#not badly just. “i got mad at you and you still love me?? i'm scary and you still love me???? etc.”

[here-comes-the-bard]

thank you molly i have been thinking about yaevinn and prey animal rage since 6 am in between the owie of the day. he is not a hunter but by god he fights like he is being hunted and that might actually be scarier.

come to think of it, yaevinn started expressing his anger more at around the same time as he started actually making an effort to keep himself alive in combat... the moment he started to realize that his life is worth something and that it's at risk of being snuffed out, the moment he realized how many times he's been cornered, how he's STILL cornered, he got angrier and became less and less likely to take shit. even when it was perceived; even from his partner (these two things happened together at the same time, yaevinn was already upset and nithral was just making sure he didn't. fuckin waltz off to his death).

[wesleysniperking]

25 things I remember and tell myself when it's tough to support Usopp in a shonen world.

1. If Usopp had a solo movie, it would make up for his lack of screen time.

2. If When Elbaf is his moment to shine, it can absolutely counter everything haters say he lacks. Usopp is fabulous regardless; he just doesn't see it himself.

3. I'm not sure why other fans get mad when people defend their favorite character. If an Usopp fan sees a comment like "Usopp needs to go die in a hole," it's natural to respond. Insulting someone's favorite character invites a reaction.

4. Usopp is awesome and has nothing to prove.

5. There's a beauty in retrospect. I believe he'll receive better reception by the time I'm using a walker. Yesterday's taboos are today's norms.

6. You can't take away Usopp's sniping abilities. He may be called the weakest, but no one can deny he's the best sniper. Look at his dad.

7. I believe people have forgotten storyteller Usopp, especially when they don't understand why Elbaf is significant.

8. If Usopp doesn't get his moment in Elbaf, fans will be justifiably upset. Franky's Egghead and Zoro's Wano arcs had different build-ups. Who's the outlier here?

9. Saying Usopp doesn't have Observation Haki is the dumbest thing haters say. Even non-canon reminds us that he has it. Some are just mad that he got it.

10. I don't understand how someone can passionately hate Usopp and how he's written without blaming Oda. Criticizing Usopp's writing implies Oda's done some bad writing, which is okay! No one is perfect.

11. Of all the reasons Usopp is hated, the Wano situation where he told Nami to lie is the most frustrating to defend. It genuinely beats out Water 7.

12. Usopp is the most flawed Straw Hat in the fandom's eyes. I compare him to King David a lot, especially since David is considered a warrior king who fought Goliath and was heavily flawed, yet God still loved him. Like King David, who was one of God's favorites because he had a good heart and held no pride, Usopp isn't as prideful, arrogant, or selfish as he seems. He doesn't even lie that much. People wonder why Luffy let Usopp join; it's because Luffy, like God with David, sees a good heart with no pride in Usopp.

13. Whatever happens, flaws and all, Usopp will always be my favorite.

14. I don't understand how fans can talk so badly about Usopp. Yes, people find him grating and irredeemable. But neglecting a humanist approach is scary. If you can't tolerate a character like Usopp and put him down as weak, inferior, and irredeemable, something's wrong.

15. I might project onto Usopp, and he might be my comfort character, but I root for him and accept him for who he is. Recently, I thought I wouldn't pass my finance class at university but managed to get a B with enough grit and tenacity. Usopp faces that all the time!

16. If you're waiting for Usopp to "finally be brave," you might need to find another character. It's like picking a university degree; Usopp isn't for you.

17. Despite everything, Usopp is still awesome. No one will ever overshadow him to me. I'm all in with tunnel vision.

18. Usopp embodies the idea that the greatest are the least, and the least are the greatest.

19. 19. Usopp is only 19. People need to give him grace. At 19, I was still a kid!

20. If Usopp is such a bum, why do people remember him? How does he bring the crew down? Recently, there's nothing to suggest he's hindered the crew's success.

21. Sniper King doesn't need to come back. It annoys me when haters say he needs to return because they hate the current Usopp. It's a weird flex.

22. Yes, Yasopp isn't a good dad, but he's not the worst anime dad. It bothers me when people emphasize this to prove Usopp is a “bum” compared to his crewmates. It's unfair.

23. I believe Oda is saving something big for him. If I'm wrong, it will be devastating, but I'll find a way to defend it. I won't be alone.

24. Syrup Village is a goated arc. Usopp is the reason the crew got a ship.

25. Disregarding all agendas, ships, headcanons, theories, and projections, Usopp is still a character worth respecting and rooting for. This will be MORE evident 20+ years from now. Just wait.

usopp community I created. feel free to join. (still wip, but you can post anything!).

Gif credit

[spop-romanticizes-abuse]

Actually hang on, that AU would have so much potential.

Adora seeing Imp as her chaotic little sibling who helps out with pranks etc but might also snitch on her and Catra. Also, more internal conflict because he and Hordak are, at least on some level, family to her.

The other cadets not interacting with C and A because A is Hordak's protegee and C is SW's. Both of them are scary, so C and A really only have each other, which makes their separation in s1 only hurt more and make Catra all the more obsessed with getting Adora back bc she literally doesn't have anyone else (until Scorpia) (she could bond with Imp?)

Catra struggling to bond with Scorpia and accepting her friendship because she never had any friends outside Adora so, oops, social skills whomst? But eventually learning how to be a decent friend and growing as a person, as well as letting the sting of Adora's departure fade a little. She gets to grow as a person AWAY from Adora so that once she does join the Alliance, she is a bit more functional.

Catra worrying about Scorpia during s5.

Catra, spying at Angela interacting with Glimmer: oh ew what is this? Affection? What a cheap attempt at manipulation. -> Wait a minute, this looks... nice, actually. -> If she's the evil one, why is she such a good mom? -> Why isn't SW being this good to me? -> FUCK OFF SHADOW WEAVER YOU'RE A HORRIBLE MOM I'M OUTTA HERE.

Adora getting dragged back to the Horde in s3 and Hordak potentially acting like a disappointed father whose teenage daughter came home late from a party.

"Did you get everything out of your system? Y'know, Horde Prime would've killed me if I did what you did. You should be grateful."

[some character development later] "Hey, wait a minute... You shouldn't kill/brainwash people for doing that. HORDE PRIME IS AN ASSHOLE."

The comedy of Adora looking at Entrapta and Hordak interacting like "??????????????? HORDAK??? HAVING POSITIVE EMOTIONS??? DO I HAVE TO CALL ENTRAPTA MOM FROM NOW ON?????????"

Entrapta: I fucked your dad shitlips

Catra feeling genuinely horrible for Angela getting trapped between dimensions bc of the portal not only because she learned that Angela was good all along, but because she glimpsed what it's like to have a good mother figure and she took that away from Glimmer.

Maybe even Catra knocking some sense into Bow because he's mad that Glimmer did the stuff she did in s4. "Dude, cut her some slack. I know what it's like to be in position of authority (force captain) and it's stressful as hell. We were winning back then so you guys were losing badly and she was/is grieving. You do stupid shit when you're stressed and desperate (I would know, I made the portal happen.) So just... I'm still not 100% sure how to be a good friend so take what I say with a grain of salt but... Y'know, go easy on her."

^ character growth, shows willingness to forgive and thus bridge the gap between her and Adora. Results of being friends with Scorpia, feeling like shit when Scorpia left her, and the self reflection done throughout s4 following the "oh God I fucked up" at the end of s3.

No Melog. I'm sorry I just don't see the point. Instead, I'd really want to see Swiftwind be featured more heavily. Possibly Catra initially thinking he's weird bc she's never seen a horse before and later going "hey, you're close with Adora. Can we, uh, compare notes? I spent the last 3 seasons being her enemy and I'd like to go back to being her friend now. Help?"

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH. this AU would have worked so much better than the trainwreck that we got. (also the idea of entrapta technically becoming adora's mom crossed my mind too, it would have been HILARIOUS)

[itslenagain]

[ Part 1 / Part 24 ]

Part 25

(Temple of Olympus...)

"....you're joking, right?!"

"Nope. That's Zeus."

"....what the fuck did she do to him?!?!"

"....revenge? Justice? Unhinged feminine rage?"

Asclepius curses, then downs a large glass of wine in one gulp. "You people will be the death of me."

"Of course not. You can't die!" Athena smiles and leaves Asclepius with the jar of ash that used to be Zeus. He has his work cut out for him.

"...I should leave him like this, as payback for making me a God. It'll take him at least 200 years to heal himself without my help." The jar rattles in his hand, and he rolls his eyes.

(Earlier, at the Temple of the Fates...)

Kimberly's hands shake as she hands Hera's thread back to Lachesis to inspect.

"Hmmm.... yes, that looks right.... oh, are you sure this goes here?" Kimberly's eyes grow wide, and she double checks. She carefully nods. "Okay, well... I guess if it's wrong, we will know soon enough!"

"What do you mean by that?!"

"Well, from prior experience, getting it wrong has serious mental and physical consequences for-"

"It's Hera!" Artemis's voice rings through the Temple. "We need help!"

Kimberly goes pale. She rushes towards the voice that tortured her in her nightmares. She sees a young woman, covered in sweat and blood, with a large bow fastened to her back. She stiffens as Kimberly approaches. "Where is Hera?!"

"She's outside... umm, I think we need to-" Kimberly pushes past Artemis, ripping her way through the vines covering the Temple.

A group of Goddesses are gathered around Hera's motionless body. Kimberly runs hard, nearly crashing into Nike as she falls before Hera. She grabs Hera's hand. It's cold. Tears burst from Kimberly's eyes. She squeezes the hand. No response.

"Kimberly, please, we are trying to help," Panacea says, trying to take Hera's hand back. Kimberly refuses to release it. Panacea looks at Iaso, who carefully crosses to Hera's other side. She lifts Hera's wrist, feeling her heartbeat. She looks back to Panacea, who puts her hand over Kimberly's. "She's incredibly weak. We need to help her. Please let us," she pleads.

"I gave my mortal life away for her. I'm not moving." Kimberly rubs Hera's hand between hers. "Wake up, please. I forgive you for everything. I'm sorry I got scared. I'm still learning, but I desperately want to be a part of your world, of your life." She kisses the fingers. "Please be okay. I can't live with it if you're not."

Aceso looks at her sisters, who take her hands. The three form a circle around Hera and Kimberly. Slowly, the other Goddesses join in, laying their hands upon the Asclepiades. They focus their healing energy on Hera. The color returns to Hera's cheeks, but she does not stir.

Kimberly remembers what Athena told her. "Hera... when I met you in the bar that night, I had no idea that this is where we would be now... God, is it really a year later? I didn't even try because it was too scary for me to hope for more than one night. But one night with you turned into two, then four, then you living in my apartment... and it scared me then, too, because I'd never wanted that so badly before you. It made me afraid to speak at times because everything was so perfect and I didn't want to fuck it up.

"But Hera, I understand now that I can't just avoid complicated situations and hope it all works out. Our love is irrational, it's messy... but, it's also so incredible, so beyond beautiful that any words I use to describe it would just come off as an insult. I want to face adversity with you. I want to hold your hand through all the hard parts. I want to laugh with you through all the good parts. I want to make you mad and annoyed and disappointed in me, and then talk it out with you until you're proud of me again.

"My word is my bond, my love. Please, wake up. Please live, so we can have a beautiful life together. I've given everything I have to you, and I'd do it all over again. I'd choose you every time, not over myself, but because without you, I am not myself. I vow to you that I will spend the rest of my life showing you how honored I feel that I get the chance to give that to you."

Misty-eyed Goddesses listen on, refocusing from Hera to Kimberly. She begins to glow with their power. Kimberly feels it moving through her. She concentrates. It takes a moment to figure out, but she presses the energy out of her and into Hera. She watches it move through her fingertips, down her arm, all the way into her chest. She squeezes Hera's hand hard.

"I do," Hera whispers. Kimberly wraps her arms tightly around Hera, sobbing with relief. "I think I need to finalize my divorce first, though."

Slowly, Kimberly lifts Hera up and carries her into the Temple. Lachesis and Clotho rush over, inspecting Hera for any issues. They coo in satisfaction at Kimberly. The Goddesses file in, and Clotho tells them of Kimberly's success.

"There's just one more thing to work out," Atropos says. "Who will rule Olympus now that Hera has declined?"

The Goddesses look amongst themselves.

"...should we have an election?" Hestia suggests.

"Those usually end up being popularity contests," Athena counters. "They don't always work out."

"It certainly cannot be a dictatorship," Demeter says.

"We need someone who will keep Olympus as their top priority," Hebe says.

Hera and Athena both look to Artemis. "It should be you," they say in unison. They look at each other in shock, then laugh.

"...why me?"

"You were willing to do anything to protect Olympus." Hera says. "Maybe some of your actions were misguided... but we can work on that."

"None of us are perfect," Athena shrugs. "And you'll have support." She gestures to the other Goddesses, who smile at Artemis. "It'll be hard work, especially in the beginning, but it's nothing you can't handle."

Artemis swats a tear away from her cheek. "I.... I don't know what to say."

"Then don't," Hera says. She motions to Kimberly, who helps her kneel in front of Artemis. One by one, the Goddesses kneel to her.

The Fates kneel to Artemis, who calls, "Hey, I thought you said this wasn't my destiny!"

"We said you couldn't beat Zeus," Lachesis retorts, "we never said you'd fail as a leader!"

(Temple of Olympus, a week later...)

Artemis stands before the crowd of Olympians. To her right are Athena and Hebe, and to her left are Hera and Kimberly. She takes a deep breath.

"Gods and Goddesses of Olympus... I am honored to be ushering a new era. I give many thanks to those who supported me in taking the throne. We have much work to do, and I am ready.

"I envision an Olympus where Gods and Goddesses live in... relative harmony," she says, winking at Hera. Hera smiles encouragingly. "I envision a version of our world where we do not focus on our former glory, but instead, look to the future of both Deity and Mortal-kind.

"As my first order of business on that front, I wish to establish a council made of Gods and Goddesses who will assist. I will not be the leader my father was. Rather, I welcome collaboration. I welcome constructive feedback. I welcome new ideas. Anyone interested should speak with myself, or my advisors." She gestures towards Athena and Hebe, who bow.

"My second order of business is to recognize the person who made this all possible." Kimberly blushes. "Kimberly Reed of Fort Lauderdale... I know our history is, well, complicated." A few scattered laughs rise from the crowd. "But you possess a special skill that I believe will come of great use to our worlds. I thank you for what you've done thus far... and look forward to what you will do now. Please, come forward." Kimberly looks confused, but moves to kneel before Artemis. Athena smiles at her. The Fates emerge from the back of the crowd as everyone looks on in surprise. "You sacrificed yourself to save Olympus, and to save your love. I can never fully express my thanks to you. What I can do, however, is bestow a great honor upon you, if you are willing to receive it." The Fates gather around Kimberly. "I want to welcome you into the Pantheon as a new Goddess. Do you accept?"

Kimberly is stunned. Cheers bubble up from the crowd. Hera gives her a nod, tears of joy welling in the corners of her eyes. "I accept!" Kimberly stammers. She feels a warm sensation in her chest that moves slowly through her body. Her skin and eyes begin to glow. The crowd behind her erupts in applause.

"Kimberly Reed, Goddess of Historians and Destiny. We give you the name Evelyxia," Artemis says triumphantly. She bows.

"The fourth Fate!" Clotho smiles. "We told you we've been waiting for you to join us, dearie!"

(Cheyenne...)

Bev shields Joanne as reporters attempt to push through the barrier to get their pictures. Both local and national headlines have gone wild over recent events in their lives.

"SEN. PETER JONES (R, WY) ARRESTED ON CHARGES INCLUDING MURDER, KIDNAPPING, WEAPONS TRAFFICKING."

"SEN. JONES, CLAIMING MADNESS CAUSED BY *GREEK GODS,* TO PLEAD INSANITY IN MIND-BOGGLING TRIAL."

"WOMAN ACCUSED OF ARSON, MANSLAUGHTER RETURNS FOR TRIAL AFTER ALLEDGED KIDNAPPING."

"ATTY BEV JONES ON EX-HUSBAND'S CRIME SPREE: MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE VICTIMS."

They dodge the press and duck into the Sherriff's office. Bev gives Joanne a hug as she is moved back into her secured cell. The sheriff sees her, and motions for her to follow him.

"You're gonna want to see this," he says, "but don't tell anyone it came from me." He turns his computer monitor to face her. Her heart stops. "This came from a street camera the night of the fire. Your friend? There's no denying she set fire to your office. But, watch this," in the video, through a window, Joanne can be clearly seen closing the door to the office and pulling the fire alarm. "Most doors, even cheap ones, do a pretty good job of containing fires. She wasn't trying to take the building down." As Joanne is seen drunkenly stumbling out of the building, a figure appears in the window. "Watch. This is where it gets good." The figure opens the door. It appears to have a canister in hand, and dumps more gasoline onto the fire, causing it to spread into the hall. It moves closer to the window, and Bev gasps.

"Peter."

"Yup. As far as I'm concerned, he's the one responsible for the deaths from that fire." Bev puts her head in her hands. "Hey, you didn't know, okay? And we wouldn't have either if we didn't get an anonymous tip." He slides an envelope across the table to Bev. On the front is a doodle of an owl wearing a cat ear headband. "Friend of yours?"

"Might be," Bev says incredulously. She opens the envelope. She won't get off completely, but this will help. -Athena. Bev smiles.

She goes to share the news with Joanne. "We can argue your charges down, maybe even to a misdemeanor."

"...I knew he was an evil asshole, but even I didn't think he would go this far," Joanne says. She slumps down against the wall of her cell. "I still feel responsible."

"Listen. There's still a lot to sort out, and you're going to have to take accountability for what you did. But... you didn't kill those people." Bev sighs.

As Bev exits the Sherriff's office, she stops in her tracks at a familiar sight. She nearly trips as she runs to embrace Hera. "I'm so glad you're okay," she says. She looks at Kimberly, giving her a hug next. "You too, I was so worried.... and you're shiny...?"

"I'm a Goddess now, too."

"....you know what, I don't even need to know. I'm just glad everyone is safe and alive. This is all too much to process." She pulls a cigarette out of her jacket and lights it.

"I heard you and Jo are a thing?" Kimberly teases.

Bev blushes. "Yeah, yeah, keep talking." She flicks her cigarette. "Can't take you seriously with you looking like a damn Twilight vampire over there." Kimberly laughs.

"Bev, I still need your help with my divorce," Hera says. "I promise it won't get crazy this time."

"No way, uh-uh. Don't make promises you are absolutely not going to be able to keep!"

[ Last one next! ]

You are a divorce lawyer, the best in your field. You have just received word that you will representing the Greek goddess Hera in her divorce from Zeus.

[rryeongchaes]

Chaeryeong face and hands don't match fr 😵 but that's the charm (charms), don’t you think? No wonder dlc Ryu goes crazy over them, even acknowledges that she saw the thirst tweets (I loved that detail)

I also think that dlc ryeji wouldn't really stay mad for a long time and OF COURSE, Chaeryeong would keep them both "grounded" without any like, affection until they sort it out. But what if: ryeji working together, tripping over their feet to make it up to Chaeryeong when they mess up and Chaeryeong is angry at them?

My RyuRyeong, the coworkers allegations are once again making the rounds after that interview I fear (but they are still going strong in my heart).

Just finished Space Kids 4 chap, really enjoying it and I'm sure it will get even better. Have a nice day RCP! Thank you for the update!

Exactly anon, that's her charm ;)

(dlc ryu going crazy for them is a reflection of how insane the charms make me feel.. lol the thirst tweets yeah, a truly universal experience, it is my working theory that every chaery lover is secretly obsessed with them)

You see the vision! Hmm, I think they'd have to mess up pretty badly for that but it could happen? An angry ryeong is a scary ryeong..

My sweet dear coworkers... it's rough being a ryuryeong lover, I celebrated too loudly when we got that bit about chaeryeong gently waking ryu up and they had to keep me in check. (..I'm fine)

Thanks for reading Space Kids, I'll keep trying my best :) Hope you have a good day too anon!

[smiles-advice]

(TLDR: I need advice getting over a heartbreak that I feel like is entirely my own fault)

Hi, I need some advice but there's no one really I can talk to about this, so is it okay if I ask you?

Almost a year ago now I (20f) had a really bad fight with my best friend and it ended up with me kicking her out of my house and later blocking her. (I handled it badly at the time)

For context I'm really sick/ disabled and out of nowhere she started telling me that it was all in my head and I just wasn't trying hard and all sorts of stuff like that. It was awful but In hindsight I really don't think she understood why what she was saying was as hurtful as it was.. I don't think she really knew what she was doing.

There's a bunch of other context that isn't worth getting into but long story short she was really ableist to me and I couldn't deal with it and got mad and overreacted (I actually ended up calling my dad and he got mad at her too..). It was messy and painful. That's all been and gone now.

The problem is that I did and still do love her and it hasn't gone away in all that time.

In my head I know that she was awful to me about my chronic pain and fatigue and stuff and I know she didn't like me using a wheelchair despite it giving me my life back and there's a whole host of other things. But I can't reconcile that with how she's still my favourite person I've ever met and everything that makes me happy reminds me of her. I could tell you a million things that make her a good person.

It's especially difficult because she's still the person I want to go to for support??? Like so much of what I'm going through with my health right now is so scary and I wish I could talk to her about it.

I tried reaching out to her a couple of months ago to apologise for kicking her out and upsetting her. Like, despite my feelings about how she treated me I genuinely never wanted to hurt her and I regret it more than pretty much anything in my life????

But that went badly. She made it seem like she didn't think she'd done anything wrong (i.e the whole ableism stuff) and I ended up blocking her again. Not exactly my finest moment. I really  messed up 100% would have been better for both of us if I hadn't tried reaching out. No chance in hell of me fixing stuff after that.

But now I just don't know what to do with myself. I feel like I ruined our friendship over nothing. The pain of not having her in my life is so much worse than anything she said that hurt me. I feel like such an awful person for hurting her, but there's literally nothing I can do to fix that now. I just feel completely heartbroken but since I never told her I loved her it doesn't feel fair to call it a heartbreak. I just feel like I made such a massive mistake.

I don't know if you're able to give me any advice to get over this/ her. (I've thought over what I could have done differently about 5000 times) But I just really needed to ask someone. Idk I just feel like I'm a terrible person rn lol

(I'm really sorry about how vent-y this is as well)

Hello lovey!

First off, I'm so very sorry for how long it's taken me to respond, my heads been a mess, I've been in a manic episode, I'm getting back. Sorry.

Now, all of this advice is just my personal opinion. Take it or leave it.

Personally, I think you're in the right here. I think cutting people off is never easy, especially when they are so close to you, but I think you did well. Blocking them, not engaging, that's the right move. You don't need someone in your life who invalidates you and your health like that.

I personally wouldn't have reached out to them at all, but I can see why you did.

It's gonna be hard to move on. They were important to you, they played a part in your life, and you can't just forget that. It's important to remember that they weren't a good friend to you, that you're better off without them. Just keep reminding yourself of that.

Also, don't apologise for venting. I don't mind!

Hope I've helped, sorry again,

lots of love 💕

[silkiemae]

Gleam by Raven Kennedy

My Rating: 5/5

THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW. I'M SORRY, I CAN'T HELP MYSELF. I am genuinely shocked to say that I loved this book. Is it a perfect book? Not by any means but Auren holds a very special place in my heart and watching her journey in this book was great. This quickly became one of my favorite books because of her alone. I like Raven Kennedy's prose a lot, but sometimes it gets just a little bit too flowery, and there are still the occasional bizarre metaphors, but for the most part, I enjoy it a lot. This book is huge, but I finished it in a little under three days because it kept me so engaged. This book has so many things that I enjoy. Angry women who finally get their revenge. Abusive men who get their just desserts. Scary, intimidating dudes who are soft just for their lady loves. Badass powerful women. ~Drama~  I don't even really know how to write a review for this book to be honest. I've seen people complain that the last few books didn't really have much of a plot but I feel like this series is more character focused than plot-centric and I'm not really mad about it. I feel like it gained its footing here with a potential for a really cool political fantasy plot and while that could've been integrated into the first two books better I don't really think it harms the series as a whole. (I still think books 1&2 could have been combined, however.)  Watching Auren finally come to realize just how much of a monster Midas is was so wild, honestly. I got genuinely angry reading their fights on Auren's behalf because it is so real. When you have dated someone or know someone who has dated someone abusive like that I think reading something like this could be incredibly cathartic. I've been wanting Midas to die since book one and when Auren finally snaps it is wonderful That kiss? Those five taps? *chef's kiss* I wanted more Malina in this story and it's a bummer to see her fumble her kingdom so badly tbh. I wanted her to win over Midas and it's a bummer she can't really do that now but whatever, Auren deserved to be the one to take him down.  I loved Kaila, I think she is a fascinating character and her power is awesome. I can't wait to read more about her in the next book and honestly the idea of her as a villain is exciting but I also like her so much and don't want her to die lmao.  Slade...oh, Slade. Listen, his dirty talk makes me very uncomfortable but I love him. It has been such a long time that I have genuinely liked a male love interest in a fantasy series and it is such a breath of fresh air to finally be able to say that I found a dark fantasy romance that I actually like. I always said that I will never like a villain romance where the dude is abusive to the girl he claims to love. I am super into the scary, intimidating dude who is also hot but only if he is soft for the one he loves. Slade is so soft for Auren. I love how he wants her to fight for herself and doesn't want to take her choices for her. I loved him in the last book, and I love him even more in this book, and I am ready to learn more about him and his brother Ryatt.  This also proves to me that faeries can be written with those animalistic, "dominating" qualities and it can be done well! Like the fact that I don't hate Slade and actually really really like him is saying something.  Anyway, 5/5, I loved this. I love Auren, I love her so much. Also, if her ribbons don't grow back...I'm coming for you, Raven Kennedy. 

[m-aster-of-spinjitzu]

orange and gold

...I just need more Cole and Vania content, they seem like they'd be great friends.

Basically it's just 'Cole goes to visit her there, they almost burn down the kitchen, and make way too many puns', lol.

Set a few months after Master of the Mountain, but before Seabound or The Island.

Also yeah, I couldn't think of a better title, sue me- I just know that they wear one of the colours at some point, so... 🤦‍♀️😂

Trigger warnings: none I think? Huh-

Also, bingo!! I really need to learn better time management, dear freaking gosh- I hope I'm not too late though? I know it's like half a day late, eek- and I was supposed to post this earlier, but I ended up literally falling asleep while writing it😂

Thank you so much Fabro, for hosting such a cool event!:D Your comments on my fics literally never fail to make my day<3. And I'm so glad that I met so many awesome, really skilled people through this event too - it's been a lot of fun working alongside y'all:D, I wish I'd had more time to interact instead of posting stuff and vanishing lol, but exams be like:////

Prompt: cooking (does baking count as cooking? I realized too late lol-) from @ninjago-bingo 's warm board.

Word Count: 2497

---

Trying to escape from killer dire-bats hadn't been on Cole's to do list today - although the mountains were kind of beautiful.

It was a bit difficult to see them while he was being dragged to his death, but hey, didn't Jay always tell them to be more positive?

That was, until he made the mistake of looking down.

Miles of snowcapped mountains touched the pastel blue sky, but he was more focused on exactly how high he was from the ground.

Great.

Trying to swing back onto the Bounty, he didn't notice a golden-winged blur shoot past the bat, almost dropping their spear in haste.

"Let my friend go, or I'll-"

"Vania?"

She throws the spear at the bird, successfully knocking one of its wings.

Huh. She must've been practicing - throwing with accuracy while flying seemed kinda difficult.

"I'm so sorry!" she replies, grabbing his arm before he fell down too. She winces at the strain on her wings, almost dropping him onto the deck. "I was supposed to come earlier, but there was an issue with one of the mines, and it took forever to-"

"There ain't anything in this world that's managed to kill me yet," he replies jokingly, checking that the autopilot hadn't been damaged. "I doubt an angry bird is going to be the first."

"Didn't you mention that you became a ghost once? Pretty sure that means you were dead-"

"Shh, that's not an important detail," he jokes.

"If you say so," she replies with a grin. "Did I mention that Chompy's been tearing down the palace flower arrangements again?"

"Send my regards to the gardener-"

"Did you just make a pun?"

"Remind me why I decided to visit you again?"

"Because you love me?" she asks stepping onto the ground as the Bounty landed gently.

"I hereby crown you as my platonic soulmate," Cole deadpans, taking her hand. "Vania and Cole-"

"Destined to annoy each other for eternity," she giggles, swinging their hands up and down. "But seriously - thanks. I don't think I realized how much work being a queen was."

"What's it like?"

"I mean - I'm glad that people trust me, and they come to me if they have a problem, but the paperwork is a nightmare. I never get to go outside anymore, I swear."

"Paperwork? Also, you just invited me here for a week. I don't wanna disturb you?"

"Nah, I cleared my schedule, don't worry. And trust me, you don't want to know. Everything requires some sort of official written thing, and it's so boring-"

"Official? But you're the queen?"

"Well, yeah, but I don't really want to change something unless it benefits the people. Not after..."

Her smile dims, eyes straying to the palace walls.

Oh- oh.

"You're nothing like him," Cole says firmly, squeezing her hand. "I mean, if you need to take a break, or you can make your job a bit easier by cutting out something unnecessary, that's just gonna help you become a better queen. You've definitely got the interests of your people at heart, and that's the most important thing, you know? And well, uh, everything seems to be going great so far - you don't have to beat yourself up over someone else's mistakes."

"Thanks," she replies softly, her smile slowly returning. "Speaking of breaks, what do you think we should do this time?"

"You could show me around the city again?"

"You've already seen everything cool," Vania giggles, skipping ahead of him. "We don't renovate much - unlike you guys-"

"Hey, it's not our fault that our city gets destroyed every few months-"

"More like every few days," she teases, tying back her golden hair. "How about we find some dragons to adopt?"

"Tempting, but where would you keep them?"

"They could sleep in my room-"

She breaks off when she notices him laughing. "What?"

"N- nothing," Cole replies, in between laughs. "Jay and I just made a bet."

"On what?"

"How many dragons you've adopted. I bet at least six, he bet fifteen."

"Well, jokes on both of you - I'm pretty sure my advisor's going to throw a fit if I show up with another one," she starts, giggling. "We've got twenty living in the palace right now."

"Twenty dragons?"

"They're so cute! You just look into their adorable little eyes," Vania pauses for breath, continuing her animated gesturing, "and you can't help but wanna hug them!"

"Oh, Jay's going to be so mad."

"Aww, I'm sorry guys. They're just too adorable!"

"...Wanna hear a funny story?"

"Yeah, sure!"

"I actually used to be terrified of dragons-"

"No way!" Vania exclaims. "Y'all have been on a lot of adventures though, so-"

"Nah, we used to have our own dragons at first. They were pretty cool! I just- I'm a simple guy! Huge animals with wings are scary up close when you're barely a teenager."

"Or when you're really short-"

"We're the same height!" Cole exclaims, facepalming in a bit of a fondly exasperated way.

"I'm two years younger than you-"

---

"Ugh, whose idea was this?"

"Yours," Vania grins, sitting down on the kitchen counter.

"You were supposed to help me, not leave me high and dry!" Cole accuses jokingly, staring at all the appliances they'd found in the cupboards.

"'One must always be prepared for new adventures,'" she quotes seamlessly, waving one of- what was his name again? Mulch something? Oh! Clutch! Some explorer he was, leaving them to die in the pyramid - Clutch Powers' books in the air.

"Fine," he sighs, staring at the old recipe book she'd found in one of their back cupboards. "But you've gotta help me? I almost burned down-" "Woah, what? If you finish that sentence with 'kitchen'-" "In my defense, Kai was playing a prank on me-" "In my defense, I wouldn't like to explain how the queen of Shintaro burnt down the palace by teaching one of her friends to cook," she grins, flipping through the pages. "What do you wanna start with?" "Something simple?" "Have you ever tried baking bread before? It's a lot of fun!" "I haven't really had the time, but that sounds kinda interesting."

He skims the recipe, raising his eyebrows. "Wait, why does this take hours? I thought you said it was simple?"

"Trust me, it is," she laughs, adding, "besides, I still wanna hear about all your adventures!" "Uh... okay," Cole replies hesitantly, "but if this fails, I'm so sorry." "Give yourself some credit, you guys literally saved the world! Multiple times!" "Bold of y'all to assume we know how we did it," he laughs, only half-kidding. "Besides. I botched soup once."

"I've botched toast," she mock-sighs, smiling. "Pretty sure that makes us even."

"Lemme get this straight. You've messed up toasting bread, but you can bake it from scratch?"

"Trust me, I don't know either," she giggles, trying to open a brightly coloured packet of... something? Did flour come in packets that small?

"Uh, why are you opening something called 'feast'?" he asks, eyebrows creased in confusion.

"Feast," she echoes, trying to stifle her laughter. "Off to a... rocky start, aren't we?"

It took him a second.

"I already regret this," he jokes, facepalming. "But I'd say that your puns are, uh, gold."

"I've un- unleashed-" breaking off, she half-falls off the counter, laughing so hard her face starts to go red, "a monster."

---

"Uh, is it supposed to look like that?" Cole asks, frowning.

The mixture looked less like the dough he'd been expecting - more like one of Jay's inventions gone wrong.

Badly wrong, he thought, eyes widening at the goopy mess of foam that threatened to spill over the jug.

"The yeast?" Vania echoes, poking her head out of one of the cupboards. "Yeah, all good! It always looks a little gross, and you're gonna doubt ever eating bread again, but at least it doesn't taste like it's fermented-"

"It's what?"

"Yeah," she grimaces, exaggerating her disgust a bit. "If aliens ever fell from the sky, they'd think we were crazy for eating bread-"

"Aliens? I think we're a bit crazy!" Cole exclaims, trying not to laugh.

Vania smiles, then sighs, lugging a huge bag of flour onto the counter. "I can never open these bags properly," she starts, eyeing the the bag a bit warily, "and it always makes such a huge mess all over the kitchen. You'd think they'd make it easier for people to use, right? I swear-"

He jokingly puts his hands over his ears. "I can't hear you!" "But you know that I've sworn off swearing-" she replies, breaking off with a laugh. "Pun not intended - that actually made sense in my head. I swear!"

"No," Cole interjects with a grin, shaking his head. "You don't, remember?"

"See, this is why we're friends-"

"Friends? Is that all I am to you?"

"Oh, be quiet," she shoots back, exaggeratedly dragging a hand down her face. "I mean, sure, just because everyone thinks that we're dating doesn't mean that we-"

Wait. What?

"People think that we're dating?" he asks, clamping a hand over his mouth in a poor attempt to muffle his laughter. "I- I- really?"

"I know, right?"

"Even my friends thought so at first," he confesses, dragging a hand down his face. "I mean, as much as I love you-"

"I love you too," Vania replies, completely seriously. "Even if you'll always be more like an annoying-"

"Hey-"

"Sibling to me than anything else," she finishes, grabbing a pair of scissors. Cole watches, a little alarmed, as she stabs them into the flour bag over and over.

"Is it... supposed to be this difficult to just open the bag? Seems kinda stupid-"

"Well, er, they have this piece of paper with glue that you're supposed to pull away from the rest of the bag, but it never works properly and I-"

"Well, we could always make our own flour," Cole interjects, laughing. "I mean, I've got a scythe? Let's go!"

"Uh, but we don't have wheat growing here. I don't think it'd suit the climate very well?"

"Wheat a shame," Cole sighs jokingly, measuring out the flour (which had, finally, escaped the bag).

"Oh my gosh," Vania deadpans, "you did not just-"

"Yep, I did."

"You're horrible," she giggles, "then again, I was the one who started this whole debacle, so I think we'll share the blame."

"Debacle? Where'd you pick that one up from? Sounds kinda cool-"

"Oh, it's from a book someone wrote about you guys," Vania says casually, pouring a cup of water into the bowl.

"Hey, uh-" Cole starts hesitantly, twisting his fingers back and forth, then breaks off. "Why'd you read all that stuff about us, anyways? Adventure books don't really seem like something you read a lot, since we have similar favorite books. I mean..."

"Well, um..." Vania trails off, clearly uncomfortable. "Uh- I guess, well, it sounds kinda stupid, but I'd never really met anyone my age who wasn't a royal or something. I... er, I didn't want to be left out, you know?"

Cole thinks back to a scroll; a quest, a sacrifice. One that his friends never seemed to really notice, unless it was with horror or flinches. Not that he blamed them, but - joking about how he was much more useful to the team when he was freaking dead than he was before he'd stumbled and fell in the temple?

That had been a bit far, even for his best friend. Locks could always be picked or something, he didn't need to be a ghost to provide some sort of value-

Well, that's not completely true, is it? a small voice questions, and he can't keep his hands from shaking a little.

"Jay here thinks you're the least valuable ninja."

Not enough to be a performer. Now, not good enough to even be a ninja, apparently.

Well, he reminds himself firmly, you don't have to be the best - just stand up to those who are cruel and unjust.

Nothing but a scar that glowed warm orange occasionally left of the whole Cursed Realm ordeal, sometimes it was all too easy to forget - or pretend - that it had never even happened in the first place.

Other times, like when he'd dropped a glass of water on the floor and his hands hadn't stopped shaking for hours, or when he woke up screaming, expecting to fall through his bed again, it still felt like he was trapped as a ghost. Literally - and maybe a little figuratively as well.

Yeah. Yeah, I know.

"Thanks for trusting me with that," he replies softly. "And I'm sorry. That sounds... horrible, but, honestly, you're a pretty cool person, and I ain't just saying that because we're friends. People can be awful, and they can- they can leave, but you don't need to pretend to be someone you're not for people to accept you. I kinda know what it's like, and it's... just, uh, not great."

"No, thank you," Vania says, rubbing her eyes. "You're pretty cool, too. And I'm glad that we become friends, even if wasn't in the- the, er, greatest circumstances."

"Right back at ya. The fall was pretty terrifying, though," Cole says casually, as if memories of that nightmarish plunge into the depths of earth don't still send shivers down his spine.

"No, definitely! I was so sure we were gonna splat onto the ground or something, thank gosh we didn't."

"Yeah..." Cole trails off, reading the recipe they'd been following. "Oh- do we just leave the bowl somewhere for a few hours now?"

"Oh, yeah," Vania answers. "Other than clean up the kitchen, what else do you wanna do?"

"That's kind of you, but, ah, I don't mind. You can choose something."

"I don't mind either," she replies, covering the bowl with a dishcloth. "Seriously, I don't."

"Same here though."

"Really, I don't mind-" Vania breaks off with a laugh, adding, "Well, actually, there is something."

She doesn't elaborate, thoughtfully gazing out the window.

"Well, what is it? Don't keep me in the dark."

"Ugh, it's kinda stupid-"

"I'm sure that it's not- well, unless you want to try to jump off a flying ship with a homemade parachute to prove a bet to someone-"

"Do I even wanna know?"

"...uh, probably not. We're way too crazy sometimes, our Master has a hard time keeping us in check. Your thing, though?"

"Can I give you a hug?"

Cole blinks for a second, expecting some sort of punchline.

"That's your thing?"

"Well, yeah- I mean, I said it was kinda stupid-"

"No no, that's not what I meant. You're so sweet - that's all."

"Well, not more than you-"

"Nah, you're sweeter-"

"Let's just call it a tie," Vania says with a smile, reaching over to give her friend a hug. "Thank you so much, I swear- well, no, I don't, but you know, anyways-"

"Yeah," Cole replies, laughing softly. "I know."

[ecclais-fouoras]

SOFTER ON THE INSIDE

"if you hurt me again, I swear I won't forgive you"

Previous one here

WARNING ⚠️: Slight violence, mention of abusive relationship and sexual violence.

Dinner time was around the corner, sometimes you and mina arrived at the table at the same time. Gaining looks from everyone else at the table, they had already been suspicious when they'd heard you make her laugh, to which she had replied that she was just laughing at how ridiculous you were.

People were really wondering what you had done to gain Ms Venable's clemency.

Wilhemina venable was a strong woman, she needed to keep her bitter and strong look in front of everyone else, even if she truly loved you, at times she had trouble trusting herself enough to let you help her and show you her true self. When the lights were down she'd let herself sweep in your love as you'd hold her in your arms, and spray kisses up and down her neck. You're love making was tender and passionate most of the time, you were still surprised at how well she could let you fuck her recklessly. Here moans filling your hears so nicely.

She had never known love before you, and she convinced herself she would never. But you showed her true adoration.

At dinner tonight everyone was sat down she entered the room and made a move to lower herself on the chair, but as she was bending down, a pain shot trough her back and she stepped outwards before stumbling. She fell on her ass and Everybody started laughing.

You immediately stood up to pick her up, leaning down to help and she flinched when your arms reached her shoulders. She lashed out suddenly at you. "AND WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING MS Y/L/N." She stood back up regained her scary posture, straightened up her back. The look in her eyes was unlike anything you'd ever seen, the mina you knew was far gone. With those eyes she could have killed you. You're hands reached up to hold her steady and you muttered.

"Mi..ms..venable....are you okay.."

Something flashed before her eyes and she raised her hand in the air and slapped your face. You stubbled and backed away into the corner of the room.

"Everybody out."

She ordered the other survivors and guards when they didn't move.

"Grey's too"

You were shaking badly and starting to hyperventilate. Head resting between your knees as you held your body in your hands protectively.

She tried to get on the floor next to you when she realized what she had done.

"Oh god. I'm sorry y/n" when you didn't reply she tried to place her hand in your hair, the movement in your shock state made you push her away.

"DON'T touch me !"

"Y/n.."

"I SAID DON'T TOUCH ME"

"IF YOU want to have it this way."

She got back on her feet and left the room.

The evening passed and you were able to calm down a bit. You're heart was still racing fast form the panic attack and you're palms were sweating.

Another grey came to you and tried to make you feel better. They talked to you and brought you some water.

When you had fully came back to your  senses you got up.

The nauseated state you were still in made it hard for you to go back to your room but you still managed to make it.

You were definitely not expecting wilhemina to sit on the edge of your bed.

"What are you even doing here"

"Come on. You can't be mad at me for such a simple thing"

"Get out. I'm not in the mood. I'm too tired to fight with you"

She stood up and went to you.

"Y/n..."

"Seriously mina. Go back to your room, maybe some sleep will actually show you how much you fucked up"

"How does it feel to be such a touchy feely person"

"I'm not a "touchy feely" person you slapped me ! In front of everyone"

"I can't treat you any differently than anyone, they'll get suspicious..."

"I don't care. We are dating ! And the real problem isn't that you can't treat me different. It's that that's how you treat everyone else."

"You never had a problem with how I treated people, that's who I am."

"No. That's not "who" you are, that's how you act. Now get out" she let out a Laugh before trying to place her hand on your arm.

"Why are you making such a big deal out of this ?"

"Because I was trying to help you up and you hurt me ! For no reason ! I saw the look in your eyes Mina ! I saw what you are capable of."

"Is that really what you think of me ? Do you really believe I'm going to hurt you ?"

"I honestly don't know. And I can't take that chance so please leave"

"I..i don't understand...i thought..i thought you loved me ?"

"I do. But that has nothing to do with what you did"

"I don't understand... Slapping is nothing.."

"Slapping isn't nothing"

"My parents slapped me and I turned out just fine !'

"Yeah, that's why you're scared of being vulnerable, never show you're feelings, has a shit tone of self hatred. Seriously ? "

"I..I'm.."

"Yes slapping isn't the most violent act ever, bit it's usually the first one before them. I can't let you hurt me. I can't even take the chance."

"I...I would never hurt you again...I'm sorry I was just out of my mind... humiliated..I didn't know how to react anymore..."

"I know. And I'm sorry for that, I truly am."

" I never thought you'd react so badly"

"That's the thing, you don't know what people might feel when you hurt them. Some of us have trauma, some of us have complex and singular PTSD, some of us can't bear being yelled at, some of us have spent our lives being degraded by people we loved, you can't just go around treating people like shit."

"I...know..I'm just..."

"Trying to protect yourself I know, but you don't need to anymore, I'm here, I'm not going anywhere unless you hurt me ever again, and I love you"

"I'm sorry."

"I know you are, you should be"

"I really am, that's why I came here, I feel terrible about it. I should have never raise a hand on you" she didn't know all of your past, of course you had talked about it a bit, but you left the hardest parts away, she didn't know about the tremendous amount of times where she had apologized to you like this after hurting you, you swore to your life you'd never fall for that again, and here you were forgiving her, you needed to make things clear, wilhemina had her own demons, but sharing them would make them easier to fight. Together.

So, you took you're clothes of and went to bed, signaling her that she could do the same. Your gaze following her silhouette across the room while her hand ran through her hair, and the other one adjusted her nightgown.

You both laid facing each other, mina's apologetic Look piercing your skin and you battling away when was the right moment to speak. Her hand found your cheek where she'd hit you, her delicate fingers caressing you as if to say, 'you are safe, I made a mistake and I'm deeply sorry, but I love you still'. You took a deep breath and started

"..I reacted badly because...I've been there before. I've let it happen once, what's to say it's not gonna happen again. Here. Where I don't have anywhere else to run to. I can't let that happen again, it hurt to much then. It took me years to build myself back up, years of medication, therapy, and it had taken me years before that to build me again. I've been shattered to many times, I've had people break me for fun, for love, for traditions for family to many times before."

She listened in silence a single tear leaving her eye as she tried to sniff quietly.

"There was the person I called my best friend, there was my biological father, there were my other relatives. They all hurt me by using my body for their own pleasure, some more violently, but in the end Sharon was the only one who apologized, she was the only that I loved and the only one who claimed to love me back. In the end she ended up with her hands around my throat and my blood on her clothes in front of my son."

Her hand found my neck while she tried to bring me, or was it herself, some comfort.

"And I need you to promise me that you will never ever do anything like what you did to me today, I don't care if they know, my safety should be more important than hiding our relationship."

"I know...I'm sorry for what I did today, I love you so much" she said while crying sofly.

"And I love you too mina baby"

You said cupping her face and kissing her lips gently.

"Now we should sleep it's late and I'm exhausted."

You both laid in each others arms, the live you had for each other was enough to heal the bleeding wounds that you both wore on your heart.

A/n sorry for the delay I'm very very very very busy

[giorno-plays-piano]

You were all I wanted Part 4

Pairing: mob!Peter Parker x plus-sized!Reader

Warnings: yandere, obsession, swearing, human trafficking, allusion to dubcon, minor character’s death.

Words: 3309.

Summary: You are bought by the head of Stark crime family for a kid he cares about.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

P.S. Peter is an adult!

_____________

That night he was restless.

It had already been a month since you left the auction in Peter's car and started living in Stark's Tower. The evening when the boy shot a drug addict on the street was forever imprinted on your memory.

Apart from that, things were quite simple. Each morning you were waking up in the same bed as him, having breakfast together, and then staying alone in the room while Peter was gone to do whatever Mr. Stark wanted him to. Sometimes the kid wouldn't leave at all, sometimes he'd come late and drenched in someone else's blood. You helped him shower and clean his wounds if he had any. Well, miraculously, for the past month Peter didn't need stitches or anything of that kind. But you knew he wasn't always that lucky - his back and chest were covered in ugly scars, his wrists bore strange circular shape marks. The only reason you hadn't seen them the first night was because you were so terribly drunk.

The boy whined softly in his sleep, and you tried to shush him. Today he returned beaten up, anxious, and exhausted. He and Rhodes were hunting down someone from the gang who had gone completely mad, but Peter refused giving you any details. You suspected something really terrible had happened since the boy was hard to frighten.

And now he was crying, tossing and turning in  bed. It was the first time you saw him like that.

"Peter, Peter wake up." You whispered, gently touching his shoulders. "Please."

It took you a few long moments before he had finally opened his eyes and stared at you, his breathing ragged, erratic.

"It's you. It's you." He mumbled, and you saw tears streaming down his face to the pillow beneath his head.

"Yes, it's me." You cooed at him and wiped the wet tracks with your hand, leaning down to kiss him in the forehead. "You're safe."

"Please, please don't go." The fear in his eyes made you stop as Peter gripped your hand in trembling his. "I'm not safe. I'm never safe."

What kind of nightmare was haunting him, making him shake so badly? He looked so scared, so vulnerable and defenseless, tearing up like a little kid. You had never thought you could pity a mobster, but you were wrong - you felt sorry for him.

Shifting on the bed that way that Peter's head came to rest against your chest, you buried your fingers in his disheveled hair and started caressing his head.

"You're safe with me, Peter." You whispered reassuringly, and he snuggled closer to you, throwing his hands against your body. "I'm staying with you. Come here, sweetheart."

He tried to nuzzle against your soft body so close as if he wanted to become a part of you quite literally. Peter let out a heavy sigh, and you felt the skin on your chest burning.

You spent a few more minutes in complete silence of the room, listening to each other's soft breathing. Although you had no intention of moving away from him, Peter clung to you as if his life depended on it. You were curious what he had seen in that nightmare of his, but you didn't say a word, knowing he needed time.

"It's so scary to be alone in the dark." Peter suddenly said, his grip in you getting a little tigther. "I need you to walk with me."

You blinked, unsure of what to say. Didn't he choose the darkness himself? Didn't he get accustomed to all the things he was doing? You remembered him killing that guy on the street without any regret. You were pretty sure Peter didn't feel anything. Were you wrong?

"If I came with you... Would you leave me there by myself after that? I'm scared of the dark, too."

He had finally let go of you upon hearing your words and gave you a bit of space, looking at your face intently.

"No, I wouldn't. I'm not Mr. Stark."

At first, you thought he was talking about Tony and his relationships with women, but then the realization hit you: Peter was referring to himself. It was him who was left alone. Despite you thinking he was very close to his patron - for God's sake, the man bought you as a present for the kid - things were rather different in reality. Maybe Mr. Stark treated Peter like a toy, too. Yes, the boy, surprisingly, had some authority in the gang as he was considered Rhodes equal, but maybe Peter didn't want that, or not only that. Maybe he wanted to be taken care of, to be shown some kindness for the things he was doing for his boss. It felt ridiculous suggesting that, but Peter's still wet face made you think that it could really be true.

"Do you know what are these?" Suddenly, the boy lifted his hand and showed you the marks on his wrist. When you squinted and shook your head, he smiled. "These are cigarette burns. I got them the first week Mr. Stark sent me to school here. I was twelve."

"Did he burn you?" Your gawked at his skin, shivers running down your spine.

"No, he didn't. The guys at school did. I hid it from Mr. Stark, but soon they crushed my head against the sink and I ran away bleeding." He chuckled at your horrified expression. "I thought Mr. Stark would come talk to the teachers or sent his guys, but instead he gave me a gun and said I had to earn my place in the gang. So I went to school with a gun in my backpack and shot one of the guys who bullied me."

You stared at him, hoping it was all about his very dark sense of humor - he had to be joking. Even though you knew what man Tony Stark was, how savage did he had to be to give a firearm to the twelve-year-old child who was bullied?

"Of course, Mr. Stark made it so the other kid was charged with the murder while I just walked away. After one month, I felt so guilty for what I've done that I attempted to end my own life by taking a whole a pack of sedatives."

When he brushed his hand against your cheek you realized you were crying at his words.

Sniffing, you brought his hand closer to you and lowered your lips to his wrist, kissing the marks on his skin. Peter's eyes went wide, but he didn't say a word at your gesture, and you touched each and every burn with your chapped lips while he watched you. Did it bring him any comfort? You hoped it did, because no words could describe how you felt once he finished talking.

No wonder you were the closest to a friend he had ever had. He wanted to have someone by his side so desperately.

"I will never do something like that to you." He whispered ever so gently, not smiling anymore. "Even if you're going to hate me or run from me... But please, please don't run. I need you. You don't understand, but I need you so much."

Slowly, you started kissing his fingers one by one, watching his eyelashes tremble. For some reason, you felt grateful for his sincerity as if it changed something. He was the only man to ever need you - and need you so desperately he was literally begging you to stay with him. It was stupid believing the one who held you captive here, but you still did.

You wanted him to need you more.

"I want to make love to you." He murmured, and one of his fingers touched your lower lip. "Can I? Please, Baby."

"What, now?" To say you were surprised would be an understatement. "But y-"

"Please." He breathed, and his finger slipped past your soft lips, forcing you to lick it, swirling it around your wet little tongue. "I wanna fuck your ass. You don't mind, do you? You took the toys so good yesterday."

You rolled you eyes at him, but obeyed, nonetheless, sucking his finger deeper into your mouth as if it were his cock. Well, you did like it when he kept playing with your ass the whole week.

"You're so good to me." His other arm was already lowering your pyjamas pants as Peter squeezed one of your buttocks, and then his fingers found your little tight hole. "I love you so much."

You grunted in response, feeling how he massaged the entrance with his fingertips, equally aroused and scared at his excitement.

_______________

One more month had passed. You were finally allowed to go out of your room all by yourself as members of the gang were assured you were completely harmless. The thought of coming back to your family had always lingered at the back of your mind, but you always pushed it away, knowing you might as well just go and shoot people you loved by yourself. Now you had seen what Mr. Stark was doing with traitors with your own eyes and you would never want to risk being in the same position.

Peter still treasured you. He had become way more creative in bed comparing with your first handful of weeks, but not that you could complain since giving you pleasure was among things he cared about the most. Besides, your relationship got even better as now he was slowly opening up to you about both his past and present. You no longer dreaded coming with him somewhere. The only thing that bothered you was a feeling that, somehow, Peter got even clingier, but you brushed it off. There could be nothing bad in his growing affection to you.

That day you were coming back from the communal kitchen - thankfully, most of the gang members didn't use it much as it was reserved for their women. The ones who came to cook there were more or less decent, so you weren't worried being close to them. Besides, the boy also gave you one of his guns. Just in case, he said.

Carefully opening the door to your room, you balanced with a heavy plate of chocolate chip cookies in the other hand and stepped inside. Instead of Peter you found Tony Stark sitting on the chair in his breathtakingly beautiful white suit. You held your breath and stilled, unsure of what to do. You had never faced Mr. Stark all by yourself. Were you even allowed to be here now? He clearly needed Peter, not you.

"I-I'm so sorry, sir, I'll return la-"

"It's quite alright, Y/N, come."

He remembered your name, really? It got you alerted.

You hesitantly closed the door, but didn't turn the key, leaving the plate on the top of the microwave standing on the side table. Did you have to offer the man your cookies? Would he be offended by that?

"I apologize, I didn't know you were coming, sir." You said softly, clenching the fabric of your simple cream-colored dress. "I'm sure Peter is going to return shortly... Um, w-would you like to have some cookies, sir?"

"Yes, please." He answered simply, and you brought him the plate immediately, feeling being something between a hostage and a servant to the crime boss. "Mm, not bad. My mother used to bake them, too."

"I'm glad you like it, sir."

You didn't know where to put yourself, knowing he watches you. Except for a chair near Peter's table and his bed there was nowhere to sit, but placing yourself on the top of the bed while there was a man in your room seemed to you absolutely indecent, so you awkwardly leaned on the wall. You prayed for Peter to come back soon, unsure of how you should behave with the most dangerous man you had ever known in the room.

He smirked at you, finally lifting his fancy sunglasses and hiding them in the pocket of his suit.

"I see you settled in nicely here. Do you enjoy living with the kid?"

You shivered, looking at his handsome face and nodding to him.

"Yes, sir, I do."

"Huh, is it Peter's gun you have there? Did he give it to you?" Tony pointed at the holster strapped to your belt - you knew it looked ridiculous, yet it was better to look ridiculous but have something to protect yourself, giving that you were living inside Stark's Tower. "Let me have a look."

"Of course, sir."

You didn't like taking the gun and giving it to the man, knowing perfectly he could shoot you right here and right now. You still remembered that perfectly innocent woman he murdered because she wanted to flee as well as all those ones he got rid of before her.

You did your best to look humble. In the end, you belonged to Peter, didn't you? He said many times that Mr. Stark wasn't taking back the gifts he'd made. If Peter was alright with you living here...

"I see he takes good care of you, dear. You look positively glowing." Tony had that odd smile on his face while looking at you.

"Yes, sir, he does. He's a very good man." You lowered your gaze to your shoes as blush spreaded across your cheeks. Although all this was definitely wrong, you still have very warm feelings towards Peter. Living with vultures for so many years, he was still able to treat someone with kindness.

You didn't see a subtle flash of anger on Tony's face, but he gathered himself rather quickly. Actually, he didn't come here for Peter. He sent him away to have a few moments with you instead.

It was true you were radiant when he was watching you from a far. What was the kid doing to keep you so happy? Did he give you pretty dresses? Jewelry? A car? Anything else? Tony made way more expensive gifts to his girls, but they were never satisfied, nonetheless. It seemed he was choosing some rotten whores over decent women over and over again despite all his efforts, but Peter got lucky with his first girl. Tony was almost ready to admit he was jealous.

So why were you special? He couldn't explain it with words, yet looking at your warm smile every time you saw Peter the man knew why his kid was so eager to return home every evening. Tony wanted to have this feeling, too.

"I could give you more than he does." The man said, and you choked on air, staring at him like a rabbit in front of a snake. "Peter's a sweet kid, but he's so inexperienced, you know. He has no clue what to do with a woman. I bet he doesn't even bring you to nice places or make you gifts, does he?"

Your heart was beating so fast you felt like it could stop any second. It wasn't good, oh shit it wasn't good for you. You had no idea how a man who was able to force the most beautiful women of the planet to attend to him could ever look at you, someone who wasn't even considered pretty by most people. Was it just because he wanted to see you suffer? Because he couldn't handle looking at a woman who was happy?

"But I already belong to Peter, sir. I am your gift to him." You smiled nervously, trying to be polite. "How do I dare to change my master?"

"Nah, the kid won't mind. I'll give him another girl, I promise." The man winked at you, and you realized he wasn't letting you go regardless of what you'd tell him.

You needed to run.

Before you reached the door he was on your back, grasping your hands in his and chuckling smugly. His other palm was already lifting the hem of your dress.

"Huh, you're not so submissive as you look. I like that." He whispered above your ear, grinding his hips against your ass.

"No, please, sir! I'm not good! I'm not good for you!"

He threw you on the bed you shared with Peter and took of his white suit jacket, watching you crawl away and smiling at your pathetic attempt to run from him. What a sweet little girl you were, he thought. You wanted to be loyal to someone like Peter when you had him offering you to take the place of his woman.

Before coming closer to bed he was taking off his pants, and you readied yourself to scream as loud as you could. Maybe Tony had your gun, but you had to do something. Maybe someone would come before the damage was done.

Who were you kidding? No one would come to protect you against the head of a crime family.

"Now be a good g-"

Before Tony finished the sentence you heard the lound crack of the door opening and then the sound of a gun. Although you intended to scream just a second ago, now you were silent, staring at the quickly growing bloodstain on his expensive white shirt. You suddenly remembered the drug dealer who died exactly like that.

Peter was standing in the doorway with his gun pointed at his own patron, and then he fired one more time. And one more. He seemed to calm down only when Tony fell on the bed, staining it's cover with his crimson blood. Once the boy looked up, you saw his hollow eyes as if he weren't even conscious.

"Peter." You muttered, your eyes full of tears. "He... Oh God."

He saved you. The boy shot that sick bastard before he could lay his dirty hands on you, but you weren't relieved. He killed Mr. Stark, the one who took him into the family and gave him roof above his head. Tony's people would tear Peter apart for his silly attempt to save you.

When he lowered his gun, you left the bed and came closer to him on shaky legs, swallowing your salty tears.

"Peter, you need to run. They'll kill you."

He reached out to your face and stroked your lower lip in awe. Apparently, he was as shocked with his own actions as you were, you thought, your eyes bleary with all those tears.

"Peter, please, you need to run. Leave me here, I'll be... a deadweight."

Before you could finish he had ushered you to come closer, pressing you against him and putting a hand on the top of your head like a parent to a crying child. His eyes were still hollow.

"Mr. Stark thought he could take whatever he wanted, but he was wrong." The boy whispered, and you cried out quietly at his words. "He thought you'd say yes, and I won't object, hahah."

"Peter, p-please. If you won't go..."

"Why should I go, Baby?" He left a tender kiss on your forehead, his tone of voice strangely calm, but frightening. "We can run Stark's family without a Stark in it, can't we, Rhodey?"

Amazed, you glanced straight ahead of you and saw heavy armed people waiting behind Peter's skinny figure. You recognized many of them as part of Peter's and Rhodes' team, but there were Tony's bodyguards and some other men you had never seen before. They stayed still, their eyes on the two of you and Stark's dead body laying on your bed. For some reason, no one aimed their guns at you. They just stood their and did nothing at all.

"No one's taking you away." Peter's voice turned sweet as he dropped his gun to the floor and his other hand rested on your back. "And I'm not going anywhere. You're my girl, Baby, and you gotta stay whatever happens."

THE END

______________

Tags: @finleyjayne @alexakeyloveloki @helenaeisenhower @villanellevi @hurricanerin @void-hoechlin @abyssaint @msruchita @opheliadawnwalker3 @ifntelyinspirit

[draconica]

I'M GIVING U A PROMPT 16 + 27! Can never get enough of reading about these bbies :3

16: First huge fight 27: Forehead touching

This one is angsty... obv. 👀

Twelve months ago, Ellis had brought up the topic of adoption with his husband. Nick had seemed incredibly tentative, avoiding the subject as much as possible while Ellis continued to dream. The subject would continue to come up over dinners, during drives, while they lay in bed at night. It was only after more gentle coaxing from the younger man that Nick finally opened up to the idea.

Ten months ago, they took their first steps towards becoming parents. They'd looked into all the options – surrogates, adoption, foster homes. Ellis was the one taking the reigns the entire time while hooking them up with agencies and filling out too many forms to count. Nick took the backseat, in the meantime distracting himself with more and more visits to casinos.

Six months ago, the agency they'd settled with had told them their application was being considered, and while there were more legal things to iron out in the meantime, they would receive a call when the parental process was cleared and they could start actively looking to adopt.

A week ago, Ellis had found a bundle of letters from the adoption agency shoved behind the fridge. Most of them were asking for references, others were just letters to remind them they were still on file. Didn't truly matter what they were; the point was Nick had deliberately been hiding them.

Ellis had been confused at first, then angry. They hadn't gone through nearly a year of this shit just for Nick to sabotage things at the last second. So, that night, he waited for Nick to come home from his usual hideout at the pool hall, and waved the letters in his face, demanding an explanation.

“Nick. We talked about this,” he followed his husband into the den where the man in question poured himself a whiskey from the cabinet. The stronger stuff. “We filled out all the forms, went to all the interviews and meetings with the agency. I thought you wanted a kid!”

Nick growled and downed the liquid, his back to Ellis. “It's… complicated. Alright?” He turned and pointed at the younger man while holding his glass. “And you're so damn slow, I'd never expect you to understand.”

Ellis was getting more and more pissed off, especially as Nick began falling back into hold habits and took another jibe at his expense. “Then talk to me, man! Break the fuckin' habit of a lifetime, Nick, and talk to me.”

“Look, this whole thing was your idea! I went along with it to shut you up because it was all you fucking talked about, but now it's getting too much for me.” The gambler set down his glass, ran a hand through his hair and braced his hands on the cabinet. “I can't do it.”

Well, he was talking, at least. But Ellis needed to have this all out, right now. “There ya go again, man! This has to all be about you, right? Ain't nothin' or no one in the world matters so long as Nick is happy.” He stepped up to his partner not quite within touching distance. “If ya just stopped and looked around ya for five fuckin' seconds you might see other people's feelings getting hurt.”

Nick swivelled on his feet in an instant, making Ellis flinch in case a glass went flying at him. It didn't, thankfully, Nick wasn't like that. “Feelings? You wanna talk about God-damn feelings, Ellis? Let's talk about how you're gonna feel when our kid gets taken away because I screw it up so badly! Just like my parents did to me.”

“Nick, the hell are you talkin' about?” frowned the mechanic, brow furrowing.

There was a pregnant pause in their argument. Nick's feet were itching like he wanted to bolt. He dropped his shoulders and looked away. “Come on, Ellis, we both know I can't do this. I can't raise a fucking child, I can barely look after you.”

“Real mature.” Ellis rolled his eyes, then jabbed a finger into Nick's chest. “Don't you fuckin' dare make this all about you. What about me, huh? You ever ask yourself why I brought this whole thing up in the first damn place? Because I want this baby with you, Nick. I want to start a family with you, and I know that it's gonna be scary as hell but I know we can do it 'cos we have each other. I mean… do you think I'm ready to do this? 'Cos I ain't! I'm scared as all shit, man!”

Nick snorted and almost smiled, like what Ellis said had been a triumph for him. “See? Looks like I'm not the only coward between us.” With a sigh, he crossed his arms and looked out of their den window. “Then we'll withdraw the application, give it a few years more.”

“No.” The younger man squinted – partly in anger, mostly to try and stop the tears from leaking out. “Not a chance in hell! We've come this far, Nick, I've been sick to my stomach every day just waitin’ and wonderin' and I am not gonna go through this again.” Ellis folded his arms, too. He was not budging. “We're adoptin' this child, whether you're ready or not.”

A brief flash of fear appeared over Nick's eyes for just a moment before he was right back to frustration again. He hung his head. “Fine. Fine!” The older man shouldered past his husband as he went to leave. “But see if I have any part of it!”

Ellis, near enough seeing red at this point, span on his feet to try and catch him as he left. He grabbed Nick's sleeve. “...You-!”

At that moment, as their eyes met again, the phone rang on the coffee table. It shook the mechanic enough to calm down a little, blood coming down from the boil, and moved to answer it but not before shooting Nick a look that promised, this isn't over.

He picked up the receiver all too angrily. “Hello. Oh, hello, y-yeah, this is Ellis.”

The tone in Ellis's voice caused Nick to pause in the doorway, turning his head a little to try and read exactly what that emotion was – but he couldn’t place it.

“Oh.” Ellis's shoulders slumped. “O-okay... Wait, so what does that mean? … Alright, yeah, I understand. Th-thank you. Bye.”

Nick turned back to his lover and watched as Ellis disconnected the call. There was such defeat to his posture that for a moment, he didn't look like Ellis at all. Nick's heart began to pound. “...Overalls?”

The Southerner didn't turn around as he replied, voice quiet. “That was the agency. They've rejected our application.”

There was no way Nick could possibly pinpoint exactly what emotions crashed though him at that moment, however there was one thing he knew he needed to do for certain – hug his husband. “Oh. Damn, shit… Ellis, I'm…” Nick took the few short steps up to Ellis's back, lifting a hand and placing it gently on his shoulder. “I'm sorry.”

Ellis didn't let Nick see his face as he immediately turned and pulled Nick into the hug that he needed just as much. He rubbed his face on the man's shoulder slightly and began to shake with tears. “I-I can't believe it.”

“I know, sweetheart. I… I can't either.” The gambler stared dead ahead as his thoughts raced a mile a minute. He cupped the back of his love's head and gently scratched the scalp to calm him down. He'd got his wish, it seemed. Shouldn't he be relieved? Shouldn't he not be on the verge of tears himself right now? They stood there in that heady silence for a little while longer, all of which time was spent with Nick trying to find his next words. “Hey… we'll be okay, right? We can try again.”

“We don't have to.” Ellis murmured before finally lifting his head – he had a smile on his face. “I lied. They've accepted.”

Ellis wish he could've taken a picture of Nick's face at that moment. The gambler was absolutely stunned as he looked at him “...What did you say?”

Strong hands came up to frame Nick's face, Ellis blinking some more tears out of his eyes. “They accepted our application, man. We're gonna be parents.” The mechanic thought for a hot second that Nick was about to explode, his expression completely unreadable. “Are ya mad?”

Looking back at his husband while his face was being caressed in the way Ellis was so good at, Nick shook his head. “No, I'm not. I'm...”

“Happy?” Ellis grinned.

“Well, one thing at a time.”

Both men gave a small chuckle and leant in closer until their foreheads were resting together. Nick closed his eyes in the silence that surrounded them, especially after such a heated argument, and Ellis did the same as his thumbs delicately brushed over Nick's skin.

When Ellis spoke, his voice was soft as snow. “I know you'd rather take on a million Tanks than become a father, Nick. But we survived a zombie apocalypse together. Raising a lil' baby? That's gonna be a piece o' cake.”

Nick couldn't yet accept that Ellis was right but did smile in response as he opened his eyes. “Just promise you won't let me screw this up.”

“Whatever happens, I'll love ya 'till we're old and gray.” Ellis glanced up to Nick's temple and smiled. “Well… grayer.”

Chuckling, Nick kissed his little husband at the very least to shut him up. At most, because he wanted to. “I love you.”

“Right back at'cha,” Ellis whispered.

[biffhofosho]

Chapter 19

Omg. I'm so nervous!!! And I haven't even started. I almost don't want to read... Almost

It's true, we have a name! Even if we don't know him yet, I'm sure it's making things harder for Amber in her dreams

Of course Shownu knows she's gone. I'm also sure he knows she was having a nightmare

Shit CL is there... And she has a crush on Eric? How sweet and painful

She better not meddle. Kai is dangerous!!!

Ah she wants to leave YG!!! Please! Nothing bad can happen to her, I love her!!!

Also it seems that its more than a crush... Eye emoji

I see why you needed 26 gifs in the story!!!! Mad respect it gives it a wonderful touch!

Not chae! Yes. Confirmed and at least another witness!

Yisus, the gifs make it seem like I was there. Like he was talking to me! It feels so personal.. So perfect. Definitely worth the pain of making them

"the unworthy shall be eliminated" holy shit

I'm still not over the hands writing erasing and pointing at the board. I'm in awe, how did you do that????

She has to tell someone else!!! Please tell Shownu!!!!

I mean she has to stop him. But I don't think she can do it alone. She needs to be prepared, otherwise he's not gonna stop. It would be good to know Why he wants her so adamantly

So he teaser gif was about Chae,???? Nice

Oh so she's gonna stay with Shownu.... My spider senses are tingling

She told him. Just like that. Kai

Hard to believe he doesn't know who he is. Man I'm not sure I want answers, I'm afraid they're gonna hurt

He's flustered!!! He should be

I still don't know if I trust Shownu!!! But he doesn't wanna let her go to see Johnny. Lol

Yeah I don't think there is a mole.. Maybe I'm wrong

She's going to open the fridge!!!!

The cat is out of the bag

And Shownu in all his delicious wet glory. She's gonna be pissed

Oh man, I live for her righteous anger! Even though she is not really innocent (in Spanish we say she has a tail that can be stepped on, too)

Theit dialogue is giving me life and pain

But we don't know still what is her role in all this

Oh, man all this information, the tension. Him sitting wearing only a towel... That has to be distracting

This is getting intense!!! I knew it was Kai who got delphine

"we were there" THE WAY I SCREAMED!!!!

Fuc no! I'm upset!!!!

You are genius, woman and I love you

She's still attracted to him, despite everything....

Of fuck, honey in her veins, they got him the "unworthy" one and he disposed of her

Shit. This is. A LOT. A LOT TO TAKE IN

They are more responsible for the murders that I thought! Omg I'm dying

Kai is so freaking scary! No wonder they are all afraid of him

"the connection" I'm sobbing into my hands

I'm sure what kai wants from Amber is worse that what happened to Delphine.

Shownu is so tortured! I wanna hold him

"you remind me of everything I hate about myself"

OMG THAT ENDING!!!!! I absolutely love it. His vulnerability, his guilt. They have so much in common.

This episode was chef's kiss and I will be thinking about it every day!

First of all, friend, I am so glad you enjoyed the gifs! They were easier to make once I figured out the program to do it, but it was a bear that didn't want to be tamed for almost a full week. The wipes and points were actually an add-on to the program I used, but it took a hot minute to figure out how to use them. They came out swell enough in the end, and I'm glad they gave you a sense that you were there. One of the wonders of tumblr is being able to publish to make a story feel more like a movie in the end. Just wish I could get MX to star...

Ah, why does Kai want her so badly... A few more chaps for the full answer, I'm afraid, but that also means the end is extremely fucking nigh (six or seven, if I remember).

Dude, reading this live react was A TRIP knowing what was coming up. Your spider senses were right to tingle. You'll have to reread them when you finish the story and see where you got it right.

Okay, I love that Spanish saying. That's delightful and pinpoint-accurate.

I'm very distracted by Shownu sitting there in a towel, tbh. IT'S A LOT just to imagine. Can't fathom being the one standing there.

Poor, sweet, strong Shownu! Imagine having to live that kind of double life. Even as a vampire, he's still a better man than most men lol.

Well, it was a struggle, reining in so much world-building, plot, and characterization in that chapter, but I'm happy with the way it came out. I'm also especially happy with the way the next chapter came along... o.O

Quite a few repercussions from this deluge of truth still to come!

Thank you as always, world's best reader! <3

[sombreboy]

Hi Mino, how's the new year going for you? Any new goals or is that not your thing? I've got yet another deadline soon so naturally I'm scrolling through tumblr for emotional support, and then I'm planning on playing the witcher 3 when I finally have free time. I read the new chapter of mused obsession and poor jimin...I felt really bad for him. Although he ends up being in the wrong as well, its in an understandable way though he needs some serious love and support. Kinda sad to think that despite being a model and up-coming star he still feels so badly about himself with the inability to say no to people. Jungkook genuinely infuriated me, he was just so emotionally clueless, and I know he was drunk but I just...how did he not put it together? And still having videos of your ex that you still watch? I mean, I guess they didn't have a bad break up but still...that might just be a me thing, and I am beyond baffled as to why namjoon follows jungkooks bidding. Like yeah sure be friends and all but stalking a person's house? Whats the thought process, how is he so unfazed? I thought it was interesting hearing that a flash had gone off while jungkook and jimin were kissing, and taes actions in this chapter make me nervous. Jimins ex is despicable, it seems like he just enjoys having a hold on jimin no matter what the cost to him and he comes across as a social climber. Idk, he's kinda like the worst parts of Jungkook, but at least jungkook loves jimin in his own way. This chapter was really enjoyable to read, seeing the text messages and how it started off a hopeful nice night to just anger and despair - you took us on a roller coaster. You and Chimoona are too powerful, thank you so much for writing this, you're both really talented and you just make the character feel flawed and real, and yeah I just think you're awesome. Take care and stay safe cause covid be really scary nowadays. 💜🌼

My life is no different than before the new years, and It’s alright. <3 Ohhh let me tell you, Mused obsession is a rollercoaster that has just begun. I personally really like Namjoon in this one, and I think few might notice why eventually. I can say already that they weren’t really.. ‘exes’. It was something else that can’t be put into words, but hopefully it’ll make sense in the next chapters.

Jungkook on the other hand, he’s a total mess of a man. He’s selfish, irrational, obsessive. It is his way or the highway. His temper is awful. But his love (obsession) for Jimin is his everything.

Seung I also like. I love to hate him. I hate to love him.. He makes you mad, and I love when emotions are stirred.

I can’t wait to share what happens next. Just a shitshow of emotions and crazy things. Always grateful for chimoona for creating this story with me, mashing our one braincell together to just indulge in our imagination. xo

[starkerkeyz]

Gateway: The Path to Happiness

Keyz 💖: This rp is LONG and so fun💕 Queen keeps me on track and focused (ง'̀-‘́)ง this is post IM1 so Tony is a young broken baby and Peter is going to save him💖

Queen 💓: I really hope everyone likes it! It is very long and very hard to edit. Credit to @the-mad-starker for doing almost all of the editing, we couldn’t have done it without you!

AO3 Link

Warnings: Alcoholism, self harm, Discussion of past abuse, trauma from past abuse, Obie is the abuse, Tony is a hot mess, ABO, omega/omega, intersex omega

Tony sways as he walks and takes another swig from the bottle clutched in his hand. He doesn’t even bother to hide it behind a trite little paper bag like the nice beta at the 24 hour convenience store had offered. Tony doesn’t care if people know he’s wasted. He doesn’t care if he’s arrested, either. His lips curl up, a snarl behind glass.

Let them try. 

He’s quickly nearing the end of the street he’s on. Just by the corner, only separated from the main road by one measly building, a tiny alleyway housing some other late night drifter leaning against the cold brick. 

Tony thinks nothing of it until the scent of alpha hits his nose like a punch, and he almost lifts a hand to check under his nostrils for blood from the force of it. He’s, at once, filled with longing, the loneliness of an abandoned omega roaring up out of him like a tsunami. In equal measure, a cold fury sweeps down from his ringing ears and his grip on the bottle turns into firm claws. 

Something feral and wild prowls behind the arc reactor and makes Tony’s pupils blow out, neck prickling and hot. 

He remembers the feel of Obie’s hands on his nape. The paralysis of the omegan sweet spot being taken advantage of; held down and kept there while his clothing was removed. For the arc reactor, Tony. But that hadn’t stopped him from pawing Tony’s chest, either. Gloating about how much money Tony had made him on the black market while he did it. 

Fuck alphas.

The Alpha looks up, taking a deep breath, opening his mouth and tastes the omega scent, distressed and abandoned omega. He grins as he surveys the omega walking forward towards him, and he sees the alcohol in the omegas hand. He’s never seen an easier target, drunk and craving an alpha. “Hey, Baby,” the alpha calls, pushing off the wall. He strides towards the omega, “How about you, me, and that bottle go have some fun?”

Tony lowers the bottle from his mouth and tries not to make it obvious he’s holding it ready. He plasters on a sloppy smile and waves his hand, dismissing the alpha and moving to walk past.

“Not interested, buddy,” he grumbles, shoulders rising up to his ears and making him even angrier. The smell of alpha makes his knees feel weak; he doesn’t stop moving forward. Obie was a bastard and so is this guy.

The Alpha is a little surprised by the reaction. Normally, lonely abandoned omegas fall at your feet at the slightest notice, just to have an alpha pay attention to them for a few minutes. It’s what every part of their body and minds crave. 

This one though seems angry. That isn’t a problem. “That’s a pity baby,” the alpha purrs. 

He steps to the side, letting the omega pass, before stepping close and grabbing the nape of the omega’s neck and gripping tightly. 

“But we can have you feeling good, anyway. I was just out for a smoke, baby, let’s go inside and I’ll show you a real good time. You’ll forget about your old alpha and being angry real soon,” he coos.

Tony goes for a swing, having expected something but he’s been trying to convince himself not all alphas are bad (he’s wrong, so wrong, this is wrong) and he’s too slow. His arm drops, fingers going limp.

The bottle falls down to the ground and shatters, beer spackling the pavement and cement along with dark brown shards of glass. 

Tony can’t even flinch away. 

The alpha wraps his other arm around the pretty omega’s waist, hand sliding over his hoodie to feel the body underneath. 

“Mmm, Omega, we are going to have so much fun,” he growls, voice low and full of lust. “Gonna make you scream, baby, and don’t worry, I like my omegas with a little bit of fight.” He roughly pulls Tony towards a doorway, grinning.

“Bet you have a lovely pussy, baby. Wonder how wet you’ll be already given how much you crave an alpha, poor little thing.” A foot connects with the back of the alpha’s knees and they buckle. He yelps and lets go of the omega. As soon as he does, he turns to try and see the attacker and gets punched in the face. He stumbles back and sees a slender omega who, at once, puts himself between him and the first omega. 

The omega growls and the alpha growls back. He goes to punch the omega who ducks out of the way and swings at him. Then everything goes black.

Tony stumbles back, going for the neck of the broken bottle without thinking about what’s going on behind him. 

He grabs the neck, shallowly cutting his fingers and palm in the process as he snatches the broken glass in his clumsy post-paralysis grip.  By the time he turns back around, his attacker is knocked out.

Tony blinks rapidly.  

The newcomer smells like another omega but he overpowered that alpha like it’s nothing. He isn’t sure what to do. His hand stings but he isn’t about to drop his only means of defense. He doesn’t want to turn his back when his nape still throbs with the memory of that asshole’s grip.

“Who are you?” Tony starts off, shifting his weight from foot to foot, swaying more than intended as the alcohol fights for control over his faculties. The omega kicks the alpha to check if he’s really out cold before turning to the alpha’s victim. He can smell the loneliness and he can see the alcohol, too. He’s very glad to have gotten there in time. He gives the other omega a gentle smile. 

“I’m Peter.” His eyes flick to the weapon the omega holds. “How about you put that down. You’re hurting yourself. I’ve got bandages, how about I help you stop the bleeding and get you to a taxi?” he suggests. 

“N-no. No, thanks. I’m fine.” Tony takes a step back even though it hurts to leave such an invitation behind. 

He can’t trust anyone. He can’t even trust himself. 

He wants to stay so badly…

That’s why he’s gotta leave. He can’t stay. He should be heading home, Obie will want to know-

Oh. Well.

Tony stops and looks down at his hand where his knuckles have gone white over the broken brown glass. It makes the red rivulets of his blood stand out vividly in the dim lighting. 

He doesn’t have an alpha anymore. He doesn’t even want one. But what does he do with himself without one?

Peter knows just how scared and instinctive omegas are in this kind of state and he inches forward and lets out a gentle calming scent, the kind you use to calm children. 

“It’s okay, you can trust me. I know you must be really scared, but I have had that happen to me, and I really do just want to make sure you get home safe, and you don’t hurt yourself.” He pauses and offers the omega a hand palm up. 

“I’m Peter Parker, what’s your name?”

“Tony." 

Tony doesn’t offer his last name. His hand spasms on the bottle and shatters it further, splintering the glass. He sees the cuts and slivers but doesn’t feel a thing. 

He drops the useless bundle of shards at his feet and then drops his hand at his side like his injuries mean nothing. 

"I’m not going to hurt myself,” he says as if he isn’t bleeding onto the street. 

He furrows his brows, petulant and feverish with conflicting emotions and cravings. He could still smell alpha pheromones in his nose and feel the hot, dirty clamp of alpha fingers on his omegan weak spot. 

“How is an underage twink supposed to help an adult with adult problems, anyhow?” Tony snarls meanly, trying to hurt, to lash out and cut off any attempts to get closer. Trying to cover up his pulse starting to kick and scream frantically behind the reactor. 

“You’re gonna make me do things I don’t wanna do. I don’t. Wanna. I don't…” Tony blinks, slow and furious with himself. He snarls at nothing. Then he looked at the other omega with naked longing, vulnerable and glassy-eyed and wanting so much. “I don’t wanna be alone.”

Peter nods encouragingly.

“I’m 25 and I know no omega wants to be alone after an alpha tried that. You won’t be, I’m here,” he promises, stepping a little closer as he continues to hold his arm outstretched. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want. Let’s just go a street over, away from this alpha. And then, if you want, I’ll sit with you, or take you home, or stop the bleeding, I promise,” he says softly. “I know everything is scary right now, but it’s going to be okay. I’m an omega just like you, and we look after each other.”

“Nobody looks after me,” Tony tries to say it meanly, to say it through his teeth, but it comes out more broken and tender than the split skin of his fingers. 

He scowls at himself for showing vulnerability and shakes his head, angry and hurting but not retreating anymore. 

“I look after me. The people who look after me. My alpha…” Tony’s eyes go far away. He slowly comes back to himself with a shake and looks at Peter, shoulders pulling in to make himself small. He’s so alone. “I don’t have an alpha anymore, Peter. He wasn’t a good alpha. But he was mine? And now I'm… alone. I look after me.”

Peter nods. 

“I know, it’s awful being left alone like you don’t matter, but omegas always try to look after each other, because we understand each other in a way alphas never could. I know what it feels like to be abandoned by an alpha, but the things that helped me were my omega friends.” He steps closer. 

“It’s hard to trust, Tony. I know that but you only have to trust me a little bit, for a little while, just till we get you home,” he says softly. He reaches out and takes his uninjured hand. “Just for a little bit, I’ll look after you.”

“I don't…” Tony looks down to where the other omega is holding his hand. 

He can feel that more clearly than whatever dull throbbing ache he’s done to his other hand. He looks up at Peter and wants to stop fighting. 

“You’ll take care of me?” Tony’s voice is as small as it’s ever been. He’s scared to move; not even to lace their fingers together. 

What if Peter leaves him like Obie did?

Peter smiles and nods.

“Yes, I will, Tony. It’s going to be okay. How about we go away from this horrible alpha?” he suggests gently. “I’ve got bandages in my bag, and I can help some of the pain go,” he coaxes. He steps back and gently tugs on Tony’s hand. 

“I’ll take care of you,” he promises. “Come on, omega, we will have you home and safe soon.”

Tony goes along with the other omega, forgetting about his hand and the glass and the alpha and Obie. Peter has such a nice smile. Tony doesn’t want to think about the rest if he doesn’t have to. 

He doesn’t meet the other omega’s eyes but he does weave their fingers together, holding on tight in the dark. 

Peter guides the omega to a bench the next road over. He lets go of the omega’s hand to take his backpack off and get a first aid kit out. He then gently takes Tony’s hand.

“Let’s see, ow, that must hurt,” he murmurs letting out a soothing scent. “Let me get that glass out.” Peter gets some tweezers and starts gently getting the glass out. 

“You’re being so good, omega. Good boy,” he murmurs sweetly. He gives him a big smile. “That’s all of it out. I have to disinfect it now though. It’s going to hurt but you’re going to be a brave boy for me, aren’t you?”

Tony doesn’t even care that this kid is calling him boy like that. It makes his insides kinda squirmy. Maybe the alcohol is making him nauseous. 

“It doesn’t hurt,” Tony responds honestly. He watches Peter tend to his injuries dispassionately, eyes hooded. He reaches over and grabs one of Peter’s hands with his free one. “I can feel you, though. You’re warm.”

Peter rubs Tony’s good hand for a few seconds before pulling away to get the disinfectant. He wipes several times.

“That’s it, well done. You’ve been so good,” he murmurs with a smile. 

Tony is still bleeding and Peter carefully wraps the hand in a bandage. He then takes both hands in his.

“There, all good. It’s better now, omega. A taxi will come soon and then you can get home and in bed. Won’t that be nice? Maybe you can make yourself a nice nest?” He suggests gently.

“No.” Tony takes both hands back and puts them in the pockets of his hoodie. He moves to get off the bench and walk away altogether, shoulders hunched against rejection and cutting himself off preemptively. 

“No nests. My alpha…” Tony pauses, stuck in his autopilot with an interrupted subroutine. He doesn’t have an alpha. “I’ll sleep. Somewhere. But not in a nest. Good night.”

Peter’s heart aches for the omega. Was he not allowed nests?

“Of course, you can sleep wherever you want, Tony,” he says, stepping forward towards him. “You are an omega who looks after themselves, but why don’t you wait for the taxi? You said I was warm. You must be cold. Walking home won’t be nice. The taxi will be here real soon and then you can get home and have a good sleep.” He pauses. “I promise you’ll soon wonder why you ever missed an alpha when being by yourself can be wonderful.”

“I don’t know about that,” Tony whispers. He ducks his head and looks at his shoes for a moment. Then he turns back around and comes close to Peter again, still not making eye contact. 

“But I’ll stay. For the taxi,” Tony murmurs softly. His hand still doesn’t hurt but he thinks maybe it aches, being alone. 

Peter gives him a big bright beaming smile. 

“That’s good, Tony,” he says. He gently takes both hands and stands a little closer, thumbs stroking his hand soothingly. 

“You know what helped me when I was alone?” He asks, “After a bit, I broke the rules the alpha had laid down and that helped me feel a little better.”

“My alpha would have pinched me for being out so late.” Nothing worse, because Tony would have complained and someone would have seen, but those hateful little corrective pinches to his sides and ass were humiliating. 

Tony whines, distressed, shifting from foot to foot again like he’s thinking of running for it as soon as Peter lets go of him. 

Peter’s heart throbs in sympathy. He steps forward and pulls Tony into a firm hug. Arms strong around him like an alpha’s would be. 

“He won’t do that anymore, because you’re not alone. You’re free,” he promises, hands rubbing Tony’s back soothingly. “Right now, it feels bad but when you shake off the physical craving then you’re free and it’s wonderful, I promise it is, Omega.”

Tony shudders and clutches at the other omega, fingers digging in too tight as wetness threatens to spill past his lashes. Peter smells so sweet and soft and sincere. Tony wishes it was real. He wishes he deserved nice things. 

The taxi pulls up before Tony can break down any further.

Tony jerks back like he’s been stung. He stumbles away before he can make even more of an ass of himself, mumbling a tiny thanks to Peter without looking at him. He heads towards the taxi with the scent of blooming happiness being snuffed out and replaced by uncertainty and shame. 

“See you around, Peter.”

Peter opens the taxi door for Tony and waits for him to clamber in. He then pulls out a business card. 

‘Gateway-The door to a new world

Peter Parker’ 

It then lists a business email and phone number. Peter pulls a pen out and writes his personal number on the back and gives it to Tony. He leans in and kisses his cheek. 

“Feel free to call me anytime, okay?” He says softly. “You seem like a great person I’d like to get to know.”

Peter steps back and shuts the door and waves as the taxi leaves. 

Tony looks at the card and thinks about tearing it up. He doesn’t deserve someone as nice as Peter. Obie wouldn’t want him to keep this card… 

Tony slides it into the back pocket of his jeans and rests his head against the taxi window. 

—

“Wake up, Tony." 

Tony rolls off the couch with a flail, shouting at nothing and landing on his bandaged hand for his troubles. He winces, standing up with his hands cradled to his stomach protectively. 

"I don’t want to know where you’ve been or what you did to your hand. Just please take a shower and go to that meeting like you promised me, okay?” Pepper means well but she’s not his alpha and her presence so close when he’s so unbalanced is more stress than relief to his omegan senses. 

“I will, I will. I’m up. It’s at 2? I’ve got hours.” Tony shuffles to the bathroom. He can’t turn his back, even on Pepper. 

“Tony, it’s noon and the place is 45 minutes away. Please let Happy take you.” It’s so he’ll let her know when Tony arrives. He’s used to being monitored and kept track of this way. 

“Sure thing, Pep." 

She leaves. 

Tony takes a piss but doesn’t return to the bathroom. He pours himself a morning glass of whiskey and nurses that in place of showering or brushing his teeth. 

He feels the little card in his back pocket - didn’t change his clothing from last night- sitting on the couch and in the car. He doesn’t pull it out until he’s all the way at the meeting, alone and afraid and trying to remember Peter’s smile. It’s for reassurance and it leaves him feeling like a dumbass for hoping a little card could or would help. 

"Stupid. Why am I even trying…” Tony murmurs to the card, leg bouncing, bandages stark and obvious and ugly. He’s a mess. A wreck of a human and a disaster of an omega. No wonder Obie tried selling him for sex.

—

Peter is helping set up chairs with MJ and Wanda when people start to enter the room. This is a meeting that isn’t run by Gateway but by going as clients, there is a Gateway presence there, one that the organizers love because of how the three of them give the other omegas hope. 

He’s just finished when out of the corner of his eye he sees… Tony? He turns and sees Tony standing in the doorway in the same clothes from yesterday. Oh, the poor thing. He waves, smiling widely.

Tony enters the room, looking around for a quiet corner to stand and hide in, but then he sees Peter. He is hit with the sudden urge to move closer to him and enjoy his company and also to move farther away because fuck, he hasn’t changed clothing and he brushed his teeth with whiskey this morning afternoon. 

Maybe other people could tell, but Peter would know.  Anyway, Peter’s accompanied by another pretty omega closer to his age and Tony isn’t sure if he’s even welcome. 

He flushes in humiliation but waves back. He hovers around the proceedings without looking at the other omega, getting in everyone’s way with his slow shuffling in and out of their paths, swaying gently from booze and lack of good sleep.

Peter can see the others omega’s embarrassment in the way he quickly looks away and awkwardly walks around the room but Peter strides over.

“Tony, it’s good to see you.” 

Tony seems very responsive to contact so Peter greets him traditionally, kissing his cheek.

“It’s especially good to see you here, Tony. Do you want to sit by me?” He asks. “If you need it, you can always tap me and we can go take a little break.”

“It’s okay. If you want to stay with your friend.” 

Tony isn’t nearly as drunk or out of his wits as he was last night. He still finds himself leaning into Peter’s space, craving the contact and attention with a bone-deep need that he wishes he could smother and repress.

“I didn’t think I’d see you again. Especially not… like this.” He sprayed himself with something expensive and nice but is it enough to cover the smell of his self-loathing and depression? 

He shouldn’t have come. Peter will think he’s- well, Peter will know he’s a terrible person to associate with, now. So much for that little card being helpful. 

Peter would probably hang up on him now. 

He’s just being polite to Tony.

Peter gives him a smile.

“MJ and Wanda are fine on their own, probably already making new friends,” he jokes. 

Peter takes the bandage free hand. He feels a deep sympathy at the way Tony smells and looks. He’s clearly falling apart at the seams, poor thing. Peter will help him though.

“Let’s sit together. Don’t worry, I promise the meetings aren’t too bad and you don’t have to speak if you don’t want to.”

“You’re the nicest person I’ve met, Peter Parker.” 

Tony might be drunker than he thought. He lets the younger omega guide him to their seats. He, thankfully, takes a spot that’s a little away from the others, a small oasis of a chair or two of space between Tony and any other omega besides Peter. He relaxes, turning his shoulders towards Peter and feeling light enough to exhale and smile.

“Thanks, by the way. I think I dove into the taxi too fast to say it last night.” He squeezes Peter’s hand. He’s reluctant to let go. Peter is the only familiar face amongst the crowd and he smells so comforting and his smile is just as charming and boyish as Tony remembered. He doesn’t want to let go. 

Tony is sweet. Peter can tell he’s scared and feels alone, that he’s been mistreated too, but that inside, he’s the sweetest little omega. It will just take a while to draw it out.

“That’s okay, I’m just glad I helped, Tony.”

The group leader Emma stands up and starts talking. Peter doesn’t drop Tony’s hand, just strokes it with his thumb. He gives Tony an encouraging smile as they go around and introduce themselves. Some people say why they are there, some not.

“Hi, I’m Peter. I’m here because I want to support people who went through the same things I did, to show that you can get through it and get stronger despite the experience.”

All eyes turn to Tony after that and he panics. He can’t do this. He can’t tell them the truth. He can’t.

“I’m- my name is. Tony. And I was assaulted. By an alpha.” He’s lying about why he’s there. He was scheduled to be at this meeting long before the incident last night. Nobody in this room but Peter will know the truth and Tony-

Tony actually trusts him not to call him out on that.

It makes his next words come breathy. His hold on Peter is tight so he doesn’t float away.

“A good Samaritan saved me. It’s the only reason I’m here today.”

Peter knows Tony isn’t being truthful as he references yesterday, but he can also hear some truth in the omega’s words. He’s been assaulted before that. 

He feels the tight grip on his hand and squeezes back. 

They finish up with names and then the group leader has them go around the circle and talk about a time that they overcame fear. Tony stays silent for each round of talking but Peter speaks up every time. 

The whole time he holds Tony’s hands. 

After an hour, the meeting wraps up, and Peter turns to Tony. 

“Perhaps this sounds strange, but would you like me to come home with you to just help you do some normal things? It can be hard to do those things after being abandoned,“ he says quietly.

“You don’t want to see it.” Tony turns into Peter’s space, mirroring his posture and still holding onto his hand. The uncomplicated comfort is nice. The bubble of privacy around them is nice, too.

“You should be doing better things with your time. I have the money to pay people to help me.” Tony rubs his unshaven cheeks ruefully. He has the money for a barber but he won’t go. He’s never letting anyone near his upper body with sharp implements ever again. Not without a repulsor to the face.

Peter gives him a smile.

“I’d like to help, Tony,” he says softly. “How about we go to yours and you take a nice hot shower and shave and I make us some dinner?” 

He leans closer letting out a soft interested scent.

“I’d really like to know how to get to know you better, Tony.” 

“I’m Iron Man,” Tony blurts, like it’s shameful, like Peter will leave him -like Pepper, like Obie, like his parents- and he runs a hand through his hair, breathing out harshly. He looks at Peter through his lashes, shoulders rounding for a blow.

“My name is Tony Stark. I’m… I’m too old to be this fucked up, kid. You don’t want to get to know me better. I’m really, really not worth it.” 

Tony should have waited until after he had home-cooked food to deliver this news. Then again, hiding his huge home and fleet of cars and name brand everything would have probably been impossible. 

Well, it’s better to get this out of the way so he can absorb this let down with some rum and coke for dinner when Happy gets him home after this.

This statement piques Peter’s interest but he gives no indication that that is the case. He smiles at Tony and squeezes his hand. 

“That doesn’t matter to me. I still want to help no matter how much money you have, so do you want my help?” He asks softly. 

"I–. Yeah.” Tony can’t believe this kid. For someone able to knock out a horny alpha with ease, he’s only ever been soft to Tony. It makes Tony’s skin prickle warmly and that light floaty feeling comes back. 

“Some things you can’t buy, I’m offering one of those,” Peter says with a soft smile. 

“You can come back to mine. I have a driver but we can take your car or a taxi or- whatever.” Just don’t leave me goes unspoken but rings loud and pathetic in Tony’s ears. 

Peter gives him a kind loving smile.

“My friends carpooled, so we go with your driver. Don’t worry,” he soothes. “I just need to go and tell them.” 

He stands and leads Tony over to MJ and Wanda.

“Guys, this is Tony. We’re going to go and chill at his place,” he explains. 

MJ gives him an up and down and then nods.

“Okay, see ya,” she says. 

Wanda smiles, “Night, Pete!” Peter gently leads Tony out of the hall. 

“You got any food in the fridge or do we need to pick up some?”

“Probably should pick some up.” 

Tony only knows what alcohol he has on hand at any given moment. There are snacks everywhere but as far as real food goes, he only eats that at work when people are watching. 

“Or we could get burgers on the way back.” 

His comfort food. A good, greasy burger to absorb all the toxins from his body and flush his cheeks with warmth. Obie used to pinch him for loving burgers so much. 

Peter sees the light in Tony’s eyes when he talks about burgers, and he smiles.

“If you’d like that then we can do that, Tony,” he promises with a soft smile, “I’ll just make you some nice tea at home.” Peter guides Tony down the hall and out into the cold.

“When is your driver getting here?” he asks. “And where would you like to get burgers?”

“Happy should be just around the corner.” Tony doesn’t think about it as he leans into Peter’s touch, taking his phone out and texting for his beta friend and driver. He’s too excited about the idea of burgers with another person to think about how skin hungry he’s acting.

“We can get some from this place near my house. It’s a hole in the wall but so good. I’ll pay.” Tony finds his words ramping up the more excited he gets. He hasn’t had a burger with a friend in. A while. 

And Peter’s his friend… right?

Peter smiles as the car pulls up and they get in together. The driver gives him a look in the mirror but doesn’t comment. 

Tony rambles, clearly nervous about the hole in the wall and going there in the past with his friend, Rhodey. Peter smiles and listens, thumb stroking the back of his hand reassuringly. When they get there and get out of the car and join the queue, Peter stands close so their arms press against each other.

“I love burgers,” he tells Tony, grinning.

Tony moves closer and closer the more Peter smiles and doesn’t push him away. He’s really missed this. 

Obie never touched him, he wasn’t Tony’s alpha, sexually, but the loss of his scent and even the contact of those damn pinches left him feeling raw and exposed. 

Peter’s skin against him makes him feel settled and warm and he wants to keep this feeling going for as long as he can. He’s forgotten about wearing yesterday’s clothing or basic social norms and is nearly climbing into Peter’s back pocket in his eagerness by the time they get to the register and order. And Peter still isn’t pushing him away!

“We can eat at my place. I’ll shower and get cleaned up for you.” Tony puts his arm around Peter’s shoulders, wanting to cuddle and holding back. 

Peter loves how Tony is so tactile, already craving his touch. And the way he says he’ll do things for Peter. He’s the sweetest little thing. 

Peter kisses his cheek and puts his arm around Tony’s waist.

“That sounds wonderful, Tony. Just got to wait for our order then, go together!”

Tony preens under the attention. He ducks in and rubs his cheek against Peter’s, quick and shy, scenting him like it means nothing and ignoring the blush on his cheeks. 

Tony pays and they pick up their order not long after. Tony holds the food and opens the door for Peter, not letting him lift a finger. 

Tony feels giddy enough to do it again at the car door, smiling widely at Peter, and letting him in first. Pepper doesn’t like it when Tony showers her with affection like this but Peter isn’t pushing Tony away and so Tony can’t seem to stop wanting to get closer. 

Helen Cho has warned him about alpha withdrawal but that couldn’t be why he feels so at ease around Peter… could it? He isn’t an alpha…

Peter is surprised when Tony scents him. For such a nervous skittish thing, he has warmed up to Peter very, very fast. Then he holds the doors open like a sweet gentleman and Peter gives him a big smile.

“Do you want me to eat with you now? Or after my shower?” Tony chatters away to cover his insecurities, tugging Peter along now they’re in his territory. 

He, kind of, doesn’t want to separate from the other omega. Would it be weird if Peter comes into the bathroom with him? But then, he’d see the arc reactor, so nevermind, forget that mood killer. Tony will stay fully clothed around the other omega at all times. Peter reaches out and gently strokes his cheek. “Tony, you go shower and I’ll get out plates and get us something nice to drink. It will feel really nice to get all clean, and then, you can put on nice, fresh clothes, something soft, okay?”

“Soft. Right.” He could do that. And then Peter might smile and say he’s done good. The thought makes Tony’s stomach flip and twist.

Tony rubs his cheek against surprisingly long fingers, eyes going lidded and glassy for a moment at the rush of pure endorphins. He blinks slowly; nods even slower.

“Okay, Peter. I’ll go do that. You won’t get bored? I can make it quick. I can leave the door unlocked?” Tony’s anxiety starts pulling him back down from wherever he’s floated off to. 

If Peter’s gone when he gets back from his shower then he’ll be heartbroken. 

Tony is so so so vulnerable that Peter is surprised there isn’t anyone in his life living with him to help him. Just Peter’s wrist near his nose has his eyes glazing over. But he’s such an anxious thing, scared of being left alone. Peter steps close and draws Tony into a hug, guiding the omega’s nose to his neck.

“I’ll be here, Tony. It’s all okay,” he coos.

Tony nuzzles into the offered skin. He moans softly, full of need and longing, and clings onto Peter tightly. He feels so much building up under his skin from years of being pushed down too low for Obie to reach. Feelings and cravings and cracks in his armor he’s had to hide. 

Tony exhales the weight of it all and nearly cries from how easily Peter holds him up. 

The kid’s a miracle. 

“Sorry. Sorry. I’ll go shower. You’re not a teddy bear or a therapist.” Tony backs off abruptly, his limit hit and tolerance too low for any more touchy-feely things without the ease of alcohol. He gestures to the kitchen and dining area, cheeks and neck red. “Have at it. I’ll be back soon.”

Peter watches as Tony leaves the room and heads off through some doors into the bathroom. There's a strong urge to follow, to see what the beautiful touch starved omega would do if he strode in naked and joined him in the shower. Tony is so eager so surely he wouldn't mind...

[shiro-0197]

Oh I'm so glad to know that you were able to sleep in!! You got your new year's rest :D that's true 😿😿 but I'm feeling better now. Abigail just dropped me home. The surprise place was actually McDonald's 😝😝 we did the drive thru and sat in the parking lot to eat for a while, and then she took me to her boyfriend's house because she had to pick something up, while I played with Gordon😭😭‼️‼️💖, and just chatted with his older bro. It was nice.

I know!! They're so aesthetically pleasing oh gosh. I've been obsessed with them lately, and I so badly wanna make a pair. Not like I'd ever know where to wear them, but it'll be a fun project xD wait what???

That's so cool, wasnt he your schoolmate too?? 😮😮 That's a real coincidence tho tbh haha AHH no you're not his dog 😾😾 just his soulmate or something, 😣💖💖💖💖💖💖

bones go brr, BUT OKAY OKAY I PROMISE I SHALL NEVER DO IT AGAIN 😣💖💖💖💖💖👀

awww. I feel the same way when I get moody in front of my mom. I can't deal with emotions like normal, so when I'm sad or mad or angry, I don't scream or anything, I just get so quiet and don't talk, and I really really wanna change that and start communicating better. It happens rarely, but I want it to completely stop.im also sure your mom knows you don't mean to, and that it just happens in the heat of the moment, so don't beat yourself up over it, bae 😭💖

well, I don't know what you look like, but I DO KNOW you're the cutest to me <3

Oh it tastes like that, I think. And yeah I hope you do enjoy it when you taste it someday :D and that's really so cool, you'll be able to eat anything without problem then, you're so lucky >.<

awww that's a shame 😿 if you don't mind me asking, what's your ethnicity? I'm actually half Indian, but I'm mixed, as I also take after my Chinese and Portuguese grandmothers. And yes I find culture immensely cool, and I always love learning about different cultures.

THAT IS INDEED WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR!! and I'm so so glad you'll do that if you ever wanna rant :>

OMG NICE!! SNACKS!! YUM!! and random guy?? ALSO NICE!! 😼😼😼😼😼 Why'd you say that :(( who knows, maybe you guys will talk again?? He did wish you after all ;)

I hope your day went well!! Did you guys have fun?, (I also hope that this sandwich was better xD)

I'm looking forward to that meetup too!! We'll countdown together it'll be so fun <3 I have that stupid presidency round table in a few minutes so I'm gonna shower before it so I can get back to money heist as soon as it's done 😭 I love you too bae !! 💖💖💖✨

—a person who loves you

Yep, I skipped my first morning of 2021 XD it was pretty nice, though I still woke up a bit sleepy for some reason and was a bit tired till noon. Still good😌

Wow, I'd love to go to a McDonald's one day😩 We're gonna have a date in there when we meet 😡 after the other ones we planned kwqkkkdk

That sounds so nice!! And you got to see Gordon yayy😭😭😭❤ that sounds like a good day, I'm glad!!

True true, like what are they even for... fingers are the first part to get cold so like uhhh. But they're still so awesome and I also wanna wear them on an autumn day or something, just so I can look a little hotter😝😝

Actually, he isnt my schoolmate, he's in the same school, but its in a different city, you know? I hope that makes sense, ask me if you're confused though hehe~

Noooo dont call us soulmates that's weird, how about... Twins? Yeah, twins with an age gap😭😭 a but offtopic, but during the call we had talked about how we should make a person that has all the traits we share, which is a lot, starting from our love for cheese, to our family conditions XD it's kinda scary how similar we are lmao, I guess that's a Scorpio thing. At least we have someone who actually relates, which is cool

Ohh, i see!! You're right, it's really better to start talking things out, because otherwise it's just gonna get worse... I wish you the best in that! I'm sure you can do this<3

I really hope so. She's been through a lot and I dont wanna add to that:( Thank you, hehe♡

Hmm about that, I'm not really comfortable with showing my pictures, but Kuro said he could try to make me in Artbreeder once he gets a hold of it (because as of now he has absolutely no idea how to use it ejejjsjf) so you might see how I look🤭 I'll make sure it looks like 90% of me, at least hehe. You're still cuter😡

I'm half Russian, half Kazakh! It's a miracle how I'm not the same ethnicity as Kuro, really. That's so cool!! All of my relatives are either Kazakh or Russian, though someone from my father's side is Uzbek, but I've seen them, like, once. It's a shame I hate my father, I'd get to meet that person. I heard that they constantly travel to Turkey with their family, I wish I was with them😭😭😭

Fairrr, maybe we will. We have the same interest so maybe we'll interact somehow XD he seems cool, as he had passed the vibe check, so I hope that he messages me sometimes.

We did!! Kuro kept on talking about the dream he had (he doesnt have those often, so it's really awesome to hear him talk about it!!!) and tbh it was so cute XD my favorite part was how him and someone he doesnt remember (he likes to think it was Shoyo😭 my son) tried making a cake, but one of the eggs hatched and they panicked. Then they raised the chick together. It was so funny I'm surprised I didnt choke on the sandwich. Oh yeah, ut was pretty good!! Better than the one that had lied about its spiciness. At least this one wasnt filled with lies😒 it was filled with a really nice sauce instead, it was like a mix of ketchup, mayo and mustard. Weird, but I'm also weird so I loved it xD

Ohhh sounds lovely, I'm gonna count in mixed languages because ima show off like that😙

I hope the meetup went well and that you're enjoying your watch!! Love you too, sugar, good night💕💞

[taschas-clexafix]

Welcome to my TED talk...

Okay my brain is slowly processing the latest episode The Gospel of Josephine... So Wow Eliza Taylor wow I am speechless you have me mad in love with everything you do and all the characters you bring to life TALENT!

Now Josephine is a selfish little psycho bitch and I dig her vibes she gives zero fucks and the singing and dancing and calling our girls body a Ferrari mmm yes at least we know she is brilliant I mean scary smart a visionary as she puts it. We also know she is the worst little actress or really was not given enough info to play the all amazing Clarke Griffin to be honest I am pissed at every single person who witnessed Madi hugging Clarke with the dramatic it's been forever since we've seen each other bear hug that they ALWAYS DO! I MEAN "Clarke" just FREEZES in like what the actual fuck is wrong with everyone? That should have been it the end right there everyone should have been like what the actual fuck is wrong with you Clarke! Dead give away! What happens nothing maybe a few questioning glances but everyone is being selfishly stuck in their own heads sleeping on the situation that's playing out in front of them so blatantly obvious! If it had been anyone else who got body snatched Clarke Griffin would have known instantaneously also if Lexa was still alive we all know one second of being in her presence and she would be like you are not my wife give her back who are you! Now I don't blame Madi for being all wrapped up in wanting to go to school so badly she completely ignores the fact her mom isn't her mom she is still just a kid she hasn't trained enough with the flame to be more mature then her age yet. I'm especially pissed that Abby got so easily distracted and manipulated by Josephine like Abby is going off the deep end worse then before with the drugs she's lost it. Kane is not a saint he almost had her floated he had her beat in front of everyone to prove a point he's not perfect, no one is. Also they had to eat in the dark year they would have died so Abby stop beating yourself up for saving what you thought to be the last of the human race! On another note Josephine now knows pretty much EVERYTHING she SHOULDN'T because everyone was stupid and ignored the signs something was up! I'm sorry Bellarke fans but like he took for fuck ever! Then he approached it like an idiot because now who knows what Josephine will do with him like he obviously thought something was up so why the fuck would he get her alone come on dude this is why I only want platonic Bellarke sorry not sorry. Now things I would enjoy seeing is Abby saving Kane by Josephine manipulating her into the ways of the prime's making nightbloods and hmm maybe bringing Lexa back somehow can't be that hard I mean sure it would be a different body but fuck Clarke deserves Lexa and so do us fans. Ugh another thing Josephine said Consent is KEY! Bladeblah right now we only saw part of the tape for that first reborn Josie what if because she didn't consent she fights against josie and that's why consent and brainwashing is so important. Must be a mature and willing brain or the upload doesn't stick we all know Clarke will fight I think that Josie is getting some crazy ideas now that she has learned so FREAKING much thanks to the idiots Clarke is always saving god they are so helpless without her like I LOVE them but come on guys obvious signs ding ding ding lights going off alarms sounding signs! Clarke is going to have to save herself because everyone else is fucking clueless. All in all amazing episode I could literally watch Eliza do anything for hours straight she's so talented! Can't wait for next week where we learn that even more of the group is too dense to see the big ass red signs everywhere! Side note I think Octavia would have freaking noticed with the way Clarke disnt hug Madi! I mean all they have been doing is lashing out on Clarke for protecting her child last season and now she does some obvious shit givibg zero fucks about Madi like that come on! Anyways can you tell I needed to vent all that sorry not sorry.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk.