#not this romance fluff that's masquerading as a mystery or whatever

[unnursvanablog]

watching Joseon Attorney very very slowly because it’s a slow paced show with not a whole lot going for it... but the leads are fun... but mainly because seeing Woo Do Hwan in a sageuk makes me just want to re-watch My Country: The New Age, cuz damn that one was dark, action packed and intense and almost everything that I want from a sageuk. 

[porcelainseashore]

Into the Ether (1)

Series Masterlist

Pairing: Vampire! Toreador! Leon Kennedy x Fem! Reader

Summary: At the all-night events cafe you run, you’ve become acquainted with an elusive patron, Leon, though you can never remember the last moments of your interactions together. After a harrowing encounter, a love-hate relationship develops between the two of you as you grapple with your newfound status in a world of darkness and investigate the reasons behind the untimely attacks.

Content & Warnings: 18+ Resident Evil x Vampire: The Masquerade crossover, horror, mystery, romance, slow burn, strangers to enemies to lovers, angst, fluff, eventual smut, swearing, smoking, alcohol, drug references, non consensual blood drinking, blood bond, vampire turning, violence, injury, mild gore, torture, religious themes, minor character death, RE ensemble, VtM concepts.

Author's Note: Super excited for this crossover series! I’ll try to keep a regular update schedule on Wednesdays. I might take some liberties with VtM lore and mechanics to fit the story, but hope to stay as true as I can to the source material. Finally, I imagined RE2R Leon (my favorite!) in this role 🫶

AO3 Link

Chapter 1: RC By Night

You first saw him in summer, when the days were long and the nights were short, and the streets came to life again. There was the heady smell of pollen in the air and the humidity was sweltering. Just a couple of months after you and a bunch of idealistic friends from your theater school days had taken the plunge, and opened an all-night cafe in one of the cheaper, grittier areas of town, east of the river of Raccoon City.

It had been a scrappy little project, one you didn’t expect to receive a cult following and gain in popularity amongst the intellectuals and counterculture crowd. But then again, there was also the City College nearby and the events program you’d lined up each week drew them in. From comedy nights and disco fevers to site-specific and performance art, you knew what people liked and how they wanted to be entertained. A bit of kitsch, a sprinkle of avant-garde and a generous dose of unpretentious social drinking. It pulled him in too.

Him. You didn’t even know his name. The first thing you had noticed were his striking blue eyes that seemed to glow from the shadows of the dimly lit space, peering out at you. Always observing, always watching, never speaking. Sometimes he’d glance over across the opposite end of the room at another pair of companions — a rugged, broad-shouldered man with a dark crew cut bumping shoulders with a younger, spunky redhead in a matching biker jacket. They’d exchange subtle looks of recognition and mild suspicion before returning to whatever they were doing. Though they never uttered a single word to each other.

He came back week after week, ordering the same drink each time, but never touching it. One Manhattan, please. You obliged. A waitress you had sent over to pry on your behalf told you he enjoyed the cocktail, but couldn’t tolerate much alcohol. You saw him lift the drink to his nose, sniffing it as the corners of his mouth turned upwards, silently smiling to himself before he placed it back down on the table again. Strange. You shook your head and prepared a cup of black coffee, taking it over to him as his eyes lit up in surprise with your approach.

“On the house,” you explained, plonking it down on the table. He raised an eyebrow but remained tight-lipped.

Maybe he didn’t like coffee? Or how did he usually take it? “Uh—” you turned back towards the service area, as if to check that the condiments were still in place. “Would you like some creamer or sugar to go with it?”

He raised his hand to indicate it wasn’t necessary and his jaw clenched, before fixing it into an awkward smile. “Thank you.”

Those were the first words he had spoken to you. It rolled off his tongue like a swirl of mist, a sliver of a dream you couldn’t quite remember when waking up. You took another step forward to get a better look at him. He had a baby face, angelic almost, with that typical, boy next door charm your mom would have gushed at, and you imagined he couldn’t be older than his early twenties. Upon closer inspection, he seemed slightly pale, faint dark circles around his eyes that had seen more than his fair share for his age. There was a sense of weariness and jadedness behind them that made him appear older than he was.

Bringing the cup to his lips, he sipped a small mouthful, letting it sit for a moment, before swallowing it down languidly. You admired the curve of his Adam’s apple, bobbing as the liquid poured down his throat, littered with freckles and specks of moles. Something about his very presence mesmerized you, even more so than earlier. It was hard to place a finger on what it was exactly, and why this feeling seemed to grow with every second you were lingering near him.

He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, tapping it on the table before offering one to you. Why not? You were a social smoker and took it as a sign to join him. In fact, there was no other place you’d rather be at the moment. You were confused, but did not question it as you took a seat beside him, noticing that he flinched each time he flicked open his lighter to ignite a flame.

His fingertips brushed across your wrist as he lit your cigarette, causing you to shiver in response, while his jaw tensed again, as if trying to rein something in. Licking his lips, he took a puff from his own, exhaling the smoke as it billowed around him and for a second you thought you’d lost him to a wall of fog. Both of you continued smoking in silence, checking in with each other through furtive glances, even though there was nothing to be ashamed about.

At some point, you followed the direction of his gaze and saw that same pair of companions he often regarded from the corner of his eye. They were frowning, giving him dirty looks as he shrugged nonchalantly in return.

“Not much of a talker, are you?” you broke through the thick stillness of the air that surrounded the both of you like a bubble, separated from the rest of the evening revelers.

“You’re observant,” he teased, his eyes crinkling as he stubbed out the leftovers of his cigarette in the ashtray. You followed suit.

“So, what brings you here?” you asked, gesturing to the suit attire sans tie that he was wearing. “Don’t get me wrong, but this place doesn’t exactly seem like the kind you types hang out at.”

“Hm,” he huffed, though your question didn’t phase him. “And what exactly is my type?”

“I’d say you were a yuppie,” you blurted out, your mouth rarely had a filter on these days. “But I can’t be sure, something about you seems…”

“Off?” he offered, smirking, yet his expression carried a hint of somberness.

“Different,” you corrected, but mumbled out a quick apology nonetheless soon after.

“Don’t be,” he grazed your hand again as he adjusted himself in his chair, and you felt like he was doing this on purpose. “At least you’re honest. It’s a rare quality to find these days.” Though the way he said the last sentence sounded loaded with a double meaning.

“These days?” you guffawed. “You’re speaking like an old man.”

He joined in your laughter though that was the end of your conversation for that night. The rest of the evening went by in a blind haze, and you found yourself in a dazed state later on in the wee hours of the morning, still sitting at the same table, but your newfound friend gone without a trace. None of your colleagues had noticed a thing. You didn’t even get his name, but you shook yourself, commanding your limbs to get back to business and clean up after the customers that had left.

The next time you saw him was when you were hosting the karaoke night of the month. Decked out in a shimmery mermaid glitter jumpsuit, hair tied up in pigtails and face caked with extravagant make up, you hopped onto the stage, only to nearly stumble on your flimsy heels when those piercing blue eyes landed on you from the all the way back. Of all the nights he could have dropped in, he chose this one.

You suppressed your embarrassment and warmed up the audience with a couple of well-placed jokes before kicking the event off with those who had registered to participate. It appeared to be a tough crowd as you only had a handful of sign ups, and would need to potentially seek out volunteers when they were done. You hoped the rackety sound system would hold up till then too.

Fortunately, when it came to the crunch — which it did — you always had an ace up your sleeve. “You there,” you called out, pointing towards the back of the room. “Yeah, blue eyes, you.” Crooking your finger, you beckoned him over, waiting in anticipation to see what he would do.

To your surprise, he bowed his head, accepting the challenge, before slowly weaving his way through the crowd, who were cheering him on with your prompting, towards the stage. He flashed you his pearly whites as he climbed up the short stairs, his floppy bangs bouncing with each step. For a moment, you thought you caught something feral in his gaze, but it dissipated when he reached out for the mic from you, his hands sweeping over yours with an electric touch.

You were in awe of him, like almost everyone else in the cafe, when he broke out in a rich tenor voice, effortlessly floating through the notes of the gentle melody, that you felt as though you were being wrapped in a serene, velvet cocoon. Enthusiastic claps and hoots filled the space when he finished. The only two people in the room who were scowling were the same pair of companions he knew from before.

“Will you join me after the show?” he whispered in your ear as he handed you back the mic. Nodding was the only appropriate response.

You were rushed off your feet for the next couple of hours and it was late by the time you called the event to a close, but he was still there, by his usual table, waiting patiently for you.

“So you decided to push me into the spotlight,” he accused with a wry smile.

“Don’t pretend you didn’t enjoy it,” you shot back. “Here.” You set a cup of black coffee down in front of him. “My treat.”

“You’re too kind.” It sounded flat, like a game that had become routine between the two of you. He took a sip from it, nothing more, nothing less.

That was all you could recall from your conversation. You didn’t get his name until a few nights after.

“Hey, blue eyes,” you acknowledged as he strolled in.

“Leon,” he disclosed sharply. “It’s Leon.”

That was the night of exchanging introductions. You named all the nights you’d spent with him under various labels, so you wouldn’t forget.

Another night, he had whipped out a flip phone and you nearly choked on your drink. “They still make those?” You stared in disbelief.

He turned to face you in amusement.

“Bet you don’t have a—”

You didn’t even need to finish your sentence for him to fish out his pager, dangling it in front of you like a toy.

“Fuck off,” you laughed. “No fucking way.”

He grinned at your outburst and it was one of those times, few and far between, where you experienced a glimpse of that youthful energy he often hid behind a calm, matured facade.

“You’re still living in the 90s dude?” you jested, grabbing the pager as you flipped it over, trying to determine if it was real. It was.

His lips curled up into a playful smirk. “Something like that.”

“Healthcare,” you guessed, squinting at him. “I heard people there still have them. You’re a doctor?”

“I wish.” He coughed out a self-deprecating laugh, before rummaging through his wallet for a sleek white card, sliding over to you. “P.I., actually.”

“Private Investigator Leon S. Kennedy,” you read the title out loud, deliberately emphasizing each word.

“Go ahead, shout it from the rooftops,” he joked.

“Don’t tempt me.” You gave what you hoped was a cheeky wink, not flirty, definitely not flirty.

A lopsided smile spread across his face, and you wondered if you were finally beginning to unravel the mystery of this man, one that he seemed to carry around like a burden.

“Well, now you know where to find me.” He winked back, taking a tiny sip of his free coffee.

That was the night of P.I. Kennedy. Soon, these nights blurred into each other. You felt like you were getting a step closer, but yet you weren’t. He always had you at an arm’s length for some reason, even though he seemed to want more. Why did he keep coming back?

He also appeared to care about what you thought of him. At some point forth, he started dressing down, exchanging his usual formal attire for a shirt with no blazer, and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. A fine gold chain necklace peeked out from underneath his top collar, which was left unbuttoned. “Better like this?” he asked with no context. You had to pause and consider what he meant for a while before you understood.

“If you’d like to fit in.” You shrugged indifferently. “But I don’t think you want to.”

“You know me well,” he murmured fondly. The back of his fingers caressed the side of your neck, just under your jawline, along a pulse point. You closed your eyes and sighed. It felt sensitive and tender.

“And how well do you know me?” you asked. 

There was no reply, but somehow you already knew the answer.

Another thing you were vaguely aware of was that you kept missing the tail end of your interactions with him. It was as though after a certain point in the night, you would come to, like waking up from a daydream, and he would have disappeared by then.

Your colleagues asked if you were seeing each other. Were you? You were only chatting, you surmised. Nothing had gone that far yet, at least from what you had gathered. But you liked him more than you would’ve liked to admit.

He walked you home one night, and when you reached your doorstep, you were about to invite him in, but he interrupted you. “There’s something I need to tell you…”

Guilt clouded his eyes, unmistakable and heavy. But as he was about to say more, he held back, as if pulled by an invisible thread. Then, you felt yourself overcome with tiredness, but it was pleasant and comforting. “Can you help me to bed?” Your voice sounded far away.

All at once, you felt yourself being propped up under his arm and your weight shifting under your feet, until your head touched a feather-soft pillow. He draped a blanket over your unmoving body. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I never should have—” Even in your state, you could tell it pained him.

“I won’t do it again, unless you let me.” 

That was the last you heard from him for a while.

━━━━━━━━━━━

Leon couldn’t get enough of you. Believe him, he tried countless times, but it didn’t work. From the moment he had set foot into that establishment, he had damned himself. He knew it when he spotted you and smelled your sanguine resonance from afar. It was the humor of your blood, and it was stronger and more consistent than he was used to. You were just so full of life, and enjoying it to the point where he was envious. You signified all the hopes and dreams that had been dashed spectacularly to the ground, ever since becoming… what he was now.

He had to have a taste of you. A little drop wouldn’t hurt, would it? He’d been taught ages ago, by Ada, his sire, that he needed people like you to survive. If one ignored their hunger for too long, things would get worse, so much worse, and not just for himself, but for everyone else around him. It was simply the lesser of two evils to feed, and he’d never actually killed anyone by doing so. Then, why did it feel so wrong? He had gotten good at pushing down these thoughts, until they were reduced to an inaudible hum at the back of his mind. Just like many other things, he learnt to compromise. But compromising meant that sometimes, he’d lose a piece of himself. If there was an equivalent of a soul within the monster he had become, then it was fragmented, and he’d never get back the ones that had dissolved into the ether, due to the bad decisions he had made. Like the ones he would soon make with you.

Taste. Taste was something he had acquired since young. In his human life, he always had an eye for detail, an eye for what fit, what worked, and what didn’t. It certainly helped when he became a cold case detective with the police force, filled with unbridled potential, only to have that overturned, when he decided to chase after love instead of missing people and puzzle pieces. For years, he would’ve done anything for her, only for it to amount to wasted time and regret when the inevitable boredom that came with time struck, and he was tossed aside over something exciting and new. Still, he knew a delicious vessel when he saw one. You were just meant to be a special curiosity that he could pass on to the older vampire for a favor or two. At least, that was what he told himself, when you took the initial bait and he beckoned you to stay through unnatural means. That was the first lie.

When he bit into you, he was met with a burst of color, vibrant shades of all kinds of red. The flavor saturated his mouth: sweet roses, his favorite kind, their scent carried on a gentle zephyr; warm light that enveloped him but didn’t hurt; traces of nicotine coursing through your veins; and the familiar iron tang that gave it its kick. Your face, your voice, your very essence haunted him in that taste. He could see you like a will-o'-the-wisp performing on stage in one of your many plays across a lifetime, laughing with your friends in the back of a car speeding down the highway, crying into a pillow when you had your heart broken by your first love… How was this possible? Your memories came flooding through him and you were blissfully unaware of it all. He felt like a spy, listening in to all your secrets and desires, and his blatant invasion of your privacy disgusted him.

This was wrong. He shouldn’t have gotten so close. He should’ve heeded the warning glances the Redfield siblings were throwing his way. So, he tried his best to stay away, but like an addict, he kept crawling back, seeking you out like a dog with its tail between its legs. How could a mere mortal have such an effect on him? Did he taste this way to Ada when she turned him? He laughed sardonically. If only she could see him now, being so torn up over a woman he had just met.

He tried to erase you from his mind, but you were always meant to be something more. You reminded him of all the things he missed when he was living. You were the best he had ever tasted, but he didn’t want to turn you over to her, not yet. After all, he could afford to enjoy you for just one more time. The second lie had spun its thick, dark webs throughout his head. Truth be told, he would never share you with anyone else.

The third lie came when he resolved to tell you what he really was. He couldn’t keep going on like this and deceiving you, but his sire’s words bore down on him. “You don’t get attached to a vessel,” she scoffed. Wait, wasn’t he one too at some point? Her contradictory words replayed in his ears like a broken record. In any case, he wasn’t attached. He was being brave and honest, which was how he liked to think of himself. But when it came to the crunch outside your doorstep, he was a coward, finding himself unable to breach the rules of the Masquerade and gave in to his urges instead. It was then that he realized deep down, he was truly a despicable and hateful low-life.

Thump! He felt his body slam against a solid wall, as he entered a secluded alleyway round the corner from your apartment. A dull ache bloomed across his skin. After the events that had happened that night, he didn’t even bother putting up a fight. He slumped down until the brawny, older male sibling, Chris, lifted him by his collar and pinned him in place. At the same time, the slender redhead, Claire, Chris’ female counterpart, spoke, “Where the hell are you going with this, Leon?”

“Why do you care?” he spat, blood coating his teeth. “The cafe’s in neutral ground, no one’s claimed domain over it yet. I can feed on whoever I like.”

“Listen, you’re Cam scum, but you saved my brother back then, and you used to hang with us,” she hissed, jabbing her finger into his shoulder to emphasize each point. “So, I’m gonna give you a tip, but just this once.”

She brought her mouth to his ear. “There’s interest in the domain… and you’re not the only suitor vying for her attention.”

His eyes widened at the threat.

“Whatever you do, do it fast.”

[arzen9]

Can I Be Good? Chapter 1: Welcome to the Crimson Palace - Lark

pairing: Astarion/f!Tav | Astarion/f!OC 18+ MDNI word count: 2k tags/warnings: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Not Canon Compliant, Vampire Ascendant Astarion, Redemption, Slow Burn, Enemies to Lovers, Mystery, Romance, Drama, Angst, Fluff, Smut, Original Female Character summary: Centuries of pain, a ritual, (not) hunger, (not) desire, a lost soul, a search, a yearning, bodies, bodies... And a heart that changes everything.

Finally I am putting the modern AU story I've had in my head for a while out there, I hope it will be as enjoyable to read as it is to write it! I am VERY excited for this story to unravel. I will be updating the tags as the plot progresses.

I will TRY to update on a weekly basis, BUT life can happen!

If you're reading this, I LOVE you<3

I will be making a playlist to go with this story, so keep an eye out for that also!

“They call him…” Wyll pauses for dramatic effect, and downs his shot of tequila. “The Lord of the Night.”

Lark and Lae’zel blink in unison before falling into a fit of giggles. Lark even snorts. 

“Fucking unreal,” she says while she pours another round for all of them. 

“But you are desperate for a job, yes?” Lae’zel asks.

“That I am,” Lark responds and sinks further down the couch. 

“It’s just a stupid rumor,” Wyll tries. “You know people of Baldur’s Gate love to gossip.” 

“We’ll see if it’s a rumor or not, I guess,” she says and reaches for her shot glass. “My interview’s next week.” 

“We need to spice up, as you say, our hang out places,” Lae’zel suddenly interjects. “We always meet in one of our apartments. If we got out more, we would know if this boss of yours was really the lord of the night or not.”

“He’s not my boss yet,” Lark says, squinting her eyes as the tequila makes its way down her throat. “You’re right though.”

Wyll jumps in his seat. “I have an idea.”

The two women eye him in the low light of the room. 

“Why don’t we go see this Crimson Palace for ourselves? A test drive, so to speak.”

“I like it,” Lae’zel says flatly. Lark agrees. 

Because why not? They have never tried going to the most popular nightclub of Baldur’s Gate— owned by one mysterious figure, only seen by those who subscribe to magazines that compile lists for the city’s best dressed, richest, most luxuriously-living— Lark’s potential future boss, Astarion Ancunín. She has done some research online on him, but there doesn’t seem to be much information beyond his physical appearance— a man that looks like he was hand-sculpted by the Gods themselves. Lark had shown some of the pictures she saw online to her friends, garnering mixed reactions.

“Whoa,” Wyll had said, “He does look rich alright. A bit pale, perhaps.”

“He looks breakable,” was Lae’zel’s contribution to the conversation.

And that was that. 

Lark’s job search had been an ongoing process for the past seven months— ever since she graduated with her master’s in poetry. She had known it would be difficult to find a job with a creative degree, but not to this extent. Doing odd jobs at odd hours could only take one so far in life.

So when she saw a listing on a board online for a personal assistant to the owner of the Crimson Palace, she jumped on it; the pay was way too generous for what seemed to be nothing more than a simple assistantship. The job description said the position was temporary with the potential for something more (whatever that meant); there was a winter masquerade party coming up and the big boss needed some help (the listing of course didn’t say big boss, but Lark found it funny to call this sculpture of a man big boss).

  What she wasn’t expecting was to be called in for an interview literally five minutes after submitting her application. It was a woman she talked on the phone to, with a peculiar name— Shadowheart. Lark still wonders if it is some kind of stage name.

They take the subway to the Crimson Palace, all three of them already a little tipsy— clearly not finding anything wrong with going to Lark’s potential workplace to get shitfaced one week before her interview. She doesn’t dwell on it— if she gets rejected, she gets rejected. Nothing new. 

“Helm’s cock,” Wyll exclaims, earning a raised brow from Lae’zel and a squint from Lark, when they get out of the subway train and see the club in the distance. “It is a palace. You know, this place has some history to it. Rumor has it, it was owned by a cruel vampire once.”

“Definitely looks the part,” Lark sneers. “What’s it with you and rumors tonight?”

Lae’zel starts walking ahead of them. “I assumed we are here to drink, not indulge in history lessons,” she says. Wyll and Lark giggle but follow her regardless.

If the Crimson Palace looked grand from the outside, it’s even more so when they enter it: a huge dance floor greets them, the bar lining the left wall. The ceiling is so high that looking up makes Lark’s head turn. On what she assumes to be one of the upper floors, she can see a small balcony, big enough for maybe two people to stand together at once. It is a dizzying place— the tequila they’ve already had combined with the loud, booming music doesn’t help. But they’re here. For an excursion. 

Wyll turns back around to look at the bodyguard that ushered them in with an unusually friendly grin. “She’s beautiful,” he says, voice flat with a sprinkle of awe, as if he’s merely stating a fact. 

“Indeed,” Lae’zel says, making Lark laugh. The red tiefling woman is beautiful, to be fair. Even in the dark atmosphere of the club she looks like a flame, smile warm, eyes like honey. 

Lark decides that this is not Shadowheart. 

Lae’zel is not normally one to dance, but Lark pulls her to the middle of the dance floor anyway. Wyll makes his way to the bar to get drinks, and Lark finds a sappy feeling ruminating in her chest— their friendship has gone beyond asking. They just do, nowadays. 

“Perhaps Wyll’s rumor is true,” Lae’zel screams in her ear. “This palace certainly seems fit to hold vampires.”

“Better watch out for papercuts, then,” Lark jests but her friend doesn’t seem to hear. It matters not. 

They’re having fun. She might get her job next week. Everything is finally looking up.

That line of thought makes her actually look up, just as Wyll arrives with their drinks. Maybe it’s instinct, maybe it’s the flash of something silver in the darkness. All Lark knows is that, on the balcony she saw mere moments ago; there is now a man standing. Observing. A king overseeing the execution he ordered. 

Perhaps Wyll’s rumors are getting to Lark’s head, a little bit.

From the balcony, his gaze falls on her; a hawk zeroing in on its prey. The pictures online don’t do him justice, Lark thinks. Even from this distance, he is breathtaking. 

Quite literally, as she has to look away to remember how to breathe. She feels a weird rise of panic bubbling in her chest and frantically looks around to see Lae’zel take a sip from her drink. But Wyll is looking straight at her. 

“…Alright?” Lark can see his mouth move more than just one word, but this is all she catches. She gives him a quick nod before tearing through the crowd— everything suddenly feels too much. She is feeling too much. 

Washing her face will calm her down. If only she knew where the restrooms were. 

Lark just follows whatever space she can create among the drunken crowd, which isn’t much. For what feels like an eternity, she can’t even see where she’s going. 

Until she finds herself free from the smell and noise of everyone around her, off of the dance floor. There are no signs around; only an open arch that leads to a dark hallway, barricaded by thick, velvet ropes hanging from three carefully placed posts. Something tells her that this may not be the way to the restroom— but even in the middle of a panic attack she feels the pull of curiosity lead her down this poorly lit path. 

At the end of the marble-floor corridor she sees a flight of stairs; her feet carry her forward while her heart keeps beating in her ears. She hasn’t had an attack like this in a while. Taking a deep, labored breath, she reminds herself that there is no danger— she is out having fun with her friends. There is no one to take that away from her. Not anymore, at least.

Lark tries to take steady steps ascending the stairs. It is way too dark to be quick. When she reaches the top, she’s faced with another corridor, more marble flooring. Doors line both sides. The closest one to her is slightly ajar, a dim but visible light shining through. 

“West wing ass place,” she mumbles to herself, but carries on. Before entering the room, she looks around. It is eerily quiet here considering the dance floor is just below. Silence spell, perhaps? Closing her eyes, she tries to detect the familiar hum of magic. Nothing. That does give her an idea, though— she doesn’t know why she does it, but before she can dwell on it the word leaves her lips: “Evanesco.”

Now she can snoop around comfortably. The hope of washing her face has all but vanished, replaced with a relentless curiosity eating at her. The vision of the man standing on the balcony seeps again in her mind.

So that is Astarion Ancunín. 

The room she’s found herself in seems to be some sort of storage space— walls lined with shelves upon shelves of books, files and other serious-business looking things. They don’t catch her interest much. She can now see the source of that dim light seeping into the corridor, however— a singular candle stick placed on one of the shelves, as if someone just placed it there. Is this the Crimson Palace’s way of saving on electricity?

Lark peers at the particular shelf, which seems to contain meticulously organized folders, marked with names in alphabetical order. She reaches out and touches one of them— marked Raphael.  Pulling the folder out and peeking inside, she realizes that they’re letters. The first one out of the bunch is dated—

“A little early for your interview, are you not?”

Lark gasps, all sound coming back around her as if her ears had been clogged for days. The sound of music coming from downstairs. People laughing, talking. She loses concentration on the invisibility spell, and as she scrambles to turn around, the folder drops on the floor with a thud.

In front of her is the man she has now seen more than just a handful of times— a bunch in photos and then up on the balcony. Seeing him up close is… different. Everything about his appearance reflects purpose and deliberation, from the curls of his silver hair to the dangerous upwards angle of his lips. He’s wearing black from head to toe and for a second, forgetting what is actually happening, Lark thinks she’s never seen someone so perfect before.

“How did you—”

He gathers his arms behind him and looks down at Lark, crimson eyes in search of something she cannot fathom.

But then it hits her— the hum, the pull.

He’s trying to read her mind. 

Lark feels bad for him, only if for a second. He doesn’t know who she is.

She expertly blocks his spell, darkened eyes waiting for the disappointment on his face. It doesn’t appear.

“I believe you have lost your way,” he says with another plastic smile. He seems to be keeping his lips tightly closed on purpose. “Shall I escort you out?”

“I was just looking for the restroom.”

They look at each other, both knowing fully well that this is a lie. He doesn’t push.

“You might come to regret sneaking around like this if I decide to count this as our first official meeting.” 

There is danger in his eyes, but it doesn’t quite reach the amused tug of his mouth. Lark backs away from him, then steps to the side. His gaze follows her every move. 

“I’m sorry,” she mumbles. It’s a miracle she can find her voice in this moment. The intensity of those garnet eyes is not something magazine cover photos can capture. 

As she leaves the room, almost running, Lark keeps her head down. That panic in her chest is back— or— is it excitement?

The last thing Astarion Ancunín tells her before she is once again lost among the crowds is full of expectations, his voice silkier than whatever can be found in Cormyr.

“I look forward to seeing you next week, Miss Promise.”

taglist: @nerdalmighty @preciouslittlebhaalbae @aristenfromwarsaw

If you would like to be added to my taglist, please send me a message or reply here!<3

[mfackenthal]

Hello loves!  If you’re still following me, may I just say thank you for your patience.  I know it has been too long since I have created one of my review posts.  I can only apologize.  I love you all, but I needed a break.  So I was gone for a while.  When I came back – the fandom had changed.  Mostly, people just changed their names, actually.  But it took me a while to find everyone.  And, of course, new people had joined the fandom – or at least I was introduced to people – so they’re new to me.  

I’m going to organize this by book instead of by love interest because some authors are keeping the pairings a secret and I don’t want to ruin their surprise.

I don’t think I’m back up to reading 80 fics a week … but I do think I’ve read quite a few (too many?) fics this week.  Let’s find out how many, shall we?

A few quick reminders:

(1) If you want to find out what I specifically thought about each chapter, that can be found on my blog.  To more easily search my blog, search the phrase “mfackenthal reviews ________” and fill in the blank with the blog name.  IE “mfackenthal reviews maxattack-powell” to find the work I reblogged specifically by @maxattack-powell.

(2) In case it’s not obvious: I recommend ALL of these fics and ALL of these authors.  I cannot say enough about the fabulousness that is these authors. 

The Royal Romance

Second Wedding (http://mrswalkers-blog.tumblr.com/post/182240871361/book-the-royal-romance-summary-riley-looks) by @mrswalkers-blog Riley is about to walk down the aisle for a second time.  How did she get here?  This short story will help you reflect on your own relationships while warming you heart.

The Road Less Traveled (https://ao719.tumblr.com/post/182583348931/the-road-less-traveled-masterlist-summary-6) by @ao719 This delightful series will also warm you heart with its innocence and anticipation.  It’s made even more delightful by the fact that you get a chapter every day. 

Queen of My Heart (https://walkerismychoice.tumblr.com/post/173032059318/queen-of-my-heart-master-list) by @walkerismychoice This is not a new series by any means – but it’s not over either.  I got caught up because it’s an amazing series and I love it!  If you don’t know it already, this is a retelling of the story that has captured our heart but in a universe in which Liam is making his decision on reality TV.  Madeleine is still the villain and she’s about to get her comeuppance – or so I hope!  Catch up and see what happens next with me!

The Not So Royal Romance series (https://strangerofbraidwood.tumblr.com/post/182742931095/the-not-so-royal-romance-collection) by @strangerofbraidwood  What happens with Olivia and Hana after the events of the story as we know it?  Find out in this intriguing series.

 Something Unexpected (https://hopefulmoonobject.tumblr.com/post/182769220258/something-unexpected) series by @hopefulmoonobject This series follows Liam and Leo as they have fallen in love with two foreigners who don’t yet know they are dating the most powerful men in all of Cordonia.  Will this end in true love?  Or with the “lies by omission” become a problem?  I honestly don’t know yet and can’t wait to find out!  When these couples are romantic – they’re adorable. When they’re feisty, I love that too!

One Handsome Devil (https://onehandsomedevil-trr.tumblr.com/post/182558278027/one-handsome-devil-a-novel-by-katherine) by @onehandsomedevil-trr  Liam is named Nicholas in this series that is starting to hint at more turmoil to come – with Olivia.

Secrets Unwind (https://whenyourheartskipsabeat.tumblr.com/post/182550912733/the-royal-romance) by @whenyourheartskipsabeat  Liam lost Riley.  He has found her.  Everything seems to be falling in to place.  We know it won’t last – but the ride is exquisite!  Come join me in reading this series!

Learning to Love Again (https://likethetailofacomet.tumblr.com/post/178641518985/master-list) by @likethetailofacomet  If you follow me then you know that I binged this whole series this week.  That’s right – all 46 chapters of it!  This series GAVE ME LIFE!  It’s a beautiful telling of the story of Drake, Liam, and Claire (MC) where Liam is immediately supportive of Drake and Claire – like supportive before Drake can even really make a move. The characters in this story are pure, beautiful, supportive, strong, and loving.  I have fallen in love with Liam and with Bastien in this story – and I know with certainty that this wasn’t the author’s intention – but I also know she fully supports falling in love with these characters.  Of course, if you’re a Drake fan (as I am) this series will make you happy also.  It’s not a love triangle and yet I still felt so much of that drama that I love in these stories. This series is drama at it’s BEST.  The drama doesn’t come from misunderstandings but from the plot. It’s not over – but it will be soon.  So catch up!

Going deep into the ruins of Bastien and Annabelle (https://likethetailofacomet.tumblr.com/post/178641518985/master-list) by @likethetailofacomet  A little of how Bastien met the love of his life, Annabelle.  Come meet the woman who captures Bastien’s heart.

My Girl (https://tmarie82.tumblr.com/post/182792805128/pairing-drake-x-mc-emma-warner-walker-book-the) by @tmarie82  Drake and Emma are married, with children, and celebrating Valentine’s Day.  Sit back and enjoy some cuteness in this fluffy fic.

One Night Stand (https://kennaxval.tumblr.com/post/182792808423/one-night-stand-olivia-x-drake-nsfw) by @kennaxval  Olivia puts Drake in his place, saves Drake and others from a car accident, and gets a little something from Drake in the process.  As it turns out, Drake is a lucky guy.

Their First Valentine’s (Part 1) (https://drakewalkerwhipped.tumblr.com/post/182818195966/their-first-valentines-part-1-drake-x-mc-x) by @drakewalkerwhipped  If you haven’t met everyone’s favorite poly couple – you really should look them up as written by @drakewalkerwhipped.  This trio is so supportive of each other, so loving, so tender.  I call them #relationshipgoals.  It’s their first Valentine’s Day where they’re not in hiding and they’ve essentially got the kinks worked out.  This chapter is essentially fluff with a little heat – promising much more heat in whatever comes next.

Brave For You (series) (https://likethetailofacomet.tumblr.com/post/178641518985/master-list) by @likethetailofacomet As I understand it, this was written and helped inspire Learning to Love Again because fans demanded a story where Drake lives.  In this trilogy, Drake does not.  Riley has to learn to live without him.  

Perfect Match

Missing You (https://queerchoicesblog.tumblr.com/post/182657763715/missing-you-pm-alana-x-fmc) by @queerchoicesblog  Long distance relationships are hard, but sometimes the little things you do in such a relationship have deep meaning.  Read about how Alana might be in such a relationship.

The Elementalists

When I Taste Tequila (https://walkerismychoice.tumblr.com/post/182626500588/when-i-taste-tequila) by @walkerismychoice  A delightful A/U with Beckett.  His nerdiness shines and gets our MC to drop her defenses.  Kissing ensues and leaves you wanting more.  If you like The Elementalists and you like Gray’s Anatomy – you should read this fic.

Complicated Series (https://darley1101.tumblr.com/post/182575228193/complicated-part-3-it-couple) by @darley1101  In this series, Beckett and Tatiana (MC) start “dating” (quotes are important).  They date for show. But will they fall in love for real?  This series has a great story crossover, it delves into some difficult situations around bullying, and we’ve just learned that Beckett also has a “real girlfriend.”  I need more @darley1101!!!!  Quit writing the rest and give me more of this ;) 

A Courtesan in Rome

The Words that Went Unsaid (https://wughhumans.tumblr.com/post/182673414478/the-words-that-went-unsaid-marc-antony-x-mc) by @wughhumans  Anthony has enemies and that has disastrous consequences.  I don’t want to say more as it will give it away … so I’ll just say it’s not a fluffy read but it’s worth it and I can’t wait for more!

Warrior (https://tmarie82.tumblr.com/post/182744621008/pairing-mystery-pairing-mc-arin-book-a) by @tmarie82  A dark fic that gave us what many of us really wanted …

The Death of a Monster (https://wughhumans.tumblr.com/post/182774319428/the-death-of-a-monster-lysandra) by @wughhumans  Obviously, many people would like to see Legate Aquila die.  Here’s another fic to show how that could happen.  This one is even darker, more graphic, but amazingly well written!

The Heist: Monaco

Stress (https://mysteli.tumblr.com/post/182707625378/stress-fabien-x-mc) by @mysteli  A bit of an AU – but really just an extension of the story – if the MC took a little break from the masquerade party to join Fabien in the getaway car.  Learn a little more about Fabien in this hot fic!

America’s Most Eligible

Bad As Me (http://choicesfanfic.com/content/bad-as-me/) by @lizeboredom  I’m still shook by the fact that the MC in this story is not named Minah.  They’re all supposed to be named Minah!  (If you don’t know what I mean – read ALL of @lizeboredom’s work!) Despite the author being drunk when she wrote this fic and named her character the wrong name – this is a hot story about a much tougher Minah (Myrah) who is flirting with danger when she flirts with Vince.

Desire and Decorum

Only the First of Many (https://walkerismychoice.tumblr.com/post/182799720138/only-the-first-of-many-ernest-sinclaire-x-mc) by @walkerismychoice  As the author says – this is a retelling of the diamond scene from book 2 chapter 9 but from Ernest’s POV.  This is a sweet, hot, tender, and a beautiful rendition.  If you didn’t buy that chapter – this is a great way to read it. If you did – this is an even better way to relive it.

Red Carpet Diaries

Simply Between Us Series (http://angstymarshmallow.tumblr.com/post/182229096884/simply-between-us-part-6-thomas-hunt-x-mc) by @angstymarshmallow  Hunt and Tatum are just about to say “I love you” when Priya storms back in to Hunt’s life.  Is he truly over her?  What will Hunt do when he’s not the most mature one in his relationship with Tatum?  Come read this beautiful written story of love, heart ache, angst, poor decisions, traffic, and (I hope) love conquering all! 

Bloodbound

Against the Rules (http://choicesbyjade.tumblr.com/post/178304360927/bloodbound-fanfiction) by @choicesbyjade  Adrian is flirting with his own rules.  This drives both Samantha (MC) and himself to some sexual acts.  Will there be consequences?  Read to find out!

Artwork Drake by @maxattack-powell

https://maxattack-powell.tumblr.com/post/182780797714/he-wanted-to-surprise-you-when-you-woke-up-did

Adrian by @maxattack-powell

https://maxattack-powell.tumblr.com/post/182815538556/he-says-youre-all-the-sunshine-he-needs

Oh shit!  I read 89 fics this week!  Granted 46 of them were one series, but I still!  I commented and reblogged 89 fics.  I guess I have to say – I’m back baby!

But seriously – I probably will not be able to maintain this pace.  I have to actually read a book next week.  LOL 

Also, this time around if I read a series – I didn’t include a link to each chapter – I included a link to a masterlist.  I included the masterlist link as often as I could.  If I couldn’t find one, I linked to the last chapter.

I hope you found something you hadn’t read yet.  This community is amazingly talented. 

If you know someone I should be reading – send them my way!  I’m always looking for new authors to highlight while I continue to read everyone I’ve already learned to love.  I’m still behind and catching up with many who I have highlighted in the past – but hit me up if there is something you want me to read ASAP.

So much love to all of you!

~MFack~

PS. Even though she’s not here anymore, big thanks to @drivenbyfantasy for creating the graphic.  

PPS. Last, but not least, on the off chance that I missed a fic that you know I reblogged, my apologies! It was unintentional and is not a reflection on you, but upon my inability to maintain my own blog.  Also, if a link or a tag doesn’t work - I am sorry!

[neuxue]

Dear Yuletide Author

Thanks for writing for me! I’ve probably written too much here, so...when in doubt, write the story you want to write, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it! The below are more guidelines than actual rules.

GENERAL

Likes:

Fictional characters in pain (physical, mental, other).

Complicated dynamics between characters (friends, enemies, strangers, all of the above, other). Bonus points for enemies-to-friends/friends-to-enemies/enemies-to-lovers/any movement on the friendship-ally-enmity axis, really.

Betrayals, pseudo-betrayals, etc (see above about complicated dynamics). Bonus points for betrayals made out of necessity. Double bonus points if the betrayed doesn’t know it’s necessary.

Villain-by-necessity or antagonist-by-necessity.

Exploration of power (individual, interpersonal, or both. Again, can be as dark as you want, if you are so inclined.)

Ambiguity, in pretty much all its forms.  

Dark fic. You don't have to, but you absolutely 100% can. This is a blank cheque on content warnings, up to and including the major archive warnings.

Plot! You absolutely do not have to write a complex plot, but if that's your thing...go wild. Political machinations or detailed worldbuilding or some absurdly complicated scheme or that sequel you wish were written.

Fic formats I am very happy with, if they’re your thing: fic-as-character-study, theme-and-variation (so 5 times fics are 100% cool with me), or unconventional fic formats of any kind! But more conventional or linear formats are also A+. This is another ‘blanket permission to do whatever you want’

Dislikes/DNW:

Explicit sex, unless it’s absolutely essential to the story (if it IS absolutely essential: fade-to-black is fine, lightly explicit but not quite porn is usually fine. If I’m going to read sex I’d actually prefer it to be a bit darker in some way - definitely doesn’t have to be related to consent, though it certainly can, but I’d prefer there to be some tension/pain/angst/tragedy/betrayal/darkness/power dynamics to it.y)

Romance as the central focus of the story (partial exceptions include enemies-to-lovers or ‘complicated character dynamics’).

Children (child characters or characters having children).

Alternate setting AUs (like Hogwarts AU or Modern AU or A/B/O, etc. AU that alters canon events - eg ‘X doesn’t die’ or ‘Y happens differently’ is completely fine).

Fluff (humour is fine; sweetness is fine in moderation).

FANDOM-SPECIFIC

His Dark Materials - Marisa Coulter, Lord Asriel

HDM was very much a Formative Fantasy Series for me, and these two were defintely my uh...Formative Fucked-Up Pairing. Enemies, lovers, partners in damnation: they have it all, and they move fluidly between all of those. Individually, they’re some of my favourite characters in the genre: forces to be reckoned with, powerful and capable and driven, terrifying, and somehow still human.

Together, their dynamic is…everything I want in a story. It’s a mess, but it’s a devastatingly beautiful and functionally destructive mess that has the capacity to take down heaven and earth.I love their complexity, both individually and together, and I just want more of it.

“I wanted you to come with me, and I thought you would prefer a lie” has always been my favourite line for these two, if that helps. But really anything about their fucked-up contradictory mess of a series of betrayals and antagonistic workings that somehow form a relationship.

Feel free to include any other characters (nominated or otherwise) you see fit, but I would prefer the focus to be on these two (though if you think an outsider viewpoint, for instance, is the best way to do that, I have no complaints).

As a point of clarification, because romance is loosely on my DNW list: There’s definitely an aspect of Marisa/Asriel that could be called romance, and I have no objections to you exploring that in the context of the rest of their clusterfuck of a dynamic (but it’s the clusterfuck I love the most).

The Baru Cormorant / Masquerade Series - Svirakir

I have this bad habit of loving minor characters, but was rather delighted to see Apparitor not only get some screen time but even get a name in the second book. So I just want...more about him. He was hardly in the first book but was very present on the sidelines, once you know what to look for: what was he up to? What does that look like from his side of things? What did he think of Baru then? What’s his origin story, from his perspective, beyond the brief pieces of it we hear? What other tasks has he carried out in his role as Apparitor? Where has he travelled? Where does he want to go? What’s his great secret, his true aim? What was his first mission, or what would his version of a book-one-esque beginning look like? 

Any of the above, none of the above...I’m being frustratingly nonspecific here, but I really will be happy with mostly anything. He’s a good candidate for fic-as-character-study, if that’s your thing. Or if you’re a plotty sort and want to write him and the others carrying out some absurd heist, I’d be 100% here for it. Or if, like me, you enjoy some good old-fashioned whump and just want to rough him up a bit...yeah, he’s the sort whom suffering looks good on.

Really, knock yourself out. Include any and all other characters from the series as you see fit, or don’t.

The Dragon Prince - Aaravos, Runaan

I feel like I should maybe apologise for this one, especially because it’s a children’s show and yet my immediate thought on this one is ‘if dark is your thing, go dark here’. If dark isn’t your thing that’s absolutely fine, of course, but if it is...yeah. Have fun. Go wild. 

I’m happy to read either of these characters individually, if featuring both of them doesn’t work with what you come up with, but if you do feel like including both, that would be excellent. Maybe they meet somehow -- do the coins and the mirror lead to the same place, and they’re both trapped and meet as uneasy allies? Or as enemies? Or as friends? Or perhaps they’re both trapped and completely separate and never actually meet but their experiences run either parallel or opposite. How did they each get to where they are? What happens to those who are shut away from the real world? Any or none of the above, really.

I’m just super curious to see what is even happening with either or both of these two. Trapped and powerful and mirrored and mysterious...it’s a whole lot, for me, however you decide to slice it, and the world that’s been built is still an open playing field, so have fun!

If it helps, my favourite moments of these two individually are:

Aaravos - when he responds, in that voice of his, to Viren asking ‘why should I trust you’ with ‘You shouldn’t. Yet.’

Runaan - that first shot we see of him chained to a wall.

I know. I’m sorry. 

Oh, also, I know Season 3 is meant to come out before Yuletide fics are due; include or ignore any content from that as you wish.

Machineries of Empire - Vauhan Mikodez

This whole series is really just designed to ruin me, full as it is of characters who are all My Type in different ways.

So first of all, feel free to include any other characters from the series you see fit. Personal favourite candidates include Kujen, Jedao (either version but mostly the first), Cheris, Istradez, Zehun, any of the other Hexarchs/Heptarchs including Faian, any of Kujen’s anchors...the list continues.

Mikodez is fascinating to me because of the contrast in...not quite how he presents himself versus who he actually is, but in how he fully embodies the persona his role demands -- the murdering, amoral, ruthless, scheming, pragmatic Shuos Hexarch -- and yet also manages to be one of the more morally grounded characters in the series. He just doesn’t let anyone (often including himself) see that. So he ends up perceived as having taken a similar path to, say Kujen in terms of murdering his own conscience, stifling his ability to feel pain or empathy in order to become what he must, but he hasn’t. He just follows that path as far as making it clear, to himself and everyone else, that those feelings are a privilege the Shuos Hexarch cannot afford; but he feels them anyway, as himself, and it’s just a whole Problem for me.

And so the way he interacts with other characters, especially those like Jedao and Kujen, is rather fascinating to me. But so is his relationship with Istradez, because again, based on how he presents himself, you wouldn’t really expect Mikodez to be generous and understanding, but he so very much is. 

Mikodez is another great option for fic-as-character-study if you want to go that route, or just go all-out and throw him in way over his head, or let him watch from the shadows, the longest-serving Shuos Hexarch, as everything else plays out. Apologies for not really giving much in the way of prompts here, but I’m pretty much game for anything, and I’m super curious to see what you might come up with.

Sunshine - Robin McKinley (any - Charlie, Rae, Onyx, Con, Mel, Rae’s grandmother)

Knock yourself out. Go wild. Pick any one of the 189237 loose ends this book left and run with it.

Who the hell even was (is?) Onyx Blaise? Actually, if you feel up to it, anything involving Onyx and his mother (Rae’s grandmother) would be fascinating to me. Or, throw Mel and Con and Rae together in some mess they have to work together to solve. Or just give me Mel’s backstory. Or Con’s. Did Con and Onyx meet, and what was that like? What does Rae’s life look like after the book ends? 

If you have an idea for this world, for any or all of these characters, write that. I will read anything, because there’s just so much there to play with.

[kpopchangedme]

|| Main || GOT7 || Day6 || Stray Kids || Monsta X || Jung Haein ||

JAEBEOM

⭐Out Of This World [M] || Romance - Smut - Alien!AU / Childhood Friends || [One Shot]

Jaebum was left behind, forgotten on Earth a long time ago. Even if he’s far from home, he finds himself believing that you might actually be where he truly belongs.  [11k words]

⭐Worship [M] || Smut - Boyfriend - Idol!verse - Romance || [One Shot]

A steamy shower is what you both need after your boyfriend gets back from working really hard promoting his group’s latest single.  [4.6k words]

The Shrimp [M] || Smut - Romance - Pregnancy - Newly Weds || [Drabble]

Jaebeom read so many baby-related books he’s forgotten how to enjoy some simple pleasures… [2.4k words]

Folks & Hooligans || Romance - Royalty - Masquerade || [Drabble]

The best festivals are always the ones where folks dress like royalty and princes go rogue… [2.2k words]

The Pervert on the Train || Strangers - Idol!verse - Misunderstandings - Romance || [Drabble]

When you started screaming about a pervert, it took a moment for Jaebum to understand who you were referring to exactly… [2.4k words]

Capture The Flag: The Trade || Romance - Fluff - Highshool!AU - Enemies to lovers || [One Shot]

Two teams, a lot of snow & a simple common goal. The only problem is that you’re on a losing streak and Jaebum, your mortal enemy, is way too good at this game…  [3.6k words]  A collab with @greasygyeom: Capture The Flag: The Absconding

JACKSON

⭐In-Depth [M] || Smut - F*ck Boy - University - Strangers || [One Shot]

You are about to find out why Jackson’s talents outside the basketball court are also praised by the masses…  [3.4k words]

⭐Practice Makes Perfect [M] || Angst - Romance - Smut - *First Time* -Friends to Lovers || [One Shot] 

You don’t want to be the “only” virgin in college so you ask your poor friend Jackson for… advice.  [5.4k words]

JINYOUNG

Plot Twist [M] || Romance - Enemies to Lovers - Smut || [One Shot] 

Being locked up until tomorrow morning with your biggest rival of the Archery team might not be all bad after all…  [5.5k words]

Third One’s a Charm || Romance - Married Life - Parents || [Drabble] 

Christmas morning is a little rough for Jinyoung this year…  [2k words]

Careless Fall (Hiatus) || Angst - Romance - Idol!verse || [Mini Series]

After starring together in the drama that propelled you to stardom, you spent years avoiding Park Jinyoung. However, no matter how hard you try or where you go, the ghost of what you could have been seems to follow. 

MARK

⭐Saint-Agnès de Roma || Romance - Boarding School - Enemies || [One Shot]

A scholarship student like you has no business hanging out with the cool, filthy rich, teens of your private Academy… But somehow you still end up playing a naughty game with that one guy… [8.3k words]

Hot Mess [M] (Completed) || Romance - Smut - Idol!verse || [Mini Series]  

You work at JYPE and don’t know how to read Mark Tuan, especially since that messy night… Does he truly hate your guts that much? 

Two Sheep Staring at Stars [M] || Soulmates - Friends - Smut || [One Shot]

Years ago, you couldn’t believe a man like Mark could really be your Soulmate. This morning, it’s his turn to find out, and he can’t believe you wasted all this time. [3.7k words]

Abnormality || Romance - Humour - Doctor!AU || [Drabble]

A normal medical appointment can be awfully embarrassing when the doctor examining you looks like a top model.  [1.9k words]

His Taste || Romance - Vampire - Idol!verse || [Drabble]

One night in the JYPE building Mark helps you with a work-related problem and you get a bit... overwhelmed by his proximity.  [1.7k words]

Buy Milk || Romance - Relationship || [Drabble]

Your boyfriend is trying to read, but even while you are sleeping, you are too distracting… [810 words]  A prompt for @mara-twins

YOUNGJAE

⭐The Intervention || Romance - Humour - Strangers || [One Shot]  

To his best friends’ total amazement, you decide to drastically intervene when a shy man is being played by a mean client at your bar.  [3.6k words]

The Maple Goddess || Romance - Christmas || [One Shot]  

Love is in the air at the Christmas Market when you finally get to spend some quality time with the cute guy from the ice skating rink... [4.7k words] Part of a multi-author collaboration of 7 short stories.

Sun-drenched [M] || Smut - F*ck girl - Step-siblings || [One Shot]

Every time you opened your mouth something outrageous came out but unfortunately, your new dorky step-brother seemed to be immune. [4.6k words] Part of a multi-author collaboration The Pleasure Chest

BAMBAM

Don’t Wake Up The Tiger || Storytelling - Humour - *Swearing* || [Drabble]

A tipsy Bambam recounts the nastiest fight GOT7 ever had and don’t believe whatever you’ve heard; it wasn’t his fault.  [quotes from The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger]  [2.2k words]

JAEBEOM & JINYOUNG

Starboy (Ongoing) || University - Baseball - Love Triangle || [Mini Series]

Due to a series of past “mistakes” with Starboy Im Jaebeom, your school life becomes a bit more than you can handle after you begin dating the handsome Resident doctor, Park Jinyoung.

L’Opéra (Hiatus) || Drama - Romance - Love Triangle - Childhood Friends - 1880s!AU - || [Mini Series]  

The arrival of a new sponsor turns the famous Opera House upside down. He’s very handsome, rich and a long lost friend of yours… His return in your life bothers a mysterious character who secretly yearns for you from the shadows. Inspired by “Le Fantôme de l’Opéra” a novel by Gaston Leroux

GOT7: Being unable to make you reach orgasm (M) 

GOT7: His girlfriend squirts during sex (M)

GOT7: Would he make your relationship public?

GOT7 as Zelda: Ocarina of Time main characters

GOT7 as their astrological sign traits

[Click N’ Drag] Rooftop cocktail party with GOT7

[Click N’ Drag] GOT7 visits Jurassic Park

[Click N’ Drag] GOT7 in Star Wars

|| Main || GOT7 || Day6 || Stray Kids || Monsta X ||

[csinickstokes]

"Will You Be My Valentine?" [Peter Maximoff × Reader]

Author’s Note: I know it’s not Valentine’s Day yet, but I think we could all do with some Quicksilver FLUFF! Word Count: 1.6 K Warnings/Rating: T; FLUFF, like two cuss words, reader is salty

Enjoy!!

     Valentine’s Day was still over a month away, yet you were already starting to feel the irritating pain of the headache it always brought on. It started when Jubilee brought up your least favorite holiday in Professor McCoy’s science class one day asking whether or not the School could have a Valentine’s dance. That actually caught your attention when nothing else spoken in that class ever had. “Why would you want to celebrate that? Valentine’s Day is just a scam by greeting card companies to sell more cards and overly-priced chocolate to poor suckers that fall for such corporate commercialism. It’s not about love.” You said tartly -McCoy was just surprised you were participating, so much so he gave you bonus points. Jubilee made a sour face though and stuck her tongue out at you. “It is not, you’ve just never had a Valentine’s.” McCoy stepped in before anything was said to hurt feelings, but you just shrugged. It was true. “Actually, Valentine’s Day is in remembrance of St. Valentine-” You stopped listening after that.

     That same afternoon, once all your classes were finished and you’d gone back to your room for awhile before dinner, you received the second aggravating Valentine’s surprise. Already. With a month to go. Jean burst in the room and threw an envelope down on top of your desk before plopping down on your bed.

“What is this?”

“I don’t know. I was told to give it to you.” You opened the envelope and pulled out an obscenely glittery pink greeting card with hearts drawn all over the front. The inside said ‘Heard you hate Valentine’s. Happy Fake Love Holiday. Love, Your Secret Admirer.“ Your face blushed a deep red that rivalled the card; luckily Jean was almost asleep. "Who is this from?”

“I don’t know.” In your mind, you hoped it was Warren, but you weren’t holding your breath. He’d also been in McCoy’s class during the conversation, but he’d been asleep with his head thrown back on your desk and your fingers running through his curls.

     This kept up for the three weeks leading up to the week of Valentine’s. Every day you’d find a card from the same mysterious sender, sometimes in your room, sometimes in embarrassingly public places. Like taped to the chalkboard in Xavier’s classroom or even hanging from the chandelier in the foyer of the mansion. Frankly, it was ridiculous and getting out of hand. But it was made even worse when Professor Xavier agreed to let the school have a Valentine’s Dance. “As long as homework is completed and turned in by Friday afternoon.” Jubilee and Jean were put in charge of the affair -a morning Valentine’s party for the younger students and a evening dance for the older ones- because they were the only ones excited for it. Well, those two and Kurt, who was game for anything he considered 'American’. You weren’t sure about it being typically an American holiday, but you weren’t one to crush Kurt’s spirit, especially since he’d never celebrated the holiday before.

      Almost immediately the school was transformed; red and pink heart streamers hung from the ceiling and doorways, pictures of Cupid and hearts and flowers and who knew what all drawn by the little kids were plastered on every flat surface available, and there seemed to be an endless rain of glitter. So much so that you had to stand beneath the canopy of Warren’s wings for protection -glitter is a pain to wash out of hair. Finally you’d had enough and voiced your frustrations to your friends. Actually, you just ripped down the handful of streamers hanging over your bed and tossed them in the trash. “What was that for?!” Jubilee got the things back out of the trash and ran off with Kurt in tow to hang them up somewhere else.

“I’m tired of this crap getting in my hair!” You shouted after her. You didn’t want to upset her. Besides, McCoy had told them to cut it out with the glitter; he was tired of brushing it out of his fur. You technically weren’t in the wrong. Jean smirked at you. “When did you become such a cynic?”

“I’m not. I just don’t fall for their marketing lies.”

     The party and dance were scheduled for Friday, even though the actual holiday was on a Tuesday this year. It gave everyone something to look forward to after a hard week. Your friends had coerced you into giving it a chance. You really didn’t care anything about the dance, but it was being catered, so at least the food would be worth it. And really, why else would anybody go to a party if the food wasn’t good?

      If you were honest with yourself, you’d had fun all day that Friday. Xavier had given you a pass, so you and your best friend Peter chaperoned the kids’ party while they exchanged cards and candy and watched movies all day while eating the snacks you’d picked up in town when buying party supplies. Namely, sugar cookies with too much frosting and tons of chips and soda. “Might as well sugar them up.” Peter had said while tossing every type of sweet in the store into the shopping cart. “Why don’t we just give them bags of plain sugar? Do you really want to chase down thirty hyper eight-year-olds?” He thought about it and grabbed some gallons of milk, “To balance them out.”

      You two sat in the back of the library where the last movie was playing, your head laying on Peter’s shoulder as he ran his fingers through your hair. It was putting you to sleep. “Have you figured out who your secret admirer is yet?”

“No, not yet. But the card I got this morning said they’d be at the dance tonight. Hope they bring over-priced chocolate.” You laid your head back down. Unknown to you, Peter smiled to himself.

      The dance was set up in the dining room of the school with the tables pushed off to the side to make room for a dance floor. McCoy and Raven were chaperoning this time without Alex or Xavier because Alex was, as he put it, “too old for this shit”. He instead pushed a TV into the hallway outside of the dorms to make sure none of the students -like Scott- tried anything stupid and watched whatever sport was being shown. And Xavier had his hands full upstairs trying to wrangle the eight-year-olds. He’d just shot you and Peter a dark look that promised payback as he had to pull two kids off of his wheelchair so he could chase after another when he came to check on the party.

      It didn’t entirely go off without a hitch though. Jubilee had hoped to have a masquerade, but Xavier caught wind that a couple of the students -Scott and Warren- planned on buying clown masks and scaring some of the others that were terrified of clowns, which Charles was, so he put the quietus on that. Also, they seemed to be having a harder time getting anyone in your group of friends to dance than they’d expected. Bless Kurt for actually giving in to Jubilee’s demands, so that she left the others alone. You watched Scott’s shameful flirting attempts with Jean who was not reciprocating at all, but at least she had agreed to be his Valentine. Okay, maybe you were a little salty. As far as you knew, your 'Secret Admirer’ hadn’t shown up, and you were aggravated by the number of girls that clung to Warren so that you couldn’t talk to him. What would the consequences be if you were to say, light something on fire with your mutation? That would liven things up.

“You don’t look like your having fun, Y/N.” You startled at Peter’s voice; you still weren’t used to him sneaking up on you. He smiled mischievously with his hands hidden behind his back.

“I’m fine, you know I’m not much of a dancer. I’d rather watch Scott make a fool of himself.”

“You could do that any day.” You both ignored Scott’s shouts of protest and Jean’s laugh. “Come on. One dance?” What the hell? One wouldn’t hurt anything. Besides it was a slow song now. You held your hand out and were utterly shocked when Peter pulled out a dozen red roses and the biggest box of chocolates you’d ever seen from behind his back and sat them on your seat. “Here, we’ll come back for those later. I wasn’t sure what kind of chocolate you liked so I got a mix, and I’ll eat the ones you don’t want.” You threw a glance back at Jean and Scott who were smiling brightly -guiltily- at you. They knew this whole time. Probably everyone did. Your heart started pounding. You’d always liked Peter, but never knew if he felt the same. That’s why you’d moved on and set your sights on Warren, so you wouldn’t get hurt.

“Peter, you’re my secret admirer?” He wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you close, slowly swaying with the music, though you could tell he would only stay still for so long. “Well, yeah. Why would you think I wasn’t?”

“I didn’t think you liked me like that. I thought you saw me as just a friend.” You looked down, but he lifted your chin and made you look at him. “I’ve liked you since we first met.” He took a deep breath. “Y/N, will you be my Valentine?”

“Yes!” You flung your arms around his neck and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, something you’d imagined doing for awhile. He deepened the kiss and even went as far as dipping you down like in every romance movie ever, despite McCoy in the background telling you to keep it at arm’s length.

Maybe Valentine’s Day wasn’t a fake love holiday after all.

[thereinafter]

I'm signing up for the Yuletide fic exchange this year; looong Dear Yuletide Writer letter below.

Dear Yuletide writer, hi! This is my first time writing one of these letters, although I’ve read Yuletide fic for many years. I’m excited about whatever you write for me and I hope this makes it easier. I’m thereinafter (isyche) on AO3.

I will be delighted if you write me something shippy for characters I ship (and I’m entirely cool with that being explicit if you’re so moved), but I am also delighted by gen fic, especially building on/exploring aspects of the world or backstory. I am the kind of person who enjoys Tolkien’s appendices and songs and reads all the codex entries in video games. I’ll always love something that’s like a bit more of the canon. 

I suggested prompts in case that helps you, but feel free to mix them up or come up with your own idea. 

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General likes:

Canon divergence AUs

Time loop stories, and other kinds of variations on a theme, generally (I do like “five times” fic)

Casefic for canons where there are cases or missions

Epistolary or “found documents” stories

Unconventional story structures

Worldbuilding/exploration of the canon world

Stories set around holidays and festivals, and balls, masquerade or not

Relatedly, characters doing things in disguise, whether they’re good or bad at it (and bodyswap, as a subcategory of this and forced intimacy)

Heists and rescues/jailbreaks

Court plotting, intrigue, spying

Road or sea trips/wilderness survival

Forced intimacy tropes like fake dating, bedsharing, huddling for warmth, marriage of convenience

Hurt/comfort (generally in the sense of one character in a pairing enduring hurt from external forces and the other saving and/or tending them)

Swordfights, training for all kinds of fighting, feats of arms

Characters creating things for others

In-universe stories, songs, mythologies, histories

Scenery and costume porn in the “rich description” sense

Lighthearted fluff and humor

Angst with happy endings

Us against the world pairings

Pining and extended UST, especially between work partners who are busy with saving the world or some other important task

Longtime friends to lovers, old friends meeting again, old enemies who aren’t really anymore, rivals who respect each other

Ascetic/hedonist or repressed/libertine or inexperienced/more experienced pairings

Stoic women who have a lot of hidden feelings

Characters who are very good at what they do (but may be awkward or lost in other contexts)

Loyalty/dedication/faithfulness/devotion, knight/queen dynamics (either one-way or where both consider themselves the knight to the other), love conflicting with other loyalties

People who know each other so well they can read each other wordlessly or sense each other across distances

Noble self-denial and sacrifice

in sex scenes: cuddling, laughing, eroticized hands and voices, clothed/semi-clothed sex, complicated undressing, extended making out, enthusiasm/eagerness/desperation, first times or first times in a while, talking whether emotional or joking or dirty, having to keep silent or hold still, interruptions and delayed gratification, sex against walls, mutual roughness, spontaneous/informal kink, magical or magic-enhanced sex in contexts where that exists

DNWs:

Coffeeshop/high school/other mundane AUs, soulmate/soulmark AUs, issuefic, non-canonical polyamory, non-canonical nicknames, non-canonical pregnancy and kids, A/B/O, formalized D/s, sexual violence/noncon, male dominance in het ships, daddy/mommy kink, incest

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Fandoms I requested (in alphabetical order):

Alpennia Series - Heather Rose Jones

Barbara, Margerit, Jeanne, Antuniet (I requested all four but any one or two or three of them is also fine)

In this series I love the canon ships as they are (don’t want them broken up or reconfigured), the women finding happy endings together despite their society’s prejudices, the Regencyesque setting with balls and seasons and duels, the way the magic works (especially Antuniet’s alchemy and how we see mysteries constructed through music and art), the way Margerit’s house becomes a refuge/salon for queer and intellectual/artistic women. 

Prompt suggestions:

one of Barbara's adventures pre-Daughter of Mystery? Her first efforts at being a duelist?

if you’ve read “Three Nights at the Opera” it says it's the story of Barbara’s glorious imprudence but in fact leaves most of it untold, so you could tell me more about her affair with Jeanne?

In DoM after Barbara and Margerit kiss the first time, a lot of the romance is off-page in the same way; you could show me one of the undescribed scenes from, e.g., their time in the convent with all the feelings and details.

Domestic fluff in one of their households as of Mother of Souls? a holiday celebration? Margerit creating another private mystery for Barbara? an elaborate ball or secret party thrown by Jeanne? 

Some kind of magical accident or student mistake results in a time loop or amnesia or h/c?

A road trip leaves one of the couples stranded in the mountain wilderness (Antuniet’s harsh practicality and Jeanne being used to luxury could make this interesting for them)?

One of them is kidnapped by one of their political rivals and the others have to rescue her?

——

The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe - Kij Johnson

Vellitt Boe, Clarie Jurat, Gnesa Petso, Reon Atescre | Nasht (here, I also requested all of them but you don’t need to include all of them; see prompts)

This is a novella that turns Lovecraft’s Dreamlands inside out and subverts him delightfully while retaining the weirdness/horror/atmosphere I do like about his stories. I absolutely love the setting, the descriptions, Johnson’s extension of the existing worldbuilding, and the character of Vellitt Boe herself (an older woman with a past life of adventures who leaves her settled academic life to set out alone on a new one). I’d love anything that shows more of this version of this world. If you want to bring in more elements from the Lovecraft stories and treat them the same way, fantastic.

prompt suggestions:

It seems like Vellitt and Dean Gnesa Petso have a long history, did they know each other or travel together before working together at Ulthar Women’s College? (and you could make that a romantic history if you want). Did Gnesa convince her to stop adventuring and start teaching there?

We know she used to travel with Reon Atescre before he became the high priest Nasht; I like their friendship. “They had parted ways in the infamous demon-city Thalarion for no reason but the restlessness that is in the young”—what were they doing there?

“In her far-travelling days, she had walked in god-blasted wastelands …” what did she encounter there?

Why did she finally leave Randolph Carter and what happened after she did? Why did she change her name?

One prompt without Vellitt: Clarie Jurat returns home to fight the gods; I’d love to see how she does it.

——

Elemental Logic - Laurie J. Marks

Zanja na’Tarwein, Karis G’deon

I fell pretty hard for these books, especially Fire Logic, about which I love so many things; I feel like Marks has some kind of direct connection to my personal id. All the circumstances of the way they meet with Karis breaking Zanja out of the prison, all the h/c, all the pining and angst, all their rescuing of each other, Karis’s eventual healing of herself and rediscovery of feeling, give me an absurd amount of feelings. I also love how the books are overall about the struggle to establish and hold a peace more than fighting a war, and the fact that Karis uses her amazonian strength to be a healer and creator/fixer of things while Zanja is the fighter, and all the other opposing elemental/mystical traits that mean they are often baffled by each other.

To sum up, I very much love them as a ship and would like a story focused on the two of them (Emil and Medric are fine characters, but I’d rather not focus on the whole group family; that said, if you write something that needs secondary characters, I’m fond of Norina and Clement and Seth and Garland too, and I love the ravens).

Prompt suggestions:

The two of them keep getting separated and almost dying or symbolically dying and then reuniting/bringing each other back. Which does work for me every time, so if you want to write something plotty that continues that pattern, I would be here for it. 

We’re told Karis loses her powers over water and thus avoids it, but we don’t ever see much of that; what would it be like if she had to sail somewhere? (I could see this going in a light funny or fraught angsty direction.) 

I’m intrigued by the implications of Karis sensing what happens to objects she forges, as with Zanja’s knife. 

A little mission/case they decide to handle together? There must be a lot of problems around Shaftal to fix still. 

——

Sunless Sea

Presbyterate Adventuress, Brisk Campaigner (you could focus on either or both)

I've been in love with the Fallen London/Sunless Sea world for a long time and I will adore anything you write that evokes the atmosphere of the games. I'm fascinated with the story possibilities of every port (while not having managed to discover all of them even with my luckiest captains). I'm requesting the Adventuress and the Campaigner because I’m intrigued by their possible canon relationship, but if you want to bring in other characters too, go for it. 

prompt suggestions:

Backstory! What were their lives like before they joined the crew? Had they ever met before?

Tell me about an adventure onshore when the ship is in one of the ports and the captain is busy (for one or the other of them, or them together).

Or an adventure on the zee, fighting creatures or dealing with crew madness in the dark.

Medical situations in this world could get very weird; what kinds of things does the Campaigner deal with as ship’s doctor?

Abbey Rock particularly fascinates me; you could tell me more about the Adventuress’s deal to fight the Sisters’ Adversary for them, and her battle (and leave it tragic or fix it somehow after her victory if you choose).

——

Tam Lin

Janet, Tam Lin, The Queen

I’m a big fan of the Child ballads and traditional folk/story songs in general. My favorite sung version of “Tam Lin” is probably Fairport Convention’s [lyrics]. There are many retellings, but I’d love another one or a story that spins off of it or fills in some of the blanks. 

The thing I love most at the heart of the story is Janet’s courage and steadfastness in enduring the fairy queen’s test to rescue her beloved. But I’m also fascinated by the darkness surrounding that, like the warning away from Carterhaugh at the beginning, the queen owing a tithe to hell, and the body horror of the transformations and having to hold on to these things. You could keep the pregnancy in or leave it out, whichever works best with your story.

Prompt suggestions:

An f/f retelling would be very my thing, but not required.

An AU in a very different setting, like space or virtual reality or another historical period or a culture with a different mythology around fairies/spirits (for an extra challenge, it could also be interesting set in one of my other requested fandoms, if you know them)

Something from Tam Lin’s POV or the queen’s that fills in their backstory together?

Something that elaborates more on Janet/Tam Lin’s initial and subsequent encounters between the lines of the ballad? 

Something set after the end that deals with the repercussions or further consequences? (are there permanent effects on Tam Lin? if there’s a child, is the child affected in some way?)

[porcelainseashore]

Into the Ether (9)

Series Masterlist

Pairing: Vampire! Toreador! Leon Kennedy x Fem! Reader

Summary: At the all-night events cafe you run, you’ve become acquainted with an elusive patron, Leon, though you can never remember the last moments of your interactions together. After a harrowing encounter, a love-hate relationship develops between the two of you as you grapple with your newfound status in a world of darkness and investigate the reasons behind the untimely attacks.

Content & Warnings: 18+ Resident Evil x Vampire: The Masquerade crossover, horror, mystery, romance, slow burn, strangers to enemies to lovers, angst, fluff, eventual smut, swearing, smoking, alcohol, drug references, non consensual blood drinking, blood bond, vampire turning, violence, injury, mild gore, torture, religious themes, minor character death, RE ensemble, VtM concepts.

Author's Note: Implied child kidnapping ahead.

Taglist: @admirxation @angelstargel @miss-oranje-disco-dancer ❤️‍🔥

AO3 Link

Chapter 9: Blood Is Thicker Than Water

Another night, another part of the mystery to solve. But first, you had agreed to go into work. Nothing was going to stop you, not even the ‘Prince’s orders’. Something about having a nightly routine kept you sane and grounded you in reality. Not that what you were experiencing wasn’t real, but you didn’t want to lose touch with the living. You didn’t want to become like… Leon?

You heaved a disheartened sigh thinking about it. You’d been giving the man the silent treatment ever since returning from the Spencer Mansion, and you didn’t like it one bit. Hurting people wasn’t something you enjoyed — be it ignoring them out of spite or acting in a way that would lead to someone’s unfair demise. It didn’t help that you were constantly being reminded of how powerless and insignificant you were. Was this the best you could do when taking a stand? Or was there something more?

Working felt like walking. You went through the motions: socializing with your colleagues, pandering to customers, planning out the next month’s events program, making a couple of calls along the way, and your personal favorite — sorting out the cafe’s finances. Even the Redfields showed up, informing you and by extension, Leon, that they were still on the suitor’s case and would have something juicy for you soon.

“Do you ever miss the sun?” you wondered out loud. 

It had barely been a week since you turned, but you were already bemoaning the fact that you wouldn’t be able to live to see it. Although the nights were longer now that the year had entered into its colder period, you had thought ahead, speculating how it would be like when summer returned again. That was depressing.

“Always,” Claire responded, patting your shoulder empathetically.

“Best not to think about it,” Chris chimed in, taking a swig from his beer bottle. “You’ll get used to it at some point, and besides, there’s always YouTube.”

“Very helpful, Chris,” his sister huffed in disdain, forcefully backhanding her brother so that he choked on a bit of his beer.

“What the fuck, sis?” he groaned, wiping the beer stains off his clothes with his bare hands in annoyance. “On my nice shirt as well.”

For some reason the constant bickering between the siblings caused you to double over in laughter and they looked at you in amusement. After you recovered from your giggling fit, you pointed to Chris' bottle, asking, “So you can do that thing of actually enjoying what you eat and drink?”

“Uh huh.”

“Maybe you can teach me?” you tested the waters. “Leon was supposed to, but—” You stopped yourself in your tracks, realizing that you’d have to share a lot more than you would be comfortable with.

Unfortunately, Claire was perceptive enough. “Trouble in Paradise?” she suggested, only to continue on her train of thought when you didn’t answer, “Whatever it is, you don’t have to tell me. He may be a prick who needs a nudge in the right direction, but he’ll come around.”

She pressed her arm against the wall and leaned forward with a mischievous grin. “And I hate to say this, but he’s actually a good guy.”

The expression on your face must’ve given away how you felt when Claire had uttered those last words. She quickly peppered it with, “He must’ve screwed up pretty bad, huh?”

“Let’s just say it’s one screw up after the other,” you finally replied.

Chris gave a low chuckle, “Sounds like him alright.” He shrugged. “Can’t blame the guy for trying though.”

“Alright, I’ll let you in on something,” Claire began, only to be interrupted by her brother.

“Oh man, not again! Can’t ever keep your goddamn mouth shut, can you?” he scolded.

“Shut up, Chris! She’s cool with us, you know that,” she retorted and he conceded, though you could still hear him grumbling in the background.

Turning towards you triumphantly, she continued, “I’ll keep it short. He saved my brother's skin; I owed him a life boon, and Chris probably did too, but he turned it down in the end.”

“Yeah, said something about not wanting to take advantage,” Chris piped up, shaking his head in disbelief. “To this night, it still floors me.”

What they had said gave you some pause. It seemed as though Leon had a bunch of demons to confront, and there was always an internal battle waging. You just hadn’t been able to break through. But did you want to in the end? Or would you just leave him to rot in his own misdoings? You weren’t anyone’s savior and you didn’t want to be. You simply wanted to do what felt right to you.

“Guess there’s a lot more to him that I don’t know about,” you mused.

Chris’ wide palm met your back with a loud thump that reverberated across your chest. “Hey, chin up, kid. It’ll take a while, but you’ll get there. Us Brujahs don’t give up without a fight.” His brown eyes lit up and crinkled, fine lines of crow’s feet fanning out from the corners. “And no matter what anyone says, I still think you’re one at heart.”

“Brujah, huh? I like the sound of that.” A crooked smile played across your lips as you laid your cards out on the table. “I’ve heard you’re fierce fighters. Mind showing me a few tricks? Just so I know how to fend for myself.”

Chris stood taller, eyeing you with curiosity as a sense of pride visibly swelled in his chest.

“I could throw in a supply of beers on the house to sweeten the deal,” you added, pointing at the empty bottle he was clutching at his side.

He barked out a laugh before responding, “Well, now that you put it that way, you’ve got my hands tied.” Placing his bottle down on a table beside him, he agreed, “Sure, I’ll give you some tips, but a word of warning: I don’t go easy.”

The rest of your shift went by without event, until Leon dropped by to pick you up for the next meeting planned that night. Since neither of you had gotten any real leads on the case yet, he thought it best to visit the Bakers first before heading back to NEST, where the Primogens' offices were and where Jill would be waiting impatiently for answers. 

In the jeep, the atmosphere was thick with tension, though along the way, he tried to cut through it with some advice. “I know you’re still upset and don’t want to talk, but I need to prepare you for this.” 

He tapped on the steering wheel nervously. “As Malkavians, the Bakers all suffer from some form of affliction following their Embrace. In this case, they believe a little girl called Eveline is part of the family, except no one else can see her.”

“You mean she’s invisible?”

The car swerved off-center as Leon glanced over at you, startled by your response. It was the first time you had spoken to him in a while. You clung onto the grab handle and yelled, “Keep your fucking eyes on the road!”

“Shit, um, sorry!” He focused his attention back to his driving, quickly stabilizing the vehicle before he spoke up again. “And, uh, no. I mean, we don’t think she actually exists.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Okay, and is that going to be a problem?”

“Not if you pretend she does,” he stated plainly. “Otherwise, they’ll get really provoked if you don’t interact with Eveline.”

“Right, thanks for the heads up.” You nodded curtly. “Anything else I should know?”

“Yeah, well, uh, just be—”

“Careful. Got it,” you finished the sentence for him.

“I don’t want you to get hurt,” he emphasized. “These folks have always been rather isolated from the Camarilla. Last I heard, they don’t take kindly to strangers sticking their noses where they don’t belong. So, if all hell breaks loose in there, I want you to book it and run, alright?”

You frowned, shifting your gaze in his direction. If his intention was to allay your fears, he had done nothing but heighten them. “What about you?”

“Don’t worry about me.” He flashed you a reassuring smile, but you could make out the hint of unease in the curl of his lips. “Take the car keys when we reach the place, so you have your escape route if needed.”

You let his words linger in the air as you kept quiet throughout the rest of the ride.

━━━━━━━━━━━

Reaching the outskirts of Raccoon City, you were traveling along Stone-Ville Road, where there was nothing but open land. The trees had been cleared from the forest, and multiple estuaries flowed from the Raccoon Dam. The area was sparsely populated, with only a smattering of houses spread out from each other in the distance. At some point, Leon made a left turn into a side road, heading towards a decrepit-looking estate that was slightly off the beaten track. It appeared to bear some similarities to the Spencer Mansion back in Arklay Forest, causing a spine-tingling shiver to sweep through your body.

“Designed by the same architect from the Trevor & Chamberlain fame,” Leon pointed out, seemingly able to read your mind.

“That guy from New York?” You remembered reading about him in magazine articles and the mystery of his disappearance as people mourned the loss of a genius.

“Yeah, so expect surrealist stuff, including puzzles and secret passageways,” he cautioned.

You balked at the thought of having to enter yet another labyrinth like the one at the Tremere Chantry.

“It’s just for a friendly chat,” he asserted, his calming blue gaze meeting yours. “I doubt there’s any need for us to explore the house, unless they make things difficult.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” you muttered, tucking the car keys into your pocket as you stepped in front of a formidable, rusty gate.

It was unlocked, and as Leon pushed it open, it screeched on its hinges like a dead woman's wail, beckoning you towards the crumbling building before you, which was long past its heyday. The refurbished plantation house, where you assumed the Baker family lived, was part of a larger ranch estate, and it looked like something straight out of a slasher flick.

Leon pressed the doorbell, waiting to see if there was any sign of life. A light switched on, its mellow rays filtered through the window shades, and you heard hurried footsteps on the wooden floorboards until the door swung open. An older lady with her dark hair tied back in a loose ponytail peered at both of you in confusion. She wore a tattered, sweat-stained button-up blouse and a brown skirt. Her coarse and wrinkled skin still carried an unfaded tan, suggesting a life of manual labor, where she had tended to the animals and fields under the sweltering sun.

“Can I help you, miss, mister?” she asked in a heavy Southern drawl. “We weren’t expecting anyone at this time.”

“Ma’am,” he dipped his head politely in acknowledgement. “Sorry for intruding on you like this, but there wasn’t any other way to contact you.”

“Well, we don’t want no trouble, young man. Just mindin’ our own business, that’s all.” Shifting nervously from foot to foot, she fiddled with the hem of her cotton blouse, glancing over her shoulder every now and then at a blank space behind her.

Your attention was drawn to the area she kept looking at, and as you concentrated on it, the hairs on the back of your neck stood on end. You had the strangest sense that someone was there, but you couldn’t make out any shape or figure, just an energy. An icy chill gripped your head, as if cold hands were feeling along the grooves of your brain. You shuddered, realizing that whoever it was knew that you were aware of its presence.

“We don’t want any trouble either,” Leon assured, raising his palms slightly to indicate a truce. “We just have some questions we could use your help on, regarding an attack a couple of nights ago.”

The woman still clutched onto the door apprehensively. “Why? Who sent you?”

“The Prince put us on the investigation,” he disclosed warily.

At that moment, a shadowy figure materialized behind the woman, taking a few seconds before you could make out his features in the dim light. He was an older man, around the same age as her, balding and wearing spectacles. Likewise, his yellow striped shirt and beige pants were worn and filthy, as though he hadn’t changed out of it for decades.

“Prince?” he questioned defensively, placing his hand on the small of the woman’s back. “What does the Prince want? We didn’t do nothing wrong, son.”

“No, you didn’t,” Leon agreed, quickly following up with an explanation to assuage the man. “We have the assailants in custody, but it appears they’ve been brainwashed and manipulated through Dementation — a skill that you’re well-versed in.”

The man eyed him like a hawk as Leon continued, treading on thin ice. “We thought we could use your expertise, and if you might’ve picked up on anything out of the ordinary in the vicinity.”

There was a pregnant pause before the man relented, “Fine, you got five minutes to ask us anything you wanna know, son.” Pushing the door wide open, he gestured for you to enter. “Come on in.”

As you stepped into the gloomy premises, he pointed at you, flashing a warning glance in your direction. “And no more snoopin’ around, young lady.”

Oh, right. You must’ve unwittingly activated one of your powers earlier to sense his presence, when he had relied on his Obfuscate Discipline to remain hidden. “Sorry, my bad,” you mumbled. “It was an accident.”

He nodded, turning around to make his way into the living room where a dining table was situated. “You girls can come out now,” he hollered. 

You saw a younger woman with jagged, short hair emerge in a similar fashion to how the man did before, sitting at one of the chairs at the table. Despite that, you greeted two people as Leon had instructed, and he followed suit. A round of introductions followed, where you learnt that the older couple were Jack and Marguerite and their two daughters, Zoe and Eveline, with the latter being the youngest at ten years old.

Marguerite disappeared into the kitchen for a bit, only to return with a tray of crockery. She handed out cups to everyone and poured a red, viscous liquid from a teapot. Jack grumbled in the corner that it was meant to be a short meeting, but at the same time, couldn’t help but appreciate his wife’s hospitality. Bringing the cup to your nose, the liquid smelled musky, like earth, and you wondered where it came from.

“It’s the best I can offer at such last minute notice,” she apologized, wiping her hands on her blouse as she sat herself down. Twisting her head in the direction of the empty seat next to Zoe, she cooed, “But Evie likes it, don’t ya, sweetheart? That’s it, drink up now. Little piggy’s blood is good for you.”

You watched as the cup on the table remained motionless, while Marguerite bombarded the invisible entity with sweet words of encouragement. Trying to ease the awkwardness in such a situation, you took a mouthful of the liquid from your cup. It was the first time you tasted animal blood and as much as you hated to admit it, it was incredibly bland compared to human blood. Like a simple gruel versus a gourmet meal. Then again, neither could bagged blood beat the real thing, though you tried not to dwell on it. You smiled politely over at Zoe, who threw you a sympathetic look.

“You’re new, huh?” she asked shyly, cocking her head as she gazed at you.

“Mm hm, about a week.” You took another sip and pursed your lips, swallowing the liquid like a chore that had to be done.

“Ooh, a baby!” Marguerite interjected, suddenly interested in the conversation between you and Zoe. You imagined she was the social butterfly of the group. “Maybe Evie can show you a few tricks.”

At this, Leon rested his hand over your arm protectively, forcing a strained smile. “Perhaps another time? We really should get down to business.”

“Ah, city boys and their ‘business’,” Jack remarked, stretching his legs out and crossing them at the ankles. “Well, what can we do for ya?”

You heard Leon speak, but his voice seemed to drone on with the others, and out of nowhere you started to enter a tunnel vision. In your line of sight, you spotted a framed photo of the Baker family, though something was amiss. There was a young man in the picture you hadn’t met yet. He was thin and lanky, and had a hoodie on that obscured part of his face. Leaning back on the couch, he stared directly back at you with a bored look in his hollowed eyes.

It took you a while, but you managed to snap out of it, uttering the first thought that came to your mind, “Is that your son, mister?”

All at once, the mood in the room shifted, taking a dramatic turn for the worse. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on you as Jack ordered ominously, “Get the hell out.”

You opened your mouth in protest, but Leon beat you to it, rising up from his seat as he contended, “Look, she didn’t mean anything by it. We’re sorry, alright? Could we just—”

“Shut your goddamn mouth, boy!” Jack bellowed, his command resonating across the room.

Leon’s body grew rigid and he remained mute. Dread seeped into your bones as you observed the previous scene of peace and tranquility descend into an utter nightmare.

“Mama, Evie’s getting upset,” Zoe announced in a tiny voice.

“Argh! See what you’ve done now?” Marguerite shrieked as she stomped around the room in a temper tantrum. “This is your fault!” she accused, glaring at you and Leon.

“You barge into our house and threaten my family? This won’t do!” Jack shook his head menacingly as his eyes glowered. “I’m just gonna have to teach you a lesson.”

His eyes changed into an otherworldly shade and Marguerite joined him, speaking in tongues. They gazed at Leon as if engaged in a séance. However, Zoe remained separate from their antics, looking on in fright. You stood rooted to where you were, bracing for the worst, but nothing happened. It was only when you saw Leon sink to the ground on his knees, his face pale as a sheet, that you realized he was bearing the brunt of your transgression.

He was taken back to years ago, at the height of his blood bond, where he would do anything to win Ada’s affection. Her interest in him had begun to wane and he was sure she was seeing another lover. But this time, he would bring her the vessel that would change her mind about him and guarantee her everlasting love.

There he was, at that godforsaken group home, the one linked to the Catholic church he had frequented when he was still alive, and where he would sell his damned soul for a second time to the Devil. All it took was a flash of his police credentials and a charm or two from his arsenal of skills he had honed to entrance the nuns keeping watch over the children.

“Sherry, are you ready to go?” He extended a hand towards her. 

This wasn’t his first rodeo. Ada and him had been noticing the little girl for a while, testing to see if she would be a worthy vessel for the Prince himself. After all, Ventrues were extremely fussy drinkers and Wesker expected a Michelin star meal every single time. The only thing stopping him from delivering the girl over was a vague sense of morality he still had within him. But he was desperate enough now to dash it to the ground for a chance at his sire’s approval again.

The girl had dressed into her school uniform, a hairband holding her blond tresses out of her face as she peered up excitedly at him. “Yes, let’s go!”

She would have done anything to get away from the home where she never slept well and felt alone despite being in a room full of kids around her age. Where Leon was taking her sounded like a glorious fairytale. A palace with a prince, she imagined, a place where she would be treated to all the luxuries her current life could never afford her.

“Oh god, no!” he cried out, doubling over on the grimy floor of the Baker House. 

Sherry was haunting him again. Everywhere he looked, he saw multiple copies of her like a cracked mirror reflecting her ghost on its uneven surface. He heard layer upon layer of her laughter, jumbled and out of sync, mocking and taunting him. Paranoia sank in and he curled himself into a fetal position, pleading for no one in particular to forgive him.

“Sherry, please, we have to go!” he urged. 

This was years later, when he had some sense knocked into him from the time he hung out with the Anarchs. He wanted to right his wrongs, and free the girl who was never meant to be trapped in the underworld in the first place.

But she had changed. She was older and wiser, and knew exactly what she wanted — it was definitely not to leave.

Yanking her hand back, she kicked her feet, stamping on the ground as she yelled, “No! I want to stay!”

He was shocked by her absolute conviction in remaining within the prison where she was held, like a pretty songbird for the rest of the Kindred to gawk at. “But…”

“You can’t make me!” she screamed, red in the face.

Rendered speechless, he didn’t know what else to do than stare at the crying child before him with his jaw hanging open. He thought he was saving her, like a knight in shining armor, but she didn’t need any saving. She was perfectly happy where she was.

“One day, I’ll get you out of there. I promise,” he babbled on repeatedly, reduced to nothing but a trembling mess before the Malkavians.

During the entire period when Leon appeared to be suffering from a mental breakdown, you were torn about what to do. He had told you to bolt the minute something like this took place, but you couldn’t leave him to fend for himself in this state. You didn’t understand what he was blabbering on about. Was Sherry his sister? Where was she? What happened to her?

A million thoughts raced through your mind, but you shut them down. You needed to pry Leon away from the family’s cold clutches and keep him safe. Mustering your courage, you approached the one who seemed to be the most reasonable of the lot. She still sat in her chair, gazing upon the scene with a vacant yet troubled expression.

“Zoe?” you called out softly, hoping it wouldn’t escalate the situation. “Please, we don’t mean any harm.”

Her eyes darted towards you.

“I know you’re just trying to protect your family,” you deduced, especially from the way they had been on edge the moment you stepped onto their property and inadvertently brought up one of their own.

“We need the information, but I swear to you we will keep whoever it is you’re trying to protect safe,” you promised.

Her breath hitched, and she looked at you with glassy eyes. In the background, you could hear Leon’s gut-wrenching whines of pain.

“Zoe, please!” you begged, your brows furrowing and tears on the verge of spilling from your eyes. You couldn’t bear to witness him in such agony any longer. It felt like your heart was shattering into pieces, though you couldn’t explain why.

“Eveline, stop,” her calm voice sliced through the air and the buzzing energy died down. 

Her parents came out of their hypnotic state and Leon stopped shaking uncontrollably, though he backed himself into a corner in fear. You rushed to his side, holding him in your arms as you checked his eyes to see if he had fully returned to the present.

“You stayed…” he whispered, reaching out to touch your face, as though he was trying to ascertain if you were real.

In an instant, you pulled him into an embrace, rocking him gently as you stroked his hair. “You’re okay, Leon. You’re safe.”

After a while, he relaxed into your arms and his breathing returned to its normal tempo. The Bakers exchanged worried looks but said nothing as they gave him time to recover. Finally, Jack broke the silence. “I-I’m sorry about what happened there, son. Just been a lot going on these days.”

You turned around, deciding to take the reins as you spoke for the two of you, “I understand, and as I promised your daughter, we’ll make sure that, um—”

“Lucas,” Marguerite offered.

“—Lucas won’t get hurt.”

Jack nodded, taking off his glasses as he wiped the sweat off his brow. “You see, how we work is through what others call premonitions or clairvoyance, and all that mumbo-jumbo.” 

Clearing his throat, he continued, “Well, lately we’ve been sensing a bunch of Sabbat activity in the city. Their symbols are everywhere, like little red hotspots across the center. They’re planning more of these attacks for sure, just heading down along the river.”

“Circular River?” you probed.

“Uh huh, the one closest to town,” he concurred. “And, uh, I’m guessing you were also here about the Cobweb?”

“Yeah.”

He swallowed anxiously as Marguerite took over. “It don’t always speak to us, and sometimes it’s hard to make out what it says. But we heard somethin’ the other night.”

She paused, adjusting her hair restlessly before she divulged, “It was Lucas’ voice, carried like a wave by a thousand voices, saying his name is nobody. That stood out, but we don’t know why.”

Nobody said they were nobody…

You caught a flicker of recognition in Leon’s eyes as you recalled what the man had said during Jill’s interrogation. Was Lucas responsible for all of this?

“Where’s Lucas now?” Leon asked, his voice still a little unsteady.

“He don’t want to be found.” Jack shrugged dejectedly. “My boy’s always been a real firecracker. Left home one day and never came back. We think he’s with them — the Sabbat.”

“But he’s a good boy,” his wife insisted. “Please don’t hurt him.”

“We just want him to come home,” Zoe added. “Evie wants her big brother back.”

The joy and curse of familial bonds. You could get behind that.

“We won’t breathe a word about Lucas,” you pledged, overriding your sire’s authority as you answered on behalf of him as well. “Right, Leon?”

You could see the discomfort in his expression, though he grunted an affirmative reply.

As Jack showed you out of the house, you thanked him and his family for their assistance, though a final question came to your mind. “Can Dementation have long-lasting effects?”

“With the right choice of words, it can.”

━━━━━━━━━━━

To play it safe, you took over the driving on the way back as you and Leon discussed the information you had gleaned from the Bakers.

“You think Lucas is the one?” you asked as you stopped at a red light.

“No, I don’t think he worked alone,” he opined. “It took two of the Bakers to bring me to my knees.”

There was a momentary pause as he clenched his fist at the memory, exhaling another deep breath of air. “I know we are talking about manipulating a group of lesser vampires, but unless he’s a prodigy we’ve never discovered, there were most likely others involved at the same time.”

“Makes sense,” you agreed, easing off on the brake pedal to switch over to the accelerator as the lights went green again.

“You still want to protect the guy, even after what he did?”

Your grip tightened on the steering wheel, causing your knuckles to turn white. A promise was a promise, and there was more than enough bloodshed these nights.

“Yes,” you forced the answer out through gritted teeth. “Got a problem with that?”

“I admire you,” he murmured, dispelling your misgivings. “Your compassion.”

You felt your anger dissolve as you followed up with a suggestion. “It’s never too late, you know?”

He gave you a weak smile but remained silent for the ride home.

Back at his apartment, you noticed that he still seemed shaken by the night's events as he kicked off his shoes and sat on the couch, gazing blankly into space. Was he going to doze off in that position? You had already changed into a loose muslin nightdress and gone through the usual bedtime preparations.

Strolling over, you sat down beside him, trying to strike up a conversation. “They spooked you real bad, huh?”

He didn’t laugh at your joke, though he acknowledged it. “You can say that again.”

This wasn’t like him at all. You grabbed his shoulder in concern. “Hey, you don't seem okay.”

“I’ll be fine,” he sighed, looking away from you to his lap. “And… thank you for back there.”

“I would never abandon you like that,” you stressed, even if you hadn’t forgiven him for turning you… yet. 

He glanced at you with his watery blue eyes in appreciation, but you could tell that his mind was in a distant place elsewhere. Even though he tried to hide it, you saw his hands quivering, and you hoped that what the Bakers had done wasn’t permanent. You knew he was trying to put on a brave front, but a part of you felt uneasy about leaving him on his own.

“Um, why don’t you sleep next to me today?” you offered hesitantly.

He peered at you quizzically. “You sure?”

“Yeah, just get dressed, alright?” You made your way up the stairs and waited for him by the bed before he could argue any further.

He joined you later, clad in a plain t-shirt and sweatpants, keeping a respectable distance as he lay beside you. There was a nervous energy to him.

You drew nearer, caressing his arm tenderly. “We don’t have to talk about whatever you saw in there,” you affirmed. “I’m here if you need me.”

He tucked your hair behind your ear as a stray tear fell onto his face. Wrapping your arms around him, you closed the gap, breathing in his scent as you felt his hands along your waist. It seemed as if an eternity had passed before you released each other. His nose nudged against yours as his warm breath grazed your cheek. When his gaze lowered to your lips, you didn’t have to think or doubt what would come next. 

Leaning in, he placed his soft lips over your own, kissing you intimately as he savored your taste in his mouth. Instinctively, you kissed back, running your fingers through his messy locks as your tongue licked across the seam of his lips. A low moan escaped his throat as he pressed up against you, claiming your lips again and again. It was the last thing you remembered as daysleep enveloped you like a cocoon, lulling you into a temporary hibernation.