#so everyone has to wish that he still manages to feel decently rested and that his day at work is so awesome and calm

[transgaysex]

everybody here wish a good day to my boyfriend right now OR ELSE

[themeraldee]

Mark Me Yours

[Masterlist]

18+ Only | 4.6k | Homelander x fem!Reader | Biting. Established Relationship. Mild Pain Play. Cunnilingus. Fingering (with gloves on).

Written for cozy corner kinktober prompt #16: Biting

Amongst the buzz of some vague Halloween music and constant chatter, Homelander is impatiently looking around the room. As an annual treat, Vought organizes a Halloween-themed party for their shareholders, ambassadors and any and all influential people that get easily swayed by expensive champagne and an impressive catering spread. 

The one person not impressed is Homelander himself. 

He’s had his fill of schmoozing and brown-nosing at Madelyn’s behest. By now he’s just looking for an excuse to leave. He’s not one to indulge in partying like the rest of the Seven. Looking at the state of them leaves him with a bitter feeling. There they are being more rambunctious than ever while he’s the only one who’s trustworthy enough to actually get the job of upselling and marketing done right.

While it’s dressed as a fun party, Vought doesn’t do things for fun. It’s a thinly veiled attempt at getting all the powerful people in the room to spend more money and sign onto more superhero-led campaigns in their fields. Really, to Homelander it’s a waste of fucking time. There are so many better things he could be doing. But no. He’s stuck having to sweet talk every C-suite level person in the room.

And while part of him wishes he could just relax and kick back like the rest of them he just as much scoffs at the childish Halloween costumes the rest of his team came in. Before the party even broke out, Deep thought it would be funny to come dressed in one of those terribly cheap polyester Homelander costumes all the pathetic lowlifes wear on this day of the year.

Pfft. As if they could ever understand the burden that comes with wearing the suit. Neither, really, could Deep. That’s why one look was enough to get through even his thick and algae-infested skull that if he doesn’t change out of the suit there won’t be a body to dress up for the party. 

With an exasperated shake of his head he looks for you. He comes into these parties with decent energy, soaking up the applause and the adoring words but very quickly the praise turns sour when he feels just how empty and vapid each executive he talks to comes across as. They don’t actually care for his attention. They just want to wring him dry for more cash and fame. You’re the only one who’s managed to keep his usually soured high going. Your look doesn’t turn vacant, instead there’s a real person behind those eyes. One that’s his. One that adores him and is his to adore. 

So where the hell were you anyway? Your presence is what makes him tolerate the insipid crowds these days. Besides the fact that he gets to be with you and show you off to the world, he happily uses your name as an excuse to get out of conversations that just about manage to reach levels of stupidity and numbness that even his media-trained smiles and nods can’t keep him looking interested.

Fucking Halloween. What a stupid holiday, he thinks. Homelander slides his tongue over the fake plastic vampire fangs you insisted he wears throughout the night. As if he’s a child that has to partake in the “festivities”. As if it wasn’t enough that he’s gracing everyone here with his effervescent presence. Surrounded by cameras he has no choice but to keep up his flawless smile, now tainted with the silly prop.

And really at this point he’s getting less annoyed and more worried. You promised you’d show up. And while the party is in full effect you’re still nowhere to be seen. Homelander steps a little to the side, removing himself from as much of the chatter and music as he can, instead listening carefully, honing in on the familiar pitter patter of your heart. Only outpaced by the clicking of your heels as you rush across the stone flooring.

Tsk, late as always. 

Not even a minute later you make your way through the open door, immediately looking around for him. Homelander watches you try to calm down your rush as you finally settle your eyes on him. You’re smoothing down your dress and calming your breath. He leans against the wall, raising an eyebrow and with a lifted gloved finger he motions for you to come close.

Thank god you’re finally here. Just the sight of you is enough to release the tension in his shoulders. Relieved that there’s finally someone who he doesn’t have to pretend in front of. 

And what a sight you are. Dressed to the nines, a gorgeous classy black evening dress that fits your body perfectly.

He would know, it’s one of the many he handpicked for you. 

Looking at you now he can’t deny that he’s got impeccable taste. His keen eye is good when it comes to picking clothing that dresses your figure in a flattering way. Not just any dress would do, it always has to be perfect.

Until he actually notices the little band of cat ears across your head that has him recall the very long-winded argument—or an exchange of opinions as you liked to call it—about the importance of dressing up appropriately during any festivities you come to be a part of.

“Look who finally showed up. I was beginning to think you stood me up.” He flashes you a grin, letting the fangs exaggerate the sharpness of his smile. 

You stutter through your answer, caught off guard, and instead of defending your tardiness you change the conversation. Homelander watches as your eyes widen in surprise, locking on the way he slides his tongue over the pointy ends. The shiver that runs through you doesn’t escape him either. Well… isn’t that interesting. 

“Oh my god—I didn’t think— you’re actually wearing them!” Almost comically you put your hand over your mouth in shock and he takes the time to properly look you up and down. In your initial shock you let him in on not one, not two but three secrets. 

From the gasped breath and the excited shiver running down your body he deduces that your earlier adamant begging to have him dress up was for an entirely different indulgence. 

His second surprise upon checking you up and down was the lack of any undergarments. Not that he wouldn’t be able to look through the flimsy bits of fabric as well but the lack of them certainly inspires a mood. 

And the third secret your body lets him in on is just how much you enjoy the sight of his fanged grin. Your thighs rub together but with no fabric to soak into, your slick just squelches in between your legs. A sweet little symphony for his ears only. Maybe tonight won’t be so boring after all. 

If this was the kind of trick or treating he knew he’d be getting he’d have been onboard with the holiday a lot sooner. 

His mouth tugs into a smile but he stops himself, instead tutting and shaking his head.

“Unlike someone, I’m keeping my word.” He rolls his eyes. “After all that hounding you come out in this? So much for dressing up, Mrs Halloween spirit.” He makes a mocking gesture with his hands, waving dramatically over your Halloween costume, if one could call it that.  

“And sweetheart, although you look stunning, your little cat ears definitely don’t count as a costume.” Homelander relishes in the way you swoon under his compliments and attention.

At least someone here understands how valuable it is to have his attention. 

Homelander waves over a waiter, plucking a flute glass off the tray, passing it to you. This breaks you out of your trance and you finally get your words straight.

“Sorry, that’s why I’m late. I had a costume, I swear! Then Ashley needed help with something and then on my way here someone spilled red wine all over my costume, so I had to change. I know it’s not impressive but this was last minute!” 

“Oh, it’s very impressive. Just not very festive of you.” He quotes what you said earlier that evening about his reluctance to wear the stupid Dracula costume you prepared for him.

“If you wanted to come as Catwoman you could’ve worn some swanky latex at least.” 

“Oh no thank you. You’d be peeling me out of that at the end of the night.” And you look cute when you shake your head with that displeased look on your face.

“Who said I won’t be peeling you out of this?” He places his hand on your waist, his glove sliding across the silk of the dress.

“I’m hoping that’s gonna look a little more elegant than the latex suit would.” You lean in, whispering this little secret as if it was just the two of you in the room. You do always make him feel like he’s the only one in the room. Finally, he’s getting the respect he deserves.

“One way to find out.” He graces you with a show of his sharp fangs as he whips out another wide grin. 

It almost wins you over.

But you’re not that easily swayed. And you came here to celebrate Halloween with him. Clearly, he’s not gonna be able to use you as an excuse to leave just yet.

You say just that.

“You can’t leave yet!” You cover your flustered cheeks with a laugh.

Homelander doesn’t give up without a fight, but more importantly there’s nothing he loves more than having an upper hand. “Then why aren’t you wearing any underwear?”

He’s close to leaning you against the wall and boxing you in so you don’t have a chance to get away but he does have appearances to uphold. 

“I—um, I thought I’d keep you motivated to keep your energy up throughout the night.” You’re no stranger to keeping things exciting. Flirting with him is a must and comes naturally. Unless it’s outside the comfort of your home. Then you get all flustered and embarrassed. It’s cute, really. 

“You’re motivating me to leave.” He grumbles and dips his eyes back down your body, making it terribly obvious that he’s not just admiring your dress. 

On the other hand, he’s a better flirt in a crowd. He knows the power that comes with being surrounded by people that adore him and while it’s the comfort in between the two of you that allows that, he takes advantage of being the one who’s seemingly in control. 

“I've barely just arrived!” 

“That's your problem not mine, be punctual next time.”

 “Come on, just another hour. You can manage.”

He rolls his eyes, already beyond fed up with the party. However, he still has a job to do and you take the chance to make your way around the room to make your presence known to other attendees. 

As the time goes on, Homelander catches you looking around for him like a sixth sense tickling the back of his neck and everytime he meets your wandering eyes, giving you a dazzling smile showing off those fake fangs he still puts up with just for you. And each time you look away flustered and move out of his line of sight.

While everyone else is here to kick back, he’s still on duty, actively greasing deals, soft-launching Madelyn’s messaging and repeating the corporate-glazed talking points just to plant the seeds of Vought’s future plans in unsuspecting and mildly inebriated victims. 

The promised excruciating hour later he finally makes his way around the room back to you, pulling you out of the conversation with his media smile aimed at the group. “Sorry folks, you’ll need to excuse my date.” With a hand settling on your lower back, he takes you away into a quieter corner, plucking the empty glass out of your fingers, placing it at a nearby catering table.

“You have been avoiding me.”

“I have not! I just know how busy you are.”

“Right.” He spreads his lips into a wicked smile and he watches as your eyes quickly dart from his eyes to his teeth, not quickly enough for him to miss it. Neither does he miss the way your heart skips a beat.

It’s then he puts his hands on his hips shaking his head with a laugh. “I knew it, you’re into this.” He lifts one hand to wave a gloved finger in your face as if you’ve done something naughty.

“I’m not!” You’re a terrible liar. Homelander just places his hand on your chin as he uses it to tilt your head to one side.

While ignoring your protest he continues. “Is this some sort of Twilight fantasy you’ve got? Want me to bite you here?” 

“What—no!”

He raises his eyebrows, parting his lips as he glides his gloved fingers down your neck with his other hand. As if you were in a secluded bubble he has his eyes firmly set on you, focusing on the hurried beat of your heart. 

Unlike him you fluster. Unable to tune out the sound of the party and the presence of a crowd.

“Stop, you’re embarrassing me!” You squeak out like a little mouse, though your hushed voice makes no difference to Homelander’s keen ears.

While he doesn’t let the topic go, he does let go of your chin, allowing you to straighten up. 

“While I love you very much, I’m not covering myself with glitter.” He chuckles to himself, terribly amused at having found one of your guilty pleasures. “But I can be your super strong and fast vampire if you’d like that.” It’s his turn to turn all hushed and whispered. He talks in a way that he usually indulges in between the sheets yet he can’t resist to see your reaction.

Homelander doesn’t miss the way you shudder at his proposition. He almost melts away your stubborn exterior, but you snap out of the dazed vision and blink your fantasies away. This is not the place.

“Wait, how do you know so much about it? And no, no, it’s not a Twilight fantasy. It doesn’t matter. Does it really need an explanation?” Still continuing with the hushed outrage you pull him with you, backing out of the party hall.

Homelander grins at you widely, purposefully flashing the fangs while you drag him away from the party. You probably think you’re being subtle, trying to blend your bodies in between the incoming crowds. However, his cape alone is as dead giveaway as any. If anyone cared to get his attention at the party they were now keenly aware that he’s left. 

“Nope, not really. I just want to know what’s going on in that fucked up little head of yours.” The lightheartedness that comes with you two prodding one another is not only refreshing; it’s needed. To have someone he can feel like a lovesick teenager with is more important than he expected it to be. 

You act as if you were sneaking away from your parents’ house rather than seeking the quiet comfort of your home.

You secretly make your way down hallways, guiding Homelander behind you.

Even with his hand in yours you reluctantly turn around. The Eurydice to your Orpheus where one look would make him disappear forever. 

He understands the love shared between the two of you. Sometimes it’s so overwhelming it feels like its own living thing. Ever growing. Spreading like mold. Taking over everything that you both are. Be it good or bad. 

When he shuts the door behind the two of you it’s like the rest of the world goes quiet. He can’t stop himself from smiling widely at the sound of your pretty laugh when he spins you in place, clumsily dancing with you across the hardwood floor of his penthouse. 

He didn’t get the luxury of dancing with you during the party so he enjoys the feel of you carefree and against him in the comfort of his personal enclosure.

Neither of you need music to feel the intimate rhythm of your bodies. And really, the party has only just started. Each wrong step results in a giggle and another twirl with which Homelander brings you closer.

The warmth and love Homelander can feel from your laugh is so visceral he needs to taste it. He captures your lips. Simply pressing his against yours. Feeling the vibrations of your giggles against his pursed lips.

Just as he’s parting his lips to deepen the kiss you stop him, placing a hand on his chest. You don’t put any effort into pushing him off, it would be fruitless should you try anyway. 

“Take them out, they’ll get in the way.” You refer to the fangs you’ve been downright drooling over the whole night. Finally. Homelander takes out the prop fangs and tosses them to the side.

With no barriers in the way he devours your lips like he’s been starved for the taste of you all night. He’s drunk on the ease with which you let him take what he wants from you. 

He’s pulling out his best moves tonight. He’s always eager to impress, but tonight especially so. It’s not everyday he finds out about yet another depraved fantasy you’ve been keeping away from him. That alone is a reason to celebrate and pull out all the stops. So if a little innocent vampire roleplay is what you want, a vampire roleplay is what you’ll get. 

Nipping at your lips earns him a moan. His hands gliding up your body cause a shudder. He continues teasing you little by little until your body is begging him to take it further. Your tongue licks over the naturally pointy ends of his canines. His grin stretches wide, dissolving the haze of lust and instead reminding him of what he’s here to do.

He walks you back to the sofa, all the way until your calves hit the upholstering and your knees give in. With a gleeful giggle you fall onto the cushioning. Homelander follows after you, sprawling across your body, still kissing you.

"I can hear your pulse racing..." Homelander breathes out when he pulls away. His eyebrows pinched tight together, acting as if any second away from you causes him pain. 

It doesn’t. But being away from you might as well feel like he’s drowning.

“All that blood rushing…” In a breathy tone he continues. His hands push the straps of your dress over your shoulders. His hands tremble. Wanting to grip and squeeze and push and pull. But the power he’s capable of is always kept tightly locked up. But the desire and the pool of need inside him just begs for him to be inside you, feeling your supple warmth all around him.

But he wants to fulfill your fantasy. He wants to be good for you.

With a moan he drags his tongue starting from your collarbone up the line of your neck. Hungry for the faint taste of you he licks at the tender skin, sucking marks where you won’t be able to conceal them.

He laps his tongue over the junction of your neck and shoulder with the same eagerness he usually devours your cunt with. Now he’s preparing the soft delicate skin of your neck, akin to a surgeon before a procedure. Equally diligent in prepping your skin ready for the incision. Except Homelander wants you to feel the sharpness and warmth of his canines and incisors rather than the cold steel of a surgical scalpel. Your blood rushes to the surface where he’s sucked hickies all over your skin. The temptation to break skin and feel the warmth of your blood is tempting. But alas, he wants you lightheaded with pleasure, not blood loss.

He’s too sucked into his own world. Your blood is rushing loudly in his ears. He doesn’t even manage to slip out another zinger before sinking his teeth into your neck with a needy moan.

Should someone stumble upon you two, it wouldn’t be clear who asked for this roleplay in the first place. 

Homelander’s careful with the pressure he puts into the bite. Even without his super strength he could easily break through your fragile skin. Instead he’s leaving indents and bite marks over your neck that have you whimpering right into each lap of his tongue over the wounded skin.

Attuned to your body’s responses he can feel the way you’re getting off on the contrast of the sharp bites and the dull ache of his languid tongue.

When he’s done with your neck, Homelander pulls away. Eyes hazy with lust. Hands trembling. His heartbeat is so loud it overpowers yours. He slides his tongue over his teeth as if he was licking off your blood. He looks up to meet your eyes and if the sight of you isn’t something out of a dream.

Just as hazed with the thick lust in the air. The smattering of bites is exquisite on a canvas as perfect as you. Your body rises and collapses with each shuddered breath and Homelander wants nothing more than to finish painting your body with his love.

And he does. Tearing and sliding the silk fabric off your body he leaves you bare in front of him. Your choice to omit your underwear gets you rewarded faster. He’s already sucking and biting all over your chest. Swapping for soft kisses anytime you yelp out of painful sensitivity.

Homelander bites wherever his teeth allow to sink into your flesh. Giving them the same soothing treatment with his tongue like he’s done on your neck.

The bites he descends upon your sides make you burst into giggles, temporarily breaking the bubble of the heated tension. With a smile he nuzzles his head into your belly, kissing you with affection all over the exposed skin. While the love he exudes is just as intoxicating, you push his head further down.

“Greedy.” He teases, but he happily slides off the couch, kneeling on the ground right in front of your gloriously spread legs. “Want me to bite you here too?” He easily slides back into his breathy tone as his mouth waters at the smell of your arousal.

After all this time he’s spent getting you worked up with bites and kisses you’re leaking over the couch.

He doesn’t wait for your answer, if you were coherent enough to give it anyway, and instead he licks up your inner thigh. Narrowly avoiding your sopping wet cunt. And while the hypnotizing rhythm of your throbbing clit nearly sucks him in, there’s still plenty of supple flesh he’s yet to sink his teeth into.

Homelander treats your inner thighs with the same respect he’s given your neck. Even though you wiggle underneath his tongue he holds you down. His arm easily pinning your middle down, while his shoulders keep your legs open enough for him to continue.

Here the sensation makes you both whimper from the stinging bites and giggle from the tickling motions of his tongue. Your body continues to serve as a canvas as he litters marks in between your thighs. He lets a few bruises join the mix as he grips your thighs with too much enthusiasm when he dips his head lower to bite another mark higher up the sensitive skin. 

You don’t shy away from the pain either. The contrasting shades of pain he paints across your skin just make your breath stutter, your heart race and your core ache for more.

Homelander is just as strung out. His cock is heavy and aching uncomfortably in the tight confines of his pants but he’s not about to relieve himself. Not when you’re served in front of him like a meal. 

Finally he buries his head into your lap. He licks up a line from your weeping hole to your clit, slurping up as much slick as his tongue can gather. He goes through expressions of content, where he’s eagerly sucking on your clit, and need, where he pinches his eyebrows together, whimpering into your cunt at the feeling of you quivering around his tongue.

And really, he could spend hours in between your legs. Getting handfuls of your ass he pulls you even closer, his tongue now closely and precisely rolling around your clit in a rhythm that has your toes curling and heart pounding. He’s come to know your body as intimately as it gets. The changes in pace are part of his plan. The slow teasing to a fast build-up, letting the feeling of your encroaching orgasm climb up and up your spine until he slows down, dropping the meter down again, wanting to prolong your pleasure.

With the occasional pull to the side where he nips more bites into your inner thighs he has you strung tight, and he’s playing you like a violin. When your moans turn into near sobs at the constant edge he keeps you balanced on, Homelander takes pity on you.

Gathering the slick and saliva, he pushes two thick gloved fingers into you. The drag of the leather glove is not familiar enough to you and you whine at the contact, clenching down on his fingers. Tight enough to nearly stop the glide.

With soft kisses he descends upon your clit, he lets you relax. When your cunt is no longer squeezing his fingers for dear life he drags them in and out while amping up the pressure. The obscene display of you bare to the world and him still dressed in his uniform has you both vocal and shameless.

While he’s already done a fantastic job of licking you open and needy, making you into an even bigger mess than you were before; he’s now fucking you wide open, preparing you for what’s inevitably going to be his cock in a round or two filling out all the space his fingers can’t reach. 

“C’mon, keep fucking me. Harder. Harder. Ye-yes. Yes!” You groan out, your voice all cracked and strained from moaning for so long. 

You grind yourself down on his fingers as much as the space allows. Your fingers pull at his hair while you ride both his face and his fingers to completion. It’s a hard finish, with downright growled words of praise as you chase the high he’s providing you with.

“That’s it, that’s it, that’s it. Fffuuck. Such a good boy, letting me ride your face like that.” You pant in between words, just as eager to give out praise as he is to receive it. 

With an obscene squelch, Homelander pulls his fingers out of you, sucking the leather clean, adding to the already rich taste of you on his tongue. You slide down the couch and lean down to kiss him, and he indulges you in letting you taste yourself on his lips.

Pulling away, you only allow the minimum space apart in between each other. Just like him, you act as if being apart caused you harm. 

“Take me to bed. I want to ride your cock next. Aaand maybe bite you myself.” With a giggle you wrap your hands around his neck. 

“You know you can’t bite me.” With a tilt of his head he kisses the bite marks he’s left behind. Each kiss brings back a little spark of pain making you twitch. 

“I love a challenge.”

“Well I’d certainly love to see you try.” He effortlessly lifts you up from the couch, already carrying you over to the bedroom.

After all the treating he’s done, he’s definitely excited to see some tricks.

So maybe the Halloween celebrations are not so stupid after all.

Taglist (you can add yourself to be tagged anytime I publish a new Homelander fic):

@rafecamsgirlll @hom3landr @mrsdesade @littlegaaby @jokesonyoupup

@nommingonfood @infinetlyforgotten @nervoussystemss

[kalianos]

Context: So ages ago I ran a game in one of my custom worlds. It was a False Hydra game. Kept the players in the dark about it. Along the way I had kept some light notes pointing out bits here and there I felt were important. These eventually made it to the scene I am going to describe below.

As you walk along the town, the ropes tied around your waist. However everyone alive hear and feel the rope snap and sounds of heavy slapping. Along with the distinct chink of something small bouncing on the cobblestones.

Party starts to immediately asking who died, who they don't remember anymore. I calmly tell them that they are fine. Except the druid. I hear an exasperated groan from the player thinking he died since he was at the end of the rope. I tell him no, his character is still alive and as he looks back. He see's another length of rope behind him that wasn't there before. Leading to a mess of half-eaten green skin, bright armor and a book covered in blood on the ground.

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

Upon looking at the journal. They found this in the book. It's a bit lengthy.

1994 DR, 14th of Midwinter’s Torment

The adventurer’s guild has tasked us again. We are holding out a campaign against some rogue goblin elements outside of town. I have my doubts about the job. Acanthes is a chill human at least. He still smells like the swamp though. Somehow got saddled with a warrior from Chaton. Chaton! How the feth did he make it over the many fathoms?

Must have paid an orc ship all his coin to be taking work with the adventurers’ guild.

1994, 16th of Midwinter’s Torment

We made camp at the edge of the their base. It took a two days and a night to get here. By Moradin, The rogue we brought along has cheese. I suspect she is part of the “cheese makers” in more ways than one. She can be useful. Kai is a decent sort. Got too sharp of a tongue. Sharp dagger as well thankfully. In hindsight it was funny how well she threw a dagger into that goblin scouts skull. The tabaxi is being quiet.

1994DR, 17th of Midwinter’s Torment

We managed to break into the first barricades. The guards have been taken down. The patrols are aware of us now unfortunately. I have only a few vestiges of my power left. By Moradin I wish I was stronger to channel his divine will. Time. Time is all we need. They are banging on the doors.

1995DR, 4th of Summer Song

We have gone on for so long. We only had a few days rest from taking down the halfling raids to the north along the steppes. Those plains scare me. We passed by a few ghost towns. Ravaged by the halfling mongrels, taken down by Gnoll war bands. Or worse. Being consumed by the false hydras.

Since we have earned bronze rank over the last several months. We were warned that our jobs are now going to be “real” jobs. True monsters and terrors can now be assigned to us. It can’t be all bad right? I heard in the officer lounge while being debriefed that a blue dragon is potentially going to recruit some of us to acquire a rare gem for a courtship ritual. Apparently we would be guests of honor at the wedding if it goes well. I like weddings. Though I don’t think anyone knows how dwarves wed themselves. Buying themselves from their significant other’s parents, crushing gems under their iron boots. Growing up as a half-orc in the tunnels was interesting. Strangely did get a few interested lookers.

1995 DR, 11th of Summer’s rest

I am fuming now. I had slight hope we would get the deadly mission to help out the blue dragon, I could have worn a pretty formal chain-mail shirt or maybe plate armor. I had even looked into our major library to learn how blue dragons interacted and proper protocol.

All for nothing. Ackerson had come down pale and shaking after the letter flew in and he handed me the pack. I noticed it was much thicker than usual. Usually a manifest was just, “Supplies, guild resources rented, gold reward, gold reward deductions, and a small line for our major injury expenses to be compensated.” All on a single sheet of paper, then the outline written by a desk jockey with no legs. This was a full blown book in size. When I asked what it was about Ackerson just leaned up and whispered into my ear the one thing I didn’t want to hear ever in my existence.

“There is a report of a false hydra by guild watchdogs up in Ohmsford. Your team is the only one capable at the moment to handle it. We have taken measures and given you major bonuses to increase your chances of success. We need you to do this, and…I’m sorry. In case any of you fail, the stone of false hydra adventurers has already been carved upon so we will at least know you all in name and what your designations were in the grand library.”

I’m scared, no I’m terrified. Reading this book made by two wizards accounts is the most terrifying thing ever. These monsters are born from lies in folklore but we have no idea how they spring up? The drawings and the life-cycles of these things are downright horrific.

This is the most I’ve written in this thing in a long while but I can help but think; that I am sending us to the worst kind of death imaginable.

I took precautions just in case. I sent my adoptive father a memory stone explaining everything. Remarking that if he forgets his emerald treasure that its because she died fighting one of the most horrifying monsters of this world for their safety.

I’m going to tell the rest of the party later. Right now they are just going to be aware that its being caused by some cultists at the moment.

1995 DR 12th of Summer’s rest

We are having a last blow out party in the town. Drank myself silly. Kai brought in some amazing cheese. Had a fondue fountain and everything. We were only a little miffed when we found Acanthus floating a maple leaf boat through it. Claimed it would help give it more depth of flavor. I think he’s just being dumb. It does taste mapely though. Lucky bastard that I like maple syrup.

1995 DR, `13th of Summers Rest

Fucking potatoes, cabbage, farm lands and wheat for miles. I don’t want to eat ever again for as long as I live. Well except for pork. Never can give that up. Met some weird farmer named Perry. Claimed he had a scarecrow problem. Exorised it easily enough though Weevil got a small cut. After that a Slaad had erupted from the ground. How the hell this farmer survived with a Slaad on his land I will file into “most definitely an agent of chaos” column. Dispatched it well enough. Had to cast a spell of some power to cure Kai though. She got hit with the chaos disease. Was not interested in having to mercy kill my own party member at the start of the adventure.

We decided to make our way as fast as we could through the evening to the mountains. I knew a place that would give us a good deal on room.

Turns out I was right. The dwarf still remembers me from the good old days down in the caves. Got my friends set up in their own suite while I spent extra for my own private one.

I’ve never enjoyed a bath like this in so long. I’ll have to ask Harriet for a crystal. She finally perfected in making light crystals for the caves and it looks beautiful. I’m sure dad would like one. Who knows, if I managed to send it in time it’ll be a good marker for my memorial on the memory stone.

1995 Dr, 14th Summers rest

Bloody chilly, hellish sky whale. And those two idiots nearly drowned themselves trying to get light crystals when I told them that they were buyable. Claimed it was for the adventure of it and effort. I think they were just being stubborn.

Going into town, everything seemed off. We parked our mule and cart in the stables next to an inn. Ordered drinks as our Tabaxi went upstairs to do his ritual armor cleaning. The rogue managed to convince our druid to steal from an old man who looked like a banker. Greedy morons. Didn’t they see all the guards on high alert everywhere? They were caught by of all things another thief. Chatting with the bartender illuminated a lot. Whatever this is, it started in the northern-western area of town. I asked what the local authority here is. He could only shrug and tell me that it was the Captain of the Guard, Wilma; who runs things as usual. In a weird way it made sense. But it doesn’t make sense. I know there is a big mayoral estate here for a local authority.

1995 DR, 15th of Summers Rest

Dealt with a tailor who had been attacked. The halfling that sits in front of her shop is a creepy old hag of a woman. While here the tabaxi had claw daggers from the slaad start being made. On top of that I managed to convince them to make a nice maul in the old style but big enough for me. The dwarf was amenable when I spoke to him in the tongue of our fathers.

We talked with Leah for a bit. Our rogue tried to do some weird mind trickery that seemed to do something. It appears that not all memories can be completely erased I guess even by magic. The mind is a funny thing. While searching around, I found the picture of her husband and two children. It was hidden in the nightstand drawer. I think she didn’t know what to make of it and it disturbed her.

We met the local cheesemaker by accident. He had been ransacking the town since perfectly fine magic shops and alchemists were just there. Seeing as how the people who run them probably don’t exist anymore to the world. I am letting it slide. Moradin forgive me. Habbakuk and Zeboim as well to appease my sea orc ancestors.

We fought a troll. I burned so many spells and kept a wall between the troll and the everyone else. I got banged up pretty hard. Still that troll got a few lucky swipes on the druid and samurai. They’ve never seen a troll before and I hope they get to remember what happens. Felt prudent to spend most of my spells on healing. There is still a Troll colony here and they are completely feral apparently. I asked about trolls to the Town Captain who apparently has “always ran this town.”

She claims that Trolls are a very rare minor problem that only happened recently. This resort town can kiss my green ass.

Was told to investigate the retirement village for adventurers on the other side of this box canyon. I acquiesced to this request since we being paid. Paid to go and ask questions in that will help our initial investiagion no less. I love when the stars align to throw us a bone.

Met Gloria. She seemed nice. She had a love of ale that rivals some of the heavy drinkers back in the caves.

Acanthes got knocked out something fierce from a quarter shot. He came too and told me he had a weird dream. I suggested he follow his heart which he determined to mean go and meditate to the green father. What he told me afterwards is a puzzle of itself.

A shimmering pillar above the city? The singing I belive is from the false hydra. But this shimmering pillar? What does it mean?

We dealt with an Alemental. Talked to the Destroyers. A nice couple. Maybe I can find a strong man someday. Heh, will it be a man of the earth or a man of the sea like my ancestry wants?

The witch has a crazy love obsession with purple. Quisayle is a strange one to be honest. She seemed more fascinated than concerned about the false hydra.

Mentioned that there is an old tower to the northwest ohmsford that probably held a wizard of some report. She only mentions it because she has no memory of anyone living yet it’s a very nice tower. She is scary good at putting two and two together apparently.

1995 DR.

Had a nightmare. I was back at the inn room with some lady. A giant pale white face came in through the open window and gorged itself on her. As I tried to help another face and long neck came through and tried to eat me. I’m too strong and punched it back.

Woke up in a cold sweat over it. I’m writing this in the morning due to the oddness of this dream.

I clutch my holy symbol of Moradin. The warm glow of his forge comforts me through it. I run my finger over the engraving. If I am going to disappear this will be the one thing I will make sure to survive. It holds the needed identifier for the memory stone and for the guilds false hydra stone. Actually, I should keep this journal out and keep writing in it!

As long as I can see the thing in the moment, I can write about it! By the hammer fall! I can trust myself to keep a good record. I should share this with the group. I also devised that we can use a length of rope to keep us together slightly. This way we know if we have been attacked at least.

Itsafterusanditstryingtoeatmeohmoradinthisis bad. Its tailing us. Dropping its song to attack us!

Oh this is bad. I don’t know what do. If I had a decent mace on me I could beat the hell out of this thing. SHIT TH~

This journal is covered in blood. Inside is a portrait of a Large Half-Orc proudly displaying a Silver rank medal towering over the rest of you looking happy showing off your bronze medals.

A caption below it reads, “ The Squad”

So throughout the campaign they had encountered random weird oddities. Helpful people offering healing, random potions just...inside wolves. All explained away as just some weird quirk of a world they hadn't seen yet. When actually it was their Half-Orc Cleric they never knew they had. I had shamelessly stolen the idea from a D&D community when they were brainstorming about how to bring out a false hydra to be fair. But I think the execution was alright.

[pascalispretty]

Hi, how about some Sonny Carisi with the prompt 'tell me what you want' please?!?! Thankyou 💛

For you, anything! Explicit content below the cut: dirty talk, drinking, references to sex.

The music is too loud, the room is too hot, and Sonny Carisi is too far away from you. 

It’s not for lack of trying. He has you pressed against the doorframe as he kisses you, the hard wood digging into your back as he tries to get closer to you. His forearm rests against the doorjamb, supporting his weight and framing you with his body. 

In the other room, the party is showing no sign of slowing down. One of Sonny’s innumerable cousins is celebrating their engagement with what can only be described as a rager, now that the parents and grandparents have left. Booze is flowing freely, and you’re fairly certain Sonny is having to turn a blind eye to a decent amount of drugs, judging by the pupils of some of the guests. 

The two of you had stuck to booze and had only come into the kitchen in the first place to get a refill. Somehow that had translated into making out against the door that led to the garage, hoping that the refrigerator more or less hid you from the rest of the party. 

When Sonny’s free hand leaves your waist to slide beneath your shirt, you reluctantly break the kiss. 

“If you wanna do more than kiss, then we’re gonna have to relocate,” you manage, your eyelashes fluttering closed as Sonny trails burning-hot kisses along your jaw and down your neck. 

“It’s 2AM, and everyone is wasted. Nobody’s gonna notice where my hands are, doll,” he whispers against your neck, his breath against your skin making you shiver. Sonny lifts his head to try and kiss you again, and it feels like a huge demonstration of self-control on your part when you rest your hand against his chest and stop him. 

“Book us an Uber,” you tell him, hooking your finger into the open neck of the black button-down he’s wearing. “Take me home. I wanna do more than just make out in your cousin’s kitchen.” Sonny gives you an amused smirk, barely backing away from you as he takes his phone out of his pocket. 

“You do, do you?” He asks, his eyes flicking from your face to the phone as he books a car. You feel like you can’t catch your breath, the oppressive heat and noise of the party a few feet away nothing compared to the way Sonny is looking at you. “Seven minutes away,” he says after a moment, slipping the phone back into his jeans pocket. 

“What could we possibly do for seven minutes?” You ask coyly, and he responds by leaning back in, pressing his thigh between yours. The friction is shocking; all the blood in your body rushes south so quickly that your head spins. 

“I wanna hear more about what more you want to do,” Sonny whispers, the way his voice dips lower making you shiver. “C’mon, we’ve got seven minutes. Tell me what you want.” He ducks his head again to kiss and nip at your neck, and you’re not sure you’ll even last the seven minutes, let alone the time it’ll take to drive from here to Sonny’s apartment. 

“I want you,” you try, and you nearly faint when he chuckles into your neck. A laugh has no right to be that sexy. 

“I knew that already, doll. I wanna hear specifics. All the dirty things my baby wants to do.” 

“God, you’re so mouthy when you’re drunk. More than usual.” You tell him, anchoring your hands to his shoulders. It’s not a complaint; you love hearing him run his mouth. You swear you can feel him smile against the side of your neck before he presses another burning kiss to the delicate skin. Taking a shuddering breath in, you try to organise your thoughts. 

“I wish I wasn’t feeling so impatient. If I was in a more patient mood, I’d want you to eat me out.” You say, adding a dreamy sigh for effect. “You’re so good at it.” 

“Thank you, baby.” He still sounds amused, and it only increases your desire to turn the tables on him, even just a little. 

“Oh, ‘s true. But as much as I love that mouth of yours, I really just want your cock right now. I want you to bend me over something and fuck me until I can’t think,” you manage after a moment, gratified by the way Sonny’s hands jerk on your waist. “The table, the back of the sofa, I don’t care. On my hands and knees in your bed.” His tongue traces a line up your throat to the hinge of your jaw. “All- all I want to be able to think about is you inside me. You always make me feel so full, so close to you…”

“Is that all?” He asks as you slide one of your hands down from his shoulders to ghost over the crotch of his jeans. 

“Depending on how much we sober up on the ride home, I might even let you put it in my ass.” 

It’s almost comical, the way Sonny suddenly stands bolt-upright. 

“Let’s go wait outside for the car.” He says, grabbing your hand. “I wanna get you home as soon as possible.”

Taglist: @misscharlielulu, @avengersfan25

[morningmask27]

say no more bestie, I’m a professional at Brokenstar AUs

Alrighty, so. Yellowfang has her kits (they all survive) and she gets a sign from StarClan that her kits will lead to the destruction of clans. She’s like, the fuck no and takes all her kits to the twolegplace where she gets adopted by a loving twoleg couple. Yellow gets the name Marguerite, her kits become Mary(Wish), Pippy(Hope) and Mustache(Brokey). They live a relaxing life in twolegplace. 

In ShadowClan however things aren’t as nice as they should be. Raggedpelt discovers that Yellowfang bailed and is pissed. He takes out all his frustration on Sagewhisker, leading to her death. ShadowClan now has no healer and has to quicktrain Runningkit to become a semi decent healer at least. This happens while Ragged still has his reign of terror being a fucking bitch to everyone. 

Ragged also gets with Foxheart for no actual reason and has one child with her. that child becomes Buzzardswipe and is raised to become Raggedstar’s heir. Buzzard is a little daddy’s kid and weak-willed.

In twolegplace Marguerite and her kits live a good life, but Mustache is too much of a threat and the twolegs can’t train the destruction habits out of it, so eventually they just dump the kit off close to the barn. Mary and Pippy are PISSED about that (Marguerite too, but M&P especially). They head out to find their littermate again, but they can’t find their sibling anywhere in twolegplace. They are angry at their owners for having kicked Mustache out and want only to have their family be reunited. 

Mustache is left alone near the barn and just wanders around. It gets close to the WindClan border once and meets Hawkheart and Barkface when the two are gathering herbs once. The two healers are very scared of Mustache because of its size and general vibe, but they discover that this beast is kit-aged and lost. They decide to let the kit join Windclan and name it Owlkit. Hawk and Bark have a sign that Owlkit is destined to become a healer, Hawk isn’t too pleased, but relents and Owlpaw gets to train as a healer. (the sign was an owl seemingly grabbing the moon and dropping it in front of the two healers). 

Anyways, Owlpaw has a decently normal apprentice hood up until Raggedpelt gains the title of Star. This is actually a lie, Owlpaw is very naturally curious, but for the bad things and discovers multiple potent poisonous mixes by experimenting on rabbits. This had led to Hawkheart banishing Owlpaw from gathering herbs alone because something bad always ends up happening. 

Hawkheart also tries to guide Owlpaw's more aggressive feelings into less destructive things, like going to beat up a bush when it is feeling particularly angry. And don't believe that Hawkheart is growing as a person while doing so, their anger management adventures are more akin to "yeah, the murder rage, we've all been there, sadly you can't kill someone because of that so go beat up that bush instead and now get the fuck out of my den"

Raggedstar is a pissy little bitch and wants to fight the other Clans because he hates them and wants to prove that ShadowClan is strong. Ragged wants to show off ShadowClan's strength and begins being way more hostile to the other Clans. This leads to many skirmishes with WindClan, so Owlpaw gets to see how full of shit ShadowClan is. 

These skirmishes eventually grow into full-fledged raids on WindClan, but that happens a bit later, when Owlpaw already got its full name: Owlstrike. But yeah, the raids on WindClan are very unpleasant and Owl doesn't like them, like the rest of its clan. It does manage to scare ShadowClanners away by virtue of how scary it looks, but the raids still happen. 

One particular raid ends up in the death of Hawkheart. Owl sees red because of this and swears vengeance. Its only goal in life now is to end the raids and Raggedstar for good. To do so it corners Runningnose during a halfmoon meeting to know if there would be a way to stop Raggedstar from launching all those raids. Runningnose says there aren't, so Owl sees there's one: kill Raggedstar. 

Owlstrike does some snooping around in ShadowClan territory and randomly finds Raggedstar’s only child: Buzzardswipe. Owl intimidates Buzzard to know if they could convince their dad to quit doing the raids on WindClan. Buzzard pleads with Owl, saying that they can’t get close to their dad anymore because Blizzardwing, Raggedstar’s deputy, does everything to keep them away from him. 

Owl now has a new plan: kill Blizzardwing to get at least one of the nuisances out of the picture. And it does just that during the next raid on WindClan. It's not hard to kill a deputy apparently. Now Buzzard got the deputy position, and a dazzling new apprentice at that! Everyone, say hello to Dawnpaw, our new and beloved little fiesty punk of an apprentice. She's stubborn and has been raised in a very "ShadowClan good the rest sucks" mentality. She has a particular dislike of WindClan and especially Owlstrike for killing her dad, Blizzardwing. 

Anyways, everything is fiiiiine obviously. Owlstrike continues intimidating Buzzard into letting it know valuable information about ShadowClan and now gets to push them to get Raggedstar off WindClan's back constantly. Raids still happen, but far less often and way less violent. Dawnpaw does see that her mentor sometimes leaves camp all alone during the day while most patrols are very busy and she's stuck taking care of the elders. And she sees that they always come back even more nervous than they usually are and quickly go to see Raggedstar. 

Time for a total scene change! In ThunderClan Fireheart lives his normal life. He's suspicious of Tigerclaw and goes on patrol. He doesn't have an apprentice, but he does have some fun with Graystripe and Ravenflight. Lionheart is a source of inspiration for the guy and he often goes to Spottedleaf when he gets hurt by his little shenanigans. Because yeah, Spottedleaf and Lionheart didn't die since ShadowClan didn't launch that particular raid coincidentally and Clawface had no reason to steal ThunderClan kits. 

Tigerclaw doesn't like the fact that he's still not deputy and seems to never have a moment to fucking kill Lionheart in peace, so he decided it'd probably be useful to get help from another clan to get the power in ThunderClan. Tiger thus decides to pay a little visit to ShadowClan to see if they would want to help and low and behold, who does he find? Buzzardswipe, obviously! Tiger believes it's a risky bet, but tells Buzzard that ThunderClan is planning an attack on ShadowClan and tells Buzzard to inform Raggedstar. Buzzardswipe is very uncomfortable with Tigerclaw telling them these bits of information, but can't really do a lot since they are too malleable for their own good. So now Buzzard has Two dark brown tabbies with an attitude and an Agenda to deal with. 

Tiger and Buzzard have one other meeting a bit later, but this one is cut short by Owlstrike showing up. Owl is very unhappy to see that its victim deputy is being victimized by another dark brown tabby and scares Tigerclaw off. Buzzard and Owl are now alone, but not for long because a patrol consisting of Raggedstar, Dawnpaw and another rando show up. Dawn had secretly followed Buzzard finally and had seen their meeting with Tiger that was then cut short by a visit from Owl, the cat she hates the most. She ran off to get Raggedstar and there they are! 

Owl does manage to escape, but he gets a fatal blow on Raggedstar first, taking one of his lives for good measure. Dawnpaw follows Owl right up until the WindClan border where she yells a few insults at it. She plans to leave when a WindClan patrol sees her and goes to ask her wtf she's doing. She tells them in great detail how their beloved healer was conspiring with ShadowClan's deputy. The patrol is shocked at the news and tells it to Tallstar, who isn't happy. Tall asks Owlstrike what it has to say for its defense and Owl explains what it had been doing, but the Clan doesn't believe him. It gets exiled from WindClan pronto. 

Owl is pissed at that and wants revenge, but decides to first beat up ShadowClan before going for WindClan. Owl now has a way easier time accessing Buzzardswipe for visits since it doesn't have to be ultra careful to hide its scent and bring back herbs every time it goes out to cover its tracks. 

Anyways, Tigerclaw was chased off once, but that only encouraged him to go for more. He pays Raggedstar himself a visit with the declaration that he had very important information. That info being about the supposed attack ThunderClan was preparing. Raggedstar believes Tiger, but doesn't know why Tiger would be disloyal to TC. Tigerclaw answers that ThunderClan's leadership is weak and needs to be changed before he can be loyal again, subtly implying ShadowClan should kill Blue and Lion to let Tiger take over. Ragged takes the hint and prepares a raid on Thunder. 

The raid happens and like planned Lionheart is killed. Tigerclaw obviously becomes deputy, but this still isn't enough for him. He goes back to Ragged to prepare the next step, but all this weird back and forth Tiger does makes Fire a bit suspicious of him, so one night he follows his deputy and sees him conversing with Raggedstar. On his way to escape before getting caught, he gets caught, but by Owlstrike. Fire would have been shitting his pants if he had any at the sight of the exiled WindClan healer. 

Owl does realize that this puny orange thing is working against Tiger, so Owl makes a deal with Fireheart. Owl helps Fire take care of the Tiger problem, if Fire helps Owl finish Raggedstar and then get revenge on WindClan. Fire agrees, mostly because he has to and now the plan gets moving. 

Fire learns when the next raid on ThunderClan will be because Owl still has its ways to get info out of Buzzardswipe. Fire warns ThunderClan just a bit before and the fight begins. Shit isn't too particular, but Fire does get attacked by a very cranky Dawncloud, who saw him with Owlstrike, she knows of his plans and is very dead set on killing Fireheart and then Owlstrike too. Fire does manage to shake her off with the help of a few other ThunderClanners. Then the Tiger vs Blue thing happens and like in canon Fire saves her. Tiger is banished, Fire becomes deputy without even having trained an apprentice. 

Now Owl gets to claim its end of the bargain. Fire has to convince Blue to launch a revenge attack on ShadowClan. Owl also gives pointers to Fire on how to convince the bunch of rabbit feces WindClan to assist in the raid, by talking to the right cats and mentioning the right things. Now Fire has WindClan and ThunderClan (Blue wasn't going to attack, but she wasn't going to do anything tbh, so Fire just did whatever) ready to invade ShadowClan. The main plan that had been agreed on by Fire and Tall was to oust or kill Raggedstar for good. Buzzardswipe wouldn't be a good leader, but they'd be a weak leader and thus ShadowClan's problem and not WindClan's. 

The attack happens as planned and Raggedstar loses a life before he and a few of his followers flee ShadowClan. Problem is, Buzzardswipe is one of them. Now ShadowClan has no leader, but good old Nightpelt steps up to get things at least moderately under control. Dawncloud isn't one of the cats that fled as she values being a part of ShadowClan too much, but she's very unhappy with Nightstar as a leader and gets the fabulous idea to spread the carrion sickness to ShadowClan to kill Nightstar. It goes a bit out of her control, but it's fine. Nightstar is dead and that's all that matters. 

Now, while Dawn is doing her sickness shenanigans in ShadowClan, Raggedstar and Tigerclaw find each other in exile. They are angry at each other and want to kick each other's ass, but they get convinced to not do that by a worried Buzzardswipe who knows that Ragged is on his last life and would absolutely get beaten up by Tigerclaw. So the two cats decide to work together to get revenge on the clans. To do so though they'll need more cats. Lucky them, they heard about a group of cats in twolegplace that have some very strong members in them. 

Tiger and Ragged send Buzzard to represent them when asking for help of the two leaders of that group. The two sisters aren't interested in fighting, but when they learn that Buzzard and their group were wrongfully ousted by evil cats (and the low payment of the forest lands next to twolegplace as a new territory for their group, which Ragged and Tiger did Not agree to) the sisters agree to help Buzzard and their band. They always see Buzzard as the leader of the group, much to the annoyance of the two actual brown tabby leaders. 

Now the funny thing is that Nightstar's death happens a few days before Ragged, Tiger and the twolegplace group show up to beat up the Clans. They learn about ShadowClan's very weak position and decide to attack them first since it'd be an easy first thing.

So the attack happens and many cats are killed. Buzzard's group gets to lead that camp now while the (very few) surviving ShadowClanners either join Buzzard's group or flee to RiverClan mostly. Dawncloud is one of the cats that escapes. Next the group goes to eradicate WindClan for the crime of existing. This fight is even more brutal than the previous one, the amount of destruction that happens is immense and very fitting of a ShadowClan cat leading an attack on poor WindClan. The escapees all flee to ThunderClan for help. The next Clan on the chopping block is RiverClan, who literally has done nothing of importance in this AU, but still gets massacred like the other two. The poor ShadowClan sods that sought refuge in RiverClan were in for a bad time, but a few did survive and fled to ThunderClan with the RiverClan survivors. 

Tiger was very happy about that next attack and led it himself. He was the first one in the camp and killed Bluestar himself. A whole lot of other cats died, but fortune seemed to be on ThunderClan side just a bit since Owlstrike was in camp at the time and it recognized the two leaders of the twolegplace group. Mary and Pippy also recognized their sibling and made their cats stop the attack. Their happy reunion wasn't long though since Dawncloud was still out for revenge (she had momentarily joined Buzzard's group for safety, but hated it). She jumped on Owlstrike's back and tried to kill it. All three siblings had to work together to get her to stop attacking, but she only really stopped when she saw Buzzard being hassled by a few clan cats. She ran to aid her old mentor and bright them to safety before trying to go back for Owl. 

Owl had located Raggedstar while this was happening and decided to finish him just like he took Tallstar's last life for funnies. Owl launched itself onto Ragged, but Buzzard got in the way of the attack, taking the fatal hit and dying instantly. This made Ragged stop the attack immediately. (Tiger was also already dead, killed by good old Fireheart). He called the few cats that were still loyal to him and fled ThunderClan camp. 

Dawncloud wasn't one of them and was actually even more angry at Owlstrike. She attacked him again, but this time Owl was fed up and simply killed her too. (Sorry for her ungraceful death, she was simply too powerful to be alive </3). 

The surviving cats looked at the camp in abject horror and tried to think about what they'd do now. Very few cats had survived the bloodbath (about 20-25 or so) with only one leader (Fireheart) and one healer (Mudfur, who is obviously very old). The surviving cats decided to form one group together to try to survive. A few cats of the twolegplace group do decide to join the forest cats, one of them a certain Tiny, that liked the idea even as a kit. Owl, tho did Not want to stay. Nor did its sisters. They all left the clan to pick up the broken pieces of itself as they all left to live back in Twolegplace. 

The prophecy though was fulfilled. The clans were no more, and that because of those three kits. 

[lilacwisps]

i prayed one word (i want)

Ship: Ominis Gaunt x Ravenclaw Female Player Character Rating: M (eventually)

Summary: When Sebastian tells Ominis about the new fifth-year student, Ominis can sense troubles from a mile away - and tells Sebastian as much. Unfortunately for Ominis, he doesn't seem to be able to take his own advice. ao3 link, Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Ominis barely suppresses a sigh - it seems as though the double Potions class will never end. He's always been a decent student and has enjoyed most of his classes - but Potions is by far his least favorite subject.

"I'm amazed you manage to get the grades you get," Sebastian told him once after they'd received back the grades from a particularly difficult test, "I can see the things I'm adding to my brew, and even still I'm utterly and completely lost most of the time. What's your secret?"

Ominis just shrugged in response - he'd gotten "Acceptable" on that test, which wasn't exactly something to brag about. In truth, he always struggled with Potions - the kind of concentration it required made that class significantly more complex than all the other subjects. It seemed as though to make a perfect brew, every step needed to be meticulously recorded in one's mind, as even the tiniest distraction could spell disaster, and Ominis found that so utterly exhausting.

Loud clanking, followed by Sebastian cursing under his breath, distracts Ominis from his thoughts. They are brewing the Draught of Peace, a potion that's supposed to ease anxiety and agitation, yet Ominis - and, he suspects, most other students in the class - find the process of making this brew anything but peaceful. As if the recipe requiring two dozen ingredients wasn't bad enough, there also were what felt like a thousand little instructions that were absolutely crucial - and, as a consequence, at least a thousand ways to mess this potion up.

Ominis has long given up on making the perfect brew - somewhere after step eight, he's accidentally lost track of just how many times he stirred the potion counter-clockwise, and now all he could do is finish the task and hope for the best. Judging by the under-the-breath cursing coming from the direction of Sebastian's workstation, his friend is struggling too. Sebastian has stayed up the entire night, reading the notebook they'd found in Salazar Slytherin's scriptorium, and has been barely able to focus in any of the classes. Ominis is almost surprised that Sebastian's cauldron hasn't exploded yet, given the complexity of the potion.

"Blasted," Sebastian swears, and suddenly, the dungeon air's filled with the foul scent of sulfur.

"You added too much moonstone, Mr. Sallow," Professor Sharp says calmly - his voice sounds closer than it does when he gives instructions at the start of the class, and Ominis realizes that he must be making rounds, checking everyone's work, "And you did not reduce the flames as instructed - hence the sulfur smell. The Draught of Peace is significantly more complex than any potion you've brewed before - you must pay close attention to the directions."

"Sorry, Professor Sharp," Sebastian replies, then whispers, "I much prefer being anxious every day for the rest of my life to ever attempting this potion again."

Ominis can only chuckle and nod in agreement. Surprisingly, despite the treacherous nature of the Draught, only two people need to leave before the lesson is over - Everett Clopton and Lenora Everleigh. Clopton's cauldron explodes halfway through the first hour, scalding him and drenching everything around his workstation with foul-smelling sludge, while Everleigh's potion boils away so much, it starts releasing noxious fumes that make her - and everyone around - feel sick.

A small part of Ominis almost wishes something happened to his potion so that he can get out of the class early, but he knows better than to try to make an accident happen. With a brew like the Draught of Peace, there is no predicting what could occur, and the last thing he wants is to end up at the Hospital Wing, scalded by a wave of disgusting sludge. Especially since he'd promised Ava to meet her in the Undercroft after Potions class to teach her Glacius.

Unlike Sebastian and him, Ava appears to have a much easier time brewing the Draught of Peace.

"Excellent job, Miss Rosier," Professor Sharp says, "Your potion is the perfect color."

Professor Sharp has never been particularly generous with compliments, so Ominis knows Ava's potion must be very impressive.

"And you, Mr. Weasely," Professor Sharp continues, "Could learn a thing or two from Miss Rosier."

"Perhaps, if Miss Rosier would agree to tutor me, I could learn much more than a thing or two," Garreth Weasley responds, and Ominis scoffs. As if she doesn't have better things to do.

"I wouldn't count on it," Ava says coolly, "I'm woefully short on time with all the catching up I have to do before the O.W.L.s."

"You give yourself too little credit," Weasley laughs, "At the rate you're studying, I'm sure you'll be able to pass the N.E.W.T.s before the end of the year."

Upon hearing that, Ominis frowns. How does Weasley know that? Do they study together? Instantly catching himself, Ominis pushes the thought away - even if they do study together, it's none of his concern.

The lesson slowly draws to a close, and Professor Sharp instructs them to bottle up the potions and submit them for grading. Ominis pours his potion into the vial and seals it with the spell. He knows his brew is not perfect - Sebastian had told him it looked closer to beige than silvery white - but he's confident it's close enough to earn him a passing grade.

He's halfway through cleaning off his workstation when he hears Weasley approach Ava again.

"Hey, Ava, do you have a moment after class?" he asks, "There's something I wanted to show you."

"Sorry, Garreth, but I can't today - I have an appointment to keep," Ava replies.

"How intriguing," Weasley chuckles, "And would that "appointment" just happen to be a date?"

Ominis shakes his head - Garreth sounds too invested in Ava's extracurricular activities to his liking.

"Why do you ask?" Ava responds fatly.

"Perhaps I'm scoping out the competition," Garreth laughs.

Ominis almost drops his brass scales - that answer was quite daring, even for a bone-headed Gryffindor like Garreth. Just what does he think he's doing?

"Weasley really can't take the hint, can he?" Sebastian scoffs, "If he wants to be embarrassed, he should do it on his own time, not in class when the rest of us are forced to listen to this."

Ominis sighs - caught up in his own annoyance, he hasn't even thought of how difficult this might be for Sebastian. Ever since the trip to the scriptorium, he has suspected that Ava had feelings for Sebastian - after all, she'd agreed to be tortured by Crucio to spare him the pain - but, perhaps, her feelings weren't as one-sided as Ominis initially assumed.

"Bold," Ava's amused voice distracts him from the thought, "I like that in a man. Alas, your curiosity will have to remain unsated - I can't go on telling you all of my secrets now, can I? My mother always said a lady doesn't kiss and tell."

A sudden wave of warmth rises in Ominis's cheeks at her words, and an unfamiliar feeling stirs in his chest. Confused by his reaction, he quickly grabs the vial containing his Draught of Peace and walks over to Professor Sharp's desk to submit it. Mercifully, the conversation between Garreth and Ava is over by the time he's back at his workstation.

As soon as the bell rings, bringing the joyous news that the double Potions lesson is finally over, the students instantly pour out of the classroom into the corridor.

"I'm exhausted," Sebastian complains, yawning as he walks next to Ominis, "But I have to get back to the notebook. I made some real progress last night - the key to breaking Anne's curse is right there; I can feel it."

"Please be careful," Ominis says wearily - he knows that Sebastian's only half-listening but still feels that it's his duty as a friend to warn him, "Salazar Slytherin was no stranger to the darkest sort of magic - this notebook may be much more dangerous than you think."

"If it brings me closer to finding a cure for Anne, I'll handle whatever it throws at me," Sebastian replies defiantly, "And besides, how dangerous can a thousand-year-old book really be?"

Ominis sighs - Sebastian always took dark magic way too lightly.

"You'd be surprised," is all he says.

"Ominis, you worry too much," Sebastian chuckles, "I'll be alright. I have to go now - I will see you later."

With that, Sebastian is gone, leaving Ominis to shake his head. Once Sebastian sets his sights on something, he never veers off course - that was his greatest strength and his greatest tragedy.

"Hi, Ominis," lost in his thought, he doesn't notice Ava approach him, "Ready for our lesson?"

"Hi, Ava," Ominis smiles, "Of course."

There are only a few routes in the castle that Ominis knows better than the one from the dungeons to the Undercroft. "You have quite a talent for potions," Ominis remarks as he and Ava walk up the stairs, "I rarely hear Sharp praise anyone - he must have been really impressed by your draught."

"That makes me feel quite special," Ava chuckles, then lowers her voice, whispering conspiratorially, "Can you keep a secret?"

"I'll take your secret to my grave," Ominis promises, his tone faux-solemn.

"You see, when I said my magic abilities didn't manifest until I was fifteen, that wasn't entirely true - otherwise, my parents would have disowned me for being a squib years ago. I've always had some…vestiges of magic abilities - not strong enough to cast a single spell, but enough to make it possible for me to create potions. I've spent hours upon hours with my mother's old Potions textbooks, brewing all kinds of draughts - my parents thought doing so would awaken my magic. I don't have any particular talent for potions - I've just spent a lot of time practicing.

Ominis nods in understanding, his heart clenching with sympathy - he knows all too well how squib children are treated in pure-blood families with a penchant for dark magic.

"I disagree," he says gently, "I've been learning potions for the last five years, and I still cannot brew a decent Draught of Peace, so I definitely believe you have a talent for the subject."

"If you think so," Ava replies softly.

They reach the Undercroft and, ensuring no one's around to see them, walk through the hidden door in the clock. Once inside, Ominis settles his book bag on top of a wooden crate and walks toward the back of the room, where more crates and barrels are located.

"Ready to learn Glacius?" he asks Ava.

"Of course," she says, "I did some reading after you mentioned this spell yesterday, and I think it'll be extremely helpful to know."

"It has certainly come in handy for me before," Ominis responds, "Shall we begin?"

With that, he turns towards the crates and whispers, "Accio," to bring one of them forward.

"Since you've read up on Glacius, you must know that it freezes the object in front of you by releasing a wave of cold air from your wand," Ominis explains, "And this is the wand movement."

With a well-practiced hand, Ominis slowly traces an all-too-familiar movement of Glacius - a peak and then another, underlined by a decisive stroke.

A myriad of tiny ice crystals, sharp as knives, ring through the air, followed by a wave of cold wind. A moment later - a familiar cracking sound of ice forming over the wooden crate fills the Undercroft.

"It froze solid," Ava muses, "That was quite impressive."

"Do you want to try now?" Ominis offers, lowering his wand.

"Could you show it to me again?" Ava asks, "You are amazingly fast with the wand - so I just want to ensure I caught every detail."

Her words bring a smile to his face. "I was planning to walk you through it when you cast it for the first time," he says, "But if you prefer to see it again, I'm happy to show you."

"I think it'll be easier to learn if you show me again," Ava replies.

Ominis nods and lifts his wand - mere seconds later, the air in the Undercroft fills with the sound of the ice forming over wood again.

"Well," Ominis says, turning to Ava, "It's your turn now."

Ava does not argue - he hears her walk up and stand next to him.

"Do you feel comfortable casting the spell right away, or would you like me to talk you through it?" he says, forcing the frozen crate to shift back to the wall with a spell and summoning another box forward.

"Could you talk me through it?" Ava asks, "I watched you closely, but you are almost scary fast with the wand."

"I have Sebastian to thank for that," Ominis replies, trying to hide a smile blooming on his lips, "If you think he's much too eager to duel everyone these days, you should have met him a few years back - he was a true menace and didn't have even a fraction of a restraint he does now. So I got a lot of practice out of interactions with him."

"Are you saying this version of Sebastian has self-restraint?" Ava chuckles.

"Oh yes - during our second year, a day wouldn't go by without Sebastian trying to pick a fight with someone," Ominis laughs, memories making warmth rise in his chest, "One time, he even tried to get Professor Black to duel him - which ended as well as you'd expect."

"I can't even imagine," Ava says, amused, "Maybe it's for the best I only started school this year - I did not have a lot of patience when I was younger."

"Who knows," Ominis smiles, "Maybe if you were here, he'd get out of that phase faster. I'll have you know, he'd become a little more humble ever since you beat him during that first Defense Against the Dark Arts class."

"That was quite the day," Ava chuckles, "And it feels so long ago - even though it's been less than two months."

"I always felt like time runs differently at Hogwarts," Ominis agrees easily, "Part of the magic of this place, I suppose. Well, back to Glacius before we get completely off track. When I cast Glacius, I always picture a peak, followed by another, underscored by a soft line - like this." With that, Ominis traces the movement with the tip of his wand, "But I'm not sure if that image is helpful to you."

"It is quite helpful," Ava replies, "I'll give it a try."

Ominis nods and steps to the side, letting Ava stand in the center of the room. She takes a deep, steady breath, then lifts her wand.

"Glacius," her voice rings through the air, followed by a gust of freezing cold wind. Ominis listens for the sound of ice forming but hears nothing - a moment later, the wind dissipates.

"Hmm," Ava sounds displeased, "That doesn't seem right - it appears I made a mistake."

"What happened?" Ominis asks.

"When I cast the spell, a gust of cold air came," Ava explains, "But it wasn't nearly strong enough to freeze anything - and, as you've probably noticed, it disappeared almost instantly."

"Cold air is a sign that you are on the right track," Ominis notes, crossing his arms in front of him, "There must have been a small mistake in the wand motion - you should try again."

So Ava does as he says - one more Glacius rings through the air, and then another.

"Still the same," she sighs, frustrated, "And I have no idea what I'm doing wrong."

Ominis shifts from foot to foot, feeling his heart tighten with guilt. If he could see, he could correct her, but he cannot - so they are left to guess. He knows the feeling welling in his chest is irrational, yet he cannot help it. Suddenly, an idea comes to his mind.

"I could…I could show you," he starts, unsure, "How to do the movement properly."

"But you already did," Ava replies, "More times than most people would, too. It's my fault that I can't follow the instructions, and it is my responsibility to figure out and correct my mistake."

"There is no "fault" - you are learning," Ominis says firmly, "And I'd be doing a pretty terrible job teaching you the spell if I didn't try and help you work through whatever confusion you may have."

"You have the patience of a saint," Ava laughs, leaving Ominis to wonder just what kind of teachers she's had before if showing her the spell a couple of times earned such a response.

"What I meant is that I could…hold onto your hand as you perform the spell," Ominis suggests, "That way, I could feel what part of the motion is incorrect."

Ava's quiet for a long moment, and suddenly, Ominis's mouth feels dry. The idea seemed quite reasonable in his head, but he could not deny that vocalizing it made it sound a little awkward.

"That's brilliant," Ava says suddenly, "Yes, let's do that."

It takes a moment for Ominis to realize that she has accepted his idea. Nodding, he puts away his wand and steps toward Ava. Belatedly, he starts to wonder if, perhaps, he's standing too close as he feels the warmth of her arm brushing against his and smells the light sweetness of her perfume. It's utterly distracting, but Ominis knows it would be quite odd to step away now, so instead, he forces himself to focus on the task.

"Very well," he says, stretching out his arm, "Lift your wand."

As Ominis reaches forward, his hand finds Ava's outstretched wrist. Her skin feels so soft under his touch as he traces lightly over the back of her palm and grasps her hand. Her hand is small against his and cold - and yet, for some confusing reason, as soon as he holds it, the Undercroft feels so much warmer than it did just moments ago.

"Alright," Ominis clears his throat, "Make the same motion as when you cast Glacius before."

Ominis lets Ava's hand guide him through the movements. She starts slowly, drawing a line upward, followed by a drop and another peak. Ominis tries focusing on the motion but is utterly distracted by how soft her skin feels against his.

He's not too fond of touching others - in his family's household, a touch was almost always accompanied by pain, so Ominis started almost instinctively avoiding it at quite a young age. The only people he'd touched before were the ones he fully trusted, like Sebastian and Anne, and even then, he felt a little anxious doing it. And yet, somehow, grasping Ava's hand doesn't feel unpleasant - far from it. Unbidden, warmth rises in Ominis's chest, spilling through his veins.

With a swift motion, Ava traces a flat line across, finishing the spell.

"So," she says expectantly, "What am I doing wrong?"

Bright blush blooms on Ominis's cheeks, and his heart stutters, startled, in his chest. He's been too distracted by the feeling of her hand in his to fully pay attention to the actual motions of the wand - but he'd much rather die than admit to that.

"I…I think the issue is with your transition from the peak to the lower line," he says as calmly as he can, hoping and praying his voice doesn't betray him, "But I need to be certain - can you perform the spell again?"

"Of course," Ava readily agrees.

Ominis struggles to stay focused on her wand movement and ignore the sweetness of her perfume and how she feels so delightfully warm against him.

"Yes," he says once Ava finishes with the spell, "That's exactly the issue - the lower motion of the wand needs to be decisive yet soft, and you are cutting through the air way too harshly."

"I see," Ava replies, pensive, "I…don't know if I can make it any softer. Could you maybe guide my hand through how you'd do it? I think that would make it easier for me to understand."

And so he does. Holding Ava's hand in his, Ominis slowly traces the symbol for Glacius - a peak, followed by another, then a drop - and a swift yet soft line across.

"I understand my mistake now," Ava says as soon as the spell is done, "The movement across needed to be smoother."

"That's exactly right," Ominis nods, "Ready to try on your own now?"

His fingers linger on her hand a moment longer than they should before Ominis finally lets go and takes a step back, giving Ava space. He hears her shift her stance and raise her wand again.

"Glacius."

Instantly, he feels a gust of cold wind as a myriad of tiny ice crystals ring through the air, followed by the unmistakable crackling sound of ice forming over the wooden crate.

"It worked," Ava says, and Ominis can almost hear the smile in her voice, "And all thanks to you - you're a remarkable teacher."

Warmth rises in Ominis's cheeks at her words as he tries to conceal a smile blooming on his lips - he isn't used to being praised, and Ava's never struck him as someone generous with compliments.

"It's nothing," he says, "I'm just fortunate to have such a good student."

"I mean it," Ava insists, "Without you, I'd be here till midnight, desperately trying to figure out my mistake."

"That would still be less time than Sebastian and I needed to figure out the intricacies of this spell," Ominis chuckles, "I think it took us at least a couple of days."

"Yes, but you were much younger," Ava counters, then adds, "I'd like to practice Glacuis a little more if you don't mind."

"Of course," Ominis readily agrees.

Twice more Glacuis rings through the air, followed by the gust of freezing cold wind and the ringing of ice crystals. Ominis nods, satisfied - it seems Ava finally has a grasp on this spell. A third Glacius follows, and suddenly, there's an unfamiliar hissing sound.

"Ah," Ava winces.

Suddenly, Ominis feels her shoulder blades hit against his chest - the mishappen spell must have pushed her back - and instinctively raises his hands to her shoulders to steady her.

"Are you alright?" he asks, concerned, his hands still resting on her shoulders.

"Yes - my hand slipped, and I didn't finish the movement correctly. So sorry about that," Ava offers apologetically before drawing a sharp breath through her teeth, "Ugh, I hope I didn't freeze off all my fingers."

"Let me check," Ominis says, reaching for her hand.

He may not be able to see, but he can tell frostbite by the feel of it - when he and Sebastian first tried Glacius, his dear friend had more than his fair share of accidents. He gently holds Ava's hand, slowly touching her fingers - her skin is cold against his, but it still feels soft.

"I don't think you have frostbite," he hums.

"Well, that's a relief," Ava replies lightly.

Neither of them moves - and suddenly, Ominis is acutely aware of just how close they stand. Her shoulder blades no longer press against his chest, but his left hand still rests firmly on her shoulder, and he's holding her right hand in his. The sweet smell of her perfume and warmth overwhelms his senses as a pleasant yet unfamiliar feeling uncoils in his chest, sending his heart racing.

"You should bend your fingers," his mouth feels dry when he speaks, "Just to ensure it's not frostbite."

They both remain still as if waiting for something. Before he knows what he's doing, Omini tightens his hold on Ava's hand ever so slightly and feels her skin turn warm under his touch.

"Thank you," Ava murmurs, brushing her thumb against his palm softly, making Ominis's breath hitch in his throat. Comfortable warmth blooms in his chest, and Ominis hopes the moment doesn't end.

Their little reverie is shattered by the sound of the Undercroft door opening, bringing them back to reality. Instantly, Ominis lets go of Ava's shoulder and releases his hold on her hand - the last thing he wants is to create any misunderstanding. He would never do that to Sebastian - or Ava. Still, as he steps aside, his heart flutters staccato, and blood rushes in his ears.

"Would you look at that," Sebastian drawls, "A gathering at the Undercroft without me? I'm really starting to feel left out now."

"Sebastian," Ominis says, "I thought you went to the dorms to read Slytherin's notebook."

"I did," Sebastian replies, "But then Nott and Avery decided to cut class, and I could not focus because of their incessant chatter, so I figured I'd head over here."

"You made the right decision," Ominis muses, "It's best they don't see you with this notebook."

"Exactly my thoughts - and, besides, I feel like I always get through the reading faster here," Sebastian says, then adds, "Don't mind me - no need to stop whatever you were doing on my account."

"Ominis taught me Glacius," Ava explains, "But, given how my last attempt went, I think I'll hold off on trying it around anyone else for a bit - I would loathe turning one of you into an icicle."

"Despite your last attempt, you seem to have a decent grasp on the spell," Ominis notes.

"Even so," Ava replies, "I hadn't realized that it's already almost six - I still have to finish the forty inches of parchment on the lunar phases for the Astronomy class tonight. Thank you for the lesson, Ominis, I will see you later. Goodbye, Sebastian."

With that, Ava leaves the Undercroft. Ominis thinks her exit rather hasty - before Sebastian came in, she seemed in no hurry to leave. Guilt wells in his heart - was it something he did? Perhaps, Sebastian saw them when he walked into the Undercroft, and that upset Ava…

"Glacius, huh?" Sebastian says, distracting Ominis from his thoughts, "A good choice, although I think Diffindo would have been a more obvious one after Confringo."

"Perhaps you could show it to her then," Ominis responds calmly, "Since you are the one who taught her Confringo."

He has enjoyed teaching Ava, but if his suspicions are correct and perhaps, Ava's feelings for Sebastian are not unrequited, he'd hate to stand between them.

"Perhaps I will," Sebastian replies, returning to his reading.

[punz4lyfe]

Pokemon Journeys Episode 141 Review

Pokemon Journeys Episode 141. Let’s review:

If I could summarize this episode as simple as I could, I would say that it’s a decent episode with some noticeable flaws.

While I enjoy the concept of Ash reuniting all four of his Kanto Starters, something that hasn’t happened since the Battle Frontier, it’s honestly pretty jarring that Ash only has two reserves with him this episode. Since this is the 5th episode of Ash’s final chapter and there are still plenty of reserves left even if we don’t count Ash’s Journeys mons, it’s pretty concerning in regards to the show’s endgame.

The whole plot of Squirtle’s frustrations towards his former companions honestly seems a bit forced. He became disappointed when he saw his friends leave the area without interacting with him after the show, but from where he was at on the stage, he, or at least one of his squad-mates, should’ve easily seen the gang walk to the queue for fan interaction. I mean, how can you miss the big ass orange dragon in a crowd mostly full of kids? And even then, Squirtle could’ve called out to his friends or the gang could be trying to wave goodbye as they left the performance area, and it just seems very out of character for both sides that none of that happened. Squirtle’s frustrations just seem more forced when he continues to be ticked at his friends when they meet him at the hotel. It really should’ve been a big indicator for him that they things weren’t they seem at the stage if Ash and his Pokemon were willing to bypass their current managers to see them. Yeah, Squirtle’s a stubborn Pokemon, but he has never been shown to be THIS stubborn, especially towards his friends. (it also would’ve been cute if Charizard and Bulbasaur wore Squirtle Squad merch as well)

He get a bit more out of character moments with Squirtle again when conflicts rise between him and Ash’s current Pokemon. For one, Squirtle wouldn’t get that angry at Charizard’s Flamethrowers because he knows himself that he does those out of affection now. Two, Charizard gets angry way too fast, even though both Best Wishes and Journeys have established how much more mature Charizard is nowadays. Three, while Bulbasaur has lost his cool several times, he wouldn’t be that quick to get angry at Squirtle as well after getting hit by one Water Gun. If anything, he would be asking his best friend questions on why he did that and why he’s so pissed right now. And four, you would think Squirtle would calm down faster when Ash enters the fray, especially when his and Bulbasaur and Charizard’s attacks end up hurting him and Pikachu. If written in-character, I can bet he would see something’s up if Ash came to the hotel to see him and calmed down from there.

And why the hell does Bulbsaur look like he was the most damaged out of everyone from Pikachu’s Thunderbolt when compared to literally everyone else, he would be the less affected considering he’s part grass? And how did Misty, Brock, and Team Rocket join the pileup afterwards when they were a bit further away from the conflict? It personally would’ve been funnier if the pileup was just Ash, his Pokemon, and MAYBE the rest of the Squirtle Squad as well.

Later on in the episode, there are a bit more writing inconsistencies like Pikachu suddenly not being angry at Squirtle himself despite getting pissed at him with Bulbasaur and Charizard later on. And both Bulbasaur and Charizard jus seem a bit too quick to give up their long friendship with Squirtle. I do, however, really liked Team Rocket’s plans getting foiled by the wind of all things and both Misty and Croagunk pulling Brock away from Officer Jenny.

For the Warehouse Fire Climax, I did like seeing Croagunk help Brock tell people to stay away from the fire, but one thing that especially bothered were Bulbasaur and Charizard preferring to stay back, just because of their feelings towards Squirtle. This is just SUPER out of character for them because they should know themselves how badly the fire could escalate and are mature enough to put aside their current feelings to help people out. Remember all those times these two have been mediators and teachers for other Pokemon? Also the bit of Charizard needing Bulbasaur and Squirtle’s help to rescure the three trapped Pokemon just seems kinda silly when you remember that the dude’s been dipped in lava before (something that seems to be a non-issue for his species if you’ve played Pokemon Snap), so he could’ve just easily flew to the roof himself and grabbed the Pokemon without the issue because I heavily doubt simple building flames are gonna hurt him. Though, Ash and Squirtle’s reconciliation was cute to see despite how forced their conflict was and it was very enjoyable to see Ash get some recognition as Champion from both kids and adults at the very end of the episode. And Charizard in particular made some really hilarious faces throughout the whole episode, which were all a joy to see.

Overall, I’d give this episode a 7/10. It’s enjoyable, but the flaws are just too noticeable. Please give us more reserves next episode...

[canonsinthehead]

RGG/Yakuza/Judgement Foreigner Afinity Chart

Lets see which characters I think would get along (or date) the most with foreigners.

HIGH

Ichiban (The Number One) Ichiban is the friend of everything and everyone. When I mean everyone I MEAN EVERYONE. He is the person who could befriend everyone (and even date yeah I see that definitely happening). Having a love for new things, he be the first to jump to try out a new restaurant or traveling destination. Adding to that the liking of how different foreign girls are in attitude and body shape compared to typical Japanese girls. He would try to learn your language and things about your culture like general facts, music, language, dance, and food. He prides himself on being friendly to everyone (while reserving a part of his heart for Waka) and having acquaintances like the color of the rainbow.

Zhao (the Gay Friend) Like Ichiban, he is the friend of everybody. All the girls want to have is his opinion on fashion and other things like nails. He likes to share his two takes on the latest drama like giving intel about his sharpened gaydar regarding Ichiban (and others) behind their back (he tapped into Ichi’s phone). He would have female friends of all colors, backgrounds, sizes, and aspirations. When it comes to males, he would keep to his main Liumang /Y7 crew circle (with a special place for Mabuchi, Ichi and Tesso) but I DEFINITELY see him try out all types of cucumbers (if you know what I mean.)

Akiyama (the Ladies Man) As for Akiyama, if it’s female and it’s cute, it passes. Any races, colors and whatever. If you have a cute face, big breasts, or a fat ass, YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND. Some mention him being a host cabaret owner and having experience with foreign women. Having a clear preference for younger women, he is a gentleman with a capital G. contrary to others, he can manage them without knowing anything about the person’s culture, but eventually learns some more if he is interested. Adding to the that he speaks various language (Japanese, Korean, Decent English, understands Spanish but don’t speak it and he sound like he’s choking on potatoes when he tries to speak Chinese but aspire to understand it) I definitely see him learning couple dances like salsa and waltz (if he has the strength to practice) also, he doesn’t compete with men of other races (or men in general period) because he sees himself as the main and best option regardless of the setup.

Honorable High Mention: Haruka Strangely, I see Haruka as a girl who would have all types of female (and also male why not) friends. Your friendly hit girl, being friends with everyone and everybody.

Honorable High Mention: Nishitani For him, tits is tits and ass is ass. If it has a cute face, it’s worthy of some degree of his attention, like Akiyama on crack minus the gentleman chivalry (an open pervert basically). Even with his erratic antics, I still feel like he would not be as comfortable (or touchy) with foreign women as Japanese/Asian women. Regardless a cute girl always get to him. Honorable High Mention: Tachibana Excluding the dating aspect, he can get along and deal with all types of people (women too), and gain their respect (and even admiration). Oh no, Oda is triggered…

MIDDLE GROUND Ryuji Goda Like most in this category, Ryuji is more someone I see foreign females would flock to. Him being the most compared to the rest of the list. As if he would date them, I don’t know, but is wayyyyyyy better at dealing with those situations than the socially awkward Kiryu is. Actually, the fact that foreign girls like him greatly feed his ego and I see him befriending some of them and enjoying having to adapt himself to something different (in this case cute girls I guess).

Kiryu Kazuma Like Ryuji I see Kiryu attracting females of different kinds. But for him, he will keep it to a close friend circle adding to the fact that he is a widower so is not in need of looking for anybody else romantically. Let’s keep in mind he will not hesitate to help in various situations in which include stepping out of his comfort zone, outside his cultural comfort zone (and even making new friends).

Nishiki Unfortunately, foreign girls (on top of Asian girls) flocking to Kiryu does hurt Nishiki’s feelings. Slick back Nishiki would try to gain the interest of some of them (and fail because he is not the most tactful person when it comes to dealing with different cultures and also he is not really attracted to foreign girls anyway) but just to get at Kiryu, he’ll do it (smh). Slick back Nishiki actually he should be in the reverse foreign magnet list. On the opposite, I can see 80s good Nishiki actually decently attracting all types of females with his friendliness and bright personality. Off course not as much as Kiryu. While I don’t see him dating or befriending any foreigners, his feelings do get hurt when the “Yumi’s of the world” choose Kiryu over him.

Kaito (I wrote this before the Kaito Files, so here it is…) I see many foreign girls liking him (actually smoothly befriending some of them). His sense of humor always being present and even slides some compliments if he thinks the girl is cute. but I would see him more like Aomine (Kuroko no Basket), more likely to date (and kinda fantasize about) Japanese/Asian women with big breasts or your typical Asian housewife, your certified Asian good girls (kinda like Sawa-sensei). No joke, I see I’m literally having the butterflies (hope that makes sense) for a Asian church girl who is basically out of his league based on his lifestyle and being soooo flashy (doesn’t mean he cant get one tho…)

Akutsu Daimu Going along with all the others in the middle tier. All types of girls flock to him and if you are cute (and/or with titties) we can talk BUT where it differs from the others; I feel like we would have many preconceived notions about foreigners. A little bit like people fantasize about America & its (rap/hip hop) culture. But my dude is only getting the Instagram models, OF gals, hostesses, etc. of the WORLD regardless…

Saejima Taiga  I see foreign girls flocking to Saejima. Him being a gentleman he is respectful to everyone and everything way more than Kaito at least kinda matching with Kiryu. Also giving women their deserved credit, if he thinks they are pretty, intelligent or any quality. He keeps a really tight circle so I don’t think he would date a foreigner (or interact with many of them for that matter), keep in mind next to him there’s Majima who I personally see as a reverse foreign magnet. Honorable Mention: Tatsuo Shinada Tries to connect with types of different people but fails miserably even Daigo is embarrassed when is being a nationwide embarrassment to impress or interact with non-Japanese people (his Korean is to die for no matter how much he tries, he successfully made Han Joongi visibly chuckles if not dying of second-hand embarrassment) At the end, he sticks to his small circle actually is enthusiastic with different things and people especially when it comes to foods without dethroning Japanese food from the #1 place in his heart.

Unfortunately, a lot of his interest to foreign women is often (if not all of it) is initiated by lust.

REVERSE FOREIGN MAGNET not be the type to attract foreigners.

Daigo Dojima Pretty self-explanatory. Coupled with his personality and his entourage, I see him as someone who wants to (is kinda pressured) execute ‘’carry my legacy properly’’ (if you catch my drift, at least when it comes to dating). When it comes to friendship, he keeps it to his close circle, but I can see him admiring the quality in Kiryu of being able to attract (and get along well) all types of people (mmh women) with different ethnic backgrounds.

RACIST, PREJUDICE OR HATEFUL. Majima & Mine Straight men who dislikes women. Foreigners… just no. Hamura while I would see him as your general pervert, I also see him having a lot of made-up ideas (mostly of sexual nature) about non-Japanese people.

Kume Following Ryo Aoki’s footsteps, he is hateful, racist, prejudiced, whatever the terms he’s all of them. For some strange reason, I see him having a specific disdain for non-Japanese Asians (idk don’t ask me). Japanese Ben Shapiro.

Masato Arakawa/Ryo Aoki the abyss of racism, misogyny, and homophobia. Nationalist Right-winger Misogynist with a body count. To him, Ichiban is the token of POC people. His repertoire is full of FOX News talking points. But people let that slide because of his looks.

[rei-caldombra]

Jujutsu Kaisen Shibuya arc- Worker Abuse and Shonen BS. 

There will be direct story spoilers from this arc. This post is also more negative and heated than I usually post. 

JJK’s Shibuya arc is individual moments of awesome surrounded by tons of stuff I think is disappointing or frustrating. It's decent content as a whole but I wouldn't call it great for me. If this didn’t have very good animation for the most part, I would think it's even worse. And sadly, even that positive has been brought down by this anime being a product of horrible working conditions.

Everyone can have their own opinion about if the product should be judged based on the people behind it, and what constitutes abuse, and if they even care what goes on behind the scenes. but for me it matters. I care about how the product came about and what happens behind the scenes. I care that animators are being worked to the point of mental breakdowns and suicidal thoughts. I don’t care how good the product is, horribly exploiting your workers is not ok. For just a second forget about consuming products and have some sympathy for other human beings. There is no product easier to skip out on than a single anime, and skipping out on a studio as a whole isn’t that much harder. The peak of privilege is trying to act like it'll hurt you to skip out on a singular anime when there are 50+ that air every season and plenty of other forms of entertainment. If this idea offends you, please grow up. Stick to the manga and watch other shows where the abuse isn’t as rampant and tangible. Japanese animation studios as a whole need to be better, but this is clearly a step above the rest. I’m thankful many workers at Mappa had the bravery to talk about their situation. Workers publicly airing their grievances is much less common in Japan than in many other parts of the world. I'm sure it was difficult. 

I wish we could see the world line where the animators were happy while working on this and had the time and energy to make it even better than what we got, like many of them desired to. I wish I could have continued watching this season without my enjoyment being tainted by what's going on behind the scenes. That world could exist. But Mappa has poor production schedules and abusive practices instead. 

This is the most important thing I wanted to talk about. Below I do have some more thoughts just about the content itself. Even if the production issues weren’t a thing, I still wouldn’t be loving this arc.

Let's bring up something positive. Nanami’s death scene was fantastic, as was his beatdown of Haruta (Gotta mention how hilarious the reactions to that episode were across social media). Everything with Nanami this arc is great. Beautiful and fitting send off to the character. I wouldn't change anything.

But overall, I can’t say it lives up to the hype people set up, just focusing on the content. Lots of death baiting and attempts at shock value. It spends the first half or so having characters not die from things they really seem like they should have. I went into it expecting serious stakes and tension. That gets damaged by stuff like Ijichi surviving getting stabbed multiple times, having his head slam into metal, then being left to bleed. Then later they decide they’ll go and kill a bunch of characters. To me this is very poorly distributed. How powerful characters are also can feel inconsistent and convenient. We see how ridiculously strong Jogo is in his fight against Sukuna. But if he’s that strong then it’s hard to understand how torching severely damaged and fatigued Maki and Nanami point blank did not manage to kill either of them. I don’t buy it. It doesn't feel consistent. Yes, they have cursed energy and are decently strong but with everything they just went through I don’t buy that Jogo held back so much for no good reason that they survived his direct attack. We saw in the first season that he can burn a normal person to death in seconds. It just feels inconsistent and convenient. Who can survive what and how strong people are feels like it changes to fit whatever they want to happen. In a series that has in universe power scaling and puts importance on people getting stronger, I want their power to be consistent and feel earned. Yuji suddenly being able to do black flashes back-to-back doesn’t feel earned to me. It feels like it kinda just happened because Yuji needed something new for the next stage of the fight to not immediately lose to awakened Mahito. Characters droning on and on during fights, usually saying what's very clearly happening on screen, etc. It's doing the stereotypical Shonen stuff I don't like.

The removal of Gojo did add tension and I think overall was a good idea for the story. But knowing now that he continues to be sealed even after this arch’s conclusion is a letdown. Simply because he is a fun and interesting character. Not only did we lose my favorite character in Nanami, but we largely lost Gojo too. The loss of his presence is strongly felt. Nanami and Gojo together also had a good dynamic, both in terms of how they bounced off each other and how they educated Yuji and the others differently as adult figures. This dynamic being permanently lost is also a letdown. I can understand moving on from that, but I will miss it, even if it’s potential was used up. I do not think Nanami’s loss is truly negative, as he was a great character while he was here, left his mark, and went out in a satisfying way. But with Gojo being sidelined does feel like a loss for the overall vibe of the show. 

Speaking of losses, we lost Nobara? And while her fight was cool and satisfying, I think she went out in a pretty unsatisfying way. It’s pretty wild that they did all the dramatic stuff to make you think she actually is dead, just to say there’s a slight chance she isn’t, then end the season without confirming either. Maki doesn’t even get mentioned again after they said she got healed, I think. I like her as a character and think she had more potential in the story. I think it was a waste to probably kill her off, especially after they already 100% killed one beloved central character in Nanami. I just don’t see myself enjoying the story when its very endearing main trio has been broken. A big part of the comedy and calmer moments being great was the banter between those three. I value the fun side of JJK and losing Nobara is a huge blow to that. And I cannot see a way of that being recovered unless they bring her back and succeed at the challenge of making that satisfying. 

Outside of the fun character moments my favorite this about JJK is the fights. Cool powers, dynamic environments etc. We got plenty of fight scenes this arc, with most of them being very good. Standout being Yuji vs Choso and everything Todo was involved in. Everything Todo related is awesome. His power is used in very interesting ways, and he brings fun energy even to serious situations. But there are mediocre fights too. Dagon is nothing. Bland bog-standard villain that has no value. He is uninteresting, his power is uninteresting, the fight is uninteresting, the animation took a notable dip in quality, and he carries little weight. He got the old guy we just got introduced to killed i guess but that's really it. He maimed Maki and Nanami but that directly did not really impact things since they get maimed again immediately after by Jogo. This is the trademark forgettable Shonen villain for me. The fact that his fight is one of the ones we see the animation suffer in more probably means they thought little of it too. As they were ok with it looking worse off than others. Let's continue the topic of villains.

I grew very tired of Mahito as a villain and am glad he’s finally gone. He just never did it for me. I get what he is about thematically, I’m not trying to act like he is a zero-substance character. I just didn’t enjoy him. I think his sneering villain shtick got old and grating really fast. He also did a lot of talking. He does have some great fun energy he brings to his often very serious scenes. But I think there was too much of him for me. The Japanese voice acting is fantastic though, he made the character much more tolerable.

It’s a shame that Geto (the person), the villain I was most interested in, got axed very quickly. And replaced by a guy who I really don't care for much. While Mahito, the one I didn’t care for as much, got to stick around for much longer. I’m sure that’s fine for people who feel differently, but not for me. I’m glad Geto’s power still lives on, but I was very invested in who he was as a character. Especially after the prequel eps. Another creative decision that I really don’t care for. And on that topic, Toji’s return was super disappointing in execution. He spent most of his screen time being a mindless murderbot. It just wasn’t interesting at all. Some more quick villain opinions- Haruta also kinda annoying and repetitive like Mahito but at least he wasn't here as long and Choso is a great character with awesome powers.

I continue to not feel super invested in the story itself. It’s not awful but I’m not as into it as I’d like to be. It’s harder to go into detail on this because it might be as simple as just not vibing with me. I think it’s just my taste. I’m not trying to say I have better taste than JJK doesn't appeal to. I talk to friends and see people online who clearly feel the story and emotions much more than I do. If you do, great! It’s just not working great for me. 

Last short thought. I feel like the last episode ended on a weird note. Like it rushed that final confrontation to conclude with us not even seeing what happened. We just know Yuji got out of it, rest isn't worth showing now, I guess? Strange and not a big fan. Maybe some repetitive dialogue could've been shaved down so you had a few more minutes.

Sorry for a very negative post but this is how I feel. I hope I don’t sound too tonally angry; I promise steam wasn’t coming out of my ears while I wrote this lol. Please believe me when I say that my criticisms of the content are not just from me being mad about the workplace environment. Many of these criticisms I felt back when I first started watching the show and came right after the peak of my investment in the show (the prequel arc). But worker abuse matters to me and does translate to how I feel about the product. Just in terms of story content, there’s so much this arc I don’t care for. It's not utter garbage, but for each thing I applaud there's at least one thing I boo. Hopefully you enjoyed it more than me. This arc did not live up to the hype fans and the previous arc set for it. 

Am I going to watch the next season of JJK? Definitely not if Mappa doesn’t change for the better. If they do change, maybe. Solely speaking on the content JJK lost a lot of the interest and optimism the prequel arc gave me. And while I'm not spoiled on specifics, I’m hearing that stuff coming later isn’t great. We'll see what the future holds, with it hopefully being more positive. If you want a sequel arc of a popular shonen show that is very good, of consistent quality and is impactful on the rest of the series with no evidence of abuse that I am aware of please watch Dr Stone New World, which I will be doing a post on. Thank you for reading.

[fyrewalks]

It's nearly a relief, Seresin refusing to speak to him directly. It's familiar; Bob can handle familiar. Except, Seresin still manages to single him out. The relief is short-lived, anyway. He's keenly aware that Seresin is deliberate in not touching him, but with how he drapes himself in the seat, it hardly matters. Bob tucks his knees closer to himself wishing there was more space. It makes the back of the cab feel suffocating despite the ac blasting. At least Coyote and Rooster are considerate.

And that fucking toothpick. One of these days, it's going to be the death of him. If it were simple, physical attraction, Bob thinks, he'd have an easier time getting over it. Kissing Seresin, brief and ill-advised as it had been, should have gotten him over any misguided feelings he had. But it isn't solely simple attraction. It started that way, sure, because Bob can admit that he's pathetically predictable in that regard, but it hadn't stayed that way. A successful mission and extended training led to a more relaxed atmosphere, more genuine interactions than cut-throat competition. Bob isn't foolish enough to think Seresin was suddenly vulnerable, but the video games and late-night hangouts were surprisingly fun. It feels silly, childish, and too strong for what it is to call it a crush; yet, Bob's curious all the same. A curiosity he needs to dispel. For everyone's sake.

With the volume low to his headphones, he listens to Nat excitedly tell Seresin about their destination after telling him off. It sounds fun and decently planned out for how last-minute this trip surely must be. The trails must be good, he figures, which gives him a viable option for space and solitude that isn't immediately pinned on whatever's going on between them. It just makes him feel guilty, though. Nat's excitement is genuine and after the hard training, a little fun is well-earned. Bob knows she's frustrated; they might've run the mission successfully, but the ejection still looms over them both. For Nat, she has more to prove. If it weren't for Maverick, her wings would've been stripped.

He turns up the volume determined to ignore Seresin and leans further against the window, desperate for more space. The rest of the ride is uneventful, or at least no one tries to pull him into anything.

A few hours later, they're finally able to park and tumble out of the car. Rubbing a sore spot on his neck, Bob can only frown as Hangman and Coyote play a game of keep away with his duffel bag. Fucking figures. He's not interested much in playing monkey in the middle. Luckily, he doesn't have to, Rooster steps in and returns his bag. Bob tells him thanks and follows him up into the inn's lobby.

It doesn't dawn on him until keys are being handed out, after plans are made to meet back up for a late lunch somewhere in town, that he should've spent some of the car ride worrying about sleeping arrangements. He's the last one in on the joke, clearly, as laughter ripples through the group. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why; he and Seresin are the last to receive keys.

"Maybe you can figure out why the backseater is so obsessed," Fanboy parrots as the rest of the group snickers, dropping keys into Bob's open palm.

Bob keeps silent. He knows if he reacts, they'll only find it more amusing. That silence lasts all the way up the stairs and into the hallway. It lasts till he swings open the door to reveal a single bed. "You've got to be shitting me," he curses to himself and turns around directly into Seresin.

With no other option, Bob steps back into the room. He sets his bag down with a sigh, peaking over Seresin's shoulder to see a few of the Dagger Squad gathered in the hallway waiting to see how they're going to handle this.

He runs a hand through his hair, frowning. "You're taking the floor," he says, beating him to the punch. "We can switch," Bob adds, undermining himself; it's fair, at least. It'd be fairer just to be a damn adult and share, but that's squarely in the territory of a bad idea.

𝐉𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐏 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐆𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐔𝐏 𝐁𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐏. as unfair of an accusation as it seems ( because coyote had no idea about the jake-and-bob-kiss, and therefore couldn't have possibly been able to warn seresin ahead of time, ) he especially feels betrayed by javy for allowing him to be blindsided like this. jake hauls open the truck door, discovering phoenix sandwiched between mickey and reuben across the middle seats, with bob in the far back seat and in posssession of the only remaining space available. jake stops almost immediately, a rush going through him---- he distinctly labels it to be his compounding annoyance for floyd, refusing to think of it as any sort of thrill. mainly because he, unlike CERTAIN people, doesn't go around kissing guys at random.

there's a slight temptation there to yank one of the boys out of their seat, but putting too much energy in avoiding floyd might seem suspicious. he already made himself look pretty fucking obvious during training, acting like it was his fucking MISSION to embarrass phoenix and bob to the nth degree. jake couldn't lie, it felt good to take out his frustrations on them and to make bob in particular look like he couldn't do his job in helping to keep himself and trace alive. definitely some sort of petty revenge after bob dared to speak ill of jake's many talents. maybe he wasn't selected for the mission, but that had nothing to do with his pure skill as a fighter pilot---- hangman had that shit in spades.

but there's a more burning, consuming reason for his madness.

he climbs his way into the seat next to bob, leaving just enough room for them not to touch, something that he was secretly deliberate about. however, his posture relaxes with searing confidence, legs spread in typical guy fashion and an arm stretching across the head rest behind him. his other hand tweaks at the toothpick nestled at one corner of his mouth. bob's idle comment strokes more of that TENSION through him. thus, jake falls back into the old habit of refusing to converse with bob directly, in order to save his pride and not allow his mask to slip in front of the others.

"phoenix, why's your back-seater so obsessed with me?" he smirks around the toothpick and leans forward to fold his arms over the headrest of reuben's seat.

he can tell she's already rolling her eyes without turning around to look at him, "why would anyone want to be obsessed with you?"

"well, let me check the list. besides bein' the best damn pilot in the navy, i'm good-lookin', i work out, and i'm smart as hell so that's beauty and brains---"

"you forgot to add obnoxious dickhead to the list."

jake ignores payback and fanboy barely managing to contain their snickering. "where are we off to, anyway? not sure i trust rooster behind the wheel, taking us to the middle of bumfuck nowhere."

natasha finally answers, this time with a bit more enthusiasm which shows the guys that she's been needing this break for a while now. they're headed off to a small town in the mountains that's known for its hiking, nature walks, restaurants, and bed & breakfast hideaways. it sounds like a blast, actually, even when they're all going on this trip with other people from work. jake beams at the idea of getting a good hike in---- time to stretch the muscles and gain some clarify of thought. and bed & breakfast inns tended to have the best homecooked meals, and the best COZY atmospheres. natasha wiggles around in her seatbelt to turn and continue gushing about the place that she and rooster made reservations at in particular. it's only then that jake really looks at her, spots the shape of her lips when she's rambling, and recognizes that he's not feeling that pressing desire to win over and seduce a rival. what he does remember, and keenly at that, is bob's anger from that night. whatever made him snap like that, jake will probably never know if it was the LIQUOR or something deeper. but how many times had jake bothered floyd about a girl, as if hounding him for attention? jealousy?

phoenix raised a brow, noticing the sudden shift in confidence from jake, "what's wrong with you, seresin?" she assumed that he wanted off this trip already.

the truth was that his heart felt like it was lodged in his throat. he swallowed, shooting a sharp and venomous glare at floyd out of the corner of his eye. "dunno. maybe i'm just not in the mood."

"well GET in the mood, asshole," she snarked, rolling her eyes and plopping back into her seat.

jake chewed on the end of his toothpick and simply directed his gaze elsewhere.

[patrophthia]

love is sour grapes | theo. nott

pairing: theodore nott x hufflepuff!reader

genre: fluff, angst (if you squint), unrequited love but not really, everyone is an idiot, self indulgent, not beta read.

word count: 5.9K

originally posted on ao3 on: 06/28/2022

"Uhm— would you like to—"

He turned to me calmly, the rest of his appearance devoid of emotions.

"—go out sometimes?" I finished. "As a Date?"

One, two, three beats passes and all Theodore did was look at me. No answer. No emotions. No words. Nothing.

Or Theodore is a quiet piece of shit and that leads to miscommunication and complicated feelings

Theodore Nott. The one constant thought that has been running through my head way too often for my liking. He was handsome, quiet, smart, lanky in all the right ways and never seemed to be engaged in a conversation —or at least one where he was talking instead of just listening and listening and listening.

Talking to him had always been one of my goals, it shouldn't have, really, it shouldn't. But somehow I had found myself more than just infatuated with him. 

Theodore was an observant person, if he noticed me studying him, he never confronted me about it. 

But, as my friend says it, Theodore Nott is sour grapes. Or, in better words, love is sour grapes. If this even was love that is. 

"I think you should just talk to him," Hermione says kindly. "I still don't think that he would be good for you but if you fancy him that much then go ahead." 

"If you want a death wish that is," Ron snickered. "Honestly, can't you have picked a better guy to fancy? I mean— Nott? Of all people."

"Do you want me to fancy Malfoy instead? Would that make you happy," I quipped, hearing Hermione hide a laugh between closed lips. "Or god forbid, you." 

Ron face contorted to one of offense. "I'm notthatbad." 

"Yeah sure," I murmured, with no malice. And turned to Harry who had been quiet about the situation ever since he found out. "What do you think?" 

Harry shrugged, looking startled. "I don't know," He said first, and then. "I think you need someone better than Nott. You're friendly and thoughtful—" he paused hesitantly. "—and you're quite awfully pretty." 

"Thank you, Harry." My eyes fell downwards with no real intention. I was none of those things. "But I don't think he'd agree." 

"What does it matter if he agrees," Hermione said loudly. "Harry's right. You're all of those things. It's his loss if he doesn't go out with you. You're fit, incredibly so. I would be happy if someone like you were to ever fancy me."

If Ron had a reaction to those words, neither Hermione nor Harry noticed. 

"Well," I said as a group of Slytherin walked into the Potions classroom. Potions would be starting any minute now, and I needed to head into class before Snape does. "I'll keep that in mind. If all fails, I'll just have to marry you, Mione." 

With a final smile, I bid them a quick goodbye and made my way into class. The three of them heading to which ever direction they needed to be. 

The class quickly starts, and Snape wasted no time in assigning me a potion to make. Invigoration Draught. The potion that energizes the drinker. How fun.

The ingredients were mostly easy to obtain. Peppermint, Honeywater, Stewed Mandrake then there's Dried billywig sting: my biggest nightmare.

I was only so tall and the shelves where the ingredients were stored stood so so high. I would've used a stool had it been free to use, but a Slytherin had already been occupying it and it would be rude if I were to take it away from them.

There was a cough behind my back, and then, a hand reached; over me and towards the exact thing I needed. Dried billywig sting: my new biggest enemy.

The person pulled back —jar filled with billywig in hand, and stood still as I turned to them. The jar had a decent amount of billywig in it, if they needed it I could still manage to ask for just enough for my potion. That is if they were kind enough to let me have some.

"Could I—" I paused mid-turn. There stood Theodore Nott in all his glory. Dark eyes, dark hair and facial features that looked like every part of him was chosen by Aphrodite herself, watching me with a raised eyebrow. "—uhm, could I have a few of those? I needed it for my potion but I couldn't reach it."

Theodore blinked once, looking unfazed and handed the jar over.

I blinked twice the time he did, opening up the jar; intending on taking out a few and handing it back over when he stopped me.

"I don't need it."

His voice.

"You don't?" I find myself asking, trying not to breathe too loud or to forget how to even breathe in the first place.

Theodore shook his head once. And reached up for something else. Had he seen me struggle and had gotten it just for me?

"Thank you," I tell him. Theodore nodded once, accepting it as it is. I think you should just talk to him. Goddamn it, Granger. "Uhm— would you like to—"

He turned to me calmly, the rest of his appearance devoid of emotions.

"—go out sometimes?" I finished. "As a Date?"

One, two, three beats passes and all Theodore did was look at me. No answer. No emotions. No words. Nothing.

Whether he was scrutinizing me or not, I didn't know. What I do know is that I was wrong and stupid. And my friends were wrong too.

He needed more than me. I might be friendly and kind and maybe quite awfully pretty. But Theodore needed more than me.

"You know what." I cleared my throat, smiling. "Forget I said anything. Have a good day, Nott."

•••

I had been down lately. My friends noticed that. Even Harry and Ron noticed it and they were as daft as they come. Whenever they asked me what was wrong I find myself telling them that I was just stressed over my O.W.Ls.

Which I was. But it was mostly a lie to cover up something I was more upset about. I had idiotically asked Theodore out and now I have to face the consequences of being rejected.

I think —in some ways— him having not even say 'no' or have given a clearer answer was more upsetting then if he had just said no out loud.

It was stupid of me to get my hopes up and think that anything else would've happened. It was stupid for me to even think I was in his league.

It was also late. I hated walking back to the common rooms in these hours but it was my fault for procrastinating my essay until the night before it was due so I had to rush the entire thing in an hour in the library. I had only hoped that Umbridge wouldn't punish me for being out pass curfew.

I had one more hall left to turn before I reached the Hufflepuff's barrels when someone shouted out my surname, halting me in my place.

Fast pace footsteps approached and then, donning from head to toe in pink was Umbridge. Fuck.

"What do you think you're doing out of your dorm at this time?" She asked quickly, her toad like face twitching with irritation.

"I was in the library and lost track off time," I quickly confessed. "I'm so sorry. My dorm's close by and I—"

"It was my fault professor." His voice. "I’d asked for her help and lost track of time. She was trying to head back before curfew but it seems like her efforts were to no avail. I can only hope you would excuse her and blame me for my faults."

Umbridge looked baffled. He talked? Theodore talked? She made that annoying noise that she can't seemed to get rid off. "Well." her voice laced with false kindness.

"I see no point in deducting any points." She then turned to me. "But I will be expecting to see you tomorrow for separating yourself from help at a time as late as this. Merlin knows, it's dangerous for a girl to wander alone at this time."

"Just me?" I asked, slightly confused.

Her eyes flashed with annoyance. "Do you expect Mister Nott here to be punished for wanting to make sure you got back to your dorm safe?"

That wasn’t what he— okay. Fine. Whatever.

"Now, go off," she said with a wave of her hand. "And Theodore, would you be so kind as to walk her back? I don't want to know the troubles she might cause when I let her out my sight."

Theodore nodded, doing as he was told and took a step forward. He looked behind his shoulders, his eyes meeting mine and tilted his head slightly: signaling that we should leave now before it gets worse.

I avoided Umbridge's eyes and stepped forward, trailing after Theodore. Detention. All because I was too lazy to finish my essay any other time I had.

I think I feel my eyes water. I think it feels harder to breathe. I don't know for sure how I feel exactly despite dejected and disappointed with myself.

If I had just made one different choice, I wouldn't have to have detention with the one professor known to physically harm the students. And to top it off, being walked back to my common room by the boy who recently rejected me whilst bottling up my feelings about everything I did wrong.

"You don't have to actually walk me back." I paid no heed to the crack of my voice. Theodore does though. "It's late." I pointed out the obvious. "You should go."

Theodore glanced at me quickly. His look was so quick that I suspected he had planned to only spare me a second of his time. But something about me, something about how vulnerable I must've looked, had him pausing.

"I shouldn't." He said slowly, his tone so attentively that it made me think that he had saw something in me that I never did. "I can't leave you."

"You can." I don't think I can handle being near him any longer, not when he was studying me so cautiously. "It's only a few steps away, I can assure you I'll be fine."

Theodore eyes flickered down the corridor quickly, finally tearing themselves away from me and looked forward, continuing towards the direction of my common room.

When we finally reached where we needed to be. Theodore stood back watching as I tapped the barrels carefully.

I looked over my shoulder once the path opens up. Smiling slightly when I found his eyes on me. "Thank you for taking the blame, Theo. You didn't have to and you did and spared me way too many house points. I really appreciate it."

He made a noise of acknowledgment, taking my word as it is. And then, as he was about to step away. "Goodnight."

•••

I think I hate life. I might be wrong but life sucks. Especially when you have to repeatedly write the same sentence over and over again with a magic quill that tears through your skin.

That can't have been a legal source of punishment but Umbridge made the rules so it was no use fighting her about it.

My hand hurts. Holy fuck, does it hurt. I don't even have to glance down at it for me to see my skin burning red, bleeding slightly. Curved out in the sentence. I will not be out pass curfew. 

"You alright there?" Came a voice. 

I looked up quick and abruptly, sure that I'll get whiplash from my actions; to find George Weasley watching me with interest. I smiled, subconsciously hiding away my hand. "I'm fine." 

"You sure?" He followed up. "You don't look too good."

I nodded, trying to look as reassuring as possible. "I'm fine, just got a paper cut is all." 

He fixes me a look of disbelief but let it slides. "You should go," he said with a small smile. "I think Ron's looking for you? Something about slimey snakes and what not." 

"Oh." The sound slipped out. "Thank you, I'll go find him." 

It was weird to see George without Fred but I decided that I didn't want to know why. They were probably setting up a prank and I had walked right through it. 

Bidding George a goodbye. I continued down the corridor, turned the corridor and found the trio standing by with Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, and Theodore Nott by their sides. This can't be good. 

Is this what George referred to when he said Ron was looking me about some slimey snakes? 

"There she is," Malfoy said with mild annoyance. "We've been looking for you." 

"You have?" My eyes drifted to Hermione but she only shrugged, looking as clueless as I was. "Why?" 

Malfoy took a steps towards me. "You've been with Professor Umbridge?" 

"Yes." I nodded. "Why?" 

"Did she give you the quill?" 

What was he playing at? Why was he interrogating me? "Yes." I repeated. "Why?" 

Zabini rolled his eyes and step up, seemingly having enough of Malfoy's dramatics. "Here." He handed out a bottle. "It's Murtlap essence. Suppose to help you with the cuts. Nott made it for you." 

"He did?" I asked, taking the bottle of Murtlap essence from Zabini's hand. I turned to look at Theodore, finding his eyes glued to my bleeding hand that was grasping the bottle. Jerking my hand back, I smiled, thanking him. "Thank you for this, I really appreciate and for uhm— thanks again for covering for me last night." 

Everyone —all but Theodore and I— brows raised upwards, surprised. So they didn't know about what had happened last night.

Theodore showed no outwards reaction, having just watch me with a straight face and patient eyes. Then he turned to Zabini and tilted his head slightly. Zabini seemingly understood, slapped a hand over Malfoy's shoulder and with a goodbye, steered the blond boy away. 

"Bloody hell," Ron said exasperatedly. "Did that really happen?" 

"Nott made you Murtlap essence?" Hermione asked more to herself than anyone else. "How did he even know you needed it?" 

"I—" I stopped, glancing at my hand. "—I was out pass curfew and Umbridge caught me. Nott took the blame for it. I think Umbridge was too surprised with hearing him talk to properly acknowledge that he too was out of the dorms pass curfew. She said she won't take away any house points but gave me detention as a punishment." 

"That's all?" Hermione said. "Why would Nott take the fall for it and then proceed to make Murtlap essence for you if there wasn't anything in it for him?" 

"I don't know," I told her, shrugging. "He also walked me back to my common room and wouldn't leave me when I insisted otherwise." 

"Do you think." Ron started. "Maybe that Nott fancies you?" 

"No." I was quick to shake my head in disagreement. "He's doesn't. He's made that clear already." 

"He has?" Harry asked loudly, brows knitted together. 

"Yeah," I murmured. "That day I talked to the three of you. I asked him during class if maybe we could go out on a date sometimes and he didn't say anything. Not a yes. Not a no. Nothing." 

"That's terrible," said Hermione sympathetically. "Honestly, what kind of person rejects someone then proceed to do things as if they cared for them." 

"Hermione," said Harry cautiously, eyes shifting between me and her. "I don't think that does anything to soothe her nerves." 

"Sorry." Hermione blinked in realization. "It's just— you deserve better. I don't understand a thing Nott's doing and I don't want you to get hurt in the process." 

"He could be figuring out his feelings," Ron suggested making Hermione shoot a sharp glare his direction. Ron tsked. "I'm just pointing it out." 

"Well it's not helping." Hermione said in an obvious tone. Her eyes drifted down to my hand, scanning the words then looked back up. "I think you should head back and take care of your hand. You don't want it to scar now, do you?" 

I nodded, waving. "I'll see you at dinner?"

Hermione let out an agreeing hum and went on her way, Ron pestering her from behind. Harry hadn't moved though, looking at me with furrowed brows. "Could I maybe have some of your Murtlap essence?"

"Yeah." I handed it over. "I didn't know you had to endure Umbridge as well."

"Didn't think it was important to mention." He pulled out an empty ink pot from his bag and twisted it open, pouring just enough essence to not overflow it. Harry put the cap back on and handed it back over. "Don't tell Hermione or Ron, will you? I don't want to be a bother." 

" 'course." I smiled. "I won't tell anyone." 

•••

What are the chances that I get caught being out pass curfew twice in the same week. Pretty fucking high because I was once again being called out late at night. 

Two sets of foot steps stops before me and it took me roughly five seconds to realize just how grave the situation was. Draco Malfoy stood tall and smug with Hannah Abott by his side looking tired —if a little irritated by Malfoy's presence. 

"What are you doing out, badger?" Malfoy asked. 

"I was heading back from the kitchens." Malfoy made a face and glanced down at my outfit that looked way too overdressed to be heading down to the kitchens. 

"Are you sure?" 

"Yes." It was clear that I was caught in a lie. Goddamn you, Radiohead concert. "I must've lost track of time." 

Hannah looked like she wanted to say something but bit her tongue. Not wanting any of her words to be counted as it being biased just because I was her dorm mate. 

And then, as I waited to hear Malfoy state just how many points he wanted to take away from my house. He said with annoyance, "you can go." Unfazed to the look of surprise that showed up on both mine and Hannah's faces. "Tell Nott he owes me one." 

•••

I don't think my head could —or will ever fully comprehend "tell Nott he owes me one." I don't know why exactly but that sentence feels way more ominous than it ought to be. 

ott does not owe him anything for letting me go. 

And I don't think I owe Nott anything for helping me be let go? maybe I could've phrased that better. What I meant to say is that: I owe Nott nothing for his friend's behavior towards me. At least I don't think I do. 

But things works in mysterious way. Like how —despite how ironic I find it— Nott always find out a way to help me out during potions. Especially when it came to the ingredients. 

Though that was the least of my concerns right now. My concern, for now, is revolved between the three books in my hand that I can't decide —for the life of me— which one to buy. 

On other occasions I would buy all three and went about my day but I had only brought enough money for one book and food for the rest of the day at Hogsmeade, and my friend didn't seem like they'd be heading back to Hogwarts for extra cash any time soon. 

I looked over my options once more, trying to figure out which one would be the bang of my buck. 

Option one: All Or Nothing, a novel about a girl trying to navigate relationships with the people she surrounded herself with and see whether they would react differently when she gave them her all, and then; how they would react when she gave them nothing. 863 pages. 

Option two: Glimpse Of Us, a novel about a boy who always —and I mean always, sees his ex in the girls he dates after her. 295 pages. 

Option three: Listen boy, a cheesy novel about a girl who had little to no interest when it comes to going on dates with guys but when her roommate compliments her on the socks she wore, she finds herself wanting to do nothing but go on dates with them. 530 pages. 

Both Glimpse Of Us and All Or Nothing seems like sad book. Maybe it's time for me to find some joy in my life —which seems to seize to exist after whatever happened between me Nott happened. As I turned, intending to put those two books back in their respective places. I was more than surprise to find Nott looking at me with a slight fascinated tilt to his head.

“Which is it?”

"Hmm?" I find myself humming. Should I pick All Or Nothing instead? Wouldn't that make me seem more intelligent than a book about a girl being in love with her roommate. 

"Which one have you chose?" He clarified, and I might've imagined it —no I definitely did because, Theodore Nott's lips did not just curve up at all. 

"This one." I lifted up whatever was in my right hand which just happens to be Listen boy. And there goes sounding more intelligent in front of Theodore. "It seems cute." 

"Is that all?" He followed up and it's then that I realize he was wearing a forest green that had no reasons to make him look as good as it did. Green really was his colour. "Nothing more?"

"No." I shook my head. "Ideally I would like two get these two as well," I told him truthfully. "But I only brought enough for one —technically two, if I stretched it out but that would mean no snacks for the rest of the day so it's a no." 

"I'll get it for you then," he says casually. Like it's something you say to someone you recently rejected. Like he was walking around, waiting for someone to tell him that they haven't brought enough cash for the other books they wanted. "Would you like anything else? I am more than willing to indulge you." 

"No, I don't." I stop myself. Yes, I mean. Because I really did want other books, especially if someone else was paying for it but I know that my poor heart cannot handle it. 

It is already breaking apart at how handsome he looked with his forest green jumper and black ironed pants. His hair, a usual dark brown, just the slightest tinge brighter under the sunlight (which is both a sight for sore eye and a rare view since I only ever see him in the dungeons, hunched over a bubbling pot and disgusting lightings) which flatters him in all the best way possible. 

And no, my heart is not picking up a million paces over I am more than willing to indulge you in that very tone of voice, in that very set of clothes, in very set of lighting, by that very Slytherin that I could not seem to get over.

"You don't have to," I insisted, trying to not shiver under his gaze. He narrows his eyes and it says way more than words could ever say. He knows he doesn't, he wants to. Oh lord save me. "Maybe this one? It's cheaper." 

"That was not my question," he said curtly. "I asked you if you'd like anything else, not which option was cheaper."

What are we even talking about now? Was he planning on buying me the three books in my hands and more or was he planning on letting me pay for my choice then pay for the others I couldn't afford. 

Is my face that much of an open book? Because, without even having to say it. Theodore had already answered my questions for me. "I'll buy you the three in your hands and anymore you'd like. I'd buy you the whole store if you wanted me to." 

I think I'm having a heart attack. Or dreaming. Or both. I can't tell. Maybe I'm dreaming while having a heart attack? Who knows. All I know is that Theodore Nott did not just say that. Did he? 

"No." I shake my head quickly, maybe even too quickly. "No, I— these three are more than enough. I promise to pay you back when we get back to school."

Theodore fixes me a look. One ridiculing me to the point that I wished —more than anything— that I was a bludger being hit so hard I pass through the most oblivious of oblivions. I'm so sure that that would be less stressful. 

"I mean it!" I press all three books to my side. "I promise, and I always keep my promise. I won't take advantage of your money, I will get it and find you as soon as I—"

I didn't see the point in finishing my words because he was smiling. And laughing. I think. It's a mixture of those two and it's so heavenly that I believe in everything ethereal alike. 

Theodore noticed my silence, the side of his lips curved the slightest bit (so so small and tiny that you couldn't even spot it), looking at me with clearly amused eyes. And then, "did you not hear me?" 

"What?" The words slipped out easily. 

"I told you I'd buy you the whole store if you'd like and you think I'd want my money back?" He said slowly. "I couldn't care less about the money. I just wanted to make you happy. Salazar knows, I've made you upset more often than I could count between my fingers." 

Now what the fuck was he on about. He has never made me upset —save for rejecting me that one time,  but I understood it, he didn't like me, that's that. I have gotten over. I think. But I'm more than sure that I could count that one event between his ten fingers.

Unless Theodore only had one finger? Does he? I cast a glance down to his hands and there are those ten fingers. Ten exactly. Not one short or one more. Ten and a couple of silver bands that made me want to do nothing but sit and stare at his long, pale, slim fingers. And how they would feel around my— nope, nope. Absolute not. 

"Merlin, we leave Nott alone and he goes around trying to find his girlfriend." Girlfriend? 

When the owner of the voice, Zabini, finally arrives before me and Theodore, I was no where near surprised to see the other Slytherins in their group by his side. 

Parkinson. Malfoy. And finally, Greengrass —whom I was actually friends with. 

"Well?" Zabini muttered, eyes shifting between me and Theodore, and then landing on him solely. "Are the pair of you planning on standing here the whole day?" 

"No," I said with narrowed eyes. "I don't know what he's doing here, I'm just trying to buy a book." 

Zabini raised a brow. "Is that all, princess?" 

"Pretty much." This feels like a trap. Is this a trap? "Are you planning on going somewhere with Theo?" 

"Theo," Zabini tsked with a smirk. "I've never once called him that and I've known him for about five year now. How cute is that." 

Yep. This is definitely a trap. I think I'm going to die now. 

Theodore, with a roll of his eyes, made his way to my side and pried at the books pressed to my waist. Confused, and a little daze at the warmth of his fingers grazing my hip, I let go of the three books and watched him with wide eyes. 

He seemed (and looked) unaffected by how everyone eyes were now on him. Walking around and picking another set of the exact books I'd picked out. Theodore paid for them without a word, asking for separate bags and handed a set over to me. 

And then, quietly he says. "Zabini's an idiot." He smiled a winsome one and I am so sure I'm dying and this —whatever this was— is just a figment of my imagination that my brain curated during my dying breath. "I like it. Don't ever stop calling me Theo." 

•••

Blaise Zabini is trying to be matchmaker. I'm sure of it. Or else he wouldn't be bothering me as much as he did now. I can't seem to peacefully spend time in the library without being interrupted by him. 

"Hello," he greeted, smiling as he sat opposing me. I raised an eyebrow and he was able to read me quick enough, telling me the reason he was here. "Just wanted to let you know that Nott finished those three novels he bought and he's looking for someone to talk it over with a cup of tea —or coffee, whichever one you prefer." 

Is he implying what I think he's implying? "Why is that any of my concerns." 

"I thought you might be interested." He shrugged. "Since you know, you fancy Nott and all." 

"I don't fancy Nott." I told him. An obvious lie, and Zabini knew that too. "And he doesn't fancy me so it's just a waste of time." 

"Nott doesn't fancy you?" He's laughing. He's actually laughing. What was so funny about the truth? "What makes you think that?" 

"He literally turns me down I when I asked him out," I said blankly. "It's pretty clear, isn't it?" 

"And what exactly did he say?" Zabini asked playfully, as if he was humoring me. 

"Nothing," I answered. "He just looked at me and said nothing, I don't think I need anything else to tell me that it's an obvious no." 

"Nothing?" Zabini repeated with a grin. "Have you heard of being speechless? Or better yet, you know Nott doesn't really speak right?" 

"That doesn't excuse him saying nothing when I asked him to go on a date," I countered.

"It doesn't," Zabini concurred. "But Nott's an idiot." Funny, Theodore said the exact same thing about Blaise. "Did you know Nott did Malfoy's work for a week without complain just because he let you go that one time you snuck out?" 

No. I don't say. Malfoy did say Nott owe him one but I hadn't thought it important. "What does that have anything to do with what you were talking about?" 

"Because," he says exaggeratedly. "Nott fancies you back. I suspected that he liked you since third year though he won't admit it. He won't even admit that he fancies you now but he's incredibly easy to read." 

I shut my book and looked at him. Really looked at him. Trying to gauge whether he was messing with me or telling the truth. "What am I supposed to do with this information?" 

"Ask him out again," he suggested lightly. "Give him another chance for being the biggest twat there is."

"And have him reject me again?"

"He won't," Zabini says calmly. "He'd burn the entire school down before even thinking of rejecting you." 

I hesitate. "I don't want to embarrass myself again."

"You won't," he says with a roll his eyes. "Look I know being rejected is hard, I think I get it. I've never been rejected before. But I also know that the both of you like each other just as much and it's getting tiring seeing you beat around the bush." 

"Nott won't make the first move. He thinks you hate him now for not answering when you ask so you'd have to ask again —if you still want to be with him that is. Do you? Or else I've been doing all this for nothing." 

Yes. I think. I'm pretty sure that I want to be with him. "Do you know where he is?" 

"Oh," Zabini said delightedly. "He's actually coming here right now. I told him I was coming to find you but never gave him a reason why. He'd be here any —speaking of the devil. Hello, Theo."

Theodore doesn't bother to return his greeting. Eyes heavily set on Zabini in a glare that had me shivering just from the side lines. Then his eyes turn to me and his glare on hardens. 

"Hi, Theo." I don't think I've ever since Theodore like this before. "What are you doing here?" 

"What did he do?" He asked instead. 

"Nothing," I said quickly. "He did nothing. We just talked." 

"About?" 

"Stuff."

"Stuff?" 

"Yes. Stuff." 

"What kind of stuff?" 

"Oh you know," I huffed. "The weather. Coffee. You." 

"Me?" 

"Yes." My lips fold itself into a thin line. "Actually Theo. Could I ask you something?" 

His gaze softens when he nods.I am more than willing to indulge you.I am so sure now, more than ever, that love really is sour grapes. 

"Uhm— would you like to—"

His eyes widened, large as saucers as he processed in my words.

"—go out sometimes?" I finished. "As a Date?" 

One, two, three beats passes and all Theodore did was look at me. No answer. No emotions. No words. Nothing. And I am briefly reminded of everything that happened. 

And then, "yes," he says. "Yes, I would." 

•••

Theodore really did read those books he bought me. This I knew now as I sat under the sun on one of Hogsmeade many benches with Theo to my left. 

This part of Hogsmeade was quiet, it wasn't too far from the shops but far enough for no one to frequent by. A few people passed by trying to move from destination to destination but none noticed the bench wedge into the middle of the place where two fifth years were sat, talking about everything and anything under the moon and stars. 

"So you liked it? You liked 'Listen, boy'?"

"I did." He was smiling and I wished more than anything that I'd had a camera to capture every smile he had given me during the pass hours. "Is that so hard to believe?"

"Yes," I laugh and his smile widens. "It just doesn't seem like you. It's a cheesy and corny book and you're always so dark and broody about everything." 

"I'm not dark and broody about everything," he denied. 

"You are!" I countered. "You were even dark and broody when I'd first asked you out."

"That's 'cause I didn't know what to say," he says truthfully. "You could've said yes, that would've made it easy for the both of us," I told him. "I really couldn't. You don't deserve just a yes. You deserved everything, not something so simple." 

"But that yes would've made my week, Theo." 

Theo looked like he was about to say something before he changed his mind. "I'm sorry I didn't say yes when you'd first asked me. Could you ever forgive me?" 

I want to kiss him until his lips, his skin, his hands, his scent, every tiny bit of him is imprinted in my mind. "Yes." I say. "Yes, I think I could." 

Theodore chuckled, his nose crinkling at the motion and something between that laugh and smile of his causes me to lose it. 

My hand reached forward first, palm pressing against his cheek, pulling him closer to me and pressed my lips onto his. I kissed him once then as I reached to pull away; I find that both of his hands had found their way to my cheeks, holding me still as he kissed me back. 

Theodore pulled back, the tiniest of smile on his lips that had the smallest smudge of my lipstick attached to it. And he tells me, as if he had been thinking of this for days, years, lifetimes. "You are the prettiest girl I've ever seen." 

And when I smiled, Theo leans back in. Peppering quick kisses on my lips, my nose, my cheeks, my forehead, anywhere I would let him kiss me; he will cherish it. 

Once Theo finally pulls back —and this was for real this time, no more quick kisses. He looks at me and I know deep down that he will be the death of me when he says. "You are going to be the death of me."

— from bee: the thing about theo is that we know nothing about him so you can’t say that this is ooc :>

[spectaclespencer]

P.H. // Part 3; Need To Know

Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader

A/N; Chapter 3!! Yay! I will not lie I got kind of lazy and burnt out when I finally got to the smut scene, and for that I am sorry. I’ll make it up to you guys with a future chapter.

Summary; Reader can’t get her mind off of Spencer, which causes distractions at work. Until one day when he catches on.

Category; Smut (Minors DNI!!!)

Content Warnings; Swearing, Kissing, Mentions of masturbation, Unprotected sex, Fingering, Oral (Male receiving), Drinking, Mentions of being shot, Kinda Sub!Spencer, Virgin!Spencer (but not by the end of it)

Word Count; 7.2k

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‘Wanna know what it's like (like)

Baby, show me what it's like (like)

I don't really got no type (type)

I just wanna fuck all night’

Spencer Reid. The object of my attraction, the man I fell harder for with every stolen glance I could manage to throw his way. I was obsessed, and that infatuation only grew stronger every day that I saw him at work.

When we went out to bars after cases we ended up in an inevitable game of Never Have I Ever like a bunch of high school kids. With Emily and Derek in the group it almost always turned sexual. It started with innocent things such as; Never have I ever kicked down a door -- to which Derek drinks. There were some targeted jabs, I got Spencer a few times when I brought up an activity I was certain he had done -- just to keep him involved.

However he never drank past that. He never took a sip when Emily made a sexual innuendo, or when she brought up one night stands, number of partners, most bizarre location to engage in intercourse. Nothing of the sort got him to break. I figured he was a private guy, never one to boast about his sexual experiences.

It was frustrating, to say the least. It got to the point where I couldn’t think about anyone but him. I couldn’t engage in any sexual activity without my mind shifting to him, the way he might slip his fingers in and out of me, or how skilled he was with his mouth instead of the person I dragged home. No other person could even begin to compare to the remedy I concocted in my mind. I didn’t have any information to base my fantasies on, either.

I had it bad. So bad, that at one point I spilled hot coffee all over myself in the breakroom over the littlest interaction.

Spencer came in just after me, mumbling a small hello before reaching to grab a mug for himself. In the process of doing so his shirt rode up, exposing a small expanse of his lower stomach that had me sputtering as I clumsily missed my cup and instead poured the coffee all over the counter. It ran down and soaked through my pants; yet it wasn’t nearly as hot as the way I felt on the inside.

I couldn’t help but wonder the noises he’d make if I were to suck dark purple marks across that plain of skin...or if anyone ever had before.

The small burn was a fine price to pay for my inappropriate thoughts.

Him being the sweet guy that he is, offered to help me clean up. This proposal ended up with him taking paper towels and patting down my thighs -- not realizing just how suggestive the action looked to me.

“Sorry,” He whispered, looking up at my face from his position below me. He was kneeling on one knee, with a hand planted firmly on the outside of my thigh. His voice was soft yet raspy, and oh how I let my mind wander.

“Not your fault,” I said quickly, and borderline ran out the door before he could protest or add anything on.

I headed straight to the bathroom to wash my face, try and stop the effect he had on me from becoming too physical.

If I got that worked up over a small piece of skin showing, nothing could have prepared me for the first night we shared a hotel room.

I was in shambles all night, ever since the moment Hotch handed me a room card and explained we needed to double up.

Emily usually roomed with JJ, Hotch and Rossi got their own, and Derek refuses to bunk with Spencer -- if he could avoid it. Much to my luck, this time he did because Garcia was needed for this case, meaning she and Derek would be sharing.

Leaving me with Spencer.

I stood there helpless, eyes burning a hole into the place that Hotch was previously standing. I was panicking on the inside, my body going into fight or flight mode as I went through scenarios in my head.

I was 99% sure I would be embarrassing myself tonight.

“Hey,” Spencer said, putting a hand on my shoulder.

I jumped and shrieked a little bit, and slapped a hand over my heart. “Oh my god, Reid. You scared me.”

“Sorry,” he laughed. “Sorry I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s okay.”

He nodded, eventually realizing that he was still indeed touching my shoulder. He dropped his arm, only to bring his hand back up to rub over his chin.

My eyes darted down to it, watching at the way his veins stood out. It wasn’t the first time I admired them, there were moments when he was going over maps with two fingers where I wondered what they would feel like on my-

“____?”

“What?” I asked, a little too loud for the setting.

“Did you hear me?”

“No, sorry.”

“I said we should go inside,” he laughed softly, trying to sooth the tension.

I agreed, stepping past him to start walking to our room. I opened the door with trembling hands, wondering just how hard the following nights at the hotel would be.

“I’m gonna go see Emily and JJ. Ask if they wanna go to the bar,” I said quickly, throwing my bag down just inside the door.

“Oh. Okay. Have fun! Don’t stay out too late. You should get a full night’s sleep.”

“I won’t be long. Don’t wait up!” I called, not looking back to see him before half jogging out of the room.

-----

“I cannot go back in there.”

“Oh, because of your little crush,” Emily laughed, much too loud for the early hours of the morning.

Clearly Spencer’s advice about coming back early didn’t plant itself in my head.

“Yes, because of that,” I confirmed. I was staring down at my drink, wallowing in self pity. It was too awkward to even step foot in there, I’m sure just by the sight of him I’d explode.

“What is it about him that gets you hot and heavy?” JJ teased. “No shame, just curious.”

I fake laughed, ignoring her question.

Everything he did was so intoxicating. Even the most mundane things got my blood pumping hard. Each time he let a small gasp through his lips or when he would whisper to himself, a shockwave went through me, igniting a fire deep inside that was near impossible to put out.

But he was so oblivious. He hadn’t a single idea of the effect he had on me. And that was the most frustrating part.

The first time I noticed my extreme attraction to him was shortly after I joined the team, it was only the third or fourth case I’d had with them. Spencer and I walked to a coffee shop to grab some for everyone, and on the way back he was infodumping.

About what, I can’t remember, for I was too fixated on the way his hands wrapped around his cup as he talked. He’d wave it around, and in doing so his fingers would trace little patterns onto the outside of it. I didn't mean to stare, I just got distracted.

I started noticing more little things after that.

Like the way he licked his lips while deep in thought, his mind consuming him to the point where he looked so concentrated and determined. It was hot, to put it simply. I wanted nothing more for him to be licking my lips, to feel him take such care with my body.

He had always been attractive in my eyes, the young boy was nothing but pretty. Even when his hair was shorter and he gelled it back, pairing the look with his glasses -- that he unfortunately wore less often nowadays.

It was nearly painful to be around him all day every day. My head would constantly be spinning with anxiety, only causing more and more headaches to present themselves. It was like a punishment, one I certainly deserved for the tasteful thoughts I had during work hours.

My crush went from an innocent little thing, to full fledged fascination.

‘I just been fantasizin' (size)

And we got a lotta time (time)

Baby, come throw the pipe (pipe)’

Avoiding him as much as I could seemed like a decent plan at the time. If I kept my interactions low, I could distract myself with other things, and not focus on the way his lips pursed as I conversed with him. I raced up more time staring at his mouth rather than completing actual work by my six month stay at the BAU.

“I’m so fucked,” I nodded, coming to a bit of peace with my downfall.

“Well, you could be. If you told him how you feel,” JJ encouraged.

“No way in hell,” I protested, shooting my head up to make eye contact with her.

“____, there is a very, very high chance he feels the same. And if he doesn’t -- which he does -- he’s too sweet to let that impact your friendship.”

“We hardly even have a friendship. Whenever he tries to talk to me I end up running away. He probably thinks I hate him or something. He probably wants nothing to do with me.”

No objection from Emily or JJ there.

“What’s the worst that could happen?” Emily asked, changing the pace of the conversation.

“He never speaks to me again. I die of embarrassment.”

“You’re both adults, ____.”

“We are 27!” I shook my head, exasperated. “I hardly even feel like one sometimes.”

“27, exactly. I’m sure by now Reid has gained some experience with talking to women. You’ll be fine.”

“I have absolutely no way of knowing how things will go.”

“Just give him little tests,” JJ suggested. “Like touch him. On the shoulders, compliment him more, really go up to him and make a move. That way if he doesn’t feel the same you can play it off as being platonic.”

I groaned and rested my head on the table dramatically. “You both kinda suck at advice. What am I supposed to do? Waltz into our shared room and confess my love for him? Ask him desperately to dick me down?”

Even though I definitely wanted to.

They laughed at that, saying they were going to bed and wished me luck. Emily advised I should try and ‘get some’ from somebody else, and maybe that would take my mind off of things.

After stalling some more I eventually made my way back to the hotel room, hoping that Spencer was already asleep so I wouldn’t have to face him. But once again, luck wasn’t in my favour.

“Hi,” he spoke softly from his bed.

“Why are you still awake?” I asked, trying my best to stifle a yawn. I threw my sweater down on my bed, before grabbing my go-bag and retrieving my pyjamas from it. “It’s almost one in the morning.”

“I wanted to make sure you got back okay.”

“I told you not to wait up. Naughty boy,” I joked, finally turning my attention fully over to him.

Which could've been a mistake, based on the way you saw it.

He was dressed in flannel pants and a black t-shirt, along with his hair tied up that I’d failed to notice earlier. I froze at the sight, seeing the way his cheeks were dusted a slight red, and lips pink as ever.

His hair was tied up, and I almost dropped dead at the sight. I’d never seen it before. Sure, he sometimes wore an elastic band on his wrist during the work days but never have I seen him actually use one.

“I’m gonna shower and then head to bed,” I said in an effort to keep my voice steady.

He didn’t respond, only turning his head back to the book that was in his hand.

Thankfully when I returned he was asleep, meaning I didn’t have to see him before bed.

The next day was torturous. I couldn’t get the image of him out of my head. The view of him so relaxed on his bed was ethereal, the soft glow of the lamp hand illuminated his skin in all the right places. Did he pull his hair back often? Did he casually sit at home with it up? How did he look in different angles or positions? Are there other things he wears or does that I haven’t seen?

The image was just so domestic that I couldn't stop thinking about it even if I wanted to.

I was afraid to fall asleep, in fear that my dream may turn adventurous. Quitting my job and moving to a new city seems more preferable than having a sex dream about your coworker while they were in the room.

I was hyper aware of every move he made, always keeping tabs on him in the back of my mind so we wouldn’t accidentally run into each other.

Apparently when I was paying attention on how not to see him, I failed to notice how he had filled out recently. He wore looser pants in the past, ones that didn’t allow much shape to show through.

The next day at the precinct I was in for a surprise though, one that was sure to make me fall to my knees.

And I would have, if it wasn’t for the fact I was already seated in a chair.

Spencer walked in clad in pants that were far too tight to be appropriate for work. Or maybe I was overreacting.

“Jesus Christ,” I muttered under my breath, soaking in his appearance of the day.

It was hot outside, so he decided not to wear his usual vest and tie combo, choosing instead just a white pattern button up and grey tie.

I heard Emily snicker beside me, which earned her a light kick in the calf to shut her up. She got up then, winking at me dramatically before leaving the room to presumably go check in with Derek.

“Hey ____, can you come here for a sec?”

I got up without a word, and walked over to the other side of the room where he was standing at the map hung up.

He went off about the unsub’s possible comfort zone -- things that I’d need him to repeat later because I wasn’t fully listening,

I stayed leaning against the table, just two feet behind him which gave me a perfect view of just how tight those pants really were. They hugged his hips deliciously, I wanted nothing more than to rip them off in that moment. I nodded along dumbly, changing my sight from his ass to his back, to his toned arms that were shown off from him rolling up his sleeves.

It was a fair sight, I don’t really think I could be blamed for staring.

A few weeks after that he got a haircut. His longer curls were gone -- yet not forgotten -- and were replaced with a mop of messy waves that framed his face perfectly.

It was like a new blow to my stomach every time I got used to the change.

“New haircut?” I asked the obvious on the first day back from a long weekend.

“Yeah...thought I should change it up,” Spencer replied, picking up his coffee mug to make himself a cup.

I nodded, the room settling in a short silence.

“Do you not like it?”

“No!” I exclaimed, Spencer furrowing his brows in response. “I mean, yes. I do like it. Sorry.”

“Oh, okay,” he laughed. “Thank you.”

“You could pull off any hairstyle, trust me,” I said, before walking back to my desk.

People that we met seemed to feel the same, because he got stopped more often at bars and at shops that were needed to visit. People would give him their numbers, leaving him a blushing mess. It got obnoxious, to the point where I was at my breaking point. My shoulders were always slumped, and my forehead creased with jealousy.

I stayed closer to him when the team went out, in an effort to get other girls to stop making moves on him.

They hadn’t noticed his beauty before, why should they get the privilege to advance on him now?

It was selfish, really. It may have been good for his self-confidence, but not so good for my own feelings.

I made sure to compliment him more often, telling him I liked his sweater vests, and ‘oh my Doctor Reid, is that a new tie?’ It was a win-win really, for both of us. I was building up my comfort level with him, and he knew that I did not, in fact, despise him.

When Spencer got shot on a case a few weeks later, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to show him that I care about him.

It was an easy job, since the bullet only semi-grazed his shoulder blade. Only needed deep cleaning once a night, for a few weeks so it wouldn’t get infected.

“Fuck,” he breathed with a groan, one that sent shivers throughout my veins.

“Sorry,” I answered quickly, keeping my gaze on the task at hand and not on his face that was just so close to mine.

Here I was in Spencer’s apartment, in his bathroom, helping him clean off his wound.

“I’m sorry but you need to stop moving, it’s just making things worse,” I explained.

“It hurts!”

“I’m sure it does! But I can’t do an effective job in cleaning it if you keep thrashing around like that.”

I saw him pout, and lower his head. The gears in his brain were turning, trying to come up with a possible solution.

“You’re going to need to hold me down.”

“What?!”

“I’m not gonna be able to stop moving,” he said, looking over his shoulder to where I was sitting behind him on the floor. “Come on.”

He stood up and left the room, gesturing for me to follow. And I did, collecting the supplies I’d need as he led me over to his living room.

Before I could protest he removed his shirt fully -- not like how it was bunched up by his neck previously.

I stopped in my tracks, eyes taking in every inch of skin that he freed. He was lean, as I predicted, but still toned in areas.

Spencer laid on his stomach down on the couch, motioning for me to come beside him.

“Get on my back.”

“Are you insane?”

“____,” he pleaded, looking up at me. His arms were crossed by his head, he was using them as a makeshift pillow. “I just want this to be over as fast as it can be.”

Right.

“Okay,” I agreed, and began to place my materials down on the coffee table to my right. I then swung a leg over his lower back, straddling him just how I’d imagine doing so before -- only the other way around. “Is this okay?”

He hummed, digging his face as far into the fabric of the couch as he could.

‘I got a lotta new tricks for you, baby

Just sayin' I'm flexible (I will)’

I took that as a yes, and poured some of the disinfectant onto a swab. Bracing myself with a hand on his other shoulder to pin him down firmly he shivered, breath shaking ever so slightly. I tried to catch him off guard with the swab, choosing a random time to press it into his wound.

He was definitely surprised, because he whined loudly into his hands and clenched all of the muscles in his back.

I couldn’t help but wonder if he made similar noises during other activities…

“Just a minute more,” I soothed him, running my free hand over the smooth skin of his back, doing my best to calm him down.

His breathing only became heavier, and was nearly shaking from the burn. I felt bad, having to see him go through this but I’d be lying if it wasn’t doing things to me. I couldn’t help but get a little bit excited when I got the chance to be near him, to be closer than we had ever been before.

It was intense, I was almost sure he could feel my arousal through the fabric of my pants and underwear.

I was an awful person.

Going home that night to sleep was a struggle. I felt guilty, for using his pain for my perverse temptations. Yet as soon as my fingers were buried inside myself I couldn’t stop myself from imagining him above me. The way he might sound, spewing out similar noises that I’d experienced earlier that were still fresh in my brain.

I wasn’t proud of it, and I thought every one of our interactions after that would be even harder.

Going back to work seemed fully impossible, I didn’t have any hope in myself to stay useful while he was parading around, completely oblivious to the effect he had on me. I became more sexually frustrated every day. It was nearly infuriating to see a look of innocence plastered on his face, meanwhile he would do things that made me go crazy.

‘Wanna know what it's like (like)

Baby, show me what it's like (like)

I don't really got no type (type)

I just wanna fuck all night’

“Penelope, I think I might die soon if I don’t get laid,” I said, rapidly opening the door to her cave.

“____-”

“No, I’m serious. I can’t get my mind off of-”

I stopped in my tracks, finally noticing the presence I hadn’t already accounted for.

Spencer sat in a chair to my left, just out of view that you couldn’t see him if you didn’t turn your head. He was in the middle of bringing a chip up to his mouth, but was stopped mid-air with his mouth hanging open.

“Sorry,” he said, scrambling up fast, bumping into things as he collected his satchel with shaky hands. “Sorry I’ll go.”

The door shut with a slam, and left Penelope and I in silence.

“Well, fuck,” I whispered, earning a booming laugh from her. “It’s not funny.”

“It is funny. It’s hilarious,” she giggled, doing a little spin on her chair.

I groaned, and sat down beside her on the edge of her desk.

“Maybe now he’ll make a move on you.”

“Oh shut up,” I slapped her arm, beginning to laugh along with her. “If he was avoiding me before, I’m sure he’ll never speak to me again.”

Ever since I helped Spencer with his injury the first time he’d been semi ignoring me, not trying to actively partake in conversation. We only talked when necessary, but didn’t exchange any extra words when I came over for an hour to help him with his wound.

I was almost happy about that, it meant I didn’t have to embarrassingly throw myself at him all day long.

I was perfectly fine admiring him from a distance, just how I’d done so for years.

However, there was a part of me that was rightfully sad. Did I cross a line, or make him feel uncomfortable? Maybe from spending so much time together recently he gathered I really wasn’t that interesting.

“Don’t say that,” Penelope frowned.

“Why not? It’s the truth,” I shrugged.

“Why don’t you just tell him how you feel?”

“How I feel?”

“Don’t even try and wedge your way out of it. Emily told me, don’t be mad,” she said, with the sweetest look on her face that I couldn’t be upset.

“Bitch,” I playfully mumbled.

“Besides you literally were about to say that you can’t get your mind off of him.”

“Uh, no, I was not. I was going to say someone. A general someone. Not Reid.”

She hummed, turning back to her screen to finish up some work Hotch had sent her to do.

“Okay fine. Pen, I’m gonna die. It’s insufferable. I can’t handle it anymore.”

“That’s exactly why you should tell him!” She encouraged excitedly, always a swooner for young love.

“I would scare him. He’s probably scared of me, actually.”

“Oh come on, I’m sure his little virgin heart can take it.”

“What?” I asked, suddenly giving her all my attention. “Virgin? Is he seriously a virgin?”

“I don’t know, truly. I just kinda figured. He doesn’t talk about anyone or anything to do with sex.”

I nodded. That makes sense. With him radiating pure sex appeal in my eyes, the thought never even crossed my mind that he might be a virgin.

But that just made it all the more exciting.

“But hey, if he’s really a 27 year old virgin I’m sure he’s extremely horny,” she laughed.

“We are at work. Let’s calm it down before I actually combust,” I shook my head.

My palms were sweating at the very thought of him doing anything remotely sexual -- which I thought about a lot. Surely he’s had to at least...taken care of himself. I’m sure it was a gorgeous sight, his hand wrapped firmly around his dick and face contorted in nothing but pleasure.

My thoughts were interrupted by none other than the man himself, who barged into the room to say we were taking off for a case in 30.

The flight there was quiet and boring, we left at night so there wasn’t so much we could do when we got there besides head up to our hotel.

“We’re sharing a room,” Spencer said, walking over to me from where he was previously with Derek.

I was standing in front of the vending machine, doing my very best to not eavesdrop on the mens’ conversation, which was only taking place about 20 feet away. Spencer was speaking in a hushed yet agitated tone, and Derek was matching his energy. It seemed they were bickering, but about what I didn’t know.

“Says who?” I panicked.

“Uhh...Hotch did.”

Great.

“Oh. Alright,” I followed him down the hallway, our room was the last one at the end.

I waited for him to open the door, and when he stepped out of the way to let me inside I brushed past him.

When I turned around Spencer was standing there blocking my path, causing me to bump into his chest.

“Hello...” I said confused, taking a step back.

“I…”

“What?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows. “Spencer what are you doing?”

He didn’t answer with words, instead reaching up to push a piece of hair out of my face. My breath hitched at the contact, sending me into a short frenzy on the inside. He was inching closer, now his body was getting just close enough so that I could feel the heat radiating off of him. He was glancing back and forth between my eyes, searching my face for an expression of discomfort.

He didn’t find any.

“I was talking with Derek. About you,” he whispered. “He said you’ve been coming on to me.”

My heart nearly missed a beat at his words.

“I've noticed your odd behaviour, you don’t act the way you do with anyone else on the team. You run away from me, and at first I thought you just didn’t like me, but now...I think it’s the opposite. I see the way you look at me, you know.”

“And how do I look at you?” I questioned nervously.

“Like you want me. Tell me. Who were you talking about earlier today? Who exactly can’t get your mind off of?”

I paused, eyes almost bulging out of my head at the implication.

“If I'm reading this wrong, let me know. We can pretend this never happened.”

“Get on the bed and take your clothes off.”

He did just that, moving beside me to shove his pants down his legs, followed by ripping off his shirt, as I did the same. We couldn’t take our eyes off of each other, too busy drinking in our appearances to think straight. He sat down on the edge of the bed in just his underwear, and spread his legs just wide enough to give me space to stand between them.

“Tell me what you want.” he breathed, watching me as I walked towards him.

“You,” I answered simply, climbing into his lap and connecting my mouth was his. “All of you.”

He didn’t protest, only doing quite the opposite. He moaned greedily into my mouth, sucking every last bit of life out of me. He was hungry in his movements, not allowing for a single beat of fresh air for either of us. I was more than happy to return the energy, for I’ve dreamt for too long about what he might taste like. And it wasn’t disappointing, the sensation was far better than I could have ever cooked up in my head.

After a minute he became impatient, and started bucking his hips up to meet mine. I did the same, grinding down on his hardening dick that felt...impressive to say the least.

“I’ve thought about you for so long,” I spoke against his lips, taking a break between kisses.

He groaned back at me, moving his hands from my cheeks down to my hips to hold me flush against himself. He whimpered when I was fully against him, he had to break away to keep his breathing somewhat managed.

“Please, I need you so bad. I’ve thought about you too.”

“What exactly did you think about?” I asked quietly, trailing kisses all across his face, and then started heading down his jaw and neck.

“L-lots of stuff.”

“Tell me,” I demanded, looking up at him from my new position kneeling on the floor. “Please, tell me.”

I brought a hand up to his boxers, ghosting just over his bulge while remaining eye contact.

“Everything. All of you. ____, Please.”

‘You're exciting, boy, come find me

Your eyes told me, "Girl, come ride me"’

“Let me do something first,” I said, pushing against his stomach to encourage him to lie back on the bed. He did so, propping himself up on his forearms to look down at me.

He watched my every move, not a second was missed by his eyes that stayed locked onto my form. I dropped my head down to kiss across his left thigh, and toyed with the waistband of his underwear with my right hand.

He was so vocal, and I hadn’t even done anything yet. I knew we had all night, but I’d waited too long for this to take my time.

‘And we got a lotta time (time)

Baby, come throw the pipe (pipe)’

I pulled his underwear down just enough to reveal his dick hard and red as it stood up against his stomach.

“You don’t...have to,” Spencer stopped me before I could carry on.

“Do you not want me to?”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

“It’s just…” He stopped, and bit his lip while staring off to one of the walls.

“Has anyone ever done this with you before?” I asked, almost unsure of whether or not I wanted the answer.

“Done what...exactly?” he asked, refusing to look back at me. His cheeks were red in embarrassment, and he was too focused on the distance to see the wave of excitement that flashed over my face.

“Spencer,” I said sharply, prompting him to turn his attention back to me. “Are you a virgin?”

His lack of answer told me enough. He blushed impossibly deeper, and started squirming in place. Just as he was about to speak up for himself I stopped him with, “That’s so fucking hot.”

“What?”

I climbed back up his body, just far enough so that I could grab his jaw in my hand and pull him down to meet my lips. It was even more hungry and passionate than the previous ones we shared, full of such fire I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to kiss anyone else ever again.

“You’re so sexy,” I moaned, hot and needy into his mouth.

He was good, which wasn’t unexpected from my end. His lips were always so plump and pink, they just had to be semi skilled.

“Thank you,” he replied, in a typical Spencer Reid fashion.

“Do you want to stop? Or keep going? Take a minute and think about it. I don’t want to pressure you,” I reassured him, but on the inside I was begging for him to want to continue.

He pulled back for a second, running a hand over the back of my head to keep me from going too far. His eyes were closed, focusing only on his breathing as he thought about his answer.

“I want to keep going. Please,” he decided on, nodding his head. “I just, I dunno, didn’t expect to get this far tonight.”

“Believe me, neither did I,” I smirked, smashing my lips back against his and returning to my spot kneeling between his legs. I pushed him back harder than before, sending a small oof sound from his chest as his back hit the mattress.

“Has anyone ever touched you here?” I asked, finally wrapping my hand around his dick,

It only made sense that a pretty boy like him would have a pretty cock, too.

“O-only once,” he breathed, with his head thrown back. He was staring at the ceiling, staring at the dots to distract himself from the feeling and to not come too soon. “Long time ago.”

“If you need me to stop, tell me,” I said, before licking a broad strip up the underside of his dick.

I paused at the head, swirling my tongue around before continuing my mission back down around the other side. I kissed his base, leaving more near his hips. He whined positively -- probably feeling a little ticklish -- and I took that as a good sign to suck a deep purple mark there.

Just like I’d thought about doing months ago.

I left a few more just up to his belly button, marking him up with the intent to claim him as my own. He’d see those marks for the next few days, and every time he would think of me on my knees for him. I kept pumping him in my hand as I did so, and every time I groaned into his skin his dick twitched with appreciation.

“Oh god,” Spencer moaned as I took him into my mouth unexpectedly, bunching up the sheets in his hands beside his hips.

I looked up to see him now staring down at me, jaw slacked and panting heavily. The sight was enough to elicit a moan from my own mouth, which led to him fluttering his eyes shut at the vibrations that shot through his body.

“Stop, stop!”

“What’s wrong?” I asked worriedly, immediately pulling up.

“Nothing, I just really want to feel you and I don’t think I can last much longer.”

Understandable.

I wasn’t expecting him to last long anyways, I just simply wanted him inside me.

“Do you happen to have a condom?” He shook his head. “I’m clean and on the pill. We should be fine. Is that okay?”

He mumbled an ‘uh huh’ as he watched me stand up, as I pushed my underwear down my legs. He immediately reached out to me, bringing me back in and starting placing kisses across my stomach and hips, mirroring what I was doing to him earlier.

“Good, because if you don’t fuck me right now I think I might die.”

‘Yeah-yeah, oh-whoa-whoa (oh, ooh, mmm)

Baby, I need to know, mmm (yeah, need to know)’

He laughed lightheartedly, fixing himself to be sitting up near the headboard. In the process he kicked off his boxers fully, along with his socks.

I followed after him, not letting him stray too far from my reach.

“I heard that women take longer to, erm, get ready,” he muttered into my skin, hiding his face in my neck. “Let me help you?”

“Please,” I whimpered, though I knew I was far from unprepared. I reached behind myself to unclasp my bra, and as soon as it fell down my shoulders Spencer attached his mouth to my left nipple. “Please touch me.”

He moaned into me, bringing his hand down to my core to run his fingers through my folds. He let his middle breach me, moving so agonizingly slow before curling his finger up. I moaned loudly, letting my eyes shut and body fall slack against him. His free arm wrapped around my waist, giving me the support I needed to stay upright.

“So that’s your g-spot?” He grinned against my skin, and I’d be damned to admit it affected me way more than it should have. He sounded so innocent, so eager to learn.

“Uh-huh.”

He explored my skin greedily, brushing over every inch of my chest he could reach. His thrusts became faster every time he re-entered me, encouraged by the grunt that fell from my lips with each one.

“Have you ever done this with a girl before?”

“No,” he replied, moving from my breasts to my collarbone, leaving a dark purple mark in his path.

“Could've fooled me,” I felt him smile against my neck at the praise -- duly noted.

He flipped us over swiftly -- much to my surprise -- and continued with his actions on both my clit and entrance. I did my best to stay quiet, biting down on his shoulder to prevent any noises from leaking out to stop him from getting too cocky.

“Spencer,” I moaned, raking my fingernails up and down his back. “Stop. Please fuck me now, I’m ready.”

“Are you sure you want to? We can stop,” he reassured me in a voice that seemed far too innocent for the activities taking place.

“Spencer, I’m sure. I’m so fucking sure you have no idea.”

I was so turned on I could cry, the pure want running through my veins was starting to send panic signals throughout my whole body. Before I could beg him any further he replaced his fingers with his dick, catching me off guard. He ran the tip over me for a few seconds before gliding in easily, with little to no restriction at all.

“Ah!” I called, gripping onto his shoulder for dear life.

“I’m so sorry, oh my god did I hurt you?” Spencer asked frantically, removing his weight from me and tried sitting up.

“No. God please move, I need you so bad,” I pleaded, pulling him back down before he could get too far away.

He nodded. He started slow. So slowly that I wanted to scream and beg at the top of my lungs for more. However I was above giving him the satisfaction of that -- at least for now.

“You feel so good,” Spencer panted, hips shaking as he slid in and out at a torturous pace.

I pulled his lips back to mine for another kiss, drinking in everything he was willing to offer. I whined every time his body rubbed against my clit in a way that had my toes curling and eyes rolling back.

“This is so much better than I’ve imagined,” I moaned, breaking free from his mouth to lay back against the pillows. I wrapped my legs around his waist, aiding him with the speed of his thrusts. “Please, Spence, oh my god go harder.”

He moaned loudly, and lowered his head to my collarbone in an effort to muffle some of the noises he was letting out.

He followed my directions well -- and I took notes for the future.

The sounds of him bouncing off the walls was amplifying my pleasure to a new degree, it was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. His hips snapped forward impossibly faster, leaving him a whimpering mess above me. Our chests were pressed together, the sound of skin slapping and gliding over each other filled the dimly lit room.

“You’re doing so good for me,” I whispered into his neck, leaving open mouthed kisses here and there.

He moaned freely at all of the praise, and every time I urged him on he’d pick up his speed a little bit. He was now moving faster than I thought I could handle, slamming into me at the perfect angle.

I felt him everywhere. In my stomach, insides of my thighs, chest -- where he was now palming at one of my breasts -- and the crook of my neck. I hugged my arms around his middle to keep him locked against me, preventing his hips from heavily backing out.

“I’m really close,” He groaned, lifting his head to meet my eyes. “S-should I pull out now?”

“No,” I demanded, tightening my legs to keep him trapped. “Come inside me.”

He nodded with a particularly loud moan, and snaked one hand down my body to meet my clit. When I gave a sound of approval he quickened his wrist, rubbing me with just the right amount of pressure to send me closer to the edge.

He came with a final shout in my name, resting his full body weight against me as I rocked my him against him to help him through it. I finished soon after, at the feeling of him releasing himself in me. It was so warm, like a comforting blanket that overtook all of my senses.

It was possibly the best orgasm I’d ever had, it was so profound that I couldn’t see, or focus on anything else.

We laid there for a few minutes, my hand running through his hair and his ghosting up the side of my hip. It took a while for us both to catch our breaths, we were too immersed in the moment to break apart from one another.

“That was literally the best sex I’ve had in my life,” I breathed, staring up at the ceiling.

“Same, but I don’t have anything to compare it to,” Spencer replied, and we both laughed weakly.

“That was okay for you? Your first time? Not really the traditional approach.”

“It was perfect. I wouldn’t have asked for anything different,” he pulled himself up with a smile, before pulling out and flopping down beside me.

“But seriously,” I sat up, resting my head on my palm to get a better view of him. “I’ve never been so attracted to someone as I am with you.”

“____,” he blushed. “I-”

“No! No, let me finish. Please.”

He nodded for me to go ahead.

“Not only are you just insanely sweet and so charming, you’re so handsome. Like I can hardly even look at you half the time. You drive me insane, Spencer you have no idea. Holy fuck I’ve never wanted someone so bad before I met you. You’re intoxicating. I can’t get enough. I’ll cringe about this later but I just need you to know.”

“This may not be the most common way...but do you want to go out with me? L-like on a date?” Spencer asked. He was blushing so heavily, his chest was painted pink and ears were turned red.

“You just came inside of me and you’re nervous about asking me on a date.”

“____!” Spencer exclaimed, facepalming himself.

“Yes,” I grinned. “I’d love to go out with you.”

-----

Please tell me your thoughts on this chapter here! You can also send me an ask to be added to/removed from the taglist.

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[takuyakistall]

to yuu.

Note: I wanted to write short HCs for each character as they wrote the letter when I finished reading everyone's thank you messages (◕ᴗ◕✿) ! All of them are very cute and I couldn't help but get some midnight rot so I had to write it down. Here's the link to the post where every message is listed down. Before you start reading, just a heads up, most of these are written in a romantic light. I also recommend reading the letters themselves first before heading here.

Characters: All students + Grim (Excluding Ortho)

Riddle Rosehearts

"Dear friend," Riddle thought that it was the most appropriate way to address you—or at least, that's what his brain is trying to make him think. Ever since overblotting and you helping him snap out of his frenzy, he had difficulty in labeling what exactly you were to him.

Before everything, you were supposed to be just a mere acquaintance to him and yet here you were sending him gifts out of the blue. The general "rule" towards receiving gifts was to give the giver your thanks. Albeit the better option was to thank you personally, he thought that maybe a letter would be better so that he can sort out his thoughts.

Friend. He nodded, proceeding to write down the rest of his message until he realized that this was an opportunity to invite you to tea with him under the pretense of paying you back for the gift. He furrowed his eyebrows slightly as he continued writing.

Surely, you would accept his invitation, right?

Trey Clover

"Hey you," was that too casual? Too rude sounding? Trey shook his head as he stared at the two words. He hadn't been expecting a gift from you and frankly, he was more than a bit surprised. Though perhaps he hadn't read the "gift" part when he suddenly started writing down questions about what you liked.

He immediately started thinking of how he should pay you back—gifts? He doesn't know your taste that well. Favours? Hmm, he's not too sure about that one. That's why he decided to ask, if there was something you wanted—he'll do his best to find it for you. A tempting offer, right?

It seems like you have to tell him that this wasn't a trade.

Cater Diamond

"Helloooooo," he started off. The extra amount of Os he used was proof that he's trying to take this occurrence casually. Though in the inside he was absolutely beaming. Gifts never fail to put a smile on his face, especially if it came from someone you didn't expect to give you a gift or someone special to him.

In this case, it was probably the latter. He took a small break as he stared at your gift, wondering what he should write. A small smile took over his face as he picked up his phone and snapped a few selfies of him with your gift with a caption before hitting the post button.

"Received a gift from a dear friend, isn't it amazing? ♪"

Deuce Spade

"Friend," Deuce rarely got to experience receiving gifts from friends to one another judging how his past years were spent as a delinquent. To say that he was happy to receive one from you was an understatement, he was over the moon.

He felt the need to mention it to you with a huge grin on his face. He thought of various ways to give you something back as he let out a small hum, he felt like he was having a field day. He signed the message and told himself that today was going to be a great day.

Ace Trappola

"Hey you," Ace was terribly suspicious of the fact that you sent him a gift out of the blue. Were you trying to buy him silence over something you did? Were you trying to convince him to do your homework for you? A lot of questions springed up inside his mind but not once did he think that it was just a genuine, sweet gift with no ulterior motives hidden beneath.

He knew that you would get mad at him if he continued to suspect you so he said that he was kidding in all caps with three dots after that—which didn't help his situation at all.

He felt awkward trying to convey his feelings like this and he ruffled his own hair as he told you that he just needed to tell you something later, when you're face-to-face. That would make it easier for him to speak.

Leona Kingscholar

"Good day," Leona uncharacteristically typed. He felt like he was being held at gunpoint by his past etiquette teachers as he tried to think of an appropriate response. If it were up to him, he would've just slapped a "thank you" on a piece of paper and asked Ruggie to give it to you.

Though he thought that perhaps it was better for him to actually put in effort for once. Even if it seemed like his so called effort seemed like something he just stole from the internet—that was more than enough, right? He'll just put his signature at the bottom and ask Ruggie to give it to you.

Ruggie Bucchi

"Hey you," a big grin took over his face as he wrote down his first few words. He wasn't as experienced as other people when it came to writing down messages of gratitude, he once tried consulting Leona about it—asking how to make it sound decent only to be met with an answer that went like: "Just put whatever."

And that's what he did! Truly, he's thankful for receiving a gift. For a split second, he wondered if he should share it with the people back in his homeland. Though he pushed that thought to the back of his head as he signed the bottom of the paper with his signature. He'll figure that out once he gives the letter to you.

Jack Howl

"Friend," he doesn't know what to say it's embarassing. Even in letters, he still manages to retain that straightforward yet somewhat roundabout personality of his. A tinge of embarrassment seeping through the letter.

He wished he could've just talked to you in person instead but alas, he was stuck here trying to rack his brain for words. In the end, he felt like it was best to keep it simple—the slightly demanding tone at the end was the result of him getting flustered at the thought that it's possible that it could be a date between the two of you.

Azul Ashengrotto

"My dear friend," Azul couldn't count the number of times he had crumpled a piece of paper and threw it into the trashcan only to get a new one—rinse and repeat. Jade and Floyd had to stifle their laughter when they saw how distressed he was over a single message. Though, perhaps that was the fruit of his unconventional feelings towards the giver.

He didn't want to sound too stiff and professional to the point that he sounded like a robot but also, he didn't want to sound too casual to the point that you might find it weird. He had to let out a small sigh as he ruffled his hair, another piece of paper thrown into the trash can before deciding that he should just play it safe and give you a free drink.

Jade Leech

"To my dearest," oh no. His hand slipped and accidentally made his greeting more intimate than it should be, he could go back and change it but—fufu, where's the fun in all of that? His lips tugged up into a smirk as he continued writing, knowing full well that what he was implying would evoke an interesting reaction out of you. But, if that wasn't enough to stir you up a bit then why not put a little more something? He was a prick this way.

He spotted an empty space on one of his shelves in the corner of his eye, glancing at it for a few seconds before an idea popped into his head. A smile that barely showed off his sharp canines, hidden beneath his gloved hand.

"Truly. Would I lie to you?"

Floyd Leech

"Little shrimpy," he grinned. Floyd was in an especially good mood today after receiving such a thoughtful gift from you. He played with his pen in hand, spinning it around as a distant look took over his face when he tried thinking about the reason why you gave him a gift out of nowhere.

Knowing that Floyd pays a little more attention to you than others, he was bound to be curious and he was more than eager to find out—there's always a reason behind someone's actions, after all. He tried expressing his intent to get the answer out of you which came out a little threatening but if you saw the look on his face there's no mistaking that it was an even bigger threat than you initially thought.

Kalim Al-Asim

"Hey love," Kalim was as straightforward as ever. Not a single filter as he wrote down his raw feelings. There was no reason for him to hesitate especially now that he was practically about to shake from pure joy—he was incredibly close to signing the letter and hopping into his magic carpet to give it to you personally but Jamil was there beside him to stop him if he ever does that.

Though that didn't mean that it was gonna stop him from wanting to ask you out on a magic carpet date with him, he'll just have to explain to Jamil when you accept his invitation. That is assuming you'll accept, right?

Jamil Viper

"Dear friend," Kalim practically forced him to write a letter back to you. Jamil wasn't an ingrate, he knew when to show gratitude when it was appropriate but he preferred thanking you in person. He had to settle for this in the meantime, he thought that maybe he'll just invite you to Scarabia to talk about what he could give in return.

He hadn't really expected a gift from you, especially with all the trouble he might've caused you due to his overblot. Though he didn't think it was all that bad. In fact, he felt a little relieved that you didn't hold any grudge against him.

Vil Schoenheit

"My dear," Vil had an unmistakable smirk placed upon his lips. The choice of words he wrote managed to give out a slightly smug vibe as he stared at your gift on his desk. Impressed by your ability for finding him a suitable gift, he decided to give you a little bit in return.

His smirk slowly turned into a gentle smile as he imagined your face probably tearing up at the thought of him giving you a signed card, he couldn't help but put an offhanded comment near the end. But it was quickly followed up with a single bit of rare praise from him.

Rook Hunt

"Hey love," Rook was always one to act dramatically whenever he had the chance and even in letters, he managed to sound dramatic. As soon as he realized that you had sent him a gift he started gushing about how wonderful it was and how inspiration was raining down on him like tiny droplets.

What's a better way to let his raw emotions out than poetry? That's right, this man wrote you a poem expressing how he feels because of your gift. He almost forgot to say his gratitude because he got carried away but thankfully, Epel pointed it out to him before he could give it to you.

Epel Felmier

"Dear friend," he rarely got any gifts from anyone outside his relatives so when he saw you give him a gift, he was excited to say the least. There's always a certain joy you can evoke in a person when you give them a gift it was almost euphoric for some. He thought that it was sweet of you to give him a gift and decided to give one back with a small message.

Friend. For some reason, it felt a bit off addressing you as that but he quickly shook his head and shot down that thought. As for his gift, he prepared a little something he made himself. Hehe, he's quite proud of it too!

Idia Shroud

"@YOU" it was interesting how Idia didn't bother changing to formal speech when he decided to give you a thank you message for your gift. He's typing the same way he would to his friend, namely "Crimson Muscle", but perhaps that was because he didn't know of any other way to talk to you without sounding unnatural or weird.

People would normally not even think about giving him something and yet you gave him one. He couldn't help but smile a bit when he said how you were a bit of an oddball—he came up with various nicknames for you inside his head. Most of them being different words for the term "weirdo". Yet they always had a hint of affection whenever he would think of it.

Malleus Draconia

"Dearest," Malleus started off. It was rare that he received gifts from people outside his family or nobles back in the Valley since a lot of people found him intimidating—terrifying for some, even. He was glad that you felt comfortable enough around him to show simple gestures such as these. Upon receiving your gift, Lilia noticed how it came from you and urged Malleus to write his thank you message differently from how he usually writes it.

Did you perhaps know of the legends surrounding the Thorn Witch...? If so, then maybe he could sneak in a little joke. The gift of beauty and the gift of song—ah, nevermind. He pursed his lips slightly, he'll just handpick a gift for you himself. A small gargoyle statue, maybe. Or he could ask the other members of Diasomnia to help him.

Lilia Vanrouge

"My dear," his lips formed a small smirk. Lilia appreciated all surprises, big or small. Though, in particular, something about your surprise gift made him more excited about it than usual. Was that just his old age getting to him or was it something else? He couldn't be bothered to think about it that much.

As a form of gratitude, he weighed his options. It was either giving you a gift back or letting you ask a favour of him. He thought the latter would be more acceptable until an idea popped into his head as his eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. He knew you didn't know what it exactly meant but he gave you his signature nonetheless—he'll leave you to figure out.

Silver

"Hey you," Lilia taught Silver that it was common courtesy to show gratitude when someone gives him a gift. He tried thinking of countless ways to say thank you with his old man bugging him to ask you out on a date instead in the background. In the end, he paid Lilia no attention and instead went with the standard short message and giving a gift back.

He urged himself not to fall asleep as he typed out his message even though he already let out a yawn without him noticing. He glanced at the screen blankly, wondering if he forgot to add anything until he slowly felt himself snoozing off. Head resting on the keyboard and typing out whatnot. When Lilia arrived at the scene, he didn't bother waking him up and just sent the message as it is.

Silver was so embarassed the next day and refused to talk to Lilia temporarily.

Sebek Zigvolt

"Human," he didn't even try addressing you as anything else other than that even in letters. When he found a gift lying by his room, he was a tad suspicious but loosened up when he read the tag attached to it. As stated, it came from you and the gift was meant for Malleus—wait, what. Sebek scrunched up his face as his eyes scanned the words printed on it.

"To Sebek Zigvolt" This was a mistake, right? Sebek was a bit flushed but quickly shook it off by saying how it was probably a subterfuge or whatever that was. There was no way it was for actually for him, right? Surely, you must've sent this in hopes of hearing more about the great Malleus Draconia. Right?

That is... Wonderful!

Grim

"Dear underling," it was cute how he made an effort to write you a letter despite being in the same dorm wherein he could just talk to you directly. But perhaps he was so touched to the extent that he wanted to do this—did you give him tuna? He struggled thanking you properly and ended up boasting about how he was going to be the greatest sorcerer.

Even though he called you underling at first, he couldn't help but soften up a bit. That didn't sit right with him somehow, he didn't know why. He let out a groan as he racked his head for a more appropriate word until-!

Partner... Sounds about right.

[heroloverangel]

Delicate

This is technically a sequel to last year’s Dad Mirio fic but can be read on its own! Everyone’s favorite Wholesome Dilf continues to live rent-free in my brain.

“I miss you soooo much,” Mirio says for the fifth time in the past twenty minutes. You give him a comforting smile from your side of the screen, you know how he feels. Your husband’s been gone for three days now helping with a disaster in Osaka, and he probably won’t be home for the rest of the week. It’s hard being married to one of Japan’s top heroes, you think to yourself. You wish you could be there with him, putting your training to good use where it’s needed, but your current assignment is too important to ignore. It’s as if he can read your mind from the other side of the country. “How’s my buddy doing?”

You smile and tilt your camera down to show off your heavy stomach. At eight months pregnant, you’re sidelined from hero work no matter what the crisis is. “He’s alright,” you confirm. “I think he’s bored without you around, though.” He lets out a little whine that’s almost heartbreaking; it’s obvious where he’d rather be right now. You take pity on him and drop the phone level with your belly to give him a better view. 

“Hey buddy,” he coos. “I promise, I’ll finish as fast as I can so I can come home to you and Mama soon.” You feel movement inside you as he talks. You don’t know how good your baby’s hearing is, especially through the video chat, but you’re sure that he’s reacting to his father’s familiar voice. “I can’t wait to get back and feel how strong you’re kicking in there. I bet you’re driving Mama crazy!” You relax further into your pillows and let him babble on to your bump about his day saving civilians and clearing out rubble, only a little lonely when you look over at the empty half of your bed. You really do miss him, your house is far too quiet and calm without his usual energy filling it.

You yawn after a few more minutes and glance at the time. “Sorry, it’s getting kinda late. Would you mind if we called it a night for now?”

He smiles, but you can tell that he’s trying to hide his disappointment. “No problem, I know you need your sleep. We’ll talk again tomorrow, okay?” You agree and tell your husband you love him before hanging up the phone and settling in for bed. You’re tired, but you’ve gotten too comfortable with him sleeping beside you and it takes awhile to fall asleep on your own.

You spend the next morning balancing your laptop over your swollen belly while you browse through maternity clothes. There’s a local shop that promises same-day delivery, and you treat yourself to a few things for your last month. You read through your email, a magazine wants a quick interview for an article about hero families and you’re happy to answer their questions. It’s hard to move too much in your condition, but you make sure to do the prenatal exercises your doctor recommended and then have a nice long shower. Your new clothes arrive and you leave them on the dresser for now while you eat lunch and call your family. It still seems too quiet in the house without Mirio, and you’re getting bored when your phone finally rings and your face lights up at his name.

“Hey sweetheart! I’ve got a surprise for you!”

You can hear the smile in his voice and it warms your heart. “Is it dinner? I think somebody in here’s really craving steak tonight.”

He laughs. “You’ll see. Just have a seat on the couch and close your eyes for a second, okay?”

This isn’t the weirdest thing he’s requested over the phone, and you obey. “Alright, they’re closed. What are you planning, Lemillion?”

“You can open your eyes in three...two...one…” his voice disappears from the phone, all you hear is the background noise of birds chirping.

“Mirio?” Your eyes are still closed.

“SURPRISE!” 

You jump in shock and drop your phone, your eyes flying open. He’s standing in front of you with the biggest grin on his face, completely naked. It takes you a second to realize he must have phased through the front door to surprise you. You struggle to stand but fail, and he has to pull you up himself into his arms for a deep kiss. “You’re home early! How’d you manage that?”

“The others knew how much I wanted to get home, with you being pregnant and all, and everybody worked extra hard to cover for me so I could leave first.” You owe every single one of them a thank you gift. “Boy, that Uravity is amazing with rescue work!” Oh, you owe her twice as much after this.

“I’m glad you’re home,” you sigh happily. Your husband drops to his knees in front of you and pushes your shirt up to kiss your stomach, rubbing his hand where he feels a faint kick.

“Me too. I missed our family so much.” His arms wrap around you and he rests his head against your middle. You run your fingers through his hair, both of you taking a minute to relish your little reunion. It’s only been a few days, but it was more than enough to make you homesick for each other.

He stands back up after a bit and you head for the hallway. “You should go grab your phone off the porch and take a shower. I’ve got a bit of a surprise for you too, when you’re done.” He’s happy to obey and you follow him down the hall, pausing at the front door then into the bedroom. You wait for the bathroom door to shut and then spring into action as fast as you can. You clothes come off; you kick them under the bed instead of wasting precious time trying to pick them off the floor. 

You reach for the new clothes on the dresser and find the outfit you’d picked for his welcome home gift. The bra is made out of soft white lace so flimsy it looks like it’ll tear if you breathe too hard. It ties closed with a ribbon in the front and your clumsy fingers finally form a decent bow on the third try. A skirt attaches beneath the cups and just skims your thighs, the two halves of it parted to show off your obvious pregnancy. You’re lucky that the matching underwear ties on the sides with more ribbon; you’re not sure you’d be able to get them on without five minutes of struggling if you had to step into them. 

You look at yourself in the mirror and adjust the skirt of your lingerie. Despite the sheer fabric leaving little to the imagination, you look sweet. Innocent. Delicate. A grin spreads across your face; it’s perfect.

You get dressed just in time; you hear the shower turn off and the door opens a second later. “There, all clean and-” Mirio freezes at the sight of you and you see his fingers twitch against the towel wrapped around his waist. “Oh, wow. You look...just, wow.” He’s crossed the room faster than you can react, strong arms wrapping you in a tight, warm hug. “You’re so gorgeous like this, babe.”

You lean into his body; you’ve missed this while he was gone. “Well, it’ll be awhile before we can do this again. I figured we should really enjoy ourselves while we still can.” He nods and gives you a surprisingly gentle kiss. You can tell he’s holding back his strength for your benefit and the knowledge makes your heart flutter.

Mirio recovers from his surprise quickly and returns to his usual unstoppable energy. “I’m gonna make you feel so good, I promise!” His bigger hand is warm around yours as he guides you to your bed, losing his towel in the process. You don’t hide your staring; his body is gorgeous after so many years of training and you could look at him for hours. He sits back against the headboard and carefully brings you with him to straddle his lap, and you feel his cock already growing hard against your thigh. “We’ll take it easy,” he promises. “I know we have to be a little more gentle now since you’re so big-” You stare down at Mirio silently, but he continues. “What? You are big, that’s a good thing. You’re growing our baby in there, he needs all that room!” You just shake your head; you can’t really feel annoyed when he’s this sweet.

He looks up at you with pure affection written all over his face and leans into your touch as you run your fingers through his damp hair. “How can you be this buff and this adorable?” It’s not the first time you’ve asked as much, and every time he laughs you off with a faint blush on his cheeks. You lean in for another kiss while his hands move from your hips over your ribs to the front of your slip.

“This is so pretty, you should keep it on.” He gives your chest a squeeze and you whine, too sensitive from the hormones wrecking havoc on your body. You knew your breasts were going to get bigger, but they’ve turned out to be overachievers and you’ve jumped up two cup sizes already. “They’re still really sore, huh?” You nod and he offers you a comforting smile as he plays with the bow before finally tugging it open. Your nipples are already hard, and you don’t miss how he licks his lips when his thumb brushes over one. “I could help you with that, if you want.”

“Mirio…” You love your husband and all his enthusiasm, but you’re well aware that he can be a little too eager and get carried away. He’s being careful now as his fingers trace against your warm skin, his touch barely teasing you. He pulls you closer; you can feel the smile on his lips as he leans into your neck. He follows your pulse, down your collarbone to leave kisses at the swell of your breast and you sigh. “Okay,” you agree. “Just remember to-”

“I know, be gentle. Don’t worry babe, I’m gonna take good care of you.” He pushes your lingerie out of the way to get a better view at your heavy chest and appreciates the sight of it. “Man, our kid’s not gonna be lacking on calcium, is he?”

“I love you, please stop talking.” He laughs but obeys, his tongue flicking over your nipple and making you squirm in his arms. He does it a few times and you let out a little gasp when he takes you into his mouth. “Go easy,” you remind him, but he’s already distracted with his task. You asked your doctor about doing this before and were told it was perfectly fine, but you can’t quite shake the thought that it’s a little weird as Mirio begins to suck at your tender nipple.

You’ve tried this before, but every time he’s been too rough in his excitement and you’ve had to yank his head away from you in pain. Tonight though, he’s trying his best and after a few seconds of discomfort there’s an unfamiliar tingle deep in your breast as your body responds to his stimulation. “It feels weird,” you groan, but your fingers thread into his hair so he won’t pull away. “It’s not bad, just weird.” You’re not entirely sure you like what he’s doing, but you’re willing to continue until you figure it out. His tongue brushes over you with a slightly different motion, and something in you clicks into place. “Can you do that again? I think I liked that.”

His laughter is muffled but still obvious and you can feel the smile against your skin. Mirio’s happy to assist, one strong hand settling on your back to keep you steady. It wasn’t a mistake; he repeats his movements and you realize that it feels good. It feels really good, you have to admit, as his eyes slip closed so he can focus entirely on pleasing you like this. You hold him tight to your body, fingers running through his messy hair while you enjoy the affection so happily given. You’re still sensitive though, and after a few more minutes you start to get overwhelmed and have to pull him away.

“It tastes good.” His grin is huge as he licks his lips. “It’s sweet, just like the rest of you.” You’d roll your eyes if he wasn’t so cute. He gives your breast a gentle squeeze and earns another whimper from you, then turns his attention to the other one. “Don’t want this side feeling left out, right? Lucky I’m here to take care of everything!” Your heart skips a beat, you’re so in love with this silly, wonderful idiot. You don’t get a chance to respond, once his mouth is back on you it’s hard to do anything besides pant and whine for him.

You squirm against him, his dick pressing against your thigh and your panties doing very little to hide how much you’re loving this. “Miriooo,” you moan, and the look in his eyes is nothing but pure happiness that makes you melt. “You always take good care of me,” you coo, reaching down to stroke his cock lightly. “You’re so good to me, honey.” He pulls you closer and releases your chest to look up and meet your eyes.

“Babe, I’m just giving you what you deserve. You’re literally making a brand new, little person in there. If that’s not worth being extra nice, I don’t know what is.” He really has no idea how perfect he is. His thumb brushes over your nipple and your body is so sensitive now it makes you shudder. “Alright now?”

You stop for a second to consider. Your breasts do feel a bit lighter, there’s less pressure weighing down on you after his help. “Yeah, thanks. You’re the best, really.”

He brushes off your compliment in favor of pulling at the strings holding your underwear together. “Just doing my job, miss.” He groans at the sight of you fully naked and traces a finger along the lips of your cunt. You hadn’t noticed just how wet you were getting as he’d worked on your nipples, but now two of his fingers slip inside you with no effort. “I love you so much,” he says with another kiss.

You buck into his hand mindlessly, too eager for his touch after only a few days. You want to hold off and come with his dick buried inside you, but you can’t deny yourself when you’re this needy already. “I want it,” you whine pitifully.

His other hand gives your hip a reassuring squeeze. “I know, baby. You can have whatever you want, just tell me.” His thumb swirls over your clit and he doesn’t miss the jolt that runs down your body. “Right there, huh? My pretty little wife wants me to make her come?” His smirk is playful and there’s a glint of mischief in those friendly eyes.

“Mirio, please.” Hearing him talk like that does something to you and you hide your face in the crook of his neck.

His hand moves faster and your pussy clenches tight around his fingers. “It’s alright, I’ve got you. Just let yourself go for me.” His voice is so warm and soothing, you can’t resist. Your orgasm is marked with desperate whispers in his ear as his hand moves gently between your thighs to urge you on. “That’s it, honey. You’re so good, I want more of you.”

It takes you a minute to calm down before you’re able to pry your sweaty face away from his shoulder. His fingers leave you aching to be filled again, and you swallow hard when you watch him bring them to his mouth to lick them clean. 

“That’s my girl,” he smiles like the sun and you look away, almost embarrassed by the affection between you two. You can’t see anything past your swollen belly, but you can feel his thick cock ready for a turn. “Are you up for more? It’s fine if you need to wait-”

You fumble blindly for his cock until the tip presses just outside your cunt. “I want you inside me. Here, Mirio. Your pretty little wife wants to make you come.” The blush spreading across his face at your words is a special reward of its own. His hips thrust upward to enter you while he slowly pulls you down to meet him, and your mouth falls open in a long moan. “Fuck, Mirio. We’ll have to wait a couple weeks after he’s born and it’s gonna suck so bad.”

He hasn’t put much thought into this fact and you can practically see the gears in his head turning. “Well then, I guess we’d better make it count while we still have the chance,” he says finally. He’s always so much stronger than you, even when you’re not in such a delicate condition, and easily sets a steady pace moving you up and down his dick. You cling to his shoulders to steady yourself as you ride him, pressing your tongue into hs mouth to devour his sounds. This may be the peak of happiness, with your sweet husband pounding away inside your excited pussy, showering you with compliments about how great you are and how perfect your little family is going to be. “And once he gets a little older, we can start working on his siblings!”

Your hips falter in their rhythm at the suggestion. “S-siblings? Already?”

He grins back at you. “Of course! We need five or six, at least!”

“Five or six…” you repeat, suddenly distracted by the thought of doing this another half-dozen times. You don’t know why you’re surprised, it’d be more of a shock if he didn’t have infinite love to share. The idea doesn’t bother you, and you find yourself returning his smile with a smirk of your own. “You really wanna fill me up that much, Lemillion?”

You’re not expecting his thrusts to speed up so much or for him to pull you down so hard you’re gasping for air. “God, babe. So much. I think about it like, all the time now. You have no idea.” He stops to kiss you again, and your cunt squeezes hard around him. “I can take more time off of work,” Mirio insists mindlessly, getting far too ahead of himself. “I bet I can hold so many babies at once.”

You laugh, he’s so ridiculous sometimes. “Let’s just focus on this one for awhile, okay?” He nods, trailing his lips down your throat to feel how fast your pulse is racing for him. You can feel another orgasm building, and that he isn’t far behind. You were only apart for three days but it seems like far too long. “You’re really, really the best.”

He cups your sweaty face in one hand, the look in his eyes so soft and loving it takes your breath away. There aren’t enough words to describe how much you love him right now, and clearly it’s the same for him. Wordlessly he releases you and drags his hand down your body, stopping to tweak your nipples and making you cry out. His fingers drop to rub firmly against your clit, and your back goes rigid. “Miri-ohh. Just like that, I’m gonna...there, fuck.” You clamp down hard on his cock with a loud moan and he holds you tight, supporting your overworked body while you come. “Here,” your voice is ragged. “Your turn, I know you’re dying to come inside me.”

“You’re amazing, honey.” That last compliment is all he gets out before his pace goes sloppy and you feel him flooding your pussy with a low groan. “You’re so amazing.” 

You cling to him while he gradually wears himself out and stay wrapped up in his arms for the next few minutes. Eventually, there’s a firm kick in your belly that informs you that someone noticed all your movement and he’s not happy about it. Both of you laugh as you separate; you flop down on the bed while Mirio cleans you up and finds you a comfy, oversized shirt and fresh panties to wear. It’s still fairly early, and you won’t be tired enough to sleep for a few hours.

“Now that was a welcome home gift. You should just wear that around the house until you have the baby, it looks really great on you.”

You ruffle his messy hair. “I don’t think it would survive the entire month around you,” you tease. You stretch your arms above your head and feel a grumble in your stomach. “So, the surprise wasn’t steak for dinner tonight?”

He’s in too good of a mood to even think of denying you. “It is now!” He’s already fumbling for his phone to look up menus. “Whatever you wanna eat, just say the word!”

Sometimes you wonder how you ever got so lucky.

[lipstickstainedred]

Champagne 1 🥂 (dark!Steve X Reader)

So this is my first time writing in a super long time and I’m so excited for people to hopefully read it haha. This is going to be a series and it is a total slow burn. Lots of angst and there will be eventual smut. I’ll try to add warnings for each chapter just because as I write this story more warnings may need to be added.

I want to give a shout out to @darkficsyouneveraskedfor for being just an amazing human. Thanks for helping me work through some ideas for this series and helping me make necessary edits.

 This work also will eventually qualify for the @basementwiveswritingchallenge.

If you would like to be added to the taglist please just drop me an ask. :)

Word count: 1318

Warnings: angst, DUB-CON/NON-CON (eventual), smut (eventual) NSFW (eventual), violence (eventual), kidnapping (eventual)

A few months ago you started a new job as an assistant rep for a marketing and advertising company. This was your first REAL job! Of course, you had had other jobs but nothing like this. Prior to this job you had worked as the occasional babysitter, worked at coffee shops, or grocery stores. Nothing of substance or promise, until now. You had almost cried when you had gotten the job, having little to no experience.

You didn’t grow up privileged but you were always taught that if you kept your head down and worked hard, you could create a better future for yourself. And that’s what you had done, despite being in and out of foster homes for the better part of 10 years, you kept your head down, got decent grades in school, did well at your previous jobs, and was even able to pay for some business and marketing classes down at the local community college.

You shifted uncomfortably in your seat. Your blouse and skirt unrealistically tight against your slightly sweaty skin. The outfit fit you correctly but your nerves made it feel uncomfortably snug. This was the first time you’ve worn some of your new work clothes.

“I apologize for the wait, they are ready for you now.” The busty blonde assistant said approaching your boss and snapping you out of your thoughts.

Your boss, Phil,  glanced over at you and the couple other coworkers present for the pitch meeting. It was a huge deal for your company. Stark Industries was a multimillion conglomerate and if this ad proposal went well, all advertising and marketing jobs would be contracted through your company exclusively. It would be a big account and make your boss and your boss’s boss a pretty penny.

All of your team gathered the materials needed for the pitch. You followed closely behind Phil with your notebook and pen in hand. Since you were new, barely having your foot in the door of the marketing worlds, you were a glorified note taker at the moment.

“Right in here.” The assistant ushered your boss and you into the elegant conference room as the rest of your team followed. As you walked into the room, you stumbled nearly tripping over your heels. Stupid uncomfortable shoes.

You straightened back up and readjusted your skirt that had ridden up a tiny bit. Feeling eyes on you, you glanced around the room of lawyers, accountants, and assistants. Seated at the other end of the long conference table was none other than Tony Stark himself! You had no idea that your team's meeting was important enough for Mr. Stark to actually attend.

You still felt someone watching you, someone unseen. Your eyes fell on the man seated next to Stark; Captain America. Your breath caught as you realised he was staring directly at you. You catch the slight smirk on his lips. He must have been the only person to see you trip.

Everyone else was looking through paperwork and making casual introductions.

Your breath hitched as Steve Rogers’ eyes took you in,  traveling up and down your body, before meeting your gaze. You averted your eyes away from his turning toward your boss to help him set up the presentation.

🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂

As Phil and some coworkers pitched their plan, you took notes of any important details your boss would want to review over later. Occasionally, you felt someone’s eyes burning holes straight through you.

You tried to ignore it but against your better judgment you glanced up to find the same blue eyes looking you over. It was extremely unsettling and for the second time today you wished you were wearing something more comfortable, something less tight.

“I like you people!” Tony exclaimed, as the meeting drew to an end. Standing from his chair he continued, “The ideas you pitched are innovation and exciting, I like it. Just give us a few moments to discuss, and we’ll let you know our thoughts.”

Instead of asking your team to leave the room, Tony and Steve along with what you would guess to be a couple of lawyers and accountants just spoke in semi-hushed tones huddled on their side of the conference room. Your team gathered their things with their eyes elsewhere, as to give them privacy.

You, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to take your eyes off the first avenger. His eyes flickered over to you as he spoke with Stark, diverting your gaze as your cheeks warmed.

As if on cue, Tony stole a glance your way, as if Steve had said something about you. Realizing staring at these two men was a bad idea, you joined in the conversation your boss and coworker were having beside you.

“Well, we are all set.” Tony stood up, clapping his hands together. “We are having our lawyers draw up all the contracts now. We at Stark Industries really value teamwork and accessibility. So I’ve made the executive decision to do things a little differently with this agreement. Normally I wouldn’t require this but we really need dedicated staff here on sight.”

“Requiring all of our team on sight? That would be a little difficult to swing with the higher ups, Mr Stark. Our team currently has 3 other contracts we manage.” Phil said, seeming a bit confused by Stark’s announcement.

“That’s exactly my point.” Stark explained. “I need a dedicated team focused solely on our needs. Your company has plenty of other people to manage those contracts. If you want to sign on with us, I need your full attention to be on Stark Industries.”

“Ok.” Phil sighed, “We should be able to have another sector absorb our current contracts.”

“Great!” Stark exclaimed, “So we will be expecting ALL of you to be signed on as consultants as part of the contract. That just means that your team will be exclusively working on Stark Industry projects from now on. You’ll each be getting a desk and/or office down in our marketing department.”

Your boss shook Tony’s hand as everyone in the room clapped that the deal went through. You joined in, a little shocked from Tony’s change in plan. Normally, as contractors you would work in your office building where all the employees worked.

Instead, your boss, you and your three other coworkers would drop all other projects to work with Stark Industries alone. You wondered if it had something to do with what Steve said to Tony, but quickly shook that thought way. They probably just want to make sure you were dedicated to their company.

It wasn’t until your boss called your name that you returned to reality. You hadn’t noticed that Tony had his assistant bring in a few bottles of champagne and some glasses.

“Y/N do you want a glass?” your boss asked.

“Um sure. Thanks.” You mumbled, taking the champagne flute from his hand.

“Cheers,” Captain America said, raising his glass as everyone followed suit. You lifted your glass as well, eyes trained on him as he continued his toast.  “To new relationships.” He added with a subtle smirk, his icy blue eyes gazing straight into yours. Your breath hitched in your throat, unsure of why his words made you so nervous. He averted his eyes and you felt like you could finally breathe again.

“Business relationships, That is.” He chuckled and so did the rest of the room. His laughter spread contagiously.

Bringing the bubbling liquid to your lips you took a small sip. It was absolutely delicious. Probably the most expensive drink you’d ever had. The rest of the room continued to celebrate and talk boisterously about ideas while you and all of your team signed the contracts required by Tony.

As you left Stark Tower, you couldn’t help but feel weird. Despite the success of the meeting, you couldn’t help but wonder why you felt so on edge?

[eartht137]

FOR THE BETTER

Hello and greetings to anyone that gets to read this. It is my first story. I wanted to try and see how this was received before continuing so please feel free to let me know how you like it. Please be easy on me it is my first one I am new to this, but I hope you like it. Its a bit slow right now but I swear the chapters will get going as we go along on this ride together. Okay *curvies* love ya! Enjoy!

Dark Clark Kent x (Black)!Plus Size Reader

SUMMARY: (I suck at them but here goes) After working miserable unfulfilling jobs, you decide to go back to school to pursue your dream in writing. You get the very handsome, very smart Mr. Kent as your English/Literature Professor. You've always stayed to yourself preferring to have your alone time and focus on your writing. Mr. Kent comes in to shake that way of thinking up and its all with your best interest at heart (well his best interest at heart){Cheesy, am I right?}

"For the weekend's assignment. Something very simple, almost high school level. Don't complicate it." Mr. Kent said dragging his feet to tell you all what the stupid assignment was.

"Get to the point." You thought out loud as you rested your head in your hand. He glared at you for moment before continuing. You felt your face flush, because-'no way he heard me' you thought.

"I want you all to write me a paper on...one thing you like about yourself and why." He rushed out. "I want you all to be as genuine as possible, if you're going to be journalists you have to capture your audience. If you can sell yourself, then you can sell a story. If you're a snooze fest......I honestly don't know what to tell you" He chuckled

Everyone groaned because why???

"Due next Monday on the dot. NO EXCEPTIONS!" He belted. "If you don't have your paper on Monday, you will stand up and give a 5 minute speech on said topic."

'What kind of teenage topic is this?' You thought.

"Don't give me lip guys, you signed up for this. I didn't make you do anything." He said pointing at all of you. "No complaining. Monday! Class dismissed." He announced causing everyone to scatter. You were just about out the door when he stopped you.

"Y/n, can you stay back for bit?"

"Yeah sure." You immediately got nervous. You weren't used to being singled out, you always managed to stay below the radar. You'd figured out ways to stay out of sight out of mind after always being criticized by your family, so getting asked to stay back wasn't a normal thing. You braced yourself for the "you can do better speech" and hoped it wouldn't take too long. You watched as the room emptied and he gathered his stuff.

"Come on, lets step into my office." He said leading the way with his hands full. "Have a seat." he said motioning to the chair in front of his desk. you sat feeling butterflies in the pit of your stomach. Literally everyone would've given anything to be where you were. Mr. Kent was almost mythical. You didn't know a day where you didn't think 'DAMN that man know he fine!' And you knew he knew it.

"Bet you think I'm gonna talk about your grades." he chuckled. "While I do require your improvement,"

'Require?' you thought hoping your face didn't covey your attitude.

"I wanted to talk about something else."

"O-kay?"

"I've notice, you're very um...to yourself, is everything-"

'Oh there it is.'

"Mr. Kent, please don't analyze me. I am a whole different breed of human. I don't do people."

"I'm sorry?" he asked tilting his head.

"I just value my alone time. You can't have that with people."

"You can still have space with other people in your life." he said shaking his head at you.

"I didn't say space, I said alone time, and that's not the same. That's still with people. Like, no." you said crossing you arms.

He stared at your for a second, the he began to laugh, and rub his eyes. "You really are something."

"Mm-hmm its true."

"I'm just saying its healthy to get out and socialize every once and awhile, not all the time, I mean-don't you get lonely sometimes?

"No, not really. I mean don't give me wrong I'm human. I get the urge to hang out, then I do, then I remember why I didn't want to do it in the first place." you said realizing you were almost ranting. He eyed you as if he didn't believe you.

"I tell you what, I know you say you're fine, but for my sanity, can we be friends? You know just someone to check on you, make sure you're okay? If-if you hate it by the end of the week then I'll let it go."

"Mr. Kent, no offense, but why do you care? I mean, you have your own life, I'm sure you got a nice family you should be there for, so like....I'm gonna need a it all to make sense."

"Its mean, don't get me wrong I enjoy solitude too, and its not because I don't like people," he chuckled, "but I know what its like to sometimes need someone I could just talk to when I really needed it most and not having it. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. Its funny because it would always lead me home."

"Well that's the difference between you and me, there is no going back." you sighed. You contemplated it 'It couldn't hurt could it?' "Okay."

"Okay?"

"We can be friends." you resigned.

"Great!" he said clapping his hands together.

"Only til the end of the week." You said standing stretching. "So we good? Can I go?"

"Actually, what are you doing tonight? I mean, my ma is cooking dinner and-"

"Okay anything food related, I'm down." You cut him off.

"Good, well I'll pick you up at 6?"

"Yeah sure." You said trying to get away.

"Uh, Y/n?"

"Yes?" You asked sweetly.

"I'm going to need your address." He said knowing you knew he needed it.

You gave you your information and booked it out of there. You immediately went home and took a nap. The whole ordeal was a bit draining for you.

It was your phones constant vibrating that woke you out of a deep sleep. You let it ring a few more times before picking it up.

"What?" You groaned into the phone.

"Y/n are ready? I'm like 15 minutes away." Mr. Kent asked.

"Ready for what?"

"Food?"

"Food? Food! Oh shit!" You said jumping up remembering dinner plans. "I'll be ready when you get here." You said quickly hanging up and rushing to get ready. By the time you felt you looked decent enough, he called and told he was there. When you walked out to meet him, you saw his girlfriend was with him and you put on a small smile. 'Of course he has a girlfriend, why wouldn't he. Still a bummer though, oh well.' you thought to yourself as you walked toward them.

"Y/n this is Lois, Lois this is Y/n. Lois is one of the top editors at the Daily Planet." He bragged, and you immediately got nervous. You'd read her work and you'd give to be as good, even better at writing.

"It really is nice to meet you, Clark speaks very highly of you and your writing." she said smiling.

"Really? I mean writing is my passion, I'm aspiring to get at least in the door. I'm not an editor or professor, but I think I'm okay." You said realizing you were babbling on because of your anxiety.

"Be confident in your work. It shows when you really mean what you're writing about. It also shows when you're doubting yourself." She said smiling at you. You immediately liked her and hoped to get to know her for advice sometime. You all got in and they fell into easy chatter along the way. Every now and again they'd touch on a topic you'd find interesting or be excited about, and you'd really get into it, smiling and being expressive. You'd catch Clark staring at you, a bit shocked at how much you had to say after months of being so quiet, and you'd retreat like a turtle back into your shell. You tried to not enjoy being around them, but every now and again, you liked talking to people on your level. Every now and again, you'd get lost in the breeze of the night air. You'd look out and get lost looking at the stars and the moon out of the open window of the moving car. You get so lost you forgot the other two people in the car and you'd miss the glances Clark took at you through the rearview mirror. When you all arrived at his moms farm you practically gawked at all the land around. You driven by open field and corn fields, you'd never actually gotten to see it up close.

As you all got out, his mom stepped out and waved at you.

"Well, looks like we got extra family tonight." she said smiling. You immediately felt a bit awkward. "Oh dear don't be shy, any friend of Clark is family." She said pulling you into a big hug.

"Thank you for having me Mrs. Kent." You said smiling.

"No go on now you just call me Martha." she said smiling and leading you inside. "You two come along, you know the routine." She said waving Lois and Clark inside. Dinner was great, you even found yourself laughing out loud. It exhilarated you and scared you to have such a good time around other people. You almost, ALMOST, didn't want the night to end, but you missed your bed. As if reading your mind, Clark announced it was time to leave.

"Looks like someone is ready for bed." He chuckled.

"Yep, I miss my solitude." You said stretching. Clark shook his head at you.

"What?" You asked innocently.

You said your final farewells and got in the car heading home. The ride home was peaceful, there was a calm silence between you three and you smiled watching the love exchanges between the two. You could see how much he loved her and you could understand why, Lois was beautiful woman. Your mind jumped from reasons you weren't in a relationship, to the assignment Clark had given you for the weekend. One thing you like about yourself? That topic was always hard for you and you couldn't even begin to find the words to start. Over the years you'd tried hard to accept yourself, love yourself, and be who you were unapologetically, but the moment you got to the threshold of truly giving yourself a chance, all of the criticism, judgment, and years of being invalidated filled you with fear and dread and you'd go back to your shell and do what you did best. Stay in your own bubble. Tears stung your eyes as you tried to stomp down the voices of doubt and resentment, 'It's okay, I'm good, I do what I have to and I'm happy with it. I'm at peace.' you thought to yourself over and over.

"You okay?" Clarks deep voice full of concerned pulled you from your thoughts and you shook you head to bring yourself back to reality.

"Yeah, just trying to stay awake." you said avoiding his gaze. The ride continued in silence and you couldn't help but drift off. One moment you were letting the ride soothe you to sleep and the next you heard a voice cooing you to sleep.

"Shh shh shh it's okay" Clark whispered. You couldn't help but cover your eyes. You were in Clark's arms as he carried you to the apartment.

"Woah," you said trying to get out of his arms. He gently placed you on your feet like a flower.

"Hey, its okay, calm down." He said gently rubbing your arms.

"S-sorry, I've just never-"

"Had anyone carry you before." He said finishing your sentence. You shifted feeling a bit awkward.

"Well, thanks for dinner. Thanks Lois!" You waved at her before going to your door. "Goodnight." you said one last time as you got inside. During the weekend you were extremely restless and was finding it hard to concentrate long enough to work on your assignment. Even when you sat waiting for words to form in your mind you eventually got busy doing something different. The night before class, you had an idea pop in your head, and you decided to go for it. You just hoped it would all make sense, it was the only think your mind focused on.