#sally face chapter 5

[kubominero]

Behind masks lie worlds of hidden pain

[thatsmzbitchtoyou]

The Favorite Chapter 5

Summary:  Bucky Barnes, the big boss of the crime underworld, is notorious for his unhinged behavior and punishments.  There’s not much that can fully set him off, unless someone messes with his favorite…

Warnings:  violence, blood, gore, language, smut, depravity 

**Picture is A.I., found on Pinterest.  Don’t come for me.**

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Hours later Bucky was drenched in blood as the cleaners came into the interrogation room and rounded up the pieces of Nicky before hauling him all out toward one of the cars for transportation.  He walked into the shower station just off the interrogation room, turning it on so multiple hoses started pouring water and a fountain of red dripped down his body.  He stripped out of his clothes and threw them in the hamper to get burned, washing off the gore as best as he could before walking out of the shower.  Steve was waiting for him, holding out a robe for him that Bucky put on and tied before facing Steve.

Steve’s face stayed neutral, and Bucky took a stuttering breath.  “How is she?” he asked.

“Still critical, but stable,” Steve answered.  Bucky nodded, looking away and blinking away his tears.  Steve clapped a hand on Bucky’s shoulder.  “She’s a fighter, Buck.  She’ll make it. I know she will.”  Bucky sniffed and nodded again.  Steve stepped forward and hugged him for just a moment, then pulled away and kept his hands on his shoulders.  “We’re ready when you are,” he continued.  “I already sent a group out that surrounded the house and has been taking down his security quietly.  The wife and daughter are there, I just need to know how far you’re wanting to take this before we advance.”

Bucky thought about little Seraphina that he’d met just days before.  He wanted Falcone to hurt.  He’d taken his family, and now his last reason for living was hanging on by a thread.  His jaw ticked as he met Steve’s gaze.  “Make it quick.  One second they’re here and the next they’re not, got it?”

Steve nodded somberly.  “Got it.”

***

Falcone never stood a chance.  The attack came from all sides and was quick, the rhythmic popping from gunshots echoing through the mansion and then all stopping within a matter of minutes.  Steve held Falcone firmly as Bucky walked through the house, inspecting everything as his other men drenched everything they could reach in lighter fluid.  Falcone was trying to twist out of Steve’s grip, grunting and swearing up a storm.

“Fuckers!  Get out of my house!  Trina!  Seraphina!” he screamed, his head trying to whip back at Steve, who dodged it easily.

“Trina?  Seraphina?” Bucky called out, and a few of his men brought in their bodies.  Falcone stared in shock, then started wailing as the men set them down on the floor.  “Such a shame,” Bucky said, sounding bored as he glared at Falcone.  “Uncle Sal couldn’t save his favorite nephew, and then Daddy couldn’t save his precious little family.  She had such potential,” he said, glancing at Seraphina.  “If it’s any consolation, they didn’t even feel it.  Which is more than I can say you did for my family.  I’m nice like that.”

Falcone snarled at him.  “Tit for tat, is that it?”

“You made it personal years ago, Sal,” Bucky snarled back at him and slapped him hard, making Falcone yell.  “I���ve been planning your downfall ever since.  I was playing the long game.  I even considered taking her in, giving her the family she deserved,” he pointed at Seraphina.  “But then you came into my house, and you almost took my favorite person in the whole world from me.  You involved my wife.  MY WIFE!” he screamed in his face.  “And that’s a transgression that I simply cannot condone, Sally.”  He grabbed him by the throat and threw him towards his family’s bodies, then took out his gun and shot his kneecaps.  Falcone howled in pain, tears streaming down his face.  “Now you get to stay right here in the castle you built, and watch it all burn to the ground.  What a fine resting place,” he smiled bitterly at him.  “Tell the devil I say hi,” he sing-songed, then walked toward the front door.  “Light it up!” he shouted, and his men started to light everything on fire.

Bucky ignored Falcone’s screams as he left the house, Steve and Sam on his tail as his other men all poured out of the house and surrounding area.  They all watched the house quickly go up in flames, and even as the rest of them left after a while, Bucky stayed, wanting to make sure that the whole house burned to a crisp.  When the house was finally nothing more than charred embers, he walked back to where Falcone and his family were.  He shoved away fallen wood beams and debris until he found their remains, and picked out the family ring that Falcone had been wearing on his right middle finger.  He scrubbed off the soot and ash, admiring the gold band and the large emerald in the middle with the Falcone crest etched into the sides of the band.  

“You okay, Boss?”  Steve asked, following him into the house.

“Better,” Bucky said.  “How is she?”

“No longer critical,” Steve said.  Bucky hung his head in relief, letting out a huff of breath.  Steve pulled Bucky up and kept an arm around his shoulders.  “Let’s get you back to her,” he said.

[pugh-bug]

No.42 Chapter 5

Art Donaldson x reader slow burn friends to lovers

As always I hope you enjoy! 🍉✨ My taglist is always open

Part 4

——————————————————————

‘Pass me the sauce now bitch!’

Patrick responded by throwing a pillow at your head. Mature.

‘You’d never talk to Art like that.’ He looked amused for a moment, a smirk brewing as his eyes darted from Art’s face to yours. The three of you were eye deep in miso sauce, spring rolls and pad thai - Art’s treat. It was almost strange, seeing Art eat take out in your cosy flat knowing he probably had a maid growing up. You’d once heard Liam say Art’s parents place was obnoxiously bigger than even Tashi Duncan’s, as if you needed further convincing of his affluence.

Still, he was settled. He seemed it. He always thanked you for washing up or tidying, if he wasn’t offering or doing it himself, as if he was content with living lesser than his other peers. Of course they all had maids for the sort of things you and Patrick did, or pretended to do on lazy days, but Art never announced judgement. Besides his constant bantering with Patrick and the occasional dig at you for not being too sporty, Art was always pleasant. Pleasant or impressively good at bottling things in.

‘That’s because Y/N,’ Art raised his eyebrow at Patrick’s smirking face. ‘Actually has manners, she just doesn’t waste them on you.’ The pair beamed at each other, as they always did when they were ‘arguing’ over you. It was almost expected for you now, owed even. You loved it.

——————————————————————

‘I don’t get this movie, why’s it just talking?’

You’d decided to put ‘When Harry Met Sally’ on as a break from the constant tennis. The background drum of your life had become the incessant whacking of tennis balls, if it didn’t make Art so content you’d have quickly deleted SkySports.

Patrick half watched half texted his now ex girlfriend back, to your dismay. It wasn’t long before he’d finished his food, shovelling it in like an animal as always, and announced he was going to bed. He ruffled your hair in his brotherly way before returning to his room. The door had barely closed before Art paused the movie from his spot on the floor.

‘Do you agree?’

You looked down at Art’s inquisitive face and the charming face of 80s Meg Ryan, knowing what he meant. Harry had just made his ‘men and women can’t be friends’ speech. You shoved the blanket off your hot legs to escape the extra heat and settled into your couch position comfortably.

‘Do you see me fucking Pat?’

Art grinned widely, almost boyishly, at your remark. You noticed he seemed to get almost giddy whenever you were a little crude, like you both intimidated and entertained him simultaneously. He hung his head, still smiling, before shaking it. ‘No but just - just tell me. I wanna know what you really think.’

No man ever wanted to know how you really thought more than Art. He’d asked you more about your beliefs and emotions than a reporter on the cusp of ‘making it big’. You seemed almost to be his scoop, his challenge, his big win but you wondered what would happen when you ran out of answers.

He was waiting for you to speak. Eager. You cast your mind back to all of your past male friendships, the times they hit on you unexpectedly or bullied you to ‘flirt’ or worst of all: told you they’d never seen you as a friend at all. That one always hurt. Most of those friendships had hurt and most of them had left Patrick waving the ‘not all men’ flag proudly as he stood victorious. The last man standing. Your last good, platonic best friend.

‘You can ask all you want Donaldson, I don’t see Patrick that way.’

He wasn’t completely satisfied with your answer, or he made sure he wasn’t just to encourage his own bad behaviour.

‘Not once? You’re telling me you two never had too much to drink or got dared? Not even spin the bottle when you were like 14?’

‘Sorry to disappoint.’

He looked elated and horrified all at once. The man was desperate and for a moment you couldn’t tell if he was devastated more for Patrick or for you.

‘What made you turn the poor guy down?’

Oh. For Patrick.

‘What makes you so sure he asked me out? Didn’t you watch the movie?’

Art finished his last spring roll, shaking his head. ‘I watched the movie that said ‘men and women can’t be friends’ a hundred times.’ He crossed his legs, his baggy t shirt exposing his collarbone. Ashamed as you were, you couldn’t deny the urge you had to just bite and kiss him. That made your following question all the more ironic.

‘So you don’t think men and women can just be friends?’

You made sure to ask it in such a way that implied he was wrong, foolish for believing something so immature despite your very thoughts proving him right.

‘I think if she’s attracted to guys and he likes girls it can’t ever be just a friendship. Sorry.’

‘Hmm.’

You listened to the sad sound of Patrick’s fan fighting for its life against the heatwave. Every time you and Art had a moment of silence the whir of the fan provided ambience.

‘You wanna wash up?’ Art asked, as if he was offering a special treat of some kind and not your least favourite task of all time.

‘Not even a little bit.’

That was when he did it, what until that point only Patrick had been honoured enough to do, he ruffled your hair. A small gesture? Absolutely. One you’d forget? Unlikely.

Once Art was elbow deep in washing up liquid he asked you a question he’d been longing to ask you for days. Did you enjoy living with him?

‘Of course I do.’ You couldn’t help but scoff at his question. Was he truly that insecure? Still, you revelled in messing with him a little - just for fun. ‘I’m happy for Pat, he always wanted a boyfriend to move in. He finally committed.’ That earned you a splash of noodle water to the face. A long pause followed, one that lead you to believe it was time for bed.

‘I am grateful,’ Art sighed, his voice low and his eyes down. ‘I know I could have asked my parents to get me my own place but …’ You watched him stop scrubbing the plate in his hand all together, his eyes unfocused. ‘I don’t like being alone.’

With his back to you, Art stacked the pots with intense precision. You weren’t sure what to say except:

‘Who does?’

Chapter 6

Masterlist

Taglist: @gatorgirl007 @imblushingrn @soy-garbage

[connabeth]

The first two episodes were wonderful and I really enjoyed the imagery and cinematography along with how every actor embodied the character but here are things I will complain about because I can:

1. I don’t want to see R*ck in it, why did they have to show his face…

2. Sally Jackson still just seems like a Random White Woman™️ to me. The acting was good but something just isn’t clicking for me. Also…the way she was a hardass on grover…i did not like it.

3. WHY WAS THERE BARELY ANY ANNABETH?? my girl is the star of the show!!! she’s supposed to be the one to show percy around camp and have that funny banter where he asks her questions and she answers all of them without answering at all, leaving him more confused than he was before. that was the best part of the intro chapters imo. WHY DID CH*RON TAKE HER PLACE???

3a. the full shot of a little percy standing next to chiron’s absolute wagon while walking into the hermes cabin still absolutely sends me 😭😭. it ALMOST makes up for a lack of annabeth

4. why was annabeth just hovering there in the infirmary and not nursing him like she did in the book😭 they rly made her stalk him instead of just being the person who introduced him to everything. in the book, he was already taking mythology lessons with annabeth by the time the quest came around. she didn’t feel quite as integrated into the narrative as she should’ve been. i did love how blunt she was though. she’s many things, but apparently a liar isn’t one of them.

5. clarisse didn’t call him prissy

6. why was smelly gabe so…sanitized. he’s a loser who doesn’t treat them well but his depiction also doesn’t live up to the abusive pos he really is. the interactions with him didn’t have the same gravity as they did in the books, they just seemed too lighthearted…he also should’ve looked greasier. i know abuse comes in many forms and doesn’t always reveal itself right away but he was a lot more of a pushover than i would expect him to be if sally stood up for herself

7. the plot about the hellhound that sets up luke as the traitor…simply vanishing. annabeth shoving percy’s ass into the water to figure out he can heal was funny though. would’ve been cooler if it healed a giant hellhound claw mark rather than a nick

8. percy doing some half-assed flossing on a rock alone while waiting to be maimed during capture the flag, not knowing who his dad is or if he’ll ever get his mom back is so fucking funny in the most miserably way but also…why is he a fortnite kid, this is supposed to be 2006 😭. the implication that annabeth is standing there silently watching him almost makes up for it. i can’t imagine what was going through her mind…like girl that’s your future husband good luck

[satureja13]

Vlad's Therapy Game - Part 5

Vlad can't believe he's sitting here without his shirt in front of Leander again! He has to remind himself over and over again that he does all this to help Ji Ho, Saiwa and Jack. And that this is just a game. Just. A. Game. After a while (that already took much too long if you asked Vlad) Leander had banged the rock into a rough shape.

Time to take measurements. Leander: "So where is what..."

Hahaha Leander can be happy that Vlad already drifted off ^^'

Then he banged around a bit more...

Leander: "Let's see..."

Leander, after another while: "Hmmm..."

Leander: "Oh-oh. This part is a bit too long."

The Queen wants her statues accurate. Leander: "Let's shorten this part a bit..."

And then he was finally finished! Leander: "Come - take a look." Vlad finally drifted back. He just daydreamed about making a certain part of Leander a bit shorter!

Leander: "What do you think?"

The damn statue looked nothing like him! The head and the face even looked like all the other heads here on the pedestals! Leander: "Of course he does! He's made in the image and likeness of you!"

Leander is hurt. No one ever dared to criticize his work.

And Vlad is furious. Leander could have easily done this without him sitting here for hours in humiliation! Tch!

Vlad collected his money, bougt some food and called Diablo. Vlad: "Let's never look back." Diablo: 'Agreed.'

'We walked him to the station in the rain We kissed him as we put him on the train And we sang him a song of times long gone Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again (Far away!) I'm sad to say I must be on my way So buy me beer or whiskey, 'cause I'm going far away (Far away!) I'd like to think of me returning when I can To the greatest little boozer and to Sally MacLennane'

The Pogues - Sally MacLennane TMI: Sally MacLennane is an irish stout (beer) and not a girl ^^'

And this is how Vlad hastily left Goldshire (and soon after the Therapy Game). He'd seen enough. Time to report back to Saiwa. He surely won't come back here so he didn't care who saw him topless. He wonders how time had passed for the others. Ingame time often passes much faster than in reality and the Bond didn't complain or demanded to be charged. So his guess is he only spent here a few hours real time even though it had been ~ 24 hours in the Therapy Game. That should be enough for playtesting. It seems quite safe (minus the embarrassment) but the others can decide for themselves if they are stable enough to try it.

From the Beginning  🔱  Underwater Love 🔱  Latest 🕹️ 'Therapy Game' from the beginning ▶️ here 📚 Previous Chapters: Chapters: 1-6 📜 7-12 📜 13-16 📜 17-22 📜 23-28

[dandelion-blues]

Bittersweet Blood

About:

What if Loki was Sally Jackson? Thus, Percy is born a half-blood of two gods from differing patheons. It's time Loki and Percy took the Marvel Universe by storm.

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Chapter 2, Part 5: The Sea Protects

Triton looked deep in thought as he calmed down and finally looked up, “I don’t think the child needs to forgo their Norse heritage. The Greek and Norse worlds are vastly different, and knowing about the Norse side of things shouldn’t increase the child’s danger like it will if they know about the Greek side. Because even Greek gods' scent increases with their awareness, and there are plenty of monsters and gods who would take advantage of a young god.”

Triton adds, “In fact it would probably be more beneficial for the child to know about their Norse side sooner, so they can practice their powers and will be more than prepared to fight monsters and survive. Of course, only when they are old enough to properly handle a weapon.”

Loki smiles in awe. He wants his child to know their Norse heritage, for it to not just be some dirty secret. Loki is glad. It feels much better to just hide parts of his child’s heritage, not forever, just until they can learn to properly defend themselves, and later to learn their Greek heritage when it’s time to tell them when it’s time to accept their destiny.

Poseidon grins widely, “And that means I can still train our child how to use a trident and how to command the ocean and strategize. I’ll just have to pretend to be an Asgardian.”

‘That I can still be in their life.’ went unsaid, but Loki and Amphitrite heard it loud and clear.

“How will we explain our names, though, and powers? We can’t even risk any hint of Greek into the child’s life to keep them the safest? And will the child live on the surface?” Triton asks.

“Well, I think that would be for the best. I do quite want to continue living on the surface even if it is lovely down here.” Loki responds.

Loki continues, “Also, I am very familiar with changing names and appearance. In fact I have a current mortal identity known as Sally Jackson, and she, I, am quite proud of how well I was able to adjust to Mid-” Loki cuts himself on, remembering what Poseidon said about calling Earth Midgard, and clears his throat, “Human culture.”

Then, Loki’s face goes white. He just admitted that he was female sometimes, and oh Norns, would they be disgusted with him?

Except all he sees when he looks toward Amphitrite and Triton all he sees is interest, and is that adoration from Amphitrite.

Loki shakes his head, he knew he was overthinking, but still that fear of being judged doesn’t just go away. Even when he’s been accepted and supported by Poseidon and his friend Malia. It’s still hard to tell others and not assume the worst.

“Hmm, can you help us with that dear?” Amphitrite asks sweetly, her voice like honey.

Loki nods his head eagerly and confesses, “Sure, though the most important thing is to find appearances and names that you are comfortable with and connect to, especially if you’ll be using them for an unknown time. For instance, though I picked the name Sally and later the mortal last name Jackson on a whim, I connect with the name, and Sally is who I am when I’m female. Though I did recently add the middle name Sylvie, since she was the first name I chose when I was younger, and I still wanted her to be part of my name.”

Loki looks away, embarrassed and still a little scared.

But Amphitrite grabs Loki’s hand and smiles, “That sounds lovely dear, and I would love to see her sometime.”

Loki smiles back, ‘see her’, not ‘meet her’. Amphitrite distinguished that Loki was still the same person as Sally, but just female.

“Alright! We’ll have to talk some more later. It’s getting quite late, and I’m sure Loki wants to go to sleep in his own bed.” Poseidon states.

And wow, Loki is feeling quite tired now that he thinks about it, and nods in agreement.

Before they turn to leave, Amphitrite grabs Loki’s hand and asks, “Can I hug you?”

Loki looks bewildered, “Yes, but why?”

Amphitrite gently hugs Loki, her large mer body dwarfing Loki’s small frame, but it felt so nice and comforting.

“I just thought you needed one.” Amphitrite answers.

“Thanks.” Loki whispers to her.

“Goodbye Amphitrite and Triton, it was wonderful meeting you too, and we’ll meet again sometime soon.” Loki waves to his new friends? Family? Family, Loki decides.

“Goodbye my Βασίλισσα (“Queen”), and πολύτιμος γιος (“precious son”), I’ll see you again soon.” Poseidon tells his family.

“Goodbye father, and goodbye Loki.” Triton says, his face, bright gold in embarrassment.

“Goodbye my love, and make sure to keep Loki safe.” Amphitrite warns. “And see you soon υπέροχο σμαράγδι (“lovely emerald”).” Amphitrite whispers just to Loki.

Loki's face heats up bright red, and Amphitrite just grins sharply back.

Then, Loki grabs Poseidon’s hand, and he flashes them into Loki’s cabin.

Loki smiles, glad to be around back home. Home, huh, that feels right. And not too long afterward makes his way to bed, and drags Poseidon along and whispers in his ear, “Thank you for everything.”

“Of course my love.” Poseidon whispers back, just before the curtains of night fall upon Loki and he falls asleep.

Notes:

And that's the end of chapter 2! Hope you all enjoyed this fic and crossover. The rest will be posted on ao3 eventually.

Also, some things will be changed and edited before I post to ao3, so if you do eventually read it on there, please keep that in mind.

One such change I already made is that Percy will only be partially aware of his Norse heritage at first, not that Sally/Loki is a god.

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[fayes-fics]

It Had To Be You: Chapter 5 - This Was Never The Way I Planned

Masterpost PREV | NEXT

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x fem!reader, Anthony Bridgerton x Kate Sharma, Modern AU

Summary: A double date with an unexpected outcome...

artwork credit @colettebronte

Warnings: discussions of sex, swearing, public sexual acts.

Word Count: 3.0k

Authors Note: Unbetaed. A multi-chapter modern rom-com retelling of When Harry Met Sally. In this chapter, Benedict and reader attempt to set each other up, but it does not go at all to plan. This chapter is dedicated to @musicismyoxygen84 and published today to commemorate the birthday of Mr Thompson, the man who plays this titan of a fictional character. Enjoy <3

18 months ago (3 months later)

“Your face is naked!!”

“Not quite the greeting I was expecting,” he laughs and leans in to give you a quick hug.

It’s New Year's Eve, and Benedict has shaved his beard off since you saw him a few days before Christmas. He looks younger and older at once, somehow, without it. Very handsome, though. His strong jawline is even more apparent now. Bastard.

You’re at some fancy rooftop party somewhere on Shoreditch High St., agreeing to be each other's plus ones, both of you not wanting to stay home and get maudlin about how your lives have changed since the last New Year celebrated with other halves.

“I like it,” you offer, “I can see more of your face.”

“This is indeed my face,” he laughs. “I figure new year, new me,” he shrugs, and you completely understand his reasoning. You briefly considered dying your hair for a similar reset.

A few hours later, you’re both quite a few drinks in, sitting at the bar. Most people, by this point, are dancing. The music has a hypnotic, heavy bass that makes you sway subconsciously on your bar stool.

“Come on, let’s dance then,” it’s almost a defeated sigh as he hauls you to your feet, two large hands landing on your hips as he walks you forward from behind. The touch surprises you, but it’s most definitely not unwelcome.

“You don’t dance,” you laugh over your shoulder as he propels you towards the dancefloor. Then gasp as he grabs your hand and expertly spins you away and back, your body curled into his—a warm solid mass.

“Don’t I?” It’s silky, murmured into your hair, and your mouth drops open in surprise. 

“Benedict Bridgerton!” You admonish as he starts to lead you expertly in a salsa-type dance. “How dare you keep this from me!”

He spins you away again with a devilish grin, then back into his arms, your bodies swaying together. Something in your tummy flutters as he leads you in a dance, his hold always respectful but the moves undeniably sensual. You can feel the latent power in his body as it flexes around you. It makes your thoughts scatter in directions they shouldn’t—like when you got a preview of his sexual prowess, although for comic effect, in the restaurant weeks ago. The way he growled ‘look at me’ has occasionally popped into your head at the most inopportune moments since, making you squeak self-consciously. Last week, you dropped the gravy at Christmas dinner when it happened.

“TEN SECONDS TO NEW YEARS!!” the DJ yells, cutting into your abstraction and turning down the music.

There is an awkward moment where you stop dancing but stay holding each other as if you are, as everyone around you starts counting down. Your gaze falls from his eyes to his lips unconsciously.

“Do you want to get some air?” he blurts out, and you nod, grateful. It suddenly feels too hot on the dancefloor.

He releases his tight hold and slots your hand into his, leading the way, weaving through the crowd until you are out on the terrace. It’s so cold and crisp that few other people brave it. You stand awkwardly, half facing each other as party poppers go off inside, people yelling, and couples kissing. 

His eyes cut to yours as you share a slightly awkward smile, uncertain, even tipsy, about what you should do.

“Happy New Year,” Benedict says softly.

“Happy New Year,” you reply, a flutter in your gut as he moves in for a hug and a friendly kiss.

It’s just a peck on the lips, but your stomach leaps regardless. His lips are warm and soft in the cold night air. You long to linger, grab his clothing and draw him in for more, bow your body into him, and let him plunder from you. The want for much more is electric. However, it’s over in a second, and when you pull apart, something in his expression looks thoughtful, almost puzzled. 

Just as you go to say something to cut the tension of the moment, someone very drunk stumbles out of the party and projectile vomits right next to you both, narrowly avoiding your shoes.

“Seems an apt metaphor for the year we’ve just had,” Benedict comments drolly. And just like that, the odd spell between you is broken as you share a laugh and quickly move away.

——

“I’m not sure about this,” Kate wavers as you drag her down the pavement with your arm looped in hers on a cold Thursday evening the following March.

“Ben is a great guy; I really think you’d like him. It’s just dinner; where’s the harm?” you cajole.

This is a plan you and Benedict had hatched over dinner last week. He softly admitted he thought he might be finally ready to start dating again and did you know of anyone single. Your first thought was, of course, Kate, wanting her to find a good man to pull her out of the toxic thing she has with that married man. The idea of your two closest friends potentially finding happiness together gives you such a warm glow. You suggested a double date, a safe way for you to introduce each other to people you know. That’s when he lit up and said he was confident you’d like his older brother Anthony.

So now you are marching towards the restaurant to meet Benedict and his brother. 

“I still don’t understand why you are trying to set me up with this guy if you have deemed him not good enough to date yourself,” she grouses.

“Kate, that's not it at all. He’s a fantastic guy. Definitely good enough to date. We are just friends, that’s all,” you insist.

She shoots you a side-eye.

“Listen, I’ll admit, this is going to be his first date since his marriage breakup,” you hold up a silencing hand when you see her go to protest, “but that’s a good thing. He has taken the time to heal and is finally ready to date again. He is a nice guy and available, unlike someone you know,” you conclude pointedly.

She sighs.

“He’s never going to leave his wife, Kate,” you add, knowing where her thoughts have run.

She slumps her shoulders. “You’re right; I know you’re right. Okay…” she concedes.

--

“Explain to me why you’re trying to set me up with the woman you are in love with,” Anthony drawls as their Uber crawls through Soho traffic.

Benedict splutters. “I’m not in love with her!”

“You talk about her ALL the time,” Anthony says pointedly, looking at him sceptically.

“She’s my best friend; of course I do,” Benedict frowns. “And you just said you wanted to meet someone who isn’t - I quote - so dumb you want to smack yourself. She’s smart, and I think you’d get on really well.”

“Fine,” Anthony capitulates, “but you’re paying for dinner, and if it goes tits up, remember, this was all your idea.”

“Guilty as charged,” Benedict concedes, holding his hands up in a gesture of surrender.

--

Twenty minutes later, you are sat around a circular table, close to Anthony, opposite Benedict, who sits close to Kate. You wouldn’t deny that Anthony is a handsome man, and you can see the family resemblance, even though his eyes are brown to Benedict’s blue. He’s different in personality, though, no-nonsense, forthright and every inch the CEO he is. Very different to Benedict’s more laid-back temperament that you are so used to. It’s obvious Anthony runs on a schedule, whereas Benedict lives in the moment. 

How different they are preoccupies your mind, to the point it overshadows your listening to him as he speaks. Too caught up in your own analysis. The conversation is one-sided as he waxes lyrical about the things he loves - apparently mostly sailing and investments so far -  topics you struggle to contribute to.

“Kate,” you pipe up when there is an awkward lull after you have all placed your orders. “Benedict used to live in France, just like you,” you offer as a conversation starter for them.

“Oh, where did you live?” she asks him.

“Paris. You?”

“Grenoble.”

And they sort of both look at you askance, wondering what else you can do to assist. It’s obvious there is not much chemistry there, and they are struggling even to make small talk.

“Anthony,” Benedict leaps in, seeing it is quiet on your side too, “y/n here’s parents used to live in Twickenham, right by your beloved Harlequins,” hoping that will help you.

“Urghhh, Harlequins. Really?” Kate cuts in, unable to school her disgust. You forgot about her somewhat incongruous love for rugby—what started as something about wanting to see thick thighs morphing into a whole pastime for her.

Instantly you see Anthony bristle. “What's wrong with the Harlequins?”

“Umm, I think you mean, what’s right with them, don’t you?” Kate shoots back over the table, tapping a painted nail on the surface. “Your team has been shit this year,” she opines, forthright, tossing her hair.

“What do you know about rugby?” Anthony leans in, his whole demeanour changing, suddenly looking very engaged for the first time this evening.

“More than you ever will, probably,” Kate raises a challenging eyebrow and leans back in her chair, crossing her arms.

Before you know it, they have launched into a heated, complex debate about the sport, gesturing wildly and arguing back and forth. You’ve never seen Kate so animated. And while you don’t know Anthony, anyone could read from his body language how invested he is.

Your eyes drift across the table to Benedict and his to you. Realising what is happening, feeling guilty, the person you have brought for each other is not a good match for either of you. A little shocked at how instant Kate and Anthony’s connection, albeit antagonistic, is. 

As the meal is served and the wine bottle content diminishes, conversation flows easier between the four of you than your pairs. But it seems like, at every opportunity, Kate and Anthony find a reason to challenge each other on everything from what should be included in a full English breakfast to the state of politics. As your dinner plates are taken away, they are fighting about Netflix.

“You are saying people should be able to share accounts, ad infinitum? Do you have any idea how much that is abused?” Anthony decries, very much in businessman mode.

“Oh yeah, poor little rich boy Netflix. They are so impoverished they were only able to spend, what, $20 million per episode on the last series of Stranger Things? Positively bankrupt. Pass me a tiny violin,” Kate sneers rolling her eyes.

Benedict's gaze cuts to yours, concerned, but you just shrug. It seems like they are getting pleasure from riling each other up; you see how Kate’s eyes flash, and it's not in annoyance. She is stimulated by it, sparring with a handsome man who can actually keep up with her for once. It’s more than a rare thing; it’s the first time you’ve ever seen it.

So when Anthony’s phone rings and he insists he needs to take it, Kate uses the break in their bickering to head to the loos.

“Bloody hell,” Benedict blows out his cheeks as you are left alone together at the table.

“They either hate or adore each other, I think maybe both,” you opine, taking a gulp of wine.

“I’ve never seen him like this,” he confesses, shaking his head disbelieving.

“It's a long time since I've seen Kate be quite this animated, I’ll admit,” you shrug.

As dessert arrives in their continued absence, you and Benedict chat amiably, shifting your seats closer to sit next to each other. In fact, it's only as you put down the spoons after sharing a creme brûlée that you notice Kate and Anthony have been gone for quite a while now—fifteen minutes or more.

“Where are they?” you frown.

“Ant headed that way when he took his call,” Benedict states, nodding towards a corridor.

“I think that's where the loos are,” you hum, thoughtful.

You exchange looks.

“Do you think they bumped into each other and continued arguing outside? I think there’s an outdoor space back there,” his tone intrigued.

You shrug. “Maybe?”

“I need the gents anyway. Let me go check,” he smiles.

“Okay,” you nod, reaching for your phone to text Kate.

Y/N: Where are you?

You've barely scrolled through a few Insta posts when Benedict is back with what you can only describe as a haunted look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” your question is a reflex to his expression.

“Yeah, uh, they’re not fighting,” he stutters.

“What happened then?”

“Uhhh, they are umm…” you've never seen him look so awkward and embarrassed. 

Then the penny drops.

“Fucking hell!” 

“Yeah…” his eyebrows shoot up.

“I have to see!” you stand up.

He reaches out and grabs your elbow. “No… you really don't.”

“Are they actually fucking?” your ask is a whisper.

“Pretty much,” he exhales, “I walked away when I saw… movement.” 

“Wow,” you utter, then after a few minutes of silence. “Still sort of want to see,” you murmur, and Benedict looks at you with intrigue. “What?” you add, defensive.

“Never took you for a voyeur…” he comments, an element of gravelliness there.

“Oh, come on, our best friends are fucking on some outdoor dining tables. We should at least check they are okay,” you answer in a playful tone; you cant help.

“That's my brother,” he reminds deadpan.

“OK, fine, you stay here,” you stick your tongue out fractionally, feeling his incredulous gaze as you stalk down the corridor, shooting him a wink over your shoulder as you go.

At the far end of the hallway is a glass door, and as you pull up, you survey the outside space; over to the left, there is an outdoor deck filled with outdoor dining tables. The light is low, but there indeed is Kate, perched on a table edge, her shapely, beautiful legs wrapped around Anthony, her skirt pushed up around her hips as they kiss hard. If they aren't doing it, they are doing an excellent impression of it, him rocking against her slowly, everything concealed by the expensive dark wool coat he wears. 

Somehow you linger, almost hypnotised by how good they look together. Part of you is so very pleased for your friend, completely unsurprised she would just go for it like this; when she wants something, she grabs it with gusto. Apparently, that includes one Anthony Bridgerton. If you are being honest with yourself, an even more significant part of you is jealous. It’s been a while since you shared a passionate moment like that.

Taking a deep breath, realising there could well be CCTV of you peering at them, you turn around to return to your seat. At the other end of the corridor is Benedict, watching you. He looks mildly troubled, to the point you feel self-conscious as you walk towards him.

“You watched them for a while,” he comments with a slightly uneven tone, a little vein in his neck pulsing.

“They look good together, not going to lie,” you offer with a neural shrug as you pull up next to him, and something makes you look up into his eyes. His pupils are slightly dilated. It's a very beguiling look on him. You don’t seem able to look away.

“Do you often watch other people have sex?” It’s an odd cadence like he’s attempting nonchalance and failing.

“I don’t make a habit of it,” you respond truthfully, keeping your voice low, not only not to be overheard but also to ensure he has to stay close to hear it, enjoying the proximity when he seems so flustered. “I was trying to figure out if they were actually doing it or just something else.”

“Something else?”

“Maybe just hand stuff?” you suggest.

“Yeah…I shouldn’t have asked,” he admits, pulling a face. “I don’t want to think about my brother doing.. that. Or anything really.”

“Let’s get out of here then?” you offer, moving towards the table and picking up your coat from the chair back.

He glances back towards the glass door and then nods. “I already paid. We could,” he comments. “Do you think they’d be okay with it?”

“I doubt they even remember we were here tonight,” you comment dryly.

--

You and Benedict retire to a pub a few doors down, grabbing a drink and sitting in a quiet corner. Just as you go to take a sip, your phone pings.

Kate: Where did you go?

“Looks like they emerged,” you inform him as your fingers fly over the screen, composing a reply just as his phone pings too.

Y/N: We left. We saw you guys…

Kate: Oh… you dirty little pervs 😉

Y/N: Says the woman fucking on a public dining terrace

Kate: We weren’t fucking!! I gave him a handjob, and he fingered me at the same time.

Kate: I did it to shut him up, tbh. It worked. 😌

Kate: Such an arrogant twat.

Kate: Fuck, he has a nice cock, though.

Kate: Oh God… I really like him. 🫣

You chuckle as you watch your friend unravel in real-time. You glance up and see Benedict is head down in his phone, too, probably texting with Ant.

Kate: Fuck it. I’m going home with him. He just asked.

Kate: I can’t say no to a cock (all senses of the word) like that.

Kate: Ciao Bella xx

Kate: if you don’t hear from me in 3 days, send an SOS. I don’t want a pussy prolapse…

Y/N: Wow, the ✨romance✨

Kate: No joke, I think imma marry this one.

Y/N: 🤣🤣🤣

Kate: Bitch I’m serious. You’ll see…

“They are going home together,” you mutter to Benedict as he puts his phone down.

“So I hear,” he raises his eyebrows with a twisted lip.

“What does it say about us that we thought they would be a good match for you and me? When it seems they were a much better match for each other?” You ponder aloud, almost vulnerable in tone.

“Shut up and drink your wine,” he grumbles.

That is an entirely fair suggestion.

Benedict taglist: @makaylan @foreverlonginguniverse @iboopedyournose @colettebronte @aintnuthinbutahounddog @severewobblerlightdragon @margofiore @writergirl-2001 @heeyyyou @enichole445 @enchantedbytomandhenry @ambitionspassionscoffee @chaoticcalzoneranchsports @nikaprincessofkattegat @baebee35 @crowleysqueenofhell @bridgertontess @fiction-is-life @lilacbeesworld @angels17324 @broooookiecrisp @queen-of-the-misfit-toys @eleanor-bradstreet @divaanya @musicismyoxygen84 @benedictspaintbrush @miindfucked @sorryallonsy @lilithseve @cayt0123 @hottytoddyhistory @truly-dionysus @fictionalmenloversblog @zinzysstuff @malpalgalz @panhoeofmanyfandoms @kinokomoonshine @causeimissu @delehosies @Mlovesbridgerton @m-rae23 @last-sheep @kmc1989 @desert-fern @starkeylover @corpseoftrees-queen @jeanfreau

[milocholy]

Everyone should proceed with caution because I have a new game to fixate on:

SCARLET HOLLOW:

I just played a visual novel for 5 hours straight!

Now just can't say I'm an expert on visual novels, i haven't played a whole lot of them. But Scarlet Hollow is the best one I've ever seen!!

The characters are so gooddddddd and the spooks are on point. The art style has this otherness to it that reminds me of Sally Face if you were literally Sal Fisher and got to make all the decisions you wanted.

It is a horror game and does have a fair amount of gore and grotesque stuff in it.

It's only 4/7 chapters so far but there 152 achievements for different weird shit you can do!! Maybe not everyone sees that as a good thing but there's sooooooo many choices and the achievements reflect that!

The characters are awesome too, Tabitha is very amusing, Avery is literally me, and I'm afraid of what I'll reveal if I go on

PLEASE PLAY SCARLET HOLLOW!!! IT'S ON SALE RIGHT NOW!!! AND ITS A WORTHY INVESTMENT YOU WILL GET 3 MORE CHAPTERS OF CONTENT!!

And then listen to me rant about it.

Just wanted to also say this blog is multifandom I follow my current dominant media. That doesn't mean I'll stop posting about other things, there's just always gonna be phases. I probably should have done sideblogs but it's to late now and I have to many fandoms for that.

[justapoet]

these roads are changing me (but they all lead back to you)

She wanted to have it, the freedom to touch him and smother him and kiss him absolutely senseless. She wanted to know what it was like to be kissed by him, to be hugged as it meant something more, to bask in the feeling of waking up beside him knowing they belonged to each other. Annabeth wanted to belong to him. Desperately. Vocally. On purpose. She wanted to belong, but she didn't care about where in the world. But Annabeth found that she was stuck. Frozen in place and unable to make a coherent thought.

read on Ao3

chapter 1: to those who ask

chapter 2: to whose who wait

chapter 3: to those who gaze

chapter 4: to those who left

chapter 5: to those who went so far away

chapter 6: to those who remain

chapter 7: to those who never saw me

chapter 8: to those who said they would stay

chapter 9: to those left behind

to the love of my life

Annabeth Chase fell in love with Percy Jackson on an ordinary night, when the moon hid and the stars weren't strong enough to shine through the city lights.

She fell in love with him on a summer day, when the Sun wanted the world to see its brightness and the water reached the shore a little higher than the day before.

She fell in love with him at a cramped up apartment, with books and papers scattered all around as she tried again and again to draw the same line of a project she was never satisfied with, and he ordered take-out because she'd forgotten to eat.

She fell in love with him on a winter day when his face was pink and cold, and she didn't put on gloves just to press her fingers against his cheeks and feel the smile that would always spread on his face.

She fell in love with him in Spring, when being stung by a bee made him ignore his aching arm to bury the little insect under the flower he'd allegedly stolen from it.

She fell in love with him in Autumn, when he'd asked her for pictures with a scarf that resembled a song Juniper and Grover loved to sing along to, despite its full ten minutes of extension.

She fell in love with him when it was warm, and the cabin on Montauk had been cleaned three times so she wouldn't fear getting mugged by a spider.

She fell in love with him when it was cold, and he had done his best to fight his fever-induced sleepiness so they could watch Sandra Bullock falling in love with Ryan Reynolds because Annabeth just had felt the need to believe in love again.

She fell in love with him when it was rainy and the flowers she'd gotten him were a bit crumpled by the water's aggressive falling from the sky, but he cradled them with such care it made her wonder why she'd never gotten him any flowers before.

She fell in love with him when his smile was bright enough to light up the whole town the moment he'd spotted her with his swim-team cap and a huge hand-made sign over her head with a really abstract drawing (made mostly by Estelle) of him with a fish-tail.

She fell in love with him in the silence after she'd run from home again, and found herself cradled in his and Sally's arms.

She fell in love with him in August, when his eyes would always tear up at the sight of another home-baked blue cake she got progressively better at.

She fell in love with him in the loudness of the book-launch party they'd thrown in Sally's honor for her first book.

She fell in love with him in April, when he showed up at her house with a highly unreliable blue ice-cream and a batch of brownies in his backpack, smiling blindly just because.

She fell in love with him on Sunday when the next morning already haunted her and he decided that there was no right or wrong time for ice cream.

She fell in love with him in May, when he hugged her over and over because of the surprise trip to the newest aquarium in the area.

She fell in love with him on Thursday when they picked a new place to visit and made written reviews to trade at the end of the night, and the company spot was always five stars (and a heart, when she got his paper).

She fell in love with him in September, when he shared with her his jelly after a nasty fall on a skateboard had landed him in the ER with a mild concussion.

She fell in love with him on Wednesday when he trusted her with the keys of his blue jeep and asked her to just drive as far as she could with the windows down and a random playlist blaring in their ears.

She fell in love with him in March, when, at two in the morning, he decided he had enough information on sharks to write a whole paper by her side, as she finished another project.

She fell in love with him in November, when his eyes lit up at the most hideous, terribly knit sweater she had made him just because she wanted to.

She fell in love with him in January, when she lost, over and over, the snowball war they'd waged in Paul's mother's backyard.

She fell in love with him on Friday when the week caught up to their shoulders and still there was always disposition for a batch of blue cookies.

She fell in love with him in June, when the twelfth was a reason for chocolate because somewhere in the south-hemisphere was celebrating Valentine’s Day.

She fell in love with him at ten in the morning, when he had spent the entire night playing something online with Jason and forgotten to sleep, and woken up with crumpled hair when she tossed a pillow at his head.

She fell in love with him in December, when there was no one in New York happier about Christmas lights and trees and terrible-looking hoodies.

She fell in love with him on Tuesday, when nothing really happened but she remembered, randomly around the clock, that he existed and was a real person walking around the surface of the Earth.

She fell in love with him at nine in the night, when there wasn’t a bad time to take a dive in the sea.

She fell in love with him in July when her birthday was a quiet matter with the brightest smiles and the most thoughtful gifts.

She fell in love with him in October and February when his eyes were kind and his touch was sweet as she cried her eyes out over stupid, stupid romantic movies.

She fell in love with him, and suddenly she wasn't afraid of heights.

She fell in love with him, and the ocean didn't seem such a big thing to compare anything to.

She fell in love with him, and wished she believed in an afterlife so she could see him again.

She fell in love with him, and suddenly rationality wasn't the answer to anything, anymore.

She fell in love with him.

And so it happened.

She fell in love with him.

She fell.

She fell.

She falls.

✉

"Where do you want to go from here?" Percy asked from the bedroom, and she could hear the way he — very violently, it's safe to note — dried his hair with a towel. A part of her wanted desperately to admonish his actions, because that was the last thing someone with such pretty curls for a hair should ever do, but Annabeth found that she was stuck.

Frozen in place and unable to make a coherent thought.

They had gotten to Venice two days before, and walked around the same parts of the city for as long as their feet could manage to bear their weight. Her phone, she was sure, would soon start overheating if they kept taking the amount of pictures they did — but she couldn’t help the need to register every single detail of every place and town and city their eyes scanned around them.

 It was an hour into being settled in the hotel before they had gotten on gondolas and just floated around the channels, chatting happily with the lovely man with the rows and silently thanking Nico for the forced Italian lessons he decided to give their group after Leo had forced them to learn Spanish. All throughout the day, Annabeth’s smile didn’t falter, unlike her heart, with Percy by her side, looking a lot like a child who'd gotten the best remote-control car ever for Christmas, absolutely thriving while being in a roadless, floating town.

His smile was blinding all throughout the day, and Annabeth's expression mirrored his — she couldn't help it. Percy's excitement left no other option but to join him in silly smiles and unrestrained laughter, none of them caring much when they laughed too loud and attracted confused pairs of eyes in their direction. The people were used, probably, to tourists at that point in living there.

And now, as the sun began to set on the third day they were on Italian soil, they had retired earlier just to share one lazy night together. The day had been warm, and they'd walked their fair share while touring shops and cafés and restaurants (because Percy had a mission while in Italy, and it was to leave with more pounds in weight than he had arrived with), and their sore legs were almost nothing compared to their sore cheeks at so many sights and sighs and pictures.

They were having lunch in a Google-recommended restaurant — that deserved the praise and recommendation, that was for sure — when Annabeth decided that she would do something about the butterflies in her stomach and the fluttering of her heart. Percy was laughing, and she was smiling, and she didn't know if she wanted to snap a picture of his face just to have it stored somewhere, the sight, or go on and take one of the beautiful arrangements of the plate because it was what they usually did.

She wanted to kiss him, too, when the dessert came and his eyes lit up at the mere sight of the waiter carrying the plate. She wanted to kiss him when he smiled, when he laughed, when his face got dirty because he had no manners when sweets were involved — she wanted to kiss him when he asked for another desert to take home, and when they got up and he tangled their arms together.

She wanted to kiss him and hug him and wrap her arms around him a little bit possessively when a gorgeous european lady was clearly hitting on him, and Percy didn't have a clue, because he had always been that way. She wanted to hold his hand and know it meant more to the both of them — she wanted it to mean more on purpose.

She wanted to have it, the freedom to touch him and smother him and kiss him absolutely senseless. She wanted to know what it was like to be kissed by him, to be hugged as it meant something more, to bask in the feeling of waking up beside him knowing they belonged to each other.

Annabeth wanted to belong to him. Desperately. Vocally. On purpose.

With purpose. Of spending her life loving him openly — clearly, in a way that Percy could see it, too, and know that it meant something.

She wanted to have that, to have him, anywhere they wandered to. Venice, Lille, Paris, Athens, Rome, Zurique, Lucerna, Lisbon, London, Lima, Rio, Brussels, Vienna, San Francisco, New York.

She wanted to belong, but she didn't care about where in the world.

And so, when they got back to the small apartment they were staying in, Annabeth had let him take a shower first, and headed straight to the folder that she kept safe and far on her backpack, taking out the last letter she had tucked in there. It was a bit more crumpled than the others, the amount of times she'd read it before and throughout their trip making it a little worse for wear — it wasn't a recent letter, though it had been one of the last ones she'd written.

She'd known who the letter was for from the beginning. But it took a while (a really long one) for her to admit it, to make it real on paper as well.

And as she walked back to the cozy living room, she could hear Percy's less than tuned sing-along to The Little Mermaid's live action's 'Wild Uncharted Waters'. Annabeth couldn't help but chuckle, smiling widely and shaking her head. 

Terrible for the neighbors. 

A blessing for her very, very unsteady heart.

A sudden wave of fear hit her, then, and Annabeth stopped moving, frozen on spot as if lightning had hit her and petrified her muscles. Her throat tightened, and she pressed her lips against each other as she swallowed dryly.

Those small blessings, those little moments they shared in the secrecy of their friendship, were far too precious for her to risk. Weren't they? To have him like that, carefree and comfortable and just so damn sweet, was worth risking?

Was it worth it, a heartbreak over the skipping beats she had lived with for so long?

And so, when Percy had gotten out of the shower and talked to her, Annabeth couldn't move.

She couldn't move, couldn't change the way she was sitting on the couch, cross-legged as her hands held carefully to the last piece of paper she had found among the things she didn't think she had kept. Her eyes darted carefully through all the nearly non-existent details over the folded sheet, the same she'd been staring at for a quite worrisome amount of time.

She knew, to some extent, and was confident that things would be perfectly fine after she'd given him the letter for his curious eyes to discover. Annabeth was perfectly sure, just as she was about most things she knew and learned and taught, that the outcome wasn't dangerous, whatever it was — they'd still be the two of them, and things would work out completely well. Not for her heart, perhaps, but she knew her soul wouldn't be torn apart, in the end.

Because, while the consequence of knowing Percy was to love him, the opposite also proved itself to be true. To love him is to know him — know all the smallest details of his face and expressions, of his gestures and the tone of his voice. She knew what to expect of his reactions, and what to never expect of his words and actions; she knew him. And had for a really long time.

Which made her overthinking and the hammering of her heart to be incredibly irrational, as well.

But, Annabeth supposed, it was inevitable when dealing with matters of the heart; the only few things she could never learn thoroughly despite her very best efforts, despite all her dedication. She could try to convince herself all she wanted, and Annabeth knew it would never worked as she'd planned it — she'd still get breathless upon the sight of him, still get heartbroken at his absence, and still fall over and over in love with the man she'd met so many times, in so many ways.

She hoped, secretly as she carried her feelings and truths, that she'd get the chance to meet him again — she hoped, and prayed, that she'd meet him in the middle.

"Like, I know we're not making plans and such, but do you have anywhere in mind?" he continued, his voice getting closer to where she was. His feet were bare against the flooring, and he had put the towel back in the bathroom at some point of her mind-turmoil. "South, or west, or staying here for longer?"

She didn't move or reply, and Annabeth could almost see with the back of her head as he stopped moving. She could picture the crease in between his eyebrows, and how he squinted his eyes in worry. She wanted to laugh. But she couldn't quite breathe as her lungs should.

It's Percy, she reminded herself. Your Percy. He deserves to know.

And she deserved to tell him, as well, and take this one leap of faith.

Because in her very core, she knew that she couldn't fall without him jumping and falling right after her.

"Annabeth?" Percy called. "Are you alright?" he asked, now rounding the couch and flopping by her side, his eyes concerned as he took in the scene — Annabeth, unmoving as stone, holding a piece of folded paper and eyes glued to it. She wasn't sure she was even blinking. "Wise Girl?" he called again, his voice low and even more concerned.

She inhaled sharply. As she exhaled, she closed her eyes.

"There's one more letter," she said, sober and only high enough that he could hear it. Percy's eyes, so bright while looking at her, had this worried expression not as well hidden as he thought it was. She turned his head to look at him, again. It made her as breathless as it always did. "That I've been keeping and carrying around, too."

Percy's smile was kind, his features softening.

"Oh?" he expressed, adjusting his position beside her so he could face her more easily. "Well, that's just perfect. One more thrill to look for. One more remittee to figure out," he smiled, and Annabeth felt her heart swelling in her chest.

Her smile, she was sure, was completely love drunk as she spoke again.

"Yeah," she agreed, and stretched out her arm to offer him the folded letter. "This one's a little more personal, though. Not that the others weren't, but—" she shrugged. "This one's a bit more," she settled with it. Her arm was still stretched out, and her hand was shaking a little. The uncertain rhythm of her heart might've been the cause, or just the anticipation for his reaction. Percy, forever careful and thoughtful as he was, sent her a look that asked her if she was sure she wanted him to read it.

She nodded.

It was high time she stopped running away from him. From them.

She didn't have the energy, the need, and much less the desire to keep pulling away.

Percy took the folded paper, and carefully opened it up, still looking at her face. Annabeth tried to smile in encouragement, but her mind was working overdrive, and it was hard to try to settle his feelings when hers were all over the place, over the letter, over them both. With one of his hands, Percy reached for her leg and squeezed it, assuring.

"Are you sure you want me to read it? We can figure out a receiver some other way," he asked, concerned at how private it was, and she shook her head.

"Not this one, we can't," she assured him. "I really want you to read it," Annabeth replied, trying to sound as honest and sure as she felt. Percy nodded, smiling again, and she really thought her heart would fly out of her chest through her ribs the moment his blue eyes looked down at the paper.

She watched his pupils and irises move as he took in the first line. The vocative. The one she'd changed, with a blue pen over the black ink, so many moons ago. The same blue she'd signed the letter with, contrary to all the others.

He stopped.

"Annabeth—" he tried, looking up at her with alarmed, wide blue eyes, and she didn't let him finish.

"Read it," she asked, and it sounded a lot like a plea. "Please."

She could see how he held his breath when he nodded. The tension over his shoulders when he looked back down at the paper. How he didn't dare to breathe as his eyes moved again.

Annabeth knew him too well not to notice, and her leg started to move in her anxiety as he took in each word written there. She knew them all, back to front. She'd read it, and reread it, and read it again just to be sure she had conveyed what she meant — she didn't, she couldn't, not really. There weren't enough words around the globe that could precisely make him make sense. The two of them, though? Even less.

She knew each word, and knew which parts took him longer to take in. The text was as familiar as the freckles over his nose and the feeling of her own hand in his. The words were as well-known as the whirlwind of his curls and the way his smile was so kind to her. Everything on that sheet was just as common, as familiar, as recognizable as the heartbeats inside her chest.

And as she waited, Annabeth couldn't help but go through the letter one more time, just to be sure. Just to be her — the overthinker she'd always been.

"To the love of my life, Percy Jackson,

read the rest on Ao3

[tstwitterupdates]

TS tweet 10/8/23

Hey kiddos! In lieu of a sketch video this week, Patton will be working back up the courage to play CHAPTER 2 of Sally Face on YouTube Public Livestream tomorrow at 5:30PM ET! Hope to see you all there!! 🩵💻

[expresso-bean]

The Man Out of Time [A ShadAmy and Silver Story]: Chapter 8

Pairing: Shadow the Hedgehog x Amy Rose

Description: It has been seven years of peace following the grueling war with Eggman and his army. Though it took time to rebuild what they have lost, life for the Freedom Fighters could not be better. Whether it's finding love or trying to run from their past, celebrating post-war times has been different for each of them.

All is well until a silver hedgehog comes knocking on Amy Rose's door to deliver the tragic news about an incredible force that seems to be the cause of the future's destruction.

Will anyone believe the mysterious hedgehog's cry for help? Or will he be left to fight for his future alone? Read to find out!

Warnings: None

Word Count: 1.1k

POV: Silver the Hedgehog

!! I do not own any of the art/gifs/borders used in my chapters. All credits to the rightful owners !!

Masterlist ❀ Ch.1 ❀ Ch.2 ❀ Ch.3 ❀ Ch.4 ❀ Ch.5 ❀ Ch.6 ❀ Ch.7 ❀ Ch.8

My eyes widen at the words that came out of Knuckles' mouth. I knew what he said was untrue. Sonic never was a father in the future, and Sally died before I was even born. I knew better than to reveal who my real parents were, I wouldn't want things to get weird and I somehow mess up the future by erasing my own existence. Although it was true that Tails was my uncle, I have to tread carefully on how I defend my relation to him.

'What did this hot-head just get me into?'

I turned to look towards Sonic, who was inspecting his own hands and arms, and he switched his eyes between himself and me.

"My kid? How the hell does a squirrel and a hedgehog produce this lunatic!"

"Hey! Just because I have mind powers doesn't mean I'm crazy! I prefer to be called a cultured idiot."

"How is that any better?" Sonic exclaimed in my direction. "My genes are better than what HE is!"

I gritted my teeth as the feeling of annoyance built up inside me. Sonic was aggressively in my face, taunting me by sticking his tongue out. Before I can escalate the situation, a powerful force pulled me from behind my collar. I felt like for sure, I was going tumble over myself, but, they were strong enough to hold me in place. My eyes bulged as I was held just above the ground.

"Listen well, idiots! This behavior will lead to nothing that will help the broken future. If you both refuse to hold your tongues against each other, I will gladly rip them out for you." Shadow shoved me forward, almost causing me to fall. As I regained my balance, I shook my head slightly to regain my train of thought. "Shape up before I force you to."

"He has your personality for sure," Knuckles cackled. "Maybe you found someone else to have a kid with."

I heard a plate being thrown at Knuckles and crashing down onto the floor. Knuckles looked at Rouge for support, but she shrugged him off. 

"Sorry hun, but you kind of deserved that one," Rouge exclaimed, winking at Sonic in approval for throwing something at her boyfriend to get him to shut up. "Don't casually say something like that and be surprised when you get a response."

"I would never leave Sally for anyone!" Sonic wrapped his arms around Sally from behind. She nuzzled back slightly as Sonic glared at the people around him. "So don't say things like that!"

"Look, we can discuss all of this later. I guarantee that you all will know who I truly am by the end of this. For now, can we focus on the bastards who are trying to kill all of you?" 

I looked around the room with an eager face but earned nothing but empty stares. Then, my eyes set on Cream, who nervously held her hand up. I wanted to let out a laugh at her politeness, but instead, I nodded at her to proceed.

"Mr. S, who are these villains? Were they loyalists for Eggman seeking revenge?"

"No, not exactly," I took a second to breathe in. I could feel them looking at me, and I wanted to be stable enough to give them the answers they deserve. "We tried to figure out where both came from. All we know is Ace Wolfringe came from off-planet. Her power of illusion was given to her when she underwent experiments in prison. Along the way, she met her partner in crime, an unnamed figure known as 'Anti'. He's strong enough to raid and ravish cities without breaking a sweat. His brute strength isn't what makes him all-powerful. What really makes him dangerous is the fact that he can transform without the chaos emeralds."

In a quarter of a second, the moment my final sentence left my mouth, I watched as Sonic and Shadow confront me in my face, a threatening presence evident in their gaze.

"Why did you not bring this matter to us earlier, you idiot! Not only are our odds at a significant low, but hiding this valuable information just wrote our death certificates!"

"For once, I'm siding with Shadow. How is it that this guy was even able to do something like that without the chaos emeralds?"

I scrunched my nose and began to panic internally. I knew I was going to hurt them with my words, but it hurt more for me because I knew most of these people when they were still alive.

"The only way he was able to do would be..." Knuckles went from looking over at the ground to looking towards me. His pupils dilated. His arms tense. "He couldn't have!"

"I know. But-"

"Hey," Knuckles get close to me. He spiked Knuckles pointed towards my  abdomen. "What the hell happens to me in the future?"

I stayed silent. 

"You die trying to stop him." 

He still looked angry. It wasn't the answer he wanted.

'What does this guy want from me?' 

"I get that you're angry, but we need to focus on preventing that from happening. With-"

"You're lying! And you want to know how I know?"

"I don't know what you want from me!" I tried to step away from Knuckles, but it was clear that he wasn't going to let me off so easily. From what I heard about him, and from what I can see now, he stubborn. He could argue with me for days if I'd let him. "This is pointless, we need to-"

"You have NO idea what your talking about! Why should I take you seriously?"

My eyes felt like they were going to burst. My patience was dwindling. I needed to keep my emotions in check or else I'll do something I might regret. 

'How do I even go about this? He won't even let me talk!'

"He broke the Master Emerald.'' Shadow's voice broke our one-sided argument. He looked over at me, his eyes were fearful, yet his voice was steady. "There is no other way to explain it."

"No, I would have been able to stop them! There's no way. You... You don't believe that, do you Shadow?"

Shadow didn't say anything. He stood there with his arms crossed and gave Knuckles a look. I didn't get it, but whatever Knuckles got from it, it finally got him quiet enough for me to speak.

"I get it. You're angry, but this only works if we work together. With your help, we can defend it together. The day they show up, that's their first target."

I could see the anger and hatred building up in Knuckles' eyes. He's silent, but he's seething. I don't event think that he heard anything I said.

I looked over at Amy, she looked just as stressed as I was.

'Why can't everyone be understanding like her!'

[internallyinarticulate]

Sally Face lore from the Sally Face: Strange Nightmares Kickstarter

I haven’t seen anyone do this yet (as far as I can tell!) and I’ve always admired the sally face community. With how lovely the community continues to be and with the revitalization it’s been given due to the sally face kickstarter; I’ve decided to come out of my shell and give back to the community I admire! I’ve gone through every single scrap of info through the entirety of the kickstarter (streams, lore given to backers, and some questions he answered on twitter!) to put all the lore revealed by Steve Gabry himself into one place for everyone to use however they wish! If anyone would like to watch the streams then please go to:

Beneeta_K (Twitch Streamer)’s 2 streams they did with Steve Gabry:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1739974869  (Where they play the board game from the kickstarter)

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1752120791  (The kick off Q&A they did at the start of the kickstarter)

And the 4 streams on Steve Gabry (Portable Moose)’s youtube channel will be located under the ‘Live’ tab. Here’s a link to his channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PortableMoose/streams

This is made with love from a sally face fan who’s been around since chapter one came out all those years ago, thanks for making such a wonderful game Steve! I hope you all enjoy! <3 (Sorry it's so late!)

Pink is Steve Gabry answering questions and Black is the Questions!

-THE STREAM LORE-       (in no particular order)

:Q: “Are any of the gang in a band?”

A: “They tried to start a band together at some point, but they didn't do much with that.”

Q: “What instrument does each character play?”

A: “Sal plays the guitar, Todd plays the keyboard,Larry plays the drums, Ash sings and plays bass.” Steve at the end says, ‘By the way, I didn’t say they play well. They loved it though.’

Q: “What kind of music did the band make and what were they named?”

A: “They would have played grunge rock with a 90’s vibe with the keyboard.” 

(Steve says in the stream that they did not pick a band name, he would imagine that they would have a long piece of paper with a lot of band names on them, some crossed out some not, but they wouldn’t have been able to pick one lol.)

Q: “What song would Sal absolutely love?”

A: “Before he met Larry, he was mostly into rock, grunge, and punk, And then when he met Larry he started really getting into metal.”

Q: “What is Sal's favorite baked good?”

A: “You know what, let’s make it cinnamon rolls.”

Q: “Is Gizmo okay?”

A: “Gizmo is fine, he’s doing good.”

Q: “What is the story about the homeless man on floor 5?”

A: “Well he’s a man, he is homeless, he is on floor 5, sometimes he’s not on floor 5; how ‘bout that?”

Q: “Who was the intended person for Travis’s note?”

A: “I’ve answered this question many times, but people don’t like the answer, so they keep asking. So the answer is, I have someone in mind, but I purposely left it open for you guys to think about who you want it to be.”

Q: “What is Sal’s ideal date night?”

A: “Having a date.”

A: “I think he would enjoy doing something in nature, he would also enjoy just going to see a horror movie, playing video games, going to a concert, something like that.” 

Q: “What is Larry’s ideal date?”

A: “Definitely listening to metal, in some form, going to a metal concert, getting some pizza.”

Q: “What is Travis’s ideal date?”

A: “I feel like getting far away from Nockfell and doing something outside the city, getting away from his parents and school. Just a place where he doesn’t have to be around people he knows.”  

Q: “What is Ashley’s ideal date?”

A: “She probably would like to go to an art museum or some sort of art exhibit or maybe going to see a play.”

Q: “Todd’s ideal date?”

A: “Definitely going to some sort of science center, going to see some kind of new technology, some educational thing you would enjoy doing or going to a paranormal convention.”

Q: “Did the four horsemen have sleepovers?”

A: “Oh yeah, 100%, all the time.”

Q:“What is the story between Janice and Ray?”

A: “They’re Todd’s parents, they are a little bit ‘burned out’, you know? They’re very loving, open-minded, and kind hearted. They’re a little bit ‘burned out’, they’re spacy, Janice is a little more ‘burned out’ than Ray you may have noticed. She gets ‘burned out’ and forgets what she’s talking about a lot.”

Q: “Is Ash emo?”

A: “No, I mean you have to remember when they're in high school it’s like the 90’s it wasn’t really, you know… there’s Daria hahaha.”

Q: “If Travis survived from the hole,what do you think he’d be up too?”

A: “What do you think he’d be up to?”  

Q: “What are the kiddo’s favorite colors?”

A: “Sal’s is blue or pink, Larry is red or black, Ash is purple, Todd is green, Travis likes black.”

Q: “Why did Jim’s puzzlebox turn into a rubix cube?”

A: “Why did that happen?”

Q: “Where did Gizmo get all those stickers from?”

A: “Where does anyone get stickers from?”

Q: “Is Gizmo a salmon guy or chicken guy?”

A: “He loves both, Gizmo just likes to eat.”

Q: “What is Larry’s love language?”

A: “Larry’s is physical touch.”

Q: “What is Sal’s love language?”

A: “Sal’s love language is definitely quality time.”

Q: “Does Sal have a game cube?”

A: “Yeah, he has a game cube.”

Q: “What flavor is Addison Tea?”

A: “It’s Addison flavor.”

Q: “What is the vending machine’s love language?”

A: “Physical touch.”

Q: “What is the homeless guy on floor 5’ love language?”

A: “Here’s the thing with the homeless guy, before it would have been giving gifts, before the way he is now.”

Q: “How often does Travis cry?”

A: “I think he probably cries frequently but secretly and intensely.”

Q: “Is Todd autistic?”

A: “You know he might be on the spectrum, he’s very socially allowed and very blunt. He doesn’t have a lot of social cases.”

Q: “What was Todd and Neil’s first date?”

A: “They met in the library, their first date, probably would have just been going for a walk somewhere and talking.”

~Backer Bonus Lore Given~

-Waiting for Chocolate: In episode two, chug is downstairs waiting for the vending machine guy to come and refill it with delicious snacks. He usually comes every other Saturday and Chug is always there to greet him. However, this time, the vendor does not show up. I originally had a side story planned about the vending machine guy going missing and Chug being very concerned about that. Even though that story didn't make it into the game, the detail is still there. The vending machine guy is gone and his machine remains empty for the rest of the game.

-The Open Road: Ash's dad, Adam Campbell, was a mechanic and always had some project going on in the garage. One of his prized possessions was eventually passed down to Ashley, once she was old enough. It was something she had her eye on for a long time: his motorcycle. Adam even taught Ash to to ride at a young age. So she was already comfortable riding it by the time she was legally allowed to. It became second nature to her. Sometimes she goes out riding, just to clear her head. Ash loves the freedom of the open road.

-Nutmeg: Grieving Mrs.Gibson recives an unwanted gift from a relative. It's a little brown rabbit. Somehow this animal is meant to fill the hole left by her late husband. The rabbit was seen as a burden to Mrs.Gibson, just another thing to take care of. She was too old for this. She didn't even bother to name it at first. Then, slowly, she found herself growing attached to the little critter. When the rabbit was one year old, Gibson made a special meal for her and finally gave her a name. She decided to call her Nutmeg. A nickname that Gibson's husband used to call her.

-Twitter Spontaneous AMA-

Q: Did Travis know about the Devourers of God and Kenneth's involvement in it, or was he kept in the dark about it until he joined?

A: He didn't know when he was younger.

Q: Did the characters come first or were they designed after you came up with the concept for the game?

A: Sal came first, then Larry with the basic idea, then the story and other characters came at the same time.

Q: Two very important questions: Would you consider making it possible to pet gizmo in sally face two (if he's still alive) and do you have this wedding photograph in higher quality?

A: Maybe! And it was drawn at that small scale, so this is the in-game asset is as high res as it gets-

Q: When is the next video game coming?

A: I'm HOPING to release a small project with Wither Studios (nothing SF related) MAYBE towards the end of this year. These things are very hard to predict in advance. Which is why games are always being delayed. So I try not to make promises until I know for sure.

Q: Will we get the $250k stretch goal on the Kickstarter even if we don't reach it?

A: I think we'll definitely pass that goal (The goal at the end was $306,947!)

Q: Is Sal legally allowed to drive since he is missing an eye?

A: Yes!

Q: Did you write and sing all of the Sanity's Fall songs?

A: Yeah, I did all the music including everything for the SF songs.

Q: What program did you use to make the sally face art?

A: I used Photoshop and a Wacom drawing tablet.

Q: Why were Chug and Soda dull when cleansing the apartment?

A: You can actually find this answer in the game! If you play close attention during that part.

Q: 1) Why does Sal grab his pigtails in Packerton's apartment when he thinks they're about to get caught? Is that something he does for comfort? 2) When did Sal first start expressing himself with his hair, and what did Henry initially think?

A: 1) It's a nervous response. Just like someone may cover their face or mouth when scared. 2) Once his mom die, he let his hair grow out. Soon after it got long enough, he started with the pigtails. Henry thought it was a little odd at first but was fine with it.

Q: Did it ever cross your mind to add voice acting to the game? Recently watched Featherfall studio's fan-dub and the game looks even more interesting with voices.

A: It's something that I've thought about but I would be SO picky about getting the right voices. So idk. Plus it'd be a big pain to add retroactively. Maybe more likely in the second game, if I decide to add voices.

Q: We know Travis and Todd are gay, but what about the other characters? Do you have any idea?

A: I will say that Sal is purposely left ambiguous so that players can project their own feelings onto him. Though I have my own ideas about him too.

Q: What was your favorite part about developing Sally Face (Or making the board game)?

A: I love creating the world and seeing it come to life. It's also something truly special to see people connect with my work on an emotional level.

Q: One of my favorite Youtubers just finished the game, ad i was wondering when the second Sally Face is going to come out because it did say it'll be continued.

A: It's very early in development, so I don't have any timelines right now. If you're interested, I made a retrospective of the development history and some more insight here; https://youtu.be/JZPOx2jMLxE?si=r-N4mcDZC40MrtJr

Q: Is there a reason why Sal has long hair instead of short hair?

A: Because he likes it long.

Q: If I were to make a video playing the game Sally Face would you take down the video for copyright?

A: I'm always happy to see people playing Sally Face. I wouldn't copyright strike any content creators for playing or streaming the game.

Q: Why were there so many empty letters addressed to Sal?

A: They may not be so empty after all.

Q: What's in Addison's Tea?

A: You don't wanna know.

Q: Is Lisa Johnson a Latina?

A: Her family is mostly from Spain and Italy.

Q: Do you think some people would actually believe Sal on trail since it was close to the satanic panic era, or the satanic panic era was already dead then?

A: There might be some people out there who believe him.

Q: Are you planning on adding more official language translations into the game, and what ethnicity is Travis intended to be, if he has any?

A: I don't have any concrete plans right now, it just takes a lot of time and effort. But I'd like to add some more language support in the future, if possible. And Travis is multiracial.

Q: What are the SF character's favorite IRL songs?

A: Larry's favorite song is a Sanity's Fall on you haven't heard yet.

Q: How and when did Todd and Neil meet?

A: They met in the library.

Q: What was the idea behind different art styles in the game?

A: I've been obsessed with the idea of alternate realities since I was in high school (before all the cool kids were doing it lol) and for a long time I've wanted to make a game with multiple art styles, revolving around this idea of different realities.

Q: Since Lisa's family is from Spain, does Larry speak or know any Spanish?

A: He knows some but isn't fluent.

Q: Will the second part of the game be released in episodes like the first.

A: Still debating on this. I'm curious to see what fans think, I'll make poll! (He did create a poll, staggered episodes was what won the poll on twitter.)

Thank you very much for reading this post! Have a Great Day or Night!

[therottenkingsreckoning]

Chapter 5! Sorry this took so long, mostly on account of wanting to get the OC art done as supplementary material. Promise it'll be the only time that needs to happen, and also that this will (probably) be the last time Frank stresses out over dumb shit in this story. Smooth sailing from here!

~Little Flame, Chapter 5~

The rest of the evening went as it usually did, comfy routines and familiar chatter being a welcome reprieve from the stress of the week. But Frank kept mulling over what Sally had said to him. Was it really so easy to tell what they were? How many others knew already? Not one had given an indication of open or silent judgement, always treating him with the respect they'd shown anyone else, and still clearly quite happy to seek (or demand) his company. But how could he tell if that was with knowledge or lack thereof? Could they be trusted to know?

"You're worryin' again, bug," Eddie said, snapping Frank out of their thoughts. "I can tell when you are."

"I'm not-" Frank began, but really it was no use. Eddie knew him too well, knew all the little ins and outs of his various moods in a way that only someone who truly cared about them would. With a sigh, he spoke.

"Well...I guess I was thinking. Things went...decently well earlier with our friends finding out about...that. Especially considering I wasn't out to Sally yet."

"Mhmm," Eddie nodded. "Not out to most folks around here, as far as I remember."

"Well, t-that's the point," Frank continued, "if it went well with her, I..." he trailed off, finding the words and confidence to say it out loud. "Eddie, do you think...they'd accept it? If I told them?"

Eddie's gaze softened, and he gently placed a hand on their shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Frank, I understand that you're scared. I'd be too in your place. But I promise, there ain't no one here that'd judge you. They all love you, just as much as I do." He chuckled. "Hey, they hardly mind that Poppy is trans, or when you'd told 'em y'ain't a man."

This gave Frank pause. It's true, they hadn't even thought of her, or how the last reveal had gone. Those did inspire quite a bit of confidence. Yet, just as soon as he'd begin to find resolve, the fears crept back. Those nagging doubts that said what if this time's too far?

They groaned in frustration, covering his face with their hands. "And it's not just that, I need to tell them about the baby too! But I can't say that without..." he sighed. "Tell me what I should do."

"Darlin', if it were up to me I'd be shouting it from the rooftops by now," Eddie stated confidently. "You know that. But it ain't my decision to make. You're the important one here!"

Frank gave an exasperated huff, still not looking up. "Why can't it be someone else's decision? That'd be so much easier."

"You... want someone to out you?" Eddie raised an eyebrow at this.

"No no," Frank sighed, defeated. "Look, I'll...think about it."

Eddie kissed him, gently cupping their face with his hand. "There's time enough to think. S'pose they'll have to know eventually though- only so long you can hide a thing like that."

"Again, you're right," Frank grumbled. "Geez, I'm hungry right now. I'm gonna get some food."

~~~~~~~~

It was later on that night, while the two lay in bed, nearly asleep, that Frank turned to his husband. "Eddie?"

"Mmm?"

"I think I'll tell them tomorrow."

~~~~~~~~

It was all well and good to say that during the night. But when tomorrow came, Frank was pacing in circles round the kitchen table, Egg cradled in their arms.

"Can't keep 'em waiting forever," Eddie said, glancing out at the gaggle of neighbors stood outside.

"Yes I can," Frank protested. "I've kept them in the dark about it this long, I can go longer."

Eddie narrowed his eyes. "That's not what I meant and you know it."

"Oh, why can't we just forget it? We'll send them all home, and try again never."

"Nope," the man's tone was firm but gentle. "You've come this far, shooin' em off now now won't do ya any good." He put an arm around love reassuringly. "Look. I'll be right here beside ya. You'll be fine."

Frank let out a desperate whine and buried his face in Egg's soft white fur for a moment, the cat purring soothingly. Then, taking a deep breath, they set him down, and looked directly into Eddie's eyes. "Ok. I'm ready."

Outside the door to the yellow house, the others waited impatiently. "What's takin' em so long?" Howdy huffed. "I've got work to get back to."

"Dunno," Barbie said with a shrug. "It must be something important, 'ol Frankie seemed real anxious to tell us about it."

Sally and Julie merely shrugged, each trying their best not give away that they knew too much.

Finally, the door swung open, and the couple emerged from inside, Frank still held close by the one-armed embrace of his husband. "Good afternoon everyone," they stated calmly, though Eddie could still feel them shaking just slightly.

"Hi Frank, hi Eddie," Wally answered jovially. "How are you?"

"Are you well?" Jaya asked. "You seemed terribly anxious when you told us to meet you here."

"I'm, well..." Frank swallowed hard. No turning back now. "I brought you all here for a reason. As you know, I am non-binary."

"Mhm.." the others all nodded agreement, seeming a little confused. Where was he going with all of this?

"Well, I...haven't been fully forthcoming with all the details in that regard." They straightened up, shutting his eyes and steeling their resolve. "I am also trans."

"What, you're a girl now?" Honey asked quizzically after a moment, readjusting the baby she held. "It's fine if you are."

"Catching labels like you catch your butterflies," Barbie added with a laugh.

"No! No no," Frank snapped frustratedly, waving the question away with their hands. "I've been through all that before and I hated it. No, I mean the gender, the...well, maleness I have now is by choice. Transmasculine."

"That's what you wanted t-" Howdy began, before stopping short at the death glare Eddie shot him.

"Wow, that's cool," Wally said, voice calm though he was (to all who knew him) still clearly excited. "Nice to know I'm not the only one."

"Wait, you are?" Frank asked incredulously, head whipping around to look at him.

"Yea," the demon answered simply. "Not as fancy as yours is, but I'm trans."

"That's four of us then!" Poppy stated cheerfully, gathering Frank to her breast with a soothing coo. "Oh come here sweetheart, I'm proud of you for saying it. I know how hard that is to say."

Frank felt lighter than air right now, all the stress lifted off of them in an instant. I really should stop doing that, he thought absentmindedly, hugging her back as they spoke up again. "Well now that that part is out of the way, I can tell you about the other thing."

"And what's that?"

"I'm pregnant."

Dead silence. For a moment, the scientist feared the worst. Lifted up by the rising poof of Poppy's feathers, they met her widened eyes.

"What?" she squeaked.

Frank chuckled nervously. "Surprise? I-"

Words cut short as the bird grabbed his face with her wings, looking directly at them with a mix of many emotions but primarily love. And fear. "Oh goodness, Frank! T-that's wonderful news! Are you feeling well? Healthy? Will you need any help? I can-"

"I'm doing fine, Poppy, really, I am," they reassured. "Plus, I have Eddie with me."

Eddie beamed at this, proud papa vibes on full display.

"They're doing well thus far, from what I see," Jaya stated confidently, gently prying her girlfriend away from the other. "Just about six weeks in most likely. When things progress further, then you me & Bea can step in to help things along. But they can handle this part himself."

Poppy fussed a bit more, still clearly full of her usual worries. But she finally, reluctantly let go, giving room for the others to step in and offer their congratulations.

"Heh, welcome to fatherhood, big guy," Jack said, giving Eddie a light punch in the shoulder with one of his many arms. "You'll do great, I know it."

Eddie laughed softly. "I-I sure hope so. Thanks."

"Suppose it does explain one thing," Barbie said with a gesture towards Frank. "You smell different now."

"Oh?" they asked, raising half of his unibrow curiously.

"Yeah!" she continued. "Thought at first it might've been a different shampoo or somethin', but that didn't make sense to me." Chuckling softly and rubbing her neck, she added, "plus, I don't know of any shampoo that'd make me suddenly really wanna hug you."

Frank smiled warmly, heart full of love, and held open his arms. "You know what? I'll let you do that, just this once."

"Wh- really?"

"Yes, what the hell. I'm feeling good right now. Come here."

Tail wagging, she cheerfully embraced them, gentle as she could. Soon Eddie joined them, then all the others as well (even Howdy). It feels nice to be held, Frank thought. Nice to be so loved and cared for, by all of my friends. "I love you guys," they sighed, contented. "I couldn't ask for a better place to raise a family."

"You're awfully sentimental," Sally teased.

"I blame the hormones," he replied.

~~~~~~~~

When they finally broke apart, Frank turned to head back inside, a big part of them still eager to call the ordeal over. But a tap on their shoulder stopped him, and he looked up to see the smiling face of a certain shopkeeper.

"So...about that test you stole..."

[ittybittyimpsagere]

Itty Bitty Imps: Masterpost!

Book 1: Itty Bitty Imps: Complete

Summery:

Fizz and Blitzø are both regressors and don't want anyone to know.

Stolas and Asmodeus become their caregivers, and as they learn more about their little ones past, they attempt to get the two littles to talk things out.

img.wattpad.com

Playlist for the fic 🎶 -Music

Chapters:

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

Chapter 9

Chapter 10:

Chapter 11:

Chapter 12:

Chapter 13:

Chapter 14:

Chapter 15:

Chapter 16:

Chapter 17:

Chapter 18:

Chapter 19:

Chapter 20:

Chapter 21:

Chapter 22:

-Father knows Best: Itty Bitty Imps Pt 2: Complete

(Takes place after exes and ohs)

Summery: (slightly darker, feel free to skip this one)

Crimson kidnaps Moxxie and uses his little headspace to control him.

Moxxie tries to escape but its harder when conflicting emotions arrise.

Millie and Blitzø tried desperately to find him, but they had already checked Crimson's mansion, and he wasn't there.

img.wattpad.com

Music Playlist for the fic

-Chapter 1:

-Chapter 2

-Chapter 3

-Chapter 4:

-Chapter 5

-Chapter 6

-Chapter 7

-Chapter 8

-Chapter 9

-Chapter 10

-Chapter 11

-Chapter 12:

-Chapter 13

-Chapter 14

-Chapter 15

Itty Bitty Imps Part 3, Millie Knows better: In progress

Summery:

Millie and Moxxie struggle to adjust to their new life as they try and help Moxxie heal from everything he's been through.

Moxxie wants to undo what his father had done.

Millie is trying to help Moxxie and be supportive but she's struggling.

Blitzø wants to help Millie, but he's not sure how.

-Chapter 1

-Chapter 2

-Chapter 3:

-Chapter 4:

-Chapter 5: coming soon.

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Itty Bitty Imps Pt 4: Hurt, Coming soon

(Takes place during ep: S2E4-S2E5)

Stolas gets hurt...then Blitzø does.

Things become too complicated...

So Blitzø makes a decision that changes everything.

All and all- this will hurt some readers. And I promise you will hate me after this 😀

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Itty Bitty Imps Part 5, Everything will be okay: Coming soon.

(Takes place during S2E6-7)

Via gets kicked out of her apartment when they find out she never took the classification test.

She can't go home where Stella and Stolas are, so she reaches out for help and finds it where she least expects it.

Fizzarolli's career is on the line when he has to face Mammon one last time with a bet they made.

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Itty bitty imps part 6: The monster under my bed.

(S2EP8-9)

Blitzø is hurt, and he's forced to confront his feelings when he's bedridden and stuck in the home of the last person he wants to talk to.

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Itty bitty imps part 7

Takes place during mastermind.

Beelzebub takes over Blitzø's trial before anyone can make a decision,

Stolas and Blitzø are both sentenced for their crimes.

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One-Shots and ficlits:

-One-Shots

-Biting

-Are Paci's okay? -

-Epologue for IBI

-A surprise for three littles

-Ozzie the babysitter

-A little meeting

-Sleepy time (coming soon)

-Sleepless night (coming soon)

💕🍼💕🍼💕🍼💕🍼💕🍼💕🍼💕🍼💕🍼

-Notes/Info: Classification AU: Members in hell are forced to take a classification test that determines what they are:

-Neutrals

-Caregivers

-Littles

And occasionally you’ll get a special classification such as: Babysitter, leader, Guardian, and even pet regressors.

For especially Imps and Hellhounds, (the lowest beings in hell), their results have everything to do with their future.

That’s why some imps had learned to cheat the system…

Blitzø being one of them.

Classifications:

Blitzø❤️: Not officially little, classified a neutral after cheating on the test

Stolas 💜: Caregiver

-Fizzarolli 💚 Little

-Asmodeus 💙 Neutral/ Guardian

-Millie ❤️🔥 Guardian

-Moxxie ❤️🩹 Neutral type: Poet.

50%Pet Regressor, 50% Little

-Loona 🖤 Caregiver

-Sallie Mae❤️‍🔥 Guardian Middle regressor

-Octavia 💖 ???

-🦜⭐️Vassago: CG

-Littles info:

Blitzø: Little Age: 1-5

Fizzerolli: Little Age: 5-8 ???

Moxxie: Little age: 0-4 ???

???: Little Age: ???

Sallie Mae: 8-15

???: Little Age: 4-13

⚠️Warning: This story is not all fluffy and cute, this story is more about healing childhood trauma, and healing the inner child by accepting help and accepting regression as a coping therapeutic method. (there’s plenty of hurt/comfort and cute fluff, but that’s not all it is) in these books we will be discussing dark topics like child abuse, sexual abuse, death, emotional abuse, PTSD, depression, struggling in life, suicidal thoughts, toxic relationships, and even hating one’s own regression and dealing with the hardships of age regression.

Also, it's not written to be accurate to cannon. A lot changes with the plot and characters.

So...yes, I know that's not how it happened on the show... and It's probably never going to align with the show. #SorryButNotThatSorry

⚠️ More specific character notes:

-Ozzie and Fizz

-Stolas and Blitzø:

-Stolas and Blitzø part 2: Coming soon

-Millie and Moxxie: Coming soon

-¿¿¿, ???, And ¿?¿ Coming soon.

-Verosika

-Striker and Stella: Coming soon.

Sally mae

-Dm me if you'd like to be part of my Taglist ~Feel free to ask questions, share ideas, or request something!~

[morgana-larkin]

Alright, it seems I’ve gotten a creative boost for Marilyn. In this chapter you both try and move on but also try to make each other jealous, so have fun with that! Not edited in the slightest and I hope you like it!

Cool Your Fire - Part 5

Warnings: jealousy

Words: 5.1k

Marilyn takes a deep breath, it’s Friday today. She spent all week pretending like you don’t exist and it’s killing her. All she wants is to be next to you and comfort you and tell you that she loves you. She can’t do any of that.

Last week you told her you wanted nothing to do with her and to stay away from you forever. And even if it’s hurting her every time she sees you, she has to respect your decision and boundaries. All she has to do is get through today and then she has 2 days off to do whatever.

She’s in bed right now, not wanting to get up but has too. She can’t help but think over some of the events of the week after Saturday.

On Sunday, Marilyn woke up hoping that what happened yesterday was all a dream but when she saw you and you didn’t even look at her, she knew it wasn’t.

She can’t help but think of what happened over and over again in her head as she tries to keep busy. She knew she should have questioned you more as to why you were distancing yourself. She didn’t though and it seems whatever was going through your mind just exploded along with you figuring out who her family was.

She never came here to kill the outcasts, sure she thought about it after her family died but that’s normal to want revenge. She got curious and wanted to know if the outcasts are really as bad as her family told her. And from what she’s seen, they’re just people trying to live their life like everyone else.

“So what does everyone know about the Venus flytrap?” Sally asks you all. You, Enid, Sally and Nickie are placed in a group to do a project about a carnivorous plant that Ms. Thornhill chooses for each group.

“Just that they eat flies and other things.” You say and everyone else nods in agreement.

You all begin looking up all about the Venus Flytrap and Marilyn keeps glancing over at your group. She sees Sally trying to hit on you as well, and while you ignored it at first, you eventually start to flirt back with her. Marilyn feels the anger start to flare inside of her and she clenches her fist at her desk. She knows she can’t do anything about it and can only watch. Have you really moved on already? If you’ve moved on then she should too. There’s a man in Jericho that’s been trying to hit on her but keeps rejecting him since she was interested in you, but maybe she should accept it when she goes into town this weekend.

The bell finally rings and everyone packs up their stuff and goes to their next class. That leaves Marilyn alone to her thoughts and plants as she has a spare right now. She begins her daily routine of tending to her plants while she begins to think about everything again.

Was she really trying to move on or just make you jealous? Then she thinks that it could be both, making you jealous after you hurting her is perfect.

The day passes slowly but eventually it ends and everyone gets ready for the weekend. In the quad at supper time, you’re walking to the table when Sally comes up to you.

“Hey, Y/N, so I was wondering if you wanted to sit with me today? Just you and me, no one else.” She asks you, face full of hope.

“Oh, um sure.” You say and Sally has a bright smile on her face and then leads you to a free table.

Enid, the fangs and Marilyn all watch you go to another table with Sally, their mouths open in shock. Marilyn gets up and leaves after muttering an excuse to the table and goes to her room. While walking out of the Quad, another teacher purposely bumps into her.

“Watch it Normie!” The teacher says, attracting everyone’s attention to them. Luckily for Marilyn, Enid and the fangs saw it all and they all get up to defend her.

“It’s you who should watch it.” Enid says.

“We saw you do it on purpose. I don’t think principal Weems would appreciate you bullying a fellow faculty member.” Yoko says.

“Girls, it’s alright. No need to get the principal in on this, she already has enough to deal with.” Marilyn tells them.

“Ya, no need to have her waste her time on a Normie.” The teacher says and then before anyone can say anything, smoke starts to rise from behind him. He then feels it and turns around to see his butt on fire and begins padding it down. While he does that, everyone turns to look at you with a smile. You just stay sitting at your spot but your body is turned to everyone.

“I suggest you apologise to her or I won’t put it out.” You say to the teacher and barely has a smile on her face.

“Ok, I’m sorry Ms. Thornhill.” He says and you put the fire out and the teacher walks away. You immediately turn back around to finish eating and the fangs go back to their seat.

“Even if you aren’t friends, Y/N hates discrimination.” Enid says to Marilyn.

“Well tell her I say thank you.” Marilyn says then walks off to her room.

The next day you all get on the shuttle and Enid sits next to Marilyn this time so you don’t have too. Marilyn gets her phone out and shows Enid a picture of a guy.

“What do you think of him?” She asks her.

“Oh, I guess he’s cute, I think I’ve seen him around Jericho.” Enid says, not liking where this might be going.

“Ya he lives there. His name is John and he’s been flirting with me for a couple weeks. I’m thinking of accepting this time when I see him.” Marilyn says with a smile.

“Oh, well, if you like him then you should definitely go for it.” Enid says with a forced smile. Enid and Marilyn continue talking a little bit before the shuttle reaches Jericho and everyone gets off.

You and Enid walk around Jericho a little bit before stopping at the weathervane. The two of you sit down with your drinks and pastries when Marilyn walks in with John. Marilyn sees you sitting there with Enid and avoids contact with you or looking in your direction the entire time, putting all her attention on John. When Marilyn gets her drink, she and John sit down and continue chatting.

That got your attention immediately as soon as you heard someone talking with Marilyn. You watch them chat and flirt the entire time and you’re not liking it one bit. Your first clench around your coffee mug and your knuckles turn white. Enid sees this and thinks you might shatter the mug if you don’t release your hold on it.

“Might want to let go of it or you’ll break it.” Enid tells you and while you do let go off the mug, you’re still clenching your fists. “Why do you look jealous? Thought you were growing up?” Enid says and you turn to look at her.

“He doesn’t seem good enough for her.” You tell her.

“You don’t even know him. You’re just mad because you want it to be you she’s talking too.” Enid says casually and you cross your arms.

“I told you that we aren’t friends anymore because of a decision I made. If I wanted to talk to her then I can go right up to her and do it.”

“You do want to talk to her though and yet you’ve stopped yourself all week. You’re cutting her out of your life and yet she’s still your teacher and dorm mom. There’s gonna be times where you need to talk to her or interact with her.”

“And by then my feelings for her would have already gone away. I’m liking her less and less everyday. In a week I’ll probably think of how crazy I was to have a crush on her.” You tell Enid, who doesn’t believe you in the slightest.

“Why don’t you ask Sally out?” She suddenly says and you open your mouth in shock.

“Why would I do that?”

“She likes you and if you’re over Marilyn then maybe you can go on a date with Sally. Oh maybe you can invite her to Rave’N that’s next weekend.” Enid suggests. Enid got involved in this thing between you and Marilyn and she’s trying to keep the peace. As far as Enid knows, Marilyn showed a bit of interest in you but nothing became of it, and now it looks like Marilyn is dating a normie from Jericho.

“I should. And why should I be jealous if Marilyn is dating some random guy?”

“That’s the spirit. And Marilyn is an attractive woman, it’s not surprising that someone’s been interested in her for a couple weeks.” Enid says and your eyes widen a bit.

“You mean that idiot over there has been interested in her for weeks?” You ask her.

“That’s what Marilyn said, but she kept telling him no, until today.”

Just then Wednesday comes in and joins you both.

“What’s up Wednesday?” You ask her as she hasn’t said anything.

“I’ve just been asked to the Rave’N and for some reason I said yes.” She says and you both stare at her in shock. “Are you guys going with someone?” She asks you both.

“I was going to go with Ajax but he stood me up the other night so I’m on my lonesome.” Enid tells you both.

“I was thinking of asking Sally to go with me.”

“She’s interested in you so she’ll definitely say yes.” Enid tells you. That catches Wednesday's interest as she knows you were going out with Marilyn. “Wait, I see her right there, you can go and ask her right now, come on!” Enid tells you and drags you out the door. Wednesday looks over at the table that Marilyn is at, she sees her date ordering a drink and Marilyn looking at the door in shock. Wednesday suspected that maybe you and Marilyn weren’t going out anymore but it was just confirmed. Wednesday sees Marilyn watching you ask Sally to the Rave’N. She thinks that Sally must have said yes as Marilyn looks upset before telling her date that she has to go and leaving.

“Why are you trying to make Ms. Thornhill jealous?” Wednesday asks you when you’re alone in a corner at a dress shop.

“Wednesday, her and I ended the relationship. I’m not trying to make her jealous, I’m moving on.” You tell her and brush past her.

“Well she’s not over you. She got upset when you asked Sally to go to the dance.” She tells you.

“Oh hi Ms. Thornhill, are you picking out a dress for the Rave’N?” You both hear Enid say across the shop.

“Yes I am. John is going with me, I asked him today and he said yes.” Marilyn said, not knowing you were there. You stay out of her eyesight the entire time you were there. The only time she saw you was when you were paying for the dress and leaving.

You were on your way to your dorm room when you turn a corner and bump right into Marilyn.

“Oh sorry Ms. Thornhill.” You tell her and go to leave but she stops you.

“I guess you’re going to the dance with Sally, I see you’re moving on.” She tells you and you see she looks upset.

“Ya, you’re going with John so I guess you’re moving on as well.”

“Well, being with him is better than being with a student.” She fires at you and you get upset at that.

“I guess you find him better than me cause he’s a normie. You know it was a big mistake to ever go out with you.” You tell her and then walk away to your dorm. Marilyn watches you walk away in disappointment, she shouldn’t have said that to you. She honestly would prefer being with you than with John but she does have to move on at some point.

A week passes by and before you know it, it’s the night of the Rave’N. Enid finishes your makeup and then you go and do Wednesday’s after she puts her dress on. You’re in the middle of putting black eyeshadow on her when there’s a knock at your door. Enid goes to answer it and sees that it’s Sally there.

“Hi Sally, Y/N is just doing Wednesday’s makeup then she’ll be ready to go.” Enid tells her.

“That’s alright, I don’t mind waiting.” She tells Enid and then Enid steps aside to let her in. “Hi Y/N.” She tells you when she sees you.

“Hi Sally.” You turn to her briefly before focusing on finishing Wednesday’s makeup. “Alright, that should do it.”

“What do you think?” Wednesday asks everyone.

“You look positively dark and mysterious.” Enid tells her to which Wednesday nods at you in approval.

You then get up and Sally gets a good look at you. You’re wearing a white dress that goes to your mid thighs. It clings to your top half and then flows down the rest of the way, making it fun to spin around in. It also has a v-dip neckline giving anyone a nice view of your cleavage.

“Wow, you look beautiful.” Sally tells you and you blush at her compliment.

“Thank you, so do you.” Sally chose to go a different route and wear a white pantsuit, and you can’t say that she doesn’t look good in it, because she does look stunning in it.

“Ready to go?” She asks you and you nod.

“Yep, let’s go. I’ll meet you guys there?” You ask Enid and Wednesday and they both nod.

You make it down to the gym with Sally and you see Ms. Thornhill there greeting everyone.

“Oh Sally and…Y/N, don’t you guys look cute together.” Marilyn says with a bit of jealousy in her tone.

“Thank you Ms. Thornhill!” Sally says excitedly.

“Thanks Ms. Thornhill.” You tell her with a fake smile.

An hour later, you and Sally are coming back from the dance floor and you go to get drinks from the punch bowl for both of you. When you’re there, Marilyn comes up to you.

“So you brought the girl that’s been flirting with you for a month, how original.” She tells you and you turn to face her.

“You’re one to talk, you brought the guy that’s been flirting with you for weeks.” You tell her.

“I’m surprised you’re jealous considering you’re the one that ended it.” She says with a quirked eyebrow.

“Well believe it or not, I still care about you. Which is why I asked for you to leave me alone forever. I can see how well you’re following that.” You tell her.

“We still have to interact at some points.” She says and you scoff. “You’re still my student and I’m still your dorm mom as you live in Ophelia Hall.” She tells you. Just then John comes up and introduces himself.

“Oh hi, are you one of Marilyn’s students? She loves her students and can’t stop talking about them. I’m John, Marilyn’s date to the dance.” He tells you and holds out a hand to shake. You pretend to act polite to him even though you don’t like that he’s dating her, and you shake his hand.

“Yes, I’m Y/N. Ms Thornhill is my botany teacher and dorm mom.” You tell him.

“Oh Y/N, she’s mentioned you a few times.” He says and you look at her with interest. “She’s told me that you and your group of friends have been the most welcoming to her.” He adds and you nod.

“The other teachers don’t like normies as much but we don’t care if she’s a normie or not. We don’t like to discriminate.” You tell him.

“Oh wait, are you the one that set that teacher's butt on fire last week.”

“Yep, he was bullying her so I acted accordingly. I’m someone you don’t really want to cross.” You tell him with a darker tone. John doesn’t catch on but Marilyn sure does. “I would love to stay and chat, but I was just getting drinks for me and my date.” You tell them both and leave.

“She seems nice, no wonder you’ve talked about her a couple times.” John tells her and puts an arm around her shoulders. Marilyn gives her best fake smile for him even though she doesn’t want to be touched by him, she’d rather it be you touching her.

Marilyn mostly stayed in one place, sitting at one table, watching just you for most of the night. She tried her best to watch the other kids and to keep up the conversation with John as best she could.

“So do you have a favourite student?” John asks her and she turns her head to her.

“What?”

“Just, I’ve heard that teachers shouldn’t have a favourite student but sometimes it happens. So do you have one?” He asks her and her gaze falls on you.

“I did have one.” She mutters so he wouldn’t hear. “No.” She tells him. “I care about them all equally.” She adds.

“Really? I would have assumed it was Y/N.” He says casually and she whips her head to look at him.

“Why would you think that?”

“Just that she’s the one you mostly talk about.” He tells her and she turns to look at you again. You’ve been too busy dancing and talking to your friends and Sally to notice her staring at you for most of the night.

An hour passes by and the DJ announces that it's the last song and everyone goes out on the dance floor.

You are out on the dance floor dancing with Sally when you notice that Enid’s date, Lucas, isn’t there so you include Enid in the dance. Just then you start to feel something drip on your face and then something red starts pouring down on everyone. You’re caught right in the middle of the dance floor and can’t see the way out as there’s too many people running around and too much paint. You start running in a random direction and then all of a sudden you slip and fall to the ground. Before you hit the ground, someone catches you and pulls you up. You go to thank the person but then you see it’s Marilyn who saved you and you stare at her.

“Come on, we have to get out of here, it’s too slippery here.” She tells you and you nod your head. You then grab her hand and you both carefully run out of the gym. When you make it out of the gym, a pair of arms are around you in a hug.

“Oh thank god. We got separated in the crowd and couldn’t see you.” Enid tells you.

“A prank was played, and not even a good one.” Wednesday says. “They didn’t even use blood, it’s paint.”

“Paint? Who would do such a thing?” You ask.

“Enid, it’s suspicious that your date disappeared right before the prank was played.” Wednesday tells Enid, and then Enid goes and runs to see who did the prank. Wednesday leaves to go to her dorm while you look at the state you're in with the paint all over you.

“Even though you look like you just killed a bunch of people, you still look nice.” Marilyn tells you and you look up at her.

“Thanks, and thank you for saving me in there.” You tell her with a small smile.

“It’s not a problem, I had to make sure all my students were safe.” She tells you and then walks away.

You watch her walk away, disappointed that you didn’t have more time with her. You still want to be around her, but you don’t know if you can even be friends with someone who’s family has been killing outcasts for centuries. You don’t know what she was taught growing up until the death of her family. You then decide to talk to the one person who’s the most neutral as she has no emotions, Wednesday.

“Wednesday can we talk about something?” You ask her as you enter the dorm room and she turns to look at you. “Before I say anything, you have to promise me that you won’t do anything about it or tell anyone. You have to swear.”

“I can I agree to something that I don’t know what’s it about?” She asks you.

“Cause you’re curious.” You tell her and she doesn’t look impressed. “And it’s about Ms. Thornhill.” You add on and that catches her attention.

“Ok, I swear.”

“Alright first of all, you were right, there’s no records of her before 13 because she changed her name. She was both as Laurel Gates.” You tell her.

“Isn’t the Gates related to Joseph Crackstone? The one who slaughtered a bunch of outcasts.” She says and you nod.

“It’s the reason her and I are no longer together, well one of the reasons. I also feared she might be going behind my back and hooking up with someone else, someone older.” You tell her and she looks at you curiously.

“Why are you telling me this?” She asks you with a tilt of her head.

“Because I don’t know what to do, I know you’d probably befriend her as her family are killers and that might intrigue you or something, but you also have no emotional attachment to anything so you’re the best person to tell as you’re neutral.” You tell her.

“I wouldn’t befriend her. While her family may be killers, she isn’t one. She seems like the normal one in the family, the boring one.” She tells you. “In my vision, you both seemed happy, disgustingly happy.” She adds on. “You don’t like discrimination and yet you’re blaming her for her family’s actions.” She tells you and you have to admit that you didn’t see that coming. I mean she did have a point.

“I guess I did at first but then I just think that she’ll get bored or maybe some of those Gates tendencies will come back to her and she’ll hate me. And she’s dating John now anyway.” You tell her.

“I don’t understand why you’re talking about your feelings to me instead of Enid.”

“It’s not my feelings I want to talk about, I want a logical answer. What should I do?” You ask her and she looks at you.

“If I were you, I’d leave her alone. People aren’t worth it, they’ll just hold you back. I know you’ve been trying to do that but she keeps coming back to you. Reminds me a bit of my parents, can’t be separated for long.” She says. “Now I have to get rid of the remnants of a bad prank.” She tells you and goes to take a shower.

You then start to feel the paint beginning to dry on you and you start feeling it stick to you more and more and you really need a shower. You then reluctantly walk over to Marilyn’s room and knock on her door. She opens the door and smiles when she sees it’s you.

“Hey Y/N.” She tells you and her hair is wet and she’s wearing different clothes.

“Hi, I was wondering if I can use your shower? Wednesday is using the one in the dorm and the paint is sticking to me and really starting to bother me.” You tell her and she steps aside.

“Of course, come on in.” She tells you.

Before you walk in, you see John sitting on her new couch and you freeze.

“Oh I didn’t know you had company, I’m sorry to disturb you, I’ll go.” You tell her and she frowns.

“Nonsense, you need a shower. Just use mine.” She tells you and you shake your head and begin to walk away, feeling your eyes start to water. “Hey Y/N, are you alright?” She asks you and puts a hand on your shoulder, and at that moment John gets up.

“Marilyn, I think I’ll go. It’s obvious your student needs you right now.” He tells her and she nods at him. “I’ll call you tomorrow though.” He adds on.

“Ok, thank you, and thanks for tonight.” She says and he gives her a kiss on the cheek then walks out. “Y/N, come in.” She tells you but you stay rooted in your spot.

“No, I think I’ve ruined your night enough.” You tell her and a tear slips down your cheek. You begin to walk away but she grabs your wrist and drags you into her room. “Woah! Marilyn! What the hell!” You yell when you’re in her room.

“What’s wrong? You’re crying and it can’t be just because of the paint.” She tells you and she crosses her arms.

“I didn’t expect to see John in here with you, alone.” You tell her with a sniffle.

“We weren’t doing anything, just talking.” She tells you. “Come on, what’s this about?” She softly nudges you.

“You, it’s about you!” You blurt out and you both look shocked. Well, might as well just continue. “And I don’t know what to do.” You add on.

“Ok, listen, how about you go take a shower and then after we can chat. I think it’s overdue anyway.” She tells you and you nod while a couple tears fall down your cheeks and Marilyn wipes them off. “Alright, I’ll get you a towel and a shirt and pants for after.” She says.

After your shower, you slip on the clothes she gave you to borrow and you feel so much better already. You brush your hair and make sure to get all the tangles out before going back into her room.

“Hey, I made you a hot chocolate.” She tells you when she sees you.

“Oh, thank you. I also see you got a couch like you wanted.” You tell her and she smiles.

“I did, yes, 3 weeks ago.” She tells you as you sit down beside her and grab the hot chocolate from the small table beside the couch. “So what got you upset today?” She asks you.

“Today is when it kinda boiled over, but I’ve been struggling for 3 weeks.” You tell her and she nods. Already knowing that’s when you guys broke up. “I’ve been trying to figure out if I made the right choice. And today I actually asked Wednesday of all people. She had a vision of us kissing a few weeks ago and said she won’t tell anyone, and she’s got no emotions so she’s probably the best person to ask. Anyway, she made me realise that I was punishing you for your family’s actions, while you didn’t do anything. And when I saw John today, sitting on your couch, it made me go over the edge and all I wanted was to run away from you. It got me really upset and knowing that I was right to end it and that I should just let you live your life while I live mine. I mean we only went out for like 2 weeks, so I’ll move on eventually, especially since you have already.” You finish and take a big sip of the hot chocolate to help make you feel better.

“Well first of all, I haven’t moved on but I’m trying too.” She starts and you look up at her. “And second, I understand you wanted to distance yourself after knowing I was related to a line of outcast killers. Your survival instincts took over, and while I may not have liked the outcome, I do understand. I would honestly have done the same if I were you. And third, what do you mean by, you were right to end it?” She asks you and you look at her.

“I knew you’d get bored eventually and just move on.” You tell her. “I’m too young for you and you would realise that right away and just leave. And it would probably be after we have sex as I’ve never done it and you’d want someone who’s experienced. But I understand that I need to move on, but it’s hard when I see you everyday, and also the fact that you were my first kiss and relationship, actually we weren’t even in a relationship, just went on a date and kissed.” You tell her.

“I was your first kiss?” She asks you and you nod. “So in your dorm, that was your first ever kiss?” She asks again and you once again nod. “Oh Y/N, you should have told me, I feel honoured to be your first kiss. And also I think I can decide for myself if you’re too young for me. You may be 17 but you act older than that.” She says to you. “Y/N, while I would love to get back together with you, I think you’re right about one thing.” She says and you look at her. “I was born and raised as a Gates. It might have been for the best that we ended things. I’m new to the whole being around outcasts thing, and while I don’t want to kill any of you, I’m not sure how I feel about all of you, especially dating one.” She says and you nod. You take the last sip of your hot chocolate and place it behind you on the table.

“I guess I’ll go then, I’ll just go change out of these clothes and give them back to you. Will only take a minute.” You tell her.

“Keep them if you want. Those pyjamas don’t fit me anymore anyway. I was about to get rid of them.” She tells you and you nod after a few seconds.

“Ok, thank you, they are comfortable.” You say with a small smile that she returns.

She closes the door behind you and then takes a deep breath before sliding down the door. While she wants to be with you, she also doesn’t want to hurt you or you getting hurt by other normies because of who you are. So she put her feelings aside and told a small lie to keep you safe, she just hopes that you’ll stay safe.

[fayes-fics]

It Had To Be You: Chapter 3 - Around London Town (Sun Is In The Sky)

Masterpost PREV | NEXT

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x fem!reader, Modern AU

Summary: Set 5 years after Chapter 2, serious relationships are ending. You reunite with Benedict and bond over heartbreak.

Artwork credit: @colettebronte

Warnings: discussion of sex/sexual acts, swearing.

Word count: 3.1k

Authors Note: Unbetaed. A multi-chapter modern rom-com retelling of When Harry Met Sally. In this chapter, we are in various spots around London, hence the title. We also get to meet the Kate and Anthony of this AU. Enjoy! <3

Two years ago (5 years later)

“I saw the email,” she sighs, poking her salad. “He just spent 2000 quid on a new king-sized bed.”

“What do you mean you saw the email?” you frown, taking a bite of your fish as you stare across to St Paul’s dome, looking so beautiful lit up at dusk this late spring evening. Oxo Tower is a regular haunt for you, as it’s right around the corner from Kate’s work.

“I mean… he was working on his laptop in bed next to me and got called away, and a delivery notification from John Lewis popped up, and well, I saw it. He's bought a new bed for them,” her jaw ticks as she swallows hard. “He’s never going to leave her, is he?”

“No, Kate, he's never going to leave her,” you echo for what feels like the millionth time. 

Your sympathy has limits; this woman, your very best friend, is so smart and so blindingly beautiful; you really don't understand why she has spent the last few years allowing herself to be dicked around by this what sounds like colossal asshat of a married man. She claims he's fantastic in bed and treats her like a queen, but as you've never even met him in the three years she's been seeing him, you can't form an opinion beyond the rose-tinted snippets she shares.

“I know you're right, I know,” she shakes her head a little and reaches for her G&T, downing it with remarkable alacrity. “How's Doctor Tom?” she wiggles her eyebrows comedically, obviously wanting a change of direction.

“Fine,” you offer warily, “at least, I hear he's fine.” You take a deep breath “… we broke up,” you explain as her brow knits.

“What? When? Why didn't you tell me?” she cries.

“I am telling you now. Last week. It just wasn't something I wanted to discuss on WhatsApp y'know,” you shrug, reaching for your wine and taking a fortifying large gulp. You knew you would have to tell your best friend sometime, apparently that ‘sometime’ is today.

“What happened?”

“We’ve been growing apart for a while, to be honest,” you confess, feeling like a burden is lifted just from voicing it. “It was all very grown up. We had a heart-to-heart; I said what I wanted, he said what he wanted, and we agreed it was very different, so he left.”

“My god, you make it sound so simple! And almost businesslike, mechanical. Fucking hell, are you not broken up about it at all?” she raises her perfectly shaped eyebrows, this time in surprise.

“I've had a few days, and you know, I'm alright about it. I'm over it, to be honest. It's better we did this now than after we had gone through with the marriage,” you point out, starting at your now bare ring finger with a short pang of loss. It really was a beautiful ring.

“Well, good point, divorces are expensive and a bloody nightmare, but still…. Five years y/n. That's a long time to be with someone, and you are so matter-of-fact about it!”

“Not all of us are drama queens, Kate,” you jest gently and chuckle as she pulls a face.

“So you want me to set you up? There's that guy at my work, remember?” she singsongs, her brown eyes shining with mischief. “You guys would be perfect; I just know it!”

“Urghh, who?” you will admit to some intrigue.

“Freidrich Hohenzollern, you don't mind the blonds,” she winks.

“Kate! German Freddy?! You set me up with him six years ago!” you roll your eyes. “He threw up your deathly strong margaritas all over my pretty summer shoes,” you bemoan, recalling how it capped off a truly awful barbecue in her back garden. As it turns out, it was only a few weeks before you met Dr Tom. “Besides, I'm not ready to meet anyone yet; it's only been a few bloody days.”

“I thought you said you were over it?” she teases.

“I am, but I’m in mourning about being single again. I don't need anything right now, except maybe a rebound fuck, and I don't want that to be anyone remotely close to our friendship pool, you know? Much better to get with some rando I never have to cross paths with again.”

“Fair enough,” she shrugs but then waves her fork at you. “Just don't leave it too long before you get serious again.”

“What the fuck do you mean?” you laugh.

“I mean, if you stay on the shelf too long, some other bitch is going to snap up your man, and you’ll have to get cats and live alone, a bitter spinster until you die one of those mystery early deaths from unused vagina in about ten years. You’ll even make the news; cos, y’know, the cats, they’ll eat your face after you die. All alone.”

“Thanks, Kate.” you deadpan at that fantastically supportive vision of your future. “Also, so glad to know you are visiting me in my ancient forties, like the wonderful friend you are,” you roll your eyes.

“Bitch please, imma be busy being impregnated for the fifth time by my beautiful husband, James Norton,” she breezes with a huge grin.

“You’ll have to leave the fucking married idiot who doesn't deserve you first,” you point out, perhaps a little uncharitably.

“Touche,” she fires over her water glass. “He’s never going to leave her, is he?” she adds wistfully.

You reach over the table and touch her hand gently. “No darling, he is never going to leave his wife.” 

“I know, I know, FUCK, I know…” she sighs dramatically, “Well… this calls for MORE DRINKS!” she states decidedly, banging her beautifully manicured fist on the table.

That, at least, you can fully support.

—

“What happened?” Anthony Bridgerton asks, taking a sip of his beer, his eye on his beloved team on the pitch below as they take a slight hammering at home in Twickenham.

“It's over. I'm moving home,” Benedict sighs, scratching his beard and glancing around the grandstand. “You've still got that spare room, right? Just until I get everything sorted, my stuff shipped back,” he adds, not wanting to be a burden at this age.

“Yeah, it's yours, as long as you need it,” Anthony nods, the older brother instinct kicking in without thought. “Are you sure this isn't something you can work out? Moving back to London seems rash.”

“Not a chance,” Benedict responds morosely, staring at his beer as a fly lands in it and starts swimming—seems like an apt metaphor for the shitshow being thirty-five has become for him. “I offered everything,” he shrugs miserably, “to go for counselling, sleep in the spare room; she's not interested. I knew something was up when some of her shit started disappearing.”

“What do you mean?”

“I��d come home, and her wardrobe looked half empty, you know, more than just laundry piling up, whole sections missing. Then her art and supplies started to dwindle, and she wasn't replacing them, but she was coming home still covered in paint. I figured maybe she had rented a separate studio space. So I confronted her; asked her what was happening: ‘Que se passe-t-il ici, tessa?’ you know. And she was all ‘de rein’ and ‘c’est tous dans ta tête’ it’s all in my head,” he translates, “and the whole time, I knew I wasn't being paranoid. So one day, I followed her...”

“You did what?”

“Yes, I know, I’m not proud of it,” he admits, “but I went to the coffee shop across the road and followed her. She had a big suitcase, lugging more of her stuff, I guess. So she went straight to a flat in the tenth arrondissement. Her ‘friend’ Clarissa. Yeah, they are definitely not just friends.”

“How do you know?” Anthony checks, sucking in air between his teeth as a Harlequins player hits the grass hard after a vicious tackle

“I watched them fuck on the balcony,” Benedict monotones, “sat in a little cafe opposite and watched my wife screaming her fucking head off as her ‘friend’ went down on her.”

“Ouch.” 

“Exactly. She hasn't let me do that in months; claims she’s lost the enjoyment of it. That isn't fucking true, obviously.” He fishes out the fly and downs the rest of his watery beer, placing the plastic cup on the ground and letting his head fall into his hands. “I mean, we haven't had sex in a year, but I thought it's just a rough patch, you know? We could get through it. Until a couple of months ago, she was at least letting me eat her out, and on occasion, when she got drunk, come to think of it, she might even give me a handjob once in a while. So I was dealing with it, thinking it's a blip, we can get through it. But… uggghhhh…. I knew it, you know? This whole time I knew she would kick the shit out of me one day. I just didn't think it would be this far into marriage. Five fucking years Anthony….”

He looks so utterly unmoored that Anthony turns to him and places a comforting arm around his brother. “Listen, infidelity isn't the reason marriages break up; it's just a symptom that something else is wrong.”

“Yeah, well, that symptom is eating my wife’s pussy,” Benedict grouses loudly, uncaring that a whole bunch of people in the vicinity twist around in their stadium seats and stare at him.

Just fucking great. 

—

“Ooh, what about this one?” Kate bounds over, holding some utterly dreadful-looking period romance novel.

“Regency? Sex? Kate, please, I’m not that desperate yet,” you say witheringly, staring over your reading glasses at her.

“You’re newly single. This shit might teach you a few things,” she hums unapologetically, waggling the book at you.

“Please, as if I need some American woman telling me how to fuck a handsome Englishman from 200 years ago,” you roll your eyes and take the book from her.

“Speaking of handsome,” Kate sidles up closer, “someone is staring at you in foreign languages.”

You peel off your glasses and look over to see a face you would never forget lurking by a bookshelf. And it’s a jolt to your being. He’s got to be in his mid-thirties by now and sports a somewhat scraggly but short beard. Damn, he’s still so handsome, your mind screams.

“I know him. You’d like him; he’s married,” you needle sarcastically.

“I don’t see a ring,” Kate counters quietly, “when was the last time you saw him?”

“God, maybe five years ago? And he was moving to Paris. To get married,” you explain as you politely raise a hand to wave and nod.

“So that’s a long time ago,” she stage whispers, “maybe he’s not anymore,” she hints.

“Please, he’s so obnoxious,” you dismiss, even as your heart thumps a little harder as he approaches. “Plus, he never remembers me….”

“Y/n y/l/n,” he says warmly as he pulls up nearby.

Wow, okay, wrong on that count.

“Ben! Ben Bridgerton. Hi!” you breeze, feigning nonchalance and quickly dropping the crappy romance book Kate gave you. 

“This is…” you turn around, and Kate is gone, waving next to the Hatchards sign and heading out the door. “Well, that was my friend Kate…. How are you? How’s married life?”

“Ahh, not good,” he winces, and you feel awkward as his face goes crestfallen. “I’m getting divorced.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, I really am,” you frown, the sting of your breakup lessened somehow.

“How’s Doctor Dorset?” he perks up.

“Oh, I hear he’s fine. We uhh just broke up. Last month,” you nod, and you exchange glances that are so meaningful. 

He looks so much wiser, mellow. And it’s not just the beard. Like the cocksureness and swagger have been knocked out of him. He’s learned some hard lessons about life, living but hurting. Something in your heart reaches out to him.

“Coffee and a catch-up?” you offer casually.

“Actually, I’m starving,” he admits, “how about lunch instead?”

You glance at your phone, and there’s a trademark subtle WhatsApp message from Kate.

Ride that fine thing to Rebound City. 

I expect all the deets tmrw.

Woof.

“Urghh, sure, looks like I’m free,” you answer, quickly swiping left to clear the screen.

——

You are sitting on the sunny rooftop terrace at Ham Yard sharing break-up stories. Although it’s selfish to admit it, somehow, his melancholy makes you feel better about yourself. That you are more together than you thought. And even more certain you made the right choice not to get married.

“We used to say how life was great because we didn’t have kids,” you explain, pushing your salad around the plate. “How everyone we knew stopped having sex if they had kids. How we could fuck against the window or on the kitchen table, and no one would walk in on us. And I believed him when he said he didn’t want kids. But then…” you trail off.

“He changed his mind?” Ben intuits; his emotional intelligence momentarily takes you aback.

“He went to stay with his sister for a week to celebrate some family thing; I had to cover an event, so I couldn’t go. Anyway, she has three kids. And he came back different; kept saying maybe kids aren’t so bad. Even after his brother-in-law admitted they no longer had sex cos childcare was so exhausting, mind,” you gesture with your hands. “And he just started to drop hints about how we aren’t getting any younger - I'm only thirty-fucking-one - and how kids ensure a legacy….” you stab a piece of cucumber. “That’s when I snapped, and I just said. Listen, I don’t want kids, and if you do, maybe we need to rethink this engagement, cos I’m not going to change my mind. And he looks at me horrified. As if it doesn’t compute that a woman would never want children. ‘I thought that was just a thing to establish your career, then you’d take a break and have kids. My income more than provides’,”

Benedict huffs a gentle laugh at your deliberately lousy impression.

“And I said back, ‘I love my job, I don’t want to give it up and certainly not to have kids’. And he replied, ‘Well, I want a wife who will give me kids’. And I said, ‘Well, that’s not me’. And then he left.” 

Your harsh but accurate summary of that shitty afternoon somehow feels lighter now you’ve shared details. You don’t want to dwell on how odd it is that you’ve given him, a man you’ve seen twice in ten years, more than you shared with your best friend. 

“And the thing is, we never did fuck spontaneously like that anyway,” you sigh, sipping your coffee.

“Not on the kitchen table?” he raises an eyebrow.

“Not once. Not even against the window. He doesn’t like doing it standing up,” you shrug.

“That’s a shame. It’s fun,” Benedict opines, but it’s not like in the past when he would’ve used it as a blatant flirtation; it’s more like he’s simply agreeing with an empiric truth.

“Agreed,” you nod and fall silent as you can tell he’s gearing up to talk more.

“I knew Tessa was bisexual when we got together,” he sighs, elaborating on his breakup story. “To be honest, I think that’s what made her so damn sexy at first, the stupid caveman idea she’d be into threesomes,” he rolls his eyes and shakes his head slightly at the naivety of his younger self. “I just didn’t think she would do the almost cliched thing and cheat on me with a woman.”

“Doesn’t it hurt less? That it’s not another dick that led her astray?” you frown.

He huffs a laugh. “Never thought of it like that. But it’s more the helplessness of it. That’s the one thing I can’t be, a woman. And that’s what she wants.” he twists his mouth into a thoughtful pout before continuing. “She moved in with her. But she didn’t tell me. Didn’t have the guts. She just kept moving her stuff out slowly. I’d prefer she was honest and told me, but she played mind games. Tried to gaslight me into thinking it was all in my head.”

You drop your fork and decide to inject some humour, knowing the sign that he’s getting too maudlin. “Hold the bloody phone. Did Benedict Bridgerton just use the word gaslight?” you tease. “Bloody hell, we have gotten old.”

He looks up and meets your eye, an appreciative glint in the down-sloped corners as he chuckles in agreement. The look lingers for a beat longer than it should, and all you can think is the slight crinkles around his eyes lend him a more mature beauty, somehow more deadly than the pretty, fresh-faced idiot you shared a car ride with ten years ago. Benedict Bridgerton with heartbreak is a beautiful sight, perverse as it may be to think it.

“I’m sorry that happened to you,” you offer conciliatory, reaching out to touch the back of his hand. His skin is soft; you can feel his pulse in the prominent vein under your fingertip, and something in you runs warm.

“You know, the first time we met, I really didn't like you,” he confesses as you withdraw your touch, “you were so uptight about the world; you’re much mellower now.”

“Way to wrap a compliment in an insult,” you pull a face, and he laughs. “You were just utterly nonplussed that someone might not want to fuck you—-that's why you didn't like me,” you add, raising an eyebrow pointedly.

“What's the apology deadline for being a young idiot?” he winces and shoots you an adorably contrite expression.

“Hmmm, ten years,” you volley back, unable to stop your grin.

“Oooh, well, it's mid-May, and that was late May, so I am juuuuust in time,” he jests, and you feel a warmth inside your ribs as you smile at each other.

After eating, you find yourselves wandering together, crossing under the mature trees of Golden Square.

“Are we becoming friends? For real this time?” An ironic smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I mean, I forgive you for not ever texting me after I gave you my number all those years ago,” he teases, and you blush.

“We might be,” your tone playful.

“Huh, a woman friend,” his brow knitting, “that’s novel.”

You laugh, and again your eyes meet.

“You know you may be the first attractive single woman I don’t want to fuck…” he confesses.

Something in you feels conflicted. Pleased he has matured enough to be that way, flattered he feels willing to admit it to you as a friend, and the part you don’t want to think about too much, the tinge of sadness that fact gives you.

“That’s wonderful, Ben,” you reply as he loops your arm and keeps strolling.

Benedict taglist: @makaylan @foreverlonginguniverse @iboopedyournose @colettebronte @aintnuthinbutahounddog @severewobblerlightdragon @margofiore @writergirl-2001 @heeyyyou @enichole445 @enchantedbytomandhenry @ambitionspassionscoffee @chaoticcalzoneranchsports @nikaprincessofkattegat @baebee35 @crowleysqueenofhell @bridgertontess @fiction-is-life @lilacbeesworld @angels17324 @broooookiecrisp @queen-of-the-misfit-toys @eleanor-bradstreet @divaanya @musicismyoxygen84 @benedictspaintbrush @miindfucked @sorryallonsy @lilithseve @cayt0123 @hottytoddyhistory @truly-dionysus @fictionalmenloversblog @zinzysstuff @malpalgalz @panhoeofmanyfandoms @kinokomoonshine @causeimissu @delehosies @mlovesbridgerton @m-rae23 @last-sheep @kmc1989