#oh i do not like the predicted tag that came up as i added that i hate it here

[fifteensjukebox]

i don't spend a lot of time on threads but im glad i saw this im dying

[n3ptoonz]

mind writing for the Earthrealm men getting caught masturbating by the reader??👀

mk1 hcs: how the earthrealm guys react to getting caught 🥩 👊🏾 by reader

warnings: suggestive; a lil steamy, i play too much (was sick and ovulating while writing this help me god), GERAS SPOTTED???

reverse roles here

Johnny Cage

Left the door open on purpose. WIDE OPEN. There he lied on his silk linens, blasting Marvin Gaye and going to town without taking his eyes off the door. Honestly wouldn't be surprised if he added a sexy ninja mime (i will never stop referencing past games) to act out him getting caught

When you "catch" him all you can do is facepalm, but it's outta love. Expect to have him let loose 50 cheesy pick up lines, dick in hand and all. Like he would still jerk it like he wasn't stuttering over his words once you took over

If you join the cheesy line fun, he may or may not cum on the spot. He loves when you're playful back. And tease him a lot. But like. Way more than he teases you. He can and will fall in love all over again (he will also bust quickly to this too. MULTIPLE times)

Raiden

This cutie pie. Snookums bbg. Blushing like a fool because you managed to overhear him utter your name multiple times in a hushed voice dripping with lust

I fully see him falling out of his bed and scrambling to pull his covers down with him just to cover his lower half. He gets even more nervous when he sees you not even attempting to leave, but instead having an inviting look on your face

Cue the comically loud gulp sound effect. His pretty brown eyes never left your figure, sitting on the hardwood floor with a painful erection between his thighs under a rather comfortable blanket. You'd have to ask if he wants help from your own lips, otherwise no sound would be in the room other than steady breathing and his heart thumping loud as hell (he says yes at the speed of light)

Smoke

Deer in headlights. One minute ago he was furiously zerkin it like there was no tomorrow, slutty sounds escaping his lips with no shame. Now he's like...oh...! You heard that..? Ahahah..

Would apologize so many times he ends up doing it in Czech. Please tell him it's okay😭In fact you'd only shut him up by telling him it was hot

Activates self indulgence beam I think...he'd be into it if you told him to finish what he started. Like sitting in a chair and watching him and he's not allowed to close his eyes- IM GETTING AHEAD OF MYSELF (fic idea huehue)(if you write it before me, tag me.) But also albeit he stumbles over his words, he'd find some sort of way to ask for your help

Geras

WHAT!!! GERAS I KNOW WTF WHAT yeah he may be an immortal being but the man has his own needs. And is it even a question like...you're wondering how THAT fits in his hand like jesus christ you're going to kill someone sir (i got next)

It's nothing extravagant. He wasn't summoned by Liu Kang for a while, so he figured why not? He doesn't get much time to himself so let's crank one real quick 👀

Think of any scene from mk11 where he got "hurt" and was grunting, that's the sounds he was making and you could hear it through his door. But you thought he was hurt, so you came through the door just to be greeted by a SNAKE in his grip

Surprisingly calm...almost too calm...did he predict this? Who knows, all we know is you interrupted him and would definitely like your help. Does not shy away from this request too but that's how we like it 😈

Liu Kang

A similar incident with Geras. You overheard him while you wandered through his mansion trying to find and surprise him. So when you finally found his bedroom door and barged in, thinking he needed help, there he was dick in hand and completely unexpecting

He would try to remain calm but it would be clear as day that he was nervous. He'd quickly cover up with a pillow and give a small smile, asking if you needed anything like he wasn't shirtless and heart pumping at mach speeds

In his mind was like a static sound as he tried to focus on not getting hard again looking at you, feeling a little guilty as he couldn't help his instincts. I guess the God contract never said escaping from mortal desires! You offer to join the fun and he's like HUH...well, if you insist! (again he looks calm but is very, very excited, i promise)

Kung Lao

He had been schmeat beating after his long days of training so this isn't a new occurrence for him. But obviously, you've never walked in on him before. He was always able to get it done before he saw or met with you

Normally you rendezvous to Madam Bo's but you're like hm, why not bring him something to eat since you know he had a long day! Once you entered it didn't take you long to hear him calling your name from his room, so naturally you thought he knew you were here. But...it started to become like a chant. His voice breathy and deep (save me shaolin monk save me-) So when you check it out you find him with his head thrown back, hair messy and coated in sweat

The favoritism is leaking through the screen LMFAOOO He heard the door creak and yelped, asking why you were there so early out of breath you held the to-go bag in your hands with pure shock, immediately getting the idea to tease the shit out of him. He does it to you all the time, why not return the favor?! And he's like well?? Are you gonna help??? UH YA I WAS GETTING TO THAT😹😹

Scorpion

Kuai Liang rarely ever has the time to even talk to you, let alone talk to himself! So one of the few times he didn't think you were showing up to the temple but he had time to himself that he didn't think would last very long, he just needed to relieve his own stress real quick

Damn, he forgot he invited you to the temple since it was a slow day. You were appointed to his room by one of the recruits and sang his name, opening the door to the sound of squelching and panting

Your little song came to a stop at the same time of his gasp; eyes locked on yours. He wanted to smile, and drop everything to greet you like the situation wasn't what it was, but before he could even begin to hide himself you calmly close the door and watch his demeanor quickly switch to smug...it's gonna be a long day for the both of you😮‍💨

Sub-Zero

I'm using the same scenario from my first bi-han fic bc i said so, bite me!

He was avoiding you because he couldn't control himself around you any longer. The more he thought about you and how you pissed him off to great lengths before has him wanting to do terrible...terrible things (shoutout loki)(i've never seen loki) but he must suffice with pleasuring himself to the thought of you, the way your voice rang in his head, and how hot you looked patching up his injuries

When you caught him oh he was so sexually frustrated he couldn't think straight, panically pulling you into his room dick swinging and all. The scowl on his face didn't match the pink blush that was starting to form at how you looked at him. Why you were at his door is the least of his concerns, if you don't help him take care of this right now he might lose his mind 🥹

Kenshi Takahashi

He wasn't supposed to be last but I accidentally clicked on a tumblr notification and lost my notes on him so. LETS TRY THIS SHIT AGAIN.

When you caught him he was so so embarrassed. Don't let the calm and hot and sexy demeanor fool you, when it came to you it's like he's a clone; unrecognizable. He was stuttering and trying to justify whatever you just saw but then also asks why you showed up unannounced

You explain he said to come around this time a few days ago to spend some time together, and now he was mentally kicking himself bc how could he forget something so simple?! But hey, the fact that you weren't even budging, and even approaching him with a smile on your face told him all he needed to know. And who is he to say no to some help from a fine individual like you???

a/n: cranked this request out for y'all (fic might be posted today) this is a gift from me to you guys 😄 happy christmas and merry holidays to any and all cultures that do or don't celebrate during this time fr ❤️

[allpiesforourown]

Hey, so sorry to be using your inbox like a fuckin confessional, but getting that dream thing off my chest literally cleared my skin and I've just got this itch that needs to be addressed so I'm taking it out on you again. Reflecting on this thought the second after I had it made me think, "Oh, I get what Shen Yuan was on about now," and so here I am, typing this shit out ig. fucking embarrassing, anyway.

So, like. I watch those gacha react videos on youtube. Like a concerning amount of those gacha react videos, man. I fuckin love them so much, even if I wouldn't admit to it under pain of death to anyone I know or love. I have a seperate youtube channel I made under a fake email that I made specifically to watch them. It's bad. I remember back when it was just me and the FF.net filter system before they added the 'Without' section at the bottom and trying to find crossover content in the LoZ tag between games. 10th circle of hell; my 13th reason. Gacha react videos in concept are heavensent for my inner child, and on the rare occasion I find one of those 'fandom react' series that are active or complete and well done, it grants me joy on par with nigh nothing else.

This being said, I understand that the main demographic for this content tends to be a handful of years younger than me. I've seen community posts on some channels mentioning their time in college, but these are few and far between in my experience. I appreciate these teen's artistry in putting these all together, because god knows I'm not, but like,,, --and I know I sound like an ass right now but bare with me-- it feels like with the conclusion of Arcane came a flood of reaction videos with no real substance. I've watched upward of what feels like thirty seperate videos --at least,-- on the show and its the same ten to twenty edits I've seen on repeat and I'm watching them by pressing the skip key and catching half the dialouge only to come out the other side tired and a little miffed. Then I feel bad, because they created something and all I did was mindlessly consume and feel entitled to complain. Ugh.

Now, Because I've been cycling through these almost cookie cutter videos for ages --I used Arcane vids as an example before because its recent and relevant, but I do have this take for a whole slew of the fandoms I watch react videos on, and I picked this addiction up in 2021 so it's been a minute-- I've begun predicting the dialouge before it's come up and projecting what I hope the author will say. If I see a video with, for example, Giyuu from kny seeing Sabito in a video, I hope to see shock, yes, but also to see him comment or think about how he hasn't seen his face in so long, you know? Just... things that aren't just "OMG!!" or making the characters eyes widen. I've found now that I seek out these videos for the slim chance that they'll provide me with the satisfaction I get from these moments of true understanding with the presented characters.

Yes, I know that there really isn't any "true" way to understand a character, and that while we are all entitled to our own interpretations of media, the insistence that mine alone is more "right" or "correct" is bullshit, but I'm not saying that my preference has to be law, only that I get a rush of happiness whenever something I like happens to pop up in a video that I was already checking out of because it failed to really,,,,wow me. This is my bias speaking, of course, but its also the reality of my situation borne from overconsumption of this genre.

But anyway, onto the main point of how this relates to svsss. I was watching a video just a minute ago --an Arcane video, big shocker I know-- where there was a line from the creator's Vander character about how he wasn't ready to see Vi so grown up, because to him she's still his little girl. I thought, "Yes!!! This!! He's a father! He's showing realistic reactions to seeing your child suddenly grown up, and while he's proud of the woman she became, he still loves her as she is in the moment!!" ....I then watched the rest of the reaction, and was left cold and disappointed in the end. I'd clicked for Viktor, got three videos of him in a twenty minute reaction when the rest was the same four edits of jinx on repeat. Love you Jinx, but holy fuck. I thought then, "God, what a waste of potential." The creator of the video had insightful dialouge, clearly a decent grasp on character interaction, and the drive to create the video in the first place, but settled for pumping out another copy of the same video they've released three times previous on the same channel.

Then I thought, "Oh, like PIDW."

I need to get a life, Tumblr user allpiesforourown. If your blog wasn't so damn entertaining, I might even go out and touch grass one day. Take responsibility, damn.

(ty for reading my rant, if you did. have a good day regardless.)

I think you watching gacha react videos for characterization might be the one and only thing more baffling than Shen Yuan reading porn for plot. Hope you find gacha videos of Vander teaching his daughter how to ride a bike

[tc-doherty]

Book One | Chapter Twenty

Index | First Chapter | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Tag list: @bloodlessheirbyjacques @magefaery @did-i-do-this-write @marrowwife

@muddshadow @outpost51 @full-on-sam @bluberimufim

@unclear-contributions @talesfromtheunknowable @guessillcallitart @flowerprose

@ashirisu @xarrixii @the-letterbox-archives

(ask to be added)

They passed a little more time together that morning, alternating between practicing and simply talking until Felisjyta looked up and said, "It looks like that rain is blowing in. We better get inside if we don't want to get soaked to the skin."

Patrice looked up as well. A mass of dark clouds was coming towards them at a fast pace, threatening to cover the sun and bring rain. By the time she looked back down, the two knights were already well on their way to being packed up.

"How do you move so fast?"

"Practice. Here, you can carry the basket. Errys and I will take the swords."

As the first dull rumble of thunder rolled through the air, the three women hurried back to the summer palace.

They almost made it in time. Despite being only a short distance away, they were forced to keep to twisting paths and could not travel in a straight line without destroying valuable property. The storm had no such constraints. A few fat drops of water caught them going in through the door. Errys laughed.

"Just in time anyway. At this point we should still have plenty of time to get ready before they call us down for lunch. None of us can turn up like this."

Patrice looked down at her outfit, now covered with bits of grass and wet patches where the rain had hit. "No, I suppose not."

A much louder rumble of thunder covered the end of her sentence, followed by a blinding flash of lightning and more thunder. The storm had reached them in full. The hallways took on a dark and dusty quality as the storm covered all the light from the sun, leaving a few pre-lit candles as their only source of light.

Felisjyta whistled softly. "You often get big storms like this?"

"I've heard it's not uncommon in this area, but we don't see much of it in the city," Errys said. She looked down at her own dirty, rain spattered tunic and britches. "I have enough work to do on my own, I'll see you two at lunch."

"I suppose she's right. We ought to get cleaned up."

Patrice nodded. "I suppose so. Can you see well enough with this little light?"

"You offering to take me back to my room?" Felisjyta grinned. "I don't think I need it, but I wouldn't mind the company." She offered her arm and, as she had done so often lately, Patrice took it.

"I almost like it better this way," Patrice said as they moved through the dark hallways. There was no one about except them and the cat, who padded along silently behind. Dark and empty, the summer palace almost reminded of her home – the ruined castle which had once been connected to her mother's tower. It was long since given back over to nature, but in her early days there had been more of it left standing and she used to often play within the derelict building.

"It makes me feel like I'm in one of the stories Elaine told so many of," Felisjyta said. "Any moment I think we'll see an unhappy ghost." A flash of lightning came just as she finished her sentence – a very timely addition from the storm. The rain pounded against the windows.

"If the rain comes so fast, the storm should not last long, I would think."

"You'd be surprised. Oh, this is me. I'll see you at lunch, Patrice." Felisjyta let herself into her own suite.

Patrice looked down at the cat, who had quickly moved up to take the knight's place. "I suppose our only option is going back and letting Maria fuss over us."

He meowed at her.

"You seem unbothered by the storm as well," she said to him as they walked. "I suppose they teach you that, when they teach you everything else."

He purred, though whether in response or just at the sound of her voice, Patrice couldn't tell.

Maria was predictably dismayed at the state of her outfit, but resigned to it at the same time. "I don't know why you find it necessary to do all that unladylike fighting and such anyway, Lady Patrice," she grumbled. "You've had the life of a noble offered to you on a silver platter, and you insist on making it difficult for yourself anyway."

Patrice shook her head. "I suppose to you it seems a wonderfully fulfilling life, but for me I'd rather do something interesting."

Maria sighed but ceased to argue about the matter.

Although she was once again being forced into a bliaut, at least the process of getting cleaned up and ready was actually somewhat relaxing. Patrice could hear the rain hitting the windows, and for once the natural sounds were loud enough to cover up the ever present sound of human life.

Today's gown was a shade of deep maroon that played well against her skin and hair – Patrice was beginning to get a sense of such things, in spite of herself. Like the one from the previous day, it was simple. It only had some slight embellishment at the edges done in gold thread and glass beads. The jewelry Maria picked was similarly simple – gold chains, then gold bangles, and a few strands of gold cord to braid into her hair as it was plaited and tucked up.

"Everything will be inside today, on account of the rain. A dress like this should be enough."

"It's more than enough for me."

"I know, I know." Maria made shooing motions with her hands. "Now off with you. If you can find something to keep you entertained until lunch, I can start cleaning in here."

Patrice wasn't entirely sure why she needed to be out of the room for Maria to clean it, but she shrugged. "I'm sure I can find something."

What she found first was the library, with its rows upon rows upon rows of books. Dragons had their own system of writing, still Patrice knew that there were dragons who were great lovers of human books, who turned each delicate page with a single claw, or who would shapeshift only to go into town and buy more books. She did not trust herself with books, given how wildly her body temperature varied. The sight of the library, however, made her wish that she could sit down and read some of them for herself.

The second thing she found was the music room, and Lady Katerina, who sat on the windowsill watching the rain with the same intensity to which she devoted everything. The girl turned around guiltily when Patrice opened the door, but her face brightened when she saw who had arrived.

"Lady Patrice!" Katerina jumped down from the window and dipped into a quick curtsy. "Did you come to play music?"

Patrice smiled. "Lady Katerina." She inclined her head towards the younger girl. "I am unfamiliar with human instruments. I was merely looking for some form of amusement before lunch."

"I'm supposed to be practicing right now, but I hate it! I'd rather be out in the garden like you were earlier." She mimicked a few sword attacks, including the clacking sound of sword on wooden sword. “That's amazing! Just like a knight!"

A quick glance out the window showed Patrice that it did indeed look straight out in the direction of the grotto they had been in. She took a seat on a bench next to one of the larger instruments. "Do you study fighting as well?"

Katerina scowled and crossed her arms, her attitude decidedly at odds with the delicate pink bliaut she wore. She shook her head with an angry vehemence that caused a few strands of fine blonde hair to dislodge. "No! Even though I've asked, and asked, and asked. Maybe if I was a dragon, I would get to say what I want to do, and no one can stop me."

Patrice paused. In Katerina, she saw something of herself – something too wild to be constrained to court fashions and rules. But she did not know how such things worked with human families. Among dragons, things were simpler and parents rarely stood in the way of what their hatchlings wanted.

Katerina wasn't bothered by Patrice's silence. She slouched back against the window and began kicking her feet back and forth. "They say I'm not old enough, but everyone knows that if you start young you can learn much better. Or even if I can't fight, maybe I could at least learn interesting things! Emilia and Vincent get to learn whatever they want, and Joan is going to be in charge of all the judges so she gets to stay behind and study crimes and the law. Why do only I have to sit here and learn pointless stupid things like music and embroidery?"

Patrice nodded. She could certainly sympathize with that! "Have you tried doing things without asking your parents?"

The girl just gaped at her.

Patrice continued, "There are books, plenty of them, you can read about knights and battles and fighting on your own. There are many knights and squires around your own castle, have you spoken to any of them? Perhaps one would be willing to train you, even if not officially. That is what a dragon would do."

Katerina grinned suddenly. "If I don't tell them, they can't stop me!" She said, understanding instantly what Patrice implied.

Patrice wasn't sure if Katerina had never thought of it, or she simply had been unwilling to act on it without the sort of tacit approval that Patrice had just given her. "It would be hard work," she cautioned. "Being a knight would be hard work even if that's all you were to study."

"I'm not afraid of work," said Katerina. "I would rather do that than…this." She waved her hand around to indicate the entire music room. "Maybe I can join you in the garden tomorrow morning. Do you think I can?"

Patrice shrugged. "It is not my business to stop you from such a course."

Whatever reply Katerina was about to make was swallowed up by the sound of the bell. She sighed. "Lunch is ready."

"We can go together," Patrice said.

The younger girl brightened at that. "And we can sit next to each other!"

Lunch ended up being a slightly trying affair. Patrice did not mind Katarina's company or even her enthusiasm, for the most part, but that was not to say that it did not get tiring after a while. Katerina could chatter on endlessly when she had a mind to, and neither the food nor her mother's admonishments were sufficient to head her off.

To keep her occupied, Patrice found herself talking a great deal about her mother and the tower in which she had once lived, and was surprised to find that her grief was not as strong as it had been a mere three weeks ago. Somehow in all this fuss with humans and their customs, she had actually begun to heal, and she hadn't even realized it when it started happening.

This disturbed her enough that she reached almost involuntarily for the spirit stone Felisjyta had given her. By now it was worn smooth and much smaller than it had been, but it still comforted her. If this was a human tradition, and she was half human herself, surely she was neither forgetting her mother nor abandoning her grief too slowly.

It was after the meal that things became more interesting. The queen stood up, and silence fell over the table. "Due to the weather," she said, and gestured to the windows, through which could be seen the fact that the storm had not abated in its ferocity, "we have arranged for a number of indoor amusements. If you would follow us to the salon, we may begin."

One by one the nobles stood up from the table and waited for their ruler to lead the way. She, in turn, waited for her husband to stand and give her his arm before she left the dining room and began the short trip through the halls towards the salon.

The salon itself had been well decked to handle a passel of bored nobles. A fire crackled merrily in the hearth, combating the slight chill the storm had brought. A kettle hung in the fire, keeping warm a drink for those attending. The couches, lounges, and chairs which ringed the room were each supplied with a small pillow and a warm blanket, and every candle was lit. Overall, the room was bright and cheery and a good counterpart to the storm darkened countryside outside the palace walls. To Patrice it seemed a little overmuch for such a simple summer storm, but she could not deny that it also looked cozy and inviting.

"Let's get one of those couches together,” Felisjyta said.

"Yes, let's."

Felisjyta led Patrice around the outside of the room, to a comfortable looking couch near the window. Here there was no need to wait formally for the queen and king-consort to sit; the other guests were already seating themselves. Felisjyta and Patrice settled onto their chosen spot and waited for what came next.

"No need to squabble over a seat next to the fire when I have you," Felisjyta said with a chuckle.

"It's especially convenient in the winter," Patrice agreed.

"Patrice-" Felisjyta began to say. She was interrupted by the queen turning to face the room.

"Today we plan to dedicate to the arts," said the queen. This was no throne room or grand ballroom, no fine setting to give the queen the appropriate grandeur. Her conservative bliaut of brown silk was nothing compared to the elaborately bedecked gowns she had worn in New Iber, and the veil over her hair was only unembellished white lace.

Even so, Patrice would've been able to pick the queen out at a distance. There was something different in the way she held herself, some inherent self-assurance that came from being queen. Patrice realized with some surprise that the queen would still be the same in a castle or a cow field. She made the room seem grand, rather than the other way around.

The queen continued on, unaware of Patrice's intense scrutiny. "I know we have some wonderful reciters and storytellers among us this summer, along with musicians and singers. It is only fair for each person to contribute something to the day's entertainment, starting with my lord husband."

The king-consort stood and cleared his throat. The queen took her place on the couch they shared, leaving the floor to him alone. He smiled at the gathered guests. He did not have his wife's same appearance of royalty, but instead an attitude that made each of them feel as if they were close personal friends. Certainly some of the people present were, but Patrice was not, and the charisma of the royal couple fascinated her. But not half so much as the king's voice when he began to speak. It was deep and pleasant, perfect for storytelling.

Of course she had been around them before, but that was always in much more of a group setting where multiple people were interacting with each other. Those hadn't been the right kind of settings to actually examine the royal couple. For now she put her examinations aside and settled back on the couch to listen.

"Be still, and I shall recite for you the ballad of Dame Joan, from whom I am descended." He launched into the tale with little delay.

Over the afternoon, Patrice heard all manner of stories and songs, all different ways that humans had of entertaining one another. Not all of the guests had the same sort of presence as the queen or king-consort, but Patrice listened to each act politely and with honest interest.

Felisjyta told one of her ghost stories, as she seemed to love to do. Katerina was rather put out by being forced to play the harp for the guests, though she clearly had a talent of sorts for it. Errys recited a poem of great length and formality and managed to stand in the same pose for the entire thing – a feat that met with great approval from the nobles as the proper way to recite a poem of that nature.

A few more poems and shorter stories flew by after that, and suddenly everyone was staring at Patrice. She stood and moved to the front of the room with great dignity, though she didn't have the faintest idea what she was going to say. None of the stories she knew came easily to her in the human tongue. They were strange, too soft, with their bite taken out of them. They would not soar as they should, crippled by the Runerian language, and she did not particularly want to reduce them to such lows.

She stood at the front of the room thinking rapidly before coming to a solution. "I cannot tell you the stories of my people," she said, "for they will lose something in the translation to your tongue. But I will sing one of our songs for you."

The song she sang was a love song, although not the kind of love that humans seemed to prize. It was a love song dedicated to harsh mountains and deep forests, to open skies, and to freedom. It was a relief to speak a language that fit well in her mouth. The words of the song flowed from her, not like bird song or trickling water as in human music, but like lava from the belly of the earth. Dragons never lost their fangs or their fire.

Although it was a love song, for Patrice it was also a song of homesickness. And although none of the humans could've possibly understood the subject matter, when she looked at Felisjyta she seemed to see a flicker of the same longing that she felt. But perhaps she was imagining it, after all, she already knew how much Felisjyta wanted to go home.

She bowed when she was done, because it seemed appropriate, and walked back to her seat without a backwards glance. The slightly scattered applause did not bother her, though others had received more acclaim. Although she was happy to be able to sing a song she knew, doing it in front of others was a completely different matter. She was just happy to have it over with.

"It's nice to speak your own language." She gave Felisjyta a small smile, then turned to face the front of the room where Johan's father had taken his place.

Index | First Chapter | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

[this-lovely-universe]

Lore drop

Anastasia

tw: Mentions of SA and literally every type of abuse, and brief child abuse (father slaps child)

@your-favorite-sapphic-monster @arisdaughter @childofthewargod @damiedantediane @kaiaalwayswins

@that-girl-cupid/@that-girl-cupid-2 @delilah-isnt-dead-yett @daonedaonlyskh

@aria-pane @poseidons-hyperactive-kid @wine-cooper @i-am-persephones-daughter @unhinged-as-hell

@demigod-jack-hearth @seed-of-the-pomegranate

If you want to be added, removed or if I forgot to tag you, let me know :)

"What the hell are you doing showing your face around here?" Her grandma said harshly.

"Who's is i-" Anastasia came over to the door, to see her dad standing there. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Can't I come visit my family?"

"No." Her aunt stepped in. "You lost that privilege."

"How did you even find me?" She asked him.

"I pay for your phone, sweetheart." He gave his fakest, widest smile.

Anastasia walked away and she could hear her grandma and aunt cursing him out.

She took the meat hammer and started hitting her phone with it repeatedly.

Stupid. She hit the phone. Stupid. She hit it again. Stupid. And again stupi-

She stopped. The phone was basically in pieces.

Ouch...

She grabbed a plastic bag and put the pieces in. She was really hoping it cut him.

She could still hear the yelling.

She went back to the door and shoved the bag in his hands.

"Take the phone and your stupid Mercedes and get the fuck away from us."

His smile faltered. "What?" He laughed awkwardly.

No one else laughed.

He stopped. "Oh, you're serious."

"Go!" She yelled.

"I just came here to talk."

"Oh yeah, cause you've been really good at using just your words in the past." She spat back.

"Anastasia-"

"No! I am not that scared little girl anymore. I'm not listening to you, or going back with you or getting paid off. You are a worthless man, and I am done with your shit."

"Anastasia do not talk to me like that!"

"Fine." She grabbed the baseball and pushed pass him. "I'll follow by your example."

"Don't you touch my car!" He raced after her.

"Why? Cause it's more important to you than your own daughter?"

He stayed silent.

Anastasia laughed hollowly. "Wow. You can't even lie about it. That's so predictable." She swung the bat, sending it straight through the passengers window.

Her aunt and grandma winced. "That's going to cost a lot." Her aunt muttered.

"Do it again!" Her grandma yelled.

"You- you hit my car!" He hissed.

She swung again, leaving a nasty dent on one of the doors. "Well, you destroy my stuff all the time. I thought you do this to everyone." She said in a fake innocent voice.

Her dad was starting to become red in the face with rage. "After ev-"

"Don't you even start." She said firmly, wiping out the back windshield. "'Everything you did' was the bare fucking minimum! Hell, it was below that!"

"You should be thankful that I-"

"That you what? Fed me? Clothed me? Go ahead, tell me I should be thankful that you looked after the child you made."

"You do not get to treat me with this much disrespect. I am your father."

"You sure treat me like your whore instead." She swung again.

"I told you to mention that in front of the family." He growled.

"Mention what? The times that you locked me outside and I had to sleep in trees? The times where I had to barcade the door when you got drunk so you wouldn't gro-"

He slapped her.

"Mark, get the hell away from her!" Her aunt stormed over, but before she could reach them, Anastasia swung back, punching him square in the nose.

There was a loud crack and he fell to the ground.

"Don't fucking touch me, you bastard!"

By now, all the other neighbours had come out to see what the yelling was about.

Anastasia had to hold by a smirk. His choice was either ruin his reputation by trying to get her back in his control or leave with his reputation and have Anastasia run her mouth and ruin it anyway.

He stared at her, also realising what his options were.

"You better not say anything." He told her, standing up.

"I will tell everyone everything." She said quietly. "If you didn't want it to come out, you wouldn't done it."

"What will shut you up?"

Oh, we're bribing now?

"I'm not being paid off." She reminded him. "Your actions have consequences."

"So do yours." He pointed to the car.

"Do you really think the police are going to care about your car if you've being accused of child abuse?"

He stayed silent for a moment, before walking over to his car.

"Go to hell!"

"See you there, bitch!" She screamed.

He turned around to her. "You have a very special place there, and you deserve it."

"What's the place? Satan's right hand woman? The VIP Package?"

He scowled at her, climbing into his car. Literally. Anastasia had dented the door of badly he couldn't open it.

"You need a baptism." He told her.

"At least a baptism would do something for me."

"You don't deserve me as a father." He fumed.

"I wouldn't wish that upon my greatness enemy." She countered.

He continue to glaring at her in rage, before driving off, telling her once more she belonged in hell.

She turned to her aunt and grandma who were cursing loudly at his car. "I think we're going to need a lawyer."

"We're going to need a lot more than a lawyer, sweetheart. If you're father is one thing, it's a 2 year old in a 38 year old's body."

[jeskoholic]

A Little Piece of You Chapter 17: The Ideal Girlfriend

This is a chapter from an on-going series. If you missed out on the previous entries, you can check my masterlist.

Previous chapter: A Coffee Date

Word count: 5,640

Tags: Male OC, Bestfriend Yujin, College friends, School Convo

Enjoy

“Come on man; I already explained things to you… I don’t have a girlfriend. Don’t be stupid.”

“Oh, is that the really the case?”

“Dawn… I know who you’re talking about and you’re dead wrong. She is just my best friend and there’s nothing else in the middle. I don’t know what made you think about anything about that.”

Dawn chuckled.

“What do you mean, Jae-in? Eve you called her as your ‘girlfriend’ at some point, right?”

“I did that because she’s a girl, right? She’s also my friend, so I think it just makes sense that I warrant myself calling her that. And by the way, I did that because of that one particular time that Shinwon and Kino drank their butts off and started asking stupid questions. I remember answering back at their claims just to make them both shut up. It was my only way out.”

“Well, sometimes things do work out like that especially with Shinwon and Kino. It’s funny how we don’t often see them talking together recently… “

“Hey, I don’t know what’s with you and the rest of UK, but why are y’all putting me in the hot seat now? You have no idea how much of a chore I had to endure with all the questioning from Hongseok and the others. Heck, even Yeri is being added to the mix and I can’t do anything about it. It feels weird that I’m complaining about this now, especially when I was so cool at it a while back but… I guess I was just uncomfortable talking about Soyeon especially to them. I only felt that when I was already relaying what transpired.”

“I don’t know about them… as far as I’m concerned, I just want to everyone else to be happy. I mean, look how well this first official date went with Jisoo. Like I said, if I don’t screw things up, this boat is sailing away smoothly. As a friend, I want those same things to happen to you guys as well, especially you, my man. I can’t even express to you how happy am I knowing my friends are good with Jisoo. It makes my efforts for her more relaxed knowing I have you guys behind me.”

“I’m happy for you man. It turned out to be a good idea that you brought us on this.”

“Wait, Jae-in… I just realized something…”

“Which is…?”

“You know with all of these happening… I’m sorry but I’ll have to introduce Soyeon to the conversation again. Do you mind?”

“Go ahead, I guess. We’re pretty much talking about her already at this point so might as well.”

Dawn scratched the back of his head just as he and Jae-in crossed a street towards a bright shop, of where they proceeded to continue on walking.

“I realized that… it’s been a while since you and Soyeon went dating, or went out, whatever… I just figured, you never introduced her to anyone else rather than the group, am I correct? I’m curious as to how she’d react with Soyeon given her personality is drastically different from most of us.”

“Who are we talking about? Is it Yujin?”

“Of course man, who else could it be? You know how Yujin works and how she’s so picky with stuff, especially those who date you. It’s funny to think how Wonyoung hated her so much back in high school and her predictions never came to fruition. You and Yujin were still friends up to this day. It’s hilarious when I think about how much that hated seeing each other because of you. I wonder how your ex would react once she finds out that you two have gone stronger ever since.”

“I get where you’re going at. Yujin is pretty much very nitpicky on whoever I’m dating, or having an intention to date but she has her reasons. After what happened with Wonyoung, she made sure to have my back ever since. She’s always been the brain in my heart, as I tend to act out of impulse without thought. I would go as far and say that she’s the voice inside my head telling me to think twice about things before heading in, which is exactly why I trust her so much. Also, you know how guys have that hint whenever a dickhead is hitting on a girl with malicious intent? Girls have that too, man, and Yujin’s been the one warning me of everything… well, at least until recently anyway.”

“Yeah, I know that. I just wondered, in case you introduced Soyeon to her… what do you think she’d say about her, then? Do you think she’s going to have the same thought like you did?”

“Knowing Yujin, she’ll be the first person to tell me to back off. All those realizations, all those reasons why I chose to end it with Soyeon… I’m sure she would have seen it coming before I even thought about it. It would feel as if she’d be the one to back off for me while I still can’t get the courage to do so. I don’t know; like I said: womanly instincts. She’d be sure to tease about it to me at some point along that, too.”

Dawn nodded.

“Well, in a way I envy you; girls are pretty hard to understand. At least you have Yujin there to help you out for things, especially on the red flags we guys are normally blind to.”

“I guess so… although with that whole thing with Soyeon, I never really told her anything. Joohyun-noona even knows more than her on this regard… I guess I never really had the chance to tell her as it went on… I just never thought of her as well. With how quiet she is, maybe she’s just really busy recently.

“You know what, come to think of it… I never saw Yujin since the semester began. I guess being on a different engineering department ought to show how dedicated she is compared to us, and how physically and mentally committed she is on school. Then again, I didn’t expect less from a high school top student. At least she’s not spending her weekends going to bars like we do.”

“Jae-in, but I heard that you barely join Kyungsoo and the others when they invite you out. I heard that you’re not even showing up.”

There was a pause, which involved Jae-in giving his friend a joking glare only for Dawn to return it with a smirk.

“Okay, Mr Smart-ass, I know you’re happy. I get it. I’m happy for you as well. I just don’t get why Yujin suddenly got dragged into this conversation out of nowhere. Point is I really haven’t talked to her for a while so she has no idea what’s going on with me. It might surprise her with how much shit I’ve been through without even being halfway across the semester.”

“Maybe that’s the point. I genuinely got curious how come she’s never heard of anything… surprised, even. You got to tell her and catch up, man. You two have been through a lot and she ought to know at some point. In that case, it would be better if it would be from you.”

Kim Hyojong and Yoon Jae-in reached the end path of the long street they have been traversing on. The skies have completely showed its vibrant purple hue as the day succumbed into the incoming evening. As always, Seoul’s bright night life had begun to bare itself amidst the baby steps of the twilight. Shops began to show their innate beauty along with the approaching evening, with Jae-in only being able to realize what he was missing right as he and Hyojong were about to part ways. He stood with his eyes on the marketplace’s humble horizon, its roof carefully etched to match the elegance of the incoming dusk.

Maybe I should. I do kinda miss that chaos of a girl as well.

---

After the grand culmination of Dawn’s plan, it was suffice to say that he had once again become incognito, but I quite expected that. I really could not blame him; after that good enough of a start, he ought to focus all of his efforts towards Jisoo if he really want to make the most out of what has been given to him. Plus, the rest of the United Kwangya have been really confined lately, with the conversations solely existing between the occasional appearances of Ningning complaining about how she constantly forgets her basic maths skills, Kino teasing her about it, Kyungsoo moderating all of them. Yeri and Shinwon became the new love birds of the group effectively replacing me and Soyeon, which was a good thing. Granted, we never really displayed our affection in front of our friends, even if it was just a group chat, but at least the rest of the members attention were focused on them and not us. They didn’t even bother to bring up the topic of Jisoo and Dawn for the rest of the conversations.

Still, there was no word from Soyeon, as expected. It was also rather odd that I don’t see her around campus, be it with Ningning or Kyungsoo even for just a chance encounter. I don’t know if she’s doing that on purpose or we’re really just not allowed to see each other with fate dictating what the best is for both of us.

But I guess I could not complain with that. At least she and I could get a huge breathing room.

With the threat of the exams just being around the corner, I figured I might as well grab the chance to catch up with a long-time friend of mine. Who knows when she’ll be busy again?

I messaged Yujin exactly on that night that Dawn and I went our separate ways. Well, given the really tight schedule of this particular woman, I had to arrange our next get-together after quite a long time. Days passed and it was another weekend, and like how it passed by with Hyojong I found myself on a local bubble tea shop with a rather high, wooden ceiling. It was this small, compact space with a natural vibe echoing off of it with the wooden furniture, floorboards, ceiling, as well as the entire house-like feel of it. The open windows raged from all around, with the rear exit offering a veranda filled with chairs coupled with the breath-taking view of the city.

As much as I love the feel of the wind grazing my face as we’d consume our respective bubble teas, with the length of Yujin’s hair it ought to get to her face at some point. I don’t want to ruin her experience here just because of that, so I elected to pick tables indoors.

“Jae-in, heya,” I heard her voice call from the entrance of the shop’s doorway, appearing all in her youthful presence as she supplied me with an enthusiastic smile. “You finally decided to ask me out, hmmm? Can’t seem to find the perfect fairy for all this?”

Ahn Yujin greeted me on the same way she would almost every time I see her, and that is always with a wide smile over her tall stature. She showed up today with the clear understanding that white was the colour for that meet, having decided to wear a matching white long sleeves and track pants, finished with her white sneakers that fixed the over-all get-up while a folded jacket draped over her arm. Yujin had once again decided to have her bangs, and I think it suited her perfectly. Seeing her on a hairstyle I haven’t seen her do since high school, and especially on this time that I haven’t seen her for a while, it felt so nostalgic and very comforting in a way. It did felt like a relief to see my best friend from highschool looking and glowing so well. I’d lie if I didn’t miss this girl one bit.

“Give me a break, Yujin,” I replied to her as I smirked. “This might be on me but it’s far from being a date. I already ordered and it’s already here for you. I was actually serious when I said that your tea might screw itself up when you come in late.”

“Excuse me, oppa; you’re the one who’s early. I’m just in time. If this tastes bad, I’m going to ask you for another one.”

“I’m willing to bet that it’s not. I made sure to get your favourite.”

“Is that so?” Yujin replied as she rather surprisingly took the space next to me instead of the chair opposite where I was seated. She placed the small hand bag she had with her and brushed her bangs before taking the drink ordered for her.

“You know that there is a chair opposite me, right?”

“Well, I can see that. I can also see that you’re smart enough to pick the couch for yourself. In that case, endure sitting there. At least you have a pretty fairy next to you; that’s not a loss whatsoever.”

“It feels like it’s you who missed teasing me, Yujinnah. It almost makes me feel bad that I treated you out here,” I replied to her as a joke, which immediately earned a slap towards my arm.

“Yah, fine I’ll just stop,” she said and then proceeded to sip from the drink I bought her. “So what’s up with the sudden call, Jae-in? Are you heartbroken again?”

Oh my god… the fact that I know she’s joking but at the same time being so spot on is crazy on itself.

Now it feels awkward to open up because she did it first like that.

“I guess that’s the case then. You’re silence is more than enough evidence for it. Plus, your face says it all,” she concluded before I could even speak.

It’s so hard when someone knows you so damn much.

“Come on now… of course at some point I’m going to have to ask you out for us to catch up. I know how busy your department could get, being stuck on huge Chem books and all. I’m surprised that you even squeezed me into your busy sched.”

“It’s not that hectic, Jae-in, really. Most of you people are pretty much exaggerating when it comes to our study habits as well as our activities.”

“Really…? So everything that I’ve been hearing was just an exaggeration? Is that why I never even managed to bump unto you if it was even just by chance? It’s like we’re not even in the same university, you know.”

“Well… actually… it’s not an exaggeration because it’s an understatement, really. Oh my… you have no idea how happy I am that you asked me out, actually. I’ve never felt so burned out recently. You not being my classmate take a lot of time getting used to.”

“You’re not used to being around that much of a girl circle now, do you?”

“It’s… It’s definitely different. The people I’m with now… I feel like they’re so pigeonholed into the one goal of the degree we’re all pursuing. I get that, but I’m naturally a fun and outgoing person so… having to stay back with them feels really hard, especially when I’m used to being with you and not taking things all too seriously while still making things work out. It feels impossible to do that now. I also kinda miss us walking home together and sharing some street food on the way to the apartment like we did before. I can’t do that now because… I need to be high profile to blend in. It sucks for my wallet, too.”

“Did I mishear you or did you just tell me that you missed me?”

Yujin nearly choked from her chocolate mix as she supressed a laugh. That was not really intentional.

“Maybe I did… this entire thing of us going out felt so refreshing to me. I’m being serious now.”

“Well, if that’s the case… I’m happy that I thought of asking you when I did. I just figured that maybe it was high time for us to catch up on a couple different axes. I also figured things have come really differently on our first semester away from each other. I was wondering how you’re dealing with the change.”

“I don’t think I have to worry about you now, do I?” She said; keeping her keen eyes planted on my drink at the desk. “I heard a lot from Kyungsoo-oppa. He told me that you’ve been hanging out a lot with them at bars every weekend. Is that true?”

“Umm…”

Well, technically…

“If that’s really the case, then I’m really envious. I don’t think I’ve touched a single glass of alcohol since we parted ways…. By the way, what did you order? What’s in your cup? I don’t think I’ve seen that before.”

What?

Yujin’s sudden interest to whatever I ordered really threw me off, but then again she was always like this. I was just starting to take in what was going on with her when she grabbed the drink from my end of the table and brought it closer to her face. Yujin then eyed the contents through the small hole of the straw, even closing her other eye to get a better view at it.

“What flavour is this, Jae-in? I don’t think I’ve tried this out before. It looks like a cookie and vanilla mix.”

“Oh uhh… it’s apparently called a Snow Leopard. I got it because I love cookies and cream flavoured things. It’s good. Try it out.”

With that, Yujin nodded and immediately went off to sip from my straw; her eyes lighting up. She then took her drink and slid it on the table towards my side as if beckoning me to taste the very thing I ordered for her. I casually took the drink and took a sip from her straw and my taste buds were immediately filled with the unusual chocolate flavour. I did not expect less from a triple chocolate mix that Yujin dearly loves.

“Damn… that was an experience. I might try that out for myself some time,” she exclaimed as she returned my drink to my side of the table. “I might have drank a bit so it’s a bit lesser than… yeah. You get it.”

“Don’t worry. I expected nothing less, Ahn Yujin.”

She slapped my arm and in turn smiling towards my direction.

“Well, anyway I’ll head us back to the topic at hand before I got distracted. I heard a lot of deals from Kyungsoo, you know; some of which even surprised me so much.”

“I actually did not expect Kyungsoo to tell you something, but that’s not saying that I didn’t want you hearing about me. It’s not like I’m hiding it or anything. It’s just… I was expecting that you’d know soon but from either Kino or Shinwon, not Kyungsoo. I wonder how that went down…”

“I’ll have you know, it was Kyungsoo who told me because he felt so concerned towards you. He didn’t entirely tell me of everything, because in his head those still deserve to be told by you. All he told me was things have been rough for you lately, and asked me to check on you whenever I had the time. They said you’ve pretty much gone incognito from them, especially recently. I guess when you asked me out for this one, maybe it was a huge deciding factor for me to go as well.”

“So I guess he knew that I’d reach you at some point. He’s not wrong. Be it that I’m reaching you out because I want to catch up on a couple of different matters, there’s no denying that thing have been crazy rough lately, especially the couple last weeks. Let’s just say that I’m dealing with the aftermath of that, as you know it affected me now less than it did with… with someone named Jeon Soyeon.”

“Ah, so that’s her name, huh? Well then, we have all afternoon, Jae-in. Now I’m curious. Tell me the entire thing. Tell me how you and this Soyeon girl ended up, and why you decided to cut ties with her once you felt it was wrong.”

---

The one thing that Jae-in loved so much about Yujin was that she has always been a good listener.

She merely sat throughout the entire conversation, merely giving her best friend the occasional nods and shakes whenever there was an interesting detail with regards to the story, but of course included with that were the extreme reactions from Yujin’s rather expressive face.  Given how confident he is with her, Jae-in elected to not only include his insights among everything that happened, but also the details he would normally reserve for himself; that included everything, especially intimate moments. As expected, Yujin gave him a face of alarm. The ghost of that expression seemed to have continued until he reached the latter part of his story.

“Well, I guess you can see now why I ended what was going on between us,” Jae-in said with a clear conclusion. “It’s crazy, right? We haven’t gotten halfway through the semester yet and I already have this on the bag. It speaks too much about how bothered I am with the sudden development.”

“My god, Jae-in… I didn’t expect this to be this involved! You know what, I haven’t met this girl yet and I already do not like the sound of everything. It feels like there’s nothing linking you together aside from your sudden outbursts of hormones, and that’s even trying to call it by the simplest of ways, believe me. You two are just horny, especially during all this.”

“I… I guess so…”

“You know, the fact that it turned out the way it did, it somehow reminded me of your ex. I’m sure that I’m not the only one who felt that, right?”

“That’s… well, most of the reason why I chose to back off largely was because of Wonyoung. Things have been… I don’t even know how to put it out, actually. I just felt that it was wrong to continue because it was something that I never wanted in the first place. It sucks that it even had to go to that degree that it was already too difficult to let her go given the circumstances. At this point, I’m just happy that I pulled it off.”

“As you should,” Yujin replied earnestly. She then proceeded to place her now-empty drink over the table and cross her legs afterwards. “My god, I could not even imagine how much of a sump we’ll have to go through again if she ended up being like exactly like Wonyoung. I would not be surprised if she did. I mean, look at her; she’s pretty much a girl who could get any guy she would like. They tend to get really reactive and loud expressing their feelings but when they don’t get what they want, the results would automatically be a disaster for the guy… for you, Yoon Jae-in.”

“Ummm…”

“Damn, can you imagine how things turned out with you and Wonyoung from before? Do you still remember how she hated me so much just for the fact that you’re my best friend… it’s as if I could do something about that? Hello…? What am I supposed to do? I’m not even wedging myself between you two and she acts as if we’re having sex in the dark.”

Jae-in chuckled.

“I do remember that; of course. We almost never go out together even for a small lunch out because he’s always like a detective watching me all the time. It’s so uncomfortable. I can’t even nod or greet you when we bump into each other while you have Wonyoung walking beside you, Jae-in. One small eye-contact between us, I immediately get a glare from her, Oh my god; I think she wants me to stop being your best friend back then. She wants me to be invisible when you’re around, like what the fuck?”

Jae-in chuckled and Yujin smiled at his reaction.

“You know, Yujin, now that I’m openly talking about this, that’s pretty much how it turned out before. You know how Wonyoung and I always argued about you; that she’s threatened of our friendship given how our relationship developed from us initially being best friends as well. She always thought that at some point, I’ll give her up for you. I’m pretty sure that it did happen, you know; I chose you as my best friend instead of sulking on our doomed relationship anyway.”

“Jae-in, hearing all this from you makes me want to go out and eat lunch with you, but not a normal one. We should make sure that Wonyoung sees it as well, just so we can show her how our friendship thrived further the moment that she was out of the picture. I want to show her that a guy and a girl could be friends without falling for each other.”

“You… you talk as if we didn’t really try to make something else out of this,” Jae-in remarked calmly. “In a way, we’re not really a good example for that, all things considered.”

“Well, the keyword was we DID try to make something out of it. It just didn’t feel right. I never thought that I’d ever be awkward to you, and I don’t want that one week of attempted dating to happen again between us. We’re soul mates Jae-in, and maybe that means that we’re destined to be the best of friends since the very beginning.”

“If you put it out that way, it makes me feel so happy that we chose friendship instead of making something impossible out of this one. You always had my back, Yujin. I’ll always be grateful for that”

“We didn’t work out, Jae-in, because I know that I’m not really your type,” Yujin said with a tone of humour, covering her mouth with her hand in the process. “And that’s okay for me, you know. I have no problems with it.”

“Wait, wait, that’s interesting, since you brought it up, what do you think my type is, exactly? What does Ahn Yujin think of Yoon Jae-in’s ideal girl and that is in terms of a lot of factors. Let’s hear you enumerate everything.”

“Ahh, so we’re in that stage now, hmm?” Yujin said before shifting her place on the couch and then rubbing her palms together. “Now this is interesting. Are you asking this from me so that you can confirm the similarities with what I’m about to say?”

“Maybe… or perhaps I could get an idea because I felt like I haven’t been running standards for a long time. It doesn’t have to be so complex, and you can base it on the previous people I’ve taken a liking on.”

“Well, I can’t do everything because we might take all afternoon… how about three?”

“Fair. Let’s do that.”

“Good enough. Well for starters, girls that are way too feminine do not pique your interest in any way, Jae-in. I’m pretty sure you are aware of that. You don’t like the typical text-book reserved, campus-crush kind of deal. You don’t like girls who are very well known because they are using fame to be something else. I get that it’s not that bad, but you’re not just into it because it feels fake. Does that make any sense?”

“It’s not something I would expect to come from you but I think I can understand it.”

“Good. Next, you’re more into people with strong personalities, which conflicts the other interest I just mentioned. I don’t know, but there’s a thin line between people you like who are have a very strong presence but not being over-all too feminine and vulgar about at the same time. I can get understand it in my head but I can’t find the words for it. I’ve been you friend for so long and I think I can understand it without words. I mean, I’ve met some people who were so timid and shy on the face value and yet they’re much defined once you get to know them. It’s kind of like that.”

The fact that she knows so much about me, up to this degree is somehow amazing and scary at the same time. It makes me wonder if I’m that much obvious whenever I’m with her.

But then again, maybe I am. I’m just that comfortable when I’ve with Yujin that I don’t seem to mind what kind of stories I spill to her. This conversation was way more yielding than I thought.

“Now for the last one, this one feels more like an observation from my end but somehow attracted to mature girls. It does not necessarily mean that you’re into girls that are older than you, but often enough age is often associated with maturity so I guess things tend to curve that way when it’s all said and done. It correlates. I guess there’s that sense of security that you get when it comes to people like that. In a way, it perfectly concludes all of the points I’ve stated previously.”

“I don’t think that… that it’s entirely true for Wonyoung. I mean, our ages are not that far apart you know.”

“Honestly, Wonyoung or even the Soyeon girl does not fit any of the traits I have mentioned. That explains why it was not a surprise that you decided to cut it off. On Wonyoung, I could understand, because at least you two developed from friends, but for the Soyeon girl, I guess it was pretty self-explanatory.”

“I guess so… I suddenly became conscious of the traits you mentioned, you know. I can’t bring myself to not consider them the next time that I take a liking into someone…”

“And you should, so that you won’t just fall on someone who barely even fits your standards. At least by then you’d be able to sort things out for yourself. I get it, Jae-in; love is one huge trial and error, but how many errors are you planning to bust through that you’ll finally let yourself loose for the world, hmm?”

“I… I don’t know.”

“Jae-in, you’re a very soft, kind-hearted person and that’s about one thing that I really love about you. I’m pretty sure that I’m not the first one who said that, but on times like these it’s working against you. You need to learn when to say ‘no’ and keep you standards to yourself, because at the end of the day you still need to look after yourself. Can’t date ever girl in the world to find out if you’re compatible or not, right?”

“I’m trying to keep that in mind, Yujin… it’s just that with this Soyeon situation, I let it unfold to a painfully hard situation to get out of before I even began to make a move. It’s a mistake I don’t intend to do again.”

Jae-in sat there in silence, keeping his gaze peeled towards the empty drink he had in front of him. He may have stayed in that state for so long that Yujin grew concerned. There was a sudden, surprising sensation from his left side, only for it to be revealed to be from Yujin’s end. Somehow through the silence, she placed her hand over his as an act of affirmation and assurance. She then clasped it, making sure that Jae-in felt the presence of her then and there.”

“Don’t think of it badly, Jae-in. I’m not blaming you for everything that happened to you. In fact, I really admire your courage for being honest to the girl. No one should take away the emotions you battled while you’re at it, as well. Also… as much as I’m trying to force these sorts of ideas unto you, in the end we’re still human beings. Things could not be bound ideally, as they say.

“Finding a perfect person definitely involves a bound of luck as well as a good stroke of fate. You’ll never know when you’ll meet her, or if you’ve even met her already. The range of your destiny could be someone you’ve already spent a long time being with to someone you accidentally tripped over on the way home. It’s easier once you let your heart welcome it instead of your mind.”

I honestly don’t know if she’s aware of the mixed messages she’s sending about. However, there’s no denying that things like this are pretty hard to understand. In fact, a woman’s heart is hard to understand, as I heard someone wise once said.

“Sorry, I got carried away,” Yujin said finally, returning them both back to earth once again as she shook her head. “We should go, Jae-in; we’ve stayed so long here that we’re already hogging the best seat in the entire shop. Besides, I want to walk the park for a bit if you’re game. Shall we?”

And with one final nod, Jae-in agreed. The preparation to leave was as quick as the decision to do so with Yujin being the first one to head on off for them both. However, as Yoon Jae-in and Ahn Yujin walk towards the wide doors of the welcoming shop, the young man was dazed with the apparition of their final conversation; clearly curious as to what kind of destiny the future holds for a guy like him.

He has a feeling that fate would confirm his destiny very soon.

---

Next Chapter: Black Swan

[use-your-telescope]

When Everything's Made to be Broken - Chapter 4: I'm Not Sure if Anybody Understands

Summary: The Avengers try to learn more about their newest team member.

Author's Notes: Reminder - this is a continuation of the same song from the last chapter. ❤️

If you enjoy, please reblog!! I'm a lil' blog (less than 100 followers, haha) and reblogs really help me out <3 Also, feel free to send me a message or comment if you want to be added to the tag list.

Next chapter should be coming November 5th.

Content Warnings: Some alcohol mentions. Angst if you squint?

Word Count: 6,762

Read on AO3 | When Everything's Made to be Broken Masterlist

Song: Some Nights - fun.

Well, some nights, I wish that this all would end 'Cause I could use some friends for a change And some nights, I'm scared you'll forget me again Some nights, I always win (I always win) But I still wake up, I still see your ghost Oh Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for, oh What do I stand for? What do I stand for? Most nights, I don't know

“Hi, we’re Your Friendly Neighborhood Bar Band, and we’re here to play some music tonight.”

With the golden warmth of stage lights washing over her, Theo grinned at the cheers that came from Jack’s introduction and started plunking out the opening notes of their first song.

She started playing with the group shortly after accepting her position as an attending at New York Presbyterian, having been introduced by a colleague whose brother happened to be their drummer. That was a few years before; since then, the group had grown to add a couple other members and expanded their repertoire to cover almost anything and everything. For Theo, it was as much an opportunity to keep herself learning and practicing new instruments as anything else. Music was one of the few things in the world that brought her any sort of solace, as it was something her parents both placed a great value in, so any excuse to create music was welcome. 

Theo didn’t run the show - they all rotated out who fronted certain songs, and she was not needed to provide on-stage banter - but she did switch instruments most often, as she was the only one who had taken the initiative to learn all of the one-off instruments for the times when a song had a saxophone or a trumpet and it just didn’t sound right without that specific instrument. 

It was the last show she would play before news broke of the newest addition to the Avengers. Knowing full-well that meant she would need to step back from pre-planned appearances  or shows, she did her best to soak up each and every moment of the evening in hopes of tucking it away for a rainy day in the future. The stupid jokes that Jack told the crowd, Kelsie moving around so much that she inevitably crashed into Theo mid-song, the drunk guy in the audience who shouted at them to play Wonderwall, the scent of stale beer and sweat under half-lit fluorescents… 

Well, she soaked up everything except for the crowd of famous faces in the back. 

The Avengers lurked near the bar, each member’s posture stiff and uncomfortable as they watched the crowd drunkenly dancing and singing along to every word. For spies and assassins, they weren’t exactly great at blending in. If anything, they stuck out like a sore thumb.

She should have known they’d find their way there.

After pulling the stunt at the Avengers’ briefing, it was only a matter of time before they sought Theo out for some observation of their own. Catching the entire team off-guard was incredibly satisfying and certainly got under their skin… Which was exactly the point. If they thought she was predictable and stable, they’d trust her and want her to stay. And with the individual and collective egos in that room, she needed to knock them all down a peg or two. Pulling the rug out from under the entire team was an effective reminder that they weren’t as prepared as they thought they were.

And boy, did they need that reminder.

She’d seen the videos of their attempts at taking on shadow beasts, and if her initial suspicions were correct about the source of the pests, the Avengers certainly had no idea what they were in for… 

Screaming cheers from the audience snapped Theo out of her wandering thoughts. She pushed the irritation about presence from her mind; the Avengers already took up too much of her headspace. She didn’t need to let them ruin the night. 

No, she had a show to play and she’d be damned if she didn’t make the most of it.

She shook her head, bringing her attention back to Jack as he worked the crowd.

“Theo Amaris on the… well shit, she plays pretty much everything at one point or another. Piano, guitar, vocals, violin, cello, sax, trumpet— not only can she play pretty much every instrument and make it look easy, but she’s got two fucking Grammy nominations for it.”

At the announcement, Theo’s cheeks burned. 

The nominations weren’t for writing music - a friend of a friend was working at a recording studio and they needed someone to come in and help with recording a bunch of parts for a major recording musician. Theo was a broke med student in the middle of her residency at the time and well, the gig paid well. All she had to do was show up, play the instruments, sign an NDA, and she got more than her fair share of pay. Of course, now that the album was out and her name was in the song credits the NDA no longer applied, but at the time she wondered if the paycheck was more to keep quiet about it and less about recording the music.

The album ended up getting two grammy nominations - album of the year and country album of the year. 

“I didn’t write the songs, so I don’t know if it’s fair to say the nominations are mine… I was recruited to play a few instrumental parts, and I did it because I was a broke med student who needed money!” Theo interjected, earning a laugh and cheers from the crowd. “I didn’t even know who the recordings were for until a week before the album came out.”

“Theo what, like it’s hard? Amaris here, making us all look bad as she casually racks up Grammy nominations while in motherfucking med school. Actually, hey look, our next song is from that album!” Jack replied, earning a louder round of screams from the crowd. 

Anyone who had been to a show of theirs probably knew what was coming, since Jack liked to point it out every single time they played - but tonight, Theo found herself wishing he hadn’t revealed that detail… After all, she had a bunch of superheroes watching who would definitely ask questions about that endeavor, and she wasn’t overly excited about any unnecessary interaction.

“Yeah, yeah… okay, let’s get this over with.” Theo forced herself to laugh, but shook her head. “This is Everything has Changed.”

Of the songs she helped record, Everything has Changed was one of her favorites; she always thought her sister would have loved the song. It was light and sweet and romantic, and Rae was always a romantic at heart.  

God, what she’d give to see her sister again.

“All I knew this morning when I woke / is I know something now / know something now I didn’t before / and all I’ve seen since eighteen hours ago / is green eyes and freckles and your smile / in the back of my mind making me feel like / I just wanna know you better…” 

From the back of the crowd, a pair of green eyes caught hers, and she couldn’t help but smile.

If there was anyone she wanted to know better, it was the intrepid Asgardian sorcerer who had long shed the reputation of wanting to conquer Earth and replaced it with equal parts charm, mystery, and wit sharper than the daggers he fought with. The sole interaction she’d had with him only increased her curiosity: Loki was one of the few, if not the only Avenger who didn’t express reservations about her before they were aware she was in the briefing, and he seemed almost amused at the way she pulled the wool over the others’ eyes.

If the way he studied her, obscured in shadows from the back of the crowd, was any indication, maybe he wanted to know her better too.

So this is it? I sold my soul for this?  Washed my hands of that for this?  I miss my mom and dad for this? No, when I see stars, when I see –  When I see stars, that's all they are When I hear songs,  They sound like a swan - so come on…

Midgardian sports were utterly dull.

Loki would never interact with such activities if he had the choice. Midgardian sports were slow, overwhelmingly attended by drunken old men who could be outsmarted by a child, and required little skill to compete. The fact that the activity brought pleasure to anyone was confounding; what was even more confounding was that Theo willingly participated in such activities - as it turned out, she played the sport which Midgardians could not even agree on a name for: soccer, also known as football in locations which actually applied logic to the naming of their athletic endeavors.

Of course, the moment Maximoff discovered this morsel of information about the newest recruit, she insisted that the Avengers attend Theo’s next match and cheer her on.

…Which meant that when she and Thor badgered Loki into joining, Loki spent the entire journey to the event pondering ways he might slip away without anyone being the wiser. Yet, the blinding grin and exuberant babbling of his brother as they arrived at the match diminished Loki’s resolve. Clearly the older Odinson was thrilled that the younger brother ventured out to attend, and he did not have the heart to ruin that enthusiasm. Maximoff, meanwhile, was absolutely buzzing over the opportunity to hopefully bond with Theo, chattering constantly about how nice it was going to be to have another female around the tower and all the things they would do together.

Even with hats and sunglasses to obscure the more defining features of their appearances, having their visages plastered on televisions and across the internet meant it was nearly impossible to go anywhere without recognition. Sure enough, they barely found a place in the stands for the group to sit when the hushed comments and glances started. Less than thrilled about the eyes on him, Loki kept his attention fixed on the field and remained quiet in hopes of not drawing any additional attention.

In theory, the Midgardians had moved on from New York. Thor insisted on sharing what actually caused the invasion as a way to prove Loki was not a threat, even though it left Loki feeling rather embarrassed that his weakness was put on display. The Midgardians, it seemed, were more forgiving than Loki anticipated. He was not ridiculed for being so feeble-minded that someone could control him. Even so, he would be foolish to believe they had entirely forgotten about what took place or what Loki was capable of. Whether or not they would admit it, they likely still regarded him as a threat.

He tried to shake the thought by focusing on the scene in front of him.

Down on the field, the two teams were preparing for the match. Spotting the reason for their attendance was easy - between the silver braid swishing as she dove in front of a net and the different color uniform from everyone around her, she stood out like a sore thumb. Even with the padded jersey, shin guards, and protective gloves to add bulk, it was clear her height was disproportionate to her frame. 

“Starting goalie for Duke all four years, captain her senior year.” Romanoff leaned into the group as she shared the information. “Multiple offers to go pro, but she turned them down to go to med school.”

“Is Duke good?” Maximoff asked.

“Consistently one of the top ranked college women’s soccer programs.” Parker answered, “one of MJ’s friends was scouted to play there.”

“What’s the band on her arm?”

“Captain band,” Romanoff replied, “means she’s leading the group when on the field.”

As the team wrapped up a drill, one of the other players approached Theo. After listening to whatever the other player had to say, Theo glanced over at the stands. The moment she noticed the Avengers was obvious by the scowl and the dramatic eye-roll that crossed her face. 

“Brother,” Thor nudged Loki with his elbow, “I’ve never seen a Midgardian who could scowl quite like you, but it seems you may have competition.” 

Loki turned to find Thor smirking at him, to which he responded by arching an eyebrow at him.

Fortunately, Thor was unable to find any additional opportunities to drag Loki into the mix of conversation, as shortly thereafter the players were brought on the field and the match began.

Though the Avengers were attending a soccer match, Loki found himself less focused on the sport and more interested in using the event as a character study. 

If the team was an army, Theo was its commander. She constantly called out instructions and warnings, all the while strategizing and directing her team members as though they were her troops. This was a drastic departure from the almost chaotic, mischievous woman that crashed the team’s briefing. If this was what she was like when placed in a high-pressure situation, perhaps Fury was wise to seek out her involvement. 

It was fascinating to watch her work. Loki found himself ignoring the action at the opposite end of the field in favor of trying to detect what Theo saw that influenced her commands. She moved with laser-sharp precision to prevent any scoring opportunities, all the while continuing her command of the troops.

Perhaps there was more to this particular sport than Loki realized, as it wasn’t long before he found himself actually enjoying the spectacle. It certainly helped that the other team provided a formidable challenge, with neither team scoring during the match or in overtime. 

Somehow, that was not the end. Apparently, the final tie-breaker was a “penalty kick shootout.” While the teams prepared themselves for the challenge, Shuri explained the process to those who were unfamiliar (which included Loki, though he would not admit it).

Each team alternated attempts at scoring. Theo’s team scored on their first shot. The opposing team aimed for the lower left corner, but Theo was too fast - she dove to the ground with arms outstretched, catching the ball before it could enter the net. The second penalty kick from Theo’s team was also a success, this time directed to the opposite side of the net.

When the opposing team took their second shot, Loki studied Theo as she prepared to defend against the other team. She crouched low, hands up and ready to catch the ball at a moment’s notice. Her attention was not on the ball, but just beyond; when the other player approached the ball, she watched their body for clues about where they aimed. 

Top right corner was the target, but they overshot and the ball went out of bounds.

“So if Theo’s team scores and the other team misses one more time, Theo’s team wins.” Shuri whispered as if she had a particularly exciting and scandalous rumor to share, though nothing about what she divulged was private information and it was far from salacious.

The swish of the soccer ball hitting the back of the net confirmed a third goal for Theo’s team.

“No pressure on Theo,” Barnes remarked, “She’s about to decide the championship.”

Right - Maximoff had mentioned something about a league championship among the five hundred other remarks about the Silver Shadow, but Loki hadn’t really been listening.

According to Parker, it was an incredible kick. The ball curved as it flew through the air, heading for the top left corner of the net. The spiderling claimed it was a shot that most professional goalies wouldn’t have been able to stop. There was no way Theo could stop it.

A flash of neon purple careened towards the top left corner, getting enough air to punch the ball out of the way before diving to the ground. 

Not even a moment after she stopped the shot, raucous cheering erupted from the stands. Maximoff and Shuri squealed, jumping up and down. Parker, Barnes, Belova, Wilson, and Thor openly wore their surprise on their faces, arms spread wide as they whooped and hollered. Romanoff and Rogers were not as open in their surprise, but they still leapt to their feet with excitement; then again, even Loki was on his feet cheering. 

Pushing herself up to her knees, Theo whipped around, confusion rampant across her face as she checked whether the ball made it into the net. When no ball was found, she turned back to the field, eyes wide and mouth hanging open as she located the ball’s final resting place - about a quarter of the way down the field, next to the sideline.

Theo sprung to her feet, joining in on the celebration as she realized that she had, in fact, stopped the shot. Her teammates surrounded her, everyone cheering as they jumped on top of each other and embraced. 

Once the adrenaline of the match wore off, Loki grew anxious to return to the tower. The others, however, insisted on staying long enough to congratulate Theo, as they felt it would help her feel more welcome. 

Theo, however, seemed perfectly content to avoid the Avengers. Not far from where they sat was another group who she must have recognized, because she ran over to them and greeted them with hugs, conversing with them for far too long to be considered idle chatter. Most of her posse seemed to be close to her age, though one small child and one petite, elderly woman were among the group. It was the elderly woman who pointed towards the Avengers and made some remark; they were just far enough away that Loki did not hear what she said, though the smirk that accompanied it set him on edge.

When the others departed and no one else served to distract her, Theo finally approached the Avengers. The excitement from speaking to the other group had been replaced with open apprehension as she drew near, perhaps feeling as uncertain about the interaction as Loki felt about the Avengers’ presence.

“Um… hey,” Theo chewed the inside of her cheek as she offered a half-wave to the group.

“Hey Theo - Congratulations!” Maximoff beamed, “You were great out there!” 

“Thanks. I didn’t realize you were coming to the game…” Theo’s gaze flitted around the group. “You know I start on Monday, right?“

“Yeah, but we thought it would be nice to come cheer you on,” Romanoff said, “Though your reaction when you first spotted us was something else…”

“My what?” Theo furrowed her brow, glancing around the group.

“The eye roll and scowl that rivaled Loki’s…” Thor said, arching an eyebrow at Theo, who appeared utterly baffled, only for realization to dawn on her face moments later. 

“Oh - shit, that wasn’t you,” Theo let out a quick, nervous laugh, shaking her head. “Allie, one of my teammates - her ex-boyfriend was here and she saw him. He’s been trying to get back together with her, but she can do way better. That had nothing to do with you.”

When she was met with a collective look of suspicion, she laughed a second time, a lilting sound that floated through the air. “You really think I’m going to lie with the God of Lies right here?”

Though he hid it well, the moniker made Loki cringe; it was one of many that reminded the world of his past, insidious and ever-looming over him like a storm cloud. 

Everyone stared at Loki, waiting for his assessment.

“I do not believe she is lying,” he concluded, “though I must agree that it was quite a dramatic response. I almost wish to meet whoever the expression was directed towards, as they must have truly annoyed you to garner such a reaction.”

At that, Theo snorted. “No, no you don’t want to meet him. He’s a waste of space.” She paused, shifting the duffel bag she carried around to her opposite side. “Well… thanks for coming. I’ll see you Monday? Unless you just randomly show up at something else… But I’m pretty sure I don’t have anything else you can crash, unless you showed up at my job… Which I wouldn’t recommend, because that usually involves someone getting hurt.”

“We are pretty good at that,” Wilson replied, winking at her. “But we’ll hold off for now.”

She laughed, bidding them good night before disappearing into the dark.

For someone who had no desire to become an Avenger, she seemed rather amiable. Perhaps that was her nature, or maybe there was something else at play.

The question of what that might be plagued Loki the entire way home.

Well, that is it, guys, that is all  Five minutes in, and I'm bored again Ten years of this, I'm not sure  If anybody understands This one is not for the folks at home, Sorry to leave, Mom, I had to go Who the fuck wants to die alone  All dried up in the desert sun?

The night of the newest Avenger’s introduction to the public, the whole team assembled for Stark’s party. 

At this point, it was practically a routine. New members would be announced, the whole team would woo the press so they would get ideal coverage, and then they’d settle into training the new members and sending them out on missions.

These parties were nothing difficult. Centuries of being a prince on Asgard equipped Loki with the decorum and etiquette to charm his way through formal social gatherings. Unlike Thor, who won his acclaim through battle, Loki did not have the helm of a warrior to win him praise; instead, he earned recognition through skilled diplomacy and knowing how to work a room. It was nowhere near his favorite way to spend an evening, but there were worse ways to pass the time.

Besides, his ability to navigate these events was a significant reason his reputation had improved among the Midgardians. After saying the right things and charming the right people, New York seemed to be a distant memory for them. In some ways, Loki envied their ability to forget the incident so easily. 

The circumstances around the event still haunted him, though he’d never outright admit it. 

Nevertheless, once he made his rounds and played the part of charming Asgardian Prince for the press, Loki preferred to situate himself near the bar. It offered an easy view of the room, provided easy access to beverages, and kept him far enough from the dancing that when Maximoff and Barnes inevitably had too much to drink and wanted him to join them on the dance floor, he could easily evade them. Midgardian liquor didn’t do much to intoxicate Loki, but he found that he did have a taste for cocktails he could sip throughout the evening. The other bonus of having a beverage in hand was that it made him appear more approachable. 

Given his history, anything that made him look less threatening was a benefit.

Theo was easy to spot, silver hair tumbling down her back in loose curls. She wore a black jumpsuit with no back and a long keyhole across the front that highlighted her chest. It was a smart choice - she knew she would be on display and dressed to kill. The jumpsuit balanced power with just enough skin to provide sex appeal, yet provided enough coverage that no one would clutch their pearls at the sight of her. 

From his preferred spot near the bar, Loki observed Theo’s interactions with the important guests of the party. She stuck close to Stark’s side, smiling and nodding as they went from guest to guest. She carried herself with grace; shoulders back and chest out as though she were a dancer, gracefully flowing from group to group throughout the evening. However, it seemed as if she hardly spoke a word. Stark looked perfectly at home with a beautiful woman on each side - opposite Theo, Potts seemed like a natural as she caught up with party guests, laughing and chatting without reservation.

Occasionally, Theo would scan the room and lock eyes with Loki - when they did, Loki would smirk and raise an eyebrow at her, while Theo would widen her eyes in what appeared to be a silent plea for saving her from the small talk. 

“So, what do you think of the new girl?”

Loki turned to find Romanoff next to him, leaning up against the bar as she stole a sip from his drink. 

“That was mine.” Loki commented, ignoring her initial statement. A perfect red lipstick print now adorned his glass.

The Black Widow pursed her lips for a moment, glancing up as she seemed to swirl the beverage in her mouth. “An old fashioned - did you order it because you’re old?” Belova teased, appearing next to the Black Widow, who pushed his drink back to him. 

Loki rolled his eyes, though a begrudging smile flickered across his lips.

“What do you think of her?” Romanoff’s gaze returned to the party, taking in the scene. Potts had stepped away, leaving Stark and Theo to continue their tour of guests. 

“She seems… tolerable.” Loki remarked with a small shrug.

“High praise from you,” Romanoff said, still watching the Silver Shadow. 

“I heard she’s already giving Stark a hard time.” Belova leaned in, smirking as she glanced between her peers.

“Stark would certainly benefit from developing a bit of humility,” Loki mused, avoiding the lipstick mark as he took a drink.

Romanoff snickered, while Belova let out a snort of laughter.

“She made you laugh.” Romanoff casually mentioned, studying Loki for a reaction.

Loki simply cocked an eyebrow at her, waiting for her to state whatever her point was.

“She made you laugh, you say she’s tolerable, and you’re over here watching her instead of making your usual rounds. I’d say you’re interested in her,” Romanoff concluded with a smirk.

“Are you not curious about her?” Loki inquired.

“Oh, I’m curious - ” Romanoff snickered, “I’m curious about how someone managed to attract your attention so quickly. Normally you take a while to warm up to people.”

“You’ve not spoken to her yet?” It was a surprising piece of information: Romanoff normally made a point to meet new team members right away.

“No, I haven’t had a chance to.” Romanoff shrugged. “But based on your response to her, I’m clearing time on my calendar and making a point to talk to her.”

“I would have guessed based on her attire that you helped her select her outfit.” Loki contemplated. “It looks very… Romanoff-esque.”

“No - I asked Wanda and she didn’t help either. That was all the new girl. Which reminds me, I want to ask her where she got that jumpsuit. It’s cute.”  Romanoff commented, tapping her chin.

Stark stepped away as Theo engaged in a conversation with a pair of journalists. Despite her polite smiles and nods, it only took a moment for her eyes to start roving the crowd as she chatted, subtly searching around for an out. 

“You gonna go rescue Rapunzel?” Belova teased, noticing the way Theo’s eyes landed on Loki. 

“I thought the Widows were desperate for an opportunity to talk to her.” Loki said, turning around to flag the bartender for a refill.

“Nah, go rescue the princess. After all, you’re a prince.” Romanoff pushed off from the bar, standing up. “If you bring her a drink, I’m sure she’d love it.”

“You say that like I’ve never spoken to a woman before.”

“You’ve picked up plenty of women, and men,” Romanoff clarified, “but given you’ll actually need to talk to her and not just seduce her, I figured you could use a tip or two.” She winked, sauntering into the crowd with sister in tow before Loki could reply.

Damn those women.

As the bartender approached, Loki hesitated - what would she even want to drink? Normally he’d consider wine or champagne, but she didn’t seem like she’d want any of the standard options. 

They had similar styles and personalities; perhaps it was a safe choice to order the same drink as he enjoyed for the evening. 

With the extra beverage in hand, he made his way across the room to Theo.

“… I’m very grateful for the opportunity and the kindness the team has already shown me-” Theo politely answered one of the journalists as Loki arrived. “- Oh! Hey Loki.” She perked up, offering him a warm smile and a slight nod, which he returned. 

Loki turned to the journalists and greeted them, flashing his most charming smile and honeyed pleasantries. They blushed, having warmed up to him over the course of his tenure as an Avenger. As much as he didn’t enjoy the show, he was a stunning performer.

Returning his attention to the newest Avenger, he offered the second beverage to Theo. “With all the speaking you’ve had to engage in this evening, I thought you might appreciate something to drink.”

A grateful smile crossed her face as she accepted the drink. She gave it a sniff and a sip, her smile expanding to a grin as she realized what was in the glass. “Old-Fashioned?”

Loki nodded, impressed that she knew what it was. “Given we seem to have similar taste in apparel, I thought we might also have a similar taste in beverages.”

Theo chuckled, taking another sip. “You’re not wrong.”

Confusion regarding the comment was obvious, based on the narrowed eyes and arched brows that both journalists wore. They glanced between the two Avengers, as if waiting for elaboration.

“When I first met Loki, we unintentionally wore matching outfits,” Theo quickly explained, “right down to the identical shoes.”

“Well, it seems you managed to figure out your outfits so you wouldn’t have the same issue tonight!” One of the journalists replied, eliciting a small, forced smile from Theo. While Loki didn’t find the comment amusing, he also forced a smile to play along.

“Theo, there is someone I would like you to meet.” Loki spoke up, sending a quick wink to the newest Avenger. Turning back to the journalists, he flashed his most dazzling smile. “Would it be alright if I borrowed the guest of honor for a little while? I promise to return her.”

“Of course!” The journalists grinned, falling for the silver tongue’s charm. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Amaris. We look forward to seeing what you accomplish!”

“Thank you, pleasure to meet you as well.” Theo bowed her head with another small smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes. The forced smile could have been deemed her trademark expression of the evening. Perhaps she was not keen to be trapped in a room full of strangers.

Loki took her free hand and began to weave through the crowd. Glancing to the side, he slipped through a doorway and down a hall before ducking through another door to a private balcony, pulling Theo behind him the entire time. 

When they arrived, Theo glanced around at the empty balcony and back at Loki, raising an eyebrow in silent question.

“You appeared as though you wanted a reprieve from idle chatter,” Loki explained, dropping her hand. “This is where I escape to when I’ve had more than my fill of Stark’s parties.”

“Ooh, a secret hiding spot!” A grin curled over Theo’s lips, and for the first time all night he saw her eyes light up. “Thanks for the out - this shit was exactly the opposite of how I want to spend my time.”

“Would it surprise you to learn that most of us would rather spend our time anywhere but these insipid gatherings?” Loki said, turning to look out across the city. “I suspect Stark and my oaf of a brother are the only two who truly enjoy these… Events.”

“So why do you do it, then?” The question was asked earnestly, if her expression was anything to go by. “Can’t you just say no?”

“I suppose it would depend…” Loki paused to sip his beverage. “I have sat out my fair share of these gatherings, though they have also been… Beneficial… For my reputation. Generally speaking, I attend these functions so I minimize the incessant blundering and badgering Thor inevitably would subject me to should I refuse.”

“Didn’t peg you as someone who could be bossed around by your brother.” 

There was a hint of teasing in Theo’s comment, but Loki still bristled at her words. “My brother hardly bosses me around, mortal. I simply understand that tolerating these functions serves me well, even if they are not the manner in which I care to pass time.”

Theo snickered, but let the subject fall to the side in favor of amiable silence.

“I’ve been curious to ask - how was it that you came into your magic?”

Crossing her arms, Theo leaned against the balcony rail. “It’s a long story.”

“We’ve all the time in the world.” Loki mirrored her posture, catching her eyes with a sly smile. “I am certainly curious.”

“It involves another realm and a case of mistaken identity.” Theo answered, perhaps a bit too quickly. “You can use your imagination.”

“What realm?” Loki pressed, finding himself rather amused by the way Theo seemed to dodge each of his questions. “It is difficult to imagine unless I have a sense of where it takes place.”

A sigh and rolled eyes were Theo’s initial response. “On a scale from one to ten of topics I’d like to discuss, I’d rather deepthroat a chainsaw than talk about where I came from.” The sarcasm in her comment was amusing, yet it was obvious the subject was uncomfortable.

Loki, sensing that it wouldn’t be a good idea to push the topic, turned to look out across the skyline. “So… not a pleasant location. Duly noted.”

“It’s a story for another time.” Theo flashed a surprisingly haunted, yet grateful smile. She turned back to gaze at the city, keeping her eyes on the skyline in the distance as she continued. “So, Loki, prince of Asgard, god of mischief and trickery… Give me the scoop. Is Sleipnir real?”

Loki nearly fell over laughing from the surprise change of subjects. Of all the questions he’d been asked, Sleipnir was typically a subject most were too afraid to ask of, much less within an initial conversation.

She certainly seemed fearless.

When he finally regained his composure, he turned to find Theo beaming with a quiet pride. 

“Hardly - It was a tale spread for a bet that perhaps was too tantalizing for Midgardians, as they’ve clearly not forgotten it.” A grin curled across his lips, letting a chuckle escape. “However, there are other tales. As a child, I knew just enough to be dangerous…” Loki started, launching into a series of tales from his youth of the tricks he pulled on his brother and the trouble he caused. A sparkle came to his eye as he began to weave imagery of a tiny, doe-eyed and raven-haired Loki causing all kinds of chaos in Asgard. 

He only paused when the pair both laughed so hard that they had to stop and gather themselves, both wiping tears from their eyes.

My heart is breaking for my sister And the con that she called "love" But then I look into my nephew's eyes Man, you wouldn't believe The most amazing things That can come from Some terrible nights

Letting someone else talk was a desperately needed reprieve.

It wasn’t that Theo was out of her element; on the contrary, she was more than comfortable with rubbing elbows with the high and mighty. She’d done this hundreds, no, thousands of times before. Granted, it was a long time ago and in an entirely different place, when everything she understood about the world was almost opposite to how it stood now; regardless, she wasn’t out of practice.

Still, she hadn’t anticipated that her first day as a member of the Avengers would play out quite the way it did. Tony Stark’s ego wasn’t a surprise - he had a head so big it could be seen from another solar system. He was, at least, nice enough to take her around and introduce her to people instead of throwing her straight to the wolves. A Norse god with the personality of a golden retriever talking her ear off as he gave her a tour of the building she’d be living and working in? That was a bit of a surprise. She thought Thor would be more hot-headed and less… cheerful. The eyes of the other Avengers constantly watching her was to be expected - after all, she knew the reputation that preceded her. 

But now, she stood on the balcony of a skyscraper taking in the New York skyline. A different Norse god stood next to her, spinning tales that would sound stranger than fiction if it weren’t for what she’d already seen and what she’d already lived through. 

Loki was harder to read. In the briefing, he seemed amused by Theo. When he was among the group who crashed her show, he regarded her with a certain sharpness that seemed wary, yet intrigued. At her soccer game it seemed like he regarded her with skepticism, not to mention that he looked less than thrilled to be there. 

When Thor barged into the room where Loki was reading on Theo’s tour, she thought Loki was going to stab him until he realized she was present… Perhaps he wasn’t always as charming and witty as she expected. Theo struggled to believe that Loki, the prickly, aloof god, was actually related to Thor, the literal sunshine puppy god, much less that they were brothers. 

Then again, maybe Loki wasn’t so angsty after all. After all, the god of brooding was next to her, a twinkle in his eyes and a grin dangling from his lips as he regaled her with tales of mischief and tomfoolery. Even if some of the tales seemed a bit far-fetched to her, the laughter they coaxed from her was something almost unfamiliar; it had been years since she laughed that hard.

“You know, I have to confess: Thor may be onto something.” Theo had barely gotten her laughter under control before she spoke up.

“Is that so?” Loki’s face sobered as he studied her, waiting for what she would say next.

Theo glanced over at Loki, giving him a nod. “Thor wouldn’t stop extolling your virtues throughout my whole tour. He insisted I get to know you. Any idea why?”

Loki snorted, imagining the thought of Thor harassing their newest team member. “You exaggerate, I’m sure. Still, he can be… overzealous at times.”

“He seemed to think we’d be great friends.” 

Loki’s skepticism was on full display as he studied her, trying to see if she was lying.

“Well, you’re out here with me after rescuing me from small-talk hell, you brought me one of my favorite drinks based on a gut instinct, clearly we have a similar style, and we both wield magic…” Theo pointed out, holding up her drink as if to make a point. “So maybe it’s not as overzealous as you think.” 

“Touché,” Loki agreed, though it was strangely reluctant. “I… used to ruffle people’s feathers.” His voice got quieter and lost some of its bravado. “Thor worried I would never find friends due to past transgressions, or grow accustomed to life on Midgard. While that may no longer be the case, I suspect he still worries; it is likely why he still drags me out with him.” 

Of the answers Theo was expecting, that… wasn’t it. Maybe some clever quip about Thor wanting to set his brother up with someone so he’d stop giving Thor shit about dating a mortal, or something funny. This seemed… almost a little too personal.

Time for a change in subject.

“Tell me another story - What was the best prank you’ve played on Tony Stark?”

That was all it took for Loki to perk up and launch into another elaborate story that led to side-splitting laughter.

Perhaps the golden retriever god was onto something - maybe they would be good friends.

Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

The other night, you wouldn't believe The dream I just had about you and me I'd called you up, but we both agreed It's for the best you didn't listen It's for the best we keep our distance, oh For the best, you didn't listen It's for the best we keep our distance, oh

[inafieldofdaisies]

WIP Wednesday | Tagged by @jacobsneed <3 | Tagging @adelaidedrubman @thesingularityseries @socially-awkward-skeleton @direwombat @euryalex @detectivelokis @nightbloodbix @aceghosts @madparadoxum @g0dspeeed @trench-rot @josephseedismyfather @josephslittledeputy @theelderhazelnut @purplehairsecretlair @jinfromyarikawa @shegetsburned @clicheantagonist @poisonedtruth @vampireninjabunnies-blog @cassietrn @wrathfulrook @voidika @harmonyowl @strangefable @schoute and anyone with something to share <3

For this Wednesday you all are getting a little something from Sabrina and Savannah (cute as hell) and more of John slowly losing his mind. Then as a bonus because I'm so excited for her: a sneak peek into a new Peggie OC (or is she a Peggie): Mercedes "Mercy" Sibley. Wishing Jacob good luck with that one.

"Rin-Rin, did you see the butterfly! It was so pretty! Not black, though.", Savannah ran over to her, sitting down on the blanket and leaning her head on Sabrina's shoulder, "Ah, I forgot to tell you, John asked me about butterflies?" "He did?" Not giving up on your quest at unraveling all my secrets, eh, Seed? She wasn't too surprised, he was set on figuring as much as possible about her and her sister probably seemed like the path of least resistance when it comes to getting information, especially when she herself refused to share anything. Savannah nodded, "Why does your sister like butterflies?", she tried mimicking John's voice, making Sabrina laugh. "What did you tell him?" "To ask you, silly. I lied that I don't know.", her sister giggled like she had done something quite devious. "You know what I usually say about lying, Sav. But this time… it was the right call." She sighed, "I know. I won't do it all the time like mom, don't worry." "I know, pumpkin. Did he ask anything else?" Savannah titled her head, lips pursed in thought, no doubt quickly going over all her conversations with John since meeting him days back. "We just talked about random stuff, Rin-Rin. But he did ask about uncle Cal…" Of course, can you get more predictable? "What did he want to know about him?" Her sister gave her an amused look, "He asked if he came over a lot, and if he was your boyfriend." "Oh my god. He did not.", Sabrina covered her face with her hands as she took a deep breath. "He did. I told him uncle Cal used to come over for breakfast sometimes, that he brought me things,", she shrugged, "but I have no clue if he is your boyfriend." "And?" Savannah laughed, "I asked him why he wants to know and if he likes you?" "Savannah Mae!" "And he got really quiet. Oh, it was very funny.", a mischievous smile appeared on her face at the memory.

Sabrina shook her head, "What am I going to do with you.", then her tone grew serious, "If he asks anything else that seems weird, you just tell him to talk to me instead, okay? "I don't know, John. Ask her yourself." Okay?" "Of course, Rin-Rin.", her sister's narrowed in curiosity, "Do you like him?", she bumped her shoulder, "It's okay if you like him, even if he's a Peggie." Sabrina shook her head quickly, "It's nothing like that, Sav. He's a friend like uncle Cal, okay?" "Okay.", came out as a reply, then she added, "But… I think he likes yoooouuu." Savannah sign-songed the last part as she jumped back to her feet, her attention grabbed by another butterfly in the distance. Since finding out about what the beautiful insects meant to her, her sister had made it her neverending mission to find a black butterfly. Sabrina's eyes shifted to the ranch, coming to rest on John as he leaned on the balcony's railing. She could sense another one of his intense stares pointed her way. She guessed he must have come out while she wasn't paying attention, too engrossed in the conversation with Savannah. The second their eyes met, a familiar pull stirred in her even from the distance. It was a harsh reminder how much of a lie it was to call whatever happening between them "nothing". He held her gaze for what felt like eternity before turning around and disappearing back inside his room.

John closed yet another notebook, releasing a huff as he put it on top of the pile of finished ones. His frustration was festering more and more at the fact it had been hours of non-stop reading through her notes and so far he hadn't come across anything mentioning him. The whole afternoon he had fought temptation to drop what he was doing and join her outside, the way she stared at him when he allowed himself a brief look, didn't help matters. He was holding himself back from storming out and finding her, demanding to tell him about the visions, to confess if she even had them written down at all. Doubt was creeping in. Are you having a laugh at my expense, Deputy? Is that it? If she in fact hadn't noted anything related to him down, it meant she held all her secrets close, locked away in her mind. He was good at getting those out of people, he would learn everything no matter the way. In attempt to keep his head straight he had slipped back into avoiding her, he couldn't imagine going down for dinner and having to sit across from her… knowing what that would cost him, how it would chip away at his facade. Hours back Savannah cheerfully had brought him food, patting his shoulder as she said, "You're working hard, John, but you also gotta eat.", then she had rushed back out before he could even respond. The house was now quiet, the little one had gone to bed, and he found himself with another situation on his hands. It started with Sabrina's footsteps carrying past his room and fading away until the exterior door opened and shut. Minutes passed in silence, then he heard it, the faint strumming of a guitar, finding a way inside even with his windows closed, then a voice joined. Even muffled it was so melodic, beguiling him to go outside, to stand on the balcony and listen. No. Focus. John didn't give into the urge, knowing if he did, he won't be able to stay upstairs just listening, that he'd end up seeking her presense, and her singing would no doubt push him over the edge. The Project needed him. He had to ensure Calahan Hartley wouldn't destroy everything he had built. He had to make Joseph proud.

Mercy. She hated the meek woman she had to pretend to be, but she was stuck in that life, a Sunk Cost Fallacy of sorts, and she had promised herself she would get revenge no matter the means. When she officially entered the Whitetails, mindlessly following the route marked for her on a worn-out map while a non-cult song played queitly on the radio in the background, she couldn't help but dread the reaction the oldest Seed would have to her arrival. Where Joseph fully bought her lost lamb act and John always managed to force a smile her way no matter how troubling or ingenuine it seemed, while Faith eyed her with slight wary, to the Father's dismay Jacob did his hardest to make it known he disliked his protégé. It wasn't that Mercedes was desperate for the man's approval, it was more the feeling he was seeing through her facade that worried her, but she told herself if that was the case, he would have already said something to Joseph by then.

[...]

Hours later Mercedes found herself parking the car in front of the iron gates of St. Francis Veteran Center and as soon as she stepped a foot past them, one of Jacob's men was rushing at her. "Oh, my,", she feigned a flich at the sight of his weapon, "Didn't the Father warn you I would be arriving?" "He did.", the Chosen reached a hand to her, "Name's Isaac." "Mercy." "Brother Jacob is away at the moment." Mercedes smiled at him and squared her shoulders, "Is this his way of trying to get rid of me without even seeing me? Joseph sent me, so I'm not going anywhere." "He truly is away, sister.", Isaac said with a frown as he rubbed his neck, then muttered, "He knows nothing of your arrival, actually." Well, that should be fun. "Where should I wait for him then?", she asked and took a step around the man, making him block her path again. "Uh,", he stuttered out, looking uncertain, his demeanor telling her she was the last person he wanted to deal with, especially with his boss being unaware of her visit, "His office?" It came out as a question, as if he expected her to bark an order at him. "That would be just fine, thank you.", when he didn't move, she added, "Lead the way, Isaac." That finally snapped the poor guy back into action and he strode off towards the main entrance of the old yellow building, forcing Mercedes to pick up her pace, too. She tried to ignore the cages upon cages on each side of the path. A naive part of her wanted to believe Jacob was keeping wild animals in there, but reality was a bitch. Sunken faces stared back at her paired with the occasional faint plea for help. People. I'm sorry. The sight was a harsh reminder why the simple con job of getting back what Joseph had stolen from her only family had turned into so much more. Why she had given up on her old life and remained undercover for almost 388 days. Her hands gripped her dress in desperation the same way so many bloody hands were holding onto the bars. I will get you all out. Somehow. Just not today.

Isaac held the door open for her, letting her enter the decrepit former hospital first, then followed behind. "We don't get many visitors here.", he explained and took the lead again, "So you're bound to get strange looks from people." The hallways all looked similar and she wondered if his men felt like rats in a maze anytime they navigated the building. Mercedes let out a small laugh, "That's okay." Eventually he stopped in front of a door and gestured inside as he unlocked it, "I'm leaving you in here, sister. Can I trust you won't wander the building if I don't lock you in." She nodded, "Nothing to worry about here, Isaac." He gave her a relieved smile and scrambled to take his leave, "I will have someone bring you a glass of water in a few." Isaac rushed out before she could even mutter a thank you. "Talk about keeping your men on edge.", she said under her breath and shifted her eyes to the room, taking a couple of cautious steps further in. A series of small windows overlooked the fence around the hospital and the vast woods behind it that gave off a false sense of freedom if you only manage to climb over the rusty bars. If even a small portion of what she had heard about Jacob's experiments was true, once you had entered the Vet Center, your free will would be left at the door. His office was sparsely furnished from a worn-out couch, a small bookcase and old desk overflowing with documents with a single chair behind it, to the maps hanging on the walls together with a bloodred poster of him. In it Jacob was pointing with a smug look on his face with "Only You." stamped at the bottom. She ran her hands over her dress out of habit, smoothing out wrinkles that weren't even there while she stared back at the propaganda, wondering if that was the only expression he could ever muster aside from the one of hatred he would always send her way. Well, the feeling is mutual, asshole. Mercedes smiled at the thought, then frowned at how she wasn't able to freely express her dislike like he was. 388 days she wished she could finally go back to her old self and be free of pretending for a short while until the next job would come around and she would slip into a new role. 388 days she dreamed of finally being free of the Seeds. 388 days where she hoped tomorrow would offer her a chance to leave the Project behind her for good.

[petrichoraline]

We Are Ep.2 thoughts in chronological order

what peem did in the car trying to convince phum to part their ways is what the youth calls ✨a yap sesh✨ (he tried ig) (this is what this post is as well)

we're probably never seeing phum use those things he bought ever, he'll just keep hanging around in his engineer shirt

peem has so many ppl ready to square up for him including his auntie and he is recognised by tan as someone who loves his friends very much (which makes the fact tan has sold him away for time with his crush TWICE even worse lmao)

i don't really get phum's insistence on not telling anyone about being phum's "slave", not even tan who got him into the mess or his best friend but it's just his ego ig (aside from plot reasons)

i find pun more relatable now - tags along for the funsies and gets happy around fire

not convinced the beans and pork scene wasn't an ad but im not sure how cause i didn't clock any labels

the scene where peem brings in food and laughs with q feels like improv or breaking left in lol

fai missing cause of upset stomach might be some sort of foreshadowing and i'm a bit worried bout her

the professor is handsome <3 and could pas off as chimon's sibling in a show

q absorbing those noodles was very satisfying idek why lol

peem and q's friendship is in the background but the show still constantly makes it a point that they are really good and loyal best friends

i thought "oh theyre gonna make the sharing food a thing in the future" so when boys showed up i was like "ah, we're doing it immediately? bit boring" but then he didn't share!! joey never shares food!! i think he will in the future though, him being a foodie is a constant thing so i'm guessing we're using it as a sign of compromise in the name of love or smth

satang playing this type of character felt a bit much in the first episode but i think he's getting more comfortable with the role as the show progresses and it look more natural; i'm glad his character isn't the googly eyed mentee and he actually teases a lot and snaps back but knows when to stop playing because q isn't the most patient person. (matt having to jump in like "bro he's serious" was so funny cause i hadn't clocked that either hahah)

the way we can see q flustered at certain points but seemingly unbothered at others is fun because his reactions aren't entirely predictable at this stage as we're still getting to know him. also it's mad cute when he clearly doesn't know what to do with himself

idk how he hasn't asked toey bout why he's in art yet, ig they're just now starting to properly get to know each other

toey took one look at q's back and decided "that's a cool ass aura to base my entire future around!" and tbh that's very young adult of him

q regularly asking about peem's work being submitted, he's honestyly worried <3

the way i cheered for peem burping in phum's face and then went "oh he came back :(" bahah

phum is definitely already planning his day and schedule around peem, i don't think he'd ever tell his friends because he wants to actually keep it going so one of the reasons is to not run into his faculty friends including tan and the second is to have lunch with his unconscious crush AND I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THIS STUPIDITY

thought peem could overhear the convo behind the car and realise what he was exchanged for but nope, he just dipped; i think that might be a plot point for later

phum not knowing tan has a crush on fang is so weird cause he genuinely acted like he knew while taunting tan, i don't have an explanation for that

fang is their p'!! i was so conviced he was the little brother, ig because of his big round eyes and the way phum acted all protective (that just makes phum cuter tbh)

what is the age difference between bar owner and prof cause i ship it

it took me a bit to realise the nongs were there instead of the full arts gang and i was glad to see toey and q together (also the green sweater is beautiful on toey, hope it makes a comeback)

i was ready to believe fang had some sort of falling out with tan with the way he treated him but tan beaming and enjoying a dreadful setting (no talking, awkward sitting around in a bar with mid music and alcohol) shows that man is glowing just from being in fang's presence (i hope he reaches ridiculous levels of lame for him)

i was screeching when i realised where things were going with wasted peem and seeing him n the bench outside had me exctaticcc (ofc he didnt book a taxi. and ofc they cant just order one for him noww could they)

phum cockblocks but he kinda has to cause there's no reason for fang to be there otherwise; once the ridiculous proposition of him taking peem home comes up he doesn't really fight it at all - he wants to be with peem, sure, but i think he's also pretty okay with tan and fang being a thing

the way i was screaming "just buy the flowers rich boy!!! he wants to go home" and then the kid went to get more lol

ofc he couldnt just leave the flowers in the backseat, peem just has to have them in his lap.. and the seatbelt scene was so predictable but it's too much of a classic with all "figuring things out" parts of a romance that i can't complain

it makes absolutely zero sense aside from people liking people (cause fang knows what he's doing too) that phum would drive peem to his house - a place where tan has sleepovers at all the time and phum hasn't been to before. fang is his brother and they can sleep at the same place as well even if they don't live together but nope. also THAT CAR HAS EMPTY BACKSEATS, if phum wanted to he would've forced them to ride with him to keep an eye on tan

fang is probably planning to launch a big revenge attack on peem and that'd be so funny, those four can get way too entangled, i could get DRAMA out of their plans and schemes (this show is more hidden agenda than hidden agenda was)

tan's energy with fang reminds me of the duracell bunny lmao it's late at night and they've had a few drinks but his mind and body are all focusedon wooing fang (who is playing nonchalant but has probably had a crush on tan as well)

also no way he was just gonna leave tan on the street lol

toey and q aleady work so well together, toey knows his effect on q more or less and q doesn't shy away from being at least a bit vulnerable as of rn; i think they can be one of the best if not the best couple if they have a proper storyline; im certainly enjoying it the more than i thought i would

the fake blush on both toey and peem is ridiculous esp up close but ig they're cartoonishly drnk anyways

auntie took note and now doesn't do facemasks at night, otherwise it would've been an amazing first meeting

"he likes to whine" and she's the one who can't leave the room from complaining sm lol auntie is so cute

ahh, the mandatory "a look around the room shows me you're truly passionate about what you do and you're deeper than i thought" scene..thankfully he didn't mutter "you like painting this much, huh" to nobody cause i was ready to yell HES AN ARTS MAJOR like he kicked you in the balls for a reason doofus

theyre giving us so many closeups of these two and i keep thinking "this is so drama/y im embarrassed" but i have no shame, if it's fun it's fun (and it's pondphuwin, youre not gonna hear me complain about looking at pond's face for too long or from too close)

reaching out to touch his face was a bold choice thoughh i lost it

man down badd man down baddd he was called an asshole and started gleaming like a light bulb

[honeysorwell]

Two hearts can fix everything

Synopsis of the story + Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5 

Chapter 3

Par: Wilhemina Venable x fem!Reader

Tag list: @paulsonix​​ @d14n4ol​​ @harknspet @strawberryshorttcakkeee and if any of you want to be added just let me know!

Warning: none, I think I’m still in my clean era.

Word Count: 1,4k

Enjoy!

Y/N has never been the kind of person who wanted a stranger's company. She had her friends, her family and her coffee shop, all of them for longer than she can remember and it never occurred to her to need anyone else.

She had relationships. A boy she loved in her mid-teens, a charming girl who kept her company at the city's public library, a pretty non-binary person who worked at the coffee shop she had with her mother, as well as occasional affairs of no real importance, but one thing they all had in common was that they were people she knew.

But now, when Y/N changed the address of the coffee shop that she had owned for 4 years, the world gave her an unusual desire when we are talking about the company of the redheaded woman who occasionally showed up to order a coffee.

With her complicated name and formal attire, the redhead became someone Y/N unconsciously sought out every time the bell, attached to the front door of Gardenhouse Coffee, rang. It was hardly her, but when the purple clothes contrasted with the whole exterior, Y/N couldn't hold back her own smile.

The barista has always been a person with an easy smile. Since she was a child, she did everything to brighten up conversations between friends and was always looking lovingly at her family. When she started working with her mother in the family's first coffee shop, her sweet way of acting with everyone around her was just a bonus when working with the public.

Smiles were always returned, by men and women, and eventually that led to something more. But Y/N was never like that to get something, it was always just her instinct to give smiles to everyone.

What bubbles in the barista's mind is that there is something about the red-haired woman that makes Y/N want nothing more than to make her smile back. But maybe it's too early to think about that because Wilhemina enters the coffee shop and Y/N just wishes she could go back in time and add more purple and a kind of orange-red to the decoration. Even though the barista feels she doesn't have the ability to accurately predict the magnificence of the shade of red hair she admires from afar.

What should it smell like?

When silly questions start popping into Y/N's mind, she forces her head to shake negatively, as if the act would be able to scare away her thoughts and make the barista focus on the redhead's order.

However, the unexpected happens.

Every time Wilhemina came to the coffee shop, she ordered her coffee and waited until it was ready there, on the counter. Her attitude showed a bit of impatience, especially when the barista felt the redhead's gaze burning her back, but Y/N paid little to no attention at all to that.

Maybe the woman with the exotic name was always busy. Maybe she was late for something important and didn't have time to waste at a table.

However, on that day in question, the redhead apparently did.

The barista watched as Wilhemina approached a high table in the right corner of the coffee shop and sat down on the chair, before picking up the menu that was resting next to the napkins and observing it curiously.

It takes a few minutes, or seconds, the barista didn't really count, but when the redhead's eyes find hers, Y/N approaches Wilhemina.

"Good morning. Trying something new?", she knows she didn't scare the redhead because the woman's gaze hasn't left her face since she started approaching, completely ignoring the menu in her hand.

"Maybe… What do you suggest?", Wilhemina gives her the answer in a nonchalant manner, perhaps to mask the fact that she hadn't read the menu at all, exactly like the first time.

"To drink or to eat?"

"Oh no, I'm absolutely fine with my usual coffee…", she is extremely direct when she speaks, it almost makes Y/N flinch, but the barista doesn't.

Y/N touches the redhead's hand and lowers the menu until it is resting completely on the table. She leans a little over the surface too, just to get closer to the menu, and it doesn't go unnoticed when the redhead takes a deep breath next to her.

“Then I would recommend a yogurt cake with lemon… It's soft and not as strong or sweet as the others on the menu, so it won't interfere with the taste of your coffee.”, the barista says as she points to the figure of a simple cake compared to the others, and even though she doesn't want to, Wilhemina's eyes focus more on the fingers stretched out in front of her than on the figure itself.

“Oh… I like that…”, the redhead seems a little disconcerted, perhaps even uncomfortable with Y/N's proximity, so before speaking again, the barista moves her body away from the table and maintains the straight posture she had a few minutes ago.

“I was happy to see that you chose to spend some time here… Sitting and enjoying my coffee shop. You see…”, at this point, Y/N feels her face heat up, but she decides to just swallow her breath continuing. “I have some regular or potentially regular clients, like you… But you is the one I wait for and recognize from a distance.”

And it is as if Wilhemina's brown eyes have lost some of their shine. Before, her vision was focused on Y/N's face, but with her last sentence, now a clean napkin becomes interesting to her.

“I know… The cane…”

“Actually, it's all the purple.”, Y/N interrupts her before even hearing the entire sentence of the woman in front of her, driven by the desire not to let the redhead get the wrong impression of what she was trying to say, “I like it.”

It only lasts a second, but the barista sees the surprise in the redhead's eyes as soon as she hears what Y/N said. However, this look quickly turns into something else and is accompanied by a smile.

It is beautiful, with straight and white teeth, but it is so predatory that Y/N quickly feels like an animal about to be captured by a trap she thought she could play.

“Looking at this place, it’s hard to find a color you don’t like…”

It’s laced with venom, but Y/N is still too embarrassed to notice. So she answers honestly.

“Maybe black, Wilhielmina.”

“What?”, it’s confusing, as if the redhead had heard what Y/N said but that it didn’t make any sense, and so Y/N explains herself.

“I don’t like the color black. In my opinion, it shouldn’t even be a color, since it’s what we see when we close our eyes… I like to see the world and its colors, especially the pretty ones.”

There’s a silence. It only lasts a few seconds, and it’s enough for Y/N to think she said the wrong thing, but Wilhemina’s voice sounds before hers.

“Nice to know.”, contrary to what Y/N imagined, like another wicked smile or an eye roll, Wilhemina’s reaction was simply shocking.

The redhead blushed.

Once again, when Wilhemina received her piece of cake and her coffee, the note next to it had two hearts and her name misspelled. The same grammatical error as the other times, but it barely sounded like anything that important when compared to the quick conversation she had shared with Y/N.

It was hard for anyone to have the courage to talk to her. Maybe because of her intimidating appearance, or her deficiency, or even because of the way she carried herself and spoke to everyone around her, but the reality is that no one started silly conversations with Wilhemina. Until this barista arrived, ignoring everything that everyone else saw as warning signs.

And even if a part of the redhead wanted to just take it as an incident, it was good. Good enough that, as she ate, it occurred to Wilhemina that she enjoyed these silly conversations more than she realized.

When the redhead got up from the table, after finishing, she lazily walked over to the cashier and opened her bag.

There is something inside the bartender that just wants to say that the order is a gift for the redhead, just to see what kind of reaction it will cause, but she doesn't have much time to think about this possibility since the redhead is already handing her the money for the payment. But, before turning to the exit, Wilhemina says something to her that makes the barista's face heat up.

“Have a good day, Y/N. See you tomorrow.”

[jcniper-backup]

i am hungry (i was born hungry) - prologue

Tags/Warnings: bhaal, dark urge, astarion's past trauma, m/f, named dark urge, dark urge resists the urge

Summary: a dark urge/astarion romance with a different meeting au

For some reason ao3 is literally not allowing me to update my work so i'm backing it up on here.

Vaelyn didn’t know how she got here.

The noisy din of merchants from The Wide echoed from some unknown location. The acrid smell of rat-piss and blood was thick in the air. The steady drip, drip, drip of blood was the only thing that gave her a hint of what happened in the past twenty four hours. She held up her hands, studying the thick ichor and bits of gore that covered her hands. There was no corpse around and her stomach growled. 

She licked and suckled at her fingers, knowing there was no way that would get them completely clean. “Scileritas.” She called out. “Scileritas, where are you?” 

Nothing. Useless. Predictable. 

“No matter,” She wiped the remaining blood off on the underside of her doublet, “gather your bearings.” The dark of the sewers had never deterred her. After she had been plucked from a church of Kelemvor, her butler had brought her to the Underdark for a time. The reason was still unclear to her as to why, but now she was here, and the sewers of Baldur’s Gate almost felt like a reminder of a place she had called home for so long. Vaelyn pushed herself as far away from the noises of The Wide as she could before finding a pothole to crawl out of. 

She had successfully made it back to the Lower City, where people didn’t question the amount of blood one was covered in as closely as the snobs in the Upper City. Flitting in and out of the shadows had become something of a passtime she had learned. Vaelyn had no home except in the Temple of Bhaal, one that was suitable when she felt like having the added drama of her murderous half-sister around. On days like these, after she lost time, she had found that she lacked the patience to deal with her. 

So, she stashed clothes and supplies all over the city. Behind loose brick, close to the hole she came from, she pulled a change of clothes and went about her business. ‘Go back to the temple. Murder Scileritas for not coming to you. It would be funny.’ With a deep sigh, Vaelyn turned towards the horizon. The sun was still up in the sky, but it was slowly starting to crest down and out of sight. 

Night time was always such an entertaining time for her. Oh, the crimes she had committed– 

Vaelyn decided to stay out, veering towards the south span of Wyrm’s Crossing. People were beginning to board up shop. Somewhere in the distance, someone screamed, and Vaelyn smiled to listen to the sweet, sweet sound.

Sharess’ Caress was bustling with business when Vaelyn walked over the threshold. She ordered a bottle of wine from the bar and turned to watch the debauchery of the night. The drow had no intention of taking a life tonight, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t delight in the different states of misery around her. Someone was drunkenly slurring a pickup line to another drow she had seen before. The woman had a similar pallor to her, looking closer to a woodland nymph than someone who belonged to the Underdark. The two shared eye contact for a moment and the woman smirked, before turning her attention back to the drunken dwarf and extorting him for three hundred gold pieces for the night. 

“Care to share a drink?” A voice cut through the distant fog she was in. 

Turning, Vaelyn took in the sight in front of her. A pale, slender, elf was standing very close to her. His silver-white hair was almost perfectly quaffed. His doublet was simple, but too fancy for the general clientele of this place. ‘ Prostitute?’  Vaelyn glanced up at his eyes. They were such a pretty shade of crimson. ‘Vampire, oh they murder so beautifully…’ Her brain supplied her. 

“Sure. Want to find a table?” With no plans for what she was doing, she beckoned him to one of the tables with curtains hanging over them. The tiny little alcove was a nice pocket of silence to distract her from everything else. Vaelyn poured him a cup, and then herself. 

He was staring at her, his gaze predatory. “Thank you, darling.” 

“Darling?” 

“You haven’t told me your name yet.” 

“Vaelyn. Yours?” 

“Astarion.” Vaelyn took a swig of wine. The sip Astarion took was comically small. It took everything in her to stop herself from laughing. “Vaelyn is such a pretty name. What does it mean?” 

“Leadership.” She gave him a curt answer. While this was amusing to her, she had never been one for flirting with people. Plus, she was still trying to find out what this vampire wanted from her. It was most likely blood. His thirst for it was something she could relate to. “Is this where I’m supposed to ask the meaning of yours?” 

“It can be if you wish. Just simply trying to make conversation.” 

“Mm. You must forgive me…I don’t…talk to people very often.” People who weren’t involved with her father’s cult, that is. Vaelyn got the urge to drink more. She had always been told she was off-putting to be around. Her life had been spent in a monastery that prided itself on being neutral to everything before she was dragged elsewhere, and she learned her true nature. 

Even those of the Cult who loved her dearly often expressed fear or irritation at some aspect of her personality. Her own half-sister was chief among that crowd, always trying to make her angry and irrational. She would kick and scream at her, like she was some sort of toddler. “How are you the favoured one? Your worship does nothing for the soul, dear sister. There is no art to how you bleed these meat sacks dry.” Sometimes, she would get what she wanted and the sweet slaughters they would commit would sate them for days to come. Most of the time, Vaelyn stayed in control. 

All of that happening before she reached the age of maturity meant she had to account for– personal defects. “It’s alright, sweetheart. Take your time. Or, if you aren’t the talking type–” She could see where he was headed with this. He would get her somewhere secluded under the guise of having sex. Perhaps, he would even give it to her. After that, he would either drain her dry or try to rob her blind. 

It was adorable. 

“Actually, I’d rather just sit here and talk for now. I’ve spent most of my life in monasteries, so just watching the liveliness is fun for me. You are welcome to join me. Unless you have somewhere else to be.” He was still staring at her. He took another comically small sip of wine. Vaelyn resisted the urge to ask him if a richer red would be more to his tastes. “I can even pay you, if that’s what you would like.” 

The dawning realization that she must have some semblance of what he’s doing rose on his face. She had to give it to him, he was good at putting on a mask. His eye barely twitched. “I can…go.” 

“Am I making you uncomfortable?” 

“No, darling. It just seems that I’m making you uncomfortable, and I wouldn’t want to do that.” There was a nervous edge to his voice. He was lying. He was also still sitting there, across from her. Dimly, Vaelyn wondered if he was trying to delay something. Perhaps there was something that he didn’t want to go back to quite yet. 

Alcohol dimmed crueler thoughts from rising to the surface as she took him in. She knew the look of someone who had a master that made them do things, and she knew it well. She had caused it so many times, and she wore that same look as well. So, stupidly, Vaelyn felt a little pity for the man in front of her. “Stay. Perhaps I will indulge you in further company later, I just want to stay here for right now. I have somewhere I don’t want to be.” 

“I…know how that feels.” It was as if language was difficult to him, just for that moment. The consternation on his face as he tried to push the words out looked painful. It was as she expected. 

He had a master too. 

“Would you like dinner? I can pay. My treat.” Vaelyn didn’t offer out of the kindness of her heart. His squirming amused her and confirmed her suspicions. 

“I would rather stick to wine, if it’s all the same to you, darling.” 

“Suit yourself.” She shrugged.

He looked a little like a lost puppy then, big red eyes searching for something in her face. He was trying to read her so he could take back control of the situation. For a second, something stirred in her. Something that was distinctly not the whispers of cruelty she was so used to. Perhaps it was a mote of sentimentality left over from her monastery days – she was just glad that Scileritas wasn’t here right now. 

‘The moaning that little twerp would do–’ 

“You said you spent most of your life in monasteries. This isn’t exactly the place the faithful frequent. Wouldn’t your type normally look down upon the debauchery going on around us?” 

The noise was different here. Every once and a while, as Vaelyn came down from a kill, she had bouts where her father’s presence eluded her and all she could feel was guilt. In those rare moments, even the thought of blood made her puke, to her great shame. She would come here sometimes to think of something else, the pleasure of sex, or at least the screams of other people having a good time rather than dying. “Monks and clerics are not the same.” She chuckled a little. “I spent more time studying a way of life than a god.” 

Reverence and worship had not always been her forte. Vaelyn’s talents lied in destruction, breaking people, and plans that would benefit her father in the long run. “Truth be told, I have never had use for faith.” Astarion said. There was a note of something in his tone that she didn’t understand. 

Was that disdain toward the gods? 

‘You should show him what speaking ill of the gods can do. You should make him respect–’ 

Instead of following her thoughts, she picked her next words carefully. “Faith or no faith, monasteries and churches can hold an impressive wealth of knowledge and power. I myself learned many useful things while I was under the tutelage of another.” 

The wisdom required to manipulate the elements. There were other practices that she had begun to study, eager to learn, eager to find other ways to harm people when she had been taken from the monastery. That was still a point of irritation between her and her father. He had interrupted her studies when she was far too young, and while she had been adept in them in the short time it took her to learn, there was so much knowledge out there that being at the Temple prevented her from consuming. “This is something I doubt you find interesting, though. Tell me about yourself.” 

“There’s not much to tell.” He responded a little too quickly. “I used to work as a magistrate in the city. I don’t any longer.” 

“Ah, a law man.” 

“Hardly,” He snorted. There was something nice about sharing a bottle of wine with someone who was probably going to try and kill you. Vaelyn found it amusing. She watched him carefully, wondering if he was going to try and turn on the charm again to get her into bed. Perhaps he would do it after she was sufficiently drunk enough, when he thought her defenses were down, he would try and do something.  “Have you been in the city for long? I think I would’ve recognized a beauty like you.” 

“Do you consider ten years a long time?” Most of the Bhaalists she spent her time around were human, and she wasn’t interested in going back to the Underdark anytime soon. “Enough about me, though. What of you? What is your life like here?” 

“Like I’ve said before, there’s really nothing interesting going on with me.” He bristled under her gaze. 

“Hm. Well, I am planning my fiftieth birthday soon. Perhaps I should invite you, give you something interesting to do.” 

“Or, if you’re so keen to have my company, we could always retire back to my place?” 

“And where is your place?” She was still humoring him. 

“You know the mansion in the lower city? That’s my…patron’s home, but he wouldn’t mind us staying for a while. I think I might enjoy more of your vaguely off putting company.” 

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” The Szarr mansion had always been a spot of interest to the cult. It smelled of blood. Something deep and tragic permeated the stone, emanating a delicious aura like no other. “And why not…we can see where the night takes us.” 

He gestured for her to follow him out of Sharess’ Caress. She did. 

The night was still very young at this point. Cool air settled on her skin and a few people were on the streets. They were the ones that were tipsy or had enough sense to stumble home before the more dangerous underbelly of the city came to life. It was still a few hours before the vagrants inhabited the streets. Vaelyn took in a deep breath, listening to Astarion’s footsteps as he approached her from behind. She turned to him curtly. “Lead the way,” 

“Of course,” The Urge to kill was slowly ebbing its way back into her mind. She ignored it, for now. Right now, she was focused on letting this man think he was leading her to the fate of death. The walk past the south span of Wyrm’s Crossing is quiet except for the Flaming Fist. They all had a habit of avoiding her now. She reveled in watching them avert their gaze as they passed. Her eyes flitted over to Astarion to see if he noticed. He was definitely tense, but his eyes had gone from aware to completely unfocused. 

When they crossed the threshold into the Lower City, he stared at her collarbone. Oh, what an obvious and cute little pup. The more she examined the maybe-vampire-maybe-spawn’s appearance, the less she wanted to kill him. An odd feeling twisted in her stomach, and even worse one was making her sweat. Pain sliced into her sides. 

She distracted herself by talking. That was what people were supposed to do, right? “So this mansion of your…patron’s. You’re sure he’d be fine with having me there.” 

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to have you.” 

“That’s good. You can tell him he’ll barely notice I’m there. Growing up in a monastery means I’ve learned how to walk silently, so I didn’t anger my elders.” Half of this sentence was true, Vaelyn had learned how to walk silently when she was in a monastery. Were the elders in her monastery abusive? Hardly. The higher master she served now… 

She just found it funny how people reacted when they heard something resembling a sob story. It had the intended effect now. Astarion evened out his pace, and was now walking side by side with her instead of charging forward or lagging slightly behind to stare at her collar bone. “What was growing up in a monastery like?” 

“Nothing special. Little fun. There was a distinct lack of food. There was something about a lack of sustenance helping achieve a better meditative state in my studies. But if I’m being honest, I just think the elders hoarded it because it made us kids more compliant.” He was searching her eyes now. They had just made it past Stormshore Tabernacle by this point. 

“That must’ve been awful.” 

“Trust me it was. Baldur’s Gate hasn’t been much better.” It had actually been great – when she had finally learned to obey her father – but that was neither here nor there. “The people here don’t like drow very much, do they?” 

“Most of the people of Baldur’s Gate barely possess enough intellect to get through a picture book, so can you blame them?” 

Vaelyn barked out a laugh. 

She didn’t remember the last time she had done that. 

They start veering to the Elfsong. The sharp turn in direction seemed spur of the moment, because she watched Astarion’s eyes flicker as if he had shocked himself with the change of direction. “Are you sure this is the right way?” She asked him. 

“Actually, I changed my mind. I was thinking that we could grab a few more drinks at a classier joint, if you don’t mind.” 

“Will you actually be drinking the wine this time or will you be pretending again?” Vaelyn blurted out. It was a little sooner than she had been planning, but she let that go. She watched him freeze and turn toward her. 

“I don’t know what you mean, darling. I drank as much wine as you did.” 

“I never refilled your cup once, there was no way you had as much wine as I did.” She stated. The elf was looking well and truly panicked at this point. Perhaps he knew that even if she didn’t know his true identity, that didn’t look good for him. “Now, this leads me to my next question. Are you really committed to the ‘vampire aesthetic’ or are you actually a vampire?” 

Vaelyn took a step forward. 

There was a flash of metal and then a cool blade pressed against her cheek. As steel bit into her skin, the Urge laughed within her, a perverted desire to experience her own blood being drawn sated it temporarily. “Well, you catch on quick.” 

“Is that prick of a blade supposed to scare me or turn me on?” She watched a flash of disgust cross his face and laughed again. This time it was a small giggle as she took another gamble. “If you want to kill me, you could just drink me dry. It would make better use of my blood.” If he made any move to kill her, she’d fight back, she’d let the Urge win out. 

He didn’t though, and despite the Urge screaming in disappointment, Vaelyn was delighted. Astarion’s blade remained pressed to her cheek, threatening to carve into her skin. Her blood sang as she considered what she should say next. She waited for him to speak, wondering just how much he would entertain her. “You know, I almost felt bad about what I was going to do. But you know what I am, and I really can’t afford another slip up.” 

“Oh, scary.” She rolled her eyes. “What – ever – will I do? I am quivering in my boots.” 

He cocked his head to the side again. Vaelyn had seen people stare at her like that before, when she confused them. When she said something a little too intense or painfully neutral and monotone, “Stow the blade, spawn. I can tell you serve a master. Hurting me would be terribly inconvenient to you.” 

Astarion’s hand trembled just a little. Vaelyn could have disarmed him four times over by now, but where was the thrill in that? “And why would that be so?” 

“You need a body, don’t you? I can give you someone. Not me, obviously.” That was enough incentive for him to drop his blade, finally. There was a note of disgust in his eyes, along with curiosity. 

“What are you? A slaver?” 

“Ha! No. Not even close.” She shook her head. 

“Then how are you able to just offer me a body? And…at what cost?” He paused. There was a flicker of fear on his face and once again, some errant foreign feeling began to twist within her. It was different from the Urge, different from anger, and different from the thrill she got when someone threatened her with violence. It was completely new, and the Urge was disgusted by it. 

“I am obviously a criminal,” She shrugged, “You’re not the only person out here that knows how to do illegal shit.” 

Telling him that she was a cult leader would probably be ill-advised.

“And what’s the cost?” He asked again. 

“A blanket favor, for anything I need the next time we meet.”  

“And if we never meet again?” 

“Then you have absolutely nothing to lose.” She shrugged. “I don’t see the problem with that.” 

Silence fell over them once again. The only noises to be heard was the skittering of street rats and litter and the light crackling of torches somewhere in the distance. Vaelyn crossed her arms, waiting for a response. “That is surprisingly fair.” 

“I am fair.” She agreed. “Will you take the deal?” 

For a second, he said nothing at all. She wondered if he was going to refuse and attack her, but he did not. Astarion’s face wavered. There was a question that he wanted to ask, but after a pained wince, Vaelyn deduced that he could not. He tried one more time, mouth falling shut, and then he must have rephrased it into something that would not have alerted his master to some sort of disobedience because the question actually comes out of his mouth. “Why? Why are you doing this?” 

There is more in his eyes, she can see. The unspoken implication of him asking her for help lingered in the sorrowful expression he gave her, and Vaelyn felt… pained. She glanced in the direction of the Lower City Central Wall, and wondered if she could just do something good for once. 

Would it truly displease her father to help an undead? Their kind murdered so sweetly… 

The Urge screamed at her, and she knew at that moment that she could not. It had been a while since she had misstepped like that, and things had devolved into something messier than she desired. At one point, she was sure that she had lost her wits entirely. The only thought in her head was the desire for flesh, the hunger to kill, more, more, more–  

She reveled in it, but not in the way she normally liked to revel. The power to choose whether she was cruel and murderous on one day and nice and kind the next was important to her. 

Vaelyn tried to come up with an answer, but she was finding it increasingly difficult to ground herself. The smell of blood, even her own, was oh so pleasant–

“We both have masters that bind us, sweetling. I cannot help you out of your master’s grip without displeasing mine and…that would be bad for both of us. But–your kind murders so beautifully. I will let you go and you may take one of my followers.”

The smell of her blood in the air was so sweet. Vaelyn could see the bloodlust in his eyes. She could feel it in herself too, and knew exactly what he wanted right now. Astarion would’ve given anything to lap it up from the ground, but the commands of his master kept him from doing so. The world took a blurred edge, as if the orator of reality itself was slurring their words.

She tilted her head, thinking. The haze of bloodlust dissipated from her eyes. She regarded him carefully. “Being cruel is so tiresome, sometimes.” That was the truth. “I cannot exactly be nice to people, but I can do this. So, will you take the deal?” 

He did. 

It took an hour for one of her followers to do her bidding, bringing her a beautiful man that looked like he was just a few gold coins short of being a patriar. “What kind of power do you wield that you have people on hand to commit random abductions for you?” He was unconscious and limp when they got him. Luckily, he was still alive. Some of the followers that did her bidding were a little… overzealous, in their work. 

Vaelyn prodded the man with her foot, lightly. He didn’t wake. “Not the kind of power you could ever hope to wield.” She said airily.

“And why’s that?” Astarion huffed. 

“It’s the familial type.” Was her only reply. She bent down and sniffed at the air. “He’s been dosed with a sleep potion. I’d probably give him an hour before he’s aware. Do you need help moving him?” 

“No, no. I have this part.” Vaelyn watched as he picked his next target up. His brows were knit together. Was he still confused about why Vaelyn had done this? “I…thank you. This was…possibly the worst gift ever, but well…it’s something.” 

“No need to thank me. It was entertaining.” 

They didn’t bid each other farewell. Neither of them were friends and Vaelyn had never had the experience of making a friend before so the thought never came to her mind as they departed from each other. She headed back towards the Temple of Bhaal, wondering how long she would keep the clarity she had now. 

For the moment, she reveled in it. Cherishing her strength to still be able to do something off of the beaten path of her father’s will just this once. How long would it be until he yanked the illusion away? She pushed the thought to the back of her mind instinctively, her brain settling on the vampire spawn at last. 

Dimly, she wondered if he ate well that night. Perhaps she would see him again one day and ask him about it. 

[california-112]

Predictions: A Pre-Review (TXF S8)

Oh-kay, now that I've finished Je Souhaite (and finally found where the thumbnail from S07E01 came from!), we're up for the crossover into S8, and therefore the pre-review. Ignore the fact that there have been several weeks (more than a month?) between Je Souhaite and this...I know that this is going to be hard ;-;

Thoughts going in are that this season will be angsty, and I believe that there are some more characters added, also that Skinner becomes a regular. Maybe a new credits sequence? Hopefully not a revamped theme, please. What fun awaits me? Let's go ahead and guess...

S07E22 'Requiem' - Revisiting their first case?! Hell yeah! However. It seems to come up a lot in AO3 tags, so. Potential for the Sad. 6/10

S08E01 'Within' - I recognise this guy from GIFs. On another note, WHY ARE WE MANHUNTING FOR MULDER. FIND MY BOY PLEASE. NOW. I'm scared for this. 7/10

S08E02 'Without' - That thumbnail hello??? I think we found him, get him to a hospital??? I don't think his arm should be that shape. I'm even MORE scared for this, but staying cautious. 7/10

S08E03 'Patience' - NEW PARTNER??? And it's matey from E01? What in the hell is going on here. Where is my boy. Murderous bat-like creature I can get behind though. 7/10

S08E04 'Roadrunners' - A Scully solo ep, could be fun. However, getting in over her head sounds less so. It probably can't beat Chinga. 6/10

S08E05 'Invocation' - Weirdly non-aged boy. Sounds like a standard MOTW, with a side of Scully and matey arguing. What does invocing something have to do with anything. 6/10

S08E06 'Redrum' - I have a fic idea with a very similar title! The episode sounds nothing like it though, pretty run-of-the-mill MOTW. Could be fun but I'll be cautions. 6/10

S08E07 'Via Negativa' - Skinner is serving someone a Look in the thumbnail, so this could be a fun little ep. Either that, or I will be giving the series a similar look by the end. 6/10

S08E08 'Surekill' - Oh, he would need x-ray vision? He probably has it then, we are in the paranormal show after all. Apologies for the consistency, but anyway. 6/10

S08E09 'Salvage' - Man Of Steel! This ep kept coming up when I was trying to see if that song actually appeared int he show. Something about the Gulf War? Could be good, actually. 7/10

S08E10 'Badlaa' - Oh dear, this looks as though it could be another Cultural Episode(TM). If we get through it without any cringing, I will let it above half way. 5/10

S08E11 'The Gift' - I don't even want to know what is going on in this thumbnail. Sweaty man lying in the dirt. Also MULDER IS STILL DISAPPEARED??? >:( Could have my boy content though. 6/10

S08E12 'Medusa' - A real medusa? In the Boston subway? Cool. Probably not for the victims, though. Also, I don't think she stripped flesh, more went in for turning it to stone. I'm not convinced of this one. 5/10

S08E13 'Per Manum' - Oh that's a name I know from AO3 tags, so something's definitely up. Thumbnail has Scully in white holding her stomach and the summary mentions pregnancy and there's a warning for 'scenes of surgery' so. This may be a f*cked up one. 5/10

S08E14 'This Is Not Happening' - From the thumbnail of a dead-looking Mulder, I am in full agreement, this is NOT happening and my boy is alright. Please. PLEASE. The angst potential though... 7/10

S08E15 'Deadalive' - Another known offender from AO3 tags, I think I know what happens in this one due to Spoilers, but basically WAAAH. BIG CRYING. ANGST AND REUNION AND WAAAH. 8/10

S08E16 'Three Words' - And we're back to MOTW! With Mulder in the thumbnail with Doggett?, so he's all good! This is a rollercoaster. Please just let them all be happy. 7/10

S08E17 'Empedocles' - So many hits in this summary. Who is Reyes? Doggett had a son? Now he's dead? Also Mulder is here? Where is Scully? I am confused but intrigued. 7/10

S08E18 'Vienen' - Return of black oil!!! Man, I hated this stuff to start with, but we've got a Mulder thumbnail and there's h/c potential. I have medium hopes. 7/10

S08E19 'Alone' - Doggett and his partner have disappeared now! Full house! Everyone involved with the X Files has gone missing in one way or another. I hope we get some echoes of early-season Mulder and Scully. 7/10

S08E20 'Essence' - BILLY MILES??? AGAIN??? I really thought he would be a one-time character...though they did apparently investigate his case again in the previous season finale, so...huh. 7/10

S08E21 'Existence' - Oh, oh. THIS thumbnail. With the baby and the kiss (I've seen GIFs) and...I have heard of this ep and suspect that it may not be as cutsey as all that. Probably one shining scene. However. He has the benefit of the doubt. How will they make it run into S9 though...? 7/10

[thegreatobsesso]

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

When I had Octavius not reacting to his arrival, it's because I have a vague idea of what's going on in the plot at this moment/what he is dealing with in terms of mob politics, and the reader will know that at the beginning of the scene. But it also ties in nicely since he hasn't really come up with a plan for the scene, so he has the opportunity to demand that Milo tell him what he wants. :D

Alright, I don't know if posting this as a reblog makes the most sense, but I'm doing it. I finished it today, which is like, insanely fast for me to write a whole scene, in two days. I'll probably clean it up and repost the whole thing later. But here is the rest!!!

--

✨ WIP intro

🔖 tag list:

@winterandwords // @revenantlore // @space-writes

@indecentpause // @words-after-midnight // @foxboyclit

comment to be added or removed!

📝 all posts from WIP: gay crime bdsm story

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Octavius is relentless, dragging his fingertips lightly over every inch of his body in no predictable pattern, noting where it makes him gasp, whimper, flinch and futilely try to press closer. It’s when he lifts Milo’s leg over his shoulder and turns his attention to Milo’s ass that he starts to beg.

“Please what?” Octavius asks innocently.

Bastard. “You know.”

He’s rewarded with one single fingertip up and over his cock. He arches into it, ready to scream, and it leaves as soon as it came.

“Oh god, please, sir, please touch me.”

“I am touching you, Milo. Haven’t you noticed?”

An unfamiliar sound escapes his clenched teeth, the ineffectual growl of an wounded animal. He’s going to have little half-moons pressed into his palms for days.

“I’m...” He stammers, unsure what he even wants to say at this point. “I’m serious. I can’t, I can’t take much more.”

“Color?”

He follows the threads of possibilities that stem from safe-wording. Red is no good. He doesn’t want to stop, he just wants more. If he calls yellow and begs pretty enough, maybe Octavius will take pity on him and just make him come already. And then...

He’ll feel very good for a few minutes, and then he’ll crash and leave in the same state he came.

“Green,” he groans, and Octavius smiles.

“Excellent. You’re doing very well, Milo.”

He drops his head back against the pillow as Octavius brushes over the back of his thigh like he’s playing a harp and the skin there is so sensitive, so unused to being touched like this, it makes him tremble.

“Please,” he whispers, squeezing his eyes shut. “Please, more.”

“How do you want more?” comes the infuriatingly calm baritone. “Do you want pain or pleasure?”

Milo grits his teeth. “Why? You’re not gonna give me either.”

That makes Octavius chuckle. “No, I won’t. I’m only curious.”

“Get fucked.”

“My, my, Milo. You seem to be very frustrated.”

A spark is ignited - a prickle behind his eyes, a tightening in his throat. Octavius above him, pitiless, collected and fully clothed - frustrated doesn’t do it. He sets Milo’s foot back on the bed and the maddening, barely-there touch moves up over his knee, his navel, the shell of his ear; gentle torture, pushing him closer and closer to hysterics, but the bulwarks hold. Because he has to keep it together. He cannot fall apart. He is needed.

Except he doesn’t and he can and he isn’t, and Octavius catches the hitch in his breath that comes alongside the realization, because he catches everything.

“There we go,” he murmurs, writing invisible script over Milo’s neck, his chest. “That’s it, darling. There’s nothing you can do. Just let go.”

And that turns out to be all he has to do in the end - stop fighting, let go. Sobs rise on their own from somewhere deep in his chest. Tears spring from his eyes the second he gives them permission. His mind blots out from the sheer relief; the release of all the fucking pressure. Through his blurry vision, he can see Octavius watching him cry with scorching focus.

“Color?” he asks, but Milo’s too far gone to wonder why he sounds so strained, and green can’t begin to express how he feels, so he says it again and again: Green, green, green.

A sudden movement makes him gasp in shock. Octavius swoops down as if he’s about to devour Milo’s mouth, but instead of kissing him, he licks a line down Milo’s face, straight across the tear tracks. Milo doesn’t have the chance to react; Octavius buries his face into the crook of Milo’s neck, and-

And he moans, the dirtiest sound Milo’s ever heard in his life, and he shudders, and goes utterly still.

Milo freezes, even in the middle of the most cathartic outburst he’s ever had. It takes a moment to find his voice.

“Sorry, did you just...”

Before he can actually say it, Octavius starts to laugh. Delighted, disbelieving laugher, tickling Milo’s ear.

“Oh my god,” Milo manages. “I - sir - did you just come in your trousers?”

In reply, Octavius rolls off him and onto his back next to him in the tousled bed, laughing freely, loudly, like Milo’s never heard. “Oh, hell,” he gasps. “That was... I did not anticipate that.”

The mood’s gone up in smoke and, are they even in a scene anymore? He’s feeling choked up, left behind, out of sync, and somehow in between all that, he’s started laughing too. It’s coming from a place even deeper than the tears, that’s been locked up, inaccessible for weeks, fizzling up and over like jostled champagne, light and stupid and safe. 

Next to him, this supposed unerring, fastidious figure is shimmying out of his trousers and wiping himself down with his discarded pants. “Lord above,” he huffs, sounding simultaneously amused and appalled at the state of himself. “What a mess. A genuine first, Milo, I swear, in all my life.”

Milo can’t conjure a reply. He is laughing too much, or crying too much, and his dick is hard and his body is soft and it’s all very confusing, but he feels. In a hundred different directions, he feels.

“I don’t want you to die like this,” Octavius says, and Milo is pretty sure he’s rolled on top of him now, naked from the waist down. “Do you want me to finish you off?”

And he must have understood the affirmative reply even though Milo’s not quite certain how he conveyed it, because in the next moment Octavius has swallowed him down the hilt, and he’s finished in seconds. The air leaves his lungs and his brain leaves his body and it doesn’t come back until he feels that wicked tongue on his face again. Octavius is kissing his eyelids, tasting his tears, devouring him like dessert.

“You,” Milo breathes, his voice trembling, “you’re a fucking freak.”

“And you,” Octavius replies, kissing his sweaty brow with a pop like punctuation, “you are very, very pretty when you cry. Needless to say, I was quite unprepared for how much I’d enjoy it.”

His voice is all husky and Milo’s coming down enough to vaguely understand that he did that, he just laid here and swore and cried and came hard enough to almost black out, and Octavius was into all of it.

“Thank you, sir,” he sighs, remembering his manners. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Octavius lowers himself onto his elbows and pecks Milo’s chest, a gentle thing reminiscent of the way this evening had started. “You are very welcome.”

He undoes the ties holding his wrists, takes each one down and massages where the fabric has left creases. His shoulders ache when he brings his arms back down to his body, only a dull throb that’d loosen with a stretch or two. His palms are, in fact, littered with little indentations, and Octavius kisses each one and pushes his hands into gentle fists when he’s done. 

Milo’d subbed for people all his life, practically since he started having sex. He’s been rough doms, gentle doms, ones who fucked him and ones who never took his clothes off. He’s been tied up, whipped, manhandled and ordered around more times than he could count, but it’s never been like this. It was never so unpredictable, so everything he didn’t even know he needed.

And he can’t keep it.

This is going to end, and more likely that not, one way or another, it’s going to end very, very badly. He knows it even as Octavius wraps his arms around him, pulling him onto his now bare chest and lazily petting his hair.

“I have to go,” Milo mutters, hating it and himself. 

“Why?”

Because you make me feel too good. Because I’m going to hurt you, and you have no idea. 

“It’s so late,” he says. “I’m gonna fall asleep, and I have to go to work tomorrow. This is... it’s gotta be an hour and half on the tube from here to my office.”

“To hell with the bloody tube, my chauffeur will drive you.” He tightens his grip around Milo’s body and reminds him suddenly and stupidly of a cat attacking a toy, curling around it and sinking its claws. “Besides,” he sighs, “I don’t like thinking about you down there at night. It sounds like a dingy, dangerous place.”

Milo can’t help but snigger. “I’ve never heard that much privilege packed into so few words.”

“Well, I’m very rich. I won’t pretend otherwise.”

He reaches down without displacing Milo and yanks the comforter over them both, and it might as well be chains for how well it anchors him. How in the nine circles of hell is he supposed to go back out into the cold when this man is warm, strong, and insistent on holding him through the night? 

His eyelids feel like lead. He doesn’t stand a chance.

“At what point of doing nice things for me do you go from being a dom to a sugar daddy?” he asks with a smirk, only half-conscious.

“Labels, labels. Be quiet and let me lull you to sleep with whispered promises and gentle ministrations.”

“You’re such a weirdo.”

“Hush. I’m the best you’ve ever had.”

That’s just how he talks, but he’s not wrong. Milo says nothing, and falls into a dreamless sleep.

I'm trying something different, and I'm really proud of myself because I've successfully promised myself it doesn't have to go anywhere and it doesn't mean anything. It is simply an experiment and if it goes nowhere or simply entertains me (or y'all) for even a moment it's worth it. :)

The thing that I am trying is, writing some bits of gay crime BDSM story in prose instead of script. ❗️❗️❗️

I had this thought a couple days ago - no coincidence that I had just binge-read Obedience by @space-writes - and I just was thinking about the vast ocean of difference between prose and script, the benefits and the losses, the trade-offs and the outputs. And my mind was able to come up with a million reasons to shut the idea down. I chose the script format for this project for many reasons!

But that doesn't mean I can't just.... try something different and have fun and see where it goes, even if it goes nowhere at all!

This is big for my brain. I'm a very black-and-white thinker, and it did feel weird to start, but then - I just spent an hour rewriting a scene I've been working on in prose and it was FUN. I liked it and I might share it soon, and that's ALL!

[filmbyjy]

BUSINESS PROPOSAL > seventeen! sunoo finds out!

synopsis > being the amazing friend you were, you had helped your friend who desperately did not want to go on the blind date so you went as her. however, you were dumbfounded to find out that the CEO was your friend’s blind date! hopefully, he doesn’t recognise you.

masterlist | previous | next

word count: 0.4K words

a/n: i’m just scarred of adding pictures into my written chapter bc of what happened to chapter 10 T_T

if becoming a CEO was an easy job, just anyone would be able to become one. sunghoon had always never understood why his parents had appointed him as the CEO of a big booming company.

until he was told that his grandmother was sick. she couldn’t continue with workload and heavy responsibility. it was too much for her. you see, sunghoon’s grandmother was a smart lady. she got her university’s degree went to some high end school, graduated with honours and started a company at 30. it was something huge for his grandmother and she wanted to leave it in good hands.

she could have left it with her son but when sunghoon was born. she knew he would be great. not only in life but with business too. you could say she was sort of a psychic because truly sunghoon did excel in leading the company at a young age.

so why was he suddenly rushed to get married to some girl?

well…

“sunghoon-ah, when are you going to get married? you’ve been travelling and doing work 24/7. why don’t you go out dating?” his grandmother asks.

“grandma, i’m only 20.”

that was only one of many times she’d ask that question. she knew he wouldn’t take action so she stepped in and set up blind dates for him.

“did you-”

“no.” sunghoon answers. his grandmother sighs.

but will sunghoon's grandmother ever give up? no! she's a stubborn lady and she lives by it. she won't stop until she sees her grandson smiling brightly (and also get out of the damn office)

and that same night he came back from the first blind date with the supposed 'ahn yujin'. she realises that her grandson didn't look too displeased. hence, she scheduled another date.

little did she know that...this 'ahn yujin' was not the real one. who could predict that sunghoon would ended up falling for you. someone who is hopelessly in love with an unavailable person.

"heeseung, what do i do?? sunghoon knows my name! what if he finds out i'm the one who fooled him? what if he fires me!"

"chill out." heeseung munches on the brownies. "it's not like he has seen your face yet. you hid your face like a coward you are when you saw him!" you snatched the brownies from heeseung, he whines.

"i am not a coward, i just don't want to lose my job because i decided to help my friend!"

"you what?"

you slowly turned your head to the side and spot sunoo. oh no.

"dear cousin...heh. hi!" you nervously laugh.

"you are going to tell me everything from start to end." sunoo folds his arms.

let's hope sunoo doesn't tell on you to sunghoon...

-

taglist[open]: @nyfwyeonjun @nicelicious @duolingofanaccount @viagumi @precioussoulofmine @loves0ft @jungwo-nnie @alpha-mommy69 @jnks6r @ilvsoup @abdiitcryy @deobitifull @yenqa @pshchives @jiawji @ckline35 @chaemmie @kwnshi @sunshine-skz @j4yluvr @nearly-brainless-rae @sd211 @captain-satan @love-4-keum @ce1ight @iwonlvr @jajjajas @shinsou-rii @greenmetalroof @byunappetit @yunji-n @oranshi @mynameisnotlaura @invusblog @msxflower @luvkait @uwudaizy @leeis @sstarrysshit @thathybesimp @outrochimy @adajoemaya @artstaeh @seeuuns @watermelon-sugars-things @ktttwwn @moasworld @sseastar-main @liliansun @stepout-09-15 @aishaishaisha @bwljules @indelicate-macalino @sparklingsjy

(bolded can’t be tagged!)

[captainjacklyn]

Azul Ashengrotto x Great White Shark!reader AU

Masterlist of the series

Pairing(s) : azul ashengrotto x Shark!reader

Warning(s) : nothing really just mild cursing maybe, maybe oof but I'm trying I'm trying no need to make such a fuss.

A few people who wished to be tagged : @buzzybeethings @multifandomsimpster @darkfaethedestroyer @ikemen-lover-story @kawasbaby @daily-average @o01101bean11010o @norispills @voidofthenight

The love story of a shark and an octopus Part 6 :

Chatter filled the halls of your school as you swam here and there filled with excitement and nostalgia. Only those who looked closely could notice your slight feeling of anxiety. Feeling overwhelmed was normal for anyone returning to school, but the chances to return from long-term distancing could have more impact.

You didn't recognize any of the merfolks passing by, which was expected considering that old classmate of not. None approached you at all, they all just swam away like they always do.

Yet today felt different, sure people would stare and whisper to each other as you made your appearance (there was also that one merman who fainted upon seeing you for some reason) but it wasn't the usual: "OH NO! [NAME] IS HERE !" "AAAAAAAAAAH SWIM FOR YOUR LIFE !"

The memories of old times made you chuckle, it wasn't the brightest of moments nevertheless the comparison was rather big. And speaking of big, goodness gracious have you grown since the last few months! Other merfolk looked so small from your perspective, you had doubled in size- wait no quadrupled in size, my dear god.

You then managed to find your class but familiar voices made you freeze. "Floyd! will you stop this drama already ?!" "Eh~ but that's no fuuun~" "Come on, we have to get to-"

"INKYYYYYYYYYY !!!!"

A loud bang resonated in the school as you tackled Cecelia to the ground with the biggest embrace ever. "OW! WHO DARE-"

"?!"

"...[n-name]...?"

you lifted your head from his chest, still hugging him, and grinned sheepishly with tears welling up in your eyes. "..Surprise !" Azul had changed just as much, he looked...transformed.

You stood in mere silence for oh so long as the tako remained at loss for words. His expression seemed so hurt, he extended a hand gently cupping the side of your face. "Y-you...you're-"

"Azul ! what is-" the leech twins came up to the two of you in a hurry, only to shortly have their faces go dumbstruck. The awkwardness was deafening and you then weakly spoke "I'm back..?"

"[Name]...[NAME] !"

Azul immediately pounced onto you, almost slamming both of you back on the floor. His tentacles grabbed ahold of your tail on instinct, the suckers were surely going to leave a few marks but you were too happy to care about anything else anymore.

"You're back! You're here !" Azul was uncontrollably sobbing into the crook of your neck and so were you. You placed a firm hand on his head and back, "I'm home..I'm home, Inky !" you couldn't stop smiling stupidly and laughing out of relief. Ink was spreading everywhere but why did it even matter ? Azul was here. He was in your arms. He was with you.

His grip on you became stronger and your moment was predictably interrupted by two wonderful brothers. "[NAME]-SAN! [NAME]-CHAN !" another noisy thump boomed out as the tweets joined in the group hug. Sending all of you flying straight into the wall.

"I missed you guys so much ! You all look different now !" you gushed at the boys and laughed. "We missed you too same-chan~ !" Floyd added, "It's true, you've also changed quite a lot as well !"

*Same in Japanese means shark, I thought it would be original since tako is used for azul. Anyone is allowed to correct me if I'm wrong.

You missed Floyd's usual habit of offering nicknames more than you thought it would. The trio stayed glued to your side for a few more minutes, uncontrollable sobbing and weak laughter was all that could be heard and finally they loosened their grip and let go. Azul stood in front of you silently, you could tell by his expression that thoughts were racing through is mind, his grip on your shoulders was tense and his fingers were slightly trembling.

you smiled warmly and pulled him into a more gentle hug this time, "Listen, I'm sorry for everything...the fight, the injuries. You had nothing to do with all of that and-" "Stop it."

Azul spoke coldly making you go silent as he continued, "Stop apologizing, I don't even care anymore I'm just happy you're back..."

His returned the hug as he placed his head on your shoulder, "Just don't do that again."

You then softly chuckled, "hehe..I don't think I will anytime soon."

"Oya Oya did we come in at the wrong time ?" Jade teased as Floyd quickly joined in, "Oooooh are you going to kiss ?" Azul immediately turned around to face them, face flushed red while you were just laughing your head off at the tweels antics. Floyd started making dramatic kiss noises at Azul who tried to scold them for being immature.

This day will be alright after all.

End of Part 6 and Part 7 FINALE is here !

[stjarnaloki]

Could I request, cockwarming with Loki?

the reader wants attention from Loki because he’s been working all day. When she goes to see him to get attention, he then has her warm him while he continues to work and you could do whatever after that

If you don’t like the idea I totally understand!

hi hi hi anon thank you for sending in a request I'm sorry it took me a few days!! I loved this idea. I hope the rest of it turned out to your liking!

Green Ribbon (Loki x f. Asgardian reader)

Words: 4k Summary: You've recently moved to Asgard, and the transition is tough. After a few days of barely seeing your one and only God of Mischief, you decide to visit him late one night in his study. He has a few...requests. Warnings: 18+. Minors DNI. Tags: cockwarming, light bdsm, dom. Loki, soft and fluffy and romantic at the beginning and end

reblogs are very much appreciated (!!) and also I do not consent to having my work copied anywhere

ONE MORE THING!!! I have had a few requests to start a taglist, so if you'd like to be added to that please let me know in the comments or dm me or whatever :)) now on to the porn.

The Asgardian hallway felt cold and hollow without him. When it wasn’t filled with the chattering of voices and lit up by the glittering chandeliers, it made you feel even more out of place than you already did.

It hadn’t been an easy transition, moving light-years away from the planet you knew. Loki was the only place that felt like comfort in your new home.

It was nearly midnight. You’d spent the last few hours tossing and turning in a bed that felt too big without him, silently begging to hear the door creak open and his long legs to twist between yours and to feel his warm whisper muttering sweet apologies for his lateness in the crook of your neck. But no such thing came.

Your slippers made nearly no noise, thank the gods, on the gleaming tile as you crept towards his study door. You were nervous to bother him. If he was kept in his study this late, it couldn’t mean good news. Maybe an emergency in the healing room? You faltered as you approached the door, suddenly questioning your decision to knock.

An approaching noise sent your heart racing. Voices, but coming closer. You’d gamble Loki’s anger any day when the alternative was an Asgardian still hostile to your residence here. You turned the knob and slipped in the room, closing the heavy wooden door quickly behind you with your body.

A breath, before you opened your mouth.

“Is that…who I think it is…?” his silky drawl said before you could speak. The chair, you’d rather classify it as a throne at its size, sat behind a large ornate desk of dark oak, with intricate gold leaves carved into the armrests and down the legs. A sharp nose, severe brows, and green eyes peered at you from over a large textbook in a language you couldn’t read.

A breathy chuckle, because you suddenly seemed so predictable. You pursed your lips in resignation, looking at him helplessly. You were encouraged by the way his tired eyes brightened a little at the sight of you in your dressing-robe; the quirk in his lip that belonged to you and only you.

“I missed you,” you said glumly, looking down at your slippered feet.

“Oh, darling,” Loki said, tossing the large book down in a flurry of dust, stretching his arms out wide. “Come here.”

Your heart leapt and you scurried across the wooden floor, giddy and falling into his embrace as quick as you could.

“Oooh…that’s good,” Loki said once you curled into his lap, arms slung tight around his neck and face stuck squarely in his broad chest, breathing deep gulps of his scent. He stroked the long plait down your back in a soothing motion, the other arm tight around your waist.

“Fuck you…” your voice was muffled by his thick sweater.

“Oh?” Loki laughed. “Dear.”

“Fuck you!” you said it again with a little more force, your face still buried in his sweater. It smelled like dust and old books and firewood. A place you wanted to curl up and live.

“You’ll have to be a little more specific,” Loki murmured, a few long fingers tracing the ridges of your spine. You felt his head lean against yours, and knew his eyes were squeezing shut the way they always did when he was overworked.

“I’ve barely seen you all week” you moaned, turning your face a little to look up to him.

“I know, love, I’m sorry,” Loki said, low and sympathetic, continuing to stroke your back. The warm expanse of his palm made you melt into him.

“Come to bed…” you begged in a whisper. Loki let out a long, whistling sigh, removing his hand from your waist to pinch the bridge of his nose in exhaustion.

“I can’t, darling, I’m sorry,” Loki sighed, sounding a million miles away. “This report is due by the morning. You should go on up without me.”

You sat up, clutching his face between your hands and smiling your most pleading smile, batting your eyelashes and wiggling your ass a little for good measure. “Hmmm…?”

Loki quirked his eyebrow and made a noise, half-irritated half-lustful, his hands flying back to your hips to slow them.

“Don’t make this difficult, …” he groaned, the threat only encouraging you more.

“And what if I do…?” you sneered at him, biting your lip and trailing your hands down the firm expanse of chest.

“Darling…” Loki said, the warning in his voice and in his bruising grip on your hips. His body betrayed his warning, as you felt him twitch underneath where you straddled him. Encouraged, you teased the head of his cock with the tip of your finger, grinning wickedly. His erection went from a prominent bulge to a straining tent with your teasing, and Loki’s furrowed brow was a sign you had gotten the best of him.

“If you know what’s good for you….” Loki’s voice was a soft hiss now, a dominating whisper than send floods between your legs. “You’ll stop writhing on my cock like a common whore and scurry back up those stairs and wait for me to fuck you awake….” he enunciated each word with needle-precision, a terrifying thrill.

“Mmm…” you groaned, now squeezing where his cock lay trapped against his leg. He inhaled sharply. “But I don’t know what’s good for me, my prince…” you whined. You knew what you wanted and exactly the right strings to pull to get it.

“I suspected as such…” Loki hissed again. “Greedy little thing.”

“Mhm…” you whimpered in agreement, showing him the biggest, neediest eyes you could.

“I’ll tell you what we’ll do, darling, hmm?” Loki began slowly, tugging the satin ribbon on your dressing robe until it fell open, a thin tank top and lacy panties all that remained underneath. You bit your lip to suppress a grin, thrilled that you were getting somewhere. You pitched forward a little, begging him to take your mouth in his. Your request was denied, though not unnoticed. Loki scanned your lips, his green eyes flicking from your mouth to your gaze as he paused his work in undressing you.

“Uh uh…” he finally said, pressing a chaste finger to where your lips beckoned him.

“I’m going to sit here and work on this report, darling, and you’re going to sit there with your tight little cunt wrapped around my cock. And you’re going to warm it up for me darling, yes, you’re going to get it nice and wet and get all stretched out for me so that when I fuck you in, oh, I don’t know, an hour? Two? Three? Doesn’t matter. So that when I finally fuck you, you’ll explode with the slightest movement of me inside you… how does that sound?”

Your mouth had fallen open at this filthy idea, the agonizing prospect of having to sit motionless with Loki’s god-like cock impaling you sending thrills down your spine.

“You’re not to move. You’re not to complain. You’re not to make those pretty little sounds with your whore mouth that I like so much…no, it’s far too distracting. Do you understand, princess?”

You gave him a worried look, which only seemed to please him more.

“Loki…” you whined.

“Oh, what’s this now? Worried you won’t be able to keep your mouth shut with your prince’s huge cock inside you, are we? Hmm…” Loki mused as you stuttered in protest. His long fingers played with the tie in your braid, tugging your hard work until it fell apart. He raked his fingers through it a few times, letting the fresh waves spread out along your back.

“Shall I put my cock in your throat instead?” he said casually, stroking the softness of your hair and positioning it just how he liked it around your shoulders.

“N-no, my prince…” you whimpered. “My pussy is warmer,” you whispered. The first option would be grueling, but the second option seemed downright impossible.

“Clever girl…” he smirked. “I have to agree. Get up,” he commanded softly.

The green robe you wore fell at your feet as you stood. Loki took the tie from it and placed it on the desk, crafting plans for its later uses.

Loki took you between his knees, hooking his thumbs in your panties and shimmying them down your hips. His thumbs then caressed your nipples through your tank top, and when they hardened at his touch, he twisted slightly. You murmured your appreciation in a breathy moan.

“Turn around…” Loki murmured once you were completely naked. A large warm hand caressed the small of your back as you turned to face away from him, pressing you until you fell to your elbows on the desk; your holes spread out for Loki to peruse and use at his leisure.

“Mmm…” Loki growled deep in his throat, his hands squeezing your plump thighs as he spread them further.

“Are you ready for me, sweet girl?” Loki purred as he stroked your folds again with two fingers, playing with the flaps that tempted him. “Can I open you up for your prince’s thick cock?”

“YesLoki…” you cried all at once, your face screwed up in anguish.

Loki listened to your pleading, plunging two of his long, pale fingers into you, the wet noises from your slicked entrance echoing in the empty study.

“Oh darling,” Loki murmured. “So wet already? I’ve barely begun with you…oh, gods, you’re coating my fingers, you greedy, greedy girl…”

“Ah…” you cried out, his slow, beckoning motion inside of you making you shudder with waves of pleasure. “Loki…”

It was far too little. Loki let you open just enough for him, his fingers slowing just as your breath began to come in pants.

“No, no more, babygirl,” Loki said sympathetically, his fingers sliding out of you with a wet noise. “Come here.” His belt clinked open, his trousers pulled low enough so his cock lay thick and shining on his stomach. He laid a possessive hand on your low belly, one hand holding his cock steady as you lowered yourself onto him, slow, painfully slow. You faced away from him, but oh, how you wished you could see his face. You liked to watch his expression when he entered you, the focus and lust in his hooded eyes, but Loki denied you of this pleasure also.

Instead, his bottom lip trailed up your back, leaving a trail of goosebumps as you wiggled your hips side to side, willing your body to take him fully inside you.

“Loki-” your voice hitched in a pathetic whimper halfway down his shaft. “You’re so fucking big.”

“Oh, I know, I know princess,” Loki purred, “Be a good girl for me…I’m very busy,” he goaded you by sounding bored. It drove you crazy. You wanted him to cry out within your tightness, remind you that you were his favorite, that your cunt deserved worshiping. Alas, that wasn’t the love Loki wanted to make tonight.

You let out a frustrated grunt that quickly turned into a deep moan as Loki’s cock slipped fully inside you. You sank into his lap with a gasp, pain quickly subsiding into a deliciously tight sensation in your low belly. You were filled to the brim.

“Ah-ahh,” you panted, despite your best efforts to remain quiet.

“Shh…sh…sh…” Loki admonished, despite the hand that was pressing on the bulge in your stomach, intensifying the full sensation to the point that your vision was beginning to go white. Tears formed in your eyes with the effort of suppressing your moan of pleasure. A small squeak escaped your lips, earning your belly another sharp pulse of his hand. You clenched around his length, your thighs shaking.

“Quiet, darling,” he murmured.

The only reaction you earned from Loki was the sharp draw of breath between his teeth. The hiss lasted only a second; the self-restraint of this man was enough to make you scream, sometimes. The assault of his hand on your core stopped, finally, and one hand snaked around your waist towards your mouth.

“Open,” Loki murmured, his voice sounding thick. You did, and Loki slipped the fingers coated in your slick deep into your mouth. You suppress a gag as you licked his fingers clean, tasting yourself all over him, your cunt clenching as you sucked.

“Good girl,” Loki said, wiping his wet but clean fingers on his trousers. “Now, be still.” Then, as if nothing had happened, he picked up his fountain pen and continued writing.

For moments that felt like hours, the only sounds were the scratch of pen on paper, the occasional rustle of the parchment on Loki’s desk. You took a deep, steadying breath, trying to let your mind wander other places. After five or so minutes, Loki flicked a finger and the fireplace across the room roared to life.

“Do you remember last week?” Loki said, his tone casual enough to be discussing the prices of Asgardian grain.

You knew at once what he was referring to, and you bit your lip with the memory.

“How I fucked you for hours right there on that hardwood floor? The puddles of sweat we left, the way our bodies slipped over each other?” Loki said with an edge to his voice.

“Loki, please…” you whined, cutting him off. It was nearly impossible to keep your hips from grinding into him.

“Do you remember my tongue lapping the sweat on your stomach?” Loki continued, ignoring your protests. “God, you tasted so…sweet…and the way you looked after I was done with you…gods…all red and flushed and swollen…”

“Mmm…” you cried out, loud, unable to help yourself. Your hips lifted up an inch or two before sinking down on him again, desperate to feel him move.

“Darling…” Loki tsked, pinching one of your nipples hard enough that you gasped. “What did I tell you about moving?”

“I-I-I’m sorry…” you relented. “Please stop teasing…fuck” the last word was barely above a whisper.

“You’re not in control here…princess…” was Loki’s whispered snarl. You pursed your lips in frustration. You wished he’d hurry up and finish this goddamned report.

Loki stayed impressively hard, even after an hour, when your legs were beginning to go numb. After sixty whole minutes wedged open by his massive length, you felt like you were on the verge of tears. He’d allowed your head to rest on his shoulder, but that was the extent of his mercy. Your thighs ached. Your arousal dripped down your inner thighs and soaked the entire front of Loki’s trousers. You felt incredibly full, stretched to your limits, but the complete lack of friction left you entirely unsatisfied.

Loki had thankfully stopped his teasing, but an opposite problem was now driving you mad. He seemed so wrapped up in his work it was like he forgot you were there, like the grip of your cunt on his cock was a mere nuisance. You decided to test your luck.

One hand crept its way over the crease of your thigh, plunging lower to where your woefully neglected clit was begging to be touched. You closed your eyes at the first brush of your fingertip, a delicious drop of relief after an hour of agony.

You clenched your other fist as you slowly began to circle your clit with your middle finger. It was so, so hard to keep still. Little ripples quickly began to build in your core, they felt so good, you didn’t care what the punishment was for coming early. You were going to explode: fresh, hot slick was running down Loki’s cock from deep within your aching core. You were so close, you were going to come undone-

“Nice try, my darling…” Loki sneered, grabbing the hand that was toying with your clit with a punishing grip.

“Hha,” you cried out, tormented with the fading climax, your breath coming in pants. Your body felt like pudding against Loki’s firm chest, the denial leaving you disappointed and weak.

“Loki, please…” you moaned, real tears threatening to spill over on your cheeks as Loki gathered both your hands in one fist behind your back.

“You were going to come without my permission,” Loki said calmly, binding your wrists tightly together with the green ribbon that used to tie your robe. “We can’t have that, darling, now can we?” he said, matter of factly.

“Mmmff,” you moaned in protest as you writhed against the restraints.

“Nearly done, darling,” Loki said, light as air. Your dripping cunt had no effect on him. It was frustrating beyond comprehension, how he could continue to focus on something as dull as an income report when you had been reduced to a begging hole for him to fuck.

A few more minutes ticked by, only the crackling fireplace and Loki’s slow, steady heartbeat in your ears from where you lay back on his chest. Every time you closed your eyes, you saw his cock within you, pushing against your cervix, no matter how hard you tried to think about something else.

Your eyes snapped open with the sound of Loki’s pen clattering on the table. Loki was folding the piece of parchment, sliding it in an envelope, sealing it with a glob of wax. Your breath was low and shallow, every bone in your body crying out for this torture to end.

“All done. Now…” Loki purred, gentle fingers tickling the sensitive skin of your stomach. “What shall I do about my cockwarmer?”

“Loki…” you took the opportunity to say his name loud and clear, unafraid of facing further punishment and frankly, indifferent.

“Shall I reward her…?” he mused, and your hips writhed, aching and desperate for a pounding.

“Ah-hah-fuck” you whined, arching your back against him, doing all you could to gain friction he wouldn’t give.

“I think…” Loki started, pushing your hair back so he could suck a bruise onto your neck. You nuzzled into his lips with a moan, you’d been dying to feel them all night. “You want to be fucked by this cock nice and slow and deep, tonight, sweet girl…” Loki said, his voice silky. “Am I correct?”

“I don’t fucking care I don’t fucking…care….” you rambled, your tongue slurring your words. “Just quit fucking ignoring me and fuck me already…”

“Oh..ho..ho…” Loki whistled. “My goodness, darling…”

“I-I’ll say w-whatever you want I’ll do whatever you want I’ll do whatever you tell me to I don’t fucking care….” you slurred, drunk with his cock and your thirst to prove yourself. “I fucking hate you…god…”

“No you don’t…” Loki said with a sneer on his face, and it was the truth. As he said it, he shifted his hips in his first gift to you all evening, a tiny, teasing, feeble thrust, but it was movement. And it had you in shambles.

“I fucking hate you- FUCK, oh, god, Loki…” your voice was shaking, straining against the tight silk around your wrists.

“Oh, I know, baby, I know,” Loki crooned, still rocking his hips a miniscule distance, but his face was contorting with your wetness.

“You’ve been sitting here…ah…dripping all over my cock for hours…haven’t you?…poor thing…so desperate…you’re as wet as I’ve ever seen you…” Loki’s hands finally, finally, explored your naked body, squeezing the supple skin on your ass, palming your breasts.

“More…Loki…please…” you said, your voice hitching as he gifted you another tiny rock of his hips..

“You’ve been so good, babygirl…” he murmured, his firm hands grasping your hips. “Do you want to come?” he questioned, nuzzling into your neck through your long hair.

“Yes, Loki, I want to come, I want to come so bad, please…” you moaned, your eyes squeezed shut from his achingly slow movements.

Loki readjusted in his chair, spreading your legs wider where you sat on him to give himself more leverage. All at once, he gave you what you begged for, thrusting his hips up into you with a groan.

“Ah-hahfuck…” you moaned, your head falling back to rest in the crook of Loki’s neck. He looked down at you as he thrusted again, breathing into your mouth.

“That’s it…I want you to come, just like this…” Loki purred, his cock twitching as he pulled himself all the way out, dipping into your cunt again at the last second. “I want to watch you from right here, feel your body writhe on top of me….that’s it, sweet girl, that’s it….”

Your brows knit together in ecstasy as tiny beads of sweat formed down the curve of your breasts. Every rock of his hips brought the ridges of his head over your g-spot, sending you hurtling towards your climax.

“You’re growing tighter, sweet girl…” Loki groaned, snapping his hips a little faster. “Are you going to come for your prince?”

“Loki…” was all you could groan. Your core was on fire, your climax building like a wave inside of you. Loki drove his cock deeper, beginning to pant as your cunt clenched rhythmically around him.

“Say my name again, princess…” he groaned. “Say my name….fuck, I’m gonna come…”

“Loki….I’m coming…” you cried, using the last of your strength to sink as deep as you could on his cock before your orgasm wracked your body. Your back arched against Loki’s body as you went rigid, a raspy moan escaping up your throat as you panted in succession with the waves of pleasure rippling through your core. Your cunt gripped his cock as deep as it could go, and then Loki was gasping with you, the sight of you completely surrendered to pleasure on his behalf sending him over the edge. His cock exploded inside of you, hot spurts of come hitting your walls as your muscles pulled it deeper. It felt so good, the warmth spreading through your low belly as aftershocks shook your core.

“My love…” Loki shuddered, his cock sputtering the last drops of his come as your body began to collapse on top of him. You couldn’t move for a minute, only sit with Loki’s come leaking out of you and try to catch your breath.

“Will you untie me so I can touch you?” you said at last, your voice a tired croak.

In an instant, the ribbon disappeared, and your free hands trailed up to grasp Loki’s sweaty face. He was smiling as he turned to gaze upon you, a glowy haze in his eyes.

“Was that too much teasing?” he asked you with a chaste kiss to your temple.

“Almost…” you groaned as you rose, your shaky arms lifting yourself up until his soaked cock fell out to rest on his stomach. Juices ran down your thighs, a mixture of your own and his. You bent to your knees in front of the chair, a slight taste for vengeance on your tongue.

In an instant, his recovering and overstimulated cock was in your mouth, and you were licking him slowly, tasting the salty-sweetness that lingered on the skin.

Loki cursed, his head falling back and the muscles in his stomach rippling with the sensation of your tongue on his swollen head.

“Ah-ah-ah…” he groaned, hissing between his teeth. His fingers raked through your hair, trying to get your mouth to slow. The sensation was too much for him. His whole body shook, his knuckles white where they gripped the wooden armrests of the chair. You smirked when his entire cock was clean, swirling his slit with your tongue a few more times for good measure.

“Fuck…” Loki said, beads of sweat on his upper lip.

“That’s what you get…” you said, rising to straddle his lap again, kissing him deeply. He groaned as he licked into your mouth, tasting himself there.

“Fuck you,” Loki said, his head resting

“Fuck you,” you echoed, grinning at him between kisses.

“That can be arranged,” Loki said, and suddenly he was rising from the chair, walking with purpose towards the study door. You let him whisk you away to your bedroom, where he ravished you again and again until the Asgardian sun glimmered through the curtains.

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