#marbles is a weird word hmmm

[halfapersob]

Writing fanfiction, at this hour? More likely than you think

[dilemmaontwolegs]

For the Love of God(dess) || CL16 {2}

Summary: Greek God/dess AU. You show Charles a part of your world and he shows you a part of his. Warnings: angst, fluff WC: 2.6k Part One || Two

The old stone path should have been worn for all the centuries that it had been used as the entrance to Olympus but it was still as perfect as it was the first time you walked it. Nothing ever changed, not since the war ended and a new hierarchy settled among the gods. For two thousand years nothing had changed in the Eternal City.

“Love, what have you done?” The imposing form of Ares filled the road to your temple, his arms the size of your waist. His molten red eyes barely glanced at the man at your side before snapping back with a double take. “Kàrolos?”

“Uh, so everyone keeps saying,” he answered quietly, his eyes sizing up the God of War as he spoke for the first time since arriving through the portal. “And you are?”

“Intrigued,” Ares said with a smirk. “Good luck.”

The god vanished and Charles rubbed at his head, murmuring, “Fucking weird dream.”

“You’ll wake up soon,” you sighed. It might not be the wake up he expected, but it was coming - you just had to find Athena. “I know someone who can help make sense of this, we just need to get you back to my place first. It’s right over h-” your words froze as turned towards your temple. 

Where grey stone walls had stood, great white pillars of marble rose. Where empty garden beds lay, hundreds of white roses bloomed. 

Your temple had been restored.

“This is your home?” Charles asked, a little awestruck by the sounds of it. It was quite amusing that he walked among the gods but he found beauty in a building of all things.

“Our home.”

“I have a home - in Monaco.”

You opened your mouth to argue but saw the quiet desperation in his features. He was clinging to his humanity and it forced you to remember that this wasn’t the Kàrolos you knew, this was a stranger. The only resemblance they held were their eyes, but they were the window to the soul and they still had the same soul. 

“Let’s just go inside.”

The doors beyond the marble arch swung open on your approach and the interior had changed just as much. The vast room was open to the sunlight and a fountain filled the centre, the sound of bubbling water a calming feature. Open arches led to more rooms but you made your way to the furthest one. 

Charles followed sedately into the bedroom and out onto the balcony that overlooked the city. Above rose the peak which Zeus had claimed, his golden palace glittering beneath Apollo’s sunshine. Below, the forests of Artemis spread far and wide with lush green canopies and the Orlias river winding through it. 

Your palms warmed on the stone railing as you watched a herd of deer pick their way to the river for a drink. “I know you have a million questions and I’m sorry for…everything.”

Charles’ shoulder leaned into yours as he drank in the scenery but he jumped back when an owl swooped in, the spotted wings brushing his cheek. A flash of light burst from the owl and bare feet touched down on the balcony. 

“Hmmm, you have had quite the night, Love,” she said with an appreciative look over Charles. She reached out to his face with a smile and wiggled her fingers. “May I?”

“Why? What are you going to do? Who are you?”

“So many questions,” she laughed. “I am Athena, I am knowledge, and if you want the answers then you will let me touch you.”

He looked to you for help and gods damned if it didn’t make something in your chest hurt before you nodded. He swallowed the fear of the unknown and trusted you as he stepped into her waiting hands. Lightning shattered his brain, blinding him with flashes of images that moved too fast to see. But he knew. Knowledge expanded and exploded in his mind at an exponential rate until he knew everything. Thousands of years of history burned into his retina in less than a second. The history of the gods and goddesses that called this place home. The history of the wars and the destruction it brought. The history of you and everything you lost.

He knew it all. And it hurt more than the pain that splintered his head.

He didn’t even realise he collapsed until he felt the softest mattress dip beneath his weight as you laid him down. Your concerned face appeared above him, the sun catching your hair and weaving a golden halo around the strands. A thought crossed his mind and he laughed, shaking his head.

“What?” you asked curiously as his fingers twitched like he had to fight the urge to reach out to you.

“When we met I thought you looked like a goddess, but of course you do. You are.” He looked to the balcony but the owl had already taken flight back to her palace on the hill. “I’m not him, you know.”

“I know.” The man you loved had died a long time ago. You had your time together, no matter how short, and you had mourned for him. It was time to move on. “I don’t want you to be Kàrolos. I want to learn who you are, Charles.”

“And what if you don’t like who I am?”

“I am the Goddess of Love,” you teased, climbing onto the bed to sit beside him. “My arrows don’t work unless there is compatibility between the souls. Psyche is probably better off explaining that but my power only amplifies what attraction is already there. Can’t say I have been on the receiving end of it before. This will take some getting used to.”

“What will?”

“The want, the need to touch you,” you confessed as you looked down at your hands that gripped the bedspread tightly. “It is difficult to be this close and not reach out.”

Charles frowned. “You loved Kàrolos but you didn’t use an arrow?”

“Not everyone needs an arrow to fall in love. Like I said, it only amplifies. People find love on their own everyday, only some need a little poke in the right direction. Those friends who have been dancing around each other for years, the abused who don’t think they are worthy of being loved, the colleagues who only flirt at work. The fates weave their tapestry with a trillion threads of life and when there is a snag, like two lovers who failed to meet, then I repair it so the loom can continue its creation.”

Charles blinked as he began to understand how complex the roles of the gods were. “Fuck.” 

You laughed and his lips tugged up at the sound. 

“I don’t mind, if you want to touch me,” he admitted quietly, reaching for your hand and unfurling it from the bedding. His hand was larger than yours but your fingers settled between his comfortably and your body sagged with relief. “So what do we do now?”

You shrugged, not exactly knowing the answer yourself. Time was plentiful so there was no rush, but you were eager to find out who it was your heart had been given to. “What do you enjoy?”

Charles’ smile dropped as he suddenly remembered the world he had left behind. “Shit, we need to go back. I have a race this week.”

–

“Breaking News: Peace had been brokered between nations all over the globe in a dramatic turn of events. For more information we will be heading to our correspondent at the United Nations HQ…”

Charles turned off the TV in the hotel but he didn’t miss the way your eyes remained fixed on the screen, or the way your lip wobbled. Crossing the room, he grabbed your hands and bent his knees so you were eye to eye. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s my fault,” you whispered through the lump in your throat. “I failed my duties.”

He looked back at the TV where you could still see the breaking news. Peace had come after two thousand years of skirmishes and wars on the mortal plane. There should have never been wars to begin with. 

“That isn’t your fault,” he argued, but he had the knowledge of the gods, he understood how your power worked. The gods were a fragile ecosystem that required balance. You were the balance to Ares’ power and his effect on the world.

“I was weakened when Kàrolos died, I lost half of myself, half of my strength. It left Ares unchecked - of course it is my fault.”

Charles wrapped his arms around you, tucking your head into the crook of his neck so you couldn’t stare at the TV. “You’re making things right now, that’s what matters.”

“It’s not even me,” you laughed bitterly. “It’s you. I couldn’t do this on my own.”

“Come on,” he said as he started to drag you towards the door.

“Where are we going?”

“You need a distraction, and I know just the thing.” 

Charles drove to the circuit he would be practising on in the morning and it was relatively quiet as he led you through the paddock. A few teenagers excitedly asked for photos with him and you smiled as he stopped to talk with each one. He was so different to Kàrolos. Kàrolos was a warrior, proud and unmoving. Most children gave him a wide berth when they saw the scars that littered his body. It wasn’t in him to idly chatter or placate others, the only soft spot he had was for you. 

“You’re very patient,” you commented as he waved goodbye and continued to the edge of the track. 

He smiled shyly and looked at his shoes as he shrugged. “I try my best to talk to fans, especially when I have the time. Take a few laps with me?”

You followed his gaze to a Ferrari that was parked in the pit lane. “I’ve never been in a car.”

“No, really?” His eyes were wide with disbelief and you laughed at the innocence in those eyes. 

“I go where I want, I’ve never needed to drive.”

He grabbed your hand and excitement flowed through you as he set a quick pace to the car. “Trust me?” he asked as he opened the passenger door.

You were immortal so it didn’t matter if he crashed. Sure, it would hurt but you would eventually heal. But the question felt heavier than just asking if you trusted him not to crash, more that you could trust him to keep you safe. “Yes, I trust you, Charles.”

You slipped into the seat that was moulded to cradle you before he bent down and buckled the clips in for you. His cologne reached your nose at the close proximity and you inhaled deeper as you committed the rich scent to your memory. 

“Is this comfortable?” he asked as he tugged the harness.

“It is…managable.” Restrictive, confined, and claustrophobic came to mind but you didn’t want to worry him as he went around to his side. There was energy in his step that had been missing in Olympus, an ambience that brightened the moment he arrived at the racing track, and you wanted to keep that light in his aura. 

“We’ll take the first one slow,” he promised as he started the engine and gripped the wheel. 

You had flown into battle on the back of a pegasus, you had held onto the fins of charybdis as they raced through Posiden’s domain. Nothing came close to the thrill and the speed of Charles’ car. 

Your heart jumped up your throat as you were thrown back into the seat and then the world around you blurred. Everything faded away except for the window ahead and you didn’t dare blink in case you missed a moment. There were no thoughts on the what ifs of the future, or the regrets of your past. There was only the car, and Charles grinning at you.

“Are you sure this is slow?” you asked with a giddy laugh as the adrenaline reached your head and the initial surprise was erased.

“Hold on, cherie.” The engine roared louder and like a beast it leapt forward. A scream of exhilaration filled the car as Charles lassoed the metal beast and wrangled it through each corner until he finally slowed to return to the pit lane. 

“I finally understand the obsession,” you admitted as he parked back where he had left. Your fingers were almost stiff where they had gripped the harness over your chest and you flexed the feeling back into them before unbuckling it. “I can’t even describe it, but I feel alive - if that makes sense? I can’t think quite clearly now.”

“I understand.” Charles smiled softly and wiped away the stray tear that ran down your cheek from having your eyes wide open for so long. “It’s getting late.”

You climbed out of the car and looked up to see stars dotting the desert night sky. It felt like time stopped while you were in the car but nothing could stop time and it all came rushing back. “Can we do this again?” you asked, a little sheepish at how needy you sounded.

“Of course,” Charles promised, taking your hand as naturally as breathing. “After this race it’s winter break and I am all yours.” He stumbled and caught himself. “I mean, if you want to hang out and, uh, stuff. I don’t have any plans, but if you do we can figure something ou-”

You rose onto your toes and kissed his cheek that was turning pink in the moonlight and he fell silent. “I don’t have any plans either.”

Charles stared at your lips, still feeling the warmth on his cheek and he touched the skin as a smile tugged at his lips and he nodded to himself. “Okay. Okay.” 

“You’re cute,” you said as you felt the urge to kiss his lips next.

His nose wrinkled at the compliment. “Cute?”

“Amongst other things,” you added, biting your lip to keep your other thoughts to yourself. 

He grew confident and curled his finger under your chin, his thumb brushing over your bottom lip and pulling it free from your teeth. “You’re beautiful.”

Your lungs refused to work as his head dipped down slowly, giving you time to change your mind. You could still feel the remnants of that thrill in your veins and the charge was electric as you gave into your desire and threw your arms around his neck. The kiss started slowly, hesitation holding you both back as you tasted the chemistry, but it grew deeper as his arms curled around your waist, pulling your bodies flush. 

The track faded away as you spared one last critical thought to teleport back to the hotel room. Charles blinked as he looked around the bedroom, but the surprise turned to a smirk. “That is handy.”

“You can do it too,” you said as your fingers traced the hem of his shirt. “You can just have to picture the image in your mind.”

Cold kissed your skin and you looked down to see your own shirt had disappeared. 

“Holy shit, it worked,” he gasped. “Oh, shit, sorry.”

Your shirt returned in an instant but it was now the same shade of red as his team colours. 

“I wasn’t complaining,” you smirked but the humour dimmed as his hands came to rest on your waist that was still wrapped in red cotton. “We can take it slow, Charles.”

“Is that what you want?”

“I want you, not your regrets. I want you to be ready.” Ready for an eternity together.

Charles sat at the edge of the bed and pulled you onto his lap. “The first thing you should know about me is I have never been good at going slow,” he admitted as he cupped your cheek and crushed his lips to yours.

[starchants]

THE WAYWARD HOME

beetlejuice verse x female!reader ; the deetz house.

word count — 555.

themes + warnings ; established relationship with lydia deetz, beej is here and is bestie coded, also reader can feel energies and see ghosts when she channels into her ability!

author’s note — i love lydia sm and i wanted to make a really small ramble about the beautiful house that the deetz found and took from barbara and adam after their passing plus how beej would react to lydia finding someone <3!

support mention ; if you feel like supporting, a nice ‘like’ will suffice on my blog, i know some writers love to ask nicely if you could reblog or comment etc. yet on my blog (no hate towards them as everyone likes appreciation in different ways), but if you’d like to reblog or comment feel free after all this is a safe space for any fan-individual to have fun :’)

masterlist

the moment that lydia had brought her home, she had felt a safe comforting presence in that seemingly interesting house that everyone was curious about. y/n had felt at home, alongside her girlfriend.

there was something, some form of energy that resided here, one that made her happy and the poor girl couldn’t figure out what that was. maybe it was the deranged artwork that was put outside in the front yard.

maybe it was the nice dark wooden tones mixed with the pretty wallpaper upon the walls that gave it a similar sense to a nice little funky shaped cottage. maybe it was the small yet sensible kitchen that had been redone and made more modern by lydia’s step mother who hadn’t fully destroyed the previous style of the home during a second remodel.

it seemed like a lot of memories were made in that kitchen even with the remodel and it made the young woman smile softly to herself as she stood there while lydia awkwardly explained the situation of changing up the kitchen. the energy that sounded throughout the kitchen made y/n perk up even more as she felt someone staring at her from the entryway of the kitchen. she knew that lydia and herself were the only ones in the house and perhaps it was one of the rumored ghosts that the town had spread around.

her (e/c) eyes scanned around the room until it lead her to the doorway where she saw a man dressed in a black and white striped suit grinning wildly at her and she knew it meant trouble. “oh dude, the green really doesn’t go with the outfit.” y/n remarked before she could stop herself and her girlfriend immediately stopped rambling about some appliance in the kitchen before turning to face the (h/c) haired woman.

“lydia, babes, how dare you break my heart like this?” the ghoulish man remarked as he placed two hands over his heart to make a jointed fist and collapsed onto the ground upon the sight of seeing his beloved lydia with someone else. “you are quite literally the most dramatic thing i’ve seen.” y/n quipped with a grin as she saw the green haired man look up at her with quirked brows and a smirk upon his face.

“you can see him?!” the raven haired woman nearly screeched as she looked between her ghostly bestfriend and her lover. “surprise i’ve seen ghosts and others since i was a child.” the other woman replied as she chuckled and helped the ghost, who was begging her with a look similar to puppy eyes, off of the ground and he was quick to pull her down with him. “oh babes can we keep her? please, oh please, oh pretty please.”

beetlejuice had glanced over at lydia whom was grinning and trying to stop herself from laughing about the situation. “hmmm i guess she’s alright to keep around.” lydia teased as her girlfriend gasped at the absurdly of her teasing words which was nearly drowned out by beetlejuice’s loud cackling as he grabbed lydia’s hand and pulled her down with them, leaving the three of them intertwined in a weird embrace upon the marble flooring, which was the sight that had greeted barbara and adam, a few moments later.

[salamispots]

watched alien romulus, liked it, spoilers below :0

I...liked it? like there were some really nice things about it, like the opening scenes of the movie/maybe first half? and then idk the parts where they start interacting with the xenomorphs themselves didn't really feel that tense

-I DID really like the demon baby scene/buildup a lot

-like going down the ladder to find this normal sized baby and watching the foot/hand prints get larger and larger and the first reveal they show you is this weird thing crouching in the shadows and when it steps out it's like o H D:

-andy going up to the sister and when he turns around it's like all the sound cuts out and it took my brain a couple seconds to figure out what I was looking at but oufughdhgfjhg creepy very very good

-ALSO A+ for andy's dad jokes :'D and acting

-the characters are all young looking (not necessarily bad?) but they weren't as compelling compared to others in other movies

-sound design at the beginning when you're settling in is really nice, esp. when they're taking off to space; set design too is gorgeous

-the scene where they first enter the ship and somebody throws a flare/the camera tilts is neat haha

-the little slip in of david's theme/music when the other android's talking about the black goo goOD

-hmmm thinking about it or maybe just me imagining the gore/body horror scenes (for the most part) felt kinda held back? (not talking about the uh wall vagina egg or the xenomorph aspects haha)

-like the scene where the wall egg is dripping blood on the guy

-I think what makes me fond of prometheus and covenant is the fact that they run around on these weird/dead planets and the whole thing with the engineers

-noticed similarities/mashups from the other movies in this one which isn't necessarily bad but it did break immersion a little or made me like 'oh! third act pregnancy like prometheus or a cargo hold battle sort of like covenant, or alien resurrection where the alien gets sucked out into space through that tiny hole

-idk how I feel about the offspring design, will need to watch/see it again; it's a little goofy hahah (again not a bad thing) but I do like that they have the engineer/marble statue alien face and how the hips were a bit off/twisted

-the part where it was grinning was creepy; also when it was hovering over the sister with the mouth retracting I thought they were gonna do a very strange/fucked up version of breastfeeding but it doesn't look like they did? or at least couldn't tell

-edit: oH according to reddit it did happen dfghjf plus they mentioned when she draws her hand of her shirt with weird goo on it

-also slappy slimy facehugger proboscis >:'D

-some of the action scenes reminded me a little of the alien movie that had the underwater alien fight scenes haha

-will need to rewatch in general (movie theatre audio/words getting eaten up in the sound + no subtitles) it's good but I think covenant and prometheus still win out for me

edit: this also makes me wanna go back and watch the movies in chronological or timeline order haha

edit: oH I figured out how to word it haha but it felt more on the action side genre than horror (like prometheus and covenant were def. horror; and the whole demon alien baby towards the end for sure)

[waynes-multiverse]

could you possibly do a Halloween drabble maybe where the reader has a Ghostface from Scream kink so Dean dresses up with the mask 🤭

A/N: Can I? Apparently, I can! Weirdly, this turned out to be up my alley 😂💀

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Female!Reader

Warnings: +18/NSWF, language, minor angst, smut (p in v, dirty talk, one playful mention of the word slut, a bit of role play, creampie)

Word Count: 1.1k

Main Masterlist || Dirty Drabbles

Scream

The lights in the corridor are flickering, an eerie feeling haunting your veins as a shudder runs down your spine and forces goosebumps onto your skin.

Carefully, you wander down the hallway labyrinth of the bunker, following a noise that seems to be coming from the main bathrooms. You’re a skilled huntress with years of experience, but whenever the boys leave you alone at night in the magical underground prison, things always get a little tense. After all, who knows what might escape. From wicked witches to wood nymphs, you sure had your fair share of weirdness since moving into your boyfriend’s home. It doesn’t help that it’s close to Halloween either, and you and Dean have been watching his favorite horror flicks nonstop this past week.

“Sam? Dean?” you warily call out, knowing full well there won’t be an answer coming since the guys are still out on their supply run.

A few more quiet steps and you’ve reached the bathroom. The door is ajar like it usually is unless someone’s currently using the showers, so you slowly push it further open, gripping your weapon of choice – a machete – tightly in your hands as you enter.

Suddenly, something moves in your periphery, and you swing your weapon at the tall, black shadow, aiming to behead it with one swift move of your blade. But the figure skillfully ducks and swirls you around, catching you from behind and holding you tight.

You’re pressed flush against the unknown assailant, but something feels familiar about the strong arms that are caging you in. And then, you notice the irresistible scent that instantly weakens your knees – a mix of sandalwood, gunpowder, leather, and whiskey.

“Dean!” You frown, realizing who your attacker is, and hear your boyfriend’s loud laugh, dropping the machete to the tiles. “I almost killed you, you idiot!”

“Oh, c’mon, wasn’t even close,” he chuckles, but his deep voice sounds muffled, and as you peer back at him, you can see the Ghostface mask he’s wearing and scowl anew.

“Seriously?!” You cock an eyebrow in annoyance. This is what you get for disclosing one of your deepest fantasies and sharing a dirty little secret with him. As you watched the Scream movies last week, you told him that you wouldn’t say no to a little murderous fuck. Of course, Dean would immediately use that knowledge against you.

“C’mon,” he laughs amusedly and starts to grind the bulging erection under his jeans into your ass. “You said you wanted to fuck Ghostface. Just making your fantasy come true, sweetheart…”

Turning in his hold, you lift the mask from his face a little and drape your arms around his neck, watching him closely with narrowed eyes as he smirks broadly at you. And then, you cave with a loud sigh, “Fine. How you wanna do this, my little killer?”

A chuckle vibrates in his chest as he pulls the mask over his freckled face again and pushes you back against the counter with the sink. He manhandles you to face the large mirror, your elbows propping up on the cool marble as he yanks your ass to him and spreads your legs further apart. He’s quick like a cat in shimmying your pajama shorts down till they pool around your ankles.

You hear the clink of a metal belt buckle as you observe him closely in the mirror, arousal pooling between your thighs. His fingers are quick to rub through your slick folds, hearing his little hums of approval behind you.

“Hmmm, so wet for me, baby. Gonna stab you real good with my dick tonight,” he says, and while you can’t see his face, you know he’s grinning like a little kid under the frightening mask, clearly proud of himself for his specially tailored dirty talk. “Gonna ram that knife into you deep and hard till you’re screaming, sweetheart.”

You want to sigh, but you know it’s useless. Besides, you hate to admit it, but his words are turning you on somehow, barely able to wait till you do get stabbed by that giant knife of his. You push your ass back against his fully erect and now freed dick, causing him to chuckle at your impatience. “You’re gonna fuck me or what, Mr. Killer-Dick?”

“Such an impatient little slut tonight, huh?” Dean teases before you feel his thick cockhead press against your dripping entrance. Gripping your hips tightly, he slams in with one harsh and fast thrust, pushing you forward on the counter as he immediately sets a merciless pace from the beginning. “’S that what you want, huh?”

“Fuck, yeah,” you whimper as every deep pound of his hits your cervix and the sweet spot in the back perfectly.

“Eyes open, Y/N. Watch me fuck you in the mirror. Want you to see the face you make when you come on my fat cock, baby girl,” Dean orders you, dominance and amusement lacing his baritone voice, and you try your best to keep your eyelids from squeezing shut as he hits you harder and harder, watching the two of you in the mirror. “Shit, baby, never felt so wet before… Seems like you really like that, hm? Watching yourself get fucked by a serial killer.”

You can’t help but agree, feeling your juices gush out of you and coat his throbbing cock like they never have before. You’d feel ashamed if you didn’t enjoy it so goddamn much, and Dean clearly didn’t seem to mind it either, feeling his dick twitch inside of you in sheer delight.

“Fuck, so close, Dean…”

“Yeah? Cum on my cock, baby,” he pants, his breathing growing more labored as well as beads of sweat collect under the mask. “Wanna hear you scream my name as I fill you up with my seed…”

“Dean, fuck, please… Shit!” Your walls grip him tight as he picks up a relentless pace before the coil in your belly snaps, the first few stars coming into your view behind your eyelids as you come hard around him.

Dean’s palms steady your trembling body, pushing deep into you with one last thrust as he chases his own release, filling your cunt with sticky warmth. His groan echoes through the quiet bathroom in harmony with your moans as the two of you come down from your highs.

Pulling out of you, Dean removes the mask and heaves an exhaustive sigh, a blissful smile decorating his ample lips as he wipes the sweat from his forehead with his henley. His head cocks to the side, watching the milky mix of cum and your juices trickle out of your pussy and down your thighs as you catch your breath on the bathroom counter.

He chuckles mischievously. “Screampie.”

“Dean!” You frown scoldingly and sigh once more. Some things will never change, you suppose.

Yes, I'm super proud of that joke, duh 🤣

Tag Lists:

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Dean: @parinarain @hobby27 @fromcaintodean @iprobablyshipit91

[fragileizywriting]

this will be under a readmore if you’ve actually like to read it: i had a dream today after many months of nothing, and it’s weird like most dreams are. however, there’s a lot about this that i can actually shove into demon lovin, with marinette standing up against xien (i just have to change some things but the concept could still be there)

anyway. i wrote down my dream and here it is

people were watching a movie at an imax, when my character/me showed up. it seems that watching movies while eating was prohibited by law (this can easily be changed to something more interesting) because when my antlers blocked the projector in some way, people began to shift and get up and start to leave.

i think my antlers were moose shaped. i’ve never seen deer irl so i’m not actually sure. maybe reindeer?

when making their way towards me and my family, they made a hand gesture of respect, walking across the aisle in front of us to come face to face but not disturb us. when making it towards me, i would bend my head, and let them touch. it was customary. they provided gifts (it seems like they knew they would be caught) and carried them everywhere with them. artisanal bread. sweets in general, but i remember a marbled bread loaf that i was so enthusiastic to try.

a little boy came up to me. he’d come to the movies with his mother. he hugged me tight and told me he loved me. i couldn’t stop rubbing my hands on his back like i was trying to console him from something. i told him that he was okay and safe (though from what/who, i couldn’t tell)

those who didn’t have food, i sent them off without any consequence. they were thankful, coming to touch my horns, whispering good things.

a man came up to us, with dark clothes and white beard and white hair. without him talking, or saying a word, i stood my ground and i told him that everyone here was safe.

“you’re cheating the law,” he said, looking me over.

“i am not. i’m able to change it at will.”

“i’ll speak to him about this.”

“do so. but no one else except me has something to do about this, and until then, everyone here is free to leave.” when he didn’t budge, i added: “i have the biggest horns in all society. i decide. and i’ve decided that people leave.”

everyone went their ways after that.

i heard from the man: “keep her (me) away from her mother, you know they’re only allowed to speak for thirty minutes per day.”

and i saw my mother leave.

—-

walking out of the movie theatres that opened into a vast, empty, luxury mall, i encountered a woman who popped out of the long overflowing canal river that would cut through the space. she had red hair, a fiery daze, with eyes that spoke of humor and elegance. we made eye contact, and she complemented on my dress. long, flowy, with sleeves the covered the tips of my nails. everything about my costume felt overbearing, from the weight of my horns to the clothes that dragged behind me as i walked.

hers was lighter. she looked like a mermaid with that pearlescent green dress that had different hues depending on what angle i looked at the fabric. up towards her neck, where i had to look up, it was dark sea-green. down to wards her feet was a playful, slightly lighter green. it tickled her bare feet as she walked…

“other mother doesn’t want me here,” she told me.

i’m retrospect, it seems that in this dream, ‘other mothers’ was a term for the accompanying maids. and yet they raised the kids and had just as much power over them because they actually listened.

“other mothers are always bad mothers.”

“not this one.”

“you’re in your thirties and you still listen to your parents?”

“some of us do,” she laughed. she found the mall fountain statues interesting, and ended up climbing into the lap of a handsome, naked man. she couldn’t stop caressing that beautiful face. “it makes us live longer.”

“that’s not a life worth living that long if you don’t make your own decisions.”

“the king is going to be so mad at you.”

“he’s been mad at me before.”

“hmmm yes.” i remembered her tracing the pectoral of the statue. “i think this time will be different, though.”

[casspurrjoybell-33]

Taming Arrogance - Chapter 12

*Warning Adult Content*

My conversation with Cade ends up being longer than expected.

I start with the grudging admittance that I signed over to be Blake's personal bitch, a job where the only perk it carries with it is the money.

Cade nods and pours me another shot, on the house.

Another shot turns into two more.

By the end of my fourth shot, I muster enough liquid courage to share with Cade the intimate moment shared between Blake and me earlier this afternoon.

Ever playing the part of a dutiful bartender, Cade nods his head here and there, asking minimal questions only when they're appropriate.

I take out my wallet and slap a twenty on the black and white marbled surface.

"I told you they were on the house," Cade says with a friendly smile.

"I know," I say, pushing past the slight slur that's battling my ability to form an intelligent sentence.

"I'm not paying you for the drinks. I'm paying you for listening to this stupid, gay bullshit."

Cade laughs again.

It's something he does a lot, I notice.

His approachable and light-hearted demeanor annoyed me at first but now it's kind of growing on me.

It's certainly more tolerable with a few drinks in me, too.

"Callum, if you knew the stories I heard working at a job like this, you would be blown away. I'd like to think it's just a part of my job duties, along with making drinks and having a physique that drive all the men crazy."

I scoff at his egotism and he smirks.

"Oh come on, Callum. Can you honestly tell me you haven't looked at me a single time throughout this entire conversation and thought of me as slightly attractive?"

"I mean. I've seen better. Not that I was looking," I quickly finish.

Cade chortles under his breath.

The sound makes me crack a smile this time.

A gentleman takes a seat two stools away from me.

Cade holds up a finger to pause our conversation and steps to the side, asking the new customer what he'd like to drink.

I don't bother looking over, Cade confirmed my earlier suspicion that looks among the gay community come packed with a punch.

Instead I keep my eyes forward, trained on the soft glint of light bouncing off the marble countertop.

After a few minutes, Cade returns and pushes my twenty away from him.

"Keep it," he says.

"That way you can buy yourself a few drinks the next time you come in here."

I open my mouth to argue but Cade cuts me off with another question, a question I really don't want to answer.

"So you claim that you've seen better while simultaneously admitting this Blake guy is seductive enough to get a kiss out of you. I have to ask, what's this sexy boss-man look like?"

I groan into my hands, cursing myself for coming into this bar in the first place.

The point of coming here was to be around other gay men and learn to not be weird around them.

So far, all that's been accomplished on my journey is chatting it up with a gay bartender about my issues with Blake and downing four shots of Vodka.

'In other words? Fucking. Pointless.'

"Just throw me a bone," Cade urges.

"Tall? Short? Dark hair? Big dick?"

"Oh shut up, you idiot," I mutter and Cade throws his head back with laughter.

With how many times he's done this over the past hour, I'm surprised he doesn't have light whiplash.

His question pulls an image of Blake into the forefront of my mind.

'Blake and his lean torso and muscular arms. His sculpted jaw and long eye lashes. His deep voice and slender fingers. His dark hair and strong presence. His demanding eyes and stupid, soft lips.'

"You're thinking about him right now, aren't you?" Cade asks and I grunt.

"Okay, how about we start with this. What's his personality like? He a quiet guy? One of those quiet and pensive types? Or is he one of those cocky guys with confidence for days?"

"Neither," I respond.

"He's a bossy, overbearing prick with more money than he knows what to do with. He's shallow, infuriating, fussy and..."

"Hmmm," a deep voice cuts in from behind me.

"I think shallow is taking it a bit too far."

Cade's gaze flickers to the man standing behind me.

His eyes widen.

I can feel Blake moving closer to me, the heat of his torso almost touching my rigid back as I sit at the bar stool.

"Though I suppose I would be remiss to argue with the rest," Blake says, only inches away from my ear.

I slowly spin around and come face to face with him.

Blake's eyes are focused on Cade, his expression emanating a powerful warning.

Cade blushes and drops his gaze.

"What are you doing here?" I whisper to my boss, suddenly feeling like I'm a child who just got caught with my hand in the cookie jar.

Blake's expression smooths back to its neutral state.

He rolls his shoulders and lifts his right hand, adjusting the cuff on his sleeve.

"I might ask you the same thing," he murmurs.

"I was... you didn't even..." I stammer. Blake moves to the side, leaning his torso over the bar to get Cade's attention.

"Not that you asked," he says icily.

"But I'll take a martini. Dry."

Cade nods, turning away from us and fumbling to get a clean glass from above the bar.

Blake reaches into the chest pocket of his coat and pulls out two, crisp fifty dollar bills.

He sets them on top of the counter, his slender fingers and practiced hands every bit as polished as the marble itself.

The fifty dollar bills sit next to my twenty and Blake pushes the miniscule contribution back towards me.

Without even asking, he knows it's mine.

He knows it's mine and is silently telling me to put it back in my wallet.

The gesture is patronizing.

"I'll cover your tab," Blake says.

A command rather than a kind offer.

"I didn't order any drinks," I argue through gritted teeth.

"Oh? Then why do I smell alcohol on your breath?"

"I don't know," I hiss.

"Because you have no concept of personal space?"

Blake's jaw tightens and from the corner of my eye I can see Cade grin, just ever so slightly.

The twenty is taken off the table and forced into the palm of my hand.

"Put it away," Blake snaps.

"Now."

I roll my eyes and fold the bill once before stuffing it into my pocket.

So much for a night of fun and relaxation.

Cade sets Blake's dry martini onto the bar with far less confidence than he had only five minutes ago.

It's clear the bartender is every bit as intimidated of Mr. Blake Benson as everyone else who encounters him.

"This should cover our drinks," Blake says to Cade.

"And please, keep the change."

Cade nods and thanks him under his breath.

His fingers reach out to grab the money and he looks like a puppy that has just been scolded by their owner.

It's a defeating sight.

Cade puts both of the bills into his bartending apron and leaves us to tend to his other customers.

Blake picks up his martini glass and holds it close to the light.

His eyes scour the glass, inspecting its contents before he puts the rim to his lips. He drains the entire glass slowly and without pause. His tongue slid

es along his bottom lip when he's finished and he sets it gently back onto the counter.

The sight of his tongue stirs unwanted desire through my groin.

It's as if I can still taste him, feeling his tongue sliding against mine in a battle for dominance.

"How did you find me?" I ask, forcing the unwelcome thoughts away. Blake hums low in his throat.

"The gentleman at the front desk asked if I enjoyed my time at Francisco's. When I stopped by the room to change and saw you were gone, it was easy enough to piece things together."

"I didn't realize stalking was a part of your job description. Should I refer to you as Detective Benson from now on?"

Blake side-steps my witty response.

"The question really shouldn't be how I found you, Callum but rather what you're doing here in the first place."

"I wanted to get out. I needed some air."

"At a gay bar?"

"Yeah, you got a problem with that?" I spit angrily.

The real reason behind my visit to Francisco's stays locked in the back of my mind.

If I admitted the truth, it would only further prove to Blake that the kiss between us affected me.

Did it affect me? I'd like to say no but my groin says differently.

Even having Blake stand so close to me is doing more than it should, stirring up a dark desire that I wish I could ignore.

Blake is quiet for a moment, his fingers tracing around the bottom of his martini glass.

I can't tell if he's pissed or confused.

"Callum, I'd like to discuss with you what happened at the hotel earlier."

"I don't. Just drop it, Mr. Benson. Never happened."

This time when I respond with harsh words, Blake doesn't even flinch.

He must be expecting this type of reaction and his face remains impassive and neutral.

Cade moves towards us again, his every step riddled with hesitation.

"Ah. Can I get you anything else?" he asks, almost sounding like a different person, far more guarded and professional than the jovial man who insisted I have a lemon drop on the house.

Blake touches my leg, his fingers lightly tapping my knee to get my attention.

It's an innocent touch but even feeling his fingertips graze against my skin causes the lust in the pit of my stomach to quiver.

"Can I get you another drink before we leave?" Blake asks me.

"Nope. I'm done."

Blake nods and then leans closer to the bar, lowering his voice so just Cade and myself can hear what he's about to say.

"I'm a patient man," Blake says and his voice is as sharp as steel.

"But if I find out you are passing around free drinks to one of your customers again, consider yourself unemployed."

Cade blanches.

The warning has its intended effect and the bartender nods weakly.

He mutters some semblance of an apology and walks away from us, Blake's words still racing through his mind, no doubt.

I hop off the bar stool and sneer under my breath.

"You're such a dick. He was only trying to be nice."

Blake ushers me towards the door to leave Francisco's.

After that awkward altercation, I'm all too relieved to get the hell out of here.

"No," my boss corrects me under his breath.

"He was trying to get laid."

I shove through the doors and turn to glance at him over my shoulder.

"So we're back to that again, huh sir?"

"Watch your tone, Mr. Greene."

I throw my hands up in the air.

"So let me get this right. Even though I'm not gay, you have a homo boyfriend and I'm definitely not interested in you, I'm not allowed to fuck anyone and no one is allowed to be even slightly interested in fucking me?"

Blake sighs and pauses to adjust his stupid, fucking cufflink again and like the idiot I am, I stop and wait for him.

My nostrils flare with irritation.

Blake smooths out his tie and gives me a small grin, one that is professional but carries with it an edge of irrefutable authority.

"That would be correct, Callum," Blake confirms without remorse.

"At least, not on my watch."

[mrs-harkness]

Ocean Eyes (Part 1)

Pairing: Tammy x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2.6K

Taglist: @peggycarter-steverogers @imgayandmymomdoesntknow 

A/n: Hey guys. Sorry for the wait. Life has been so busy as I just became a certified therapist and just life stuff in general. This is just going to be a mini fic for fun while I work on writing my next big one- which will be for Cordelia! Literally nothing like Run to Me, so I hope you don’t find it disappointing. Just a little filler while I work out the plot for my next story!

You pulled out your phone, checking the time. 1:53 PM. Your interview was at 2 o'clock and if you didn't figure out where you were quickly, you were going to be late. You walked faster, panic dialing your best friend who had gotten you the interview.

"Hello?" the sweet voice chimed on the other end.

"Sarah! Help! I'm lost," you pleaded, looking at the address on the piece of paper in your hand and trying to match it to the towering houses around you.

"How did you get lost? I gave you the exact address. Did the driver put it in wrong?"

"No. I made the Uber drop me off at the entrance to the neighborhood because his car looked super sketch and I didn't want the mom to see me step out of a car that looks like it was used in a 70's porn film. I started walking and I got lost."

You heard Sarah shuffling around in the background, and what sounded like the tapping of keys.

"Okay, give me the address for the closest house," she said. Your best friend was a life saver.

"Uhhh... 768 Elm Street," you told her, trying not to look suspicious in this wealthy neighborhood.

"Hmmm. Okay you're literally two streets over. If you go to the end of this street, take a right and walk less than two blocks. You'll make it to maple from there. You somehow managed to be right behind her house. It will take you about ten minutes."

Shit.

"No! There has got to be a quicker way! I am going to be late!" You whined, stomping your feet on the sidewalk in frustration.

"Yeah, Tammy is not going to like that. She is very patient but she's got three kids so she really only has enough patience for them. Well wait, hang on a second."

"What? Did you find a quicker route?"

"Sorta. You should have just stayed in the Uber."

"Sarah I did not want to pull up like Will Smith from the Fresh Prince of Belaire, now spit it out already!"

"Well that house you are standing in front of? Technically if you could find a way into their backyard and through the trees... you could get to Tammy's house in half the time."

You looked at the house in front of you. It looked more like a post office than a home. Large marble columns, real gas lamps framing a shiny oak door, and a second floor balcony that seemed larger than Sarah's whole apartment. This is not the type of property you just meandered around on, but this job was also not the type of opportunity you just let slip away by being two minutes late.

You walked a little to the side of the house, and there you found your favorite thing of the whole house: A gate to the backyard.

"I'm gonna do it," you say to Sarah, who had been quiet this entire time.

There was more silence, before you heard your best friend draw in a breath.

"Don't get arrested please. Call me when you're done, or in lock up. Either way, be safe."

Sarah had always been someone who just supported and loved you no matter what. Whether it was moving on a whim to another city and crashing on her couch indefinitely or trespassing through a rich family's yard to get the job that would help you get started on your dreams. She was that type of friend and you loved her for it.

You didn't even say goodbye as you hung up and checked the time again. 1:55 PM mocked you on the screen. You shoved the phone in your pocket before quickly looking around. No one was out and about thankfully probably due to the heat picking up, so you walked briskly over to the gate.

You said a prayer and begged the universe to be kind to you under your breath as you forced yourself to find the courage and flung open the lock to the gate, letting it swing open. You looked around the yard really quickly to find it empty as well. Maybe this wouldn't be hard at all.

You closed the gate behind you and you quickly jogged into the yard. There was a picnic table close to the other side of the fence and you would be able to hop right over! You breathed a sigh of relief because everything was going to plan, until the dog.

A ear piecing yap began sounding through the yard like an obnoxious security alarm. You turned and saw that the back of the home was basically one big window and there inside was the ugliest looking purse dog you had ever seen, notifying every living creature with working ears within a mile of your presence.

You watched horrified as the owner of said ugly dog appeared in the view of the window like some horror movie on a tv screen. An older woman, dressed as if she had been in the middle of a workout, was also now yapping at you angrily and  making her way to her giant window wall.

Your feet started moving before you realized what was happening and you bolted to the back of the yard and onto the picnic table, jumping and throwing one of your legs over the fence. The little old woman made it to a sliding glass door, releasing her dog and profanities towards you.

The dog tore across the lawn, but thankfully was no actual threat. You looked at the woman as you threw your other leg over the fence.

"I'm not a criminal! I'm sorry! I just got lost on the way to a job interview. You have a nice home!" you yelled, trying to prove to this stranger you were not bad, just had poor execution of your ideas. You dropped over the other side of the fence and into the wooded area behind the home, running as fast as your feet could carry you from the angry woman and her angrier dog.

It only took you about a minute of running full force to make it to another fence, a fence you were praying was Tammy's. You ran around the length of it, following it to the front of the house. You shakily pulled out the paper from your pocket and checked the address. You had made it. This was the house. You laughed, more relieved than anything, and jogged to the front door.

You knocked and weren't even able to take a full breath before the door opened.

There before you stood the most beautiful woman you had ever laid your eyes on. Her hair was the color of sand on the beaches of heaven its self and her eyes looked like brownies fresh from the over, and you had the strange thought of wanting to burn your mouth on them.

Y/n, that's weird. Stop it.

You stared at her, trying not to look to heavily at her gorgeous smile at the fear she may think you were looking at her lips. Even though you kind of were. You forced yourself to smile back.

"You must be Y/n," she said, looking at her watch, "and you are right on time. Let it be known I find that super attractive."

You chuckle nervously, unable to process a coherent thought. You really just hoped she couldn't tell you had just ran through the woods to stand stupid on her doorstep. Thankfully it didn't seem like she did and stepped aside, letting you in.

The home was gorgeous and lavish, but also homey and seemed lived in. You could hear the distant laughter of children somewhere in the house and portraits of what you could only assume were those children hung on the walls. You did notice though that there was a lack of family portraits probably due to the husband no longer being in the picture.

Sarah had filled you in a little bit about the family situation. She had worked with them over the summer and was working for them when they filed for divorce. Supposedly neither of them seemed upset by it, but he had still decided to move into another town. Tammy supposedly worked a very busy job and with three rambunctious kids, help was needed. Sarah had helped them occasionally, but Tammy needed something more permanent and hopefully that's where you would come in.

You followed Tammy into a big open kitchen and sat down with her at the kitchen table.

"Can I offer you some tea or water?" she said sweetly.

Even though you were parched from the mini marathon you had just ran, you politely declined. You pulled your resume out of your bag and put it on the table. Tammy reached over and took it, looking at it before smiling back up at you.

"I know Sarah said you had just moved here, so what brought you to town?" Tammy asked.

You hoped the look of confusion was not obvious on your face because you were expecting only questions about the job. You were unsure how useful you would be talking about yourself right now.

"Uh, well I came to town for a fresh start, and with Sarah here, it just seemed like the best place to restart."

"Running from something?" Tammy asked, putting down the resume and taking a sip of something in a mug that had been sitting on the table.

"N-no ma'am. Nothing illegal. I am not a criminal. I told the old lady the same thing," you stuttered.

Tammy raised her eyebrow at the last part, but you kept going to breeze over it hopefully.

"I just- I got my heartbroken and got kicked out of the apartment we shared. I didn't feel like I was making anything of my life where I was and I have such big dreams, but all I found there was pain and complacency, so I came here in hope to change that."

You voice sounded small and you ringed your hands in your lap, nervous that you may have said too much. Tammy's face softened even more somehow though and she smiled at you over the edge of her mug. She stared at you for a moment, her eyes seeming to sparkle. She nodded and looked down at your resume again.

"Well, you certainly have quite an impressive track record here. You seem like a kid expert. And because I already did a background check on you, I feel comfortable saying, if you would like the job its yours."

You sat there at the table, now not trying to hide the stunned look on your face. You had a harder time getting over the fence than getting employed by this woman.

"That's it? You don't need to ask me anything else? You're giving me the job?" you ask, stumbling over your words.

Tammy laughs and it feels like butterflies flutter in your belly. You like to make her laugh, but you aren't sure if she think's you're funny or stupid.

"With my life and my job, Y/n, the thing that is most important to me is being able to trust you. With my kids, my day to day life, and if I need your help with something. Trust and honesty go a long way with me, and you proved that with one question," she said, coming over to you with a glass of water.

You took it with a smile, forcing yourself to take a slow slip.

"Well, you can definitely trust me. And I'd be honored to by your nanny," you say, excitement and nervousness flowering inside your chest.

Tammy smiles sweetly at you.

"Consider yourself part of the family Y/n. Now you do know this is a live in position right? Sarah told you that?"

You nodded, that having been one of the main reasons you wanted the job. As much as you loved Sarah, you did not love sleeping on her couch. Being a live in nanny presented its own set of challenges, but it wouldn't be forever.

"Good. Can you move in today?"

You choked on your water, coughing and spitting it all over your shirt. Tammy laughed at you, and your cheeks burned red. Now you were embarrassed and Tammy sensed that.

"I'm sorry Y/n, I didn't mean to shock you. I just really need your help around here as soon as possible. And it would be better if you just came on in and got to know me and the kids since you're going to be a big part of our lives."

She handed you a paper towel, looking down at you with a comforting expression. Your cheeks burned red again, but not from embarrassment. You looked away and cleared your throat, unsure why you were so flustered.

"Sure. Yeah, no problem. I just need to run home and grab my clothes and things, but I don't have any furniture so-"

"Oh don't worry. You'll have the whole attic. Its renovated and fully furnished and you'll have your own bathroom. You don't need to worry about buying anything."

That was a relief. It would have taken you a while to afford those things.

You got up and walked with Tammy to the front door, her opening it for you.

"Thank you Ms. Tammy for hiring me, you will not regret it. I will take good care of your kids and make your life as easy as I possibly can," you say, brushing a piece of hair behind your ear, attempting to look confident and wanting to ensure Tammy she had made the right choice.

She chuckled again, putting a little hole in that confidence, but it was quickly repaired when she wrapped her arms around you. It shocked you and you stood there, frozen for a second before hugging her back.

"I know you will. You're going to be a wonderful addition to our lives, all of our lives," she said. Her voice had a hint of something in it, making it seem like silk, but then you felt her pulling on your hair a bit and you felt like your legs may fall out from under you. Who was this woman?

Before you could assume anything further though, she pulled back and revealed she had taken a small branch with green leaves from your hair. You laughed nervously. Tammy cocked an eyebrow at you and smiled cheekily, holding it up.

"That is a funny story... I can explain that. I promise I bathe."

It was Tammy who laughed this time thankfully. She nodded and played with the branch in between her long, manicured fingers.

"That's alright. You can tell me about it tonight over drinks once you are home. I'd like to get to know you better while we get you settled."

Something about the way she said it made your breath catch in your throat. She smiled at you and you two said your goodbyes. You would text her when you were on the way back home. How strange that felt.

You sat in a much cleaner Uber on the way back to Sarah's, your head pressed against the glass. You couldn't stop thinking about Tammy and it seemed like you also couldn't wipe the smile from your face either. It seemed almost like a dream.

Just then, your phone buzzed and you were pulled from the thoughts of the woman to see that her name was on your screen. You quickly held the phone up to unlock it, suddenly overcome with the need of answering her at a moments notice. Thankfully it was not a message of her changing her mind.

Btw, just call me Tammy. Ms. Tammy is a little formal ;)

You smiled and bit your lip, quickly responding.

Okay, Tammy :)

[yandere-mha-blog]

Chapter 11: New home

Words: 2166

“Man, this mask is not cute at all.” The girl said as you looked at her 

“I think it looks fine, all that matters is that it works.” you said

“Oh look, some new friends.” She said looking at a girl with long green hair, adn girl with short brown hair, and before you knew it she was out of your line of sight and sliced the brown haired one arm, before you even knew that happened, she was fast. She grabbed the slash mask and her friend placed an arm in front of her

“Is your arm okay?” she asked “what type of person just comes swinging out to cut someone with a knife.”

“Asui and Okacho.” you said as you were still in a tree, good thing hawks taught you how to use your quirk for blimbing and packing

“Who said that?” Asui said

“How do you know our names?” Okacho said looking around

“The sports festival.” Asui said

“Correct.” you said as you looked at Toga

“To shallow not enough blood.” She said as you were kept on look out and out of sight “usually with a  good wound I can just suck out the blood, but with this it makes it so much easier, so i'm going to stab you now.”

And with that toga charged and Asui flung ocacho out of the way and right towards the tree you were in, you grabbed her by the suspenders and flung her back down before she could run down to the camp and alert the others, you had to make sure to avoid her hands otherwise you could be sent to the atmosphere and never returned

“Tsuya, I found the other one.” She said

“Aww tsuya is such a cute name, i'm going to call you that too.” Toga said pulling her mask down to give a smile

“No only my friends can call me that.” Asui said as she tried to run but toga flung a needle at her it got caught in her hair and she was pinned to a tree, ocacho made eye contact with you as you patted the sides of your belt, aka telling hawks you needed to go up, which he did, a system of touches to indicate, left, right, up or down

“Tsuya she can fly, must be her quirk.” Ockacko said as she ran to help her friend who toga was about to drain, and to your surprise she was able to take toga down, the two were having a chat, before toga stabbed her in the leg and drained her, you patted your belt and feel down and kicked Ockacko off, and getting toga back up.

“Thanks bestie.” She said as a group of guys came into view, time for you to leave

“(name) there are too many here and I don't feel like dying.” TOga said and you nodded and grabbed her and patted your belt to go up “bye bye besties- oh who is that.”

“Who is who?” you asked as you were on your way out.”

“The green haired one covered in blood and mangled.” Toga said

“Oh izuku midoriya, he destroyed himself during the sports festival, he is really strong but his quirk has a habit of destroying his body.” you said as you set her down and got the notice that The guy you had been sent to capture was good as got, you looked over at Mr, compress who had been the one to get him, then you saw hawks land in a tree and stare the kids down, he put his hand out and Mr, compress set something in his hands as the kids were yelling for their classmate back, you patted your belt and hawks sent you flying to him

“Huh where did she come from?” izuku said “hey give him back.”

“What bakugou does not belong to anyone you egotist.” Mr compress said handing you a marble

“Now which one of us has the Bakugou? That is the question.” He said and booked it, you gave hawks a look and he sent you flying in the other direction, and hawks in another one, the kids split up

“The nighthawks have to have him.” Todoroki said “he is the fastest so he is trying to get away, 

“I got a plan.” izuku said as you are sent on your way, hawks had entrusted you with tokoyami, once you were far enough you patted the belt and he let you down, you look into the marble he was passed out and asleep, you didn't feel right about this, this isn't right. You broke open the marble and The bird you saw at the sports festival was laying on the ground unconscious

“Are you going to kill me?” he muttered out

“No.” you said and patted the belt and flew off, hawks on the other hand was laughing at the kids attempt to catch up to him, he thought he would throw them a bone and slowed down, right before he crushed the marble and a giant boulder came out and the kids ran into it as they fell, hawks used his feather to stop the bolder from crushing him

“YOu are fast, but not fast enough, and you really think they would interest a free bird like me with a big stakes mission.” 

“GIVE HIM BACK.” Izuku said, hawks gave a half smile

“He is that way, hope you are fast enough this time.” Hawks said and flew off to regroup with you, you landed on his back

“We tricked em, this is all over, the portal is going to open up soon.” Hawks said “between the fire, toxic gas, a tank of a man being demolished by a teenager, lets go.” Hawks said

“What did you do?” you asked

“Eh nothing much.” Hawks said remembering how he sent Muscular over the side of a cliff after The finger destroying kid broke all his arms, before looking over to you and placing you on his back “Lets go...oh you have gotta be kidding me.”

“What happen?” You asked

“They are leaving without us...screw them, I'll find our own way home.” Hawks said before turning himself around and getting out of the training camp, you briefly heard the blood curdling scream of a student yelling for his friend.

Hawks was a master of stealth however when word caught wind that Nighthawk and “talons” as they dubbed you, what a dumb and mediocre nickname, how original. Still Hawks isn't talking much on the way back, maybe he was mad that his so-called “companion ditched him to get caught with the others that were defeated. The two of you landed on top of a building and you slid off of hawks back and looked over the skyrise.

“Alright hand him over.” Hawks said sticking out his gloved hand

“Hand who over?” you asked, you knew playing dumb wouldn't work but maybe it woudl of been better if you told hawks about your slight change in plans.

“The student, Tokoyami, the one I handed over to you for safe keeping.” Hawks said “did you lose him?”

“Of course I didn't.” you said

“Great, then hand him over.” Hawks said

“...i didn't lose him, but i did.” you gulped “I Didn't take him with us.” “Oh.” hawks said “You did what now.”

“...look It didn't feel right okay.” you said “i don't care about what this “League” is doing, but i don't want to be put under kidnappers.”

He looked upset, he looked a bit angry, then he let out a sigh of relief, putting a hand to his chest as he exhaled. 

“Ah i knew i could trust you.” he said then patted your head “

“Excuse me?” you said

“It was a test chickadee, look I didn't want to help those people, and they knew that, but if they knew i wanted to get on of the U.A kids then they would let me off the hook with all that suspension.” he said waving his hand “But they had there eyes on me, not you that much since you aren't well known, i didn't want them getting their paws on anyone but...well devil's advocate i guess.”

“So you aren't angry that-”

“Nope stop being a worry wart, but still I can tell this is going to set off something big...so how about we get out of Kamino and hang out in the countryside for a bit.

“What do you mean something big is about to happen?” you asked

“My third secondary covert is puffing up, which means something bad is going to happen, and I don't want us to be around when it does.”

“You are a very weird man, but I'll trust your gut...or feathers.” you said as he used one to tickle under your nose as you swatted it away

“Stop that.” you said

“Nah.” he said as he kept tickling under your nose till you sneezed

“Ew you got your snot on my feather.” he said, shaking it off before reattaching it.

“So where are we going?” you asked

“You will see once we get there.” Hawks said with a smile “now hope on i've had my rest hope back on.”

“Are you sure you don't want to rest for the night, you look a bit tired.” you suggested

“(name) im fine now let's get going, I don't want to travel in the morning.” Hawks said, you internally signed and hoped on his back again and the two of you were off, you wondered where he was taking you exactly.

So standing outside an old shack that looked like it was on it's last leg was a bit of surprise

“Welcome home.” He said

“What type of dumb is this.” you said

“Hey, that's no way to talk about a man's childhood home.” Hawks said moving a piece of plywood

“Childhood house?” you said as you say hawks open the door only for the door to home off the hinges, the wood was so old the screws just slipped out.

“That is easily fixed.” Hawks said “And yes this rusty old shack is where i would sleep, eat and shit as a kid.”

“Was it always this ummm run down?”

“Your harsh words wound me.” Hawks said as he used his wings to get the cobwebs dusted out, well it was Hawks you trusted him so you walked in, only for the floor bored to crash under you Hawks caught you and lifted you up and placed the piece of plywood that was covering the door on the floor

“Sorry should of warn you about that boobytrap.” Hawks said, ``We remove this plywood when we go out, or when we sleep, so if someone tries to come in, stitch to the bottom.” Hawks said

“Okay then.” you said “Any other bobbytraps I should know about?” you asked

“Hmmm there is this one bean that if you lean against will make the one above it swing.” Hawks said pointing to the beam with the “X do not touch.”

You gave him a side look and kept walking around, you saw an old tv that was covered in a thick layer of dust, you dusted that off with your hand, this palace was littered with cans, trash, dust and whatever that green stuff was.

“You really lived here as a kid?” you asked

“Well I did till my dad got caught by the authorities, then me and my mom had to skedaddle.” Hawks said

“...Where is your mom?” you asked

“Doesn't matter, I don't know, like I said she thought I wasn't worth the trouble of having around so she abandoned me on the street because the HPSC was after me.” Hawks said “Wonder how different things could've been if the HPSC did get a hold of me.”

“...well, you weren’t, why is your dad arrested anyways?” You asked as you found an old tattered blanket

“Petty thief, murder, jaywalking.” Hawks said “oh hey look at my blanket you found it i forgot about this tattered thing.”

“Oh I was going to use it as a dust rag.” you said handing it over, and Hawks tossed it to the side

“Look I know the palace sucks, but we gotta lay low for a bit okay.” Hawks said, as you patted his head

“I know.” you said “we just grew up in very different conditions yet we are in the same spot.”

“Well when you put it that way you make it seem like there is no hope.” Hawks said “I wonder if the water still works. I got to clean my wings.”

“Okay i'll try to make a bed.” you said as he left and you smacked a couch cushion against the floor trying to remove the dust before you heard hawks scream from the bathroom

“WATER WORKS BUT IT'S FREAKING COLD!” He yelled out, you gave out a tiny laugh before getting back to work.

[arch-venus25]

The Head and the Heart, Part 4

Hello everyone,

I submitted this for @just-the-hiddles‘s The Damnit Jim, I’m A Vampire, Not A Landlord Fic Frenzy.

This chapter is less action heavy, but just as important. Thanks for hanging in there and reading!

Series Masterlist: The Head and The Heart

Summary: The twins are taking a night off from their graduate studies-- or at least Tessa is; her twin sister, Antha, is just trying to keep her out of trouble. What starts as a night of good old-fashioned fun and flirting quickly changes as they find themselves at the doorstep of the Hollow House Bed and Breakfast.

Characters: OFCs Antha and Tessa King, original characters/vampires

WARNINGS: 18+ for suggestive themes and violence, cursing, implied drug use, implied rape, stressful/scary situations, vampires, and characters with incredible hair-- you’ve been warned. Read at your own discretion.

Word Count: 3812

Part Four: The Aftermath

           The weathered professor seemed very confused but stood her ground and insisted, “Miss King, take the summer off.”

           “I just need a week, that’s all—and then I’ll get the methodology section to you—Dr. Watts I just need another week, please!” Antha pushed back. Dr. Watts set her glasses on her desk and then waved her over to a deep-tufted-leather sofa.

           “Antha,” her voice lowered, “I’ve known you for what—five years? You don’t become a valedictorian because you don’t like to write. You have been moody these past few weeks, you barely passed the final exam, and you’ve pushed back the thesis methodology three times. Last class, you were so distracted I would have rather you skipped. I know you, talk to me, what’s going on?”

           “My sister and I had a Friday night out with some friends and something happened.” Antha murmured, staring down at her feet.

           “Friday nights aren’t what they used be; did you hear about the fight that broke out at that dive bar off of—oh, what’s it called? You know the place—well, it was all over the news,” she paused gravely, “you weren’t there were you?”

           The twin nodded slowly. She felt overwhelmed in front of her advisor. She pinched the bridge of her nose and squeezed her eyes shut before replying. “Tessa’s date got into a fight with an old flame, it was a whole thing. But after…” She couldn’t continue. The advisor took her hand gently.

           “Did someone hurt you?”

           Antha’s eyes welled and all she could do was stare. As if she said the words out loud, it would become more true than it already was. The doctor’s forehead wrinkled as her brows gathered together. Having lived through the revolutions of the sixties and the proceeding struggle for equality, Dr. Watts knew the dangers women faced. She didn’t need an answer; she just wanted to offer shelter to a young woman. She knew just from looking at her student that whatever happened, it was beyond words.

           “You’re taking the summer and fall semester off—or at the very least take the summer off and go to a student counselor; its free, it comes with your tuition, so please use it. If you need anything you know you and your sister can come to me.” She wrote down her personal number and one for the counselors’ office. Antha held the little shred of stationary. She promised she would do just that.

        Shortly after, she left her advisor’s office and floated through the campus green and then waited by the bus stop. Her feet told her she was going home, yet her attention was somewhere far away. What can I say to a counselor? Who would understand what we saw at Hollow House? Without realizing, she had retrieved something from her pocket; she stared dumfounded at the pewter-colored iris that gleamed back.

        Antha couldn’t get rid of it. But in a moment of frustration, she chucked the marble-like eye into a nearby drain. She returned to her spot and tried to focus on scheduling a counselor. Moving forward, that’s what I need, she figured.

        A familiar wheezing crawled up the street. The sluggishness of a muffler that had seen better days filled her ears as she dazed at the phone number-laden scrap paper.  “—Antha!” Someone yelled. To her surprise she peered up to see Doug hanging out of his rusty Buick, looking just as timid as ever. He seemed anxious, for what reason she didn’t know. “I’ve been calling your name. You’ve gone deaf ol’ girl—you want a ride?” He asked with forced humor in his voice. She watched him blankly as his expression fell. “You alright?”

        Antha thought about it and suddenly felt stupid. All of her gusto about moving forward had evaporated; she lamely shook her head like a weary child. She felt like a little girl in a world that was too big for her. It all just seemed too much.

        The July swelter didn’t let up even with the windows down. The two didn’t speak as they made their way to their favorite pizza joint. Thrilled to be out of the unairconditioned Buick’s steel embrace, they collapsed into the far back booth of the pizzeria. All the servers knew it was Doug and Antha’s spot; they habitually kept it clean and empty, knowing they would eventually roll in. They made it to the “golden hour”. The sacred three hours between the lunch and dinner rush. It was their favorite time.

        “Whatchas want?” The straggly blue-haired waitress chewed her bubblegum like a goat.

        “The usual—uh hold on—when did you eat last?” Doug asked. Antha shrugged and realized she didn’t know. She couldn’t even think that far back. “Can we get a double order of the usual? But make two of them to-go?” The waitress didn’t even answer as she went to get drinks. “You want to talk about it?”

           “Nope. I said everything already.” Antha wasn’t mad at him, she was just tired. She was more annoyed that he would ask about the matter and then dispute the realism of what she explained. Doug grumbled when the waitress slopped the pitcher and straws down, vanilla coke-a-cola splashing everywhere.

           “—Hey, don’t we get like a punch-card or something? You know, for every hundred pizzas we buy, we get the next one free?” He politely suggested, his way of being confrontational. He was growing exasperated with the women in his life; he didn’t mind taking it from his close friends, Zoey and the twins, but he was having none of this waitress. She paused, chewed her gum, and left again.

           “Whoa, cool off killer,” Antha snarked, her spirits lifting with each sip of her fountain soda. She looked him over and thought on their friendship for a moment as he griped about that one particular server.

        Doug was a shy, lanky, ginger-bearded young man. He was passionate about things and supportive of the people he loved, but didn’t reserve much attention for the people outside of that parameter. He lived in vintage band t-shirts, had friendly light eyes, and a funny smile. No one could resist his unkempt wolfish hair or his corny sense of humor; he had a way of growing on a person. But he always showed up, his guitar in tow. That’s why Antha didn’t fight him when he asked about that night; she knew he actually cared and was trying his best to understand. He couldn’t help her though. No one could help.

        “How about we hang out this weekend, do a barbeque? Nobody grills a burger like you—and Tessa can make her sangria, huh, what do you think?” He tried to turn the conversation to open her up.

        “Uhh… I don’t know. I can’t plan that far ahead, I’m real busy.” She declined. The sausage pizzas arrived faster than expected and Doug dropped slices on their plates.

        “Busy yeah? Mmm-hmmm,” he bit into his slice, cheese tangling in his five o’clock shadow, “busy not writing your thesis, not eating, and not sleeping? Ant, the last time I saw you eat was a few days ago when I brought pizza over. You gonna talk to me?”

        Antha sighed loudly and glared at him. She was worn-through with the people in her life too. I’m too tired for this shit, she thought. She pushed her plate forward and abandoned her half-eaten slice. He saw her mild protest and his cheeks tinged pink. They silently stared each other down, him chewing as loud as he could manage while she obnoxiously slurped her soda in reply.

        Before they could hash out their issues a patron burst through the front entrance. “Hey—hic—you seen Ant? Where she at? The back?” Tessa was hiccupping and talking all sorts of loud, like she was in a club on a Saturday night. “Oh hey girls!” She pointed at the staff and sashayed herself to the booth; her bedazzled sandals slapping the linoleum like a jackhammer in the quiet place. The front door jingled again and in rushed Zoey.

        “I’m sorry,” she apologized to the front of the house and then chased after Tessa. “I picked her up because she was texting me weird messages—I thought I could calm her down with something to eat.” She explained to the table as she took a seat next to Doug.

        “I already ate today.” Tessa insisted, sliding in next to her sister and almost toppling over a pizza.

        “Oh yeah, what did you have for lunch?” Doug asked, his patience wearing thin.

        “GIN and uh—” she had to think about it but excitedly rebounded, “and uh water ice. Breakfast of champions!” Tessa thought she was quite funny, regardless how everyone else disagreed.

        “How about we have a little slice of pi—” Doug pandered but she wasn’t going to hear any of it.

        “Now who would put sausage on a pizza? Oh, no. I have enough meat in my life—you know what I’m sayin’ Zo—you feel me?” She howled.

        “That’s cute.” Doug’s patience officially went on vacation as of that second. He tore the sausage off some of the pie and then thrust the mangled slice in front of the drunk twin. “There ya’ go, just cheese—And you eat your damn slice too! This has gone on long enough—we’re going to have a barbeque and chill like we always do! It’s Fourth of July this weekend, did you know that?” He directed at the other twin.

        “This white boy’s hollering at you, oh lord…” Tessa cackled; her cheese dripped down the side of the table as she reached for some ice chips from an empty cup. Zoey was mortified and motioned to Antha for help, her friend was out of control.

        “Yeah—well this boy’s about tired of this foolishness! I don’t know all of what’s happened that night, but neither one of you will talk to me about it! Ant you’ve been practically dead, a walking zombie for three weeks—and Tessa, it’s three o’clock in the afternoon, what the hell has gotten into you?”

        “Gin.” She giggled.

        “Hey Katy? Can we get all this to go, with some two liters?” He yelled across the full length of the restaurant.

        Zoey handled the food transport as Doug buckled the twins into his car. He mumbled to himself, “…goddamn vampires my ass…” as he cleared his fogging glasses. Tessa began to mildly complain about the heat when the car stopped at a red light. They all noticed a young man struggling to get into a car at the gas station across the way.

        “Is that José?” She whispered. They witnessed his mother trying to steady him, juggling his crutches and searching for a spot on him that wasn’t bandaged. Adorned in a neck brace, shoulder sling, full posterior elbow splint, and full left leg cast. Poor José appeared like he faced-off with a combine. Doug glared at the girls in his rear-view mirror. The light turned green and not another word was said.

        He parked the Buick under the tree closest to the house and got the girls inside. Zoey did the same and brought the provisions to the shaded porch. It was too hot to do anything other than sit around by the fan or stay in the AC. Tessa went to her room when they got in; she felt awful about what she had seen at the gas station.

        They worked together to set up the tall pedestal fan on the porch, because the porch fan just couldn’t combat Mother Nature alone. They were in the midst of dawdling about when Antha accidentally fell asleep on the porch swing while Doug played the guitar. Zoey elicited his help inside to leave Antha to nap. The two were shocked with the state of things.

        Momma’s house was a frightful mess. They never saw it in its condition before: Dishes with dust, articles of clothing haphazardly dropped, laundry either half started or half done, it was difficult to tell. “Momma would roll over, I swear…” Zoey whispered. They agreed to tidy up while the twins rested, lest Momma rise up and haunt them. That woman was meticulous and was not above coming back from the grave to tell everyone what’s-what.

        As if life had been frozen in time from the month prior. The twin’s incident hit like a meteor and their friends now saw the wreckage. While they hadn’t admitted it out loud, they had stopped living too; obsessed with what happened that night at Hollow House. Grasping for a truth that they couldn’t reach.

        The overloaded dishwasher whined as it cycled and it reminded Doug of seeing José, busted up and struggling. That’s what really happens after a bar-brawl. There’s always a winner and always a loser. He half-heartedly swept the floor and thought to himself: these are the parts they edit from movies. The aftermath. The guns, the glory, the blood all made the cut; but the estranged motions we go through to try and find the thread leading back to our lives doesn’t. These are the quiet moments without answers, like loose ends dangling.

        Zoey crept into the kitchen and signaled for him to follow her to the porch. She had just hung the last load of laundry on the line for the afternoon. They were both beat and sweat through from cleaning. They shimmied the big metal ice bucket to the front, fearing they’d disturb Antha. She was so far gone that an earthquake couldn’t wake her. They popped two well-earned beers and exchanged the bits and pieces of what they learned from the twins over the past few weeks.

        “…that’s crazy, right? Like there’s no way what Tessa told me could be real, right? Did someone roofie their drinks?” Zoey asked him as she tied his wavy hair into a top-knot.

        “I’m just worried that something happened they won’t say, like they’re traumatized—I mean, Zo, I was driving to the bar and I seen them covered in blood on the side of the road. Tessa was screaming in the ER that a vampire attacked her sister—and then Antha all of a sudden, calms her down and explains to the doctors that they were lost in the woods, came upon the bed and breakfast for help, and that a strange man assaulted them there. Said they used a fireplace poker in defense, bloodied him up real good, and they escaped to the main road.” Doug took a swig of beer to recuperate.

        He was getting worked up just relaying the story, “But the cops, they investigated that place and found six bodies—slaughtered—in the basement, two of them the owners. The bodies had been sitting there for days before the twins got to ‘em. I’m scared that maniac’s out there. I mean—I’m scared in my own damn apartment when I think about it. What if they were found in that basement? What if we couldn’t find them?” He shook his head.

        “What can we do for them? Are there groups for people like this, who think they’ve seen something supernatural?” Zoey mused aloud as she pinned her jet-black pixie cut hair out of her face. The two pulled fresh beers out of the ice bucket and vowed to do some research after the weekend. They agreed their first goal was to get the twins fed and cared for.

        They watched the sun set into folds of purple, pink, and orange over the high grass. The heat of the day receded with the light, but the humidity persisted only to remind them that it was an intermission; the threat remained that the summer’s full force would return at tomorrow’s dawn.

        The grasshoppers were summoned as Doug strummed his guitar, not truly playing anything particular. Zoey brought out cards to shuffle, waiting on Tessa to play. The evening began to set in peacefully until a rumble cut through the twilight.

        A huge pickup truck barreled down the long drive and parked in front of the house. Out jumped the infamous Flake. His blond hair contrasted against the lavender sky, budding starlight glinting off his aviator sunglasses, and a tooth pick in the corner of his mouth completed his redneck-chic visage. He swaggered up to the porch and was met with a startled Antha; she had jumped up like a viper at the sound of his wheels. He donned a large patch like bandage over half an eye and his hands were wrapped too.

        “Tessa around?” Franco didn’t even offer small talk which had Antha go straight from just waking up to furious.

        “Not for you.”

“Well, I wanted to check in on her—haven’t been able to call on account of that scuffle at the bar. Them boys got my tires and my phone.”

        “Looks like they got your eye too.” She scoffed.

        “Yep,” he laughed and pulled his sunglasses down to reveal those piercing big blues, “you should see the other guy.”

        “We did.” Her disdain seemed to suck the air out of the whole yard. Franco leaned on the porch banister and pulled a smoke from behind his ear. Her eyes burned so hot on him she could have lit his cigarette.

        “I can see you’re not much for visitors, so I’ll just leave this. If you could give it to Tessa, I’d be mighty grateful.” He handed her a number, but she walked away not even considering it. Zoey jumped up and took the note. “Night ya’ll.” Franco flicked his butt into the yard and made his way back to his truck.

        Long after he left and the noise of his truck faded Antha sat, her arms crossed, on the porch swing. Her friends idled by, every so often glancing in her direction waiting for her to speak her mind. The disgruntled twin couldn’t connect the pieces of her dislike for Franco. It wasn’t as simple as his jeans were too torn, his truck too loud, or his gaze too heavy; it was the fact that she knew nothing about him. No one did. Where did he come from—and where was he going? It didn’t add up to Antha that he was the first hillbilly she ever met without a tan. What working man doesn’t have a farmer’s tan? Finally, after a good twenty-five minutes of contemplation Antha announced, “I need a drink.” With a flutter of Zoey’s sundress, she presented a liter of honey whiskey, lemon wedges, and shot glasses.

        A few shots and some pizza in her stomach, Antha started to feel somewhat whole. The four-hour nap revived her a bit, or least lessened the haze she had been wading through. She could finally take in her surroundings: she was lucky to have her friends. When the mosquitos really started to bite they brought their party inside and relished the cool—and now clean—house. “I don’t know what I’d do without you two, I’m sorry I can’t,” she paused, “I just can’t right now.” Before Antha could work out her sentiment the queen bee descended from her room.

        “That’s it! I have decided!” Tessa announced, thumping down the stairs like a sentinel charge. “I’m going to visit José tomorrow—even though it’s not my fault he got his ass beat, I still think it’s only fair to show love.” She waited, her hands on her hips, for their unyielding approval or preferably a round of applause.

        “Look at you growing a conscious,” was the general consensus of the other three. Tessa saucily tossed her braids as she dusted her shoulders. They all scooted into the kitchen table and fed her dinner. Just like a heart, she had a way of pulsing life into a room. Before they knew it, they were swapping stories like always.

        Tessa was laughing and teasing Doug when she took a shot. She threw her empty glass down on the table as was customary, but when the glass met the table it then clinked as if something had been dropped into it. They all sat forward to see a silvery-gray eye in the bottom.

        “Did you just spit that in there?” Doug’s eyes were wide.

        The twins beheld each other knowingly.

        In the beginning, they initially freaked out over the eyes returning. Now it became a sickening fascination of what they could do to them. The eyes always returned. They burned them, they drowned them, and they threw them away; every time the eyes returned to the twins.

        “I tried to tell you, but you’re not listening,” Antha began, “these eyes are following us. Ever since we killed that thing at Hollow House, we’ve had them.” Doug and Zoey’s faces were pained in disbelief.

        “Here.” Tessa got up roughly and held the eye over the sink. She turned on the garbage disposal and dropped it in; it made a grotesque metal sound and then after a few rotations, crunched like glass. Antha showed the eye that was always in her back pocket and explained she threw it away in a drain across town earlier that day. She threw hers in too, directly into the disposal.

        “Well, how long does it take for them to come back?” Zoey asked.

        “They’re not coming back—this is a trick!” Doug looked like an angry leprechaun with his reddened face and stubble. The twins’ faces didn’t even shift with the accusation.

        “Sometimes its seconds, sometimes hours, or a day. It doesn’t matter, they’ll be back.” Antha confirmed and the twins took their seats at the table. The room became solemn as Tessa popped another round of beers and poured a flight of shots for them all, knowing the liquid courage was needed. Doug jumped up from his seat and began checking under cushions, searching cupboards, and drawers. The girls sat back and waited as he processed.

        He huffed, “…you got back-ups, or hiding ‘em somewhere—I don’t know why you’re playing with me right now…it’s not funny…” But then a loud plop sounded on the kitchen table, like a golf ball dropped from the ceiling. He turned to watch a second oversized marble drop seemingly out of thin air. He returned to the table and gawked at the two eyes sitting in front of the twins. “You got to tell us what happened at Hollow House.” Doug’s voice was hushed as he shakily accepted the whiskey shot from Tessa. In unison they saluted and threw back the shots with beer chasers.

        While the four friends went over the sordid events, in gruesome detail, a mysterious figure watched from the unlit porch window. The uninvited guest crept off through the yard, down the dirt-path driveway, and made a phone call:

        “They got them eyes,” it reported, “I reckon there’ll be a war.”

Twinning Taglist: If you want to be added or removed just let me know; please share with anyone that might be interested. I would love any and all feedback so I can learn and become a better writer. Thank you!  I tagged some people that I thought would be interested in this. @myoxisbroken​ @just-the-hiddles​ @vodka-and-some-sass​ @nildespirandum​ @yespolkadotkitty​ @latent-thoughts​ @emeraldrosequartz​ @villainousshakespeare​ @hopelessromanticspoonie​ @caffiend-queen​ @poetic-fiasco​ @lokimostly​ @dianamolloy​ @marvelgirlonamarvelworld​ @brightsunanddarkmidnight2-0​ @cateyes315​ @mooncat163​ @nuggsmum​ @myraiswack​​​ @wolfpawn​​ @plastic-heart​​ @confusednerd09​

[daveslutstaine]

Spring green, asparagus, granny smith apple, dandelion, night owl, sunny side up, and rain drop blue

Spring Green: How do you relax when you’re stressed? One of the things I do is listen to music. It helps me with getting through things by taking my mind off of them and filling it with drawing ideas instead

Asparagus: What’s an unpopular opinion you have? Gatekeeping is necessary for hobbies to survive

Granny Smith Apple: What’s something everyone else likes that you don’t? The Rolling Stones, the color yellow, Marvel movies, and tootsie rolls

Dandelion: What’s a pet peeve of yours? People telling me that I need to do something when I'm already doing it or just about to do it

Night Owl: Describe a very interesting dream that you had. Hmmm, let me just dig around in my brain for a sec

One night I dreamt that I was at on a journey to uncover the secrets of the Earth. I remember it led me to a cave that seemed to go on forever and ever, getting considerably into the earth to the point where I couldn't feel the cool air of the world outside or hear it's noises. Suddenly I start hearing hissing noises and realize I'm surrounded by a bunch of albino alligators who say to me that they "guard the Earth and all of her secrets" and that they needed to check with the Earth to see if my intentions where "pure enough" to proceed with my journey, and if the Earth rejected me, it would not end well for me. Well thankfully, it seemed the Earth deemed me worthy enough for them to clear a path and let me move one with my journey. As soon as the gators are out of sight, I start hearing a light humming noise that gets louder as I keep on moving, when I start seeing a bright light. I keep on walking towards the humming and light and it leads me to a giant room in cave illuminated by massive candles, and in the center of room is a marble statue of two whales eating a brain in the center. I notice the humming coming from the statues and realize the humming is forming words I can understand. I don't remember what was said to me though. And then I woke up

Sunny Side Up: Do you like waking up in the mornings, or would you rather sleep in? I like waking up in the mornings actually. It sounds weird, but one of those people that feels more tired if I sleep in than if I wake up early in the morning

Rain Drop Blue: Describe the weather outside.

It's actually a little chilly out. The sky is clear and the wind is much calmer today than it was yesterday. Moon is also in crescent shape and is very bright

Thank you 💓

[i-did-not-mean-to]

Never say never - Chapter 6

So, here’s the next instalment of this little romcom story...

°6° ~Victoria~

“But, I insist upon apologising to the other people in attendance, again.” Victoria hated apologising, but Martin had been right in telling her off about snubbing people who had done her no harm…this far.

Knowing that it would make Martin laugh, she snatched up a bowl of peanuts and held it in her palms like an offering.

As expected, the man beside her doubled over in hilarity, holding his sides as the wheezing grew painful. The polite but confused looks of his friends and colleagues seemed an endless well of amusement to him.

“Ah, thank you.” Hiddleston took up one of the nuts gingerly and shoved it into his mouth as if it had been a ritualistic offering indeed. “See? The tamest of…beasts.” Martin whispered into her ear, and she was tempted to pat the golden hair on the man soothingly.

Following the other man’s example, Armitage also picked a nut and ate it, keeping his eyes questioningly on her face.

“Look pleased, girl, smile at them.” Martin said in a hushed voice, nudging her in the side gently.

Victoria was almost sure that she was grimacing, her teeth bared awkwardly, but she had never been good at smiling on command and this fraught situation was, unfortunately, no exception to this shortcoming of hers.

“So, tell us, what did you refer to when you called this a “nerd-fest”?” Martin prompted her gently to speak, seemingly understanding that direct exhortations would get him nowhere with her. It was, in general, always best to come at a petrified Victoria sideways, starting a seemingly inconsequential conversation and letting it flow from there.

“There are literally dolls of you.” Victoria scoffed, moving her hands vaguely in front of her body in an imitation of how a child would play with a doll. “Not soft though, hard plastic…” Her hands sunk back, she was making a fool of herself.

“Dolls?” Liza hooted gleefully. “Well, I’ve also seen the theatre productions.” Victoria said, just a moment too late, her voice tinged with resentment again. She hated being caught unawares and being goaded into saying stupid shit.

“No, you tell me more about the dolls.” Liza was having fun, but her expression was devoid of malice or ill-will.

“Liza, I have seen those funny movies with the costumes and the creatures and…” Victoria sighed, she didn’t remember the names and she was already at a disadvantage here. She felt caught and put on the spot amidst these people who, naturally, knew those movies so well, down to the very lines of the characters.

“And did you like them?” The good beast, Tom as he had introduced himself with a smile, was grinning at her warmly again. Yes, she could see what Jenna saw in him, he seemed to radiate warmth and a polite friendliness.

“Oh, yes, very much. It was a bit…sad though.” Victoria shrugged. She was not ready to explain to a bunch of strangers that she didn’t like seeing bad family relations and vicious fights, as her reality had enough of those to last for a lifetime.

Liza looked at her questioningly, but after a moment, she understood. She had seen Vic pick up on the most random things, but strained family relationships and weird homosexual undertones were always amongst the things that moved her most. Also, like most soft-hearted, even though Vic was equally hard-headed, women, Victoria hated untimely deaths.

Maybe, her plan would work after all. All she had to do now was to draw back and hope that Armitage had a tad of charm on his own. He had taken the peanut and he was giving them his best constipated smile.

Waving discreetly at her wife, she withdrew, pulling Jenna along with her, much to the chagrin of the young woman.

“That is one good-looking man.” She sighed under her breath and Liza turned around, scanning the room for the person her wife’s employee might have meant by those words. Martin followed them discreetly, coaxing Benedict along with the promise of more cakes and sandwiches (and a prime vantage point to follow the developments of their plan).

“Where are you all going now? What?” Vic called out, distress in her voice. “I’ll be right back; you stay with Armitage.” Liza grinned suavely, physically shoving Jenna along as she dug her heels into the carpeted floor.

Victoria blinked, looking up at the man in front of her until she could feel herself grow slightly dizzy.

“Oh darn it! That’s it. I’m done trying to be pretty.” She cursed under her breath, opened her tiny clutch bag and fished out a pair of gold-rimmed, round glasses that she put on resolutely. Unfortunately, she could not suppress the gasp.

“Oh Saints.” She sighed under her breath as the slightly blurry surroundings became sharper instantly. She had known that these were dangerous men, but she had believed that her myopy and the artistry of the editors had embellished them considerably; suffice it to say that she was shocked to find that she had been wrong.

~Richard~

They had left her alone with that woman. Not entirely alone of course, Hiddleston was still hovering around, but Martin that treacherous weasel had followed the cakes and the gentler women, leaving him stranded with this surprising creature whose eyes made it quite hard for him to find something relevant to say.

She blinked owlishly up at him until he thought that she’d go cross-eyed. To his surprise – another one – she usually wore glasses and when she put them on, an obscene sound of pleasure escaped her half-open lips.

Again, she called to the Saints, pushing the glasses up before they had even had the chance or the time to slip, which told him that she wore her glasses more consistently than him and probably had done so for a long time.

She had made an inane comment about no longer attempting to be pretty, before putting on her glasses but that made no sense at all to him, as her glasses were beautiful and, in a strange way, so was she.

Obviously, pushing up her glasses was a habit or a tick as she did it twice while looking at him as if he was a painting in a museum rather than a real, living, breathing person. Then again, he stood nearly as still as a statue under her forbidding, critical gaze that roamed over his face with detached curiosity.

“Hmmm, how do you find the 1971 Armitage then?” Hiddleston stood next to her, eating peanuts, and joining her in her intense study of the immobile man facing them. No doubt, he deserved the attribute of “stony” now, Richard thought, dismayed to be the butt of the joke after all. He had known that had been a risk and he had walked right into it.

“1971?” She asked absent-mindedly, throwing a quick questioning look at her interlocutor before returning her gaze to him, and Richard flinched a little bit. Why did that man have to lead with his age when talking to a woman that young?

“A collectible, I’m sure.” Hiddleston purred, his voice laden with affectation which made Victoria chuckle again.

Hmmm, if it made her laugh rather than growl and spit, he would be standing there and be mocked for a little while longer, Richard decided. She looked like she needed a laugh.

“Not quite an antique.” Victoria opined, but Hiddleston was quick to reassure her: “Almost though. It’s been wonderfully preserved.” Again, that pealing, throaty laughter resounded, and Richard’s own mouth curled into an indulgent smile.

“This deserves to be in a gallery.” Victoria murmured, her voice devout and strangely vulnerable.

“I am right here; I can hear you.” Richard interjected, without much hope to break up their little game.

“AAAH, as you can see, Ma’am, it is unfortunately haunted. It can tell the time…if you hang it opposite a clock that is…” Hiddleston was quick to take Richard’s intervention in his stride, giving himself an apologetic expression that amused Victoria greatly. “Haunted? A piece of art so young?” She expressed her doubt and suspicion.

“Yes, yes…It’s looking for a good home though, a nice attic or a cellar maybe…” Hiddleston was waving his hands around Richard’s face as if to dazzle Victoria by the speed of his movements, an old trick salespeople used to distract from the inferior quality of their wares.

“I have a home, thank you, Hiddleston. I am not a piece of junk to be sold for 50p in a yard-sale.” Richard growled.

Her face grew grave, and he wondered what dark thought had crossed her mind to make her smile die on her lips. Immediately, he regretted having cut short their fun. He really was the grumpy, old sad sack he never wanted to be.

~Victoria~

When Tom spoke of attics and cellars, Victoria was immediately reminded of the stately house her father had raised her in. She could imagine a man like that one living there, she could picture a painting of a man such as that hanging in the great hall over the fireplace or high above the broad staircase winding its way to the two separate wings of the manor.

He had a skin like the Italian marble that had been so ridiculously slippery and that had made her afraid to take a fatal tumble down the very same staircase. Many people had told her that the idea was ludicrous and overly dramatic, but she knew it to be possible. Her mother had died that way.

Yes, there had been a bottle of bourbon and some prescription drugs in the mix as well, but the fact remained that her mother had fallen down the staircase and died on the spot from a broken neck. Father had replaced that patch of marble, but its veining was different, and they all hated that marred, ugly square that stood out like a sore thumb.

Thinking of her childhood home invariably made her sad; but she couldn’t deny that Richard Armitage would have fitted better into the décor than the little girl she had been.

He would look terribly imposing on the steps of the stairs or sitting in the huge armchairs in front of the roaring fire in the library. He would not be swallowed by every piece of furniture, he would not look out of place in the huge copper bathtub, and he would certainly not blend into the dark corners of the much too spacious rooms when the main lights were turned down. Maybe, she would have to get a painting of him and try to sneak it in to see if her father would even notice.

“Would that he were a painting.” She murmured, a desperate note sneaking into her voice that Tom picked up on immediately. There was pain in this woman, and he could see the gooseflesh on her arms as she tried to keep still. Evidently, she was on the verge of breaking into another run, unable to cope with something that distressed her, a thing that escaped his notice though…which frustrated him, as he really wanted to help her.

“So, you prefer the theatre to the cinema?” He asked, hoping it would be the right path to choose.

Victoria took a deep breath; this was what Liza and Angie had aimed for, for her to meet new people and talk about herself again. “I don’t know, I’ve only been to the movie theatre a few times before. It was a long time ago though.”

She could remember the smell of popcorn and of anticipation as the room grew dark and the screen lit up like a window to another world. Even then, she had been consumed with an absurd fear to be among so many other people; terrified of what they might think of her if she was to gasp or cry at the wrong moment, so she stayed immobile.

The man who would marry and divorce her within 10 years had thought that she had hated the experience and hence had not asked her to go to the cinema often afterwards. Maybe, if he had believed that she liked it, he would have taken her instead of other girls and this shared hobby would have strengthened their bond rather than frazzle it.

Victoria coughed, she had said too much already, and her heart was pounding. She was not ready for this.

“I’m sorry. I have to go home. I’m not feeling well.” She uttered hastily, turning to leave.

She was a terrible person; she had tried to make things right and all she had managed were fits and starts, broken off conversations that would leave a stale taste on the silver tongues of these men.

“I…can’t.” She stammered to no-one in particular as she waved at her friends and vanished before they could make their way back through the room to keep her from leaving like an absurd perversion of Cinderella.

She wanted to say how sorry she was, she wanted to thank them for their kindness, but she just couldn’t…so, she ran, her feet drumming against the pavement and her dress soaking up the moisture of the ground as she made for the next corner to catch a cab.

By the time she arrived home, her chest was heaving frantically, and she was crying with panic and distress.

When she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror, Victoria had to admit to herself that she was irrevocably broken. She had had the great honour to meet people so fascinating and charming that many a woman would have torn out her own throat to be in her shoes and yet, she had not been able to shake the ghosts haunting her every breath, dogging her every step, spoiling her every pleasure.

Whatever Angie and Liza had thought they could achieve here, it would not happen, it never could.

~Richard~

That woman was utterly confusing. There were threads of a vibrant, quick-witted, funny person shining through behind a veil of confused anger, but somehow, they couldn’t get a hold of her.

In his mind, he could not reconcile the words he had read on the pages with the wide-eyed distress on her face; there was such a difference between the person he had imagined her to be and the person she had turned out to be in reality.

Now, it was true that his own taciturn demeanour had not been exactly conducive to drawing out the parts of her she was obviously hiding from the world, shielding them like deep wounds or fragile saplings.

Hiddleston however… that man was charming and even he had not managed to make her let down her guard for more than a few minutes at a time.

“What the fuck have you done to her?” Elizabeth stormed over, dismay writ plain on her face.

No, she had been angry before, she has bloody screamed at YOU, Richard thought, you cannot blame us for her leaving…but he still felt responsible and a tiny bit guilty. If he had been a little more open, she might have felt less insecure.

She has made it very clear that she’s afraid of you, he reminded himself, and you have done nothing to assuage her fears. No, you’ve given her your crooked, sharp-edged smiles that must indeed have looked like a predator baring its teeth at her more than the shy warmth he wanted them to convey.

“We were nice, all was well until Armitage gave her one of those cold, snide smiles.” Hiddleston shrugged and Richard felt weirdly hurt and betrayed even though he could hear that it had been a joke. Cold, a thing he had been called much too often and that made him despair within his own heart. He had not chosen his face and even after 50 years of life, he could not outrun its angular repulsiveness.

She had not known him well enough to be prejudiced, maybe, she would have been able to find warmth where others saw ice, but he had not managed to make her see. Also, Hiddleston had not been a great help.

“Awww, Richard, come on!” Martin sighed, disappointed, as if he was pursuing some ulterior motive Richard ignored.

[second-chance-stray]

Rp Log: Rising, Riylli, and Cravs apologize to each other over drinks.

(Riylli Aliapoh) Riylli sat alone at the table, impatiently awaiting the two Roegadyns appearance. Despite being the one to reach out to the two of them, the Miqo'te had a grumpy look on her face and had already gotten started with her drink. She absolutely did not seem to want to be here, but it was definitely too late now to leave

(Rising Lotus) Was keeping close to Cravs as they walked in, looking a bit hesitant about the whole night out. After glancing at Riylli sitting down, she avoided the miqo'te's gaze, looking at the ground or around the inn on her way over, keeping her gaze downward as she took a seat across from her.

(Cravendy Hound) As usual, Cravs is pretty late. She kicks open the saloon’s doors and then saunters over to Riylli’s table, happily looking forward to a night of drinking with some friends. But why does the miqo’te look so upset? Cravs takes a seat besides her and gives Riylli’s shoulder a good shake. “Why the long face? Let’s get this show on the road!”

(Riylli Aliapoh) Riylli simply raises an eyebrow towards Cravs' friendly greeting, getting caught off guard and at least for the moment forgetting she was supposed to be looking grumpy. "Uh... Hey." The Miqo'te hit the pair with the tried and true opener. "I ordered you guys some mead already. I dunno if that's what you like, but... It's pretty good here..?"

(Cravendy Hound) “Been ‘ere afore, and I agree. Some places, it’s best to stick to somethin’ tried an true.” Cravs raises a hand to catch the barkeeps attention, and without words he goes over to fill a glass with her usual. “Nice of ye to invite us out!”

(Rising Lotus) Rising was quick to take the mug off the table and take a long swig out of it, taking a deep breath afterwards as she set her drink down. "..Thanks." she managed to mutter out, continuing her awkward fidgeting. She kept look like she was trying to say something more but then rethinking it.

(Cravendy Hound) ...djfksld I AM. BAD AT READING. I guess Cravs is ordering a second round without finishing the first, but that's still in character for her xD ))

(Riylli Aliapoh) "...Yeah well, wasn't my idea..." She mumbles awkwardly, taking a pull from her drink to buy herself some time. "My friends wouldn't stop pestering me about it. And if were gonna be fightin' together and stuff then it's no good to let bad blood linger" She said with an awkward shrug, keeping her eyes fixed on the table

(Cravendy Hound) “Why ye actin’ like ye got a bellyful of marbles, Risin’?” Cravs sasses, brow raised playfully. But at the mention of ‘bad blood,’ her tune changes...somewhat. “Ey wot? Someone mad at someone else?”

(Riylli Aliapoh) Riylli squints at the Seawolf for a moment before bringing her hand to her face. "You... Don't even remember, do you. Ugh!" The Miqo'te lets out a frustrated sigh, then turned to Rising while gesturing towards Cravs. "Why are you even so mad at me anyway!? We should be teaming up on this drunkard!"

(Rising Lotus) Groans a bit, running her ungloved hand over her hair before sighing. "I guess you probably don't remember, you were pretty gone when I threw ya on the couch.." she paused as she thought over her next words "Riylli an I got a bit...frustrated I guess, which each other." she deflated a bit as brought it up. "I-I..I didn't mean too..it was jus' in the moment.."

(Cravendy Hound) Cravs sucks in her lips. Oh, but she DOES remember...enough, anyway. She had just assumed it was all in good fun. Messing around that may have gotten a little heated, but a passing thing. “Oh. Hmmm. Hm. HM.”

(Cravendy Hound) "Not my fault I was born to drink." Cravs follows through and takes a hearty chug from her mead.

(Riylli Aliapoh) Riylli decides to take a rather long pull from her drink, deciding that this was not a situation that she wanted to deal with while sober. "Someone born to drink wouldn't be such a lightweight..."

(Rising Lotus) Let out an irritated sigh. "If you would've waited until the damn thing was inside to drink this wouldn't a happened.." she sat up a bit. "You kind of ditched us to do all the hard work."

(Cravendy Hound) “I am. NOT. A lightweight!” Cravs blusters. It seems Riylli has touched a nerve. “Just got slammed on some of the strongest stuff possible in a short while. Who wouldn’t after fightin’ a spider...monster.” But to Rising’s comment, she has nothing to say. Cravs huffs.

(Riylli Aliapoh) "Uh huh. Well I ain't carrying you home." Riylli mutters, giving Cravs the side-eye. Not that she could carry her at all really, but that's beside the point.

(Rising Lotus) Rising had finished off her first drink and had started on the second round Cravs had ordered, eyeing the other roegydan after her outburst. "I get that..but you left that thing shoved in the doorway an' Riylli an' I had to do most the work." she glanced at Riylli, looking down to the table again afterwards. "Could've banged it out easily together an' drank at the company bar."

(Cravendy Hound) Pulling an apology out of Cravs is like pulling teeth. She knows she ought to, that it was a jerk move to toss a problem onto someone else’s shoulder. But a powerful pressure keeps any sorry words lodged in her throat. It simply isn’t something she’s done that much, and feels as unnatural as breathing water. After a long while, it all bursts out...as a garbled and quiet cough.

(Riylli Aliapoh) RIylli nods to Rising. "I bet with the three of us there we coulda just pushed it on through." She says, giving herself a lot of credit. "Instead me and Rising had to carve the damned thing like it was a bird. I wonder what happened to all that meat... Hope whatever animal that ate it didn't get sick..." She murmured to herself, getting distracted thanks to the fuzzy feeling in her head

(Cravendy Hound) “.............well ye two did a better job without me around. So I was. Doin’ ye a favor.” Her voice becomes progressively more and more quiet as she gets to the end. Cravs gives Riylli and Rising a sheepish look. “Bugger.”

(Cravendy Hound) oh noi she sit at table xD )) (Riylli Aliapoh) (We are being forced into an rp event (Riylli Aliapoh) (Thats new (Riylli Aliapoh) (WHAT DO WE DO? PANIC (Cravendy Hound) well! Let's see where this goes LOL ))

Rinnji Larioux: "Hey there, friends." Rinnji says, pulling herself up the lone unoccupied seat at the occupied table. She grins from Roe to Roe to Miqo.

Cravendy Hound is deep in a conversation with her two companions, and the elezen's intrusion into the table does not go unnoticed. Cravs leans forward, pirate swagger at its peak, and nearly growls. "Oy there, 'friend..'"

Rinnji Larioux smiles at you.

Rinnji Larioux: "Hoy!"

Rinnji Larioux: "Just wanted to come tell you lot that those free drinks include your table, and if you're so inclined, you're most welcome to join us."

Rinnji Larioux smiles from face to face, slowly picking up on the tension, but ever the diligent hostess, continues to smile brightly, with a charming, friendly demeanor.

Riylli Aliapoh: "...Thank the gods for that..." Riylli muttered, then immediately downed the rest of her drink and held up her hand for Buscarron to bring her another

Rising Lotus shuffles in her chair awkwardly, giving the elezen a nod as she kept an eye on Cravs. " 'Preciate it.."

Cravendy Hound pauses. "....free? Well that's a different story then. Oy Riyyli, turns out these drinks are on the 'ouse or somethin..." Cravs smirks. "Personally, I'll 'ave to pass on...whatever ye elven folk are doin' over yonder. But thanks for the invitation."

Rinnji Larioux nods to you.

Rinnji Larioux: "...we're a friendly sort."

Rinnji Larioux winks at you.

Cravendy Hound nods farewell to Rinnji, and then it's back to looking mad and being not glad.

(Rising Lotus) The hostess's visit put things a big off track, the three sitting in awkward silence for a few moments before Rising licked her lips and started to speak. "..I'm sorry for snappin' at you Riylli..uh, by the way." she just sort blurted it all out when she spoke.

(Riylli Aliapoh) Riylli grinned as she received a new drink, immediately taking a long swig of this one as well. She blinked as she looked around the room, apparently only just now noticing the crowd. "This place aint usually this busy..." She began, only to get caught off guard again by the sudden apology. "Uh... Yeah, it's... Fine or whatever." She responded awkwardly. She was not drunk enough for this dammit. "I'm sorry too, and all that..."

(Cravendy Hound) Cravs looks side to side, growing just a bit panicked. Now that they’ve both said sorry, then that would leave her, right? Godsdamned it all, but it’s like speaking in a foreign language for her. After a great deal of effort, she grumbles something under her breath. It vaguely resembles an apology, but gets drowned out by the sounds of revelry nearby.

(Riylli Aliapoh) Riylli's ear flickers and her attention is drawn to Cravs and her discomfort. Immediately she grins and leans forward, flicking her tail to one side. "Oh no you don't. You ain't getting out of this that easy, say it louder!"

(Rising Lotus) Rising finally cracked as smile at Riylli's response to Cravs' apology. "...I guess to be fair all the fun their havin' really is makin' this weird for us. Hard to be mopey an' say sorrys with them havin' a good time."

(Cravendy Hound) “WHAT. Piss n’ wind, yer -killin’- me ‘ere!” Cravs groans. But she won’t find a sympathetic soul here, not when her entire company consists of the people she’s wronged. “Would bloody rather ‘ave me keelhauled then deal with this shit.”

(Cravendy Hound) She finishes her glass, face red from...embarrassment? The effort of trying to ekk out an apology. Finally, with the exact same volume level as the first attempt, she repeats herself. “.....mmrgfghsorry...”

(Riylli Aliapoh) "No. No. No." Riylli shook her head disapprovingly. "C'mon, even I said it! And outta all of us, you're the one who should really be sayin' it the most! Is the big strong Roegadyn really too afraid to say a tiny little word?" Riylli tutted, clearly getting a little bit of revenge in for getting ditched with the spider

(Rising Lotus) Rising was close to finishing off her second drink by now, snickering at Riylli's teasing. "Aye, I guess it's good to know I'm the strong one between the two of us though, leaves less to wonder on which one of us is the best for the company." she flexed her exposed bicep. "Rising, powerful AND can apologize."

(Cravendy Hound) “Ay shove it! I said it twice already! An’ I swear, every time I say it again I lose a year offa my life. Blast, I - I need more drink.” Cravs sputtered. Thankfully, it’s around now that a barkeep comes over with the second round, and she quickly moves to snatch and down another cup.

(Cravendy Hound) Cravs is absolutely SEETHING. She pouts at Rising and glares at her bicep. “Powerful? Bet I can beat ye in an arm wrestlin’ contest. Bet I can beat both of ye, hah!”

(Riylli Aliapoh) "Oh no ya don't!" Riylli suddenly stood and grabbed the cup as well, trying to keep it from the Roegadyn woman and spilling just a little onto the floor, though her rosy-cheeked grin would make it clear she probably didn't care much. "If we didn't hear you, it don't count!"

(Cravendy Hound) "Risin' 'eard it! Didn't ye?!" Cravs growls. She scowls and gives a threatening look to the other Roegadyn. "Didn't. YE."

(Cravendy Hound) Cravs backed into a corner = ATTACKATTACKATTACK. Make things worse xD ))

(Rising Lotus) Assisted Riylli, putting her palm over the top of the mug to ensure nothing spilled but still kept it from Cravs. "I heard you grumble somethin', but who knows what it coulda been...an' I would kick your arse at an arm wrestlin' contest." she grinned devilishly, as soon as they squeezed that apology out of her that was what was coming next.

(Riylli Aliapoh) Riylli shook her head. "Rising aint got ears like mine anyroad. No way she'd have heard it and not me. Now! Nice and loud, so those elezen folk can hear it too!"

(Cravendy Hound) “Ye don’t use legs in an arm wrestlin’ contest, ye blusterin’ drylander!” Cravs retorts as she stands up. She feels like she’s on burning, like she can run a thousand miles. Her fight or flight instinct is firing on all cylinders and she has no idea what to do.

(Cravendy Hound) “YER BOTH FULL OF A LOAD OF BULL.” Is what comes out. Then, absolutely befuddled and slain by embarrassment, she storms out of the tavern cursing all the while. Out of sight and from afar, she shouts at so great a distance it echoes. “AN’ I’M BLOODY SORRY, ALRIGHT?”

(Cravendy Hound) ... I considered putting that in yell xD )) (Riylli Aliapoh) (SHES MAKING A BREAK FOR IT (Cravendy Hound) RUUUUUuUu nNN )) (Rising Lotus) woops for some reason I thought I was left a lone in the bar one sec xD))

(Rising Lotus) Is wide eyed and quiet as Cravs has her out burst, side eyeing Riylli as she take as moment to process it. "Uh..well I guess she said it...?"

(Riylli Aliapoh) "OY! GET BACK HERE! I DON'T GOT THE GIL FOR THIS!" Riylli calls out, but grins mischievously and grabs her drink before bolting out of the tavern as well. It was not a well thought out plan since Baderon knew who she was, but those were issues for later. "C'MON!"

(Rising Lotus) Rising kept pace with Riylli as she dashed out of the bar, glad that the drinks were on the house.

(Cravendy Hound) Cravs has, in her infinite wisdom, just been rushing headlong into the forest. She finally stops to catch her breath behind a tree and the weight of everything that has happened in the past 20 seconds hits her like a truck. WHAT WAS SHE DOING. Why was she running? How could she ever show her face around Rising and Riylli again? She groans, and then hears them follow suit. Oh god, keep running keeprunning. “D-DON’T FOLLOW ME YE SCRAGS. Also they were free drinks!”

(Riylli Aliapoh) "THESE ARE MY WOODS, YOU CAN'T RUN FROM ME!" Riylli calls out, able to easily catch up to Cravs even as she ducked between the trees. Drunk she may be, but none can escape a Keeper on the hunt on their home turf. She leaps out from behind a tree and grabs onto Cravs, holding tight like she was wrangling a bull. "You aint gettin' away! We're friends now, deal with it!"

(Cravendy Hound) this is so chaotic xD )) (Riylli Aliapoh) (is anyone surprised with these 3

(Rising Lotus) Starts slowing down as the world starts spinning, taking extra care not to smash her skull on a branch or rock. She came upon the sight of the took in the strange embrace, unable to stifle a bit of laughter. "Carefully that she don't buck ya off!" she reached out to try and grapple Cravs as well "Jus' calm down for a damn minute!"

(Cravendy Hound) Cravs stumbles from tree to tree, getting more lost with every turn. Decisions are hard to make when you’re running for your life, alcohol sloshing in your gut. So when Riylli leaps out and grabs her, her first instinct IS to try to toss her off. But the miqo’te held fast, and eventually Crav’s goes from panicked fighting to depressed acceptance. With that, she lowers herself to the floor and just. Lies there. She makes a sound akin to a death rattle.

(Riylli Aliapoh) Riylli removes herself from Cravs and stands, thankfully not drunk enough to cuddle her when she's down. She plants her hands on her hips proudly, her cheeks still rosy as she grinned. "C'mon, did you really think you'd get away? I could smell your trail easy." She declares, either not understanding or not caring about how weird that might sound to the non-Miqo'te.

(Rising Lotus) Panting as Cravs lowered to the ground, she give Riylli a thumbs up. " Damn nice job Riylli!" she knelt down next to the two. "Now I guess I know how you're uh.. feelin' an' all..." she scratched the back of her head, gazing off into the woods. "I was plenty the same when I was sick...all stubborn 'bout it an' all.. but if I didn't let you help me I woulda been way worse off."

(Rising Lotus) rested a hand on Cravendy's shoulder. "you don't think any less of me after seein' me in that pitiful state, at least I hope not.."

(Cravendy Hound) “What?” She wrinkles a nose to Riylli’s offhand comment about smelling.

(Cravendy Hound) “I know. I should’ve just said.” Cravs pauses. She can’t say it, but hell, she can certainly talk around it. “If I said it, then I wouldn’t be in this mess. But I. It’s. Guh.”

(Rising Lotus) I gotta get going unfortunately, need to head to work to do truck T-T )) (Cravendy Hound) ah okies! ty for coming and heck inviting me! this was a blast :D )) (Riylli Aliapoh) (Yeah! Drunken idiot rp is very fun (Rising Lotus) Yeh! no dirtpatch won't be as awkward xD (Cravendy Hound) heheh )) (Rising Lotus) At any rate I need to bounce lol pretty much playing it last minute, if you keep goign send me the rest of the logs where I missed! (Rising Lotus) \o )) (Cravendy Hound) I'll post the logs on my tumblr :3 )) (Riylli Aliapoh) (Rising proceeds to pass out drunk in the middle of the woods (Cravendy Hound) pfff I'll get the torso, you get the legs ))

(Riylli Aliapoh) Riylli tapped her nose, and then proceeded to not explain at all as she watched Rising pass out onto the forest floor. She stared for a long moment, before looking back towards Cravs. "Lightweights... All of you are damned lightweights."

(Cravendy Hound) “‘I’m not! Feh.” Cravs is too tired to make her point again. And yet a part of her is glad to have been chased down and tackled. Otherwise, she might’ve just run forever. Who knows. An exhausted smile creeps onto her face as she gets back up. “Yer crazy. But...thanks.”

(Riylli Aliapoh) Riylli's hands returned to her hips, basking in what she apparently considered praise. "Well... Maybe I'm just used to th' stuff here..." She admitted, her eyes being drawn to the elephant in the room. So to speak. "What are we gonna do with her? Can't exactly leave her out here"

(Cravendy Hound) “Nah. I’m crazy too.” Cravs brushes herself and stands back up. “She’d probably be fine if we left ‘er out ‘ere. Nothin’ but boros and bugs patrolin’ the forest.” She shoot Riylli a dead serious look, then blows out of her nose with a small grin. “Just jokin’. Ye get the legs, I’ll get the body. We can dump ‘er on the couch back at the company.”

(Riylli Aliapoh) Riylli looked at Cravs for a moment before coughing awkwardly. "Um... I don't know if... WE can get her all the way back there on our own..." She mumbled, dancing around the obvious issue of her being half the size of either of them. "Why th' hells she gotta wear armour to a tavern anyroad..."

(Cravendy Hound) Cravs picks up most of Rising and grunts under the weight. She waits a moment to allow Riylli grab on, and then starts walking in a random direction. “We’ll get ‘er back. But, uh, could ye show us the way to the road? Otherwise we’ll all be campin’ in the woods tonight.”

(Cravendy Hound) Though it would take awhile, they would get there. Eventually.

[nickysurfer28]

Summary: Desire and temptation take over like never before. Is it too much to handle, or not enough?

Warning ⚠️: 18+ adults only

Word count: over 1k

Characters: Dr.Nicky Ransom (female reader,you,etc.)x Chris Evans,Denise Ames (Cousin), Tim ( Denise boyfriend), clones, evil twin look-a-like (aka Adrian pretending to be Chris)

Chapter 11:

*dream sequence *

You look between Chris and his copy.

“This is...weird. I know this is a dream, but Whoa.” Nicky answered in shock.

They both chuckle.

“I can make more, Nicky.” Chris answered.

“You...you can?” Nicky answered startled.

“I can.” Chris answered.

He draws nearer to you,placing a soft,promising kiss on your lips. His clone comes up behind you and plants a soft kiss on the back of your neck.

“H-how many can you make?” Nicky answered blushing.

“To start, how about this.” Chris answered.

Three more mirror images of Chris appear. Their taut muscles gleam in the low light,and 10 brilliant blue eyes fall on you.

“What do you say,Nicky? We can date on you. Treat you like the princess you are.” Chris answered. “What do you want?”

“I could go for a cup of tea.” Nicky answered.

Quickly, you’re settled in at a round table with Chris and all his clones in a lovely bedroom. A tea kettle is being passed around. Cucumber sandwiches rest on fine,china plates.

“This is delicious. What’s in the tea?” Nicky answered.

“It’s a mix of cloves and honey.” Chris answered.

“It’s wonderful.” Nicky answered.

“Pass the sugar,please?”Clone 1 answered.

“Of course,Chris .” Clone 2 answered.

“Thank you, Chris.” Clone 1 answered.

“Does anyone else ever get a horrible itch after shaving their face?” Clone 3 answered.

“That means you’re cutting it too close to the grain. Ease up, Chris.” Clone 4 answered chuckling.

The six of you chatter amiably until all the tea has been consumed.

*end of dream sequence *

When you wake up, you feel yourself blushing bright red.

“Well, that was the wildest dream yet...”

Saturday evening finds you buzzing with excitement as you prepare for your date.

“Is it silly to be this stoked about a double date? No. So what if Denise and Tim will be there, too? It’s still a date. It’s normal to be excited.”

Nicky rifles through her closet.

“Hmm. What should I wear for a museum date?”

Nicky smooth’s the dress over her hips and admires herself in the mirror.

“Pretty damn stylish if I say so myself.”

Nicky gives herself one last appraising look and heads out the door.

You arrive at the museum just as the sun sets to find Denise and Tim waiting outside.

“Ooh, look at you, sexy mama!” Denise answered. “Chris won’t know what hit him!”

“Oh, stop...”Nicky answered blushing.

“Haha!” Tim answered laughing.

Tim’s arm rests loosely around Denise’s waist, and you smile.

“Never in a million years did I expect to se Denise this happy with a normal guy. There’s no way Tim would never... break into a Arby’s drive-through. I get Steve was hungry, but it was 11AM. I still don’t understand why he couldn’t just use the front door.”

Your musings are cut short by Chris’s arrival. He greets you with a warm hug, that makes your heart flutter.

“You look beautiful, Nicky.” Chris answered.

“So do you.” Nicky answered. “I mean, thank you.”

“All right, come on! We only have three hours before the museum closes!” Denise answered with excitement.

“Denise....that sounds like plenty of time.” Nicky answered.

“For lesser souls, maybe!” Denise answered.

“Okay, okay!” Nicky answered smiling.

Denise grabs Tim’s hand, practically skipping as she drags him toward the entrance.

“I hope everyone’s excited for art lectures! I have some very serious thoughts about Millais’s brushwork!” Denise yelled from the distance.

Nicky grins at Tim.

“Are you excited for art lectures?” Nicky answered.

“Of course! A teacher should always be eager to learn!” Time answered.

Beside you, Chris chuckles. He moves closer to your side, his hand brushing deliberately against yours.

“He wants to hold my hand.”

You turn your palm out, smiling encouragingly at Chris as he entwines his fingers with yours.

“You are entirely too cute sometimes.” Nicky answered.

“Part of my overall charm, I hope.” Chris answered.

“Very much so.” Nicky answered.

You walk hand in hand through the gallery as Denise waxes poetic about composition, lighting, and negative space.

“She could put the museum tour guides out of a job!”

Gradually you split off into pairs, you and Chris continuing on as Tim listens raptly to Denise’s highlights on Thomas Lawrence. You set a leisurely pace, commenting now and then on pieces or details that stand out to you before slipping g back into comfortable silence.

“This is nice.”

You smile down at your joined hands. As if noticing your gaze, chis raises your hand to his lips, grinning when you blush.

“Yeah. He’s way too cute.”

A certain painting catches your eye, stopping you in your tracks.

“The Nightmare “ by Fuseli.”

The painting is one you’ve seen before, and it sends a prickle of unease down your spine.

“The Nightmare “ again?”

“Why is “The Nightmare” here? Isn’t it in your house?” Nicky answered with shock.

“Ah, well. The one hanging in my home is of course a print. This appears to be the original.” Chris answered.

You shudder.

“Is everything all right?” Chris answered with concern.

“No. It’s just this painting. It’s...unsettling.” Nicky answered. “It’s so uncomfortable to look at. Fuseli clearly had a deep understanding of dreams and the unconscious mind.”

“All great artist do, I think.” Chris answered.

“Hmmm. You may be right.” Nicky answered.

“What are you guys looking at?” Denise answered. “Oh , “The Nightmare.” Yeah,this one always gives me the creeps. I wonder what inspired Fuseli to paint it?”.

You shrug.

“In the old days, people thought dreams were the result of supernatural forces.” Nicky answered. “Now we know they’re just what your brain does while you’re sleeping.”

“Which is comforting and way less exciting at the same time!” Denise answered.

Denise, Tim, and Chris begin to move on, but your eyes are drawn once again, to “The Nightmare.” The fine hair on your arms stands on ends.

“Nicky? Is everything all right?” Chris answered with concern.

You swallow hard.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m just...A little spooked.” Nicky answered. “I guess “The Nightmare “ kind of got to me.”

“Do you think some fresh air might help?” Chris answered.

You nod, following him out onto the veranda.

The two of you sit down on a marble bench overlooking the ornamental gardens. You breathe in the crisp November air.

“It’s starting to feel like fall.” Nicky answered.

You shiver on cue.

“Okay, that one was because I was cold!” Nicky answered.

“That’s easily remedied.” Chris answered.

He holds out his arm to you.

“Chris is so precious...and I am so freaking cold!”

You slide under Chris’s arm, and he wraps you up in his warmth.

“Much better.” Nicky answered.

He kisses the top of your head.

“I’m really happy to be here tonight. With you.” Nicky answered.

“Me too.” Chris answered.

You gasp.

“I almost forgot! Look what I found in my storage room the other day!” Nicky squealed.

You pull out a photograph.

“This is my sister,Clare.” Nicky answered. “Wasn’t she...beautiful. She had the most soulful eyes.”

But Chris doesn’t speak. His eyes widen, and he pales.

“Chris? Are you okay?” Nicky answered with concern.

“Ah- yes. Yes, just... taken off- guard.” Chris answered. “Your sister strongly resembles a...very old friend.”

His tone tells you all you need to know about that friends fate.

“I’m sorry, Chris.” Nicky answered sadly.

He shakes his head.

“Don’t apologize. I’m the one who made the situation awkward.” Chris answered.

He gives your hand a gentle squeeze.

“Clare was lovely. And I’m honored that you shared this with me.” Chris answered.

He kisses your cheek just as Denise and Time bounding over.

“Emergency change of plans!” Denise yells. “The new molecular gastronomy place down the street is holding a soft opening tonight, and my friend can totally get us in!”

“Let’s go eat some food that doesn’t even look like food anymore!” Tim answered smiling.

“That sounds...cool,but, I’m not quite in the mood for it tonight. You guys go ahead, though.” Nicky answered.

“You’re sure?” Tim answered.

“Positive. You two have fun.” Nicky answered.

They bid you goodnight and scamper off, talking excitedly about foam. You smile at Chris.

“Well, what now? Should we...go back to my place?” Nicky answered. “Netflix and takeout sounds pretty great right about now.”

“I...need to get going,actually.” Chris answered. “I’m sorry to cut the evening short, but I have some work to attend to.”

“Oh. Okay.” Nicky answered sadly.

“Raincheck, thought?” Chris answered.

“Sure.” Nicky answered.

Chris rises from the bench, leaving you colder in his absence. You stand up after him.

“Nicky.” Chris answered.

“Yes?” Nicky answered.

He leans down, moving as if to kiss you. You stare at his lips.

“He’s going to kiss me.”

You take Chris in your arms, kissing him back softly.

“I had a good time tonight , Chris.” Nicky answered.

“So did I.” Chris answered.

He hugs you tightly, seemingly reluctant to let you go.

“I don’t want I let him go, either.”

You kiss him again, more deeply this time, earning a low moan that makes heat pool between your legs. You’re both breathing heavily when you finally part. You reach for him once more, but he steps away.

“Tempting as you are, Nicky, I really do have work to do.” Chris answered.

The saucy grin doesn’t quite reach his eyes, though.

“Well. Goodnight, then.” Nicky answered.

“Goodnight, Nicky. Sweet dreams.” Chris answered.

After spending the rest of the night in a sexually frustrates funk,however, you suspect your dreams will be far from sweet.

“I’m really not looking forward to whatever my brain comes up with tonight.”

“The Nightmare “ creeps into your mind again, and you shudder.

“Ugh. Here’s hoping I don’t dream at all.”

*dream sequence *

But dream you do.

You dream of Chris who treats you cruelly, his touch brushing your skin, his kisses leaving your lips bitten and bloody.

“Chris...you’re hurting me!” Nicky yelled.

“Am I?” Chris answered.

He laughs coldly, pinning you against his chest.

“But this is what you want, isn’t it?” Chris answered. “You’re just as weak as Clare was.”

You struggle, but he holds you fast.

“She was never meant to live in this world. You’ve tired to survive by denying what you are.” Chris answered.” How is that working out for you, Nicky? Always running away?”

With one last burst of energy you break free and escape into the darkness, his mocking laughter echoing after you.

“I need to get out of here! There! Maybe that’s a way out...”

You follow the light...into a place you,know all too well.

The creature crouches over the young woman, poised for the kill.

“I need to save her! “

You try to move, to fling yourself at him. But no matter how hard you struggle, your feet are rooted to the spot.

“No! Not this again!” Nicky yelled.

The creature lifts it misshapen head, staring directly into your eyes. It’s bares it teeth at you in a ghostly smile.

“Yes...” the creature answered.

It dissolves into the vampire from your nightmare, hovering above Clare’s bloodless corpse as it beckons you near.

“Yes, Nicky. Come closer.” The creature answered.

And though every instinct tells you to run, your feet begin moving toward him.

“That’s it. You are curious, aren’t you? Come, then. Look upon my face at last.” The creature answered.

He removes his cloak with a flourish...and your heart drops into your stomach.

“No....”Nicky yelled.

“Yes. You know now, don’t you? But then, perhaps you e always known.”Chris answered.

You shake your head furiously back away.

“No. I don’t believe it.” Nicky answered in shock.

“Oh, but you do believe it, Nicky. It makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?” Chris answered.

“No. Chris.... this isn’t you, I know it!” Nicky answered.”I’m just having a nightmare! You- the real you-you’d never hurt me. Chris is a good man!”

He throws his head back and laughs.

“You are a loyal little creature, aren’t you?” Chris answered. “Pity the one of your affection is so woefully undeserving.”

“No. No, this isn’t real.” Nicky answered. “It’s just a bad dream...”

“Ah, but it isn’t! “ Chris answered. “Search your feelings, Nicky. You know what I am. What I really am.”

You shake your head again, but something about his words rings true.

“Chris... recognized Clare...”

Horror chills you to the core, and Chris laughs. He closes the distance stern you. Before you can blink.

“Yes, you,know!” Chris answered with a devilishly smile. “ you,know I’m not human, and still you want me. How very deviant of you.”

He lifts a hand toward you.

“Fuck that! I’m going to... slap his hand away.”

You smack his hand sharply. He takes a step back, staring at his hand as though he’s never seen it before.

“You’re...fighting me?” Chris answered startled.”Here?”

A lascivious grin stretches over his features.

“Oh, you are an interesting creature, Nicky.” Chris answered. “But how much strength do you have left, I wonder?”

You’re in no mood to find out.

You turn your heel, sprinting into the blackness.

“You can’t run forever, Nicky!” Chris yelled.

*end of dream sequence *

You wake in a cold sweat, your heart pounding.

“It was a dream. It was just a dream.” Nicky answered.

The image of Clare’s lifeless body swims in front of your eyes.

“No wonder my brain shut me off my lucid dreams when she died. It must have been protecting itself. I need to clear my head.”

You sit up, selecting one of Clare’s old sketchbooks from the bedside table to distract yourself. But the sketchbook is Clare’s last before her death, and the images grow progressively darker and more twisted as you turn the pages.

“This.. isn’t working as well as I’d hoped. Imagine living with all of this emotional turmoil inside you. Poor Clare...”

You turn to the final sketch, and your blood runs cold. Staring up at you is a photorealistic portrait of a familiar face.

“Oh no...this is.. this is a drawing of Chris.”

Tags: @denisemarieangelina @joannaliceevans-fanficblog @star-spangled-beard-burn @daliaevans @waywardodysseys @pine-fresh-kirk @shellbilee @shreyaaaaaaaaaaaa @chris-butt @worksby-d @patzammit @et-lesailes @what-is-your-plan-today @whiskey-cokenfanfic @wintrcaptn @captainevans @captainchrisstan @captainchrisfics @captaincrazyexlover @amazonx @nbarnes @americasass91 @thatgirly81 @thatsxamericasxass @comebackandhauntme21 @twittytelly @kelbabyblue @kellyn1604 @bellaireland1981 @brilliantkey @kailyndavillier @katiew1973 @imanuglywombat @sweater-daddiesdumbdork @thinkxlovexloud @lovinevans @luvinchris @jtargaryen18 @ohmy-captain @nomadevans82 @littlefiercequeen @southerngracela @optimistic-dinosaur-nacho @oddsnendsfanfics @branflakes82 @trishevans @stephanysgzz @jms358 @mizcaptainphoenix

[rena-rain]

The Shortcut Home ch. 8

Chapter 7

Alya almost missed the dark wooden box on her bedside table when she got home. Her breath hitched when she recognized it. She picked it up and sat on the bed, fingers tracing the edges reverently. Why do they need Rena Rouge again after four years? Why isn’t Ladybug here to deliver the miraculous herself? Why leave it waiting for me? Do I get to keep it permanently this time?

She opened the lid. Instead of the orange glow she was once accustomed to, a pink ball of light flashed in front of her and flew around her head. A rose-colored kwami emerged as the light faded and opened a pair of eyes like blue marbles.

“What’s going on? Where’s Trixx? Who are you?”

Instead of the fox kwami’s throaty, sandpaper voice, this one spoke at a pitch only jingle bells had any right to achieve. “Hello, Alya. I’m Tikki. Ladybug needs you again but this time not as Rena Rouge.”

“Not Rena Rouge? Then what…” Alya trailed off as she looked into the box that had a pair of red and black spotted studs inside. “Are those...no…”

“Yes. Ladybug needs you to stand in as Ladybug.”

“But why? What happened to her?”

“She’s fine, trust me. She just needs to take a leave of absence from being a superhero. Ladybug is trusting you to take her place until she can return.”

“Whoa…” Alya gazed at the earrings. She could hardly believe it. “This is a dream, right?”

Tikki sighed sadly. “No, it’s not.”

“Hey,” Alya cupped her hands underneath the kwami, and she sank down to perch in her hold. “I promise I won’t let her down. I know you miss the real Ladybug, but I’ll do my best, okay?”

“I’m confident in you, Alya. Trixx has only the best things to say about you! And so does M - Ladybug!”

Alya twitched an eyebrow. “Why, Tikki, did you almost spill Ladybug’s identity?”

She puffed up with pride. “I am physically incapable of doing such a thing.”

“Really?”

“Watch.” Tikki started talking and bubbles immediately poured from her tiny mouth. “Same thing would happen if Trixx or I tried to say your name to someone.”

“That’s one hell of a magical insurance policy. Tikki, can you at least tell me why Ladybug needs me to fill in?”

“She trusts you, Alya. You have to trust her, too.”

Alya gingerly took the earrings out of their box. In her hand, the pattern morphed into a pair of beautiful gold discs. She put them into her ears. “I love gold jewelry.”

Tikki giggled. “It suits you.”

--

The weird jelly the ultrasound tech spread across Marinette’s abdomen was cold. She hissed and Adrien squeezed her hand. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah it’s just chilly.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here for the first appointment.”

“You’ve apologized a thousand times already, it’s fine. You had to work.”

“I’m just nervous.”

“Don’t worry about her, darling,” the tech told him. “I’ve done this countless times. Aaaaand… here’s your baby.”

A steady thumping sound filled the room; the baby’s heartbeat. On the grainy screen Marientte could make out the shape of a tiny infant. It looked more human than her last appointment. She heard Adrien’s breath hitch beside her.

“So you can see the head here,” the technician pointed at the large circle that was about the same size as the rest of the body. “If you look closely there’s the nose right here. And here,” she traced a white arc on the screen, “the spine is developing.”

“Wow,” Marinette breathed. Her eyes prickled, vision swimming, and she wiped at the tears so she could still see her baby. The image spastically showed them wiggling around.

“I’ll print out some images. I can also give you the full recording, if you’d like.”

“Yes, yes, absolutely yes!” Marinette told her.

“All right, everything looks good.” The tech removed the wand from Marinette’s skin and gave her some paper towels to wipe off the gel. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Marinette turned to Adrien once they were alone. He looked dumbstruck, still staring at the black screen. “Adrien?” She cupped his cheek.

He opened his mouth but no words came out. He just looked at her with sparkling, happy eyes and she grinned at him. “I know. Me too.”

As he clasped her hand with both of his and kissed her fingers, she pictured him kissing their baby’s forehead like that. Cradling them in his arms with that speechless joy on his face. Walking into the living room to see him asleep on the couch with their baby asleep on his chest. Adrien flying a spoonful of goopy baby food into their mouth while making silly airplane noises. Getting jostled awake because he’d shot out of bed in the middle of the night to comfort his crying child.

Marinette could picture it all; warm fantasies of a life she hadn’t dared imagine since she was fourteen years old.

How could a heart so full hurt so much?

She’d come close to telling him her greatest secret so many times in the past couple days. She wanted him to know. But when she finally admitted it, she’d be taking a huge leap of faith, and she couldn’t seem to push herself past balancing on the precipice. She would lean forward, about to jump, and seize up with terror, throat closed and breath punched from her lungs. Marinette felt paralyzed from the fear that Adrien would never trust her again.

--

Alya’s costume looked different from Ladybug’s. There was still a yoyo slung around her waist. The bodice sported the same pattern of red with black spots. The biggest difference she could see in front of her mirror was her mask was solid red and her suit was completely black at her hands, feet, shins, and forearms, imitating skin-tight boots and gloves. It reminded her oddly of her Rena Rouge outfit, minus the coattails. Her hair had darkened to a deep blackish auburn and was done in a low ponytail.

She hoped Chat Noir knew she was coming to patrol tonight and not the regular ladybug. Otherwise this was going to be an awkward conversation.

Rena Rouge was used to jumping from building to building. Swinging from a yoyo was an entirely different experience, wilder and just as exhilarating. She found Chat Noir waiting at the top of the Eiffel Tower. He was perched on one of the railings.

He gave her a smirk that dripped with bravado. “‘Evening, Rena Rouge. Red looks good on you.”

Alya slung the yoyo back around her hips, relieved. “So you know why I’m here?”

“Because Ladybug needs a little medical leave and she trusts you to take up the mantle for a while.”

“Medical?” Tikki hadn’t said anything about that. “Is something wrong?”

Chat Noir bit his lip then swung off the rail. “She’s okay. But if your kwami didn’t go into more detail then I must also respect my lady’s wishes.”

She chuckled. “Loyalty. I like it. What does that make me?”

“Hmmm. I suppose you do need your own name in the meantime. How about Ladybird?”

“I’m down with that. Shall we, Chat Noir?”

“We shall.”

--

After his photoshoot, someone knocked on the door of Adrien’s trailer. He threw on his jacket. “Come in.”

Marinette came in and closed the door behind her. She looked beautiful in a dark green dress with rose accents. She was starting to really show, at least if you knew to look for it. His heart leapt in his throat; it’d been doing that a lot lately, when he saw her, like his best-kept secret was trying to escape and reach her. Adrien kept waiting for the right moment to let the words loose - I’m Chat Noir - but they’ve yet to leave his lips.

Instead, he smiled at her. “Hey, Marinette. The shoot just ended, do you want to go get dinner?”

“No. Well, yes, I’m a bit hungry, but that’s not why I’m here. I need to talk to you first. Privately.” She was fidgeting a lot. Shifting her weight, playing with her hair, chewing her lip. Something was making her nervous.

“What is it?”

Marinette walked closer to him. “Well, I’ve been thinking about this a lot and there’s something I should tell you.”

“You’re not going to tell me you’re pregnant, are you?” Adrien asked dryly.

The joke had the desired effect. She laughed her cute, surprised laugh that he loved hearing. She put a hand against her belly. “No, but it’s something just as big, just as important. I...I’m…”

Marinette trailed off, staring at him. She was one of the few people Adrien could make eye contact with easily. Instead of intimidating, her dark blue irises were oddly comforting.

And familiar.

He may not have the best track record reading people’s faces, but Marinette was very expressive, and he’d known her for over a decade. He could swear he saw the exact same apprehension in her eyes that he felt lodged in his throat. Like they were gearing up to do the same thing.

Adrien took in her cerulean eyes and her midnight hair. He looked down at her growing baby bump then at her missing round earrings - the ones she seemed to never take off until a couple days ago.

“Yeah?” he prompted her.

“I...think we should seriously consider what your dad said about getting married.” Her words flooded out of her in a rush. 

He breathed out a sigh. He was just being paranoid. Women in their twenties got pregnant and changed earrings all the time; this was hardly a damning coincidence. And Miraculous holders’ hair changed when they transformed, so any similarities on a civilian meant little. Of course that’s not what she wanted to tell him, what were the odds they were both…

Marinette’s words finally sunk in. “Wait, what? You agree with him?”

“Not exactly. I probably shouldn’t have led with that.”

“A wedding is his way of controlling me, and by extension, you.”

“I know. But also...um, come on.” She sat down in one of the puffy blue chairs in his trailer and gestured for him to take the other one. Yeah, sitting’s probably a good idea right now.

“I won’t say your dad wasn’t inconsiderate on the phone. But you said before said he was being protective. It got kind of overshadowed by the job offer thing, but when he called he was, for lack of a better word, imploring me. I think he’s really worried. And I’ve started to think, for once, it’s for good reason..”

Adrien was not prepared for this conversation. “What did he say to you?”

“He made some valid points. Like it or not, you’re famous, Adrien. I want our family to be as drama-free as possible and the press will have a field day with an unplanned pregnancy.”

“The press is archaic.”

“Exactly. They’ll call us horrible names and judge us both and threaten to take our baby away. I don’t think I could handle seeing words like – like slut or deadbeat or illegitimate in the tabloids.”

“Or bastard,” he murmured.

“Hm?”

“When I told Chloe about the baby she called them a ‘bastard.’ A mistake. Those were the exact words she used and god, I’ve never been so furious in my life. I just couldn’t believe she would go there. But marriage is a big, personal decision, Marinette. Is fear a good enough reason to get married?”

Marinette’s breath hitched. Would that girl ever not haunt her? “Uh - um. M-more like safety is a good reason?”

“You don’t sound certain. Also remember it’s still giving into my father. He’s trying to take charge of our lives.”

“I won’t let him.”

Adrien raised an eyebrow at her.

“Really. I met with him yesterday and turned down the job.”

“Marinette - ”

“Wait, just listen. I negotiated with him.”

He chuckled. “Of course you did.”

“Your dad thought I was foolish for turning down a secure position in my field of interest. So I told him there was another way to ensure my job security for the sake of his grandkid.” Marinette sat up straight and flushed with pride. “He’s agreed to help finance and promote my own boutique.”

Adrien gasped. “Oh my god, that’s incredible, Marinette!” On impulse he swooped in, picked her up by the waist, and spun her around. Her musical laugh flooded him with warmth.

When he put her down, he was well-aware he was grinning like an idiot. This girl negotiated with Gabriel “my word is law” Agreste. How was he so lucky to have someone so clever in his life? He never wanted her to leave.

“I know we’re not together,” Marinette said softly. “But we’re close friends. We’re having a baby. Would…we could…it’s not like we couldn’t handle living together.”

“Do you really want that? If we got married, you’d be stuck with me.”

“You’re already stuck with me,” Marinette said while pointedly running a palm over her belly.

“What if you fall in love with another man?”

On his part, Adrien had trouble picturing herself with anyone at all. His future revolved around his baby now, so naturally it revolved around Marinette, too. She was family.

“Think of it this way. The pros of getting married: we live together, which makes taking care of the baby more convenient, as well as…” God, she’s cute when she blushes. “The public tones down the judgement and we get to have a big party in our honor. Which I’ll bet anything your dad will offer to pay for. We already get along very well so I think we’ll handle day-to-day logistics just fine. Cons: potential boyfriends and girlfriends down the road get problematic. That’s a big if. I don’t know about you but I’m not looking for a new relationship. If it comes up, we cross that bridge when we get to it.”

Adrien didn’t expect the pang in his stomach when she said she wasn’t looking for a relationship. Also, the idea of marrying this smart, vibrant woman – getting to be in her everyday life – quickly became something he didn’t think he could say no to if he wanted.

Apparently she wasn’t done talking. “I get that it feels like your dad’s controlling us. If we were strangers or something then I’d say absolutely not. But with us...it’s not how I pictured getting married, but I couldn’t ask for anyone better.”

It hit Adrien in the stomach how badly he wanted that. A family with Marinette, a future with Marinette. Waking up next to her every morning, cooking breakfast for her, watching her sketch and sew her designs, going on walks with their baby, holding her at night.

“Then let’s do this,” he agreed. “Let’s get married.”

He felt like the most selfish person in Paris.

Chapter 9

Ko-fi

[neptunebeetle]

tagged by: @outlier-roddy

name: andrew

nickname: andy i suppose! I’ve also had the nickname butters bc of my old acc name which is still fine by me ^o^ its still my name on discord anyway lol

zodiac: cancer... i think im stereotypical crybaby cancer oops

height: 5’6 :T wish i was taller.. just a lil bit....

nationality: american

languages: english like i barely tried to learn german and spanish but i RLLY want to actually learn spanish i just.... no motivation

favourite flower: agudgd yeah i really don’t know?

favourite scent: hrm... desserts.. brown sugar.. brownies... sweets in general really

favourite fictional character: HNNN I DONT KNOW? Depends on whatever piece of media i guess bc i have too many.... 😳 but i do have a list for that LOL

coffee, tea, or hot chocolate: hot chocolate.. the only acceptable coffee is like cappuccinos or whatever and im just not into tea

dogs or cats: cats! I like dogs but they can be a teensy bit too loud or energetic for me.. also scary?? Lmao

number of blankets: one big one! I would die if i had more than one i burn up too easily

dream trip: gdusgeuydjbd idk?? Ummm i want to go to a tfcon at least once pls for the love of everything X_X

blog established: THIS blog really not that long ago, i think in january

random fact: i have a weird rare feature (not facial tho) that only 3-8% (number varies) of the population has, its pretty much pointless and nobody knows why its even a thing. Even more fun of a fact? Yeah i have TWO of them. Now what does THAT mean? I don’t know because google doesn’t know either

gender: who?

current time: ~1:10 AM typing this, ~1:30 AM posting it

favourite musical artists: god idk... technically i feel like i have to say Against Me! bc i love every single one of their songs but idk.. i really like Jack Stauber and Imagine Dragons XT basic ass mfer....

song stuck in my head: there’s a lot actually? Im listening to my playlist for songs as heard of on tiktok and i get so many of those stuck in my head... rn my brain is telling me Say So

last movie i saw: HM.... hmmm... i guess pleasantville? I already talked about it but it was okay

last thing i googled: i.. just googled the thing for that previous random fact question bc i was like “wait what Does two of them mean” like actually nothing shows up.. but before that i was looking up a word i forgot how to spell

other blogs: fuck urmm i do have other blogs im just too lazy to use them XT no side blogs for this one tho

lucky number: i don’t think i have a “lucky” number... my favorite number is 5 :o)

currently wearing: big t-shirt pj pants lolol

dream job: god like uhhhhhh i rlly wanted to be an animator but im leaning towards comics lately?? We’ll see idk i don’t want to work for a particular company or anything like that..... just.. want to draw

favourite foods: oh god don’t ask me this i hate food... that’s a lie i like it Sometimes... idk bro all i eat is fake meat and garbo trash... i like italian?

instruments: idk what that is (actually ive been told i should learn to play piano and i wouldnt mind that but ive never played any other instrument in my life)

favourite song: urmm i think overall probably Leopard by jack stauber bc it’s my actual absolute fave i love it sm..... can listen to it whenever and lose my marbles every time

I’m bad abt not tagging ppl in these sorts of games and im going to continue to not GDJHD