#niko brim

[da-ill-spot]

New Music: Rapsody - Please Don’t Cry LP + “Back In My Bag” Music Video

All the love to queen Rapsody! Real talk, the Snow Hill, North Carolina MC disappoints yo!

Please Don’t Cry dropped this past May and by far is one of my favorite releases of the year.

This amazing album of personal exploration is distributed via Jamla/Roc Nation.

It runs 22 tracks, featuring narration from Phylicia Rashad and vocals from Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, Alex Isley, Bee B, DIXSON, Bibi Bourelly, Niko Brim, and Keznamdi.

Press play above and support with a purchase of $11.99! Also peep the music video for the bangin Major Seven produced track, “Back In My Bag.” The video was directed by Patrick Lincoln of Torch House Media.

[coryosbaby]

18+ MDNI !! ˚⟡˖ ࣪

Getting getting the impression that if Felix has an eyebrow piercing then he has a dick piercing too <33 def a Prince Albert one— he got it as a dare when he was really high and decided to keep it because he liked the way it made his dick look. And when you see it for the first time, you really like it too.

Like I can just imagine the way his precum spills out and over the ring, and you bring the metal into your mouth to suck it clean <33 and he praises you for it, lets you hump against his leg like a desperate puppy while he rants about how big he is compared to you.

“Mm, such a good little girl. Look at how tiny your hands are wrapping around me,” and he’d see your desperate licks against his piercing and he’d laugh, a little airy with a whine to it, “you like that, don’t you? My cock ring? So filthy…”

Oh! And you love to give him handjobs. Like, so much. You love playing with the barbell and stroking the skin of his cock over it, just to watch in fascination as he spills over in your hand.

And don’t even get me started on when he fucks you. He’ll rub himself right up against your entrance, and you’ll feel the cold metal as it scrapes gently against your inner walls. Your cunt, swallowing him whole despite his incredible length and thickness, your slick dripping down to his balls while you rub your swollen clit against his pubic bone. He’ll bring his thumb up to your lips while you bounce on him like a bitch in heat, drooling around the long digit as he pushes it further to the back of your throat. He’ll kiss your tits, palm them graciously in his large hands. He’ll make you cum on him and over and over, make sure you get his dick nice and wet. And after he fills you to the brim with cum, shaking and fucked out and dizzy, he’ll pull you off of him and watch his spend spill out of your raw fucked hole. His softening cock will lay flaccid against his toned stomach, and you’ll hungrily gaze down at it even though he had just given it to you for hours. He’ll let you take him into your mouth and lick him clean again, all the while his dick is pulsing with need and he’s ready to go for a second round <3

:: @mysticpenguincreation @nightmare-niko @iheartinkonpaper @claireyberryy @becauseseaotters @emmalandry

[nyatbinary-81]

hiiii i really like this post-canon concept so heres my rendition of niko!

i made a few changes to the design based on my personal tastes. first off, nikos 13, and as a former 13 year old, if your life sucks at that time (and based on the au, nikos life does suck. on account of the increasingly dangerous games), you Will become not just anxious but actively spiteful and distrustful, hence the expression and posture. i also gave them a proper Pokemon Bag bc every pokemon game has The Bag as inventory, and i wanted it to look really well made, so i put stitching around the edges. i even made fake gym badges! because it was stated to be a pokemon fangame in your other post, i added light and sound, the most popular fake types, and i made regular gyms into dual-type ones. i also tore up the scarf and clothes a lot bc i figure between pokemon and a jrpg there would be a LOT of difficult to dodge attacks, so much so that one half of the scarf is chopped wayyy shorter than the other. and i moved the amber to the bag, partially bc itd make a great button, partially bc you wouldnt be able to see it by their chest.

i think niko and the player have a strained relationship, bc while the player always has the Intent to keep niko safe, that doesnt make them good at it. and, from nikos perspective, the player would likely be the one dragging them into these adventures by opening the games like they did oneshot.

Had an AU concept where Niko's journey through the World Machine is the first of many adventures, and slowly building up to something bigger. About once or twice a year, Niko gets sent on an interdimensional adventure and comes back changed from their journey. Some of their journeys are fun, some of them are traumatic, some are a mix of both. They also write books about their adventures, partially because The Author inspired them to write and their adventures make good stories and partially because it's a way of expressing themselves and processing their trauma. Their first book, about the events of Oneshot and Solstice, is called My Burden Is Light (it's named after the title song) -hence the name of this AU.

[thisonehere]

To Deal with a Judas

A/n: Thank you so much, @unknown-niko, for this amazing idea. It is long over due that I write it for you.

Summary: You are there to witness Bi-Han's betrayal, and you act accordingly.

Tag: Mk1, MK AU, Request, long fic

C/w: Mention of blood and killing, Betrayal, Good-Bad ending

"Kuai Liang and I will capture him," Bi-Han's voice hung low as he stared at the entrance he saw the necromancer Quan Chi walk into, his new target. "Stay here, do not let them activate the soul stealer." Bi-Han ordered Tomas. He had had just clashed with thee of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi's most powerful lackeys, a vampire, a demon, and a collection of souls. He could feel his blood pumping, his heart racing, the adrenaline flowing throughout his body, and Bi-Han loved every second of it. He wanted to go after the sorcerers next, he couldn't wait to get his hands on the sorcerers. He'd them under a mountain of snow.

"And me, Grandmaster?" He turns and there you are, eagerly waiting for instructions. Bi-Han narrowed his eyes. "You..." He trails off, what to do with you?. Bi-Han was unsure on bringing you with him on this mission, you should be home, where you'd be safe. He thought you too inexperienced to join him, you might slow him down, hinder his efforts. But Liu Kang insisted, and now you're here. He looked you up and down with his judgemental eyes, not sure what to do with you, no doubt picking you apart and seeing every possible weakness you have that would make you a liability.

"You will stay here. Stay with Tomas and keep watching just in case any more minions come." His voice was stern and his gaze forbidding. Your shoulder slumped at this, you had hoped to go with Bi-Han and fight by his side. Make up for the earlier defeat. When Nitara swooped down and attacked, she had knocked both you and Tomas aside, you remained somewhat unconscious during the fight while he and Kuai dealt with her and Sareena. You felt so ashamed of it, you embarrassed yourself in front of him, mad yourself seem weak to him, that was one of the last things you wanted. "O-oh... Very well then. I won't let you down." Conviction and passion in your voice. Behind turns his back from you as he and Kuai climbed the steps and entered the building.

You and Tomas quickly went to work ensuring that the soul stealer remained inactive. You started lookout and Tomas took care of anyone who came close, which wasn't often, everyone seemed to stay in the building. Time went on longer and longer and there was no sign of Bi-Han or Kuai, you started to worry. "What are they doing in there?" You wondered out loud causing Tomas to know shrug. "No doubt Kuai and Bi-Han have already dealt with them." He said hopefully. But something kept tugging at your heart, something was wrong. Something happened to them.

---

"Soul Stealers are deadly, but they're not enough." Bi-Han growled to Shang Tsung. He and Kuai's hand were bound in chains, they had failed and they were captured. Kuai hated the smug look on Tsung's face as they were carried away. But he stopped thinking about that the moment the sorcerer began to try to tempt his brother to join him. Worse, Bi-Han seemed to be interested in this. He tried to intervene, he begged his brother not to listen to this snake, not even as much as the entertain the thought the server was trying to pour into his mind, but he was silenced by his own brother, his Grandmaster.

The halls were filled with the marching of General Shao's and the clanging of chain around his and Kuai's wrists. Kuai was desperate, not about breaking free from these chains, but stopping his brother from being beguiled by the serpent holding them captive. Tsung mused about Emperor Ying, specifically about his army. They entered a tomb, Emperor Ying tomb filled to the brim with a silent cold warrior. Kuai's eyes went this way and that as he eyed every statued warrior, the Dragon army. Mindless automatons that could unleash unknown destruction and the subjugation of realms. It all horrified Kuai, but the look on Bi-Han face horrified him more. He looked...impressed.

Bi-Han stared at this, he climbed the steps to meet Shang Tsung, and he offered his restraints to him. "BI-HAN, NO!!!" He cried, Shao's men jump to retrain him as he calls out to his brother. His ignored his brother as he shook hands with Tsung, a pleased smile hung on the sorcerers face. "Father would turn in his grave if he saw this!" Bi-Han froze at this, he quickly wiped around to face his brother, a vile sheer on his face. "He was a doddering old fool. He did us a favor having that accident, and I was right to let him die."

"Let him die? YOU SAID YOU TRIED TO SAVE HIM!" once again Kuai lunged forward and the Soldiers pulled him back. He felt evey dizzy. Kuai felt his heart slowly break, it felt like the world was going to madness. "A lie. Because you couldn't and still couldn't face the truth. Father had...had..." Upon instinct, Bi-Han caught a knife aimed at his head. All heads turned to see where it came from and there you were standing there, tightly gripping another of your throwing knives, ready to launch it. "Y/n?! What do you think your doing?" Bi-Han's softened for a second when he realized it was you who threw the knife. He stared at you for what felt like an eternity, then they slowly narrow in fury spat at you as he throws the knife to the ground. "You...You..." but he couldn't find the words. You just stared there as you locked eyes with your grandmaster and both of you stared at each other. You felt your blood run cold under his gaze.

Kuai immediately took advantage of everyone being distracted, he elbowed one soldier in the face and slammed his chains against the others. Blood spattered everywhere and everyone put their attention on Kuai now. The room erupted into chaos, everyone in the room didn't know who to focus on. You both raised hell, Kuai slammed his chains like a mad left and right while you threw your blades at every person you could make out as a target.

During the calamity, Kuai found Bi-Han and he charged at him. Kuai slammed his chains against Bi-Han so hard that Bi-Han slammed to the ground. He didn't get back up. Kuai raises the chains over his head and brings it down for another strike. He does it again and again, if he keeps this, he'll kill him. Rage filled him, all he could see was red at the moment as he was stuck in some sort of a berserker rage. A soldier ran at him, his sword thrown. Kuai spun around about strike but acted first and threw your knife clean into his head. "KUAI, COME ON, WE NEED TO GO!" You shriek at the top of your lungs.

At that second Kuai became aware of the now awakening Dragon army. Tsung activated them and now they had their eyes on him. He bitterly looks down at his unconscious brother, there's many things he is feeling right. But he can't figure them out right now, now he needs to escape. You both rush out of the chamber, as you do you hear multiple footsteps behind you but neither of you look back.

---

"This way!" You let Kuai into the Treasure Chamber. With his pryromancy, Kuai managed to melt the chains allowing him to free himself. Kuai spotted the unconscious bodies of Quan Chi, Rain, Havik and Darrius lying on the ground. You could feel his eyes fall on your quizzically as you both rush through the room. "I followed you into the building, they found me, I left them like this." You quickly explained to him as you guided him through to the nearest exit. He knew you were a competent fighter, he always did, but he never knew you were capable of this. He wants sti impressed by this, proud of you, but his mind was racing thinking about his brother. He tried not to think about it, it hurts to much to think about. He just forces himself to run faster.

In no time you were outside the main building where the cold wind greets you. By now you could hear the yelling of hundreds of soldiers scattering here and there trying to search for you. "Y/N, THERE YOU ARE!" Tomas called as he ran up to you. He was so worried for you, one minute you were right next to him, the next you were gone. "Where have you-" he froze when he saw Kuai was behind you. "Kuai? Where's Bi-Han?" At the mention of his name both of your faces darken. "He has betrayed us. We're all in imminent danger." With that, he rushes past you both, leading the way as you both run after him.

Kuai told Tomas everything, how he was captured, Bi-Han's betrayal, his involvement in their father's death, everything. You stay quiet the whole time. "Letting father die... Forsaking Earthrealm? He's abandoned for all reason." Tomas's eyes widen at every news and revelation. You noticed the cold wind beginning to pick up, it was like it was furious and was unleashing its wrath upon you all.

"I knew Bi-Han's frustrations run deep. But I never thought--" Kuai continued to talk but your mind began to wonder as you thought of Bi-Han. You threw a knife, you made an attempt on his life. Your blood still ran cold at the thought of how he looked at you. A look of both rage as well as hurt, as if your treachery hurt him on a deeper level. What was he going to do to you the moment he got his hands on you, you knew how brutal your Grandmaster could be. Your heart began to race, you felt confused, so lost, so scared. You were in over your head, you could just feel it.

"--But we are still brothers...and you, Y/n..." You hadn't realized that was still talking until both he and Tomas stopped walking. He had turned to you both, a hand on both your shoulder as he gave you two a warm look in his eyes. "Y/n, you have proven yourself today. I am fortunate to have you by my side." You stare at Kuai, unable to speak. You gently lay a hand on his, the warmth comforting you, almost making you forget your fears. No one has spoken to you like that in years. Bi-Han's words were always harsh and critical, it seemed to be the only way to show he cared, but Kuai's words were filled with love in every word.

"Do your Oaths mean nothing!" You all freeze as the snowy winds begin to clear and calm, and there Bi-Han. His fits clenched and a scowl on his bruised face. "It is your duty to obey my will!" Kuai immediately steps forwards determination and rage in his eyes. "Not if it betrays Lin Kuei principles. We won't sacrifice them to serve your ambition." Bi-Han's fists clenched even harder, you were scared that it would draw blood. Your eyes wandered all over Bi-Han, they fell on his fist. In one of them, he tightly held your knife. He growls as he steps forward just a little. He stares all of you in the eye.

When they fall on you, you felt your blood run cold. Who knew what he was thinking about. Maybe how he'd punish you, perhaps. Give you to Shang to be his new test subject, lock you in a deep dark cell and leave you there to go die alone, or maybe he'd kill you right now if he was feeling merciful. You gulped hard as you took a few steps back.

Not waiting another second Bi-Han lunged forward with your knife. Kuai charged as well, you and Tomas stayed as you watched brothers begin to battle. Bi-Han slashed at his brother with the blade this way and that while Kuai dodged here and there to avoid them. It was like the two were dancing, Bi-Han spun and slashed with his blade, leaving a flash trail of sliver as Kuai went here and there as he avoided the blade.

He tried to avoid every strike but he found himself getting cut. For a second, Kuai thought he had caught his brother's arm before where brought it down on him. But he realized too soon, Bi-Han had the blade in another hand. Kuai is slashed across the left eye. He screams as he falls to the ground clutching his. "End this brother, embrace the future!" Bi-Han said as he extended his hand to his brother, a crazed look in his eyes as Kuai stumbled to his feet. "I want no part of it. You pervert all that it means to be Lin Kuei!" Pulling his Kunai, Kuai clenched his fist and he tries to catch his breath. He clenches fist and attempts to steady his breath, fresh blood dipped from the cut over his eye. He clenches his fist over the Kunai as he stares down his brother, anticipating him to make the next room.

But you beat him to it. You rush forward and throw another knife; Bi-Han freezes as the knife lands...right into Kuai's right shoulder.

With a cry of pain, Kuai stumbled as he clutched at his shoulder. "I... I'm sorry..." Your voice cracks as tears ran down your face. He slowly looks back at, horror slowly turns to you. "Y/n...?" You fail to meet his gaze. He looks past you and he sees Tomas, barely conscious as Rain and Havik retrain him. "I said I left them like that, never that I beat them" you mumble under your breath. Kuai angrily rises to his feet. "Y/n, what are you doing! What is the meaning of this!?" You struggle to even look at Kuai, both out of fear but also because your vision was blurred thanks to your tears. Kuai's gaze softens on you for a second. "Why?" He asks, his voice filled with pain he clutches at his soldier "I-I love you Kuai, always...But my loyalty, so much of my love...is to your brother." The fortress feels like everything has gone silent. A betrayed and broken hearted look is painted over his face, first his brother, now you. Kuai didn't know how much more he could take.

The entire fortress shakes as the skies turn green, Tsung has activated the soulnado. In the distance Kuai can hear the marches of thousands of soldiers coming down to take him. Kuai stares at the sky as he realizes everything is crumbling around him. "Kuai, please. Surrender, I don't want you or Tomas to get hurt." Kuai clenches his jaw as he lowers his gaze to the ground.

---

The soldiers came and they took Kuai and Tomas away. He didn't look at you as they bound him and led him to no doubt a cell. But you didn't care, all you knew was he and Tomas wouldn't die and you found some level of peace with that. You stood there alone with Bi-Han as the cold winds blew your hair in the breeze. You back was to him, you didn't know what to say, what could you say? You had no idea what to do next, you just betrayed your home, Liu Kang, Kuai, Tomas, all for him.

"Y/n, look at me." Bi-Han's demanding voice finally breaks up the silence. Your heart beats against your chest as you face him. "Now, I want you to, kindly, Explain to me what in Elder Gods you were thinking! Making an attempt on my life, siding my brothers escape only to capture him again. Explain, Now." His eyes beat you down with sneer, it made it so much harder for you to speak. With a shaky breath you explained that after waiting so long outside and got worried, so you followed him into the building. Quan Chi found you and he told you that Bi-Han and Kuai were captured, that Tsung was plotting to tempt Bi-Han into joining his side. You knew Bi-Han would join him but Kuai would protest, You knew he would somehow break free and stop Bi-Han. So you came up with this plan to get him and Tomas captured.

"And why did you do all this? Did you not think I could handle my own brother." Bi-Han eyed you, offended. Making it much harder to say this next thing. "Grandmaster, I think you are a marvelous man, the greatest warrior I've ever known...but Kuai is stronger than you." You could feel the rage emanating from Bi-Han as you said this. "How dare you-" he began to storm towards you. "Kuai, easily overpowered you, General Shao, and Shang Tsung while his hands were bound!" Bi-Han now stood towering over you as you defended yourself, his eyes violent. "I am your Grandmaster! I had everything under control, how dare you think so little of me?" Normally you would cower in fear of your Grandmaster when he was upset, but not today, too much adrenaline rushed through you.

"No! I think the world of you! You are the greatest thing I've ever had the privilege to be around. I count my blessings every day that I have the privilege of serving you. I adore you, Grandmaster, I will stay loyal to you until the day I die and even then my soul will be yours." It felt so odd to finally confess to Bi-Han like this. But you were desperate, and scared even. You just wanted Bi-Han to succeed no matter what. As you sigh as you finish, you lower your head to catch your breath. Bi-Han just looked at you, his eyes narrow as if he's disgusted. You hold yourself as you begin to feel so crazy. "Forgive me, Grandmaster, I shouldn't have-"

"Bi-Han." He calmly interrupted you. "I-I'm sorry?" You noticed he's holding your knife by the blade now as he hands it to you. "You may address me as Bi-Han, you've earned the right." Your body shivers slightly as Bi-Han places a hand on your shoulder. He now looks at you differently, as if he's seeing you in a new light. He then walks past you, but before he leaves you, and turns to you, impressed. "Perhaps it was a good idea for Liu Kang to send you with me. I look forward to your continued service. Now, come, we have much to do with our new allies." He turns and walks away and you quickly race after him.

A/n: Don't lie, you were shocked by the twist. Just call me Miss direction... Or miss trust... Or miss demeanor, or miss serable

[iliveiloveiwrite]

Healing Hands // Nikolai Lantsov

Request: Hi Millie! S&B s2 left me with severe Nikolai brainrot 🫠 I love my pirate prince so, if it's okay, I'd love to request a Nikolai x healer!reader 💙 I am a sucker for the patching up trope so that would be amazing. Thanks in advance! ☺️ And happy belated birthday! 🎉

A/N: First time writing for Nikolai so pls be gentle! I’m still getting to grips with his character and I haven’t read King of Scars yet so I only know of the show Nikolai and the trilogy Nikolai. Anyway! Thank you so much for your request, I hope you like, lovely!

Warnings: injuries, mentions of blood, nausea, dizziness. Pining, mutual pining. Mentions of a duel, stabbing. Pain. This is fluff, I promise.

Word Count: 1.4k

Were the grounds to the palace truly that uneven, or was he losing more blood than he initially realised?

Nikolai pondered this as he took a steadying breath against the wave of nausea that washed over him when he placed his left foot on the step first rather than using his right foot to power through. A silly mistake, the prince thinks, but a mistake nonetheless when black spots dance across his vision.

He slumps against a marble column, resting his forehead against its coolness. He could tolerate pain, could stand the sight of blood and deal with the accompanying adrenaline. What Nikolai found hard to cope with, was that he let his elder brother get the best of him.

It was this thought that spurred him on. The anger at being bested by Vasilly that kept him putting one foot in front of the other even though his left leg protested with every single step.

——————

The Healing Room was rather basic in its layout. A row of six beds placed against the back wall; each bed positioned under a window for air ventilation. Across to the furthest side of the room, shackled to the wall, was an apothecary cabinet filled to the brim with plants and herbs that could aid in healing. Most Grisha didn’t have much use for traditional medicine, but the palace hired its fair share of non-grisha too.

To the left of the room, there sat a desk. It wasn’t overly large; big enough for two just about. It was at this desk that he finds you; your face buried in a book, a streaming drink to your side and a pile of unfinished paperwork sprawled across the rest of the desk. If it wasn’t for the blood dripping onto the floor, making him dizzier, Nikolai could stand there and watch you all day.

Nikolai slumps into the door; the dark wood banging against the sage green walls, alerting you to his presence.

“Your Majesty!” You gasp, rushing to your feet, knocking into your desk and spilling ink over the pages of your new book. You barely give it more than a second thought; hurrying to Nikolai’s side. “What happened?”

Nikolai remains silent as you aid him across the small room to the uncomfortable bench where you healed the more dramatic of injuries. Nikolai tries his best not to wince as he settles down onto the hard wood, feeling every bump and scratch laid into the wood. The ceiling lights only further his nausea so he focuses his gaze on you. His eyes follow your every move; bustling from draw to cupboard, pulling out anything you could need before healing his wound with your powers.

A small, pained smile adorns his lips as you draw your stool next to him. Instinctively, you brush his hair back from his forehead. Nikolai leans into your touch; relishing in your gentleness, wishing it could be the first he felt when he came to consciousness in the morning.

“What happened, Nikolai?” You question, turning your focus to the tear in his trousers. A two inch gash stretches across the front of his left thigh; blood runs freely down his leg. The flow seems to have slowed some, but he’d already lost too much for your liking.

Nikolai lazily waves a hand in the air, putting on airs and graces. “It’s nothing. A simple scratch that needs treating.”

You shoot the prince an unimpressed look. “When you want to tell me the truth, Niko, I’m ready and waiting.”

Nikolai groaned, hating the use of your childhood nickname for him. You so rarely used it now; the nickname, like his childhood, a bittersweet memory. “You’re not playing fair,” He complains, throwing an arm across his face.

You snort, shaking your head fondly at the prince. “I never claimed to play fair. I have to know what happened in case I need to treat an infection before closing the wound.”

Nikolai sighs, knowing he had been bested for a second time that day. “Vasilly…” Nikolai begins, quashing the sudden rise of anger as he thinks back to the events of barely an hour ago.

“What did your brother do?”

“It wasn’t what he did. Am I upset he stabbed me? Yes, but I let myself get distracted and lose the upper hand.”

“How?”

“He said something he knew would get a rise out of me and I took the bait.”

“You know better than that,” You chasten, running your hands through his hair again.

He sighs. “I know but I can’t change what’s happened.” Nikolai feels his anger surge once more, “He was spouting nonsense about Grisha and their talents, stating what he would do when he was king. He made a nasty comment about you, and that’s when I lost my temper.”

“I can fight my own battles, Nikolai.”

Nikolai grabs your hand, squeezing it tightly. “You weren’t there to fight this battle. Vasilly knew what he was doing, and I knew too.”

“Then why did you respond?”

“I always will when it comes to you. I won’t stand for anyone badmouthing you even if they are their heir to the kingdom.”

You pull away from his grasp. Shaking your head, ridding yourself of the thoughts rushing through them, you bring your hands up to the all too familiar position.

“Ready?”

The prince grins. “Ready.”

Your hands move in their familiar patterns; the movements so second nature to you that you do not give it a second thought as you watch the gash on Nikolai’s thigh close, leaving nothing behind but a faint, light pink scar. You fix the prince with a stern stare, “I may have healed you but I need you to take it easy for the rest of the day. No duelling your brother, no swords, no guns. Do you understand?”

Nikolai pulls himself up, swinging his legs off the bench as he salutes you with a cheerful grin on his face. The colour has returned to his cheeks and the usual mischievous gleam has returned to his eyes.

Your feel your heart begin to race at the sight, knowing that any Heartrender in a sixty mile radius could most likely hear it’s pounding. “You scared me out of my wits, Niko,” You confess, taking a seat on the wooden bench next to the prince, resting your head on his shoulder.

Nikolai rests his head on yours; taking your hand in his. “I’m sorry,” He murmurs, meaning it.

“It seems I’m always patching you up when you’re here,” You admonish before your tone turns softer. “Or when you return from your travels, you seem to have new scars.”

“My healers aren’t as adept as you, darling,” Nikolai compliments; his tone flirtatious as he brings your joined hands to his lips, pressing a quick and gentle kiss to the back of your hand.

You hide your face in his shoulder, hoping he doesn’t feel the heat from the flush of your skin. “Don’t tell me that or I’ll be stowing away on your ship next time.”

Nikolai stiffens as the idea comes to him. “That’s perfect!” He exclaims, jumping off the bench, dropping your hand in favour of cradling your face with both of his.

“What do you mean?” You wonder, confused to his reaction but not wanting him to move a single inch. His hands on your face feels like the closest you could get to knowing what the touch of a saint is.

Nikolai keeps your gaze steady. “Come away with me,” He all but begs. “I leave soon and I don’t know when I’ll be back again. Come away with me.”

Your hands cover his. Nikolai’s thumb brush your cheekbones; his eyes shine with sheer happiness as his mind races with thought after thought of what it would be like to have you on his ship, to have you so close.

“I need you to promise me something if I’m to do this,” You warn, arching an eyebrow at the blonde.

“Anything,” He responds immediately, desperately wanting you to say yes to leaving with him, to say yes to a future with him.

“You have to promise to only let me heal you,” You state, dropping a hand in favour for poking him in the ribs. “And only me.”

Nikolai laughs; the sound ringing loud and true through the healing room. As he draws you in for an embrace, he knows that that would be a promise he could certainly keep.

[starlight-archer]

Fic Request for @ckxep "Charles and Edwin being dumb teenage boys"

They're having a little holiday weekend!

It was the first month of Autumn and things had finally slowed down at the office. They had had a busy few weeks and they had all decided that they were long due a break.

Initially, they had struggled to come to an agreement on where to go, but then the classic British September heat wave had hit and Niko had eagerly suggested that they all go to the beach.

Charles was immediately eager, it having been a long time since they had gone to one outside of a casework. He was practically already in his swim shorts and flip flops before she had even finished her sentence.

Edwin hadn't really been to the beach much while he was alive. There had been a lake on his family's estate, and there was the one Summer when he was twelve, when he had been sent to the seaside "for his health" (though he hadn't actually been allowed on the beach or in the water, and his aunt Beatrice had kept trying to feed him nettle soup).

All that to say that they had leapt at the idea.

They had debated for a while about where to go, but in the end they had settled on a two day trip to Cornwall. They had taken the train into a seaside town called Hayle from London Paddington, and Crystal had rented a chalet at a small holiday resort that had it's own private beach.

Once they arrived, they quickly realised that they would have to wait for the following day for the beach.

It was raining. A lot.

So, Charles pulled a couple of umbrellas out and they headed over to the supermarket to stock up on snacks before checking in to the chalet.

The place was pretty spacious inside, with a small kitchenette, a compact lounge with a coffee table, an open area and then two bedrooms and a small bathroom.

They set up in the small sitting area and broke out the snacks, had an afternoon of board games that Charles had brought along. Half way into it, they had started a game of Charles and Edwin throwing popcorn and gummy sweets, and Niko and Crystal trying to catch them in their mouths.

At one point, they had also made a game of seeing how many marshmallows they could fit in their mouths (Edwin had cheated by letting them phase partially through him and they embrassingly hadn't noticed until he got to ninety-seven).

The next day, they had all gotten into their beachwear and headed down to the seafront. It was a picturesque little area and due to the time of year, most of the others there were middle-aged or elderly couples (likely there in September because all of the families with children had gone back home with the end of the Summer holidays).

Crystal set up their wind shield and parasol while Niko laid out the beach towels and found rocks to weigh down the corners.

Charles put his backpack down and opened it up before pulling out two decently large shovels, both with wooden poles and brightly coloured plastic handles.

He gave Edwin a look, grinning and raising his eyebrows.

"Shovels?" Edwin looked at Charles curiously as he took the blue shovel in his hands.

"Shovels!" Charles echoed, waving his own, bright red shovel excitedly.

He brought Edwin over to a patch of sand that was a little bit damp at the top. The tide was on its way out, so they wouldn't have to worry about having to move across the beach.

"What are we doing with these?" Edwin asked, already having an idea, but still being unsure.

"Digging a hole!" Charles exclaimed.

"A hole..."

"A really big hole!" Charles made the first move to bury his shovel in the sand and toss the contents to the side. "Come on!"

Edwin hesitated for a moment, but when Charles carried on, he decided to join in. If nothing else, he was curious about the appeal.

One hour and twenty minutes later and the appeal had become more than apparent.

Edwin and Charles had managed to dig down deep enough that their heads were barely visible over the brim of the hole and it had become wide enough for at least three people to fit in there (granted, uncomfortably, but still).

"Well, I must admit that this is a strangely rewarding endeavour." Edwin said, digging his shovel into the lump of sand at his side.

"Mate! It's digging a massive hole, it's brills! It's like human nature, innit?" Charles beamed.

It felt good to do something so pointless and fun, just for the sake of it, without having any additional purpose or end goal. Just dig a hole. A really big hole. And then hope you don't accidentally make it too deep to climb out without help.

When they were done with the hole, they rejoined Crystal and Niko by the parasol and dragged them over to see the hole.

"Holy shit!" Crystal laughed. "It's like six feet deep!"

"You guys! That's crazy!" Niko hesitantly leaned over the side to peer in. "it's like the mountain of sand you dug out just makes it look even deeper."

"You basically dug a pond."

"Pretty cool, yeah?" Charles put his hands on his hips and looked incredibly proud of all their hard work.

"Pretty cool." Crystal smiled, holding back the rest of her giggles.

They all took a splash in the sea, then spent the rest of the day lounging, waiting after they had packed up for the wave that finally reached the hole and filled it up to the brim, knocking half of the dug up sand back in at the same time. They cheered.

Walking back up the path, Charles suddenly darted ahead. "Oh, yeah!" he cheered and when he turned back around, brandishing two large sticks that he had picked up from the bushes.

He threw one to Edwin, who deftly caught it. "En guarde!"

Without another word the two of them took a fighting stance and started "sword fighting" with the sticks, carrying on until they were almost back at the chalet, where Edwin finally managed to disarm Charles, sending the stick flying off to the left.

Before the sun had set, they finished packing up their overnight supplies, picked up some takeaway chips for the journey, and headed back to the train station. There would be one changeover at Plymouth and then they would be on their way back to London.

Vacation well spent.

[specialagentlokitty]

Lucifer (fox) x reader - the time of giving

For Fox Lucifer, could you do a Christmas one where Reader is a janitor and is upset because she can't afford to buy Christmas presents for her kids so Lucifer decided to drop a couple of checks in Reader's bag. - Anon💜

Sitting on a chair in an empty interrogation room, you felt tears brimming your eyes as you looked at your paycheck.

They had just been given out, and you were hoping for maybe a Christmas bonus or something would be handed out but apparently not.

You weren’t part of the police, you were just part of an external company who the police hired to come and clean the building.

Folding it up, you put it back into your pocket and ran a hand down your face.

The door opened and you quickly got up, grabbing your things.

“Oh, I wasn’t aware anybody was in here.”

“Sorry Mr Morningstar, that’s my fault. I’m just finished if you need this room.”

He looked at you as you walked past.

“Is everything alright?”

“Yeah, of course.”

You gave him a weak smile and quickly ran off.

Lucifer furrowed his brows as he watched you leave.

He had seen you around, a lot of people enjoyed chatting to you. You were friendly, and helpful, and you kept anything the officers lost so they could have it back.

He hasn’t had much of a conversation with you before, but he knew that there was something wrong with you.

So he left the room, and made his way back to where he had come from.

“Detective.”

“Lucifer.”

Chloe looked up from what she was doing and he glanced down at the present she was wrapping.

“Is that for the spawn?” He asked.

“Lucifer does Trixie look like she would play with a toy truck?” She asked.

Lucifer shrugged a little bit.

“Maybe.”

Chloe groaned, rolling her eyes at him as she carried on wrapping the present.

“It’s for (Y/N)’s boy, every year we all come together and buy a few things for her twins.” She said.

“Who’s (Y/N)? Why haven’t I met her? Why do you buy her kids gifts why can’t she do it?”

Chloe glared at him, hitting his arm.

“Don’t be such an ass lucifer, not everybody can afford to buy presents. (Y/N) was in hospital a few years ago, she got shot protecting one of the uniformed officers downstairs, and since they we all try get her some stuff for the boys.”

“Okay, but who is she?”

“The cleaner? You talk to her everyday. How do you not know her name lucifer?!”

“I never asked!” He huffed.

He watched as they put a hamper of presents together for you, and he felt something bugging him about it.

The fact that you had this medical debt, and the force wouldn’t even clear it for you.

As he was walking around trying to think of something, he bumped into you again and you smiled at him slightly.

“See you later.” You said.

“Yes, have a good day.” He smiled.

He watched you leave, and noticed something fell out of your bag, and that’s when the idea hit him.

Quickly pulling something from his pocket, he slipped it into your book and jogged after you.

“(Y/N)!”

You turned around.

“You dropped this, here I’ll put it in your bag turn around.”

“Oh thanks.”

He put the book in your bag and zipped it up for you, and you waved at him before leaving.

Happy with himself, lucifer went back to find Chloe again.

When you got home, you paid your babysitter and set your bag on your bed before leaving your bedroom.

“Niko, Julian, come on snack time!”

The two boys came running through to the kitchen before climbing up at the table to sit down.

“Will you draw with us mommy?” Niko asked.

“Of course I will sweetie. Eat your snack first. Julian do you want to draw?”

The other boy shook his head.

“What do you want to do?”

“Trains.”

“Okay, well how about while we draw, you set your trains up and we’ll draw them, yeah?”

“Yeah!”

Laughing softly, you happily spent the rest of the afternoon with them until it was their bedtime, and you went to your room to read.

Grabbing your book, you opened it to pick up from where you left off and you notice a couple of things fall out.

“Oh my god…”

You looked at the cheques, and the sheer amount of money that was written on them.

Quickly grabbing your phone, you found the number for his club and called it, waiting for someone to answer.

“Oh, Mr Morningstar, I’m sorry to bother you I was wondering if we could talk?”

You listened to his reply.

“Yes, you can come to my apartment.”

Giving him your address, you got up to begin cleaning for when he arrived which didn’t take long.

He knocked on the door and you opened it, letting him in.

“Is everything alright? I assume you would have called the detective.” He said.

Then he grinned a little bit.

“Unless you wanted to see me.”

You laughed a little.

“Nothing like that, I actually have something for you.”

You walked to your coffee table and brought the two cheques back over to him.

“I think you lost these, I wanted to return them as soon as I found them.”

He looked at them and chuckled, shaking his head as he covered your hands with his, pushing them back towards you.

“You misunderstand love, they’re for you.”

“W..what..?”

Lucifer helped you sit down, and he sat next to you.

“The detective told me everything, how you struggle for money, and what happened a few years ago. Frankly it’s unacceptable, so this is enough money to clear your debt and give your spawn a good Christmas for a few years.”

Tears burned your eyes and you clenched your jaw a little as you shook your head.

“I.. thank you but I.. I can’t accept it..” you whispered.

“Why not? I don’t need it and you clearly do.”

You sighed.

Sniffling a little bit, you wiped your eyes, shaking your head again.

“I’m sorry.. I.. I can’t..”

Lucifer frowned.

“Is it not enough? I can give you more.”

“No! No…”

You took his cheque book from him and set it on the table, looking at him

You took a deep breath.

“Yes, okay. I need the money, but taking it now won’t change anything. I’m raising two boys on my own, I’m going to have things I can’t afford, and that’s okay. They’re happy, they’re healthy and that’s all I could ask for.”

“Yes, maybe so, but this can clear all of that.”

You heard footsteps and you turned around.

“Julian? What’s wrong sweetie?”

The boy padded over, climbing into your lap and rested his head on you.

“The monsters are back..”

Lucifer titled his head a little.

“The monsters?” He asked.

“They’re under the bed…”

You smiled softly, kissing his head.

“How about I’ll go check for monsters, and then afterwards we’ll put the Christmas tree up a little early, how’s that?” You asked.

Julian nodded his head and you sat him next to lucifer.

“You stay here with Mr Morningstar, he’s a friend.”

With that you got up and left the room and Lucifer looked at your son, watching as another came padding out to sit with his brother.

“You dress funnily.” Niko said.

“Well so do you, your shirt is backwards.”

Niko frowned, and he glared a little at lucifer.

“Santa won’t bring you present if you’re mean.”

“Is that so?”

The two boys nodded their heads quickly.

Niko got up, and he began to get his toys out and lucifer watched him.

“Why are there monsters under your bed?” He asked.

“Sometimes they just stay there… I’m scared they’ll hurt my mommy…” Julian whispered.

“Well, from what I heard your mother is a brave woman.”

Then an idea hit him.

If you wouldn’t accept his money, then instead he would do the boys what they wanted Santa to bring them.

Then he would buy the presents and bring them over for you a few days before Christmas.

It was a flawless plan and he was proud of himself for it, and he couldn’t wait to see the look of shock when you saw

[theworldisyonces]

Beyoncé & JAY-Z attended a LVMH event in Paris (3/13/24).

Bey is wearing a Ralph Lauren Erin Foiled Georgette jumpsuit, a Nikos Koulis Emerald bolo tie, and a Sarah Sokol Millinery Wide Brim Velvet Fedora.

[nightmargin]

so this has been into my head for a while now, and i have been wondering, is niko's scarf blue or purple? i ask that given i seen a lot of people color it as purple, and others, color it with a dark-ish light blue color

It's um... it's blurple

er.... up until fairly recently, I didn't have a set palette for niko (or other oneshot characters) and everything was just relative color. niko's scarf, for example, is always lighter than their hair (and other things like hat brim should always be lighter than the hat top, skintone should always be darker than eyes, etc)

(I recommend not doing this, my life got way easier after I started making a palette)

[whumpasaurus101]

Chapter Seven

Previous

---

“Does it hurt?” 

Niko had hoped he would have been left by himself, but no, apparently the torture was not over just yet. He sat on the couch of the sitting room, hugging his knees tight to his chest.

Even from the look of the room, Niko could tell Martyn was a goddamn billionaire. The couch was a clean white, a small chandelier hanging from the ceiling above them as the huge tv played some football match. The team was probably looking at it now, probably already have forgotten about him.

“Mhm…”

He couldn't even rest his back against the back of the couch from the deep slashes that painted his back. Tears were brimming his eyes. Gid, he was pathetic, he was feeling so sorry for himself! 

His eyes zoned back into the room as someone entered the room, placing a tray in front of the two before walking hastily back out of the room. Niko’s eyes lit up as he saw two bowls of steaming hot soup along with a mug that looked like hot chocolate.

Martyn chuckled, picking up a bowl and handing it to Niko, “Careful, buttercup, it's hot.”

Niko wasn't even bothered by the petname, he stirred the soup with his spoon. He could cry from relief, taking the spoon and gently slurping, wincing from how hot it was. Martyn bursed into a loud chuckle, “What did I tell you?” His voice was playful as he ruffled Niko’s hair affectionately.

Niko couldn't help but lean into the warm affectionate touch. After such a brutal, rough handling, this was almost….sweet. Niko tried to snap himself out of his thoughts, eyes flicking up to the television. He felt the other’s eyes on him, wishing the couch could just swallow him whole.

“Your face is too pretty for all of this gang violence.”

Niko clenched his jaw tight, swallowing the bile which slowly rose up his throat, making him feel ill, “‘m not…” in a gang. Oh, there was no point. Martyn saw past him. He already gave up one of his teammates. There was no going back.

He simply just slowly ate his soup, watching as one of the players wearing full red gear passed the line, scoring a point for their team.

He didn't exactly understand american football. His team would always attempt to explain it to him each game but he ended up getting more confused. 

“Whats the point of this,” Niko huffed, “Why- I mean- how is thai benefitting you? Are you seriously so lonely that you have to drug someone just to-”

His head was sent flying to the side as the back of Martyn’s hand collided with his cheek. 

“Guess you are…” Niko mumbled, his tongue swiping the beads of blood gathered on his lip.

“You ungrateful brat,” Martyn snarled, “I give you warm food, water and fresh clothes- I'm even letting relax on the couch with my for christ sake-”

“You kidnapped me!!!!!” Niko cried out. This was bloody absurd! “You- you took me from my team- you're only proving them right of how I'm the weakest!” His voice broke at the end as he shoved the bowl of boiling soup on his captor’s lap.

Martyn looked up at Niko in shock, his lap burning as he shot up, the soup spilling out against the white material of the couch.

Niko knew he was dead. He quickly ran to the door, opening it quickly. Just was he began to sprint out, a hand wrapped around his waist, quickly pulling him flush against someone’s chestl

Niko cried out, kicking and thrashing in Marcus’ grip, “Let go of me!” He roared, bashing his fists anywhere he could, desperately flailing around.

“Give him the shot,” Marcus growled, “I'm changing out of these fucking clothes, and get someone to get the soup out of the fucking couch before it fucking stains.”

“And…what do I do with him?”

Niko whimpered as he felt Marcus’ grip on him tighten.

“I don't care, anything.”

As Niko watched Martyn walk out of the corridor, he felt a dull pain pinch against his neck. “No!” Niko cried out, but he knew it was too late as Marcys’ thumb recessed against the plunger.

Niko’s knees buckled as black spots engulfed his vision. He went limp against Marcus.

This couldn't get any worse.

---

Taglist: @blood-enthusiast @deckofaces @whumpifi @sleepy-dog-boy @whumpatize-me-captain @a-n-i-a-fan @sparrowsage @theelvishcowgirl @sorry-i-spaced @juniperspring @cherrychupachup @morning-star-whump @thelazywitchphotographer @kixngiggles @auroragehenna @fraugustends @jupiter-lemaris

next

[nikoisme]

Niko, Niko, may I present you with the week-long trip to Sparta! Odysseus in his matching t-shirt and shorts, socks and sandals and brim hat, Penelope looking very chic and Telemachus on one of those leash backpacks

(I'm still at work, but Brim Hat Ody never left my mind and this idea hit me)

Odysseus carries Telemachus in one of those baby carriers for hiking. Argos is coming along too btw.

The visual you just provided is so striking and you are so so right. How will i go normally about my day now

[misterlazer]

Burden

Glynda: Again, Arc!

Jaune attempted to block another strike from Pyrrha. He threw a clumsy strike of his own and tripped over himself, falling to the ground. 

Glynda: We've been at this for weeks and you still don't understand!? Defend and wait for an opening. She left you multiple opportunities to get a proper strike in and you failed at EACH ONE!

Jaune: I'm sorry! I'm trying my best!

Glynda: Your best? This is your best after WEEKS of remedial training!?

Jaune: I-

Glynda: WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LEARN!?!?

Jaune: I am! I just-

Glynda: You're a failure, Arc!

Pyrrha: Ms. Goodwitch, he really is trying!

Glynda: Quite, Nikos. Arc, why are you here?

Jaune: Because I want to become a Huntsman! It's always been my dream. 

Glynda: This is how you achieve your dream? You do nothing and let your team do all of the work?

Pyrrha: He'll get better-

Glynda: I SAID QUIET NIKOS!!! You've shown no improvement, Arc. You've remained the weakest and least skilled in your year. Months in this academy and nothing to show for... Maybe you should give up on this dream of yours.

Jaune: *Tears brimming his eyes* I just need more time. I Promise I'll-

Glynda: You're a burden, Arc.

Jaune: …

Glynda: A burden to your team. To everyone here.

Jaune: I… I'm sorry.

Glynda: You're pathetic… Now get out of my sight.

Jaune: Yes, Ms Goodwitch…

-------------------------------------------------------

Well... I normally make shitposts and lewd stuff but this has been on my mind for a while. Continue the sad or make Jaune's day better. The choice is yours!

[kaigarax]

Bittersweet

Niko Ikki x Reader

Quote: "Fall in love with someone bringing you forward." & "Fall in love with an attentive heart."

Someone You Loved Featuring: The Bookkeeper

There was a nervous sort of feeling that filled Niko Ikki to the brim as he entered the building. It wasn’t his first time attending an art exhibit but it certainly felt so. There had been plenty of art exhibits he had been invited to (mostly yours) but this would only be the third he’s chosen to attend and (he’d like to point out) not for a lack of want.

The free time of an athlete, contrary to popular belief, was quite limited. Much of his free time was spent either muscle conditioning, reviewing hours of film and honing his practical skills. Not to mention when he did have games there was no way he’d be allowed to miss it, even if he was injured or sick. All of which accumulated to a small number of days he absolutely had to miss and even more when taking into account what he couldn’t stand to miss.

But, luckily, it had been the midst of the off season when the invitation arrived in the mail.

It was a pretty card, swirling coffee and chestnut browns boarded a picture that Niko was certain you’d taken. His name, so carefully and dutifully written atop the page, written by none other than you. He can tell it’s your writing from the way you dot your I’s and swerve your k’s. Almost immediately after receiving the letter did he send a reply in response.

Niko, being the ever punctual and attentive soul that he is, arrives precisely on the time which has been listed atop the card. Which means he arrives exactly an hour later than you and a half hour earlier than all the other guests. You, being the main headliner, meant you would obviously have to arrive earlier than the guest in order to make sure everything was running smoothly. And, all the other guests arriving exactly half an hour late is what all artists like to call arriving fashionably late.

Niko never really understood the term ‘fashionably late’. One of his teammates, the rich fellow that grew up in this kinda world, had tried explaining it to him but the fundamental idea of arriving late was just something Niko couldn’t get with. As an athlete, arriving late was basically a prison sentence to the bench if not the death of your career.

He looked around pensively. The room was mostly empty, if not for a few of the staff running around the back of the room trying to put the last finishing touches on everything before the exhibit was filled to the brim with people.

The small vase of red flowers makes Niko stand out like a sore thumb against the coffee gray walls and dim lighting. He thinks that maybe the flowers would match the room a little better if not for the fact that he’s chosen a bright blue vase.

“Niko!” Your voice floats through the presently empty building like the melody of a long forgotten favourite song.

He smiles, ever so slightly, “(L/n).”

“I’m so happy you decided to come.”

“Me too.”

“Have you been waiting long?”

“Just arrived.”

“Oh, that’s a relief! I was supposed to be waiting for guests to arrive but then I had to use the washroom and then by the time I realised it, it was already time to open!” You smile sheepishly, rubbing the back of your neck, “most people don’t arrive on time but they're always eager folk like you.”

Perhaps that was what drew you to Niko in the first place?

His punctual presence?

Niko’s expression betrays his persona of a cool and calculated man as a smile turns his lips upwards, “and isn't that your favourite thing about me?”

“Not when I’m running late!” You exclaim.

“Oh, that reminds me,” Niko holds the blue vase of red flowers out to you, “congratulations.”

You smile, not that practiced one that you usually greet others with, nor the one where your eyes close when you're embarrassed. You smile a pretty and genuine smile as you take the blue vase from him, “thank you Niko. You shouldn’t have.”

Niko’s heart skips a beat, “don’t think about it too hard.”

“Give me a moment to put these away and then I’ll show you around the gallery.” You say, “you’re going to love some of the photos I did this year. Definitely some of my best work. Much better than the landscape one you went to last year.”

“Don’t worry about me.” Niko I can look around well enough on my own. You focus on entertaining those art critics you’re always worrying about.”

You look torn, looking between Niko and the door before finally sighing, “you’re staying for the reception, right?”

Niko chuckles, “only for you.”

You smile thankfully before making your way off towards a door near the back of the room.

Truthfully, Niko had only planned on staying for an hour or so. He’d never really been a big fan of art and though yours was an exception there was still only so much time he could stand still staring at pictures. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to say ‘no’ when you made such an expression. Actually, he’d never been very good at saying no to you in the first place and part of him is certain you know that. The other part of him doesn't care. It’s you, afterall.

Everything feels much more abstract in this particular album, though Niko supposes it would be so with a title like ‘The Poet’. Poets are, afterall, weavers of words and creators of worlds left only to be seen in the mind. There’s no definitive person in any of the photos but it’s obviously all relating to a single person with a title like ‘The Poet’ falling into your collection of Muses.

One photo, for example, has the hand of a man holding a plastic paint brush dipped in the darkest of black paints. Letters, Niko supposes, are sprawled across leaving what he assumes to be a poetic message but the language isn’t anything he recognizes. Not that it matters anyways. He’s much more focused on the yellow edges of the paper, the corners wrinkled and ripped and torn ever so slightly. The photo’s titled ‘Between You and Me’ in golden plating at the bottom of the frame. It’s pretty.

“Bookkeeper!”

Niko turns to the loud voice letting out a deep sigh when he comes face to face with the loud and boisterous, “Dancer.”

The Dancer is a man with bright coloured hair. Not so orange yet not so red. Never quite blonde but neither a brunette. His hair is untamed and runs off in every direction it so pleases like a lion’s mane. Niko’s seen folks from all around the world but he never can seem to place where exactly the Dancer might be from. He’s well dressed, in a black suit with a splash of colour in the form of an orange tie. Niko thinks it goes well with his hair. His blue shades, on the other hand, contrast with the look and are at the least tacky. Looking very stupid inside a dark venue such as the one you’ve chosen.

What you ever saw in such a boisterous and obnoxious man is far beyond even Niko’s wildest imaginations but he supposes he’s never asked you before. Niko never doubted your choice in Muses except for perhaps this man here.

No, that’s a lie.

There are plenty of you Muses that Niko wouldn’t have picked but he does have to admit one thing. You have an eye for people that draw attention - which is why, for the life of him, he couldn’t understand why you had picked him in the first place.

Hopefully your taste hasn't once again been led astray with the Poet.

Niko can only hope.

“What’re you doing in a place like this?” The Dancer asks, “I thought Soccer players were kept in jail cells in the offseason.”

Niko rolls his eyes, though he doubts the Dancer can see it, “football.”

“Hm?”

“Football, Dancer. Not soccer.”

The Dancer shrugs, “football. Soccer. Same difference.”

Niko’d say something about Americans though he doubts that’s where the Dancer is actually from, especially from his accent. Besides, he’s certain the Dancer is doing it on purpose. Always did find some sick form of amusement from annoying others. Anyways, it would be an insult to Americans to lump this obnoxious man among them. Even right now Niko has half a mind to flip this man off or say something rude. He obviously refrains from doing so as he’d never want to ruin your big night (or just do anything to make you upset in general) but the idea is enough to cheer him up, if just a little.

“What do you want, Dancer?” Sighs Niko.

The Dancer feigns an expression of pain, “why, Bookkeeper I’m hurt! And here I was thinking we were finally friends.”

“I definitely wouldn’t have come here if I’d have known you were coming.”

“Just imagine our little photographer's expression if she heard that!”

“I’m certain she’d understand.”

“Always let you get away with little things like that.”

“That’s because I’m actually nice to her.”

“Hey! I’m nice to her.”

Niko smirks, “if you say so.”

The Dancer looks as though he wants to say something more but bites his tongue. His eyes move across the room landing on you as you’re in the middle of a conversation with a couple. You’re pointing out something about the photo the three of you are standing in front of before laughing at a joke you must’ve just told. He knows you must’ve been the one to tell the joke from the way you cover your mouth with the back of your hand.

“So what’s your consensus on the Poet?” Asks the Dancer.

Niko turns to face him, “haven’t met him. You?”

“Haven’t met him either. His name’s listed in the agenda and credits but there’s no photo of his face.”

Niko smiles ever so slightly at that, “so he’s camera shy.”

“He’s certainly not the only one.”

Niko has a jibe at the forefront of his mind but holds his tongue as you and the couple you’re talking to pass by himself and the Dancer. So instead, he turns towards the nearest photo plastered up on the wall, “any guess on who it might be?”

The Dancer points to a man standing in the back of the room with blonde hair, “what about him?”

“No,” Niko shakes his head, “his features are… plain.”

“Perhaps that’s why his face isn’t in any of the photos.”

“There’s nothing about him that screams ‘sparking’.”

“Ah yes,” says the Dancer, “sparking,” as though it’s his first time tasting the words upon his lips.

“How about him?” Asks Niko, pointing to a man close to him with gray eyes.

“Hm,” the Dancer inspects him for a bit before pulling back, “no chance.”

Niko doesn't disagree.

The two men spend more time looking at the different party guests than they do looking at the pictures containing the man they happen to be looking for. From boys looking to have just entered their early twenties to men whose hair has begun to turn gray.

Eventually they both settle on a brunette with brown eyes. The tips of his hair are dyed a green that strangely seems to go very well with the coffee brown walls of the room.

Niko shares a look with the Dancer.

Then the Dancer is off with another word, making his way towards the Poet without another word.

The Poet is tall and attractive. Perhaps not jaw dropping attractive but attractive enough to garner the attention of a female or two. Perhaps even three if he knew how to play his cards right. He’s looking around the room like a deer in headlights, shifting his weight from one foot to the other constantly. He looks nice, if not a little timid. Exactly what Niko would expect from someone too shy to actually have their face featured in any of your photos.

Some of your photos don’t even feature him in the first place like the photo title ‘Again’ for example. There’s a black book left alone on a coffee table, propped open to a page somewhere in the middle of the novel. The words ‘Friend or Foe’ are written in neat black font on the top of one page while the other side, where the author’s name would be, is covered with a black pen.

Niko assumes that the same black pen is the one responsible for leaving words scribbled along the margins of the page. Some of the words are crossed out while others are highlighted, underlined and circled. That strange letting from the photo before can be found here again. Niko wonders if it might be the same word but doesn't care enough to ask.

The Dancer, Niko notes, makes quick work of teasing your latest Muse. The boy goes from a nervous pale to a bright red in a matter of moments.

Eventually, when the Dancer has had enough tormenting the Poet (or at least Niko assumes so) he leaves to view the rest of the gallery.

Now, Niko has never really been one for confrontation but he did suddenly find himself very curious. In truth, there was only so much he really knew about you and perhaps… he might even be able to learn something new about you from the Poet. Perhaps he had managed to see something with eyes that Niko hadn’t used. And even if the Poet knew nothing he’d like to at least see why you had chosen this man to be your latest Muse.

So, Niko approaches him and greets him with a simple, “you look nervous.”

The Poet brings an arm to the back of his head, smiling sheepishly, “was it that obvious?”

Niko grins, “very.”

He’s green, thinks Niko. Almost as green as you had been when the two of you first met.

“What do you do for a living, Poet?” Asks Niko.

The Poet raises a brow, “me?”

“You are the Poet, aren’t you?” Niko lets out a nervous laugh, “unless I’m mistaken.”

“You’re not.”

“That’s good.”

The Poet looks around, eyeing Niko as though he’s scared that Niko might suddenly turn feral and decide to attack him. His unease is enough to calm Niko’s own nerves.

“And you’re the Bookkeeper, right?” Asks the Poet.

Niko shrugs, “I’m not a big fan of that particular title but yes. If it helps you to identify me.” The only one that ever really calls him that is the Dancer, but he supposes if anyone else were to use that to identify him it might as well be another one of the muses. ”So are you an author?”

“An aspiring one.”

There’s that amused smile picking at the corner of Niko’s lips again. Someone that gives flowery words to mundane things reduced to something so simple, “ironic then, isn’t it?”

“Huh?” There’s a look of confusion on the Poet’s face but it’s quickly replaced with one of recognition, “I suppose. So what do you do Mr. Bookkeeper? I don’t suppose you’re a librarian, are ya?”

Finally, Niko laughs, “I guess a title like that would cause an assumption like that! But no, I’m no librarian. In fact, I don’t even work with books. I’m a professional football player.”

“Wow!” The Poet’s eyes widened, “I wouldn’t have expected that!”

“Yeah,” Niko smiles sheepishly, “I’m not the most popular player because of my position but I do enjoy what I do.”

“So how’d you end up getting such a title in the first place?”

“I’m not so sure myself. I think it has something to do with where we met and the photos she ended up taking. I’m not even an avid reader in the first place.”

“Maybe it has to do with maintaining records. Like with banks?”

Niko shrugged.

“Maybe you should ask her about it.”

Niko eyed the Poet. Looking him up and down before finally saying, “you haven’t known her very long, have you?”

The Poet looks offended as he exclaims, “what gives you that impression?”

The familiar feeling of amusement bubbles up in Niko’s stomach, “she never answers questions the way you want her to.”

“Oh,” the Poet looks almost disheartened, and it almost makes Niko feel bad, “I guess I never really noticed that.”

Niko gives the Poet a strong tap on his shoulder, similar to how he might do when trying to cheer up one of his teammates, “I wouldn’t worry about it too much. So you plan on staying for the reception?”

“I don’t think she’d forgive me if I skipped.”

“Yeah,” Niko chuckles, “I don’t think she would either. See you around.”

“Yeah,” the Poet sighs, “see you around.”

Looks like there wasn’t much to be gained from that conversation for Niko. Though he supposes that’s how things have always been between him and you. Him watching and learning about you from a distance - you are just barely out of reach.

A blue vase of red flowers sits atop a stand in the corner of the room and it makes Niko smile. Not one of those amused of practiced smiles but a real one and his heart flutters a little. And it’s bittersweet, just like those flowers.

Fall in love with someone bringing you forward.

---

Bittersweet

“Do you think you could raise your head a little?” You asked, your eyes darting from the lens of the camera to his face.

If Niko had known, agreeing to a photoshoot would have taken this long.

“Like this?” Niko asked, raising his head.

Or been this demanding.

“A little more to the left?”

“Here?”

He certainly wouldn’t have agreed.

“Now a smidget down.”

“A smidget?”

He, contrary to what the average person would believe, was quite familiar with being behind the lens. Any professional athlete was used to being recorded while in the midst of their job. Known that they were constantly being broadcasted to the rest of the world.

There was also the factor of Media Day, where all the team's players would gather together and take a series of photos that would be shown to the public.

Those two experiences though were nothing like this. Not so personal and sporadic. None of the photographers (or cameramen) he’s ever had to deal with had been as particular or picky as you.

“Hm,” you took a step around your set up, careful not to disturb anything around him, before making your way towards him. Your hands were gentle as you repositioned Niko’s head into what you deemed was the perfect spot. You face only inches away from his own. You brought a hand to your chin as you leaned back to inspect your work. Smiling when you were finally satisfied.

None of his other experiences behind the lens had ever been quite like this.

You pulled back, a cute sorta smile on your face as you raced back to the lens. Niko’s own face flushed a bright red.

Quite this… intimate.

“Is that the last one?” Niko asked.

“Well,” you smile sheepishly, “I was hoping for one more photo but… if you’re done then we can end it here. I’m sure I have enough film to pull something together for the first half of the album.”

Niko can feel a certain warmth ebbing away at his chest as he looks at your expectant smile, “find. One more, but that’s it.”

“Thank you!” You beam, bouncing up to move your camera to another spot of the room, “I promise it’ll be quick.”

Niko chuckles, “I can only hope.”

You make a show of rolling your eyes but Niko can see the hint of a smile on your lips.

He’s barely a year older than you but sometimes it feels like a lifetime. You’ve just always seemed so full of youth and life. So excited for everything you get the chance to do. From the moment he first met you until now. Of course, he thinks it might be related to how the two of you were raised. The things in your life that influenced you up until now.

His own upbringing had forced him to grow up in conventional and crazy ways; and almost everything in his life had seemed to revolve around football. European football, that is.

Your own, in comparison, seemed almost tame. Sure you did suddenly rise to fame at the ripe age of 19 but everything else before then seemed almost ordinary. You often spoke to him about the childhood friends you had growing up and the different hobbies you’d cycle through when you were young.

“So how many other albums have you done?” Niko asked, repositioning himself to face the camera.

You fiddled around with the lens, poking your head back and forth from the view of the camera to the view behind, “three.” You pulled out a small compact mirror from your pocket holding it up to the sky before quickly closing it and throwing it back into your pocket, “do you think we should open the window?” You make your way there, not bothering to wait for a response from Niko, “yes, definitely. It’ll make it look like a photo from another day.”

Niko opened his mouth.

“No, maybe that would be too tacky. You are wearing the same thing after all,” you began.

“(L/n).” Niko hummed.

“Maybe you should take off the tie?”

“(Y/n).”

“Oh, but I do quite like the tie. The look isn’t quite complete without it.”

Niko let out a laugh.

You pause, stopping suddenly, “Niko?”

The look on your face is enough to send the man into another bout of laughter.

When he first heard about you people had told him you could be quite a diva. So easily swayed one way or another. That your temper was easily nudged and almost everything someone else did could set you off. Those were, of course, rumors but rumors all have truth stemming from somewhere right?

He’d been so weary of bumping into someone with such a fickle attitude that he hadn’t even realised he first met you when he did.

Niko had bumped into you head first, sending you sprawling to the ground and breaking your camera in the process. He panicked, of course (as any sane person would have) and immediately attempted to replace it. You had agreed to the replacement of a camera but hadn’t been able to save all the photos in the camera which is how he agreed to be here in the first place.

You were so calm when he first bumped into you. A gentle smile on your face as he attempted to help you up. Niko, at one point, wasn’t even certain of what to say. Finding himself both at an impasse and loss for words. It was, afterall, not everyday that one bumped into a girl as pretty as yourself.

Both versions, the emotional and eccentric one from the rumors and the calm sweet girl he bumped into the other day, seemed like such a stark contrast from who you were now as you scrambled around the room in an attempt to take the perfect photo of him in a short amount of time. It was cute and almost heartwarming in a strange kinda way.

“Haha,” you pouted, “keep laughing.”

And he did, of course. But it wasn’t as though he needed your permission in the first place. An expression like that already seemed to do the trick well enough.

‘SNAP.’

Niko’s laughter stopped, as he looked up at you curiously, “(L/n)?”

“Oh, not so funny now, huh?” You teased.

Niko chuckled, “of course.”

“Now are you ready?”

Niko gave the camera his best smile, “like this?”

You smiled apologetically, “do you think you could raise your head a little?”

Niko made a show of sighing but his heart did a strange little thumping pattern as he watched you from afar, fiddling with the lens.

For you, he’d do anything.

---

“What’re you doing out here, (L/n)?” Niko asked, taking a step out from the warm lodge lobby and into the cool outdoors.

Thick fluffy white puffs of dust, known as snow, fluttered down from the sky. There was no music but a slow and lethargic rhythm to the snow as it fell. Here, Niko imagines, is where the protagonist in a romantic comedy would get down on one knee and finally profess his love for the girl that he’s been slowly falling in love with over the past week. The climax to all the emotions that have been building up through the course of the film.

Here, Niko imagines, is where someone like you ought to exist.

In the midst or ordinary and supernatural. Of reality and fairytale. In the very pinnacle of Romance and immigration, where the lives of so many seem to meet.

You’re not dressed particularly warm but you don’t seem very bothered by the cold despite the tip of your nose dipped a shade different from the cold. There’s a scarf wrapped around your neck that looks to be more made for males but Niko doesn't care enough to know or ask. If you cared enough to tell him then you would.

“It’s snowing.” You answered.

“You can watch the snow from inside too, ya know.”

“I know.”

Niko took a deep breath of the cool air, moving to stand beside you, “but it just isn’t the same?”

You smiled, “yeah.”

Niko never really thought much of snow and when he did it was mostly of the cold weather in general. Cold weather meant he’d no longer be able to go out and play football with his friends. Meant he’d have to stay indoors or find some indoor football gym which was far and few between.

Right now though, spurred on by your own attitude, Niko finally took the time to stop and look around.

It was pretty, in a etherial sorta way.

Like those photos his mother used to love looking at when he was young. The kind of photos she’d point out to him and speak about missing when she was young. And it did remind him of his youth. A time when everything seemed so much simpler than it was now. So much more out of reach.

You’re a little bit like snowflakes, Niko thinks. So beautiful, seeming as though you’ve fallen from heaven down onto earth. Something meant to be admired. Even if people like him ignore you there will certainly be a moment when he’s forced to stop and admire you, like now.

He held a hand out, reaching out for a snowflake falling down.

‘Snap.’

Niko pulls his hand back and turns to look at you.

You’re holding a small instant film camera, smiling sheepishly as the camera prints a photo. Likely a photo of him.

“(L/n).” Niko hums.

“Niko.”

“Can I see that photo?”

“Are you going to give it back?”

He smiles, “of course.”

Hesitantly, you hold your arm out and hand the photo over to him.

It’s still mostly black but blotches of white and grey are starting to appear. He can begin to make out the snowflakes amongst the grey clouds of the sky and the contract of the scarf against his own skin. He thinks that… It's actually a rather nice photo of him. Usually, Niko has to try for ages to finally be happy with a photo of himself but this one captures him well. Not appearing too soft or harsh for the lens.

Perhaps if every photo of him were like this he’d be more well known in the football community. Of course, he doesn't care all too much about popularity but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to be well known.

He’s reaching out for a snowflake in the photo, a half sorta grin on his face. His eyes can’t really be seen through the mess of bangs but Niko thinks he prefers it that way. Some would call him out on it but it seems fine to him. And it seems fine to you as you’ve never said anything about it otherwise.

Finally, he hands the photo back over to you.

You reach into your pocket and pull out the compact from before. He peeks over your shoulder, surprised to see neither a mirror which he expected or makes. Instead, he sees three photos, similar to the one you’ve taken of him tucked in. One of the three photos looks slightly faded with yellow edges but otherwise in good condition.

“Can I look?” Niko asks.

“Hm?”

“Can I look at the photos?”

You turn to look at Niko, then back at the photos in the compact. You look torn and Niko wonders if he’s suddenly stepped over that invisible line. There is, in society, a line between oneself and everyone else. The delicacies of society and the individual is to figure out just where that line is for every person.

It seems that here is yours.

Melting after being in his hand for a little too long.

Eventually you hand the compact over to Niko.

The slightly faded photo is of a young boy whose expression seems to be a mix between a smile and scowl. Niko finds the expression quite relatable. He wonders if this is the childhood friend you’ve always talked so much about.

The next is a man with dual coloured hair. He’s resting his head on a dark table as he stares into the lens of a camera with a dreamy expression. Niko thinks he recognizes him but can’t quite place his name.

Lastly, there’s a salmon haired man who's been captured mid laugh, a bright look in his eyes. He’s younger than Niko is in the photo and seems a little like you. Filled with a sense of youth that Niko has long grown out of.

“So did you always want to be a photographer?” Niko asks, handing the compact back over to you.

“Well,” you hummed, “I did always want to see the world. I just sorta figured out the photography thing along the way. Did you always want to be a Football player?”

“I always enjoyed Football growing up and I guess somewhere along the way I realised my dream was to go professional.” Niko smiled, “guess we aren’t as different as I thought.”

“No,” you say, “we most certainly aren’t.”

Fall in love with an attentive heart.

[gageblackwood]

In Stars and Time

I swear this is the first game I've played that has made me wanna write fanfiction. I'm not much of a writer!

But I really want a crossover so I could introduce Siffrin and Niko from OneShot to each other.

[Image ID: a sticker sheet of Niko from OneShot sold by fangamer. Nico has blue hair and yellow eyes, and wears a long coat with oversized sleeves that hide their hands. They also wear a hat with a wide brim that has car ears, and a long blue scarf. The sheet shows Niko in a variety of poses, including one where they are about to eat a stack of pancakes half as tall as they are. End ID]

I mean, they're both Little Guys™ with funny hats who go through the same events multiple times, and both end up with a fair bit of trauma but also a happy ending.

It's also interesting to think about the differences between how they relate to the character that can remember the loops, i.e. Loop in ISAT and actually literally you (the player) in OneShot.

There's also just the crossover possibility of being able to give Loop a happy ending via OneShot's reality breaking mechanics/in game acknowledgement that it is a game that other programs running on the same computer can access and modify.

I donno. Actually thinking about writing it is daunting, but I like the idea of it.

[mr-stephens]

find time for yourself