#she should be cautious ( as she is with all masked fools )

[lunaetis]

@furiaei asked :

" will you join me for a dance? " (Penacony arc Mya @ Eden. we realize we have not bothered her in a very long time)

unprompted. || always accepting

─「エデン」─  the TRAILBLAZER felt as though the line between dream and reality was blurred ever since she stepped upon the planet of festivities. penacony had left her jaded in more ways than one. how easy one could manipulate others for their own selfish desire, or how one would sacrifice things that were important to others under the premise of it not being real. people were self-centered, they came here to have one, if not several, of their desires met. things they weren't able to accomplish in the real world, they would do it here.

                how she managed to come here, eden did not know. it had been made clear to her, however, that FOLLOWERS OF AHA had ways to get in and out of places they weren't supposed to. even without invitation, they would be able to warm their ways into the dreamscape and now, she was once again face to face with a mysterious woman whom she had the pleasure of meeting from time to time.

                her first instinct to her invitation was to pause, eyes narrowed suspiciously. really, had she ever regarded ANY masked fools with anything less than suspicion ? wasn't it WARRANTED ?

                " i should ask what are you doing here, but for some reasons, i have a feeling that i wouldn't get a proper answer unless i accept your hand first. " eden wasn't that knowledgeable when it comes to DANCING. something so intimate and elegant weren't in her nature, but anything could happen in the DREAMSCAPE, no ? even something she wasn't used to, or had done before, became something she felt as though it'd come naturally. and golden hues watched the woman with both caution and curiosity.

                the TRAILBLAZER couldn't understand her, and she could even feel the power she possessed right underneath her veins. she should be more than careful around this person whom had list of CRIMES following her like shadows. but at the same time, eden could somewhat relate to that free spirit of hers. in many ways, she envied the woman for being so utterly UNBOUND that she could drift about causing troubles any way and anywhere she wanted.

                such untamed spirit was so hard for her to refuse. thus, she heaved a sigh, stepping forward and extended her GLOVED DIGITS for the other. what harm could come from a single dance, right ?

                " lead the way, miss payne. "

[local-void-creature-izzy]

(Please note this theory will get longer once I complete Penacony, I haven't started yet due my busy schedule with college and exams)

-Sampo is the Successor of Aha, Aeon of Elation-

The reason why I say successor rather than the actual, original Aeon, is because:

Aha is described as an Aeon that does not truly comprehend nor understand humanity, with it, the emotions tied with humanity. It understands joy, with being the Aeon of Elation, but that's all it comprehends

While as Sampo still very much has that sense. And showcases emotions beyond that joy.

Aha's people, can be categorized into two groups:

The Masked Fools, and the Mourning Actors

The Masked Fools are a group of people that truly believe in Aha. "They believe that the truth of the world is a joke, and the ultimate meaning of all things lies in mere laughter" -HSR Data Bank

The Masked Fools are described as extremely radical when it comes to their beliefs. Doing whatever they can in that pursuit of joy, pleasure, elation. Causing Chaos every where they go.

While the Mourning Actors are that of the opposite. "They are firm believers against Elation. They believe life is full of ups and downs, that agony makes people mature but fleeting joy only offers hopeless and unreachable temptation." -HSR Data Bank.

They believe all beings should renounce joy, and endure grief to temper their spirits.

They are described as people that ride a gondola that spans the stars in order to perform. They collect and wear different masks from different worlds, while recording the sorrows of intelligent life.

And they are said to have been blessed by Aha itself, with Aeon like powers. As joy and sadness are two sides of the same coin.

Now obviously with these two opposites technically being under the same Aeon, it would not surprise me with they were essentially at war with each other.

Think of it like, Masked Fools is Celestia, while Mourning Actors is the Fatui.

- I believe Sampo's home planet is either on its last legs, or is no longer in existence. With both sides under Aha being complete opposites of each other and from what it sounds like in the data bank, not getting along, it was probably only a matter of time before they became the planet's undoing, Sampo being one if not the only survivor because he was hand picked by Aha.

Now another thing that is known to us, to an extent, is that Aeons can die or be killed.

Canonically there are at least around 4-5 Aeons that are dead or presumably dead due to their unknown whereabouts.

Aha is stated as Alive, but also, Aha is one of the few without a humanoid or somewhat alien form that you can at least make out a comprehensive figure in giant entity. Aha is canonically a series of in-animated masks and objects used in theatre/circus. A vague humanoid silhouette can be seen, but is clearly overshadowed. And if an Aeon can die, then how can you claim it is truly eternal?

Aha is described as few things but unpredictable and calculating seem to be the most consistent going as far as to shapeshift into a human for some time in order to trick Akivili (Aeon of Trailblaze) and its followers, the nameless, which resulted in Aha blowing up half of Akivili's Express and an entire planet.

- Another known fact of Aha, is that it refers to itself in third person, something Sampo also does.

I believe Sampo is a product of forbidden love. A child born of a Masked Fool and Mourning Actor, possibly born out of wedlock, thus carries traits of both.

Sampo is labeled as a Masked Fool but also seems to not go as extremely and knowns when a line shouldn't be crossed and what lines to not cross flat out.

He may do what he does for a living, but knows when enough is enough and is cautious in his line of work in order to not get caught.

Canonically Sampo has been shown or told to us by others if not him, that he has helped Natasha (Main Doctor of Belebog's Underground) in gathering anything she needed medically in order to treat her patients as most supplies were above ground and the underground had been locked down from going up when Cocolia was in charge, he had his ways of going back and forth.

And he is also great with kids, Hook, who is the leader of the moles, a little gang of her friends that try to help around the underground the best way they can, and a playable character, as been shown to go to him for help or information and he actually takes it seriously, not wanting to upset or hurt her because she's just trying to help out in what way she can and who is he to ruin that.

Now he is clearly not the most stable individual, there are several indicators that he isn't 100% stable such as his E4 constellation and one his idles showing him with lifeless eyes.

Said E4 con called "The Deeper the Love, the Stronger the Hate"

The fact he canonically is so sneaky and agile that his footsteps do not make noise, leave footprints in snow, or disturb water if he walks on a puddle or something similar.

Not to mention, he can quite literally appear and disappear whenever he feels like. Several times in quests he is with you, the next second he's gone, only to reappear like "i was here the whole time, what are you talking about?"

So what I think is:

I believe Aha's time is coming if not already come, and no one has truly noticed yet. But Aha being how it is, planned ahead and chose a successor to carry on its pursuit of laughter that leaves one breathless, that will lead to unexpected delights that uplift the soul towards divinity.

So if Sampo is someone born from the two groups under Aha, then Sampo would be the perfect candidate. As he is someone that can understand Aha's ideology and way of thinking but also comprehend emotions and humanity in a way, Aha can not.

Aha chooses a child that most likely had a horrible and possibly traumatic childhood, because of him being born of both sides, and possibly born onto a planet with horrible conditions for living

And that with how it currently stands, it's either a matter of: How long Sampo can conceal it?

Or

How long Sampo can buy time until Aha completely passes and truly take on the role of successor, because as he currently stands he is in a incomplete state that will only finish the transformation when Aha is no longer in the picture.

(Also the closest we have to a "home base" for Sampo, is Epsilon which sounds like a planet that may act as a temporary yet is probably the main residence for Sampo, yet from how he describes it.

Its not a planet he's in any hurry to get back to, because according to him, is a giant vanity fair. So most likely the planet is just a giant ego fest)

This all based on my speculations with my current lore knowledge and interpretations.

[spectrechosts]

April Fools - Chapters 16-18

As one problem is resolved, another rears it's ugly head.

Full Series

DAY 16: AUTUMN WINDS

And just like that, the heatwave breaks.

The heavy, suffocating, overpowering summer air is swept away by autumn winds, and they carry with them the cool relief of change.

The Queen walks the gardens; admires the flowers before they're gone, the multicolored leaves before they fall. With her as always is the Knight, following a dutiful half-step behind.

And alongside them- not following per se, but orbiting; dancing around the two as if she follows her own path, but never straying from them- is the Fool.

The blooms aren't as beautiful as they were in the spring, but the Knight takes one and gives it to the Queen nonetheless. She takes it, and places a kiss on the Knight's offered hand.

The Fool darts in and takes the Knight's other hand, pressing her lips to it before twirling to the other side of the pair and doing the same to the Queen.

The Knight rolls her eyes as the Fool jingles nimbly away, and the Queen giggles, and all is as it should be.

~~~

DAY 17: MASQUERADES AND MARKS

"I know that I have been overly cautious in the past, but I would like to reiterate that this is a terrible idea."

"Nonsense!" Says the Queen, as she flits about overseeing preparations. "We always have a masquerade ball in the autumn, it's tradition!"

"Will you at least let me guard you?"

"My knight, it's a masquerade ball. If you're beside me the whole time, won't everyone know who I am?"

"Yes, but-"

"And won't I be safer, if I'm hidden?"

"I suppose, but-"

"Hang on-" Interjects the Fool. "You actually can't tell who's who behind those silly masks?"

The Queen tilts her head to the side.

"Weeeeeell, mostly." She says. "It depends on the mask. Mine is pretty good!"

The Queen demonstrates, and her mask is… okay.

It covers her entire face, sure, but there are other ways to identify someone. It's ornate, too ornate to be worn by at least half the attendees. Her hair isn't hidden, her voice is unmuffled- Not to mention all the things no mask could hide: Her height, her build; the Queen is small, not extremely so, but enough to narrow things down. These are all things that the Fool would use to pick out a mark at a masquerade, and so she must assume any would-be assassin will be at least as competent.

"Well, it does look rather fetching." She says. "But I wouldn't count on your anonymity."

The Knight snorts.

"And you're an expert on recognizing people by looking at them, aye?"

"This again? You know as well as I that she gives memorable kisses, I'm not shamed by my memory."

"You should be, methinks. As it is, you're liable to forget me entire."

"How awful that would be! Prithee, aid my recollection!" Says the Fool, sticking her tongue out.

~

The masquerade is wonderful, as it is every year. The Queen mingles, and dances, and makes merry. For one night a year, she isn't viewed by the rest of the nobility as some combination of pity case and obstacle to their own ambitions.

Her knight is around, somewhere. She wears the standard closed helmet of all the other royal guards on this night, and acts in a less personal capacity. She doubtless watches her even now, while she cannot be by her side.

The Fool is more noticeable. She wears no mask, for a jester's paint is mask enough. She is quite drunk, her movements lacking their usual grace and her mood raucous and joyful. She gambols through the crowd, stumbling and crashing into partygoers all the way.

"Quite some party, isn't it?" Says a masked figure beside her.

"Quite a party." The Queen agrees. "Though I dare say I'm not as jolly as Her Majesty's fool."

"I'm thankful for that, the wretched sot damn near bowled me over."

She giggles. "She seems the sort, yes."

"Yes, well, I won't waste your time with idle chatter." Says the masked figure. "Goodbye, Highness."

They walk past her, bumping shoulders as they do. She feels them jab something into her stomach, then smoothly drop it and continue moving.

She blinks and looks down.

The remnants of a banana, mashed flat against her skin, lay on the ground.

"Uh..?" She says, taking a moment to parse what's just happened.

"…What." Whispers the figure, having felt something was off and looked back at their very much unharmed target. They scramble for a weapon, grabbing a knife off a nearby table before the Knight crashes into them, pinning them to the ground.

The Queen just stands there, frozen with shock. "Oh." She says. "Oh my. Oh no, oh no no no no."

She feels a guiding hand at her back, and the Fool shepherds her into a seat as the crowd retreats and gawks.

"Keep calm, Your Majesty. You're safe." She says.

"Oh, oh my poor knight, she's going to be so upset." Says the Queen, shaking her head, and the Fool chuckles.

"You're really something else, you know that?" She says, sitting down beside her and pulling a snack out of her coat. She takes a bite, and then holds it out to the Queen.

"Banana?" She asks, and the Queen squints at her.

~~~

DAY 18: STILETTO AND CROWN

The Fool plinks her confiscated stiletto point down into the table, leaving it stuck.

"Lifted it off 'em a couple minutes before. Didn't like how they watched the crowd."

The Knight picks it up to inspect.

"Doesn't look magic." She says. "Poisoned?"

"Probably?" Says the Fool, shrugging. "Seemed pretty certain they could just stick her and walk away."

The Knight sighs shakily.

"Thank you, truly. I don't know what I would have done, if not for you."

"Don't mention-"

The Fool is cut off by a quick punch to her shoulder.

"Wh- ow!"

"Idiot clown! Did you not think perhaps to accost them!?"

"Hey!" Whines the Fool. "We aren't all armored brutes! You would have me tackle an assassin?"

"Not tackle." Hisses the Knight, and the Fool blinks.

"Oh!" She says. "Well, you should have said before. I assumed you would want them jailed, all proper like."

The Knight grumbles, and the Fool gently places a hand over hers.

"She's safe, fair knight. They failed."

"They failed this time." The Knight counters.

"And every failure makes it harder for them to try again. We'll get her through this, just-"

The Fool pauses.

"Hang on."

She quickly strides to the door to the Queen's chambers and pulls it open, and the Queen stumbles into her arms.

"You are meant to be in bed, my sickly sweet." The Fool says softly, wiping sweat from her brow.

Her Majesty doesn't do well in the damp cold of autumn. Illness abounds, and hits her harder than most. In the wake of the ball she is wracked with fever and an awful, wet, cough.

"I can hear you, talking out here." She says. "But I can't make out the words from my bed. 's infuriating."

"I'm sorry, Majesty. We'll be quieter; please, try to rest." The Knight says, and she tries to guide the Queen back into bed only to be shooed away by a weakly flailing arm.

"Nooo!" Mumbles the Queen. "'m fine, let me listen." She insists, as she escapes both of their grips and slumps against the doorframe. "Have you gotten anything out of my would-be killer?"

The Knight grimaces, watching the Queen slide slowly downward.

"Here, we can move the conversation into your room-" She starts, and the Queen shoos her away again.

"No! I like it here. I want to be on the floor." She says, and the Fool shrugs, and the Knight begrudgingly lets her be as she finishes her slow descent. "Mm. Floor time."

She fetches a thin sheet from the Queen's bed and drapes it over her before continuing.

"They won't talk. Say they'll just wait for the new king to let them go."

"New king, eh?"

"Tell 'em I'll let them go if they tell us. No hard feelings." Murmurs the Queen.

"King, yeah. Which narrows things down, but not a lot. We can rule out any unmarried women, for this assassination plot anyway."

"And if they don't tell us, then we have 'em executed right now. See their king save 'em from that." She continues, half listening.

"Well if we solve this assassination plot hopefully anyone else thinking about it will think twice." Says the Fool.

The Knight grunts. "'Hopefully' is doing a lot of work, there."

"Could I have some water please?" Asks the Queen, after a short coughing fit; and her knight is up before she's finished asking.

"Of course, I'll be right back Highness."

She leaves, and the Fool joins the Queen on the floor.

"Hello, Your Majesty."

"Hello, my charming fool." The Queen says, smiling weakly. "I didn't tell you. The banana thing, where you stole their knife and replaced it with a banana? That was funny."

"Thank you, Highness."

"Tried to kill me with a banana, how absurd."

"I know, Highness." Says the Fool, straight-faced. "That shit was bananas."

[falcor-thee-luck-dragon]

Dark Shenanigans - Nandor x (f)reader

Summary: It’s Nadja’s something hundredth birthday, with that said, you’re on a mission to make it great.

Warning: fluff, general vampire nonsense

Masterlist

“Yeah being a half vampire half human does have its perks. I mean for one I can do all that cool vampire shit and I can go out in the sunlight...so that helps for when they’re all being really annoying.” You admit with a casual shrug to one of the documentary cameras before turning to an isle of party supplies. “So anyways we’re at this store.”

The camera shifts to the multiple arras of supplies and materials at the local supermarket in Staten Island that you and your vampire lover’s human familiar, Guillermo, currently are. Specifically on the hunt for birthday decorations for Nadja and ghost Nadja who’s possessed a strange looking doll for the time being.

Since the other four actual full vampires can’t shop for themselves at this time of day or really in general, you and Guillermo have been given such an honorable task in making Nadja’s birthday the best one yet. Considering she’s the most well balanced in the head out of the four of them and is the only other lady of the manor.

“Hey Y/N, how’s this look?” Wonders Guillermo as he holds up a bunch of Mardi Gras beads of yellows, purples, and greens. “Comments, questions, concerns?” He adds with a small smile.

Eyeing up the beads, your head shifts over to the other various colors, “Hrmm, G I’m feeling the vibe you’re going for this year and I like it, but let’s go with Nadja colors.”

Guillermo’s dark eyes light up at your positive suggestion, “Right! So the red and black ones then?”

“Yup. She’ll love that shit.” You state with a satisfied nod of approval, “Let’s get some black and gold confetti from over there and oh, those masquerade masks look cool as fuck.”

You pick up and test out various masks in the background as Guillermo adds some bits of dialogue for the documentary crew, “Um yeah she’s really cool isn’t she.” He says with a smile while glancing at you then back to the camera, “Which is kind of odd since Y/N’s been with Nandor since 1793 so you’d think she’d be a little more like them but no, she’s super chill and really nice.” Suddenly his face goes a bit serious as he leans in to whisper, “But she did kill a whole street gang once when they threw a slur at me so I wouldn’t mess with her. For your safety.”

The camera pans back over to an oblivious you who’s put on a masquerade mask and is swinging a plastic light saber around with a whole lot more accuracy and grace then would a normal person. The camera then pans back to Gullimero, “Um, I’m just gonna....make sure she doesn’t smack anyone.”

——

Arms full of groceries of food for you and Gullimero, as well as random party decorations for Nadja’s birthday tomorrow night, you use the bottom of your boot to skillfully open the door as the documentary crew and Guillermo follows suit. Guillermo now on the verge of falling over with the large heart shaped pillow in his arms that’s covering most of his body.

You don’t feel tired in the slightest due to your half vampiric abilities so this is nothing to you, “Alright.” You state, turning on your heel to face the crew and Guillermo, “They’re asleep so we gotta be extra sneaky now, I don’t want Nadja catching us with all this cool spooky birthday shit. Everyone to the attic!” You whisper yell before leading the charge to the attic.

They all follow as quietly and as quickly as they can and then soon enough in no time are you and Guillermo back outside in the sunny garden trying to figure out if you should blow up the giant sea monster pool floaty.

“I mean it would look cool as hell and no doubt out-do whatever the fuck boring thing Lazlo probably has planned.” You quip with a shrug while the two of you stare thoughtfully at the small gloomy dark pond. “He’s got no chance with us. I’ve won best decorator and card maker for two hundred years in a row.”

Guillermo side eyes you in honest amazement, “Wow that’s a lot of years. And cards.”

“I know. I was an artist in the 12th century but my no good terrible good for nothing piece of garbage trash sexist human husband, who I was forced to marry when I was only sixteen, took all the credit for my artwork in that era.” You confirm with a growl, “But it stings less because once I finally grew into my powers and strength at eighteen I simply made his untimely demise look like an accident.” You add with a smirk.

“Oh, wow.” Mutters the intrigued familiar.

“Precisely. The old fool was thrown off his horse because I told Philip, the horse, to throw him off. And he did. Which killed the idiot so I got the house and all of his money.”

“That’s......neat.” Mutters Guillermo as he shoots the camera crew from behind you and him a nervous look. “Uh the suns going down so I should probably help Nandor out of his coffin.”

Raising your head to the sky you immediately see how the sun has begun to paint the clouds in beautiful colors of oranges, reds, light pinks, and darkening purples. “Oh, how bout that. Yeah alright let’s get inside.” You nod to Guillermo before turning to walk towards the manor’s giant mahogany doors.

——

Turning the handle and walking a couple feet into the large main room that holds itself as a sort of crossroads for all the other various connecting hallways and staircases. You don’t make it even three more steps towards the left ascending staircase before you hear the highly recognizable voice of your one and only.

“Y/N! My lovely wife and favorite person still ever so lovely!” Announces Nandor loudly with a grand smile showing off his pearly white fangs, “How I have missed you and your morning kisses. Where have you been off to?” He wonders softly as you smile a big dumb love-struck grin right back up at him, you’d absolutely die to hear that accent one last time.

“I can’t tell you right now it’s a secret!” You whisper yell back, causing his thick dark brows to scrunch up in confusion.

“But I am your lovely strong puff dragon Y/N.” Whines Nandor adorably as you roll your eyes at the cameras before looking back up at him.

“Fine. Come here then.”

In an instant he’s at your side, excitedly awaiting what secretive news you will tell him, “Okay, so we know it’s Nadja’s birthday tomorrow right?”

“Yes. I remember because she hasn’t shut up about it.”

“Right. So me and Gullimero got some fun surprise birthday party decorations and they’re in the attic and we can’t tell Nadja.”

Nandor gives you a knowing look of affirmation as he leans in closer to you, his demeanor suddenly shifting into a more saddened one, “You went shopping without me?” He says quietly.

Leaning up to give him a quick peck on the cheek your hands instantly find his, “Just for a little while, but I still need to find more stuff so....you wanna come?”

Nandor’s big dark eyes light up with joy as you hand him a kind smile, “Yes! Let us go in search of unknown treasures for our lady friend Nadja so she will not be mad at us for terrible dull gifts of friendship.”

Laughing you give his hands a playful squeeze, “Come on I’ll race you to Party City!” You say before leading him past the camera crew and Guillermo who simply watches the two of you leave, glad to have an hour of peace.

“There’s a whole city for partying? Y/N why have we never been to this place?”

——

“Y/N there are no people partying here.” Whines your vampire lover in puzzlement as he follows you from the entrance to a side isle. “You said this was a city for partying.”

“That’s just the name of the store Nans.” You retort with a small chuckle as he looks from right to left at all the color coded party plates and napkins galore.

“Well the title is very misleading.”

“Agreed.”

Turning to the right you guide him towards the decretory pirate themed isle in search of something that will peak his interest. Also you wanted so badly to make it to this spot but Gullimero was a man on a mission so your intention was thwarted for when you had Nandor with you.

Speed walking down the pirate themed isle you quickly halt all movement as Nandor’s large body stops within less than an inch from your back. Smiling brightly you snatch the desired object in front of you and as swift as a cat turn to face him.

“Have you come for a dual my old enemy?” You speak slyly, eyes narrowed as you hold the foam sword right in front of his face. “I sense a nervousness about you. Tell me, are you ready to face your inevitable bloody end?”

Staring at the pointy foam, his dark puppy eyes shift over to you as an adorable fangy grin breaks out across his pale face, “Seems you have come prepared, oh radiant and alluring seductress. Well, so have I!” Shouts Nandor before grabbing two foam swords from off the rack and swinging them in both hands like a mad man.

Taking a cautious step back you hold your pathetic five dollar sword in both hands like a true warrior ready for battle, “Only one shall leave this place alive.” You affirm with a smirk, “And it’s not going to be you.”

“Arrrrrggg.” Bellows your lover as he charges you like the true conqueror that he once was. But all to soon do you swiftly duck under his arms and swat him over his stomach with a confident thwack sound.

He makes a puny little “oww” as you turn around to face him once again, “Y/N you hit me kind of hard.” He complains, looking rather defeated and genuinely hurt that you could have intentionally injured him on purpose.

Bringing the plastic weapon down to your side once again, your face suddenly softens as you walk over to him, “Come here you big baby.” You quip sincerely as he leans down so you can give his cheek a quick kiss.

Rising back to his full height, Nandor almost blushes as the corners of his eyes crinkle into a happy smile, “Actually it didn’t hurt at all I just wanted you to kiss me.” Reveals the vampire with a proud grin as you simply roll your eyes.

“Should have known.” You add before turning and snatching up four more plastic foam pirate swords for the others. “Alright let’s get outta here, follow me my love, to the checkout line we shall purchase our weapons of war and partying on the high seas.” You announce with gusto as Nandor stands proudly at your side, ready to follow you anywhere.

“Yes. To check out.”

——

Kicking open the unlocked door, Nandor bursts into the vampire residence with bags full of goodies for Nadja’s birthday party. You right behind him but less dramatically, “We’re back!” You shout to no one in particular as Colin Robinson suddenly appears from out of nowhere, looking ready to leave with his funny little hat and usual beige jacket.

“Oh hey guys,” He starts with a friendly nod, “I’m just heading out on the town tonight. I guess there’s a fair or something in the park and I wanted to test my skill at the ball toss. I’ve been reading up on the body mechanics and how the game is set up which seems pretty basic all in all. Also I really want to win a stuffed bear this time, it might add a little pizazz to my room. Welp see ya’round.” Adds Colin before walking past the two of you without another word and out into the night he goes with some of the camera crew following close behind.

Nandor turns to you with a look of annoyance, “Jeesh I thought he would never leave. Let’s go to your room I want to kiss you some more now.”

“Why my room?”

“Because since you are half vampire you get to sleep in a bed and because I am a full vampire I sleep in a coffin.” Inquires Nandor while looking at you with those big beautiful dark eyes of his, “And my coffin is too small for cuddles so your room will suffice.”

“Yeah that’s a fair point.” You shrug before following him to your room.

After many cuddles leading to other more rated R type activities that lasted until just about sunrise, you finally got some well needed rest while the sun shone high in the sky until she began her dramatic descend back into oblivion. Opening your eyes you slowly rise from out of your comfy bed, already missing the presence of your obsidian eyed lover.

He gets too nervous about your closed windows for fear that the sun might burn him which would be impossible because you black out the glass. But alas, he’s very cautious about these types of things and won’t risk it for anything, though he feels bad about leaving you in the morning, you understand.

Suddenly it dawns on you that today or perhaps tonight, is Nadja’s birthday and you completely forgot to set up any decorations. Shit, how stupid. Throwing the blankets off of you, your feet move quick as you speedily change yesterday’s outfit for something a bit nicer and more clean.

Racing out of your room and into the dimly lit manor hallway, you make a bee line for the attic but before you’re able to reach the steps, Guillermo runs into you, just about knocking you into a wall of various stolen ancient weapons. Sharp ones at that.

That was close.

“Y/N are you okay!” Worries the familiar as you quickly gather your bearings.

“Guillermo! The decorations! Nadja’s birthday!” You whisper yell as the human man simply smiles. “Why are you smiling, this situation does not call for smiles.”

“Don’t worry. While you were sleeping I set up all the decorations.” He replies with a shrug, “No problem.”

“What? But that must have taken you all day, you could have asked me for help. I would have come.” Your brows furrow as he shakes his head, though you still feel bad for not helping with anything.

“Well I did try, but um,” Gullimero awkwardly clears his throat, giving the camera a quick glance, “Nandor was with you and last time I asked for you while you and him where having alone time he threatened to carve out my eyeballs and force feed them to me.”

Pinching the bridge of your nose in annoyance you take a deep breath, “Sounds like him. Very creative when he wants to be, alright, well....where’s everyone?”

“Oh, they’re not up yet. I was actually on my way to get you. I made blood popsicles and the pool floaty is all done and in the pond.” He says with a sense of pride for his decorating skills. “I think she’ll like what we’ve come up with this year.”

-

Standing in the living room with your three fellow immortals you search a dresser for her card, “Oh shit where’s my card? I could have sworn I had it yesterday on my dresser but I don’t remember seeing it there in the morning. Maybe it’s in this one?”

“Witches!” Hisses Nadja as you huff in frustration, where the hell did you put that damn card?

“Oh, Y/N my love,” Intervenes Nandor with a gentle tug of your sleeve, “I took it with me when I left your room before sunrise because I wanted to put my name on it too so she would know it’s from us.”

“What?” Replies Lazlo dramatically, “Now hold on just a damn minute, this card competition is individually scored so I won’t be having any of this nonsense. I worked really hard on mine this year.”

“Oh lick a donkey’s arse, look here,” You retort with, quickly holding up the card for Nadja, “there are two separate drawings on ours so either way if one of us wins she gets both our pictures. So you better hope your drawing doesn’t resemble a night clubs bathroom wall.”

“Yeah.” Mutters Nandor, who’s hiding behind you while resting both hands on either one of your shoulders as you glare at Lazlo.

“Fine.” Agrees Lazlo begrudgingly, “And mine will be amazing, this bitch of paper took me a whole six months to plan and produce. Can’t get quality this good anywhere else I guarantee it.” Adds Lazlo with a firm nod of self approval as you glance at the nearby camera.

“Right, okay everyone sit it’s time for presents. I want to know what you all got me.” Beams Nadja excitedly as she smiles a fangy grin in delight, plopping herself down in one of the arm chairs. Lazlo quickly finding the other one while you and Nandor seat yourself on the large couch. Colin and Guillermo finding somewhere to sit close by respectfully.

“Well, all I can say is hold onto your socks my dear cause this is going to blow you away.” Smirks Lazlo as he pulls a small box from out of his jacket pocket.

“If it’s a self made business card that says invitation to sexy town I will puke.” You deadpan while Nandor laughs from beside you, causing Lazlo to lose his smirk as Nadja hides her amusement the best she can manage.

“He he, sexy town, nice one Y/N.” Mutters Nandor with a proud grin as you raise a brow at Lazlo who’s giving you a hard glare.

“Oh, my dear pumpkin pie love, don’t listen to Y/N I will love anything you gift me.” Encourages Nadja with a bright welcoming smile, no doubt immediately boosting Lazlo’s once irked mood.

Rolling your eyes you shift a bit to find yourself leaning into Nandor’s body as Nadja opens up the rest of the vampire residents various gifts. A joyous fangy smile gracing her pale features every single time, revealing this birthday party was a thrilling success.

After much more fun that just about lasts throughout the whole night, and some rare but hilarious attempts at dancing between the five of you vampiric individuals. You’re feeling rather sleepy and you can tell Nandor is ready for a trip to dreamland as well.

Swaying to the lowly playing record instrumental, you hold Nandor tight while simultaneously enjoying the feeling of him so close, him doing just the same as he keeps you firmly pressed against his chest. His long dark hair tickles your face as he presses his head to your cheek, doing his absolute best to keep the flow without tripping up.

Sensing his growing fatigue, you gently squeeze his hand, “My love the sun will be up soon, let’s get you to bed, yes?”

A small lazy smile tugs at the corners of his lips while he looks down to meet your gaze, “But my dark angel I’m not tired. I want to dance with you a little longer.” He whines adorably before failing to conceal a big yawn.

Giggling, you lean back to slowly lead him towards the door, “That yawn says otherwise.”

“That wasn’t a yawn Y/N, I was just smiling really big.” He protests, though he still follows your lead to the door.

“I’ve never seen anyone smile like that.” You add with a raised brow.

“Well maybe that’s just how I smile.”

Letting out a breathy snort, you pull away from him to at last take his one hand, “Come. I can’t have a single ray of that dreaded sun to get a taste of your precious skin. Not on my watch.”

Glancing at the closed front door, Nandor squeezes your hand, “Well um, now since you’ve mentioned the sun...I think I’d like to go to my crypt now.” He says, the flash of worry crossing over his face for only a brief moment.

“You sure? I mean a sunrise is pretty beautiful if I’m being honest and I know you never get to see them...”

“Not funny Y/N. And not fair, you know I can’t because I am full vampire.”

“And you’re missing out.”

“And I’d like to stay alive Y/N.”

“Aren’t you dead?”

“Yes and I am your only husband so I need to stay not burnt to a crisp.”

Chuckling, you follow him down the hallway, “Oh really? Don’t want me finding myself with another vampiric lover? Some new beast to sweep me off my feet and take me away into the night.” You tease.

Side eyeing you, he frowns, “No. Don’t I sweep you off your feet?”

Stepping into his crypt you stop him with your hand against his bicep, “Always.” You whisper sincerely with a quick wink, causing him to break out into a big fangy grin.

“Good. And if anyone would try and whoo you I would make sure there would be no more whooing again!” Exclaims Nandor, making the candles rise in flame for only a short second at his rise in emotion for how much he loves you.

“I don’t doubt they would fall by your blade. Not for a second.”

[verryberriess]

Whatever This Is | Chapter 1

READ PROLOGUE HERE!!

Whatever This Is

Synopsis: In which Jude and Cardan meet again after seven years, but not on good terms.

thanks to @maastrash for helping me edit LOL!!!! :D

CHAPTER ONE

The last time I saw Cardan Greenbriar was seven years ago.

Today, seven years later, we were a mere few feet apart. I’m unsure whether to feel relieved or insulted at his lack of acknowledgement. Relieved that maybe he has forgotten my face and I could continue along with my life, undeterred and unaffected as ever. But insulted, because, maybe he has forgotten me.

“Are you ready to order?” The cashier startles me. I didn’t realize that the line had suddenly quickened in pace. He must be new, since I haven’t seen him around the Torre’s until today.

Thankfully, I respond with my usual order without thinking. The cashier nods and I fumble my purse in search of my wallet. I’m able to quickly spot my cyan-colored wallet and unbutton its strap with haste, fishing for my credit card from the compartment with my nail. The card is stubborn, in a tight space stuck to two other cards.

“Sorry,” I look up and flash the cashier a tight smile, embarrassment coloring my features.

The cashier responds in turn, his green eyes alight in amusement. “It’s alright. That happens to me all the time.”

I immediately return to the war against my card, which finally relents. I slam it into the card reader, chip in first. While the payment approves, I smile and say, “Thanks for your patience,“ peering down at his name tag to add, “Beckett.” He is handsome and new, and on another day I would try to get to know him, but I am in a hurry, so I walk from the bounds of the register and head straight towards the door outside.

The door swings open in response to my adrenaline and haste. I curse inwardly at the crowd outside of Torre’s that seems to have gotten even bigger. As I mutter “Excuse me’s” and sidestep around the large number of people, I inspect the streets for an absurdly tall head of iridescent midnight hair. I am quickly astonished to see that exact head right in the middle of the large crowd, showering the thrall of excited women with a crooked smile.

Cardan stands in the middle. While he keeps his hands at his sides, his posture is loose and his torso leans in to angle himself for a selfie with another woman. The woman presses her back into Cardan’s again. He doesn’t seem bothered by this at all.

I zero in on the changes in his features. He has gotten taller, his face more angular. His style has been perfected, dressed in a dark suit and decorated in gold rings and darks and blacks while the midnight black hair atop his head seems unruly and untamed, as if on purpose. All these years and he seems to have perfected perfection, looking more horrifically beautiful than ever. I have forgotten this obtrusive charm I had once been fooled by, and even after all these years I am disgusted at myself for still being reigned in, captivated.

But all of a sudden, for a few seconds, he turns his head away from his surroundings and regards me with his eyes, looking as if he were noting my presence with the same disgust, and then quickly looking away. The exchange was so quick, I had barely registered it.

Yet, as I stand at the outskirts of this group, I am reminded of the past, and how I have gotten over this already. I have replayed scenario after scenario of reunions in my head after the first few months of my departure, but I had never really anticipated some overly-large crowd separating Cardan Greenbriar and I by just a few feet.

A few feet that might as well be an ocean. Or two.

I can’t help but marvel at how we were once more than acquainted with each other. That look had reminded me that everything is over, that he wants nothing to do with me. Seven years could be more, if I refocused myself. I could do that, I reminded myself. Seven years could turn into forever.

A twinge of sorrow worms its way into my gut. I squash it.

I turn around. My coffee must be done by now and I want to head to work before I’m late. I suppose the sidewalk will take some weaving around and being late was not on my agenda.

My steps are forward. I make my way back to the door of Torre’s, pulling open the door to step in.

But a familiar voice, ringed with the same distinct tone of arrogance and authority that I haven’t heard in years, ceases any of my movements.

“You need to back up.”

My grip at the handle falters, and another person shuffles out on the other side. They thank me for holding the door for them.

Instead of responding, I turn back around and face the direction of where the voice had called. The atmosphere feels almost different. Where the women had once been gathered around him, they now stand at a distance, clearing for the space he had requested.

I watch one of them snap a quick selfie while he is in her background. She leaves the group right afterwards. My eyes move back to where Cardan is, but he is walking towards my direction, uncaring of the people around him.

I pull the door handle hurriedly and slip inside into the safety of Torre’s. The chatter and ambiance of the coffeehouse usually offer safe haven from San Francisco’s morning bustles, but not today.

I could feel his looming presence right behind me, about to catch up to my stride. I’m not about to do this right now. I don’t think I can.

The choice is ripped away from me, however, when a gentle grip takes hold of my wrist.

“Jude?” The voice is soft, a complete one-eighty from that of authority outside.

I still immediately. I first turn to check the surroundings, discovering that none of the women from outside have followed him in. Then, I glance at the hand which still grips my wrist. I try to shake it off. Cardan’s hold is firm, but he reluctantly lets go. He removes himself slowly as if he is unsure whether or not he should.

Taking a step away, he stands and shifts awkwardly. He is too tall now, absurdly towering over me. Where he used to be only about an inch taller, he is now a few inches above my height. He is no longer able to slouch against me without adjusting himself as easily anymore.

The distance between us is off-putting. Though traits like his height and broadness separate us physically from our past selves, it is the other changes in our approaches and personalities that further highlight the obnoxious tension between us.

Why he suddenly acknowledges my presence is a mystery to me. Why he is here astonishes me. I am unsure if fate is cruel enough to have forced us to meet in this kind of circumstance, or if this was a making of pure coincidence.

Cardan stares at me with some deep intensity. I want to be rid of his scathing stare, grab my coffee, and disappear from this whole ordeal. Pretend that this stain of an encounter had not been inked upon seven years of spotless script.

“Cardan,” I say stiffly. Once acquainted, but now strangers. I am hesitant to say more, despite all the questions that rage within my mind and my wickedly cursed heart. Everything about this is full of uncertainty and unpredictability. A type of situation that I am not entirely familiarized with, since plans and strategy have always ruled my life. It is frustratingly tiresome.

Cardan eyes the row of occupied couches, and later the arrangement of empty rustic tables and chairs. He gestures out to the seats, “Why don’t we find a seat? I imagine that we have much to catch up on.”

I secretly consider his offer, but my brain votes to think of ways to escape his reach. Before I can make a decision though, I am led away to an open table. I am reluctant to make this encounter any longer than it should be, but I decide that I should at least gain some reasoning for his recent presence.

“I’m glad you’re so eager to see me again. After all, it’s been so long.” Cardan resumes his usual nonchalant character. “What an extraordinary coincidence running into you here.”

For a moment, I remark on his wording. I am glad that this turned out to be an occasion of pure coincidence.

Concern or indifference? I decided on the latter tone to respond with. “Yes, it certainly has been a while. But considering how we left things, I’m surprised that you even want to be near me.”

He raises an eyebrow and the corners of his mouth lift slightly. “Considering how we’ve left things, I’m surprised you’ve let me into your vicinity.” It doesn’t look like it, but the small twinges in expression reveal that he is thinking of what to say next. I am about to retort back, but what he asks next catches me off guard as he continues, softly, “Why did you leave for so long?”

My cheeks heat. At this, I am suddenly hyper aware of how close he is, of his overwhelming heat despite the violent cold that rages outside, and how he almost whispers his question, with a compelling mix of rasp and seduction. He towers over me, as if using his height to shield me from the world like he has done so many times those years ago, but in this instance, it feels as though he is also looking for something. Cardan is cautious though, leaving room for retreat.

If I am not careful myself, I imagine that I would fall into his chest, and take advantage of the closeness that I had secretly yearned for nearly a decade. Seven years be damned, my focused mentality would dissolve into dust.

I announce my resolve by taking a step back. The distance between him and I is lengthened. Although my heart curses at me, my mind is indiscriminate. I hadn’t expected this conversation to go about this way. Though, I also didn’t know what to expect. Everything was unpredictable at this point and many things have changed. I didn’t know what response he wanted, because he should’ve known why I left.

“... Because of you.” I say gruffly. I leave little context, wanting him to fill in the blanks.

For a second, a mixture of hurt and surprise leaks into his expression before it is masked again. In that second I can’t help but relish in a small sense of satisfaction that I had got to him. Hurt for hurt. An eye for an eye. Whatever game he is trying to play at this time will not rouse a fraction of feeling from me. Not again.

“I see.” Again, Cardan contemplates. He does not show anything, but his eyes start to roam around us, like he is taking in the coffeehouse setting again as if he wasn’t just here only a few moments ago.

“Excuse me?” The green-eyed cashier from before stands in front of us.

He looks between Cardan and I. Cardan, in turn, twists to the direction of the abrupt voice, and slowly assesses his form. I watch his eyes trail up and down the cashier’s physique, his face contorting in judgement before glaring at him, clearly annoyed by his abrupt intrusion.

Beckett turns to me instead, smiling brightly. His dimples deepen and his white teeth flash to me. He holds out a branded cup of Torre’s. “Hey, Jude right? We called out your name earlier, but I don’t think you heard us. I thought I’d bring your coffee to you before it got cold.”

“Thanks so much, I almost forgot.” I take the cup from him and gently set it down at our table.

“Of course.” Beckett still hovers over us, his attention only towards me. “Andrea told me you were a regular here. I should have known.”

“Yes, I come here often. But it’s okay, I noticed that you’re new here too. And it’s Beckett right?” I ask.

Beckett replies, “Yeah, it’s actually my second day.”

Beckett hovers over us. I notice that he is handsome, with close-cropped blonde hair that is slightly grown out. His green eyes twinkle as he observes me in return. He is well-muscled and tan from what I could see of his arms, which are mostly covered by his gray, long-sleeved uniform.

I take a quick glance at Cardan. His fingers tap the tabletop in a particular rhythm as he watches the exchange between Beckett and I.

“Well, I better get back to work now. If you need anything else, check your cup.” Beckett smiles again and walks away.

I look back at the coffee cup and peer at Cardan who eyes its side, a murderous expression set upon his facial features. His eyes are cold and his jaw is clenched.

As I take the cup in my hands, I inspect the sticker attached to the side of the cup. A phone number written in scrawly blue ink is scribbled onto the light orange sticker.

“​​I didn’t realize hand-serving customers was a part of the job description.” Cardan remarks icily.

“Well,” I clear my throat. “At least he’s done something you didn't have the balls to do seven years ago.”

A/N: i haven't been here in a while... hello! let me know if you want to be put on the tag list lOL

[much-obliged-timothy]

Whumptober #5

Borderlands - #5 - Betrayal

*

Jack stomped into his office, Nisha at his heels. 

Timothy looked up from where he was standing, ECHO in hand. He held it out, Jack snatching it from his hand and throwing himself into the chair at his desk.

“How?” Jack snarled as he read through the data.

“There has to be a traitor,” Nisha said, peering over his shoulder to look at the screen. “Someone on Helios is feeding the Crimson Raiders sensitive information. It’s the only explanation.”

“But who has access to information this sensitive?” Timothy said, sounding frustrated. “It doesn’t make any sense. Everyone who can access this can only do so because Jack gave us permission. Only a fool would think they wouldn’t get caught. There aren’t many of us with that privilege.”

Jack scowled, because of course he already goddamn knew that. The remnants of his Elpis team had access to his sensitive plans, because they were often part of them. Timothy not so much, but Jack did pull him from the casino occasionally to send him on missions with Nisha and Wilhelm.

But now the Crimson Raiders and their Vault Hunters were sabotaging those plans. They were robbing secret weapon transports, ambushing Jack’s teams, and just being a fucking headache in general. They were pulling off things they needed sensitive information to be able to do.

Jack had recalled Timothy from the casino and Nisha from Lynchwood to help him look into the leak. He had Wilhelm beating answers out of some employees who had access to secure transport routes, but he didn’t expect that to turn up anything too useful. 

Jack didn’t like where his thoughts were straying, though.

She wouldn’t have. Surely she wouldn’t have betrayed him. Of all people, not her.

Jack angrily grabbed his own ECHO. “Wilhelm!”

“Nothing yet, Jack,” Wilhelm responded. Jack could hear someone begging in the background. “I told you this was a waste of time. And all their whining is giving me a headache.”

“Keep at it,” Jack snarled, cutting the feed. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm his rising anger.

Getting mad wouldn’t help him find the traitor. Timothy was right; there was only a small network of people who had access to all that sensitive information instead of just bits and pieces. Jack highly doubted this was a team effort betrayal, so that meant it was one of the few with access. 

He could narrow it down even farther than that. Nisha, Wilhelm, and Timothy wouldn’t sell him out to the Vault Hunters. Not only had they helped Jack rise to power, they had been thriving in his success. He rewarded them richly enough to secure their loyalty. They gained nothing and lost everything by turning information over to that scum on Pandora.

That calmed Jack the slightest. It was a starting point, at least. 

Timothy seemed to notice his mood settled, and he took a cautious step closer. Jack glanced at him, a silent permission to speak. 

“Jack, there aren’t many of us with access,” he said. “It won’t take long to investigate everyone. But you shouldn’t make it obvious that’s what you’re doing. Whoever it is might have a deal with the Crimson Raiders to evacuate them if they feel in danger. We don’t want them to flee.”

That was a good point, and Jack was mad he hadn’t thought of it. He was so tangled in his fear of who the traitor was that he wasn’t thinking clearly.

He had to snap out of it. Angel wouldn’t betray him like that. She was in contact with the Vault Hunters, sure, but it was only to maneuver them where Jack needed them for his plans to work. She wasn’t actually working with them. 

“I...have a suggestion?” Timothy said it awkwardly. The kid never had been good at taking charge. Being a sarcastic pain in the ass, sure, but not much of a leader.

“Timmy, this isn’t school. You don’t need to raise your hand and wait to be called on,” Jack said impatiently, grabbing Timothy’s arm and jerking him closer. “Out with it.”

Timothy winced at the tight grip Jack had on his arm. “We look over a list of who has access, try to determine, say, a list of the top three we suspect the most. Then release a piece of information only they can individually access and see if it leaks.”

“Timothy? With a good suggestion? Now I’ve seen it all,” Nisha said in disbelief.

Timothy scowled at her. “You have a better suggestion, Nisha?”

“Who said you were just a pretty face?” Jack released Timothy’s arm. “A very, very pretty face, I might add. Nisha, get on it. Go tell Wilhelm to kill those suckers he’s beating, and then draw up phony transport routes to upload. I’ll look over a list of people with access to determine who we’re tricking with this. Timothy...I don’t actually have a job for you. Stand there and look good ‘til I need something, kiddo.” 

Nisha swiftly left the office. Jack got on his computer as Timothy stood silently at his side. Jack had whipped a bit of obedience into the kid, the scar on his face really settling the mouthy brat into a much more cooperative mindset. He responded well to a paycheck, sure, but even better to a bit of tough love and branding.

Tough love…

Jack shook his head a little. No, everything he’d done for Angel had been to protect her. She couldn’t control her powers, and it made her dangerous. He’d had no choice but to lock her in the Control Core. He was protecting his daughter.

And she had to know that. She had to know he’d done it because he loved her and wanted to keep her safe. She wouldn’t betray him. 

He would talk to her when he was done with this. Go visit her at the Bunker. It had been a while since he’d gone in person. He would-

The pain took a moment to register, because the shock hit him first. He put a hand to his throat and pulled it away, staring at the blood numbly. He opened his mouth, but all that came out was a strangled whisper.

Timothy caught his hair, keeping his head up. He wiped the bloodied blade in his hand on Jack’s coat before hiding it back up his sleeve.

The pain was setting in now, but Jack couldn’t cry out. He couldn’t yell and threaten Timothy. He couldn’t call for help.

The bastard had slit Jack’s throat.

Timothy lowered his head so that his mouth was next to Jack’s ear. “Good news, boss. Found the traitor.”

He released Jack’s head. Jack slumped forward against the desk. It was getting harder to breathe, and his vision was growing spotty.

“Deed’s done, Roland,” Timothy said into his ECHO. “I’m heading for the fast travel station now. I’m not sure how long I’ll have, but the fool sent Nisha away just like I planned. We should have a few minutes before anyone finds the corpse, at least.”

Timothy clipped his ECHO to his belt and looked back down at Jack. He reached out and took Jack’s ECHO.

He pulled the mask off, revealing his scarred face, an exact match to Jack’s. “I never did like you, Jack. Killing a psycho like you does the whole galaxy a favor. Just wish I’d done it before you branded my face, asshole. Shouldn’t have made me a killer if you didn’t want me to kill.”

Timothy spat on him before replacing the mask and turning his back on Jack. He left the office at a steady pace, looking completely at ease.

Blood was spreading on the desk, pooling around Jack’s head. Jack’s fingers scrambled weakly for anything he could use to get attention to the office. He found nothing.

No, no. Angel. He was supposed to go visit Angel in the Bunker.

He was supposed to open the Vault and wake the Warrior. He was supposed to save Pandora. 

And now he was going to die here. All because he put a gun in some foolish kid’s hands and turned him loose. 

Jack closed his eyes, unable to suck in another breath. His last thought should’ve been hatred towards Timothy, or joy that he’d at least maimed the bastard’s face.

Instead, it was just relief that Angel hadn’t been the one to betray him in the end.

[wickedgamesoyaoya]

Secrets in a basic form can be harmless, but that does not negate the fact they can be quite deadly too. To withhold information from a loved one is to partake in a gamble, and the odds will not be in the deceitful one’s favour. Outside of the generic risks of entertaining this gamble, there is one that is often overlooked. What many fail to comprehend is that secrets can be weaponized, and once information becomes a weapon – the truth will no longer hold any significance.

Ichika may have fortuitously stumbled onto Osamu’s secret, but he was still to blame. There were various choices available to him that night and he chose not only to lie, but to drag his idiot brother down with him. He was thus caught in a gambler’s debt.

“Okay.” The confirmation fell from your mouth in a whisper, but it was not intended for anyone’s ears other than your own. You were vocalizing affirmation to the unspoken request from the muscle inside of your chest that was afflicted unfair torment. The excessive throbbing would not cease unless you abided by its demands, which first meant drawing the ache inside to the surface.

Connecting the platform of your boots with the ground, the vibrations stretching from the point of impact led Ichika to proceed a cautious step back. The smile stitched across her lips fell into a thin line as you surveyed her, curious to what she would bark out next.  Beside you, Osamu failed to secure even a piece of your attention, something the blonde took pride in. Although, if she had known that the sole reason you chose to ignore his presence was to focus on your primary target, she would not have been so arrogant. 

“Don’t you see, y/n? The person you should be fighting is yourself.” She raised her chin in effort to gloat, yet the little quivers in her voice indicated her confidence was deflating. Maintaining her composure would have been effortlessly completed if there was even a hint of recognizable emotions in your eyes. 

“Okay. Come here, dollar-store Regina George.” A faint smirk twitched at the ends of your mouth as you toyed with the accessory within your grasp, compelling her attention to land upon it. The threads weaved into her mask of smugness were slashed, revealing the fear slathered across her features. However, the terror reigning over her was soon replaced with bemusement as the band was discarded in a frivolous manner. “Hit me.” The artificial annunciation added to the invitation along with your bizarre actions drew a wide range of responses from those within the shop.

Osamu croaked out a protest, though he knew anything spoken would fall on closed ears. Your two best friends on the other hand exchanged worried glances, but they assumed you had some plan in motion. But what concerned them was the possibility that the revelation ruptured your very grip on reality. 

Seated behind them, the father to the deranged child begged to notify the authorities, while Nakamura cowered in the corner, guilt eating away at his conscience. 

“You don’t have to ask twice.”

Your invitation reinvigorated the blonde’s sense of triumph, which led her to lower down her guard. She proceeded closer to you without hesitation then reeled back her hand, before allowing her palm to collide with your face. The impact guided your face to the left side, forcing your gaze to settle onto your two bewildered friends, who were seconds from abandoning their post to join you. Though, when they saw your mouth open to expel a chorus of low laughter, they froze in their tracks.

“You hit softer than my sister.” When you snapped your consideration back to the shorter girl, the action startled her enough to cause a blockage to form in her throat. She blinked up at you quizzically, while pondering whether you were truly a sadist – deriving pleasure from the pain. And there was some truth to that. The location she had oh so kindly assaulted stung, but it was not even remotely close to the ache claiming your entire body. “Is that all you got?”  

“Y/n, please.”  Osamu was preparing to capture you in his embrace, he didn’t care if you hated him or hurt him in the process. It was quite clear that you were seeking to overthrow the emotional pain with a physical one. Something that would not be occurring if he chose to be honest. “You’re angry, so take it out on me. But don’t take it out on yourself.”

“You see the thing is… This is my pain. And you, the person responsible for that pain, don’t get to tell me how to deal with it.” As exhilaration pumped through your veins, humourless laughter sliced against your throat on its journey to your mouth. “Now fucking hit me.”

Ichika stomped on the ground childishly, accompanying the movement with a mixture between a whine and a grunt. How dare you mock her when you were the fool in the situation? What kind of person were you? She was beginning to wonder if you were human at all.

She knew Osamu would intervene if she was not quick enough, and so she did not miss a second once the demand was spat towards her. In applying the second strike she curled her fingers purposefully to drag her manicured nails across your flesh. The additional pressure combined with the edge of her nails was enough to carve a few lines into your cheek, however before she could allow her hand to fall limp, you secured your fingers around her wrist and issued another titter. When her eyes frantically shot to the captured limb, it finally dawned on her that you weren’t the prey – she was.

In a swift motion, you twisted her hand then ushered it to the small of her back, the slightest bit of force would send her shoulder into agony, and so she did not attempt to fight back. Trailing your tongue along your bloodied bottom lip, you pushed her towards the same table she found refuge from minutes prior.

“You… crazy bitch!” The liquid distorting Ichika’s vision glimmered under the crimson lens you adorned. It was quite satisfying.

A heavy breath of air was exhaled as you took a handful of her golden locks, an action that caused her father to yell out various profanities. But upon seeing his daughter’s distress, his curses morphed into begs. He was begging for mercy, something you were not willing to offer. 

“You see now, goldie locks…” To ensure she was listening intently, you tangled your fingers into her curls, forcing her head up to bring her ear to your mouth. “Whatever I do… qualifies as self-defence.”

Shivers surged throughout Ichika’s petite frame at your explanation as she questioned internally how she managed to misread the signs. She studied you based on your social media for days. She thought she knew you. But she was ever so wrong.

“But how… How can you still fight after what I told you?” Tears strained her swollen cheeks, and soon the reality of her loss brought her to wail childishly. “Tell me!” Twitching at the sound produced by the short female, you roughly led her face to the counter to silence her. Mimicking a child’s behaviour? There was something pitiful about that, and you did not doubt that her father was to blame. 

Releasing the arm twisted behind her back, a lengthy sigh was blown out as you massaged your forehead to sooth the stinging sensation tormenting your temples. 

“I’ve met scum like you before...And I bet you thought you had the upper hand.” Another heavy sigh was exhaled as you shook your head is disappointment. “That was your first mistake. Now, listen to me, kiddo. I want you to remember something.” Strengthening your grip on her roots, you forced her head to rise from the table, resulting in a weak squeak from your victim. She trembled pathetically between sniffles as your slow breaths hit her skin. “Osamu could never love someone like you. Fantasize all you want, but if you ever think of breathing in his direction…” A pause was implemented to provide her a few seconds to imagine what would occur, and what she imagined brought her to whimper lowly. “Let’s just say I won’t be leaving you with a simple concussion.”

“Concussion..?”

As she echoed the word in confusion, her face was smashed against the table with as much force you were capable of administering. The sound produced from the action was far more satisfying than any melody played on the radio. If only someone had recorded it. 

Once her body went limp, you untangled your fingers then squinted down at them, admiring the way they curved from the unnatural exertion. The pain within your limbs successfully soothed your heart into a slumber, returning some colour back to your vision as a reward.

With the thrill of victory lacing into your bloodstream, you momentarily turned your empty stare towards your fiancé until another person entered the scene.

“Y/n…?! What the fuck is going on?”  

Let’s do it again, shall we - hit me 

Masterlist - Previous - Next

A/N: thanks for joining the party, superman lol. you a bit LATE. anywAY I hope ya’ll know MC is not okay, not even a bit. 

Taglist:  @idiot-juice-enthusiast @vicassa  @iloveanime691 @bringmelily @newfriendjen @hikarichannn @anime-simp @tsukkismamagucci @laughingismorefun @astronomyturtle​ @shegrewupwithoutafather @hyskoa1998 @deephumandragonperson​ @pretty-setter-bois @raenebalgaire @sugawarabby @justanotherfangirl2 @keijisworld @90s-belladonna @momoinot @sempiternal-amour @cherryblosom111 @yqshirov @haikyuufairy @volleybloop @bloody-bella @sadkaashistan​ @seikamuzu​ @namyari​ @toaster-stick​ @shakiraisawesome​ @coconut-dreamz​ @roseestuosity​ @prcttylittlcthing​ @uzumakioden​ @nerdynstoned​ @kenmasgameboy​ @unstableye​ @ouijaeater15​ @aquariarose​ @fandomtrashpandasposts​ @helloalex80​ @stfucanunot​ @envyusshades​ @cuddlesslut​ @seijohiseliterambles​

[seventhstrife]

SubScorp Week 2021 Day 4: Lust 1/3

I AM SO MAD ABOUT THIS PROMPT!!! IT GOT RIDICULOUSLY LONG!!! LIKE, AN UNREASONABLE LENGTH OF FIC WAS ACHIEVED THROUGH THIS PROMPT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE EASIEST ONE!!! WHY IS MY BRAIN LIKE THIS!!!

Special shoutout to all of the wonderful, lovely, ridiculously patient people on discord who weathered me complaining about my stupid hellbrain lolol

Only part 1 tonight since I literally spent all day writing nearly 10k words, and there’s no way I can edit it and also sleep before my shift LOL

Read it on AO3.

Part 2

It would have been kinder, perhaps, to simply announce his arrival, but Hanzo had grown so fond of being amused in recent years and he could not resist the urge to indulge.

Gathering a handful of small stones, Hanzo climbed the nearest building and darted across the sun-baked clay of the rooftops, careful to remain unseen as he trailed his target.

A smile curled his lips beneath his mask. He waited until he was sure he was completely concealed, then let loose one of the pebbles in his grasp—a direct hit to the back of Kuai Liang's head.

The sight of Kuai Liang's flinch, as well as the sharp snap of attention and his dark expression of annoyance and suspicion through the crowded, dusty streets of the road, stretched Hanzo's smile into a grin. He bled into the shadows, knowing he would have to be swift if he wanted to stay ahead of Kuai Liang's attention.

He only managed one more stone's throw before Kuai Liang wisened up and scaled the nearest building. He was no fool, and tracing the stone's trajectory was a simple thing. Hanzo was forced to duck behind any cover he could find to avoid the Lin Kuei Grandmaster's thorough, careful scrutiny of his surroundings.

His next throw would be his last, he knew. He would have to make it count if he did not wish to be caught.

Hanzo crouched low and waited for his moment. The instant Kuai Liang turned, still scanning his surroundings for any movement, he sent his last stone flying.

He saw the beginning motion of Kuai Liang's whip-fast reaction, hand darting up in a flash to catch the stone, but Hanzo was already gone, swallowed in hellfire, and before Kuai Liang's fist fully closed around the rock, Hanzo appeared directly behind him.

Hanzo didn't hesitate. He tackled Kuai Liang to the roof, perched atop his chest before he could react.

Blinking in the harsh sunlight, Kuai Liang's scowl of deadly promise melted away into shock.

"Hanzo?"

Hanzo smirked. "Is this the standard of Lin Kuei assassins?" Hanzo shook his head. "Perhaps I should reconsider allying myself with a clan that is so soft."

Kuai Liang's eyes narrowed in a glare, but it was lessened by the reluctant smile that tugged on his lips, as if against his better judgment.

"I think I am the one who should be reconsidering my allies, if they are so eager to attack me on the streets," Kuai Liang pointed out, and Hanzo chuckled, finally stood and offered his arm.

Kuai Liang took the offered hand and absently brushed himself as he stood. His dark eyes, pleased and curious in equal measure, peered at Hanzo with confusion.

"What brings you to Outworld, Hanzo? And to me, specifically?"

Hanzo crossed his arms, gazing across the sand-dusted streets and modest abodes of the city, half of it hollowed out from the bright red clay of a mountain.

"I had received word that you accepted a mission from the Thunder God." Hanzo's face darkened with a grimace. "I would be neglecting the conditions of our alliance if I did not aide you."

"My mission is one of reconnaissance, Hanzo," Kuai Liang said, brow furrowed. "My life is hardly in danger."

"No mission from Raiden is as simple as he makes it seem," Hanzo said darkly. The loss of his clan—again—still burned. "If my presence is an insult, I beg your forgiveness," Hanzo continued, and he bowed. When he rose, he met Kuai Liang's eyes dead-on, determined and stubborn. "Allow me to accompany you, if only to set my mind at ease."

Kuai Liang had appeared taken aback at first, but understanding quickly bled onto his expression, and no little guilt. His own memories of the Kamidogu, and the manipulation he'd suffered, did not appear to have been forgotten either.

"...I accept your offer, Hanzo. Thank you." Kuai Liang said, and he returned the bow. "Shall we?"

The Thunder God's power had sent Kuai Liang to an Outworld city, but Kuai Liang's true destination laid deeper in the forest. An ancient temple, Kuai Liang informed him, long abandoned, had been rumored to have worshippers once more. Raiden merely wanted confirmation of such a thing, to decide his next move. The worship once practiced there had been forbidden, one steeped in ritual sacrifice and practices so brutal and cruel that even Outlanders shunned it, and if some sort of revival was in the making, Raiden suspected it would only be a matter of time before the cult spilled into Earthrealm and claimed the inhabitants there for their depraved rituals.

A simple mission, but one that did nothing to abate the uneasy feeling that had overcome Hanzo from the moment he'd learned of Kuai Liang's undertaking. He had not lied to Kuai Liang for his reasons for being here, but he had neglected the full truth: that, more than anything, he worried for his friend and what might happen to him when caught up in another machination of a God.

Once Kuai Liang had debriefed him, they fell into silence, traveling the forest with their ears peeled for the slightest sound that stuck out: voices, a footstep, anything that would confirm Raiden's suspicions. But caution and vigilance would only help them so much if Raiden had sent them into some sort of trap.

Hanzo pushed the worry from his mind. Nothing will happen to him. I will ensure it, he vowed.

The temple emerged from the trees when they were nearly on top of it. If it had been recently re-occupied, it did not show on the outside. The forest had been allowed to encroach upon it, nearly to the doors, and lichen and vines covered the side of the crumbling stone building as nature reclaimed it.

Hanzo and Kuai Liang knelt side by side as they observed the building, but it truly seemed abandoned.

"Shall we take a closer look?" Kuai Liang asked once it was plain they were quite alone outside.

Hanzo repressed a grimace; telling Kuai Liang he had a 'bad feeling' was out of the question, unless he wanted to make Kuai Liang think he indulged silly superstition and thus, lose his respect forever.

Hanzo nodded. They took a closer look.

Their steps were slow and cautious as they climbed the sun-bleached steps. Cracks and fissures stretched across nearly every surface, and while the stains were very faint, Hanzo still recognized the dried blood dotted across the stone.

It only took a few minutes to carefully sweep the temple for signs of life, and they met in the dusty temple's center once they were done.

"It appears abandoned," Kuai Liang observed, dark eyes lingering in a dark corner for one last check before he finally looked at Hanzo.

"I agree," Hanzo said, crossing his arms. "I hope the Thunder God has promised you something worthwhile for this waste of time."

A small smile tugged on Kuai Liang's lips; Hanzo pretended he did not find the sight incredibly gratifying.

"The terms of a contract are confidential, Hanzo."

"So, nothing," Hanzo surmised with a nod. "Unsurprising."

Kuai Liang's smile grew, amused. "Your time was wasted as well," he pointed out. "Will you demand compensation from Raiden?"

"Do not tempt me," Hanzo warned. He could do so without shame or remorse. After what the Thunder God had put them both through, it was the least he deserved.

Kuai Liang opened his mouth, eyes dancing with mirth—

But then his eyes shifted, just slightly, and he tensed, all over.

Hanzo barely had time to react before Kuai Liang was shoving him with a rough shout of, "Get down!"

His balance was upset but Hanzo recovered, quickly rolled to his feet in a crouch, one arm braced on the floor, the other already unsheathing his dagger.

"Jussst asss my hunger growsss, what ssshould I find but fresssh blood in the unlikeliessst of placesss?"

Skarlet ascended the last steps of the temple, an expression of satisfaction and interest on her features. She held a single hand aloft where an orb of thick, viscous blood twirled idly.

She came to a stop some distance away and widened her stance. Her fingers curled into claws and she stretched the blood like a scarf between her palms. Her eyes flashed between the two of them.

"My lucky day," she rasped slowly.

Hanzo frowned heavily, though it was almost a relief to finally face the inevitable complication he had been expecting this entire time. He darted a quick glance at Kuai Liang.

Kuai Liang was much in the same position and appeared unscathed as he leveled Skarlet with a heavy frown. A smear of blood shards streaked across the space they once stood.

"What are you doing here, Skarlet?" Pure, icy contempt dripped from his tone.

"I am the one who ssshould be asssking the questions, Sub-Zero." Skarlet arched a single thin eyebrow. "Asss the Outworlder, I am not the one who doesss not belong here..."

Hanzo rose and Skarlet's gaze cut to him, wary and deadly. He unsheathed his second dagger and gave them a spin.

"You are outmatched, Skarlet." He pointed at her with a blade. "You would be wise to leave."

Her mouth was hidden behind a crimson mask, but her smile was only too obvious in her tone.

"I am trembling with fear," Skarlet said mockingly, and barely before she'd finished drawing breath, she moved her hands in a quick sweeping motion that sent a wide arch of blood, suddenly crystallized, straight for them.

Kuai Liang had his ice to defend himself with, so Hanzo did not waste a moment summoning a ring of fire, nose wrinkling as the blood met his flames and burst on impact. A power based on draining the life from another—it was barbaric.

Hanzo's words had not been an idle boast—together, he and Kuai Liang were formidable, and years of fighting at one another's side had only fostered a deadly alliance, one of devastating power and precise, efficient strategy.

Barely minutes into the fight, Skarlet was showing signs of unease. She was smart to keep her back to a wall at all times, to better prevent them from flanking her, but the ceaseless assault of ice and fire was clearly wearing on her.

When Kuai Liang froze her leg, just long enough so that she caught a fireball to the chest, she staggered, fell to one knee as her harsh breaths echoed through the ancient temple.

Tales of her cunning and deadliness had not escaped them, however, and neither man allowed their guard down, approaching slowly, fists raised.

"Thisss," Skarlet panted, glaring at the two of them, "Isss hardly fair, isss it?"

"You chose this fight, Skarlet," Kuai Liang said pitilessly.

The way her eyes narrowed at Kuai Liang—that earlier feeling of unease rose within Hanzo once more.

"I did," she agreed. "And it isss time I evened the oddsss..."

Skarlet thrust the hand—that before had been clutching her side—at Kuai Liang, and a small disk of blood, no doubt razor-sharp, shot towards him at an incredible speed.

Too fast to deflect it properly, Kuai Liang raised his arm, and Hanzo only caught a glimpse of how it burst moments before impact, hovered in the air in dozens of pinpricks of needle-thin blades, before crashing again. As Kuai Liang dropped to a knee and ducked, shielding his face from the worst of it, Hanzo was already backing away as Skarlet flew at him in a sudden burst of deadly fury.

"I can already tassste your blood," Skarlet said with relish. The blade of her blood dagger locked with Hanzo's and their faces hovered close. Her eyes shined with wicked triumph. "I will enjoy gorging myssself in the daysss to come."

Hanzo only glared back, disgusted. Between them, a sudden light grew and Skarlet glanced down with wide eyes to see her dagger glowing-white hot to match where it met Hanzo's as his arms caught fire.

An instant later, the blade, warped, shifted, and burst. Skarlet cried out, backing away as the blood singed her and the hands she shook out were bright red from the blistering heat.

"You will only taste defeat," Hanzo swore, summoning his kunai.

The low thump of a body hitting the ground drew his attention away, however, and it was with dread that Hanzo clapped eyes on Kuai Liang—teeth gritted in a grimace of pain, hands clawed against the stone as if he might crumble the stone at their feet.

He raised glassy, straining eyes to meet his.

"H-Hanzo," Kuai Liang managed, and then he shuddered, hunched over, and a low grunt of pain escaped him.

The sight and sound of him chilled Hanzo to his very core. Kuai Liang had been trained, practically since infancy, to withstand incredible amounts of pain. Anything that made him cry out like that—

Hanzo looked to Skarlet and he had no problem recognizing the sheer relish and satisfaction of her expression.

The hellfire, always kept carefully maintained, overflowed into instant, black fury.

Faster than she could ever predict, Hanzo flew across the room, seized Skarlet by her neck and did not stop until he slammed her against the opposite wall. Her strangled choke—brutally cut off by his hands, pressing deep—only incensed him further because this one cry of pain was not enough.

"What have you done to him?"

Skarlet strained against his grip, but she could not touch him, not when he burned so hot. She quickly realized she could not escape, but she only laughed, a reedy, raspy thing that made Hanzo see red.

"It—It isss a new concoction," she hissed, throat working harshly beneath his fingers. He barely loosened his grip so that she could speak, despising every moment he was not killing her. "One I-I have been..." She swallowed. Her heels scraped against the stone wall for purchase. "Very eager to try out."

Hanzo tightened his grip once more and Skarlet's eyes grew larger, panicked and desperate.

"WHAT. HAVE. YOU. DONE."

With each word, flames licked Hanzo's tongue, eager to escape. The temptation to release the flames on Skarlet's wretched head, to burn away her smirk until only bone remained, was nearly overwhelming.

But Kuai Liang's life hung in the balance. He could not give in to anger.

He allowed Skarlet breath, and she finally spoke, "That blood wasss poisoned," Skarlet hissed and Hanzo tensed.

"Where is the antidote," he demanded, and Skarlet laughed again.

"It isss not that sort of poissson," she said. "Thisss one was made for...ssspecial occasssionsss..."

Hanzo narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"

Skarlet looked into his eyes and victory shined in her dark, mad eyes.

"It isss a powerful aphrodisssiac," she purred, and Hanzo tensed. "If he is not sssatiated, his blood will boil."

Alarmed, Hanzo glanced at Kaui Liang. It looked as if he was already feeling the effects, if the way he clutched his abdomen meant anything. He ground his forehead against the filthy stone floor and even a short distance away, Hanzo could see the red welts rising from his skin, as if he were burning from the inside out.

"It would be bessst," Skarlet continued, able to speak more in Hanzo's moment of distraction, "If you left usss here." Her eyes darkened with desire and twisted eagerness. "I am more than up to the tasssk of helping him, and I am sssure he will find me very sssastisfying."

Kuai Liang would rather die, Hanzo knew.

Slowly, every line of his body a taut line of repressed violence, Hanzo allowed Skarlet to slide back down the wall so that her feet touched the floor.

Her eyes brightened with victory—and then Hanzo yanked her close, so that they instead widened with surprise and a quick flash of fear—for he had not released her yet.

"No," he simply said, and then he shoved Skarlet back.

Her skull cracked against the stone and she went limp.

Hanzo let her drop carelessly, turned his back on her, and quickly made his way to Kuai Liang's side. She would not die, he was sure of it, and though he dearly wanted to make her pay for poisoning Kuai Liang, there was still a chance she would be needed in the future, should her words prove false and some sort of antidote could only be procured through her repulsive blood magic.

Hanzo fell to his knees at Kuai Liang's head, hands hovering or unsure.

"Kuai Liang..."

Shakily, Kuai Liang raised his head. Hanzo didn't hesitate to clasp his hand when it was raised and his eyes widened to feel the heat of him, hot enough to rival his own skin.

"Hanzo..." Through his fierce grimace, Hanzo saw the flicker of uncertainty, the worry and anxiety brought on by this sudden vulnerability.

"I have you," Hanzo assured him and he squeezed his hand tightly. "We will fix this, I promise you."

Kuai Liang stared into his eyes for a moment, panting, face beginning to bead with sweat.

He sagged with a nod, weary and pained.

Hanzo swallowed them both in hellfire, and only the scorched stone and Skarlet's crumpled form marked their ever being in Outworld.

[jemej3m]

Idk if I said this already but Romeo and Juliet au where Nathan makes sure Neil doesn’t marry Andrew and Neil and Andrew are a little smarter than the original Romeo and Juliet

how much smarter, though

*

Red gown, drawn above his waist. The sleeves fell from the elbow, sweeping the floor with a slit for his forearms. Atop of his fire-lick curls was a golden circlet, glistening in the candlelight. 

It was rumoured that Mary Hatford’s son was the most beautiful thing in a world. Unfortunately for Andrew, he wasn’t just Mary Hatford’s son: he was also the heir of Nathan Wesninski. 

Though the Wymacks and the Wesninskis had once shared Palmetto peacefully, the tragic murder of David Wymack’s wife, Kayleigh Day, and the kidnapping of his son, had not been forgiven. Equally unforgiven was the suspicious death of Riko Moriyama, allied to the Wesninskis under ancient laws. 

And so: they all hated each other. 

War is profitable, Aaron always said, when Renee insisted that perhaps they negotiate a ceasefire rather than another duel. Nobody wants peace.

And whilst Andrew knew that to be true, a traitorous corner of his heart wished that, just for one moment, the two families weren’t constantly at each other’s throats. Only then would Andrew allowed to be with him: the Wesninski son. 

Most knew him as Nathaniel. As his father’s shadow. 

Andrew knew him as Neil. Neil Abram, the flame to Andrew’s shadow. A man loathesome of his father and anguished over his dead mother. 

He was, undoubtedly, the most brilliant thing on Andrew’s horizon. Everythnig else paled in comparison. 

Even now, with the top-half of his face obscured by a golden mask, he was stunning. 

And even though Andrew wore a mask of his own - to be seen on Wesninski grounds as one of Wymack’s proteges would be certain death - Neil gravitated towards him. 

“Why,” Neil said, voice low. He was trying not to smile. “You don’t look like you’re from around here.” 

“I’m simply a travelling merchant,” Andrew bowed. “Seller of souls and blades.”

“Would you, by chance, be selling a moment of your time?” 

Andrew offered his arm. 

It was dangerous to dance with him, when his father was sitting at the banquet table and waiting for Neil to dance with Ichirou Moriyama instead, but Andrew didn’t care. He had a knife up his sleeve and boundless wit: if he was questioned, he’d escape. The only reason that he wasn’t knifing everyone in the room was for Neil’s sake: he’d seen enough bloodshed in his life. Andrew didn’t need to contribute to it. 

“Abby has a plan,” Neil whispered. His apothecary was his only ally and confidante. Andrew had received many a correspondence via her aid. 

“What is it?”

“You need to trust me.” Neil squeezed Andrew’s hand as he was spun around. “Alright?”

“I hate surprises.”

“I know.” 

The tune acquiesced. They stepped back from one another to bow once more. 

“Be at Eden’s Chapel at noon on Sunday,” Neil whispered as they brushed shoulders. “No matter what you hear. Okay?” 

“Neil,” Andrew tried, but he was gone, swept up in a crowd of gathered velvet and silk. 

*

Wymack had many a protege, most of which he considered his own children. Of course, he did also have Kevin, his genuine son, but in his absence he’d procured the strangest mix of deviants and created a family. 

Wymack rescued Andrew and his family from certain peril and poverty. It was the only reason Andrew willingly sat at his large dining table every morning for breakfast: he owed Wymack his life. 

It was Sunday morning: they were all dressed finely to attend the service. Andrew would be departing early to meet Neil at Eden’s chapel, a church way up on the hill. He would have too come back and retrieve a horse to make it there in time for Neil’s arrival. 

Since the masquerade of Friday evening, Andrew had been bereft of all knowledge about Neil’s plans. He could only hope that it would work, and that they would finally find peace and sanctimony. 

Amidst his thoughts, he did not notice his cousin barrel into the room like a rather tenacious tumbleweed. Panting, he gripped the back of Aaron’s chair, eyes lit up with glee. 

“The Wesninski heir!” he announced. “He’s dead! That old bastard is childless and his name will die with him!” 

Every hair on Andrew’s body stood on end. No. No. They had been so close to freedom. Neil could not be dead. He couldn’t.

“Andrew,” Renee said. Andrew had stood up with a sharp jolt: now the whole table was looking at him, shocked he had such a vicious reaction to Nicky’s news. 

“I must leave.” 

“But -” Nicky blinked, confusion. “What about mass?”

Andrew grabbed the first horse he could find and hitched himself onto the saddle, galloping Wesninski-bound. The noble family had their long line of sons buried in a mausoleum on the edge of their land, facing over the cliffs. Beneath their rocky faces were raging waves, smashing themselves against the unforgivable stone. 

The wind was cold but Andrew was colder: the burial grounds were all but abandoned. He threw the reigns over a thinning branch of an olive tree and stumbled towards the stone monolith. 

The door was heavy but desperation was Andrew’s fuel: he shoved it open and shivered as he entered the tomb. 

And there, in the centre of marble coffins, laid Neil. 

Andrew had never seen his skin so pale. A cloth was pulled up to his shoulders, but his head rested on a pillow of rosemary and satin. His hair was pushed back, eyes closed. Between his brows rested the gold pendant of his circlet, the one that fated him as a Wesninski. 

With trembling hands, Andrew reached out for his cheek. He was cold to the touch. His chest neither rose nor fell: his heart was still. 

Agony. Andrew was pretty sure that was what he felt: pure, unadulterated agony. His chest ached. He couldn’t breathe. Neil said he’d had a plan. Neil said to trust him, and now he was dead.

“You,” came a cold voice. “You.” 

Andrew turned around. 

If Neil was beauty, his father was all brutishness. He was sharp and stiff, his face etched with anger and sadism. Andrew felt the pain in his chest rise to his throat. 

Nathan Wesninski pointed a finger at him. “You are one of Wymack’s spawn. You sullied - ruined - my son. The one at his window. The one in his ear. You turned him against me.” 

“You did that yourself,” Andrew said. “And I will kill you for what you’ve done.” 

Nathan drew his sword with a feral roar, but Andrew was faster. Smaller, faster, angrier. It was, retrospectively, an unfair fight: the man was older, with a renowned capacity to inflict pain but none of the finesse. 

Andrew feinted and shoved his blade between one rib and another: the man dropped to the floor with a furious wheeze, eyes rolling back into his head. 

As he dropped, a new figure stepped into the tomb. 

Abby wasn’t much to look at, narrow and cautious. She had her hands held close to her chest, looking at the body of Nathan Wesninski with wide-eyes. 

“Andrew,” she whispered. 

“He’s dead,” he said, hoarse. “How could you let this happen?”

“He’s not dead,” she stepped closer. “He drank a tonic that makes him appear dead.” In her palm rested a small bottle. “I have the elixir to wake him.” 

He snatched it from her grasp and ran to Neil’s side. There were only three droplets: Andrew watched them coat Neil’s lips, grasping onto his hand and praying under his breath. If Renee could see him now, he thought absently, pressing his forehead into Neil’s shoulder. 

With a gasp, the man woke up, colour rushing to his cheeks. He choked, coughing and spluttering. Andrew held his shoulders. 

“Andrew?” he mumbled, weak-voiced and bleary-eyed. “What are you doing here?” 

“You fool,” Andrew snapped. “How did you think I would react when I heard the news that you were dead?” 

“But I wasn’t,” he said, petulant. “I told you to trust me!” 

“I told you we should have written to him,” Abby chided. “Now your father is dead.” 

Neil’s eyes went wide as he looked at his father’s corpse. His head whipped back, gazing up at Andrew. “Did you do that?” 

“It was him or myself,” Andrew responded. “I cannot live without you, Abram.” 

Neil’s lips were still bitter when he pressed them to the corner of Andrew’s mouth. “And I, you."

*

it was short because I'm tired lol 

[shini--chan]

1p (yandere) allies or axis The (country)reader gives them love and affection, because she knows they in love with her. They have a relationship, for few months. One day they come home and in the private office are really important documents missing. And they see the reader in the next meetings not (for years?). One day they see her again, what would they do?

Yandere Allies

America

He grinned menacingly at the sight of you. Anger was already slithering through your veins, the harsh snap of it causing his mind to fall into a familiar calculating state. He had fantasied about this moment for a long time, yearned for your touch for a long time, desire to crush you for your transgressions for a long time.

Maybe he was a moonstruck fool that simply couldn’t let go for feeling his heart palpitate upon the sight of you. Or he was just plain sadistic by the blissful way his blood rushed upon seeing you pale with fear.

Running away wouldn’t work at this point, since Alfred would be dead set on obtaining you and making you repent for your sins. He wouldn’t take espionage lightly, especially since you represented a honey-trap. All the memories he would have about you would be pleasant ones, and he would reflect back on those times where you were so perfect fondly. America would aim to recapture those moments and mould your persona to his liking.

He may or may not meet you again by chance, or he would have been actively hunting you down. If there is anything that can enrage America, it would be being bested – something you would have somehow accomplished with frightening ease. And something you would have to pay for. In Alfred’s eyes, it would just be fair play.

Canada

One moment you were calmly going through the aisles of the store, the next you were staring into indigo eyes. There was a smile on Matthew’s face – the soft, considerate kind that didn’t reach his eyes. There, an icy glint lingered, dangerous and subtle like frostbite in the bleak mid-winter.

Internally, you knew that was far more deadly than the usual temper tantrums, that people throw once they are betrayed. By the likes of it, you had made a fatal error in your calculations.

If you thought you’d be facing a flimsy little wallflower that has no backbone, then think again. Matthew’s anger is ice, and therefore he isn’t as blinded by emotions as others would be. Sure, deep down he would still love you (or rather be obsessed with you), yet that doesn’t mean that you would be off the hook.

No way in the whole world would he let you get away with what you did. However, with his kind words and sugary tone you wouldn’t be aware of the full extent of his rage. Unluckily for you, Canada is a hunter and he would know exactly how to pin you down and ensure you wouldn’t be able to escape until he would have his justice.

 China

“It has been a very long time, hasn’t it, my little rabbit?”, a silky-smooth voice inquired behind you. Startled, you whipped around, nearly spilled the champagne that you were delicately holding, and stared him in the eye.

The amber was cat-like, just like the tight smile on his lips. Feline as he was, no doubt he had all intentions to play with his prey. The music being drawn from the piano would be the requiem of your pride, and the other guests to the gala the audience to applaud the abrupt turn of your fate.

“When you went away, you broke my heart. I was struck by betrayal and I couldn’t keep my thoughts off you.

“Often, I would fantasize about you – what I would say, what would you say. But in the end, that is all irreverent. I’m simply a victim of the circumstances, here to set matters straight and you have gone ahead and set the stage. I am most touched”, he drawled, genuine hurt in his light tone.

The other people had started to look and whisper, the impending fall from grace too delicious to pass up. Such negative attention made you clutch the fragile stem of the flute even tighter.

Glass shards could never evoke as much pain as Yao’s sharp tongue.  

China would be smouldering with rage underneath the artfully crafted theatre mask. First of all, he would angry at himself. Due all the experience he has under his belt, he should know better than to fall for the tricks of some young fledgling. Still he did and the implications infuriate him. Nonetheless, the whole affair would be analysed and carefully catalogued in his mind to prevent you from ever having the upper hand again.

Secondly, he would be upset with you. Did all those kind words really mean nothing to you? All those tender moments, all those affections – a magnificent lie? He’d hope that deep down you had sincerely fallen in love with him. Through he wouldn’t be so foolish to act on that assumption. As old as he may be, he isn’t senile.

Try as you might to wriggle out of it, he wouldn’t let you. In an indirect way, you would have brought disgrace to his name by making him look like a fool. That means he wouldn’t hesitate to thoroughly humiliate you in public. Then he’d ensure that you would wind up in his gracious custody – with no means of ever leaving him. Having then isolate you, he would use that precious time with you to re-educate you. Whoever did it before he entered your life evidently did a measly job.  

England

When you switched on the light to your living room, you nearly tripped over your own feet in shock. Malice danced like fae fire in the pair of eyes that scrutinized your every move and drank in your terrified expression like it was whisky.

Eventually overcoming the initial shock, you seethed: “What are you doing here. Decent people knock on the door and don’t simply invite themselves in!”

“Strange for you to say that. Even hypocritic, if I may remark”, Arthur lightly said, words slow as if he was weighing every word against gold. No doubt he was barely holding all the insults back.

He gestured to the armchair opposite him. “Have a seat. There all a lot of things we need to talk about, and loose end to tie up.”

Out of all the nations, England would be the most volatile. When your relationship would have started, he would have been cautious, even suspicious to a degree. His paranoia would have been well-founded, especially with how many times he’d been backstabbed in the past. That he had invested his trust in you only for you to abuse it would reaffirm his belief that it would be best to keep his hackles raised. Never tiring, he would hunt you down, constantly torn between the desire for revenge and how he would yearn for your love. That mixture would be potentially lethal.

Arthur might kill you with the justification of “if I can’t have you, no-one can” or also “a fitting punishment for your crime. However, that option would just be further down his list. If you act polite, then he would largely reciprocate the favour. If you lash out or even just insult him then he would rain fire and brimstone down on you.

The conversation would be like an interrogation, with only a thin veil of civility leaving room for something else. Should you beg for his forgiveness, then he would be pleased and even a bit lenient. That doesn’t mean that you’d evade the punishments he’d have instore for you.

France

You saw Francis before he saw you, a lucky thing on your part. Your former lover looked lost. Not that it was the initial impression that a random pass byer would glean from him, but you knew him better.

For a brief moment your thoughts darted to the documents you had leaked to your government – damaging, condemning information if it were to land in enemy hands, which was exactly what happened. If you didn’t know better, then you would pity poor France for the travesty that happened.

You prowled forward to him. Such a sappy fool, you could probably convince him that you still loved him. Maybe you could glean some more information from him.

Your hubris would really be the end of you. Naturally, France would be overjoyed to see you and immediately welcome you back with open arms and a giddy smile. Just remember that love, or rather obsession in his case, isn’t harmless. The limerence he would have with you would entail that he would squirrel you away and hoard you.

In the beginning, you wouldn’t even fully notice where the whole matter would be heading, either blinded by your own false pride or by Francis’ suave manner. Either way, if you wouldn’t wake up to his counter machinations fast, then you’d have all the information you could wish from him but no means to reporting it to your superiors. Your foolishness would land you in a gilded cage.  

Russia

Once he reached the top of the hill you noticed him. Ivan was strolling down the same path that cut through meadows and forests, just a few metres ahead of you. Of all times to meet him, you had least expected it to be during your evening stroll.

You halted in your tracks, contemplating if it would be better to wait until the danger was far away or to immediately turn around and head back home. Russia ended up making the choice for you, and it was neither of the options you had in mind.

He must have somehow sensed your presence, for he glanced over your shoulder. Recognition flashed over his defined visage and it evoked a sense of dread in you. Especially when he pivoted around and approached you.

With some difficulty, you swallowed your fear, because you knew that Ivan was like a wolf that would mangle you if he whiffed weakness. Meticulously, you adored your lips with a picture-perfect smile, a painter adding the finishing touches to their masterpiece in your own right.

“It is a wonderful evening, eh?”, he asked you, in that soft voice you were so well acquainted with.

Russia would first play on pleasantries. However, don’t be fooled. He can hold a grudge and once in his grasp, he would shy away from making his displeasure known. You’d have to be very lucky to escape him and more to permanently evade him. The chance would be slim, yet it would be there. And don’t think that he would be stupid enough to point it out to you.

Your betrayal would have been a smarting blow to him, even if he would have half-expected him. And to him, petty little information thieves are surprisingly worse than cold-blooded murderers. The threat you would represent wouldn’t be obvious, yet that wouldn’t stop with from curbing all those bad habits. He’d miss the person you had displayed yourself as when you had been wooing him and he would do his best to build you to be that person in reality.

[theladyfae]

#15 ladrien or ladynoir im begging

thanks for the ask, poppy!! sorry it took a while, I hope you like it :)

#15: person a and person b holding hands while one of them is asleep. ladrien or ladynoir

(I saw this and thought, how about both?? enjoy some one-sided reveal ladrien)

The first thing Adrien registers when he wakes up is warmth. The warmth of the blanket covering him, the warmth of the body curled into him, and the warmth of the hand entwined with his. He smiles to himself as he turns to admire the view beside him – a sleepy Ladybug surely is a sight to behold.

Her hair, out of her signature pigtails, splays out on the pillow above her. Her sleep mask is slightly askew, though it still covers her eyes and enough of her nose that Adrien can confidently say her identity is not at risk (though that statement is untrue for other reasons unknown to her), and her mouth is curved in a slight smile as she softly breathes into his side.

His free hand hovers over her face. He wants nothing more than to slowly push her mask to the side and gaze upon her entire beauty, but he would never breach her trust like that. It’s enough for her that she knows his identity, he doesn’t want to add to that stress. He settles for a tender caress of her cheek instead, eyes slowly tracing over the slope of her nose, swiping over her lips, mentally burning the sight of her into his memory. His Lady really is breathtaking.

The hand in his twitches. He gazes at it with a dopey smile; she’d fallen asleep still holding his hand. Never has he felt more in love with her.

I love you, he mouths slowly, unable to stop the giant grin that forms the longer he stares at her. He squeezes her hand gently, and starts a little when she squeezes back.

Adrien presses a soft kiss to her cheek before he loses his nerve. Ladybug’s his girlfriend (and what a notion that is), he should be allowed to want to kiss her without feeling like he would spontaneously combust if he followed through.

It seems to him, however, that she can feel his nervousness even without the aid of sight. The corners of her mouth turn upwards, and he can feel her about to start laughing at him. He frowns slightly before moving back, still holding on to her hand, mentally prepared to argue that no, he is not cute, he is literally the embodiment of destruction, M’lady, how dare you try and turn this on me when you’re literally there existing so adorably??

He feels her shuffle upwards until they’re relatively face to face, and once again can’t suppress a smile.

“Hi,” she giggles, voice slightly hoarse. And damn him if the sound of her voice doesn’t have him melting.

“Hi,” he whispers back, cautious and still smiling like a lovesick fool. Which isn’t an entirely incorrect comparison, but he's still grateful Ladybug can’t see it.

She smiles shyly, before darting forward to press a similar kiss to his cheek. The mask is still obscuring her vision, so she ends up half kissing his lips, but hey, he’s not complaining. Though it’s unfair how nonchalant she can be about it, when the mere thought of such a thing makes Adrien want to squeal like a child.

She turns, stretching slightly as she does, and calls upon Tikki to transform her. As the light of her transformation dissipates and Adrien finds himself staring at his superhero girlfriend once again, it’s all he can do to not spontaneously combust.

Ladybug stares back at him, blushing but unwilling to back down. She slowly raises an eyebrow at him, and this somehow elicits a response from him, as he blurts out, determined to fluster her,

“You fell asleep still holding my hand last night”

Surprised, Ladybug stumbles back a little. But then a sly smile overtakes her flustered grin, and her furious blush cools down somewhat as she leans closer to him, grabbing his hand. Maintaining eye contact with him, she bends down to place a featherlight kiss to his fingertips, before saying, in the sweetest voice he’s ever heard from her,

“Well, don’t you know? I always sleep better whenever I’m with you, kitten”

Adrien practically chokes, and barely registers Ladybug winking at him and mouthing a see you at patrol before leaving through the open window. God, how he loves her.

send me a number and a lovesquare pairing!!

[jamestrmtx]

Fairytale Complex - [Undertale | Sans x Reader]

[Gender Neutral, Frisk's Parent Reader | Slow Burn]

Chapter Twenty One | It's Showtime! (Part 3 of 3 | His POV)

[First] | [Previous] | [Next]

"Should I… Should I give up Frisk's custody?"

"What?"

Having that be the first thing the human asks when arriving at the Judgment Hall surprises him the right amount to make that 'what' come off as a shout. It resonates throughout the echoey room, giving rise to the noise and causing them to flinch and stop walking. At that, Sans sighs and excuses himself; strain arrives in his voice as he corrects himself with, "Why do you think that? Isn't the kid happy with you?"

They avoid his irises and stare at the newly laid-out benches around, these a product of the changes being made to the Underground, and ones they suggest sitting on while they talk. It's obvious they're stalling for time, so he doesn't speak and only follows them there. One glance at the bitter look in their eyes and the sheer uncertainty of their frown makes him stay that way -- waiting for them to act first. Not even the bright light that seeps into the room is enough to shake them out of their distant gaze. Their steps are soft and slow, barely causing an echo as they walk, vastly different from his own set of footsteps. Being any more cautious and quiet would mean they would disappear out of the room entirely. Were he not walking along with them, their presence would be hard to distinguish from the vast emptiness of the place. Even the benches don't suffice to fill out the space surrounding the Hall.

"I'm not sure anymore," they finally reply, tone as icy as their choice of words. He sits next to them and lays a hand over their knee, one he squeezes tight as a way of comforting them. "Toriel seems like someone better fit for that role, so if she holds the same feelings she had about adopting Frisk as she did the first time, then maybe… That's all for the best?" Their voice trembles, though they continue with, "What do you think, Sans?"

The monster pulls his hand back and lets their question simmer in his thoughts for a while.

"Do ya really wanna know?" he asks, meeting their gaze.

"...Yes." Their reply is as weak as the light in their eyes.

Again, Sans gives himself some time to think, needing that more than ever now that they hold him up to such a delicate question. He doesn't want to sugarcoat anything, but -- similarly -- he doesn't want to hurt them further than they already appear to be. A happy medium would be the best choice, though he doesn't know what that is, exactly. Truthfully, he was growing biased whenever it came to talking about them; he was besotted, no doubt, and -- if matters kept on this way -- he had to scold himself for letting his feelings conflict with his job. Seeing them blue was the last thing he wanted, but some things are easier said than done. If they required an honest answer, he had to deliver it. Masking faults wouldn't do any good, in the long run.

"I think you're a pretty wonderful parent. It's the overthinking and overprotective part that you've gotta work more on. Other than that, then you should take that promise you made seriously, so that you can improve and find more strength to avoid those doubts." His hands make their way to their waist as he brings them closer to him. He then sits them on his lap, smiles, and leans in, looking up with that same, yearning visage afterwards. "...And someone easy to love, despite that stuff." His desire to kiss them grows stronger by the second, yet he's aware it's best not to try that currently -- not now, of all times. The human was still healing; his wants could wait for their needs. "I like being around you -- with you. And while I know Tori's a good mother, you're a good parent, too. You deserve to keep being Frisk's parent, just as they deserve having a parent like you."

By all means, this has to be the riskiest move he's pulled so far, and with awful timing, too. He overlooked plenty of factors before placing them on his lap, and -- now -- he's beginning to consider if that's the best thing he could've done. Their hands have difficulty finding a safe area to land on without making him tense up, and the same goes for their sitting position, this one just as stiff as they try to get comfortable without doing the opposite to him. Still, they stay firm in place and smile back, something that doesn't last long when they say, "I've made too many mistakes, and I've... I've bothered way too many people. I can't even feel mad about arguing with Brenda without then feeling guilty seconds later, k- knowing she did so much to pull me out of that bog. I don't deserve to be forgiven." Their hands press against his chest and grab tight onto his shirt, squeezing at the fabric to tug him closer against them. "It's not right."

The monster tries to catch another look at them, though the human refuses by looking down, gaze cast on their lap. "That's on the people you've hurt. You don't get to decide whether you deserve their forgiveness. Or do ya?"

Their hold on him roughens. "Of course not."

"Then why think that? What makes you think Frisk doesn't like you -- or Brenda? Or pretty much... anyone else?"

Sans gets even closer, leading them to press a hand against his shoulder in a weak attempt at gaining that space back.

They look at him afterwards, eyes focused on his teeth. "Do you want to ki-"

He does that before they can even finish with their sentence.

The reminder he's yet to adjust to physical contact dawns on him when he kisses them.

His pulse skyrockets, and it's a challenge not to grow dizzy by his own actions. His hands lay awkwardly on their lap, but he tries to explore elsewhere to prevent that, making him end up holding their lower back. The warmth and softness of their body is a grand contrast from his, something he can feel to be more pronounced when his hand strays to their waist, pudginess felt sharply against the roughness of his touch. He's lost track of how long the kiss has lasted, yet -- right as he's thinking about ending it -- they return it with twice as much fervour, tongue slipping into the space left between his parted teeth. Clumsy movements turn clumsier as he wonders what to do now that they're going beyond a quick and simple kiss, though he doesn't push them away. His soul fastens and he can hear their heartbeat with how close he is against them, the sole obstacle to keep him distanced being the reminder this is the last action he'll get for a while; if again, at all.

He shouldn't be doing this, and while his mind has that thought on repeat, he wants more.

"Doin' mouth-to-mouth again, are we?" an infamous voice comments, this one heard from close by. "Didn't know getting so touchy-feely and tongue-heavy was part of the process."

They get off his lap and stand up; their actions are immediate, even more so than his own. A guarded, almost wary look overcomes all the hard-earned calm they expressed before. Not an ounce of reluctance stays in their posture, and -- in comparison -- they appear plenty more defiant than anything else.

"You've fought all the way here, just to surrender now?"

Sans almost believes he's said that himself with how similar that voice is to his; it's rough and booming, and it arrives from the door of Asgore's old garden.

"This was all one cheap ruse, wasn't it? You never really were angry with any of the monsters, were you?" the same voice asks, his figure emerging from the door. "You've 'fought' with people like Toriel just to make yourself seem like you actually give a shit about your child, but you don't care at all." It's the same man from the bus; a small but no less weak army stands behind him, allowing him to act more confident than before. "If you did, I'm sure as hell you wouldn't be kissing a complicit in murder. You just want to hand the kid over to the first idiot you see and be done with them."

"Hey, bud," Sans says, standing up. "Watch it."

He takes a few steps forward until settling in the middle of the hall, preventing those by the door from getting any closer. "We came here for some quiet n' privacy," he then adds, zeroing his gaze on the man. "So please leave, so I can talk with 'em."

"You should watch what you say," one of the crowd says, stepping from behind the man. "Just what do you mean by 'privacy', exactly? Gonna get it on with that human? Though you were doing that just now, and you've done that before, too -- It makes no sense for you to want any 'privacy' now."

"I don't think I need to explain why me giving 'em CPR and me kissing 'em are two vastly different things." The skeleton continues to get closer, noticing the crowd's doing the same. "And I mean privacy, as in: what we need to talk about 'ere ain't none of your business," he states, gaze narrowing at the woman. "Leave us alone."

"As if we'll let you go," a different man says, joining the woman's side. "You might have (L/N) fooled with your 'feelings', but we're aware of the truth, and we refuse to let whatever this is keep going. Whatever cheap sob-story you told them to try justifying your actions won't work on us."

He glances back to the human when noticing they've grown quiet. They're still standing near the bench, though they soon face the crowd and say, "If you have a problem with that, you can talk to me directly. He has nothing to do with this." Then, they glare at the man, who remains unfazed even as they walk forward. "He's-"

Thud.

The sound follows right after he shields the human from the object hurled at them.

It rests in his hand, large, oval, and porous -- one of Asgore's heaviest garden rocks.

"Stop that."

Thud.

Three are thrown at the same time. Two Sans catches with ease, though one slips right past him and ends up hitting his company with a loud thunk. Worry over them being hurt fades when he looks to their side and sees they've caught the rock in their hand, creating a bruise in their palm -- one they hide in their pocket after shaking the pain away.

"Leave us alo-"

A crash follows before the third thud, leaving shattered glass by the opposite spot to where the man and his crew stand at. Shoes aid with not being cut by the shards as he gives his back to the crowd and inspects the source of destruction, though it's made clear the thud's come from another rock, this one the human didn't turn out successful in avoiding. Blood drips from the side of their face down to their neck, while the rock lays stained by the floor. Regardless, they say nothing and cover the wounded area with a piece of cloth they retrieve from their belongings. The cold look from before returns, but with ire and distaste -- all of that directed at the crowd rather than their own self.

"Say something," the man from the bus says, words aimed at (Y/N), who stays quiet all the while. "The hell's wrong with you?"

"Ditto." they state, lips straight and eyes dull. "You have no business being here. This is-"

"Then your Halloween-edition boyfriend has no business living up there, either."

"That's not what I meant." They approach the monster's side and stay close to him. "This place is dangerous. The walls are cracking, the ceilings are crumbling, and the floors are giving in. The only reason why the Underground isn't available to you is 'cuz it's being made a safer place for you to be in."

"Then why are you here, of all people?"

"I'm here to learn the truth before I decide what to do with Frisk's custody."

Sans tries to stay one step ahead of them, remaining wary over any other attacks. The man glares at him, though the greater part of his attention resides on (Y/N). Still, he nods at one of his companions to keep an eye on him, reminding the monster he hasn't yet forgotten about him.

"So why did you ask about giving up their custody?"

"Because I know I'm not adept enough to raise them with my current state of health. They deserve better."

Anger strikes in the man's eyes. He clasps his hands into fists and clenches his jaw. What keeps him from getting any closer is seeing Sans do the same.

"So you call Toriel better?" the man questions, words spat.

Something unknown ignites in the skeleton's soul, and while he assumes it's because two people he thought fondly of were being spoken ill of, the strength of that feeling makes him believe there's more to it than that.

"Asks the man who threw a rock at (Y/N)," he intervenes, against biting back his tongue.

Sans takes their hand and helps them sit back down on the bench, though he keeps an iris on the crowd and a thick shield around the human.

When finished, he stares back at the man and adds, "You have a minute to wrap things up and leave this place -- before I call for backup."

"Can't fight us alone, skelly?"

"I don't intend to."

He holds the human up in his arms and takes them to the first location he thinks of, all while ignoring those who try to challenge him as he teleports them out of the Judgment Hall.

• • •

"Are you and (L/N) safe? Please give them my deepest apologies. Truth be told, it has been rather difficult to communicate more often, now that my... jail sentence has doubled."

He rests his back against the wall, slumps, and closes his eye sockets for a moment.

"I'm fine," Sans replies, toying with the strings of his jacket. "They got hit by a rock, but other than that…" He glances at his bed, where they lay at as they hold an ice pack to their wound. They give him a quick thumbs-up, allowing him to continue with, "They're okay."

Asgore breathes out a sigh in what he can only assume to be relief. "Be sure to mention my name, if they ever require medical care."

"Got it. See ya later, old man."

"Farewell, Sans."

He sets his phone down and stares at it, gaze blank as he contemplates the situation.

(Y/N)'s question clings to his mind no matter how much he tries to convince himself they're fine.

If someone so devoted to their role as a parent had a thought as wild as that one, then what was keeping them from holding themself back?

What was keeping them from giving up the one thing they found a purpose in?

And if they hadn't brought it up, what would happen then?

"What did he-" The human interrupts themself with an 'ow' when they try to stand up. "What did he say?"

The monster sits next to them by the edge of the bed and leans in, using one hand to hold their cheek while the other keeps him stable -- hovered over their body. "Don't stress about that now," he says, voice quiet. "Just relax."

They smile and keep their cheek in his hand, though theirs places itself over his as they rub their thumb against it. "Worried?"

"It's the third time you've fallen ill in less than a year." He chuckles. "What do you think?"

"I think you need to join me in bed, then." They brush his hand away and extend their arms out -- as if waiting for a hug. "C'mere, babe."

He approaches them without dither, though he's careful not to be rough as he lowers some more and embraces them. Their arms grab his waist and lay him on the little space remaining next to them. The space he lacks they make up for by bringing him close -- enough for him to hear their heartbeat, along with each breath they take. "So are you still going by that agreement letter? Or did you really just bodyguard me?"

"Bodyguard?"

"Don't judge my word choice." They grin. "I'm dizzy and tired." A curious glint reaches their gaze when pulling their attention away from him to look around his room. "You're almost done moving, aren't you? The place looks empty."

"It's better now that you're here, though."

"You never miss an opportunity to do that, don't you?"

He winks. "That's about the last thing I wanna do when I'm around you."

They roll their eyes, only to then grab him by the shoulders and pull him closer. Their breath is overwhelmingly minty, revealing they've just about chewed the entire box of gum he'd seen them take out of their bag. Thankfully, it seems to have worked to some extent, as they don't seem as weak as they did when first arriving at his room. The mint's strength is what's keeping them awake and fighting the nausea shown after escaping through the use of his magic. "Are you really fine?" they ask, smile still there; it weakens, however, and they appear to recall something, confirmed with, "A- And God, I'm sorry. You said you weren't comfortable with making out, and I doubt you mentioned anything beyond kissing on the cheek, too, right? And yet, I… I went ahead and-"

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I did something you clearly stated you didn't like before."

Sans pokes at their nose with his index finger, gaining an annoyed huff from their part. "And that was around two whole months ago," he says, grinning. "I barely knew much about my feelings back then, but now I understand them a lil' better, and… And what I'm comfortable with, also."

They don't humour him. On the contrary, they grab his finger and soon his entire hand as they force it into a fist. "But it's still important enough for me to remind myself of it." Finally, they push it away and lour. "You don't need to do any of this." Their forehead wrinkles and their body stiffens. "I was in the wrong-"

"For asking me if I wanted to kiss you? I was the one who cut you off mid-question for that."

He stands up and helps them do the same.

"Let's calm down for a moment and think this through."

The skeleton then places his hands over their thighs and looks up at them. "I'm still figuring myself out, but one thing's for sure: I like you. Even if I don't exactly know to what extent those feelings go, what I'm willing to do, and what I'm not, I like you, and I want to explore these feelings with you." They nod and stay silent as he adds, "The one who punched me at the bar -- that friend I told you about -- they had a crush on me for a long time, but I never really was one to care much for that kinda stuff. Then there's the occasional, rare crush I had on other people, but… It was always hard for me to distinguish whether those feelings were romantic or not." He stops to assess their expression and sees intrigue in their eyes. "I was more guarded at the time, since I still had that job at the Hall, and that involved me being a hell lot more distant than I am these days. But now that I've got more freedom to live and just, well… be, I've been able to figure things out about myself -- like how much I enjoy even the thought of having you by my side."

When something cold falls on his hand, he looks up at them to see tears in their eyes.

"Were you that worried about this, puddin'?" He can't contain a laugh when he sees them shed more tears after being asked that question.

They nod and press their lips tight together, holding themself back. "I don't want to screw this up. I… I like you, too, and it feels like… like I overstepped a lot of boundaries for a minute there."

"A kiss that you asked me about first?"

"But then I returned it and did things I wasn't supposed to."

"Did you actually ever ask me if I liked it or not?"

"Well, uh… No."

Sans takes their hand and brings it against where his soul can be felt beating.

"I was, frankly... overwhelmed, but it didn't feel gross or anything like that. And I didn't feel a need to stop or tell you to, regardless." He feels his face burn, and he's sure there has to be some evidence that his face is turning red, yet he doesn't hold back. "Did you forget what we went to the Hall originally for?" His smile widens. "Or did you forget to keep yourself in mind again?"

"It was to talk about my dream from earlier."

"But you still ended up talkin' about Frisk instead. And then I sat you on my lap and kissed you." He then brings their hand to his cheekbone. "Sounds selfish when I put it that way, doesn't it?"

They don't answer and choose to hide their face away against his chest. "Maybe? I… I wanted to kiss you, too, though."

"I did it knowing that dream you had was related to me -- and in a negative way, to boot."

Their hand lets go of his cheekbone and goes to place itself close to where they rest their face at.

"So let's plan something," he adds, holding their back. "Once we're done signing Frisk up in Tori's school, and once you settle things out with your job… We go on another date like the one we had at that hotel, and from there on, we can talk about that dream for real. You'll avoid bringing up stuff that's not directly related to your situation, while I'll avoid my urge to kiss you."

They let out a laugh. "Tell me more."

Sans complies with a grin. "So if everything's sorted out better by then, we can celebrate that accomplishment by having our actual first date -- but at my new place."

"You sure want me to visit you, huh?" they ask, smiling. "Is there… Is there maybe something important you want to tell me, teddy bear?"

He chuckles, winks, and pulls them closer with an arm around their shoulders. "You've read right through me, puddin'."

[First] | [Previous] | [Next]

• • •

IMPORTANT NOTICE

**TL;DR near the end of it**

Sans's (assumed) age (mentioned in Chapter Two) will be bumped from 22 to 29 to better fit his character and overall personality, as well as to complement the passage of time in both this story and its spin-off more adequately (more on that can be found on the author note in Chapter One of said spin-off).

The Reader's/you're meant to represent someone younger who's still learning how to live life and how to overcome slips ups and screw ups. Sans being 4 years older helps portray not only his character as someone who used to engage in science better, but to make the difference in knowledge and wisdom more evident between both the reader/you and him. So basically, if you've played Stardew Valley -- for example -- he'd be around the same age as maybe Harvey, Elliot, or Shane, since they're the most... mature-seeming of the bachelor bunch. Sam and Alex come off more as late teens, while Sebastian is more accurate to describe the age I once gave Sans in this story (don't quote me 100% on this topic, though -- I married Emily in the game and I'm pretty awful when it comes to comprehending videogame lore). A more obvious reason is that Sans seems more mentally sound despite the roughness of his circumstances in the game, something that can be hard to achieve if you struggle with mental health.

**TL;DR: Sans's age has been bumped up a few years to better fit his character and the plot of both stories.**

This was something an Ao3 reader brought up recently, too, so they essentially inspired me to finally make these changes! Please, help me.

• • •

Tag List (Comment or message me if you want to be added to [or removed from] it!)

@the-simp-express

@nektotersh

@disastrous-l0vebug

@therealchickenjoe

@mintyflakes025

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[danddymaro]

Erron Black X Reader |Pt.3

Previous: A Familiar Sense

Thoughts are italics in quotations = ‘Example’

Flashbacks are in italics = Example

Fixed

Wordcount :   8111

Pt. 3 |   The Big Bad Wolf

His dark, espresso-colored eyes lazily fell over the captive female, eyeing the silent, somber woman as she sat across him. 

She was still bound and helpless, her face set blank as she slept, yet again escaping reality through her slumbering moments.

‘She’s out again,’ He thought to himself, emitting a low blow of air that flew up to the flat under-piece of his hat. By then he’d quickly caught on to her ingenious, little plan, taking it in with growing exasperation,

“ Nearnin' three days and not a bite,” he told himself before standing, rolling his shoulders with a low, little groan escaping him before he strode over to her. 

He knew that if she kept up with her act, she’d starve before they made their way to their destination, something that would definitely reduce his pay, bringing the number down to zero if she so happened to perish while under his watch.

‘That has to be your plan...right?’ He mused while he stepped towards her slumped form, quickly reaching over to where she was, soon looming over her just as a shaken breath left her.

It was as though a cold gust of wind had violently struck her, but he knew her reaction had nothing to do with the weather.

It was still sunny out, the last bit of heat the day could provide slowly dying out, but not enough to bring anyone to such violent shivers.

‘Sunny... Well as sunny as it can get in this godforsaken place,’ He told himself, looking up to see the blinding brightness of Outworld’s star spread its last bit of light out to the realm before it retired.

'Pretty soon we'll see sundown,' He thought to himself, '...And I can't help but wonder...Just what are you're thinking of little miss...’ He wondered while bringing his eyes back down to his sleeping captive, his gaze instinctively drawn to her. 

He’d formally wasted what felt like short minutes gazing at her, when in reality they were hours of silent entrancement.

It had occurred earlier too, soon after her messy outburst, following his discovery of her lovely orbs. 

Even after he'd been cautious, moreso, unwilling to fall under any little spell she would have set for him, he still found himself entranced by her. 

However, he reasoned that technically, it was part of his assignment. 

So silently, he sat back and watched, interested in just what lay deep within the crevices of her mind, haunting her.

‘Just what does she see?’

He briefly wondered just what had her so shaken and helpless, however, the interest was easily overrun by the annoyance he felt at the small act of rebellion, because all it did was make his job harder.

- All it did was threaten his pay, and that was what it was all about.

The pay.

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“- Not a scratch on her,” The masked man said with an icy undertone present in his already curt way of speaking. “Do you hear me?” He pressed on. 

With rolling eyes, Black agreed, not needing to be told twice about the done deal, because by then, it’d become almost insulting.

"- Got it." He replied back nonetheless, his tone calmed as he wiled out all of his annoyance from the short response.

“That is the only rule I have; that you bring her to me in one piece.” The cloaked male added while handing the brunette a sack of golden coins along with many other little treasures in the bag, none of which could outweigh the value of the woman within the mysterious man’s sharp eyes.

“Here. This is only a small portion of what is to come,” His new employer said with a nod full of certainty, promising so much more in exchange for the job.

“Riches await you, So long as you complete your task.” He added while he blew out a little huff of amusement, well aware of who he spoke to, having personally asked for him, because until then Erron Black hadn't had a single blunder to his name.

He knew the language the native Earthrealmer spoke, aware that so long as there was profit, there was a way to convince him.

And that was just who he needed, 

- A man willing to spare no expense if it meant success.

Holding the bag within his own hand, Erron stared down at the handsome pay with widely peeled dark orbs, struck by a small stun of disbelief, 

“You mean to tell me there’s more than this?” He asked with a small chuckle, tickled by the high pay he started off with, weighing the contents with his outstretched hand.

‘All this for a woman,’ Black thought while shaking his head, amused at how much the man before him was willing to pour into his hands just to have the female delivered to him.

Black was of course, a man; one who’d lived a long life. 

During all his time living, he’d become aware of just how much a single woman could reign over a fool, but even then he was still in awe at the situation he was in.

But who was he to complain?

‘I’d be a bigger fool to let you take your business elsewhere,’ He thought while he chose to stay silent, swallowing down his own opinions.

“There is plenty more, but remember Erron Black, your pay will depend on the state you deliver her to me.

Take care of her throughout your travel, and make certain she is steered from danger,” He specified while he lifted his chin up, aiming to the sky as he gazed at it.

Simultaneously, while his sight properly aligned up to the heavy clouds, the sky above them roared with a mighty cry, the vicious sound echoing for miles to where the man hoped it'd reach his darling beauty.

'Hear the sky cry out; be aware of my existence as I am yours,' He thought to himself.

“Do whatever it takes, and do not fail me,” he then went on, his already dark eyes dimmed, “ And If you have to get rid of anyone that blocks your path, then do so,” He added, caring of only the end goal.

All he cared about was having (f/n) with him.

“Soon... Soon the spring will be invaded by the rain, and they will exist as they should. " he declared.

" Together, as one.” He added softly, the mask which hid his face not only hiding his identity, but the small smile that played at his lips as well.

The expression was touched by a linger of sweetness that then reached his eyes, infecting every bit of his being.

 “My dear goddess… soon she will be within my arms,” He mused aloud, the change in tone apparent.

“Only you are worthy…” He added lowly, still referring to the woman and all her splendor.

“- Very well,” Black murmured while taking hold of the brim of his hat, lightly tipping it as he performed a single nod, a hidden smirk curling his lips as he agreed with the condition, taking in all of the other man’s odd behavior with astounded amusement that had yet to cease.

‘All this… All this for a woman,’ Erron thought to himself while he was also handed a scroll that gave him all of the information available.

‘It’s easy pay,’ He mused while his dark eyes scanned over the illustration of the woman, making sure to remember it down to the last detail.

With his small, personal booklet in hand, he recorded down every bit of information he had of her, including her location.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the precise location, but it narrowed down the search considerably.

‘ (F/n)’ He thought to himself while he scribbled the name onto the once blank page,‘ That’s your name little missy..,’ He thought to himself while he found himself staring down at the dark ink delicately painted onto the paper in hand.

“I’ll get back to you soon,” Black said before he whistled loudly, the call responded to by his snow-haired steed as it approached the two men with an assertive bray, letting his master know he was at his disposition.

“Good boy,” Erron said while his palm fell over the side of its long, strong neck before easily mounting the creature with a leap up,

“ And don’t worry, I’ll be back soon,” He repeated while taking the reins of the saddle, turning to his employer with a wide grin, “ Very soon...with your goddess,” he added with a tickle of amusement, shaking his head at the praising address.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

“Hey...You,” Erron said while lightly tapping the side of his boot onto her leg, repeatedly doing so until the action caused her to stir, the (h/c) haired young woman seemingly bothered by the disturbance, but not enough to immediately wake.

Instead, A fussy, little groan then fell past her, the small sound rousing a grin from him as he detected the annoyance weaved within it,

“Rise and shine Darlin',’' He said while nudging her again.

Her dark lashes slowly fluttered up as she opened her (e/c) colored orbs. Soon, her glazed eyes slowly found his as she looked up to see who woke her, a little pout then performed right as her sights landed on him.

“-Glad you’re awake,” He said flatly, eyeing her shining (e/c) colored eyes for just a moment before his own strayed, falling down to what he had in hand instead.

“I’ve noticed a certain someone hasn’t been eating,” he started, “so... here," he said while shoving the piece of meat over to her, immediately glaring at her as she turned her head, her lips pursed together as she showed her notable disdain, not even wanting to give any consideration to the offer.

‘After being kidnapped by him…

Tied up so uncomfortably...

Forced to be so close to him…On that damn saddle too!’

She thought with a little huff, the muscles in between her legs involuntarily squeezing, causing the soreness that previously settled onto her to become more prominent.

‘After seeing only just part of who you truly are… I wouldn’t dare take anything from you,’ She thought with hard resolve.

‘Because despite what you think…

Despite what you may find amusing…

I’ll make sure to find my freedom.

I’ll make sure that even if I don't get to escape… I’ll ruin every bit of satisfaction you can get from delivering me!’

There wasn’t anything she could do while being tied up, and she despised the fact.

‘I hate you! I really hate you!’ She repeated while yet again her muscles strained, ‘And I don’t want to get on that horse again!’ She added while biting her inner cheek, not thinking she'd ever get used to it.

They’d spent nearly two days on foot, and in her opinion, it was much better than the other form of transportation.

‘I’d rather walk,’ She thought with a low blow of breath being released, deciding that it was much better than the humiliation he put her through during the first time.

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“There you go!” he mused, watching her glare at him as he perfectly sat her on his horse’s back, having let loose of the binds on her legs to do so, but not giving the same treatment to the ones binding her hands together. 

He played it safe by altering the position of her arms, tying her wrists up in front rather than back for the ride.

“Come on, lighten up doll,” He told her, reaching up to give her thigh encouraging little pats, the little contact causing her to jump at the first tap. 

“It’s much better than walking,” He assured her, knowing she was already dog tired.

Soon after, an actual shiver then ran through her as he mounted the creature himself, sitting right behind her, his arms draped over her bound ones to take the reins.

“Don’t wanna chew gravel, right?” He asked her, his strong arms at each side of her, holding her still, 

“- So just stay still...no squirmin," He advised her.

Momentarily, her eyes fell down to the dirt ground, swallowing hard as she realized that if she did struggle against him, she’d only end up hurt.

‘He's right...I’m so high off the ground…’ She thought while hanging her head, her chin aimed to her chest with hopelessness.

Anxiously, she tried to squeeze herself tiny, not wanting any contact with him. Little by little, she tried to inch forward, her torso leaned ahead to try an attempt at even the slightest bit of distance, failing altogether as he took the opportunity to press his chest to her back each and every time, knowingly irking her.

‘I don’t want to be pressed to you,’ She inwardly cried, straightening her back from the uncomfortable slouch she had set it at.

‘The very idea disgusts me…’ She added while the warmth of his body was shared with her via the contact.

‘And the action itself...’ She went on, trailing off while her stomach churned, her heart set into anxious mode as she slowly caved. 

By then the air began to mellow down and grow colder, the woman begrudgingly appreciating the comfort of his heat whilst the wind began to pick up, and the sky began to darken furthermore.

She tried to not think much of it, wanting to put every bit of memory she had of him down a deep, dark abyss to never think of him again, but finding it nearly impossible.

‘I detest this more than anything in the world…’ She thought while her vision began to blur, her stiff shoulders falling as she was lulled to sleep, the slow, careful beating of his heart which bounced off his chest and melted with hers providing a strange sense of comfort that overwhelmed her. 

 The rest of the travel was silent, save for the occasional soft hums he released out of sheer boredom, something that was normal during his travels. 

 What he did find surprising was that throughout the ride, she'd let out not a peep.

'I guess they're not all bad then,' He told himself, beginning to think that perhaps she had a nice dream every now and then.

' Or don't tell me…. ' he then thought while grinning, a stupid little thought coming to him and livening him up,

'Darlin'...have you taken a liking to me already?' He mused with a powerful grin, the thought so far stretched, it was almost comical.

'The second you realize what you're doing… I know it'll give you all the more reason to want to kill me,' he went on, by then having the sleeping woman leaned back to him, for the most part, cradled by him as he made sure she was safely secured within his grasp.

"And here I thought you hated me," he said whilst he came down to her little ear, certain that it'd be an action that would bring her back to reality.

-And he was right on the money because not a second after she stirred.

She had awoke to the sound of warm chuckles and what was the unmistakable touch of gloved hands grazing her forearms with slow strokes.

Groggily, she answered back, emitting a soft groan in response that was preceded by yet another sound of amusement by him,

“I see...” She heard the awful man speak, “Taken a liking to me already sweetheart?” He asked her, her tingling spine shooting up stiffly straight as over the course of her entire body, cold shudders raked her.

The events afterward happened in a blur, perhaps because she tried hard to forget it, that, or her mind was so frazzled by him that she could barely focus.

It was all fuzzy to her, but through it all, she could hear him chuckle, the deep, warm sound twisting her already knotted stomach as she tried to sleep yet again, attempting to ignore him after he had the nerve to sit her back down and tie her up again, moving her around like a little sack of potatoes.

‘ Just one,' she decided with certainty, biting her lip, convincing herself that she just needed the chance, whatever slim it may be, to slip away.

‘ And then I can go back home.

I can make my way back…

And I can wait for you there,’ she thought while for just a moment her mind drifted back to the hazy vision of the woman.

‘ I’ll wait for you there,’ she said again, ‘ because I know deep in my heart that you'll make your way to me.’

Sure he'd been able to catch her easy, but she wasn't going to let him win in the long run.

She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction, and what was much more, she'd make certain she'd get away.

'I need to get away from him.

Far ...Far away from him.'

 "hm...What a rude, little lady," he said lowly, taking the piece meant for her in between his own teeth, taking a bite as he watched her, studying her and every twitch of her face as an array of emotions broke through.

It wasn't like he had anything else to do but watch her anyways, so entertained, he watched her display her truths.

She went from stubborn bitterness to a hard resolve, slowly but surely melting in a softhearted expression that was touched by sadness before she came back full circle, her lips pursed as she willed herself into the same bullheadedness.

'I won't take it…' she thought to herself, ' I don't want to…' she went on, trying to convince herself, 'but…' she thought while she swallowed hard, trying to brush away the empty feeling she felt, and what was much more, the desire she had to sink her teeth into the savory, smoky scented piece.

Her pressed lips then loosened in the slightest, the bottom one lightly sinking into her mouth as she continued to watch him, (e/c) colored eyes trained on his chewing mouth.

Longing invaded the lovely shine of eyes as she watched him, but stubbornly, she continued to deny him the satisfaction, not wanting to give the man any more reason to reign over her.

However, despite all the effort she made to seem collected, her stomach rumbled, the sound immediately drawing his eyes to her pathetic, little figure.

Catching the little twinkle in his eye she swallowed down fiercely.

Instantly her face grew warm, color blossoming over her cheeks from being so easily put to shame, all by her own roaring tummy.

“ Stubborn too.” He added with amusement, eyeing the warm color sitting on her shamed face.

‘I see… so that really was your plan,’ He mused, watching her determination slowly crack. ’Good to know,’

It'd been a hunch, but now he was convinced she purposely starved herself, be it for the reason he’d assumed or not, that was her intention, and now he was certain.

Seeing his notable enjoyment at her dismay, she tightened her teeth together, glaring at him viciously, still willing to keep up her front despite her humiliation, which always came at his hands,

“ I'll die before you get me there!” she said through gritted teeth, her words filled with malice as all the while, her face showed the same evident embarrassment that had yet to leave her even while she desperately tried to fight it.

‘ I swear… I swear I’ll find my way home,’

“You won't get a single coin for me! Not One!” She taunted him, snorting, picking at the mercenary like a madman poking a sleeping bear,

‘Because I know well enough that whoever paid you to take me wants me unscathed,’ She thought with assurance. 

‘So you can either let me go….Or let me die,’ She went on, the latter being a path she didn’t want to take.

‘I don’t want to die…’ She thought to herself, pained at the thought, her heart aching, ‘ I don’t want to meet an end where I feel such incompletion, but...but if I were to continue to live, What would be my fate?’ She wondered, afraid of all of the horrible things she could be subjugated to.

‘What awaits at the end of this journey?’ She wondered helplessly.

‘Who...Who awaits me?’

“Oh really?” He said amused. “You think so?” He asked her, continuing to eat, unbothered by her threats, interested in provoking her in order to see just how far she’d really go, because he hadn’t known she could bark so much.

He thought she was meek. 

He figured she was easy to break, but he was slowly being proven wrong.

At the sound of his entertained tone, she strained against the tight ropes, “I know so !” She answered back, roaring at him with a voice that held a dangerous firmness within it,

“I don't know who paid you to do this…” she started, in her own mind trying her damn best to figure out just who in the world wanted her so bad that they'd pay some armed mercenary to whisk her away.

"But they won't give you anything seeing me dead!" She cried out, her arms still attempting to pull away from each other, wiggling on her seat on the floor, attempting to do the same with the restraint on her legs.

“I’m starting to see that you’re really stubborn,” he muttered, watching her waste her energy, seeing her waste the lovely, flickering flame that had him entertained.

“You’re barkin’ at a Knott. Wiggling so much won’t get you anywhere, so all in all, I’d say that once we get there, you’d just wasted that breath of yours,” He informed her, watching her continue to shift with the knowledge that she’d stay bound regardless of what she did.

'Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!'

Fuming, she stopped squirming, refusing to answer him back, instead looking up at the sky, her nose turning up to it as she inclined her head back to gaze at it fully.

Up there in the sky….

‘ Does anyone see me?’ She wondered. ‘Can anyone save me?’ She continued to ponder, wishing that somehow the ropes that bound her became unwoven, somehow unthreading.

(F/n) continued on, ignoring him instead as her thoughts strayed up to the sky with a yearning gaze, sadness dancing with the little shining specs in her (e/c) colored orbs.

‘If you know I need you…

If you know where I am…

If you come to me in my hours of sleep…

Then why don’t you save me from this nightmare? From this horrible isolation and sorrow?

Why don’t you show yourself?

Why have you abandoned me?’

Hearing no reply back, Erron took a step closer, staring down at her from his upturned chin, glaring down at her with an irked twitch to his brow.

 “So...After all that, you're ignoring me again?” He asked her, approaching her again and crossing his thick arms above his chest.

He saw her jaw move, tensing up and tightening as she kept her eyes up to the dark sky, seeming to grow more and more annoyed by his presence, and nearing an approach to yet another explosion of hers.

He knelt down to her, his eyes fixed on her, staring at the woman dead on yet, still being ignored by her as she continued to reside in her thoughts instead, choosing to do away with his presence the only way she could.

“Really now?” he said with a low sigh,” After all that bark you plan on giving me the cold shoulder ?” He asked her, receiving a cold, desolate silence in return, irking him, the woman easily crawling under his skin with her little act.

'Stubborn little brat…' he thought while huffing.

“...I’ve said all I need to say to you,” She said lowly, still not bothering to look towards him, instead, gazing up at the air, the dark, night sky soon in her line of vision,

“...You rotten man,” She added with a clenched jaw.

 "Alrighty then,” he said with a nod, “That's just fine,” he told her, shrugging disinterestedly. “Fine by me if you keep your mouth shut,” He retorted, “But you know… I can't have you starved,” he informed her. 

“ Dying on me…” he added nonchalantly.

“So eat,” He told her, receiving a brisk and snarky No in return.

“ It’s not good for my business, you know?” He told her, and as he spoke he could see a thick shiver run through her, rattling her as he put in his complaint.

“Bringing in a dead body won’t do me any good,” He added, almost as though him telling her about his little dilemma would convince her otherwise.

“Screw y-”

Not letting her finish, he caught her nose in between his two fingers both his thumb and index pressed on either side, squeezing tightly and cutting off her airflow.

At that, her eyes bugged, arms flailing to tear his hand away, but as she did, she was left with the same helplessness as the restraints which bound her didn't budge.

Being trapped, she couldn't really fight back, and the best she could do was shake her head, but even then, his grip was firm, causing tears to bubble in her eyes as the sting of his press and lack of oxygen overwhelmed her,

“Ah!”

It didn't take long for her to gasp, her mouth flying wide open, and with a quick hand, he shoved the last of his morsel in her mouth, offering her a satisfied grin while he succeeded.

She would have spit it out had it not tasted so heavenly, especially while she was starved.

He watched as she begrudgingly ate, satisfied with himself, "’atta girl," he muttered, making her scowl, her eyes once again glowing with a fierce fire.

“ If looks could kill,” he started,” by now I’d be dead, dead, dead,” he mused, “ right honey?” He asked her, making her scoff before she swallowed down the bit of food with a dried mouth,

‘ How dare he…

How dare this… this… rotten man toy so much with me!’ She thought with dismay, convinced that every thing he did was to bother her.

If it wasn’t bad enough that he’d caught her and had her at his mercy, he seemed to enjoy picking at her and making her suffer.

‘But then again…’ She mused while a sudden thought came to her as she saw an open window, ‘It's to my advantage…Right?’ She thought to herself, slowly finding her voice, her (e/c) colored eyes drawn to his boots, not daring to look up at him, knowing her eyes could betray her,

‘If he finds me to be so vulnerable…

If he thinks I’m so helpless… then wouldn’t that mean he sees no threat in me?

Wouldn't that mean that he doesn’t expect me to get the best of him?

Isn’t he too confident?... Enough for me to take my needed chance? ’ She wondered with hope.

‘I’m nowhere near as strong as he is...’ She thought with certainty, ‘But maybe I don’t have to be,’ She thought while momentarily bringing her eyes to the weapon strapped to his side.

‘Maybe I just have to be smarter,’ She added.

‘If I can get it away from him... and maybe even use it myself...’ She trailed off, biting her lower lip, 

‘If he can get closer to me...and give me just a moment...’

“Can I...I have some water? ” She asked him softly, making him chuckle.

“ You have to be sweeter than that honey. After all that big talk I'm a little hesitant to get closer to you… Who knows right? “ He asked her. “For all I know you could try and bite me.

From that little devilish look in your eye, I can only assume you're on the shoot.” He told her, betting on the chances of her planning to escape.

“I’m parched,” She told him, which wasn’t too much of a lie because she actually was thirsty.

“ I haven't had anything to eat or drink,” She said to him, giving him large doe eyes, the sudden look of plea hitting him with surprise.

Again, her little stars were shot to him, causing his jaw to lock at the sight, remembering just what they did to him the last time, figuring she was making the same attempt,

'She's a damn witch,' He told himself, convinced she had some sort of magic to her as he reached towards his water canteen, unscrewing it as he approached her yet again.

He then kneeled to her, coming closer to her level while his right hand began to tilt the opened container just over her mouth, his left hand momentarily running his fingers over the soft skin of her chin, lifting it up with the tips of them to make sure she didn't spill anything.

"Open up," He murmured, his actions making her frown, the expression instantly washing over her as he leaned in.

"C-Can't you let me go?" She asked him, having expected him to untie the restraints to let her drink," I can drink on my own," she said softly, barely uttering the words, because as she spoke she knew she was being too hopeful and that he wouldn't take a bite to her bait.

- But she had to try.

She had to take every chance she could.

Adorning a little smirk, he chuckled, " I sure hope you don't take me as a fool darling," he said while watching her stiffen.

"Insincerity...It really isn't in you, is it?" He asked her, having noticed how little she could hide her true self.

"You want me to let you go, don't you?" He asked her, placing the canteen aside, moving it out of the way before he trailed his left hand down from her waist to her thigh, moving down even more to reach her ankles where he'd tied her up.

All the while she stared at him wide-eyed, watching him undo the knot that held her before he made his way to the other tie, both knees pressed to the ground as he placed himself before her, his arms fully around her figure.

" You know...All you had to do was ask," He told her, his grin present as he was pressed to her, momentarily working on the binds while she basked in his strangely warm, sweet scent of leather.

"If you'd just kindly asked me before...there'd be no need to try and fool me," He murmured, the thickness in his voice causing her to swallow down strongly.

 "After all, I'm a sucker for pretty girls..." He informed her, her face blooming with color at the statement.

During then the tip of her nose was pressed onto his chest, breathing in his smell with tightly shut eyes,

'It's overwhelming,' She thought to herself, having already been surrounded by the scent while they'd rode on the hooved creature, but not having been encased by it as she was now.

It was inescapable and tantalizing. 

Unlike before, now she was facing him, and it felt so much more intimate to be pressed together in such a manner, 

'-But...wait...what...what's going on?' She wondered with confusion while the pit of her stomach warmed, a strange, yet sweet, and warm feeling spreading out to the rest of her body as it was surrounded by him.

" You think I'm the big bad wolf, don't you?" He asked her with a small hum, hearing her reply to him with a nearly soundless sigh, having nothing more to really respond with.

' No. I think you're awful...I know you are...' She thought to herself, trying to ignore the strange, and foreign feeling that washed over her.

'You're...You're the worst,' she reminded herself.

"But really... I'd only bite if you gave me a reason to...If you'd tempt me to..." He added while drawn so close she felt uncertain on whether or not he could actually feel the wild pace her heart ran with.

'You must know what you're doing to me...

Whatever it is you’re doing to me...You have to know...' She silently spoke, wanting to draw back from him, yet left stupidly stilled.

Unwillingly, a little, anxious whimper escaped her, causing his chest to rumble with yet another chuckle, the sound surrounding her, causing her skin to bump up, the woman becoming thoroughly flustered.

'You must be enjoying this...' She thought with perturbation. 'Toying with me like this... making me feel so helpless and small...I...I...Just why do I even feel like this to begin with?'

He suddenly stopped, his voice low, beneath his breath, sounding clear as day to her as she was at such a close range, daring to ask a question that needed no answer, 

"Am I making you nervous?" He asked her, teasing her, causing the tension between them to thicken furthermore.

It had always there. The same thick, uncomforting feeling as the villain was pressed so close to her was always present, however, somehow, with just the single teasing utter, he'd made the air became almost unbreathable and suffocating.

'Is it just me? ' She wondered, suddenly feeling warmer, the feeling somehow similar to standing near a blazing fire. 

She felt so nervous and small, her vulnerability making her feel delicate beneath the rugged man who she was growing certain remained unmoved.

" what do you want from me?" She then asked him, her chest heaved as she shook, wanting to know just what his plan was.

She was aware that he was dangerous.

She knew he wasn't there out of the kindness of his heart, and that the only reason their paths crossed was because of who he already was.

‘You’re someone who’s done awful things. 

You’re someone who doesn’t care about anything but himself and what he can get back.‘

She knew it, and yet, within such a short time, the warmth of his body had already become familiar to her, melting over her sweetly, and leaving a mark that now responded at any form of closeness. 

‘You’re not someone I should be comfortable with in any way...

So why is my body responding in this way? '

 "Why me?" She asked him in search of a concrete answer.

Why her of all people?

 " Someone just wants you that bad..." he replied, answering briskly.

"Who?" She asked him anxiously, all while pleading.

'Just who,' she thought with fright.

" Can't say," he answered back because truth be told, he had no idea.

He'd only ever met the man once and during then his voice was slightly muffled by the mask he'd worn. And if that wasn't enough, he'd also worn a long hood, hiding most of himself save for his dark gaze.

The almond-shaped eyes clicked in his mind, but not enough to give him certainty on just who it was.

 " But we'll see when we get there," he told her.

"In the meantime-"

" Why don't you just let me go?" she interrupted him, questioning him in the same hushed tone of before, "You can let me go," she assured him, her glimmering eyes pleading as she inclined her head back, gazing up at him.

 ' If there is any good in you, please... please let me see it.

Please let it shine through.' She thought with growing faith. ‘ This feeling...give it reason.’ She went on, searching for a soft spot within his glaring dark stones, trying to weave through to a portion of his heart that held mercy.

"And why would I do that? What do I get in return?" He questioned her, scoffing at her plea, because she couldn't really believe it was just that easy, right?

Did she think she could give him puppy eyes and she'd be set?

His resolve then hardened even more as he looked down at her, challenging her, letting her understand that if she thought a look from her eyes was enough to bind him again, she was sorely mistaken.

It wasn't going to happen another time, because he was a strong man, one that wouldn't be caught off guard.

- One who would cave down to no little woman.

Just then the ropes fell, and in that instance of freedom her hands went up to his chest, intent on pushing back while he did the contrary, slowly falling onto her until she was left supported on her elbows.

 ' Do you understand..?' he mused while he was coming close to her, ' I'm In charge...and for now... I make the rules.

So don't think you have anything over me.

Don't think you can play me in any way. '

Her hand then moved to snake over to the side his gun was strapped to when he spoke, stopping her, 

" Tell me Darlin', if we were to cut a deal....what would I get from you?" He asked her, the question making her eyes widen.

The featherlight hope within her grew, her eyes gleaming with the lovely look of trusting faith causing him to shake his head in disbelief. He was amused she really had so much optimism in her despite being trapped beneath him, and that all in all, she was stuck at the mercy of a man that made his living spilling red.

" Anything," she said nodding, starry-eyed and happy, "Anything you want," she breathed.

"Oh? And How much is that ?" He asked, interested, "How much can you give?" he asked her, "You might be able to buy your way out of this," he informed her, knowing there was no way in hell she could, but entertained by just what she'd give,

 What did she think was valuable?

 " I already told you, you can have anything you want!" She said desperately, not understanding why he pressed on so much. 

Didn't he understand that anything was better than being sold off?

Didn't he get that all she wanted to do was make her way back home?

 "Just let me go home and leave me be!" She exclaimed.

"So..." he started, dragging out the word with a little teasing grin, "You're willing to give me anything I ask for... You want to be free that bad?" He asked her, and with a furious nod, she agreed again.

"Please..." she airily murmured.

' I don't know what I've done...

What I've done wrong...

But if it gets me back home, I'll owe you my life.'

A miserable, little smile touched her face while her wet eyes looked up at him, holding onto the small string of hope he'd tossed at her. 

"Well..." He started, idly running the fingers of his left hand beneath one eye to catch any escaping drops, the sweet touch giving her a soft form of comfort.

The hand so close to the weapon withdrew fully, moved to his kind hand, offering a lax hold to his wrist that assured him she was thankful and appreciative. 

‘There is something in you then...something that is good,’ She began to think.

"Now that you mention it, there is just one thing," He said to her, continuing to smile, leering down even closer to her, the proximity causing her breath to hitch as he fully climbed over her, caging her down.

" I know there's one thing you could pay me with," he added. " Hell...I don't think you've shared it with anyone yet," he said chuckling, running the same hand's fingers down over her neck, falling to her chest to where his touch became nearly nonexistent, ghosting over the bosom until he went down to her ribcage.

All the while, his eyes were glued to her ripening face as it glowed and realization dawned onto her.

"Mind sharing it with me? "He asked her, his husky voice falling over her little, heated ear as he whispered the offer.

'Did it cross your mind?' He wondered, 'Or are you that innocently foolish?' He went on, interested to know what went through her mind.

During the entire time, he'd been just toying with her, but even then he felt a small twitch, growing excited as he caught a whiff of the sweet scent she carried around. 

 The smell that emitted from her (s/c) flesh was eerily similar to fresh wildflowers, and it was only really noticeable as he brushed his nose over her flesh, the little arousing aroma only just letting itself be known.

' I'm starting to see how you could make a man go stupid,' he thought to himself, recognizing that she was arousing from sight to scent.

"Not! Not that!" She cried out, literally shaking at his fingertips, the woman growing as delicate as a brittle leaf,

"Get...away..." she said with harsh pants, her voice trembling.

"But you said anything, right? " he said in a low murmur, reminding her of just what she had said, making her realize just how stupid she was.

 ' You thought you'd strike a chord in me and that I'd cave.

 You really thought this world worked that way.'

 "So convince me," he said whilst his lips grazed over her neck, the little contact tickling her, causing her to shiver.

A little sound that she'd never produced before set free from the confinement of her strongly heaved chest and soon after, A sweet, virginal moan struck him. 

With a tight bite to his lip that slowly raked over the flesh, he then took a long breath through clenched teeth.

"No... no..." she shook her head, tears bubbling in her eyes as she wanted to pull back every promise she made, swallowing down the words of compromise she had given him because by then she had become thoroughly frightened.

" ...Off," she weakly begged, her hands which were still on his chest fisting his shirt before she resorted to pushing her balled hands toward his chest, feeble, shaken strikes bumping him.

'For just a moment...For just a measly second...I actually trusted you!' She thought with growing anger. 

' You made me think that there was a shred of kindness in you when you're nothing but a sick... 

Degenerate...

Awful... 

Rotten man!' 

The little quakes that had overcome her ceased, as she clenched her teeth tightly, barring them with a low snarl, "Get off of me now!" She demanded, her voice suddenly stern and certain, filling with spite. 

Her right hand flew up to his face, her palm greeting his flesh with a vicious contact that echoed out, the quiet silence of the desert land interrupted by the clash.

His head moved with the force she used on him and blankly, he stared off to the side, feeling the bothersome sting left on his cheek after the well-deserved assault.

"You actually went and struck me..." he said slowly, his brown eyes glaring down at her, darkened down to near black as he watched her fierce features then melt, regret gleaming in her eyes as she realized just what she did.

His tongue slowly ran over his top lip, a heavy breath passing through his parted lips as he inhaled, sucking in a low breath.

His two hands then reached for her wrists, one pinning her left over her head with unkind force, the other lifting up her right hand back up to his face, forcing the offending hand to lay over the stinging spot it had struck.

Under her touch the spot was pulsing hot, throbbing with pain which overall left him impressed, 

"I didn't think you'd actually go ahead..." he said chuckling, no true show of malice or rebuttal being reflected.

'Serve's me right, right?' He thought to himself cheekily.

" I Didn't take you to be so brash," he admitted to her, because despite the spikes of strength that glowed in her eyes, he hadn't figured she'd be brave enough to actually take a strike at him.

"Not with these hands," he added, continuing with the same amusement, feeling her shake, the little quake present even in her fingertips.

‘These little hands that were so sweet to patches of weeds, ‘ He thought to himself as he remembered how sweetly she interacted with her garden. 

" Little miss sweet and innocent; Miss I wouldn't hurt a fly..." he jeered, "She has some poison in her, doesn't she?" he said while watching her, the said venom which had previously brewed not there, replaced with fear.

"It's a real shame..." he murmured, pressing his lips over her stinging palm, giving it a quick, playful peck that lingered.

' I know it hurts darling'...it hurts you more than it does me, doesn't it? ' He mused while his lips rested on her warm palm.

‘ I can only assume you detest violence. You loath it as much as you say you hate me.

Maybe because... To you, I am violence.

To you, I’m a complete nightmare. ’ 

There was so much shame in her eyes that she shut them close, not wanting to be ogled by the man that had already greedily drunk in their sight.

' It is such a shame...

A shame I can't touch you,' he thought with the same excitement.

' It’s A shame your nothing but an inexperienced girl at that,' he added with a shake to his head, his mind wandering to territory he knew shouldn't be threaded upon, but was unavoidable.

He dared her to stop him again, willing to take her command if she found her voice, 

' Tell me no and I'll stop.

If you can...

If those pretty lips can form the words...I'll step back now,' He thought while in the end, she stayed silent, leaving his warm mouth stuck to her, not moving from the little spot it’d landed on.

Afterward, he let her limb fall, retreating and ultimately, leaving her little body to lay with haggard breathing that was difficult to ease.

It was then that her hands reached up to her risen chest, scrambling back further from him, wanting to run, but left a wobbling mess.

Her erratic heart was in desperate need of a steady hand to grasp it, and helplessly, she clutched her chest, her wide, teary eyes following the man, afraid of him, and yet, somehow excited.

It was all too much for her.

What was much worse, the present excitement she fizzled with had her in a poorer state, the woman wondering why her body had grown so hot, as well as questioning why the sight of him caused her chest to ache so much.

' I can't stay here... I just can't,' she told herself, watching as he seemed unaffected, the light of the fire being put out by the sand he gently kicked into it. 

'I have to leave...' She told herself, letting the precious time slip past her fingers as she stayed motionless instead, watching him in quiet silence until he decided to pay her mind again.

As his eyes landed on her, she couldn't help but shrink furthermore, much more as he went to her, the bind in his hands yet again, having already given her enough time to enjoy being unbound.

'She didn't try anything,' He told himself, somewhat surprised. ‘She didn’t even move an inch,’ He observed.

" Time for some shut eyes darlin," he murmured lowly, suddenly seeming somber, all the traces of amusement he typically wore drained out, the overall sentiment having been vacant throughout the entire two hours of calm quietness.

Reaching towards her, he pulled her dangerously close to him as he carefully knotted the rope around her wrists and ankles, each twist done with slow carefulness, making certain it was secured, yet kind. 

‘Since you’ve been good...I suppose I’ll be nice.’ He silently spoke to her as he finished up restraining her, doing so in a much more comfortable manner, leaving her arms before her rather than behind.

" We're heading out in the morning, just before the sunrise," he informed her while draping a small, woolen blanket over her, her little, balled body covered by it.

"So rest up..." he added while going back to his previous spot across her, keeping his eyes on her until he was sure she was out.

Again, the same small sounds of discomfort he'd become familiar with drew from her, making his lips press together firmly, his head shaking. 

Inclining his head back, he then stared up at the stars, leisurely counting them until somewhere along the count he closed his eyes a final time, his eyelids grown to heavy to blink open. 

‘A good night’s rest,’ He thought to himself. ‘That’s all I need.’ 

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Next Part: I Know I shouldn’t 

[vgckwb]

ML: Isolation Chapter 27: Figuring Things Out

The next day as Adrien was walking into school, he noticed Max and Kim talking. Both of them seemed really excited. “Hey guys,” Adrien said, walking up to them. “What’s up?”

They were both confused. “Should we tell him?” Kim asked.

“Tell me what?” Adrien inquired.

Max gave Kim a look, and Kim glanced off. Max turned his attention back to Adrien. “It’s not that we don’t wish to tell you, it’s just kind of a surprise.”

“Ugh, what is it with everyone and surprises?” Adrien asked. “You, M- My girlfriend…”

“Wait, you’re dating someone?” Max asked.

“Yeah,” Kim said. Adrien glared daggers at Kim. Kim retreated on what he was going to say and instead told Max “Ondine and I ran into them.”

“I see,” Max said, curious. “Well, I’d love to meet her someday.” Adrien smiled, cautious to not say anything. “But I guess I’ll leave you with this. Our secret also involves meeting someone too.”

“Hopefully” Kim clarified.

“Even if things don't go ideally,” Max continued, “you should meet them by the end of the week.”

“But, um, if, um,” Kim tried asking without giving stuff away.

Max sighed. “We’ll come to them if they don’t come to us.”

“Gotcha. Great!” Kim said.

Adrien smiled. If this is what I think it is, I’m excited. “Well, that sounds wonderful.” The first bell rang. “We should get to class.” They all nodded and headed over together.

Throughout the day, Adrien skimmed through Noir Notes just to get a sense of what Alya was like at her most focused. He needed to be prepared as much as he could to make sure nothing got out. Everything on it was thorough, and well investigated to the degree that it could be.

Once school was over, he was about to message Marinette, when Alya approached him. “Hey” she said, capturing his attention. “I’m going around interviewing people about Cat Noir for Noir Notes. Wanna answer a few questions?”

Adrien smiled. “As much as I’d love to, I’m a bit busy right now. Perhaps some other time though.”

Alya was disappointed, but understood. “Alright, but I’m going to hold ya to that.” She walked off waving.

Adrien waved back. He then got out his phone and messaged Marinette. “Hey. I’m going to try and meet Alya this afternoon. Do you have any pointers?” No response. “Marinette?”

“Ah, sorry” she finally responded. “I’m...still trying to work things through about school people...and Alya in particular…”

“I see… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s not your fault. Alya was my best friend for a while. So, it hurt that much harder when she turned on me. So, when you asked me about Alya...I feel like I should know everything, but I feel like I know nothing…”

“I’m sorry. That sucks. I promise we can work things out once this is all sorted.”

“...Promise me you won’t get mad…”

“What?”

“Well, I’ve sometimes thought ‘Do I need these people to be my friends again?’ Like, I cared for them, and was there for them, and we had some good times, but if it all ended like that...well...do I want people like that?”

“Huh.”

“But...After thinking about it, I might be willing to give them a second chance.”

“What made you change your mind?”

“Well, in a word: You.” Adrien was surprised. “When you exploded on your parents, you allowed them to explain what happened. You gave them a second chance even if you felt like they might not have deserved it. Plus, I got an apology from Alix yesterday, and I kind of feel like you had something to do with it.”

“Well, she wanted to do something, I just pointed her in that direction.”

Marinette giggled on the other end. “That’s Alix for you. She’s incredibly headstrong, but she needs a bit of direction. Which does lead me to the other reason I might give them another chance. With things like that apology, or some of the stuff you’ve told me, I’m starting to see that underneath all of Lila’s lies and deceptions, they ARE the same people I became friends with. But until recently, I’ve been failing to see that. I guess as convinced as they were that I was a monster, I was convinced they were.”

“Marinette… Well, you know you’ll always have me.”

“Thanks.”

“So, are you ready to talk about Alya, or should I go in as I am now?”

“Hmmm. Well, we wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise. So, I guess the biggest thing you should know about Alya is that sometimes, she can be a little overconfident. She’s really passionate, and fun to be around…”

“...It’s OK. I’m here.”

“Thanks. But sometimes, she gets an idea and can never let it go until she figures it out one way or another. I think that’s as much as I can say on what to look for.”

“Well, that certainly helps.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Besides, I’m her friend too. While I can’t say I know her as much as, well, anyone else in class, I’m no fool. Well, I’m a fool for you, m’lady.”

“Dork.”

“Aw, I thought that was charming.”

“It was. But it was also dorky.”

“Mmmmm.”

“But you’re my dork. And I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“You should probably go meet with Alya now.”

“Oh, right. Yeah. Seeya.”

“Bye.”

Adrien rushed off to enact his plan. He contacted his driver. Once he arrived, Adrien got in, and they made it look like he was going home, but instead the driver let Adrien off in an alley, after making sure no one would notice. He changed into his Cat Noir outfit and threw his bag in the car. The driver drove off, as Adrien was free to find Alya.

Fortunately for him, he didn’t have to look far. As Alya stated, she was going around asking people to be interviewed about Cat Noir. However, she wasn’t having much luck. Adrien approached from behind. “Would you mind interviewing me?”

Alya looked behind her. She gasped. “Cat Noir?!”

“The one and only!” Adrien said.

“Are you sure about that?” Alya said, wryly.

Adrien giggled. “You never miss a beat, do you?”

“Well, when you want to be a professional journalist, you can’t afford to.”

“That’s a fair point,” Adrien reasoned. He smiled. “Why don’t we take this someplace else?”

“Wait, are you ACTUALLY going to subject yourself to an interview with me?” Alya asked, too excited for words.

“Of course,” Adrien answered.

Alya grew suspicious. “What do you want?”

“Sharp” Adrien retorted. “I will outline what I want once we’re situated. If you don’t wish to continue, we will call it there. Sound fair?”

Alya thought for a moment. “Fine. Just don’t make it too weird. If you try anything funny, I won’t hesitate to karate chop you in the face.”

Adrien chuckled. “Very well, lead the way.” Alya nodded. She started walking, and Adrien followed her.

They eventually arrived at Alya’s place. “Sorry, but it’s a bit messy.” Adrien looked around. “I have a set of younger twins, so…”

“Hm. Say no more.” Alya smiled, nodded, and led Adrien to her room. “So, do you often let strange men come into your room?”

“Watch it!” Alya said in a dead serious tone. “Or that karate chop is coming.”

“Sorry” Adrien apologized. “I couldn’t resist.” Adrien took a seat.

Alya followed suit. “So, what do you want from me?”

Adrien smiled. “I would like to see a section of Noir Notes dedicated to some creative endeavors centered around Cat Noir.”

Alya raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious?” she asked. “You want to aggrandize yourself on a fictional level too? Is all this real life attention not enough?”

“Believe me, “ Adrien began, “the attention is more than enough. However, I’m not doing this for myself.”

Alya was in awe. “Oh. So it’s another request?”

“Something like that,” Cat Noir said. “Well, it’s not a formal request from Noir Notes.”

“Right…” Alya said. “Very well. I accept your offer. I should have it up and running by the end of the week.”

“Great. Thanks” Adrien said.

“Now, with that settled, are you ready to begin the interview?” Alya asked.

“Of course,” Adrien said.

“Do you mind if I film it?”

That was alarming. Adrien told his parents and Nathalie about this plan. After he explained it, he was warned to not go on film. “If it’s all the same to you, could this just be an audio interview?”

“Well, it’s not all the same to me,” Alya said.

“Oh!” Adrien said, taken aback by this insistence.

Alya sighed. “Fine. I’ll release it as audio, but I want a tape for myself.”

“Sounds good to me,” Adrien said. As insistent as Alya was on wanting to figure this out, he figured it would be better to leave it to her to comb through the video, rather than all of Paris.

Alya nodded. “Thanks.” She set up a camera. “Greetings everyone!” She greeted. “Today, we have a Noir Notes exclusive! An interview with the man himself!” She pointed the camera at Adrien, as he gave a salute. “So, Cat Noir, what set you off on this path? What made you become a real-world hero?”

Adrien sort of figured out a tactic that could work. He needed to give Alya something without giving her too much. Smoke and mirrors. Use the information you give to hide the information you don’t want out.  “Well, I found someone in need of rescuing” Adrien answered. “But I couldn’t do it without causing trouble. So, to protect myself, I hid behind this mask.”

“Were you able to rescue them?”

That was a tough question. Marinette was getting better, but with Lila still in the picture, it’s hard to say if she was “rescued”. But Adrien rolled into it. “Well, as much as I would have liked to, I can’t say the job is complete yet. Otherwise, I’d give up the guise of Cat Noir.”

“Huh. I see. So, are all of those requests you’ve been taking nothing more than a means to an end? Something to rescue this person?”

“Hm. Well, I wouldn’t say that exactly. I do genuinely enjoy helping people. If it just so happens to align with my goal, that’s just icing on the cake.”

“Very well. How do you decide what requests to take?”

“Well, that’s a bit complicated. My reasoning is my own. But, for a glimpse into my thought process, I feel more attachment to a request if it seems genuine in my eyes.”

“OK. So, how long before your personal mission is over?”

“Well, that all depends on a couple of factors. Of course, I’d like to get it over with as soon as possible.”

“Is there any way I can help?”

Adrien smirked. “In some way, you’re already helping. I know I wouldn’t have thought of this Noir Notes thing myself.”

“Right, but is there a way I can help more directly?”

Adrien was cornered. His light obfuscation tactic worked for a while, but this question presented a problem. All he wanted to do was scream “Yes. Lila lied, Marinette’s good, please be friends with her again.” But he knew he couldn’t.

Instead, he resigned in defeat and said “Sorry. The matter is complicated, and anything less than total commitment wouldn’t do.”

Alya sensed something was wrong. She stopped recording. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Adrien answered.

“That doesn’t look fine” Alya retorted.

“Like I said, it’s complicated.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” Adrien snapped.

Alya calmed down a little. “Fine. I get it. You don’t want to tell me. But you should tell someone.”

Adrien smiled. “Maybe I’ll tell my doppelganger.”

“Very funny,” Alya said. She grew a little more serious. “Do you mind if I tell you something that’s been...on my mind?”

Adrien was curious. “It’s what I do.”

Alya smiled. She frowned. “There’s this guy in my class. His name is Nino. I REALLY like him. Like like him like him.” Adrien was surprised, then giggled. “But when I told my best friend, she told me she liked him like that too.” Adrien was surprised. “We promised each other neither of us would confess to him, otherwise we’d hurt each other. But I really want to, and it’s been eating me up inside.

But now, I think she likes this other guy in class. And I’ve been kind of hoping that those two would just start going out already so I can ask Nino no strings attached.” She sighed. “Do you think that maybe you can help those other two confess to each other?”

Adrien was stunned. “Well I guess I could try and talk to them,” he offered, “but I can’t force these things.”

“Ugh. I know” Alya said. “I feel awful for even suggesting that.”

Adrien looked at Alya in distress. “It’s alright. Love makes people do crazy things after all. But I will say, I don’t know if that kind of pact is something best friends do.”

“Well, I wouldn’t know what best friends do” Alya snapped, stunning Adrien this time around. Alya sighed again. “I used to have this other best friend, but she betrayed my trust…”

“How so?” Adrien asked.

Alya stared into space for a good minute. “So, my new best friend, her name is Lila, and my old best friend, her name is Marinette, didn’t get along. Well, I say that, but it seemed a little more one-sided where Marinette was always calling out Lila for being a liar and stuff like that.” Adrien nodded.

Alya continued. “I wanted to maintain my friendship with both of them. I mean, Marinette was still herself when Lila wasn’t present. Besides, Marinette was like the first friend I made at that school. I didn’t want to give that up. But then Marinette stole Lila’s necklace.”

“How do you know?” Adrien asked. Alya looked up at him. “How do you know she did it?”

Alya got a little more serious. “By the time it happened, it was clear that lines were drawn between Marinette and Lila. You could spend time with one, or the other, but not both. More people were drawn to Lila because she kept a cooler head. I tried my best to balance both, but...it got complicated.

The day before, Lila told me she was worried that Marinette might do something. So, I did something. A while ago, I found this little compartment in the locker room. Sometimes, if I think something is going to happen, I set up a camera there to record things. Despite being close with Lila, Marinette and I were still best friends, and aside from me, she was the only one with a key to the compartment.

When it was revealed that the necklace was stolen, I snuck away to go get my camera to see the footage. But it wasn’t there. The lock wasn’t tampered with. So, the only person who could have moved it was Marinette. And the only reason she’d move it was to hide the fact that she stole something.”

Adrien was surprised by all of this. I’m going to need to ask Marinette about this.

“I just couldn’t believe it” Alya went on. “I was upset at her, but I was more upset at myself. How did I not see this coming? How did I not prevent it? Maybe I’m not as good of a journalist as I thought…”

Adrien smiled. “That’s preposterous.” Alya looked up. “You’re a great journalist. You had my back against the wall with your questions.”

“Yeah…” Alya said, unenthused.

Adrien continued. “I just think you need to think things over, and not get so discouraged. If you didn’t see that course of action coming, there has to be a reason. You’re more perceptive than you give yourself credit for. After all, you managed to spot the difference between me and my associate.”

Alya lit up. “You mean that wasn’t YOU at the Louvre?” Adrien nodded. “And when you say ‘associate’...?”

“They were acting in my name,” Adrien said. “They’re on my side in all of this.”

“Wow,” Alya said. She gave it some thought. “Tell you what, that information will stay between us.”

“Um, OK. But why?”

Alya shrugged. “Just as a thank you for hearing me out on all of this. Besides, if this person you want to rescue is still captive, it's better to keep the element of surprise.” Adrien nodded. “I’m going to start the interview again, if that’s alright. I’ll just edit around that last question.”

“By all means.”

Alya smiled. She got the camera out and started filming again. “Well, after everything we’ve talked about, I feel confident in my ability to support you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Is there anything you want to say to the people out there?”

“Yes. Just be yourself. Have confidence. That is the best way to support anyone. But I get it. It can be hard. So know that if your aim is true, I will always be in your corner.”

“Thank you Cat Noir. Well, I think that is it for now. I hope you’ll come back soon. In the meantime, take care.” Alya stopped the recording.

“Well, overall, I think that went well.” Alya nodded. “I don’t think I need to say this, but I hope you remember your end of the bargain.”

“Of course,” Alya replied. Adrien nodded, did his salute, and left. Aya began working on the process of extrapolating the audio from the interview, as well as taking a few steps to set up that fanworks section for Noir Notes. However, she did something else. On her phone, she started a new note. “Re-evaluation: Did Marinette REALLY take my camera and Lila’s necklace?”

Later on, Adrien just informed Marinette of what he and Alya talked about. “Woah. That’s…” Marinette managed.

“Yeah” Adrien followed.

“Well, she is right,” Marinete continued. “I was the only other person with a key. I still have it. But I didn’t move it…”

“What’s wrong?”

“...I was there though. Well before class began. I did want to see if Alya had set up her camera. I noticed it was there, so I gave her a little message. But then the whole thing with Lila’s necklace happened. It happened so fast. I didn’t know, or even THINK about the camera. All this time, I thought Alya got mad at me for nothing.”

“Hey. It’s OK. We’re going to get through this.”

“...Yeah. Besides, we have a new goal: Figuring out this camera mystery. I mean, it’s obvious Lila did something, but what? And how?”

“Right” Adrien agreed. “Although that might be easier said than done.”

“Yeah… But still, it’s worth a shot. Also, I’m even more angry now.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because! Lila’s also standing in the way of Alya and Nino. It makes me SO mad.”

“Heh heh.”

“? What’s that for?”

“I’m just thinking: We both take love seriously. I think it’s another nice way we compliment each other.”

“...Uh, yeah” Marinette said, clearly embarrassed.

“Was that too much?”

“Maybe a little.”

“I’ll work on toning it down.”

“No. ...I like it. It’s part of what makes you you.”

Adrien was now embarrassed. “Uh, thanks.”

“...We should probably get some sleep.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.”

“Well, goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

“...”

“...”

“Alright, we really need to.”

“I know.”

“Why are we like this?”

“Because we want to spend time with each other.”

“Right… But if we want to hang out in person more, instead of just on here, we need to thwart Lila. Which we need sleep for.”

“You make a convincing argument. Goodnight then.”

“Goodnight.” They both logged off and headed to bed.

[fanmoose12]

may I request a scenario where its a merman au if that's alright with you? where hanji found Levi stuck in a net one day in a forest out researching on her own and freed him. ever since that day she just returned to him making sure he's okay and all and they gradually become closer.

anon, thank you so much for your prompt! i wanted to write a levihan mermaid!au for a veeeeeery long time, and it finally gave me a motivation to actually do it! although, i did decide to go with mermaid!hange instead of levi, bc hange as a mermaid is the cutest thing ever!  hope, you still enjoy my work <3

There was a body in Levi’s net.

Although, maybe calling it a body wasn’t entirely correct – the upper part resembled a human, while the lower part, well, the lower part looked like a fish.

The creature’s tail was long and yellow, the brightness of its scales seemed even more vivid under the bright morning sun.

Levi stared at it, not knowing what to do.

A second later, though, the creature began violently thrashing, swaying Levi’s boat from side to side.

The creature got stuck in his net, and each move got it even more tangled.

Levi rushed to the rescue, taking his knife out and starting to cut the rope. The creature became even more agitated, as it started hissing and waving its hands around, trying to hit Levi.

“Calm down!” Levi shouted. He didn’t know if the creature understood his language, but it seemed to quieten down. “I’m just trying to help you.” He added, softening his voice.

“Are you taking me for a fool?”

Levi was shocked to hear the creature speak. Its spoke in English, and as Levi realized a second later, after the creature had turned around to glare at him – he understood that its voice resembled that of a woman.

His mind was suddenly filled with tales of drunken sailors – stories about sirens and mermaids. According to those mindless fools, they were half-women, half-fish. They hunted men, luring them with pretty looks and beautiful songs.

But it was hard to call a woman in front of him pretty. And her voice was far from being beautiful and melodic.

Levi shook his head, now was not the time to think about such nonsense. He had to somehow free that woman from his net. If she continues to move so fiercely in his boat, Levi was sure she would flip it over.

“Just stay still for a moment,” Levi gritted through his teeth. “I’ll get you out.”

And, strangely, the woman complied, although she continued to look at Levi with narrowed, suspicious eyes.

“There,” Levi said after he was finished. “Now you are free.”

The woman didn’t waste another second and immediately jumped back to the ocean, her long tail disappearing under the water.  

Levi stared after her, thinking it was the last time he had seen the strange creature.

A moment later, though, the woman reappeared. She laid her hands on the side of Levi’s ship, cocking her head to the side and studying Levi intently.

“Are you not going to chase after me?” she asked, still cautious.

“What for?” Levi was perplexed. “I didn’t mean to catch you.”

He had no idea creatures like her even existed.

“You didn’t?” it seemed like the woman was just as surprised as Levi.  “So you didn’t come here to hunt me down? You didn’t come here to kill me?”

“Eh, no? I came here to get some fish.”

“Oh, it’s my first time seeing a human, who doesn’t want to kill me.”

“Well, it’s my first time seeing a human, who looks like you.” Levi retorted.

The woman smiled enigmatically. “I’m not a human.”

“Then what are you?”

“You really don’t know, huh?” she chuckled. “I’m a mermaid. Surely you have heard of us?”

Levi scratched the back of his head, feeling suddenly embarrassed. He looked away from the woman’s curious and prying eyes. “I thought it was all some shitty fairy-tale.”

“Well, I am quite real, as you can evidently see.”

“So what? Are you going to devour me now? Drown me in the ocean? Or was that part of the stories not true?”

The woman scrunched her nose in disgust. “There are some of my kind, who do that, but not me. I don’t kill humans.”

“Good,” Levi nodded. “Because I don’t kill mermaids.”

“Excellent!” a brilliant smile appeared on her lips. “I’ve wanted to study humans since my childhood, but I could never get close to one, since they immediately start to hunt me down. But you won’t do that, right? That means I can study you, yes?”

Levi didn’t know what to say, the woman spoke so quickly and her eyes were burning with so much excitement. It left him completely speechless.

“I won’t bother you too much, I promise!” the woman continued, taking Levi’s silence as rejection. “I’ll just swim up to you whenever you’ll be fishing and ask you a few questions. And I’ll show you the parts of the ocean, where there is a lot of fish. Please just say yes!” she put her hands in a pleading gesture, staring at Levi with big eyes.

“Alright,” Levi sighed, taking mercy at the strange woman.

She looked so miserable that even Levi felt sorry for her. Besides, if she would actually help him with fishing, then it was a good enough deal. He would just have to answer a few of her questions, right?

“Great!” the woman clasped her hands, grinning at Levi happily. “My name is Hange, by the way.”

“Levi…” he answered, still a little perplexed by his new acquaintance.

Suddenly, there was a splash of the water next to Levi’s boat. A second later, a man’s head appeared above the water.

He paid no mind to Levi, focusing the entirety of his attention on Hange.

“Neptune have mercy, you scared me so much!” the man lamented. “I saw how you got stuck inside that net, and then you disappeared! I couldn’t find you and you were absent for so long! I thought you were done for, Hange! What were you doing all this time?”

“I met a new friend!” Hange gestured to Levi with a grin. “Moblit, this is Levi, and, Levi, this is my dear friend Moblit. Forgive him, he always worries too much about me.” Hange snickered.

Moblit’s eyes widened, as he looked at Levi. He pushed Hange aside, hiding her behind his back.

“Hange, he is definitely a hunter!”

“No, no, no,” Hange laid a hand on Moblit’s shoulder, calming him down. “He is not, I promise you. Levi is a little strange, but apparently he doesn’t want to kill me. I got caught in his net, and he helped me get out of it! He won’t hurt me.”

“You will not?” Moblit asked, glaring at Levi.

“I will not.” Levi agreed.

“See? He is a good guy. Besides,” Hange grinned, baring her sharp, definitely unhuman-like teeth. Levi involuntarily shuddered. How he did not notice her teeth before? “He agreed to let me study him!”

“Oh?” Moblit’s gaze became less suspicious. There were even some signs of amusement on his face, as he looked at Levi again.

A sound of motorboat suddenly appeared. Hange and Moblit simultaneously turned their heads towards it.

“We should go now,” Moblit whispered, tugging on Hange’s hand.

“You are right,” Hange agreed. “Sorry, Levi, but we have to go. Not every human is as kind as you, so we should be careful. But I’ll see you soon, right?”

Hange stared up at him, waiting for his reply.

“I’ll come back tomorrow.” Levi mumbled.

“Great!” Hange gave him another brilliant smile. Levi was already getting used to it. “I’ll be waiting for you then!”

Wearing the same wide smile, Hange jumped into the water, Moblit following after her.

Levi looked at the water for a long time, as though expecting to see Hange’s bright tail underneath it.

But of course he saw nothing, as the ocean was deep and dark.

Huffing in annoyance and running a hand through his hair, Levi started the engine of his boat and headed towards the shore.

                                                         ***

And just as he promised, Levi came back to the ocean the following day. As soon as he stopped his engine, a mop of brown hair emerged from the water.

“You came!” Hange’s voice was full of wonder and happiness.

Her obvious excitement upon seeing him tugged at something, which Levi thought was long buried and forgotten.

“Of course, I came,” Levi crossed his hands on his chest, looking away from Hange’s smile. He felt that if he stared at it for too long, he was in serious danger of being blinded by its intensity. “I promised I would.”

“And you still don’t want to kill me?” Hange’s eyes looked at him mischievously.

Levi sighed. “If you continue to be so annoying, I’m not promising anything.”

Hange’s delighted laugh carried through the ocean.

“Alright, follow me, I’ll show you a good place, where there is a lot of fish.”

And then Hange dived into the water. She moved so quickly, Levi would have lost her, if it weren’t for her bright yellow tail.

“And we’re here!” Hange announced, once again appearing on the surface. She leaned her hands against the side of Levi’s ship, just as she did the day before.

“Fine, what do you want to know from me?” Levi asked, as he began to untangle his new net. He had to buy another one, since his old one was all sliced up after he tried to free Hange.

“Okay, okay,” Hange’s face looked both thoughtful and panicked. “I haven’t thought which question to ask first, but alright. Let’s start with something simple. Is it true that humans can’t breathe underwater?”

“We can’t,” Levi confirmed, throwing his net into the ocean on the other side from Hange. He didn’t want to repeat yesterday’s fiasco. “But using aqualung, we are able to breathe for a limited amount of time.”

“Aqualung?” Hange’s mouth formed a surprised ‘o’. “What is it? How does it look? How does it work? How long can you stay underwater, using it?”

“Jesus, calm down,” Levi rolled his eyes at Hange’s agitation. “It looks like a mask that covers our eyes and there is also a tube that goes inside a mouth. That tube connects to a reservoir with oxygen, and that’s how a human can breathe underwater. The bigger the reservoir, the longer you can use it.”

“Fascinating… You humans are really something else, I wish I can see this aqualung of yours.”

“I can show you some time,” Levi blurted, before he could stop himself. “A friend of mine has it, and I can ask him to borrow it.”

“Really? Oh, Levi, that would be amazing! Thank you so much, you’re the best!”

Levi looked away from her radiant smile. The grateful and excited expression on Hange’s face was making him uncomfortable. And not in the way other people usually made him feel, Hange did not irritate him, and, surprisingly, Levi didn’t want for her to go away, to shut up or leave him alone.

On the contrary, he liked Hange’s presence. Her constant smiles and even her annoyingly screeching voice didn’t annoy him. He started to like Hange, and Levi… Levi didn’t how he should feel about this.

“Alright, alright, another question!” Hange broke him out of his confusing thoughts. “Can you swim?”

“Yes.”

“Do you swim as fast as me?”

“No.”

“And that thing,” Hange gestured to Levi’s boat. “Can it swim as fast as me?”

“Barely,” Levi replied, remembering how he had to try really hard to keep up with Hange’s pace. “And that thing is called a boat.”

“A boat…” Hange slowly repeated. Her hands inspected the sturdy surface of the boat, her eyes alight with curiosity. “And how does it work?”

Levi sighed, getting a little tired of Hange’s seemingly endless questions, but, well, they did have a deal, right? And for some reason, Levi just couldn’t say no to those big brown eyes.

“There is engine, which keeps it running. Here,” Levi walked to the rear of the boat and gestured at the black box. “This is called an engine.”

“Amazing!” Hange swam up to Levi. “Can I open it? I want to see what’s inside!”

Hange’s hands immediately reached forward, but Levi grabbed them in his, before she could do any damage.

“Don’t touch this!” Levi barked.

Hange backed up, staring at Levi with worry in her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Levi awkwardly rolled his shoulders, avoiding Hange’s eyes. “But if you do this, the boat can break, and—”

“Oh, I see,” Hange face fell. Levi felt like an asshole.

“You can look at it some other time,” he added after a few moments of awkward silence. “When we’ll be closer to the shore.”

And just like that, Hange’s expression was back to showing that childhood wonder. Levi’s curved into a small smile of his own.

“Alright, one last thing, and I’ll let you go for today. Can you show them?”

“Them?” Levi asked, perplexed.

“Them,” Hange eagerly nodded. “Your legs.”

“My legs? You want to see my legs?”

“Yes! Please, Levi, I’ve never seen them up close! Just a little peak!”

“Jesus, fine,” still shocked at her request, Levi took off his shoe, rolled up his pants to the knee and pulled his leg from the boat.

In the next moment, he felt how Hange’s wet but warm hands came into contact with the skin of his leg.

At first, she touched him tentatively, turning his leg this and that way and carefully inspecting it.

“Huh, it’s very similar to my arm, but your leg is more… solid. There are more muscles there, and bones seem to be much sturdier.” Hange mumbled quietly to herself, seemingly forgetting about Levi’s presence.

Her arm traced his leg from knee to ankle. She raised it higher, studying Levi’s heel. Her long fingers touched the delicate skin there, and Levi’s breath hitched in his throat.

Hange’s immediately removed her hands. “I’m sorry! Did it hurt?”

She inspected Levi’s face as carefully, as she studied his leg moments ago.

“No,” Levi shook his head, feeling his ears burn in embarrassment. “It’s just… very ticklish.”

“Oh!” Hange giggled. “So I didn’t cause you any harm?”

Levi shook his head again.

Hange smirked almost devilishly at him. And then her hand returned to his heel, stroking it quickly. Levi couldn’t stop a small, hoarse laugh that escaped from his lips.

His hands flew to his mouth, covering it. But it was too late. Hange had already heard it.

A wide smile bloomed on her face, as her eyes gazed at him softly.

And looking at her, Levi couldn’t remember, when was the last time he had laughed. He couldn’t remember a time, when he felt so… relaxed next to someone.

“You should do it more often,” Hange noted with the same gentle look on her face. “Laughing, I mean. And smiling, too. I feel like you don’t do this enough.”

“And how would you know?” Levi asked, getting defensive. He hated being vulnerable, and that’s how we felt next to Hange: vulnerable… exposed. “Can mermaids read minds?”

“We don’t have to,” Hange shrugged. “It’s easy to understand humans, especially men.”

“Am I easy to understand?” Levi raised his eyebrow.

“Easier, than you think.” Hange winked at him.

Then she turned to look at the horizon.

“The sun is almost setting. I should head back, before Moblit gets too worried. You should hurry back to shore, as well. An ocean at night is a dangerous place.”

“Alright, I’ll come back tomorrow. If you still have any questions left.”

“Oh, believe me,” Hange grinned crookedly. “This was only the beginning.”

And then she dived in, her tail splashing the droplets of water. Some of it hit Levi, and he huffed in annoyance, wiping his wet face with the back of his hand.

What in the world made him agree to another meeting with her?

                                                                ***

Levi came to meet Hange again, and again, and again, and then suddenly and unexpectedly it became a sort of routine for him.

Every day, when he wasn’t busy with his work and when the weather was suited for going out into the ocean, Levi would take his boat and go to see Hange.

She still asked him a million of questions about humans and their way of living, and it seemed like her curiosity would never be sated.

But she also told Levi about her life, about the giant underwater city, and her numerous brothers and sisters that lived there. She told him about their beliefs, rules and traditions. And even though, Levi could never call himself a curious man, he liked listening to Hange’s stories.

He would never tell her, of course, but he actually liked Hange’s voice. He always complained about it to her face, telling her it was too loud and too high-pitched, but… it also had a soothing, relaxing effect on him. Levi could probably listen to it for the rest of his life, and not get bored or tired of it.

With Hange, Levi didn’t feel like he was too weird, or that his face looked too scary with his constant frowning and cold eyes. Somehow, Hange saw him for who he actually was, and she understood him like no one ever had.

And even though, they were from two completely different worlds, even though Hange was a crazy mermaid with an unhealthy obsession with humans, she was his closest and only friend in this world.

                                                                ***

Levi didn’t know for how long he had been staring into the horizon, waiting to see a bright yellow tail or hear a loud and happy greeting.

It felt like he was sitting there for hours, but still, there was no sign of Hange.

Maybe, she was busy with something else, Levi tried to reason with himself. It was Hange, after all, maybe something else had grabbed her attention, and she had forgotten about their meeting. Maybe, she was meeting with her brothers and sisters in the underwater city, or maybe she just didn’t feel like seeing Levi tonight.

Surely, she was perfectly fine, and there was no reason for Levi to be worried.

Still, his insides churned unpleasantly, as he looked at the ocean, his eyes burning from the bright sun.

Where the fuck was she?

As he continued to look out for Hange, Levi noticed something weird.

A ship, bigger than Levi’s boat, was moving rapidly, seemingly going in circles. Curious, Levi decided to take a closer look, and so he started the engine, heading to the strange ship.

Levi was getting closer and closer, but the shipowner didn’t seem to notice him, as he continued to move in weird, almost chaotic manner.

Levi was beginning to think that he just happened upon a drunkard, but then he saw it. For less than a second, but Levi could recognize that bright yellow color everywhere.

He speeded up his own boat, desperate to get closer.

The man on the ship noticed Levi only when he caught up with him. The ship immediately stopped, and the man came out from the cabin. He tried to put on an easy smile, but even from a distance Levi could see how angry his eyes were.

“Do you need help?” Levi asked, making a huge effort to make his voice sound casual and calm. Inside, he was burning with rage, and his mind was practically screaming with desire to punch, kick, hurt this man.

His attention was ripped away from the man, as Levi felt something touch the side of his boat. He slightly turned his head, and his fury intensified tenfold as he met Hange’s panicked eyes.

Trying to keep his calm, Levi nodded to Hange discreetly, reassuring her that she was safe now.

“Saw you swimming in circles,” Levi continued, focusing on the man on the ship. He couldn’t let him know that Hange was still nearby. “Is everything alright?”

“Of course!” the man gave Levi a radiant and obviously fake smile. “I was just practicing turns on my new ship.”

“In the middle of the ocean?” Levi raised his brow skeptically.

The man shrugged carelessly. His eyes were frantically looking around, searching for his lost prey.

“Well, if everything is alright, then I’ll leave you to your practicing.” Levi’s voice was practically dripping with venom. He turned away from the man and glanced at Hange, giving her a silent signal.

She seemed to understand it perfectly, as she immediately disappeared under water. Levi hoped she dived deep enough, so her tail wouldn’t be seen on the surface.

Giving the man on a ship one last vicious glare, Levi started his engine and swam away.

When the man and his ship turned into nothing more than a blurry black dot far away on the horizon, Levi stopped.

Hange’s head appeared on the surface a second later.

“That was close!” Hange giggled, all signs of worry gone. “If it wer—”

She didn’t get to finish, as Levi leaned from the side of the boat, grabbing Hange’s hands into his.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice hoarse and feverish. His eyes were searching for the signs of injuries on Hange’s body. Hange seemed to be unharmed, but Levi wished he could see her tail as well. What if there were some wounds? “Did he hurt you?”

“Levi, I’m fine,” Hange smiled at him. “Don’t worry, you came just in time.”

“Thank the goodness,” Levi ran a shaky hand through his hair. “You should be more careful, Hange. What if someone catches you one day?”

“I’ll be fine,” Hange rolled her eyes. “Besides, I have you to protect me.”

“I may not be here, when you need me.”

“Nonsense,” Hange waved her hand carelessly. “You’re always here. Right when I need you.”

She gave Levi another soft and gentle smile, and even if he wanted, he couldn’t stay angry with her anymore.

“C’mon,” Hange urged him, turning around and starting to swim. “I’ve found a new cave yesterday!”

                                                                ***

“Hange, I’ll be fine,” Levi sighed, getting tired of this argument.

Hange wanted to show him a peculiar coral reef today, but it was situated too far from the shore. As a result, the sun was already setting and Levi was still in the ocean. Soon the darkness would fall over the earth, painting the blue water in black.

And so Hange was worried, unwilling to let Levi swim back to shore alone.

“Levi, it’s too dangerous for you to go alone!” she cried out.

Levi rolled his eyes. In the past half an hour, Hange had repeated these same words to him a dozen of times.

“And it’s too dangerous for you to go near the shore at night. What if someone sees you in the light from a lighthouse? Tomorrow the whole ocean will be full of sailors, and all of them will be trying to catch you.” Levi still shuddered at the memory of that time, when Hange was chased. He couldn’t let that happen again. “So calm the fuck down and go back to that Moblit of yours. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You promise?” Hange’s deep brown eyes were staring intently in his.

“I swear,” Levi replied seriously.

This seemed to somewhat placate Hange, as she nodded, finally agreeing with Levi. Her eyes, however, remained worried.

“Please be careful, Levi.” she said at last, before jumping into the water.

As soon as Hange disappeared from his view, Levi started the engine and began heading home. A long road was ahead of him.  

                                                                ***

More than an hour later, and Levi was still far away from the familiar shore. The ocean was dark, the water around him almost pitch black. The only thing illuminating Levi’s path was pale moonlight and an occasional ray of light, coming from the lighthouse.

As he made his way through, Levi saw a silhouette in the water, which was following after his boat. He turned off the engine, feeling annoyance stir up inside him. He told her he would be fine!

“Why the fuck you never listen to m-”

Levi’s words died in his throat, as he saw the face that emerged from the water.

It wasn’t Hange.

Instead another mermaid was staring up at him. Her hair was long and blonde, it shone brightly in the moonlight. Her eyes were blue and so very beautiful. They seemed to sparkle even in the dark. Her lips were full and cherry-colored. A pretty smile curved the mermaid’s lips.

She stared at Levi for a long moment. Her gaze was strange, it seemed both innocent and wicked.

Levi didn’t know what to say, all thoughts left his head. He felt as though he was in some kind of a daze, the mermaid’s eyes seemed to hypnotize him. If he’d believed in that kind of things, he’d say that she put some kind of a spell on him.

The mermaid opened her mouth and began to sing. She sang in a strange, unfamiliar to Levi language, but her voice was melodic and almost silvery. Levi would have said that it was the most beautiful voice he had ever heard. He would have said that this mermaid was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

But… suddenly someone else appeared in his mind.

He remembered a loud and shrill voice, which annoyed the hell out of him and made his head hurt. He remembered a messy mop of brown hair, which made his hands itch with desire to comb through that tangled locks and try to bring that nest into some kind of an order. He remembered brown eyes, which always shone with amusement or mischief. He remembered thin and chapped lips, and the crazy grin that was almost always plastered on that mouth.

He remembered Hange, and that seemed to break off the spell. Levi was able to snap out of his daze.

The mermaid seemed to notice this too, as she stopped her singing and cocked her head to the side, studying Levi’s face.

“Did you not like my singing?” she asked in that same soft and pleasant voice.

“It’s very beautiful,” Levi replied.

“Of course, it is. But did you like it?”

“I did not.”

His reply seemed to confuse the mermaid. “Did you not like my appearances?”

“You are very beautiful.” Levi repeated.

“But did you like it?”

“I did not.” Levi sighed.

“Ah, I see,” disappointment painted the mermaid’s features, but it was gone as fast as it appeared. “I cannot steal your heart, if it already belongs to someone else.”

Surprisingly, her words didn’t come as a shock to Levi. Of course, he hadn’t known the extent of his feelings to Hange until this very moment, but… somehow it felt natural. As though, this was how it was supposed to happen.

“Is she as beautiful as me?” the mermaid asked.

“She is not.” Levi replied.

“Is her voice as bewitching and enchanting as mine?”

“It is not.”

“And yet you still love her?”

“More than anything.”

“Nothing I can do about it then. You’re a very handsome, but very weird sailor. I must say goodbye. Good luck with your beloved.”

And then she flipped her beautiful hair and disappeared back into the ocean.

Levi continued his way home, feeling strangely unshaken by the whole encounter.

                                                                ***

“I met another mermaid yesterday,” Levi said, as he and Hange were lying side by side on a deserted beach.

As soon as those words left Levi’s mouth, Hange shot up and grabbed Levi by his shoulders, turning him to face her. Her eyes were filled with worry and panic, and she studied Levi’s features intently.

“Did she do something to you? Did she put a spell on you?”

“She tried,” Levi shrugged. “Apparently, it didn’t work.”

Hange’s eyes widened. “The mermaid’s spell doesn’t work only if the subject’s heart…”

“Is already taken,” Levi finished for her.

“Oh,” Hange seemed to be taken aback by his words. She let go of him, and turned away, staring into a horizon. “Didn’t know you loved somebody.”

“I do. Do you wish to know about her?”

“Of course!” Hange smiled. It didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Levi turned to stare at the blue water of the ocean, which sparkled in the sunlight.

“She is absolutely insufferable. She is terrible and annoying, and sometimes I feel like throttling her. But she is also the kindest, most caring person in this world, and she understands me like no one else. I know that I can tell anything to her, and I know that she will listen. She is incredible, amazing in everything she does, but the most surprising thing about her, the thing that baffles me to this day is the fact that she seems to care about me. I’m a scoundrel, an asshole and a fucking mess of a person. I am rude, I am distant and I don’t know how to express my emotions properly. I wish to tell her what she means to me, how much I cherish her, how much I love her. But I don’t think I will ever find the right words.”

“You seem pretty eloquent to me right now,” Hange chuckled softly. She sat closer to Levi, her hand was hovering above his. “I do have one question about this mysterious beloved of yours.” Hange paused, laying her head on Levi’s shoulders and gazing up at him. “Does she have legs?”

Levi smirked. “She does not.”

“Oh,” Hange’s lips curved into a grin. “So are my assumptions correct?”

Levi huffed, rolling his eyes. “Asshole,” he flicked her forehead. “Your assumptions are always correct.”

Hange said nothing, just finally took Levi’s hand into hers.

They sat side by side, holding hands and watching the calm ocean around them. The waves slowly moved back and forth, the sun shone brightly and the sky was clear and blue.

“I feel the same way,” Hange told him after some time. “About you, I mean. I love you too, Levi.”

Levi’s lips curved into a rare, soft smile. Enjoying the warm sun and gentle breeze, holding Hange’s hand in his and looking at her beautuiful smile, Levi felt calm and relaxed. He found the person he belonged with, and that was enough.

More than enough.

[babylon-crashing]

onibaba [i,i]

ACT I. SCENE I.

A semi-dark room scantily furnished. A sliding door opens and the distant chaos of a battle can be heard as two ghosts enter. The first, the soul of the legendary Hangaku Gozen, is dressed in her full samurai armor. The second, Lady Seishin, wears a kimono that might have been stylish 100 years ago and a kabuki fox mask that she never takes off. At the back of the stage is a small fire pit and a small window. Seishin stirs the embers and then stands by the window, peering anxiously out.

SEISHIN.

It is a wild night outside.

HANGAKU.

Help me off with this helmet. Is the rain still coming down?

SEISHIN.

In torrents. I cannot see the other side of the road.

HANGAKU.

That's good.

SEISHIN.

If not being able to see someone ten feet away is good, then hai. Luck is with us. Should I put the oil wick in the window?

HANGAKU.

[Sitting down next to fire with her helmet in her hands.] Why? No. Only when we hear her order a retreat. That's what she said.

SEISHIN.

But on a night like this she may have pulled the troop all the way back to Kyoto and we'll never know.

HANGAKU.

Do not be so querulous, you cranky fox.

SEISHIN.

This isn't me being cranky. Something is about to happen. Listen to the wind sobbing around the house … a lost soul that we're refusing to let enter.

HANGAKU.

Why would we do that? The wind loves us.

SEISHIN.

The wind puts up with us. Ever since--- What was that?

HANGAKU.

[Listens.] It is our message, I think. [Listens harder.] Something is coming. Douse the fire.

[The room is reduced once more to semi-darkness.]

SEISHIN.

Shouldn't we---?

[This time the sound is heard by both women. Someone or something in groaning in the dark. They stand as the door slides open and Jiutian Xuannu enters.]

XUANNU.

Cousins, why are we wasting time here? I was going to call retreat but those stupid Takahashi samurai are milling about right over there and look so smite-able.

HANGAKU.

But who is going to do the smiting? You?

XUANNU.

You look sad, cousin. We're shadows, azure-

eyed, made from lust and stardust and despise

blood and afterbirth. Fools fear our power

to peel off our pelts. Fools fear change, disguise,

the way floods deform and do not deform

dry earth. But, cousin, what use are nightmares

if you can wake up? Why try to transform

when we can slaughter? We don't need more snares

fools keep slipping free from. Call Onibaba.

She's a friend. She has farseeing vision

and short cruel knives. Fools call her, “Hag with Tusks

and Fangs Chitter-Chatting in her Vulva.”

Fools fear her carnage; her love of carrion;

how she sucks both down to their very husks.

HANGAKU.

Fetch her.  

[Jiutian Xuannu exits.]

HANGAKU [cont.]

But first, let's test her skills. Seishin, you pretend to be me.

SEISHIN.

I'm not a ghost. I think she'll notice.

[Jiutian Xuannu, Onibaba and Kijo all enter.]

SEISHIN.

Ah, Lady Onibaba. Chrysanthemum in the Legion of Flowers. Mire in the Order of Tenacity. Chalice of Malice. Fury of the Divine Crest. It is I, your Lady Hangaku!

ONIBABA.

Xuannu, I find it odd that the, “Terror of Genpei,” would be both Jiuzhou and alive.

XUANNU.

[Aside.] That was the worst Hangaku impersonation I've ever seen.

HANGAKU.

Lady Onibaba, please forgive me for being cautious. Who is this?

ONIBABA.

[Indicating Kijo.] My daughter, Lady Kijo.

HANGAKU.

[Incredulous.] You had sex?

ONIBABA.

Hai.

HANGAKU.

[Skeptical.] With a mortal?

ONIBABA.

Hai.

HANGAKU.

[Scandalized.] O my, you nanty narking chuckabog.

ONIBABA.

I don't think you brought me all this way to make snide comments about my lovers.

[A loud moaning begins from outside and the wind rattles against the hut's walls.]

ONIBABA [cont.]

The dusk wails and you pray for Onibaba

to smite souls. It's fitting that twilight

moans for us, glimpsing our hitodama,

our blue-green flames, as we pass in the night,

searching for the spot where we died; where our

blood touched the earth and our hubris melted

when we found out all our sweet truths were sour,

our faiths false. Who claims to know what's sacred?

How I don't know. But they'll kill for it.

You want me to go out and lay the Eight

Ring Curse on those men? Men who love carnage

and their samurai bushido bullshit?

I'll do it. Saints say hate cannot kill hate.

I say all we are is gristle and rage.

SEISHIN.

[Aside.] These mountain demons can be very tempting with their tongues.

ONIBABA.

Don't frown, Lady Hangaku. That was you once, too: a butcher. Now you're just dead and vague.

[The door opens and a little battlefield spirit acting as a messenger enters.]

SENJO BOZU.

[Bowing.] My sovereign. Ladies of the court. I come from the walls of Osaka. Takahashi's soldiers have stormed our outer defenses. We are now fighting in the streets.

XUANNU.

What sort of necromancers do they have that can breach our spells?

HANGAKU.

I heard that Emagami The Blight was selling herself again, but her skills are pitiful.

XUANNU.

[To Onibaba.] My lady, do you think that we should give up on Osaka, or not?

ONIBABA.

Of course not. Only cowards and monks run away.

HANGAKU.

Yattaaaa! I agree with what she says: we'll fight it out.

ONIBABA.

Glory is like the ripples on the water. You have given me the task of whipping the Takahashi then I will beat those waters until they froth.

HANGAKU.

Lady Onibaba, drive the living daylights out of Osaka. They says the root of suffering is attachment. I say we beat that koan home on the skulls of Takahashi and his men.

[All exit.]

][][

Notes:

Onibaba is, as her name states, is a red-skinned, white-haired Japanese ogre. She carries a kanabo (Iron war stick) slung over her shoulder.

Hangaku Gozen was an actual warrior and fought in the Genpei War (1180-1185 AD).

Jiutian Xuannu (Dark Lady of the Nine Heavens) is a Chinese goddess of war, lust and longevity. With long Mandarin robes and her Dadao (“Big sword”) she justifies showing up in this play by saying that she is on holiday.

Seishin kitsune is one of the names used for a fox spirit.

Senjo bozu. A spirit from the battlefield.

Jiuzhou is an ancient name for China.

Hitodama are a pair of blue flames (similar to will o' the wisps) that accompany a ghost when it manifests.