#sorry for disappearing for half a week I got sick and then just. didn't really draw sorry about that one chat

[critter-covenant]

"ooooh thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!"

They'd be good friends I like to thinmk

[skyeslittlecorner]

Promised Land - Andrealphus

You know what, I'm sorry. It was supposed to be three times shorter. I swear. My hand slipped. I have no idea how it got so big. No proofreading, plus I'm sure there will be some awkwardness because English is not my native language. SFW.

I wish everyone who is brave enough to read it to have a nice time!

Words: ~5365

Part one summary: You, the reader, managed to talk to Andrea through the game. He realized that apart from the MC, there was someone behind the screen.

Other parts: On the other side | Promised Land | Point to point | Love is blind (18+)

꧁:･ ✡ ･:꧂

First, you were fired from a job. Then you tripped on a walker, cracked the head, and ended up in the hospital. But the worst of it all was that you destroyed your phone. Everything was gone. With barely enough savings to pay your rent, you couldn't afford a new one. Drunk with desperation, you even asked a friend to install the game on her phone just to see if the account was saved. Account - yes. But what you valued most is gone.

Andrealphus didn't hear you.

You couldn't even tell anyone about it. Crazy, that's what they'd say. They thought work was your biggest worry, but it was only almost biggest. For two weeks, the longing had been so overwhelming that you could do nothing but cry into your pillow. Stupid? Maybe. Stupid was that you lost him through your own fault and in such a simple way. You would love to get rid of these feelings. The problem was that you couldn't.

The Promised Land was a three-hour drive from the city and at first glance looked like a combination of Disneyland and a shamanic capital. All you could see were the outlines of high roller coasters, a barrel, and other strange death apparatuses that you had only agreed to visit to ease your’s friend remorse. She suddenly realized that she had been ignoring you because of her new boyfriend and wanted to make it up to you. At first, you were excited. Then it turned out that all three of you were going. Apparently, her car broke down. What a sad coincidence, her boyfriend’s car remains.

Watching the amusement park from the backseat of the SUV, Liminal Land came to your mind. You have always been interested in AR. Parallel worlds, virtual reality, interconnections, such nonsense. Nonsense… That's probably why you had the impression for a few weeks that the guy from the game talked with you. Maybe it was all a dream? You must have imagined it out while you were having a bad time, drinking coffee with energy drinks, trying to keep up with work that you got fired anyway. A defensive reaction of the brain or something.

And yet you still felt like you had lost somebody close.

꧁:･ ✡ ･:꧂

It was exactly as you thought. The couple in love disappeared from sight about half an hour after buying tickets and walking through the gate. They probably followed the cashier's advice and visited Stargrazer, a large building that reminded you of the Avisos casino. Apparently you got tokens there. They could be exchanged for prizes, rides, and more. You preferred to go to the other attractions first so as not to run into the lovebirds. Tall garden clocks that resembled lamps showed ten o'clock. Armed with a VIP pass, you promised yourself to have fun, at least for today. Despite this, you involuntarily returned your hand to your purse to touch the damaged phone. Somehow it felt warm. That hit on the head must have been really hard to still have effects.

After all, throwing yourself into the attractions and completing half of them, ending with three rounds of a sick water rollercoaster in a row… was not the best idea. It was almost lunchtime. Or at least it should be, because you were getting hungry even though the time on the watches had barely moved. That was weird. You could clearly see the hands moving, but when you looked away and returned, it showed ten o'clock again.

To calm your stomach, you sat on a bench and looked at the people around you. They also were weird, but positively weird. Freaks of all designs and colors, cosplayers, but also amateurs. Somewhere you saw One Piece and Dragon Ball, and now crossdressed Elsa in a fur cape was talking to a biblically accurate angel. They moved away towards the administration, probably belonged to the staff. Extraordinary craftsmanship.

The park was mostly for adults, but a lot of them were with children. Too bad, they could have left them in the mini-park that was apparently set aside somewhere at the other end of the place. Their running only made you more dizzy. The smell of pizza from the stand next door didn't help either.

Evacuating yourself from all the stimuli, you stood in front of a large block, which was apparently the biggest attraction. Stargrazer was a gigantic, purple and blue structure that looked like a club from the outside. Through the arch with neon lights in the shapes of comets and planets, dozens of people entered the huge hall. The whole place was enormous. There seemed to be no walls or even a ceiling. People on other levels walked on balconies, and at the top - on a dark glass surface that lit up with every step, making the "ceiling" look like a sky with shining stars. Dozens of stands were scattered on the left and right. People occupied lanes that looked like some kind of bowling pins, glass mini-mazes, and slot machines. Walking through the middle, you moved further and further away from the sunlight, guided by the dim light of LED lights and games that you had never really seen in your life. Everyone seemed to know the rules.

Something crashed into you with full force.

"I'm sorry, ma'am!"

"It’s okay…"

A short teenager gave you an apologetic smile and ran away, holding a white thistle in his hands. It looked like a many-pointed star or a sharp spike. Many people won the same objects. When unfolded, they resembled stars and gave off light, but they could be twisted, folded into a cube the size of a thumb, and placed in a pocket. They appeared to be tokens that could be redeemed for prizes. When you looked behind the boy, you saw him lining up at the checkout at the entrance.

"Are you sure everything is fine?"

This time, the little girl stood in front of you, watching intently. She had fair skin and golden hair, and with blue eyes she looked like an angel. There was a badge on her chest. It resembled employee ID badges, but was clearly written in a child's handwriting: "Hi! My name is Mia and I work here with dad!"

It seemed that her parent took her to work here often enough that she felt the need to help customers herself, because she started explaining the rules of the games. She was nicer company than you thought, as you slowly walked deeper and deeper into the building. You weren't having much luck with games and didn't care about tokens, just wanted to try out the games. When the star finally rolled out of the slot, you turned to Mia.

"It's for you." You gave her a star.

"For me…"

She looked shocked, turned the item over in her hands like a treasure. You didn't know she would be so happy; with VIP pass you didn't need tokens anyway, just came to calm down a bit. Despite the multitude of people, the place seemed calmer and the voices were muffled. Maybe it was some space special effects.

As you were walking to the next stand, the explosion blew you off your feet.

Everything happened at once. Thrown against the wall like a rag doll, you felt every part of the body being torn apart by pain. You've gone deaf. Breathless. Shards of glass fell from the sky like rain, beautifully shining, deadly raindrops. Conscious enough to cover your eyes, you raised hands. The skin was cut by sharp edges.

The ringing in the ears turned into a wailing alarm. You felt torn apart, but all your limbs were in place. Not everyone was so lucky. Dozens of people, scattered on the floor and against the walls, lay motionless. Some bloody. Not everything was visible through the thick layer of dust. Also, images reached your eyes, but not mind. What happened?

You don't know if it was a second or an hour before you regained some sort of consciousness. To your left, a pair of men weren't getting up, but to your right, a girl who stood next to you earlier was clinging and shaking. Her eyes were as big as cup saucers, and blood and tears were mixing on a dainty face.

"Hey, your head. This looks bad." You heard your own voice, although you still felt unreal, as if everything around you didn't exist. Ultra-real VR. Especially the pain.

She flinched as you took the torn piece of her shirt and tied it around her temple.

"Th-these…are they terrorists?" She uttered, sobbing.

You looked around. The explosion threw you behind the games, away from the center of the hall. She had a better view, as two gaming machines fell in front of you, effectively blocking the view. When you looked out from behind them, sure enough, there were some people walking around… with guns. White uniforms and fur coats. They seemed to be combing the gigantic place starting from the other end. Not many of them, but would there be many terrorists? They chased away the rest of the people, took the conscious ones inside the destroyed building, and the unconscious ones…

You didn't want to see this. You didn't want to end up like that, either. Until they haven't found you, you had a chance. Whoever it was had bad intentions.

"Let's go." As you sat up, dizziness hit you, but luckily the legs worked. It's worse with the hands. The left one you covered yourself with was bleeding so profusely that all your clothes on your chest and stomach were red. Luckily, the blood was only leaking lazily now, not as heavily, but you still felt sick watching it.

The girl wasn't lucky either. Her leg was bent at an odd angle, at best it was broken. She whimpered as you helped her up. Someone turned off the alarm. Now the only sounds were the shifting of rubble. The soldiers were unnaturally quiet, as if they did not need words to communicate. It scared you. Despite everything, Mia had more courage, she bit her lip to keep quiet.

There were many alcoves with doors along the wall, and every other one had an "exit" sign above it. Fire exits. In some, you could hear the sound of sprinklers firing through the thick smoke following the explosion. The air was hard to breathe. You glided slowly, leaning against the wall, helping the girl bounce forward. Every step took forever. Only the adrenaline in the veins kept you running.

Strange soldiers were getting closer. As you trudged through the alley, you could hear machines moving nearby. Cleaned rubble. Whistle of the blade that will stay with you forever. You had two final turns to get out of the trap when someone ran right into you.

"R-run!" A distressed woman in bloody clothes squealed. She grabbed your hand. You screamed in pain and jumped back. "There's their boss over there! He kills! He’ll kill you!"

She ran further down the corridor. Your hand, torn by the glass and moved by her, burst out with a fresh dose of blood. Pain was awful. Black spots danced before the eyes, if only you could take a breath… The little girl leaning on your shoulder began to sob. It brought you back to life. The strange woman run again, and must have bumped into the soldiers because you heard her scream.

Boss. Angelic boss. The best options you could think of were immediate death from Gabriel's scythe. As for the others, maybe Michael would take pity and cut your head off quickly. Raphael… Well… Fortunately, there was no time to think about it.

In front of you was a bend in the hall and on your left was the door to the bathroom. You pressed the doorknob, they gave way. The intact, white room smelling of lavender, that would have been completely normal half an hour ago, looked like science fiction when you were surrounded by chaos and destruction. Behind a series of sinks and mirrors, the only ones that were cracked, there was a second door leading to an outside corridor. You hid in one of the cabins.

"Listen." You crawled together and helped her lean against the wall. "I'll check if it's still safe and come get you, okay? This "boss" doesn’t sound good."

You had no other choice, and you both knew it.

"But promise you'll come back." The little one tried to hold on, but it didn't work out well. "Promise…"

"I swear."

You felt sorry for her. Alone. Little. She didn't even have a way to escape with her crushed leg. But if there really was another danger ahead of you, you wouldn't stand a chance anyway. You didn't even have a place to hide and wait, because the storage compartment in the cabin where you left Mia was too small for the two of you.

But why were the Seraphim here? Didn't they have better things to do? You already guessed why the clocks weren't working. It is a space like the "New Heaven" in Gehenna created by the Cherubim. Here, a lot of innocent people were caught in angelic inner games.

Carefully, you poked your head out. The last corridor left to exit was long and wide. Debris was falling from the stairwells at regular intervals, but it was possible to walk through them. Two people ran down and towards the exit, or at least they tried to, before someone got in their way.

Now you knew the woman wasn't lying, and realized what the strange fur coats were. It's not fur. They're feathers. A chill ran down your spine because what you saw before the eyes was unreal. A tall man stood with his back to you, with the wing and a halo. With a shining scythe, he blocked the path of two terrified people.

You knew this man. Angel’s boss, she said? You felt a stupid urge to laugh out loud, along with a stone that suddenly weighed heavily on your heart.

"Wait!"

The scream left your mouth before any thought even reached the brain. The hand that was preparing to strike froze in the air, and you had the impression that you felt a gust of air that was supposed to accompany the slash. Regret hit you faster than a train. Legs felt like running away. It was a mistake. Now this scythe will be aimed at you. But he just turned around and stared blankly at you.

Now that he turned around, you had a clear view of all the details. A black suit, perfectly fitted to a muscular body. A long braid decorated with bloody feathers and powerful horns, curled like a ram's and made of black segments like dragon scales. A handsome, long face and muddy eyes, decorated with scars. Black leather gloves on his hands that held the huge weapon as easily as a child's toy. And a luminous scythe. Which was now aiming for your throat.

"Who are you?"

"I…" Is it possible? Does he remember? Were your conversations even yours, or was it really AI? You almost stopped breathing, squinting.

"Uh… I'm… I'm human. You wouldn't hurt a human. Right?"

If your conversations weren't real, your name would do him no good. But if it was the real Andrealphus, the one you knew, the one you love, he wouldn't have hurt an innocent man. But… why was he targeting those people, then?

He flinched when he heard your voice.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came with friends…"

"No. What are you doing here? My…" He trailed off. "It's not safe. You have to get out of here."

Oh, that was all you wanted right now. But the chaos in your head didn't allow you to think clearly. After all, about three minutes ago you were the victim of a terrorist attack, and now you were standing in front of a fictional guy you were in love with. Even separately this is too much!

"A strange woman ran… into me and said, well… That you are the boss of the angels. And you murder people."

"Humans? You're the first human I've ever met. As for the other part…" The grip on the scythe style tightened.

"Those two you were aiming at also were."

He frowned and tilted his head as if to look over his shoulder. Of course, they were no longer there, but you were sure you didn't see any wings on them, unlike the soldiers in the main hall.

"They had an angelic aura about them."

Any further discussion had to wait because you heard footsteps in the hall. He was redy to fight, but you were not. You dragged him into the bathroom.

"They were humans. There's something wrong with this place. Maybe he's irradiating us or something."

"If so, I should also see you."

Your voices turned to whispers as footsteps passed down the hall. You knew he could ‘see’ the glow of the outlines of angels, but not ordinary humans or devils. He was relying on other senses and sensations you didn't understand. It didn't fully replace sight, but it helped, especially in hunting.

"I'll show you another human. We'll see then, okay?"

You got back to Mia faster than you thought. She was happy to see you, but when she saw Andrealphus she screamed and pushed herself deeper into the corner. He didn't look happy either.

"Hello, little one."

Andrea knelt down next to the girl. Even if he looked confused, his voice was firm and gentle. He was really talking to the child. The girl moved away and covered her eyes with her hand as if to defend herself.

"Your friend says you have no wings. Is it true?"

"Ye…yes."

"I’m blind. Let me feel it."

He warned before extending his hand. His hand wandered over her shoulder, but all he found was air and a cold wall. He frowned.

"I told you, she’s not an… what are you doing!" You shouted, seeing how he takes out small pistol from under his jacked. You froze, but he just placed the gun on the girl's lap. His past came to your mind; you wondered if he thought about what would happen if he had a gun when he met Rafael as a little boy. In his own way, it seemd that he was trying to protect another child from this fate. Save from helplessness.

You felt a twist of pain in your stomach. He trusted you. He must have remembered you. Why else would he believe you enough to give the creature he thought was an angel a weapon?

"You have to have something to defend yourself with." He stood up and turned towards you. "Let's go."

"We?" You glanced towards the door. "I will be a burden. Let me sneak out the back door."

"The building is fully guarded, you are safest with me. Besides, you got your eyes intact. Since the aura is crazy here, I don't want to hurt anyone innocent."

Andrea placed the scythe on his shoulder. A hand extended towards you, a serious look on a scarred face.

"Please, be my sight. Guide me."

Your heart skipped a beat. Even your vision went dark, although maybe it was the result of blood loss. Never mind. You accepted his hand. It was rough and strong, you could feel the tiny scars under your fingers; exactly how you imagined a soldier's hand. He smiled so softly that your legs went weak beneath you. He caught you in half before you fell.

Okay, maybe it was the blood loss after all.

You slowly straightened up and leaned against your broad chest, taking a few deep breaths. Wounds didn't hurt as much anymore, but slowly you slowly lose feeling in your hand. It just went limp. You didn't even have time to admire his warmth, his scent, because your stupid body refused to obey.

"You're bleeding."

"Don't worry… I'll be fine. It's already better." You tried to sound like everything was alright. Maybe not well enough for him to move away, but enough for him not to worry. Judging by his face, it didn't work. His grip on your waist tightened.

"I would take you to Nilfheim, but those damn portals stopped working…" He muttered to himself.

You didn't expect to hear such a note in his voice. Care? Anxiety? This was unlike the stoic devil you knew. And if the portals weren't working…

"How did you get here then?"

"We have other ways. Your phone."

"But it's ruined."

"It didn't matter. It previously acted as an interdimensional mirror, so I could have used it as a reference."

That was enough revelation for you. Whatever happened, you just wanted to rest. With Andrea, of course.

"Please. Let's just get out of here."

You decided it would be better to go through the main hall. If you don't manage to sneak by sideways, it will be easier for Andrealphus, with his huge scythe, to fight in a larger area. That's why you left Mia too. He felt her just like the angels. Only recognizing their aura, he couldn't distinguish most of them; he would have killed her by pure accident, aiming at someone else. You preferred to avoid it.

Leaning on the devil, letting him hold you by your waist, you limped into the main hall. Most of the angels had already dispersed, the dust had settled, only human bodies and dirty blood stains were lying here and there. Seeing this, your nausea only increased. A few surviving soldiers were wandering among the machines, picking something up from among the rubble. You saw sparkles in their hands. Were they star tokens?

Before you could think twice, you felt a tug on your waist. Andrea stopped. The scythe was aimed at the man in front of you.

"I can?"

He asked politely, as if he wanted to pull out a chair in front of you rather than waiting for permission to murder. A lump stuck in your throat. The man did indeed have white wings and a halo, but instead of a soldier’s uniform he wore a blue one. You recognized that long blond hair; you've seen him before.

"It's… someone from the staff, I guess."

"Do not kill me!" He begged. "I can't do anything to you, I was just… looking…"

He tried to move away, but Andrea wrapped his scythe around the man like an arm. The weapon touched the wings. Demon felt it and growled throatily.

There was a screech behind you.

"Leave him!"

Another problem. You glanced behind; Mia, propped up on a broom, had to limp quietly tracing you. She aimed the small gun at Andrea's back. Would the bullet hurt him? You did not know. But his face hardened. The angels that had been roaming around the building heard you and began to gather around. In a wide semicircle, with their weapons drawn, they observed the horned intruder.

Andrealphus was silent. Waited. He could have killed them. He would do it easily, without breaking a sweat; but still, something held him back. You guessed what it was about. When he gave the girl the gun earlier, he didn't expect it to be pointed at him.

In a scene he couldn't get out of his mind, he became the one he hated the most.

"You're not like him." You whispered and placed your hand on his hand where he held the scythe.

He slowly moved her away from the man. Mia walked past you and threw herself into her father's arms. This didn't solve the problem; if he didn't want to kill them, he couldn't fight. Having to take care of you on top of that, his hands were tied.

The number of angels only increased. More and more of them came, crawling through the rubble, appearing on balconies as if waiting for the first move. They surrounded you, but it could just as easily have been the flies surrounding the dragon. Lowest angels and a devilish noble. He would have chopped them to pieces if it weren't for his only weakness - and that weakness was you.

You felt worse and worse, but a crazy idea came to your head.

"Trust me." You asked so quietly that even you didn't hear your words, but you hoped he did, and pushed him away. "Finally! I brought him as Raphael ordered. Do with him whatever you want now! Dad, let’s come out."

Everyone was moved by this name. Just as you thought. You couldn't read anything on Andrea's face, and you didn't want to because you felt like a traitor. The angels took your shout as an order. They attacked straight ahead. If this was a trap for the noble set by the Seraphin, they must have managed to kill him, right?

Mia's father, whom you bumped into, helped you walk. He supported both you and his daughter as you walked to the exit. Did you feel safe? No. But the angels evaded you. They must have assumed that, like Mia, you were half-angel. They parted as you walked on soft legs… and a moment later wet sounds of blood splashing and flesh being torn apart filled the entire hall. Andrea was chopping up angels. Yes, that's him. It must be him. Not the other way around.

You have no idea how you got out of the building, but when you felt the fresh air, you fell to your knees. You were overwhelmed by helplessness and pain. The earth was swirling, full of black spots. It's happened before, you could walk. You just needed a moment to gather your strength. And probably you would have made it if you hadn't seen movement out of the corner of your eye. Hand and stone. Your head erupted in pain before you passed out.

꧁:･ ✡ ･:꧂

When you opened your eyes again, the light blinded you. White ceiling, walls a sickly blue shade that looked as if someone had smeared soap on them instead of paint. The smell of cleaning products and medicines. Your stomach lurched. You knew this place so well, but it was two weeks ago. After all, so much has happened since the accident. After all… Andrea.

You felt nauseous, looking around the room with your heart in your throat; drip, bedside table with glass full of water, large window letting in the evening light. Behind the mirror in the corridor stood a couple of people, whose voices could be heard through the door ajar. They had an argument. You groaned, rubbing your aching head. Collecting thoughts was so hard.

It couldn't all have been a dream. His voice. His touch. You remembered it too clearly. Panic was rising in your chest, especially when you heard a sleepy voice from the hall. Words like 'coma', 'memory impairment' and 'you have to be understanding' brought tears to your eyes. Whole body hurt. The greatest pain spread slowly through the chest, stabbing and burning, as if someone had inserted a hot blade and was circling in a open wound.

People are dying. Their brain, in an act of self-defense, can invent their entire life in a split second. Some woke up in the hospital thinking they had a wife and children, only to find out they hadn't finished school yet. Was this the case? Did you make this all up? You were on the verge of life anyway, so your stupid brain decided to trick you and give you hope? Hot tears filled your eyes. How could you be so stupid? Why did you believe?

Before you burst into tears, a few more words came through.

"She keeps waking up and falling asleep… Is there any point in going in there?"

"Leave it. I doubt she heard anything."

Your friend and her boyfriend. Someone responded with a snort, the voices fading. Or maybe it was the throbbing pain that swirled your head like a blender. You cried silently. One of the silhouettes outside the window straightened up as if paralyzed and shot towards the door.

You didn't know if your brain was playing tricks on you or if you were completely crazy, when he appeared in the doorway.

This scarred, yet handsome face and long red braid, you’d recognize them even at the end of the world. He looked uncertain. As if he himself was suffering. In casual clothes, simple jeans and blue checkered shirt, he looked so normal you nearly believed that it’s just a human resembling him. But despite the lack of a halo and wings, his head was decorated with majestic, dark horns.

"You liar…"

Even his voice matched perfectly. Shock drew back the tears. Is it…?

You didn't have time to think. In the current state, thinking wasn't your strongest trait anyway. He sat down next to you, slender fingers first landing on your shoulder and then moved to your face.

"You awful, dishonest, intelligent woman. If I knew…"

You could barely feel the gentle touches of fingertips. Despite terrible words, he was so careful, as if he were examining a work of art and not your broken skin. Although, his smile made you feel like a masterpiece. Before you could utter a greeting, he found your mouth, and not with fingers. The touch of hot lips was even more tender and ticklish than his palms. Shaky breath leave his lips, before you could hear a faint whisper.

"I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I didn’t want, if… If I had known…"

No. This was not something you expected to hear. Sealing those sweet lips with yours, you purred.

"Are you sorry for kissing me or for saving my life?"

"For risking it in the first place!"

"You’re a devil. I’d be disappointed if you wouldn’t."

You chuckled, seeing him frowning, as if he wanted to scold you but couldn’t. It was a mistake. A new dull pain erupted in your wounded head. Did it matter? The pain in a chest suddenly subsided. Life started to make more sense. Even the color on the walls stopped being soapy and became a beautiful blue.

"How did I get here?"

"This… angel." He spat the word like it was the worst insult. "He hit you, patched you up, and left you in a back alley. He said he couldn't take you with him, and you'd be safer unconscious. I found you not much later. Human services arrived, and I convinced them to deal with you first. And they better do it right."

"What happened to him? With Mia?"

"She’s safe. And him… He didn’t have to hit you, but he did. I didn’t have to let him live…" He felt your tense expression and tilted his head. "But I did."

You sighed with relief. It was a step in a good direction.

"Although without a hand that hit you."

…well, quite a small step. You didn't want to dwell on it, you can do the next steps together. In less intense circumstances. Since the portals weren't working…

"I now know why I felt angels everywhere."

"Why?"

"They really weren't disguised. Unable to get rid of their aura around people, they used tokens, those stars, to make all the humans resemble their aura. Without the tokens, I couldn’t see you. It's even better. I don't want to see you if it means you'll look like an enemy. You are wonderful in the way you laugh, move, think. I'm glad I know you deeper than just your outer shell." He kept playing and stroking gently your face. "Although I'm sure you would shine not deadly, but beautifully."

You held his hand, you heard his voice. Time passed, and you didn't have the strength to speak, but he still kept you company. You could listen and listen. With your eyes closed, you hugged the hand cupping your face and felt like you could stay like that forever. It was worth being neatly torn apart to finally be able to meet him. For the first time, you didn't feel longing. Only warmth.

[things-arent-what-they-seem66]

(Finding Charlie! Sorry it took so long, was supposed to have some more, but it was already getting lost, so it had to be cut XD)

(Also... sorry, I know, we were going to cut Darla... but I just thought of something and it fit SO WELL-)

The day started well in the studio, as Charlie jumped out of her bed, feeling upbeat. She felt like something was going to happen today... something big. And, from recently happened, she could only see it meant one thing to occur...

For her to finally reunite with her Dad.

She went to put up the clothes, she had on the day she was taken, just so not to leave it behind, as well as she double checked if she still had numbers of her new friends from theater. Last week and half was one heck of a ride for her... so she was grateful to have them by her side. To say more, she loved them, they were already like an extended family, so she didn't want to lose her contact with them after she leaves with her father.

Eventually, she jumped out of the dorms and run down the hall to see the boss speaking to somebody... a tall woman in white dress, shaking hands.

Charlie : Hello, sir. Hello, ma'am.

Boss : Ah, and there's our little star! Charlie, I've got great news for you!

Charlie : Me too! But you go first!

Boss, chuckles : Oh, aren't you a charmer, hm? *gently pokes Charlie's nose, causing her to giggle* Well, sweetheart. This is Stella Frostbite. Say hello to your new Mommy.

Charlie's heart instantly dropped.

Charlie : N... new... Mommy?

Boss : Yes, dear. You see, we can't really afford having another child here, but luckily, Mrs. Frostbite here, has been sponsoring our theater for quite awhile and was really interested in you since we brought you here. With how you told us you lost your mother when you were just a baby and Mrs. Stella losing her own daughter after nasty divorce... she decided to help us all out to become your new guardian, isn't that lovely?! It's best of both worlds!

Charlie felt like her world disappeared from under her feet. This... woman... was going to be ger new mother? No! This was impossible! She didn't need a new mom! There was only one woman to be her mom in that world! Nobody else!

Stella : Oh, look at this, she's crying already! Come on, sweetie! Come to Mommy~!

Charlie felt sick from the sudden baby talk. It felt weird. It felt wrong! Only Daddy could talk like that to her! And he was coming! He must be!

Charlie : DADDY!

While on the back, Alastor was finally able to get Lucifer and Adam to the studio, after letting Nifty know he'd be coming.

Nifty : So you must be infamous Lucifer, huh? Charlie has told so much about you. Gotta say, she looks so much like you.

Lucifer chuckled as he shook hands with the girl. Adam did feel uncomfortable with how intensely she was staring at him, but then calmed himself down with same thought as before "She's just another admirer. Nothing big..."

As the two were taken through the halls to main theater, they started to hear the mess that was happening on the front... when they got there... it was interesting to look at, at least.

Husk was running around with fire extinguisher, Angel and Cherri losing themselves from laughter, Pentius was helping Vaggie on seats, wrapping bandaids on her hands. But the biggest attraction of all was theater boss was helping Stella get something pink and stretchy out of her hair... while the said woman was ranting about suing the man and entire cast, all over his frantic apologies.

Adam : Gosh, what happened?

The two adults looked back, surprised at the sight.

Boss : A... Alastor? Who are these people? It's too early for-

Alastor : Relax, Sir, these two are just here to pick up the child.

Boss : Pick up the child? Wh-

Then, a slap was landed across the man's face, everyone's eyes went to Lucifer... who had nothing, but fury written over his face.

Lucifer : WHERE'S MY CHARLIE!?

(It's okay! And I like that a lot!)

Boss: Your Charlie? Who-...... Oh.

Lucifer: Yeah oh! YOU STOLE MY BABY WHERE IS SHE!?

Stella huffed: You can have the little brat back, she is so rude and ill mannered. Threw GUM in my hair!!

If Lucifer wasn't against hitting women he'd slug her too. She deserves it for how she spoke about his baby.

Lucifer: WHERE. IS. SHE.

Boss: She took off out the door.

Adam: You don't mean she's walking the streets of New York?

Boss: She is. Say, do you want a job? You sound like you'd have a great singing voice.

Lucifer punched him again, it just felt right. He took Adam's hand and left. New York City was one of the largest and most dangerous cities in the world..... She could be anywhere.

Lucifer slumped when he couldn't see her anywhere, he called out to her but got nothing.

It was hopeless now.....

He dropped Adams hand and started to walk away from him.

Adam: Hey, where are you going?

Lucifer: Charlie is...... She's gone Adam. She's gone and I'm going home......

Adam: Now wait a minute. We came all this way to find her, we still can. Please don't go.....

Lucifer: Look around Adam! We'll never find her now and if I came across her bo-.......

He couldn't even say it.

Lucifer: I'd never recover.

Adam: Please don't go, Luci...... I've never been able to remember this much before. A. Altuwits 42..... 42..... I know it I do it's there. Cause when I look at you I remember. When I look at you.... I'm home.

Lucifer: ....... I'm sorry Adam. Really I am.

Adam watched him walk away, his heart breaking a little more with each step and his eyes filling with tears.

-

Charlie didn't know where she was,.she was just glad to be away from that guy and that woman.

It felt like she was walking for hours when she came upon a tall brunette man pacing near a bench at the park. He looked very upset. She knew her dad would frown upon her talking to strangers but she felt compelled to help him..

Charlie: Are you okay mister?

Adam: I don't know where I am. I think I was traveling with someone but I don't remember where or who they are. I think I'm lost......

Charlie: I'm lost too. I'm looking for my dad.

Adam: Yeah? I'm looking for my family too. I'm Adam.

Charlie: I'm Charlie.

Adam: Charlie? That's a nice name.

[lollystocks]

The Strange Case of Amity Park

So, the facts are these:

On April 12th, 2004, Annabelle Louise Robb goes missing during morning recess at Saleham Elementary, Illinois.

“No one realized until we were taking registration after recess, and she wasn't, just wasn't there. We were all calling for her, all over the playground- the panic, the panic actually didn't set in for a while.”

It's her tenth birthday.

Seven weeks later, another young child disappears from their bedroom, just a half-mile away from Saleham Elementary. Their name is not a matter of public record.

“We all of us in the town immediately knew something was up, that this wasn't no coincidence, cos things had been happenin’ for a while, things that made no goddamn sense. We'd been paying attention see, and this whole thing didn't start with the Robb girl, though outta-towners’d been calling us crazy.”

“Actually the curfews and all that, the paranoia, that started after little J- ahem, after the second kid. The cops needed three for a pattern, but not us.”

...

Over the next three years, a further twelve children vanish from the small town of Amity Park, Illinois, all under mysterious circumstances. No suspicious figures spotted, no signs of a struggle or forced entry, and no connection between the victims - other than that none was over seventeen.

“It was misery. Pure misery. We couldn't do anything to, to protect them. They were taken from locked rooms, from crowds, anywhere. Anyone's eyes left for a second’n they'd be gone. I barely slept those years. The whole town got sick from stress.”

Listeners might label this a classic case of serial murder or kidnapping, and officially, that's what it is - an unsolved case, of an unidentified subject taking kids.

But the official account fails to tell you the complete story.

“Amity Sheriff's Office does not provide comment on cold cases, now for the last time, please simply consult the official contemporary paperwork housed in the county library. Good day.”

“You have reached the answerphone of Amity Park Public Library. Please leave your message after the tone. You have reached the a̷͓͝n̷̪̣̾́s̸̗̎w̷̧͇̍ẹ̵̄͆͜r̶̨̬̊͝ṕ̴̢̝̓ẖ̵͛o̵͍͂͠n̸̫̍̓ĕ̵̫ of Amity Park Pu̴̮͚͝b̴̙͚̋lic Library. Please leave.”

…

Here's another fact - of the fourteen taken children, nine were found, all alive. Some within days, some over a year later. Or, as locals put it, Returned. Capital ‘R’. 

None of these children could, or would, talk about what had happened to them or where they'd been. Most didn't remember.

“I ain't giving you their names because they're sealed. You want a story, talk about the dead kids, their names are a matter of record.”

“Don't look for the Returned. Stay away from Them, trust me, and stay outta town too while you're at it. Now are ya gonna pay fer that or no?”

There are other facts, too, that aren't published with the lists of unfound children and redacted names.

Power outages. Outbreaks of violence. Unprecedented levels of crop disease; print and online media rolling to a total halt; a water contamination scandal. A vast and unspecific incident at local employer Axiom Labs, which left thirty dead, and families without answers.

“Sorry hon, the Axiom Thirty weren't, aren't buried here. We didn't really do burials during that time, as a town. You'd understand if you knew.”

…

On the night of August 24th, 2007, the last child vanishes from Amity Park. Daniel James Fenton, age seventeen, says goodnight to his family, and isn't in bed the next morning.

He remains missing to this day, and is presumed dead.

What exactly happened to this sleepy Midwestern town in the mid-noughts? Why has such a dramatic, tragic case been so withheld from the American consciousness? And what can we learn from the way the town responded to this trauma: its unnerving slip into superstition, ritual, and secrecy?

“What, you never seen blood blossoms before? I don't care if you got an allergy, you either sniff the flowers or you stay outside. And besides, ain't you [redacted]’s cousin? Did he not explain all this already? Look, jus’- wait, are you recording me?”

…

Welcome, to The Strange Case of Amity Park.

[perfectpaperbluebirds]

Hi, sorry if you’ve answered this before but I was wonder what do the Tenbusches look like?

Anon, you are my favorite today as this is exactly the distraction I needed after a shitty day (and week and month and so far year). And you actually ARE the first person to officially ask me this, so I'm thrilled to answer! :) I have thought about this extensively, so long-winded answer ahead! @chestcongestion drew their interpretation of them not long ago (check it out here) and they actually got quite a few things in the right ballpark, especially since I didn't give much insight on their appearances! But let me give you the official rundown:

Thaddeus: Hair is coppery red and fluffy, eyes are bright green. The shortest of the three, but muscular and well-built, so he could be called stocky due to his height. Lots of freckles all over his body. Generally ruddy and healthy looking. Wears reading glasses as he gets older. He has crows feet and laugh lines early in life due to how much time he spends outside, and how much he loves to laugh. (Other than Padma, Thad is the one that was most spot-on in Beep's fan art!)

JB (Joel Benjamin, if anyone cares): The tallest in the family. Of Latino descent on one side, with dark, thick, wavy hair and dark eyes, but fairer skin. However, he tans quickly and easily and is dark-appearing most of the year. He's more stocky/muscular than lanky, and struggles with his physique as he ages. He also needs glasses in his older years. Generally he's very serious and slow to smile, but when he does, it's the warmest smile ever.

Theodore: Of medium height and build, though on the taller/thinner side of average. Blue eyes and thick, straight dark hair. Wears glasses always as he hates contacts and touching his eyes. On the pale side, but gets flushed with any physical activity or wind. His warm, open demeanor is evident on his face. His eyes disappear when he grins. When he smiles, everyone around him smiles.

Audra: Thick, wavy auburn hair and blue eyes, of Irish descent (her maiden name is Murphy). Average-tall height for a woman and curvy, with a generous bust and hips, but she maintains her trim waist well into retirement and works out religiously (more than any of the others), so she tends more toward muscular than slender. She wears glasses for reading and computer work. She has serious RBF and a very matter-of-fact demeanor, so she comes off as severe to most people at first, but it doesn't take long to see her soft, silly side.

Thalia: Tall and willowy, with long blonde hair and strikingly dark brown eyes. More slender than heavy. She knows she's gorgeous and knows the effect she has on people, so she always dresses the part whenever she leaves the house. She never needs glasses, which is good because she wouldn't wear them if she did. She's more likely to roll her eyes and make a sarcastic comment than smile, but just like everything else about her, her real smile is beautiful.

Padma: Of Indian descent, with brown skin and very dark hair and eyes. She's by far the shortest and thinnest of them all, petite and almost frail-looking, though she's quite healthy and gets sick the least of all six. She wears glasses whenever she works on the computer. Her hair reaches past her waist, long and thick, and seems to make up half her weight when it's loose and brushed out, though she usually wears it in some sort of braid. Gentleness exudes from her, and if she's not deep in thought, she can usually be seen with a peaceful smile on her face.

I have (imperfect) celebrity face claims for all of them. If a lot of people ask, I may share. But I'd rather you picture them for yourselves from what I've given you here.

Thank you again for asking! I really appreciate you taking an interest in my characters.

[alheria]

Fresh wind on a hot day (4/9)

*goot injyred in hisoital possibky be hinr later dint worrj*

Every bone, every muscle, every last drop of blood in Street's body froze when he read the chaotic message from Buck, who then went completely silent, didn't respond to any following texts or calls.

They've been dating for a little over two months now but Jim was yet to witness his partner suffer an unavoidable in his field of work serious injury. He's seen a vast variety of bruises, cuts and abrasions on the unfortunate firefighter, however nothing so serious it required hospitalization. Which meant this new, uncertain situation scared the cop terribly. As if he wasn't already a little anxious every time he watched his Alpha leave for a shift, worried it might be the last time they see each-other.

That was kind of hypocritical, considering the SWAT officer wasn't at all concerned about himself getting hurt on the job. Last week, a bullet flew inches away from his head and he didn't even flinch. It really showed how much he cared about Buck, even though their relationship has barely began.

And it was just perfect.

Obviously, it started a little chaotic, with Chris firmly stating she won't allow it unless she properly meets Buck first and gives them her "blessing". Which resulted in only slightly awkward double date and learning both Alphas actually know each-other, crossed paths in the hospital Amelia works at when the firefighter's leg got severely injured. Small world, huh? Jim was terribly nervous the whole time, his best friend's opinion mattered to him a lot, but he also really liked his guy and wanted to keep him. Fortunately, the other cop was moderately satisfied with the extensive interrogation, and let them be. She said: "He's a little weird, cos who the hell constantly smiles, but a good person overall, approved.".

From there, everything seemed to work great. Maybe things happened a little too fast for regular standards, but nothing was rushed, purely organic. As Street started staying at Buck's more often, it became clear how different they are, in a complimentary way however. While the Alpha turned out to be great at cooking and ensuring his boyfriend does not live off snacks only, the Omega made sure the firefighter always has clean clothes to wear, eliminating wondering if a shirt he found on the floor smells okay enough to be worn for a third time in a row. Which was surprisingly mature considering how little brain cells were between those two unbelievably reckless men. Their personalities fit well too, Buck brought a lot of light and stability into the cop's insecure gloom, who in return gave him what he's always wanted - a feeling he truly belongs somewhere. And what's probably most important, the crazy work hours didn't bother either because they both were completely obsessed with their beloved, demanding professions.

Even if those dream jobs could easily have them killed.

Going to the hospital, which address he got from the dispatch, Jim made himself physically sick by constantly thinking about worst case scenarios, even though it was obvious whatever damage the Alpha suffered wasn't that serious, he managed to send the odd text after all.

-Hi, sorry, I am looking for my boyfriend, Evan Buckley. -Street nervously informed the standing behind the desk nurse, a little short of breath from rushing over there.

-Evan Buckley? -she frowned visibly confused but after a few seconds of deep thinking her face brightened up once the realization hit. -Oh! You mean our regular guest Buck? He's in the third room on the left, right there around that corner. -pointed in the correct direction. The impatient cop mumbled his gratitude and quickly disappeared to see his partner. He opened the mentioned door and briefly froze upon seeing the extent of fortunately light injuries.

-Oh Lord, Buck, what happened?! -Jim demanded when the initial shock faded, hastily approaching the half-sitting on the bed shirtless firefighter. The left side of his neck and face was heavily covered in scratches and wounds full of glass pieces a very young doctor was carefully removing, while the other, somehow even younger, bandaged the right hand, a long cut peeking from under the unfinished dressing. He looked oddly pale, his usually gleaming gaze was now clearly dull, somewhat sad even. This joyless expression did brighten up significantly when he heard his boyfriend's concerned voice.

-Small explosion, fell on some glass. -the Alpha explained vaguely, trying very hard not to move and disrupt the treatment. Which was quite a challenge because he needed to touch his partner. -It's not as bad as it looks. You didn't have to come all the way down here. You're still on duty, aren't you? -asked, hoping to distract himself from the itching. 

-On-call. -Street nodded before remembering something that caught his attention a moment earlier. -The nurse called you a regular. Exactly how often do you end up in a hospital? -he wondered, instantly moving closer the second the doc was finished with the injured palm. His own instinctively gravitated towards the firefighter's muscular arm, grabbed it firmly and began to gently rub the warm skin.

-From time to time. -Buck grinned after deciding honesty on this subject won't do his already worried boyfriend any good. -Those poor med students have to practice on someone. -he joked, making the two women smile and earning himself a one very frightening death stare.

-You scared the shit out of me with that weird ass message. -the Omega whispered softly, looking down at the neatly bandaged hand. This could've ended way worse.

-Sorry babe, I suck at texting one-handed and my phone was dying, so this gibberish had to do. -the firefighter apologized, his heart feeling a little heavy upon sensing the officer's rapidly increasing distress. -I'm fine, really. Nothing a few stitches cannot fix. -assured, tenderly grabbing Jim's palm with his undamaged one. It was fascinating to watch how the anxious man immediately began to relax. Like if his touch was somehow magical. -You know...you look pretty sweet in your uniform. Can you like...bring it to my place some time? -he hummed, causing the involuntarily listening students to blush at that shameless suggestion.

-If you're well enough to joke around, maybe I should leave? -Jim rolled his eyes, utterly amused by the ease his boyfriend turned a serious situation into a joke with. And he was very thankful for that.

-Don't you dare! -the Alpha gasped dramatically, his blue eyes finally back to regular gleeful sparkling. Which made Street oh, so happy. -I need my emotional support boyfriend!

-Your who?! -exclaimed instantly a surprised, familiar voice belonging to a person whose arrival they failed to notice, too engaged in the silly bickering. The couple, still holding hands, instantly looked at the visitor. Buck's smile dropped like a rock, and he went eerily silent while the other man wondered where does he recognize this woman from. -I know you. -Hen informed, gazing at the police officer wide-eyed, clearly shocked by the unexpected discovery. -You're that cop who was dangling off the ceiling.

Nice, what a great achievement to be remembered for. 

-Street. -reminded the slightly embarrassed officer.

-What? -the paramedic blinked furiously, struggling to comprehend this truly confusing situation. Apparently, not a single one of Buck's friends as much as suspected he might be dating someone in secret. He must've been hiding it really well.

-Jim Street, my name. -he repeated himself, not breaking the weirdly intense eye contact. Poor Alpha seemed so lost in thoughts, Jim started to worry if the overwhelmed mind is not starting to overheat, as her response took a good while to form.

-Right. Um...I guess you don't need a ride then, Buck? -she asked, glancing at her teammate who was equally paralyzed with shock. Street had to nudge him with an elbow to force out a reaction.

-Thanks Hen, I'm good. -the firefighter smiled weakly, his hold on the Omega's hand tightened.

-Ooookay. Um, I'll see you whenever you are back, and don't even think there won't be a conversation. Because I need to know every detail. -Hen then informed before swiftly turning around and leaving the room. The door didn't even fully close, she was already texting someone, most likely to share her findings.

-Busted. -Buck chuckled nervously when Street looked at him. It was truly heartbreaking to watch his always cheerful partner so unnecessarily anxious, and he couldn't even pull him into a comforting embrace to take some of that unease away.

At the beginning of their relationship, the Alpha made it very clear he won't talk to his crew just yet, and Jim didn't really care to be honest. The firefighter wasn't of course ashamed, he was wary. After witnessing their friend get hurt over and over again because he had a bad tendency to dive head in into any romantic encounter, they became a little judgemental towards his choices and often tried to interfere. And knowing that, he was afraid they might make him doubt in this fragile one before he gives it a proper try.

-Only you, babe. -the officer reminded, reassuringly patting his boyfriend's shoulder. He obviously told Chris and Luca straight away, they were his best friends. The rest of the team found out almost immediately after he returned to work post-injury, thanks to the irritating flaw in design. It's very hard for an Omega to get rid of an Alpha's scent they were in prolonged contact with, especially once it enters the bloodstream and unfortunately, they were both into biting. The first time it was easy to explain, but when the unfamiliar smell stayed present for unnaturally long, it became evident he's been seeing someone. So he obviously had to confess to avoid being secretly investigated by this overprotective bunch. -Will you finally tell them? -he wondered, fighting very hard not to pet Buck's hair, knowing well-enough it would make him lean into it, therefore disrupt the focused doctor's work. 

-Do I have a choice? -he sighed, painfully aware at least three more people from his social circle were informed by now, if not everyone. This was surely the type of gossip you do not keep to yourself for a long time.

-You could always make up a lie, but you suck at lying so no, you have no choice. -Street hummed, glad his comment brought back the beautiful smile. His partner might've been skilled at hiding things, although once confronted, he was done for. That's how, among other things, Jim learned Buck would sometimes wear his Omega's freshly washed hoodies before putting them in the closet to leave the "I'm taken" scent on them. Which was both adorable and creepy.

-Ouch! I am already hurting, that painful remark was unnecessary. -the Alpha groaned, theatrically pressing a hand to the offended heart. -You are terrible at being an emotional support boyfriend. -he huffed, causing the older man to laugh sincerely.

-Well, I didn't expect myself to be any good at it either.

---

Once finally home, Buck's place that is, the pair found themselves on the couch, silently dozing off in a tight embrace after a long, emotionally exhausting day. The aching firefighter was resting on his Omega's chest, listening to the steady heartbeat, while his back got gently caressed under the warm hoodie. It was immensely relaxing, basking in mixed, comforting scents as their safe and mostly sound bodies closely touched.

Neither of them was ready to admit it, although both recently noticed the unfamiliar craving for that affectionate skin-to-skin contact. This insufferable hunger kept increasing the longer they were separated, and required merely a pat on the shoulder to start subsiding. One time, due to unfortunate work scheduling they had no control over, the couple haven't met at all for a whole week. It was nearly excruciating, to the point Jim's at first delicate irritation began to get tainted with raw fury, which flared up any time some external factor made him angry. What in his job happened a lot, on a daily basis, really. Somehow he managed not to kill anyone on purpose, however came close a couple of times before seeing his boyfriend and instantly forgetting how terribly neglected he felt past seven days.

Which made him wonder how would he survive if Buck had died today. He couldn't fathom not holding this strong, fearless, vulnerable man ever again, not brushing through the silky, blond strands, not watching the peaceful expression on the awfully scratched face. It was such an unbelievable privilege, finding a perfect for him Alpha who enjoyed being taken care of and spoiled, even though nature shaped him to be emotionally reserved and demanding, not overly affectionate and needy as he turned out to be. Where the hell would he find another person like that? Nowhere, most likely. -Jim. I'm really sorry. -the firefighter whispered unexpectedly, breaking the depressing train of thought. His tone sounded somehow dejected, and it put the Omega on high-alert.

-For? -Street frowned, not sure what is the younger man referring to, but starting to sense growing distress. He moved his hand from the hair to the highly sensitive neck, hoping it will calm his Alpha down.

-Scaring you. -Buck clarified, instinctively leaning into the pleasant touch. -I shouldn't have sent that message, but at the same time I...desperately wanted you to come. -he confessed quietly, shyly even, and the cop's heart just dropped all the way to the planet's core once the horrifying realisation hit.

This whole time, how could've he been so fucking clueless?!

Busy being worried, he didn't even think of that obvious possibility.

-You got scared too, didn't you?

Bingo.

The firefighter's body tensed at that softly voiced, spot-on question. A subtle reaction the vigilant, concerned boyfriend easily noticed, and responded to accordingly, by tightening the embrace.

-...yeah, a little. -Buck snorted, curling up further in Jim's protective arms. -When that explosion happened...for a few seconds everything went very bright and very quiet and I...I thought it's over. That I'm dead. When the team drove me to the hospital, I was still pretty shaken up and couldn't stop thinking how better I'd feel if you were there to hold my hand. I knew you were at work and didn't need to be bothered but...I just wanted to see you so bad...I'm really sorry.

Street's brain instantly crashed, overwhelmed by what he just heard. That was...heartbreaking. He had no clue in what kinds of relationships this man was previously, however they surely must've been toxic as hell. Otherwise, Buck would never even think informing his significant half he ended up in a hospital and needs them to come might be a bother. It was truly infuriating this amazing person had such a low self-esteem and evident trust issues he felt like he has to apologize for a natural reaction to a stressor. Those negative traits definitely required some work in the near future to once and for all change that unhealthy mindset.

-I'm glad you texted me then. -murmured the Omega after finally returning to reality. He then buried his nose in the fragrant strands to inhale that amazing scent and calm himself down because luckily, the magic worked both ways. -Partners should depend on each-other. I've got your back. -assured, gently tilting the firefighter's chin, so he can look into those gorgeous blue eyes, now slightly saddened. -And I won't ever judge you. If something is troubling you, I want to hear all about it. So I can help. -he added, leaning down to capture his partner's lips in a tender kiss.

-Thanks babe. -the Alpha smiled fondly once they parted, quickly reaching for one more kiss before saying: -Who would've thought cops can be so humane.

There he is. Classic Buck, turning a highly emotional situation into a joke.

-And who would've thought firefighters can be so insolent. -Street mocked, delighted to sense the anxiety fade. -Wait, do you even know what insolent means, or is this term too ancient for you? -he teased, remembering how last week he was the one made fun of because he had no idea what some new slang word meant.

-Wow, who's being insolent now, huh? -pouted the firefighter. -Apologize. -he demanded in a manner that absolutely did not feel like an order, but a hopeless request. And oh, if the Alpha wanted to, with current strength of their connection he could effortlessly make the officer profoundly apologize on his knees. But he would never do such a thing, and the bratty Omega just loved knowing that.

-You wish. -Jim chuckled, ruffling the golden hair before slamming Buck's brightened up face into his chest. -Ugh! I am so lucky to have you! -he exclaimed loudly, pressing a juicy kiss to the top of his boyfriend's head, who straight on melted upon hearing the honest confession.

-Seriously? -asked hesitantly the Alpha as he pulled himself up to tower over the older man. He was always the one showering the other person with adoration, it was hard to believe someone admired him this much for simply existing.

-Uh-huh. You are everything I could wish for, I don't even know how to properly put in words how perfect you are to me. -Street nodded, reaching for the firefighter's uninjured cheek to caress it gently while they stared at each-other in silence, their eyes glowing with reverence. -So fortunate.

-I...I don't know what to say. -Buck admitted, blushing furiously. He, perfect? That was an insane assumption, he was definitely not perfect, not even close. And yet, Jim apparently liked the whole picture. Why?! -No one has ever felt about me this way, I think. -he revealed, unsure of what to say. The Omega didn't seem to care, he pulled his boyfriend down by the nape and wrapped the long arms around him, once again holding his partner in a tight embrace.

-It's pretty new, and weird, to me too. Feeling this way, that is. -he whispered into the soft hair. -But some day, we will surely get used to it.

And learn how to accept it.

[familyvideostevie]

match made in heaven

steve loves to celebrate the little things with you, even if it's just new shoes | 1.2k, fluff, fem!reader, this is so silly but so is steve, appearances from most of the crew! <3

"I'll see you later this week, okay?" Nancy calls as you get out of her car. "Tell everyone I say hello."

"Thanks for the day, Nance." She waves at you and pulls out of the mostly deserted Family Video parking lot -- you spot three bikes, a skateboard strapped to one with bungee chords. The sun has just set, what was a hot Indiana day cooling to a sweet summer night. You're feeling light and happy after a fun day out with your friend, and the evening promises to be more of the same. You get to go home with Steve. The thought, though routine by now, still makes you giddy.

You hitch your bag over your shoulder and open the door to Family Video and familiar bickering of your favorite teenagers fills the air. Max and Mike seem to be arguing over which Halloween movie they should get in one corner of the store, while Dustin and Lucas are throwing Milk Duds into each other's mouths over the romantic comedy stacks. They glance your way and let out a chorus of "hellos" before returning to their activities.

"Oh, thank god," says Robin from the front desk. "A responsible person."

"Hi, Robin," you laugh. "How long have they been here?"

"Half an hour! I think. Feels like years though." She looks a little frazzled but happy to see you. "Hey, don't drop any of those! Keith will make Steve hunt any mice we get," she yells at Dustin. You wince a little at her volume. "Sorry," she says. "How was your day with Nancy?"

"She says hi," you reply, swinging your bag onto the counter before leaning back to survey the store.

"Hi back," Robin interrupts, picking at her cuticles. "Why didn't she come in?"

"Had to get home to call Jonathan." Robin hums in acknowledgment. "Anyway," you continue, "the trip was good. We went to the mall up north and I actually got something I'm really excited abou--"

"Is that my girl?" calls Steve. He's emerged from the back room, and you turn towards his voice, finding his eyes bright and searching for you.

"Hi, Steve," you laugh. Robin rolls her eyes but is smiling. Your boyfriend's happiness seems to be infectious.

"Oh, now you come out to help," she says. "He's been talking about you all day, wondering what you and Nancy were up to." He shrugs at her teasing and jogs the last few steps around the counter to give you a smacking kiss, fingers curling into your belt loops to tug you closer.

"Hi, baby," he says quietly.

"Hi, yourself." You hear a gagging sound and turn around to see Mike pantomiming being sick, Max with her hands on her hips next to him, eyebrows raised at his antics. "Like you and El don't do the same thing," she reminds him.

"What're you guys doing here?" you ask. Usually they'd be soaking in the fading sunlight and making mischief somewhere. "Are El and Will already in town?"

"They come this weekend, so we're stocking up," says Dustin. He and Lucas have wandered over now that Steve's arrived, but the Milk Duds have mysteriously disappeared.

Lucas zeroes in on you. "Hey, I like your --"

"New shoes?!" Steve cries. You flush a little, pleased with yourself for changing into them, your sandals in your bag. That was the purpose of today's outing with Nancy after all, to finally get the new sneakers you'd been saving up for. You'd told Steve about them weeks ago but are happy he's noticed. He grabs your hands and encourages you to show them off a little, flicking your heel back and forth on the carpet. Robin whistles and Dustin even claps.

"These are the ones you saved up for, right?" Steve says, eyes twinkling. You nod. "We kinda match, babe." He puts his own shoe next to yours, the red swoosh lining up with the light blue swoosh on yours, though yours are much brighter, shiny with newness. "Do you like them?"

"Of course she likes them, Steve," says Dustin, exasperated. "She bought them, didn't she? I bet they weren't cheap, either." Steve shoots Dustin a glare but you laugh.

"I knew we'd kind of match, but it's just because we have good taste. Plus, mine are cooler." Yours are white, like Steve's, but they've got blue and green coloring on the heels as well as the light blue swoosh logo. Robin snickers and hops onto the counter, swinging around so her legs are dangling next to you.

"I have to get you to buy boots next so we can match." She kicks her black lace-ups with glee.

"Any more pairs of shoes and they'll take over our bedroom," Steve grumbles, but he's smiling. You're kind of surprised at how excited he is. They're just shoes, after all, but Steve has always been like this. Ready to support you, to encourage you, to love you. About everything from moving in together to buying new shoes. It's a nice feeling, a warm one, to see him full of joy after he's seen so much darkness.

"Can you skate in those?" Max asks, pulling you out of your thoughts. You realize you've been staring at Steve, and he's smirking at you.

"Next time we practice, I'll wear them to test them out," you say, ignoring the blush you feel on your face. She nods at you, pleased. Her approval sparks a flurry of comments from the boys, and all the attention has you curling into Steve's chest.

"Alright, children," shouts Steve, "check out your shit so we can go home."

"You just want to go be gross, or whatever," says Mike, but he obeys and brings the movie he's holding -- Halloween II, looks like -- to the counter. Robin hops down to check him out.

"That's exactly what I want to do," says Steve, brown eyes back on you. He winks. He corrals the teens out in a chorus of goodbyes and promises to stick together as they bike home before flipping the sign to CLOSED. When Robin ducks in the back to grab her stuff before Steve drives her home, he pulls you in for a hug, chin resting against your temple.. You wrap your arms around his him, taking a deep breath. He smells like...Steve. Like everything good in the world.

"I really do love your sneakers," he says, quietly, swaying you a little bit. "Proud of you for saving up and going for it. Don't know if they're cooler than mine thought."

"They're just sneakers, Steve," you chide. "It's kinda weird to be so excited about them."

"I'm excited about you," he corrects, pulling back from your hug to look at you. "I'm always excited about you. And for you." You scrunch your nose at his sweetness and he gives it a kiss.

"I guess it's just the small things," you wonder out loud. "The small things that are really the best things. When you're in love." He nods, agreeing with you. After so many big things, his favorite moments are ones just like this, with you. His hand comes up to tuck your hair behind your ear and you sneak a kiss onto his palm.

"I love you," he says, "small things, big things, all things."

"Jesus, you guys are so sweet I need to go to the dentist," groans Robin, flicking the store lights off for good measure. "Can we go now?"

Steve blows a raspberry at her. "Yeah," you laugh, "Let's go home."

want to be added to my tag list for full-length (non-ask) fics? send me a message and specify for steve, eddie, or both! reblog, send feedback, requests open, masterlist here!

[lphoenixspiritl]

A Brother's Grief

"Aang, we need to talk." a shadow moved across the tent floor blocking the flood of warm afternoon sunlight.

"What's up Sokka? Borrowing Momo for a week not going as planned?"

Sokka glanced over his shoulder where the small lemur rifled through his things and procured one of his socks as a hat.

He turned back to his friend and took a seat on a small stump, "No that's fine, it's about Katara."

A sudden nervousness twisted Aang's stomach.

Had Sokka found out about his crush on his sister? 

Would he be mad?

"Uh, sure. You know I like Katara." Aang's hands shot up, "I-I- mean care about her! Like you do! like a brother!" the boy's cheeks warmed at the fumble.

Sokka stared at him oddly, "Uh, sure."

"So what about Katara?" Aang's voice softened, "Is it what she said about your Mom before she left? It sounded like it hurt."

Sokka could only blink in response, he expected that kind of bluntness from Toph, but coming from Aang, it blindsided him. Suddenly the weight of his emotions were too much, his shoulders collapsed and his chin dropped to his chest.

"It did," he admitted.

"I'm sorry Sokka, maybe you two should talk about it when she gets back." Aang paused his face souring, "That is if you don't have other things to talk about.

The watertribesman stared at his hands, "There's nothing to talk about."

"You have to." Aang pushed, "If that's how you feel then leaving it will just make things worse!"

"There's nothing to talk about because she's right." Sokka blurted.

"What?"

"She's right." Sokka's shoulders slumped even further, like wax melting to the floor, "I always wanted to be a great leader and warrior, just like my dad."

"But you're already a great warrior and a really good leader."

Sokka put up a hand halting Aang, hearing anything resembling praise right then would have made his stomach sick.

"You don't understand. I idolized our Dad, but Katara? She wanted to be like our mom, kind and caring and able to do almost anything - she definitely got some of dad's warrior side though." Sokka's half smile disappeared as quickly as it came, giving way to something grimmer, "But after what happened, Katara had to become what our mom was. She filled that role and in a way, I think that made her closer to Mom even though she was gone."

"It sounds like you loved your mom a lot."

"I did, but Katara's right, not in the way she does." Sokka looked up, anguish breaking across his features, "If I did, I'd be right there with her, looking for the man that took our mother from us."

"Sokka no!" A gust of air ruffled the sides of the tent, Aang propelled himself up from his seat on the floor, "Revenge isn't the way! You forgave him and Katara hasn't."

"No, I didn't," Sokka ground out, standing to meet the younger boy, "I grieved our mother and I might have accepted that she's gone but I never, ever forgave them for what they did our family. I never will." Sokka forced himself to unwind his clenched fists, he took in a breath of calm and let it out in a deflated stream that dropped him back on his seat on the stump, "If I'm being honest I don't think I would have ever moved on if Katara hadn't been there to fill the hole Mom left."

"But-"

"No buts," Sokka's eyes shone as that old pain lodged in his chest, "you had no right to tell Katara to forgive. You have no idea what we went through, what she went through."

"I lost my entire people!"

"And?" a hardness crept into Sokka's voice "This isn't some kind of competition Aang. If you can forgive the Fire Nation for wiping out your entire people, great. Katara and I don't have to do the same."

"But forgiveness is the only way to let go!"

"You had no right to ask that of her! You can't force people to forgive because you think it's the only way to let go. Newsflash kid, it's not." he had, had enough, this was a mistake.

Sokka got up to leave pausing at the open tent flap, "I never forgave the man who killed my mother and I never will. I learned to let go in my own way, now Katara has to find hers."

"By running around the Fire Nation with Zuko?"

"If that's what she needs."

"It's not safe." Aang refuted.

"And you flying out in the middle of a storm and almost blowing our cover was?" Sokka shot back.

Aang froze guilt weighing on his brow.

Sokka reigned himself in with a sigh, "Katara is safe with Zuko, I wouldn't have let them go if I didn't think he could take care of her."

"Do you trust me to take care of Katara?"

"You're just a little kid."

"You trust Zuko but not me?" Aang asked incredulously, "I'm the Avatar!"

"I trust Zuko to look after Katara because he's been the only one of us to put her first," Sokka admitted, guilt hanging from his words, he left not waiting for an answer.

The flap fell behind him with a soft rustle and Aang found himself alone in the dim tent.

…

"How did it go?" Suki's appriaching footsteps were muted by the wet sand.

"Not great." Sokka replied staring out at the crashing waves, "I'm a terrible big brother."

"No you're not, you're a good big brother," she brushed her knuckles gently along his cheek, "I've seen it myself."

Suki took a seat on the thin blanket next to Sokka and he turned to look at her, "I don't feel like it."

"You've taken care of her this long."

"Not as well as I should have. It should have been me with her, instead, Zuko is doing what I couldn't."

Suki shook her head, "I think Zuko is who she needs to be with right now." she took one of Sokka's tanned hands in hers, "but when she comes back? She's going to need you. She's going to need to know you still love her no matter what might have happened."

"I will."

"Good."

Suki leaned her head against Sokka's shoulder and quietly, they watched the sun descend to kiss the waves.

[lotus-flowerz]

Hello!

May I request some scene where Genshin men (like Diluc, Kaeya, Zhongli or Albedo) helping gn reader who's really demotivated to do anything for weeks?

I'm in a bit of a slump and i cant bring myself to do even basic chores like showering or eating properly.

Thanks again for your time! Have a pleasant day :)

of course! i hope you feel better soon :)

sorry this took so long, this is second time i'm writing this because my computer is a jerk and decided to restart in the middle of writing this plus im swamped with school

TW!! NEGLECT OF SELF CARE, NOT EATING, FEELINGS OF SADNESS AND HOPELESSNESS, DEPRESSION

"Love?"

Diluc gently knocked on your door. He had just gotten back from a 2 week trip to Liyue, an emergency business trip because some idiot doing the winery's taxes and funding slipped up and there were discrepancies in the bills for the tavern and winery.

Upon arriving home, he was bombarded by the maids begging him to check on you, since apparently you hadn't left your room for a week and a half except to eat, and that was only every two or three days.

Of course, this worried him, so he rushed up to check on you, only to find the door locked.

"Diluc?" you mumbled, just loud enough for him to hear through the door.

"Yes, it's me. May I come in?"

"Um. It's really messy.. I'm really messy."

"That's okay. You remember what I told you when you confided in me, yes?"

"Yeah.. I just wasn't sure if you wanted to deal with the more.. messy parts of it."

"I struggle with it too, Y/n. I understand."

"Alright," the door unlocked, "Come in."

He opened the door carefully, inspecting you guys' now messy room.

His heart dropped when his gaze rested on your dazed and shrunken back figure, looking down at the ground. He was quick to wrap you in a hug, pressing kisses on your hair.

"Um, I'm not trying to be rude by any means, but have you... uh... showered at all?"

"No.. I'm sorry."

"No need to be sorry. How about I ask the maids to prepare dinner for us while I give you a bath, and then we can clean this room together?"

"That would be nice. Thank you, Diluc."

He squeezed you a bit harder, as if you would disappear if he didn't hold onto you.

"It's no problem at all, Y/n."

"Hey! Y/n, I'm home!"

Kaeya had been out on a mission for the past 2 weeks, something to do with the abyss and needing to fight a bunch of things.

"Hey, angel?"

He was walking around the dark downstairs of your shared house, unsure of where you were.

"Kaeya..?" came a familiar mumble from upstairs.

"Y/n! It's like a damn cave in here why is it-"

He stopped talking as he ascended the stairs, walking into your shared bedroom, which looked like a tornado had hit it. You were sitting on your bed, knees hugged to your chest.

"Uh, are you sick?"

"No. Uh, it happened again."

"Oh. Oh. Shit, okay." he came and sat on the bed, gently taking you into his arms.

"Kaeya, I'm gross right now, I haven't showered."

"I don't care, it's alright. Just relax, we can think about cleaning and stuff later."

You nodded silently, and he pressed your head more into his chest, stroking your hair and holding you close.

You closed your eyes and relaxed further against him, feeling the rise and fall of his chest with each breath and hearing his steady heartbeat.

"Thanks, Kaeya."

"Anytime. If you start feeling like you're gonna go into another episode, just come get me okay?"

"Alright. I love you."

"I love you too, Y/n!"

"My dear, I am back!"

Zhongli called to the seemingly empty house you both shared. He had dealings to attend to regarding his gnosis and his contract with the Fatui, and he had been gone for the past two weeks.

"Zhongli?"

"It's me, where are you?"

"Our room."

He walked down the hallway to your shared bedroom, and his face fell when he saw you.

"I'm sorry," you mumbled "I tried to stop it, but I couldn't."

His face fell into concern. Your depressive episodes always got so bad, and he worried for you greatly during them.

"I'm sorry I didn't clean the house."

"Dear, it is not the house I am worried about. Are you alright? When did you last eat or shower?"

"Um, the day after you left was the last time I showered. I ate 3 days ago, I think."

"Oh, that is not good.. Hm, I will prepare a meal for you while you shower, alright? I will also prepare some herbal remedies for you, meant to boost mood and energy. We will get through this together, Y/n."

A small smile graced your lips.

"Thank you, Zhongli. I love you."

"I love you too, my dearest Y/n."

"Y/n, I've returned from the lab."

Albedo called out. He often left for long periods of time to go to his lab in Dragonspine, always needing to perfect some experiment or finish research.

"Y/n, are you home?"

You emerged from your room , stumbling out clumsily. Albedo's eyes widened.

"Are you sick??" he asked, his usually monotone voice laced with concern.

"No.. I go into depressive episodes sometimes. I'm guessing that you know how all of that works, chemical imbalances in the brain and stuff?"

"Oh. I do, Y/n. Why didn't you tell me you struggled with this before? I could have tried to find a remedy, or at least something to help.."

"I was afraid that you would judge me.. not because of something you did or anything, that's just how everyone else reacts."

"Oh. I would never judge you, Y/n. Is there anything I can do to help? I do not mean offense by this, but it seems you haven't had much motivation to do anything, judging by my surroundings, your appearance, and my previous knowledge of mental illness."

"I don't take offense to that, but uh, maybe next time sugarcoat that a little?" you giggled.

"Oh, right. My apologies, you know sometimes I do forget.. etiquette in holding everyday conversations."

You smiled again, walking over to him and leaning into his chest.

"It's alright, Bedo."

"Can I try something that always makes Klee feel better when she's sad?"

"Sure." you mumbled into his chest.

He sighed, and then began to hum something. It sounded like a lullaby, but you couldn't quite recognize it. But his smooth voice melted your heart and made you relax against him. You felt his hands settle on the small of your back as he continued to hum, leaning his head on yours.

"I love you." you said, squeezing him tighter.

"I love you too, my dove."

[biomic]

i'll try to keep it brief, but it was a pretty awful month and a half. my mom's manic episode got very bad very quickly. constantly aggravated, severe delusions and hallucinations, leaving the house/stealing the keys and disappearing for an entire day before telling us where she went if at all (she's almost died of frostbite from doing that in the past), and completely unreceptive to anyone trying to help her

i disengaged from everything online because i just didn't have the bandwidth to "post through it" and try to enjoy interacting with people. i was spending pretty much every day isolated in the house just trying to monitor her as best i could so she would be safe, making sure she took her medicine on time, and having dozens of conversations with family members, police, and doctors trying to keep everyone informed and just get her some help. it was so draining, especially because it happened SO suddenly compared to previous episodes and i was already going through my own unrelated depressive episode for about two months before all this. not a fun time to celebrate your birthday, i'll tell you that (woo 26)

thankfully, we were able to get a court order about a week and a half ago for her to go to the hospital (because she certainly wasn't going to go any other way), and apparently we were just in time because the EMTs said her blood pressure was near stroke levels. they took care of her and released her after about a week, which initially really concerned me, but... she's made a complete recovery. i've honestly never seen her turn around this quickly. i had a feeling when i talked to the doctor treating her that she was in good hands this time around but i never would've expected this. she's gentle, she's soft-spoken, she's acknowledging that she was sick and that as much as she hated being there, she needed the help. even when she's gotten better in the past she's never stated that so clearly before. i was prepared for her to at least be unsteady on her way out, and that i'd spend another month or so keeping an eye on her and preparing for her to slip again (i've been through this routine before), but i could immediately tell she was fully stable and that i could finally relax a bit. as hard as it is when she's sick, im just really glad to have my mom back

so, all that to say, im okay. im feeling leagues better than i was just a few days ago, and im ready to get back to my life, both outside and on this dumb little website. i didn't mean to a disappear so suddenly and im sorry if i worried anyone, i know a few people reached out while i was gone, but im back and im okay now <3

[qianinterprises]

Bundled Joy {Part One}

Pairing: Kun x Reader

Genre: fluff, crack, minor angst, pregnancy au

Warnings: pregnant reader, yelling, teasing, overprotective Xiaojun, teasing YangYang, slight explicit language

Word Count: 2.9k

Synopsis: You have a secret that somehow, all of the boys discover before you have time to tell the father. Now, you just have to fight them to tell Kun first.

Author's Notes: I started writing this honestly because I was bored and needed something to do. I didn't expect to finish it, much less post it, so it's going to be pretty different from most of the things I have written in the past. With that said, I have also decided to make this a series, but, as this was just meant to be fun, I cannot guarantee that I will update regularly, but I will try. Also note that this is my first ever series so I hope it's ok! Please enjoy!

Part two coming soon

Tagging: @treasuretaeil

Movie night with WayV happened about once a week, usually on the weekends when the boys either had a day off or didn't have to get up so early. Most of the time, you were invited to movie nights because, in Hendery's words, "movie night just isn't complete without mom and dad together!" It, however, had been a while since you had enjoyed movie night with them, having been too busy with work. This weekend, however, you had decided to join them after not so subtle but ridiculously persistent badgering from both your boyfriend and the other members, particularly YangYang.

Kun had texted you earlier in the day and asked if you'd pick up dinner, something you were only slightly surprised at. Typically, Kun cooked and, if you were over, you often cooked together. However, with deadlines and schedules, you weren't surprised that he was a little too tired to cook a huge meal for six bottomless pits. So, after ordering food online and picking it up, you showed up at the door carrying 10 pizza boxes, four two-liter sodas dangling from your arms in plastic bags because you were sure they'd want something besides water.

As you were struggling to ring the doorbell, having no arms left to reach the door knob or fish your keys out of your pocket, the door flew open to reveal a grinning Hendery who looked more interested in the pizza's that your presence.

“Can I-” he didn’t finish his sentence, looking greedily at the boxes.

“Yes,” you said, almost exasperatedly, though you were glad to be free of the burning boxes.

He grinned gleefully and took the boxes from your arms, hurrying into the kitchen where Lucas and YangYang were already waiting, each holding their own plate.

With a small laugh at the antics of the boys you’d come to love, you stepped into the dorm, only to be greeted with arms wrapping around your waist and a small kiss placed upon your lips.

“Hey babe,” Kun said, smiling softly as his eyes washed over your face.

“Do you guys really have to do that in front of us,” Ten whined, making a disgusted face as he grabbed his own plate.

“At least we have the decency to go somewhere else for our extracurricular activities!” Kun retorted.

Ten was notorious for bringing guests back to the dorms and making poor Hendery snuggle with a reluctant Xiaojun in a small bed.

“Not every time,” Sicheng pointed out, his own face morphing into disgust.

You rolled your eyes. One time to Ten’s twenty, that seemed fair.

“It was one time! And we didn’t even do much!” you argued.

“It would have been different if he had been giving you some… special attention! But instead of seeing boobs, we saw the dick we see all the time!” Xiaojun complained.

“Why do you want to see my girlfriend's boobs?!”

“Better question, why is it so normal for them to see your dick?”

“Kun-gi likes to change in front of us!” YangYang yelled, sounding scandalized.

“We all do!”

“Oh my God! Can we just watch the movie and eat?!” Hendery begged.

With that, Kun handed you a plate of food and sat down on the couch, pulling you snuggly into his side as YangYang started the movie.

~

It was late when the movie finished and Kun insisted you stay the night, something you would have denied if you hadn’t been too exhausted to think.

It wasn’t unnatural for you to stay over, and it wasn’t that you didn’t want to, you quite liked sleeping with Kun. He liked to hold you while he slept, which was part of the problem. You knew you’d be needing to untangle yourself from him at some point early in the morning and, if you intended to keep your secret, you’d have to do so without waking him, which wasn’t an easy thing to do. However, you agreed anyway, letting him lead you to the bedroom he shared with Xiaojun and YangYang. He wrapped his arms around you and, just like that, you were both sound asleep.

And there you were at 5am struggling to remove yourself from Kun’s hold without waking him up as your stomach churned and half-digested pizza threatened to crawl up your throat.

After a struggle that took way too long for someone needing to rush to the bathroom, you finally, successfully, pulled yourself from the bed without waking up your boyfriend, however, the early morning struggles didn’t stop there.

Stumbling through the dark, your feel suddenly got tangled up in a pair of stray shoes (most likely YangYang’s) settled precariously on the carpet, causing you to stumble and nearly lose your balance, catching yourself on the bunk bed.

Cursing, you paused your movements to listen for any wakefulness, swallowing thickly to push down the creeping bile as YangYang simply rolled over and resumed his quiet snores. Surging with relief, you quickly, but quietly, rushed from the room, not noticing a sleepy Xiaojun sitting up, watching you disappear into the hallway.

You stumbled blindly down the dark hallway until finally, you reached the bathroom, dropping to your knees immediately and hurling into the toilet, holding your hair back until someone suddenly appeared behind you, taking your hair in their hands, allowing you to clutch the toilet as your body shook with the force of the retches.

You assumed it was Kun until Ten’s voice met your ears as a hand settled on your back, rubbing soothing circles.

“Let it all out,” he said softly.

You didn’t have time to question his presence as your body shook through a new wave of nausea. His soothing motions didn’t cease, even though you knew he was probably disgusted.

When you finally finished, you weakly reached up to flush down your sick before turning around. Ten helped you settle against the wall as you struggled to catch your bearings. However, when your eyes floated up from the floor, you were met with a tired, but concerned Ten standing near the sink and a sleepy Xiaojun peering in the doorway.

“What are you guys doing up?” you asked, voice hoarse from exertion.

“I was entertaining a guest when I heard someone barrelling down the hall,” Ten explained, turning his attention to the male sleepily leaning against the door.

“When you hit the bunk bed you woke me up,” he explained through a yawn.

“I’m sorry.”

He shook his head and turned his gaze on you, eyes filled with concern.

“Why didn’t you wake up Kun?” Ten asked.

You sighed. You’d have to come clean now, because if not, they’d badger you until you did and then Kun would find out before you were ready.

“I didn’t want him to know yet.”

“Know what?” Xiaojun asked.

One glance at Ten and you could see the gears turning in his head. You simply let your eyes rest on his face, waiting for the question he was working on generating, steeling yourself when he opened his mouth to speak.

“Are you pregnant?”

Out of the corner of your eyes, you saw Xiaojun’s face morph, eyes growing as wide as saucers, lips parting into an ‘O’ at the sudden, accurate question.

You simply nodded before speaking.

“But you’d better not tell him if you both value having dick’s!” you warned. “I already have something planned out and you two better not spill the beans before I have a chance to tell him!”

“We won’t! We won’t!” Ten promised, a giant grin spreading across his face.

“I’m going to be an uncle!” Xiaojun piped.

You rolled your eyes and shifted off the wall to get up when Xiaojun suddenly appeared at your side, half picking you up, eliciting a small yelp from your lips.

“What the hell are you doing?!” you hissed, voice reaching a volume that would likely, accidentally, wake someone else up.

“You have to be careful now! You can’t hurt the baby!” Xiaojun exclaimed as if it should have been obvious.

With a roll of your eyes, you let him continue, crossing your arms over your chest as Ten cackled.

“Looks like you’re going to be dealing with an overprotective Jun!”

You let out a huff but resigned yourself to the fact that this was probably going to be the new normal, at least until you told Kun.

Xiaojun carried you from the bathroom and placed your feet down on the soft carpet of his bedroom floor. He slowly escorted you past YangYang’s shoes to your side of Kun’s bed where he lifted the blankets and tucked you back in. Almost instantaneously, Kun’s arms wrapped around your form, hugging you to his chest.

~

It was the next morning when the amazing scent of breakfast wafted into the room, stirring you from sleep in the best way possible. You rolled over, feeling Kun’s side empty and threw the blankets off your body, the cool morning bringing goosebumps to your skin.

Slowly, you threw your legs off the side of the bed, letting out a yawn as you scanned the bunk beds across from you, finding both beds empty.

As you stood up, your stomach shifted and grumbled, although you weren’t sure if it could handle Kun’s delicious breakfast.

Still, you made your way from the bedroom, meeting a grinning Lucas outside the room. He was standing outside the door, almost as though he was waiting for you to step out. His grin was a little more than slightly creepy and, as soon as he saw you, he began rocking on the balls of his feet like a puppy getting ready to pounce on its owner, something that wasn’t unusual for Lucas to do.

“Lucas?” you asked cautiously, already bracing yourself for the weight of the gentle giant.

“I wanna be the favorite uncle!”

At his words, you let your arms fall by your sides, a groan rising from your throat.

“I’m going to kill them,” you mumbled. “Which one of the boneheads told you?!”

“Your squeal last night woke me up, and then I heard Ten mumbling how amazing it was walking past my room!”

So your screech had woken people up. Great.

“Who else knows?”

With Lucas knowing, it was only a matter of time before the whole world did. If there was one thing Lucas couldn’t do, it was keep a secret.

“Pretty much everyone except Kun. Xiaojun said you threatened our dick’s if anyone told him.... But with as many hints and YangYang keeps dropping, it’s only a matter of time before he figures it out.”

YangYang. You loved the boy. You really did. He was so precious when he was crawling in bed between you and Kun on the nights nightmares woke him up from sleep. Or when he was crying as his legs cramped painfully. The times when he really showed just how young he was.

However, despite your love for the boy you thought of as a little brother, he truly could be a thorn in your side.

You pushed past Lucas and speed-walked into the kitchen where YangYang was, as Lucas promised, dropping hints.

“I want baby carrots and swaddled pigs in blankets for dinner!” He was saying cheekily.

“That’s a lot! Maybe I can help with that!” you said enthusiastically before grabbing the younger's arms and all but yanking him from the room.

“What?” he asked, as if he had done nothing wrong.

“I swear Yang, if you rob me of the joy of telling him, he’s going to be a dad, I will personally remove your gonads with a rusted spoon!” you hissed,

“Yeah, yeah,” he mumbled, rolling his eyes. “Good luck finding a rusty spoon without searching Jeno’s bedroom.”

You shoved him lightly, glaring at him as he walked back into the kitchen, you hot on his trail.

“Good morning sleepy-head,” Kun greeted, seemingly noticing you for the first time.

He placed a soft kiss on your lips and wrapped an arm around your waist, a greeting you loved but would never get used to.

“That’s exactly the kind of thing that got you into this situation,” Hendery piped.

Kun turned around, arching an eyebrow at the male as you sent Hendery the harshest glare you could muster. He bit down on his lip, trying, and partially failing to hide a sinister smirk.

You were going to end up killing them all if you didn’t tell Kun soon, but you wanted him to find out your own way, not because six boys couldn’t keep a secret!

“Babe? Do you think we could go out today?” you asked.

“Ooooo!” all six boys cooed, nearly in unison.

“Ok, what’s going on?” Kun asked, placing his hands on his hips.

It killed you how perceptive he could be.

“You’ve all been acting funny all morning!”

His tone was sharp and commanding, the kind of tone that sent trembles down your spin and heat rushing to your core with need.

“Oh! He’s using his dad tone! He must be-”

“Yang! Shut up!” you snapped, voice raising as tears gathered in your eyes.

His eyes widened as a tear slipped past your eye, trailing down your cheek.

“Y/N… I’m sorry!”

“Why can’t you guys just accept that I want to tell him in my own way! Stop messing around before he figures it out! Because if he does, I will never forgive any of you!” your voice shook with emotion as you spoke, hands balled into fists at your sides.

You were expecting a snarky comeback about being a crybaby, but no one said anything for a good few seconds before Kun broke the silence by clearing his throat.

“Where did you want to go?” he asked.

“To our special place in the park… for a picnic…”

He smiled and pressed a soft kiss to your head.

“Let’s go back to your place to prepare then,” he said.

With that, you sent one more look at the boys before following Kun back to his room to adorn yourselves in anything other than pjs.

Part of you was reluctant to tell Kun yet, wanting to wait just a little longer, but with the boys’ inability to keep anything held within the confines of secrecy, you knew you couldn’t wait any longer if you wanted to be the one to tell him.

~

After preparing a nice picnic while Kun was playing with your cat, Kun took your hand and led you to the park where you both had said “I love you” for the first time.

As you reached the grassy area, you separated yourselves from the playground where kids were playing and screaming, finding a nice shady spot near the hiking trail where Kun spread the old purple and brown blanket you’d fished out of your linen closet. You placed the brown wicker basket in the center and sat down on the blanket, pulling your legs in and curling them. Kun sat down beside you, pulling out the plates as you grabbed the plate of premade sandwiches and cucumbers, your heart pounding in your ears.

“So… how do you feel about... sitting on a picnic blanket with… more than just us?”

It was vague, you knew, but you didn’t know how to just come out and tell the truth.

He gave you a puzzled look as he retrieved a sandwich from the plate.

“Like… the boys coming too?” he asked.

Dense. Kun, WayV’s leader. The group's father. So damn dense!

“I mean like… children…?” you mumbled, heart pounding harder.

“I’d love to have children with you one day!”

“What about soon? Like… now?” you asked.

He raised an eyebrow and took a bite of his sandwich, swallowing before replying.

“Are you telling me you want to start trying?”

You sighed, resigning yourself to the fact that Kun was just too dense to get it without you spelling it out for him.

“I’m pregnant,” you whispered finally, the words coming out softly as a weight lifted off your chest.

The truth will set you free.

Kun was silent for a long moment. So long, in fact, that tears of rejection were gathering in your eyes and you prepared yourself for the “it’s not mine” or “I can’t have a baby right now” speech.

However, as you were about to get up and apologize, a huge smile broke out across his face and the next thing you knew, you were being tackled back, back hitting the grass as Kun held himself on top of you, grinning like a madman.

You were too caught up in the moment to care how the moment might have looked to any onlookers. It was none of their business anyway.

“I’m going to be a daddy?” he asked.

Tears of his own were already falling down his cheeks.

You couldn’t bring yourself to speak, your throat choked up from the happiness of his reaction. So instead, you gave a simple nod, your own smile mirroring his.

He rolled over into the grass beside you and pulled you into his arms, pressing a kiss to the top of your head.

“I’m going to be a daddy,” he whispered this time, almost as if to assure himself of the fact one more time.

As soon as the words left his lips, your ears were met with a surprisingly on key chorus of “awwww’s,” seeming to come from behind the bushes before a hyperactive Bella was jumping into Kun’s lap, licking his face in delight.

“Wait… why did everyone else find out before me?!”

[hinatastinygiant]

Chapter Thirty Eight

Pairing: Mitsuya x Fem!Reader

Wicked Games Masterlist

Y/N'S P.O.V.

After everything that happened at the reception and dealing with the unconscious members of the Otsuda gang, Emma decided to move the after party to a bar in Shibuya near Draken's place. You spend your time there with Yuzuha at the bar and a drink in your hand. Yuzuha does, too, multiple drinks in fact, and her face is bright red from giggling so much. With everything going on in her life right now, she's hoping to have a night to forget it all.

"I just can't believe they're already married! It felt like last week I- they got engaged!" she hiccups and beams even though Emma isn't even around. You know she feels quite poorly about everything with Chikao, too, so you're willing to let her have her night of fun. And when she does get a bit sad, you do your best to cheer her up.

"Like you always say to me, you'll find someone good soon," you smile.

"Yeah, maybe," she giggles, "but nothing compared to the way you and Taka-chan are turning out!" You roll your eyes playfully at her comment. "Has he kissed you?" she then asks.

"No, it's really not like that yet..."

"Yet?" she hums teasingly. "Maybe you should go talk to him."

Just as you're about to answer, your eyes are caught on the figures of Mitsuya and Hakkai approaching the car. The two of you look over and watch as Hakkai sits beside his sister and Mitsuya takes the seat beside you.

"Hey, what're you two drinking?" Hakkai asks Yuzuha as you smile over at Mitsuya.

"You got a second?" the man beside you asks.

"For you? Of course," you grin, but as you turn back to the other two, they're already getting up to leave. Yuzuha waves goodbye before she's ultimately half-carried away by her brother.

"It's finally over," Mitsuya sighs, turning your attention back to him.

"It was executed horribly," you chuckle, "but our half-assed plans actually worked. I can hardly believe it."

Mitsuya chuckles at your comment. "Yeah, well we were a pretty great team," he hums, not purposefully causing your face to heat up.

"By the way, Y/N, I know I've already apologized, but I truly am sorry for the times I didn't put my complete faith in you. You're a really strong and amazing person. I really should have shown how much I believed in you, but the way I acted I... just feel really shitty about it all."

"Is that what you came over here to say?" you ask. "Takashi, it's okay, really. You've been nothing but good to me this entire time. You had my back up 'til now. Sure, we had our bumps along the way, but it wasn't like we didn't get along."

"You're right," he nods. "Thanks, Y/N. Oh, and you really did worry me sick, you know!"

"What? How?!"

"Do you even need to ask that?" he sighs as she shakes his head. "You're always getting yourself in situations like joining Otusda where I couldn't do anything but watch from afar."

"You creep," you tease. "What was I supposed to do?"

"I don't know," he shrugs as a small grin tugs at the corner of his lips. "As long as you're not really going out with that zombie bastard, I don't really mind any longer."

When Mitsuya stops speaking, you notice his eyes drop down to your lips. You feel your heart skip a beat as Yuzuha's words about kissing him echo in your ears.

"Of course not," you breathe, "I'd never actually date that asshole."

"You know, it's strange," he says as his eyebrows knit together, "I could have sworn he was married, too."

"I wouldn't put it past him," you chuckle lightly as his body leans in a bit closer to yours.

Soon, his hand lifts to your cheek and caresses it gently. He admires your face delicately while all you can do is part your lips softly as you attempt to think of something to fill the emptiness. However, he soon beats you to it.

"May I kiss you?" he whispers.

"Yeah," you nod breathlessly as a nervous smile creeps up along your lips. But it soon disappears as soft, warm lips push up against your own. Your lips push gently beneath his as you slide your hand around the back of his neck. He feels good, so close to you together, and so unbelievably warm. But almost too soon, Mitsuya draws back and places his forehead against yours.

"I am beyond grateful for you, Y/N."

"And I am for you, too," you hum.

@A little while later, you head back to the Shibas' house. Yuzuha comes out of her bedroom and trudges down the stairs bundled up in sweatpants and a sweatshirt with the hood over her head. She's already feeling hungover and it's still the same night.

Yuzuha groans in pain as she sits beside you on the couch. "So a kiss, hm?" she mumbles as she puts her head on your shoulder. "When are you two gonna go on a date?"

Mitsuya sighs as he approaches the two of you with two cups of hot tea in his hand. "Maybe in the morning Y/N and I will figure that out, but it's not something you need to worry about right now, Yuzuha," Mitsuya grins, "It'll happen."

Yuzuha smiles as she accepts the tea. "Wow, finally owning up to your feelings? Good for you, Taka-chan," she teases.

Mitsuya shakes his head as he passes you your cup of tea. You thank him as he takes the spot on the couch on the opposite side of you as Yuzuha.

"Taka-chan's got the biggest crush ever on you," Yuzuha attempts to whisper, resulting in an eye roll from you. Mitsuya just sighs and turns to talk to Hakkai.

A little while later, you go upstairs to Yuzuha's room to change your own clothes. When you're not changing, you sit across from her on her bed.

"So what was it like when he kissed you?" she asks eagerly.

"Oh my god, what are we in middle school?" you giggle.

"Aw, come on, I wanna know! After everything with Chikao, I've gotta find my romance somewhere else!" she grumbles.

"Alright, fine," you hum, a bit excited to gossip, "it was pretty amazing. It was like I was dreaming, it felt surreal!"

Yuzuha squeals. "I bet it'll be your wedding next! Too bad Emma didn't toss the bouquet, dammit!"

"You're just drunk," you roll your eyes, dismissing the thought altogether.

The next thing you know, you're waking up under the covers of Yuzuha's bed. You see that she's sleeping beside you, and so as to not wake her up, you crawl around and tiptoe out of the room.

As you make your way downstairs, you hear voices. Just as you're about to walk into the living room, you overhear Mitsuya and Hakkai talking. When you're about to take a step into the room, you stop abruptly at the sound of your name being mentioned.

"Don't worry, Y/N is going to want to go with her. She does have feelings for you after all!" Hakkai beams, causing your heart to skip a beat. What was that about?

You knock on the wall as you enter the room, making your presence known. "Hey, guys," you smile as their heads turn towards you. "Yuzuha and I passed out for a bit, sorry about that. We didn't mean to totally ditch you."

"It's alright," Hakkai smiles.

"Are you feeling alright?" Mitsuya then asks.

"Yeah, thanks," you grin.

"You should go back to sleep and get some rest," Mitsuya nods. "Then, if you want, we can go out for breakfast in the morning."

"Really? That'd be great!" you beam, doing your best to not bubble over with excitement. "Night, you two!"

"Goodnight," they both wave with smiles as you turn to walk back to Yuzuha's room.

You really wish you could take Mitsuya's advice to get some rest, but how can you fall asleep after he's just asked you out like that?!

Wicked Games Masterlist

Taglist: @darkmess0 @wakasa-wifey @plaggi @daiserenade @lunastellanova @sseorin @jinchuriki-hunter @night-shadowblood-writes2 @yeehawnana

[pashfoxx]

Elements AU

Pre-hotchreid

Before reading, I want to say that this is the first work that I publish, and that it has more than a thousand words, also that my first language is not English and that I am sorry for any misspelling

you can know some more things about this au here

Fire and ice have always been considered polar opposites.

But people are wrong are not polar opposites. In fact they are quite close.

Aaron hotchner was born into an upper middle class family, his father was a renowned lawyer, and although his element was air, the man was cold as ice, with hurtful and icy words. And an even worse right hook. Aaron always believed that man should never have been a father.

Finally when Aaron was fourteen years old, the fury and helplessness that he felt towards his father for every blow and kick he received from him. He turned too much, a blast of fire breaking through from his forearms, with which he had been trying to cover himself from the blows. The flames burned his father's hand, Aaron opened his eyes, and saw his father grab his right hand, which was red and with what Aaron believed could be second and third degree burns, Aaron heard his father murmur a "bloody monster" Before leaving the room, at a hurried pace. Aaron got up feeling strangely good, the pain that he felt in his body did not matter to him, in return a sick feeling of satisfaction lodged in his chest, when he saw how his father had fled.

It was not until the next morning that Aaron finally understood how much things had changed after that night, The fire was not good, it was destructive, dangerous and unreliable, a week after what happened, Aaron was on his way to boarding school far from Virginia.

Over time, Aaron learned to never use or say the element of him, because then, people would walk away, just like all the people who had known.

The years passed and finally there are only ashes of that teenager fearful of his father, in return this Hotch is serious and stoic, who made his way through the court and the FBI as if he were a bullet, Hotch who only needed to snap his fingers to be able to create magnificent flames, but also very dangerous. Although Hotch has never used them. Because at the end of the day Hotch is just a forest fire, a forest that burns itself.

He hates it.

Spencer Reíd is the son of a literature teacher, who is also a paranoid schizophrenic. When Spencer was ten years old his father abandoned them, after that Spencer barely managed to earn enough money to keep him and his mother alive, and to buy some of his mother's expensive medications.

That coupled with the fact that Spencer was a Genius in a las vegas public school, just complicates everything.

Things got worse when the soccer team tried to strip him naked, and tie him to the goalpost. Spencer only remembered closing his eyes tightly and thinking that he wanted that to end no matter how, when he opened his eyes again, everything was covered in ice the football team with frost all over his body the rope in the captain's hand completely frozen. Spencer didn't think twice, she grabbed his shirt and bag and then ran out of the place.

Spencer had read all about the elements, he knew that the people who controlled the ice, along with the people who controlled the fire, were the minority in society. Spencer had learned the hard way, that people hated people with the element of ice. Ever since he awakened the element of him he had been accused of having no feelings, having little empathy and occasionally being a psychopath. Did people know that he misused the term?

Things really got better for Spencer, when he met Jason Gideon, and later he joined the FBI. In the FBI they were not obliged to tell the element of him, of course this was in the file of each agent, but you were not obliged to tell your element to another agent if you did not want to. Spencer really appreciated it, because the people of the water element avoided him like the plague when he found out that he controlled ice.

This was how he ended up creating a three-step plan so that no one would find out, number one, avoid physical contact, his body temperature could become below zero, it was practically a miracle that no frost formed on his body, number two, be careful with liquids, you still have problems so that they do not freeze when you touch them, and number three, never use your element.

And everything was going well he had friends, for the first time since college, of course he still missed Elle but he still has Gideon. But then the Hankel case happens.

Nothing is good anymore. Gideon left, he only left him a letter, but that does not prevent it from hurting less, the man abandoned him just like his father.

This in the bathroom he just injected dilaudid, he probably missed the dose because he does not feel his legs and everything is blurry.

He can't go on like this anymore. This will kill him, he doesn't want to die, not even at least. With shaky legs he got up off the ground. A single thought in his head.

He must get rid of the dilaudid.

The next seven days are like hell on earth.

When the worst of the withdrawal is over, Spencer forces herself to go back to work, she still had a few days off, but staying in his apartment hasn't helped her stop thinking about the dilaudid. His hands have a slight tremor, and his control over his element has diminished, causing him to freeze the odd thing in his path.

Spencer has probably been trying to complete this file for a little more than half an hour, she knows that Morgan and Prentiss have already noticed, but Spencer prefers to ignore the worried looks that they both give her, her eyes wander to the pencil in her hand, Note how the frost has completely spread over it, and is starting to do the same with the file.

Spencer quickly gets up from his desk, he can't allow that to continue happening, no matter how he just wants it to stop, he's fed up with not even being able to complete his paperwork, enters the bathrooms, and goes to the sink that you always use it, just touch it, it starts to fill with frost, you want it to stop, it doesn't matter how, you just want it to stop.

Reid had always intrigued Hotch. Since he met him, the young man had attracted him, there was something about Spencer, that caught Hotch's attention. At first Aaron worried that someone as young as Reid would see such bloody scenes, like the ones Aaron had seen over the years, soon Reid showed them that this was not a problem for him, and Aaron learned that while Reid could be extremely young, he was also extremely mature and contrary to many of the young agents if he respected orders.

The team had a no-profiling rule, Hotch knew that. Hell, he had been one of those who proposed her, but he couldn't help it he knew Reid was hiding something from them, he wanted to believe that he would tell them when he felt comfortable. Gideon wouldn't have pulled all those strings, if it was something dangerous.

It only took a hug for Hotch to notice. Reid had held him when they found him with Hankel, the way he felt the cold creep across his normally warm skin, a sensation he hadn't felt since he was a teenager.

It all fell into place slowly, how Reid looked nervous when someone tried to touch him, how Reid would look confused when Morgan tasted his coffee and complained that it was too sweet and icy.

After that he couldn't help but notice the details, every single thing Reid would do differently, to keep it a secret from him.

Then when he saw the young man get up from his desk and practically run to the bathrooms. Hotch worried, thought for a moment before getting up and heading to the bathrooms in search of Spencer.

When he opened the bathroom door, Aaron saw Spencer looking at himself in the mirror, firmly grasping the hand wash, the young man did not notice his presence at the moment, more concerned about how, the frost was expanding through the mirror and the hand wash, When Spencer finally noticed Aaron's presence, she was quick to hide her hands behind her back.

- I - I can explain it - the panic was noticeable in Reid.

- Spenc ...

- I know it's not normal, that's why I hide it, people don't usually trust people like me, I'll understand if you want me to transfer ...

- Spencer! - Hotch exclaimed again, to get the young man's attention.

Spencer finally forced himself to look at Hotch, he saw how his boss did not seem angry, the man extended his palm and from one moment to another small flames appeared in the lines of his fingers,

Spencer looked at him with surprise written on his face, he always believed that Hotch's element was earth or air, in addition to the fact that the chances, that two people, with some of the rarest elements, would work in the same place were extremely low. .

- I would never ask you to transfer, Spencer you are a fundamental part of this team, besides we would all miss you - Hotch said looking at the young man who was hugging himself - you don't know? He - he added belatedly, although he only received a small nod from Spencer.

Hotch made the flames disappear from his hand and took a step toward Spencer, bringing his hand closer to Spencer before quickly pulling it away.

- can I touch you? - Hotch asked, receiving another nod from Spencer, Hotch approached to wrap him in a hug.

"Maybe you don't think so right now, but you're important to all of us Spencer," Aaron said.

Spencer's arms wrapped Hotch in a soft hug. The fire hurt Spencer, and the ice made Hotch feel weak.

But it was worth it.

Hotch observed, as a slight smile, made its way across Spencer's face, who seemed to be much calmer.

Yes, it was definitely worth it.

[fuwahiko]

NOT ME TAKING LITERAL DAYS TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH BACKSTORY I WANTED TO GIVE THIS AND ACCIDENTALLY CLOSING THE APP AND LOSING WHAT I HAD WHEN I WAS FINALLY GETTING SOMEWHERE I-

Im a disaster but i finally got my head on straight alright HERE'S SOME OUMOTA FOR YA

SO. The V3 kids have gone on the town to hang out. Why? They were sick of always going to Amami's house. They needed a change of scenery. What are they doing? Karaoke? Bowling? Who knows. But they're all making fun of each other.

Their collective love language towards each other is bullying.

At some point, a lot of people get hungry. Miu, for some ungodly reason, yells at Kokichi to go and order for them. And bring the food down when it's done. For some even ungodlier reason, Kokichi agrees. Without an argument. Not even an insult.

He does kiss Kaito while flipping everyone off before walking off, but now everyone's scared of what the gremlin's planning. Only Kaito's safe if Kokichi's got something planned. Boyfriend priveleges work...sometimes.

With Kokichi, he's waiting for everyone's food when someone shouts his name...or something close to it. Intrigued, he turns around and immediately tenses up. But only slightly.

It his ex-boyfriend. Kokichi never wanted to see this ex (who i call Fuckface McAsshole) again. It wasn't healthy, and when he tried to break it off, said ex lost it and dragged shit out for a week and a half. Kokichi was about to turn and rush towards Kaito and the others, because safety in numbers (plus Kaito could throw a mean punch), but the ex got there first. He had also accidentally left his phone on the table with the others.

There was no calling for help. Kokichi was stuck.

So he was forced to play the long game. He didn't wanna make a scene in such a public place. He let his ex talk and talk and talk while retaining none of what he was saying. When the ex noticed Kokichi wasn't listening, he commented. ("...why aren't you listening to me, Ko? Got somewhere better to be? With people that actually want you around? Fucking doubt it.")

When he hears that, Kokichi snaps. Not completely, but enough to get snappy

"Actually, my friends and boyfriend are waiting on their food. I'm here to get their food. And I can't hear the person calling out numbers because of your blabbering. So be quiet."

Kokichi knew he shouldn't have snapped. He knew as soon as his ex's eyes widened, then narrowed. He'd never admit it, but that look made him slightly nervous.

From there, everything escalates very quickly. Quicker than Kokichi anticipated. It's about to get real ugly in two seconds. And everyone's going to hear and stare at whatever's going to go down.

......soooooo now i hand it off to you. What exactly happens between Kokichi and his ex? How do the V3 kids find out about all this, and how do they react? How does Kokichi react after that fiasco? And what do they all (extra emphasis on Kaito bc Oumota) do to try and comfort and/or cheer up Kokichi after THAT?

(Did i listen to "Happier than Ever" by Billie Eilish when i thought of this...maybe i did and maybe i didn't. You can't prove anything.)

this is a really interesting scenario! kokichi feeling so backed up into a corner like that is certainly unusual, for one thing.

ok ok so I like the idea of like, kokichi trying to work on himself a lot. dude needs therapy. and in this au I can see it being the case that kokichi has been working through stuff a lot and has managed to become so close with everyone because of that - like I'm sure in a non despair au he wouldn't be quite so... ~the way that he is~ anyway, but he'd likely still have a lot of issues and struggle to get along with everyone at first, but then with some encouragement from someone he trusts and gets along with more (kaito? maybe someone else? maybe it's more of a slowburn with him getting closer to kaito?) he'd eventually start going to therapy and start slowly working on himself, as well as starting over with some people he maybe started off on the wrong foot with before. it might take some time, but eventually even the people that really didn't get along with him start to open up a little and try to understand him more, and he does the same for them. everyone sees how hard kokichi is trying, and he's really changing for the better, and that inspires them to work on themselves too and it brings everyone a lot closer.

so. when kokichi's ex shows up, it stirs all of this awfulness inside of him, all of this bitterness. it ends up starting to pull at the worst things within kokichi, trying to bring it all to the surface, and kokichi is trying his hardest to stop himself from saying something horrible, from making a scene, from making every stranger in the area turn to look at him with that look that makes him want to disappear. he's trying so hard not to fall back into old habits and old behaviours; he's been working so hard and finally things are looking up for once.

but then he slips up.

he knew he shouldn't have said anything, but his ex wasn't going to leave him alone anyway, and suppressing his own emotions was getting too difficult, so he had to do something. but now his ex was glaring at him even more than before, and kokichi could feel the rage radiating from him, and he immediately regretted ever opening his mouth. but he'd already come this far, and his ex had backed him so far into the corner that all kokichi could do was bite back just as hard.

kokichi's ex raised his voice, and it was like the floodgates had been opened. everything he was saying was blurring together into an endless string of sharp needles that pierced into kokichi, targeting all of his weak points, hurting him over and over, each needle piercing deeper than the last. kokichi snapped back, his own voice just as loud, throwing insult after insult and trying to dig up all that he could think of to hurt him back, trying to find just the right words to hurt his ex even deeper than he had hurt him, all the while a smirk spread across his face as kokichi pretended like he was enjoying himself, enjoying this conflict, but with every word he fired back he only felt more hatred towards himself. it was a form of self destruction, and now that he'd started hurting himself, kokichi didn't know how to stop.

just when kokichi felt like his own self hatred was going to swallow him whole, he half-registered footsteps growing louder just out of view. then, before he knew it, suddenly his ex was being lifted off the ground in front of him.

kokichi's eyes widened as he finally processed what he was looking at. it was kaito. kaito was here and he had grabbed the ex by his shirt and lifted him up, a furious expression spread across kaito's face.

"the fuck are you doing to kokichi?!" kaito practically roared as he held his free hand in a fist.

after maybe a brief moment of relief, kokichi felt fear and panic grab hold of him, and when he met eyes with kaito he seemed to immediately understand exactly what he was feeling.

kaito let go, letting kokichi's ex drop and stumble as he found his footing. "sorry. I wasn't gonna do anything, I didn't mean to scare you." kaito looked ashamed now, and he turned away from kokichi for a moment. kaito had been working on himself a lot too, specifically dealing with anger issues and his tendency to resort to violence when things got hard to deal with, and he'd been making a lot of progress. kaito knew he would've decked this guy if kokichi hadn't looked so upset, and he felt horrible about it. he felt awful that he was just reverting back to his usual ways, and he felt even more awful because he'd made kokichi feel worse, even if only for a second. he felt like such a disappointment. kokichi felt horrible too, and he felt like it was his own fault that kaito had gotten so worked up, that if he'd just dealt with his ex in another way then kaito never would've gotten dragged into this. kokichi had brought the worst out of himself, and now he felt he was doing the same to kaito, pulling him down with him.

just then, security showed up and asked them to leave. kokichi and kaito both had the thought of telling them that the ex was the problem and that they'd just been going about their day until he started shit, but neither of them said anything, just left without making any more fuss. they gave them their money back for the food at least, but now the whole thing had just been a waste.

when they grouped up with the others outside again, kaito holding kokichi's hand as they walked, everyone was chatting and laughing together as they had been doing all day, but they all quickly realised something was up as they saw how shaken kokichi looked and how kaito's face was scrunched up with frustration. of course they'd also seen that the two of them were empty handed, but that wasn't their main concern.

"guys? what's wrong?" kaede rushed over to see them, a look of worry spread across her face. kaito squeezed kokichi's hand a little tighter as he told them all what he'd walked in on. he decided to do the talking himself, knowing kokichi was struggling at the moment and not wanting him to have to explain everything on top of that. he didn't really know what had been happening exactly, but he'd gathered that this guy had been kokichi's ex, and he knew he'd started something with kokichi because he knew that kokichi would never start anything like that himself now.

maki suggested they all move to somewhere quieter, so they headed down a nearby street that lead to an open area with a park that was surrounded by a long wall that was low enough to sit on. kaito sat with kokichi on the wall, pulling him in close at his side and wrapping his arm around him firmly, reassuringly. kaede sat on kokichi's other side, speaking gently and offering to let him borrow her earphones to listen to some music to help him calm down. he refused, but he appreciated the thought. himiko sat on the grass at his feet in silence, but he knew her well enough now to know she was trying her best to support him, even if she didn't know what to say or do. shuichi and maki sat down beside kaito, who was calmer now, but concerned for kokichi and still upset with himself.

"it's all my fault..." kokichi mumbled sadly, his head resting against kaito and his hand clinging onto his shirt. "it's not your fault. he started it, didn't he?" kaito questioned, already knowing the answer. "not that. I mean... I got you involved." kaito ran the hand that was holding kokichi up and down gently along his arm to comfort him, his free hand reaching to stroke his hair. "don't worry about that, that's not your fault at all. I shouldn't have lost my cool. ...sorry again about startling you." kokichi shook his head. kaito felt kokichi's body start shaking, and he realised he was crying. "I'm the worst... I'm the worst, I'm the worst, I'm the worst." kokichi cried as he buried his face further and tried to hide away. "nothing's changed, I'm just as shitty and horrible and worthless as I always have been... I should've just... done things different... but I did the same as I always do..."

of course. kaito finally realised the real reason why he was so upset. sure he was upset over his ex showing up and the nasty things he'd been saying, but now that they were away from him he was more upset with himself than anything, because he'd worked so hard and he felt like none of that work had actually gotten him anywhere. he felt like change wasn't possible, because if he'd reacted that way then to him that surely meant that he was exactly the same as he'd always been, despite how much he'd tried.

"hey. that's not true and you know it." kaito was about to continue, but miu interrupted. "yep, that's bullshit. ha! if you think you're terrible, that guy sounds ten times worse! what a loser." gonta also spoke up, obviously very upset that anyone would raise their voice at his friend. "hmm... that not how gentleman should act. should be polite, even if ex doesn't like you."

"kokichi, we can all see how far you've come and how hard you've been working, so please don't beat yourself up over this one time. that guy is the one at fault, he put you in a difficult position, a really difficult position, and you wouldn't have reacted that way otherwise." kaede reassured him. "she's right, you wouldn't do that unless you felt you had no other choice." shuichi agreed as he handed kokichi some tissues. kokichi had calmed down somewhat, but he needed to get his emotions out still, so everyone waited patiently, offering words of support every so often, kaito still holding him and placing a few kisses on the top of his head, until kokichi stopped crying and pulled away, sitting up and drying his eyes.

angie jumped up off of the grass. "we should do something fun!" rantaro looked up at her from where he was sitting. "you mean like a distraction?" "nyahahaha! yes! doing something fun will help kokichi take his mind off things and feel better!" "do you have something in mind?" kiibo asked. angie thought about it for a moment. "hmm... nope!" rantaro sighed. "we shall just have to think of something, and we should also find somewhere else to eat as well." kirumi said as she stood up, dusting off the front and back of her dress.

ideas began getting thrown around and the atmosphere lightened up quickly - everyone chatting and suggesting fun things to do together, kokichi just quietly listening, but feeling a lot more comfortable again and appreciating his friends' efforts to cheer him up. it wasn't too long before kokichi was joining in, though, and everyone was relieved to see him slowly returning to his usual self; a bit immature, sometimes annoying, but funny, sweet, so full of life. kokichi was someone they'd all grown to love, no matter how things might have started out for some of them with him, and he wasn't at all who he thought he was when he was feeling down on himself. they hoped that one day kokichi would finally understand that.

[anamelessfacelessnerd]

Not me rewriting the ending to Mizumono only to have a much better idea halfway through so as soon as I finished the first one I started on the second

Rating: Explicit

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply

Category: M/M

Fandom: Hannibal (TV)

Relationship: Will Graham/Hannibal Lecter

Characters: Will Graham, Hannibal Lecter, Abigail Hobbs

Additional Tags: Canon-Typical Violence, Episode: s02e13 Mizumono, Smut, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Mild Blood, Rough Sex, Coming Untouched, Not Beta Read, Dark Will Graham

Language: English

Summary: “I need him to know.” Will looked into Hannibal’s eyes then, searching for the desperation he could hear in his words. “If I confessed to Jack Crawford now, you think he would forgive me?”

“I would forgive you.” It’s clear that Hannibal’s not talking about the murder, but the betrayal. He would still forgive Will for conspiring against him. “If Jack were to tell you all is forgiven, Will, would you accept his forgiveness?” The double meaning is apparent. Hannibal was asking Will if he would go with him knowing that Hannibal would forgive him. It’s an invitation. One that Will wasn’t sure he wanted to decline.

“Jack isn't offering forgiveness.” Hannibal wanted to say “I am”, but he didn't. “He wants justice. He wants to see you. See who you are. See who I've become. Know the truth.” Will takes another sip of his wine and Hannibal accepts his defeat. He really hadn’t wanted to hurt Will, but it seemed that it would be the only option.

“Still, I suppose we don’t owe Jack that do we?” Will spoke again.

Notes: Okay, I know I rewrote the ending of Mizumono yesterday, but I had this idea while I wrote it and I couldn't help myself.

“Do you know what an imago is, Will?” Hannibal asked.

“It's a flying insect,” Will replied.

“It's the final stage of a transformation. Maturity.”

“When you become who you will be,” Will said, catching on to the point Hannibal was making.

“It's also a term from the dead religion of psychoanalysis. An imago is an image of a loved one buried in the unconscious, carried with us all our lives.”

“An ideal.”

“The concept of an ideal always searching for an objective reality to match. I have a concept of you just as you have a concept of me.”

“Neither of us are ideal,” Will says after taking a long drink of his wine. Hannibal considered what Will had just said for a moment. He had nearly trusted an ideal. He thought that Will would leave with him until he smelled Freddie Lounds on him. Perhaps Will was right, neither of them were ideal.

“We are both too curious about too many things for any ideals.” Hannibal paused a moment, feeling a twinge of hesitation for what he was about to ask. It was completely out of character for Hannibal to grovel, but in recent weeks he had grown accustomed to the idea of running away with Will, and he wasn’t quite ready to give the fantasy up. “Is it ideal that Jack die?”

Will matched Hannibal’s pause. Most would not even notice the hesitation, but Hannibal did.

“It's necessary. What happens to Jack has been preordained.” Will’s voice was cold, free from any emotion. In any other circumstance Hannibal would be proud of how well he schooled his expression, but now it just frustrated him.

“We could disappear now. Tonight. Feed your dogs. Leave a note for Dr. Bloom, never see her or Jack Crawford again. Almost polite,” Hannibal was nearly begging now and Will knew it. Their eyes locked and at once Will understood. Hannibal knew and he was willing to forgive.

“That'd make this our last supper,” Will said, considering Hannibal’s offer. Now, just days away from the sting that he and Jack had planned, Will still wasn’t sure whose side he was really on. Part of him wanted to be good, he wanted to atone for his sins and clear his name for good, because even though he had been acquitted, there were still those who believed he had actually killed all those people.

The other part of him wanted to become what everyone thought him to be. Though he hated to admit it, he had felt a thrill as he killed and mutilated Randall Tier. Even worse was that now thinking about that feeling didn’t make him feel guilty or sick, only enhanced the adrenaline.

If he was being completely honest, half of the thrill was seeing how Hannibal looked at him when he knew what Will had done. The subtle adoration and pride that he was no doubt allowing Will to see. Hannibal’s gaze made Will feel things, things that he had never felt with anyone before, and he wanted to chase that feeling.

“Of this life. I am serving lamb.”

“Sacrificial? Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Will snorted.

“I freely claim my sin. I don't need a sacrifice. Do you?”

“I need him to know.” Will looked into Hannibal’s eyes then, searching for the desperation he could hear in his words. “If I confessed to Jack Crawford now, you think he would forgive me?”

“I would forgive you.” It’s clear that Hannibal’s not talking about the murder, but the betrayal. He would still forgive Will for conspiring against him. “If Jack were to tell you all is forgiven, Will, would you accept his forgiveness?” The double meaning was apparent. Hannibal was asking Will if he would go with him knowing that Hannibal would forgive him. It’s an invitation. One that Will wasn’t sure he wanted to decline.

“Jack isn't offering forgiveness.” Hannibal wanted to say “I am”, but he didn't. “He wants justice. He wants to see you. See who you are. See who I've become. Know the truth.” Will takes another sip of his wine and Hannibal accepts his defeat. He really hadn’t wanted to hurt Will, but it seemed that it would be the only option.

“Still, I suppose we don’t owe Jack that do we?” Will spoke again. Hannibal perked up almost imperceptibly.

“Perhaps a note will be sufficient. I didn’t want to leave the dogs alone, but they’ll be fine for a while. Knowing Jack he’ll send a cruiser to my place within an hour after I don’t show up in the morning.”

“Let us prepare then. I would like to be out of the country before Jack realizes that you are no longer his man on the inside.” Hannibal stood and began gathering plates to bring to the kitchen because of course he would want to leave the house spotless. Will helped him with the dishes and wiping everything down. They caught eyes several times, both revving with the anticipation of what was to come. Will considered apologizing for his conspiracy, but when he looked into Hannibal’s eyes he knew he was already forgiven.

It was a little intoxicating to know that he had this kind of control over hannibal. To know that he made Hannibal beg. He wondered how else he could compel him to beg. That was, once they stopped dancing around the physical aspect of their relationship and finally just fucked like they both wanted to.

Once they were finished they retired to the study to write a note. Hannibal wandered around, collecting particular books and knick knacks that he wanted to bring while Will drafted a note. After much thinking and many balled up pieces of paper, Will finally got it right. When he finished, he handed it to Hannibal to read.

“This will do nicely,” Hannibal said. He slipped the letter into an envelope and sealed it with blood red wax and a stamp that bore his initials.

Will watched as the wax dripped. The flow of the thick liquid was giving him all sorts of dirty thoughts. Thoughts of Hannibal pouring that warm liquid all over his body. Thoughts of being covered in other kinds of red liquid. Will had to take a deep breath to steady himself and bring some blood back up to his head.

When the wax had dried, Hannibal handed the letter to Will, fingers brushing against Will’s skin tenderly.

“I have a surprise for you,” Hannibal said, hand coming to grip Will’s wrist.

“Oh?” Will replied.

“Come with me.” Hannibal led Will upstairs, never letting go of his wrist. Will had only been to the upper floor of Hannibal’s house a few times, and never in the dark, so he didn’t really know where they were going. He had two ideas, one much more enticing than the other, but both equally likely.

As it turned out, neither of his assumptions were correct. Hannibal led him to a closed door at the end of the hallway and knocked.

“May we come in?” He asked. Will didn’t even have time to question who was in there before the door was being opened from the inside. Standing in the doorway was none other than Abigail Hobbs.

“Hi Will,” She said, a small smile playing on her chapped lips.

“Abigail?” Will asked, voice barely audible. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Had Hannibal drugged him? Was he hallucinating?

“How are you here? You’re dead,” Will said.

“Not dead, just misplaced,” Hannibal replied, “they never found a body, well, not a whole body at least. It was merely a charade.”

Abigail tucked her hair back to show Will the flesh where her ear had been. It was healed over by now, but it still brought a wave of bile up in Will’s throat.

“You’ve been here this whole time?” Will asked, choking down the anger that was building in him. There was no sense getting angry now, especially when he was teetering on the edge of a new beginning.

“I’m sorry,” Abigail said, tears welling in her eyes.

“I forgive you,” Will said. Abigail took two big steps forward and wrapped her arms around Will’s middle, burying her tears in his shirt. He brought a hand to her hair and stroked, both soothing her and assuring himself that she was really there and really alive.

“Thank you,” Will whispered to Hannibal. He wasn’t sure what he was thanking him for. Maybe for keeping Abigail alive, maybe for bringing him to her, maybe just because he didn’t know what else to say.

Hannibal’s hand came to rest between Will’s shoulder blades, fingertips shooting electricity down his spine.

“I do not wish to rush you two, but we must be going,” Hannibal said, “there is still much for us to do and little time to do it.”

Abigail pulled back from Will and wiped her eyes on her sleeve, sniffling a few times.

“Will, would you care to help me pack?” Hannibal asked.

“Yeah, sure.” Will cast one last glance at Abigail before following Hannibal to his bedroom.

“Everything in that top drawer must come,” Hannibal said as he set a large suitcase on the bed. Will began transferring the carefully folded garments from the dresser to the suitcase while Hannibal sorted through his suits to find the ones he liked best.

Will and Hannibal's hands brushed for what felt like the 500th time that night as they both attempted to place clothing in the suitcase at the same time. Their eyes met and there was a moment of contemplation before they pounced.

Will dragged Hannibal to the floor and straddled him, hands balling up around fistfulls of Hannibal’s jacket as he pressed their lips together. Hannibal kissed back with equal fervour, hands sliding back to cup Will’s ass. Will moaned into the kiss and rutted his hips against Hannibals. Hannibal bit Will’s lip, not stopping until he drew blood.

They broke away, panting and breathing each other in. Hannibal brought one hand to Will’s cheek and stroked, the pad of his thumb brushing over Will’s parted lips. Will sucked the digit into his mouth, tongue lapping at the sensitive skin.

Will ground his hips down, ass rubbing against Hannibal’s rapidly hardening cock. The older man stared up at him in wonder, lips parted and eyes blown wide. He withdrew his hand, swiping his thumb along the bleeding cut on Will’s lip until the skin was stained red. Then he brought it to his own mouth, his eyes rolling back as he savored the metallic taste of his lover’s blood.

“You taste divine Will,” Hannibal said, deep voice sending tremors through Will’s body. That was it, that was the breaking point for Will.

“Take your fucking clothes off,” He demanded as he scrambled off of Hannibal to remove his own clothes.

“Such crass language,” Hannibal scolded, clicking his tongue disapprovingly, “whatever should I do about that?”

Hannibal was trying his best to regain some of the power he had lost in this exchange. Will would let him believe that he did, if only to sate his ego, but Will knew deep down that he was in control. He had known since before Hannibal had pleaded with him that he was in control here. Hannibal had several layers to his persona. The first was the polite, yet slightly eccentric doctor who loved good food and opera, behind that was the calculating psychopath cold, and emotionless. His true personality was hidden deep within himself, but Will was able to see it, after all, he had not yet met a person he couldn’t read.

The person that Hannibal truly was was driven by his emotions. Anger and hurt bubbled under his skin, suppressed by years of burying everything akin to a feeling deep below the surface. He was intensely narcissistic and hedonistic. Everything he did was to fulfill his desires. He ate to satiate his hunger, he killed to assuage a compulsion. He acted solely in his own self interests, and right now Will was his interest. That gave Will ultimate power over Hannibal. He wanted Will in every sense of the word, and would do nearly everything to have him.

Perhaps what solidified Will’s control was the fact that he was aware of this while Hannibal wasn’t. Hannibal had spent so much effort repressing feelings that he genuinely believed that they were never there in the first place. Will knew about Hannibal’s nature, not from the beginning, no he was fooled like everyone else at first, but certainly longer than he let on. He only raised the issue with Jack when he was in danger.

Will put on the facade of being overly emotional, of being unstable, but deep down he was something different entirely. That’s why he was so good at “faking” the coldness he showed with Hannibal, it was never fake, the emotions were fake, and Hannibal was none the wiser. This was Will’s game and Hannibal was barely aware he was playing.

“Will?” Hannibal asked, pulling Will from his thoughts. He kneeled in front of him, now fully nude, his erection jutting out proudly from a bed of well trimmed blonde curls.

“Fuck me,” Will insisted, trying to pass his momentary spacyness off as fascination with the admittedly impressive cock that hung between Hannibal’s legs.

“As you wish.” Yes, as Will wishes. Hannibal will do exactly as Will wishes.

Will doesn’t wait for any more negotiations. He turns around and sinks to his elbows, thighs spread wide to accommodate Hannibal. He heard the older man’s breath catch as Will displayed himself.

“Oh Will, you truly are exquisite. Beauty incarnate.” Hannibal mused. Will watched between his legs as Hannibal reached into the bedside table for a bottle of lube. Hannibal poured the lube onto his fingers, then pressed them to Will’s hole, tracing the rim to get it nice and wet.

Will buried his face in his crossed arms to stifle a moan. The last thing he needed was for Hannibal to know exactly how sensitive he actually was and to exploit that fact. They didn’t have much time and Will was really just looking to be fucked.

Finally, one finger breached Will. It slid in with little resistance and Hannibal added a second. His thumb came to press against Will’s perineum as he scissored his fingers. Will let out a choked sob when Hannibal’s other hand tangled in his hair and pulled his head up sharply.

“I want to hear you Will. I want to hear exactly how much you like this.”

“God, just fuck me already Hannibal,” Will begged, “I’m ready, just get in me.”

Hannibal withdrew his fingers at once. Will didn’t even have a chance to get a word out before Hannibal was pressing his cock inside.

“There you go sweet boy, taking my cock so well, like you were made for it. Like you were born to take me.”

Will had never heard Hannibal speak so lewdly before, but he liked it more than he would ever care to admit. Not that he even could right now with Hannibal thrusting into him with punishing force, hitting his prostate every time.

Hannibal still had one hand in Will’s hair. The other was gripping his hip so tight he would undoubtedly have finger shaped bruises in the morning. He brought his lips down to Will’s shoulder, placing a few gentle kisses there, and that would simply not do. Will needed him to be rough, he needed to be fucked hard.

“Harder,” Will grunted, “come on Hannibal, you can do better than that. Do it like I know you want to. Hurt me.”

“Are you sure you can handle it?” Hannibal panted.

“Fuck yes, give it to be Hannibal, fucking ruin me.”

Hannibal complied immediately, using all of the force he could to pound into Will like he was trying to split him clean in half. He bit down hard on Will’s shoulder, just short of drawing blood.

Will rocked back to meet every thrust, letting out a litany of pathetic noises that he probably should have been embarrassed about. Hannibal was groaning now too, grunting like a beast in Will’s ear as he shoved in impossibly deeper.

Will’s orgasm was so sudden, he didn’t even feel it coming. In an instant his body went rigid as white hot pleasure coiled in his abdomen and he came completely untouched.

After coming for what felt like hours, he dropped to the floor, thighs shaking too hard to support himself any longer.

Once he had caught his breath, Will rolled over onto his back and spread his legs.

“Keep going,” he told Hannibal, “I want you to use me to make yourself come.”

Hannibal didn’t need to be told twice before sliding back into Will. He hoisted the younger man’s knees up over his shoulders to get a better angle as he slammed in over and over again.

At last, Hannibal gave a final hard thrust and spilled inside Will, coating his insides with his seed. He pulled out and laid on the floor next to him, breathing hard and trembling.

“I would have run away with you a long time ago if I had known that was in store for me,” Will panted, struggling to sit up.

“If I saw you every day, forever, Will, I would remember this time,” Hannibal said, reaching over to brush a lock of curly hair behind his ear.

Will smiled and kissed Hannibal again. It was softer this time, full of much more affection, especially on Hannibal’s behalf.

“I would sit here with you for eternity Will, but I fear that we must leave soon. We would not want to keep Abigail waiting.” Hannibal said when they pulled away.

“Of course, but first will you promise me something?”

“What is it that you desire?”

“Do that again as soon as we get to wherever we’re going.” Hannibal grinned and cupped Will’s cheek.

“I would gladly have you every day, my dear Will.”

Notes: Listen, we all know who's actually in control and this relationship and it's not Hannibal "Simp" Lecter.

[mightyavngrs]

i guess we both made mistakes | brandon darrow x reader

summary: after finding out brandon was the one behind the snake mask y/n is set on staying away from him for as long as she can. when his safety is compromised, though, she can't help but put the feeling of betrayal aside

masterlist

Brandon Darrow and you had been best friends once upon time, that is until he became popular and ditched you for his new asshole friends. You hadn't talked to him in years until this whole situation started and when you found yourself getting closer to him again while looking for clues on king cobra's real identity, you couldn't help but feel a little happy to somewhat be mending your relationship with Brandon. You really felt like the two of you were finally okay again until Rowan broke the news to you.

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

You were in Hailey's car as the blonde drove you two to pick Rowan up from the zoo party where the girl had went to try and find out who hid behind the snake mask but when she got in the car, an apologetic look in her face, you couldn't help but freeze.

"What happened, Ro? Who is he?" you'd asked the girl, basically begging for good news, only to be met by her sad eyes.

"I'm sorry y/n/n. It was Brandon."

And suddenly you felt like you couldn't breathe, tears starting to sting your eyes as you tried to remain calm not to worry your friends any more.

"No. It can't be." you managed to mutter between trembling lips.

"I'm so sorry y/n. I know you two were getting closer again." Rowan said taking your hand in hers giving it a comforting squeeze.

"He was so gentle to me, Ro. How could he? How could he do this?" your sadness was being replaced by anger and betrayal. Brandon had been there for you during the past few weeks, comforting you when you needed it most, and even going as far as kissing you on the rooftop of his house. Had it all just been some manipulative way to trick you into not questioning his innocence? Was that all you were to him? A piece in his stupid game? You felt sick to your stomach.

Hailey dropped you off at your house after you guys' visit to the hospital to check up on Ash, who'd been in surgery for being shot. Rowan had stayed with Elisia to keep her company but you weren't sure you could keep it together any longer and so had asked Hailey to drive you home.

As you closed the front door behind you, seconds away from finally running to your bed and letting all the build up hurt go through the tears you'd been holding back the whole night, you heard your phone in your pocket. Picking up the device, already imagining what other terrible news or threats you were about to find, your heart stopped at the texts glowing in your screen.

from: rowan

STINGER JUST TEXTED ME

from: rowan

HE GOT A PING ON DUNBAR'S PHONE

from: rowan

IT'S AT YOUR HOUSE

You looked around, trying to type out a reply as you moved towards your bedroom.

to: rowan

are you su-

"Y/n?"

You froze in your spot once you recognized the voice, accidentally sending your text half-finished. Forcing your body around you were met by Brandon Darrow's eyes.

"Get out." you warned holding up your phone in a threat to call 9-1-1.

"Just listen to me." Brandon pleaded taking a step towards you.

You were quick to step back running into your bathroom, Brandon tried to catch your wrist to get you to stop but only managed to knock your phone out of your hands. Before he could reach you you had already locked yourself inside the bathroom.

"Please just let me explain myself, y/n." he pleaded, wiggling the door handle.

"You're trying to kill us!"

"No i'm not! C'mon y/n/n please just listen to me!"

"Don't lie to me! Rowan saw you wearing the mask!" you screamed back at him once again before letting yourself slide down the door to sit on the floor.

"Just listen to me okay? A couple of years ago i logged onto the zoo website to talk shit about my dad, and i met monkey man." Brandon began to explain. "We bonded over our shitty dads and i gave him advice about his bullies." he continued before your smack on the door interrupted him.

"God, you're a liar!" you shouted trying to keep your tears away for the second time that night.

"No i'm not! I thought it was all your fault. I found Dunbar's phone at Nicki's party. I was going to get my bags back before the cops came and... look i was so pissed off because i thought it was all your fault he killed himself, okay? That's why i took his phone, and i sent you that message about the blood balloon."

"God, you're an asshole." you sobbed, covering your mouth with your hand.

"I felt so guilty, okay?" Brandon said. "That's why, when I got the phone, I logged onto MonkeyMan's account. I told them all that we should make you suffer; that we should make you pay. We came up with this stupid hunting idea. When Hailey got out, I texted you all. But when I saw Hailey's face after her audition, I felt so guilty, because I was just trying to make things better, and she was so scared and all I do is make things worse... Y/n i tried to tell them to stop online, you have to believe me, i did, but King Cobra... he was telling them to do really bad things to you. I tried to make it better. I tried to stop everyone, but it was too late."

"You were wearing that fucking mask, Brandon." you said. "Rowan saw you."

"It was a trick," Brandon insisted. "I wanted to find out who he was. Y/n, I started it, but I... I can't stop it." Brandon said, his voice shaking.

"I should've stayed away from you," you cried out, resting your forehead against the door. "Everyone warned me about you and how i shouldn't trust you, but you seemed like you'd changed. You seemed like my Brandon again, my best friend. I should've known it was too good to be true." you stated, a sob leaving your body.

"I'm sorry." Brandon whispered from the other side of the door before finally leaving you.

The next time you heard from him it was through Rowan. The brunette had called you a few hours after your fight with the boy, letting you know that he'd been arrested by the police.

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

Weeks had gone by and Brandon had finally been freed. You'd made a promise to yourself that you wouldn't go anywhere near him ever again, and you'd been successful at the task, that is if you count crying yourself to sleep over how much you missed him multiple nights a week as successful. It'd been hard to keep him away from you though. He'd called multiple times and even knocked at your door a handful of times. Rowan had insisted that you talked to him, but you always refused. The brunette, though, kept in contact with Brandon through her recently acquired step-brother, Trevor, who'd pressured her into looking after you for his best friend's sake.

One day as you got home from The Brew coffee shop, you received a text.

you better take a closer look at your boyfriend's little investigation before he gets hurt.

You felt a breath catch in your throat as you read the message, a picture of you and Brandon taken weeks ago attached. No, it should be bluff, Rowan had been keeping you updated on what Brandon was up to and she hadn't talked about any investigating. You hated that you still cared about his wellbeing but you couldn't just make your feelings disappear. Eventually you decided to lock your phone and move on with your life. A few hours later you received another text. You looked in horror as a video of Brandon tied up in a car with tape over his mouth filled your screen. look what i found. the text read. i warned you, bitch. now he pays.

You struggled to find your car keys, ready to leave for Stinger's place, when your phone started ringing and you swore you'd never accepted a call so quickly in your life. It was Rowan.

"We got the video too. Stinger has the location. Trevor is on his way to pick you up." Quickly thanking your friend you made your way out of the house just as the car pulled over, taking no time into getting on the passenger seat.

Once you got to the location you pushed your way through your friends before coming to a stop. On the wall of what you recognized as a freezer was some code: MrMT 113634 and right below it the words open me. You reached for the handle but the door didn't budge. "Shit" you muttered under your breath before picking up a broken brick from the ground and hitting the lock with it. After a few hits the door opened and you and your friends took no time into entering the freezer despite the cold. You pulled your jacket, (Brandon's jacket, you were yet to notice) tighter around your body as you looked around in disgust at all the animal corpses that filled the container. You finally pointed your lantern down to the floor, trying to avoid the carcasses that'd surely plague your nightmares later that night, when you spotted a shoe. Lifting your eyes from the ground your jaw dropped as you laid your eyes on an unconscious Brandon. His wrists were tied by a thick rope, his skin paler than you'd ever seen it and his lips almost just as blue as you remembered his eyes to be. You dropped to your knees before the boy as you screamed for help from your friends. You could tell Brandon was alive but you weren't sure if he'd stay that way for much longer if you didn't get him out soon enough. With the boys' help, Brandon was placed in the backseat of Trevor's car where you joined him shortly, carefully pulling the boy's freezing t-shirt over his head to replace it with your, well his jacket. You layed his head on your lap running your fingers through his icy hair. "You'll be okay, i'm right here." you told him, not bothering to keep your tears from falling when suddenly Brandon's eyes fluttered open, a relieved sigh leaving your body. He looked up at you, lifting up his hand to cup your cheek. "Don't cry, baby. You saved me." He said with a sad smile before starting to close his eyes again. "No, B, don't fall asleep on me, not now." you told him, grabbing his hand with yours before placing a kiss on its back. "Please stay with me, we're almost home." The boy in your lap opened his eyes again and you could tell it was hard for him to do so. "You're doing so good, love. Just hang in there." you pleaded, your voice trembling with fear.

It felt like it'd been hours when you finally goby to Stinger's. Once inside it was like your body was moving on its own as you went looking for blankets while the other girls went to make some tea and the boys placed Brandon on the couch. You crawled in the sofa next to him, wrapping him in the covers you'd found as he rested his head on your shoulder. You realized then that all the anger you'd felt towards him during the past weeks had dissipated the moment you saw him in that freezer.

"Are you okay?" Brandon asked noticing you drift off.

"You almost just froze to death and you're asking me if i'm ok?" you asked back letting your head fall on top of his.

Eventually Rowan and Elisia got back, handing Brandon the mug of tea. Everyone discussed the recent events until they decided to run to the train station to try and open the luggage locker. You got up from the sofa, Brandon following behind before you interrupted his movements.

"You're not going." you warned him, his mouth opening up in protest before you continued. "You almost just died, Brandon. You need to rest." the boy sighed in disappointment.

"You can stay at mine tonight. My parents aren't home. Do you think you can drop us off there on your way to the station?" you asked Trevor, receiving a nod from the boy.

"Woah, you sure you'll survive a night in my presence?" Brandon asked in a mocking tone.

"Shut up before i change my mind."

You got home not long after, moving to the kitchen to heat up some soup as Brandon took a sit on your couch. Leaving the kitchen you let your feet drag you back to the living room before handing him the bowl.

"Thanks." he muttered, starting to shove spoonfuls of the hot liquid into his mouth. Suddenly you were reminded of something quickly making your way up the stairs and into your bedroom before returning to the couch with something in your hands.

"What's that?" Brandon asked, his eyes moving to whatever you were holding behind your back as you sat down next to him, your hands moving to your lap as you revealed Fishy.

"I meant to give this back to you a while ago but then everything happened..." you began. Brandon interrupted, placing the now finished bowl down on the coffee table.

"I'm sorry." he said, his blue eyes locking with yours. "I'm so sorry i began all of this. I was just mad and i thought i was getting revenge for Dunbar but i just ended up hurting more people." You could sense the genuine guilt in his voice and your heart broke all over again. You looked down at your lap where your hands played with the stuffed animal.

"You know i tried to be mad at you, B, i really did. But at the end of the day when i got home from school all i wanted to do was curl up in bed with this stupid frog and cry. I missed you so much Brandon. I hated myself for it but i did." You confessed as the boy reached up his thumb to wipe away a tear you didn't realize was rolling down your cheek.

"I guess we both made mistakes uh?" he joked as you chuckled through watery eyes.

"Yeah i guess we did." you sighed getting up from the couch, wiping your eyes with the back of your hand. "You wanna take a shower or something? I still have one of your hoodies and my dad must have some sweatpants around."

"Yeah that'd be nice" Brandon said trying to ignore how happy he felt that you'd kept not only Fishy but also his hoodie and jacket.

"You know where the bathroom is, make yourself at home.." you said before leaving to your bedroom.

30 minutes later Brandon knocked on your door, already back from his shower.

"Okay you can sleep in my bed and i'll just sleep on the floor-" you started, already in your pajamas, before the boy interrupted you.

"No way. I'm not letting you sleep on the floor."

"Okay then i can go sleep in my parents' room..." you stated before picking up your pillow.

"Oh c'mon y/n/n i know you hate not sleeping in your room." he sighed taking a sit in your bed. "We can share the bed you know? It's not like we haven't done it before." he suggested looking up and you swore you could see a hint of hope in the blue of his eyes.

"Okay" you agreed just above a whisper as the boy began to settle in the bed. You layed down beside him, the both of you staring up at the ceiling where the glow in the dark stars you'd put up as children shone.

You took a big breath in before turning your head in his direction. "You know before i got the video of you i received a message..." Brandon turned to you encouraging you to keep going. "Mr Empty was threatening to hurt you if i didn't stop your investigation. He- I thought it was bluff cause Rowan had been giving me updates on you and she said you weren't investigating anything so i let it go. You almost got hurt because i refused to talk to you myself and i-"

"Hey it's ok." Brandon reassured you with a hand to your cheek, his thumb caressing your skin to try and get you to calm down. "You couldn't have known. Besides, you had valid reasons not to want to talk to me." he stated, a sad smile adorning his face.

"I just wish we could go back to before all of this started happening." you told him taking his hand in yours. "Before we drifted apart and when our only problem was making sure we were home on time for dinner." You smiled at the sweet memories that flooded your mind.

"It's my fault. I was the one who pushed you away and i'll never be able to apologize enough for that."

"It's ok, Brandon. I guess we both made mistakes..." you said repeating his statement from just a while ago, a sigh leaving your body. "We should probably get some sleep."

"Yeah. Goodnight y/n/n."

"Goodnight B." you replied before turning your back to him and drifting off.

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

You opened the door to the freezer and got inside, your flashlight illuminating the way. Your feet led you through the container before you came to a stop. Before you layed a lifeless Brandon. You fell to your knees screaming for help as you pulled the boy up as well as you could, hugging his freezing body to yours, trying to somehow bring him back to life. You kept screaming for help as you cried but no one would come. You were alone.

You woke up gasping for air as tears streamed down your face. You looked to your side to try to find some comfort on the sight of an alive Brandon only to find his side of the bed empty. Panic ran through your body as you struggled to get out of bed. What if they took him again? You thought to yourself as you ran down the stairs. What if he's really dead?

Reaching the end of the staircase you came to a stop as you locked eyes with a confused Brandon putting a cup of water down. Without thinking twice you threw yourself into the boy's arms, holding his body tightly against yours.

"Woah what happened?" he asked, concern filling his voice, as he hugged you back with just as much need.

"I had a nightmare and you were dead and then i woke up and you were gone and i thought... i thought..." you struggled to finish through broken sobs.

"It's ok. I'm right here, I'm ok. You saved me, remember?" he reassured you pressing a kiss to your head, but noticing you hyperventilating he held your face in his hands pulling you away just enough to rest his forehead against yours. "Hey, i'm safe y/n but i need you to breathe for me ok? Just take a deep breath." you did as he said breathing in slowly before breathing out. "Yeah just like that, baby. In and out." he kept reminding you until you finally started breathing normally again. He hugged you again muttering into your hair a low "Let's go to bed okay?" before leading you back to your bedroom. You layed down in your bed, resting your head on Brandon's chest. "Is this ok?" you whispered looking up to meet his eyes. "Yeah." he replied with a smile holding you tighter against him.

That night you both slept better than you'd slept in years. Brandon happy to finally have you in his arms again and you listening to his heartbeat, the steady rhythm a constant reminder that the boy you loved was safe and sound.

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a/n: this is my longest fic yet so please be gentle with me :') i'm not expecting a lot of people to read this at all, since the show isn't popular, but i figured this would be put to better use on my tumblr than forgotten on my notes app. so if this flops look away haha anyways for anyone who read: i truly hope you enjoyed. thank you for reading and treat people with kindness <3