoying the slight heat that radiated with each movement. His mind was far away, allowing himself to relax for a moment and hum a gentle tune as his fingers went on autopilot with the knife, expertly dicing the garlic cloves, hoping you’d be hungry on this fine evening once you woke up from your nap.��

He smiles softly to himself, imagining the soft snores of you on your pillow, the way your face smooshes down like a marshmallow, the way he wanted to kiss every inch of your cheek but decided instead you needed the rest, and he really needed to make dinner. Turning his back away from the counter to stir the tomato sauce, he doesn’t hear you patter into the kitchen.

He doesn’t see what’s in your hand.

‘B-Barry...why is there a gun under our mattress?’

He nearly freezes for a second, placing his hand down without thinking onto the stove only to pull it away with a yelp when it burns his fingers. He’s almost afraid to turn around, shaking his hand out with a grimace and pretend shock on his face. But Barry had never seen you look this way before as your eyes met his and they dipped; your eyes had a deadness, a stillness. With one look the verdict was told. 

But it was more than that. There was a tenseness you weren’t even trying to mask. He backed away slowly until his hip bumped into the fridge, nothing about this making sense. Not your curling fists or the anger that radiated from your skin. This wasn’t supposed to happen, he was too careful for this, he couldn’t let his defences slip.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. And it broke his heart.

‘Y/n-I-I promise, I promise you, ever since I met you I just- I just.... Shit! I am not good at this-’

‘At what, being a normal, functioning person?!’

‘At feelings! Look, starting from now-’

‘No! No now, Barry! This is it! This. Is. Over. I have to- I have to call the police, Barry, this is FUCKING INSANE!’

You felt emotionally bankrupt. The was nothing left to feel, nothing left to say, nothing left but the void that enveloped your mind in swirling blackness as you dropped your arm, and the gun it held to your side, staring at Barry with a slack mouth and tears beginning to spring up in the corner of your eyes as you tried to figure out how the hell to get out of this situation. He was much broader, and taller, and stronger than you, but you still have the element of surprise, and agility in your hands. You make as if to reach for the carving knife on the counter, its glare harsh and bright in Barry’s eyes as he moves forward to stop you.

‘No, no, hey don’t do that, don’t do that. We can figure this out.’

Reaching over to you, he took the gun from your grasp, trying to ignore the familiar burn of anger that rumbled in the pit of his stomach like a wound as he gazed down at you. But the worst part, the worst bit was the fear. The colour drained from his face, unable to speak, wide eyed, the blood running into his ears as he raised his palms flat against your shoulders, as gently as possible squeezing his fingers into your muscles, trying to get you to look at him.

He kept his eyes steady, resting on your face like they were home, but just briefly, the sorrow already building.

‘I promise, y/n...I’m a good person. I’m a good person- you MADE me a good person, and look, I’m trying, okay, I’m trying to be better, but I need you to trust me, and I need you to forget-to forget, well, about that.’ He threw his head towards the gun he placed in his belt, but you just stayed rooted to the spot, your features buckling just slightly before you spoke.

‘You say that like it means anything. What is love to you? Lying? Who the hell are you, Barry Block?’

Barry had known that to love deeply meant to risk great pain, but the tears that dripped down his cheeks now were proof of how much worse the pain was than he ever expected; they were not quiet and controlled, they fell as fast as the fall rain and he sobbed to draw breath. His lungs heaved and he knew there was no cure for his heart. He slowly bowed his head, crumpling down onto his knees and nearly knocking you over by wrapping his arms around your waist. His grip was as tight as a viper’s, his thumb stroking into your skin as you felt his tears stain your shirt from where his head nestled into your stomach, his stubble itchy from where it rubbed into you. His shoulders fall from where you gingerly place your hands on them, your fingers slowly stroking patterns over their broad expanse as you feel them wobble and shake, his lips falling as he buries them further into you.

‘I love you, y/n, I love you I love you I love you I-I love you. I swear.’

[lost-tanuki-whump]

Hostage Situation - Part 2c

Prompt Challenge: Hanging by the wrists, Rescue Cast: The Disaster Five Word count: 2.4k

* * *

Leonida didn't have perfect knowledge of the area they were in but decided that she could allow herself to slow down after running in a straight line for over an hour. They were in the middle of nowhere. She'd expected as much, Gren and her had had to walk a long time before finding the building. Their surroundings right now were made up of boulders and rocks and mostly felled trees. It took her a while to find a good shelter for Arkady, because the first she came across was a huge burrow and she wasn't sure what kind of animal she'd have to wrestle out of there, and it definitely wasn't worth the risk of getting her human crewmate involved when he was barely awake. She eventually stopped upon finding a natural pit in the earth beneath the rocky overhang of a boulder that was three times her height. All she'd need was to roll over two thinner slabs of rock and it'd be good against bad weather. Maybe she'd fine a third one to hide them. That would be good.

First things first, however. Leonida crouched in the dirt and pulled Arkady down from her shoulders to lay him in the earth. His blue eyes stared straight ahead and never once alighted on her face, and he didn't stay laid out on the ground the way she'd lowered him there; instead his body slowly curled up in a foetal position like a dying bug, small and tight the way she'd found him in the chest. His dirty hair stuck in clumps againt his wet forehead, long enough now that it nearly reached his eyebrows. He was wet and shivering and his dislocated arm hung uselessly down his flank. The rain had washed out most of the dried blood and where it wasn't dark from bruises or red from open wounds, Arkady's skin was paler than usual. His dark freckles stood out across the bridge of his nose even in the ebbing daylight. Leo noticed that his cheekbones were sharper. He looked sick.

"Arkady," she firmly said. He didn't react.

There was that nasty stab wound at his shoulder from the day before that was still seeping blood, and Leo remembered he'd been laying on his bad side when she'd found him in the chest. Fucking assholes hadn't even been careful about that. Or maybe it had been intentional. Leonida felt her anger rise and forced herself to focus. There was another wound all the way across his back that looked older, more superficial, and it was red and puckered. Leonida remembered he'd gotten that one about a week ago. The rest of the cuts and bruises littering his body seemed to have been healing all right- as well as they could have in those conditions. She laid her hand on his shoulder to turn him over and he resisted, his breaths coming in rapid forced bursts, still staring ahead.

"Okay," quietly said Leo.

She couldn't see any serious wounds on his front from her vantage point, but there was a one somewhere on his body that had stained her suit and she needed to find it.

"I'm going to feel for wounds."

She didn't wait for his assent because she knew she wasn't going to get anything from him in his state. Leonida slipped her hand under his flank and ran it from his hip to his armpit in search of an opening. Arkady shuddered violently when the heel of her palm brushed against one of his thick, jagged scars.

"Hey, it's okay, it's just me. I already know."

He'd started shaking more than before and wouldn't stop. Leonida kept going, there was no point in stopping just because he was having an automatic fear response. All she felt was the way his ribs stood out. She guessed that he hadn't been fed more than she had, and though Leo had refused everything that had been given to her, Arkady would have had no choice but to accept the small piece of bread and the shallow bowl of water. She wasn't that surprised that he hadn't been able to stand after spending a month on that diet and going through all that abuse for two weeks.

Leonida searched some more and finally found a deep cut right below his right collarbone. Her fingertips came away wet with blood and she could see thick pale liquid glistening there as well. She made a face. It had felt swollen and hot, nothing good ever came of that.

Leonida finished her check-up to make sure there weren't worse injuries and decided she'd have to start with the arm. There was a risk of nerve and muscle damage after leaving it dislocated for too long, especially since Arkady had been hung up by his wrists several times for beatings which had likely fragilized his shoulders, and if the damage became chronic no healing pod would be able to fix that. Leo scooted to the side, lifted a leg over his body to immobilize Arkady's shoulder with one foot and grabbed his wrist with her good hand, and didn't warn him before abruptly tugging and twisting his arm back in his shoulder.

Arkady shouted in pain and his arm jerked out of her grasp, and Leo lost her balance trying to get off of him as fast as she could. Her ass hit the dirt while Arkady hid his face behind his arms, starting to beg again just like he had when she'd found him in the chest.

"Proshu, pozhaluysta, ne nado," his voice broke on a sob, "ya umolyayu tebya, ne delay etogo... Ya nichego ne znayu, poetomu, pozhaluysta, ya tebya umolyayu...!"

Leonida knew jack shit about Russian. She only knew that Arkady sounded miserable and desperate and it hurt to see him this way. Leonida quickly got back to her knees to lean closer to Arkady.

"Hey, hey. It's okay, it's me. It's Leo." She gently touched his hand and he violently flinched away, but she didn't take her fingers away from his icy skin. "Leonida Trust, remember? Your captain? You think I'm really annoying."

Still shuddering, Arkady slowly angled his face towards her. His blue eyes were wide and distant, eyebrows pinched in terror.

"Ya umolyayu tebya-"

"I don't know what that means, Arkady," softly said Leo over his pleading. "But I can tell you you're safe here. It's just me and you."

He fell silent and continued staring at her as if waiting for the next blow, cheeks wet from his silent crying. Leo wasn't sure he'd really understood. She'd rarely seen anyone so traumatized in her life and that was saying something. It made something heavy and cold weigh deep inside of her to know that they'd been making Arkady this way while she was only a few rooms over. She took a deep breath to calm herself and then tried to wipe the man's tears away.

He recoiled again and immediately started begging: "Proshu, pozhaluysta-"

"Okay, okay," she quickly said and retrieved her hand. "Not your face. See? Not your face."

Arkady went silent again, his breathing just as unsteady as the rest of him, and continued gazing at her the way she imagined a hunted animal would.

"God... They really messed you up, didn't they," she murmured. "Can you speak English? Do you think you can speak English for me, Arkady?"

He didn't answer. She waited. After too long had passed, Arkady's unfocused gaze started drifting away from her face.

Leo leaned in. "Arkady? Can you say something in English?"

He didn't react, and just like that, he was gone again.

Leonida had seen this in soldiers she'd had to rescue from torture before. Sometimes they were perfectly conscious and awake even after months of nonstop abuse and turned out erratic, angry, scared, or all of the above; sometimes they had to be carried out because they were catatonic just like Arkady had been. Some cracked after a year, others after a week. Mostly, it depended on the kind of shit they'd already had to go through before and whether or not the individual was the "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" type. Leo wasn't sure exactly where Arkady was situated on that spectrum, but from the things she'd noticed while living with him over the last months, he was definitely more brittle than the average soldier in their twenties. In the end, it wasn't that surprising to her that their captors had succeeded in breaking him.

Leonida stared at her second in defeat. Getting him to talk to her wasn't the main objective for now, she had to tend to the rest of his wounds. She went to kneel next to his shoulder and sifted through the health protocols she'd been taught, and made one of her chest compartiments draw back to take out desinfectant and antibiotic solutions. She couldn't be sure that it was signs of systemic infection he was displaying with his shivering and confusion, even if it could've been only psychological and because of the cold, but she wasn't willing to wait for a fever to break out.

Leonida quickly rubbed desinfectant into his wounds and then tried to make him drink the antibiotic. She'd half-feared that he wouldn't react and she'd have to force him somehow, but as soon as Arkady felt a drop of moisture settle on his cracked lips, his tongue automatically swiped at it and sought out more of the liquid. Leonida was able to simply hold the small plastic bottle in place while Arkady mindlessly drank.

When there was no more left, Leo retrieved the empty bottle and felt guilty when Arkady tried to go after it. Hopefully this behavior meant he'd accept solids too. Leo quickly produced a box of painkillers and pushed one out of its blister to gently shove it in Arkady's mouth. He eagerly swallowed that, too, and then his teeth grazed against Leo's fingers when he tried to find more to eat.

"Sorry, Arkady," she told him as she pulled her hand away. This felt like feeding an animal and it felt horribly wrong. She hated to see the cynical, grumpy technician she'd been trying to befriend reduced to this state. Leo had a feeling Arkady would hate it too, when he came back from this and remembered.

She needed to get him food and water but she didn't even have anything to collect rain. She needed to get him clean clothes, too, and something to sleep in. She'd have to start with making the shelter better protected from the elements of nature and make a fire. He'd survive no matter the conditions as long as she found him food and water soon, but Leo wasn't willing to see his recovery drag because he was cold and half-naked. She hoped that clothes and a warm sleeping bag would help him feel safer, too, and that maybe it would fix what was wrong with his mind. There was no way she could risk going back to the ship when she wasn't sure to have killed all of the hunters in that building, so she'd have to find supplies in the nearest town. Until then, they'd be stuck as they were.

Leo knew she wouldn't be able to allow Arkady as much rest as he needed because they had an opiel to save, too.

Leonida got up and stepped out from beneath the rocky overhang to get what she needed for a better shelter. She didn't go far and never let Arkady out of her sight for more than a few short moments at a time. After half and hour she'd rolled a smaller, blocky boulder to one side and a broken slab of layered rock on the other. It was very crude and left drafts of winds coming in from three places at once but at least Arkady would be hidden in there.

Leonida had wanted to find foliage to cover him with but only found damp pieces of wood; what this place made up for in abundance of rocks, it lacked in any kind of plants. She gathered enough thick branches to ensure a lasting campfire and hurried back to Arkady, dropping it all next to him and then proceeding to gather stones to delimit a zone on the ground in a circle. Leonida piled everything at its center and picked up the two sharp rocks she'd selected to start the fire. Rubbing them together with enough force to produce a spark was a piece of cake for her, getting the damp wood to catch on fire was not.

It took a while, and when it did finally catch on Leonida had to spend twenty minutes waving all the smoke away from Arkady while the wood dried out in the flames. She noticed that Arkady had dug his fingers in the soil at some point and Leo hoped that meant he was getting his bearings. Leo surveyed the fire for a little bit and once she was sure it was strong and steady enough that it wouldn't go out too early on its own, she turned to Arkady and carefully laid her fingers on the back of his hand. He didn't move, but she was satisfied to see that his skin was getting a bit warmer.

"You should sleep, Arkady. It's safe now."

Arkady's empty blue eyes had stayed open the whole time, if only closing to blink from time to time, and his tears weren't flowing anymore. Leo wondered if he'd been kept in that chest after every beating. If they'd somehow figured him out and used his claustrophobia against him to push him over the edge. If his blindfold had always been as damp with tears as when she'd pulled it away, and she just hadn't been able to see it on the grainy quality of the surveillance feed that she'd been shown. Leonida pushed the thoughts away for later, for whenever Arkady would be able to tell her.

"If you could come back in the morning, that would be really nice. It's lonely when you're not grumbling."

He didn't show any sign that he'd heard her. Leo stayed crouched before him in the same position for a while then eventually shifted on her feet to go lay down at his back, carefully keeping a few inches of distance between Arkady's ruined skin and the front of her suit. Leonida didn't emit as much heat as humans did and she briefly thought about the way J complained in winter because the material of her suit got cold. Right now it was warmed from tending to the fire, and she was at least preventing Arkady's back from being exposed to the chill of the windy drafts.

"I hope you're closing your eyes," she told the back of Arkady's head.

He didn't answer, of course, didn't even twitch as his curled-up body continued its steadfast trembling.

Leonida herself stayed awake through yet another night.

[huberts-private-counsel-archive]

Do you take crack ships for the writing prompt? If so, can u do Felix/Hubert, Fog? Tysm.

DeHope you don’t mind me hijacking this prompt for my lil Hulix AU, hehehe (the one that i answered @/stag-of-almyra’s prompt (so this would be...right when they’re storming Shambala and find Felix)

Uh...tw for implied torture and experimentation?? It isn’t gone in-depth about, but juuust in case

also using another read more bc...this long

Hubert can feel any words he might’ve had completely die in his throat. Every time he attempts to pull them out, to try and say something, anything, he feels them crumble to dust. Behind him, he can hear Mercedes gasp as Caspar whispers out an honest “what the fuck?”

But really, what other response could there have been? What other response could any of them have had to the sight of Felix - Felix, who Hubert thought dead, who he mourned, whose sword he’d kept by his side since that awful day he’d been informed of his death - the sight of Felix chained up in one of the cells. And Felix...barely looked like himself. His hair, which even during the war had been so well kept, was now long and tangled. He was thin, far thinner than what was healthy, and there were scars - new scars - and fresh wounds littered across his body.

Hubert had seen many people be tortured before - in fact, he was usually the torturer. So this was not a sight that should have made him sick to his stomach. But with how his mind kept betraying him with thoughts of Felix’s time here, of what must have entailed not to mention the memories Hubert hoped to bury long ago...

Hubert forced the bile back down his throat, instead rushing forward to try and free Felix from his shackles. As soon as he got his hand on the cuff to try and break them off - because he really did not have time for the process of trying to actually pick the lock, Felix’s eyes snapped up to look at him.

They were cold. Cold with a fury that lighted itself as he began trying to thrash away from Hubert with a snarl on his face; more out of shock, and perhaps hurt, than anything else, Hubert let go and stepped back.

“I told you to just kill me dammit, you aren’t getting anything else out of me,” Felix gritted out, and momentarily Hubert was stunned. What on earth was Felix talking about?

Then it dawned on him why Felix would be talking to him like that, and a cold stone made its presence known in his stomach.

“What the fuck Felix, it’s just us! We gotta get you out of here!” Caspar said, stepping forward as soon as Hubert stepped back. Hubert grabbed him by the shoulder before Caspar could get any closer.

“...They probably used our images to torment him further,” Hubert said quietly, a pained expression appearing on his face as a horrified, if not angry one appeared on Caspar.

Mercedes approached slowly, Felix watching her carefully with a guarded gaze. “Felix, I know it’s very difficult to believe, but it truly is us,” she said quietly, a sad expression on her face as she spoke. “Would you like it if we proved it to you?”

“Tch. Stop trying to prolong this stupid facade, I know it isn’t you!” Felix spat, venom dripping from his words.

To her credit, Mercedes seemed largely unaffected. Hubert wished he could say the same for himself. She looked into Felix’s eyes, making eye contact with him as she spoke again. “Please watch carefully Felix, I hope this will be enough to convince you that we are who we truly are.”

She went to go heal Felix from where she stood, and as she did, the Crest of Lamine appeared, its glow temporarily lighting the dim cell. Despite that, Hubert could still see Felix’s eyes widen. 

Hubert wished he had thought of it sooner. Of course. None of the copies that those Snakes would have created could bring up the Crests of the people they were attempting to copy. Felix stayed silent for a while.

“...a-are you really here?” His voice was so quiet, so weak and so unlike Felix that Hubert wanted to never hear him speak in that tone again. 

“It really is us, Felix! I swear, I’m gonna go kick those Snakes’ asses when I get ahold of them!” Caspar spoke fiercely, fury infecting his words. Not that Hubert could really disagree with his sentiment - right now though, his concern was getting Felix to safety. As soon as the cuffs were broken from their chains, Hubert caught Felix as the latter practically fell into him and held him close.

As much as he hated these circumstances...Hubert couldn’t deny how glad he was that Felix was alive. His desire to get Felix out of these dungeons to a much safer area must’ve shown on his face - Mercedes cast another healing spell to try and close up the last of the fresh wounds, before instructing Hubert to get Felix out of these as soon as possible. Hubert nodded, and proceeded to run out of the dungeons with Felix held tightly in his arms.

Hubert was filled with so many emotions, all of them swirling about his head as he ran out of the dungeons in order to warp back to base. And as selfish as it might be, among the strongest was relief - relief that Felix was alive at all, and not dead as Hubert had thought. 

Another part of Hubert hated himself for being so relieved, because at least if Felix had been dead, he wouldn’t have had to deal with the horrors those Snakes must have put him through.

He could feel Felix shaking against him, though whether it was due to a storm of emotions or simply the chill, Hubert couldn’t tell. Regardless, Hubert managed to maneuver his cloak enough to wrap it around Felix.

“Please stay awake,” Hubert found himself staying, his attempts to keep his voice level completely failing. “At least until we get back to base. Just....please don’t fall asleep yet.”

Or you might not wake up, and I can’t go through losing you when I’ve just found you again, went completely unspoken.

Felix nodded against him, a dazed expression on his face - at least he was awake.

Well, there was one thing Hubert could say for sure. He would not be leaving Felix’s side until the latter was recovered. Apologies Lady Edelgard, but...he wouldn’t be able to choose duty over the man he loved a second time.

(Despite his efforts, and he honestly did try, Felix ended up falling asleep again, the thumping of Hubert’s heart being what finally lulled him to sleep. When he opened his eyes again, he was in a cot with Hubert asleep in what had to be in an uncomfortable position. He was almost sure that he was dreaming, or that some new torture method by Those...whatever their name was. 

As soon as he so much tried to sit up - not that he really could, his whole body felt heavy and numb - Hubert shot up from where he’d been sleeping. There were darker bags under his eyes than Felix could ever remember seeing, and somehow Hubert looked paler than usual. In short, he looked like shit.

But when Felix said as much, Hubert simply smiled, as if he was just glad to hear him speak, and said that’s what a couple days worth of staying by a bedside would do. Maybe this really wasn’t some kind of twisted dream after all.)

[adaineslittleguys]

Unaging Klaus

got inspired by a fic and Five in the comics. Went to write a short headcanon and my hand slipped. oops.

-Klaus stops aging at around 25. It happened when he died.

-He’s died a lot, from falling down the stairs to ODing to just dumb shit he does, he dies a lot. But most of the time he doesn’t cross the veil that much, a brush, enough that he only has a broken jaw or the paramedics can start his heart again.

-The time he stopped aging was when he gets high out of his mind and stumbles into a fight. Literally, he didn’t fight at all. He was just too high to really process the scene in front of him and suddenly he’s flying into a wall with a sick crack

-He still doesn’t pass enough to meet Little Girl God, but he is legally dead for four minutes. The doctors say that him surviving was a miracle, he’s still riding a high and doesn’t tune in to what they are saying. Even if he was sober, there are too many ghosts here to concentrate on what the doc said.

-Klaus forgets by the next hit he gets, not that he remembered a lot in the first place.

-Ben remembers with perfect clarity the four minutes where he had no earthly tether. He never tells Klaus, he knows Klaus will laugh it off or tell Ben he worries too much. But Ben knows, and he notices that he seems to stop aging.

-Klaus is honestly surprised by how good his body looks, he’s seen countless almost 30 year old’s who look as though they were years ahead of the clock.

-Ben knows it’s because of his death. Knows it changed Klaus in some way, he got paler, thinner but never older. Seeming to be stuck in his own corpse, his temperature drops, it was never warm after the crypt but it takes a nosedive after his most serious death.

-Klaus chalks it up to drugs and living on the streets. That his body learned to conserve energy to keep him warm by cooling off his hands and feet, that his lack of proper health is behind the pale skin and skinny body.

-He still looks nice though, the pale skin stays clear and free of wrinkles, his body still pleasing to the eye, even with the sharp bones.

-When Dad dies, Klaus goes to the house. He doesn’t want to but he knows it’ll look even worse if he doesn’t show up. He doesn’t particularly care what his family thinks of him, but he’d rather not deal with the shitstorm that would happen if he got high instead.

-Ben notices that the others aged. Luther gained lines in his face where he glared to much, Deigo has new scares and some smile lines. Allison has the least, Hollywood magic, but it doesn’t hide the crinkle in her eyes when she laughs. Vanya’s is the most drastic, her whole face looks like it has carried the weight of the world in stress. There are few smile lines but there are weary eyes and frown lines. Klaus hasn’t changed, his eyes are alight with fake cheer and his smile lines never set in before he stopped aging.

-It’s only when Klaus goes to Mom to patch him up after the whole Vietnam thing that he learns about it. Grace had been cleaning some of his blood when her parts automatically ran a test on it. She paused. ‘Honey, you seem to be biologically 25′ she had said after a moment. Klaus looked up, shrugged and tilted his head as he listened to Ben. ‘You died one night, you were high and I knew you wouldn’t believe me. But you were dead for four minutes and you never aged after that night’ Ben had whispered to him. Klaus told his mom that he had died at 25 and never aged a day after. She called Pogo to do more research. 

-Pogo was kind while he did it, Dad would’ve been cold and taking notes but Pogo just asked him to lie back as he ran a few tests on Klaus’s cells. His frowned at the results. ‘Your cells seemed to have stopped decaying but also stopped being produced, you, quite literally, haven’t aged in at least five years.’ Klaus made an uninterested noise. He was sober and at least three dead nannies were glaring at a wall. It was distracting, he thought they looked familiar.

-Klaus went back to his room after Pogo’s prodding and Mom’s patch up. He needed to sleep. Coming back from war and torture to learn he couldn’t, wouldn’t and hadn’t aged since 25 was enough to warrant a nap at three pm.

-Ben snorted at his brother. He watched as Klaus slipped into the realm of sleep and “sat” on his brother's bed. He reached out to move some hair out of Klaus’s face, he knew it wouldn’t work but it was a calming gesture for the both of them. He started when he saw his hand move Klaus’s hair. Sure Klaus had been sober for a while but it was surreal to think that he could touch his brother again. The option hadn’t been more than a dream for years, the wish to be able to give Klaus the hug he needed had been just that. A dream, a wish he hadn’t expected to be granted.

-Ben sat there, carding his hand through his brother’s hair for a while. He realized that he and Klaus were two sides of the same coin. He had realized this a while ago but it had a new meaning now. They were both terrified of their powers, one soft the other loud, one dead the other alive, and now, both unaging no a different side of the veil. He stifled a laugh, he didn’t want to wake up his sleep-deprived brother. 

[toothpastecanyon]

Noie’s Brother, Chapter 13

Thank you @feferipeixes​ for beta reading this chapter! I really appreciate it!

Fate sometimes rhymed, but Alcor felt like this one was a little on the nose. A newborn Mizar fading away in the hospital and a loving father pleading to him from behind a circle of candles.

Fate sometimes rhymed, but Naomi Argenta just wants this stupid vampire to stop harassing her brother. It’s making him go… weird.

See most updated version on Archive of Our Own.

________________________________________________________________

               Who was Dipper talking to?

               “Huh? I don’t… huh?” Looking up from the bus’s window, Noie saw Dipper frowning at a phone call. He rubbed his face. “No, I can hear you, I just… could you say that one more time?”

               Noie arched an eyebrow. He blinked at her.

               “I’m a…? What? Who is this?”

               “Who’re you talking to?”

               “Um - one second Noie - wait I don’t understand, you’re calling from Grandma’s phone, who is-”

               She snatched it out of his hand.

               “Hey! Noie!”

               Putting it to her ear, she heard, “-that the thing you’re focusing on? Who cares what phone I’m calling from, you are Alcor the Dreambender!”

               Noie’s stomach dropped. Lucy Ann.

               “You’re a demon in human disguise, okay? And I can explain but I need your help to… hello? You still there?”

               “...Hi.” She managed. Her voice was very small, and she cringed at the groan that came through the line.

               “Oh great, it’s you.”

               “Um…” Dipper was frowning at her; she flashed a bright smile. ”No! No, thank you! We’re not interested!”

               “What are you- are you trying to pass me off as a telemarketer?”

               “No no, sorry, um… no, not interested! Please don’t call again!”

               “You are just the worst, you know that?”

               Noie barked a laugh. “Hah, yeah, so thank-you-have-a-nice-day-bye!”

               “Yeah yeah, fuck y-”

               She whipped the phone away from her face and jabbed the red button until it hung up. The screen went back to normal, and she breathed a massive sigh of relief.

               Crisis averted.

               “Who was that?” Dipper’s voice made her jump. “Why’d you-”

               “Nobody! Just- telemarketer!”

               He frowned at her. “What are you talking about? They were calling from Grandma’s phone, how did someone-”

               “They can do that!” She clutched his phone to her chest. “It’s the, um- can’t think of the word right now but it’s a thing and don’t worry about it! Wow, look, we’re close to school!”

               “Spoofing.”

               “Yeah it’s spoofing!” She blinked. “Wait, what word is that?”

               Dipper was rubbing his head. “That’s what you were saying, they can spoof phone numbers, to… to, ugh. ” With a groan, he curled forwards, putting his face in his hands and mumbling, “Sorry, head is killing me right now…”

               “Oh, no,” Noie said, a little distantly. She was staring down at his phone, at the ‘1 New Text Message(s)’ on his lockscreen. Her heart thumped in her chest; after a moment’s hesitation, she bit her lip, tapped in his password and checked it out, just to be safe.

               The text was… an automatic reminder from their history class that the project was due next week.

               Oh, okay.

               She went back to his message history, and stared at the list of his recent conversations.

               Nothing. Okay.

               Went to close his phone, but paused there. There could be a message coming from Lucy Ann any second, she thought. That could really be a problem; it only took one message to ruin this.

               It only took one second.

               It only took one single slipup, and… okay, she had to deal with this.

               Noie sucked in a breath, and shot a glance over at her brother. He was still cradling his head, fingers clutching at his hair... his thinner, paler fingers tipped with claws, she noticed.

               (And his hair, was it thinner? It almost looked thinner to her…)

               With a hard swallow, she turned off his phone, and slipped it into her backpack.

               Okay, she thought for the rest of the ride.

               Okay.

               When their stop came up and Dipper dazedly asked for his phone back, she said she’d already given it to him. He was frowning and patting his pockets as they crossed the street into the parking lot, but she ignored him.

               That was okay, she thought. He’d forget about it in just a second now.

               The gates. The angel. The lump in her throat. They were all getting so close now, and that was okay.

               Noie squeezed his hand. It was okay. It was okay. It was okay, okay?

               And when Dipper squeezed back hard, claws digging into her skin… that was okay, too.

               Everything would be okay, as long as she trusted the plan.

                               “One moment, please.”

               Ugh, another one of these. There’d be more talk, and there’d be more growling, and Noie just stood there, dreading it. It was okay, too, but stars, she wasn’t in the mood. She’d gotten so little sleep last night - did she sleep at all?

               She… didn’t actually know, and that made her snort. Not a good sign.

               The angel started to talk, now, and Noie just closed her eyes, let his words wash over her, heard all about how the preparations are just about in place, it won’t be much longer, you’ve done well so far for a human. And that’s all I need; my plans would never demand perfection from you. I would never burden one of my chosen with more than they could handle.

               Slowly, Noie opened her eyes. He’d stepped to the side, so she walked forwards, bringing Dipper along with her.

                               Not to say that your burden has been light, my child. You have struggled more than was expected with it, and… that does sadden me. I admit these morning conversations have been quite endearing; I do so love humans, but an angel such as myself has duties to attend to and I rarely have the opportunity to interact with one, as I do with you.

                               …to form a bond, as I have with you.

               She kept walking. Kept walking, and a smile was put on her face. She was smiling… huh.

                               We are friends, are we not? I believe us to be friends, and that is why it would sadden me if what I placed upon your shoulders caused you feelings of resentment towards me. I forgive you, of course, if they do -  you may never understand the good I am doing here, and no personal attachment would ever distract me from bringing about your salvation, from bringing about the salvation of all my chosen people. If some of them must hate me to be saved, then that is unfortunate, but that is a burden I will carry for you.

               She nodded to herself, like that made sense. Kept walking.

                               But I do hope that we remain as friends after this.

               Kept walking. Not towards the math building. Into the nurse’s office, and that was a little strange but maybe she was taking Dipper there. Yeah, that made sense.

                               Perhaps I can lighten your burden, and that will cause you to look on me more favourably.

               Kept walking, over to the beds. She rubbed her eyes - huh, she was suddenly quite tired. She sat down, laid down, and that made sense.

                               ...There.

               She closed her eyes, and the angel’s smile stretched across her face.

                               “You are welcome,” he said with her voice. With her eyes, he watched her drift off to sleep.

________________________________________________________________

               Noie opened her eyes. She was standing at the bus stop, and it was the end of the day.

               She blinked, then frowned. It was the end of the day already?

               …

               Yeah, her phone said it was two thirty. Huh. That felt like it went by fast; heh, time flies when you’re a master of sleeping through school, right? Dipper didn’t know what he was missing out on.

               Dipper… Dipper!

               He was right behind her, slumped across the bus stop’s bench. The second Noie spotted him, a smile she didn’t know she was wearing fell right off her face. The past few days hit her like a truck, and ohhhh riiight, everything kind of sucked right now, didn’t it?

               Oh, shit! Everything really sucked right now! Wh- uh, what was she- how was she gonna-?

               No, wait, fuck, the bus was coming right now!

               “Dipper? Dipper, the bus!” She frantically tapped his shoulder. “Come on, you gotta get up!”

               He just moaned, and when she pulled him upright oh my stars he definitely didn’t look that bad when they woke up. A nosebleed had dried on his deathly pale face, and his eyes, half-lidded and unfocused, kept glitching to gold.

               “Dipper…” Noie breathed. Her stomach dropped, but then she heard the bus pull up behind them - no time to freak out.

               (No time, never any time-)

               Stuffing it down, she made his hand cover his nose and tried to plaster on a smile as she led him up to the bus.

               Fare money, fare money… argh, she should’ve gotten this ready before they got on! Thank the stars the driver took one look at Dipper and waved them through; that was a good bit of luck.

               Noie all-but carried Dipper to the back of the bus and propped him up in the corner seat. She tried not to look at him as she fished out a box of tissues, and stared at her own hand as she cleaned up the blood on his face.

               ...There, all gone. A nervous chuckle - good as new, right?

               Right?

               She cupped his cheek, and smiled when, a moment later, he leaned into her hand. His skin.. it felt clammy, his eyes were still flickering, and suddenly Noie was struggling to keep that smile on her face. Her jaw trembled, her lips twitched, her breath caught-

               Then she drew it all back. Sat forwards. Stared straight ahead. Drummed on her legs for a second then got out her phone.

               Dipper groaned, and she stared down. Scrunched up the fabric of her shirt, and squeezed until she had a lid back on the pressure in her chest.

               Only then did she dare to sneak a glance at her brother. It looked like he’d fallen asleep; his eyes were closed, and she couldn’t see what they looked like anymore.

               Okay.

               Ohhh-kay.

               This was still fine. There was still a plan, and that was weird but nothing had really changed, she could still fix this. Just keep him away from Lucy Ann and everything would be fine, everything would go back to normal.

               She nodded to herself, like that made sense. Hopefully her Grandpa wasn’t sitting in the kitchen today, she thought.

               Even he’d probably get all nosey if he saw Dipper like this, and that was the last thing she needed right now.

________________________________________________________________

               Washing dishes at three in the morning. Noie had to be quiet; she extracted a mug from the clutter in the sink with surgical precision, and let the tap dribble water over it.

               Then she took the sponge, and scrubbed hard.

               Scrubbed harder than she needed to.

               Scrubbed hard enough that her arms started to burn, hard enough that her breath got harsh and her shirt got stuffy.

               Hard enough that she didn’t have to think about anything, or anyone.

               Scrubbed like she wanted to shatter this mug.

Scrubbed, like she wanted

to scour it all down

               to

nothing.

…

               And then she gave up. Panting, she tossed it in the drying rack. Picked out something else.

               Tried it all over again, because this was good.

Her jaw ached from being clenched.

               She’d been a little stressed from all this Dipper business, you know? She needed to let off some steam-

Her back hurt. Her neck was killing her.

                -and this way, she was being productive about it! That was great, right?

Stars, her eyelids were burning.

               This was fine. This was fine… and besides, she couldn’t complain.

She was going to scream.

               It was Dipper who was really struggling, you know? She was doing this all for him.

She had to do everything for him.

               And she didn’t mind. She didn’t mind doing things for people. It was fine.

She had to do everything around this fucking house-

               It was fine! It was fine. You know, she’d appreciate a ‘thank you’ once in a while, but hey, it wasn’t like she was expecting one at this point so it doesn’t really matter what she thinks, does it!

shoved her sponge into a glass and soap splattered everywhere and it slipped out of her hands and fell to the floor and-

               Noie caught it. Her hand shot out and she caught it before it hit the ground.

Before it shattered and woke everyone up.

               Heart hammering in her chest, she glared at it. Glared at the soapy water now running down her arm.

Shattered, and then her Grandpa would storm over and he wasn’t going to talk to her about all the dishes she did perfectly, now was he?

He wouldn’t even notice.

               She gripped the glass until her knuckles went white.

               Nobody noticed. Nobody even cared until she messed up, and then they just got mad at her even though she was trying to help and she was going to break this glass.

               That thought popped into her head, and suddenly she was, she was. Noie backed up, trembling with fury, and glanced at the backyard. No, dammit, she couldn’t go out the backdoor-

               The front door! She jerked herself towards it and tried so hard to keep herself from wrenching it open - blood thundered past her ears as she did it slowly, narrowed her vision until she couldn’t see anything but getting outside come on come on FUCKING COME ON-

               Then she slipped through, darted out onto the driveway, and with every once of force in her body, every scrap of stress and frustration and guilt and worry and fury she’d kept to herself for god knows how long-

               Naomi Argenta hurled the glass straight at the concrete and utterly annihilated it out of existence.

               …

               She let out a breath. She breathed in… and pushed it out again.

               Her heart stopped racing; the sound of it faded to silence, and she breathed in…

               And she blinked.

               Looked down, at the constellation of glinting shards beneath her feet. Her bare feet.

               Oh, Noie thought, and there was a rush of shame that set her cheeks on fire.

               Oh, she should not have done what she just did. Why did she do that? Why on Earth did she do that?

               She tried to shift her feet, but there was broken glass everywhere and no shit you idiot, what did you expect was going to happen? You chucked glass at your feet!

               Noie cringed. Stars, she actually did that. She did that, she just straight up lost her temper and snapped - she actually snapped, and broke a glass, and now she was stuck here in this completely avoidable situation that was all her fault… What was she thinking?!

               What was wrong with her?

               What was she going to do?

               She looked around, but there was just glass everywhere. It was just everywhere she looked. Everywhere she tried to move her feet. Everywhere, and staring at it all made her brain go blank.

               Maybe in time, Noie would’ve gotten it working again, and would’ve come up with a solution on her own. Maybe she wouldn’t have, and was going to stand there, bluescreening until someone found her the next morning. She truly didn’t know, and at that moment, there was a noise from behind her that ensured she’d never have to.

               The sound of feet sliding down tile made her turn. The voice made her look up, and gape.

               “Psst, kid.” Lucy Ann was sitting right above her. She’d clambered over to the corner of Noie’s roof, and now those red eyes were peering down at her. She watched with wide eyes as the vampire extended one clawed hand... and reached out to her.

               “Let me getcha out of that,” Lucy Ann said, and motioned her to come up. “C’mon, take my hand.”

               Noie stared at her, and her hand.

               “Come on, it’s alright.” She flashed a fanged smile. “I know I literally look like a six year old, but I promise I can lift ya.”

               After another moment of hesitation, a glance around the driveway for some other way out… she swallowed hard, and started reaching up.

               Slowly, nervously, she touched, then grasped Lucy Ann’s hand. The vampire felt like ice, and it occurred to Noie how tiny she was; she was really holding onto the vampire’s wrist.

               That was not reassuring, but before she could change her mind Lucy Ann pulled her up onto the roof with the ease of someone pulling a damp towel out of the washing machine. The next thing she knew she was on the tile, and that deceptively strong vampire was looming over her, touching her legs wait what was she-

               “You got a bit of glass here.” Lucy Ann picked a shard off the end of her leggings and flicked it away. “That’s the only big one I see, but I’d do a change of clothes before jumping in bed. You humans really don’t do well with this stuff - makes you bleed all over the place, and that’s just wasteful.”

               Noie jerked her legs back, then gulped when those red eyes turned back on her. Lucy Ann didn’t look angry; the vampire’s gaze was steady, calm, carefully neutral, and made her want to melt into the ground.

               She should probably say something right about now, shouldn’t she.

               “U-um-” Noie started. She cleared her throat. “Th-thanks.”

               “Don’t mention it.”

               She opened her mouth-

               “I mean, don’t get me wrong, you’re still the worst.” Lucy Ann’s chuckle was caustic. “You’re not ‘Would-Leave-In-A-Field-Of-Broken-Glass’ the worst, but I just thought I’d make that clear.”

               “Oh…” Noie leaned away from her. “Uh, o-okay- good… good to know.”

               “Like you know how I’m still stuck in your yard fearing for my life because you won’t let Alcor help? Gotta tell you, I’m now way less worried about death by angel now that I’m literally dying of boredom.” She bared her teeth at Noie. “You know what I was doing when I heard you come out here?”

               “Um, I-”

               “You’re not gonna guess. I was playing Jenga with grass.”

               “Wh- wait, what?”

               “Jenga with grass. Humans still play Jenga, right?” Lucy Ann mimed stacking her fingers. “You make a tower with a bunch of blocks, three of them go this way, three of them go that way, then you try and-”

               “No, I know that ga-”

               “Then you know it’s not supposed to be played with grass!” She giggled, and there was a desperate edge to it. “Noooo, it does not translate, but you know what - I had time to kill! And grass. To kill… Hey, by the way, why do you guys have a lawn out back? You live in a desert, it’s freaky.”

               She scooted back. “Um…”

               “You want to leave, don’t you.”

               “I don’t… I mean, I-”

               “Hey, I do too! You know, just saying.”

               Noie cringed at her expression. She could see how this would be frustrating, but how was she supposed to explain everything was going to be fine?

               Because it was going to be fine, but it was complicated, and… ugh, what was she saying. She definitely owed it to Lucy Ann to try.

               With that thought in mind, she took a deep breath, and held up her hands. “Okay, okay, look-”

               “Oh, I can tell this is gonna annoy the shit out of me already.”

               Noie gritted her teeth. “No, this isn’t- can I just explain the plan, please?”

               “Yup. Gonna annoy the shit out of me.”

               “In just a few days, there’s going to be someone who’s going to, um, help my brother with what he’s got going on-”

               Lucy Ann crossed her arms. “You mean you’re gonna hire an exorcist?”

               “Uh… yeah, kinda.”

               “Not gonna work, kid.”

               “It’s gonna-”

               “Like, even in the scenario where Dipper is just possessed - which he’s not - there’s no way you’re exorcising Alcor the Dreambender.” She snorted at the thought. “Also just saying, if you’re denying this cause you’re worried about Dipper, the scenario where he is Alcor sounds a whole lot better to me than the one where he’s being possessed by Alcor. Like in version two you’re going up against literally the most powerful demon known to Earth, so… be glad that’s not reality, maybe?”

               Noie frowned at her. “He’s not a demon. Look, this is going to work-”

               “Ohhh my stars it’s not though-”

               “The person I have, it’s- he’s a… he’s a special case, okay?”

               “The fuck does that even mean.”

               “You’ll- uh, just trust me, okay? He’s got this plan all worked out-”

               “Wait, he’s got this plan worked out?”

               “Yeah?” Noie frowned as she sat up. “I mean, that’s the plan, and-”

               “Whose plan?”

               “I mean, that’s the plan-”

               “Who made the plan?  The exorcist guy you’re hiring?” Lucy Ann narrowed her eyes. “Who is he, actually? Is he an actual licensed exorcist?”

               She leaned away. “Uh, why are you so interested all of a-”

               “Cause I’m telling you right now that no decent exorcist would ever take on an Alcor possession; they know they can’t touch him. You say his name in one of their offices, they will turn you away and call the police so fast… ” Lucy Ann looked back at Noie. “But I’m getting off track. Point is, you probably hired some kook, or… well, you most likely hired some kook, but I want to know his name.”

               She stretched a smile. “His… name?”

               “Oh my stars, please tell me you know his name.”

               “No no, it’s just, um… I-I don’t think he has one?” She watched Lucy Ann’s eyes widen. “I mean, I don’t think he’ll be bad at exorcising-”

               “Then that’s specifically the problem, isn’t it!”

               “Wh-what’s wrong? Why are you-”

               “Cause now you’ve got a guy - you don’t know his name - who’s heard this story about Alcor and is telling you he can make your problems go away when he full well knows he can’t!” She stared at Noie’s bewildered expression. “Do you not see that that this is bad? And he’s got a ‘plan’ for- wait, do you actually know what the plan is? When’s it supposed to-”

               “He’s getting things set up. It’s fine.” Noie scooted towards the edge of the roof. “Look, he just wants to help, I have to trust him, a-and it’s not like he’s manipulating me or anything - I don’t have to do what he says! Like, I got you that blood pack even when he, um… didn’t want me to talk to you, um, and-”

               “Wait, what? What was all of that just now?!��

               There was genuine horror on Lucy Ann’s face, and that made Noie cringe. “Look, can I go now? I didn’t explain it well, it’s not that bad-”

               “Not that bad?! Do you hear yourself right now?”

               “I’m, um, gonna go inside now-”

               “No, wait!”

               Lucy Ann shot forwards and seized her arm. She flinched at the cold grip. “Hey-!”

               “Stop. ” Lucy Ann caught her other shoulder. “Listen to me, Noie. Who is this guy?”

               “I told you I don’t know his name-”

               “No. No. Don’t act dumb. You can tell me more than his name and you know it.”

               She squirmed under her gaze. “Uh… I don’t-”

               “This guy told you to keep this plan a secret, didn’t he.” Lucy Ann gripped her tighter. “Noie, I guarantee you he did that because he knows it’s bullshit, and he knows you don’t know any better.”

               “I-I don’t think-”

               “No, stop. Stop thinking you know things, because you don’t and this plan is a ruse for something. Don’t you see how quickly it fell apart when you talked to someone who actually knows about demons? Use your head, Noie. You’re getting played.”

               “That’s not-”

               “You’re getting played, and you need to tell me what’s going on so I can help.” She made a face. “And I’ve got a feeling we’re gonna need Alcor, too.”

               “Wha- no!” Noie shook her head. “No! He’s not a demon!”

               “But he- ugh, look, nevermind. I’m not gonna argue that with you right now, so just tell me about the exorcist guy.”

               Lucy Ann stared Noie down, and she was at a loss for words; her mouth opened and closed like a fish, and she tried to move back but the vampire didn’t budge. She’d gotten herself stuck, again, and now she really needed to think up of a way out of this. She needed to say something, anything-

               And to her surprise, that was when words came out of her mouth.

                “No.” Noie heard herself say. “You’re not on my side. You’re just trying to use me to get to my brother.”

                 In the stunned silence that followed, that was when the anger came. Really? Was this what was going on? Was Lucy Ann seriously just using her?

                  She clenched her fists. It made sense, in a way. It was possible.

               “Wait, what?” Lucy Ann gave a confused chuckle. “I’m doing what now?”

                  “You know what you’re doing - you’re lying! You’re trying to make me doubt my plan, but I can see through your plan!” Noie stabbed a finger at the vampire, and suddenly she was leaning back. “You’re trying to destroy Dipper!”

               “What are you- are you being serious right now?”

                 “Of course I am! You listen here-”

               “Noie-”

                     “-Dipper is my brother, and he’s not a demon-”

               “Noie, wh-”

                        “-and I’m going to do everything in my power to keep him safe from the likes of you!”

               Lucy Ann just stared at her like she’d grown a second head. The vampire opened her mouth to reply, but she’d heard enough, she needed to go inside, so could she please get these hands OFF OF HER-

               “Noie, I don’t- agh!” The vampire jerked back with a shout, clutching her hands to her body. “Ow! Fuck! Argh, what the hell was that? That hurt!”

                            Wordlessly, Noie rose to her feet. She glared down at the vampire, fists clenched, and watched her hiss and swear for another few seconds before unclasping her arms.

               “Shit, that hurt. What was that?” She glanced down at her hands, “That almost, that almost… felt, like…”

               And confusion turned to utter terror at the dark, smoking burns that were seared into her palms. Skin had turned to ash around the wounds, and she could only watch as the breeze came and whisked it away, scattered it into the open air.

               Then Lucy Ann turned that terrified expression onto Noie, and she felt… something.

               “Y-you burned me.” The vampire spoke in a shaking voice. “You… y-you’re with the angel, aren’t you? He’s the guy behind this plan of yours…” She held her hands out. “Noie, please listen to me, whatever he told you-”

                  Noie felt herself surge forwards. The vampire jumped back and her foot slipped on the slanted roof; she toppled to earth with a cry.

                   Noie watched her land amongst the shards, and that made her smile for some reason.

                    Wait, why was she smiling? Well, that vampire did something bad, right? She lied, she hurt Dipper, she should be afraid of her.

                               They should be afraid of me.

                   Yeah, that made sense. Think of all the times that vampire had trapped her, tried to coerce her, tried to control her into giving up her brother. Well, now she was in control!

                               I am in control.

                    That made sense. She was in control, and that vampire was down on the ground, helpless, screaming out for her dark lord to save her… but Alcor wasn’t going to come, was he?

                            No. No, there was only Noie, and the light of coming dawn.

                               It looked so helpless down there, didn’t it?

                               So pathetic.

                               My fists clench, and I can’t help but smile wide at the thought of...

                  Of smiting this creature?

               Noie blinked. Wait, what? She didn’t want to kill Lucy Ann! Where the fuck did that come from?

               That was when she heard a voice:

                               Do not be alarmed, child.

               And became aware of a presence in her mind that was not her own.

               “You!” Noie felt like cold water had been dumped over her; she started trembling. “What are you doing in my mind?!”

                               Answering your call for assistance, replied the angel, and stars it was weird to hear a mental voice besides her own. You were afraid, and being accosted by a vampire. Would you prefer I had not stepped in?

               “Uh, I’d prefer it if you didn’t try and kill people!”

               “Oh, what the fuck…” Down on the ground, Lucy Ann was staring at Noie with a mix of astonishment and horror. She darted for the front door and started banging on it. “Alcor! Alcor, you gotta get up! You gotta help me!”

               She was so loud, Noie was shaken out of her thoughts by a sudden fear. “What are you doing? Stop, you’re gonna get caught!”

               “Alcor! Alcor, help!”

               “Lucy Ann!” Noie somewhat awkwardly dropped herself off the roof, and came rushing over. “Wait, Lucy Ann-”

               She reached out a hand and Lucy Ann violently recoiled from it. The fear in her eyes didn’t make her feel good anymore; it made her feel awful, and she struggled to explain.

               “No, don’t be scared! L-look, I know the angel thing is weird, but I’m not gonna let you die!” She clenched her fingers, and unclenched them. “I’m still in control. I’m not gonna let it hurt you, I just need it to help Dipper-”

               “You’re delusional. You’re completely delusional. Alcor!”  

               “Wait!” Noie reached for her again but she darted away. “Don’t- argh! Great, yeah, go wake up the whole neighborhood! I’m going inside!”

               She opened the front door and shut it hard behind her. The house was echoing with Lucy Ann’s voice, and she cringed - shit, Grandpa was awake for sure. Any second now, he’d be coming round the corner and she had no idea what she’d say to him-

                               He is not awake.

               The angel again. She frowned. “What do you mean? How do you know that?”

                               I have been able to keep your elders dreaming and ignorant of the confrontation… for the time being. The angel’s voice sounded quieter, and almost strained. But child, this is an unholy place. The Dreambender’s presence is strong here… overpowering. It saps my strength. You must protect them in my stead.

               Noie nodded quickly and went to get a pen. The angel kept talking.

                               I feared an incident like this taking place. The vampire tried to lead you astray, and I sense the seeds of doubt it has sown within you. The angel sighed. The plan will be moved forwards to tomorrow morning; it is not ideal, but I fear delay will let them sprout, and jeopardise my work entirely. And the vampire will be dealt with.

               She heard that, and stopped. “Dealt with?”

                               Do not worry, child. Some nearby humans have already called the police on the vampire; they will take it away, and I will deal with it from there.

               “What? Don’t do that! Don’t kill her!”

                               You feel strongly about this. Why? You won’t have to be involved-

               “Because that’s not my problem with you killing her! My problem is you killing her…” Noie shook her head. “Oh, my stars, you’re actually… you’re trying to… What is wrong with y- argh!”

               Noie clutched her temples at a flash of light. Her head felt like it was on fire, and the angel’s voice was painfully loud.

                               Do not ask that of an angel. Ask yourself instead why you let your human emotions run unchecked, why you let them jump to such wild accusations of my character.

               Her vision swam. Her legs wobbled. She clutched the counter to keep herself from hitting the ground.

                               Of course I was not suggesting anything improper by apprehending the vampire. ‘Dealt with’ was meant to imply keeping it secure and out of the way, lest it hinders our plan. Lest it gets your brother killed.

                               Human, my intentions are pure. My conscience is clear. I know I am doing what is right. If you must question me, let me ask you this: can you say the same for yourself?

               Noie didn’t answer, couldn’t answer. She heard Lucy Ann calling for Alcor, and she pressed her hands against her ears and shook her head, grit her teeth, held back the scream in her throat-

               Then, suddenly, she felt better.

                               You give a truthful answer. Good. The truth is painful, but it is the only way to forgiveness.

               Shakily, she picked herself up from the counter. Looked around her house with wide eyes, like she was seeing it for the first time.

               “Alcor! Alcor!”

               Hearing her for the first time. She felt herself grimace.

                               You will continue to defend the vampire, won’t you. I suppose I have no choice but to leave it be… so long as you keep it from interfering in my plans - that, I cannot tolerate. But for now…

               Noie grabbed a pen from the counter. She walked over to the door, kneeled down, and carefully etched something into the baseboard. It began to glow a steady blue, and Lucy Ann’s cries faded to eerie silence.

                               I suppose this ward will suffice.

               Noie stared at the ward she’d drawn. She’d never learned how to do that, but there it was.

               She did it for Dipper. To keep him safe.

               A frown. Yes, that made sense.

                               Good work, child. The angel’s voice seemed to fade. I cannot remain here any longer. You must bring Dipper to me in the morning… you will know where to go. In the meantime, keep him safe.

                               At all costs, keep him safe.

               Noie nodded. “Keep him safe. That makes sense. I can do that.”

               She stared at the brightening sky, and clenched her fists.

               “I can do that.”