#okay he's another one i've drawn a thousand times over

[viktoriaashleyyx]

This is a pro Tamlin, anti Rhysand self insert revenge fic. All characters belong to SJM, but she wasn't treating them right. Tam x reader, Tam x Rhysands Sister (OC), First person narrative. This will also reference Elucien and Neris in the future but we aren't there yet. Contains slight violence, poisons, broken bones. Also profanity. I'm not sure what else to tw if I miss something let me know. This is my first fic. I honestly don't know how to find word count, but it's roughly 4 pages on word docs. Criticism welcome. Rhysands Sister is back and she's pissed. Rhysand gets his ass whooped and Tamlin gets shown love. Enjoy.

Ch 2. Ch3 Ch4 Ch5 Ch6 Ch7 Ch8 Ch9 Ch10

Tarquin BC

Chapter 1:

I crash landed on a stone surface. A balcony of sorts? It was well built if it was, considering how long I've been falling, I'm shocked I didn't crash right through it. I know now that making a deal with the gods is a lot like making a deal with a damn djin. 

“Who goes there??” A booming male voice barked. I could hear swords drawn. Fuck where am I? My ears were still ringing, vision blurred, and chest heavy from the impact. I blinked my eyes open to find a winged male looming over me. Another illyrian? Have I finally made it home? Fuck, then that means I am in the night court. Damnit, 7 fucking courts in Prythia and I just happen to land here. At my brother's court. 

This ones expression shifted from threatening to complete shock as his gaze landed on my eyes. “Sky?” 

At my brother's court and at his fucking house, Freya has a sick sense of humor. I slowly sat up, ignoring the hand the illyrian extended to me. 

“Your wing!” He gasped. So thats what that throbbing pain was. My wing seemed to have been snapped in the fall. “You need a healer, go get Madja” he commanded the other brute. 

“Don't bother” I dismissed, standing up slowly. I pulled a small glass vial out of my pocket, a healing potion, I always kept a few on hand, never know when you're gonna need it. I downed the bitter red liquid as I've done a thousand times and grabbed the dagger off my hip. I put the handle in my mouth and bit down on it as I grabbed my own wing and straightened out the bone. I held it right for about a minute until the potion worked its magic. It hurt like crazy but I was careful not to show these idiots, the fear and shock on their faces was satisfying if I am being honest. 

“I'm guessing you are Azriel and Cassian, though I can't tell which is which” I admitted, trying to seem just polite enough to leave. 

The one next to me spoke first “I'm Azriel, he's Cassian” okay, Azriel short hair, Cassian long hair “this is Mor and Amren and she is Feyre, High Lady of the Night Court” 

“So my brother is dead?” I had hoped my excitement would come off as concern. 

“No, no, they rule together, as equals” Cassian spoke

“Got it” this conversation is dragging. I need to leave. 

“It's so nice to meet Rhysands sister, we thought you were dead, I'd heard so much about you” Feyre gushed, “Rhys is out on important business at the moment but he should be back soon.” I had no use or interest in this small talk. 

“How old are you?” I looked at her as if to study the young thing in front of me. I was never good at pleasantries. I spent a good while in isolation and I tend to just blurt out the questions on my mind. 

“I am 21” Feyre replied sharply, yep I angered her with my lack of class. 

“Ew, 21 years? Ugh, my brother always did like them unreasonably young.” I'm just gonna keep going with it, hopefully she'll throw me out. 

“My age is not a disability” Feyre snapped. 

“It's adorable that you think that.” I'm in too deep. Oops. “Anyway, I am sorry I crashed into your home, I had little control, but I would like to leave now.” 

“You will apologize and bow to your high lady.” Cassian growled. Azriel stepped in front of the door. 

“She is not my high lady, I am not a citizen of your court, in fact, I am starting to feel like a prisoner.” It's not lost on me that I have bore the title of Queen, multiple times. In both cases I have dismantled the monarchy entirely, setting up a system in which the people vote on who leads them. Her title meant nothing to me. I bow to those deserving, not the one who rely solely on birthright. But she doesn't need to know this. I have more important things on my mind than to argue with a child "I will request one more time, you move and allow me to leave.” 

“Or what?” Azriel snapped. Unmoving. 

I did not want to show this much of my hand just yet, knowing this magic is not native to Prythia. But, if they want to twist my arm, so be it. A swirling purple circle opened up under me and I fell though, closing it quickly behind me. Portals were my favorite magic to do, in more cases than once it ensured my freedom.

Landing softly on my feet, I took in my surroundings. Cool air, rolling green hills, and the sounds of birds chirping in the distance, the Spring court. I was finally home. I eventually spotted the manor I spent so much of my time at as a child. Mother didn't make me train with the illyrians as she did my brother because she feared the treatment I would receive, also by the time I came along she had befriended the ladies of the other courts. We would spend weeks here at times, the children would play together and the mothers would discuss adult things we didn't care about. One of those things being alliances, and what better way to encourage an alliance between Spring and Night than by an arranged marriage.

I didn't mind them encouraging me to play with the cute blonde shapeshifter. He was kind and silly and only a couple years older than me. The other kids, mainly Autumn boys, were rough and volatile, and I just had no interest in what they considered fun. When I would get flustered by my wings knocking things over and getting in the way, the youngest Spring boy would remind me how beautiful they were, or how powerful they made me. The few times he would get a chance to practice his fiddle, I would dance and twirl, even if it was just the arpeggios. He was the 3rd born, and I the second and a girl, they didn't expect either of us to become High lord. 

The manor was about a mile away, I shot up another portal to the door, I was tired after all and, if I'm being honest, a little excited to be back.

When I reached the door it was broken in half and wide open. I creeped inside, cautiously. It looked to be abandoned. Dirt and dust coated the walls and floors, priceless artifacts shattered and books thrown from the shelves. I noticed claw marks in the furniture. “Please just be alive, after everything, I can’t be too late.” I whispered to myself. My heart sank as I looked around. 

Further into the dilapidated manor, I heard muffled voices coming from the kitchen. “Get out.” a tired weak growl. I ran to the entrance and just as I rounded the corner I saw my brother's boot kick in the chest of.. Tamlin. He began spitting up blood. 

“WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?” I hissed at my brother. 

Rhysand whipped around towards me, Tamlin looked up from the floor, eyes wide. 

“You're alive??” Rhysand darted towards me and I shoved him to the ground, rushing to Tamlins side. I knelt down beside him, held his head up from where he laid on the floor and pulled another glass vial out of my pocket. 

“It'll be bitter but swallow” I commanded gently. He didn't argue, he took the healing potion and I kissed his forehead as I laid him back down gently to address my brother. 

I stood tall. Nothing but pure rage in my violet eyes toward my brother. I always hated how much we looked alike. “THIS is the ‘important business’ you told your wife you had to take care of?” 

“I thought he killed you, he hurt my mate.” Rhysand admitted, no remorse. 

“And I finally make it back home after 300 years in exile to find you kicking mine” I state through gritted teeth. 

Rhysands eyes narrowed “your what?” It was obvious he wanted me to retract my statement, not going to happen. I didn't waste my time away, I knew I was more powerful than all of Prythia, I had to be, in case I had returned to Amarantha still terrorizing the place. 

“You heard me.” I maintained his gaze. In a split second he lunged for me and I reached my hand out into the small portal that appeared to my side. I grabbed one of the curved blades I was gifted by the warriors I previously trained with. These blades were specifically enchanted to drip poisons into the wounds they create. This one? Bloodbane, or as Prythians call it, “Faebane.” I slashed him across the face in a controlled move, just enough to leave a scar and allow the poison to sink in. 

He screamed in pain and looked back up at me. My eyes fell entirely black and cracks formed across my face as I spit my curse at him, lifting up his chin with my sword to make him look me in the eye “IF YOU, OR ANY OF YOUR LACKEYS, ENTER THE SPRING COURT BORDERS AGAIN, ALL OF THE AIR WILL BE DRAWN FROM YOUR LUNGS, AND IF YOU CANNOT GET OUT BEFORE YOU PASS OUT WE WILL FEED YOUR BODIES TO THE PIGS.” I relaxed, my face returning to normal. “Now get out.” A portal opened below him and he fell, leaving him only halfway up the steps to the House of Wind. 

I turned my attention back to Tamlin, he had sat up, the healing potion having done its job, looking up at me with a million different emotions on his face, shock, fear, concern, confusion and relief. I sat down next to him, draping my legs over his. He embraced me like I was going to disappear any minute. “You're alive. Or I am dead, I do not care as long as I have you in my arms again.” he sighed as we just sat there on the floor. 

I awoke the daemati powers I hardly used as I pressed my forehead to his. A gentle knock on the walls of his mind, and he allowed me in. I shared the memories I held dear for all these years, of us playing in the fields of Spring, the days he would spend with me in the gallery his mother gifted me, watching me paint, the mischief we would get into and the giggles we would share. His face relaxed into a soft smile as I kissed his cheek.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

@ladythornofrivia asked to be tagged❤️

[welcome-to-roomba-fazbender]

HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSERY TO

CHARLIE THE CURSED PHONE GUY

MAY HE STAY WITH US FOR ANOTHER FIVE AND BEYOND!

and now a special message from the man himself.

"Well, Well, Well... look how far we've come huh? Genuinely, honest... And Truly."

"Five years ago I was made and cursed the world of tumblr with my presence, time sure does fly! I've lost a few friends, but gained plenty more in return!"

"I wouldn't even be here today without them, now granted I'm not gonna name EVERYONE! But I am gonna name a select few and tell you how they've impacted me... AHEM..."

"First and foremost the man the myth and the legend the one who is the reason behind everything, the man where if he didn't exist I wouldn't exist!"

"Henr- ... we all know I don't mean him we're talking about real people."

"If your name isn't listed, it isn't because the mod dosen't care but it's because he's a dumbass and these are the ones that came up at the top of his head when writing this post, totally not a forth wall break."

@directdogman

"The Creator of the DSAF/Dayshift At Freddy's Series Direct Doggo himself, sure okay I was a late edition to the fandom.

but it is fully thanks to DSAF 3 and him that I even exist, what can I say about doggo other then what has been said before one thousand times? He is a man of many skills and many talents."

"He is creative, smart and genuinely an inspiration to everyone in the community of both DSAF and Dialtown... no matter how much time has passed, I will personally continue to respect the man I owe everything to him. So thank you doggo genuinely for your support and your amazing games."

@cook-ie-chip

"One of my oldest friends in the community, I've known you since almost the start! we have alot of memories together, some laughs, some cries! you also created my blue prints

(though in lore they were written by henry and will) let's look past that! You remind me of how things used to be a long time ago, and I'm glad to still know you even now."

"and with any hope I'll curse you for many years more."

@lazy-charlie / @chuck-the-fanboy

"I remember how we met, you found me and we both realized we had the same name, and so I decided to charge you extra for like a pizza party lmao."

"But ever since that day we have only grown closer and closer... to the point your apart of the roomba fazbender family [no you will get no discounts] ..."

"You've done so much for me over the years though, you helped create the Roomba's we have here today, you drew some of our lovely walrus friends!"

"AND ... ough... Okay Okay I'll be honest you made Chuck The Fanboy originally a joke just to tease me with, but over the years he's grown on me... DO NOT LET HIM HEAR ME SAY THIS, but he's like a lil bro... and if anything happened to him I'd be devastated."

@clownsuu / @not-robert

"... well well well if it isn't the shadow in black and the big buff zombie, what can I say about both of you?"

"Hmm... Clownsuu here teases me, has DRAWN ME MPREG, HAS DRAWN ME EMO, IS THE REASON WHY THE EVIL VERSION OF ME EXISTS!..."

"and yet life wouldn't be the same with out him, jack is... an anomaly someone I met because someone thought he was stealing me! HA no one can steal this perfect face~"

"Gotta say though, all jokes aside... life just wouldn't be the same without him, alot more boring you know? I must admit he is someone I will never forget, you've also drawn photos of a few of my walrus I still have hung up in my office, I appreciate you for absolutely everything you've done."

"And don't get me started on Robert that big buff baby, I've put him in just about every costume under the sun, and yet he still puts up with me and stays still no idea why. But it's because of him my restaurant has expanded so much, from a bowling alley, a karaoke bar and dumpsters full of meat."

"Don't tell Robert this he'd likely call me an idiot, but guy's one of my best friends genuinely thankfully he's immortal so I'll never worry about losing him but ... the thought still scares me."

"Never change Robert."

@weirdozjunkary

"You turned me into a furry... I got nothin else to say I just had to point that out."

"..."

"..."

"Okay, fine you did alot more then that, you introduced me to bedlam someone who can FINALLY truly be a sponge to my cursed and chaotic behavior, honestly I'd hope so considering he's the god of chaos."

"I only met him recently but I'd fuken fight his version of god for him ... seriously don't tempt me I will kick that old man's ass."

"I'm glad to have bedlam in my life and hope I know him for many years more."

@an-artist-place-for-extra-art

"you simp for the evil version of me I..."

"I have no words for you..."

"I just question... why?"

"though honestly? never change, I care for you just the way you are, your amazing."

"Alright, Alright enough of the mushy stuff and forth wall breaks it's messing with my circuits and servo's ahem..."

"The most important thing about this day is one..."

"I'm so fucking cool"

"two"

"I AM NEVER GOING ANYWHERE HATERS, FIVE MORE YEARS AND BEYOND OF ME!!!"

"and three... and most important lore wise"

"HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSERY TO ROOMBA FUCKING FAZBENDERS!"

"50 YEARS THIS PLACE HAS BEEN OPEN WITHOUT ANY DEATHS JUST A FEW INJURIES AND I'LL TAKE THAT WITH STRIDE!"

"AS THE ULTIMATE FUCK YOU TO FREDBEAR'S AND FAZBENDER ENTERTAINMENT!"

"THE GUY WHO IS A LITERAL ELDRITCH HORROR AND EATS SHOES WITH HIS BOOTLEG RESTURANT LASTED LONGER THEN ALL OF YOU SUCK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!"

"... thank you... genuinely out of pocket with full seriousness..."

"thank you everyone for sticking around none of this would be possible without you, and I HONEST AND TRUELY can't wait for another five amazing years."

Moderator Monnie: And happy anniversary to everyone from me to all of you!

Have a fantastic day! and thank ya'll for reading!

[apocalypticavolition]

Let's (re)Read The Great Hunt! Chapter 15: Kinslayer

You know the drill. Don't read if you don't want spoilers for the whole series.

This chapter has the heron-marked blade icon, the purpose of which is probably related to the picture I've chosen for this particular entry, just saying.

Again they crossed land blackened and burned, even the soil crunching under the horses’ hooves as if it had been seared. The burned swathes, sometimes a mile wide, sometimes only a few hundred paces, all ran east and west as straight as an arrow’s flight. Twice Rand saw the end of a burn, once as they rode over it, once as they passed nearby; they tapered to points at the ends.

This is one of several odd and unexplained details. It seems to be the scar of a rather more high-tech sort of warfare might cause this but not the Renaissance fare of the subcontinent.

There were no birds or animals, not that Rand saw or heard. No hawk wheeling in the sky, no bark of a hunting fox, no bird singing. Nothing rustled in the grass or lit on a tree branch. No bees, or butterflies. ...never a minnow or tadpole wriggled out of the roiling, not even a waterspider dancing across the surface, or a hovering lacewing.

Virtually everything is dead, which really makes it all the more impressive that the grass and trees are doing okay. I'm not quite sure on the life cycle of grasses and maybe they do fine without animals but trees often like it when animals eat their seeds and poop them out somewhere better. Knowing what we know of this mirror world, there may have been a replacement for a time... but this place is alarmingly empty and with the entire animal kingdom gone, there's an ecological collapse in this world's future. Will the Wheel keep spinning this mirror after that point? Is there an outside intervention planned to keep this catastrophe at bay? Lots of weird considerations for these what-ifs.

There was one sign of life; at least, Rand thought it must be so. Twice he saw a wispy streak crawling across the sky like a line drawn with cloud. The lines were too straight to be natural, it seemed, but he could not imagine what might make them.

Another thing that never gets solved. Even the Encyclopedia offers only a guess, though what a guess it is: contrails. On the one hand, planes are ridiculous in this part of history, but on the other... It does explain the burns, if planes were conducting air raids.

The reveal's not til next chapter, but I'm gonna cover the guesswork now anyway: yes, they are contrails. One possibility is that this world's Forsaken, lacking any particular obstacles, have whipped up a sho-wing and are making absolutely sure everything in this part of the world is dead, but considering what their aircraft would have been firing on (Trollocs), that's not entirely coherent.

The other possibility is the Seanchan. Not the Seanchan Empire we know about, forged into a singular identity by the a'dam, but the Seanchan that would have existed if Artur Hawkwing and all of his descendants had conveniently died six years before the fleet was sent across the sea. A Seanchan that never invented the a'dam at all and continued to have strong, free channelers who dominated their societies. Perhaps after another thousand years they managed to find some kind of stability, improved their tech far beyond the stifled totalitarian empire ever could, and came back across the sea a few years ahead of schedule. Instead of discovering a continent of other humans, they found hordes of ravenous demons and understandably dedicated themselves to wiping them out. Rand sees them here on reconnaissance as they search the devastated land for signs of any last communities to obliterate.

This also explains why the grolm are present. They've been on the Seanchan continent since before Luthair showed up, which means they can't be sourced from this particular iteration of the continent because it hadn't diverged yet. But the native mirror!Seanchan could absolutely have used the ones they had for the same purpose they were put to in the homeland, which promptly overwhelmed whatever was left of the native biome after a thousand years of Trollocs.

Or maybe it's some other thing we'll never know. Thank you for reading my fanfic.

When he had heard Loial sing before, it had been as if the earth itself sang, but now the Ogier murmured his song almost diffidently, and the land echoed it in a whisper.

Frankly given the metaphysics of the place, it's almost a miracle that the land could sing back.

In his hands Loial held a staff as tall as he was and as thick as Rand’s forearm, smooth and polished. Where the trunk had been on the giantsbroom was a small stem of new growth.

Let's keep an eye on this mirror-staff, shall we?

“Everything is . . . linked, Rand. Whether it lives or not, whether it thinks or not, everything that is, fits together. The tree does not think, but it is part of the whole, and the whole has a—a feeling. I can’t explain any more than I can explain what being happy is, but. . . . Rand, this land was glad for a weapon to be made. Glad!”

After everything it's seen and the abuse it's gotten from the Trollocs and the burns, it's probably grateful for any chance to make a positive impact for the prime reality. Surely it must know that it's not what it used to be and feel the weird spatial distortions that the group keeps seeing.

The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills. He squeezed that thought out.

Too late Rand, Moiraine's infected you!

It’s like I’m remembering it, Lord Rand, instead of smelling it. But I’m not. There’s dozens of trails crossing it all the time, dozens and dozens, and all sorts of smells of violence, some of them fresh, almost, only washed out like everything else.

One of the conveniences about being so far outside of the prime reality where the only impressions of the future you can get are magics that none of these three have on hand is that everything else has to bend around in anticipation to stay out of the way. It's a miracle they don't see what they're going to do over the next few days right in front of them.

Rand kept their fire small and well hidden in the trees.

If my "the Seanchan Aerial Corps is currently sweeping the region looking for Shadowspawn" theory is remotely true, everyone's paranoia over Fain is the only thing that kept them from being firebombed out of existence.

Then why is he running instead of chasing me? And what killed that Fade? What happened in that room full of flies? And those eyes, watching me in Fal Dara. And that wind, catching me like a beetle in pine sap. No. No, Ba’alzamon has to be dead.

Really one of the high points of this series is that few if any of Rand's questions here get fully and explicitly answered in the text. Nothing happens for bullshit motivations or entirely out of line with what's possible in the series, but there's just something weird about all of it.

The chill moon was almost full, standing high in the blackness, and the night was as silent as the day had been, as empty.

It's good to know that despite this world clearly getting very reduced resources from the Wheel that the moon is still operating correctly. After a thousand years of not giving a fuck and bizarre geometry, it wouldn't be at all surprising if the heavens were out of wack.

“Swords do no good against me, Lews Therin. You should know that.”

I would just like it on the record that it is complete horsefeathers that Ishamael - real Ishamael and not mirror Ish, which would be very funny but also play out somewhat differently - can still track Rand across dimensions like this. I mean it's not of course, but it does make you wonder how dreamers can find anyone in T'A'R instead of just close enough versions of their targets - there should be nearly an infinite number of sleepers at any given moment.

“I know you, know your blood and your line back to the first spark of life that ever was, back to the First Moment. You can never hide from me. Never! We are tied together as surely as two sides of the same coin. Ordinary men may hide in the sweep of the Pattern, but ta’veren stand out like beacon fires on a hill, and you, you stand out as if ten thousand shining arrows stood in the sky to point you out! You are mine, and ever in reach of my hand!”

Ishamael: Infinite tries means eventually one of them will be successful.

Also Ishamael: There was a First Moment which inherently means we've done this a finite number of times. Also we're never apart, Rand. Let's homoerotically wrestle.

“You find odd followers,” Ba’alzamon mused. “You always did. These two. The girl who tries to watch over you. A poor guardian and weak, Kinslayer. If she had a lifetime to grow, she would never grow strong enough for you to hide behind.”

I dunno, I feel like Rand absolutely could have hidden behind late series Egwene without much effort. He never would for so many reasons (and frankly by that point she'd say no too), but she absolutely could have been his human shield if he'd wanted her to be.

I have a thousand strings tied to you, Kinslayer, each one finer than silk and stronger than steel. Time has tied a thousand cords between us.

Now prepare to be strangled by the Red String!

This time the Wheel will be broken whatever you do, and the world remade to a new mold.

And this is probably the only time that Ishamael states the actual truth: the Dark One won't unmake existence the way he wants him to. It's a shame he only realizes this when he's crazy. If he knew there was absolutely no hope of getting out of the game, he'd probably switch back to the winning side on the ground's that it's marginally better.

Or actually knowing smart people and irrational decisions he'd probably double down and say something about how infinity makes it so there's no real objective difference between outcomes and anyway Rand or whoever pointed it out to him should shut up and die.

“Look at me, Kinslayer, and see the hundredth part of your own fate.” For a moment eyes and mouth became doorways into endless caverns of fire. “This is what the Power unchecked can do, even to me. But I heal, Lews Therin. I know the paths to greater power. It will burn you like a moth flying into a furnace.”

He's really doing his best to sell the whole, "You fucked me up ago and I'm in unbearable physical pain but despite an infinitely long track record saying otherwise I'm totally gonna beat you this time, bro". Especially with all of the homoeroticism. Rand's next lines are "I won't touch it!" and "I won't", which is clearly about the Power and yet somehow even in context sexually charged as a response to Ishamael taking off his mask after Rand begs him not to.

“I can teach you to control that power so that it does not destroy you. No one else lives who can teach you that... The power can be yours, and you can live forever. Forever! All you must do in return is serve. Only serve. Simple words—I am yours, Great Lord—and power will be yours...”

This is a much better sell and frankly he should have led with this because letting Rand get used to saying no means he's got the inertia going despite the temptations. That or he shoulda kept Rand here for the full forty days, cuz grasslands or no this place is clearly desert.

I imagined it all. Frantically, he looked around. Ba’alzamon was gone. Hurin shifted in his sleep; the sniffer and Loial were still only two mounds sticking up out of the low fog. I did imagine it.

"Yay! I'm descending into the madness that will lead me to kill everyone around me and/or everyone I love!"

Seriously the only reason he's not worrying about this is that there's no time, the narrative has a different sucker punch in mind.

There across the palm was branded a heron. The heron from the hilt of his sword, angry and red, as neatly done as though drawn with an artist’s skill. Fumbling a kerchief from his coat pocket, he wrapped it around his hand. The hand throbbed, now. The void would help with that—he was aware of pain in the void, but he did not feel it—but he put the thought out of his head.

And so an exciting part of prophecy is fulfilled, but much more importantly: Rand teaches himself one of his worst coping mechanisms by putting the part of himself that feels pain into a box and ignoring it. From this temporary injury where it is a useful thing to do under the circumstances, Rand is heading for much larger forms of unhelpful denial.

Ishamael would have been so much smarter to just dose the kid with opium.

Anyway, see y'all next time!

[floripire]

' hard to imagine you'd ever be boring. '

looking for alaska // @conradfish3r

compared to mystic falls, cousins beach feels like another world entirely. a happy world, and part of flori feels bad for bringing the preternatural into it. but needs must, and so here she is, looking every bit the summer tourist: sunglasses perched atop her head, dark hair falling over her shoulders in waves instead of weaved together in a braid, sporting very short gym shorts, comfortable shoes and a thin sweater.

according to the programs she'd been running, a guy and a girl matching connor fell and dana lilien's descriptions had been seen here. they'd skipped town together and floribeth had followed them to make sure they wouldn't be leaving crimson trails throughout the country or expose themselves to humans; it would be a thankless job, no doubt, but one that had to be done.

floribeth ends up wandering to the boardwalk, drawn to it - as always - by the sound of games.

she stops at the basketball toss, watching as a floppy haired guy nails the throw about three times in a row with a fond smile. he reminds her a bit of landon kirby, except landon's not white and his hair is curlier. his show of athleticism reminds her of jed, too.

"do you want to try it out?" the guy is speaking to her now, shaking her out of her reverie.

"no, that's okay. thank you for asking though. i think it'd be pretty boring, watching me fail at this fifty thousand times. i'm... better at video games by far."

"hard to imagine you'd ever be boring," he says, and the remnants of blood in her system make it so that her cheeks heat up pleasantly at the compliment as she gives him a warm smile.

before she can say anything else, her phone beeps. floribeth checks the text and the smile slips off her face as her eyebrows knot together.

"i'm sorry, i've gotta go," floribeth stammers. "good luck with the whole..." she mimes throwing a basketball. then she turns on her heel and walks away, still clutching her phone.

[mimisempai]

Just a bad day

Summary

Even though separated by thousands of miles, Bucky is ready to offer comfort to his lover, no matter the time of day or night.

On AO3

Rating G - 630 words

It was about three in the morning when Bucky's phone vibrated near his head.

It was a facetime call and he knew exactly who was calling at that hour. He accepted without hesitation, without even checking.

He did a quick calculation in his head, it was about six in the evening in Delacroix.

The first thing he saw was a mass of white fur as Sam's growling voice reached his ears, "Alpine, I'm the one who wants to talk to Bucky so move over."

The cat meowed in protest but obeyed nonetheless and in its place Bucky saw Sam's face appear.

He was not surprised at his lover's drawn features and the sadness in his eyes. He knew what a special day it was and he had expected Sam's call.

He whispered softly, "Hey Doll."

Sam walked over to the camera and whispered, "Hey Bucky, I..."

As he searched for his words, Bucky noticed that he was wearing one of his old hoodies, showing him how much emotional distress he was in that he needed Bucky's clothes to comfort himself. He felt even more bad that he couldn't reschedule this session to update his arm to another time of year. But he couldn't ask Queen Shuri to adjust her schedule to Bucky's either.

Sam continued, "I'm sorry to wake you up, but..."

Bucky stopped him, frustrated that he couldn't touch him, "Hey don't be sorry, I couldn't sleep, I knew you would call. No matter what time it is, I'm here for you, even if not physically."

Sam whispered softly, "You know what day it is."

Bucky nodded.

Of course he knew after all these years. It was the anniversary of Riley's death and he knew how terrible, even after all this time had passed, his loss had been for Sam.

Bucky asked gently, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Sam shook his head and replied, "Can we just talk? About everything, about your day, about Wakanda, about anything. Anything that will make me forget what I've been thinking about all day. I... just need to forget."

Bucky said softly, "I'm so sorry I'm not there."

Sam shook his head again, "Don't be. Talk to me."

Bucky nodded, and seeing that Sam looked exhausted, he said softly, "Okay, first, I want you to go make yourself comfortable in our bed as if you were going to sleep."

Sam obeyed and Bucky waited until he appeared in front of the camera again and said in a slightly amused tone, "There you go, my very own mother hen, I'm ready for the night."

Bucky hummed in appreciation, happy to see a small smile, however slight, on his lover's lips.

Then he slowly began to talk, recounting his days in Wakanda, his joy at having his goats back, the intriguing Namor visiting Queen Shuri, and how they were pining for each other. The meal shared with Ayo and Aneka. All sorts of things. Without stopping.

At first Sam made little comments, even had a chuckle or two, but then his interventions became less frequent until Bucky saw that Sam had fallen asleep.

Bucky called softly, "Alpine, my girl, come here."

He saw the little cat's muzzle appear and whispered, "You take good care of him girl, right? I'll be back soon."

The feline meowed, almost inaudibly as if not to wake Sam.

Then she went to lie against his head and Sam, probably awakened by her movement, muttered in his sleep, "Bucky... thank you."

Bucky gazed at his sleeping lover and said softly, "You're welcome, sleep now doll, tomorrow everything will be fine."

Sam replied almost unintelligibly, "Yeah...love you."

Bucky smiled and said in turn, "I love you." then watched his lover sleep, until it was his turn to fall asleep.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

Sambucky masterlist here

[the1975attheirverybest]

DBATC anon. Ok long disclaimer:

This is my personal opinion drawn from deep dives into their lyrics ever since they both did their "This is about you, I know who you are, I love you"-declaration. I don't have any other insights:

We now know M and T dated in 2014/ probably broke up in early 2015 (Brit awards) I personally think it was a lot more than just a "brief"/ casual thing – it meant a lot to her and she was devastated even though she seemingly was the one who ended it. I personally believe she's written A LOT of songs about him in the last 9/8 years. He's is her muse - and vice versa. Which only makes sense given they're two of the most talented musicians of their generation…

But, since they kept their relationship so secret for almost a decade, she had to get creative. Avoid physical descriptions/ lead fans to believe the songs were about other dudes (Harry Styles!) or fictional characters (James) etc. She clearly wanted to include a breakup song on the Lover album because it’s an album about different aspects of love (and the fans dig them so much) Doubt she really mourned after CH and TH, so it was the perfect opportunity to write about Matty. And when she promoted the album, Taylor said she’d been kinda worried that she wouldn’t be able to keep writing breakup songs now she was in a happy relationship (ha!) but she was able to draw inspiration from her friends’ breakups and sad movies she’d been watching. I always call bullshit on narratives like that – Taylor is a confessional song writer so she pretty much exclusively writes from her own experiences and emotions. She clearly didn’t want people to dig deeper and play detective (which is only fair) – doesn’t stop me though lol.

Another general note – I personally noticed a lot of recurring imagery/ motifs she keeps using in the songs I believe are about him, for example: kindred spirits, missed connections/ “the one that got away”, movies, driving/ road trips (DLID!!), painting/ making art, lights/ glow, celestial bodies (stars! meteors etc.), drinking wine/ rosé/ drugs/ INTOXICATION, ghosts/ being haunted and OFC they’re her sexiest and horniest songs cuz duh …  

Now onto the lyrics – I think the song is pretty self-explainatory/ straight forward (AND vague enough not to give anything away).

It’s a about a breakup that hurts so deeply it feels like death/ unbearable physical pain (“thousand cuts”) and she can’t get over it

[Chorus]

Saying goodbye is death by a thousand cuts

Flashbacks waking me up

I get drunk, but it's not enough

first indication – recurring motif of getting drunk… - she’s trying to forget him and move on but she can’t manage. Not even when she resorts to… unhealthy coping mechanisms. She’d just dated an addict, sooo…

’Cause the morning comes and you're not my baby

I look through the windows of this love

Even though we boarded them up

Chandelier's still flickering here

recurring motif light/ glow – There’s still a spark – aka she still loves him/ might have some kind of hope…

’Cause I can't pretend it's okay when it's not

It's death by a thousand cuts

[Verse]

I dress to kill my time, I take the long way home

I ask the traffic lights if it'll be alright

They say, "I don't know"

And what once was ours is no one's now

relatively vague and straightforward but the lyrics reference driving around…

I see you everywhere, the only thing we share

Is this small town

possible reference to “The City” etc. [I think it’s irony and she means NYC]

You said it was a great love, one for the ages

But if the story’s over, why am I still writing pages?

their love has a timeless quality// the relationship is over but she’d like it to go on…

THIS IS THE BIGGEST GIVE-AWAY ever because Matty references her (so clearly thought she spoke to him??)

Me & You Together Song: “I've been in love with her for ages”

AND: “I think the story needs more pages, yes”

Coincidence?? I don’t think so…

[Bridge]

My heart, my hips, my body, my love

Tryna find a part of me that you didn't touch

emphasis of physical intimacy = Matty

Gave up on me like I was a bad drug

DRUGS/ INTOXICATION again

Now I'm searching for signs in a haunted club

haunted motif

Our songs, our films, united we stand

Our songs – both musicians/ songwriters duh

Our films – “love as a movie” trope which is very Matty-coded (M&YTS again…)

“United We Stand” – Newcastle United (his tattoo – dunno if he’d already had it when they were together but it was definitely already his favorite club and/ or bestie has been taking tabs on him)

Our country, guess it was a lawless land

possible reference to “Robbers”

Quiet my fears with the touch of your hand

Paper cut stings from our paper-thin plans

My time, my wine, my spirit, my trust

wine/ alcohol again

Tryna find a part of me you didn't take up

Gave you too much, but it wasn't enough

But I'll be alright, it's just a thousand cuts

Hope that makes sense

@aelingodskiller you’ve got mail bestieeee

[clumsydraws]

commissions currently open!

i’m getting accustomed to clip studio and it’s animation software so taemin needed an updated ref sheet. he honestly hasn’t changed much but we still love him anyway.

reblogs > likes  

[milqueandsugar]

🏵 Your Tea Is Ready 🏵

Warnings: pissesive obsessive behaviour , mentions of violence/injury , slight NSFW

Genre: Fluff

| Possessive!Technoblade PT VIII |

The two of you stared at each other, your hands trembling as you tried to hold the tray still. He didn't remember? Slowly the look of recognition fell on Technoblade as his confused expression morphed into something more akin to horror. "..oh" the sound was barely above a whisper but you caught it. "So.. you do remember" you let out a nervous chuckle. "I do now.. I'm so sorry."

You couldn't tell if it was because of his raspy voice or the genuine apology that caught you way off guard but, the sentence alone broke your heart. Placing the tray down on the night stand you take a seat in front of the man, taking quick notice of how he couldn't even look at you. Taking his face in your hands you gently tilt his face towards you, his eyes finally landing on you and held the same look you'd expect when someone was looking at a gruesome wound. Disgust.

"Tech it wasn't your fault, the voices gained control.. you.. you weren't yourself, and no one got hurt" you reassured, gently running your thumbs across his cheeks. "It wasn't the voices.." Technoblade sighed, leaning his head into the palm of your hand. God he missed the way your skin felt against his, your scent was a mere foggy memory he desperately wanted to remember. "Wha..what do you mean?" You mumble, your brow furrowed. Surely it had to be the voices, there was no way that he would do those things without them to spur him on.. wouldn't he?

' Coward '

'this isn't how this was planned! '

' Dont tell them yet! It's not romantic '

' they smell like honey '

' Don't do it '

' E '

"The voices don't do it, it's always me who gives into them" Technoblade quickly aide stepped the conversation. He couldn't do it. He could slay thousands, he could and has killed a man with nothing but a quarter, he's taken on the whole server. But he can't tell you how he feels. He felt so small in your hands, despite quite literally towering over you, those eyes of yours.. he couldn't bare to see rejection in them. "Oh Tech.." wrapping your hands around the piglins neck you pull him close to you. "No one blames you, okay? Shit happens, especially to good people, and you're a good person Tech" you praise rocking him slightly as you feel strong arms encompassing you.

Your brief heart to heart with the piglin was soon interrupted by a quiet knocking at the door. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything" Philza chimed, for the second time he had walked in on the two of you, hopefully this time it wouldn't end in swords being drawn. Wiping the tears that began to well in your eyes you pulled away from Techno, instead turning your attention to Phil.

"Yes"

"No"

Glancing at the piglin you shake you're head, "no no it's fine, what's up?" You assure either a smile, the grip on your hands tightening a bit. "Good, I need to clean Technoblade's wounds, the withering effect can be a real bitch if left untreated" The winged man explain, pulling out the small basket of medical supplies. "I could do it phil" you offer standing up and gesturing to the basket. "Do you know how to treat gangrene?" He hummed twirling the basket in his hand as he walked past you to Technoblades side.

"Yeah maybe you should handle that"

"Thought so, this might take a while, you sure you want to stay?" Phil added, beginning to pull gauze and salves from the baskets confines. "Actually I should finish my chores, I'll be back in an hour or so" you shrug off the pleading look the piglin shot your way and waved the two good bye before slipping out of the room. As much as you'd like to spend more time with Technoblade you knew Phil wouldn't push you out of a room if it weren't for a reason. Swallowing thickly you make your way down to the basement. Might as well actually get your chores done.

"You two have grown rather close" Phil observes, helping Technoblade out of his sleeping shirt and onto his stomach. "We always have been" Technoblade snapped back, resting his head on the firm pillow beneath him. Your scent still lingering on his tongue. "I've been you're friend for a good time Techno, I don't believe I've ever seen you like this ." Phil dipped his fingers into the healing salve and began to work the solution into the blackened rotting skin. Not a hiss or groan left the man under him, instead he took to digging his claws into the already tattered pillows.

"What are you getting at Phil,"

"I'm trying to get you to admit it"

"Admit what"

"That you're in love with Y/N"

"I already have" the piglin snorted flinching as the salve began to eat at the wound he was happy he couldn't see. "I have for a while, you know that" He spoke between clenched teeth, feeling the wet of blood begin to role down his sides in streams. It was a shame, he liked these bedsheets.

"Believe me I know, but do they? You seem to be doing a lot but not saying much." Phil scolded, Technoblade didn't have to be facing him to know that he was shaking his head. The two sat in silence as Phil plastered another healing paste onto his wound and wrapped it up, smacking the back of his thighs to let him know he could sit up Phil's wrist was quickly caught by the piglin.

"How do I tell them"

♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡

@exorcisms-with-elmo @froggerspoggers

@hahabitchboy @that-local-cryptid @why-am-i-here-t-t @bulletpr00fyears2398 @kittiespitz @sl33pyt1r3 @bbpiglinboy @whatislifebutlemons @genzpop @obey-me-mammons-world @0slothful-milksake0 @boobery @wittyrosebush @theunknowinglys @gothdogge @clover-fox @kutozume @the-flowerghost @matronofthevoid @driverpicksthe-music @tails-and-scales @mediocrity-atitsfinest @bi-narystars @soda-pip @sylum @vrinty @fantsyland @owulu @byebyes-world @imasimpfortechno

[cocobeanncteez]

HENDERY- All I Want is You (One-shot)

Genre: Smut, fluff.

Words: 5K

The luxury nightclub and bar was extremely packed today. People were watching the beautiful view from the 32nd floor of the hotel, drinking, smoking cigarettes and hookah, making out, grinding on each other, dancing the night away—the usual stuff you see at clubs like these. Saturday nights were your favorite because that's when you earned a lot of money.

Being a stripper in the biggest and most luxurious club in China had a lot of pros. You were the best and highest paid stripper at your club, and you loved your job cause you were able to make so much money easily. Your managers, Ten and Kun, were your best friends, so when you told them that you didn't want to do any private strip shows, they agreed. You were lucky that this club had strict rules and amazing security. Plus, they took such good care of all their strippers.

"Coco!" you heard Ten call out your stripper name. "You're up next so hurry up!" You nodded as you took three shots and quickly put on your black stilettos and eye-mask. You made your way to the stage, watching your colleague finish up. She gave you a high-five before you got on stage, hearing the crowd cheer for you over the loud music. You moved your body gracefully around the pole under the flashing red lights, losing yourself to the beats of the music. You first took off your lace top and then your denim shorts, leaving yourself only in your signature black dragon appliqué teddy and your stilettos-that was the maximum you were allowed to strip to. After a good twenty minutes of dancing, you got off the stage, catching your breath and panting.

"Y/N! You were amazing as always!" Kun said, pulling you into a brotherly hug. "Do you have some energy left?"

"A little," you answered, dabbing your sweat with a wet cloth. "Why? Do you want me to go up again?" you asked, secretly hoping he'd say no cause you wanted to go home and get some sleep.

"No, no," he said and you mentally sighed in relief. "I actually wanted you to do a... private show for someone," he said hesitantly, shifting his gaze away from you.

You raised an eyebrow. "You know I don't do private shows. Why don't you ask someone else?"

"Well, he specifically asked for you. Plus, he paid twenty thousand yuan for it so-"

"What?!" you cut him off, your eyes widening in shock. "Twenty thousand?!"

"Yeah, he's a really rich businessman and he's your age."

You gasp in disbelief. "He's only nineteen?!"

Kun nodded."Twenty, actually. Now, will you do it?"

You agreed to do it, not cause you were going to get paid a ton, but cause you were quite curious and interested to see who this young man was who was paying a fuck lot just to personally see you strip in a private room.

"Okay, but if he tries touching me or something-" you start while putting on your clothes, but Kun stops you mid-sentence. "Then you can kick him in the balls and come tell me so I can chuck him out of the club. Simple, Y/N."

You just nod. "Which room?" you ask, fixing your hair and makeup.

"Wong Hendery, VIP room 3," Kun says. "Of course it's the VIP room, why'd I even ask," you say, rolling your eyes, making Kun chuckle.

You made your way to the said room, feeling a little nervous. You've never done a private show for anyone before and you had no idea why this guy couldn't ask for another stripper. You took a deep breath before knocking on the door, and entering when you heard the young businessman yell out a "come in."

You closed the door and turned to approach him, stopping in your tracks at the sight of him.

He looked like a fucking Prince.

You had to blink thrice to make sure that you weren't dreaming and he was real and live in front of your eyes. His dark brown hair was parted to the side and he was dressed in a pair of black ripped jeans and a white t-shirt with a black leather jacket. Hendery kept his gaze on you as he took a sip of his alcohol, and you watched his Adam's apple bob as the liquid ran down his throat.

"Come sit," he said in a deep voice that made you get goosebumps. He patted the space beside him on the white leather sofa. You obeyed and sat next to him, keeping a short but good distance between you and him. "What can I do for you?" you ask, scanning his beautiful face curiously.

Hendery smirked, making your heart skip a beat. "Well, I'm not going to beat around the bush so I'll get straight to the point. I want you to be my girlfriend for a while. I'll pay you for it as well. It's cause my parents are forcing me to get married and won't stop until I have a girlfriend."

You choked on nothing in particular and your eyes widened. "U-Um, what?"

"Oh, did I startle you? My apologies, I shouldn't have been so straight forward," he mumbled politely, giving you a worried look while you just stared at him in disbelief.

"I... no, I'm sorry, you just caught me off guard," you say, mentally cursing yourself to try and get your shit together. "Why me, a stripper, when you could get pretty much any other decent girl to do that?"

"Cause there's something about you that has me so drawn to you, and besides, I know why you work as a stripper," he answers softly, taking a sip of his drink.

You freeze, processing his words. "You... know why I... work as a stripper...?" You were sure only Kun and Ten knew the reason.

He nods. "My mother owns the hospital your little sister is admitted in, Y/N. So yeah, I've seen you a couple of times there." You smile sadly at the mention of your beloved eleven year old sister who was currently battling leukemia. Your parents passed away a year ago when you were just eighteen. Your relatives didn't even want to have anything to do with you and your sister. You couldn't afford to go to college and pay for your ill sister's expensive treatment, so you had no choice but to become a stripper to get money faster.

"So, would you do me the honor, princess?" Hendery asks with a breathtaking smile. You thought about it for a second before nodding. You just have to act as his girlfriend right? What's the worse that could happen?

"So, Mr. Wong, you paid a fuck ton for half an hour, just to ask me to do you a favor?" you ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," he chuckles before smirking. "You can call me Hendery, Y/N."

You just nodded. "Well, since we're here, I'll give you a little show."

"I know you don't do private shows. I don't mind one, but I really don't want you to feel uncomfortable," he says softly, making your heart swell at his thoughtfulness. He was such a gentleman.

"I insist," you say honestly with a smile. "I don't want to earn money like that without doing anything."

He just nods with a smile, watching you get up and walk over to the pole.

You start moving your body around the pole, getting higher up on it. You swayed your body a little more sexier than usual, taking off the first article of clothing slowly, revealing your cleavage. You glance at Hendery who was staring at you with hooded eyes. God, just the sight of him got you so wet. You took off your shorts, leaving yourself in your teddy. You made your way towards him, pulling him up to his feet from the sofa, and making him sit on a chair. You swayed your hips as you moved around him, stroking his arms from behind. You could tell that he works out from his hard flexed muscles. You let your hands roam from the visible curves of your lower ass, all the way to your hair, before squatting down and letting your legs open wide in front of him. You could see his hard bulge straining through his jeans. You touched your clothed core before standing up and straddling his lap, never breaking the eye contact. You dragged your hip along his thigh, grinding down hard on his crotch, causing both of you to moan at the friction. "Fuck, baby," Hendery grunted, throwing his head back. You took his hands and placed them on your ass as you continued grinding down on his length. A knock on the door interrupted you. "Time's up!" you heard Kun say through the door and you mentally pouted in disappoinment. Hendery chuckled and pulled you closer to him. "Do you wanna come over?" he asked sweetly. "Just to talk about everything, of course. I just want to know you better." You nodded eagerly, removing your eye-mask and going to collect your belongings from your locker in the changing rooms, before taking a shower and changing into a flowy dress. You said a quick goodbye to Ten and Kun before skipping to Hendery's side.

"Wow," you whispered, staring at the beautiful view of Beijing at night from Hendery's balcony on the last floor. You were surprised to find that he lived in the same apartment complex as you. There were eight apartment blocks; you lived in the 4th block and he lived in the 7th.

"Enjoying the view?" you heard Hendery ask from behind you. You turned around to look at him, fresh from the shower, wearing grey sweatpants and a black tank that clung to his toned body. God, he still looked amazing in something as simple as this.

"Yeah, the view is beautiful," you say, staring at him. He smiled and nodded, not noticing that the 'view' you referred to was actually him.

"I got some food from the club, let's eat," he said, getting plates and cutlery, setting them down on the small dining table.

You both ate in a comfortable silence, occasionally exchanging a few sentences here and there.

"Wine's okay with you?" he asked after you finished eating and you nodded with a smile. "Yeah, wine is my favorite."

You both sat on his sofa, drinking and talking about your pasts, how life is at present, and what you want to do in the future. He was so easy to get along with; he made you feel so comfortable. After an hour, you were giggling uncontrollably at pretty much everything he said, clearly drunk. Hendery, on the other hand, was sober enough. He had good alcohol tolerance, unlike you. At some point, you were in his arms, nearly passing out from how sleepy you were. You felt him lift you up bridal-style and carry you to a room, gently laying you down on the bed and putting a blanket over you. The last thing you heard him say was "goodnight, beautiful," before he switched off the lights.

A month passed and you and Hendery were super close. He was really caring and considerate, and had such a wonderful personality. He had a great sense of humor as well. You learned that his father was the founder and CEO of Wong Enterprises Inc. and dealt with the main branch in Macau, while Hendery took care of the branch here in Beijing. 

You were on your way to his company's luxury building, excited to hear the news he was planning on telling you today. 

"Good morning, is Mr. Wong in his office?" you ask the receptionist.

"May I know your name?" she asked.

"Lin Y/N."

"Ah, Ms. Lin! He's currently in a meeting, but he told me to tell you to wait in his office once you arrive," she informed with a smile. "You can take the elevator to the 28th floor." You nod and thank her, before taking the elevator.

Hendery's private office was impressive, having floor to ceiling windows with a beautiful view of the Hai River. You took a seat on the black leather sofa, scrolling through your social media while you waited for him.

"Hey, I hope I didn't make you wait too long," Hendery said politely, placing his laptop on his desk. You noticed that he was pretty tired and stressed.

"Not long, I got here a while ago," you say, keeping your phone away. "Bad meeting?"

"Yeah, it was so difficult to deal with those people," he says with a sigh, taking off his blazer and loosening his tie. He laid down on the couch with his head on your lap. "They disagreed with almost everything my team and I said. So annoying!"

You ran your hands through his soft brown hair, knowing that it would calm him. After a few minutes, he suddenly sat up with a huge ear-to-ear grin on his face, forgetting that he was annoyed a moment ago. "I almost forgot! You're my date for the business ball tomorrow night, Y/N!" he said cheerfully like a child.

"A business ball? I've never been to one, of course. What do I have to do?" you ask, biting your lip nervously.

"You don't have to do anything," he chuckles, "You just have to stand beside me while I introduce you as my girlfriend to various people."

"Put these on," she said, handing you a gown, wedges, and some jewelry. After you wore the gown, you gasped. It was absolutely beautiful. It was an off-shoulder navy blue mermaid gown that hugged your curves perfectly.

"Wow," you whispered, staring at yourself in the mirror. Hendery hired a professional makeup artist to do your makeup and hair. She did a simple yet elegant look on you, and curled your hair.

"Mr. Wong had it custom made for you," she said with a smile, making you gasp and blush. "He did?"

"Yes," she chuckled before helping you wear the jewelry and making sure everything was in place.

You were meeting Hendery directly at the venue as he had an important meeting. As soon as you stepped out of the car he sent for you, you felt really nervous.

 But once you saw him standing at the top of stairs, looking like an absolute Prince in his black Louis Vuitton suit, you didn't feel nervous anymore. 

You made your way up to him, never breaking the eye contact. He took your hand and kissed the back of it. "You look stunning, Ms. Lin."

You blushed, feeling the butterflies go crazy in your stomach. "Thank you, you do too, Mr. Wong." He chuckled and took your hand, leading you inside.

Your eyes widened when you saw how big the hall was. There were a lot of people, certainly more than you expected. You noticed several people were looking at you, obviously wondering who you were. You started to feel a little insecure, wondering if you looked good enough next to Hendery. You were pulled out of your thoughts when you heard Hendery say, "Yeah, this is my girl. Y/N, this is Wong Lucas and his girlfriend, Song Yuqi."

"Hello," you say politely, shaking both of their hands. Lucas looked like as if he was perfectly sculpted by the Greek Gods, and so did Yuqi.

"Ah, I see finally my baby brother got some good taste. The previous one was seriously such a bitch," Lucas said, grinning from ear to ear. You chuckled at that, remembering how a drunk Hendery ranted about his materialistic ex-girlfriend.

"Baby brother?" you raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, we're cousins," Lucas said, making you mentally agree that they were seriously blessed with amazing genes. "I'm not surprised that he didn't tell you."

"I didn't cause I knew you would meet her today," Hendery said with a shrug.

After many more introductions and small conversations, some businessmen were talking to Hendery while you conversed with Yuqi and Lucas. Lucas even invited you for his birthday party next week. You excused yourself to go get a drink after you exchanged numbers with the couple.

You made small talk with two women at the bar while you sipped on delicious aged wine. You noticed Hendery was at the other side of the hall, talking to another girl. He looked like he was stuck and fed-up, so you immediately made your way towards him.

"Hey, love, I was searching for you," you say and peck his lips-for the very first time- right in front of the girl. Of course, sober you wouldn't do that as much as you wanted to.

Hendery was shocked, but he played it cool, masking his shock perfectly. "Hey, babe," he smiled, eyes sparkling.

"Hendery, who is she?" the girl asked, clearly annoyed, folding her hands over her chest and looking at you in disgust.

"I'm his girlfriend, are you blind?" you roll your eyes at her, intertwining your hand with his. The girl just gave you a sharp death glare and left, making Hendery chuckle.

"Thanks for saving me," he smirked, "You know, you're so cute when you're jealous."

"I'm not jealous," you lied.

"You are."

"Nope."

"Admit it."

"Okay, fine, a little," you say with a pout, immediately giggling after that.

Hendery could immediately make out that you were getting a little drunk. "How much did you drink, Y/N?"

"I don't know," you answer, "Maybe three or four glasses? The wine was amazing."

He shook his head, letting out a chuckle that sounded like music to your ears. "We're leaving now. I'm driving," he said, taking your hand and pulling you outside.

"Thanks for dropping me home, Hendery," you giggle, holding onto the bedroom door.

"We're actually in my apartment, but yeah, it's yours too," he said with a grin.

Your back pressed against the bedroom door, and you put your arms around his neck, pulling him close to you. He visibly gulped, making you smirk at the effect you had on him for something as small as this. "Have I have told you that you look like an absolute God?"

He laughed, amused at how different and random you are when drunk. "You did now."

"It's hard to believe that you exist," you giggle, caressing the soft skin of his cheek with the pad of your thumb. "You're ethereal, Hendery."

He chuckles, cheeks turning into a shade of pink. You loved seeing him get all flustered, knowing that you were the reason.

Your eyes scanned every inch of his perfect face before landing on his plump pink lips. You involuntarily licked your own lips, catching Hendery's attention. His eyes darted between your lips and your eyes.

You pulled him closer and finally crashed your lips onto his. Hendery kissed you back immediately, hands moving to your waist. Your hands were in his soft hair, tugging on it. You broke the kiss and moved your lips along his sharp jawline before settling on his neck, sucking and biting the soft skin, leaving a pretty purplish-red mark. Hendery's grip on your waist tightened as you brought your lips back onto his.

"Get me out of this," you whined against his lips, referring to your gown.

"As much as I'd love to, I can't do that today," Hendery said, leaning his forehead against yours.

You frown, slightly hurt from the rejection. "Why?"

"You're drunk," he stated softly, "I won't take advantage of you, baby."

"Okay," you whisper, feeling the butterflies go insane with that one simple word: baby.

"Let's get you to bed, yeah?" he said and kissed your forehead.

You woke up hungover and slightly startled at the fact that you were in Hendery's bed, clad with only your panties and his t-shirt. You downed the pills he left for you on his beside table before you made your way to his bathroom. You had a few of your toiletries here from all the sleepovers you've had at Hendery's apartment, despite living in the same area.

After you took a shower and finished your morning routine, you pulled on one of Hendery's hoodies, tying your hair into a messy bun. You went to the living room where Hendery was watching TV.

"Good morning," he said with his usual bright smile, looking at you from head to toe. He loved seeing you in his clothes. "Slept well?"

"Yeah," you said, sitting beside him on the couch. He handed you a granola bar after unwrapping it.

That's when you noticed the nice big mark on his neck.

"Who gave you that?" you asked, feeling quite hurt.

"What? Oh, this," he says, pointing to the hickey, "You, of course."

Your eyes widened. "What? Me...?" You felt the heat rise up to your cheeks.

"You don't remember what happened last night," Hendery stated with a playful smile.

"No..." you murmur, leaning back on the couch as Hendery came closer and closer to you until he was hovering over you.

"Well, let me show you," he smirks sexily, before crashing his lips onto yours.

You kissed him back immediately, your hands involuntarily moving around his neck, trying to pull him even closer to you.

After a minute, he broke the kiss and sat up, pulling you onto his lap.

"Do you remember now?" He whispered.

"No," you say, straddling his lap and pressing your lips to his. He was extremely shocked at your unexpected bold move, considering you were a hundred percent sober right now.

His hands slipped under his hoodie that you were wearing, feeling the bare skin of your abdomen, before smiling when he noticed that you had no bra on. He rolled your nipples with his thumbs, causing you to grind on his hard on. He moaned into the kiss, and you took that opportunity to slide your tongue into his mouth. His hands moved down your body to grab your ass as you continued grinding on him. You moaned when he started helping you move faster on him, loving the friction. He broke the kiss, squeezing your ass as his face scrunched up, releasing himself in his sweatpants with the sweetest sound you've ever heard.

His hands toyed with the waistband of your panties as he looked up at you for approval. You nod and he wastes no time in pushing them to the side, slipping a finger into your soaking core. You gasp when he adds another finger, feeling your walls immediately clench around it. He moves his fingers in and out of you, watching how you moan and scrunch your eyes at the feeling.

"I'm c-close," you moan out, grinding onto his fingers. He pumps faster and rubs your clit in circular motions, making you throw your head back, moaning loudly, as you cum all over his fingers.

He never broke the eye-contact as he slid his fingers out of you and put them in his mouth, licking them clean.

You hid your face in the crook of his neck, slightly embarrassed from what just took place. He chuckled as he kissed your head. "Stay here, I'm gonna go wash up."

You were having dinner at a luxurious hotel, celebrating Xuxi's birthday. You noticed that Hendery was fidgeting around a lot. Of course, you knew why. 

The moment he saw you step out of Yuqi's room after she did your hair and makeup, wearing a short tight black dress that revealed a good amount of skin, you knew he was whipped and wanted to fuck you right there.

He was trying to be patient, but his patience was running out fast.

Finally, after everyone finished dinner and said their goodbyes, Hendery took your hand and pulled you to the elevator of the hotel to go to your room. Lucas had booked a room for you guys, saying that it was his birthday tradition to stay a night in a hotel. Hendery unlocked the door with the room key, closing it behind him and pushing you against it once you both took your respective footwear off.

"You drive me fucking crazy, princess. I want you so bad. Fuck, all I want is you."

"I'm all yours," you whisper, looking up at him through your long lashes. He took your hand and led you to the bed, settling in the middle and pulling you on top of him so that you were straddling his lap. He pulled you down to his level and crashed his lips onto yours. God, he was an amazing kisser. He sat up, never breaking the kiss, so that you could take off his leather jacket and his t-shirt. In one swift motion, he pulled your dress off, leaving you in just a pair of your thin lace panties. He broke the kiss to look at your almost naked body for the first time. "You're so beautiful," he whispers in amazement, eyes full of love. You loved how his eyes roamed all over your body.

"Can I touch you, Y/N?" he asks and you immediately approve. "Yes, please."

His hands cupped your boobs before one of them trailed to your dripping core. He moved his index finger over the wet patch of the thin lace, his eyes widened. "Fuck, baby, you're soaking wet for me," he says, pecking your lips.

"I want to ride you now," you say before unzipping his jeans and pulling it down with his briefs. He kicked them off and cursed when he felt your warm hands on his hard length, stroking him.

"Are you sure? I haven't prepped you."

"I'm alright."

"I don't have a condom on me, so I'm going to have to pull out. Is that okay with you, princess?" he asks and you nod before lining him up with your entrance and immediately sinking down on him. 

It had been so long since you had sex, so the stretch was a little painful. He grunted loudly, feeling your walls clench around him. "Fuck, you're so tight!" you smirked at his words as you slowly began to bounce on him, feeling the pain turn to pleasure. He loved the way your boobs bounced and the way you threw your head back, moaning his name. He grabbed your ass, helping you move faster and harder on him. "Fuck, baby, you take me so well!" 

He sat up, still moving you on him, until your boobs were right in front of his pretty face. He kissed the space between your breasts before taking one nipple in his mouth, sucking it gently and licking it, while rolling your other nipple, making you moan loudly. You fingers found your way to his hair, tugging on it. He left your nipples for your soft lips, kissing you hungrily. A particular thrust made you moan and he took that opportunity to slip his tongue into your mouth. His hands massaged your boobs, before he broke the kiss. 

"Come for me, babygirl," he says, rolling your clit in circular motions with his thumb. Your legs begin to shake and you feel yourself approaching your high. 

"Hendery! Fuck!" you yell, throwing your head back as you came all over Hendery's cock. He thrusted into you a few more times before he flipped you onto your back and pulled out, spilling his cum on your stomach. He pumped himself a few more times, milking himself dry before he collapsed on you. He looked up at you and smirked at your fucked-out expression. 

He leaned in to kiss you gently, stroking your cheeks with his thumb. "That was amazing," he says with a breathtaking smile, making the butterflies in your stomach turn wild. You hum in approval, running your hand through his messy hair.

"I'm taking you out on a date tomorrow. But for now, shower with me?" he asks cutely, and of course, you couldn't say no.

[allforhader]

A Pianist and A Hitman

Barry Berkman x (F) Reader

Warnings: Language

“Alright alright. Listen up” Gene calls everyone to quite down at the stage watching them take their seats. “Next week’s showcase is going to be something. So this week, we are going to test out our vocals”

“Oh my god, are we doing musicals?!” Sally smiles big watching Gene nod.

Everyone was pumped except for Barry, let alone trying to become just a decent actor what makes them think he can sing. Gene walks off to the side of the stage pushing back a bit of the curtain gesturing over Y/N who finally catches the attention of everyone.

“Guys this is Y/F/N Y/L/N. She’s going to be the pianist playing all your songs for the next week’s showcase. Y/N is going to be here for every rehearsal and if you need her for after hours practice. Ask her. Not me. I’m looking at you Jermaine”

Jermaine rolls his eyes before immediately talking to Sasha and Natalie about doing a musical number that has three parts. Sally turns to Barry with a huge smile on her face insisting on a duet as his attention was on elsewhere.

“You alright if I step out for half an hour Y/N?”

“Yes sir”

“Alright. Be right back” As soon as Gene left, Y/N places herself in front of the piano that was placed the night before on the stage. Surprised everyone just noticed it being there.

Y/N was about to ask if anyone has a song in mind when she was swarmed by a few of the actors.

“Okay okay...one at a time please?” Y/N asks with a nervous smile.

When it came to Sally and Barry’s turn, Y/N looks at the two seeing two completely different expressions. Sally was excited to do musicals finally and Barry was more worried about the fact that he can’t sing. Y/N found herself staring at Barry and his curious expression when Sally went on and on about songs from Cats, Heathers, and a few from movies which Y/N isn’t a huge fan of but she’s only there to accompany with the piano.

“How about Only Us?”

“Only Us?”

“It’s a song from Dear Evan Hansen. Between the main female and male lead” Y/N states before starting to play the opening of the song to give him an idea. “Do you know the lyrics Sally?”

“Yes! By heart!”

“And...you can follow along with me...?”

“Barry” Barry smiles catching a subtle blush resting on Y/N’s cheeks.

“Alright. Just listen first. Then you can try with Sally” Y/N states as she thinks to herself about the lyrics before sighing to herself. “Start from “What do you say?” “

Sally smiles resting her laptop with the open lyrics for Barry as she clears her throat.

“What do you say?”

“I never thought there’d be someone like you who would want me”

“Well” Sally laughs as Barry’s attention from her turns to Y/N.

“So I give you ten thousand reasons to not let me go. But if you really see me. If you like me for me and nothing else” Y/N gave Barry a look to join her in singing his part.

“Well, that's all that I've wanted for longer than you could possibly know” Barry sings with Y/N catching Sally off guard along with Y/N. “So it can be us. It can be us. And only us”

Sally clicks record on her laptop to review this later as Y/N started smiling.

“And what came before won't count anymore or matter. We can try that” Barry and Y/N sang together.

“It's not so impossible” All three sang as the next line Y/N cut herself out to hear Barry by himself.

“Nobody else but the two of us here” Barry locks eyes with Y/N when he sings that line seeing the hint of pink emerge on Y/N’s cheeks causing the same reaction.

“Cause you're saying it's possible” The two sang as Y/N watches Sally rest her hand on Barry’s cheek making him face her when they sang.

“We can just watch the whole world disappear” Sally smiles and continue to when she sings directing it to Barry.

Y/N continues to play for the rest of the song as the whole class watches the two of them sing this duet. Once the song finishes and Y/N stops playing, the classic slow clap that came from Gene was heard first before the rest of the class including Y/N joins the applause for the two.

“Barry! Who the fuck knew you could sing like that?!” Gene smiles resting both hands on Barry’s shoulders. “You my good sir. Are going to be the star of the showcase with this duet.”

“Yes!” Sally cheers before embracing Barry after Gene releases himself from him to walk to Y/N’s side.

“You are quite the helper” Gene pats Y/N’s back as she hasn’t drawn her attention away from the two in front of her until she snapped herself back into reality smiling up at Gene. “I know your not a student of mine, but it’d be an honor if you could do a piece for our showcase. The great pianist is also a great singer”

“Oh. Gene I can’t-“

“Come on! It’ll be fun” Sally couldn’t help but intrude as Y/N gave a nervous look until-

“You are a great singer Y/N. The more the merrier for the showcase right Mr. Cousineau?” Barry exchanges a smile with Y/N as Gene nods agreeing.

Once the class was over, Y/N stayed in for a moment to collect her things. She sat at the piano starting to play the piece she’s thinking about singing and that’s “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables. Right before Y/N was going to sing-

“Hey” Barry greets walking back into the stage room catching Y/N’s attention. “Sorry if I was..”

“No no! It’s fine Barry. What’s up?” Y/N closes the keys before looking up at Barry as he comes closer to the piano.

“Uh. The others are getting drinks and I was w-wondering if you’d like to tag along?” Barry rubs the back of his neck nervously as Y/N smiles before grabbing her bag.

“Sure, why not?” Y/N continues to smile as Barry couldn’t help but return it. He started to admire the smile of someone he just met that day.

But it felt like he’s known her forever.

“That was fucking amazing Barry” Nick states handing Barry his drink as Y/N sat beside him. “You should honestly do a solo instead of a duet with Sally man”

“Hey don’t give him the idea” Sally laughs as Natalie rolls her eyes handing Y/N and her their drinks.

“You could always ask Mr. Cousineau to do more than one song in the showcase”

“I Uh. Think I’ll just stick with the duet with Sally” Barry laughs nervously watching Y/N down her drink for a reason only she knows.

“So, Y/N?” Sally smirks looking at Y/N giving off a very territorial kind of aura. “How do you know Mr. Cousineau?”

“Broadway” Y/N crosses her arms giving a look at Sally as Natalie and Sasha perk up when she said that.

“As actors?”

“Well. He was in the audience and I was substituting for the main pianist”

“What play?” Jermaine asks as Barry watches how tense Y/N got the more Sally and the others stared at her.

“The King and I, Uh I-“

“I’m going to get some air, the bar is kind of stuffy at the moment” Barry blurts gesturing for Y/N to come with him.

“Yeah. I’m gonna join you on getting fresh air”

“Well you two better come back when the karaoke machine is finally set up”

“Sure Nick” Barry smiles before walking with Y/N outside the front of the bar.

Once they were outside, Y/N immediately sat on the curb sighing with some relief. Barry checked who was messaging him reading Fuches as he immediately ignored it and sat down beside her looking at her upset expression.

“Everything alright?”

“Yeah, just confused I guess”

“Confused about what...?”

“Actors are a bit intimidating, that’s why I don’t work with them often. I’m just a pianist.”

“Then why’d your agree to do this for Mr. Cousineau?”

“When a friend comes to you for help, you don’t always have to say no” Y/N held herself rubbing her arms to warm herself up. “Besides. Knowing Gene? Who doesn’t owe him some kind of a favor?”

“You got a point there...” Barry laughs slightly before taking off his coat and draping it comfortably on Y/N’s shoulders.

“Thanks” Y/N blushes slipping in her arms through the sleeves hugging herself. “So...If you don’t mind me asking...”

“Go ahead?”

“What’s up with you and that Sally girl?”

“She’s just my acting partner”

“Oh thank god” Y/N quickly covered her mouth after saying that, she felt a bit embarrassed as she quickly stood to her feet. “I guess downing my drink earlier hit faster than...I expected. But hey. That’s not how alcohol works. At least I think it doesn’t” she continued to ramble as Barry got up from the curb before grabbing Y/N’s shoulders.

“Calm down”

“Sorry”

“No need...to apologize”

Y/N stood still staring at Barry as he felt an urge and immediately acted upon it. He grabs her face gently pressing his lips against hers. The sudden action should’ve made Y/N resist, but she didn’t. She enjoyed what was happening. When they parted, Y/N’s phone started ringing catching her off guard a bit. She ends it quickly before opening her contacts handing Barry her phone.

“Gotta keep in contact right?” Y/N smiles watching Barry plug in his phone number before handing his phone back.

“Of course” Barry returns the smile about to lean in for another kiss when they were interrupted by the rest of the actors heading out.

“See yeah later alligator” Y/N smirks putting her hands in his coat jacket before heading out.

——

“I told you never to come here”

“Barry. You never said where this is until I figured it out myself. Trust me. It wasn’t that fucking hard”

“Leave Fuches. Before the show starts”

“You better answer that call Barry”

“Over my dead body” Barry snaps walking into the building.

Fuches scoffs before leaving the premises, giving the man very limited space.

After one fantastic showcase, everyone was congratulating each other and the audience had a few recruiters that went up to a few of the students making Gene very proud. Y/N watches Barry talk to a few of them, she couldn’t stop staring that Gene caught on.

“Do you like one of my students Y/N?”

“Gene—You can’t just ask that”

“Well the locked gaze says otherwise. I’m an excellent observer” Gene laughs sitting with Y/N on the piano bench as they were now just people watching. “I know I’m not your father but-“

“You’ll have my back if anything?”

“Damn. Y/N is a mind reader too? What can’t you do?”

“Act” Y/N laughs along with Gene as the two were soon approached by Barry.

“Now that’s my queue” Gene smiles escorting himself out as Barry took the empty seat.

Y/N smiles noticing the rose in Barry’s hand. “Did you get that from somebody?”

“No. I got it for you.” Barry smiles handing it off. “You were excellent”

“Excuse me? The closing duet between you and Sally was beyond excellent. Absolutely stunning” Y/N smiles at Barry as he sneaks a kiss happily.

The pianist and the hitman, what more could happen.

[splendidlyimperfect]

Hi, I have a request but you don't have to fill it I understand if it's too sad or hard to write. Would you be willing to write a story about either abortion or miscarriage/pregnancy loss? I know it's a very heavy and controversial topic but I have been struggling and you write difficult things so beautifully. I've cried many times reading your stories about self harm, suicide, grief, mental illness. Your stories are so raw and real and they bring me so much comfort. Either way thank you.

hey anon - i’m so sorry that you’re going through this and i hope you have people in your life to support you through it. i’m really honored that you reached out and i’m always happy to talk if you need to. i hope this is what you’re looking for <3 

**cw for unplanned pregnancy, trans pregnancy, and abortion

a/n: this story is about someone chosing to have an abortion to end an unplanned/unwanted pregnancy. the abortion itself doesn't take place in the story, but the discussion/decision does. if that's not for you, please don't read it. i'm pro choice, the story is pro choice, and i'm not interested in debating. please don't leave anti choice comments trying to convince me i'm wrong because they will be ignored and deleted.

take my heart clean apart (if it helps yours beat)

sweetheart, you look a little tired when did you last eat? come in and make yourself right at home stay as long as you need tell me, is something wrong? if something’s wrong, you can count on me you know i’d take my heart clean apart if it helps yours beat ~ two, sleeping at last

An insistent buzzing slowly dragged Natsu from his sleep and he grumbled, rolling over and feeling around on the bedside table for his phone. The only light in the room came from the glow of the blunt half-moon hanging in the sky, and he groaned when he squinted at the phone screen and realized it was three in the morning. He was about to turn the phone off when his brain caught up and realized it was Gray’s name on the call display.

“’lo?” Natsu yawned as he answered.

There was a long silence, then Gray’s quiet voice. “Can I come over?”

Natsu frowned. “Yeah, of course,” he said, rubbing his face. “’s matter? You okay?”

Another pause stretched out until Natsu’s confusion started to turn to anxiety.

“No,” Gray answered eventually.  

Natsu sat up, pushing the blankets off and swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. “What’s wrong? You need me to come get you?”

“No,” Gray said quickly, “I can—I’m downstairs.” His voice wavered and Natsu realized that he was crying. “Can you buzz me in?”

Continue reading on AO3

“Yeah, just gimme a sec.”

Natsu made his way into the living room and pressed the buzzer, waiting for the click that told him that Gray was inside. The phone line went dead and Natsu stared down at the screen. Something heavy settled in his stomach when he realized he’d missed three calls from Gray before he’d finally woken up.

A few seconds later there was a soft knock on the door, and Natsu opened it to find Gray, wrapped in a hoodie with red eyes and damp cheeks.

“Hey,” Natsu said gently, reaching out and touching Gray’s arm. Gray shied away, shaking his head and wrapping his arms around himself. “C’mere,” Natsu said, stepping back and gesturing for Gray to come in. “What’s going on? Are you hurt?”

Gray shook his head, keeping his gaze on the floor as he stepped carefully into the apartment. Happy, who had been curled up on the couch, hopped down with a lazy meow and padded over to greet him.

“Are you still sick?” Natsu asked, taking in Gray’s pale, drawn face. He’d been out of school with the flu for the last few days, and Natsu had been planning to visit him tomorrow to drop off their latest assignment. “Stomach flu isn’t—”

“It’s not the flu.”

Natsu frowned. Gray’s voice was tight, and he sniffed as he pulled the sleeves of his hoodie down over his hands. Happy meowed and rubbed himself against Gray’s legs, but Gray ignored him.

“I’m… I…” Gray swallowed, finally looking up at Natsu with red-rimmed eyes. “I’m pregnant.”  

There was a fleeing moment where Natsu forgot Gray was trans, forgot that it was possible, and he almost laughed because obviously Gray was joking, but why would he joke about something like that, and he was crying, which wasn’t funny at all—

“Oh,” Natsu said softly, unable to help the quick glance down to Gray’s stomach, then back up to his face.

“Yeah.” Gray’s voice broke and he wiped his face with his sleeve as the tears he’d been trying to hold in started to run down his cheeks. Natsu stared helplessly at him for a second, then quickly stepped forward and pulled him into a hug.

“It’s okay,” he said quietly, heart breaking as Gray started to cry in earnest, forehead pressed to Natsu’s shoulder and hands clutching at Natsu’s shirt.

“It’s not,” Gray insisted through his tears.  “It’s not—I can’t fucking have a… a baby, I can’t. It’s—I’ve got school, and my loans, and I live in a shitty dorm, not even a real apartment.” The words came faster, and his shoulders shook with the force of his tears. “I don’t have any money, or a job, and my parents aren’t—and how could I—”

“Gray.” Natsu interrupted as gently as possible, running his hand up and down Gray’s back and trying to calm his panicked breaths. “Breathe. You’re gonna be okay.”

He kissed Gray’s temple, then pulled back just enough to nudge him toward the couch. Once they sat down, Gray quickly curled up against Natsu, grabbing one of the cushions and holding it against his stomach as he cried.

Natsu held him close, trying to sort through the thousand thoughts that were racing through his mind. The two of them had been friends forever – through Gray’s parents’ deaths, through Natsu’s dad leaving, through happiness and heartbreak and everything in between. Something more had always simmered beneath the surface of their friendship, and it had culminated a few weeks ago in a tipsy, sweet first kiss. Since then, things had been in a sort of strange limbo – a delicate balance of careful flirting as they navigated their new dynamic. Gray was happier than Natsu had ever seen him, all shy smiles and tentative hand holding, and soft kisses when nobody was looking.

But now Gray was terrified and crying in his arms, and Natsu didn’t know what to do. Panic, confusion, and a deep sense of love warred in his mind, and he held Gray closer, pressing his face against the top of Gray’s head.

Gray eventually stopped crying, but he stayed curled up against Natsu, occasionally sniffling or rubbing his face. Happy hopped up onto the couch and turned in several circles before settling down next to Gray and purring happily. The only other sound in the apartment was the occasional car passing by twenty floors below.  

“I don’t know who it was,” Gray said eventually, pulling his legs up onto the couch and shifting until his head was tucked under Natsu’s chin. “Or when.” His voice was rough and quiet, and Natsu could hear the shame behind his words. “How long ago, I mean,” he added. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” Natsu said gently, running his fingers up and down Gray’s arm. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Gray shook his head. “I did, but I—I promise, I haven’t been with anyone since we… but before that. There was a guy from the dorm party. And other… I don’t…”

He trailed off; cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“Gray,” Natsu interrupted. “You don’t have to justify sleeping with people, especially not to me.”

“You don’t,” Gray mumbled. “Sleep with people, I mean.”

Natsu sighed. “That’s because I’m not into sex, dummy, you know that. It has nothing to do with anything else, and you can sleep with whoever you want. Or however many people you want, it doesn’t matter. I mean, I know we haven’t talked about what that means for us, but you didn’t do anything wrong and I’m not judging you.”

Gray didn’t say anything, but he let Natsu take his hand. Natsu could feel the frantic flutter of Gray’s pulse when his fingers touched Gray’s wrist.

“Are you sure?” Natsu asked. “That you’re pregnant, I mean.”

Gray nodded, staring at their joined hands. “Yeah, I took a test from the drugstore. Two of them, and they were both positive. But I always use condoms and I’m on the pill and it’s… fucking stupid, that’s like a one percent chance. Fuck.” He pressed his forehead to Natsu’s chest. “I don’t know what to do.”

Natsu ran his thumb across Gray’s shoulder. His mind was a mess of thoughts he couldn’t keep up with. What if he wants to keep it? What if he doesn’t? How do I help him? I’m not ready to be a parent. I don’t think he is either. It’s his choice. I’ll do anything for him.

He exhaled, focusing on Gray – the grass stain on the knee of his jeans, the freckle on the back of his hand, the way his socks didn’t match.

“What do you need?” Natsu asked. “Do you just want me to listen? Or do you wanna talk about… options, I guess?”

Gray shrugged. “I dunno.” Natsu could tell he was trying to be nonchalant, but his hands were shaking and Natsu could feel his shoulders tense.

“Hey.” Natsu pulled back, shifting until he was facing Gray. “We’re gonna figure this out.”

“How?” Gray whispered.

Natsu hesitated. This wasn’t something he could back down from. Promising to potentially help raise a kid with his best-friend-turned-partner at three in the morning probably wasn’t the soundest decision Natsu had ever made.

But Natsu loved Gray, and he wouldn’t let him do this alone.

“Together,” he said. He leaned in, brushing Gray’s hair out of his face and tucking it behind his ear with a shaky hand. “If you want to – if you decided to keep it, if you wanted that… we could make it work. It’s not impossible, and I’ll always be here for you.”

Gray’s expression shifted as his grip on Natsu’s hand tightened. “But it’s not… you’re not…”

“Doesn’t matter.” Natsu ran his fingers through Gray’s hair again, then closed his eyes and leaned in, pressing their foreheads together. “Gray, you’re one the most – no, the most important person in my life. I’m here for you no matter what, and if you want to do this, I’ll be right here with you, okay?”

Gray made a sound that was somewhere between a sob and a laugh, brushing his nose against Natsu’s and giving him a quick, gentle kiss.

“You’re amazing,” he said as he sat up, and there were tears on his cheeks, but a tiny smile on his lips. “And you’re the most important person in my life, too.” Then he sighed, still not quite looking at Natsu. “I don’t want to, though.”

Natsu couldn’t tell exactly what was happening in his stomach – it twisted in a strange combination of relief, apprehension, and affection.

“Don’t want to what?”

“Keep it.” Gray shook his head. “The whole way here, on the bus—I kept thinking about it. Trying to picture it, being pregnant. Having a baby. Giving it up, keeping it, whatever, just… all of it. And I can’t.” He took a deep breath, then exhaled, staring down at their hands. “I want to get an abortion.”

He tensed, and before Natsu could say anything, he quickly added, “I just... I know you’d help, and I know there’s... but it doesn’t—”

“Okay,” Natsu said, interrupting the shaky, uncertain words.

Gray looked up at him. “Okay?”

“Of course.” Natsu squeezed his hands. “You don’t have to justify it. It’s your body and your choice.” Gray swallowed. “I said I’m here for you no matter what, and I meant it.”

Gray slowly relaxed his grip on Natsu’s hands as he let out a shaky breath. “Will you come with me?” he asked quietly.

“Of course,” Natsu said immediately. “Do you know where to go? Like, do you have to make an appointment?”

“Yeah. If it’s early enough they can just do – it’s a pill, not a surgery. But I dunno how many weeks I am so I guess they have to do an ultrasound or something.” He pulled his phone from his pocket, swiping the screen and handing it to Natsu. It was open to a website for the Health Options center downtown. Natsu scanned the page while running his thumb across Gray’s knuckles.

“Okay, looks like they open at nine. You wanna call them then?”

“Yeah.” Gray nudged Natsu’s knee. “Are you sure...” He trailed off.

“Sure about what?”

“That you’re not... I dunno, mad? Or something?”

Natsu frowned. “Why would I be mad?”

“Ugh, I don’t know. You just seem so...” Gray gestured vaguely. “Not... upset?”

“Did you think I was gonna be?”

Gray looked away and fiddled with the hem of his jeans.

“Gray,” Natsu said gently. “I’m not mad. I’m surprised, and I’m worried for you. This is gonna suck, even if it’s not the surgery.”

“I know.” Gray chewed his lip. “I just feel stupid.”

“You’re not stupid,” Natsu reassured him. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Are you worried about us?” He nudged Gray’s arm.

“Maybe.” Gray let go of Natsu’s hand and rubbed his face. “I just... yeah, I like sex, and it’s fun and stuff, but I love you more than I like that, and now this is just like, a stupid thing, and you’re taking care of me even though you didn’t have anything to do with it, like you were willing to...” He made a frustrated sound. “I don’t feel like I deserve it.”

“Of course you do,” Natsu insisted. “Even if we weren’t together, I’d still be here for you. You’re my best friend. And I mean, eventually we should talk about the sex thing ‘cause I'm not like, dooming you to a life of celibacy if we’re together, but we can figure that out later, okay?”

“’kay.”

Natsu reached out to touch Gray’s chin, tipping his head up until they were looking at each other. Gray’s eyes were red and bloodshot, and the skin around them was dark and puffy. “When was the last time you slept? Or ate?”

“A while,” Gray said, making a face. “I can’t sleep, and I throw up everything I eat.”

Natsu made a sympathetic sound, then leaned in and kissed Gray’s forehead. “Well, I’m hungry, and since we’re not going back to sleep and the clinic isn’t open for—” he leaned back and checked the clock on the microwave “—at least three hours, we’re going to that 24-hour diner for breakfast. You can watch me eat pancakes and try to eat some toast.”

“Do I have to?”

“Yes.” Natsu pushed himself off the couch and reached out to Gray, taking his hands and pulling him to his feet. “Just try, okay? For me?”  

Gray grumbled half-heartedly but let Natsu pull him into a hug. They stood for a minute, holding each other in the soft, quiet dark of the morning. Then Natsu nudged Gray’s head and leaned in to kiss him. It was gentle and sweet, and Natsu hoped it was the reassurance Gray needed.

When they pulled apart, Gray was smiling. His eyes were still red, and his hands still shook a little, but the sight of his smile made Natsu’s heart ache in the best way. It was familiar and comforting, and it made Natsu certain that even though the next few days – or weeks – would be hard, they were going to be okay.

“Thank you,” Gray said softly.

“Always.” Natsu slipped his fingers between Gray’s and pulled him toward the door. “Now c’mon, those pancakes aren’t gonna eat themselves.”

[redyarns]

Hello! I've been reading the weeping angel and I loved it! (Super duper fluffy and soft) Btw, since you're open to requests on writing stories. Mind if you make a tododeku one where Shoto wakes up from a nightmare and Izuku is there to comfort the poor bean, flashing foward to a few years later when both of them are pro heroes Izuku in turn has a nightmare (could be anything) and Shoto comforts him like all those years ago? If you don't mind

hey there! of course i can, and thank you so much for reading my stories!

***

Shouto woke up feeling like someone was holding him underwater. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t hear, couldn’t think - he grasped as his throat, choking and gasping hoarsely before he realized that someone’s hands weren’t closing around his neck, strangling him. They were instead stroking his hair and back, gentle but firm, and he sagged into the body next to his. 

“Another nightmare?” Izuku whispered into Shouto’s hair. 

Shouto looked around him, realizing several things. For one, they were in his dorm room at UA - he’d forgotten himself for a moment and the neat clutter of his room was slowly becoming recognizable to him. The lights were off but the drapes on his windows were drawn back to reveal the pale moon, lazily filling a small section of the bed with light, and Shouto turned his head to look at his boyfriend. 

Izuku was beautiful as always, but there were dark bags underneath his eyes along with his freckles and Shouto immediately felt guilty. They’d only been dating for three months and had tentatively decided to start sleepovers in the same bed a week ago. Shouto hated more than ever that his nightmares were such a problem; he despised the tired look on Izuku’s face, the worried lines between his eyes, and how the other boy absolutely refused to go back to bed until he knew Shouto was okay. 

Shouto both loved and loathed him for it. 

He didn’t like that he had to subject Izuku to his problems, not when the issues were so deep and twisted that Shouto couldn’t even decipher them, couldn’t - couldn’t - 

“Did you know.” 

Shouto glanced up. 

Izuku stared at him, almost glaring, and the fire of determination in his eyes reminded Shouto why he loved him so much in the first place. All his life, Shouto had been afraid of flames, a harsh and ugly reminder of his father and the cursed mark on his face that he had to carry. Despite that, the fire in Izuku never burned Shouto - it was like a warm embrace, the smell of eucalyptus, and soft kisses to his nose. It was Izuku, and Shouto leaned in, suddenly aching for him so much that he could barely breathe, and Izuku didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around Shouto’s shoulders and his hands into his hair. 

“That they say stardust runs through our veins?” Izuku whispered, and it should have been ridiculous, the situation. Shouto’s clock was telling him it was three forty-five in the morning, they were both exhausted from the previous day’s training, and yet there they were, clinging to each other in Shouto’s messy bedroom like nothing else mattered.

“Go to sleep, Shoucchan,” Izuku whispered, brushing his thumb over Shouto’s jaw. Like always, he didn’t ask what the nightmare was about, didn’t push Shouto past his limits. Shouto wanted to kiss him until they both couldn’t breathe. “Sleep with the stars.” 

Shouto snuggled closer, breathed in deep, and believed in Izuku. 

***

Shouto thinks he might be dying. 

Or someone had taken a hot, searing knife and was insistently (and quite rudely) jabbing him in the stomach over and over. 

It was this unpleasant thought that made him start opening his eyes - his eyelids felt like they were each a thousand pounds, and for a moment he stopped, trying to keep from throwing up when he realized that the more he tried to blink, the more nauseous he became. 

Slowly, though, he woke up, and was nearly blinded by the abhorrently bright white of the walls. He couldn’t move his head, his neck feeling like a giant, swollen brace rather than his actual neck, but the white dots in his vision were slowly blinking away and he squinted around him. 

He inhaled deeply, feeling a slight uncomfortable squirm in his chest as he realized that he was in a hospital. He glared at the vase of roses sitting on the windowsill - the flowers themselves were beautiful, warm and soft in the light of the sun, but they were also white roses, which he bitterly knew were definitely not good in a hospital setting. 

They also blended a little too well into the whole room - it was like everything was white, the walls, the ceiling, the bed. At least, everything was white except for his husband’s head. 

Shouto stared, realizing that the weight on his leg was not from some weird aftermath of the battle he was just starting to remember, but because his lumberjack of a husband was there, snoring and mumbling to himself. Shouto’s leg was falling asleep, not that it was a surprise. His husband was unfairly tall and muscled, something that happened during their third and final year in school, shooting up like a weed but also filling out. 

Shouto would have been jealous if it wasn’t for the fact that he loved he could bury his face in Izuku’s chest and that his husband had to bend down to kiss Shouto’s nose like he always did before bed time. 

“Shoucchan!” 

Shouto startled slightly, wincing as he accidentally moved his bandaged stomach, and wow Izuku looked like a disaster. 

His husband’s normally tanned and grinning face looked like he hadn’t washed it in days, there were bags near black underneath his - oh. Shouto watched, stunned and more than a little alarmed as he realized that those were big, globby tears running down Izuku’s cheeks, his eyes dark with his emotions and his skin turning into a rather unbecoming shade of red. 

“You’re okay,” Izuku sobbed, and Shouto knew his husband well enough to recognize the way Izuku was cradling his cheeks, sobbing like he couldn’t control himself and his hands shaking tremulously. 

“You had a nightmare,” Shouto said, quietly and scratchily. 

“You almost died,” Izuku cried, out of breath. Shouto couldn’t help but look at him fondly - Izuku wasn’t an elegant crier, far from it, but he still looked breathtaking like this, and Shouto wished he had the strength to lift a hand and take Izuku’s own. 

“You were in the hospital just last week,” Shouto said dryly. 

“Shoucchan.” 

Shouto sighed and smiled softly, happy to see Izuku’s tears slowing down, and said, “I’m sorry, Izuku. I can’t promise to always be safe - “ 

“I’m going with you next time - “ 

“But,” Shouto said as loud as he could, cutting off his husband, “there’s one bright side to this.” 

Izuku stared at him incredulously. “What?” 

Shouto smiled faintly. “I don’t think the nurse will get mad if number one pro hero Deku smashed that vase of roses, would they?” 

Izuku stared, stared, and stared, and then he laughed. 

Shouto laughed too (well, as much as he could, anyway), and when Izuku leaned down to rub the tip of his nose gently with his own while giving him butterfly kisses, Shouto could only hum and smile even more. 

(As it turns out, the hospital didn’t get mad at them for Izuku accidentally throwing the jar of roses out the window, which only proved Shouto right.) 

***

this..... turned out a lot longer than i expected. i hope you enjoyed, nonetheless!

[jadekitty777]

I debated so hard on what words to pick for my request but! I think I've finally settled on "Trust" and "Dance"! Tbh I know you only sent me one word, though, so if you would rather just pick one or the other and go with that, that's totally fine! Whatever tickles your fancy, honestly. I'll be happy to read any Taiqrow you write askldfm

Me: Drabble? That’s like five thousand words, right?

I’m pretty sure getting me to write something concisely is moreimpossible than finding Atlantis. But I’m so super pleased with how this oneturned out. Also, I re-wrote the summary no less than six times.

Title: Won’t Say, Don’t Say (I’m Falling in Love)

Summary: A bitter loner and a hopeless romantic walk into a bar onenight… and you all know how this joke ends, don’t you? [Modern AU]

Rating: T

Pairings: Taiqrow and Raven/Summer

AO3 Link: Right Here!

~

The bumping sounds of bass spilled out the door of the danceclub as it was opened and then closed with the admittance of another patron,moving the rest of those waiting in line another blissful inch. Tai steppedforward, grateful they were almost to the front. He rocked on his heels toalleviate some of the ache in his knees, looking down when he felt Summer latchonto his arm. She had probably spent an hour in front of the mirror, each bitof her make-up so immaculately placed, with glitter accents around her eyesthat would sparkle under the colored lights once they hit the floor. She wasdefinitely dressed to impress tonight.

“Ooh, I can’t wait for you to meet them!”

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. It was probably thefifth time he’s heard that since he’d agreed to join her.  “Don’t get tooexcited Sums. I came along to have fun, not find a date.”

“Yeah, you say that, buuuut-” She trailed off, letting therest of the sentence hang.

“Hey, I’ve been getting better!” He argued, tucking his facein his collar.

“To get better, you need to actually date someoneTai. Not avoid dating entirely. That’s called ‘ignoring the problem.’.”

“I’m not ignoring it. I’m just… taking a break!”

“Uh-huh. Sure.”

Tai sighed. He knew there really wasn’t any use in arguing.He was pretty sure there was some unwritten universal law that if you knew aperson for more than fifteen years, it was impossible to lie to them. Or maybehe just couldn’t lie to the one girl that he introduced himself to by placing acrown of dandelions on her head while declaring her as his ‘forever flowerprincess’. She responded to such an honest declaration of love in the way anyeight-year-old should: By calling him a stupid dum-dum and throwing sand in hisface.

They’d been best friends ever since.

Of course, having such an honorary place in his life alsomeant that she got to watch from a front row seat whenever he got his heartbroken. Almost like a true movie-goer, the first few times she saw the storyplay out, her heart-strings tugged at his every struggle and pain. By the tenth time,she was yelling at the screen for him to stop making the same stupid decisionsbefore the first scene was even over. Eventually, those criticisms and hisaching chest got through to him, and he decided to just stop performingaltogether.

He had a suspicion that because the screen had stayed blackfor more than a year now, his biggest fan had grown bored with the lack ofentertainment. Why else would she try to turn herself into a director?

“I’m just saying, if you meet someone you like, you shouldgive it a chance.” She jabbed her elbow into his side. “I know you miss beingsomeone’s prince.”

He nudged her back, but her smile was too infectious not tocatch. “Oh, shut up.”

“You know you love me.” She said. A buzzing drew herattention and she pulled out her phone from her handbag. Tai’s assumptions thatit was her girlfriend was proven right when Summer announced, “Raven saidthey’re at the corner of the bar when we get inside.”

Just in time too, because they were next in line. Afterbeing carded and screened, they were allowed inside. It was like walking fromnight into day, the air turning from brisk and breezy to heavy and hot withinseconds of entering the club, the ground under his feet seeming to shake withevery beat of the rhythm blasting from the speakers. Tai had to blink awayspots as he adjusted to the flashing lights.

Summer stood on her tiptoes, scoping out the room. “Oh, Isee them!” She tugged him along as she weaved around the crowd and straighttowards a pair sitting at the quieter end of the bar. His eyes were drawn tothe female of the two, impressed by the wild, black hair cascading down herback. “Rae!”

And it was she who turned to that call, giving him his firstgood look at the mysterious girlfriend he’d been hearing about for weeks. Shewas as stunning as Summer had gushed over, her facial features a perfectcontrast of sharp in the nose and chin, yet delicate in the pale moonlit whiteof her skin and eyes red like gemstones. He may have even thought herdangerous, if not for the way her lips eased into a welcoming smile.

Summer unlatched herself from him, skirting the last fewfeet forward and right into her arms. And then she leaned up and – okay yeah,he didn’t need to watch his admittedly gorgeous friend kissing an equallygorgeous woman. It probably wasn’t good for his health.

Taiyang avoided it by focusing on the second half of the pair,whom was now leaning back against the counter. As he met dusky red eyes, heswore he heard his mind screech to a halt.

For if there was ever a person that perfectly defined bothstrikingly handsome and breathtakingly beautiful, that was Qrow Branwen. It washard to pinpoint exactly what made him so, other than to say all of him. From slicked back, coal-darkhair to the hint of stubble that accented an angled jawline or the too-tightdress shirt with the top two buttons undone, revealing just enough to tease, tothe long legs that couldn’t teasetheir flexibility, every bit of him seemed to just be another something to appreciate.He was like a puzzle; the pieces alone didn’t seem like much, but when puttogether the correct way it became a work of art.

Qrow shot him an easygoing smile, tilting his half-fullglass as a greeting wave. “Hey, you must be Tai.”

Dear gods, and a voice that sounded like it was constantlywrecked by sex. That was just notfair.

He swallowed hard against his suddenly dry throat. “Yeah.And you’re Qrow. Hey.” He tacked on lamely. What a night to lose his charisma.

Thankfully, he wasn’t left to flounder long as Raven spokeup, “And I’m Raven. Charmed, really.” Her arms made a loose circle aroundSummer’s waist, tugging her close. “So, now that we’re all acquainted: Drinksor dance floor?”

Knowing there was no way in hell he was getting on the floorwithout being at least semi-drunk, Tai quickly offered, “I vote drinks” just asSummer said, “I want to dance!”

Qrow gestured to his own glass as a sign of his own opinion.

Raven shrugged, slipping off her bar stool. “Guess we’resplitting up then.” She pulled off the leather jacket, tossing it over herbrother’s head. “Be a good coat rack and hold that for me.”

He yanked it off, saying irritably, “Three songs and thenwe’re switching.”

“We’ll see.”

As they bickered, Summer turned to him, the glitter aroundher face only accenting her puppy-dog gaze as she held her girly handbag towardshim. “Please?”

Tai rolled his eyes, hooking his fingers around the strap.“Go have fun.”

“You’re the best!” She beamed, before following after Raven,walking so close they practically melded at the hip.

In the wake of their departure, the appointed coat racktipped his head towards the now empty bar stool, in which the appointed pursehook gratefully took.

Qrow swung himself around, flagging down the bartender as heasked him, “So, what’s your taste?”

It took Tai a moment to realize he meant for alcohol. “Oh,uh, Four Roses, if they have it.”

A whistle. “A bourbon man, huh? Didn’t take ya for thetype.”

“Didn’t used to be. I tried it on a dare. Just ended upliking it.”

“Wonder who that was.” The way he said that implied Qrowknew exactly who had been the instigator. He lent towards him. “Hey, can I dareyou to try another?”

Tai met his gaze, not sure what to make of the almostmischievous grin gracing those pretty features. “Uh, like?”

“What’ll ya have boys?”

Qrow winked at him, before turning to the bartender. “I’lltake another double of scotch, on the rocks. My friend here’ll have some OldCrow, nice and neat.”

Tai could immediately catch the bourbon’s scent the momentit was placed in front of him. It smelled almost sweet, more like a fancymartini, than the bitter, burning whiskey he was imagining. Entirely aware ofthe eyes watching his every movement, he lifted his glass and took the first,brave sip.

And, it was…

Huh.

He lowered the glass, mildly confused. Why did it taste likelightly buttered toast?

Beside him, Qrow had dissolved into laughter, restrained butlively. “It’s weird, right?”

“Not really what I was expecting.” He took another sip,adjusting to the flavor. He’d had better, but for a bottom shelf drink, it wasn’tbad. It had that tame, moderate sort of kick he’d grown to enjoy. “It’s fineenough to drink.”

That mischievous smile was back. “Oh good. Because you’ll bedrinking a lot of crow tonight.”

Tai choked on air. “E-Excuseme?!”

Qrow pounded at the counter, howling with laughter. “Youshould see your face! Man, that was one of my best lines!”

He sighed, setting his glass down with a decisive thud. Evenat only twenty-five, he was too old for this game. “Alright, are you flirtingwith me or messing with me?”

He held his forefinger and thumb a millimeter apart, “Lil’bit of both,” before reaching out for his drink.

Tai watched him drown it, asking, “Why?”

A second thud as another glass hit the counter, ice cubescackling together. “Did you know every time I walked into the room, you justconveniently became the hot topic of conversation?” Qrow finally looked to him,raising an eyebrow. “Summer’s not exactly subtle.”

“Oh Gods.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, wishing theground would just open up underneath him and portal him straight to Hell. “I’msorry. She means well. She’s just got it in her head that I’m lonely.”

“Bet it came with a bunch of ‘You’re not getting anyyounger’ and ‘Love is worth the risk’ speeches, right?”

He groaned. “Yep. Guess the pain’s mutual, huh?”

“Eh.” He shrugged. “Honestly, it was more a change of pace.No one has ever felt they needed to play Cupid for me. I mean, of course not.When you look this good, the romance comes to you.” He gestured grandly tohimself, and had Tai not been practically drooling at his feet not ten minutesago, he might have called him out on his ego. Qrow spared him another wink. “Tobe frank, you don’t look like you need it either.”

Oh. Tai felt hisface flame up, rubbing the back of his neck. “Thanks.”

His smile went from coy to relaxed. “To also be frank, I’mnot looking for a commitment and from your response, I don’t think you reallyare either. I am however hoping to have a good time tonightand if I can do that with a sexy guy, all the more reason. So, what say we getdrunk off our asses, make fools of ourselves on the dance floor and call it anight?”

It was amazing just how much that simple suggestion easedthe tension out of him. He grinned back at him. “I say let’s do it.”

“Alright, then. Cheers!”

The clink of their glasses sealed the promise, and as Taichugged his drink, he figured the night might just be looking up after all.

~

It was probably their fourth round on the dance floor and itwas practically sweltering. He could feel sweat clinging to him, head spinningwith a wonderful dizziness. Qrow was a better sight; his hair had fallen into amess at some point, bangs plastered attractively along his forehead, and he’dundone a few more buttons of his shirt, revealing a bit more of those nicelydefined pecs. Watching him move to the beat, Tai couldn’t figure out if thefloor was so hot because of how many people were around him, or if it wassimply because Qrow was on it.

Wait, that was a good one!

He caught his fingers into his dance partner’s belt loops,yanking him in close. He had to lean into his ear, just so he could hear him. “Hey,got something to tell ya!”  

“Yeah?” Qrow slurred back, slinging his arms up around hisneck. The sudden closeness had broken their rhythm, just leaving them to swaytogether.

Tai searched his brain, trying to remember. What was itexactly? Oh, Right!  “You’re pretty.” Henestled himself into his shoulder, hiding his goofy grin against the other’sneck. Fingers ran through his hair, petting him in soothing motions that made hiseyes flutter shut.

So nice.

Qrow was nice.

He liked him.

He wanted to dance with him forever.

“Hey. Listen.” Qrow’s lips touched against his ear, creatinghappy tingles that rushed down his spine. “This song’s for us.”

Tai did his best to focus as commanded, a few of the lyrics driftingaround them becoming startlingly clear.

“What are the chancesthat we’d end up dancing?

Like two in a million,like once in a life.”

The music lifted away, the words becoming inaudible. He liftedhis head, trying to follow their retreat, but his head was heavier then heremembered, and he had to rest it again – this time with his forehead layingagainst Qrow’s own. The magic of them staring into one another’s eyes broughtthe song back.

“Is it love? Is itfate?

Where it leads, whocan say?

Maybe you and I weremeant to be.”

Qrow laced his fingers around the back of Tai’s neck,tilting just enough that their lips brushed together. A second later, he triedagain, kissing him with more earnest.

Whoa, too fast! Toofast! His brain jittered in alarm.

The sweep of a tongue along his lips halted the warningsaltogether.

…Ah, screw it.

Tai tangled his own hands into Qrow’s hair, opening hismouth to him. Their tongues took the place of their feet, dancing together tothe music of their souls. Every breath between them harmonized, every nerve ontheir bodies sang, every beat of their hearts rose up, up, up to the crescendowithout ever needing to fall.

He really wanted to dance with him forever.

It wasn’t meant to be. Qrow broke back first with a gasp,stumbling into him despite the fact they were not moving. “Got to sit. You’regiving me a fever.”

“’Kay.” Tai obliged, tugging him along by his waist as theybumbled about the crowd. It could have been seconds or minutes before they sawthe line of the bar again.

His partner continued to cling to him, head lolling againsthis arm. “Like you. You’re built like a tree.”

The words tumbled out without thought, “Perfect for you toperch on.”

Qrow laughed loudly. He reached out to pat his shoulder,missed, and hit his collarbone instead. “Sunshine, you are so getting mynumber.”

Number of what? Taipondered as the night faded to a blur.

He woke up at home, headache pounding behind his eyes andmuscles aching from the night.

On his phone was a single text from an unknown sender, apossibility in the words:

Call me soon, Sunshine.

~

As Qrow added creamer to the two cups of coffee, the soundof songbirds made him look back towards the kitchen table. His phone had lit upwith a new notification, but that wasn’t his ringtone. He glanced at theobvious culprit. “Did you really?” He asked.

“Whatever do you mean, dear brother?” Raven said, lookingjust a little too smug not to be guilty.

He shook his head, trying to hide his own amusement. Hedidn’t understand how she kept figuring out his password. At least it was tamerthen the death metal she had chosen last time. He stored the creamer back intothe fridge, and as he set her cup down in front of her, said, “You know, if youever decide to use your powers for evil, you’ll be a force to be reckonedwith.”

“I’m shocked and appalled that you don’t already consider meas such.”

“Pff, whatever.” He plopped down beside her, taking a drinkof his own coffee as he reached for his phone, absently wondering if it wouldbe a joke or just a peppy hello today. Qrow didn’t usually like the clingyones, but somehow, it was hard to be annoyed with Tai about it. It was likegetting mad at a puppy.

So used to their routine that had built over the past twomonths, he was caught off guard by his disappointment when he realized it wasKimi instead.

Hey babe ;) Lookingfor a good time tonight?

He hesitated.

For a moment.

And then typed back a reply. Your place or mine?

He dropped the device back to the table, trying to drown theunexpected twisting in his stomach with half a mugful of coffee. Nothing couldsoothe the burn of Raven’s eyes on him though. “What?” He asked tersely.

“Oh, nothing.” She replied, taking a sip from her ownflower-patterned cup. He thought that would be it. “Summer told me somethinginteresting about your new boytoy.”

He really should have known better by now not to hope forthings. “Yeah? What about him?”

“He’s apparently a hopeless romantic.” She gestured betweenthem, the sudden singing birds from his phone accentuating the motion as shemimed a rainbow. “Disney-Level hopeless.”

“So? Tai knows I’m not in it for the long game.”

“Does he now?” Before he could react, Raven’s hand struckout like a viper, snatching up his phone. “Then I guess you won’t mind if I tellhim you’ll be busy hooking-up with someone else tonight.”

“What-” Qrow lurched after it, trying to wrestle it from hergrasp, spewing obscenities all the while, “Fucking – god damn – Raven cut itthe hell out!”

He got a grip on her arm, but as he made a grab for hisphone, she caught his wrist, twisting it back. As he ceded in pain, Raven spokesharply over his whimpers, “If you’re this scared about it, then why do it atall?”

He spit back in her face, “Don’t act like some fucking saintRae. You used to be worse than me.” Another hiss escaped between his teeth whenher nails dug into his skin, but it would take more than that for him to backdown. “I’m not dumb. You don’t care about me. You’re only acting like thisbecause you know if I break his heart, it could mess things up with you andSummer.”

“Well.” Her grip finally relented. “You’re half-right atleast.”

He took the opportunity to yank his phone from her. Wantingnothing more than to get as far away from her as possible, he wrenched himselffrom his seat, intent on sealing himself away in his room for a few hours.

He didn’t even get to the living room before there was ascrap of another chair being shoved back. “Qrow?” She called after him. Thetemptation to ignore her was strong, and he would have, had she not added, “Youwere half-wrong too. I do care about you.”

Qrow stopped, frowning down at the water stains that warpedthe wood floor of their cheap apartment, before finally looking back at her. Itwas odd, seeing Raven look so kind, so soft. When had she changed so much? Ormaybe he was the one who hadn’t changed enough.

“I get it you know.” She stepped towards him. “What ourparents did, it hurt me too.”

He crossed his arms, avoiding her gaze. “At least you didn’tget thrown out twice.”

Raven would sometimes still joke about how, with the waythey grew up, they could have been the poster children for television’s nextbig family drama series. Their parents argued about everything, sometimes gettingso heated they’d scream at the top of their lungs. Once, cops even showed up attheir house, having been called out by a concerned neighbor. He remembered thatnight with more clarity then he liked. What had spurred that argument had beenone about Raven.

It hadn’t been anything major – she had bit another kid atschool and got sent to the principal, who then informed their parents of theincident. Pretty typical stuff, and other than some detention, she wasn’treally in trouble. But at eight, he couldn’t understand that. He thought thepolice were there to take his sister away. They had both been so terrifiedabout losing the one person that made their home bearable, they had jumped outthe window and climbed up the oak tree in the backyard. The deputy only foundthem because they thought cawing like the birds they were named after wouldthrow him off from their hiding spot.

That night was only a precursor to what would come when, atten, their parents finally divorced and split them as if they were just anotherasset, a bunch of knickknacks to be bargained for. Not their own children. Children who begged and cried tobe allowed to stay together. Children who knew being separated would hurt in away they couldn’t bear.

They might as well never have said a word for all thenothing it changed.

Four years they spent apart, until their father decided hewas done with that title and signed away his custody rights, kicking his ownson to the curb like unwanted trash. It should have been a relief, walking backthrough the front door of his childhood home. But it was already too late. Thedamage was done. To him and Raven, they had been taught the meaning of love wasa nightmare and they wanted no part in it.

For Qrow, that meant he spent his time throwing himself intomeaningless flings and short-term relationships that eventually dead-ended.When things started to get too serious, he bolted or self-sabotaged his wayout. Because if his parents had only ever taught him how to fail, how could heever do any better?

The brush of Raven’s hand on his arm brushed away thememories. He fully turned to face her, seeing his reflection in her, but it wascracking in spots. No longer a perfect mirror. No longer the same.

“Look, I’m glad that this commitment thing is working outfor you. Proud of you, even, that you’re getting past it.” Qrow sighed. “But Ican’t. I told myself I was never going to let anyone make me feel rejected likethat again. So, I won’t.”

She shook her head. “You’re hiding behind excuses, Qrow, andyou know it.”

Chirping made them both looked down. A new message hadpopped up above Kimi’s invitation.

G’morning babe! Do you have the night off? Maybe we couldcatch a movie?

Qrow could almost laugh at how simple it would be. How hecould just lie and jump into bed with someone else. To start calling off plans,avoid messages and calls, until Tai got tired of it and walked away from arelationship that would never go anywhere. How easy it was to break someoneelse’s heart and never risk his own.

As if she could see the dilemma running through his head,Raven reached out, blocking out the screen with her hand. “Listen, I’m notgoing to stand here and tell you that if you give it a chance, it’ll all justwork out in the end. When things fall apart, it hurts. But I will tell you for all the bad that could happen, thegood that does is what makes it worth it.” She looked away, lips quirking up ina gentle smile. “You haven’t let yourself fall in love, so you don’t know, butwhen it’s real, you’ll want to fight for it with everything you have.”

Wait. She couldn’t actually mean-?

The realization hit him like a train. When had things gottenthat serious? “You’re… falling in love with Summer, aren’t you?”

That soft look was back. The immovable stone wall he used tosee his sister as was crumbling, the dust of the destruction blowing away inthe happy laugh that escaped her. “I, yeah. I am. I’m not sure where things aregoing to go for us from here, but I am sure I want to see it through with her.And I know how hard it was for me to get this far. Giving her that much ofmyself, it’s scary. I can’t ask you to do the same.” She gave his arm a solidpat. “But if I can’t ask that, then I am going to be selfish and ask you tobreak it off with Tai honestly. For me.”

He shut his eyes, heaving a sigh against the weight that hadsettled on his chest. “Okay.”

“Thank you.”

As she walked back into the kitchen, Qrow called after herthis time, “Hey, Rae?”

“Yeah?”

“It’s really that good?”

She peered at him over her shoulder, a knowing gleam in hereye. “Let me put it this way: Love and Nirvana work the same way. To find it,first you need to take a leap of faith.”

Those words stuck with him, repeating in his mind as he saton his bed, thumb hovering between the two messages.

“A leap, huh?” He whispered to himself.

He swiped across the screen and typed a reply:

Sorry, can’t tonight. Maybe another time?

Now if only he could be brave enough to jump.

~

Qrow walked down the sidewalk, hands stuffed in his pocketsto hide from the evening wind’s late-night chill. As he approached the frontdoor, the streetlamps combating the overhead lights from the building split hisshadow in two, one forever reaching the direction he could have gone as theother stretched before him.

He followed its guide, pulling open the door and walkinginto the warmth of the cinema. Above the noise of popping popcorn and the vibranttunes of arcade games, he heard a faint call of his name.

“Qrow!” Tai waved as he strode towards him, grinningbrightly.

He was smiling before he even realized he was, meeting Taihalfway. “Hey Sunshine.” He said, wrapping him up in an embrace and kissing himchastely. “Got the tickets?”

“Yep. We’ve still got some time to get snacks too.”

Never one to pass up an opportunity to gorge himself onsodium and cholesterol, they got some popcorn and soda before heading in to thetheater. They bantered over where the best place to sit was – all argumentssuspiciously stopping when Qrow mentioned if they sat in the back, they couldjust make-out if the movie ended up being terrible. They got settled in, mostlyignoring the pre-commercials in favor of each other, Tai telling him about theracer he was getting to build at the machine shop while Qrow made him laugh ashe recounted his run-in at the gun range with a rather stiff-lipped upperclassman whose prosthetic arm just fell off while shooting.

“And so, he turns to me, right? And says ‘Little help’? AndI was so taken aback by what had happened, I didn’t know what to do! So, Isaid: ‘Buddy, there are a lot of hands I can give you. That ain’t one of them.’And then I just walked away like a total jackass!”

Tai held his stomach, saying between his hearty guffaws,“Nooo, you didn’t! That’s terrible!”

“I know.” Qrow ran a hand over his face, embarrassmentmaking his cheeks redden. “It was the worst.”

“Nah, what’s the worst is that you missed the opportunity tomake the best joke of all,” He was grinning hard enough to clear a manure field.“‘Well, that’s one way to disarmyourself.’”

“No! That’sawful!” He cried, throwing popcorn in the blond’s face as they dissolved intolaughter. Qrow was still struggling to get ahold of himself when he felt thesolidity of a strong arm coming around his shoulders, Tai dropping anaffectionate kiss against his temple. That arm stayed there long after thelights had dimmed and the real previews got going. He snuggled back into thecomforting hold, trading off mini-reviews with Tai as each trailer ran throughuntil the last one finally came to an end and the room became completely dark.

As the movie logo started to scroll across the screen, Tailent over, murmuring, “Hey. I’m really glad you’re here.”

Qrow froze, warning sirens going off in his head. Get out! Get out now!

The brush of warm fingers along his cheek silenced themcompletely.

His heart took the chance to skip closer to the edge. Stay, stay, stay, it beat.

Qrow caught Tai’s hand with his own, pressing his lips to hisknuckles. He then turned to him, staring into eyes so deep blue he could easilyfall forever in them, and whispered back in earnest, “Glad you’re here too.”

Tai closed the distance between them. As they kissed, Qrowfound he still wasn’t quite ready to leap the rest of the way.

But he was closer then he’d ever been before.

And maybe, whether it be tomorrow or next year, he wouldn’t justleap.

He’d soar.

[ellygoesnyooom]

(Pt1 Listen there's an idea I've had in my head for awhile now and I don't know how to work it out, because I have LITERALLY wrote myself into a ditch because of this. But here's a basic background of an idea for an MC, when she was little her father went to war and came back insane, and tried to kill her and her mother, but only killed her mother and once he realized what he had done killed himself by jumping off a bridge. Basically, years later she drank some water her old cat had lead her to

(Pt2 ps she lives in the middle of the woods,  she drank the water from the river & became immortal, she couldn’t die from sickness or injury & never aged, but she had to help anyone who stumbled upon her home, mentally & physically heal them with in 11 days, & once they were over, she would kiss the top of their forehead & they would forget her, well she was cursed to remember it all. Now I want to make this into a mystic messenger fanfic just don’t know how. Do you think you can use this idea

Okay y’all, switching it up a bit. Here’s my first ever Mystic Messenger AU! Thank you to @cupidberry1571 for sending this ask in! I’m so happy to be writing this, as it is such a good idea??? Just remember that a lot of this does not belong to me, although I have incorporated my ideas and my own twists to the plot line. I’ll try to update this on Mondays, granted that goes to plan. Enjoy!

Eleven Days: Prologue

TRIGGER WARNING: Slight violence towards end

Pairing: 707 x MC

Words: 2068

1704

The stream in front of her swirled and gurgled, the sunlight reflecting off the glittering surface nearly blinding her. She was alone, besides her cat, who had led her to the river. Why, exactly, did the cat lead her? She had no clue.

“Nero,” she murmured, kneeling down to scratch the grey and black cat behind the ear, “why did you lead me here?” The cat only purred in response, rubbing it’s head against her hand. Of course Nero wouldn’t respond; he’s only a cat.

They had been walking for a while, Nero trotting ahead of her, peering back occasionally to see if she was following. She had never gone this far before. Or maybe she had, and she just never noticed the river.

Her feet ached from walking so far, and her throat was parched.The crystal clear water swirling in front of her looked appetizing. Dare she try drinking from it?

Y/N glanced up at the sky from between the tree branches and sighed, watching the fluffy white clouds lazily drift across the bright blue canvas behind them. It was peaceful and quiet, but that wasn’t a problem. She lived alone in the middle of the woods with no neighbors; it was quiet all the time. She was used to the stillness, and welcomed it.

Nero rubbed against her legs, purring loudly. “What’s gotten into you?” Y/N giggled, crouching down again to pet the cat, who quickly bowed his back when her hand nearly came in contact and stepped away. “Nero?” She watched as the cat padded quietly to the edge of the water. The spray from the flowing water didn’t seem to bother him as he bent his head down and started to lap at the water. Y/N swallowed, watching from her spot a foot away.

“What could go wrong with drinking it?” She mused out loud, finally crawling over to the river and kneeling beside Nero, who looked on with glittering eyes. She cupped her hands together and dipped them into the icy water, bringing them out to drink the liquid. It tasted amazing, and she quickly went down for another handful.

She felt full when she finally sat up and wiped her mouth quickly with the back of her hand. Nero was watching from a little ways away in a sunny patch on the grass, sprawled out comfortably. She wanted to, as well, but the sun was starting to dip down, bathing the area in warm yellow and orange. If they didn’t get going, they would be walking alone in the dark, which was not ideal. The woods got scary at night, with wolves howling and nocturnal animals out and about. Plus the woods got pitch black, so black it was easy to twist an ankle on a little pebble or frond of foliage.

Y/N stood up, brushing the dirt off of her knees and calling her cat over, who leisurely stood up and sauntered off into the woods, towards their house. She followed Nero, glancing back once more at the river. It seemed to glow in the afternoon light, casting an ethereal light on it’s surroundings. She squeezed her eyes shut and reopened them, and the glow was gone. It looked like a regular river again.

With a shrug, she turned back to the woods in front of her and headed home for the night.

Her whole body felt stiff when she got home that night. The sun had set, and she had to fumble around to light candles so she could see in the house. By the time she had gotten all of the candles lit, Nero had already settled himself in his usual spot in the window. His tail flicked lazily as his cerulean eyes followed her movements around the small room. She started her woodstove and finally sat down, watching the wood burn in the fire for a while before finally deciding it was time for bed.

She got out of her clothing and changed into her pajamas, blowing out the candles in the rest of the house before climbing into her bed and putting the one out beside her bed. Moonlight filtered through the window on the opposite side of the room, illuminating a patch of her quilt on the bed. She jumped when Nero climbed up on the bed and settled himself beside her head, purring in her ear. She smiled, scratching the side of his face lightly before setting herself and closing her eyes to sleep.

Over the next few days, she started to notice things changing about her; she had quickly gained weight, despite eating her normal meals, and her hair was thickening up and becoming silky smooth, like her mother’s hair. Before she knew it, her figure had a beautiful hourglass figure to it, and her hair shone even in the weakest light. She didn’t realize it then, but her figure strongly resembled her mother’s.

She started to notice Nero changing, as well. His fur thickened and the color became brighter, as if the cat was decreasing in age instead of increasing. His energy level started to rise as well as his affection towards her. They were both changing, and she had no idea why.

About a week later, she got ready for bed as usual and laid down, quickly falling asleep with Nero curled beside her. Her mind quickly threw her into a dream, and she found herself standing beside the same river she had earlier in the week. Nero was nowhere to be seen this time. She was completely alone at the river, and she had no idea why.

She started to walk along the river, eyes roaming the surroundings as she did so. Why was she here? Where was Nero?

“Y/N,” a voice called, startling her. She looked around, confused when not seeing anyone. “Hello?”

“Right here,” the voice spoke softly from behind her, and she quickly turned, seeing someone standing there, dressed head to toe in white. Their face was obscured by a white veil, but their voice was loud and clear, as if it wasn’t there. “Who are you? Do I know you?”

“No, I’m afraid not. I’m just a messenger.”

“Messenger?” They nodded. “Yes. I’m here to inform you. I’m sure you have been wondering why you and your cat have been changing so suddenly over the past week.” Y/N nodded slowly.

“Well,” they started, gesturing to the river beside them, “this river isn’t just a river. When you drank from it, it altered you and your life.” She was confused by the person’s words. What were they saying?

“You have been chosen to become a mere helper. Your last name, Y/L/N, is no longer relevant to you. You are to help those who seek it. Thousands of people are hurting because of internal or external scars and wounds, and you are to heal them within 11 days. You are to teach them that their scars are merely that: scars. They will fall for you, and you for them, and over the course of the 11 days, you will help them overcome their fears, their pains, their wounds. At the end of the 11 days, they should be free of pain and suffering. You are to kiss the top of their forehead, wait for them to fall asleep, and carry them to the edge of the forest, where the city starts, and you are to leave them. They will wake, free of pain and suffering and without memory of the past days with you, and they will return to their lives. And you,” they paused for a second, “will heal the next person to come to you.”

She scoffed, laughing at the person in front of them. This was only a dream! Why should she listen to what they have to say? “I’m dreaming, you are just a figment of my imagination. My brain must be going crazy, right? I’ve been alone for so long, it’s catching up to me.” They shook their head sadly. “No, Y/N. This may be a dream, but it is very true. You will wake and realize this when nothing hurts you, and you stop aging. You are immortal now; not even your own hands can kill you.”

Her heart dropped at these words. “W-what?”

“You cannot die,” they said simply. Her face blanched, and she shook her head, taking a step back. “No, this is just a dream! It isn’t true!” They continued. “The people you are to heal will be hiding in these woods, drawn to you. When you see them, you will bring them to your house and go through the 11 days of healing them, and release them of pain. You will never have to leave this forest, for this is where you belong.”

“No, this is just a dream!” Her head was shaking from side to side, in denial of the person’s words. The person in white just stood, watching with veiled eyes. “This is you, now. Y/N, the helper. I wish you well in helping the people who seek it.” The person turned and walked off into the woods. As she was going to yell for her to come back, she awoke, jolting up in bed and startling Nero, who had settled at the foot of her bed. Weak sunlight was shining into her room.

“Just a dream, it isn’t real!” She got out of bed, dressed for the day, and left outside to go through her usual day in the woods.

Towards the end of the day, as she was heading back to her home, she heard footsteps through the woods. She halted, looking at Nero, who was sitting on a rock grooming himself. The footsteps persisted, and she quickly hurried back to her house, scooping up Nero as she ran.

Safely in her house, she closed her door and drew her curtains over the windows, sitting in her chair and holding her breath. When a hand came down on her door quietly, she swallowed down her fear, grabbed something to protect her, and creaked open the door. “Who are you? What do you want?”

“I…” the man standing there started, trailing off, eyes studying her face. “I don’t know how I got here, I was just… drawn here.” Her dream rushed back to her, and the blood rushed from her face. “D-did you just say, you were drawn here?”

“Yes. I don’t know why. May I come in?” hesitantly, she opened the door wider, hiding her protection behind the door as he stepped in. Nero jumped from his perch and bolted out the door, and she let him. She wanted to do the same.

He sat down at her table, taking in her small house. “Do you live alone out here?”

“No, my husband is, uh, out right now?” Man, was she bad at lying. “No, he’s not. You don’t have one. I can see it.” She was scared; this strange man was in her house. Nobody ever came out here; how did he find her?

“Um, give me one second,” Y/N gasped out, bolting out the door. Was what the person in her dream said true? The only way to know for sure was to test it out.

She found a sharp stone out in the woods near her house and gripped in her hands, heart racing. What if she actually died? She didn’t want to; she was only 23, and had a life ahead of her.

Swallowing down her fear, she gripped the stone so the sharp end faced her stomach, and took a deep breath before driving it into her stomach. “Aah!” She gasped at the pain, but drove it deeper yet before yanking it out with a pained cry. She looked down, watching red bloom across her stomach, soaking through the cloth of her dress. As quickly as the pain had come, it disappeared, and when she peered down at the wound and gingerly pressed a finger to the area, it felt smooth and unblemished. The only evidence was her torn and stained dress front.

She really was immortal. The dream was real.

Slowly, she went back in, leaving the door open. The man stared at her stomach, wide eyed, as she said slowly. “Make yourself comfortable, sir. I can let you stay here overnight. It’s getting dark.”

Chapter 1                                                 

[drzedzworth]

I HAVE HAD IT!!!!

Listen up and listen well

I'm going to go over this one last time

I am actually struggling! I have to much house dammage! I have a roach infestation!! And the worst part is

I am actually loosing my home!

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY?!

Because my dad and mom had a buisness that makes $100s if not $1000s of dollars! But then, my dad kicked her out of thier company WITHOUT HER KNOWING!

Now HE has all that money, and he barely wants to give us a single dime!

So now, here i am, 2 or 3 years later, i do commissions to support myself and mom!

I turned 18 in march so now i can buy commissions however i want, BUT now

WHY THE FUCK DO I HAVE TO GET YELLED AT EACH TIME I BUY SOME FUCKING ART!!!!

It is STUPID! I buy art yes! But i try to save, i don't spend unless i can, AND sometimes i pay half and half

But nooOOOO while i am scared to buy commissions, MEANWHILE LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE SPENDING 100S OF DOLLARS ON BIGGER CLOP ARTISTS!!!!

And even as going as far as fucking

ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ON A YCH!!!!!

And i Charge, like $30 for 2 ponies fucking! And instead i get hate

Even when i was on amino, i get HATE!

YOU'RE GETTING MAD AT ME BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO GET COMMISSISON!?!?!? FUCK YOU!!!!!!!

And EVEN GO AS FUCKING FAR AS TO TRYING TO RUIN MY SALES!!!

IT'S HER DECISION! NOT YOURS

And so on, we talked and she even bought a plushy from me

And i used like %70 to help pay for my mom's car bill!

Me and my mom worked hard to survive!

WE REALLY DO

But what pisses me off is that, when i wanna buy something nice, and something I'm able to afford, People like this come up to shit talk me!

Now my turn..

First of all, I wanna buy something for myself, something nice, but not to expensive, yet, i bet, I BET

She spent $150+ on one peice of art

While i spend like $40 the most! On art

And EVEN I've bought commissions TO HELP OTHERS

There's a couple people who are begging for commissions, and i feel bad for them becuase i don't see anyone else helping! I buy it and i ger shit talked for it

Shit talked for supporting smaller artists..

And let me tell you something else!

I HAVE ONLY DRAWN FOR 7 YEARS

You have NO IDEA HOW FAR I'VE COME FROM.TERRIBLE, OVER 3000 GODDAMN DRAWINGS AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO SAY I SUCK?

I make sure it's right, if it isnt, i crumble it up and start again!

I make sure my costumers are happy! I make sure that everything is okay! It's my job, LITERALLY, i live off this!

But what MAKES ME ANGRY is I'm here in Tumblr, getting nothing but goddam dust bunnies cuz no-one ever commissions me here! EVER

I have to go to the customers! And even then i get into fights with admins in group chats and such on fucking kik

KIK! Why kik? Cuz i got KICKED from Amino! The only place i was doing well!

Anyways, now what bothers me is i post my art, and only 4 likes..

I have 704 followers, maybe more, and i get 4 fucking likes, WHAT THE HELL

They don't even reblog, but when i offer free art, or when another big blog reblogs it, they swarm like flies!

And when i livestream, fucking hell, barely anyone shows, most of the time I'm just lonely! But i still keep streaming.

And now here's the point

.

I'm already having a bad day, i had to fight with this person on telegram over an RP! But then this other guy, joins my stream, and starts telling me to kill myself and my art is garbage, he's been in multiple streams and all of a sudden, shit talks me

......................................

I AM SICK OF THIS! GETTING YELLED AT IF I BUY ART, GETTING YELLED AT WHEN I TRY TO EARN COMMISSIONS FUCK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

PEOPLE BEG FOR MONEY ALL THE TIME, I'M BEGGING FOR WORK

There was this woman before getting hit by hurricane irma, she begged for donations amd such, she got over $200

I make a similar post, guess what...

I only got $20...you fucking joke...

I had to take out $100 before the.storm hit

ALL OUR FOOD GOT SPOILED

Becuase of no power!

I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS, BOTTOM LINE

I am a vector artist and I do commissions! I buy commissions when i am ABLE to!

But It's unfair how you could tell me

My art is trash, my prices are to high, I'm a liar, I'm just gon a use the money for commissions to buy, you name it!

I wouldn't kill myself because my mother needs me, more than ever, and i need her! And we are trying to survive, and if you don't care, and continue to yell at me, and shit talk me, bully me, or even trying to get a commission order

UNFOLLOW ME RIGHT NOW➡

[rexmajestatis]

So, I'm pretty sure I've sent you this before, but... five times kissed!!! ;P

(Drabble meme | Literally always accepting)

@bestchocobro

“Oh, and this one. You remember this one? Ah, ‘course you do.” Prompto smiles fondly at the photo. Forever immortalized on glossy paper, Noct is teetering backwards, standing on Dynamite’s saddle. The bird disagrees with being used as a step stool, though, and is reaching back to pull Noct off by the back of his coat.

The next photo is from immediately afterwards, Noct sitting on his ass in the grass while Gladio nearly strangles himself on his own laughter behind him.

Prompto sets them down on the slightly overgrown grass and tips his head back to watch the sky. This far out of town, the view is always incredible.

“Can’t forget this, either,” he carries on eventually, rifling another photo out of the bundle.

It’s just them. Prompto’s holding the camera out at arm’s length, his other arm around Noct’s back, and Noct is grinning with his face buried against Prompto’s neck. Prompto would be smiling, but it looks like he caught himself mid-sentence. It’s cuter than it has any right to be.

“Noct! Noct, c’mere! Noct-noct, who’s there? You, getting your ass over here!”

“Alright, already, calm your ass down.”

Noct lopes over, and he puts up with it good-naturedly as Prompto slings an arm around him to reel him in. He holds the camera out, and Noct makes a noise that is most definitely a startled squeak as Prompto turns to kiss him. Noct jerks back out of reflex, ducking his head against Prompto’s neck just as Prompto protests, “Hey!” and the flash goes off.

Noct makes it up to him a moment later, when the camera is lowered and he threads a hand into Prompto’s hair to turn his head and kiss him properly.

He rifles through the photos once again, eyes brightening on a specific one. “Oh, right! Almost forgot about this one. Damn, this one’s old and holy shit were we drunk.”

The picture’s blurry, and the edge of Gladio’s finger is visible on one side. In the middle–a bit too dead center to be aesthetically pleasing, but oh well–Noct and Prompto are pressed together, Prompto’s chest to Noct’s back. His hands are wrapped around Noct’s hips, and though the details are lost in the multicolored lights, they’re kissing over Noct’s shoulder.

“C’mon!” Noct is red in the face and drunk enough that he’s actually having a good time despite the crowd. He wraps both hands around one of Prompto’s and gives him an expectant tug. “You dragged me here, you’re damn well going to dance with me,” he commands, his tone drunkenly imperious.

“Yeah, I gotcha.” Prompto turns just long enough to shove his camera into Ignis’s steady, sober, designated driver hands. “Here, babysit this.” With that, he lets Noct haul him onto the floor.

The music is all bass and between the drink, the crowd, and the lights, neither of them is particularly coordinated, but they find the rhythm soon enough, fitting together like puzzle pieces. Noct reaches up and back eventually, fingers curling around the back of Prompto’s head and giving him an expectant tug.

Prompto follows the command easily, tipping his head forward as Noct turns. The kiss is wet and lazy, and they don’t notice the camera’s flash go off. It’s only once they’ve separated slightly that Noct observes, “Gladio’s got your camera.”

“Bastard got fingerprints all over it,” Prompto sulks, as he carries on sifting through the photos. There’s one of Gladio doing pushups while Ignis sits on his back and calmly drinks coffee. One of Prompto and Ignis, after the former hooked an arm around the reluctantly amused latter and dragged him into frame. Gladio and Noct, elbows locked together and backs together, Noct kicking at the air as Gladio leans forward.

“Ooooh, right,” Prompto nearly purrs as he stops on another picture. “Man, you should’ve let me do this more often.”

There’s Noct, naked as a jay bird and kneeling on the ground between Prompto’s knees. He has one arm draped casually over one of Prompto’s thighs, delicately swiping his other hand across his mouth as he looks up through his bangs, one eyebrow arched pointedly.

“Seriously?” Noct sighs as the flash goes off, but he’s fighting a smile. He licks his fingers clean and drapes his arm over Prompto’s thigh to join his other arm. He leans his chin on his forearms. “Do I look pretty, Prompto?” he asks, his tone breathy and simpering, mischief clear.

“You always look pretty,” Prompto reminds him, ruffling his hair and giving it a tug. Noct’s face reddens and his eyes dart off to one side and really, as paradoxical as it is, Prompto will always love how Noct can deep throat him without blinking but still blows a gasket as soon as he’s called pretty.

“Yeah, well.” Noct huffs and sits up on his knees, and Prompto dutifully leans down to kiss him. Noct nips at his lower lip afterwards. “You, too.” They’re close enough still that their noses are brushing. “Also? More pineapple.”

Laughing, Noct ducks before Prompto can wallop him upside the head with a pillow.

The pictures after that are…less bright, in many ways. Gladio and Noct, studiously ignore each other across a campfire. Ignis sitting on a train bench, head down and cane clutched in a white-knuckled grip. Gladio leading Ignis by the hand through the rubble of Altissia, Ignis’s eyes still bandaged.

But there are still a few lights in the darkness.

Noct leaning on his elbows on a train station railing, backwards, so he can look at the dark sky, while Ignis stands beside him, smile barely perceptible as he listens to Noct ramble. A long view of the train, taken while sitting on Gladio’s shoulders. Gladio crouching while a girl who couldn’t be older than four inspects one arm of his tattoo.

There’s Noct, sitting on the railing while he waits for the conductor to announce that it’s time to board, staring into the distance like he’s a thousand miles away.

He doesn’t even react as the flash goes off, and Prompto lets his camera go to dangle from his neck as he joins Noct at the railing. He slips his arms around the prince’s middle and nestles his chin against Noct’s arm.

Noct stirs slowly, like he’s coming out of a dream. He glances downwards, past the railing he’s sitting on. “Long way down,” he observes eventually, his voice far away and hazy. Prompto’s grip around his middle tightens, and with a huff of laughter, Noct ruffles his hair. “Relax.”

“Nah, I’m good,” Prompto returns. Noct doesn’t argue as Prompto begins backing up, pulling him down from the railing and setting him on his feet. He still leans against the railing afterwards, but with his feet on the ground and his shoulders gradually loosening as Prompto drags his hand up and down Noct’s back.

“Hey.”

Noct turns his head with a questioning hum, and he closes his eyes and practically melts as Prompto kisses him.

“You okay?” Noct asks him afterwards, before giving Prompto one more brief peck on the lips. Prompto sort of wants to shake him.

He keeps leafing through them, but a lot of the pictures after that are ones he doesn’t particularly like to see. Things he doesn’t like to remember. There are a few, though, that still bring a smile to his face.

Aranea proudly posing beside a red giant. Iris presenting her dog tags to the camera. Cor, though his face is visible only in slivers between his fingers against the camera lens. Cindy, yelling up at Gladio as he changes one of the countless bulbs in the flood light. Ignis, standing at a kitchen counter, hands full and looking like he’s trying to command his visor to stop sliding down his nose. A rare picture of the three of them together after the lights went out, clustered together in front of Hammerhead’s garage.

There’s a shot taken from over Noct’s shoulder as he leans back against Prompto’s chest. Across the fire, Ignis is leaning out of the tent and glaring balefully while Gladio buries himself in his book and pretends none of them exist.

Prompto is halfway through a story about Aranea’s exploits when Noct finagles him onto the ground, and Prompto is confused for a moment, until Noct sits down between his legs and leans back. After a moment, he coaxes, “Well, go on. What happened next?”

Prompto carries on, absentmindedly scratching a hand through Noct’s hair as he talks. His hair is longer now. Prompto sort of wonders what it would look like pulled back.

Noct has damn near melted by the time Prompto finishes his story, completely boneless, save for the minimal effort it takes to press his head back into Prompto’s hand. When Prompto finally stops, it takes a moment for Noct to turn his head to demand an explanation. He never gets the chance, but he doesn’t seem to mind, as he leans readily into the kiss.

Despite the awkward angle, it’s slow and lazy, and admittedly, pretty drawn out. Gladio doesn’t seem to care, content to read his book and ignore them. Eventually, though, they separate as the tent flap unzips and Ignis pokes his head out, visor gone and one eye narrowed in irritation. “I can hear you.”

“Sounds like a you problem,” Noct deadpans without missing a beat, and honestly, there is no way Prompto can let the look on Ignis’s face go undocumented.

Prompto traces a finger around the photograph’s edge and slowly looks up.

The sun is coming up over the horizon, and Prompto muffles a yawn against his fist. Slowly, he gathers the collection of photographs back up and tucks them back into their envelope, and he climbs back to his feet.

Turning, he crouches, presses a loud kiss to his fingers, and then taps them against the words centered on the tombstone. “G’morning, buddy,” he offers quietly, as he straightens back to his full height. “Sleep well.”