#sorry Cloud maybe next time xD

[threshasketch]

Was feeling stressed out, so I chilled for a couple of hours today drawing a page of tiny characters (and listening to music, of course.) This is a mix of OCs and familiar characters; from top to bottom, left to right, here is the list:

Dean Winchester

Sam Winchester

Castiel

Jack Kline

Tito Barvot-Gest

Som Barvot-Gest (Tito's hubby)

Merton Laughingshadow

Etienne

Cristante

Preston

Javier

Michael

Luna

Drythur Brightmane

Alarie Lioden

Xalia

Cloud Strife (attempted without reference, whoops...)

Garey Crosse

Sheppard Crosse (Garey's twin)

Lubella

Justicia Briggs

Seth

Orrow

Near

Matt

Mello

Light Yagami

L Lawliet

Heero Yuy

Duo Maxwell

Trowa Barton

Quatre Reberba Winner

Chang Wufei

Hitomi Kanzaki

Van Fanel

Allen Schezar

Merle

Dilandau Albatou

Dryden Fassa

Millerna Aston

Folken Fanel

Tatsu

Miku

Masa

Tora

Lina Inverse

Gourry Gabriev

Zelgadis

Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun

Xellos

Filia

Lanto

Jenny

Chaster

Tasuki

Chichiri

Pascal

Nora

Neal Moody

Landon

[mullermilkshake]

Heeey, I few days ago i found your blog and I'm absolutely obsessed with your Yakuza!AU, and I was wondering if we can get more of Yakuza Suguru <3

Love your posts btw💞

Thanks so much!!! That's so kind of you to say, I'm literally so obsessed with the AU and there will be TONS of content to come over the next year.

I love Yakuza!Suguru so much it hurts XD

Enjoy some fluffy stuff <3

A gold band

Yakuza!Suguru x Wife!reader Tags: Yakuza AU, Wife reader, Fem reader, twin children, daughters, fluff, guilt, established relationship.

<- Back to arc masterlist

Suguru fiddled with the gold wedding band on his ring finger as the car pulled up to the house outside of Shinkuju. He was running far more than late than he anticipated, by now he was sure the girls were tucked into bed and you were waiting up for him fuming for missing dinner.

How on earth was he going to make up for this?

"Anything else you need before I go, sir?"

"No, that'll be all for tonight Miguel. Be sure to pick me up in the morning to visit the Nanami office though, you know how he likes punctuality."

Suguru opened the car door by himself and slipped out, eyeing the dingy night sky behind a torrent of dark stormed clouds just waiting to unleash its pressure over Tokyo.

Miguel leaned over and wound the window down. "Of course, should I bring breakfast?"

"No, I think I'll have breakfast with my girls in the morning, so just get what you want and head over after. Thanks for everything tonight."

"Sure thing, goodnight."

As the car drove away, Suguru drew in an anxious breath and adjusted the cuffs of his suit. By the time on his watch he had neglected to read on purpose as it would only make things worse, the time read way past the appropriate time to eat.

The depressive point being that by now, Suguru wasn't even hungry any more.

She's going to kill me for this, isn't she? Maybe. But that wouldn't be all that bad, because then he wouldn't have to deal with all this drama currently within the Ryomen clan to his name.

It couldn't be so bad to have his neck squeezed he supposed.

When he approached the front door, it was already unlocked. That wasn't ever a good sign. The lights were off besides the low table lamp in the living area, amber in the corner with warmth, and there you were sitting on the sofa with Mimiko and Nanako resting their sleeping heads on your lap.

"They wanted to wait for you to get back. Nanako threw an absolute fit because you weren't there to read them a story, so I compromised that they could wait."

"I'm sorry, dear. I never intended to be this late."

He knelt down in front of you and took your hand, feeling the same gold band on the same finger. Your body warmed it through, practically burning away at his guilt for leaving you sitting there in an empty room for dinner.

"It's alright, Miguel is quite the charmer when he wants to be," your smile was devious, more likely enough to show that Suguru wasn't in the dog house.

Thank goodness.

"I bet he can, I told him as much to tell you in person that I would be late. I'm counting on that he got his fill of dinner while he was here?"

You nodded slowly, watching the girls sleep. "He spent a little time with he girls before he was called away to the club."

The club was something he didn't need reminding of. The break in, the calculated theft and all round fuckery with Ryomen Sukuna's expectations.

Not tonight.

"So he was fooling around when he should have been working? I'll have him reprimanded immediately."

You stifled your laughter at his sarcasm, pressing your finger to his lips. "Leave the poor man alone."

The fact was Miguel loved the girls. Mimiko and Nanako adored him just as much and by this point in Suguru's life, Miguel was far more than just a fellow Yakuza.

He was true family.

"Daddy?" Nanako rubbed her little eyes and yawed, shifting her head from your lap to sit up and dangle her legs over the edge of the sofa.

"Hello Princess," He opened out his arms and pulled her into an embrace as she leant forward into him. "I heard you gave Mama a hard time when you had to sleep."

Her sleepy little head drooped suddenly as she fought to stay awake. "You were far away... and you promised to read us our book."

"I did, didn't I? I'm sorry I couldn't be there."

"So I ate your cake."

"My cake?"

Scooping Mimiko up who was long since passed out in her heavy dreamed sleep, you watched Suguru stand with such a nurturing smile. "I made cheesecake. The girls demolished it and almost nipped Miguels fingers off. He was lucky to even get a slice."

"I missed cheesecake?"

He missed your matcha cheesecake for that travesty at the club? Your special cheesecake that was his absolute favourite?

Nanako stretched sleepily and clung to his neck. "Uh huh..."

Maybe it was time for Suguru to leave his Yakuza life behind and just beg you to open up a sweet shop so he could taste your baking every day. It was a hell of a lot safer. Though one shop wouldn't pay for this house or the best of everything for his girls.

A pipe dream was better than nothing.

Suguru led the way to the stairs and took each step with you following close behind him. "How about this then? I'll make sure I'm home really early tomorrow and we'll go to the children's park."

"I love the park..." Mimiko's eyes rolled open, she clutched her little doll and snuggled into the crook of your neck.

"I know you do sweetheart, if you two sleep well then maybe you can do that with Daddy tomorrow. But only if you both go back to sleep and be good," you nuzzled back into her and brought your lips to her hair for sweet consecutive pecks.

"We are good... Mama," Nanako's words began to slur.

And by the time you and Suguru reached the girls bedroom, they were out in dreamland once more. They clung to their blankets and toys sprawled across their covers and balled up close with delicate snores and breaths.

Suguru could have watched them all night snoozing away innocently, totally unaware of the horrors and disgusting shit out in the Shinjuku district.

All the unspeakable things their own Father had done.

"Don't do that."

"Hmm?" Suguru turned to see you leaving the bedroom.

"That thing you do when you feel guilty about what you do for a living. Whenever the time comes and they find out, they'll still love you. Just like I do."

"I know you do, just like you always have. I just can't help but wonder what we'll be like in fifteen years."

Will the Yakuza still be the height it had been for the last decade, or would it shift completely? Suguru had two twin girls to think about.

That wasn't to say he didn't enjoy his lifestyle. He did. He grew up alongside his sworn brother and became a man in a way that was respectful. He evolved with you right there next to him.

Still, this wasn't the life he wanted for his girls.

And it was obvious to him that you knew that too. "We'll still be a family, Suguru. That's all that matters, right?"

He only nodded and closed the gap between you to hold you close to him. "I'm sorry I was late, Dear. You and the girls are what matter most to me."

"I know, and there's still some of the night left," you pulled away just a fraction to look up at him. "I managed to sneak a slice of cheesecake away from the girls when they weren't looking."

"You know the way to my heart, don't you?"

"That's one way to your heart for sure. I just so happen to know to you like the back of my hand."

Suguru leant in and pressed his lips to yours, so short and sweet it would have melted the very foundations of the house. "I can't deny that. You're best at reading me like a book when no one else can."

"Besides Satoru I suppose."

You often joked that Satoru was a third member in this marriage. Just the thought made Suguru hide his chuckle into your shoulder as he leant down.

"Yeah, Besides Satoru."

On a night like this, Suguru knew that whatever happened, things would be alright.

Because he had his family.

<- Prev

-> Next

[jujutsubaby]

after hours (part 9)

☆ pairing: toji fushiguro x afab!reader, satoru gojo x afab!reader ☆ summary: the morning after your ravenous night with toji leaves you wanting more, especially after being interrupted by the weight of all your responsibilities. thank god gojo is there to help, right? ☆ tags: modern au, babysitting au, academia au ☆ warnings: 18+ !! MINORS DNI !! oral sex (m!recieving), dirty talk, gojo being a male menace ☆ a/n: one chapter, two guys...y/n is on a roll xD she's living her best life. also this one is a bit short but i promise it's bc i've got a lot cooking for the next chapter!! sry it took so long to update too i'm still getting thru a bunch of asks and other fics and everything and also starting a new job. life is weird but fun! 🖤🤍 series masterlist 🤍🖤

you wake up feeling extremely tired and groggy; the sun is hidden behind the clouds this morning, but it’s the after effects of the joint you smoked with toji last night that gives you a brutally rude awakening. feeling more sluggish than usual, it takes you a while to remember where you are, the lack of decorations in a plain master bedroom throwing you off. it’s not until you hear toji shifting next to you that all the memories from last night flood your mind: his call you accidentally accepted, him hearing everything you and satoru did, cumming three times – no four times last night…

oh god. you really went all out this time. you had fun but oh my god, you have a final to prep for! you turn over and face toji and see he’s still fast asleep and then you check the time: 6:30am. still pretty early. you check your phone and see a couple messages from shoko and satoru. you check shoko’s first: 

shoko: comin home tn?

shoko: everything good????

oh my god, you totally forgot to tell shoko you would be potentially spending the night with toji, and your stomach drops at how worried she must’ve been. you quickly type out a response: 

y/n: OMG I SPENT THE NIGHT AT TOJI’S IM SO SORRY I FORGOT TO TELL U :(

you check satoru’s texts: 

satoru [10:04pm]: missed ya at the study group :( 

satoru  [10:06pm]: wyd tmw? wanna study? 

satoru [1:17am]: what position he got u in?

wow. it started off so nicely until he… gojo’d it up. so close. you’re not even sure why you got into this complicated mess with him to begin with. 

y/n: ur sooo insufferable

y/n: i’ll be in the university library if u wanna come in the afternoon to study  🙄

“am i interrupting something?” you’re startled as toji wraps his muscular arms around you, holding you closer to his chest.. your bad mood quickly dissipates as you feel something hard grazing your ass. you turn your head to face toji as you grin groggily. 

“you’re not but it seems like you wanna start somethin’...” you say, slowly shaking your ass  against his erect member. toji’s hands slip under your sweatshirt and travel up to your chest, finding the mounds of your titties and playing with them as he thrusts his hips against your ass. 

“maybe…” you bite your lip and lean closer to him, engulfing him in a messy, sloppy kiss. his tongue darts out, rediscovering your mouth again as you sigh into him. you shift your body so that you’re facing him, and wrap your legs around his waist as his hands move slowly from your titties to your cheeks of your ass, massaging them as they grind slowly on him. 

“fuck, pumpkin, you’re gonna drive me crazy,” toji groans as his sweats become increasingly uncomfortable due to how much his throbbing member is straining to get out. you playfully bite his lip, driving him even crazier. in swift motions, he pulls on top of him without breaking the kiss, and you yelp in surprise. your core reflexively starts to grind properly on his arousal, causing you to soak through your panties. 

toji unexpectedly thrusts into your clothed core, causing you to yelp before toji quickly slaps a hand over your mouth. “shh, can’t wake up –” he grunts as you desperately rut against his arousal,  “can’t wake up megumi…” his eyes suddenly snap open in panic as he stills your hips. he quickly grabs his phone and checks the time and swears under his breath. 

“what’s going on?” you whine, upset that he put an end to your early morning shenanigans. you lay your body on top of him while cradling his face as you press small wet kisses to his jawline, hoping he’ll forget about whatever he has to do today. ugh, just thinking that thought makes you annoyed about all the things you have to do today, now…

toji groans, willing himself to focus in spite of your soft kisses and whines. “gotta wake megumi up in 30…soccer meet…” 

oh, fuck. you totally forgot about that – the whole reason you and toji baked brownies in the first place. there’s no arguing with him about this and you know it, but god, you really wish you didn’t have to face reality so soon. you’d do anything to stay in a little bit more of momentary bliss before having to get back to the real world with final exams. you complain and sigh under your breath as you slowly slide off toji, as he apologizes and gets up slowly, both of you still trying to shake the sleep from your body. 

your eyes pan down to the tent in toji’s sweats, still visible. hm, maybe you don’t have to leave just now. you bite your lip in anticipation as you touch toji’s chest lightly, and drag your fingers slowly down to the waistband of his sweats, and then on top of the bulge of his own arousal. you apply some light pressure as you loosely grip it, causing toji to suck in a sharp breath. 

“fuck, don’t make this harder than it has to be, pumpkin. just told you we can’t…gotta get ready and –”

“c’mon toji~,” you coo sultrily, using your finger to trace the outline of him, “it’ll be a quickie. i’ll suck you off and you’ll finish before it’s even time…” you make a show of swallowing in anticipation and hunger to have him in your mouth, and toji pinches the bridge of his nose. he wants you. bad. and maybe it won’t hurt anyone if megumi is like, what, 5 minutes late to the meet? it’s just fucking soccer. 

“you’re gonna be the death of me.” he says sharply, but you can hear the hint of playfulness in his voice. “y’got 5 minutes to make me cum, think you’re up to the challenge?” toji teases, as he already begins to bunch your hair up in a makeshift ponytail and pulls you close down on him. 

you giggle, and bite your lip to look up at him. “bet.” you immediately get straight to work on him, palming him through his sweats before slowly bringing down his sweats. you use your palm to rub against his raging arousal, and his guttural moan only spurs you on. 

“no teasing, pumpkin, time’s ticking…” toji keeps his hands firmly grasped in your hair, having full control on your head. you would be lying if you weren’t turned on at the fact that he could start fucking your mouth anytime he wanted to with his vice like grip, but you ignore the pool forming between your thighs. toji releases his throbbing member from its confines, the tip begging for attention.

you start slow, kissing his tip delicately and gradually taking more of him with every kiss, until you have him inside your mouth. you use your tongue swirl around his tip, causing him to let out a breathy groan. “f-fuck, pumpkin, just like that…” he lightly pushes your head down, carefully allowing you to take in more of his length. “i know you can take more. such a slutty girl dying to suck me off first thing in the morning.” 

you moan against him, his filthy words spurring you take even more of him and until he hits the back of your throat, making you gag a little. toji takes control of your movements and starts bobbing your head up and down his shaft.

you feel his shaft twitching and his breaths getting shakier and you know toji is close. “fuck, pumpkin, gonna cum all over you.” toji increases the pace in which he fucks your mouth and you get ready to feel his spillage down your throat before he abruptly lifts your mouth off of him. he guides to the ground on your knees, while he strokes himself off. 

“wanna see myself all over you face, pumpkin,” he groans, increasing the speed of his strokes. “y’gonna let daddy cum all over your face?” you nod your head enthusiastically, and take your tongue out so that the tip touches it as it bobs from toji’s strokes. just as he promised, toji splatters your face with his cum like a jackson pollock painting, and whatever gets on your tongue, you make a lewd attempt to swallow. 

“fuck,” toji says, out of breath, “you’re such a fuckin’ slut you know that?”. he leans down and wipes some of his release from your face with his thumb and you open your mouth to suck on it. “bet you’re soaked under there…” toji murmurs, as his eyes trail down to your shorts. you bite your lip in anticipation as his hands trail down to the waistband of your shorts. he dips his fingers under your panties, and just as his fingers are about to touch the one place you really needed him to, the alarm in toji’s room and megumi’s room goes off. 

both you and toji quickly snap out of your lustful trance and remember reality. “oh, fuck” toji swears as he quickly puts on his pants as you grab tissues from the bedside drawer to clean up the mess on your face. if there’s a term for getting blue balled but for girls, you have it for sure, but you feel bad whining about it since there’s nothing the both of you can do about it. 

you’re about to head to the bathroom to wash up as toji puts on a jacket before heading to megumi’s room to wake him up. meanwhile, you use the toothbrush that toji had been so kind to bring for you the last time you spent the night and freshen up. it’ll be fine. just don’t think about how your clit is literally throbbing right now or how your panties are soaked. don’t think about how close his fingers are. don’t. don’t. DON’T! 

you frustratedly head downstairs to pack up your stuff. maybe if you make it home fast enough, you can use your vibrator to get some quick release from this morning. yes, that seems like the way to go. your thoughts are interrupted by toji coming downstairs with megumi.

“good morning, megumi”, you sing. he looks especially cute when he’s just tired and just woken up, with his big little yawns and droopy eyes. 

“mornin’...” he mumbles as toji puts him down. he rubs his eyes as he goes into the garage to get his cleats. 

toji walks to you and gives you an apologetic look. “sorry, pumpkin, i hate you leave you needy like this.” toji playfully pouts as he pulls you into a hug. he runs his fingers through your hair as you inhale his scent – spiced wood and a hint of his laundry detergent. 

“you owe me,” you say, looking up at him. “it’s taking everything in me to not jump your bones right this second.” you’re not totally lying when you say that. 

toji leans down to whisper in your ear. “the next time i see you, i’m gonna be eating you out for fuckin’ hours, pumpkin.” you shudder in anticipation, and you realize this conversation is not helping your situation… 

you pull up to the driveway of your apartment and quickly take the stairs two at a time, as you want nothing more than to take a quick shower (and maybe cum your brains out, too, who knows? hard to tell.). you open the door to see shoko already dressed and making waffles for breakfast. the smell of maple syrup and butter makes your mouth salivate as you realize just how hungry you are. 

“welcome back, slut!” shoko shouts from the kitchen. 

“mornin’ bitch!” you greet, as you take your shoes off at the entrance. shoko pokes her head out of the kitchen and eyes you up and down. “wait, what are you doing up so early?” you ask, realizing shoko usually is never awake before 10. 

“remember? i told you i needed to start studying step 3 like yesterday!” she says. you can’t recall if she ever said anything about taking the medical licensing exam before right now, but it does no good for you to fight her on it. 

“wait, are you going to the library to study, then?” maybe you could tag along with her and then you’ll be forced to actually make progress with the final exam. 

“yes, wanna come? you and satoru have a final right? and you’re just out and about “babysitting”?” shoko does dramatic air quotes around that word, making you roll your eyes. 

“you’re one to talk when you apparently have step 3 and you were with utahime last night,” you retort. 

“she’s a teacher, okay! she was teaching me!”

“teaching you to put your tongue down her throat.” you try to hold back your smile but fail. 

shoko laughs before going back to her playfully stern face. “get your shit ready for the library quickly, slut. i made you an extra waffle.”

you promise you’ll be out as soon as possible as you head to your room and take the fastest shower known to mankind. no really, you do not want to be caught dead being late for something shoko wants to do. you chuck your clothes into the laundry hamper as you decide on what to wear to study on a…damn. a rainy sunday. you decide on a cashmere blush pink turtleneck sweater with a pair of comfy black mom jeans. underneath it, you layer a skin tight full sleeve gray shirt to keep you warm. you quickly do your skin care and apply minimal make up, before grabbing your black raincoat and bag and going back to the kitchen. 

you see shoko almost finished with her waffle while yours is neatly set on a plate with strawberries (your favorite fruit), butter, and maple syrup. you quickly pat down your wet hair as you take a seat (you’re just gonna have to settle for wet hair in the rain today but it’s okay, it’s not like you have anyone to impress). you quickly scarf down the semi-cold waffle while you and shoko update each other about yesterday. 

“i can’t believe he blue balled you like that! jobless and a menace!” shoko says sympathetically. 

“stop calling him jobless! his job is being a father.” you defend toji, but you won’t lie, it’s a bit hard. 

shoko and you both giggle as you guys head to the campus library. 

you yawn as you take a sip of your iced hong kong coffee milk tea. this shit’s doing nothing to keep you awake. you check the time. 2:56pm. you’ve been studying for around 6 hours already, and your brain is fried. you’ve tried to take frequent breaks with shoko, but she has very unconventional study methods – study for hours straight and then sleep for double the amount of time and then rinse and repeat. it was psychotic to say the least. that is to say, you haven’t had a chance to wind down in between hours. the bright side, however, is that you were lightyears ahead of your study schedule. maybe you could afford to fuck around a little bit… 

you grab your phone from your bag and see 2 missed calls from satoru. shit. you can’t call him from this particular campus library since it was a designated quiet library, so you text him insead: 

y/n: sorry i missed ur calls what’s up

satoru: comin in 5 what floor u at babygirl

y/n: 5th and don’t call be babygirl 

satoru: np babygirl 

you roll your eyes. it’s so infuriating to talk to satoru sometimes, but especially now after you both shared an unexpected kiss (and more) together. now that you think of it, this is the first time you’re seeing him since the barcade. should you be feeling nervous? strangely, you’re feeling fine. if anything, you’re feeling that unfortunate familiar feeling down there that you forgot about after toji left you hanging, but are now remembering because of satoru. 

you’re not one to make moves on someone like satoru, but you bite your lip thinking about how maybe (read: definitely) convince him to…take a walk with you as a study break. you ponder on it a little bit more, weighing out the pros and cons. 

pros are that you’ll finally be able to get a release, especially after this morning and working so hard. the cons, however, are mainly that you’ll be doing that with…satoru. your best friend. your annoying will-definitely-make-fun-of-you-for-this-request best friend. with satoru being around a minute from getting here, you decide on just winging it based on how you feel. 

shoko and you hear sounds coming from the corner entrance of the floor and look up to see nanami, haibara, and satoru trailing behind them, balancing three cups of coffee in one hand with ease. satoru and haibara are snickering about something and nanami looks embarrassed to be near them and starts walking a bit faster ahead of them. you wave your hand and grab his attention as the group walks to your table. 

“hey y/n! how’s it goin–”

“if any of you idiots even speak more than a word above an undetectable whisper, i’m going to kill you all.” shoko says, interrupting nanami’s greeting. 

you all look at each other silently, taking shoko’s threats to heart. 

“gojo, i swear to god if you say even a single thing–” shoko starts as satoru’s shit eating grin starts to form slightly as he pulls a chair next to you. 

“relaaaaaax, ieri. you won’t even know i exist, besides, you can’t hate me. i got you coffee!,” he assures, placing one of the three coffee cups near shoko. you don’t believe him and you suspect shoko doesn’t either.  haibara and nanami sit across from you next to shoko as they keep their heads down and pull out their books and laptops as quietly as humanly possible. you give a meek wave to them. 

gojo silently hands you a clear iced cup, with what you can only deduce to be an iced matcha latte with oatmilk. you apprehensively take a sip. unsweetened. just how you like it. “wow, my signature order?”

“what can i say? i’m a guy who pays attention.” satoru says, shrugging overtly humbly. 

“more like you’re obsessed with me.” you take another sip. 

“is that such a bad thing?” he says, lowering his voice, and bringing his face closer to you.

“you guys need to shut the fuck up.” shoko says, not looking up from her laptop and whatever she was writing in her notebook. 

“hey, i just booked a study room on the floor. let’s head there and study so we don’t bother shoko-san.” says haibara, as he closes his laptop and slowly gathers his stuff from his desk. 

“good idea!” you say, as you grab your stuff to move. satoru hasn’t bothered to take a single thing out, so he grabs your coffee and waits for you to pack up your things as nanami and haibara go ahead of you to secure the room. you and satoru follow closely behind. 

“sooo…” satoru starts. 

“sooo what?” your voice a low whisper as you walk away from the table shoko is studying at.

“how was last night?” 

you roll your eyes. of course he wants to know that. you spin the question back to him. “how was your night?” 

“it was fine. boring, really, because we kept on talking about quantum theory and like, all i could think of was, ugh.” satoru dramatically rubbed his temples to feign agony. “all i could think of was bending you over on a table and using my tongue to lick your–”

“WHAT?! SHUT THE FUCK–” you quickly lowered your voice as people gave you dirty looks around the library at your outburst. “shut the fuck. up. satoru.” your eyes widen at how bold he was to say something like that at a library. with nanami and haibara just a little ahead of you. 

gojo seems unbothered and shrugs. “you asked?”

“yeah, people ask and you just say ‘it was good, thanks.’ not explicitly laying out all your thoughts!” you chastise. you’re choosing to ignore that oh so familiar feeling between your legs. 

gojo takes a sip of his coffee. “c’mon, y/n. let’s just…man, fuck this ‘study session’”. you’re unsure why he does air quotes around ‘study session’ because for all intents and purposes, you did plan to use this time to get ahead of your study plan. “let’s just go back to my place or somethin’. suguru’s not home, we can just chill. do some of that studying you wanna do, and like, whatever else.” 

“you’re literally too horny function.”

“don’t act like you don’t wanna as well.”

ok, he got you there. “not right now, i wanna study!” you look at him, this time with pleading eyes. “don’t say anything horny in there, please. i can’t have people know about this, it’s so embarrassing.” 

“ouch.”

“don’t say anything in there and i’ll blow you in the library after you explain the quantum theory stuff that’s gonna be on the final to me.”

this deal makes satoru’s eyes widen. it’s too good to be true for him, because if there’s one thing he’s good at besides being a male menace, it’s explaining tough science concepts to cute girls. “deal.”

[tinypandacakes]

Trapper, Keeper has been such a big comfort fic for me over the last month while I’ve been in and out of hospital having multiple surgeries on my leg. you’re an incredible author and your storytelling always has me on the edge of my seat! I cannot wait for the next chapter, but I’m very happy you’re taking time for yourself! I hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly and that you get plenty of rest <3 I was wondering if we’ll see any other kinks introduced in the next few chapters? apart from the ones already tagged ��💕

Ahh I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with some health issues :( that sounds incredibly painful and stressful. I hope you’re able to get the care you need and get to spend more time healing at home

I’m very glad that Trapper Keeper has provided you with a bit of comfort 💕🐇

Thank you! I’m doing better each day.

As far as upcoming kinks/smut…Mini spoiler below for ch. 13 (or maybe 14/15 depending on where I break it) but since you asked … ;)

Kinks in the next few chapters include knife kink, very very very mild blood kink (related to knife usage), a bit of dubcon to noncon bondage, and I’m like 50/50 on a little spanking scene. It has to work for the characters and flow with the rest of the scene as written, so I may cut that part…but we will see. Hase has been very, very bad, and König’s patience is pushed to the limit…

But sometimes I get WAY too horny/porny when writing and scale it back/cut scenes and reuse them later or just scrap em. I have a vision but sometimes it’s clouded by how unwell I am for this 40ish yr old man…XD I have to remind myself that his dick cannot be out in every scene lol lol so don’t be mad if all of that doesn’t make it in yet. Thats just what’s in my outline :3

[moonspirit]

Hi my dear Moon!

Hope you're doing well.

So, for the writer's ask🖤

1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16

(sorry, it's a lot, but you know, I'm always glad to see you speaking about your writing and amazing talent)

Hello Anna T^T Thank you for the ask!

1. What are you most proud of in your writing right now?

Well, let's see. I've never been particularly proud or confident in my writing, ever, I think, but recently I've been rather happy with structuring and scene progression. It feels nice to have events and things take place somewhat evenly and as planned :3

2. Is there something you're specifically working on to improve your writing?

Vocabulary. Vocabulary will kill me T_T I hate english sometimes T^T

8. What piece of advice did you hear/read recently that's been helping you to improve your writing?

Not particularly recently, but also recently (iykyk), but: to take things one at a time. I tend to freak out if I haven't had the next 5 (minimum) chapters fully planned out and drafted, and this has been a rather new anxiety haha xD Until around Chapter 13 of VBEOW, I wasn't stressing myself with meticulously outlining future chapters all that far ahead; it was at most the immediate next chapter and then the next one too, with everything else having a general idea, but not too detailed. But since ch.13 when the plot started to get a little more complicated and dense, I realized I had to have the next 5-10 chapters fully outlined and structured or I would mess things up. This has had its pros, but also its cons where now I'm scared to death if I'm a little late with planning that structuring. I need to remind myself that it's okay, to breathe, and to take one step at a time >_<

9. What do you feel that you are naturally talented with in terms of creative writing?

Uhhhhh XD I have no clue, to be very honest, but maybe I'm quite decent with blending non-canon-imagined-flashbacks and canon-events?

10. Do you have any personal pet peeves about your writing that you're working to change?

I get too hung up on how best to describe movements, especially during smut. It's a nightmare T^T

12. Who/what is your greatest inspiration for your current story?

Life in general. There was a time when I couldn't really see much beauty in it (even now there are days when I don't) but learning to see the little magic in mundane moments and experiences is really uplifting. There's something very special in just breathing fresh, pristine air, or having the wind tickle your hair. There's something miraculous in kicking your feet in a stream of ice cold water and listening to the richness of a loved one laughing loud. It's these things, coupled with all the things I don't have and have never experienced, and hope to one day. I can't go without saying, that it was Clouds' writing too that gave me that kick to get out of a slump and pick up writing again.

14. Is there something you wish readers would pick up on more in your stories?

Ah well, no, not really. I'm pretty happy and satisfied with what they are picking up atm, and they usually don't miss! I'm very grateful for that.

15. Talk to me about how you go about word choice. Do you have an example of your writing that you're particularly proud of clever word choice?

HAHAHAHAHA I literally JUST complained about vocabulary!! But well. I usually don't give it much thought, I just write. There are times when I really don't like how a passage reads, but then I remind myself to just get on with it; I can always edit it later, when I'll likely have more braincells than I have at that moment. I have noticed though that many times, the sentences I phrase, rhyme xD At certain instances, this is planned, but other times, I have no idea it's happening and only notice it when I proofread.

As for an example about a passage I'm proud of... There are a few but here's one. It's nothing exemplary and doesn't really have any special wording choices, but I like the simplicity of it. And I'm very attached to it xD From Ch.16 of VBEOW - Sparks:

He stood there, feeling the tides wash over his ankles, and the salty sea breeze kiss his skin. He saw the sea with a handful of seawater cascading through his fingers, mesmerised by the way it stretched into the horizon. He watched the sea rise and fall and move, and noticed the way it was so, so blue. Mikasa told him it was the colour of his eyes.

He longed for Annie so much that day.

"Hey Annie," He said a week later, looking at her, so peaceful and cold inside her diamond. "I found out why the sea is blue."

He was so glad he was alone that day. "Commander Hange found out the water absorbs red wavelengths of the light, leaving it blue for us to see."

He didn't know what to do with his hands.

"But that's the scientific answer."

A lone tear rolled down his face.

"The sea is blue because the sky falls into it, Annie."

16. Where are you currently at in your writing mindset? Frustrated? Excited? Focused? Other?

Very tired and stressed to the max. Excited for some future events that will happen in VBEOW, but that's not conquering my exhaustion as of late xD

Thank you for asking T_T !!!

[slytherindisaster]

How about a song for Edmund x Lottie and/or Aisling x Jojo, please?

I wasn't sure if that was the best pick for them, but then I thought that maybe that little back-and-forth over the years would actually work. Also, Jojo may have two sisters, but he really takes after his father when it comes to understanding women XD

You don't really need any words A sugar heart on a stick You give her that and If she'll eat it, you'll know what's going on If she won't, then you'll try again next year I can't promise you results either I'm sorry But a person like that wasn't born yet A person who would figure out what she really wants Does yes mean no, if no means yes? Because sometimes she looks at you like she wants you And sometimes she'll eat everything and just laughs Or differently... she won't eat it and just cries

Until one day it will happen When she gets tired of this game You will feel that you have her Although she won't say a word Maybe it's just the way she is That she has to pretend for a bit So that you would all the time Keep trying, keep trying To figure out what she really wants Does yes mean no, if no means yes? Because sometimes she looks at you like she wants you And sometimes she'll eat everything and just laughs

Now this is basically just Ed being in denial: a song

Without you, I don't care about anything And I feel like there is only a half of me A stubborn cloud keeps hanging above me That cloud above me makes me breathless When I am with you, the whole evil disappears through open windows When I am with you, I can breathe I lose myself for a moment I want you more & more This has to pass And love needs to pass And other words I do not need any words I have already told you this Words float to nowhere It's only words It is you that I want more This has to pass And love needs to pass Like we are passing Why is there no way to stop this moment when you are here Next to you I want everything again And I would still be able to be capable of everything When I am with you, the whole evil disappears through open windows When I am with you, I can breathe

I lose myself for a moment I want you more & more This has to pass And love needs to pass And other words I do not need any words I have already told you this Words float to nowhere It's only words It is you that I want more This has to pass And love needs to pass Like we are passing

[alicelufenia]

I was planning on updating this guide come Patch 7 (coming out this week!) but had to make an early one because I was informed by one @lutethebodies that it actually is possible to trade the idol to Mol for the ring of protection, and this led me down a RABBIT HOLE of the most bizarre states of the game I've ever seen. Consider:

No context for you! Context is for people who click on Keep reading.

First, casting Fog Cloud so Shadowheart can remain unseen as she grabs it. Then I immediately swap to Alice, who I've already positioned next to Mol in the hideout, and quickly turn in the idol.

Success! Now to see how things fall out.

I also attempted this without killing off Karlach and Wyll first, which means Shovel is still around, and so serves as the perfect scout to see how the civil war is going. Zevlor is already down.

With Kagha alive and well, this fight went VERY differently. Look at all those surviving druids, and all those dead tieflings. Still not fighting them now though. Time to leave.

Oooooh damn. Grove's closed. (also rare glimpse of Gnome!Alice, I used disguise self to sneak out the small hole in the hideout to avoid the druids. Clever!)

So, I'll skip over a few hours of wasted gameplay here; raiding the grove is off the table now. It's completely sealed from every angle and entrance, also Minthara will aggro on you as soon as you approach the closed entrance, so... RESET

Weird that the grove sealed, even though I took back the idol? My guess is, because it wasn't in MY inventory, the game decided they got it back, and completed the ritual. How to turn it in but have it remain in my inventory, I wonder...

Since Alice is no good at pickpocketing, I just bought it back from Mol. Had to pay 800, but it's now in my inventory for sure.

Unfortunately I was so slow with menuing all this, the rest of my party died to the druids XD no matter though, gonna revive them.

It's just you and me now shovel.

But hang on, who's that coming out of the grove?

IS THAT?

ARABELLA?!

I have no idea what happened here. I couldn't interact with her at all. If anyone knows, please enlighten me. Might as well check in on the druids.

... are they...

LOSING???

Well... damn, this won't do.

I hate to do it, but I have to reset again. Which sucks, cause I don't see that Arabella event ever again. What a wild thing to happen... but as before, keeping it in mind for fanfiction.

My guess is, because a bunch of the druids were delayed in fighting by killing my party members, I switch them out so that only Shadowheart is present, and the INSTANT she steals the idol, I quickly teleport her to camp. Which gets her out of there, but...

The... the druids don't aggro. They don't even seem to notice.

.... HUH.

Alright, so... I get the ring of protection, then JUST TO BE SAFE, buy it back from Mol AGAIN. Only one more way to aggro the grove now.

DIE, KAGHA. AGAIN.

Behold, the immediate consequences of my actions.

But it's strange, why are there so many dead so quickly, and with more druids surviving despite Kagha not joining? Wait, where's-

Why are you all back here??!!

ZEVLOR WHAT THE FUCK

. . .

Ah babe, you're the only one in act 1 I can count on 💜

Ugh, right, I forgot. What is it Karlach? Oh right, the impending war crime.

You mean the druids who massacred the people we were actually trying to help? "Those" people, yeah nah, fuck 'em.

You know what, I'm sorry. It's been a rough day, emotions are running high. Let's just sleep it off, and discuss it in the morning. I'm sure we can come to an understanding by then.

Glad we agree, and can consider the matter closed. Now let's go kill some druids (implied, off-screen).

And now Zevlor's dead too. Let's say he and some survivors managed to hold out, and hide from the druids, but got caught in the indiscriminate slaughter of the goblin raiding party. Maybe Alice got a little Durgey there, and while her efforts were fueled by anger and revenge, it was underminded by the Urge, and by the time she came to after blacking out, the surviving tieflings also lay dead, by her blade.

See, isn't this a way more interesting story than Little Bunny Foo Foo boppin Minthara on the head?

Oh hi, thanks for sticking around this long to see the payoff for all of this: Karlach and Wyll grimly standing by as the reality sinks in for Alice, but they've got to see this through with the last ally they have.

Wow, never thought this'd be possible: Karlach and Wyll, joining the goblin party without even being dead-

DAMNIT.

Karlach! Wyll! We were this close to greatness! To perfection!

Just... lay down in the fire for a minute, I'll bring you back once Minthara and I depart for the party. You can join us as soon as we're there! *kiss kiss*

Wyll + Karlach + Ring of Protection + Minthara + Shameless Self-Indulgent Fanfiction = Success!

Thank you for reading this far! As of September 1, 2024, this all works perfectly, but as I mentioned, Patch 7 is coming out this week, so get your save files in order before then! Or pray it's going to still work post-Patch 7. I'll certainly be testing it out.

A Guide To Keeping Wyll And Karlach After Siding With Minthara In Act 1

Or as I like to call it, how to permanently recruit Karlach and Wyll (because I have yet to complete a full playthrough with both of them)

Ever since Larian added a way to legitimately recruit Minthara by knocking her out, I've wanted to help the community be more successful in their efforts to give my favorite drow yet another concussion. Because like all things related to Minthara, the KO method was buggy as hell, non-intuitive, and metagamey as fuck. I wrote multiple guides on it, to the point where I made the master post my pinned for a while. You may have seen it at some point, but here it is again for reference [x]

As happy as I am with the success of those posts, it's time I revealed my true alignment. I'm actually one of those scary Minthara stans who has killed the grove more times than siding with the tieflings. I know, you'd never guess by looking at my blog (don't look at my blog) I did it my first playthrough and it's only gotten easier since. And while I stand by it as the single best way to experience Minthara's character and story arc, I'm not so cold-hearted as to deny that it's a shame we miss out on Wyll and Karlach in the process.

So rather than play the villain, what say we have them stick around by taking on the REAL villains of Act 1:

The Druids

To start off, you'll want both Wyll and Karlach in your party, and Withers in camp. I've had him show up upon crossing one of the bridges in Act 1, either to the blighted village or the goblin camp, I forget which, or you can bust him out of his Dank™ crypt. Proceed through Act 1 as normal. To be safe I got as much approval from them as I could in early game, but that may not be necessary. Offer to kill Kagha for Zevlor.

Now, both of them need to die, and preferably not by the hand of your party members. I had them suicide charge the gnolls and get wrecked, as on Tactician mode they'll attack downed party members until they're dead. I don't know if having them jump off a cliff works, but it might. We need to entrust them to Withers by asking him to look after their bodies instead of reviving them. Their bodies will then appear in camp by their tents.

Now go kill Kagha without revealing the shadow druid conspiracy. This should trigger the Druids to start fighting the Tieflings, which will happen off screen as you deal with Kagha and the few druids inside with her (killing Nettie earlier might make this easier in case she joins in. She tried to poison you, so serves her right.)

Steal that idol! I'm not 100% sure this is required, but it takes no effort at this point and you need to sit tight for a minute, so might as well.

Also if you thought you could return the idol to Mol, no luck, she won't accept it until the fighting ends. Unfortunately all the tieflings need to die for this to work, so rip Ring of Protection. But not exactly rip the tiefling kids, more on that in a minute.

OOF, rip Dammon (and most of Karlach's questline. Don't look at me like that, it's Larian's fault for tying her entire story onto one npc and giving nothing as an alternative)

I'll give the tieflings credit, they did not go down without one hells of a fight. This bear was found burnt to death, probably due to Zevlor.

Damn, they really killed all of them. I wanna point out this can happen even on a good playthrough with the best of intentions.

In the end, only four(!) druids survived. I don't know how they'd fare with Kagha fighting too, but overall I'd say the druids talk big for doing this badly against a bunch of unarmed civilians. We kill the last four of them, then get ready to move on.

With trepidation, I go to check on the kids. Not recommended if you raid the grove for real, but here:

It's just... empty. No bodies, no npcs hanging around, they completely cleared out.

I like to headcanon that Mol followed through on protecting her kids, and they escaped down this hole. I'm still very early in this run used for testing, so I have legit no idea if they show up later. But this is good enough for me to include them all in my fanfiction so :D Congrats, the only tieflings with rights (sorry Karlach!) are gonna be alright (because if we don't see a body it doesn't count)

Next step is to just... keep going. Sazza can get you into the goblin camp no problem, and if you play a Drow or have Shadowheart use disguise self, you can gain entry without any checks or dialogue. My half elf needed to talk her way in (or just use AUTHORITY)

best goblin btw

MOMMY

Lookit how happy she is after Sazza has brought her the grove's location! A lead on the weapon AND another True Soul AND she's concussion-free? Everything's coming up Minthy!

It's at this point things get a little weird (I did warn ya), as the game now has flagged the grove as "raided" even though we haven't done an actual grove battle, which is a different thing (as I'll demonstrate later), so Shadowheart has her "post-raid" dialogue when we wake up on the next long rest. The Raid The Grove quest is also marked as Completed, but still has a marker on the map. Have patience, return to the grove and walk through the (destroyed) gate, and suddenly:

The quest will update, and direct you to speak with Minthara in the secluded chamber where she normally is at when the raid is finished. There's also goblins milling about the grove now, same as the post-raid grove.

Get someone who looks at you the way Minthara looks at a cave full of dead druids and tieflings.

"No Minthara, I never meant for any of this to happen. This was all my fault, I shouldn't have gotten involved, they're all dead because of me-"

"Nevermind I am no longer morally conflicted about all this."

To the goblin party!

LIES. He never mentions it again lmao. C'mon patch 7 fix this! (you won't)

Why we're all really here 🥰

The next morning, speak to Withers and ask to collect your dead party members. He will have you confirm payment for their resurrection.

And it works! Karlach and Wyll are back, they can rejoin the party, and their approval is Unchanged!

Since I was on a roll, I went ahead and checked a few other scenarios: what happens if we don't start a fight with the druids and just raid the grove directly, with Karlach and Wyll dead? Well you can revive them afterwards, but...

Dang, Wyll still leaves (he's still so nice about it though! Even wishes you well!)

Meanwhile Karlach: Feck off, cunt.

Well, she's not leaving, but she's never been this blunt or cold towards me before. I wonder how much-

Damn, -49?! That's literally one away from leaving permanently! She started at 50, which means Karlach looses 100 approval from raiding the grove, and being dead doesn't change that. I think the only reason she's at -49 instead of -50 is due to that +1 from reviving a party member. So, she's grateful for being brought back to life, but not happy about anything else. You know what, that's fair.

One last thing I tested (and no pics for it cause this post has reached its limit! But those extra pics of Sharp-Eye Sluck are important, so I'll just write this next part out) I wanted to see if it was even necessary to finish off the remaining druids after they killed all the tieflings. So I left the grove (manually, you have to journey quite a distance before it lets you fast travel, almost all the way to the first bridge) and headed to the goblin camp to start the raid as normal.

Like our first time, we arrive at an empty grove. Even the druids we left behind are gone, meaning you can safely headcanon this method as joining up with the goblins and Minthara to take revenge on the druids. The game still acts like you killed the tieflings though, down to Gale's threatening to leave.

But Karlach and Wyll still get brought back without a problem! You can even revive them DURING the goblin party and they'll act like nothing's happened!

Wyll And Karlach Recruited Alongside Raiding With Minthara: Success!

So Baldur's Gate 3 community! I now implore you to put down your Pommel Strikes, switch off that Non-Lethal toggle, and stop giving poor Minthara even more brain damage than the tadpole and the Absolute already gave her!

And when you reach Moonrise Towers to rescue her, for the love of Selûne, when the guards are torturing her in the prison, don't just swing on them. Agree to enter her mind first. You'll have a dicey roll to deal with, but trust me, it's SUPER worth it!

As for the whole process, well. Despite the clunky way quests update after you start the grove civil war, the resulting lack of direction and narrative inconsistencies in the dialogue post-goblin party, this still feels like a more immersive way to recruit Minthara on a run with both Karlach and Wyll still present, than the KO method, in my not-so-humble opinion.

Consider this: You've got a major twist in the Act 1 plot now, with the Druids turning on you and killing the tieflings you were trying to help, leaving your party dispirited and lacking direction, other than to continue their search for a cure, which leads them to meet the Absolutists, the goblins, and the drow commander leading them and looking for the druids' sanctuary. And in the midst of your grief and anger, you side with her, both to get close to the source of the infections (as the Dream Visitor suggests) but also to take your revenge out on the druids.

You can feel conflicted, regretful even, but the context has changed enough that I think even a good-aligned Tav with no qualms about methods can live with this result. It just takes a bit of filling in the gaps (do you simply point the goblin army at the druids and look away, or lead them yourself by Minthara's side? Either way works for the results)

The only real downside is, again, Karlach's story just sorta ends here, until the confrontation with Gortash. I personally think this is a problem with Larian's writing for her, and at this point fanfiction is about the only solution in sight. But if you don't mind her not getting the chance to touch others again, you really have nothing to lose here

Besides, were you really going to pay Dammon for that act 3 armor? Of course not, you steal it every run and don't pretend otherwise, "hero."

[asoulofatlantis]

Ich habe schön aufgeholt. Lasst uns hoffen das es von nun an schneller weiter geht... - Leider fehlen mir noch 3 oder so Aerith-Missionen und 2 davon muss ich erstmal durch andere Sidemissionen freischalten. URG! Aber der Plot kommt zuerst.

Leaving the Girls behind doesn't seem like the brightest idea to me... but its not like I have a choice here.

I've totally lost my way and I have no freaking idea how to get to that darn reactor...

Oh look! Some old Friends! Tho I wonder what role they will play this time. Like... last time they tried to prevent us from doing things that would have changed the OGs timeline. We've been straying from the path a few times already. So... what do you want to do now? Push us back in the right direction, maybe?

Uh... they want to lead us to Sephiroth? Or uh... they are... working with Sephiroth? Or... something? ^^'

Oh this is bad, this is really bad...

In trouble now. We're in trouble now. So in trouble now...

As if we do not have enough problems right now already...

Could we please not have such a big mouth?

Uh-Oh. Tifa in Danger, Cloud under Control of Sephiroth and both of them too far away from the other to intervene... I think this is bad. Really bad.

Oh boy... this is bad, like really bad. He looks like he has totally lost it. Like he is mercilessly killing people and he has that awful grin on his face while doing that. Its scary.

Oh my god... I've been warned. I knew that was coming. But holy shit! It was worse than I expected.

Seriously Cloud... how can you forget that she showed you the underside of her big boobies? (Sorry, but jokes keep me sane right now....)

Oh yes, he is a fool. A very big fool.

You know... I hated that part in Kingdom Hearts where I was inside the Whale. I would like to NOT do that again, please? ^^'

You have no right to scream, my boy! That was your fault! Have a bit more self-control, goddammit!

This chapter is called "out of the frying pan" and this thing looks like Sin XD

Because the game isn't complicadet enough as it is, we now also add white Wispers. Next time we might add grey ones... you know... just so we can get that "black and white" - thinking out of our systems. Or something like that...

This guy loves to hurt Tifa ^^' People on social media assume that, as this Sephiroth knows that Tifa will repair Clouds mind eventually, he wants her dead, so she can not do that.

He got a well deserved slap from Barett XD

[cafeinthemoon]

Unexpected Changes - Part I

Chapter 1/2

Wordcount 3,4k

Title Part I

Fandom Shuumatsu no Valkyrie / Record of Ragnarok

Pairing Hades X reader

Symbols ✔ . ➕ . 💛

Warnings: none, just comedy and family fluff!

Tagging: ? (If you want to be tagged in any of my stories, just leave a comment here or send an ask or a message)

N. A.: So as I don't post the 11th chapter of my other story with Hades, Ruins, enjoy this little drama/comedy starring reader as an established goddess, queen and wife and her ever loving husband Hades <3 This was a quick idea I had a few days ago and decided to write down as a way to rest, because the last weeks have been tough, ugh.

I'm sorry for not choosing a better title, but I hope it doesn't kill interest in this little ff XD

It’s been at least forty minutes and you were trying to ignore the growing sensation of burn in your eyes, focusing your gaze on the frail figure of Zeus sitting on his chair many floors below you. From there, you were still able to hear his voice, but each minute that passed this task became harder: your brother-in-law’s voice was now showing the first signs of tiredness, and you were fighting the urge to zone out.

You were sleepy. It’s not that you haven’t had a good night of rest before attending to your first divine council since you were received as a deity, but the necessary preparations and the anxiety that would obviously come with them were taking their toll, and now you realized how much mental work you’ve been doing since the day you’ve got the invitation by Hermes’ hands.

Until that moment, you thought you were succeeding in disguising your discomfort, and perhaps you managed to hide it from the ones sitting around you, but there were certain eyes you knew could never deceive – the ones of the King of the Underworld and your husband, Hades.

The silence around you was tangible and the attentions of everyone were for Zeus, but you could feel Hades’ look on you. With a shy glance to your left, where he was sitting, you confirmed the direction of his thoughts.

You gave him a brief smile and was going to turn your attention back to the speaker, but leaned to you and whispered something in your ear, which you couldn’t ignore.

– Is there something wrong, dear y/n?

You took one moment to understand what he was saying, and then another one to formulate a reply.

– No, I’m just a bit tired – and, forcing yourself to widen your smile, – But thank you for asking, Hades-sama.

His response was to approach his hand and caress your face for a second, then brush your hair behind your ear. You still referred to him as your master when you were in public, even when the necessity for this already disappeared: you were now a member of the divine race, and the majority of the gods there paid their respects right in your wedding’s day, recognizing you as one of them and the Queen of the Underworld; but old habits die hard, and in your heart, you were still the young maiden who married a god older than your world. Hades never tried to correct you in this sense, maybe waiting for you to get used to your position after some time, but today he seemed to find grace in this, always reacting with contentment whenever you used that treatment.

There was silence for the next few minutes, since your husband accepted your answer, but it wouldn’t take long until a sudden, loud yawn escape your mouth and catch the attention of the people closer to you, for your embarrassment.

While you tried to cover your mouth, a chuckle was heard beside you. You looked at Hades to inquire him, but he was faster: standing up from his seat, he offered his hand.

– Come with me.

– To where? – you asked as you put your hand over his.

– To a calmer place.

You stood up from your spot, avoiding the curious looks of your pairs, and soon the council was left behind.

***

It was Poseidon who found you.

He was walking down that lonely corridor, taking time to observe the landscape through the clouds, a part of his brother’s domain that he hasn’t seen since the last council: the greenish territory filled with exotic trees and what looked like colorful dots from that height, but would be easily identified as flowers at a smaller distance. You yourself appreciated this view from that same porch before Hades took you to a less visible spot at the end of the corridor, but still under people’s reach.

At that moment, the King of the Seas was the only observer.

When he approached the couch where his brother was, the scene he found was absurd, to say the least: Hades had you sleeping on his lap, wrapped in his coat, with his arms around you while you rested your head on his shoulder. You were snoring softly and didn’t even sense your brother-in-law’s arrival.

Anyone who’d see you like this would only shrug and move on; the King of the Underworld had the right to spoil his wife as he pleased, after all, especially when that was her first time attending a council, and every god knew how tiring this could be. Unfortunately, the person who found you was Poseidon, who had a more critical view on such small eccentricities: what he saw there was nothing but his indulgent brother holding a big child.

The first words said between them were his, and they were exactly like expected:

– What’s the meaning of this?

Hades' response was to raise his eyes to him and show a discreet smile.

– The trip from Hellheim to Heaven is long and tiring, brother. Even you admit that. This is her first time doing it for something that’s not a visit or a party – and, with some diversion in his tone, – Show some consideration.

Poseidon twisted his lips.

– It’s been at least two hundred years since y/n became one of us, elder brother. She must be strong enough to stand the travel by now. Isn't it why you waited so long to bring her to a council?

– Yes, that’s the main reason. Still, don’t you think it’d be cruel to not give her the necessary support? – your husband sighed, caressing your hair as he spoke – You know, I still remember when you attended this type of meeting for the first time. It was very stressful, and you told me that many times in the days after.

The other man crossed his arms, giving no verbal response to this. Hades didn’t show the slightest sign of irritation: knowing his little brother as he did, he knew he still had a long way learning the difference between taking care of a beloved one and spoiling them. Besides, he never approved this habit of his elder brother to recall his past experiences to try and evoke compassion from him: it was so unworthy of a god that he couldn’t take it seriously, so he would prefer not to say anything.

– But what can I do about it? – Hades laughed at his brother’s annoyed expression – Just wait a bit until you decide to find a significant other, Poseidon. It's for your own good, and theirs.

Poseidon would have rolled his eyes if that was a common gesture of his, but he just limited himself to give the other a blunt reply.

– I didn’t travel here just for you to lecture me, Hades. Besides... – he stared at you in a strange manner – This is not the first time I see her in such deep sleep. Are you sure everything is okay with her?

Hades raised an eyebrow at the sudden change of subject.

– What do you mean?

Poseidon turned to the clouds, leaning one hand on the parapet while the other was hidden behind his back.

– It's been a few days since you two came to visit me at the seas, but even then, it didn’t go unnoticed by me that y/n has been feeling often tired even when she didn’t do hard work. As far as I remember, it hasn’t always been like this – he glanced at your sleeping figure and lowered his tone, as to enter a subject about which he wasn’t sure to have the right to discuss – Not only this, but she has shown such appetite that differs from what we’ve seen from her since her transformation. Don’t you think it’s strange? It’s like she’s unconsciously trying to restock her body’s energy… from something that might be stealing it.

The smile hanging on Hades’ lips since the beginning of the conversation disappeared when he heard that. There was something... wrong with you? Well, he had to be honest and admit that you’ve been showing some strange symptoms beside the uncommon sleep and hunger lately: you’ve been more sensitive to physical contact, to some textures, smells and tastes, and have been avoiding long walks and other forms of physical effort.

However, your aspect was far from bad. Instead, you’ve became more beautiful these last days: your eyes gained more vivacity; your skin had its tone renewed, especially on your face, where it was now showing a sort of glow; your hair was thicker, though you haven’t tried any new treatment lately; also, the curves of your body were accentuated, something visible even when you wore floating dresses.

Surely, that didn’t look like the case of someone whose vital energy has been sucked. Did Poseidon understand what he was suggesting?

– Something that’s stealing her energy? – Hades glanced at you, then back at his brother – Are you suggesting that she might have been... cursed?

It wasn’t surprising that this was his first thought: gods didn’t get sick as the humans did, so the most effective way to cause dysfunction in their divine bodies without getting into a physical fight or making them use all their power was cursing them.

– It’s hard to believe that someone would have the audacity to do this to the Queen of Hellheim – Poseidon stated in a calm tone – But we cannot discard the possibility so soon. You know that not all gods have good relations with Greece. And, I have to say that, not everyone here has a positive view on Psyche’s ritual. You know what it means, brother.

Yes, Hades knew it. A human turning into a god is never a simple case. Psyche herself and Heracles were the most famous in this category, and the challenges and adversities in their way were well known by each god of each pantheon. When he proposed the wedding and the ritual, Hades was aware that a similar fate would be waiting for you, and he warned you about it. For love, you said yes to him despite that, but your willingness wasn’t enough to calm down his worries, so he took measures to protect you in every way he could. As time passed, the possibility of some evil force touching you became more and more improbable, but it never left his mind completely.

So, when Poseidon brought it back, he was ready to act.

He woke you up whispering your name. Once you were back, you straightened up and rubbed your eyes...

And startled when you saw you were not alone.

– P-Poseidon-sama! I’m... – you tried to fix your hair, avoiding his glare as you spoke – I’m so sorry for this scene...

– Don’t worry about this, y/n – was his composed reply – I'll be leaving soon. I think my brother has some matters to discuss with you now.

You turned to Hades and the slight sign of preoccupation you saw in his eyes made you shiver: with Hades being the most confident person you’ve ever known, it was rare to see it in him, and unsettling precisely because of it.

– My brother and I were talking and he said something that made me think of you – Hades explained before you said anything – That’s all.

When you seemed to calm down, Poseidon excused himself, stating that his presence in the council would be soon required. It only took one moment and you no longer heard his steps on the corridor, as his silhouette disappeared in the nearest corner.

Once you were sure you were alone, you turned to your husband and touched his face, making him look at you.

– Hades, my dear – you whispered – I can see you’re worried. What were you talking about? What did he say that put you in this state?

Hades took your hand in his and kissed its palm.

– He just pointed out some things I myself noticed these days concerning you, little one, but refused to acknowledge.

– Concerning me? How so?

He put your hand upon his shoulder.

– You’ve been acting… weird these days, y/n. You’ve been experiencing changes in your sleeping and eating habits, as well as frequent episodes of tiredness. When we visited Poseidon in his palace, he noticed this too, but only brought it to my attention now. But this is not everything.

– What do you mean?

– My brother suggested that these strange symptoms are being caused by some force or influence over your body, which is stealing your energy and forcing you to compensate the loss with more resting and food.

You frowned, trying to process what you heard.

– Something is stealing my energy? Are you telling me that Poseidon-sama thinks that I’m sick?

– My dear, have you forgotten that gods don’t get sick? What he suggested – he caressed your hair with visible preoccupation – Is that you might have been cursed.

You gasped.

– Cursed?! But… how? Why? And... by who?

Hades took a moment deliberating before giving you a verbal answer.

– This is what we need to discover. But we won’t do it if we stay here.

– So, where do you think we should go?

The answer was categorical… and not entirely pleasing to you.

– Back to Hellheim – Hades helped you to stand and started leading you back inside the building – I’ll talk to Zeus and ask him to excuse ourselves from this council. I'm sure he will understand. Then, once we reach home, I’ll contact Beelzebub. There’s no person who knows more about curses than him. He will know what to do.

You swallowed. If your husband considered necessary to reach out to Beelzebub-sama, he surely believed the case was serious, more than he’d like to tell you. However, you weren’t feeling that bad: the strange signs were as vivid to you as they were to Hades, but you haven’t sensed in them any threat against your life. Besides... you were still unable to feel entirely comfortable in the presence of the Lord of the Flies, mostly because the human perception of him was still alive in you, so you still avoided him as much as you could.

And you tried to do it that time as well.

– Do you really think it’s necessary, my dear? – you stopped and held his arm, making him turn to you – I don’t think my situation is that serious... And I don’t like the idea of disturbing Beelzebub-sama. He must be too busy with his works.

Hades’ response was to stare at you for a while and show you a teasing smile.

– After all this time, you’re still afraid of him, aren’t you?

You gasped.

– What?! I-I'm not...!

Though your moods were inflamed, your indignation was just too cute for your husband, whose laughter made you give up on the argument.

– There’s no need to worry, little one – he pulled you into a warm hug and kissed the top of your head – I’ll be there with you during the whole visit. Besides, Beelzebub is an excellent, reliable professional. I’ve told you about the times he helped my family, right? This case must be no challenge for him.

***

You were anxious.

On the first break of the council, Hades hurried to Zeus’ private room to announce your leaving. You were present at that moment and heard all the conversation, of course, and even wanted to make your opinions known, but weren't willing to interrupt: Hades already decided to leave Heaven, and making him change his mind would be too complicated by now; besides, you didn’t want to cause more disturbance to Zeus-sama, who was already busy with the matters of the council.

The thing is that there were some details about your case you didn’t tell your husband, for you yourself weren’t sure of how to deal with them and didn’t want to make him worried before understanding what was going on: besides the symptoms noticed by Poseidon, you’ve been feeling dizzy at random moments of the day, something that you would solve with a few minutes sitting on a comfortable chair, and during mornings, your stomach would feel weird, forcing you to leave the bed to throw. You didn’t know the reason behind these episodes of nausea, since you haven’t made any changes in your diet, so you just ignored them, thinking they were a consequence from the anxiety about the council and hoping they would soon pass.

But they didn’t.

Right in the morning of the trip, it happened again, but you were lucky that Hades used to leave the bed hours before you, so he didn’t see anything, just like in the previous days. You knew you couldn’t hide this forever, so you started to think of how to talk to him about it. However, before you could do it, Poseidon came to speak with his brother; and, trusting him as he did, Hades soon decided that taking you to see a doctor was the best.

And, now that Zeus accepted his request to leave and was saying his farewell, there was nothing you could do. You would just go back to your lodge and pack your things as your husband went to prepare the carriage that would take you back to the Underworld.

***

Hades closed the door of that strange room behind you after you entered, then led you to the middle of it.

The place was filled with tables covered with bottles of all possible shapes, containing bubbling fluids, bowls with colored powders, tools and paper notes, everything touched with a soft, white light descending from the ceiling. It was a quiet room with just occasional noises that barely disturbed your ears, yet with so many things happening at the same time that you were afraid you were going to have an episode of dizziness if you stood there for too long. As if it wasn’t enough, the smells of mixed chemical composts invaded your nostrils, threatening your stomach with a nausea crisis.

In the middle of this, sitting calmly on a chair and reading the last lines of a note in his hands, was the man about whom your husband spoke as being the greatest specialist in curses he knew: Beelzebub, the solitary god who has traveled between all the known worlds seeking for a cure for his own curse.

Because of his decision of not establishing close relations to his pairs, you’ve only seen him in a few occasions since you became a goddess, and he would never stay for too long in your presence; besides, Hades was the one who used to lead the conversations during those occasions, so that you never had an opportunity to talk directly to him for a more than a few minutes. This always caused a sort of discomfort in you whenever you had to deal with him, as if you never knew if you were bothering him, even less how he felt towards you.

That time wasn’t different, and the fact that you were the main subject of the encounter only made you more nervous.

When Beelzebub finally left the paper over the table and raised his eyes to you, you swallowed. Not only those dark, lightless pupils scared you as much as Poseidon’s aura used to do in your first years in the Greek family, but the contrast between them and that young face of his still unsettled you. Letting him notice your discomfort was your worst fear concerning the Lord of the Flies, so you avoided his gaze and waited for Hades to lead the matters for you.

– So, what’s bothering you, Hades-san? – he turned his chair to you; and, with a soft smile, – It’s been a long time since you asked for my help.

– And I’d be forever grateful if you could help me once again – Hades put a soft hand over your head – My y/n has been experiencing strange symptoms that could be considered the consequences of sickness if she was still human. I talked to Poseidon about it and he suggested that this might be a case of… curse.

Beelzebub spent a few seconds looking at Hades before turning his gaze to you; you shivered, crossing your arms over your chest as he examined you from head to toe. He looked back to your husband...

And asked the last thing he was expecting.

– What do you mean, she’s cursed?

Chapter 2

[the-passenger-if]

one of my favorite angst tropes is someone breaking up with their partner in order to keep them safe! how would the ros handle this if newman did this to them? (also, would any of the ro’s break up with newman to keep them safe?)

combining it with

How would the ROs react to Newman who just texts them out of nowhere and the message just say "I love you always bye sorry" as if Newman was in a hurry and no matter how hard they try to contact them, no one picks up.

also

some angST!! How would the ROs react to Newman breaking up with them after being together for a looooong time?

and

ROs reaction to Newman wanting to break up with them after a while of being together?

Jonny and Horizon would break up with Newman to keep them safe. Fiama knows she can keep both of them safe, and Roach will do their best but if they have to die then they will die together xD

Combining Newman just up and disappears one day with Newman breaks up with RO after being together for a long time.

Long angsty scenarios under the cut.

“Mommy… kisses me… on the… cheek. Cheek. Cheek, Bruno. Listen, cheeeek. That’s chek.”

Bruno mutters the word ‘cheek’ under his breath a few times before adding another ‘e’ just on top of the first one.

“No,” Fiama tells him. “Erase the word and rewrite it. Well this time.”

Her son scowls but he does as he’s told. His round eyes slip away from the exercise book to the front door and stay there.

“Bruno,” she calls him. “Bruno.” He looks at her, and she knows. She just knows what he’s thinking about. Who he’s thinking about. “Cheek.” She points at the book.

He writes down the word very slowly and forcefully on the page. She still can read the wrong word under it, but she decides to let it go.

“The chick eats corn,” Fiama continues, “The… chick… Chick, Bruno.”

He bites his lower lip, staring at her.

“Remember the chicks? Grandpa took you to see them…”

Bruno mutters ‘chick’ under his breath a couple of times, then his eyes go to the front door again.

“Bruno,” and she doesn’t want to lose her patience like this, but she’s tired and she wants to… she doesn’t know what she wants to do yet, but doing homework in the living room with a very distracted Bruno isn’t it.

Her boy scowls at her, pencil shaking in a tiny angry fist. He opens his mouth to retort when someone knocks on the door. His eyes widen, the scowl vanishes. He jumps off the chair, homework and pencil and Fiama completely forgotten.

“Bruno!” she calls out, but he’s already dashing to the door and yanking it open.

“Oh! Hi there, rabbit,” Fiama’s mother says.

“No!” Bruno replies trying to close the door again.

That’s when Fiama stands up and grabs him by the arm. “Don’t you shut the door in your grandma’s face!”

“Don’t you grab him like that!” her mother yells at her, and she lets go of Bruno as if he was a hot iron.

“Why are you here?” Bruno screams at Fiama’s mother. “I wanted it to be them!”

“Bruno!” Fiama scolds.

“No!” her boy yells at her. “This is your fault! You did this!” Then he’s running off to his room, slamming the door behind him.

Fiama isn’t the type to care about metaphors, but right now she completely understands what people mean when they say 'it felt like a bucket of cold water'.

The one that breaks the silence is her mother. “Well, didn’t I tell you this would happen?”

“Not now, mom.” Fiama grits out.

“Let us hope it doesn’t affect Bruno too much…”

“I said not now.” The glare she sends her mother’s way is enough for the woman to shake her head and turn away.

Fiama closes the door very carefully, and then rests her back against it, scowl set on the table where Bruno’s homework was left unfinished. A thought like a flash; the table toppling over, books and pencils, and the ceramic fruit basket flying in the air. It passes quickly. Fiama is taking slow deep breaths. She still remembers what happened the last time she let her emotions get the best of her. That familiar wave of shame and guilt washes over her as she remembers Bruno’s stunned silence when he found her sobbing in her room, sat in the midst of broken pieces of whatever she had lying about in there.

A single tear rolls down her cheek, one Fiama swiftly washes away. She promises herself this is the last she’ll ever waste on them.

---

There's one lonely cloud floating in the blue sky and Jonny's eyes have been following its snail-like march for the last ten minutes or so. His neck is starting to feel stiff but he doesn't shift his position; watching the lazy parade happening outside of his window has kept his mind in silence. Sweet, sweet silence.

It isn’t surprising that it doesn’t last. Somebody is knocking on his bedroom door and Jonny really doesn't have the energy for this. He closes his eyes shut, focuses on the inverted shadow cloud burned in his tired retina. The door clicks open and he keeps still on his bed, chest barely moving. It's childish, he knows this, but it's the only thing that seems to keep Joaquin and Lucia from asking how he's doing or commenting about his love life, or even worse, trying to give him advice.

The visitor lingers there where they stand for another moment, before closing the door again. Jonny thinks he’s been left alone to go back to what apparently has become his favorite hobby as of late, when he hears approaching footsteps.

“I know you’re awake.”

“Don’t tell me they called you,” he says in a drawl, opening his eyes and fixing them on the man sitting on the bed across from his. Quino has the same green eyes, straight nose, and wavy brown hair Jonny has, however, his twin chooses to wear it shorter and well out of his face. He is, after all, the good-looking one.

“They didn’t,” Quino assures him with a conciliatory smile. Jonny’s skepticism must be written all over his face because his brother crosses his heart and shrugs.

“Why are you here?” Jonny knows why, but he also knows Quino too well and his twin has never been the type to start awkward conversations unless Jonny opens that door for him first.

“Do I need a reason? Can’t I—?”

“They broke up with me,” Jonny cuts him off, “I’m feeling like shit, I just want to sleep until I forget I ever met them, but every time people ask about it I think about them, and every time they tell me ‘it will pass’, and that I’ll ‘find someone new’ I just want to jump in front of a car.” Quino doesn’t say anything, he just nods while picking at his nails. Jonny rolls on his back, stares at the ceiling. “I know I’m way too old to be acting like this, but I don’t know what else to do.”

“You aren’t too old to feel like shit, Jonny. You loved them, and they left you. It’s completely understandable.”

He presses his lips together. He did love them. He does love them still. Stupid, so stupid.

“If you want to cry—“

“Screw off.”

“Not in front of me, heaven forbid,” Quino says with mock horror, “but you should cry sometimes. Crying is good for you, you know?”

Maybe it is, Jonny guesses, but he might have cried himself dry the night Newman broke up with him over the phone. Over the fucking phone, of fucking course. He rubs at his dry eyes. He doesn’t want to think about that. “Yeah,” he mutters.

The silence stretches until Quino clears his throat. “So, do you want to know why I’m here or not?”

Jonny turns his head and then frowns at the tickets in his brother’s hand. He blinks twice, recognizing the iconic font printed on them at once. He sits up an instant later. “You’re shitting me.”

“No, I’m inviting you to see Metallica in Columbia.”

“Their last two albums suck,” Jonny says, yet he still takes the ticket from Quino’s hand.

“What doesn’t?” his twin asks with a laugh, and this time Jonny can feel himself smile.

---

One of the humans is awake. Shit. Roach thought they had at least another hour or two, now they’ll have to deal with them and their overfamiliarity and their hands and their faces.

The stub between their lips trembles and they realize it has gone out. They take it, frown at it and then flick it off. It flies in an arc, landing among its dozen of dead brothers. Roach knows at least ten of those are theirs—not that the parking lot of this dingy motel could look any worse by having more dead cigs lying about.

They look for their smokes in the denim jacket they are wearing—a gift from a trucker with a tendency to comment on people’s appearances and leave his jacket behind when going to the restroom—and almost drop the entire pack when the door at their left opens.

“Those things will kill you,” says the woman coming out of their shared motel room.

“Life is killing me,” Roach replies without missing a beat, but they don’t smile; she won’t see their face anyway, not when the sun has yet to come out, and the only lightbulb over their head suddenly burned out.

“Do you have another one?”

She comes to sit next to them on the bench and Roach doesn’t need light to see the deep crow's feet at the corner of her eyes and the dark circles under them. Their conquests always look immensely better under synthetic lighting, once outside, once they’ve used one another, it’s like the spell breaks.

Roach holds two cigs between their lips and lights them with practiced ease. They offer one to their broken Juliette. It’s the least they can do; they do remember biting her hard at some point in the middle of their sexcapade… or maybe they bit one of the others, they aren’t sure anymore.

She accepts it with a thanks and takes a long drag. She sighs out the smoke, peers at Roach as if she could somehow pierce through the shadows and take a good look at them. “You are young, darling,” she croaks out. “Way too young to be doing this shit.”

“Smoking?” Roach asks innocently. Words read out from a script, tone sweet, face immobile. The face of a ghost really, one that haunts and judges them.

The woman shakes her head and then points with her thumb at the room behind them. “I bet you aren’t even thirty yet.” She tilts her head at them, eyes narrowing and still trying to see. “Whatever happened to you… you can opt out. It isn’t easy, but you can move on, you can leave your old self behind. It’s never too late…” A coughing fit interrupts her fortune cookie monologue, and Roach is super ready to skedaddle now.

They stand up, rub their hands together. “Speaking of,” they exclaim with fake enthusiasm, “I should hit the road now. It was a pleasure, really,” they add just as if they were wrapping a 5-cents bow around used pair of socks. Here, happy birthday.

Roach jogs off before she can add anything else.

“Hag,” they mutter around their cigarette. They stop as they catch a glimpse of their reflection in the window of a stripped car. The face scowling at them is silently judging them for stealing it and then using it to lure in humans. “It’s poetic, ok?” Roach explains with a tense grin. “You fucked me over so this is my way to return the favor, pet.” The reflection doesn’t reply, but Roach doesn’t care. They don’t care. They never cared, actually. Who said they ever did?

---

Slow, deep breaths. Inhale, one… two… three… four. Exhale, one… two… three… four… five… six…

Horizon opens their eyes. They are crouched in front of the ceremonial pitcher. Looking down at their reflection in the water makes something like a thumb-size metal ball roll in the back of their skull. They wince in pain and lose whatever little balance they had before. Horizon doesn’t yelp when they fall back on their ass; the sudden waves of nausea coming up like lava inside a volcano could turn a bad situation into a nightmarish one at the flip of a hat.

“Ah,” they whine in a whisper, “if there truly is anything out there, up there, or around, please make it stop.” They run a hand down their face, suppress a fiery belch.

They blindly look for the pitcher and submerge their other hand in the cold water. Dominus Dove and Domina Basil would blanch in horror and anger, but right now, this is the best Horizon has felt since Velour dragged them out of bed, wrapped their robes around them, and pushed them into their office.

Running wet, cold fingers through their messy hair is the best feeling in the world, so they continue this little ritual for a while… and another while… and a little longer…

The door opens just a crack and Horizon’s gaze jumps to Velour’s so fast that the metal ball comes back with a vengeance. An arrow piercing their brain back to front.

“Ahh!”

“This isn’t happening,” Velour hisses as they slink into the room and close the door behind them. “Tell me this isn’t happening.”

“This isn’t happening,” Horizon mutters trying to smile through the pain. They open their eyes to find a very frowny, very serious Velour staring down at them. The smile slips off their face like a slug going down the drain. “I’m so sorry, Velour.”

“As you should,” they reply coldly, and Horizon wants to cry because there’s so much more to their tone than just scorn; they are truly disappointed and they have all the right to be.

“I’m a mess,” the words sound strained to Horizon’s ears, and they can feel new tears threatening to spill down their face again.

Velour’s jaw tightens before they crouch down shaking their head. “You are drunk,” they whisper in a mellow way. “And we can’t let anyone know that.”

“No, we can’t.”

“Alright, I’ll tell them you are indisposed. Wait here, and please, stop playing with the sacred water, Domini.”

Horizon can feel themself blushing in embarrassment, but they nod nonetheless and almost don’t wince when the metal ball ricochets around their skull.

Velour steps out of the room, their voice booming in the cabin, “Domini Horizon has fallen ill with a fever. Today’s prayers will be under my supervision.”

“Are they ok?” somebody asks.

“Yes, but they are very tired and would appreciate being left alone in their cabin. Any concerns or questions you have can be brought to me.”

Efficiently, they march into the office again. “Lean on me, Domini,” they instruct and Horizon does as they say. A few moments later, The Domini is back on their feet and being herded out of the office and through the cabin. They keep their head down, letting their hair cover their face.

“Poor Domini,” another person loud-whispers, “they are drenched in sweat.”

Next to them, Velour tenses up, but they don’t let their discomfort show in any other way.

Once in Horizon’s cabin, their assistant sits them on the bed and fetches them a glass of water.

“They aren’t worth any of this, Domini,” Velour says, and Horizon keeps still, lips barely touching the water. They look up at their assistant but say nothing. “That’s all I wanted to say, and that’s all I’ll say on the subject.”

Horizon puts down the glass on their lap, both hands holding it still. They lower their gaze before softly replying, “Noted.”

Velour makes to leave. They open the door before saying over their shoulder, “And stop drinking. If I come back to find you drunk again, I swear I’m leaving. For real this time.”

Horizon nods slowly, and doesn’t look up until Velour closes the door behind them. Once they are out, the Domini puts the glass down, next to the bed, carefully lies down, and lets the ugly sobs come gushing out of them like muddy water from a broken levee.

[bloody-bee-tea]

Have a fluffy thought for distraction: discussion conference at Cloud Recesses, sect leader Jiang has not returned to the talks after a break and no one can find him. Hours later someone goes to feed the bunnies and finds him in the meadow, covered in bunnies. Maybe he's asleep, maybe he's awake, either way he can't move because that would disturb the bunnies and you don't disturb animals that picked you as their seat :3 he lives in the meadow now.

A field of rabbits

Well it certainly distracted me into writing XD <3

When everyone files back into the conference room and Jiang Wanyin is nowhere to be seen, Nie Mingjue doesn’t immediately panic. 

This is the Cloud Recesses after all, and it’s highly unlikely that he got attacked or ran into some trouble here. After Wen Xu managed to burn the Cloud Recesses, they made sure that it’s one of the most fortified places right after the Unclean Realm and possibly Lotus Pier.

Jiang Wanyin might be a magnet for trouble, and he might look for fights more than anyone else Nie Mingjue knows except himelf, but the chances that he found either here are slim to none.

It’s much more likely that there was an emergency with his Sect that he has to deal with before he can come back to the conference. 

It happened before and it will happen again; after all, they are all Sect Leaders here and there are always issues the second in command can’t deal with on their own.

Nie Mingjue has the utmost understanding for that.

But when Lan Qiren steps into the room and frowns, before worry visibly clouds over his face that’s the moment unease makes itself known in Nie Mingjue’s belly.

If Jiang Wanyin had to deal with something else, then he would have notified Lan Qiren, there’s no doubt about that.

Jiang Wanyin has the utmost respect for Lan Qiren and he would never be late or miss a meeting intentionally, not without telling Lan Qiren or informing him otherwise.

But it doesn’t seem like Lan Qiren knows what happened to Jiang Wanyin either, and that’s cause to worry.

People are already starting to whisper about his absence and Nie Mingjue clenches his fist.

Jiang Wanyin has been leading his Sect for over three years now; bringing it back from the brink and restoring it to much of its former glory and still people are talking about him as if he’s a helpless teenager who doesn’t deserve their respect or fear.

Nie Mingjue hates it with every fibre of his being, because Jiang Wanyin has stepped up for his Sect in a way not many would have been able to and it itches him to snap at all of them.

It’s only Lan Qiren who catches his gaze that stops him.

“Sect Leader Jiang has been delayed by an important issue. He is requesting for Sect Leader Nie’s assistance, so if you would, please,” Lan Qiren says with a meaningful glance towards Nie Mingjue and Nie Mingjue nods his understanding.

Lan Qiren has no goddamn clue where Jiang Wanyin is and he wants him to look for him.

Nie Mingjue will more than gladly do that.

There is no real danger here that could have befallen Jiang Wanyin, but Nie Mingjue still worries.

He has never seen anyone with eye rings that deep or black, especially since Jiang Wanyin is otherwise almost deathly pale and the concern that he might have just dropped dead is a real one.

Jiang Wanyin is pushing himself far too hard.

Nie Mingjue asks every disciple he sees if they have seen Jiang Wanyin but he only gets vague answers in return.

It seems like Jiang Wanyin vanished like a shadow.

Nie Mingjue feels frustration rise in him when he makes his way through the entire Cloud Recesses with no sign of Jiang Wanyin.

“You think the rabbits will be mad that we didn’t feed them?” Nie Mingjue hears a disciple say suddenly and he frowns. 

“I think better the rabbits than Sect Leader Jiang,” another voice replies and before Nie Mingjue can inquire about what they mean, they are gone.

But he finally has a lead and so he follows the path that leads to the meadow with the rabbits.

He used to come here a lot with Lan Xichen when they were both younger and less burdened but ever since the Sunshot Campaign neither of them have the time for this anymore.

His feet still remember the path well though, and it’s not long before the first rabbits come into view.

The rabbits and a figure clad in purple.

Nie Mingjue breathes a little bit easier just for having found Jiang Wanyin but then it registers in his mind that Jiang Wanyin is splayed out on the ground, not moving or talking, and the worry comes back with a vengeance.

Nie Mingjue stealthily makes his way over to Jiang Wanyin, but as soon as he gets closer he realizes that Jiang Wanyin is breathing easily and deeply and he seems more relaxed than Nie Mingjue has ever seen him.

He just fell asleep then. That’s good.

Nie Mingjue has to bite back a smile when one of the startled rabbits makes its way back onto Jiang Wanyin’s stomach, where it promptly falls back asleep.

Nie Mingjue is unsure if the rabbits climbed on Jiang Wanyin and prevented him from leaving, causing him to fall asleep, or if Jiang Wanyin fell asleep and the rabbits claimed him as their bed, but it doesn’t really matter.

What matters is that Jiang Wanyin finally got some rest.

Nie Mingjue carefully sits down next to him, but of course Jiang Wanyin startles awake. It seems like the war and the stress are still too close.

“Relax,” Nie Mingjue lowly says, taking care not to startle the rabbits any more than Jiang Wanyin’s violent waking up did and Nie Mingjue watches fondly as the same rabbit as before makes its bed on Jiang Wanyin’s stomach yet again.

It seems to be a particularly good spot for sleeping.

“What are you doing here?” Jiang Wanyin asks him and his voice is rough enough to suggest that he at least slept for most of their break.

That’s good.

“Looking for you,” Nie Mingjue lowly gives back and puts a hand to Jiang Wanyin’s shoulder when he tries to get up. “Relax,” he says again and Jiang Wanyin does sink back into the grass, but there’s tension in his face now.

“The break is over,” he whispers, sounding horrified and Nie Mingjue nods.

“It is, but don’t worry. Lan Qiren has your back.”

“What did he say?” Jiang Wanyin asks as if he fears the answer.

“That there has been an important issue. You asked for my help, if you’re wondering,” Nie Mingjue says easily and then lays down on the grass as well. “And I like what you’re doing so I’ll join you.”

“Sect Leader Nie—” Jiang Wanyin starts but Nie Mingjue doesn’t let him speak.

“Mingjue. Nie Mingjue if you must,” he corrects him and then closes his eyes as the first curious rabbits start to explore him.

“I’m sorry,” Jiang Wanyin whispers after a long moment and Nie Mingjue blinks over to him.

“What for?”

“Missing the conference. Making you miss it, too. You can go back if you want to, and I’ll follow soon.”

Nie Mingjue eyes first the rabbit on his own stomach and then the numerous ones on Jiang Wanyin and raises an eyebrow at him.

“I don’t think either of us will. You don’t move if an animal has chosen you as their sleeping spot. It’s just not done. Believe me, I know. Huaisang has many birds who like to sit on me and you’re simply not allowed to disturb them. It’s an unwritten law,” Nie Mingjue tells him and reaches out for another rabbit to add it to the ones already on Jiang Wanyin.

“And would you look at that, another one chose you. You can leave even less now.”

Jiang Wanyin is staring at him with wide eyes and Nie Mingjue is absolutely unprepared to see tears well up in them.

It seems like Jiang Wanyin wasn’t prepared for that either if the panic in his eyes is any indication and Nie Mingjue does the only thing he can think of.

He plops a rabbit onto Jiang Wanyin’s face.

The rabbit doesn’t struggle like Nie Mingjue expected it to and instead stays on his face for long, long moments, and Jiang Wanyin doesn’t make a move to dislodge it either.

“I’m sorry,” Jiang Cheng finally croaks out again and Nie Mingjue sighs, before he crosses his arms behind his head.

“There is no need to be. You’re pushing yourself too hard. Lan Qiren and I worry. It’s good for you to take some time off and where better to do it than here. Lan Qiren will inform us if there’s anything important, but you should know how these things go by now. Sect Leader Yao will think he’s the most important man in the room until Jin Guangshan reminds him that he is in fact the most important man in the room and by then it will be evening. It’s not like we’re going to miss much.”

“True,” Jiang Wanyin says with a snort, which finally makes the rabbit move off his face.

There are no more tears in his eyes, but Jiang Wanyin seems bone-deep exhausted.

“Rest some more. I’ll make sure no one disturbs us,” Nie Mingjue lowly says and Jiang Wanyin closes his eyes with a sigh.

“I shouldn’t be this weak,” he mutters under his breath and Nie Mingjue rolls his eyes.

“You’re human,” he gives back. “And your body has needs. Sleep is one of them.”

“I don’t have time to sleep,” Jiang Wanyin whispers but he closes his eyes.

“You do now. So make the best of it,” Nie Mingjue advises him and he’s pretty sure Jiang Wanyin falls asleep before he even finishes talking.

Nie Mingjue stares at him for a moment longer—he didn’t quite realize that Jiang Wanyin was so tired that he would basically drift off in the middle of a conversation—but it’s not really a surprise, not with how exhausted he looks.

He watches Jiang Wanyin for a while, looking for any kind of movement, but he seems to be deep into sleep already and so Nie Mingjue turns his head back to look at the sky.

He’ll have to talk to Lan Qiren so they can figure out how to efficiently help Jiang Wanyin lessen the burden of leadership.

Jiang Wanyin is one of the good ones and it would be a shame to lose him to stress and sleep-deprivation this soon.

Nie Mingjue will make sure that he leads a healthier lifestyle than Lan Qiren and Nie Mingjue did back when they took over their respective Sects.

And the first step for that is to let Jiang Wanyin sleep in a field of rabbits. It seems like a good start.

Link to my ko-fi on the sidebar!

[once-upon-an-imagine]

Smile (Chapter One) - Theodore Nott

A/N: ahh xD this is my first Theodore Nott imagine so I hope you all liked it! I originally got this request as a prompt but I loved the idea too much and thought about making it a series (not too long, but we’ll see) so I hope you like it!

Request - Anonymous asked: I love your work so much!! 🥺 Could you write something with the prompt B is sunshine, rainbows and kindness. A is night, rain-clouds and anger. But when A meets B, they bask in the sunshine and never want to leave? B would be reader, as for A, I was thinking Theodore Nott. And if you’re unfamiliar with writing this character and prefer someone else, maybe Regulus Black? Thanks, love! ❤️

Prompt List

Warnings: Theo smoking but nothing else :)

Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter :D gif isn’t mine :)

Your name: submit What is this?

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Smile

Smile though your heart is aching Smile even though it's breaking

Theodore Nott was enjoying his afternoon walk through the Forbidden Forest while he smoked a cigarette. He enjoyed his time alone. Sometimes, being under the pressure of his friends and housemates and his family, he just preferred it this way. By himself, in complete silence. Or at least, he thought he was by himself when he heard something not so far from him. He walked over to the sound and saw them. The Thestrals. How he hated those creatures. But then, he saw something else, or well, someone else. He saw a girl, he was sure was in his grade, sitting not far from them.

"Stay still, love" he heard you giggle while petting the closest one to you. "I'm almost done" you said, patting its head.

He recognized your voice. You were in some of his classes. You were with him in Potions, Herbology, and Transfiguration. Probably more, but he wasn't sure. However, he couldn't take his eyes off you. He saw you trying to get one of the Thestrals to stay still. You had a sketchbook on your knees and art supplies surrounding you. Your face and hands were covered in different colors and it looked like you were absolutely oblivious to it.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" Theo said, running towards you and trying to push the Thestrals away. "Go away!"

"Stop, you'll scare them" you said, recognizing Theodore Nott and you tried to pull him towards you and away from the Thestrals.

"Me? Scare them away? They're hideous beasts!" he complained.

"No, they're not" you smiled softly. "They are very clever and quite noble creatures" you said, patting the head of the one nearest to you.

"Are you mad?" Theodore snapped.

"Look" you said, standing up, next to him. You walked closer to one of the Thestrals and slowly reached your hand out to it. The creature stepped closer to you, leaning into her touch. "See?"

"They're still hideous" Theo muttered, as he took another drag of his cigarette.

"You shouldn't be smoking" you said, looking back at him and realizing he was for the first time. "It's really bad for you" you said with a nervous smile.

"Is it now?" he said, taking one last drag, before putting the cigarette out on the ground. "Sorry, doll. My bad" he smirked.

"Don't call me doll" you said, grabbing your sketchbook again and sitting at your spot. "My name is (Y/N)-"

"I know who you are, love" he said.

"Well, Theodore, since you know my name, you could very much use it" you smiled but erased his smirk at the same time.

"Don't call me Theodore" he snapped. "You can call me Theo or Nott" he instructed. "But not Theodore" he said, taking the seat next to you.

You let out a small smile but composed yourself as best as you could while you silently nodded. You couldn't deny that Theodore Nott was a very handsome guy. You had always known that. But there was something quite mysterious about him as well. He wasn't as outspoken as the rest of the Slytherins in your year and he had never been particularly mean or rude towards you or your friends, but he still had quite a reputation. You knew the kind of friends he had and you had always opted to stay out of his way, until now. This was probably the longest conversation you'd ever had with him.

"I'm sorry" you said, nervously. "Um, Theo" you corrected yourself and he smirked back at you. "What are you doing here? If I may ask?"

"Just out for a walk" he shrugged. "You?"

"Well, I've been trying to sketch them for a while now" you said, showing him your sketchbook.

"Why would you want to sketch such hideous creatures?" he asked, taking the sketchbook in his hand. Although he had to admit, the drawing was rather beautiful.

"They are not hideous creatures" you insisted, taking your sketchbook back. "People only say that because they remind them of a bad time" you muttered. Theo wanted to ask you why you could see them, but then he knew you would ask him and he didn't want to have that conversation. "I believe there's beauty in every different creature here" you smiled.

"If you say so" he said, lighting another cigarette. "Do you... always come to the Forbidden Forest to... draw?" he asked, not really knowing why he was having this conversation with you. Maybe he was more bored than he thought.

"Sometimes" you explained. "Although I'm not so good at sketching creatures" you said, shyly. "I have more experience in plants, see?" you said taking out another sketchbook and showing him your sketches of different plants. It was something you always did to calm your nerves. And for some reason, Theodore Nott made you nervous. "These are some of my favorites" you smiled at him.

"I see" he said as if it was nothing, and returning to his cigarette. "Not bad, sweetheart" he admitted.

"Don't call me sweetheart" you glared at him. "And please, stop smoking" you said, trying to grab the cigarette from his mouth but he grabbed your hand, not forcefully, but intensely enough to stop you, looking into your eyes.

"Careful, love" he smirked. "That's a good way to lose a hand" he winked at you and you removed your wrist from his grip.

"Don't call me love" you said, trying your best to not let your voice tremble. "I gave you the courtesy of calling you Theo as you requested. I have a name. And the decent thing is that you do the same for me" you said, making him let out a chuckle as he let the smoke out of his mouth.

"Fine" he gave in. "(Y/N)" he said in a mocking tone.

The two of you sat there in complete comfortable silence. Neither of you wanted to question why you felt such calmness around the other. Theo watched as you started sketching the plants around you since he had scared most of the Thestrals away. You were so immersed in your colors and your plants, you didn't realize you were humming. Theodore saw that you were sketching the plant in front of the two of you and it was honestly remarkable. He then saw you grab your wand, oblivious to his stare at you, and pointed it to your parchment, making the flower on it change colors and move as some of the petals flew away. It was something so stunning, yet so simple at the same time. And then, he saw it. Your smile. Your smile was something indescribable as you continued sketching. It was definitely one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen.

"How did you do that?" he asked, still enchanted by your sketch and snapping you out of your thoughts.

"Oh, this?" you asked, feeling your cheeks burning a little. "Um, I've always liked drawing and coloring and painting" you said, with a smile on your face again. "One of the first charms I learned as a kid was to make my drawings move" you told him. "I also loved changing the colors of the flowers" you told him.

"Brilliant" he muttered. "Why don't you draw this one-" he said about to grab a plant not so far from him but you quickly stopped him.

"Don't touch that!" you said, throwing yourself on him and grabbing his hand before he could reach it. The two of you looked at each other, not daring to move when you realized how close you were. You had never seen Theo this close. He was extremely handsome. His deep, beautiful green eyes, his messy brown hair, his scattered freckles. And you could only imagine how beautiful his smile must be. Come to think of it, you had never seen him smile. The closest thing would be a cocky smirk. "Um-" you said, realizing neither of you had moved. "The foliage and berries of these plants are highly poisonous!" you said, pulling away.

"Really?" he asked, trying to ignore the feeling in his stomach when you pulled away.

"Yes" you insisted. "We studied them last year in Herbology. Didn't you pass your O.W.L.s?"

"Barely" he chuckled. "Are you good at Herbology?" he asked all of the sudden.

"Well... I wouldn't say I'm good-" you said, modestly.

"What was your O.W.L. score?"

"Um... an 'O'" you muttered, looking away.

"Excuse me?" he chuckled. "You got an 'O' and you wouldn't say you're good? I believe only you, Longbottom, and probably Granger got an 'O''"

"Well... what did you get?"

"An 'A'" he admitted. "Do you..." he continued after a moment of silence. "Do you reckon you could... maybe help me with Herbology?"

You were a bit taken aback by his request and turned to look at him to see any traces of mockery but he seemed to be sincere.

"M-me?"

"Better you than Longbottom I guess" he muttered.

"Actually, Neville happens to be quite brilliant when it comes to Herbology" you defended your friend.

"Perhaps but I'd much rather look at you than him" he winked at you and you looked away, trying your best to hide your burning cheeks.

"Um, sure, I'd be happy to help you" you said, now surprising him.

"Really?" he asked and you nodded.

"Of course" you smiled, placing your hand on his arm.

"Why thank you, darling" he said but saw you glare at him a little. "(Y/N)" he corrected, raising his hands in surrender. "You know I should probably head back" he said, standing up. He wasn't sure why but he was about to ask you to walk back with him, but you beat him to it.

"Um... would you mind if I walk back with you?" you asked shyly. "Only until we are out of the forest" you assured him. "It's just... it's getting late and I wouldn't like to go back by myself. But I promise you won't enter the Great Hall with a Hufflepuff" you assured him with a small giggle but Theo didn't laugh.

Theo came from one of the most respected pure-blood families in the Wizarding World. However, he never really understood the fuss about blood status and the rivalry between houses. His friends would probably stop talking to him and he knew his father would disown him if he even knew what was going through his mind. He was one of the most well-known death eaters and he expected him to be the same, same as his brothers.

"Sure. Whatever" he said as if it was no big deal. But deep down, he was glad you would walk with him. "So... shall we start tomorrow?" you looked back at him confused. "Herbology?"

"Oh! Right. Yeah, that works for me" you told him. "I believe we have Potions together and then we have a free period" you said.

"Lovely" he smirked.

"Why?" you asked all of the sudden and Theo looked at you confused.

"Excuse me?"

"I was... just wondering... why you asked for my help?"

"Do you... not want to help me?" he asked a bit hurt.

"No" you quickly said. "N-no, of course, I do, I just... you could ask someone in Slytherin" you muttered, looking away.

"If I wanted to ask someone from Slytherin I would have, don't you think?" he smirked.

"I guess you're right" you said, shyly.

"Then, I'll see you tomorrow, gorgeous" he winked at you. "It's a date?" he smirked. "Sorry, my bad... (Y/N)" he corrected himself.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Theo" you nodded, smiling as you both reached the entrance of the Forbidden Forest and you spotted Theo's friends not so far from you. "I'll go this way" you said quietly.

"Until tomorrow, sunshine" he said and you looked back at him, rolling your eyes but with a smile on your face.

Theo stood there for a moment and watched you leave and join your friends. He saw your smile getting brighter when you reached them and you all headed back to the castle. He didn't know how he had never noticed you before. You were so different from everything he was accustomed to which was probably why he felt the corners of his lips lifting just slightly. He was then, rudely snapped out of his thoughts when he felt someone punch his arm.

"Theo! Are you listening to me?" he heard Pansy snapping her fingers in front of him. "What are you even looking at?" she said, looking back in his direction. "Why are you staring at that mudblood?" she said, rolling her eyes and making him clench his fist involuntarily.

"Bugger off! I wasn't staring!" he complained. Contrary to popular belief, he hated that word.

"You were" Blaise muttered, on his other side as Pansy returned to her talk with Daphne, Greg, Vincent, and Draco.

"Shut up, Zabini" he complained and Blaise turned to look at him.

"I saw you coming out with her from the Forbidden Forest" he said, knowing only he could hear him.

"So? I bumped into her there" he shrugged it off.

"Did you now?" Blaise arched his eyebrow at him.

"Is there anything you're trying to tell me, Zabini?"

"Yes" he said, turning back to their group of friends and back at him. "Stay away from her" he whispered. "She's not like us" he said, but not like the rest of them said it. Theo knew his tone was different. "Look at her" he said. "Don't bring her into this darkness, Theo" he advised. "It's not worth it" he said. "Just be careful" he said before he went back to the group.

Theo sighed, knowing he was most likely right but there was something about you that made him feel drawn to you.

"Did I see you coming out of the Forbidden Forest with Theodore Nott?" Neville asked, pulling you back a little further from your group. The two of you became really good friends over your love of Herbology and he was like a brother to you. You were even helping him with his crush on Luna and you trusted him with your life basically.

"No" you said, a bit too quickly.

"(Y/N)" he arched his eyebrow at you.

"I just... bumped into him. He was taking a walk and I was sketching some Thestrals" you assured him. "Nothing more, Nev" you chuckled.

"You know I trust you, (Y/N). But... I wouldn't trust him" he advised. "I know he's never personally done anything mean towards us like his friends have but still. There's something... I don't know... dark about him" he insisted. "Just... be careful, okay?"

"Of course, Nev" you smiled as he moved along, catching with the rest of the group and leaving you behind.

You turned to look back at where Theo was walking with his friends, surprised when you found him looking straight at you and you smiled softly at him. He simply winked at you before he threw away his cigarette and resumed his walk.

What am I getting myself into?

To Be Continued

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

[Ch.2]

A/N: I feel like this chapter was sort of... meh but it was only the prologue and I hope you liked it and I promise I have more ideas for the following ones xD so... let me know what you think! :D

[yanderecandystore]

(nsfw kinda?) what would the twins do if they went to a party and then woke up next to someone after you-know-what and realize its s/o g/n? would they be shocked? scared? also remeber to drink water and get good sleep!

The irony boo is that I'm doing neither of those things lol-

But something I will do it's your request! It sounds really fun, boo!

I'm sorry this isn't better- I wish I could try this concept again on a full fledged fanfic but I'm not feeling the right mood yet, I think I would half-ass it because of that.

TW/Tags: nsfw/mentions of nsfw // short headcanon // the twins being both tsunderes and yanderes, I just really like the mixture XD // a slight memory loss before regaining everything cause I don't want to make this too dramatic // delusional thinking and possessive thoughts

🍭꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍰꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖🍭

Surprise slumber party [Yandere!Bully OCS x GN!Reader - Headcanon]:

→ Adrien Coldwell:

Ya know, the twins are known for bringing different people to sleep with them, normally just so they could have a one time fun with them and then leave- But this time it seems to be very different.

Adrien can't remember what happened the day before but after looking around and analysing his clues he has come to the conclusion that A: This is not the Coldwell mansion and B: HOLY SHIT why the FUCK are YOU sleeping next to them?-

Normally they tend to not care for who is sleeping next to them, just assuming that the warmth that comes from the body next to them is just another toy- Someone who is worth enough to sleep with them, but also not high enough in their standards to be considered a romantic partner.

But you?? You're not just a mere toy to them, you fool.

It's obvious that you two spent the night together in someone else's house, probably a friend of the twins. This confuses Adrien to no end, how were even invited to the party in the first place?? How did a loser like you get in here and how did a loser like you slept with him- YOU SLEPT WITH HIM, OH MY GOD-

Did you two… If you two really did fuck then why can't he remember anything?? This was supposed to be the most important memory in the moment yet he can't recall how you two ended up like this.

It's not his imagination either, there seems to be enough proof to support that you two did something together, but he can't tell how far it went- He wishes he could remember how it was.

Your body, naked next to him- Love bites that seem to be his on doing (he fucking hopes it's his on, or we're going to have a problem-), there doesn't seem to be any other marks- It wasn't rough and ruthless like he normally is with you, well, outside this scenario. Sounds like the perfect time that he can't. Fucking. Remember.

How inconsiderate. He can't even remember what he had imagined doing for so long. Maybe the memories will come back soon enough, he hopes they do.

Could you still remember? Probably not, you seem to be more unconscious than him- But he does hope you remember how it was, how HE was, was it like how he imagined- Was it how you imagined?

"- … Did you ever think about doing this with him at all? Was it- Was it actually love and not just-"

He is more confused than anything else, it was a very pleasant surprise but also so frustrating how he couldn't remember exactly how it went- Some parts seem to be coming back but not the whole scene, and in a foolish attempt at regaining his memories, he tries to redo his actions as his hand tries finding its way around your body once again-

If you wake up right now, you'll see the most confusing mixture of feelings into one single expression: fear, lost, yet an look of pure wonder- The scene before him is beautiful but the fact that only a couple of moments seem to play in his head makes him feel lost and fearful of what you might think of him.

Right now he feels so vulnerable, regretful that he couldn't have done this sooner- Sounds of last night echo through his mind. No one entered in this room except you two, and it's still really early in the morning so he can just go back and enjoy this moment- After all, what could be the best way to celebrate this moment if not by savouring his victory?

He finally got you by his side in the most intimate way possible and finally you can see that you belong to him- He won. He finally won...

→ Alexandra Coldwell:

Ya know, the twins are known for bringing different people to sleep with them, normally just so they could have a one time fun with them and then leave- But this time it seems to be very different.

Alexandra can't remember what happened the day before but after looking around and analysing her clues she has come to the conclusion that A: This is not the Coldwell mansion and B: HOLY SHIT why the FUCK are YOU sleeping next to them?-

Normally they tend to not care for who is sleeping next to them, just assuming that the warmth that comes from the body next to them is just another toy- Someone who is worth enough to sleep with them, but also not high enough in their standards to be considered a romantic partner.

But you?? You're not just a mere toy to them, you fool.

It's obvious that you two spent the night together in someone else's house, probably a friend of the twins.

Which by the way- How dare you?? Who invited you? Who allowed a loser like you inside this party in the first place?? Did you come with someone else- wait- why are you- WHY IS SHE NAKED?? Why are you BOTH NAKED??? Alexandra feels embarrassed as she can't remember how you two came to be in this position in the first place.

If you two really- Well, fucked- How can she not recall it?? Why can't she remember every single detail from last night?? It was supposed to be "the moment" yet she can only get a couple of scenes inside her head.

It's not a coincidence, it can't be! You two wouldn't be sharing a bed like this unless… No, it's clear that it happened- But why can't she just- Argh! How stressful, YOU are so stressful. You make her go to cloud nine every time she sees you yet she can't even remember if she made you pay for making her feel so- Bashful…

Look at you, naked and… A-And filled with stretch marks- It's clear that she used your body as a canvas for her sharp nails, yet they clearly don't look as painful as her other "victims". Your soft skin looks just as delectable as it always does, but the context of what could have happened makes this scenario so much better- But she still can't remember what got you two to this point, how inconsiderate.

It's the moment she would dream off every night, yet only a couple of scenes and sounds seem to be appearing in her very foggy mind. Maybe later she'll remember how it all went down, but she still needs to know some very important details right now-

Was it… Fun? To you, that is- Was it, like she dreamed off? O-or maybe it was more like one of your dreams- Although she shouldn't expect you to have nice dreams about her, they're all probably nightmares…

Was she good to you like you are to her?

"- Was I sweet… like you are? Was this love or just…"

She feels ashamed more than anything else, now she can't even remember if she looked good while topping you (if she finds out she went bottom mode with you on your first night she'll commit "not living anymore"-). As she caresses your body in hopes of triggering her memory back she can't deny that you look really appetizing, like something she could just take another bite off but never feel satisfied- Or maybe like someone that she can love, and love and love again yet never feel bored of it.

Her expression would be one of- Well, embarrassment mixed with a look of worship- This is probably the most vulnerable she has felt in a long time, yet this is the first time she feels so close to someone, that's a part of her that wants to wake you up and try to show you how much she adores you all over again.

But right now she should control herself, it's already morning, it's a new day. There are probably lots of party guests around the house, and even if the door is locked she doesn't want anyone to know of this. Let her enjoy this alone with you, goddamnit.

She won… Can you believe that?? She won. She won, she won! After so long she finally has you here with her, and even if she can't tell what happened and how far it went, it is still pretty clear that after so long of you denying it- You have accepted it.

You have successfully accepted your place next to her, not only just in bed. This is perfect- This moment, it's perfect.

You are hers now- Always have been!...

🍭꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍰꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖🍭

[robbybarnes]

~DUSKWOOD~

(I really don't know what will happen next,i'm just writing hoping for the best at this point xD enjoooy)

Hold My Hand - part 2

Although the road traveled was not so long, time never seemed to pass due to the constant silence. Both MC and Alan didn't utter a single word throughout the trip, just listening to the radio that the policeman had turned on shortly after leaving in the car. MC kept thinking about the many questions she wanted to ask the policeman, but she had the feeling that they had a limited time.

All she knew so far was that they "got him". But what did that mean? The government wanted him, that was clear. Jake himself had confided it to MC and she had then reported it to the group. But Alan could have said "they arrested him" or "he's in jail" instead he said "got him".

She thought it was cop jargon that maybe he used to use. But her instinct told her that there was more underneath.

MC: "Do the others know?"

The man turned his gaze thoughtfully to her, then returned his eyes to the road.

A: "Who do you think gave me your new phone number?"

She immediately thought of Jessy, how much she missed her friend and how much she missed everyone else. Inevitably the thoughts went to Richy and her eyes turned sad.

A: "Your friends missed you and that's why they asked me to text you. They didn't know what to tell you...or how."

So they knew too about Jake? For a moment she felt strange, almost guilty. Maybe Jake didn't want to put her in danger or maybe, which hurt her the most, he couldn't track her down in time. However, she knew that Alan wasn't going to answer those questions right now, so she decided to change the subject.

MC: "Mm...so,basically you're the Alfred for my Batman."

A: "Are you saying i'm old?"

MC: "Maybe."

A: "You know, i'm not going to bother. Alfred saved Batman so many times. He's a total badass. Also he has great mustaches and a shotgun."

MC: "But he's also half bald and he's a butler..."

A: "..."

MC laughed, covering her mouth with one hand. Alan was not what she had always imagined.

MC: "I'm just messing with you. He's a total badass. Can't argue that."

Alan smiled shaking his head and then nonchalantly took a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket. He took out a cigarette with one hand and raised it to his mouth. Then put the packet back in his pocket and took a lighter out of the car's object holder waving it to MC.

A: "Would you mind if..."

MC: "No, don't worry. I don't smoke but i like the smell."

A: "That's good. Don't ever start."

The strong, pungent aroma of tobacco quickly spread through the car, so Alan opened his window to let him out. He took a deep drag from his cigarette and soon blew out a cloud of white/grey smoke. As she looked at him, MC thought that maybe she was wrong about him. Not only had they misjudged him at first but then she herself had come to use him and put him in danger. “He's a cop and he's trained, he can do it.” But what if the MWAF was someone with better skills? She would have had a good man on her conscience. And Alan seemed to be a good man.

MC: "I'm sorry Alan. For lying to you and for putting you in danger..."

Alan seemed to think about it for a moment, but then shook his head in denial. He took another puff of his cigarette and then blew it on the windshield.

A: "I've never been mad at no one. Everything that happened was weird. But ordinary people have succeeded where "others" couldn't do anything. It's like a kick in the balls, isn't it?"

He hadn't mentioned Jake; he didn't miss out on details of what had happened and above all he referred to the police as "others".

MC: "Maybe what you call ordinary are actually very special."

A: "Special? I would say reckless."

He turned to give her a long look. In fact, he wasn't all that wrong.

A: "The truth is that no one can be blamed. Some games are hard to play, but i wish there was only one team. If you know what i mean..."

MC: "...yeah,i understand what you're saying..."

Before she could ask any questions, Alan turned his car to the right, onto a small dirt road. They had just entered the forest and a certain sense of fear was growing inside her. Not that there was anything wrong with the forests, at least not that one anymore, but after all that had happened. That forest made her uneasy.

MC: "Why we're here?"

She turned to look at Alan who was putting out his cigarette in the ashtray of his car.

A: "Renting a helicopter to get there was too expensive. Also, rappelling through the trees is more like 007."

At one point, right in the middle of nowhere, Alan slowed down and stopped the car. He turned off the engine, took a deep breath and let out a loud snort, and after opening the door he got out of the car. MC, on the other hand, was pitied by the sight of what was shown at the end of that road. She knew that round and woody structure well. Richy had shown her the place during a video call while they were looking for Hannah.

MC: "The...Dare House?"

Why had Alan brought her there? What did that place have to do with Jake? What was the purpose of all this?

[samsexualdeancurious]

Not a Duet But a Holy Trio | Chapter Nine

Pairing: Wincest, Wincest/Reader

Total Words: 2,165

Summary: When Sam finally arrives in Heaven for the last time, he discovers that, somehow, he has TWO soulmates - his older brother and a complete stranger.

Warnings: Reader Death, Canonical Major Character Death(s), WINCEST, eventual threesome smut (vaginal sex, anal sex, probably some oral, I’ll try and update this as we go), some made up lore shit for plot reasons. If the SPN writers can do it, so can I xD

Header editing by me.

---

You feel like you’re floating on cloud nine as Dean helps you mount your chosen wooden horse. You’re probably grinning like an idiot but that’s okay because so is Dean. He swings up onto the horse beside yours, looking almost comically large on a seat probably intended for a large child, and he immediately reaches across the gap between you both to take your hand.

“Haven’t been on one of these in years,” he admits, a little sheepish. “Sam and I didn’t really have time for them. Not since we were young.”

“It’s definitely been a while for me, too,” you say with a soft laugh, imagining Sam on a carousel. If Dean looks a little silly, Sam would look absolutely ridiculous. “Do you think Sam would like coming to a carnival?”

Dean shrugs as the music gets louder and the horses begin to move. “Maybe? We’ll have to ask him.”

It’s been so long since you last rode a carousel. You’d forgotten how soothing and almost peaceful the regular up-down motion of the ride is, even with the loud music and the chatter of the surrounding crowd. Dean’s hand is firm in yours even though his horse is moving in the opposite direction from your own, up when you go down and vice versa. When the ride comes to a stop, he slides from his horse and helps you down after him, his hands firm on your waist. Your face burns when he pulls you close to press a kiss to your cheek and you duck your head, feeling shy under all the attention.

“You hungry?” Dean asks, helping you step down off the raised platform of the ride.

“Definitely.”

“Me, too. How does the Roadhouse sound?”

Ellen’s burgers sound like the perfect end to the night and you tell Dean so. He weaves his fingers through yours and leads you across the street. It’s a bit of a walk but the night air is cool, especially once you escape the press of the crowded carnival and make your way out into the parking lot, and Dean’s the best kind of company for a night like this.

“My lady,” he says cheerfully, holding the Roadhouse door open for you.

“Dean Winchester!”

He grimaces but he’s still smiling when Ellen makes her way across the bar to hug him.

“Next time you leave for a week, I expect at least one phone call,” she scolds before turning to you. “Y/N, sweetheart, how are you?”

“What, she doesn’t get a telling off?” Dean pouts.

Ellen glares at him with no real heat. “Pam brought her over for dinner the other night while you and your brother were gone without a word.”

Dean’s face turns red and he at least looks a little ashamed of himself. You give his hand a squeeze.

“He and Sam apologized,” you assured Ellen. “We’re actually having our first date tonight.”

That gets Ellen in a good mood. She ushers you to a booth with menus and a promise of dinner on her, despite Dean’s protests.

“Sorry about her,” Dean says when she’s gone to get your drinks. “She can be a bit much.”

“It’s because she cares about you.”

His cheeks burn brighter and he rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, I guess I’m just not really used to having people outside of Sam who do.”

You can see that. From the sounds of it, the two of them really only had each other for most of their lives. They’ve gotten used to not being able to depend on anyone outside of their partnership. Friends have come and gone but Sam has been a constant for Dean through it all.

“Well, you have me now,” you tell him and he smiles, taking your hand over the table.

“I do,” he agrees. “I honestly don’t think I could have ever imagined something like this.”

“I don’t think I could have, either” Your cheeks are warm. Again. These boys are experts at making you blush.

You both get one of Ellen’s classic burgers and they’re perfect, as always. The Roadhouse is pretty busy, probably as a result of the carnival across the street. The crowds aren’t nearly as intimidating now as they were earlier in the day, though. You had just needed to jump right in the deep end, honestly, and while you’ll probably never be a huge fan of crowds, you can definitely brave them in favor of a good time.

Date night with Dean definitely qualifies as a good time.

--

Sam’s still up when you finally get home, full of burgers and fries and still riding the high of the new developments in your relationship. He’s sprawled on the couch with a beer in one hand, a plate of pizza crusts on the coffee table, and what looks like a nature documentary on the TV. He sits up when the front door opens, smiling over the back of the couch at you. His smile widens when he sees your hand in Dean’s.

“It went well?” he asks, flipping the TV off as he stands.

“I’d say so,” Dean’s grin mirrors his brother’s. He gives your hand a squeeze and turns his smile to you. “Did you have a good day?”

“I had a great day,” you answer honestly, leaning your arm against his. “The carnival was a lot of fun and we went to the Roadhouse afterward for dinner.”

It’s clear Sam has questions but he doesn’t press. Instead, he gestures to the stairs. “Well, Dean. Walk her to the door like a gentleman.”

You both laugh and Dean does just that, leading you to the bottom of the stairs.

“I had a really great time tonight,” he says softly, turning to face you.

“Me, too.” You lean into Dean as he sets his hands on your waist. “I’m excited to see where this goes next.”

“Yeah?” Dean’s tone is hopeful and eager. “How about a kiss to start things off?”

“That I can definitely do.”

He brings one hand up to cup your cheek and draw you in for a kiss, just as soft and careful as the first time. You loop your arms around his neck and hold on just a little longer, soaking in every moment of this until Sam lets out a low whistle that has you breaking the kiss with a laugh.

“Fuck off,” Dean chuckles.

Still laughing, you press a kiss to the corner of Dean’s mouth and step away. “I’m gonna go get ready for bed.”

Dean lets his hands slip from your body, a little reluctantly, and nods. “Omelets for breakfast?”

“That sounds fantastic. Goodnight, Dean.”

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight!” Sam calls, still grinning that proud little brother grin. You give him a little wave as you head up the stairs.

As soon as you reach the top of the stairs, you can’t help an internal squeal and a little happy dance. You feel as light as air as you get ready for bed. You can hear the low rumble of the boys talking downstairs. You don’t listen close enough to make out the words but you can tell from their tones that it’s all good stuff, probably Dean updating Sam on all the details of the evening. You have a feeling you’re going to do the same in the morning when you get your chance alone with Sam.

For now, you get to dance around your room like you imagine a teenage girl would do after a first date with her crush. Never once in your whole life did you ever think you would have a soulmate, let alone two, and you’ve had so many anxious thought spirals wondering if they would even want you but now those doubts are being drowned out by the high of tonight. You’re so happy that you’re a little concerned about whether you’ll be able to sleep but thankfully the long day at the carnival takes care of that and you’re asleep within minutes of crawling into bed.

--

You wake up the next morning in just as good of a mood as you went to bed, especially when you’re greeted by the delicious smells of a Dean Winchester breakfast. You quickly get ready for the day and hurry downstairs to find both Winchesters already awake, Dean at the stove working on food and a sweat-soaked Sam finishing off his water bottle.

“Good morning!” you say brightly and they greet you with just as much enthusiasm.

Dean leans in when you’re close enough to press a kiss to your cheek. “Coffee’s in the pot and your omelet is almost done.”

“You’re the best.” You give Dean a little hug, sliding around between him and the island to get to the coffee machine by where Sam’s standing. “Did you go for a run?” you ask, eyeing him appreciatively. His t-shirt is clinging to his torso in all the best ways, his hair damp and curling gently at the ends. His breathing is still heavy from his workout and your eyes linger on the curve of his pecs as you fetch your mug from the cupboard above the coffee machine.

Sam is nodding. “Yeah, I figured I’d better get back into the habit since we can leave now. I found a little trailhead that loops back around. It was a great start to the day.”

“Sounds like it! Maybe we can hike it sometime?”

“I would like that,” Sam replies as you fill your mug with coffee. “How does tomorrow sound?”

“Tomorrow sounds great! It’s a date.”

That response makes Sam light up. “Yeah?”

You smile back at him, leaning against the counter with your coffee in hand. “Yeah. It’s about time, honestly.”

“Really is,” Dean agrees, turning to set a plate with a steaming omelet on the island. “Here you go, Y/N.”

You make a happy sound and round the island to take your usual seat, pulling the plate across the counter to you. “This looks amazing, Dean. Thank you.”

“I’m gonna jump in the shower,” Sam says, setting his water bottle in the sink.

“Make it quick and I’ll have an omelet waiting for you.”

“Egg white?”

Dean rolls his eyes but tips his chin up to accept a kiss from his brother. “Only for you.”

You dig into your omelet, humming softly with the first bite. It’s hot and fresh and absolutely perfect, as always. Dean gets to work mixing up an omelet for himself and then an egg white only one for Sam.

“Did you sleep well?” he asks, pouring his omelet mix into the pan.

“Mm-hmm.” You sip your coffee, swinging your feet a little. “The carnival really wore me out.”

“A long day in the sun will do that,” Dean agrees. “I crashed pretty hard, too. Not until I gave Sam all the details, though. I swear, he’s like a teenage girl sometimes.”

You laugh softly, cutting another bite from your omelet with the side of your fork. “What did he think?”

“He’s really excited.” Dean leans on the island, eyes impossibly green in the morning sun coming through the high windows. “I’ve put you guys through a lot, making you wait for me on this, but it means a lot that you let me take my time.”

“Of course!” You shoot Dean a bright smile, which he returns. “I’m excited to finally be taking these next steps with you guys.”

“Does that excitement include meeting our parents tonight?”

You grimace, laughing. You’d kind of forgotten about tonight’s Sunday dinner plans. “I am but I’m definitely also nervous.”

“Don’t be,” Dean says, reaching over the table to give your hand a little squeeze. “They’ll love you.”

You hope Dean is right. All of the Winchesters’ other friends and family you’ve met so far have welcomed you with open arms but that doesn’t help you feel any less nervous. You poke your omelet with your fork as Dean turns back to the stove to finish up his omelet. You’ve never met a partner’s parents before - you’ve never had a partner before, let alone two - and you’re not sure what to expect. What will they think of you? Of their sons sharing a soulmate? Sam and Dean said they’re fine with it but are they really?

“I can hear you thinking too hard,” Dean says without turning. “Everything’s going to be fine.”

“What’s going to be fine?” Sam asks, emerging from the bathroom. His hair is still damp, though from the shower this time, and he’s dressed in his usual jeans and flannel.

“Dinner at Mom and Dad’s place tonight,” Dean answers. “Right on time, Sammy. Your omelet’s almost done.”

“Thanks.” Sam slides onto the stool beside you, bumping your shoulder gently with his own. “And Dean’s right, Y/N. Don’t tell him I said that, though.”

Dean flips him off over his shoulder and Sam loops his arm around your waist as you both laugh. You lean into him, feeling much better already.

—

Like this fic? Support me longterm on Patreon HERE or make a one-time donation on Ko-Fi HERE.

—

Team Forever: @mrswhozeewhatsis @manawhaat @books-and-icecream @laughing-at-the-darkness @tumbler-tidbits @emoryhemsworth @imsuperawkward @onethirstyunicorn

[anthemxix]

There is something that I noticed while watching a game play of Hyrule warriors. Once You get the great fairy in the game but the way she fights is what got my angst side tickling. The way she fights is that she puts Link in a bottle and fights while he’s in the bottle, and once there’s a victory. The great fairy lets him out and you can clearly see his discomfort when she spins around him and such. Just something i noticed that i thought might be important for yah. :3

thank you so much for sending me this! it makes me so happy that you thought to share this with me. thank you ;w;

the whole getting-stuck-in-a-bottle thing is perfect for angst, and i was going to write something angsty, but then...this happened?? tl;dr for this fic is as follows~

hyrule: i don't like trapping fairies in bottles. warriors: yeah, getting trapped in a bottle sucks. hyrule: wait, what? warriors: what?

like that's it, that's the fic. also, wind is the problem child here because the fairies in WW look so sad after you catch them XD

Deep in the woods, the heroes find a sanctuary.

The densely-packed, straight-backed trees open up into a sunlit pocket, a secret glade undisturbed for centuries, where the air holds still like bated breath. Playing among the sunbeams, fluttering on filmy dragonfly wings, are dozens upon dozens of fairies.

Hyrule smiles fondly as he steps into the clearing, stretching out an arm in invitation. Several fairies, awash in a pastel pink glow, drift towards him and perch there like birds on a branch. A few more land on his shoulders; a couple snuggle into his nest of unruly hair.

“Oh, this is great!” Wind chirps. His voice seems unnaturally loud in the quiet, sacred space, and a handful of the fairies on Hyrule’s arm startle and flit away. The Traveler turns, prepared to admonish the Sailor for his volume, but he pales as he sees Wind, and several of the other heroes, fishing empty bottles from their bags.

Fairies’ healing magic is more potent than any potion, so Hyrule understands why the other heroes want it at their disposal; yet the idea of trapping one of these magnificent little creatures for days or weeks on end merely to exploit her generosity makes Hyrule uneasy. He knows what it’s like to be so small and helpless, and he can only imagine the horror of being imprisoned in a cramped bottle with nothing to do but breathe increasingly stale air and wait for freedom.

Hyrule holds out his other arm to offer refuge to more fairies; several more pink orbs alight on him without hesitation. Dismayed, he watches Wind ready his bottle and make a wild swing for a fairy. She bleats in alarm before zipping away.

His next target is not so lucky. Wind catches this fairy between his hand and the bottle, effectively jamming her inside.

“Sailor—,” Hyrule begins, but he cuts himself off as, to his surprise, Warriors clamps a firm hand on Wind’s shoulder and spins him around. He’s wearing the irritated scowl that’s usually reserved for Legend.

“What do you think you're doing?” the Captain snaps.

The triumph over a successful catch swiftly drains from Wind’s face. “What do you mean?”

“You have to be more careful,” Warriors chastises. “If you insist on detaining them, at least don't hurt them.”

“What? I would never—!” Pausing, Wind gives the cross-armed Captain a once-over, defensiveness dissipating in favor of curious realization. “Wait, why aren’t you grabbing any fairies…?”

Huh. Now that Hyrule considers it, he doesn’t think he’s ever seen Warriors with a bottled fairy of his own. He hadn’t realized the Captain, too, is sensitive to the plight of these little winged creatures.

Blatantly discounting the question, Warriors says, “Look, why don’t you let Time give you pointers on how to do this properly.”

Wind’s imminent protests visibly shrivel as his gaze follows to where Warriors points. Time stands peacefully in the middle of the glade, open bottle passively upheld; a fairy willingly flies inside and allows herself to be stowed in Time’s bag. Attention captured, Wind bounces over to Time without another word to Warriors.

Eyebrows raised in amusement, Hyrule relaxes. Wind hadn’t intended to mistreat the fairies, and his youthful vigor is disarming. He glances at Warriors, expecting to see a similarly amused expression on him, given the massive soft spot Warriors has for the kid, but Warriors isn’t looking at Wind or Time at all. Instead, he’s watching the others collect fairies with an expression Hyrule has never seen on him.

His irritation, it seems, was a knee-jerk reaction, a symptom masking the real problem, which apparently is…discomfort?

Hyrule watches as now, in the quiet, some fairies drift towards the Captain, languidly orbiting him or touching down on his shoulders. If he notices, he doesn’t acknowledge them, continuing to watch the other heroes with crossed arms and pursed lips, like he’s tasted something sour.

Stepping closer, Hyrule says, “Uh, h-hey. Captain?”

As if he’s forgotten Hyrule was standing nearby, Warriors startles, but he quickly composes himself, seamlessly transitioning to an air of detached, smoothed-over neutrality. “Yes?”

“You okay? You look a little, uh…spooked.”

“Of course.” He buries one hand in the folds of scarf around his neck. The lie is painfully obvious, though Hyrule isn’t certain if that’s a cue to keep pushing or to let this go.

Fortunately, he doesn’t need to decide. Warriors drops the hand from his scarf and instead hooks his thumbs onto his belt. He’s in his observational tactician mode, his posture and expression shuttered so that he gives nothing away, only takes in. “You know, I'm not as in-tune with magic as you or Legend, but I’ve always been able to sense the residue of fairy magic on you, Traveler. Why is that?”

The deflection is unexpected, Hyrule thinks, but he supposes he can’t call it unfair. Secrets are like anything else: earned, not free. So he barters.

“Yeah, it’s, um. It’s from…a spell I can cast.”

“What does it do?”

“Uh, well, it’s…” He swallows. Maybe he isn’t ready to divulge this particular secret in full. “It sort of…replicates fairy magic, you could say.”

Warriors looks like he wants to ask more; Hyrule jumps in before he can. “So you don’t like catching fairies, huh?”

He can almost see the same thought process flicker across Warriors’ face: get a secret, give a secret.

One hand trails up to his scarf—a nervous habit, Hyrule figures—but then drops to his side again. “I don’t like the idea of trapping them.”

“Neither do I,” Hyrule agrees.

Warriors’ gaze is fixed on the others again, on the bottles in their hands. His hand returns to his scarf, and this time he absently toys with it, mind preoccupied. “...I know what it’s like.”

“What…what’s like?”

“Being trapped like that.” His voice has gotten quieter, his gaze more faraway. “And no matter what you do, you can’t get out.”

“Oh...I...I'm sorry,” Hyrule fumbles, not sure what to say.

“No one took it seriously,” Warriors continues. He untangles his hand from his scarf, holds out a finger so one of the fairies on his shoulder can perch there instead. “I felt so small and helpless...but it was just a joke to everyone else.”

Hyrule shuffles uncomfortably, scrutinizing the somber way Warriors is looking at the fairy on his finger. “So, um...what...where were you...trapped, exactly?”

Warriors frowns, and for one hopeful moment, Hyrule thinks he’s going to get an answer. But then Wind is bounding over, chattering excitedly, earlier tensions seemingly forgotten. The fairies around Warriors flutter away in a cloud, and Time is gathering everyone up so they can keep moving.

Well. A half-truth exchanged for a half-truth. It’s a start, Hyrule supposes. At least it’s a start.