#pardon me for my writing skills

[heareriissmau]

❧ ❝pseudo alliance❞

mha kacchako!smau

disclaimer: if you don't like kacchako step away. this smau is only for fun. also this is gonna be filled with a lot of curses or expletives because bakugo.

genre: comedy, romance, slow burn, crack, tooth-rotting fluff summary: After the big war of today's generation, the popularity of Class 2A skyrocketed even before their debut as Pro-Heroes. Which comes with a price. The most popular students in class are getting way too much attention to the extent of being stalked. So, the students brainstormed ideas on how put a halt on these harrassments. Or; Class 2A opts for Bakugo and Uraraka to fake date to get rid of each other's strange fans. ship: Bakugo Katsuki x Uraraka Ochako (My Hero Academia)

**paragraphs are present for this part. **

word count: 1,720

katsuki semi-slams the cluster of books on the table. not loud enough to be glared at by the librarian for the second time, but loud enough to express his vexation over his project partner's tardiness. it has been well over 5 minutes, where the hell is she?

he pushes his phone away with a grunt, opening one of the books to start studying. twenty minutes already passed. he's never one to waste time.

thinking about this had him pissed off again.

"she's in charge of collecting homework today." the two-toned boy sitting across katsuki reminded, not sparing a single glance at the latter. "just saying. in case you forgot."

katsuki huffed through his nose. "of course i knew that." he did not. he did forget, so he mentally forgave his cheeky partner for not showing up at the designated time. doesn't change the fact that ochako didn't bother give him a heads up before she left!

"guess it's fine she isn't here yet," the raven-head sitting beside shoto spoke and rested a palm over her chin, observing the blond. katsuki noticed neither of them mentioned ochako's name on purpose. kyoka continued, leaning a little closer to whisper, "not much onlookers today."

she made a good point. it's rare on occasion to see the library be not filled to the brim with curious students openly watching them like hawks. it was a curse to be popular.

"aren't you a girl, too?"

"probably not."

katsuki raised his eyebrow at kyoka for the dumb response, which the raven-head shrugged at in deadpan.

it's 'cause kyoka is taken.

guess fangirls knew to respect a relationship, even if one hasn't been established yet. this left a shudder down the blond's spine. the word 'dating' has been haunting him recently. let's think about something else.

why isn't uraraka ochako here yet?

katsuki has already had the one page he's been reading over and over memorized while waiting. he could've started by himself but she borrowed his laptop to work on her part of the report. this was getting nowhere. he checked the time on his phone. 5:45 pm.

"if you need her so bad, why don't you go look for her?"

he absolutely did not like the teasing tone underneath kyoka's voice and it didn't help that he found her smiling at him like a damn cheshire cat. she's definitely mina's friend.

the twitch on katsuki's eye was beyond his control. "she ain't lost." he checked the messages on his phone for good measure, earning a snicker from the girl.

"it seems to me you're worried about her," shoto finally spoke again while taking his time writing notes for his report. "the way your leg has been bouncing up and down under the table the last several minutes is annoying, bakugo."

katsuki didn't even realize his anxiety was showing. wait, anxiety? who's anxious?! god-

fine.

he considers ochako a friend now, maybe. a friendship orchestrated by a frog every lunch break. whatever. sure. it's harmless to admit he's worried about her whereabouts and it's not weird just because she's a girl.

girls are so fucking weird.

"she could be terrorized by that kid that likes her, for all i know," katsuki blurted out of nowhere.

"so you are worried about her?" kyoka questioned.

"whatever you wanna call it." katsuki was tired.

"how sweet. hope you get worried about me, too." katsuki considered shoving a book in shoto's mouth.

"anyway, if it helps," kyoka's earlobe jack slithers back up to its original length and twirls it around at the blond like a pointer finger casting a spell at him. "there's a familiar giggle i heard in the hallway. that should be her."

as if on reflex, katsuki stood up from his seat, catching the attention of both his classmates. he blinked.

"i'mma go piss."

"gross."

"sure. of course, you are."

he nodded at no one, "be right back," and exits the library. he paid no mind to the stares bored onto his back by those two. they already know where he's actually headed anyway.

shoving both his hands in his pockets, katsuki walked down the halls and roamed his eyes discreetly around the long corridor. also completely passed the restrooms as he did. he'll go later. from a few feet away, he finally found the very girl he's wondered where the hell has been all this time, talking with a dude.

jesus, could you tell her to get a room? katsuki rolled his eyes before turning around about to leave her there until ochako saw him. her cheery, jolly expression then immediately turned sour. she widened her eyes at him, brows furrowed, lips pursed tightly. katsuki thought she looked like she was about to let out a fat shit while the dude with her was turned away, trying to find something from his backpack.

wait.

wait.

ochako's expression now looked like she was about to cry while letting out a fat shit. he pieced it together. right in front of her was the same dude trying to get into her pants even after getting rejected over and over. from the looks of it, she could be signalling katsuki to offer her help.

now, what was he supposed to do???

he scratched his head and watched as ochako still made a crying face at him. flailing an arm to get him to come until she quickly snapped out of it, back to her fake smile when her stalker turned to her again and gave her unwanted undivided attention. katsuki was very tired.

"oi, cheeks."

he finally approached. the stalker turned to the direction of the voice and flinched at the sight of the very bakugo katsuki looming behind him. that's right, get scared. "i've been waiting for an hour for you and this is where you've been?"

that wasn't a lie. though an hour was an exaggeration, but nevertheless the sense of relief painted on ochako's face was absolutely priceless. what have they been talking about for her to react like this from getting found?

"sorry, bakugo-kun! a bunch of stuff happened so," the brunette sheepishly responded and slid away from the other kid. she stood right next to katsuki like a little cat that got sprayed with water.

she turned back to the first year, presenting her usual chirpy self, "anyway, asahi-kun! what were you saying?" as if she actually cared about what he said at this point.

the kid, apparently called asahi, had his mouth agape. his eyes shifted back-and-forth from ochako to katsuki. must have been confused by the combination. "i was about to ask if you're free to go to an exhibit with me this friday?!" the ahashi kid held out the tickets to her face.

ochako made this strange apologetic look as she said, "oh, i'm sorry. we're workin' on our assignment. i'm sure you'll find somebody else to hang out with!"

oof.

wow, she's had it, huh?

that is not something ochako would usually say.

the look of confusion rather than dejected sadness that resulted on the azashitty's face was katsuki's answer. he must've been incredibly egotistic to only be confused ochako had rejected him. "then what about another day? are you free-"

alright. katsuki got the gist of it.

"are we done here?"

his voice exploded from the patience that has been lost since he left the library, startling the kid in the process. "she said no, didn't she? the hell are you still yapping for? you really think over-insisting would get her to say yes? you made out of fucking gold or something?"

"don't be too loud, bakugo-kun."

"wh- w- what's it to you?! m- mind your own business!" he looked like he was about to pee on the spot. a wimp, after all.

"'mind my own business,' he says," katsuki scoffed, maintaining eye contact with the first year. indimidation works so why not use more of it. "what if i told you it is my business? i'm the one she's hanging out with this friday anyway." it's for their project but he can be smug about that too.

ochako badly wanted to roll her eyes to the back of her head, but she didn't. "let's just go to the library." she tried to avoid the whole debacle and go back but katsuki held her in place. he wrapped an arm around her neck.

this felt ominous.

"y- you? okay? what's that supposed to mean?" the kid seemed to be bothered at the sudden skinship. ochako and katsuki were always seen together, in the same group of friends. to add, ochako has always been the clingy type of friend. she's found to be linking arms with, holding hands with, resting her head against her closest friends from class but never with katsuki. the very dude that disliked skinship, a complete opposite of ochako.

so, what's going on right now could very well be a nightmare fuel.

ochako sighed. "well, he isn't wrong.

"we're partners fo-"

"we're dating."

there was silence.

the partners made eye contact. one just as surprised as the other. ochako stared right at him with crazy eyes. katsuki guessed she must've been losing it inside.

"WHAT?" but not as much as the kid before them.

the blond decided to stand his ground, breaking eye contact with the girl in his arm. "yeah," his voice cracked.

"uraraka-senpai!" the kid shifted his attention to the poor internally spiraling ochako. he just doesn't stop, doesn't he? "since when? why haven't you told me anything?! all this time i've just been stupidly chasing over someone that's taken?!"

ochako's eyebrows furrowed at the demand for an explanation. as well as the absurdity of this conversation. especially from a literal extra. "i think we're done here, asahi-kun. i would like for you to stop bothering me anymore, or i will actually call faculty on you."

ochako unhooked katsuki's arm dangling around her and held his hand, pulling him to the library with her. they walked silently, or not considering the incoherent shouts coming from a certain student.

just now did katsuki realize what he had done.

"holy fucking shit."

ochako stopped to give him a blank stare.

"... my bad."

"remember this is your fault."

"fine."

both students decided it was best to not proceed with their previous objective back at the library.

⸻ part 10: patience wasn't the key

prev part ✩ main post ✩ next part

heights alliance secrets:

denki cried on priv, asking kyoka to unblock him. he apologized.

kyoka was eavesdropping. shoto, too.

toru sent ochako one-word messages frantically that it amounted to over 50 messages notified on ochako's end.

katsuki was then given another reason to save ochako's number.

oh and they went to the courtyard because acads comes first. also, ochako needed some time to chill before coming back to the dorms and be met with interrogation.

reply if you wanna be in my taglist! ⚝

[nabaath-areng]

As children, twin brothers Jinn and Tchigri would always run away from home to embark on their so called 'expeditions' to ancient Turali ruins. Now in their adult years, they travel together as experienced archeologists, seeking to continue their mission over at distant shores. Years spent on the field using pickaxes and sledgehammers have served to help them develop new and refined techniques with their chosen tools, setting them apart from traditional miners who primarily hunt for ore. Whether it be ancient artifacts or hidden fossils, any remnants of the past are unearthed with utmost care and precision. It is not profit that drives the twins. Indeed, they merely possess an insatiable curiousity for all which came before them. To them, there's just something so very special about those who walked before not being all that different to those who now walk after. Every ruin tells them that same story; that people have always laughed, wept and bonded over the same things, then as they do now. Jinn and Tchigri hopes to compile all their findings into literature one day. Not for the sake of established scholars, but rather to introduce everyday people to the wonder of history and archeology, and thereby encouraging them to be curious about the world around them... and the stories that lie in wait, if you just know what to look for.

First attempt at writing for the so called 'background characters' (ie characters that aren't necessarily created to be fully fledged or detailed, but rather are just made for fun for me to play around with different designs and lore ideas without feeling like I have to commit wholly). I actually made their designs and gave them their names back in 2021 (and even drew them), but I just couldn't decide what their homeland should be and so they've kinda circled around aimlessly in my brain ever since then. Only now did it finally click when I realized how fitting Tural would be! Really helped them 'make sense' for me, which meant screenshot time!

[taichissu]

honestly, yes, i am also surprised i went so far as to pass all 3 years of uni without the ability to write proper study papers but as you can see I'm here and it must be a proof of a flawed curriculum if i managed to pass everything without this 'basic skill' as you phrased it

[yayll]

~ a little something about Dazai's impeccable detective skills... only when it comes to you ~

"Uh-huh... And you said you were meeting someone last night?" Dazai pretends to jot down this information, his brows slightly furrowed as he scribbles into the notepad he conjured up from his long tan coat just a few seconds ago.

"Yes, that's correct."

"Ah, I see.. Fascinating. And how was it?"

"How was what?"

"Your date." He says, smugly. His head tilts in mock innocence, and his smile stays plastered on his lips while he watches you practically choke on your own spit. Now he's really going to start writing details down...

"Oh, no, it wasn't like that. Nothing that official, heh." You fidget with your fingers, looking down, and suddenly your shoelaces are the most interesting thing you've ever seen. You didn't think questioning would last this long, you weren't even involved in the crime, but this eccentric detective before you says all witnesses are vital for the investigation and you're just doing your civil duty as a valued member of society!

And this drives Dazai insane... how ridiculous that you don't have a clear standing within the life of whomever you were seeing. It should be a crime, really! If you were his, no one would ever hear the end of it. He hums to himself, nodding as if in deep thought as he draws a heart around your name in his notepad, adding his own name right under yours. He clears his throat and looks back up at you, making sure his knees don't give out at the way you seem so bashful around him.

"I beg your pardon? Do I hear that a young and beautiful person has not been swept off their feet successfully?"

Just before you can answer, a young man with white hair and a peculiar asymmetrical haircut runs to Dazai's side. He peers at his notes, and nervously chimes in.

"Er, Dazai? Mister Kunikida wanted me to come find you, but I didn't think you'd actually be working- Why are there so many hearts drawn-"

Dazai immediately moves his hand over the young man's face and comically shoves it away from his notepad, still smiling at at you. He speaks through gritted teeth and a nervous chuckle.

"Not now, Atsushiiiii, I'm working~"

This causes Atsushi to grumble, his face deflating into an annoyed sigh as his gloved hand scratches the top of his head.

"But Dazai, this is kind of important, and I really don't want to have to be the one to tell Kunikida that you're slacking off again..."

Dazai instantly snaps his head to look at Atsushi, pointing at you with dramatic flair, his voice reaching a mocking pitch.

"Oh, but I'm not, young Atsushi! I've come out here on pure basic instinct... I'm conducting a very serious investigation, and so unfortunately Kunikida and the rest of the folks at the agency will just have to wait for my genius intellect to come up with a tantalizing resolve. Get Ranpo to help. 'Kay byeee!~"

Dazai grabs you by the arm and though the gesture is hasty, he's surprisingly very gentle as he drags you away from the white haired young man. You're now standing outside a cafe and Dazai takes out what looks like a business card, presenting it to you. He scans your slightly confused face, and thinks about what other precious faces you'd make for him if he stuck around you long enough like the hound dog he is. He wonders if you'd let him touch your arm again, maybe even your hand... maybe even your-

"Are you okay, Dazai?" You ask in slight concern. Oops! He's been nonverbal for too long. He shakes his head rapidly and lets out a soft chuckle.

"Never been better! Here, take this, it's my personal contact. I think I've got all the notes I need to finish my work, but I seem to be missing one last thing-"

He proceeds to lean in a little, his now softened hazelnut eyes looking into yours intently, and his voice becoming drastically more serious. There's a glint of sincerity, and an emotion you can't quite place, but it makes your blood pressure spike and your cheeks flush at the casual intimacy of it all.

"... A time and date so I can see you again, perhaps?"

You feel yourself feeling giddy, and slightly stammer as your response flows out of you coyly.

"Ooh well, maybe tomorrow in the evening? I'll be off of work then. We can um, get coffee here?" You nod your chin up at the cafe sign, and flash him a soft smile. A smile that will keep him happily satiated until tomorrow.

"Ah, then it's a date! An official one..." He winks at you, and pats the top of your head, the feeling is light and angelic. By the time you recover, he's gone. You get a last glimpse of the way the tail of his coat swishes as he sharply turns the corner of the street, and you stand there smiling like a giddy schoolgirl. What you don't know is he does the very same thing, thinking about how playing with the fire of his own destiny is worth ruining if he could cement himself into your heart. In his adoring eyes, you could do no wrong. That's his job.

[jaestrz]

𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐚𝐢𝐧’𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 - 김민규 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐲𝐮 𝐊𝐢𝐦

A/n: this is not proofread, it’s been a while since I last posted so my writing skills are rusty ㅠㅠ. Enjoy!!!

• Husband!mingyu x wife!reader

Mingyu know for one fact, he would do whatever he could to guide you and his daughter to the path of joy.

He wanted to give you the whole world if he could.

So when he happen to talk to an old friend of his during high school at an event. Most of the questions caught him off guard- yet, put him in a confused position.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve last seen you Mingyu! I never knew I could see you at an event like this in the future!” Hyunwoo chimed, extending a hand for Mingyu to take. To which he did.

“I didn’t know I could see you at a place like this as well. Heard you were settling in France, how’s life there?” Mingyu asked.

Hyunwoo smiled from ear to ear when Mingyu mentioned about his current home. “It’s been wonderful. In fact, I flew to Korea with my girlfriend. She should be here somewhere. I was hoping you two would get to know each other. ” Hyunwoo said, lightly placing his hand on his friend’s shoulder.

Mingyu didn’t really know much about Hyunwoo. Perhaps it’s been years since he last talk to his friends, he didn’t bother to dig much information about Hyunwoo.

Back then Hyunwoo was amongst the richest kid in school. Everyone seemed to know his father as the CEO of a famous company. Other than that, how he and Hyunwoo had become acquaintance seems to be blurry in his mind.

A few minutes have passed with catching up, Mingyu came across a blonde haired girl in red who interrupted the conversation between him and Hyunwoo.

“Oh Jung eun! This is Mingyu, Mingyu this is my girlfriend Jung eun. Babe, can you believe it? The last time we met was back in high school!” Hyunwoo laughed, snaking his arms around his girlfriend’s waist when she got closer.

“Nice to meet you Mingyu, I heard a lot about you just now from my friends. You must’ve been an amazing person to everyone.” Jung eun complimented, Mingyu on the other hand could only force a smile.

It was different from what Mingyu had expected. He remember Hyunwoo dating a girl named Areum but it didn’t last long before they broke up on their 2 months anniversary.

And he couldn’t keep track of who Hyunwoo dated because really… there was just too much.

There was a moment of pause, as if he was running out of ideas to continue the conversation.

Until Jung eun asked.

“So… how about you?”

“Pardon?”

“Do you have a girlfriend?

He didn’t intend to laugh but he didn’t expect her to ask such things.

Hyunwoo eyes lingered towards the metal ring wrapped around Mingyu’s ring finger. It was a simple white gold band. How come he didn’t know Mingyu was married.

Hyunwoo looked surprised. And he spoke faster before Mingyu could answer.

“You didn’t tell me you got married recently. I thought you would at least have a girlfriend by now? You should’ve invited me, I would’ve love to see who’s the lucky girl.”

Mingyu smiled, shaking his head in denial. “Actually I got married before graduation.” He confessed, making Hyunwoo more confuse.

Hyunwoo thought Mingyu was joking. There was no possible way.

“But you were in a such tough position… How- it’s impossible. You know you can just tell me you got married recently, it’s not something to be ashamed about. Since- you did grew up with nothing.” He nervously laughed, trying to cover the shock impression. But when Mingyu didn’t seem to be kidding, he grew more furious. “You were going through a financial crisis even when you were in school. You were the quiet kid back then.”

“I didn’t know there were girls who were interested in you. Until now?”

To Mingyu, of course there was.

He wouldn’t think he would reach this far if it weren’t for someone’s support.

*

Mingyu didn’t have a lot back then like he has now.

A week before graduation, the both of you got married at a church near your hometown. Wearing a $20 cheap silver band as the rings. Although he had warned you many times that you shouldn’t be expecting too much from him, you were unbothered by his warnings.

You two were just two fresh young adults, living in a rented single room while Mingyu balanced his work and study life. He would work 4 different jobs while attending university. Same goes to you except he didn’t allow you to work like him.

It was the time where you and Mingyu would prepare budgeted meals together. Talking about what you two would want in the future.

A house.

Maybe kids.

Even a vehicle was something you two couldn’t afford to own.

“I have something for you love.” Mingyu said while you two were on your way back home. Both of you shared an umbrella (he was lucky enough to bring one when he went to fetch you) so there was such limited space for you both to not get wet.

A slight confusion planted on your face when he took out a snack from his backpack

It wasn’t much but it was something that could lit you up after a long day.

Pepero.

But back then it was considered expensive so you and Mingyu tried to avoid buying it and bought a cheaper version. Nonetheless, you wouldn’t know the real taste of pepero anyways.

“Gyu but I thought-” your words were cut when he pecked you on the lips, his hand intertwined with yours.

“It’s yours. Take it okay?” He smiled.

“But will you share it with me?” You cautiously ask.

A chuckle left his lips.

“If you want to, then yes love.”

*

“Sorry, am I interrupting?”

The three heads turned their heads towards you, the corner of Mingyu’s lips formed upwards. Taking your free hand and bring it up to plant a kiss on your ring before taking Minji from your hold.

Mingyu shakes his head no. “You’re not, I was just talking to an old acquaintance. From our high school actually, if you remember.”

Judging by Hyunwoo’s expression, he feel like his head could burst from the amount of questions he’s been holding to ask.

You?

The girl who he had been taken an interest since your sophomore year.

Turns out to be a mother and Mingyu’s wife.

But you had gotten more prettier. More mature looking and not just some girl who would open her locker to find dozens of gifts and letters from boys like him.

He was too lost to even speak his mind.

“Hello y/n it’s been a long time since we saw each other.” He extended a hand but you politely bowed as an exchange. “Do you remember me? Hyunwoo?”

And it took you a while to answer because you kept looking at Mingyu.

And he didn’t expect the answer either.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think I do…” you replied and the pure disappointment just flushed over his eyes. Silence filled in the gaps. “I know it’s terrible of me but I believe it’s been 8 years ago? Were you someone important?”

“Not at all! Like your husband said, we were just acquaintance,” he said with a forced smile.

And before it started to get awkward, Jung eun quickly changed the topic.

“Well! It was nice to see you two. If you were ever to plan on traveling to France, we should see each other there.”

Hyunwoo coughed. “We also have to go now. Or else we might be late for our flight.” He kept his tone cool, before politely excusing himself and Jung eun.

You give it a few minutes when the couple left before turning over to a furious Mingyu with an eyebrow raised. Minji in his grip was playing with the two rings on his finger. You were holding in your laughters, it was possibly hard to breathe anymore.

“Cut the acting sweetheart, you’re terrible lying in front of me.” Mingyu stiffled a laugh when you let out the biggest exhale.

“There was no such thing as acting.”

“mama lie.” Minji murmured before rubbing her face in Mingyu’s neck.

“Even our daughter said so.” He grinned and you playfully rolled your eyes. “But why didn’t you admit it? Hyunwoo was hoping you would remember him.”

Mingyu was a nice person. You remembered back then when Hyunwoo looked down on Mingyu for being financially broke. He didn’t treat Mingyu like today.

You despise him more than anything.

“Because he used to be mean. Even if it’s not to me, he was mean to someone I love.”

You watched his eyes softens, his expressions turn into somewhat concern. It was something he didn’t want you to remember nor reminisce. It was something that he wanted to keep it away forever.

“Hey, I thought we agreed to move on sunshine?”

“We did.” You replied, watching his free hand tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear. “But then I saw you talking to him today and I remember all the mean things he said about you. How you were just some kid working a part time job to earn a living and you wouldn’t survive the outside world.”

And everything is true, Mingyu can’t find a single false in your words.

He wasn’t someone popular to begin with. Neither he has any knowledge on business. He was never trained to do those things.

Seeing Hyunwoo today took a big toll on you.

“But I just need you here beside me y/n. If you didn’t then maybe I’m nothing according to him.” Mingyu alleged. “We still have to be nice about it hm? I’m sure my princesses are such sweet girls.”

He got closer, planting a kiss on your cheekbone. Minji on the other hand was trying to adapt what was going on.

“Daddy, mama sad?” Minji asks, looking at you.

Mingyu put on a soft smile, planting a kiss on her temple.

“Mama is just a little tired. But she’s okay.” Mingyu assured.

“Uh oh, mama have to sleep!”

“Not a bad idea, maybe we should all go home and cuddle together in bed. How does that sound?” Mingyu suggested and Minji’s eyes lit up from the idea. “Should we ask mama if she’s okay with leaving early?”

The toddler turns to you, gripping onto your arm to get your attention. The satisfaction in her eyes when you said yes was heartwarming.

Mingyu’s gazed burnt your skin, as your eyes met with his, it was like he was asking if you were okay.

“Don’t worry anymore okay?”

Your lips formed into a thin line. Nodding.

“I love you.”

“I love you much more than you could possibly imagine sunshine.”

[meetmypointlessaddiction]

dumb and in love | l.howlett

Summary: you and logan were friends but you were in love with him. too bad your flirting skills are below par.

Tags: really bad flirting from reader, fluff, slight ooc logan (?)

“Just flirt with him babe. The man is clearly in love with you so where’s the harm in going for it?” Storm had joined you in your midnight kitchen adventure, the pair of you sitting at the counter snacking on some cereal as she listened to your boy problems. 

“And what if he’s just being nice? What if I ruin everything? Plus, I am too socially awkward to flirt. You saw what happened yesterday when I tried to flirt with him.” 

~~~~~~~~~~

Breakfast at the mansion was peaceful once the children were fed and out of the way. The adults could sit down and enjoy their food and could catch up. Logan and you had been talking, complaining about lessons, talking about plans to go out on the weekend, the normals stuff when you let it slip. 

“I think you’re cute.” Storm and Jean both looked your way, the pair of them knowing about your crush on Logan, but the man just looked at you confused. “I umm��� I said can you pass me the fruit?” 

~~~~~~~~~~

“That wasn’t your fault, he wasn’t listening and it would’ve been awkward to repeat yourself. Look, the only way you’re ever gonna know if he feels the same is by asking him so go for it. Plus, if things got awkward, we’d much rather keep you here anyway, we’ll get rid of Logan.” Rolling your eyes at her as you stand and put the cereal away. As much as Storm was trying to encourage you, the thought of losing everything with Logan was enough to put you off the idea completely. You would just have to suffer in silence. 

For weeks after, you basically ignored Logan, avoiding him at meals, going to bed earlier than normal to avoid seeing him and not joining the group on their outings. Eventually, he decided to put a stop to it and cornered you in your classroom. “You’re avoiding me.” There was no room for arguing in his tone, you’d been caught out. 

“Mhm. I have a class to get to Logan, I’m covering for Sco-.” 

“No you’re not. Jean is covering for you. We’re talking about this. Now.” Well that was not how you were expecting this to go. “What have I done that’s made you hate my guts hmm?” 

“It’s not a you thing, it’s a me thing. I don’t hate you, I am just madly in love with you and I can’t flirt to save my life.” The truth came spilling out of your mouth before you could stop it and Logan just stared at you, mouth open before his lips quirked into a smirk. 

“Madly in love with me huh? I suppose I know the feeling.” It takes you a minute to realise what he said and for the dots to connect before it is your turn to stare gormlessly at him. 

“I beg your fucking finest pardon?” 

“Bub, I’ve been trying to drop hints for months but you’re too fucking dense to catch on. You think I make breakfast for everyone? Watch shitty chick flicks with everyone?” 

“I… I thought you were being nice?”

“You’re an idiot.”

Over time, you would learn that that phrase was his version of ‘I love you’, the phrase that he had said so many times to you over the course of your friendship was his way of loving you.

please like, comment and reblog if you enjoyed, it encourages me to write more :)

Dividers: @coolcatsgraphics

[winxfairyliveshere]

Ruben Dias x Wife Reader

Angst

Hi!!! I really don't know if i am doing a good job or not. I just said "Why not write fanfics?" and here i am. This is my first time and English is not my mother language so if there are mistakes, pardon me :) I hope you guys like it!!!! Feedbacks are welcomed 🥰

It was a hard week that you three had. Man City lost a game, you were dealing with a toddler and a backpain cause of the pregnancy. Teo, your son, was not helping, he is clinging into you every day. You just don't have any "me time"s. Your husband, Ruben, was also nervous and a little bit impatient for the next game. Because he wants to prove everyone he is still best, a game can't define his abilities and skills. That's why he was doing a double exercise everyday. He's the gym king, always was, always will be. But after you gave birth to your first child Teo, he made some changes in his routine for becoming a good father and a caring husband. And he is doing amazing. But as you said before, he was impatient for the next game. And when you said him he is being too concerned for it, his big brown eyes found yours with annoyance.

"What are you saying?"

"I am saying you are too anxious for the game. You should be more relax, you are exercising well eating well, you will be good. Remember? You are Ruben Dias. You did your part, its time to trust God." He laughed at your words like you said something silly. You looked at him with questioning eyes. But he returned to clean his game shoes, ignored your look.

You peeked a look to your son, you can see your son playing in the living room through the door, he was happy. And then you took a few steps to Ruben, he was in the hallway. You tapped his right shoulder a little bit harsh and said "Why are you laughing at me?"

And it made him angry. He got up furious from where he sit. He opened his mouth and then he probably remembered your son was to close to the hallway so he came closer to your face.

"Don't talk like you know so much about football" he muttered with his index finger pointing at you. You were in shock. You were 6 months pregnant, hormones walking over you like a flood, crying at everything, well, you were always a delicate person so this wasn't a big surprise.

"I know nothing?! Then talk to me! I know the past match making you uncomfortable but what i am saying is, you can do better and you will be. I just trust you and want you to trust yourself-"

"Y/n, no. No okay? You can't understand me at this point. You can't understand. You are not in the football world."

This words broke your heart. Yes you are not in the field playing active football like your husband but you are in the football world. You know how hard it is, how it can be challenging for your family. You remember yourself worrying and crying about your husband what if he wouldn't come to your delivery because of his crazy schedule. You remember that lonely nights with your infant son because Ruben was at a different country cause of the Champions League. You remember the time Ruben got hit to his head, laying on the field with blood on his face. You started to shake, wondering will he be okay. This and all other stuff. You lived this things because you are in the same world with him, you got in this world because you love him unconditionally. And right now he says no you can't understand him, you are at a different world. Wow.

You shook your head, laughed ironically. "So you basically say i can't understand you huh? I know nothing? So what am i then to you?" You pointed your big belly. "Am i just a body you can fuck and make babies? Since i can't understand your world, this makes me just a body, not a soul mate as i thought, huh? Why are you staying with me then?" Ruben tried to say something but you acted fast.

"No shut up!" Your voice was raising high. "Why did you make a baby with me then? You think i know nothing about your job but you are building a family with me. As i remember i made this babies with you." You were referring your belly and Teo with your two hands. "I was not under of a another man."

He took a big step and gripped your arm tightly. You saw his veins in his forehead and neck.

"Shut up y/n! You are crossing the line. Yes i remember the nights you were under me, there is no other way around. Watch your words or this will go worse."

"Worse?! What will you do?" You looked at your arm with Ruben's hand on it.

"Mãe?"

You both turned your heads to the living room. Teo was standing in front of the door with his cute pyjama set and bare feet. Ruben let go of his hand from your arm and walked to the other direction while sighing. You walked to the your scared son, his cheeks were red. He inherited this from you. Your cheeks will turn red whenever you feel intense emotions. He was tall compared to his piers like Ruben when he was a child. Ruben approached you as you held him in your arms, he looked at his father first and said "Why are you yelling mãe?" while snuggling you. "Oh baby we are just discussing something with your father. You know adults solve their problems through talking right? But i think this time my voice was to high, you are right." You kissed his head, took him off from your arms and said "Go upstairs and brush your teeth. Its sleeping time. I'm coming after you."

"Can you read Portuguese stories tonight? I'm bored of others." he said. You shook your head and he climbed the stairs slowly. You both watched him.

After he left, you looked at your husband's face, his very handsome face. Whenever you look at him, you find comfort. Always. But this time it caused your tears to drop. You left him alone with his training shoes and went your son's room.

Let me know if you want part 2!

PART 2

[tojifile]

Hey, can I make a request for your event?

Fyodor x fem!reader, except he's madly in love with her but doesn't accept it bc he thinks it's useless :)

@Fyodor Dostoevsky . . . (＾-＾)

Tags: smitten!fyodor, fluff, angst if you squint, gn!reader, domestic Fyodor, kinda ooc, vol 14+ doesn’t exist, yandere themes if you get 400+ graded glasses

A/N: Hello anon !! I’m so sorry this took so long, probably 2-4 months (?) I’ve been so busy with school that I just didn’t have time for requests. I’ll treat my fics like those “mafia!dazai who…” type of posts, if that makes sense. I know it’s a big change from my old writing style but I really hope you would still like it :))

smitten!fyodor who met you while walking around Yokohama. He asked you for directions one day and as faith would have it that was the exact place you were going to as well. Although, he didn’t actually need directions, he just wanted to test his skills in deceit.

“Excuse me miss, pardon me for being a bother. Could you please tell me where the nearest train is?” You softly smiled at the gentleman who had gotten your attention. “Of course, I was just heading there myself, you could just follow me if you’d like.”

smitten!fyodor who was fond of the way you spoke to him in such a polite manner. It was endearing to have someone be so courteous (bare minimum, I know).

smitten!fyodor whose voice you couldn’t forget. Softer than silk yet even the sun itself would revolve around its gravity.

smitten!fyodor who “accidentally” bumps into you from time to time. It’s been going on for several months now and during the first few times you jokingly accused him of stalking you.

“Fyodor-san? This is the fourth time this month, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were stalking me!” You teased. He responded to your joke with a small chuckle.

smitten!fyodor who denies feeling anything for you since he thinks it would hinder his plans for a better world. He constantly tells himself that it’ll pass, but each day he spends with you feels like a dream.

smitten!fyodor who reassures himself that this was all part of his master plan; that you were just another pawn in his epic chess match with Dazai. Surely someone as simple as you couldn’t destroy his plans, right?

smitten!fyodor who tells himself that keeping you happy is all part of his mission to save the world. When he’s overthinking his actions around you he tells himself that he only keeps you happy because a world where you’re sad confuses and frustrates him—oops, wrong thought!

What frustrates him further is the fact that he can no longer tell himself that you’re just a pawn. He never has internal struggles, so how could you do this to him? For years and years he chased his ideals. He tried to attain the unattainable, he never thought something as simple as affection could be that unattainable thing.

smitten!fyodor who saw you on a date with somebody else and he felt like that was God’s way of telling him that he should continue to fulfill his mission rather than chase someone who clearly doesn’t like him back.

Comment 🪩 to be on my taglist !

[lizhly-writes]

hi. we're back to svsss again. i read Asymptotical's Many an Ill to Cure yesterday. There was this line that sort of caught in my head:

If this bit of lore was true, then Yue Qingyuan was married to Shang Qinghua of all people, and that was about the only matchup he could think of that was possibly worse than pairing Shen Qingqiu with Liu Qingge.

and my brain.... ran with it. not for very long, because i really don't have a GREAT grasp of these characters and also i should absolutely be doing something else. but here you go.

At the ripe old age of twenty-something, Shang Qinghua had successfully lied and cheated his ass off to become the An Ding Head Disciple. It absolutely didn't mean his troubles were over -- it was still An Ding, and An Ding always meant backbreaking work, no matter how high up you climbed, and haha also there was still the entire fucking plot left. But at least he had a really nice house now! At least people had to pretend to respect him! At least the System wouldn't keep that fucking countdown clock in the corner of his eye about how he had X months to make Head Disciple before it nuked his brain into a crisp!

Overall, things were going about as great as could be expected!

Except for, you know, this... this one little thing.

"What???" Shang Qinghua said, when Shizun had first lobbed it at his head.

The Lord of An Ding Peak looked askance at him. Shang Qinghua cleared his throat and tried again. "Begging this one's pardon, but... but could Shizun repeat that?"

"You'll be engaged to Yue Qingyuan," said the An Ding Peak Lord.

Yeah, that's what Shang Qinghua thought Shizun said.

FUCK!

This was his fault. Like, literally everything was his fault, seeing how he was effectively God, but this was a mistake that he didn't have to make! You could argue about the violence and the papapa, but in the end, he was speed-writing a stallion novel for money so he didn't starve.

But the engagement.

Airplane-Shooting-Towards-The-Sky had been trying to explain exactly why so many young, beautiful, cold cultivators were so eager to get with Bing-ge, even if they seemed to hate literally any other person ever. He'd eventually settled on the idea that in PIDW, even cultivators weren't truly respected as adults until they were married. In other words, marriage was a requirement! A spouse was a job position! Of course Bing-ge's wives would sell out for the best possible candidate, even if they were ambitious power-hungry snakes without a romantic bone in their body! Especially if they were ambitious power-hungry snakes without a romantic bone in their body!

In fact, even the Peak Lords of Cang Qiong did it! They were even married to each other! Even the Sect Leader! Haha, it wasn't so weird after all!

God. It would have been fine if he left it without explanation. It wasn't even like he kept the explanation -- no, he wrote it and forgot about it, just like how he did with half of the shit he wrote sleep-deprived and running on caffeine alone. And now he was stuck with this.

"Do you have any objections?" Shizun said, and then Shang Qinghua had to go noooo, of course not, Yue Qingyuan was a mighty and handsome cultivator who topped the unofficial rankings for most eligible bachelor on Cang Qiong for three years straight! How could this lowly Shang Qinghua possibly have any objections?

It was super lucky that Shen Qingqiu was too busy being engaged with Liu Qingge to murder Shang Qinghua for the affront.

Anyway, that was how Shang Qinghua had ended up here -- alone with Yue Qingyuan, sitting across from each other and drinking tea. There was a plate of delicately shaped cakes sitting between them that Shizun had heavily suggested Shang Qinghua should make. You know, to show off his culinary skills to his... his fiance.

“Shang-shidi," Yue Qingyuan said, turning a cake over in one hand. There was some muffled yelling in the background. Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge were clearly having a great time of their own scheduled courtship meeting session.

"Yue-shixiong," Shang Qinghua said. "Hi."

Yue Qingyuan's smile didn't waver. "These are very good," he said politely.

Of course they were good. Shang Qinghua wouldn't have been able to successfully suck up to Shizun if they weren't good. It had taken a lot of practice! And sabotage! Practice AND sabotage!

"Haha, thanks," Shang Qinghua said.

Faintly, an explosion sounded in the background. Yue Qingyuan's brows furrowed slightly. "Shidi," he said. "Could you perhaps open the door?"

[neil-gaiman]

Hey Neil,

You’ve given some of the best writing advice I’ve ever read, and I have enjoyed your Master Class series (it being the reason I subscribed). And while I might be a big thicky-bobo (if you’ll pardon the dense academia) and missed your answering this question, I wanted to ask on the off-chance you had insight you felt like sharing.

I love writing and stories, but I often lose faith in my premise early into any project. It’s not that I lack for ideas, just that every idea feels like a let-down three chapters in. Either it’s not as good an idea as I thought it was or it’s too good an idea to “waste” On me at my current skill level.

You, meanwhile, are able to create beautiful works of art out of a huge range of premises; furthermore, there’s no doubt that you’re a master of your craft. You’ve mentioned having periods of insecurities or doubts while creating, so I realize that confidence isn’t a steady flow even for a professional like yourself, but would you have anything to say to someone who gets bogged down by doubt either in his skill or in the project?

If so, now or in the future, I’d love to hear it. And if you’ve already answered this question and I just missed it, then I apologize.

Either way, stay awesome. Thanks for fighting the good fight with the rest of the writers!

Best,

CLT009

My main piece of advice for you would be, either keep going to the end of a novel and see what happens, or stop writing things that are more than three chapters long, so that's basically write short stories and novelettes.

[sourcherryandsprinkles]

Aemond just wants his beautiful silver-haired cousin to sit on his face. That's it and that's all.

Mid-way through writing, I realized Rhaenyra’s kids were Aemond’s nephews/nieces. My mistake. His cousin would be...Daemon and Laena’s kids? I’m confused

Warnings: smut, oral (f receiving)

—

Aemond was known to be a reserved man, but the things he kept the most secret were his fantasies. Especially the ones involving his older sister's daughter. He’s tasted her lips once when they were children — just a sweet and quick peck between kids —, before Rhaenyra moved her family Dragonstone. Now, she’s grown into a beautiful young woman and Aemond has been dreaming of tasting the rest of her ever since he saw her at court beside her brothers.

Unlike them, and strangely enough, unlike your twin brother Jacaerys, you had gotten your mother’s hair color and violet eyes. You were beauty and elegance — like your mother —, but also a skilled sword-fighter — like your father.

Although you didn’t need his help, Aemond was ready to pull out his sword at anyone who dared calling you a bastard at court during your visit. Who your father was was none of their business. Like your mother always said, you were a Targaryen and loved and that’s all that mattered.

‘’Would Lady Y/N like to accompany me for a glass of wine?’’ Aemond asked after dinner, the both of you finding yourself going up the stairs at the same time.

You raised an eyebrow, already giggly from the wine you had during dinner. ‘’More wine? I don’t think I’ll be able to stand on my feet if I indulge in another.’’

‘’We could…sit and admire the stars from my balcony? I have been blessed with one of the best views in the castle.’’

You and Aemond didn't do a lot of star watching. He showed you his balcony and the stars that littered the night sky, but seeing him in the moonlight glow made you want to do other kinds of activities.

Your mouth found his while he was telling you about a constellation. Your action took Aemond off guard, but he didn’t push you away, instead responding by putting his hands on your waist — respectfully. You didn’t want him to be respectful though. You wanted him to push you against the door of the balcony and unlace the laces of your dress before guiding you to his bed and taking your maidenhood.

‘’Sit on my face.’’

You pulled back a little, surprised such crude words came from Aemond's mouth. ‘’I beg your pardon?’’

‘’Sit. On. My. Face.’’ The blond prince cleared his throat, forgetting something. ‘’Please.’’

You erupted into giggles. His politeness always made you laugh.

‘’What’s funny?’’ Aemond asked, all serious.

Shaking your head, you stepped away, going back inside and taking Aemond with you. Slowly, you began shedding layers. Your boots and long socks, then your dress — with Aemond's help for the laces. Aemond removed his coat and belt, spent a full nervous minutes working on the laces of his boots, then peeled off his chemise, revealing his perfectly toned chest.

Your mouth water at the sight and you felt a wetness pooling between your cunt's folds, forcing you to clench your thighs. Fuck. He hadn't even taken his pants off yet…

Before he could do so, Aemond’s eye fell on you, admiring your woman's body. The last time he saw you, your breasts were flat and you didn't have hair in lower places — not that Aemond had ever looked there before. He just knew it grew there during puberty.

Taking a step closer, Aemond gently brushed his thumb over your peaked nipples. He had seen women’s breasts before — many, much to his disgust —, but yours were much prettier.

Your cheeks were burning from his touch. It was the first time a man saw you naked, the first time a man touched your naked body. It’s okay to be a little shy.

‘’Beautiful,’’ Aemond pointed, shifting his eye up to yours.

You avert your eyes away. ‘’Aemond…’’

‘’I speak the truth.’’ His hands descended down your sides, your skin so soft beneath his palms. ‘’You’re the fairest lady in the whole of Westeros.’’ He placed a kiss on your neck and then your jaw, making you melt into his touch.

You wrapped your arms around his shoulders and neck, trapping him into keeping going with his kisses. Your breasts were pressed against his chest, warm and soft. Aemond brought his lips to yours, and you let out a small, whiny moan against his lips.

Reluctantly, you detached yourself from him and sat on the bed, noticing how perfectly tucked the sheets were. You almost felt bad for creasing them.

You looked up at Aemond with innocent eyes, the ache between your thighs starting to get uncomfortable. ‘’Do you plan on standing there all night?’’

Aemond's cheeks flushed. ‘’I’ve never done this before,’’ he confessed, a little embarrassed. ‘’I just…really want to kiss you there, to lick you there.’’

‘’It’s alright.’’ You gave him a reassuring smile and reached for his hand. ‘’We can learn together.’’

Aemond nodded and gracefully climbed on the bed, then beckoned you over to sit at his shoulder's height. He swallowed a growl, your needy pussy so close to his face.

‘’What if I accidentally suffocate you?’’

The genuine worry in your voice was sweet, but Aemond was not worried one bit. He could handle it. He could handle you.

He placed his hands over your thighs and tenderly caressed the warm flesh, catching your attention and making you look down at him. ‘’You won't do such thing.’’

Despite Aemond's reassuring words, you were still nervous to sit on his face — as any first-timer would. You tried to keep your weight on your knees and over over him, your cunt directly on top of his lips, but Aemond saw through your plan and pulled you down. Before you could protest, he parted his lips and stuck his tongue out, swiping it between your folds and tasting you for the first time with a happy hum, double checking that fantasy of his.

—

House of the Dragon taglist: @anastasiaxsworld @lollypopcrazylover @fin-never @dkathl @ayamenimthiriel @nerdy4itall @rraindrops @glors3 @beelanie @hc-geralt-23 @sweetybuzz25  @uniquenightsheep @kaywsworld @i-yam-awesome @caspianobsessed @kelssssxd @dilfsarebetterthanyou @missyviolet123 @leakycauldrns @brezzybfan @khaleesihavilliard @vexedvalerie @lollaa-puff @my-dark-prince @chevelledahuman @caspianobsessed @ayamenimthiriel @yor72 @mirandastuckinthe80s @newtsniffles @cleverzonkwombatsludge @justaproudslytherpuff @ren-ni @green-lxght @anginoguera @bubblebuttwade @comicsol1999 @rockerchick05 @baelavelaryonwp @tnu-ree @beccawinter @alexisabirdie @persage @hayleighloatx @kindaslightlyacidic @perdynerd @elsyyie @puffycreamcakes  @thirsty4nonlivingmen  @naty-1001 @xannybabyxx  @katiepie67 @kjones375 @moshpot24x @hc-geralt-23 @lovelynerdytraveler @saturn-sas  @zgzgh @sssjuico10 @tabloidteen @timetoten @deekaag @wondxrgurl   @queenofshinigamis @aerangi @strmborns @astridyoo15 @Wehi02 @daemonslittlebitch @queenbeestuffs @severewobblerlightdragon @agentstarkid @msliz   @cayleecook38 @yoyopolloobamadaddy @hayleighloatx @vane1999-blog @smptxx @fairyfolkloresposts @yassi-world @todaywasafairytale07 @ESobilal @otomaniac @zgzgzh @thebeardedmoon @golden-library @kikyrizuki @hnslchw @camy85 @winxschester @khaleesihavilliard @domoron @ididliquorice @lover-of-helios @lover-of-helios @shine101 @tanyaherondale @mikariell95 @Katelyn15m @serrendiipty @lantsovheiress @gilliananderfuckme @shine101 @tetgod @beggarsnotchoosey @vainillasmil157 @kizzyxren @clayzayden@memeorydotcom @Harryshousewhore @kodzuvk @tnu-ree @omgsuperstarg @futuregws @blackravena @ashlatano7567 @winxschester @mysteriouslydelightfulchaos @xxlaynaxx @uh-no-actually @secretsthathauntus @lemiqa @pilarxxxaguayo @emmavan39 @stargaryenx @erylilly @bbblackmamba @rainedrop97 @Hc-geralt-23 @dreamer087 @gothicgay14 @ashlatano7567 @superkittywonderland @justaproudslytherpuff @evesolstice @buckysmainhxe @mouldyfrog @padfootsvixen @scarletmeii @drusillaravenclaw @softtina @Jelly-fishy-babie @evesolstice @Thelilacmourning @dkathl @Thelilacmourning @kaywsworld @tetgod @padfootsvixen @xannybabyxx @pictureofcaroline   @domoron  

[twstgarden]

❀ ❝ 𝗽𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 ❞

━ riddle rosehearts, ace trappola, ruggie bucchi, malleus draconia x gn! reader ━ good old headmaster, dumping his tasks onto you. surely, you're used to this, no? however, this time, you were tasked to take care of a bunny that belonged to a friend of the headmaster. you decided to seek help from your dearest, but how will it go? (f/n means first name)

requested by: @r0sevipxr request type: headcanons requester's message: Hayy, lady phantomhive! First of all i hope you're having a wonderful day,week,month whatever! I apologize if this request is long ish? (BTW I ABSOLUTELY ADORE YOUR AESTHETIC!! Its so elegant and pretty and fairy gala ortho is one of the best and prettiest cards in the whole game!!!) (And im very interested in your skill of writing mystery and horror.. thats so unique!) Im thinking of silly fluff headcanons with Riddle, Ace, Malleus and Ruggie (separated) The backstory is: crowley being his idiot self is accidentally forced to take care of a random old mage's pet bunny for a couple weeks. But instead, he dumps all the work and responsibility on the reader because he has "more important duties to attend to" (👹). Reader asks the character for help! Will we succeed? or almost kill the bunny and crowleys head is chopped off? Who knows! florist's note: hello, dearie. thank you, i hope you're having a great day as well. this request is quite lighthearted, i love it. hope you enjoyed, though i realised some of these are quite short. thank you for the request, little one. <3

this work does not contain spoilers for chapter 7, diasomnia’s arc.

do not steal or translate without my permission.

━ 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 ━

headcanon: riddle can take care of a rabbit effortlessly. you, however, cannot... and it caused you two to lose the rabbit somewhere in heartslabyul's resident building.

"...pardon?"

you and the headmaster were standing face-to-face as he held a bunny with a smile on his face. "i said, can you please look after this bunny for me? i have a meeting to attend to and i cannot bring a pet with me, now can i?" spoke the headmaster once more, making you sigh as you begrudgingly grabbed the bunny from him.

"why me? surely, there are other students that are well-equipped. why not leave him in heartslabyul?" you questioned, raising a brow as the bunny settled in your arms while you were busy talking to the headmaster.

"no time to talk! bye!"

there he goes again. as if he was in a rush, the headmaster runs off, leaving you in the hallway with the white bunny in your arms. you sighed heavily before looking down at the animal that seemed to find your arms a cosy place to nuzzle on.

speaking of heartslabyul, you decided to visit your dearest beloved in case he could help you with your little rabbit duties.

...

"...so you wish to let me assist you in taking care of a bunny that the headmaster entrusted to you?" asked riddle as his gaze flickered between your pleading eyes and the rabbit's innocent one. you nodded in response as you held the bunny upwards, "yes! i'm just afraid i might do something to this bunny accidentally and kill it! the headmaster told me it belongs to his friend and he's supposed to take care of it for a couple of weeks."

"but then, that should be the headmaster's responsibility," replied riddle. you sighed, "but you know he dumps his duties on me..." riddle hummed in response, not wanting to reply further to avoid disrespecting the head mage, even if he knew of his tendencies.

with a sigh and a small smile, he patted the bunny's head, "alright, but there are certain ground rules we need to follow when taking care of a bunny." your eyes lit up with joy as you smiled at riddle, "i knew i could count on you!"

...

"no, wait, f/n! you're not supposed to give milk to an adult rabbit!" warned riddle as he saw you reaching for the milk powder container on the cupboard, making you look back at him with a curious look. "really? the headmaster told me to feed it milk and grass..."

riddle placed his palm on his forehead, "feeding them milk will cause digestive problems, dear. here, you can feed the rabbit with one cup of fresh grass." he then handed you a cup filled with freshly cut grass from the dormitory garden. you thanked him and placed it in the bunny's cage as the animal started to eat its meal, leaving the door of the cage open as you added a cup of clean water beside the grass meal.

once the rabbit started eating, you sighed in relief and smiled at riddle, "thanks for helping out. the headmaster even gave me the wrong information... if it wasn't for you, this rabbit might have had diarrhoea by now."

"you're welcome. i don't think the headmaster has the proper idea on how to take care of a rabbit..." trailed off riddle as he turned around to grab a few things from the cupboard, while you also turned around to grab a glass of water for yourself.

and once you two got back to the kitchen counter, you saw the half-eaten cup of grass and a half-filled cup of clean water in the cage, with no signs of the bunny.

"...where did he go?"

"i don't know..." you replied before you placed your glass on the table and ran off the kitchen to search for the lost rabbit, making riddle trail along with you as he called for his dormmates, ordering them to search for the rabbit at once.

━ 𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙖 ━

headcanon: due to his flamingo and hedgehog care duties, he knew a thing or two when it comes to handling animals - though, he does have a record for sometimes losing them all over the heartslabyul garden. however, this time, he has it under control as long as you take care of the rabbit with him.

"woah~ a bunny!" exclaimed ace as he passed by the hallway and saw you holding a rabbit which was given to you prior to the headmaster's sudden escape. you turned to face him and handed it to him, "hold this for me."

"where did you get this?" asked ace as he held the bunny that you handed to him. "the headmaster is making me take care of it in his stead... you know, as usual," you spoke as you grabbed your smartphone and started searching through the olympus search engine to find ways on how to properly take care of a bunny.

"you're searching? psh, we can handle this! not to brag, but i have taken care of animals in my dorm... well... my demon dorm leader makes me, but... it still counts!" there was a cheeky smile on ace's face as he said those words, making you raise a brow in amusement as you continued reading through the search engine results.

after reading the do's and don'ts and the diet that rabbits should take, you were confident that everything would go smoothly. you followed ace back to your dorm and grim eyed the new intruder with a stink eye, "why is there a rabbit in here?"

"the headmaster dumped it on me," you replied as ace sat on your couch and played with the rabbit, finding it easy to handle it for the time being. grim sat beside ace, looking at the rabbit as he spoke, "so you're on pet-sitting duty? hehehe."

you had a bored expression on as grim tried to tease you, but you knew he was wrapped up in this order as well.

"did the headmaster leave some food for the little thing?" asked ace, making you shake your head. "all he told me was to take care of the rabbit and that it belonged to a friend... and he is supposed to take care of it for a couple of weeks, but he handed it to me," you replied as you started searching through your kitchen cabinets in case you have anything that was supposedly included in the rabbit's diet.

"ehhh~ i'm starting to feel sorry for you," spoke ace in a rather lighthearted tone as he laughed a little, letting you know that he was only joking around and messing with you. "hmph, anyway, i'll drop by sam's and see if he has some rabbit food in there. behave," you spoke, directing your last order to both ace and grim.

they gave you a rather sheepish smile with a thumbs-up, and though you did not trust those smiles one bit, you had no choice but to leave the dorm for a while, hoping they wouldn't do anything and possibly lose the rabbit.

surprisingly, everything was going smoothly. ace lived up to his word as he knew what to do to make sure the bunny remained well-fed, entertained, and satisfied. by the end of the day, you and ace were asleep on the couch, your head on his shoulder and the rabbit on his lap. grim was asleep beside you, resting peacefully after a long day of tending to the rabbit and getting used to the idea of taking care of one.

━ 𝙧𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙞𝙚 𝙗𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙝𝙞 ━

headcanon: he knows. he just knows. of course, he won't assist you for free.

"ohh~ a rabbit."

ruggie's voice caught your attention as he peered from behind you while you were standing in the hallway, bewildered at the headmaster's audacity in running off after dumping his responsibility on you. you should have gotten used to it by now, but even then, you still can't believe he has the nerve to do such a thing.

"that headmaster... ugh..." you groaned under your breath, making ruggie laugh a little as he looked at you and then at the bunny. "shishishi, poor n/n~" teased the savanaclaw second year, making you sigh as you looked at him.

"you know how to take care of animals, right? i mean, your best subject is animal linguistics! i'm sure you can talk to this rabbit and figure out what he wants at certain times!" you spoke, aware of your dearest's abilities and hoping he would help you.

"hmmm~ i won't do it for free, though," mumbled ruggie as he was starting to think to himself before giving you his usual grin, "shishi~ how about dinner in exchange for helping you?"

you raised a brow in response, "are you asking me to go on a date or do you actually just want the food?"

"both!"

you laughed a little and sighed, "fine~ my treat." ruggie gleamed with joy as he grabbed the bunny from you and walked with you back to ramshackle. on your way back, you and ruggie were conversing about your day while he pats the head of the rabbit, making you grin a little at how adorable he was.

i mean, technically, you've never seen a hyena with a rabbit, and as far as you know, rabbits are part of the smaller prey that hyenas tend to hunt in the wild.

"i know what that grin means," spoke ruggie as he gave you a displeased expression. you chuckled in response and smiled at him, "i was just thinking that you look quite adorable~ hehehe~"

"hmmm... did the headmaster drop off the food of this little thing, too?" asked ruggie, trying to change the subject as he looked at the rabbit that was eyeing you both. you shook your head in response, "nope, not at all... we should head to sam's shop."

at the end of the day, ruggie seemed to have been taking care of it for the majority of the time. once the rabbit fell asleep, you opted for ordering dinner online to make sure the rabbit wouldn't be left alone in the dorm and may run away due to less supervision.

you were sure grim won't keep an eye on the rabbit, anyway.

as you took a bite of your meal, ruggie seemed delighted to be having his dinner with you in your dormitory. you both were seated on the couch with the television turned on, letting a random channel play through to function as background noise while the rabbit remained asleep in its cage.

"thank you for the meal~" spoke ruggie with a happy tone as he continued having his dinner.

"thank you for helping me," you replied with a smile as you sipped on your beverage, bringing both of your hands up to high-five one another for a job well done.

"shishishi, we make a great team~"

━ 𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙪𝙨 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙖 ━

headcanon: though he is knowledgeable, taking care of a small prey like a rabbit is one thing he isn't familiar with. as a result, both of you try to navigate through this responsibility.

"hm? what are you doing in here, dearest?"

malleus' voice caught you off guard as you turned around with the bunny in your arms, looking up at him as you sighed, "ah, the headmaster was here a moment ago. he left me this rabbit to take care of..."

malleus raised a brow in response, "a rabbit? i do not recall the headmaster ever having a pet rabbit..." you chuckled in response, "it belongs to a friend of his and he was supposed to take care of it for a few weeks, but he says he has some 'important things to take care of'."

you rolled your eyes in response before heaving a sigh, holding the rabbit to your chest, "well, at least the rabbit's cute..." malleus hummed in response as you both started to walk together back to your dorm. an idea suddenly came through your head as you looked up at him, "hey, um... mal, can you help me? i don't think i can take care of a bunny alone..."

malleus was stunned to hear your request. though he is quite unaware of pet-sitting a rabbit, he did not want to turn you down. he gave you a smile and said, "you request my assistance? now, how can i say no to your request?"

you smiled, feeling happy that you wouldn't be taking care of a rabbit alone.

needless to say, he was just as clueless as you.

"from my knowledge, the grass is included in a rabbit's diet. however, this one seems reluctant to eat it, " spoke malleus as he eyed the rabbit. they simply stared at the small bowl of grass before them before taking a few steps back, nuzzling themselves in their cage with obvious discomfort.

"...maybe they're not hungry...?" you trailed off, tilting your head as you sighed and patted the bunny's head. malleus seemed disappointed that the both of you were not going anywhere with your pet-sitting duties for the past 3 hours.

you decided to look through some useful sites while malleus stood beside you, watching you navigate through the device and reading through some rabbit care guides. "hmm... we should place the bunny in a quiet and secure place... let's go upstairs," you spoke as you looked at malleus, making him nod in response as you both went upstairs with the bunny.

"and we should bond with the bunny so they warm up to us..." you added as you sat beside the rabbit cage, leaving the door open so they would step out and get used to the environment.

so far, you have been adjusting quite well and it reached the point where the bunny also warmed up to malleus, no longer feeling intimidated and instead, prefers to snuggle with malleus at the end of the day.

it seems as though your temporary pet-sitting unexpectedly turned you both into rabbit parents.

© twstgarden 2023 || please do not steal, translate without my permission, or use this to train a.i.

[joanquill]

Ngl i don't know how to request clearly even i read all your rules so pardon me if i make any mistake

So my request is, maybe a headcanon of ( moriarty bros,billy) meeting f!reader who is calm and unreactive but has social anxiety ALSO likes trying medicine and posion on herself like maomao from apothecary diaries and is good at sword fighting

i'm sorry if it's too much or the grammer is bad

Sis, the way i only have you to get some mtp realistic content in whole tumbler to feed my deluluness😭 don't listen to anyone, you writing are masterpiece👏🏻

Apothecary!Reader with the Moriarty Brothers + Billy

Albert, William, Louis James Moriarty, and Billy the Kid

A/N: LMAOO GURL YOU PRAISE TOO MUCH BUT THANK YOU STILL 😭😂 I haven't watched The Apothecary Diaries, only saw some clips so I might get the character wrong 😅 but I've been planning to watch the anime and read the manga for some time now :)

Tag/s: Fem!Calm!Apothecary!SwordFighter!Reader (yeah sorry idk how to do the tags on this one 😅)

Albert James Moriarty

You two met during a soiree. You were working as a server when a noble lady accused you of poisoning her drink.

 You quickly debunked her statement and revealed the culprit, who was a nobleman with the poison left over on his fingertips and sleeves.

While the culprit was being dragged out by the police, he managed to break free and stole a sword from one of the armor on display.

Albert was about to step in but you managed to steal the sword in his hand and subdue him.

This completely caught Albert's attention, watching how you calmly proved your innocence and showcased your knowledge of medicine and poison and how you protected yourself with finesse.

After consulting with William, he went on to recruit you, seeing potential in your skills to help their cause.

And now, you were appointed as Albert's personal maid.

During gatherings, you're usually a poison tester and his shield-- I mean personal bodyguard from flirtatious noblewomen. (Much to your dismay)

This became a permanent position when someone tried to poison his wine at a gathering.

But he usually compensates by giving you rare herbs and ingredients.

That doesn't mean you stopped trying to find any means to not go to social gatherings though.

When you're experimenting, you can generally see him looming around--looking at your works and asking questions.

You'd ask him why the sudden interest, but he usually brushes them off as mere curiosity.

He likes listening to you talk about different medicines and herbs, finding it fascinating and even joining you in gathering herbs from the forest or planting them in the garden.

He once made you a special sweater that smelled like peppermint for Christmas, providing pockets for the herbs you collect. 

William James Moriarty

You two met when you were kids, back before William and Louis were still living in the slums.

You would try to give some medicine or painkillers to Louis whenever his heart condition acts up.

You and William also browsed the library and whatever books you could get your hands on about medicine and illnesses.

You two would stay by Louis' side to take care of him when his condition gets severe.

You try to look after William, scolding him when he pushes himself too far and nursing him back to health when needed.

But he usually teases you with how you would try poison in your free time, despite you explaining it's for research purposes.

However, you were separated when the two brothers were adopted by the Moriartys.

Until one day, you found two familiar faces in noble attire knocking on your door.

You became the team's medic and support.

He even prepared your own laboratory for your experiments, stocked with different herbs, plants, and ingredients.

Unfortunately, the poisons are all locked and only he and Louis have the key.

William usually has you at the back with Herder and Jack during missions, not wanting you to get into trouble despite knowing how to fight.

You're also his spar partner whenever he wants to sharpen or practice sword fighting.

Unsurprisingly, William usually wins. But he lets you have a victory every once in a while.

He also likes spending time with you in your office, watching you work on your latest creation, or listening to you explain or talk out loud, saying it brings him some sort of peace whenever he's in there with you.

Louis James Moriarty

Same with William's, you both met back when you were kids before they got adopted.

Whenever William is busy trying to find a way to buy food or other essentials, you would stay by his side and try to give him painkillers or medicine.

Sometimes, you would even bring some soothing aromatic plants to help him rest or talk to him about medicine and poison to distract him from the pain.

You even try to make food or snacks that are healthy or help his condition.

He's amazed at the knowledge you possess that even he and his brother couldn't find in books, let alone the passion you have for apothecary.

This doesn't mean he'll let you test anything and everything you can get your hands on.

Not after seeing you accidentally blow up something during an experiment.

Same as William's, you separated after being taken to an orphanage but met again years after and were recruited.

You usually stay at home and help Louis with managing the manors, along with making medicine for everyone.

You usually help him in the kitchen, trying new healthier recipes and avoiding poisonous ingredients.

The poor man has a panic attack every time you taste test poisons with a joyful expression.

He practically child-proofed the house to make sure you didn't do anything too reckless with your tests and experiments.

He also makes sure you don't create anything bizarre whether it's a request or a harmless trial, like an aphrodisiac or hallucinogen.

You two also share advice and spar when it comes to using the blade, despite you using a sword and him focusing more on knives.

You even try to make suggestions, like putting poison on his blade but William quickly shut down the idea.

Billy the Kid

You were assigned as his partner by the Pinkerton Detective Agency.

At first, you were both against it. With Billy's history and you're lack of social skills mixed with his cheerful personality, it was a recipe for disaster.

However, you two managed to work together and somehow fit each other's style, fighting in tandem with your sword and his revolvers.

You're usually in the front lines while he watches your back and blind spots.

Despite facing your enemies head-on, Billy makes sure you don't get hurt and takes the hit when he sees you about to get hurt.

Earning a lecture from you while you tend to his injuries, saying he shouldn't throw himself into danger and you can defend yourself.

Additionally, he usually takes charge when it comes to talking to clients or other people while you stay in the back.

...Maybe looking around the area for any herbs or plants that pique your interest.

This is why Billy usually keeps an eye on you and makes sure you focus on the mission, dragging you by the collar or hand, sometimes even linking your arm with his to make sure you don't wander off.

When you're in your lab experimenting, it doesn't take long before Billy is knocking on your door with fruit snacks, sometimes he even brings some plants he thinks you would like.

While you're working, he's usually in the back looking at the different apparatuses and ingredients on the shelves, asking questions.

It doesn't help when he tries teasing you, saying how unfriendly and awkward you are with people to get a response.

He even stretches your cheeks to see you smile despite your annoyed expression when he's feeling extra bored.

Unfortunately, it only extends to the nicknames he gives you and the corny jokes he'd tell you in between missions.

And the day he finally sees you laughing your heart out, he'll never let you live it down and try to recreate that sound from you.

A/N: Side note where are there no gifs for Billy :') I get that he wasn't in the anime but I see gifs of manga panels so why...

[literary-motif]

hii vic, I love your writings sm, they’re extremely detailed and you write the skv characters well in-character 🫶🏽

nsfw (or sfw, up to you) fic idea for Isaac getting jealous after meeting a client who’s checking out/flirting with pickle? 🤭

Jealousy

Isaac Rhoades x Reader

“Isaac, something's wrong with the—” you began, pushing open the door to his study only to find him sitting behind his desk, raising an eyebrow at you as the man in front of him turned in his seat to look at you. 

You had completely forgotten about the client and you cleared your throat, ducking your head in embarrassment at the disturbance. 

“Pardon me, the meeting slipped my mind. I apologize again—”

“Now who’s this gem?” the man asked with a smile, walking up to you and offering you a hand to shake. He was charming, his dark green suit dotted with specks of gold that betrayed his somewhat extravagant taste. He could not have been older than Isaac. “No worries, we were just finishing up actually.”

You took his hand, desperate to salvage what was left of your pride and stop this interaction from being awkward. You could feel his eyes on you, checking you out, and you cleared your throat, dropping his hand and taking a step back. 

The scrutiny of his gaze and the embarrassment of having barged into a private meeting had turned you shy. 

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Isaac scowl as he stood up. If looks could kill, you were certain the two of you would need to cover up a murder now. “This is my partner, and yes, I believe we are done. Allow me to accompany you—”

“You should join us next time,” the man said to you, giving you another once over before smiling kindly again, “I think my case could profit from your skills and I would love to see you again.”

“Allow me,” Isaac’s tone was sharper now, catching the man’s attention, “to accompany you to the door.” He was nearly glaring at him now, holding onto the last shreds of his professionalism to keep himself from snapping at him for daring to look at you, his partner. 

The man looked surprised for a moment, his gaze flickering between you and Isaac before he hummed in understanding, slightly nodding his head. “Ah, I see,” he said, inclining his head towards you, “Pardon. I shall leave you to it, then.” 

“Good day,” you replied politely, holding the door of the study open for him as Isaac saw him off.

“He had some nerve,” Isaac muttered once the door fell shut. “Are you alright?”

“Of course,” you answered, letting out a noise of surprise as he crashed his lips to yours, wrapping his arms around your waist to hold you firmly against his chest. One of his hands found its way to the back of your head, his fingers threading through your hair as he deepened the kiss. You were breathless by the time you broke apart. “What was that for?” you panted. 

“A reminder,” Isaac said, continuing to look at you with dark eyes. His stare made you shiver.

Deciding to amuse yourself, you narrowed your eyes at him. “Reminding me of what, exactly?”

You did not need any of your training to see that Isaac was jealous, but as you looked at him, cheeks faintly tinted red and lips almost in a pout, you could not help but enjoy this newfound side of him.

“That you’re mine,” he whispered, reaching up a hand to caress your cheek. “You’re mine as long as you want me, Pickle, and I hope that message came across.”

You chuckled, brushing your lips against his hand. “I think it did,” you said, laughing at his self-satisfied hum. “It could not possibly be that the great Isaac Rhoades—”

“‘The great?’” 

You shushed him, keeping him from interrupting you by placing a finger on his lips.

“That the great Isaac Rhoades, renowned PI, and my beloved partner, as well as my most dashing knight” — you could see the amusement in his eyes as he kissed your finger — “is jealous?”

He took your hand, intertwining your fingers as he tilted his head, a teasing smile on his face. “What if I am?” he said.

You laughed, shaking your head fondly before squeezing his hand and pulling him into another kiss. “Then I would tell you that you have absolutely nothing to worry about,” you said, smiling warmly at him and making sure he understood your sincerity. 

“I know,” he said softly, placing a kiss on your forehead. “I don’t want to risk losing you, to anyone or anything.”

“You won’t,” you promised before taking his arm and guiding him into the kitchen, clearing your throat as you pointed towards the stove. “Now take a look at this, my knight. I wanted to tell you earlier that it’s not working and I don’t know why.”

“Maybe it’s jealous of the oven,” Isaac said, glancing at you.

“Do you want to eat dinner or not?”

[motherofdogs1010]

Need to Know II (Peter Parker x Reader)

Summary: When she was ready to get back out on the dating scene after dumping a certain Winter Soldier, Y/N was a woman ready to get back out there. She just never expected to find herself in a relationship with a certain nerdy spider. Warnings: Reader is basically Penelope Garcia, toxic ex! Bucky, fratboy!Peter, older woman/younger man, age gap relationship, mentions of ageism, eventual pregnancy Dividers by @firefly-graphics Banner by @vase-of-lilies

Part I

Present Day

To say that Y/N ever thought she'd be in a relationship with someone younger than her, she would be lying if she said she did. She had never expected to find herself in a relationship where she was the older one, but here she was, laying on her Cal King bed as she watched Peter type away on his computer, writing a paper for one of his robotics classes.

Peter let out a frustrated groan before closing his laptop and falling down beside her, Y/N looked at him with a amused look on his face.

"This professor makes me regret going to college", Peter groaned, Y/N chuckled.

"You're just overthinking yourself", Y/N said as she scratched his head. "You'll do great, remember, it's your last year."

"Between school and being Spider-man, sometimes I feel burnt out", Peter said.

"You'll do great", Y/N repeated as Peter practically purred at the head scratches. “Once you’re done, you’ll be able to work with Tony like he promised and you won’t be so stressed out juggling everything.”

"How did you even become a technical analyst for the Avengers anyways? It's kinda random because you popped up out of nowhere."

"I hacked into the government's system and got on their watchlist, which led me to eventually hacking into FRIDAY for fun one day."

Peter looked at her and she shrugged but it was the truth; hacking and such had always been her thing and eventually led to her being sought out by Tony himself after she may have hacked into his system for shits and giggles.

"Well, that explains everything", Peter said, "can you hack into my professor's computer?"

"I could, but it'd ruin the pardon Tony got me", Y/N pouted, "but for you, I'd risk it."

She leaned over to Peter and planted a kiss on his lips, and Peter chuckled at her comment.

"Alright, maybe let's not send you to federal prison", Peter joked, "but you wanna go down to Delmar's and get sandwiches?"

Y/N nodded, "I just have to shower first."

As she begun to get up from the bed, she looked at Peter and said, "Wanna come shower with me?"

"Babe, if I ever say no, take me to Bruce because there's something clearly wrong with me."

With a giggle, Peter chased her to the bathroom.

After a steamy shower session that lasted longer than it probably should have, Peter was taking a quick call from his best friend, Ned, who had been accepted and was attending MIT before they left to Delmar's. Y/N decided to wait in the kitchen, walking in to see Wanda and Vision making brownies.

"Hey guys", Y/N said as she sat down at one of the kitchen island chairs.

"Oh hey Y/N", Wanda smiled as she mixed the batter.

"Hello Y/N", Vision greeted as he watched Wanda mix the batter.

"Venturing Vision's culinary skills to baking?" Y/N asked, Vision nodded and Wanda laughed.

"Where are you off to?" Wanda teased, "Peter whisking you away somewhere?"

So far, a majority of the Avengers seemed to be alright with her relationship with Peter, ignoring the age gap between the two of them.

Well, nearly all of them...

"We're going to Delmar's", Y/N replied back.

"Oh! Bring me back a sandwich", Wanda chimed.

"Will do", Y/N said, "hey, where is everyone?"

"Steve and Sam went on another run, Nat and Clint are on a quick recon mission", Vision replied.

The sound of shrill laughter boomed into their ears and Y/N saw Wanda wince and shake her head at the noise while she was mouthing 'wow' to herself.

Y/N knew who that laughter belonged to and she couldn't help, but want to laugh at it all.

"Oh, Y/N, I didn't think you'd be here."

Looking over her shoulder, Y/N raised a brow to the person who spoke in a condescending tone.

Dot or Dottie as she heard Bucky call the blonde haired woman stood in the entrance of kitchen, popping a piece of bubblegum loudly while her phone was in her hand. If Y/N was being honest, her relationship with Bucky had been on the rocks for a while before Dot, but Dot was the final nail in the coffin to end her relationship.

And at one point, Y/N would have felt some form of bitterness towards Dot's presence, but now, she felt nothing but annoyance at the woman's persistent need to try and one up for some reason or another.

"Why wouldn't I be here? I live here", Y/N replied in a confused tone.

"I figured you'd be... rocking the cradle and all", Dot said with a smirk.

Y/N wanted to groan at the jab towards her relationship with Peter, it was Dot's biggest thing to constantly bring up.

"It's robbing the cradle", Peter interjected as he walked into the kitchen. "Not that it applies to us

Peter walked over to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders before pressing a kiss to her temple. Y/N noticed Dot's eyes hyper-fixated on Peter as Peter greeted Wanda and Vision but Y/N knew that were Dot was, Bucky was soon following and Y/N was not in the mood for dealing with the man.

"Ready, babe?" Peter asked as Y/n saw Vision look at the brownie batter.

"Yup", Y/n said as she slid out of the chair.

"Aren't you a little too old to be wearing that?" Dot asked, Y/N frowned.

Her and Dot were the same age and Y/n wore a yellow sundress since it was humid this time of year in New York. Y/N raised a eyebrow at Dot and glanced at Wanda, who rolled her eyes at Dot's comment.

"Nope", Y/n said, looking at the dress. "But you might wanna apply that logic to yourself, Dottie. We're the same age after all."

Dot frowned as Y/n got up from her seat, feeling Peter wrap an arm around her waist as he began to led them away fro the kitchen.

Y/N looked at Peter amused as he told her about his squished sandwich theory, a smile on her face as he explained that it made the sandwich taste better. Wanda had happily taken her sandwich, running away to continue watch Modern Family in her and Vision's room.

That left her and Peter in the living room, watching Ahsoka on Disney+.

"Man, I want to buy her lightsaber", Peter whined, "it looks so cool."

"It's a nice lightsaber", she agreed with a chuckle. "Personally, I want Darth Maul's."

"That's a huge one", Peter said, "they literally have to assemble it in parts."

"But imagine how intimidating it would be", she argued.

"Now what are you two lovebirds talking about", Tony chimed as he walked in.

"Lightsabers", Peter answered with a grin.

Tony and Peter began talking about some upgrades for his suit when her phone vibrated, she grasped it from under her and saw it was a text from Bucky. She wished she could block him, but since he was a member of the Avengers, she couldn't since she was a asset for them.

Opening the text, she frowned as a slew of texts began coming in.

She rolled her eyes and put her phone away from her as she hit 'DO NOT DISTURB'. She wasn't sure why Bucky had been like this, sending texts like this but she hoped he got the message soon as Tony said he was leaving to take Pepper on a date, allowing them to go back to their show.

Y/N relaxed back into Peter's embrace, laying her head on his shoulder without a care. She felt happy, even if she hadn't expected it to be with someone younger than her as Peter kissed the top of her head before she connected their lips together.

It was their monthly Avengers get-together over at the Compound, everyone dressed in their nicest clothes as Tony held a nice fancy dinner. Y/N wore a backless cocktail dress that she had a hard time convincing Peter he could not mess with until after the party was over, although, she had a hard time keeping herself from Peter with his rolled up sleeves that showcased his arms.

Right now, they were all scattered around the room; Nat was working the bar for some reason or another.

"Hey there Tech Queen", Nat said as Y/N approached her. "Where's your other half?"

"Talking science with Strange and Tony", she shrugged with a grin. "Not sure if I trust you behind the bar, Nat. You make the drinks as strong as Asgardian liquor."

Nat laughed just as Steve walked up to them, he kissed the side of Nat's head.

"What are you two laughing about?" he asked.

"Nat's bartending", Y/N answered, Steve winced.

"Yeah, maybe let's not", Steve said, Nat laughed and waved him off.

Y/N looked around to see Carol engaged in some form of arm wrestle with Thor, Sam watching the two, Wanda was conversing with Pepper, Peter still with Strange and Tony, and Bruce and Rhodey talking.

She wasn't sure where Vision was, knowing him he was probably phasing through some walls or something.

"Here, drink this", Nat said with a grin.

"Oh no", Y/N said with a smile. "I don't trust you with making drinks. Last time I had one, I--"

"Yeah, Y/N, do tell us what happened last time you had one."

Her mood was killed, instantly as she noticed Bucky had arrived. Her face said it all as Nat frowned at the man, she noticed even Steve frowning.

"Did this conversation involve you?" Y/N sassily said with a raised brow. "I believe this was a A,B, and C conversation."

"Oh, I was just wondering if the last time Nat made you a drink, you maybe did some things that you regret… or someone.”

"No, no regrets here", Y/N said as she looked at her nails.

Bucky was beginning to look like he had sucked on a lemon by his facial expression just as she felt a pair of arms around her, looking over her shoulder to see Peter.

"Mr. Barnes", Peter cooly said.

"Parker", Bucky gritted.

Y/N saw Nat taking a amused slip of her drink.

"Dateless tonight?" Peter asked with a smirk.

"Just for tonight", Bucky grumbled.

"Huh, how... unfortunate for you", Peter said with false sympathy. "If you don't mind, well, I know you won't."

Peter gestured for them to leave a fuming Bucky and a very amused Natasha to be dealt with by Steve.

Later, Y/N wrapped her arms around Peter's neck and he pulled her closer to her; Peter began to sway them with a grin on his face as she playfully shook her head at him, a grin making its way onto her face.

"Have I told you that you're pretty?" Peter asked.

"Not today, I don't think", she teased as Peter bumped their noses.

"What kind of boyfriend am I then?" Peter teased.

She felt happy with Peter, their relationship felt easy and uncomplicated as Peter connected their lips, squeezing her body a little as he tried to bring her in closer.

[deuxcherise]

To Have and To Hold

C/w: Unhealthy behavior, probably OOC Ayato Kamisato, yandere Kamisato Ayato, fem! reader, tsuntsun! reader, Thoma & Kamisato Ayaka friendship, mentions of other Genshin Impact characters, thirsting from background characters, language content, includes a picture of a moonflower A/n: So it's been a freaking long time since I've updated this series but here's a long one! in previous iterations, I had written the names in the western format (first name, surname) but I think for the sake of my sanity in wanting to maintain the smooth oration of names, I’m going to write their names in the eastern format (surname, first name). Okeydokey! Anyway, back to the story (my goodness, I started this chapter back in July!), does Ayaka get caught? If so, by who and what will she do?  :D Masterlist

Politics, personal affairs, finances— Any powerful and esteemed clan would keep that sort of vital information under strict surveillance, and the Kamisatos are no different. Ask any regular citizen about them, and one’ll find there is nothing valuable worth declaring as evidence against their prestigiously clean reputation.

“Psst! Did you know that recently, Lady Kamisato, pardon, the wife of our Lord Kamisato purchased…”

Unfortunately, the same could not be same from within that solid fortress, where hushed voices roam rampant.

“Oh my oh my, I did. I did. Now did you know that the young Lady Kamisato, pardon, the sister of our Lord Kamisato ate…”

“Hush now! Hush! … Now… did you know that our cat-like-”

It is, however, fortunate that the inner web-spinners of the Kamisato Estate are usually competent enough to keep such scandalous words from escaping into the outside world. That being said, it is still highly discouraged by the head of staff to participate in such impolite activity, no matter how entertaining every bit may be. A warning to newcomers: the walls are always listening, and one might accidentally miss the slightest of cracks letting in cold air.

Another fortune of the Kamisato clan is the existence of is a person responsible and quite skillful at patching up those tiny holes. And that job belongs to none other than a certain esteemed housekeeper, trusted by the head of the Kamisatos himself.

“They say that Lord Kamisato is too busy burying his head in his wife’s bosom to deal with actual matters affecting the estate,” Thoma manages to say, his lips pursed and shoulders twitching from the hilarious ridiculousness of the statement. “What do you make of it?”

Crack!

The Lord Kamisato in question snaps the barrel of yet another pen in half within a tight grip, spilling ink onto the lacquered wood of his desk. Luckily, none of it manages to land onto the piles and piles of letters stacked by the dozens pertaining to the upcoming events in mere weeks. He lets it go before propping his elbows on the table and covering his strained eyes, releasing a heavy sigh. Seeing this, Thoma almost feels pity for his boss, who has typically maintained the image of the mysterious and unapproachable bachelor in public.

“If that were true in even the slightest,” Ayato starts off, voice straining, “All of these useless matters would be finished in one day, so I could go back into the arms of my dear wife. Tis a shame…”

For a split second, Thoma’s eyes pop out and his mouth falls open. He thinks to comment, but then ultimately decides to pick up his jaw instead and clear his throat.

His lord is usually quite tactful, refined and mature for his age compared to other young men. It has been far too long to remember when exactly Thoma first entered the household, but until now Ayato has never spoken in this… for the lack of a better word, loose manner before— even within the private confines of his office.

At least… before you arrived.

Thoma takes a deep breath as he tries to keep the corners of his mouth from turning upwards, wincing from the slight shudder that escapes. “W-would you like me to suppress the rumors, my lord?”

A moment passes in silence before Ayato flicks a free hand backwards twice. “No need.” He spreads the fingers of the hand covering his eyes, allowing Thoma to see the darkness swirling in the center of those purple irises. “I see no harm in its existence. In fact… I’d like to see how far this little rumor will travel.”

“Eh? Are you sure?”

“Mm.” Ayato sits back up straight and reaches for another poor pen to sacri- utilize from the cup of regular pens. As he scribbles and finishes another letter, he orders, “In the meantime, increase the security around the west wing.” His pen stops for a moment. “Oh, and do report of my dear wife’s reaction as well, when you get the chance. I’d like to see it for myself, but unfortunately,” he gestures to the stacks of blank sheets, unused ink tablets, and empty envelopes, “I have all of this I must take care of. How bothersome… Unless-”

“I will get right onto that, Lord Kamisato!” Thoma says, saluting and escaping from the room to implement the orders before his lord could add another task upon his list.

Ayato chuckles before the smile falls off his face. The silent room then fills with scribbles upon scribbles upon scribbles…

-----

And so, the allowance of unlimited freedom for this little rumor to spread eventually leads to a sudden uptick in sales within the perfume industry for husbands, wives, and partners to dab tantalizing scents on their chest and successfully seducing their spouses to—

Ahem.

A slight digression, regarding the interesting topic of rumors and gossip. That story in particular is meant for another time. In the meantime, presently, there is a most concerning and sordid piece of hearsay being passed around the Kamisato Estate as of late: it being the scandalous rumor that the young, unmarried Lady Ayaka, sister of Lord Kamisato, is parading around in a servant’s uniform.

Such improper conduct could not possibly be, well, possible. At least, that’s what Thoma thinks. There is absolutely no way Miss Ayaka would be entertaining this notion. She has a playful side, sure, being a younger sister adored by the public after all. But a mischievous side? Against her brother’s orders? Impossible.

“Oh!” “Huh?”

“Ayaka…?”

It is indeed amusing, how life seems to like finding ways in which to prove the most certain of people wrong.

Ayaka’s eyes widen in fear. “T-Thoma?”

Despite the shock, the bewildered housekeeper immediately scans Ayaka’s attire. Just as the rumors have mentioned, Ayaka seems to be dressed exactly to play the role of Lady-in-waiting for his lord’s wife. Though, even with the servant attire, there’s no hiding her princess-like aura, which begs the question, “What-”

Step step step step.

Various feet make their way towards their hallway, prompting Thoma to quickly slide open a door and grab Ayaka on the way inside. With the door shut, he looks and listens for the footsteps to pass by and fade into silence before letting out a sigh of relief. Finally, he addresses the issue in a calm and stern tone. “Miss Ayaka, may I ask what exactly are you up to?”

Ayaka opens her mouth to explain calmly and eloquently as she always does, except a thought suddenly occurs to her.

Thoma, being her brother’s right hand man, is privy to almost all of Ayato’s plans. Which means he too must be aware that Ayato has been keeping his wife, her very own sister-in-law, trapped in the west wing of the estate. All alone without a single close soul to reach out to. A friend you can let down your hair with. A friend you can share a laugh with. A friend you can have… have…  to have a girls’ night with!

Ayaka gasps at her brother’s and Thoma’s audacity, much to his confusion. “The nerve of you two!” she accuses, jabbing an accusatory finger against Thoma’s chest.

Thoma takes a step back and raises his hands in a surrendering manner at this unexpected behavior. “W-what?”

Hands fisted, Ayaka continues. “I heard from (Y/n) herself! All of this time, I had believed she was avoiding me out of fear or shyness, but in reality, it is Brother who has been keeping us apart! Can you believe that??” She raises a finger, shushing him. “No, don’t answer that. You must be in on it too, since you’re part of her staff! What do you have to say for yourself, Thoma?”

Thoma’s eyes rapidly look around, away from Ayaka’s face, as if looking for the correct answer that’s not appearing in his mind.

Ayaka, not one to stay angry for long, begins to falter. “W-well?”

What could Thoma say? That it is her brother’s prerogative to lock Lady (Y/n) away? And how could he, a mere housekeeper, possibly go against his lord’s order, lest he be charged with treason? An unreasonable conclusion, sure. But the culprit of this entire situation is a very stressed and severely deprived Ayato tittering on the edge, and there is no one who can sway him as he is now.

Prior to the marriage, Thoma’s long-time loyalty and friendship would have had some weight and influence on his lord’s decisions. But now? Well, that’s a fool’s risk.

Seeing Thoma’s hesitance, Ayaka takes a step back, and wills her temper down, an admired trait of hers that has kept her previously calm in the face of arrogant leaders she’s had to forge alliances with for the sake of the Kamisato clan. She takes a deep breath, settles in a graceful pose with her back straight and her hands politely together. “Thoma, I forgive you for your unwilling participation in this mess-”

Thoma makes a face and almost releases a sigh of relief at the miss’s understanding.

“-and I would like to request that you keep my activity thus far a secret from Brother. As long as possible.”

His eyes go wide. “Eh? But-”

“I started playing the part of Lady (Y/n)’s Lady-in-waiting to find out her true character at first,” Ayaka explains. “And what I have witnessed is that she is graceful and kind, and well-suited to being my brother’s wife. I would very much like to meet her as myself at some point, if only Brother would allow it. Until then, I’d like to enjoy being in her company. Without titles and reputation. ”

Thoma’s lips tighten, ruminating on it for a moment.

“Please,” she says, eyes glittering like a lost puppy.

Thoma sighs. “Okay, alright. I’ll do my best to keep the staff under wraps, but I cannot guarantee your brother won’t hear wind of this from passing whispers. You know he has a strange way of knowing everything…”

Ayaka intertwines her fingers together tightly, a happy aura emanating from her form. “Thank you, Thoma! Thank you so much.” A sudden thought occurs to her. “Oh. If I may ask, do you know why Brother is so insistent on hiding her, Thoma? Is she in danger of some sort?”

Thoma plays with the back of his hair to ease his stress. “Uh… Not exactly…? How do I say this? Uh… Your brother… he… eh… might be a little… obsessed with her?”

-----🐈-----

Rumors often travel and trickle down the twisted grapevine before reaching the last right or wrong ears. And very rarely, do the details stay untouched.

Crrr…

Unless, of course, you’re right next to the source material.

WHAT??? your mind screeches, reeling from all of this unexpected development.

All of your limbs are stretched out, hands gripping the barely creaking wooden supports holding up the ceiling of this room, doing their best to keep your entire body from falling eight feet to the floor. Below you are your lady-in-waiting— who-is-actually-your-sister-in-law-apparently (?) — and that hardworking housekeeper— and-right-hand-man-to-your-damn-husband!

How does a wife of a lord find herself in this precarious situation, one may ask?

-----

[A few moments ago…]

With the vines on the furthest wall of the garden destroyed by your stupid husband, stealing your one line of freedom out of this damned estate, desperate times call for desperate measures. There couldn’t possibly be just one way out of this place, after all. Not to mention, luckily, your lady-in-waiting, Ayami, is finally away from you… for some reason. Regardless, you figure this is the time to strike.

“Psst!”

“What?”

“You ready?”

“Shh!”

Roaming through the halls, you find yourself next to one of the kitchens in charge of your daily meals. You quickly hide behind a tower of baskets, interest piqued by the sudden gathering of familiar and unfamiliar staff all in one place, whispering to each like a small horde of mice.

“Okay, okay, girls, guys, everyone, settle down.”

“Scooch over!” “Stop pushing me!” “Oh my Archons-”

“Settle down!” the leader of this gathering barks. “ … Now… It is time to unanimously decide…”

Perhaps, your escape could be delayed for a few moments. You don’t have a route mapped out just yet, and it would be a shame if you got caught so easily, being a daughter of the Holy Dogs and the lady of the estate. Besides, what are they talking about that begets such suspicious behavior?

Decide what? An ambush on the Kamisato Estate?? you wonder, leaning closer and tilting your head.

One of the staff plays a soft drum roll by slapping the back of a pot laid upside down.

“... on who’s the hottest man in Inazuma!!!”

You blink. Eh?

“Wooo!” “Yeah!” “Let’s get it on!”

“Now for the lineup, we have… Arataki Itto!”

“Woo!” “Wah~” “HELL YEAH!” “Our one and oni~” “HE’S DA MAN!”

You think about Arataki Itto. You had met him that day Ayato decided to take you out and you fell into the bridge and your husband— Ahem! Back to the oni in question, the last time you saw him, he did leave a manly impression. One that reminds you of a very tough… puppy? One of those mean-looking dogs that turn out to be surprisingly meek. With all of those markings and those large red horns, you suppose he does bring a carnal, predatory aspect of lust into some people’s mind at first glance. Too bad for those people, since he seems more naive and loud-mouthed than the brooding oni his appearance portrays. Plus, he's apparently a friend of your husband— close enough to call him “bro” of all things— which automatically makes him weird. But to each their own, you suppose.

“Gorou!”

“CUUUTE!” “Yah!” “My future waifu!” “The goodest boi!” “HE LOOKS SO FLUFFY!”

Gorou, the great general of the Watatsumi Island’s forces. You haven’t had the opportunity to meet him yet (a result of your unwilling isolation, no doubt), but you have heard the tales. An admirable man known for his strength and valor. If Itto reminded you of a puppy, then the dog man himself definitely is a puppy. A Shiba inu, to be exact. Which begs the question, if he went up against Taroumaru, who would win…? In addition, if it were possible, you’d like to pet both and find out whether or not his tail is as fluffy as the rumors claim…

“Kaedehara Kazuha!”

Many whistles fly. “OUR HERO~” “Shut up, he’s mine!” “Please, he’s too good for a tramp like you.” “WHO YA CALLIN’ TRAMP, YOU SKANK?”

Another man of influence you’ve yet to meet in person, but one you’ve known about for a long time. The Kaedeharu Clan was a noble samurai clan of notable fame here in Inazuma and a subordinate branch of the Kamisato Clan until a certain incident. The young master was one of the bachelors considered in your betrothal. However, since the man himself was uninterested in marriage, and your elders saw it unfit to give you to a dying line, you ended up here instead of wherever he ended up, being a nomad and all. You don’t have any complaints, but it does make you wonder what it would’ve been like to be married to such a mysterious man… Would you have been free to roam the lands instead of cooped up here within the walls of the Kamisato Estate…?

Not that you would dare tarnish your family’s reputation with a dishonorable act of affairs, of course! And neither are you interested anyway. It’s just an interesting what-if situation to think about.

“Shikanoin Heizou!”

“Ahhh~” “His voice is so… mm~” “Yeah, so handsome~ “Listen, I’d never commit murder… unless it’s to steal his heart.” “PFF! LAME!” “SHUT UP, YOU LONELY SON OF A-”

Another man you haven’t- Ugh… Again, not someone you’ve met in person but you have heard some rumors. A young prodigy detective from the Tenryou Commission, with sharp senses and ingenious thoughts. Apparently, no matter what unsolved case he's facing, he can get to the truth in unexpected ways. Perhaps, if you are able to get ahold of him, you could have him solve the mystery of why your husband acts so strange?

“Thoma!”

“Ooooh!” “Honestly, he wins.” “He can wife me up any day.” “More like be my wife, ya know what I mean?” “Heck no! He’s our head of staff!” So?” “So… as if he’d be interested in your ugly peasant behind.” “NEO JUGEULLAE!?” “SPEAK COMMON-”

You grind your teeth, possessing no comment regarding your husband’s most loyal accomplice.

…..

… Fine! if you had to be fair… considering you’ve given props to the other men mentioned already… He is, admittedly, handsome in his own right. Reliable. Charming, in a kind and respectful kind of way.  If you weren’t married, you could see yourself snatching him up to be a husband on a whim.

…..

On second thought, you do find him a complete pushover who’d probably cry a lot if you showcased your true self. There’s no way someone like that could be completely loyal to and serve a strange man like your husband if he wasn’t a pushover. He probably wouldn’t be able to say no to someone like your cute and clumsy lady-in-waiting, Ayami, for example. He reminds you of a dog that whines if you so much as step out of sight for a single second. Pathetic.

“And finally…” Dramatic drumroll. “Kamisato Ayato!”

“.....” “.....” “.....” “Oooh…”

You await more comments, but find none.

What’s with the silence? you think, eyebrows furrowed. Where’s all of the cheering for my husband? He is an undoubtedly handsome and talented man, though with some caveats. Surely, there should be at least one fan?

“What? All that fuss over all those other men and suddenly when it comes to our fine-looking lord, nothin’?” asks the leader of the gossipers.

Exactly!

“Well…,” one of them starts, “It’s more like… you know…?”

“Yeah…” another of them agrees with hesitance. “He… and Lady Kamisato…”

“You know what? If nobody wants to say a thing, then I will!”

A round of groans. “Oh Archons, please someone hold him down.”

“Hey, wait a second!” You can hear many feets jump to the ground. “Listen, listen! He’s not my number one, but he’s like super duper hot.” Some pots clatter about. “If he wasn’t married, I’d bang him. Like I’d actually-”

“Oi!” One of them cuts in. “Speak properly and stop talking about our lord like that!”

“Ya know what?” says the mischievous one. “You’re right. If his wife wasn’t married-”

Your eyebrows raise up in wonder.

“WHOA! WHOA! WHOA!” cuts in the leader. “Shut. The hell. Up. Listen, buddy, I get that you’re a thirsty single idiot, but do not, and I repeat, do not speak of our lord’s wife in that manner. Especially in here. Do you want to end up getting your entire family killed? You wanna end up thrown out into the ocean?”

A silent gasp tumbles out of your mouth. What? People can’t talk about me, or else they’ll die? Because of who? And why? … Have there been people who have died whispering my name? Oh dear, that’s horrible! I must bring it up with Ayami later… But if I make the wrong move, will I be killed too?

“I mean… I guess there’s more fish in the sea-”

“Oh my Archons.” “Eff me.” “Shut up, weirdo…” “This is why nobody likes you.”

“Oh, come on!”

“Everyone, let's get back to the contest! Cast your votes now!”

Step step step step.

With footsteps coming your way, much to your chagrin, you depart from your hiding spot and race through the hallways, watching for any signs of incoming individuals. Just when you see a hint of a person’s clothing as they turn the corner, you immediately enter one of the rooms, close the door, and wait for them to pass.

“Oh!” “Huh?”

You hear two people accidentally bump into each other outside the door.

“Ayaka…?” says the male voice.

You haven’t said a word, but it seems the devil looks for any opportunity to appear. The moment you hear Thoma’s voice, an ice cold feeling enters your chest and makes you sharply inhale, fearing he’ll catch you and bring you back to your husband. In just under a second, you quickly scan the room and luckily find wooden pillars strong enough to support a person. Thank goodness for the Kamisato clan’s financially high status!

You quickly hop up,  extend all of your limbs, and balance yourself on the ceiling’s frame just as the housekeeper and… your lady-in-waiting(???) enter the room in the same manner as you did just earlier, avoiding other staff.

Thoma and Ayami? How scandalous! you think as your eyes jump between them. I would’ve never thought!

And that is how you end up finding out that your Ayami is actually Ayaka, your sister-in-law, and that sneaky housekeeper is definitely a complete pushover.

-----

Obsessed? Your eyebrows scrunch together in confusion. Him? Me? Obsessed? HIM?

“Eh? Brother? Lady (Y/n)? Obsessed?” Ayaka repeats, as if voicing your thoughts exactly. She gasps. “You mean to say… he’s in love with her?”

You almost choke on your spit.

“In a way…” Thoma nods vehemently, eyes squeezed tight as if he himself is having trouble believing this truth. “But it’s true! I swear. He has been, with her, since the day they met.”

The memory of the day you met your husband comes to mind, where you were crouched down in the very garden where you now constantly make and fail your escape attempts. You remember clearly putting on a fake smile, as per the Elders’ order, before turning around to greet him and his own fake smile. Two people wearing masks agreed to marry each other, to have and to hold until death.

Nothing unusual with arranged marriages, but… you’ve been wearing a mask since day one, with only a few cracks here and there. Does that mean your husband only decided to marry you because he fell in love with your fake self…?

In an instant, you feel something sharp and small like a needle pierce your chest. There are no enemies in this room, and there is not a single spot of blood seeping into the cloth covering your chest, and yet your chest hurts. You shake your head away from this strange feeling, and keep listening.

Ayaka intertwines her fingers together, eyes glittering. “Well, that’s wonderful! How wonderful!” She then deflates a little. “Though I do suppose that does explain why he’s so… protective over her…”

“Mm.”

You bit your bottom lip in dismay. No! Do not be fooled! That brother of yours is most certainly not being “protective”. I can take care of myself, thank you very much!

“However!” Ayaka pipes up. “I do not think it is fair for her at all. And most certainly not to me. He wouldn’t even allow our meeting to take place! I can't possibly be considered a danger to her.”

“Yes… Well, given the limited all-female staff, the restricted areas she’s allowed to be in, and the high amount of security around those areas… Now that I’m actually talking about it, I truly think he has gone mad,” Thoma comments.

I AGREE!

“I believe so too.” Ayaka agrees, crossing her arms. “Perhaps because she is his first love, after all…”

Eh…? Really…?

Ba-thump.

“Now that you’ve mentioned it, he’s been smiling strangely as of late. And every time I mention Lady (Y/n) around him, I hear a cracking sound.”

Ba-thump. Ba-thump.

Oh thank goodness, I thought I was the only one hearing it. So, it does have something to do with that scary man. Huh… Scary…

“Indeed… I’ve been noticing that too,” says Thoma, getting into a thinker’s pose. “Regardless, it seems due to the upcoming festivals, he hasn’t been able to spend some time with Lady (Y/n) as of late and he is, for a lack of better words, suffering. Badly.”

Ba-thump. Ba-thump.

… G-good. If I can’t go outside by myself, then he cannot… he should… I can’t stand being near that man. If I have to suffer, then so should he.

“Is that so? Hmm… Speaking of which, ever since Lady (Y/n) received a package of…” Ayaka coughs politely, “‘mature’ books some time ago from a friend of hers, she has been avoiding him as much as possible. Not out of anger, I don’t think, but she has an odd tendency to ask for a bowl of ice water to dunk her head in whenever I mention him.”

Oh. Those books and the cucumber incident. Your cheeks fill with heat as you know it’ll be a while before you recover completely from that day. Your limbs begin getting tired, but all the training sessions you’ve endured since you were little demands you stay put and steadfast.

Thoma decides not to question the books, though his interest is piqued. Instead, he brings up a suggestive notion with raised eyebrows and a glint in his eyes. “Oh? It seems while it is obvious your brother is highly interested in Lady (Y/n), she might perhaps… feel the same way towards him?”

Ba-thump. Ba-thump. Ba-thump.

No? Absolutely not! You're getting the wrong idea! you shout mentally. He is a scary, scary man!

Ayaka’s eyes match his glint as she processes his words. “Perhaps they are too oblivious to one another to notice. Hm. I must say, it is quite advantageous that you are his right hand man, and I am her lady-in-waiting. I believe a little push may turn the tide?”

I’m not liking where this is going…

Thoma grins. “Shall we?” he offers, holding out his right hand.

“We shall!” Ayaka grasps his right hand with hers, solidifying their team-up officially.

And so, the esteemed housekeeper and the undercover sister-in-law make a silent vow with fire in their eyes and a determination in their hearts to join their respective persons.

While you are still on the ceiling, now silently begging them to leave.

Forget all of this nonsense about bringing you and your strange husband together or whatever they agreed on. And forget about even escaping. You just want to go back to your room and pretend you know nothing at all and are just a naive doll-like wife as most people believe you to be, not straining yourself in this manner.

The very moment the two leave, unseen by anyone else luckily (else that too could become its own rampant rumor, being a couple of unmarried individuals in a room by themselves) and shut the door, you immediately jump down onto the tatami mats and release a large sigh of relief. You roll your shoulders and bend your legs, wiggling your entire body out of the strain. You mentally apologize to your tomorrow’s self for enduring the damage of today’s actions.

You begrudgingly head back to your room, passing by the very garden that began all of the events that have occurred thus far. It is currently a late evening and the sun has already sunken behind the wall, now barren and mocking at your desire for freedom. It is a sight to behold however, seeing the beds of moonflowers starting to bloom underneath the flowerless cherry blossom trees.

Seeing as you have plenty of time before dinner, you make your way over near the wall and crouch down to examine the blooms closely. They were planted only a few weeks ago, replacing the autumn crops. During the day, you’ve only seen their bulbs. In the shadows now, they look like little stars. You reach out to touch the soft-looking petals.

“I’d advise you not to touch those particular flowers, (Y/n),” comments a very familiar voice from behind you.

You jolt and stand up, turning around as you do so, meeting the eyes of your husband. You quickly replace your wide eyes and open mouth with your doll-like mask, with emotionless eyes and a rigid smile. You give a tiny bow to him in greeting. “Hus- Ayato. San.”

Ba-thump.

His expression mirrors your own, though his eyes swirl with that familiar glint that raises goosebumps along your skin, covered by the expensive fabric of your modest robe. “(Y/n), he greets you back.

The two of you stand there in silence, not breaking eye contact except for the occasional blinking.

Although in the past, salacious images would appear in your mind and make you horrendously flustered in his presence… Somehow in this moment, your mind has become a void space, like the depths of a raging ocean at night.

Ba-thump.

The moment you hear the crickets in the garden begin to chirp, you realize there is no else here in the garden except for you and your husband.

Ba-thump. Ba-thump.

You decide to break the awkward silence. “How are you this evening?”

Crrr…

“Fine. And you?”

You nod. “Same as well.”

……

Ba-thump. Ba-thump.

“May I… inquire as to why you’d advise against touching these particular flowers?” You gesture to them.

He finally breaks eye contact entirely, looking over the moonflowers contemplatively. “Hmm. Pretty as they are, unprocessed moonflowers are unfortunately poisonous to the touch.”

“Is that so?”

“Mm. If accidentally ingested,” he continues, slowly going through more symptoms without breaking a beat. “They can potentially cause deliria, increased body temperature, hallucinations, disorientation, and in severe cases, respiratory failure or death.”

You blink, horror replacing your doll-like mask as you turn to look at the innocent-looking flowers. “Why- We should get rid of them then! Why keep such dangerous plants in an open space like this?”

“Are you suggesting we keep them hidden away in a closed space?” he asks, his voice monotone.

“Well, yes! Or gone completely!” you answer. “These flowers look far too innocent to be poisonous. Anyone would think it okay to pick them like any other flower in this garden.”

“That’s right… Though, it would be a shame if I had to get rid of them all. Such a flower that only blooms at night time is a privilege to behold, and not to mention, difficult to attain.”

You squint your eyes at the moonflowers, which resemble morning glories. “Is that so?”

“Mm. I would like to at least keep just one for myself…” he says in a low wishy-washy tone. “Presumably, near my desk or by my bedside…”

Your face twists into a frown of confusion. You turn to him to retort, “What? You shouldn’t keep one at all! What if you accidentally…”

Your voice leaves you when you find him standing just a foot away from you, his purple eyes seemingly glowing against the shadow over his face. The wall looms behind you, leaving no room to walk backwards. Your sides are covered with moonflowers, meaning you cannot simply sidestep your way out without trampling them.

“Accidentally…?” he repeats, voice hushed.

Why’s he so close?

Ba-thump.

“...A… A-accidentally touch it and poison yourself?” you complete your sentence. “As you said.”

His eyelids lower slightly. “That’s true… That could happen…” He tilts his head curiously. “I suppose I’ll just make sure not to touch it…”

“B-but what if you w-want to?” you insist, cringing at your suddenly developed stuttering. “O-or accidentally do?

He smiles, though his eyes don’t match at all. In fact, the swirling purple begins to glow even more ominously underneath the wall’s shadow. “Are you suggesting… that I lack self-restraint?”

You shake your head slightly. “N-not at all, Husband.”

“Ayato.”

“A-Ayato. San.”

“Good. But…” He places a hand against the wall and leans forward slightly, making you lean back. “It’s a shame. I would still desire one for myself, even if I can never lay a finger on it… Am I not allowed to…?”

What’s with this position? Why’s he asking for permission?  “I d-didn’t mean that,” you respond. “B-but surely, there are o-other better and prettier flowers just like it that w-won’t cause you any harm?”

He hums as if considering your words properly. “I suppose that’s true… though… ‘better’ and ‘prettier’, as you put it, they are not. At least… compared to the flower I truly want.”

Ba-thump.

Flower? “S-still!” you insist, ignoring the nagging feeling poking at you. “I-it would be better to not have something s-so dangerous near you. A-anything that would not cause any of those h-horrid conditions you mentioned earlier would be much safer, in any case. S-shouldn’t it?”

“Hm…” He leans in even closer. “And what should I do if I still want it?” 

What is he doing!? “W-what?”

“What if I… already experience all of those horrid things while it is not at my side?” he whispers, huskily. “What should I do then, hm (Y/n)?”

You open your mouth to respond, only to produce, “... Uh?”

Your eyes begin to shift hesitantly as they search for something in the swirling purple of his irises to explain what is happening right now, only to realize that it looks like it could swallow you whole. In fear, you hesitantly raise your hands to push him back for more space, only to be shocked to find your fingers hovering a mere hair’s width from his chest. You lean back instead, only to move a few centimeters before your back is pressed against the stone cold wall. That thumping echoing inside your ears since earlier begins to increase in volume, becoming louder and heavier with each beat.

“What. Then. (Y/n)?” he asks again, weighing each word, unwavering as he leans forward a little more.

He’s so close you almost can feel the heat rolling off from him as the temperature grows colder. Dizzying is the warm scent of oak, of tea, and… an underlying oceanic essence?

You snap out of this hesitance and answer, “I… I-I don’t know!” as you squeeze your eyes shut as you finally find the courage to press your hands against his chest and push him with all your might.

He stumbles a few steps back, allowing you the chance to escape by hopping over to patches of grass not covered in moonflowers, only to feel your arm be snatched, pulling your body back against a body, namely your husband’s body. His arms wrap around you, like a cage around a pet.

“Wha-”

“Shhh… there are witnesses.” The timbre of his voice tingles against the delicate skin of one of your ears.

You tense up. A quick glance in front of you captures the sight of gasping servants who rush out of sight, possibly to share the scandalous sight of the lord being intimate with his wife in the secrecy of their main garden. You blush heatedly as this description presents itself in your mind.

It’s not like that at all! He’s just… He’s just being weird! you tell yourself, though you don’t even sound convinced in your own mental dialogue.

Ba-thump. Ba-thump. Ba-thump.

You flinch when you feel him take a breath near your ear, his arms tightening around you.

“You…”

“... W-what?” You fear his next words.

“The moon….”

…..

You raise an eyebrow. “Eh?”

“The moon… looks beautiful tonight…” he whispers.

Unlike earlier, he sounds… unsure of himself. It’s… strange, coming from your husband who is so usually calm and collected with his fake smiles and scary eyes. You look up at the sky. The sun may have already set, but there is no moon to be seen from where you stand. You tilt your head in confusion, but you don’t dare turn your head to look at him.

“Um… Hus- Ayato. San?”

There is a lull before he answers, “... Yes?”

“The moon hasn’t risen yet?” you point out.

“... So it hasn’t,” he confirms, without raising his head. Or least, you don’t feel him turn his head to the sky.

…..

“Um…?”

“... Hm?”

“There is… no one here…” you say. “Anymore.”

You feel him shift his face, presumably looking in front of you before he shifts his head back down. “... So there isn’t,” he responds plainly.

…..

“... Can I… go? Now?” you ask, hopeful to go and calm down all of your being.

You feel him deeply inhale and exhale a warm breath. “... Okay.”

The moment you feel him release his arms, you book it to the nearest room, wrench the sliding door open, and slam it shut before you collapse onto your four limbs and begin gasping for air as your blood rushes through your entire body with pounding fervor. In the dark, you lay down on your side and place a hand against your heart as you process what just happened.

Ba-thump. Ba-thump. Ba-thump. Ba-thump. Ba-thump!

What was he- Why was he- UGH! You grip your hair, feeling the heat of your cheeks burning like the summer sun.  He… hugged me. We hugged. He gave me a back hug. Why did he give me a hug? R-right, it was to keep up our image in front of our staff. But then why did he keep hugging me? We haven’t held hands yet! What was he talking about? Did he… does he like me?

You grip the fabric in your hands and shake your head.

No. If anything, he hasn’t met my true self, and it’s not like I… I don’t have feelings for him so…  so I should… I should just pretend that didn’t happen. That’s right… Right…

You wipe the excess water coming from your eyes on the fabric of your sleeve.

-----🐈-----

Outside in the garden, standing lonesome is the heir to the Kamisato clan, gazing at his empty hands. The warmth of your body has left its mark, now a phantom sensation he wishes to re-experience in its entirety, if only you’d let him.

Ba-thump…

He sighs and turns to gaze upon the innocent-looking moonflowers swaying lightly to the late evening breeze.

Untouchable, and yet so irresistible to look at. It really took all of his restraint to simply not do anything that would scare you when the delicious scent of you was wafting about tantalizingly as he held you in his arms…

Ever since the day he saw you muttering incessantly to yourself, picking apart a poor flower in this very garden, before putting on a facade before him, he had initially thought that someone like you should be locked away in a cage to study, like a cat. An unruly pet to tame, just for his own amusement in this colorless, unfeeling world.

But after marrying you and spending some more time with you— gazing upon you in times when you’re not near him— he began to crave it more.

And now forced to be away from you for such long periods of time? It was different from when you had spent your honeymoon in separate rooms, which was partly out of his own will. This time, however…

Ayato scoffs, placing a hand on his forehead as memories of these past few weeks come to his mind.

-----

The sight of Thoma, his most loyal and obedient comrade, being allowed to roam freely in the west wing where you reside, even on his orders,  is starting to become so nerve-wracking it makes Ayato want to break the housekeeper’s arms and legs so painfully, he wouldn't be able to think about crawling towards you.

-----

Sometimes, while taking a break from working on his duties, Ayato would look at his hands and find them covered in thick amounts of black ink in one moment, and then normal and clean with your hands in his, and then nothing at all the next moment.

-----

There are times he finds himself so dizzy from looking at all of the words he’s written and seeing faint images of you sitting across from his desk, smiling at him the way you've never smiled at him before.

-----

Lately, he finds himself having difficulty sleeping at night in your separate bedrooms, knowing you're so close and yet so far from him. Every so often, he’ll wake up in that very lonely bedroom of his, and find you there on top of him, whispering things only a fiend would ever say— only to wake up again and find only himself. Oh… The things you do to him… 

-----

Yet the real you runs away from him each and every time you see him. Why? Is it because you're afraid of him? If you are, you're such a smart kitten…

But too bad. Your husband is not someone who gives up so easily.

If he doesn’t do something about your tendency to run outside the moment the door is open, you might encounter dangerous beasts who wish to do nothing more than to rip out all of your petals and feast upon you whole.

Ayato reaches down and plucks a moonflower, slowly twirling it between gloved fingers. The white of the petals reflect the light of the moon that just is now peeking shyly behind dark clouds.

Just like you, he thinks.

It is unfortunate, however, that unlike the insidious moonflower, you carry no such poison to defend yourself against such terrible beings— daughter of the Holy Dogs or not.

The kind that roams outside of the estate, of course. Not him. Oh no no no. You should understand that the only terrible beast, if he is honest about himself, allowed to be near you should be him and only him. That is a privilege only a husband should have towards his wife, is it not?

Ayato smiles genuinely and sadistically, chuckling to himself as he crushes the flower in his hand and then opens it, letting the crumbled pieces fall to the ground. His head fills with all sorts of deep and dark thoughts, of his intentions towards you and of how he’ll get rid of everyone standing between you and him.

He looks towards the direction you went.

Ah… perhaps it’s about time you get used to him, to understand where exactly you should be.

Right next to him, and no one else.