#one relaxed muscle and I’m going to burst into tears

[fiveapocalypse]

Mental breakdown time soon probably. No idea

[leth-writes]

Yandere! Batfam x reader

Tried a different format for part 3.

You ran, down the hallway and thundered down the stairwell, sneakered feet slapping against the harsh concrete. You could hear Tim giving chase, racing after you. Yet, you didn’t stop. You couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be soulbound to someone you stole from, let alone someone who was threatening you right before you found out! You just knew that it would be an unpleasant experience, especially considering the animosity his family no doubt had for you. You burst out into the lobby, Tim close behind, and skidded to a stop. There, standing directly in front of you, was Jason Todd.

He was leaning against the wooden, warped table, leather jacket unzipped to expose his tight muscle shirt. His hair, complete with the little tuft of white at the front, was expertly styled to look perfectly messy. You had to admit he was cute, even if he was part of the now duo threatening your peaceful, if stressful, experience. His eyes flicked up from where they had been staring at his phone, which looked tiny in his hand, then widened in shock as yet another bond snapped into place in your chest. Your ring finger’s string, thick and jagged, now glowed a blood red, leading directly to his now slack hand. You stood halfway between the door to the stairs and the door outside, with Tim now standing just behind you and to your left.

“You feel it too?” Tim asked his brother, jerking his chin in your direction. His dark hair was mussed from the chase, though he remained poised, with not a bead of sweat on his forehead. You turned to face Jason fully, warily taking a step away from both of them, inadvertently putting yourself in a corner.

“Yeah. She our thief?” Jason murmured, eyes still locked on your own. You averted your gaze at the reminder of your actions. Shit. Of course, even when you met your soulfamily, you had to mess it up by stealing from them! You wouldn’t blame them if they rejected you completely and asked you to stay far away from them.

Tim nodded in response to his brother, stepping closer to where you now stood cornered. Jason loomed in the background, now texting and periodically lifting his gaze as if to check you were still present. “We aren’t mad. We just wanted to make sure you weren’t getting too… cocky. I mean, at first Bruce was ecstatic that someone was savvy enough to take some money. Work on uncorrupting the relief funds is slow going, you know? But this month you took so much that he was sure you were moving from relief to scamming.” He explained, hands raised as if to calm you.

“Listen. I’m sorry, I just needed enough to help cover rent for the building. Our new landlord hiked the rent up and no one can get jobs and we’ve all been so stressed…” You found yourself slightly tearing up. Jason clicked his tongue, pocketing his phone and striding forward to place an arm around your shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. Water under the bridge. Why don’t we head to a cafe and you can tell us all about your new landlord?” he moved you forward with his arm, waving lazily at Tim in a gesture to follow. 

“Jason, we need to head back to the manor. If anyone spots her, it could put her at risk-” Tim started, looking irritated. “We’ll just go out for some coffee and get an explanation. We need to sort out the landlord situation, even if they won’t be living here anymore.” Jason interrupted, once again waving lazily. He seemed quite relaxed, a direct contrast to Tim’s tightly wound posture. “Wait- no! I’m sorry for stealing but I can’t leave my apartment!” You burst out, pulling away.

“You don’t need to apologize. Not like Bruce is missing a couple thousand. He’s got more than enough to be set for life. Let’s go chat at the cafe, I’ll buy you a bagel; you look hungry and you didn’t get to bring your groceries in.” Jason tugged at your arm, marching you forward as Tim rushed to walk next to the two of you.

You didn’t miss the implication that they had been watching you and were aware of your actions that day, but knowing they had been aware of you since the beginning, it no longer surprised you. You supposed that going to the local cafe, indulging in a treat you hadn’t had since long before you been working at that convenience store all those months ago, wouldn’t be too bad.

Not running was your third mistake.

[pretty-sparkle-bomb]

Guys it's sporting season in my school and damn did I mention how hot he looks...? No?

Check out my Bakugo Masterlist here! This series is linked under the name "Highschool Crush"

P1, P2, P3, Pt 4, P5

♡~

You have to come! I promise, it'll be worth it!" Mina says to you on the phone, her eyebrows furrowed and lips curled into a pout. You look to the top right corner of your phone and sigh.

11:00

"I don't wanna. He doesn't like me. I barely saw him this week and he hasn't even breathed in my direction," you mutter, watching her tear her closet apart in an attempt to find something cute to wear.

Tomorrow was one of the biggest days of the school year—the annual sporting festival.

Originally, you had everything planned out. You would be in the marching band, run the female relay race, and maybe participate in one of the distance races.

However, life seemed to have other plans because you were replaced in the band without explanation, and you pulled a leg muscle while playing football, leaving you useless for the rest of the week.

"He was busy! You of all people should know that, y/n. He's been training to beat everyone on the field. I hope you remember that your man is a perfectionist and won't stop short of being the best, especially since no one is allowed to use their quirks," she rambles, giving you a pointed look. "Now, blue or pink?" she holds up two cute tops to her upper body, giving you a little pose.

"Blue," you decide, knowing that the sky-colored tube top will complement her body and give her a soft appearance. "I know, but men have priorities. Maybe I'm not a priority to him," you continue, shoulders sagging slightly.

"Really?" she deadpans, dropping the pair of jeans she selected. "Maybe you haven't given him a reason to make you his priority," she shoots back, her eyebrows wiggling suggestively.

Her words hit a chord within you. Maybe she was right.

"Come on, I'll be there first thing tomorrow morning. I'll help you pick a cute fit. You don't have to do anything tomorrow but sit there and cheer him on. It'll be fun!" she begs, picking up the phone and looking into it, giving you puppy eyes.

"Fine. First thing tomorrow morning." You agree, and she jumps around excitedly. "Oh, I am so going to push you into him tomorrow!"

"Mina!"

♡~

As you step onto the field, your eyes immediately dart across the large expanse. Tents are scattered everywhere, each housing different groups—athletes warming up, the marching band tuning their instruments, shifters practicing their quirks for the show, and first-aid stations preparing for the inevitable bumps of the day.

"Find him yet?" Jirou nudges your hand. You continue searching, going on your tiptoes. Why does the field have to be so large? You groan, hanging your head. Mina links her hand with yours and Jirou does the same, leading you to an area where you'd be able to see all the action taking place.

They spread a blanket and plop down, gesturing for you to do the same. You kick off your shoes and lay on Jirou's lap as she plays with the ends of your hair.

Mina's eyes are scanning the field as she taps her foot, occasionally gasping when she thinks she sees him.

"You'll spot him soon enough," Mina teases, glancing over with a grin. "Just be patient."

"Easy for you to say," you mumble, covering your face with your hands. "I feel like I’m going crazy over here."

Jirou chuckles softly, carefully applying some mascara. "Relax, he’ll be out there doing his thing soon. And trust me, you’ll know when he’s on the field."

You peek out between your fingers, sighing. "You two are ridiculous."

"You love us," Mina sing-songs, stretching out on the blanket next to you. "But seriously, when you see him out there, just let it all go. Cheer him on, and don’t overthink it. Scream for him."

"Ayo?" Jirou teases, and the two burst into laughter.

The speakers crackle to life as Aizawa starts listing off the events. The excitement builds around you, with students chatting and cheering, the athletes gearing up for their races, and the band beginning to play a lively tune in the background.

And then, you spot ashen blond hair.

It's him.

It's him, and he's looking right back at you. It's him, and his face is filled with surprise. It’s him, and his eyes soften when they meet yours. It’s him, and… oh my gosh, did he just smile at you?

Bakugo thinks you look gorgeous. Scratch that, he doesn't know how to describe you. No word in the dictionary compares to you in this moment.

He feels his heart tighten. Is this how you feel when you look at him? He feels all mushy, and it's scaring him. Why are you making him feel this way? So... vulnerable.

He looks away and tries to focus on the assignment at hand. His coach pats his shoulder and hands him the baton. Right, he needs to find his team and go over their plan. He doesn't have time right now. He's supposed to be busy.

"Did he just look away from you?" Jirou asks calmly, even though she wants to go over there and rip his head off.

Your eyes drop to the ground and your mouth is dry. Yeah, he did. You just shake your head. "I dunno."

Mina rubs your hand. "I'm sure he didn't mean to, bun. He's probably busy."

You scoff, turning away. “It’s whatever. If he doesn’t want me, I can always go and cheer for Midoriya.” Picking up your bag and slipping your shoes back on, you make your way to the athlete’s tent. Unbeknownst to you, Mina and Jirou secretly fist-bumped behind you. Their plan was in motion.

“Hey, Midoriya!” you chirp, walking closer to the greenette. He turns around, a slight smile on his face as he fixes his knee band, standing up from his crouching position and doing a pistol squat. He mumbles something to himself before running a hand through his hair. “Funny seeing you here, thought you said you weren’t coming.” He chuckles, placing a hand on the small of your back and leading you to the middle of the tent, where all the others were.

“I know, it was a last-minute decision.” You play with your hair as he pulls out a chair and motions for you to have a seat.

“Oh… well in that case, you think you could help me out a bit?” he pulls out a bottle of sunscreen and a black headband, sitting cross-legged in front of you and taking off his shirt.

The request was a bit unusual, but you knew Midoriya. The kid was too pure for his own good, so you knew that this was innocent.

“Yeah, sure,” you say, squeezing some sunscreen into your hand. As you start rubbing it onto his back, he hums contentedly, completely unaware of the pair of carmine eyes focused on the two of you. Honestly, screw Bakugo. Why not focus on someone who actually pays attention to you?

“So, are you ready for your race?” you ask, trying to distract yourself from your thoughts. Midoriya’s muscles tense slightly under your touch, and he nods, his eyes closed. “I’ve been training with Todoroki a lot. Maybe I can give Kacchan a run for his money.”

You blink in surprise. “Aren’t the boys from 1A going up against 1B?”

He smiles, passing you the headband you gave him. “No, they made some changes this year. We’re going to be making our own teams.”

“Oh,” you blink. Well, who were you supposed to cheer for now? Bakugo or Midoriya? You make a secure knot at the back of his head, fingers carding through his hair in a lousy attempt to tame his mop of curls.

Without warning, the voice of Present Mic booms across the area, nearly bursting your eardrums. “All teams for the boys relay race, please proceed to the track!”

Midoriya stands up, adjusting the headband with a bright smile. “Looks like that’s my cue,” he says, bouncing on his feet in preparation for the relay. He glances at you with a hopeful look. “You’ll cheer for me, right?”

You offer him a soft smile, but your mind is spinning. Should you cheer for Bakugo or Midoriya? Both are your friends, but one of them… well, he makes your heart race in ways you can't explain. Before you can respond, Midoriya pats your shoulder lightly and jogs off toward the track, leaving you with that lingering question.

As the teams start assembling, you spot Bakugo on the other side with his arms crossed, looking focused. You can't help but notice that his eyes keep drifting toward you. Each time they do, something tugs at your chest.

Why did he look away earlier?

Mina and Jirou appear beside you, both with mischievous grins. “So, who are you rooting for?” Mina teases, bumping your shoulder.

Jirou smirks, passing you a bottle of water. “Yeah, y/n. Bakugo or Midoriya?”

You bite your lip, unsure of what to say. You want to cheer for both of them, but your heart keeps pulling you in one direction.

Just then, Bakugo glances at you again, his gaze intense. For a second, it feels like he’s waiting for your answer too.

“Not sure. Come on, I need to get closer to the track,” you say, standing up and making your way to the field.

As you and your friends move to the side, Bakugo’s sharp gaze follows your every move. Watching you help Deku makes his blood boil—not at you, never at you—but at how easily that nerd made you smile, asking you to do something only couples should share. Couldn't he have asked round-face instead?

He steals another glance at you as you walk with Mina and Jirou, and his mind races as much as his heart. He’s used to being in control, but when it comes to you, control slips through his fingers. He keeps catching himself looking for you in the crowd and his heart stutters when your eyes meet. The worst part? He has no idea what to do about any of it.

“Dammit,” he mutters under his breath, trying to shake the irritation bubbling inside. He’s the best. He’s Bakugo Katsuki. No one—not Deku, not anyone—was going to get in his way. Especially when it came to you.

As he watches you settle onto the blanket with Mina and Jirou, he makes a final decision.

If you’re still undecided, then he’ll show you exactly who deserves your attention. He’s going to leave every other competitor in the dust, prove that no one can compare to him.

Bakugo takes a deep breath, his eyes narrowing in focus as the call for the race start echoes across the field. He feels the adrenaline rush as the onlookers cheer and scream.

He’ll show you. He’ll show you what it means to be the best. He’s going to win, and when he does, he wants you to be cheering for him.

♡~

Taglist!

@mimidonottouch @mikestuffffs @vant3hell @succulent-momma @minkyungseokie @sugurusmoon @idkwhattocallmyselfs @cutebutpsychooxx @jprincesssf @unofficialsapphire @zanyqueencoffee @maddie-rose-1 @madisonnnnnstvr @aefillor @love-me-satoru @meeeepsworld @oddball08 @reads-stuff-quietly @starmycar @djlance-rock @bkgsdoll @nqobil3 @your-mum3000 @dynakats @emmaiskoolio @ggrumbir @ginevraxrogers @emmab3mma @andyetshewrote @ggrumbir @the-weeping-author @suki0 @drxgonspine @bunny-b34r @annoying-bitxh @ushygushybaby @hauntedstudentobservationus @spicynoodles23 @xrenka @djlance-rock @amanita-raine @keikokashi @krbkswifey @shoo-00

[sophswritingthings]

Mizu x Fem!Apothecary! Reader who is also her wife and she is bandaging up mizu after the fight in shindo dojo

pairing: mizu x apothecary!fem!reader

warning(s): mentions of blood/injury, swearing

a/n: YOUR MIND MY FRIEND. also that sceneeeeee….. 😳

summary: you've been staying at your shop, somewhere warm, somewhere safe. that’s when mizu stumbles in, your wife, battered and bloodied. 

word count, 751 words / 4,109 characters

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

you were humming, softly, tapping your fingers to the beat of the music in your mind. you were mindlessly cooking something for yourself, between mixing up medicines and herbs.

everything was quiet; serene and simple.

you had settled down to eat, with a small cup of sake beside your table. you took one small sip, before the door to your shop burst open.

you flipped around, scared out of instinct.

but then.. there was mizu, your muscles relaxing. your wife—your lovely samurai wife who always managed to get herself into some kind of trouble.

and that much was true; because there she was, covered in blood, some of which you could assume wasn’t hers—with a deep gash on her shoulder.

you swiftly collected yourself, walking over to help her inside. you settled her against the wall, pressing your door shut to keep the warmth inside. you settled in front of her, gazing her up and down.

you removed her hat and glasses, placing them to the side to see those beautiful eyes you loved so much. with a soft smile, you placed a soft kiss on her lips, pulling back with narrowed eyes.

“what did you do?” you hiss, “you need to be more goddamn careful, mizu, or were seriously going to have a problem.”

“It was a simple duel, (y/n), I'll live,” she narrowed her eyes back.

“yet here you are, covered in blood.” you pulled yourself to your feet, collecting mixes of herbs. as well as a needle and thread, which you kept on hand, in case things like this happened.

“most of it isn’t mine, my love,” the faintest hint of a smirk crossed her lips. you roll your eyes, settling down beside your wife.

“I assumed as much, darling.” you grumble, pulling off her overcoat. you pull down the corner of her undershirt to reveal the deep wound nestled on her right shoulder. “did you at the very least get what you were looking for?”

she nods, adverting her gaze from the wound. “I have,” her voice is rather soft, like it always is with you. though it’s still raspy, and masculine, keeping up her appearance. “I will leave tomorrow to find him.”

“you act as if I am not coming with you,” you narrow your eyes again, dabbing a poultice to her wound. mizu hisses, the stinging pain causing her eyebrows to furrow.

“because you won’t be,” her gaze flicks to you, resting on your slim, brown eyes. “you must stay here, and stay safe.”

“no,” you finish cleaning her wound, turning to grab your needle and thread. you gently begin to thread the needle in her skin, “I’m not going to stay here while you're miles on miles away from me, doing who-fucking knows what. probably getting yourself killed—“

“listen,” she placed a hand on your cheek, turning your head to look at her. “I cannot take the chances that you will have even a hair on your head hurt. i will live, (y/n), and finish my task. that or be given death, so be it.”

“you cannot..” your words trail off, “you can’t do that to yourself, mizu. please, think about taking me with you.. if you are to die I want to die with you.”

she shakes her head, “I will not let you throw away the rest of your life because I am gone,” she hissed. “stay here, please, my love.”

you press your forehead to hers, shaking your head with tears in your eyes.

“I-I can’t, mizu, I can’t,” you stumble with your words. “I-I love you. take me with you, please.”

mizu searches your expression, wiping the tears from your eyes. she ponders on it for a moment; you weren’t going to back down until she agreed, she knew you. your determination is why she loved you so very much, why she married you.

“okay,” she finally conceded, pressing a kiss against your forehead. “okay. you—you can come.”

“r-really?” you sniffled, your eyes wide. you had basically forgot about stitching her up.

“I would not lie to you,” she hissed. “but you're going to listen to me. if I tell you to run, to leave me, you will. alright?”

you sigh, finishing stitching up her wound. “alright,” you whisper begrudgingly.

she pressed another kiss to your forehead, allowing you to finish stitching her up.

“I love you.” she whispered, her blue eyes locked onto yours.

you smiled softly, returning her kiss on her cheek. “I love you, too, my darling.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

a/n: it’s short but I enjoyed writing it <33

[lulublack90]

Prompt 8 - Not A Date

@wolfstarmicrofic May 8, word count 662

“So, fancy going to Hogsmeade with me on Saturday?” Sirius asked. “James is going with Evans and Peter is off with, erm, I can’t remember her name, but he’s off with someone and I don’t want to go on my own.” He scuffed his toe on the rug, looking up at Remus though his eyelashes. 

“What, like on a date?” Remus teased. Sirius’s heart skipped a beat. 

“Don’t be daft.” He grinned back. But secretly he wished it was a date. He'd wanted one for a while. 

“Oh, go on then.” Remus nodded. “I need some new quills anyway.” Sirius beamed. 

“Great. Where do you want to meet?”

“Sirius, we live in the same room. We can walk down together.”

“Oh, okay, great.” Sirius felt a bit flustered. James came barrelling in and tackled him to the floor. Thank Merlin for James Potter. He wrapped his arms around James and attempted to get on top of him, but James dead weighted him and squashed him into the floor. 

“Hello gorgeous, fancy seeing you here.” James cooed at him.

“Get off me, you big lug.” Sirius wiggled and pushed at James. But that boy was all muscle. James finally got to his feet and hauled Sirius with him. They wandered off together, leaving Remus to his homework.

Saturday came and Sirius had been too excited to sleep. It’s not a date, it’s not a date. He had to keep telling himself. They went down to breakfast together and when they were done James and Peter disappeared off to find their dates.

“Shall we?” Sirius asked, making a show of bowing Remus forward. Remus snorted at him. 

“Sure.” And walked off. 

The walk down to the village was pretty quiet. The other students milling around them making all the noise. 

“So where do you want to go first?” Sirius asked, once the picturesque village was visible before them. 

“Honeydukes,” Remus grinned. Of course, Sirius should have known. That boy was addicted to chocolate. 

“Perfect.” He grinned as they headed towards the sweet shop. 

He opened the door for Remus and said to him as they entered the sweet-smelling place. “Get whatever you want, my treat.” Remus turned and gave him a funny look. 

“I thought you said this wasn’t a date.” Sirius swallowed and became very interested in a box of peppermint imps. 

“Should I get some of these for Peter? They’re his favourite aren’t they?” Deflection. That always worked, right?

“Sirius, answer the question.” Damn it. Sirius picked up a packet of fudge flies.

“I’ll get these for James as well. Can you see the fizzing whizzbees? I have a hankering for some.” Remus stood in front of him, blocking his way. 

“Sirius, is this or is this not a date?” He’d folded his arms, Sirius knew he wasn’t getting out of this. 

“Would it really be that bad if it was?!”  He scowled. He was fucking this up as usual. He felt the tell-tale stinging behind his eyes as he blinked back tears that had suddenly tried to burst out of him. 

Remus’s arms relaxed.

“No,” He said, his voice low and sincere. Sirius’s eyes snapped up to Remus’s, searching his face for any signs that he was joking. “And if this is a date, I won’t feel bad about lightening your purse.” He winked mischievously and Sirius watched as Remus gabbed a basket and began piling all of his favourite sweets into it. 

When it was full, they took it to the till and Sirius paid. His purse was indeed considerably lighter when they left the shop. “Silly bugger.” Remus laughed at him at the same time as he took Sirius’s hand in his and entwined their fingers together. “Right I still need quills, then I’m all yours.” Sirius looked down at their hands and couldn’t believe that this was real. He felt ten feet tall and so happy he could have floated off without the assistance of the fizzing whizzbees.

[rachalixie]

when he’s in a bad mood all he needs is you.

a/n: this was inspired by my minho post bc i’m a self indulgent mess

coming home to seungmin crying quietly on your couch was a surprise. he’s curled up tight, trying to take up the least amount of space as possible and stifling his huffs of breath into his fist to stay silent and your heart breaks for him.

he’s always been the strongest in your person you know. he’s the most level-headed, the first one to solve problems and act diplomatically and always able to compartmentalize his own emotions. the first to offer silent comfort and stability to those around him. he rarely ever let anyone see him shed a single tear, let alone several, and you’re almost at a loss of what to do before you shake yourself out of it. seungmin needs you.

you toe your shoes off as silently as possible before padding over to where he’s curled up. your hand drifts to his back, rubbing a few slow circles there before you climb behind him and wrap yourself around his body. you know him well enough by now that giving him a grounding touch is what he needs, even if he has a hard time asking for it. you used to hesitate, hands hovering over him like you didn’t know if they were welcome. now, your arms curl around his stomach with confidence. your heart lurches every time you feel his muscles contract with the cries he’s poorly holding back. his hands move to clutch at yours, his nails digging into your skin a bit, but you don’t mind. you would rather he let it out if that helps him, and it doesn’t hurt as much as it stings. his breath is coming out in uneven bursts, and he barely gets more in before it’s rushing out in a choked huff.

“breathe, sweetheart,” you say, keeping your voice honeyed and soft, your mouth close to his ear.

“can’t-” he starts, gulping down air like it’s water. “don’t know what to do.”

“let it out. don’t hold it in,” you soothe, squeezing his hands back. he turns a bit in your hold, keeping both of your hands gripped in his, and presses his face into your chest. you keep your breaths slow and steady, coaxing him to time his breaths to yours.

it takes a few minutes but he calms down, his grip on your hands loosening as his body relaxes against you. he’s slumped into you now, boneless and tired.

“i’m sorry,” he croaks, keeping his face buried to hide his tear streaked cheeks.

“you have nothing to be sorry for.” you say, your emotions bubbling up inside of you. “this is what i am here for. for the happy and the sad moments, okay? you’re not a burden, not to me.”

he hums into your shirt, letting go of your hands to wrap his arms around you.

“do you want to talk about it?” you ask, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

“no,” his muffled voice sounds from beneath you. “just, hold me for a bit?”

“always.”

—

soft hours

[taste-of-the-divine]

ꕤ | Inked | Percy De Rolo

— VOX MACHINA : switch!percy x femcumslut!reader

✩ 𝙎𝘾𝙀𝙉𝙀: ​you're the first to fall asleep at a party, and you get cumslut written over your forehead with a marker. it causes an "issue" for percy a few hours later. ✩ 𝙋𝙊𝙎𝙏 𝙄𝙉𝙁𝙊: fic (Part 1), 1.8k words ✩ 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙉𝙏 𝙒𝘼𝙍𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂: missing consent/dubcon (percy as victim), powerplay (subby percy into dom percy), degredation, namecalling (cumsl*t, wh*re, l*ve), somnophelia, cumhungry!reader, power dynamic switch, sir, mentions of breeding

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ 𝙉𝙊𝙏𝙀𝙎 𝙁𝙍𝙊𝙈 𝘿𝙄𝙑𝙄𝙉𝙀: i did not proofread this :') hopefulyl its legible BUT eventually i'll go back and make the edits i need. the idea was inspired by this post, and it's probably (?) not done yet.

♡ REBLOGS + LIKES ARE APPRECIATED ♡ 𝘔𝘖𝘙𝘌 𝘝𝘖𝘟 𝘔𝘈𝘊𝘏𝘐𝘕𝘈 | 𝘔𝘈𝘚𝘛𝘌𝘙𝘓𝘐𝘚𝘛 & 𝘖𝘛𝘏𝘌𝘙 𝘞𝘖𝘙𝘒𝘚 | 𝘔𝘠 𝘗𝘈𝘎𝘌

“Oh cmon, wasn’t the bet that the first one asleep gets a dick drawn on their forehead?” 

Percy, your boyfriend, shoots Scanlan a dirty look through his rosy drunk cheeks. “Have you no decency? She’s a lady for God’s sake, Scanlan. How will I explain to all of Whitestone tomorrow if we have to leave the confines of our home?” 

The pop of a marker and the cap clicking against the floor was enough of a signal that Scanlan didn’t quite care all that much for the high maintenance prince. “Well, then you have an excuse to stay in for a day. Resting’s important, Percy,” he says, before hopping onto a stool to get to your head, slumped over on the couch. Percy stumbles to his feet to try and stop him from putting that bright pink ink on your skin, but he’s forced back into his chair at the hand of Vax. 

“Hey, he’s right, you know. You kind of need a day at home, if you ask me,” Vax says, leaning his weight on Percy’s shoulder to keep him down. Percy glares at him too, going to shove his hand away so that he could get to you, but to no avail. Percy’s too wasted for hand eye coordination.

“Oh, Percy, darling, relax,” his sister says from across the table, looking at Scanlan trying to balance and draw on your knocked out face. “She agreed to the game before we even started drinking, and she’s an adult, so I’m sure she’ll be fine. And if she isn’t– well, you can make sure she’s fine. In the morning. No more fussing about it now, you can barely get to your feet,” she says, words slurring before taking a swig out of her bottle. 

He can’t relax, at least not when Pike isn’t around. Pike’s usually the babysitter of the group, and with Keyleth vomiting her guts out again, they were somewhere downstairs in the bathroom. Grog wouldn’t be of much help either– he was entranced in some sort of conversation with his reflection in the mirror, flexing and unflexing his muscles to look at. 

“Annnnnd, ta-da!” Scanlan grins, showing the marvel to the three others in the room. Cumslut was written across your forehead in big, bold letters, with a penis as the T. Scanlan was really, an artist of all trades.

Percy was the first to react, and the only one that didn’t burst out in absolute side pinching tears. “Scanlan! You little useless bard!” He swung around to Vex and Vax. “I thought we agreed that it would be the dick drawing?”

“Well,–” Vex laughs, whipping away his tears. “There is a dick. There’s just–” he makes eye contact with Vex across the table, who was holding her own laughter for a little before the two burst out again into hearty giggles. “–some other additions.”

Percy sighed. There wasn’t really another other choice; what’s done is done. Hopefully you wouldn’t be too mad when you woke up in the morning about it. And hopefully, the ink would come off soon.

-

Percy, with his lithe frame, was not the one that carried you into bed. Grog actually carried the both of you into bed– bragging that he could do anything with his giant muscles. Percy would have been grateful for that omission of an opportunity to make a fool out of himself, had he been properly awake during that time of the night. He’d passed out on his own accord after a few more shots into the night.

It didn’t take long before he stirred awake. Alcohol never quite helped keep him asleep as well as it put him to sleep. But his body sure felt warm, skin flushed a little as he reveled in the pleasure of being under clean sheets. There was also pleasure budding from his core, some shifting between his legs– 

“What on earth?!–” he manages to choke out before throwing his head backwards as some cavern of warm, wet heat descends on him. It felt good and needy and desperate, and when he had the moment to take a breath from the sudden crashing waves of pleasure, he lifted the blankets to find you, face nestled neatly between his legs, with his cock in your mouth and a protruding cheek. 

“My love,” he says, voice soft and hitched at first. “Y-you need to stop or else,–” A groan cuts through, his hands fisting the sheet that he’s holding up to see you kitten licking his tip. 

“What’s gotten into you?” he hisses, but he doesn’t get an answer because you take his whole length into your mouth again, mushroom tip gliding against the roof of your mouth before sinking into your back tongue. He’s watching you, or doing the best he can with his eyes half-lidded and his mouth agape. When you wrap your hands around his base, twisting and bobbing at the same time, Percy grimaces, one eye forcing itself shut as he watches you with the other. His cheeks are flushed a deep red, and his skin feels sticky under the touch of your fingers, but all you can think about is his cum, and how much you want it down your throat. 

“S-slow d-down,” he stutters, a frustrated moan drawing out of his throat when you don’t listen. He can’t stop his hips from bucking up into your mouth, the sensation of your tongue swirling around the tip all too much for him. He’s close, and you know that, feeling his balls twitching under your chin– and perfect, because that’s exactly what you want. So you keep at it, watching him writhe and pant and seize up with his head thrown back and his eyes cross when he cums down your throat. It’s sticky and a little bitter from the alcohol, but you don’t mind it at all, because you’ve been craving this feeling since you woke up. You suck, and suck, and keep sucking him, milking every little bit that you can. 

He’s a whimpering mess now, his other hand grabbing you by the hair to attempt to pull you off his cock. 

“Love, love, please– please stop, I’m done, I can’t–” but that gets cut off by another moan, his knees shaking and bottoming out underneath you as your hands work his cock from base to tip, using spit and cum as lube. 

He’s never seen you like this before, so needy, so pushy for it– whatever it, was. In a moment of clarity as your hands lift on the pressure to his cock, he reads the word on your forehead again. Cumslut.

He puts two and two together in the middle of a desperate whimper, throwing his head to the side as the pleasure in his overstimulated dick multiplies. On the nightstand was the marker that Scanlan used, capped and sitting neatly by his nightlight. Grabbing it off the table, he managed what he could with you turning him into putty from the waist down, grabbing one of your hands that you were using to support your weight scribbling “obedient” into it the best he could.

Nothing different happened at first– you continued to milk him for all that he was worth, and Percy couldn’t stop his eyes from rolling to the back of his head as he felt the familiar coil in the abdomen forming, ready to snap. “Hah- hah, hmpfh, s-stop, love, h-hang on–” he begs of you, and for the first time in the night, you oblige, hands and mouth lifting off his cock with the nasty squelch. 

He looks at you, panting, undignified drool at the edge of your lips, and he slips a finger over it and wipes it away. Catching his breath, he dedicates a moment to taking you in; needy, glazed-over cum-hungry eyes as his cock rests on your cheek, tousled hair, plump, shiny lips coated in a thin sheen of spit and semen, the white of your teeth poking out from under. You looked gorgeous for him like that, and he let you know by pushing a strand of hair behind your ear. 

“You want my cum that badly, is that right?” he says, tentative at first. But you nod, rather vigorously, at that. It flips some sort of switch inside of him, and you feel him pull you by the hair, your own whimper leaving your throat as he exposes your throat to him. 

“A little cumslut wants her holes filled. What a sight,” he taunts, a wicked smirk brewing at the corners of his lips. The way he looks at you runs a chill down your spine– it was the way he looked at something he wanted, no, needed, to be under his control. 

And you were more than ready to give that.

“Be a good girl, then. Get on with it. On your hands and knees, on the floor,” he commands you, nodding towards the wood floor you have next to the bed. You glance down and back at him, and he’s watching you expectantly. Heat rising to your own cheeks, you shuffle down, assuming position on all fours as he requested.

You hear him shifting off the bed, stalking behind you– you feel his hands wrap around your waist, and then– a searing burn on your knees as you’re re-oriented, looking up to see the closet mirror and yourself staring back at you, cumslut written over your forehead. And dauntingly, above and behind you, stood Percy. 

You’re naked, because you woke up earlier and tried to satisfy your urges by touching yourself, which, went nowhere, clearly, otherwise you wouldn’t be in this cum-drunk state– but he is clothed; well, partially clothed, his sleeping robe untied and hanging off his shoulders. He knees behind you, secures your ankles to the ground with the weight of his calves and body, and sinks his fingers into your sides. 

“Spread your pussy for me.”

Your eyes go wide, thundering in your chest. He notices your hesitation, and grabs a fistful of hair and pulls you towards him.

“I said, spread your pussy for me. Do I need to repeat myself?”

Some sort of noise comes out of you that sounds vaguely like a whimper and a “yes, sir,” as you take your hands and grab your ass to satisfy his request. You feel a bubbling of dopamine in your chest when you obey him, and it feels good, addictive, almost.

When you feel the weight of his cock pressed against your entrance, your body instinctively gravitates towards him, craving to be filled. But you feel his weight pull away, teasing it along your slit as he leans over to your ear. 

“Be patient, love. Just enjoy it, I’ll do the work, my little cumslut. You’re such a needy little breeding whore, aren’t you?”

© copyright @taste-of-the-divine 2023 ♡ REBLOGS + LIKES ARE APPRECIATED ♡ 𝘔𝘖𝘙𝘌 𝘝𝘖𝘟 𝘔𝘈𝘊𝘏𝘐𝘕𝘈 | 𝘔𝘈𝘚𝘛𝘌𝘙𝘓𝘐𝘚𝘛 & 𝘖𝘛𝘏𝘌𝘙 𝘞𝘖𝘙𝘒𝘚 | 𝘔𝘠 𝘗𝘈𝘎𝘌

[cokoweee]

My cringe got the starburst duo 😔

When Mikey found himself unable sleep he was confused for lack of better word. Sleep had never been an issue for him. In fact, it was quite the opposite. So when the clock ticked from 3:15 to 3:16 he bravely committed to his first ever sleepless night and got up to go to the bathroom.

He ran a hand over his face, trying to somehow glue his eyes shut as he walked. If it worked he’d have to sleep in the hallway, but sleeping the hallway, although no doubt uncomfortable, seemed infinitely better than not sleeping at all.

It didn’t work.

So he trudged his way to the bathroom. Filling his hands with water he drank. Water dribbled down his neck as he absently rubbed at his tattoos.

Maybe something was wrong with them? The magic was too strong perhaps, or the spell had been miscast? Cali had just touched up the spell, it was possible he had made a mistake. He trusted Cali of course, but everyone made mistakes.

Panic creeped into his mind as he turned to go back to his room. He sat back down on his bed and tried to steady his breathing. There was no way he’d be able to sleep is he was freaking out. His mind raced as he imagined the sleepless night ahead of him. Great now he’s freaked himself out even more. He grabbed his phone and googled “how to fall asleep quick”.

Yoga breathing

Relax your muscles

Meditation

Read a book

Put away electronics before bed

Melatonin

The list went on and on as he scrolled. He’d already tried to breathe, his muscles were relaxed enough, he’d meditated earlier in the night and that hadn’t helped. He didn’t like to read all that much, he was literally on his phone meaning he’d failed there, and no one else in the family had trouble sleeping so they didn’t have any melatonin. So basically he was screwed.

Pressure built in his throat as he forced tears to stay down. Hiccuping softly he grabbed a pillow and pulled it close to his chest and burst into tears. There was nothing to cry about really, and he knew that, but he was so overwhelmed with the idea of not getting sleep that he couldn’t hold them back.

After a few minutes of pointless crying he wiped his eyes and sat back up. Sucking in a huge breath he grabbed his phone and marched out of his room.

~

At four in the morning Cali preferred to be sleeping thank you very much. So when he was awoken by a phone flashlight he was not happy. The culprit? A red eyed, sniffling turtle mumbling something about tattoos and mystics. Hissing softly he pulled the blanket over his head and flopped back down.

“Mari please just check my arms really quick.” Mikey whispered, his voice shaking as he sniffled again.

Cali sat up that time, albeit grudgingly. He wrapped the blanket like a shawl around his shoulders and held out his hand pointedly. Immediately the light turned off and Mikey’s hand were in his. He turned them around and poked at them, looking for anything amiss before dropping the turtles arm.

“I for one, do not see any thing wrong with them.” He grumbled, voice rough with sleep.

“Ok. Good good.” Mikey breathed, rubbing his hand through his hair. “Then why am I awake?”

Cali stared at him unimpressed and flopped back down on his mattress. There was no way he was serious. A hand poked at his shoulder.

Apparently he was serious.

Rolling his eyes Cali sat back up again and leveled Mikey’s gaze with a half lidded stare. “ I don’t know. Maybe insomnia or something?” His words slurred slightly as he leaned back down to his pillow.

“Ok great. So I’m fine then?”

“Happens to everyone every once in a while. Annoying, but just a part of life I guess.” Cali was really not in the mood to deal with this, but for Mikey he would make an exception. “Let’s go to the kitchen.”

“I can’t see in the dark” Mikey countered quickly.

“You literally just had your phone a second ago!”

“It died”

Cali hesitated for a moment before reaching for Mikey’s hand. “ Just follow me.”

~

“Have you seriously never had a sleepless night?” Cali questioned as he filled an old beat up teapot.

Mikey shook his head. “I uh- usually sleep pretty well.” He laughed awkwardly. “Good to know nothings wrong though.”

Cali hummed in disapproval, “I’m having my dad check tomorrow to make sure everything is actually fine.”

“That’s- that’s probably a good idea,” he said nodding his head slowly.

The tea kettle screamed and Cali quickly poured the steaming water into a mug to steep the tea. Cali looked over to the other side of the counter where Mikey was sitting. He was staring off into the hallway, likely looking for one of his brothers. He looked so serene sitting there, almost like a painting.

It was such a simple scene. Two boys in the kitchen late at night. Keeping each other company in the middle of night. A comfortable silence as they sat together. It was perfect. Almost like they were a couple. Cali’s chest tightened as he focused on his task again. His fingers curled around the spoon and he stirred the blob of honey. He had to stop doing this. Mikey wouldn’t feel the same way. Taking a breath to compose himself, he set the spoon in the sink and handed the mug to Mikey.

“Thanks!” Mikey said brightly taking a long sip, “A dash of honey. Just the way I like it!” He smiled wide as he looked over at Cali.

Cali turned pink enough to match his markings and was silently thankful for the dim kitchen light. “Shut up and drink your tea so I can go back to bed.” He didn’t want to say anything right now. He didn’t trust his sleepy brain not to slip up and say something stupid.

They didn’t say anything after that. The tea drained from the mug as Mikey drank it. Cali quickly regretted his words as he watched Mikey. Words bubbled up in his chest. Confessions of love and affection. They were dammed up in his mouth, begging to break free. He couldn’t keep this up for much longer.

Mikey set the mug on the table and got up to head back to his own room. He paused when Cali didn’t get up with him and turned back to look at him.

“I’m coming. Just need a sec.” He mumbled, “ I’m so tired my limbs aren’t listening” he joked, pushing himself off the kitchen stool.

Mikey frowned and stood right in front of Cali. “Want me to carry you?” He asked head tiled in concern.

The thought of being carried to his room made his heart flutter. He leaned further into his sleepy act and mumbled something unintelligibly and let his head droop. Mikey was swift to grab him. Cali was placed bridal style in his arms and held close to Mikey’s chest.

He leaned his head against Mikey’s carapace and tried to keep his eyes open. The gentle sway of his walk and the steady thrum of the heartbeat of the boy he silently loved was lulling him to sleep. His eyelids were too heavy to keep open as they made his way to his bedroom. He had barely shut his eyes when he was placed back down.

He decided to keep his eyes shut as he felt his blanked be placed gently over him. He wanted so badly to ask him to stay. Their earlier embrace hadn’t been nearly long enough. There was a moment of hesitation before the turtle sank down beside Cali.

~

“I know you’re asleep. Thats why I’m saying this now.” He whispered barely audible, “ But I’m so so tired of acting like I’m just your friend. I want to hold you and love you and give you everything I have. You probably don’t feel the same way, but.” His voice got impossibly softer as he laid his head down next to Cali’s. “Who am I kidding. You don’t want to date a guy who’s cursed. I don’t know why I’m even saying this. You’re asleep. Probably for the better that you don’t hear this.”

It was killing him to be so close. His heart beat rapidly as he pulled the blanket to cover himself before sinking into the mattress, stiffer than a metal rod. Cali moved and he froze further. He would probably leave soon. He didn’t think he couldn’t handle being so close and yet so far. But Cali pressed his body against Mikey’s and sighed. He melted in the embrace and wrapped an arm over Cali’s sleeping form. Time seemed to slow as he touched his lips to Cali’s temple. Feather light, barely there.

Cali curled closer as Mikey felt the tea start to work through his system. His eyes dropped and he smiled softly against Cali’s spikes. Sleep finally made her way to Mikey as he laid in blissful silence. Maybe sleepless nights weren’t so bad when you had someone to share them with.

This little guy has been sitting unfinished in my notes forever so I figured it was time to finish him up and send him over because I can’t get it to work right. (I gave up.) Welp, enough of my complaining. I’m gonna go back to my cave. Until next time

YOU SHOW UP JUST TO GET MY HEAD FILLED WITH DOODLE IDEAS WHEN I CANT DRAW

[xrenjunniesx]

masterpiece

bf!jisung, magic au

in which you hid a secret from the whole world, only for it to be discovered by your boyfriend.

the books that held all sorts of knowledge levitated upwards, carefully making their way up through the air, defying gravity as your eyes stared out the window. your hand that relaxed by your side was the one that was doing all the work, you didn’t even need to look at the books for them to levitate.

it took a years to master this, and despite having no one you could tell this too, you had managed to master it completely, all the while keeping it a complete secret.

you were doing a good job at this secret keeping, until jisung burst into the room.

the books slam to the floor, making a loud noise that would be hard to cover up. you put a hand to your heart as you prepared to pretend that the loud noise was you - but judging by jisungs own expression, you couldn’t get out of this.

“what was that…”

he said, voice barely audible from how loud your heart was beating in your ears. your boyfriend was someone you loved, and you knew he loved you just as much. but he didn’t know this. this could change everything.

“uhm…” you stand to your feet, “what’s what?” you laugh, forcing a smile to your face.

“the books… I swear they-“

“it’s nothing, jisung.”

jisung snapped his head in your direction, tearing his eyes away from the books that had been levitating in the air not long ago.

“don’t lie to me.” he said, his eyes brows furrowing. his eyes pierce into yours, making you panic momentarily. you look away and walk to the other side of the room, approaching the desk.

you had done some research in the past and found that statistics that showed if people were to have magical powers, people would want them to go through testing, to be separated from society, no matter if it was someone they loved.

which is why, as jisung looked at you, you were moving things behind him as quietly as possible, just to make your escape easier.

“so when are you going to leave?” your free hand rises up from your lap and your fingers trace over your lamp that had gathered some dust over the past few days.

“what?” he seemed so perplexed by the idea that you almost let your guard down. you look at him briefly before looking away and sitting down on your desk chair.

“show me what you can do.” he says, walking over to you. you don’t move a muscle as you continue to look at the floor. he stands next to you and turns his back to the wall, looking out into the room from the corner you two were in.

silence fell over you two like a heavy blanket, almost suffocating you. you slowly tilt your head to look at him, your heart beating faster at the thought of this all going wrong.

did you trust him? yes, completely!

did you trust that he would be okay with this? not so much

“I’m not going to leave you unless you’re a killer or something, I swear.”

he said, and despite the lightheartedness to his words, his eyes spoke a different story. he was being honest and completely serious as he spoke.

you look over the pile of books that had yet to be moved since he came in. you look up to look into his eyes, as your hand began to twist, fingers bending in slightly as if you gripped the books - and they rose.

jisung didn’t realise yet, he was still looking at you. you flickered your gaze over the books quickly before looking back at him, wanting to see his reaction.

he looked over and instantly his mouth opened ever so slightly, a small gasp following short after as his his eyes widened.

you continued to watch his expression, as you moved the books around the air, making them dance in the air.

“…how?” he asks, never once looking back at you as he was mesmerised by your powers. your lips quirk up into a smile, as you two look over to your own masterpiece.

“I wish I knew.”

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Helping Hand 6

Warnings: non/dubcon, mentions of divorce, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

Characters: Jonathan Pine, 40s reader

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging.

You're permitted to leave the dungeon of your policy review for your designated half-hour break. You go to the lunch room and sit down with your meagre tray of crackers and cheese. You pick away at it, your appetite spoiled by the rotten start to your day and the pain tearing at your muscles. You really just want to go home but you know you can't. You need the money.

Your phone shakes on the table, a loud rattle that makes you flinch. You sigh and grab it, standing up to take the call. The longer you avoid Andy, the worse it's going to get. You leave your food on the table and jar your shoulder as you pull open the door. You put the phone to your ear as you storm onto the sales floor.

"Andy, I'm at work."

"Tough shit. How hard is it for you to give me an answer? It's as simple as a text--"

"You ever think I don't want to see your mother or you? Andy," you huff and hold your breath, lowering your voice as you hurry past customers. You get outside just as you're about to burst, "you left me. You served me papers. Why are you still bugging me?"

"I asked you for a goddamn favour. And just like usual, you can't do a simple task--"

"Andy--"

"Listen to me," he hollers over you, "she's sick. Okay? She's sick and she wants to see you."

You stop on the curb, teetering on the edge. You push your neck back and groan. God, you're shoulder hurts.

"How sick?" You ask.

"Sick," he answers somberly, "please, it's one afternoon."

You exhale, "what about... her?"

Another silence as he sniffs, "that's over."

You want to scoff. You want to scream in his ear. All that for a fling that didn't even last a whole year. You hold back your venom, it doesn't change anything. You're still divorced and you still hate him.

"Too bad," you mutter, "fine, I'll come."

"Thanks," he says, "for what it's worth."

"For her, not you," you growl.

"I can drive you--"

"No, I'll figure that out myself," you turn back to the storefront, "the less time we need to be together, the better."

He clucks, "I wasn't that bad."

"Apparently I was," you shrug and let out a pathetic yipe, "god fuck!" You pull the phone away from your ear as you try to stifle your exclamation. You put it back to your cheek and cross the pavement to the door, "gotta go. Bye."

"Sunday--"

"Got it."

You hang up and shove your phone in your pocket. You whine and clutch your shoulder. Your eyes blur with tears. So much for a relaxing lunch.

You reenter the store, head down as you ignore the customers trying to get your attention. You punch the keycode into the lunchroom door and grab your uneaten snack, packing it away before returning to the backroom. As you enter, you find the office occupied.

"Ah, there you are," Jonathan greets as he turns to you, "how was your break?"

"Short," you answer and go around to sit in the chair, cradling your elbow to keep pressure off the joint of your shoulder, "thanks."

"I saw you rush out. Everything okay?"

"Yep," you roll forward and flip a page, "everything is roses."

"And how is your shoulder?" He asks.

"Good," you lie.

He stares at you. A deadlock between you. You bow your head and resume your mindless browsing of redundant rules. He comes close to the other side of the desk and rests his fingertips on the top.

"I am worried, I am not treating you maliciously," he says evenly.

"I know. I told you not to worry."

"Someone should be cautious if you won't," he insists, "I am not like that man I fended off last night–"

"He's not your problem to worry about."

"Yet, I do," he intones, "you shouldn’t let him shade your impression of the world. He is one person–"

"I don't want to talk about my ex-husband," your voice scrapes with frustration, "please," you lift your head, "I'm just trying to get through the day."

He considers you, dragging his hand away from the desk to cross his arms. His forehead ripples and his cheek twitches. He takes a breath and his chest rises and falls.

"Very well, let's keep this professional. Go home."

"What?" You sputter.

"Yes, you've had time to review the policy. Should an employee have issues performing their duties, and/or pose a risk to themselves or others, they may be dismissed," he declares, "I believe if you sit here any longer and stress your injury, you will cause irreparable damage."

"It's fine–"

"I am your boss and I am telling you to leave the premises."

You lean back, chewing on a yelp. You blink as you glare at him. You can't believe he is doing this.

"Now, since you are officially relieved of your duties, as your friend, I insist you see a doctor–"

"You can't do this–"

"I am," he shrugs nonchalantly. "Of course, you may choose to catch the bus and see how you fare with a night of discomfort and no relief or you will accept my offer and seek help. I had my physician pencil you in for an hour from now–"

"Why would you do that?" You sneer.

"Because, you are stubborn–"

"I am not your responsibility."

"Perhaps not in your mind," he smirks, "so, shall I retrieve your things from your locker or would you prefer me wait for you here?"

"I'm not going with you," you stand and close the binder, slamming your hand on the cover.

"Very well, until you seek proper care, you will not be permitted to return to work. I cannot risk the liability–"

"You are…" you begin, breathless with exasperation, "why are you doing this?"

"Doing what? Looking after you?"

"Yes," you murmur, "why would you bother?"

"Someone must," he drops his arms, "please, be mad at me all you like, it is better than hurting yourself."

You shake your head and huff, avoiding him as you round the desk, "I'll get my bag."

"I'll be here, darling," he hums smugly, "patiently."

[kitten4sannie]

ok hear me out bc this is a bit freaky, but yeo making u hold ur pee all day and laughing at u when u piss urself

ahhh a fellow piss enthusiastttt you came to the right place heheh,, but omg yeo would be such a bullyyyy <33 i hope you enjoy this little imagine :3 (i say little but it’s an entire essay atp loll)

imagine he takes you out to the city to look around, enjoy the scenery, the hustle and bustle around you, the stores, the food, the drinks. Now that you think about it, he keeps buying them for you and sharing them with you, but you end up drinking most of them on your own. A matcha latte you saw in an ad on the cafe window, a new bubble tea flavor you just had to have, and now you had ended up in some bar sharing a beer flight.

You were denied access to the bathroom all day, but now it was starting to get serious. Your bladder was pressing painfully against your lower abdomen, feeling like it would burst at any second.

It didn’t help that your boyfriend got some sick amusement out of watching you squirm and whine, your face screwed in discomfort. “I really have to go, Yeo…please, can I go?”

Yeo would lick his lips and push one of the beers he barely touched in your direction. “Maybe after you finish this, baby.”

You might’ve been dating a sadist, but you couldn’t complain. You wanted what he wanted, even if that meant it would end in humiliation.

You drank the beer down and immediately crossed one leg over the other, gripping the edge of the glossy wooden table, your knuckles white. “Yeo, I’m seriously going to burst. Please…please let me go.”

Yeosang would stand up after he paid for the drinks and lean in towards you, his piercing gaze studying the light sheen of sweat on your skin, your flushed cheeks, the concern etched into your face. Seeing you like this always made him extremely pleased. And harder than he’s ever been before. “Hold it,” he would command callously, as he guided you out of the crowded bar, your core aching with every step, doing everything in your power not to piss yourself with an audience present.

Once he leads you outside to an empty alleyway, he pushes you against the wall, making you let out a squeaking sound. “Yeo, it’s gonna come out. I can’t fucking hold it anymore!”

Yeosang presses his large hand against your taut lower abdomen, slowly pushing down, cooing, “Aww, is the poor baby gonna piss all over herself in front of me? Gonna get all filthy, hm? You can’t be a good girl and hold it longer?”

“I can’t…i can’t hold it…I can’t…” you mumbled under your breath, only taking one more push of your boyfriend’s hand, before your muscles relaxed against your will. Breathing heavily and whining, “It’s coming out,” a heavy amount of liquid begins to pour down your legs and past your skirt, drenching your thighs and spilling onto the concrete floor. “Yeosang…this is all your fault…”

Overwhelmed with the sight of you pissing yourself against your will, ready to lap up the tears that fell from your burning face, Yeosang would let out a satisfied laugh, pointing at the yellowish stream that was still flowing onto the floor and creating a puddle around the both of your feet. “Look at you, baby, holy shit. You’re making such a mess! You’re so fucking filthy.”

Now you really couldn’t hold back the tears, grabbing onto Yeosang’s shoulders and pulling him into a hug, crying into his neck, “Your fault…you meanie…”

He would rub your lower back in circles, pressing kisses onto your jaw and earlobe, whispering, “Don’t cry, sweetheart. You know I love it when you’re a dirty girl.”

[violetlunette]

ooh how about Surface Pressure from Encanto? maybe Silver feels like he’s under a lot of stress and needs to be perfect all the time and can’t allow himself to relax (that’s the only thing i can think of but do whatever u want with this lol)

In reference to this

The Song: Surface Pressure from Encanto

I hope this is satisfactory, anon! Thank you for your patience!

“Hey, you okay?” ‘No.’ No, he wasn’t. Silver wasn’t okay at all. In fact, he felt sick. His mind was spinning like never-ending tornado anxiety as nausea swelled all the way to his throat. His muscles and bones ached with fatigue, threatening to knock him off his feet, throw him to the ground, and knock him out cold. But Silver couldn’t reveal that to anyone. How could he? How could Silver say that, under the surface, he constantly worried about everything? He was constantly worried that something was going to hurt them. Including Malleus, who—under the influence of the blot, which twisted, and twisted his desire to make everyone happy—had become a monstrous version of himself. The Dragon Prince had even lashed out at Silver and Sebek with the intent to harm them—maybe even worse. How could Silver admit to anyone, especially his comrade, who stood so bravely, that he was terrified that Malleus would find them? Especially now, when Lilia was the most vulnerable he had ever been and didn’t even know it. With his memory gone, Lilia was vulnerable to Malleus’ manipulation and spells. Silver hated to doubt the man who raised him, but if Malleus were to appear, would Lilia be able to defend himself against the tainted prince? No, Silver wouldn’t risk that—he couldn’t. He would protect them—protect them all! But could he do that? Could Silver keep everyone safe? What’s more, what about Malleus himself? On top of keeping everyone safe, Silver had to save Malleus as well! After all, the same blot that changed his prince from a kind, benevolent ruler to a deluded madman was killing him. How long did Malleus have before the Phantom drained his life force? If Silver failed to reach him in time... The pressure built inside him until he felt like he would burst. Every breath was like the tick, tick, tick of a bomb counting to explode, the drip, drip, drip of a facet ready to burst, a crack, crack, crack of glass about to shatter, and more. The mental pressure gripped his throat and nearly choked the life out of him, and his worries drowned him like a sailor lost in the waves. What if he failed? What if Silver didn't reach Malleus in time, and the Phantom swallowed the prince? What would happen to the other students? To Sebek? To Lilia? Silver felt his muscles tighten in readiness to fight whatever he had to to save everyone. He didn’t care that he felt so ill that he could throw up. He didn’t care how his back and knees bent from pain and fatigue that clouded his eyes in a red haze. He would stand. All that mattered to Silver was saving them. If he couldn’t persevere, then there was no way he could call himself a knight. And if he wasn’t a knight, then that meant that all his dreams and all the work Lilia put into raising him were for nothing. So, he would stand. He would fight. He would run. He would defend. He would NOT break. He wouldn’t allow it! Not when so many were counting on him and the ones he loved were suffering. His school friends were trapped in a dream that may never end. Sebek had broken into tears for Malleus and his suffering. Lilia was reliving his time at war, which must have been painful for a man who valued peace. And Malleus—Malleus was suffering more than any of them. In comparison, Silver’s feelings—well, they caused enough trouble, didn’t they? With that in mind, Silver pushed his bubbling emotions back down and hid them beneath a stoic expression, one that thankfully came naturally to him. “I’m fine,” he assured the others. “So please… don’t worry about me.” No cracks. No breaks. No pressure. At least, not above the surface.

[mylifeisactuallyamess]

Chapter 18: Kashyyyk

A/N: Erm…I got a touch of heat stroke yesterday, I’m very burnt because I’m an idiot. Have this as a treat.

Warnings: Feelings, mentions of abuse, canon violence, blood, fighting, slave mention, Trandoshans should come as a warning, did I mention feelings? This fic will always be 18+

Word Count: 7.8k+

Tagging: @idoubleswearimawriter @ravenclawbitch426 @dreamqueenkala @moon-wrecked

Slaves… selling slaves.

Closing your eyes you tried to squeeze them tight, an attempt to protect from the thoughts that hounded you. Thoughts so barbed they cut you with each pass. Your fists were clenched, trembling from the effort as your arms shook. That had been you, auctioned off to the highest bidder just like the Wookiee that slept in his corner.

You envied him that. The ability to fall asleep, seemingly unaffected by what had happened to him. Logic told you he wasn’t, but right now you couldn’t reason with yourself. You’d heard the rumours of the emotionless Jedi, maybe he was one of those, using his connection to the force and ridding himself of all feeling.

If only it was that easy…

Everyone was asleep as the ship raced through hyperspace, the ever changing lights offering shadowy light that delved into the hold. Wrecker was snoring, Omega was curled in her room, Hunter was slumped over in his chair, arms still crossed. Tech and Echo occupied the cockpit and you were in your spot next to Gonky.

Your throat was dry, panic was edging on your tired consciousness and you knew you should sleep. Burying the heels of your hands into your eyes, created a shower of stars that rivalled what was passing the ship. It also made you eyes ache more than they already did. If only you’d picked up the stim kit…16 hours of pure never ending bliss.

Something was coming, it was going to happen and soon. What though, you had no idea. Just something bad. A nameless creature that stalked in the dark, eyes as yellow as a flame and fur as black as wild space.

Your chest ached. Your muscles protested with every movement because you were so tired. Everything was building, dragging behind you like weights tied to your ankles. You could hear the invisible chains every time you took a step.

Breathing became difficult as you struggled to keep yourself under control. Now was not the time to fall apart at the seams.

Gods, why did your memories cut so deeply? Why, after all this time did they wound with the same ferocity as they did when they happened? You forlornly thought of the headset Tech had made for you, resting on the table beside your bed because then it was within easy reach. Next to the com he’d made you, the one you looked at and reached for before changing your mind and deciding he didn’t want to hear from you.

Pushing your tongue against the roof of your mouth you tried to stop the pressure of tears as they crowded at the back of your throat. Your ears felt like they were going to burst with each inhale, the air rushing past them made you wince.

Was it always this difficult to exist? Was it supposed to hurt all the time? Was it supposed to be this loud inside your mind?

Some days you wished it would just end. But then you’d been given something you’d never had before and arguably, it made the ache worse. Resting your head back against the durasteel, a few tears leaked from the corner of your eyes. Your hands relaxed, flopping between your legs as you forcibly expelled the tension from your body.

Maybe one day this will get easier. Existing. The ache could flourish into something else, something you could live with.

If only he’d see you…

Kashyyyk grew larger with each passing second, the wondrous green and blue surface had you gasping with pure delight. Tech looked up as you leaned over his shoulder, his eyes creasing with a smile from behind his helmet.

“We’re heading to a village we know of,” Hunter explained to Gungi. “The Wookiees there should be able to help you.”

“I’ve locked into the coordinates. But I’m picking up heavy smoke and deforestation,” Echo explained with a hint of disgust in his voice.

“Keep an eye out for Imperial outposts. Oh, and kid…”Hunter looked down at the young Wookiee. “Keep that laser sword hidden. It, uh, draws attention we don’t want.” As Tech flew the ship over masses of greenery you couldn’t get enough, enjoying the way the colours all blended together, giving the expectation of fresh plant air.

“Stitch,” Tech sighed as you bumped into him yet again.

“I’m sorry! It’s just there’s so much to look at!” You exclaimed. After Tech’s thorough lecture on the planet you couldn’t wait to experience it for yourself.

“I cannot land the ship with you leaning over me like this.” You took the hint and gave Tech his space, watching with excitement as the large trees swallowed up the ship.

“Keep your eyes open for any Imperials,” Hunter warned as you both put your helmets on. “No heroics.” You were sure the comment was aimed at Gungi but you concentration dissipated as soon as Tech opened the ramp.

This world was stunning. You’d never seen anything like it. Trees that made your back bend as you looked up at them; thick spongy ground pillowed with each step you took. The air was heavy with humidity, suddenly grateful for the body suit that helped to regulate your temperature. Vines hung down from the branches, dripping with age and moss. The fauna was hollering all around and you picked out some sounds you’d heard in your meditation.

The boys walked along, Omega and Gungi in the middle. Hunter was at the front with you hot on his heels as your visor drank in everything you saw. Sunlight streamed through the canopy, patches of light dancing in the breeze as the tree rustled. This planet was crawling with life, so much so it set your senses on fire. Your fingers twitched, tingling to touch anything and everything you walked past, the whole place teemed with an awareness that whispered its way over your skin and you shivered a little.

“Do you remember anything about this planet?” Omega asked curiously. Gungi replied, his tone gentle with wonder. “What did he say?” She murmured, looking up at her brother.

“From his dreams,” Hunter translated.

The filtered sunlight between the trees became muted, casting a silvery glow through some webbing that was strung from trunk to trunk. Your footsteps slowed, letting Hunter and the kids ahead and falling in line with Tech. His eyes were roaming, helmet turning from side to side as he clocked the change in scenery.

The pathway became blocked, strings of white web were clouding the way ahead and Hunter brought the group to a halt. It was Wrecker who stepped forward, thumping his fist into his palm as he announced he’d lead the way. The fine strings drifted delicately when cut by his large blade.

“What do you think made this?” You asked Tech quietly only to be answered by a chittering shriek from ahead.

“I am going to assume they did,” he stated calmly as the creatures descended on the group. They came down on long ropes made of the same silk that Wrecker had been making a pathway through. They were huge, their legs thumping on the soft ground, a long appendage protruded upwards like a neck, revealing a mouth piece.

“And they are?!” Because you’d like to know the name of the creature that was probably about to eat you.

“An arachnid species called Kinrath,” Tech said, still exuding a calm confidence even when you knocked into him as you stepped back, hand on your blaster.

“They’re swarming us!” Echo observed and Wrecker pulled out his weapon only for Gungi to stretch out a furry paw.

“Hold your fire,” Hunter instructed. Gungi spoke some more and Tech casually lowered his visor ready to translate.

“He says they will not attack unless we pose a threat.” Whispers ran up your spine, creating a shudder you couldn’t control as Gungi held up his hand. The Kinrath shrieked again, their legs pushing into the ground and for a split second you thought they were going to charge; a collective breath filled your chest and everything around stilled for a moment.

Then, they just turned away. Disappearing back into the sticky strands that crisscrossed through the trees. Gungi beckoned you all forward, now leading as he ducked his way through the webs.

As you walked something began to press on your mind. It was heavy, creating a dull ache you couldn’t shift and you really wanted to take your helmet off and rub your eyes. Hunter ducked down before you, skimming his hands across the ground and you knelt next to him with Omega.

“You smell that?” He asked you quietly, the acid smell of charred wood filtered through the vents in your helmet and you nodded. It smelled unnatural, tainted with a thickness that told you something else was afoot here.

“It’s not right,” you murmured.

“No.” The trees gave way before the edge of the steep hill and you gasped a little at the sight below. Rich plumes of choking black smoke rose high above the canopy. Your breath caught, the searing scorch of the smoke filled your chest and you coughed; everything was suffocating, you could feel it.

Tech’s datapad beeped and his sigh came through your internal com. “According to my telemetry, the village is straight ahead.” No one responded. There was nothing to say, a sense of trepidation lined your gut and you knew the village was destroyed or abandoned.

Hunter led the way down the slope, your feet turning to the side to keep you steady.

The descent was rocky, ending in you having to slide the last few meters down the bottom of the hill and leaping to the flat ground again. Tech followed in your grooves as the rest of the squad made their own way. He glanced at you but your visor was full of the choking smoke that filled the air.

It curled as you walked through it, cloying and drying as it permeated your helmet, trying to suffocate you from the inside out. The ground crunched, burnt flora crumbled to ash at the slightest touch, disintegrating into nothing.

Sound deadened in the air. There was no fauna chittering in the trees or flying through the canopy. The stale stench of death and spoliation couldn’t be covered and you wanted nothing more than to be back on the Marauder and leaving this place.

A structure rose out of the gloom, fire still alive within that crackled and ate anything it could reach. The squad came to a stop, drinking in the level of destruction that licked up the side of the massive trees. Leaves were gone, branches broken and charred lay strewn all over the ground, still smouldering with the hatred that made them fall.

Hunter crouched again, his gaze running over the ground with an experienced eye. “Tanks came through here,” he sighed. “The Empire incinerated the entire village.” You left his side, approaching Gungi as the youngling fell to his knees in despair. Your fingers danced as you reached to delicately rest on his shoulder, feeling his mourning as though it was your own. Omega joined, her face revealing she too was affected by the ruination around her.

“The Empire destroyed our home too. Don’t worry, we’ll find your people.” The dread in your gut dropped. A motion that caused you to gasp loudly and Tech was beside you in an instant.

“What is it?”

“Something is coming!” You whispered as the sound of heavy machinery trembled through your audio receptors. Hunter and Tech shared a look before jogging over the decimated clearing to the other side. Crouching down, Tech took out his macrobinoculars.

“What do you see?” Hunter asked. You felt the hesitation in Tech before he answered, it made you look round at him as you waited that split second for his answer.

“Trandoshans.” Your blood solidified in your veins, the crawling sensation you’d been ignoring became unbearable and you visibly shivered. Closing your eyes you told yourself to get a grip, to breathe and not let this break you down. They couldn’t get you, they wouldn’t touch you…not again. “And they have a Wookiee hostage.”

They were destroying everything in their path, great swathes of fire billowed from the flame thrower heating up the stones in their way and causing the Wookiee below to protest loudly. Your heart was pounding, rushing every feeling through your veins in a dangerous cocktail. You weren’t the innocent girl they took all those years ago, not anymore.

“Hunter! Gungi!” Omega pulled everyone’s attention to the young Wookiee as he ran towards the Trandoshans destroying his homeworld.

“Oh no!” You watched as he ignited his lightsaber, the bright green of it glowing vividly in the blackened surroundings. The group moved as one, breaking cover and shooting the ice blue of their bolts at the Trandoshans as they fired back. You went with Echo and Tech, while Hunter and Wrecker took out the tank with Gungi’s help.

It was over quickly, bodies littered the ground and the only sounds left were the crackling of the fire and the press of your breath inside your helmet. Your foot nudged one of the lifeless bodies over, hands shaking as you raised your blaster. The shot was loud, ringing out over the clearing and Tech turned at the noise. You did it again, watching the searing bolt flare and scorch the skin through the tears that dripped down your cheeks.

A snarl emitted from your vocoder and you fired twice more in quick succession, no longer able to see as your vision fractured. A firm hand took your blaster, leaving your fingers needy and empty. You thought Hunter had intervened, but when you looked up it was Echo who stood there, haloed by the flames.

“It’s dead,” he stated.

“I just want to keep shooting!” You admitted through gritted teeth, hating this seething anger that festered like a dead animal in your chest.

“I know,” he spoke softly and it was nearly lost if not for the internal com. “But we need to save what we can.”

“We need to stop the flames from spreading,” Hunter’s voice came through. “Start digging.” Echo handed you the blaster back with a nod.

It felt good to concentrate on something else, to dose the flames and watch them sizzle out of existence. You worked hard, digging until your muscles screamed and your body ached all over. Taking a moment you breathed. The air was clearer, the subtle sounds of wildlife returned and you let the early morning sun bathe you. Tilting your head back you sighed, feeling Tech come up beside you. He didn’t say anything, just his presence was enough in this moment.

Your eyes snapped open as the fauna sounds swelled in magnitude. Chittering and growling clashed together and the group backed up against one another surrounding the kids.

“More Trandoshans?” Echo suggested. Hunter was beside you, head shaking as the pair of you stared up into the trees.

“No,” he replied. “Something, bigger.” Bigger was an understatement. The creature was huge, easily climbing down the tree and landing on its wide paws that could have flattened you all in a moment. The ears spanned widely either side of its head, the ridges diminishing in size to closer they got to its head. Large, black feline shaped eyes regarded the group as it roared, showing rows of sharp teeth. Green fur covered with dark stripes marked the whole creature and you heard Tech inhale sharply at such a sight.

These must have been the mylayas he had told you about before you landed. Quadrupeds, cat-like fur covered creatures connected to the spirits of the forest. It looked fierce but you weren’t afraid, your visor registered a Wookiee riding such a beast. Two more appeared, each carrying a Wookiee that looked down at you all.

Tech translated, saying the Wookiees wanted to take you to their small settlement. Which meant hitching a lift. The mylayas fur was softer than it looked, a smooth downy quality that made you want to run your fingers through it.

Once you were settled in the saddle, Tech climbed up behind you, resting his thighs either side of yours. You turned to look at him, seeing his eyes wide with wonder when the creature began to move. He tipped forward, hands jerking in an effort to keep his balance and not crowd you at the same time. Your legs tensed when the mylaya leapt back into the trees, slipping slightly in the saddle making you grip onto Tech’s legs.

“You will not fall off,” he assured you.

“It just feels like it.”

“The motion of the mylaya is very different to anything I have experienced before,” he admitted. “Your grip is tight.” His voice had a strained quality but you couldn’t make your fingers loosen. You closed your eyes as your stomach lurched, fingers digging even harder into his legs as you tried to not lean forward and pull the Wookiee’s fur in fear.

“I-I’m sorry!” You gasped. “You steady me.”

“I understand.” The creature jumped from a large branch to another and you felt Tech tense his legs either side, his hands finally finding purchase around your waist as you both rocked with the motion of the jump.

Eventually you relaxed enough to lessen the cramping sensation in your fingers but not enough to let go. Tech didn’t say anything else, his mind absorbed with seeing Kashyyyk from another angle as you all made your way to the settlement.

He dismounted first, easily swinging his leg over and sliding down. He looked up, holding his arms to receive you and giving you an encouraging nod. You tried to copy, fearing you were much less graceful as you let yourself half fall down the side of the mylaya. Tech caught you, sliding his hands up the sides of your body to hold you steady on wobbly legs. His touch lingered, fingers flexing through the material of your bodysuit as he regarded you calmly through his goggles.

Sounds muted, nothing else existed for you right now as your body zeroed in on the way he felt holding you. Your heart kicked up, fluttering erratically and your gaze magnetised to his through your helmets. You almost leaned forward, the urge to tap your head against his was overwhelming, instead you tried to breathe, noticing the way your ribs expanded but his hands stayed exactly where they were.

“Thank you, Tech.” Your words barely breathed out but you knew he heard you, his eyes turning up as his smile became evident even though you couldn’t see it.

“Tech.” You both turned to see Hunter walking past, his head inclining towards the new Wookiees that had appeared and Tech’s touch fell away. You all gathered in front of the round wooden hut. A female Wookiee began to speak and Tech lowered his visor.

“Her name is Yanna. She appears to be leading them.” Hunter stepped forward.

“We are returning him to his homeworld,” Hunter told her, gesturing to Gungi. “But he doesn’t know what village he’s from.” Yanna ducked down to the Jedi’s level, pressing her forehead against his in greeting. She spoke again and you saw the words light up on Tech’s visor.

“We were soldiers of the Republic,” Hunter reached up to take his helmet off. “But, let’s just say we don’t see eye to eye with the Empire.” Yanna responded and you watched Hunter listen intently. “We came because Gungi was in trouble. Jedi or not, he’s still a child.” You could feel his sense of guilt as it trickled through once again and you knew he was thinking of the time before when he couldn’t help. If anyone could make this work, Hunter could.

Your foot dangled over the platform. Dusk was approaching and with it came the new sounds and creatures. You looked up as the leaves rustled but you could only hear the animals as they moved about. You leaned easily on your raised knee, swinging your other leg slightly and enjoying the peace that enveloped this place. Wrecker was having a great time inside with the Wookiees, his joy was infectious and he threw himself into everything they offered him.

There was harmony here. A quiet sense of satisfaction that filled all the devastating cracks in your soul, even if it was temporary. It felt odd to feel so at peace and yet, knowing this all could be shattered at any moment. You felt him approach, his concern for you a leading sense as he gently settled beside you.

“You don’t have to check up on me, you know.”

“I’m not,” Hunter mumbled. You huffed out a single chuckle, letting it go in the breeze that weaved between your relaxed forms.

“I realise earlier…” your fingers twisted the strand of bark you’d been playing with and your gaze lowered.

“It was a charged situation,” Hunter responded with. “One we might come across again.” He leaned towards you, eyes dragging over your profile as he thought about what to say next. “We won’t let you fall into their grasp again.”

“I know.”

“I’m…” he stopped himself and now it was your turn to look over at him. The shadows of his tattoo were vibrant in the dying light as he studied the leaves of the canopy. “If I had known, I would not have brought you here.”

“About the Trandoshans?” He nodded. “You can’t protect all of us all the time.” You heard the quiet scrape of his knife as he drew it from the vambrace casing and replaced it with a soft click.

“Have you…you know?” He sounded so hesitant, so unsure you almost enjoyed seeing him out of depth for a moment.

“Have I thought about getting all of Gungi’s secrets in the hope it would fix me?” Hunter sighed and fiddled with his knife once more.

“When you put it like that,” he muttered darkly and you leaned over to nudge his spaulder.

“I’m fine as I am. Not all of my issues are due to my heritage, you know.”

“Hunter.” Tech appeared from round the corner, gaze casting between you both before he spoke again. “Yanna wishes to speak with us.” You picked up your helmet, moving into the hut and joining the others.

“Yanna’s agreed to let Gungi stay with them,” Omega announced and you smiled, giving the young Wookiee a quick smile.

“What about the Trandoshans?” Echo asked. You followed Hunter to sit at the table.

“The Empire’s been using them to strip the planet’s resources. Many of the villagers have fled deeper into the jungle.”

You looked up as Tech stepped closer, his visor trained on the Wookiee leader. “Yanna’s scouts are reporting a large convoy headed in this direction. She says to leave.”

“Hunter,” you could tell by Echo’s expression, he wasn't wanting to go anywhere. “The Wookiees were our allies for years. We have to do something.”

Hunter sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly as he rubbed a hand across his face. His gaze alighted quickly on everyone, finally resting on you as he made up his mind. “We’ll stay and help you fight them.” Yanna replied to him, her voice soft. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

You watched when the Wookiees all left the hut, curiosity making you follow and the boys congregated around you. They knelt before the tree, a hand placed gently on the trunk, the light from inside casting a warm glow over their red-brown fur. The hairs on your skin pricked under your bodysuit, rolling your neck you hoped to dispel the feeling but it only grew.

“What are they doing?” Omega whispered.

“They are asking the trees for help,” Hunter explained.

“They’re talking to the trees?” Your gaze travelled up the impressive trunk, the tingling sensation creating waves that crashed over your body like electricity. You ran your hands up your arms, chasing the feeling away only to succumb to another shiver.

“They believe this planet belongs to the trees,” Tech took over the patient explanation to Omega. “And they are allies in this fight.”

“We’ll take all the allies we can get,” Hunter muttered. “Tech, Stitch. Take first watch.” You nodded, stepping aside as the others filed back in to get some rest.

“Here,” Tech handed out his macrobinoculars. “They will be coming from that direction.” He leaned in and pointed to a gap between the trees. “The scouts say they come with tanks and this will be the easiest route for them. Not that they are bothered about destroying anything in their path.”

“I hate Trandoshans,” you snarled quietly, looking through the binocs and adjusting the dial so you could zoom in.

“I understand this altercation might be—challenging for you.” He seemed to flounder a little, gripping the edges of his datapad as he tried to think of a way to vocalise what he wanted to say. “I am afraid we cannot escape that.” You smiled at his bluntness. He was right, you couldn’t escape it and if anything you were churning over ideas of revenge. It scared you a little, how much you wanted that Trandoshan to be alive when you shot him again and again.

Maybe you’d get your chance.

Lowering the device you looked up to see the blue black sky pocketed with vibrant stars through the wide leaves. Such beauty, such vastness and still there were those who seemed to destroy it all for some sort of gain. You didn’t understand. The Empire was occupying planets like a disease, chewing them up and spitting them out bare. And for what?

“I’m sure I’ll cope,” you finally responded.

“I cannot deny, your lessons with Hunter have greatly improved your combat fighting abilities and awakened some dormant skill.” Tech stepped closer and you turned to look at him, catching his eyes briefly in the light that came from behind you both. “But your long range skills leave much room for improvement.”

“Almost sounds like you’re worried about me, Tech.” You teased with an easy smile, hoping to make him relax slightly. You expected some quip or slightly sarcastic reply in return to cover his obvious discomfort with this conversation; but he said nothing. Staring at his datapad like it had all the answers when, in fact, it had none. “Maybe I’ll hang back with the kids.” Lifting the binocs and you looked through them again. “Hopefully Omega won’t get into any tangles and Gungi seems capable, being a Jedi and all,” you rambled on. “I’m pretty sure I could cause some damage to a Trandoshan if he got close enough…”

“I am,” Tech blurted out and you lowered the binocs.

“Are what?”

“My concern for your well being—when Trandoshans are involved, seems heightened.” You caught the frown behind his goggles, the flick of his fingers as he registered what he’d just said and still wasn’t entirely sure about it. You could feel it, emanating from him in hindered waves. You had nothing else to say to him, no words of reassurance because you could easily make a mistake.

He grew increasingly agitated, burying his face in his datapad and turning slightly away as you now struggled with your own emotions. You were back there again, at Safa Toma, fighting the urge to spill out everything you felt in a long tirade. Concern for your safety because of your lack of combat experience did not translate into him having feelings for you.

It creates feelings of euphoria that can, quite frankly, be a hindrance.

He didn’t believe in them anyway, like Hunter said, he couldn’t see it. Maybe he didn’t want to rather than couldn’t. Tech had turned away, you could see more of his pack than his face. Pressing your teeth together you turned fully away from him, scanning the perimeter and hoping a Trandoshan would burst through the undergrowth and spearhead into this hideous moment.

It didn’t. And the rest of your watch passed by in grating silence or stilted confirmation that everything was still clear. Echo and Wrecker relieved you both and you ducked into the hut to find Hunter sitting up against the wall, Omega passed out in his lap. His eye cracked open when you approached and he gave you a hint of a smile.

Removing your pack you settled beside him, your gaze trying to ignore the way Tech sat at the table, back hunched over his datapad. Hunter looked between you, a questioning frown appeared and you subtly shook your head. Resting your head back against the wood you let out a quiet sigh, forcing your eyes closed and breathing deeply in an effort to trick yourself into sleep or a state of meditation.

Ghostly touches danced over your skin, indistinguishable whispers sounded in your ears but you ignored it all with a set expression on your face; willing yourself to succumb to some sort of restful mood.

The darkness wasn’t comforting, it never welcomed you with open arms or embraced you like it did some people. Instead it was like navigating walls covered with knives and no light. You bled in your dreams, you hurt in your nightmares, you relived things you never wanted to see in the first place. Silver armour, blue lines, a ship that seemed to break every rule book when it came to gravity. Voices echoed, yelling, screaming, words that had no meaning but you knew they meant something. Hands snatched at you, claws vicious and wicked dragging over your scars as though they remembered inflicting them upon you. It was never welcoming, in the dark…but you never shed the sense you belonged.

“Stitch…” you snatched awake, your body tensing as you looked up at Hunter leaning over you. “They’re closing in and we have a plan.”

You stayed crouched. Your knees weren’t protesting yet but they would soon. Omega and Gungi were either side of you, the rest of the Batch just a pace ahead as they watched the Trandoshans file closer. Your chest was hurting, the sound of the tanks thrummed deeply in your body the closer they got and your breaths got more and more shallow.

Wookiees mounted on mylayas waited, hidden in the canopy above ready to leap into the fray. Your blaster felt heavy, your fingers wrapped around the grip as the nervousness made your hands itch. Your shield was ready to go, all you had to do was clench and twist your fist for it to come to life.

“Now.” Hunter whispered through your internal com and Tech moved, rolling the detonator quietly and with precision so it came to a stop under the second tanks base.

3…

2…

1…

BOOM!

The light from the explosion filled your HUD, the smell of twisted metal and charred earth seeped into your helmet; swiftly chased by the sound of blaster fire. You ducked with Gungi, watching the shots find their marks on the Trandoshans and soldiers alike.

With a roar the mylayas dropped onto the tanks, creating havoc among enemy ranks with large paws and loud roars that echoed through the jungle.

“Stick to the plan! Draw them into the nest.” The group moved at Hunter’s command, still trading bolts that sparked in the dark as you all made your way to the Kinrath nest. All of a sudden Gungi bellowed beside you, the lightsaber glowing richly with a green that made you squint and you tried to reach for him.

Your fingers passed through his fur, grabbing onto nothing but the humid air and you snarled a curse inside your helmet. You went to follow him, tracking the light of the saber in the smoky dusk only to be grabbed from behind.

At first you thought it had been one of the Batch and you tried to wrench yourself free. “I can make it!” You huffed, turning to glare at whoever had hold of you.

When your gaze locked with his narrowing green eyes, it felt like your entire world was burning. You could hear the screams, feel the heat of the flames and all your scars ached with the ripping pain they harboured. You worked harder to get away only to find he’d dragged you further into the jungle. The Trandoshan threw you heavily onto the ground, dislodging your helmet and revealing your face to him. A gasp of surprise hissed from between his drawn back lips and you managed to kick away his grasp, scooting back between the green leaves of the undergrowth.

“Not sssssso fasssst!” He snarled, grabbing your leg and hauling you back towards him. His claws scrabbled hideously against your armour, eventually finding purchase between the plates and you tried to scream as he lifted you up.

Pain, so familiar tore through your body, tears leaking from your eyes as fear made you shut down completely. “It’sssss you!” A hissing chuckle erupted from his throat and his green eyes lit up from within. “I know ssssomeone who would pay a handsssssome priccccce for you.”

You wanted to scream at him, to kick out his legs but your inner self was beating on invisible bars that you had created; leaving you trembling in stupefied horror. His claws closed around your chin, digging in deeply to your skin and your eyes rolled, only for him to shake you back into the moment. “Remember me?” He growled. Turning his head your eyes were drawn to the scar on the left side of his face, one you had put there.

The missing scales left a long line of bare skin that had healed over. You remembered doing it, the first and last time you’d lashed out. Joorsk had given you the first scars on your back and arms. He marked you up so badly you couldn’t even lift your arms to feed yourself. “Yesssss, you do.”

Fear was pumping through your body, pulsing right down to your fingertips but still you couldn’t get your limbs to obey. Your insides liquified, a sickness rose up your throat and you choked, making the Trandoshan grin wickedly. “No mewling for Joorssssk today?” Your eyes were wide, still not believing of all the planets, of all the Trandoshans, your first captor was here and you were in his grasp again.

His eyes looked up, the sounds of fighting had muted and panic flared in your gut like a wildfire.

You were being left behind.

Hunter ducked down, his fingers running over the depression in the ground. A small Wookiee footprint marred by one of Omega’s.

“The fire!” He’d never admit the sense of relief he felt when he heard her voice calling to them. “It’s spreading too fast!” He looked in the direction she was pointing, reading the smoke that rose high into the sky.

“Tech, gather all the Wookiees.”

“Affirmative.” His helmet cast around as he saw the glow of the fire coming through the trees. It had to be stopped.

“Omega. Where is Stitch?” The young girl frowned and looked up at Gungi.

“I thought she was with you?” Gungi shook his head, saying he lost you amongst the trees and Hunter felt his blood ice over.

“Echo, Wrecker. Work with the Wookiees to get that fire out. Tech,” he spoke into his com as he broke into a run. “We need to find Stitch.”

“Is she not with Omega? Hunter?” He closed his eyes, he hated doing this to his brother. As he rounded a large trunk Tech fell into step with him until they stopped at the first place they engaged the convoy.

“I am not getting any human life sign readings in the immediate vicinity,” Tech chatted. “Do we know which direction she went?” He was outwardly calm, his eyes surveying the clearing and the wreckages of the tanks but Hunter knew, inside he was churning. Because so was he.

“There!” He looked through the bushes seeing your tracks as clear as day. “Hurry.” You weren’t alone. He kept his own counsel as he read the ground, seeing the scuffle you had with the Trandoshan, the way your body was dragged and then left the ground concerned him. His fingers swept over a speck of blood and he carefully rubbed it between his fingers. “Getting anything?” He asked Tech hoping to keep his brother occupied with his datapad.

“No. I am struggling to get an accurate reading this deep under the canopy.”

“This way.” Hunter’s eyes saw everything. He saw the drag marks, the grooves in the ground, broken stalks, crushed grass and his heartbeat quickened. You weren’t struggling and he’d trained you enough to know you could have done something if you wished—unless, you couldn’t. He’d seen the fear in your eyes, he’d felt the quiver of your body and he knew fear reigned when you didn’t want it to. He’d promised. He had promised you this wouldn’t happen and now you were being dragged through the jungle and reliving all your worst nightmares at once.

He slowed, motioning to Tech to flank left. He could hear your breathing, the way the flora gave way under your captors flat feet and when it brushed against your katarn. Too quick, each breath you took was shallow and fast, echoing in his helmet and he honed in on it.

The Trandoshan had his claws hooked into your shoulder, your eyes were drooping, Hunter could see the blood shining over your bodysuit and he approached silently. He was aware of Tech moving, knowing his brother wanted to get to you but was waiting for a signal. Hunter tilted his helmet as he studied the way the Trandoshan was holding you, figuring out a way to bring him down without causing you more pain as he dragged his blade slowly free.

He turned, the hairs on the back of his neck rising and before he could say anything a single shot rang through the jungle. The Trandoshan didn’t even miss a step, falling completely flat on his face, the shot was clean and it smouldered heavily.

Hunter glanced around to make sure no one else was coming from between the trees. Sheathing his knife he straightened to watch Tech crouch beside you, his own blaster still drawn. Sweat marked your brow, soaking your hairline along with dirt and blood. He could see the gashes in your cheeks, the mark of Trandoshan claws evident on your skin.

“Hunter. We need to free her.” Kneeling beside his brother they worked the claws free from your shoulder. Lifting the katarn off to give themselves more room. Your screams were loud, flinching from the serrated edges that dragged in the wounds, blood spurted freely and Hunter saw Tech’s hands shaking slightly. “We must get her back to the ship.”

“The ship is too far,” Hunter pointed out. Keying in his com, Hunter radioed through that they needed help. It felt like an eternity except it was minutes when a Wookiee with a couple of mylayas arrived in the clearing. Wrecker leapt down, lifting you off the ground but you just dangled lifeless and silent in his grasp.

Hunter hated the way how your eyes were glazed over, clearly trapped in whatever horror the Trandoshan had awoken for you. He had done that, because he wasn’t paying attention. And he’d never forgive himself. Tech rode the other beast with Wrecker, turning round in the saddle to check on you as they made it through the trees, all the way back to Yanna's hut.

Each breath was like breathing with a pillow of needles at your shoulder. You moaned, automatically going to reach for the pain in your groggy state when a hand stopped your motion. Your eyes flew open, meeting Hunter’s frown, his fingers wrapped around your wrist.

“I wouldn’t, if I were you.” Gently he lowered your hand back to the bed and that’s when you saw you were back in the Wookiee hut. Sunlight streamed through the cracks in the boards, the world outside was full of echoing roars and chittering yammers from large and small creatures alike. Wrecker and Omega were asleep near the door, slumped onto one another and the bowl of drinks still sat on the table.

Rolling to your uninjured side you managed to push yourself upright, ignoring Hunter and his outstretched hands as he hovered beside you. Your mind had been empty when you woke up, now it was yelling. The pain was a firm reminder of the way the Trandoshan had carted you away. The despair you felt as he dragged you away from the Batch, his claws scraping your bones, they were buried so deep.

Flexing your hand you gasped. Your nerves were damaged, numbness affected your fingers while pain radiated from your joint. He didn’t stop you this time, watching with an intense look as you placed a hand just over the tight bandage. Your arm was in a sling, wrapped against your body so you couldn’t jar it accidentally.

Warmth radiated from your palm and you felt the edges of your lacerations burn slightly, getting the measure of them. Hunter crossed his arms, the intense look deepening his scowl as he watched. “Tech bandaged you.”

You went to speak and flinched, his expression softened in the face of your discomfort, your mouth felt full and tight at the same time. “Where is Tech? And the Wookiees?” You managed to ask, wincing.

“They moved on. This won’t stay hidden for long when the Imperials come to investigate.”

“Why are we still here?” You asked, easing yourself off the bed.

“Tech insisted we had to wait until you woke up. He’s retrieving the ship with Echo.” You wanted to stretch, to bend your body and relieve some of the tension that had settled in your limbs but you knew that was the worst idea. Lifting a hand you touched your face, trailing fingertips along the lacerations and you winced at the burn that radiated across your cheek. “I would leave those,” Hunter suggested firmly.

Frustration clouded your mind, tears pushed their way to the edge of your lashes and you turned away from Hunter, but he had already seen your despair. “Stitch…” you held up your hand, halting him in mid step. You knew he was trying to be supportive but the weight of his guilt when he looked at you was oppressive. Hunter hadn’t tried to ease it by apologising, or put it on you by laying blame, he harboured it, like a wound and it bled out around him.

You couldn’t speak, forcing your tired body to shuffle outside and try to breathe in the fresh air before you got back on the ship. You knew your current state was your fault, if only you’d acted like you’d been taught. The hours you’d put into training and still you were as helpless as ever.

Footsteps caught your attention and you looked up to see Tech eyeing you with visible concern. When your gazes locked, you broke. You didn’t care if the others noticed how you gravitated, you didn’t care if this was something out of character for you. All that mattered right now was having Tech hold you up. Your back hunched, the sobs making your shoulder throb and you frowned through the tears.

But Tech was there. He was so careful with you, helping you down the steps, supporting your body and lifting you over roots you couldn’t see, all the way to the ship. He eased you up the ramp, telling you it wasn’t much further to go and then he was depositing you in one of the seats at the back.

Your fingers curled over the top of his chest plate, whispering pleas of him not to leave you, not again. You were barely aware of the others boarding, Hunter and Echo taking the pilot seats while Wrecker shut the door to the hold and left you alone with Tech.

He knelt before you, hands on either side of your legs, gazing up into your tear stained and scarred face. You flinched when he reached up, gently using his thumb to swipe away the tears that dampened your skin. He concentrated, the creases on his forehead deepened as he watched the slow motion of his digit, avoiding the edges of your cuts.

Your sobs became hiccups as you relaxed into his touch, yielding to the calmness he exuded, knowing you were safe and alive. “Please allow me to tend to your wounds? More bacta needs to be applied,” Tech said huskily. He went to reach for your pack but your fingers tightened on his chest-plate and he glanced down at your hand.

“Not yet,” you whispered.

“The more we—.”

“I know.” He stopped talking, his eyes so rich in colours of drizzled honey and warm chocolate, widened when you leaned forward. You needed to feel him against you; needed that connection to sweep you away into the void and forget everything that was taking hold of you.

Tech held back the blackness in your soul, it was a temporary fix but right now you didn’t have the strength to do it yourself. You hesitated, nervously watching his face for any sense of panic but you found none. Just a red tone to his skin and a brightness behind his goggles as he too began to lean into you.

The door to the cockpit swept open. “Tech, Hunter says you need to…” Omega trailed off with wide eyes, closing her mouth when you both looked at her in surprise. Your heart was in your throat, almost like you’d been caught doing something you shouldn’t and you relinquished your grip of the katarn as Tech rose. He stepped back, looking down at you with an unreadable expression. You had nothing to say, wearily bowing your head as you sighed.

His footsteps were loud on the floor until he entered the cockpit and Omega took his place, dragging over your pack as she settled into a role she knew a little too well. You let her slather you in numbing paste after a fine misting of bacta. Locked in that prison cell in your brain as you heard Joorsk’s voice, felt his claws under your skin and more tears rolled silently down your face.

“Am I hurting you?” Omega asked.

“No. You’re doing a great job. Keep telling me about Gungi.” Satisfied she carried on, her voice not distracting you from the roiling inside as you wistfully thought about Tech.

Do you want him to come with us? Hunter’s voice rang in your mind from when they’d first picked you up, the moment when you decided not to rely on Tech…and look at you now. Maybe he was right, feelings were a hindrance. Spending so much time with him during his recovery had made you realise how much he was a pocket of safety in your wild life and you didn’t want to give that up.

A stuttering breath filled your chest. You knew nothing lasted forever and something was coming.

Something that might force you to give up Tech for good.

[inklessletter]

Lucas was lying next to Max in the hospital bed. His face muscles were aching after being contorted all morning, from crying and smiling, and trying not to. Max was awake. After three months, Max finally was awake. 

The drugs were still filling her system, and his body was still recovering, still adjusting won’t let her move too much, but she was reaching out. She wanted to touch. She asked Lucas to get next to her, and they cried, and hugged, and cuddled. He couldn’t bring himself to go to the nearest telephone and call the others. 

It was Erica who did it. She offered.

And she was so happy, she didn’t even charge him for it.

Lucas was playing with her hand when he heard the party in the hallway, about to burst in the room. Max stiffened at the sound.

Soon after, they were all in, and Lucas stepped aside the bed, but Max clawed her fingers around his hand. She wouldn’t let him go, even when the others were hugging her, taking turns. 

Everyone was crying. Even Mike. Dustin was such an ugly, loud crier. Will couldn’t stop smiling. Nancy was tougher, but she was also beaming, even through her glassy eyes. Jonathan didn’t want to cry, too, but he definitely wiped a tear or two, not coming really close, but letting her know that he was so glad she was awake. Steve hugged her, too, blinking fast, kissing her hair, and telling her how brave, how proud everyone was of her.

Max was crying too, but she greeted everyone with a wide smile.

But when El approached the last, shy and timid, with puffy, wet eyes and a trembling lip, Max’s face faltered.

“El?” she asked, and Steve let room for her to get to Max. 

El smiled through her tears. “Yeah.”

Max let go of Lucas’ hand and hugged her as fiercely as she could. They didn’t speak for a full minute, both of them silently sobbing.

It felt intimate to watch Max’s face contorted, tears flowing, lips moving but no sound came out from them.

“Thank you,” they could all read what she was saying. El hugged harder.

“It’s okay,” she replied.

“Thank you for bringing me back,” Max mused against her shoulder. “Thank you.”

And Lucas looked around at everyone else’s faces, just to make sure he wasn’t the only one that was just realizing that El did not just jump into Max’ memories to fight Vecna, but—but also brought her back to life. 

Apparently, he wasn’t.

“You are my best friend. You were not going to go. I wouldn’t let you go,” El whispered, but everyone heard. 

“I love you,” Max said.

And there was such happiness in Lucas’ heart, that after all the hell she’d been through, she still had love to give. 

El looked briefly at Mike’s eyes and she half smiled, through one of the saddest expressions he’d ever seen her pull, and nuzzled her face in Max’ hair when she replied, “I love you, too.”

Lucas knew that there was something there he didn’t quite catch, some narrative that they kept to themselves. It was okay. He knew they had broken up at some point, but they were still close. 

What was sitting uncomfortably in his chest was the fact that he did not know until that very moment that Max was alive because of El.

If he ever held any doubt about where her heart relied, now they were all gone.

If he ever was scared about how incredibly powerful she was, he felt now utterly safe.

If he ever thought of her less than a friend, now he knew that he’d been wrong all along.

Because El was loyal, and truthful, and giving, and selfless.

And she loved her friends.

No, she loved Max, and that—that was enough for him to unconditionally love her, too.

And he’d never been particularly tactile to anyone, and her especially, but when they were alone  on their way home he could do no less but hug her. She was taken by surprise, and didn’t hug him back right away. But then Lucas said, with a shaky breath “She’s here because of you. Thank you so much, El. Thank you.”

Then she wrapped her arms around his waist, and let herself be held. Lucas could feel her relax into his touch.

“I’m sorry if I ever—”

“It’s okay,” El whispered. 

“I owe you everything,” he said. “I could never repay you.”

El smiled and made herself home in Lucas’ arms.

“You don’t owe me anything. I would have done the same for you,” she mumbled, and Lucas could not repress a shiver. “I love you too. All of you.”

And Lucas laughed, but didn’t let go. “Really?”

“Yeah. We are friends,” she said, and looked at him, undoing the embrace, but not quite letting go of his touch. He beamed at her, with eyes still glassy.

“And friends don’t lie.”

---

@mentallyundone

[moonlight-at-dawn]

I'm just gonna post this one here straight up. It'll make it to AO3 eventually, but it's short so hey.

Shionne freaks out when a bug lands on her, and Alphen is Suffering.

----

Water lapped gently against the wall of the basin as Alphen soaked his sore muscles. He reveled in the sensations, both the fatigue of a good day’s work, and the heat of the water working to relax him. There was no point in using up magical energy on a healing when a nice bath would often do the trick. His head lolled back over the edge and he breathed in deep the steam coming up from around him. He hummed in contentment, eyes gently closed, arms out to either side to hook elbows on the basin to keep him from sinking down.

A piercing scream broke the peaceful moment.

“Shionne!” he gasped, leaping out of the tub and slipping on tiled floor, barely keeping his balance. He grabbed his sword from where it hung on the bedroom wall and barrelled out to the kitchen where the scream had come from. “Shionne, what is it!?”

She had her gun out, and he looked to where the barrel was pointed, seeing… Nothing? It was aimed very deliberately at the ground, but he wasn’t sure he saw the threat. “Sh-Shionne…?” he gasped, asking again, hoping for some kind of answer.

When she looked up from her rifle, her eyes were wide and teary, and she let the gun disappear back into its astral pocket. “Alphen…!” she cried out in a voice that reminded him of painful moments. Her hand wiped subconsciously at her arm, and a tear rolled down her cheek. “It, it landed on me, Alphen…!”

“It…?”

“A bug! A big, hideous bug! Some kind of beetle! It was so big, and heavy, and it landed right on me! I thought my heart was going to explode! I swatted at it, but it got away! I never thought I’d miss the thorns, but I never had to deal with bugs like that before!”

She sounded so distraught, crying, and he stood there, soaking wet and naked, dripping bathwater on the kitchen floor, sword in hand. He didn’t know what to do or to say.

Did he hug her? No, that would get her wet, and she’d be angry.

Did he laugh? No, absolutely not, that would get him shot.

What was the right answer?

“I’m… sorry?” he tendered, bewildered.

“Find it and kill it!”

“Can, can I just, put it outside where it belongs, if I find it?”

“Fine, just so long as it’s gone!”

“Alright. But, uh, Shionne?”

“What!?”

“Can I… get dressed first?”

She looked up from her hands that covered her face and took in the sight of him like that. A tear still rolling down her cheek, she suddenly burst into laughter, covering her face again. “I’m sorry, Alphen! I didn’t realize, I didn’t mean to scare you like that…! Go, go finish up your bath, and maybe we’ll be lucky and that damn thing will have left on its own by the time you get back.”

He sighed with relief and nodded, grinning at her. “Thanks. I’ll try not to take too long.”

“And I’ll try not to scream and shoot at any more insects. At least, ones that aren’t zeugles.”

[princesslightgiggles]

Jace…. Undone

The loft was quiet as Clary waited for Jace to come home. She’d spent the afternoon in her studio, painting to distract herself from the worry gnawing at her mind. Jace had been out on a mission, and even though he was one of the best Shadowhunters, Clary couldn’t help but feel anxious every time he went out.

When the door finally creaked open, Clary immediately sensed something was off. Jace’s usual confident stride was replaced by a weary shuffle. His shoulders were slumped, and his expression was darker than usual. Clary’s heart clenched.

“Hey,” she said softly, setting her brush aside and walking over to him. “Rough day?”

Jace nodded, avoiding her gaze. “Yeah. It didn’t go as planned. We lost track of the demon, and a couple of the team got hurt. Nothing too serious, but still...” His voice trailed off, heavy with guilt and frustration.

Clary reached out, gently cupping his cheek. “I’m glad you’re home safe.”

He managed a small, tired smile. “Me too.”

“Come sit with me,” she urged, guiding him to the couch. “You need to relax. Let me take care of you for once.”

Jace hesitated but eventually gave in, flopping down on the couch with a sigh. Clary sat next to him, looking at his boots. “Here, let me help with these.”

He started to protest, but she waved him off. “I insist. You always take care of me. Now it’s my turn.”

Jace leaned back, too exhausted to argue further, as Clary unlaced his boots and pulled them off. She set them aside and then took one of his feet in her hands, starting to massage it gently. Jace’s eyes drifted closed, and he let out a contented sigh.

“This feels... nice,” Jace admitted softly. “I’ve never had a foot massage before.”

Clary smiled, her fingers kneading his tired muscles. “Really? Well, you deserve it.”

As Clary's fingers worked their way to the arch of his foot, she felt him tense slightly. She glanced up at his face, but his eyes were still closed. She continued, but when her fingers brushed the same spot again, Jace jerked, his eyes snapping open.

“What was that?” she asked, her eyebrows shooting up.

Jace shifted uncomfortably, trying to play it off. “Just sore, I guess.”

Clary gave him a skeptical look but continued, her touch a little firmer this time. Again, when she reached the arch, Jace twitched, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Are you sure?” she asked, her tone teasing. “It almost looks like it tickles.”

Jace frowned, trying to suppress the growing smile. “No, it’s just... you know, sensitive.”

Clary’s lips curved into a mischievous smile. “Sensitive, huh?”

She deliberately let her fingers dance lightly over the same spot, watching Jace closely. Suddenly, he convulsed, a burst of laughter erupting from him. “Clary, stop!” he gasped between fits of laughter, trying to pull his foot away, but Clary held on, her fingers continuing their gentle assault.

“You are ticklish!” Clary exclaimed, unable to contain her laughter at his reaction.

Jace’s face turned a deep shade of red as he giggled uncontrollably, completely undone by the unexpected sensation. He squirmed and writhed under her touch, helpless to escape the onslaught of ticklish torture.

Clary couldn’t help but laugh along with him, finding his reaction utterly adorable and endearing. She continued to tickle his foot until tears of laughter streamed down his face and he begged for mercy.

Finally, she relented, letting him catch his breath. Jace lay back, his chest heaving, his face flushed, and a wide grin spread across his lips. “You’re evil,” he panted, but there was no malice in his words, only pure amusement and affection.

Clary grinned mischievously. “I prefer to think of it as therapeutic. You need to laugh more, Jace. It looks good on you.”

He reached out, pulling her close. “Maybe you’re right. I guess I just need you around to remind me.”

Clary snuggled against him, feeling his laughter still reverberating through his body. “Always,” she promised. “I’ll always be here to make you laugh, even if I have to tickle it out of you.”

Jace chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I love you, Clary.”

“I love you too, Jace,” she murmured. “Now, how about that other foot?”

Jace groaned, but he didn’t pull away. As Clary’s hands started their gentle work again, he realised that maybe, just maybe, a little laughter and playfulness weren’t so bad after all.