#so if anyone wants to say a quick prayer for me i will not stop u

[okarasusama]

i don't think ive ever prayed this hard in my mfing life

[gurugirl]

Don't Speak

*images are for aesthetic only

priest!harry x subby!reader | soft dom!harry x bratty/sub!reader

Summary: Y/n accidentally says something in front of everyone at prayer group that gets her in trouble with the priest.

A/N: I know it's been so long since I gave y'all any priestrry but I missed him and his pet so I was compelled to write this! Hope you enjoy! And if you're tagged it's bc you are either on my main general taglist or you asked to be tagged in anything for priestrry (even tho it's been so long) just let me know if you want to be removed and I will! xoxo

Word Count: 2,692

Warning: 18+ only, NSFW, religious mentions, smut, sub/dom dynamic, spanking, punishment

Forgive Me, Father masterlist

She hadn’t meant to say it in front of everyone during prayer group. It didn’t have to mean anything if no one read too much into it. She was only responding to a simple question but she said we.

We plan to eat after the meeting.

We, as in the mention of herself and Harry. The two of them doing something together. She hoped they interpreted it as her saying -with someone other than Harry. But she also looked at Harry directly when she said it. Maybe no one saw that.

But Harry certainly did. And the look she received from him was scalding. She knew she was in for it once everyone had gone.

No one followed up to ask who was the other part of this we she spoke of. She wished they would. She could say anyone and make up a little lie. Her brother. Her roommate. Anyone. But no one asked.

And she wasn’t sure if the room felt tense or if it was just her. Because after she said it, she felt like everyone was suddenly looking at her differently. And of course, the way Harry was warning her with his eyes wasn’t helping matters.

So she kept her head down and her mouth closed until the end. And when everyone began to leave, like always, she walked out of the house and to the side to wait until everyone was gone.

And even when the coast was clear she hesitated for a moment. But ultimately going back inside with Harry to face whatever kind of reprimand he was going to give her was better than waiting and wondering about what he might do. Perhaps she could plead her case.

Stepping into the living room she found Harry folding up the metal chairs and placing them tidily in their little wooden cubby behind the couch. He walked across the room without even a glance in her direction and into the kitchen with a glass. Standing still in her spot she could hear the glass being placed in the sink and then his footfalls as he began to walk back to the living room.

“Father, I’m sorry. It just slipped out. I don’t think anyone noticed–“

“Go stand and face the corner. Don’t speak.”

She gulped and gave a quick nod as she scurried toward the corner of the living room and let her limbs fall loose as she waited for the priest to finish what he was doing. She wanted to protest. To tell him it was an accident and to go easy on her but she knew better than to resist.

Minutes stretched on as she listened to Harry cleaning up and moving back and forth from the living room to the kitchen before she heard him approaching behind her and then stopping.

She could feel him standing behind her but he kept silent for a beat or two before she felt his breath at the back of her neck, “Tell me what happens if someone finds out about us, Y/n.”

She inhaled a shaky breath and squeezed her eyes closed, “Well, you could face expulsion from the church. Everything you’ve worked so hard for that you love the most would be gone. Or they’d transfer you and after penance, you’d have to promise to permanently end our relationship.”

The floorboard creaked as Harry stepped in closer and she felt his warm hands at the tops of her arms, “I could lose what I love, yes. But if it came to choosing you or the church do you know what I would do, pet?”

“Father, I would like to believe you’d choose me. But I would understand if you chose the church.”

“Do you doubt how deep my love for you is?”

Y/n opened her eyes and took a deep breath, the plaster of the white wall in her view, “I don’t doubt how deeply you love me. I feel it every moment. But I also know how deep your love is for God and for your vocation.”

“I’m angry that you let it slip out like that so freely in front of everyone. But I know you didn’t do it on purpose. I want you to know that I’ll always choose you. Over everything else. Over my priesthood. Over God. You’re the most important thing I have.

A stray tear escaped her eye as he pressed his chest into her back and suddenly lifted his hands and she felt her red leather collar being placed on her neck as he adjusted the buckle, “Besides, I’ve slipped up too haven’t I? When I thought no one was watching. But you slipped up in front of many sets of eyes and ears. Let’s hope they didn’t notice the way you looked at me when you said it.”

She turned to look back at him to respond but one of his hands gripped the back of her neck, “Face the wall. I’m not done with you yet. As much as I understand it was a mistake, there are consequences for your actions, pet. Take off this dress.”

Biting her lip she silently pulled the fabric over her head and Harry noted she was not wearing panties. He imagined she did that on purpose. She often enjoyed leaving things uncovered in case they were in a situation where he could just take her. But she was cheeky too so maybe it was just to get a rise out of him.

“No panties while we were all sat here praying to our Lord. Fucks sake, Y/n.”

The first strike to her bottom had her wobbling forward, palms on the walls, and bending slightly at the waist. She was used to being spanked and when he did it with his hands it was a treat. She loved his hands on her. No matter how they were touching her.

Another open-palmed swat and then another had her dipping her head and closing her eyes as she braced herself.

She felt his hand smooth up her spine and press down between her shoulders, “Bend down further. Keep your hands on the wall, legs together. Think about what you can do to not make the kind of mistake you made today while I get your paddle.”

A big gulp was pulled down her throat as Harry stepped away. What could she have done differently? Maybe just be on top of her thoughts at all times? Never waver in front of people? She wasn’t sure. How was it possible to not accidentally slip up once in a great while? She had been so good all this time. Never doing anything that would really tip anyone off. The slip-up was bound to happen at some point.

When Harry returned she felt a kind hand rub over her bottom, “You get five on each side and no crying. Once I’ve given you five you’ll tell me what you could have done differently and if you haven’t come up with something you’ll get another five on each side. Understand?”

“Yes, Father.”

“Count for me.”

Every strike to her sensitive bottom had her keening and gasping. She counted each one, five on each side (so ten really and she would have complained but now wasn’t the time).

“Now, tell me. What can you do to make sure that never happens again? How can we avoid it?”

She took a deep breath, still reeling from her stinging bottom and knowing she was about to get five more (ten more) because she hadn’t come up with an idea quite yet.

“Uhh… I just need to think harder and not let myself really look at you… uh… I can keep my mind sharp so I don’t say things I shouldn’t on accident.”

“No. That’s not it. Count for me.”

The next round hurt more. The smooth leather landing against her sore ass had her arching her back away from him and hissing between numbers she pushed from her lungs. Every one biting a little more than before.

But when she got to her final five (ten) she thought of an answer that she felt would suffice and nearly hopped up with a grin, but knowing better she stayed in her position.

“Have you come up with an answer for me?”

“I can just not speak. I’ll say my throat hurts and keep my mouth closed the whole meeting.”

“That will only work once or twice. But every meeting, pet? You can do better than that. Count for me.”

She let her tears slip out of her eyes as she racked her brain for the answer he might want. Every number she counted got lost in her fuzzy brain and the ache from the paddle on her bum started to numb and the shift in how it made her feel manifested in arousal, which the priest did not miss as he could see her pussy with the way she was bent for him; That obvious glisten beginning to seep out from her labia.

“Tell me what you can do to avoid making comments like you did today.”

She inhaled and moaned softly, “I think that I should maybe not come to all the prayer meetings. I can stay in my cage if I’m feeling a little off maybe? Then I won’t have the opportunity to at all. And me not being at all the meetings would be good I think. Because no one is always at every meeting. Probably good for me to sit back for a while.”

The paddle fell to the floor and she felt Harry’s hands gently caressing her bottom, his fingers gliding over the raised skin left behind from the paddle, “You are so smart, pet. See? That’s perfect. Don’t move from your spot. Keep your thighs together.”

She heard the clank of his buckle and smiled to herself. She loved it when he had his way with her. She didn’t even care what he was about to do, she welcomed him wherever and however he wanted.

When his hands returned to her back and gently pressed over her bum she sighed as he leaned over and kissed her shoulder blade, “I love you. I know you didn’t do it on purpose,” she listened as he spoke and could tell he was stroking himself behind her the way his voice was wavering, breathy. “No matter what happens, you’re mine and I’m keeping you, okay?” His voice hitched up just a bit as he scraped his cockhead through her folds. She was tempted to spread her thighs but she resisted since he’d been very clear with her to keep them together.

“Yes, Father,” she breathed as she felt his smooth tip collecting her arousal, gliding up and down through her crease.

“And since you didn’t do it on purpose and I’ve given you 15 spanks as punishment,” 15 on each side, she corrected in her mind, “I’ll let you come but you may not move. I don’t want you spreading your legs to keep steady either. I’ll hold you up if you start to fall.”

The sudden slicing of his wide cock through her delicate pussy entrance had her groaning and dropping her mouth wide open. She was so wet and gushy already. She felt her arousal seep down to the back of her thigh as he began to thrust into her, juices leaking down from her opening.

Harry’s hand landed on the wall next to her head as his other clutched her hip tight, thick crown splitting her in half, and it all felt even tighter inside with her thighs pressed together. But her legs started to sway as he took heavy strokes, hips smacking against her ass. A deep moan vibrated from his chest and the way she was squeezing around him was like heaven. If he had to go to hell for his sins it would be worth it. She was worth everything to him.

When the priest noticed his pet having difficulty keeping steady he pushed into the brim, filling her completely, and gently nudged and nudged deeper into her, rutting in with hips pasted to her ass, “Being so good for me, pet. Keeping your legs together as I asked. Feels so good with you around me…”

She could hear the tightness in his voice. Her priest was enjoying her pussy. His pussy. Everything was his. All of her belonged to him. She kept her palms on the wall as he fucked into her, keeping his body tucked against her, spreading her open completely and fitting right up against her cervix like she needed.

“Want to be good for you, Father. Want to make you happy and give you everything I can. You own every single part of me.”

He groaned and rutted forward making her inhale sharply, “I do own you don’t I pet? That’s why I call you my pet. Because you’re mine and you always will be. Isn’t that right?”

No one would have ever guessed the pair stood together in the corner fucking in the small living room had the kind of secret they did. No one would have ever guessed the man was a priest and the girl on his cock with the red leather choker was his dirty secret. His divine secret. No one would know the kinds of sinful things they did together every day. If they glanced at the marks on her bare bottom they wouldn’t have assumed they were from the hands of a priest.

“Yes! Father, I’ll always be yours. I’m your possession, your property…”

They both panted as Harry’s cock worked its magic inside of her hot cunt. The wetness of her walls surrounding him and coating him was the perfect spot for him to snug into and spill his seed into.

Her lip curled up as she coughed out a loud moan and arched her back, eyes closed and in sheer bliss from her insides being rearranged. She was weak for him and her orgasm couldn’t wait any longer.

“Please! Can I come, Father? Oh my god…”

He could feel her shaking, thighs trembling so hard he had to hold her hips on both sides so she didn’t tip over.

“Aww poor thing. It aches, doesn’t it? Little pet needs to have her release, doesn’t she? Got all stressed out after misspeaking. You can come. Give me your orgasm, Y/n. Let me feel you… want to feel you milking my cock…”

Harry’s own strong thighs were beginning to quiver as his balls began to squeeze up against his body, his release just moments away.

She cried out and tensed as she spasmed and clenched around him, wave after delicious wave of wet orgasm gushing from her until she felt his grip tighten and then his chest brush into her back, his lips on her shoulder, “Come for me, pet. Holy fuck…”

He groaned at how her walls pulsed, beckoning him to come, sucking his cock deep into her tummy with every squeeze until he growled and bit down on her skin, cock pumping and throbbing inside of her.

The priest had considered not letting her come at first. But he was glad he changed his mind because there was nothing better than to have her siphoning his come from his cock as she fluttered around him and her pretty voice whined and begged…

His hot come began to leak out of her pulsing hole as he thrusted in and when he stood back to watch as he pulled out and plunged in again he saw her cream coating him.

Her legs were still wobbly as he pulled out and gently turned her in his arms and pushed his lips to hers. She felt his warm hands on her face and she knew she had nothing to worry about with her priest. He loved her and she knew it without question. Misspeak or not, he wasn’t going to just give up on her because of an accident.

Bumping his nose to hers he whispered against her lips, “I’ll always choose you. Over everything. Don’t ever doubt my love for you, pet.”

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(yes, i reposted this. i needed to edit the dates. thank you to those who will re-reblog and re-like.)

it's finally here. a major quick thank you for all the love and patience everyone has shown me over this series. i hope it's worth the wait.

word count: 11k.

it's getting real now...

CHAPTER TWO: MASTERMIND

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH, SIGMA NU CHAPTER HOUSE

Chistine Kiko just handed you an eighth of mushrooms and you weren’t one to disappoint. Even if it was your first time. “My fucking dad wouldn’t let me do anything in the Hamptons. I literally only had my dab pen and coke. Like, what kind of person does that?” 

They taste like fucking shit, Christine licked her pudgy fingers dry while you were gagging between chews. “He sounds,” baby barf, “like a monster.” She doesn’t pick up on your sarcasm, “thank you! Everyone said I was being dramatic too, glad to know I can rely on you.” 

You cough on the last swallow, Christine patted at your back, a red solo cup pushed in your hand. “Drink. I mean, he bossed me around all summer too. He thinks I wanna be like him, like, try that with your other kids?” You pull the cup down, “you’re an only child?” 

Christine shrugs, “it’s never too late.” You hum while you finish the mixture, it was ultra sweet, you assume it was full of booze. “So, basically, you’re gonna have a super fun time and I will totally be here for you if you need me, but I have friends to see, ya know?” 

It’s a nice way of saying she will absolutely not be around if you need her. You stop her with a hand on her wrist, “wait, how long until this hits? Will I know?” Christine smirks, “about an hour, give or take. Ride the wave and pick a bed to land in.” 

You’re alone for an entire two minutes, just enough time to get your own cup of jungle juice, the same mixture as Christine’s, before an arm drops around your shoulders. The voice alone makes you want to eat sand, you just know he’s about to say something stupid. 

With his girlfriend in tow, blonde hair whips towards you, a snotty smirk, “did you see Harvey yet?” It takes everything in you not to wack his arm. “No, not yet.” 

“Well, I’m sure he’s going to love your top.” You huff at him, “this wasn’t even the shirt Ally wanted me to wear, so, fuck you!” Matt holds a hand to his chest, “I am in a committed relationship, and even if I wasn’t, ew.” 

“Don’t flatter yourself, blondie. I’ve seen cuter rats.” He narrows his eyes, “I will pray for evil to find you.” Ally gasps, “Matty, no.” 

Holding a middle finger up, your eyes wander around the room until you zone in on Harvey resting against the staircase, a gleam of light hits his wrist, silver dances in your eyes. 

Harvey must have felt you, his chin rises in a poor excuse for a nod. You flash a four finger wave, raising your cup to your mouth when he starts laughing with a friend. Matt pokes your elbow at the interaction, “what kind of dress are you wearing to the wedding?” 

You grin, “I’m not sure yet, I don’t wanna clash with Ally.” You turn to her, “we both can’t wear white, right?” 

“Hey, hey, hey, if anyone’s going to marry Ally it’s me, and it’ll be in a church so you’ll either sit it out or burn.” 

Checking your phone you nibble at your lip, thirty eight minutes. Trent’s nowhere to be found, you need to start looking. And subtly. You take a step back, pretending to be interested in a fake text. “Give me five minutes, I need to make a call.” Ally’s quick to give the go ahead, “okay, text me if you can’t find us!”

Thirty seven minutes. Your shoulder hits a freshman’s, jungle juice splashes on the hardwood; spilling out an apology you step over the puddle. A boy you haven’t seen before smiles at you, if you weren’t on a mission, you’d be saying hello. 

You loop by the garage, heart stuttering when you capture Peter and Ethan playing a game of beer pong. Trent wasn’t there, your last hope and prayer was in the backyard. 

Surrounded by rose bushes, the chapter president had his lips wrapped around a cigarette. The red glow lit his cheeks up on the inhale, two girls and another guy with him, you think you shared a class with one of the girls last year. 

Trent catches your eyes, it’s clear you both don’t want anyone to know what’s going on. He directed his gaze towards your phone, a hand moved around in his pocket before he produced his own. 

You stare at your home screen, expecting the message any second. It comes when you move back inside. 

‘Use the backstairs, my room is on the left at the end of the hall.’ 

‘Give me five minutes.’ 

Thirty two minutes, you don’t have any time to waste. Your feet hit the stairs. 

Trent’s room is messy and terribly decorated. Clothes covered the floor, empty bowls and plates scattered across his desk, a still sweating, sealed water bottle makes you smack your lips. How tempting. 

A string of flags, a political one that doesn’t surprise you in the slightest, a ‘Saturdays are for the boys’ one, and a black and white american flag. The trio makes you roll your eyes, it seems very fitting for his personality. No shoe has a matching partner in the entire room, you’re scared to think of what might be under his bed. 

You don’t feel safe or comfortable enough to sit on it either, it’s unmade and with a noticeable and questionable looking stain. He does have a couch though, and it looks very, very comfortable. It feels like you’d sink right in. It’s not enticing enough, you don’t trust it. 

You check your phone again, it’s been five minutes and it could be the liquor, but you feel a slight wobble. Twenty three minutes until blast off Trent slides through a small crack in the door, your arms cross defensively.  “I know you’re not fucking me, but you can at least pretend to care about my time.” 

“Wrong. I wouldn’t care about you, even if you were fucking me.” He proudly takes a seat at his desk, he offers you nothing. A smug look rolls over, “you’ve built it up long enough, what do you need from me?” 

The sooner it’s over, the better. “My friends and I have a bet on your potential new members, if the person I pick makes it through recruitment, I win. I need you to make sure I win.” 

Trent’s facade slips, even just for a millisecond. “One more time, and I need you to be very clear on it, alright?” 

Were you slurring your words? You try to speak clearer. “I know someone who’s going to pledge, and I promise you he has no involvement in this, but I need him to be recruited so I can win some money. All I need is for you to make sure I win and they don’t.” 

A brief pause, Trent looks sympathetic. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you with that.” You cut him off, he accepted the terms last Friday, and again when you sent over copies of your- Noa’s hard discoveries. 

“No, no, Trent, you did. You said anything I needed, and I need this.” 

“If you would’ve told me what you needed, you would’ve known I couldn’t help you.” 

“This is bullshit, I’ll start singing from the rooftops about your payoff.” 

“No, you won’t. I’m the president, so I get final say on who we fully recruit-” You roll your eyes, “I know.” 

“- but I don’t get to choose who makes it past rush, you need a member to bid on a pledge. You need someone to big brother him, I can’t do that. If I get involved it becomes dirty rushing, and that is the biggest ‘no no’ to exist.” 

You slump, everything comes crashing down. “So… you can’t even pull rank here?” Trent shakes his head, “absolutely not.” 

“So this was all for nothing?” 

“If you can find a member to bid on him, you have my promise he’ll make it, and I’ll cut whoever you need so you can win. That’s it.” 

You’re at a loss, you have no other member you could ask. Matt could never keep a secret, you didn’t know Ethan well enough and there was no way in hell you’d ask- “Want my advice? Parker is your best bet.” 

You shake your head wildly, it takes a moment for your mind to click back into place. “You really want to involve someone else into this? You know what’s at stake, right?” You’re hinting at his secret, Trent shrugs. 

“If anyone is going to know about it, I’d want it to be Parker. He can keep a secret and has no issue in playing dirty if he’s in on it.” You’re suddenly very thirsty, you keep licking your lips for moisture. 

“He doesn’t know who I am.” Not a total lie. 

“Then introduce yourself.” 

You shouldn’t have to do anything, he’s the one not making good on his promise. You made good on your end and in return he’s barely lifting a finger. Maybe it had something to do with not wanting Peter involved due to fear of judgment. Or, maybe he’d be impressed like Trent. 

If you wanted Peter to be a conquest, it couldn’t start by you asking for a favor. That was friend behavior, and you wanted to be anything but friends. This was Trent’s problem, not yours. He doesn’t understand that you can make things difficult for him if he backs out. 

Your tongue is thick and you need water. You have no time for this. 

“Listen, Trent. This is your problem. I held up my end of the bargain, and you have to do yours. I don’t care how you do it, but you’re going to pledge Isaac Barns. If you don’t, I’ll turn shit around and make this the dirty frat, the frat that cheated for first place.” 

Trent held a clenched jaw, you saw nothing but fury in his eyes. “We’ll figure something out. No need to get mouthy.” If you had more time you’d entertain his comment, but it’s clear he’d figure something out. 

You eye the plastic water bottle next to him, snatching it from the side. “And I’m taking this, talk to me when you have a plan, Simpson!” When his door slams shut, it rings in your ears. 

You feel every muscle in your legs move while you walk, and within minutes it seemed like everything got brighter. A vibration washes down the back of your thigh, you slap around, it’s your phone. A single text. 

‘friend?’ 

You’ve been missing too long, one way to stop the questions. 

‘Finding Harvey…’ the response was a keyboard smash. 

Blinking harsh, the room feels like it’s blending together. You’ve never felt this way, it’s like the entire house is moving underneath your feet. The floor waves you into the crowd, everything feels like it’s slow motion, yet sped up at the same time. 

“Hey!” You don’t know who it is, it’s a stranger, his voice sounds distorted. You shake your head clear, and step right by him. You’re on a mission and can’t be sidetracked, things are hitting quickly and you need to find Harvey to explain plans have taken a very sharp left. 

A spin of bodies, you find one that stands out. You catch her shoulders. 

“Lindsey!” You fight for the words, they’re like butter. “Have you seen Harvey Guyn?” 

She’s fucking plastered, a slur of letters string out. “... hall.. wine… yeah! haha…” A gasp when she sees a friend across the house, you’re forgotten in a second. Putting your faith in her, you take careful steps, slapping your hands on the wine closet and tugging it open.

“Harvey! You in here? Lindsey said you were-” there was no chance to finish, Harvey was busy doing it for you. His head was thrown back on the wall tiles, a guttural moan ripped from his throat. Wrapped around his fist was a tight hold of black hair, to help Christine Kiko keep his dick swallowed down.

“Oh shit,” you slam the door on them, standing in shock for a few seconds. It wasn’t about him hooking up with her, he could do what he wanted. But it wasn’t everyday you saw something like that in person, and you had to give credit to Christine, she was taking it like a champ. 

It gave you an out for the night, you were too high for anything but breathing. 

Thank god for Christine Kiko. And really bless her for catching up with you in record time spurting apologies while wiping her mouth clean. “I know, I know, you guys were hooking up, but-” 

You stop her sorry, “how’d you know?” She rakes her long nails through her hair to untangle it, it comes out clean instantly. “My dad is super simping for his dad and we vacationed together this year so he had me try and make Harvey happy so he could tell his dad they should do business.” 

Christine has no idea how fucked up that sounds, “what would he have done if you were his son?” She doesn’t miss a beat, “Harvey swings both ways, doesn’t he?” 

Music shakes your feet, Christine’s hair looks soft. It’s black and pin-straight, you reach out, you comb your fingers through without a hint of struggle. “Wow, you take such good care of your hair.” 

“Rice water, you’re welcome.” She looks back at the door, “I need some things to finish up, but um, you feeling alright? It looks like it’s settling in.” It is. You’re busy twisting the cap on your water bottle, the small ridges skate across your thumb to create a soothing repetition. “Yeah.” 

It makes her smile, “yeah? You should go outside, the trees look fucking awesome, even when it’s dark.” You thank her for the idea, and stand still for a little too long after Christine retreats back to the wine closet. You think it’s your brain trying to remember how to walk, you blame the bass reverberating off the flooring. 

The second you’re able to actually pick your feet up, you move three steps before noticing it feels like you have lead boots on. You clomp towards the couches, perched on the side, sitting pretty, was your best friend. 

Making eye contact, you replay what just happened. You can’t stop it, it’s uncontrollable, bubbling from your throat, you laugh. Loudly. The longer you laugh, the more intense it gets. Ally has no idea what’s going on, but you assume the giggle is contagious. 

“What! Tell me!” You’re trying, but you can’t catch your breath. Each time you try to push more than two words out, you’re back to laughing so hard your shoulders shake. There’s only one reason you’re finding this so funny, you try to collect yourself. “I…” Another round, Ally’s right with you; you think she’s just excited to see what’s got you so giddy. 

“Okay, okay. Christine Kiko gave me some shrooms, and they, like, just hit. Also, I just caught her sucking Harvey’s dick.” Ally sputters, “what?!” A hand covers her mouth, the imagery catching up to her. “Oh my god!” You nod, she said it better than you could. “And you saw this?!” It’s like the idea is unbelievable to her. “Uh huh, right in front of me.” 

Ally presses the hand covering her mouth, to her cheek. A moment of silence, until she starts to laugh just like you did. You almost copy, until she stops and gives you an ironclad look, “wait, did you say mushrooms?” 

You pretend your mind is exploding. “I’m experiencing things I couldn’t explain right now.” Ally’s hair looks almost as soft as Christine’s. You grab a thick piece, breaking it into thirds and start to braid. It feels like rope, your fingers turn into a ball of yarn, fumbling into one useless clump.

“Are you okay? Matty and I were about to go upstairs.” Your eyes flash towards the stairs on instinct, then you're back at her. “Coming back down?” Ally grins and sends you a wink, “not if I give him a reason not to.” She drops her grin, “unless you need company, in that case, I’m here for you.” 

Just because you chose to spend your night tripping, it doesn’t mean Ally has to ditch bedtime with her boyfriend. Wouldn’t that be an incredibly selfish thing to do? “I don’t need a trip sitter, I have myself. And Christine. Also, have you seen Prince?” 

“Uh, no. He went off with Rocco the second we got here.” Rocco, the second you hear his name, you think of his hair, how does one achieve an afro? Would it be wrong to ask?

“Cool, cool, no doubt, no doubt.” Ally eyes you, she’s trying to make sure you’re fully okay before she pulls Matt upstairs. You flash a smile, it’s enough to have her drop her shoulders in relief. “You always have me, you know where I’ll be.” 

“And I am so, so grateful for you, Ally Storm.” Because, you are. In your opinion, mushrooms make you emotional. You went from laughing to appreciative in one minute, suddenly you’re hugging your best friend while holding back tears. “You are so kind, and patient, and nice, and, like, so super supportive to me.” 

Ally squeezes you right back, “you should do drugs more often, I’m loving the praise.” You pull back to wink at her, “it’s only cause you’re so great. Go do your boyfriend, since I can’t get any tonight.” 

“You think sex on shrooms would be good?” The idea hadn’t occurred, but thinking about it makes you agree with her. “Sex on hallucinogens? That’s boyfriend behavior.” Ally pats your arm, “next time, invite me. I’ll let you know how it is.” 

A twinkle in her eye appears, you dread what’s about to happen. “Sup, slugger?” The arm around you is entirely too heavy, but oddly comforting. Like a weighted blanket. “She took mushrooms.” You nod, Matt rubs your shoulder, you almost purr. “Having fun?” Normally, you have a love hate relationship with Matt. You both love to hate each other, but not seriously. Not that it’s been said, but you know Matt would protect you with anything in him if needed. 

Tonight, right now, Matt is a solid force. “Permission to hug?” Ally’s eyes widen, she almost doubles down on the sentiment of doing drugs more often. “You wanna full on, front touch me?” Nevermind, Matt just ruined it, like he ruins everything. “Not anymore, you ruined it.” 

“Oh, no, no, no. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Before you can try and dodge it, Matt’s got you in his hold. It’s very obvious he’s doing it for the pure enjoyment of annoying you, it’s almost endearing. Almost. You’d fight better at shoving him away but he’s got a warmth radiating from his chest and into yours. 

Peter watches you bump hips across the room with Paul’s girlfriend, your fingers pull at her hair. A wild look crosses her face, two of you giggling.

“I didn’t know she was Ally’s friend.” Ethan scratches at his arm, Peter’s guard goes up. He knows why he’s surprised to know you were the friend in question, he doesn’t know why Ethan thinks so too. 

Ethan shrugs and asks Peter about something, he can’t focus. “You know her?” 

“Yeah, that’s my bio girl.” 

Peter felt constricted, he doesn’t know why. “Wait, what? That’s my freshman.”

Ethan stares at the side of Peter’s head. “She’s not a freshman.” Peter sneers at his friend, “yeah, no shit.” Ethan kisses his teeth, “I invited her to the party.” He doesn’t know why, but Peter feels slightly challenged. 

“So did I.” His arms cross over his chest, he mumbles the rest. “On the first day.” 

“Funny. When I asked she said she had no plans.” 

Peter can feel his jaw clench, he wants to kind of fucking punch him, if he’s being honest. And that makes him even more upset, because why is he so threatened? Ethan may have an inkling that his best friend wants you more than he does, but he also wants him to know he could have competition. 

“Funny.” It’s clear Peter did not find it funny. 

“She’s cool. You know, witty, kind, pretty…” Peter’s doing what he can to keep himself from walking away, he wants to scream that he had eyes on you first. But that’s an insane thought, only one that could be casted by a witch. 

“She’s difficult and entitled.” 

All Ethan hears is ‘she’s fucking perfect for me.’ And his mind was made up, you were no longer someone he’d pursue. You’re all Parker’s, because he wants you. Even if he won’t admit it, yet.

“So, you have no issue with me moving in on that?” Peter’s a little too quiet, choosing to nurse on his beer in hand. “Do what you want, man.” He finishes his drink, he looks back up at you, sharing a warm embrace with Paul. 

“Cause, I don’t mind leaving it alone, if you want.” It takes a second, but Peter lightly shrugs. No words needed to be said, it told Ethan everything he needed to know. “You saw her first, it’s only fair.” It’s tiny, and it’s a microflash, but Peter grinned. What was understood, didn’t need to be explained. 

Heavy steps found themselves at a familiar face.

“My roommate ditched me and this floor looks like a pirate ship.” You point down for good measure, Ethan’s a good sport and looks with you. “Is it moving?” 

You nod quickly, glad he too can see the shifting boards. Ethan’s sweater catches your attention, it looks soft. By default he looks like a teddy bear, you can’t hold yourself back, latching yourself to the cashmere you run your hands over his back. 

“It’s so soft.” 

Ethan laughs, he has no issue returning the love. You melt under his touch, everything is so warm. “I can feel your hands.” Your lab partner knows exactly what’s going on, “yeah? What’d you take, X?” 

You pull back to spread pixie dust from your fingertips, “magic mushrooms.” Lights flash in cohesion with the music, you’re awe at the sharp beauty. Swirls of color cloud your vision, loud bass rings your ears. Vibrations flow from your toes up to your knees, a circle of laughter around you is contagious. 

You can’t stop the giggles, you weren’t sure who was laughing or why but it seemed so fitting. 

You throw your head back, the room spins and you squeal when your waist is held tight. 

“Ethan!” You hug him again, you can’t stop patting his sweater. “Wanna do some shots?” Ethan shakes his head, “no, you want some water.” You stop, “oh my god, yeah, that sounds so good.” Your lower back is nudged, you’re guided into the kitchen where you see a blur of motion. 

Stumbling, your back collides into another body. You spin quickly, you can’t believe it’s taken this long to see him. 

“Peter, hi!” 

Your arms loop around his back, you pull him tight to you and sigh. He’s broader than Ethan, but his shirt can’t match Ethan’s sweater. Peter feels oddly frozen, you shuffle into him further, an awkward pat is granted to the middle of your back. “Hi.”

“No, no, like this.” You fix the placement, it’s like he’s never given a hug in his entire life. Peter’s offering no warmth, it feels like he’s just allowing you to have this moment. You give him an unsure glance when you pull back, “I’ll make you better, don’t worry.” 

You’re stopped before you could try and teach Peter a proper hug. “Let’s not hug, Parker.” You blink wildly at your lab partner, before looking back at Peter, he has an unimpressed gaze on Ethan. “No hugs? You don’t like hugs?” 

It’s unacceptable, you pull at Ethan’s arm. “Here, show him how it’s done.” Ethan tries to shake his head, you loop around his waist tightly. “See, Peter? This is how you hug.” 

“I know how to hug.” 

You smile and nudge away from the cashmere, your arms open wide. “Okay, show me.” 

“No.” 

A frown takes over, since he’s being mean, you can too. 

“Fine. I don’t like your haircut, how about that?” Peter lacks the reaction you want him to give, “thank you.” You narrow your eyes at him, “Christine should’ve given you the mushrooms instead, you’re kinda grumpy.” 

Ethan pushes you back, “okay, D.A.R.E. Water.” You took the bottle and looked between the two friends. “Be honest, did you guys know they were hooking up?” 

Peter furrowed his eyebrows, you had the urge to rub it out. Ethan slapped your hand down. “Who?” You hold a finger up to pause the conversation, water has never tasted so clear. 

“Mmm…” you blink awake. “Harvey and Christine. Did you think he wasn’t planning on me finding out? Was he fully prepared to try and bang me after he got head from another girl? Cause, I don’t think so.” 

A song you haven’t heard before plays, it sends waves of warmth over your skin. 

Ethan shrugs, “sounds like Harvey, yeah.” 

You jeer around the plastic bottle, “boo.” Peter’s short circuiting in his brain. You were hooking up with Harvey? The pieces were muddling. His Harvey? That guy sucks. Peter reacts subconsciously, grabbing whatever you handed him. An empty water bottle, you smile, “thanks!” He grunts before tossing it in the kitchen sink. 

“This party would be so much better if Taylor Swift was playing.” 

It takes everything in Peter not to roll his eyes, Ethan one ups him in a second. 

“Which album?” 

You gasp, Peter swears he sees a sparkle in your eyes. For a split second he regrets not asking you the same thing. “Any of them! Do you like her too?” 

Peter thought his best friend read between the lines from their earlier conversation. He assumes he didn’t.  

“She’s alright, I have a few of her vinyls.” Record scratch, Peter just lost you. Your hand grabbed Ethan’s shoulder, you leaned in closer and gave him doe eyes. “No way, I don’t believe you. Which ones?” 

Ethan laughs, “I have them in my room, swear to god. I like her sister albums.” 

Peter watches your hand slide down his sleeve until you latch around his wrist, “show me.” Ethan shrugs, “alright, we can-” Peter steps in front of him, the path blocked. 

“Keznek.” As in, you’re not doing what I think you’re doing, right?

“Parker.” As in, do you really think that low of me?

A third name is brought into the mix, Peter looks down, you’re smiling big at him and for a second he feels like he’s smiling back. 

“Who’s that?” 

You point at yourself, “me.” 

He finally has your name, it’s fitting. He doesn’t think he’s ever thought a name could fit a person, until he heard yours. A weird urge to compliment it tugs at him, he buries it down. Witch. 

Attention back on Ethan, “you swear you have them?” He’s almost offended you’d ask, “promise.” You look to Peter, “can you confirm?” Peter sucks in a breath through his teeth, he shakes his head slowly. “I can’t.” 

The answer is obvious, “I have to verify, if you’re telling the truth you’ll win cool points forever.” Plan impeded, the chapter president just walked through the kitchen, a gleam in the wolves eye. His hand clapped Peter’s chest, the light abuse caused you to frown. 

“Nice to see you’re making friends with Parker.” 

You flip the script, a fake smile. “I’m sorry, who are you?” Ethan laughed behind you and was immediately silenced with a harsh glare from Trent. “Watch it, Keznek.” Peter’s face hardened at the tone. 

“You’re taking my advice, I love to see it.” 

Peter has his eyes on you, it takes strength to ignore it. “Wanna talk about advice? You should play some Taylor Swift.” Trent scoffs, “get fucked.” Peter speaks up before you have a chance, “hey, woah.” The head of the house wasn’t about to be talked to like he was a chapter officer, even if he was. His response was pushing Peter back and walking away. 

“I understand why he’s the president,” you watch the room swirl together. “He’s super mature.” Smacking your lips, you blindly reach for Ethan. “Do you see these fucking lights right now?” Peter glances around, it’s the same party lighting they use each time. 

“Are they dragging?” You focus in, when you move your head slow trails of light follow. “Yeah, woah.” Peter clears his throat, the sound cupped around your ears. “Your friend here, freshman?” You spin, “who’s friend?” 

Peter looks at Ethan for a second, you’re busy trying to pull at a loose thread on Peter’s sleeve. “How are you getting home tonight?” You twirl the strand around your finger, the tension snaps it. When the blood returns to your fingertip, it warms your entire hand. 

“Dunno yet. I’ll figure it out later.” You look down at your feet, they seem like they’re a million miles away from you. The floor shifts underneath you, it makes your knees shake, you clutch Ethan’s arm to balance yourself. “Pirate ship?” You nod, “ahoy, matey.” 

Peter shifts when you take him in, more or less just focused on his face. He stands a little taller, then questions it, because why would he care about how tall you perceived him to be? “Peter,” he waits. Pointing behind you, “wanna do a shot? Ethan refused, like he hates me or something.” You can’t stop looking at him, the lights dance over his face, casting him in an angelic glow like no other. 

“You think mixing shots with mushrooms is a good idea?” You move around, like your body couldn’t stand holding still. “Just one.” One wouldn’t hurt, and it’s not like he’s doing it for you or anything, he planned on having a shot anyways. You were just another person to pour for. 

“Sure. Pick the poison.” You answer quickly, an honest response. “Rat.” Ethan starts to laugh and it’s contagious, you start giggling too. You don’t know why he’s laughing, but it feels good to have someone to laugh with. Peter tilts his head to the ceiling with a heavy sigh, “no, freshman. I meant booze.” 

“Oh! Not vodka, I hate vodka, I can taste it in anything, even when Ally mixes it with Hawaiian Punch. So, please never give me vodka. I hate it.” 

Peter smirks at Ethan, “so, vodka?” You sputter, you wonder if you confused love and hate in your speech. You shake your head quickly, “no, no, no, Peter. I hate vodka, please don’t give me any.” 

Ethan slides a bottle down to Peter, it’s a party classic. Peter waits on you, “this good enough for you, princess?” It was sarcastic as all hell, but it still made you feel warm and fuzzy. “Yes, prince.” Peter just shook his head while he poured them up. 

Raised glasses, you wait for the toast. “Here’s to A’s, C’s, and double D’s.” The words made you send a glare to Peter, it seemed like he was waiting for it. “You know, like grades?” It’s not what he meant, all three of you knew it, but you couldn’t fight him on it either. It still works, a cheer is a cheer.

Normally, you’d find Fireball warming, tonight, you find it burning. You almost choke on it, holding it in your mouth for longer than you should’ve, the instant sting had caught you off guard. “Jesus Christ, freshy. Swallow.” It’s like you need a reminder, you’re able to take it down; a shutter takes over your body. 

You turn to your lab partner, a sour look on your face. “Why did you let me do that? You’re supposed to be smart.” Ethan holds his hands up, you’re not about to throw him under the bus. “Hey, I tried. You’re the one that only wanted Parker’s opinion.” 

SATURDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 9TH. CATHEDRAL HALL. 

Peter was dragged out of his bed a little too early for a saturday in his opinion. He woke up to Trent hanging over his bed, poking him harshly on his shoulder. “The fuck do you want, Simpson?” If Peter had to guess what time it was by the shadow in his room, it was pushing early morning. 

“Get up. We need to go somewhere.” Peter blinked quickly, dragging a heavy hand up to rub the sleep from his eyes. “Now?” Trent started to stab, Peter slapped his hand away. “The fuck, man?” His president wasn’t playing around. “Get the fuck up, Parker.” 

Only when Peter sat up did Trent back away, “don’t wake anyone up. I need you downstairs in five.” When his door was shut, Peter squeezed his eyes shut and allowed himself to taste the idea of sleep one more time. Then, he got up, tugged on sweatpants and a hoodie, and silently crept downstairs. 

Peter tried to ask what was going on, and where they were going, but Trent just kept saying, ‘you’ll see,’ and ‘shut the fuck up and trust me.’ It wasn’t until he was walking up the steps to Cathedral hall, he had an odd feeling, a slight buzz in his stomach. It heightened when they took a turn for the girls section. 

“Hey, Simpson, if this is a planned parenthood thing-” 

“Shut the fuck up, Parker.” Out of nowhere he stopped, Peter almost ran into him. Trent banged on an decorated door, a whiteboard with Ally’s name, the other one had been swiped, the name unclear. “I thought Ally was at the house?” Trent beat the door harder, “she is.” 

Peter’s eyebrows furrowed, he was about to ask, yet again, why they were there. The answer came when the door flew open, eyes squinting at the hallway lighting, stands you. “You’re not Ally.”

Peter’s slightly surprised you’re home, he had no idea when or how you left last night. He also doesn’t really care. 

“No shit,” you lightly scoffed when Trent shoved his way in, your shoulder hitting the doorframe. “Good morning to you, too, dick.” Peter gently walked in, making sure not to bump against you. It made you smile lightly, “good morning, Peter.” He nodded back, “morning.” Trent bounced on Ally’s bed, it produced a loud creak. “No wonder she’s always at the house.” 

You sat on the edge of your own bed, gesturing to the spot next to you or your desk chair for a seating option for Peter; he chose the chair. Peter looked over your face while you woke up, your eyes puffy from being rubbed at, you stretched with arms over your head, a peek of skin showed your stomach. 

“You look sick.” It snapped you from your daze, you frowned at Trent. “Thanks, it’s my natural beauty.” Trent pulled a sour look, “that’s what girls look like without makeup?” Peter doesn’t really notice a difference, and that’s not a bad thing. “It’s too early for your shit, Simpson.” He looks towards you, you poke your tongue out at Trent, a childish moment to prove you had someone on your side and not his. 

Peter watches you lean back, velvety thighs on display. A hand goes behind your back, a plush resurfaced. Spider-Man sits on your lap, arms wrapped tight around his waist. He thinks it’s a squishmellow of some sort, he remembers he hooked up with a girl last year with at least twenty on her bed. She didn’t have a Spider-Man one though. 

“How are you feeling?” You look tired, maybe a little hungover. Little to no energy. Peter thinks it’s the comedown of your previous night's choices. You grin, holding Spider-Man a little tighter. “Like a champ, you?” 

Trent scoffs, “enough bullshit, wench. You know why we’re here.” Peter feels the hair on his neck stand up, Trent can be a prick, but he really has a vendetta against you. “Jesus Christ, Simpson. She’s a human being.” It’s the bare minimum, but it still makes you feel warm and fuzzy. “It’s okay, Peter. He’s just mad he can’t satisfy women.” 

Trent flies up, “fuck you! I’m doing you a fucking favor and-” Peter stands up just as quick, pushing Trent back down with a hand on his shoulder. “Sit down, Simpson.” With Peter as mediator, you don’t worry about standing up for yourself. 

“You’re not doing me a favor, I’m doing you a favor! You’re the one that couldn’t hold up your end of the bargain, you asshole!” Trent fights against Peter’s hold, “you’re the one that came to me!” You throw your Spider-Man to the side and step up, Peter backs up against your chest, literally using his body as a barrier. “You’re the one that involved Peter!” 

Peter shoves hard on Trent’s chest, it sends him flying back into Ally’s bed. You step back, Peter’s doing his best to look between the two of you. It’s exasperated, “involved me in what?” It goes silent, you weren’t going to say anything, you were the one who told Trent to fix it. Trent’s the one that brought in Peter, Trent’s the one to surprise you with a visit. 

Trent’s breathing is harsh, he’s more worked up than you are. You don’t know if it’s the situation or your comments, but you’re not saying a word until he does. “Look, your friend here, she’s the one that got us the intel on the other frats.” Trent’s a lot more gentle this time around, you think it may have something with the way Peter’s looking at him, daring him to try and make a move. 

Peter glances back at you, you look away, a poster more interesting. “She needs something in return and I can’t help her. I told her to ask you and I’d look the other way, but someone had to be difficult.” 

“I held up my end, Simpson. You do the same.” Trent huffed, “I fucking told you-” he lowered his voice at Peter’s glare, “- that I couldn’t do anything. I told you to ask Parker and you were the one that stormed out all pissed. I brought him here, isn’t that good enough?” 

Your arms cross, no, it wasn’t good enough. “I never wanted to involve Peter, I told you that last night. I just wanted you to figure out a way to fix it.” Trent throws his arm out at Peter, “I did! He’s fucking here! He’s gonna fucking fix it!” 

Peter feels like he’s going crazy, “fix what?” His chapter president rubs at his forehead, a heavy sigh. “You need to pledge… Fuck, what was his name?” You roll your eyes, you have little to no hope. “Isaac Barns.” Trent nods, “yeah, him. Parker, all I need you to do is pledge him and this-” an allover gesture to your body, “-goes away.” 

Peter takes a second to let it sink in, he almost laughs, but it seems a little too real to be a joke. “Dirty rushing, really? You do know what’s at stake if I say yes, right?” Trent’s jaw looks like it’s about to break into a thousand pieces with the tension it’s under. “Yes, Parker, I know what I’m asking.” Peter runs his tongue over his teeth, “right, so you understand why I have to say no.” 

You jump in, your hand on Peter’s arm, pulling him to face you. He’s staring at the placement, it’s sending a burn up and down, radiating heat. You pull away before he can shake your hold off, “please?” Peter steps away from Trent with a final warning glance, “tell me, freshman. Are you in a sorority?” You frown, “no.” He nods, like he already knew the answer. “Right. And are you aware of what could happen to me if I agree?” You have an idea, and it tells you it wouldn’t be good. “That’s if you get caught, you have Trent’s go ahead.” 

Peter laughs, he doesn’t give a shit Trent’s right there. “You think I trust him to have my back? He’d throw me under the bus in a second.” Peter doesn’t know what you know, you look in Trent’s eyes when you respond, making it clear that that would never happen. “Then trust me, and trust me when I say he won’t.” 

Trent looks away from Peter, he makes the connection in a second. 

“What do you have on Simpson?” You sputter, you feel a flush of warmth coat you. “I’m not like… some blackmailer or anything.” Trent shouts out from the bed, “ha!” Your eyes flash to the same poster from before, nothing has changed. “Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. President. Do you want to share with the peanut gallery?” Peter raises his hands, displeased, “don’t insult me and ask for a favor in the same breath.” 

“Look, Parker, just fucking pledge the kid, alright? It stays between us. Don’t think I don’t have shit to lose by letting this happen. I have the same risk you do.” Peter disagrees, “you’re not the one pledging.” Trent stands up, “but I’m cutting whoever she tells me. We’re both playing dirty.” 

Peter’s trying to think about it logically, he just doesn’t understand why. You have all the answers, they’re only there because of you. “Why?” You pause, “what, this guy your boyfriend or something?” You shake your head quickly, “no, no, no. Not at all. He doesn’t even know I’m doing this. He’s just a person I know who’s rushing, that’s it.” 

Peter kisses his teeth and shakes his head in disbelief, “yeah, I don’t know about that.” Total defeat, you were at a loss. Your answer was Trent, if Peter wouldn’t do it, Trent needed to find someone who would. “Trent,” it comes out as a whine, a defiant toddler pointing at Peter. 

“C’mon, Parker. Think about this. You’re smarter than your own good.” Peter sizes his president up, he really doesn’t like what he’s implying. “And I’m supposed to trust you?” You push on Peter’s arm, “no, you’re supposed to trust me. Trent won’t touch you, no matter your answer. Even though I really wish it was yes.” 

Peter’s doing his best to push down all emotion, because if he wasn’t, he’d find out that he wanted to say yes. Just because you asked him. And that’s not who he is, or what he does. He’s known you for a week and he’s about to put his entire academic career at hand, it’s dehumanizing to himself. Witch. 

“Fine.” You cheer, Peter’s whipped into a side hug. He claws your arms away from him, “I didn’t say yes. I’ll think about it, okay?” You nod, it’s enough for you, “thank you so much, Peter. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” 

Trent throws his hands up, “hello? You’re welcome.” You sneer at him, “you did nothing but put it all on Peter.” Peter tilts his head, he didn’t think about it like that, but you’re right. “You’re insufferable and will never find a man to put up with that.” That was a blow, a harsh one at that. You’re pretty good at brushing things off, or firing back, but Trent went a little too far. He hit that deep down, hidden, insecurity. 

You just really wanted to go back to sleep, the thought of Peter in your room no longer slightly excited you. You just wanted to be alone. “Jesus fucking Christ, Trent. Who the fuck says shit like that?” You shrug, “it’s obvious he was just giving me constructive criticism.” You try to joke, it doesn’t really work. 

Peter looks down at you, it’s like you sunk down into the floor. Trent made you feel small. “It’s not funny, nothing about that was funny. That was fucked up, Simpson, the fuck is wrong with you?” There’s not an ounce of remorse on his face either, “sorry.” Peter wants to break his arm, instead he shoves him towards the door, nothing near gentle. “You’re a fucking dick.” 

“Yeah, and you just wanna stick yours in her.” If he wouldn’t be at grounds of expulsion from the frat, Peter would’ve laid him the fuck out right then and there. “Shut the fuck up, Simpson. Just leave it alone.” He does, and throws the door open before parting you with a middle finger. 

Peter pauses at the door, his eyes on your figure. It’s not like he cares about you or anything, Trent was a dick, an uncalled for amount of mean. “Don’t listen to him, he’s still reeling from that ‘can’t please a woman,’ comment.” You give a small smile, “thanks, Peter.” 

Peter’s hand holds the door handle, a tight lipped grin. He doesn’t know why, but he feels like he just has to tell you. Clearing his throat, “hey, freshman?” You perk up, he finds himself looking down at your mouth, eyes trailing towards your collarbone. Peter stops himself, it’s not about that right now. 

“You’re not… you’re not totally insufferable.” 

Something about it makes you explode, you can’t stop the cheek hurting grin. For a second, Peter matches it. “Are you saying I’ll find a man to put up with me?” Peter shrugs a shoulder, “the world is pretty big, freshman. There’s gotta be at least one.” 

At least Peter won’t think you’ll die alone, he might even be at your side. “Thanks, Peter. For everything. And for thinking about it, it means a lot to me.” Peter closing the door on himself, he briefly pauses, “just because I said I’d think about it, doesn’t mean I’ll do it.” You nod, “I know.” 

“Good. I just didn’t want you to get disappointed.” Your eyes brighten, “you care about disappointing me?” 

It goes unanswered, instead, Peter takes a deep inhale. “I’ll see you around.” With that, you were alone with Spider-Man once more. 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH, ESU DINING HALL.

The plastic chair next to Peter slides out, nickel legs scratch the tile underneath them. 

“So, how are we feeling about a verdict?” 

Peter doesn’t even flinch, he takes a bite of his sandwich. It was better before it was ruined by the presence of a demonic presence. Your hands drum on the table like you’re building yourself up for a yes, Peter thinks it’s funny you find him so easy. 

“It’s been two days, freshman.” You huff dramatically, “not a freshman.” 

“You act like one.” 

This is the part where you question your attraction towards him, it’s proof to the saying ‘you can’t pick who you love.’  You lean closer, it’s not about semantics. Peter pulls back when you get too close, he must be scared of another hug. 

“It’s a pretty easy answer, Peter. If you won’t do it, fine. But your president better figure out another way and quickly. We already have the PNM list, you make the choice sunday.” 

It isn’t his problem but the more he knows about it, the more it becomes his. Peter can’t deny the curiosity, for a witch you have no real magic, beyond what you’ve casted on him. 

Peter sighs, “alright, explain it to me. Sell it to me.” You sit straighter and fix your hair, clearing your throat you interlock your fingers on the table and begin to pitch. “I’m going on the ski trip this year, yay you.” You pout dramatically, “I needed money because my boyfriend isn’t a member of the frat and I wasn’t budgeted in.” Your words were a nod towards Ally, as if she couldn’t pay for it herself if she needed to. 

Peter wants to bang his head against the table, there’s no fucking way he had to spend a week with you in a house. That’s constant communication. That’s hell. 

“We bet every year on a member that makes it in, if we win, we get the money. I upped the stakes this year, and I know someone who signed up to rush.” You smile and poke at his arm, it’s solid. Peter looks down at your finger, you pull back and finish. 

“That’s where you come in. You pick him.” 

Peter crosses his arms over his chest while he tilts his chair back, he’s mulling it over in his mind. He looks over your face while he pokes at his cheek with his tongue, if that’s his concentration face, you hope to make him think a lot more. 

“What do I get out of it?” In Peter’s mind, it’s a bit unfair. He’s putting his reputation, spot in the frat and possibly academic probation on the line. And he gets nothing out of it. He doesn’t even want anything in return, or nothing he can think of at the moment at least. It still feels like he has to bargain for something, he’d regret it later. 

You try to hide the shock, you didn’t think Peter was that kind of guy. You didn’t know him, but you didn’t take him for a sexual favors type of person. You wanted to hook up with him, sure. But when he felt like it was owed to him, it felt icky. 

“Oh,” you look around the room, your voice lowers. The deal took a dirty turn. “What, um…” You look back at him before escaping eye contact, you don’t feel as bold. “What did you have in mind?” 

You didn’t hide the shock well, Peter’s chair is back on four legs with a slam. “No, god no.” Okay, he wasn’t asking for sex, but god no? Peter worded it wrong, you took it as a personal offense. “Not…” He’s not even going to try and explain that one out, he ditches the part where he would try to say ‘not that I wouldn’t have sex with you, because I would, but…’

“I’m not asking for you to fuck me, I just meant I’m putting a lot on the line for a girl who assaulted me and a guy I barley like.” Assault is a harsh word, you’d fight him on it but the last part mattered more. You could give him the dirt on Trent, he said if anyone knew he would prefer it to be Peter. 

“Wanna know what I have on Trent?” You have his attention, suddenly Peter looks very interested in what you have to say. He nibbles on his bottom lip for a second before nodding, for this part, you really lean in. 

“He failed out. The school sent him a letter saying he was dismissed, he had a fourteen average.” Peter’s trying to connect the dots, for once, he truly had no idea what was going on in the frat house. “His dad donated eighty-six grand, anonymously, and the next day? Bam. Reenlisted and all roles reinstated, like nothing ever happened.” Peter’s not surprised one bit, it’s very on brand for the Simpson family, to pay their way out of trouble. At least he can say you didn’t leave him empty handed, it’s good ammo to have in the back of his pocket. 

“I’ll consider your request more seriously.” It’s something, and you’ll celebrate it, you pull him into a hug, just for a quick second to squeal in his ear. You’re shrugged off in a second, you don’t care. “Thank you! See, I just knew I picked the good one!” 

The good one? 

You’re up and pushing the seat in, your bag hung over a shoulder. “I’ll see you friday?” In relation to the weekly party, he nods slowly, like you’re an idiot. “I do live there, yes.” You’re unfazed, you’ve come to realize he’s just a mildly grumpy person. It’s mostly cute. 

“Will you let me know then, is that enough time?” Peter will do anything to have you leave, he wants five minutes of peace with his lunch before he has thermodynamics. “Yeah, sure, whatever.” Your eyes sparkle, he has to look back at his plate. “Thank you, Peter. You’re the bestest.” 

You really, truly are a witch. Because his sandwich tasted a whole lot sweeter when you walked away. It turned into sog the second you placed yourself at Ally and Paul’s table. Ally’s eyes flashing over to his, a grin when he was caught looking your way. He finished in record time, he needed to get out of the room, it was starting to get a little too warm for his comfort. 

Ally started in the second you placed yourself across from her, eyes flashing to where you previously were. “Hanging out with Parker?” You shrug, if it helps getting her off your back, it helps. “He’s cute.” A squeal, she pulls at her boyfriend's arm. “Did you hear that? Matty, ask Parker if he’s into her.” 

Matt crushes a coke can, a burp follows. “No.” Ally’s face scrunches up, “why not?” Matt’s swiping at his phone, you can’t tell what game he’s playing, the glare from the lights are too bad. “Cause it’s not my business, or yours.” Ally pulls away from him entirely, her arms crossed over her chest in a huff. Uh oh, she’s mad. 

“Babe, can you get me a water? My wallet is in my backpack.” When she makes no move, he peeks over, “please? I can’t pause this level.” It’s a huff from his girlfriend, “what? You’re mad at me now? Look, I can’t even ask him if I wanted to, he’s leaving.” You look over your shoulder, Peter’s walking out with headphones stuffed in his ears, blind to the outside noise. How lucky. 

“Yeah, good thing you don’t live together or anything, Matt.” It has his total attention, “no need for that hostility, honey. If you want me to ask, I’ll ask.” It’s the right move, and he played right into Ally’s hand. A cluster of kisses to his cheek, “thank you, Matty. Love you.” A smile’s back on his face, his reward was his request being honored. 

The second Ally’s out of earshot you laugh at her boyfriend. “She plays you like a fool.” 

Matt doesn’t care one bit. “Yeah, love makes you do that. You’ll find out, she-devil.” 

You just hope you’re not the fool.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, QUEENS, NEW YORK.

A six car pileup on the bridge caught Spider-Man’s attention, adrenalin courses his veins, any traces of that six egg omelet from Linda weighing him down vanishes. A screech of his name, he clocks it instantly. A woman, barely fourty. Spider-Man knows who it is, it’s the reporter that called him a Spider-Menace last week. Oh, how the mighty fall. 

A head tilt at the woman, she’s panicking. Thrashing in her seat, crumpled between glass and leather. She’s begging him for help, he watches for a moment before speaking over the screams. “Calm down, I’m gonna help you. Just felt like being a menace.” Tears, she speed runs apologies, tells him it’s just a job and her son loves him. 

“Alright, alright, come here.’ A grown woman, clinging to his hip is almost comedic. “Thank you, thank you, thank you…” Spider-Man doesn’t need to hear it a million times, it doesn’t mean much to him after the first one. “You’re alright, just wait over here for the fire department, okay?” 

There’s countless other shouts, he’s already running back up the freeway. Spider-Man has no plans to stay in the city after this, no, instead Peter is going to take the long train back and listen to a podcast. But right now, Spider-Man has a job to do. 

CATHEDRAL HALL. 

Three copies of the same page, everyone calls a name.

Ally starts, “I call Conner Frise.”

 Prince next, “Sam Mason.”  

Ally pokes your shoulder, “c’mon, what’s your pick?” 

You pretend to think about it, two pairs of eyes waiting expectantly. You grin, “Isaac Barns.” Confidence spills, “and I’m gonna win.” 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH, SIGMA NU CHAPTER HOUSE

Peter’s clouded in infatuation. If he was animated, he’d have hearts and stars swirling around his head. Maybe it was the booze that had him feeling so loose, for once dropping the urge to push you away, and to pull you closer. Or maybe it was you. All he could smell was your perfume, it choked him in the right ways. Something he’d be smelling long after you were gone, something that made him want to breathe in against your neck. 

You haven’t left him alone all night, circling back over and over until all he could think about was you, you, you. 

He didn’t know a neck could be so pretty, how he’d kiss over your pulse and hope it would race as much as his. And he never really noticed hair, until it framed your face. Peter was never much on picking up sounds, but now he’s heard your laugh, the one he pulled from you, he’d never be able to unhear it. 

And your voice. It whispered a song into his ears, it sent him leaning in, begging for more of the inflections. Peter didn’t care what you were talking about, as long as you were speaking to him, he’d listen. He wasn’t one to notice clothes, only when they fit just right or left little to the imagination. But on you, everything was your color. 

Peter can’t think of anything else but your lips, they’re puffed while you spin words. Velvet tumbles produced, hints of a smile around your ‘S’s. It’s like you don’t notice him getting closer, as he steps forward, you step back. You weren’t trying to escape, it was subconscious, you were making more room for him, you don't realize he doesn't want space. 

“It was really kind of sad, because the whole time you were rooting for the main character,” he’d asked you about a book he saw in your room. He doesn’t really care about it. 

“Right,” one step closer. 

“But then it all comes down at the end and you realize he really wasn’t a good guy,” Peter takes another step, your back brushes the brick wall. Little pricks dig into your shirt, it doesn’t stop you. 

“And then?” 

You smile, “this is where it gets good,” Peter leans his hand on the wall next to your head, you make no notice. “It is.” It’s more of a statement than a question, he’s relaying it to his own situation. 

“You find out he set up his friend,” it was the twist, you’d been setting it up, but Peter has no reaction. You wonder if he was even listening to you, maybe it would’ve been better if he had read it himself. 

“Are you listening to me? Cause I just kind of just spoiled the whole thing.” 

Peter can’t stop himself, he leans in. His head hangs low, you raise your chin to look in his eyes. How have you still not picked up on his hints? “Why’d he set him up?” You hum, a sparkle forms in your eyes, he was listening. 

“Well, if we're talking about my personal analysis, I think it’s cause-” 

Your lips are pillowy, puffed under his mouth as they’re wrapped around your words. Your skin is warm under his hands, he can feel your hips burning his palms over your clothes. Peter tugs you closer while simultaneously pushing you further into the brick, when you hum into his kiss, he licks your bottom lip. 

Open mouth kisses, your hands tug at the curls on the back of his neck, he’s not one for girls playing with his hair. But you, he wants you to touch wherever you want. He can’t fucking breathe, but he doesn’t care, you’re enough of a breath of fresh air. Peter feels more alive in this moment than he has in a long time. 

You pull from him, puffs of air tumble. Peter’s desperate for more, you’re just so sweet. Wet marks dot from your jaw to your neck, your hands tug at the lapels of his flannel. “Peter,” it’s breathless, he wonders if it’s the kiss or him. 

Hands tuck under your thighs, you gasp as you’re pulled up to equal height on the wall. Your legs loosely straddle his waist, nails digging into his shoulder when he hums over the middle of your throat between gentle bites and smoothing his tongue over the attack. “Fuck,” it’s a whimper, you don’t mean to, but fuck. 

Maybe he shouldn’t have cornered you like this, but what’d you expect looking at him like that? 

Peter retraces his steps, all you can think is that he tastes as sweet as he feels. It was everything you’d been pining for, and more. You were screaming in color, each grip of his hands felt like water paint, soaking deep and spreading. 

Would it be selfish if you wished he felt the same? 

“Parker, you out here?” 

You squeak, your feet hit the ground. Peter’s head is spinning, his instinct to get as far away as possible. “Yeah,” it’s airy. He clears his throat, you look over his face, he’s avoiding eye contact. “Peter,” you feel a jolt when he backs away. A stab when he steps around the corner, you try to follow, he’s quicker. 

You feel everything crumble when you realize he doesn’t want anyone to know he was with you. 

“Where you at? We’re mixing everclear for the PNM’s.” 

“Peter,” it’s on deaf ears. He doesn’t even look at you, how could he kiss you like that and then act like it was nothing? Why would he kiss you like that if it meant nothing? 

“Right here,” you watch his back disappear. “Tequila if we’re evil, beer to make them puke.” His frat brother laughs, “you’re a sick man, Parker.” 

It really, really doesn’t feel nice to be left behind in the cold. Especially when he just made you feel so warm. And it really doesn’t feel right when you want to cry, and it feels humiliating when you give him a grace period, just so you didn’t follow him from the back of the house. Just so no one would see you, just so no one would know what just happened. 

Just so you could keep it to yourself. 

You feel nothing when a shoulder hits yours, your fingers feel hot from the contrast of the breezy outdoors to the crowded, humid room of bodies. Ally’s arm hangs over your neck, you want to scream. 

Peter’s eyes catch your frown, he should’ve done more. But if he doesn’t understand anything, how would his frat brothers? He feels bad, and a little more sober than he should be, a little too sober to have done what he just did. A line of shots, Peter adds an two extra, but he doesn’t add everclear, he chooses Fireball. 

A pink, plastic shot glass slid in front of you. You look up, Peter’s waiting and watching, he raises his own. “Cheers, freshman.” It’s something, he’s waiting on your call, you’re so close and you can’t blow it now. You plaster on a smile and shake Ally’s arm off, you raise it up. 

“Cheers, Parker.” 

Peter must’ve had more than he thinks, because wow, what a gross feeling. 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH, SIGMA NU CHAPTER HOUSE

Peter does his best to be a good person, part of that is knowing when you fuck up. And what he did at his party on friday, was a fuck up. It wasn’t that he particularly cared about you, or your feelings, but he could admit that he pulled a shitty move. So shitty he dodged you the rest of the night and left you high and dry with his answer about your favor. 

You didn’t even have a way to try and contact him, other than beating down his door but even you knew that would be a bad idea. Which leads him to now, standing on the front lawn, with thirty two potential pledges. 

Peter’s turn to bid. A terrible idea. But all he could think about was getting back in your good graces and how much it fucking annoyed him to want that. Peter can feel Trent’s eyes burning into him, he takes a step forward, boldness in his chest. 

“I bid Isaac Barns.” 

It would either be the worst or best decision of his life and for whatever reason, you’re worth the gamble.

CATHEDRAL HALL

its.parker requested to follow you.

Your eyes widened, suddenly you’re very awake. Peter’s the one that kissed you, Peter’s the one that walked away, Peter’s the one that ignored you. Peter’s the one that followed you. Mixed messages, but it proved something. It wasn’t his main with ten pictures, it was his personal, his finsta, the one full of his personality. 

You nibble on your bottom lip, it shouldn’t be that easy for him. Tapping on his account you hit the request button, just because you follow him doesn’t mean he gets to follow you. Mind spinning, you replay friday night again. 

The tension eased and multiplied in one action. Peter had made you feel butterflies in the deepest pits of your stomach, when he kissed down your neck, when he wrapped your legs around his waist, when he went in for more, when he kissed you first. 

Even thinking about it makes your cheeks hurt from a grin, you squeal out and kick your feet in your bed. Peter Parker kissed you, and it meant something. It had to, something tells you that Peter doesn’t jump without thinking. 

Peter’s holding his breath while refreshing his page, still no notifications. He’s worried he blew it that night, not that it matters, it was just a kiss. Everyone kisses, if you really think about it, kisses don’t mean much. At least that’s what he tells himself. 

spider.luvr66 requested to follow you. 

If he acts now, he’d be a bit crazy. You hadn’t responded to him, but he doesn’t care. He’ll wait a couple minutes, then respond. It feels like his brain is melting, he’s not supposed to, and doesn’t feel like this. It’s against who he is now. 

But, fuck, you make it difficult for him to not think about you. Peter swears you’re a witch. 

Accept. spider.luvr66 is now following you. 

Follow request accepted, you are now following its.parker.

You sit up, it was quick, you wonder if he was waiting for the notification. It doesn’t matter, you have the Peter Parker bible in your hands, and you were about to do some research. 

You finally had access to his posts, and you were about to scroll through every single one. But the most recent one was the most important of all. A picture of Peter, crossed arms back to back with a slightly familiar face. The caption told you everything you needed to know about Peter. 

‘big brother season.’ 

You had your bid and he posted the proof.

Whatever he did friday was forgiven. That wasn’t who he was, but this, putting himself on the line for you, this was his true character and whether he wanted you to notice that or not, you did.

And it was a bold act for a guy who pretended he didn’t kiss you breathless. 

[cameronspecial]

Cute Pogue

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x Maybank!Reader

Warnings:  N/A

Pronouns: She/Her

Word Count: 1.0K

Summary: Rafe can't stop thinking about a certain Maybank after being stuck in a room with her.

A/N: This is part two of Cute Asshole.

Masterlist

Ever since they have been locked in a room together, Rafe cannot stop thinking about Y/N Everly Maybank and has been trying to do everything he can to catch her attention. So far, nothing has worked to bring her back into his orbit. He sits in the Country Club lobby, hoping to catch a glimpse of her at work and the universe seems to answer his prayers. “Okay, remember kids. You have to talk quietly while we are in the lobby and I want to see you holding hands with your buddy,” her melodic voice calls out to the line of children following behind her. “Helene, Sweetie, your towel is dragging.” Rafe follows Y/n’s finger to see the small, maybe five-year-old, struggling to hold the giant mountain of a towel. He sees this as his opportunity and gets up from his seat. He takes the towel from the little girl in her bathing suit, wrapping it around her shoulders so it doesn’t drag as she walks. The brunette looks up at him with big eyes and a smile, “Thank you, Mister.” “You’re welcome, Pumpkin. Where are you guys going?” he questions Helene, even though it is obvious they are going to the pool. Before Helene can answer, Y/N intervenes. “Rafe, what are you doing?” He looks at her with a smile, “I hoped to see you actually. I was wondering if you were free tonight. Maybe… we can go out for dinner?” 

“Are you really asking me that while I’m at work, Rafe?” 

“Yeah, it was the only place I knew where you would be. So what do you say?”

She gives him a tight-lipped smile, “I can’t, I’m busy. Now, come on kids, it’s pool time.” Rafe stands in silence while she ushers the children to the pool. 

———

The next time he sees her is at the Wreck. She is having dinner with her brother and the other Pogues. “Hey, Mike. Do you think you can send a Shirley temple over to Y/N with this note for me?” Rafe requests, sliding over the note to the older man. Mike nods and gets to work on the non-alcoholic drink. Rafe knows Y/N doesn’t drink because of her dad and he respects that. He watches as the owner of the restaurant gives both items to the eldest Maybank.

Y/N smiles at Mike as he hands her the drink she didn’t order and a slip of paper. “Thank you?” she questions with the tilt of her head. Mike flicks his head toward her before returning behind the counter, “No problem.” The others at the table watch her with curious eyes as she unfolds the paper in her hand. Date Proposal: A picnic on the beach at sunrise on Sunday. Circle Yes or No. -Your Cute Asshole xxx. She shakes her head at his attempt. Kiara hands her a pen and Y/N circles her choice. Rafe sees her respond, standing from the bar stool to get his answer. She places the paper in his hand and goes back to her conversation. Fearful of the answer, he returns to his seat to open the paper up. Disappointment fills him as he sees the line of the pen around no.

———

The music blares through the speaker whilst she searches for her brother. He very drunkenly texted her earlier tonight that he needed her to come to help him and she was quick to hop onto her bike, hoping the Twinkie was also where her brother was so that she could get the rest of the Pogues home safely. Once she got to the party, JJ wouldn’t respond to her text, which left her wandering the party to find him. She goes down the crowded hallway and opens a random door. Her eyes fall on the toilet, reminding her she needs to go to the bathroom. Her mind is so preoccupied with where her brother could be that she forgets to scan the room for anyone else before she locks the door and sits on the toilet. Movement coming from the bathtub in front of her causes her to jump in shock. “This is not what I expected to see when I opened my eyes,” he groans, sitting up while rubbing his eyes. She rests her arms on her lap to protect her private area, “Can you not look this way?” His cheeks flush and he turns in the other direction. “Right, sorry.”

She finishes her business and when he hears the water from the sink, he stands from the bathtub and leans against the counter beside her. “Why won’t you go on a date with me?” he pouts, eyes watery and hands fidgeting. Y/N looks at Rafe with a straight smile, “Why do you want to go on a date with a Pogue?” “Because she is one cute pogue,” he retorts, a cheesy grin painted on his face. She scoffs, “Is that really the only reason?” “No… I’m just a little too high and drunk to give you an actual straight reason, but what I can tell you is that I really do like you and if you would give me the chance, then I would do everything in my power to show you that is true,” he blabs. His hand falls on hers which is on the counter and she turns her palm upward to lace their fingers together. She can’t lie and say she doesn’t feel a spark between them, but she is scared of what could possibly happen between them. However, what she has learnt in life is that she can’t gain anything if she doesn’t take risks, so she decides to take the shot. 

“Okay, I’ll go on a date with you.” A massive grin grows on his face and he picks her up in his arms. He spins her around, setting her back on the floor with a litter of kisses on her face. She giggles at the feeling and pushes him gently off of her. “Thank you for the excitement, but I have to go look for my brother,” she breaks the news. Rafe nods his hand and drags her out of the room, “Let’s go look for JJ.” 

Taglist: @winterrrnight @loves0phelia @thelomlisrafecameron @wickedlovely121 @thepatriarchykeychain @drewsmusee @starkowswife @maybankslover @forstarkey @loving-and-dreaming @niyahwhoreworld @sublimepenguinpeach-blog

[13as07]

Dearest #1

Gaara Sabaku

[Artwork is not mine! Credit to Samice]

Requested by: Anonymous

Word Count: 4,081 Warnings and/or Pre-Notes:

It’s sort of what you asked for; same themes as my Birthright story but darker in a sense? It’s less unaware/returned love and more abuse aware/unwanted alinement story lined

Nick Name(s): Dearest, Little Hare, Bastard, Lord

Sibling Incest

Father/Child Incest

Betrothals

Verbal, Physical and Sexual Abuse

Rape (oral and intercourse)

Hair Pulling

Let me know if you want more parts

———————————————————————

“What’s the point of marriage?” Our Lord booms, his voice reaching every corner of his bed chambers. My eyes roll before I can stop them, getting me a pointed look from my Maid and I’m sure a silent prayer sent to her God, thanking him for having my Father’s back facing me.

“To show our solidarity to the village,” Kankuro – the oldest of my brothers – answers, his tone as lazy as the limbs he has hanging off our Father’s reading chair. The blazing sun shines through the large windows that make up a wall of the bedroom, lighting up the purple streaks on his face like fireworks. My Maid always says it’s unfaithful that I insist Temari got the better of our brothers, but that doesn’t stop me from holding the thought. She’s not the one that has to deal with Garra’s tantrums and mood swings.

“To waste my time and take my freedom,” the oldest of the batch grumbles, getting a pointed look from her maid in response. It also gets her a glare from our Father, who focuses on the four of us instead of the overview of the village he gets from his wall of windows. Way to go Temari.

“To increase our power,” Gaara answers this time, his eyes flicking toward me. The emptiness of his features quickly sharpens with anger, his eyes torn away from me quick enough that I’m almost convinced he didn’t actually look at me.

Our Lord’s patience is wearing thin, Gaara’s anger reflecting on our Father’s face.

“To produce,” I butt in, trying to smooth out the anger quickly bubbling into the room, for once not just coming from my brother. “An heir for the village,” I add on, my hand fluttering in a fast rhythm to fan myself.

It’s one of my favorite ‘gifts’ from Gaara – my hand fan. Its main color is a dark red with pale sandy-colored lace framing the top edges and the transition from the fan itself to the gold metal that spreads the material out. It’s as elegant as everything else I own, showing off the generational wealth my family has built throughout the centuries of leading the village. Not to mention it makes a good nervous tick; it’s not like anyone would find a Desert Princess fanning herself weird.

“For when Gaara and I are no longer capable of ruling. Than Kankuro’s and Temari’s children - ”

“Child,” my sister cuts me off, her anger adding to the glares aimed at me.

“ - will stand as a spare, in case tragedy strikes us. Sickness, war, death, or anything else Gaara is unable to protect us from.”

“There’s nothing I’m incapable of protecting you from, Dearest,” Gaara growls, the venom in his voice so thick I can almost see it spilling past his lips. If I didn’t know any better I’d think he’s possessed by a venomous river frog instead of a one-tailed sand raccoon. Egotistical little as –

“Good job, my Little Hare,” Our Lord coos, his anger melting back into his usual expression of disinterest and disappointment. At least it’s better than his anger.

I despise the nickname Father has given me. It’s a play on two things; his wish for Gaara and me ‘to breed like rabbits’ and my shinobi style - or lack thereof. I don’t have a unique hobby like Kankuro, I’m not “in touch” with wind chakra like Temari, and I don’t have a beast settled next to my soul like Gaara; I have the speed of a rabbit and a good handle on how to use a knife. The moral of the story, I do well at basic taijutsu and ninjutsu, not so much the flashy stuff.

Not that it matters any. Father says being an active shinobi “risks the future of our village”. When I point out Gaara being active does the same thing, it tends to get me a lecture and one too many bruises. I think he just doesn’t care enough to give me the same training as my siblings. He makes it pretty clear that they’re the prodigy children of Karura, a strong shinobi of our village, whereas I’m the daughter of a civilian of our village, with no special chakra to “bless me with the skills of a shinobi”. Besides a good consort looks pretty and soothes her Kazekage’s mind. All I “need” is the ability to protect myself until Gaara can get to me.

It’s bullshit.

A lot better bullshit than if my Mother would have had a boy. Rasa needed a wife for his heir, not a bastard son.

I think that’s why Temari and me butt heads so much. She sees her betrothal to Kankuro and position as my advisor as a cage, whereas I see my betrothal to Gaara and my position as Consort Kasekage as a blessing, even if it does act as a double-sided sword. That, and the distaste of it being soaked in the anger of my siblings and Father alike. The only one who seems to not care is my oldest brother. If anything, he seems thrilled with the idea of Gaara becoming the next leader of our village instead of himself.

“Since you’re so smart, Little Hare, what makes a good wife?” Our Lord’s question ticks anger up my spine. I’m capable of being more than a good wife, more than his bastard of a daughter.

“That depends on what Gaara considers a good wife,” I answer, my fan flicking faster as my anger grows. Screw Rasa for being an abusive paranoid control freak, screw Gaara for living, screw Karura for dying, and screw my Mother for having no spine. Life wouldn’t have been that bad as a peasant girl.

“That’s a political answer.”

“I’m being raised to excel at political duties, am I not?”

“You’re being raised with a smart mouth,” My Father hisses, the anger I always see in Gaara leaking out of the man in front of me. “Do not think just because I graced you with the title of future consort, that you get to speak to me how you wish. You’re still nothing more than a bastard, only useful to be bred and beaten. Perhaps you need to be reminded of that.”

My anger quickly ices over with fear, the fan in my hand falling still as Our Lord marches across the room, beelining toward me. “I assure you I don’t need to be reminded, Father,” I rush out, my tongue feeling heavy and my feet feeling glued to the floorboards.

“Oh,” he cackles, a smug smile crossing his face. The sharpness of his teeth and the wickedness of his expression only dripping more fear into me. “So now you think you know better than me?”

“That’s not what I said.”

“But it is,” Father’s chilled voice caresses me, his footsteps stopping inches away from me. His hand moves slowly, almost kindly as it runs along my hip, crawling up the side of my body. “Maybe I’ve been too lenient with you, Little Hare.”

Absolutely not.

It’s a constant reminder to me that my Father favors Temari over me, just as it is with Gaara and Kankuro. He’d be a happier man if he stopped after two; his respectful, golden child, legitimate daughter, and his first-born son, the spitting image of himself.

It doesn’t take long for Our Lord’s hand to stop being gentle, harshness quickly replacing the almost loving touches. His fingers jump up, fisting a chunk of my hair he uses to drag me across the room.

“I’m so sick of my children being disrespectful brats!” He screams, the volume of his voice seeming capable of shaking the whole room.

My fan falls out of my hand, the band wrapped around my wrist and connected to the bottom of the item stopping it from falling to the ground. “Father, please,” My begging begins, my hands now busy trying to loosen his hold, or at the very least, soften the ache starting to form at my roots. “I didn’t mean anything disrespectful by it.”

“Now you’re calling me a lair!” He shrieks, throwing me onto the bed situated in the middle of his chambers. There’s no time to get my balance before Father is over me, his frame pushing into my back, pinning me to the perfectly made sheets. “I’m lying. You’re not disrespectful, I’m simply lying!” He continues to yell, his hands shoving their way between myself and the bed.

“I’m sorry! I won’t disrespect you again, I promise, Father. Please!” I wail, my hands gripping the bedding, trying to drag myself out from under him; it was a dumb mistake, one that only angers him more.

“And now you’re trying to get away from your punishment! I should have listened to my advisor when he told me not to have another child, but no. I wanted to show my love for my son, to give him a fraction of what his birth promised, to at least let him have his wife since everything else was gifted to his brother. Do you not want me to love your brother?”

“Of course I - ”

My mind shuts off right alongside my tongue at the feeling of Rasa’s fingertips wrapping around my waistband, shoving down my bottoms and everything under them in one harsh movement. My thighs sizzle at the roughness of the material against them before they too fall quiet.

I so wish my mind would stay off, but I’m not blessed enough for that to happen. It turns back on at the sound of him moving behind me, his clothes shuffling around until they join mine on the ground, still wrapped around our ankles.

“Apologize,” he hisses, his hands firm on my hips as he lines himself with my body. “Apologize,” Rasa repeats, his tip making itself known, sliding back and forth through my intimates with the threat to push in.

“Father,” Gaara’s grizzly bear voice rings out, stalling my assaulter’s actions and pulling my attention toward him. His eyes are hard, sand turned to stone because of the storms going on around it. His chest pumps faster than usual, his temper shown from the strain of his muscles to the beat of his lungs. “Don’t you think she’s been punished enough?”

He stays frozen for a moment, almost shocked to hear his youngest son speak to him. Maybe he is shocked. I can only remember three – maybe four – times my brother has ever directly spoken to our Father, all of which held tones of anger and resentment, unlike now. Now, his voice is even, calm, almost deadly as he makes his thoughts known.

“No, I don’t,” Our Lord finally responds, shoving himself into me. My eyes water, tears decorating the edge as the pain sets in, already starting the aches that’ll live between my thighs for the next week. “But you are more than welcome to take your sister’s spot and be a good husband to her.”

For a second hope flickers through me before I remember the type of family I was born into, before I forget it’s my own Father causing this torment, before I’m able to forget my brothers and sister are present in the room and the only one that said anything said it out of ownership, not protectiveness.

Gaara’s eyes lag on me before he pulls them away again, glaring out the windows lightening up the room. His jawline pops out from his tan skin, just another body part feeling his rage instead of our Father. How can he instant he can protect me from anything and then turn a blind eye to an assault within the same five minutes? He truly is his Mother’s child, turning a blind eye to Rasa’s behaviors.

My body turns aflame, following every touch to it, trying to burn the sensation off my skin. It doesn’t do much, only leaves me more uncomfortable as I play an unmoving part in my own life.

Our Lord wastes no time making himself feel good. He thrusts his hips against mine, filling the silent room with the sound of his skin slapping against mine. His pants for breath ghost over my ear, acting as another reminder of the dog he is. One hand grips the fat of my hip, promising his fingerprints to be left behind as the other one skates up my back, finally resting a grip around the back of my neck, my hair cut between and being pulled in time with the pattern he’s set.

My body refuses to ease up and accept the assault, my muscles tightening every passing moment. Like usual, Father takes this as a challenge, shoving himself into me hard to chase what little euphoria he has left in life. To no one’s surprise, my body gives in quicker than his determination, parts of me ripping and dripping out slow but thick salted drops of blood. Finally, my tears drop alongside my bloodshed, my eyes decorating the sheets as my wounds decorate the bed skirt.

“You truly are good for breeding, do you know that?” Rasa asks, more of his weight pushing into my body, the weight added to his grip threatening to snap my neck under the pressure. “Gaara is a lucky man.”

My eyes focus well enough to stare at my betrothed, something I almost regret doing. His body is still tight, eyes still glaring out the windows as the sand ever present around him slithers, spinning around him like a tornado threatening to start another storm that’ll leave the manor with a month’s worth of repairs. Slowly, my eyes tear away from him, skipping through the room before settling on my oldest brother. Kankuro’s body isn’t any loser, his once loose arms are now formed into steel, trying to choke out the parts of the chair they’re wrapped. His eyes flicker quickly, almost as if to fight back tears he refuses to let Father see.

When I can’t take the sight any longer, my eyes switch focus again, searching the room for my sister, searching the room for her understanding. After all, her favoritism might save her from punishments as harsh as mine, but it doesn’t save her from punishments like mine. When I find Temari, her attention is already set on me, eyes glued to Our Lord and me. Her expression is set and so deep you could mistake her for a marble statue. It almost seems like envy is what she’s holding so close, but that can’t be it. It must be a play on the light or a screwed vision from the tears still dropping out of my eyes.

“Dear Gods, Little Hare,” Rasa rumbles, his grip on me tightening before he uses it to shove me down, forcing me to meet his hips. The pain the added force causes is enough to force a yelp out of my throat, a sound that’s encouraged by a grumbled moan that silks across my cheek. “You’re a useful whore like your mother,” the insult spills out right along with his sperm that warms my inners and makes the wounds he caused to sting instead of just ache.

A laugh echoes in the room that’s been left silent since Father stopped moving. The sound seeming like nails on a chalkboard, pulling everyone’s heads toward my sister. The giggle ends instantly like it wasn’t supposed to exist in the first place. If it wasn’t for everyone else looking at her, I’d think I made it up.

“What’s so funny Temari?” Rasa asks, slowly lifting the weight of his body off of me.

“Nothing,” she rushes out, her voice shaking and eyes skating around the room, trying to look anywhere but Father.

“It was funny enough for you to laugh,” he points out, slowly dragging himself out of me, taking his time so he can soak up the feeling of me unwillingly wrapped around him. “Maybe you need your mouth cleaned out, it should help you tell the truth easier.”

“Father,” my sister murmurs, our abuser’s attention on her long enough for me to squeeze out from under him. He doesn’t notice or simply doesn’t care now that he’s caught himself another child to fixate on.

I scurry off the bed, my movements repeatedly tripped by the clothing still wrapped around my feet. Despite the obstacle setting me back, I still beeline for Gaara, or more specifically, his sand, like I’ve been conditioned to my whole life. As expected, the element meets me the second my foot touches the floor, the grainy material wrapping under me to keep our Father’s touch and the eyes of everyone off of me.

It wipes at the blood seeping from me quicker than before, doing its best to soak the stickiness caused by both Rasa’s and my bodily fluids. The next layer to wrap around me does its best to shove my clothes up, making it easier to dart towards its’ owner.

A cry bubbles in my throat when my body collides with his, even if his muscles are still pulled tight and his body heat reflects the temper brewing below his skin. If it was possible, Gaara would draw himself tighter because of my touch against him, but he can’t, so he doesn’t. He simply waves his hand, his sand slithering between us to pull my body off of him without the need to touch me himself. “Pull yourself together, Dearest,” his whisper is harsh but soft, barely audible over the mixed sound of Temari crying, Kankuro yelling, and the tsking sound of his sand moving around us. “You’re just setting yourself up to his target again.”

Tears well in my eyes again, my body craving the comfort I haven’t received since being ripped from my Mother. How long has it been now? Two years? Five? Ten? The world seems to move differently, being confined to the manor and left alone. My presence is rarely requested, demanded for village events, martial and political lessons – like this was supposed to be, the off chance Father is bored and wishes to bred me, or the almost nonexistent times Gaara wishes for company.

Gaara’s sand releases me, its layers thinning out slowly as if it doesn’t want to release us from the shelter it’s providing. Sadly, it does eventually stop its safety, choosing to worm figure eights between our feet instead.

My attention is pulled to the scene in the middle of the room, despite not wanting to focus on it. I can’t help it though, even if I wish I could.

Father has settled on the bed, his legs spread wide enough to force my sister between them, her head shoved down by the hand he has gripping the ends of her ponytails. Temari’s hands grip his thighs, her nails digging into them as she chokes down the part of him that was just forced into me. I can feel the sickness settle in the back of my throat as I think of the taste of him and my blood mixed on her tastebuds.

Her gargles are mostly covered by the sound of Kankuro fighting with our father, his voice screaming for him to stop and let Temari go. His yells are all he has to fight back at the moment, Our Lord’s sand wrapped around his son, using the element to hold him in place. Still, our brother tries to fight it off, struggling to free his joints from the position they’re stuck in. All Father does in return is chuckle, his hand jerking up and down to force his oldest daughter to shift up and down himself.

Despite the scene in front of me, all I can feel is jealousy and envy, rooted in the fact that even though Kankuro knows he can’t do anything to stop Father, he still tries. That’s more than Gaara has and will ever do for me. At least Temari knows her betrothed loves her, well mine wouldn’t even use his sand to try to put the fire out if my clothes caught.

Temari got the better of our brothers and I don’t care if that makes me unfaithful.

“If you care so much I’ll give you the same proposal I gave your brother; you are welcome to take her spot, to show her the sacrifices a husband is supposed to make for his wife.” Rasa’s eyes settle on us during the second half of his little speech, his words shooting daggers into Gaara like he failed a test set just for him. Maybe he did, but I doubt it. Our Father is a man who likes to cause pain in any way possible.

“Gladly.”

The single word that probably lights Temari with gratitude, boils my blood with more jealousy, especially when Rasa allows it. Within the blink of an eye, my sister is curled on the ground, coughing and huffing for air while Kankuro quickly slides into her place, his hands softer against our shared parent’s thighs and his mouth sliding into place without the force our sister needed to “encourage” her to provide.

“One of these days,” the voice of the cruelest man I know, comes out softer than it has all day. “I need to enjoy my favored son and favored daughter at the same time.”

Good riddance.

Maybe if Temari was put through the same torture as me, just once, she wouldn’t laugh at my pain so easily.

Almost complete silence fills the room again, the perfection destroyed by the slushy sound of Kankuro providing and the occasion cough from my sister. Even the fractions of perfections are destroyed, smashed even smaller by Father’s small curses as he finishes down his favored son’s throat.

Just as I did, my older brother jerks away from Rasa, putting as much distance between himself and the monster without tempting him to lose his control again.

“Get out,” the monster hisses almost instantly, his chest still popping from his wind down.

He doesn’t have to ask us twice, the four of us quickly heading toward the door. Luckily for me, I’m the first one to slide out, my Maid hot on my heels. Temari quickly follows, her servant in tow too. Kankuro follows his wife close behind, his steps filled with more anger than fear, unlike the butler he’s occupied to serve him while in the manor. Gaara is the only one that lags, his steps stopping as soon as the door slams shut.

I glance over my shoulder for a moment, catching a glimpse of my ordered lover whispering to Baki – my siblings’ trainer – before the jonin starts his path toward me. Fear grips my chest, egging to move faster, to get to my room sooner, to itch more with the feeling of Rasa’s touch still on my skin.

“Lady Sabaku!” Baki yells after me, the sound of his shoes picking up pace echoing down the hallway. I pretend not to hear him, almost dashing down the corridors of the manor.

When the last corner to my room grows closer, the fear in my chest loosens.

At least it does until I turn the corner and slam straight into Gaara. My balance breaks, quickly put back together when his sand wraps around me, stabling me before I can fall. “It’s impolite to ignore someone when they’re speaking to you.”

“You would know, wouldn’t you?” I snap, my tongue hanging loose before I gather myself enough to restrain it.

His eyes flicker closed, the hands clinging to his biceps tightening just like the sand wrapped around me. As soon as the pressure is present against my body, it’s wiped away, Gaara’s sand falling to dance around my feet instead of clinging to my skin. “Dearest,” he hisses, the ever-present venom thicker now than it was in our Father’s room.

“Gaara.”

His eyes snap open, the green of his irises digging into my soul, slowly ripping it apart piece by piece. “Baki will be providing you medical attention.”

“Maybe I don’t want it.”

A hackle of a laugh spills from my assigned husband, a smile wicked enough to compete with Rasa’s spreading across his face. “You haven’t figured it out by now? You have no choices in your life. You do what you’re told regardless of who here gives you the orders. This is especially true when our darling Father or I give them. You’re nothing more than property, Dearest.”

———————————————————————

[melanated-writersblock]

Confessional - A Yunho Series: Prologue

Seminarian!Yunho x Black!Female!Reader

~ You and your childhood friend Yunho promised to do everything together. But as you got older, things shifted, and you began to feel differently towards each other. Now, Yunho’s joining the church and any emotions you meant to share with him will have to be disregarded. Or will they?

A/N: I'm genuinely struggling because I have so many routes I can take this story and there are so many things that I've thought about including but idk. I don't want it to be all over the place, I want to make sure the story makes sense and reads well. If there's anything you'd like to see happen, I'm always open to suggestions, my asks are open and you can always post a comment! Written with a Black Fem reader in mind but anyone can read!

Content Warning?: Nothing going on this chapter, angst if you squint? A bit of humor, a bit of wholesomeness, BUT you do have a potty mouth🤭

(Disclaimer: I do know how the hierarchy of the Catholic church works irl and this fic DOES NOT reflect that. And if you’re a devout Christian reading this and you’re mad: 1. I’m also Christian (I kinda suck at it though unfortunately) and 2. What are YOU doing reading this? That’s not very Proverbs 31 woman of you🤫)

ANYWAYYYYY LIKES ARE COOL, BUT COMMENTS AND REBLOGS ARE BETTER! PLEASE LEMME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! ALSO DON’T COPY MY SHIT. I WILL KNOW.

TAGLIST!!!: @starboyyoongi @woosmaid @atinytinycat @kyeos4ng LET ME KNOW IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE TAGLIST!

How does a little boy who would spend literal hours laying in the grass stargazing, sharing dreams of traveling the world, living life unapologetically, meeting new faces and doing any and everything all at once, turn into a man who’s shut himself off from it all?

With your head bowed, you steal a glance at a praying Yunho in the adjacent pew as your Pastor leads the church congregation in a closing prayer. Your lips curve upward at Yunho’s form. His hands clasped against his chest, body hunched over, forehead resting against the back of the pew in front of him. The same way he’d always pray when you both were little. A creature of habit.

With Sunday Service concluded (finally) you make a b-line for the door as subtle and polite as you possibly can, but the endearing nature of church family wanting to see how you’re doing and what you’ve been up to stops you dead in your tracks, much to your dismay. You rush through your interactions, finding yourself more invested in how natural Yunho looks as he speaks with the Pastor, both laughing at a funny remark one of the Deacons say in passing. Damn him for being so good at this shit. You hug your last inquiring church sister and slip out before someone decides to start asking about your dating life.

The drastic change of temperature from the inside of the warmed church to the frigid December afternoon seizes your body for a second as your common sense and critical thinking comes flooding back to you in an instant…You left your coat on the fucking pew. “You’re shitting me.” your annoyed words of condensation visible in the cold air. You stare blankly between the ground, and up at the overcasted sky, your internal battle deciding if walking back inside to face the music is even worth it.

“Fuck no.”

You straighten yourself up with what little defense you have against the cold, folding your arms across your chest and nuzzling your face deeper into your thick slouched turtleneck as you make your way towards your car near the end of the parking lot. The faint sound of fast approaching footsteps get louder as someone gains up on you from behind. You feel the welcoming weight of your coat cover your back, slipping your arms in to get acclimated to the warmth of the garment as quick as possible.

“Now, you and I both know that wasn’t a good idea.” Yunho now joins you, walking in step but still a little winded from the run. “I wasn’t trying to go back in there to get bombarded by them.” You both continue towards your car, “Come on, it can’t be that bad.” “Yeah it kind of is.”, “How so?” “Really?” “Well, I know but I was just wonderi-“ “Look babe, my relationship with God isn’t as tight as yours, and I’m sorry that I don’t get as much of a kick from being in church as you do” you fish your keys out of your bag to unlock your car, “not like I used to, at least.” Yunho opens the driver’s door waiting for you to get in, his eyes downcast in thought. “Then, why do you come every Sunday?” you sigh, defeated, “Not every Sunday, I only go when you’re back in town.”

You don’t know what inspired him to do it, but there was some sort of paradigm shift when you both hit puberty that made Yunho change the trajectory of his life. One minute you’re up all night watching tv and playing video games, doing each other’s class work, planning to go to the same university, get matching tattoos, share an apartment together, get careers in similar fields so your jobs can line up that way you probably end up at the same workplace, use your paid time off and sick days at the same time so you can travel and go on vacations together…he even bought you a fucking bracelet.

He bought matching fucking bracelets.

He said gold compliments the warm glow of your skin.

He got his in silver.

He never told you how much it cost, anytime you asked, he was always avoidant.

Feeling a familiar sting in the brim of your eyes, you steal yourself for a moment.

One minute it’s all this, the next, he’s going off states away to some Christian University bible college. Then when you think the war is over, he turns right back around and goes to fuckin’ seminary school to become an ordained priest. You didn’t quite understand it, but whatever makes him happy you guess.

“Whenever you tell me you’ll be back in town I come to church to see you.” “But we still hang out even outside of church? I don’t get it.” “Oh my God Yunho, just don’t worry about it.” somehow, he got you to laugh at the situation. You put your keys in the ignition as the car hums to a start. Yunho finally closes your car door, leaning on your newly rolled down window. “Do you still want me to come by later?” He earns another laugh from you, “Why do you keep asking questions that you know the answer to?” “You’re acting like plans can’t change, what if you actually had to do something!” “You know I’m not doing anything later though!” “Okay but what if you-“ “Don’t piss me off.” “Alright,” he smirks, backing away from the vehicle as you reverse out of the parking space. “Text me when you make it home safe.” He calls out as you pull out of the church parking lot, the rest of the congregation finally starting to file out of the sanctuary. Yunho smiles to himself, heading to his vehicle to leave for the day.

To be continued…

YALL OMFG the way I STRUGGLED just to get this out!?!?! Anyway I’ve decided the interactions will happen in time jumps and the tag I use for Yunho and what he’s been ordained as will reflect that.

Also, please be active. If you like the story (and you would like the other chapters to see the light of day) please let me know. Share your thoughts and stuff, you can comment and my asks are always open! And reblogs do a whole lot more than likes!

- Lai✨

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[kkeidawrites]

Decision

The quiet conversation between captain and adopted son was whispered around the medical bay, the unbelievable story told in great detail. Y/n caresses Maisie’s coils of hair a worried look to the injured girl and thoughts of prayers to her healing.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. Maisie was hurt and now Red is in captivity, being dragged behind the ship like some kind of show pony.

“I see. That’s some story Jacob,” Captain Crow says nonchalant and Y/n turns to tune in to their conversation.

“The hunter befriended a beast. Huh. What took me dead light. What am I supposed to think of you Jacob?” Crow asks leaning in.

“That thing…and I, we had an understanding.”

“You had a truce with a beast? Whatever happened out there is nothing compared to the centuries of war.” Crow seems that he was always somehow educating Jacob and it looked as though this time his son wasn’t getting it.

“But you weren’t there. The beast has done more to help the three of us during these few days. Even when Maisie got hurt, the beast came over to her, not to eat her but to comfort her.” Y/n speaks up.

“A beast do not give comfort. They take it and if you can’t see that girl then you’re a mindless as those beasts.” Crow quips.

“Those beasts took ya’ dead light. Would you like the other one go too?” Y/n threatens with a hand on her sword. Crow only gives Y/n a sideways glance before turning back to Jacob.

Y/n stands to the side of Jacob, feeling that his talk with Captain Crow was getting a bit testy.

“I know what I be, Jacob. I’m the son of a captain, who was a son to his captain. And if our birth is to fight then by God, we will fight. To be tested and find our greatness.” Crow is a bit closer now to Jacob.

“So, I ask you Jacob, my son…are you my enemy?”

Jacob’s eyes search the ground, an answer he had yet to even bring himself to have ready to give. Was he an enemy now? He was unsure.

Without anyone watching, Maisie is springing from her bed, grabs her knife and makes a beeline to Crow’s upper body. Her intentions were clear, but Jacob is quick to stop her, the excitement is quickly died down as Maisie falls to her knees in exhaustion.

“Let her go.” The little girl demands, tiredly. Jacob moves the knife away from Maisie and looks back up at Captain Crow.

She was still very weak. Y/n is quick to kneel next to Maisie and placed a hand on her back. The girl begins breathing heavily, obviously still tired.

Crow chuckles and stands to leave the sick bay.

“She’s all vinegar.” He spoke and grabs his hat and coat from behind First Mate Sarah Sharpe.

Y/n follows Jacob as he picks up Maisie and puts her back on to the cot. Maisie squints up at Jacob, determination still in her glare to make sure he paid attention to her next words.

“You have to save Red. She’s our friend.” Maisie breaths out weakly and Jacob sighs quietly.

“I’m sorry,” he tells her and Y/n looks at Jacob with pleading eyes.

“Jacob…” Y/n says in disbelief.

“She needs her rest.” The doctor interludes and Jacob nods.

“I’ll get you back home to Guelston. You’ll be safer there and you will live a long good life.” He promised her, Maisie only turns away.

“We first need to appear in Castle Whiterock, we have a date with the king and queen.” Crow says and Jacob looks back at Maisie with a conflicted look, then makes his way to Crow’s side.

Y/n steps in front of Jacob, halting his slow stride.

“Jacob, you can’t be serious? You can’t do this, you know it’s not right!” Y/n tells him but Jacob says nothing.

“Red is our friend. Why can’t you see that this isn’t what you want?” Y/n questions.

“Enough, Y/n. There’s nothing to be done.” Jacob affirms as he walks around her to grab his weapons belt. Y/n is right on his ass.

“Yes, there is! You just won’t give into the temptation that what you’re doing is wrong! This ain’t you, Jacob.” Y/n grabs his wrist, halting him again.

“Jacob, please…I’m just begging ya’. Do the right thing.” She begs and Jacob gently shrugs her wrist off his to walk alongside with Crow. The captain puts an arm around his shoulders as the two leave the medical bay.

“I imagine you could use a drink my boy.” Crow comments but Jacob says nothing turning to look back at Maisie then Y/n who was standing there with her arms crossed and a furrow brow.

Y/n returns to Maisie and holds her small hand a sigh leaving her lips.

“Y/n…how could Jacob do this?” She questions weakly.

Y/n sighs again and places a hand on her head to card through her coils.

“Rest now, Maisie. I will be here when you awake.” She tells her and a tear streaks down the girl’s cheek.

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[srgntjamesbuckybarnes]

Truth or Dare (6)

Summary: What started off as an innocent game of truth or dare between two noble born sisters, Y/N and Margaret “Peggy” Carter, quickly turns south when Y/N meets Steve Rogers and James “Bucky” Barnes. 10 years later Peggy is getting married reuniting the bunch, tensions rise as the sisters engage in truth or dare one more time before Peggy is married.

Rating: Mature

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Warnings: None

Word Count: 2.3k

A/N: Not Beta'd. Sorry for the long wait. If you want to be added to the tag list, please leave a comment saying so below. Let me know if I missed anyone.

Series Masterlist

Previous Chapter

Chapter 6

Clip clop. Clip clop. Clip clop.

Each thud of the horse’s hooves hitting the dirt below reverberated in the open meadow. The sound was a stark contrast to the duke’s usual return. Typically, when returning, Bucky didn’t care about drawing attention to himself. No one paid him any attention anyway. This time was different.

Beyond the cloud of dirt, Bucky could make out the shadow of a man leaning against one of the horse stalls. Gently pulling the reins, his sleek black horse slowed into a trot. The cloud of dirt faded behind them. Drawing closer, Bucky could make out the honey locks and strong jaw beyond the rich fabrics clinging to the man. Steve. Bucky wasn’t sure if he recognized the man because he wore the face of his old best friend or because of the status that came with the clothes he now wore, the clothes Bucky once wore.

When he arrived at the stalls, neither man said a word as Bucky dismounted the horse. Bucky made quick work unfastening the saddle while stealing a glance at the new prince over the horse’s back. He could feel Steve’s eyes on him, putting Bucky on edge. He didn’t know why Steve had been waiting for him, watching him.

Sensing the silent judgment radiating off Steve in waves, Bucky’s control burst. Stomping around the front of the horse, he snarled, “If you have something to say, just say it.” His words were hard, but his hands were gentle as he removed the horse’s bridle. The horse blinked back at Bucky, unfazed by his loud outburst.

Steve kept mute, wondering if Bucky would confess something if he remained silent long enough. In return, all he got was a lot more stomping and grunts as he closed the wooden door, sealing the horse behind it.

Lifting a hand to block the sunlight from his eyes, Steve asked. “Where’d you go?”

Bucky shrugged, wiping the dirt from his leather-clad palms. “You came all this way just to ask me that?”

Steve frowned, folding his arms across his chest. ”Just answer the question, Buck.”

“What are you doin’ here?” Bucky countered.

“Can a guy just check in on his pal?”

While Bucky’s mouth remained frozen, his eyes scanned Steve from head to toe, searching for a tell. Growing impatient, Steve pushed himself off the wall, taking a step forward. “Where’d you go?” He asked again.

Bucky ran a gloved hand along the stubble on his chin. “Out for a ride.” It wasn’t a lie, but Bucky knew that didn’t answer Steve’s question. Bucky stalked away from the horse stall and headed straight for the castle.

Bucky got three feet before a hand on his shoulder stopped him. “Bucky, stop.” The brunette spun around, knocking Steve’s hand off his shoulder in the process. “I know.” Bucky stilled, his eyes cold enough to make Steve freeze. Ignoring his chilling gaze, Steve sighed. “Tony sent word that you’ve been lurking outside of his house. It’s bad enough he lost Pepper in the war. You have to stop this obsession with him and Gail.”

The duke straightened his shoulders, clenching his fists. His mind pressing rewind on the moment Tony took a flail to the arm of his last statue. The moment Gail looked at him like he was the bogeyman. They deserved each other.

“I know you, Buck. You’re going down the wrong path all on your own this time. Whatever you’re plotting has to stop. Now.”

I do. I do. I do.

The two words ghosted on Peggy’s lips in a silent prayer. Cast back at her through her wine glass, her scarlet-stained lips wrenched into a grimace. Had the youngest Carter been marrying a gentleman without status or of equal status she would have been fine. Instead, she was marrying the forthcoming king. As a countess, Peggy was already under the spotlight, but her engagement added more pressure. Like sand descending to the base of an hourglass, every wedding planning event taunted her, a countdown until she would lose her privacy and be expected to produce an heir. She needed a proper send-off to her youth, to up the stakes of truth or dare.

Steve would never approve of such a risky game, not when the fate of their kingdom relied on him. Peggy didn’t want to sneak around Steve, but her need for an adventure was too great. If she couldn't find the excitement she craved, settling for living through others would suffice. The countess’s grimace turned into a mischievous grin. Clink. She tapped her wine glass against the glass bottle. Cheers.

A sea of green and pink swarmed Y/N’s vision as she entered the queen’s garden. The orchids were in full bloom this time of year, but the queen’s statue in the center remained the main focus. The carefully etched marble eyes followed Y/N throughout the garden. It didn’t matter that Y/N wasn’t alone. As soon as she caught a glimpse of the queen's icy stare, she realized she was under scrutiny. The silent judging eyes and pressed lips were an expression Y/N had become familiar with. It was a mask Amanda Carter wore around her daughter. It was the same expression Peggy or Steve had adopted at the mention of Bucky. Like everyone else, Y/N was sure the late queen would side with the majority on an introduction to her son; it was a bad idea. Despite the warnings attached to the former prince's name, Y/N wasn’t worthy of an official introduction to her son.

Walking through the queen’s garden with another man hadn’t been on her to-do list, but the prince insisted. T’Challa’s presence the past few days had been welcoming. His kindness had been a slap in the face. It was genuine, not a front in the public eye like her parents often reverted to. Given time, she could envision herself falling in love with the prince. If only Bucky would stop invading her thoughts.

“She’s beautiful.”

The comment caught Y/N off guard. Her eyes sliced toward the prince standing beside her. She scanned him from head to toe. His eyes remained trained on the statue, his face contorted in admiration. The back of his right hand rested in his left, clasped behind his back. T’Challa was a tall man, but between his rigid posture and monochrome black outfit, he grew a few inches with one glance.

“A marvelous queen,” he continued.

“Was,” Y/N corrected.

T’Challa’s lips curved into a tender smile. “In my culture, death is not the end. It’s more of a stepping off point.”

“That’s a nice way to look at it,” Y/N hummed. Making eye contact with the statue once more she wondered if that was true. Did Bucky have anyone in his corner, looking out for him?

Making eye contact with the guard pursuing them, T’Challa extended his elbow. Accepting the silent gesture, Y/N latched onto the prince’s arm. His gait turned brisk, creating a massive distance between the guard and them.

“I am not foolish enough to think you love me,” T’Challa began. Y/N's eyebrows skyrocketed. Before she could open her mouth to protest, the prince continued, “Nor do I love you.”

“Excuse me?” Y/N asked, but part of her was relieved. Sure, her mother would be disappointed she wouldn't marry a prince like Peggy, but it wasn’t what Y/N truly wanted, who she wanted.

T’Challa chuckled. “The king’s son, you fancy him.”

Her attempt at ripping her hand from the prince’s arm failed. Wakanda’s prince held his other hand firmly over hers, maintaining the appearance of a couple. He could hear the faint sound of metal rattling behind the pair. With enough distance between them and the guard, T’Challa reassured her. “Don’t fret. Your secret is safe with me.”

Y/N's shoulders dropped, her eyes trained on the cobblestone beneath her feet. “How did you know?’

“The way the two of you evade one another in public. It’s the same way my friend Nakia and I perform in public.”

A gasp tumbled beyond the woman's lips. The lighthearted way he spoke, as if there were no consequences for their actions, had her head spinning.

“Why are you telling me this?” Y/N whispered.

T’Challa glanced at the woman beside him. “I like you, Y/N. A marriage between us would be profitable to both kingdoms. Between you and your sister, the alliance between our kingdoms would be powerful. An alliance by blood. Since we are in identical situations, I figured we could have our own partnership.”

Y/N's heart thrummed beneath her bodice. She tentatively opened her mouth to speak, her shaky voice betraying her, “What do you propose?”

T’Challa smirked at her choice of words. “We wed. We honor the marriage when it comes to politics and the eyes of the public.”

“And the rest of the time?”

“We are free to see whoever or do whatever we want.”

Mulling over the idea, she frowned as the castle came into view along with other lively bodies. So many things could go wrong, but her focus remained wholly on what could go right. This might be her only opportunity to have something with Bucky. If her parents married her off to anyone else, she was confident they wouldn’t offer her the same arrangement.

After gnawing at her bottom lip, Y/N asked, “Is that a formal proposal?”

Y/N stood motionless at her bedroom window. The imaginary rock on her finger weighed her down more than she had anticipated. As a child, the idea of wearing a ring from the love of her life excited her, but now, when she imagined a ring on her finger, she saw nothing but a shackle. One her status would trap her in. Forever stuck in a loveless marriage. It would be the performance of a lifetime, for a lifetime. 

An image of the dark-haired duke flashed through her mind. Would Bucky accept the terms of this new relationship? He didn’t seem to mind Natasha’s career choice, although her performance was exceptional. He had snuck backstage to fuck her. Was that what Y/N had condemned herself to? A life of sneaking around?

A knock at the door had Y/N stepping away from the window. She had only taken a few steps when the door swung open.

“Y/N!” Peggy shouted, racing toward her. The costly fabric of Peggy’s skirt bunched between her fingers.

Bracing herself for the impact, Y/N was able to keep the two of them upright when her younger sister collided with her. Y/N gasped for air crushed between Peggy’s arms.

When Peggy finally pulled away, her hands trailed from Y/N’s biceps to her hands. Pulling both Y/N hands toward her chest, Peggy squealed, “Congratulations! Mother just told me the good news. Steve and I are so thrilled! T’Challa is a great choice.”

Y/N froze. She knew? “What?” Y/N asked exasperated.

Peggy tipped her head, staring at her sister through her eyelashes. “T’Challa asked Father for your hand. Father accepted.”

Y/N gulped. “And Steve knows?”

Peggy rolled her eyes, “Of course! Mother has become the town crier, alerting everyone that not one but two of her daughters will be queens one day.”

Y/N’s stomach churned. It was idiotic of her to think she would have a chance to break the news to Bucky when she couldn’t talk to the man in public. If her mother hadn’t told him, she was sure Steve would.

“The kings are going to sit down soon and discuss the terms of the alliance. Steve and T’Challa will modify it when they are kings.” Noticing the faraway look on Y/N’s face, Peggy squeezed her hands. “None of that matters. I’m just glad you’re going to be taken care of.”

Y/N wanted to ask Peggy if she and Steve had the same arrangement, but she couldn’t without giving her and T’Challa away.

Wide-eyed, Y/N replied, “T’Challa hasn’t even asked me yet. I haven’t said yes.” Y/N knew it was a pointless argument. Her father had accepted the proposal on her behalf. She would be engaged to T’Challa by the end of the week.

Peggy led Y/N to the bed decorated in rich fabrics. When her sister sat beside her, Peggy sighed, crossing her legs. “I know it’s a lot of pressure, but it will be worth it. Trust me. You need a distraction, and I know just the thing.”

Y/N stared blankly back at the younger Carter.

Peggy inched forward. “Truth or dare?”

Y/N huffed a laugh. If there was one thing that could keep Y/N distracted, it was a dare from Peggy. Without missing a beat, she replied, “Dare.”

Peggy licked her lips before a devilish grin overshadowed her angelic features. “I dare you to visit the pleasure house.”

Dumbfounded, Y/N hissed, “The whore house?! Margaret Carter, have you lost your mind?”

The brunette shrugged and then collapsed the rest of her weight on the mattress. She gazed at the ceiling, kicking her dangling feet like a schoolgirl disclosing a secret at a sleepover. Then she rolled onto her side, propping her head into her hand.

The older Carter resembled a fire-breathing dragon. Peggy swore she could see the steam seeping from her sister’s ears.

“Not as yourself, of course.” Peggy rolled her eyes as if it was the most obvious thing. “Look,” she narrowed her eyes. “I overheard the help discussing that the prince will be there.”

“T’Challa?”

Peggy squeezed her lips in a thin line. “Steve.”

Squeezing the bridge of her nose, Y/N moaned. “You want me to spy on your fiance?”

“Some of the guard’s garments are in the washroom. I’m sure something will fit you.”

Y/N scowled. “You’ve gone mad. Why don’t you spy on Steve yourself?”

Peggy pushed herself into a sitting position, twiddling her thumbs. “He’ll recognize me. We’ve spent too much time together. He’ll never expect you, let alone recognize you.” A coy smile graced her lips, “Unless you surrender.”

Next Chapter

Taglist: @supraveng @kandis-mom @xycnsstuff @mcu21lover19 @saltedcoffeescotch @unaxv @raven1234321

[steddieas-shegoes]

the freak and the hair and lex

it's time for the weekly fic rec, where i give the top 3 (to me) fics by some of my favorite authors. please always check out their masterlists/works because these authors may have stuff you love even more than what i put here! as always, check tags before reading and leave kudos and comments and reblog whenever possible to support writers!

this week is @thefreakandthehair and let me tell ya, this was one of the hardest weeks to narrow it down to my top 3. i have gone back and forth on lex's works for three days trying to narrow it down (and also realized at some point i missed a few posts so i'm about to do a binge read oops). lex is so talented and does so many things for the fandom, so everyone go celebrate her gifts to us!

lex's tumblr | lex's ao3

rounding third, sliding home Rated E | wip/big bang fic The much anticipated big bang fic is in progress and it's SO GOOD. I don't even like baseball, but Lex is proof that I can and will like any situation these boys are in. Massage therapist Eddie!!! Hello!!! I don't have to go into detail to let you know how that's going. Favorite part: Honestly, since it's a wip, I don't wanna give one yet. But I will say that the overall premise of a massage therapist being able to do what trainers and doctors couldn't makes something really happy in my brain.

ice is made to melt (so is my heart) Rated M | 1,507 words It's hockey. I sniff out hockey fics like a hunting dog. I mean it's literally just hockey fan Eddie and I'm eating it up like I've been starving for years. Favorite part because these are possibly word for word things I have screamed at my television at the Bruins whomst I love with my entire heart but would beat with a hockey stick if given the chance: "Are your blades dipped in fucking butter?” “The puck goes in the net!” "You can't shoot for shit, just like you can't grow a decent mustache, huh?" “Your job is to use your big ass body to stop the teensy tiny puck from getting around you and that’s a Hell of a lot easier if you stay in the fucking crease!” 

Livin' On A Prayer  Rated E | 17,915 words It's the classic idiots in love but don't realize it even though they basically have been boyfriends the entire time trope and I cannot get enough. It's like a slow-fast burn in the sense that they're dumb, but this is still short enough to binge in one relatively quick go. Favorite part which is kinda a spoiler so: “And I know myself well enough to know that I would die before letting anything happen to you, especially after nearly losing you once already, so I felt like being here was safest. And I— I don’t mean the same way that I love the kids or Robin or really anyone else. I’d die for them too but that’s— that’s not my point. I guess what I'm trying to say here is that I know this is one sided or whatever but I just, I’ve been wanting to tell you just to get it out of me because carrying this around alone for months and months has been wrecking me… I think I’m in love with you.”

[vigilskeep]

ok here's the ostagar ambient dialogues i was talking about for anyone who didn't stop by to hear them all! i was having trouble uploading video so i've just written transcripts real quick :)

briefings

Look carefully, men. This wretched thing is a darkspawn. They're strong and cunning and smart, but don't listen to those old wives' tales. They can be killed. Stick them with your sword enough, and they go down. Their blood is black as sin and poisonous. Don't even touch it. You get tainted with that blood and you may as well slit your throat. We've lost many dogs already, had to muzzle them to keep them from biting. It's a long and painful way to die.

There are lots of darkspawn, different kinds. We're getting reports of things we've never even heard of. Our short friend here for instance is something called a genlock. They're pretty common in the horde, but we've seen others much larger. We don't know where these new darkspawn are coming from, or what they can do. All I can say is to use caution. There aren't any we've seen that won't die once they bleed enough.

I want this nonsense talk stopped immediately. What are you? A bunch of nattering fishwives, spreading gossip until you brown your smallclothes out of terror? We've seen nothing to suggest that the darkspawn drag our people underground to eat them. And I want this talk about darkspawn enslaving survivors to stop immediately. Keep your minds focused on the battle, you fight for Ferelden, and for your king. Remember that.

two soldiers conversations

Female Soldier: This is supposed to be the battle that sends these darkspawn back underground. You believe that?

Male Soldier: I don't know what to believe. We've won every battle, but there's more of them each time.

FS: Makes you wonder if them Grey Wardens are right.

MS: I don't want to think about that.

FS: [sigh] Sounds like the perfect time to get drunk, if you ask me.

*

FS: The last scouting party made it back last night. Barely.

MS: What do you mean?

FS: Only two of them made it. And one was minus a leg. Said they encountered some darkspawn that was ten feet tall, with horns as long as your arm. The injured one died last night. They said his blood was already turning black.

MS: Maker's breath! Where are they all coming from?

*

FS: So there's supposed to be more of these Grey Wardens coming, I hear.

MS: Petran said they were Orlesians, coming with a whole army of them fancy Orlesian knights.

FS: If my pa wasn't already in his grave, that'd put him there.

MS: You think they'll leave once this is done, if we ask them nice?

FS: If they don't, then we keep on fighting, I guess.

MS: I'd rather fight them painted fops than the darkspawn. That howling of theirs... gives me nightmares, it does.

sermons

We stand here in this hour, good folk of Ferelden, and we contemplate the death that may await. Death is no failure, my friends. Should it find you, you will not have failed your king. You will have served your Maker. Die in this battle and when you stand before the Maker in the land beyond the Fade, he will not find you wanting. Go not into death gladly, but with the knowledge that evil has been held at bay by your spilled blood. And if you go to stand beside the Maker, go with our blessing. For you shall not be forgotten. My friends, let us bow our heads and remember those who have fallen and those who have yet to fall.

Maker above, hear the prayers of your sons and daughters. We who betrayed your prophet Andraste now beg your forgiveness. Do not abandon us in our darkest hour. Watch over the valiant king Cailan and guide him as he faces this terrible evil. Watch over Teyrn Loghain and give him the wisdom to bring us victory against the scourge of shadow. Watch over Ferelden, the homeland of Holy Andraste. Keep her people safe from the darkspawn. Let us bow our heads and offer prayers to the Maker, that he might find us worthy.

Soldiers of Ferelden, my sisters and gentle folk, we stand here on the eve of battle. Let us consider the evil before us. In their pride, the mages of the ancient Tevinter Imperium sought to open a portal into the heavenly Golden City itself. They tainted it with their sin and they were cast back into our world as darkspawn. They are man's sins made flesh, an evil that spreads like an illness across our land. To face them, we must first face the evil within ourselves. Let us bow our heads and beg the Maker's forgiveness. Let us not be proud, so we may take courage against the darkness.

[absolutelybifurious]

fuck it friday

tagged by @sibylsleaves

obviously i'm still doing this 4 million word au and i will hopefully have a chapter up today but anyways

“You’ve told me a thousand times, Cap, numbers don’t lie.” “They don’t,” Athena said. “But you haven’t entered the Drift with anyone, Buckley, not since… well. There’s more to it than the mat and a simulation.” Funny – it always felt like that was the end of the story for everyone else. “What do you mean? You have criteria, and we met it – we passed so...” He jerks his head back to Eddie, hoping for some semblance of backup, but his words die in his throat. Eddie is pale, staring at the number on the screen like he’s going to throw up. Is he that horrified of being partnered with Buck? Sure, it’s been up and down, but they had a connection – their sparring was… fuck, it was transcendent. There’s no way Eddie’s that staunchly opposed to… No, Buck stops himself. Maddie’s lectured him enough times about making things about him that aren’t, and he remembers the prickle of fear, of horror, of agony that went through him, through Eddie, during that simulation. No, Eddie isn’t resisting Buck. Eddie isn’t scared or Buck. He’s scared of the Drift. It’s not uncommon for cadets to be uneasy about it. Buck’s only properly entered it once, and well, that was a fucking nightmare. Eddie’s got trauma, obviously. Trauma that even Buck’s shitty childhood can’t match. He eases forward, catching the spot above his elbow, on his right side – because he’s not about to repeat the same mistake. “Hey…” His voice is soft, even softer than he meant for it to be. “Hey, you good?” “I…” It comes out of Eddie like a croak, like he’s dying. “Buck.” There’s so much in the way he says it. His name on this man’s lips has kaleidoscoped through him a dozen times since he first heard it, but this is different. It’s a million things unfurling into a million more. It’s a plea, a whimper, a prayer – an apology. He’s sorry. He’s hurting. He’s… “Eddie,” Buck says gently, and this drags Eddie’s eyes to him too quick. “Hey.” The sergeant and Bobby are watching them, and Buck gets the sense he ought to be embarrassed, should at least let go of Eddie’s arm, but he can’t bring himself to do anything but stroke his thumb down Eddie’s arm. “It’s a start,” Sergeant Grant finally declares. “But this jaeger is nothing to fool around with – I want you two playing Peter Pan and his shadow with each other for the next week. I want you to find out everything you possibly can about the other, then we’ll talk about a proper trial.”

that was longer than i thought it was but anywayyyy

tagging @inell @coldbam @cafecitoeddie @sunflower-eddiediaz and i'm not gonna go crazy this time bc last time took years off my life, sooo yeah. but pleeease use my name if you wanna do it and feel like you need one.

[a-world-of-whimsy-5]

Hello M, hoping I made it in time! Sending you a request for Vampire!Maglor x reader with prompt 8 please? Thank you so much, hope you’re doing well and have a great day!

Awww! I am doing very well, actually! As for your request:

"Rescue"

Pairing: Vampire! Maglor x Reader (second person POV)

Location and time: London /Late 20th century England

Prompt 8: "I've got you, darling. And if anyone tries to hurt you, I will rip them to shreds."

Themes: Angst | Happy ending

Wordcount: 800+words

Warnings: Vampirism |  Some explicit language | Walking home alone at night | Being followed | Catcalling (nothing explicit or graphic)

Summary: After having to return home late at night, you find that you’re not walking on your own.

Minors DNI | You are responsible for the media you consume

A/n: this is for the @fellowshipofthefics October challenge.

Divider by @firefly-graphics

You looked at the time. It was eleven p.m., and the streets were empty save for the rare pedestrian. Picking your way past darkened streets and a labyrinth of alleys, you pull your jacket even closer. Whether it was to ward off the cold or to make yourself more inconspicuous, you could not say.  

Well y/n, this is what you get for losing track of time at the office.

There was no one now. At least there was no one you would stop to have a casual conversation with. A pervasive fog crept in, making the light from nearby streetlights look strange and almost magical. You could not stop to admire the scene, no matter how much you ached to do so. The fog grew thicker. It was now so cold that your very breath turned to mist before your eyes every time you exhaled. You shivered.

A bottle shattered nearby, forcing you to walk even faster as shadows formed and grew. Worry gnarled at you when those shadows grew and you slipped down another alley, this time a shortcut to your home.

“What’s your name?”

Fuck me. You ignored the question and pretended as if you could not hear. There were footsteps now, growing louder as more than one person followed you down the alley. It was so dark now; there wasn’t going to be any street lights to be found until you reached the other side, and the only light you had to guide was the dim light of a full noon.

“Come on, love, give us a name.”

Shitshitshit.

The alley seemed to stretch on forever. You threw a quick, nervous glance over your shoulder. There were at least three people—that much, you could say. You fumbled around in your bag for your phone, then cursed yourself when you realized the battery had died just as you were about to board the train. You could not call him, and he insisted on being called when you left your place of work. The footsteps grew louder and were followed by laughter. You kept your eye on the end of the alley, hoping and praying he could feel your dread through the bond you shared with him.

Breathe. One step forward. Then another. Breathe again.

The words repeated themselves over and over again, like a prayer. Someone drew near. In fact, it made the hair on the back of your neck stand up even as fear chilled your heart. You braced yourself, then shook when a sudden rush of cold wind brushed past your arm.

“Who the fuck are you?”

The question was full of confusion and thick with terror. You turned, your sight now blocked by a towering figure garbed in rich black velvet.

“The question should be, who the fuck are you?” Maglor drawled in that soft, angelic voice of his. “And more importantly, who the fuck do any of you think you are, following my lady like this?"

You looked around his arm. The man—at least it was a man—took a step back, startled. “We meant no harm,” he muttered quickly, and took another step back. “We just wanted to know her name and—”

Maglor growled—vicious and otherworldly. The walls around you vibrated from the power it held. “Finish that sentence,” he warned, “and it will be the last thing you ever say.”

He then bared his teeth. The others fell back, then turned on their heels and ran. Once the alley was empty of them, Maglor turned to face you.

“You are cold. Let’s get you home.”

“The others… they saw your…”

“My fangs?” Maglor chuckled. “No one will believe them. And they will not say a word, not unless they want to give themselves away.”

“But they could come back,” you protested. “They would be ready.”

“I will take care of it,” he vowed under his breath.

“Maglor.” You stopped and looked back the way you came. Then you looked at him. His fangs were gone, but his eyes still shone with a strange, reflective light. “You promised not to harm anyone.”

“I am not going to harm them, little one.” Maglor leaned in, his eyes now bright with mischief. “I will simply glamor them into behaving. Then anyone who walks this way will be safe.”

He laughed when you rolled your eyes and stomped the rest of the way. “I envy that, being able to flutter your pretty eyelashes and glamor someone. Alright. Glamor away.”

The walk home was pleasant after that, but the experience left you shaken. Maglor questioned you, bit his tongue when you told him about the phone, then made you swear to call him once you were ready to leave work, so he could accompany you and keep you safe.

“You do not have to do all of that,” you contested. It may endanger him. Someone may see him for what he truly was. A vampire. “Really. You don’t need to—”

"Let me do this for you. It would honor me if you did."

"Alright. And thank you for saving me from them. I don't know how to even thank you."

"I've got you, darling. Alright?” Maglor drew you into a loose embrace. “And if anyone tries to hurt you, I will rip them to shreds."

“Maglor!”

His laughter did a great deal to throw off the chills that had gripped your heart. You finally felt safe. 

[spiel-mit-mir-ein-spiel]

The beginning pt 18~~ Paul Landers.

Enjoy:3

( this part is based on their almost splitting in 2001.

Mentions of blood and fighting)

A few months went by and the guys were spending al lot in the studio making their new album.

The atmosphere was not always good. There has been some hassle lately. They did not agree with each other and Richard was also not averse to alcohol and drugs, which often put him under the influence and prevented him from behaving. This made Paul feel uncomfortable either. He didn't laugh as much as before. At home he was also a bit quieter. In addition, you were overdue. You had bought a pregnancy test and were now waiting for the results. Not the best moment you could say. When the 2 minutes were over you turned the test around and you gasped. ''Pregnant'' it said and you put your hand over you mouth. You didn't expected it. You were not always being safe and you both were very conscious about that but still, you didn't expected it now. Ofcourse you were happy, you didn't wanted anything more than have a baby with Paul but you were a little concerned about the band. You didn't wanted to make things worse.. You and Paul lived side by side for a few weeks because of the hustle and bustle of the album and your work, so you hadn't found a suitable time to tell him. When you got up this morning you felt something wet between your legs. When you got to the toilet you saw some blood. You freaked out and called Jessica. You had told her right away you were pregnant. ''Y/N, Calm down sweety, i'm picking you up and we're going to the hospital!'' She said and you cried. You didn't wanted to lose the baby. You tried several times to call Paul but he didn't pick up. When you were in the hospital you checked yourself in and luckily they helped you soon. You lay down for an ultrasound and when she put the ultrasound device on your stomach, you closed your eyes for a moment and did a quick prayer. Jessica who hold you hand the entire time gasped. '' What?'' you opened your eyes and you saw your baby moving with all their arms and legs. '' You have a perfect healthy baby in your belly mrs Y/L/N. You are 15 weeks along. I want you to make a new appointment for over 5 weeks when you are 20 weeks. Then i can also tell you the gender.'' the nurse said and you cried happy tears. ''Omg Jess'' you hugged her when you got of the table. The nurse handed you the ultrasounds and you smiled happy. ''I'm going to the studio. I need to talk to Paul, can you drop me off?'' you said and Jessica nodded. ''Ofcourse''

When Jessica dropped you off, you thanked her and got out. You took a deep breath before walking in the studio. You greeted the owner of the studio who stopped you. He asked you to identify your self and you did. '' Anyone can say they are one of the members girlfriend'' he said and you sighed. '' Well, go ask them, i'll wait'' you said a little aggravated. At that moment Till came out the door. '' Hey Y/N'' he said and kissed your cheek. '' Any problems?'' Till said to the security and he shook his head and apologized . You smiled to him and went with Till inside. Christoph was drumming his part and Paul was also in there recording his guitar part. You sat down next to Flake who smiled faintly . The vibe was not good. They all had long faces. Richard looked up and smiled but you could see he had used something. The look in his eyes was glassy. Olliver didn't even make eyecontact. You looked up and saw Paul and Christoph were done recording and they didn't even look at eachother. Paul looked up when he saw you. ''Hey'' he say with a faint smile and it made you wanna cry. All his joy disappeared. ''What the hell is going on here?'' You blurted out. Richard looked at you with a raised eyebrow. ''What do you mean?'' You looked at him confused. '' You were such good friends and suddenly your aren't talking at all'' You said while you looked at everyone of them. '' I know I shouldn't get involved. But I see my best friends break down. Not even to mention my man who doesn't even talk at home. Guys, i don't know what is wrong but please, don't let it ruin your friendship'' You wiped away your tears and Flake put his hand on your shoulder. '' I miss you guys'' you said and Richard snorted. '' You don't even reach out'' he said and your mouth fell open. '' Oh ? I text you every week, but you are to busy putting alcohol and drugs in your system'' You looked angry at Richard and he got up. '' Don't you dare'' he said and you looked at him. '' What? Telling the truth? It hurt doesn't it ? He took a step closer to you. '' Don't you fucking dare!'' Paul yelled at Richard and he turned around. Christoph grabbed Paul's shoulder who wanted to go at Richard. '' Oh no, Imagine that someone is touching your beloved doll'' he said and your mouth fell open. Paul lashed out at Richard who just managed to dodge his fist. '' STOP IT!"' Till yelled when Richard raised his fist at Paul. ''Guys , what the hell are we doing?!" Olli yelled out and they stopped at what they were doing. Your tears were still flowing and Flake comforted you. '' It's okay Y/N'' he said softly while he pulled you in a hug. '' Don't touch her'' Paul said and you looked up. '' Well, at least someone is comforting me. You won't even speak to me these last weeks'' you snapped at him. '' Go Home, what are you doing here anyways?'' he said angry while you let go of Flake and pulled the ultrasounds photos out your pocket and pressed it in his hands'' Congratulations, you are going to be a father, But go on, continue to beat up your band members, I'm going home'' You said and left the studio crying. Paul looked with big eyes at the photos of his unborn child. ''Holy shit'' Till said and patted his back. ''Congratulations i guess'' Till said and Christoph and Olli looked at eachother but didn't say anything. Paul sat down on the couch still looking at the ultrasounds and he started crying. ''I'm going to be a father'' he said quietly and Richard sat beside him and wrapped an arm around him. 'Congratulations'' he said and comforted Paul who cried in his arms ( AWH :3)

Next part in the making :3

xoxo

[icegirl2772]

My iPod Shuffle Challenge Response

@partiallypearl and @myloveforhergoeson Saw you guys do this, so I thought I'd (finally) do my own.

To the surprise of no one, my list is Jaelyn (James/Kaelyn - yeah, I gave them a ship name). I am cheating a bit, though, and using Spotify. Specifically, my playlist that's created from my Top Songs from 2023 (I'm more likely to get songs that won't make me go WTF). (Considering I don't have an iPod anymore.)

But down below are the rules for anyone who wants to do it:

IPod Shuffle Challenge Rules: Pick a character, pairing, or fandom you like. Turn on your music player and put it on random/shuffle. Write a ficlet related to each song that plays. You only have the time frame of the song to finish the drabble; you start when the song starts, and stop when it's over. No lingering afterwards! No editing! Do ten of these, and then post them.

Song One: The Thing About You by Chloe Agnew

The thing about Kaelyn was how happy she made James.

It was something he had noticed when they were kids. Even when they were five years old, he was always so excited to see her. He was excited to see all of his friends, but there was something different about Kaelyn (aside from the obvious of her being his only female friend). And it was something that only grew as they did.

Eventually, they weren't children anymore. They were teenagers. And James was able to name that thing about Kaelyn.

That thing was love.

It still took him a long time to say that thing. For so many reasons. But when he did and he walked into her arms, he decided he had come home.

--

Song Two: I Won't Let You Go by Switchfoot and Lauren Daigle

Kaelyn was one of the few who saw first hand just how much James struggled with his parents' divorce. She was one of the few he would let his guard down around. Drop the façade he had worked so hard to perfect.

Both of his parents were strong-willed. Career-driven. Never willing to back down. Many would say it was amazing his parents lasted as long as they had. But at least he could say his mother loved him in her own way. James' father seemed eager to replace his family with his quick remarriage. (He's waiting for the day his father announces his wife's pregnancy to really solidify that feeling.)

The night the divorce papers came through, James was on the phone to Kaelyn in tears. Because that was also the day his dad decided to tell him he was remarrying to a woman fifteen years younger than his mother. He was barely waiting for the ink to dry.

The next time Kaelyn saw James after that phone call, she held him. Comforted him through those fears that only she knew about. They were only 13. Too young to deal with this.

But old enough for Kaelyn to understand the gravity of the promise she was making to herself:

I won't let you go.

--

Song Three: Livin on a Prayer by Bon Jovi

When all the members of Big Time Rush got their open license, they all started taking turns taking their Big Time Rush Mobile out for a spin. Really relishing in the freedom that came with having an open license rather than a leaner's permit.

Admittedly - especially since they all embarked on romantic relationships - most of those drives involved dates.

And that was where James and Kaelyn were. They were driving through Los Angeles with the top down. Taking in the ocean breeze it afforded them. Sunglasses covering their twinkling eyes. Smiles as bright as the sun that shone down on them. Hair blowing in the wind. Kaelyn had her hands reaching up to the sky in jubilation every once in a while.

It was a beautiful piece of freedom.

But the best part of what they were doing was singing along to the radio. Between the two of them, the teens had a rather eclectic music taste. So, one of their favourite pastimes while driving was finding a radio station, turning the volume up and singing along at the top of their lungs. (Okay. Maybe exchanging a quick kiss when it was safe somewhat topped that.)

But right now, they were singing along to a classic that had to be sung at the top of their lungs.

Oh, we're halfway there! Oh! Livin' on a prayer!

--

Song Four: Gotta Be Somebody by Bucky Covington

When Big Time Rush did eventually go on hiatus (they never wanted to say parted ways - because they always knew they would come back together), it felt like the natural decision. Nobody told them it would happen.

They both just came to the natural conclusion that they wanted to take some time to pursue solo opportunities away from Big Time Rush.

It did not surprise anyone that James immediately went to work on a solo album. Kaelyn and Gustavo were right him every step of the way. Like they were with the other three when they said they wanted to release solo music.

James' solo album was a massive success. His songs were all over the radio. He was being nominated for all of these awards (even winning a few of them). It did not surprise him when Griffin immediately had him go on an international tour to really capitalize on this success.

And it was on this last night of the tour that Kaelyn - her belly rounded as she entered her fifth month of pregnancy - approached James with a big smile and a scrap of paper he had written as a child.

I'm gonna be somebody.

--

Song Five: Time of Our Life by Big Time Rush

Kaelyn laughed as she twirled the dance floor in her white dress. Her groom, her husband - it felt so natural to say - dancing alongside her in his tuxedo.

Their wedding day was beautiful. Gustavo officiated. Jennifer walked her down the aisle. Kelly was the wedding planner. The boys collectively shared the role of best men (because there was no way James was choosing between them - although, Kendall was the witness who signed the marriage license with them) while Katie served as maid of honour.

It all led to the reception. After the food and the speeches, the couple shared their first dance. And once that was over, the dance floor was open for everyone else, with James and Kaelyn opting to not have spotlight parent/child dances.

Unsurprisingly, Big Time Rush somehow made its way onto the DJ's playlist. It was something that amused everyone to no end. But nobody complained. In fact, it made the night even more perfect.

Especially as the chorus of a certain song played that highlighted a promise:

We're gonna party all night Have the time of our lives, girl

--

Song Six: Stay the Night - Zedd and Hayley Williams

It really was a bad idea. Starting out like this. They had to know.

But James and Kaelyn couldn't stop themselves. They didn't want to catch each other as they fell onto the bed. They didn't want to end the kiss that seemed endless. They didn't want to stop their hands from wandering. They didn't want to stop their bodies from acting on feeling and instinct.

And they didn't want to stop everything they did next.

That included laying there. Skin to skin. Arms wrapped around their flushed bodies. Saying everything and saying nothing.

"I probably shouldn't stay," James stated.

And deep down, Kaelyn knew he was right. He really shouldn't stay. It increased the risk of them getting caught. It complicated things.

But they had broken so many rules that it made her wonder if breaking one more would really matter.

"I know," Kaelyn sighed. "But I want you to stay."

And at the end of it, James wanted to stay too.

So he did. He stayed the night.

--

Song Seven: Rhythm of the Night by DeBarge

Mr. X was a peculiar character, but he was arguably one of the best choreographers in Hollywood. And someone who could put up with Big Time Rush's antics.

In fact, he knew how to use them in his favour and deliver great results.

But today was an off day. For all of them.

No matter how hard they all tried, the choreography did not want to sink in. Their muscles refused to commit it to memory. In fact, some would say their bodies would outright refuse to cooperate.

So, Mr. X suggested they call it a day. They were getting nowhere fast.

James may have been aching by the time he returned home after the rehearsal, but those aches seemed to be forgotten when he saw Kaelyn. She was cooking dinner, having finished her work with Gustavo early. She had the radio on in the kitchen and was dancing to whatever song came on.

Despite the aches in his body - despite the source of his frustration being dance - James found himself joining her.

He let loose. Laughing and smiling as he twirled her around the kitchen. Kissing her smile as his hands rested on her abdomen (he really couldn't wait for the twelve-week mark) before moving on to do his skincare regimen before dinner.

Sometimes, he needed to be carried away by the rhythm of the night.

--

Song Eight: How I Go by Yellowcard

It was their impending parenthood that made James and Kaelyn really reflect on their parents.

Mama Knight was the type of parent they aspired to be. She wasn't perfect, but she was the best they had.

Mrs. Diamond... she definitely loved her son. She didn't go about things the best way, but James had to admit. The love was there. And she wanted the best for him (even if she was misguided in what that best was).

Their dads weren't worth talking about, both men seem to be more interested in shirking their responsibilities in parenthood than stepping up.

The words did not need to be spoken between the couple. They both knew they were making the same promise to their unborn child. (For a brief moment, they regretted deciding to wait until the birth to find out what they're having.)

That would not be how they go. They would be as good as the best parent, and better than the bad.

--

Song Nine: We Are by Big Time Rush

When the teenagers graduated from the Palm Woods school, there were celebrations all round. Kaelyn and Logan had put in the hard yards to make sure that everyone got to pass and graduate with their friends.

And the graduation party was much better organised than the school dance they had put together at the last minute during their first year in Los Angeles. Gustavo went all out for his dogs.

Kaelyn stood amongst the sea of graduates - cap and gown and a proud smile - watching Big Time Rush perform the song that had been chosen by the cohort. Apparently, there was only one song that was perfect for graduating teenagers.

It was We Are.

And it worked perfectly for them.

--

Song Ten (the author breathes a sigh in relief at finally having made it here): Crash and Burn by Savage Garden

Kaelyn sniffled as she buried her face into the pillow. She and Neil were never meant to be. They were too different. Some would say their relationship was doomed from the start.

But that didn't ease the pain of dealing with her first heartbreak any easier.

"Bunny?"

Kaelyn lifted her tear-stained face from the pillow when she heard the nickname she loved so much. The nickname only one person used on her.

She saw James standing there.

She chose to ignore the scraped knuckles and the bruises on his body. She chose to ignore what she knew James had done to Neil. She did not want to deal with that right now.

She just needed her best friend. She needed to crash and burn.

And James sensed that. He laid down on the bed next to her (above the covers, for the sake of everyone's sanity) and opened his arms to Kaelyn. She immediately nestled herself into his chest, her tears staining the fabric.

He promised her several things. She deserved better than Neil (anybody who tried to force a woman into doing anything she didn't want to made James' blood boil). She would find better (he didn't say that better was right there waiting for her).

Instead, he stayed true to a silent promise he had made to her.

If she crashed and burned, she would never be alone.

[arsontastic-fandom-takes]

Back on my bullshittery again. I saw this post and got inspired to do the same with Tally-ho, so here we go. Thanks to @dynamite124 for answering my ask and thus helping me with my fic.

Taliesin with the idea that the time spent in Sovengarde fighting Alduin felt like hours, but was actually years, and the dragonborn is presumed dead. Can be read as platonic since no inherently romantic actions take place, but is intended to be romantic.

Words: 877

Sovengarde was nothing like Massacre expected it to be. They had heard passing tales of glory and battle from the few nords in the college and on their journey, but no mere story could regale precisely how beautiful and serene it was. Minus the horrible dragon that they had to fight, that is.

The fight itself passed quick enough -as quick as all fights do, with adrenaline changing your perception of time- and the celebratory afterparty was wonderful. Massacre quickly learned that if there's anybody that knows how to party, it's dead nords.

After a party that left them glad they couldn't get hungover through dimensions, Massacre returned to the living world of Skyrim, but something was.... wrong.

The temple that the portal to Sovengarde belonged to seemed more... disheveled than Massacre remembered, and the bones seemed more aged than they last left them.

Slightly perturbed, Massacre decided to go to Whiterun immediately. Their companions would have known what was going on, they were sure of it.

The trip took a week, and Massacre was determined to not stop in cities or villages. Throughout the week, they found themself glad that they knew how to hunt and forage. They considered calling Odahviing, but decided against it. They didn't want to spook the city's people, and their horse was back in the stables, so their only travel option was on foot.

Whiterun looked different too. It seemed less lively and the kids looked older. No one said 'Hi' to them or even paid mind to them, as if they'd been forgotten. It left them feeling uneasy.

Dragonsreach was more dilpetaded than they remember, the stone carrying age and weather that it shouldn't have.

Balgruuf didn't recognize them. His face carried lines and blemishes that it wasn't supposed to and looked at them with confusion.

Something was very, very wrong.

~

They spent three months looking for him. He was nowhere to be found across all of Skyrim, and the only indiction that he had been there was a journal left behind in Lakeview Manor.

From what the journal said- in Taliesin's handwriting-, they had been gone for over a year, and were presumed dead after a month. They remember him saying that after everything in Skyrim, he wanted to visit other parts of Nirn, primarily Elseweyr and High Rock.

By the gods, Massacre hoped that was still true. They couldn't bear the thought of never finding him again.

High rock was a bust. Getting a passport and the doccumentation needed was a story and a half, and after months of looking over the unfamiliar terrain, they found nothing. Massacre hoped he was still alive. They didn't know how long they had been gone, but anyone could die any day and they would be none the wiser.

Sending a small prayer to the Nine, they prepared for their trek across Elsweyr.

The sandy terrain was warmer than they were used to, and unforgiving. Their meals were few and far between, and water was even less frequently stumbled upon. Sometimes, they wondered if they died in Sovengarde and this was some sort of punishment placed upon them for failing to fullfil their purpose.

They kept hope though, as it was the only thing that kept their steps coming one after the other.

~

Finally, after almost a year's worth of searching the blazing heats of Elsweyr, Massacre found him. When they saw him amongst the Khajiit, they thought he was a mirage. The world was already cruel, so why not torment them some more?

Then he looked at them, and disbelief took over his features.

They knew that no mirage conjured by their memory could imitate that look. They wanted to scream praises for whatever deity finally allowed them to find their best friend.

Instead, they started running towards him. "Talliesin!"

The disbelief only grew the closer they got. Massacre was close to crying from the joy of finding him.

They collided with him head on, almost sending the elf toppling over. He was real, and Massacre was so glad to have found him.

They stood in eachother's hold for who-cares-how-long, processing that they were both actually there. They were both alive and together, and that was all that mattered in that moment.

After he recovered from the shock, he pulled back, staring at them. "You're alive." It wasn't a question, but they answered anyway.

"Yeah, I am. I'm so sorry I left you. I didn't know that I was in there for so long. I'm so, so sorry."

They both had tears in their eyes, and for all they knew, it was just the two of them in this city made of sand.

"I thought I lost you. You were gone for so long, we all thought Alduin had won, or that you had both bested eachother..."

"I'm so sorry. I'm here, and I was so scared when I couldn't find you. I thought I had lost you. You don't know how long I was looking for you." Massacre felt like a broken record, but they didn't care. They couldn't imagine what he had gone through when he thought they were dead. They wished he never had to experience any of it.

"It's okay. You're here now, and that's what matters."

[goddessofeternity]

Chronicles of the Supernovas: Chosen

Chapter 16: Confrontations

Nim

The woman was dead set on holding a vigil for the people she could not bring back from the dead. Death gods were more uptight than the average god, and I could only suspect that she gave the God of Death something in return. As long as it didn’t impede our mission any further I didn’t really care. Although she was weak from the amount of power she had to use, she was intent on not slowing down for another moment longer. Frankly, it was one of the things I respected about her, although I suspected Callum wanted to drag out the vigil a bit, so she could take a break.

Stubborn woman.

Glancing over at Nerissa and Ka’seem they silently went through the town and carried the people who weren’t revived to our makeshift graves for them. The woman really ripped into them and it showed all over their slow and stiff movements. I would have my words for them later, because she had inflicted some fear into them and they gave her a wide berth of space. I smirked as she glared at them angrily as she buried the bodies. Callum was busy with the locals who looked equal parts scared and angry. Nerissa had briefly mentioned a woman who had surprised her with a godly weapon and injured her. I frowned as I looked at more people peeking at us from behind the buildings. If one had such a weapon, it wouldn't be strange for more people to have them. The female and Callum seemed to be more fruitful with their endeavors than the rest of us. We would have to deal with that when this clears up. So a trafficking ring, a star child, the Darkness and now we have beings with god killing weapons running around.

What the fuck is going on?

“Nim?”

I glanced at Nerissa as she fingered her ponytail nervously. I studied her face as she bit her lip and tugged the ends of her ruined skirt. I guess she could tell that I was pretty angry with her, and it was good that she did. Clearly we didn’t teach her enough in all these years, and once this was over I would be sure to drill some sense back into her. Smurfette could have Ka’seem, she would probably literally run him through. “Yes?”

“Callum says that we should start the service. The people are getting restless.” I glanced back at the populace and some were starting to argue with Ka’seem. Such a bold group of people. If it was any other God, they would be dead for even looking their way. I rolled my neck as I made my way over to the small service, the glares on my back meant little to me. The smurf gave me a quick glance and I made my way over to her. She was sitting suspended in the air, which told me that standing had been too much for her.

“What is it?”

“The mountains.”

“Hmm? Is that where the child is?”

“It…it should be…it would be lovely to know if it was a boy or girl…hell…even what they look like.”

“It is never easy.”

Her humorless chuckle was the only response I received as Callum started the service. Nerissa and Ka’seem already had their heads bowed as Callum began his prayer, and I closed my eye as he kept talking. It was silent for a time, save for Callum praying. The woman’s labored breathing made me open my eye to glance at her. I doubt anyone else heard it since she was holding back her struggle with everything else going on. She kept her head bowed and eyes closed throughout the service. I watched as sweat formed on her forehead. 

Stubborn.

“Celica…” She frowned at me but stopped when she saw my outstretched hand. Stepping back on the ground, she wordlessly took my hand and leaned her weight on me. Nothing really needed to be said as we watched the service and I poured what energy I could into her. She just needed enough to keep going and finish this. She would be taking a long rest after this mission was over, and I think I would as well. This was a fucking mess and no one wanted to admit it. I could blame it on the fact it had been some time since we had a mission together, but that was a shitty excuse. I frowned as some of the men marched over to the service.

“You and your people need to leave our home at once! You come here and you think that burying these people will absolve you! I can assure you that it will not!”

“I can assure you that we will leave at once…we only wish to give your people a good service. I know that our companions have-”

“Hey! We don’t care about your apologies! You and your people need to clear the fuck out now-”

“Is there a problem here?” I narrowed my eye as the men and Callum turned to look at me. I towered over them, and they all balked at me. Their entire mannerisms and tones changed as they backed away from me. Callum sighed, but I was not as friendly as he was, and they would accept this kindness from us whether they wanted it or not. 

“You people have done enough damage! You need to leave!”

“We…are going to bury these people and you are gonna back out of our way or I’ll bury you with them.”

“Nim!” I ignored Callum as the man looked at me in surprise.

“Do I make myself clear?” The man said nothing further, probably realizing it was a futile effort. Callum sighed more before he shot a quick glare at me. Shaking his head, he went back to finish the service. Nerissa and Ka’seem continued to keep their distance. I glanced down at the woman as she bit her nail in deep thought. She seemed a bit better, but she knew how to play a good poker face. She released my hand and went to join a frustrated looking Callum. I glared at the rest of the locals and they gave us a wide berth of space. I could only imagine how Lady Serafina would feel if she knew about this, and disappointing her would be a pain that I wouldn’t be able to bear. 

“Nim…” I looked to my left as Nerissa walked over to me. Callum was still doing his prayer and the woman had left my side to join him. I guess Nerissa saw her chance to speak with me again. “So I thought that-”

“You thought nothing, that is the problem Nerissa.”

“I-”

“You have a duty that you must uphold as a Supernova…this was not the time or place to be fucking the locals.” I crossed my arms as I continued to stare at the service. If I looked at her now, I would lose the last of my patience. She shuffled wordlessly at my side, probably trying to gather whatever words she thought would make this better. 

Nothing would make the death of an innocent better. 

“These people are dead because of your incessant need to sleep around. Families have been split apart unnecessarily because of you and Ka’seem. There is no amount of apologizes that can make this better for them Nerissa…” I exhaled deeply from my nose before I finally looked at her. She met my gaze easily, but I could see the tears springing to her eyes that she was forcing back. Her fists were shaking and despite my anger, I hated to feel so disappointed in her, but I was. She knew far better than this, and so did that damn Ka’seem. “These are your people Nerissa…this is not a good first impression…they might not like you coming back here after this.”

“...” Her fist relaxed, but the fear of my words crossed over her face. With a swipe of her hand, her tears disappeared. “I understand…I’ll continue to look over the service.”

“...” I furrowed my brow as I watched her walk away, her back straight and her usual strong resolve coursing over her once more. Ka’seem glanced my way, but I just shook my head and he continued with what he was doing. 

It took another hour, but we finished the service and I had to give Ka’seem some credit…he made the service beautiful with his use of his abilities. The thought that it was because of him and Nerissa still made it sour, but we just had to move past it. The woman needed the rest and it was not long before we made our way up to the mountains. The heat of Zhikar was starting to get irritating and I had already shed some of my layers off. The others weren’t doing any better as we continued our trek. Nerissa was lucky in that regard, having a resistance to heat didn’t seem to be a good blessing in my opinion, but now I could see it had its uses. 

The sun would not set for another few hours, and I could only hope that we’d actually make some progress this time. I could hear the sounds of ship engines and others landing, but it was still a bit far off. I would have actually preferred to come under the cover of night, but the woman was incessant on getting to them now. Glancing through the treetops, the barrier flickered and I walked forward faster. There was no telling when that thing would come down…I hated when she was right. 

“Hold on…” I looked back at Ka’seem as he scanned over the trees before his eyes narrowed on a distant tree. With the flick of a finger, a vine shot out and changed the direction of a camera. Hearing their cameras focus, I sent a minor jolt through the forest to disrupt them. At least one of us was paying attention, I was too focused on listening to the ships to even notice those cameras. I nodded at Ka’seem before we kept going. I could only hope that the others were paying as much attention as we should. 

“Do we need to discuss an approach to this?” This silence from everyone was starting to get to me, and that was saying a lot. 

“Well…I would say that we should split up to cover more ground…but it would be better to work as a unified front…” Callum appeared at my side and it was good to see that whatever was plaguing his mind had stopped for the time being. “We can clear out any adversaries quickly and then we can find the children.”

“I…agree…” The woman appeared on my right and I frowned at how pale her face was becoming. “We might have…the…the element of surprise now, but it will not last…forever…” My frown deepened as she looked up at the mountain with a frown. I opened my mouth, but she turned to glare at me before I could get the breath out. “We…are not stopping dog…shut the hell up….”

I held back my tongue as she floated past me and I rolled my eye instead. Truthfully, I should have dragged her ass back, but she would just fuss more. A few Onkai would not be a problem for any of us to deal with…unless anymore gods showed up…or…

“Nerissa.”

“Huh? Yes?” She quickly appeared in the woman’s place, her tone was enough to tell me she was eager to help with anything. 

“That Onkai…the one who attacked you with that weapon…did it seem like she was allied with anyone else?”

“No…she seemed to just be angry that I was here at all. I don’t know why, but she was definitely alone.”

“Alright…we can’t have anymore surprises.” The others answered back in agreement before the silence continued. The forests around the mountain were covered in cameras, and we needed to be quick before they realized that all of their cameras were on the fritz. The sounds of the ships were getting closer, but it was still far off. I would have brought up talking about a strategy, but a series of growls sounded in the brush around us. I was definitely not surprised to know that something would be out here to guard the ships. The Darkness probably had them ready in case they needed protection, but some simple beasts would never be enough. 

I willed my sword into my hand as deformed creatures of the Darkness finally showed their faces. I did not have the time to wonder why they looked as they did, because they were upon us in an instant. The quiet forest exploded with sound as the five of us fought back against the beasts. I found my gaze looking between my opponent and the woman. She was holding her own, but she was moving painfully slow. 

“Nim!”

“I know!” I turned as one lunged for my shoulder, and I hacked its head clean off before more seemed to spring from deeper in the woods. Peering into the thicket, I watched as more made their way towards us at an alarming rate. They were quick, despite the sounds of breaking bones and fevered breaths. These creatures were a joke compared to the usual ones that we would fight. Those beasts would have at least given us a challenge. 

With a charged step, I thrust my sword out and impaled several of them on my blade, before I slammed it into the ground, bolts of electricity rising from the ground. More of the creatures shrieked in pain, but more seemed to just come. Nerissa appeared at my side and with a nod, we both launched into our attack. 

Nerissa was as swift and precise as ever, just like I taught her. It was not so far-fetched to believe that her element was water. She was fluid and flexible with every strike of her ax, she was a splendid combatant. She never flinched as I swung my blade near her, confident in my own ability to not strike her. A giggle escaped her lips as her eyes blazed in excitement, blood was spilling everywhere and the smell they were emitting was burning my nose. The constant cracking of their movements matched every crack of lighting I inflicted on them with my sword. I cut another in half before it tried to to grab Nerissa by her hair, and she turned and vaulted over my shoulder and slammed her blade into another. 

Waves and waves of them were coming down the slope and it was making me more and more irritated. Ka’seem was helping the woman with a few creatures and Callum was collecting a large amount of bodies under his feet. I was about to join him, but a sharp pain in my shoulder stopped me. Before I could look at it, I was dragged away from the others. I cut the tendril that dragged me away and stood quickly to face my adversary. 

I narrowed my eye at the humanoid creature looking at me. Its head was tilted at a full 90 degree angle and its body was covered in dark scales. It was almost my height and its long talons reached the ground and clicked with an annoying metallic sound. Tendrils emerging from its back slapped the ground as it clicked at me. Its eyes were disturbingly calm and subdued, but the dark smile on its lips told me enough. The blood dripping from its rows of teeth also told me more than I wished to know. It would not matter, it would soon be deep in the bowels of hell. 

In unison, we both charged at each other and it swung its talons at me and I blocked them with my sword. I frowned as my blade did not break through its talons. I smirked as I pushed it back, it was not everyday that something could not easily be cut down from my blade. Its clicking noises were getting progressively louder as it charged back at me. I dodged its blows as I gripped my sword tight, preparing to swing back. I was surprised by its speed as it launched itself at me and kicked me square in the chest, driving me into the ground.

I held back my gasp of pain as I grabbed its ankle and slammed it into the ground beside me. It roared in pain and I raised my sword to hack off its head.

“Mama…” I paused mere inches from its neck. I…surely I didn’t hear what I think I did? My brows furrowed as it turned its head to look at me. Its eyes were frighteningly human and childlike, tears were even pricking the corners of its eyes. It whimpered as its eyes bore into my soul, childlike wails emerged from its maw. Children…I could not handle children…

I hesitated.

The Darkness made a foul beast indeed.

I blinked and it was suddenly upon me and I cursed to myself as it grabbed my face. My moment of hesitation led to it slamming me face first into the dirt, dragging me through the forest, before it flung me through several trees. I finally let out that gasp of pain and sprung back to my feet as it attacked me again. Its strikes were fiercer and more powerful now, and I could not get that image out of my head. The Darkness was making more and more hideous and monstrous creations, but this was by far the worst thing I had seen so far. To use the innocence of a child to make something like this was beyond anything I had seen, and I could not fathom why this was a necessary thing. 

Was this the reason it wanted the star child? To make a powerful creature to destroy everything?

I roared in anger as its tendrils struck out and me and I sliced them to pieces, but more just sprang from its back. This creature was a pain in the ass, and I had no doubts that I would be able to handle it, but that childish edge that it had…

With an inhuman shriek it charged at me once more and I matched its speed. We were a flurry of blows and the forest shook around us. I dug my feet into the dirt as I pushed it back and finally an opening had presented itself to me. The creature staggered over its feet and it flailed back, and I thrust my sword at its chest. 

“Help me…”

Its pained and terrified whisper shook me and I just barely moved my sword, just grazing its ribcage. It just had to have the fucking guise of a child. It was toying with me and it knew it, but I could not waste time on this damn thing. There were more important things to handle than this monstrosity, but perhaps…

I blinked as its talon was inches from my face, but I caught it and slammed my foot onto its chest, making it sink further into the ground. It roared and writhed under me, begging with the pained and anguished sounds of a child. I could not let anything get in the way of the star child, it would be disastrous…and Lady Serafina would be destroyed. 

I would never allow her to know sadness again. 

I channeled all of my energy into my body, the lightning crackling and snapping, damaging the forest around us. A heavy wind picked up as strom clouds brewed overhead. It was time to end this farce and move on. The creature looked at me with pure hatred and anger now, no longer was it trying to play with me, now it was just pissed. 

That would make this easy. 

With a simple flex of my arm, a torrent of lightning strikes rained down on the creature, the ground shaking and rumbling around me. The trees ripping from the ground, dead grass catching fire from the sparks, a large crater forming under my feet, slowing drawing us both down, as if it were quicksand. With a deep breath, the strikes stopped just as quickly as they came. I released the hand of the now charred monstrosity, and I sneered at it as it twitched in death, its tentrils weakly swaying before falling limp. 

Bowing my head, I said a quick prayer for it. It had once been something so innocent and good, the least I could do is pray its soul is at peace. 

“That is if Zeresu didn’t get her hands on it first…”

“Wow!”

I looked down at Nerissa as she just seemed to appear beside the creature, poking its remains with a finger. I looked over my shoulder and sure enough the others were done with what they were doing. I looked back at Nerissa as she played with one of the tendrils, and I snatched it away from her. 

“Hey! I at least wanted to take something back from this fight!”

“It was my fight in the first place, and besides…this creature was once a child. It needs to be treated better than some souvenirs, little one.”

“It…it was a kid?” Her face paled as she stood away from it. She almost heaved as she continued to look at it, but she quickly left my side. I placed the tendril back down before I rejoined the others. Callum and Ka’seem looked better than ever and didn’t have a single scratch on them. Bodies were piled up a few feet from them, and the smell of death was very heavy now that I caught my bearings. I glanced at the woman as she coughed and Nerissa gave her some water to drink. 

She still looked as if she could fall over and die at any second, but she was holding strong despite all of the fighting that just happened. 

Shame. 

“Don’t look so down…dog….” 

It was like she could read my fucking mind. 

Bitch.

“Come on…we have to move quickly…they will be on alert now after hearing all of that fighting.” Callum spoke quickly before I could retort. She was lucky…I would have thrown her into orbit and she wouldn’t have the strength to come back. Although, that barrier would probably stop her sudden departure. I’d pay money to see her get fried like a mosquito. Regardless, it was time to continue our trek. My display just now would probably have them scrambling, but it was not like they could make it very far. I could hear them in the distance, but it must have been obvious to them that they could do nothing. 

“Nim…” I glanced at Callum as he walked up to me, a deep frown of concern running across his face. “We have to talk about the other children…and Celica…”

“If the woman wants to carry on then that is her problem Callum…you know that neither one of us have ever been able to talk her out of anything.”

“She needs to rest…one of us should stay with her back here, while the rest of us go on…”

“So make the other two babysit then…they would be able to subdue her since she’s weak…”

“Nim…”

“I’m not doing it Callum…she is a Goddess…she is fully aware of the actions she has chosen. She made the decision to weaken herself. I won’t slow down for her, none of us should.”

“And if her weakened state gets her killed?”

“She-“

“Is a Goddess yes…but now we know there is a black market here and the denizens have access to god killing weapons.”

“….” I hated when he was right, especially when it came to matters like this. I was fully intent on letting the woman go through her pains and finish this mission. I glanced at her and she was lagging further and further behind.

Damn it.

I growled low in my throat as Callum smiled at me triumphantly, already knowing that he won this debate. I truly could not stand this group of imbeciles. 

I marched over to the woman, just as she tripped over a low branch, and I caught her wrist before she slammed against the ground.

“Oh!” She looked grateful until she saw that it was me and her face contorted into a frown. “You can let me go…”

“Hn.”

I watched as she straightened herself out and walked ahead of me more confidently. Callum watched on with a pleased grin, and I wanted to smack the hell out of him. I kept my eye on her as she started to stagger about. It was not long before her breath grew heavy once again, and I had finally had enough. 

“You know that you can rely on us…”

“….” A frown crossed her face as she considered my words. She watched Ka’seem and Nerissa as they conversed with Callum. I could already hear what she wanted to say before her mouth even opened. “How can I? How can I…possibly rely on them?”

“They did something stupid-“

“Stupid?!” Her hair raised in her outburst as the ground beneath her feet froze. “They…I…what would possess them to…do that…”

“Your guess is as good as mine.”

“So…so many I couldn’t…I hate failing the beings that we’re supposed to protect.” She rubbed her arms as a deep frown of sadness engulfed her. It was funny that she was the most empathetic of all of us. Sure, we all cared for the well being of the lives across the cosmos, but she didn’t know how to give up on anyone. I suppose that she was the best of us, which was also funny since Callum exists in the group. I never knew what to say when she was like this, so I just kept quiet and kept an eye on her as we kept up our climb. Callum glanced at us a few times, but other than that, it was quiet. 

After about 15 minutes, we finally were overlooking the group of our targets. Several ships were docked off deep in the woods, but my attention was solely focused on the group of children that were being moved towards a building past the ships. All different species of children were there as far as I could see. They had cut most of the forest away to make room for their ships and the building housing the children. I imagine that our main adversary was deep in the building somewhere. 

“Alright…Ka’seem is there any underground areas in the building we need to know of?”

“Let me see…” We waited as he crouched and held his hand against the grass, his brow furrowing in deep thought. “There is an underground area, but it only goes down one level. There are more children down there too.”

“Ok…we have to be mindful of the children. They are our first priority in this. If the leader decides to show themselves we ignore them. We are just here for the children and the star child.”

“We’re gonna have to deal with more creatures of the Darkness.” Ka’seem sighed as he looked over the hill once more. Sure enough, I could see those abominations prowling around the area. I wonder if those were also more children that were warped into such creatures. Hopefully they could be saved by the end of this, but that was asking too much. 

Our job was never that simple.

“Nerissa…you’re with me and Callum. Ka’seem you go with the smurf and make sure to keep an eye on her. I know we discussed not splitting up, but this might be the best option.”

I could feel her fuming to yell at me as the pair nodded in agreement. Once we went over our plan once more, we split up to execute it. Ka’seem and the woman were circling around the back to try and sneak into the building. Myself and the others would attack them outright, it would create the distraction they needed and draw those abominations towards us. The plan was to focus entirely on the children, but I was concerned about the leader. I had no information on this “Morlo” and I hated that. An unknown was always annoying to deal with. The Darkness could have given this man any kind of ability that could be a problem for us.

Sliding down the hill, we crouched into the bushes. Callum nodded before he disappeared into the brush to our right. Clapping my hands together and rubbing them, a lightning cloud started to form above us. Nerissa rolled her hands together and a steady rain started to fall. The children were upset about it, but the guards kept moving them along. With a faster combined pressure, the lightning began to hit the building as well as some of the ships. A panic quickly spread, and Nerissa rained down a torrent of water upon them.

The mixture caused many to stumble through the rain, most shielding their faces to try and see through it all and avoid the wrath of my lightning. With a shout, Nerissa charged out and began to tear the men down. Callum jumped from a high tree, slamming his foot into one’s face. I could hear the crunch of his bones breaking before Callum vaulted over his face to strike another. The children were frozen in fear which was good, they didn't need to be running off.

My strikes matched each lightning strike as I fought some of the creatures. They were grotesque and horrid, but I wouldn’t let them distract me from what I had to do. I winced as a claw sliced across my back. I turned and grabbed its jaw before it clamped on my shoulder. I tore its jaw back before I used the remaining pieces to slam into another one. I didn’t waste anymore time as I went to fight some other creatures. Nerissa and Callum didn’t waste much time and they engaged in their fights. I grunted as one was suddenly airborne and took me with it. 

I did not like being in the air! Damn, vertigo!

The fucking thing was stupid as hell to have me in the air in the middle of a lightning storm. So, I called down a quick strike and toasted the damn thing. Releasing me, I summoned my sword to my hand and with a downward strike, I slammed hard into the ground, causing it to rumble and shake. The lightning and rain washing over the place, sending several of their ships toppling over. 

“Careful Nim!” I grunted as I pulled my sword from the ground and shrugged at Callum, who just rolled his eyes at me. I leapt from the hole and joined his side as the creatures began to surround us, but a bloodthirsty Nerissa soon jumped over the horde and landed on my left. “So…how should we precede?”

“Nerissa…rally up the children.” Her frustrated groan made me smirk. “You can tear a few of them down for us on the way…”

“Excellent….” 

I blinked as a bullet grazed my cheek and I turned to glare at several men that had their guns and other weapons raised. Nerissa didn’t waste anymore time as she tore into the crowd, and Callum was not far behind her. The children were smart enough to hide in the forest away from the fight. Ka’seem and the woman should be making good progress on the children still inside the building. I was going to join the fray to wrap things up, but I paused as I felt a chill under my feet. 

Looking at the ground, a heavy layer of ice seemed to be coming up from the ground. It spread across the ground and the ground beneath our feet began to tremble and groan. What were the two of them doing down there? I had no real time to ponder on it, because even several layers above the surface, I could hear the woman shout.

“NO!”

And then the world exploded around us.

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