#since he will surely ask to search to take me in the scheme

[what-am-i-outside-my-google-tabs]

"so, what's the last anime you watched?"

"ever heard of Boku No Pico?"

[hwallazia]

HOT TO GO – 김홍중

⋆ synopsis. during a xmas eve dinner with your family, your best friend disappears. concerned, you search the entire apartment complex, only to stumble upon him watching porn alone. unable to resist, you decide to tease him a bit about it.

pairing. best friend! kim hongjoong & fem! reader.

wc. 2,9k

warnings. smut (mdni!), F2L, soft dom! hongjoong, suggestive language, cussing, liquor consumption, getting caught obviously, teasing & flirting, porn watching (this whole thing is porn but wtv), auralism?, getting interrupted ughhh, hongjoong comes on reader’s face and tits, praise, dirty talk, nicknames (pretty boy, pretty, attagirl & more), blowjob, implied cum eating but not explicitly written, an awful attempt at comedy in the end.

nic’s notes ⋆ second of the event & december’s already ending, i knoww (ᵕ—ᴗ—) i’ll finish the event in january i promise !! i really don’t like how this came out, but i couldn’t leave y’all without a christmas gift! merry xmas, loves <3

living room, dining room, bathroom, backyard, even inside the fucking oven. you had searched everywhere for hongjoong, and yet he’s nowhere to be found.

just an hour ago, you were enjoying some drinks with him, the strong alcohol of the tequila burned your throat deliciously, and the surroundings only caused the liquor to impact you even harder. small bright lights provided dim and comfy lighting to the room for those who were under the influence already — which were probably your uncles, who actually were spending a lovely time playing some drinking games. your mother and her sisters were chatting pleasingly near the kitchen aisle, your aunt looking for a new bottle of red wine only meant that the conversation was going to last longer than what anyone could predict, whereas your grandma was nowhere to be seen — she probably headed to her bedroom to get some well-deserved sleep, your mother had already forced her enough to stay awake past midnight.

“so yeah, that’s pretty much it. never met up with that bitch again, she prolly moved to somewhere far from here since i never heard from her again either. or well, at least that’s what i’m manifesting.” you summarized, chuckling at the end before you chugged another sip of tequila. hongjoong stared at you intently, one brow up, as your throat bobbed up and down with one smooth gulp.

“you sure are going hard on that tequila,” he said whilst glancing at your drunken irises. the way you frowned your brows and cringed almost made him laugh. how cute.

“excuse me, you’re the one who hasn’t drank one sip.” you deadpanned, a low laugh escaping his lips unintentionally as he covered his mouth with the back of his hand; his body rocking forward, driven by habit. “c’mon, let’s get you a drink. a cocktail for starters.” you said without giving him a chance to defend himself, grabbing his forearm as you led him towards the kitchen, where an exasperating and almost unbelievable collection of bottles, full of any kind of liquid you could imagine. your mind was already scheming what to prepare for your dear best friend; some vodka mixed with any energetic drink that you could find in the fridge seemed like an excellent idea.

but you could never fathom what your dear friend’s mind was envisioning, nor what held his eyes so intently. while you walked him whenever you were taking him, your cute ass was swinging, side to side in a smooth motion that had him going nuts. actually, if you held a gun against his head and asked him if he had thought about anything else that night, he’d let you shoot him, because he could never fathom the thought of you finding out how much of a pervert he was. but it was true though, the way that black, tight, and short dress hugged your figure made him salivate all over himself like a dog, the nastiest one. your curves were to die for, and hongjoong would gladly prove it — just so you know. god, what wouldn’t he give for just one night with you—to hold those hips with his own palms.

but that’s his secret. so shush.

hongjoong just couldn’t handle the view anymore. he halted you when he sank his heels onto the wooden floor, and with a deep sigh, he crafted the best excuse he could muster. you gyrated your head and let go of him when he began speaking. oh here we go. “wait, i actually have to go to the bathroom.” you glared at him, not believing a single word that was coming out of his mouth. “it’s an emergency!” he yelped in a surprisingly high-pitched voice, quite amusing to hear.

“fine. i’ll just pretend that you actually wanna go to pee and that you’re not a pussy that can’t handle a round of drinks with me.” you scoffed in a teasing manner, an almost invisible smirk showing up on your lips as your hand positioned on your hip.

“i’ll take the blame.” he sentenced, putting relaxed hands in the air as if he was being accused of committing a crime — and to be honest, he was just about to commit one.

after that, he headed towards the bathroom, your eyes followed his figure as it disappeared into the large, bright lighted corridor. with a sigh and an unopened bottle of tequila in your hands, you made your way back to the kitchen, determined to join the endless conversation that was taking place in its aisle. you aunt jessica looked in your direction, and when her blue irises landed on the delicious tequila that you had with yourself, she couldn’t help but let out a squeak sharp enough to shatter glass, immediately inviting you to participate in their talk with a smile plastered on her face.

you had to do something while hongjoong was gone after all.

but an hour had passed, and the conversation had turned rather depressing, your maternal aunt’s marriage problems overshadowing the happy, joyful christmas vibes. you needed to find hongjoong; otherwise, this conversation would only fry more brain cells than it already had. you exhaled as you rose from your seat, a glass of red wine resting in the palm of your hand gracefully — or you also could call it the other reason why you’d wake up with a mind-scattering headache.

“excuse me, i’ll go upstairs real quick,” you announced to the six ladies that you had just chatted with.

“darling!” your mother stopped your movements. “where’s hongjoong? haven’t seen him in a while now.”

“i don’t know. i was wondering the same thing just now.” you paused briefly. “i’ll go find him.”

normally, you’d find him in the backyard, playing with your younger cousins — to be honest, he nailed the role of the cousin way better than you. but strangely, he wasn’t, which only led you to do what you’d normally call research because at this point, the man had either gone invisible or was aiming for the world record in the longest game of hide and seek. at least, ten minutes passed and he was still missing.

you dragged your feet towards the bathroom, the tiredness of being in a tight and rather short dress and high fucking heels with your best friend missing as a bonus started to hit you. as you made your way to the guest bathroom, you passed by your bedroom, but something odd happened to catch your attention. a weird light was coming out of your room and you were absolutely sure you had turned everything off and closed the door—you didn’t want any babies sleeping in your beloved bed, for god’s sake.

your feet moved backward in a quite amusing motion, your body now standing in front of the semi-open wooden door. with a cocked brow, you peeked through the crack in the door and saw hongjoong’s figure laying on your bed; back facing the door. as the gorgeous, lovely, and very funny best friend that you are, the only idea that came to your mind was to surprise him. little did you know that he was the one who surprised you.

with slow, cautious steps you approached his lying body. you noticed he was watching something on his phone, the bright white light from the device illuminating his face, yet his shuddering pants were the thing that caught your eye.

and one or two steps were more than enough for your eyes to finally and fully take in the scene unfolding before you.

your best friend was jerking off while watching porn. in your own house, in your own bed, in front of your goddamn eyes. and fucking hell, you could clearly see his dick grazing your blankets in a slow, sluggish tempo.

now, in this situation you have two options: either get mad at him and yell at him for being a pervert and a lunatic, and never speak to him again for ruining everything up only because of being an idiot for doing that in such an inappropriate place and situation and day and just everything,

or

help him.

“well hey there.” you purred as you grazed the sides of his undone pants, his hand flew away from his hardened cock as well as his phone, which glided through thin air; a heavy and rough thud reverberated through the walls—a crack on its screen is guaranteed. wide open brown eyes stared at you, a pinkish, tender blush creeping up his cheekbones. “i was feeling kinda lonely out there, y’ know?”

your velvety tone tickled his spine, delicious goosebumps creeping up his limbs. “yn, w-what’re you doing here.” a breathless hongjoong spoke, trembling hands trying to put his dick back inside that wrinkled, damp, and surely uncomfortable fabric.

“that’s what i should be asking, don’t you think?” a little chuckle penetrated hongjoong’s mind, it took everything from him to not grab you by the arms and kiss the shit out of you. at this point, the poor man is delirious—thankfully, your soothing, reassuring hand calms his nerves down when you rested your palm over his. well, sort of. “heeeyy, already cutting the fun short? don’t tell me you’re that much of a wet blanket.”

you got on your knees greedily before your hand glided over his dampened length, first rubbing his girth and then his cocktip smoothly. hongjoong hissed before cursing under his breath. “why’re you doing this.” he couldn’t help but ask, though it wasn’t as if he had any intention of stopping now. if you were going to start something, you’d better see it through. he adjusted his position, finally sitting properly whilst giving you enough space to do your work.

you chuckled as you glanced up at him, doe-eyes stabbing daggers into his heart, mind, and soul. “is it so bad that i don’t want you to go back there with a boner inside those pants?”

a low, growly fuck was shot into your eardrums when your thumb slid over his now leaking tip, trembling fingers almost digging holes into your sheets. “i could do it on my own—nguh” a gravelly moan sent shivers down your spine as soon as you swirled your tongue around the trail of precum his tip was spreading over his hard-on.

“y’ sure you could?” he couldn’t compete against your seductive voice and teasing touches. matter of fact, he couldn’t compete against you at all, not when you were so kind, sweet, sexy and just fucking stunning. the way this man was wrapped around your finger is fucking comical. with a deep sigh, he gave in to you.

“fuck no.”

“that’s what i thought.”

no other words needed to be said for you to swallow his whole length, his tip tickling the back of your throat. hongjoong’s head tilted back as he placed his right hand behind him for support, while the other rested gently on top of your head; fingers provided soothing massages to your scalp. you didn’t expect his moans to be so heavenly sweet, yet low and masculine, and they were impacting you in the most pleasant way; thighs started to rub together incessantly, in search of some friction, some relief.

“oh fuck thaaat’s it. you’re so sweet for doing this, so—ugh, fucking gorgeous.” dead eyes stared down at you, following your every movement, every gesture, every breath. his irises casted shadows over you, and a dark fire sparked within them.

and being totally honest, you were more than ready to lose yourself in them.

after some minutes of just pure sinful, wet sounds, your jaw was starting to hurt, causing you to get some of his girth out of your mouth unintentionally.

poor you, ‘cause hongjoong was already way too into it.

you felt how his palm applied light pressure down the crown of your head “oh c’mon pretty, you were doing so good before, what happened?” he cooed at you, a devilish expression ruling his eyes.

and did that smirk drive you over the edge. “i—“ his hand glided over your neck and pushed you all the way down, making you pathetically choke on his cock. tears filled your vision and soon began to stream down your cheeks, ruining your mascara—not that you were concerned about that, your red lipstick was all smudged anyway. spit dripped from the corner of your lips, a string of saliva connecting your swollen lips with some hairs of his pubic zone.

what a view, hongjoong thought.

“attagirl.” he purred in a silky tone. all pain was gone in just a sec.

hongjoong could feel and hear everything. and when i say everything, i mean every fucking thing. the way your tongue danced over his tip, how it enveloped his length greedily and lapped at every bit of precum it could collect, or how you would whine when his cocktip hit that spot of your throat, how you’d gag around him and just how fucking sinful you sound and look with his dick in his mouth.

“you’re seriously gonna—ah be the death of me.” he heaved, that familiar coil was starting to form in his stomach and he was more than happy to give you every last drop of his load.

even though this may not be his ultimate fantasy, he’s more than content with what he’s receiving. he’d die happily when he gets to come inside you while in mating press. but let’s not get too excited.

“fuck—c’mon, joong. cum all over my face, i know you’re close.” you popped his cock out of your mouth so you could jerk it off properly, at a fast pace that had him seeing stars.

“god you’re—that gonna make me— shit!” he cussed as he jolted beneath you, under your control and intoxicating ministrations. with your poisonous irises and vicious manners, he came completely undone for you, because of you. tensed, muscly limbs and a deliciously arched back formed the scene that surely won’t leave your mind for the next two weeks. a satisfied moan of yours accompanied the melody of grunts that were escaping helplessly from his swollen lips—too reddened from biting them so harshly.

his hand replaced yours and began doing the same motion, but now angling his dripping tip towards you. “show me that pretty face and those pretty tits, cutie.”

what a pervert, you thought. and naturally, you wouldn’t have done so. but god, you were so fucking blissed out that you didn’t even think twice before popping your breasts out of that dark, fitted dress and presenting your face to him — totally surrendered to him like a slut.

the remaining white shots of cum spurted all over your face, a sinful string of that white essence connecting your lashes with your cheekbone, whilst a brief load of his seed painted your tits.

“fuck you’re kinky.” you deadpanned, giggling.

“guess you kinda have that effect on me,” he smirked, breathlessly. fuck, you want him to fuck you right now.

you smiled as you stood up just to push him onto the mattress, easily straddling his naked lap. “so, tell me.” dangerous grins were plastered on your faces. “why would ya be watching porn over here, behind my back…” your manicured nails traced scribbles on the exposed skin of his forearm, slowly shifting in an upward motion. “… when you have me.”

“well if i’m being honest, i had you,” he explained, confusion filling your mind. he chuckled at your tilted head and cocked eyebrow. “that specific pornstar has a similar voice to yours, and whenever she moaned…” his eyes drifted from your eyes to your lips. “she just sounds exactly like how i dream of you moaning.”

and that pushed you over the edge.

you pressed your clothed crotch against his unintentionally, your instinct to seek friction overpowering your senses. his dark, low chuckle penetrated your mind. he straightened his back as he sat correctly and enveloped your torso with his strong arms. with one deep, endearing look into your irises, he whispered with a honey-dripping voice. “can i fuck you, yn?”

“thought you’d never ask.”

a harsh knock at the door made both of you jerk. “yn! i know you’re in here! come on, we gotta take some pictures with the family! get outta there, you got two minutes.” the high-pitched, squeaky voice of your mother sentenced as if she was the goddamn FBI or something.

with a profound exhale, you stared at each other. “well, i don’t know about you, but i personally don’t want to fuck with a time limit. it’s not like i’m able to make you finish in two minutes. i don’t even know if i can finish in two min—“ you grabbed his lips with your fingertips, shushing him immediately.

he glanced at you with puppy dog eyes. “would you shut up for once?” you giggled. “okay, pretty boy, we’ll get there. now, let me clean myself up and change into some new clothes so i can go take the damn pictures before my mom splits me open.”

you sighed, unlike hongjoong who smiled like a little kid. “i’d like to split you open.”

you chuckled as you threw the nearest pillow to him. a muffled awh was heard and your heart sank a bit, in the most tender way. that foolishly in love kind-of smile just could not leave your face. “shut up, you romeo.”

| masterlist

[xetlynn]

Until Dawn- By Your Side: Chapter One, Blackwood Pines

(Josh Washington X reader)

[Prologue] [One] [Two]

Ever since that day I’ve rarely looked Jessica in the eyes. I’ll talk to her like normal, she’ll come into my room to bother me but I never initiate anything anymore. I was pretty disgusted by her actions. Same with everyone else’s. I’ve gotten extremely close with Sam because of everything too. Her, Chris and I check in with Josh a lot.

Mainly me, they just text me asking for updates since they don’t see him as often as I do. My parents have even been getting annoyed with my “behavior.” How I’m never home, barely doing my homework and treating Jessica poorly. I’m not meaning to. I really want to look at my sister and not see a bad friend, but looking back on my pictures with Beth and Hannah it’s difficult. Knowing Hannah was devastated from what they did to her, it being a stupid prank or not.

And when Josh told me his plan to have everyone come up for this winter I was skeptical on if it would be a good idea. “Are you sure, we haven’t gone up unless it was for a search party, my love.” I run my fingers through his hair, he smiles softly up at me. He was laying his head on my chest, his arms wrapped around my torso.

“My sisters would want to have fun up there. Like we always have.” He kisses my collarbone. “Are you sure there’s no other reason?” I question him, his nose twitches and I knew I already caught him in his lies. “What other reason would there be?” He decides to ask a question in return. I stare down at him with a straight face, he lifts himself off of me.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” His brows furrow and I crack a smile, grabbing his arm. “I know you better than that, my love.” I pull him down to kiss him on his lips. “What are you scheming?” Kissing him again. “I can’t believe you caught me that quick.” He entraps me in between his arms, his body laying flat on mine. I hear him take a deep breath, I knew he was wondering if he should tell me or not. Knowing him since we were children I’ve gotten to observe every little thing about him. Something he’s done with me too.

“I just maybe want to get it out of them, that they’re guilty for it.” He finally whispers out, I stay silent for a moment. I can hear his heart beat start to quicken and before he panics I speak up. “How can I help?”

I sat on the bus with Sam, she gave me one of her earbuds as we listened to what’s on her device. It’s the radio talking about the Washington twins. I notice her stare out the window. My body stiffens slightly, it’s never easy hearing updates about the twins and it be nothing new. Nothing good. Then she clicks a button switching to a video of my boyfriend. Of Josh. I smile at the sight of his face.

“Well hello friends and fans… alright let’s do that again.” He goes back up to the camera, not really zooming it in, beginning to talk once again with the same intro. “Alright. Well hello friends and fans! It’s beyond awesome to have you guys all back this year. First off, I gotta say I am super excited to welcome all my pals back to the annual Blackwood winter getaway!” He does a little cheer. “So, um… let me just let you know, let’s take a moment to address the elephant in the room for a second…” His mood switches. “I know you’re all probably worried about me and I know it’s gonna be tough on all of us going back after what happened last year, but I just want you all to know, it means… it means so much to me that we’re doing this. And I know it would mean so much to Hannah and Beth that we’re all still here together, y’know thinking of them. I really want to spend some quality time with each and every one of you and share moments we’ll never forget. For the sake of my sisters, you know?” He gives his speech, I lean into Sam further and further as I listen to him. I feel her laugh at me a little bit but I can’t help it. “Okay… so! Let’s party like we’re fucking porn stars, okay?! And make this one trip we’ll never forget, alright? Yes!” He pumps his fists up in the air. I scrunch my nose because of his wording but Sam and I both snicker at it quietly.

When the bus finally stops at Blackwood Pines, Sam and I get out together and begin to walk forward while looking around. We were told to meet here by Chris like we have many times before. “Weird, looks like we’re before him.” I smile, twirling around. She opens the gate for both of us. “Surprising. I feel like we’re the last usually.” She huffs, I hum in agreement. We then hear a noise behind us. “Hello?” Sam calls out. “Someone there?” I ask out, furrowing my eyebrows. Squinting, checking if I could possibly see anything.

After not getting anything in response we continue on. I keep checking behind us though. Thinking maybe someone was there, playing a prank on us.

Once we get to the gate there’s a note taped onto it. “Gate’s busted, climb over. -Chris.” I read out. “So he is here and didn’t meet up like we agreed.” I cross my arms, irritated. “I wonder why.” Sam whispers. We try to open the gate still but nothing budges. I sigh and head over to the rocky wall of the fence. Sam right behind me.

“I’ll boost you.” I tell her, jokingly. The wall had too many things sticking out for a boost to actually work. I squat down a tiny bit as she begins to climb. Staying there for her as support. She does a jump and I make a face but successfully she gets on top of the wall. “Alright, your turn.” She says, taking a second to breathe.

I groan but do the same thing she did. Lifting myself up, very slowly as I don’t think I have the same amount of upper body strength as her. We jump down together. I trip a little bit and she helps me so I don’t fall. Both of us chuckling. Making our way to the area we need to get to.

We pass by the sign about Indigenous people and butterfly prophesies. “Oh, cool!” Sam grins. She skims over it but we continue forward. Finally getting to where we used to meet Josh and the twins… along with Chris.

Speaking of, “Is that Chris’s bag?” I point over to the bench. Sam moves a little closer to me. “Chris?” She calls out, we go closer to the bag. “Your bags here, but where are you?” I roll my eyes.

“Are you here? You’re not in the bag are you?!” Sam asks. I hear buzzing. “His phone.” I mutter, taking it out of the pocket. “Ah ha!” Sam grins, “look who it is.” I smirk. Ashley’s name popping up on the screen.

“Hey noseys.” A voice calls from behind us and we both jump. “Chris.” Sam sighs out. “You scared us.” We both say clinging onto each other. “I’m sorry, but are either of you my secretary?” He points a finger in our faces.

Sam takes the phone from my hand and lifts it up. “It was buzzing.” She defends our choice we made to snoop through his belonging.

“Cool. Well, thanks for letting me know. I can take it from here.” He takes it from her. He checks the message and we stand there awkwardly.

“Oh! So, I found something kinda amazing.” He goes over to his bag. “What?” Sam asks and I just lean against her, tiredly. Still intrigued nonetheless.

“I’m not gonna tell you guys, you gotta see for yourselves. Come on, it’s this way.” He leads the way, I get off of Sam and we begin to walk once again. “Where?”

“Right around here. Gonna blow your minds.” He dramatically says. “Mhm, sure.” I take a breath. “Just see before you give me attitude, [Name].” He tells me.

We get around the building and we see a Wanted poster but it doesn’t show the face of the person, It was ripped off. Only the name showed. “Victor Milgram.” I read out.

“Nice. You think we’ll get a visit from America’s most wanted?” Chris asks and I nudge him for being insensitive. “Looks like someone thought so.” Sam speaks. “oh come on. This place is abandoned most of the year.” He then starts his trail once more. “Nobody comes up here.” I think about how I came here quite a few times with Josh and his parents in the search parties for the twins. Knowing that his statement unfortunately is not true.

Him saying “Ta Dah.” Gets me out of those thoughts for a moment. “Pretty rad right?”

“Yeeeeaaaah.” Sam sarcastically says. I didn’t say anything, I just gave our friend a bored expression. “Come on! Look at these beauties.”

“Beauties is not the word that comes to mind. Why is this even here?” She questions it. “Yeah, I’m not into it.” I agree with her.

“What do you mean?” He looks back to the shooting range. “What the hell is a shooting range doing at the base of a ski lodge?”

“Dude. Have you ever met Josh’s dad? [Name], you out of everyone should know why this is here.” He points to me and I frown, knowing I have to agree with this idiot who thought a gun range would blow our minds.

“Josh’s dad thinks he’s like Grizzly Adam’s or something, for sure.” I whisper to Sam. “Wanna try?” Chris offers the shot gun to both of us. I shake my head. “You go ‘head, Grizzly.” Sam jokes with him after what I just whispered to her. Both of us laughing quietly. “Alright, here goes.” He lifts up the gun, getting it ready. He shoots the first target. He then doesn’t miss a single one and I give him a small applause.

“Wow. Nice shootin’, Tex.” Sam gives him a smile. I do a small cheer for him. “Alright. I’m bad.” Chris starts dancing causing us two to give him dirty expressions. “I’m a badass!”

“I’m gonna go ahead and guess it was a wild case of beginner’s luck.” Sam teases him after his stupid dance. “Nah, I don’t think so girl.” He wags his finger before lifting the gun back up. Shooting another target and getting it. “Well, anybody and their brother could shoot a bottle that big, that close.” She chuckles.

A squirrel shows up and my eyes widen slightly hoping Chris doesn’t go for it. “Don’t do it, Chris.” I mumble but I know he heard me when I saw his gun move to a different area. “Nice shot.”

“Your ass just got saaaacked!”

“Ugh.” I grimace, walking away from them to go back to the front of the building. “You two, our rides coming.” I say, not paying attention to what they’re doing as I head forward. I hear Sam urge Chris to come on. Him whining slightly afterward. I get to the door, trying to open it but it’s locked. I hear Chris say “a year goes fast.” And immediately choose not to ask what they were talking about.

“Hey, the doors locked.” I push on it again, to show them. “Yeaaah, Josh wanted us to keep it locked. Keep people out.” Chris informs me and then I drop my shoulders remembering that conversation we had. “He said that? What people?” Sam furrows her brows.

“He said they found people sleeping in the station one time.” I tell her, vividly seeing the conversation I had with him in my head before packing for this trip. “Creepy.”

Chris shows his key and I get out of the way for him to unlock it. He gets it open and lets us in before him.

“Ah, real gentleman.” Sam goes in, me right behind her. Sam goes to the railing and looks around as I follow Chris. “I thought the car was closer.” She complains. “Guess we gotta wait.” My boyfriend’s best friend responds.

“What a crazy place to set up house. No matter how rich you are.” He stares at a Blackwood Pines poster. “They’re not so rich.” Sam disagrees. “The only bought a mountain.” She sarcastically adds in. I watch Chris walk around the room. Both of our eyes landing on a screen. It looks like cameras surrounding the Washington Cabin. I see a thing of a bedroom and then it clip back to the front of the house. I frown, confused on what we’re looking at.

The cable car sounding closer, we both join Sam back outside. “You coming?” Sam asks Chris as I get in before her. We sit beside one another. “I was gonna catch some z’s but I guess.” He makes a horrible joke. Chris sits on the other side of me.

“Here we go.” I announce as the car moves. “Right, adventure begins.” Chris smiles.

Long awaited chapter :0

Masterlist

Josh M.L.

Taglist: If you want to be added lmk!

@my1fx

[imaginejamesandsirius]

Lily trying to explain to James that no she isn’t going to go out with him — because he’s been dating Sirius since first year, you’re both just too dense to realise it.

((Read below or on AO3))

James Potter is many things—Head Boy, Quidditch star, master prankster—but today, above all, he’s a man on a mission.

He stands in front of the mirror in the seventh-year boys’ bathroom, even though he has his own Head Boy room now, because it’s simply more fun getting ready with his friends close by. The lighting is nicer here anyway, with the late afternoon sunlight spilling in through the large windows, and there’s something comforting in the familiar scent of cologne and soap and whatever absurd hair products Sirius insists on using. 

James tries to adjust his curls but gives up, letting them fall into their normal disarrayed state. In the room behind him, Remus lounges on the windowsill with a book he’s long since stopped pretending to read, while Peter perches on the edge of his bed, legs swinging as he works his way through a Chocolate Frog.

“She’s going to say yes,” James declares, turning his head to examine his side profile. “Why wouldn’t she? I’m a catch. Funny. Smart. Devastatingly handsome.”

Peter snorts. “And humble.”

“I mean it,” James says, spinning around, hands outstretched. “Lily and I—we’re good now. We work together, I make her laugh, and she even made me tea last week.”

“She made everyone tea,” Remus mutters.

“Still, she asked you all how you took your tea but didn’t ask me, which means she noticed how I like it and remembered. Surely that means something.”

Peter hums noncommittally. “Maybe that just means she spends a lot of her time around you now that you have to work together?”

Before James can respond, the door swings open as Sirius returns from a quick run to the kitchens, his tie loose around his neck and arms full of snacks. He pauses when he sees James, eyes skimming over him slowly, top to bottom and then back up again.

“Well, look at you,” he says, whistling low. “Someone’s trying to charm the knickers off our Head Girl.”

James tosses him a wink. “That’s the idea.”

Sirius drops the snacks onto his bed, strolls up behind him, takes one long look at James’ reflection, and then, without preamble, squeezes his arse.

“Lily would have to be an absolute fool not to want a piece of this,” he says, grinning.

Peter makes a strangled sound. “Merlin.”

Remus summons a pillow and aims it at them with startling precision. Sirius ducks. James just laughs.

“Honestly, if Lily rejects me, at least I’ll have you,” he says, leaning into Sirius’ side with easy familiarity.

“You always will,” Sirius murmurs, eyes bright.

James hesitates. “You don’t think she’ll reject me?”

Sirius tilts his head, studying him for a moment—just a second too long—and says, “Nah. No one would say no to you.”

That’s good enough for James.

~~~

The meeting with Dumbledore and McGonagall unfolds in the usual fashion—patrol schedules, a few mentions of student drama, and discussions about the holidays. It’s uneventful in the grand scheme, but James finds himself hyperaware of Lily beside him: the small quirk of her lips when Dumbledore goes off-topic, the way she taps her quill when she’s thinking. He’s watching her and thinking, I could really do this—us. Properly.

They walk out of the office together, their shoulders brushing. Lily is saying something about the next Hogsmeade weekend but James isn’t listening. His heart is hammering in his chest.

“Lily?”

She pauses mid-sentence. “Yeah?”

“We’re good friends, right?”

Her eyes narrow in mock suspicion. “Where is this going?”

“I just mean, we get along. We work well together. We like spending time with each other.”

She stops walking, and so does he. They’re alone in the corridor, the torches flickering low.

“Yes,” she says slowly, eyes searching his. “We do.”

“So would you maybe… I don’t know, consider going out with me? Like, on a date?”

There’s a moment of stillness, like the air around them is waiting too.

Then—

“James,” Lily says softly, with the kind of gentle patience usually reserved for a young child. “I love you, truly. But I can’t date you.”

He blinks. “Why not? We get along so well—”

“Yes,” she says, cutting in kindly. “But you’re in love with Sirius.”

James stares, bewildered at the shift in their conversation. “I am?”

Lily gives him a look—a fond, tired, I-can’t-believe-I-have-to-do-this look.

“Darling,” she says. “You scan every room you enter until you find him. You literally light up when he talks to you. When you’re overwhelmed, he’s the only person you want to be with.”

James opens his mouth to protest. She lifts a finger.

“You need to be around him. You’re never apart for long. Every girl you’ve tried dating—things unravel the moment they start pulling your attention away from him. And you’re okay with that, because you’d rather be with Sirius than anyone else.”

“I like being with you, too,” James insists, a little defensively.

She nods. “But it’s not the same. You and Sirius… you orbit each other. You hold hands without thinking. You fall asleep tangled together. You kissed him in front of everyone just last week.”

“That was for a dare!”

“You kiss him even without anyone daring you,” Lily says flatly.

“That was—okay, fine,” James mutters.

“You’re basically dating already,” she continues, smiling. “You just haven’t caught up to it yet.”

They walk in silence after that, James’s mind running faster than his feet. Every moment, every shared glance, every late-night talk—it all replays with startling clarity, sharp as a spell.

They walk the rest of the way in silence. James’ head is spinning. He replays the last six years in his mind like a montage. 

Sirius laughing beside him on the train, loose strands of hair escaping his bun. 

Sirius with chocolate smudged on his face, complaining about unfair exams. 

Sirius asleep in the common room with his head on James’ shoulder. 

Sirius reading aloud to him when he was sick, running gentle fingers through his hair. 

Sirius pressing a hand to his knee under the table, linking their pinkies together. 

Sirius drunk on firewhisky, grinning at him like he hung the stars.

James stops dead in his tracks just outside the portrait hole.

“I think,” he begins, voice quiet. “I think I’m in love with him.”

Lily grins, triumphant. “You don’t say.”

“I have to tell him.”

“Wait, now?” she asks, alarmed. “Shouldn’t you, I don’t know, plan what you’re going to do?”

James glances at her, already taking a step into the Gryffindor tower. “My sweet Lils, when have I ever planned first and acted second?”

And with that, he’s gone.

~~~

The common room is warm and golden with firelight and the noise of students talking amongst themselves after dinner. James barely registers the chatter. His eyes immediately find Sirius, as they always do, who’s draped dramatically across an armchair, legs over one arm, head tilted back mid-laugh at something Marlene’s just said. The light catches the curve of his cheekbone, the slant of his smile. James’ heart does something strange in his chest.

How had he not noticed? How had he ever missed that Sirius Black is the most beautiful person he’s ever seen?

And more than that—Sirius is home. The one constant in a world that sometimes goes too fast.

James crosses the room quickly, pulse racing.

“Sirius,” he says, voice steady despite himself.

Sirius looks up, opens his mouth to greet him, but James doesn’t waste any time. He reaches out, grabs the front of Sirius’ jumper, and pulls him upright.

And then he kisses him.

Gasps ripple through the room, but James hears nothing past the rush in his ears. Sirius is still, and then he’s kissing him back, hands sliding to his waist like they’ve done it a thousand times. When they break apart, Sirius is blinking fast.

“What in Merlin’s name happened with Lily?” he asks, dazed and a little breathless.

“I just realised that I love you,” James says, voice rough. “Not in the casual best mate kind of way. Not like a brother. I’m in love with you. I want to grow old with you. I want to wake up next to you every morning and complain about how you steal the blankets. I think I want to marry you someday.”

Sirius’ eyes are wide and dark. “You—you figured out that you love me, what, five minutes ago? And you immediately needed to tell me?”

James shrugs. “I think some part of me always knew, it just took me time to really figure it out.”

Sirius’ lips part. “Oh,” he says softly.

James is about to say more, but Sirius doesn’t let him.

He tugs James forward and kisses him again, hard and certain, before grabbing his hand and dragging him toward the staircase.

They don’t make it more than three steps before Sirius stops, cups James’ face with both hands, and kisses him again. And again. Slower this time, like he’s trying to memorise the shape of the moment.

“You mean it?” he whispers against James’ lips.

James nods. “You know I do.”

And Sirius—wild, wonderful, perfect Sirius—laughs, giddy, and pulls him the rest of the way upstairs.

It’s always been him.

And now James finally sees it.

[rebelliousstories]

Resolutions

New Year/New Fics

Relationship: Eddie Brock/Venom x Reader

Fandom: Marvel

Request: No

Warnings: Fluff

Word Count: 1,182

Main Masterlist: Here

Marvel Masterlist: Here

Summary: A new year draws near, and thus the traditions of resolutions that they now have to explain the concept of to an alien.

Consider Donating: Here

“Eddie, what are we doing?” A growl voice interrupted the man who was currently searching for… something. Even the symbiote who was in his thoughts did not know.

“Tryin’ to find a notepad. I’ve gotta have one left over that I can use.” Eddie muttered, shuffling things around.

“Why do you need a notepad, Eddie? What do you need to write down that I can’t remember?” He asked, staying inside for right now.

“Makin’ New Year’s resolutions with the girl today. That’s what we wanted to do, is write them down together. Aha!” After what seemed like forever, Eddie grabbed a random writing pad that was buried under various articles and papers on his desk. Spending another minute, he also found a pen for himself, and set both objects on the coffee table to use later.

Brock busied himself for the next few minutes making sure the dinner he made was ready for when she got to his apartment. Just a simple dinner of a frozen pizza, some hard ciders since he knew she did not like drinking beer, and a chocolate cake from the diner down the block for dessert. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, but he was still getting the pizza out of the oven. However, that was unacceptable for the alien.

“Eddie!” Venom cheered, taking control to drag him to the door. In the process, he dropped the pan with the pizza on it, sending it plummeting to the floor. But inky black tendrils shot out from his back to save the delicious food before it could be ruined. “It’s not nice to keep the lady waiting.”

“Yeah, well, if you would have let me finish putting the pan on the counter, I’d be doing this myself,” Eddie snipped, not even fighting against it. Venom decided that he was going to open the door first, because another tendril zoomed forward to wrap around the knob.

How one could be so beautiful, Eddie would never understand. But the answer was right in front of him. She was just dressed in a simple t-shirt, with a leather motorcycle jacket, boots and jeans, but it was still the most gorgeous thing he had ever seen. In her hands, her motorcycle helmet that was decked out in a stunning electric blue color scheme with an owl.

“Eds, hey baby.” Stepping into his apartment, she dumped her helmet on the floor near the door as she wrapped her arms around him. Sighing, the man pressed his cheek onto the top of her head before pressing a kiss there.

“Hey, gorgeous. Missed ya.” He whispered, pulling away just a bit. Being able to take in her features, he was absolutely floored that someone like her was with someone like him.

“Missed you too, Eddie. I-” a loud crash cut her off. The sound of a pan hitting the floor made both humans look at each other. One of them was trying not to laugh, the other was trying to control his annoyance.

“Is that-” she began to ask.

“Yep. You wanna come out buddy?” No sooner had he said that, the black symbiote appeared from his left shoulder.

“Hey, V.” She giggled, rubbing the top of his head like you would a dog.

“Hello, pretty lady. I am so glad that you are here. Eddie says that you are doing something for the new year tonight.” He stated in that gravely voice of his. Eddie chose that moment to usher her into the kitchen while he assessed the damage his friend left.

Thankfully it was not much, the pizza was cut questionably on the countertop, but it was all there. Only the pan and some crumbs were on the floor, to which he groaned as he bent over. Hearing his girlfriend giggle behind him, Brock shot her a playful glare as he stood back up.

“Don’t wanna hear it, doll.” Pressing a hand to his back, Eddie shook his head as he heard more giggles.

“Anyways, as I was saying, V. Yeah, we’re gonna have a quiet little date night in and write down our New Year’s resolutions while we’re at it.” She continued, leaning against the island in the middle of the kitchen.

“And what do you do with these resolutions?” Venom questioned, still starring at her.

“Well, you try to keep to them for the coming year. Usually it’s things like losing weight, reading a certain number of books, or even picking up a new hobby.”

Plating their food, Eddie put his left hand on her back as the right held the tray. Making it over to the couch, he sunk down into the cushions, set the food on the table, and grabbed his girlfriend’s hips. In an instant, she was yanked down onto his own lap, as Eddie finally got the chance to hold her properly. Nuzzling his face into her neck, he was delighted to hear her giggles as his two day old scruff tickled her skin.

Sighing into his hair, she felt herself relax. “What do you want to do next year?”

“Already starting, huh?” He teased, pulling back just a bit to look at her soft features.

“Well, considering the big guy still over your shoulder… yes.” With a groan, Eddie looked at his alien friend, who was smiling widely with those insanely sharp teeth of his.

“I would like to make my own resolutions, Eddie.” He growled, grabbing for the pen and paper blindly. After he got it, he was scribbling something down, and then passing it to the woman. Honestly, the fact that it was even legible was impressive.

“‘Eat more bad guy brains.’ V, these are supposed to be things that better you.”

“It does. Makes me calmer and nicer. Plus, less bad guys to do bad guy things.” Venom tried to justify it, smiling with all those teeth.

Rolling her eyes, she smirked as she wrapped her arms around Eddie’s neck, carefully avoiding where Venom connected to the man. “What about you, Eds? You never answered me.”

He thought for a minute, truly wondering what he wanted to do to better himself in the coming year. “Maybe start that series that I wanted to. Something we could do together? What about you?”

“I’d like to get back into painting. That was always something that relaxed me. I miss it a lot.” She shrugged casually.

“I remember seeing those works from when you were a teenager. You should definitely do that.” Eddie kissed her nose.

“Anything else,” came her ask as she pressed her face into his neck.

“No. We can’t write these down later. Let’s just enjoy ourselves for a minute.” Eddie sighed, starting up a movie for them.

“Okay. Tuck inside, V. You can come back out later.” Her words made the symbiote disappear, thankfully, without a fight.

As they sat there on the couch, Eddie realized that he was going to have to be a bit sneaky with one of his resolutions. The ring box that it went along with was being hidden; so why should not the resolution be?

[thelov3lybookworm]

Remember Me? (Part 14)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13

Summary: Under the Mountain, Y/n met the High Lord of the Night Court, Rhysand. She was scared of him, but soon she found out that he wasn't who he pretended to be. Despite her efforts at not falling in love with him, she fails. It's not that bad as he loves her back.

But now he's gone, and she's left alone with nothing.

Except for a very adorable reminder of him.

•○●⛦●○•

Tw: secret pregnancy, none more that I can think of, so let me know if I need to add anything.

A/n: (￣y▽￣)╭ Ohohoho.....

thats all i got to say

(also, consider this a peace offering after the cliffhanger of the previous part 😏)

enjoy!

•○🌑○•

"What do you mean you can't find Nyx?" Eris questioned, stepping forward to address Feyre properly while Y/n simply stared at her.

"He- he was with me in my room. But then I got up to wash my hands because there was paint on them, and when I returned, he was nowhere to be seen."

"Did you ask his maid?"

"Yes. She has not seen him since after she left him with me." Feyre glanced at Y/n with tears in her eyes, her lower lip wobbling.

Y/n reached out, tugging Feyre into a hug. The moment Feyre's head made contact with Y/n's shoulder, her tears began flowing.

Y/n felt numb, her worries raging in the back of her mind. There was only questions swirling through her head, and the answer to all those question echoing in her head.

What if it is Rhys? What if her somehow broke through the wards? Is he here to take Nyx away for some sick scheme of his?

And as she pondered about the situation, she became all the more confident in her answer.

I will go with him. Offer myself up so he would let Nyx go.

After all, it was her own fault that Feyre and Nyx's life had been ruined. If she had not went to Velaris, everyone would have been living happily.

She could not take Fin with her, but she was sure Eris would take care of him.

"Everything will be fine, Feyre. I will send out as many guards as it takes to search for him. I'm sure he will be found. Maybe he has only gone wandering into a nearby forest."

Feyre sniffled against Y/n, and that brought her back to the present.

Before Y/n could reassure Feyre too, two thuds sounded. And, turning her head to look, she found herself staring at two Illyrians and a female, all staring wide eyed at the scene before them.

Y/n's brows furrowed before she realised that these people were a part of the Night Court.

She swallowed, rubbing Feyre's back.

"Feyre?" The blonde female spoke up, causing Feyre to startle and glance up. Whatever colour was left on her face drained, and she glanced around, probably thinking of a way to escape.

When she found nothing, she turned back to the three people, offering something that looked more like a grimace than a smile.

"Hello." Feyre fiddled with her fingers, doing everything to not meet their eyes.

"Why?" It was the one with red gems adorning his form that spoke up, emotion evident in his voice.

Feyre sighed, opening her mouth to speak, but before she could, the other Illyrian, who had blue gems on his form, advanced menacingly.

He made his way straight towards Eris, and, panicked, Y/n wrapped her hand around Eris's bicep and pulled him closer. She did not know what she was hoping it would do to help, but at least it calmed her down.

And it also made the illyrian slow down a little, even though his eyes looked murderous.

"Why did you bring her here? So you could-"

"Azriel." Feyre called, stopping the male from advancing further. He turned to glance at her.

"I... I came of my own free will."

"But why?" Cried the blonde female.

Feyre rubbed her temples. "I will tell you, but not now. After the meeting. I will tell you all of what happened."

The other Illyrian, the one with the red gems, took a few steps forward to engulf Feyre in a hug. "It's okay. You can tell us whenever you feel comfortable."

"Thank you, Cassian."

The illyrian whose name was Azriel nodded, and the blonde woman looked away, but not before Y/n spied tears in her eyes.

She felt bad for them, as Feyre had been their family and they had been left in the dark for so long.

Feyre pulled back from the hug as if she remembered something. "Please don't tell Rhys where I am."

Everyone nodded, before Cassian grinned.

"So. Where is my nephew?"

A new rush of tears flooded Feyre's eyes.

"He is missing. I was trying to search for him just before you showed up."

The smile dropped from Cassian's face, and he turned to look at Azriel.

And then, a sound that had everyone going rigid and sighing in relief at the same time came from outside the huge doors, and both Fere and Y/n rushed forward.

And there, sat on a golden beast's head, was a giggling Nyx.

•○🌑○•

General Taglist: @bubybubsters @eos-princess @nightless @harrystylesfan2686 @cassie6392

Eris Taglist: @kennedy-brooke @hnyclover @minnieoo @sidrapotter @tele86

Remember me Taglist: @holb32 @awoa1 @cleverzonkwombatsludge @luvmoo @we-were-beautiful @eerievixen @zoe2 @fussel9913 @j-pendragonx @thesnugglingduck @jesssicapaniagua @devilsnightz @esposadomd @littleffawn @mandowhatnow @bubybubsters @eos-princess @nightless @bigcreatorwombatdreamer @princesslolaasworld @asemkta @cat-or-kitten @txzii @bunnyredgirl @theofficialmadman @leeknows-wife @aria-chikage @amygdtjhddzvb @azriels-mate123 @inky-clover @kemillyfreitas @12358 @justdreamstars @cuethedepession @princessvesta @fides25 @nocasdatsgay @acourtofbatboydreams @stained-glass-eyes0708 @glaciuswduo @wallacewillow0773638 @cassie6392 @quackitysdrugdealer @txzii @anuttellaa @coisas-da-dani @hnyclover @sassyslytherinshai @historygeekqueen @why4anne @mybestfriendmademe @going-through-shit @thisblogisaboutabook @thehighlordishere

[theetherealbloom]

AS GOOD A REASON - CH. 7 | OBERYN MARTELL

Chapter Seven: I Vowed I Would Always Be Yours 

Summary: You, who has made it her life's work to get retribution on those who mistreated and harassed you when you were a child. The scars on your body are a physical reminder of the suffering you endured at the hands of abusers, and they also provide the fuel for your years-long quest for retribution.

Paring: Oberyn Martell x Fem!Reader

Warnings: 18+ MDNI DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT, MINORS GO AWAY, GoT is full of serious and harmful topics, mentions of SA, Rape (not the reader), Murder, Violence, Gore, War, Poison, Scars, Burns, Scratching, Attempted Su!c!de, Idealization of Su!c!de, AU, Age–Gap Romance, Angst, FLUFF, SMUT, Swearing, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Crying, Suggestive content, Flirting, Blood, War, Religion References, Nudity, Domestic Abuse, Incest, Prostitution, Weapons, Fire, Horror, Character Deaths, Rewrite Alternate Universe, Sex, Alcohol, Revenge, Panic Attacks, Anxiety Attack, Insecurities,

Word Count: 7.5k

A/N: Canonically, I know the Sand Snakes are in the Water Gardens, but I decided to go with what @forever-rogue did which is make ‘em stay at Hellholt. So shout out to her for being an incredible writer and one of the people who inspired me to gather my courage to write my own Oberyn fic. GO READ HER STUFF! Anyways, here we are, this is where I am literally in uncharted territories and have no script to go off from lmao. The next chapters of this fic are less conflict-focused and more romance-focused, and from here on out everything is almost canon-divergent hehe. It’s safe to expect that things will spice up from here! Lastly, I made the gif myself lmao. I’m lowkey proud of myself for that heheheh

Side note: I’m dyslexic and English isn’t my first language! So I apologize in advance for the spelling and/or grammatical errors. As always, reblogs, comments, and likes are always appreciated. Thank you and happy reading!

Song: The Great War by Taylor Swift

Previous Chapter → Next Chapter | Series Masterlist | Main Masterlist

A FEW DAYS LATER...  

KING'S LANDING, RED KEEP — NIGHT

The Red Keep’s halls felt different now, the tension from the trial lingering in the air like a suffocating cloud. You had been busy—preparing, strategizing, making sure every piece of the plan to take down Lord Tywin was in place. Yet, in the quiet moments between schemes, your mind drifted to Oberyn. You hadn’t seen him since you left that note by the ocean, but every day, you wondered if he still waited for you.

You step into the cool night air near the docks, the moonlight bathing everything in silver. The wine bottle feels heavy in your hand as you make your way to the familiar spot. And there he is, just as you hoped, standing by the water’s edge, his eyes scanning the horizon as if searching for something—or someone.

“I brought wine.” Your voice breaks the silence, and Oberyn turns. His gaze locks onto you, and in that moment, you see it all—the pain, the confusion, the anger, and the relief. He had been waiting, even though he had every reason to walk away.

“You…” he begins, his voice rough as if words are failing him. “You’re here.” He takes a small step forward, the moonlight catching the tears threatening to fall from his eyes. “How could you? You left me... Do you know how much I’ve—"

You interrupt him gently, your heart in your throat. “I’ve missed you.”

He stops, the burden of your words hanging between you. His voice cracks when he asks, “Then why did you leave me again?”

You take a step closer, the scent of the sea mixing with the faint spice of Dornish air. “Maybe... maybe it was out of love, not revenge.”

Oberyn’s shoulders tense, his jaw clenching as he wipes at the tears staining his cheeks. “Love? You call it love when you disappear, when you leave me with nothing but ghosts to hold onto?”

His words slice through you, but you force yourself to hold his gaze. “I had to go. There’s something more important than just us. Tyrion… he needs me. And so do you. I wasn’t running away—I was preparing. We’re going to take down Lord Tywin.”

Oberyn’s eyes widen slightly, the mention of Tyrion and Tywin pulling him from his anger. “You’ve been planning with him… to destroy Tywin?”

You nod, stepping even closer now. “I’ve been preparing to help. To take down the man who’s done so much harm to both of us.”

He stares at you, the anger fading into something softer, something broken. “I haven’t been well,” he admits, his voice barely above a whisper. “My revenge didn’t go as I planned. Nothing has.”

You take the final step, your bodies almost touching. “Then maybe you need a tutor,” you say softly, brushing your fingers along his cheek. “Would you like me to give you lessons… in revenge?”

Oberyn closes his eyes at your touch, his breath shaky as he leans into your hand. “And what will you teach me?”

You smile faintly, leaning in until your lips are just a breath away from his. “I’ll be your headsman now. I’ll be your missing piece. Tell me… who do you want me to kill first?”

His eyes open, dark and full of something raw, something desperate. And then, without another word, he pulls you to him, capturing your lips in a kiss that’s fierce, hungry, and full of all the emotions he’s been holding back.

The bottle of wine slips from your hand, forgotten, as you lose yourself in him.

KING'S LANDING, RED KEEP — DAY

The Red Keep had become a hollow shell of what it once was. Tyrion was free, but you knew the fight was far from over. Tywin will soon be gone, and the balance of power will shift, but vengeance was still afoot—Tyrion’s sights are set on Cersei and those who had wronged him. A storm was brewing, and you had no place in it.

Standing by the window of your chambers, you looked out over the sprawling city. King’s Landing was a place of betrayal, lies, and the shadows of your past. There was no life for you here, not anymore. You had done what you came to do—the Mountain was dead, and the world was changing, but it wasn’t enough to erase the scars of what had been done to you.

The sun was warm on your face as you began to pack your things, carefully folding your clothes into a simple satchel. The room felt emptier now, as if it knew you wouldn’t be returning. The last few days had been a whirlwind of plans and goodbyes, but one task remained, one ghost that needed to be laid to rest before you left this cursed city.

Reaching into the drawer, your fingers brushed against the coarse fabric of a familiar dress. The one you wore the day Elia Martell was murdered. The day the Mountain had ravaged and destroyed her, leaving you burned and scarred as you tried to escape his cruelty. The sight of it brought a flood of memories that sent a sharp pain through your chest. You lifted the dress carefully, the fabric still stained with blood and soot.

You let out a shaky breath, tears stinging your eyes, the one thing you couldn’t bring yourself to burn. The pain of that day still lingered like a specter. But as you examined the dress, you felt something crinkle inside. Frowning, you reached into a hidden pocket you had never noticed before. Your fingers closed around something small and fragile—a letter.

Confusion filled you. How had you never seen this? The fabric had been untouched for years. Carefully, you unfolded the parchment, your heart pounding as you saw the handwriting. Elia’s.

The ink had faded, but the words were still legible. They hit you like a dagger to the chest.

"My dearest friend,  

If you find this, the worst has come. I beg you, do not stay in King’s Landing. Flee. Run far from Maegor’s Holdfast, away from the fighting, away from the horror that is to come. Go to Dorne, to my brothers, Oberyn and Doran. Tell them I love them, that I wished for a different end. I should have sent you sooner, but now you must go, for my sake. Please… live."

Your fingers trembled as you held the letter, your breath caught in your throat. Eighteen years. Eighteen long years, and all this time, this letter had been here, untouched. Elia had tried to save you, to send you to her brothers, to Dorne. Your chest tightened with grief and regret. If only you had found this sooner, maybe everything would have been different. 

As you sat on the edge of your bed, clutching the letter to your chest, there was a soft knock at the door. You wiped your eyes quickly and stood as Oberyn entered the room.

His eyes immediately went to the letter in your hand. He stepped closer, his expression softening with concern. “What’s that?”

You handed it to him, your voice barely above a whisper. “It’s from Elia.”

Oberyn’s brow furrowed as he took the letter, his gaze scanning the words. His expression hardened, a storm of emotions flashing in his eyes—grief, love, guilt. “She wanted you to go to Dorne,” he murmured. “She tried to protect you.”

Tears welled up in your eyes as you nodded. “I never found it. All these years, it was here, and I… I thought I had been abandoned. But Elia… she never forgot me.”

Oberyn exhaled, his jaw tightening as he folded the letter carefully. His voice was thick with emotion. “My sister loved you. She always spoke of you, even in her final days. If she had known what was coming, she would have done anything to save you.”

You swallowed the lump in your throat, feeling the significance of Elia’s words. “There was a time,” you whispered, “when I thought… ‘What if someone had tried to help me?’ Now I finally realize that there were good grown-ups around me, too. Friends, weather, and divine intervention, too. Now I know… she did.”

Oberyn’s hand found yours, his grip firm but gentle. “Come with me,” he said softly, his eyes meeting yours with quiet intensity. “To Dorne. Come home with me. Meet my brother Doran, my daughters. Elia would’ve wanted you to see Dorne for all its beauty, for all it has to offer.”

Your heart ached at his words. Dorne had always been a place of legend in your mind, a distant dream. But now, with Oberyn standing before you, offering you the chance to finally belong, to heal, it felt like a promise of something new.

You took a deep breath, looking up at him. “Do you really think… Elia would’ve wanted me there?”

Oberyn smiled, a soft, genuine smile that reached his eyes. “I know she would. She always said you belonged in Dorne. She wanted you to be safe, to be loved. Let me show you the home she wanted for you.”

You nodded slowly, your voice barely above a whisper. “Okay. I’ll come with you.”

KING’S LANDING, RED KEEP — LATER

The streets of King’s Landing were buzzing with whispers, like restless birds flocking above the ashes of a great fire. The once-powerful Lannister name now seemed vulnerable, as enemies crept from the shadows, eager to seize their chance.

You walked through the Red Keep for what would be the last time, your footsteps echoing off the cold stone walls. This place had never felt like home. It had always been a battlefield, not only in the physical sense but also in the games of politics and survival. You had played your part, avenging the wrongs that haunted your past. The poison Oberyn had carefully crafted for Lord Tywin will take effect soon. There was nothing left for you here. Still, there were those you needed to say goodbye to.

Your first stop was the docks. The salty breeze off Blackwater Bay tugged at your hair as you approached Serena, your faithful friend. She stood by the ship that would take her to Braavos, her belongings already packed and loaded onto the vessel.

When she saw you, her face softened, and she opened her arms. Without a word, you embraced her, the warmth of her body grounding you for a moment in the chaos of the day.

“I don’t know how to thank you,” you whispered, holding her tightly. “For everything. You’ve been my strength through all of this.”

Serena smiled, pulling back slightly to look at you. Her eyes, filled with wisdom and compassion, glistened under the light of the setting sun. “You don’t owe me anything. You’ve done enough, more than enough. It’s time for you to find your own peace now.”

You swallowed the lump in your throat, knowing that her words were true, but still, the thought of leaving her behind stung. “I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me,” you said softly, your voice breaking just a little.

She placed a gentle hand on your cheek. “And I’ll never forget you, my friend. Now go, before I start crying and embarrass myself.”

You both laughed softly, but the sadness lingered as you stepped back, giving her one last look before you left her there.

Your next farewell came in the shadowy corridors of the Red Keep. It was a place where you'd experienced both the highest stakes and the deepest betrayals, and now you were ready to sever your ties. You passed through the halls, not lingering any longer than necessary, your thoughts already drifting far away from this pit of liars.

First, you came across Tyrion, who was standing with a small, satisfied smile on his face despite everything. His recent freedom hadn’t come without cost, but his fight was far from over. He would carry on, and you respected that.

When he noticed you, his smile faltered, turning thoughtful as he stepped closer. “I owe you my life,” he said with a slight incline of his head. “Not many would have risked what you did.”

You offered him a small, bittersweet smile. “It wasn’t for you, Tyrion. But I’m glad you’re free. You deserve better than this place.”

Tyrion’s eyes softened with understanding. “And you deserve peace, wherever you find it.”

You nodded, knowing you would never forget the strange bond you had formed with him in these dark times. “Goodbye, Tyrion. May your revenge taste sweeter than mine.”

With that, you turned away, leaving behind the one Lannister you could stomach. But there was still one more encounter you couldn’t avoid.

---

Jaime Lannister was waiting, his golden hand resting on the pommel of his sword as he leaned against the stone wall, his gaze distant as he stared out over the courtyard. You approached him, your steps measured, your face set in a cool, unreadable expression.

When he noticed you, Jaime stood straighter, his eyes flicking to yours. There was no warmth between you, only an understanding born from the knowledge of who you both were—survivors of a cruel world, playing your roles as best you could.

“I never liked you,” you said bluntly, not bothering to soften your words. “You aren’t a good man, but you never pretended to be. I can respect that.”

Jaime raised an eyebrow, a flicker of something like amusement passing over his features. “And here I thought we were going to end things on a high note.”

You smirked slightly, but there was no real humor in it. “You care for your family. That much I understand. But don’t mistake that for forgiveness.”

Jaime’s face darkened, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he nodded once, a quiet acceptance of your judgment. “I don’t expect forgiveness,” he said quietly. “Only survival.”

With that, you turned on your heel and left the Red Keep behind, feeling the weight of years of pain and bitterness slowly begin to lift from your shoulders as the doors closed behind you.

DORNE — DAY

The journey to Dorne was unlike anything you had imagined. As the landscape changed from the cold, rigid greys of King’s Landing to the warmth of Dorne, it felt as if the world itself was breathing for the first time. The golden sun bathed the rolling hills, turning the sand into rivers of light. Every breath you took felt lighter, cleaner, as if the air here was different. It smelled of spices and sea salt, a stark contrast to the rot and soot of the capital. The vibrant hues of the desert, the deep oranges and reds, made you feel alive in a way you hadn’t felt in years.

Oberyn rode beside you, silent but ever-present. His gaze lingered on you, watching as you took in the beauty of his homeland. There was an unspoken understanding between you. He had given you the space to process this new world, but you could feel his desire to share it with you. 

When the sun began its descent, casting the sky in fiery shades of red and gold, he finally broke the silence. “This is your home now,” he said softly, his voice carrying a warmth that mirrored the setting sun. “Elia would have wanted this for you—for you to find peace, to live freely.”

His words hit you with a force you hadn’t expected. The weight of everything you’d left behind—the pain, the anger, the scars—began to lift, if only just a little. You looked out at the expanse of land before you, the endless stretch of desert that seemed to go on forever, and felt tears prick your eyes. “It’s… beautiful,” you whispered, your voice trembling with emotion. “I can’t believe I waited so long to come here.”

Oberyn reached over, taking your hand in his, his touch grounding you. “You’re here now,” he murmured, his thumb brushing lightly over your knuckles. “That’s what matters.”

As you reached Hellholt, Ellaria’s ancestral home, the grandeur of the sandstone fortress took your breath away. The open courtyard buzzed with life as her daughters ran about, their laughter filling the air like music. You could see how much they took after their mother, fierce and unyielding, yet full of life.

Ellaria greeted you with a quiet smile, her arms wrapping around you in a hug that felt softer than you expected. The tension between you two still lingered, the unspoken feelings surrounding Oberyn’s love for you hanging heavy in the air, but there was something close to peace in her embrace.

“You’ll look after him, won’t you?” she asked, her voice low and serious as she pulled away, her eyes locking onto yours. “Oberyn means well, but sometimes… he needs someone to steady him.”

You gave her a nod, offering a reassuring smile. “I will. And we’ll visit when we can.”

Ellaria stepped back to her daughters, but not without one last glance at you—an acknowledgment that perhaps, in time, the strangeness between you two might fade. Oberyn, watching from a distance, caught your eye and smiled, pride and affection shining in his gaze.

The next morning, you and Oberyn departed Hellholt, the sound of Ellaria’s daughters’ laughter fading as you rode further into Dorne’s heart. The heat of the day settled into your skin, and as the sun rose higher, Oberyn kept you close, ensuring you were comfortable, taking every opportunity to steal a kiss or brush his fingers along your arm.

DORNE, SUNSPEAR — DAY

When you finally arrived in Sunspear, the capital of Dorne, it was as though you had entered a dream. The towering spires of the palace loomed in the distance, and the city itself was bustling with life—merchants, nobles, and commoners alike filling the streets with vibrant colors and spirited conversations. The air was filled with the scent of oranges and spices, carried on the wind from the sea.

Oberyn stopped his horse and looked at you, his expression softening as he took in the sight of you against the backdrop of his homeland. “We’re home,” he said, his voice full of tenderness.

You turned to him, your heart swelling. There was something about the way he said it that made everything feel right. Home. This place—Dorne—had always been where you were meant to be, even if it had taken years to find your way here.

Oberyn dismounted and came to your side, helping you down. As your feet touched the warm sand, he cupped your face in his hands, his thumb gently brushing your cheek. “Elia would have wanted you to see this,” he whispered. “To be part of this life. She always believed Dorne had a way of healing the soul.”

Tears welled in your eyes as you looked at him, the love in his gaze overwhelming. “I wish she could be here,” you murmured, your voice breaking.

Oberyn smiled, though there was a sadness in it. “She is. In every sunset, in every breeze, Elia is here.”

Oberyn gathered you in his arms, “She loved you,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “And I love you. You belong here—with me.”

The two of you stood there, the sun setting over the sea, casting long shadows over the sand. And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, you knew that you were exactly where you were meant to be.

Home.

WATER GARDENS, DORNE — NOON

The gates of Sunspear opened before you, and the sight that greeted you was nothing short of breathtaking. The Water Gardens, the beloved retreat of House Martell, stretched out in all directions, a vision of tranquility and beauty. Lush greenery surrounded shimmering pools of water, each reflecting the clear blue sky above. The gardens were dotted with fountains, their soft trickling filling the air with a soothing melody. Vibrant flowers, rich in color, bloomed along the pathways, their petals swaying gently in the warm breeze. It was a stark contrast to the harsh, grey stone of King’s Landing, and you couldn’t help but pause, your breath catching in your throat as you took it all in. None of these walls are stained by hatred. How strange this all is.

Life, which had once felt so rigid and colorless, suddenly seemed full of possibility. The villas, painted in shades of orange, red, and gold, stood proudly against the sunlit sky, their terracotta roofs blending with the desert landscape. Everything felt so alive, bursting with color. The black-and-white certainty that had governed your thoughts for so long seemed to dissolve under the warmth of the Dornish sun.

The servants welcomed you and Oberyn with gracious bows and smiles. You felt a bit stiff, your body hesitant and unsure in the face of such warmth. You weren’t used to this—being at the center of attention. The greetings felt too much, the eyes on you too kind, and your fingers twitched nervously at your sides as you forced a small smile. The heat, blistering and unrelenting, pressed against your skin, a far cry from the cooler climate of the North. You tugged at the sleeves of your long gown, grateful for the cover. The thought of your scars made your stomach turn. It wasn’t your discomfort you feared, but their own. You weren’t ready to expose that part of yourself, not yet.

Oberyn seemed to sense your unease. He reached for your hand as he led you through the gardens toward the palace. “Dorne welcomes you,” he said softly, his voice a balm to your nerves. “There is no need for hesitation here. You are among friends.”

Ahead, on a shaded terrace overlooking the Water Gardens, Prince Doran awaited you. He sat in a grand chair, his posture regal despite the illness that clearly weighed on him. Beside him stood Areo Hotah, his loyal captain, ever watchful with his towering figure and unyielding gaze.

Oberyn introduced you, his voice full of pride as he presented you to his elder brother. “This is the one I spoke of,” Oberyn said, his eyes flicking to you with a tender smile. “She has traveled far to be here, and Dorne will be better for her presence.”

You stepped forward, ready to bow in respect, but Oberyn’s hand shot out, gently stopping you. “We don’t bow in Dorne,” he whispered with a chuckle, leaning in close. “Not unless you want to draw more attention to yourself.”

Your face heated up immediately, a wave of embarrassment washing over you. “Oh,” you murmured softly, feeling the eyes of both princes on you.

Prince Doran, however, only smiled warmly. “No need to worry,” he said kindly, his voice gentle despite the weariness in it. “We are not as formal as they are in the North. How was your journey?”

You composed yourself, offering a small, grateful smile. “The journey went well, Your Grace. Thank you for allowing me to come to Dorne… I only hope to be of use. I can work—”

“No,” Doran interrupted softly but firmly, shaking his head. “You have been through more than anyone should. You will not serve us. For the rest of your days, you will be treated with the respect you deserve. You will live here, in the palace, as one of our own.”

Your heart swelled at his words, but there was a heaviness that lingered in your chest. The kindness overwhelmed you. It felt like too much, like you didn’t deserve it. You glanced at Oberyn, who gave you a reassuring nod, his hand brushing against your arm in silent support.

You mustered a sad smile, trying to push away the guilt. “Thank you, Your Grace. Princess Elia… she was always so kind to me. I remember her laughter, her warmth… she made everything brighter, even when the world was falling apart.” The memory of Elia’s voice rang in your ears, and your chest tightened.

Doran’s eyes filled with unshed tears at the mention of his sister, and his voice trembled as he replied, “Thank you for remembering her.” He took a breath, blinking back his sorrow. “It is a gift that you survived.”

The guilt washed over you again, an unwelcome tide. Survived. Sometimes you wondered why you had been spared when so many others had fallen. But there was no room for that thought now—not here.

Doran’s voice, steady once more, broke the silence. “We will provide you with everything you need—clothing, food, whatever it is. I’m sure the Northern attire will be quite stifling in our heat.”

You nodded, uncertain. The thought of changing into Dornish clothing, so light and revealing compared to what you were used to, made you uneasy. You would have to speak to Oberyn about it later, perhaps when you were alone, away from the formalities of the palace.

Just then, a woman approached you, bowing slightly. “I am your lady-in-waiting, my lady,” she said with a smile. “My name is Mirra.”

You nodded in acknowledgment, still adjusting to the sudden rush of new faces and titles. Before you could say anything, Oberyn turned to you, his grin full of mischief. “I have some matters to discuss with my brother,” he said, his hand slipping around your waist, drawing you closer to him. “But do not worry. I will make sure to join you for dinner later.” His eyes gleamed with amusement, and before you could respond, he leaned in and kissed you—right there, in front of Doran and Areo Hotah.

The warmth of his lips, the unexpected display of affection, left you completely caught off guard. Your body heated from head to toe, your thoughts spinning. It wasn’t just the kiss—it was the ease with which he did it, without a care for who was watching. You caught your breath as he pulled back, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction at your stunned reaction.

Doran merely chuckled softly from his chair, while you stood frozen in place, your heart racing. As Oberyn walked away, you realized one thing with absolute certainty: life in Dorne would be unlike anything you had ever known.

Mirra led you through the winding halls of the palace, her steps light and graceful, as if she had walked these paths her entire life. When she stopped before a large wooden door, you couldn’t help but feel a slight flutter in your chest. With a quiet smile, she pushed it open, revealing the grand quarters that would now be yours.

The room was breathtaking. Sunlight filtered through sheer curtains, casting a warm glow over everything. The bedroom was vast, far larger than anything you’d ever had before. A massive bed, draped in fine silks and adorned with pillows, took up the center of the room, its grand frame intricately carved with symbols of the sun and moon. The sheets were a deep, luxurious red, and you could already imagine how soft they would feel against your skin.

The walls were lined with vibrant tapestries, each telling stories of Dorne’s rich history, and the floor was covered in plush rugs that felt like clouds underfoot. A small table stood by the window, and on it, a pitcher of cool water with fresh fruit beside it, waiting for your return from the heat. Everything about this room spoke of comfort, of care, and luxury—things that had once felt so distant to you.

Mirra gestured toward a small chest at the foot of the bed. “They’ll bring your belongings soon, but for now, these were laid out for you.” She approached the chest and opened it, revealing several beautiful dresses, each more exquisite than the last. “Prince Oberyn thought you might like them. They’re light, perfect for our weather here in Dorne.”

You approached the chest cautiously, your fingers brushing over the fabric of the dresses. They were stunning—light, flowing pieces with intricate embroidery. Each was adorned with suns, crafted in gold thread that shimmered in the light. The colors were bold—reds, oranges, deep purples—celebrating the warmth of the Dornish sun. But as you lifted one of the gowns, your heart skipped. They were sleeveless, with daring necklines, designed to expose more skin than you were comfortable with.

You ran your fingers over the delicate fabric, feeling its softness. The dresses were stunning, yet the thought of wearing something so revealing made your chest tighten. It wasn’t the scars—they didn’t bother you, nor did the thought of people looking or asking questions. Those wounds had healed long ago, and their marks no longer held power over you. But here, in this new world of sun and beauty, the weight of something else pressed down on you.

It was the fear of embarrassing Oberyn. Standing beside him, so strong and proud, you couldn’t shake the feeling that, somehow, you might not belong here.

But you didn’t want to seem ungrateful, not after Oberyn had gone out of his way to choose something for you. You swallowed your discomfort, forcing a smile. “They’re beautiful.”

Mirra watched you carefully, her kind eyes noticing your hesitation. “Prince Oberyn mentioned you two would be sharing these quarters,” she said gently, her voice soft. “But he also said that if you’re uncomfortable, he’d be more than khappy to stay in another room.”

Her words hit you like a wave, and for a moment, you froze. Sharing a room with Oberyn? The idea made your mind race. You weren’t sure if you were ready for that level of intimacy, not yet. The thought of sharing such close quarters with him both thrilled and terrified you. But you couldn’t bring yourself to say no, not after everything you’d both been through. Not after all the kindness he’d shown you. 

“It’s… fine,” you finally managed, your voice barely a whisper. “I’ll be fine.”

Mirra nodded with understanding, offering you a small, comforting smile. “I’ll have a bath drawn for you,” she said, moving toward the door. “I imagine the journey was rough. I’ll return shortly to fetch you.”

Left alone, you wandered to the large balcony that overlooked the Water Gardens. The doors were already open, and as you stepped out, the warmth of the afternoon sun kissed your skin. The view before you was nothing short of breathtaking. The sprawling gardens stretched out below, filled with vibrant colors of the season. In the distance, you could see the faint outline of Sunspear’s city walls, the rooftops glistening in the sun.

The sun was slowly setting, painting the sky with hues of pink, orange, and gold. The colors blended together, washing over the landscape in a way that made everything feel serene, almost otherworldly. For the first time in what felt like years, you allowed yourself to breathe deeply, the tension in your shoulders melting away under the warmth of the sun.

Standing there, feeling the soft breeze caress your skin, you closed your eyes and let the moment envelop you. The weight of your past, the pain, and the fear—it was still there, lurking in the corners of your mind. But here, in this moment, it felt distant. You’re no longer there anymore, you told yourself, the words settling over your heart like a protective shield. No matter how much they’ve tried to break you, you’ve survived. You’re not scared of them anymore.

A sense of peace washed over you as you stood on the balcony, watching the sun dip beneath the horizon. For the first time in years, it felt like time was moving forward. You were no longer bound to the memories that once weighed you down, no longer trapped in the shadows of what had been. Here in Dorne, with Oberyn by your side, things felt different. You felt different. The world was no longer just black and white—it was bursting with color, vibrant and alive, and you were beginning to learn how to embrace it.

The quiet knock at the door pulled you from your thoughts. Mirra stepped in, her soft smile welcoming as she said, "My lady, your bath is ready."

You nodded, following her through the grand room. The air was warm, scented with lavender and the faint salt of the sea, and as you stepped into the adjoining bath chamber, you couldn’t help but admire the elegance of it all. The tub was large, carved from marble, with steam rising gently from the water.

Mirra moved to help you undress, her hands reaching for the ties of your gown. But as her fingers brushed your back, you froze, the sudden contact pulling you from the moment. 

“No,” you said softly, your voice steady but firm. “I can take it from here.”

Mirra hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. “My lady?”

You offered her a small smile, your hand resting on hers to ease the tension. “Thank you, but I’ll manage.”

Her gaze lingered on you, a hint of concern in her eyes, but after a moment, she nodded, stepping back with a respectful bow. “Very well. I’ll leave you to it.”

Once she was gone, you stood for a moment, the room quiet except for the soft lapping of the water in the tub. Slowly, you undressed yourself, feeling the warmth of the bath beckoning you. When you finally stepped in, the water enveloped you, soothing every ache from the long journey.

You sank deeper into the bath, closing your eyes and letting the warmth relax your body. Here, alone, the weight of the world felt lighter. The tension you had carried for so long began to melt away, and for the first time in what felt like forever, you allowed yourself to simply be.

WATER GARDENS, DORNE — EVENING

The evening air was warm as you stepped onto the terrace of the Water Gardens, the scent of citrus trees and the distant sound of trickling water surrounding you. Lanterns, hung delicately along the stone pillars, cast a soft glow over the long table where a simple yet elegant feast was laid out. The sky above was painted in soft shades of twilight, a backdrop of deep purples and golds that felt as if it had been created just for this moment.

Your dress—a light, flowing piece with intricate suns embroidered along the edges—shifted with the breeze, reminding you of the delicate balance between feeling exposed and free. You hadn’t quite made peace with showing so much skin, but here in Dorne, no one seemed to care about scars or imperfections. And for once, it was your own hesitation, not the eyes of others, that left you feeling vulnerable.

Oberyn was already there, seated at the head of the table, his eyes finding yours the moment you appeared. A soft smile tugged at his lips, warmth radiating from him in a way that set you at ease. He rose to greet you, his presence commanding yet intimate, making the vast expanse of the terrace feel smaller, more personal.

“You look stunning,” he said, his voice carrying that familiar mix of charm and sincerity. He reached for your hand, brushing his lips against your knuckles in a way that sent a shiver down your spine. “Though I’m certain the gardens pale in comparison.”

You chuckled, trying to shake off the nerves that fluttered in your stomach. “I’m not sure I can compete with all this,” you gestured to the beauty surrounding you—the elegant table, the vibrant colors of the Water Gardens, the night sky overhead. “It’s like stepping into a dream.”

Oberyn’s smile widened as he pulled out a chair for you. “Then let’s make sure the dream is one you never want to wake from.”

As you sat, servants moved gracefully around you, pouring wine into delicate goblets and laying out platters of fruit, roasted meats, and bread still warm from the oven. You shifted in your seat, trying to absorb the sudden attention, feeling a little out of place despite Oberyn’s calming presence.

“Are you always treated like this?” you asked, glancing at him as one servant filled your cup.

“Only when I’m fortunate enough to be dining with such company,” Oberyn replied, his tone teasing. “Though I have a feeling you’ll soon grow used to the luxuries of Dorne.”

You smiled but couldn’t shake the underlying tension. “I’m not sure I ever will.”

Oberyn leaned in slightly, his eyes holding yours. “You don’t have to fit into any mold here. You’re not in King’s Landing anymore. You’re in Dorne, where people live as they are—unapologetically.”

There was something in his gaze that felt reassuring, a reminder that here, with him, you were free from the constraints of the past. You exhaled, the weight of the day lifting slightly from your shoulders.

The conversation between you and Oberyn flowed easily as the evening stretched on. The food was rich, the wine sweeter than anything you’d had in King’s Landing, and yet, despite the grandeur of it all, the simplicity of being in Oberyn’s company felt like the real gift. He spoke of Dorne with pride, recounting stories of its history, its people, and the beauty that stretched beyond the Water Gardens to the deserts and mountains.

“Tomorrow,” he said, his hand resting over yours, “I’ll take you to Sunspear. There is more for you to see, more than even the Water Gardens can offer.”

You smiled, feeling your heart swell with anticipation. “I look forward to it.”

As the night grew darker, and the lanterns flickered softly in the breeze, Oberyn leaned closer. “And tonight,” he whispered, “I’m just glad we’re finally here. Together.”

You couldn’t help but feel a warmth bloom inside you at his words. No matter the uncertainty of what lay ahead, tonight felt like the start of something new—something that didn’t need to be rushed or defined, just lived.

WATER GARDENS, DORNE — LATE NIGHT

The walk to your chambers felt surreal, the weight of the evening's intimacy lingering in the air between you and Oberyn. The stars above cast a silver glow on the winding paths of the Water Gardens, the cool breeze a welcome contrast to the warmth of his hand resting lightly on the small of your back. Each step brought you closer to the privacy of your shared quarters, and with it, the quiet flutter of nerves began to stir in your stomach.

You’d been in his presence for hours now, sharing a meal, stories, and laughter, yet the intimacy of entering a room together felt like crossing an invisible threshold. This was the moment where things might shift, where you couldn’t help but wonder if something was expected tonight.

As Oberyn opened the door to your chambers, the room beyond was as grand as you’d imagined—perhaps even more so. A massive bed with heavy, luxurious fabrics dominated the space, framed by stone walls adorned with intricate Dornish tapestries. The soft light of candles flickered across the room, casting warm, golden hues over everything. It was beautiful, intimate, a room meant for lovers.

Your heart raced as you stepped inside, your thoughts swirling as you tried to steady yourself. Oberyn, sensing your hesitation, moved behind you, his presence a steadying force. His fingers brushed your arm gently, grounding you in the moment.

“You’re nervous,” he said softly, his voice low and comforting.

You turned to face him, biting your lip as your gaze met his. “It’s just... I know you’re used to a certain lifestyle. I don’t want to... disappoint you.”

Oberyn’s brows lifted slightly, a flicker of surprise in his eyes before his expression softened. He reached for your hand, his thumb brushing over your knuckles in a soothing rhythm. “Disappoint me?” he repeated, his tone laced with disbelief. “Do you truly believe that?”

You shrugged, feeling a little foolish now, but the thought had gnawed at you since the moment you’d entered the room. “You’ve always been... free. With others. I just—what if I’m not ready tonight? Will you... find your needs somewhere else?”

A small smile curved his lips, and he stepped closer, his hand gently cupping your cheek. “I won’t lie to you,” he began, his voice a murmur, “I’ve lived my life enjoying pleasure wherever it could be found. But you...” His thumb traced the line of your jaw, sending a shiver down your spine. “With you, I am content to wait. Because when it happens, it will be passionate, raw, and it will be worth every second of restraint.”

His words were like a soothing balm to your nerves, each one sinking into you, wrapping around your fears and quieting them. There was no pressure, no expectation—only the promise of something real, something deeper than just the physical.

“I don’t want you to do anything until you’re ready,” he continued, his lips brushing the crown of your head. “Your consent is more important to me than anything. And if tonight is just us, here in this bed, holding each other, that is more than enough.”

You exhaled, a wave of relief washing over you. “I’ve never been with anyone like you,” you confessed quietly, your voice barely above a whisper.

Oberyn chuckled softly, his arms slipping around your waist and pulling you close. “That’s because there is no one like me,” he teased, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. His lips lingered there, warm and soft against your skin, and you leaned into him, feeling the tension leave your body.

He drew back just enough to look at you, his dark eyes searching yours. “But I promise you this—no matter how long it takes, no matter when you’re ready, I will wait for you. And when that moment comes, it will be ours.”

His sincerity left you breathless. Without thinking, you closed the distance between you, your lips brushing his in a tentative kiss. Oberyn responded instantly, his mouth moving against yours with a softness that made your heart flutter. His hand cradled the back of your head, deepening the kiss just enough to remind you of the passion that simmered beneath his calm exterior, but never pushing, never demanding more than what you offered.

You pulled back, breathless, your forehead resting against his as you smiled. “Thank you,” you whispered, your voice barely audible in the quiet room.

He kissed you again, slower this time, savoring the moment. “There is no need to thank me,” he murmured against your lips. “I told you, you’re in Dorne now. We take our time with everything worth savoring.”

A warmth bloomed inside you, a sense of peace and safety in his arms. You leaned into him, resting your head on his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath beneath your cheek.

“Let’s get some sleep,” Oberyn whispered, guiding you toward the bed. He pulled back the heavy covers, and you slipped beneath them, the cool fabric against your skin a welcome contrast to the heat that still lingered between you. He joined you, wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you close until your back was pressed to his chest, his body a comforting shield around you.

The last thing you remembered before sleep claimed you was the sound of Oberyn’s steady breathing and the warmth of his lips as he pressed one final kiss to your shoulder.

There's nothing that needs to happen tonight. You were exactly where you were meant to be.

TAGLIST:

@greenwitchfromthewoods @shessweetsour @christinamadsen

[kitchenisking]

Day 4

Seires Fic Rec part 14

Queer Your Coffee by alisvolatpropiis - (Queer Your Coffee) - (Rating: Not Rated, Words: 3,084, sterek)

Derek's just over the city line when he sees a sign for an independent drive-thru place, Full Spectrum Brew. There are three cars in line when he turns in, which annoys him but gives him hope. Not that he really trusts the people of Beacon Hills to have much taste when it comes to coffee (god, he is a snob), but the shop’s popularity does seem to bode well. The line of cars moves way more slowly than he’d like, each customer in front of him seeming to take way too long to order, and then lingering when they get their coffee. He’s irritable from lack of sleep and an even more detrimental lack of caffeine, anxious to get out of the car. Finally it’s his turn and he slowly rolls up to the window, turning the radio down.

For a second, he thinks he must have fallen asleep while he was waiting, because what he sees when he looks in the window surely must be a dream.

Stunning brown eyes like glowing honey and sweet little nose, slightly upturned; a shapely pink mouth, bottom-lip pierced by a thin black hoop that he's worrying with the tip of his tongue as he smiles a gorgeous hello.

He's the most beautiful man Derek's ever seen.

And he’s shirtless.

It's a Beautiful Night by khasael - (Hale and Hearty) - (Rating: T, Words: 2,887, sterek)

Just because they're all almost used to fighting against the Creature of the Week and assorted other Bad Guys, doesn't mean it doesn't get Stiles's heart rate going.

Dream a Little Dream by Yoiko - (A Little Dream of Me ) - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 1,101, sterek)

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. And since this is my dream you’re going to let me do it.”

All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man. by devilscut - (There are nights when the wolves are silent and the moon howls.) - (Rating: Mature, Words: 11,687, sterek)

A shell-shocked Stiles regroups with the pack to find his father who has been kidnapped by the Darach. Their search leads them to the Nematon, where their confrontation with the Darach reveals her plans and that there is more to being a True Alpha than they know. Derek and his family's legacy is at the heart of her schemes and when the Darach has him under her control Stiles begins to realise the extent of how much he really cares for the sourwolf. In true Scooby-doo fashion, the villain has told them of her plans but more shockingly to Stiles she also reveals a very important aspect of his and Derek's relationship.

The virtue of patience by nofeartina - (Patience) - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 11,827, sterek)

Stiles isn't afraid of admitting his feelings to Derek, but that doesn't mean that Derek wants to hear it. 

Or the one where Stiles knows that all good things come to those who wait.

I Feel Like You Can't Feel the Way I Feel by i_might_be_in_over_my_head - ( Einherjar MC ) - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 14,087, sterek)

“Fuckin A, dude! The last time you gave me that look I ended up in the woods in the middle of the night, lost my inhaler, and almost died. Please tell me why you’re always trying to get me killed?” Scott shook his head resigned. He knew Stiles was going in and nothing he could say would change that. “If we wake up dead tomorrow just remember this was your idea.”

Stiles threw his fist in the air enthusiastically, almost punching Scott in the face, and turned to the door. He knew if he didn’t go quick Scott would probably change his mind and he’d have to start all over. “Dude that was sophomore year of high school, let it go! Plus dead body! We had to go. We’ll just have a drink and check it out. It’ll be fun!”

fingertips have memories by thatworldinverted - (let's talk about sex ) - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 1,800, sterek)

Pochemuchka (Russian), noun: a person who asks a lot of questions. 

"I saw the way you watched me, when I was home last month. How long have you been dreaming about getting me on my knees?"

seems to me it's chemistry by HalfFizzbin - (covalent bonds) - (Rating: T, Words: 4,153, sterek)

Awkward Nerd Derek has been crushing on Handsome Jock Stiles since forever—so getting paired with him on a Chemistry project is definitely the best/worst thing that's ever happened to him.

These next two fics go hand in hand. 😇

The One with All the Kids by Itsreallyjustforresearch83 - (Rating: G, Words: 6,527, sterek)

Derek didn't know what he did to deserve to have this again. A house full of people, of family. He's going to be forever grateful to that rouge witch for what she did for him and Stiles, because after all the hurt they went through together, many years later, they're standing in the Pack house, in their house, surrounded by their family.

A New Hale by Itsreallyjustforresearch83 - (Rating: G, Words: 4,543, sterek)

The Pack meets the werewolf cub that Stiles and Derek gets placed with them on Christmas.

[madwomansapologist]

YOU LOVE BLOOD TOO MUCH (BUT NOT LIKE I DO)

★彡 synopsis: awakened in a new era, sukuna found endless opportunities to hurt and maim others. he also found you, a sorcerer with an ever-expading soul bonded to oaths of pacifism and self-control. allured by the strength you decided to hide, sukuna realized this era could be far more fascinating.

chapter five: know who to call or the one you tried to protect yuji itadori.

warnings: mei mei mentioned, ryomen sukuna, insane sorcerers + assistants.

word count: [1.7K]

kill count: [1]

“I’ll be away for a week”, Satoru repeated. “My flight is due tonight.”

Sunglasses on your nightstand, he stared at the ceiling and beyond. Your fingers grasping around the wooden box, a lost nightingale flying in circles above the training grounds, a pebble rolling down the mountain. He wished the world moved slower.

You stared at a new sash, prayers on emerald sewing line. A talisman whose sole purpose is to make you weaker. Wrapping it around your robe, you ignored the bittersweetness on your tongue. Fancy leash, Satoru said once. It was the truth, not that he had the right to say it out loud.

Restricted, you threw the old one away and ignored the hint of rottenness it left in the air. It took four days until your cursed energy drained the strength of Tengen’s limiting barrier. Back against the headboard, you tried to tuck strands of hair away from his eyes. Your fingers couldn’t quite reach him. It never stops you from trying, hoping one day to catch Satoru with his guards down.

A lifetime ago, he used to ask you to braid his hair. You don’t remember much from your childhood, but you remember his toothless smile. It makes you want to laugh. It’s been months since you’ve last touched Satoru, yet Shoko kicked him not a week ago. It wasn’t appropriate, so you suppressed the laughter.

“Itadori will be dead within a week”, you said. Someone had to. “Probably during a mission, definitely in his dorm if he survives the first attempt.”

When it comes to special grades, it has been just the two of you for a long time. No one expects Yuki to interfere, Okkotsu is a student still. When a special grade sorcerer is needed anywhere around the country, you are the one travelling. That’s how it has been since Satoru was nineteen, and you were a second-year student.

His presence alone is enough to keep the scum of Tokyo on check—be it curse, be it human.

“I could stay”, Satoru sighed. “Or make him travel with me. The three of them, so it looks like I’m teaching them. I would be, in a sense.”

“And it would only delay his death for another month a best.” An idea began to shape itself in the corners of your mind. Phone in hand, you searched through your contacts. “We need to avoid schemes permanently. A sign impossible to ignore.”

He chuckled. It echoed in your empty dorm. “What could make anyone forget about the King of Curses?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe if Itadori died and came back”, a smile spread across your face. You lay down, facing him. “If only every sorcerer was like Mei Mei. All we would need to do is give them money and the boy would live happily ever after.”

“Would she take the job of keeping him safe?”, Satoru asked. It surprised you to see he took your joke seriously. “We have more money than she knows. Who wouldn’t want to make a deal with the leaders of two clans?”

Mei Mei seeks good negotiations like a ravenous hound. Protection for the boy, and triple what anyone offers her that goes against this deal to do nothing but what they already pay her for. She can decide over the currency.

You know she would agree to that. As long as money is involved, there is little Mei Mei wouldn’t do. Even if money is involved, there is little she holds dear enough to offer unending loyalty.

“My mom is still alive”, you turned your phone towards him. Satoru opened his eyes, mockery almost palpable on his gaze. “And I expect the head of a clan to know better than trusting a fly to distinguish between shit and honey simply because you assume anyone would care about the difference.”

“And your genius plan to save Itadori permanently is trusting on him?” Satoru rolled his eyes. “How desperate. You’re running out of good ideas.”

“I don’t need to trust him”, you smirked—a bad habit you picked from him. “I surround myself with competent people. The sort of people that do their job and do it well for no other reason than someone having to. Those are people that you don’t need to trust, you simply need to know.”

You wanted to get a reaction out of him. Instead, your fingers brushed against his hair. “Yeah”, Satoru whispered. It was so soft. “I know one or two like that.”

--

It took the entire morning to organize everything. Each cursed tool had a document to be filled with your permission and a manager to download it into the new system—a slow process that made you regret voting on Ijichi’s suggestion to optimize the control of who is in possession of each weapon.

Satoru’s method is different, more direct than yours. He makes his students fight curses right away to test their capacities. To see if they’re crazy enough to survive this world. You rather start with the basics. After practicing with cursed tools, your next classes involve analyzing each of their techniques individually. Only then do you test them outside the school.

Your students will come back soon, and so will Satoru. There will be no opportunity for you to train those three as you desire, but you will do your best with the little time you have. Duels for now, then Satoru deals with the rest using his own crude ways.

Protected by trees, you waited for them with a book in your hands. It’s been a month since you got it from the campus library. You don’t have free time to sit down and read, so you bring it everywhere with you and hope to devour a few pages.

You were two lines in when the sky darkened. Moving onto the basketball court, you left it on a table and tried to reorganize all tools in the order you would use them. Satoru opened the door a couple minutes later, waving as his students walked inside.

“We just got back from a fancy restaurant”, Yuji stopped beside you. Eyes exploring all the tools in display, he handed you a warm lunch box. “I had to fight them not get you pasta, sensei. Your do rather fish, right?”

The frustration you accumulated vanished away. “You’re the best, Itadori.” Using all your determination, you put it aside to finish this lesson before eating. “Wait. How do you know that?”

Yuji grabbed your book, shrugging. “The Book of Odes”, he murmured. Flipping through the pages, his brows furrowed. “Are those poems?”

Dismantled, Yuji’s mimicry is empty. Acting on behalf of others, Yuji moves closer because he wants to understand them. He pays attention and gains nothing out of it. For such a short time together, Sukuna already knows everything there is to discover about Yuji and his unwavering humanity. He cannot stand it.

Openly weak, how could Sukuna not fantasize about the ways he could rip his soul apart? Sukuna plans to show the brat what knowing someone can get you. There is no doubt in his mind. Sukuna knows the body will be his, because he knows Yuji already accepted his fate is to die to protect others.

Sukuna is patient, waiting until his chance to show how different they both are. How guilty Yuji is simply by breathing still.

“Songs, odes, hymns. Few things interest me more than a warm meal and ancient poems. Outside of a good fight, but that’s obvious”, you said. Patting Yuji on the shoulder, you gestured towards the training mats. “Time to stretch.”

You took a spear from the table, absentmindedly training with it as you ordered the other two around. Yuji stood still, holding the book for a moment longer than he wanted to. Waiting for the pair of eyes moving beneath his own to disappear, he wondered if Sukuna had read it before.

You called it a classic. Could it be old enough to be known by him? Could it be something he loved? This book, poems or simply reading at all. Does Sukuna love anything besides violence? Because he must love violence. Itadori don’t think there is a way to do the same thing again and again without it being for love.

If he can love, is Sukuna that much of a curse? His words are sharp-edged, eyes curious at times he doesn’t expect. Poking inside Yuji to see if it hurts, Sukuna feels human. Cruel and ravenous, but so many humans are.

Yuji will ask you once this lesson is over. If curses can feel something beyond the need to destroy. You must know the answer. Yuji hope you can help him understand Sukuna. Lately, he wants nothing more than that.

(He protected my school, it is something Yuji cannot forget. For a time, his cursed finger protected my school. It needs to mean something. I’ll make it mean something.)

--

“Your left flank is wide open”, you hit Nobara’s ankles with the spear. As she got up from the floor, you showed her how to position her feet correctly. “That’s the third time, Kugisaki. Don’t let a mistake turn into a pattern.”

“Megumi didn’t hit me”, she murmured. Anger aside, Nobara imitated you. You like that about her. How she feels deeply. “You did.”

Your phone buzzed in your pocket. You grabbed it, putting the spear down as you read the notification. “I’m not training you to win against him”, you said. “I’m training you to do better than me. For now, focus on your posture.”

A new mission. Searching the city’s name, all you found were a couple news about an abandoned soy farm. The estimation is that it’ll be a four-days mission. You bet it has something to do with it taking two days for you to get there and then back again.

Starting tomorrow morning, the scum of Tokyo will move freely.

It took three seconds for him to answer your call. “Hello? Is everything alright? I thought you had no missions today.”

“Can you do me a favor? I’ll pay it back”, you started. His silence made you continue. “There is someone I’m afraid of getting hurt. All I need is for you to keep an eye on him and call me the second you feel something wrong is about to happen.”

“Just that?”, he hesitated. “I can. I mean, I’ll do my best.”

“You always do, Ijichi-kun. That’s why I can always count on you.”

--

Three days later, Yuji Itadori lost his heart.

taglist: @snowsilver2000

all rights reserved to © madwomansapologist

[itadores]

note: had this idea awhile ago, but didn't get around to writing it until now

pairing: gojo satoru & gn!reader, nanami kento x gn!reader

tags: gender neutral reader, platonic relationship between gojo and reader, past romantic relationship between nanami and reader, hopeful ending?

satoru is acting strange. most noticeably, he's been more distant as of late. and for someone as bothersome as him, it's unusual that he's not taking every opportunity that presents itself to irritate you. the peace and quiet is pleasant but unsettling. if satoru's not annoying you as he usually does, it must mean he's up to something. and knowing satoru, it's nothing good.

although you will mourn the brief period of tranquility of your life that is satoru-free, you know that he's most likely concocting up some scheme right now. you won't be able to rest easy if you don't get to the bottom of what satoru is planning. you decide to seek out the man yourself to get the answers you're searching for, but satoru is irritatingly good at avoiding situations that he wishes to evades. he's nowhere to be spotted at the bakeries and pastry shops he loves to frequent, but you can sense traces of his energy all over the place as if he was just there. he hasn't been sent off on any long-term or long-distance missions recently, which you confirmed with principal yaga to be true.

it appears that satoru's current mission at hand is to avoid you. it makes your eyes twitch and your teeth grit in irritation. you will not allow him to get away with avoiding you that easily.

like a bloodhound, you track satoru down. although he attempts to side step and evade you, he cannot do so forever. eventually, you manage to corner satoru after a meeting that required both of your attendance. now that he's within your grasp, you don't intend on letting him go until you manage to squeeze all of the answers you desire out of him.

"why are you avoiding me?"

you're blunt, getting straight to the point. there's no need for niceties or to beat around the bush, especially when it concerns satoru. if satoru had it his way, he could talk in circles and circles until you relented and gave up on the conversation.

"i have no idea what you mean-"

"cut the shit, satoru," you cut him off, giving him a dead stare. your eyes narrow at him. "you and i both know i'm not an idiot, so i'm going to ask you one more time. why are you avoiding me? what are you hiding?"

satoru smiles.

a feeling of dread washes over you.

"guess you'll just have to wait and see," he teases before he disappears before your very eyes. your fist closes around nothing but air, and you curse gojo satoru out under your breath.

unease settles in your chest. you regret ever befriending satoru.

for days after your interaction with satoru, you're on edge. more so than usual. you're not sure what to expect since satoru, that bastard, didn't give you any hints, but you're ready for whatever he may throw at you.

but you are proven painfully wrong when on a walk around jujutsu high, you're greeted with the sight of nanami kento. it feels like you've been physically struck when your eyes land on him. the last time you saw nanami kento in the flesh was over four years ago. the outline of his back as he walked out on the world of sorcery, out on you, is seared into your memory. pressed into the back of your eyelids. there every single time you blinked.

perhaps, you've truly gone and lost it. the years spent as a jujutsu sorcerer have driven you to madness. to the point where you're hallucinating the sight of the only boy you've ever loved. but you can feel kento's cursed energy. it's unmistakably and indisputably him. you would be able to recognize it anywhere. no matter how many years have passed.

your breath hitches when your blatant staring and internal spiraling is interrupted by a slight turn of the head. before your brain can comprehend it, nanami kento is looking in your direction. although you cannot see his eyes, which remain hidden behind a pair of glasses you've never seen him wear before, you know that he is looking at you. the corners of nanami's lips curl into a slight smile, and your heartbeat goes unsteady at the sight of it. nanami kento is still as beautiful as the day you lost him.

as you take a step towards the blond, you make a mental note to strangle satoru later for not warning you ahead of time of nanami kento's return.

[hayamirinrin]

A Weak Hero x (reader) FanFiction Ft: Wolf Keum (webtoon) x F.reader Enemies to friends to lovers Reader is part of the Union, more on the brains but still has a bit of brawls. Reader is kinda bitchy? Author's format is inconsistent

Author did not proofread (sowwy👉👈🥺) Warning/s: WOLF, STRONG LANGUAGE, DEPICTIONS OF VIOLENCE, WRONG GRAMMAR, AUTHOR IS DELULU

Masterlist previous, next.

Not even a week has passed since the first day of highschool, yet it's been hectic— borderline chaotic.

In addition to maintaining relation with Yeri, who is now a second year middle schooler. Staying in touch to continue the 'badge pin' scheme.

Integrating influence as a first year isn't easy, specially when there's already a made hierarchy. Since it wasn't a piece of cake you made cupcakes instead.

Did you succeed? Obviously, not— not so fast, but you did.

Stated, you are a first year and don't plan on making authoritive rivals. After all, your main skill is politics.

Is other words, networking. The more useful connections you have, the better.

.

.

SLAM

You gently placed the first aid kit that you somehow began to habitually bring.

"Again? Your knuckles and previous wounds haven't even healed yet..." You scolded Wolf with a hint of worry, as you searched your kit for disinfectant and cotton.

"Shut it, I won." Wolf scoffed and rolled his eyes at you, but he didn't stop you from removing his half ripped bandages. You heard his breath hitched with the touch of the alcohol-soaked cotton on his skin.

"Chin up" You instructed, removing the sheet off from the corners of the gauze.

"Make me." He challenged, wearing a very condescending smirk. That fucking punch inviting handsome face.

.

After what felt like an eternity of putting bandage on Wolf's bruises, you went inside the convenience store to buy two instant ramens and some drinks.

For some reason he is uncharacteristically silent, you were quite sure that with all the sass you've been throwing at him, he'd be flipping soon but he is rather calm and simply staring at you.

"What's wrong with you?" Wolf stared at you with suspicion. Simply watching, as you prepare the food on the table. Right outside of the convenience store where the two of you are currently hanging around.

"What's your problem now?" You quirked an eyebrow, not appreciating his expected ungratefulness.

"You're being awfully kind today, you dying soon?" He deadpanned.

"No but you will, just keep going." You retorted sarcastically. Just ask you sat down, he pulled your chair close to him without any warning.

Skrrreeee

The sudden pull made you almost fell off your chair.

"The fu-" You cursed under your breath at the smug looking Wolf.

.

"... I heard you joined the Union." You casually nudged, though you bounced back.

"Didn't know that you were so interested in me." Wolf pulled you by the bag on your back. Preventing you to stumble down the pavement.

"Eek- ahem... Anyway." You composed yourself, looking up to face him.

"You didn't answer my question." You steadily held his gaze.

'1...'

'2...'

'3...'

He blows a thick layer of smoke directly into your face, making you cough.

Cough

Wolf turns his head away from your sight, taking another drag of his cancer stick before quickening his pace.

"Wolf! Ugh- cough you fucker...!" After finally exhaling the remnants of smoke out of your throat, you chased after him with a mental note to strangle him once you get a chance.

.

.

School, Union, school, Union, scho— Eunjang...

You're tired, absolutely tired. You plopped yourself on the couch without any care for the world, ready to willingly shut yourself down for hibernation.

Clack

Clack? That's not how your door sounds like, nor your windows, and neither does your couch. 'fuck'

"You try'na melt in the heat?" Your trespasser named Wolf, quirked an eyebrow at your fully blanket-cocooned form in the comfort of your couch.

As if he's at home, he shamelessly turned on the AC that even I barely use.

"Move." He pulled your legs off its cushioned resting spot, setting himself on the other side as he played a movie without permission.

You thought of kicking his side, and out of your apartment even. But something was amiss, Wolf's signature annoying expressions are nowhere. He's simply watching the movie, his knuckles freshly beat, the usual afterglow, boredom nor disgust wasn't there... Just plain hollow nothing.

"Stop staring, it'll get you in a lot of trouble." His voice lacking both the naught and venom, I removed my cocoon and walked to the kitchen.

POP

POP

POP

----

After a while, I placed a bowl of popcorn on the coffee table.

"Look I... I don't know what to do with you, but at least change the movie." You glanced at The Hellraiser in the TV, handing him a cup of juice.

"No alcohol?" He took a peek at your direction, before totally ignoring your request.

"I'm not getting you drunk at my house." Reaching out to the remote as he kept putting it away of your arm length. "Ugh... I have newer ones, change the damn movie."

"Shut it, i like this one." Wolf tucked the remote away from you firmly.

You grumbled, violently cocooning yourself again on the other side of the couch. Angrily, you munched the popcorn only half watching the movie.

Wolf unmoving, continues to watch the movie as he creepily cracks a glimmer of amusement every time a character either dies or is about to.

.

Time heard your prayer, the movie finally ended.

"So... What the hell is your deal?" You dipped your head on the now empty bowl of popcorn as you speak.

"None of your business." He tossed the remote over your lap, lifting his feet to rest them on the coffee table.

"Not if you weren't here bothering my supposedly peaceful relaxation, but here you are." Your tone is slightly teasing, but your expression couldn't be more serious—with a hint of concern.

A pregnant pause added to the silence of the apartment, before he exhaled a sigh.

"My old man's home." Wolf murmured, barely audible but lot enough for you to hear. He watched your expression, as if waiting for a reaction.

However, you gave him none.

You're not sure of whatever he wants for you, but you do no what he don't want—pity. He's Wolf fucking Keum, and that's self explanatory, a valid reason, and an unchanging fact.

Searching through your bag, you picked out your wallet, phone, and weapon.

"Wanna kick some ass?" You offered, already putting on your shoes. He scoffed, it was enough reaction—all that you require from him.

"You suck at comforting." He complained, wearing a foreign genuine small smile.

"It works on you." You cheekily jab, glancing at his feet— 'oh right... He trespassed from the balcony.'

"Should I-"

"I'm borrowing this." He cut you off, wrying the water off your bathroom slippers. (For the record, their neutral in color and bigger.)

"Mnhm." You hummed in agreement.

.

.

WHAM

BAM

Crunch

WHACK

Slurp...

The loud slurping broke Wolf away from his trance, he turned his head facing you who's currently eating so casually.

He traveled at the sight of you who give zero fucks about the violence in front. Before the poor souls who couldn't look away in time for his 3 second rule take a breath of relief, he gave them to final kicks in the guts each.

The now breathed Wolf calmly approaches you, muffled groans echoed in his background.

You offered him a stick filled with fish cakes and tteokbokki. However instead of getting hold of the stick, he directly ate it from your hand.

"..."

"..."

"What?" Wolf inquired, as he took another bite. You felt your heart skip a beat, thoughtless and slightly air headed, you wiped a small splat of blood on his cheek.

You froze, feeling his gays on you, making you realize what you're doing. "O-oh, I was..."

"It's not mine." He shrugged, but didn't swat your hand away as he continue to eat from the stick you're holding.

"..."

"I know." You mumbled, internally hoping that you don't look like a blushing mess in front of this annoying me good looking dude.

Ting!

Yay? You thanked your phone for giving you a distraction before you self destruct. Unfortunately, your happiness was quite short live as you realize that the message was from Donald.

["Meeting at Yeo-il tomorrow 4:00 p.m. council room, don't be late."]

["If you're with him, drag him too."]

___________________________________

TO BE CONTINUED...

Next

[westanleovaldito]

Leo Valdez x enby!reader? Preferably a child of Hermes? :)

RAAAAHHHH THANK YOOOOUUU

Due to lack of specifics, I'm just gonna do some general headcannons if you dont mind ^^

ʚ yall are always scheming. Wether it be what/how to steal next, a prank, or just overall not mr. D approved bullshit.

ʚ oh you chaotic little shits >:)

ʚ also he puts you on the most important job ever

ʚ youre his gopher >:) he has you deliver things to/for him!!! Its probably a lot cuter in my head but like-

just chillin on a creeper next to his next project, drifting back and forth out of boredom. At some point, he looks over with a sigh.

"Mi amor?" He spoke, watching you perk up. "Would'ya do me a massive favor and head back to my cabin for some bigger ball bearings? I think-"

ʚ youre already gone tho :/ off in search of... being helpful ig? I mean, who wouldnt be at this mans beck and call???

ʚ alsoalsoalso!!! He makes you a little pocket watch that has an automatically set timer that you set when/if you put on bindings!!!

ʚ he asks you which spanish pronoun youd prefer since the language doesnt really have gender neutral terms

ʚ Or if you want, he uses both genders interchangably because hes so great and smart like that

ʚ depending on how androgynous you look and how bad your dysphoria can get, he likes to think of compliments that sound weird out of context that are almost inside jokes

"You look very forest witch, goblin spawn today, mi guapo~"

ʚ also i feel like yall would take random walks?? He just follows you around while you wander- i assume youre good at wandering bc hermes kid???

ʚ hed probably try to make you some flying shoes but im not sure how hermes would feel :<

ʚ oh and back on the enby thing, he messes up your pronouns sometimes, but i SWEAR this man is trying. Hed also correct people

ʚ once he used a gendered pronoun while correcting someone, like that one meme? Yeah you SO know the one :)

ʚ and if your dysphoria gets you down, hes always there, always tellin you how handsome you are if you feel too fem or vice versa.

ʚ hes trying lmao. His trauma makes him feel like if he gets it wrong, youre out the door. (Woah cali great observation)

ʚ but you gotta assure him that youre staying :'( just give him lots of affirmations and be patient ok kiddo?

Sorry its short yall

I gotta be so honest idk if i headcannon him as trans or not :/ like, it makes SOOOO much sense and i love ftm leo with my WHOLE HEART but i cant tell which one just... IS leo to me??? I can honestly see it both ways im just on the fence and i need to be swayed >:(

[fandoms-in-law]

Propriety Requests Lavender

Summary: Charles proposes to Edwin when Niko finds a spell so ghosts can be seen by everyone. Edwin refuses and a double wedding is planned instead.

~

The book had been on the shelves of their office for years. For years, Charles had been making their disguises, using the same technique and essentially only changing the outfit they wore, and both Dead Boy Detectives were happy with that. It got their work done and they didn’t really need anything more since the only times they needed to be seen by everyone was if they were on a case.

Now though, they had Crystal and Niko, and both girls wanted them to appear to other people if they separated to talk to people on cases, most often finding that the age difference the usual disguises portrayed made them get second looks and once someone trying to drag Crystal away from them after they recognised her and decided she was harassing an older couple.

After that incident, Niko stopped leaving the office with them for a while, reading through the many books that had been collected over the years, sometimes wincing at the graphic descriptions of what creatures do, but other times trying to make the ghosts teach her how magic is actually done.

So the book of magic that Edwin had ignored after realising most of the spells seemed to focus on appearances was read again and the spell uncovered to temporarily let ghosts appear alive to everyone, not just psychics or people who’d suffered near death experiences.

Crystal even got in touch with some of her contacts from her teen years to get fake ID’s made for Charles and Edwin so that they could have legal papers, beyond the ones they were explaining over their ownership of the office.

“Let’s get married!” Charles decided when that was explained, “You’re everything to me, Edwin, so let’s get the certificate for it now.”

He’d only recently realised that the love he felt for Edwin was, to some extent, romantic and was still coming to terms with feeling that, so Crystal and Niko were exchanging amused looks at the suggestion.

Edwin however considered him seriously before shaking his head, “Charles, that’s improper and illegal. I’ll marry Niko.”

“Mate, We’re literally dating.” Charles protested immediately, “And wasn’t the case of the groom’s flowers one we got because we would be legally allowed to marry now?”

He didn’t react beyond raising an eyebrow and replying, “Propriety dictates that-”

“If you’re marrying Niko then I’m marrying Charles.” Crystal cut through whatever lecture on propriety they were about to get. “And you can’t get bitchy when I date my husband!”

The other girl didn’t seem entirely happy then, raising her hand to ask, “Do I need to have sex with Edwin if I marry him?”

“Of course not Niko,” The reassurance was immediately given, “I’d never expect you to do something you’re uncomfortable with.”

Charles stared around them aghast, “Am I the only one thinking this is Mad! Why can’t I marry my boyfriend.”

“It’s improper.”

“Edwin says it’s improper.” All three of his friends spoke at the same time.

“But-”

“And I’m making the colour scheme lavender too. That was a thing in the eighties right? Look at Edwin’s marriage to Niko like that.” Crystal was typing on her phone already, searching for dresses and suits when Niko leant over her shoulder.

She smiled and nodded, “That’s sweet. We’re having a double wedding right? Do you think my Mum will fly over for it?”

“She’ll be on a flight as soon as you send the invite, I’m sure. And Jenny probably will too.” Crystal promised, switching to a notes app and looking around at them, “Anyone else we need to send invitations too? My family, and the Night nurse probably, but who else?”

“We have had the occasional human client that might come if invited.” Edwin considered, going over to their case board, “And thank you for taking on the task of planning this, Crystal.”

She smirked at him, “Of course, it means I get to steal your man.”

“You’ve been demanding I share since we met. I’m unsure how you think that will change now.” He countered easily.

Charles huffed and threw himself into Edwin’s chair, ignoring the trio now discussing the wedding they could have and how to explain it to their previous clients.

~

The wedding ended up being small, despite the many attempts of Crystal’s parents to make it a big artistic wedding: Edwin and Niko were enough of a force backing Crystal’s planning up against them.

Even as they waited at the alter, Charles was saying vows, and holding Edwin’s hands as if they were the ones getting married, getting a few annoyed looks from their guests, even if Edwin allowed that to an extent and Crystal burst out laughing seeing how they were stood when she entered, her father walking her down the aisle.

“Charles, put your best friend down so we can get married.” She called teasingly, and letting anyone that wasn’t close to them understand that this was just their dynamic.

Thankfully she’d agreed to walk down the aisle separately to Niko so by the time Niko and her mother were walking down the men they were marrying were stood appropriately separated, with Charles by Crystal’s side.

Niko’s mother had proven to have similar thoughts about propriety as Edwin and was charmed by his innocent dedication to her daughter still. After the time in the hospital, meeting Crystal and Jenny and helping to arrange Niko’s transfer and visa for an English school she’d been thrilled to hear about the friend’s Niko had made that she couldn’t meet at the time.

~

The biggest drama that Niko allowed at their wedding or the reception they had was in the toasts. Both Charles and Edwin had declined to give them, though Crystal’s parents and Niko’s mother had taken their turns.

The final toast however, Crystal stood for. “Here’s a toast to Edwin. He’s confrontational, contradictory and crazily enough accepts polyamory above impropriety. So thank you Edwin for refusing a proposal and causing our group of friends to become even more tightly intertwined.”

“What?” Her parents jumped to their feet, staring between the two couples.

“Please explain,” Niko’s mother quietly requested, placing her glass down without sipping.

Edwin rolled his eyes, “You had to toast for that while there are people we’ve not explained the nuances of our group to, Crystal. I will let you take the lead on a case next.”

“That was aces,” Charles declared, looking around and deciding there wasn’t enough incentive to endure drama and attempting to eat when the spell barely made it better than eating as a ghost. “But I think we need to go and start the dancing.”

“Just so, Charles. Please lead the way.” Edwin stood with him, gesturing for Niko to follow before him, while Crystal looked between the parents, smirking as if she’d already planned her explanation out while deciding to make that her toast.

A wedding did have to have drama if it was going to include Crystal Palace Surname-Von Hoverkraft and she had the best opportunity to decide what it would be when agreeing to marry Charles.

[lakenscorner]

Day 9: Accept

James hadn’t spoken to the Countess in days. After a few weeks of nightly dinners, she simply disappeared. She ignored him when he went to ask why, leaving the ghost alone. He spends most of his time wandering around the hotel, watching guests, judging Iris and Liz’s decorating. The hotel had changed a lot since he was the owner. It’s technically none of his business, he supposes, how they decorated. But truly it’s still his hotel and he’s allowed to cast his judgement.

               Liz’s newest marketing scheme confuses James. Allowing some college students to stay in the hotel for free for a year all because they won some stupid essay contest? It will lose the hotel money! And they’d probably throw parties and disturb the other guests! Lord knows he makes his concerns known. Liz and Iris just put him in charge of looking through the essays, growing tired of him bothering them. He’s supposed to pick 25 out of the 100 essays sent in. None of them catch his eye. But then he picks up his next one. The name on the top of the page reads ‘Y/N L/N’, and the title intrigues him. “Why I Find Comfort in the Horrifying”. He finishes with one essay in the ‘yes’ pile and 99 in the ‘no’.

The day the students move in he lurks in the lobby. People trickle in, and still no sign of the one that interested him so much. But then he hears the name. James perks up, whipping around to see what the mystery person looks like. He watches them sign in. He admires the way the silver of the person’s rings contrasts their dark skin. James finds himself longing to touch their curls. He looks away, shocked at the thoughts in his mind. But James had to meet Y/N, talk to them at least once.

It takes Y/N a while to unpack. He organizes and reorganizes his closet, dresser, and bathroom counters until everything fits in a way that won’t piss him off later. It’s hours before he finally collapses on his bed. He tries not to think about the grocery shopping he’d have to do to fill the kitchenette. Instead, he thinks about how much he needs a drink. He drags himself downstairs to the bar.

               “All unpacked?” Liz asks.

               “Yeah I am, finally” Y/N hands Liz his ID “Can I get a dirty Shirley?”

               “Coming right up” Liz says before pausing “You wouldn’t happen to be Y/N L/N, would you?”

               “That’s me, why? Am I in trouble already?” He chuckles

               “No, nothing like that. Someone just left a note for you.” She holds out a note written on a fancy letterhead. Textured paper with gold patterns on the edges, the hotel’s logo at the top. The writing, a neat cursive, only added to the flair. Y/N rests his elbows on the bar and reads the note.

Dearest Mr. Mrs.

Y/N—

               Ever since reading your essay I cannot seem to get you out of my mind. I simply must speak to you. I will admit your appearance confuses me, but I’m sure I can look past that in time. Would you do me the honor of sharing a meal with me?  I’ll treat you to a proper six-course meal, which should give us plenty of time for us to talk. Meet me in room 215 at 7:00 sharp.

See you soon

—JP March

               Y/N stares at the note for a few minutes after reading. Not even a full day here and some fancy dude is asking him on a date?

               “Well then” Y/N lets out a breath “I guess I don’t have to plan dinner, free meal!”

               At 4:30 Y/N comes to the realization that he has no idea what fancy rich people wear on dates.

At 4:35 he opens Pinterest, searching for ‘fancy goth outfits masc’.

At 5:00 he stares at his collection of body mists before settling on a basic vanilla.

At 5:05 he nearly slips in the shower.

At 5:30 he tries his best for a fancy outfit, not so bad if he says so himself.

At 6:40 he falls on his ass trying to put on a pair of platform boots.

By 6:45 Y/N’s on his way to the room on the note.

               After a few weeks, James grew tired of Ms. Evers’ constant begging for him to re-employ her. He keeps her at arm’s length of course but he allows the woman to serve him again. He puts her to work preparing courses worthy enough to serve him and his new interest. He sits at the table, mind racing. In his time a person of Y/N’s color wouldn’t get the time of day from a man like him. He’d taken the time to unlearn the beliefs of his time, of course, but the obsession with Y/N still surprises him. And the fact that he can’t tell whether the object of his obsession is a man or a woman. Would it be rude to ask?

               James is snapped out of his thoughts by the bell’s ringing. He stands quickly, adjusting his suit as he walks to the door.

               “Y/N! You look” James pauses, searching for the right word “radiant” he offers his arm to Y/N.

               “Thanks” Y/N takes his arm, allowing the man to lead him to the table “I take it you’re JP March?”

               “Call me James, my dear” He pulls out Y/N’s chair and pushes them in. He lets his hand move to Y/N’s hair, stroking their head a few times before moving to the other side of the table “Thank you so much for joining me tonight it’s an honor to have you across from me”

               James rings a bell, summoning Ms. Evers. James’s eyes never leave Y/N. The way their eyes widen as the hors d'oeuvre was served, the way their hand hovers over the forks like they’ve never used more than one in a single meal, the way they turn red when they catch him staring.

               “Dear, if you don’t mind me asking” James reaches over and guides Y/N’s hand to the correct fork “Are you a man or a woman? I do hope that’s not rude to ask”

               “Man-adjacent” Y/N’s cheeks turn a bit redder at the touch “he/they pronouns”

               “Ah, yes” James smiles softly “In my time we didn’t have all those different pronouns. And if my father ever saw me speaking to someone of your color, he’d beat me”

               “Racist parents, I get that. I’m just glad you’re unlearning that shit.”

               James let’s out a chuckle. Of course, Liz failed to mention his ghostly condition. It’s for the better truly. He wouldn’t want to scare Y/N away. James steers the conversation toward Y/N’s writing. He watches fondly as the college student talks, occasionally stopping to take a bite of food. He reaches out, resting his hand on Y/N’s.

               At the end of the night Y/N swore that he’d never eaten so much. He yawns, the rich food making him drowsy.

               “Tired, dear boy?” James gives their hand a squeeze. Y/N nods, mumbling out apologies. “No worries, I’ll take you back to your room”

               James offers Y/N his arm, the younger man takes it. James smiles, talking about anything and everything as they walk. Well, anything but his hobby. He chuckles at Y/N’s sleepy demeanor and pats their hand.

               “Y/N, I had a wonderful time talking with you tonight” He squeezes their hand before bringing it to his lips “I hope that you will consider seeing me again”

               “Are you asking me on a second date already?" Y/N pokes James’s chest, earning a chuckle.

               “I suppose I am. Same time tomorrow?”

               “Same time tomorrow.”

@fluffbruary

[decadeofjoy-au]

PART 15 OF THE DECADE OF JOY STORY

Title: The Doctor is In.

This link has the links to the other parts: https://www.tumblr.com/decadeofjoy-au/774964066342092800/rules

(TW: Brief character death mentions. Mentions of torture. Swearing.)

SETTINGS: No Man’s Land(first part). Interrogation rooms(second part)

MAIN CHARACTERS: Handyman + Clarance - Maria Harper + Caleb - Mr Sandman

OCS in this part and their owners.

Maria Harper-TDOJ

Handyman-TDOJ

Clarance the Clayman-TDOJ

Mr Sandman-TDOJ

Caleb-icanexplainwhythisisabadname

Coo-Coo the Dog-icanexplainwhythisnameisbad

The Doctor

Huggy Wuggy(Mentioned)

Mommy Long Legs(Mentioned)

Catnap(Mentioned)

Miss Delight(Mentioned)

Doey The Doughman(Mentioned)

Yarnaby

Mr Shortcake

Bubba Bubbaphant

Maria’s Parents(Mentioned)

Jaelyn’s Wife(mentioned)

Handyman entered the room with Clarance following closely behind. Handyman gestured for Clarance to go south while they went North. Clarance nodded and quickly walked off as Handyman searched the area…generators…that needed to be activated…oh great…they can’t leave until they figure out how to do this…Handyman found a battery in a pile of lifeless toys and shoved it into a machine before pressing their hand to it to allow it to be scanned. Meanwhile, Clarance looked around for something…anything. He then looked down and saw something! An orange hand. He picked it up, noticing the piece of paper that was attached to it. He snatched the paper off and molded his clay around it…just so that he could read it in his free time. He then continued to explore the area, making sure not to get in the way of the giant yarn lion that was currently patrolling. It took at least 30 minutes for the two of them to figure out how to get out of the room…well…Handyman did most of the work while Clarance searched around for some stuff. Handyman watched as a door opened then slowly walked out, glaring at Clarance who in an attempt to be forgiven for….the lack of helping them, gave them the orange hand that he had found.

Clarance: “🔷So…where do you think we’ll find him?🔷”

Clarance flinched as he heard a voice from behind.

The Doctor: “Find? Why…I’m already 2 steps ahead of you.”

Clarance and Handyman immediately turned around to see….a TV. With an eye on it? Clarance felt like he remembered this voice…Handyman felt that way as well but the fact that he had just popped up out of nowhere gave them a negative feeling. Handyman took the hand that Clarance offered them before taking a step away from the TV. Clarance gulped and spoke cautiously.

Clarance: “🟢…Who are you?🟢”

The Doctor: “You don’t remember me? Hm…how fascinating. So that devilish cat DIDN’T follow all of my advice like I had INFORMED him to when he was in the works with you…of course. Maybe NOW he’ll know that it’s best to listen to the expert…”

Clarance: “🔷…what are you talking about?🔷”

The Doctor: “Cmon…you remember me, don’t you Burch? Not even the faint spark of Deja Vu? Dr. Harley Sawyer. doesn’t that ring a bell?”

Clarance: “🟪…wait…Sawyer..?🟪”

The Doctor: “…Ah! It appears that you do remember! Hm…you remind me of someone. It appears that they had a certain idea in mind when they made you…ah…Karma…what a terrible thing. You’re so different from them yet alas….the same. Pathetic, weak, chasing the same crumbling, shattered dreams of toys we once made during our time here as co-workers. It’s pitiful. Really. You’ve gone soft. In more ways than one.. Tell me, Burch. Where’s that same, calm facade you had since the day we met? You’re shaking. I can see it. That outer shell is slowly cracking to reveal what’s underneath. How pathetic. And to think I once worked with you…”

Harley then looked down lower….at Handyman. He blinked in surprise! Ah, he remembers that color scheme and defensive posture from anywhere!

The Doctor: “My, and it appears that you’ve brought a friend! Tell me, does she remember me?”

Clarence was silent. She? He suddenly shook his head.

Clarance: “🟪Sawyer…we’re not here to ask for any escape plans or the nearest exit routes. We just need to find a couple of kids-🟪“

The Doctor: “And why is that? So you can mold them into one…abomination again? That’s exactly what you did with that brutish glob of playdough, wasn’t it? And last I checked…you failed. He was a completely unstable experiment…Weighed over 900 pounds…his consciousnesses constantly threw eachother off and his mood swings were disastrous, I might add. Would go from…childish and playful to violent and feral within seconds. You succeed in giving him life….but you failed to make him whole.”

Clarance suddenly fell silent, feeling a sudden rush of guilt for what he had done to those three…god…what was he thinking..? They were just..kids. Now they’re grown and STILL cant function properly as a single being, he’s seen it with his own eyes! When they visit his cell, he can TELL which one of the three are speaking! JUST from the tone of his voice! And he got hit REAL bad with Karma for it….his wife. Oh…he misses his wife…..

Harley, noticing his inner turmoil suddenly spoke up.

The Doctor: “Might wanna stop tearing at that head of yours…wouldn’t want to shatter the last bits of sanity that you already have. You failed…we all know that…but my projects…my WORK…oh, it always prevails. In fact….. Yarnaby..~ I need you for a little demonstration.”

Just as he said the last part, that same yarn lion from before came charging towards the room, only being stopped by the closed metal door.

The Doctor: “Do some good for once and get rid of our…unwanted guest, would you?”

After a few seconds of banging…Yarnaby suddenly broke through. Unfortunately for the lion…Clarance had hid on the ceiling out of his sight while making sure he had Handyman held in a tight grip. The lion began to slowly patrol the area, attempting to sniff out the duo. Clarance was going to let Handyman down but suddenly froze and shoved himself further against the wall…

Coo-Coo suddenly walked into the room, his crazed eyes looking all over. He looked like a red coo-coo clock if it were a dog…. He didn’t notice the two of them, instead going after Yarnaby who didn’t notice the large canine toy…yet. Clarance finally let Handyman down and followed after Coo-Coo…though, he made a sharp right instead of a left like Coo-Coo and Yarnaby did. He was smarter than that. Handyman on the other hand followed after Coo-Coo to try and find a potential exit. They could hear the dog saying some…really cryptic and creepy stuff…ugh…insane as always. Handyman came to a stop as Coo-Coo cornered Yarnaby and immediately began to attack the lion toy. Yarnaby mindlessly swiped his claws around the air as Coo-Coo worked to individually tear out his yarn. Handyman looked behind them…the exit door! They…they need that. They turned back around and ran to get Clarance. Clarance was halfway down the hall before Handyman was tugging at his arm. He rose a brow then followed after the mannequin.

The two stopped at the door….Yarnaby gnawed at Coo-Coo’s arm but Coo-Coo just yanked more of his yarn out, causing the feline to shriek and roar. Handyman thought to themself…how do they get past…? Clarance decided to try something a bit….stupid. He grabbed onto a shoe then threw it at the back at Coo-Coo’s head. Coo-Coo suddenly snapped his neck around to see who threw it….he saw nothing. He grabbed onto Yarnaby and slammed the cat to the side before walking over to the door to investigate. Meanwhile…Clarance managed was on the ceiling, holding onto Handyman. He crawled over to the door before prying it open and crawling through. This got Coo-Coo’s attention again as he immediately began to make chase after them. Luckily, the duo made it into a room and closed it in time for the beast to not get in. They had to get out quick though….Coo-Coo is smart. Handyman knows this. They looked around for some way to escape as Clarance turned to find another TV.

Clarance: “🔷if you’d just tell us where they are…that would be great.🔷”

The Doctor: “and why should I do that? Hm? Please, give me ONE good reason.”

Handyman looked at the doctor before using their flare gun to burn a sentence onto a large sheet of paper.

The Doctor: “…Leave? LEAVE? Do you TRUELY believe that you’d be doing them any favors by allowing them to leave this place? Where would they go? How would they survive? WOULD they survive? Oh, Angel…as devoted as a mother…but as dumb as a mindless animal. Just like the rest of them unfortunately. Now…I’m giving you two 5 minutes to escape this room before that psychopathic mutt breaks that door down…timer starts in Five. Four. Three.. Two……”

—————

…One minute they’re down near generator room….the next they’re…walking through a strange series of interrogation rooms. Ugh…Maria didn’t wanna be here anymore. Caleb held onto her tightly as they walked along. The two children were playing “Would you Rather”…just to pass the time. It was honestly pretty fun! “Would you rather be the best at the Game Station games or the smartest in the school?” “Would you rather fight Handyman or Clarance?” “Would you rather insult Mommy Long Legs or Miss Delight?” Stuff like that! Caleb spilled in a few theories he had about the place as the two walked along…Maria had completely forgotten about the paper that she was holding in her pockets. It was going well so far when Caleb suddenly stopped when it was his turn.

Caleb: “wait, hold on. Do you hear that?”

Maria: “Hear what?”

The two fell silent…stomps…

Caleb: “That!”

Maria perked up when she heard the distant stomping. It was pretty loud for being so far away…and it sounded as if it were getting louder. She gulped…wait…hasn’t she heard those stomps before? She looked around quickly before her eye landed on a distant….light….in the distance. Caleb slowly turned around as well, despite being blind he COULD register the fact that something bright was supposedly approaching the two of them. He stomped his foot down a couple of times to try and get a feel of how big the approaching thing was.

Oh…that thing is huge. He blinked in surprise then took a small step back. Maria instead took a step forward…squinting before eventually speaking up

Maria: “Are those….headlights..?”

The stomping was now as loud as ever, and it sounded incredibly rapid. God…was a train coming at them or some…thing….

Maria Froze, rethinking about that last thought. Her mind wandered to her parents….the bus, the train…her stupid nickname. Lucky…ugh, she hated being called that. She took another small step forward and could make out…rays? Sun rays? Her eyes widened. Those aren’t headlights….infact…that’s not even a vehicle…that’s..

Maria: “CALEB MOVE!”

She shouted, suddenly grabbing onto his shirt and yanking him into one of the interrogation rooms as Mr Sandman came charging down the halls at full speed towards them. His steps were so heavy that they created dents in the floor where he ran. He was moving so fast that he rammed into the door leading to the Workyard before immediately getting up and looking through the windows to the interrogation rooms. Maria and Caleb were ducked down as low as they could in order to not be caught by the giant fire ant….at least she THINKS he’s an ant…he kinda looks like a lion. Or a wingless griffin. But now’s not the time to pay attention to his species…because the gigantic animal was patrolling the halls like a lion stalking its prey…familiar. Anyways…Mr Sandman went back towards the Workyard’s doors but simply did that so that he could check the interrogation rooms in that area. Maria and Caleb silently decided that…yeah…that generator place wasn’t half bad….The two of them slowly snuck out of their hiding spots before making a beeline back to where they were before.

Mr Sandman searched frantically…he JUST saw them! He couldn’t have lost them already! He growled angrily before slamming his fists into a table, smashing it under his weight. He kept his hand down as he breathed heavily and quickly before pulling his hand away and continuing his search. He promised The Prototype that he’d find the kid…well…kids now! Because there’s…FUCKING TWO OF THEM. He raked his claws down the walls as his mind wandered back to what The Leaders had told them…”one week.”…that’s better then two days but if he can’t catch those little brats now then he’s never gonna catch him! Then when he goes back empty handed he’s gonna get beaten again! Mr Sandman searched even more frantically, eventually…he broke a window open to search inside one room, ignoring the cuts and scratches he received from the glass. The beatings he got were worse than this anyways…oh…god the beatings.

He hated those…since the day he became an experiment all the way up to now it’s just “do this” “do that” “if you don’t do this thing correctly I’ll beat you!” “Don’t make me hit you! Speak normally” hitting, beating…it was something different every time. Once he got beaten with a metal pole…he pissed off Leith realllyy bad that day. Thank god he’s dead….at least he hopes so. But that doesn’t change the fact that The Prototype does it to. They think he’s someone he’s not and he’s getting punished for it…for what!? He didn’t do anything wrong! He was just doing his job! He was just trying to support his mother! He just wants to go back hom-

Mr Sandman’s frantic thoughts were interrupted when he suddenly heard someone speak up…he slowly turned his head around. And saw…Mr Shortcake and Bubba Bubbaphant?

Mr Shortcake: “🩷…excuse me…Doctor. Are you done tearing through the rooms like a raging tornado…or can we pass now?🩷”

Mr Sandman: “…right….c-course….my fault, man..”

Mr Sandman slowly moved out of the way and silently watched as the two passed….hes gotta find those kids. And fast…because he swears to god..if he feels ONE MORE scalding, hot metal pole sink into the flesh of his spine then he’s gonna MURDER somebody… he is NOT playing around anymore. He immediately began to walk out of the interrogation room and search another. They’re just kids…he knows that. And he doesn’t wanna hurt them…good forbid kill them.. it’s not morally right! But for the love of god…if it stops the beatings..? Then fuck them kids Bro.

[angelwishess]

Hehe... Like I promised. This is meant to be super silly lmao I was laughing so hard writing some scenes. @screamintoad cuz Jane.

Ivrine wasn't one to care what name anyone used for her, much less address her. However her boyfriend really tended to be… creative with his choices. 

When they first got together, it started off sweet with endearing names that cussed her heart to flutter. The issue though was that Marven was inconsistent with his choices. He called her with a different nickname everyday to the point Ivrine lost count of how many variations she had heard. So she relied on his tone to know who he was talking to and eventually Marven pieced it together. 

Knowing that Ivrine payed more attention to his tone, he began using random nicknames to see how far it'd go. 

“Paint mixer 2000”

“What do you want.”

Eventually Ivrine reached her limit of tolerance. 

. 

. 

The halls felt too silent for a booming place like NRC as Ivrine sat alone at the schools library, searching it's racks for an appropriate reference book to use for her exams. 

Eventually the sound of heavy footsteps approaching began becoming more evident. The rhythm with which the feet struck the ground was unmistakably a result of Marven and she was certain he would barge in, in less than a minute or so. 

Sure enough by the time she sat back down at her table with her books sprawled out in front of her, her boyfriend was leaning onto her shoulders, peeking over her head to see what she was reading. 

“Ultra super sonic hot and gold cheese grating wall hammer! Whatcha reading~? ” 

No response. Marven frowned, poking Ivrine's cheeks to get a reaction out of her as she continued to work. 

“Hey. Are you ignoring me??” 

No response again. Marven sighed, leaning his weight of Ivrine with a pout. 

“If you're mad cuz of the names, I'm sorry just don't ignore me cmon I came all the way from my dorm to meet you and you won't even talk, sea rose.” 

Being met with silence once more Marven sat down besides her attempting to see if he could get her to reply. The seconds ticked by and he remained unsuccessful as Ivrine stood up and grabbed her bag leaving for the door. 

“Hey, wait-! ” 

Before Marven could get his sentence out however Ivrine had left as he remained sat at the table, sulking. 

. 

. 

. 

“Could you please pass me the stirrer, Evelio?” 

“Of Course, Ivrine. However, I have a question if you don't mind. ”

“Ask away. ” 

“Marv has been feeling down since yesterday to the point even Binnie’s treat did little in improving his mood. Any idea why?” 

Huh… Ivrine didn't expect him to take it that hard. Come to think of it, she hadn't seen her bf the entire day either and this was the last class…

“Are u listening?”

“Ah,apologies I zoned out but I don't have any clue as to why he is moping about.”

“I see.”

The final bell rang, indicating the end of the day as Ivrine hurried back to her dorm. If Marven really did take it to heart, then she'll need to make up to him. 

The students at heartslabyul seemed to be much more present today. It was rare to see so many stick around and they all seemed to be talking amongst themselves. Did something happen that she missed? 

“OH yea and Marven is such a great guy right? He cares sooooo much for Ivrine” 

Ah. So that's what this is. She should've known. 

Surely enough she figured out the scheme. Multiple students were gossiping amongst themselves “discreetly” about how Marven is. Whether they were threatened or joined in out of free will was unclear and something she'll look into late-

“Uh oh! It seems as if I have accidentally broken one of the Queens saucers.”

What.

Quickly following the voice, she was met with Jane surrounded by broken glass. However before she could say something an arm stretched out infront of her. 

“Heh… Don't worry babe I got this.”

Above all, the scene was painful to watch. Ivrine could appreciate the effort but the execution of the plan was terrible. Seeing Marven “scold” Jane and “Forcing” her to pick up the broken shards and clean up the mess. It was all so stupid… but cute. 

“You're a hopeless lot, you know that.” 

Hearing Ivrine speak to him again, Marven quickly turned around to face her, pleased that his plan had worked only to be yanked down by his tie and kissed. It was over before he could even process it as Ivrine began to make her way to her room but stopped.

“Oh and Jane. You have double hedgehog duty next week. And if you don't follow through, I'll lock you up in the rose maze the entire night. ” 

“WHAT WHY? WHAT DID I DO?” 

“You broke my favorite saucer.” 

ADDIE OH MY GOD THIS IS SO GOOD IT aCTUALLY HAS ME GIGGLINGGG THIS IS SUCH A NICE SURPRISE TO WAKE UP TO LMAOAOAOOI 😭😭

ULTRA SUPER SONIC HOT AND GOLD CHEESE GRATING WALL HAMMERRRR ??????? MARVEN IS SUCH AN ANNOYYING DORK I HATE HIM HELEPP…

HE’D DEF DO THE MOST CLICHE THINGS EVER TO TRY AND GET HER ATTENTION😭😭 my dude thinks this is highschool musical or smth😭

ADDIE ILYSM THIS IS SO PERFECT AUAUAUAUUU

Rip Jane shes totally going to get Marven back for this LMAOO