#maybe a sweet tea if I’m feeling festive enough

[music4soul]

Imagining a 15 year old John Price coming home from school and seeing his father passed out on the floor in his own vomit and thinking, “Not again” before getting a towel to clean it and propping him up against the couch before going to do his homework.

An hour later when he comes back down to get a snack(aka: whatever he could find in the cupboards), he notices that his father hadn’t moved an inch and goes to check on him, crouching beside the man and grabbing his face.

That’s when he notices the blueish gray hue on his face and the fact that he’s not taking his deep, rattling breaths like usual, and soon he comes to the realization that Johnathan Price Sr. is dead.

His father is dead.

I don’t think he cries. Not for a good while. Instead, I think he just sits and stares at his father’s corpse with varying expressions shifting from anger to despair, to resentment, and even to one of pity.

I also think he yells at his father. Shouting profanities and things like, “I hope you rot in hell!”, or “So you think you can just leave and take the easy way out?! Drunken asshole!”

And once he’s gotten it all out of his system, then and only then does he allow himself to breakdown and cry, clutching his father’s hand to his forehead and squeezing it tight because— he was the only person he had left, even if he was a drunk who beat him over the head with a belt because his mom’s death was his fault. And now he’s gone.

And Johnathan’s alone.

[readyforthegarden]

Breakable Heaven - Part Eight

Pairing: Danny Wagner x Female Reader

Synopsis: Being the maid of honor in your best friends wedding is already stressful enough without the best man being the ex-boyfriend who tore your heart to shreds. Stumbling across a dating app with dates for hire, you take a chance, inviting a perfect stranger to pretend to be your boyfriend for the weeklong celebrations. But how long can the charade last when the champagne starts pouring and feelings start growing?

Warnings: drinking, swearing, arguing 18+ MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!

AN: I just want to say a big big big thank you to everyone who read this fic!! Thank you for the comments and tags, asks and reblogs and sometimes direct messages about it!! It means the world to me that so many people enjoyed it. This has been one of the most fun fics I've had the pleasure of writing, and I'm so happy it's resonated with others!! And an especially big thank you to @joshsindigostreak and @sinners-go-to-drink-the-wine for workshopping this with me months and months ago and hyping me up to write it, and helping me work through blocks and double checking my writing to make sure it makes sense. I love you both so SO much!!!! I'll be taking a little break from writing just to let the cup refill but I'll be back soon, I have a few projects in the works, so keep an eye out!!

P.S. stay tuned for the epilogue next wednesday!!

WC: 4455

You had come to bed only a short while after Danny had, quietly tucking yourself in next to him and pressing a chaste kiss to his shoulder before falling asleep. When you woke up, Danny was already gone from the room. You figured he was nervous to stand up in front of a new bunch of strangers and pretend he was a close friend of the groom. You gathered your things and made your way to the bridal suite, eager to start getting ready for the big day.

Entering Olivia’s room, you saw her sitting on the small loveseat, cooling eye patches resting above her cheeks as she sipped on a cup of tea. Her eyes met yours, and you rushed to sit beside her, seeing the tears shining in them.

“Hey, hey what’s wrong?” you gently took the teacup out of her hands, placing it on the table before taking her hands in yours. “Are you getting cold feet? Say the word, I can have us out of here in ten minutes.” Olivia shook her head, sniffling.

“No, no it’s not that.” she sighed. “I just was thinking how I never thought this day would happen.” she broke out into a smile. “How lucky I am to have family and friends here supporting us. How lucky I am to have you, especially.”

“Liv,”

“No, you have been the sister I’ve always wanted, that I begged my parents for when I was a kid and a lonely only child.” Olivia laughed. “I’m so happy that you’re going to be standing beside me through this.”

“Oh Liv,” you began to feel tears prick your own eyes. Letting go of her hands, you threw your arms around her, hugging your best friend so tightly. “I wouldn’t dare be anywhere else.” Olivia returned the hug, sniffling into your hair as the two of you embraced.

“Who knows, maybe in a few years, I’ll get to return the favor at your and Danny’s wedding.” she giggled, causing you to bite your lip to hold back a grin as you pulled back.

“It’s way too soon to think about that,” you laughed softly, looking down at your lap. To be honest, you had briefly entertained the thought. You blamed it on the festivities, but when you had been in the bath, listening to love songs, you couldn’t help but picture dancing with Danny at the reception to them, and then your bridesmaid dress slowly turned into a wedding dress. He held you the way he did in the ballroom, up on the stage, whispering sweet sentiments to you as you shared a first dance in front of family and friends.  

Olivia watched your face and leaned in, nudging your shoulder with hers. 

“When you know, you know.” she replied, a knowing tone in her voice. She reached out, touching the sapphire pendant you still wore. 

“Oh god, I forgot to take this off.” you reached up to take the necklace off, but Olivia stopped you. 

“No, keep it on today.” she instructed. “You’ll be my something blue.”

“It doesn’t go with my dress, Liv.” you protested softly, waiting for her to agree. Instead she took the small sapphire in her palm, smiling down at it. She glanced back up at you, a look in her eyes you couldn’t quite place. 

“It goes with you.” she responded, letting the pendant drop back to your chest. “Besides, I’m the bride. You have to do what I say.” Rolling your eyes you were interrupted from replying by the suite door opening and the rest of the bridesmaids spilling in, garment bags in hand, chattering excitedly. The makeup artists and hairstylists bustling in after them, beginning to set up for the long morning ahead.

Downstairs, in a room less buzzing, Danny sat with the groomsmen, watching the random soccer match that was on the television. Most of the morning was just hanging out for them, no primping and preening to go through. Danny almost felt out of place, usually his getting ready took a bit, making sure his stage outfit was right, getting some makeup put on his eyes, some rhinestones. He felt like he was going to be woefully unprepared. His legs crossed, his foot jiggled anxiously on his knee as he toyed with the phone in his hand.

He had booked a plane ticket early in the morning, while laying next to your sleeping body. The blue hour light seeping in behind the gauzy curtains on the window made you look almost angelic as you slept, your nose wrinkling while you dreamed. Danny hurt himself then, thinking of how he would wake up this early every morning if it meant watching you look so peaceful. But it wasn’t meant for him to do, you apparently still had feelings for Gavin, and the bastard probably wouldn’t even admire you that way. 

That’s what prompted him to grab his phone off the nightstand and book the flight home that evening. He thought about an earlier ticket, but if anything, Danny was a man of his word, and he couldn’t let Olivia and Mike down. He’d stay for the wedding, make it to the beginning of the reception, and then once he wouldn’t be missed, he could slip away and call a ride. He still hadn’t talked to Sam. Every time he thought about telling his best friend what happened, his stomach twisted. How could he confess to being so naive? And Sam had cheered him on it? The call to Sam would have to wait. At least until the airport before he boarded. Or maybe until tomorrow, after he took a cab home instead and wallowed in misery. 

This. This is exactly why Danny stopped dating seriously. The heartbreak was too much for him sometimes.

“Are you okay?” Mike rested a hand on Danny’s shoulder. “You look like you’re the one about to walk down the aisle.” the man nodded towards Danny’s bouncing foot, and Danny forced a smile.

“I’m okay,” Danny nodded. “I’m just still not feeling super great.” Mike withdrew his hand from Danny quickly with a grimace. 

“Okay well, I think Thomas has some Emergen-C or something, let’s get you some of that, and then just chill out for a while, and try not to get me sick before my honeymoon.” Danny chuckled slightly. 

“I’ll stay back, I promise.” and Danny did just that. He took the vitamin C drink mix from Thomas, and excused himself to go back to his room. He knew you’d be in the bridal suite all if not most of the day, so he took this opportunity to sip on the drink while packing his suitcase, making sure nothing was left behind. One of his sweaters was missing, and he searched all over his side of the room and the bathroom for it. He had almost given up, when he saw it peeking out of the closet on your side, the cream and black design beckoning him over. 

Taking it off the hanger, he held the soft material in his hands, smelling your lingering lavender and the scents of your perfume mixed with the faint hint of the bonfire from the campout. Memories of that trip started to spring up in his mind, and he quickly shut them down. He couldn’t think of weaving your braids out of your hair, or you sitting on his lap and drinking from his beer. He needed to build up that wall again, to keep himself protected.

“Wait until Danny sees you,” Olivia hummed as she watched the makeup artist put the final touches on your face. She had already been glammed up, her hair perfectly curled and cascading down her back. “He’s gonna fall over.”

“He’s probably too nervous about tripping or falling down the aisle.” you laughed, trying not to move too much. “I’m sure he’ll think it’s lovely after I’ve danced and sweat a bunch of it off.”

“If you sweat through this powder and setting spray, I’ll eat my hat,” the makeup artist joked. “And if that man doesn’t immediately say how gorgeous you look, I’ll come back and kick him in the shins.”

“You know what? Deal.” you giggled. You were antsy, you hadn’t seen Danny in action since dinner and all you wanted to do was wrap your arms around him and tell him everything that happened in the hallway. As you switched spots with Mila, taking her place in the chair in front of the hair stylist while she took yours at the makeup station. 

The bridesmaids were simple, a low chignon bun at the nape of your necks, softly curled tendrils framing your faces. The makeup was natural, a small iridescent shimmer across your lids to stand out, and a mauve lip to complement the deep olive green of your dresses. Olivia’s vision was stunning, and was coming together perfectly. 

You couldn’t wait to see Danny, his tan skin in the suit and matching green tie and pocket square. As one of the photographers traipsed around the room, snapping candid shots of the getting ready, you hoped that there would be some good pictures from the day and reception of you and him together, something to look back on from this moment in your relationship. 

Danny stood in a lineup of the groomsmen, his tie being fixed by Thomas before the young man stepped back into line himself, and they all stood together, arms around each other's shoulders, grinning for the camera. Danny found himself relieved that his profession had taught him to fake a smile in front of a camera. Though it wasn’t hard to be happy for Mike and share in his excitement to marry Olivia. The two were contagious in their happiness.

After a few more photo ops, it was time to head out to line up for the procession. Danny felt sick, nervous at the thought of seeing you, he could already hear your excited laugh out in the hallway as the wedding planner made sure Olivia was tucked out of sight of Mike. It was like the twist of a knife in his back. 

As the groomsmen filtered out of their room, you eagerly searched for Danny, seeing his curls a few inches above everyone else. Rushing over, you grinned up at him. 

“You look handsome as ever,” you smiled. Danny glanced down at you, giving you a tightlipped smile. Your face fell slightly, placing a hand on his arm. “Are you okay?” Danny took a deep breath.

“My stomach is just a little upset.” you nodded sympathetically. 

“I can run back to the bridal suite real fast, I think I have some antacids in my emergency bag.”

“No, it’s okay.” Danny shook his head. He folded his hands at his front as music started, signaling the beginning of the processional. “I think you need to go take your place with Thomas.” 

“Oh, okay.” you replied softly, feeling a bit hurt at how he brushed you off. You chalked it up to nerves again. “I’ll see you after the ceremony.” Danny just nodded, staring straight ahead as you moved away to the back of the line, where Thomas waited, crooked elbow ready to escort you. 

“Everything good?” he asked, seeing you looking a bit crestfallen.

“Yeah, just anxious to get going.” you answered, taking your bouquet from the planner. You saw Olivia leave her hiding spot, as Mike had already walked down the aisle, and stand with her dad behind you and Thomas. Watching their moment together made you teary eyed and you turned around quickly, refusing to cry already. “And that’s going to make me sob.”

“You and me both,” Thomas sniffled, wiping a tear from his eye. 

The wedding went off without a hitch, the ceremony as beautiful as it could ever be. Your eyes kept dragging away from Olivia and Mike to Danny, who seemed to be doing everything he could to avoid your gaze, only catching your eyes a few times before diverting them away. He did the same during photos in the courtyard, the vineyard and around the gazebo in the front of the estate. You hadn’t seen this side of Danny before, and it was beginning to perturb you. 

Danny slipped away just after dinner, excusing himself to the restroom after the speeches and just as the dance floor started to fill up. He made it back to the room, grabbing his suitcase and doing one last scan of the room before he stopped. Something told him to double check the drawer of his nightstand, and when he did, he found the caramel apple suckers he had bought a few days before. The ones that you told him in a tipsy lilt matched his eyes. Danny sniffled, taking the handful of candy and tossing it onto the bed, feeling angry at the whole situation. Taking the pad of paper out of the nightstand, he wrote a quick note to you, ripping it haphazardly off and tossing it with the candy.

As he left the room, he glanced back, vowing to leave the memories of what happened between you exactly in this place.

“Hey, have you seen Danny?” you were pacing through the dance floor, trying to find your date. Everyone you asked shook their heads, and you began to grow frustrated. What was with him today? The wedding was over, he didn’t have to be so anxious anymore. He should be here with you, relaxing and drinking tequila to celebrate the week was over.

You left the reception hall, going upstairs to see if he was back in your room. Maybe he was lying down with his stomach ache. When you entered the room, it was dark. Tiptoeing to the bedroom, you didn’t see anyone in bed. You flipped on the overhead light, looking around confusedly. Danny’s side of the room was spotless, as if he’d never been there. Suitcase gone. You walked towards the bed, seeing the bright green wrappers of the suckers and picking one up, remembering what you had said to him and smiling softly, before noticing the piece of paper.

‘I hope you have a wonderful life with Gavin. I’m sorry I wasn’t enough for you. - Danny’

Tears welled up in your eyes, and you turned, rushing out of the room as fast as possible. You tripped over the hem of your dress and on the stairs as your chest heaved with sobs you couldn’t quite let out as you ran. You entered the reception hall, a brief moment of insanity as you thought maybe it was a cruel joke, that he was playing with you and ready to party on the dance floor. But he wasn’t to be found. As you searched, Olivia caught your eyes from the edge of the dance floor, halting her movements and rushing over, Mike hot on her heels.

“Hey, hey what’s going on?” she asked, leaning in. “You look like someone kicked a puppy in front of you.” you stared at her, feeling every emotion from the week bubble up in your chest, before they started spilling out of you.

“Liv, I’m sorry,” you started crying. “I’m so, so sorry. I’ve lied to you this whole week. Danny isn’t my boyfriend, I met him on an app and I hired him to pretend so I didn’t have to face this alone. He’s not my real boyfriend, but maybe now he is,  everything is so fucked up I don’t know.” Olivia watched you crumble, reaching out to you and calling your name but you kept spilling your secret in front of her and Mike. “But now, now I’m pretty sure he’s the love of my life and he’s gone because of fucking Gavin!”

Olivia finally got a hold of you, stopping your rant and clasping your hand in hers, giving you a knowing look.

“I’ve known.” she shook her head. “There was no way you’d keep a man that fine and that amazing a secret. I knew if you were going to these lengths to keep from feeling awkward and alone this week, that it was just best to let you go and we’d talk about it later. But I got to watch as you and Danny fell in love with each other the whole time.” you sniffled, using the back of your clasped hand to wipe tears from your cheek. 

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have lied.” you shook your head. Olivia just smiled and pulled you in for a hug. 

“You’re easy to forgive.” she murmured. “Now, what happened with Danny and Gavin?” you took the crumpled note in your other hand, unfolding it and showing it to her. Mike peeked over Olivia’s shoulder, reading Danny’s scrawled message.

“I didn’t want to start any trouble, so I didn’t say anything,” you took a shaky breath, trying to calm your tears. “But Gavin was still here last night, and grabbed me on the way to get the glue. He tried to kiss me in the hallway and begged for me back, but I slapped him.”

“Finally!” Olivia looked excited, then glanced back to the note, her smile falling. “Oh no, Danny,”

“I didn’t know until I saw that. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him.” your tears started up again. “And now he’s gone and I just…” you felt lost, the idea of a future without Danny too much to bear.

“I’ll get my keys.” Mike looked at you. “We’re going to find him.”

“What if he won’t talk to me?”

“If he won’t talk, then he’ll listen.” Olivia crumpled up the note in her hand. She grabbed yours again and started pulling you behind her, heading for the doors. 

“Liv, you guys can’t leave!” you protested. 

“It’s my wedding, I can do whatever I damn well please!” Olivia called over her shoulder. The two of you waited in the lobby anxiously while Mike ran up to their room to get the keys for his car. Every second felt like hours dragging on, and finally your impatience won out.

“I have to go, I can’t wait,” you let go of Olivia’s hand, gathering your skirt in your hand and running to the doors and down the steps. Danny could already have been at the airport, and running wouldn’t help get you to him any sooner, but your body needed to move. You could hear Olivia shouting at you to wait as you ran the best you could in your heels on the gravel drive. The warm lights strung up in all the trees illuminated the world around you in a soft glow, but you couldn’t stop and take in the beauty, all your legs could do was run.

The wind was cold against your tear streaked face, and you could feel your hair falling out of its low bun. Nothing mattered, nothing mattered at all until you could talk to Danny, sort out what happened, and tell him how you felt.

You’d made it down most of the driveway, coming to the gazebo where you’d all taken photos earlier that day. It was covered in lights, lit up and caught your attention in the dark of the property. You glanced toward it briefly, and ended up doing a double take. A tall figure was pacing inside it, causing you to come to a stop. You’d recognize that mop of curls anywhere. 

Your heart beat out of your chest, body now feeling like it was wading through sludge as you made your way over. Danny hadn’t noticed you yet, preoccupied with his phone. It wasn’t until you took the first step in your heel up on the wooden gazebo that he turned, almost jumping before he turned his face stoic, almost glaring at you. He was still in his suit from the wedding, his suitcase waiting next to him, presumably for a ride.

“Danny,” you breathed. Your entire body felt like it was trembling. Terrified at the idea that he wouldn’t listen, that this man you’d grown to love in such a short time would hate you for the rest of your lives over a misunderstanding. 

“Save it,” Danny shook his head. “I don’t need to hear it.”

“I just want to tell you-”

“I said I don’t need to hear it!” Danny moved away from you, causing the tears to well up in your eyes as he regarded you so harshly. “I hope you and Gavin have a wonderful, happy life together. Really, I mean it.”

“I’m not with Gavin!” you stomped your foot, feeling like a petulant child as you glowered up at Danny. Danny stared at you incredulously, stuffing his phone in his pocket and folding his arms over his chest.

“It didn’t look like that last night.” he shot back, clenching his jaw. 

“Gavin was drunk and he grabbed me in the hallway. He begged for me to come back and tried to kiss me, and I slapped him.” you defended yourself, hands shaking as you started to lay out your heart to him. 

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Danny asked.

“You didn’t give me the chance! Danny I don’t want Gavin, I don’t want anyone else but you.”

Danny swallowed roughly as his face softened and tears once again spilled down your cheeks. “Danny, I am so in love with you.”

It felt like it happened in slow motion, as Danny’s long legs closed the gap between the both of you and took your face in his hands, bringing your lips to his in a searing kiss. Your hands grabbed at his suit jacket, clutching the material for dear life as you felt your heart explode in your chest. His fingers tangled in your hair, causing what was left of the chignon bun at the nape of your neck to fall down into loose waves. When he pulled away, you opened your eyes, looking into his hazel ones that were shining and glimmering. 

“I fell in love with you the day we met,” Danny breathed against your lips. “I am so fucking in love with you, Honey.” he had tears in his eyes now, and you felt less silly as your lips broke out into a grin. Before you could help yourself, you let go of Danny’s suit jacket and tossed your arms around his neck, hopping up on your tiptoes and kissing him again as his hands found a home on your waist, pulling you into his body. The two of you reveled in your embrace and newly proclaimed feelings, feeling that insatiable urge from a few days before, but in a different way now. You didn’t want to go anywhere if Danny wasn’t going to be there too.

Hearing gravel fly, you broke away from Danny, seeing Mike’s car skid to a halt in the middle of the driveway. You lifted up a hand as Olivia got out of the car, beginning to bolt towards you. She paused, watching you and Danny carefully before Danny leaned down and placed another kiss to your lips. 

“I don’t know about you,” Olivia turned around, looking at Mike who was leaning on his arms on the roof of his car, watching with her. He looked at his new wife with a smile as Danny and you embraced in front of them. “But I hear wedding bells when I look at them.”

“I do too,” Mike agreed with a grin. They gave you both a few more moments before beckoning you over. “Sorry to interrupt, but we have a reception to attend, and some cake to eat.” Danny held the back door to the car open for you, helping you in and closing the door for you before jogging around and getting in next to you, leaning in and kissing your cheek as he got comfortable. 

“I brought this,” Olivia handed you your makeup bag, and you thanked her profusely. “Mike, watch the bumps, and go slow.” you touched up your makeup on the short ride back to the winery in the glow of a light up compact. Danny assisting and helping you put your eyeliner on, his hands a bit more steady than yours. 

Olivia and Mike were able to walk back into the reception, wolf whistles and smirks shot their way, which Olivia ate up. No one noticed you and Danny sliding back in a few moments later, or the grass stains on the hem of your dress, or the current state of your hair. You’d thought Danny would want to sit down, hash things out more, or at least eat that promised piece of cake, but instead he took your hand and pulled you out to the dance floor. 

Wrapping his arms around your waist, your bodies were flush to one another as Danny swayed you both, looking down at you like he’d never seen anything so amazing in his life. One of his hands left your waist and cupped your cheek, his thumb swiping the apple of it gently.

“I’m so sorry,” he murmured. “I shouldn’t have been so stupid.” shaking your head, you turned slightly, pressing your lips to the pad of his thumb before looking up at him. 

“It’s okay,” you gave him a soft smile. “It’s okay, we have a long flight back tomorrow so that we can talk everything out. For right now, I just want to be in your arms and enjoy the last of this little bubble we’re in.” Danny nodded with a small smile, tucking you in impossibly closer.

As he rested his chin on top of your head, you realized you didn’t need to worry about your future with him. Your ear on his chest, you could hear his strong heartbeat in a steady rhythm, and you knew you would follow that beat anywhere.

“What do you think, about stealing some cake, taking it up to our room, and eating it in bed in our pjs?” Danny murmured in your ear a little while later. Olivia and Mike had made their official departure to get some rest for the honeymoon and the party was starting to die down. Smiling up at him, you pressed a kiss to his lips quickly.

“Sounds like the best idea you’ve ever had.”

“No, the best idea was agreeing to be some girls date to her friends wedding.” Danny laughed as he led you to the cake table, grabbing a plate and handing it to you before finding a few other little desserts and piling them on the plates. 

“Mm, sounds like that was the best thing to ever happen to you,” you mused softly, watching his eyes glitter as he winked at you.

“Oh Honey, you have no idea.”

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[writer-akihiko]

Could I get the dorm leader’s reactions to a fem!S/O who punched a student because he was being creepy towards her?

Dorm Leaders + MC Punching Someone

Credits to my precious wife The Miss; I have never punched someone and my wife teaches and does self defense and martial arts, so she helped me out greatly. Work is cut for length purposes.

Warnings: creepy behaviour from NPC students, protective behaviour dorm leaders

Malleus Draconia

Malleus knew it was moments after your last class finished, so why were you late?

Sebek quickly noticed his master, and said that the teacher called for you

He wasted no time rushing to the teacher's room, only for it to be empty…

"I have nothing to do with you!"

He heard your voice, rushing to the source. You were in the gardens with another annoying student…

Unknowingly, he gathered his magic at his fingertips, ready to attack

CRACK!

Your lover witnessed you sucker punch that student right in the nose

What was this? That child of man was deadlier than he thought… and the thought thrilled him

The student scurried away, with a bleeding nose and that was when Malleus revealed himself

He watched as his YN shifted to her timid self once more. Maybe she was embarrassed?

"I witnessed all of it," He said. "My little treasure… you're quite the silent fierce type aren't you?"

You accepted Malleus taking you in his arms. You snuggled into his shoulders, knowing no one was there. "Only to people who annoy me. I'd never do that to you."

He pressed a soft kiss to your forehead, enjoying this moment with you. "As much as I witnessed how capable you were YN, if those punches ever graze your skin, I might not hesitate to skin them…"

You smacked Malleus playfully. "I swear, I can be safe."

Malleus overall was thrilled every time you showed any display of your strength, although you were quite docile with him so he'd have to sneak around to see you pummel some worthless students

Riddle Rosehearts

He was severely upset that your absence caused his unbirthday party to be delayed

He asked for Ace and Deuce to search for you, but he himself found you near the school labs

Oh, how his blood boiled seeing that it was a Heartsyabul student approaching you…

He was about to approach the student and call him off for his rude remarks, but he didn't expect what was coming next

You punched the much taller student in the stomach, and the student hurled over in pain

"You… You-!"

"I dare you to continue that sentence…" Riddle said, stepping out and standing next to you

He shamelessly brought your knuckles to his lips, "Did you bruise your knuckles my Queen?"

The student tried to run away, but Riddle was quicker to respond

"Off With Your Head."

He would certainly have fun punishing the ignorant student later, but for now he had to tend to you

"I never knew you could do that," He admitted, escorting you back to the location of the unbirthday party. "I'm quite surprised."

You shook your head, feeling a bit shy that Riddle of all people was praising you so. "It's self defense. I'm not one to go around punching people…"

Riddle after having knowledge of your skills wouldn't be afraid to leave you alone, and he'd have his little fantasy of you teaching him some physical defense… With you two being close… He can dream can't he?

Kalim Al-Asim

Kalim had you seated next to him during one of Scarabia's parties, enjoying the festivities

Jamil had come over, asking you to excuse your boyfriend as other guests had arrived and were awaiting the host of the events

Kalim greeted the guests, although his voice was slightly strained since all he could think about was getting back to you

As he let the guests roam around, he took one glance at where you were supposed to be…

And saw the view of someone chatting you up…

Well, as the charismatic host he is, he has to put this student in his place-

CRASH!

The student fell onto a small table of snacks after you punched that student from getting too close

"I said," You poured the remaining of your drink on his head. "I don't want to be bothered."

Kalim's jaw dropped at the entire scene, and in his heart he might've been a little afraid of you

As he turned to Jamil, Jamil shook his head. "I didn't teach her that."

After the other servants cleaned the mess up, Kalim approach you cautiously. Giving you a hug from behind

He was relieved feeling your shoulders relax, but he had to make sure…

"YN… Would you punch me if I ever upset you?"

You quickly faced Kalim, holding his face in your hands, shaking your head. "No I won't. That guy was just being annoying…" You gave him a cheeky peck on his jaw. "And how could I ruin this adorable face?"

Kalim didn't mind you punching whoever annoyed you, but he was very impressed that it had gotten to the point where if someone bothered you, Kalim would be on the sidelines cheering at you

Azul Ashengrotto

As the dorm leader who runs the Mostro Lounge, Azul and the Leech twins would be typically busy with the constant rush of customers

In this instance he was grateful that you were willing to help out with the rush hours

He had you and the twins busy taking orders as he organised his contracts

There shouldn't be any troublesome patrons, or that's what he thought…

"Hey! Pretty waitress, why don't you sit with us? I'll buy you a drink!" Some sleazy customer hollered at you

You tried to ignore the students, continuing your duties. Floyd and Jade were too busy to kick them out, but you thought that they could be dealt with later…

From his view, Azul could only watch in disgust as the student dared to pull you to him

Before the student could put his hands on you, you swiped a clean punch across his face

The moment that happened, Azul couldn't help but laugh

The clique of the knocked out student scrambled out, intimidated by the creepy auras the twins emitted, and the way the Lounge owner's eyes pierced their core

You held your wrist in your hand, shaking off the slight pain. Jade and Floyd quickly escorted you to Azul's office area, and Jade even gave you a pat on the head for a job well done

Azul couldn't help himself from hugging you tight, showering you in praises and kissing your hand even though you insisted you weren't seriously injured

"My Angelfish… I should hire you for the Lounge's security instead," He joked, sitting next to you. "Actually… Do as you like! I get quite entertained with that fiery look in your eyes when you do get a hit or two!"

Long story short, you instead worked closely with Azul as a pseudo-bodyguard

Idia Shroud

Idia enjoyed his quiet time, especially quiet time with you, Ortho and video games

He didn't usually go outside, but he would always walk with you after class since you always calmed his nerves

Sometimes, if he was bold enough, he'd ask to walk hand in hand with you after a school day

At times, you could hear the gossip of some students, particularly about Idia…

On one day, Idia had to meet up with Azul due to club work. You decided to meet up with Ortho while waiting for Idia, since Idia wanted to continue his game's story mode with you

Idia quickly finished his business, but as he exited the room, he couldn't help but eavesdrop an interesting conversation…

"Why don't you hang out with us instead of that shut-in of a dorm leader?"

His attention was on the group of boys talking to you, closing in on you

He was caught off guard as you punched the leader square in the nose

"That's for insulting my boyfriend."

Idia had to admit that he got excited over you being so cool! It's like you're the protagonist that rescues the archmage-

Wait… That means that he's the archmage…

After scaring away the group away, Idia ran up to you, hugging you. His jacket covered you both, as you looked up at Idia…

"YN… Thank you…"

Leona Kingscholar

Leona always invites you to laze around, so when you were late, he got irritated

He was competent enough to memorise your schedule, so he knew where you would most likely be

He made his presence known, although he didn't care about the other students in his way

His ears perked up hearing your voice. Why were you in the labs?

He peaked inside to see some boys corner you. Ah… Some students that don't know their place…

"C'mon! Just one date and then you can go to that lion boy toy of yours!"

Oh… Now he was ticked off…

Before he could make a grand entrance, he heard a thud

The student hurled over in pain, clutching his lower half and gasping for air…

Oh… so the little herbivore punched him there…

He couldn't help but laugh, kicking the door open. You immediately went to his side, huffing away from those rude students

As Leona escorted you to his room, he mischievously called you out on it, "I didn't take you for one to go for the crown jewels… You gotta sanitise your hands before touching my sheets though."

You poked Leona's cheek, stopping him from teasing you, "And you, Leona, I might kick yours instead if you don't stop teasing me!"

You yelped, being carried by him. "No can do YN~"

Vil Schoenheit

Vil wondered why you didn't come find him after classes. You'd usually have some afternoon tea with him

He didn't think you'd skip out on purpose, so he commanded Rook to search for you

He also walked around, asking the students in your year whether they saw you or not

He grew anxious, quickening his pace until he heard your voice-

"I don't have anything to do with you, so stop it!"

He turned the corner, seeing you and your arms crossed and a group of students confronting you

One reached out their hand to you, which you retaliated by punching him square in the jaw

The student fell on his other friends, and Vil decided that this was enough

"Ah… I don't think it was wise to mess with my sweet potato…"

The remaining students scrambled to their feet, fearing the dorm leader's magic

"Scram, won't you?"

Vil didn't need to say it twice. The students disappeared, leaving you with Vil

Vil hugged you, patting your head. "My YN… I'm glad that you can defend yourself, but if you continue to do this, your knuckles will be bruised and I refuse to allow that."

You stood on your toes, pecking him on the cheek. "I appreciate the thought Vil."

[inbarfink]

So the Character-Flavored Tea sold in Cyber City has a lot of interesting details to analyze:

It’s possible that a person perceiving their own tea as just water is just... how the tea is supposed to work. But you can also read it as an indication of self-loathing and\or a lack of a clear self-image. I think you can argue that pretty much all the characters involved suffer from this to some degree.

Lol Noelle is thirsty

Susie likes everyone’s flavor but herself’s! Awww! it’s clear that outside her Tough Bully Exterior, Susie might be the most Wholesome character in the cast. Deep down, she’s really just “HELL YEAH THESE ARE ALL MY FRIENDS AND I LOVE THEM A LOT”

Obviously Ralsei has a high score for Susie and Kris but not really for Noelle because he barely had a chance to interact with her. This is also probably why she perceives Ralsei Tea as an empty cup. She literally has no impression of him. Same goes the other way around. 

The fact that they even have 50HP for each other might be a testiment for how sweet and accepting both of these characters are even with complete strangers. 

(And Ralsei at the very least knows that Noelle is soft and sweet!! Awww)

Noelle and Kris’ scores for each other are above-average but not Great. Probably because they USED to be quite close as kids but then had a falling out. So their relationship is still a bit tense even though they care about each other. 

This is clearly expressed in the flavors. Susie and Ralsei aren’t sure if Kris likes Noelle Tea or not (probably because Kris’ feelings about it are conflicted.) Noelle’s Kris Tea has a cinnamon flavor with a strange aftertaste - just like her feelings for them are mostly pleasent but with some lingering sadness\apprehension.

The most intersting thing of all is that although the Player is given many opportunities to make Kris express affection towards Ralsei... Kris only gets 60HP from Ralsei Tea. Just 10HP more then Noelle and Ralsei gets from That Person They Don’t Even Know. Perhaps the implication is that in spite of any choices made by the player, Kris doesn’t like Ralsei all that much. Maybe they feel apprehensive about his overly-friendly attitude. Maybe, like a lot of fans do, they kinda suspect that he’s not on the up-and-up

Notably, Kris does get a 120HP does of FRIENDSHIP from Susie Tea. Many fans have noticed that some of the few things Kris does without the player’s control involve showing a clear affection for Susie. Protecting her from the King, calling her “a friend”, being angry when other people bad-mouth her... they might have even slashed their mom’s tires just as an excuse to have a sleepover! 

And when Susie asks Kris who’d they rather take to the Town Festival, “You” (Susie) is the one answer where Susie doesn’t mention them ‘sounding so confused’. (I mean that could also be that she was so flustered by the implication that she didn’t notice the tone, but ‘Kris likes Susie the most and wants to hang out with her’ is probably the most obvious interpretation)

It’s very sweet to think that although Kris met Susie under the Very Unfortunate Circumstance of Being Mind Controlled, they have grown to see her as their closest friend regardless of that fact. But it’s also kinda sad to think that Ralsei’s great affection toward Kris is kinda one-sided.

... But I do actually have an Alternative Theory as to why Ralsei Tea has such a low score for Kris, and that has to do with the Flavor (Text). We can only tell how Kris feels about the Tea from Susie and Ralsei’s comments. And interestingly enough, both Kris Tea and Ralsei Tea give them “No reaction?”

SO, one of the theories about What the Hell Ralsei Even Is, is that rather than being the Dark World Manifestation of an inanimate object - he’s the   Dark World Manifestation of an abstract concept. Namely: Kris’ memories of Asriel. So he’s able to manifest in whatever Dark World Kris wonders to because he is literally manifesting from Kris’ brain.

And so, assuming the Teas taste like water when you drink your own flavor is Just How It Works - is it possible that drinking the Tea of someone who is Made of Your might be somewhat diluted???

Eh, it’s just a theory. Honestly I kinda like “Kris just doesn’t like Ralsei as much as Ralsei likes them back” because it’s very tragic and sad.

SPEAKING OF RALSEI AND SADNESS, can we talk about that “I’m happy!” when Kris drinks his Tea? Like is it just another indication of Ralsei’s extremely eager-to-please and desperate for approval personality. He’s happy that Kris even chose to drink his Tea and he’s just trying to ignore the implications of Kris seemingly having no reaction to it?

Is it about his own low\lacking self-image that he showed in the Acid Tunnel of Love. Is it like “Oh wow you had a Neutral Reaction and got healed 60HP? OH YAY! I was so worried that you were gonna spit it out in disgust and lose 20HP! I’m so relieved you can even be Neutral towards my flavor!” 

Other things about the tastes: Ralsei’s tastes for Kris and Susie correspond with their Dark World colors. Kris is blue and has a blueberry flavor, Susie is purple and has a grape flavor. Is it just to show how Ralsei has only ever seen them as their Dark World selves (because Kris is very much not Blueberries in the Light World)? Or maybe it’s meant as an indication that maybe Ralsei’s impression of them is still a bit... shallow?

Susie tasting Noelle Tea as Eggnog and Ralsei Tea as Marshmallows both make tons of sense. Eggnog is warm, comforting and Christmasy - marshmallows are soft and very sweet. That’s a pretty good description of Noelle and Ralsei.

I’m just trying to figure out why Susie thinks Kris is apple-flavored? Is it because they’re green in the Light World? Is it a reference to how their the child of a teacher? Kris is... not super-sweet but... crispy?? I’ll have to think about it.

[peachysamu]

All That Is Golden, All That Is Warm

Summary: you are honey, and as much as Mitsuya knows that sugar is bad for you, he can’t help but get addicted

Word count: 1.5k

Genre: fluff; neighbors to lovers

A/n: it’s Halloween season and of course, I’m a clown. Said I wouldn’t write anymore Tokrev and here I am, writing more Tokrev.

You remind Mitsuya of honey and the subduing warmth of tea trickling into his bones. It’s what he pictures when he thinks of you, the viscous liquid that refuses to slither down his throat. An annoying reminder every time he sees you, like a permanent blockage that as much as he tries, refuses to be swallowed. Instead, it seeps through him, gold living in his veins, and all he feels is warmth.

It’s a sickly sweet feeling. Mitsuya should be tired of the saccharine that clings to him, but just like a child, he only craves more. The only difference is, he’s more mature than most children. While others indulge without remorse, like his sisters on a festival night, where they point at every stall with gooey taiyaki and sticky dango, he knows that excess is bad for him. It leads only to addiction and the habit should be cut without hesitation.

Yet, as mature as he is, he is still a child. A stupid child addicted to honey.

Once more, and maybe hundreds of times afterwards, he slowly opens your creaky gate. Your dad had repainted it white a couple of weeks ago, but failed to grease the screws. It gives out a low howl, undoubtedly announcing his presence. He takes the bike, a normal one that regular kids use because that’s what you are, that you carelessly left behind and places it along your fence for later. By the time that he’s done, you’ve already opened your front door, hip cocked against the doorframe and arms crossed, just like the first time he met you.

Mitsuya wants to think, desperately hopes, that it’s the heater from your home that burns his cheeks. He knows it’s a lie, but maybe if he tells himself enough, maybe one day he can believe it himself.

“You need to stop leaving your bike in the middle of the pathway like that,” he chides. “What if your mom runs late tomorrow and trips over it?”

You tap your foot. “Did you come here to lecture me, Mitsuya? I have tea steeping in the kitchen and if you continue going on like that it’ll turn bitter.”

You turn around and the light envelopes you just as usual. He can’t help but grin as he follows. There’s no invite, but since he’s met you, you’ve made known that he will always be welcome.

A cup of tea already awaits him in his favored chair, the one across from you. He slides it over like routine and comfort already filters through him before the first sip.

The details of the night he met you are blurry. He remembers running away from home when the overwhelming weight on his shoulders suddenly became too much to bear. There are fragments of memory that have stuck to him like annoying pieces of lint. The feeling of Mana curling her small fingers into his shirt and the jealousy that stung between his eyes at the sight of two boys playing jump rope on the street. He remembers the self pity for being withheld a childhood contrasted with the sudden overbearing need to be older than he was. Three spray cans later and even more hours spent alone, Mitsuya found himself cemented in the middle of the street under a galactic shroud of starlight at the sight of his home in the distance.

He doesn’t know how long he stayed there, contemplating his worth as a son and big brother. Then you came, hip cocked and arms crossed, calling him from your door. “Hey! You’ll get a cold standing there. Come inside and have some tea to warm up your bones.”

You came, and the sun came with you. Hues of gold swirling in a captivating dance as you stirred a dollop of honey into his cup before handing it to him. He’s not said a word, only silently wondering what kind of lightbulbs your parents use because somehow, everything from the kettle on your stove, to the modest fridge on the corner, abounds in marigold.

You have a penchant for reading minds with the words that you say, “Whenever life gets too hard, I like to read a book.” Mitsuya cannot help but be enchanted by the way words are formed by your glossy lips. “I like to escape into another world and pretend that this one doesn’t exist.” You take a sip. Liquid perches itself on your upper lip, giving him even more reason to stare. “If things ever get too much, you’re welcome here. Think of my home as your escape.”

So whenever life ever becomes too much, Mitsuya runs. He follows the pollen trail that leads to honey and sun.

Escape, unfortunately, is not meant to be permanent. He realizes that as the years pass and the differences between you two become glaringly obvious. He’s a delinquent found at your local public high school while your pristine track record is placed in the prestigious private school you were accepted in.

He knows you’re too good for him, that one day, there will come a time where your realms will drift apart and his feet will no longer be enough to reach you. One day, you’ll get tired of seeing the bouquet of bandages and alcohol that you keep on your kitchen table for him. Eventually it will get replaced by flowers and chocolates and love letters with hearts circling your name. You’ll grow up normal like everyone else, and he, he’ll continue being a man too old for his body. Mitsuya tries to place the distance on his own so that he may feel this pain on his own accord. If he had to hurt, he’d rather do it on his own terms.

“You wanna explain why you’re ignoring me?” Mitsuya curses under his breath before turning around. He stalled at Hakkai’s place in hopes you wouldn’t catch him, but it seems like you’ve decided to wait up. For the first time, he sees you pass the threshold and push open the front gate. He awaits the screech that usually comes, but instead it is a quiet yawn. Mitsuya blinks at it, as though it beckons him with the promise of comfort until it is shadowed by your fury. You stand in front of the gate, leaving the pathway open, in your favorite stance.

Hip cocked, maybe punctuated more than usual, and arms crossed, “Huh? Answer me.” You tempt him when he provides no response. “What is it? Is it my tea? Am I putting in too much honey?”

Mitsuya cannot help but close his eyes and laugh. All this time, he spent worrying that you’re too good for him and you’ve been angrily waiting by your door wondering if you’ve been making his tea too sweet.

“No, that’s not it.” Mitsuya’s eyes are still closed, allowing him to appreciate the warmth that trickles over him. You’re ridiculous, he thinks. Honey’s all that he’s addicted to. How could you think it’s too much, when desperately, all he wants is more?

“Come on then,” You snap. You take a step and open the gate even wider so Mitsuya walks through once more, and hopefully hundreds of times afterwards. He pulls out his favorite seat, the one across from yours and Mitsuya cannot help but chuckle when you place the container of honey in front of him so that he may sweeten it on his own.

“I didn’t want to keep bothering you,” Mitsuya admits when he grabs the spoon. He stirs the thick, amber liquid before lifting it up for a heaping scoop. “I felt like I was abusing your kindness and taking advantage of this hideout you let me escape to.”

You’re silent as he plops the goop into the warm liquid. It settles to the bottom before you speak. “It’s not a bother. I actually-“ at your hesitance, Mitsuya looks up. You look uncharacteristically soft, subdued by the setting sun behind you. His stomach flutters into his throat, “I actually wish you’d stop thinking of this place as an escape.”

He gulps his stomach back down to its rightful place, limp and dead he almost feels nauseous. He was right to distance himself, because the unexpected pain is crushing. At least he could whittle away his feelings from afar and avoid this.

“Think of it as your home.” He looks up. His stomach is alive it seems and it’s back in his throat. “Your second home. My parents love you. My dad fixed the gate for you so you wouldn’t have to be so careful every time you come in. And I like seeing you too.” Your fingers tap your mug. “So yeah, you’re welcome any time you want.”

Mitsuya glances back down at his cup and finds the blob of honey fading into the abyss of tea. His heart is melting before his eyes, swirling in liquid gold thanks to you and there’s nothing he can do about it but accept the situation he’s in.

“Right,” He smiles into his cup.

If you are too good for him, then all he has to do is work harder so that one day, he may finally match your shade of gold.

[astaroth1357]

More undateables with a demigod hades mc???

By request, have yourself a part two!! 

Demigod MC Series: Hades Pt. 2 (Un)Dateables Edition!

I will ask that y’all please don't ask for continuations of other gods unless I say it’s okay to do again. This series already fills my inbox something fierce and this is a one-off that I allowed for during the request window.  If I have to make ideas for new gods while continuing a bunch of old MCs, it'll burn me out fast...

Demigod MC Series: Intro, Aphrodite, Hermes, Hades, Dionysus, Demeter, Athena, Hades Pt. 2

Diavolo

Oh, he has no problem at all hosting a child of the Underworld, hell he even throws them a welcome banquet when he finds out! Hades is a dear friend - and practically a parental figure to him growing up - so he's more than happy to take in one of his children for a year.

Diavolo is actually one of the few people that the MC can talk to about their home with any kind of fondness. Usually when they bring up things like the comforting wailing of the River Coctyus, the brothers will give them weird looks... but Diavolo knows where they're coming from!

He spent numerous summers in the Underworld growing up doing things like pestering Charon on the River Styx or playing games with Cerberus (the other one) in the Asphodel Meadows... His beach house is actually modeled after his childhood summer home in the Isles of Paradise! Really, it can be a lovely place if the gloom doesn't bother you!

So in the spirit of his fond memories, Diavolo really tried to make their time in the Devildom a fun one!... in his maybe trying a little too hard way…  

Poor MC found themselves offered pretty much everything under the moon… Tickets or exclusive passes to different cultural events/festivals, invitations to gala events, and tours of nearly every inch of Hell by the Prince himself - it was… it was a lot for the poor introverted thing…

It didn’t help that Diavolo would have a hard time gauging if they were having any fun due to their naturally melancholic nature, which only pushed him to try harder… He means well, he does. He’s just not the most in touch with what would make an anti-social doom child happy...

It took Barbatos and Lucifer stepping in for the mortal to actually start getting some much needed space and that improved their experience significantly. Sometimes less is more, Dia… Less is more. But they appreciate his efforts anyway.

Barbatos 

Also has a pretty amicable relationship with the Ruler of the Underworld, though his is much more professional compared to Diavolo’s. He actually has a good deal of appreciation for the man for taking good care of the Prince during his visits, so he sees this as an opportunity to return the favor.

Like Diavolo, he’s rather focused on making sure the MC is having a good stay in the Devildom, but he’s much more subtle about it. He’ll come by the House often to check up on them and make sure everything is to their liking... 

Even the brothers notice that he treats them like anothering visiting Lord/Lady in that way, which he would argue they very much are and should be respected as one. It’s the least the Devildom can offer their father at this point.

His visits may also be an excuse for keeping an eye on the brothers to make sure they don’t do anything to inconvenience their “young guest…” To be honest, the entire House is a little paranoid about that… Nobody wants to know the punishment for hurting MC if Barbs is the one dishing it out...

Apart from watching out for them, Barbatos tries to encourage the MC to accept the Young Lord’s gifts (while also actively advising Diavolo to go easier on them at the same time). It would be so disheartening to him if his Prince feels like he hasn’t offered them the best experience that he could… He’s sure they understand.

Any time that he invites the MC to tea, they usually end up talking about their father in some way. Barbs knows a surprising amount about the god… He’s been around about as long as Chronos - preceding the birth of Aether and Chaos themselves - so he has some stories to tell.

The MC did once ask him why he doesn’t just run everything if he’s really been around for so long... his answer was: “Kings and their kingdoms will rise and fall… Worlds upon worlds are born, then cease to be. But time is what brings about all changes… So, I think I’m perfectly content with the power I possess. Wouldn’t you be?” 

Annnd they never asked Barbs another question like that again… and people think death is scary… 

Simeon 

He was honestly a little worried for their new companion for quite a while… It’s not like there’s never any sadness in the Celestial Realm or anything, but they seem to have something else entirely…

He’s heard stories about the Underworld. He’s never been himself, that’s usually a job for the Seraphim due to the… dreary nature of the place - but he’s heard it would make the Devildom look downright festive…

If he were being honest, he had half expected the MC to be obsessed with skeletons, ghosts, and other elements of darkness but that wasn’t the case. They certainly knew a lot about those things, but they appeared to have a healthy interest in the afterlife in general, so they asked him a lot of questions about the Celestial Realm, angels, and how the souls of the blessed are treated up there… It was surprising to say the least.

Of course he did the same and, frankly, Simeon found it incredibly wasteful that so many Greek followers find themselves just wasting away in a field of nothing for so long… but that’s neither here nor there.

He was also surprised by how gentle of an influence the MC ended up being on Luke as well. He had always suspected that the little angel just needed a bridge between him and Devildom to start finding appreciation for it, and the MC fit that bill perfectly - nothing he was used to, but still approachable enough to make everything less frightening. He thanks them a great deal for that… but...

It’s just that… Well they’re just so… depressing sometimes…! He doesn’t want to blame them because it hardly seems like their fault! They’re a very kind person, it’s just an atmosphere around them… It brings him to tears if he isn’t careful…

He’s invited the MC to Purgatory Hall on multiple occasions to chat and try to make them smile… When they do, the gloom is dispelled - even just a little - and they’re a truly beautiful creature regardless. It’s just so unfortunate that their life brings so much sadness...

Even so, he actually likes the MC enough to consider basing a character on them if he ever wrote another book. Something about a gloomy but sweet protagonist at home in a world of darkness sounds appealing… doesn’t it?

Luke

He didn’t know how to feel about the MC when they met. At first, he actually thought they were just as unhappy as he was to be there due to how depressed they looked but when they told him that wasn't true, he was really confused...

The Devildom is a dark, brutish, and dangerous place. Why would anyone feel at home down here??

But… well… He would spend time with them at RAD between breaks (partially to help scare off their many, many demonic suitors) and it might be weird to say, but they really made the Devildom look beautiful… literally.

The world just looks better when they’re around! It’s really hard to describe because it’s not something you notice much until they leave, but when the MC is around everything looks more vibrant and inviting! The grass gets greener, flowers grow bigger, and butterflies/birds hover around wherever they are like they have their own gravity - the realm loves them!

It started getting hard for Luke to hang onto his disdain for the place when they made it look so appealing… And then they started talking to him about the Underworld and the creatures they’d befriended there… creatures a lot worse than any demons he’d seen there...

Like. If the MC can be good friends with a bunch of rude walking corpses, then he could probably make friends with a demon right? There’s nice ones… kind of… 

Beel. He can make friends with Beel.

Like Simeon, he does feel bad that they seem so sad all the time… but unlike the older angel, he’s a bit more understanding that this is just how they are and enjoys his time with them regardless. (It helps a lot that just being around this little bean of a boy can lift their spirits anyway).

And you know what’s even better for him? When Lord Diavolo gives the MC tickets to things that they don’t want to go to, sometimes they’ll invite him along or give them to him instead! 

He’s gone to the Devil’s Coast with MC and Simeon sooo many times by now and he loves it!! Maybe the Devildom isn’t so bad after all, I mean, it can be a lot of fun when you go to the right places, anyway.

Solomon

Oh, he finds them both deeply fascinating and utterly terrifying - so just his sort of test sub-er, person!

He kids (somewhat), Solomon isn’t that dumb/lacking in self-preservation instinct. Experimenting on a child of death in a land of the dead (even if it’s not their “home turf”) would be asking for trouble. They’d have more than enough ammunition to fight him off and if their father found out? Immortality wouldn’t even begin to save him...

That being said, questions aren’t necessarily experiments… and oh boy, does he have a lot of them.

If the MC isn’t being pestered by Diavolo or the brothers, then they’re probably having to put up with Solomon nipping at their heels trying to get them to use their powers or answer all sorts of “innocent” scientific questions…

“MC, reanimation of Greek dead requires a blood offering, correct? Do you have to sacrifice animals for that process or do you allow them to feast on your own?”

“MC, when you’re controlling a skeleton do you move the body as a whole or do you have to animate each individual bone due to their lack of ligaments?”

“Think fast!! Oh look, you just caught the skull of my good friend, Richard! Could you bring him back from that, or should I fetch the rest of him?” 🙂

They put up with it because, believe it or not, he’s not nearly the weirdest person they’ve ever met (a lot of crazy people drift in and out of the land of the dead…) and well… they’re a pretty lonely person too so it’s not like they have a lot of standards when it comes to friendships anyway.

But the second they breathe a word of this to Barbs or Diavolo, this boy is on his way to a royal restraining order… Where does he even get those skulls…?

[tiedyemillenialbullshit]

Nightmare

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Female!Avenger Reader Word Count: 3,431 Summary: Your best friend finally comes to visit the compound after you join the Avengers. What starts out as a fun night out, quickly turns dire for you and Bucky. Warnings: Angst, Fluff, Feelings, Mentions of Alcohol and Drugs, PTSD/Nightmares, swearing

“AHHHH Y/N!!” You hear her before you see your best friend running towards you, not a care in the world that your entire team has also turned around to watch you two galavant towards each other like long lost sisters.

You catch Sarah in your arms and spin her around.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe you’re FINALLY HERE! And you’re early! Holy shit like I can’t believe you’re finally here in New York!! Let me introduce you to the team!” You grab her arm after she starts to show hesitance in meeting the Avengers all at once.

“Are you sure they have time? I don’t want to be a bother,” she says sheepishly.

“Oh my god Sarah, I talk about you all the time! They’re just as excited to meet you, come on.” You both walk towards the team still staring at you both near the entrance to the compound doing a quick debrief of a not-so-successful mission the day before.

“Guys, this is Sarah. Sarah this is-“ she cuts you off. “I know who you guys all are. It’s so nice to meet you! I’ll stay out of the way, I promise.” Everyone grins and introduces themselves to your best friend.

Nat smiles at you both, “On the contrary, you’re coming out with us tonight! No if’s, and’s or but’s”

Sarah seems to suddenly catch a second wind from her long flight and lets out a squeal of excitement.

You’re the newest to the “official” team, even though Steve and Fury had been trying to recruit you for years. You didn’t like the idea of the world knowing about your skill set and preferred to live a quiet life back in California. Ever since moving here, you’ve felt like maybe you weren’t home yet. Everyone was so nice and welcoming, but you missed your little house hidden in the outskirts of the National Parks in California. You missed the sun, the familiar smell of your patch of paradise and the general sense of room back home. Most importantly, you missed Sarah.

You were reluctant to invite her out to New York at first, but now that things seemed to be going smoothly, you sent for her via a car and private jet thanks to one Mr. Tony Stark. He was more than happy to help you out given your fresh and maybe sometimes bumpy arrival to the Avengers.

As everyone filed inside to break away before the evening festivities, Bucky caught your arm.

After holding you back for a second he said, “Hey, I can totally hang back tonight if you’d rather just be with Sarah and the team.”

You realize what he’s getting at. He also has some lack of feeling settled at the compound. It was something you bonded over when you first arrived. You both had similar pasts, even though they were at the same time lightyears apart.

“Buck, no. I think we’re all going out to Bleaker’s tonight! What’s a better way to get to know the team than bowling, beer, smoking inside, beer, old arcade games, more beer and maybe dancing?!”

Bucky gives you a quick glare out the corner of his eye before wrapping his metal arm around your shoulders to lead you inside after everyone.

“Fiiiiiiine, but I can’t promise I’ll behave.” You giggle, but suddenly feel a couple sets of eyes on you.

“And what do we have here?,” Tony asks with a smirk across his mouth. Sarah seems to be in the middle of an engaging conversation with Steve, so you don’t seem to have an easy out of this encounter. Bucky quickly drops his arm and steps a foot away from you.

“Uh, nothing. Y/N just seemed like maybe she wasn’t feeling well.”

“But I’m fine so here we are - have you seen Sam? Nat? Wanda? I told them we should be ready in a few hours and I jus-“

“Oh for Christ’s sake guys, your secret is safe with me,” Tony winks at you knowingly. You decide to take that as the end of the conversation and rush over to join Sarah.

“So! You have muscles.” Sarah says clearly at a loss of words looking at Steve in a tight shirt.

You and Bucky share a giggle, but pull Sarah away and save her from further embarrassment.

“What the fuck did I just say?” Sarah is about as red as a tomato as you drag her upstairs away from the awkward encounter. Steve looked a little flustered as well, which you file away in the back of your brain.

“Who cares! Let’s catch up and get ready for tonight.” Sarah is your best friend for a reason. Even though it had been 6 months since you last saw each other, it was like it was yesterday. You two spend the next few hours catching up, gossiping about each other’s families, friends, ex-boyfriends, etc.

“So! How are we doing in the boi department?” You turn around and face Sarah at the inquisitive tone in her question.

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m good, I’m… I’m doing great, I mean yeah I’m good. WHY?” You’re stuttering and you don’t even care it’s obvious you’re blushing.

“Oh, you know. I mean, I’ve only recently met a few super soldiers, but I do think I can tell the there’s a spark between one and someone else.” Sarah so wants you to spill the tea but you promised Bucky you’d keep it quiet.

“Let’s just say things are developing and whatever you’d like to take from that you may.” You both launch into a giggle fit of her guessing and you denying certain aspects of Bucky Barnes.

When Wanda wanders into your room a few hours later, she starts laughing at what she sees. “You know you two are wearing like the same thing, right?” Exchanging confused looks at each other, you reply with a “AND?!”

Sam follows in with a smirk of his own. You’re bracing for his jokes but instead says “damn, OKAY! Everyone’s looking sharp tonight. Y/N, have you seen our bionic man around? Is he coming? He better come out tonight or I swear to…”

After Sam leaves to go find Bucky, the three of you wander down to find Nat and start the evening off with a shot or two. You aren’t much of a drinker, so one is enough for you. You much rather enjoy the company of your friend Mary Jane.

The team is getting silly with each other in the kitchen and quickly the room is filled with people yelling at each other to pregame harder, laughing when Nat’s little sister challenges Sam to a chugging contest and wins.

You feel a large hand at the small of your back. You can smell his cologne and know who it is immediately.

“Well don’t you look dashing tonight Sargent Barnes.” You lean in on impulse but stop yourself just as the girls turn around to see who you’re talking to.

“I was just going to say the same thing to you, sweets.” He mumbles in your ear before removing his hand and walking over to Sam.

The alcohol decides to hit you then, leaving you feeling empty that he’s not standing next to you anymore. Neither of you had wanted to have the “conversation” but you knew you were head over heels for him.

“CABS ARE HERE” screams Sam.

“Sam. For the love of God, stop watching Jersey Shore.” Natasha jokes to him.

At the same time Steve screams, “I understood that reference!” Eye rolls are exchanged as you all make your way outside.

The atmosphere is buzzing and you’re so excited to not just be out with your team, but to also have the only bit of family you had with you as well. You finally felt at home, at peace, and were ready for a fun night out.

Bleaker’s is one of those hole-in-the-wall dive bars that from the outside seems like a hard pass, but once you’re in, there’s no other place you’d rather spend a Saturday night. It’s true it started as a bowling alley in the 60’s. That still remains. What’s newer is the arcade in the back, where the old salon used to be. Jimmy bought the space next door, blew out the wall and filled it with arcade games that sometimes work and sometimes eat your money.

After years of being regular patrons, he knows your team well. The minute you walk in, he starts up all your favorite drinks.

“Ah! My best customers! I had a feeling I’d be seeing Earth’s mightiest heroes tonight.” You line up at the bar for whatever Jimmy decides you’re drinking tonight.

“Ah yes, two vodka on the rocks for my little Russian assassins. Sam here’s your vodka red bull which I don’t think you need, but here we are. Steve! Your drink of choice: an Old Style. Wanda, a cosmo for my favorite witch. And who do we have here, Y/N?”

You’re already both in hysterics at the old man behind the bar giving everybody a hard time. “Jimmy, this is my best friend Sarah. She’s visiting from California for a few days.”

“And whatever the lady wants can be put on my tab…” Steve butts in. Sarah immediately turns red but says “well in that case I’ll have vodka soda with lime please!”

Bucky has come up behind you and now you’re both laughing and watching the two of them stare at each other like no one else is in the room.

“Oh no, what did you do Y/N?”

“Let it play out, he’s not completely tripping over his words yet, maybe he’ll finally land a good girl.” You hush to Bucky.

Jimmy stares as well in amusement. “And you two? Your usual?”

“Yes’sir!” You shout over the growing music. Jimmy hands you each a jack and Diet Coke. You tell yourself it’s okay because it’s diet, but you know that’s a bunch of bullshit.

The other great thing about Bleaker’s? The dance floor downstairs. You always joke around that it seems like a nightclub that never closes in Amsterdam or something, but you’re serious. It could be 3 pm and sunny and you’d never know. It’s in the basement, it's always dark and the music is almost always too loud.

Usually that would gross you all out, but the energy tonight is pushing you all downstairs.

You reach back and grab Bucky’s hand not really caring who sees. It’s been months of sneaking around and either everyone knows and is playing it off like they don't or you’re really good at hiding it. Regardless, you’re over hiding. Maybe showing a little PDA tonight will get him out of his shell.

Sarah and Steve are no where in sight, assuming they’re ahead of you, you follow the team downstairs.

Minutes turn into hours. Everyone is dancing, laughing, sweating, screaming the lyrics to every song, and for a little while you can forget you’re a group of superheroes, and can just be normal 30-something year-olds.

You mostly dance with Bucky and quickly realize he’s a better dancer than you thought he would be. Those moves from the 1940’s must still be relevant in some way today, because the way he's grinding up on you and not caring if anyone sees just does something to you.

You work the room, finding Sarah, Wanda, Nat, even Steve for a song before you realize you don't see Bucky. You give it a few minutes thinking maybe he is in the bathroom. After 15 minutes though, you grab Steve’s attention and motion for him to check the bathroom while you check outside.

You race to the alley where you find Jimmy on a smoke break. “Hey Jimmy, have you seen Bucky? I can’t find him.”

“Oh yeah, doll, he took off in a cab about a half hour ago. Looked real flustered, but I didn’t want to press.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. You thought you felt his mood shift about an hour ago, he was becoming stiff and quiet. You thought maybe he was just drinking a lot but now you’re realizing the loud music, strobe lights and base must have been triggering him.

“Ugh I’m such a bitch,” you huff as you send Steve a S.O.S text.

You: Hey, Jimmy said he just left. I'm sure he's heading home. I'm going to go find him.

Sire Captain Rogers: Go ahead. I think Sarah and I can find something to do while you find Buck. ;)

You: Yeah I’m sure you can.

You: BEHAVE. She’s my best friend.

Sire Captain Rogers: I know Y/N, don’t worry about us. Let me know when you find him.

You lock your phone and hop in a cab back to the compound.

No one is up or around when you enter through the front. The kitchen has been cleaned up, the dishes done. Probably thanks to THURSDAY, Tony’s beta bot for “cleaning up after you assholes trash the place.”

You smirk and head for the elevators. Heading straight to Bucky’s room, you can tell his light is on but something seems off. You don’t like to use your powers on friends or in the compound, but you close your eyes and reach out with your mind to find his aura. Your eyes snap open. You don’t sense him, you just see red.

Taking this as a good excuse to break into a friend’s room, you burst into the room to find it in disarray. Everything is toppled over, broken glass is on the floor, the bathroom light is on, but all you can see is his blood on the door and the floor. You’re panicked, trying to piece together what happened.

Again, you close your eyes and reach out for the familiar energy of Bucky. You find him in your room on the floor.

“What the fuck?,” you mumble and sprint up the stairs to your apartment. You shoot Steve a text on your way up.

You: Found him, looks like a bad one. I’ll let you know if I need you.

Sir Captain Rogers: Thanks Y/N. I’m just a call away, let me know if you need anything. Night.

Upon entering, you sense he’s in distress. His heart rate is elevated, he’s incredibly sweaty and is panting like a dog.

“Bucky? Buck, it’s me, it’s Y/N.”

Bucky stirs and jumps into a defensive standing position quicker than you can blink. You flip the lights on with a “BABE. Baaabe, it’s me. It’s okay, you’re safe. We’re in the compound. You had a nightmare.”

Bucky’s eyes are wide and alarmed, but you can tell the moment he recognizes you.

Rushing over to you, he takes you into a big hug. “Oh my god. What happened? Are you okay, did I hurt you?”

“No Bucky, no I just found you a minute ago. You had another bad one, what do you need me to do right now for you?”

Bucky stands back and rubs his swollen eyes. “I need to shower, can you help me?”

Typically, this is where it gets exciting, but you knew what he means. Water grounds him. He doesn’t feel like he’s falling in water. It helps him visualize the stress washing off of him.

You help him strip and get in the shower, but before you can even take his jeans off, he jumps in and pulls you in with him. You realize how desperate he is for whatever he’s feeling to pass and your heart sinks.

You’re both standing there, almost fully clothed holding each other. This is the worst you’ve seen him in a long time.

“I’m so sorry if I ruined your night, Y/N. The base sounded like the train, the lights looked like the machine they used on me, what the fuck.”

You aren’t sure what to do so you decide to sit on the ground and pull him down with you. You position yourself behind him so his back is in your chest. Even though he’s so much larger than you, he sinks down enough for you to reach over his shoulders and hold him.

“It’s okay Barnes, just breathe with me. You’re safe. You’re with me, and we’re home. Nobody is going to touch you. I’ve got you, you won’t fall.”

You take in deep breaths so he can match your breathing.

After about 45 minutes, the hot water is out in the tank. Bucky sits forward and turns towards you. You want him to lead right now, so you don’t say anything. Neither does he, but the look in his eyes are telling you something about tonight is different.

With a soft smile on your lips, you cup his cheek until he is really looking at you. “Hun, let’s go lay down, ya? Let me help get you dried off.” Bucky hates when you fuss over him, so when he doesn’t argue, you know to be extra gentle with him.

After getting him up and out of the shower, you think skin-to-skin contact doesn’t seem sexual right now, it feels intimate in a grounding sense, and you know that’s exactly what he needs right now. Bucky seems dazed, almost like he got hit too hard in the head. You yourself are of course a tad over-served, and are quickly realizing the adrenaline of this entire situation is rubbing off.

You get Bucky into bed and turn to make sure his phone is plugged in and that he has a glass of water, but he grabs your wrist before you can move away. “Just leave it, it’s fine.”

“Buck, just let me-“ he grabs your wrist harder.

“Y/N. Please just stay here. Please.”

The entire time you’ve been together, he’s done a lot of things but begging you for anything is not one of them. Suddenly the phone and whatever hell else you were doing doesn’t seem important anymore.

You climb into your usual spot next to him and decide maybe you’ll try to get him to open up. The moment the back of your head hits the pillow, Bucky is facing you. His pleading eyes seem like they want to tell you everything that’s going on in his head, but you know pushing him to talk will just make the nightmares come flooding back too soon.

Instead, you decide to lay on your back and pull him to lay on your chest.

“Just listen to my heart beat, Bucky.” You hear him take a deep breath and settle into your chest.

You start and stop yourself from trying to say something comforting. You’re terrified to say the wrong thing at such a crucial moment. Typically these bad episodes are reserved for a Steve house call. You realize as he’s settling into a comfortable position that he hasn’t asked you to call Steve yet. Bucky trusts you in a way you didn’t realize until now.

You don’t know when, but you start humming the first calming song that comes in your head.

I’ll be seeing you In all the old familiar places That this heart of mine embraces All day through

Bucky picks his head up to look at you. Oh fuck.

“Where did you hear that song?,” he says to you with shiny eyes.

“You sing it all the time when you’re concentrating. I looked it up and added it to my ‘bath time/relax’ playlist. I didn't know Billie Holliday was a favorite of yours."

Bucky was looking at you like maybe this was the first time he saw you, like really saw you. “My mom used to sing that around the house when she was missing my dad.”

“Oh I’m so sorry, I didn’t know. I can hum a diff-“ you’re cut off with the most searing kiss Bucky has ever given you. He’s crying when he pulls back to look at you again. “Will you keep singing it?”

In that small cafe The park across the way The children's carousel That chestnut tree, the wishing well

By the time you finish the second verse, he has physically relaxed in your arms. You continue rubbing your hand up and down his back and shoulder, stopping to play with his long hair every once in a while.

I'll be seeing you In every lovely summer's day In every thing that's light and gay I'll always think of you that way

“I forgot how much I love hearing this song sung around me.” Bucky whispers so quietly you almost miss it.

I'll find you in the morning sun And when the night is new I'll be looking at the moon But I'll be seeing you…

You stop your caressing when you feel him sit up on one arm.

He leans down to kiss you but stops short to whisper “I love you Y/N.” You kiss him back and wrap your arms around his shoulders, and when you say “I love you too, Bucky,” you’ve never been more sure of something in your life.

[static-fanatic-1]

I just went through you r blong and it's?? So amazing??? Like omg I wass literally screaming when I read all that glorious stuff, you're doing god's work here love💕 but I would like to know what Kikyo, Illumi, Milluki, Kurapika, Pakunoda, Chrollo and Silva + Shigaraki, Overhaul, Monoma, Chronostasis, Setsuno, Tamaki, Endeavor, Shinsou and Aizawa do for winter and/or Christmas/other religious holidays activities with their darling? Bc I'm ready to sell my vital organs for it ;_;

Thanks you <3

Also, Christmas wit da bois is an amazing idea. (I’ll be doing normal Winter stuff and some religious holidays.)

Kikyo/Illumi/Milluki/Silva:

Since they are a family, I will combine them (and to make this large post a bit shorter and easier haha).

Anyway, they celebrate Christmas more for the gifts and to spoil their kids. You better expect a large, family gathering for the entire two weeks of Christmas and New Years. It doesn’t really matter, you will be forced to celebrate Christmas with them. I mean you are part of the family.

Think of it as a resort holiday, you are treated like a queen/king and anything you want will go. Well, other than freedom of course. Still, you receive many gifts that are beyond your price tag, and the gifts you give them are more decorative to be honest. You don’t have as much money to spend as them, so you decided to make all of your gifts because you hoped the thought would be enough. They might not look the best, but each Zoldyck will treasure it to the end of their days.

They will try to incorporate any traditions as long as they are family oriented, they aren’t monsters. And even if you have other holidays you celebrate, you will still celebrate Christmas with them. With that being said, they will be kind enough to celebrate your own holidays, it will be a smaller scaled thing though.

Kurapika:

He finds it to be a bonding moment, and he doesn’t get enough of those for obvious reasons. He will go above and beyond to please you, simply to get back on your good side a bit.

Cocoa, apple cider, blankets, decorations, traditions, ANYTHING is on. He wants you to relax and feel at home around him. Despite his extremely controlling attitude, he wants you to love him. Sadly he prioritizes your absolute safety over your mental health.

But it’s sweet for the most part, he actually seems to act normal, he doesn’t seem as if he is going to snap and try to force you into anything. But yes, he might try to get things to be hot and heavy, you being relaxed is too perfect of an oppertunity to waste. He still has a clan to rebuild.

Pakunoda:

I wrote chrollo’s before Paku’s, so it’s kinda the same. She will be more active in putting things together and getting into the festivities. She will get really close, using the excuse that she’s cold just to cuddle with you.

Christmas sex? Yeah, probably. She’ll take care of everything, you could sit back and watch her do everything. But it’s more fun together right?

Everyone is invited, so expect the rest of the Troupe and their darlings!

Chrollo:

He doesn’t mind, he’s pretty accommodating too! He’s honestly the most okay with anything. I would think the people of Meteor City look forward to Christmas, there isn’t a lot but people who really care for one another take the time to chill with each other.

With you around, they have a really big excuse to go all out! Chrollo will sit back and relax, having you and the rest of the Troupe decorate and get presents. He will help of course if you ask, but he will mostly be on the side lines.

Anything else is a-okay too! He doesn’t care as long as you are happy, and the Troupe can join in the festivities.

Shigiraki:

Christmas is something he does know! But he knows nothing of any other holiday to be honest. All for One gave him a few gifts in his life time, not much but enough for Shigiraki to develope the concept of Christmas. I mean when he was a kid he loved Christmas with his family. It was one of the happiest times back then.

So he genuinely had a love hate relationship with the holiday. You will ah e to take initiative on this one. Giving a gift, starting decorations, making hot coco or something. Anything to get the ball rolling and he would begrudgingly comply.

Secretly, he is excited to join the holiday festivities with you. Specifically with you, anyone else and they would be dust. He is okay with learning new holiday traditions too, like why do you guys light candles for a holiday? Well oh tell him with a smile and help him light one on fire. He almost burns the whole hideout down. You’ll have to watch him.

Endeavor:

He celebrates Christmas, but he’s more of a grinch. He celebrates it with his kids and wife, just because it’s something families do. Though throughout his life he never found it more than a obligation.

When you come along, he’s on the path of becoming a better person, so he will definantly try harder. One Christmas with all the fun stuff with you, and another one for his family. He kinda lets you take the lead, of course if you really want something you will have to do some sexual trades. Can’t let you get too comfortable right?

Moreover, if you are on good terms with his immediate family, you could probably add more cheer to the holiday. Also if you celebrate another holiday then don’t worry, he’ll accommodate to be nicer.

Overhaul:

Who cares about winter, it’s cold and you are more likely to get sick because of it. Your immune system will be more likely to be compromised so you better expect him to helicopter a bit more.

Warm teas, heavy blankets, vitamins, and supplaments are to be expected. Nothing sugary either, maybe a bit of medical honey in your tea but not much.

Christmas isn’t something he celebrates, but he will make a slight exception if you are good. If you act like a suck up, he’ll be nice and maybe get you Christmas gift. Maybe even a small Christmas tree for moral. I wouldn’t expect too much though.

Chronostasis:

He like winter, he doesn’t know why exactly, but he does. I can easily see him getting into the activities of December. Like the ballets and Christmas lights and other festive things that make you leave your house. Headcannon that he might be a decent ice skater too. He simply enjoys the activities more than the actual holidays.

He won’t mind helping decorate or getting gifts or any other holiday traditions. Actually, if they are fun traditions without much competitive fire, he’ll probably want to do them more.

Although I don’t see him liking the warm ness of cuddling and all that, I can see him enjoying the slight chill in the air. Supportive of any holiday you celebrate, might even try to make more traditions too.

Monoma:

He likes Christmas and the holidays, it’s the perfect time to get the best gifts for his little darling. Oddly enough he loves getting small gifts for you, it makes him feel prideful knowing you like what he got you, so he loves Christmas is general.

As for winter, he likes it! It’s an excuse to get you under the covers and warm you up. That can be taken both ways if ya’ know what I’m saying.

I think he would prefer warm drinks like tea and apple cider over hot chocolate, but hell totally make some for you. Any decorations are also game, just expect some teasing for the childish stuffed animal you keep on the fireplace mantle.

Setstuno:

He is kinda clueless in the sense he just doesn’t know where to start. Like he knows about the basics of holiday traditions, but he doesn’t know if you do those traditions. He’ll be pretty laid back when you get excited about it though. This clingy man will simply sit back and watch the entire time.

Winter isn’t his favorite, but he doesn’t mind being able to hold you close so you won’t be cold. He is very possessive considering what happened to his last lover. He will be perfectly fine with helping with easy things, but when it comes to the more taxing things, he’ll let you take the reins.

He’ll try to buy you a present he thinks you’ll like, but he won’t get too fancy. After all he really just wants to hold you close and soak in your warmth.

Tamaki:

Nervous boy feels most comfortable in winter, at least in his home where he has you to cuddle, bake, and hold. He loves the warmth found in a home, and he will encourage any baking you want to do. It just leaves him with a warm feeling inside when he can bake cookies and brownies with you by his side.

Although he’s all hands on deck when the holidays come along, he’s still nervous about it. He’ll ask questions and make sure everything works how it’s supposed to because he doesn’t want to mess something up for you. Might accidentally go a bit overboard with gifts or other traditional activities.

He just wants to please you though, a real sweetheart when it comes down to it.

Shinsou:

I think Shinsou likes winter because it means spring is on its way. I can see him being a spring loving boy because of all the kittens and flowers blooming. Winter is good though, might be his second favorite season. He loves the blankets and the hot cocoa and the baked goods and the holiday cheer. Especially the gift giving, he likes seeing you happy when he gives you a gift.

He probably won’t be too enthusiastic about any holiday stuff, but he will sure support it and help with anything you need. Need a Christiana’s tree because you can’t have a Christmas without it? You better bet he’ll get it right away.

He loves watching you get excited about the holidays, everything in the house just seems a bit more cheerful because of you. He will wrap you in blankets and jackets and hold you closely in his arms. You also better bet anything you do he will be there to help you. He might not be the most into the holidays, but he surely loves getting ready for the holidays with you.

Aizawa:

Winter is not his favorite season, but I’d say it’s probably second place. He doesn’t do too much, as he simply doesn’t want to put in that much effort in something so minuscule. But, he defiantly encourages his Darling if they want to decorate or bake or something wintery.

Christmas also isn’t really a big thing for him, as he doesn’t usually buy presents for other people. Of course, his Darling is another story. Unlike most people, he buys a few presents for you because you are his special kitten.

He will also help decorate or bake small things if you want to. Hot chocolate is a must, he has a special, bitter hot chocolate just for himself that he loves. You have your sweet beverage and he has his bitter one. Just don’t forget the marshmallows.

Warm cuddles is a blessing to him. When it’s cold he grabs blankets and wraps you up like a baby is a swadle just to hold you close to him. As for other holidays, he will respect them and whatever stuff come with them. Like Hanukkah and the candles for each night. Just don’t expect anything too crazy, he just wants a comfortable holiday evening with you.

Happy Holidays sweethearts!!! I hope you have an amazing whatever you celebrate and if you celebrate nothing, than have a wonderful day!

[wandsandwheezes]

One Bed, Your Bed | G.W

Warnings // mentions of a shitty past relationship (he raises a hand), crying, mutual pining, one bed trope, the fluffiest tooth rotting fluff I may have ever produced.

A/N // This one goes out to my bby mills @cappsikle <3 I thought I had qued this to post on Christmas day for you but apparently it just ✨disappeared✨ I hope you are having a wonderful festive time and i hope you enjoy!!

The second he raised his hand at you, something snapped in your head. Enough is enough, there was only so much shouting your vocal chords could handle. How could someone who claimed to love you so much hurt you in such a way that left you feeling like nothing: a shell of who you once were. Kisses could only dry so many tears, but no kiss from him could ever fix the pain that you felt in your heart, flinching at the very sight of a raised hand. 

No matter how many times he apologised, took your hands in his and pleaded with you to stay, nothing could change the decision you made. You couldn't stand to look at him let alone be in his presence. You wanted to run as far away as you could and never look back, you told yourself that you couldn't stay if he'd continue to hurt you, even if you still loved him. So you ran, took the car and left, not stopping until you were back on familiar ground.

It had been two years since you'd last spoke to George and even longer since you'd seen him, he was your best friend; a constant, a rock and your comforter. You didn't know if he still lived in the flat you found yourself pulling up outside, let alone if he had a girlfriend, wife, children - anything. You were forced to cut contact with the younger twin, your now ex boyfriend clearly jealous of the friendship you had with the prankster. You'd spent the whole silent car ride with tears running down your cheeks as you sobbed. Was it a good idea to show up unannounced, to beg him to hold you? You didn't care as you pushed yourself from the car, you still didn't care when you knocked on the door, you didn't care when the door swung open but the second you caught his eyes, regret filled you, wanting to turn and run all over again.

George swore he was dreaming. A girl he still cared about so much, showing up at his door, tears rolling down her cheeks with her lip trembling. He wanted to scoop you up, pull you in as close as he could get you, so he did. The moment his arms wrapped around you, your fears faded, finally glad to be back in his arms, hearing the steady rhythm of his heartbeat as your head rested against his chest. 

No questions were asked, he saw the fear in your eyes and decided it was best not to press the issue. A warm mug of tea found your hands as you were wrapped in one of his hoodies. Holding something in your hands managed to stop you from trembling and helped bring your anxiety down. 

"I really missed you." He spoke softly, his voice low and croaky, you suspected you woke him from sleep when you knocked on his door. He was dressed in a t-shirt and joggers, hair messy and eyes bright from tiredness. He looked like cosiness embodied in a human, your body craving to be held by him once more. 

"I missed you too, I'm sorry I stopped responding, I hope you know that I wanted to but he jus-" George cut you off with a hand pressed gently to your cheek as he shook his head.

"You don't ever need to apologise for him, you're here now, that's what matters." He was smiling groggily, but the smile made you melt like butter on hot toast. There was only one person in the whole world that made you feel this way and that was George. 

"Do you mind If I… Stay tonight?" His smile lifted, nodding softly as he looked towards his bedroom, He wasn't a messy man but the thought plagued his mind that he only had his bed and the sofa and there was no way he'd let you sleep on the latter. 

"Of course not, you can take my bed, I'll go grab you a shirt to sleep in." He pushed himself off of the spot on the floor where he was sitting in front of you, deciding to follow him, you pulled yourself from the sofa, carrying the tea still in your hands. Walking into his room, you placed the hot drink down on his bedside table. He dropped the t-shirt onto his unmade bed, pressing a kiss to your forehead as he mumbled a soft 'goodnight', grabbing a pillow before turning to leave the room. 

"Wait, you're not sleeping on the sofa are you, Georgie?" He nodded, tucking the pillow under his arm as he looked back at you. You could see the tiredness in his stare, light bouncing off the small lamp and into those puppy dog eyes you could never resist. His heart ached at the nickname you used for him, the sweetness of the way it rolled delicately from your tongue was enough to give a toothache. From his eyes, you looked helpless, broken by too many failed promises and close calls and in that moment he couldn’t leave. 

“I mean we could always share the bed, you know… if you’re comfortable with that.” George was immediately feeling nervous, scratching the back of his neck. Perhaps what he said was too creepy, or forward or maybe you didn’t see him in that same way he had always seen you. He hadn’t even noticed you picking up his shirt and walking up to him, brought back to reality when your lips pressed to his cheek, he felt the small flecks of teardrops from your eyelashes as they bat against his skin, sending butterflies all through him.

“I’d like that, George.” You whispered, slipping away past him and into the bathroom, feeling your heart pounding in your chest as your back was against the door, having to take deep breaths to calm yourself down. Shaky hands rid your clothes as you slipped into the shirt, folding each item neatly and leaving them on top of the clothes bin.

Upon your return to the room, you noticed George sat on the bed, his back to you as he stared out of the window, you slipped under the covers, finally letting out the breath you had been holding as the warm duvet soothed your tensed body. You felt the weight of the mattress shift underneath you, assuming he’d lay down against the sheets.

“It’s taking everything in me not to hold you right now.” You heard the low tone of his voice, breaking the ambient silence of London's nightlife that crept its way into his flat. Your heart was racing again, feeling the boy next to you shift around under the duvet. You flipped yourself over so that you were now facing into him, unaware that he had done the same: your faces millimetres apart, you could almost feel how shaky his breath had become. In that moment you knew that you wanted the same, your head burying into his chest, arms wrapping instinctively around him as you mumbled a soft ‘thank you’.

“Whatever it was that brought you here, I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk, but for now I’m here to protect you and wipe away those tears, I’m never going to let you go.” Your heart fluttered at his soft words as his hand soothingly rubbed up and down your back, counting yourself lucky. You’d never felt safer than here, in this moment with him. The only one who had always been there, George Weasley.

taglist //  @gcdric @theweasleysredhair @hufflepuffgirly @whiz-bangs78 @starlightweasley @slytherinsunrise @cappsikle @minty-malfoy @vivianweasley​ @feetoffthetablee​ @thisismynerdyself​ @vogueweasley @witch-and-a-half​ @sarcasticallywitty15​ @wonderful-writer​ @loony-loopy-lupinn @hopemalfoyweasley​ @pandaxnienke​ @rip-us​ @pansydaisy

[pitterpatterpot]

Can you wright a prompt with some bickering between Aedion and Fenrys with 183, 184, 186, 190 and 191?

Yes I can!

183. “What did you say?”

184. “Why are you so annoying?”

186. “Don’t ever mention that again.”

190. “Did you do this on purpose?”

~~~

“I want you to know that I entirely blame you for this,” Fenrys hisses, seething. “Out of all the birthdays I’ve had in my long life span, this has got to be the worse. Did you do this on purpose? I mean, I cannot even begin to fathom why you thought this was a good idea.”

“This was Aelin’s idea!” Aedion hisses back, squirming where Fenrys’s elbow digs into his side, their knees knocking. “Your birthday falls on the same week as the harvest festivals. She thought you’d enjoy the horror houses!”

Fenrys glowers. “Maybe I would, if not for the fact that we’re in here thanks to you!”

Jaw tightening, Aedion stares back as best he can in the dim light. The males lock gazes, both equally as frustrated and fed up as the other.

“At least,” Aedion growls, “I didn’t shriek when faced with a child in a sheet and push myself and another person into a closet that locks from the outside.”

“It looked like they were bleeding!”

“It was berry juice and starch! Don’t you have harvest festivals in Wendlyn?”

“We have stalls with treats, we don’t turn everything into a horrific nightmare!”

“Do not disrespect my favourite holiday,” Aedion snaps, jiggling the handle of the small closet they’re strapped in. “Shit. I can’t ram or kick the door with so little space. Can you use any magic?”

“What did you say?” Fenrys scoffs. “Of course I can. Just squeeze behind me, the only way this night could get any worse is if Gavriel kills me for scratching you.”

Snarling, Aedion acquiesces and shimmies as much as he can to stand behind Fenrys. The male presents his hand palm first towards the door, and slams it forward right above the lock. A small tremor passes through the door, both their tea hearing picking up in the lock shaking loose.

“I thought magic didn’t work in iron?”

“It doesn’t. But if you break enough of the wood around the lock and shake it loose a bit, you have guaranteed escape. At least for common doors that aren’t built for imprisonment,” Fenrys grunts, bracing his shoulder against the door and shoving it open. “Yes!”

“Oh, thank the gods,” Aedion sighs, stumbling out after him. “Contained spaces tend to be low on my list of enjoyments.”

“Same here, boyo,” Fenrys mutters, eyes scanning the hallway of Elide’s estate. “So every year different lords and ladies offer their houses to become den of horrors?”

“During the war it became something only a few could afford to do,” Aedion says, grinning as the excited shrieks of children drift towards them. “It’s nice that we were able to organise it on a larger scale this year.”

They begin strolling down the hallway, eyeing the fake cotton cobwebs strung up on the walls and masks pinned on the walls resembling ghouls.

“So aside from the bleeding children,” Fenrys hums, “what other grim surprises are in stall for tonight?”

“Why are you so annoying?” Aedion grumbles. “I was supposed to lead you to the dining room before you jumped out of your skin and locked us in that closet.”

“Don’t ever mention that again,” Fenrys growls, eyes narrowing. “And I’d say that it was a perfectly reasonable response to run away from little ones that looked fucking possessed.”

“Coward.”

“Do not start with me,” Fenrys huffs. “I didn’t even want to celebrate today!”

Aedion eyes him, frowning. Then he grins.

“You know,” the general drawls, slowing his steps, “the others are probably all in the dining room wondering where we are.”

“And?”

“And we have a whole mansion filled with paranormal paraphernalia. What do you say to giving them a bit of a surprise?”

Both wolves stop. And smirk.

~~~

“Where are they?” Aelin hisses, thighs aching from where she crouches behind a chair. “Why aren’t they here?”

“I’m done,” Rowan groans, unfolding from beneath a table. “They got lost. Aedion couldn’t find Fenrys. Fenrys doesn’t want to celebrate his birthday without his brother and this was a horrible idea. Pick a reason.”

“My back hurts,” Gavriel laments, tucked into a corner with Lysandra and Evangeline. “I’m feeling my age. Can I stand now?”

“Ancient warriors my ass,” Aelin grumbles, but nonetheless stands herself, hands poised on her hips. “Someone needs to go find them. Evangeline, you succeed and I’ll give you another sweet.”

The young woman’s eyes light up, as though someone threw a match onto two puddles of sugar-coated gasoline. Already her skin is practically vibrating from the copious amounts of sugar she’s consumed through the day. Hell, through the week.

“Maybe a break from sweets is needed,” Lysandra winces, stopping Evayfrom bolting out the room.

“Agreed,” Lorcan grumbles, huffing where he sits in an armchair, never even pretending to hide.

Elise pops up from behind the chair, lips pursed in concern. “Either they were lost or distracted by the children. I’ll go look.”

Before she can exit the room the door shudders with a bang, everyone turning defensive at the sound. Lysandra bears claws as all the fae in the room growl, Elide palming a small knife as Lorcan rises from his chair. A horrendous howl of pain echoes through the room.

The door swings open, a blood drenched body stumbling in before splattering to the ground. Cries of distress fill the space, growing louder at the red-streaked creature that pounces on Aedion’s bloody body, taking his neck between its jaws and wrenching loose a sticky, pink mass. The monsters body seems to flicker in and out of existence, a morbid spectre. Lysandra shrieks, Gavriel yelling and making a start towards the creature and his sons corpse. Everyone makes to move forward, distraught.

Until Aedion’s corpse starts shaking with laughter. As the spectre- the wolf drenched in red juice- starts licking the sugary sweet syrup of fake blood off him.

“Stop- you- that’s disgusting!” Aedion snorts, attempting to push Fenrys’s muzzle back from where it nudges at his neck.

“Oh my gods,” Lysandra hisses, eyes wide, clenching at her heart.

Gavriel and everyone else in the room groans, slumping into a chair or against each other. Except Evangeline, who cackles wildly.

“Sugar taffy!” She crows, pointing to the sticky pink mass they thought was Aedion’s skin in the low light of the doorway. “Brilliant! Next time you should use extra corn syrup to make it darker, like actual flesh!”

“Atta girl!” Aedion beams, clambering to his feet.

“Idiots,” Lysandra scolds with no bite, whacking his chest. “We nearly killed Fenrys. Look at your poor father.”

Indeed, Gavriel has turned several shades grey, slumped against the corner he was once hiding in, a hand over his face.

“Very clever,” Aelin sighs, kneeling next to Fenrys and wrapping an arm around his thick and furry neck. “But now you have taffy all in your muzzle and fur.”

She receives a lick on the cheek in response. She revolts in horror, everyone else cackling, even Lorcan sporting a grin.

“I just lost fifty years,” Gavriel croaks, closing his eyes. “Fenrys, I nearly killed you.”

A flash fills the room, and Fenrys smirks in his fae form. “Keep dreaming.”

He and Aedion cackle, jabbing each other as they make their way towards the table of food.

“I predicted this,” Rowan grumbles, taking his seat.

“Whatever you say,” Aelin sighs. “Happy harvest festival everyone. And happy birthday, Fenrys.”

The male actually smiles.

———

The spooky theme of this fic is thanks to Terrasen’s scary holiday, the harvest festival of Hollows Eve! I like to imagine Fenrys’s first birthday without his brother would be tough. But nothings a better distraction than some terrifying pranks!

[melodyofmbaku]

There Will Be No Tears (Chapter 1)

⚠️Warning: I won’t be continuing this series, just placing it here for posterity.🙏🏾 Thanks for understanding. 

Prompt: “Don’t leave me. Don’t you dare leave me.” Word Count: 2.1k Warnings: So Much ANGST The boy squirmed slightly as you deftly lifted his sleeping form from his crib and nestled him in your arms. You smiled softly as you stared at the carbon copy of your husband swaddled in your arms. You couldn’t deny it, he was handsome. You placed a soft kiss to his cheek, and whispered sweet words of praise in his ears. You noticed a tear sliding down your cheek and quickly lifted your hand to wipe it away, swallowing deeply and repeating the mantra you had created to comfort you during trying times – there will be no tears. You turned and lifted the large baby bag you had packed earlier in the evening, hoisting it over your shoulder. It was full with supplies that would last a few days as you journeyed outside of your husband’s kingdom to a quiet and unsuspecting location, until you had found a place and settled down. You had decided that you and your son would live away from the palace, and have nothing to do with royalty. You’d live a quiet life, the way you used to before you met him. Maybe settle in the River Tribe, somewhere discreet, where you could find peace.  You didn’t want any trouble. You took one last look around your 1 and a half year old son’s room, noticing the large rocking chair T’challa had bought for you the moment you he had discovered you were pregnant. You smiled at the memory – a small smile. The mantra played on repeat in your head. there will be no tears. You hurried out of the room closing the door quietly and began your walk to the west wing of the palace, where you would make your exit. Your eyes took in the architecture of the palace that had been your home for close to 3 years, you would miss it. It was where you had met T’challa. You had loved him, married him, and conceived your beloved son together in the walls of this building. How could you not miss it? Unfortunately, it was also the place that witnessed the breakdown of your marriage, the walls had heard every argument, saw every push, heard every insult, but worst of all it had heard your cries. The cries that had emitted from your lips as you realized that your beloved husband, the king had a lover. A lover who wasn’t you. You remembered the day you found out like it was yesterday, and you probably would for the rest of your life. __ You had woken up in the middle of the night and he wasn’t there. It wasn’t surprising for you to wake up with him gone in the middle of the night, He was king after all. He had a duty to his country and it was a job that did not give him the privilege of getting his 8-10 hours of sleep. Often times he would work through the night. You would always feel him slip back into bed as the sun rose, to kiss your cheeks and pull you close to him once again, returning just in time to spend a few minutes with you as you woke up. If you woke in the middle of the night and missed his presence he could be found in his office, huddled over a stack of papers, with a steaming cup of herbal tea to his side and his glasses on the tip of his nose. Sometimes you would watch him through a crack in the door and go back to bed, your heart content that he was fine. Other times you would give a little knock on the door and let your presence be known.   He’d always welcome you in with a smile and pull you into his lap, leaving you with a kiss on your forehead. If you were really adamant, you’d manage to convince him to come back to bed, and he’d oblige. Every now and then you got comfortable in his lap and let him work as you slept for the duration of the night. This time was different. You had left your bed with a peace offering of herbal tea in hopes of resolving the quarrel that had you both going to bed with your backs facing each other. Instead of seeing T’challa huddled over a stack of papers  you were met with a sight that would change the course of your relationship and Wakanda forever. You saw your husband, with his back facing you as a woman had her hands planted on his desk and her figure arching into his body. “You are my peace.” He said into the woman’s hair, as his arms rested loosely around her waist and his nose was buried in her hair. It was those words that broke you the most. He littered her neck with kisses as she reached back and ran her fingers through his coarse hair. Your husband’s hair. The whole scene made you sick to your stomach and you couldn’t help yourself as the saucer and teacup that held his favourite herbal tea slid out of your hands and crashed onto the polished marble floors of the palace. You were stunned for a second before you turned your back and walked hastily back to your quarters. “Y/N!” he called frantically. He murmured a few words to the woman in his office, took a few hurried strides across the room and closed the mahogany door of his office quietly. He then started his sprint towards you and grabbed your wrist pulling your body to him.   “Y/N…” he said as his voice trailed off. He ran his fingers through the coils that sat atop his head – something he did when he was frustrated. “I’ve been going through a lot, it’s been hard on me you know?” He expected you to say something, but words couldn’t escape your lips. there will be no tears.  You had thought that the increasing number of fights you had been having could be resolved by couples therapy, or communication, anything. You were wrong. This moment made you realize that nothing would solve this broken marriage, it was bigger than you. What you did know is that you wouldn’t have your son growing up in a loveless family, with puppets as parents. Finally, your found your voice. It was wobbly, and you didn’t know how he would take it but you tried anyways. “T’Challa?”  A beat. “ I think we should… I don’t think we should… I can’t –“ you couldn’t finish your thoughts as he interrupted you. “Don’t leave me. Don’t you dare leave me.” He whispered as the grip on your wrist tightened. His head hung low, and he couldn’t look at you and instead chose to focus his sight on the floor. You took note of the pressure on your wrist, nodded and composed yourself. You pulled your wrist from his grip, smoothing the front of your night dress, and made you way back to your chambers. This time, he didn’t return.  But you knew. You couldn’t stay. Your upbringing and dignity wouldn’t allow you to. You wouldn’t be a puppet queen. You couldn’t. It wasn’t in your nature. __ Weeks had passed since that night and you still operated on auto-pilot. You bathed, burped and played with your son as if nothing was wrong. You went to all your scheduled meetings as the queen, you picked out the linens for the dinners that were to be held in that quarter, you had lunches with T’Challa’s mother, you painted your nails, and braided your hair like you usually would. You spoke to your husband as if nothing was wrong. Replying when he asked you questions that he already knew the answer to just to get you to speak to him. “Y/N? Are we attending the Festival of Harvest this year?” he asked while looking at you expectantly looking for anything – something to indicate your anger. You busied yourself with the laundry you were folding and replied in an even tone “Of course, we attend every year don’t we? Why would this year be any different?” This year would be different. By the time the Festival of Harvest rolled around you and Kweku would have left the palace, never to attend another festival again. Prior to the discovery of his infidelity your interactions had been very different. You were bickering back and forth about almost everything. He would spend a few hours a day playing with his son but ignoring his wife. Often times he’d find you and plop Kweku on your lap and say “He needs his diaper changed, you can return him to me when you’re done.” When you questioned why he couldn’t change his diaper, he’d say “It’s the least you could do Y/N, you’re his mother.” In a condescending tone that you’d never thought would leave the mouth of your husband, your Challa.  He would wait for you outside his nursery, and swoop him out of your arms when you exited the room without a word of thanks, and hurry along his way. When you expressed your tiredness while dealing with Kweku, juggling your palace duties, and trying to be a good wife at the same time, he’d simply ask “Y/N, could it be that you’re just not trying hard enough? You must learn to manage it.” T’Challa was never physical with you. Just dismissive, and condescending, and cold. This wasn’t the man you married. Whenever you expressed your concerns about his behavior he’d roll his eyes at you and try to placate you like a child. “If you’d just do what I suggest, you wouldn’t be getting yourself upset over nothing Y/N. Honestly, I don’t know if it’s the pregnancy hormones still swirling about in your system but I’m sure Shuri can help you out if you need it.” With these comments you’d just get more and more heated, which would result in many slammed doors, and a lot of raised voices. You could put up with the arguments, you could fix that, but giving himself to another woman? You couldn’t forgive. You knew you had to be objective with your exit. Though T’Challa had always been sweet to you until recently, he had the capacity to be cruel, he was the Black Panther after all. You wouldn’t put it past him to keep you in the palace as a captive if you made any attempts to leave him, especially with his son. During sex he’d let you know it was he who was dominating your body with skill that made you cry out wantonly every time. “You’re mine Y/N, say it!” he’d growl into your ear, and you would say it, because it was true. __ Your sons whining took you from your thoughts, and you remembered you had to be swift. There was only a small window that would allow you to leave undetected. You had been planning this for weeks. Waiting for the perfect moment. T’challa was gone on an annual hunting trip where many of the  Dora Milaje would accompany him as he wouldn’t be in communication with the palace for 3 days. A lot could happen in 3 days. Today was day one, and you had planned to leave today as it would give you the most amount of time to get as far away from the palace as possible and leave undetected. The palace was still guarded, but loosely, and you knew all the blind spots. Perks of hanging out with Shuri in your down time. You snuck out the side door in the west wing, which led to an unsuspecting dirt road, spotting the cab you had arranged for idling in the shadows. Having already placed your small luggage in the cab before going back to retrieve your son it only took you a moment to settle yourself and a sleeping Kweku in the car.  “What’s your destination?” the cab driver asked you curiously looking at your cloaked figure in the rear-view mirror. You took a deep breath and steadied your voice “Take us North, I’ll tell you where to stop.” The driver nodded his head and began the journey turning on a shitty American station that played pop music and country.   You’d never forget this day. To you, it was monumental because you had managed to pull it off but it was also the day when you turned your back on your duty, your kingdom, your husband and your crown. When that realization struck you, the tears slid down your face disobediently. No matter what, you vowed to never look back

[haloshornsinkstains]

Kisses Under the Mistletoe:   (Formerly) Undateables Edition

I’m enjoying these mistletoe kisses headcanons too much, I should have started earlier. I’m trying to get a few more festive pieces written before Christmas, and hopefully some for New Years (intermittent inernet problems permitting). And make this place a bit prettier.

Diavolo

When Diavolo called for you to visit his office you thought you were prepared for just about anything, after all you’d had plenty of experience of his eccentricities and whims at this point.

So when he started grilling you on festive traditions in the human world while you sat beside him at his desk you weren’t exactly surprised, although the breadth of the information he’d gathered to grill you on was a little overwhelming.

You almost felt bad admitting you weren’t particularly familiar with the festival of Saturnalia, partly because of the way Diavolo’s face fell and partly because it sounded wild. 

As you progressed through various traditions you grew more and more comfortable, shedding the usual layer of formality that being in Diavolo’s presence seemed to make you grow, adding your own anecdotes about traditions you followed personally.

He’s writing things down, and you assume, making plans for some kind of festive celebration in the Devildom. It’s all so normal you let your guards down, and as such, get blindsided by his next question.

“What about mistletoe? What is the importance of mistletoe?”

You blink a few times, trying to get the cogs in your brain to function properly. “Oh, um, it’s become tradition to kiss under mistletoe. I think it’s supposed to bring luck…”

Diavolo frowns, retrieving something from his drawer and holding it out to you to inspect. “Then perhaps I should ask Asmodeus why he gifted me this?”

You’re staring at the mistletoe like it’s going to jump out and bite you. (Stranger things have happened in the Devildom, even if this particular plant looks pretty harmless).

“Oh!” Diavolo beams in a way that worries you. “I suppose we should kiss now!”

y/n.exe has stopped working

“I… I can’t! Lucifer would kill me! I mean, you’re the Future King and I’m just… me?”

Diavolo frowns and for a moment you see your life flash before your eyes. If for no other reason than Lucifer is probably going to murder you for upsetting his Lord. 

“But, y/n, I would like to kiss you if you would let me.” He’s still grinning mischievously but his eyes are soft with affection. “You’re special y/n. And if Lucifer shouts we can just tell him it was my idea, he rarely shouts at me.”

Your cheeks are on fire but you nod, letting Diavolo cup your face between two large hands and press his lips to yours. The kiss is warm and gentle, almost chaste. He kisses you like he’s afraid he’ll break you, and to be fair he probably could, but it leaves you heart racing and lips tingling when he pulls away.

Barbatos

It’s only been two days and Barbatos would very much like to find out who exactly told his Lord all about human festive traditions, in particular who gave him a record of ‘festive’ music. He just wants to talk. (Not that he would ever say this to Diavolo, he is an impeccable butler after all).

You had been roped in to coming to the castle to help with the decorations, but as you wandered past the kitchen with a box of tinsel and baubles you heard a tired sigh that sounded awfully familiar.

Popping your head through the door you spot Barbatos frowning at a mixing bowl.

“Everything alright in here?”

Barbatos never jumps at anything, but his eyes do look a fraction wider than usual when he turns to look at you.

“Perhaps you could assist me? Lord Diavolo asked me to make a ‘Christmas Cake’, if you’re familiar I could use your expertise. I’m not as experienced with baking human world delicacies.”

 You grin, stepping inside and settling your box down on an unused counter and heading to his side to help. “There are some things even you don’t know?” You laugh softly, looking down at the mixing bowl. “It’s been a while since I made one, but I can try to help? The secret to my grandma’s recipe was usually a lot of alcohol though, she’d bake it months in advance and keep topping it up...”

The two of you bake together, and if Barbatos notices the pink flush on your cheeks whenever your body bruises against his, or when he wipes flour from your cheek, he is polite enough not to mention it.

You’ve just put the cake in the oven when Barbatos moves over to the forgotten box of decorations, rifling through curiously before pulling something out.

“Y/N, are there supposed to be plants in here?”

You walk over to see what he’s talking about just as Lord Diavolo walks in with a beaming smile.

“Y/N! Here you are! Oh, I know what that is!” He’s gesturing to what you now realise is mistletoe dangling between Barbatos’ gloved fingers. “That’s mistletoe, Asmodoeus and Solomon were telling me all about it. You’re supposed to kiss under it for luck!”

You’re making up a plan to murder your friends for teaching Diavolo about this while Barbatos studies you thoughtfully.

“If you’ll allow me?”

His voice startles you and you look back up at him for a moment before the words register. You just managed to squeak out a yes before he kisses you and you almost feel your soul ascend out of your body. Barbatos’ kiss is precise and practiced in a way that reminds you just how many more centuries of experience he has on you.

There’s nothing obscene or improper about the kiss, but when you pull away you’re feeling lightheaded and a little weak in the knees. Barbatos smiles just a little before turning back to Diavolo.

“Now, about the cake my lord.”

Simeon

Simeon, unlike the demons, seems to be at least somewhat aware of human world festive celebrations. Some of his knowledge is a bit out of date, but he’s better at this than you expected.

By the time you get to Purgatory hall the place is already pretty well decorated, the decorations lean more towards the religious but you still find tinsel and even a few paper snowflakes dotted here and there.

Simeon greets you as you enter their main common area with a beatific smile and an excited wave. “Oh Y/N, Solomon said there was something I should show you.”

You follow him, only a little wary, Solomon might cause trouble on occasion but Simeon is usually not involved. Usually.

He stops in one of the doorways that you’re pretty sure you’ve never been near before. In fact the corridor behind it looks pretty much unused. It doesn’t bode well for this being entirely innocent, though at least with Simeon involved it’s probably safe.

Coming to a halt he gestures up and you look up towards a sprig of mistletoe hanging in the doorway. Which would explain why it was so far from the frequently used areas of the halls. You smile softly, shifting your gaze from the mistletoe to Simeon.

“Solomon told you to show me this hmm?” You grin, noting the way Simeon’s eyes flick away from yours. “Did he tell you why?”

“Maybe he mentioned it, maybe he didn’t.”

You laugh, looping your arms around his neck and pulling him in for a kiss that leaves you both breathless and flustered. For all he is an angel, Simeone seems to know an awful lot about kissing and how to do it so you’re weak in the knees.

“You know, if you wanted to kiss me you only had to ask.”

“But this seemed seasonally appropriate.” He hums, gently stroking your hair.

“Very seasonally appropriate. And I guess we don’t need to worry about Luke wandering up here and scolding us.” You laugh, kissing his cheek softly.

“Ah yes, that too.”

Solomon

Any mistletoe shenanigans are entirely Solomon’s own doing and he knows exactly what he’s up to.

He’s been helping you with your magical studies recently, much to Satan’s chagrin, and this evening you decided to study in the House of Lamentation in front of the warmth of the fire.

The night starts wearing on and after a few hours of study you’re getting restless. Solomon pauses to glance over at you and sighs. He knows as well as you do that you’re no longer taking this in.

“Shall we take a break?”

You sigh in relief. “Please? I can make us some tea.”

He nods and follows you to the kitchen where Asmo, Mammon and Belphie were sat in the middle of a discussion. You greeted them happily, laughing as Asmo flirted happily with Solomon. You keep up idle conversation while you make tea, missing the small gesture Solomon makes with a free hand and the ripple of magic in the air.

“Hmm, Y/N, what’s that above your head?”

You pause, glancing up as Solomon sidles over with a smile. You were sure you hadn’t noticed the mistletoe hanging there before, and it was a strange place to put mistletoe, but then again you were busy chatting so maybe it had just slipped your mind.

“You’re familiar with the tradition right?”

Solomon holds your chin between two fingers, suddenly very close, his eyes studying your face questioningly. Somewhere in the background you can hear Mammon exploding and Asmo talking about romance but it’s all lost on you with Solomon’s lips hovering so close to your own. 

You don’t trust your voice to answer him, but you do just about manage to nod. You catch the expression of triumph for a brief second before he kisses you. You expected something quick and chaste, but those expectations were swiftly dashed when you felt his tongue brush against your lower lip. Any other day you know you’d have given in, but the clamour of voices behind you are a stark reminder of where you are and who your audience is so you press gently against his chest.

“Oi! Whaddya think you’re doin’ kissing my human like that?!”

“Oh hush Mammon, I think it’s very sweet.”

Embarrassed, you grab the tea and Solomon’s arm, practically dragging him out of the kitchen with Belphie’s eyes burning holes in your back.

“You did that on purpose!”

Solomon shrugged. “Perhaps I just saw an excuse to kiss that gorgeous face of yours and took it?”

“No one hangs mistletoe above a teapot! You did that to annoy them… wait, did you just call me gorgeous?”

“Perhaps. Now, shall we get back to studying?”

You were going to murder him one day. Maybe after another kiss though.

[riftimagines]

It’s been a long while and I’m SUPER FREAKING LATE WITH THIS IM SO SORRY! My Brian just turned off and refused to finish these until today RIP. Hope you all had a great Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Headcanons

Kayn

-Is confused. Valentine’s Day? What is that? A day to celebrate love with a loved one? Doesn’t he already do that with you? Why does there have to be a single day for it? Shouldn’t he love you everyday!? He doesn’t understand the purpose of Valentine’s. He already loves you and doesn’t really get why there needs to be a random special day for it.

-Doesn’t mean he won’t celebrate it though. He is a curious one and if it means he gets to go out with you to have some fun then that’s alright with him. He’s still a little bit awkward but after seeing everyone else coming up with their loved one he might get a little irrationally jealous and become a bit clingy. He’ll find a way to out love all of these couples in his own little way.

-Is absolutely that guy that when people get too lovey dovey he will pretend to gag. He still has a little childishness at heart and will be very pleased if you join him in making fun of and gagging at other sickeningly sweet couples. He’s a bit of a hypocrite though and will cuddle up with you while doing this.

-He’s never been one for really knowing how to give gifts. He thinks the giant plushies and flowers are stupid. So in his own Kayn fashion will probably get you something he thinks is romantic. Most likely a small weapon of sorts and maybe teach you how to use it. You mean something to him and would hate if something happened to you. Teaching you how to kill someone in defense is his way of telling you he loves you. Afterwards though he’s not against getting one of those gaudy sweets that seem to be everywhere with you. He won’t share though sweets are a rarity for him and he might steal some of yours in the process. He still loves you though!

Zed

-Really doesn’t like celebrating useless holidays. He thinks they’re pointless and would rather do something productive, honestly he’s probably forgotten it’s even Valentine’s Day anyway. He used to like Valentine’s Day when he was younger. It was fun to go to the festival’s and see everyone so happy. It also never hurt to get some of those special Valentine’s chocolates but that was a long time ago.

-You’d probably be the one to get him something. Probably like a card or something, he doesn’t really like over the top gifts. If you do happen to get those chocolates he likes he’ll pretend to not make a big deal out of it and just thank you casually. It actually does mean a lot to him you went out of your way to get him something he likes. That can’t go with out something nice.

-He doesn’t like going to festivals as much anymore, especially with you. Not because he doesn’t love you, he’s really paranoid that something might happen to you because of him. It would shatter him if you got attacked in a crown or gods forbid Jhin got out again and kills you in plain sight. He couldn’t handle that at all.

-As compromise he’ll set up something more quiet and out of the way where he knows it’s safe. Probably just some dinner and tea in a nice spot not too far from a shadow temple. It’s not bad honestly. It’s very romantic for it’s simplicity and you have all his attention for once. He’s not the best with gifts and will probably get you something simple and perhaps a little generic like a small plush or flowers. He’ll probably be a little embarrassed he couldn’t think of something better but it’s still a gift from him and the fact he went out and got something for you when you know he doesn’t like to get these things means a lot.

Yone

-Ah Valentine’s Day. It was never a holiday he celebrated even in life. He never had anyone to celebrate it with until now. Now what? He’s honestly a little clueless on what to do and will probably go around and see what other people do. The tradition he sees is to get flowers and candy for his loved one. Being one to follow tradition he’ll do just that but something doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t feel personal enough and so he keeps look for things he could do.

-Eventually he does remember that poetry is a thing that people do for their loved ones. It’s been some time that he’s written any poetry but it feels like something he can do that can fully express his feelings for you. He’ll be a bit quiet about writing his poem and spend a day with you to give him inspiration.

-Ever for tradition he’s not one to do anything to crazy or over the top. He’s happy just setting a nice out of the way spot and enjoy your company. If you really want to go to a festival or something he’ll need a little convincing but he’s not against it. He won’t really do much aside from being a bit awkward and quiet though. He’s never been one for loud erratic outings.

-He’ll take you somewhere quiet and scenic once your done with the festivities. It’s not often he finds himself in a shy awkward situation but he is when he’s alone with you and about to recite his poem to you. He doesn’t struggle reciting it but the red on his cheeks afterwards is very obvious. He thinks it wasn’t good enough. How could any words describe how wonderful you were. His poem is really nice actually and it’s well deserving of a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The cheek is the mouth of the soul after all~

Viego

-Everyday is Valentine’s Day with this one. You won’t go a single day unloved or uncared for. When the actual Valentine’s Day does come around he does go a little crazy though. You swear if he could he’d get you the moon if he could to present it to you. Just mention wanting anything and it’ll be in your possession before you know it.

-He is absolutely a gushy mess the whole day, everyday really, showing you all the things he’s done for you, It’s pretty cute honestly. All day he’ll walk with you around the kingdom and point out all the lovely flowers and decorations he asked to be put around for you but they still pale in comparison to your ethereal beauty in his eyes. The only thing he’ll really like about them is the joy that comes to your face when you look at them. They’ll have them there all the time if you want them! He just wants you to be happy.

-More then anything he wants to mostly just be with you for Valentine’s Day. Just the two of you. He’ll have a nice dinner with everything and anything you like. That old custom of sitting on the far side of the dinner table doesn’t apply to him at all. He’ll happily sit right next to you and even try to feed you your food off your plate. He just really wants to dote on you.

-When the evening rolls down he’ll cuddle up with you somewhere where you can see over your favorite spot and start telling you how much he loves you. He kisses you and tells you how you are his life and soul. He can not bare to be without you or see you sad. If just doing this simple thing makes you happy then he will do it with you for the rest of eternity.

[g3nosarchive]

titled  ❝ good kisser ❞

✧ pairing leone abbacchio x gn reader 

✧ genre fluff

✧ warning wine, being a tiny bit drunk, mentions of sex but definitely not smut 

✧ extra close friends drink at 1 am and reader gets a lil bold .. abbacchip’s character took me a minute for this is way later then it’s meant to be, finally got a title before having to add it to my masterlist <3 feedback appreciated 

“leone.”

“what?” he doesn’t need to glance at your face to know it’s a question, staring up and out the window to the glimmering web of stars outside.

his almost empty glass of wine reflects the moonlight and you massage your temples.

“are you experienced?”

he takes a moment, a particularly long moment before you see him blink in your peripheral vision, his right eyebrow cocked up.

“experienced with what? sex?”

you laugh, much more naturally than he’d ever thought and shake your head. “not sex, i mean are you experienced?”

“with what,” he sighs, still stuck on the visage of the stars.

“with hmm.. matters of the heart. or love? pursuing? courting. that stuff.”

turning to you slowly, he gives you the most incredulous look you think you’ll ever see in your life. you smile sheepishly as his mouth drops open a tiny bit, and the words ‘mind boggling’ appear in your head.

“are you sure you’re alright in the head? you’re asking if i’m a romantic.”

you laugh into your elbows away from his gaze before looking up to meet him, still shocked and confused.

“yes i’m very aware. i asked my drunk and broody goth friend if he has a sappy romantic history.” he blinks and you laugh a little more, “yes, the one with the potty mouth and the potty tea pots and other clear issues. really nice lips, currently staring at me like i ate his tea pastries with a broken spoon and dipped it in rotting fish flavored gelato.”

he cocks his head slightly to the side, an innocent instinct, confusion and amusement twinkling between blinking lashes.

“you have a very unique way of talking and describing huh.”

“i think you mean.. a different kind of bullshit, but flavorful and easier to tolerate. everyone seems to say something like that after an average of three conversions.”

now he laughs, but not audibly - his shoulders rise with a rare animation and a smile hides beneath his hand, nothing but hushed breaths tumbling out. you lean forward, balancing on your elbow and your chin jutting into your palms, observing him in full, a much free-er abbacchio.

"hey. kiss me.”

his shoulders shudder this time while he chokes not-so-silently on the wine in the back of his throat. your eyes connect and at the sharp twitch of his left eye you laugh just a tiny bit - 

“what? why?”

somewhere in the back of your mind you think it’s cute how his whole body follows your every movement while you shift to rest against the headboard with a sigh of comfort. “you should be asking me how, but i’m a very magnanimous person, so you can choose.” he makes a grunt-ish sound and your eyelids start to droop on their own, closing down on your somewhat magnetizing eyes, and thankfully so he thinks.

maybe the wine’s finally got to you, maybe the darkening of the street lights made you feel a bit drowsier than normal, but now it’s his chance to study your face. your brows are relaxed, and the usual, as slight as it was sometimes, tension gone, the moonlight set upon your lips like a halo...

“kiss me, leone.” he wonders if this is your idea of a joke but it doesn’t matter, third time really was the charm. the harsh clink of a wine glass on the nightstand sets off something in your stomach; dormant butterflies decide that now’s the time to play hopscotch in your belly, delightful, but your heart was pounding like a festival drum, so equally nerve-wracking.

the heavy depression in the bed moves closer, the scent of something that sounds like it’d be named magenta darkwood dances to the tip of your nose and a body of heat settles beside you. the dozy pull on your eyelids go slack with the addition of a sliver of adrenaline, and you pop your eyes open to meet his cloudish blue irises, much closer than you’d expected.

he jumps back, both of you furiously blinking before a hand gingerly covers your eyes.

“i can’t do anything with you staring at me, so..”

the signal in your head to respond with a nod, a hum, or something comes way too late, his scent floats around your face and a calloused delicate pinch on your chin guides your lips to meet his. waves roar in the back of your mind as you sit there, mind promptly turned to mush.

the kiss felt generously sweet and much softer than anything you could manage to think of.

he pushes just a bit firmer, and the tingly buzz from his lips joins the firecrackers going off in your head, a dazzling spectacle if anyone could see, before pulling away and lightly removing his hand from over your eyes. you can’t bring yourself to look up - still processing the feeling of it all  - even as his gaze burns into your face.

a minute passes like this when he shifts to your side, to your surprise, also leaning against the headboard, eyes closed.

“what, now you’re nervous?”

no, that’s not it, you think, padding a finger over the lingering warmth on your lips. i just never expected to be such a soft kiss, especially from you.

“you were the one that had to cover my eyes to actually do it,” he hears you murmur, “but still, i never expected you to do it like that..”

“what do you mean ‘like that’? you didn’t like it or what,” he says, and normally he would be mad, or stony faced, but there’s a tiny curve to his mouth in the corner of your vision.

theres a pause and you blink, warmth pricking your cheeks like a dull needle. “i just never expected you to kiss so gently. that’s all. you look like the type to kiss roughly you know, ‘fierce’ written all over you - bite my lips off and all.”

he’s silent, just listening and very obviously staring and you share a glance for exactly two seconds. 

“...i did like it, if you’re wondering. i don’t think i’ll ever uh, forget it, so don’t worry. plus, you’re a good kisser -”

a dull thump sounds out as he lightly tosses a pillow at your head, his eyes dark but his voice clearly amused. “you think i was worried about that? go to sleep. of course i’m a good kisser. it doesn’t even sound right to question it.”

“don’t pretend like your shoulders didn’t relax until i said it,” you smile, throwing the pillow back at his chest, “and you go to sleep too,” turning over on your side, “and don’t hog the blanket.”

the pillow ends up pushing at your back as he lies down as well, quick to snatch just enough of the comforter to get you to turn around. 

“what?”

“goodnight.”

for the at least 7th time that night you share a deep look before turning around, returning the same word and pulling a slight bit of the covers away from him. the lights are off and his breathing evens and the sleepy actually starts to encase you in it’s arms - until you’re actually encased with arms, giving a stunned side eye glance back. in his sleep it seemed his hand unknowingly wandered over to your waist, and you didn’t have the heart to move it so you let it be. (truthfully, it was comforting. and who were you to refuse comfort?)

mere seconds later he shifts closer, separated by the pillow but still close enough to feel his body warmth, wrapping his arm tighter around you. 

who was it that said he was asleep.. asleep my ass.. he’s clearly awake you conclude, the deep rumble of a laugh reverberating through the pillow separating you both a dead giveaway.

[haliyam]

Asset

zeke x reader/oc, slight levi x reader/oc

summary: Levi slips into the Liberio internment zone during the festival and finds himself distracted. (Season 4 and manga spoilers ahead)

Reader does have a background that’s hinted at, default name Lucy, but if you have the InteractiveFics browser extension, please feel free to use it to change your first name! This is actually part of a series I'm hoping to write (brain willing lol), but this can stand alone too.

AO3 link if you prefer to read there

hello! i haven’t been on tumblr in a while but stumbling back into aot made me need to write something, and everyone’s fics and gifs here are amazing! 

--

Jean looks around, tilting the brim of his hat forward just before they cover his eyes. “You sure about this, Captain?”

“Nothing wrong with making sure they haven’t caught on,” Levi nods, adjusting the lapel of his jacket. “Or that that bastard hasn’t changed his mind and informed on us to his superiors.”

Jean’s eyes flicker to his at the very thought. He spots a familiar hesitation in them, but it’s quickly fettered away with a nod. When Levi is sure he has nothing more to say, he returns it, and Jean departs for the crowd with a casual swagger that belies his doubt.

Levi hasn’t asked them their opinions on this operation. Of course, they’ve all offered it anyway—but Hange has decided, and he trusts their decision. On that point, the Scouts had all agreed. 

Today the internment zone gates are open to all visitors, Eldian or not. Triangular streamers of all colors canopy the streets, and flutes and drums and instruments he’s never heard sound out in joyous cacophony in the near distance, tempting curious ears from beyond the gates. The festival is definitely a trap—but admittedly, a beautiful one. He’s never seen this much cheer since Historia’s ascension, or maybe since they retook Wall Maria. Back then he hadn’t exactly participated, much less left his quarters until it was later and Hange insisted he show himself… but this celebration is in full swing. Between Jean, Connie, and Sasha, Jean was the best choice to bring along. He’s the most likely to stay on track.

...Which is why it shames Levi when he’s caught off guard staring into a stall filled with all kinds of … food, he can only guess. Onyankopon introduced them to new desserts, but this is different. Bright and vivid, the tangy scent of them fills the air, but they’re not lollipops or candy or chocolate. He was supposed to turn the corner into an alley  right before this one when he spotted it, and now…

“Here.”

A packet of one of the strange desserts is shoved into his face so quickly that he almost darts back. He reins it in at the last minute, only fixing a glare upon whoever dared invade his personal space like that, much less present themselves as a threat.

You.

A young woman in a simple dress, hand clasped around a packet of mouth-watering orange-yellow strips of the stuff. 

“Here,” you smile politely, apparently unfazed by the suspicion he levels at you.

“What is that?”

“Dried mangoes,” you reply, taking a step or two closer to let your arm relax. “You were looking at them, right? They come chocolate-covered, too, but I say try these before the other variants.”

He doesn’t answer. The people manning the stalls beneath the vivid tents in the festival have all been  overly  friendly, but that’s par for the course, and they know to turn to their next prospective customer when he quickly walks past. Damn his own eyes. They almost make him regret his rule not to accept anything from anyone unvetted.  “No thanks.”

Now you give him a different look. A curious one, which makes him almost curse under his breath. He’s supposed to blend in; not draw attention to himself. Levi turns away, heading down the road again and meaning to turn for the alley once he’s shaken you, but you’re already walking next to him.

“Have we met?” you ask, still looking at him.

“No.” He thinks he would remember if you had. And this isn’t good. Now you’ll try to commit his face to memory.

But you look away instead as you bar his way once more—down, to be specific, so you can fish a small piece of the dessert from the packet and take a bite. “Not poisoned,” you promise, clearly biting back a grin while you pause to chew. Infuriatingly, you begin to mirror his squint. “You aren’t from around here, are you?”

He stares at you, and is still deciding between bewilderment or irritation when you continue, “It’s not a bad thing. I’m glad that you decided to drop by.”

“What?”

At least the look he gives you makes you recoil just a little now. That’s more what Levi is accustomed to. But it doesn’t stop you from talking. “You’re not from the zone,” you answer, motioning to his bandless left arm. “Not many outsiders want to come, in spite of the festival… so thank you for giving it a chance.”

You extend your arm again, your hand and the packet almost touching his chest in this renewed offer. 

He really shouldn’t be doing this. He should be pointing you toward a distraction and leaving, or otherwise putting you off to the extent that you voluntarily leave him alone yourself. But the hope in your gaze is too tender to spoil, reminds him of too many in the past who deserved more than him to be here now—or it’s the festival getting to him. 

With a sigh, Levi takes a strip of dried mango from the packet and watches your lips curve upward into a bright smile. He shakes his head, barely just stopping from rolling his eyes as he thinks about how you probably picked a dessert far too sweet for his tastes—but he’s in for another shock when he takes a bite and finds it sour instead. Well, sweet in parts and sour in others. It’s different, but he doesn’t dislike it at all.

It must show on his face as he chews, which is terrible, because you take it as an invitation to speak again. “They’re from the southeastern archipelago. Eldia never conquered much of that continent—and thank goodness for that,” you seem to add quickly for good measure, “but it did pick up a few of their delicacies. It’s common Eldian fare whenever they’re in season.”

“I see,” he says, just to be forgettable. “Thank you.” It’s likely that being rude will make someone like you remember him more, and that isn’t his goal here today. As he swallows the strip (it was too small), Levi almost doesn’t notice you nudging him forward toward the next stall. But he does, and he gives you a look. “What do you think you’re doing?”

You grin sheepishly, knowing you’ve been caught. “I never meet non-Eldians within the zone. Especially none like you. I'm going to tour you around the stalls a little - I know the scents might be confusing, and the armbands are… well. But there are good, honest people here.”

“That so?” the remark is aimed toward you, because his suspicions remain, but he realizes his mistake when your eyes look even more earnest than before.

“There are. And good food, as you can tell,” you say proudly. You offer him the packet again. “Let me show you.”

He should really get going. He and Jean mean to rendezvous in an hour, and he still hasn’t left the festival grounds. 

But the look in your eyes tells him you’re going to be very annoying if he refuses. Or maybe that’s what he tells himself when he lets you.

This is how Levi finds himself guided around the festival that afternoon, getting all sorts of history lessons on food (and tea) as he tries them - but only bites, and very reluctantly of course, because he doesn’t care to get too full before tonight, when his stomach has already begun to turn. It’s that he knows he has no right to enjoy himself with the novelty of this event, with the optimism in your quiet laughter when he balks at the spicy undercurrent in the skewer of meat you have the audacity to stick into his hand. Not when he knows what’s going to happen tonight. Not when he doesn’t even know your name.

You tell him, finally, when you take a break by a quiet corner in the festival. Over here they’re selling older Eldian art pieces, some painted and others carved figurines, and the scent of lacquered wood faintly invades his senses. He gets a brief respite only when you lean closer to him to let a passing merchant through. Lilies. “I’m Lucy. I thought you should know the name of your tour guide.”

The name sounds familiar. It’s probably a common one he heard during their last visit. 

You’re holding your hand out to him, expectation now in your gaze. He’s clearly spoiled you.

Levi stares at your hand. He doesn’t care to shake it, but again—better to be forgettable. He wracks his mind for a name.

“Kenny.”

Kenny? Levi inwardly sighs.

“It’s nice to meet you, Kenny.” You exchange a good, solid handshake, but you are quick to pull away immediately after. Why? Has he been compromised?

He hopes not, as you give him a reassuring smile and look ahead. At the far, far end of the next avenue is the plaza where the crowds will settle tonight, but you can’t see it from here. “Are you here for Willy’s play tonight?”

“Isn’t everyone?”

“Between you and me,” you say, leaning just a bit closer again as you move on from the area and smile at a waving shopkeep, “It’s probably going to be boring. I would leave after the festival.”

Levi looks down at you, meets your gaze with a critical eye for the first time since your meeting. He ignores the way the afternoon sun sets a golden highlight around your hair. “You think so?”

If you notice, you deflect his look with a little snort. “The Tyburs,” you almost spit the name, with a venom not unfamiliar to someone in his line of work but uncharacteristic enough of what he’s seen of you that he spares you a blink. “The Tybur family’s official policy is to leave the rest of the Eldians on the wayside while they live in their beautiful estates. Why speak now?” Your hand, gentle all this time paying the vendors, passing him food, tossing it in your mouth, now clenches at your side. “He’s a coward. So…”

You trail off, biting your tongue as you turn away briefly. Hatred is something far too familiar for Levi to balk at, and so he doesn’t. Because it wasn’t hatred he saw in your eyes, but a strange defeat. He has to wonder, but he stops himself before he can. That will be moot after tonight.

“He’s saying something now,” he replies blankly, letting you hear the shrug in his tone. He doesn’t really care to defend someone with only a few hours left to live, but maybe he feels guilty for knowing even that much. Death has always been a certainty in his life, but the how and the when? “Some people never say anything at all.”

His words break you out of your stupor. It appears you weren’t really talking to him after all, but now he wishes he bit his tongue. The idea of you leaving before the play actually sounds like a good one, and he should not have gainsaid it.

“I suppose you have a point,” you say, looking slightly abashed at your outburst. Sighing, you gesture around the area. “So what do you think? Not bad for a home of devils, right?”

The question has him turning toward you so sharply that you begin to squirm under his gaze. The truth is you’ve been able to deflect his uninterested, even hostile expressions so far, but this one is new. His eyes are walled off for the most part, but a telling indignation flashes across his grey eyes so quickly you wonder if you even saw it. He sees it in the way you search them.

You gulp and then clear your throat. “I lived here when I was younger,” you explain, appearing both frightened and encouraged. Ultimately unable to withstand his gaze, you start to walk again, down the road toward the plaza. 

He hardly notices himself following suit. “You left?” You were allowed to?

“My family isn’t from Liberio,” you admit, slowing to keep apace. “I came here to join the Warrior program when I was little.”

Now the expression in his eyes is indecipherable, but curiosity gives it the smallest edge as his gaze flits to your armband. Pale grey, almost white. 

“I didn’t make it,” you say, quickly, since bringing up Marley’s prized Warriors with anyone from outside of the motherland is an awful idea this soon, “so I was called back home. But I had fond memories of this place, all things considered, and now I’ve chosen it as mine.”

A strange feeling now worms its way into Levi’s chest. He’s already managed to shut off his thoughts and apprehensions about tonight’s operation - they can’t afford doubts, after all, and anyway those have never stopped him from getting the job done - but it makes him uncomfortable.

“Where do you live?”  Will you be spared the worst of it?  

You look surprised, but you smile all the same. “A few blocks from here. An old doctor and his family let me stay with them when I was little, and I still stay there now. Now I… work at the hospital in the zone.”

“You’re a doctor too?”

The question seems to dismay you. “Not exactly.”

He frowns before he can help it. “You’re pretty dodgy for a tour guide.”

Now you can’t help but laugh in what almost looks like offense. “Me? I’m the one who’s been talking about myself, between the two of us,” you say, your indignation diluted with your ringing mirth. It sounds clearly over the din. “I don’t even know where you’re from!”

“You do. Not here.”

Levi feels the side of his mouth quirk when you laugh at such a small remark, but you manage to get a hold of yourself before he can respond. 

You meet his gaze again, shaking your head in disbelief, and something appears to click in your mind as your lips part with revelation. 

“You’re a war veteran, aren’t you?’

Levi graces you with another blink. “What?”

“I won’t ask where,” you promise again, raising a hand in surrender. “You just remind me of someone I’ve met at the hospital.”

He quirks a brow. “How should I take that?”

“Oh! Not as an insult!” you laugh again, covering your mouth, but your lips are pursed, still stifling another smile when you lower your hand. It takes another moment for you to compose yourself. “I meant rather that… you have soulful eyes.”

His soulful eyes stare straight at you, utterly deadpan. “Soulful.”

You stand by it, clearly suppressing mirth again. “Soulful.”

Levi sighs with some exasperation, as if to wonder how his life choices have led to him having to put up with all this, and it must be the most you’ve gotten out of this man since you interrupted his consideration of those snacks. Somehow you can tell that even his irritation should flatter you. “Anyway,” you say, when he seems resigned to all this, “if you aren’t completely sold on watching the play tonight, maybe you can drop by the hospital instead.”

Levi narrows his eyes at you. “Why would I do that?”

“Well… we don’t get visitors often. But the patients always appreciate them.” After a pause, you add, “Not always. But even just sitting with them is something.”

His furrowed brow relaxes. Not that he’ll be able to say yes - not that he wants to - and not that he’s ever cared all that much for bleeding hearts. It’s really more the determination in your gaze that gets him. Like you’re not exactly going to take no for an answer, or worse, and maybe closer to his heart, that you refuse to let the possibility cross your mind. 

“There’s one patient I would love to introduce to you,” you continue, when you catch the hesitation in his silence. “He calls himself K—“

“Lucy?”

A familiar voice calls your name from amid the crowd. The smile that simply illuminates your features as you turn to look over your shoulder draws Levi’s eyes to yours rather than to your mouth this time.

Before you can look, a pair of arms encircles your waist, a beard nuzzling your neck while you squirm and laugh, trying to elbow your way out of the embrace to no avail. It’s token resistance that leads only to his nose nudging at your jaw, mouth grazing your neck. “Zeke, stop!”

“So this is where you’ve been hiding,” he murmurs, his glasses nudging your cheek, whisper tickling your skin. “Meeting ran late. You know how Magath is.”

“I know,” you say as you manage to wrangle your way out of his grasp. “But please don’t do that in front of my new—“

You glance to the side with an apology ready for him, but Levi has disappeared. Your hands grasp Zeke’s sleeve for balance as you get on your tiptoes, but you cannot spot his hat among the crowd.

“—friend.” You frown. “He was just here.” 

Zeke quirks a brow. “Who?”

“Kenny,” you say. “He was wearing a dark suit and a fedora. Just a little taller than me, black hair… you didn’t see him? And—are you all right?” You reach for his fingers, kneading at the pads of them with yours. “Your hands are so cold.”

Zeke shakes his head, dismissing your second question. “A little taller than you,” he enunciates instead, withdrawing his hands to make a show of stroking his beard. “So did I see another runt? The answer is no, sorry.”

You give his hip a light smack. “I’m not a runt. I’m taller than Pieck!”

“By an inch.” When you make a face at him, Zeke smiles, hands pawing at your shoulders before running down your back and pulling you to him, your chest flush against the wall of his stomach. “Do you want us to look for your Kenny?” he asks, his thumb ghosting your lip. 

“He’s not my Kenny,” you give him a look, even though he knows his hands are already giving you other ideas. His other one is stroking your waist. “I just thought he looked lost.”

“My bleeding heart,” he says fondly. “You can’t save everyone.”

You shoot him a look that he ignores. This isn’t the place to get into that discussion, so you shrug it off. “I guess I  was  imposing on him. At one point he seemed like he’d rather drink rotten milk than listen to me. I just thought we’d built a rapport...”

Zeke snorts. “Okay, okay. I’ll listen to you.”

You squint at him. “Don’t let me twist your arm.”

He grins, leaning closer to whisper in your ear. “I think I let you do a lot more to me than just that, Miss Blanchard.”

The flush that predictably spreads across your face makes him laugh, that warm, hearty chuckle that makes your knees weak. He bends down to touch your lips with his, smiling when you seek his mouth to deepen the kiss. Your hand fists around his shirt, the slightest hum of enjoyment from your throat drawing him further into your thrall, but the nudge of a passerby makes him pull away after a moment. His lips envy the disappointed pout that seizes yours as he closes your hand around his. Zeke lifts it to plant a more chaste kiss to your knuckles in apology. 

“But before all that,” he says, “how about that festival date you promised me?”

Zeke gives you a questioning look, as though a part of him might actually doubt that you’ll say yes. Really it’s that he wonders if you’ll still gaze at him with those tender eyes this time tomorrow, but you can’t possibly know that. 

You shrug, intertwining your fingers with his. “I’ll let you twist my arm.”

“You let me do a lot more—“

“Yeager...”

“Heh heh.” He withdraws his hand so he can wrap an arm around you instead as he guides you back to the heart of the festival. “I ran into the others while looking for you. The kids wouldn’t shut up about some good wrap nearby—and while their faces were full of pizza. What do you think?” 

You lean against him, unable to help the warmth that you practically radiate as he holds you. He knows it too, pulling you closer. You shrug him off briefly to take a last glance around for Kenny, but he really is nowhere to be found. 

Ducking back under Zeke’s arm, you smile. “Why not?”

Out of sight, trying to stave off the nausea, Levi watches the pair of you walk away from beside one of the many festival stands littering the avenue. How couldn’t he have realized who you are? Lucy is the name of the asset that sack of shit wants retrieved before the operation begins. He had wondered why, thought it some political ploy that would come into play later on. He didn’t expect the reason to be so... mundane.

He can’t believe he almost felt worried. He knew there had to be something strange about you, ignoring how he was clearly trying to get away. Had you been taunting him? A trap, just like this festival?

It hadn’t seemed like it. Your smile appeared to be genuine.

Not that it matters. He gets smiles all the time that he doesn’t care for; why should a beautiful woman’s remain with him or be any more noteworthy than another’s? 

Dismissing the sight lingering in his mind’s eye, Levi turns for his true objective. He’s wasted enough time. 

...And anyway, any person who would take up with that monster probably has some skeletons of her own.

Levi supposes he’ll find out later. 

---

Thank you for reading! :)

The series I mentioned planning should be zeke x reader/oc, but because levi is very tempting, I'm also planning/considering a levi/reader AU (or ending??) of the ending post-rumbling (we'll see). 

EDIT: This is a oneshot which can stand on its own, but if you're interested in a series I've posted the first two chapters of interim, the first of the Zeke-centered fics I mentioned I intended to write! It's a prequel that starts in Liberio after Zeke, Pieck, and Reiner come home post-S3. It'll go into Reader/Lucy's relationship with the Warriors, particularly Zeke, + how exactly they ended up where they are here in Asset. Levi makes a return appearance once we get to the sequel to Asset, going into the Raid on Liberio and onward.

EDIT 2: And if you'd like something completely Zeke-focused in the same year as Asset, here is a short fluff oneshot to accompany art I commissioned of Zeke and Lucy. It will have Lucy's appearance there (and I suppose her appearance is a spoilerish for the family name which you will discover in interim chapter 1), so if you don't want to see what she looks like then don't click it or just scroll down before the art loads. XD these trivial moments takes place some time before Asset, but still within the month that passes between the end of the Marley Mid-East War and the Raid on Liberio.

[ofbloodandflowers]

find the word tag

I was tagged by @muddshadow! Thank you! I finally have enough draft to start doing those and they are always very fun to do!

The words i had to search were : rise, always, echo, down, touch

Rise

When she looked around, all she could see was the green and the yellow of the fields, soft hills and sharp mountains. The grove that borded Vielleri. She never went out to see what was beyond it. If she would close her eyes, she would have a hard time to imagine something without Vielleri. Without the farm and her father. 

Her head went against the vehicle cabin as she breathed deeply. 

“I would like to go south. Near Esperizande. I want… to see the ocean and watch the sunrise. Maybe get drunk on lemon wine during the Biovesi festival.”

Nicco hummed appreciatively. 

“It does sound very lovely.” 

Always 

Savina always longed for the night. For the chant that only her could hear. For the delicate touches she could feel on her skin in these hot summer nights as they came to say hello, I’m glad to see you again. 

They knew she was happy, too. She was sure of it. It was a knowledge that came from within her bones, an unshakable truth of the world. Water was wet and fire could burn and they could communicate without a sound. 

Echo

Rosalba sat comfortably in the rocking chair, not seemingly surprised by the sudden noise. Dread filled Arabella’s chest as she went to the door and tried to open the door. She shook the handle. Pulled. Pushed. There was a rattle, but no movement, as if the door was openly laughing at her. Arabella knocked on it. Maybe if she was polite?

Rosalba was playing with her cane, an amused gleam in her eyes. 

“This is no use,” she finally said, “It’s like a scratch on a wooden table, or rust on metal, or the echo of your voice. It just exists.”

Down

Sometimes, when the sun was long gone behind the hills and Arabella laid in her bed, her mind slipped away. It went down the dusty road, back to Vielleri. To Giovanni Alfieri and his bakery, or Giulia and the seamstress shop she owned. She wondered what they did in their free time. Was there a book they liked to talk about? Did they like to curl around the fireplace after a long day? How did they like their coffee? Maybe they preferred tea?  

Did they get lonely when the night came, too? 

Touch

She remembered the night. 

It all happened as usual. A warm cup of milk. Her mom tucking her to bed, pulling the sheets underneath her body so the monsters couldn’t reach her. A kiss on her forehead, this last goodbye. Arabella didn’t even know it, then. 

She tucked this touch deep in her memory, in a place that she was the only one who could go. With time, she had taken everything that belonged to her mom there. Scents and gestures and sweet words, everything a token that proved that she hadn’t been just a ghost. 

The Rot of Vielleri definitely has vibes that are... nostalgic? about want? i don’t know how to define them but yeah those excerpts got it. Also, I’ll tag @writingamongther0ses ; @lanawritesalittle ; @citruswords and @zonnemaagd with the words: gleam ; grow ; give ; gap ; green