#okay but are there two truths and three lies in actuality? I need to know if this has narrative relevance

[corkinavoid]

DPxDC Shit Fae!Danny Has Said While Living With Waynes

Danny, making a 'got your nose' gesture: Hey Jason, look, I've got your name!

Red Hood, who suddenly can't remember his own name: What the fuck

Bruce, in a tired dad voice: Danny, please, we talked about this, return your brother's name back

Danny: Oh, come on, it's not like he even uses it

Jason, thankfully remembering his name: And I repeat, what the f u c k

Steph, at dinner: I was wondering, what do faeries even eat normally? Like, flowers and stuff?

Danny, his eyes two black voids inside his eyesockets: The souls of the innocent

Steph: So that's a 'no' on the flowers?

Danny, back to normal and shoving a bagel in his mouth: I mean, I can, but would you want to stay on the crumbs-only diet when you are in a 5-star Michelin restaurant?

Tim: It's actually 3-star. Michelin rating system only has three stars, not five.

Dick: Are you saying that people are basically food joints for Fae?

Damian, at Constantine: It would do you well to choose your wording better when speaking to fair folk-

Danny, very much a fair folk, appearing out of thin air in the Cave: Yolo, s'up bitches, guess who's back in town!

Damian: -even when they do not necessarily do so themselves.

Constantine, looking between them: Are you sure you're the human and he is the changeling?

Tim, 46 hours of no sleep: Hey, if you can take a name from someone, does it mean you can take, like, other things that have no real shape or form?

Danny: Names do have shape and form, they even have taste. Yours is like a ping-pong ball made out of really dense cotton candy with banana-caramel flavor.

Tim, losing his touch with reality: Dense banana cotton candy...

Danny: By the way, I know you wanted to ask me if I could take your need to sleep from you, and theoretically, the answer is yes.

Tim, his whisper full of hope: ...will you?..

Danny: No. Either go to sleep or keep suffering. I'm not here to make your life easier.

Danny, after a half-an-hour rant on the Fae customs and traditions: -and Fae never tell the truth, but also never lie. It's a work of art, you know, say what you want but never in a way that makes sense.

Jason: So Fae just like to fuck with people.

Danny, looking him in the eyes, smiling and winking: Sure, humans are very fuckable.

Bruce, trying very hard not to pay attention to this: Can you make an example?

Danny: Sure. I lied.

Bruce: Where?

Danny: :)

Bruce, feeling like he is about to lose his mind: W h e r e ?

Alfred, right after he heard Dick's muffled screaming in the hallway: Young Master Danny, would you mind returning Master Dick his ability to talk in coherent sentences?

Danny, obediently standing up and walking out of the library: ...okay.

Bruce: How come he always listens to you?

Alfred: He knows what I will do if he doesn't.

Danny, returning to the library: He will change all the silverware to iron-ware. As well as the doorknobs and hairbrushes and lightswitches and everything else.

Alfred: Did you fix Master Dick's shoes?

Danny: I did. But I still think that making all of his shoes left ones was funny.

Alfred: Indeed, it was.

| <-prev | next-> |

There's also a fic now.

[prismbearer]

Levana talking with Baphomet like

[writingbyshiloh]

Third Time's the Charm

Request: Hii,if your request are still open can i request something for Gen V?Can you write something where Jordan and fem reader are childhood best friends and Jordan had always been in love with her but they feel insecure because they don’t know if reader will like them in both forms romantically?So when,in ep 3,Jordan dad goes like “Y/n and Jordan will be husband and wife” reader goes “Maybe we will be wife and wife”because she loves Jordan just like they are?

AN: Reader wants to be the first supe president (just to explain why they’re at the gala), I changed the timeline of the ep a tiny bit. I have another request about meeting Jordan's parents but that one might be more angsty.

CW: fem!reader, kissing, no beta, Jordan's parents are just their warning. The start is all flashbacks so I may have slipped on the tense a few times, no beta

WC: 2.0K

Jordan Li was your first kiss. Twice. The first time was in kindergarten, when they tried to kiss you and you smacked them with your Queen Mauve lunch box. Your second first kiss (the one you consider your actual first kiss) was done by you while playing truth or dare at 14. After picking a dare, you were asked to kiss the best-looking guy in the group. You shrugged and picked your best friend - Jordan. 

At age six, they were there when you broke your ankle trying to see if you could fly (you couldn’t). When you did get powers, they were the first person you told.

When Jordan came out to you as bigender, you did an internet deep-dive, trying to understand as much as possible.

Jordan listened to every interaction you had with your high school crush while quietly dying inside, wanting you to be happy. When your high school boyfriend cheated on you and then dumped you for the girl he cheated with, Jordan was there, ready to sink hours into their Xbox to keep you distracted.

The worst week of your life was when you didn't speak to Jordan for 9 whole days. You got into a petty argument where you called them self-absorbed and they called you clingy. The fight snowballed into yelling arguments and ended with you receiving a cold shoulder from Jordan. 

When Jordan got their wisdom teeth removed, you camped out in their room, snuggled under their duvet with them to watch Property Brothers for two days straight. You even made sure they took their painkillers on time and used ice packs.

Every fight with their parents, you were outside in your car ready to pick up Jordan to stay with you. Once you showed up at their house at 6:03 am, eyes blurry with sleep and still in pyjamas. Jordan was crying, bob haircut looked messy from sleep. You drove them to Vought-A-Burger, still half asleep and ate greasy breakfast sandwiches in your car until Jordan stopped crying. 

Jordan was even your date to prom, taking photos with you in their masculine form to get their parents off their back. Once their parents were happy, you snuck them back to yours, where you stashed their prom dress. 

You both even applied to God U together. Too nervous to check your acceptance, Jordan checked yours and you checked theirs. Sitting across from each other on your bed you both log in before giving the laptops to each other.

“Okay, three, two, one…” you counted down, opening Jordan’s laptop. Your eyes scanned for any promising words like congratulations, or welcome. "Accepted" was the first word your eyes caught but you need to fuck with them.

“Jord… I’m so sorry.” You start. Their face falls, and you feel like a dick for doing this. But the opportunity is too good to pass up. “That you believed me! Because you got in!”

They lunged across your bed to see what the screen says. You saw Jordan's eyes scan the same letter you just read, picking out the same words. 

“You’re such an asshole!” they told you, rolling their eyes, gently hitting your arm with the back of their hand

You’ve never been shy about showering Jordan with compliments. Saved in screenshots never to see the light of day, Jordan has kept some of them. 

You: OMG!!! Jordan you’re so pretty. I’m so lucky to call you my friend. 

You: You’re so handsome!!! I love your hair slicked back! If she doesn’t agree you need to drop her. 

You: ur a solid 9/10. Lost a point for not giving me a sip of your drink yesterday lol

Jordan Li has been in love with you since age 16. Probably earlier, if they want to admit that to themselves. You’ve only ever expressed interest in men so they kept their feelings to themselves, not wanting to make you uncomfortable, figuring it was better to have you as a friend only than not at all. 

In your first year, you were even roommates. While Jordan flourished in crim, you bounced between majors before settling into politics.

Every time you brought some frat guy to your shared dorm, Jordan died inside. Trying to get over their long-standing crush, Jordan did the same.

When Jordan made number 2 on the top five, you celebrate with them. Maybe a bit too hard that night.

You were there when their ranking dropped after the death of Brink. A man you only met twice, but you would do anything for Jordan. Especially given how hard you fell for both versions of them last year.

“I’m going to try to tag team with your dad, get some points for you and keep him engaged, yeah?” You ask over your shocker. Jordan is behind you, ready to help with zipper duty for your dress.

“You don’t have to.”

You let out a small scoff. “Dude. I’m doing poli supe. Schmoozing with rich people is like half our courses. Zip me up please.”

“How long have you known Jordan? You seem to be a good couple.” The man you and Jordan's dad suckered into a conversation asks. He's sitting beside Jordan's parents, while you and Jordan are on the edge of some fancy pit or table. 

“Well, these two have known each other pretty well over the years. Jordan tried to kiss her when they were kids, and she hit him with her Black Noir lunch box.”

“It was a Queen Mauve lunch box, actually.” You say with a laugh.

“And she called him ‘Jojo’ for probably the next two years out of spite.” Kayla laughs. It's a special embarrassment when your parents tell stories about your childhood. All the stories are about you but it's been so long ago you can’t remember any of it. Jordan looks worse off, slouchy posture against the banister, while you sit next to him. Part of you wants to tell him to sit up straight, but you figure you can play the grief angle better this way. 

“Oh, and remember when Jordan got his wisdom teeth out? You guys were inseparable. I think I still have the photo of you two passed out watching TV!” Kayla gushes, reaching for her phone to find the photo.

“We all thought you two would be president and First Gentleman.” Dad insists. Your smile is fake and tight, knowing if Paul pulls out prom photos, you would have to quietly fling yourself out of a window. 

Maybe you drank a bit too much liquid courage. Maybe the tension between them and their parents was getting to you. To give Jordan some space, you took their parents for a tour of your classes, knowing they’ll be talking to your family when they go back to Rochester.

Jordan shifting doesn’t even cause you to raise an eyebrow, the subtle sound just blurs into the background.

“Or president and First Lady.” You blurt out, four pairs of eyes darting towards you. “First supes in the Whitehouse? It would be political dynamite.”

“You like this version of Jordan?” Dad asks with bewilderment.

“Of course. I like Jordan because of how smart and driven they are. I like Jordan because of their weird sense of humour. It doesn’t matter what they look like.” you say, trying to prove it to their parents, but also to them. You’ve picked up on their crush many times, too kind to say something that would embarrass them or hurt them. It’s only recently how much you found yourself staring at fem Jordan and wanting to kiss her too. 

“I’m going to go and mingle some more.” says the man, Brad or Rob maybe. You forgot his name right after you met him. His words are like a bucket of cold water was dumped over you. You don’t confess your feelings to Jordan just to Jordan, but in front of their judgy parents, and a possible donner. You need to go. 

You stand and straighten out your dress. 

“I’m going to go too. Other donors to talk to. Go Jordan!" You finish with an awkward laugh and even more cringy go team! gesture by yourself. 

You didn't lie to Jordan and their parents. You did go and talk to other donors but it twists your stomach every time you bring up how amazing their grades are, or how skillful they are at fighting. After donor number three gives you an answer that technically was “we’ll see” but heavily implied to be "yes for Jordan” you went to hide in the bathroom. You have enough battery left on your V-phone to keep it going for most of the night. Tomorrow you can talk to Jordan and hope you don’t fuck it all up. 

You barely look up when the door opens, already have done too much for the day to care who it is. 

‘Hey, can we talk?” You snap to attention at the voice. Of course, you know that voice. It's Jordan, still feminine presenting. 

“Fuck, Jord, I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have spring that on you. I promise I’ll just go back and try to get you some votes, you’re going through a lot.” You say, in a rush to get the words out, desperate not to fuck up you’re friendship. The rim of the sink is hard against your back but you can’t help but shrink into it. 

“Did you mean it?” They ask, still keeping a distance from you.

“Yeah, of course, I don’t want to ruin this friendship.”

“No, what you said in front of my parents.” 

Oh right. Your confession. Fuck. It's already out there, might as well keep it going. 

“I may, uh-” you curse yourself for leaving your drink outside the bathroom, wanting something in your hands to stall. “-have a crush. On you. My best friend.” You twist your hands together, wishing Jordan didn’t look so pretty. If your heart beats any faster you may go into cardiac arrest. 

It's Jordan that indicates your third first kiss. It's gentle, and fast, like the second one. She pulls back quickly, but you run your fingers through her hair and pull her closer. The intensity from the first first kiss is still there, only this time you both share it. Her hand smooths up to your face, thumb stroking your cheek in a silent invitation to open your mouth. You comply, and tilt your head into her palm. Her tongue sweeps into your mouth and you can taste the champagne they were drinking. 

The sound of the door opening makes you both jump.

“Stall?” You ask, voice low and hushed. You squirm out from where she has you between the sink and her. You push the door open to the nicest-looking stall, desperate to keep kissing Jordan. They follow your lead eagerly, one hand wrapped around your shoulder to keep you near. 

Dipping their head, they softly kiss your jaw before moving onto your neck. You silently thank the other two women arguing in the bathroom so that your gasp goes unnoticed. Giving Jordan's hair a small tug, you pull them back up to you. The shit-eating grin they flash you makes you want to almost get caught again. 

Your free hand moves to their waist, trying to get as close to them as physically possible. 

You pull back slightly, wanting so desperately to get lost in the moment, but the commotion in the other stall is distracting. Plus you’re nosey.

Jordan frowns when you pull away, eyes scanning your face for something they did wrong. You shake your head and tip it over to the stall.

“The fuck?” They mouth to you, hand still around your shoulder.

You gently push Jordan against the door to give yourself space to squat down. You see two pairs of feet in the stall across the wall. You hear the voices quiet down, before the sound of someone peeing. You frown slightly, weird fetish to do at a memorial gala but you hear rumours about students into more fucked up shit. 

“We should get outta here.” You whisper to Jordan. 

“Weird place for our third first kiss.” Jordan whispers back. You reach around them to unlock the stall door. Third first kiss. You replay the words in your head, a warm feeling blooming in your chest. 

You gently push them out of the stall, trying to keep your laughs quiet as you both scurry past the other couple in the stall. 

[colourstreakgryffin]

Hello !

Could you please write some headcanons with Alastor and m!reader as his S/O , where reader is a fallen seraphim / ex - seraphim?

Thank you in advance !

Hmmm! Okay! I actually wanted Alastor discovering his partner is a Fallen Angel for a while now. I can imagine what would happen… but uh, anyway. Let’s try this out, shall we? Alastor is now my primary Hazbin Hotel man, which I don’t mind! I love this man!

Alastor- Lies and Deception

Why… why would you lie?! Why did you lie?! Why did… Alastor can barely process what he just learnt. His beloved partner, his cute sweetie. A affectionate polite man, you. You’re not a demon at all, you’re an angel and you were a high-level angel as well. Charlie isn’t the only one who finds out her partner is a angel, Alastor did too

“A-Al! I can explain… I just—” “Save it, Leitore. I don’t want to hear from you” and with that, Alastor goes back down to Hell. Not hearing you out, despite when you try to explain yourself. It hurts your soul seeing your boyfriend, now, so closed-off, cold and disinterested

Alastor refuses to talk to you and when he does, he is quite passive-aggressive but yet, he can’t bring himself to be insulting. He is more business than emotions and comes off as very apathetic. It’s just because he doesn’t know how to act around you anymore with this grand discovery drilled into his head

He avoids you like the plague after the incident in Heaven and Adam revealing both you and Vaggie’s angelic origins to the Group

Alastor had ended up just like Charlie. Both him and Charlie are struggling with learning that their partner lied to them and hid their true selves for so long. Unlike Charlie, who vents to Alastor about Vaggie all the way to the Cannibal Colony, Alastor tries to not focus on you… he doesn’t want a reminder

However, he is eventually talked into trying to make it up with you by his dear friend, Rosie. She reminds him that you’re his lover and that he can’t just shut you out over you not trusting Alastor to not throw you out if you told him the truth… oh, Alastor could kiss Rosie right now! But, he can’t. He needs to make up with you after the weeks he’s spent ignoring you

Like Charlie, Alastor brings over a little gift. Surprised to find out that you’ve gotten back your angel wings after so long of merely looking like an average sinner. Three feathery sets, they are gorgeous and they make your eyes pop. Alastor may not like that his lover is an Angel and he’s a true Demon but that shouldn’t keep you two apart… and after Rosie’s talk, it won’t

After quite the long private talk with you and much forgiveness and acceptance and promising, Alastor is once again, by your side and holding your hand. He was harsh in the past about what he considered a betrayal but he has heard your side of it and forgiven you for lying to him. Not everybody is perfect

Alastor may or may not play with your reborn and re-gained angel wings when he is bored or waiting. You’re always right next to him so he’ll just run sharp long clawed fingers through the gentle feathers and be enamoured by how incredible it feels. Alastor also may just take an nap on your back with how comfortable those wings of yours are

Alastor is your sweet devil, a truly corrupted evil monster but he has an opposite in the man you are, a more pacifistic and harmless soul. Just like Charlie and Vaggie but swapped, you and Alastor are the higher-up Angel-Demon gay couple. Alastor is unredeemable and won’t be going to Heaven whilst you, a being of Heaven, is stuck down here in Hell

Alastor much prefers you stay in your original look but now, that also includes the Seraphim wings. Just keep them out of the way whilst you walk and Alastor is completely content with it. He just has to get use to having an angel in the Hotel… he has to get use to having TWO angels in the Hotel

Trust me, Alastor won’t ask about life as a Seraphim in Heaven. He doesn’t even care about it, he doesn’t care what dropped you into Hell. He only cares that you’re in Hell and that you’ll stay in Hell, stay with him. That’s all he’ll ever ask, but if you want to talk about your past in Heaven, he is all ears

Alastor, also, may not be perfect but he is doing his best to accept the reality that you had to lie to him and now that, you’re both cleared it up with one another. Now, you can be 100% honest with each other

Alastor is encouraging to you, encouraging you to let out your angelic origins and not be frightened by all the Sinners. Everybody in the Hotel knows you and Vaggie are from Heaven, just embrace it. He is embracing it one step at a time

“Oh… darling. I know I was quite harsh to you. I was just upset, I thought the man I loved was against me and I was trying to kill me from the inside. I understand you didn’t want to tell me and that’s okay… we’ll get through this little bump together”

[norrizzandpia]

She Doesn’t Know Who I Am (Part 2) (LN4)

Summary: Y/n’s best friend, Lily, seems to know Lando from somewhere. However, she really can’t place where?

Warnings: smallest bit of angst but overall a cute ending to a cute idea

“Have you told her yet?” Max asked Lando as they watched a movie in Lando’s hotel room.

Lando’s eyebrows furrowed, “Y/n? About who I actually am? No way.”

“Mate, she thinks your name is Lando Smith and you’re a Starbucks barista.” Max laughed loudly.

“Well? I’m not going to sit there and be like ‘Oh, I’m actually a millionaire and celebrity who drives for the famous car brand, McLaren’. Like, that’s just asking for her to use me.” Lando groaned as he paused the scene and turned to his friend.

Max tilted his head as he realized the very serious, complicated feelings Lando was experiencing, “Bob, you’ve been going out with her for a month. I think, at this point, she likes you for you. I mean, how much longer are you going to dress in jeans and a ratty t-shirt without your favorite watch or ring or necklace?”

Lando exhaled, “I would much rather do that than have her look at me with dollar signs like everybody else does.”

“Lando,” Max pleaded, trying to stop his friend’s reckless decisions, “how do you think she’s going to feel when she finds out you’ve lied to her about your whole life? The only truth you’ve told her is that you have three other siblings.”

Lando opened his mouth to counter before Max put his hand up and interrupted him, “Also, the longer you wait to tell her the bigger risk you take of someone else letting her know when they come up to you and ask for a picture.”

Lando let out a loud, annoyed groan as he got up and made his way out of the room, Max in tow, “No one knows who I am here. She won’t find out unless I tell her.”

As if the universe was challenging his statement, Lando’s phone rang after he let out the last word. Looking up at his best friend, Lando slowly answered the call, already unnerved by the topic of conversation they were on.

“Y/n?” His shaky voice disappeared as he cleared his throat.

“Lando!” Her giggly tone brought a smile to his face, melting any negative feelings away.

“What’s up?” He asked, turning away from Max to gain some sort of privacy when talking to his girlfriend.

In the background of her call, Lando could hear the teasing voices of her best friends, “Do you wanna come over? We’re having pasta night and I know how much you’ve been craving it lately.”

Lando giggled a sick, infectious schoolgirl laugh that had Max reeling, “Sure, I’d love to come over. What time should I get there?”

Y/n’s loud laughter sounded in his ears as she joked around with her friends, “NOW!”

“Okay, okay! I’m coming!” Lando laughed as he grabbed his coat and began his way toward the door.

“Wait, what about me?” Max whispered yelling before his friend could take one foot out the door.

Lando waved him off, too excited with young, new love to care, “Just- just order some room service or something. On McLaren.”

That seemed to shut Max up as he nodded and turned around, going back to their movie as Lando slammed the door shut in the midst of his haste to get where he needed to be.

Where he wanted to be.

—

The knock sounded and Y/n yelped out loud as she jumped from the couch and ran toward the door. Flinging it open, she was met with Lando’s smiling face, one she jumped at. Literally.

He laughed in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist, clutching onto her so they wouldn’t fall.

He had been over to her apartment multiple times before but had never been there when her roommates were too. Paige and Lily were Y/n’s best friends, roommates on days when they fought. The two girls had been eager to officially meet Lando for weeks as Y/n didn’t have any good pictures of him and he “didn’t have any social media platforms”. They had no clue what he looked like, Paige only knowing the general physicality from the time they were at the park.

Lando shuffled the two of them inside as he closed the door with his foot, his hands still gripping her waist. His face was hidden in her neck, blocking the view from Lily and Paige as they stood together huddled behind the corner.

“Can you see him?” Lily whispered aggressively as she tried to peek around the corner.

Paige stopped her quickly, “Stop! That’s too far. They’ll see you.”

“We already can hear you.” Y/n groaned as Lando giggled and let her down.

The two best friends came out of hiding with sheepish looks as they rounded the corner and came to stand in front of the new couple.

“Guys, this is Lando. My boyfriend.” Y/n smiled as she looked between her best friends and Lando.

Lily’s face squinted as she looked at him for a second too long, “Do I know you from somewhere?”

Lando’s heart dropped as it dawned on him that Y/n’s closest friend was about to out him, “Um, no?”

“Hm, okay.” She gave as her eyes still lingered on him.

Lando’s blood pumped aggressively through his veins as the moment passed quickly and Y/n changed the subject.

“So, who’s ready for some pasta?!”

—

“Paige,” Lily whispered on the couch of their living room, Lando and Y/n asleep in her room a wall over.

Paige looked over at her, “What?”

“What did Lando say his last name was?” She asked timidly.

“Smith, why?”

“Because that’s not his last name,” Lily said immediately.

Paige’s eyebrows furrowed, “What?”

“His last name is Lando Norris and he’s a famous racing driver in Europe. That’s where I knew him from. One of my friends from Intro to Psych loves him, has him as her wallpaper.”

Paige stared blankly at her, “Again. What?”

Lily sighed as she grabbed her phone and pulled up the first photo she found on the internet, “See? Famous driver for McLaren in F1. Paige, he’s like a celebrity.”

Paige took the phone out of her hands and let a moment of silence pass as she scrolled and read about the man asleep in the room over, “Do you think Y/n knows?”

“No way. If she did, she would be blabbering about it nonstop to us.”

“You’re right.” Paige gave the phone back to her friend before they stared at the blank wall in front of them, distraught and shocked.

“Are we supposed to tell her about this?” Lily asked after deeming it appropriate to speak again.

Paige shook her head, “Let’s give him a week. If he doesn’t tell her by then, we will.”

—

A week went by and passed before the two girls officially decided to reveal the newfound information to their best friend.

“Y/n? Come in here.” Paige’s stern voice startled Y/n away from her call with Lando, the man who had unfortunately gone back to Monaco to “resume his shifts at Starbucks”.

“Paige’s calling me. I have to go, Lanyard.” Y/n giggled as Lando’s face smiled back at her on her phone.

“Okay. Call me later, love. Bye.” He waved.

“Bye!” She smiled as they ended the call and she stepped out of her room, coming face to face with her two best friends sitting professionally on their beat-up couch.

“What’s going on?” She asked hesitantly.

Paige exhaled, “We need to talk to you about Lando.”

Y/n blinked, sitting slowly down on the chair across from them, “Okay. Give it to me.”

“Remember when I thought I had seen Lando from somewhere?” Lily started, death gripping her phone with the photos of Lando’s real life on it.

Y/n nodded, “Mhm.”

“Well, I figured out where I had seen him.” Lily and Paige glanced at each other, preparing for either a breakdown or celebration.

Y/n nodded, “Okay, where?”

“He’s a celebrity.” Paige let out, immediately clutching her mouth as if she had spilled something so scandalous.

Y/n shook her head, “What? No way. I searched him up, and there’s no Lando Smith that’s a celebrity.”

Lily nodded, “That’s because his name isn’t Lando Smith. It’s Lando Norris, famous F1 driver for McLaren.”

Y/n laughed, “You guys have got the wrong guy. Lando’s got serious road rage. Being a racing driver wouldn’t work.”

“Then, explain these.” Lily handed her the phone with McLaren’s Instagram page opened.

A few minutes passed as Y/n scrolled, her breathing picking up at the photos of her boyfriend with his gorgeous ex. An eternity passed when she stumbled upon his personal account, filled with photos of him living the luxurious life of a millionaire.

“This can’t be real. He said he was a Starbucks barista.” Y/n’s eyes shot around as her brain tried to process the crazed information.

Paige shook her head, “I don’t think he is, babe.”

Y/n passed the phone back to Lily like it was burning her fingertips, “I need to call him.”

She rushed out of the room before either of her best friends could advise her not to. However, as she held her phone, her fingers hovering over his number, she realized she had to see it for herself.

She needed to go to Monaco.

—

Her friends had tried to practically drag her away from the airport, but their attempts had clearly failed as she stepped off the airplane into the air-conditioned airport.

Calling an Uber, Y/n typed in the Lando’s address she had gotten from Max. The poor boy had fallen right into her trap when she told him she was going to send Lando a care package for his “long shifts” and didn’t know where he lived.

The best friend had no trouble typing the words into their text chain, allowing her to easily pull up to his fancy building. The lobby she stepped into was unlike anything she had ever seen, very clearly too expensive for someone who worked at Starbucks.

Gold accents and chandeliers mocked her as she gave the concierge her boyfriend’s name.

“I’m sorry, miss, but your name isn’t on his personal list, so I can’t let you up.” The receptionist smiled at her, clearly ready to call security on her worn-out NYU sweatshirt.

“I’m his girlfriend and I need to talk to him.” She said as sternly as possible for a broke college student.

The woman laughed, “You have no idea how many girls like you come up to my desk and tell me the exact same thing. If you wait outside, he should be coming down soon and you can ask for his signature there.”

Y/n mouth fell open, both because his identity was proving to be true and the woman’s snobby behavior toward her.

“Fine.” She gave a sickly sweet smile that spoke volumes to the woman who was eyeing the man sitting beside her.

So, there she stood in the lobby of Lando’s apartment building, waiting for him to turn up so she could confront him.

Fortunately, he didn’t take that long. His brown curls popped out of the sterling silver elevator along with Max’s head as he bent down to type away at his phone. The two friends rounded the corner, Lando stopping by the front desk to speak with the concierge before she gestured behind him to Y/n.

“A fan showed up to meet you. I’m sorry she won’t leave.” The woman muttered before Lando groaned lightly and turned around.

His face fell once he saw her purple sweatshirt, the same one that had reminded him of peaceful mornings spent at her apartment. He rushed toward her, pulling Max’s attention away from his phone long enough to realize the situation at hand.

“Y/n, what are you doing here?” He rushed out, his hand coming to rest on her arm as he looked into her eyes.

She crossed her arms over her chest as she challenged him with her stare, “Who are you, Lando Norris?”

“Shit,” Max whispered as he stood behind the couple, realizing his helping hand in her getting here.

“Y/n,” Lando started, but she interrupted him with a wave of her hand.

“So, who’s Lando Smith? Have you ever even been to a Starbucks in your life? I’m sure it’s assistants running around getting it for you. You know, I had some time to do a deep dive into your background on the way here. I mean, did you tell me anything that was true?” She rambled on.

Lando nodded, taking her hand in his and pulling her back toward the elevators, “I did, I did. Just let me explain when we get to my apartment.”

Shooting a glance at the woman behind the desk, her face telling Y/n she regretted her previous inferences, Y/n followed Lando into the elevator with a quiet Max close behind.

—

Stepping into his apartment Y/n immediately realized that “apartment” was a nickname for “penthouse”.

“What the hell is going on?” She exclaimed once he shut the door.

“I’m just- um, going to go upstairs to the gaming room.” Max shuffled away from the couple as they stood in the foyer.

“THERE’S AN UPSTAIRS?!” She yelled as she walked further into the palace and took a look at the wide, black stairs leading up to more symbols of Lando’s success.

“Y/n, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” He said as he grabbed her arms and turned her around to face him.

“You better have a better excuse than that.” She said as the way her body flinched at his touch told Lando how hurt she was.

“Love, you don’t understand what it’s like to constantly be in fear that everyone around you is only laughing at your jokes because they want a little bit of the lifestyle I live. It’s hell having the only thing people see about me is my job and the money I earn from it. The whole world knows what my salary is and I just wanted to know, for sure and for once, that someone wasn’t just in it with me for that.” He pleaded with her as his hands lightly shook her frame.

He was scared he had fully driven her away as she stared at him, however over time, her eyes shifted from anger to sadness and regret before she leaned into him and said, “Lan, why didn’t you trust me?”

His arms wrapped around her fully as her head leaned against his chest, “I did. I do. I just wanted you to like me for me.”

At his statement, Y/n moved away from his chest to look him in the eyes, her hand coming to graze across his cheek, “Of course, I like you for you. I always have and no amount of money could have changed that.”

He sighed, “How do you know that?”

She smiled lightly at him, “Because ever since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to experience a great love. It’s never mattered to me how much money the guy I ended up with made or the kind of life he led. All I’ve ever wanted was to be loved by somebody good. Lando, that’s who you are to me. Somebody good. I wouldn’t have ever seen you differently if you would’ve told me from the first date who you actually were. I’m just upset because for so long I was learning to know who Lando Smith was and not Lando Norris.”

His little laugh echoed throughout the room as he leaned into her touch, “I’m sorry. It was just such a good opportunity to see what it would be like to be normal.”

“I understand,” She whispered to him, her hands now cupping his cheeks as he stared back at her, finally opening up to her.

“You do?” He asked.

She nodded, “Of course, I do. I mean, I can’t understand what it’s like to feel that way, but I can imagine. I probably would’ve done the same thing as you.”

He exhaled, “How can I make it up to you?”

Kissing him lightly, she pulled back, “Allow me to become acquainted with you and not Starbucks barista Lando Smith?”

“Of course.”

End.

Tags: @f1enthusiastsstuff @allywthsr @haileycannotcometothephonern @itsjustkhaos @omgsuperstarg @lexxlouuu @smoothopz @evermoresivy @formula1mount @moon-enthusiast @summerslike11

[lani-heart]

|| series masterlist || next // previously

parings -> ( eventually ) enhypen x reader genre -> soulmate au, fantasy au, angst warnings -> angst word count -> 2.6k

abstract -> sometimes you need to be selfish to feel satisfied...

y/n's perspective

I feel guilty… Heeseung approached me saying Jay planned on rejecting me but didn't want me to get hurt. It was strange to know that he was there on Jay's behalf to reject him.

I knew he was telling the truth but I swear there was more to what he was saying. 

He wasn’t telling me a few things and I knew he was withdrawing details I should’ve known. He’s done it before…

“Stop thinking too much” I heard Sunghoon whine. I smiled as I simply muttered ‘I can’t’ he nodded understanding but grinned.

“Then think of how handsome I am!” he said, making me laugh but we heard a scoff coming from Sunoo. “Hey! I’m older than you, show me respect” Sunoo only shrugged.

“How delusional are you to feed our soulmate lies?” he taunted and the two started bickering. It was funny to see but also nice that they were still friends…

“y/n!” I heard as I saw Taki. “EJ and K need to look over some documents with you about homecoming!” he said and I nodded as I packed up my stuff to start going.

“Ah, you’re leaving us already!” Jungwon complained. “Well if you didn’t quit stuco I would still be working with you,” I said and groaned. 

“I barely see you anyway” Sunghoon added and I sighed.

“Well, a lot of work has been coming on. You guys also need to start practicing again for the next match” I said and they scoffed… except Sunghoon.

“Try to get along… before me, you guys were actually friends”

jay's perspective

Practices weren’t like they were. It's now awkward and uncomfortable. I wouldn’t be surprised if they quit our football team too. 

I was pulled from my thoughts when I was knocked down by Niki. “Come on Jay! Before Niki never could’ve knocked you down!” Sunghoon said and he was right. 

“It’s probably the rejection,” Sunoo said and I sighed. It felt horrible, my body was constantly drained. “Sooha!” Jake yelled and she grinned as she came over to us. 

Was he still blind?

“It's been a while since I’ve been at your practice!” she said. “It's been a while since I’ve seen you three!” Sooha said to Jungwon, Sunoo, and Niki. 

“They’ve been busy with the little witch–” Jake got cut off by Jungwon throwing the football at his head. “She has a name!” Sunoo said and Jake didn’t say anything for once.

“She’s been avoiding me,” she confessed. I noticed Heeseung looked at her with a sad expression. I wonder why he was so eager to hurt himself… torturing himself when he could just have y/n.

She talks to him… works with him… listens to him and yet he rejects her? I don’t understand how that could make sense.

“Is she doing well?” she asked Sunghoon and he nodded. “She’s doing well. I’m just worried about how much she’s working” he confessed. 

“She’s been working too much… I'm worried she’ll get sick” Niki said while Jungwon and Sunoo stayed quiet. 

“Well is she eating well?” Sooha asked and he sighed. “She’s been skipping lunch often because of homecoming,” Sunghoon said and I felt guilty. 

Was she skipping meals?

'She rejected you, she’s not your responsibility'

Heeseung… sometimes you should just shut up.

We were still practicing when we saw EJ and y/n.

“Looks like you guys are training hard~” EJ taunted and she smiled at her accepted soulmates. She ignored me, Heeseung, and Jake. Heeseung looked at her for a second before snapping out of it and going towards Sooha… was she a distraction for him?

He then glared at me and I looked away… I then looked at Jake, who looked sad? 

“Are you okay?” I asked and he nodded. “I don’t like that she sees me like a monster… or that Heeseung thinks it's deserved, '' he said and I nodded. “But you did hurt her,” I said and he nodded.

“I can clearly see the turtle neck she’s wearing. So shut up about it, okay?” he said as he left. I needed a break.

“EJ! I need–""Sorry Sooha, but I need to go,” he said as EJ just left… even y/n looked shocked. I guess all of Riverfield was ignoring her.

“y/n… please talk–” “Sooha it isn’t any of her business,” Sunoo said as he hugged her from behind. It almost seemed like a challenge for Sooha. “ It is tough! K rejected me for her… I just wanted a chance. y/n you have to understand” she begged and the witch sighed. 

“I’ll talk to him about it but Sooha give him some time. He can change his mind you know” she said and I wondered if she’d change her mind about– “What the fuck!” I yelled as I got hit by the football.

Of course, it was Heeseung… “Are you okay, Jay?” Sooha said running towards me. I looked at y/n though who also looked worried… did she still care– “Maybe we should finish practice here” Heeseung said and I scoffed. 

“What is your problem?” I asked and he scoffed. “Don’t fight please” Sooha said and I looked at Heeseung who stared at me, almost challenging me…  

“Immature the both of you” I heard Jungwon say. 

“Just stay out of it” Sunghoon advised 

“Let’s get dinner!” Niki said as he pulled y/n away from Sunoo and left… “What the hell, dude?!” I said and he scoffed. “Get over it already!” Heeseung yelled at me. “Heeseung don’t–” “Sooha this doesn’t involve you” he cut her off as he walked away. 

The more he was rejecting his feelings the more resentful he was. 

y/n perspective

“Has Heeseung been more… snappy recently?” I asked Sunghoon and he nodded. “Jay thinks it’s because of you…” he confessed and I thought that too. 

“He thinks he likes you but is ignoring his feelings,” he said. That couldn’t be true though… he was the first to reject me. 

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. You’re stressed enough” he said and I nodded, but It was difficult not to worry  

“Jungwon, I think you need to go back to the council” I suggested and he groaned. “I know but… we're so divided it doesn’t even feel like we’re friends anymore,” he confessed and I sighed. “Don’t let me be the reason you guys aren’t friends. You guys have been by each other's side for such a long time” I said and they sighed. 

“Besides… I don’t think Heeseung can handle being president any longer” I said… I was worried even though I shouldn't be. Even when me and Jay only chatted… he confessed how much Heeseung was drowning himself in work. 

He hasn’t made any move to replace them… in fact, they were still in council but just refused to go back. 

“I think we all need a conversation with each other”

jungwon’s perspective

We walked into the student council room. 

“Yah! Quit acting like you control me!” Jay yelled at Heesueung who only stared blankly at Jay. Jake was also clearly annoyed. “And stop trying to make me feel worse about myself!” he said in retaliation, making the oldest hyung almost laugh mockingly. 

“What do you want?” he said, looking at us now. 

“Did your little love send you here?” he said, clearly trying to annoy me by using my nickname for her. “Yah… get to work will you. You’re behind on paperwork for y/n and she’ll be on me if you don’t finish it.” I ordered him and it must've thrown him off for a minute. 

“You’re not president any–” “Yes I am. You didn’t find a replacement, you never even told the principal of the change so I am. Honestly, are you all trying to ruin my reputation?” I wanted to get them to start doing work. How far has our group fallen?

“The room is a mess!!” Sunoo screeched in horror.  Papers were all out of order… in organizing files too… it's only Riverfield stuff that's been kept up to date and ordered correctly. 

“Heeseung,” I said and he only looked at me… was it jealousy? 

“I’m president, so listen to what I have to say. You’re my vice president unless you need to be replaced” 

Everyone worked quietly. 

Jay, Jake, and Heeseung were too quiet… but they didn’t protest

I was able to look over a bunch of the files that Heeseung was doing and fixed them only having to send them to y/n who would turn them in. 

I was the only one doing the final touches while they organized and cleaned. 

“I think we’re finished for once?” Jake said to Jay who nodded. They both looked relieved. 

Heeseung however could only stare at the desk he sat by blankly…

“Is this a one-time thing?” Jay asked, almost worried that we’d answer. 

“No… teachers have been angry at me for not doing my work. I have no other choice do I?” I asked and they nodded. They still had a wry smile though… I kind of missed it.

Did I miss them? 

“I’m sorry” I heard as I saw Jake bow… “I lost control but I didn’t mean to hurt her,” he said, apologizing for burning her. “You should be telling her that,” Niki said and Sunoo rolled his eyes. 

“She’s still scared of him,” he said and I nodded. 

“Give her time…” I muttered and he nodded. He was sorry… I could see it in his eyes but I didn’t miss Heeseung scoffing. 

He was almost annoyed… 

“I’m not annoyed,” he said and I scoffed. 

“Whatever, make sure to finish the assignment–” I was cut off by the door opening… “Oh… all of you in one room!!” Sooha said with a big grin on her face. 

I kinda missed her– “What the heck, Heeseung?!” I yelled as I felt him smack my head. “You have your soulmate, she should be enough,” he said and I was confused.

“What are you implying ?” I was a bit irritated at what he said.

“No more fighting, you guys are finally getting along again!” she said and I don’t think that's what I would call it. 

“How are you doing?” She asked Jay who looked at her with a fake smile. “Better” he lied.

“She’ll come around just like with Sunghoon and Jake can too—“ “No way is he allowed near her” I cut her off and they all looked at me.

“I didn’t mean—“ “You didn’t feel an ounce of guilt… you didn’t care as long as you had Sooha’s attention,” Heeseung said, shocking everyone.

“That’s not true! I do—“ “The day you burned her. You didn’t care… now that she treats you like the monster you are is when you felt guilt,” he said and I could see the pain flash in his eyes.

He hated being called a monster… he left the room and I could tell he was hurt.

“Heeseung! Why would you do that to him?! He deserved a second—“ “Sooha does he? If K burned your neck raw rejecting you?! Leaving you in fear of every vampire around you while barely even leaving your, studying, or even eating?! None of you saw how she was when it happened… it’s stupid is everyone losing their mind?!” he yelled.

“I think you’re the one losing your mind,” I said and he scoffed “You shouldn’t be thinking things like—“ “Don’t tell me what to do. I don’t like Sooha romantically. I never did… I love y/n and you’re just projecting to everyone” I said and he scoffed.

“Get a grip Heeseung” 

y/n’s perspective

Jungwon came to me with filled-out reports. For once since the beginning of the semester, Declis Academy Council was finished with the reports for the rest of the week. 

“How’d it go?” I asked and he sighed frustrated. “They're all at odds and Heeseung is acting crazy…” he muttered as he buried himself into the crook of my neck. He wrapped himself around me… vampires weren't warm, they were cold so it was nice on days that were a little warmer. 

I heard a knock on the door pulling me away from my thoughts and Jungwon stood up straight. “Jay?” he said as I saw him with… a lunch bag.

“Can we talk?” he asked and I looked at Jungwon who only stared indifferently at him. “You can stay if you want Jungwon, but I'm not gonna hurt her,” he said and the boy sighed. He kissed my forehead and smiled at me. 

“I’ll be around. If you need me, text me okay?” he said and I nodded as he left me alone with Jay. I wasn’t scared of him… just weary around vampires ever since Jake. “I brought you food. The boys said how you haven't been eating because of how busy you were… so I assumed you haven't had dinner yet?” he asked and I smiled softly. “Thank you… I actually had to skip lunch today so I'm really hungry” I confessed. 

“You shouldn’t be skipping meals” he scolded and I chuckled. “I know… but I have a lot of people relying on me, '' I said and he nodded. “Which means you can’t jeopardize your health that way” he scolded and I sighed. 

“Why do you care? Heeseung told me about you rejecting–" "He wasn’t supposed to get involved…” he cut me off looking confused. “Heeseung… he pulled me aside saying you wanted to reject me and that you wanted me to do it. Was that not what you wanted? You like Sooha don’t you?” I asked, confused, about what he wanted. 

“I was thinking about what I would do… since Jungwon found out you're our soulmate I contemplated. I wanted to be friends… to get close and I don't know okay? I just knew I had to be involved with you... I didn't want you to shut me out. But Heeseung got involved when it didn't involve him, '' he explained. 

“The thing is Jay… I can’t be your second option–” “I know… which is why none of this is fair to you. I clearly have feelings for Sooha… but I can’t help but worry about you even before the bond formed” he confessed and I nod.

“So what now?” I asked and he sighed. “I can never be with Sooha. She’s not mine… and I messed up horribly with you. I’m not asking for forgiveness or to be your lover. I just… want you to be happy” he said and tried walking away. I didn’t know what came over me but I grabbed his wrist. 

“Jay… tell me what you want” I demanded and he smiled a soft sad smile. “Nothing–” I don’t normally use magic… and I was sorry for using it on a soulmate but I needed to know. 

“I want to be one of the people by your side,” he said and he looked at me confused. “What just happened?” he asked as I let go of his wrist which he took the opportunity to suspect. 

“You’re overthinking things… but your inner desires sometimes are buried so deep you don’t know what you want” I explained and he nodded. “So I'm sorry… I used magic on you” I said and he shook his head. “It didn’t hurt me… Jake didn’t do as much for you in that department” he said and I sighed. 

“I do want to be by your side… I don’t know if I want to be a lover, a friend. Anything, maybe?” he said and I chuckled. 

“Then be selfish” I said and he laughed. 

“Can I be by your side?”

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[bvnniz]

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ bunny!reader x vox , bunny!reader & carmilla carmine

𝜗𝜚 warnings: forbidden love, bunny’s soul is owned by carmilla, more fluff then anything, idk how aging works in hell but bunny ages like a normal person does, same thing with carmilla’s daughters

A/N: i feel as though this story could have a part 2 ( which would probably include smut ngl . . . ) so please comment & tell me if that’s something you guys would want !!

flashback, twenty years ago when bunny first appeared in hell

carmilla and her daughters had been on a walk when they heard a couple of sniffles coming from an alleyway, clara immediately let go of her moms hand and went running towards the sound.

“clara!” carmilla yelled before following with odette, that’s when they finally found the source of the sniffles when they saw little five year old you crying in the alleyway.

“bunny!” clara practically yelled while pointing at you. “indeed she is, where are your parents, sweetheart?” that just made your sobbing start again “they aren’t here.”

carmilla had taken pity on you, mostly due to the fact her daughters begged for a bunny sister. so she took you in and made you apart of her family.

twenty years later, four months before next extermination

“vox, valentino. glad to see all of the vee’s finally have decided our overlord meetings aren’t good enough for them.” carmilla spoke, clearly annoyed causing you to try not to let out a laugh

vox wanted to state he was purely only there for you. truth was you and vox met a couple months ago, went on a couple dates and have been dating since. except no one knows, especially carmilla.

she was your mom for the past twenty years and if there’s one thing she hated more than anything it was the vee’s. she didn’t even want you coming to the meeting because she was told all three vee’s were planning on attending.

your mother glared at the three before turning to you signaling for you to make your exit, she knew odette & clara would be fine if something were to happen but you were always very sensitive, crying at the littlest things. she wasn’t making you leave to be mean, she meant it to be so you didn’t get upset over yelling.

you nodded before leaving the board room and heading to your room. vox making some excuse which got him out of staying before he materialized in your room.

“voxxy!” you practically screamed before pulling him into a hug. “hi princess.” he smiled back at you. “how’d you get here without my mother noticing?”

he just shook his head in response “i barely see you anymore you really think i’m gonna let her try to get me from seeing my little bunny less than i already do?” he pulled you into a kiss which lasted about a minute before you pulled away “what if my mother comes in?”

he sighed before sitting on your bed “you know valentino and velvette are gonna make that meeting way longer than it needs to be.” you nodded before sitting on his lap and pulling him into a kiss.

the kiss turned more heated after a while, vox laying down with you still on top of him, you grinding against him.

although it only lasted a little while longer before your mother walked in “sweethe- what the hell?!” you had immediately pushed yourself off vox standing in front of your bed “mom, it’s not what it looks like i swear!”

“really because it looks like this tv head has decided to leave an important meeting to try and fuck my daughter.” you just stared at the ground for a second before replying “okay so it is what it looks like . . . but he’s fine mom! i swear! we’ve been dating for months and he hasn’t even done anything bad! we haven’t even actually had sex yet!”

carmilla took a deep breath before continuing “you two have been dating and you kept this from me? you know how i feel about lies.” you tried to reply but you couldn’t find the words, you just stared at the ground more, trying to keep your tears in

“carmilla. do not take this out on her. i asked her out, i only even came to this stupid meeting so i could see her. i love this little bunny more than any stupid sinner could. i know you don’t like me and i know you don’t like me dating your daughter more but i love her and i’m pretty sure she loves me. so please don’t make her stop talking to me or something.” you looked back at vox, him meeting your gaze with a smile

“do you love him?” you turned to your mom and nodded “more than anything.” she nodded back “i’ll allow it, but you so much as hurt her and you will be unplugged.” with that she left.

you immediately turned back to vox before climbing back on his lap “you got her approval!” you cheered before peppering his screen with kisses causing him to chuckle. “we got the approval, bunny.”

[alwayslurkinginthebackground]

Lies - A Pedrotober Drabble

Day Twenty-Five of Pedrotober: Javier Peña Pedrotober Hosted by @norththelemon and @alyssamariag. View the full prompt list HERE and view my entire Pedrotober drabble catalog HERE.

Pairing: Javier Peña x f!reader

Rating: E for this is Exactly what I want to happen to me. Actually not all that explicit, but there are mentions of oral (fem receiving) and p in v sex. This one's really angsty y'all and also has several depictions of panic attacks and coarse language throughout.

Word Count: 2080

a/n: For those that don't know, Javier Peña is my husband. I love him more than life itself. So much so that I was entirely unsure what to write for today until I let Sabrina Carpenter into my head, and "Lie to Girls" provided the prompt I needed. Truthfully though this is just self-service, and this is my Javi.

"You want the truth, Javi? Fine. Deep down? Deep down I could never love you."

The words spill from your lips before you can stop them, self-imposed anger filling your tone as he stares back at you with wide eyes. You've wounded him, hurt him in a way you were certain no one could ever touch Javier Peña, and yet you have.

He's gone before you can stop him, the door slamming behind him and leaving you in stunned silence.

And then, you're alone with the lies that got you here.

Four Months Before

You know who they're talking about before you even slip into the seat at your desk. Javier Peña. It's an assumption you know to be correct based on the whispered discussion about the size of his cock and the way your coworkers wish he would glance in their direction instead of at the women he claims are informants. You've heard it all before, their daily list of reasons they long to end up in his bed providing the soundtrack to your entire life in Columbia. Murmurs of what he might do to them behind closed doors, all trivial to your existence.

Until the moment everything changes.

"He's looking at you," one of them hisses, and you drag your gaze up to lock with his from across the room. His stare is soft, brimming with something that looks like concern, but it's immediately tainted by the fire of those staring at you.

"Shit, he's looking at her?"

"What did she do?"

"Are they sleeping together?"

You don't tell them the truth, that you're only visible to him now after months of working in the same building on the same case because he found you in the parking lot outside last night. Lies had tumbled out of you as you tried to erase the evidence of the tears from your eyes, but he'd seen right through you. He broke you down piece by piece until you confessed everything to him. Mourning the conclusion of a relationship that you'd convinced yourself was good for you because you would rather stay in it than confront the loss waiting on the other side.

He didn't invite you home the way you'd expected him to, but instead drove you to yours, walking you to your door to confirm that you would be okay. From start to finish, Javier Peña was the complete antithesis of the man you thought he was. The man they claimed him to be. So distant from the rough exterior and innuendo-filled personality you typically avoided at all costs.

You assure him you're fine.

It's the first of many lies you'll tell him.

Three Months Before

You inevitably end up in his bed.

It crossed your mind as he covered you with his body that it would be a one-time thing. You're scratching an itch that's been burdening you both since the night you became a blip on his radar and then you'll move on with your lives.

But the error in your calculation is evident when one night turns into two, which turns into three, and then four until you're spending every night with him between your legs.

You attempt to convince yourself that it's just sex instead. Lies you tell to stop the eventual heartbreak. You write it off as stress relief, something you both desperately need. When he has you pinned up against the shower tile it's because Escobar managed to allude him again. When he's eating you out on the kitchen counter it's because you were denied the promotion you so obviously deserve. And when he's fucking you within an inch of your life, the bed creaking below you to the point that you're afraid it might break, it's simply because Steve spilled his coffee all over Javi's favorite jacket.

And then it's not just sex either.

The storm clouds roll in as the last of the evening light fades on the horizon, lightning flashing as you speed back to your apartment. It had always unnerved you, the way Mother Nature could unleash her fury, and while you were reluctant to admit it to anyone, the rumble of thunder frightened you more than anything. More than horror movies, more than spiders, and certainly more than your job with the DEA.

By the time you make it home, rain is falling. The sky flashes continuously as you turn on every light in your apartment. You know you're not truly in danger, but the subconscious part of your brain won't allow you to do anything other than curl up in your bathtub with a plush blanket and a pillow, which is exactly where he finds you.

"Carino," he soothes when he locates you, easing his way into the tub behind you so you can lean back against his chest, strong arms encompassing you in safety. You feel the kiss he presses to the side of your head and can hear the quiet words he mutters to calm you. It works, and for a brief moment, you let yourself believe that this isn't a lie after all.

Two Months Before

Rumors only grow.

Someone catches you when you ease into the passenger seat of his car, a rare smile on his face when he leans over to steal a kiss. A coworker observes the way he lingers in your presence, making excuses to bring paperwork to your desk instead of anyone else's. The chatter intensifies as he walks into the Embassy each morning, hair sticking up on the back of his head like he can't be bothered to tame it, only for you to fix it later when you think no one is watching.

It spirals before you can even try to hide it.

"Have you seen them together?"

"They have to be fucking."

"Lucky bitch."

You change desks to escape it. You remove yourself from the constant questioning and away from his watchful gaze like it will do something to stop the whispers. A feeble attempt at keeping up the charade as you try to quell the suspicions racing around the office. An effort to deny the allegations that you're more than colleagues and about the way he fucks you in the evidence room.

Which, he does, but you never admit it, and neither does he.

Out in the open, your life is a fabricated reality, but when you're sated and tangled in the sheets of his bed, the lines begin to blur.

He explains that the women really were informants, but that they also filled a void he's spent most of his life trying to fill. He tells you about his childhood, about growing up on the ranch, and how he hopes to return there when this can all be put to rest. He's honest when you ask about his past relationships, giving you the backstory on the lies he'd been told that nearly resulted in a marriage he couldn't fathom being in now.

Especially not when he has you.

When you tell yourself he's telling the truth, it still feels like a lie.

It's late. Too late.

Javier always appears like clockwork, but tonight he's nowhere to be seen. It makes you nervous, especially when the distant sound of gunfire sends a chill along your spine. The clock hits ten. Then eleven. When midnight rolls around, you're doing everything you can to convince yourself that he's fine. That he just got caught up with something at the Embassy, that he's with Steve and they've finally found a lead that takes them somewhere productive.

And then, something triggers in your mind.

Doubt creeps in. Your heart rate increases and you try to steady your breath as the whispers grow louder.

"Think she knows he keeps a tally?"

"She should get out while she can."

"It's only a matter of time before he cheats."

By the time he appears, you've convinced yourself that they're telling the truth.

"Where were you?"

He doesn't meet your gaze, the first sign that whatever is about to follow is exactly in line with the warnings you should have listened to sooner. You should've believed them instead of lying to yourself. You'll never be good enough for Javier Peña.

"Please, just..."

"Where. Were. You?" You repeat, standing your ground. Javi remains silent, the anger clouding your vision to the point that you miss the haunted look in his eyes. The one that you should've noticed. "Get out."

His expression shifts to something more hardened. He runs a hand through his hair as he blows out a puff of air. "I'm sorry, I just..."

"Get out, Javier."

"I love you," he says at the same time.

Everything stops. "You don't mean that."

"I do," he returns, taking a step closer, "and don't even try to lie to me, because I know you feel the same way."

You spiral, panic setting in until you're no longer sure which lie you should believe. Yours or theirs. The idea that he's been bound to leave you from the beginning, or the concept that you could never love someone like him anyway. The argument that you're together or the case that you're not. The plea you make with yourself that you love him or the reasoning that he could never truly love you. That everything is based on a lie.

So you lie, too.

"You want the truth, Javi? Fine. Deep down? Deep down I could never love you."

Two Days Later

You learn why he was late and it destroys you. The horrors he witnessed in the dark of night are revealed from the shadows and it makes you sick to think that instead of enveloping him in your arms, you sent him away.

He hasn't shown up at the Embassy since.

"Bet he's out fucking another informant."

"What did I tell you? Notch on the bedpost."

"Think he'll fuck me next?"

You want to scream at them. Want to set the record straight once and for all, that every second of the relationship you've shared with Javi has been tainted by the lies. The ones they've told you and the ones you've told yourself. And now, because you were stupid enough to believe them, you've fucked it up.

The phone calls you make to his apartment go unanswered. You beg Steve to check on his partner, but Javi never opens the door. You've thought a dozen times about stopping by his favorite bar just to see if that's where he's ended up, but you talk yourself out of it. You convince yourself that he doesn't want to see you and resolve that it's the truth. A final attempt at masking the way your heart is breaking.

But the lies can't dull the reality that the only one who hasn't lied is him.

Grey clouds blanket the sky when you step into the parking lot, your eyes immediately traveling to the empty spot reserved for him. Drops of rain fall on your skin, mingling with the tears you can't seem to stop. You haven't slept. You can't, not when your mind insists on repeating his words over and over.

"I love you."

By the time you make it home, thunder is rattling the frames on the walls of your apartment. Your subconscious takes over, melting away at the emotions you've been riddled with for days and replacing them with fear. Fear of the storm outside, yes, but also the fear that you'll never see him again. The fear that you'll never have the chance to tell him the truth.

The wind picks up quickly as you land in the hallway, your arms wrapped around you as the storm outside matches the intensity of the one raging in your mind. It's overwhelming, the flash of lightning mirroring the detonation of your relationship as you sob into your knees. It consumes you to the point that you're completely unaware of the warmth. You don't notice when he carries you to your bed, barely registering the way he coaxes you back to reality.

"Breathe, mi amor. Breathe."

He holds your face against his neck, hand on the back of your head as he draws you close. His breath is steady and he encourages you to match it. Slowly, you do, and as the sound of the storm dies down, so do the voices, until the only one left that matters is yours.

You finally tell him the truth.

"I love you."

"I know you do, Carino. I know."

[hungermakesmonsters]

Catch Me If You Can

Chapter Twenty-One

Plot summary : When your friend interviews for a position at Anvil, you have a chance encounter with Billy Russo. He takes you for coffee and, by the time you’re done, Billy decides he’s anything but done with you.

Pairing : Billy Russo x Reader

Story Rating : R 

Chapter Rating : R - back to their smutty selves

Warnings : [This is a fic for 18+ only, minors DNI] Nothing massive, just some smutty behaviour in public and a brief visit to Billy's mother in the care home. Please check the warnings on each chapter if you choose to follow this story. 

Word Count : ~4.7k

A/N : After last week, we're back to more slightly fun times with reader and Billy. This is set around a couple of weeks after the last part!

CHAPTER ONE | CHAPTER TWO | CHAPTER THREE | CHAPTER FOUR | CHAPTER FIVE | CHAPTER SIX | CHAPTER SEVEN | CHAPTER EIGHT | CHAPTER NINE | CHAPTER TEN | CHAPTER ELEVEN | CHAPTER TWELVE | CHAPTER THIRTEEN | CHAPTER FOURTEEN | CHAPTER FIFTEEN | CHAPTER SIXTEEN | CHAPTER SEVENTEEN | CHAPTER EIGHTEEN | CHAPTER NINETEEN | CHAPTER TWENTY

Chapter Twenty-One

It wasn’t easy. Nothing about going back to Billy after everything that had happened was easy, and you both seemed to understand that something had shifted in your relationship. There were no more lies between you, no more walls to hide behind. When you’d told him the truth about Scott, you’d let him see a part of yourself that only one other person knew, and when Billy told you about Frank, about how he’d always traded his brother for a lavish lifestyle, he’d let you see how flawed he really was.

The honeymoon period of your relationship was over and, now, you were privy to the darkest parts of each other.

Only a year ago, that level of intimacy with another person would have terrified you, but now, knowing that he loved you despite your mistakes, made you feel closer to him than ever. And, in turn, knowing more about the things that hurt him, the things that made him hate and second guess himself, made you feel like you could actually support him when he needed you, instead of pretending like everything in his life was perfect.

The conversation about you moving in came up again and, of course, you said yes. Karen came through with the offer of a job with The Bulletin. And, suddenly, you felt like you had purpose again, like you were actually living your life instead of just existing. Karen even wanted to take you on a girls weekend to Mexico to celebrate.

But the new frankness in your relationship did cause a few little bumps, but they were things that you knew couldn’t be rushed; like Billy’s panic attacks. He still wouldn’t talk about them though, thankfully, he hadn’t had any that you knew of since your photography show.

And, on the topic of the show - well, let's just say you and Billy had words a couple of days after the show when almost half the photos that had been sold turned up at the penthouse. But, as much as you might have wanted to be annoyed about it, when he told you that he’d bought them so that he’d always have something to remember you by, you knew you couldn’t stay mad. And you had to admit that you’d never really been comfortable with the thought of anyone else owning that photo of him.

Little by little, he opened himself up to you, but never more so than he agreed to let you meet his mother. Though agreed might have been too strong of a word for it.

“I’m going to be late to Karen’s party tomorrow,” he told you as you sat down to dinner together.

“That’s okay, I can wait for you,” you shrugged, assuming that work would be keeping him late. 

“No, it’s fine, you should just go ahead. I don’t know how long I’m going to be.”

“I’m sure Anvil won’t go bankrupt if you decide to finish an hour early on a friday,” you joked.

“It’s not a work thing,” he confessed, awkwardly dropping his gaze for a moment. You didn’t ask, you just gave him a moment, letting him decide if he wanted to tell you. And he did. “I go to see my mom on the last friday of every month, just to make sure everything’s -”

He trailed off into a sigh before offering you something of a shrug. That one little gesture told you everything; he wasn’t going because he wanted to, he was going out of some sense of obligation.

“I’ll go with you,” you told him the words coming out before you could even stop to really think about it.

“No, you’d just be waiting in the car, you might as well just -”

“No, I mean, I want to meet your mom.”

“What?” It was hard to tell if he was more shocked or confused.

It took you a moment to find the words to explain it to him. “For better or worse, she’s your family Billy and I want to get to know every part of you.”

Billy hadn’t been happy exactly, but he did relent and give in to you, and the next day, after work, the pair of you drove to the little home where his mother lived.

First impressions were not great, and you could understand why the PI had had such a low opinion of where Billy was choosing to keep his mother. A part of you did feel bad as he led you through the dingy, sterile corridors, the sounds of other residents echoing all around you.

You gripped Billy’s hand a little tighter and, when he gave you a concerned look, you explained to him that it reminded you of a hospital and that you hated hospitals.

A couple of the nurses offered muttered hellos as you and Billy passed them before stopping at a door labelled Carla Russo. He looked at you for a second before taking a breath and opening the door.

You weren’t sure what you expected, but what you found on the other side of that door certainly wasn’t it. Over the months you’d known about Billy’s abandonment, you’d built up this picture of a malevolent, uncaring and selfish woman. You’d pictured her as a monster, but the bedridden woman in front of you was the opposite of what you’d imagined. You felt almost bad for her, seeing what years of substance abuse had done to her.

Billy introduced you but you barely heard it, barely noticed much of anything until he let go of your hand and made his way around her bed to softly kiss her forehead. His mother didn’t react, but your attention was more concerned with Billy; with the stiff way he carried himself and the way he seemed to be forcing back a frown. 

He spoke with his mother for a few minutes, as if she’d asked to hear about his day and how his work was going, while you took a seat. You half-listened, just watching Billy and trying to imagine a happy scene, one where his mother acknowledged him and smiled at his achievements, rather than staring vacantly at the ceiling.

When his attention finally returned to you, it was to tell you that he needed to go speak with her doctor, asking you if you’d be alright waiting there on your own or if you wanted to go wait in the car.  You told him you’d stay, that you’d wait with his mother.

The minutes ticked by and you remained seated and silent, watching the figure on the bed as she just laid there, until something compelled you to stand, to move closer. 

You looked down at her with all the sympathy you could muster, seeing a woman who should have still had so much of her life in front of her. As much as you wanted to hate her, all you really felt was pity, but not because of the state that she was in.

“You should know that your son’s a good man,” you told her, even though she gave no indication that she was listening or even realised that you were there, “he’s kind and funny,  and so full of love. And he’s all of those things in spite of you. I don’t know how hard it was for you to leave him like that, but I pity you - not because you’re like this but because you gave up your chance to know him like I do. You gave up the chance to know what it’s like to be loved by him.”

If she could hear or understand what you were saying, she didn’t show it, but you weren’t quite done.

“He’s been through so much on his own, but he’s not alone anymore; he’s got me now, and I’m never going to abandon him like you did. You didn’t love or protect your son when he needed you most, but I’m never going to give up on him. I’m going to love him the way that he deserves to be loved.” The words tumbled from your lips and, somehow, you felt better for having said them, even if Carla Russo showed no signs of understanding you.

A moment later, Billy was back, telling you that he was ready to leave. You both gave his mother a terse goodbye before Billy took you by the hand and started leading you away. He didn’t say anything, as you stepped outside and started down the street towards the car. For a time you didn’t even think anything of how tightly he was holding your hand - you just assumed that he was feeling a little vulnerable after everything you’d just witnessed.

That is, until he pulled you off the sidewalk and into an alleyway.

Before you could ask what he was doing, Billy was kissing you, pressing you back against a wall with a familiar urgency. And, once you felt his erection pressed against you, any questions you might have had about what he was doing were rendered moot; he needed something from you and couldn’t even wait until you were back at the car to get it.

Without breaking the kiss, he lifted you, one hand pulling at the fastenings of his pants while the other held you securely until you thought to wrap your legs around his waist and your arms around his shoulders. The kiss broke as one hand slipped beneath your dress to pull your panties aside and the other pressed two fingers between your lips.

“Wet them,” He instructed, already sounding breathless.

You did as he asked without question, licking and sucking his fingers, lathering them with saliva. Once they were coated, he slipped the fingers between your thighs and used them to prime your entrance. While he did that, he took a moment to spit on his own hand before fisting his cock, trying to lubricate it. 

His fingers pulled out of you, and you cried against his lips as his hips slammed into yours, filling you with every hard inch of him in one rough thrust. Despite his best efforts, you still weren’t wet enough, still weren’t ready for him, but you knew that this was more about Billy and what he needed than anything else. And, as he started to fuck you, your body quickly caught up, slickening around his cock and aiding his movements.

You fisted his hair, holding on for dear life and trying to ignore the scrape of brickwork against your lower back as Billy fucked you, taking everything that he needed from you. The quick and rough jerks of his hips told you that he wouldn’t last long, but you knew you wouldn’t either at this pace. And, honestly, the thought of doing this outside, in some filthy alleyway where anyone might stumble across you, thrilled you more than you ever thought it would.

He grunted against your lips and you did your best to swallow down every sound he made, even as his cock started to pulse inside you and you felt him start to come. You didn’t hesitate before reaching between your bodies and starting to rub your swollen clit while he emptied himself inside you. It only took a few moments more for you to find your own sweet release, your body trembling, your walls squeezing around him, before you both finally stilled.

He stayed inside you, his eyes finding yours, and you could tell his mind was racing, though you weren’t sure why. Your grip on his hair loosened and you slowly started to run your fingers through his locks, trying to set it to rights.

“Did you mean it?” He asked quietly and, for a moment, you weren’t sure what he meant. “What you said to her - did you mean it?”

“You heard that?”

“Every word.”

“Of course I meant it,” you told him as your lips pulled into a smile. “You’re mine, Billy. And I’m yours.”

“Forever,” he added before leaning in to kiss you again.

But the sounds of people on the street had him quickly pulling out and putting you down. You let out a groan at the feeling of emptiness and grimaced at the feeling of his cum starting to trickle down your thighs. Billy offered you his handkerchief and you did your best to clean yourself up while he did up his pants and kept a lookout. 

“I can’t believe I’m gonna have to sit through this whole birthday dinner thing knowing you’re full of my cum,” he muttered, in a half-joking and half-serious tone that caused your cheeks to heat. 

“Then you should have finished in my mouth instead,” you answered back quietly and the look Billy shot you had you almost bracing yourself to go again. For a few. Long seconds you held his gaze until he finally relented and let out a laugh.

“Maybe I’ll find us another alley once we’re done with dinner.” He smirked, holding out his hand to you.

“Is that a threat, or a promise?” You asked, grabbing his hand and holding tight as you started walking back to the Wraith.

It felt like his mood had lifted and he seemed more relaxed than he had when you’d first arrived to visit his mother. And you were glad, you were happy that you’d gone with him, and that he’d heard every word you’d said to Carla Russo. More than that, you were glad that he’d believed it.

When you finally made it to the restaurant, half an hour later than planned, Karen was first to stand to greet you both. And, as expected, you were the last ones there. Everyone else was already seated, each with a drink and the complimentary breadsticks were long gone. While she came to greet you, Billy did the rounds to greet his friends. 

“Glad to see you finally managed to pull yourself out of Billy’s bed,” she smirked, and your cheeks immediately started to warm.

“That’s not - we weren’t -” you tried to argue.

“Please,” Karen laughed, “you look like you’ve just had your brains fucked out.”

Your hands quickly moved, nervously trying to smooth down your dress and hair, which just made Karen laugh more.

“I don’t mean like that, I mean -” she paused for a moment to look at you and think of the perfect word, “- it’s like you’ve got a glow or something.”

Your eyes went wide at the connotations of that word. “Karen, glow is really not a word I want to hear.”

“Why not? You’re using protection, aren’t you?” She asked and your cheeks continued to get warmer.

“I’m on birth control, but we...” you took an awkward breath and shook your head. “Look, it doesn’t matter, it’s not... that. We just - I dunno, we got a little bit closer today. Billy trusted me with something important and one thing kinda just led to another...” 

“Uh-huh,” she kept smirking. “So things have been good since you decided to give it another go?” You nodded and Karen threw a glance in Billy’s direction. “Well, whatever it is you two have been up to, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this happy.”

Your gaze followed her and, a moment after you started looking, Billy was staring right back at you, a disarming smile on his lips. Karen uttered something about finally being able to order and shooed you in the direction of Billy and the two empty seats that had been saved for you both at the end of the table. And, honestly, you were glad to get away from her.

“You alright?” Billy asked, seeming to notice your embarrassment as you took your seat at his side.

“I’m fine, Karen was just being Karen,” you told him and Billy nodded, even though he had no idea what you meant.

Food was ordered and you enjoyed sitting back and watching Billy interact with his friends, happy that he seemed to be so happy. But his attention always returned to you eventually. By the time you’d all finished eating, everyone had had more than enough to drink to start getting a little louder, joking and laughing with each other.

Billy leaned towards you, pressing a kiss to your cheek before whispering in your ear. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

Your heart skipped a beat, thinking back to the first time he’d uttered those words; the party, the bathroom, the way he’d kissed you, and the way he’d made you come for the first time. You bit your lip for a moment, earning a grin from him as he pulled back a fraction. Your eyes flitted down the table, noticing how everyone else seemed absorbed in whatever story Curtis was telling. Billy’s eyes didn’t stray from you.

His hand found your bare knee, causing you to inhale sharply - and that just made Billy grin more. His fingers moved slowly, ghosting up your thigh and taking the fabric of your dress with them while your legs instinctively started to part for him. You knew you were playing with fire and that this couldn’t go much further, but that didn’t stop you from shifting forward in your seat and making sure the table cloth hid what you were doing.

The further up your thigh his hand got, the more you knew you needed to tell him to stop; you needed to be the voice of reason because you were certain that any thought of common sense had long since abandoned Billy. 

His name was called from the other end of the table and you almost breathed a sigh of relief as he turned from you and started talking to his friends. Almost. Even though he wasn’t looking at you, his hand kept moving, higher and higher.

You reached for your wine glass and tried to take a drink to keep yourself from moaning as his fingers finally pressed against your wet panties. The warmth of his fingers bled through the wet fabric and all you could think about was how you wanted so much more. Despite being sat at a table with twelve other people, you wanted to feel him inside of you.

“Right?” Billy spoke suddenly, looking at you with a big grin on his face, pulling you into the conversation, even though the only thing you could think about was his hand between your legs and how needy you suddenly felt.

You nodded, even though you had no idea what they were talking about. Everyone laughed and Billy continued talking, his fingers still pressing against you, slowly rubbing, driving you more and more insane with every passing moment.

When he finally dared to slip beneath the fabric and run his fingers through your arousal, you closed your legs. As much as you wanted it, you knew that you couldn’t; not there, not like that. But Billy’s hand remained, his fingers still teasing you as your thighs squeezed around his hand, and you knew you’d have to do something before you gave in to what you both so obviously wanted. 

Leaning towards him, you pressed a kiss to his cheek, while your hand gently pulled his from between your legs. You whispered in his ear; “not here.”

You stood and excused yourself, heading for the bathroom, slipping inside and leaving the door unlocked behind you. Less than a minute later, Billy was with you, locking the door and pressing you back against it.

“I can’t believe you were going to try to make me come on your fingers in front of all your friends,” you tried to feign annoyance but the way he kissed you, left you with only one thought in mind.

“You should’ve told me you were so wet, sweetheart,” he groaned against your lips, “your panties are soaked.”

“Some of that is your fault,” you told him as your hand started to tug at the zipper of his pants.

“We’re gonna have to be quick,” he told you, letting out another groan as your hand reached into his pants to pull out his already semi-hard cock, “I think Karen already knows what we’re doing in here.”

“Less talking, more kissing,” you told him and Billy was glad to oblige, kissing you deeply while your hand stroked his cock.

You expected him to lift you up but, instead, you felt a gentle pressure on your hip, his hand urging you downwards. Eagerly, you dropped to your knees, your hand still running over his shaft. For a moment, you looked up at him, wanting nothing more than to tease and drive him crazy, but you knew that you didn’t have time for that.

Wrapping your lips around the thick tip of his cock, your hand continued to pump the shaft, feeling him getting harder and harder, and when he started to leak, your tongue greedily lapped it up.

He groaned your name, fisting your hair and bucking his hips forward, trapping you between him and the door as he thrust more of his cock between your lips. You gladly obliged him, pressing forwards and starting to give him what he wanted, listening to his barely contained grunts and groans. As he pushed closer, you found yourself trapped in place, with your head pressed back against the door as he took over completely. His hand stayed in your hair, holding you in place as he started to thrust in and out of your mouth, slowly at first and then a little quicker.

Your eyes stayed on his watching as, piece by piece, he seemed to start losing his mind. There was always something so real and so raw about moments like this with Billy, where you knew he was being driven by nothing but instinct and need. He needed you and, fuck, it felt good to be needed.

“Fuck,” he growled as you pressed your tongue against the underside of his shaft, drawing your cheeks in and sucking as he moved, pushing him closer and closer to the edge.

As his breathing got heavier and heavier, you braced yourself for his climax but, rather than coming, Billy suddenly pulled out of your mouth. 

His hands pulled you up by your arms and, before you knew what he was doing, he’d manoeuvred you around the tiny bathroom and bent you over the sink. Your eyes found his in the mirror as he pulled up your dress and tore your panties. You bit your lip to stifle the moan that wanted to tear from you as his cock filled you.

With one hand on your hip and the other on your shoulder, Billy didn’t waste any time before he started to fuck you. Every time he thrust into you, you found your thighs knocking into the sink - it would probably leave bruises, but you didn’t care. You didn’t care about anything except Billy and the way he was making you feel.

But the way he was fucking you made it impossible to stay quiet, and you knew you were one loud moan away from everyong in the restaurant outside knowing exactly what you were doing. So, you took his hand from your shoulder and pulled it over your mouth. And Billy’s reaction in the mirror sent a thrill straight to your core. And, with his hand muffling your gasps of pleasure, his thrusts only got faster, rougher, giving you both what you so desperately needed. 

You hand stayed pressed over his against your lips, making it feel like some tender and intimate thing and, for you and Billy, you supposed that was exactly what it was. This was who you were; two people so in loved, so stuck on each other that you couldn’t even make it through a whole meal with friends without wanting to fuck each others brains out. And perhaps that should have embarrassed you, but it didn’t. 

You were so happy. So in love.

Billy leaned over you, his lips on your neck for a moment before finding your ear and muttering that one little word that was guaranteed to send you over the edge.

“Mine.”

That one little word felt like it set off fireworks inside you, your body trembling as his hand pressed tighter against your mouth muffling the moans of pleasure that tried to escape as your body trembled. Billy came a moment later, pressing his lips back to your neck to dampen his own growls and groans, his hips still moving slowly, making sure to draw out the moment for both of you.

When he finally pulled out, it took you a moment to stand back up, reaching for some tissue to try to clean yourself up. Smoothing your dress down, you laughed as Billy picked up the tattered remains of your panties from the floor and placed them in his pocket.

“When I move in with you, am I going to find a drawer full of all the panties you’ve ripped off me?” You joked, reaching for him and brushing a stray strand of hair away from his face.

“It’s the second drawer in my nightstand, but it’s nowhere near  full. Yet.” Billy grinned, and you honestly couldn’t tell if he was joking, and you knew you’d have to check once you got back to the penthouse.

You checked your make-up in the mirror and made sure you didn’t look like you’d just been fucked by your boyfriend over the bathroom sink, before letting out a sigh. You didn’t want to go back out to the others, you wanted to stay with Billy, but it had already been almost ten minutes and they’d probably all already figured out what you’d been doing.

“I’ll go back out now,” you told him, slipping past him to reach the door, “you should wait another couple of minutes - pretend you got a call or something.”

Billy nodded and agreed, and you gave him one last little look before slipping out of the bathroom and returning to the table.

A few people had left in your absence, and everyone seemed to have moved further up the table to be closer to Karen, so you took the empty seat at her side, even though it put you a little closer to Frank than you would have liked. 

Karen gave you a look and you knew that she knew exactly what you’d just been doing. Everyone kept talking for a moment until one topic ended and Curtis moved the spotlight to you.

“Karen was just telling us how you two are going on a long weekend to Mexico, you sure you don’t want some company.” Curtis joked.

“It’s a girls only weekend,” Karen answered.

“How’d you get Bill on board with that, anyway?” Frank asked, and everyone was gracious enough to ignore the way you almost flinched when he spoke to you.

“Get me on board with what?” Billy asked, as he sat behind you, making a show of putting his phone down as if he’d just been on a call.

You let out a sigh and shook your head.

“You didn’t tell him yet?” Karen asked and you turned to see Billy looking less than happy about having no idea why he was suddenly the centre of attention. 

“Tell me what?” He was looking straight at you, and you hated that you were going to have to have this conversation straight after everything that had just happened between you.

“Me and Karen are going on a girls weekend to Mexico to celebrate my job with The Bulletin. I was going to tell you last night, but...” you didn’t have to say it, Billy knew that you’d both been a little distracted by thoughts of you meeting his mother.

“Oh, okay,” he shrugged like it was nothing, and you had to hold back a sigh of relief.

Tense moment averted, the conversation continued and your hand found his on the table, giving it a tight squeeze as a silent thank you. You’d talk about it later, you’d explain to him how you wanted a little break from the city and - well, it was only going to be for three nights, and once you got back you’d be ready to move in with him. But, thankfully, as far as you could tell Billy was fine with it. So, instead of worrying, you just enjoyed the rest of the evening, waiting until you could go home with Billy.

Chapter Twenty-Two

END NOTES :  So, after some drama they're back to their normal selves. I know the last few chapters have been a little bit heavy, so hopefully this one is more of a fun read. Also sorry it's a little later than usual, I got busier than expected this week.

As always, thanks for reading , and a big thanks to those who follow, like, comment and reblog! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

If you want adding/removing from the tag list let me know (I know it’s not working for everyone - if it’s not working and you don’t want to miss a chapter, I post every Friday around 7:30pm gmt)

TAG LIST

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[yanderecrazysie]

can I request about the scenario with suga tho? and to make it better make the reader a little tsun tsun so that it's understandable that he didn't think he is her crush.

maybe she's having a conversation with the girls and the topic went to their crushes. and when she started describing him they caught on and asked "is it suga?" to which she denied and said that he's too bland and boring for her taste.

she didn't know he was listening, he didn't know she was lying

I especially love that last line.

Title: Deny

Pairings: Sugawara Koushi x Reader

WARNINGS: Yandere themes, drugging

Summary: Sometimes denial leads to more issues than confessing the truth.

deny

/verb/

refuse to admit the truth of (a concept or proposition that is supported by the majority of scientific or historical evidence):

“It’s not like I actually need help on my homework or anything,” you lied, “I just want an outside perspective.”

Sugawara smiled brightly, as he always did. Your heart melted a little every time you saw that smile, but you’d never admit it to anyone, least of all him.

It wasn’t as though Sugawara had done anything to warrant that response. If anything, he’d earned the right to know how you felt about him through kindness and neverending patience. 

It’s just how you were: you didn’t like being vulnerable and that’s that. End of story.

“I’d be glad to help you, even if you don’t need it,” Sugawara replied. He always seemed to take you so seriously and not at face value at the same time. He respected your wishes without ever getting offended or questioning your responses.

Maybe that’s why you were head over heels for him.

He was just such a kind person, you felt bad every time you lied to save face. He didn’t deserve your snarky remarks and cold attitude, but you couldn’t help it. It was in your nature.

You hated these kinds of chats with your friends most.

Boys, boys, boys- it’s all they ever talked about since hitting puberty and you were always subject to their questioning.

“Don’t you like anyone, (Y/n)?” a girl named Sakura asked, “Even just a little?”

You stubbornly shook your head.

“Come on, there has to be someone!”

“There’s no one. Every here sucks,” you stuck your nose in the air, hoping to come across as confident in your response. You tried your best to keep Sugawara’s smiling face from swimming in your mind, as though the other girls might accidentally see it.

“I don’t think that’s true,” Emi, another one of your friends, stated playfully, a grin growing across her face, “I think I know who she likes.”

“Who?” Sakura asked, her question quickly echoed among the other girls.

Immediately, you felt your face go hot, “Me, myself, and I. That’s three people. There, happy?”

Emi ignored your sassy remark, “I think she likes Sugawara Koushi.”

Gasps rang out from your friends. One by one, you could see the gears turning in their heads as they thought back to the times you two interacted. Putting together the puzzle pieces to see that Emi was 100% correct in her guess.

“That’s not true at all!” You were seething now, desperate to regain control. Desperate to stave off the heat blooming in your cheeks and that terrible feeling of embarrassment.

“Come on, you know you like him,” Emi prodded, “You’re always spending time with him.”

Your voice rose, “I do not like Sugawara, okay? We’re just friends, that’s all!”

“He’s totally your type though, isn’t he?” Emi teased, “Smart, sweet, and-”

“Boring! Plain! Average!” You snapped, “He’s literally so cookie cutter that it’s annoying. He has no personality whatsoever. He’s like a blank sheet of paper. He even looks boring.”

Emi blinked in surprise, “Woah. I guess you don’t like him. Sorry.”

“You should be,” you huffed, relief like a flood throughout your body. Finally, the attention was off you and that vulnerableness was gone.

You were safe.

That’s where your memory ended. It was a sudden shift, from the cafeteria to this dark room. Logically, you knew you’d been drugged and some time had definitely passed, but it sure felt like you had teleported.

Your cries for help died when the door to the room opened and Sugawara strode inside, looking grim.

“Why?” You didn’t bother hoping he was there to save you- he showed no hint of surprise on his face upon seeing your bound form, “Why did you do this?”

“I had to,” Sugawara said, head bowed a little, “What was I supposed to do? Stupid, boring me thought I had a chance, but I was wrong. I had to do this, it was the only way.”

It took you a moment to put the puzzle pieces together. And when you did, your heart dropped straight into your stomach.

“I was lying!” you spluttered.

Sugawara froze for a moment, a stunned expression crossing his face before it softened into a smile. One that didn’t make you melt this time.

“Then that’ll make this a whole lot easier.”

[the-coffeeaddict-tim-drake]

Just a Kid Next Door - Chapter 1

Bruce is finally back from being stuck in the time stream. Tim managed to save Batman and his loved ones. Now it is time for Tim to go home and rest. But the problem is that, Tim has no home. Or that's what he thinks so.

This will be a multichapter fic on how did Tim reconcile with his family. It will be full of angst, family feels and family shenanigans.

Masterlist

Here is the link to read the story in ao3.

-------------------------------CHAPTER 1---------------------------------

He figured it out. Holy shit, he actually managed to figure out the way to bring back Bruce from being stuck in the time stream. And the Justice league used his plan to save Batman.

 Sure, the last six months had been hard on him – Death of his father and not-so death of Kon, Bart, Steph and Bruce – has definitely taken a toll on him. But on the bright side, he managed to save Bruce and all of his loved ones, right?

He figured it out, right? Then why does Tim still feel empty. Why does he still have the urge to cry until he has no more tears left, shout until his throat burns and pull his hair out until he has no more left. Why does he still feel the needles pricking his skin which makes him want to puke even though he hasn’t eaten anything in a while? Well, three days isn’t just ‘a while’, but he knows for a fact that it’s not a lot too.

These six months had not only been painful but had helped him draw a lot of conclusions. See, Tim is a detective and hence he rely on logic and proofs to believe almost everything. Even though he don’t like what he has to believe sometimes, but truth is the ultimatum.

His string of thoughts is interrupted by Superman who shakes the teen.

“Uh?”

“I was saying that J’onn and Diana managed to put Bruce in the med bay. We ran all of the tests and now are waiting for him to gain consciousness.” Clark says tiredly with an expression of relief on his face.

“Oh”

“Rest, kiddo. You look like you could really use some. I’ll let you know when he wakes up.”

“I don’t wa-“

“I’m afraid Superman is right, Red Robin. We will alert you once Batman gains Consciousness” Wonder Woman interrupted him.

“I’m fine” Tim hissed.

Why did suddenly everyone care about him. Didn’t they consider him crazy a while ago? They didn’t care about him when he repeatedly tried to prove Bruce was alive, and now they want him rest when he finally proved them all wrong.

The Kryptonian and the Amazonian shared a worried look.

“Look child, you have worked tirelessly these few months to bring back Batman. You are just a human. Your body needs rest.” Diana said, her voice laced with concern.

‘They’re faking it, they don’t really care about you’ Tim’s brain chimed. He shuts it down. He doesn’t really have the energy to argue back, so he lies.

“Okay, but I want to see Bruce before I go to take some rest.”

“Of course Kiddo.” Superman added.

Tim dragged himself to the med bay. He didn’t realise until now how much his body ached. He really want to take a long shower to wipe off the grim and dirt from his body and drink at least two cups of coffee to feel better.

‘Later’ he reminded himself. ‘Maybe Alfred would have made something delicious for dinn-‘

‘Oh’

He doesn’t live in manor anymore. All the bitter memories from six months before floods his brain. How can he forget any of those? He’s alone.

Wait

He is lonely. He’s been lonely his entire life. He had no one even when he was in the Drake manor, not even his own fucking parents cared about him. Then what’s so new about this.

Maybe, he is just unlovable. Well, that would explain why his parents left him in that cold Manor every time they chose work over their son. And the reason why Dick chose Damian over him and took from him the only thing he had and valued more than his life and gave it to Damian. And why Alfred did nothing when he moved out of the manor. And why no one did anything when he legally emancipated himself from the family.

And would explain why he and Bruce never shared the bond he had with the previous robins. ‘It’s because they were his sons, and you were just the kid next door who forced himself into the mantle of Robin’ his brain chimed again.

A tiny part of him don’t want to believe any of this. But it’s the truth. And truth is the Ultimatum.

He let out a long sigh. He doubts the bats even noticed he went missing these few months. Well, he can’t really blame them. It is the fate of Tim Drake to be unlovable. The least good he can do is leave the family. It wasn’t really like they considered him one anyways in the first place, but they mean everything to him.

They were the very few people who cared if he ate or slept, treated his injuries, listened to his opinion and made him feel like he was important too. Maybe that’s what Tim thought they did. Maybe he read all the signs wrong. Maybe they were just being nice to him. Maybe they were Pretending.

Gosh, Tim feels like slapping himself. Why hadn’t he realised this soon enough.

Tim took too much advantage and space. Forcing himself into the mantle of Robin is one thing but forcing himself into the family is entirely another. He became Robin to save Batman from destroying himself and people around him.

Then why did he crave for his love and attention. Why did he think that he at least  meant something to them. It’s all his fault. He was digging his own grave all this time. He had too much fucking expectations even though he knew the truth all along. Yelp, now he has to face the consequences.

But no matter what, he loves them. Loves them so fucking much that it hurts. He still remember what he had said to Ra’s before the old man pushed him from the WE building.

“Bruce might not consider me his son, but he is still a father to me.”

His spiralling thoughts came to an end when he reached the door to the med bay.

Gosh he missed Bruce. Missed him so much. All he wanted to do was hug him and never leave. But he knows he cannot do so. Bruce might want to meet his family first. Six months of being stuck in the time stream would make him want to spend a lot of quality time with his family first, not some random kid.

A quiet sob escaped from his mouth. He touched his tear stained cheeks and realised he was crying.

‘Stop crying, stop being so weak. Accept the reality and move on’ he told himself.

 ‘It’s not the time or the place to have a fucking panic attack’ he told himself again.

Wiping his tear stained cheeks, he opened the door to the Med bay to be greeted by the sight of his sleeping mentor/not-so father figure.

He let out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding until then.

He smiled for the first time in many many days. Bruce is safe. He is no longer stuck in the time stream. Tim felt a wave of relief wash over him.

He might not mean anything to them, but they are everything to him.

[seokmthw]

search the universe | park gunwook

⇢ pairing: gunwook x reader

⇢ warnings: soulmate au, slight angst, fluff, mentions of death, brief mentions of alcohol

⇢ word count: 3.3k

⇢ synopsis: timers are stamped onto your wrist with the amount of days you have left until you either die or find your soulmate. since you had gotten yours, you had a hard time believing it was the latter.

⇢ note: i know this is a really cliché soulmate trope, but i have a love for it that i can't quite explain. i'm hoping this won't be the last you see of soulmate!zb1, so be on the lookout in the future for more from me! <3

JOIN MY TAGLIST!

i.

soulmates were a weird concept to you from the moment you learned about them. wveryone around you - friends, family, coworkers - have always been excited to find the people they’re meant to be with for the rest of their lives. you never understood the hype, much less how the actuality of it all was ever achievable in the first place. everyone whose timer you witnessed ticking down almost always met their death sentence, so you had every right to be apprehensive about whether it truly worked or if you've been fed lies for your entire life.

everyone was born with a timer on their left wrist with chunky black squares and beaming red digits that never lit up until you reached a certain age in your life. yours started on your sixteenth birthday with the fresh set of bold letters reading 1,095 days. that was exactly three years, no more, no less. it was a rare occurrence someone would ever be branded with the same date as their birthday, but the universe just seemed to hate you more and more for not believing it’s incredibly stupid logic. your nineteenth birthday was either going to be magical or tragic for those around you, but you already knew everything was going to take a turn for a worse, so why stress about it?

that day was now exactly a week away and your parents and group of friends were stressed out more than ever because they weren’t sure if they should plan a party or a funeral. you told them all not to worry about it, that you didn’t care, but they never seemed to listen. which was fine, you were used to people losing their minds over your slowly deteriorating time, but you just wished that once in a while someone would pay attention to how you felt. 

especially now, where your two idiot best friends were frantically pacing the living room in your shared apartment with their thoughts spewing directly from their mouths out into the open. they had absolutely no filter, so talks about a gruesome death and an unforgettable birthday bash were the main topics.

“guys, seriously, it’s fine. i really don’t want you to be in a constant state of distress because i’m going to die before you do,” you said.

yujin stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with bewilderment as he gasped, “y/n, if you say anything like that one more time i’m going to kick you.”

you merely shrugged, “i’m just speaking the truth.”

gyuvin, who had just thrown himself onto the plush loveseat, sighed loudly but didn’t say a word. you knew that every time you talked about this you made them upset, and tension was even higher now that the numbers on your arm had a seven on them. you just wished they would accept your fate and move on, because really, you didn’t think it was a big deal. 

“come on, please don’t be upset with me,” your voice grew soft at the sight of their somber faces and your own realization that this was having more of an effect on them than you initially thought, “if i am going to die, let’s make this last week one of the best we’ve had in our lives, okay?”

yujin and gyuvin shared a look before they finally nodded and you were engulfed in a bone crushing hug. it felt good to feel their arms around you, because at the end of the day, you needed them more than anyone else in the world. you just hoped that they would be able to move on past it all and continue to live for you. after all, they adorned a hefty amount more numbers than you did, so they still had a while. 

“we love you, y/n, and we get mad at you because we care so much,” gyuvin whispered, so it felt like it was only the three of you in the whole universe, “now are you going to let us plan a party or not?”

“please let us plan a party!” yujin exclaimed.

you huffed in mock annoyance, “fine, but you have to promise me you won’t go too crazy. i don’t want you guys to get your hopes up and the outcome be worse than you expect.”

“deal.”

three days after your compromise with your friends, you were sat at your favorite restaurant, where they wanted to ask your opinion on some of the party decorations. however, the initial reason was soon deflated due to you recounting a dream you had. to say they were surprised was an understatement.

"you what?” gyuvin exclaimed, causing you to cringe back into your spot of the booth. he and yujin shared almost the same expression the moment you began recounting the news to them.

slowly, you replied, “i told you, i had a dream about someone i don’t know. it was so weird though, because i couldn’t see their face whatsoever.”

and it was true. the past two nights you’d had the same exact dream. the first time, things were foggy and clouded, making it to where you could only hear his voice. however, the second night, you could make out a bright smile and glittery brown eyes, but nothing more. you met your friends’ gazes, shrugging your shoulders, “it’s really not that big of a deal. i don’t know why you guys are so surprised about it.”

“you are such a dumbass,” yujin replied as he buried his face in his hands, his voice muffled as he spoke the next time, “have you not listened to a single thing we were taught about the timers in school?”

“no! i’ve always slept, you should know that. i sat next to you during the lectures.”

gyuvin looked as if he were about to slam his head into the wall next to him, “it’s literally common sense to know that when you have a dream about someone you don’t know when your timer is almost up that it’s your soulmate.”

you rolled your eyes, shoving rice from the plate in front of you into your mouth to avoid saying anything that could upset them. no matter what anyone said, you just couldn’t even begin to think how it’s logical to believe the stuff school fed you, especially when it came to those numbers. you were absolutely not going to become brainwashed into thinking that a meager dream could have any significant correlation with your timer.

“i think you guys are just trying to get into my head to make me believe these stupid things are actually worth my time,” you laughed.

“it sounds to me like you’re trying to tell yourself not to actually take what we say into consideration,” gyuvin stated matter-of-factly, spooning a mouthful of the stew he’d ordered into his mouth, with an eyebrow quirked up in question. yujin suppressed a smirk next to him.

you fell silent at his words. it wasn’t because you believed him, because you certainly did not, but you were done talking about it. you made a promise to yourself not to utter a single word about your dream around either of your best friends - you knew they would do this - but your tongue had different plans for you and now the situation was a mess. their accusing glances, wide grins, and shared looks were enough to give it away.

you threw enough cash to pay for your meal on the table and scooted out of the booth, your lips pressed into a thin line, “i’ll see you guys back at the apartment.”

“y/n, wait!” yujin called after you, his voice faltering slightly, “we didn’t mean to upset you!”

“just let them go, yujin, all we ever do is make them mad anymore. maybe it’s best to have some time apart.”

gyuvin’s words sent a pang of guilt and sadness to your chest, and it took everything you had not to choke on a sob right then and there. it took a lot for him to say something that could be hurtful and knowing you were the one that caused it made you want to scream until your voice went hoarse. however, you refused to turn back and apologize, because you weren’t the only one in the wrong. they were just as much at fault as you were. 

soon, you found yourself sat on a swing in the park a few blocks from your apartment complex, tears staining your cheeks and your heart hurting. what if your friends were right and you were just blowing the entire soulmate thing way out of proportion? was everyone else you’d seen meet their death just the less fortunate? questions flooded your mind and had no intention of stopping any time soon. you felt dizzy from your brain taking on so much at once and you were beyond grateful for the seat below your body that kept you steady. 

you never thought that you would consider having a soulmate as a possibility, but here you were, wallowing in self-pity and hatred for yourself for causing everyone around you grief just because you couldn’t seem to see the logic until four days before your timer ended. sighing, you aggressively wiped away the remaining tears on your skin and rose from your spot. it was about time you started to head back to your apartment. 

an apology was long overdue anyway.

ii.

thin fog swirled around your ankles as you walked toward the shadowy figure just in your line of vision. the soft pink glow of the sky reflected in his eyes - which were as sparkly and happy as ever - and glimmered beautifully in his hair. he seemed far beyond your grasp, and just when you thought you were getting closer to him, he was even further back than before.

what originally started out as a walk became a light jog in a desperate attempt to reach him. you swore for a moment you could catch a glimpse of one of his features you’d previously been unable to see before, but it was gone just as you were about to reach him. you were now broken out into a sprint, your legs burning and heart racing.

you needed to see him. 

but, he just kept getting further and further away, his gaze haunting you with unanswered questions and a plethora of what if’s. you refused to give up. you pushed your legs harder, extending them to your absolute best ability to cover more distance between you and his dark presence. with your arm stretched out, you called, “wait, please!”

the boy finally stopped - though it was unclear if it was because of your desperation or exhausted state - and held his hand out for you to take. you forced your legs to a stop, your eyes frantically searching the features visible to you to try and cling on to what little you were offered. the same two features as before; his hair and his eyes. 

for a fleeting moment, you saw something flicker across the the lower part of his face, just beneath his nose. However, just like that, it was gone, but you knew exactly what it was.

a gummy smile.

iii.

it was finally your birthday, and the day that you would be meeting whatever fate you had in store. you had woken up at ten o’clock, thankfully, but now it was five o’clock and you still had six hours and twenty minutes left on your timer, so anything was possible. you were a lot more nervous than you expected, but since you’d spent your entire life resenting this day, it wasn’t as overbearing as you imagined it would be. 

the moment you entered into the kitchen, yujin and gyuvin were showering you in hugs and loads of “happy birthday, y/n”s but the troubled looks in their eyes were hard to miss. you could have sworn you saw a tear slip onto yujin’s cheek and that gyuvin’s breathing was slightly uneven, but you decided not to comment on it. not on this day. you didn’t think you could live with yourself if you sparked an argument on what could be some of the last moments you had with them.

instead, you hugged them both for a good five minutes, relishing in the feeling of security and comfort their grips held. the nagging in the back of your mind told you to enjoy as much of their company as you could in those remaining thirteen hours, because you very well could never get it again. and neither could they. pushing the thoughts back, you gladly dug into the dinner the pair made for you and watched the drama reruns that were playing on the television in the living room. it was a favorite among the three of you, so it only felt right to turn it on and delve into the world of your favorite characters.

about an hour later, your friends ordered you to stay in the apartment and get ready for your party while they went and set up, which was code for “hey, we don’t want some freak accident to happen before your timer is up so just stay here where we know you’re safe,” but you certainly weren’t complaining. as of right now, the safer, the better.

once left alone until they were to come to pick you up, you dropped to your knees in the middle of the kitchen and sobbed. this entire situation was all too real, and you could feel the steady grip you once had on being sure you were ready to accept your death starting to slip through your fingertips. you had no right to be upset, this was the day you were waiting for your whole life just so you could prove to everyone that you were right.

but you were just so scared.

there were so many what if’s, so many unknown factors of what the rest of your evening had in store. you weren’t sure you were ready to find out, but your timer was dead set on getting you to that point. the more you looked at the crimson numbers, the more your belly twisted and turned. you hoped that if you were to die, it was quick and painless, and if you were to meet your soulmate, you wouldn't be the most awkward person in the world.

you sat on the cold tile with silent tears flowing down your cheeks for what felt like an eternity, but only ended up being twenty minutes before you finally pulled yourself together and forced your legs to take you into your bedroom so you could get dressed. you had less than a couple hours before yujin and gyuvin would be back, and if you didn’t look collected and put together, all hell would break loose. you chuckled at the thought while you threaded your legs through your skinny jeans and put your top on. 

by the time your best friends had come back to get you, you were going stir crazy penned up inside of the apartment, so you were glad to finally be going somewhere. the drive there was full of music blasting and lots of laughs, but the sadness was still heavy in the air. you couldn’t blame them, though, because you definitely felt the same way. 

once at the venue, you couldn’t help but gasp at the sight. everything was outside, fairy lights casting a warm glow across the otherwise dark section of the area you were in. a bonfire was already raging in the middle of it all. people circled around it with drinks in their hands and smiles stretching across their faces. you couldn’t believe how many people actually came or how much yujin and gyuvin had  outdone themselves with the entire setup. 

“this is so beautiful, guys, thank you,” was the only thing you could manage to exert from your lungs before you were pulling them both into a tight hug, suppressing the fresh tears that threatened to spill over at the snap of a finger.

gyuvin laughed softly, “anything for you.”

“we love you, you know that, right?” yujin inquired, pulling back slightly so he could meet his gaze with yours, “so much.”

“i love you guys too.”

your moment only lingered for a few moments after that, because next thing you knew, people were bounding over to you and wishing you a happy birthday. hao and hanbin, who you hung out with occasionally in high school. taerae from the time you dared to sneak out of your parents’ house just to go on a midnight mcdonald’s run with him. matthew and ricky, your old roommates before you decided to move in with yujin and gyuvin. many of old classmates and even a few people you didn’t know. all for you.

you could feel yourself gaining control over your nerves and body once more as you conversed with everyone. all of the weighted thoughts were nearly forgotten about. that is, until you decided to steal a glance at the remaining time left on your wrist. you could feel your chest tighten and your breath hitch in your throat.

three minutes.

that was it. three meager minutes until you either died or met the person you were supposed to be with for the rest of your life. you swallowed harshly. it was best you didn’t mention anything and cause everyone to go into a state of panic, so instead you practically glued your arm to your side and refused to look at the time anymore. whatever was going to happen was left in the hands of fate now.

you took a drink from the cup in your hand, craving for a distraction from the anxiety that was caused from looking at your timer. a light tap on your shoulder was able to be felt and you turned to find yujin, who was smiling widely, “i wanted you to meet my friend, gunwook, who i told you was studying abroad! i figured i would invite him to the party since he was back in town.”

your gaze shifted to the boy that was stood next to yujin. the moment your eyes met with his, a spark was lit and it completely engulfed you from the inside out. the world around you faded, leaving you with only him. his dark brown hair that was illuminated by the light of the bonfire, his honey brown eyes the sparkled like the stars that blanketed the sky, but most importantly - his gummy smile.

he felt the same. you could easily tell by the way his face contorted to an expression that was nothing but pure joy. almost instantly, he pulled you into his arms, burying his face into the crook of your neck, breathing in your scent. you melted into him, basking in the warmth that he radiated and the feeling of security that you felt in his hold. softly, he whispered, “i’ve been waiting for the day i could finally hold you.”

“i’ve been waiting for the day i could put a face to all of the features i saw in my dreams,” you replied, entirely unable to suppress the grin that broke out onto your lips.

you pulled away from his grasp, flipping his wrist, as well as your own, over to bear the thick zeros that now adorned your wristsand were lit up a bright green. this was it, you finally met your fate, and you were so glad to know that it was with the captivating boy who visited you in your dreams. 

gunwook cupped your cheek, examining your face, taking in every inch, every detail that he could. leaning forward, he was just barely apart from the shell of your ear, lips brushing your skin as he spoke words to you that you wanted to hear over and over again for the rest of your life.

“if i had to search the universe to find you again, i would in a heartbeat.”

[shitty-davesprite-daily]

Do you plan on making it official with john?

TG: okay ignoring how much of a dumbass question that is TG: par for the fuckin course i guess. glad were keeping it consistent here TG: what the hell does that mean anyway TG: 'making it official' TG: walk into the fuckin dmv like hey whats up TG: oh nah im not here for a license to kill that shit doesnt expire for like another year im all good on that front TG: i was actually here to get my license to gay? TG: and then the asshole at the front counter tells you that you filled out the wrong form even though youve spent a goddamn hour of your life waiting in line and the other asshole at the front desk told you needed to fill out form 69b when whoops look at that turns out you needed to fill out form 69b.1 TG: you idiot TG: you goddamn waste of space get out of here TG: what the hell do you mean you didnt know that apparently youre not meant to listen to the asshole at the front desk TG: fuckin two doors scenario up in this bitch TG: two assholes sit at a desk. one only tells the truth one only tells lies that are aggravatingly similar to the truth TG: and fuck you if you get it wrong because youre spending another hour in line to do it all over again TG: you think we just hand licenses to gay out to any random asshole that wanders off the street? nah man youve gotta prove your worth TG: youve gotta earn that shit TG: by spending the next three months of your life trying again and again with whatever fuckin form you can find TG: motorcycle license application? sure. change of address form? fuck it. a random leaf you found on the floor outside? fuckin go for it maybe thatll work TG: no wonder no ones gay that shit cant be worth it

[lotus-n-l0ve]

𝐇𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐦𝐢 : 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 || 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏

— Ryomen Sukuna x OC [Hayami]

➷ ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ : Hayami, whose beauty only the king of course could see.

➷ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ : Mention of blood, Sukuna being an ass, not proof readed, 1.8k words.

➷ ɴᴏᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ʟᴏᴛᴜꜱ : I had a poll asked you guys to choose between two fanfic ideas. Since most of you chose Sukuna so here it is. However I decided to change this fic to a oc story to suit the story more but if you want then you can imagine yourself. Hayami in Japanese means 'rare or unusual beauty'. If you like the chapter then please leave a like, comment and reblong. Follow me for more like this. Enjoy ♡

𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 || 𝐉𝐮𝐣𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐮 𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 || 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

Bloodied feets ran over the rough and wet ground as Hayami kept running farther and farther onto forest. The pouring rain not making her job any easier. The wet and heavy fabric of sticking to her scared skin.

Hayami thought wheather she should just give up or keep running. She was far away them. Far into the forest. Surely they won't be able to find her right?

The thick trees parted to a clear area. A shrine standing tall and proud in the middle with high wall surrounding it. Hayami opened the metal gate and ran up to the steps of the shrine in hope of finding help but by the fifth step Hayami was loosing conciousness and by the nineth step Hayami was already falling on the ground unconscious.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Ms? Excuse me?"

Hayami stirred up, blinking her eyes open, she raised her head from the ground. She looked at the person hovering over her and asked still in daze, "What?"

"Are you okay? You were passed out here on the steps." They asked.

"Oh, oh. Yes. Actually I was here looking for work but I blacked out. Do you need someone for cleaning or other stuff maybe?" Hayami lied through teeth. She possibly could not tell the truth to this unknown person.

"Yes, let's go inside." They led Hayami inside the shrine.

Hayami wandered her eyes around the shrine and was surprised to see so many people working there. Girls, women, men, everyone. They were cleaning the shrine, washing clothes, carrying thing. After years Hayami felt hope bubbling in her heart.

"This shrine belongs to Lord Sukuna. Here everyone works for him and in return they get place to stay, food to eat and money for needs. Most here are like you. Came here looking for work." The white haired person said in a monotone voice.

They farther said, "You will work with them. Everyday you will wake up at dawn and start working. Understood?"

Hayami nodded her head in affermation, "Yes, I understand."

Both of came to a stop in front of a door, The white haired turned to Hayami, "This is your room. Get ready and come meet me. Ask anyone for Uraume and they will tell you where I am."

They said before leaving. Hayami opened the door and walk inside. The room was farely big. Inside was three futon folded meaning Hayami would share the room with others. On one side was cupboard. Hayami opened it and saw kimonos folded inside.

Grabbing a black kimono Hayami changed out of her wrinkled and wet kimono. Then she left looking for Uraume. The shrine was big. Last night in the dark Hayami couldn't see very well but at daylight she could see just how big it was. Asking one of the passing by maids Hayami found Uraume standing in the in the garden.

"Uraume-sama?"

"Yes....?" Uraume narrowed their eyes, realising that they don't know her name.

"Hayami."

"Hayami wash this dirty clothes and hang them to dry." Uraume instructed before leaving behind Hayami.

Hayami picked up one the dirty haori and took a look at it. It was big, really big. Hayami could littraly use it as a blanket. At the front some red substance had dried out. Hayami didn't need to be genius to realise what it was.

The gear in her brains were moving and she remembered what Uraume had said to her previously.

'This shrine belongs to Lord Sukuna.'

Air was knocked out of her lungs as she slapped a hand over her mouth. What did she got herself into? Who does not know Ryomen Sukuna?

He was said to be a notorious monster. He wrecks havon only for his amusement, eats human for meals. He, who voids of any mercy. Who destroys anything and everything on his way. Who's name is a curse that people are scared to say it out loud.

But-but everyone here seem to be happy. If he was that bad they would not be working here right? Right. Hayami would just lay low and work like any other worker here. For that she would get a roof to sleep under, food and also salary. All she had to do was stay out the lord's sight.

Gulping down the vomiting feeling Hayami started dropping piece of clothing one after another in the lye water. Hayami's day spent like that. Washing clothes, doing dishes and cleaning the floor. With two breaks in between.

By the time work ended it was already close to midnight. Hayami finally got meet her other two roommates. They were not how Hayami was expecting. Akio and Rika were her two roommates. Akio was easy to approach.

But Rika was not. She gave of supirior energy and like to believe she was above others. Hayami found out that Rika was here even before Akio came and that Akio came here almost four years ago. Rika bosses around over others and whatever task Uraume gives her, she makes others do the task.

No one dares to oppose her because romers has it that she was a favourite of Sukuna. As much as anyone can be. Rika uses that her favour real well. Rika's name got added in Hayami's 'to avoid list'.

Hayami spent almost two weeks successfully avoiding Sukuna. Whenever she heard about him, she ran the other way. But that peace didn't last for long. One evening Uraume ordered Hayami to deliver new set of clothe in his room.

Hayami fiddled with the fabric in her hand as she in front of his room. Running the same sentence again and again and again that 'Knock three times, go in, keep the clothes on the bed and run back. AND KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN.'

Hayami slowly raised her hand and knocked exactly three times but got no answer. She opened the heavy craved door and entered. The room huge. Barely any light entered the room because the black and red cartains, making a dim atmosphere.

There was a stage type with seven steps and on top of it sat a big bed with red and black silk blanket. Hayami resisted every urge to look around and made a bee line to the bed and kept the folded clothes on it. Then as she ran back to the door and tried to open it, in an blink of an eye, she was pinned against the door on her chest.

A pained sound escaped her throat. One hand grabbed the nape of her neck and other pressed against her lower back. Two hands slammed on the door on her both side.

"Who are you?" A gruffed voice growled.

Ryomen Sukuna.

"I'm-I'm Hayami, Lord Sukuna. Uraume-sama instructed me to deliver your clothes." Hayami mumbled breathlessly. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest. Is this her end?

In a flash she was now facing the King of Course and her back was now against the wall. A rough hand grabbed her jaw with so much force that she fared her jaw might break.

He tilted her head, "Do you take me for a fool?"

The sharp nails of dug in her flesh. She could feel train blood dropping down from her chin to throat. Hayami squeezed her eyes in pain.

"How can I, a lowly maid, think you as a fool?" Hayami whimpered in pain and unconsciously grabbed his kimono on his chest area.

He ordered, "Open your eyes."

Hayami slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was his board chest. Then travelled her eyes up to meet the four crimson eyes of his. They were glaring down at her. They terrified Hayami, more than them.

When your eyes met something flashed in his eyes but it was gone as soon it appeared. Suddenly jerked away from from her and turned his back on her, "You are dismissed."

Hayami didn't need to be told twice. As soon the words came from him Hayami was already running back to her room.

"O my god! What happened to your face?" Akio gasp once she saw Hayami's bloodied face.

"I don't know. I went to deliver Lord Sukuna's clothes and her suddenly attacked me." Hayami replied. After that Akio didn't inquire farther. His name was enough. She advised Hayami be as far away from him possible. Hayami was still alive was already good enough. Then Akio helped Hayami aiding her wounds.

Later that day deep into the night when everyone was sleeping, in the lord's room stood Uraume in front of Sukuna. Sukuna was taking drags from his kiseru.

"Who came to deliver my clothes today?" Sukuna asked after releasing smoke from his mouth.

"She is a new worker here, Hayami. She came here two weeks ago." Uraume answer in their ever so monotone voice.

Sukuna raised a brow, "Hayami. No surname?"

"No, Lord Sukuna."

"Tell me more about her."

"She came here two weeks ago. She was passed out on the ground. She said that she here looking for work. She does her work well, Lord Sukuna. I found nothing suspicion about here thus far."

"She came looking for work? This far into the forest? Hmm?" Sukuna thought for a few seconds, "You are dismissed. You can leave now."

"Understood, Lord Sukuna." Uraume bowed once and left the lord alone.

Sukuna's brows frowned is conflict. The strong aura he felt earlier was no jock. He almost thought that some strong sorcerer had finally found the balls to come here and kill him. Sukuna was feeling this kind presence of someone strong for weeks but thought it was just Uraume. Today it was too strong.

When he saw her he could not believe that it was coming from her. Sukuna remembered the fear in her eyes. His lips curled upwards at the memory. Sukuna thought to himself—

Hayami, huh? Rare beauty. Let's see how beautiful your strength is.

Please don not copy, reupload or plagiaris my work.

All the rights and credits of Jujutsu Kaisen characters and pictures used belongs to their rightful owners.

➷ ɴᴏᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ʟᴏᴛᴜꜱ : If you want be added to any of my taglist let me in the comments or reblong or inbox.

[robinrites]

Chapter 7

Author's Note: Hey y'all sorry this took so long to get out, just been a bit busy with life and all that fun stuff that goes with it. Pretty mild chapter this week, thanks for reading and I hope you all enjoy :)

CW: panic attacks, description of injuries

Summary: Villain gets some much needed comfort

Hero could hardly stop his jaw from dropping as he heard Villain share what had happened to him. “T-that was only three weeks.” Hero shakes his head in disbelief, “You were there for nearly two years. Oh my gods.” 

“H-hero?” Villain mindlessly began to twist his sheets in his hands again. “A-are you mad at me?” 

“How did he get away with this for so long?” Hero asks no one, still in a state of shock from what Villain has told him. Hero stands up, oblivious to the panic that washes over Villain’s face as he does so. Hero slams his fist into the closest wall as his stomach turns. 

“S-sir?” Villain’s voice comes out barely above a whisper, but somehow it manages to break Hero out of the fog of anger he’s in. 

Hero registers the look of terror on Villain’s face, matched with the way his body has begun to scrunch up, to make himself smaller. Hero rushes back to Villain’s bedside, not even thinking his fast movements will make Villain flinch (it totally does). Hero stops himself from reaching out to Villain, instead placing his hands in his lap. “I’m sorry Villain. That was- I wasn’t angry at you. I promise.” Tears well up in Villain’s eyes regardless. 

“T-that’s what he’d say sometimes.” Villain shrinks further into himself. “I’m sorry! Please don’t hurt me for saying that.” 

Hero’s stomach turns again. “I’m no good at this. You’re safe here Villain, maybe I should go grab someone else to sit with you for a bit.”

“No!” Villain shouts, surprising himself as he does. “I mean, please stay. You’re Hero right? I’ve heard Superhero talk about you. He-he says you’re kind, and you don’t kill scum like me and just send us to prison.” Villain reaches out and grabs Hero’s hand, then looks at him, desperation in his eyes. “P-please don’t send me back to Superhero, I’ll happily go to prison. I won’t ever try to escape I promise. Please!”

Hero sits back down, “You’re never ever going back to Superhero again. Not if I can help it.” 

“B-but I thought you said you’d take me back after I got better.” 

“It was a lie Villain, I’m sorry. It was the only way to calm you down.” Hero drops his head, only then does he notice that his hand is still intertwined with Villain’s. “But from now on I promise, no more lies. And, no more Superhero. I swear on my honor.” 

“I-I believe you. Thank you.”

A knock echoes off the door, “Come in!” Hero hollers, looking back up to smile at Villain. Medic enters the room and carefully walks over to Villain, unsure of his current mental state. 

“How are you feeling, Villain?” Medic calmly asks as he takes a peek at the heart monitor he has set up, then he quickly checks the IV to make sure it’s still running smoothly. 

“Okay.” 

“Are you in any pain?” Medic presses, knowing that if he doesn’t ask the right questions Villain might not tell him the truth. Villain softly nods. “Where does it hurt the most?”

“The most?” Villain took in a breath to think and winced. “I’m not sure.” 

“How are your ribs feeling? Does the pain there just feel like a bruise or does anything feel out of place?” Medic wanted to get a second look at some point anyway, so why not now. When Villain was initially brought in, he found himself rushing to bandage and clean and heal to the best of his ability, but Medic knew that would mean eventually going back over to ensure it would all heal properly. Villain looks at Hero, as if waiting for his approval to talk about his injuries. Hero nods, tightening his grip on Villain’s hand slightly so he knows it’s okay. 

“You can trust Medic.” Hero smiles, “I know you’re having trouble remembering him right now, and that’s okay, but believe it or not you were actually the one to hire him.” Hero can instantly tell this relaxes Villain. 

“He- uh Superhero, broke them at one point. I-I don’t really know how long ago it was, but they never healed right. I can feel it when I-when I breathe. The bruising made it worse, and I imagine the bruising is why no one could tell they healed wrong.” 

“Of course!” Medic exclaims, “Would it be okay if I took a look? Maybe reassess the damage? Unfortunately when you arrived here your injuries were extensive, so I had to spend less time than I would have liked on each injury. Of course you are allowed to say no, but we will have to fix your ribs eventually.”

“Will it hurt?” 

“Yes, but we have options.” Medic forces himself to stop seeing Villain as his friend and more as a patient. He keeps his friendliness but realizes in situations like this it is best to be as gentle and kind as possible. “I can give you a local anesthetic, or we could put you under. I personally feel as if the least painful way for you would be to put you under, but the local anesthetic will work just fine if that’s what you’d rather. And then, of course, after the procedure, while it fully heals we can up the dose of pain medication you’re on and I can give you something to help you sleep. But only if you’d like.” 

“You said I can trust him, right Hero?” Villain nervously asks, Hero nods in response. “Will you- can you stay with me while he operates? J-just to make sure I’m safe?” 

Hero gives Medic a quick glance to make sure he wouldn’t be in the way if he stayed. Medic gives him a thumbs up. “I won’t leave your side, I promise.” 

“You’ll be here when I wake back up then?” Hero nods again. 

“Absolutely. Unless I step out for a bathroom break or to grab water, but even then I won’t be far.” Hero promises, trying his best to comfort Villain with his words. 

“O-okay. You can put me under then.” 

Medic lets out a sigh of relief. In reality, the local anesthetic would have run the risk of not being strong enough, especially for the kind of work he needs to get done. But, he also knew that Villain needs- and deserves- agency, so it would be best to give him options. “Alright, it’s settled then.” Medic quickly glances at his watch, “I have to run out to grab supplies, but I should be back within two hours max and then we can get started okay?” Villain nods as Medic begins to head out the door. 

“Give me a minute Villain.” Hero says as he stands to follow Medic out of the room. “I didn’t realize there was a supply store for this kind of stuff Medic.” 

“Of course there is Hero, it’s called the Hospital.” Medic says casually, then pauses. “I mean- I’m not gonna steal I promise and even if I did it’d be from one of the richer hospitals in the area. They can afford a couple of supplies going missing, plus you saw the shape he’s in, we need the best tools we can get our hands on and-”

“Slow down Medic.” Hero smiles, exhaustion shining in his eyes as he does so. “Whatever it takes to get Villain better. As long as no civilians are hurt, anything goes.” 

“Keep talking like that and you might become one of us.” Medic taunts, but in a friendly way. 

“I mean at this point who’s to say I’m not.” Hero throws his hands up in exasperation. “If anything, it’s shit like this that goes to show that maybe sides don’t really matter. If Superhero can go and do that, what’s stopping him from other things? Can I really call myself a hero if the other “heroes” run around hurting people.” Hero sighs, “I just wanted to say, be safe out there. Don’t get caught, please. Maybe even take Sidekick with you, I think it’d do them some good to get out for a bit. Maybe then they’ll stop sulking around corners when they think I can’t tell they’re there.” 

“Alright you got me.” Sidekick steps out from around a corner, surprising Medic. “I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing. Think of it as extra backup just in case Superhero found our base.”

“You could sit with us in the room Sidekick.” Hero kindly offers, only to be met with their head shaking. 

“I-I can’t look at him right now.” Tears well up in Sidekick’s eyes. “I know you’ve both said it’s not my fault, but maybe if I hadn’t let Superhero hijack our escape plan in the beginning, we wouldn’t be in this mess.” 

Hero gently places his hand on their shoulder. “Superhero is a persistent asshole. Once he had decided to take Villain, there was little anyone could have done to stop him.” 

“Then what’s stopping him from taking him back?” Sidekick nervously asks. “W-what if this time he- he finishes the job?” 

“Last time, I wasn’t privy to all this.” Hero spares a glance back at the room Villain is in. “This time? Superhero will have to kill me if he thinks I’m just gonna let him waltz in here and take him. This time we have a plan. Now, go on and get out of here. Both of you. I think you could both use some air, just let some of the other henchmen know you’re leaving and to be on high alert.” 

“What about you Hero?” Medic asks, “When are you going to get some fresh air? Or even catch a nap?”

Hero stifles a yawn. “If I’m lucky, after the surgery. But for now, Villain needs me. He needed me for nearly two years, so now, I’m going to be there for him.” Hero spins around and reenters the room, waving goodbye as he does so.

[versegm]

Artoria has long mastered the art of nodding and smiling.

People rarely ever want her actual input, anyway. They just want her to validate whatever they say. Why offer her own opinion then? It’s so much less bothersome to just let it happen.

Someone is talking to her. She can hear the sounds. Her eyes are filled with disjointed truths. Artoria doesn’t care. She doesn’t listen. She smiles, and she nods. That’s all she needs to do, right? Smile and nod. No one will notice the difference anyways.

At some point, someone pulls her away from the meeting- probably to lead her to another one. It doesn’t really matter. It’s all shape and color to her. Everything feels blurry, hazy. Like she’s not really here. Shapes and colors, sounds and words, a mass of attributes that cannot be assembled into anything truly recognizable. Artoria lets herself be carried away by the wave of events, uncaring and unfeeling, until-

“Woof.”

The sound is so out of place it catches her attention even in her floating state. She peers down. She’s sitting, she realizes. She doesn’t remember sitting down. How long has she been here? “What?”

Kneeling at her feet, head against her lap like a dog, Ritsuka looks up at her and repeats themself: “Woof.”

The scene is so utterly absurd that Artoria physically feels the haze breaking, forcing her right back inside her own body. “What the fuck?”

“Well, I am supposed to be your pet, remember?” Huh? Ah- right there was this whole- but huh?? That doesn’t- explain much?? “Focus on me. Focus on my voice.” They reach up, grabbing her hand, then pull it in their hair. “Focus on petting me.”

This makes no sense, but she obeys, on automatism if nothing else. Their hair feels rough under her fingers- there aren’t many opportunities to get properly washed in the wilderness. She rubs her fingers in circles, scratching their scalp, like one would a horse or a cat.

“Good girl.” Their voice is soft and quiet, like running water over her palms. “Tell me five things you see.”

Five things she sees? “You.” She responds first. Then it occurs to her that she doesn’t know what else she sees. Everything else had faded into the background of her mind. “My hands,” she adds hurriedly. She struggles to focus, to make sense of the world around her. “The floor. The window.” She blinks, looking around. “The… sconce?”

She fears she might have said something stupid, gotten the answers wrong to a test she hasn’t studied for- but Ritsuka merely hums. “You’re doing good. Now, four things you can hear.”

Things she can hear… “Your voice.” Okay. Okay. She can do this. “ My voice. My heartbeat.” And fuck, it’s loud in her chest, anxiety strumming through her whole being. How did she not notice it before? “The… the birds outside.”

“Good. Good.” Ritsuka leans into her touch, rubbing their head against her palm. “Three things you can touch.”

“You. Again.” Is it cheating to mention Ritsuka for each question? They didn’t say she wasn’t allowed to do that. They didn’t seem angry the first time around, surely they’ll let it slide the second time too. “My… my clothes on my skin. The cushion under me.”

Ritsuka hums again. “Two things you can smell?”

“Iron.” Vaguely, it occurs to her that it’s much easier to pick those up now than in the beginning. “And ashes.”

“Last one. One thing you can taste.”

Her lips part, her tongue quickly darting out. “The… air?”

Ritsuka smiles up at her. “That’s great. You did great, Artoria.” They shift, such that their chin rests directly on top of her thigh. “Are you feeling better?”

Artoria doesn’t reply immediately. She is feeling better; but she hadn’t really noticed how awful she’d felt earlier. Though to be fair, she did not notice anything at the time. “Ah… sorry. I froze up again.”

“It’s alright. It happens.” How strange. They’re lying, of course- everyone lies on some level- but Ritsuka genuinely isn’t blaming her. If anything, they’re angry that she was cornered to such extent, rather that she was too weak to take a single conversation. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

That, they mean it with all their heart. Artoria still doesn’t quite know how to handle that. So instead, she diverts the conversation: “why are you on the floor?”

“Ah, I figured it would fit better the role of a dog? I don’t know, my aunt never allowed her shiba on the couch, sooo.”

Artoria blinks. “That explains nothing. You do realize that explains nothing, right?”

“Look, I needed to do something stupid enough to snap you out of anxiety central, and that was the first thing that came to mind.”

Artoria starts giggling. There are tears at the corners of her eyes. She wants to cry, but she can’t, so laughing it is. “Thank you. Just… thank you.” She twirls a lock of their hair between her fingers. “And you can come sit properly now. I don’t know what a shiba is, but my pet is more than welcome to sit by my side.”

“Much appreciated.” They get up, stiffly, then sit on the bench- only to immediately spray themself across her laps. “Ah, master, my knees hurt from taking care of you. Only the most potent of belly rubs can possibly fix me.”

“Eh?” She feels her cheeks heating up- still not quite feeling like they belong to her, embarrassment hovering above her shoulders but not yet fully catching up to her. “Oh, you’re ridiculous.”

“Sometimes the world needs a dog, and sometimes it needs a clown. I’m good at either role!”

And sometimes it needs a hero, she almost responds. Ritsuka is good at playing roles. They’re so good at it she suspects they don’t remember what their face looks like without a mask.

But she doesn’t say that. Instead, what she says is: “Fine, then, I’ll spoil my pet just this once.” And latches onto their stomach.

“H-hey! That tickles!”

“Should have thought of that before!”

Yes. Ritsuka is good at playing roles. Dog, clown, hero. Artoria is good too; the nice girl, the helpful girl, the child of prophecy.

But here, right now, they can just be two stupid friends. And that’s enough.