#rare pair purgatory is an interesting place

[teafiend]

Like An Odd Sight Come Out At Night

(Title take from the lyrics to “Movement”, by Hozier)

Rating: Teens and above (post-coital, intimacy, intimate moments etc); F/M

The coolish night air wafting through the open window brings with it the cadenced trill of crickets, familiar and calming. It is a comfortably warm evening. The last gasp of summer is upon them.

Yoon is sitting cross-legged on the floor bedding facing Gil Young, who is lying prone on her stomach, cheek pillowed on her forearm, knees bent, feet slightly swaying in the air.

His attention keeps straying to the fair, creamy expanse of her bare back and beautifully curved derriere, her flowing hair a curtain of inky black down her shoulder blades.

A visual as sensually entrancing as the images from sketches and paintings he had caught glimpses of in museums and books past.

Her skin still bears the sheen of sweat and the hint of a faint pink blush from their vigorous lovemaking minutes before, yet Yoon still craves for more. In need of something which at the moment seems elusive.

It is not a desire for sexual pleasure, of that he is certain. He feels wonderfully relaxed and satisfied, as he always does after the fulfillment from being physically intimate with her.

He realises it. He yearns for connection. To capture this moment of togetherness, and to prolong it.

His gaze lingers on her. Fixates.

“What’s so fascinating?” Gil Young murmurs languidly.

“You,” Yoon answers as he lies down on his side next to her, their bodies only inches from each other. He can feel warmth radiating from her nearness. It is reassuring.

She hums noncommittally.

He trails his eyes over the smooth texture of her skin, blemish free and supple. Remembers the feel of their softness underneath his fingertips. His hands.

Yoon rests his right hand at the base of her back, the sloping area where her spine intersects with her prettily rounded derrière. His thumb begins a rhythmic caress.

Yoon hesitates for a beat before speaking softly, “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” comes the immediate response.

Bashfully, Yoon asks, “Do you remember your first kiss?”

Her brows crinkle in reminiscence, and then the edge of her lips curls down in slight distaste.

He ventures cautiously, “Was it that bad?”

Gil Young turns her gaze towards him, somber, “It was not a first kiss per se. More an attempted assault. I was accosted. The result of a stupid bet, I reckoned. When I was seventeen, maybe? Those years bled a lot into each other. If you thought you had seen me angry when we met again, you had not seen me then.”

Yoon’s eyes widen in horrified shock but before he can utter a word of comfort in commiseration, she continues with a satisfied gleam in her eyes, defiant pride in her voice, “But I made sure the bully regretted his behaviour. I think I nearly broke his arm. Or did I actually break it? I can’t recall accurately now.”

She mimics a shrug from her prone position, “I did not get any authority figure involved, and the boy never said anything about me being the one to injure him. Too embarrassed, I expect. Anyhow, I steered clear of boys from then on. Not that there was any interest there to begin with.”

“I am sorry you had to experience that. I am sure he deserved what he got,” Yoon consoles weakly, a heavy lump gathering in his throat. He begins to stroke up and down her back, the feel of her skin against his hand grounding him in their present.

“Don’t worry about it, it was nothing I dwelled on. Until you asked me about it, in all these years I don’t think I have given it any thought at all. And I am sure yours were worse, so let’s not compare sob stories,” she says evenly, her gaze empathetic.

When he first posed the question, Yoon never expected the subject to become this strangely sober window into other fragments of their past experiences, but instead of simply being upset about them, he finds himself more preoccupied by the grace and preciousness of their present.

And what they have now is an infinitely cherished blessing.

He reaches over to press an affectionate kiss to the tip of her shoulder. Gil Young gives him a fond smile.

“But your first kiss must be a nicer story, since you asked,” she prods, her small smile sweet and beguiling.

“Nothing remarkable, actually. At least nothing as traumatically dramatic as yours,” he discloses somewhat dispassionately.

Gil Young listens with rapt attention, her interest apparent.

“The young woman is someone from my former church, and we knew each other from church organised activities. There was no relationship or anything, but when I was nearing the end of my military service, she confessed her feelings and then kissed me. It had come as a surprise more than anything. I had already decided to join the clergy by then. I let her know and it was a good enough reason as any,” he further clarifies.

Gil Young nods sympathetically, “Minus the priesthood, that sounds surprisingly normal. Glad yours is such a run-of-the-mill first kiss story.”

She cranes over towards him, pecking him on the lips, “Thank you for telling me.”

Yoon returns a tiny smile of his own, soaking up the soothing warmth beneath his hand.

“Were you ever tempted, though?” she asks, curiosity threading her words.

Yoon answers frankly, “No. I had thought I might be, but it turned out not to be the case. I remember not feeling anything, and I liked her as a casual friend. She was beautiful too. In a way, she made me think that I could withstand temptation. No doubt, for many long years, that was true.”

He looks over at a spot beyond her beautiful eyes, his gaze unseeing, voice deep, touched with a taint of regret wrapped in certainty. “It was easy to be focused only on one objective to the exclusion of others. To bury inconvenient feelings in the service of a greater goal. Not that it was always true. But lying to oneself is not that hard. Until it becomes untenable. Impossible to ignore, that’s it.”

Gil Young nods, extending a hand over to caress his cheek. Her fingertips scorch, clearing the gathering fog in his mind. His gaze holds hers again, and the love and tenderness he notes in them buoys up his heart, pulling him back to the present. Their present.

He grins lightly, self-deprecating, “Well, then things changed and you happened. Until you, it turns out I don’t know what temptation is. So here we are.

“You make me sound like a dirty word,” Gil Young admonishes in amusement.

Yoon moves closer, gazes into her eyes, earnest and adoring as he promises, his lips a hair’s breadth away from hers, “That is far from the truth. You are my benediction. My beatitude.”

As he finishes his pledge, Gil Young closes the minute distance between them, her kiss a seal to his vows.

Notes: This ficlet is inspired by a beautiful, sensually charged scene from the fascinatingly complex and wonderfully nuanced Japanese movie, “Shoplifters” by KOREEDA Hirokazu. That scene left an impression, and imagining my OTP in a somewhat similar setting made my heart soar, so here it is. Truly, nothing is as gorgeously joyful as maximum self-indulgence.

Thank you.

[gogandmagog]

I really hope you’ll write Peter Pan in Rainbow Valley! You’re the most qualified to match Barrie’s and Montgomery’s respective tones, all your fics are very whimsical and funny. I’d LOVE to read it.

Lol! Oh, thank youuu. That’s so nice! 🥹 And just so you know, I’m really happy to have another J.M. Barrie mutual, I feel like we’re kind of thin on the ground on tumblr. I follow all his tags here, and they’re so rarely added to.

I like half drafted an outline on this, and will keep it in the future-maybe-someday file for ‘fics that want to be written,’ but it’s a real purgatory over there, if I’m being honest. But outlining it has admittedly taken zero effort, because these two stories almost seem meant to be joined. We know Maud was a huge fan of J.M. Barrie, and by extension of Peter and Wendy… and I’ve long personally thought that it was beyond pure coincidence that ‘James Matthew Blythe’ is so similar in name to ‘James Matthew Barrie’… but even Rainbow Valley (place not book), which is kind of this liminal space between fairyland and reality, sacred to childhood and play, has some existing Neverlandness about it already built in. And then there’s these compelling similarities between Mrs. Darling and Mrs. Anne Blythe as well; both charming mothers, both adult advocates for/in/of imagination, and both wonderful storytellers (Peter lingers around the eaves of the Darlings Bloomsbury home to hear her stories) that are devotedly loved by their husbands and children. But for me, I think it's a huge (the hugest) point of interest to loop in Walter, who saw the Piper, like really really saw him, in Rainbow Valley. How easy it would be to kick out the German Pied Piper and drawn in Peter Pan and his flute, instead… two characters who are already deeply linked by folklore. Elsewhere, if the Jolly Roger, did take a wrong star and run aground in the Rainbow Valley brook, it’s just asking to have the suspended-in-time Neverland pirates be familiar with Captain Jim and maybe Lost Margaret, from bygone Life-Book days. I’d even give Shirley a boyish thimble-passing romance with Tiger Lily, the same way I’ve always wanted to see him paired off with a Mi’kmaq girl. Aunt Mary Maria’s hand also shoots right up for the doubling Hook-ish authoritarian/‘grow up already’/take-all-the-fun-away role (Gilbert would never suit it the way Mr. Darling did). But anyway! With all this low hanging fruit, it’d seriously be so simple to neatly tuck these two books into each other at every corner. It’s really all right there.

[snowcandyz]

Days With Your Lover: Simeon

Summary: Dating the seven Lords of Hell wasn’t easy; and it’s even harder when you add a member of the royal family, his butler, a sorcerer and an angel into the mix. Every day is filled with surprises and joy because you can’t really guess what your boyfriends’ next moves are. So you’ve developed a schedule where everyone gets to spend the day with you. That way, all your beloved will get their chance to be alone with you.  Pairing: Simeon/MC Genre: Fluff

TW: Mentions of food

| First Chapter |

A knock on the door alerted him of your arrival, and Simeon turned off the stove just as you walked into the kitchen. Solomon must've let you in.

"Morning, Sim," you said, placing your arms around him as you pressed a sweet kiss to his cheek. He returned the affection with a smile, the plates of pancakes in his hands placed down so he could turn his full attention on you.

"Good morning, starlight," he replied, hugging you back. "Had a good night's sleep?"

"It was great, though I had some difficulty getting out of Belphie's grasp," you giggled, "I'm still not quite sure how I managed to escape, really."

He joined in your amusement, "Well, I'm glad you did. I'm looking forward to our day together. So, let's have some breakfast first, shall we?" Simeon asked.

You nodded, letting go of him to take a seat and licking your lips at the fluffy-looking pancakes on the table. A special type of Celestial-based syrup was poured onto it, making it seem even more heavenly.

"Dig in."

You took your first bite with a pleasant hum. 

Peaceful was the word he'd use to describe the love he shared with you. Serene and tranquil, as if nothing could get in between, even if your stars didn't align with each other.

"Say 'ahhh'," you said, snapping him out of his lovesick gaze, making him focus on the piece of pancake on your fork waved in front of him.

He took a bite of it with a cute 'nom', slightly embarrassed when you watched him with hearts around your eyes, not that he failed to do the same.

Oh, how he wished he could spend every morning with you.

-------

After breakfast, Simeon offered his arm, which you joyfully took as you walked outside.

"Have fun on your date!" came Luke's voice.

"We will!" You called back and you both chuckled at his enthusiasm.

As you walked past the gates of Purgatory Hall, Simeon reached out a hand to grab yours, holding it in his own as you walked side by side. To where, he wasn't quite sure, but it was nice to be able to hang out with you casually like this and enjoy the starry skies, accompanied by the sounds of peaceful chattering all around you as the demons go along with their daily lives.

A few demons can be seen opening up shops while some street vendors shouting above the crowds and trying to attract customers.

Simeon noticed you looking at a shop nearby with interest. Curiosity piqued, he followed your line of sight, landing on a clothes shop where a couples' shirt—sweater—was on display on a mannequin. It was brown with bright orange embroidery filling its top area with giant letters that spelt, ‘Amore’ in cursive.

It was… unique, for lack of better words. Ugly, if Simeon was to be frank.

"Sim, can we…" you looked up at him, pointedly flicking your eyes between him and that hideous, hideous sweater. "Would you like to buy a pair to match with me?"

"Are you sure?" He looked at the sweater hesitantly. It didn't suit him at all, he thinks.

But one look into your eyes, and he already knew he'd lose the battle.

------- 

Devildom witnessed another sight that day. Being Asmodeus’s lover, it’s rare to find you wearing something… out-of-fashion.

But then again, you're also dating Satan...

Ah, who cares? When it comes to being in love, doing things you enjoy with your lover is more important!

And so that was what you two did.

Strolling down the streets, you didn't care how you were the centre of attention. The sweater attracted many stares and whispers from passersby and strangers alike as you two walked hand in hand.

Simeon was concerned as the small whispers and snickers might affect your good mood, but you didn't show any remorse or negative feelings. You were even smiling.

At first, he wasn’t too sure of the sweater; it was not exactly his taste, but the way you delicately traced the fabric of the clothes earlier made his heart swell.

You love the sweater because it reminded you of the first sweater he knitted for you.

It was when he first learnt how to knit and surprisingly, with his beginner skill, he managed to get the sweater done within two days. Of course, it wasn’t perfect, but it’s Simeon’s own handwork, something special made by him, for you.

Simeon originally wanted to store it away since it wasn’t good enough to be given to anyone, but you insisted on wearing it.

“Ah, please, you don't have to…" he said when the sweater had somehow ended up in your hands, "I can make you a better one."

“What? No!" You were offended at his suggestion as if he'd just insulted your nation, entire bloodline and your pet as well. "And throw away all your hardwork? I'm keeping this, thank you."

And you immediately threw it on, wearing a smile as big as the smile you're wearing now. But your face fell when you saw his, which he now guessed must've shown his guilt.

"Sim, don't feel bad for this, it's perfect," you cupped his cheek.

"But, it's so-"

"It's perfect," you said before he had any chance to degrade his work, "You knitted this with me in mind and I appreciate that. So thank you, Sim."

And he was reminded why he fell in love with you, once again, as you both wore yet another ugly sweaters in the streets of Devildom, wishing these moments could last forever.

--------

It's lunchtime, he realised, when he saw you drool at just the thought of the pastries on a poster.

"Should we stop by this shop?" he asked, nodding towards said pastry shop.

"Can we?" A certain light shone in your eyes, and he didn't think it's even possible for him to say no. Not when you're as cute as you are.

He already knew you have his entire being wrapped around your human finger.

"Anything for you."

And with a courteous hand, into the store you both went, lining up and checking out the menu displayed above the counter as he scanned through all the unique Devildom ingredients. There were some from the Human World too...

"Do you have anything in mind yet, sweetheart?"

You pursed your lips, deep in thought.

"The Witch's Hut has familiar flavours which I know would taste good…" you said, "But I'm really curious how that Black Widow one would taste… Ah! I can't choose!"

You held your head in your hands, contemplating between the two. You just had a hearty breakfast—Simeon's food was that delicious, alright—so you know you couldn't stomach any more than one portion, but they both look so good. 

You’re amusing, Simeon thought, as he watched your unconscious actions. But it also didn't sit right for him to ignore you when you're so distressed, especially as the line gets closer.

"How about we buy both of the flavours?" he questioned, and your focus finally averted from the menu to him, a questioning look on your face. Adorable.

"You can buy the Witch's Hut, and I'll buy the Black Widow. That way, we can share each other's."

It must’ve been the answer that you were hoping to find because you beamed at his suggestion and quickly nodded. 

If only you two weren’t in public right now… Because the angel was trying very hard not to kiss you on the lips with the smile you’re having on your face right now.

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

Just as your orders arrived, you delightedly took out your D.D.D and took some photos of the beautifully arranged pastries. You'd also gestured for Simeon to come closer so you could take a picture, posing in a multitude of different ways.

Simeon being naturally photogenic made the photos turned out spectacular.

"I'm sending this to the group chat," you said, and he placed his chin on top of his hand, nodding as you indulge in your own little world with the phone, editing your pictures and whatever it is you do with phones. Simeon wouldn't know.

Ding!

A message came through his D.D.D and still having a bit of a problem unlocking it, it took a while for Simeon to open the texting app before finally managing it.

My Starlight: *sent a photo

Asmodeus: WHAT. WAS. THAT?!

Satan: I think that’s a crepe? And some other pastries.

Beelzebub: The pastries look delicious!

Barbatos: I agree 😊

Luke: Take me with you someday!

Asmodeus: No! Not that! The SWEATER! WHAT’S WITH THOSE UGLY– UGH!

My Starlight: Hey! What’s wrong with it? I love the sweater :(

Luci 😇: Asmo! 😠

Asmodeus: …

Asmodeus: Sorry love… But you still look cute regardless of anything that you wear ;D

Simeon: Do I look good in this sweater too?

Mammon: Don’t push yer luck! 😡

Simeon couldn’t help but laugh at the heated discussion going on inside the chatroom. It wasn’t anything important, really, but even if he wasn’t being his cheeky self today, he still enjoyed witnessing the brothers’ banters. 

He decided to read the conversation for his personal entertainment later, but for now, he’s focusing on making his date the happiest person in all three realms.

And from your smile, he'd like to think he's succeeding.

----------

By the time you two left the cafe, clouds were gathering in the skies above the town. A thunderous storm was heard coming from a distance, and he looked at you worriedly.

“Did you bring any umbrella, Sim?” you asked.

He shook his head.

“Well, I didn’t either...” 

Rain was acidic for humans here, and you both knew that. But thankfully, Solomon had given you a charm that'd protect you from the rain's negative effects. It wouldn't protect your clothes from getting wet, though… 

As you two pondered on various ways to get home, drops of water had started pouring in from the sky, only seeming to get heavier with each second that passed by.

Wouldn't it be better to go now than later, if it's only going to get worse?

"Race back to my room?" Simeon said, and you grinned.

"Last to reach there has to do whatever the winner wants!" you shouted, dashing out the door before he could even understand your words. He ran right after you.

"MC! Wait!"

Devildom’s sky must be irritated by the sight of you and your lover still wearing those hideous sweaters, because it continued to rain down a hefty amount of water onto the Devildom grounds, drenching you both in its acid. Amidst the adrenaline rush and pleasant smell of the rains, you both neared Purgatory Hall.

You were still laughing by the time you arrived at Simeon’s place, drenched from the rain, yet nothing felt better than the sight of his lover laughing and living life to the fullest.

But of course, you're still wet from the rain.

And he did not want you to get a cold. So, he urged you to get a shower and quickly changed to a dry and more comfortable clothes.

-------

You were greeted by a scrumptious smell coming from the kitchen. By the time you left Simeon’s shower, he was nowhere to be found. But what you did find is a set of clothing placed neatly on his bed. You assumed it was for you.

When you left his room, you saw a little angel panicking over another one of your lovers, “Don’t add that Solomon! That’s meant for cooking! Not for baking!”

“Come on, what’s the harm? I’m just putting one teaspoon of it.” Solomon grinned, clearly teasing the little angel.

“But that’s curry powder! I’m trying to make cream puff! Not curry puff!” Feeling exasperated, Luke turned over to you for help, “MC! Help me! Solomon’s trying to sabotage my cream puff!”

You laughed, “Alright Sol, come here. Don’t bother Luke.”

The sorcerer immediately abandoned the poor angel alone, happy to indulge in your attention instead. 

“So tell me, how has your day been today?” You gave him a smile and cupped your hands onto his cheeks before giving them a gentle squeeze.

“Boring? Because you’re not here with me,” Solomon said, leaning closer to your touch. “I can’t wait for my day to arrive so I can have you all to myself.”

Before you even manage to reply, you felt an arm pulling you from behind, pulling you back into someone's chest.

“Yes, that is true. But maybe you’ve forgotten that it’s my day today? Hmm?”

Simeon is a kind angel. But times like these made it clear that he wasn’t naive.

Even angels can feel jealousy, right?

Solomon smiled, though you can tell it was a bit strained.

“Alright, I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone. So make sure you return the favour someday, okay, Simeon?” Solomon left once again after giving you a chaste kiss on the cheek.

No chance to tease Luke and no chance of having his lover to himself, he resorted to going back to his room where multiple of his research books were waiting to be read.

Simeon's hold on you relaxed, and you sighed. Your lovers sure can get possessive at times, and you leaned back, giving him a pat on the cheek. 

"There there, Mr Christopher Peugeot," you turned around to face him, cupping his pouting face. "Today's your day, I know that. I was only asking him some questions, alright?" You gave him a peck on the lips, running your fingers through his hair, and he melted into your touch.

"Now, let's get dinner ready, shall we? Before Solly comes back here when he's bored of the research papers."

A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of Solomon returning to help with the food.

"Of course, my love."

--------

The night was spent with all four of you watching movies together. The little angel insisted on wanting to watch this super popular movie Levi recommended the other day, and you all agreed. It was fun nonetheless, but after a tiring day that evening, you couldn’t help but accidentally doze off a few times during the movies. 

“Should we call it a night?” Solomon suggested, considering Luke himself was also getting sleepy.

“I’m so sorry, everyone…” you apologised, knowing full well they were excited to stay up all night talking to you like they had intended.

“It’s alright, we understand. Good night, MC.” Luke went over to you and give a good night hug before running towards Solomon so he could tuck him to bed. Usually, it was Simeon’s job, but for today, the sorcerer offered to do it instead because he wanted to give more alone time for Simeon and you.

A comfortable silence descended in the living room and you had your back to Simeon's chest as the movie continued playing in the background. You then heard him call out your name softly.

"Hm?" you asked, turning your head slightly towards him as a sign of paying attention.

"I love you, you know that?"

His gentle rubbing motions on your waist didn't stop, and you laid your heavy head on his chest.

"Of course, Sim," you muttered.

"Thank you, MC, for everything."

He was happy—that much was obvious—being there with you.

The dim moonlight sneaked in through the curtains as your breathing turned even. He joined not soon after, content with you in his arms, the howling wind being a witness to the love and peacefulness he only ever shared with you.

A/N: I remember writing this scene together with Meowz and having an absolute laughing fit over the sweater incident. It's her idea to include that 😂 - Han

Thank you for reading! Reblogs and feedbacks are highly appreciated ✨

| Series Masterlist | Masterlist |

[sobbingdistantnoises]

OOO, fancy tag thing, I am infodumping in some places because I like info dumping and everything I do needs a 10 page essay explaining it :)

1. 3 ships

Okay, this is hard because I do not really romantic ship unless it's a fic I'm reading (because 99% of fics are romantic, aaAAAAA, I still enjoy them but rip </3), so this is mostly platonic relationships I find interesting

One, Dee Dee and Tommy Ramone from the Ramones (band). I find it interesting because Dee Dee was mostly insane while Tommy was, yes, going insane, but also more sane than the rest of them. There's so little actual existence of the two together (and Tommy in general, rip fav Ramone who is tied with half of them for fav </3), but I think about how Dee Dee was like "Tommy COOKED FOOD and we drank ALCOHOL instead of eating, we were a mess" or something like that (do not remember specifics), and that contrast is very interesting to me. And also Dee Dee hints towards Tommy never allowing people in his house and having a prior bad experience with someone, and HEH, what does that mean and how does Dee Dee know. Very interesting questions I like to think about

Two, David St Hubbins and Nigel-I-forgot-your-last-name (not actually his last name but in character for him, if I'm honest) from This Is Spinal Tap (movie). They are both dumb and Spinal-Tap-y which makes sense because they quite literally are in Spinal Tap. They are a very rare example of me actually being like "is this supposed to be romantic" when seeing a non romantic pairing, potentially genuinely the only time I've ever seen romantic connotations in stuff if my memory is right. Honestly I do not remember exactly why, but probably something with the fact that Nigel was very very antagonistic against David's girlfriend without much reason at first, from what I grasped. And the end of the movie was a very </3 <3 moment so yay

Three, Dante and Virgil from the Divine Comedy (very long poem). This is in part interesting to me because of the differences between real people Dante and Virgil and characters Dante and Virgil but also to my occasional inability to visualize stuff correctly. The Divine Comedy was written by author Dante about Dante the character's journey through the Christian afterlife guided by Virgil the character, who is a real person dead Greek poet (and philosopher?) guy I should probably remember from school. As thought out and genuinely impressive the poem is (I should probably actually read the rest of it), it is very funny to imagine Dante the author writing it sometimes. But also just the story itself is interesting to me, like especially the thing at the very end of purgatory with Virgil kinda just disappearing was oddly sad to me because, consider, he lives in hell (not painful punishment hell but still hell) and has just made it to a place where it's not hell for the first time (it's shown earlier that he hasn't ever progressed past like, circle 6 or wherever the heretics are), and then he just disappears without explanation </3 rip

Very probably cut apart and un understandable but shhh, that took like 10 sittings because I kept getting distracted and interrupted ^

2. First ship

I think Nico Di Angelo and Will Solace (forgot how to spell their names) from Percy Jackson?? I have very vivid memories of being 11 and being like "guess who my OTP is!!" to my friends who definitely did not read Percy Jackson and definitely did not care

If it's not them, it's probably Keith and Lance (no idea about last names) from Voltron, though I'd guess that was later? Note that I did not watch and have still never watched the actual show, just read a scary number of Wattpad fanfics and ended up with a fairly solid idea of what the show was like from that

3. Last song

Currently listening to Troops of Doom by Sepultura (I JUST REALIZED THAT IT'S NOT SELPUTURA?????), very fun song that I enjoy butchering on piano by speeding one of the riffs up too much <3

4. Last movie

Currently watching La Révolution Français (1989), very fun even though I have not finished yet, currently on Louis XVI's trial a bit after the (un)surprisingly extremely violent prison murder stuff :D

Last full movie I watched though, uhhh. I watched an hour and a half long explanation of Dante's Divine Comedy on YouTube most recently, though I don't think that counts as a proper movie? And I did watch a semi-documentary on the French Revolution I never found out the name of a bit before that again, figure it might be closer to a movie because it was actually filmed like more one. But proper movies, I cannot remember

5. Currently reading

A fanfic I have currently forgotten the name of and cannot figure out at the present moment because my phone is being glitchy </3

6. Currently watching

I assume this means like a series?? I have 6 months of Hermitcraft and Life Series to catch up on

7. Currently consuming

Information

8. Currently craving

Vanilla flavored Cheerios

Tagging @andjusticeforgordo, @violentlyhxppy, @lord-of-the-weird, and @jesterplays if you guys wanna! :)

Thanks for tagging me @worshipjeffery !!

1. 3 ships: ok uhhh spirk - star trek (I still think the ship name should be spirk), kiribaku - mha (I know, mha fan, so cringe, whatever), and I believe that as @ghostlylurker 's esteemed beta reader I am required to say agrestone - miraculous

2. First ship: I'm not completely sure but it was probably fucking phinabella.

3. Last song: dragonfly - universal hall pass

4. Last movie: cocaine bear <3 (no movie will ever beat the ambulance scene)

5. Currently reading: like 75 different fanfics idk leave me alone

6. Currently watching: mostly rewatching star trek lower decks w my dad

7. Currently consuming: in n out grilled cheese

8. Currently craving: ur mom

@thecoolerantistraight joe you're like the only other person I interact with on this app you have to shoulder the burden of being my only tag thanks love ya

[smolcinnamonchipmunk]

The Animal Incident

(I’ve gotten back into O.bey Me! and I still fucking love the first Paws and Claws event for what I feel are VERY obvious reasons, haha. So here’s something self-indulgent while I keep working on WtR and stuff.)

Count: 4322

It has certainly been… interesting being around the brothers the last couple days while they were stuck “anthropomorphized”. I use the term loosely since they hadn’t turned entirely into animals, but rather had the ears and tails of certain animals. And a pair of dull horns in Levi’s case.

Oh, and they more or less adopted some of the characteristics of the animals they sort of turned into, which led to the first day being very nerve-wracking for all involved. For the others, because all of them but Levi gained attributes of mostly carnivorous animals. For me, because for the first few hours I was more in danger of being eaten by one of the carnivorous brothers than I had been in most of my time in the Devildom. It was something I’d been threatened with because I was a human surrounded by demons, but something that hadn’t been acted upon at all.

Thankfully, after a while of trying to avoid each brother in turn -a difficult feat normally, let alone when their senses were heightened- they were each able to rein in their animalistic instincts. At least when it came to potentially eating me, Mammon and Satan still tended to chase the ball around if I threw it suddenly.

It’d still be a few days until Luke could get ahold of the antidote, and with how rushed he’d been in the first place both Simeon and Solomon were also aware of the situation and had checked in around the time Lucifer was berating everyone for losing themselves to their instincts. He had allowed me to hang out with the angels and Solomon in the kitchen to bring them up to speed on what had happened after Luke ran off for the antidote. 

Luke thought I should have moved into Purgatory Hall until the demon brothers were ‘cured’, but I didn’t want to be too much of a hassle and refused, and eventually the residents of Purgatory Hall went home after ensuring that I knew I could count on them if something happened. Nothing did happen though, other than each brother being even more affectionate than normal and vying for my attention. 

Mostly, Asmo was always looking for affection anyways.

For now, I was taking the rare moment to myself, finding that I was almost constantly drained due to the fact that I was an introvert with seven roommates and couldn't really get much time to myself to unwind and relax. And, today seemed like about the same when there was knocking at my door, followed by Mammon demanding to be let in.

"OI! Kat, open the door," the demon shouted, making me sigh. I wondered if I should just stay quiet to make him think I wasn't here, but last time I did that he had lockpicked into my room to see if I had any valuables laying around. He froze when he saw me, but I got Solomon to charm my stuff after that.

"Give me a second," I grumbled, pausing my music on my phone and taking out my headphones, the book I was reading carefully closed and left on the bed as I got up and opened the door.

Mammon looked at me as the door opened, a chuff accompanying his greeting, "There you are! I've been knocking for almost an entire minute!"

"And I've been trying to relax in my room," I replied, eyes wandering to the tiger ears that had replaced his normal ones.

"Hmph, I guess you won't be interested in what I just found then," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes since he knew my curiosity tended to get the better of me. Like, a lot.

".. Well, I didn't say anything like that," I stood aside to let the demon enter my room, instinctively glancing him over as he walked in to see if I could get a glimpse of what he had found. I wouldn't put it past him to lie about something interesting just to get my attention though. 

I closed the door behind him, walking over to the bed and hopping back up on it as I curiously asked, "What did you find?"

"You know how Luke's cake turned all of us into animals?" Mammon stopped beside my bed, hands on his hips while his tail idly flicked around.

"Gee, did it," I asked sarcastically, propping my head on a hand as I continued in more amused sarcasm. "I never would have thought. I knew something was different, but I thought it was a haircut thing."

"Yeah, okay, tone down the sass," he playfully pushed my shoulder and I stuck my tongue out for a second in response. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a vial of something that glowed an amber color. "Anyways, I was thinking about pranking the Angels and Solomon back!"

"Wha- why," I asked, curiosity turning into surprise and I instinctively felt defensive on the trio's behalf. "It's not like Luke did it on purpose. And the other two had nothing to do with it."

"Well, no. But Lucifer's been upping his annoying lectures these last few days because of this whole thing!"

"I think it's more because you keep knocking stuff over-."

"Hey, these tails are difficult to get used to," Mammon put a hand to his chest, his tail flicking in irritation. "And I'm not the only one who's accidentally knocked stuff over, Beel is the worst with his lion tail!"

"Either way, you're not pranking the angels and Solomon," I said, holding my hand out for the vial.

Mammon's ears flattened a little and his eyes narrowed, holding the vial protectively to himself. He let out a growl that I still wasn't used to, feeling my heart skip a beat as he said, "No, you're not stopping me from using this."

"Mammon," I stood up, my tone becoming more stern. "Don't make me command you to give it, you know I hate doing that."

"I'm not making you do anything!" 

He started trying to back up towards the door, presumably to try and bolt with the vial. My eyes widened and I reached across the pact I had with him while quickly hopping off the bed and stepping forward.

"Mammon, stop," I demanded, seeing him freeze in place when I did so.

I strode to my bedroom door and placed myself between it and Mammon, who was cursing under his breath about having been forcibly stopped. I started trying to grab the vial from him, but he kept trying to hold it out of reach. Granted, that wasn't very difficult with our height difference, but it was still annoying.

"Mammon, you ass, give me the fucking vial," I hissed, though I didn't command him to do so with the pact, just trying to nick it off of him.

"Not a chance," Mammon replied, the growl of irritation in his throat. "Do you know how difficult it was to get this stuff? If I give it to you, Lucifer will have my- HEY!"

I was able to make a particularly good hop to reach the vial that he held in the air. I wasn't able to grab the vial exactly, but I was able to hit his hand hard enough that the vial slipped from his grasp. Making a noise of triumph, I quickly went to grab it, but so did Mammon. My hands closed around the vial, but I found myself knocked over in the demon's haste to try and beat me to it.

The fall itself didn't hurt, but I had tightened my grip on the vial instinctively, the thin glass breaking under the unintentional pressure.

I yelped from the tumble, opening my hands cautiously at the sharp pain and feeling of a wet stain on my hands and shirt, seeing the shards of the vial in my palms and the amber liquid spilled all over me mixed with a bit of blood. I groaned and laid my head back down, dragging out an exasperated, "Fuuuuuuuck…"

"Fuck, Kat, are you okay," Mammon asked, the demon kneeling beside me. "I didn't mean to push you over, I was just going for the vial! Oh, I'm definitely screwed now, Lucifer's gonna kill me!"

"I'm fine," I replied, sitting up and looking at the pieces of glass. Maybe I'd ask Satan for some sort of healing spell if I didn't get all the shards out. I tried to shake my hands off, a few of the pieces slipping out of my palm and I started carefully pulling out the rest. Mammon had gone to my bathroom quickly while I did so to get my first aid kit and held out a hand so he could try to bandage one of mine. I mumbled a thanks and held out my right hand for him to put gauze on, curiously lifting my left hand to my face to try and sniff it.

It smelled citrus-y.

"What was even in that," I asked. Considering he had been planning to prank Purgatory Hall, I was very surprised that I hadn't grown an extra arm or something.

"Well, uh…" Mammon seemed hesitant to answer, keeping his eyes trained on bandaging my hands. Once done, he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "It's basically the same stuff that turned us into part-animal. There's supposed to be a bit of a delay, cause I didn't want them figurin' out it was me if it affected them before I could get away."

"Well, I mean, that should be fine then," I shrugged, looking over my bandaged hands. I had to admit, he did a really good job, my fingers not feeling too hindered by the coverings on my palms. 

But then something clicked. Whipping my head up to look at Mammon, I said, "Wait… you were also trying to prank Solomon…

"Mammon, does this work on humans," I asked, knowing the answer by the wince of shame at the question. I looked back at where the amber liquid had spilled, seeing that it didn't even leave a trace on my skin or shirt, presumably having absorbed the magical substance. Part of me was worried, but another part thought that the brothers had been getting along fine despite the animalistic stuff, so I should be fine...

"I-It does work on humans, but unlike the antidote Luke is getting, I don't know where we'd even start to get an antidote for this," Mammon said. He looked like he was trying to not freak out.

"Maybe Satan knows something," I suggested, standing up and automatically offering a hand to help him up. Obviously, he didn't take it since they had just been bandaged. "He's been poring over some of his books in case he could find a way for y'all to have an antidote sooner. And, he hates Lucifer, so he's probably not gonna snitch on you."

"We both tried lookin' for antidote stuff, we got nothing. But, we can ask him, I guess," Mammon frowned, getting up. He glanced at his watch, adding, "I-I’m not sure when it's supposed to kick in."

"Well, maybe we can reach Satan before- hnngh,” I held a hand to my head a wave of light-headedness hit me, making me stumble a bit in place. I saw Mammon jolt beside me, readying to catch me if I fell, but I waved him off as I tried to straighten and ignore it. I-I’m fine, we have to hurr-.”

My head throbbed with what felt like the beginning of a migraine, the light-headedness becoming worse. My vision spotted and blurred as my head spun. I must have fainted or blacked out for a moment because I found myself staring up at Mammon when my vision cleared up enough, leaning way too close over me. When I groaned and moved to sit up though, his face didn’t get much closer. Confused, I looked around and noticed that everything was bigger, a lot bigger. As in, big enough that I was actually in Mammon’s hands kind of big.

“Mammon,” I yelped in surprise, whatever grogginess and dizziness being pushed to the side as my heart skipped a beat and I felt a bit of adrenaline. The demon in question quickly moved to set me down now that I was aware, something I was grateful for despite my legs feeling a bit wobbly.

“I-I’m sorry, I grabbed ya before you could hit the ground, but I didn’t hurt you, right,” he asked, looking even more freaked out than when I’d first spilled the potion, understandably so. “I didn’t expect ya to faint.”

“I’m fine, b-but I’m more concerned about why I’m fucking small,” I exclaimed, struggling to wrap my head around my newfound size. “I thought you said it was like the animal thing!”

“It is!... M-Maybe it’s because you’re some kind of rodent?”

“I’m a WHAT,” I quickly looked myself over, something I’d neglected to do in favor of staring around. I realized I now had a brown and black furry tail almost as long as my legs, and when I reached up I found that my normal ears were now replaced by mostly round ones that twitched at my own touch. I didn’t know what they looked like, but that didn’t matter. Holding a hand to my head in confusion, I tried to make sense of it, saying, “None of you guys changed size!”

“I don’t know! Maybe because none of us are something that small, or maybe because it’s meant for angels and humans, not demons,” Mammon suggested, though it was obvious that he wasn’t certain of it himself.

“W-Well, this is a lot more inconvenient than I thought this was going to be,” I sighed, able to feel my tail move on its own and realized that I could hear a lot better than before, able to hear Mammon’s tail across the floor as it moved. The smell of the foliage and flowers in my room even seemed stronger than usual.

“You’re telling me,” the demon suddenly looked away a bit, raising a hand to cover his mouth.

“Are you okay,” I automatically asked, startled that he seemed more affected by this than I was. I moved to try and get a better look at his face, but he tensed and held up a hand to signal for me to stop. I hesitantly obeyed.

“N-No. Seein’ you so small is making my instincts flare up again,” he shook his head and sat back a little on his heels. “It’s already been difficult, but now you’re bite-sized and every movement is catching my attention.”

“Oh.” I stiffened a little at his answer. I appreciated the honesty, but an instinctive shiver of fear ran down my spine.

“Your fear isn’t helping,” Mammon’s eyes closed momentarily before opening and glancing in my direction. His tone and gaze held a bit of hurt, concern, and a glint that I’d seen enough times from Beel that almost had me taking a step back. “I know ya can’t help it, but I wish you’d just stop…”

“We need to get to Satan or Lucifer,” I said, trying to ignore his comment the best that I could. “Maybe even Solomon would know something.”

I turned towards the bedroom door a bit to suggest that if he didn’t want to draw too much attention that he could go without me, thinking that maybe I could climb onto the bed while he was gone and try to message Solomon or Luke. But, I was interrupted before I could even start, finding myself suddenly swept off my feet. I was barely even able to yelp in surprise, realizing that I’d been snatched up by Mammon as I was raised above the ground.

“M-Mammon?” I asked nervously, looking up at him. His fingers twitched around me and he looked like he was struggling, looking appalled.

"I-I didn't mean to, you just turned around and I couldn't stop myself!" He exclaimed.

My ears wilted back at how loud he sounded while my mind raced, trying to figure out what to do. Tigers were ambush predators, so I guess turning away had been a trigger for his instincts. But if my fear was making it worse, if turning away made it worse, and if me basically existing made it worse, what could I do?! I was in a bit of shock, so I hadn't really struggled, but I didn't doubt that would also make it worse. 

"K-Kat, ya gotta command me to stop. Tell me to put you down or something!"

My eyes widened in surprise at his request, startled and panicked. It had to be really bad if he was *asking* me to give him an order, knowing very well that he and the other brothers hated it with a passion. Spurred on by my own fear and his own, I tried to reach across the pact, demanding, "M-Mammon, stop!"

But I didn't feel the pact react, like it was dormant somehow. And judging by how his own eyes widened a bit, hands raising ever so slightly to his face, he also realized that it wasn't working.

"K-Kat, order me to stop," he repeated, voice wavering in his own panic.

"I-I did! I don't feel the pact responding," I replied, clutching onto his fingers as I tried to reign in my panic, tried to think of something. 

"Sh-Shit," Mammon hissed, the shaking in his hands getting worse. I'm not sure what the tremors felt like to him, but they felt like mini earthquakes to me, but what shook me to my core was the implications. "I- l-look, I don't think I'll be able to stop myself, but… w-well, while looking for antidote stuff with Satan, I came across a protection charm.. I promise, I-I wasn't planning on eatin' ya, b-but it was just in case I couldn't keep myself from trying to eat ya."

I blinked, finding myself overwhelmed and stunned at his small tangent. But I couldn't exactly say that I was comforted by his words. In fact, it only served to make me panic more since he really made it sound like he was about to eat me.

"Wha- b-but, you're not going to eat me, right?!"

His hesitation to respond was all the answer I needed, instinctively squirming a little in his hands as I debated maybe trying to wriggle free despite the potential fall to the ground. I could see his ears perk up a little.

"Nngh, I-I'm sorry, Kat," the demon was able to say, before starting to murmur some Latin under his breath while his shaking hands brought me closer to his face. Much to my dismay.

"G-Gah, Mammon, STOP," I shouted, instinctive panic washing over me. I didn't know whether or not any rodent instincts were making it worse, but I was pretty sure that even if I didn't have the ears and tail, I'd still be panicking at the thought of being eaten. You know, the thing every animal on earth basically spent millions of years evolving to AVOID. Including humans. 

I squirmed and twisted in his shaky hold in an attempt to get away, unable to focus on his Latin words as I felt his breath on my side. Something akin to a hiccup caused me to let out an actual squeak of fear, a thing I would have been embarrassed about if it weren't for the circumstances.

After a moment, I realized that he was done murmuring Latin. A split second later I let out a strangled cry when something large and wet slid across my arm and up, flicking past the side of my head and new ears.

I didn't need to look to know or make the educated guess that it had been his tongue, but that didn't stop me from glancing towards the source and paling at seeing his mouth a lot closer than it had been before. Teeth glinted in the room lighting, sharper and larger than I thought. I was so appalled at the sight that I didn't realize he started lowering his face a bit again, tongue slightly sticking out.

"Mammon, s-stop," I yelped, flinching and curling in on myself as his tongue licked across my side again. His fingers actually loosened, which would have allowed me a chance to escape if his licking didn't pin me to his palm.

His hands seemed far more steady now and he was letting out a sound similar to his greeting chuffs as his tongue raked across my side a few more times despite my very vocal and physical protests, my clothes clinging to the apparently rough surface of his tongue each time the muscle pulled away a bit. One of the licks tugged a bit too much and I yelped when I was lifted a bit off of his palm. Before I could move to unstick myself from his tongue, I suddenly found myself in darkness as he closed his mouth on my upper half. A bit of light illuminated my nightmarish surroundings for a moment as his mouth opened just enough to slide the rest of me inside.

The world was only still for a second before the tongue beneath me lurched and I found out what it was like as a hard candy when it started to lap at me and roll me around his maw, a hum mixing with the weird chuffing sound. I found myself drenched in saliva almost immediately in the warm and humid space, my arms shaking from trying to struggle. At this point, my throat felt a bit hoarse from trying to get Mammon to stop, the pact that was usually so readily there still unresponsive.

Terrifyingly, it wasn’t long before I felt myself being nudged towards the back of his mouth, able to feel my hands drape over the edge of the tongue despite me trying to scramble back.

“M-Mammon, don’t you f-fucking DARE!” 

The threat was empty and went unheeded, the tongue pushing up briefly before a thick swallow compressed everything around me and I was dragged down into his throat. I heard his heartbeat and breathing surround me, becoming louder the further I was drawn down his gullet. It was horribly constrictive. I could barely even wriggle, let alone struggle, at this point. Seconds dragged on, feeling like forever before I found myself sliding into a more open space.

What I could only guess was his stomach.

I couldn’t see anything, but that was a grace. I didn’t want to see the walls as they moved around me, able to hear a gurgle from somewhere as everything around me churned. At this point, I was too tired to do much more than try and push the stomach walls away weakly in comparison to the struggles I had been able to put up before.

“K-Kat, are you okay?” Mammon’s voice sounded very weird, loudly resounding around me yet somehow muffled through the layers of flesh and ambient sounds.

“You fucking ate me, NO!”

I felt Mammon flinch around me, feeling a brief pang of guilt through my panic. After all, I knew he hadn’t wanted to do it, but that didn’t stop the fear that had arisen from the whole situation. And, as much as I knew he wouldn’t want to hurt me, I also didn’t know how effective the protective charm was. Or if it even worked.

“Look, I didn’t want to! Is the protective charm working? I didn’t hurt you, right,” the demon asked, voice uncharacteristically saturated with worry and his own panic. Sure, he was bad at masking his care, but this was the most genuine concern I’d heard from him.

“I-I-,” I struggled to reign in my instinctive panic, focusing on whether I had been actually hurt. Traumatized? Yes. But, it wasn't like I’d ended up bitten or was currently being burned by… demon stomach acid. It hadn’t been pleasant by any means, but I wasn’t dying. And after living in the Devildom for months, I’d debatably experienced far worse. “I… N-No, Mammon, you didn’t hurt me. It seems fine… For now, at least…”

Everything seemed to relax around me, even if the stomach still moved around me. A light pressure on one side made me jolt a bit in surprise, Mammon saying, “I’m.. I’m really glad you’re alright. I’d never forgive myself if I accidentally ended up hurtin’ ya.”

“I-I appreciate the sentiment, but could you let me out,” I asked, already wanting OUT of the demons insides. Everytime the walls brushed and churned against me, it made me flinch and the constant gurgles kept my instincts -whether human or rodent in nature- on edge.

“I, uh… I might need a potion to make me hurl you back up… b-but, on the bright side, I can try and ask Satan if he knows anything about angel-human variants of  the animal thing,” he replied. “He’ll have all the ingredients for basically every potion, and it shouldn’t be hard to find one to get you out.”

“Ah.” 

The response wasn’t exactly one I’d liked, but there wasn’t much I could do about it. I yelped when everything jolted, my stomach dropping as it seemed Mammon stood up. The pressure on the one side increased and moved, realizing that the demon probably had a hand over his stomach and he gave a brief rub against me. That rumbling chuff mixed with a hum from before started up again, and I could only guess that he was trying to purr but tigers were incapable.

"Y-Yeah, if we're going to try and not make your brothers freak out about you eating me, you should probably stop that." || > 

[devildomdoofus]

I saw you said your commissions are open, if it's ok can I request a fluffy morning with the demon brothers, please? I just found your blog but I already fell in love with your writing style 😍. I hope you have a great day 🤗

Thank you so very much!! 😭 I’m over the moon that I can make you happy with my writing and I’ll GLADLY take this request ✨ I hope you have a great day as well!!

I also hope I’ve done your request justice 🥺

- DevildomDoofus

Through Morning’s Rays

Fluffy mornings with the Obey Me! Brothers

💙Lucifer:

Both of your schedules differed a generous amount. He wakes up the earliest out of the House of Lamentation and Purgatory Hall combined, to ensure everyone’s up and ready for school/work/etc.... and he is the last to go to bed.

That is, if he isn’t dog tired by the time he’s finished doing his last rounds of security checks and sending any remaining night owls to their rooms to keep their schedules in check, and collapses at his desk while finalizing reports.

You, on the other hand, have a steady schedule due to your obligations to your school (and job, if you worked).

To say that you two have a hard time spending any amount of quality time together is an understatement

Please forgive him, he is a lone father and he is trying his best

When he’s up early to get a head start in working to the bone, as usual and doesn’t have much time to share the fleeting, morning hours with you, he’ll gingerly place a kiss to the top of your head and shift the blankets from your late night tossing and turning, back to their place over your shoulders and covers the rest of your body. He’ll leave a little note by the bedside table that wishes you a wonderful day and promises that he’ll meet with you shortly to make up for lost time.

On the rare occasions that he manages to be able to share mornings with you, it is like a gift from the celestial realm to you both in which afterwards, the two of you are like completely different people, beaming with sunshine and happiness as your batteries have been recharged.

In those rare moments, he’ll slide to your side of the bed, oh so carefully snake his arm around you and tugs you gently into his embrace as he places kisses all atop your head. When you finally open your eyes and face him, he’ll run his hand up the length of your silhouette to your face, cupping it, rub his thumb over your cheek and smile lazily. “Good morning, lamb.” He whispers, trying to disguise the grogginess in his voice. Then, he leans down to press his lips against yours in a way that makes you feel like he’s been starving for you for months on end, only to now get what he’s craved and yet it’s not enough.

In this moment, nothing in all of the realms matters to him more than you. Just you and you alone.

💛Mammon:

You spent many, many, MANY mornings with him and they were some of your favorite memories since you first came to the Devildom. For him.... well, maybe not at first since you were kind of a chore. But the was before you two became so close.

The only problem was that neither of you were morning people, especially if either of you had responsibilities that day like school or work. To deal with such a thing, the two of you made a deal where each of you took turns being the one to help wake the other.

There were mornings where he woke you up with a heavy pillow to the torso and it ended up in you two being late for school due to an epic pillow fight that neither of you wanted to lose.

Other mornings, you woke him up by jumping and flopping around next to him on the bed, belting a song that was the favorite of the pair of you, and he tackles you back down to the bed to deliver you a piping hot plate of a tickle fight

and then there were THOSE mornings.

These mornings, when the two of you just happened to wake around the same time, he’d smile sleepily, yank you closer, and place a kiss on your forehead. “Mornin’, my lil’ human.”

UGH, that gravely, morning voice would be the bittersweet death of you.

While having a few hours to spare, you would lay there in the semidarkness, whispering sweet everythings to each other, exchanging kisses and joke ensued laughter, and simply enjoying each other’s company while entangled in a comfy, cozy embrace.

🧡Leviathan:

It’s the same sort of situation as with Mammon; neither of you were really morning people. But with you two, it was because it came with the terms and conditions of being like minded nerds (as a fellow ‘nerd,’ I mean that term in the best way possible and as a compliment) in which the endgame boss had to be defeated, or that one episode simply could not be missed, or your favorite celebrity/idol was going live and you were not about to be absent for it. Many evenings were spent indulging in both of your favorite hobbies, well into the latest hours of the night and early morning, when you should’ve been sleeping instead.

So of course, mornings were INCREDIBLY ROUGH for the two of you.

In the beginning and a majority of the time, you were the one to wake him up. I hope you can forgive him, though, because almost all of his energy is spent drowning out his negative thoughts and the outside judgement from his own brothers, haters, and toxic fans alike via his hobbies and he doesn’t quite have enough energy to take care of himself, including waking up on time for school or other responsibilities/obligations to avoid getting an ass-chewing from Lucifer... much less waking up on time and then having to wake YOU up.

You had to show him the way, in a sense. You’re his motivation and safety net. Where you go, and ensure his ‘safety’ he delightfully follows. Ergo, you had to be the alarm clock for him, for a while, to be shown that you truly care about him and it’s not all just some exasperating, ridiculously elaborate and heart shattering prank.

Your method of ‘raising the dead’ was to gently comb your hand through his hair while softly beckoning him from his dream world with your sweetest voice to ‘the land of the living.’ His eyes would flutter open and as soon as he saw you with that heartwarming smile, his face would turn a deep crimson and he’d smile back, reaching a hand up to place it over top of yours, somewhat nuzzling into it. “Good morning, my human Henry.” His shy, quiet, gravely voice could melt lava.

Through this method of yours, he no longer woke with animosity for the normie world but was rather hopeful and optimistic, feeling as if nothing could bring him down. Not even his brothers’ insults.

Eventually, he got the hang of it, and he was the one waking YOU up and he did so as sweetly as you had done. He’d place his hand on your cheek, rub his thumb over it, and gingerly place a multitude of kisses atop your head as he whispered your name until you woke.

Some mornings when he was feeling extra giddy, he would place a little speaker near where you had fallen asleep and quietly play your favorite song as he sang along and took hold of your hands to swing them gently to the beat. He saw it once in an anime episode and was hoping it would award him the same giggles the love interest gave the protagonist.

Fortunately for him, it always did.

💚Satan:

Being one of the more mature and responsible brothers, he rarely ever slept in. It’s just in his nature to be an early bird to catch the early worm.. mostly to get it over with so he could get back to doing what he loved most; reading in comfort. Even still, his schedule matched with yours almost perfectly, and that’s due to the fact that, similar to Leviathan, you two were likeminded.

You had the same interests and hobbies so of course, the pair of you grew very close, very quickly. You first linked up for study sessions because celestial realm knows that school in the Devildom was VASTLY different than human world schools, then book club meetings for when you got a little more comfortable with each other’s presence, then as you became even closer, you just decided to do the same things at the same time as it killed two birds with one stone; you got to do what you enjoyed with the person you enjoyed the most.

Mornings to you two were fairly simple and honestly, quite enjoyable with the other being there when you woke.

One morning, Satan took the first step and woke you to the pleasant sound of one of your favorite records echoing from an antique gramophone while placing a tray of your favorite breakfast foods next to the bed. He then leant down, took your hand into his, and kissed from your knuckles, all the way up to your shoulder, and then planting one final, light kiss to your cheek. “My darling MC, it is time to come back to me. Your dreams have had you long enough.”

From then on, you took turns in trying to wake the other in the most romantic ways possible. From your favorite flower’s petals scattering the bed, to his favorite audio books reading him awake. There was nothing that you two wouldn’t do in order to guarantee that the other woke to nothing less than the world on a silver and golden platter.

He was the envy of his brothers especially Mammon, getting to spend so much time with you and having you smile as brightly as you did with him.

💖Asmodeus:

Surprisingly, he’s another early riser. Though when you really think about it, it isn’t quite that surprising, considering he has a strict self-care routine that CANNOT be broken, lest he wishes to end up with a pimple or even worse... a wrinkle! Which neither are bad if you have them, it’s just for Asmo’s personal tastes for his own appearance, he prefers to have none of them.

Because he cares for you so much, he forces sternly asks that you have the same schedule as he does so he can give you the same love and care as he gives himself. He wants you to look and feel as wonderful as who you are on the inside... but he also loves it when you absolutely SHINE.

Please don’t be mistaken, he doesn’t think you’re ugly or unattractive or any other negative thoughts you might have about yourself, in the least. Not at ALL. He simply wishes to amplify what wonderful assets you already have (to your own tastes, of course) because of that oh so magnificent way you carry yourself when you feel your best.

Want to as pretty as a sunset? He’s got you covered. Want to be as handsome as... well, him? You’re covered there too. Want a little mix of any and everything? Oh please, give him a challenge! Whatever look you wish for, he’s there to help you make it happen.

You just have to take his hand and follow his lead. And his lead requires that you be ‘up and at ‘em’ early enough to go through the self-care routine (that he handpicked things for, according to you and your body’s needs), and eat the proper foods so your body and mind can handle the weight of being the most stunning thing to walk the face of any of the realms... besides him, of course. Also, all of this has to happen before school begins.

Unfortunately, that’s pretty early. There’s a LOT of self-care to-do’s that you two have to go through to ensure maximum amplification.

But because he knows that this can be rather overwhelming and a bit stressful to keep up with all of the time (and stress causes physical and mental harm), he’s always sure to make your mornings as pleasant and stress-free as possible.

He lights one of your favorite candles or incenses, and/or turns one of your favorite slower/softer songs on then climbs into bed and over top of you to begin his trails of kisses from the top of your head, down your face, neck and chest, further down your precious tummy, and stops right at your hips to go back up your body and start again. All of this on repeat as he coos and whispers your name, his soothing voice leading you from your dreams to the waking world. When your eyes meet his, he hums “ahh, my dear, you’ve returned to me.” He moves to kiss your lips as sweetly as he speaks.

He then slips his arms underneath you and lifts you up, as if you were one of Lucifer’s feathers, to carry you bridal style into the bathroom. He’ll then set you down and slowly undress you, taking as much time as you need him to, before helping you into the tub and giving you the gentlest of washes you’ve had since before you can even remember.

He’s the most soothing alarm that’s ever existed.

❤️Beelzebub:

Not really an early riser but he’s also not one to sleep in, either. To sleep in means to miss breakfast, and to miss breakfast is a death sentence for himself and anyone in the way of his next meal.

It also means that he doesn’t get to spend his mornings or share breakfast with you. Another death sentence but this one’s for his heart. Even though he might not say it, being that putting his thoughts and feelings into words is a bit harder than his more comfortable/natural way of simply showing you through his actions, he loves you very, very, VERY much.

This man cares so fucking much for you, he’d give up eating for the rest of his life if it meant you got to have a crumb. But he hopes it doesn’t have to come to that.

The way that Beel shows you that he cares is through food. Eating with you, cooking with you, watching you eat to be sure that you’re getting enough food in your own body, taking his time to eat his food because, now, he’s too busy having wonderful conversations with you, and every and anything in between.

One of his favorite ways is breakfast in bed. You had done it once for him before on one of your anniversaries and ever since then, he’s done it for you in return whenever he got the chance.

On mornings that he had waken up early enough, he’d quietly get up and tiptoe to the kitchen to make both of you a delicious breakfast. If Belphegor was up, on the rarest of rare occasions that he was, he’ll make a little something for him too. He’d put together your favorite foods and beverage while doing the same for himself, draw a cute little heart on a small post-it note and placing it on your side of the tray, tip-toe back up to the room and sets it on the nightstand beside the bed, then moves in close to you to start waking you up. He leans in close and peppers your face in little kisses before moving a little lower to your neck and giving his signature, gentle bite. “MC, honey, wake up. I’ve brought you breakfast.”

Nine times out of ten, you wake up in an instant. When you’ve slept heavily during the night and have a harder time waking up, he plops down onto you gently of course as to not squish you and groans in your ear, nibbling them to remind you of who you’re keeping waiting. “MCCC, pleeeease, I’m hungry. Don’t make me eat yours.”

The warning never fails.

As you two chow down, his dimpled smile never leaves his face nor his eyes on you as he watches you enjoy another morning filled with your favorite things: Beel and Beel’s signature breakfast.

💜Belphegor:

Morning? What the hell is a morning?

Yeah, yeah, he knows what a morning is. He’s had to get up for them too many fucking times to count in order to get to school on time.. or at least try. His attendance is, more or less, nonexistent. He’s just not a morning person.

at ALL.

WHAT. SO. EVER.

The one thing ‘Mr. Sandman��� doesn’t do is wake up or get woken up if the awakener values their life

However... if it is you, his favorite walking and talking pillow, he can’t be that pissed about it. It’s a little more of a smooth transition from being asleep to being awake when you’re the one bringing him there.

So, yes, you’re the one waking him up and it’s never the other way around, but you knew this would be your lot in life the closer you had gotten to him.

And yet, whenever you tried to wake him, he’d simply wrap his arm over you and drag you back down onto the bed as he rolls on top of you, nuzzling his face in the crook of your neck. “No.” he’d groan in his gravelly morning voice.

What? What did he mean ‘no’ ?! It’s time to get up!!

You’d try your best to to wiggle free but Belphegor is far more stronger than he looks and keeps you pinned down in place. Well... at least it’s comfy.

Wait no, this is his way of coercing you to go back to sleep with him!

Before you can try something else, he plants warm and slow kisses up and down your neck and nibbles at the skin just beneath your ear while whispering in a low tone, “why don’t we just stay here and do something better than go to school?”

Your face heats up and body tenses underneath him. It was not uncommon for him to try this tactic, especially in the morning, so you were fairly used to it but sometimes... sometimes it just does something to you and you’re frozen in place with nothing but his voice to lull you wherever it pleased. Maybe it came with being the Avatar of Sloth? He moves up onto his elbows to deliver his final attack that was his signature, teasing smile in order for him to fully keep you here, in bed, with him and simply enjoy each other’s company while you slept.

Unfortunately for him, this was his mistake and you gained yourself a foothold in pushing him off of you. Getting up from the bed, you look back at him as you straighten your clothes out and fix your hair, saying “Breakfast is in ten minutes,” with a stern voice. You take notice of this and try to sweeten it up to truly convince him. “Be there, won’t you?” you demand more than request, with a signature smile of your very own.

He brings his dropped jaw back up from when you were able to knock him off, and shakes his head as he lightly chuckles. “Whatever you want, MC.” Before you completely walk out of the door, he calls after you. “You owe me!”

You peak back in just enough for him to hear you as you’re closing the door. “No, you owe me.”

[thexfridax]

Wynonna Earp Boss Hopes Syfy Finale Made You Feel 'All the Things' — Plus, Scoop on One Happy Wedding Accident

By Matt Webb Mitovich, tvline.com / April 9 2021, 8:02 PM PDT

The following contains spoilers from the Syfy finale of Wynonna Earp.

After four years of protecting Purgatory with her Peacemaker, Wynonna Earp got to quite literally ride off into the sunset. And she did so while straddling a motorcycle, with Doc Holliday seated behind her.

Mind you, the two almost didn’t wind up together. Following the simply beautiful “WayHaught” wedding, Doc (played by Tim Rozon) was determined to put Purgatory in Charlene’s rear view mirror and get to living life as “just a man,” and Wynonna (Melanie Scrofano) felt compelled to stay put as Purgatory’s protector. But with an empowering nudge from li’l sis Waverly (Dominique Provost-Chalkley), Wynonna caught up to her man and professed her love, after which they decided to travel light, for the first time in a long time, and pay their daughter Alice a visit in MIracles, Montana.

TVLine spoke with series creator Emily Andras about crafting this very fine finale, at least one “happy accident” that wound up stirring many emotions, and more.

TVLINE | The finale has just aired…. What emotions do you hope the fans are feeling at this moment?

Just head-to-toe body warmth, and love, and affection, and wistfulness…. And a little bit of bittersweetness. I feel like joy has to be paired with nostalgia, so I hope they’re feeling all the things. But hopefully not hungover!

TVLINE | At what point over the years did you ever envision Wynonna and Doc riding off into the sunset?

Ahhh! I almost never even let myself envision it, you know? It’s so funny — when you start doing a show, you have all sorts of ideas about what pairings are going to rise to the top, who’s going to end up with whom, and one of the joys of Earp is that so many different things have happened. But those two characters have certainly earned the chance to try to be happy, whatever that means to them. I never knew that I would be allowed to end such a romantic pairing with the woman driving the motorcycle and the guy on the back.

TVLINE | I’m watching that final sequence and it almost feels alien, seeing the two of them head off into what I think of as “the real world.” But I also found that viscerally exciting, to see so much ahead for them.

That’s so lovely, thank you for saying that. I feel like having the world ahead of them and being such an unusual couple, I would love to see what happens next for them. I’m sure there will be lots of crazy sex and crazy arguments and crazy laughter. So, godspeed! Godspeed.

TVLINE | When throwing a season-ending wedding, what is Emily Andras’ marching order? “Above all else, this wedding has to be…”?

It has to honor to all of the characters — and by that, I mean it has to try to find a moment for every special pairing on the show, not just WayHaught. I think it’s important to pay due respect to how far Waverly and Doc have come; she never gave up on him, she always saw a better man in him — and now he gets to be the best man! Nedley (Greg Lawson) and Nicole’s (Kat Barrell) relationship, that paternal/daughter bond is so special, so honoring that was very important.

And at the end of the day, I still think the real love affair of the show is the Earp sisters, so I ended to make sure that that was honored. I really love the parallel with the pilot, where Wynonna came into town against her will and was so hungry to leave but was forced to stay. And now you have Waverly secure enough in how their relationship has evolved, that she knows Wynonna deserves to leave again — because she’ll come back.

More than anything, it was about giving every character a moment of happiness. Even Jeremy (Varun Saranga) becoming deputy chief of Black Badge and maybe finding a new date…. It was all about finding everyone a moment of potential joy, after they’ve gone through so much after four seasons.

TVLINE | Talk about the decision to have empty guest chairs laid out with the names of those who are no longer with us or didn’t make it to the wedding.

That was such a happy accident. We were on-set, it was very much in the middle of the pandemic, and we knew we were going to have a limited number of people for the wedding. But then we put out chairs so you could understand where the aisle was, and they looked really empty. So my incredible director, Paolo Barzman, who also did the pilot, and my art director Trevor Smith, pitched this idea to me. I had sort of joked about, “Wouldn’t it be cool if you had the ghosts of characters past?” In the moment, they said, “What if we hung names on the chairs?” and it was just one of those goosebump moments, like, “That’s brilliant.” So then we have people writing up these cards, rushing them out, and it’s honestly one of my favorite things. Whenever I see that Dolls chair, I just can’t help but feel things.

TVLINE | But Mercedes (Dani Kind), to be clear, is still with us.

She’s just out, like, being her best vampire self. She’s out being an amazing vampire, yeah. I still have that spinoff if you want to help me sell that!

TVLINE | If anything caught me a bit off-guard, it was us getting a song from Rachel (played by Martina Ortiz-Luis).

The thing about Martina is that she is a phenomenal singer. She is the anthem singer for the Toronto Maple Leafs — so she’s quite a star here! — and she was on Pilipinas Got Talent back in the day…. It seemed like a waste to not have someone with such an exceptional voice perform! And what better song to lay over the necessary wedding montage than a WayHaught classic (Fleurie’s “Wildwood”), the song that was playing the first time WayHaught kissed. It’s a bit of an Easter egg for those hardcore WayHaughters!

TVLINE | I don’t think anyone would have ever felt like a “Dark Angel Waverly” detour was missing, if you hadn’t spent time on it the episode prior. Why did you feel it was important to go there during one of the final hours?

The truth of it is that honestly we’ve been balancing the spectre of whether we were going to have a Season 5 or not. When we started breaking Season 4 two years ago, we were looking down the barrel of about 24 episodes, so [when you get half that] you’re like, “What are we going to keep, and what are we going to pitch overboard? What can we live without learning about?” I would argue that this idea of Waverly having a darkness inside of her did have to be highlighted after four seasons. I completely agree that in a perfect world I could have done eight episodes of Dark Angel Waverly, exploring that and seeing it come to pass. But if we ever get more story, I don’t know if Waverly has complete control over that part of herself. I dont think it’s “gone.” If Nicole puts mayo instead of mustard on her sandwich, who knows what’s going to sprout out!

TVLINE | I mean, if only to see what other outfits Dark Waverly has.

As long as she keeps her thigh holster, she’s ready to go.

TVLINE | Looking back at these last few episodes, what are you most proud of?

‘m so proud of this cast. It’s so boring, but God, just to see them grow and thrive and shine…. performing comedy and emotion, seeing their commitment to the show, and the feelings…. It’s just been such a joy to see such an amazing group of people get their due. They really are that wonderful, off-screen as well.

I’m also pretty happy — in this day and age, and despite all the fights the show has been through — that if this is the end, I feel like that’s a pretty nice finale, a pretty good topper on the cake. I feel like the fans will feel like they went on a journey, and they left the characters in an interesting, good place. And look, that’s really rare in TV, to end your story the way you want. How can I be anything but grateful, at the end of the day?

TVLINE | When I was writing my tweet the other morning, I wanted to call it a “very fine finale,” but I worried you’d think I was saying it was only “fine.” But it was a very fine finale!

No, you have to keep me hungry! You get to challenge me, Matt. Listen, I just didn’t want to risk…. I’m the queen of 75 cliffhangers, but I feel like the fans have worked so hard for us, for so many years, that it was more important that they got closure, just in case. But there’s always another demon, there’s always another thing to trigger Dark Angel Waverly. There’s always more story, but at least you have this, no matter what.

TVLINE | And if some network or streamer does ride to the rescue, would there be something that brings Wynonna and Doc back to Purgatory? Or might a Season 5 be without the two of them?

Look, the show is called Wynonna Earp, so you need Wynonna Earp. She’s still the champion, she’s still got the magic gun and the best hair on the show — sorry, everyone else!

There are a couple of unresolved issues. We still have Eve, who we kicked out the the Garden very early in the season, and who can kind of shapeshift; she could take on the appearance of any one of our characters! That would certainly throw a wrench in the works in Purgatory. There are a million different reasons to bring Wynonna back, to help out her sister.

TVLINE | And lastly, was there anything you had to cut or just didn’t have room for, or any returning cast you couldn’t fit in?

Oh, tons. But look, you kind of hit the nail on the head earlier. I’m always striving to be better, and some stuff at the end felt a little rushed, with Dark Angel Waverly. I think if it hadn’t been a pandemic, there would have been more people at that wedding. I would have loved four more episodes to round the bend there. But look, that’s Wynonna Earp, man �� perfectly imperfect! So that’s what we did, and what a ride it’s been. The ride of a lifetime for me.

[cloudycrystalkpop]

SMOKY | Purgatory Within

Blind! Prince! Mingi x [unstated skin deformity] fem! Reader

words: almost 2k 

warnings: abuse trauma, smut, death

au: crown royal au | moodboard

series masterlist: SMOKY

~

you became more and more concerned for your husband’s behavior as time went on. the young man who had once been so careful and gentle, now stood with a silent rage behind his empty eyes.

however, after you confronted him about his possessive behavior, you watched him break down at your feet.

“p-please... please don’t leave me...” his large frame was once again curled in on himself, shoulders shaking as he kneeled on the floor, hands fisted in your robe. his head was hung low as he begged you at your feet.

“Mingi, what has been going on with you?” you insisted, refusing to touch the man as he tried to bury his face in your lap.

“I can't- I can't let the Duke take you! or your whore of a knight! Please my queen please, take me instead, take everything I have!” the man let out a broken sob as you sighed at his words.

“enough.” you growled, grabbing a hand full of his hair and lifting his head. he yelped in shock, neck exposed to you as his Adams apple bobbed in fear.

“you are to be a king Mingi. you are a grown man, and I am your wife. you are not a little boy to be crying at the feet of his mother.” you pushed the man off your lap and stood. “and you will be a fool of a king if you let such foolish insecurity cloud your judgment!”

Mingi hid his head low, covering his face with his arms.

“I'm sorry! I'm sorry! p-please don't-” his normally deep voice cracked in terror. you stopped, anger at he man before you evaporated.

“Mingi...mingi I'm not going to hit you.” you spoke softly, gently falling to your knees on the floor. his body shook, arms still held to protect his face. “I hope you know, I would never do that.” your voice was sorrowful as you reached out a hand to his head.

he flinched when you touched his hair, but as you began to run your fingers through it, his muscles slowly relaxed. dropping his arms from his face you could finally see the puffiness around his eyes, the cloudiness of the dark pigment stared blankly back at you.

“...do you promise?” he hiccuped, turning his head to try and find the direction of your voice. you cupped the man’s cheeks, pulling his head to face yours. his eyes fluttered shut as he rested his head in your hands.

“oh my darling boy, who did this to you?”

~

Mingi found a small kitten in the garden. a runt, tiny thing. you had thought the bundle of orange fur was some nobles lost purse left out in the rain. he named her Daisy, saying her fur smelled of the flowers when she curled up in his big hands.

You rarely saw the man without her, the small kitten often purching on Mingi's large shoulders.

Your husband still held ribbons of his possessive behavior, however he began to distance himself from you. You rarely saw him now other then in passing on when the pair of you went to sleep at night. He also began neglecting pleasing you, but you assumed he was simply not interested as both of you often went to sleep without any contact.

Now you found yourself facing a different delema. You had always been a woman with a high sex drive, its one of the reasons you had chosen Seonghwa as a concort. However your poor knight had been frightened quite badly by yourself and your husband, and you knew he wouldnt return to you unless you seeked him out.

But you had also made Mingi a promis. One that was getting increasingly hard for you to keep.

"My lady, is everything alright? You seem lost in thought... If there is any responsibilities weighing heavy on you i am more then happy to help however i can!" the young Duke's voice was as sweet as ever.

You sighed, looking over to Yeosang, a man you had been trying not to look at for to long. His hair lay in soft curls around his face, lightened by the many years spent outside in the sunlight. Likewise his skin was warm in hue, tanner then the rest of your court.

You had heard some of the other ladies snickering about him. Yeosang surely didnt live up to some of the standards for desired beauty the royals had. A strange thought flashed in your mind. Is that why Mingi was chosen to be your husband over Yeosang? Mingi's frame was large, an incredibly masculine figure just looking at him, with dark hair and skin untouched by the sun.

Little Yeosang however, had small and dainty hands, with long thin fingers, his features were softer then Mingi's, even his skin looked soft to the touch. And the many years spent as a playmate for his sisters left him with an unthreatening demeanor.

Indeed it wasnt hard for you to imagine him, flowers in his hair, sat on a blanket in the valley, perhaps painting or writing for his own amusement. You shoved away such thoughts as you saw a line of concern crease in his brow.

"My lady..."

"I am sorry Yeosang. Truthfully ive been feeling a bit... Forgotten about in these last weeks. And its left me feeling distracted." you answered him.

"Forgotten... Ah, by your husband?" perceptive as always. You sighed, gase dropping to your tea once more, before nodding.

"Have you tried speaking to him? He has a shy nature, im sure-"

"Hes trying to help." you held up a hand to stop him. "He did not trust me, and hes trying to offer me space to show he does." you clarified.

"... I see." Yeosang chewed on his lip in thought. His lips were a pretty blush color, not as round as Mingi's but plump, they looked soft... Very soft.

You cursed yourself in your own head. His fingers, his lips, youd be lying to deny they hadnt crossed your mind when you bathed. Your hands wandering your own body, head leaned back and eyes closed. Imagining it was Yeosang's long fingers in place of your own as you gasped in pleasure.

You shooed away the maid who came to offer you more tea, informing her it wouldnt be needed. Lust was a vice that would only cause you harm as Mingi's wife. And yet, something stirred in your gut.

"Yeosang, will you come walk with me?" the Duke nodded quickly, standing to his feet to follow you deeping into the gardens.

~

Your husband would be furious. And yet, such a worry seemed to melt away as you let yourself become lost in his touch.

"My lady please, you must be quiet. Or else we shall scandalize some poor stable boy." Yeosang's voice purred in your ear, pressing soft kisses to your neck after speaking.

You bite your tongue as Yeosang let another finger slip inside you. You were right, his fingers were deliciously long, able to reach places within you your own faltered. His hand snaked up your skirts and inside your undergarments, the heel of his hand pressed against your clit, his wrist not forgetting such an important part as he rubbed it gently.

You could almost see stars as he began sucking on your neck, a third finger sliding within you.

"... I promised you, anything you ever needed, i will provide. If its council, wisdom, or even such sinful favors... I am at your service. Always." Yeosang's voice was honey on your skin. You pulled one of your hands up from where they were fisted in his jacket, tugging gently on his hair. He pulled away from your neck, eyes now staring into your own. A look of pride took his features, seeing the state of pleasure you were in at his hands.

Tugging his hair again, you let a small whine fall from your lips. He chuckled, increasing the pace of his hand, and before a moan could fall from your lips, he covered them with his own.

~

That night, cheeks finally faded with the glow of what yourself and the Duke had snuck away to do, you crossed paths with a guard.

“your highness! just who I was looking for~” dread pooled in your gut as you saw Hongjoong, cheerful grin on display, with a small kitten in his arms. Daisy shook like a leaf, eyes slit to spite the darkness of the hallway.

you opened your arms and Hongjoong placed the small cat in your hands. Daisy immediately pressed herself as far from Hongjoong as she could, a small hiss let out in his direction.

“how rude. if it wasn't for me she would have been stuck at the top of a lamp. ungrateful feline.” he huffed. you began to gently stroke the cat’s fur, in hopes of calming her down.

“an animal as small as this knows when it is in the jaws of a predator.” you stated. Hongjoong smiled, and your stomach dropped. humans are so stupid. Hongjoong is known as a cheerful and smiley person, but yet the cloud that follows him hides the nature of his grin. a wolf does not offer you a smile, he bares his teeth as a warning.

“and yet your little prince is so blissfully unaware of what he is toying with~” Hongjoong giggled. you simply blinked back at the creature before you. “you know, your fondness for that Duke will upset him. but if you wanted a straightforward solution-”

“I am not a fool like the other idiot humans that reside here.” you growled.

“oh no, absolutely not. but, witch, neither am i.” you narrow your eyes at him.

“I could have you hung for accusing the future queen of witchcraft.” you threatened. Hongjoong lay his head back and let out a hearty laugh.

“that would be a sight! do you really want to see what happened if you try and kill me?” Hongjoong stops himself before he begins laughing again. “actually I believe I know that answer. regardless, my offer still stands. just as our deal already does.”

“deal?” you feel panic rise in your throat.

“why yes, the silent one of course.” Hongjoong grins that same one that appears in your nightmares. the one that pulls his cheeks up and shows just a few to many teeth.

“you don't tell them what I am, and in exchange, I do the same.”

~

you awoke the next morning, without Mingi. his side of the bed was cold, and even Daisy had gone missing. you thought little of it as you rose to begin your day, however, you were not greeted by one of your handmaidens, but rather, a guard.

“your majesty, I come bearing news.” he swallowed nervously.

“oh? at this hour?” you inquired. you were then greeted by a sorrowful meow, Daisy crawling between the guards legs and hiding under your nightgown.

“your husband, Prince Mingi, was found dead in a poll of his own blood last night.”

~

who killed the king?

suspects : Yeosang | Seonghwa | Hongjoong

[curioussubjects]

come be a season 12 truther with me; or what if dean and cas got together offscreen

Originally, I wrote this post to celebrate “Galaxy Brain” airing as Berens & Glynn gave us “The Future.” It’s been a while since that episode aired, and some things have changed about this meta. As such, there are multiple versions of this post floating around, so make sure to go back to the source for the most up to date version.  For all intents and purposes, this post functions as a meta manifesto not unlike shipping manifestos from days of LJ past. In keeping with that tradition, this post is a close reading of Dabb Era Destiel in which I argue that by using narrative gaps, queer coding, and romance tropes, Dean and Cas are shown to be in an established relationship. Although beyond the scope of this post, it’s worth pointing out that keeping Destiel mostly off screen was a way for the creatives to bypass network censorship while still remaining true to the characters.

This post is divided into three sections. Section I focuses on giving an overview of why earlier seasons of Supernatural aren’t as compelling as season 12 as a turning point for Dean and Cas’s relationship. That said, special consideration is given to 09.06 “Heaven Can’t Wait” as a potential rest stop in our journey due to it’s significantly placed narrative gap as well as themes in the episode. However, this post isn’t going to examine season 9 trutherism in depth, though it does coexist with and allow for it. Section II analyses season 12 and proposes a timeline and justification for the shifting Destiel dynamic. Finally, Section III will offer an analysis of how Dean and Cas’s relationship has changed dramatically from previous seasons in a way that is most like the shift from a “will they or won’t they” pairing to an established one. 

Before I move to Section I, I’d like to note something this post takes for granted: Dean and Cas are the main romantic subplot of Supernatural, and, in fact, their relationship is elevated to main plot for both characters in season 15. This post won’t argue about the canonicity of Dean and Cas’s feelings for each other, therefore, and so won’t spend time looking at many Destiel defining moments. I’d also like to make clear that this post also takes for granted that Destiel is being intentionally developed by the writers starting with Carver’s Era, and more so in Dabb’s. 

I. Why Seasons 4 through 11 May Not be It

The tl;dr. here is that while there are many moments throughout these seasons that Dean and Cas could potentially get together, none of those moments are ideal for a bunch of reasons that can be summed up as really bad timing. I also think the narrative is actively pushing them towards a moment that works. We get plenty of stepping stones, especially once we hit seasons 8 through 11 (and 11 most of all).

Seasons 4 & 5:

I know there’s been a lot of get together fics over the years set in this time period, but I just don’t see it. Do I see them being intrigued and drawn to each other? Yes. Do I think either Cas or Dean would act on it? Nope. I’m not arguing anything re: Dean’s feelings, but with everything going at the time I find it hard to believe he’d pursue anything with his angel friend. Most importantly here, though, is that during this time Cas was still very alien and other. There was too much angel in him, and while he obviously came to care about Dean (and Sam) very much, I just can’t see him navigating the realm of human relationships. That said, seeing human!Cas in “The End” is the first we see of potential developments for how Cas could behave without his angelness interfering. Being human changes Cas a lot, beyond even his experience existing among humans, though that of course matters too. This development will be important later /wink.

Seasons 6 & 7:

Before anything else let me just recognize that if we could see some sexual tension in seasons 4 & 5, these two seasons come with our first taste of romantic tension. The pining! Also note the difference between season 4 Cas and season 6 Cas in terms of behaviour. He is much less the angel we saw in that barn in “Lazarus Rising.” In season 6, we have a Cas making misguided decisions guided entirely by his emotions – namely, not wanting to involve Dean with the war in heaven – which is peak human, honestly. Put a pin on how sad Dean is in both seasons with Cas’s absence. Finally, put a pin on this being our first moment of Cas doing things on his own to spare Dean and it not ending well (soulless!Sam, Cas “dying” after Leviathan) because this is *the* hurdle in their relationship (along with Dean’s lashing out and self-worth issues). With all this said, the marked distance between Dean and Cas in these seasons negates the possibility of them entering into any kind of relationship. Much like seasons 4 and 5, there’s too much going on.

Season 8:

Ah, yes, the summer of purgatory. If you thought we had pining before…! I think we’re all very clear on season 8 being a turning point for the show, not only because new showrunner, but we also get the bunker. TFW now has an HQ, which pretty soon becomes home. Yes, Baby will always be home, but the bunker becomes the *unmovable* safe haven that Baby couldn’t be. The bunker is a place to coalesce, and for all the amazing things Baby is, she is not that. The acquisition of the bunker marks a shift in the psychology of the show: with the stable home space we can start to imagine domesticity, a place to come home to, the stuff of ordinary living. Most of all, the bunker is emblematic of security, of safety –keep this in mind, as we go forward.

This season also continues to see Cas go down the path of independently solving his problems instead of asking for help from Sam and Dean (his family in a way heaven never was) – note that the better together issue is at play in different ways with Sam and Dean also, but I digress. I also want to point out disastrous instance #2 of Cas’s insistence on figuring it out on his own: he loses his grace, and the angels fall. As for Dean, season 8’s focus for him has much to do with Sam, and them coming face to face with their issues with codependency, which hit catastrophic levels with the gates of hell and Gadreel plots.

So despite all the deliciously angsty get together purgatory fics and spec, there’s too much distance between Dean and Cas on Cas’s part due to his guilt over betraying the Winchesters in s6 plus slaughtering angels plus unleashing Leviathan. We do see Dean being more emotionally open with Cas and continue to voicing his wish that Cas would just stay with him and Sam, and let them help. It’s clear as day how much Dean cares. The timing is still bad, though.

Before moving on to next season, let’s take a moment to appreciate that this is the season Dean admits being kinda done with one night stands because “always with the adios.” Remember the bunker as a sign of stability? Yeah. I wouldn’t say Dean is craving a relationship, exactly, but I think we can see that he does want something more (ahem also I’m nodding to Cas refusing to stay put just cause).

Seasons 9 & 10:

The most important thing to happen between this two seasons is Cas’s stint as a human for an extended period of time. There’s been plenty of spec and meta written over the years about the effects of being human on Cas’s grace (a proto-soul now maybe?). What we can say for sure, regardless, is that Cas is much more humanized once he becomes an angel again. The understanding he gets from being human doesn’t go away once he regains his angel powers. You’ll notice that while we still see some of season 4’s characterization, Cas is not the same as he was – he is alien to angels now and is more intelligible to humans. Additionally, in an interesting reversal from previous seasons, we now get to see the depth of Cas’s feelings for Dean (thanks, Metatron) as well as seeing him be more open emotionally, while Dean does most of the pushing away (first because of Gadreel, then because of the Mark of Cain). In short, the timing is still bad as Dean and Cas are largely kept apart both physically and emotionally.

9.06 Heaven Can’t Wait

This episode is my white whale, friends. While I’ve come to fully subscribe to the idea that something did happen between Dean and Cas during the fanfic gap, I don’t actually think it’s feasible that it marked the start of a relationship -- be it sexual or romantic. My reasoning here is quite simple: the timing is bad. Were it not for external events (Cas regaining his Grace and Dean taking on the MoC), the course would have likely differed. Furthermore, Dean’s guilt over making Cas leave the bunker as well as Cas’s own hurt and self-loathing pose a significant and as yet insurmountable obstacle, which is easily seen with how Dean and Cas’s character trajectories go separate ways.

YMMV on what exactly happened between them in that Motel, but something definitely did. Perhaps one day I’ll have a proper s9 trutherism post to link to here for more details (likely won’t be written by me, though). 

10.16 Paint It Black

From the point Dean gets the MoC until the end of season 10, anything between him and Cas is quite impossible due to distancing, to say the least. Again, yes, the fic is really good, but alas. One of the reasons I’m bringing up this episode in particular is because of the confession scene. One, it’s a rare bit of explicit emotional honesty from Dean, and two, it tells me that while he and Cas may be well aware of the Thing™ between them, it’s still uncharted waters. It’s scary, and murky, and they’re unsure how to navigated it or if they should even try. Makes sense, too, there’s been A LOT going on since s6. Anyway, he’s the full confession:

You know, the life I live, the work I do…I pretty much just figured that that was all there was to me, you know? Tear around and jam the key in the ignition and haul ass until I ran out of gas. I guess I just thought sooner or later, I’d go out the same way that I live – pedal to the metal, and that would be it. […]  Now, um… recent events, uh… make me think I might be closer to that than I really thought. And…I don’t know. I mean, you know, there’s – there’s things, there’s…people, feelings that I-I-I want to experience differently than I have before, or maybe even for the first time. […]  Yeah, I’m just starting to think that… maybe there’s more to it all than I thought.

Can I just say, first, that this confession keeps me up at night because we never actually see anything done with it explicitly? I mean, obviously, I think we do in fact see the effects of this confession in the show, otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this behemoth, but still, like. Damn. Ok, so, remember when I brought up that thing in season 7 about Dean being kinda done with hook-ups? Here’s where that led us. We’re seeing a Dean here who wants more than what he has convinced himself he gets to have. He wants more than dying bloody. And when he talks about wanting to experience people and feelings differently, well, that says a lot not just on the queer coding front or the romantic front. I mean, jfc, Dean is accepting the idea that he can have more in life than just hunt until he drops, and he’s specifically talking about experiences at the interpersonal level.

Do you ever see a character having an epiphany and find yourself wanting to cry because this is it right here. Dean is just blatantly admitting he wants more and maybe he can make himself be open to that (!!!), which all culminates in season 11, so…

Season 11:

The pining is still here, but it’s worse now since it’s the whole plot? It’s been *checks calendar* 5 years of this. How are any of us still kicking I don’t know. Your slow burns could never. Cool worth noting points: Cas says yes to Lucifer (bad decision #2.5, lots of mitigating effects_I don’t actually hold it against him that much but Dean is another story & not entirely rational at this point); for the first time since the early days, Dean and Cas are on equal grounds: they’ve both fucked up a lot and have hurt each other. The issues this season are outside their dynamic. Amara and Lucifer here serve as externalizing forces for Dean and Cas’s problems: Cas checks out with Lucifer because he thinks it’s the only way he can help, Dean is caught up in the turmoil of Amara, the emblem of absence and avoidance of struggle. We do get something like an affirmation from the two of them to each other via Dean calling Cas his brother (and I want y’all to consider the historical queering of that statement, and Cas’s “I could go with you.” It feels like we’re headed to them being on the same page. By the end of the season, though, it feels like we’re getting a clean slate: Mary is back, nobody died, no end-of-the-world in sight, no interpersonal crisis. We’re also getting a new showrunner, so. No wonder. We’re gearing up for something, but I’m getting ahead of myself. What this season does that is super important is that it sets up the stage for the possibility of an actual relationship between Dean and Cas, something that has, up until this point, been pretty much impossible.

11.04 Baby

Y’all know what I’m about to quote here, right? That conversation between Dean and Sam about having something with someone who understands the life. Here we still have Dean reverting to the idea that it’s impossible, which is a direct contrast to the openness in 10.16. It’s understandable, though, considering there’s been little reason to think anything like that would be possible (see all the mess and poor timing from seasons past). The quote in question, though, marks a continuing development regarding the issues Dean is struggling with this season:

DEAN: Piper? That’s awesome. Heather. One-night wonders, man. Shoot, we’re lucky we still get that at all. SAM: Really? You don’t … Ever want something more? DEAN: I’m sorry, have you met us? We’re batting a whopping zero in domestic life, man. Goose eggs. SAM: You don’t ever think about something? Not marriage or whatever. But … Something? You know, with a hunter? Somebody who understands the life?

We wouldn’t be talking about this stuff all these years after Sam and Dean had a serious relationship if it wasn’t important, right? Also who else do we meet this season? That’s right! Eileen! And doesn’t that hit different with season 15 hindsight? And who does Dean have that understands the life? Whose stories have been intricately connected to his? Right now, this is all conjecture. A pipe dream Sam is revisiting, and Dean is skeptical about. Except, well. Look at what we get in “Into the Mystic” and “The Chitters.”

11.11 Into The Mystic

I’m bringing up this episode as a cross reference to “Paint It Black” as well as to complement the talk from “Baby,” and to show, again, that, for all the closeness between Dean and Cas, there’s still a marked distance they haven’t yet bridged. There’s still truths they haven’t told each other. Thanks Mildred for the delicious exposition:

Darlin’…If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my years on the road, it’s when somebody’s pining for somebody else. […] Oh, don’t try and hide it now. Follow your heart. Remember?

11.19 The Chitters

And here we see some validation to Sam’s imagining of a possible future with someone else. We actually see hunters who not only are married, but they both make it out alive. Jesse and Cesar get their happy ending. They make the dream come true. And the reality of it important not just for Dean to see, but Sam too.

Dean: [with realization] Oh, so … [points back and forth to Jesse and Cesar] Cesar: Yeah. Dean: Okay, that’s… Cesar puts his beer bottle on the table and looks at Dean, while Jesse is being silent. Dean: What’s it like, settling down with a hunter? Cesar: Smelly, dirty. [turns to Jesse] Twice the worrying about getting ganked.

I’d like to point out, too, that the fear of getting ganked is thematic when it comes to the tension between Dean and Cas. More on this when we hit s13.

Alright, now, having said that, let’s take a look at season 12. Bear in mind, this is the official start of Dabb’s era, even if he kinda began taking over in season 11, and the change in vibes is obvious. In fact, 12 jumped out at me as a turning point, in hindsight, after getting smacked by the domesticity of seasons 13 and 14.

II. Why Season 12

[Out of date section. Update coming soon when spoons. After significant debate, I’ve altered the definitive start of Dean and Cas’s friend-with-benefits-with-mutual-pining relationship to between 12.02 and 12.03. I briefly explained why here, and yes it’s a shitpost--still true tho.]

Finally, the promise land, y’all. Getting right to it: what s11 was for Dean in terms of setting up the relationship stage, s12 was for Cas. In its initial beats, any way. That is, until the Kelly debacle, this was the longest Cas has been around the bunker and with the exception of seasons 13 and 14, it’s one of the first times we get to see how Cas might actually fit into the bunker-as-home. Things seem remarkably chill. Of course, we’ll notice that there’s still a lot of baggage hanging around because despite Dean and Cas being in a more stable place, they haven’t actually dealt with their interpersonal problems. I didn’t single out directly this episode, but do keep in mind Cas’s declaration in 12.09 First Blood as far as how much the Winchesters matter to Cas & how we also see Dean and Cas be particularly singled out with them seating together in the backseat of the Impala. What we also see this season is Cas trying to prove he is worthy of this family, his family. He’s not fighting for heaven or to right some grievous wrong (a la s8). No, this season he’s fighting to spare the Winchester, to bring them a win. To bring Dean a win. The major disconnect is that Dean (and Sam & Mary) already sees Cas that way, he doesn’t think Cas has anything to prove. And just maybe, Cas starts believing that too – or, at least, believing it enough.

12.10 Lily Sunders Has Some Regrets

This episode, oh my god, the goodness. In the wake of 12.09 we have Dean and Cas in a tiff because Cas mistake #3 (killing Billie and “cosmic consequences”), this is a pattern. Twice the worry of getting ganked, etc etc. But where this episode really shines is through the contrast between Ishim’s obsession with Lily and Cas & Dean’s mutual affection for each other. Ishim sees no difference here and, to him, Cas’s feelings for Dean are a human weakness. Returning to my point about human!Cas, this episode underscores that Cas’s increasing humanity is what puts him in the place where he can want what Dean wants instead of either being too alien to get it (see s4 & 5) or unable to experience it properly (Ishim).

12.12 Stuck in the Middle (With You)

Cas’s trajectory culminates here with the whole I love you (@ Dean), I love all of you (@ Winchesters). Let’s note too that Cas is dying here, in a way that is much more human than going up in light. This declaration of different types of love is entirely human. It’s also a definitive step wrt to Cas and Dean’s relationship because of what happens in 12.19. This. is. it. Oh, and, of course, let’s not forget to point to Dean’s face when Cas says that “I love you,” and how terrified he is that Cas is dying. Might make one rethink some things, hm?

12.19 The Future

This episode is simply hella suspicious, and all the kudos to Berens and Glynn for writing it. It’ll haunt me forever. Consider watching it again and just questioning everything. So. Weird things:

1. Dean’s reaction to Cas no getting in touch as opposed to Sam’s. Dean is pissed, which is Dean-speak for worried out of his mind. Sam is very worried, too, and puzzled, but he’s mostly expressing his relief that Cas is back. But Cas has gone awol before, but this time Dean is much more worked up about it; Sam takes note of this, too. Now, let’s imagine that maybe the events of 12.12 led to something happening between Dean and Cas. Then Cas decided to leave to find a lead on Kelly, but eventually Cas decides to work with Heaven and goes radio silent. For days. Having taken a chance, and something having happened between them, how would Dean react to Cas just going poof and not contacting him – despite Dean having called Cas multiple times.

2. Cas knows about the Colt. Ok, nothing off there. But when he goes to Dean’s room to talk, right after Dean leaves we see Cas looking around briefly. Like he know Dean would keep it in there. Maybe Cas had looked other places already. Who knows. What we do know is that eventually he does find the Colt not only in Dean’s room, but under Dean’s pillow. Sam didn’t even know the Colt wasn’t in the safe. So how did Cas know?

3.“He came into my room and he played me.” So, this quote right there, makes it seem like some seduction for personal gain, right? But can you see Cas actually doing that if they hadn’t gone there previously? For Dean not to suspect anything and go with it? There’s plenty of plausible deniability here, but the gaps in time in the narrative make me question what is there in those spaces. The scene where Cas tried to give Dean the mixtape back doesn’t read like “playing,” so it’s about a different interaction. Hm. Hmmm.

4. Dean and Cas’s brief conversation in Dean’s room is clearly Dean just wanting Cas to stay, so they can work (and be) together – because they’re better that way. Which, yeah, truth, but also ow.

5.And most importantly: When did Dean give Cas that mixtape??? How did that happen?

Sequence of events: Cas tells Dean he loves him – Dean is clearly shook by it – Dean gives Cas a mixtape (romantic gesture, often a declaration of feelings; in true Dean speak too lolsobs) – Cas goes awol - Dean acts like he got ghosted by his new bf -?????- Cas somehow knows the Colt is under Dean’s pillow – "He went into my room and he played me."

What am I supposed to do with that, hm? Like. Y’all realize they probably had some emotionally constipated getting together moment, right? Something that Dean clearly initially thought meant things were gonna change, now. Something that Cas couldn’t allow to happen until he could give Dean a win. Y’all are seeing this, yeah? I’m not saying they slept together and were full of feelings, except that’s kind of what I’m saying. But YMMV, there are other possibilities beyond sex. The full of feelings isn’t up for debate, though, even if the whole thing is informed by ridiculous amounts of miscommunication.

III. Seasons 13 through 15 As Established Relationship

Regardless of what happened in season 12, exactly, I can’t shake the feeling that something did happen, and something did change. My reasoning here is actually really simple: in comparison to previous seasons, Dean and Cas’s dynamic shifts significantly come season 13. I know some folks have been disappointed with some of season 13 and then season 14 for having dialed back on the destiel side of things. And, hey, maybe there’s truth to that in terms of backstage stuff, but I also want to point out that...well, the dialing back isn’t quite dialing back is it? Let’s look at 13 a little more closely:

Season 13:

So I said the deancas dynamic changed, right? I also think that change caught us unaware because the pivotal turning point that would cue us in never happened on screen as well as being subsumed by Cas’s death and Jack’s birth. But if I ask you about deancas in season 13 what would come to mind? Grief arc? Brokebacknatural? How domestic Dean and Cas are? There’s just something easy about their relationship after Cas returns from the Empty. The tension we’d grown so familiar with over the years is gone. Actually, it feels like we skipped the getting together bit of their relationship and went straight to established relationship and parenting. Some of the most peak married deancas moments we see circulating? Season 13, (and 12.10). It’s a lot, and it’s different, and it’s amazing.

13.01-13.05

Dean’s grief mini-arc. He was acting like a widower. Here’s me vaguely gesturing towards the mapping of Jonh, Mary, Dean, and Sam onto Dean, Cas, Sam, and Jack. And the reunion? I can’t help but be giddy at the song choice: “it’s never too late to start all over again.” To. Start. All. Over. Again. I’m just saying.

13.06 Tombstone & 13.16 Scoobynatural

I’m not going at length about these episodes, I just want to point out that they reveal that Dean and Cas have a whole thing going on off screen: they watch movies together, Cas knows about Dean being an angry sleeper, Cas seems to have been aware of the Dean-cave before Sam was. It’s little things like this that are examples of the narrative gaps surrounding Dean and Cas that have cropped up over the years. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to wonder what else could be hiding there. And when did the movie nights alluded in “Tombstone” happen? Maybe in season 12 when Cas in hanging around the bunker? The same period when Dean and Cas seem to be coalescing into something safer and more stable? Something that we never see come to a head because plot happens and Cas dies? Something that is immediately taken back up once Cas is alive again?

Season 14:

Overall, this season is more of what we got during 13, but it had two high notes I wanted to single out before ending this already too long post.

14.15 Peace of Mind

Look me in the eye and tell me Dean and Cas talking in the kitchen about Jack doesn’t read like husbands talking about their child. Look me in the eye and tell me Cas just texting Dean to gossip about Sam isn’t couple-y as hell.

14.18-14.20

Ah, yes, the divorce arc. Awful. Terrible. The culmination of Dean’s problem in all this: he lashes out, he pushes Cas away, his anger is alienating. Cue all of us suffering. But while Dean is clearly in the wrong in how the deals with his feelings, let’s not pretend some of his anger doesn’t come from a long established, and unaddressed, rift between him and Cas, which had its last traumatic turn when Cas died in s12. Dean isn’t being rational here: he saw Cas doing something on his own, and he saw that his mother is dead. What else could happen? Why won’t Cas just trust they can work as a team? What if Cas died again? And why should Cas put up with Dean’s behavior without knowing the cause? How can any relationship work this way? But notice how caught in the middle Sam was during all this. Notice how Jack is running off and acting out. The whole family is falling apart. Divorce arc, indeed.

Season 15:

But what about what we’re building up in 15? That seems like it could be a getting together plot, too, right? Well, yeah. It could very well be. But I’d argue the tension we’re seeing isn’t a will-they-or-won’t-they because they already have. We’re are watching a getting back together plot! The tension is, instead, will-they-or -won’t-they use their words to talk about the baggage that has kept them from truly being confident about their relationship. That’s the crucial step in their togetherness that they’re still missing, which is also the bedrock of the divorce arc that spanned twelve fucking episodes -- y’all, that’s half a season.

And technically? We’re not even done with yet because Cas never let Dean finish his prayer/confession in purgatory. What’s more, Cas hasn’t grappled with his role in the breakdown of their relationship, either: that he keeps going off on his own and getting hurt (and getting other people hurt), and Dean has to deal with the fallout. The deep emotional understanding, the truly being on the same page is what we’re on the edge of our seats for. We’re waiting to see what else Dean had to say, and what will happen when Cas’s deal with the Empty comes to light.

Finally, could we still have this plot without Dean and Cas having gotten together off screen? Sure, but I think the stakes are higher if they already did have something between them. If they actually have an established romantic relationship going on. Something real and tangible and as of yet much too fragile.

"...you asked what about all this is real. We are."

[missserpentia-fae]

Take Care of Them

Warnings: Hmm..? If you’re touchy on religion, I’d advise you to not continue reading. Also when God is mentioned, I try not to put the word God in case I offend someone so most of the time it’s Him or Father unless I think I’m being repetitive

Also I know in real life, Uriel is female but for the sake of the story and to stay with the fact that it’s an otome game, most of the characters MC meets will be male.

Takes place after Lesson 18 but before Lesson 19

Pairings: Obey me boys x MC/Reader

Idea: God talking to MC in a dream or such about the brothers

Part 1 / 2 

Chapter 3

They opened their eyes and knew immediately that they were back in Purgatory. They turned around to see God but he was accompanied by someone else, an angel. MC stared at the other being in fascination and awe, taking in their appearance. The other divine being stood at 5’7 and was slender with cream skin. He had piercing pale pink eyes and his long, thick, pale red hair was tied into a high ponytail which seemed to be flowing behind him. He was clad in an ivory shirt with long wide sleeves and a pair of leggings, a pair of slipper shoes on his feet and a light brown medium-length jacket was draped on his shoulders. Two-giant glass like wings in the form of an eagle’s wings hung low against his back almost like it was attached to the middle of his back rather than at his shoulder blades.

Just gazing at the angel gave the human a strange sense of love and warmth that seemed much too different than the aura that He was giving off. MC approached the two, God smiling and welcoming the gaping human, “Hello, my child. It’s good to see you again.”

They nodded blankly, still staring in awe at the angel before He introduced the angel, “Let me introduce to you one of the seven Heavenly virtues.”

“Hello, dove.” The angel bowed, taking hold of the human’s hand and placing a kiss against the back of it. The human flushed beautifully as the angel introduced himself, a smile on his handsome face, “I am Uriel, the youngest virtue. I am the Symbol of Chastity.”

The angel straightened up and MC stared up at the angel, “So your counterpart is Asmodeus, the Avatar of Lust?” The human stated, the statement almost sounding like a question.

Uriel smiled, nodding, “That’s right. Asmodeus was the Symbol of Chastity before I become the Symbol. Ever since the Celestial War and Asmodeus fell, I was appointed.”

The human looked at Him who was just staring at them expectantly. “Do you hate Asmo?” They turned to the angel, their voice quiet almost like they were afraid to offend the angel, “You know, for falling?”

“Hate?” Uriel asked, tilting his head to the side as he thought it over before he shook his head, his pale red hair whipping out behind him from the movement, “Oh. I don’t. I could never hate any of my fallen brothers. I just… I was close with him before he fell. I would even call us best friends.” His smile fell before he continued, his pale pink eyes seemingly staring into the human’s soul, “But he chose to stand by his brothers than to fight for the Celestial Realm. I had no choice but to fight against him. Every day I regret not doing more, I always think I should have done more to guide him back to the correct path but I guess my bond with him was not as strong as his bond with his siblings.”

MC looked thoughtful. Uriel asked, his large eagle-like wings fluttering slightly in curiosity, “How is he? Is he doing well?”

The human nodded before they spoke out enthusiastically. “Yeah. I think he’s enjoying himself. I could do without him being so narcissistic and being very flirtatious towards me but I guess that comes with being the Avatar of Lust.” They giggled to themselves like they were sharing an inside joke before they continued, “He’s still as beautiful as ever if what Simeon says is true. I can understand why he was once called the Jewel of the Heavens.”

Uriel smiled, sharing a fond look with his Father as the human continued with their rant. MC seemed to realize that they were ranting before flushing, embarrassed for getting too out of control, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to get off topic.”

Uriel and God seemed to share a conversation with just their eyes before Uriel looked away from Him to look at the human, “I heard you made pacts with my fallen brothers.”

“Oh! I have. Except for Lucifer but that could be because of his pride. He wouldn’t allow some human to have power over him.” MC smiled before getting the shock of their life.

“How would you like to make a covenant with me?”

MC stared up at the angel who was just flashing them a polite smile. They seemed to finally process what was asked, snapping themselves out of their daze before exclaiming, “Wait. What?!”

Uriel chuckled at the look on the human’s face before MC muttered under their breath, their eyes glazing over in thought, “I thought only demons can make pacts with humans. I didn’t know that it was even a possibility that an angel could make pacts as well.”

He piped up which drew MC’s attention away from the angel and their thoughts to Him, “For angels, it is called covenants, not pacts. Angels can make covenants but it’s not something that happens usually, actually it’s very rare for angels to make covenants. For the one reason that you cannot summon an angel like you could do with demons. There isn’t some kind of incantation that allows humans, magical or non-magical, to summon angels. Covenants are much more powerful than pacts.” The human hummed in thought as He continued explaining, “Pacts and covenants are different as well. Pacts appear as tattoos on a human’s body and there is always some kind of give and take relationship between the two. In your pacts with my sons, you were promised protection that didn’t end with your soul being taken when you die. In exchange, you were to provide companionship to the demons you made pacts with. Another is that in pacts, you need magic to call the demons to your side.”

He gestured to the Symbol of Chastity who was watching the human’s expression carefully with his pale pink eyes, “Covenants, on the other hand, appear as rings. The covenant doesn’t have a give and take relationship so you don’t need to worry about needing to give anything to my angels in exchange for their service. You don’t need magic to call on them as well. You only need to kiss the ring of the angel you need to call and they will appear. On the rare occasion that you do get in danger, they can sense your soul’s distress and will come to your side. Ah, you can also call on their powers instead of calling on them but it takes a significant amount of energy to use their angelic abilities especially since you don’t have magic.”

“We can always make the ring appear as simple jewelry to not alert any demons of the covenants." He looked over to towering angel, "However, we cannot hide the rings from my angelic sons. So Simeon and Luke will know immediately that you have made a covenant with an angel."

MC looked thoughtful before nodding, turning their head to stare up at the towering angel, "I would like to make a covenant with you, Uriel."

The Symbol of Chastity allowed a smile to light up his handsome face before he reached into his wings. He plucked a single feather from the bottom of his wings and the human could only watch in fascination as he crushed the feather in his fist. Uriel opened his fist to show that the feather turned into a light green signet ring. He took MC's left hand and slipped the ring on their pinky finger, leaning down to press a kiss on the ring. They watched as the ring seemed to adjust itself to fit snug on their finger and they could feel the ring pulse with power. MC took a closer look and noticed the seal on the signet ring which looked suspiciously like handcuffs linked together. Uriel smiled as he traced the symbol, explaining as he stared into the human's eyes, “It's my symbol, the symbol of chastity. I have the power of mind control and control over fire. In addition to my angelic powers, each virtue has a weapon of choice. Mine is a bow and arrow. Because of our covenant, you can call both my angelic abilities and my weapon. You can call on my weapon without draining your energy but I have to advise you to not use my powers until you can expand your energy levels. I may not be the strongest virtue but my power still takes a lot of energy to use.”

The human nodded before asking, looking up at the angel in thought, “Does that mean that I have to practice chastity to keep your covenant?”

Uriel laughed before shaking his head, “No, you don’t have to but it would be advisable.” The angel gestured to the ring on their finger, “Please call on me if you ever need help or even just want company. I would like to get to know you more. I know you can’t call on my demonic brothers for help so I would feel at peace if you call me when you’re in danger.”

MC smiled, staring at the ring on their pinky finger before Uriel looked at his Father. He bowed to the other male before speaking, “I must get going my Lord. It was such a delight to meet the little human that has captured the interest of my fallen brothers. I shall see you soon, my dove.”

They flushed at the admission and He dismissed the angel. MC watched as the angel spread his already large wings and took off into the sky, waving down at them before he disappeared from their sight.

They looked down at their arm when they felt the icy sensation going down their back, only to stare as their hand started to flicker in and out of existence. He pulled the human into His arms, leaning down to press a kiss on the crown of their head, “We weren’t able to talk much since I wanted you to get to know my angel better. I promise to tell you all about my fallen sons as soon as you wake up.”

“See you soon, my child.” Were all that the human remembered as they fell unconscious, the Divine Being’s comforting face being the last thing they saw. 

PART 4

[prettywordsyouleft]

The Monsters Witch

Pairing: female reader x Sheol monsters x Choi Youngjae (ft. some of Got7)

World: King of Demons

Genre: demon au / witch au / fluff mostly

Warnings: set in hell, dark entities, death

A/N: Happy birthday to @smooshdelia​ ! I am so grateful that you and I became friends over King of Demons, and that you wrote the original Youngjae story in this world. However, I know how much you adore Smoosh and came up with this idea for you. I hope you enjoy it.

Word count: 4138

King of Demons series: Havoc // King of Demons // Unfathomable // Sacrifice // King of Demons: The Return // In The Night // Identity // Prophecy // Someone // The Devil Contained

“Me?”

“Yes, you,” Jackson confirmed, folding his arms across his chest. “You’re the only one suitable for the job.”

“How do you know?” you wondered, glancing at his right-hand woman hesitantly before directing your focus to the commander in front of you.

“You were once a witch, were you not?” he reminded and you shrugged.

His partner held your file and she began to read out your accolades and what saw of your fall to Sheol. Burned at the stake by the humans above after saving so many of them with your pure magic, you had arrived in a blind rage, wanting to do nothing for anyone ever again.

Yet with your time here, you found yourself unable to sit still. You had helped an ogre with a nasty fungal condition and had tended to an outbreak of the plague with some difficulty. You listened to the world around you and healed it from the wounds inflicted by the entities with no remorse for their actions.

You stood in front of monsters far larger than yourself and placated them from causing havoc and yet equally led a revolution asking for better rights for those who were placed in Sheol simply because the Gods above wouldn’t allow them in.

You, in every sense of the word, were still a witch.

A very good one, indeed.

Still, you didn’t go around announcing that of your powers. Which was why you were perplexed by Jackson’s request.

“The Devil signed off on this himself,” he continued, leaning back in his chair. “We need you to go to the fields. The animals are out of control without their master present.”

“When will he return?” you asked, and the pair merely stared at one another. You frowned. “Is Youngjae gone for good?”

“He’s playing hooky up above.”

“Earthside?” you questioned ignorantly, having never heard of a demon going beyond that before. Jackson smirked and pointed higher. You gasped. “How… wait, a demon can go to heaven and yet someone who did so much good cannot?!”

“It’s a messed up system,” the fellow female in the room mentioned and Jackson nodded grimly. “Don’t try and question it, you’ll never be able to understand that of the Gods’ will.”

“I decline,” you answered, stepping back from the desk between you and the Purgatory keepers. “I’m happy here.”

Leaning forward with surprise, Jackson then eyed you cautiously. “You won’t work with the animals?”

“No. I don’t have any interest in keeping animals.”

“But as a witch-”

“Am I?” you challenged, uncaring of what the file stated. This was precisely what you disliked about labels and expectations. You had given up the status of a witch when you were burned at the stake. The power remained within and you might have used it during your time here. But it was your own, not theirs to request use of as it pleased them.

You suddenly craved solidarity.

Somehow, you knew you could receive just that in the fields. No one dared enter there unless their master was present who kept the creatures mostly calm and harmonious. And even then, no one just boldly stepped foot into the grassy terrain. Creatures of Sheol weren’t all visible to the naked eye. The amount of grass snakes that had attacked the one-eyed beasts in the past had given sufficient warning to all to tread with caution.

Everyone was scared of the fields even the demon lords of this realm.

It was tempting to head there and avoid all expectations.  

That would be stepping into what had been requested of you though. It was a double-edged sword and either way you would fall trap to something. Your annoyance of knowing where Youngjae had gone to turned you away from calming the spirits of the animals. It was unjust and frankly, downright abominable. You had no desire to make it to heaven yourself, having been punished by the very Gods for practising in good faith of healing the world that humans destroyed. Yet, you couldn’t agree with being punished either.

There was no place that fitted what you deserved in this realm.

But being away from other humans, entities and demons, well, that could at least be a start. You groaned, your mind had convinced your annoyance to simmer down.

“I will work with the animals,” you announced, receiving smiles from both of them. “However, once their master returns, I shall not be expected to come back here or work with anything else unless I choose to.”

“I can agree to that,” Jackson replied, holding out his hand. “May you find peace within the fields.”

It was anything than peaceful when you arrived in Youngjae’s domain. The stables were in an uproar of noise and damage. Those who had yet to break free were working loudly on doing so, kicking at their stall doors angrily. Others roamed around and got into everything. Feed was sprawled across the aisle with strewn buckets and equipment leading to the other end, where a dark demon horse was pawing at the ground and snorting wildly.

Of course, you leapt into immediate action. You asked the homunculus in the form of a shaggy wolf to lend you its paw, closing your eyes to heal it from the pain of attacking a stall to release the chandelier horned deer. You moved onto the next area, opening doors so the agitated animals could be free. And you continued until you reached the spirited demon horse, lifting your hand to its neck.

“Calm down, my friend.”

It whinnied nervously, trying to rear up in front of you to scare you off. You smiled softly. “It’s okay. I know, your master was wrong for leaving you here. How can you all cope without him?”

Another spirited snort left the beast, though it kept its feet upon the ground. You patted its neck gently, nodding in answer. “I’m here. Please, be calm now.”

Within two days you managed to have the distressed animals listening to you at least. And by the end of a week, you had tidied most of the stables and that of your housing. Youngjae had evidently left in a hurry, even the morning dishes from his last meal were left unattended in the sink. You wondered what was so special about his trip to heaven with a grumble as you tackled the mess.

Although you hadn’t met the Monster Keeper, you certainly had heard enough about him. Some said the boom of noise that filtered down from the mountains of Purgatory were that of his laughter. Others depicted him as the kindest demon here yet there were the group of entities who were adamant that he was wickeder than any of the ruling demons of this place. You hadn’t chosen what to believe in until now. You decided anyone who could leave his creatures to struggle as badly as they had were either extremely cruel or given no choice. Either way, his belongings left a sour taste in your mouth and every time a creature wailed for his return, it added to your resolve that you wouldn’t ever like the man.

After six months of treating the animals, they were mostly harmonious. There was an elephant who would sometimes scream and stampede through the freshly planted vegetable garden you had made or trod down the wildflowers you had willed to grow to bring warmth to the fields. A griffin would also swoop down, pick you up and carry you far away just to drop you off in strange places that you had to trudge all the way back to the stables.

And today, that had happened again. “Seriously! Must we go on these adventures so often now?!”

The mythical creature merely cried victoriously as he flew through the skies, diving through the forest that edged the fields for the first time. You gasped, seeing so many hidden spots to cultivate your potions in that the monsters couldn’t disturb. And then, just as the griffin went to turn around, you spotted something unmistakably white and rare. Struggling in the hold upon your shoulders, the creature whined and let you go, much higher up than usual. The speed in which you fell at was also faster and you struggled to use your magic to land neatly, crumpling onto the forest floor with a thud.

Disorientated, you rubbed at your aches from your undesirable landing before remembering why you had fussed about. Springing up, you dashed through the scrub and trees towards the area you had seen from above.

Much as you hadn’t met the Monster Keeper, you had yet to lay your eyes on the large, hairy, white monster that was always talked about at his side. Slowing when you reached the spot you had seen him in, you guarded yourself as you climbed up to the ledge he was resting upon. The creature was asleep and you didn’t dare step into his space. Up close he was much larger than you had anticipated from in the skies. He didn’t look all that friendly either.

Still, you cleared your throat and the beast stirred awake, glowing blue eyes watching you carefully. “Smoosh?”

He growled loudly, climbing up from his slumbering position and glared at you. You sensed his grief produced the anger displayed and nodded, standing your ground. “It’s okay, I won’t come any closer.”

Smoosh huffed and flopped back down, however, he kept his eyes on you. Sitting down, you stretched your legs out in front of yourself. “Oh, the tree snagged at my skin.”

Placing a hand over your wound, you closed your eyes and relied on your powers to heal it. Smoosh was entirely fascinated by your gift and you giggled when you were finished which startled him.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to frighten you. You’re really cute, you know.” Smoosh grumbled and turned away from you petulantly. Laughing, you leaned back on your elbows. “Do you not like being called cute? I heard that there was a prophecy that one day a human would call Lucifer himself adorable. Can you imagine that?! Our leader would shrivel up and smite her I’m sure. Or maybe he’ll fall in love. We really can’t count on knowing what will happen, right? Just like with Youngjae leaving. I bet you weren’t expecting that.”

Smoosh glanced over his shoulder and then dropped his head miserably. “I bet he misses you too, wherever he is. I’m sure he’ll come back for you. Why don’t you come and wait with me up in the fields? I’m sure you’re hungry too. There’s nothing apart from trees in here.”

For a moment, you thought Smoosh was going to get up. Instead, he curled up further, ignoring your offer as he cried himself back to sleep.

Smoosh continued to ignore your offers for an entire year. Still, you made the effort to go and see him often, taking food with you for him as well. At first, the trek was made difficult. However, you had befriended the demon horse, who graciously allow you to ride her into the forest for you to deliver the food.

Time soon grew irrelevant. Most of the animals now looked to you as their leader and you felt as if you had gained many friends within this part of Sheol. You woke in the mornings with vigour, chatting with all the stabled monsters as you fed them breakfast. And then you went about your day, harvesting your magically grown fruits, vegetables and potions. And when you were done with your chores, you would climb aboard Mystic, as you had named her, and gallop into the forest with the food you had cultivated especially for Smoosh.

Although he was still reluctant to leave the forest, he was always waiting for your arrival, this stumpy tail wagging excitedly. You thanked Mystic for the ride and offered her an apple before climbing up to where Smoosh was bouncing around animatedly.

You giggled. “Careful! If you’re too loud, you’ll cause another sonic boom.”

He tried his best to calm down, though the oversized monster couldn’t quite manage it either, bounding up to you as soon as you were on the ledge and licking your left side happily.

“Good to see you too!” you mentioned, reaching into your bag for the food you had transported. You then held up a hand and gave Smoosh a warning look. He rolled his eyes and stamped his front foot before plomping his butt down. “Well done. Now let me just size this up for you.”

With an incantation chanted whilst your hands hovered over the food, you watched as it tripled in size, a perfect feast for someone the size of Smoosh. He barely waited for you to step back before diving in, making a mess everywhere.

You loved that he was this messy and free.

And when he was done, you curled up in his fur, taking a nap with him until the night arrived. Staring up at the moon, you sighed.

“I was a child of the moon. Until moving here, I hadn’t seen night or day once in Purgatory. Sheol is very special, don’t you think? Every part of this place is different from the next.”

Smoosh hummed in response, lethargic after his dinner. You held up your hand to the sky and made a circle around the moon with your index finger and thumb. Smiling after capturing it in your grasp, you then buried yourself into Smoosh.

“I know you still miss him. I wish you would come down to the house with me. You’d be happier there.”

The monster snorted and you patted his fur. “Seriously. Everyone loves me.”

Mystic let out a long-winded whinny and Smoosh chuckled. You sat up and looked between the two creatures. “Don’t lie! So Griffin still wants to get rid of me and Phantom trod on my cornfield but listen! We’re all happy, are we not?! Who needs a Monster Keeper when you have me, a Great Witch!”

A gush of wind enveloped you then, and you blinked at how it picked you up, levitating you in the air. Mystic grew nervous and Smoosh tried to swat you back down. You laughed then, rolling around in the air.

“Did you hear me, Smoosh?! I’m a witch!” you exclaimed, the wind spiralling you around until you were laughing with enjoyment. “Mystic, let’s race!”

You controlled the wind and dove down towards the ground, flying through the forest. You grinned when you heard energetic hooves thundering along behind you. Dashing out into the fields, you laughed victoriously when Mystic arrived after you, her annoyance displayed in a large playful rear. Flying around her, you played with her some more until you saw a tree fall down.

Smoosh running towards you both. “Smoosh!”

Colliding into his fur fondly, you were filled with joy at his first venture away from the forest. “I’m so happy for you, you adorable giant polar bear!”

Smoosh growled and stamped his foot at your affection, though his tail was moving too fast to hide his satisfaction.

And then Mystic’s distress call ended all the happiness within you.

Looking at the stables in the distance, you sensed it as well.

Your monsters, they were falling ill.

One by one.

“I demand a meeting with the Devil.”

The Gatekeeper looked you over and then groaned. “You’re not here for me?”

“Why would I come for someone I’ve never met?” you answered curtly and the demon shrugged.

“Love at first sight is a thing. Haven’t you heard of the human that caused chaos upon our Leader’s heart?”

You groaned impatiently, forming fists with your hands. “Do I have time to talk about humans right now?! The monsters are dying!”

When you had arrived back the stables, you had already found the chandelier deer down and laboured with breathing. She passed first, and no matter what you tried, you couldn’t revive her.

When the sun rose the following morning, you were fighting to keep three newly fallen monsters alive. They passed by the end of the day.

And when you found Griffin unable to fly the following morning, you had entrusted the care of the monsters to Smoosh and Mystic before flying to the Gatekeeper.

“The monsters are dying?” he repeated, his smile of daggers erasing. “But why?!”

“I don’t know and so I must talk with the Devil! Surely he can help them!”

“I cannot,” a new voice announced and you spun around to find your Overlord standing beside you both. He glanced at the fellow demon and nodded. “Allow her in, BamBam.”

Once taken up to the Devil’s office, you leaned forward with haste. “What do you mean you cannot do anything?! This is your realm!”

“It’s my fault,” he started, rubbing at his face. “I was greedy and now the Gods are punishing this world.”

“For what?!”

“For loving someone I shouldn’t,” he answered sadly, looking towards a portrait of a woman on his wall. He then turned back to you. “It’s not just one part of Sheol that’s affected. My love did too much good for this place. As have you. Which is why I believe the monsters were the first to be affected.”

“This is absolutely absurd! They’ve done nothing wrong! What is wrong with all of you? And where is Youngjae?!”

“He will return soon. The havoc being caused up above will filter down here rather quickly. Please feel assured by this.”

“I won’t feel anything until the animals I care for are back to full health.” Getting up, you glared at the ceiling of the ornate room. “If another single monster falls ill or dies, I don’t know what I’ll do, but I will do something major.”

“Please take this, Witch.”

You glanced at the large vial of indigo liquid. He smiled gently. “It is my blood. If this does not work to save those who have fallen, I have no ideas left.”

Thanking him for the offering, you hurried back to the fields, where Griffin was barely holding on. Taking up a spoon, you poured the glistening purple blood onto it before guiding it into Griffin’s mouth.

Calling upon your inner magic, you summoned your best source of protection and layered it around him.

And then you waited.

You awoke to a shove and a whine from Smoosh. Blearily glancing around, you looked to where Griffin had been resting. The straw bed was empty and you leapt up, searching the stables for him.

A swoosh of air from above when you stepped outside alerted you to look up. Tears ran down your cheeks. “Griffin! You’re alive!”

The mythical creature landed gracefully, raising a talon towards you as he roared cheerfully. Diving into his feathered chest, you cried with relief.

“The Demon King will save you all!”

It was an exhausting period, but the monsters soon stopped dying off. With your powers and the blood gifted to you by the Devil, you managed to endure the hardships thrust upon you all.

You felt as if you would need a long vacation when all this was over.

Before you could settle back into any routine you once held, however, the fields were shaken once again.

You knew a demon was walking into these lands before you even left the house. By the time you had thrown your shawl around your nightgown and stepped outside, you could see the figure was close enough to see you. He paused, though that could be due to the way the homunculus wolf ran to him and howled at his reappearance. The animals, one by one ventured towards the return of their Almighty and you couldn’t help but smile with how bright the field became with light.

You knew you were only a substitute for their true master.

However, Mystic and Smoosh remained at your side, not rushing forward like the rest of them. You glanced at them both and laugh. “Go on! You’ve missed him too!”

Smoosh shook his head and grew broody, turning back for the stables. And Mystic merely snorted before following her close friend.

The demon stopped before you and bowed. “I hear you are the witch who cared for my animals.”

“Well someone had to mend all their broken hearts,” you answered without much thought, the demon growing perplexed for a moment.

And then his laughter boomed around the area. “They told me to be wary of you.”

“How so?”

“A feisty, strong and righteous witch wandered into my fields and strengthened my monsters.”

“I’d hardly say I wandered in.”

“And yet my monsters are stronger.”

“Perhaps that is because of the food I’ve cultivated for them.”

The demon nodded. “They glisten. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” you replied with some surprise laced within your tone.

You blinked. When he first spoke to you, you felt nothing but contempt towards the entity. And now, with his honest compliment, you were easing in mind and heart.

He cleared his throat. “I am saddened that my Smoosh has yet to greet me. What have you done to him?”

Your annoyance instantly returned. “Why, I’ve done nothing but show him appreciation! He was the most broken-spirited of them all with you gone.”

“He’s a tough boy. I bet he was playing you.”

“Honestly!” you exclaimed, marching after the demon now heading into the stables. Mystic stood in the aisle eyeing you both before stomping her hooves impatiently. The demon raced down to the stall where Smoosh was and let out a wail.

“What is wrong with you, my boy?!”

“Absolutely nothing is-” Your sentence cut short when you found Smoosh labouring his breath. For a second, you panicked and gasped when you realised you were out of the Devil’s blood supply. And then you looked at the hairy creature, narrowing your gaze.

“I cannot believe you, Smoosh!” you cried, stepping into the stall and placing your hands on your hips. “Get up now.”

Smoosh let out a dramatic wail and the demon pushed you aside. “Get away!”

“He is playing you, can you not sense it?!” you told him exasperatedly though he ignored you and began to examine his friend. “Youngjae!”

“Dearest Witch, we are not on a first-name basis as of yet. Especially if there is something wrong here.”

You stared at both males incredulously, turning to Mystic who you were certain shrugged in response. Letting out a loud scoff, and twirling your finger in the air to prove the game at hand, you then stormed out of the stables.

Mystic followed you out into the middle of the field and nudged you softly. “Men! They’re awful! He barely thanks me before blaming me for hurting his beloved overgrown snowball! And then Smoosh! Ohhhh I could kill them both!”

Mystic whinnied in agreement, pacing alongside you. Glancing at your equine friend, you nodded determinedly. “You’ll be at my side no matter what, won’t you Mystic? Let’s set up our own place here in the fields away from the others. Just you and me and whoever wants to enjoy our company. What do you say?!”

“I’d be gravely disappointed if you did that,” a voice interjected and you spun to see the demon standing there, shooting a look at the guilty monster trailing behind him. “I’m Youngjae and you are?”

“A witch!”

“The finest witch I’ve ever met.”

“Yes, well, I tried my best. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have plans.”

“To come back with us, I hope. I can tell Smoosh is very fond of you.”

“Not fond enough to not play dirty tactics as soon as his master is home, apparently.” Smoosh whined apologetically at your answer and you let out a huff of air.

Youngjae stepped closer. “Please, a name.”

“Why?”

“Well, I must know of the person who will be spending her existence here with me and my animals, after all. I was instructed by Jackson that he must keep his word in allowing you permanent residence here.”

A small smile crossed your lips at the honourable commander’s mentioning. “And will you allow it?”

“I have no choice otherwise,” Youngjae admitted. “You see, even if I were to say no, I can tell more than half the animals would cause an outcry. Especially these two.”

Both Mystic and Smoosh nodded in agreement.

“I can stay?”

“If you will give me your name. It’s all I ask of you.”

“Just a name?” you echoed and Youngjae nodded.

“Oh, and that of your tales. It’s been some decades since I was here. So much has changed. Flowers growing everywhere!”

You grinned.

Although you were happy to have no humans or entities trouble you within these fields, you were strangely excited for the return of Youngjae. You realised there was a whole series of tales you could tell him.

And before you launched into your first one, you smiled up at the demon before you and uttered out your name.

_________________

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[crash-cinematic-universe]

the Hotel Cortez and everything it contains

pairing: james march/reader

summary/request: hi!for the requests,can you do #2 from Fluff and #6 from Random w James P. March? - @gothqmzsasz

warnings: death ig

notes: i am tired. this took to long to write. i hope you like it and if you dont then Ill write you a 2 page apology. this is VERY short because it got deleted half way through and I couldn’t bring myself to write it all back.

ahs evan taglist: @lokiqueenofasgard

            You were dead. You had been for a while-- at this point, you’d grown used to the odd and empty feeling. Every day was the same, the fact that you didn’t need to sleep making the hours meld together like smudged paint. The Cortez was a beautiful place to die, the architecture immaculately crafted-- each pattern so complex and deliberate it was perplexing to look too closely. Beauty practically oozes from the walls-- but even beauty loses its appeal after a while. The walls made you nauseous, the complexity soon shifting into headache-inducing. With each passing day you grew more and more spiteful, negative-- hostile, even. James watched as your mood deteriorated bit by bit, guilt churning in his stomach with every snide remark that fell from your lips.

            To be clear; James wasn’t the one that killed you-- his protege John was the one to take your life. Nevertheless, he felt partially responsible for your demise. James saw you in passing while you stayed at the hotel, and he always remembered the cheery, kind smile that would be stuck on your face as he walked beside you in the hallways. He recalled the sound of your joyous laugh and the admiration in your voice as you told him about your life outside the Hotel Cortez. He hated the fact that he caused that joy and excitement you exerted to diminish to almost nothing. James became determined to lift your spirits once again.

            “Is there a reason you’re blushing like that?” You huff, James’s oddly cheery face somehow managing to test your temper. He sits beside you, his cane falling to the floor as he leans close to you.

            “I have something… fun to show you.” He says, his accent making it sound as if he was a shitty telemarketer. You rolled your eyes, refusing to let your hopes get too high.

            “There is nothing fun in this hotel, James. There is only the same, repetitive decay.” you sigh, kicking the air as you lay down on the hotel carpet. “I’m okay with death, I think, I just wish I would’ve died somewhere more… interesting. This place has lost all of its mystery and all of its appeal. Now it’s just a hotel.” Your words sliced through the man’s heart like razor blades, an overwhelming feeling of guilt overcoming him. He did this to you-- indirectly, sure, but it was still his fault. 

            “Darling, could you please stop being grumpy? It’s quite lame.” He mutters, pulling you to your feet. “I’m aware that your opinion of my hotel has gone from bad to worse, but it’s not all bad, I promise. I assure you, I tried to create something… interesting for you.” Admittedly, you fet a bit bad for your sour mood, but you couldn’t help it. 

            “Alright James, show me what you’ve done.” you say, following the man down the hallway. He’s oddly giddy-- excited, almost. It’s endearing, he’s trying quite hard to make death more enjoyable for you. He leads you down a long, narrow staircase you weren’t aware existed. Once you reach the bottom, James suddenly stops, worry written on his face.

            “Darling, I’m suddenly… I’m suddenly rethinking whether or not you’ll like this as much as I hope you will.” James murmurs. You’re quick to take his face in your hands, pulling his eyes to meet yours.

            “James, the fact that you’ve done anything at all is enough. I’m sure I’ll love whatever you’ve done.” He smiles and the worry on his face melts away. He turns around once again, unlocking a large wooden door to reveal a dark room. James disappears into the darkness, an unsettling silence in the room. 

            “Hey, James, you’re not gonna kill me again, are you?” You joke, your chuckle cut short as the lights turn on to reveal a large, white canvas screen against a wall, the floor scattered with pillows and comforters and old mattresses. “James what… what is this?”

            “You often tell me about your life outside of the hotel, and it’s not rare for you to go on long, detailed explanations of the films you enjoy. So I decided you should be able to watch these films here in the Cortez.” He grinned, and you were shocked to say the least. The gesture was so incredibly thoughtful and heart felt that you were almost speechless. 

            “James this is… this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you.” James simply nods before walking over to a projector directly across the room from the screen. 

            “The first film I acquired was a recent one-- I think you’ll enjoy it. It’s titled Jojo Rabbit, I believe it’s a comedy. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to join you in viewing it.” You sit comfortably in the middle of the floor, James sitting close beside you. For the first time in a long time, the Hotel Cortez stops being a hellish purgatory and starts being a home.

[heli0s-writes]

winter dreams

Summary: Six months after a perfect summertime kiss, you see him again in time for the new year. Music: Death Cab for Cutie - I Dreamt We Spoke Again

Pairing: Reader/Bucky

A/N: 2.1k words. Pining & Soft Bucky. Holiday fluff.  TW: references to cancer

A follow up to summer skin but it’s not necessary to read it first. This was written for @sourpatchkidsandacokecan​​‘s Merry Kismet Writing Challenge. Thank you so much for hosting! The prompt is “You owe me a kiss.”

It’s cold.

December reaches your childhood home in disappointing periods of drizzling rain hitting windowpanes, fogging the insides gray with the house’s heat. Brief winter winds ice the city, never quite enough to flurry like how it did in New York.

Yet somehow, it feels colder here.

You bundle up all over when it sinks into your bones. Blankets and two pairs of wool socks, knitted hats and gloves indoors, still rattling, falling lovesick and not participating in festivities.

Your sisters chide the melancholy, ask you to cheer up, tell you it’s the most wonderful time of the year incoming. Tinsel and allspice, brown sugar candles and the crisp snap of pine. A real tree propped up by the fireplace, topped by a burning red star.

You miss him.

The ornament glows his sigil and, you miss him.

Miss his eyes. His hands. Miss his damn shadow.

Thanksgiving had tasted like wet sand. The turkey and cranberries a mush of pulp. Basting and seasoning, rosemary and garlic, rubbing all manners of things down with butter… and in the end, no matter how you tried, the last six months crumbled like ash in your mouth.

Your father’s illness and subsequent recovery bloomed relief but it was still too soon. There was one more round of radiation and then, it would be over. The cloak of death could finally be ripped down, hung up elsewhere to shrivel and flee; he’d finally be free of cancer.

Six months after sweltering summer kisses on a dock and you were still sick with longing for Bucky. He calls rarely because your civilian life can’t bleed into your hero life; you’re the only one with family—the only one with a possible hostage situation.

Two conversations, maybe. With his low timbre saying hello. Don’t know when I’ll see you, but I’ll dream of you until I do. And the sadness in your gut volleys into hope—careens itself into balmy spring and the taste of his tongue on yours. The only reprieve you receive is in darkness, when you might be lucky enough to find him under a clear June sky, the two of you meeting in the middle of a midnight yearning.

The days between Christmas and New Years smear together. A foggy mess of unknown hours and habits, waking and sleeping all blurring into some kind of purgatory overcrowded with glazed ham leftovers and candles with names like Twisted Peppermint and Merry Berry.

A steaming mug is slid over the frosted windowsill on the 30th. Your youngest sister plops down on the sofa seat with a hum, pulling striped red and green sock encased knees up to her chest. Mind-reading. That connection between siblings.

“You go.” She states casually, and it takes you by surprise. “Dad’s doing well. You go. World needs you and all.”

Under a heavy quilt, you’re already quivering with preemptive heartbreak. A sip of your drink and the beginning of a protest before she puts up her hand, “We’ll be fine.” Then, a smirk and a roll of her eyes, “Figures. You finally fall for a guy and he’s probably Captain America.”

You bite your smile down and stay silent.

-

Voicemail. Even the automated tone repeating his phone number before the shrill beep gives you butterflies. War drums echoing from your chest. The practiced message you ran through your head sounds stupid no matter how many times you rehearse it. No matter how many times you’ve dreamt of him and this moment.

“H-hey... I, uh, I’m heading to the compound. Uh. Well, I think I’ll be there in time for tomorrow night’s party. Can’t wait to see you, Buck.”

A string of the dumbest syllables ever known to man.

-

The commons room is aglow when you arrive. Soft and brilliant in orange and yellow, warming up the darkness of dimmed lights. There are at least three trees on your way in, lit up with gold, then blue, then silver for the third, overflowing with ribbon and sparkling garland. Hand-blown glass ornaments refract a rainbow array of hues. There is fake snow in a trail flanking the velvet red carpet running inside, shaped meticulously so that it imitates a snowbank to perfection. Soft music hums from deeper in, harps and violins, and the smell of the fireplace crackling spiced woody notes soothes your bones.

Pepper’s outdone herself heralding in the New Year. You’ll have to apologize for dripping water all the way in, pelted by snow and shuddering head to toe.

It’s flurrying in New York, alright. Your chattering teeth are a testament to the temperature.

Natasha’s the first to see you by the entrance. A raise of her champagne class and you grin shyly, stepping in, wet boots tracking to the bar. Steve beams and rushes across the room, nicking off his conversation with a fan in the middle, throwing his arms around you for a hug.

“He’s in D.C.—does he know you’re— Christ, where’s your coat?"

You shake your head and quiet your trembling as you take in Steve’s pressed denim shirt and his slacks and hair neatly combed to one side. Clean shaven and handsome, twinkling eyes as he holds tight. Your shoes are dripping onto his and you chuckle, “I forgot it—too eager, I suppose.”

The gown you pulled on at the airport is an old one—silvery lavender with thin trails of sparkling tinsel. Worn once during an undercover mission near New Mexico and then hung up to sway limply in your sister’s closet because it was too beautiful to discard even though it smelled like gunpowder. The excitement of your arrival was too pressing that you’d forgotten the right shoes. Boots it is—black and clunky, the kind you’d prefer to have on in a fight.

“He’ll be mad you’re not dressed for the weather.” A silly grin as if Steve’s hiding a secret. Then, a single raise of his sandy brow as he looks down. The gossamer hem a darker purple as it sways over your shoes. “But maybe you can go barefoot for tonight.”

-

Sam is elated when he arrives, pulling you into a spin before his hand clasps onto yours and he sways all the way to the middle of the dance floor. It’s like you never left as he chatters on, making you laugh and cry, his steps goading the band to play faster accompaniments.

Three songs in and you’re reminded of how tired you are from the trip. Your feet are freezing on the tile and so you lead Sam to the couches, accepting a drink from Natasha’s hand before leaning into her, tingling toes tucked beneath your thighs. She plays with your hair, rubs your shoulder, and whispers that it hasn’t been the same without you.

“I remember this dress. We got into some trouble that mission.” And you know that look even without seeing it. Half-smirk, eyebrow up, the Natasha trademark.

You laugh at the memory. Gunpowder from her Beretta and the skirt hiked up to reveal your own pistol strapped tightly to your thigh. Beneath it had been a knife. Overkill, you’d thought, but it came in handy anyway.

“James will appreciate your sentimentality.”

The two of you had played lovers, and it was easy slipping into the role. Your heart flutters at the memory and how nervous you had been when his hand caressed yours at the auditorium entrance. He had bent over and whispered that you looked beautiful, and you snorted in return—a broken noise of disbelief.

“We missed you.” Natasha blows into your ear playfully, “You won’t believe how annoyingly long he sulked. If he’s not here at midnight, you’re getting a kiss from me.”

“Woah. I’m gonna kiss her.” Sam protests, leaning forward dramatically.

You turn to Steve with a grin, waiting for his bid but he only puts his hands up, palms faced outward. “Not me. I’m not trying to get into any fights with Buck. Had enough of that for a while, if none of you remember.”

A few more minutes of chatting and you dismiss your friends, shooing them back to their company and unwilling to take up any more of their time.

New Year’s Eve and you certainly can’t be the most interesting person here, you say. Check out the band, gosh, there’s a celebrity—and Tony, sweeping in with gusto to shoot a comment about how he didn’t even notice you were back but that your room is still in pristine condition, if you were wondering.

And you weren’t, but you thank him anyway with a wink.

11:50 and the back wall is glaring a projected image of the NYC ball drop. You stifle a yawn behind your hand, leaning over the couch lazily. Guests come and go, welcome you back, and you’re always a little startled when another stranger flits by to say hello and thank you. Everyone blurs together in a rush of sparkling cream gowns and silk suits.

11:55 and your eyes are shuttering close, cheekbone resting upon your palm.

11:58 and a hand is skimming up your arm, softly prodding, but you’re too tired to move.

Cheers and whoops. It’s so loud. Music crescendoes, Natasha placing a peck on your cheek along with a blanket over your shoulders and you reply with a wilted little smile. Then, you return to a familiar sweetened coffee black dream of someone tall and soft-spoken.

-

You jolt from the stupor with a gasp. The room has emptied and darkened, only lit by the soft glow of the projector spinning starry images. The blanket from your shoulders has slipped off some time ago, gathering to pool at your feet. Blinking sluggishly, you realize you’re no longer leaned against your palm on the edge of the couch.

Dusky pine and leather. Faint cool aftershave and the vital heartbeat of warm boy. Something heavy and buttery soft draped over your previously cold shoulders.

Another dream.

Yet, it feels more corporeal than ever before and the drumming in your chest strikes a thrilled beat. Your hands wildly pat him up and down, drawing forth his sweet laugh at your antics. You don’t stop, though, running up the neoprene vest, the straps buckled over his torso, his strong jaw and chin. Then hair, those long chestnut strands lightly curled at the edges, grown a little longer and tucked loosely behind his ears.

“Bucky?”

“Yeah, honey.”

You bristle in disbelief, distracted by the realization with some embarrassment that you’ve been sleeping on top of him for who knows how long.  Stupid syllables stuck like caramel chews in your mouth, welding your teeth together in a solid disappointment. After spending six months dreaming about seeing him again, now you’re finally here and you’ve got nothing to say. Bucky lifts his chin to place atop your head, pressing kisses down and chills race to your fingertips and toes.

“Nat said she kissed you at midnight,” Bucky muses, and you can just hear him smiling how he does when he thinks he’s done something clever. “And what about me? You owe me a kiss, unless you’re all done with kissin’ for the night?” His gloved finger traces your chin, thumb pad rubbing over your nose, lifting your gaze until you’re staring up into his eyes.

Blue, blue, blue, like milky ways dipped in a cerulean sea. Behind his head the cosmos continue to spiral, outlining him in silver and starlight. He is beautiful in the night, brighter than suns. You want to sob and say Bucky, Bucky, if I’m sleeping don’t wake me.

Cheekiness snuffs itself out as he tilts his head with a smile, eyes roaming over your expression curiously. A statement begins in the silence of his thumb caressing your cheek, then brow, then making a path down to your bottom lip, skimming over the edge.

He punctuates it with a press of his mouth to yours. Hand moving to latch onto your jaw, then neck, then cradling your head between two and your heart hurdles all the way to the finish line.

“Missed you.” He murmurs, “Missed you a lot.” Licks to your lips and you vaguely wonder when he learned how to sweep you completely off your feet. Bucky tugs on the lapels of his jacket around your shoulder, crushing your torso to his. After six months of longing and anguish, you could float away if he wasn’t holding on so tightly.

“You look beautiful. Always thought so.” Fingers rub the lavender tulle and he smiles. You didn’t believe him then, the night Bucky complimented you and yanked the knife from its strap. “Like a dream.”

Now, you know he means it.

“Happy New Year, honey.”

Bucky pulls you fully into his lap, solid beneath your hands and flush against your torso. Real. Real. Real.

Winter rages on outside. Wrapped up in him, here, now, finally, you’ve never felt warmer.

“Happy New Year, Bucky.”

-

perm tags:  @whothehellisbucky​​​ @serpentbaby​​​ @badassbaker​​​ @alagalaska​​​ @cake-writes​​​ @crist1216​​​ @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan​​​ @infinity-saga​​​ @jamesbarnesthighs​​​ @pinknerdpanda​​​ @xoxabs88xox​​​ @imsoft-barnes​​​ @momc95​​​ @typicalangel​​​ @wretchedgoddess​​​ @readeity​​​ @iwannasail​​​ @ya-lyublu-tebya​​​ @geeksareunique​​​ @wildefire​​​ @satanxklaus​​​ @jhangelface0523​​  @wkemeup​

[umbry-fic]

Ai Kotoba

Summary: On the lead-up to Valentine's Day, Lloyd hunts for the perfect gift with the help of his friends.

Fandom: Tales of Symphonia Characters: Lloyd Irving, Colette Brunel, Genis Sage, Presea Combatir, Zelos Wilder, Regal Bryant Relationships: Everyone & Lloyd, Colette Brunel/Lloyd Irving Rating: G Word Count: 9716 Mirror Link: AO3 Original Post Date: 14/02/2021

Notes: A fic written for Valentine's Day that features rare pairs, headcanons and an aromantic Presea.

There's a section in this inspired by @darkhymns-fic's sixth entry of Into the Morning Light, which you can read here.

This fic has been altered to work on Tumblr, so if you'd like to read it in its original form, please read it on AO3!

♡♡♡

3 weeks to Valentine’s Day

“Hey, Bud!”

“Yes, Zelos?” Lloyd replied, glancing around furtively and on high alert for the flutter of skirts or the click of heels against the cobblestone path. He and Zelos were currently in what used to be the slums of Meltokio, though they couldn't be called that anymore in their current state. The living conditions had improved immensely since the end of their journey four years ago, but there were still visible changes from just one year ago when he and Colette had a brief stopover.

Even while dealing with other outstanding issues and the urgent need to cooperate with Sylvarant, Zelos had still taken Colette's suggestion to heart. Zelos had worked tirelessly with the Tethe'allan monarchy - both with the unification of the world and to improve equality, starting in his hometown of Meltokio. Zelos had worked himself to the bone, and the effect was palpable and honestly impressive. The settlements which had once been nothing more than sheets of wood or plastic cobbled together were now humble houses that could serve their role perfectly.

Lloyd was proud of his friend’s work, of course. And he would be happy to look at what Zelos had accomplished! But he would rather not be walking around Meltokio with the Tethe'allan Chosen. There was a high chance they would be mobbed by a crowd of noblewomen, and while Zelos loved the attention, Lloyd hated it. And once it happened, there would be almost no hope of escape.

It hadn’t happened yet, thankfully, probably due to their current location in the city. Despite the absence of visible grime, there was still an obvious tone of judgement in the voices of the higher-class when they talked about the other denizens of Meltokio. Some things couldn't change overnight.

Still, Lloyd would rather not risk getting trapped.

“How’re things going with the little angel?”

“Um, good?” Lloyd mumbled, avoiding Zelos’ gaze. He was never quite sure what to make of that question, even after the many times Zelos had asked it. Why was Zelos so eager to know, anyway?

“Good? That’s the same answer you gave last time! Don’t be so boring!”

“What answer am I supposed to give?” Lloyd protested, staring down at the cobblestones and dragging his shoes against them.

He and Colette had officially been in a relationship for the past two years, and yet nothing much had changed from the time they were friends. He had simply, as per normal, spent every day with Colette on their journey to collect the remaining Exspheres. It was quiet and peaceful, and that was enough for him. They were both happy, and that was all that mattered, surely.

Lloyd didn’t think any word could encompass his experience with Colette and the emotions every moment with her brought, so he had no idea how to answer Zelos.

“Don’t we have more important things to discuss? Like the Great Bridge?” Lloyd asked, hoping to steer the conversation towards the reason he and Colette were here in Tethe'alla in the first place. The Great Bridge was one of the largest monuments in Tethe'alla powered by Exspheres, which meant it used an abhorrently large number of them. That was a giant collection of souls that Lloyd hoped to free from the eternal purgatory they were entrapped in.

But to do that required extensive collaboration with the Tethe'allan monarchy, which was where Zelos came in.

“Bud, I told you that I’m handling it! Just trust me, alright?” Zelos replied, waving away Lloyd’s concerns with a flippant wave of his arm. Lloyd sighed. He wasn’t going to be getting much done today, was he? Zelos was far more interested in grilling him about his love life than doing anything productive.

Lloyd didn't mind too much, since he couldn't detect any ill intent in Zelos's voice. Not that Lloyd believed Zelos would be purposely mean-spirited.

Eyes alight with a mischievous shine, Zelos grinned, clapping Lloyd on the back and causing him to stumble forward, catching himself with his hands on his knees. “At least tell me you have something planned for Valentine’s Day! It’s coming up in less than a month!”

Lloyd straightened, mind turning over the unfamiliar words that he'd never heard before. Then again, Tethe'alla had a lot of weird traditions that he couldn't even begin to understand.

What did Valentine's Day celebrate?

“Bud? Why aren't you moving?" Zelos asked, coming to a stop and turning to face Lloyd, right hand placed on his waist.

"What does Valentine's Day celebrate?" Lloyd asked guilelessly, unaware that he had just plunged Zelos into a pit of disbelief.

"Wait - you don't know what Valentine's Day is? How could I have forgotten to tell you?"

Zelos grabbed Lloyd by the shoulders, fingers gripping tightly like the fate of the world depended on him understanding what Valentine's Day was. Zelos' blue eyes were wide as he shoved his face closer to Lloyd's, and Lloyd leaned back as much as he could without falling over, not liking how close the other was. Was Valentine's Day this important?

"It's the day that celebrates love and romance! The greatest holiday of all time, where couples give gifts to each other! Do you know how many gifts I get from women on Valentine’s Day alone? It’s heaven!”

Lloyd laughed nervously, pushing Zelos’ hands away and taking a step back. So Valentine’s was another opportunity to be fawned over by his Hunnies? Yeah, he could see why Zelos liked it so much. All Lloyd cared about right now, though, was getting Zelos off his case.

“What’s it got to do with me, though?”

“You have to do something for the little angel! That’s the only way to proclaim your love! You didn’t nail the dramatic confession, so you have to get this one right!”

Lloyd knew he hadn’t done an over-the-top confession. It had been a spur of the moment decision, in the least romantic location ever - an Exsphere mine near Asgard, abandoned from a previous period of Sylvarant’s prosperity.

“That should be the last one in here. Now they can all be at peace.” Colette placed the lone Exsphere in Lloyd’s palm with her usual gentle touch, a smile on her face.

The mine they were in had a lamp system that had once run on mana, but that store of mana had long since run dry. As a result, it was pitch black inside, and the two of them had resorted to the gentle light their wings emanated to illuminate the path ahead.

Under the soft, commingled purple light, the planes of Colette’s face were highlighted and her small, happy smile seemed incredibly bright, almost like it could light up the darkness all on its own. All Lloyd could do was stare at the breathtaking angel in front of him, marvelling at all the love and care she carried in her heart, enough to surround the whole world. How lucky he was to be able to spend every day by her side.

“Colette, I - I love you.” The words that he had kept hidden in his heart for as long as he could remember tumbled out, just like that, as his hand curled over the Exsphere in his palm, feeling the rough edges of it through his gloves.

Her gaze had snapped to his, holding disbelief, and in the seconds before her response, his heart had beat so fast that the blood rushing past his ears drowned out all other sounds. Did she not feel the same? Maybe... maybe she only cared for him as a friend.

Even if that were the case, he would be happy to stay with her for the rest of eternity as nothing more than a friend. Simply enjoying her companionship was enough.

But Colette took his free hand, intertwining her fingers securely with his like she would never let go.

She nodded, that smile growing ever more radiant. “I love you too. I always have.”

It had been simple, and at that moment everything had felt right. It was like the final missing puzzle piece had finally been put into place: admitting what had gone unrecognised for years.

But now, Lloyd couldn’t help but second-guess himself. Zelos had told him that his confession was pitiful and that he really should have planned better to go all-out.

“A candle-lit dinner would have been amazing! A mine is the most boring location ever. Horrible lighting, stale air - what a buzz-kill!” That had been Zelos' exact words, which had certainly taken all the wind out of Lloyd’s sails.

He and Colette hadn’t purposefully gone on many dates since then. It had just been them together, facing one day at a time. Some were quiet and peaceful, others filled with excitement. And Lloyd was perfectly fine letting nature take its course, content with the way things were.

But he couldn’t help but question. Maybe that wasn’t what Colette wanted. Maybe he was going about this wrong. Maybe he should be offering to bring her out on dates, attempting to shower her in gifts - what the ideal boyfriend would be like, according to Zelos. Maybe she wasn’t asking him for anything because she was afraid to, and was just hiding behind a content face.

“ - to bud? BUD!”

Lloyd snapped back to attention to find Zelos’s hand being waved in his face. Right, he was still with Zelos in the middle of Meltokio.

And Lloyd made his decision then and there. He would use the time before Valentine’s Day to find the perfect gift for the person he loved. Something amazing to fit the incredible person that Colette was. Something that could adequately express the way he felt around her.

“Sorry, Zelos. I was just thinking… So, what do people usually give on Valentine's day?” They resumed their walk, with Lloyd determined to get some information out of Zelos.

“So you are thinking about it! Good,” Zelos replied, steepling his fingers together with a devilish grin on his face. “People often give chocolates. Just thinking about all the young girls who are going to give me boxes of handmade chocolates is making me salivate already… It’s the beauty of young love!”

“Right,” Lloyd muttered, knowing that he’d lost Zelos.

“So handmade chocolates…” He could see how the time and effort took to hand-make them could make them a good gift. But how did one go about making chocolates? He’d have to do some research.

“Now that I think about it, maybe you shouldn’t hand make chocolates?” Zelos was the one to come to a stop this time, frowning. “Just - just stick to the store sold ones. Those are perfectly fine.”

“But there’s nothing special about those, are they?” If store sold chocolates were the go-to gift, didn't that make them the “boring” that Zelos always warned him to steer clear of? What was the point, then?

And Lloyd could cook just fine! He was the proud maker of the Dwarven Stew recipe, after all! How hard could it be?

“Just - just trust me on this, alright?” Zelos hurriedly said, shaking his head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

"No! I'm not giving her chocolates unless I make them himself!” Lloyd declared, walking ahead and already contemplating the intricacies of chocolate making. He’d do it. Just watch him!

♥♥♥

Zelos sighed, having been left in the dust. He hoped he’d managed to steer Lloyd in the right direction.

Valentine’s Day was a day for celebrating love and romance? What a farce. He did receive countless gifts from his hunnies on Valentine’s Day as they proclaimed their “undying love” for him. He hadn’t been lying about that to Lloyd.

But it was all fake, part of the delicate efforts to maintain a facade that Zelos hated with his entire being. Those shallow gifts were nothing more than a representation of Tetheallan high society’s lust for power, meant to keep people in his good faith by showing their supposed adoration - another part of the leash that Meltokio tied around his neck to keep him in place.

Valentine’s only strengthened the knowledge that he was utterly alone. No one had given a gift to him out of genuine love - not since the time Seles had made him a bracelet out of multi-coloured strings, a long time ago. The strings had frayed and the colours had long since faded, but Zelos still cherished that gift and kept it safe.

The many gifts he had received since then were nothing more than a bitter reminder of the role he was locked into. They meant nothing to him. For so long, there had never been anyone who saw him for who he was, and those who did, he had pushed away.

But he couldn’t tell Lloyd all that. Lloyd and Colette deserved to have Valentine’s be a happy affair, untainted by Zelos' misgivings. Their relationship was pure and beautiful, so starkly different from the dance of deception that passed for love in Meltokio. It was something he ached to experience himself, for who hadn't heard of the fairytale version of love and longed for it? But surely, that was impossible, was what he believed for the longest time.

Maybe now he could try to find his happy ending. Zelos had attempted to apologise to Sheena the entire month after his false betrayal at the Tower of Salvation, to explain all the emotions that had run through his head - despair and hope battling with each other for dominance, and how hope had eventually broken through in small glimmers to influence his final decision. But Sheena had avoided him expertly, escaping conversations or using someone else as a shield.

The wound that he had savagely slashed over her heart was too fresh for Sheena to accept his apology, Zelos supposed. And so life had gone on, with the two of them rarely seeing each other. They met only when Sheena had to visit Meltokio for diplomatic reasons, and things were still unbearably tense and awkward. Zelos hated it and he longed to return to the days when they could at least act civil with each other.

It had been four years. Maybe it was time to try again, to make the amends that he desperately needed to.

I wonder if Sheena would accept a card for this Valentine’s… And I owe her an apology. Too many.

Zelos smiled, shaking his head as he ran to catch up to Lloyd. He had faith that Lloyd would find the perfect gift for their little angel. And he had plans to make.

Hopefully, Lloyd came to his senses soon and realised that hand-making chocolates were not the best idea.

For Martel’s sake, he’d found a shoe in Lloyd’s Dwarven Stew once.

♡♡♡

2 weeks to Valentine’s Day

“Checkmate. That’s my fifth victory today,” Genis crowed, triumphantly knocking Lloyd’s King to the floor before placing his King in its place. Lloyd, resting his elbow on the wooden table, leaned down to pick up the white piece that had rolled slightly across the dirt, placing it back safely on the table.

“Do you need to be so violent?” Lloyd grumbled, beginning to arrange the pieces back to their starting positions.

When he and Genis had first started playing chess, they had both agreed that the loser would reset the board to its neutral position. Lloyd had done this so many times that the pieces' positions were burned into his brain. Genis hadn't done it once.

The other condition was that the loser had to treat the victor to a meal.

...maybe that deal hadn’t been quite fair. Lloyd’s wallet was beginning to feel the brunt of his losses.

“One day, a piece is going to roll off the side of Exire.”

“We’re nowhere near the edge, Lloyd. That’s not going to be an issue,” Genis replied with an amused smile. “At least you know the rules of chess now. Wanna play another round before Colette gets back?" Genis asked, picking his Queen off the board and rolling it between his fingers.

"No, I'm good. I have something I wanted to ask you."

"It's about Colette, right?" Genis grinned at the expression of shock on Lloyd's face, having predicted his line of questioning perfectly. "You have that look on your face. So, what is it? Trouble in paradise?"

"Nothing like that. Have you heard of Valentine's Day?" Lloyd started the conversation with that extremely safe question, preferring to hide the increasing depths of panic he had felt over the passing week. Besides, if he hadn't heard of it, maybe Genis hadn't either!

"That silly little Tethe'allan holiday? Yeah, I've heard of it." Despite the flat tone Genis tried to go for, he wasn't able to hide the tiny blush that was appearing on his cheeks. That had always been what gave him away, even when his affections had been directed towards Presea.

"Seles told me about it," Genis mumbled.

Ah. So that was it. They were both in the same boat, then.

"So, what are you planning to get her?" Lloyd asked, really hoping he didn't come across as too desperate.

Unfortunately, he had to drop the chocolate idea. There just weren't many opportunities to practice discreetly when most of his time was spent alone with Colette. Sneaking away or giving excuses just left a sour taste in his mouth. It felt too much like betraying her trust when she’d already been lied to for so much of her life.

That left only the dead of night to practice. However, none of the final products looked remotely like the delicately handcrafted chocolates that sat in Meltokian storefronts. Sometimes, there were even noxious fumes. Things were starting to look too much like when Professor Raine experimented, and that was never a good thing. Lloyd had no choice but to admit defeat.

It hadn't been practical, to begin with - he had zero experience with making chocolates. Surely that was the only reason he wasn't succeeding! Chocolates just weren't his thing.

But that brought him straight back to square one. Since Lloyd was here with Genis today, he might as well pick his genius friend's brain.

"I'm not getting anyone anything!" Genis snapped defensively, the blush on his cheeks only intensifying until it was a rosy red. "Flowers. I'm going - I'VE HEARD THAT FLOWERS ARE POPULAR!" Genis ended his answer with a yell, defiantly slamming his hands on the table and glaring at Lloyd, daring him to say something.

Lloyd decided, tactfully, not to point out the little slip-up Genis had made.

But flowers…? He and Colette had quite the history with flowers.

How many flower crowns had he made her when they were but children? He had learned how to weave the stems together securely to ensure the crown maintained its shape for days while ensuring the delicate little things weren’t crushed. He had learned which flowers lasted the longest and complemented each other and Colette’s golden hair the best. Under the setting sun, with flowers stretching out all around her, she had resembled a dainty forest queen.

Colette, in response to the little gifts he gave her, always responded with a radiant smile that made each day better. Lloyd had gladly made her more, content to see Colette's smiling face.

But it had all been a facade, hadn’t it? He had done it all, thinking that they were both having fun and that everything was right in the world. But to Colette, it had been so much more - the little rays of sunshine that broke through a sky constantly smothered with dark clouds that she had clung to for hope.

And Colette never asked for more. She was content with the little moments of happiness she could get, and never tried to change her fate or confide in anyone else.

It felt wrong, somehow, to give Colette something he associated with innocent days - when really, she had always been hiding her despair behind a brave face. He had never bothered to push beyond the mask to see the fear she buried and the tears she held back, not until it was almost too late.

Even now, he had the sense that Colette was still holding herself back. She had never asked for anything in their time together, and knowing her, she wouldn’t want anything for Valentine’s Day. Sometimes, it felt like she had to get someone's permission, someone's affirmation, to be allowed to be happy.

Lloyd had thought, once upon a time, that everything would be fixed once he saved the world. He had thought that was enough for Colette to be free. But those were the fantasies of a naive child, who had seen the world in black and white and thought every problem had an easy solution.

It had been heartbreaking to admit that the world wasn't like that. It comprised of every shade of grey. There were some things that could just never be fixed. The claws of fear had dug themselves so deeply into Colette's heart that to this very day, their mark still lingered. And it would always be present.

What could he really do, then...?

“LLOYD! EARTH TO LLOYD!” Genis’ loud yell brought Lloyd back to reality. Genis was staring at him in clear concern. “You’re serious about this, aren't you? You shouldn’t be thinking this deeply over anything.”

“Oi!” Lloyd scowled at that little jab from Genis, secretly glad for the return to normalcy.

“Let’s talk about something else. How… How’s your Mother?” Lloyd asked, looking down at the table. He hesitated to even ask that question. It had been four years, but Lloyd knew better than anyone how raw these wounds would always remain.

That’s just the way it was with family. The people meant to protect you were also the ones who left behind the deepest scars, because they held your heart and had the capacity shatter it - sometimes carelessly, sometimes cruelly.

But Lloyd had come here to catch up with Genis. And the only thing he could do in this situation was to provide support. Genis wouldn’t want to beat around the bush.

“Better. Some days, Mother can even recognise Sis. She… still hasn’t recognised me.” Lloyd could understand Genis’ wavering smile. Knowing that your family was still alive but forever out of reach - maybe that was worse than knowing they were dead.

“I’m sure the day will come,” Lloyd reassured him. “After all, the three of you… have all of eternity.”

A 1000 years, to Lloyd, seemed like an impossibly long time. And elves lived even longer, didn’t they? Surely Virginia would be able to recover in that time with the assistance of her family’s love and the power of medicine. He had hope that Genis and Raine would get the happy ending they deserved. They’d gone through so much and still came out the other side with their heads held high, and still desired to forge a safe place for other half-elves to live.

“Yeah. I… I want her blessing when I - if I get married,” Genis corrected, resting his chin on his hand and staring off into the distance. “It would just feel right.”

Lloyd’s hand wandered to the golden locket hung around his throat, the final gift from his birth father before he had left for Dherris-Kharlan. Getting your parent’s blessing… that was the conventional thing to do, wasn’t it? Lloyd couldn’t help but feel envious that his best friend could at least dream of that - something that’s now forever out of his reach.

“I’m sure Kratos already knew, Lloyd.”

“What…?”

“And he wouldn’t have left if he didn’t think you were in good hands,” Genis continued. “I’m sure he approved, so you don’t have to worry about anything.”

“But how would he have known?” Lloyd asked, confused. He hadn't said anything...

“You two were so obvious. You were dating Colette before you started officially dating her! Really, how dense could you two be?” Genis teased, grinning.

“Hey!” Lloyd cried, standing up in indignation. He wasn’t going to take that insult to his intelligence sitting down.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Dirk’s already planned your wedding!” Genis yelled before taking off as Lloyd chased after him, determined to catch the little brat.

“Do remember to invite all of us, Lloyd! I’m sure we would all like to give our blessings!” Genis called over his shoulder, picking up speed.

“Come back here!” Lloyd cried, no heat behind his statement at all. He was unable to keep a smile from growing on his face from the reminder Genis’ words had given him.

Family was more than just the people who had brought you into this world. They were those who had been there when it mattered, who Lloyd cared for and trusted. Lloyd already had Dirk, and his family had only grown.

And Lloyd loved them all, just as much as he loved his birth parents.

♥♥♥

“Gotcha.” Lloyd grinned, latching onto Genis’ arm. “No more running away now!”

“Damn it,” Genis cursed, letting Lloyd pull them both onto the grass. They were both far too old to be acting so childish, but Genis had gotten caught. So he would make the concession, just this once. Only because he had lost.

“Honestly, though, don’t worry too much about what to give Colette,” Genis said, sitting up. “You’ll come across the perfect idea naturally. You know her best, so you’ll figure it out. I believe in you.”

Genis had grown up watching his two friends fall in love with each other - watching the two of them instantly brighten when the other turned up, watching the two of them seeking out each other’s hands at every given opportunity, and watching how the two of them found comfort in each other.

They’d been in love for so long without realising it, which was honestly frustrating to watch. Genis had breathed a giant sigh of relief when Lloyd had told him they were finally together. They could finally find happiness together.

He could also openly make fun of them acting like a couple, which was a plus.

Colette and Lloyd’s love for each other, for the most part, wasn’t intense, like a giant bonfire that threw sparks everywhere. Instead, it was a simmering fire - gentle, steady and always present. It cast light over everyone else and let everyone around it feel its warmth. It was comforting to watch.

Genis hoped he could experience the same someday. It had stung when Presea had kindly but firmly ended their relationship, explaining that she didn’t feel the same. She had told him that it wasn't anything he had done - it just hadn't worked out. Still, Genis couldn't help but think it had been something he'd done. He had pored over every moment spent with Presea, trying to identify his mistake. Maybe it was because he hadn't spent enough time with her, having to split it between his studies at Palmacosta Academy and dates with Presea. Maybe he hadn't put in enough effort, or maybe he hadn't catered to her interests, or maybe, maybe, maybe. The list of errors he had potentially made went on forever. For a short time, he’d been crushed and thought he would never have his opportunity at romance.

Looking back only two years later, Genis had to admit that he’d been spectacularly stupid. Love wasn’t perfect - it was messy and complicated and honestly scary, and there was no need to focus on it too much now. He had a long life ahead of him with which to experience it - to have his heart broken countless times, but also to learn what it meant to love with all of one’s heart.

“Thanks, Genis.” Lloyd replied, sitting up as well. Some of the tension in Lloyd’s voice had left. Lloyd had been distracted throughout the entirety of their game of chess and had played even worse than usual, making Genis' victory feel rather hollow. Hopefully, he'd helped Lloyd feel better... It didn't feel right to see his first and closest friend so down, especially since he was worrying over a non-issue. Nothing could shatter the love between his two friends. Surely.

Maybe now they could play another match on more equal footing?

Nah, Lloyd was terrible at chess. How he’d managed to get Lloyd to agree to play in the first place was a mystery. But it was fun to watch Lloyd’s downright pathetic plays when he got cornered.

Not to mention the free food!

“What do we have here?”

Genis froze, his blood running cold at the familiar voice of his sister.

Gulping, Genis turned to find Raine standing nearby with her hands placed on her waist, surveying the chaos she had chanced upon. Chess pieces were scattered across the grass and the board itself had somehow been flung more than a metre from the table in the midst of Lloyd's frantic chase. Colette stood next to Raine, smiling nervously at the catastrophe which she had just orchestrated, clutching her sketchbook close to her chest.

“Aren’t you two a little too old for such childish behaviour?” Raine berated. “This is embarrassing!”

“We’ll clean it up! Promise!” Lloyd hurriedly said, scrambling to his feet.

“Won’t you go a little easy on them?” Colette pleaded, bending down to begin picking up the lone chess pieces. “I’m sure they didn’t mean to make such a mess.”

“Too late,” Raine growled, cracking her knuckles and approaching them threateningly. “Get ready for your punishment.”

He and Lloyd were dead. They were going to be buried right here, having been murdered by his sister.

This was all Lloyd’s fault.

♡♡♡

1 Week to Valentine’s Day

“Presea!” Colette squealed, quickly closing the short distance between her and the pink-haired girl standing in the entrance to Ozette. She threw her arms around Presea, squeezing tightly.

“Hello, Colette. You seem excited,” Presea replied, gingerly disentangling herself from Colette’s embrace and picking up the axe she had dropped.

“I haven’t seen you in so long! Of course, I’ll be excited!”

“Hello, Lloyd.” Presea directed her attention towards him, standing a distance away enjoying the fresh air of Ozette. “Would you like a hug too?”

“I’m good!” Lloyd waved away Presea’s open arms. Given that she was still grasping an axe in her hand, Presea looked like she was brandishing it straight at him. It was a sight that could strike fear into the heart of anyone, but was tempered by the small smile on her face.

Presea had put on quite a lot of height in the time that he hadn't seen her. She had gone through a growth spurt and shot upwards, and now the top of her head nearly reached his shoulders. Presea was taller than Genis now, which was hilarious.

“It’s good to be back in Ozette.” Ozette had, impressively, been rebuilt within the first few months of its razing - the wooden houses Lloyd could see from the entrace were the perfect image of the past. Some of it was due to the support Regal had provided by using the funds of the Lezerano Company, but most of it had been due to the town’s villagers working harmoniously together.

Presea had been in the middle of it all, eager to rebuild the home that must have held her precious childhood memories, that of the family she had lost. And through her efforts, she had managed to show the villagers that she wasn’t the monster they thought she was. The villagers had finally managed to put aside their fear of Presea in honour of a common goal, and in the process had finally accepted her as a person.

Presea had refound her original family, but would always be welcome to seek their company.

“Shall we go?” Presea hefted the axe over her shoulder easily like it was nothing more than a feather, a feat that still amazed Lloyd every time he witnessed it.

“Let’s!” Colette agreed, nodding her head enthusiastically and grabbing Lloyd's hand to tug him along, a bright smile on her face as well.

Lloyd smiled and let himself relax, ready to enjoy the day with one of his friends. The reassurances from Genis had calmed a substantial amount of the panic that had initially swelled after Zelos had informed him of Valentine's. Honestly, he’d been so preoccupied with what to get Colette that he’d been forgoing time with those precious to him.

All he wanted was to get Colette something she would love. Once he'd calmed down and gotten to thinking about what Colette actually liked, an idea had come to him fairly quickly. He could even make her gift by hand like he initially wanted to with the chocolate idea...

Hopefully he would be able to approach Presea for pointers tonight. She was the best source of advice available for what he was trying to do, and he didn't want to miss the only opportunity he had before Valentine's. He and Colette weren't staying in Ozette for long, and he wanted the craftsmanship of his gift to be as excellent as possible.

But he wouldn't bother thinking about it now! Lloyd stuffed the little block of wood further into one of his pockets. Out of sight, out of mind.

Time to enjoy a day of fun!

♥♥♥

Presea walked up to the figure hunched over the table, whose hands were a blur of motion, manipulating tools to shape a block of wood. The moon, visible through the window, hung high in the sky, washing the room in ethereal silver light.

Whatever Lloyd was working on had to be important if he was staying up this late. Curiously, she peeked over his shoulder to get a better view.

“What are you carving, Lloyd?”

“Ah, Presea!” Lloyd whipped his head around, dropping the carving tools on the table with a prominent thunk that hopefully didn't disrupt Colette's rest. It was a testament to how concentrated Lloyd was that a battle-tuned warrior such as him didn’t take notice of her footfalls.

"I'm sorry for scaring you."

"It's OK! Here, let me show you." Lloyd turned the half-carved wood towards her, letting her see the fine details that had begun to take shape. She could recognise a snout, ears and the beginning of paws.

“It’s a gift for Colette." It had to be, given the creature Lloyd was carving. It hadn’t yet been refined, but she could tell, even from the rough shape, how lovingly it was made. And Lloyd would spare no expense for Colette.

“Yeah. For Valentine’s.”

Presea ran her fingers over the grooves, letting the wood speak to her. "Valentine's..."

The holiday to celebrate love and romance...

Presea had once fantasised about her own happy ending - her knight in shining armour riding up on a white horse, straight out of one of the fairytales father had loved to tell her and Alicia. Those fantasies had been buried when father had fallen sick. She'd been so busy trying to keep her family together that she'd forgotten to think about romance. And then Rodyle had happened, pushing those thoughts even further down.

Presea had been completely blindsided by Genis' confession, but had agreed to try out... something. What were real relationships even like? What was love like? Having awakened from her Exsphere-induced slumber, she wanted to know. She wanted to experience it, that magical feeling of knowing you belonged with someone else. She liked Genis well enough, so maybe it would work out. Maybe she could learn to love him.

She'd ended it out of guilt. She was happy enough spending time with Genis, but even after spending months together, there was no sudden spark in her heart. She loved him as a friend but nothing more, and it felt wrong to continue when she had no hope of reciprocating.

Presea had spent the months after questioning herself. How was it that there was a void in her heart where her capacity to love should be? How was it that no matter how hard she tried, she could never be like everyone else? Was this just another thing that her Exsphere had taken from her?

Was she simply doomed to be an unfeeling monster, frozen in time?

It had taken time to accept herself. Accept that she loved just as fiercely as anyone else, just in a different way. Family and friends were the most important people to her, and there was nothing wrong with that.

Maybe one day she would experience romance, but it wasn't now, and it didn't matter. There were so many other beautiful things in life to experience.

But still, being confronted with all the happy couples on Valentine's Day was a little draining. Even watching Lloyd and Colette could make her feel a little hollow, sometimes. But that didn't detract from her desire for them to be happy together. There was no value in putting herself down because of other's happiness. Why not celebrate it?

There were so many other forms of love that filled every corner of this world. Why limit herself to only celebrating romance on Valentine's?

“It’s beautiful. I’m sure Colette will love it,” Presea said, setting the little figurine back on the table.

“Thanks,” Lloyd replied. “But I was hoping to get your advice on something.”

“Of course.”

Presea took a seat at the table, ready to hear her friend out.

She would help, in whatever way she could.

♡♡♡

4 Days to Valentine’s Day

“Still awake, Lloyd?”

“Regal? Shouldn't I be asking you the same question?” Lloyd asked, turning to face the older man. Regal was holding two flutes of champagne, one of which he offered to Lloyd.

“Late nights are pretty common for me, Lloyd. Having to manage a large company is busy work.”

“Right.” Lloyd accepted the champagne, taking a small sip and letting its rich taste flood his mouth, hoping it could clear his tired mind just a little. It was a miracle that he hadn't injured himself with how dark it was and how incredibly exhausted he was. Pulling multiple late-nighters in a row had not been the best of ideas, but he didn't have any other ideas on how to finish his gift in time.

“Is that your Valentine’s Gift?” Regal reached out to pick up the little figurine sitting on the table, which Lloyd had just completed the refining touches to.

“Yeah. I’ll clean up the wood shavings later! So sorry about, well, this...” Lloyd replied, staring guiltily at the mess he'd left on the table. Which, now that he looked closely at it, seemed quite expensive...

“Don't worry about the table, Lloyd. Besides, your gift… it’s beautiful.”

“You too? It’s nothing great,” Lloyd dismissed. He'd gotten the same compliment from Presea. “It’s nothing compared to Presea’s.”

Presea’s figurines preserved the most intricate details and textures he had ever seen, somehow able to showcase expressions and emotions. They were incredible. He could never measure up to them.

“I just hope the message gets across," Lloyd muttered, lifting the figurine into the air to inspect it for any mistakes. He had expended many nights on this gift, hoping to make it perfect.

There was still some instinctual nervousness that came with the gift-giving territory that Lloyd couldn't get rid of... Logically, he knew it was a good gift. It was both practical and cute. He'd put his all into this gift, much like the birthday necklace that came to serve as Colette's Key Crest, which he'd made without a worry in the world. Things had been so much simpler back then.

But Lloyd would never return to that past, for it meant not seeing the real Colette: all the uncertainty and doubt she carried upon that fragile back.

"Why not write a note, then?" Regal suggested. "If a material gift isn't enough to get your feelings across, why don't you write them down? It gives you the time to organise your thoughts, and there's no shame in it."

A note...? Lloyd lowered his head, thinking over the idea. He wasn't great with words, but at least he could plan what he wanted to write. It wasn't a bad idea...

"That's a great idea. Thanks!" Lloyd broke out into a grin, grateful for the inspiration.

"Always glad to help, Lloyd. But don't worry too much about it," Regal said, patting Lloyd lightly on the back.

"Genis said the same thing. He said I didn't need to worry too much about it, because I would find the perfect gift."

"I'm certain that's true as well, but that's not what I meant. I understand wanting to give a gift for special occasions, but it isn't the be-all-end-all in a relationship. You know, what Alicia enjoyed the most wasn’t expensive gifts.”

Lloyd raised his head, listening raptly to Regal’s voice and the nostalgia it held. Regal never recounted his time with Alicia - the pain must still be fresh, even so many years later. For Regal to be talking about it now...

“Of course they made her happy. But what we both appreciated the most was the time we spent together and all the little things we did for each other. It didn’t need to be perfect, because no one was perfect.”

Regal rested his hand on Lloyd’s shoulder, a reassuring smile on his face. “You have a whole lifetime ahead of you, so don’t worry too much about a single gift. Love her and be there for her, and she will surely feel it.”

Just love her...? Lloyd doesn't remember the exact moment he fell in love with Colette, but he remembers with crystal clarity the second he recognised that love, standing in the Tower of Salvation. Being unable to reach Colette no matter how desperately he tried, and realising he's about to lose her, possibly forever. That feeling, like his heart was being ripped apart at the seams, was something he would never forget.

Was it enough, though? All he could do was stay by Colette's side, no matter how prevalent the dark clouds were, whether they be just a single pinprick or covering the whole sky. He would always be willing to steady her hand as she reached for the happiness she willingly deserved. Colette was so incredibly strong. She just needed to discover that strength.

He wanted her to know...

“Thanks,” Lloyd replied, taking another sip of champagne. He would have to think over this more...

"Anytime, Lloyd."

♥♥♥

Regal smiled fondly as he gently draped a blanket over Lloyd, who had fallen asleep slumped over onto the table. Lloyd's half-drank flute of champagne still stood, bubbles lazily rising through the liquid.

Watching Lloyd and Colette… it was difficult to describe. It was like a vision of what he and Alicia used to be, and what they could have been were it not for Rodyle’s nefarious meddling. It stung sometimes - a reminder of all that he had lost by his own hands. The guilt of having Alicia’s blood on his hands and the horror he had felt as the life left his beloved's eyes would never leave him, even if he had accepted it wasn't his fault.

But before the painful memories, there had been happy moments, times that should have been looked back on with a fond smile but which had been tainted with his guilt.

Regal had finally been able to reclaim those memories after gaining Presea’s tentative forgiveness, seeing them for what they should always have been - a reminder of the amazing person Alicia had been and all the moments they had shared. Alicia placing a glass containing a single flower on his desk every morning, him wishing her a good morning every day without fail... The memories of the little actions they did for each other, sometimes without noticing, could always bring a smile to his face.

Sometimes, Regal would see Lloyd and Colette hesitate around each other, both held back by complex emotions that Regal couldn’t say he fully understood. But no one knew better than him the regret of letting guilt worm its way into one’s heart. Regal had been unable to see past his own, so willing to give up his life to atone for his sins that he’d been chained in place.

He knew now that throwing away his life would have meant disrespecting Alicia’s hopes for him, her desire for him to live on and experience the joys of life in her place. The best way to honour Alicia’s memory, then, was to push on. To live his life to the fullest, and protect Presea, the other person Alicia had loved and would have wanted to be happy.

There were some things that people could never forgive themselves for, that they felt they could never do enough to make up for. But to wallow in guilt meant wasting the precious time one had. He didn’t want Lloyd and Colette to make the same mistake he did. He wanted them to live their lives to the fullest and enjoy life with each other - to experience the happy ending that had been snatched away from him and Alicia.

Regal downed the remaining champagne, thinking about his schedule for the next few days. He would have to tell George to schedule a visit to Ozette to pick up Presea and a few Ozette Wildflowers.

They were Alicia’s favourite flowers, and a perfect gift for Valentine’s.

♡♡♡

Valentine’s Day

“Lloyd! Over here!”

Colette waved enthusiastically, signalling for Lloyd to join her on the neatly folded picnic blanket she was currently sitting on. The blanket was placed on a grassy outlook overlooking the plains near Asgard - it afforded a stunning view of both the plains and the night sky, and the blanket was comfy as well.

It was the perfect spot for a spontaneous midnight date, lit by the twinkling stars overnight, and Colette was glad that she had managed to convince Lloyd to stop here for the night.

Lloyd had seemed rather distracted the whole day, drifting off into his thoughts and being generally unresponsive until she got his attention again. He kept putting his hand into his pocket like he was checking for something, but what exactly she didn’t know.

He’d been like this for the past three weeks, but it had only gotten worse today. Unusual behaviour for Lloyd to say the least, but Colette wouldn’t dig.

She trusted him. He would tell her when he was ready, and not a second before. After all, he held far more courage than her cowardly self.

“You’ve been practising again, huh?” Lloyd asked, pointing to the sketchbook sitting in her lap that was currently filled to the brim of messy drawings of the night sky.

“Oh! Well, it’s still nothing good…” Colette hugged the sketchbook to her chest, hiding the rather embarrassing drawings on the current page. She had loved drawing as a child - Grandmother had shown her all the unintelligible scribbles of fruit and flowers that had become keepsakes. They were nothing amazing, but she had happy memories of showing them to her Father and Grandmother.

Colette had stopped fairly quickly once she was introduced to her duty as Chosen by the Church. After all, the priests had explicitly told her that hobbies were a waste of time and a disrespect to the Goddess. She, as the Chosen, was to devote her time solely to her efforts to become the perfect vessel for Martel. Distractions would not be forgiven.

Her family hadn't said a word when she'd packed up all her colour pencils into a box and stuffed them into a corner of her room, to gather dust and be forgotten. It seemed like they wanted to, but they had simply turned away, unwilling to stomach the sight before them of a child forced to give up her childhood.

Grandmother had put her foot down on Colette attending the Iselian schoolhouse, a decision that Colette was now eternally grateful for. If it wasn't for that, she would have never met Lloyd and Genis, and she wouldn't have had such a happy time. Colette had thought, at the time, that it was enough. Surely she had experienced enough, of happiness and friendship, to leave this world without regrets.

Her heart, that had screamed in pain, and her hope of experiencing so much more, of the world, of life, had told her otherwise.

Colette had wanted to try her hand at drawing again after returning from the Journey of Regeneration. Surely now she could do it, free from the restrictions of the role of Chosen. She could pick up a pencil, free of any guilt, and simply draw what she visualised. So, upon returning to Iselia, she had opened up that long untouched box, covered with dust, and looked down upon the assortment of colour pencils, an unknown emotion brewing in her stomach.

Was it happiness? Hope?

...trepidation?

Colette had pushed it out of her mind, eager to pick up a single pencil and just get started. It should be simple, right? She had done it so many times as a small child.

It had been so much harder than she had initially thought. Faced with a blank sheet of paper, she was able to do nothing but stare blankly, a pencil held in a trembling hand. Her mind kept cycling through the same memories - the words the priests had cruelly carved into her soul countless times and the sleepless nights tormented by guilt and her looming fate.

If you’re not performing your duty, then you’re useless. There’s no other purpose to your life.

It had taken some time to reclaim the activity she had once loved from the insidious trap of her memories, and it had taken the joint efforts of Lloyd and all the people she had come to know as family. Everyone had chipped in, equal parts complimenting her and giving her points for improvement. Each instance had warmed her heart and further cemented the love she felt for all of them.

And Lloyd, being the one who was always by her side, had been the one to steady her hand and offer her endless encouragement. The one who had been the biggest distraction in her life had also become the greatest pillar of light she had.

She was glad to be alive, even if it was just to spend one more second by the side of those she loved.

“Hey, I didn’t get good at crafting things in a single day,” Lloyd replied. “It required hours of practice - and a lot of Dad yelling at me. You’re putting in the hard work, so you’ll get there one day. I believe in you.”

Colette blushed, ducking her head and avoiding his warm gaze. Even now, Lloyd still stalwartly believed in her. Even if it was something as trivial as a hobby, it still made all the difference to her. He had always believed in her. That she wasn't just the Chosen, but a person deserving of her dreams and desires.

That things had come to this point was a miracle. She had loved Lloyd for a long time, but she had only realised after experiencing the pain of leaving him for the first time - essentially the act of ripping out her own heart.

She loved him, but she hadn't dared to tell him. She was more than content to remain his friend forever, to bury her feelings in a locked chest that would never be unearthed.

But even then, she had ended up here, leaning against Lloyd and listening to him point out the stars. She was happier than she’d ever been.

Colette’s eyes widened as a sudden streak of light cut through the sky, fast as a bullet, before disappearing from her sight. And then another, and another, and another - until the night sky was filled with stars with a trail of light behind them, almost as if they were falling from the sky in fiery glory.

“Lloyd! It’s a shooting star! Make a wish!”

Colette grabbed his hand, hoping that whatever he wished for would come true.

As for herself? She didn’t need to wish for anything. Having Lloyd at her side was enough - sometimes, she even felt like it was more than she deserved. Sometimes, unease filled her as the voices of the past echoed in her mind, telling her that a sinful Chosen such as herself should have nothing. Sometimes, she was afraid - afraid that all of it would be taken away as it had once been meant to. Afraid that maybe, someday, Lloyd would come to the conclusion that she was worthless after all. That she didn't deserve any of this.

Maybe that fear and the little voice inside her head would never truly disappear, no matter what Colette believed and the evidence laid before her very eyes. But that was alright. With Lloyd by her side, she would take each day as it came. And she would cherish the time she had with him, no matter how long it would be.

♥♥♥

Colette was smiling, staring up at the night sky that had just cleared of shooting stars. With her golden hair illuminated by the fiery trails of the shooting stars and her blue eyes shining under the starlight, she had looked almost ethereal, like an angel that had descended straight from the heavens.

What had she wished for? Knowing Colette and her selflessness, she would wish for other's happiness before her own. It was just like her.

As for himself... He hoped that she could find the courage to live the life she wanted.

“Here.” Swallowing down the remnants of his nervousness and with shaking hands, Lloyd pressed his gift into Colette’s palm, revealing what he’d spent so long working on - a little dog figurine with a hollowed-out base. It was her favourite animal, and perfect for slotting on any pencil she chose to use. “Happy Valentine’s.”

Lloyd watched anxiously as Colette turned over the wooden figure with wide eyes, awaiting her reaction. She didn't yet know of the final surprise, hidden away within the base of the figurine.

Colette looked back up at him, eyes shining with unshed tears. “It’s beautiful. But Lloyd, you didn’t have to get me anything. Really.”

“Look inside,” Lloyd said, directing her attention towards the little rolled-up piece of paper stuffed into the hollowed-out base. Colette's reaction was exactly what he had expected. But hopefully, the note would convey exactly how he felt.

Colette unravelled the tiny sheet of paper, lowering her head to read through the note he had penned. He had spent the past four nights staying up and letting his deepest feelings flow out into words on a paper.

Lloyd hadn't told Colette that he loved her nearly enough. Honestly, no amount of words or gifts would ever fully express how he felt about her. But everyone deserved to know that they were loved, no matter what.

“Lloyd…” Colette raised her head, hand covering her mouth as tears started to spill over from those wide blue eyes. “I… This…”

“You don’t need to say anything,” Lloyd whispered, pulling her into his embrace and letting her cry silently into his chest. “Just know that everything I wrote was true.” He gently ran his hands through her golden hair as she cried, still clutching the gift he had given her. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Colette pulled back, smiling through the tears. “I would love to stay with you forevermore. One day at a time... That’s enough for me.”

Lloyd pressed his forehead to hers, heart so full of joy that he thought it would burst.

It was alright that their relationship wasn’t the “perfect standard” that others fantasised about. Lloyd didn’t want that anyway. The love he experienced and the peaceful time he spent with her was more than enough.

Watching the sunset, making snow angels, having a picnic in the forest - he hoped to make so many more memories with her, one day at a time. They would take the messy steps of life together, no matter how many it took, until they learned to be free of all the burdens that weighed on them, free to take flight and do whatever their hearts desired.

♡♡♡

Colette,

Happy Valentine's Day! I decided to write this down because I didn't know how to say it out loud, but it's important to me that you know.

I love your smile and the way it lights up your whole face and the entire room. I love how warm your hand feels when I take it, and how easily you offer it. I love the way you tap your pencil against your cheek when you think. I love the sound of your laugh, how clear and uplifting it is, and hope I can hear it more often.

I love how cheerful you always are, and the way you can make those around you happier while not even realising you're doing it. I love your kindness, and how you're willing to help others without a second thought. I love your selflessness and the way you always put others in front of yourself. I love how hopeful you are, and how much you believe in the good of others and how anyone can change if given the chance.

I want to spend even more years by your side. I want to see you smile more and laugh more. I want to be there when you're happy so we can share the joy.

But I also want to be there when you're sad. I want to be there when you're angry, when you're scared and when you're down. I want to be there when you need companionship. I want to be there, no matter how you're feeling at the moment. I want to know every side of you, and what makes you happy, sad and angry.

Ever since I came to know you, you've made every day better. I guess what I really want to say is... thank you so much for being in my life. It wouldn't be as magical without you in it, and I hope I can remain in yours for many, many more. I'll be with you until the moment you no longer want me by your side. But until then, I'll always be here for you to fall back on

I love you. So, so much.

Lloyd

[auriel187]

Purgatory Ch.1

Word count: 8500 (around)

Warnings: Creepy Capitals being Creepy Capitals...

Pairings: None yet (ship who you want)

The Conclave

In times I tremble, I hold onto my heart knowing their safety is more important than my own.

In krono mhe slipp lowa, mhe kep onto mi beeta knowing demens secur is masal imprativ than mi own.

Eulalia

The cityscape was unapologetically urban. There were no trees or city planted blooms, just monoliths of concrete and glass soaring out of the sidewalk in an exact grid pattern. At night it was beautiful in it's own way, there were so many lights. By day you relied on the sky to let you know that it wasn't a monochromatic world; just one in which the people were too busy for life. For over a generation progress had meant the teaching of specific skill sets to the children of The Felicity and The Hope Rises. In most parts of this city we only work and eat, there was no time to sweep fall leaves or plant spring flowers, so they eliminated them. It was sad how mundane and rigid life became. There was no beauty, hardly even enough to notice the blue above. With no more designers, our clothing and cars never change, there are five styles of everything in Ellis, but you’ll very rarely see different districts dressed the same way. In this way our city outperforms those in the region.

In the mind of the young outcast I used to be, it was like a story to me. One that became more and more like a nightmare as time ripped every shred of innocence from my life.

The coldness of the slate tile and it's dampness seeped through the thin polyester trousers my brother, Hami, had stolen from the market. With knees pulled tight to my pronounced rib cage I shivered in the early morning chill. In this poor light the roof-tops spread in every direction like great grey serpents with rectangular scales. Only the red brick chimneys ruined the illusion, but in this light they were just as monochromatic as everything else, the slate, the swirling smog, the streets that were never deserted, the unfriendly sky with its dense cloud robbing me of the sunrise. From here I could see what a maze this borough was, every house three stories and each joined to the next. The streets curved as if laid down on a whim a few centuries ago before anyone had conceived of a grid pattern idea.

There I’d stay while I waited for school to begin, in my ripped khakis and oversized faded maroon shirt. There I’d stay telling myself stories of brave heroes who had it all wishing I could be one of them. Hungry, cold and tired from all the city had to give me, was it selfish of me to wish this on the little girl in my class who called me by the wrong name telling me I’d live the rest of my life covered in mud and shit and drinking out of a clogged gutter?

From the Mass, you could see all the things to love about the city, and there was a lot to love about this city. It was one thing I loved about Capital Hill. From the high arches in the towering glass buildings to the balconies that look over the sea of homes and businesses. It was one of the things I never had back home. The views from here were stunning. I could see The Torch glistening in the golden rays of sunlight, and the sense of safety that fills me is almost overwhelming. “Miss Suarez,” I heard behind me as I felt the soft breeze hitting the apples of my cheeks. The stray hairs behind my ears flailed about behind my ears as I turned to face the intruder now standing before me. He practically filled the doorway, in his uniform that made him look more like a cinder block than a man. His half shaved black hair glistened in the light before he took a step toward me. “The work day is over for you. There’s gonna be a Conclave later this evening at The Torch.”

I tried to keep my face as neutral as possible, but judging by the way he held back his laughter I guess I failed. “What for?” I proceeded on as if I didn’t realise the cameras were there, and Seraphineas was living for it. Now it was his turn to roll his eyes as he chuckled boredly, “Maybe it’s another execution...or maybe they’re announcing a new system in place that only benefits them.” It was impossible not to hear the humour in his deep voice as he mocked the Capitals and the past Conclaves. Of course, knowing that he would never say anything like this in front of his other guard buddies really put a damper on things. He must’ve seen my fading smile because he immediately turned to walk me out. I slipped into the elevator, the wall of glass turned into a mirror. I see why people assumed we were related. We were both relatively tall, him at six feet and myself at almost five foot eight. Thin figures adorned with muscle that came from our unique forms of exercise. “The Conclave begins at five. You’ll be charted too so be careful.” Phineas warned me as we exited the elevator just before we parted ways.

Well, that wasn’t ominous at all. You’d think something like that would bother a girl, but no. I’ve lived in this city my whole life. A girl gets used to the threats disguised as requests. They don’t just crash suddenly before you like lightning in a storm, I’ve known them to be the sudden raindrop before a downpour. It reminded me of the unease I felt every time I entered The Felicity. The Capital Hill district was beautiful. With their grand buildings and picturesque views, it was easy to say how much nicer it was then The Barrens or The Shadows. It was just another monster behind the curtain. A puppeteer pulling the strings of laws and lives of the people around them. They were an oxygen mask filled with poisonous gas to anyone that wasn’t their own. Luckily, I was close enough for them to view my life worth saving if shit ever happened.

I was a Regal now. Almost thirty eight percent of the population, we were almost untouchable in the eyes of society. We were privileged and we knew it, most of us acting like assholes because of it. I knew better. I used to be part of the forty two percent of Ellis. In short, my family was living ration to ration, sick and in a small house that was barely standing. I had a mother who worked her ass off just to come home to four kids and a father I barely knew because he was off working the most shifts he could. Unfortunately, the whole family plan didn’t work out when my mother and brothers all got Galixx, leaving only my dad and I.

I think we lived because we weren’t always home. I was the only one who went to school. Maybe if they didn’t think to send me away, I could’ve been with them. Instead, I left for school everyday and came home one day to my crying mother holding my brother, Devis, whose face was covered with sweat, dirt and tears as he coughed up blood. I turned and ran outside my home and began screaming until I found one of the town guard. I don’t know who long it took me to find him but when we got back, my mother was wailing and begging for the guard to take me away as she started coughing between her sobs.

I went to bed that night with tear stains running down my face, and to make matters worse, I was completely alone. I didn’t call anyone, simply sitting in my room with my eyes screwed shut until I eventually dozed off.

I woke up the next morning with a guard outside ready to escort me to my new home. My new home in The Hope Rises. It was nicer than my old home there was also more room up here not that my dad would be spending much time at home. It didn’t matter though, I was never completely alone. We all had our own family, mine just came in the form of Tauriel.

She was at the root of most of my happy memories. From my first day of school when she braided my hair and told me stories from books she had read from before the bunkers opened. I’d spend some nights at her house doing homework. She never really paid attention to anything aside from Earth Class. It was considered a Rogue class, but that didn’t stop a few Blends from coming in. Maybe she was interested because of the books she read of mountains that reached clouds, or butterflies with bright wings and this class was the closest thing to actually learning about them. She just wanted a world beyond these walls. I understood that. It just made us better friends. Even when I changed districts, we were still inseparable.

But, as Murphy’s Law dictates, “Everything that can go wrong will.” It was one of those days where Tauriel’s mom and I were baking for some Capital party. One of the snobby events where they needed catering and waiters. Zenobia, Tauriel’s mother, had been working for hours and seemed glad to have the assistance of a twelve year old. I had been decorating the large cake when I heard screaming from outside. Zenobia quickly ran to the window and nearly passed out. I muttered ‘Tori?’ before I was out the front door, seeing three guards trying to cuff her and shocking her into submission. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Her mom asked, trying to make it for her child. “Your child hacked into a government system with intent to distribute information.” I saw red, almost jumping on the guard closest to me. “She’s eleven, you lunatics!” Her mother reached for her daughter and the guard holding her hit her in the stomach. Tauriel and I froze. I didn’t know where to look. From the guard beating Zenobia to the guards dragging Tauriel to a large truck and throwing her in. I took a step in Tauriel’s direction and regretted it instantly.

A loud clang echoed behind me and Zenobia was lying on the ground, the guard walking to the truck without a second thought. When I ran to the unconscious woman, the truck drove away and I was stuck. Do I run for help or do I stay with her? I couldn’t shake the memory of my mom and Devis and what if I could just have faster? I need to stay with her. I’m not risking it again.

“Miss Fa Suarez?” I heard a voice say from behind me. I only turn my head but I stay pretty much in place as the swaying of the shuttle brings me back to the world I should be in. “It’s your stop.” He looks concerned. In his words, I’m usually ‘sharp as a tack’. I walk to the front of the shuttle and reach into my pocket. He’s here everyday. From my six AM trips to The Felicity straight to my trips back home at eight PM. “Take a day.” I say handing him my fair, plus another tip for waiting for me to get off. He never accepts my tips, but that doesn’t stop me from stuffing it in the small basket where he keeps his personal belongings. “This is why I got you these. Tell that sister yours I said to eat.” He handed me four wraps. I nodded my thanks at the sweet old man. “My love to the greats.” He laughed at my words before watching to make sure I descended the shuttle safely.

I turned towards my building. A large gold bricked building not very many stories high, but it was honestly much smaller on the inside than one would think when examining the building from outside. The air was cold here, it always was. With Tauriel constantly in the garage and having several pieces of machinery, the cool air prevented her and I from becoming casualties of her rage. She only ever got into tinkering when she was pissed. Based on the loud echoing clanking I could hear echoing from downstairs, I figured she’d need time to cool off and maybe put down whatever large metal object was colliding with her desk. In any sense, we had to be at a Conclave in a few hours.

My room wasn’t very big, only enough space to place my bed and two drawers. The room already had a large closet in the back so it’s not like I needed much in here anyways. The bronze and turquoise lights that swirled designs in my room. The premise of light and shadow was always appealing to me, maybe because it accrued anywhere and remained a natural part of life no matter what district you lived in. I headed towards my closet in search of something formal for the Conclave. I was never one for overt femininity, having been taught at a young age to not give a crap about what I look like and to just get the work done. That being said, I always managed to find a dress or two that I really did like. Scouring through pieces of cotton and linen, I stopped suddenly when I saw it again. A distressed brown leather coat.

It was just a jacket. It was just a stupid leather jacket with a padded quilt patch on the left elbow and a crap ton of buckles. There were faded letters on the left chest and a sort of mesh material that would cover my knuckles. It was just a jacket, and I loved it. Like a hidden piece of me that I never really show. This jacket screamed Rogue in uppercase letters. I loved that, even though I hadn’t been a Rogue in sixteen years. It almost felt wrong to wear it sometimes. Like I was an impostor trying to pass as something I wasn’t. I wasn’t even close.

I always envied Tauriel in that regard. Despite living here in The Regal Ward, The Hope Rises, with me, she never seemed to fear being shunned for not attempting to fit into the higher classed district. Fiercely adorning leather and denim in her everyday attire, she looked more like a Rogue than a Blend. Then again, why try fitting in when the world already looks down on you. Being that Tauriel’s district accounted for only one percent, and having been around Rogues most of her life it was easy to understand why she might be more comfortable in leather and studs.

“Are you wearing that tonight?” I heard her ask behind me. I should’ve figured she was on her way up when the banging and crashing ceased. I was holding the jacket in my hands, my fingers running over the cuff. “No...it doesn’t go with anything I own.” I gave my reply, letting my eyes drift past the coat and toward some of the other items of clothing in the confined space. I grab an old dress. The ornate gold dress collar along the black halter top matched the asymmetrical leaves on the red rose skirt. If it still fits like I remember, it should stop a little above my knee. “I’ll be in the shower. Do you…” before I could even finish asking, she responded. “Yes.” And with that, I left.

I spent almost thirty minutes in the bathroom, I was wrapped in my robe with my hair soaking wet. In the mirror, I hold my own gaze for just a second before taking into account how tired I must look. The bags under my eyes were devastatingly prominent. I don’t look at myself often, too afraid to not recognize myself from the old photos I had hanging in my room, and I was right. My features are sharper now, more pronounced jaw, higher cheekbones, and my eyes look more almond than monolid. I look like my mom. Though her hair was shiny black and mine was dark brown and my eyes are slightly darker than hers, I can still see it sickeningly clear. I placed my hand on the scar on my neck, remembering where my birthmark used to be. Descended from Natives and Malaysian ancestors, teachers at school would tell me that the very DNA in my bones held more history than our textbooks.

I’d know. I read them all.

It wasn’t much but keeping my hair down with a braid securely clipped behind my ears, neither Tauriel nor I had any makeup so my bare face and simple hairdo, Just dry your tears and fake a smile. Nobody wants to see a Regal cry. “You know, your eyes are going to get all puffed up. Here.” Tauriel stood behind me clutching a bottle of eye drops. I smiled at my oldest friend before I slung my arm over her shoulder and we walked to her room. I could never imagine my life without her. At this point, she was all I had to live for.

My little sister. I would walk from Heaven to Hell (and everywhere in between) for.

Tauriel

I always hated Conclaves. They always seemed too public. Ironic when you think about it. The word ‘conclave’ actually meant private meeting so the large citywide events seemed like a lie. I felt almost pageant-ish, told to look my best because of how many “eligible bachelors” there were. I honestly just think it’s because the Capitals would never want to be seen with the lower districts in our ‘rags and cheap coats’. In my opinion, the clothes the lower districts could afford only seemed to make the Capitals look more classy, almost like they were subtly jabbing at us in a way that said “haha, even in your best you’re not at level with our best.” And if we were looking to impress the eligible, more attractive people, The Rogues held that trophy for decades. Honestly, the glassy dullness of Capitals creeped me out. I wasn’t the only one who thought that either, the distinct features of each district were almost immediately identifiable.

The Capitals, born and raised in Capital Hill (aka The Felicity) had the most interesting eyes in the world, very distinctive for their central heterochromic irises that housed multiple colours at a time. That and the fact that most of them were fat faced from being able to eat was a dead giveaway. They look like the Bill Nye bobblehead Eulalia had on her desk. Capital also wore their hair short. I never understood why, but long hair was a sign of rebellion against the “oppressive and derogatory order of the Capital men.” I’ll give you one guess what demographic was saying shit like that. I’ll give you a hint, they steal daddy’s cards and mommy’s rocks to go flirt with the Rogue boys much to the disapproval of the elders. Acting like they were edgy for going through the same phase as their mothers did, before they realize that Rogue men don’t give a fuck about rocks unless it gets them paid.

The Regals were similar, wearing their hair slightly longer. Most had extremely lean frames due to the training most of them worked for since the age of six to become a guard. The Regal Ward housed most of the idiotic soldier boys, I was honestly surprised when a Regal came along and decided that they would rather sell booze to the city rather than tote a gun and act like you owned the place. Most regal women (like Eulalia) studied for the higher grades, like doctors and lawyers. It was cool to see Regals, though. Their tag was their hair. Yes it was usually cut short but I think they made up for it with the silver that rimmed their hair from birth.

Rogues were almost unbelievable in their district appearance. They had all the most beautiful features from their naturally sharp jawlines with either dimples or freckles (sometimes both). The boys usually had long hair, mostly because the Government didn’t think it was a good idea to give Rogues and Infects access to sharp edged tools, partly because most of them thought they looked tough. They were all ripped, boys and girls from years of literal heavy lifting. I always considered myself lucky to be a Blend in that regard. We always got some kind of Rogue gene. I dawned dimples. My Jawline wasn’t as defined but I had that feature and I was glad I did. Eulalia was of Native descent so her bone structure resembled a statue carved of marble.

Eulalia kept fidgeting with the metal collar on her dress, her jacket fitting her narrow frame as the dress hung above her knees. I know for a fact how much she hated wearing tight, single layers. Regales often wore baggy jumpers with tattered looking overlayers. It was the perfect look for her. Mostly Regal but with an obvious Rogue history. “Hey.” I whispered, her head snapping down to me due to her not only being a few inches taller than me but in heels nearly the same height Seraphineas. “You okay?” I asked. The huge influx of people walking towards The Torch, once a mighty statue.

She always had this moment where she stands just out of view of the guard. The Conclaves would separate people based on district and having only recently (not recently) turned twenty one, the word Regal was now branded on her identifications, she still felt like a traitor for standing with them. She nodded, softly patting my hand before walking towards the desk. I did the same.

“Hold out your hand please.” A woman asked, holding a large glass plate with a few small censors out to me. It was cold under my palms as it scanned the fingerprints. My face appeared on a small screen in front of the woman. It must’ve had the words Bruise in big block letters because the demeanor of this woman changed as she stared me down. She quickly gripped my arm and clasped a large silver cuff on my wrist. Could she feel me rolling my eyes at this? I huffed a laugh at her attempt to be nonchalant. She has to know how obvious it is that she now fears a twenty three year old. I stared at the blinking light as I walked through the stone arch that led to the city center. The four sectors were at least proportional to the Districts population, Blends/ Bruises having the least amount of people. I stood in the back, my eyes glancing over to the Regal section where I attempted to find Eulalia. I can see Seraphineas walking down the row and walking towards the back of the section. The silver streaks in his shortened hair I can recognize immediately, even in the sea of silver headed citizens. He liked to dye his hair darker, I know he tries to keep his hair as neutral as possible as to not get busted right away when he gets sent undercover, but that only made the silver look like a slate blue.

The microphone screamed. A short, sickly woman stood on the stage with a tall, semi healthy looking man. They were Capital to the heights accord. The Jevons to be exact. They were the parents to three kids. Spoiled like asshats as most people like to call them. They come to the Mopes once a week. They go thrifting cause it sounds real fun and looks real cool when a Capital is down to get down, while they wear their false lashes that wave like flags to the men here. I can see their eldest, a girl by the name of Apathy and yes she lives up to her name. A narcissist who spends her time ridiculing the districts for the fact that The Felicity robs us blind. Places like The Barrens and The Bounds were trash holes where the people should bow down and kiss her feet. The only reason she even dares cross the boundary is to find a piece of ass they’d dump after a month anyway.

Even now, Apathy and Power (yes, Elodora and Zenier Jevon named their son Power) were basking in the spotlight of Capital glory, whilst Anarchy, the youngest, was staring off into the Regal section with her lower lip between her teeth. Apparently mommy and daddy’s speech was a bore. She really thought she was somebody though. Her honey gold tresses dangle to her lower back rather than the neatly buzzed pixie most of the women wore.

“We celebrate another year of safety and sanctity behind the walls of Ellis...” The woman on stage spoke in a shrill voice that instantly made my whole brain throb. Can this day get any better? Well yes actually. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the one and only October Vervent. I was nearly four years older than him and I'm thoroughly convinced he’s been taller than me since birth. I slowly weaved my way through the section to find the taller young man. I pat his shoulder causing him to jump slightly and smile almost immediately. His mother was a Rogue, just like mine. His jawline was more rounded, less sharp than most Rogues and Blends. He was of Chinese descent, which gave him shiny black hair that only cut off below his ears with a single streak of silver just behind his left ear. Just below but still in sight, was a tattoo that read “I CAN’T HEAR YOU.” Well, that’s one way to tell the world you’re deaf and mute.

I knew he had spent the better half of ten minutes reading the lips of the Jevons standing on the large metal podium. I turned to face him. He followed suit with an even bigger smile. I saw two small scars just above his ears. I’ll have to do something with that later. “It is our pleasure to present the recipients of this year's Grands.” Elodora continued with her rehearsed and very poorly executed speech. I normally would have stopped listening by now, but October needed a break from people being completely oblivious to his needs and the needs of people like him. I began signing to him, each word they said. “Mara Fox of the Barrens District. An extra one hundred was added to your wage, congratulations on receiving Dead Eye, Miss Fox.” A knew the name. I’m sure Everybody did. Every member of the Fox family walking the earth had naturally bright red hair. Mara was the only one with a fiery red.

She walked up on stage almost gingerly. The apprehension in her warm brown eyes as she twisted the material of her dusty rose dress, which was actually just an oversized T shirt with bleach stains and burn holes at the bottom. Her hair was in an updo. The front was twisted up to the right side of her head with a long braid that wrapped the rest into a sock bun. The smile on her face was fake. She usually had these deep dimples in her cheeks when she smiled. She was on the stage, the uncomfortable feeling that this was some kind of sick joke was evident by her wandering eyes. The part that made me sick, though, was when Zenier Jevon looked her up and down, biting his lip at the exposed fair skin of her legs. He stared at her almost greedily as he shook her hand. He was married with three demon children and was currently drooling at the thought of being with a twenty five year old on a public stage. A girl the same age as his youngest daughter with his wife standing right next to him as the creep caressed her hand. Were all men in power this fucking gross? She bid the couple a near silent thank you as she practically flew off the stage.

A low applause filled the room as she returned to her place with all the other Rogues and Infects. Everyone began to move out of the aisle, heading for the doors when, “The next recipient of this grand is…” What the hell? In the 23 years I’ve lived in the city and all the Conclaves I attended, there was never more than one recipient. Never has there been multiple. Ever. The crowds all stood frozen. Something wasn’t quite right about this. “...Eulalia Fa Suarez!”

Something definitely was right here.

Eulalia looked more confused than I thought she would. Her eyes narrowed as she slowly walked to the stage. She kept shooting questioning looks to both Seraphineas and I as she shook the hands of the Jevon’s on stage. Xenier had the fakest of fake smiles before he practically pushed her off the stage, where the crowd raised their hands in an awkwardly pushed applause. October and I didn't applaud though. I think he might’ve been able to sense my worry because even as I stood completely spaced out, staring at the empty space where Eulalia was standing not that long ago.

“The next grand being received,” I snapped out of my daze and signed to October. I know he was able to read lips but honestly he deserved all the help the world had to offer. “Thayer Michaels for bringing in the most food for the city!” Eladora spoke pridefully as the Rogues and Blends (Infects and Bruises included) either scoffed or dramatically rolled their eyes. Of course we did. Regals had the highest population and spent most days begging for scraps. Blends were treated just the same unless both parents were in the picture. Capitals were less than fifteen percent of Ellis and for some ridiculous reason, they deem themselves more important than every other district taking first picks of long hauls and leaving enough for them to have a chuckle watching the poorest of citizens fight for stale bread or and water rations.

I wasn’t complaining. If anyone deserved the grand, it was Mara Fox, EulaliaFa Suarez and Thayer Michaels. Mara Fox, when she wasn’t doing the wood work or in the meat room, spent hours teaching young Rogues how to read, giving them the education most of them had to give up in order to eat. Eulalia bought big portions of food and would walk the streets of the Barren giving food to families. She cries when she comes back and begs me not to ask about it. In guilt, she pushes to raise the ration fund for Capitals and Regals before she offers her leisure time (which she barely has) to teach kids in the neighborhoods that had no doctors basic medical skills. Thayer spent his time not hunting as a caretaker. He would walk October and a few other people to and from places, getting them groceries and even playing with them in parks. It didn’t need to be said that October was his favorite. October was partial to him too, if the smile that was currently on his face said anything as he watched the much taller, much older man walk on stage. He deserved it. All three of them did, but giving them grands to commemorate for all they’ve done almost exclusively for The Felicity made them seem far less noble.

At this point, for October, I tried not to focus on the fact that Eladore was eyeing Thayer the same way Zenier was eyeing Mara. What the fuck is wrong with these people?

When the Conclave ended, there was this feeling of unease. October and I still stood side by side as the Capitals made their way out first, not wanting to be surrounded by the lowest of lows for longer than necessary. They also just got to leave. Every other district was either held back to get your cuff taken off or you were waiting for someone who did. Yet another way to separate us and treat us like crap. All because I have a flashy red label next to my name. To hell with it all. I stood in the line watching as people existed around me. I never felt like I was existing anywhere close to them. Eulalia was having a conversation with October, Mara was having a moment with her boyfriend and Seraphineas is breaking up a fight. Oh this chaotic world of mine.

“You know,” I heard a deep voice behind me. An air of familiarity hit and shifted to my comfortable numbness once I knew who it was. “The point is for you to move up when people leave, right. Don’t tell me you grew attached to that thing.” Yup, same old Thayer. I took a few steps forward closing the gap between me and the tall Rogue girl in front of me. “Still not much of a talker, huh, Jailbait?” He said quietly enough so only I could hear him. Part of me wanted to clock him for bring up that stupid ass nickname. Another part wanted to give a smart ass reply. I was so in my own head, I missed the opportunity. “You always did prefer hunks of metal to people.” He bit. I just knew the bastard had a smirk on his face right now. “Hunks of metal don’t talk and aren’t nearly as narcissistic.” I responded, adamant on getting away from the prick.

I was never so glad to see a Capital in my life and this one was a real bitch. The younger woman had the angriest look in her eye when I walked up, not sure why. I don’t fuck with Capitals and the feeling was mutual. “Have you stolen any property not belonging to you during the conclave?” What the fuck was there to steal, all the shits a person could give? “No.” She sized me up before shooting a quick glance to Thayer, who was still behind me. “During the Conclave, did you skip a mandatory announcement for-” She looked at Thayer again, this time slowly taking in his features, “any reason of recreation?” Is she serious? I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, we ran off to tap dance on the Torch. I guess you caught us.” I could hear a few people snickering at my rebuttal. At least they have a sense of humour.

Eulalia

Tauriel looked about as comfortable as I thought she would. She had a scowl on her face as the attendant pried the cuff off of her wrist. “Ak heppia?” I called out to her. She turned to me with a small smile. She didn’t have to look up to see who was talking to her, I’m pretty sure only a handful of people still speak Dyselian. It made Tauriel feel safe, like people couldn’t poke their nose into our thoughts and conversations. She nodded slowly, she was alright but the exhaustion of having to deal with so many people was getting to her. “Mhe am heppia, mhe just desir to vette hadven.” I chuckled at that, because of course she just wanted to go back home. I honestly am not sure why she didn’t want to stay. Most girls would kill to get Thayer to utter a single word to them. Like most Regal boys, he was broad shouldered with rippling muscles that were obvious under any shirt and tall as hell. Who was I kidding, she'd rather break every bone than deal with her old tormenter again.

She walked over to Toby and I, glad to be with people she could actually tolerate. “U beso to gat allies!” I whispered, pinching her arm. She visibly cringed at the idea. “Mhe would rather pia in hutted.” she replied, turning to look at October. She quickly signed ‘Eula says I need to make friends.’ The taller boys tried to stifle his laughter before he signed ‘She’s right.’ Tauriel rolled her eyes before the two began to playfully bicker back and forth. I left them to their devices when I turned to notice Mara standing to the side waiting for Cecil to get his cuff off.

“Hey, Fox.” I said nudging the redhead’s shoulder. She quickly turned to face me, a smile quickly spread when she realized I wasn’t some other Regal. She whispered a quiet hello before turning to look at her boyfriend. It’s been a while since I’d seen Cecil but he grew up nice. He was now a little over six foot two, typical for Rogue males. “He asks about you two.” Mara stated seemingly out of the blue. I know she worried about him all the time, more so since he stopped coming over for exams. It was the same look in her eyes the night she called Tauriel and I to help him after a few guards thought it right to attack him. “You let him know it’s nothing for me to do an exam?” I asked as the freckled young man moved up in the line. Mara’s voice quivered as she nodded “Everyday. He doesn’t want to bother you, you being a doctor and all.” She smiled slightly when he waved our way. “He still working in the mines?” I asked. Mara scoffed, “Like he’d ever stop. Thick as he and his buddies are?” I couldn't help but laugh. Cecil definitely hadn’t changed. I nearly jumped out of my skin when the chimes rang throughout the city. Fuck!

“Tell him I say to give that shoulder a break every once in a while!” I say before I began running back to Tauriel and October. This wasn’t good. Tauriel looked ready to break something. Her fists were clenched so tight, I thought she'd pierce the skin. As quickly as I could, I signed to the two of them, ‘We need to leave. October, you’re staying at our house for tonight.’ Tauriel froze in place. I only sent her a sympathetic smile when October ran to grab his protector. Thayer had placed his hoodie over October as we all started to Tori and my building. We walked the back alleys and listened for the easy to identify marching of the guards.

I’m not surprised that Thayer is good at this. He was a hunter. Standing at nearly six six, he is both light on his feet and stealthy. I imagine his training was horrifying but I know for a fact that he learned his skills while he was in prison not when he got out. He had the same urgent distrust of his surroundings that Tauriel has whenever she leaves our house. What the fuck did they do to them?

Tauriel sneaks to the back of the building and then there’s silence. I held my breath as I waited for her. I smiled when I heard a whistle emit from around the corner. We were behind the building in a second as she held the window open. She turned to Thayer first, I know it was because he was the tallest and the window was a little more than seven feet above the ground. He went down feet first and let out a satisfied smirk when he landed. I sent October in next, only because I wanted him inside before any guards decided to check back here. I went next, grabbing onto the copper pole that hung above the window I quickly slid in. Thayer made sure to place me down on the concrete floor rather than actually let me jump. Tauriel came in and jumped from the window, closing it before the guards could see her.

We got inside just before eight. The second we entered upstairs from the basement, the alarms started blaring. They had placed a curfew after the Conclave. I can see Tauriel standing awkwardly by the door before she disappeared into the garage. October sent me a curious look and I was glad he didn’t hear what I assumed to be her shelf colliding with the ground or the string of Dyselian profanities. He didn’t need to witness that. Thayer seemed a little shocked at first but I guess he knew the feeling because he sent me a sorrowful half smile.

“Hey! Go lon out isei yella!” She reluctantly exited the garage with a kid bruise forming at her knuckles. She looked beyond pissed. “Mhe deid howa infolo! Mhe deid howa infolo it was a angaari!” She began pacing around. I sent a look to October who was all too quick to leave, practically dragging Thayer behind him as he headed upstairs. I could feel Tori’s blood boiling from here. “I knew they were up to something. I should’ve guessed there would be a trap too!” I said nothing. She was right about something weird going on. The Capitals never offered more money than necessary, they never offered grands and fundings to more than one person each. It’s fairly odd that three people won the grands and six won the funding.

We walked upstairs seeing Thayer and Toby looking for something to eat. Tauriel had walked into her room, closing the door behind her as I walked into the kitchen. October was stuffing his face with bread, not at all worried about anything today had to offer. Thayer on the other hand was standing against the wall, watching as his little brother consumed his food ravenously. I could see how hungry he was too. I tossed him a loaf of his own, standing next to him as we watched the near twenty year old fill himself while sitting on the floor. “You take great care of him.” I said quietly. Most people thought that Rogues like Thayer, tough guys who got into fights, were barbaric animals. They get told that they’re animals so much that they believe it so much.

He looked me in the eye before quickly averting his gaze to the floor. He shrugged off my compliment like it was nothing, but the itching of his lip and the dimple in his cheek let me know that he appreciated it. We sat in silence for a minute before I blurted out “Can I ask you something?” To which he laughed in response. He rolled his shoulders back and relaxed a bit. “Go ahead but I might not answer.” ‘Cheeky bastard’ I thought, rolling my eyes at him “It’s about Tauriel.” He got serious rather quickly at the mention of her name, standing up and staring at me in concern. “Sure, what’s up?” His voice dropped a bit.

“What was she like? In prison?” It hurt me to ask but I might learn something. I pretended not to notice the disappointment and guilt in his eyes even though his long hair had fallen in his eyes.He scratched the back of his neck before clearing his throat. “She was noticeable.” He smiled to himself. “When she got there, a bunch of guys sought her out as a punching bag. They learned pretty quick not to mess with her.” his voice carried such pride as he spoke it was kinda heartwarming. I knew this story. Some prick came in ready to throw punches on anyone in there, he immediately thought Tauriel would make a good target. Thayer got in the way just in time. It’s why he started calling her Jailbait. Easy pickings for a prison brawl. “She was so fucking smart! So much smarter than the guards there. Smart ass got into her fair share of trouble. They threw her in the pit the first night!” That explained a lot. “She came back with a tattoo, we all did.” He mumbled, pulling down the neckline of his shirt to reveal his collarbone. Liberties lined his skin from his collarbone to his right shoulder. “What does “people are poison” mean?” I asked suddenly. He seemed caught off guard. “It means that most people will try to kill you before they actually help you.” He must’ve noticed my furrowed brow because he immediately nudged me with his shoulder “Don’t worry. It’s about Capitals.”

I scoffed. “You definitely sound like Tauriel. She always worries. Thinks they’re monsters that suck the world around them dry.” He laughed at the idea. “You think they’re evil too?” I asked. He shook his head. “I think they know not to poison the water they need to drink.” He says picking up October, who had fallen asleep on my kitchen floor with a half eaten bread roll in his hand. “You boys take my and Tauriel’s beds. We got a couch in the garage.” Thayer shot me a look of refusal. “Like you AND October can fit on the thing, go!” I shooed him away with a humoured grin plastered on my face. He put October in my room, I had a sneaking suspicion he would. “Any particular reason why you opted to take the room of a young girl, Mr. Michaels?” I heard him scoff. He looked up at me with a grin. “She fashioned her room like I did mine.” He responded. I shot him a curious look before it hit me. It looked and felt like a prison cell. That’s why it was always so cold.

I stood silently in the doorway of the garage. Tauriel, currently sitting on the floor fixing her busted shelf with her braid in a sort of bun, paid no mind to my existence as she worked. “You can come in here.” She mumbled under her breath before filling the shelf so it stood at its proper height. I sat on my bench, filled with some of my tools as Tauriel sat in hers. She was tinkering away at something.

When she was arrested, I became her only family left. I would call her everyday and visit her every chance I got, but these walls became so quiet when she went away. I would go to school, earn some quick cash from dumb kids then big bucks from dumb adults. I called her and taught her lessons over the phone and she’d be happy. When I’d go visit her, she’d keep her head down and speak slowly. There were times I’d wonder if she’d make it, but as time went on she became the queen. When she was finally let out, due to the ‘Liberty Act’ all occupants twenty one and lower got released at that point she was seventeen and only a fraction of the eleven year old I saw arrested over a decade ago for no real reason.

She came out with a tattoo, two Liberties on her waist and a new habit of looking over her shoulder at every turn. On her twenty first, when she was branded Bruise by the rule of the Capitals I noticed the scars on her back for the first time. She was wearing her hair up, similar to how it was styled right now, and her top tied around her neck leaving her upper back open. She said she wanted to see the rain so we figured out a way to do it. That year, she spent over a hundred days teaching me how to fix things. I guess when you have a tendency to break things you learn how to fix them.

“I saw Mara earlier. She and Cecil said hi.” I saw her break into a small smile. She adored the redhead, always finding humour in her quickly retorts and sarcastic remarks. “Tell them I say hi.” Tauriel went back to work in a much better mood. “You know…” I started watching Tauriel place an old pair of headphones over her ears. She nodded at me to continue. “With Cecil’s longer hair and dimples, he kinda looks like Thayer…” I held in my laughter when Tauriel’s face fell. She rolled her eyes dramatically before taking off the headphones. “Eula, sharp bone structure and long hair is kinda the norm. And don’t go ruining Cecil for me, he’s my friend.” She still laughed. It’s been years since I heard that sound.

I always loved the sound of Liberties in the morning. The sweet sound of their bird song that let me know I was still in the garage when I should’ve been sleeping hours ago. What did I care? I spent most of my nights on this very bench and often woke up with my head against the cool metal of my desk. I sit with my head in my hand for a minute or two before I actually stand. The boots I ditched last night were still on the floor by my feet, so I decided to leave them there and go eat. The fixed up headphones were around Tauriel’s neck, with a stray wire tickling the back of her head. “Need your room back?” He asked from behind me. I actually did but I wasn’t going to let him know that. I spared a glance in his direction, he almost filled the door frame. He was smirking at me. That devilish smirk, like I didn’t know that's not who he really was. “Is October awake, I need him for something.” I kept my voice cold as I spoke to the older man. He gave me that look, the same one he gave me in prison when he wasn’t overly trying to be a jerk or when he thought I wouldn’t notice. He gave me a quick smile before heading into my room for the sleeping twenty year old.

Toby came out rubbing his dark brown eyes. I pulled him into the kitchen as Thayer emerged. He smiled at his brother before pushing off the door post he was leaning on and going back into Tauriel’s room to get dressed. October kept looking around the kitchen for food as I placed a food bag in front of him. We went through the cupboards, grabbing things for the young man to take home. I knew it would be easier for me to stock my cupboards rather than Toby and Thayer to stock theirs. We were almost done wrapping the bread when the alarm blared throughout the city. “THAYER MICHAELS, REPORT TO THE HAULING STATION.” I nodded at October to continue, letting him know I’d be right back before quickly making my way to the hall where Tauriel was waiting outside the bathroom. When he came out of the bathroom, his hair was tousled and slightly damp. Tauriel wasted no time heading into the steam filled room, waving the soft white clouds from her face. “Sorry in advance. I used a lot of hot water.” He stated through the door to which Tauriel offered no reply. Whatever he did to get this reaction from her must’ve been bad. I saw a glint of that subtle irritation in his eyes, understanding too, but mostly just irritation. “Don’t worry, she likes to take cold showers.” He looked my way with a forced smile. I watched as he quickly put on his jacket and boots shooting me a questioning look. I chuckled knowing exactly what he planned to ask me. “I’ve got work in a couple hours, but Tori will watch him okay?”

He only stiffly nodded before opening the door and heading to the Hauling Station.

@jayloxoxo @thinkinghardhardlythinking @justagirlinafandomworld @mashedpotatowithcheese

[deepdisireslonging]

Last of the Season

Sam drags Team Free Will to a farmer’s market. The reader finds a way to keep Dean from complaining the whole day, teasing him until she gets rewarded for it.

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader (Y/N)

Warnings/Promises: smutty food puns, SMUT, oral (female receiving), another bad vegetable reference, implied further smut

Word Count: 1509

Note: I wrote a fall aesthetic fic earlier and felt like doing another… with a smutty twist. I hope you guys like it. Comments and reblogs super appreciated. Enjoy!

Dean was grumbling before he pulled into the parking lot. Not only had Sam made everyone come out for some fresh air (“We’re all going stir crazy, Dean! Come on.”) but Dean had to drive too. That was partially his fault. “Keep your grubby-organic hands off my steering wheel,” is what you’re pretty sure you heard.

You, on the other hand, were almost as excited as Sam. It was getting to be the best part of the year for autumn produce. Cute pumpkins, cider, blackberries, apples, and the last of the summer delights. As much as you wanted to keep stride with Sam, you hung back with Dean. An idea had been brewing in your mind on the way over. And there was no way in heaven, hell, or purgatory that Dean wasn’t going to enjoy it. Or eventually take it further.

“Why are we here again?” Dean asked for the dozenth time.

“Because you were grumpy and dragging us all down with you.” You linked your arm with his. “Not everything in the world has to be for you, ya know.” With a smile, you bumped your body against his.

The frown dispersed a little. Not by much, but a little.

Up ahead there was another vegetable stand. One of dozens. But the purple plant on the front table caught your eye.

Time to enact your plan.

Pacing ahead, you went straight for it. “How much are the eggplants?” As the woman told you the amount, you weighed the plant in your hand. It had a healthy heft. Nice natural curve. And with the way you eyed Dean, he knew you were up to something. “I’ll take this one. Thank you.”

He caught up within a few steps. “Y/N-“

“Hmm…”

“What are you doing?”

“Making the day interesting.” You stood on your tiptoes so you could whisper in his ear. “I’m pretty sure you’re grumpy because you’re horny. Why not put your patience to the test.” Before he could grab for you, you’d passed him the bag and were headed down the row.

Again you easily outpaced him. Between a stand of squashes and a rare berries-only set-up, you saw a delectable array of fruit. Several caught your eye. One, in particular, would work perfectly with your plan. You’d save it for last. To keep Dean from seeing them, you loaded up his arms with apples.

He held onto them. Confused, his eyes flitted between the fruit and your chest. “Am I supposed to be comparing them to… something?”

“Head out of the gutter, dear. No. I was considering making you a pie, but if you’re not interested-“

Several more apples joined your selection. He paid for them himself. Then he almost dropped the bag as you held two plums in the palm of your hand. They bobbled between your fingers. Something in his throat constricted. The movements he was seeing looked familiar. Like something he was used to feeling lower on his body- Dean shuffled. It was difficult to adjust with two hands full of fruit.

You gave them to the man to add to your sale. A small gasp passed your lips. “Those look good.”

The farmer looked over the booth and smiled. “Ah, yes. Just picked them yesterday. Kind of sad lookin’, this late in the season. But sweet as can be. You can have one if you’d like.”

Eagerly you picked the reddest cherry you could see. You closed your mouth over it, stem and all. How did that trick go again?

Dean nearly dropped the bags. The concentration on your face could only mean one trick. And he personally knew what your mouth could do once you’d set your mind to a goal. He puffed out a strangled breath as you triumphantly pulled out the stem. It had a perfect knot in the center.

“That was good. I’ll take whatever two dollars can get me.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He started bagging the cherries, mumbling to himself. “Haven’t seen that in years.”

At the far end of the booth was one basket of bright fuzzy fruit. You brought a peach close to your nose and inhaled its sweet scent. Such a small selection could only mean they were the last of the season. And hard to find in this climate. There were only about a dozen or so left. Mentally you calculated how many you’d need for the team.

“How many of those, ma’am?”

“Just two,” Dean said, coming up behind you.

“But what about Sam-“

“Sam can get his own peaches,” he growled into the spot behind your ear.

Mission accomplished.

“Pay the man so I can take you home.”

“Yes, sir.”

***

Luckily Sam and Cas were done just as you’d made it back to the Impala, or they would have been walking home. They had to unpack the load themselves. Dean dragged you out of your seat before the there’d been a chance to beg otherwise.

He pinned you to the inside of his door, fumbling with the lock until it clicked, and then fumbling with your clothes until there wasn’t a stitch on your body.

“Do you know what you do to me, woman?” He nipped at the underside of your jaw, making you gasp. “That was quite the tease today. If I had any idea what you could suggest with a bunch of produce, I might have come along sooner.”

You giggled. “Just be glad they didn’t have pineapple. Then I’d have been too sweet to handle.” With a squeal, you fell on the bed as Dean spun you around.

“Never. You’re never too much for me. Now the other way around-“ Dean pulled you to the end of the bed and kneeled. You could only see the top half of his face over the top f your body. Those green eyes glowed with wild-like hunger. “Let me know if I become too much for you.”

As much as you wanted to poke “unlikely” at him, you were soon too busy fisting the sheets to sass back. You clamped your hand over your mouth. By now, Sam and Cas had to be done with the food. And there was a risk they could hear you. A sharp nip to the inside of your thigh changed your mind.

“Nah-ah, sweetheart. I don’t care if all of Kansas can hear you. You know what to do.” He groaned as you fisted your hand in his hair instead.

The obscene sounds that came from between your legs made you quake. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Dean was ravenous for you every hour of the day. He made good on that lust by devouring your peach like it was the last time he’d ever taste it. Wrecked, you bucked towards his face. Dean let you, only pinning you down when he realized you were getting close.

Whimpers, soft cries, loud shouts of his name, you gave it all. Then he clamped one arm down over your stomach. And he added slow curling fingers to his feasting. Your body dripped for him. He lapped and sucked up every drop loudly.

“So good, Dean. Please… so close-“

“Love tasting you like this sweetheart,” he replied while you writhed. “I might do this all night. Keep going until you can’t stand tomorrow. Then fuck you hard on my cock.”

You moaned loudly. Weakly, you tried to fight against the arm across your body.

“You would like that, wouldn’t you? Drenching my face until you can’t see straight.” He sucked hard on your clit, almost making you cum right then. “Or would you like cumming on my cock more? How hard do you think you made me, baby, and the market today? Hmm? Cucumbers to eggplants, how much?”

“Dean!” You laughed. Nothing like a vegetable reference to kill the mood. You swatted at the back of his head as he chuckled into your heat. “Don’t do that. I was so close.”

He crawled up your body just long enough to give you a searing kiss. “Sorry, baby. Had to get my revenge for that cherry trick somehow. I think we’re even now.” He sucked your nipples between his teeth before settling back between your legs.

The edge hadn’t disappeared. It had been waiting. Waiting for Dean to add another finger to the working your slit. And for him to work his tongue faster over your clit. Your toes cramped and seized as you called out his name. It sounded hoarse in the air, but that only sent him further into turning your bones to jello. The wave hit. Desperately you clawed at the sheets and his hand and the back of his head. Dean kept going. He kept going until your whimpers had mangled into whispers and your eyes were crossed under your eyelids. The world was fuzzy around the edges.

Dean’s warm body slid alongside yours on the bed. He placed sticky, sloppy kisses over your collarbone. Up your neck. Over your breasts.

“Still with me?”

“Mhmm. Still hungry?”

“For you? Always. Want my cock now?”

“Yes, please.”

*****

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