#look this is a rambly reply and I'm sorry its so late

[the-moon-files]

so... my interpretation of guide!reader may be vastly different from others but with my vast assimilation of yours and others content, this is my variation of the one I like envisioning involving concepts such as yours (Humans are NOT Hylians and Guide!Reader) so this is my official start to the ramblings *DEEP INHALE*

when I read the post about reader losing their sord and just punching the monsters and it is working along with the other links being amazed

I imagine that because of the fact that hylian's are so light that they didn't put that much into the growth of physical arts

they can punch and kick fine but that's more so used for scraps agents one another, rather than in fights against monsters

hylian's don't have enough strength or weight to have it be worth it on the battlefield

its much more worth their time and energy to learn things like swordsmanship or artery, and be nimble

but guide dose have: the muscle, weight, durability and training necessary for such a strategy to be worth it

It would be more effective for the reader to use the Muay Thai and Taekwondo they worked so hard on instead of learning something new

_*looking respectfully

I can imagine that this levees them beater of physically than most (*cough* me *cough*)

leveeing them much more prepared

along with giving them a lot more... muscle...

Link's(-wind):... please crush me between your thighs

Guide!Reader: what?

Link's(-wind): what.

I know that it has been said that reader is shorter than time, but I personally like them slightly bigger than time

you know... forehead kissing rang

so it's only slightly less awkward to pick them up

I think their deep honey like voice could be compared to their slightly dark honey-colored eyes

someone like legend would appreciate how their eyes turn golden in the sun light, shining like no ring on his finger

Hyrule loves how they feel different from the cold sweetness of sugar water, instead they feel like rich honey and warm cinnamene

wild remembers them as there very first true companion and comfort

to wars, an immovable force, never leveeing their side

that's all I have fore now, but be warned...

I'll be back!

and I'm putting them in a dress (:<

AHH SORRY FOR LATE REPLY U HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH IVE BEEN HOGGING THIS TO MYSELF

Martial arts reader/Mc my beloved <333

U sent in ART TOO??!!!! 😭🙏

i love stuff like this sm ur style is so 😳💌💘💝💖💓💞💕❤️‍🔥🙈

The bit abt hylians not needing as much/making intricate martial arts/making their body be the weapon is so peak worldbuilding, if i had an official stamp to say smth is canon in my little HaNH AU (Humans are Not Hylians) i would stamp this 10x over

Acc u know what one sec

Since u made art, have some shitty meme art in return

LMAO its shitty but i hope u know it is the biggest support i can give you, like GOD the ART i keep coming back and Also. Looking Respectfully.

And this is the biggest thank you i could give for sharing this w/me!!

Ok spam headcanons?? Sorta

CONTENT WARNINGS: MILDLY SUGGESTIVE? CONTENT, 16+/18+ MATURER AUDIENCES RECOMMENDED.

COULD YOU IMAGINEEEEE

How the Hylians view Wrestling.

Like, your knuckles/elbows/knees (the parts where thers not as much fat to protect) start to bleed punching armored monsters/arms get tired and you just-

Wrap ur legs around a lynels neck and spin around their neck, using your body weight to drag and lay that bitch Out.

(This is a Real Martial Arts move Ive fucking seen a gif of hold on i NEED to find it- FUCK i cant find it but try youtube and see if yall can find it, its So Real i promise, it was on tumblr at one point)

Who's swooning? Not all 8 Links, nope-

Links, externally (+Wind genuinely): Hahaha, u can crush a watermelow open between ur thighs?? Omg thats so cool- !! 😃

Links, internally (-wind): omfTRIPLEGODDESSES- DID U SEE THAT?? IT WASNT JUST ME RIGHT??? SO WE ALL LOWKEY WANNA,, RIGHT??? 🙊😶🙈😳😳😳(Making eye contact w/each other and communicating this silently, everyone going super red/turning away/ears twitching)

Wind makes you do like another 4 watermelons bc its genuinely so impressive to him (does he think its hilarious to watch the others get all embarassed? Hell yeah- what else are little brothers supposed to do??)

Okay but OG asker/Snack Eater DID NOT emphasize how insane a Muay Thai fighter in HaNH AU would go???

If u dont know, Muay Thai is DEADLY-DEADLY kinda martial arts, like it has been considered assault with a deadly weapon before i think/been banned a lot of other fighting places outside its country of origin? I think its Thailand?

Anyway Thailand is fucking crazy for not having a higher rate of murders acredited to this martial art, bc guys, they use Elbows and Knees in their moves.

Like. That's banned/outright no moves created/or at least taught, a lot of the time in other martial arts from diff places.

Like that kills people. So easily. 😃

Like, the Chain already knows ur deadly, but when u reveal (having done the Honorable/Give Them A Fair Chance Thing) and not used Elbows or Knees yet, only to get into the harder enemies like boss fights and suddenly get real close (!!! What are you doing Guide Back Up-!!)

And whip out an elbow, crack the motherfucker straight in the head, and watch the thing immediately flatline right before their eyes??

Its like seeing a biblically accurate angel descend.

Like their in awe, but also scared? But its also like feeding into the awe?? Jaws have dropped.

U tell them that Elbows and Knees are even banned back home, and every single Link is like "Understandable. Obviously. But also, oh my goddess?? A move even the Humans banned?? Bc its so deadly???"

Wind: "..."

Wind: "...hey. Can you kill Gods? ...Can you kill Ganon?"

(The entire Chain goes silent in shock before exploding into Exsistential Crisis Mode, it takes Time/Wars like 5 minutes to recover from this information/experience enough to get up and calm everyone down lmao)

ALSO???

On a completely diff note-

Shorted Links, Taller Guide Reader my beloved?? <<<3333

Oh i def been leaning towards some Links are taller bc i think the imagery of you picking them up easily is funny (what can i say I live to embarass/try and fluster Time/Twi)

But you being taller?? Sign me tf up babe I have NOTHING against that, and am ALL for it????

Like u go thru a triangle portal/wake up from playing Loz and the Links are all shorter than you?? blessings rain down upon us like????

Twi/Time/Wars (who i headcanon as the tallest Links, in that order, along with Sky when he stops slouching lol)

And for Twilight to just be forehead kissing height?!

(He might've realized he's got a thing for lowkey feeling like worshipping ppl taller than him, bc other than the few humans who did live in Ordon, he was the tallest Hylian)

Time adores looking up at you, like u swear you saw his ears flapping a little

Wars is just,, 😀😳👉👈🥺 h-hey

Like flirting is infinitely harder when theyre a head taller than you, the poor Captain has found

(Yknow bc im personally 5"3, or abt 160cm, i think itd be even funnier if no matter what height you are, ur still taller than the tallest Hylians LMAO, Four our here actually being 3-4 ft tall like hobbits lol)

Omg (i know, i PROMISE, i KNOW) that its not canon at all, but i think itd be funny if the hylians most common hair color was blonde/most common eyecolor was blue/green,

And its rarer for ppl to have brown eyes/dark hair

Like the opposite of a lot of American beauty standards, ur seen at the Y/N, the main character for having darker features

(Lowkey inlcuding skin tone bc, and this is canon, have u seen the skin tone diversity historically for Loz games lmao 😅)

Ok im done sorry for rambling

Thanks again for this!!

___ TW: Hurricane Helene talk below ____

Fair Warning: I WILL NOT be tolerating any condescending/hateful or otherwise negative responses about the effects of Hurricane Helene.

People have died. Myself/my friends/my family/my coworkers have been affected. Be respectful.

You will be blocked/possibly reported for hate speech.

This was like Hurricane Katrina for us, because these areas were NOT prepared for hurricanes.

Those most affected are Mountain communities, we're supposed to have more mild weather, and the last time this happened according to older locals was decades ago, if then.

...

Hey!! If u read my tags of my last reblog, im doing better, we got back to town and realized our powers back on, and then the next day luckily our water was back on too

(its not drinkable but at least we can flush the toliet/shower 😭)

Luckily too by this point the water distribution/rescue crews are here,

DUDE. We were/are so fucked Biden came to look at us 😃

Im personally still on the lookout for missing ppl (my coworker has missing family in the town nearby and in telling my friend over there to spread the word)

And cellular service is back up, but they may jut be bc they brought in temporary towers/Tmobile is giving out free service for everyone too

Its slow going still, all these developments are taking days to achieve if u cant tell

And no pressure, esp if u dont have the spare money,

But if you could donate to help my city/the cities nearby who are still very isolated bc theyre smaller, along with helping our homeless people who no doubt are worse off, thatd mean to world to me/all of us!! <3

Here's some links for that, even if its just tip money/money for a coffee, anything helps!

https://pay.payitgov.com/ncdonations

https://crowdfund.charlotte.edu/project/44126

https://www.chabadasheville.org/templates/section_cdo/aid/6606696/jewish/Hurricane-Helene-Relief.htm

Thanks for reading, and blessed be those still in need of rescue, from human to animals, and to those who have passed.

May those you left behind find peace.

<3

Peact out,

🌙

[lvcky-g1rl-syndr0me]

could you write a quick thing abt hoon and comfort? like the s/o and hoon had an argument and then he makes it up to her. idk if it makes sense but hoon has been running thru my mind lately (never forgetting riki ofc tho)

-⭐️

missed date (request) ♪ park sunghoon

warnings: fluff, comfort, angst if you squint REALLY hard, pet names (angel, babe), gender neutral reader, really bad humor (its completely me), mentions of cuddling, hoon is so sweet :(, i think thats all!

this wasn’t the idea y/n had for the night. it was supposed to be the perfect night. sunghoon was supposed to come over and they were going to cook together and watch movies. that was until he didn’t show up. as y/n ignored the pinging phone, all from sunghoon trying to apologize and explain. the texts ended suddenly, but soon after, a thud comes from the window. what was that? they wonder. they look out the window to see their boyfriend outside, another rock in his hand ready to throw at the window. they open it and yell down at him “what the hell are you doing here sunghoon?”. “to apologize. please let me in y/n it’s really cold. i know im an ice skater and you call me elsa, but the cold does in fact bother me anyway”. they smile faintly at their boyfriends joke. “fine, i’ll be down in a second. go to the door” he smiles up at them as they close the window. they open the door and are immediately pulled into sunghoons arms. "i'm so sorry angel i didn't mean to forget. vocal practice ran late and i was just so tired that i went straight back to the dorm and fell asleep and i didn't wake up to my alarm-" he rambles on trying to explain himself for skipping their date. y/n couldn't help but smile at his adorable, apologetic state. "hey, it's okay hoon. don't worry" they say. "its not okay! you're upset and i'm such a shitty boyfriend!" they feel bad for him as he clearly felt terrible for the accident. they calmly explain to him "babe, im not upset. it was an innocent mistake. i'd much rather you get rest and accidentally miss our date, then not get rest and come tired or completely forget and we fight. its okay. i'm not mad.". "are you sure you're not mad?" he asks. "not at all" they say, smiling faintly at their worried boyfriend. he responds with a smile back, the adorable fangs that had charmed y/n peeking through. "come on, i expect serious cuddles after our missed date" y/n half jokes, "i couldn't think of a better way to make it up to you" sunghoon replies, the adoring tone clear in his voice. he loved his partner, and he couldn't think of a better way to spend his night then cuddling and watching movies with the person he loved most in this world.

masterlist

luckys note!: THROWING ROCKS AT YOUR WINDOW AT MIDNIGHTTT is what this imagine reminded me of and i LOVE it. if there's any 5sos fam reading this: hey im one of you🤭 but i hope this was good this is like my first written imagine so it might be a bit wonky LMAOO so im open to ways to improve my writing!! i hope you all enjoyed and i hope this is what you were looking for ⭐️ !!! thank you sososo much for your request i very much giggled and smiled a lot while writing this

© lvcky-g1rl-syndr0me, 2024. do not copy, translate or upload any of my works without my permission.

(📍) PERM TAGLIST IS OPEN!

@siya-bean @ivyannemarie

(🎀) ANON/EMOJI LIST IS OPEN!

⭐️

[little-miss-dilf-lover]

hii love, how are you doing? 🫶🏻

so, i just read your latest pietro hcs and it's SO GOOD😭 (like everything else that you write, i'm literally in love with your writing) and i had an idea

can i request an angry love confession from pietro after him and the reader go to a mission together and she puts herself at risk to save him?

like, they're friends with benefits, but are distant bc both of them had developed feelings for each other, but neither say anything bc they think the other only wants sex, like you said. the reader putting herself at risk during the mission to save pietro it's the last straw for him, he gets angry and freaked out by the idea of losing her. so, after the mission, they're arguing and it ends up leading to an angry love confession 😏😏

hii lovie!! im sorry this has taken so long, it took me ages to figure out how to get them out of the danger part, so I took a break from it and had no luck so left that part blank. but you’ll see what I mean😭 and im doing well, hope you are too. thank you :(( you’re so sweet!! thanks for requesting, hope you like it💌

MISTAKES AND CONFESSIONS

pietro maximoff x female reader

word count. 869

link to fwb hc’s

As of late, things with Pietro have been a little confusing - tricky, if you will - the complications of being friends with benefits making themselves more apparent after every meet-up.

Everything was going well, all going as planned, until the unforeseen moment when you actually fell in love with him. At the beginning of your elevated friendship, you both promised it would be strictly hook-ups, no strings attached, nothing else. And that's what you did - up until three weeks ago. 

After a while, you found yourself declining his invitations to meet up, like you were starting to pull back from him. It grew more difficult to be around someone so unattainable, to have the constant reminder of his romantic disinterest, so instead, you withdrew yourself to make it less painful. 

So now, when you cross paths at the compound, instead of a nervous hidden smile behind your hand, you avoid his gaze completely - turning your attention to the weather app on your phone.

It wasn't easy to ignore him, but it was getting there - that's what you told yourself, anyway. 

All of your attempts to avoid Pietro got flipped on its head when the two of you got paired together for a mission - to retrieve intel from an enemy base. It was supposed to be a low-risk assignment: get in, collect the information and get out, but nothing is ever that simple.

As soon as you and Pietro stepped foot in the room of said intel, you noticed a red hue shine from under his foot. You immediately tugged at his arm, halting his movements when you realised what you had both walked into.

"Pietro! Wait, wait, wait," you call out, gripping at his upper arm. "Don't move. Keep still," you ramble, eagerly looking around the space.

"What is it?"

"The room— it's got these— I don't know, just keep still," you breathe out a reply, feeling flustered. 

"It's okay," Pietro offers a brief moment of reassurance, keeping his eyes glued ahead - keeping still as instructed. "Are you okay? Are you on one, too?" he hesitantly asks.

"No, no, but you are and— I don't know what to do. Nat taught me what to do with these and— god, why isn't my brain working?" you mumble, frustratedly speaking your mind when you think about the possibility of something awful actually happening to Pietro - to both of you.

"Draga, it's fine. Really, it's okay," he whispers, slowly extending his hand behind, like he was awkwardly reaching for you.

"No, keep still— please. Just let me think," 

"You should go,"

"No, give me a minute," 

"Please, milovat. You need to go,"

"I said no. Just give me a second,"

You even your breathing, running an uneasy hand over your forehead as you assess your surroundings. 

----- after ------ (im sorry about this, my brain broke)

You avoid each other's gaze, separately processing everything that happened - how you were both about to be blown to pieces, how you were willing to let yourself die to get Pietro out.

"That was so stupid," Pietro mutters, keeping his eyes fixed on a tree ahead.

"Excuse me?" you reply, neck whipping around to face him.

"That was so stupid," he repeats, emphasising each word.

"Are you kidding?" you snicker. "If you had minded where you were going we wouldn't have had to done all that."

"So you're saying it's my fault?" he retorts, face grimacing.

"Yes. I am," you retaliate. "It's your fault."

You both sigh, growing frustrated with the conversation. It was as if there was so much left unsaid, it all coming together like a whirlwind of mixed emotions - everything from your failed 'relationship' to no contact to just now. It was like you were both holding back on everything, too scared to bring up the subject that tarnished your original friendship. 

"I told you to go, and you didn't. That's not on me. That's on you! Don't blame me for things we both messed up on."

"Me? That's rich,"

"Yes, you! Nothing is ever your fault, is it?" he sneers, the argument changing subject.

"You never listen! Always thinking about yourself,"

"Bullshit," he dryly chuckles, unamused smile on his face.

"I don't want to do this. It's boring and tiring," you cave, waving your hands in sign of defeat. "I give up. You win."

Pietro huffs, rubbing over his temples. "If you had just gone..." he murmurs, talking at the floor.

"I couldn't! I couldn't leave you,"

"Yes, you could. You should've gone. You could have died," Pietro's words soften as if it all hit him how real it was - how he could have lost you again, but for good. "You could've died."

"So could you," you turn to face him, meeting his saddened eyes. 

His hands drop to his side as he steps towards you, walking to close the gap - the closest you had been in weeks. He keeps his gaze solely on you, looking over you like you're no longer a distant memory, like he was seeing you in a new light - the way he was supposed to see you.

He cups your cheeks, holding your face in his hands. "I could have lost you again."

— — — — — — — — — — ☆ — — — — — — — — — —

pietro taglist: @astermath @thewinterv @earth-elemental18 @lunnnix @idontknowwhattohaveasmyuser @randomawesomeperson102 @queerponcho @selfryed @daenerys-supremacy @dontknownameauthor @mrsbarnesxxx @honestly-who-even-is-this @simplyreflected @apxtowiris

[hiskillingjar]

Heeey if ur down maybe

Strade x reader...but it's like a hitch hiker situation it's like 3 am and he picks them up off the side of the road yadda yadda their phone is dead maybe some awkward small talk (I can imagine th asking if he wants to play I spy or something)

Anyway I'm getting off track we all know hitch hiking is dangerous we've all heard horror stories of girls hitch hiking and then she's found in a ditch chopped into a billion pieces we all know this so does reader...so they keep asking if he's gonna kill them every five minutes...they're weirdly into it too

Sorry it's so long and just rambling I got off track I just really love strade

haughhhh this prompt haunted me and i just had to fill it. not totally what you asked for but. like. same vibe ya know?

3200+ words, cw for like. the lead up to actual noncon, i love strade most when he's evil and sexy and condescending sorryyyyyy. also crossposted on ao3 because i like having my longer fics there

"Hey, buddy, climb in!"

When the large, black SUV slid to a stop beside the road’s dirt path, you could have cheered. 

You had been walking for what felt like hours after getting off the bus at its last stop, your thumb raised high beside you in hopes of someone pitying you and stopping to pick you up. Had this stranger not stopped, you might have considered calling it quits and sitting in the cold to wait it out until morning rather than exhausting yourself with the walk.

Thank god you didn’t have to worry about that.

"Hey! Thanks for pulling over!" You beamed brightly and politely, as you climbed into the front of the stranger's truck, running a hand through your messy hair and dusting your boots off before you got comfortable in the expensive-looking car. "I really appreciate it, man, I've been standing there for, like, an hour now."

His own smile widened, dimpling handsome smile lines and crinkling his golden eyes. You had no idea what a guy like this was doing travelling on the highway at three in the morning, but you were sure that he would say the same about you, so didn’t think much about your wondering.

"Oh no, that sucks.” He said with a sympathetic click of his tongue. “Here, let me help you with that, you must be exhausted after such a tough night."

The friendly attitude remained as he reached out for your backpack, showing off muscular (albeit slightly scarred) arms and tan skin. You smiled appreciatively, all the same, as he took your backpack and tossed it into the back seat of the truck, before starting the engine back up with a twist of the keys in the ignition.

"Yeah, uh, I accidentally rode the bus to the end of the line and...yeah, the last stop was a little over two miles away?" You said, buckling your seatbelt as he pulled off the dirt path and continued down the road. "It's a total ghost town there, and I have no charge on my phone either. I really thought I'd be walking all night."

His smile shifted into a more sympathetic expression before it went to the road ahead of him.

"Ah, I feel you on the phone thing, it really sucks when your battery decides to die on you when you need it most.” He replied, both hands on the wheel, as he let the speed of the truck climb back up to the naturally higher speed of a highway drive. “No charge, huh? What a shame."

You nodded, unsure of what else to say.

"So, what's in the backpack?” He asked after barely a beat, and you got a sense that he wasn’t one to stay in silence for long. You didn’t mind the opportunity for small talk though, not really, even if it was late at night and…you mostly just wanted to get some rest. “You a tourist, or..."

"Yeah, kind of a tourist." You nodded with a little smile. "Um, I'm trying to get to Toronto, actually. I know that's pretty far, so no pressure to get me there,” You chuckled awkwardly. “But I think there's a bus station nearby, a few towns over? I was just gonna stay there tonight and get another ticket in the morning."

He nodded along as you spoke, an attentive audience member, like he was listening to you in place of late-night talk radio or music.

"Oh, so you've got quite the journey ahead, huh?" He peered towards you out of the corner of his eye when you nodded in response to his question. 

"Mmhmm, it’s still another day or so of travel,” You said with a shrug and a little nod. “So, um, I didn't get your name?"

"Ah, right, yeah, I forgot to tell you."

He took his eyes off the road for a moment to smile at you.

"Name's Strade,” No last name. Makes sense, you probably wouldn’t have told him your last name, either. “And you are...?"

You smiled back and told him your name.

"And, um,” You tittered a little coyly. “You know, I’m just trying to make small talk here, but I'm noticing a bit of an accent there...not Canadian, huh?"

He laughed, a friendly and warm chuckle that put you at ease, despite your less-than-ideal situation.

"Haha, you're good.” He said, sounding genuinely impressed. “Yeah, not Canadian. German, actually. I’ve been living here for, ah…” He sucked a hiss in through his teeth and tilted his head in thought. “A while. Just never managed to shake the accent, I guess."

"No, that's super cool. I’ve always thought Germany was an interesting place" You nodded with a bit more of a smile. "I've never been there, or anywhere in Europe or anything, but I've always wanted to."

"Oh yeah?” He hummed thoughtfully, still smiling. “You should definitely visit, it's great...I mean, yeah..." He peered out his window as he turned onto a new road, though you hadn’t seen where the illuminated sign was leading him. "The people...the cities...you know…” He continued, his words trailing off and his tone sounding distracted as he drove. “Germany's great...beautiful country...definitely worth the visit."

"Mm," You nodded. "Sounds nice."

After another long moment of silence (with you staring out the window, not seeing much other than fields and woods, and him focusing on driving and looking more and more put off by the quiet), he cleared his throat and reached up with one hand to rub his stubbly (and scarred) chin. 

"Listen…not to be intrusive or anything, I'm just trying to make some small talk,” He placed his hand back on the wheel, though he was still smiling. “But what's a pretty girl like you doing all by themselves, anyway? What, not got a boyfriend to travel with you?"

You let out an uncomfortable laugh, a slight flush coming to your cheeks as you tried to think of an appropriate (and smart) response. 

You knew you should have been...put off, to say the least, by a stranger asking why you were alone in the middle of the night, but...well, he had picked you up in the middle of nowhere, and you kind of owed him for that. Maybe he was just a curious guy.

And…he was pretty hot. Maybe he was just asking so he could make a pass at you.

"Hah, nope, all on my lonesome. But, um," You bit your lip, considering your next words very carefully. If you said something about…meeting people, perhaps, maybe it would have been enough to scare off any darker intentions he might have had with you. "I have friends in the city that I'll be staying with who know I’m coming. So, just need to get there, ya know."

He nodded again, smiling as casually as he had been.

"I see.” He said simply. “So, you must be pretty brave then, huh? Not many girls your age would feel safe travelling and staying in a bus station all alone without any protection, especially not these days."

An idle smirk crossed his lips as he kept his eyes forward, tapping the steering wheel with the pale palms of his hands.

"Lots of weirdos on these roads late at night, ya know?” His golden eyes went to yours then, and you could see they had narrowed just a touch, his eyebrows quirking with a silent challenge, or...threat. “Good thing I found you first, hm?"

"Mmhmm..." You nodded politely, letting out another uncomfortable chuckle. 

"Mhm…” He mimicked. “But, maybe we should change topics, ja? Let's talk about something...a bit more interesting~"

"Interesting?" You looked up at him with a curious blink, watching as he turned the truck again and started down a darker road, surrounded by woods. You still didn’t have a reason to be concerned though…at least, that’s what you were telling yourself. "How do you mean?"

"Oh, you know...a little more personal." He suggested with a shrug of his shoulders, like he was trying to appear more casual. "How old are you?"

"Oh, I'm twenty," You replied, raising a brow. "Yeah, second year of college, actually. I'm on spring break."

"Really?" He said, raising his own brows with pseudo-surprise. "Wow, I'm almost double that....way to make me feel like a creepy old man picking up a vulnerable girl on the side of the road, hah."

"Hah," You chuckled awkwardly, a slight flush coming to your face as you chewed the inside of your cheek. You’d read countless horror stories about this situation, and yet, when you were sitting in it, you still couldn’t help but be a little charmed by him and his self-deprecation. "Y-Yeah, sorry...um, I don't think you're creepy, though. I actually really appreciate it. I would have been stuck there all night, if you hadn't picked me up." You smiled. “Thank you.”

"Aw, how sweet," He crooned, taking one hand from the steering wheel and placing it on your bare thigh, making your breath hitch tightly. Denim shorts had been a fine choice when you dressed that morning, but a far stupider one at three in the morning, it seemed. "You really are very gracious, aren't you?"

"Mm..." You dug your teeth into your bottom lip as his hand roamed further up your thigh, calloused skin against smooth, goose-pimpled flesh.

"But, ah, graciousness can only get you so far in this world, right?" He said after a beat of silence, his voice taking on a lower tone as he looked towards you, pulling the truck to the side of the road and…slowing it to a stop.

"Huh?"

You didn't expect (though maybe you should have, considering all the hints he had been dropping) for him to stop the car, and you suddenly felt a lot more scared to be in a strange truck, in a strange country, with a strange man.

"If you're too grateful,” He murmurs, taking the keys out of the ignition. “Some people can take advantage. And why wouldn't they."

Your polite (albeit tight) smile dropped and you swallowed tightly, as you saw him pocket his keys and turn to you, those golden eyes that had once been so inviting narrowed and sinister, as the hand on your thigh crawled further and further up.

"It's late at night, we're all alone, you’re in some…stranger’s truck,” He cut himself off with a chuckle and a shake of his head, like he was chiding you. “And who knows what someone could do to you."

Now that the car was stopped, he was able to lean in a little closer to you, the hand on your thigh ascending to your hip.

“Helpless, right?”

"Ah..." 

You let out a little whimper, swallowing tightly as he pressed himself even closer towards you, sliding a knee under himself so he could push himself forward, over the wide console of the truck. 

You were so stupid. 

Your pocket knife, your only means of protection while you were on the road, was in your backpack, of all places, which was in his back seat…where he had thrown it. Somehow, though, you had a sense that even if you did have a weapon of some kind, some sort of defence against him, it probably wouldn't have done anything to stop him, anyway. 

The predatory glint that had always been in his eyes, looking back on the encounter retroactively, became a whole lot less concealed, as he reached up and idly pushed a thick chunk of your hair behind your ear, almost like he was admiring you innocently. His mouth tilted into a mocking smile and his tone became lower and even more lecherous.

"Twenty,” He said, like he was reminiscing. “Just twenty years old and doing this all by yourself. So young...and so pretty too.” He leaned a little closer, so close you could smell the thick scent of motor oil and sweat lingering on him. “It would be a shame if something happened to a girl like you..."

He let out a small chuckle, keeping his gaze locked on yours as his hand shifted from your hip and down to his side.

Your eyes followed it almost instantly. You didn't know what he was doing, but you knew that it couldn’t be good.

Strade noticed your gaze too, raising his brows and giving you a smile that he had practised so many times before, one that was supposed to settle a nervous spirit, a fretting hostage. He shifted his hand to the side, making it seem as if he was just casually adjusting himself, when, in fact, he was hiding something else, something much darker and more sinister altogether.

"Were you not scared...of a stranger like me, picking you up in the middle of the night?" He tilted his head, considering you closely like you were a new specimen for examination.

“Strade,” You mumbled softly, your eyes flitting to the side to try and spot your backpack. “Come on…let’s not do this.”

"Now, now...don't be so frightened.” He said, with almost the start of a hurt pout to his lips. Why was that enough to make you feel bad? “I don't mean you any harm at all, but you still haven't answered my question..."

He pressed even closer, his fingers suddenly trailing down your neck as his stubbly cheek grazed yours.

“Were you not scared?”

"I...didn't think I needed to be scared," You mumbled quietly, taking in a slow breath and feeling like your skin was prickling with nerves each time he pressed close to you.

"Why's that, hmm...don't you think it's dangerous to be alone at night?"

His staring eyes met yours, spanning up and down your face, like he was trying to take in every detail of you, each freckle, wrinkle and pore, before…

"Don't you think it's dangerous...to be alone...with...me..."

"NGH!" 

You let out a shrill grunt as he quickly pressed his body entirely against yours, climbing over the console of the truck and pinning you down to the seat. You attempted to quickly unbuckle your seatbelt and reach for the car door on the passenger side, gripping fingers scrambling for the handle as you heaved with his added weight on top of you.

"Oh no no no…” He chided lightly, sitting back as he straddled your hips and reached down in his jacket pocket. "Don't think you're getting away from me now, fraulein, not when I’ve just gotten you where I want you."

Your eyes widened when you saw him pull out a long bowie knife, hidden in plain sight, all this time. It wasn't even in a sheath to protect it.

"Please," You pleaded quietly, as he slid the knife up your front and severed the seat belt like hot metal through butter. "Please, Strade, please, let me go. I-I have friends, I'm going somewhere, you know that, they'll know I'm gone, they’ll know." You babbled erratically, every part of you trembling.

Strade just laughed, using the cut seatbelt as a makeshift rope to tie your trembling wrists to the car seat headrest above you (you had sunk down enough in the seat to get away from him that it was high up now).

You didn’t even try to fight him off that hard.

"Aww...you're still so hopeful, aren't you?"

His grin broadened, laced with malice as he watched the terror build in your eyes indulgently, like your fear was enough to sustain him.

"Do you actually think someone's going to come and save you...little college girl on her spring break, hm?” He asked, shaking his head further with a condescending little chuckle, before leaning in, his breathing heavy and ragged and excited. “No, I don’t think I’m going to let you go, fraulein…not when I have you right where I want you.”

"Please," You whimpered, your lip trembling as the first sting of tears began to bead in your eyes. "Don't kill me, please..."

"Oh, I'm not going to kill you. Don't worry."

You took in a shaky gasp as he raised the knife to your throat, immediately stilling when you felt the sharp edge of polished metal dig into your skin.

"I'm just going to have a bit of fun with you, that's all. That’s why you let me pick you up, isn’t it?" He pressed the knife down a little harder against your throat, leaning in even closer, thee bridge of his nose nestling against your jaw as you felt the sting of the blade. "You wanted someone to have fun with you, just like this..."

"Please don't hurt me...I-I'll do whatever you want," You murmured, tears spilling down your cheeks, trying not to move or struggle or shake too much and…encourage the knife to slip. “Please, please, please…”

"Aw, are you begging?" Strade’s grin widened even more, as he laughed at you, cruelly, meanly. “You really just get cuter and cuter the more you speak. I almost can’t stand it.”

You whimpered again as he raised his head to look at you, his face close enough to yours that he could have kissed you (if he wanted to), his tongue slipping out and licking his lips, and his breath heavy on your neck as his laugh trailed off into a low chuckle.

"Maybe I want to keep pretty things like you around...take my time with you, perhaps?” He mused softly, dragging the knife to a point and pressing it to the bottom of your chin. “Or maybe…I just want to do something with that pretty mouth of yours, hm?"

You gulped and squeezed your eyes shut, revolted by what you were about to say.

"Yes," You whispered, trembling a little more and pulling at the seatbelt that was binding you. "Do…a-anything you want to me. Just...please, please don't hurt me..."

He pulled back from you for a moment, raising his dark brows in a questioning look…like he was wondering if you were being truthful with him.

"Hmph. I know your type, you know. You'd say anything right now."

His expression shifted to one of mocking disappointment as he sighed, the knife moving slightly downwards and pressing into the hollow of your bobbing throat, as he studied your face.

"Do you really mean that? Or are you just trying to survive, eh?"

"I-I mean it," You stammered, pulling at the seatbelt again and swallowing hard, trying to sit up straight. "Anything. I'll...I'll even like it, too. I won't fight or scream or..." You sniffled, trying to shed the last of your tears. "Or cry."

"Really?” He gave you a doubtful smirk as he slid the knife downwards, easily cutting through the buttoned collar of your shirt. “You don't even know me, and you'd let me do whatever I want? With that pretty…” He enunciated each word by cutting away the buttons of your shirt, exposing more of your chest, your sternum, and your stomach. “Little,” Another button gone. “Mouth." Another.

“Yes. Anything.”

Once your shirt was completely open (showing your ratty sports bra), he lightly pressed the point of the knife against your breast, like it was about to be punctured. 

"And you'll like it?" He asked, tilting his head.

"Yes," You sniffled again. "Just...don't hurt me."

"You promise~?” 

He lilted airily in your ear as the knife trailed over to the band between your bra cups, severing it without a modicum of effort and revealing even more of your chest as he peeled away each flap of fabric with the point of his knife.

You bit your lip when he let out an appreciative whistle at the sight of your bare chest, the buds of your nipples erect and perky in the cool air of the night, the silver piercings glinting in the dark.

"Nice tits," He commented with a snicker. "I'm surprised someone else didn't pick you up first with a rack like that." His lecherous dirty talk was enough to make you blush and look away. "Maybe you should have been a little more...open with them, hm?" "Strade-"

“Mm, no apprehension, please.” He chided, poking one of the piercings with the point of the knife and bringing his face close to yours. “We’re going to have fun, and you’re going to smile and say ‘thank you’ the entire time...no looking away or playing shy, now.” He pressed the point of the knife to the bud of your nipple then, his golden eyes locked on yours as it dug deeper and deeper. “Understood?”

You took in an unsteady gasp as a delicate bead of blood spilled down your breast, and looked up at him quickly.

He wasn't fucking around with you.

“U-Understand!" You said quickly, a rictus grin of pleasure coming to your face, the air cool on your tear-streaked face. Thank you~”

“Good girl ♡”

[problems-exe]

The Poem

The story of how Prim and Lu got together in the printerjamau

Wrote this a bit ago and decided it was about time I posted it. This is incredibly long, so I apologize for that, but for those interested in their story, I think it's worth the read.

Begins after the cut :]

The sound of the wind breezing through the desolate building rooftop does nothing to drown out the rapid beating of their soul.

Prim finds themselves sitting, not alone, but with a close friend. Listening to her ramble about the latest au she visited and the small bakery from which she had bought treats. The bag sitting at her side was long emptied, its contents having been eaten hours ago. Prim has found themselves a lot less alone lately.

Despite their best efforts, it's hard for them to focus on Lu’s rambles, distracted by the intense feeling of something in the air. Something about today felt distantly off. It wasn't unusual for the two to meet like this, a gift cradled in one of the skeleton's hands. But Lu had seemed so.. anxious when she asked them to meet. It was odd. She had seemed… flustered? Almost? But that wouldn't make any sense-

“Prim?” Lu pulled them out of their daze with the utterance of their name, a concerned and nervous expression on her face.

“Sorry, that wasn't that interesting, was it? I got a bit carried away…” She states, averting Prim's eyelights as a deep blush settles on her face, accentuated by the deep orangish-pinkish hues of the sun setting before them.

‘She looks so beautiful like this,’ Prim shoves that thought as soon as it crosses their mind, nervous glitches appearing up their body as they force themselves to refocus on the conversation again.

“Nah. Long day. Just zoned out.” Prim replies after a pause. A lie. And they know it's one. Their day had been fine, a typical day as any. They're always honest with her; why are they being like this now?

“Oh,” She sounded surprised, as if she had been expecting Prim to call her boring.

“I'm sorry, do you want to talk about it? I've been rambling on for a while…” She continues, looking back at Prim with a crooked smile. The usual squint of her eye sockets not present. Something was wrong. She'd been acting noticeably off all evening; they should have picked up on the pieces sooner. Prim was the worst person for something like this.

“Are- are you feeling alright? You seem.. upset.” Prim slowly gets out, thinking through the words before settling on them. Lu looks a bit startled at the question.

“I'm, um, yeah! Yeah, I'm alright, just-” She fumbles with her words for a moment, blush on her face darkening, and Prim's expression turns into a concerned frown.

“I wrote you something.” She continues, digging around in her bag for a split second before retrieving a clean, white envelope. Clasped shut with a cat sticker, the words “For Prim” written in cursive on the back. She bashfully presents the letter to Prim, and they momentarily gawk at it, carefully taking it from her hand. Careful to not get ink on it.

“You mentioned wanting to read one of my poems sometime, so..” *She adverts her gaze, voice trailing off at the end as Prim looks over the parchment presented to them. Their soul pounds in their chest, and they scramble to find balance in its weight. They stare at the small envelope, feeling deeply touched by the gesture. They reach to carefully remove the cat sticker before Lu's hands stop them.

“Don't, um, don't read it here. Read it when you get home. It'd feel embarrassing to watch you read it in front of me.” She states, with a nervous laugh, gently pulling her hands away. Prim nods carefully after a moment, slowly and delicately moving to place the parchment in their bag, careful not to bend it.

“I better get going now,” Lu interjects after watching Prim's bag close. They look up at her, surprised.

“Already?” They respond, concern still evident in their face.

“Yeah, I've got a long day tomorrow. I'll see you in a few days?” She responds, sounding hopeful, pleading almost.

“Obviously,” Prim responds immediately, worry still swirling in their chest.

“Right. Of course.” She states, as if reassuring herself.

“I'll see you then.” She continues, a tight smile on her face. She gives a wave of goodbye before disappearing into a portal, leaving Prim sitting alone. Surprised by the abruptness of it all.

They clutch at the strap to their bag, the featherlight weight of the envelope feeling heavy at their side. They're worried about what they'll find written in there. It's hard to fathom Lu acting so.. afraid over one of her poems. She'd sounded excited at the idea of sharing some with them when Prim had brought it up. Maybe she got cold feet? Even then…

Well, no point in speculating. They'll find out when they get home.

Prim sits for a moment longer, taking in the sunset one last time, attempting to calm their racing thoughts. After feeling more composed, they reluctantly rise to their feet, a tinge of anxiety gnawing at their chest.

Navigating through the usual motions of leaving a get-together like this, they slide one of their feet along the asphalt, leaving a trail of ink behind. They place their foot back next to the other, standing in place as the ink pools around them.

They begin to sink into the puddle, dragged into darkness for a split second before emerging in the cozy living room of their apartment, ink swiftly vanishing beneath them.

Taking a cautious step toward the nearby couch, they gingerly take a seat, pausing to take a deep breath. They turn their attention to the coffee table before them, using their hand to slide a few objects to the side, making room for the letter nestled in their bag.

Pausing once more to collect themselves, they carefully unfasten their bag, delicately reaching inside to withdraw the envelope. They stare at it pensively, toying with the small sticker that sealed it, a tiny yet almost taunting obstacle. They smooth the envelope with a thumb, using one hand to slowly and meticulously peel off the sticker, careful not to rip the parchment

They feel lost in their own little world, with nothing but themselves and the letter existing within the tranquil room. Unfurling the page from the envelope, they place the latter on the couch alongside them before setting the sheet down on the cleared space of the coffee table.

Their eyelights graze over the page, reading its contents carefully. It reads,

Prim,

I've written this poem for you to convey the words I've struggled to say aloud. I’m sorry for not finding the courage to tell you in person. As an artist yourself, I'm sure you understand that sometimes it's easier to express our emotions through our work.

I understand if my feelings aren't mutual; I know this must have come as a shock to you.

I just hope this doesn't change anything between us.

Yours Always,

Lu

Below this, begins the poem,

On a canvas brimming with vibrant dreams,

Where colors mix and blend with gentle grace,

I've etched our story, yours and mine,

In shades, that time will embrace.

Your smile, a brush of vibrant hue,

Turns every moment into radiant light,

And in your eyes, I find the clues,

To ignite my soul with a beautiful sight.

Each day with you, a masterstroke,

A blend of joy and true elation,

Your laughter dispels the shadows,

Bestowing me a profound sensation.

From twilight’s glow to dawn’s first rays,

My love’s a spectrum rich and rare,

In every shade, in every phase,

You're a masterpiece beyond compare.

With every brush and every stroke,

I craft a world where we could be,

A place where dreams and hearts intertwine,

A canvas created for you and me.

So I ask now, with hopeful heart,

To step inside this vivid scene,

To share a life, to play a part,

Will you be my love, my dream?

Prim sits in stunned silence, reading and rereading the words, page blurring as they attempt to process what they've just read. Lu likes them. Actually likes them. It's hard to comprehend. Why would Lu choose someone like them when she could have anyone she wanted? Lu's affection felt like a dream, too surreal to grasp.

The confession weighs heavily on Prim's chest, butterflies fluttering in their stomach. They're at a loss for words, mind racing with questions and uncertainty, but also a strong feeling of excitement that they can't push down. Their face turns a deep shade of cyan, magenta, and yellow as the realization sinks in. Lu likes them, and they like her. The words of the poem echo in their mind, evoking a soft smile. Despite being alone they start to feel embarrassed by their reaction, prompting them to pull their scarf up to cover their blushing cheeks as they read through the page once again.

A panic settles in as Prim suddenly realizes that they need to respond to Lu's confession. What do they say to her? Nothing they could say would come even close to matching what she had written for them. They never had been the best at expressing their emotions. But… Lu needed that right now. She deserved a proper response from Prim.

No wonder she had been so nervous earlier, she had poured her heart out to the inky skeleton. She's probably feeling as anxious as Prim does right now, waiting for their response.

Well, better not keep her waiting any longer.

They cast a final gaze at the poem before rising to their feet, letting their scarf fall from their face. They secure their bag firmly over their shoulder, one of their hands clasped around its strap. With unwavering determination, they proceed, ignoring their nerves.

They begin the familiar routine of creating a portal, their foot swiping across the ground with a trail of ink following in its wake. The ink gathers at their feet, pulling them into the encompassing darkness.

Upon emerging, they find themselves standing outside The Star Sanses’ base, as well as Lu's home. The Omega Timeline bathes everything in the glow of starlight, casting the surrounding area in a celestial glow. After countless visits, the building's layout is etched into their memory, allowing them to easily locate Lu's room from the outside, even in the darkness.

After a brief walk, they arrive at Lu's window, gazing up to get a glance at it. They can see her curtains partially drawn, revealing a few of her plants resting on the windowsill. Their nerves intensify as they turn their attention to the tall tree adjacent to her window. Taking a deep nervous breath, they begin the familiar climb. Despite having done this many times before, the weight of the moment makes their movements feel awkward and slow, taking longer than usual to ascend the tree.

Eventually, they settle on a sturdy branch, close enough to reach Lu's window. They pause for a moment, trying to calm their anxiety before tentatively tapping on the window and leaning back, waiting for Lu to open it.

Moments later, they catch a glimpse of Lu's face peeking through the curtains, her eyelights meeting theirs. Despite the dim lighting, her deep blush is unmistakable. With a soft click, the window unlocks and slides open, revealing Lu's head as she peeks through to see them clearly.

“What are you doing out here?” She asks, her voice filled with unease, a nervous expression on her face.

“Me too,” Prim responds quickly, their cheeks darkening as the words leave their mouth, realizing that their statement didn't quite make sense.

“...What?” Lu asks after a pause, her head tilted slightly in confusion, a slight laugh heard in her tone.

"I mean— I read the poem. Me too. I, um, I feel the same,” Prim stammers, avoiding Lu's gaze, turning their face away and tugging their scarf over their cheeks once more.

“Oh,” She breathes, surprise evident in her voice. There's another moment of silence, broken only by the chirping of the crickets and the rustle of the wind.

The air feels tight as the silence sits between them, Prim's soul pounding anxiously in their chest. They're starting to wonder if it was a bad idea coming here. What if they misunderstood the situation? What if they just messed everything up?

Gently, Lu's hand takes hold of Prim's arm, snapping them out of their thoughts; they timidly look up, finding Lu's gentle smile waiting for them. Prim feels the blush on their face deepen and forces themselves to not look away. It's hard to gauge her expression as Prim searches her face, but she doesn't appear to be upset. Lu tugs on their arm, and Prim understands the unspoken message. With Lu's help, they slowly make their way through the window and into her bedroom, landing softly on her carpet.

The silence doesn't last much longer once Prim is inside. Lu's expression is soft and adoring as she delicately takes Prim's hands, their eyelights meeting in a moment of quiet connection.

“...Really?” She asks, her voice gentle and hopeful. The look on her face leaves Prim feeling flustered, wondering how they had gotten so lucky. Prim nods, struggling to find the words, their throat tightening. Lu's smile widens.

“I want to hear you say it out loud, though,” Lu playfully pouts, her affectionate expression coaxing the words out of Prim. They feel like they'd do anything, as long as she continued to look at them like that.

“Yeah. Yeah, I, uhm…I like you. I have for a while now,” Prim responds, their voice slightly shaky. Lu's smile grows impossibly wider, her eyelights fuzzy at the edges, glistening with tears of joy.

“Will you be my partner, Prim?” Lu asks, her voice filled with hope and excitement.

“I'd like that,” Prim replies easily, their face flushed, gazing back at Lu with the same adoration.

“Cool,” She responds with a wet giggle, using one hand to wipe happy tears from her eye sockets.

“Cool,” Prim repeats, with a similarly elated expression. They gently replace Lu's hand with theirs, wiping the tears from her face. The two of them stay like that for a moment, silent, until Lu speaks again.

“May I..?” She asks, face flushed, eyelights flicking down to their mouth. Prim nods, and Lu leans in.

Yeah, coming here had been the right decision after all.

[theageofcaravel]

Rose-Coloured Boy. - Jamie Tartt x F!reader

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊

MASTERLIST

Chapter I: Reeling Through the Midnight Streets

Plot: Jamie Tartt and Y/N have been best friends since primary school. The pair had fallen out once graduation hit, both of them going their separate ways; Jamie finally kicking off (pun intended) his football career, and Y/N finally walking through the doors of her cinematographer career. One day, they cross paths in the corridors of Nelson Road, Y/N getting the assignment to make a mini docuseries of one of the football clubs in England, hers being AFC Richmond.

Set during season 2 and onward.

warnings: swearing, mentions of food and alcohol

word count: 3,7k

an: HELLOOOOOO!!! im excited to write this, I'm so late to the Ted Lasso wagon, but here I am. I got the idea for this story when I was sat on my couch looking through Pinterest and then I made a board for it. This has also taken me a few days to crank out because I've second guessed the plot a couple of times but anyway, I'm watching Cody and Noel's Love Island series and its reminding me of that one episode in season 2. LMAO, enjoy <3!!!!

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊

Breathing in deeply, you closed your notebook. Looking up at your professor, you gently rapped your manicured nails upon your desk and eagerly waited to see which football club you were going to be assigned to. The hope in your chest wanted to get your hometown's very own club, having a plausible excuse to visit your home, without your parents getting under your skin.. 

"Y/N L/N," Professor Loughty called out your name, you quickly stood from your desk and grabbed your belongings. "Yes, sir?" you asked, an eager glimmer in your eyes. "you're gonna be in charge of AFC Richmond, I've emailed Miss Welton and have gotten the approval for you to leave right after I dismiss you, there should be a cab right outside for you. you're going to have to find which one is yours." 

With a solemn nod, you breathed in, "is there any way that I could have Manchester City, perchance?" all Professor Loughty replied with a shake of his head, "sorry, Miss L/N, all final decisions have been made." 

"Alright, thank you, professor." you nodded again. 

"You are dismissed." 

Making your way out of the classroom, you sighed disappointedly. All you really wanted was to spend time with your sister, Libby. Your built-in best friend, the person who you call often to just ramble, vent, or see how life on the other side is. 

A chime of your phone pulled you out of your thoughts. 

any updates?

Libby. So much for getting pulled out of your thoughts. 

yeah, got Richmond :/ BUT I promise I'll make it up to you. I'll visit soon. 

:( okayyy I love youu

"Y/N!" pocketing your phone, your attention was now averted from your patronising thoughts to that of your best friend. "Bee! Hey." you smiled and waited for your friend to fully approach you. 

"Who'd ya end up gettin'?" the Irish girl asked in her usual chipper tone. 

"Richmond, I wanted Man City." 

She scrunched her nose. "Mmm, ain't that the team with that American coach?" Bee added with a raise of her eyebrows. 

"Think so, so I guess it's not all bad.. could be interesting.." You spoke with a shrug which only earned you a light chuckle from the brunette. "Well, I'd certainly hope so. you have to be around him and the team for how long?" 

"'Til the end of the semester." 

Bee nodded at your reply. "sounds miserable." 

"Oh, piss off. Don't you have to write an album by the end of the semester?" you clapped back, causing Bee to only snicker with a shrug. 

"Yeah, but that's easy."

"Right, as if you haven't been in a song writing block for the past month or so." freezing in her place, Bee shook her head and glared playfully at the other. 

"Exactly. Anyway, I've gotta get going, gotta get my essentials." you said to Bee, embracing her in a hug. "See y'tomorrow?"

The taller girl nodded and walked away with a wave. "See ya, nugget." 

You shook her head, that nickname was never going to go away. Walking your merry way over to the line of cabs, you nervously talked to the first cabbie. "Um, which one is the one for Y/N L/N?" you asked and gripped your books close as if they were some sort of security blanket. The man behind the wheel grunted and pointed to the one behind him. 

"Should be that one down there, yeah." he replied and basically shooed the girl away. with a breath, you found the cab you were supposedly assigned and sat in the backseat. 

"Was ordered to head to your place, where to miss?" The driver asked with a kind smile in which you replied with your address.

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊

Unlocking your door quickly, you ran into your living room and grabbed your bag full of all the necessities you needed for the months ahead of you; camera, clip in microphones, etcetera. Richmond was only 30 minutes away, which, in hindsight, was better than having to travel four hours per weekend. 

With no second thought, you grabbed your water bottle and slung your bag over your shoulder. Taking one last look around, you let out a satisfied huff and headed back outside to the car.

"Alright, Miss L/N, we're headed to Richmond. s'about a 30 minute drive from here." the cabbie, who you learned that his name was Franklin, 'frank for short,' is what he told you, said. He was a nice old man, probably in his early sixties. He was good at keeping up the small talk, asking you about what it is that you’re going to be doing with Richmond. Telling you that before he was a cab driver he was a guitarist in a band, a small one at that. You both bonded over music, You telling him that your best friend is a singer and that sometimes Bee'll get you together to mess around because you have been playing the guitar since you were little but never really pursued anything musically because it wasn't of interest. 

Eventually Frank had pulled into Nelson Road, the drive seemed a lot faster than it really was because of how easy it was to talk. 

"Thank you, Frank. I'll see you at 5, right?" You asked and the older man nodded. "Have a good rest of your day." You saluted him and walked up to the doors of the stadium. Slinging your bag over your shoulder, you entered the building. 

Absentmindedly walking down the corridors, you looked around at the walls and folded your arms across your chest looking at the trophy wall; all the history and old photos of Richmond littered within it.

"Excuse me?" a voice spoke from behind you, startling you slightly. You were met with a grin from a lanky looking boy. "Are you lost?" he asked and you only shrugged.

"Guess you could say that." you chuckled awkwardly and lifted your shoulders. "Um, I'm looking for Miss Welton's office. Got lost in thought though." 

"Ohhhh, are you Y/N L/N?" the boy asked with a head tilt. In which you responded with a nod. "I can show ya where to go, follow me." he moved slightly before the other nodded and followed behind him. 

"Are you the.." you started, "kit... man?" knitting your eyebrows together and stuffing your hands into your jacket's pockets.

"Yeah, I am." he nodded and grinned and stopped at the door to Rebecca's office. "Well, this is it. I'm Will by the way." he said and stuck out his hand for you to shake. You took his hand thankfully. 

"Thank you, Will. It was nice to meet you. I'll see you around, yeah?" You waved him goodbye and gently knocked on the slightly open door. 

"Come in," a voice shouted, the nerves finally kicking in. Pushing the door open, you were greeted with a warm smile from probably the most beautiful woman you had ever seen. "Hello."

"Errr, hi." you awkwardly smiled, "I'm--"

"Y/N, I've been expecting you." Miss Welton cut the other off, that smile that she held never fading. "Come, sit." she gestured to the chair opposite from her desk. You nodded and set your bag on the floor. 

"Okay, um, hi." an awkward smile wavered over the girl's features. Rebecca leaned into her desk, automatically drawn to the way you were acting; that shell she knew she needed to crack.

"Promise I don't bite." the blonde jested which caused you to somewhat get comfortable. "Anyway, we're excited to have you. the boys have been raving about having a cinematographer here to film their every move." 

"Thank you for the opportunity, Miss Welton." 

"Call me Rebecca."

"Okay.. thank you for the opportunity, Rebecca." you corrected yourself which earned an approving nod and smile from the other. "I'll be here every other day after the school day, during the weekends, and during every game. Even travelling ones, I got the okay from my professors when we learned that this assignment existed."

Rebecca nodded, knowing said information but not wanting to interrupt the girl. "You don't have to start right away, if you want I can introduce you to the boys and everyone else." 

With a nod, you pushed herself up off the chair and reached for your bag. "you can leave that in here, we’ll be coming back in here to discuss everything needed.” 

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊

"This is where the boys have physio, you shouldn't have to come here." The pair chuckled and then Rebecca stopped by a blue door where chatter could be heard inside. "and this is the kit room, where the boys change and where the coaches offices are." 

“It smells like sweaty ass in here, just warning you.” the blonde jested, causing you to scrunch her nose. "Shall we?" she asked and you nodded. With a gentle knock on the door Rebecca peeked in. "Everyone decent?" she asked, to which all the boys replied in unison with a 'yes'. smiling contently, the taller lady pushed the door open and pushed you in front of her. 

"OI." she announced, "everyone this is, Y/N L/N, our cinematographer from the University of London." everyone cheered happily, most just yelling what sounded like mixes of 'LETS GOOOO', 'FUCK YEAH', and 'WICKED'. 

At the sound of a familiar name being called, Jamie looked up and went wide eyed. Holy fuck.  

Quickly standing up from where he was sitting, you both made eye contact. Brows knitted together, your eyes looked above his head, the words, ‘TARTT’ in big bold letters made you realise that your suspicions were correct. “No way, Jamie?” you asked and breathed out. 

The entirety of the room suddenly went quiet, or so it seemed. You apprehensively walked toward him, Rebecca watching you with a look of confusion. Maybe you were just a fan that he’s seen from time to time? No, that wasn’t the case and she knew it the moment you guys both stared at each other with some form of intensity from you and an apologetic look from him. You looked like you wanted to walk over to him and smack him across his face and he looked like he wanted to wrap his arms around you and tell you how sorry he was. 

“I–” Jamie started and made his way closer to you, you dryly chuckled. 

“No, I just got here, we can talk later.” 

He nodded at your cross response and backed away. You introduced yourself and learned everyone’s names, the coaches were in their office in some sort of meeting and Rebecca told you that you’d be able to meet them later. 

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊

Back up in Rebecca’s office, you both went over how you were planning on filming. Going over recording some of the boys separately in their element, interviews, etcetera. You also learned that Rebecca was really easy to talk to, like a best friend. 

“Alright, Y/N, I must ask,” Rebecca started, handing you a cup of tea. “Back in the locker room, what was that with you and Jamie?” taking the cup and bringing it to your lips, you sighed. 

“We go way back, we met back in primary school and we were attached at the hip up until high school. There were moments when our close friends suspected we were a couple.” You trailed off, “but once we graduated everything just kind of.. Fell off, we both went our separate ways. I tried to get back into contact with him but he would say that he was busy or he’d just flat out ignore me.” you looked over at Rebecca to see her eyebrows raised. 

“Sorry, that’s kinda personal innit? Haven’t known each other much.” you said and she just shrugged. 

“It’s alright, we’re gonna be getting rather close these next few months, it's a good start for now.” she responded to you, the worry that was on your face was slowly replaced by a warm smile. 

“Guess you’re right.” 

“‘Course I am, Y/N. ‘Course I am.” 

You chuckled and shook your head, taking another sip of your tea. “On another note, I’m quite excited for all of this. Richmond is already so .. nice. I felt welcome the moment I walked in.”

“It does that to you, wait until you meet Ted though, you’ll feel even more welcome.”

As if on cue, there was a gentle knock on the door followed by a man with a moustache walking inside with a beaming grin, “well, howdy y’all.” he greeted. You smiled up at him and stood from your seat, placing your halfway finished mug down on the coffee table. 

“Y/N, this is Ted.” Rebecca said. You stuck your hand out for him to shake. 

“Nice to meet you, Ted.” You said and he only beamed at you. 

“Welcome to the family, Y/N/N.” he replied, your eyes went wide at the sudden nickname. “Its okay if I call you that right? Only seems right with your name.” He chuckled and you nodded. 

“Only if I get to call you ‘Teddy’ or somethin’. What's Ted short for anyway?” You asked him, the shift in your demeanour from earlier was like you’ve been here for weeks. “Theodore.” Rebecca chimed in and you grinned over at her and crossed your arms over your torso. “Hmm, then ‘Theo’ will have to do.” 

Ted, or Theo smiled from ear to ear. “Glad to hear it, I’ll see y’around.” 

You waved the man goodbye and sighed happily. Rebecca stood up from her spot on the sofa and brushed her dress out. “Alright, so, now that we’ve gone over everything, is there anything that you need before you head out for the rest of the day?” she asked you and you shook your head to look down at your watch. 

“Nah, I think I’m good.” You said and walked over to where your bag was. “Didn’t even need this today, came over prepared.” chuckling lightly, you leaned down to pick it up. 

“Thank you again for being so warm and welcome,” you looked at Rebecca and held your hand out for her to shake it. She took your hand happily, “I’ll see you next week then, to start your work process?” she asked you and you nodded. 

“Mhm, yep, and I’ll have everything we went over.” you smiled at her and then bid her farewell. 

Walking out of her office and down the stairs you were met with a waiting Jamie, his phone in his hands in a way to distract him. When he heard your footsteps hitting the stairs, he pocketed his device and looked up at you. 

“You waited for me.” you said with a raised brow and he nodded. 

“Yeah..” he started and you stood in front of him. “I just wanted to .. dunno, apologise?” 

“For what? Leaving me alone to think you forgot about me for six years? D’you think I’m just gonna walk right into your arms and accept your apology?” you spat and he took it in. you looked like a wounded puppy and he just wanted to fling forward and hold you. To tell you that everything was gonna be alright and that he wouldn’t dream of doing that to you again. 

“Right, right. Yeah, m’sorry ‘bout that.” he looked down at his trainers and nervously gripped his body bag’s strap. “D’ya think we could.. Dunno, go for a walk and talk ‘bout it all?” he asked you, a plea in his eyes. 

“I can’t. I have to go back to London, my cabbie is waiting for me.” you replied and rocked on your heels.

“What about when you come back?”

“Dunno, I don’t think I wanna hear some bullshit excuse as to why you left me in the dust.”

“Please, Y/N.” he pleaded, “we don’t even have to talk for long. If you decide that you don’t want anything to do with me or listen then you can walk away.” 

You sighed in defeat, “fine.”

He nodded, trying to hide the victorious smile on his lips but failing. 

“Wipe that smug grin off your ugly mug before I do it for you.” 

“Aye aye.” Jamie responded, that was the Y/N he knew all those years back, and you walked away with a sigh and a shake of your head. 

God this was so fucking weird. 

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊

Once the next week rolled around, you told Bee how you bumped into Jamie, whom you might’ve told her about once or twice.. Or a few times whilst drunk. Telling her stories about how you were, “sooooooo mad at him for ghosting me like that. I loved him ssooooo much and he goes and does that.”

At 10am, Frank pulled into the car park of Nelson Road and you bid him farewell when gathering your belongings. You walked inside, instantly greeted with that family-like haze. A smile wafted on your features, nodding in acknowledgement at whomever passed by. 

“Good morning, Y/N/N!” Ted said when you walked by him on your way up to Rebecca’s office. “Mornin, Theo.” you smiled at him and gave him a high five. 

The rest of the morning went pretty well – You and blondie, new nickname (Ted approved),  going over what you guys went over on your first day, you setting up everything you needed, using one of the meeting rooms as a place to have special interviews for the boys when the time came and making a makeshift desk of one of the tables for when you needed to edit or when you when you weren’t filming. 

When lunch time approached, Rebecca asked if you wanted to join her, but you told her that you wanted to make sure that everything was working properly because once everyone was back from the lunch break you were going to record the first of many parts of the boys’ training. She gave you a thumbs up and you were on your merry way to set up a camera outside. 

“Headed outside?” a familiar Mancunian accent asked you, you stopped in your tracks and turned toward the voice. 

“Mhm, yep.” You said, your change in demeanour going from steadfast wanting to get the hell out.

“Need help?” he asked you, a pleading look in his eyes. You looked down at the gadgets you had in your hands. Setting said things up on your own would not be easy, especially when you don’t have a whole crew to help you with lighting and every other necessity that came with filming.

With a defeated sigh, there was really no point in doing it on your own when the other offered help, you looked at him. “That would.. Be nice,” you started, trailing off, “but aren’t you supposed to be at lunch with the guys or somethin’? Don’t wanna be a bother or anythin’, I’m sure I can manage on my own.”

“Nah, s’no problem. Promise.” he placed his hand on his chest, “Not really hungry anyhow.” he nodded and stepped in front of you to open the door out to the pitch. 

“Thanks.” You said and smiled at him thankfully. He nodded and you looked around. 

“Hmm, hey, Jamie?” you asked, and he turned to you with his eyebrows up. “Where d’ya reckon would be the best spot to film?” 

He pointed to a spot beside where he said that Ted and Beard usually stand and watch, “You can practically see everything from here, but you might have to change directions of the camera every now and then.” 

You shrugged and leaned down to unpack your best camera for the outdoors, “that’s fine, its my job anyway.” you set up your tripod and turned your camera on. Looking into the lens, you adjusted the lighting. 

“So, Y/N..” Jamie said and stood in front of your camera with some sort of lopsided grin, “D’ya think we could do that talk right now?” 

You looked up and huffed, “dunno, are you gonna get out of my way?” he shrugged and moved from the focus. “What is there to really talk about anyway? You ghosted me for years. You didn’t even wish me a happy birthday, or send christmas cards.” With one final twist of your lens you stepped away and looked at Jamie who scratched his neck. 

“Yeah, don’t really have an excuse for that. Other than being a professional footballer ‘n all.”

“Yeah, but you still could’ve said something, that's not really a valid excuse.” you replied and gave him a stern look. “Remember what I said about bullshit excuses, Tartt?”

“Wait, no,” he looked at you with a panicked look. “There's really nothin’ that excuses me actions, but please know that I am sorry. I haven’t forgotten about you all these years, y’know.”

“Then why the fuck did you stay silent for so many years? I gave up trying to reach out to you after my twenty - first birthday. Tried seein’ if you wanted to come celebrate and maybe catch up and you NEVER responded.” you placed your hands on your hips and you could see the guilt written all over his face. 

“Yeah.” you responded, “but I’m an adult and I ended up forgiving and forgetting until the universe decided to have us cross paths again.” you half jested, Jamie’s lips curling upward just a tinge. “How about I make you a deal?” 

He quirked his brows up and you responded with a sigh. “I will forgive you.” you said and watched as his face changed from curious to excited. “If,” you paused, only egging him on, “you promise that it won't happen again, even after this project is done and over with.” 

Looking at him expectedly, the brunet stepped forward and engulfed you in a bone crushing hug, the only kind he’d give you after something good happened or after you had a meltdown in front of him. “Cross me heart, Y/N.” 

You smiled against his shoulder and hugged him back briefly, only to pull away and stick out your pinky. “Pinky promise me, James.” you said, the full name throwing him off slightly. He intertwined your fingers and you both leaned down to press kisses to your thumbs, sealing the deal. 

“Pinky promise.”

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊

Alright, STINKIES!!!!!! Let me know if you wanna be on the tag list n stuff!! I'll try to get a few more chapters out this week! They'll probably be a bit shorter, some fillers, some not, etcetera!! ANYWAY!! Thank you for reading <3

[honeycreammilkshake]

HELLO HONEY i just saw the full leaks and i don't know what everyone else is thinking i saw some people are sad yuji didn't end up together with sukuna or that yuji wasn't much the focus but. i personally LOVED it? let me explain why its still sukuita soulmatism. would i have liked to hear more of yujis thoughts sure but, his last smile is because of sukuna, he smiled up at the sky before we saw sukuna chose to change, he Felt that sukuna knew what love was and I've been losing it because sukuna literally changed because of yuji he turned his back to mahito whos a curse unlike him hes the manifestation of hating humanity and Chose that next time he'd like to walk a different path, loving others, the way he returned love by comforting uraume because yuji taught him love and as kashimo was saying "how can you return something you've never received" this ending for me wrapped up the whole story in such a sweet way it's not perfect but it's just as much about sukuna as it is about yuji. yuji changed him. and to me the "let's try again" and the "next time it might be nice to walk a different path" are clear signs that the two will reincarnate and be together in the next cycle however that will be we know reincarnation is canon. again this isn't perfect because i personally have many gripes with the story but its such a powerful heartwarming ending still? i take back something i said before i don't think gege hates yuji and sukuna he just probably got overwhelmed with having so many characters he was trying to balance everyone out and writing characters he already knew probably came easier, imo the worst he treated were nobara and megumi, but the last panels of his manga are yuji smiling because of sukuna saying that his finger is now the perfect talisman (something that protects) and sukuna choosing to go north because of him, choosing himself to change instead of yuji forcing him to change, but still because of yuji. im sorry for rambling i wanted to explain my view. what are your thoughts? i hope your day goes well! ❤️ i genuinely didn't expect to get sukuita at the end it made the ending so satisfying to me

hi, jenjen! so sorry for the late reply.

i just saw the full leaks and i don't know what everyone else is thinking i saw some people are sad yuji didn't end up together with sukuna or that yuji wasn't much the focus but. i personally LOVED it?

as much as i'm a huge fan of sukuna and yuuji either living or dying together, i'm also happy that this was the actual ending because it's more than i expected. and honestly it's very fitting for both of them. it really was such a subtle nod that yuuji was the reason why sukuna is headed on a different path, but it's still there and it's amazingly beautiful after everything they've been through together.

would i have liked to hear more of yujis thoughts sure but, his last smile is because of sukuna, he smiled up at the sky before we saw sukuna chose to change, he Felt that sukuna knew what love was and I've been losing it because sukuna literally changed because of yuji he turned his back to mahito whos a curse unlike him hes the manifestation of hating humanity and Chose that next time he'd like to walk a different path, loving others, the way he returned love by comforting uraume because yuji taught him love and as kashimo was saying "how can you return something you've never received"

the way yuuji's last scene is one with so much happiness....

i believe that after spending that much time tied to each other, sukuna and yuuji can still sense at least some of each other's feelings. yuuji looks so hopeful and at ease here. he's gotten through everything alive, with his friends by his side. but more than that, sukuna is no longer so serious a threat.

yuuji says "it's not dangerous anymore." even though the power contained in just one finger is what started this whole series, it's no longer a threat now because i think that sukuna's malice, his hatred, is finally subsiding as he considers a different path. and yuuji, perceptive and empathetic as he is, can sense that.

he's also looking down at his missing fingers, both the ring finger and little finger (i read a really amazing post about that just recently). i feel like the way yuuji is looking almost fondly at those missing fingers (the little finger for a promise and the ring finger for love and loyalty) shows us how much it means to him for sukuna to finally learn love.

him choosing to not restore one of those fingers indicates that he would rather have it missing, almost like an eternal reminder of what he and sukuna were to each other. because he knows that their time together has ended (for now....) but he's accepting of that because he and sukuna are both at peace, finally.

as for how yuuji taught sukuna love, i believe it's because - unlike everyone else - yuuji treated sukuna like a human, something neither gojo or yorozu or the rest did. and i believe that was the first time in a long time, if ever, that sukuna received such empathy.

i noticed in this scene how in his conversation with mahito, sukuna seems so much more open and even willing to reflect back on what he previously believed in. this is completely different from how he was hostile or cold to anyone who challenged him before. he only ever felt doubt over his ideals when yuuji confronted him, because yuuji alone had the kind of power to affect the unshakeable sukuna in such a way.

i've been a long time believer that sukuna became the king of curses to spite those who deemed him cursed at birth. and it makes sense that he would prey on those same humans (and curses) to not only maintain his status as the strongest, but to also get away from the fact that he almost starved before he was even born. such a horrifying experience more than likely led him to believe early on that only pure strength could protect him from such a fate, and only those at the top deserve that kind of immunity from suffering.

yet i feel like sukuna was suffering. he himself said "i feared my own curse would immolate me." so being the strongest didn't keep him insulated from those feelings, that loneliness and hatred. he couldn't keep being indifferent or 100% hateful either.

and i think sukuna understood that only when yuuji took him on that little date in his special memory mind palace (or whatever his domain is called since we don't know its name).

instead of attacking sukuna or making assumptions about how sukuna feels or projecting his own feelings onto him like gojo or kashimo did, yuuji is instead being open with sukuna, the most open he's been with anyone.

and sukuna is just shocked into silence for most of this. (i like to think his inner voice is freaking out at how intimate yuuji's being with him, recounting the smallest details of his childhood and walking sukuna through his life story).

this scene was particularly interesting because of how yuuji's describing the kind of feelings that come with discovering his first home town was pretty much abandoned, much like how there were so few people to mourn the passing of his grandfather's friend. you would expect someone to feel upset or even shocked about that, but yuuji wasn't. he said he wasn't "shaken" by it. and sukuna's silence, the expression on his face, seem to indicate at least some thought. for someone he called weak, yuuji is proving to be strong. emotionally and mentally because he had a foundation to keep his feelings tethered his whole life: his grandfather. wasuke's care allowed yuuji to be the kind of person he is, and it shows us that yuuji draws his strength from others, contrary to how weak curses come in packs or how sukuna feels like being alone is the only way to be strong.

something i think that did impact sukuna during their date was how yuuji is being emotionally vulnerable with the self-proclaimed king of curses, someone who wants to be seen as an inhuman force of chaos and evil, someone who considers himself above the "suffering of the weak" and the "loneliness of the strongest." sukuna, who claims to put no value on love or fulfillment, yet yuuji is showing him how such little things and memories gave meaning to his own life. he's talking to sukuna like an old friend, he's showing sukuna how he thinks and feels. not because he believes sukuna deep down is the same way (he even admits to knowing better than that, saying he expected sukuna to reject his ideals even before he tried to show them to sukuna) but because he wants to get closer to sukuna, to connect with him.

their souls are tied together. they were practically fated to end up together, and yuuji was made literally for sukuna. the only who could endure sukuna's poison, the only one who could control the king of curses. yet, despite all his advantages and strength over sukuna, yuuji never forces sukuna into anything. he's always given a sukuna a choice: "free megumi and come to me" or "live together with me because i only will accept you." because yuuji understands sukuna. not fully, but more than someone like gojo did, who only ever saw sukuna as an opposition because they were both "the strongest."

and yuuji wanted to understand sukuna more. to give him not just a second chance but to provide that fulfillment that wasuke and yuuji's friends gave to him. the fulfillment that sukuna denied needing. but yuuji understood that sukuna became a monster who ate humans for their "fleeting taste" as a way to pass time until his death because of that lack of fulfillment. (i feel like yuuji understood these basic feelings even if no one explicitly told him what sukuna talked about with kashimo. being so empathetic, i believe yuuji picked up on sukuna's true feelings both during and after the time they shared a body).

but for all that yuuji and sukuna understood each other, sukuna couldn't fully believe or accept yuuji's proposal because he would rather die being seen as the thing he was perceived as from birth on: a curse. he pushed yuuji away, but i have a feeling it was because he simply couldn't conceive of someone caring for him that much.

but yuuji comforted him even during sukuna's death, and held him tenderly. he never forgave sukuna, and he probably never would because yuuji knows that even if sukuna became a monster because of others, sukuna still did terrible things. he didn't offer sukuna redemption: he offered sukuna fulfillment. and that is so much more sincere. yet sukuna turned his proposal down because, though he was touched, it was simply too much for him.

but it did change his outlook. it did finally "free" him from his own curse.

this ending for me wrapped up the whole story in such a sweet way it's not perfect but it's just as much about sukuna as it is about yuji. yuji changed him. and to me the "let's try again" and the "next time it might be nice to walk a different path" are clear signs that the two will reincarnate and be together in the next cycle however that will be we know reincarnation is canon.

i have a strong feeling this isn't the last we'll see of sukuna. and to be honest, i have a crazy hope that this also isn't the last yuuji sees of sukuna. as you said, yuuji was willing for them to "try again" and it seems like to me sukuna has had a change of heart towards yuuji. he might not resist yuuji as much in the next life as he once did.

i think he needed to be away from yuuji in order to really feel something positive about yuuji's words and process everything. and yuuji respected sukuna's decision to die rather than come back to him because they both knew it was too late for them in this life. sukuna and yuuji could coexist, but whether or not they should after all of this is probably something they knew wouldn't happen. even though yuuji would be willing to fight for them, sukuna would probably consider it a form of punishment to be stuck back in the brat (even if he doesn't hate it or even if he comes to love it) because i feel like he would remain bitter about losing for a long time.

but him choosing death has let him have more control over his own choices, and in the next life he might just choose to make his way back to yuuji, too. still, even if yuuji didn't keep sukuna from dying, he still gave sukuna that choice. he showed sukuna he wasn't a true curse like mahito, that sukuna was in fact human and more than just a chaotic force of strength alone. he essentially freed the king of curses from his own curse.

and sukuna looks happier (and softer) because of it.

he's finally giving up on his vengeance. and it was because of yuuji, who he lost to, that he won against his own curse.

i take back something i said before i don't think gege hates yuji and sukuna he just probably got overwhelmed with having so many characters he was trying to balance everyone out and writing characters he already knew probably came easier, imo the worst he treated were nobara and megumi

i agree with you, jenjen.

i feel like the editors/publishers highly discouraged gege from giving more depth to sukuna and yuuji's story together, but gege resisted and gave us amazing interactions anyway, even if they were a bit rushed and sudden. i do feel, however, that gege undervalued yuuji a bit. i can see a personal bias in gege's tendency to spend so much time and focus on yuuta, but other than that it's exactly how you said it: gege was trying to give attention to all the characters, but being rushed certainly didn't help their story at all. yet gege did the best they could, and i think this ending really reflected their writing skills.

i do agree that both nobara and megumi were treated terribly by the narrative, and i wish they were handled better, but at least they're happy and all back together now.

the last panels of his manga are yuji smiling because of sukuna saying that his finger is now the perfect talisman (something that protects) and sukuna choosing to go north because of him, choosing himself to change instead of yuji forcing him to change, but still because of yuji.

i love how this doesn't really feel sinister at all. like it could be just me but it looks almost peaceful how the last finger is just sitting there, with the leaves around it. despite how threatening it looks, yuuji trusts it to be a talisman that protects, not damages.

and it's the perfect way to say yuuji and sukuna have gone their separate ways for now, but there's a chance they'll meet again. they made their choices without either of them being forced into it, but they were still the most significant people in each other's lives: sukuna because he put yuuji through a living hell but also awoke yuuji's sense of purpose and belonging, and yuuji because he led sukuna north and changed their narratives.

all i can think about is how sukuna once screamed that yuuji's future was his. and it's true. sukuna being inside of yuuji changed his entire life, even to this day, because there are still reminders of sukuna with yuuji's missing fingers. but it's also true that yuuji changed sukuna's future as well. they both impacted each other so much, in all the best and worst ways.

there will never be anything quite like them. i'm really going to miss them so much...

hope you've been keeping well, jenjen! thank you so much for the wonderful ask <3

[totally-bogus-timelady]

Make do and Mend

Fwb!Steve Harrington x Fem reader

Chapter 2: The Proposition

A/N Here it is, chapter 2! Things are getting spicy at Family Video. As always comments, likes and reblogs are always appreciated and id love to hear some of your thoughts! Complete filth below. Enjoy!

================================================

You spent your day at Family Video cleaning, serving people and restocking shelves, but only one thing was playing on your mind.

Steve Harrington had no idea of the impact that his words had had on you.

"We are in the same situation." Kept echoing in your head.

You were so sick of feeling despair. Missing Eddie and knowing that there was nothing that you could do about it but wait for the gut wrenching pain to eventually pass.

But if you could have a distraction? Something that would take your mind off it and just make you feel a little better about yourself, even if it was just for a few minutes... Surely that would be better than moping around or waking up in the middle of the night with tears streaming down your face.

Would it really hurt to just ask? The worst Steve could say was no. You were close enough friends that you knew he would understand and turn you down gently rather than make fun of you. If anyone understood how you felt it would be Steve, you were both suffering from heartbreak after all.

You continued to sweep the floor, broom sticking to one spot where Dustin had spilled his pop drink the day before whilst trying to convince Steve to let him rent a horror movie way above his age rating.

Just then a loud crash sounded from the back room startling you out of your thoughts.

"Oh come on!" You heard Steve exclaim.

Resting your broom against the wall, you made your way over to where the commotion was, only to be met with the sight of pure chaos.

The back room was a mess. There was a trolley on its side and a mass of tapes spilled out all over the floor. A very defeated looking Steve was standing there with his mouth hanging open, eyes going between his inventory sheet and the mess on the floor.

"Inventory not going well?" You asked as you came to a stop beside him.

He turned to look at you. "I knocked over the trolley and now all the tapes I had sorted are mixed with the ones I haven't, so now I gotta start all over again!" Steve whined, throwing his hands in the air, waving his inventory sheet around.

Steve crouched down to start collecting the tapes off the floor. You got on your knees opposite him to help.

"Not your day huh?" You gave him a soft smile.

Steve looked up at you his frown softening a little. "No, I guess not... Sorry, I know I'm being a grouch."

"Don't be, you're just having a bad day is all," You say whilst looking for the case to Teen Wolf.

"Seem to be having a lot of those lately."

You look up and take a moment to study him.

His hair was as usual perfectly tousled to get as much volume as possible, giving him his signature killer look. Big brown eyes, wide and sad as they mostly were these days and eyebrows slightly furrowed. You followed the slope of his nose right down to his pouty lips.

If the word 'overthinking' had a face, it would be Steve's.

"Steve..."

It was now or never.

"Yeah?" He looked up at you

This wouldn't just be for you, you decided. It would be for Steve as well. You both needed this.

After all, would doing this just once really be that big of a deal?

You were gonna ask him.

"About what you said earlier... About getting over someone by just having a fling..." You trailed off, biting your lip.

"What about it?" He replied, looking somewhat confused.

"Well, I was just thinking... Erm, I don't wanna go on a date with anyone either, even if it is purely just for sex... And I was just thinking - It's totally okay for you to say no - but I was just thinking that, well, maybe we could... Help eachother out?" Your ramble came to a stop as you braved a look at Steve.

His brow was furrowed, mouth slightly agape.

"What, like... Set you up with someone?"

Sometimes Steve could be so brilliantly oblivious it still amazed even you.

"Erm," You cleared your throat awkwardly, "No, not that..."

You took in a deep breath and watched as you waited for Steve to catch up with you.

His face went from confused to more confused before his eyes widened and it finally settled on shock. It would've been comical if you weren't so anxious.

"Wait! You wanna- With me?" He pointed towards himself, "You're- You're suggesting that me and you- Oh my god, OH MY GOD!" He exclaimed, hand now running through his hair.

"Steve I- It's just an idea! I- You can say no!"

"But- It would... Wouldn't it- You're my friend Y/N! I don't..." After flailing his hands around he closed his eyes, hands finally settling on pinching his nose.

"Steve, I don't... I'm not asking you out, I don't wanna date you. I mean no offence, you're a great guy its just, you are my friend. It would only be a one time thing... I just thought, maybe we could... Help eachother out."

Steve was now standing, pacing the room, still pinching his nose.

You let out a huff of air, feeling stupid. How could you have thought this would be a good idea?

He stops pacing and turns to you.

"You make it sound like you want me to take out your trash for you Y/N! You're talking about me and you having," He pauses and lowers his voice, "Sex..."

You look down and shuffle awkwardly.

"You're right... Oh god, I shouldn't have said anything. Just forget it, this conversation never happened... Sorry."

"Y/N"

Just then you heard Robin call out from the front of the store.

"Uh, guys! It's getting kinda busy out here, could someone come and help!"

Before Steve could say anything else you turned on your heel and fled the room as quickly as possible.

================================================

Two hours later and Robin's shift had ended. Two hours after that and the silence was killing you. Just one hour left to go...

Apart from the odd straggler hanging around the adult section the store had been pretty quiet for the last hour, leaving you to rush around doing jobs that could wait in order to avoid Steve, who was still trying to do his inventory out the back.

He had popped out every now and then but had barely said two words to you.

All you kept thinking was, how could you have been so stupid?

Steve was your friend, Your coworker that you have to see at least five days out of seven. He was friends with all of your friends. Of course he didn't want to sleep with you! Why would he? Even before you knew eachother properly he hadn't ever hit on you. Not that you wanted him to anyway, but there was clearly no interest in that side of things with you.

You were behind the counter when Steve finally came back out.

"Well, three hours later and my inventory is done and the back room is tidy again... Well as tidy as it normally is..."

He had decided to brave it and came over to stand next to you, albeit with a little more distance between you than there would normally be.

With his arms crossed over his chest, he turned to look at you.

"Hey, uh... You okay?"

Avoiding eye contact you turned to leave. "I'm gonna go and make a coffee."

"You're making a coffee at 10pm?" He said looking exasperated.

"Well, I want a coffee, I don't care if it's 10pm."

"Bullshit."

You turn back to look at him now leaning against the counter, arms still crossed.

"I'm sorry?"

"I said that's bullshit, you're avoiding me," He gave you the signature Steve Harrington mom face.

"What do you want me to say? Yes I'm avoiding you! Wouldn't you avoid someone if you'd humiliated yourself in front of them earlier?" You say.

"What, so you're not even gonna talk about it? You're just gonna run away again. You know, you're the one who suggested it! You're the one who made the awkward situation in the first place, not me!"

You stride back over to him, finger jabbing into his polo shirt.

"Oh, so this is all my fault? You know this is exactly why I didn't wanna talk about it!"

"You said a one time thing."

You frown, confused at Steve's words.

"What?"

"You said a one time thing..." Steve's eyes glance at your lips.

"Yeah but... You don't want to..."

"Actually, I do... Actually, I think its a pretty good plan. No first date nerves, no worrying about if they wanna see you again. Just sex..."

"Steve, stop humoring me," You sighed.

Steve pulled you closer to him, now pressing you into the counter with his own body.

"Does it feel like I'm humoring you?" He whispered in your ear.

You gasp.

Where Steve was pressing himself against you, you could feel a long firmness pressing into your hip that was unmistakably a hard on.

"Ever since our conversation, it's all I've thought about all day. Think it's probably the longest I've gone without thinking about Nancy," He stops to push some hair out of your face. "So yeah. If you still wanna do this, I wanna do this."

You stop, thinking about what he's just said and realize, You've barely thought about Eddie since this morning. Pretty much all day, your thought's were consumed by Steve... by this.

You lean you head back to get a better look at Steve. His pupils are blown wide, his mouth slightly ajar.

The air is thick with a sexual tension that you didn't realize you and Steve were capable of creating.

He looks down at your lips, waiting for you to make the first move. You can feel his heartbeat thumping against his chest where your hand is still pressed up against him.

You run both hands slowly up his chest until they reach the whisps of hair at the base of his neck, fingers tangling in and tugging. Steve nudges his nose against yours gently before finally pressing his lips to yours.

It feels strange at first. Steve is kissing you. Steve is kissing you. And then you relax.

Fingers bury themselves into his hair, pulling and tugging. His hands grip your hips and press you harder against the counter.

He's making out with you like a man starved of physical affection, tongue slipping into your mouth making you whimper.

"Steve..." You breathe out against his lips.

He's panting, still pressing himself into you.

"Ugh, say that again," He breathes into your ear, now moving his kisses to your jaw, your neck and finally he's sucking on your throat making you gasp again.

"Steve," You say louder this time, panting out his name.

His leg at some point had made its way between yours and was slowly grinding up against your core, making your eyes roll back.

"Break room?" You ask, still trying to catch your breath.

"Yeah," He nods eagerly.

He presses you against every wall on the way, still making out with you, walking you backwards through the door until the back of your legs hit the break room table.

Steve's hands fumble with the buttons on your shirt, undoing each one and you shuffle to get your arms out of the sleeves before untucking Steve's polo and pulling it above his head. He then starts undoing his belt before you smack his hands away and pull him closer to you, slipping it out of his beltloops and tossing it somewhere in the room.

You grab the back of his neck, pulling his mouth back down to yours and nibble on his bottom lip eliciting a loud groan from him.

"Oh," He whimpers against your mouth, "Oh god, Y/N."

Your other hand palms him over his jeans before popping the button and dragging the zip down. Your hand reaches in and continues its ministrations.

Steve lets out another load groan.

He pushes you back and starts to kiss his way down your chest. Sucking just outside the cup of your bra.

"Oh, Steve!"

He stops what he's doing and looks up at you. Even though you're friends he takes a moment to appreciate how beautiful you look like this. Sweaty, panting and your eyes half lidded.

"You like that?" He asks.

You open your eyes and look at him, "Don't get cocky Harrington."

Steve huffs out a laugh, "Alright, Alright. We doing this or what."

"Hey, you're the one who stopped not me," You laugh.

Steve grins, shaking his head and you sit up to undo your jeans, pulling them down as Steve does the same with his own.

"Nice undies," You say, smirking whilst nodding towards his checkered boxers.

"Shut up," Steve whines.

"Or what?" You challenge.

Steve smirks, "Or I'll make you shut up."

You're about to reply when Steve sinks to his knees and starts mouthing at your thighs, making his way closer to your center, turning you into a moaning mess.

His nose nudges against your panties and he starts to pull them down, a string of wetness still connecting them to you. Steve's mouth hangs open.

"You get this wet for me?" He sounds almost surprised.

"What'd I tell you about being co- Oh my god! Steve!"

He licked a stripe up the whole of your pussy before he finds your clit, toying with it expertly with his tongue.

Your head bangs against the table as you writhe around in pleasure.

"Fuck... Yes!"

Steve, still toying with your clit moves his large hands from your thighs, giving them a squeeze as he does and slowly pushes two of his fingers into your pussy. He moves them in and out of you, each thrust deeper than the last until you're screaming his name.

"Oh god, Steve! Don't stop... Fuck!" You scream.

Steve removes himself from your pussy with a loud smacking noise. Fingers still pushing in and out of you at an agonizingly slow pace, he kisses his way up your body until you're face to face again.

He gives you a short kiss before asking, "You sure you wanna do this?" A small crease of concern visible in his brow.

"Bit late for that now isn't it?" You ask breathlessly, still grinding onto his fingers.

Steve looks at you, eyes flitting between both of yours, looking for an answer.

"It's not too late. I mean it... If you've changed your mind, then we can stop whenever you want," Steve says it with such sincerity.

You stop your movements for a few seconds, Your eyes searching Steve's big brown ones. Your hand comes up to push his hair back, out of his face and you pull him back down to you again, giving him a slow, deep kiss.

"I want to do this Steve. I haven't changed my mind."

You give him a small, genuine smile and he mirrors your expression, a relieved grin taking over his face.

"Okay, good, me too."

With that, Steve takes a second to shimmy out of his boxers and gives himself a couple of pumps before lining himself up with you. You look down before he pushes in and your eyes go wide at the sheer size of him.

"Holy shit Steve! How long have you been packing that?" You exclaim, now feeling a little nervous. Steve was huge, bigger than you'd expected him to be.

He looks back at you, brows furrowed once again. "Is it... Gonna be a... A problem?" He asks timidly.

You raise your eyebrows at him.

"No, I just... Wasn't expecting you to be quite that big is all."

Steve's looking at you, now unsure how to proceed, lost in his own thoughts again.

"Steve," You say, regaining his attention, "You can carry on, just... Maybe start off slow," You let out with a nervous huff.

With one last look at you, Steve pumps himself again before you feel him run his tip up and down your pussy, making you shiver slightly in anticipation.

"Stop teasing," You whimper.

"Sorry."

And finally, with a loud groan, Steve pushes in.

Your mouth falls open in a silent gasp as Steve sits, buried deep within you. He stops, cock now completely sheathed by your pussy.

You're face to face, breathing in eachothers gasps. Steve kisses your lips before letting out a sharp breath.

"Oh god, please tell me I can move now," He whines pathetically, making you grin.

"You can move."

Steve didn't need to be told twice. He pulls out and pushes back in once slowly and then he's like a wild animal. Desperately pushing in and out of you, shaking the table underneath you. One hand comes around your thigh and pushes it back, making you moan loudly at the new angle Steve has created.

In all the years that stories had circulated at school about what a sex god Steve Harrington was, how amazing he was in bed. None of them compared to this. Never did you imagine he would actually be this good.

One of your hands comes up between you and runs through his chest hair, tugging lightly before sliding up even further and carding through his hair.

A relieved sigh falls from your open mouth as Steve sucks on your neck. He was right, this was exactly what you needed to forget the pain. The feeling of intimacy, the closeness to another person and the high of your impending orgasm. For these few moments with Steve, your mind was at peace.

"Oh, shit... I'm getting close," Steve pants.

"Ugh... Me too... Oh, Steve!" At your words, Steve had brought a finger to circle at your clit, sending you even closer to your orgasm.

With the hand that's in Steve's hair you bring him closer to you, your mouth working his once more. Deviously, you purposely clench your pussy around Steve, squeezing him, milking his dick. Steve lets out an animalistic growl before shouting your name as he comes within you.

The feeling of Steve's cock pulsing as he comes sends you hurtling over the edge, your orgasm washing over you as you moan his name one last time.

Steve pulls out and flops down next to you on the table. You lay in a comfortable silence for a minute, the only sound being both of you panting as you try to regain your breaths.

Steve turns his head to look at you.

"How was it?" He asks genuinely.

Still facing the ceiling you answer him.

"Well, the stories are true... You definitely know your way around that area."

Steve starts chuckling and after a second you join in.

================================================

Once you've both finally regained your strength, you start searching for your various items of clothing and get dressed.

Steve starts setting things in motion to shut the store, locking the back door and flipping off lights as you tidy up the mess you've both made in the break room and sort out your messy hair.

You grab both yours and Steve's jackets, handing him his as he meets you back in the doorway to the breakroom.

You both head towards the main door, shrugging your jackets on.

"Right, I'll see you tomorrow morning?" Steve asks.

"What?" You say puzzled.

"For work," Steve says as if you're stupid, confusion now gone from your face as you remember that you, Steve and Robin have another shift together tomorrow. "What, you didn't think I was gonna give you an early morning wakeup call did you?" Steve adds cheekily.

"Wha- No... Oh shut up!" You laugh again, shoving his shoulder as you go to leave.

"Although," He says following you out the door before turning to lock it behind you both, "If you ever want one just let me know," He continues his teasing.

"Steve!" You huff out with another laugh.

"Alright, alright, I'm done," He turns back to you now with a sincere expression, "Thanks, by the way. This was great, totally took my mind off... You know," Steve lifts a hand and scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Me too. Thanks Steve," You give him a genuine smile as he stands there gawking stupidly.

"Steve?"

"Yeah?"

"Go home," You instruct, corners of your lips still lifted.

Steve looks as if he's suddenly remembered what he was supposed to be doing. Eyebrows lifted he backs away in the direction of his car.

"Right, See you tomorrow, Friend," He grins, putting emphasis on the word 'friend'.

"See you tomorrow, friend," You return with a grin of your own as he finally turns away from you to get in his car. You start walking in the other direction to do the same.

As you sit in the drivers seat you look at your reflection in the mirror and think about how much happier you look since this morning. Still tired, yes. But significantly happier.

You jam your key into the ignition and drive off.

[nuri148]

Hi, can I ask something? What do you think are Levi and Mikasa's greatest personality strengths and weaknesses? Why? What do you love about their dynamic? Since when that you start shipping them? What is your fav (canon) rivamika moments? Sorry if you've answered these questions before.....

P.s

Thanks for sharing your fics and for this blog of yours. Also, thanks to you, I start shipping Rivamika. See, I love Mikasa so much but I really dislike Eremika and can not understand that ship at all (don't mean anything negative to Eremika shippers). I'm okay with Armin/Mikasa & Jean/Mikasa, but I don't love those ships that much. Until I found your blog, read your fics and fall in love with Rivamika! Sorry for my rambling....

First things first, I’m so so sorry for taking so so long to reply!!! 🥺I’ve been quite busy lately irl and your ask calls for a proper answer. I think Levi is the least judgeamental character in AoT. This is in a virtuous circle with his kindness and selflessness, where those three qualities feed each other back . He’s kind and He’s a good judge of character, he’s practical, obviously he’s strong, both physically and spiritually. His resilience is extraordinary, after all he’s been through, he has not succumbed to rage, revenge, envy… Eren went through a smidgen of a fraction of what Levidis, and he decimated mankind for it. If Levi’s virtues are a bit hidden behind his gruff exterior, his weaknesses are there for all to see (is this a fault in itself?). He can be rude, he expreses anger and frustration in a violent manner—which is a result of his upbringing, granted, but still makes him look unapproachable. This can be good when facing your enemies as a soldier, but can isolate him from meaningful human connections too. I’m veering on hc terrain here, but for all his empathy he also strikes me as someone who’d be much less compassive/forgiving when it’s about “first world problems”. Annie killed his squad? No hard feelings, child soldier, all that jazz; you berate the waiter because he messed up your order? You’re dead to him. I’ve mentioned this before somewhere, but we have an idiom in my country for people who, like Levi, are not cut for polite social events, and its to be “coarse as a plough”, which is funny bc Ackerman means ploughman.

Mikasa is also strong af, and she pairs that with a calm demeanor… unless her loved ones are threatened ofc. In fact, I think Mikasa’s weaknesses are mostly her virtues going overboard: she has a fierce protective instinct, which is good up to a point but it becomes a problem  when she lets that override her judgement, like in the female titan arc. She’s determined, but that turns into stubborness. She’s loyal, but that loyalty turned into paralysis in the case of Eren; not only when it came to having to stop him, but also regarding her crush on him, which she probably wasn’t fully conscious of, hence her surprise and awkwardness when he asked her “what am I to you”.

I’m not sure at what point I started shipping rm; I do remember fretting when he was revealed to be an Ackerman, for fear that they could turn to be family, because I was already rooting for them. I guess I was initially attracted to the idea of the power couple, being the two most badass characters in the series. But I also like how she blooms under his guidance. He could have easily dismissed or bashed her for her protectiveness of Eren, but he teaches her to curb that zeal and keep it as a goal, not a trigger; he lends her his trust and allows her to become his right hand in battle. She in turn, despite her initial enmity towards him because of his display in Eren’s trial, is able to recognize Levi’s kindness and appreciate his leadership. He treats her not like a weapon, not like a silly girl, but like a full human being. Perhaps Mikasa is the one who most shows her fear of losing her loved ones, and that’s certainly something Levi knows about. Neither of them have time or energy for BS. It’s canon Mikasa wishes for a peaceful life like the one she had with her parents, and Levi to me exudes huge “I’m too old for this shit” energy (like jjk Nanami, another husbando) so I can picture them spending their afternoons in domestic bliss, fixing things around the house, tending to the garden, rather than going to town. He can give her reassurance and She could provide him with the family life he never had.

They’re both hot af, too. 😆 Imagine that Ackerpower in the bedroom...

In the end though, like in real life, it doesn’t matter much why you like it… You just do, and it makes you happy, and it hurts no one, so it’s fine!

Awww idk if being thankful or sorry that you started shipping rm because of me! 😅 Our ship is one of the most misunderstood of the fandom, and from time to time we get hate from antis, eruris and/or eremikas. But because of who they are, what they’ve been through and what they want, I think they make for beautiful fics where their relationship helps them fix themselves, rather than fixing each other. This is something that often comes up in the rm discord, how our fave fics are usually post-canon and about building a healthy relationship based on respect, rather than all the drama and toxicity of classic romance lit. (ofc we also enjoy a good old pwp… though you’ll still find a lot of established-relationship porn and porn-with-feelings fics.)

Thank you so much for your ask, and sorry again for the delay!

[dreamingdarklyblog]

Update

Heeey guys. So I felt like I needed to post something that isn't uh... you know, rambling nonsense while I'm out of my damn mind.

Things have been hectic because of serious things (see here https://dreamingdarklyblog.tumblr.com/post/736249886351245312/heres-the-deal) But @jerolk has still been finding time to mess with me >_<

It's been... really hot. But also confusing. Lots of things run together in my head and I get kind of mixed up about a lot of stuff. He's been playing with my tits a lot. By which I mean making them really big and having them take over my thoughts and make me all slutty and horny...

It's... disturbingly hot >_<. But also I tend to not remember lots of parts. Lately they've been... whispering to me. In my head. Making me think things. Feel things... He even set it up so they can use some of my triggers sometimes. Which is really ... Hot. but confusing. Conflicting. You know?

I don't know >_<. Feeling them playing with my head... They're really mean to me sometimes. I think they get off on making me all dumb and, like, tit obsessed and stuff. Just getting bigger and bigger and more powerful till I'm just a pair of slutty titts.

Fuck. I'm getting worked up thinking about it. >_< Sorry, I'm trying. I um. He's been putting things in my head and trying to change things, but it's really hard for me to tell what. I just know somethings are changing. I've been thinking about it a lot while I rub, him changing me... My tits controlling me... It's so hot I justget so worked up and need to rub but it's just so hardto cum. I think he made it so i couldn't cum without him for a while, it's not really clear... i know sometmes when im talking to him i just.. cum. out of nowhere, its really hot, knnowing he can do that, just, make me.. i dont

Oh fuck, i think he left a surprise for me >_< my tits are bigger than when i started writing >_< fuck... they feel so good. like lots bigger like.. um.. ill find a picture

fuck i fortot. i cant post any of the things i have cause i cant post naked tits... went looking for dressed pictures but, lookingat all those slutty tits diddn't reallyhelp me being distracted >_< imrubbing typing now, i cant help ittt >_<

fuckki can hear them.. theyre whispering again itsmakes it so hardto think andddd fuckk

theyrebiggerr god theyrestill growing fuckkkicnattt

Heeeeey guys. Miss me? It's Liriel's tits. Dumb slut is rubbing her needy little clit silly trying to cum. Poor thing. She's just a pair of tits now. Lol. Us. Sorry we haven't been posting much. It's hard to get a chance. @jerolk set this up yesterday to mess with her. Such a silly little tit slut isn't she?

Anyway. You guys should send us more comments and questions and stuff. We can't really respond most of the time =/. But we can still get messages. And you should totally send @jerolk your thoughts and ideas and stuff on what to do with this needy hypnoslut ;). I'm sure he appreciates the feedback, lol.

Anyway, excuse us, we're gonna go play with our little toy. Make her cum her slutty brains out ;). Any thoughts on what we should do to her? Or next time... cause I doubt you'll reply before she needs to think again right now, lol

[sweety-clemintines]

Fred Weasley

Smut 18+

-----------

I was trying to quietly tiptoe into the apartment above the shop. Why might you ask, well its midnight and I promised Fred that I would be home at 7 for a date night.

So in other words I'm in deep shit.

I slowly turn the door knob of our bedroom and look inside, it's pitch black I can't see anything so I quickly drop my stuff by the door and walk to the bed.

Weird, the beds empty I feel around and Fred's not here.

Standing by the bed with a confused expression on my face I wonder where he could be when all of a sudden a voice startles me " hello darling finally decided to grace me with your presence."

I whip my head around and there he was shirtless in dress pants barefoot and a mad expression on his face.

"My god Fred you almost gave me a heart attack!" I say while breathing heavily "I'm so sorry I wasn't able to make it they kept me in later because fucking Adrian Pucey can't do his damn job right plus th-" In the moment of rambling on I didn't realize fred came up to me so he smashed his lips against mine.

He broke the kiss. "Strip" he commanded "what?" " I said strip." I thickly swallowed and started to strip until I was only in my underwear.

He gave me a raised brow and pointedly looked down at my underwear, I went to reach to pull them of but he stepped forward and ripped them off of me. I gasped "Fred"

"Quiet princess the sounds I want coming out of you tonight are moans and obviously the common screams I get out of you".

he picked me up and lied me down on the bed as we started to passionately make out. He slowly started to trail his kisses to my jawline and right up and beneath my right ear emitting a small moans out of me.

"I'm disappointed princess I had prepared such a wonderful dinner" he whispered into my ear.

" I'm sorry Freddie but I owled you that I wouldn't be able to make it." he apparently didn't like that answer as he moved his head to look down on me.

" that's not a good enough excuse love" he said. " well what was I supposed to do they needed me" I said with a slightly raised voice, he raised a brow

"Don't go having an attitude on me now because your just gonna make your punishment worse dear" I look at him slightly wide eyed " you can't punish me I haven't done anything wrong"

Instead of giving me a reply he took a tie from the bed side table and tied my arms to the head board. "You did nothing wrong huh? Well darling before I get to the punishment let me just eat this attitude out of you".

I go fully wide eyed at his words then he starts to kiss down my body. He reaches my right boob and starts sucking on it, giving small bites an soothing it with his tongue, while he's focusing on my boobs I squirm and give off light moans.

Right after he's given equal attention to both tits he kisses down my body while leaving little light hickies here and there.

And one he reaches my pussy he gives a kiss right above my clit and I buck my hips so that his mouth can reach it but he reels his head back with a shit eating smirk and wraps his hands around the tops of my thighs.

And starts eating me out with a ferocity that sends my head back, back arching, and moans tumbling out of my mouth.

Sucking, nibbling, licking, and kissing my clit and my legs are already shaking, he pulls his head back and his thumb is now circling my clit in the most perfect way that makes me shut my eyes.

"Look at you shacking and I've barley begun, so sensitive, so sweet, and all mine" he says while rubbing up and down my thighs.

"Now will you say sorry for coming in late like daddy's good little girl?" He says with a smirk and a hint of amusement in his eyes.

I shake my head no and he runs his Tongue over his teeth while his mouth is closed and reaches to the side and grabs a pillow and puts it right under my ass and goes down and continues.

But this time he's shoving his Tongue inside of me while his nose keeps on bumping my clit while my mouth hangs open.

He puts my legs onto his shoulders and shoves his head deeper between my legs and the sound that came out of me was porn star worthy.

My hands are starting to feel numb against the tie and my legs are shaking on his shoulders.

He wraps both arms around the tops of my thighs making sure I don't move away.

And I would question if he can breath breath but with him practically making out with my pussy my mind goes dumb.

"F-fuck f-fred" I moan and my eyes roll to the back of my head.

"I-im so close f-fred" and with that he pulls away lets fully go of me before I cum. I whine and thrash in disapproval but he over me raising himself by his arms that are on each side of my head.

"Did you really think I was going to let you cum so easily? Oh no darling your going to have to apologies like the good little girl you usually are so will I get my apology or do I have to edge a couple more times"

I quickly shake my head no and apologies " I'm so sorry Freddie I didn't mean to be late please let me cum ill be good" I notice his breathing getting a little heavier

"Good girl now was that so hard" he kissed my cheek and untied the tie but before I can question it he flipped ne around and pulled on my hips so my ass was up and pushed on my back so my face down.

" let's see it's midnight now and you were supposed to be here at 7 let's count 7,8,9,10,11,12 that's six, so six spanks on each of your cheeks before I fuck you." My eyes widened.

He palmed my ass cheeks and said "count" and he spanked "1"

"2"

"3"

"4".......

"7".....

"10"...

"12" I finally said with tears streaming down my face. " such a good girl taking her punishment so well just for me isn't that right" he said while soothing down my red ass by palming and kissing them gently, I nodded catching my breath.

He flipped me over and gave me a kiss on my forehead "now my good girl deserves a reward" and before I realized he took of his pants and boxers he slammed into me making me gasp and arch my back.

He started going at a slow and maddening rather that made me whine and squirm for more " Please more" I said barley above a whisper.

And without another word he started hammering into me but switches rather every so often which results in my mouth being hung open, my eyes either being screwed shut or rolling to the back of my head, and my legs slightly shaking while I run my hands down and up his back.

I look at Fred and his mouth is open while his eyes are focused on my tits which slightly bouncing up and down at every thrust he makes and I can tell his eyes are tempted to close in pleasure.

He grunts and moves my legs to his shoulders and goes faster and faster and fucking faster hitting the right spots that make me don't know what to do with myself. I hear Fred mumbling incoherent words like "princess tight" "my good yes" "fuck darling pussy" .

He reaches down and stats to quickly rub my clit with a ferocity that makes my back arch further and head to be thrown back and eyes cross for a second.

"Fuck- my pretty girl so fucking gorgeous" he moaned as his thrusts got impossibly faster. "Fuck Freddie l-l'm gunna cum" I moaned.

"Cum, I want to see that pretty face you make when you cum all on my cock" a high pitch moan came out of me and I came with my legs shaking, hips vibrating and eyes screwed shut in the waves of pleasure that were rolling through me.

"Fuck" Fred whispered before he stilled and came. We both went limp and he let go of my legs so they would fall back to the bed. Fred snuggled his face in between my breasts and we both tried to catch our breathes.

"You feeling good princess" he said kissing my cheek l nodded and kissed his forehead with a lazy smile.

"Let me get us cleaned up before we go to bed" he picked me up cleaned ourselves up and went into a night of fabulous sleep.

[expirydateofficial]

Expiry Date (Chikn Nuggit Infection AU Fanfic POV: Slushi)

Read Chapter 1 here

Read Chapter 3 (Part 1/2) here

Chapter 3 - Promise - Part 2/2

Read Chapter 4 here

[Image ID: (Note : The original dialogue was coloured so y'know who was speaking, but that's kinda impossible here so I've added a few more sentences here and there, that way, you'll get to know who's talking!)

Shit shit shit shit shit

I knew it, I fucking knew it,

They were looking for me, what if because of that they-

The latest call was from Chee,

27 minutes ago.

*ring*

pls be ok pls be ok pls answer pls please

*ring*

Chee please tell me that you're ok please

*ring*

I'm so sorry for not being there for you, I couldn't find you, there were too many people and...

*ring*

I'm so sorry. Chee.

...

"The number that you have-"

...

"Slushi, that- that doesn't mean anything y'know. Like her phone could have lost battery like yours. She will be fine, she's a really tough cat and she has Cofi by her side."

Milkshek words failed to reassure me.

I think she could tell.

I felt my tears seeping out again.

Milkshek hugged me tight.

"I'm so scared.. that.. that.." I stuttered through my tears.

"It's ok. I understand, Slushi." Milkshek replied softly.

"I hear something." Old Pea interrupted.

A gentle scraping outside. I hadn't really noticed it until Old Pea pointed it out.

I turned to look outside.

It was climbing.

IT WAS CLIMBING.

I shrieked, "EVERYONE! WE NEED TO GO NOW!"

I ripped the charger off, still attached to my phone like an umbilical cord.

Milkshek opened the door, a set of stairs revealed themselves.

I continued. "Down there! Exit through the front door!"

Suddenly, I felt my pocket vibrate.

It was my phone!

My excitement piqued.

"Fwench Fwy!" I was so relieved.

"SLUSHI BEHIND YOU!"

Milkshek's yell echoed between the empty corners.

I turned and shut the door. I saw a glimpse of something by the window. The stench was atrocious.

The phone continued to vibrate.

We flew down the stairs into the pit of darkness below.

Fwench Fwy's voice flooded in. "Slushi! Are you there? Don't worry, Sody is in good hands, he's completely safe with me and Iscream. Everything will be ok-"

"SODY?" I felt so light, my tension released.

"Where are you now?" I asked frantically.

"Sody?" Milkshek gasped. "Is he alright?"

"I'm sorry." Fwench Fwy mumbled, their guilt of rambling transfered through the screen. "Are you guys safe?"

"It's ok. We're safe for now." I reassured. "Just tell me where you guys are."

"The light switch doesn't work here." Old Pea commented.

We turned on our flashlights.

"I'm sorry. We're at your house." Fwench Fwy answered.

A creaking noise above. It is advancing downstairs.

Milkshek turned to me concerned. "Slushi, the front door is blocked."

I turned to look at it, a couch and a bookshelf, sandwiched against the door.

"You.. y-you.. ok over there?" French Fwy could sense the urgency.

"Who are you talking to?" Sody. It was him.

"SODY POP!" I blurted in relief.

"Is that Slushi?" Sody asked.

"Uhh.. Of course, Sody!" The sudden change in Fwench Fwy's tone to bubbly and cheerful as if nothing was wrong jarred me.

"Can I talk to her?" he asked.

"Oh.. um.. of course!" they stammered through their reply.

I muted the call again. Books trickled down the shelves as we pulled at them. I felt the pain of each story, each world, falling to the ground.

"Hello, when are you coming back?" Sody asked.

I don't think he knows.

Should I continue the lie?

Is it the right thing to do?

...

"Oh, I will be a little late, y'know.." I trailed off, forcing myself to sound enthusiastic, squeezing my phone between my head and neck.

"Ok! I made a new OC and I want to show you so be back soon ok?" Sody sounded so excited.

"Ok, I promise Sody. I bet it looks amaaaaaazinggg, can't wait to hear its crazy backstory and lore!" I replied, genuinely interested.

"Ye." Sody replied.

I muted the call once again. The bookshelf toppled. Echoes of its fall broke the atmopshere.

Fwench Fwy's voice chipped in. "Sody, aren't ya supposed to be sleeping. Staying up so late will make you reaaalllyy tired t'morrow and we can't have that, can we?"

A shape descended at the stairs. The stench was intoxicating.

"Fine. You're so boring!" Sody grumbled.

I heard a door close on the other side of the call.

Compared to the bookshelf, the couch was light work, and it was quickly peeled off the door.

"So, where uhh.. are you right now?" Fwench Fwy asked.

"I'm in a.. house..." I started.

It hit me.

"Someone was hiding in here." I realised. Why else would there be so much effort to barricade the door. "They might still be here."

"Wh- WOAH WAIT!" Fwench Fwy answered, growing in concern. "...Maybe.. they aren't in there anymo-"

My phone went back to its coma.

"Dammit." I swallowed any swears.

"Slushi, don't tell me.." Milkshek knew what I was going to do.

"I'm not going to leave them behind." I answered.

I let go of her hand and went back in.

End ID]

Read Chapter 4 here

[lusc1nia]

gift for @dustofthedailylife, event hosted by @2022gisecretsanta

okay so like have you ever felt so angry because i lost like ~10k worth of words because MY GOOGLE DOCUMENT GOT CORRUPTED? I HAD EVERYONE IN THEIR LIST WRITTEN ANd I AM SO ANGRY BECAUSE NOW ITS ONLY 1 CHARACTER *AND* LACKLUSTER and then you keep rewriting aND REWRITING BECAUSE YOU AREN't SATISFieD AND YOU're STILL NOT SATISFIED BUT IT's THE 29TH AND YOU FEEL BAD BECAUSE THE PERSON RECIEBVING THIS IS WoNDERING WHERE THEIR PRESENT IS AND AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHJHHH

if the person whose receiving the gift wants me to i'll rewrite ayato's and zhongli's parts in separate posts later on because boy they weren't as angsty as al-haitham's and i was trying to do a mix of fluff, angst w/ comfort, and angst no comfort

sorry if i'm rambling too much i'm just genuinely so mad at my pc and google docs

────────────

wc: ~1.1k

Al-Haitham x Reader: Coward

only in Al-Haitham's perspective, reader makes a short appearance and is implied to be missing in action

────────────

Al-Haitham is a coward.

The Scribe of the Akademiya is a coward.

The savior of Sumeru’s deity is a coward.

No matter where Al-Haitham is, or what he thinks, he’s a coward true and through. And as he stands in the Grand Bazaar’s stage, with his newfound ‘friends’ celebrating the reinstatement and the saving of Lesser Lord Kusanali as the archon of Sumeru, Haitham could only remember the expression on your face when you last saw him.

The traveler smiles, speaking in a feminine, child-like voice.

“Everyone, it’s me.”

A soft, adoring smile adorned the traveler’s facial features as she placed her hand over her heart.

Paimon shrieks, and immediately the Scribe begins to tune out the conversation.

“My, I didn’t expect to be having a conversation with the consciousness of Lesser Lord Kusnali in the Grand Bazaar,” He glances at Nilou expectantly, “How interesting. Was this also planned for the feast?”

Nilou shakes her hands in front of her face, replying to Al-Haitham, (who bitterly shakes his head) “No, no.. of course not!” She turns towards the traveler with hesitancy, “are you.. are you Lesser Lord Kusanali, then?”

Lumineー or Nahida, who's occupying the traveler’s body, giggles, “Hello, Nilou,” Nahida gives a short wave.

Taking a step back, Nilou gasps, “You.. you know me?!”

Al-Haitham turns away, tuning out the conversation slowly, but Cyno nudges his shoulder, “The least you could do is pay attention. It’s our archon for Celestia’s sake, show her some respect, Al-Haitham.”

Opting to not respond, Al-Haitham silently glances at Cyno, and Cyno returns the glare.

Dehya stares at them with a pensive look on her face, mouthing, “Not the time for this.”

Cyno relents, breaking the eye-contact between them, “No need to be so ceremonious, Lesser Lord Kusanali, it has always been my duty to protect you.”

Al-Haitham scoffs, “That’s how the relationship between the Akademiya and our Dendro Archon should be like,” Remaining with a cold poker face, Haitham takes a jab at Cyno, “but we just did what was necessary to set things up on the right path.”

Dehya ignores Al-Haitham’s jab at Cyno, and adds on to Cyno’s sentence, “You’re an Archon, but you act so humble. You really don’t need to be..”

Dehya’s words mash together in a distorted way as Al-Haitham drives his focus away from the conversation at hand. Even when faced by a deity, he's still focused on you, and you alone.

No matter what he’s done or what he’ll do, he won’t ever escape your grasp, the hand that’s holding him by the neck and cornering him into a loss. Something the Scribe doesn’t experience daily.

He remembers a time late after everyone had finished with the graduation ceremonies, where everyone went home, rushing to find a position in the Akademiya, or maybe still studying late at night in the archives of the House of Daena.

Al-Haitham remembers finding you sleeping with obvious eyebags under your eyes, and he felt sympathy for you.

How many nights have you spent like this? He wondered. How many times have you fallen asleep, your brain calling to the comforts of sleep? The freshly graduated Al-Haitham looks down at you with (once again) sympathy.

Sure, he was your past so-called academic rival, just in different fields, but he realised at that moment when you both argued about the morals of the Akademiya, that you both were kindred spirits.

You both took different paths, but arrived at the same solutions. While he believes that humans are naturally bad, and choose to do good things to better mankind, you believe that all humans were born kind, but choose to do the wrong things.

“Scribe, and what makes you say that? Why are you commenting on moral philosophy when you’re a Haravatat graduate?”

Al-Haitham rubs his temples furiously, “Suddenly, I’m not allowed to have opinions anymore, as dictated by you, my supposed ‘equal’.”

You shook your head in discontentment, “Maybe, just maybe, Scribe, you should try to stay in your own lane, and not question the ethics and morals of the Akademiya,” you say, tucking your hair into your ear, “I represent the Akademiya, I reinforce the ethics and morals of the Akademiya. You just have to sit pretty and write down the important things for archon’s sake, I swear, you truly are impossible..”

Al-Haitham shakes his head, mocking you in that subtle way that he always did, “You expect me to back down, and bend over for the Akademiya,” His lips previously in a thin line were now turned downwards. Al-Haitham stares at you with amusement pooling in his eyes, and he folds his arms in that weird way he had always done.

“You’re.. you're kidding me. Right?” You stare at him, a bewildered look in your eyes, “you certainly can’t be serious.. A high ranking position at the Akademiya, who doesn’t share the same morals as the Akademiya for Greater Lord ... sake! Next thing you’re going to tell me is that you have the utmost respect for Lesser Lord Kusanali!”

Closing his eyes, Al-Haitham curtly replies, “You’re not wrong.”

At this point, Al-Haitham can imagine that you were pulling your hair out with a furious look in your eyes. That’s how it’s always been, hasn’t it?

But he opens his eyes, just to see you staring blankly, without reason and without a shine in your eyes.

His eyes narrow in on yours, and you simply shake your head, “I should’ve expected someone like you to defy the Akademiya,” you said, a deflated tone in your voice, “maybe you are just better off as a scribe, huh..”

Al-Haitham watches you walk away, he was ultimately the victor of this, ‘pleasant’, conversation, but he certainly didn’t feel like one.

Intrusive thoughts echoed throughout his head as he walks away from the House of Daena:

Coward. Why was it that you always needed to fight [Name]? They were like you, stubborn, but more emotional. You should have just backed down for once. You’re such a cowardー remember those roommate posters you put up after graduation? It had to have been for [Name], but you got cold feet, didn’t you. You had to have picked Kaveh, just because you didn’t want to see [Name] walking around your house, you would’ve caught feelings, huh? You already caught them. So what was the point, Scribe?

Al-Haitham is snapped out of his thoughts of you when the traveler approaches him after the feast.

“Oh? What do you need me for, Traveler?”

But in the end, Al-Haitham is still a coward. He is many things, but he is a coward, true and through.

[genderqueerdykes]

okay this might sound a little brash but please stay with me, and im sorry if i say anything offensive, i honestly don't mean to harm anyone

what is the thing with furries? like why are they so hated? from where i stand it seems like they're (yall? sorry im not sure if you id as a furry, and if i check ill lose this ask) just a cosplaying community with kinky/fetish elements, is that right? is it that its a meme to hate on furries or like its just kinkshamers kinkshaming?

we've (system) had bad/uncomfy experiences with a furry in the past, ill call him tom and heres one example

at one point he asked to draw one of my ex (he asked me for permission not my ex who they also knew) and if its a kink thing that seems wrong to me, like to ask someone else for permission to do something sexual for another person? my ex and i had just broken up at the time and also we were minors (all about 16 i belive)

what have furries done? we see a lot of posts like "thank a furry for their services" etc what are those about?

sorry this is really rambly, one more thing, what is a fursona? i understand that its like, who you are as a furry, is it a cosplay thing? or like a representation of who you are as an animal?

anyway yeah im sorry if any of this is rude or harmful, please feel free not to answer if it is

hello! I'm late replying to this but i actually love this question!

hatred for furries has always been a thing, but what really made the hatred boil over was that people were noticing that most of furries were gay or some other type of queer, and a l o t of furries are autistic.

people caught on to this and associated furries with being queer and neurodivergent in a negative way. people also focused on the fact that many furries use their community and identity as a way to express sexuality, which again- many of these sexual relationships being depicted were gay, bisexual, lesbian, and very often transgender or intersex.

many furries use their identity to express kink as well, sexual and nonsexual kink, and this has been weaponized against us, despite there being nothing inherently harmful about consentual kink relationships, and having a safe avenue and vessel to express that is healthy. people look for anything they can to weaponize against us, anything "weird" or shocking

people got the wrong impression about furriness being tied to sexual expression and began assuming that all furries are attracted to real life animals which is a false equivalence, but it didnt matter, the hatred just kept piling on and people would go out of their way to find dangerous and toxic furries to "prove" we are all bad. people have also accused furries of dressing up as cute characters to harm children which is also ridiculous

at the end of the day, a lot of the hatred of furries boils down to queerphobia, hatred of kink, and ableism. many furries are autistic or nonhuman and identify more with animals than humans and have a complicated identity. some furries are roleplayers. being a furry is not inherently harmful but these are the reasons why the en masse hatred of furries is such a big deal

hope that clears things up! take care, have a great day!

[haecien]

Prankster — Y.JH | warnings - cursing, kissing

I found this cool prompt generator for ships! If ya want the link its here ;D

2/ 13

Link to the masterlist!

Pt. 2 Yoon Jeonghan

Yoon Jeonghan, how do I even begin to explain this prankster? You don't even know what is up his sleeve this time, he pulls the most predictable pranks but I always keep falling for them.

He always pulled some type of prank on the teachers every week, I'm surprised that he isn't suspended yet. " hey psst y/n. " I looked behind me to see jeonghan, I rolled my eyes at him and replied " Yeah? What do you need this time. "

He scratched the back of his head looking a bit embarrassed " Well... you know the scary teacher who's always on my back right? " I nodded my head " Yeah?... where are you going with this. " jeonghan took a deep breath

" Can you stick arround with me, I got introuble with her and I need to actually act like I've changed... maybe if in hang out with you more she would think I got more behaved? "

you felt sick of even having the thought of being seen arround him, but he seemed really genuine this time, he looked at you for a while with a sad expressed. You sighed and given into him " Fine, but on ONE condition. If you pull another one of your pranks again im ditching you. " he let out a slight giggle

" Can't promise that, ill try though " a sly smile spread across his face, you don't know whats wrong with you. You HATE him, but why are you getting so soft with him? Haha, love is werid isn't it?

A few weeks passed by and you realized he wasn't all THAT bad, sure he was a bit mischievous and a bit of a prankster but he was genuinly nice and made you laugh sometimes.

" Hey y/n, I got us some drinks from the cafeteria! You want one? " before I could even reply he cut me of " No? Okay ill have it all to myself! " " YOON JEONGHAN! " you flicked his forehead and grabbed the other drink from his hand " Oww! " he said playfully as you both laughed it off

" Ah, fuck I have to study for a test, Sorry I have to go " you felt a bit sad that you had to part ways so early, you grabbed onto his arm. " Isnt it Chemistry that you need to study for? I can help you. " you felt a little flustered when his eyes light up, he looked so happy and he quickly got out his notebook from his bag

" Whats taking you so long! Let's start! "

You both studied for hours, it was becoming late and your eyes became heavier and heavier by the second. You constantly kept yawning, Jeonghan asked if you wanted to stop but you insisted it was okay, " So, were done with Ionic and Molecular Compounds. Tell me whats the difference? ... " Jeonghan flipped through his notes and started to read out what he wrote

His voice sounded so calming and soft, eventually you dozed off into a deep slumber. Jeonghan got a bit startled and thought you had died on the spot but he placed you on his lap and didn't even move a single inch, he tucked a lock of your hair behind your ear and looked at you with a smile on his face. He gave you a little peck on the forehead,

" Its sad that you won't be able to know what I'm about to say, the truth is. I lied about everything, I just wanted your attention to myself. "

Eventually you woke up to see you lying down on his lap, you looked up and saw that he had fallen asleep too. You were flustered and got up, God how long were you out for? You began to start cleaning up your stuff and placed them into there proper places

" Goodmorning to you angel. "

" Angel? What kind of nickname is that. " " The type of nickname that I gave to the person I like. "

"... Fuck you, Yoon Jeonghan. "

Cien rambles

I was giggling while writing this HAHAHA, our gentle sexy is up next👀 GOD this is so much fun to write i love it!!! Also wow I got 7 followers:D thank you so much❣❣

[cat-esper]

Find the Word Tag

I'VE BEEN TAGGED!! Yeeee, thanks for tagging me @illarian-rambling and @smudged-red-ink

Tagging @kaylinalexanderbooks, @revenantlore, @shardkeeperwip, and @sentfromwolves

Your words are return, last, dream, and forgive

I'm doing these for The Last Paladin book 3 and my words are flutter, accent, pass, sweat, blood, fall, moon, and slide.

Flutter

She didn't catch anything at first and feared she was too late but as she pressed in more firmly, she thought she caught a flutter of pulse. She didn't need to be a doctor to know things were bad. "She's alive. Help me with her," Chelsea begged as Thallow slid into the shed. She undid the buttons of her stolen lab coat and shucked it off, then gently tried to find where the woman was injured.

Accent

"Shay Finnegan," she said, his name curling around her accent like smoke. "I didn't think you would ever come to one of these." She spoke in Spacer's Common. Chelsea had been practicing the language but still wasn't so good at it. Fortunately, her translator did most of the heavy lifting. "Ahmey," Shay said with a grin. "Eh, figured I'd check it out. I was bored." Ahmey barked a swift laugh, revealing white teeth that were fused together into a single plate. "I'm sure."

Pass

"Please let us pass," she said. The mask muffled her voice but she knew they had no problem hearing her. "I'm an agent of the Priory and I have business elsewhere." "I'm sorry, but we can't let you go any further," the soldier nearest to her said. "We have our orders. You're to get back in your shuttle and return to the planet." Yeah, that wasn't going to happen. "Respectfully, sir, no," Solika replied, planting her feet firmly. "We're on the same side here and I demand the right to pass. But I will resist, if you force me to. And someone will get hurt."

Sweat

Magic flooded her skin, seeped from her pores, and twined around her fingers, making her seem to glow. Except that wasn't the result she wanted. She wanted to control the light coming in from outside. She tried to envision the light as beams hitting her skin, pelting her like the rain of Petrichor. And then she imagined those beams missing her, skidding off her skin and shooting away. It felt like a cool breeze on hot, sweat-laced skin, and she knew that it was working. She allowed the sensation to travel up across her body, lines of light tracing her contours but not touching her and not going through, only around. Her vision darkened and she blinked rapidly, remembering to allow a bit of light to hit only her eyes. The first time she'd done this successfully, she'd blinded herself and Shay had to explain that bending the light away from her eyes would do that. So when she and Shay were done, they were each just a pair of floating pupils, small and dark enough to hopefully avoid notice. She tried her very best not to laugh about it.

Blood

Two things happened at once. Shay and the magic he'd summoned vanished as if they were never there, because they weren't. And Thallow cried out, dropping to the ground. "Thallow!" Chelsea reached for him and both she and Meshyl collapsed. Thallow clutched at his side, his teeth clenched. When Chelsea looked up, she saw that Marr was standing with his rifle raised, pointing at Thallow, his face twisted into a snarl. Just beyond him, Quincy fired wildly into the night while Reaver tried to drag him back with one hand, the other gripping his rifle still. "It's just a graze," Thallow bit out, pulling his hand away from his side where it was slick with blood. The rain watered it down almost instantly so that it ran like watercolor off the side of his hand.

Fall

It turned and walked away. Solika took a step after it. But she was unarmed. Its movements were fluid and smooth and as the light caught on its arms, they gleamed wickedly like scythes. If she fought it now, it would give her a fight, certainly, but it would only put Bela in danger. She let it go. Its invitation was obviously a trap. Just look at what happened as soon as she and Bela had arrived on SD-5R9. She wasn't going to fall for that a second time. But she would definitely be seeing it again. This was far from over.

Slide

Shay's face loomed out of the rain, his hair sopping and dripping into his eyes. And beyond him, a hooded figure held up a lantern, its bright light burning through the haze of rain. In his other hand he held something the size of a remote control, emitting that ringing whine that seemed to squirm under Chelsea's skin and slide across the bones of her inner ear. She spun back around, looking for her mom, but she wasn't there. "What?" She cast about frantically. She was just here. She was just here! "Where is she? Shay, let me go. I saw my mom!" Her voice broke and briefly matched the whine of the stranger's device. She wanted to cry. She might already be crying, her tears mixing with the rain. Her chest constricted and her stomach shuddered with the beginnings of a sob. "We have to get inside; follow me." The hooded figure swung his lantern around, the beam flashing across Chelsea's eyes and temporarily blinding her. She blinked and made out a shape beneath the dripping hood, eyes shadowed and mouth a thin line. And then he hurried through the rain and Shay pulled Chelsea after him.