#or progressively blacking out from no water or food

[charliemwrites]

Post-nap warm up

(Edit: still not canon; sorry guys! This is more of an au to the au)

Content: Animal Injury (Non-Descriptive)

You wake up, as you do most days now, to two warm bodies sandwiching yours. Johnny on your left, practically curled around you with his big head on your chest, lightly snoring. On your right, with his body stretched along yours and chin on your head, is Ghost.

You had originally settled on Phantom, but in the course of calling him silly nicknames, you realized he responds to “Ghost” better.

You yawn, stretch as carefully as you can. Both dogs groan and huff. Johnny tries to snuggle in harder, while Ghost sits up with a drawn out sigh.

“Cmon, big baby,” you coo at Johnny’s sad eyes, smoothing your thumb in the silky fur between them, “it’s time to get up.”

He relents only when Ghost shoves his nose under Johnny’s chin and starts nudging him up. You chuckle as Johnny goes out of his way to sneeze on him, earning him a grumble. They two of them shake off while you sit up and stretch, adjusting your skewed tank top to hide your breasts.

The boys follow you into the bathroom for your morning pee, then into the kitchen while Johnny starts chugging from the water bowl while Ghost stations himself next to one of the cabinets, watching you futz with the coffeemaker.

You drop scratches on his head every time you pass, smiling a bit when he licks your palm in return. As your coffee in brewing, you pause to kneel in front of him, dropping kisses all over his face.

“You’ve been doing so well, honey bun,” you murmur, laying your cheek on his head. “I’m so proud. Such a good boy.”

He licks your neck - the only part of you he can reach without dislodging you. For as big and rough as he can be (especially with Johnny) Ghost has been oddly gentle with you since the beginning.

Oh, sure. He can be loud and grumbly - even showed you his teeth once. But he’s never snapped at you, knocked you over, or even really stepped on you while snuggling in. It’s incredibly endearing and you’re sure to encourage him every chance you get.

“I love you, ghost,” you croon as you pull away.

His ears go forward, then back, then forward again. You grin, drop one last kiss on his nose.

“I do,” you continue laughing, “you’re my big shy baby and I love you.”

He huffs. Johnny comes in then, barrels right into you with tail wagging, whining as he nuzzles up under your chin.

“I love you too, John Bon,” you chuckle, wrapping your arms around his thick neck. “My precious snuggle bug.”

He makes a little “ruff” noise that you like to imagine is agreement. You give him one last kiss as well before standing to make your coffee.

They pile onto the couch with you for morning shows, then follow you around the house as you do chores. Around midday you make yourself a little lunch and then say the magic words.

“Wanna go for a walk?”

Johnny is instantly bouncing and barking, causing a fuss. Ghost wags, plumed tail sweeping conservatively side to side. You have to wrestle Johnny into his harness, muttering at him under your breath the entire way.

Ghost isn’t much better. Getting him accustomed to the harness has been a work in progress. Apparently he’s not food or play motivated, so training him to even tolerate it has been a challenge. The first two or three times you nearly had to chase him down (thought you were going to get bit one or twice) and even needed Johnny to help.

It’s been better lately, though - even if you have to negotiate him coming over to get strapped in. The black and silver gear is gorgeous on his cream colored fur and you’re sure to tell him that as you clip him in.

Once the boys are geared up, you finish dressing yourself and then open the back door. Ghost charges ahead as usual, ears forward and eyes sharp. Johnny splits off, weaving amongst the trees but returning to your side every couple minutes.

You hit the usual hiking trail with both boys, humming to yourself as they orbit around you. They never stray far, always checking your position and circling back to get a check-in scritch.

Maybe half an hour passes before both boys, currently flanking you, suddenly go alert. You pause, watching their bodies tense, ears forward, eyes focused somewhere ahead, mouths closed.

Ghost barks low and rough. And then they bolt.

You curse, knowing they wouldn’t leave your side for just anything, and hurry to follow.

When you finally catch up, your boys have cornered two men on separate sides of a clearing. They’re crouched low, tense, snarling and growling like thunder.

And there, cowering in the center of the clearing, is perhaps the biggest dog you’ve ever seen. You take in the big stick on the ground, the scattered rocks - nearly gag when you see a couple drops of blood.

Fury burns through you.

“What the hell did you do?!” you shout.

“Call your fuckin’ dogs off!” one of them shouts.

“Fuck off,” you snap in return, Ghost barking roughly with you.

You tug your phone from your pocket. When one of them sees, he starts towards you, only for Johnny to snap viciously at his hand, even drawing blood. He shouts and grabs at his hand, going pale. The other one starts yelling, but you ignore him, knowing your boys will keep them in line.

You dial the police, explain the situation and give your location. While you wait, you turn your attention to the lump of fur in the middle of the forest.

You creep slowly closer, positioning yourself where he can see you coming. The dog’s ears are pinned flat to their skull, mouth pulled tight in fear and pain, eyes squinted.

“Hi gorgeous,” you murmur. An answering whine breaks your heart. “Oh honey, I know. I’m sorry. It’s okay now. I’m here. We’ll keep you safe.”

You inch closer and closer. Stop whenever they twitch like they’re going to run. You dig into a pocket of your coat and extract a treat, gently toss it close to their nose. A twitch, a wet-eyed blink, and then they finally seem to come to life, carefully sniffing at your offering.

“Good baby,” you coo, “so brave.”

The police arrive quicker than you expect, and the dog curls up tight again while you explain the situation. Johnny and Ghost are reluctant to be called off, but a sharp word has them back at your side while the two men are arrested for suspected animal cruelty.

You assure them that you’ll take care of the injured dog - Johnny and Ghost sat like guards at your sides. Once it’s just you and the pups, you turn back to the poor injured dog.

“I know that was scary, sweetie. It’s okay now. No one’s going to hurt you.”

The dog’s ears flick, listening but not trusting. You sigh softly, inch a bit closer.

“Johnny?” you call. “Come here, come see if you can help.”

Johnny turns, follows your pointing. He sniffs at the other dog, licks their ears and forehead, coaxing them out of their tight, terrified curl. You guide Johnny down to his stomach, putting them at similar levels.

On your other side, Ghost leans into your side, watching with those too-sharp, too-intelligent eyes.

As the injured dog slowly starts to unwind, you offer your hand, let them sniff carefully at your palm and wrist.

“There we go,” you soothe as a nervous tongue flicks over your skin. “You’re doing so well, darling.”

Johnny starts wiggling with excitement, nudging at the other dog and whining quietly. Ghost joins, nosing gently at the other dog’s side until they finally shift and start crawling closer to you.

You stare at the size of their paws - nearly bigger than your own palm. They scoot closer and closer until nearly in your lap, snout inching beneath your shirt to press against your stomach.

You smooth your hand over their head, waiting until you see their tail wagging slow and cautious.

“Good baby,” you whisper. “You wanna come home with me, pretty baby?”

Main Story | Ghost | Konig pt. 2

Masterlist

[iwantoseemybonesss]

wl tips and tricks

1. spend your calories on healthy food obviously and eat enough Protein

2. cold showers are so good

3. Water, Water and Water!!! Drink a lot of water (cold)

4. Drink very warm water in the morning on an empty stomach this helps you with digestion and you can easily go to the toilet

5. Never drink your calories thats such a waste! If you‘re bored of Water, drink black coffee or sugar free tea

6. SLEEP! You burn a lot of calories while sleeping! if you don't sleep enough and and you're awake all night it doesn’t do anything

7. I recommend eating under 1000 calories a day! See what works best for you without binge eating afterwards! (I eat max. 400cals a day)

8. Don't weigh yourself too often as your weight will fluctuate throughout the day and this will make you less motivated. 1-2 times a day is enough. In the morning on an empty stomach and after you finished being on the toilet

9. walking!! Walk a lot!

10. Jogging or Running.

11. Eat slowly for better digestion and you don't bloat before eating drink water!!

12. Less carbohydrates more proteins! and vitamin!!!!!

13. Always weigh your food! Without knowing how much you've eaten, you don't know how many calories you've consumed

14. Don't tell anyone and surprise them with your you‘re new body!! Don‘t look for thinspo be the thinspo

15. buy clothes that make you look slimmer and emphasize your figure

16. Always stand up straight and elegantly as this will make you look purer, slimmer and more beautiful

17. don't disappoint Ana, she just want the best for you so listen to her

18. take before and after pictures to follow and realize your progress

19. zero drinks can cause your fat burning to stop and it is also unhealthy

20. Help a lot around the house (cleaning, tidying up,...) burns extra calories

21. Distract yourself from eating, be active and don't have time for eating! such as learning, drawing, playing, napping, ...

22. If you really want to eat something but don't allow yourself to, you can chew it and spit it out (you still swallow very few calories but not all of them!) its better than puking!!!

23. Cold burns calories but don't go out dressed too thin as you'll get sick more quickly than others

24. save calories! For example, if you want to eat toast, you can cut a slice in half into thin slices so you have a lid and a base made from one slice

25. always looking for excuses such as: I've already eaten, I'm going out to eat with friends, I have a stomach ache and the classic: I'm not hungry

26. buy clothes that are a size or 2 small so you are more motivated

[resi4skz]

O8 IMAGINE SERIES

HYUNJIN

Synopsis: Instructor Hyunjin wants to paint one of his students, but in a way only the way he wants.

Pairings: Hwang Hyunjin x fem!reader

Warnings: teacher/student relationship, smut, pene*ration, p in v, MDNI

Words: 30k+

A/N: these series will be connected to each other and as the stories progress, couples from the previous part will be making an appearance in each part, even if cameo.

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

You had been sitting in front of your laptop, waiting as you sip on ice cold water. The humming of the AC and the chatter ofd the TV is in the background. You had been staring at the screen for the past 30 minutes. You were waiting to enroll in a class as it was the only class you had to take before graduating in the fall. You were nervous but you had the confidence that you'll get a spot just in time as it was a very popular and famous class, taught by Professor Hwang Hyunjin. Although he preferred students calling him Hyunjin.

Now, Professor Hyunjin was young and pretty attractive for a painting instructor. At the age of 25, he had pursued his passion for painting and even had a few pieces displayed in the university hallways. Apparently he had won a few prizes too. You had seen him once. At the cafeteria in between your classes. He was sitting, eating his lunch looking very.....handsome in the blue flannel with a white shirt underneath. That wasn't what made everyone drawn to him. No.

It was the glasses.

Thin framed with round shape, casting a soft glow around him. A strand of hair covering his forehead making him look irresistible yet sophisticated. And you swore time stopped when he made eye contact with you. The brown eyes blinked at you before looking down at the food and took a bite of a burger. Even eating, he looked attractive. Even a couple of students passing by couldn't help but stare, some even greeting him.

He looked like a model. With his sharp jawline and height, he could be mistaken as a model. That was the day you took an interest in his class. It was also the day you found out that he was the only instructor that taught pottery as well.

You bring your focus back to your laptop and move the cursor and click on his class. Scrolling down, you see a spot available and immediately click on it. It takes you to the next page. "I did it!" You say once you see your name on the class name list. "Yes!" You shoot your arms out in victory.

Graduation day seemed a lot closer to you now.

------------------------------------------------------------

Scratch that. Because you're sitting in the third row, in awe of the person standing in the middle of the room wearing a black, long sleeve sweater. His hair was tied back, a few strands sticking out as he spoke. "The trick with sketching is, you can erase as you go. But with painting," he says raising a paintbrush and drawing a red line on a canvas. "This is permanent. It will be permanent and erasing isn't as easy as you would think as many of may already know."

You couldn't help but pick up your stencil and your hand moves on your sketchbook as you look up and down making the right curves and lines. Yes, you wanted to draw him ever since you saw him in the university's cafeteria. You tuned everything out as you sketch in the book.

When you finally look up, you're met with paint splattered on an apron. You crane your neck up and you forget how to breathe. Up close, he was more beautiful. And those glasses-

"Y/N, is it?"

You visibly gulp and nod. Holy shit, he's tall. Taller than you. But how the hell did he know your name?

"May I?" He gestures to your sketch pad and you hand it to him. Your cheeks were red from embarrassment. "Wow. This is good. And you just did this just now?"

"Yes." It was a sketch of him, specifically his face on the entire page.

"Hmm, I don't like it when students don't pay attention but," he looks down at you and smirks but you swore you saw something in his eyes, "I'll let it go since you drew me and," his eyes travel down, as if to see your outfit. But it felt like.....like.....you don't know what it felt it. "And since you're a beautiful woman, I'll let it to go this once."

"Thank you," you managed to say. He called you beautiful and you don't know how to process such a compliment.

"Good girl." He gave the book back to you as he went back to his previous position.

Once again, you're taken aback with him calling you a 'good girl.' Is this why everyone was obsessed with him? Sure, he was a pretty guy and everyone in the class was in awe of him. As he continued to teach, you actually listened this time. He even demonstrated a painting in front of us.

The precision with each stroke of the paintbrush and the determined look on his face made everyone in awe once again. "Alright," he turns around. "I did the base. Who wants to finish the rest?"

A few hands go up and you feel eyes on you. That's when you realize he's actually looking at you. "How about you, pretty girl?"

"Me?"

"Yes, care to entertain us with your imagination?"

You gulp and stand up. Every eye is on you now. You mentally hype yourself up before walking over. You grab the paintbrush Hyunjin offers you and give him a small smile before standing in front of the black colored canvas. Taking a deep breath, you lift your hand.

------------------------------------------------------------

Hyunjin watches you paint and smiles as he sits on a stool nearby. He can't help but think how much you remind him of his college days. He was also picked to paint in front of his class. Intrigued, he watches your techniques as you take a different brush before dipping in a different color. He watches your hand and your eyes scrunch in concentration, which he found cute for some reason. "Rest of you are free to sketch, draw and paint for the rest of the class."

As the students got busy, he finds himself looking at you again. This time he watches your expressions. The small button nose, the full cheeks and the lips. Fuck, those plump lips would look so good around his co-

He blinks and shakes the thought away. What was he doing, thinking of a student like that?

He straightens himself again. His eye catches your butt as you bend to pick a fallen paintbrush on the floor. Lord, give him strength. He re-adjusted his jeans because he thought your ass was the perfect size for multiple of his hand prints.

Stop it, he told himself. She's your student and you're her teacher. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he lets out a sigh when a pair of feet shuffle towards him. He looks up to find you standing.

"I'm... uhm done," you say shyly.

"Oh?" He cocks an eyebrow at her. "That was," he goes around her and his words gets caught in his throat, "....fast."

Holy shit.

There is no way she drew the whole thing in such a short amount of time. "This is...."

"Bad, I know."

"Are you kidding? This is good. In fact, so good that I want to hang it up in class." The vivid brush strokes of green, blue and white blended into the red and black, fhe red being the rose petals and the black being the rose turning into a black rose. Wow, just wow.

Your eyes widen in surprised. "You're pulling my leg."

Oh, he'd be pulling something alright if there wasn't an audience.

"I can assure you I'm not," he tells her.

"Oh."

"If you're not comfortable with it, I will just keep it in the back with the others or take it home." He didn't want to make you uncomfortable with the idea of your work hanging on a wall.

"No, it's okay," you smile. "You can put it up on a wall."

"Alright."

For some odd reason, you were happy that your work made him happy. You go back to your seat and just as you sit down, your phone buzzes in your jeans pocket. There was only one person who would text you in class.

Your roommate/friend, Felix.

F: bestie, when does your class finish?

Y/n: in an hour, why?

F: oh shit

Y/n: ??? Whats going on?

F: shes in the cafe again and I'm panicking

Y/n: ask her out already? You're such a simp

F: sigh, channie hyung is here, i'll talk to you later

Rolling your eyes, you pull out your sktechbook again. After a while, you felt something, like a pair of eyes watching you so you look up and almost choke of air. His head was resting on his hand, his elbows propped on the table. His bottom lip in between his teeth....

You cross your legs and pulled your hoodie up to hide the blush on your cheeks. Why was he looking at you like that? You shake off the feeling and go back to sketching for the rest of the class.

When you get back to your shared apartment, it smelled like cookies. "Felix? Did you bake again?" You say, walking into the kitchen. "Oh." You stop mid-step when you see Felix and some other guy standing in the kitchen.

"Oh, hey, Y/N," Felix smiles turning around. "Say hello to my other Australian brother, Chan."

"Hi. I'm Y/N. I've heard about you from Felix," you said.

"Good things I hope," Chan says and turns around. Your breath leaves your body as you look at him. Where does Felix finds these godly like men? "Felix tells me you're a painter?"

"Ah, yes. Last semester till I graduate," you replied.

"Are you, by any chance, in Hwang Hyunjin's class?"

You gape at him. "How did you know?!"

He chuckles, dimples forming on the left corner of his lips. "He's our friend."

"What?"

"Oh, Hyunjin is a very good friend of ours. We've known him since high school," Felix tells you.

"Ah," you nod your head. Again, where does Felix finds these men?!

"I hope he's not giving your any trouble?" Chan asked.

"Oh no no. He's a great teacher. He said he might teach us pottery too," you say, taking your phone out from your pocket.

"Well, if he bothers you, just tell us, yeah?"

You nod at him before you hear Felix shut the oven door, freshly baked cookies in his hand. "Alright, who wants some?"

"You know," you begin as you grab a cookie, "if you spent as much time as you do baking as you do on girls, maybe you'd have a girlfriend.by now."

Chan snorts and you bite into the cookie while Felix narrows his eyes at you. "Hey, I thought my cookies were delicious."

"I didn't say they weren't," you tell him, going for a second cookie. "I just said it wouldn't hurt to ask."

"Y/N," Felix pouts. "You know I can't go up to her and-"

Your phone ringing interrupts the conversation. "Sorry, I have to take this," you excuse yourself to your room and hold the phone to your ear. "Yes?"

"Open your email."

"Well, hello to you too, Maya," you grab your laptop and open the screen. You click on the email icon and click on the latest one. "Is this..."

"Yup. He's going to be giving 1 on 1 pottery lessons if we show him a painting or sktech after every class and he'll choose a student that he will teach. And...."

"And? What?" You ask, curious.

"He's already picked a permanent student for the lessons."

You scroll down and let out a gasp.

------------------------------------------------------------

"Alright, that's it for today," Hyunjin dismisses his class. "The students who are staying for pottery class can stay."

Every student exits the class except you. You get nervous as each student stepped out. You try your best to calm yourself but he comes out wearing a white shirt and worn out jeans. What a sight.

"Y/N?"

Now if only those hands would slide down your-

"Y/N?"

"Huh?" You snap back into reality and look at the man in front of you, sitting on a chair.

"Shall we?" He gestures to clay on pottery wheel.

"Oh. Right. Yes," you sit on a chair beside him. "I have to tell you that I have worked with clay before, maybe a few years ago so I'm out of touch."

"That's fine. I can help you," he gives you a smile and you swore you saw a hint of mischievous in it but that could be just you. You were in a trance, once again. "Bring back that touch of yours."

After a beat, he says, "Show me what you can do."

You raise your eyebrow.

"Just so I can know what I'm working with."

"Right." You press the pedal and the pottery wheel starts moving. You wet your hands and work on the glob of clay, making it wet with your fingers. You move your middle and ring finger in the middle and press firmly as the clay starts making its shape.

"Ah, no. Not like that. You'll make it out of shape," he tells you as his wet hand mends with your hand, pressing firmly. You realize the sudden close proximity and you don't dare look to your right. "There. If you make the base more studier, whatever you'll make won't break when you take it off for baking."

His hand was still on top of yours, his middle and ring finger mending with yours on the wet clay. "That's it," he says. His fingers press more firmly and in this moment all he wanted to do was put you on the table behind him. Have his way with you. Both of your fingers move in an up and down motion, mimicking a very certain move -- you couldn't put your finger on it. "Y/N? Are you alright?"

You finally look to the right, never realizing your breathing has gotten more frantic. He stares down at you, his eyes land on your parted lips then back to your gaze. He leans down, tilting his head along the way and all you could do was blink. "Y/N."

Fuck. Your name in that almost whisper, husky voice did things to your lady bits. "Hyunjin..."

That broke the damn wall. You heard him growl before smashing his lips down on yours. A whimper escapes your mouth as your body betrays you by moving your lips. His hand goes around the nape of your neck, sending shivers down your body.

You stand and fist his shirt, pulling him more into you. "Y/N, slow down, flower. You're going to-"

You push him off, coming to your senses.

"Y/N?"

"This was.....I'm sorry," you grab your things and run out before he could get a word out.

------------------------------------------------------------

For the next few weeks, you avoid him at all costs. As soon as the class was dismissed, you were the first one to exit. You needed to avoid him. You could feel him watching you, your every move in class. So you did your best and put all your focus on the paintings. Somewhere around second week, he started painting during class as well.

Flowers. All he drew was flowers. Pink, blue, yellow and red flowers. In all your 22 years, you have never found such an attractive man painting on a canvas, with sleeves rolled up. You had to force yourself to concentrate on your work.

He wasn't in any better position either. Whenever he saw you in his class, he was reminded of the kiss. He didn't want to kiss you, heck he wanted to do more than that. When you looked up, with your parted lips, he simply couldn't resist. You tasted like peaches. He wanted to peel off the layers and suck on the flesh but the look on your face when you pushed him off was enough for him to put the brakes on.

It was friday night and he was hanging out with his buddies. As he swirled the liquid in his hand, he was quiet more than usual. And it was obvious to others. "Hyunjin-ah, what's the problem? Why are you so quiet?" Chan asked, the oldest of them all.

"It's nothing," Hyunjin lied but a part of him wanted to tell Chan.

"If it's nothing, then come play with us!" Han, the caramel haired boy said.

Hyunjin opens his mouth but get interrupted with Changbin, the loudest of them all, and Seungmin, the puppy looking one came and sat down with Hyunjin. "Let's all just watch a movie, have some popcorn and snacks?"

Everyone turned to the maknae, Jeongin. His hand stopped mid air, a bag of chips in his hand. "What?"

"Yah! That's my bag of chips!" Leeknow exclaims, popping out of nowhere.

"I kissed a student," Hyunjin finally confesses.

But no one has seemed to hear him. He watched Leeknow trying to grab the bag of chips from Jeongin, Han and Felix in between them while the other 3 watched the show. "Hyung! We have more snacks! Stop!" Felix shouts, wedging himself between Leeknow and Han.

Hyunjin sighs and slams the glass down on the table in front of him. It makes everyone stop what they're doing. "I kissed a student!"

Eyes, 7 pair of eyes were now on him. Judegment, curiousity and shock all at once. "You kissed a st-- yah, are you insane?!" Changbin said.

"What do you mean you kissed a student?" Chan asks, surprised.

"How was it?"

Everyone, including Hyunjin, turn to look at Han. "What?" Han asks and Leeknow playfully slaps Han on the back of his neck. "Hey! What?"

"I...I wanted to stop her. But something about her makes me want to just..."

"Just what?" Changbin asks, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Bin, now is not the time," Chan warns before turning to Hyunjin. "What were you going to say?"

"I don't know," Hyunjin shrugs his shoulders. "Ever since I saw her in my class, she's been on my mind every day, sometimes at night. It's like whenever she's near, I can breathe. I don't feel suffocated. It's like she's the light at the end of the tunnel."

Felix pats his shoulder, smiling widely. "Bro, you know what that is, right?"

"Uh, no?"

"He won't know till you tell him, Felix," Leeknow points out.

"Tell me what?" Hyunjin asked.

Felix grins. "Do you know how much I love baking?"

"Yeah..."

"I love mixing the ingredients together in a bowl and spreading the cookies on a baking sheet."

"Just what are you getting at?" Hyunjin asked.

"What he's trying to tell you that maybe you like her," Chan chimes in. "Maybe more than you want to admit."

Hyunjin blinks. There's no way.........does he though?

"Oh man, he does!" Changbin says excitedly. "What's her name? What's her name?!"

"Yeah, we want to know who's got our dear friend in a whirlpool of infatuation," Han adds.

"Y/N. Her name is Y/N," Hyunjin answered.

Felix's smile falters as does everybody's. "This is....." Jeongin begins.

"Bro," Chan chimes in again, "that's Felix's roommate."

"And best friend," Felix adds, narrowing his eyes.

Oh shit. Hyunjin swallows the bile threatening to come out. "I... didn't know. I'm sorry."

"Look, her last relationship didn't end well and this might be the first time she's been interested," Felix says. "Just....go easy on her. She's not the best at expressing herself. Don't push her."

"Just like you're doing with that girl who comes in your cafe?" Chan teases, poking Felix on the arm making the younger one blush.

"Ah, Chan hyung," Felix rubs his ears.

"She doesn't make it easy for you though, Felix. You gotta ask her out for coffee or a drink," Chan pokes Felix again. "That way she knows you're interested in her."

Felix rolls his eyes. "Hyunjin, just..... don't make her sad, yeah? She's precious to me, so you better not break her heart."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Hyunjin smiled and watched his friends start teasing Felix more, poking fun at him for a having a crush on a girl who's a regular in his Bbokkari cafe. But unlike Felix, Hyunjin wasn't as shy unless it was Y/N.

------------------------------------------------------------

The weather was getting warmer each day and you were thankful for the AC in your shared apartment. But you were in the studio today, which also had an AC, working on a canvas and experimenting with oil based colors. Since it was a nice slow day with not a lot of students and staff in the university, you were surprised to find rhe studio empty. So you got all your supplies, wore your apron, tied your hair back and got to work. You also had put on your headphones as it tends to help you get in the zone.

It wasn't until few hours later that you noticed you had run out of the color pink. You knew there were more colors stored in the cabinet behind the teacher's desk. Pulling off your headphones, you open the cabinet and reach for the paint when a hand reaches it before you. You gasp and turn around and almost scream but his hand covers your mouth.

"Shhhh!" He says, his finger on his lips.

You pry off his hand and glare at him as you snatch the paint bottle off his hand. "What do you want?" You snap, walking back to your previous spot.

"I want to...talk."

You scoff, pouring the pink onto the paint pallete. "And I don't." But you did want to talk. For the past few weeks, ever since that kiss, he had invaded your thoughts despite avoiding him. You had sat in his class just to stare at him, his hands, his eyes as they twinkled when he talked about a certain art piece or the color of his lips when the bottom of his lip would be between his teeth as he painted.

But all it did was made you crave more. You admit that the kiss you shared with him was mind blowing. If you hadn't stopped when you did, only god knows where it would've ended.

But one thing had stuck with you ever since. He had called you 'flower.' The moment he said it, it had made your heart flutter. But you had to stop it because he's an instructor and you're a student. It was forbidden and frowned upon and you didn't want to be known as the girl who graduated just because you fooled around with the teacher.

"Y/N, I'm sorry for the other day. I know I shouldn't have kissed you."

"Yeah, you shouldn't have," you say.

"But-" you hear him sigh and turn around to see him walking away.

"I thought you wanted to talk?"

He stops, turns around. "You clearly don't want to talk so I'm just going to leave."

"So," you put the pallette down on the stool beside you and take your apron off. "We're just going to avoid each other then?"

"It was you who was avoiding me."

"Yeah, that's because..."

He takes a step closer to you. "Because?"

You felt heat rush to your cheeks. "Why do you draw flowers?"

"What?"

"I always see you draw flowers. Why is that?"

"I can't draw what I want? I like flowers," he says, gazing in your eyes.

"I see." You had hoped he would be more elaborate but....you sigh. You're finding this whole conversation hopeless. "Maybe it is best we don't see each other again." You grab your things and the unfinished canvas, under your arm.

Something screamed in his mind to stop you. So he grabbed your arm, stopping you from leaving. "Let go."

"No," he says. "Not until you tell me why you've been avoiding me."

"Because I don't want to and just want to get through this class so I can graduate!"

That answer alone wasn't enough for him. He could see your red cheeks and your breathing becoming quicker. His eyes flick between your eyes and lips. You struggle out of his grip but he's determined to make you stay. He pushes you backwards till your back hits a wall, the canvas dropping on the floor with a thud along with your bag. He pins your arms on your sides preventing you from moving.

"I said let-mmpf," your eyes widen in surprise as a pair of warm lips land on yours. You thrash your whole body, and somehow manage to free your arms and push him away, just enough for you to breathe.

"Flower. My beautiful flower," he whispers, lightly caressing your lip and cheek with his thumb.

You could only look up at him, the soft and tender touches he's giving you made your heart flutter once again. You had asked yourself why you had been avoiding him. The only answer you got was that he was the teacher and you were the student. "Hyunjin," you whispered, parting your lips.

His eyes harden, filled with lust. But it was you this time. You fisted his shirt and pulled him towards you. He lets out whimper and instantly relaxes against you as he melts into the kiss. "Tell me you feel it. Tell me you feel what I feel," he whispers, placing your hand on his chest.

You feel it. You feel his heart thumping against his chest. And pretty fast too. You look up to see him gazing down at you. His eyes filled with warmth. Maybe even love. But that wasn't going to happen, not to you. "Tell me."

"I want you," you say.

“You want me?”

You nod, a smile displaying on your face. “I want you.” He leans back in, cupping your cheek and kisses you hard as his body pushes against yours. You move with him as he walks backwards towards the only empty desk, the teacher's desk, and lifts you onto it. 

His hands explore every inch of you that he can reach while your fingers tangle in his long luscious locks and scratch over his shoulders and up his arms. His hands slide around your waist, going under your black tanktop.

He breaks the kiss only to run his lips over the rosy flesh of your neck. He then whispers into your skin between each kiss. “Tell me to stop.” He pulls one shoulder strap of your tanktop off your shoulder. "I've wanted you since the day you came into my class. Tell me to stop."

Something about the way he asks you to tell him to stop, spurred you on even more. Pushing his head further into the crook of your neck, you tilt your head to give him more and better access to explore. You had also wanted him, more so than him. “No one is telling you to stop.”

Upon hearing that, his grip tightens around you, sucks a mark into the skin right below your jaw and you pull at his shirt with an elated moan, giving him the hint to take it off.

His clumsy fingers struggle to pull off your tanktop as you attempt to unbutton his jeans. He reaches his goal before you do but then he stops all movement when he feels your hand go inside his jeans, just enough to catch his attention, you find his growing erection and wrap your hand lightly stroking it causing him to buck his hips.

Hyunjin moans at the feel of your hands, the same hands that made him fall in love with your paintings. He leans his forehead against yours, squeezing his eyes shut as you stroke him slowly. “Fuck, please don’t, I - fuck, baby, flower I won't last."

"Hyune," you whisper as you gently place your palm on his cheek, making him look at you. His expression changes, his eyes raging with lust as you lean up giving him a small peck on his lips.

"Fuck," he shoves his briefs down as you slide off your shorts. You yelp when he tugs at your legs. "Tell me you're mine," he says as his hand moves on its own as he gazes into your eyes, looking for an answer. You watch his hand travel down in between your legs and swipes over your clothed clit. "Fuck me, is that all for me?"

"Hyunjin, please," you plead but it comes out as a moan.

“Please tell me I can feel you," he says, his finger slighlty swiping over your panties. "Can I?” 

You nod as he hooks a finger into the dampness of your panties and pulls it to the side. You hold your breath as you feel a finger slip into your waiting cunt. "Breathe." You do as he says and breathe in his ear, soft moans escape your lips as his free hand cradles the side of your neck. “Please look at me, baby.”

He runs his thumb over your cheek, relishing in your beautiful auburn eyes. “So pretty. It feels like a dream.”

You shake your head and muttering between moans. “Not a dream."

He slips in another finger and he lets out the most amorous maon. “Please tell me I can.” He leans his forehead against yours, bottom lip between his teeth, his desperate eyes reflecting the look in your own.

“Yes," you nod. "I want you too."

“Have you ever.....thought about it?” He asked but you’re shaking your head before he can even finish his sentence. “You’re all I ever think about,” He whispers as he hooks his thumbs into the thin straps of your panties. “You’re all I’ve wanted for the past 3 weeks.” 

“The kiss that we shared-" you begin but his puts his finger on your lips.

“I was the one that kissed you.” He’s quiet, staring back at you with a smile. “But then you kissed me too...” He laughs at the glare you give him. But you moan when his fingers are filling you again and you gasp while staring into his eyes.

You couldn't contain the noises that come out of your lips. "Hyunjin, please," your fucked out gaze stares into his, the moment feeling like you're hypnotized. He then moves, scissors his fingers into you, stretching you out and you whine when suddenly you feel the loss of his fingers. "Why'd you stop - oh fuck," you gasp from the stretch of him replacing his fingers with his length. 

“Fuck, shit, you feel...oh my god.” Hyunjin stills with a groan, his forehead resting on your shoulder while he silently wills himself not to come undone. Not yet, when he just got you. He sucks in a breath before he pulls back. "Tell me you're mine," he whispers, thrusting into you slowly. "Tell me."

You cup his cheek. "I'm yours."

He lifts his head to look at you as he sinks back into you. “Again.”

Cupping his face with both of your hands as you kiss him, hard before letting go. "I'm yours, Hyune."

"My flower." He picks up the pace, falls into a sloppy rhythm that’s accompanied by a fit of moans and grunts. 

"The door," you pant, suddenly remembering.

"I locked it after I came inside," he pants, struggling to keep his eyes on you, which flutter shut with each thrust as he feels himself closer and closer to his climax. “Baby, I won’t, fuck I won't last.”

Wrapping your arms around his neck, one of his wraps around your waist, tightly, while the other rests on your thigh before slithering over to softly pinch and rub your clit. 

“Hyune, you’re gonna make me - I'm gonna -” You get cut off with a sloppy kiss, his tongue brushes over your parted lips to request access. You gladly grant it by opening yours.

“If you're going to tell me that you’re gonna cum I won’t last," he whispers against your lips and you moan against his.

“Please," you're breathing hard at this point, pleading him to let you cum. "Make me cum."

“Flower, baby, you’re gonna -” Now you're the one to kiss him. It’s a messy combination of teeth and tongue but you love it. Even he welcomes it.

You both pull away, moans ripping through your chests as you grip his arm tighter.

“I’m cumming, fuck, I'm going to come.” Hyunjin goes to pull out but you stip him by wrapping your legs around his waist. "Y/N, what-"

"Inside."

"Baby, are you sure?"

You nod in response. "I'm on the pill." He groans and thrusts harder into you as you almost scream his name when his fingers toy with your clit. It’s loud and messy and beautiful. "Oh my god, Hyunjin!" You shout as your orgasm hits you the hardest one yet. He slam his hips one, two, three times before coming to a stop with a groan. You could feel it, his seed painting your walls white.

Once you’ve both come down from your high, Hyunjin pulls out and you groan at the feeling. Both of you don't speak as he grabs a handful of tissues to clean you up before you two put your clothes back on. You break the comfortable silence. "So what now?" You ask, looking at him.

"Now," he smiles, raking his finger through his hair. "I ask you a question."

You blink one, two times. "Which is?"

He grabs your hand, twining his fingers with yours. "Be my girlfriend?"

"I thought we went over this a minute ago?"

"Doesn't hurt to be sure of it."

This man. He just fucked your brains out and wants to sure if you're his? You giggle, wrapping your arms around his neck. "Mr. Hwang Hyunjin, I was yours the day I saw you in the cafeteria," you finish your answer with a kiss on his lips.

------------------------------------------------------------

"Ugh, you're nauseating," Felix rolls his eyes at his friend, who was smiling at her phone.

Y/N sticks her tongue out at him. Before he could say anything, his phone buzzes in his pocket. His eyes widen at the screen.

LK: bro, one of our ovens just stopped working completely and we're behind orders!

F: okay, i'll come by later

LK: also.....

F: ???

LK: Mia may have gotten in a quarrel with a customer

F: WHAT

LK: and the customer is creating havoc. SOS

Fuck, why does this have to happen to him?

F: on my way

A/N: phew! One member down! Can you guess which one is next? :)

[scary-noodlesblog]

You and EJ have a daughter...

Trigger warnings: pregnancy, c-section, mentions of sex

Sorry this is reeeeaaaally long

AFAB Reader

Hes honestly probably the best dad out of them all

The entire pregnancy he was worried, hes a demon, or at least partially, honestly he had to consult Slender to make sure youd even survive

The faceless man reassured him that you should be fine

To be honest Jack knew you were pregnant before you knew, he could smell something off about you

He just didnt know what it was till you announced your pregnancy to him

You did it in such a cute way too 🥺 you bought a little black hoodie and a card that said "what is a dad" on the front. On the inside it said "you. You is a dad"

He threw his mask so fast and picked you up, spinning you in a hug. He was crying

He never thought he would see this day

The amount of research he does is absolutely insane

Jack has a primal instinct over you, protective, and dare i say sexual

We all know he has a breeding kink

He gets so horny even thinking about you being pregnant

Your pregnancy goes decently smooth, mild morning sickness, not really any mood swings

Until the 3rd trimester, that was hell, on both you and Jack

You were in a lot of pain. It was normal pain, hips, muscles, back, breasts, all achy.

Jack only got more nervous as the pregnancy progressed, not so much about your health anymore but more so for after the birth

Now unfortunately he isnt home when you go into labor

He was out getting food for himself, knowing he wouldnt want to leave you and the baby for a while, he even got a deep freezer for it

Thankfully Jack has a cell phone in case of emergencies, Jeff called him frantically

He rushed to the mansion so fast he almost forgot his duffle bag, by the time he got there you were in a hospital gown in the infirmary with Dr. Smiley

A device that tracks your contractions was on your belly, Dr. Smiley informed Jack you were 6 centimeters, not ready to push

Almost immediately after that your water broke, labor got more painful almost instantly, and Dr. Smiley put in an epidural and catheter, Jack holding you still while it happened

You and Jack waited patiently for it to be time. But it never came

It had been hours, you only made it to 7 centimeters, Dr. Smiley informed you both that you had gained an infection from your amniotic fluid, it had spread to the baby and that he needed to do an emergency c-section right that second

Jack feared the worst, that it was his fault, because the baby was half demon

Once you said yes, within minutes you were on an operating table, Jack was scrubbed up, along with Dr. Smiley and Nurse Ann

You were numb from the waist down, all you felt was tugging and pulling while Jack held your hand, his mask was off

Within minutes your daughter was born, she looked beautiful

Dr. Smiley handed her to Jack after the cord was cut and she was cleaned, who was crying again, he looked at her with the most love you've ever seen

You started to cry seeing her, her skin was (s/c) with a hint of her father's grey tone, she had a full head of Jack's hair, though unlike her father she did have eyes, and they were (e/c)

After you were sewn up, you were transferred back into a hospital bed, still a little numb

Jack had helped you scoot so he can sit next to you, holding your newborn baby girl

Let me know if you want a part 2! Also give this little girl a name in the comments <3

[ellecdc]

What about the kids (CBBH) seeing the ‘mudblood’ scar on Vix arm for the first time, and then the kids, specially Draco, trying to comfort her.

James and Sirius feeling guilty again because (James) “abandoned” her (no he didn’t) and (Sirius) cause he couldn’t protect her

Thank you so much, feel free to ignore it if you want to, but thank you anyway

Take care and don’t forget to drink water❤️

Ps: I love everything you write, thank you so much for providing us those precious chapters

*Takes a big ol' sip of water* *Cracks knuckles* *types furiously*

I LOVE these kinds of requests...I love diving deeper into the relationships and the histories further than what CBBH covered, so thank you for giving me the opportunity to write this! 🫶

CBBH Sirius Black x Vix!reader CW: hurt/comfort, discussions of war, PTSD, trauma, guilt, reference to death of a loved one, children, spoiler alerts if you haven't finished CBBH

The Mind Forgets but the Heart Doesn't

It had been a really trying week. 

Percy and the Twins had gotten into it during class one day this week at Potter Manor, and though James and Molly did what they could to placate the situation when it happened, it seemed to bleed out into the other kids as well.

Harry and Draco didn’t seem to be able to agree on anything at all anymore, Jasmine felt the need to play mediator to their squabbles which just aggravated everyone further, and Aurora was far too sensitive for her own good and took everything anyone said personally.

The adults didn’t seem to be fairing much better either.

You and Lily were expecting at the same time. It was very funny when Lily & James went to announce that they were expecting only to have Y/N & Sirius laugh and say ‘same’. Remus never stopped joking that the family would finally have a ‘set of twins’. 

Lily stopped taking the jokes so well as her pregnancy progressed, however.

“This is absolutely, without a doubt, the last one Potter!” She screeched as she excused herself from the dinner table for the sixth time to pee.

You were such a trooper, but Sirius knew that this pregnancy was taking far more out of you both emotionally and physically than your last one had.

The part that hurt (everyone) the most, was that your brain still associated pain and discomfort with your trauma from the war, and the wounds felt far more fresh lately than they had in a long time.

This left both James and Sirius feeling horribly guilty – James for having left you on the battlefield, and Sirius both for being the cause of your current discomfort and for the months during the war that he spent wallowing when he should have been fighting for you.

Sirius would wake up in the middle of the night and reach for you to find the bed empty. He’d go to check both Aurora and Draco’s room’s first before moving on to the rest of the house.

One particularly upsetting night he found you hiding in the shower after you had a distressing and disturbingly realistic nightmare.

But usually, he found you in the kitchens.

“What are you doing up, my love?” He spoke quietly into the room.

You must have heard him coming because you never even turned your head from where you were sitting; you just offered him a quiet hum in response as he wrapped his arms around your shoulders and nuzzled his face into your neck.

His hands would migrate lower to what was usually the reason for your midnight wanders.

“Little one hungry?”

You were quiet for a moment, clearly far away from Potter Manor, before you responded.

“There were times I was only ever able to eat at night... when someone could sneak something to me or I could sneak to the kitchens. But sometimes, now, I wake up a little hungry – and my heart tells me that this is going to be my only chance, and I have to make it count. I tell myself it’s not true but... the anxiety doesn’t go away until I do something about it.”

Sure enough, in front of you on the table was a half-eaten granola bar; evidence of your late-night forage for food.

“What was it that Lily said about those muggle dementia patients?” Sirius asked you as he rubbed up and down your arms.

“The mind forgets but the heart doesn’t.” You responded quietly.

Sirius hummed into your hair as he pressed his lips to the top of your head.

“You’ve done so much work, love. But I don’t think you’ll ever be able to convince your heart to let it go – not fully.”

You sighed miserably, suddenly sounding very close to tears.

“Please be patient with yourself.” He pleaded.

“I’m trying.” You whispered wetly.

“I know, baby. I know.”

This was why the following morning at the breakfast table when Harry – seemingly out of nowhere – asked what a “mudblood” was, the room fell painfully silent.

The adults all seemed to share horrified glances before Regulus spoke up.

“Where did you hear that word, Harry?”

Harry, slightly ashamed now that he seemed to have sucked the air out of the room, looked at you and motioned towards your arm.

Sure enough, as you had reached across the table to pass Remus the plate of bacon, your sleeve had ridden up and your scar was on full display.

Why’d we teach these ankle biters to read? Sirius wondered to himself.

To Sirius’ absolute horror, you seemed to completely shut down. You hastily pulled your sleeve down and moved your arms into your lap, and your eyes turned foggy. 

“Please don’t occlude baby, stay with us.” Sirius begged quietly as he began to rub your arm.

“Haz, when you and Draco were very little, there was a war – do you remember me and daddy telling you about it?” Lily started cautiously.

“Uh huh, when the bad guy hated people who were different and stole Auntie Vix?”

James grimaced before confirming. “Yes, and how Uncle Reggie and Draco’s mummy Narcissa helped her escape and then defeat the bad guy.” 

“Well, the bad guy and his friends did hate people who were different than them. Mostly, they hated non-magical people,” Lily continued.

“Called muggles.” Harry interjected proudly.

“Right, he hated muggles. And he hated muggle-born witches and wizards as well.” James finished.

“But...mummy and Aunt Lily are muggle-born...” Draco added quietly from his place.

James nodded. “That’s right. And because they hated them, they made up a bad word to call muggle-born’s.”

“That’s what mudblood is, Harry. It’s a bad word to call a muggle-born witch or wizard.” Regulus spoke softly.

Jasmine gasped. “Mum! Did Harry say a bad word!?”

“I was only asking a question!” Harry screeched in his own defence.

“But... why is the bad word on your arm?” Draco asked quietly, looking at you.

Your son addressing you directly seemed to pull you out of yourself a little as you offered him a sad smile. “Well, when the bad guy stole me, I wouldn’t tell him what they wanted to know.”

“What did the bad guy want to know?” Jasmine asked curiously. 

Harry elbowed his sister for interrupting, which earned him a whack on the head in return, which caused Remus to switch seats with his niece in an effort to keep the peace.

“They wanted to know where your mummy and daddy and Harry were. They also wanted to know where Pads and Moony and everyone else in the Order were.” 

“Like the Weasley’s!?” Harry asked in horror, as news of your best friend potentially being on some maniac’s hitlist would do to an almost nine-year-old, even though said maniac was already after him and his entire family.

“But you wouldn’t tell them.” Jasmine stated solemnly.

You nodded at your niece. “That’s right.”

“But why was my mum and Uncle Reggie there?” Draco asked. 

You and Sirius both grimaced as you looked to Regulus, whose jaw seemed more tense than usual. 

“Our family comes from a long line of very bad people, Draco. The Black’s...mine and your dad’s family, as well as your mums, were not kind to people who were different from them. They supported the bad guy during the war, I-”

“But dad didn’t support the bad guy...and he’s a Black.” Draco interrupted as he turned to look at his father pleadingly.

Sirius smiled softly at the boy. “Yes, but you see, Draco, I had friends like Uncle Prongs and Uncle Moony, and your mum here, who taught me that it was okay to be different. And Uncle Prongs’ family also gave me a place to go when I no longer agreed or felt safe with my family. Uncle Reggie didn’t have the same kind of friends.” 

“Your friends were bad guys?” Harry asked plainly.

“Yes.” Regulus answered just as plainly. 

“So...my family was...bad?” Draco asked quietly, looking between you, Sirius, and Regulus.

“Not all of them baby, not Uncle Reggie, and not your mum.” You tried to placate, but Draco didn’t bite.

“But they were there! Supporting the bad guy! That makes them bad!” He insisted.

“No, it made us cowards.” Regulus corrected the boy. “I was too afraid to ask your dad or his friends for help, even though I knew that Sirius would take me in if I asked him to. And your mum did what was expected of her, Draco. Your mum believed marrying your dad and having you was the right thing to do.”

“Draco,” you said quietly as the boy tried to fight back tears. “If your mum and Uncle Reggie hadn’t been there, I would not be alive today. And quite frankly, I think that could be the same for a lot of us in this room. They saved us, baby. Your mummy saved you. There’s nothing bad about that.”

Draco still seemed perturbed by this but looked back down to your now hidden scar.

“But someone...hurt you? With that word? Was it my family?”

You shared a look with Sirius who offered you a small nod before you answered. “It was. It was your aunt...your mum’s sister.”

Draco seemed distraught at the news; his mouth turned down miserably and his eyes filled with tears. “My family was bad.”

“Dad, was my family bad!?” Harry asked severely. 

“Haz, hang on, okay bubs?” James asked quietly. 

“That’s right Draco, your family was bad.” You said.

Every head – child and adult alike – whipped to face you.

“They were bad people...but they’re not anymore. Your family is the people in this room, and your mum who died protecting you. You have Uncle Reggie, who was so brave to save me and to turn against the bad guy he was supposed to be loyal to. You have Uncle Moony, who despite doing very hard things every month, doesn’t ask anything of anyone and gives so much of himself to the people he loves. And you have Uncle Prongs and Aunt Lily, who helped us raise you when daddy and I had no idea what we were doing. And you have Haz, and Jazzy, and Rory and two new siblings coming soon. That’s your family, Draco, and they’re not bad at all.”

Draco scanned the room of all the people he loved the most as a few tears fell, and Sirius was quick to catch them with his finger from his place beside him. 

“I’m sorry the bad guys hurt you, mummy. I wish they hadn’t.” He offered finally.

“Oh! I know!” Aurora piped up out of nowhere (Sirius actually sort of forgot his own daughter was present at the breakfast table) and quickly stood from her seat to hurry away. 

Before the adults had time to ponder where the child had gone, she reappeared beside her mum with the first aid kit from one of the loos and her toy Mediwitch Kit. 

“Okay, mummy. Show Healer Ro where it hurts.” She demanded you in her most authoritative tone, which still sounded far too much like Alvin the Chipmunk to be taken at all seriously.

Sirius grinned down at his girl and pulled her up into his lap (for better access, of course) as you pulled your sleeve up on your arm to expose your scar.

Aurora tapped a fake wand to the injury and held a stethoscope to her ear. “It sounds good mummy; means you’ll be fine.”

“Oh, good.” You sighed in faux relief, failing to bite back the proud smile adorning your face.

“Yup, now just needs plasters. I have some golden snitches, unicorns, or bowtruckles, mummy. Which would you like?”

“I think she ought to have some of each, Ro.” Harry interjected from across the room.

“Quite right, Haz. Healer Ro, could you use some assistance with the plasters?” Sirius asked like a spokesman on a game show.

“Yes sir!” She answered, and each kid took turns applying plasters to your scar and kissing it better.

“Looks better already!” Jasmine cheered after their work was complete.

“Hmmmm...I don’t know...” Sirius said skeptically. “Could use a few more kisses I think.” Before he attacked you with kisses, and the kids followed in suit shortly after.

@ttulipwritezz

[gabessquishytum]

Something is getting into Hob's back garden and trash cans. It's an animal to be sure, and to be subsisting on trash and old veggies, it's most likely hurt. This is backed up by the dried blood on one of the garbage cans.

Hob has seen a black streak speed by when he turns on the back porch lights, and most people would tell Hob not to do what he's going to do --- leave out fresh protein for the animal. Yes, Hob is aware he's probably just feeding a large raccoon, but something is out there, hurt. Hob can't just do nothing.

Morpheus is a large cat shifter (I'm thinking https://tinyurl.com/Black-Serval or https://tinyurl.com/BlackJaguars) who broke out of his containment (Burgess: zoo/research facilitiy/cage) and he doesn't know where he is or how far away from home he is, and he got hurt in the escape. He ran and hid in the first place that smelled safe.......this backyard. Hob's backyard.

Morpheus doesn't know what to think when fresh water and chicken are put out, but he won't be captured again.

Wahhh yeah I'm soft about this concept.

For days after Hob starts putting out the water and chicken, his mysterious yard visitor refuses to touch it. But Hob isn't giving up so easily. Every day there's fresh meat and fresh water, and he even takes a nibble from the food to show that it hasn't been doped. And after a while... Morpheus eats the chicken, and drinks the water before streaking off to hide again. It's progress, Hob thinks.

One day he comes out to put the food out as usual, and he's shocked to find the huge black feline sitting and waiting for him. It's claws are out and it looks warily at him, but it turns enough to reveal the severly damaged hind leg. Hob runs for his first aid kit immediately. He's able to treat and wrap the wound, but there's only so much he can do. It would be easier to bring the big cat inside, but it clearly doesn't like that suggestion...

Hob begins to understand why, when he finds a naked man shivering in his yard the next day. He recognises the sharp blue eyes and the midnight black hair. Morpheus shies away from Hob but desperately sticks out his leg, which looks even worse in human form. "I am too tired to turn back." He explains. "If you try anything, I will still claw your eyes out."

Morpheus is eventually persuaded to come inside, on the condition that the doors and windows are left open. Hob is happy to oblige. He's quite relieved when Morpheus dozes off on his sofa, full of chicken pasta and antibiotics.

Next morning there's a cat in Hob’s bed. Not quite purring, but obviously grateful. And despite his determination not to held or captured... Morpheus is quite glad to find a place that he'll never have to leave.

[bloodylullaby]

Author's Note: It's been a while since I wrote Smut, so I am a little rusty.

Parings: Noah Sevastian x Reader

Word Count: 1739

Warnings: 18+: heavy making out, sex

MasterList

Today marks your and Noah’s four-year anniversary, and boy, did he go all out. As a man with golden retriever energy, his love language is giving, and he certainly showed it today. From the minute you woke up, he was pampering you. Your day started with brunch in bed; Noah served you your favorite breakfast foods along with his version of bottomless mimosas. The tray was filled with freshly baked pancakes, fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and a small fruit platter that looked like it belonged in a magazine. He refilled your glass with a smile, ensuring you had everything. Every detail, from the freshly squeezed orange juice to the perfectly chilled champagne, was meticulously prepared to make you feel cherished and adored. As you enjoyed the delicious meal, he sat beside you, his eyes shining with joy and affection, soaking in every moment of your happiness. This was just the beginning of a day filled with love and surprises.

After your giant breakfast, he hurried you into the shower, where he joined you. The warm water cascaded over both of you as he gently helped you wash your hair, his fingers working through the strands tenderly. He gave you a scalp massage that felt like a full-body experience, his hands skillfully kneading away any tension. Every touch was deliberate, ensuring no part of you was left untouched or unworshipped. He moved with loving precision, his hands gliding over your skin, leaving a trail of warmth and relaxation. The intimacy of the moment, combined with the soothing rhythm of the water, made you feel cherished and adored. This was more than just a shower; it was an act of love, a celebration of your bond.

After begrudgingly leaving the shower, you both got dressed for a day full of fun and laughter. He took you everywhere, and anywhere you wanted to go. Your first stop was a romantic trip to the aquarium, where you marveled at your favorite sea animals. The gentle swaying of the jellyfish, the otters' playful antics, and the sharks' majestic glide captivated both of you, filling your hearts with wonder. 

Next, you had a picnic lunch in the botanical gardens, surrounded by your favorite flowers. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming roses, and the vibrant colors of the garden created a picturesque backdrop. You sat on a cozy blanket, enjoying the delicious food Noah had packed, from sandwiches to fresh fruit and homemade baked goods. Laughter and conversation flowed easily, making the moment feel magical.

The day's final stop was a pottery place, where you got to pick pieces to glaze together. You opted for a mug, imagining cozy mornings sipping coffee, while Noah chose a dog bowl for your puppy. As you both carefully applied the glaze, you couldn't help but giggle at the splatters of paint and the creative designs you came up with. The experience was fun and intimate, a perfect ending to an incredible day. 

Once you got home from your long but fun day, you found a little black dress on the bed. “Put it on,” he gently said with a smile. As you slipped into the dress, feeling the luxurious fabric against your skin, Noah quickly dressed up alongside you. He looked dashing in his suit, his eyes twinkling with excitement. Hand in hand, he led you to the nicest restaurant in town. The ambiance was perfect, with soft lighting, elegant decor, and the gentle hum of live music in the background. The host greeted you warmly and escorted you to a private table adorned with candles and fresh flowers. The evening unfolded like a dream, with exquisite dishes, fine wine, and heartfelt conversation.

As the night progressed, you both eventually made your way back home. Noah sat on the bed, looking more beautiful than ever. After all the effort he put into making today so unique, you wanted to do something special for him. You start to make your way over to him seductively, ensuring every move catches his eye. His gaze follows your every step, filled with anticipation and admiration.  As you finally reach him, you straddle him and feel the warmth of his body beneath you. You lean in and give him a kiss filled with pure passion and hunger, your lips melding together in a fiery dance. Running your fingers down his arm, your hands interlock, creating a connection that sends shivers down your spine.

“I want to make you feel good,” you whisper, your breath hot against his ear. He gently moans, a sound that stirs a deep hunger within you. You continue to kiss him, your lips trailing down to his neck, tasting the salt of his skin as his heartbeat quickens. Your hands roam over his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breaths as you both lose yourselves in the moment. Noah's hands move to your waist, pulling you closer, his touch igniting a fire within you. 

The room fades away, leaving just the two of you in this intimate bubble. Your whispered promises and his soft responses create a symphony of desire, filling the space between you with a palpable energy. You pull back slightly, looking into his eyes, seeing the same hunger reflected in them. "Let me take care of you tonight," you murmur, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. His eyes close as he leans into your touch, a contented smile on his lips. 

You guide Noah’s hands to the zipper on the back of your dress, encouraging him to undress you. He takes the opportunity to tease you, his fingers lingering at the zipper before slowly, tantalizingly undoing it. Each inch the zipper descends feels like an eternity, heightening your anticipation and driving you wild. He peppers your neck with soft kisses and gentle nips, his breath warm against your skin as he continues. The combination of his deliberate touch and the sensual assault on your neck sends shivers down your spine, making your pulse race. His hands glide over your exposed skin as the dress loosens, adding to the electric charge between you.

It was your turn to undress him. Slowly, you unbuttoned his shirt, your fingers lingering on each button, grazing his skin with every movement. His breath hitched with each touch, his eyes locked onto yours with anticipation. You slid the shirt off his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor, and trailed your fingers down his chest, planting soft kisses along the way. You savored the moment, enjoying how his body responded to your touch. As you reached his belt, you looked up at him with a mischievous smile, taking your time to undo it and then sliding his pants down. Once the both of you were entirely naked, you both locked lips again. 

With one hand traveling down between your thighs, Noah put his other hand on the back of your neck and pulled you down so he could kiss you deeply. Despite the intensity of his kiss, you could barely concentrate as his fingers continued to move with delicate and expert precision on your clit. The sensation sent waves of pleasure coursing through your body, making it hard to focus on anything else but the overwhelming ecstasy building within you. Noah's touch was both tender and skillful, his every movement sending you closer and closer to the edge of bliss. With each stroke, each caress, he brought you higher until you were teetering on the brink of release, lost in the intoxicating rhythm of his touch and the passion of his kiss.

You pulled back a little to look into his eyes. “Lay back,” you said. Noah complied, propping himself up on the pillows. As you climbed back on top of him, you positioned yourself at his entrance. With slow, deliberate movements, you began to sink down onto him, feeling the exquisite sensation of being filled. As your bodies joined, you both moaned in unison, the shared pleasure amplifying the intimacy of the moment. He placed both hands on your hips, guiding your movements as you rocked back and forth, each motion sending waves of pleasure coursing through you. The sensation of his touch, combined with the rhythmic friction between your bodies, heightened the connection between you, deepening the intimacy of your lovemaking.

The more you continued, the harder it was for him to sit back. Sensing his increasing urgency, he changed tactics and pulled you closer to him, his grip firm yet tender. You felt him slightly lifting off the bed, his hips rocking back and forth in a synchronized rhythm with yours. The new angle intensified the sensations coursing through your bodies, heightening the pleasure and deepening your connection. Lost in the moment, you moved together in perfect harmony, each movement bringing you closer to the peak of ecstasy.

He changed positions swiftly yet gently, flipping you onto your back. He positioned your legs on his shoulders with precision and care, creating a new angle. You gazed up at him, feeling a rush of anticipation and desire as he leaned in closer, his eyes locked with yours. In this new position, every touch and every movement sends sparks of pleasure coursing through your body, igniting a fiery passion between you.

In the heat of passion, you and Noah lose yourselves in the rhythm of your affectionate intimacy. With each thrust and caress, your connection deepens, as if every touch speaks volumes of unspoken words. The room fills with the sound of your shared moans and the symphony of your bodies moving together in perfect harmony. As the intensity builds, you feel yourselves teetering on the edge of ecstasy, on the brink of release. Noah's movements become more urgent, his touch more vibrant, as he strives to bring you both to the highest level of satisfaction. And then, with a shared gasp and a final surge of passion, you both reach the peak, exploding in a cascade of blissful release.

Breathless and spent, you collapse into each other's arms, your hearts racing synchronously. In the quiet aftermath, you bask in the warmth of your shared intimacy. As you lay there, entwined in each other's embrace, you know that this moment will be a testament to the depth of your love and the beauty of your connection. Nuzzling closer to Noah, you drift into a peaceful slumber, eagerly anticipating the next four years' adventures.

[syubseokie]

all on my tongue (i want it) | khj

― pairing: kim hongjoong x pierced afab!reader ― genre: explicit, a lil fluff, idol au ― word count: 2.6k ― warnings: oral sex (m receiving), cum swallowing, pet names (baby, babe), reader has a tongue piercing, a hint of cockwarming ― summary: Your voice is coaxing but not demanding, and Hongjoong acquiesce to your siren call. Soon, the gentle prodding of your tongue bleeds into longer strokes and your lover shivers at the sensation. Yet, something feels different... OR The one where you surprises Hongjoong with a new tongue piercing ― notes: at the end.

"Do you think I'd suit a tongue piercing?"

The question is completely random and you had not even realised the words left your mouth until you noticed your sister stare at you with wide-eyes and an excited grin.

"Yes, oh my god!"

You hum, pulling a quick inhale on your vape, before asking, "Should we go get it done now?"

"Damn! Hongjoong only left last night and you're already spiralling." She teases. "Let me smoke this last cone and then we can go."

You wave your dismissively, thinking over the spontaneity of this afternoon's session with your sister and the upcoming event. It was not often your sister had a day off, but being that you were at home on your own for the next month, she decided to "pull a sickie" and crash your apartment; arms lined with snacks, a bag of the devil's lettuce, and her home-made gravity bong.

The sound of spluttered coughing brings you out of your quiet musing and you snort as she chugs back her fruit juice. "You good?"

She nods, a slight wheeze escaping her lips, before she reaches over to take a hit from your vape. You allow her to do so, stealing her drink and taking a gulp, before standing up and motioning her to follow. "Alright, let's go get a tongue piercing."

∞

"What are we getting today, hun?"

It suddenly hits what you're about to do as you fill in the consent form, and you hope your voice is clear of nerves when you reply, "Tongue piercing."

Once the form is completed and the payment finalised, you and your sister follow the piercer into a smaller room where she instructs you to sit on the edge of a black cushioned table. Your sister sits on a chair opposite you, playing absentmindedly with her own tongue bar, but you can see the excitement in her eyes as your piercer preps the required instruments.

"Don't be nervous," your sister chimes when she notices your gaze, "You're going to look so cool with it once it's done. And it doesn't even hurt!"

You glance at the clamp in the piercer's gloved grasp before looking back to your sibling. "You sure?"

She offers you a reassuring smile. "Trust me. The healing process is probably worse than the actual needle and it doesn't even take that long to heal either."

The piercer agrees, informing you of what to expect in the coming days and weeks as your tongue heals. They remind you to rinse your mouth daily with warm water and salt, and also advise what foods will be easier to eat during the next two weeks. "Are you ready?"

You inhale deeply, steeling your nerves. "Let's do it."

∞

Using the bathroom mirror, you stare at the cute barbell that sits on your tongue. After three-and-a-half weeks since your initial visit, you returned to the piercing studio to check the healing progression. You had spotted the light blue aurora borealis designed jewellery in the glass cabinet when you entered the store for your follow-up appointment, and after receiving the go ahead to change the piece to a slightly shorter bar, you requested the pretty one that had caught your eye.

Safe to say, you were very happy with your impulsive decision and you had a feeling your boyfriend would be too.

Speaking of...

The feeling of excitement (and, to be honest, relief) floods your system when you glance at your phone to see Hongjoong's text reminding you he and the members were finally back in the country. You do not consider yourself a needy partner, but you cannot deny how much you missed him — or at least being in the same time zone. Phone calls, voice notes, and sending tiktoks could only fill the gap of his missing presence so much, and you could not wait to wrap your arms around his frame once again.

Nor could you wait to wrap your tongue around his c—

The sound of his ringtone breaks through your thoughts, and you are quick to answer his call.

"Baby?"

A smile graces your features when you hear the familiar endearment, and you switch off the bathroom light before making your way into the living room. "Hi Joongie," you reply with a soft voice. "Are you out of the airport now?"

"I am. Did you want to come to our place or should I come to your apartment?"

You hum, mulling the options over. "I'm not too fussed. What's easier for you?" There is a bit of rustling on his end and you faintly hear Wooyoung's voice in the background.

"I'll come to your place," he decides. "I'll drop my things off first and shower before heading over. Is that okay?"

"Of course, love. Are you sure you're not tired, though? We can always see each other tomorrow or once you've settled back in. I'm not going anywhere, Joong."

Despite the tiredness you hear in his tone, he waves off your concern with assurance that he wants to see you. "I miss you."

His words make your chest flutter and you can't help but internally roll your eyes at how soft you are for him. "Alright then. I'll get some food sorted."

"You are heaven-sent. See you soon."

∞

It is just over an hour later when you hear the tell-tale sign of your apartment door opening, followed by the removal of shoes and Hongjoong's dulcet voice calling out for you. Having just finished whipping up a pot of stir-fry with whatever you had in your fridge, the aroma of a home cooked meal wafting through the air and the low sounds of lo-fi music welcomes your boyfriend into your place.

Quickly wiping your hands with a kitchen towel, you go to greet Hongjoong but his excitement to see you is palpable as he meets you halfway with a playful "Honey, I'm home!", before wrapping you in his embrace. You chuckle, allowing him to bury his head in your neck, and return his hug. His scent is familiar and overwhelming in the best of ways, solidifying his physical presence.

"I'm glad you're back," you murmur while gently running your fingers through his hair. "I missed you."

He responds with a low hum and his arms around you tighten just a fraction. "I missed you too. So much." He slightly loosens his hold enough to press a much-needed kiss to your lips, but before he can deepen the action, you pull away and offer him a knowing smile.

"Are you hungry? Food's ready."

He shakes his head and brings you back into his arms. "Not hungry right now. Not for food anyway." His mouth begins a trail from your collarbones, up your neck, and back towards your lips, his hands stationed in your hips to steady your wavering frame. "One month away from you is far too long."

You cannot help but sigh happily at the sensations he offers; tilting your head back to grant him access to your neck as he makes his way back down the opposite side. "You're being dramatic. It wasn't that bad. I'm sure you and your right hand became well acquainted again on the nights you really missed me."

Hongjoong huffs, his breath tickling your neck deliciously and you fight the urge to rub your thighs together because there was no way you were going to let him know just how much he was affecting you. God, you are so weak for him.

"While that's true," he says, his thumbs digging into your sides just a little deeper, making you emit a small, undignified sound, "It certainly doesn't beat the feeling of your tight pussy. Or your mouth."

His vulgar words stir something inside of you, and you quickly decide that food can definitely wait. "In that case," you hum, pushing him towards your sofa, "I have a surprise for you."

He responds with a single eyebrow raise before collapsing on the furniture as you settle on your knees in front of him. A knowing smirk plays on your lips when you see the outline of his semi pressing against the confines of his black jeans, and you waste no time in unzipping his pants and pulling him out of his briefs. A quiet hiss escapes his mouth once you begin stroking him gently, coaxing him into full hardness before placing a chaste kiss on the tip.

"Close your eyes, Joongie. Let me make you feel good."

Hongjoong does not argue; simply allowing his head to fall against the back of the chair and his eyes to flutter shut. Your touches are magic in the way he feels the tension in his muscles ease and a giant sigh mixed with relief and pleasure fall from his lips. Kitten licks from his tip down to the base are less of a teasing gesture and more of a warm up before the sound of you spitting into your palm and taking hold of his hard member makes his balls clench in anticipation. He moans softly and resists the urge to beg for your mouth. You know what he needs at this very moment, and all he has to do is enjoy it.

"Relax for me, baby."

Your voice is coaxing but not demanding, and Hongjoong acquiesce to your siren call. Soon, the gentle prodding of your tongue bleeds into longer strokes and your lover shivers at the sensation. Yet, something feels different—

With purpose, you flatten your tongue against Hongjoong's cock and drag it upwards in a painstakingly slow motion. His nostrils flare, and just as he opens his eyes to lock with yours, you swipe your muscle along the slit of the head, making sure he feels the piercing where you want him to.

"Holy fuck—" he gasps, staring at you in awe. "Baby, did you— fuck —did you get your tongue pierced?"

Your eyes twinkle in delight. Rather than respond verbally, you choose to focus on bringing your boyfriend to perfect absolution by taking him in your mouth and slowly pushing him down your throat. The sound he makes is one that has you clenching in excitement, and it isn't long before you feel his hands settle on the back of your head. You hum around his cock, the vibrations making him moan again, before dragging your lips and tongue back to the tip. You continue doing this in a relaxed manner for a few minutes, enjoying the sounds falling from your boyfriend’s lips, until you decide to up the ante by steadying your palms on his thighs and increasing your pace.

"Shit!"

Satisfied with his reaction, you carry on; occasionally meeting his dark gaze with your own, but never stopping. Even when you begin to feel that familiar dull ache in your jaw, you switch up your movements by including your hands to work in tandem with your mouth.

Hongjoong is in pure bliss. Soft pants and whispers of your name and how good you are drip in honey-covered ecstasy, and he believes that if the world were to end that moment, there is no other way he would go (except, maybe, between your thighs but semantics ). The sound of wet slurps mixed with the sensation of your pierced tongue and soft hands brings him closer to that just-out-of-reach high, but when you take him wholly in your mouth again — your nose pressing against his neatly trimmed pubic bone — and swallow, that high brushes against the frays of his sanity.

"Baby," he mutters with a choked gasp, "f-fuck, baby, I'm really—" another wheeze as his orgasm crawls up the base of his spine. "I'm really fucking close."

You do not pull back. In fact, your grip on his thighs tighten as you bob your head up and down his length with determination while maintaining eye contact. Drool leaks from the corner of your mouth with each push and pull, and there are unshed tears pooling in your waterline. You are not particularly fond of the mess that comes with giving head, but Hongjoong loves it messy and you love making him happy.

Hongjoong is at his wits ends and barely coherent when he tries to warn you. "Shit. Baby. I'm going to — f-fuck — I'm so close ." His words are desperate, body tense and breathing shallow. "Please, baby. Where? Where c-can I...?"

You pull back and take hold of his throbbing cock. Spews of curses and praise mixed with wet squelches resound loudly. You close your eyes and open your mouth with your tongue out.

The sight of the pretty coloured jewel sitting snugly on the awaiting muscle is enough to send Hongjoong over the edge.

A long, drawn-out groan is heard seconds before you taste the familiar thick, warm fluid. Your upper lip catches a bit of his release too and you eagerly swipe along its plushness. The pulsating member in your hand is a reminder that he is still going, and you teasingly stroke him until his whines signal his oversensitivity. Yet, even when he pleads your name with a warning hiss, you offer gentle kisses and soft licks to his softening cock.

—

Hongjoong shudders as exhaustion finally settles in. Normally, his stamina allows him to last a lot longer, but having gone without you than what is normal, he is not surprised at how quickly he succumbed to the pleasure of your warm mouth and knowing hands. Hongjoong does not know what nation he saved in his past life to have met you in this one, but as he watches you swallow his cum with a grateful sigh and a wistful smile, he wisely chooses not to question it. He is unsure how much time passes — though he suspects it has only been less than a few minutes — when you gently usher him to consciousness and hand him a hot bowl of the food you had prepared. There is another bowl in your hand for yourself, and he eagerly accepts the meal before gesturing to you to join him on the couch.

"Welcome home, Joongie."

Yeah. Hongjoong wisely chooses not to question it at all.

∞

A little something extra:

03:48am Buttcrack (Sister): A little birdy told me your boyfriend is home 👀 03:49am Buttcrack (Sister): Did you show him your piercing yet? 03:49am Buttcrack (Sister): What did he say? 03:51am Buttcrack (Sister): Helloooooo ??? 03:55am Buttcrack (Sister): Bro you better be dead or giving him head 03:57am You: It's literally crackhead hours wtf go to sleep 03:57am Buttcrack (Sister): What did Hongjoong say about your piercing? 03:58am You: Idk I was too busy sucking his dick 03:58am Buttcrack (Sister): Gross 03:58am Buttcrack (Sister): 🤢🤢🤢 03:59am You: gave him that hwak-TUH gawk gawk 3000 04:00am Buttcrack (Sister): brotha eugh 04:02am You: Fuck off I'm going back to sleep

Switching your phone to DND and placing it back on the charging dock, you curl back into Hongjoong's arms and close your eyes. His cock inside of you twitches and, despite the sensitivity you feel as a result of the activities that took place after your meal, you clench around him.

"Who were you texting?" Your boyfriend tiredly mumbles as he drags you on top of him.

"My sister."

He makes a humming noise and softly traces patterns along your bare back. "What did she want?"

"Wanted to know what you thought of my piercing. Told her I was too busy sucking your dick to ask." You answer, sleep dragging you into its warm embrace.

It is silent for a few moments. You are on the edge of fully succumbing to the land of dreams when Hongjoong's voice brings you back—

"Maybe I should get a tongue piercing."

―

fin.

a/n: hey, hi, hello!

uh…it's been a minute lol. and i'm an ateez girlie now (atiny wassuuuuuup)! i've had this sitting in the dungeons for a while after i spontaneously decided to get my tongue pierced at the start of this year when my partner visited their home country for a month. fun fact: all interactions with reader and reader's sister are actual conversations that transpired between my own sister and i (because she's the enabler out of all my siblings lmao). anywho, thought this would be a little fun thing to publish after two years of radio silence. i have been going through the trenches y'all and the imposter syndrome hit HARD when it came to my writing.

thank you so much for reading my work. i am always open to thoughts and feedback, so feel free to drop a like, reblog or leave me a comment!

please look forward to my other work ♡

―

masterlist | ao3 | twitter

[pascallftv]

Girl Next Door— Part 3

Previous Part Series Masterlist

Summary: Joel invites you over for dinner and you watch a scary movie together.

Word count: 2.8k

AN: This had me kicking my feet and twirling my hair BAD

The drive down the road to Joel’s house consisted of your mind rerunning the events over the past few days. You over analyzed each touch, conversation, and even the way Joel looked at you. Consider it delusional, but you had yourself convinced that maybe your infatuation wasn’t one sided. The memory of Joel wrapping around you from behind to show you how to tear down the tiles replayed the most. Surely there was more to that interaction, you had thought to yourself. More so, you considered what your intentions were for the evening. Your plans to watch a movie could be harmless. The truth was you were lonely at the house alone, and you could only imagine how lonesome Joel got living by himself, so watching a movie together would lessen both of your times’ alone. However, there was a voice at the back of your mind laying out the potential to make a move on Joel.

Sure, the idea of being able to finally touch Joel in the way you wanted sounded captivating, but the consequences of your actions could be detrimental to the progress you’d made so far with him, and even ran a hazardous line for he and your father’s friendship. You fantasized about the sheer chance of Joel accepting your advances and everything working out perfectly when breaking the news to your father. It seemed within reach to you, but also so unobtainable at the same time.

After parking your car in Joel’s driveway, you tucked one hand into the pocket of flowy sweatpants, with a tote bag in the other containing a couple of movies that you’d picked out. For being a summer evening, the temperature had cooled off and you were a bit chilly with just a white camisole on your top half. Joel’s porch light was on, illuminating the steps and front door. You were nervous. It felt like the nerves before a first date, although this interaction was far from that. You lifted your knuckle and knocked on the door. After a few moments, the door opened to Joel wearing a pair of dark gray sweatpants paired with a black t-shirt. The outfit was very different from his usual attire, but damn did he look good. His muscular biceps and forearms were on display, as well as his tanned complexion.

“Hi.” You said, adjusting the tote bag over your shoulder. Joel’s eyes trailed down to take in your outfit as well. Your thin, yellow sweatpants flowed down your legs, and your tight, white camisole with lace details didn’t leave much to the imagination. The chilly evening air left your nipples erect, the fabric of your top peaked around them. Joel swallowed hard, his eyes falling upon yours before you caught him lingering on your chest for too long.

“Hi.” His gravelly voice responded, stepping aside to let you inside. His house was surprisingly decorated and very cozy. The walls were off white, and the foyer accommodated a beautiful dark green cabinet. The rug beneath your feet was an aged maroon with an extravagant bohemian print. A gold framed mirror was hung on the wall above the green cabinet. Joel’s attention to decorative details shocked you. You slid off your slip on shoes and sat them adjacent to a pair of Joel’s shoes against the wall. The aroma of cooking food wafted into your nostrils, the smell making your mouth water.

“I grilled some marinated chicken. The garlic potatoes are finishin’ up in the oven.” Joel explained, leading the way into his living room that was connected to the kitchen.

“It smells amazing, Joel.” You said, your eyes wandering, still observing the interior of his home.

The living room was just as breathtaking as the foyer. There was another bohemian rug across the dark, polished wood flooring. In front of a flat screen TV was a brown sofa and an aged wooden coffee table that matched the flooring.

“Your house is beautiful.” You spoke as you entered the kitchen. The tantalizing smell of the food was more intense, and you couldn’t wait to try his cooking. Joel looked back at you and smiled.

“Why thank you, darlin’.” He responded, grabbing an oven mitt off the counter, using it to pull the pan of potatoes out of the oven. He placed them on the stovetop next to the chicken breasts that looked grilled to perfection.

“I didn’t take you as a cook.” You said, stepping closer to steal a look at the food Joel prepared.

“It’s always the ones you least expect.” He said, reaching into one of the black cabinets to grab two plates. After dishing out a piece of chicken and some potatoes, Joel handed you one, then grabbed a fork and knife out of a drawer for you.

“I poured you a glass of wine, I wasn’t sure if you drank so I got you a glass of water too.” Joel explained, glancing over at the dining room table. It was a small, dark wood table and chairs with black cushions. The colors of his house felt like home somehow. In the center of the table was a clear vase with yellow flowers. They appeared to be flowers from the field behind your houses. For being such a gruff man, Joel’s house was delicate and cozy.

“I do love wine.” You chimed, following him to take a seat at the table.

You picked up your fork and knife, cutting into your chicken. You popped a piece into your mouth, and nearly melted at how amazing it tasted.

“Joel, this is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.” You gushed. Joel looked up at you from his own food, a smile toying at his lips.

“You sure do know how to flatter an old man like me.” He teased, taking a bite of his potatoes.

“I can’t believe no one has tied you down yet. I mean shit, you can cook, you’re an excellent builder and decorator.” You rambled. “Not to mention, you’re very easy on the eyes.”

Joel watched you with wonder in his eyes as you spoke. God, you were everything.

“If you find the answer, be sure to let me know.” Joel conceded, taking another bite of chicken. After he swallowed, he knitted his brows and rested his arms on the table. “You know, I could say the same for you.”

“Is that so?” You raised a brow, sipping on your white wine.

“Well, look at yourself, darlin’.” Joel gestured towards you. “You’re young, beautiful. You’re intelligent. What else could a man want?”

You swallowed hard, running your tongue over your teeth. You couldn’t decipher if he was simply being nice or if there was an underlying reasoning behind his words. You cleared your throat and chuckled softly.

“You’re blowing sunshine up my ass.” You said, poking a potato with your fork and bringing it to your mouth. Joel chuckled and shook his head.

“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.” He insisted. You felt your cheeks flushing. You ate in comfortable silence for a moment, your thoughts running crazy. You felt even more delusional after Joel’s words.

“So I brought over a couple movies. I have the original Halloween and the first Scream.” You changed the subject.

“I haven’t seen Scream in a while.” Joel imputed, taking a swig of his mixed drink that appeared to be a Jack and Coke.

“Then it’s decided.” You winked.

When you both finished eating, you helped Joel pack away the leftover food into Tupperware containers. Even his refrigerator was organized. You helped put your dishes in the dishwasher before you both retired to the living room to put on the movie. You brought your glass of wine with you, placing it on the coffee table. Joel grabbed the movie from you, setting up the movie while you got comfortable on the sofa. After your conversations at dinner, your nerves had practically evaporated. You felt much more comfortable and less like you needed to act a certain way to impress Joel.

You watched his back flex underneath his black t-shirt as he leaned down to put the disc in the DVD player. You longed to run your hands down his back, feeling every curve and muscle of his back.

It was dark outside now, the only light source being a lamp that Joel had turned on. He walked to the couch, reaching behind you to grab a large wool blanket. He sat down beside you, your legs being only a few inches apart. Joel placed the blanket over both of your laps, and grabbed the TV remote off the table to click play on the menu to start the movie.

“This is going to give you nightmares, isn’t it?” Joel spoke, looking over to you. Your legs were curled up into your chest on the couch cushion, you pulling the blanket up over your arms.

“No.” You said with a smirk, looking from him back to the TV. “I’ll probably be scared shitless in that house by myself though.”

“A scary movie was a terrible idea.” Joel sighed, resting his arm over the back of the couch.

The first kill of the movie played across the screen, and Joel startled beside you. You turned to look at him, your mouth parted in surprise.

“Maybe it’s you we need to be worried about.” You teased, reaching over to squeeze his leg. His head snapped over at your touch. You turned back to keep watching the movie, but Joel’s eyes lingered on you. Your touch made him feel crazy. The power of your fingertips was enough to make him melt entirely. His eyes lowered to your plump lips, the shadows from the TV dancing across them. Your gaze was locked on the movie, not even paying attention to how you had Joel caught in a trance.

Strategically, Joel decides to lean forward to take a swig of his drink, coming back down to sit even closer to you. Your thighs were touching under the blanket now, his arm falling behind your head to rest on the back of the couch again. You glanced down to observe your close proximity. Your legs were still tucked up on the couch, so your knees were practically on top of his lap.

You continued to watch the movie, but you weren’t really paying attention. Your eyes followed the images flashing across the screen, but your brain wasn’t comprehending anything. All you could focus on was how good it felt to exchange body heat with Joel. You wanted to cuddle into his side, but you couldn’t find the courage to do so. Little did you know, that’s exactly what Joel longed for you to do. He wasn’t paying attention to the movie either. Likewise, he was fighting every urge to drape his arm across your shoulders instead of the couch.

As the movie progressed, a jumpscare happened, and you jolted and covered your eyes. Without thinking, you leaned into Joel’s side. He looked down at your head pressed into his chest, and he lowered his arm to wrap around you, his hand squeezing your arm gently.

“Holy shit, I even expected it too.” You muttered, leaning your head back just a little to peer up at him. Joel stared back into your eyes, the emotion in them unreadable. Joel reached his free hand up hesitantly, brushing your hair back out of your face. Goosebumps rose on your skin, your eyes flickered back and forth between his eyes, searching for any hint of emotion.

Joel didn’t speak. His thumb was working soft circles on your arm while his other hand lingered in the hair by your face.

“Joel.” You whispered. His eyes flickered to yours.

“Hmm?” He muttered gruffly.

“Kiss me.” You exhaled. Joel stared at you for a moment, his eyes dancing between yours and your lips. He furrowed his brows as he considered.

He was fighting himself mentally. If there were zero consequences, he would’ve kissed you way before this moment, but there were so many obstacles with taking things to that level with you. Would it make things awkward between you? Would you realize he was too old for you? What about your father?

Joel’s hand moved to your jaw, his thumb running gently over the soft tissue of your bottom lip.

“Are you sure that’s what you want?” Joel asked softly, the pad of his thumb still on your lip. You nodded, your hand reaching up to cup Joel’s face. His complexion was rough and tanned with wisdom, the crow’s feet by his eyes deepening with the perplexed expression on his face. You ran your fingertips over his beard, ghosting them slowly over the gray patches.

“Use your words, sweetheart.” Joel cautioned. You stared up at him, your fingers venturing into the hair by his ear. Your gaze flickered down to his lips, then back up to his eyes.

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want you to.” You assured him, your tone smooth.

Your words were all Joel needed to hear. He leaned down, his lips softly pressing to yours. Your eyes fluttered shut, your fingers moving deeper into Joel’s salt and pepper hair. The kiss was sweet, the taste of the white wine on your lips mixing with the savory flavor of the Jack and Coke on Joel’s. Your bodies pressed together, your chests flush against each other. Your gut was swarming with electricity, Joel’s arm dropping to your lower back to press you closer to him. He craved you closer. Your tongue darted to brush against his bottom lip, a gentle whimper leaving his mouth, leaving enough of a gap for you to slip your tongue inside.

Joel’s hand lowered to your ass, pulling you up onto his lap, deepening the kiss further. Joel wound his hand into the back of your hair, his fingertips massaging into your scalp lightly. You placed your hands on either side of Joel’s face. You broke away from his lips, lowering your mouth to his jaw, peppering gentle kisses there, then moving to the rough skin of his neck. He exhaled deeply, leaning his head back into the couch, opening up more skin for you to press kisses to.

In that moment, the both of you knew you were playing with fire. You were at the point of no return. The intense infatuation reigned champion over the moral dilemmas that troubled your subconsciouses. The desire you felt for each other took precedence of any sort of reason about the reality of the situation.

Joel’s hands ran down the warm skin of your back as your lips ventured back to his. Your tongues danced together, Joel’s hips rutting up against yours. You felt him hardened underneath you, and suddenly reality swarmed your thoughts. A kiss was one thing, but the thought of moving further scared you. You wanted nothing more to be intimate with Joel, but it felt too soon. You wanted to take your time with him.

You pulled away from the kiss, resting your forehead against his, your warm breath fanning across his face. He ran his hands from your back to your hips, running them slowly up your sides.

“God, you’re beautiful.” Joel whispered, pulling away to gaze into your eyes. He brought a hand up to brush the pad of his thumb across your cheek. He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to the supple skin of your cheek, then lowered his mouth to your neck, breathing in your sweet, vanilla scent. You breathily moaned, intertwining your hands behind his head, pushing your breasts together.

“So so pretty, honey.” He murmured, his mouth ghosting over the soft skin of your breasts, his fingertip tracing over the peaking fabric from your nipples. Your brows taught together, your lips parted at his gentle touch.

“J-Joel I want to—” you began, “but it’s too soon.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay.” Joel reassured you, lifting his hands to cup your face, pecking a soft kiss to your lips. “I’m just enjoyin’ tasting you. I don’t want to rush anythin’.”

Your belly fluttered, a smile tugging at the corners of your mouth. You bent down and kissed him again, this time with a little more pressure. You couldn’t verbally tell him how you felt about him, but your kiss told him everything he needed to know.

“Stay tonight.” Joel spoke against your lips. “We don’t have to do anythin’, just want to be with you.”

You nodded emphatically, running your hands through the hair at the nape of his neck.

“Okay.” You muttered breathily.

You lifted yourself off his lap and sat back down in your spot next to him, this time cuddling into his side. You couldn’t hold back the smile that overtook your lips.

[honkifurhoary]

Emmanuel the Emu: A Story of HPAI Mismanagement

Emmanuel, the TikTok-famous emu owned by Taylor Blake of Knuckle Bump Farms, made national news last month when Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) hit the farm. According to Blake’s initial Twitter thread, Knuckle Bump Farms lost 99% of their avian flock- over 50 individuals- in only three days. These deaths were attributed both to the disease itself and to a cull carried out by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, who did so with Blake’s permission. Emmanuel and a black swan named Rico were the only two survivors, with Emmanuel left unable to stand, unwilling to eat or drink, and quickly fading. Hundreds of thousands rallied behind Emmanuel on social media as Blake documented Emmanuel’s progress, reaching out to public figures like Dr. Pol of The Incredible Dr. Pol and Bindi Erwin of Crikey! It’s the Irwins for help when she failed to find any other sources for emu rehabilitation. But soon, controversy emerged.

Early on, avian influenza experts expressed concern that Blake was not wearing any PPE when interacting with a presumably HPAI-positive bird. Avian influenza is transmissible from bird to human which, combined with the virus’ ability to mix genes and rapidly change, means that PPE is universally recommended when dealing with a suspected or confirmed HPAI outbreak.

In response to concerns, Blake explained that “Emmanuel freaks out whenever we approach him wearing a mask” and that the farm is on a state-mandated quarantine for 150 days, which is the amount of time HPAI is estimated to survive in the environment under ideal conditions. This quarantine reportedly only allowed Blake, Blake’s girlfriend Kristian Haggerty, Blake’s family, and veterinary professionals to enter the property. “I have taken every precaution recommended by the FDA” Blake stated, referencing the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) rather than the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Many people, including HPAI experts, found this explanation unsatisfactory and instead decided to contact the FDACS and USDA directly. Both the FDACS and USDA work collaboratively to manage avian influenza outbreaks in Florida. Dr. Danielle Stanek of the Florida Department of Health clarified that the DOH can recommend that private individuals comply with CDC guidelines, which includes wearing full PPE when interacting with HPAI-infected birds, but they cannot mandate that they do so. Therefore, Blake’s decision to forgo PPE was hers to make, even if it wasn’t in accordance with the recommendations of the FDACS, CDC, USDA, and Florida DOH.

Just as discourse between experts and Emmanuel fans reached its peak, Blake announced that Emmanuel tested negative for HPAI. Instead, Emmanuel’s sudden decline was attributed to stress. “Emus are incredibly susceptible to stress. He was incredibly overwhelmed by the state coming in and euthanizing our flock . . . He stopped eating the day they depopulated.” His lingering issues- the inability to stand or walk independently, twisted neck (torticollis), continued inappetence and dehydration, and lethargy- were caused by a nighttime collapse that left Emmanuel “thrashing on the ground for hours, trying to get himself up”. “He never once had a single symptom of AI, other than not eating”, Blake stated.

HPAI symptoms in birds varies depending on the species and the individual. In chickens, HPAI often presents as respiratory and digestive distress, followed quickly by death. In other poultry species, symptoms may also include the nervous system, causing “tremors, twisted necks, paralyzed wings, laying down and pedaling”. Ratites- referring to the diverse group of keel-less birds that include emus, ostriches, rheas, kiwis, and cassowaries- also tend to develop neurological symptoms. Notably, emus can present with twisted necks (torticollis), ataxia (discoordination), leg and wing paralysis, inability to stand, decreased food and water consumption, purple discoloration or swelling of the legs and head, and lethargy. This corresponds with many of the symptoms Blake has documented in Emmanuel. And it should, considering that Emmanuel did test positive for HPAI.

Test results completed on October 27th, 2022 at the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories showed that Emmanuel’s serum sample, collected six days after the start of the outbreak, contained antibody levels that were consistent with recent infection.

When Blake announced Emmanuel’s stress diagnosis, she was likely relying on information provided by a rapid test, which can provide results within 48 hours. These tests detect viral proteins that indicate active infection and virus shedding. Serology tests, on the other hand, look for the presence of antibodies produced in response to infection, not necessarily active infection. For an indeterminate number of days prior to the sample collection (October 17, 2022) Emmanuel had an active HPAI infection that, rather than stress, likely led to his rapid decline.

Why, then, was Emmanuel not included in the state’s cull on Knuckle Bump Farms? An email between Dr. Michael Short, the FDACS’ Animal Industry Director, and Kassandra Curiel of the FDACS’ Office of the Commissioner, answers this question. Dr. Short states that “USDA guidance is that ratites (emus and ostriches), black swans and exotic pet birds do not have to be euthanized due to lower risk”. Blake echoes this on her Twitter, when she says that “the state only focused on the “super spreaders” which are poultry species and ducks. Ratites aren’t included because they typically aren’t as susceptible.”.

This allowed Knuckle Bump Farms’ four emus (Emily, Eliza, Elliot, and Emmanuel) and three black swans (two unnamed females and Rico), to be exempted from the cull. I cannot find any reference, either in USDA literature or anywhere else, that supports Dr. Short’s statement. In fact, all the literature that I reviewed and all the experts I talked to during my research only confirmed the devastating effects that HPAI can have on both ratites and black swans. This, coupled with the fact that three of Knuckle Bump Farms’ four emus and two of their three black swans died when “the virus hit them extremely hard and very quickly”, calls Dr. Short’s statement into question.

The USDA was also unable to substantiate Dr. Short’s statement. When asked how exemptions to culls were determined they explained that, rather than look at individual species, the USDA classifies HPAI-infected domestic birds as either commercial, backyard poultry, or backyard non-poultry. These definitions ascribe risk of potential HPAI spread by determining the level of contact a poultry premise has with other poultry premises. If a private farm or private household, where the poultry does not have any contact with poultry beyond the property, has an outbreak then they are classified as a non-poultry premises, even if they have chickens, turkeys, or other poultry birds. These non-poultry premises can thus be exempted from culling all their birds by being placed on quarantines by state officials, provided that they adhere to the quarantine and continue to not have contact with any poultry facilities. Knuckle Bump Farms does not sell poultry products; therefore, they were classified as backyard non-poultry and eligible for quarantine. The FDACS seems to have added their own interpretation onto this guidance when they specify ratites, black swans, and exotic pet birds as “lower risk”. I reached out to Dr. Short for comment but received no response.

This isn’t the only time Dr. Short and, by extension, the FDACS demonstrated faulty logic. In that same email between him and Curiel, Dr. Short used this comparison to explain why a citizen’s concern about Emmanuel’s exemption from the cull was unfounded.

“I have heard of only one report of a clinically ill human, over the past 1.5 years of a national response to the current avian flu outbreak. The risk of HPAI to the owner is much less than occurred with household pets that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).  I am assuming no one would advocate to euthanize all pets testing positive for Covid (At least I have not heard of anyone asking us to euthanize pets).

The risk of avian influenza is constantly occurring with all the wild birds in South Florida.  My understanding (not being a human health expert) is the risk to people, especially children and those immuno-compromised at public or private lakes, ponds and waterways from the AI being shed by water fowl is much greater than the sick emu at knuckle bump farm.”

Dr. Ben Golas, a VMD and postdoc with the USGS who is currently working on avian influenza research, weighed in. “It’s a bit like comparing apples and oranges to talk about risk of transmission of COVID vs. HPAI. With COVID, our primary concern is human-to-human contact. [. . .] With HPAI, farm animals are euthanized not only because the disease spreads within the farm flock like wildfire, but also to prevent spreading infection locally to other farms, because HPAI virus can be stable in the environment.”

The CDC agrees. “There is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to people. […] It’s important to remember that people are much more likely to get COVID-19 from other people than from animals. There is no need to euthanize or otherwise harm animals infected with SARS-CoV-2.” When it comes to HPAI, however, they emphasize that human-to-human spread is rare and often limited to only a few individuals. Bird-to-human transmission is the primary method of human infection, with each new infection increasing the risk that a new, more virulent strain will emerge. This, along with the potential for massive bird-to-bird outbreaks that could devastate both wildlife and industry, is why complete depopulation (euthanasia) is standard for HPAI and not COVID-19.

The FDACS seems to be operating on contradicting and unsubstantiated information when it comes to managing HPAI outbreaks. Unsurprisingly, the employees seem equally conflicted in their internal emails regarding Knuckle Bump Farms. One Florida USDA representative noted, while forwarding a citizen concern about Blake’s lack of PPE, that “her face is real close to a bird that has HPAI”. Another USDA employee responded “actually, in one of the pictures she appears to be kissing it on the head.”. Dr. Kendra Stauffer of the USDA wrote, “. . . part of the allowing the pet bird to live was that there were rules the owner was to follow from DOH, which clearly she is not”.

Other employees, however, were eager to show their support. Commissioner Nikki Fried of the FDACS posted a photo of her, Blake, and Haggerty, and later posted a photo of herself drinking Knuckle Bump Farms’ branded beer while wearing an Emmanuel t-shirt.

Fried’s support generated a lot of concern, particularly amongst local farmers. One Florida emu farmer stated, “my disappointment and concern is 100% with the actions of Nikki Fried as Agricultural Commissioner to allow some birds to be exempt from depopulation, including emus, for no quantifiable reason. Emus are susceptible to HPAI. Emus in other states have contracted HPAI in this current outbreak and they either died on their own or were put down. Research shows they are susceptible to HPAI, and can spread it to other birds and humans. The decision by Fried and FDACS makes no sense and it sets a dangerous precedent.”

Considering that Blake has over 847.4K followers on Twitter, 938K on Instagram, and 2.4 million on TikTok, the precedent the FDACS and USDA have set here is, indeed, dangerous. Many of Blake’s followers learned about avian influenza for the first time through her documentation of Emmanuel’s illness and the state’s response to the outbreak. “I watch for Emmanuel updates every day! This has also been a great lesson for many people in farming education.”, one follower said. Another echoed this sentiment, saying “Thank you for taking the time to let us know what’s going on, and answering questions. You truly are an educator”.

Herein lies the problem. Knuckle Bump Farms is a small, backyard operation. Through social media, however, they reach millions. This specific outbreak of HPAI and its subsequent (mis-)management by the FDACS and USDA has now set the standard for many, rather than the exception. Blake’s public failure to comply with PPE recommendations, the lack of transparency regarding Emmanuel’s true diagnosis, a similar lack of transparency within the FDACS and USDA regarding this outbreak, exemptions to cull protocols made with seemingly no supporting data, and a publicly-elected official openly (and financially) supporting Blake through this process, all pose a serious threat to public confidence in HPAI management and future public health. The concerns of farmers, virologists, public health workers and organizations, wildlife rehabilitators, and animal sanctuaries have been ignored, particularly when they asked whether Emmanuel’s fame and the risk of public backlash led to the FDACS’ decision to leave him and several other symptomatic birds alive. It seems, through this research, that there is more support for this theory than the narrative we’ve been provided until now. It is my hope that, with the publishing of this information, the very real concerns raised by people directly effected by HPAI will be given the weight they deserve.

Please take this opportunity to learn about avian influenza from reputable sources:

Protecting Birds from Avian Influenza

Avian influenza and PPE

CDC Avian Influenza

USDA HPAI Response Plan

Florida Avian Influenza Update (Oct 2022)

A huge thank you to the following experts who generously answered my questions: Dr. Ben Golas, Dr. Jim Wellehan, and Dr. Jennifer Riley.

[queen-of-deans-booty]

Deadly Proposal: Final Part (?)

Pairing: Vampire!Dean Winchester x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~4.1k

Warnings: reflections of trafficked girls but instead of for sex it's for blood, angst

Summary: Tension comes to a head as Dean makes a plan to rescue you. He is faced with someone he thought stayed in his past, and you finally have what it takes to take control of your own life again.

Deadly Proposal Masterlist

Square Filled: human shield for @badthingshappenbingo

Author’s Note: i know i ended this on a sort of cliffhanger but this is where the series ends for right now. if you want to see more, let me know and i'll start to plan some more!

x

If this continues, you’re going to be dead before the sun rises. A woman had come in every ten minutes to take the pint of blood only to replace it with an empty bag. She never looked at you but you know it’s one of Richard’s girls because she had bite marks all over her body. She has come in three times which means you’ve given three pints of blood. Two more and you’ll pass out and likely die. You have to get out of here. You have to get back to Dean.

This time, the woman doesn’t come back but Richard does. He looks even younger and healthier than last time, and you know he took a few sips of your blood. He walks over to you and checks the progress you’re making with the new bag.

“You’re doing this wrong,” you mumble.

“Your blood will sell for top dollar in the black market once vampires know what it does. Tell me, how should I be doing this?”

You have to talk slowly and in deep breaths so you can only get a few words out at a time. You try to find whatever strength that’s inside of yourself to finish speaking because this is the only way you know you’ll get out of this alive.

“If you kill me now, you’ll maybe have ten pints of blood. That’ll last you, what, a few years if you’re smart? I’m human. Treat me right and I’ll live to maybe ninety years old. Keep me alive, and you’ll have ninety years to siphon my blood for your selfish reasons. Think about it.”

Richard growls with his fangs out and practically yanks the IV needle out of your arm. He knows you’re right. He can be very rich if he keeps you healthy. He’s not the boss of you, unfortunately, so until he gets word from his boss on what to do with you, you’ll stay in this delirious state.

“Try and escape and I’ll kill you.”

“Death is better than being here,” you mumble.

He’s not worried you’ll go anywhere. You can barely open your eyes much less do anything else. Richard takes the half-empty pint bag and leaves the room, and you look out the window that isn’t boarded up. I wish Dean was here. You were only pissed with him because you were hurt. You were hurt because you’re in love with him and didn’t want someone you love to lie to you like that. You fell for him over the course of blood bonding and normal bonding with him. He was there for you when your parents died, he was there for you with Amber, and he saved you from Richard once. If he can do it once, he can do it again.

You know he’ll find you, it’s only a matter of time. You have to stay alive until then.

It feels like hours when the bedroom door opens but Richard isn’t alone. A taller man is with him, and you blink rapidly to get your vision to focus. The stranger is very tall, has long silky hair, and is very muscular. He walks over to you while Richard stays by the room, and the man grabs your chin not-so-gently. He stares into your eyes and chuckles as if you told him a funny joke.

“I can see why my brother is so smitten with you. You look just like her.”

It takes longer to process his words but it finally clicks into place about who this man is.

“You’re Dean’s brother? I thought you died.”

He lets go of your chin and stands to his full height.

“Glad to know Big Brother is still talking about me. I did die but I came back ten times stronger and better than he ever will be.” He turns and walks to Richard who looks fearful of Sam. “Get her some food and water. Let her rest. No harm shall come to her. No vampire will feed from her. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

“If I find out she’s been harmed, I will do untold damage to you.”

Both Richard and Sam leave, and you chuckle tiredly. He really shouldn’t have said that in front of you. That’s your way out once you get enough strength. Don’t worry, Dean, I’m coming to you.

Dean gathered everyone he knew at his mansion to go over some kind of plan to get you back. Now that he knows his brother is involved, it changes things. He doesn’t think Sam would forgive him for what he did to him centuries ago, and he looks down in shame. Castiel, Amara, Rowena, Charlie, Donna, Garth, and Jody are gathered in his office where there are all sorts of intel on Sam, Richard, and Amber.

“Alright, from now on, everyone is dedicating their time and energy to this. I need eyes and ears everywhere looking for Sam. I know my brother. I might not be able to track Richard or Amber, but I can track my brother. He doesn’t know we know he’s alive. Let’s keep it that way.”

“Garth and I are looking for online activity going back a few centuries. Hopefully, it’ll tell us where he’s been or where he might have gone,” Charlie says.

“Widen your search. You need to go back as far as seven hundred years.”

“We’ll try,” Charlie nods.

“Amara, take Donna and Jody with you into town. You three know the trade. Do what you do best.” All three women leave and Dean looks at Rowena. “Talk to the girls who are willing and see if they recognize Sam’s name. Cas go with her.” Both of them leave. “The rest of us are going to help me. We’ll split into groups and hit the houses we’ve already hit. Excuse me.”

Dean leaves the room and takes out his phone. He hesitates but calls someone he never thought he’d hear from again. He didn’t want to call him but there are only two possibilities for Sam being alive this long. There is no way he’s a werewolf because they don’t live nearly half as long as vampires do. He isn’t a vampire because he’d heard about him at some point in the last seven hundred years. No, there is only one thing he can be and it’s much worse than a vampire.

“Do my ears deceive me or is the great Dean Winchester calling me?”

“Crowley,” Dean growls. “Where is Sam?”

“Nice to hear your voice, too.”

“I’m not playing, Crowley. Where is my brother? Surely, you have him after all this time.”

“Please,” Crowley scoffs, “I got rid of Sam a long time ago. He was becoming a bit of a problem so I had to cut him loose. He hasn’t been my problem for a few centuries at least.”

“Where did he go?”

“Oh, I don’t know. He could be anywhere.”

“Crowley--”

“Don’t get your knickers in a twist. Last I heard, Sam had such a fascination with the Dark Web. He’d love to go there for women.”

“Thanks.” Dean doesn’t wait for him to answer and hangs up on him. He walks back into his office and looks at the best hackers. “Change of plans. Can you get into the Dark Web?”

“Yes,” Charlie nods.

“Sam has a fetish for women being sold on there. See if you can’t track him that way.”

“You got it.”

Dean sits down at his desk and clenches his fist angrily. He shouldn’t have let you leave. He doesn’t want your fight to be the last thing you know. You might be dead but then he’s going to make sure no one gets out of it alive. If he has to, he’ll kill his brother a second time.

After some food, water, and rest, you’re feeling much better. You’re still not one hundred percent but you’re well enough to try and get out of here. They haven’t taken blood since Sam left and you suspect they’re waiting for you to get all of your energy back before taking more. The bedroom door opens and Richard comes in with a tray full of needles and an empty pint bag. If you have any chance of escaping, you need to know what lies outside of this room.

“I have to go to the bathroom.”

“No.”

“Okay, I’ll pee and shit in this room and get an infection from it and die. Is that what you want?” you snap.

If Richard could cut glass with his glare, you’d surely be dead. He unties you from the bed and opens the bedroom door without saying a word. You pretend to be weaker than you feel just to let his guard down so it takes you longer than normal to walk out of the bedroom. Richard guides you to where the bathroom is. You pass by another room with the door open and you make the mistake of looking in.

A clothed vampire is sitting on the bed with a naked woman straddling him. He has his fangs in her neck but she looks like she’s in pain. A tear slips from her eyes and you have to stop yourself from breaking down into tears yourself. When Dean bit you, it felt so good like orgasm-level good. Maybe that’s because you and Dean had feelings for each other. Here, he’s taking that from her and not giving anything in return.

You look away from them and enter the bathroom. Richard keeps the door open but doesn’t come in, lessening any chance you have at trying to escape. You look around the bathroom for something that might help you and spot something gleaming in the corner on the counter. You lean closer and pretend you’re stretching. It’s a metal nail file with a pointed end that someone didn’t put away. You finish going to the bathroom and start to wash your hands.

Richard keeps his eyes on you the entire time but then someone grabs his attention from down the hall. As soon as his eyes are off you, you snatch the file and shove it into the waistband of your pajama shorts. Richard escorts you back to your room and into bed. Something must be on his mind because he doesn’t tie you down like he has before. He sticks a needle into your arm to get another pint or two out of you, but he doesn’t stick around while the blood is being taken.

The second he closes the door behind him, you yank the IV needle out of your arm. You get out of bed and approach the bedroom window that they hadn’t boarded up. These vampires must expect obedience otherwise all the windows would be boarded up. Not to mention they keep the girls high out of their minds so they wouldn’t escape anyway.

You take out the nail file and open the window only to be met by a mesh screen. You stick the nail file through it and start to drag it down. However, the nail file is small so it’s hard to get a good enough grip to pull down. Still, you’re not giving up. You’ll jump out this second-story window and risk breaking your legs than be a blood bag for these vampires.

The bedroom door opens and you turn swiftly to see Richard there with another empty pint bag. It takes a second to register that you’re trying to escape and when it does, his fangs come out and he growls lowly. He takes a single step toward you and you do the first thing that comes to mind.

“Take one more step and I’ll kill myself.” You put the sharp end of the nail file to your neck which is enough to make Richard freeze in his tracks. “This is how it’s going to go. You’re going to get me a phone so I can call Dean, and you’re going to tell me where we are or else I’ll slit my throat. I’ll bleed out very quickly, and even if you can get to me in time to heal me, I’ll turn. I’m assuming Sam won’t be happy with either option.”

The gears turn in Richard’s head before he smirks evilly. In the blink of an eye, he races out of the room and returns with one of the young women who are only wearing nude panties. She looks more aware of what’s going on than the other girls and the thought of him hurting her makes your entire body freeze up in fear. He pushes her hair out of the way and leans down so his fangs only graze her skin. She flinches from the touch and your heart cracks slightly.

“Kill yourself and I think I’ll have a tasty snack to the point where I rip her head off. Imagine that, her not getting to go back to her family. Once I’m done with her, I’ll do the same to every single girl here. I’ll turn you only for you to live your life in guilt because you forced my hand. You don’t want that, do you?”

Once again, a vampire proves to you that you mean nothing. There is nothing you can do. You’re not in a position of power. Yet again, you’re walked over like some weak girl. You lower the nail file in shame, and he whispers into the girl’s ear. She immediately leaves the room as Richard walks over to you.

“You’re nothing compared to me. You have no power here. If you thought you could leave, you’re never going to now.”

You want to cry but you think that’ll only feed his ego. Wherever you are Dean, please find me. Charlie and Garth have been working hard scouring the Dark Web for activity that seems like someone buying young women for vampires. Charlie writes something down on a pad before getting up and approaching Dean’s desk.

“You got something?”

“Maybe. There’s an anonymous user buying women in bulk.”

“Find out who owns the account.”

“Already on it,” Garth says. “There isn’t a picture attached to the profile but the name is Sam.”

“Of course, it is. He’s not subtle. Where is he?”

“This is where his IP address is coming from.”

Garth hands a printout to Charlie who hands it to Dean. It’s a printout of the land like what Google Maps provides and Dean recognizes some of the buildings marked around the area. He takes out the photo that Amanda drew and sees the similarities.

“We got him. Call everyone in.” Charlie does what she’s told and soon, everyone is gathered back in his office. “We know where he is and if I know my brother, he won’t stay there for long. We can’t just go barging in or he might kill her to spite me.”

“You know I used to run in that crowd. I can distract,” Amara offers.

“Jody and I can go in and get the girls,” Donna says.

“Castiel and I will be waiting with the van,” Rowena says.

“Garth and I will hack into the cameras and shut them down, or at least make it so they can’t see when you’re coming.”

That means Dean is going in alone. That doesn’t matter. All that matters is you. He won’t let anything happen to you--anything more.

“I need everyone to know the risks. There’s a good possibility that if Sam catches you, you will die. I understand if anyone wants to back out.”

“Come on, this is for your pretty flower,” Amara smirks. “We’ll get her back.”

“Anyone else?” No one says a word. “Then let’s go.”

Charlie and Garth hack into the cameras to shut them down, giving Dean exactly ten minutes to get in, get you, and get out. Dean won’t need that long. Cas and Rowena show up and stay hidden in the shadows with the van, Amara approaches the front door, and Dean, Jody, and Donna approach the back. Dean strains his ears and waits for Amara to do her thing before sneaking inside. Amara knocks and one of Richard’s vampires answers the door.

“Amara, what are you doing here?”

“Hey, Darren. How’s it going?”

“Why are you here?” he asks, on alert.

“What? I can’t visit an old friend?”

“I haven’t been your friend since--”

She cuts him off from thinking about Dean because then this whole thing will crumble to pieces before Dean can get to you.

“I’ve been alive for a long time, Darren. I remember when we used to wine and dine, bathe in blood. I miss those days.”

“Yeah, we had good times,” Darren chuckles and leans against the door frame.

Dean takes this as a sign to move on. Donna and Jody separate from Dean and slip into the main living room where the girls are. Dean doesn’t even see what he’s doing, he’s so pissed. Vampire after vampire until he gets upstairs where Richard is. He walks out of one of the bedrooms and freezes when he sees Dean at the other end of the hallway with blood splattered all over his face and clothes.

“Dean--”

“Where is she?”

“I--I--”

“Don’t make me ask again,” Dean growls.

Dean strains his ears so he can hear your slow breathing and he smells your sweet blood. His fangs come out and look at Richard who looks like he is going to piss his pants. Dean uses his vampire speed and runs over to Richard who barely registers what’s happening. Richard might be old but Dean is older and deadlier. Dean normally doesn’t do this but he wants to make it hurt as much as possible. He bites into Richard’s neck and uses his strength behind his bite to rip his head clean off.

Dean opens the bedroom Richard just came out of and sees you in bed hooked up to a machine that is pumping out your blood. He runs over to you and gently takes the IV needle out of your arm. You moan tiredly and open your eyes to see familiar green ones.

“Dean, you’re here,” you smile.

“I’m right here, sweetheart. You’re going to be okay.”

Dean slides his arms under your knees and behind your back, but he freezes when he smells someone enter the room.

“You’re so predictable.” Dean lets you go and turns to his brother who has a smirk on his face. “I mean, come on, you have to know I wasn’t going to let her be alone.”

“Sam, don’t make this any worse than it has to be.”

Sam looks at the door but doesn’t move toward it. He chuckles and shakes his head before looking at his brother.

“Do you think I’m stupid? I know you’ve got your team rescuing those girls and killing those vampires.” He looks behind Dean over to you. “If I knew she was like Annabeth, I’d have taken her a long time ago.”

“Why are you doing this? What the hell happened to you?”

“You mean after you killed me? He’s not so innocent, Y/N. I was lying dead on the floor with my throat ripped out when someone found me. You know what they did instead of letting me die like I wanted? They blew smoke up my ass and turned me into a demon.”

“Crowley found you,” Dean poses it as a statement.

“Yeah, but I know my worth. I stopped letting Crowley boss me around a long time ago. I don’t take orders from anyone anymore. Y/N has blood that is very rare and very important so if you think I’m letting you out of here with her, you’ve got another coming,” Sam glares.

Dean stands up to his full height even though it doesn’t compare to how tall Sam is.

“You’ll have to go through me to do it.”

In the blink of an eye, both brothers rush at each other. You watch them fight to kill, not caring if the other dies. You have to do something or else Dean might die. All your life, you’ve let everyone walk all over you. It started with your sister and it’s going to end with Sam. You’re in control of your own life even if it means you’re ending it. You grab the IV needle before it can fall off the bed, and you don’t think twice when you stab it into the side of your neck. Sam and Dean don’t notice you at first until both of them smell your sickly sweet blood. They pause to see you convulsing on the bed with blood squirting out of the side of your neck.

“Y/N!” Dean yells.

Everything goes black shortly after.

You open your eyes and first notice how unbelievably bright the sun is. You squint and move your hand up to block some of the light. Dean’s window faces the west which means he gets the sunset every day. You’ve seen this beam of light before but it’s never been this bright. Dean stands by the window with a drink in his hands. He’s looking out of the window silently.

“Dean?”

Whoa, you’ve never heard your voice like this before. It’s so much louder and more clear than before. Dean steps away from the window, approaches the bed, and holds out the glass that has some kind of red liquid in it.

“Here, drink this. You’re going to need it.”

“What is it?” you ask but take it anyway.

“Blood.”

You pause before looking at him.

“Am I a vampire?” He doesn’t say anything so you sit up in bed and trace the rim with your finger. “I’m not mad. What happened?”

“Drink.” The blood tastes metallically but bitter. You pull the glass away and lick your lips until the red color disappears. “After I unhooked you, Sam came in. We fought and you took your IV needle and stabbed yourself in the neck. It was unfortunate that you hit your carotid. You were going to bleed out if I didn’t do anything. I gave you some of my blood to heal you knowing it would turn you. You would have died if I waited for a younger vampire to do it.” You take another sip and suddenly feel the hunger for it, the hunger that is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. You down every last drop. “I tried so hard to keep you from all this.”

“It’s okay,” you sigh and hand him the empty glass. “I mean it this time.”

“I am so sorry for keeping this from you. I never meant for this to happen.”

“I’m sorry for overreacting.”

“You didn’t. I’m sorry for turning you.”

“Do you want to know why I did what I did?” He nods. “Control over my own life. All everyone has been doing is telling me what to do and how to feel. They’ve been pushing me around. Amber did it, you did it, Richard did it. I figured if I was going to die anyway, may as well die on my own terms.” Dean is quiet. “Did those girls get out?”

“Yeah, Cas and Rowena took care of it.”

“What about Sam?”

“He fled when I went to help you. I think he was scared I might have killed him so he ran. I don’t know where he is or when he’s going to strike next.”

“When? My blood is useless, right?”

“I don’t know, honestly. Fairies have always been such magical creatures. Pair that with dragon blood and vampire blood… I don’t know what that does to your blood.” Dean reaches out and tucks a stray hair back into place. “I was worried about you. You left.”

“I did. I needed space to think. Despite everything that’s happened, I don’t think I can stay away from you. You make me feel alive,” you whisper.

“I need you to know that you are not Annabeth.”

“I know that now.” Dean leans in and kisses you. A vampire has heightened senses so kissing Dean as one makes the fireworks more intense. “If you thought you’d be rid of me in forty years, think again. I’m going to be around for a long time.”

“Good,” he grins.

He leans in and kisses you again, not afraid anymore.

I need you to know that you are not Annabeth. That’s what Dean said to you. If only he knew just how wrong he is. Annabeth stands outside Dean’s mansion that she’s spent so much time in with a smirk. She runs her tongue over her fangs in thought. If you have any hope of surviving in this new world, you’re going to need her.

Not now. She’ll let you have this moment with Dean. She turns away from the mansion and slips back into the shadows.

x

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[echo-goes-mmm]

Kitty Elliot AU #2

Masterpost

Previous

Next

Warnings: past abuse

The catboy ate with gusto, and Ambrose prayed he wouldn’t get sick from eating so much so soon.

He looked filthy, dust and dirt and bruises. His hair looked gray and matted, and from a glance Ambrose could see his underwear was practically hanging off of him.

“Do you have a name?” he asked.

The catboy paused in the middle of drinking, his tongue peeking out before disappearing.

The young man stared at Ambrose, unblinking. His mouth opened and closed silently before shaking his head. He went back to the water.

“My name is Ambrose,” he said. “Is there something I can call you?”

The catboy glanced up and blinked in confusion. 

“Uh- I could make something up?” the young man lifted a shoulder in a shrug before resuming eating.

Ambrose’s mind worked, trying to come up with a list of names. Alex, Conner, Jason, Max, Elliot, Felix.

“How about Max?” No response. “Conner?” Nope. “Elliot?”

The catboy looked up, licking a stray drop from his lip. He opened his mouth and closed it again, a faint squeak from the back of his throat.

Hardly a sound, barely a meow, but it would do.

“You like Elliot?” The catboy nodded before going after the bread on the plate.

Ambrose watched Elliot finish eating. The fruit was gone, but Elliot had made a face when he ate it. Clearly not a favorite item, but he probably couldn’t afford to be picky. Ambrose made a mental note not to give him fruit.

Elliot didn’t seem to know what to do with himself now that the food was all gone. He just stared at Ambrose, still crouched on the floor. His hands and feet were under him, as if he thought he might need to pounce or run.

Ambrose rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly awkward. Elliot’s eyes followed the movement.

“How about a bath? With some nice, hot water?” he offered. Elliot’s eyes glanced over to the basin and pump in the corner and back to Ambrose.

“Upstairs, I mean,” clarified Ambrose. “I have a better bathroom on my floor.”

Elliot turned and slipped back under the bed. Fair enough.

“Alright,” he said, picking up the dishes. “I’ll let you rest. I’ll see you tomorrow, I suppose.”

He washed the dishes and cleaned up before heading upstairs. Ambrose hesitated outside Elliot’s door. It was silent.

Ambrose shook his head, still in disbelief. He trudged up the staircase that led to his room. 

What a day.

He lit some incense at the small altar, and told Janus about his day. A habit he never could bring himself to stop, even though it hurt.

Ambrose took a hot shower, scrubbing the day’s work off his body. 

He hoped Elliot would stay for a while, or at least until he was strong enough to leave. He could use the company.

Even though he lived in a small town with plenty of people who knew him, he was still lonely.

A friend, a real one, would be welcome. 

Ambrose slipped into bed and fell asleep.

___________________

He knocked on Elliot’s door after breakfast, scrambled eggs and toast in hand.

“Good morning,” he said, opening it after no response.

He caught a flash of tail disappearing under the bed. Huh. The sheets had been used; Elliot had slept in the bed, and that was progress.

“It’s just me,” he called out quietly, closing the door behind him. “I have some breakfast for you.”

Elliot’s face poked out from under the bed. Cute.

Ambrose set the plate out, a few feet from the bed. Elliot crawled out again to eat. 

He still looked wary, especially with Ambrose standing instead of sitting, but food was apparently more important than fear.

His claws weren’t out, which was a concern. His fingers looked fine, so he wasn’t declawed, but the marks on his body indicated violence.

What if using his claws was beaten out of him?

Ambrose scanned his body, taking in the wounds. There were scars on his back, raised and long. Bruises were everywhere, green and sickly yellow, purple and black. A prominent one in the shape of a boot lined his side.

Ambrose wasn’t wearing shoes yet, and maybe that was why Elliot was comfortable at his feet despite the clear history of being kicked.

Ambrose crouched down, and Elliot flinched. “Sorry,” he apologized. “I didn’t mean to startle you. Have you thought more about having a bath?” 

Elliot’s ears and tail twitched. 

“I just think it might be nice to have a wash. Don’t you want to be a little cleaner? Maybe get your hair and fur brushed?”

Elliot hesitated before taking another bite.

“You can pick out some clothes to borrow afterwards,” he offered.

Elliot didn’t seem convinced. 

Ambrose chewed the inside of his cheek. “I have some cream downstairs. You can have some after we’re done.” 

Elliot’s head shot up, his eyes wide. “I promise,” Ambrose said. “You can have a whole mug.” He hoped it wouldn’t hurt his stomach, which was likely, but it was his only bargaining chip.

Elliot wiped his face with the back of his hand, nodding. 

“Great. We’ll get it done after you finish eating, okay?” 

Elliot went back to his eggs, and Ambrose sighed in relief.

Food, water, a bath, some clothes, he checked off in his head. Pain medication, maybe. Slave for those bruises. And we can get rid of that awful collar.

Elliot cleared his plate in a scant few minutes, looking up at Ambrose expectantly.

“Good,” he said, and he could see the bare hint of a smile on Elliot’s face.

Ambrose let them upstairs, Elliot trailing silently behind him. He began to run the hot water, checking the temperature every few minutes to make sure it wasn’t too hot.

Soon the tub was full, and Ambrose fetched a towel and washcloth for Elliot.

But when he got back to the bathroom, the catboy was gone. Ambrose set the towels aside, pushing down his panic.

“Elliot?” he called. No answer.

Shit.

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@loserwithsyle @bitchaknso @cepheusgalaxy

[killxio]

the start of something beautiful | r. braun

word count: 402 [ 1 min 30 sec read] | ✪ content warnings: uuuhhh stay away if u team fuck them kids. i mean i am too but like.. who don't love a fictional baby?

✮ new dad!reiner x new mom!reader / reiner x black!reader

you, your man, and y’all’s newborn baby.

- new dad!reiner who cried more than the baby did at birth

- new dad!reiner who, despite not letting you lift a finger since finding out about the pregnancy, still puts you on bedrest for the first few weeks post-partum. regardless of doctor's orders.

- new dad!reiner who rushes to his babygirl's every beck and call. he's learned her different types of cries after just one week, and can damn near hear her cry before she actually starts crying.

- new dad!reiner who's there for every post partum ache or craving, anything you want he'll get.

"whats wrong?" he immediately shoots up from his book in bed at the sight of you teary-eyed.

"it's s-stupid" you sniffle

"how many 'stupid' things have i made happen for you during the pregnancy? you still think i care about stupid?? tell me what's wrong baby."

"i want a kinder bueno bar so badddduhh" you whine, slumping over into the pregnancy pillow you still utilize.

you barely blink and he's sliding on his hoodie and slides.

best believe you got three of those damn bueno bars.

- new dad!reiner of whom you have a video of slowly swaying in the kitchen, lowly singing to an RnB song, daughter laying across one arm and a spatula in the other one early morning.

- new dad!reiner who has no concept of when a baby is meant to start eating solid food.

"so uhhh.. what's going on here?"

"’m introducing her to peanut butter."

"for one, ill be damned if my baby likes that solidifed dog water and two.. she's three and a half weeks old?"

"yeah. and?"

"'rei, that's like 8 month old shit. she can't even sit up on her own?"

(spoiler; not that you liked peanut butter before, but during your pregnancy the smell made you throw up on more than one occasion. no suprise she didn't like it a year later when reiner tried again.)

- new dad!reiner who you find in the hall late one night, showing babygirl your bump progression photos, explaining to her how big she was at each interval and how excited he is that she's finally here in the flesh.

- new dad!reiner who's first post of her had lyrics to "she's mine, pt.2" in the caption.

- new dad!reiner who, again, cries more than the baby does when his paternity leave is up and he has to work again.

- new dad!reiner, who makes you wanna marry him all over again.

[idiot-cheesehead-archenemy]

Fancy Meeting You Here

Word count: 4629

Warnings: implied parental abuse

Prompt: Danny sneaks into a fancy party that happens to be attended by one Vlad Masters

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The evening had been going pretty well. 

Danny had noticed the mansion while flying in the area a few days ago. He'd come back tonight to see what he could lift - nothing that would be badly missed, of course, maybe some food and cash - and had been pleasantly surprised to find a lawn party in progress. Parties always had the best food, and though he knew he was risking getting caught, he also knew that he was capable of pretending to be a rich socialite for at least a few minutes when necessary. That should get him far enough. 

He flew back to the city, taking an appropriately sized suit from a store he knew - it would be returned by the time they opened in the morning - and again to the mansion to scope out the scene.

The lawn itself was not massive, a rectangle about the size of a football field. Still, it gave the few hundred guests plenty of space to mill about without getting in each other’s way. The mansion was probably half a football field in total area, spread across several irregularly shaped wings. Danny didn’t see many people inside; it seemed the guests only went in to use the restrooms. The building made up one edge of the lawn, another edge ran along the parking area and driveway, and the other two butted against the thick forest that covered most of this region. The entire property was surrounded by a barbed-wire fence, no doubt lined with cameras, but Danny had barely given that a thought as he flew invisibly overhead. 

He did note the black-clothed security guards walking the perimeter and roving through the sparse crowd. They might be an issue, but there were so many people here that it would take some time before they noticed him. Enough time to grab a few handfuls of hors d'oeuvres, at least.

After walking casually out of a restroom, Danny made a beeline for one of the food tables, smiling and nodding at people as he passed. He found an assortment of tiny sandwiches, fruits, and vegetables. All of it had been artfully arranged at some point, but the effect was less impressive after about half the food was gone. 

He picked through the sandwiches, finding various nut butters and thinly-sliced meats with strong scents that didn’t quite appeal to him. He did grab a couple of carrot sticks, though; he had to be the adult and remind himself to eat healthy, now that there was no one else doing it for him. 

The next food table was more interesting - a mixture of cooked and raw fish and other seafoods, with a rainbow of toppings and side dishes that reminded Danny, probably intentionally, of a coral reef. This table, too, was at least half-empty, but there was plenty left to choose from. 

“I’d pass on the caviar,” said an older woman on the other side of the table. Danny had not been reaching for the caviar, but he pulled his hand back and gave her a grateful look. “Far too salty,” she continued. “But that bluefin -” she nodded toward a plate of pink cubes coated in black sesame seeds - “is perfection.” 

“I appreciate the advice, thank you.” 

“Waters, Kindra,” she said, as if Danny had been asking for her name. He wasn’t quite sure which name was supposed to be first. “And you are?”

“Andy Benson.” It was his preferred alias; something close enough to his real name that he would turn his head automatically when he heard it. 

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Andy.”

“Likewise.” 

“May I ask whom you’re here with?”

“Oh, he’s …” Danny looked around, as if surprised that his responsible adult wasn’t right next to him. “Actually, if you’ll excuse me,” he said, still turned away. He didn’t really have anywhere to go, though, with the whole party being in a single open space. Maybe he should go back inside and turn invisible so he could continue browsing the food without risking any more awkward conversations. 

He got about halfway back to the house before feeling a tap on one shoulder.

A broad man wearing all black and an obvious earpiece stood behind him. His shirt didn’t actually say “security” in a bold white font, but it may as well have.

Well, crap. Danny probably should have given them more credit. He quickly scanned the crowd, wondering what had given him away. Maybe his age; he didn't see any other teenagers in the immediate vicinity.

Turning fully to face the guard, Danny channelled his inner rich asshole. “Do you need something?” he sneered.

“What’s your name?” The security guard’s tone suggested that he had already decided Danny wasn’t supposed to be here, but protocol didn’t allow him to drag the teen away just yet. 

“Benson, first name Andrew. I’m on the list.” Danny crossed his arms impatiently.

“Andrew Benson,” the guard said into his earpiece. After a few moments of silence, he said, “You sure the Hell aren’t.” 

“Oh, that’s ridiculous. Who is in charge of this list? I want their first and last name. And for that matter -” 

“There you are!”

Danny and the security guard both turned toward the voice. A tall man with long silver hair was striding purposefully in their direction.

“Mr. Masters?” The security guard sounded slightly cowed, now that he was faced with an actual rich asshole. “You know this boy?”

“I was just telling them,” Danny started quickly, hoping he’d read the man’s intentions correctly, “they said there’s no Andrew Benson on the list, and I was just saying -” The man, Mr. Masters, held up a hand to silence him. 

“What’s this about Andrew not being on the guest list? He’s my plus-one.”

The guard spoke into his earpiece again, looking apologetic. “Does Masters have a plus-one?” After another few moments he said, “I’m sorry sir, you don’t have a plus-one listed. And, if I may be so bold -” Mr. Master’s glare suggested that the guard did not, in fact, have his permission to be so bold, but he continued regardless, “- I checked everyone in personally. I don’t remember seeing this young man with you, or at all.” 

“That’s ridiculous. Are you implying that I not only failed to inform Mr. Marra about my guest, but also somehow lost track of said guest before we even got through the gates?”

“I don’t mean to imply anything, sir, I’m just -”

“Just doing your job, I’m sure. Well, then, how about you run and tell your boss that you think a teenager got past your security team, and I can tell him that you were harassing one of his guests, and then he can decide which story he likes better and what to do about it. Does that sound reasonable?” 

The guard looked uncomfortable, but he didn’t back down. Danny had to respect that, even if it was inconvenient for him. “I will have to make a report, Mr. Masters.”

“Please do. If more accurate reports had been kept in the first place, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. In the meantime, however, I’d ask that you leave myself and young Andrew to enjoy the party in peace, hm?” 

The security guard looked to Danny, then Mr. Masters, and finally nodded. “Of course sir; I apologise for the disruption.”

Before walking away, he threw one last narrow-eyed look at Danny, leaving no doubt in Danny’s mind that, whatever this random rich guy had to say about it, security would be keeping a close eye on him from now on. Annoying, but not a disaster. He’d gotten away clean from worse situations than this. 

Running through possible escape scenarios, Danny allowed Mr. Masters to lead him to the edge of the treeline. A handful of people followed the duo with their eyes, no doubt having been eavesdropping on their encounter with security. 

“I trust you understand what just happened,” Mr. Masters said when they stopped, his voice low but stern. “I’ve vouched for you, which means, from this point forward, your actions reflect on me. Behave yourself, or you will regret it. Is that clear?”

Danny wondered if this guy was a dad. If so, he felt bad for his kids. 

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes or do a mock-salute, Danny simply said “Yes, sir.” He figured someone like this probably wouldn’t accept being called much less than “sir” by the likes of him, and now probably wasn’t the best moment to offend him. Later, maybe … 

“Good.” He straightened his already-straight, perfectly-pressed suit and scanned the crowd. Idly, almost as if to himself, he asked, “What do you enjoy?”

“... I’m sorry?” 

“Enjoy,” he repeated, eyes still on the other guests. “What interests you? Art, mathematics, technology, … video games, I don’t know.” When Danny still didn’t answer after a few seconds, he added, “These sorts of events are about networking as much as anything; everyone will expect me to introduce you to people, especially people who work in fields you may be interested in. I’m trying to figure out who you can talk to without making an ass of yourself.” 

“Oh. Uhm …” He could lie, but why bother? It wasn’t like his desire to be an astronaut was some kind of identifying characteristic. And anyway, it would be a lot easier to keep up his cover if he wasn’t also trying to improvise his way through conversations about subjects he didn’t know anything about. 

Of course, it would be even easier to just say he had to go to the bathroom and then disappear … But he’d barely even tasted the food, and it could be fun to talk to people who worked in astronautics, assuming anyone here actually did. 

“Space travel, and astrophysics, that kind of thing.” 

Mr. Masters looked at him then, maybe trying to figure out if he was lying, or maybe just surprised by the answer. His expression was hard to read.

Danny suddenly wondered whether the expensive suit he was wearing was expensive enough, or maybe too expensive. Could rich people tell how much a suit cost just by looking at it? Did Mr. Masters suspect that it was stolen? Come to think of it, why hadn’t he asked any questions? And, for that matter, why hadn’t Danny?

“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful … sir. But why are you covering for me at all?” 

Mr. Masters’ gaze had returned to the people milling about the yard - some of whom, Danny noted, were still throwing occasional glances their way. He didn’t turn or otherwise acknowledge Danny’s question, though Danny didn’t doubt he’d heard. He spoke after a moment, still looking away. That seemed to be a habit of his.

“Our host’s name is Edward Marra. He owns the parent company of many of the big names in cobalt mining and processing. This party is to celebrate his recent acquisition of what was previously his biggest rival company in the Asian market. I’ll point him out when I see him. You won’t really be expected to know who anyone else is, but you will be expected to act duly impressed whenever they mention what they do, and to remember names. Can you handle that?”

Acting impressed, probably. Remembering names, probably not. 

“Sure.” 

“Good. And do wipe the cream cheese off your sleeve.” 

Danny frowned as he inspected both sleeves. There was a tiny bit of something white on one of the hems; it must have been from when he was reaching across the table of tiny sandwiches. Danny wiped it off with his finger and then tasted it, confirming that it was, in fact, cream cheese. How had Mr. Masters known that? 

The man was already walking away, and Danny hurried to catch up. 

No one did work in astronautics, it turned out, but Danny met several people who’s companies had contracts with NASA, and others who simply had a personal interest in space exploration. One woman who couldn’t have been older than thirty spoke with passion about the need to create human-livable environments off-planet, before Earth itself became inhospitable. A man who couldn’t have been older than twenty-five spoke with passion about the vast potential for resource-extraction in asteroids. 

Mr. Masters always introduced Danny as Andrew Benson, the son of some old college friends of his. Danny always corrected this with a polite “my friends call me Andy.” 

It took what felt like an hour at least, and probably more than fifty introductions, for Danny to learn that Mr. Masters’ first name was Vlad. Though he always addressed people by first name, it seemed few were willing to be so informal in return. Was he much richer than most of the people here then? Or more powerful in some other way? A politician, maybe?

Vlad Masters. It sounded vaguely familiar. Then again, Danny had heard so many names in the last hour that they were all starting to sound alike. 

Vlad had just exchanged a few pleasantries with a husband-and-wife duo of scientists - two of the few people in attendance who seemed to have gotten rich off their own work, rather than collecting salaries as executives of profitable companies - when something caught his eye. “Ah, there’s Edward. I wondered where he’d gotten to. If you’ll excuse us …” 

Danny was glad for the distraction. Though the two scientists bore no physical resemblance to his parents, they reminded him of them in spirit, and it was not a welcome reminder. 

Following Vlad, he tried to remember if he was supposed to know who ‘Edward’ was. Oh, right - the host. He worked in … mining? Diamond mining? No, that wasn’t it. And what was his last name? 

The man they were approaching was distinctly middle-aged, but wearing it well. His shortish hair was a mix of blond and grey, and his face bore deep laugh lines. He noticed the pair coming and grinned, throwing his arms out by way of greeting. Danny wondered if he was a hugger. 

“Vlad Masters,” he called while they were still several yards away. His voice was loud, projected like an actor’s, and seemed to fill the space despite them being outside. “They told me you were around here somewhere.” When they were close enough, Edward reached out both hands to shake Vlad’s enthusiastically. 

“Edward,” Vlad said with a warm smile, “a pleasure as always. And may I be the, oh, three-hundredth, I’m sure, to congratulate you on your masterful acquisition.” 

Edward grinned, somehow, even wider. “It means more coming from you than from the other three hundred combined.” Was that because Vlad was a good friend? Danny wondered, or because he was so much more successful than all the others? He kicked himself again for not asking more questions while they had some privacy. Who was this stranger he was following? 

Then Edward looked down at Danny and shook his hand with just as much energy. His grip was firm but not hard, and his smile seemed genuine - but you could never be sure with these types. 

“And this is our ghost, I presume.”

Danny froze.

He couldn't have guessed, could he? Would he be smiling like that if he had? Would he have taken Danny's hand so carelessly if he thought Danny was a dangerous monster? Surely not. Probably, this man didn't even believe in ghosts. Most people didn't.

But some people did.

Unpleasant memories prickled at the back of Danny's neck, and he worked to keep his attention in the present moment. 

“Edward, this is Andrew Benson, the son of some old college friends. Andrew, this is our gracious host, Edward Marra.”

“My friends call me Andy,” Danny recited, not quite managing the smile and friendly laugh that were supposed to accompany the line. 

“Andy,” Edward said warmly, like they really were friends. Danny did not think about his parents. “There's no need to be nervous; you're not in trouble. I'm just fascinated that no one seems to remember you coming in, or even have any record of your RSVP. And yet, here you are. Like you've appeared out of thin air.”

“Like a ghost.” Danny managed a small smile at that. Of course he'd meant it metaphorically. Danny dropped his shoulders and noted, pleasantly surprised, that his hands weren’t clenched into fists. He was fine. 

“Spooky, isn't it?”

“But no real harm done, in the end,” Vlad added, possibly as a way to get away from the topic. Would Vlad face any consequences if someone found out he was covering for a party crasher? A few whispers and odd looks, maybe. Danny doubted someone like him had much experience with real consequences.

“No, heaven's no, of course not.” Edward waved a hand dismissively. “The important thing is that you're here now and enjoying the party.”

“Very much so, sir.” 

“Then I've done my job. So tell me, Andy, what is it you want to do after school?”

“I want to be an astronaut.”

“An astronaut!” Again, Edward’s voice boomed out, probably audible even at the far end of the yard. “Well, there's a lofty goal, eh?” It took Danny a second to realise Edward was making a pun, so his laugh was late. Edward seemed to take no notice of this as he continued without missing a beat. “Shoot for the moon, that's what I always say. It's rare for someone to take that advice so literally.” He laughed at his own joke, and his laughter boomed too. Maybe this was why the party was held outside.

Despite himself, Danny was put at ease by Edward's joyful demeanour. It reminded him - no. It was just nice to talk to someone so unreservedly happy. 

“To be completely honest, sir," Danny said with a wry smile, "I think the moon is a bit played out. I'm actually aiming for the stars.”

Edward boomed out another laugh, as Danny had expected he would. 

“I think you’ve got a little disrupter on your hands, Vlad.” Edward winked conspiratorially at Danny. “That’s a compliment.” 

Danny wasn’t quite sure what to say next, so he was relieved when Vlad took the attention off him again. Vlad and Edward made small talk about stock prices or something for a few minutes before Vlad pulled a “I don’t want to take up too much of your time” to end the conversation.  

“Of course, of course, I have plenty more hands to shake. You two enjoy the rest of your evening. But keep an eye on this one, eh?” Edward gestured to Danny. “You never know when he might disappear again.” 

“I’ll be sure to do that.” Though Vlad said this with a laugh, Danny sensed a conviction behind the words. It sounded a little like walking into a room and then hearing the door lock behind you.

This time when they walked away, Vlad didn’t lead Danny to yet another group of people, but instead was heading toward a nearly-empty food table with no one around it. 

“He seemed pleasant,” Danny volunteered, keeping his tone light. He'd just ask to go to the restroom now. Vlad couldn't exactly say no to that, could he?

Vlad responded, predictably, without looking at him. “He would destroy you and everyone you’ve ever loved to save himself a penny.” He said it casually, like this fact was as interesting as the man’s birthday or shoe size. “And, just in case it wasn't clear, he absolutely knows you aren’t supposed to be here.”

What Danny heard was, ‘I am currently the only thing standing between you and the man you’ve slighted who has no qualms with murder.’

Though it sounded like a figure of speech, Danny suspected the description of Edward's character was more or less accurate. Danny remembered one of Sam’s rants about the diamond industry, and then reminded himself not to think about Sam. The point was, if Edward Marra ran a diamond mine or something close to that, he probably had, indeed, sacrificed lives for his fortune. 

Was Vlad threatening him, then? Implying that, if Danny didn’t behave as he wished, he’d turn him over to Edward? Or suggesting that Danny owed him something now, since he had stepped in and put himself at risk to protect Danny?

Except, of course, Vlad didn’t seem remotely concerned for himself. All evidence suggested that, whatever Edward Marra might be capable of, Vlad Masters had nothing to fear from him. 

“Who are you?”

Vlad finally turned toward Danny, wearing a hurt expression. “You mean you haven’t heard of me? Vlad Masters? Owner of Mastersoft?” 

Danny couldn’t keep the dawning realisation off his face, though he schooled his expression as soon as he saw Vlad’s satisfied smile. 

Vlad wasn’t just a rich guy. He wasn't even just a billionaire. He was one of the richest people in the world.

“What are you doing here?” Danny wasn’t exactly knowledgeable about the financial elite, but he didn’t think anyone else at this party was a multi-billionaire. 

“Networking, as I said.” 

“Why would you need to network?” 

“Everyone needs to network,” Vlad said with a solemnity that suggested either a deeply-held belief or a very dry joke. 

“Right,” Danny muttered. “Well … Thank you for helping me tonight. I think I’m pretty much partied-out, so I’ll probably just hit the restroom and then take off.” 

Vlad nodded. “Indeed, I think I’ve had about all the small talk I can handle for the month. Shall we peruse the dessert table before we go?”

Vlad turned so they were side-by-side and simultaneously reached a hand behind Danny's back, like he was going to physically push him in his intended direction. Danny stepped away and turned so he was facing Vlad again. Unfazed, Vlad smoothly moved his hands behind his own back, striking a pose that should have seemed silly but looked natural for him.

“I didn’t mean that you had to leave just because I am,” Danny clarified. 

“What, am I to stay and mingle without you? What would people say? ‘Where’s that charming young man that was with you earlier? Lost track of him again, have you?’ I’d have no answer.” 

No, Danny supposed that would be kind of a bad look. Not that that was his problem. “Okay. I’ll go to the restroom while you say your goodbyes, then we’ll meet at the gate.”

“So you can disappear on me? I think not.”

Well, he wasn't stupid; Danny had to give him that.

“Where would I go? There are security guards and a huge fence.”

“Just as there were when you came in.”

Danny huffed, slightly frustrated with himself. It would have been simpler to leave as soon as security had clocked him. 

 “Fine. We walk out together, then go our own ways. If you think I’m getting in a car with you, you’re nuttier than a can of snakes.” Vlad raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask. 

“It will be a bit difficult to explain why I’m getting into the car without you.”

“I leave it to your vastly superior intellect to think of something.” 

Vlad inclined his head, allowing that. 

They did, in fact, hit the dessert table before they left. It was hard for Danny to limit himself to one plate, but without a more stable container, and knowing he’d be flying soon, he didn’t have much choice. He did, however, stack and interlock as much as he possibly could, grateful that the plates were sturdy ceramic instead of paper. He didn’t expect anyone to stop him from walking out with one of the plates - though he certainly wasn’t supposed to, he was also with Vlad Masters - and no one did. 

When Vlad’s driver arrived in a twelve-foot long limo, Vlad explained that he’d decided to enjoy the night air for a little bit longer, telling the driver to wait a mile or so up the road. 

“Very good sir,” the driver said, like he was trying to sound like every stereotypical butler in every movie, except that his accent was less British and more New Jersey. Vlad didn't acknowledge the random teenager beside him, and the driver followed suit. 

“I see you went with one of your more modest limos,” Danny deadpanned as they started down the long driveway. 

“Naturally, I didn't want to upstage the host.” 

They walked along the side of the road that bordered the Marra property, marked by the tall fence that ran as far as Danny could see from his current vantage. The other side of the road was the edge of the forest. Danny only needed to go a few yards in to be confident he was hidden, and then he’d be free to go ghost and fly back to his temporary home. 

“You know,” Vlad began, interrupting Danny considering whether to split off now or wait until Vlad and his driver were gone, “I’m not actually planning to kidnap you. If there’s somewhere you’d like a ride to …” 

“Thanks, but no thanks. I found my way here; I can find my way back.”

“And how did you find your way here? You obviously didn't drive. We’re really not within walking distance of anything, or even reasonable cycling distance." 

Shoot, had he given away too much? No, Vlad would have been wondering that anyway; at worst Danny had called attention to what was already a suspicious detail. And anyway, there were plenty of non-ghost-related possibilities. 

He shrugged. “I have my ways.” 

Vlad smiled slightly and nodded, probably having expected a response like that. Why would Danny answer honestly, after all? Most likely, Vlad had only asked to let Danny know that he was suspicious. Maybe it was another subtle threat, implying that he was curious about Danny and would be looking for answers. Or maybe Danny was being paranoid. Or maybe one of the most powerful people in the world - someone who could probably get some security camera footage and access to a police database if he really wanted to - had taken an undue interest in Danny, and Danny should get as far away from him as he could as soon as possible. 

“I’m going to leave now,” Danny said, not seeing much point in tact. “I’m going to cross the street and walk into the forest and you’re not going to see me again after that.”

“Watch out for wolves,” was all Vlad said in reply. So Danny crossed the street, glancing behind him constantly. Vlad never broke his stride and showed no sign of even remembering that Danny was there. 

What had the past hour and a half been to him? A brief distraction from the monotony of yet another boring “party”? A good deed for a clearly troubled youth? Or the beginnings of a puzzle he intended to solve? 

A few times in his life, Danny had been truly lost, with no idea how to even begin searching for familiar territory. When it happened, he never felt himself becoming lost; he firmly believed that the way back was clear, until he tried to take it. Then he would realise that he had, in fact, been going the wrong way for hours. 

Danny had a sense like that now - looking back on the evening, trying to figure out exactly where he had turned right when he should have turned left. Should he have run from the security guard? Should he have just stayed invisible from the start? At what point had this outcome become inevitable?

Granted, Vlad had given no real sign that he cared one way or another where Danny had come from or where he was going. Maybe there really was nothing to worry about. Still, as he watched Vlad Masters stroll casually away, Danny couldn't shake the feeling that he hadn't seen the last of him.  

[pianokantzart]

I saw this post by @elitadream for her Body Swap AU. I then blacked out, and when I came to I had written a one-shot. Enjoy! As usual, be mindful of the tagged trigger warnings.

––––––––

"Don't look so gloomy, you should revel in the fact that you held such power! You were the sole pillar that held The Mushroom Kingdom aloft!” Kamek reached out a hand and patted the great chained beast on the snout like it was the head of a small child. Mario winced and tried to turn his face away, but the enchanted shackles held him firmly in place. In his helplessness, he locked eyes with the malicious magikoopa, and blew a puff of smoke in a silent threat.

Having been imprisoned for so long, Mario passed the time learning to wield and control Bowser’s fire breath in hopes that, at some point, it would be of use. The way the heat built up in his lungs didn't feel too different from how firebrand once burned within his heart and weaved around the bones of his hands. In the dingy silence of his cell, he spat large jets of blinding orange flames, breathed tiny flicks of red embers, and puffed dark billows of grey smoke in a quiet contemplation of what all he was capable of. While his body was restrained in such a way that he couldn’t aim the weapon, the fact he could use it at all proved to be a very helpful form of self-defense against the soldiers who delivered his rations of food and water.

Once the guards had overcome the initial strangeness of Mario inhabiting their King’s body, they grew cruel, taking every opportunity to taunt the fallen hero. Physically damaging him was off-limits, but everything else was permitted, and when the usual insults escalated to spitting and throwing food, Mario finally lost his temper, releasing a billow of fire and a fearsome roar that cleared the room in seconds. From then on, whenever a koopa entered his cell, he would growl lowly and breathe smoke. This effectively deterred any further abuse…

… unless, of course, it was Kamek. Kamek was not only accustomed to Bowser’s fearful form, but he knew he was Mario’s sole hope of returning to his own body. Whatever threat was directed at him was nothing more than an amusement. “On the other hand," he continued, "you are the greatest crack in their defenses. Never before have we made so much progress in conquering a kingdom in such a short amount of time, and you’re entirely to thank for it!” “Leave me alone.” Mario had intended to sound menacing then, but despite his new voice there was no denying the fear and sorrow that muddled every word. Kamek smiled. “Oh? But don’t you want to hear about this progress we made? That the castle is falling? That Princess Peach has disappeared?” Mario’s eyes widened. The chains holding him back clattered as his massive body jolted. Fear built within him, stoking the literal flames in his chest until it glowed with heat.

Kamek appeared satisfied with this reaction. “Yes! Disappeared entirely! We expected such behavior from your brother… hiding himself like a proper coward… but we are having a good deal of trouble figuring out where The Princess has gone to!”

Mario suddenly became aware of a strange pain spreading through his body. He had, by now, become accustomed to the burning aches that accompanied being chained up for so long, but this pain was different: more direct and intentional, like a thousand little blades tearing at the sinews beneath the skin. He now saw that the wand in Kamek’s hand was glowing, the smile on his bespectacled face wider and more malicious. “Now, your body is still the property of Lord Bowser, and as such is not allowed to come to any harm.” He hummed, “Thankfully, I know a few spells capable of causing a great amount of pain without damaging the vessel.”

Mario tensed. The agony spreading throughout his body worsened, and he huffed a small burst of flame from between gritted teeth.

“So, I’ll ask this only once:” Kamek hissed, “Where do you suppose the princess has gone?”

Mario answered with a cold glare, then squeezed his eyes shut in anticipation. Kamek, having expected this, obliged by intensifying the spell. There was the initial surge, white-hot and agonizing, forcing a restrained cry, when the pain suddenly– and unexpectedly– ceased. Even stranger, Mario felt his restraints fall away, and nearly collapsed in their absence, his limbs slowly shifting in the relief of newfound freedom.

Kamek released a guttural gasp. Mario opened his eyes just in time to see his tormentor struggling against tendrils of bright pink magic that wreathed around him like serpents, until the magikoopa slumped quietly to the floor in an unconscious heap. Behind him stood the familiar figure of Princess Peach, her hands ablaze with magic that sparkled like starlight.

Seeing her in the doorway, disheveled but unharmed, scowling at the fallen foe before her, Mario was suddenly overwhelmed by fear and shame. He’d had dreams like this during his captivity, and believing them for even a second proved immeasurably painful when he awoke to find himself restrained and alone. But even if this wasn’t an illusion, everything he was at this moment was an affront to her: a strange combination of monstrousness and uselessness. His alien form complemented his own newfound insignificance, every ounce of goodwill he’d earned over the years now actively destroying all they had struggled to protect. His body fought to make itself smaller as he stumbled back, only to be immediately stopped by the far wall of his tiny cell.

“S-Sono costernato…” he began, loathing the sound of his own voice. But Peach had already crossed the room, desperate to hold him the moment she recognized his eyes. Mario felt the soft fabric of her gloves wrapped around his face, her hair tickling his snout as she pressed her forehead against him. It was difficult not to hold her in return, but Mario restrained himself. He feared underestimating his own strength and unintentionally hurting her more than he already had, so he simply stood there, basking in the sensation and taking in the undeniable reality of it all.

[outisgivingpac]

PAC: Little things you can do to improve your everyday life

Because there are days when simply existing feels like an extreme sport, this PAC shall give you some mundane advice to make your day a little bit easier 🌱☔✨

Check out my pinned post for my masterlist and personal readings ❤️

🐸Pick a pile/image you feel most drawn to🐸

Pile 1. Pile 2. Pile 3.

Pile 1: Queen of Pentacles reversed, the Empress reversed, The High Priestess

Dear Pile 1, there're a lot to unpack here so I hope you would stay with me till the end. Firstly, I can feel your fatigue streaming through, as it seems like you're buried under all kind of house chores and errands. What you can really use right now is a helping hand, not just someone who would nod sympathically to your struggle. Many of you could just be living alone, but some might share the place with someone who have different living standards as yourself. Either case, you could cut yourself some slack by asking for help, or simply letting others help you. On a side note, you might not have been eating properly as of late. Either you eat too little, or only fuel yourself with the kind of food that has little nutritional value. Though, it appears you're fully aware of all these problems, and just have to listen to your body more. You know better than anyone when you need to take a break, when to take a sip of water, or what you crave. So, yes, you should trust yourself on that as often as possible, rather than deeming it evil whisper your inner goblin lol

Pile 2: 6 of Cups, 7 of Pentacles, 9 of Wands

As it seems, people of this pile need a lot of activities and/or stimulations during a day to feel good in general. At the same time, idleness will weight you down like a plague. Without busying yourself with something that can be considered productive throughout the day, you tend to spiral hard in your head and become restless at night. This is often the case on those days when you don't have to go out for school or work. Aren't you a workaholic high-achiever with reasonable expectations for anyone but yourself? You're much encouraged to not take your day-off for granted, spending it worrying about work. Maybe you can pick up a hobby like handcraft (f.e. knitting, origami ect.), playing an instrument or engaging in certain outdoor sports. I know it could be much when you're low on energy, so it's important to find out something you truly enjoy to keep you (or your mind) active (maybe something you can do even when lying on bed?). The progress you make with your personal project will keep you in a more positive mindset. Lastly, some of you totally should keep your daily caffeine intake in check 👀

Pile 3: 7 of Pentacles reversed, 2 of Cups, Temperance

For Pile 3, I can tell you guys are goal-oriented people, who could get impatient when your effort are not met with immediate results. The lack of progress or productivity, whether it comes from your side or other party, could frustrate you greatly and taint your day in a sullen mood. To make your life a little bit easier, it's important to turn a mental switch when you're off work. Set your priority and boundary clear, knowing that you have tried to do the most you can with the cards you're served. There's always another day to continue or try again. Besides, if you have the "all or nothing" mentality, having compromises and taking the middle road will cut you some slack. As the world is not black or white, and it's completely normal to have inconsistency in your energy level. If you have a significant other, a close friend or family member, spending quality time with them is like swallowing a health potion. Oftentimes, they act like your personally cheerleader, hyping you up and helping you feel like your effort is seen, waaayyy before it is recognized by practical results. But hey, you can start giving it to yourself, too! Start to talk about/to yourself more kindly, like you would for someone you love.