#since ya know. she was fuckin executed. so like to bring it up cause a movie romanticizes her more than some would like…

[ujuro]

The single post on this website that has flabbergasted me the most to this day is a long ass post about how marie antoinette the Coppola movie is bad because actually marie antoinette irl was like. problematic and a bad person and whatnot. Like what

[kotokos-cafe]

may i request miu with a fem reader saying/with the prompt “Sometimes I wish I won’t wake up.”, please? sorry i requested the prompt wrong! i can word it correctly and send it in again if you want!

1. "Sometimes I Wish I Won't Wake Up."

No no, Anon! I think I understand! If I mess up, feel free to resend it, though!

It was just after Kaede's execution. Shuichi was devastated, Gonta was devastated. Even your girlfriend was upset over her death. Kaede had been a symbol of shining hope over the bitterness of despair, and now she was just... gone. As if she were never there. Not to mention how Rantaro's death was simply pushed aside in favor of the execution. 

But if anyone was taking watching your own classmate's execution hard, it was you. It had been two days. You hadn't left your research lab. You barely slept. You hadn't eaten. The last drops of your water bottle were consumed the day prior to now. 

Of course, your girlfriend had tried to get to you. Almost every hour, she was knocking on your your to make sure you were alright, save for after curfew. She begged, pleaded, and yelled at you to come out, but there was nothing. She even, at one point, requested K1-B0's heat sensors to make sure you were still... y'know... breathing. She needed to know that you were still alive in there. On this night, you had developed your plan. You figured you oughta say goodbye before you put it into action, after all, so on the second day, you allowed Miu to enter, much to the inventor's relief. 

"Oh, S/O... Th-Thank Angie's strange ass God, I was so fuckin' worried about your lame ass..." she backhandedly sighed. She threw herself into your arms, sniffling softly. It was clear she had been crying, but you knew that her pride would never allow her to admit such a thing. Not even to her beloved partner. "This place would be so goddamn lame and scary without you, S/O-Chan. Y'know that, don'tcha?" 

"I know, Miu," you admitted. Her trembles and light shivers slowly began to cease as you held her, eventually cleaning herself up enough to be considered stable. "I know. Just breathe. I'm here now, aren't I?" 

But not for much longer, you thought wretchedly. Everything was silent. Miu looked at you through tears, as if she expected you to say something. You were confused. What does she want me to say? 

"Why did you stay in here for so long?" she asked, her voice shaking. You opened your mouth to answer, but she cut you off again. "Didn't you know how fuckin' scared I was? Sure, some of 'em got dicks, but I didn't want those. I want... I want you... What if somethin' happened to you in here?" 

You mentally congratulated yourself. You had reduced the Ultimate Inventor herself into a puddle of Jell-O. In that sense, you were proud. It was rare for her to let her guard down like that. It was really a shame that it would all come to an end soon. 

"I've been thinking about... y'know... the piano," you began. None of you could really bring yourself to say Kaede's execution. Because none of you wanted to believe that Kaede was really gone. That she had really killed someone and paid the price for it. It was easier to hide from the truth instead. "Y'know... recently... I... Well, I can't hide it from you forever, so I might as well just bite the bullet and tell you, huh? Sometimes, I wish I won't wake up. It would be so much simpler, so much easier, to go to sleep, and never have to come back to reality. Everything could be... perfect, forever. All of us, including Kaede and Rantaro." 

The way you were talking frightened Miu. Extremely. The look in her eyes was as if she had seen a ghost. Not yet, at least. But very soon, if your plan went through the way you intended it to go. 

"H-Hey!" Miu interrupted you before you could say anything else. "Don't go sayin' shit like that! This place would be so fuckin' boring without you, ya know! A-And besides, after you, who else is left to protect my gorgeous ass? You promised we'd get out together and be together forever, remember that?" 

You nodded. How could you forget the promise you made? You had been in her research lab when you made that promise. Even now, you could hear your past self's voice. You had told her she would make it out, alive. And you swore that you would be right by her side when she did, holding her hand the entire time. Even the thought made you tear up, knowing you were about to go against that. Even so, it was all for Miu's sake. No one else. Just her. Just the one that gave you reasons to wake up and attend all the class trials every day. 

"Mm, it's getting late," you stalled. You didn't want to have to justify yourself or continue this awkward conversation any longer. You faked a yawn, and lightly pushed Miu off your bed. "Besides, it's almost curfew. I'm kinda sleepy, so goodnight, Miu." 

She thought that meant you were feeling better, causing a small smile to creep across her face. She thought she had done something right. She thought you were happier now. That this was just a bout of sadness. That it would all pass over. That everything would be okay. That you'd leave together. 

She was wrong. 

~ 

Three years later, Miu was celebrating her nineteenth birthday. After your body was discovered and your death was found to be a suicide, Miu decided to take one of the last things you told her to heart, and vowed to survive on your behalf. She had done just that, surviving the game with Shuichi, Himiko, Maki, and Gonta, leaving the five as the sole survivors. Thanks to the sacrifices of all their friends and loves, including you, she was alive to this day, with her four best friends on what should be a very special day. 

Even so, something felt... missing. You weren't there. You weren't at her side. You weren't holding her hand like you had promised you would. At least, that's what she thought. That's all she could see. 

In truth, you had never left. You had made it out with her, albeit not alive. You were always right by her side and metaphorically holding her hand, since you couldn't hold anything anymore. Yes, now your purpose was to cheer your beloved girlfriend on from beyond the barriers of life and death. You rest in peace knowing that the day will come you'll be together once more, and never let go again. 

Miu froze. She swore she heard your voice in her head. "Happy birthday, Miu..." A ghostly whisper, but present nonetheless. She smiled softly, tears of raw emotion beginning to stream down her face. 

"I heard her," she admitted. Everyone knew what she was talking about. They had all been given signs that the lives lost to that dreadful game remained among them, watching over them until their time came to all be together again. "Thank you, S/O..." 

... 

"For everything..." 

[eerythingisshaka]

#Fictober Day 30

“Do we really have to do this again?”

(Witch!Shuri)

Word Count: 3.5k

A/N: Elements of racism and revenge against it.  Plus, I was inspired by The Craft

Shuri entered the doors to her summer internship brimming over with pride.  Having seen some of the world outside of Wakanda, Shuri had a hefty appetite for curiosity.  What all has she missed out on?  Meeting people like Bruce Banner, Everett Ross, there had to be so many other like-minded individuals who she could bounce ideas off of.  

Queen Mother saw her off, hiding her sadness as much as she possibly could.  She knew that Shuri could handle things on her own just fine, but her baby was still moving thousands of miles away from home and that left a big hole in her heart.  Shuri assured her she would be fine, and T’Challa reminded her as well that War Dogs would be summoned at a moments notice to assist with her protection.  

Shuri observed the hallways of the university in awe and amazement.  The all white walls were so drab and basic, let alone inefficient.  All of the people crowding around her and chattering away pushed to make it to their assigned meeting rooms for counsel and rooming arrangements.

The ginger running things beamed at Shuri as she came in.  “Hello!  Welcome to the Brilliant Minds summer program!  I’m Hanson, I am one of the coordinators that will be working with you this week!  Can I get your name please?”

“Yes, I am Shuri, daughter of--er, I mean Udaku, Shuri Udaku.”  Shuri laughs nervously.

His eyes widen, “Oh yeah!  You’re the royal!  Well, I’m sorry for not greeting you properly.”  He steps back and bows.

Shuri scoffs.  “Thanks, but that’s not necessary...nor was it executed properly.”

Hanson laughs, hands raised.  “Fair enough, I’ll practice.  But thanks for coming all this way!  Here is the itinerary and your dorm key.  You will be staying at Atkins Hall, just south of here on the lip of the quad.  After today’s labs, there will be a bonfire so we will be roasting and toasting this evening if you’re up for it!”

Shuri takes the papers and grabs her bag.  “Sounds good!  I’m looking forward to it all, thanks Hanson!”  She waves goodbye turning and bumping abruptly into someone.

“Ugh!  God!  I’ve been attacked!”  a ditzy voice exclaims.

Shuri brushes her arm from the collision.  “No, it was a simple misunder-”

The short bottle blonde white girl screws her face up like she’s about to spit as she looks back at her brunette friend.  “Oh, no.  We have must’ve gotten off on the affirmative action floor instead.”

Shuri squints.  “What are you talking about?  This is the-”

“God, Miqaila, do you understand what she is saying?  It’s like nothing but clicks!”  Her friend practically snorts her Starbucks at the ‘joke’.

Shuri feels uneasy, looking back at Hanson, who appeared to notice the disruption but looks away quickly.

Shuri holds her head up.  “I will not tolerate your rudeness!  My eyes have been offended by your face for too long, keep looking that way and it will stick.”  Shuri brushes past them.

Miqaila shrieks.  “Ew, Ashleigh!  I think she got something on me!  Is she covered in grease??”

“Bish where!?  You wouldn't know soft skin if I slapped you across the face with it.” Shuri yells back, flipping her the bird whilst exiting.

“Probably doesn’t use a napkin after eating so she can knock out her ashy.  You know they’re prone to it, so sad,  Wipe it off soon, I’m sure it’s ritualistic…”  Ashleigh whispered to Miqaila.

Shuri’s blood boiled as she stomped out of the office, beyond offended by the debacle.  She hadn’t even said a word to them and they already held so many prejudices, what was wrong with them?  It wasn’t the ideal introduction to the program she dreamt of, but she kept walking along to get to her dorm assignment to hopefully realign her mood.

Heading up to the second floor, Shuri finds the room number and tries the key, going inside.

“Hey girl, hey!  It’s about time I met my roomie!  I thought I was gonna miss ya!”  A beautifully dark skinned, statuesque woman with two afro puffs gleamed.

Shuri smiled just as wide.  “Yes, sorry to keep you waiting friend!  What is your name?” she holds out her hand for a shake.

“Maxine, you can call me CeCe though.”  she says, giving a firm grip.

“Nice, I am Shuri-”

CeCe holds her hand up.  “Oh!  I know who you are!  You were on the magazine of Young Engineers Quarterly last month.  Girrrrl, you were the youngest and first Black girl on their cover!  I have it framed and I’m already kicking myself for not bringing it to autograph!”

Shuri laughs.  “It’s not the biggest deal, really.  Anyone could’ve gotten it, but with Wakanda being open now, people are just riding its wave.  My hype will die down soon.”

CeCe shook her head.  “Maybe for some but not I, sis.  Shoot, Teen Vogue gotta be next, check out these threads, Ma!  This the fashion where you come from?”

Shuri looks down at her royal purple jacket with white piping over her yellow crop top and high waisted capris.  “Yeah, the material is very durable from the vibranium elements and of course our designers have a keen eye.”

CeCe bends over to squint.  “God, I just can’t get over you.  I get salty sometimes thinking about how convenient it is that the ‘random’ assignments  always make my roommate the other Black one here, but this time around they did right!”

Shuri puts her luggage on the bed sitting down.  “Have you been here before?”

CeCe nods.  “Year three for me.  I came when I was a sophomore in high school and just kept coming!”

Shuri’s spirits lifted.  “So it must be a great experience then?  What do you like?”

CeCe puffs out her cheeks in thought.  “The food, the connects, the activities when people fuck something up.  And honestly, I come back just to get some time to myself from home, it’s the same every year as far as things to do and raggedy people trying to show off.”

Shuri nods in agreement.  “Yeah, I got my fair share of that and it hasn’t even been an hour.”

CeCe looks at Shuri pitifully.  “Oh man, I know it.  These suburban kids think it’s their world alone.”

“I just can’t get why that girl would see me and not even ask my name before insulting me like she did.”

“Oh man, Shuri.  You know these white folks care more about an anthill than they would you.  They are annoyed when we don’t do better for ourselves, they annoyed when we do.  Talk about us being ugly, then can’t stop touching and copying the same features, so it’s a terrible cycle history keeps telling us.”

Shuri looked away, biting her lip in thought.  “This is true.  I know of their ways, I just thought I would get through this week without problems since the people are of a higher IQ.”

CeCe guffaws, clutching her stomach.  “Oh sis!  They real bold to try you.  Don't you have a secret service detail or something to protect you?”

Shuri squirms a little.  “I do….but I wanted to keep as lowkey of a profile as possible.  My family would love for me to do that but I refuse to comply, you know?”

CeCe snaps her fingers.  “Damn, you better than me.  Respect though, the rebelliousness. ��Stick with me then, cuz I’ll help you get them told.  I know you know there are different intelligences.  A book smart person does not a wise person make, right?  Don’t let it phase you cuz that’s when the bullshit really crops up.”

Shuri and Cece talk a little more about their backgrounds and what they were looking forward to.  Before they knew it they had to book it to their lab class.  The hall was packed with buzzing students but there were two empty seats in the middle.  CeCe and Shuri took their seats waiting for things to begin.

Hanson was at the front of the class greeting everyone and congratulating them on their arrival.  Shuri was beginning to feel excited again about getting to know regular people from a world unlike her own.

“This is so cool how primitive the classrooms are.  Simple wooden desks, beige solid walls, you really have no choice but to concentrate on what’s in front of you.”  Shuri looks to CeCe who is already lightly snoring.  

“Ahem, Hanson is it?  Can I move please, my vision is obstructed at the moment.”

Shuri looks behind her and locks eyes with a sneering Ashleigh, who is right behind CeCe sleeping.  

Hanson stutters a response.  “Well, uh, if you can find a place, have at it.”

Miqaila joins her to move.  “Thank you!  The cocoa butter smell is making my eyes water as well, it’s disgusting!”  As they get up and walk by, CeCe is startled awake.  

“Damn!  Did you fuckin pull my hair?”  CeCe yelled from her her chest.

“Ladies, please!  We have to stay on schedule, maintain some couth.”  Hanson pleads.

CeCe points at Miqaila and Ashleigh.  “Long as you tell those to maintain they distance or I won’t!”

Shuri takes a bead on her kimoyos discreetly.

“Oh please, I don’t play with pubes.”  Ashleigh snarks as they make their way down the steps.  Shuri takes one and rolls it down the steps, stopping it just before Ashleigh’s stride.  Shuri says a command in Xhosa, activating a trip wire.  

Ashleigh hits the trap falling face forward down the remaining steps, Miqaila dominoes along with her, causing the classroom to erupt in laughter.  

Ashleigh flips her hair back glaring at Shuri as Hanson helped her up.  “What the...You!  You  said something, and-and I tripped!  You’re a witch!  That country you’re from, they're  wicked, with their heightened abilities!”

Shuri scoffs.  “Do we really have to do this again?  Whatever helps you sleep at night...or doesn’t!”  She wiggles her fingers and hands around to resemble casting a spell making CeCe cackle.  

Ashleigh and Miqaila looked genuinely spooked as they went to two seats in the front, murmuring and looking back at them.

“Ok, if that is all, let’s get back on topic…” Hanson continues.

When the lecture lets out Shuri and and CeCe can’t stop talking about the funny altercation.

“Man, am I glad you did something to them that didn’t get you arrested cuz I had nothing but felonies on my mind.”   CeCe said.

Shuri chuckles.  “Yes, see?  We can’t have you racking up a record.  I can handle them just fine with things like this bracelet.”  Shuri stops to let CeCe examine the beads.  “These are kimoyo beads, I have thousands of programs I can run through them to make them do what I need them too.  I’m already trying to upgrade their look to broaden their abilities, but they still hold up well.”

CeCe looked at her wrist in awe.  “Whoa, is that what did it?  God, how are you not teaching here instead of being a participant?”

Shuri smiles.  “They actually did ask me to speak, but I declined.  I wanted the regular experience before putting myself out there like that.  But that’s not so easy it seems.  At least if I was teaching those girls would have to show a little more respect.”

CeCe kisses her teeth.  “Please, this is way more fun.  You see them for who they are and bring them down a peg.  Which reminds me, you coming to the bonfire tonight right?”  Shuri nods.

“Then we need to come thru with a plan to fuck with them, so they don’t mess with anymore.”

Shuri tweaks her mouth the the side.  “I don’t know.  Not like I don’t enjoy a good prank, I just didn’t want to bring that out here.  Plus my best stuff is at home anyway.”

CeCe waves her off.  “Oh you don’t have to have a bag of tricks!  You saw how they acted with you just acting spooky for a second.  What would they do if we went full on bitchcraft on them?”

Shuri chuckles.  “Bitchcraft?  Is that what you call it?”

CeCe nods proudly.  “When petty is involved, yes.  We gonna put on a show for they asses to never forget.  Make em feel like they whole lineage cursed, get it?”

Shuri looks away, weighing the pros and cons as CeCe went on with that she had in mind.

The bonfire attracted a lot of people to enjoy treats and warm flames in the cooling night air along the water.  As the night wound down, less than 10 people stuck around to continue the night.  

Ashleigh and Hanson were cuddled up by the fire as Miqaila sat across as an awkward third wheel eating marshmallows from the bag.

“Hanson, thank you for helping me up from that tumble I took today.  I still can’t fathom how it happened. I am usually so graceful because my feet are so small.”  She says, rubbing her bare, sandy foot against his ankle.

Hanson shift nervously.  “Uh, yeah, it was nothing.  Happens to the best of us.

“It’s just so weird, I didn’t miss a step, it’s like something grabbed my foot or something.  I still blame that African girl, she’s not all together.”

Hanson sighs.  “Her name is Shuri, and she is possibly the smartest teenager alive today from a royal family.  What part of that screams ‘not all together’.”

Ashleigh begins to explain when Miqaila points jumping up.  “Look, what’s that?”

A figure in the darkness walks along the water.  This wouldn’t be unusual since they were at a party but the figure had was holding a large staff and possibly had the head of an animal.

“Hanson, go yell at it or something.  It could be wild!”

Hanson wouldn’t budge.  “Shit you not, if you make me go out there, I’m putting you on a plane home tomorrow.  I’m not messing with that!”

CeCe peeks through the mouth of her mascot mask as the people begin to notice her.  She takes off a kimoyo bead and tosses it towards the fire, letting put her best bone-chilling howl.  

As it lands and whirlwind appears, whipping sand in the air.  Ashleigh, Miqaila, and Hanson cough and sputter as Shuri appears out of nowhere, eyes rolled back in a trance.  She is dressed in a long brown suede skirt with slits on either side, adorned with a shell belt.  She wore her bra with a band on her bicep and one of T’Challa’s panther suit prototype necklaces on.  With her braids down, she looked rather haunting.  

They scream at the sight of her.  “Oh God!  I told you, look look look!”  Ashleigh says, moving behind a petrified Hanson.

“Sh-Shuri?  Are you al-”

“SILENCE!  Have you know respect for what’s sacred?”  Shuri says, her voice chopped and screwed by an altering device behind her ear.

Miqaila has her head in the ground, crying.  “We don’t want to die, please don’t hurt us!”

Shuri turns in her direction.  “Miqaila…”

She looks up slowly.  “Y-yes…”

Shuri points a finger at her.  “To live your life as a parasite, makes for a dependent experience.  Everything they eat, you shit; do not catch yourself ingesting spoiled food…”

Miqaila freezes listening to Shuri, unmoving until Shuri bore her teeth hissing and tossed sand in her face making Miqaila shriek and run away.  Ashleigh tries to follow.  

“Stop!  You...come here…”

Ashleigh says some Hail Marys as she walks up to Shuri fretful.

“What a shame it is to waste the gift of youth on the ugly decrepit traditions of past generations.  Have you learned nothing from the dead?”

“My-my grandparents are still alive.”  She stammers.

Shuri scoffs.  “Maybe that is the problem.  If you care anything for them, you would learn to keep past mindsets in the past, unless you enjoy being a sadist?”

“That's not fair, I'm a good person! My grandparents are of a different-”

“Do you plan to defend them!! Try it!  And see what happens…”  Shuri does a wave with her hand to reveal Ashleigh’s grandparents in the palm of her hand.  As Ashleigh looks, their images began to melt crudely.

“No!  No!  Don’t please, spare them ma’am!”

“Princess Shuri, is all you shall call me by.”  Shuri says, crushing their image in her hand.  “Be gone from me at once, and I won’t hurt a single hair on your head.”  Shuri snatch a strand quickly.  “Hamba uyo bepha inja!!” Shuri says, throwing the strand into the fire.  Ashleigh yelps as she runs off.

Shuri then turns to Hanson.

“Uh, please, you know I haven’t been anything but nice-”

Shuri points to him.  “But you stay in the background.  No better than a pest scuttering along the wall for me to squash.”

Hanson holds his hands up.  “I know what it looks like, but what can I do!  Ashleigh’s parents give a lot of money here, we can’t just treat her anyway.”

“And if that is true, she should not be excused for blatant racism!  She is a pauper to me, but I do not wave it around pridefully.  You will be lucky to still work here by morning…”

Hanson gets on his knees at her feet.  “No, no, please.  I’m almost tenure, come on.”

A howl is heard in the background sending chills down Hanson’s spine.

“My pet is becoming hungry.  Maybe sufficing her appetite will forgive your sins.”

“Yes, yes!  What could she want.”

“Something of a high rated dining experience.  No cheaper than $30 for the entree, and bring a dessert to my room as well.  Leave the receipt to confirm my instructions as fulfilled.”

Hansons nods, running off in a hurried pace.  Shuri flips her eyes back again and bends over laughing out loud.   “Oh my goodness, that was rich!”

CeCe comes out of the shadows, taking off her costume head, laughing as well.  “I told you this would be fun!  Play into their fears, they won’t test you no more, bet.”

“Bast I hope you’re right.  I still think the dinner request was a bit much, but it seemed to stick.  Now let’s go home before I freeze to death in the air.  I still think being in a shirt would’ve brought the same effect.”

“Nooo, I needed you in full on Queen of the Damned mode.  You made them your minions no doubt!  And I knew this would make us hungry, might as well get something for nothing; not like he ain't good for it. But you go ahead, I'll be back at the dorm later.  Got some loose ends to tie up first.”

The next morning, Shuri and CeCe sit in lecture to await the beginning of class.  Hanson walks in nervously looking across the crowd, locking eyes with Shuri.  Shuri reaches into her bag and pulls out a receipt, crumpling it up and tossing it on the floor.  Hanson looks away, not at all relieved.  

Ashleigh walks in quickly walk into lecture, cap pulled over her head as she takes her seat.  

“Class, before we begin I forgot to mention our special guest participant, Shuri Udaku of the royal family in Wakanda.  I highly recommend picking her brain as she has exhibited outstanding work in engineering vibranium for a multitude of purposes, far beyond her years.  Let's give her a round of applause.”  

The class gives a hearty ovation and Shuri waves and bows.  Maybe she should have been more forthcoming about her background after all.  Hanson walks over to Ashleigh, motioning for her to remove her cap.  Her head shakes from side to side.  Hanson clears his throat.  “Today we will be doing preliminary testing.  If you have a hat on, it must be removed before we begin.”  Hanson looks to Ashleigh insistently.  

Ashleigh’s hands find her cap to pull it off.  The class gasps at the large bald spot in the middle of her head.

CeCe snickers to herself as Shuri questions her.  “Did you do that??”

CeCe nods.  “Man, Nair does not smell like her conditioner, she should blame herself.  She snatch me, I snatch back.  Your hair shit at the bonfire inspired me, like you said something.  What was it?”

Shuri looks at her in awe, holding her fist out to dap CeCe.  “I just told her to go fuck a dog, but i must say that is genius!  Diabolical.”

When lecture let out, Ashleigh walked fast past them without a word, which was way better than before.  Miqaila trailed behind her.

CeCe calls out.  “Hey, Miqaila!”

She turns, avoiding Shuri’s  gaze.  “Yeah, what’s up?”

“I wanted to get you something as a peace offering, just to say sorry and stuff since you and Ashleigh seem to be going through something, you guys ok?”

CeCe hands her a cup of iced coffee from Starbucks, making Miqaila smile halfway.  “No, we are fine, just….working out some kinks and stuff.  Learning to work independently.”  Miqaila glances at Shuri before taking a sip.

CeCe nods, “Ok, just let me know if you need anything else.  Praying for you guys!”

Miqaila sets off and Shuri turns to her, arms crossed.  “So why does Miqaila get the Hollywood treatment and Ashleigh is scalped?”

CeCe smiles a big, creepy smile.  “That gesture will have her sitting on the toilet for the rest of the day.  Your parasite comment gave me that inspo, so genius.”

Shuri’s eyes bucked as she lead her friend along.  Never had she met such a petty, mischievous, cunning person in her life.  She loved her.

[syntaxeme]

Moment’s Silence [VennHusk]

A/N: Oops I started writing this angsty, cathartic, over-expository little thing during No-Nuance November and only just finished it. Anyway, if you want to learn some notable things about Venture and/or her relationship with Husk, here’s your chance! I guess it’s safe to say this takes place sometime later in the Sugar is Sweet timeline.

Word count: 1800

Rating: T

Summary: Venture is used to always being the strong one, but refusing to acknowledge her weaknesses takes a toll on her both mentally and physically. It’s about time someone pointed that out to her.

—   —   — 

While Venture stood in the closet doorway, debating whether she should change before the evening’s festivities, her posture was impeccable, as always. Everything about her appearance was in order, in fact, every hair in place, every garment crisp. She was the very picture of composure.

As always.

Although she’d been on her feet for hours, each step sending pain stabbing through her legs, her stance didn’t shift. Although the upcoming evening of mingling and dancing promised to leave her in utter agony, she didn’t grimace. Beauty is pain. And she’d be damned if she let herself be seen as anything less. Better this than to slither across the ground like a creature, like an animal, like something to be looked down upon. No, she would wear her silks and her furs, her leather and too-high heels—the ones her friends had labeled ‘ridiculous’—and she would walk with ten times the grace of any other woman in the room, and she would let absolutely no hint of distress of weakness show on her face.

Once she’d traded out her coat for a similarly eye-catching gown of cream-colored silk and gone on to decide how to accessorize, there was a knock at her room’s door, followed by a familiar gruff voice: “Hey, Venn? You still gettin’ dressed?”

“In a manner of speaking,” she answered from the closet. “You’re welcome to come in, ya albi. I’ll only be a few minutes more.” The necklace she chose hung lower in the back than in the front, accenting all the skin displayed by her dress’s low back. Meaning she would have to take time to put her hair up as well. If every aspect couldn’t be perfect, she might as well not try at all.

A wolf whistle from behind her drew her attention, and she glanced back to find Husk leaning just inside the closet door, looking her up and down with an appreciative grin. “Goddamn, you look good. Ya sure we hafta go to this party thing? Bet I could keep ya plenty busy up here,” he suggested, and she answered with a patient smile of her own.

“As tempting as that is, I’m afraid I have an obligation to be there. I don’t trust Alastor to hold down the fort—as it were—in my absence, and although Charlie has good intentions, she’s still learning how to conduct herself professionally. They’ll need me.”

Yes, they always did. Although some part of her took immense satisfaction in that knowledge, it also left very little room for error or uncertainty on her part. A great deal of pressure weighed on her shoulders at all times, not only in the hotel but in all of her business endeavors, and she’d already made the executive decision to never let it bow her. No matter how exhausted she was. It simply wasn’t an option.

As she was in the process of tying her long hair into a plait, Husk came closer to wrap his arms around her waist and nuzzled his head against her shoulder, purring softly as he held her. He was dressed as formally as could be expected, complete with tie and suspenders, an effort he likely wouldn’t have made prior to their relationship. She wasn’t holding out much hope that he would dance with her, but simply having him present would be a comfort—which in itself made him an exception among her typical lovers.

“You even give yourself any time to rest since ya came up here?” he asked, his voice only slightly louder than the low rumble coming from his chest. “You been runnin’ around all day; I know your feet hafta be killin’ ya.”

“I’m fine, darling.”

“C’mon, Venn,” he sighed, releasing her to take a step back and leaving her colder for the distance. “Don’t gimme that shit. You already told me how hard it gets walkin’ around like this all the time. Ya gotta give yourself a few minutes to relax or you’re never gonna make it through the night.”

“Is that a challenge?” she asked dryly as she finished off her plait and tossed it back over her shoulder.

“Why make yourself suffer more just to make a point?” His tone made it clear how unamused he was with her joke. “I know how tough you are, doll. You know it. Everybody downstairs knows it too. Ya don’t hafta prove anything to them.”

“I’m well aware of that. None of my efforts are for their sake at all.” It’s just what I’m used to. “Don’t worry about me, ya albi. I’ve been through much worse.” As she tried to leave the closet, however, Husk moved to block her path, giving her a hard look that said he wasn’t about to let the issue go that easily. Beginning to get a bit frustrated with his insistent concern for her wellbeing, she huffed and went on, “Even if I did need a moment, there isn’t time. The party will start soon, and I’m needed downstairs to help finish preparations.”

“They can live without you for ten minutes. You’ve been workin’ with Charlie on this for weeks, and Al’s gonna be too busy hangin’ off Angel to cause any trouble,” the cat pointed out. Both valid points. Points she had brushed aside to avoid even the possibility of something going wrong, but true nevertheless.

“Why is this so important to you?” she asked quietly.

“’Cause you ain’t gonna bother takin’ care of yourself unless somebody makes you. We both know I can’t do much to help with your work, but I can sure as hell keep ya from runnin’ yourself ragged while ya deal with it.” The frown he wore wasn’t entirely distinctive from the sort he displayed at any other given moment, but there was still a certain softness in his eyes that said his grousing came from a place of concern more than aggravation. After a moment more of holding her ground, Venture let out a defeated sigh.

“Ten minutes,” she conceded, and Husk wasted no time in taking her hand to lead her to the bed. She sat on its edge, and he knelt to help her out of her shoes, stockings, and undergarments, bringing an uncharacteristic flush to her cheeks despite her knowing there was nothing sexual about the gesture—though the smirk he gave her suggested his mind was going somewhere similar. He then seated himself next to her and pulled her into his lap.

It took a moment, but she convinced herself to relax into her natural form, her legs shifting into a serpentine tail, her fangs visibly lengthening, her mane of dark hair morphing into a cobralike hood. She would probably have to redo her braid later, but for the moment, the relief of no longer maintaining her elegant façade overwhelmed any other thoughts. Her flawless posture softened as she leaned into her lover’s chest, and her tail idly curled around him to keep him close.

“Better?” he asked, stroking her arm lightly.

“Yess and no.” She winced at the pronounced hiss in her speech. Her undignified appearance in death must have somehow been a punishment for her actions in life, but she still wasn’t certain of how. But then, the matter of her existing in Hell at all was still a very muddy subject altogether. Best not to think about it too hard. Husk’s purring brought her back to the moment, forcing her to realize just how comfortable they had both gotten already. It really was tempting to stay there with him all night. Dangerously so. “We shouldn’t stay here for too long, darling.”

“You said ten minutes,” he reminded her, not budging from where he sat. “And ya better not be thinkin’ about work right now either.”

“…I just worry—”

“I know, and it’s liable to kill you again if you’re not careful.” Leaning in to press his forehead to hers, he went on, “Nothin’s goin’ wrong right now, doll. Ya don’t have anything to worry about. It’s just you and me. You’re safe.”

The words struck a chord she hadn’t heard in years, calling to mind another moment like this one, another lover thousands of years in the past, another embrace and those same words whispered: You’re safe. She could count on one hand the number of times since then that she’d lowered her guard this way around any other person. To do so was dangerous. She couldn’t afford to look weak. Yet here was someone who cared for her enough to recognize when her ‘strength’ became self-destructive. Enough to make her be gentler with herself. And as long as it was just the two of them, as long as he was the only one to see her this way, she supposed that was acceptable.

Since he was so close already, it was simple enough to lean forward and kiss him. Despite the indelicate state of her mouth at the moment, he didn’t hesitate to take it deeper, wrapping his arm tighter around her shoulders to keep her close. For ten full minutes, she remained right where she was, completely relaxed, thinking of nothing but him and how refreshing it was to be seen, even during moments when she wanted to hide.

When their time was up, she reluctantly drew away and straightened his tie for him. “We should be going, ya albi.”

“Mm. Ya sure?” he tried one last time, leaning down to press his lips to her throat instead. “Bet we could get away with another half-hour or so.”

“Nice try,” Venture answered with a smile, removing herself from her lover’s grasp to retrieve her discarded clothing. Shifting from her natural form to her preferred form required more effort but less time, as she spent so long holding it that it had become second nature by this point.

“Seriously,” Husk asked as she was pulling her stockings back on. “Are you gonna be okay tonight? And don’t fuckin’ tell me ‘I’ll be fine.’”

“But I will. Giving my body a break, even a brief one, makes maintaining this form easier. As much as I hate to admit it, your bullying was helpful.” As she’d suspected, her hair had come down from its braid, but as she started to plait it again, Husk caught her hands to stop her.

“Don’t bother. It looks good like this.”

She frowned and started to explain her reasoning for needing to put it up, but as she began to voice it, she couldn’t help feeling it sounded a bit silly. ‘Need’ seemed like a strong word. There were more important things to worry about. So she let it go and took his arm instead. “I suppose it’s best if I’m downstairs as soon as possible anyway. Shall we?”

“Sure. Just lemme know if you need another break, all right?”

“You know I won’t, darling. But thank you.”

[whybaddecisions]

To the one that got away:

It was winter when she first came to picture, I was just an ordinary guy that worked abroad didn't know what to do no goal, ambition, or even dreams if I can consider it, Was making money but I can't feel satisfaction while doing it soulless and partially lifeless in the process, before I came home I was in a long distance relationship with someone from France and everything worked out just fine but eventually we lacked personal intimacy, to the point that were not even trying to communicate with each other just went with our days without even saying "Hi" or "Good morning" to be honest I thought that she would be the one for me and I'll be the one for her, I was greatly mistaken to have thought that, because if u truly wish someone to be with you till your last breath it must have the right amount of perseverance, the strive to push forward and not to quit and fight! One day we came to an agreement that the thing we have isn't working out anymore, so we broke up decided to be friends, just like that in a snap of a finger she was gone and so am I.

I know that it's rough on both of us but on the other hand it felt that the chemistry wasn't there anymore so it's better to leave that be.

After a month I decided to focus more on my career first since I'm waiting for my agency to call and kick me out of the country again but with a new job on a cruise ship around Us and Europe, while waiting i knew that my brother knows a lot of people here in the Philippines that has a company related to my forte so I asked him

"Man do you know anyone in the industry looking for a waiter?"

He told me that there was one here in Batangas and she was a good friend of his.

"yeah I know a place just a 5 min drive from here"

So I was excited cuz I'm going to work my ass off and forget what has happened.

So there it was "TRICIA'S" name of the workplace my brother told me about, and on December 17, 2019 I started there as a waiter, it was an open house bar kinda rowdy but in a good way but damn do these kids party hard! My shift was from 4pm to 4am and it was messy as hell always but I had fun in the process.

Then that faithful day came to place, all the stars were aligned and the soothing falling of leaves was upon me, I didn't expect any less from that day than any day cause for me it was just goin to turn out as an ordinary day, but then u came and I saw you with my best friend. 🙏 well I couldn't care less at first if u talk to me or not, but the first time you shut me down is when you were passing by my side I thought that u are going to get a menu off the bar, and I was psyched and told myself "now's my chance to like give her the menu and make small talk" Then u said "No" off the bat cuz u were just going to grab that box of tissue, boo me assumer! Then I remembered u were with my best friend so time to show off I think? Like provide them with the best service possible, bring the drinks on time, food must be hot, bucket of ice must be full all the time, no delay in anything like to the fullest service a server can give them, after all was served I was shocked that u said Hi and Hi again and again complimented my cologne called me by my nickname which wasn't really needed, I was shy just making a grin of my mouth just to show her I'm not bothered, but I'm to the fullest extent cause I already asked for ur name, checked u out on Facebook through my best friend that's why I was shy.

The u guys left. And I asked my bff

"should I add her on FB? What ya think?"

She replied with so much enthusiasm

"Gooooo! Add her, she wants to be friends with you also"

And boom it hit me like the biggest meteorite just punched through earth, I was so overwhelmed and cannot wipe the smile of my face that morning.

I'm not normal I can say that proudly in a good way of course, but if someone overwhelmed already with the thought of his/her crush wanting for them to be friends and then out of nothing she says that do you want me to bring you coffee, that would be the most awesome thing that would happen to you, you'd probably be smiling for the whole day like legitimately smiling at everyone with the upmost feeling. For me coffee is sometimes is more important than people but for what she did LFU!!! And she brought me my coffee that morning and she insisted on bringing it , on that day she already got me.

Time passed and things were going accordingly, perfectly some bumps along the way, but we were happy and contended to what we had and a few dates, I remember on the night before Christmas I was supposed to give u your present and you stood me up because of a party your family held and I understood that situation of yours, kinda sulk tho that we didn't get to meet but one of my favorite memory is when you asked me out on a date and it was Christmas, you got to meet my parents also sorry if your hills was soaked in water cuz it was pouring heavily that day. We ate at "Romantic Baboy" a Korean restaurant with unlimited pork skin, chicken strips and cheese on the sides, and you know what's my favorite part of that particular day? Is when I took a picture of you smelling a rose and thought to myself that I don't want this to end may the universe hinder us from us but I'll fight with my last breath to preserve what we have and what else will happen. Then I fucked up.

Scribbled words, nauseated, anxious, crippled, out of way, bothered, stressed,fretful,fretting, disturbed, agitated, irritated, apprehensive, to the point that I don't even want to look at myself in the mirror so disgusted to what I did, execute me if the universe wants to, the feeling of overly doubting my self worth was inevitable, brought to me by my own decisions that messed me up entirely.

Wondering what happened haunts me in the most gruesome way possible. So here it goes, I lied to her big-time which I didn't know that it was possible since I did it already not multiple times but only ONE THAT GOT ME REAL FUCKED! Is when I received a message from my longtime best friend from way back as kids, 20 years to be exact . On the message she told me

"when are you going to show urself I haven't seen u in forever"

Then I was shocked cause normally she wouldn't Pm (Private Message) like that in the past, then I told her.

"one of these days when I'm not busy cause of work"

Then she asked about my love life and u were the first in my mind so I told her about you.

"there's this girl that I'm seeing, my other best friend introduced me to her and she already met my parents last Christmas then we ate outside and we had a great time"

That's what I said then I also told her to help me find a perfect present for you.

Then on December 27, 2019 I told you that I'll be visiting a long time friend with a kid and I didn't tell you if it was a girl or a boy cause I don't want you to get angry at me but then again I should've told you that in the first place. When I was there at her house since we were long time friends we had a great time also with the kid in the picture, happy and overwhelmed at the same time, then her mother came down gave me a hug and greeted me welcome home or back to the phil, cause she hasn't seen me for over 4 years I think. After the the greetings my best friend told her mom that I'm seeing someone which is you. Well I didn't expect that she would be sly about it and drop your name so casually, so I just came right through it and said yes I'm dating this girl and she's wonderful, but her mom told me that r u taking things way to fastly you just got out of a relationship, I told them that also I was off with someone before I met you. So after they told me not to deepen anything with anyone yet, assuring that I would not get hurt cause for them I'm family also, cause her dad was the godfather of my brother that's why our families was close still to this point they are.

Then the next day came I went again to her house because I was having fun playing with her son and missed talking to her a lot, because in the longest time I had a crush on her and knowing me I couldn't seal the deal from before, but this time I thought to myself maybe this is it when she'll notice the man i have become, and you passed my memory, in me saying that I'm dating this girl and why should I break her heart? Did u deserve to be treated that way Nooooo! In fuckin million years no! But I did anyways. Without even consenting my best friend, myself and most importantly God. I messed up 😭

So then it happened the happiest'sh and the worst'sh decision in my existence trampling over someone that didn't deserve any hardships cause you were the most beautiful soul ever seen. Yeah I misunderstood the fact that she'll replace you over and over again because of the thing we had in the past like 20 years of friendship over something that just happened recently was a very wrong thought to even deliver in a person's mouth crippling fear came over me I didn't know what to do my life was in chaos lost in the path, I part take wishing it all away silently murmuring to myself that if had the power to change it all I would, I was blinded really blinded by that stumbling and staggering in every situation possible, even with work I wasn't happy anymore so I left, it's not like me to leave unprofessionally but I did cause it broke me down to my core knowing that I did something to hurt the most, I don't know if it's faith that we met or just me knocking on the door of heaven praying and longing for someone to bump in my life and there you was. But I was too blinded by the fact that I thought that she'll be the one to save me but you were there standing without flinching and with the unyielding love that a human person can give to another and I wasted it all away. Knowing that we were supposed to go to an amusement park, and guess what? That Jan 3 was the day destiny punched me in the face for me to tell you what I got in stored deep inside the dark and deep corners of my heart which was hard to let it out, but I was willing to get out of my comfort zone, break boundaries and say what I really mean.

But then again it didn't happen because of me. But why is that I don't have a perfect checklist of good things in life and almost all of it is on the bad side, really looking inside I didn't have any intention of hurting you, but when I came to see you coming from manila was one of the blurriest decision I've made cause I was going to fix everything but was still blinded, so I did see you but what I said that day when we were inside the car was all true, you mean the world to me but how dumb can a human be maybe I'm the epitome of that, knowing her and thinking she was the one was greatly poor on my side, some people are worth suffering for and I'll suffer for you anytime of the day, week, year or anywhere.

Saying this honestly you are the one with a pure heart on the other hand she also has but like only in a normal state and I thought she was a diamond but day by day she turns to coal slowly breaking and burning me in the process I don't blame her for that but knowing her I didn't expect that a shallow river is bound to drop over me and drown me, because in your eyes I saw a girl swimming in a vast ocean with many things to look after but was calm about it, and composed in a way that anything can turn out good and without harms way. Simply saying that u r different really different in a good way of course.

The self realization made it clearer than the brightest day, clarity filled up inside,b the blindness was cured and I can see far from what I saw before straightforward only walking in one path never turning right or left staying on a pace that'll last, growing abundantly in each other's presence. point here is i really know that u are the perfect illustration a right decision

I hope and pray eventually time will get us to see and feel that something happens for a reason, it's not just the way it was given but on the way it ends and begins again, hoping,praying, begging, pleading, that when that time comes even if it's on a reciprocal I will greatly cherish it and give it as grace without asking for anything in return like a river splashing water on the ground with the little weed sprouting through time, it doesn't have to be the entire ground but the important parts only, perfect timing, right alignment of stars and even if the wind blows strongly or a single rain drop I'll always bring you close by my side and wanting you to stay beside me. I just wish in time we would see each other in our arms again.

And to the one that got away.

Looking back to those days we were so happy I really wanted to tell you how much you mean to me, and the simple things u did, like looking at me with those mesmerizing eyes and the captivating depth and clarity it shown, the way you cling was warmth beyond any parka or furred jacket I've worn before saying slowly while you hug me that you'll never let go. And the way you pull your hair back showing roaring waves but calms me up to the core while the strands of your hair graze my face tingles my curiosity to kiss you in the forehead. And I never felt an urge every time you kissed me on the cheek and while you ask me to kiss you back was the sweetest tune my ears can imagine like angelic figures playing the harp or something like that. And the way we used to drive with ur friends feels like ecstasy having fun and in a euphoric way, I like seeing you laugh a lot, curse a lot at people, things or anything cause im not finding any wrong in that, because that's who you are and what you represent. Also the times we had so much fun singing those songs you recommended me. And to this particular song which made me see you in whole different level, cause you were the first one who dedicated something for me, those giggles that both of us shared is more important the . The unparralled and unrequited feeling that those gestures are simply producing, but what I say is the manifestation of genuine love is you.