#or for whatever reason they started the 🌹 thing

[duchessanon]

Ppl are joking that it’s nice for Chuck to include all his grandkids, but the little Lord Chumley is a twin!!!! Are they saying only 1 of the twins is Willy’s? That would make a very interesting Victorian melodrama.

Lmao! Is this gonna be like Henri/James Hewitt, Khloe K/OJSimpson conspiracy in 10 years time?

[vintagetimetarot]

Message from your future spouses higher self 🌹

Hi everyone! It’s been so long since I posted a PAC. So sorry! My mental health hasn’t been great. But I finally mustered up some motivation for a reading today. This is whatever your future spouses higher self wants to bring to light to you. Let’s go! Pick a vinatge image below for your pile. (Side note, a lot of the piles were very similar, so if you feel drawn to more than one, go for it!)

Pile 1: The message your future spouse’s higher self wants to tell you is that that are genuinely so proud on how far you have come in life. They can’t wait to finally meet you, they say that your union isn’t super far away. They want to let you know that once they come into your life, they’ll be your biggest cheerleader and number one support. They think you are the most beautiful, graceful, and talented person they’ve ever met. They wish they could just hold you all night. They want to let you know that your relationship is not one sided at all, even though it may come off that way when you two first meet. They just love you so much! They also pick up that you haven’t been emotionally feeling great, they are here to remind you how beautiful of a person you are and why they fell in love with you. They really want to emphasize how true their connection is with you. That’s all Pile 1, I hope this resonated.

Pile 2: Your future spouses higher self wants you to know that whatever struggles your dealing with right now are about to end. They know how amazing you are and are telling you they have 100% faith that you will get through whatever is going on. They are letting you know divine timing is on your side, and things are going unfold into a happy place naturally. They admire how you’ve been handling everything with such grace, they think you are so beautiful/handsome for this. They are telling you to look for signs (birds and rabbits for some reason may resonate) of your union coming closer. Just hold on a little longer! Even outside of your love life, good offers and opportunities are coming to you, and you need to embrace them is what your future spouse is saying. Materially, you are in for a really good time, and it’s going to get even better once they come into your life. Your future spouse is well off, and will try to share this with you by giving gifts and taking you to nice places and such when you first meet/start dating. They are here to tell you that are very excited for you guys to meet and are very excited. That’s all Pile 2, I hope this resonated!

Pile 3: Your future spouses higher self wants your to trust your gut more and believe in yourself! They love every part of you and are asking you to not be so ashamed of yourself. You are a hard and generous worker, and they want you to start recognizing your power and your influence. You bring so much positive energy into your family and friends lives, and especially theirs. They want to tell you they just love you so deeply. They want to let you know when they come into your life, they will rush in so fast. (The Elvis song came to mind lmao). They want you to be patient with them as they are charmer and experienced at love, but have their fallacies sometimes. They like to put you on a pedestal I see. They want to remind you to keep making good choices in your life. Your skill and dedication to things is something they admire and wish for you to keep up. Keep up the good work is what they say! That’s all Pile 3, I hope it resonated!

Pile 4: Your future spouses higher self wants to be more assertive for yourself in love so you can attract them into your life sooner. They are ITCHING to just meet you already. They consider themselves lucky knowing you are their future partner. Your future spouse is saying to keep your standards high and to not settle for breadcrumbs. The relationship they are about to give you will be beautiful and the romance of a lifetime, but you need to trust the process. As you both balance your lives and keep moving forward, the closer this connection gets. You are a natural born leader and they want you to assert and put yourself or there more. You have such a bright future ahead of you right now, and they just wanna tell you that you should be excited and happy. They think that you’ve been doing a good job, but wanted to serve this to you as a huge reminder. You bring so much life and light into people’s lives and you have amazing gifts, they are screaming at you to start using them! That’s all Pile 4, I hope it resonated.

[ghost-bxrd]

Ghost, you are a fountain of incredible aus. I am impressed (and a little jealous). Do you have anything more on eldritch Jason or the Calvin Rose road trip au?

Awe thank you! I’m happy you’re enjoying all the crack content on here hehehe 💚💚

and boi do I have more ✨

Edlritch Jason 👁️

Jason has trouble keeping his true form in check when he’s excited! The happier/upset he gets, the more his outline and shape start to ooze

He has several maws with teeth that range from blunt to sharp needle points. In one of those maws hides a black hole

Jason is scared of space, funnily enough. Too empty and vast for him as he gets lonely pretty easily. He likes the crowded spaces teeming with life.

Jason loves learning new human things

Jason has no reaction to fear or joker toxin. Or any kind of substance that would impair a regular human’s health. Bruce finds out about that after he nearly loses his mind with worry following a widespread toxin attack in which Jason “forgets” his rebreather.

Pictures of Jason always end up looking a little displaced. There’s always some kind of glitch/blur/shadow in it that no amount of tech improvement can get rid of

Even though he’s eldritch at core, Jason’s human body can still be hurt, and he experiences pain just like any other human would

Calvin Rose road trip 🌹

Calvin finds Jason soaking wet and still in his funeral clothes and injuries sitting by the curb and is disturbed enough by the kid’s appearance to usher him back to his hideout.

For the longest time Calvin thinks Jason is called Bruce because that’s the only thing he will say

Taking Jason with him is a spur of the moment decision. Jason reminds him too much of himself, beaten and broken and locked away in a dog cage to die, and he looks so… lost. Calvin can’t bear to drive away from that without knowing what happens to the kid

As much as Calvin grumbles about it sometimes he’s exceptionally good and patient with Jason. He talks a lot and points out inane things even though he rarely (if ever) gets a reaction. (Calvin was lonely, not that he’s gonna admit that)

For some time Calvin thinks Jason used to be trained as a Talon when a few people try to mug them and Jason goes all Robin-training on them. He’s sure their little experiments went to far and the Court meant to dispose of him now that he’s “broken”

The first words Jason speaks that isn’t any iteration of Bruce’s name is “burger” (because he wants a burger). Calvin buys him ten because that’s literally the first time Jay has ever expressed an opinion on food.

Jason’s second word is “Dick”, and Calvin nearly chokes to death on his beer.

From there on it’s a steady improvement of Jay’s mental state, but that also means he starts getting night terrors as he remembers his death and the Joker. Once Calvin pieces together the broad picture he’s down to devising plans to dispose of the clown. He’s not making compromises where people who hurt children are concerned. Especially not if they’re family

Jason never tells Calvin about Batman or being Robin, he’s… kind of happy to be away from all of it. Especially after seeing Brucie Wayne and his new protege and Dick Grayson, a happy and smiling family, on the news together. And sightings of Robin making the front page of most magazines

Calvin knows Jason is hiding something from him, but hey, so is Calvin. All he knows is that his kid brother road trip buddy really doesn’t seem to like Gotham’s vigilantes. Something he can totally respect. And thankfully, Calvin is skilled enough to keep him safe even if the glorified furry and his acolytes were to come after Jay for whatever reason.

Jason’s favorite song to listen to while driving is “I know the end” by Phoebe Bridgers. Calvin starts out hating the song but is to endeared by how happy Jason gets (even in his early catatonic state) that he doesn’t say anything. It ends up being both their favorite song

[itgirlgyu]

would this txt guy punch me if i ask him to?

context: toothache. warning: gaslighting. violence.

✷ yeonjun!

no!

honestly i think he's too much pussy to punch.

he'd be there like, with sweat running down his forehead.

his fist shaking, and his voice trembling.

if we pay even more attention to his cowardice, we could hear his teeth chattering and his chin wobbling.

his wussy behavior would put me off

instead we just visit the dentist on his debit card

he can't be more thankful for that even though now he's in debt because of it.

✷ soobin!

he's been waiting for a chance honestly.

"soobin could you punch me bro i hav—"

"aight square up."

he's taken the right position to land the perfect punch.

he's hunched back and has been pulling his wrist back while supporting it with his other hand.

and in that moment he looks like he's actually taking his vengeance instead of helping you

there's a literal twinkle in his eyes.

that's not the soobin we know.

i fear for my life so i will be fleeing that scene

and ending my friendship.

✷ beomgyu!

he might.

some gaslighting and emotional blackmailing needed tho.

he's like, "no how could i?"

while removing his rings and freeing the tension in his wrist, getting ready to hit the mark.

might shed tears as he measures the distance and the amount of force he might need to excert.

enlightenment hits like this man would actually end up caving my jaw in

so i refuse with a flower in my hands as peace treaty 🌹

he agrees and we both hapilly live together while planning an extensive plan to get shit done on someone else's bill.

✷ taehyun!

straight up refuses without even listening to the reasoning.

refuses even more vehemently after listening to the reasoning.

like he too is a hater of capitalism but apparently refusing to going to the dentist is something only an imbecile would do

sure taehyun that doesn't sound like hypocrisy at all 🙄

might start lecturing on dental hygiene and then gives an array of things to help the ache

okay but i would literally bite my own tongue to stop myself from making even a bit of sound in front of him

bc you make one sound and he's looks like he'd grab your hair and drag you to the dentist.

✷huening kai.

yeah lmao he wouldn't.

although he'd empathise

but that's all he would do.

does a lil "oh poor you" everytime he comes in and then back to going whatever he had been doing.

might ask after a day or two like oh how's your toothache?

probably uses this chance and make a gift list with whole mouth wash, and pain killer and all that basket for christmas.

doesn't eat anything sweet in front of you bc he thinks it's rude.

oh my poor hyuka ily

but a true blue idgaf king.

i do not apologise for shit posting. ⋆

COPYRIGHTS RESERVED TO ITGIRLGYU 23'. FEEDBACKS AND REBLOGS ARE APPRECIATED! PERM' TAGLIST: @impureperhaps @full-sunnies @ox1-lovesick @jisungsdaydreamer @wonioml @1921choi @forever-in-the-sky @beoms-sugar @gyuletters

[o7k5a8m9i]

~ HiKuro Week!~ 💜🧡 Nov 7th - 14th

{ Hi y'all so I decided to Host HiKuro Week in November 💙 now the reason for this is because October is Full of art challenges and stuff like: Inktober, Kinktober, Cringetober, Shiptober, Goretober ect! so I hope you understand! also I've NEVER hosted a event before so bare with me!💮 ok enjoy! ⚠️🌹Please read FULL post!🌹⚠️

✨🌸 **HiKuro Week**✨🌸

**DATES** November 7th — November 14th

Also I'm really sorry y'all! another thing is Hiei x Kurama & Hiei x Botan both have weeks so before you start hating on me I think Hiei x Mukuro need a Week!!💜🧡 And even if we get 5 people or 50 I'm so greatful for any! & Art/Fanfiction/Vids/Songs/Tribute posts, all forms of are support is welcomed!

⚠️💛ALSO you can Join for ALL 7 days or just one, just have fun!(◍•ᴗ•◍)❤💛⚠️

{× Prompt list ×}

Also Please feel free to to make up Your own prompts! these are just here if you have no ideas! so please feel free to get Creative!(◍•ᴗ•◍) (I put "/" in between the prompts so you have more then one choice♥)⬇️

Day 1: Mukuro meets Yukina/Family~

Day 2: Sleeping together/Lullaby~

Day 3: Animal/Your AU~

Day 4: Sweet fluff/OOC~ (I need some happy fluff!😭💙)

Day 5: Kiss/Wedding~

Day 6: Grunge aesthetic/TV Girl~

Day 7: Future/Free Spot~ (Do whatever you want!🧡💜)

Late Submissions are Allowed! please just have them all turned in by the end of November!🎐

⚠️ Apps Such as: Youtube, Twitter, Wattpad, Fanfiction.Net, AO3, Pixiv, ect are Fine if you wanna post your Art/Fanfic or whatever on! but PLEASE! Post it on Tumblr as well!! Or Post a link to it! so we can see it💖⚠️

If your submission is NSFW please tag it as such~

~Please use Tags such as~•°•° Hiei x Mukuro/ HiKuro/ HiMuku/ HiKuro Week/ 💜🧡/ Mukuro/ Hiei/ YYH.

tagging all of you who I know voted! [@starsv3 @thelovelyghostwriter @grezydragonlady @fighting-these-demons @kuramaminamino @gr8stoneddragon @willow-boop @theconjurervfx @spacedustpan]

The most important thing is To have fun so Please enjoy! I'm so excited 🌷 PLEASE reblog🥺💞

[sungminxxx]

🪷 :: Jungkook lee/ler Headcanons

Lee:

💐- TICKLISH TICKLISH TICKLISH.

🌷- As we all know by now, Jungkookie is extremely ticklish.

🌹 - He can hold in his laugh, but not for too long. The minute laughter escapes, he is LOUD.

🌻 - "PFFTAHAHAHA- NONO STOP STAHAHAHAHAHAP!"

🌼 - He is the definition of squirmy bro.. he is 100% thrashing around the minute you start tickling him.

🌸 - A single poke? Just a single one will cause this man to jump on a cloud and try to float away on it LOL

🌺 - He would try to fight back, but he'd fail at it most of the time.

🪷 - His worst spot is definitely is tummy.. but I can definitely see his entire torso area being his top spots.

🪻- HIS BUNNY SMILE BRO OMGGOSKK

🥀 - His smile would be just ADORABLE. Personally, I would melt. MELT. His laugh and little giggles would make the world so HAPPY. THIS is the reason why the sun shines everyday.

💐 - I can definitely see most teases getting to him, but not all of them.

🌷 - HE IS A BLUSHY BABY!!

🌹 - I can see his tummy blushing everytime it got exposed.

🌻 - Tracing around his tummy would absolutely KILL him. Try dipping your finger in his bellybutton for even a second, and you'll have this man screaming like a 12 year old girl.

🌼 - 80% lee, in my opinion!

Ler:

💐- A MEANIE.

🌷- He will 100% tickle you back the moment he is free from your little tickle attack on him.

🌹- "what? You tickled me first! If anything, you deserve this."

🌻 - He will laugh and smile along as he tickles you!!

🌼 - Whatever you did to him, he will do that too.. but WORSE.

🌸 - As we all know, Jungkook is very strong. He will use his strength to pin you down. He would put your arms over your head using ONE hand and then use his other hand to knead at your armpits in such a tortuous but extremely ticklish way.

🌺 - It's scary actually.. he knows JUST how to get you. He will use that against you for the rest of your life.

🪷 - Do NOT let this man find out your most ticklish spots... you would be DOOMED.

🪻 - Teasing is his thing for sure. He LOVES teasing. It is his favorite thing when it comes to tickling. (besides seeing you smile and laugh of course)

🥀 - "oh.. are you blushing? You SO are!! That's so cute!!! You're so cute!!"

💐- Despite being ruthless sometimes, he has his soft ler moments.

🌷 - He would grab a stuffed animal and pretend that it was eating you!! (He would do this if you were an age regressor)

🌹- When he is in his soft ler mood, he will give you tickles and cuddles at the same time. However, compare that too his more playful ler moods? Well.. as you might know by now, you'll be screaming for mercy.

🌻 - Aftercare? Yes. Always.

🌼 - You guys would most likely lay down togethet and fall asleep within 5 minutes due to how tired you both are. You both had so much fun tho!!

[one-boring-person]

Hello lovie!

I'm so glad to see your back on track, and I'd have a request if it's ok with you!

Would it be possible to do Sodo x Reader ice skating and/or borrowing hat/gloves/coat?

(sfw pls)

If both prompts are a problem please do as it suits you best and take all the time you need.

I'm really glad to see you're back🥺🌹

Thank you for requesting! I hope you like this!☺️💛

Need a Hand?

Sodo/Dewdrop x reader

Warnings: none

Masterlist

Make a request!

The chill of the ice rink quickly starts to bite at my bare hands, reddening my cheeks slowly but surely. Internally, I curse myself for wearing such a thin coat over my habit, regretting the decision as a shiver wracks my body; I should've known I'd get colder than I usually anticipate. Once again, I find myself asking why Sodo asked me here so late at night. 

The fire ghoul waits for me by the gap in the rink wall, dangling a pair of old skates from his gloved hand. Naturally, he looks almost unfazed by the freezing air, though he still wears a thick coat over his slender torso, his mask also sitting somewhat awkwardly over a woolen scarf that circles his neck. The chrome metal glitters in the flickering light coming from the ropes of fairy lights that surround the rink, his eyes glowing brightly behind the black sockets. As he sees me, the ghoul pushes off the wall and comes over, chirping quietly in greeting.

“You'd better have a good reason for dragging me out here so late at night,” I tease him, feigning a yawn.

He rolls his eyes, humor dancing in his amber irises.

“And you'd better have a good reason for wearing next to nothing in the middle of a December night,” He retorts, batting me gently with his tail, “You'll freeze to death, dressed like that.”

“I'll be fine,” I reassure him, turning to look out over the rink.

For whatever reason, this year the clergy had decided to splash out on providing a sizeable ice rink for the members of the church to use over the winter months. As expected, siblings and ghouls alike had rejoiced at the news and eagerly awaited its arrival on the first of December. Not a day later and the glassy ice is already riddled with gashes and grooves from countless skates. I've yet to use it, but Sodo had asked me during the day if I'd come meet him there at midnight. Who am I to refuse?

“So what's the occasion?” I glance back at him, lifting an eyebrow.

“Well,” Sodo shuffles his feet a little, “I was wondering if you might help me.”

I frown, “Help you?”

“Yeah, help me.” He sighs, “I'm not very good at skating.”

I blink at him owlishly for a moment, only just able to restrain the sudden swell of laughter that bubbles up in my throat as I process what he's said. His eyes narrow through the eye holes and I can only imagine the little scowl that adorns his features.

“Don't laugh at me,” He complains, clearly pouting.

It takes me a minute to fight back my amusement enough to respond.

“I'm sorry, I just-” I bite back another giggle, “I just thought all you ghouls were good at this stuff.”

“I'm a ghoul, not a figure skater,” Sodo grouches, tail whipping behind him.

“Clearly.”

He thumps me on the back with the appendage.

“If you're just gonna laugh-”

“No, no, sorry. I'll help you.” I pull myself together, smiling at him as I realise the ask for help is more sweet than funny.

“Good,” He huffs.

Together, we sit on one of the nearby benches, pulling our skates on. He watches carefully as I lace up the old pair I'd bought with me, copying the movements I make meticulously. His long fingers make quick work of the task even with his gloves on. Before long, the two of us are standing by the gap in the wall, ready to set out onto the ice. A rush of excitement fizzes through my veins as I step out, the blades of my skates slipping only slightly before I've got my balance. Unable to help myself, I push out and do a small loop to get myself back into the hang of things, circling around the entrance where Sodo waits, his eyes locked on me. 

“You want a hand?” I call out, skating back to him.

“No…” He growls, gripping the wall tightly before stepping over the edge.

Almost instantly, the ghoul's foot slides forwards, his body lurching forwards before he catches himself with a sharp hiss. By his side now, I put a hand on his elbow, gently urging him upright until he's standing on his own on the ice. I go to pull away, only to notice that he's shaking, his legs trembling almost violently. I don't get a chance to say anything, the fire ghoul clumsily pushing himself into a shaky glide. Unsurprisingly, he doesn't get very far before he has to grab the side again. 

It doesn't stop him, though, and he tries again, nearly falling in the process.

“Hey, you can take it slow, you know.” I remind him, watching the awkward process unfold.

“I am,” He responds, sounding strained.

He pushes away from the side again, this time getting a few strides in before he loses his balance, falling straight onto his knees. I'm by his side instantly.

“Shit, are you alright?”

The ghoul shakes me off, grumbling something as he tries to push himself up, only to stumble back onto the ice. This time, Sodo stays there, letting out a frustrated whine. A tightness appears in my chest at the sight of the downcast ghoul.

I move in front of him, taking his hands in mine.

“Come on, let's do it together.” I smile at him, rubbing my thumbs over his covered knuckles.

Sodo nods, gripping my hands tightly as his amber eyes lock onto mine. Counting to three, I step up onto one knee, giving him the leverage he needs to do the same before helping him upright as I stand properly. This time, the fire ghoul keeps his balance, still watching me closely.

“Good, now just make small steps going forwards,” I instruct him, moving backwards as he begins, “A bit like a duck.”

Ever the quick learner given the right help, Sodo swiftly transitions from the awkward waddling into a stilted glide, getting into the rhythm he needs. Between us, we manage our first loop, Sodo's technique having improved greatly. Before I can get him to do another, however, he stops me at the entrance, letting go of me to lean against the wall. Confusion briefly settles in my mind until I see him grip the bottom of the silver mask, pulling it off along with his usual balaclava. Immediately, I look away.

“What, do you think I'm ugly?” The ghoul snorts, placing the mask down audibly, “You can look, (Y/n). I wouldn't take it off if I didn't want you to.”

Blushing, I return my gaze to him, trying not to stare at his strikingly good looks. A small smirk curves his thin lips, his unglamored cheeks already reddening from the cold. 

“A-are you ready to keep going?” I curse myself internally for the stutter, wrapping my arms around myself as I realise now how cold I've gotten just by standing around.

“Yeah, I'm good to go,” He responds, frowning a little at me.

Trying not to fall, he pulls his jacket from his frame, skating over to me with newfound confidence. Before I can say a word, he drapes the garment around my shoulders, helping me push my arms through. A gasp threatens to fall from my lips at the sudden comfort of his characteristic warmth surrounding my freezing torso. Left just in his scarf and gloves over his uniform, Sodo steps back and looks me up and down, a soft smile spreading over his face.

“Thanks, Sodo,” I murmur appreciatively, glancing uncertainly up at him, “Aren't you cold?”

“Fire ghoul, remember?” He teases, batting me gently with his tail.

“Oh right, yeah,” I laugh, shaking my head, trying hard not to be obvious about breathing his addictive scent in from the coat around my shoulders, drowning myself in cinnamon and smoke, “Ready to keep going?”

With some encouragement, Sodo manages to skate by my side this time, holding my hand tightly as he glides along beside me. A broad grin splits his face, triumph glittering in his eyes at his improvement as we complete another couple of laps. This time as we stop, he wraps me in a tight hug, his tail twining around my leg. 

“Thanks, (Y/n),” He hums, pulling back a little to look me in the eye.

“Anytime, Sodo,” I respond, somewhat thrown off by his sudden affection.

Grinning, he knocks his horns lightly against my forehead - a gesture I've seen other ghouls do with each other - before he moves to do another lap. Blinking, it's all I can do to follow after him.

[madame-fear]

˗ˏˋ 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍.ᐟ | 𝟐𝟑𝟎𝟎 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 ˎˊ˗

Hello everyone! I’m very pleased to say that for this new followers milestone, drabbles are officially open.

I have said this many times before, but I will say it again. I sincerely can’t thank you enough for supporting & showing love to me, and all the works I do with so much effort 💗 I’m very pleased to see that you are all eager to see new content on this blog! And of course, to be constantly showered with love from my mutuals. 🥰

To celebrate that, I wanted to open drabbles since my requests (headcanons, one shots, etc) remain closed, but I still wanted to do something special.

→ check out my prompts in case you want to feel inspired to request something in particular!

˚₊‧꒰ RULES ꒱ ‧₊˚

For whatever you request, I will write 100-600 words at max; I will keep them as short as I can since they are drabbles. Please keep in mind I both study & work, so drabbles might either take some time to be published, or might not. Both fluff & smut requests are allowed! But please, be as specific as you can when requesting, so I know and can write exactly whatever you fancy. Drabbles will be open from February 14th to March 1st.

˚₊‧꒰ WHAT CAN YOU REQUEST? ꒱ ‧₊˚

I write for fluff, enemies to lovers, some AUs (specify please), friends to lovers, love triangle, slowburn, mutual pining, (reasonable) age gap. → for smut: praising kink, choking, ask for spanking, breeding kink, bondage, daddy kink, knife play, creampie, yandere/dark, morning sex, mirror sex, oral sex, breast play; feel free to ask if I write about anything else not included here. I don’t feel comfortable writing for non-con, r*pe, p*dophilia, gore, violent content.

˚₊‧꒰ WHO CAN YOU REQUEST FOR? ꒱ ‧₊˚

I write for some HOTD characters (Lucerys, Jacaerys, Rhaenyra, Aegon ii, Aemond, Helaena, Alicent), and I also write for Enzo Vogrincic. → I will also start writing for Fran Romero.

That would be everything for now! Have fun requesting drabbles! And of course, if you have any doubt at all about whatever thing, feel free to send me a message & I will gladly answer.🌹

[especiallythewomenandthechildren]

As If Destiny (part eight) 🌹

Part Seven 🌹

Warnings: Parent death, sibling death, death and brutality (it is the hunger games after all) characters may be ooc. Reader may not be your fav this part. I read the book a while ago but don't really remember much of Snows way of thinking (I mean I know its toxic and insane but yk the other things) so I will mostly be basing off the film and my own thoughts. Also I can't spell for the life of me so be prepared for bad spelling and grammar. Enjoy loves!

⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆

The air of the station was stale, as if taking the simplest of breaths would cost a significant amount of energy. It felt as though even the bugs buzzing around in the spring weather were flying in slow motion. Maybe it really was the air, or more likely, the atmosphere of your mind.

You felt nauseous and dizzy at the arguments that split your soul. The tributes were to arrive today, naturally, Jessup with them. Were you here to give the best first impression or to size him up? A part of you wanted to save him from the horrors, but the lately very loud voice has been telling you that he deserved it. Especially a boy from District Twelve, around the age of those who murdered your brother in the dense woods of the small district.

Your long time waiting for the train arrival was spent trying to settle that internal struggle to no avail. You were staring straight ahead onto the empty tracks when something felt different. The peacekeepers were still stoic, tracks still echo-filled at even the slightest noise. But a slight breeze was felt behind you. When you turned around, that breeze of fresh air happened to be a certain blonde with irresistible eyes.

He was in the rouge academy uniform, as were you, and he held a pristine white rose in his hand. He had clearly expected the station to be empty, so the sight of your drained eyes made him suck in a breath.You let out a tired laugh at his appearance.

"So are we allowed to be here, or are we both going to receive whatever nightmare Highbottom has set up for us?"

Coryo walked to stand next to you as he retorted back with a sly grin.

"At least we will go through whatever the punishment is together."

"Ah, yes, nothing shakes the trouble duo!"

He took a sideways glance at you as he started chuckling.

"Trouble duo? That's really the best you thought of? I thought you were the poetic one."

He joked at you as you gasped in mock offense.

"I'm sorry, do you have any better names for us?"

Yes. Yes, he did. But none of them had to do with Highbottom or any mocking moniker. His personal favorite was "couple." The others were a bit ambitious and would be used in the far future, such as President and First Lady. Not a bad ring to it. But he wouldn't voice out his desires, even if he was on his death bed. Especially after what happened in that hallway yesterday.

However, you were too busy observing for the upcoming train to notice Coriolanus's gaze. When you turned around, he didn't shift away his gaze.

But you didn't question it. Maybe because it has become familiar and a comfort these past weeks. You had ammunition of reasons such as his hyperobservation to explain these glances. Not a single one of them hit the real reason.

The blonde was fidgeting with the rose slightly, which made a slight laugh creep past your lips. It took him a second to realize the cause, but when he did, he slightly blushed.

"I would have gotten you one too if-uhm, I knew you would be here."

Your lips curved into a shy grin at his flustered words.

"I'm not the one you need to charm, Coryo; you did that a long time ago."

You noticeably were avoiding his eyes, and he let it be because he was quite sure he was turning as red as his uniform.

"Can I ask why you are here, Coryo?"

He seemed a bit taken aback at your sudden question. Of course, he knew the reason he was there: to win the Plinth Prize. To do that, he needed Lucy Gray's trust, and this was just the way to do it. But he feared his reasoning was a bit too harsh. It was the last days of this girl's life, and he was just seeing her as a means to an end. Coriolanus didn't want you to think of him as heartless or worse, that he would be using your trust as a means to an end as well.

So he simply replied that he wished to gain the odd girl's trust, and this seemed like a good way to get a head start. You nodded along, agreeing that she seemed like the character who wouldn't do anything without trust.

Although, your eyes seemed to darken after his reasoning. He couldn't decipher the look completely, but it was clear guilt was a factor.

"Y/N?"

Your faraway eyes and mind locked into his at hearing his soft voice.

"Why are you here?"

You stared at him, slightly getting lost in the ever-shifting color in his eyes. You looked downwards as you breathed out.

"I don't know. I wish I did. Something told me I should come, see him for myself. Maybe it will help clear my thoughts on everything here. And I know a part of me wishes to find something in him to justify his murder."

You bitterly admitted. You were still glanced down when Coriolanus responded.

"This isn't your fault; you know this, right? You didn't choose him, and you didn't make the games."

He let it sink in for a moment, enough for it to visibly break through your guilt-made walls. Coriolanus waited for you to finally regain the will to look up at him.

"And if anyone has reason for the things you are thinking and feeling, it's you. They still want us dead. The Capitol says the war is over when it's far from done. I mean, come on, these kids are the next generation of rebels. It's either them or us."

His tone started out light and soft but quickly turned to stone. You wanted to argue with him, to shout at the top of your lungs that they are innocent and no part of the massacres you suffered. But how could you? How could you fight your exact sentiments?

You knew he was right, no matter how much it hurt your morals. They were old enough to feel fear. Old enough for that fear to become hate. Hate to violence.

And they were old enough to kill. The minimum age for the Reaping was twelve. You and your classmates had the ability to take a life at half that age.

After that, the long-awaited train began pulling into the station. You've only ever seen a train in person once. When you gave miniature hugs to your uncle Averic and freshly fourteen-year-old Octavious.

You were only five at the time, and the upcoming horror of the Dark Days were still a few months away. There were others there saying their goodbyes, but you weren't focusing on them. Or how they began filtering out as the time for departure came closer. You were still clinging onto your older brother's legs as your mother, aunt Fiora, and uncle Averic seemed to be in serious talks.

"Otto?"

The young boy seemed to be trying to listen in to their conversation, and it took a little slap to his leg to get his attention. When his eyes, which were the same shade of yours, landed on your own, they softened from his prior harden state of focus. He knelt down to your height as he turned all his attention on you.

"Why are you leaving?"

The boy had to take a shaky breath. He had slightly hoped you would just accept your mother's reasoning that he "just had to go." But, of course, you, being too attentive and curious for any kid your age, just couldn't let his absence go. In reality, he didn't have to leave. He had forced himself to be involved. It took every stretch of persuasion to convince his uncle to let him come along to what was being described as "a small rebellion."

He wasn't to do anything but take note and follow his uncle's lead. Otto dreamed that within a year, he would be given his own battalion, and the next, be his own commanding general. It was not extremely unusual for a young man of age sixteen or seventeen to be in command. Averic Emberidge was a living example. And like his maternal uncle, Octavious Vaun had great military promise. He had life promise.

He had promise.

And a promise given to his young sister. That he would come back.

Otto achieved his goals of military prowess. But the young man, no matter how skilled or trusted, broke his promise to the person he loved most.

But back then, the promise was fresh and believed to be easy to keep. The platform was empty save for one family by the time your own was forced to part. Your mother and aunt switched between the two members who would be off in District territory. You stood back and watched the goodbyes as a man approached.

He was tall, broad, and commanded the air of the room. As if even the rules of the universe had to bend to his will. He had two children and an older woman trailing behind him. All four had bright and magnetic blue eyes.

The Snows were not easy to miss, not even miles away, as though their powerful aura was felt in all areas of proximity.

He stopped right in front of your mother, who stood in a deep green fashioned vintage day dress. The beautiful woman still looked forward, slightly past her brother's shoulder.

"Cloria. Fiora."

He gave a nod after each name. The former turned to him with those still captivating eyes. The latter rolled her own pair at his presence. He acknowledged your uncle and brother as well, but they would have time for conversation later. They were all to be on campaign together after all.

Crassus and Cloria broke away for a very brief discussion while you still stood a bit away from the group. Your uncle noticed you and your lack of an official goodbye and smiled in invitation. You sprinted into his now-open arms as he spun you around, much to your oblivious enjoyment. When he set you down and grabbed your arms to make you focus on him, his prior smile dissolved into a grave thin line.

"Hey, kid."

Uncle Averic's voice wasn't the joyful one you were used to. You knew then that you needed to listen up and closely.

"I know you are a tough little girl. I saw how you beat up your brother, after all."

You smiled proudly while the aforementioned beaten boy scoffed. He was referring to the past few weeks in which Otto taught you how to fight. It was safe to say he wasn't expecting your level of skill and dedication. The fourteen-year-old just wanted you to have basic defense skills, but your speed of skill accelerated the lessons considerably.

"But y/n, things are going to be a little different now. I need you to watch out for your mom and aunt Fi, okay? I know Rhayen will be there, but you are responsible too. You are smart and strong, kid, just don't be reckless. Your mom doesn't need any more stress."

Your uncle struck his hand out, and you shook it in agreement. It didn't hit your young mind all that you would have to endure to keep this agreement.

Your mother and Crassus seemed to be finishing up talks, so you turned to Otto, who seemed to be holding back tears as the gravity of the situation hit him.

"Hey."

His still-changing voice broke. He scooped you up in his arms as he stared down at you.

"I will write all I can back home, and I'll make special letters just for you, okay? I'll draw out the words for you."

You could read, and at a very accelerated level for a girl your age, but Otto was already missing the days where you would draw out what you were feeling in situations you couldn't speak out loud.

"No! I want words, I can read Otto! I want hard words too!"

He laughed at your little pout of demand. Your determination to push yourself even in that small way was one of the many ways you motivated him throughout the war. Otto knew you were waiting for him, so he rushed to come back. But even his speed could not make him outrun fate.

Your mother had come back and had taken you - begrudgingly - out of her oldest child's arms. You watched them board the train and watched the adults' reactions. Each had a different expression.

The older woman who was with General Snow, who you would eventually call Grandma'am along with her grandchildren, looked proud; she looked overconfident and a bit arrogant. Fiora was on the brink of biting her finger off as she bit nervously at her nails.

And your mother. Her eyes were scanning the train, but they saw two worlds. One where the three men would come back, unscathed and victorious. The other was grim and the unfortunate reality of only the news of their death coming back.

You remember as you scanned the faces, all which were focused on the now-departing train, one was staring back at you. Even all those years ago, Coriolanus was always a face of comfort and reliability. Across the platform, you two bore into the soul of the other, trying to make sense of any of the chaos around them. Your family began walking towards the west exit while his the east.

The distance grew and grew, but so did the intensity of your connected gaze. Neither seemed to want to let go. As if you both knew this would be your last look for three years. The last look as unscathed children.

But those children grew up. And you were back on a train platform with those ever-searching blue eyes. Though, no longer did he search for sense or his father, but now for his ticket out of poverty. A ticket in the form of a fascinating brunette.

He walked towards the now-opening doors of the cattle train. The smell was foul, but you followed him. Some tributes got out, either by their own or forced out. A bat also flew out which you noted. The tributes looked at the Capitol duo with a range from curiosity to murderous intentions. You went down the near entirety of the vehicle the two from District Twelve appeared. Jessup got down first and helped Lucy Gray down by her waist.

You and Coryo sucked in a collective breath. Any last-minute nerves had to silence themselves because it was far too late now to back out.

Jessup immediately noticed you both and sent a glare. He stepped closer to Lucy Gray in protection while she was busy taking in her surroundings. The movement of Jessup and his noticeable stare past her made the girl turn.

She was quite beautiful; the screens didn't do her justice. She had coffee brown eyes, matching colored hair, and clear, tanned skin. But it was her expression that added to her beauty. She was clearly suspicious, to which no one could blame her, but as she raked over both you and Coriolanus's forms, she had a slight grin of curiosity.

It was quite a contrast to her fellow tribute, Jessup. His eyes were sharp, and he was clearly displeased at your presence.

But you cleared your throat anyway, although Coryo beat you to speaking.

"Welcome to the Capitol."

He held out the rose for the girl, who took a long good look at it before taking it.

"We are your mentors. It's nice to meet you both."

You said sweetly and had a small smile to which the girl returned but fell flat on Jessup. You put your hand out to Jessup, but not surprisingly, he left you hanging. You gulped down your embarrassment and bit your lip, signs of uncomfort ot unnoticed by Coryo. Lucy Gray looked you both up and down as she sized you up.

"When I was little, my mama used to bathe me in buttermilk and rose petals."

She took a petal off and stuck it right in her mouth. She gave it a good taste followed by a smile.

"Tastes like bedtime."

You turned to Coriolanus, who was still wide-eyed at his tribute's actions. You didn't know exactly what to expect when you came here, but it surely wasn't this.

"So what do our mentors do?"

It seemed like Lucy Gray was going to do all the talking as her friend stayed stone-faced besides her.

"We do our best to take care of you. Lucy Gray, Coriolanus is your mentor while Jessup, you are stuck with me."

Lucy Gray nodded along and examined her mentor once again. Jessup examined you as well but not in the pondering way his companion was. Rather, he looked like he was thinking venomous thoughts of you and as if your being was yet another punishment he had to endure.

Any further conversation was interrupted by several peacekeepers motioning for the two from twelve to get moving. Lucy Gray looked over her shoulder and wished you both luck on that front while she was being pushed towards a small vehicle along with the rest of the tributes.

Coriolanus already began asking the silent peacekeepers if we can escort them, but none were willing to answer. You followed him aimlessly, ready to start your exit and walk to the Academy. You both still had classes today, even though they were modified to center around your mentorship. But Snow wasn't willing to give up.

When a tall and lanky boy tried to make a run for it and distracted the peacekeepers, a certain look overtook Coriolanus. Everything seemed to be blocked out, just him and the door to the truck. You had a feeling what he was going to do and cursed him once you saw his legs start pumping.

I hate you so much, you idiot Coriolanus Snow.

Your chant of dislike was all you could think of as only a split second after him, you followed him into the abyss of the vehicle that held twenty-three (Wovey yet a year away) teenagers who wanted you both dead. A desire they might just get once the doors shut, trapping you in.

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As soon as Coriolanus landed on the truck, he went directly towards the back. Your legs weren't as tall as his, so it took enough effort from you to get on the truck that you fell onto the floor. That was when Coryo noticed you had joined him. His eyes widened in fright, and he moved to pick you up when another tribute shoved him against the back wall. He let out a painful groan as he tried to charm his way out of the situation.

The tribute holding onto him was even taller and considerably broader than the blonde boy.

"I'll kill you right now."

He snarled at Coriolanus and was backed up by a sick girl.

"He killed a peacekeeper back in eleven."

You learned that the peacekeeper killer was named Reaper, and the ill-looking girl was named Dill.

The threat on Coriolanus's life made you get up in a second and get ready to stop any further action. But as soon as you landed on your feet, your position mimicked Coriolanus's as you were being shoved by Coral, the girl from four. You knew she was Festus's assigned tribute and she seemed like a clear delight with her wicked smile.

"I call dibs on killing her."

Her breath, with the scent of fish still lingering, fanned all over your face. But unlike Coriolanus, your face didn't show any fear or desperation. You held her gaze with a glare of your own. You've fought off a lot more menacing figures than her.

While you had no fear, Coriolanus was taken over with terror.

"Don't you touch her!"

He made a move against Reaper, who shoved him back even harder against the wall. His struggle made the red head girl holding you laugh.

"Aw, how cute. Your boyfriend tryin to help you, princess."

Your hostile glare deepened at that. She had so much confidence in her ability and power over you. And while she was much stronger than you, she was sloppy. She didn't even hold back your hands or disarm your legs. You could easily throw her off if she made a move.

Lucy Gray watched the events unfold and glanced at Jessup who seemed okay with letting their mentors suffer fates similar to their inevitable ones. She didn't like not doing anything to help them. They were supposed to help her and Jessup, right? They would be at a clear disadvantage if something happened to them.

Plus, you and Coriolanus were interesting; nothing like what she imagined Capitol kids to be like.

As the rest of the group agreed on the murder of the academy students, Lucy Gray piped up.

"Y’all got family back home? They’ll kill them if you hurt them. Then you."

She made sure her message was clear. The thought of their families being hurt made them pause, as well as the instant death. In the Hunger Games, they at least had a shot at living. Reaper loosened his grip, and she continued.

"Besides, he’s my mentor. I might need his help."

She nodded her head towards the disgruntled mentor. She didn't mention who you were mentoring because she hoped Jessup would speak up. She knew Jessup didn't necessarily care for you, but he knew you might be some sort of help. The dark-skinned boy didn't get to speak up before Coral, however.

"And you a mender, princess?"

She shoved you again, which made Coriolanus flinch, but Lucy Gray motioned with her eyes for him to stay in place. His involvement would only make things worse.

"Better hope I'm not yours."

She didn't like your answer if her teeth-bearing snarl had anything to say about it. Something about it fueled your fury.

"Do you know why they call it the Hunger Games?"

You beckoned her with a slight smirk that angered the aggressive girl across from you.

"I'll still kill you."

She threatened you as she didn't know where you were going with this. The unknown was a disadvantage to her and fueled her fear.

You asked again, and the sweet-hearted Wovey answered instead.

"Because there is no food."

She answered confidently and in that sweet voice, which felt so wrong in this environment. You didn't want to go ahead with your plan of words, but when Coral turned back from looking at the little girl to you, the fire was back.

You stared straight into the angry eyes of Coral with a menacing smile.

"Oh no, there is plenty of food. I mean, look around. I see twenty-six bodies of food."

You could feel the girl's arms shudder, and you saw the rest of the faces go pale. But you weren't done.

"Hunger stands for the hunger in one's eyes. Once that bell rings, that hunger takes over. Hunger for blood, corpses. For survival and victory. And if you lose focus for just a second-"

You made quick work as you shoved Coral's arms off of you and placed them behind her back. You have now reversed places as she struggled against the wall and beneath your far more forceful and effective hold. Attention was still hooked onto as you finished your lesson.

"You're dead."

Your quick move shocked the entirety of the truck, including Coryo. He knew you could fight back from your younger days by the pestering of Festus, in which you gave him a solid black eye for days. Yet, he didn't know just how good you were, much of it still from your brother's teachings and occasional lessons from Rhayen.

You were ready to let the girl, who still wore her scowl but couldn't hide the fear behind her eyes, go. Although, you bent closely in front of her face to let her know your last message.

"You better thank your lucky stars I'm not in that arena with you. I already won my games."

You hissed out the now positively infuriated teenager. The other tributes ranged from absolute horror of you to confusion on your last statement and how you were so cutthroat. No one expected children of the Capitol to have this in them.

The entirety of the truck's eyes were on you, except Lucy Gray. She looked to Coriolanus to examine his expression. She wanted to know if this was all a front or your sweet nature on the station was. The best way would be to see what the boy, who clearly knew you, thought of the situation. His face was not expressing fear or confusion like the others, but rather a sad look of understanding.

All of the Capitol struggled most definitely during the Dark Days and still with its legacy and effect. But you were one of the few to suffer nearly all the horrors it brought during the war and the only one who still lost after it. The rest of your classmates seemed to move past the traumas, but not you. Maybe it was because of your mother, but it always seemed to play out on repeat behind your still-shining eyes.

Lucy Gray's eyes bounced from Coriolanus's face to yours again. She seemed satisfied and understood. You weren't bluffing. Though, as she looked again at you, she saw your eyes soften. You realized all you had done and said. You had felt threatened, and it had just become instinct to take control of a threatening situation. It hit you that you just became Coral. It was clear she was scared of being here, and her menacing demeanor was a defensive mechanism. And your haunting words were yours.

Lucy Gray took note. Maybe she and Jessup could trust you. But all of a sudden, the truck began shaking harshly and began tipping as the doors opened into the bright light. It shocked you, and due to being closer to the door, you were one of the few to fall. You fell silently but locked eyes with Coriolanus as you did, which was enough for him to let go as well. He was already slipping anyway as Lucy Gray hung onto him, and the truck began tipping.

The mentor was able to land without a scratch and checked on Lucy Gray, who was the same. She looked to her friend, who dusted himself off from where he landed a few meters away from her. Coriolanus watched her make it to Jessup when he began frantically looking for you.

You were more in the middle of the area, which he soon realized was the Capitol zoo. He scoffed at the insult to the districts as he rushed to your side. However, you weren't as lucky as those in the back. You had landed face first into some rocks, which busted a nasty cut above your eye. You had swatted away Coryo's helping hands and slipped off your academy blazer to dab at the blood.

"Huh, look at this. Capitol bleeds."

Your head snapped up to meet the mocking Coral. Coryo looked as if he was going to pounce on her, but you pulled his arm back. He helped you up as you looked past his shoulder.

"What in the world is the weather guy doing here?"

The quite loud presentation voice of the notorious Lucky Flickerman was heard as he tried to get your and Coriolanus's attention.

Lucy Gray and Jessup had moved towards you two while Coral walked off. When Coriolanus heard that he was live for all of the Capitol, he began to panic. His breath became rapid and shallow. You were quick to grab his cheeks to make him look down to you.

"Coryo. Look at me. It's nothing you haven't done before. I'm here with you, okay?"

You waited for his nod to smile back at him, which calmed his nerves considerably. Your tributes watched on, slightly amused. Lucy Gray felt charmed by your clear looks of affection, although it hurt her due to her own recent love troubles. Jessup felt amused that the girl who was just threatening Coral was so taken by a skinny, lanky, and pale boy such as Coriolanus.

You both turned to the other half of your makeshift group.

"Lucy Gray Baird, Jessup Diggs, let us introduce you to our neighbors."

You beckoned them forward, while you opened your hand for Lucy Gray, who took it with an amused tilt of her head. Jessup and Coriolanus shared a look, in which the latter looked at the former's hand and was swiftly met with a clear "no" at the thought of the two mirroring your actions.

When you reached the edge of the cage, you noticed two small children. Coriolanus moved to the other side of Lucy Gray while Jessup moved to you, still a bit back. However, your attention is quickly taken by the questions of Lucky Flickerman.

"Who are you two? What are you doing in the cage here?"

Coriolanus responds and explains the situation to Lucky while you and Lucy Gray focus on the children in front of you.

They seem very taken by Lucy Gray, and she is quite the charmer. She captures the attention of all around with her honey-like voice and witty answers. Soon enough, Lucky focuses on her, eager to learn all about the strange girl. She explains the Covey and the importance of her beautiful dress.

"This dress was my mama’s so it’s extra special to me."

You glanced at her with a shared sympathy as she informed the ignorant host of her mother's passing. She felt your stare shift and turned to you as you gave her the slightest of nods. You didn't know if she understood its meaning, but her knowing eyes crinkled with a smile that let you know your message was well received.

Lucy Gray had a good feeling she could trust you. Maybe if she somehow won, you two could be good friends. She was a charmer and well-liked in twelve, but she didn't really have friends besides the Covey; who were more family than friends.

"Do you know the wonderful mentors for me and Jessup? Seems we got the cream of the cake 'cause no one else even bothered to show up."

You took a gulp and forced a smile as the camera visibly moved to focus on you.

"Well, we've met Coriolanus Snow, yes?"

Flickerman paused to ensure he got the blonde's name right and was met with a nod.

"And who are you, young lady? And did you get that nasty cut from the other tributes when you jumped in the cage? Were you told to jump in?"

His questions flew a million miles a minute, but you responded with grace.

"Hello there. My name is Y/N Vaun and oh no, I fear I am quite clumsy."

You covered up the fact that you might have had your neck slit if not for Lucy Gray.

"And the game makers didn't tell us that we couldn't. They just said that it was a mentor’s job to introduce our tributes to the citizens of Panem. And we thought, well, if they were brave enough to be here, then why shouldn’t we be, too?"

You looked up to Coriolanus to assure your answer was sufficient enough, to which he agreed. Lucy Gray did have one adjustment though.

"For the record, I didn’t have a choice."

Which you couldn't help but tilt your head to the side in agreement to her statement while Flickerman opened up again.

"For the record, I think you both are about to be whisked away."

Suddenly, two strong peacekeepers began dragging you away with Coriolanus. You fought them off to freely walk on your own as you noticed Lucy Gray stop him and whisper urgently, to which he agreed.

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The walk to the academy wasn't too far, but your pace was set quite fast. You and Coryo were already going to attract a lot of attention; missing class for an assumed press event with the tributes was a big no. Your dash to the prestigious institution was a silent conversation between you and Coryo. There didn't feel like much to say as you both were too far in your heads.

Coriolanus turned to you slightly as the question that's been burning in his mind came out.

"Why did you jump in the truck with me?"

You didn't even hesitate as you answered him, still looking forward.

"Are you seriously asking me that, Coryo?"

When you were met with nothing but silence, you turned to him.

"You jump, I jump. You throw yourself in a cage filled with people who want to gut you? Expect to have a friend with you. Maybe it will make you think before you do something stupid next time."

Your answer and vow of companionship caused a satisfied smile to overtake the handsome boy's features. It stayed there for some time before your now dark voice piped up.

"Do you remember the station?"

Your sudden question broke the prior silence. The fair-skinned teen looked at you in question.

"The station we were just at?"

He felt as if he missed something. The thought of being out of the loop unnerved him. You motioned that the recent setting wasn't the point of your question as you elaborated.

"No, I meant right back when the rebellion started. That day when they shipped off."

The heir of Snow's face scrunched up as he thought of the memory; one of his first clear ones. Young Coryo was so confused with all happening around him. Crassus rarely acknowledged the five-year-old's confusion while grandma'am kept on repeating curses about the rebelling districts. Though, as always, Tigris tried to calm down and help her little cousin. She wasn't that much older but she was old enough to understand; her uncle, the sole provider of their family, was to be off across the country. It worried her beyond what her youthful face would show. A face constantly lit up with the warm smiles her young cousin elicited.

But there were moments, although few, where Tigris's attention was elsewhere besides Coryo. One of them being on that now demolished train station, where she watched Crassus Snow depart from the Capital and eventually, their lives. It was in that moment where Coriolanus didn't look to his cousin for comfort but rather the girl with curious and wandering eyes. He had seen you before, but that was the day you truly entered his life. The young man laughed sweetly at the memory.

"You refused to look away even as we were being pulled away."

"Hey, you didn't look away either!"

You retorted back to the reminiscing adolescent. His eyes were still glued forward as you neared your destination. Out of his peripheral vision, however, he noticed a solemn demeanor took you over.

"Funny how different my only two train experiences are."

You laughed without humor, a grim noise.

"The first time, I had the privilege of ignorance. Hands were clean. And the people. Nearly every person I loved in one place. Fast forward today. I'm all too aware of the blood dripping from my hands, and I keep on making it gush."

You paused to take a bitter breath while refocusing your eyes straight ahead. You both were nearly to the entrance of the academy campus.

"Not a single one of them made it out alive. The only one was you."

The boy in mention furrowed his brows at your statement. It didn't strike him until now that you were right. Every member of your family on the platform that fateful day is six feet under. And by the way you spoke, so was little five-year-old you. The thought of your absent family made him reflect. His life wasn't easy in the slightest, but he did have his loved ones, no matter how little the number was. Sure, his grandma'am was a bit eccentric and not whole in the head, but she was a reminder of the glory indebted to the Snows. She was, most of the time, a sweet grandmother and a constant pillar of support.

And of course, Tigris. His life was mostly filled with darkness, metaphorically and literally with the high cost of electricity. But Tigris was always a light shining bright. Guiding him when he was lost in the slightest bit. He left that station with nearly the same family he has today, excluding his cold father. And even though his absence was a painful reminder of their living situation, Tigris often reminded Coryo that was given a chance to be a better person without his father's controlling and cold nature. A chance she tried to make possible at every possible moment.

But you didn't have a single member of your beloved family anymore. It was true your father was alive, but Coriolanus knows he has all but officially stepped out of your life. A move that made the young man resent and hold a place of disrespect in regards to your father. Your feet had carried you through the vast academy doors and down the hallways leading to the class you should have been in half an hour ago.

It was when you were mere feet from the door when a realization hit him. You said everyone you loved was on that platform and he was the only one to live. wait. did you just- does that mean-

"Your little excursion was in violation of about five different Academy rules, Mr. Snow and Miss Vaun. Chief amongst them, endangering a Capitol student."

You had entered the domed classroom, and Coriolanus couldn't further question your prior statements. You had ascended up the stairs with Coryo following close behind. You turned to question Dean Highbottom, who didn't even look up at your presence.

"Neither of us forced the other to go. We went on our own accord."

You responded back to the dean still focused on his papers.

"I don't care how or why it happened. You both put yourselves in danger regardless. I’m moving for the Gamemakers to disqualify you as mentors immediately."

You scoffed at his actions in disgust. He really jumped at any chance to make Coriolanus suffer. Highbottom has now become a plague you now have to deal with as well. Young Snow didn't appreciate his operation against him and you as he questioned his validity.

"You said we had to get our tributes to perform, not that we had to stay away."

"I’ll add insubordination as well."

Coriolanus opened his mouth to retort back when he was cut off by a chilling voice.

"Snow and Vaun fell down in the cage."

The ever-infamous Volumina Gaul appeared with a devilish smile playing on her bright red lips. She crept closer as she continued.

"Snow fell down in the cage but it landed…"

Her riddle was quickly figured out by the pair who answered at the same time.

"On stage."

The quick and correct reply made her wicked smile grow impossibly more.

"You’re good at Games. Maybe one day, you two will be Gamemakers like me. You are quite the pair."

The decrepit Casca Highbottom turned to watch the interaction and grumbled at the head Gamemaker's implication.

"If the Games continue at all."

"Oh, they’ll continue. With performances like young Mr. Snow and Miss Vaun's in that zoo."

The eccentric woman made her way to the end of your row as she questioned.

"Which one of you had the idea to jump in the cage with the tributes?"

You and Coriolanus knew neither of you had an idea that you would end up there. That doesn't mean the brave (and stupid) idea to jump in the truck came from nowhere.

"Coriolanus was the one."

You were quick to respond that the boy couldn't cut you off to mention your own involvement. That doesn't mean he didn't have his own speed in answering.

"Y/N was the one who fended them off, though. She also was the one who thought of presenting Lucy Gray after gaining her trust."

To say Dr. Gaul’s already peaked interest didn't skyrocket would be an understatement. She remembered her surprise, an emotion that appears very little in the woman's life, at seeing the two academy students in the zoo. Their elegance and charisma in their performance were extraordinary. And to see how fast they are to jump to the other's defense and bolster made the peculiar woman ache for more. She may have found not only one but two promising students.

"Holding her hand, Y/N? Introducing her to people? You make it look as if we’re one and the same as those animals."

The disgust was clear in Clemensia's voice as she spoke. She was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt when it came to Sejanus, who lived most of his life in the Capital after all. But straight district? That was a whole different level of abhorrence.

Said district - not district boy had his own opinions to voice.

"Coriolanus and Y/N didn’t show those people anything they didn’t already know. That the tributes are human beings. Just like us."

He paused to let the idea sink in for the snobby children of the Capital. You and Coriolanus were not surprised at his little outburst, but that doesn't mean you were happy with it. You were very far from it. Sick and tired of constantly hearing the saintly nature of those in the districts. But the curly-haired boy continued.

"That’s why nobody wants to watch the Games. It’s because people know deep down that winning a war 10 years ago doesn’t justify starving people’s children, taking away their freedoms, their rights."

You stayed silent as your nostrils flared, and your teeth ground against each other. You weren't sure where all this anger came from, but you assumed part of it was all your memories of the war becoming so clear lately. The constant yapping of Sejanus that they are oh so innocent while you remember otherwise did not help the blood boiling. Your symptoms of rage did not go unnoticed by Dr. Gaul.

"And what do you think, Miss Vaun? Are the inhabitants of the districts human or animal?"

The entirety of the class focused on you as you took a second to compose yourself. You took a deep breath, and instead of looking at the woman who proposed the question, you locked eyes with Dean Highbottom.

"They are obviously humans."

The man's eyes seemed to have an odd look of relief at your response, but you weren't finished. Your eyes didn't blink nor flinch as you bore into the older man's eyes. "

Animals are incapable of reaching a man's level of sinister."

The recipient of your gaze flinched at your tone and words. It felt as if you stabbed a blade straight into his already shattered conscience. However, your answer sparked new levels of interest within Dr. Gaul. You seem to be more of a promise than you initially let on. Sejanus was far from impressed by your answer. You never spoke out against the districts before; what caused you to now?

"Some of those kids were two years old when the war ended. The oldest of them were only eight! They didn’t have enough to become sinister."

His tone implied the thought that your description of the districts' "humanity" was ridiculous. The people outside of the Capital were good. Far better than those within it, clearly. But Sejanus's blind opinion of them brought you to new levels of anger. You scoffed out a breath of pure disbelief as you turned to stare straight into the brown eyes of the boy.

"Too young? Eight is quite old enough to do sinister things. Look around, Sejanus. You think any of us, who, by the way, were those eight years old, survived by playing with our dolls?"

You paused, trying to compose yourself, while all pairs of eyes were on you. Well, all except Sejanus. You two have never had a quarrel. If there was anyone who the rest were certain would back up Sejanus, it would be you. But here you were, spitting words of venom and unfortunate truth.

"Death doesn't discriminate by age. War doesn't discriminate by age. Each and every one of us here had to become soldiers and survivors by age five." You paused, "Does that sound like humanity? Like the pure good you preach about the districts? They are just like us. Whether or not you want to see it. You claim us evil and we might be. But tell me who do you think caused us to be so harsh? If we were able to kill at six years old, I am quite sure those sixteen-year-olds wouldn't bat an eye. If you don't believe me, let me ask Otto."

The mention of your brother caused the already dead silent classroom to stiffen. Even Highbottom, who disliked yet another reminder of Cloria Vaun (or Emberidge, depends on what memories), had to throw back another shot of morphling. Sejanus was already uncomfortable with your sudden shift in demeanor and your public argument. His discomfort increased when you began using the words "we" and "us," but the mention of Octavius Vaun made him freeze. You rarely mentioned him and if you ever did, you couldn't bring yourself to say his name. You never gave the full details of his death, but you told him enough to know it was a subject never to be brought up. Now that you did, he, along with the rest of your class, knew you weren't going to be able to be controlled.

And you weren't. You didn't let up your hold on attention for a good while as you kept going.

"Hmm? Or how about we ask all of our classmates that should be here? All those people who should be our friends, lovers, siblings? What about those infants who died before they could take a breath because their mothers died of starvation? Let's go ask their corpses, huh! Oh wait, right. Just go around and ask the Capitol population. We didn't have a body clean-up system back in the war. What do you think we did with the bodies?"

The slow realization and remembrance of whispers of the war crept back to Sejanus's mind. Your voice was steady as you continued.

"We had to get whatever nutrition we could, no matter where it came from."

Clemensia had turned deep shades of green at the mention. At the memories.

"Y/N, please stop."

Her wobbly voice and discomfort did the exact opposite of her pleas. You took a look around the classroom to see your peers avoiding eye contact with you and looking one step away from barfing. The sight made you laugh in dark hysteria as you now addressed the room.

"Really?! That's all it took? Ten years? Ten years and you forgot everything! Now that you don't have to throw the last words of your loved ones in a fire to keep warm! These pristine uniforms and marble classrooms enough?! You forget when you had to survive for weeks off of a single rat carcass? When you had to fight deranged old men for a half-empty bag of moldy peaches for your entire family? When your only drink was your own blood? No memories!? No memories of the insanity causing people flinging themselves off of rooftops and others beating the vultures to cut up their corpses!"

Your voice was in a full, rage-fueled yell by the time you finished. You would have continued if a hand on your shoulder didn't signal to stop. You looked up, ready to fight whoever it was, until you realized it was Coryo. You expected him to be embarrassed of you, maybe angry. But he wasn't. His eyes seemed to be glowing with understanding and a shared irritation. After a minute of you calming down, a voice perked all too happily.

"My, my, what a declaration!"

Dr. Gaul was all too eager at your fury. Her blood was on fire with excitement at your sentiments. The question she initially came here to ask you and Coriolanus was finally ready to be asked.

"What are the Hunger Games for?"

The woman looked between you and Coriolanus, eager for an answer to which the latter responded.

"They’re to punish the districts for their uprising, to commemorate the end of the war."

Her smile was gone at the disappointing answer.

“Commemorate the… Dull, dull, dull. Punishment can take myriad forms. Why not drop bombs, cancel food shipments, stage executions? Why Games?"

Her question was not met by either of the two students she wished but rather the clear sympathizer in the form of Sejanus Plinth.

"Shouldn’t we be asking ourselves whether or not they’re right in the first place?"

"You have a problem with my Games?"

Any answer was intercepted by Dean Highbottom who has more than enough of this discussion and development.

"Perhaps the Capitol students are ill-suited to be mentoring tributes. Perhaps the Game’s time has passed."

It was then when you regained your voice.

"It clearly hasn't. The Games, whatever their ultimate purpose, is a reminder. To the districts, most definitely, but also the Capital. It is clear that most here wish to forget and hide away the horrors we've endured. Forget all you wish, but the districts won't. They have to suffer what we did and we have to remember why."

Dr. Gaul was taking in your answer. And it clearly pleased her, whether that be a good or bad thing. That curiosity and thrill continued as Coriolanus added in some suggestions.

"Maybe we should be viewing those tributes as human beings. I mean, you saw those kids in the zoo; they just… they just wanted to get to know Lucy Gray. If we need people to watch, we should be letting them get closer to the tributes before the Games. To make the stakes personal."

As your apparent partner continued, the gears in your mind started turning.

"Who will watch the Games if they care what happens to the tributes?" Arachne questioned. And you were the one to answer.

"Everyone."

When you answered, Coriolanus looked to you with a ghost of a smile on his lips as you understood.

"You wanted them to be spectacles? What's better than letting them share their characters? Their lives, dreams, regrets. Biggest loves and losses. If you want people to watch, they will when they have people to root for and against."

Young Snow was quick to pick up after you.

"And if we bend a few Capitol laws, we could even have them place bets. The winner of the arena may not be the same as the winner of the people."

You jumped back into the conversation with a slightly more chipper tone.

"Give them interviews to learn who they are. Maybe we can even do skill tests. If you use Coriolanus's betting system, it can give even the weakest of tributes more of a chance. People would not only be able to bet on who they like the most but who has more of a chance. Not to mention they would have the power to change those odds."

Dr. Gaul was at all-time levels of elation at the pair. She knows promise when she sees it.

"I’d like you to write up a proposal of these thoughts tonight, Mr. Snow and Miss Vaun. "

You turned to look at said Mr. Snow when a certain raven-haired girl stood up from her seat next to him.

"Wait. You mean you might actually use their ideas?"

Clemensia thought her two high-achieving friends' ideas would just be left floating and not actually implemented in one of the most important events of the country.

"If it’ll help the ratings, why not."

Dr. Gaul’s words made the realization hit you like that cursed cattle train. Your ideas were shared in a slight haze of excitement and lingering fury. If your suggestions really were implemented, you may have just subjected generations of children to death.

Your revelation was clear on your face as Sejanus looked up to who he called his closest friend. He felt slightly betrayed by your outburst, but more so confused. Though, his anger and confusion dissipated a good amount when he saw the horror of realization upon your face.

On the other side of the star pupils, Clemmie slightly shuddered as the outlandish Gamemaker turned her cold gaze upon her. The young woman put on her charming smile as she tried to weasel her way into success.

"Coriolanus and I are class partners, Dr. Gaul. We do all of our assignments together."

You shared eye contact with the girl's partner who seemed to be just as skeptical as you. You turned in Dr. Gaul's direction, which also happened to be Sejanus's. You looked down and saw his face look glossy and hurt. A pain that transferred over to you at the sight. But that would be for a later time. For now, you looked up and informed the Gamemaker that you would be doing your proposals on your own.

The classroom was filled with the manic laughter of the woman. Doubt started filling up your veins at working with the prominent figure. Her bright teeth shone bright as her diabolical smile grew.

"It’ll be an interesting test."

A test of intellect, character, and survival indeed.

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You and Coriolanus sat at a small table on the edge of the cafeteria. You wished to be nowhere near the prying eyes and gossiping mouths of your peers. But apparently, Lucy Gray asked for food, and you couldn't let her or Jessup go hungry. Yet, you were now an active hand in their death.

That ever so active voice in your head kept on screaming against your heart. Your napkin was full of the food that used to reside on your plate, and now you were just waiting for Coryo, who came in a bit later than you. He was fast and smooth in his movements and was barely deterred from his actions when a voice rounded your table.

"You trying to fatten those kids up so you can finally start taking bets? Make sure they look lively enough to make good interviews?"

Sejanus spewed his remarks as he sat down on a chair at the head of the table. You glanced down in shame, but the words didn't bother Coriolanus.

"You think they’ll give those kids a scrap if we don’t give them a reason to do it? How do you think your tribute will have a chance if he can’t eat?"

You looked between the two. Sejanus seemed to concede at that point while Coryo kept on stuffing the napkin. The brown-eyed boy's voice seemed to soften in pain.

"He was my classmate. Back in two."

You sucked in a sharp breath. It was already hard enough for him to be a part of the game, especially being given a tribute from his home district. But his own classmate? If you were Marcus, you wouldn't spare Sejanus a glance or a word. And that was the worst part. Sejanus would try to help in any way he could, but the situation he was in, "the lucky one," wouldn't make it very easy to gain the trust of his former classmate. Coryo stopped his movements to look at the only boy he could call a solid friend.

"It’s not your fault it’s him."

You both knew that it would still sit on his conscience, no matter if he really was to blame or not. His scoff said it all.

"See, I know. I’m so blameless, I’m choking on it. My father bought him for me, you know, at the Reaping, just so he could show me that I could never go back to two."

You couldn't believe it. It was common information to you how much Starbo tried to change his son. That doesn't mean you expected him to go to such lengths.

"Maybe you could use that to your advantage."

Sejanus whipped his head to you as he squinted at you. The girl in front of him wasn't the same angry one in the classroom. No, this was the same one who he called his best friend for years, yet it just confused him even more as to why you would suggest that. You were quick to elaborate when it seemed that neither boy caught on.

"You want the Hunger Games to end, right? You can do something about it. No real change will happen unless it happens in the Capital. You are one of the few who can actually do something and one of the even fewer who wants to."

Sejanus seemed to be contemplating your words when Coriolanus added on.

"The best way to change it is to be subtle. Small little changes and actions cause enough damage over time."

Sejanus looked down at his two friends' laps and looked back up with a smirk starting to form.

"Like napkins of food. Make them strong enough to be remembered. Quite the rebels."

His smirk seemed to be contagious as it spread to Coryo. You had a smile as well that only grew as Coriolanus spoke again.

"Oh yeah. I’m bad news."

His eyes were on you the entire time as a blush crept on you. Your teeth couldn't help but show as the three of you got up and started your walk to the Capital Zoo.

Like your morning walk with Coriolanus, this walk was short but a bit more cheery as your little friend group conversed. You feared Sejanus would hold your prior actions against you, but he understood, as always. Well, that and Coryo's explanation on how you both expanded the odds for the weaker tributes instead of making it worse.

You and Coriolanus were recalling the earlier events of the morning that didn't appear on live television.

"Wait wait, you did what to her?"

You were holding back a laugh as Snow described how you switched up Coral and the overdramatization of it.

"Okay, first of all, I did not knock the life out of her. And she was getting on my nerves. Like if you are gonna threaten someone, at least do it right!"

The two boys shared a look and laughed a bit at you. A laugh that was swiftly met with a glare.

"Wanna see me execute my threat, Plinth?"

He was quickly grabbed by his sleeve by Coryo to ensure his friend's safety. You turned forward with a smug smile at their fear while they walked a good meter away from you. Soon enough, however, your little moment was met a swift end as you reached the zoo.

There were far more visitors than this morning, but many seemed to be a ways away; the tributes being watched from afar. You and Coryo spotted your two tributes on the far left side of the area, laying their backs on a large rock. Marcus was on the other side, so your trio split as Sejanus tried so hard to get him to take the food from his hands. A task that was unsuccessful.

You got closer and saw Lucy Gray smile at Coryo and the food he carried and promised he kept. She noticed the napkin of food in your hands as well, making her smile grow.

The singer walked to the bars while Jessup stood behind, still pensive at your presence.

"Is that for us?"

She took the two napkins out of the Capital students' hands, handing one of them to her friend. He didn't even give the food a glance as he bore into your eyes, displeasure evident.

"I’m not hungry."

You had a polite smile prior, hoping to get off on a better start this time. But his refusal made it slightly deplete. You understood why. You and the rest of the Capital students here, which now included Arachne, must have seemed like a cruel joke life played on him. You were willing to walk away, maybe try to focus on helping Coriolanus with Lucy Gray if Jessup refused you.

But Lucy Gray refused the boy who protected her to go hungry. She pushed the food into his hands like a mother would to her child.

"You think I can’t hear your stomach growling, Jessup Diggs?"

He looked between the food, his friend, and you a good number of times before he surrendered to his growling stomach.

Satisfied, Lucy Gray turned back to Coriolanus and seemed to settle in across from him. You doubted Jessup recreate the friendly posture, but you sat down a bit further down from Coryo. She wasn't much further from Arachne, who seemed to be playing a torturous game with her tribute, Brandy.

Your face contorted in disgust at her actions. The girl was going to already struggle, what is the need to play with her hunger?

"You sure you don't want to play with me first?" You turned your head from the perusing scene to the new voice. In front of you stood Jessup Diggs. He stood there, analyzing you as if you were a puzzle that had no connecting pieces. Your eyes moved down the concrete you sat on as you let out a soft, sad laugh.

"Already bad enough I'm not in there with you. Don't need to rub it in any further."

He squinted his eyes down at you. Every statement that has come out of your mouth has only served to confuse him more. From your very first meeting, the truck, earlier when you were in the cage, and now. Arachne's moves and character were what he expected when he was traveling to the Capital. But you and Coriolanus (and a recent brunette curly-haired boy on the far end of the zoo) were the anomalies. Lucy Gray told him to accept your help as she would her mentors, which was reasonable enough.

But why did it seem like she actually trusted you two? Sure, you jumped in with them, but it seemed for more personal gain than their tribute's benefit.

You looked back up to a questioning Jessup. He didn't understand what you meant that you should be in there with him.

"What's the difference between us? I happened to be born in the right place, I guess."

Your nonchalance intrigued him more than it brought fear. You may be just putting up a facade to make him trust you, but what would be the point? He was gonna die soon enough.

Jessup, much to your surprise, sat across from you as he gobbled down the food. He noticed you looking down and eyed you suspiciously. You just lightly smiled and promised to get him more if he would accept. He turned his head from side to side in thought, which caused the left side of his neck to be exposed. A dark and deep mark appeared against his skin, which caused you to have an instinct to reach out and help.

However, your sudden movement towards his neck caused him to back up rapidly. The action caused Lucy Gray and Coryo to look over in fright. But neither of you looked back as you stared at him apologetically while he eyed you again.

"Sorry, I just noticed and worried me."

You mumbled it quietly, which was oddly enough, reassuring to Jessup. He did see the worry appear in your facial features. The emotion was too deep and genuine to be faked. He slowly got back to his original position.

You kept your hands to your sides as you looked over his wound. Your eyes moved from his neck to his deep brown eyes.

"It looks new. Can I ask what it's from? I may be able to get some medication."

Jessup wondered how much was available to you at just a snap of a finger. Were you the type of person to do that? His assumption of the Capital made him believe so, but your personal actions proved otherwise. Especially your little stunt with Coral.

"Bat bite. Got it when covering for Lucy Gray. Rather me than her."

Your eyes went from warning to a softened glow. He didn't like the feeling of trust building

"I don't want medication though. I want to go out my way."

You couldn't help but smile at his conviction. If he didn't get medication, there was no way he would be able to survive. But that didn't seem to bother him.

"Jessup, if it's from a wild bat, there is a likely chance you can get rabies. Are you sure? It does wild things to those infected."

The effects of it bothered Jessup slightly. He didn't want to die as a deranged man he couldn't recognize, but he didn't want to give the people who took everything from him the satisfaction of his death. He shook his head in assurance, and you were ready to drop it when a thought sprang through your mind.

"I am willing to drop it, but please, be completely sure if this is what you want. Do you have family back home who need you?"

The mention of his family made him clench his teeth, and you were sure you messed up. You were quick to apologize, but that didn't erase the pounding thoughts of the boy's family.

"The only thing they need me for is to clean their gravestones."

Your gaze was sympathetic, but you turned it away. You knew what it felt to be looked at like a kicked puppy after people learned of your mother's passing. You were sure a man like Jessup wouldn't be very fond of pity.

"He looked a lot like you."

Your head went through whiplash due to the speed you turned to the boy. Your eyes were now the analyzing and questioning ones. You motioned for him to continue; to make sense of his statement.

"The boy who killed my family. He couldn't be any older than me, sixteenish. He had your eyes."

Your breath seemed to speed up as it dawned on you what he could be saying. That sweet little Otto was capable of murdering an entire family. Then again, what would he think of your actions in the war? Jessup took in your reaction as he cautiously continued.

"Don't think he don'it before. Kept looking back and forth between my pops and brother. Like he was begging them to change back time."

You were no longer looking at the talking boy, but it was clear you were hanging onto every word. Your eyes fluttered around as you tried to make sense of the new knowledge.

"He had reason if that makes you feel better. They were rebels and took out a good number of Capital forces. Just those two on their own."

He didn't hide his proud smile as he didn't even realize it appeared for a few moments. When he did, he was ready to see you storming off, glare knives into him, or plan ways to make him and his fellow tributes suffer. But you were just looking at him, a sad smile on your lips. You couldn't blame his smile. It was his family succeeding in their beliefs, no matter how it pained you. It wasn't as if you were sentenced to a bloodbath as your final moments.

The lack of aggression you presented allowed for Jessup to precede.

"They stood proudly as they were accused of their crimes. He gave them a chance, but they didn't say a peep. The boy with your eyes was shaky as he raised the gun. My momma couldn't hold back and ran into the gunfire. In just three seconds, my entire family erased. Glad they didn't shoot into the floor."

His face shifted from pride to bitterness to a hollowed smile.

"Always check the floorboards of twelve. Never know what you find."

You wanted to pipe up when you heard the disgruntled grunts of Brandy and the mocking laugh of Arachne. It had paused for the majority of your conversation with Jessup because Arachne was busy being interviewed by Lucky Flickerman. Though now she was back, her little game was resumed.

It burned your blood at seeing her cruel game. No one would ever describe Arachne as nice, but she would never stoop this low. Unless they were the district, apparently. You quickly muttered an apology to Jessup as you got up and walked unamusedly to the red-haired girl. Your hand swiftly snatched the glass bottle before it disappearedinto the bar to tease the starving girl again. Arachne looked up to the intruder, and a deep scowl appeared when she saw your face. Behind you, the sun was bright, as if casting a halo down on you. Oh, how fitting for little miss perfect, the sour girl thought.

You turned to Brandy and gave her a warm smile as you gently laid the bottle down next to her. Her eyes narrowed at your act and were glazed over in dehydration. The girl's hands were lightning as they snatched the drink and gulped it down as fast as was possible.

You left the tribute to her drink as you were met with the nasty stare of Arachne Crane.

"Feel proud of yourself for making her suffer even more? I mean, come on, Arachne!"

You huffed at her, irritated at her childlike behavior. Your back was turned as you began walking back to your own tribute when her voice sneered.

"Wonder what dear old Otto would think of you taking care of the same animals that chopped him up into tiny little—"

At the sound of your brother's name, you had turned back, and as she continued, so did your strides. But it was the sound of glass shattering that made you jump into action.

Physically jump as you pushed Arachne out of the way of the oncoming bottle. Brandy had a clear shot to the front of her mentor's throat but due to your speed and slightly turned position, it didn't hit her target. Instead, the broken bottle jammed itself within the side of your neck as your knees buckled on impact. You felt around the area as hot sticky blood poured all over your fingers.

Your hearing began getting muffled, but the gunshots were piercingly loud, as was the sound of your attacker's body hitting the ground. You saw red around you, unsure if it was one of your fellow students or even more blood.

Black dots began spotting your vision as you fought to keep them open upon the orders of someone. You weren't sure who, but whoever the saving angel was, they were doing everything to keep you conscious. No screams came out of your mouth, but warm salty streams across your cheeks, mixing in with the now pooling blood.

The lack of audible panic made your internal one settle slightly. Your mother surely screamed herself on the path of death as did your aunt Fiora. But then again, maybe your brother died without a squeak.

Your eyelids felt as if they were being welded shut against all your will power. You turned your head to the left, which was the side that hadn't been stabbed. The last thing you witnessed before you lost all reality was a head of pretty white hair with matching gorgeous blue orbs. His mouth kept on moving and forming words, but no sound pierced your ears.

You felt his hands around you, cradling your gushing neck. His hands looked as if permanently stained with red dye as he moved them around frantically. In such movements, his hands happened to fling your now apparent rings in front of your view. The two golden ones on the outside seemed mostly clear if the blood overtook her. That accursed silver of a thousand snowflakes glistened under the sunlight. As much as a ring being drowned in blood could.

Your eyes flickered from the bloody snowflakes up to the eyes of a bloodless Coriolanus Snow. A Coriolanus Snow who begged you to open up your eyes. Who attempted to will it into existence before he was pulled off by peacekeepers. Your body was hastily put on a stretcher and sent straight to the Capital hospital.

Not a single blink occurred from the blue frozen eyes of the Snow heir. How is it that it was only this morning when you were on the other side of the cage? Safer on that side.

Snow was on the verge of a breakdown. One of anger and of fear. He was only mere feet away. Only a few feet away and you still might lose your life because he wasn't careful. A promise was sworn internally within that calculated boy that day.

Never again will you be choking on your blood while he stood aside with nothing happening. You were not going to suffer the same bloody fate as your mother. You would not suffer. He swore the vow repeatedly as he rushed through the streets to meet your unconscious body. The world can take his money, parents, even the Plinth Prize. He would refuse to give it anymore.

He would not give up on you.

He would not give you up.

A/N: so sorry for it being so long! Not very carefully read I'm so sleepy I'm seeing things help. Pls lmk your thoughts. Much love !!

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@notyourwildestdream 🌹@darktrashsoulbear🌹@fantasylovestoryme 🌹@nekee-lilac02 🌹@a-avengerparker 🌹 @queenofshinigamis 🌹@darlingisntit 🌹

[dia-souls]

🏀 Ayayui fanfic 🏀

Pairing: Ayato 🏀 and Yui 🌸

Author: Admin Irsa

Genre: Romance, Tragedy

⚠️ TW: Violence, Toxic Relationships, Forced Pregnancy, Forced Relationships, Punishment, Death, Bullying, Blood Mentioned, Abusing ⚠️

Admin's Note: Inspired by Ayato's HDB bad ending. It just came in mind. As, I said before that Ayayui used to be my fav when I started watching dl this fic was in my mind. Dropping it for some Ayayui fans out there! I hope you all will like it!

🌸Silver lining🌸

Yui trembled as she tried turning her head. It was incredibly painful for her to do such a small task. The coldness she felt in the room didn’t help either. She tried screaming, but her screams were muffled by a cloth pressed to her face. Her hands were also tied with tight ropes. She couldn’t help but cry at her luck, fate, and misery. She felt so helpless in this situation.

Ayato had gone crazy. He stopped listening to Yui and her pleas for mercy. Instead, he now only does things his way he wants. She never thought that the person she loved the most would become the person she desperately wants to escape from. You aren't scared of the person you love right? Then why does she feel scared talking to him?

She heard the door open and saw Ayato. This was the same person she loved with all her heart, but also the one who killed his whole family for no good reason. She didn't think his possessiveness could get any worse.

"Hah! Look Chichinashi I bought you food!”

Ayato came closer to Yui, who was currently tied to bed. He set the tray of food aside and reached forward to loosen her gag. But before he could get the knot unraveled, he looked her in the eyes.

"No screaming or bitting my finger! You know what punishment awaits if you do that, right?!"

Yui nodded her head weakly. She was tired of protesting, but in her heart she didn’t give up. She didn’t want to give up hope that he could change.

He needed to realize that his cruel treatment of her was wrong. He was supposed to keep her safe. How could she ever possibly be safe if he killed his own family? It certainly wasn’t a good thing in her mind.

Ayato smiled at Yui and kissed her forehead before removing the cloth from her face. With her mouth unobstructed he helped her eat. Grabbing something edible from the tray next to him, he began to force feed the imprisoned girl. He was glad that Yui did not retaliate. She ate whatever he provided without saying a word. She was mentally exhausted from this unfortunate predicament and physically worn from the restraints. Everything started to blur together…

{[ ___________🌹_____________}]

Ayato looked over at Yui, who quickly dozed off after her meal. She was now sleeping beside him in an awkward position. Slightly concerned, he looked at the ropes tying her to the bed post. It was clear that Yui was restless. It was impossible for her to get comfortable with tied hands. Noticing this, Ayato untied her for the bed time. She couldn’t do anything while she was asleep anyway.

Ayato didn't know why Yui was rejecting his love and affection. His logic and reasoning behind keeping her tied up made perfect sense to him. He thought of every possibility in his head… why is she sad and scared? Why would she care or be upset that he killed all his brothers? She even cried after he told her that he did it all for their love. Why is she not happy that they are together now?

These accumulating thoughts made Ayato very angry. He couldn’t believe the way she was behaving that night. Shouldn’t she be happy knowing that he loved her and was willing to prove it. He killed everyone in that mansion…except for her.

He only did it for Yui. He only keeps her locked in the mansion because he wants to protect her. Everything he does is for Yui. He was willing to display his love in a violent and brutal act. Shouldn’t that count for something? For her alone, he would kill anyone… even himself. He would give his life for her if he had to and die as well…

He glared at Yui’s face with a mad glint in his eyes.

"You belong to me. to Ore-sama, to Ayato!"

*Timeskip*

Ayato was furious to wake up and find out that Yui had disappeared from his side. She was nowhere to be found on the bed, but her impression in the mattress was still warm. With Yui not next to him, he frantically pushed himself off the bed and headed towards the bathroom door. He practically ran to the door, but when he turned the handle it wouldn’t budge. To his surprise, the door was locked. It enraged him even more to learn that Yui was being so secretive. He knew she was locked inside because he heard the toilet flush. To get to the bottom of this, he pounded the door with his fist until the hinges practically flew open. With no shame whatsoever, he entered the bathroom to invade her privacy. The first thing he saw was Yui’s frail body leaning against the counter for support. She looked very weak.

"Yui!"

Ayato made his way towards Yui and hugged her.

"A-Ayato-kun,” she whimpered.

Needing something to stable herself, Yui pushed herself off of the countertop and gripped Ayato’s shoulders. It has been a long time since he had hugged her. Ayato took her in his arms gently. She didn’t understand how or why their relationship became this toxic. It didn’t matter to her in this moment because he was being so gentle now. She cherished the sweet moments like this, which have been fewer and fewer as of late. He hugged her like she was a delicate stuffed animal. Maybe Ayato would finally come to his senses if she was patient?

Suddenly, Yui felt small inhales of breath on the top of her head. Was Ayato smelling her hair? This gave her an uneasy feeling, as if something bad was about to happen. The grip on her waist was getting tighter and tighter too… was he already back to his crazed self?

"Ayato-kun! I need to take shower... I am dirty," she pleaded.

He looked at Yui and stepped back to give her more space. With any other person, this could have been viewed as a kind gesture. However, Ayato was far from human, let alone someone kind or decent. With one swift pull, he yanked the sleeve of her dress, revealing some skin. Yui used her arms to push away his hand. Her clothes were getting ruined from the fabric being stretched.

Stunned by this reaction, Ayato used his free hand to roughly pull her hair.

"What the heck!? Are you crazy!!? You really don't learn!”

"P-ple-ease. A-Ayato-kun… stop… please! I want to take a bath alone!"

"Hahh! I told you that there’s nothing to hide. I think you should get used to me seeing you naked!"

Ayato continued to chuckle after hearing more of her desperate attempts. It only humored him. In his fit of laughter, he reached at the hem of her dress, ready to pull off another piece off. Tear after tear, her outfit is ripped to shreds. By the very end of this encounter, she is dressed in rags. Still, she tried to shield her body and cover herself. She never surrendered her decency or her will to resist… however pathetically.

"Ayato-kun, please stop!"

With this final warning, Yui gave him a hard push using all her strength. This caused him to stumble away from her. Yui hoped that this would make him finally back off, but it turned out to have the opposite effect. With seething rage, he raised his hand to hit her across the face. Yui closed her eyes and silently prayed it wouldn’t hurt that bad. But in the midst of this action, Ayato’s expression changed. His hand came to a full stop only inches away from her face. Ayato looked at Yui’s fear-struck face filled with tears. He couldn't hit her. He just couldn’t… but why? Is she really that scared of him? He loved her too much! With a twinge of regret, his hand came back to his side.

"Fuck it!!"

In the next few moments, Ayato stormed out of the bathroom. Yui was relieved that he left. Once she knew he was far enough away, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. At this point, she knew holding in her emotions any longer wouldn’t happen. She slumped to the bathroom floor and cried out to her heart’s content. She was scared of Ayato. Why was he still forcing her to do things she doesn't want to do?

{[_____________🌹____________}]

Yui laid in bed and stared at the ceiling above her. She wanted to fall asleep but the grip on her waist didn’t allow it. With this, she sighed and stayed as still as humanly possible. This didn’t stop the vampire from touching her though, it wasn’t long before she felt a hand creeping up her inner thigh. The hand rested and caressed her thigh for a few seconds until it continued to move upwards, stopping at her breast.

Suddenly, Ayato flipped Yui over by the shoulders and kissed her neck. His sharp fangs sank into her skin. Blood immediately started dripping out of the wound and this made Yui feel very faint. In an instant, he climbed on top of her and started taking his clothes off. After he was finished with himself, he undressed the small girl beneath him too.

"Ayato-kun."

"Yes?" he replied while leaving a hickey at her collarbone.

"Whatever you are doing is wrong! This is wrong!" Yui said as she felt tears in her eyes.

"Shut it! I am so over it! Say one more thing and you will regret your words, I swear!”

Feeling it now inside her, Yui felt so much pain and couldn't hold the moan. Ayato continued his movement....

*Timeskip*

Yui emptied all the contents of her stomach. Her stomach hurt so much and she was certain it was because she was being starved. Ayato had been giving her less food for being disobedient.

Feeling nauseous again, she vomited over and over agin. After all was said and done, she slumped down to the floor. She felt very weak and her vision was blurry. It didn’t matter how hard she tried either, she couldn’t lift herself up or do anything.

When the bathroom door opened, Yui quietly observed Ayato with his usual maddening expression. When he noticed Yui helpless on the floor he picked her up and placed her on the bed.

"I will get you some food!" He said as he made his way towards door.

"Food won't help, Ayato-kun! I need to see a doctor because I am not feeling well… "

He turned to Yui in a fit of anger once again.

"Like Hell! I won’t let you out again. I think you are forgetting that this was the reason for your punishment!"

"Ayato kun… please... I am not lying. I’m really not okay!”

"Stop making excuses! I am over it! You are staying with me whether you like it or not! You are mine and only mine, so get this thing in your thick skull if you want to live peacefully!"

With this final remark he turned and left the room. Yui gripped her stomach because she felt the sharp pain again. Tears pricked her eyes when it finally dawned on her that this was reality. An unbearable and inhumane reality…

What did she do to deserve this kind of treatment? Ayato should be listening to her because—

Her eyes widened when she noticed a wet spot forming between her thighs.

“It can’t be…”

Other words formed in her head but nothing else escaped her lips from the state of shock. In a panic, Yui whipped her head to the right to look at the calendar on her desk. Her eyes scrolled row after row for a certain date. Looking down again, she continued to choke back tears.

She was sure that the baby inside her belly was going to die.

This realization hurt her more than anything she had ever experienced. She wanted to be a mother, but not like this. She wanted it to happen under different circumstances under her own free will. As her eyelids became heavier and heavier, she looked down at the pool of blood. The scarlet red blood clashing against the white bedspread made for a messy scene. It was a mess and she was a mess. Her clothing was still disheveled and since Ayato kept her from taking a shower she was filthy. The pain was too much and the room was spinning. Yui clawed and gripped at the bedsheets to distract her mind. What was she going to do? Although it was incredibly painful, Yui was at least grateful that it kept her awake. She needed to stay awake for the sake of her baby. A dozen different ideas transcended her mind on how to escape this terrible situation. She didn’t want to die like this. Could she call out to Ayato or would it not even matter?

She couldn’t do anything to save her own baby.

As if her prayer had been answered, Ayato stormed into the room. Yui was covered in blood and laying on the mattress, but anything Ayato did was of no use. It was too late. Yui took her last breath as Ayato dropped to his knees in agony and grief. He felt like throwing up. He wanted to scream and curse at the world.

He looked at Yui’s face and felt like his heart was breaking and twisting inside his chest. The only thing he could do was hold her in his arms. Her body was still warm, but there was no life in her eyes.

"Yui! Wake up! Please… look..... I’m sorry. I promise I will listen to you… and be the person you want me to be. My love… please stop… wake up."

He shook her violently and slapped her face repeatedly to wake her up. No matter what he did, she entered her eternal slumber. Never to wake again.

Silence goes by and Ayato stares at her limp body. Something about it was kind of ironic…maybe hysterical?

"Hahaa...Ahaahaa.. AHA"

Ayato’s laughter echoed through the empty mansion.

His brothers are gone, sure, but Yui was the only person he was living for. Now he is left all alone. He couldn't help but laugh at his misery and bad luck.

"Hahhh... I love you Yui" he said as he cradled her lifeless body close to his chest.

[ryuichirou]

💜🌹 Anon here! This will probably be the last ask of this nature and it’s not even really an ask, it’s more of a thank you. Just last night I had the sudden whim in my head to draw something mildly spicy and I decided to roll with it while I had the idea. It’s the first thing I’ve drawn in 2 months and it’s sloppy but I still like the end result. Also while I was cleaning and organizing old stuff I found some past spicy stuff I’ve made and that I liked and it made me realize how truly short sighted emotional panic brain can be when it decides to strike. As stated before, that panic brain got worse this year but I feel like now I’m finally starting to figure it out.

I want to thank you for the encouragement you have me, I feel it was a big help in this.

To anyone who might read this for some reason, if you ever struggle with panic brain, remember it’s often blind and super biased. Not everything it says is true and it’s ok if you don’t feel brave or strong some days, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy being strong or brave other days and do whatever makes you happy, be it creating or consuming.

-💜🌹

Anon! It’s so good to hear from you again, I am happy you shared a follow-up of your story, so I’ll post it separately.

It’s so wonderful to hear that you got inspired to draw and enjoyed the process and the result! And the fact that you can watch at your older stuff and appreciate and enjoy it as well; it really is great. Human brain really does get confused at times, especially when you associate the subject matter of the drawings/the process itself with something bad, but feeling disassociated and even repulsed with the things that you used to like is very sad.

No need to thank me, but once again, if we managed to help you out even a little bit, I am extremely happy. It’s great that you are feeling better about this whole thing now.

The last part of your message is so important to remember, I really hope someone who needs to hear it right now reads it. Your happiness and fun should always be your goal, and when it comes to art, never be too hard on yourself in terms of what you want to create.

[sailormoonsailorstars]

sailor moon season 5 if they had tumblr

————

🎤 @threelights4eva follow

BREAKING:

The three lights have transferred to their new high school today. They will start in 2 days. Rumors say they didn’t even have to take the entrance exams because of their status, soooo understandable with those dreamy boys. 🥹

🌹 @butyoudidntevendoanything follow

Is it corny to pop the question to Usako with a pink heart ring? She loves this sort of thing- but what if it’s wrong? Man, I’m so nervous. I hate being away from her, but it will make receiving her letters when I’m gone so worth it.

🪞@beautywithin-nellie follow

this stupid aah bitch is about to lose her stupid beautiful blue eyes soft haired tall stunning man. can’t wait 2 see her vague me LMAOOO

🌙 @usagitsukinoz follow

Mamo left for his studies in America! I’m soo excited for him to send love letters and post cards !!!!!!!!! He also proposed to me ;) don’t tell too many people girls! I know you’re reading my blog <3

🎮 @built-differentshingo follow

have you guys seen this 😂 the boys gotta get on the grind

🌙 @usagitsukinoz follow

Mamo hasn’t replied to any of my letters… he actually hasn’t sent any either. This guy I’ve never heard of who’s insanely popular really wants to go out with me, but I am loyal to Mamo! He’ll answer me soon! I’ll admit that it’s making me really depressed though…..

also can someone tell shingo to stop posting that weird doom scrolling middle schooler boy stuff? He won’t listen to me because I’m his “annoying stupid sister” ._.

🗯️ @sailor-moon-updates follow

GAYLOR MOON BREAKING NEWS

The three lights have been spotted in various areas where Sailor Moon has been fighting off local villains. The famous SEIYA KOU of the three lights seems to particularly fancy her.

Tuxedo Mask has been no where to be seen in several weeks. Did Moon finally call it quits on her comp het?

Read my thread on why Tuxedo Mask really doesn’t add anything to villain battles: 🧵 (1/67)

🏎️ @tenoh-haruka follow

gotta take care of my kitten while Mamoru is fucking around doing god knows what in America :) I’ve been told by her little brother that I could be a “discord admin” whatever that means 😎

🏳️‍⚧️ @search-for-your-love

Imagine leaving your GORGEOUS “fiancé” to study and not even bother to write her back. Couldn’t be me.This is soo embarrassing for him. Like: go boy! give us nothing!

She should just go out with me you know? She looks bisexual enough, dunno. Her little sister is really strange by the way. Do toddlers usually only ever say their name??? what the hell does “chibi!” mean I’m trying to rizz up your big sis 😣

Has anyone seen a bright red haired girl by any chance? No reason. Just curious.

[temptressofthewind]

Empress' 18+ Masterpost 🌹❤️💋

Welcome to my sideblog! Below you can find a compilation of all my explicit fanfics. Please do not interact with this account or any of the following works if you are under 18 :-)

Main blog: @empressofthewind

🌹 MULTICHAPTER FICS 🌹

Carnations

Rating: M | Chapters: 6/10 | Updated: 02.11.24

Hanahaki Disease happens in three stages - red carnations, to symbolise love and passion; yellow carnations, to symbolise rejection and disappointment; and white carnations, funeral flowers. The disease is caused by unrequited love, and can be cured either by receiving a confession or undergoing surgery. Once the flowers turn white, though, the disease becomes terminal. Near knew exactly three things about his condition when the petals started coming up. One, he was in love with Mello. Two, Mello wasn’t in love with him. Three, one of those things had to change.

Convictions

Rating: E | Chapters: 2/2 | Completed: 23.08.24

Near is adamant that Mello's confinement was never about control. Mello is not so easily convinced.

Prisoner

Rating: E | Chapters: 1/? | Updated: 22.08.24

“What is this all about, Near? What do you want from me?” “Ah. I was wondering when you would ask me that.” He retrieved a finger puppet replica of Mello from his pocket and held it up for the real Mello to see. Mello grimaced at the sight of it. It was an ugly little thing, with a burn scar drawn on in purple marker and blue eyes narrowed into half-moons. Yet another thing Near was using to mock him. “My plan to catch Kira will be implemented on the 28th of January, exactly one week from today.” Near laid the puppet on its side on the nightstand. “I can’t have you interfering with that plan.”

Minutes to Midnight (collab with @neallo)

Rating: E | Chapters: 3/3 | Completed: 24.03.24

This is the only issue Near has with letting Mello do all their debriefings: it’s easy for Near to stare, undetected and uninterrupted, for a long, long time. In New York, he mitigates this by spreading out on the floor and surrounding himself with toys or cards or dice. Whatever he needs to do to occupy himself. When they’ve travelled for cases before – which isn’t common by any stretch of the imagination – Near has relied on the movements and sounds of their colleagues to pull his attention away instead. The squeak of Rester’s chair, the tapping of Gevanni’s polished shoe, the sound of Lidner shuffling through papers. He uses whatever he can to keep his eyes off Mello. Out of sight, out of mind. Right now, he’s out of luck.

❤️ FICS IN A SERIES ❤️

Impulse

Rating: M | Words: 2 472 | Part 1 of Impulse

In the span of a few weeks, Mello and Near’s rendezvous had quickly become a regular part of Near’s work day; Mello would suggest a time and place, and Near would always agree. Near was perfectly content with the arrangement, as long as his employees didn’t find out.

Impetus (collab with @neallo)

Rating: E | Words: 4 888 | Part 2 of Impulse

Ten full days after Near had cruelly and callously broken Mello's heart over email— over email, for God's sake— Mello began to experience what could only have been demonic possession or divine inspiration. Or maybe that was just the whiskey and the wishing. -- In which Mello pines and plots to win Near back with a pizza and a few bad lies.

💋 STANDALONE FICS 💋

Imperfections

Rating: M | Words: 878 | Pairing: Matt/Light

Light was Matt's work in progress.

Marks

Rating: M | Words: 323 | Pairing: Mello/Near

There’s something about the way Mello loves Near.

Unstable Connection

Rating: E | Words: 1 869 | Pairing: Mello/Near

Eraldo Coil calls L at 5:13am.

Denial

Rating: E | Words: 392 | Pairing: Mello/Near

It isn’t romantic. At least, that’s what Mello is telling himself.

Unholy

Rating: E | Words: 6 507 | Pairing: Mello/Near

“If it means anything to you, I am glad you survived.” Mello shook his head. “I just don’t get why. If I were you, I’d want me dead.” There were so many reasons Near could have given. That Mello was brilliant and dedicated and passionate and fierce. That Mello was one of a kind, irreplaceable. That if Mello died, a void would open up in Near’s heart, one that could never be filled by another mortal soul; one that would slowly, surely kill him. Instead, he kept his response simple. “You told me you would be waiting for me at our destination,” he said. “It was only fair that you should live up to that promise.”

Drowning

Rating: E | Words: 802 | Pairing: Mello/Near

Near wasn't sure why Mello invited him of all people to spend the night with him, on his birthday, in a cheap hotel room in Japan. He just wasn't foolish enough to question it.

shot in the dark (collab with @neallo)

Rating: E | Words: 8 225 | Pairing: Mello/Near

Mello’s posture changes, abrupt but liquid-smooth, shoulders squaring and spine straightening as he raises the gun until Near is staring down the barrel of it. Blood rushes in his ears, loud. Mello licks his lips. “Get up.”

Distraction (collab with @neallo)

Rating: E | Words: 2 880 | Pairing: Mello/Near

The small pout Near offers in response would, under normal circumstances, result in the rapid undoing of Mello’s resolve. Worse still is that Near has begun writhing in his lap; not quite grinding on him, but shifting his weight in a way that’s troublesome nonetheless. Mello huffs. Near is fully aware of what he’s doing. He knows the effect he has on Mello. He’s teasing him. If that’s how this is going to be, then perhaps Mello will do a little teasing of his own.

Unfair

Rating: E | Words: 2 192 | Pairing: Mello/Near, Matt/Near

Mello wasn't Near's, and Near wasn't Mello's. But as long as Near kept his eyes closed, he could invent a world where everything worked out the way it was supposed to; a reality that wasn't so unfair.

dividers were made by @neallo <3

[neonponders]

Part 8 for @wrecked-fuse ‘s pocketverse 🌹🌹

~ Part 7 + ART!!! ~

~ on ao3 ~

• • •

Billy could not claim to have ever hung out at the Harrington residence. He had moved to Hawkins after Steve removed his crown and all interest in being Hawkins’ party king.

So the circumstances of walking into Steve’s house with two voices yell-singing out of a shoebox were not what Billy would have expected.

“Okay, little dudes. It’s food time,” Steve announced on his way to the kitchen.

Robin collapsed right onto the couch and turned the television on. Unsure what else to do with himself, Billy sat on the loveseat adjacent to the other couch. Then he asked, “Is it a good idea to have them in the kitchen?”

Robin answered, “They like having tasks. Little B, especially. Getting him to sit still is like a magic trick.”

Her gaze swept up with Billy standing to join Steve in the kitchen. “You antsy?”

He smiled venomously. “I think it’s rational to not trust anyone with a mini me.”

Her eyes rolled but her voice remained understanding. “If anyone’s capable of taking care of those little guys, it’s Steve. But by all means,” and she waved him away.

Billy navigated around the island counter to find his smaller self and the matching Steve standing on the pages of a cookbook. Larger Steve seemed to be trying and failing to sell them on mushrooms.

“It’s gway, Steve,” little Billy scolded over crossed arms. “Who wants gway food?”

“You don’t even notice it when it’s deep fried and covered in tomato sauce,” Steve reasoned, but the little ones moved out of his way to let him turn the page.

Large Billy leaned an elbow on the counter as they scrutinized the tomatoes stuffed with rice. “You’ll have better luck with that. Or Mexican food.”

Little Billy gazed up at him. “What’s Meckwican?”

“It’s colorful.”

“I like colwors.”

“I thought you might,” Billy confirmed with a smirk to Steve. “Who’s ordering?”

Steve took a deep breath and pushed off the counter to grab the collection of paper restaurant menus shoved between the refrigerator and the toaster. “Rob, what do you want?”

“Chicken sopes and a taco salad.”

“I’m not buying you two meals.”

“The salad is for tomorrow,” she reasoned.

“One bean burrito, coming right up,” Steve sassed, but his attention on the menu drifted up to little Steve and Billy climbing over the apples and pears in the fruit bowl like boulders. “Could you teach them how to swim?”

Big Billy’s eyes swung to him. “Excuse me?”

“I’ve got an old Barbie swimming pool - don’t look at me like that. Will you do it or not? It would save me the risk of a heart attack whenever they need a bath.”

Billy tipped his head to the side, not sparing Steve even a little bit. “What were you doing with Barbies, Steve?”

“This might not be relatable since you’re used to the ocean, but for a long time, I was the pool guy. The pool’s always been my ticket to making friends...or so I thought. Whatever. One summer, the only neighbor kids I had around me were girls. So I got a pool for their dolls. Are you a swimming instructor or not?”

Billy sighed and looked at his smaller self sitting on a pear like it were a horse and taking bites out of it. “I can get them started.”

Steve ordered their food and disappeared for a few minutes to get the small swimming pool out of storage. He cleaned it off in the sink, filled it with warm water, and Billy marveled, “You know, I would’ve said we could just use a casserole dish, but the slide and stairs are smart.”

Little Steve’s face lifted up to him, a blush making his cheeks go rosy as he smiled. “Smarwt Stevie.”

Big Steve waved some bathing suits in the air. “Are we skinny dipping or do you wanna change clothes?”

Billy’s eyes widened. “Where’d you get those? The sixties?”

Steve exhaled heavily. “We may or may not have a small doll collection, so what?”

“That’s such a rich people thing.”

“Yeah, well, they deserve a change of clothes and this is one less thing I have to explain to my mom when she looks at my card statements. Okay, B and Steve. Do you want the oranges or the flowers?”

He held up the swimming costumes for them to see and decide. All of a sudden, small Billy looked bashful as he tucked his chin and rolled his lips. Steve, meanwhile, hopped off the fruit bowl and pointed. “ ‘Wanges! Can I? Oh...Biwwy? Do you want the ‘wanges?”

He rubbed his tummy and admitted, “I want the fwowers.”

Large Billy’s brows pinched a little but he stayed quiet as big Steve encouraged, “You want the flowers one? That’s okay. It goes with your eyes.”

His lashes batted as he blinked up at him. “Weally?”

“Yeah,” Steve encouraged, “and they’re the same size. You can switch the next time you go swimming.”

Billy reached up for his swimsuit and they went to change in their shoebox. The larger Billy wondered aloud, “They have a sense of privacy?”

Steve shrugged. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to see themselves first before us.”

When they emerged, Steve spooned water over the slide. The little ones climbed the ladder and went down it together as if they rode a sled instead of a slide. The pool was shallow enough for them to stand, providing big Steve the relief he needed to answer the door. Robin followed behind him to help carry the bags, and they set up their feast on the island counter.

Billy had to use his Rec Center ID card as a floating board, but it fit both of them length-wise as they practiced their kicks. “Good job, guys. How about another ride on the slide while I get my food.”

Steve only just got a dishtowel down so they didn’t slip on their way around the pool. Robin passed Billy his bag and he held a nacho chip out for the little ones to take a bite at the top of the slide.

Big Steve scolded, “Aren’t you supposed to wait thirty minutes between swimming and eating or something?”

“I think they’ll be okay,” Billy disregarded, crunching loudly on his chips. “Swimming 101 is just getting comfortable in the water. So...isn’t this supposed to be a movie night?”

“Movwie! Movwie! Movwie!” the little Steve and Billy chanted, thoroughly locked in chasing each other down the slide and back around.

Big Steve nodded over his burrito. “When they start to slow down...then the movie seals the deal.”

Billy snorted softly and kept providing a nacho station for them to run past. Eventually, the exercise and food did take their toll, and they collapsed on the dishtowel. Given their old school, linen swimsuits, they dried off pretty fast, but little Steve eventually sat up and started patting Billy’s hair. The larger Billy observed this as the smaller one whined a tired sound.

“Biwwy, don’t get sick.”

“I won’ get sick. That’s what Stevie’s always sayin’.”

However, big Steve seconded with a restaurant napkin in hand. “Gimme those ears.”

Little Billy sat up in a huff, but sat still for Steve to gently push the napkin against his ears to siphon the water out of them. Then he folded it to get into the nooks and crannies of his ears and jaw. “Thank you, B. Okay, you next.”

That rosy hue filled little Billy’s cheeks as he mumbled a weak, “You’rwe wewlcome.”

Little Steve, meanwhile, stood up tall, blissful in his pampering. “Stevie? Can we have the honey tea?”

“ ‘Course you can. Go with Billy to the coffee table. He and Rob will get the movie going.”

It was little Steve’s turn to blossom a pink hue as they climbed onto Billy’s palms. They planted their butts down and held onto each other as Billy magic carpeted them to the setup of plushies on the coffee table. Small Steve gingerly stepped off his hand with a bashful, “Thankwou, Biwwy.”

“You’re welcome,” he answered quietly - 

Only to glare at Robin, who sat on the couch behind him. “You’re allowed to like them. I won’t spill.”

Small Billy lingered on the hand as he exclaimed, “Spiww what?”

She segued smoothly, “Won’t spill that we got Indiana Jones to watch. That is, if it’s not too scary.”

Billy finally got off the hand with a scoff. “Scawy? We watched the wed buwll and that wasn’t scawy.”

Little Steve perked up from the fluff of an otter. “It was a wittle scawy.”

“We can fast forward through the scary parts,” Robin promised, and slotted the VHS into the player. But as soon as she turned back around, her eyes widened. “Uh oh.”

“I knew it!” cried Billy from the doll box that had been placed on the coffee table. Little Billy climbed out, grinning victoriously with the tiny whip in hand and the hat on his head. “I’m weady!”

Robin glanced up at Steve in the kitchen, too busy trying to mix a safe temperature of water and honey together. “Uh, B? Can I talk to you about that - No no nonono...”

“Hey! Wobin? What gives?” little Billy exclaimed when she pinched the whip to keep him from waving it around.

“B, I’m sorry, but Steve doesn’t want you to have that.”

“Well Stevie can kiss my ass!”

That got a rankled Steve to come out of his otter plush. “Biwwy. Be nice.”

Robin corralled, “Billy, these things are use to hurt people. They’re not toys. You’ll see that in the movie.”

The fire started to go out of those blue eyes. “Hurwt peopwle?”

She nodded gravely. “We know you won’t mean to, but the whip might hurt your Steve. Even worse, you’re more likely to hurt yourself. That’s just how whips are. Big Steve loves you too much to tell you.”

His little body deflated as the large Steve finally arrived with a shot glass of honey tea. Seeing the body language on the coffee table, he sent inquiring looks to Billy and Robin.

Little Billy replied sadly, “Does Indiana Jwones hurt himself?”

“No, but it’s a movie, sweet B. It’s not real. You’re real and your Steve’s real. That’s way cooler than Indiana Jones.”

Big Steve sank onto the couch next to Billy. “What’s going on?”

“What’s going on, is that I’m not sure I like being sweet talked by proxy.”

Finding that unhelpful, Steve leaned forward to intercept. “Hey? Little man? Are you okay?”

Little Billy was absolutely not okay, because his bottom lip pushed up, his eyes went big, and he dropped the whip in order to run into Steve’s hands. Steve glared at Robin and mouthed, What did you do?

I handled it, she replied, dropping the whip back into the box.

Little Steve dragged his otter across the table, or as much as he could with stuff in his way. “Stevie! Helwp!”

“Okay, okay, come here,” he soothed, picking up all three so small Billy and Steve could cuddle together against the soft fur while being held in big Steve’s arms. Little Billy bawled his eyes out during the opening of the movie, warranting big Steve to peek at the large Hargrove next to him. “It’s kind of wild how much their little bodies can hold onto. I thought you’d have stepped in by now.”

However, Billy’s mouth had been set in a hard line for a while now, and he shook his head. “I’m out of my element here, man.”

“No crying kids at your pool?”

“I put shit heads in line. Beyond that, it’s the parents who cause more issues.”

Robin leaned across her armrest to query, “Steve, I thought you were lifeguard certified? You really were the pool guy for years, after all.”

“Sure, but I think they like having Billy around.”

“I wike having big Biwwy awround.”

They looked down at little Steve, who was practically lying on top of small Billy, who blinked sometimes at the movie, but otherwise seemed too tired to really watch it.

“Biwwy does too. I know it. Biwwy wants to be stwong, like big Biwwy.”

But Billy shook his head. “I’m not the kind of guy to look up to, Harrington.”

Big Steve absorbed that in silence. For all of the Hawkins’ renowned lifeguard’s peacocking, Billy had never said anything like that before.

“Then wook down to us. My Biwwy’s smarwt, and nice,” little Steve smiled and finished, “Hawgwove.”

For a brief moment, Billy lost control of his face and his features crumpled, his eyes glossing over as his brows furrowed together. But he got a hand over his mouth, scrubbing his features clean. “Just watch the movie, short stack. He’ll feel better after he sleeps.”

[delopsia]

do not ask me how this relates to picking a bottle out of the ocean and shaking a bouquet of these 🌹out if it, but the floytts wanted me to tell you that they’re going on a roadtrip for your birthday, but they need a little help planning it…

🛻💕🚙

ok, so who’s driving the most, and whose vehicle are they taking?

you kind of touched on this in my this / that ask lmao, so i feel like it’ll be rhett but...

who has over packed? who has under packed? 

my money is on rhett because he’s a cute little outfit repeater lmao like, depending on how long they’re gone he’s probably got a couple pairs of jeans and boots, a few hoodies, buttery soft t-shirts (that he knows will rotate between the three of them), flannels, and thermals—all in one suitcase with so much room to spare. reader and robby are like, “baby, what the hell?”

who sleeps the most between destinations? who, for whatever reason, can hardly sleep at all? 

who tries to read, and who warns them against it lest they get motion sick? 

you also touched on robby getting carsick if he rides in the backseat in my this / that ask! and! i remember your “rhett gets motion sick on the hay ride” headcanon which makes me think that he needs to sit facing forward in / on a moving vehicle (or horse?) or things start spinning and his belly starts swooping in a bad way 😬 so that makes me think reader is almost never leaving the back seat lmao 

and what about gas station snacks? do they do a grocery run and pre-pack, or when they stop for gas, is rhett like “hold my beer, cutie pies!” 😉 and goes on a delightfully wild but efficient rampage through the convenience store and comes out with an actually pretty damn good haul featuring his own old favorites but also things robby and reader have mentioned liking—as well as a couple things they didn’t even know they’d like?

reader and rhett do almost heatedly rock paper scissor for the last cow tail before robby takes it from the bag at a deserted intersection, rips it in half, takes a bite from both halves and then hands them the remaining pieces. they grumble quietly to themselves but savor the rest of the sweet treat until they come to another station…

*whispers* my preferred car snacks used to be combos (hard pretzels with cheese inside) + strawberry kiwi gatorade, and fudge stripes + sour cream and onion chips. what are / were yours?

who’s tryna stop off at any and all roadside attractions, small towns, and vintage diners? ARE THEY GETTING THOSE WESTERN PHOTOS TAKEN? y’know, the ones where you dress up and they take your photo with the sepia toned filter over it

do the spend any of their nights camping along the trip? maybe sleeping cuddled up snug under the stars in the truck bed? or are they trying to stay in affordable but safe hotels to be able to explore towns and cities along the way?

Birthday road trips?? Oh my god 🥹 🌹 Join my Birthday Bouquet Event! 💐

They're most likely taking a rental or Reader's car because those household trucks do not get good gas mileage at all. Nor is there a whole lot of room in those tiny backseats 🥴that was a lesson Rhett and Bobby learned while hauling stuff from Wyoming when they first moved.

Rhett's definitely doing most of the driving; he does best on those long stretches of highway. Bob comes in when they're getting off on exits and navigating unfamiliar streets. He may drive like a smell, but at least he isn't going to miss every turn like Rhett will. It's a gamble if the Reader will ever get behind the wheel because those boys will get motion sick if nobody is careful.

Rhett can handle sitting in the back, so long as he takes a pill to keep the nausea at bay, but Bobby simply cannot make it work. He absolutely has to be glued to the passenger or driver seat. But he also tends to just? Forget? How prone he is to getting nauseous? Reader and Rhett get onto him so much for trying to read and watch things on his phone because, without fail, they're gonna have to make an emergency pit stop.

The ratty blanket in the trunk isn't for warmth; it's so that Bob can lay flat on the ground and gather his bearings.

Bobby is also the one who has, somehow, overpacked.

You would think he'd be the best at it, considering the whole 'six months away on an aircraft carrier' thing, but alas. He's the one using his body weight to hold his suitcase closed while he fiddles with the zipper 😒 Bobby strikes me as someone who rolls all of his clothes to conserve space. He simply doesn't realize that the extra space made him think he under-packed.

Rhett was clever enough to realize that Bobby packed enough for the both of them combined. Why should he pack a bunch of stuff when he can steal from Bob? He's got:

Ten pairs of socks (he put half the damn drawer in there),

Five of his comfy T-shirts

Four pairs of jeans

Three flannels

Three hoodies (one for each of them to wear),

One pair of boots

And one pair of sneakers

It's not even folded; he's just shoved it all in there and called it a day.

The Reader is the only one who packed accordingly. You know...an outfit for every day, including something formal in the event they go out to a nice restaurant. And here, they thought they were overdoing it with the spare outfits.

Everyone packed at separate times, so nobody knew the situation until they got to the first hotel room. Rhett could have sized down a bag. Meanwhile, the recoil on Bob's tightly bound suitcase could have killed him 🙄

Rhett is not a traveler in the slightest; this whole new bed thing has him wide awake nearly every night. But he'll sleep like a baby on the last night of their stay. It's a genuine curse. Bobby used to be the same way, but he managed to get over it after his first deployment. Everyone in this household is jealous of how quickly Bob can fall asleep.

Bob certainly made an effort to pre-pack snacks, but the problem is that sometimes you get on the road and you're just not in the mood for what you brought. He put together some mini fruit bowls and baked some treats to go in the cooler, and a household shopping trip brought home a bunch of different snacks, but it's hard to resist grabbing things from the gas station.

If Rhett is allowed to shop on his own whilst Bob messes with the gas, then he'll come back with all sorts of things. Beef jerky, two variants of Chex mix, popcorn, mini cheesecakes, donuts, three various bags of candy (including Bob's beloved gummy worms), and that's just the pre-packaged stuff.

The other bag in his hand is full of potato wedges, fried chicken, pizza slices, beef and bean burritos, fried okra, hot dogs, and, if the gas station had it, fried catfish. He's wrangled a whole damn meal in the span of like ten minutes. And while it sounds like a lot (because it is) Robby is the household vacuum cleaner.

Wildly, Bob was somewhat afraid of the burrito because? The damn thing has been deep-fried? But in five minutes, it's gone. Even he's a little surprised.

I cannot BELIEVE you said one of your preferred snacks used to be combos. I used to love the pizza ones, but one way or another, I got a horribly expired bag of them and haven't been able to touch them since. It's been ten years, and the sight of the bag still makes me shiver 😭 My go-to's lean toward Smartfood white cheddar popcorn, Hershey's almond chocolate bars, and a Pepsi. I might grab a slim Jim if my options are limited, but the texture of those sometimes squick me out...

All three are scrambling to stop at every roadside attraction that they see. Rhett wants to see this little town they use to film old westerns. The Reader just found an absurd "world largest ___" attraction that they're now dying to see. Robby has been thinking about that historical diner for the past 27 miles. But they also want to stop in the town on their itinerary, and it's just so! Much! The trip winds up taking horribly long because they didn't anticipate finding so much to do.

The Western photos are a scheme hatched by Bob and Reader; Rhett hardly realizes he's been roped into it until the lady at the desk whips out a camera. "Really? Cowboys don't even dress like this🙄" but begrudgingly goes with it. He already looks the part, aside from the logo on his jacket.

And that's the exact reason why, on the way back, Rhett finally wins his argument on camping for a night. They already have half the setup, and nobody realized until midway through the trip that he packed the damn camping gear. It's only fair, considering he had to sit on a fake horse for one of those photos. They're practically set with all the snacks stored up in the back seat.

Rhett may not have slept well in the comfy, five-star hotel beds, but he's snug as a bug on the squeaky air mattress. He doesn't even need a pillow; his head is nestled on the Reader's belly, Bobby's playing with his hair, and he's gone.

He is also unwittingly involved in a second photoshoot. They manage to get about six different hats on him before he rolls over and away from the cameras 📸

[abubblingcandle]

🌹🌹 roses for you!

Muchly appriciated. Focus today has been on Ch3 of Where the Hell is the Karma? which I don't really want to share any of because it should be up tomorrow (you know when I said it was nearly done at 3600 words ... it's now 7000 lol), and A Treatment Room Doors Moment because I'm having a kick of inspiration for it. So hears a little bit from Ch5 of ATRDM

“How about this Pheebs? We find Uncle Roy a nice café and get him some ice cream and you tell me all about your season so far while queueing for that Spongebob ride so we don’t have to take your bag with us?” Jamie grinned, bending down to Phoebe’s height to discuss with her. “I can fucking ride the Spongebob ride,” Roy growled. “But wouldn’t it be nicer to have ice cream instead of having to queue with loads of ew, children,” Jamie replied in his best talking to a child voice and Phoebe giggled. “I can fucking ride the Spongebob ride,” Roy repeated, gritting his teeth to try and not lash out at Jamie. Jamie sighed, worrying his lip and staring at the floor. “Mind giving me and your uncle a moment Pheebs. How about you grab that bench for us?” Jamie’s forced smile returned and Phoebe nodded, running to claim a seat before someone else grabbed it. Jamie gave her a little nod before turning to face Roy, smile still plastered on his face. “What the fuck are you doing Roy?” he hissed through clenched teeth. “What the fuck are you doing trying to sideline me?” Roy snapped. “You can barely walk you twat. I know you should be on crutches right now but chose not to start a fight about that. We’ve been on our feet most of the day. Every time you walk up stairs the noise makes me want to vomit. I’m trying to save your leg and also your mood. That queue is fucking long. Just sit down, read a book and eat some ice cream instead of suffering for literally no fucking reason. Fucking idiot,” Jamie ranted. “My knee is fine. I got that damn surgery so that I could do things with Phoebe, so that she wouldn’t have to not do things because of my injuries anymore,” Roy grunted. “Great, well done you for making one sensible choice in the last god knows how long but one, Phoebe isn’t missing out because the hottest footballer in the prem is going to take her on whatever rides she wants and buy her so much sugar because he doesn’t have to witness the consequences. Two, if you fuck up your knee more by being a stubborn little shit then you are just going to miss out on more in the future,” Jamie stated, counting his points on his fingers. Roy had to do the one thing that he hated more than anything else in the world … admit that Jamie had a point.