#still trying to find a good au name for this

[abbysgolf-club]

STALKER

part 2

an abby anderson fic. wlw.

TW:: smut, mdni!!! softdom!abby, mentions of alcoholism, weight gain and reader is said to have longer hair. cunnilingus, fingering, aftercare!! use of pet names ie, sweetheart, sweet girl i literally dont think i could've made abby anymore gentle for y'all. (let me know if i've missed anything)

NO USE OF Y/N I PROMISE.

if you enjoy i'd highly appreciate likes comments and reblogs<33

READ PART 1 HERE::

It was her.

You recognised the large calloused hand as soon as it touched you. You knew it was Abby. You wriggled in her grasp; her free hand snaking around your waist to keep you in place.

"There's no point in trying to run, sweetheart. I don't want to hurt you. I just want to talk." Abby's voice spoke, a sound you hadn't heard in a good while. Her voice was smooth and calm, different from how you last heard her.

You muffled something into her hand before she finally took it away so you could speak, her hand still holding you on your waist. You let a breath out, unaware you were even holding one in.

"Why're you here? I specifically told you, stay the fuck away from me," You told her, your voice shaking slightly from the risen anxiety. Before she could respond you sighed, realising you were going to have to face her one day or another, might aswell be when she's broken into your apartment.

"Go sit on the couch, let me clean up this glass and then i'll come through.. and talk to you." You mumbled, waiting for her to let go.

"Whatever you say, sweet girl." Abby spoke breathily into your ear as she slowly removed her hands off your waist and backed up into the lounge.

Once she'd gone, you picked up the dustpan and brush and began scraping the broken glass on the floor into the dustpan, making sure there was no excess shards that could get stuck in your cats paws.

Once you cleaned up, you made your way over to the lounge. Seeing Abby sat on your couch with your cat, Garfield, on her lap made you remember the old times, when you two were still together. But you were done with that time of your life. You continued to tell yourself as you sat down next to her on the couch.

"Why'd you come back? You cheated on me, Abby." When you mentioned what happened that night, 4 months ago, Abby's face turned a pale pink colour in embarrassment for how she'd treated you. "You were manipulative, cruel, you treated me like i wasn't my own person; like you owned me." You spoke again, Abby looking at you with sorrow and guilt.

"Listen, baby.. that's what i came here to explain.. That's why i needed to find you." Abby answered, her eyes full of guilt and something else you couldn't quite lay your finger on.

You looked at her, waiting for her to begin explaining, not wanting to speak until she explained herself.

Abby sighed, leaning back on your couch, your cat still curled up in a ball on her lap as she stroked it carefully.

"That night.. is the biggest mistake i ever made. After you left, i changed. I realised i had to get better and recover. I've spent 3 months in therapy to get my drinking under control." She swallowed a thick lump in her throat before she continued to speak, "You, sweet girl, are the best thing that's ever come into my life. You are the kindest soul i've ever come across, like an angel placed on the planet for me to love and adore. All i'm asking for is one more chance. To prove i've changed. Please.." She looked at you, a look you'd never seen before. Vulnerability. She was genuinely upset. She really did love you, after all, would she have gone through therapy and found your exact location if she didn't care about you?

"Abby.. I.. I don't know what to say.." Your voice quiet, realisation hitting you that Abby did infact cherish you, she just wasn't in the best head space at that time.

"Then don't say anything, sweetheart." Abby spoke, pulling you into her lap, staring up at you sweetly. You'd gained a little bit of weight since your last encounter with Abby, but, of course that was no problem. You didn't even know if she noticed.

Abby's hands trailed along your hips to your waist and back again, before she pulled you into a loving kiss. It took you a second to realise what was happening until you melted under her touch, kissing her back softly.

"Abby.." you muttered, pulling back from the kiss, staring into her big blue-green orbs. Just as you were about to continue speaking, Abby held a finger up to your lips.

"Shh, I told you not to say anything baby, let me make it up to you for everything." With that said, she lifted you off her lap, laying you down on the couch onto your back.

"May I?" She asked, motioning to the button on your black denim shorts. You nodded reluctantly, nervous she'd judge you for your body image.

Abby smiled, unbuttoning your shorts and pulling them to your ankles, discarding them on the floor beside you.

She smiled at the slight pudge on your stomach, kissing gently at your stretch marks and down your thighs, removing your underwear as she did so. Abby's soft and sweet actions gave you butterflies; you felt a small pool between your legs.

"So wet for me already, baby?" Abby murmured, positioning her head inbetween your legs, looking up at you for permission.

"You can.. but be gentle.. please.." You asked softly, Abby smiled before looking down at the beautiful sight in front of her eyes.

Before you knew it, Abby's tongue slowly licked up between your folds, focusing on your clit. A soft gasp left your lips, causing Abby to grin as she continued slowly lapping your clit like she was starved; savouring your taste.

Your hand tangled into her neatly braided hair, you swore she never took it down and she woke up with it perfect everyday.

"Abby.." You moaned, breathlessly, Abby hummed against you, speeding her tongue up slightly, twirling it around your clit in small deliberate circles.

Abby reached her hand up, still eating you out as she slowly pushed her middle and ring finger inside you. Curling them inside to hit your spot; causing your head to fall back and moans escape your mouth.

Your grip tightened as she sped up, still keeping every movement gentle. Her free hand stroking your thigh lovingly.

Not long later, you felt your climax building up in your lower stomach, clenching your walls around Abby's fingers. Abby grinned as you clenched around her, "Cum for me, sweet girl." She said, lifting her head up to looked at your flustered, fucked-out face.

Her words sent you over the edge, coaxing her fingers and her face in your juices, Abby slurping them up like there was no tomorrow, helping you ride out your high.

Abby pulled her fingers out of you, giving one last lick to your clit; wiping her hand on her trousers and the corners of her mouth on her t-shirt.

"Let's get you cleaned up, baby. You look so pretty." She spoke, sitting up from between your legs, pulling you to sit up aswell. She grabbed the hair bobble off your wrist, tying your hair up into a small ponytail.

She then proceeded to pick you up off the couch, asking you for directions to your bathroom so you could go to the toilet.

Once she got you there, she waited outside for you to finish and then picked you up again bridal style and carried you to your bedroom, laying you down in your bed.

"Do you want anything sweetheart? Food? Water?" Abby asked you, smiling down at you in your bed.

"Water please.." You murmured, sleepily. Abby have you a peck on the forehead before travelling back downstairs to grab you a glass of cold water with ice and a straw.

"Here you go, we can't have you getting dehydrated." She smiled, walking over to you and handing you the water, before searching through your closet for some pyjamas. She found a black pair of fully pyjama pants bought them to you, helping you put them on.

Once you were dressed; Abby climbed into your bed next to you, allowing you to put your water down on your bedside table before spooning you, peppering your neck and upper back with kisses.

"Goodnight, sweet girl. I'll be here when you wake up. I promise."

And that was the last thing you heard before drifting off to sleep. Back in her arms, where you longed to be.

[tj-dragonblade]

[FIC] Baby Got Back

Fandom: The Sandman Pairing: Dreamling Rated: T Word Count: 3933 Tags: Human AU, gym meet-cute, lust at first sight, call that a meat-cute, supporting appearance by Death, Dream of the Endless is a horny little weasel, Hob puts the 'ass' in 'exercise class', Dream of the Endless (Sturridge Edition) has no cake to serve, embarrassment, exercise, Death is the worst (best) wingman

Notes: This happened bc @dragonnan shared this video in the Mr Sadman server and the scene Would Not Leave my brain. The meat-cute tag is also courtesy of Dragonnan. ❤️ Title is of course borrowed from Sir Mix-a-Lot's song of the same name. I physically could not call this anything else.

Summary: Dream's sister drags him to the gym. Will the instructor and his assets be enough to convince Dream it's worth his time?

On AO3 Dream is pleased to see, as he begrudgingly follows his sister into the exercise class she'd signed them up for, that at least the instructor isn't the bodybuilding jock type that has historically put him off going to the gym entirely. Dream gets only a glance at the back of him as they enter the space, but he is slim and athletically built—neither thick-necked nor thickly-muscled, nor is any part of him built like a tree trunk.

That is a relief.

Dream still does not want to be here.

But he loves his sister, and is ultimately not immune to her dogged persistence.

"Come on, Dream, just one time, please? I'm sure you'll find something you like about it!"

Months, she has been cajoling him; it is his hope that she will drop the subject now that he has finally given in.

"Hello, welcome everyone!" Mr. Not-a-Musclebound-Jock speaks up, drawing attention to start the class. "My name is Robert, but you can call me Hob, and I'll be your instructor for this undertaking! Good to see some of you back, and nice to see all these new faces too! Now, today we're going to start off slow; I'll demonstrate some techniques and we can all try them out one at a time before we really get going, alright?" He claps his hands, rubs them together. "Those of you who've been here before, please feel free to help out the newcomers if they need it. Especially if you brought them." He glances at Dream and Death with a tiny nod, as Death is one of those returning students, and Dream.

Well.

He is hearing the words—"quick stretches", now, and "warmup"—he is paying attention, truly, but he is also.

Staring.

Which is not so terrible; all eight of them in the class are watching the instructor and following along with the warmup, as they should. But Dream does not think his thoughts are in line with anyone else's.

Because the instructor, Hob—he is gorgeous. Arrestingly so. Beautiful in a very ordinary way; average height, the previously noted slim build, brown hair greying slightly at the temples and pulled into a messy bun, dark eyes, strong nose, friendly smile. Nothing individually remarkable, but together? Oh. That smile lances straight through Dream in a way that makes his stomach curl up giddily. Hob is wearing a white t-shirt that is tight and thin enough it can't quite hide what looks to be a lush thicket of chest hair, and the amount of hair on his arms and legs further supports that hypothesis. He's wearing mallard green spandex shorts that show off, well, everything, and it's all very nice.

Perhaps this class will be tolerable, after all.

"Okay, the first thing I want to tackle is a modified squat form," Hob says once they've finished the warmup stretches, and Dream is immediately reassessing his optimism. He hates squats; hates most sorts of physical exercise, to be honest, which is why Death had had to wheedle so hard to get him to join her. But squats, of course, were particularly loathsome. And Hob sounds far too cheerful about them.

"This modification is pretty simple; you'll just need to find a pole, here, and do like this." Hob turns so his back is mostly to the class, grabs an upright bar on the nearest weight machine—Dream has no idea what any of this equipment is properly called—then plants his feet far apart and leans back, bending his knees into a beautifully right-angled squat and Dream?

Dream nearly swallows his tongue.

Hob's green spandex shorts and everything they contain have gone from 'nice' to 'scandalously on display' and Dream is absolutely mesmerized. The way Hob's body drops, the wide stance of his legs, the way his cheeks spread as he sinks low—Dream is having capital-T Thoughts, none of which are in the bible, as Desire is fond of saying. Hob's thighs, while built slim, are well-muscled and incredibly toned and every contour of quads and hamstrings is straining into beautiful prominence beneath those shorts. His arse is likewise presented, every curve and dimple beautifully highlighted by shiny green fabric, and Dream is very sure he can see the imprint of individual hairs beneath the stretched spandex. The material is rendered slightly-sheer by the position and, unmistakably, there is a distinctive 'whale-tail' flaring above Hob's shapely cheeks.

Dream's mouth goes dry. Is he—?

There is a telling lack of lines under the spandex.

He is. Hob is wearing a thong.

Dream is ridiculously grateful for the Extreme Support jock strap he'd put on before coming here; he is having a most unfortunate reaction to every aspect of Hob's demonstration, but his shorts are far more forgiving than Hob's and the underwear beneath them is keeping things decent enough for the public environment.

He hopes.

"See the problem so many people have with squats is the knee strain," Hob is saying, as he straightens up again. He lets go of the pole. "Most of the time when we do squats, we're leaning forward a bit for balance, right?" He bends into position, demonstrating; his arse and thighs are on display again and it is no less arresting than the previous example. "And that's where that knee pressure comes from, trying to keep that balance."

Dream can think of several ways to help Hob keep his balance in such a position, all of which involve their bodies in intimate proximity and none of which would be particularly easy on anyone's knees.

"But like this"—Hob takes hold of the equipment again and leans back, drops slowly into his squat—"it's easy to keep your chest straight, get all that nice core support and this ninety-degree angle here"—his free hand strokes the curve of his own arse from hip to thigh and Dream inhales sharply—"and your anchoring pressure is all in your heels. No knee strain!" He sinks deep, presumably in demonstration and Dream is so full of lewd thoughts he genuinely fears he might burst. He watches the flex of Hob's thighs and arse as the man raises himself and lowers back into another squat; he bites his tongue to still the whimper rising in his throat, watches Hob perform another slow controlled bounce, is painfully aware of all his blood rushing south.

"This keeps all the working power in your glutes, which of course helps you build a nice tight round arse—and that's what we're all here for right?" Hob grins over his shoulder as he sinks down again.

A smattering of laughter answers him, including a chuckle from Death, but Dream cannot stop staring at Hob's arse. Which is indeed. Round. And tight. Chiseled. Contoured into sharp relief beneath the stretch of spandex shorts. And the texture of his body hair on top of all that? The thong? The way his cheeks flex and spread as he sinks low, clench beautifully as he rises up again?

Dream is utterly lost.

His sister bumps him with her shoulder. "Alright there, Dream?"

He makes a tiny, strangled noise that he hopes she will take for assent. He can only imagine what color his face is at the moment.

"You can do this at home, too, by the way, if you happen to have a pole—or a sturdy door jamb to hang onto." Hob demonstrates one more deep squat and straightens up, turning to face the class again. "Alright. Everyone find a support and try it out!"

Dream cannot. He cannot fathom duplicating the exercise with the vision of Hob's arse in his head, performing those same motions—supportive underwear or not, he is going to embarrass himself.

"Here we go!" Death singsongs next to him, indicating the nearest weight machine—which does in fact have two upright supports that will serve their purposes. She steps over and takes hold of one, leans herself back with feet planted wide and performs a squat.

Which does wonders to clear Dream's head; it's not titillating when his sister does it and he finds he can refocus appropriately.

"This feels ridiculous," he mumbles, joining her and reluctantly taking up position. "This looks ridiculous."

"Didn't look ridiculous when Hob did it, right?" Death's tone is entirely nonchalant, not even teasing, but Dream seizes up all the same. He knows she's sharp, that she can't have missed the way he was staring nor what, precisely, he'd been staring at. But her words are entirely innocent. "Just need a bit of practice and you'll make it look that good too, little brother."

He is about to reply as he lowers himself, something scathing and devastatingly witty, surely, but another voice cuts in first.

"Ah, so this is your little brother, DeeDee?"

Hob.

Dream, having just reached the lowest point in his first squat, finds quite abruptly that his body has decided to forget how to move.

His sister is answering. "Hey Hob! Yeah, this is Dream. I finally convinced him to come in with me."

"Wonderful! Always glad to have new friends join the fun!" Hob holds out a hand.

As if Dream is in any position to shake it.

His eyes are nearly level with Hob's chest and it takes every fiber of willpower he possesses to keep them up on Hob's face; in his distraction, he lets go of the pole to shake hands anyway.

Inevitibly, he falls flat on his arse.

"Oh god I'm so sorry!" Hob reaches to help him up, looking alarmed.

His sister is stifling her laughter.

"Thank you," Dream manages, pride bruised, face aflame, but he takes Hob's hand and pulls himself quickly to his feet. He does not dare look around to see who else in the class has borne witness to his bumbling ignominy. Besides which. Hob is no less attractive in close proximity and Dream's brain is replaying all those squats in quick flashes while also gibbering about the chest hair showing through that thin white t-shirt, none of which is at all conducive to keeping his composure. Desperately, he tries to pick up the thread of the conversation. "Yes. I am Dream. DeeDee's brother."

He never calls Death DeeDee. And she had just introduced him, by name, as her brother.

He needs to stop talking before he embarrasses himself any further.

But Hob only grins brightly, shakes his hand firmly. "I'm Hob, Hob Gadling. Teach the class, obviously." He drops Dream's hand, clears his throat. "Didn't mean to interrupt your practice—or drop you on your arse, apologies! Let's try that form again?"

"What? Yes." Dream tears his gaze from Hob's mouth and the dimple in his chin, and then again from Hob's chest, turns to blindly grab at the pole he'd been using. "Like this?" He moves on instinct, dropping into a squat, trying his hardest to remember what Hob had demonstrated without fixating on how his arse looked doing it.

He is not successful.

And he still hates squats.

"That's a good start," Hob says, encouragingly, and Dream is mortified by the way something in him warms to it. "Now let's try straightening up a bit more—may I?"

Dream is nodding assent before he realizes that Hob's hand is hovering over his back, that Hob is asking permission to touch.

He barely stifles the sound in his throat as Hob's fingers skate down his spine, offer firm pressure just below his waist while his other hand guides Dream's shoulders back. "There we go, see? Let the pole hold your balance so you can get this ninety-degree angle, right here"—his hand moves from Dream's back to his hip, a professional touch that nevertheless sends Dream's brain up in smoke—" and takes the strain off your knees. See?"

"Yes," Dream manages, barely aware of what he's agreeing with.

"Now, when you push yourself up, you've got to make sure you're using your legs," Hob cautions, as Dream rises. "Don't pull yourself up using the pole; you want the work happening in your thighs and your glutes." Thankfully (regrettably), his demonstrative touching seems to be done, and Dream does not have to cope with Hob's hands on his arse. He does not know how much more of this he can handle—the proximity, the images still burned in his brain. The touching. That voice.

That smile.

He just needs. One moment. A chance to compose himself, to remember how to behave like a normal human being.

He lowers himself into another squat, muscles already beginning to protest, making sure to keep his form as Hob had instructed.

"Good!" Hob says, sounding genuinely pleased, and Dream's insides turn to goo. "Use those glutes, excellent!"

"Because that's how you build a nice round arse, right?" Death says—how did Dream manage to forget that she is literally standing right beside him through all of this—and Hob chuckles, pats Dream briefly on the shoulder.

"That's right! And it looks like you could definitely use a little help in that area!"

Dream face is aflame. He is aware of the aesthetic deficiencies of his own backside. He does not need them commented upon by a man unfairly blessed in that regard, in front of his sister, particularly not while he is struggling through a horny crisis over this same man. He seizes desperately for the thread of escape glimmering in the comment.

"You dare offer such insult to one who has come to your class for its benefits?" He stands upright as he says it, letting go the stupid pole and drawing haughty arrogance around him like a cloak to hide the tatters of his pride and composure. "How disappointingly unprofessional. Excuse me."

And he flees.

Technically, he strides from the gym area at a reasonable pace. But inside, he is running. He ignores Hob calling after him, ignores the voice in his own head screaming about how rudely he just treated the pretty man with the beautiful arse, ignores the other voice in his head that sounds like his sister scolding him and ducks into the nearest restroom.

He just needs. A moment.

He braces both hands on the sink, grateful there is no one here to see, hangs his head and lets regret wash over him.

He has ruined his chances, he is sure of it. Chances at what, he can't quite say; it's not as though he was planning to proposition Hob nor ask him out. Just. Quietly suffer through classes with his sister and silently ogle Hob for an hour three times a week, perhaps. If he is honest with himself. But Hob is certain not to want him in his class again, nor will his sister likely bring him back after how he has behaved today.

That's one problem solved, he thinks, bitterly.

He should apologize for his rudeness. But he will not interrupt Hob's class to do it. He must wait for Death regardless, and the fact that she has not stormed into the men's room after him means she thinks he needs time to nurse his wounds and pull himself together. So he will do so.

He turns on the tap, splashes water on his face, dries it with the length of paper towel the motion-sensitive dispenser offers him. He stares at himself in the mirror for a moment, his pale face splotchy and gaunt and sour, mouth pulled into an easy frown, and sighs.

No, he had no chances to ruin in the first place.

With a sigh, he turns away and leaves the washroom, retrieves his phone and wallet and Death's as well from their locker, then finds a seat at one of the little round tables in the juice bar area to wait. He checks his watch; the class is scheduled to run for another forty minutes.

It is a long time to sit alone with his thoughts; he opens the sudoku app on his phone, mindlessly working through puzzle after puzzle while he waits.

It has been just under thirty-five minutes when his brooding peace is disturbed.

"Dream, oh good." Incongruously it is Hob's voice, not his sister's. "DeeDee said you'd probably be here. I wanted to apologize."

None of these words are the ones Dream might have expected; he opens his mouth to reply but instead of something normal what comes out is, "But your class is not over?"

Hob blinks, looking as nonplussed as Dream feels. "Er. Not quite, no, but your sister offered to run everyone through cool-down so I could come find you."

"Why?" Why can he not stop his mouth running ahead of his thoughts, that is the true question.

"Like I said. I wanted to apologize." Hob shifts his weight awkwardly, drawing Dream's attention unhelpfully to the way his thin white shirt has gained additional transparency thanks to the half hour spent sweating in front of his class. "My comment was entirely unprofessional, you're right. And I'm sorry."

"It is not untrue." Dream's backside does indeed leave much to be desired in comparison to others. "But. I appreciate the apology." He appreciates the view of Hob's chest as well, but mercifully manages to hold his tongue on that count.

He does not quite manage to keep his eyes from flicking down to Hob's shorts, to the smoothness of the bulge artfully contained by the spandex.

Thong, he remembers, and his mouth again goes a little dry at the thought.

"May I sit?"

"Please." The rote answer is out before Dream can puzzle over why Hob wishes to join him.

Hob pulls out the other chair and drops into it, leans forward just a little. "Really, I'm sorry. I picked up the vibe of your sister's teasing and ran with it but I haven't known you long enough for that to be welcomed or appreciated. I was very much out of line. And I apologize."

"I. Apologize, as well. For speaking so harshly in front of others and making a scene." Dream is trying very hard to ignore the way his insides are wibbling at Hob's words, Hob's voice.

"What? Oh. No, no, it's forgotten, don't worry about it." Hob waves a hand dismissively. "My fault in the first place."

Dream lets the matter lie.

There is a moment of awkward silence.

"So. First time to class, huh?" Hob flashes a bright smile at him, quick and awkward and terribly endearing. "What did you think?"

"It was. Brief," Dream says, before he can think better of it, and Hob laughs.

Dream's stomach swoops helplessly, flutters in consternated delight. Oh. Oh, but he is utterly gone on the sunshine this man exudes.

"Sorry, sorry. Of course. You'd definitely need a full session before you could answer that; stupid question." Hob shakes his head, grin fading, hesitation creeping into his demeanor. "Do you think you'd want to come back again?"

"I am. Undecided," Dream admits, honesty seeing him through as he stumbles over the possibility—does Hob want him to come back? Is Hob hoping to see him again?

Is he willing to suffer a regular gym appointment for the possibility?

"Ah. Well." Hob sounds downright nervous now. "It would probably be…good if you didn't?"

"I beg your pardon?" Dream is so affronted at hearing it stated so plainly he forgets that he has earned the rejection.

Hob startles. "Crap, no, sorry! That didn't come out right." He laughs, a nervous awkward laugh, but his smile is still bright. "Let me try again—sorry. Sorry." He takes a deep breath. "I'd like—I'd like to ask you out. But if you're in a class that I'm teaching then ethically I probably shouldn't do that."

Dream is, metaphorically, knocked in his aesthetically-deficient arse yet again. "You wish to ask me out? On a date?"

"Yeah. Yes." Hob reaches to toy with his earlobe, head tilting into the unconscious motion adorably. "Your sister has told me a lot about you, been talking you up for months and you're very pretty and I would love to get to know you under more comfortable circumstances? If you're interested, of course. No hard feelings if you're not I know we've barely met and I've already put my foot in it many times over but. Could I possibly convince you to let me try again?"

Dream is impressed by the flood of words just tumbling freely forth, and a bit gobsmacked yet unsurprised at 'your sister's talked you up' even as the pieces begin to click into place—but most of all he's delighted that Hob seems interested in him, and charmed by the earnestness with which Hob's asking for a second chance.

As if Dream's little tizzy in the class had been anything more valid than a cover for his own embarrassment. As if Hob has anything to apologize for.

He will have words with his sister later, though.

"My sister. Is setting us up."

"I do believe that was her intention, yes." Hob looks hopeful. "I'm far from opposed, if you're alright with it?"

"Then. All things considered. I will not be returning to your class, Hob." He offers a smile that he hopes is friendly with an undercurrent of coyness, and not off-putting. He glances up from beneath his lashes to catch the way Hob is blinking, his grin broadening in delight.

"Really? Okay! Are you—are you free for dinner tomorrow night?"

"I am. Where would you like to meet?"

"Merv's is a lovely quiet little pub not far from here—do you know it?"

"I do not."

"I'll text you the details then; it's relaxed and low-key but very nice, nothing terribly fancy but amazing food. And they accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions if those're a concern. Can I give you my number?"

"Of course." Dream opens a new contact and presents his phone; Hob types in his info with impressive speed and hands it back.

"Send me a text so I've got yours? My phone's still in the other room."

"Of course," Dream repeats, already composing the message as Hob stands from the small table. This is Dream—I look forward to our date tomorrow. Simple and to the point. Truthful and sincere. Nothing embarrassingly forward like the thoughts running rampant in his head. I want to rub my cheek in your sweaty chest hair like a cat. Or I would like to peel your shorts from your magnificent arse with my teeth. Surely that is too much for a first text preceding a first date. He will refrain.

"I've got another class to teach so I've got to run," Hob is saying as he pushes his chair back in. "But I'm delighted to have met you and I'm glad I won't be seeing you in class again, heh." He winks, an actual genuine wink that charms Dream all over again.

"As am I." He leaves it at that, never mind how badly he wants to say something smoky and lascivious about Hob giving him private instruction in whatever techniques he cares to demonstrate; he thinks that one of them might combust if he could deliver the line correctly, and possibly it would not be him. But he will save it for tomorrow evening, should the date go well. "I will see you tomorrow."

"Looking forward to it." Hob flashes his sunny smile again and turns, striding quickly back to the gym proper.

Dream watches him go, tight round arse and toned hairy thighs on perfect display, and shifts a little in his seat.

He has a feeling the date will go very well indeed.

= Started: 1/10/25 Drafted: 1/15/25 Posted: 1/20/25

It should be noted that I cannot vouch for whether or not the squat modification used herein is legit or safe. The validity of the exercise was obviously not the point of this fic, but, y'know. Just in case.

[sparks-and-smoke]

Chapter 3: Helping Hands

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader (refered to as Petal) Word Count: 3385 Summary: Steve asks Sam if he can volunteer at his work. Getting his shoe in the door with someone special. This is a soulmate AU, just so we are all aware. Warnings/tropes: smut, oral (male receiving), grief, loss, angst, mental health, PTSD, conspiracy theories, stalking if you squint. Soulmate AU. A/N: Fun Fact, readers last name is Darnell in this because it mean "unknown or secret" This went through a couple different variasons so if tense is weird I'm sorry. English IS my first language. I just suck at it. Beta read by the ever lovely. @voice-of-velhart

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The guilt he felt asking Sam to help him was second only to his driving need to see you. He might have given the parameters of what he was doing more thought if it didn't seem like a necessary evil. To lie to one of his only friends. To manipulate him into getting Steve into your personal space. It was verging on vile and he knew it. His conscious was eating him alive, but he didn't know what else to do.

"I'm honestly surprised you even have time to volunteer man. Doesn't all that SHIELD shit keep you pretty busy?" Sam had been talking but Steve wasn't listening. Preoccupied with the sweat forming on his palms and the shake in his fingers. Every step they took brought him closer to you. Closer to either setting things right or ruining his life.

"Ah, yeah well. Everybody needs a sense of community right? I'm just trying to find mine. You try making friends with a bunch of spies and secret agents. Not exactly confidant material." He kept his tone light, his usual polite air covering his intentions. In all truth he was only half lying. He really wouldn't mind spending time with other combat vets. Though his faith in the VA as an institution was weak at best. "Besides you're the one that encouraged me to come."

Sam scoffed, giving his friend the side eye. "I suggested group sessions. Not volunteering in the housing division."

But she is in the housing division. It's an easy in. Steve only shrugged, "I find peace in helping others."

They made their way across the campus. Being greeted by the occasional coworker, or passersby. Voices murmuring as they trailed off to the building on the far end of the green. It was sinking in that there was a high likelihood he couldn't do this unrecognized. There was really no avoiding that, but… How would his sweet girl react to meeting someone the way he was now.

You had always been fiery and confident in their day, something that drew his pensive personality to you like a month to a flame. But had time changed that.. What if being near someone who had been genetically modified scared you or made you uncomfortable. He couldn't handle a rejection before this even began. He couldn’t begin to know what he would say or how he should act. Should he charm you, or should he stand off and let her come to him? Did he even have the restraint?

How had he done it the first time? That was the problem wasn't it. Because the first time around you had picked him. Sure he was bigger now, conventionally more attractive but he was still the same introverted knot-head he had always been. You had been the one to approach him then, you were the one asking questions and making his ears burn when you called him handsome. He had no clue how you found it charming then, he highly doubted it would be charming now. He needed to be smooth, he needed to be charming and friendly and not like the nervous desperate fool he felt like right now.

They made it to the large red brick building on the far side of campus and Steve was starting to feel exposed. Like this was a bad idea. He found himself fidgeting, smoothing back his hair and adjusting his jacket. Petal had always like him in brown leather. Hopefully that was still true now..

"Are you good? You got somewhere to be?"

Sam's retort pulled him from his grooming. "Yeah maybe. Who knows. I've always had a thing for a cute nurse."

Sam rolled his eyes. "Yeah sure. Says the man that has turned down every opportunity I have shot your way for months now."

"Maybe you just don't know my type." Sam just rolled his eyes as he help open the door. They went about their tour. Meeting the orderly and getting the weekly schedule and where they could use help with activities and outings. Steve payed the closest attention to Monday-Thursday when he knew you were working. He did his best to remain respectful and give the orderly his full attention as he spoke up his eyes were constantly roaming looking for that distinctive head of hair…

As they walked Sam held most of the conversation to make up for Steve's apparent daze. They walked into a small hallway with a few doors, each leading to different departments. Nursing, mental health, physical therapy. They passed a door that led to a small garden where veterans sat, chatting on benches, and another one that looked like a rec room. A massive almost gymnasium like structure with open sky lights and an open floor. Clearly, most of the building funding had gone toward places like this.

Steve gave a low whistle hand in his pockets as he looked around, his body spinning slowly as his gaze wondered. "They didn't look like this when I was serving…" He stopped in his tracks. There you were. Off at one of the tables talking to an elderly man in a wheelchair. Your hair pushed back with a headband.

The world melted away. Not only was it you, and you were gorgeous as ever, but you looked so much happier than he left you in the 40's. You were healthier, more relaxed and calm in conversation with the man. You were happy here; without him. His heart squeezed painfully, but it was OK. You were happy.

He had the sudden urge to leave, to tell Sam to go and that he would come back another day… and then he heard you laugh. A real laugh for the first time in seventy years. He whipped back around, his eyes wide and locked onto you. All other thoughts faded, all he could see was you.

Steve was frozen, it was like his very being had short circuited. Finally your eyes caught his and his heart stopped. It was like a shock of electricity through his body. In that moment it was as if the war never happened, as if you had never lost each other at all. But just like that your gaze passed over him and you returned to the man, as if you hadn’t even seen him. Maybe you didn’t. But Steve knew he couldn’t move, was completely frozen watching you.

Sam gave him a nudge, “You OK brother?”

But Steve didn’t answer. His soul hurt so much he felt unable.

You could feel eyes on you, they were impossible to ignore. Glancing over to the doors you could see Sam Wilson and your head nurse talking to another tall man that seemed roughly familiar but you couldn't really place, maybe he was a family member or a vet here? Or a vet himself just here to provide company which was encouraged in the therapy sessions…

Either way it didn’t seem like the blonde was listening. Because he was staring out into the room with a look that could only be deceived as heartbreaking. Somewhere between hope and devastation.

His gaze locked on yours and you gave an encouraging smile. Trying to be warm as the man's face drained of color. Was he looking for someone? had he just been given bad news? You rose to her feet deciding to check on him when Lt. Nelson tapped your hip.

Leaning down you listened to what he had to say. "I served with him. That's Captain Steven Rogers, I would know him anywhere. I haven't seen him since Italy…"

“Do you think so?” You knew the name. Hell, everyone knew the name between the Smithsonian exhibit and the coverage in the news and tabloids it was a household name. Steve Rogers, Captain America, The world mightiest hero. It wasn't the craziest thing you had heard from a resident today. But, it wouldn't be the first time the Lieutenant had mistaken a visitor for someone from his glory days, and while you would never correct him. You tried not to encourage it either.

Superhero’s don’t come here, was you're first thought, but you didn't have the heart to say that, instead you told him. “Well why don’t I go say hello, and maybe you're right.” Rubbing Mr. Nelson’s shoulder warmly before watching over to Sam and the stranger.

You came closer and closer until Steve could see you clearly. All the details he had forgotten were there, the way your nose scrunched when you smiled and the way your eyes would sparkle with happiness or mischief. It was all he could do not to drop to his knees and beg her to remember him.

But then you were in front of them, you eyes on Sam, a soft smile and he felt as though the rug had been pulled out from under him again. “Sam! Long time no see, whose you're friend?"

Sam slung an arm around Petal, giving you a warm hug. Which you returned with a gusto that Steve knew all too well. Those hugs were warm, and snug, and you always lingered just long enough to make you feel important and safe..

"This is my friend Steve. He was hoping to come hang out with you and the old dogs a few times a month, ain't that right Cap?"

Steve shoved down the green monster rising in his gut at the hug and plastered a lopsided smile on his face. "That's right." he stated dumbly, his tongue feeling too big for his mouth.

"Oh, well that's nice of you. Were you in the service sir?" Their it was again. Sir. Not Steve or Stevie, but sir. The title you give to a respected stranger. Felt like fish hook in the gut. You were trying to be polite but all it did was make him want to evacuate his stomach on the checkered tiles.

He swallowed down the bile rising in his throat with a smile. "Yes, a captain in the army."

”Nice to meet you Captain,” you held out your hand to shake Steve’s. He took your hand, savoring your grip and your soft skin on his hand. He felt that soft wave of recognition buzz over his skin. One soulmate touching another, it wasn't the electric rapture that overcame you the first time you touched you're other half. It was that old familiar whirring under the skin that came with every contact with his girl. His eyes shot up to see if you recognized the feeling. Nothing

“The pleasure’s…” He had meant to to come off suave but his voice cracked and he cleared his throat to try again, “The pleasure’s all mine.” He felt like an idiot and his chest felt like might swing open and the contents would fall out, but he knew he had to be strong.

When you responded with a welcome smile, he felt maybe everything might be alright. He tried not to notice how perfectly your hand fit in his, though his brain instantly comparing the sizes and the way his palm dwarfed hers. Your handshake was warm, and he could have held you forever, but you took your hand back far too soon.

“Come on,” you said, smiling and lighting up the room. “I’ll show you around and we can discuss volunteering a little.”

Steve and Sam followed you, looking around as you introduced them to a few of the veterans that were sitting and chatting around. You seemed to know them all, giving nicknames to each one with a loving, familiar smile. Steve wasn't surprised by how easily you could make anyone feel like they were a friend. You had always been that way, Like when your eye's landed on someone you were actually seeing you and not just a face. you smile lit the room and he was so enchanted he let his guard down. Talking to vets and being recognized, if you were shocked you didn't show it. You just let him become part of the goings on.

You left the Captain to talk to Mr. Nelson. Smiling to you're self when they pulled out the checkers board and you made you're way back to Sam.

"So… THAT is Captain America?"

Sam laughed, watching the interaction between the Captain and the old vet.

“He’s a good guy, a little outdated and hard to get to know… but don’t let him intimidate you, he’s a marshmallow on the inside and he can be…charming… on occasion.”

"He seems.. melancholy?" you search for the word. Sad didn't seem right but there was this vague sense of otherness to Steve that almost comes off him in waves.

"Wouldn't you be? The man lost everything he's ever known. Was woken up only to be thrown into another fight… He probably needs therapy. But I think you would be hard pressed to get a man like him in a session. So, community is gonna have to do for now."

You consider that for a moment as Steve's gaze meets yours one more time. He does seem a like happier now that he is here. But you still see that flicker of something indescribable whenever he is left to his own thoughts. You may not know combat but you knows that feeling. That lost drifting feeling that settles on the bones after soldiers come home. You had seen it in the eyes of a least a hundred men.

You wished he would let Sam actually help him.

Steve did his best to focus on the game with the Lt. He really did. But when his petal was standing right there in your cute pink scrubs who could blame a man for being distracted.

"She is a cutie, let me tell you what." Nelson murmured with a smile as he took another of Steve's pieces.

Nelson gave him the look of a man that had a keen nose for bullshit. "Nurse Darnell. You've only been looking at her like she is made of sugar for the last 20 minutes."

Steve chuckled, trying to play it off. "She is very attractive yes."

"Then why are you wasting time talking to an old fart like me."

"I don't know if your aware of this pal but I am just as much of an old codger as you are."

Nelson shakes his head, his deep baritone laugh rumbling in that old smokers chest. "Naw, you may have been born the same year as me son, but you're still a young man inside. I know you feel out of place. But we all did when we came home."

Steve knew what he was saying was right, and that Nelson was trying to give him an out to go and ask his petal out. But Steve was still scared to death. "I don't know if I am ready for all that."

"You'll never know if you don't try son."

When Steve pushed up from his chair Sam and petal where no where to be found. He searched the room and came up empty. "You looking for me?"

Her warm voice trickled down his spine and made him smile. "Yes, I was. Do you have coffee in this place."

"Do we have coffee?" You sounded almost indignant. "You are aware this is a VA correct. And that we service exclusively military personnel and veterans… Yes we have coffee. Stiff enough to float a brick on."

Steve smiled at that, the grin lighting up his face. We are talking, she's talking to me… "Just how I like it."

You lead him off to the little coffee bar in the corner of the rec room, the one that is attached to the kitchen where all the meals are served, "Here we are." You pump a mug full out of a carafe and hands it over, "might be a little cold. Hopefully not."

"I'm sure it is just fine." He assures and takes a sip, it was in fact cold be he could not give less of a shit as long as you keeps talking to him. "It's perfect."

"Mhhm…" you looked like you didn't believe that for a moment but didn't say anything. "So how are you finding modern living, Captain Rogers?"

"Steve, please." He did his best to keep the pleading from his voice but if you called him Sir again he was gonna throw something. "And I'm�� I'm finding it. It's different from home but most places are. And its better then the trenches so I guess I'm fine."

"I feel like there is a major difference between 1940's Brooklyn and the trenches Mr- uh Steve." You seemed to catch yourself. It was just one more reminder of how he had lost everything and even now with you right in front of him he was lost.

"Well yeah, but I have to find the good where I can. The food is good, the cars are fast, information at your fingertips anywhere and everywhere. The future isn't so bad…" He was rambling. And he knew it. But he didn’t know how to stop the words. You, his sweet girl, were right in front of him. And he could touch you. He could pull you into his into him, hold you close and sweep you off you're feet like he should have been able to 70 years ago if he hadn't been a fool. Taste your pretty lips again. Hear you say “I love you” with that laugh at the end, like always did.

It was taking every ounce of dignity and strength he had not to do it.

"What do you hate about it?"

That broke him from his daydream. "I'm sorry what?"

"What do you hate about the modern world? When I first moved from New York to DC i hated the way people talk. Back home everyone talks fast and straight to the point. No one sugar coats anything and you know precisely where you stand. Here, everything is niceties and small talk. It still drives me crazy sometimes, but I've gotten used to it." You swirl the tea in your mug. "So, what drives you crazy? What can't you stand."

He wanted to say he could not stand the distance between them. The fact that you did not know him. That the love between them was gone. That they had spent so much time apart, years where they could have been building a family together.

“Too much choice.” He said with a smile as he tried to hide the sadness in his eyes. “Back in the 40’s there were about 2 radio channels, you had one ice cream place to go to and movies were 15 cents a pop. People have hundreds if choices now. It's pretty overwhelming. Everything, is buzzing and moving and changing constantly. I can't keep up.”

She hadn't expected that answer but it made sense. "You'll like it here then. Our own little bubble her at the living center. You can stop in for a change of pace whenever you want."

The way you said 'our' and 'you' gave him a jolt of hope. "So, I can come back and help out when I can?" he asked casually.

"Oh, of course you are more then welcome. It benefits everyone don't you think? Plus I can always use the extra hands." You say and give him a grin that makes his whole day worth it.

Steve thought the grin on his face was permanent, he did not even notice his cheeks starting to ache. There was a warm feeling in his chest and he felt a calmness wash over him the longer he was in you're company.

"You got a pen I can borrow Pet?" He said as an idea came to mind.

You pulled an ink pen out of her breast pocket and handed it to him. "Sure."

He took the pen and took a napkin and quickly jotted down his number. "Here," he hands her the napkin back with a lopsided boyish smile, "for next time, you know, when I can help out."

Captain America just gave you his phone number on a napkin. You couldn't help but grin at how cute and old fashioned that was. He looked so boyish and shy, you just had to tease him. "Just for work?"

Tag List: @disneyprincessbuffyannesummers, @delilah-hey @tldrthor @littlestxli @otterlycanadian @moviegurl2002

[hwaslayer]

wildfire (cs) | 11.5

—spotify playlist | series masterlist

—summary: assistant professor in bioengineering, incredibly attractive, lonely and divorced; that’s how most people describe san. but despite the events that have happened in his life, san has a lot going for himself. he’s a successful, sought out professor due to his brilliant contributions to science at just an early age of 32. he worked hard to get where he was now; head deep into his research, his publications, building his lab and creating a name for himself. everything was good and smooth sailing— until it wasn’t. because when he meets you, a bioengineering grad student interested in rotating in his lab, he finds himself ready to risk all the blood, sweat and tears he put in throughout the years just to keep you close— his need for you spiraling out of control like a wildfire.

—pairing: asst. professor!choi san x grad student!f. reader

—genre: (18+ - minors dni) strangers to lovers, grad school au | fluff, angst, smut

—word count: 0.8k

—chapter content/warnings: not much!! something a lil more tame lol, prob one of the 0.5s that takes place right after the chapter beforehand, i promise there is no ill intention behind what's happening here - they're both equally torn about everything as san's good friends/colleagues

namjoon: you got a minute to meet up today? sorry for the last minute request but it's kinda urgent.

jongho: sure. i'm wrapping up. can meet you in the next 15 mins?

namjoon: i'll come to you.

jongho: alright then, boss.

Jongho continues typing away at his desk, responding to all the emails that came in today while he was off doing interviews for the new open faculty role in the electrical engineering department. He makes a mental note to submit his review sheet for the first round of interviewees and to review the applications for the next round tomorrow. He doesn't realize how quick 15 minutes flies by until Namjoon is swinging his door open mid-email. He continues to type away, but his eyes shift to Namjoon's figure as he fixes his blazer and takes a seat with a loud sigh.

"Long day?" Jongho cracks a small smile, typing up the last few details before sending it off and shifting his attention to Namjoon in front of him.

"Kinda." He nods towards his computer. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt or delay you from leaving."

"All good. Didn't really have plans, anyway. What's up? You seem a little flustered."

"Well, catching Yunho, Iseul and San arguing in a conference room wasn't exactly on my agenda for today."

"What?" Jongho cocks his head back a bit in disbelief, brows tightly knitted together as he tries to make sense of what he just heard. San had been giving him a bit of the story here and there and knowing Iseul, he wasn't exactly surprised this is how things were playing out.

He's just not sure why Iseul thinks it's her business to air this all out.

"You tell me."

"As much as I would love to help, I honestly have no idea what's going on.”

"Jongho."

"What? You know how Iseul is. She somehow still thinks she has a grip on San even after they've divorced and gone through all of that. Can't stand her, if you ask me."

"You don't have to tell me twice. But, why? Why is this a thing right now?"

"Beats me." Jongho tries to brush it off even though he can see the look on Namjoon's face, his eyes trying to study him like a damn book. He hates being in the middle because as much as he loves and supports his bestfriend, he also has the utmost respect for Namjoon and knows the guy will always be on their side regardless.

"That's the first in a very long time that I've seen San react that way at the happy hour event."

"Okay, to be fair, the guy was getting super disrespectful. I think any of us would've reacted in one way or another."

"Right, I agree. But, I know there's a story behind it. I know his anger was fueled by something else." Jongho sees the way Namjoon is going about this. He's prying for the answers he already knows, but he needs the confirmation and Jongho can give him that. 

It's just a matter of when.

"What if it was just a bad day?"

"Okay, you know what?" Joon leans onto the arm rest of the chair and gives him a look. "I'm just gonna go headfirst with it." Jongho cocks a brow up. "Is there something going on with San and his rotation student? Y/N specifically." He sighs.

"I figured."

"No, you knew." Namjoon chuckles a bit.

"I don't know. I really can't tell you because I don't know anything." Jongho says he knows nothing when he knows everything.

"Jongho." Joon repeats.

"Joon, swear." He says, even though he tries to sit as still as possible. Good thing Namjoon can't read his mind right now.

It started gradually before it took off completely. Jongho knows about the last minute meetings San has had to take, Jongho has seen the subtle glances, the subtle actions, the mood changes when you're around. Jongho remembers seeing you slip out of his hotel room very early that morning during the NAS conference. Jongho remembers seeing the polaroid slightly tip out of the wallet case mid-breakfast and seeing a tiny slip of your face in his peripherals. San quickly adjusted the polaroid and continued on like nothing, wishing for the best with that one.

And he doesn't have to be told to know you've been over multiple times. All the calls that have gone curt and short, the distraction easily laced in San's voice on the other line. He remembers the faint trace of your perfume in his home, the little post-it notes you've left on San's office desk.

Good thing Namjoon can't read his mind right now.

Cause, yes.

"I can hear your thoughts."

Well, shit.

"I don't know what to say."

"I need you to tell me yes or no, that's all. I need to make sure I'm going about this correctly even though I heard a lot today alone." Jongho sighs and sees how torn Namjoon is. They both are. They obviously want what's best for San, and they both want him to be happy. He is deserving of good, genuine love. He is deserving of genuine happiness because he always rides for the people he loves, goes the extra mile for them. He acknowledges and learns from his mistakes, he apologizes when he knows he's at fault.

He's deserving of all good.

So, they both hate that it has to come to this because it's not even you that's the problem. It's the situation, and they both don't know how to approach it with enough sensitivity and care.

Even though it's good to San, it doesn't necessarily mean it could be good for San.

"Yes."

—taglist: @asjkdk @interweab @woojirang @svintsandghosts @cheolliehugs @persphonesorchid @mxnsxngie @jycas @cowboydk @vcutparis @chngbnwf @struggling101 @sanhwalvr @angelqueendom @barbielibra @brown88 @choisansplushie @yunhoswrldddd @hyukssunflower @vickykazuya @lucid-galaxys-world @jaytheatiny @pommelex @thechaotictheoryy @vixensss @santineez @nopension @domfikeluva @in-somnias-world @my-atiny-kookie-rkive @mountiiny @naoristerling @onmymymyway @thecutiepieme @wyrated

[relicunth]

JayVik firefighter AU headcanons

I’m thinking of actually writing this into a short fic as a change of pace of my modern day college AU that I’m still working on. Just writing some headcanons to get my thoughts in order

- Piltover isn’t a big metropolis in this universe, but a small city in a rural area with lots of forests surrounding the area. A type of city that has everything you need, but only one of each (like one grocery store, one movie theater, one high school, etc.)

- Most people know each other, because it’s a small city, but also because the friend group from high school is still going strong - if not with the added tension between Jayce and Viktor.

- Jayce and Viktor dated in high school but broke up right before Jayce went to prison. Jayce was unwell at the time, falling in with the wrong crowd. He was arrested for possession with intend to distribute. This was not true, but the evidence was against him from the start. He returned to Piltover as a participant in a program for non-violent inmate firefighters: doing good deeds to prove they can integrate back into society and thus maybe get time off their sentence. Jayce got out after saving a woman’s life in a fire, but remained a firefighter. At the start of the story, this has all already happened, but the effects of it are still apparent.

- Jayce’s daughter is now his biological child, not an adopted daughter. Her name is Ellie and she was conceived after a stupid one-night stand when he was hurt after Viktor broke up with him. Ellie’s mother is gone, and Jayce stepped up when he was released from prison. Getting custody was a struggle, but character witnesses in the form of Caitlyn, his mother and his then-captain, Vander helped in him getting her. She’s now 5 years old and in elementary school and loves her father deeply. Having a daughter at 25 was never his plan, but he has never regretted becoming her father.

- Viktor and Jayce dated again when he got back from prison, but broke up when Jayce insisted on becoming a firefighter. Viktor could not deal with the stress of the one he loved constantly putting himself in danger. Jayce understood this, but could not give up his dream.

- Viktor only works at the emergency center in his free time, during the day he works as a high school biology teacher. He’s popular among his students for his no-nonsense attitude and insightful classes.

- Viktor and Ellie grew very close in a very short time, her almost considering him a second father. It broke his heart to leave her, but he and Jayce both agreed it would be better if he wasn’t involved in raising her.

- Viktor’s best friends are a bartender named Violet and her sister Jinx, Jayce is close to Caitlyn and Jinx’s boyfriend Ekko, both firefighters as well.

- Despite this all coming across as maybe a bit angsty, Jayce and Viktor are still reluctant friends. Their obvious feelings for each other keep the other from moving on, but neither is brave enough to commit to their relationship. This results in them flirting all the time and even spending the night together occasionally, much to the chagrin of their friends who then have to deal with the fall-out.

- They still laugh together and share maybe a few hundred inside jokes. If one of their friends hangs out with them, they need to make sure there’s other people as well. A single person joining the hang-out will more often than not cause them to become the third wheel - Viktor and Jayce are just that caught up with each other when they’re together.

- Viktor’s mother died in a fire when he was in high school and he has been trying to figure out who caused said fire ever since. Jayce’s father is dead as well. He was a firefighter too and Jayce’s biggest inspiration, but he died in a car accident. Unbeknownst to him, his father was drunk at the time.

- Ximena LOVES Viktor and has always treated him like her own son. Viktor is still close to her and they always find the time to talk a bit when they come across each other. Jayce loves this, but would never willingly admit that.

- By the time the story starts, Jayce has risen to the rank of captain at his house. Vander has since become the chief of the station, with Caitlyn and Ekko being regular firefighters. Jayce loves his life, he has everything he has ever wanted. Except for Viktor.

[daceydeath]

Crashing Waves (Part 2)

Pairing: Pirate San x Reader Word Count: 4.4K Genre: Fantasy Au, Slow Burn Romance Warnings: 18+, MDNI, Swearing, Past Criminal Behavior, Mentions of Abuse

Masterlist - here

I thought that I knew love. But it was just the waves crashing over us. - Waves by The Dear Hunter

You smiled widely at Salvia as you stepped back into the apothecary the following morning, once again she had been right the tea had calmed you completely making your trip to the cove much easier and you slept peacefully.

“It worked I see, my little possum” Salvia smiled slyly as you pulled your apron over your head and redid your messy bun at the back of your head.

“Of course it did, you made it” you rolled your eyes playfully making her chuckle as she returned to placing the tonic from the day before onto the shelves in the window display.

“I have more tonic bottles that I need you to dip in wax this morning” she hummed moving the sign on the door to say open.

“I can do that Via” you nodded, moving around the counter and out the back so you could begin melting the beeswax you would need and find the bottle of blue dye you would need to make it the correct shade of azure that Salvia required it to be. You heard the bell ring but didn’t bother moving as you knew Salvia was in the shop, dropping small amounts of the dye and swirling it until it was just right.

“She is not here pirate, now leave” Salvia snapped viciously making you start almost dropping the dye bottle you were holding onto the floor. You hadn’t closed the door so the voices from the shop floated through to you now that the pisces were louder.

“We are not here to harm her, she fainted yesterday. I wanted to see if she was alright” the voice almost pleaded, the familiar timbre catching you off guard.

“How do you know she fainted? How do I know you are not telling me lies to steal another girl from under my nose to sell to the highest bidder?” Salvia was almost shouting the venom in her words enough to chill your blood.

“We don’t steal women and sell them” a second voice snapped “What kind of fucking monsters do you think we are?”.

“Are you not Ateez? Do you not sail with that wretched Hongjoong?” Salvia continued not answering his questions “You are not welcome in my shop, leave”.

The silence that followed was filled with heavy tension that pressed against your chest only when the bell rang again as they left the shop did you let go of the breath you were holding. Swallowing hard, you began dipping the tonic bottles to seal the corks, hoping that Salvia would not notice that you had overheard everything that had been said or the fact that you did not tell her you had fainted, you managed almost two dozen bottles before she stepped into the back room.

“Did you faint yesterday?” Salvia asked softly, her voice now sounding hoarse.

“Yes” you murmured ashamedly.

“Did those pirates help you?” she asked again.

“I didn’t know they were pirates” you muttered lying to her again hoping she wouldn’t press you further. “They helped me and asked for my name. I didn't think that they would look for me”.

“You need to go home little possum, it won't be safe here until they leave and return to the ocean” Salvia sighed softly, taking your hand and squeezing it. “If they want you to leave with them do not, If they try to persuade you, do not listen. You need to be wary of Captain Hongjoong, he is not a good man”.

“I will Via I will go home once I finish the rest of these bottles hopefully they won't still be in the street then” you nodded taking in her words. You didn’t know who Hongjoong was other than a man that you had met by accident but he hadn’t hurt you nor had the others so there was something that you did not know about, something dark and scary you needed to discover. You wiped the last of the wax from your fingers and took your apron off. Salvia had given you her shawl to wear over your hair to make you less easy to see but you were unsure it would help given how easy it seemed to be to find you. Leaving from the back door you made your way to the kitchen of the tavern to ask the only person who loved to tell stories even if they were gruesome and horrid. Leaf the barman.

“The woman said she wasn’t there but I’m pretty sure she was” Yunho explained tersely “But she refused to let us near her because we are part of this crew, not because we are pirates because we sail with you Captain”.

“Accusing us of kidnapping women and selling them into slavery” San added, sounding offended by the idea of it.

"She was utterly disgusted by us" Yuhno finished frowning deeply as he looked towards his Captain for answers. Hongjoong sighed tiredly, his hand moving to wipe down his face as he contemplated what past truths to reveal and whether Seonghwa was happy to do the same.

"She has every right to be," Seonghwa answered gently, the slight tremor in his voice going unnoticed by most of the others. "There was a time when I was very different to now, when I had no choice but to follow the orders of those that held my leash".

"Leash? What the fuck does that mean?" Jongho's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"When I met Hongjoong I was part of a team of people like me, spies and assassins really, all of us were under a sort of captive service. My sister had refused the advances of our local Duke and to get back at our family I was arrested and told that my services would be used until I was deemed 'fit to be freed' which meant either my sister married him or I remained in service. I did just that for five years until my sister and parents were killed when our home was burnt down in a fire which meant I could escape" Seonghwa explained softly but thoroughly pointedly ignoring the looks of pity from San and Yeosang.

"How old were you?" Yeosang asked knowingly, his face mirroring the pain that was etched into Seonghwa's words.

"When did they take me? 14" Seonghwa smiled sadly "I could blend in when I wanted to and disappear when needed. That was useful to them".

"Was that what happened to you too, Captain?" Wooyoung probed not wanting to open too many old wounds.

"No, but when Seonghwa was almost ready to flee we met so we were both very young. I was already on a ship then under a different banner but still Seonghwa joined up and came with me it wasn't until a couple of years later that we left that crew to look into starting our own that we could work with for the long term" Hongjoong conceded not really wanting to admit more than he needed to yet.

"So that crew earned you a bad reputation then?" Jongho still eyed both of them suspiciously knowing full well that neither were revealing the whole truth to them yet.

"My previous captain was far more cruel than I am, he would take prisoners for ransom, burn down homes fuck once he killed a merchant's wife in front of him because he wouldn't give him the key to his safe" Hongjoong sighed deeply again turning his back to the others before exiting to his quarters.

"That would be why she thinks we kidnap people" San groaned irritably "She is never going to let us near her".

"That doesn't mean you can't check up on her through other means" Seonghwa shrugged before leaving to follow Hongjoong.

"So what are they still hiding?" Jongho asked no one in particular.

"Like nearly the whole fucking story" Mingi laughed mirthlessly.

"There is probably a really good reason though, I for one trust our captain" Yeosang interjected looking between them all with a stern glance.

“No one doubts our Captain” Wooyoung patted Yeosang’s shoulder.

Sitting at the bar at barely 10 o'clock in the morning was not something you ever did but you were pleasantly surprised how quiet it was as Leaf set about cleaning the beer spigots and changing the barrels. He had looked surprised to see you until you had told him Salvia had chucked you out the shop and he had laughed at the idea of you fucking up so bad that she had to get rid of you to clean up. You weren't going to correct him, you wanted him in a good mood and talking.

"Did you want more tea?" he glanced up, suddenly hearing your mug hit the wooden bar top.

"Nah I'm good" you grinned as he went back to working on wiping up sticky port wine from below the counter. "What's the latest gossip Leaf? Any new couples I need to know about?".

"Ah lass there is so much going on right now" he grinned broadly dropping the soiled rag onto the bar and leaning closer to you "Have you heard that Pansy has been shacking up with Birch? Caused quite the scandal that he dropped Violet for her" he waggled his eyebrows comically.

"No! you're kidding? When did that happen?" you cried dramatically feeding into his need to provide all the juicy details.

"Just this week, can you believe it? Him and Violet were meant to get married in the spring" he continued, pleased with your reaction. "Then there was that ship full of dangerous rogues who arrived in the night on Friday. Been here for all of one week and two of them have passed young Rose between them. Such a pity I thought she was a good girl".

"Hold on, dangerous rogues? Here?" you spluttered theatrically playing into his words.

"Yes I'm sure even you spotted their enormous ship moored down at the docks!" He chuckled, rolling his eyes at you.

"Well yes, I saw the ship but I didn't know they were mysterious rogues here to corrupt the towns girls" you tried to look scandalized as you could to keep him going knowing how to keep him talking.

"Pirates! led by a particularly nasty one called Hongjoong, he and his first mate have quite the history of murder and mayhem behind them" he nodded seriously.

"If they are so dangerous, Leaf, how come I have no idea who they are?". You raised your eyebrows at him "Famous pirates who no one has heard of?".

"You're probably just not paying enough attention! You wander around in your own head half the time" he roared laughing and you scrunch your nose at him huffing in faux offence. "Hongjoong their captain used to sail with The Black Sails. Their captain was a mean bastard always after blood and coin, burnt Saliva's village to the ground and took three of their prettiest girls to sell off to lords or slavers or something. Horrid scum they were. Hongjoong was one of their best fighters, he probably still is, he has killed hundreds of men despite how young he looks".

"My gods" you gasped actually shocked that the men you had met were such monsters. You had heard tales of The Black Sails when you were a child, the stories always feeling more like a fairy tale of the boogeyman than reality.

"I don't think that this Ateez crew behaves like that to be honest they seem happy to just plunder other pirates not towns but you never know" Leaf continued his voice lowering as he tapped the side of his nose "Besides his first mate was an assassin for the Crown Court at one point and those men are the most dangerous men alive". You felt your head spin as the color drained from your face Seonghwa was an assassin? How many people had the two of them killed? How many lives had they destroyed? and you just followed him around their ship.

"What about the others? Are they all cruel and horrific monsters like that?" you whispered leaning in closer to Leaf, your eyes wide.

"I don't know but you never can really know can you" he tapped the bar a few times and you jumped and whipped your head around when the door of the tavern opened and San and Yunho stepped inside their eyes both locking onto you before you could even turn away from them.

"Sorry gentlemen, we aren't open yet, come back in a few hours" Leaf called gruffly not failing to notice how they both looked at you.

"Of course innkeep" San bowed his head respectfully as his eyes stayed locked onto you. Yunho opened the door again and they both stepped back out onto the street trying to hide their obvious interest in you.

"I think you better leave the way you came lass, safety and all that" Leaf muttered keeping his eyes on them through the smokey glass of the windows.

"Thanks Leaf" you murmured, scampering back through the kitchen and out into the alleyway making your way back towards Salvia's so that you could hide out there again now that they had seen you in the tavern they wouldn't return to her shop, at least you hoped that they wouldn't.

You crept back into the storeroom of the apothecary waiting to hear if you could hear any customers in the shop before you could get Saliva's attention.

"Via?" you called cautiously hearing some clinking and shuffling from the shop. "Via?" Salvia popped her head through the backroom door looking suspiciously around the room until she spotted you standing in the doorway of the storeroom where you could remain hidden from any windows.

"What are you doing back here?" she hissed, shutting the door behind her.

"They saw me outside the tavern so I came back here" you replied sheepishly looking at your feet.

"That's actually a good idea" Salvia muttered the scolding she had been preparing for leaving her as she made her way to the stove to pop the kettle on it and began unwrapping cloth covered items in her basket. "Here eat this I made them yesterday so they are still fresh" she smiled kindly handing you a currant berry scone.

"Thanks Via" you sighed in relief, biting into the sweet treat.

"The tavern is the opposite way to your home, little possum, how did they see you there?" Salvia asked whilst she prepared a mug of hot cocoa for the pair of you.

"I went to see Leaf" you admitted guiltily "I wanted to know more about why you hated them so much for just being around Hongjoong".

"You could have just asked me, little possum" she shook her head resignedly, a lingering sadness in her eyes.

“I didn’t need all the details and I didn’t want to upset you” you shrugged sheepishly taking a deep fortifying breath you met Salvia’s eyes. “I met Captain Hongjoong at the docks the night of the king tide, I didn’t speak to him politely and he left after a few words so I just kept to myself and left to go home. Seonghwa followed me and spoke to me just outside at the entrance to the alleyway. He invited me to the ship and stupidly I agreed. I met them all at the ship and then something happened. I got dizzy, my head felt like it was going to split open and I fainted. The two who came into the shop, Yunho and San, helped me, Yunho is a medic so he treated me until I was well enough to get back off the ship and San well he promised he would get me off the ship if it was the last thing he ever did”. You couldn’t stop the words from spilling from your lips keenly aware that Salvia might just hit you with one of her copper pans.

“You are a foolish woman” Salvia snapped acidically before conceding “but you are your mother daughter. She too was too curious and too trusting”.

“Don’t talk about her like she’s dead Via” you sighed “just because she moved to King’s Isle to set up shop”. It had long been a thing that the towns folk spoke about those who moved away as though they were dead perhaps to encourage the children to stay and keep the town alive.

“She is as good as” Salvia muttered under her breath just loud enough for you to hear and choose to ignore. “What happened before you got dizzy, before your head pain began?”.

“I met Hongjoong again in his quarters along with a couple of other members of his crew. I was mostly ignoring him, looking at the paintings he had on the walls and ceiling then I saw a portrait of a sea nymph and when I asked about it he got all defensive then the pain started”. You recalled thinking hard to remember who was near you or talking to you when you felt it start. “No one was talking to me directly and Seonghwa’s hand brushed my clothes but not actually me, then I fell and San caught me”. Intentionally leaving out any mention of the woman’s voice you had heard or what she had said you didn’t need Saliva to think you had lost your mind.

“Perhaps it was just your intuition trying to protect you” Salvia pondered looking almost through you “They wouldn’t want to explain away a stricken local girl on board their cursed ship, it was a good way to get yourself back onto land”.

“Or perhaps they weren’t actually going to hurt me? ” You offered tiredly, feeling like you would prefer to talk about anything that wasn't Hongjoong for at least the next ten years of your life. The hours passed slowly as Salvia went in and out of the shop front and back room dealing with customers as they came and went.

“Twilight's hitting us, little possum, you should head home but keep to the backstreets if you can” Salvia guided you towards the rear entrance that you had snuck out of the first time you had attempted to escape without notice. Nodding you agreed, letting her quietly shove you from the premises and into the cooling air. You begrudgingly realized you should have brought a jacket but you hadn't expected that you would be playing hide and seek with a collection of pirates when you got ready that morning so you would just have to deal with the goosebumps until you got home.

The first few alleyways were empty aside from a stray cat and a small child playing hopscotch, it started to sweep away the tension about how normal it was, how utterly ordinary the trip was going to be until you had to cross into the thin road beside the empty tea salon.

“So you have been avoiding us?” A musical voice asked sadly from the top of the salon’s wall.

“Shit” you squealed loudly holding your chest as your heart thundered against your ribs “Are you trying to kill me here?”.

“Absolutely not, it's pretty much rule one in medicine ‘dont kill your patient's’ I try to follow at least that one” A tentative looking Yunho stepped out from the arch in the bricks.

“We just wanted to make sure you were well and there was nothing still making you sick” San pouted looking around Yunho’s shoulder to meet your eyes making your breath hitch in your throat.

“Well as you can see I'm fine” you smiled tightly, stepping back from them so you were technically in a more open area.

“We would never hurt you, I promise. Just like I promised I would get you off the ship” San frowned, hurt flashing in his warm eyes.

“You have been told things then?” Seonghwa tutted leaping from his high point to the ground gracefully like a cat, his landing almost silent.

“You forgot to mention you were mass murderers and assassins either times you've spoken to me” you swallowed hard not wanting to show weakness as footsteps sounded to your right on the open road.

“Because we aren't” Yunho emphatically answered his eyes not leaving your face 

“You might not be, San might not be but he is and so is your captain” you used your chin to gesture at Seonghwa not willing to look at him instead keeping your eyes on San’s face. Silence fell over the four of you until a voice rang out nearby in the fading light.

“Lass, you alright?” The gruffness was not directed at you but to the unseen people that he could see you were talking to albeit from a distance.

“Actually, would you mind walking me home? I heard there were pirates around and I don't want to get into trouble” you smiled meekly at the docker that was walking towards you, his lady wife two steps behind him.

“Of course child” she answered loudly waving you over to her side “ we always keep our own safe” her warm smile as you quickly went to her side soothed your nerves a touch.

“You stay with us lass, we'll get you home in one piece” he nodded sharply stepping into the crossroad you had been standing in before ushering both you and his wife forward. When you passed him you noticed the three men were nowhere to be seen. “You made the right decision there last, can never be too careful”.

“Thank you, it's never not been safe before” you murmured keeping your voice low as you noticed Seonghwa’s shadow move across the roofline following your every step.

A sleepless night followed and you were glad that you were alone in your room, Mara had been called to the farm to help prepare for the harvest, which meant that at least if Seonghwa tried to get to you she wouldn't be hurt. Not that you really thought he would, the house was full and he was not going to risk it for a simple thing as telling you what you heard was either nonsense or truth. But your insides were screaming at you, the voice in your head wouldn't stop calling out and you were getting more uncomfortable. Finally you dragged yourself from your bed and looked out your window staring into the darkness you strained to see if any shape was out of the ordinary, if anything moved the way it shouldn't when you saw nothing you sighed and moved to the next window. You had made your way around the whole house looking out bathroom windows, lounge windows and the study window but you saw nothing, felt nothing untoward was lurking out there in the darkness. Determined to get your mind to calm you pulled on your uncle's coat and silently crept from the house making your way towards the cove that you frequented. You hadn't mentioned the cove you were sure of that, so you knew you would be safe there you half done up boots scuffing against the uneven cobblestones as you reached the edge of town. You were still alone as far as you could tell so slipping your boots off you stepped into the soft sand and walked towards the gentle lapping at the water's edge.

“You are pretty stealthy for someone with no training” Seonghwa stated softly making you bristle.

“Why are you here Seonghwa? Was I not obvious enough about not wanting to be near you?” You muttered bitterly his presence ruining your quest for calm

“To explain and apologize” he sighed earnestly, not moving from where he stood eight feet away from you.

“Then explain” you huffed feeling the water that was lapping at your toes now coming up to your ankles.

“I was both of the things you heard, but it was years ago and not who I am now. I had no choice then, not that it changes what I did but it's still a fact that I didn't do it willingly” his voice remained low but you could feel the emotion and regret that was hidden in his words. You nodded for him to continue hoping he would give you a little more of a crumb of context.

“The ruling Duke was going to kill my family, my sister if I didn't comply. So I did until he broke his word and killed her anyway then I ran and I found Hongjoong. We started our crew and we don't do things like that, we attack pirates, merchant navy and any ship with lords colors. We don't kill unless we need to and we give half our hauls to villages in exchange for shelter” he continued his voice remaining even.

“How old were you?” You finally looked at him hoping he wasn't lying to you.

“I was taken at 14, I was small and good at being ignored. They trained me in fighting, stealth and weapons and held my leash tightly, threatening to kill my family constantly to keep me compliant, and as a foolish boy I believed them. I was only allowed to see them a few times in the years I worked for the Crown court each time my sister was more and more terrified and I didn't ever know why. Until just before my 19th birthday I heard whispers in another royal court I was collecting information in that things were being hidden about the spies that my the Duke had, I wanted to know what and after I convinced some people to talk I discovered that me and the others were all trapped into service the same way, I returned to the Duke’s garrison and found letters from my parents and sister dozens of them. My parents begging for my help with the abuse my sister was suffering through and my sister pleading for me to forgive her for what she was going to do. One night after years of being systematically abused by the Duke she fought back and he set my home alight leaving my family to burn alive” Seonghwa’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

“My god Seonghwa I am so sorry” you whispered horror plastered across your face. “I know sorry can't fix anything but…. Fuck”.

“Hongjoong’s story is not too different really neither of us had happy starts, neither of us made good decisions while we were still essentially children” Seonghwa lamented as he moved closer to you until he could have touched his arm against yours. “Please don't hold it against San he didn't even know until today, neither did Yunho”.

“I sort of figured since they were both shocked when Salvia told them to leave” you admitted heavily and the sea water soothed you.

“Come visit again. Please” Seonghwa smiled softly before retreating back into the darkness.

Safe now

The voice whispered quietly, making you hum in contentment.

a/n: Thank you for reading and for your patience my lovely loves. As always your likes, reblogs, comments and love give me a light in the darkness xx

Taglist (open): @christopher-bangnaldoskzz @armystay89 @damnyouficc @roamingpolar

@tara-skyhold @bakedlilgoonie @krishastumblernow @mrsseals16 @fawnpeaks

@leeknowinggg @tanzen-ist-gold @uno7 @ocean-dreamer-sky-chaser @skersey33

@santineez

[itsvae10]

…I think he’s going insane

[craurpuri]

art block has my ass in a chokehold rn

deciding to post some things I managed to get done

[quinn-pop]

okay fine i’ll bring back the egg. sorry for the pun but i’ve been sitting on this for a while because i can’t decide what to name them

(thinking they/he???)

they love being warm and must be approximately as snug as a bug in a rug at all times <3

didn’t give much context before but we’re going with that the egg was abandoned in winter horns and recovered by a group of waddle explorers

there wasn’t a lot of (known) writing on dedede’s species so figuring out what to do from there was kinda hard and they didn’t really know anything for certain, but between a little research, a gut feeling, and dedede and mk already used to Parenting, they passed the egg onto them to look after and well. yeah

it was definitely a rollercoaster for dedede, to be given hope that there were others like him after all - so it was only natural he’d take it very seriously. he spends a lot of time with them and they’re very clingy because of it. he says they’re like a duckling

being so big also comes with problems because as clingy as they are, they outgrew being able to be held by other people pretty fast lol

“meta pls stop looking like ur gonna punt our kid”

anyway i guess i’ll introduce the other kid next? between the two of them uhh dedede had a very tiring few years. stay at home dad problems i guess. on top of being a king lol

he probably realized how grateful he was that kirby was so independent lol..

the real enemy is everyone (meta especially) having a busy schedule

[cookinary]

In regards to my AU where the bosses join Chai’s side instead of exploding, reaching Kale be like:

[nomsfaultau]

SBI SCP AU character playlists

Tommy:

Rose by The Oh Hellos (I mean I'm doing an entire animatic wip, it fits and I have essays to prove it. Anyway violence, the power of names/narratives, truth, hypocrisy, how sacrifice and love tie together.)

Sunken City by David Wirsig (Tubbo associations, mostly symbolic/vibes past the prison break. The euphoria of escaping and how the world beyond is confusing and unrecognizable. The idea of journeying with a friend to the ruins of what was once your life. 6th verse as finding a new home in found family. 'God free me from the burden of my thoughts')

Never Love an Anchor by The Crane Wives (Tubbo, and how Tommy tries to distance himself to protect them/is the only reason Tubbo stays in a group with people they abhor. Touch starvation, hands as dangerous, seeing himself as a monster/burden. Again. Did an animatic for this one.)

Wilbur (yes they're all by Will Wood for the bit):

Misanthrapologist by Will Wood (Philza, for their light/dark dynamic and untangling of Wilbur's loathing of society and himself. WHiT Constellations interlude. I imagine 'can't keep a straight face while I'm praying' as Phil trying to get Wil to meditate but they end up laughing + 'don't you revolve around someone else' as a chide to Philza post Anderson's death)

Love Me, Normally (If he were honest with himself. Wilbur is wracked with jealousy for humanity that he disguises as hatred. Die young mentality, insomnia, bridge 2 addressed to the void, 'Is it courageous or escapist to leave the quarantine when you’re contagious?' as a comment on the danger of anomalies and if they should be contained)

BlackBoxWarrior (An entire life spent running from the Foundation and their experiments + trauma, repressing the past, general void madness, 'a map to every victim of his love' as the scars the void has left)

The Blade:

Red Water Dreams by Aviators (The sea motif of the voices, being a vessel for The Blood God, finding blame in those who unleashed his apocalyptic revenge. The entire chorus fits so well. 'Vicious thoughts are stirring/And I hunger for their power')

Paralyzed by Aviators (He's just an Aviators boy, what can I say, it's the violence and upbeat tempos man. Really this is The Blood God's song. His challengers as a duty to cull, as he's forced to hunt down every last foe that laid a hand upon his vessel. The thrill of battle, impending doom, 'I will give you one fair chance' because he really does seek a good fight. The Blade is the one paralyzed, unable to do anything but watch as his body is used for destruction)

Turn Out the Lights by The Crane Wives (Because The Blade does actually handle The Blood God/voices pretty well. I feel this song captures the way he just sorta rolls his eyes and shrugs off the intrusive thoughts most of the time)

Philza:

Rule #9 - Child of the Stars by Fish in a Birdcage (Wilbur as a wanderer, but works for any Collected for fostering their growth. Father vibes. Philza raising his children to be strong, independent people. A gentle expectation of greatness, because he picks out the exceptional among humanity)

Hot Tea by Half Alive (His sheer adoration of his Collected, also fun to swap the roles so that it is the god showing devotion. The pure warmth and sweetness matches Philza. In retrospect I need a song about protective violence but eh I set a 3 song limit.)

Time Machine by Miracle Musical (Amnestic arc. Particularly with loneliness and the vehemence in 'look at what you've done now to me', as well as 'I'm leaving today, today' with his confused insistence that he leaves at the end of the week. The way Philza is dragged in and out of grief at the whims of the Foundation, left free floating and disorientated)

Tubbo:

Soap by The Oh Hellos (Actual perfect Tubbo song. WHiT Croplands interlude. Themes of pacifism, how Tubbo is made of pieces, the separation between humans and anomalies and how the Hivemind can cross that barrier. Learning when to let go/hold on with the Tommy, Hive members, Willow. The 2nd chorus as Rhodes trying to convince Tubbo to leave Tommy in Jasper, with the response of 'I think that you’re worth (keeping around/holding onto)' to both Rhodes and Tommy's Never Love an Anchor. And imagining Tubbo saying the last stanza to Tommy makes me so soft)

Escapism by Rebecca Sugar (Dissociation. Grey chapter in general, specifically Pewter for being firm in convictions: 'shouldn't show a trace of doubt' and telling Rosalind the sacrifice won't hurt them, as well as trying to force a dissociative episode when their hand is sawed off)

Saint Bernard by Lincoln (ok this is a troll but also fits well for Cinnabar and Old Gauze. The guilt of failing one's morals. Technically Tubbo is in Indiana satanic and chained up, but I'll let it slide. The Saint Calvin verse is so good for the Rhodes-Tommy tension + Foundation destroying families. Also the way Tubbo blames their self-loathing on Rosalind, making the chorus apt for the Hivemind mess) (but also its funny to give Tubbo the classic edgy character song)

(Bonus) Dr. Blake:

Take Me to War by The Crane Wives (She sees herself as forced to be ruthless to survive against powerful anomalies. 'And I'll rankle the beasts with words' for her manipulation. Also epithets in the dehumanizing way the Foundation avoids names. Verse 3 is Tubbo 'corrupting' the guards when they saved humans from Philza)

Solaria, Kevin / End-World Normopathy by GHOST (Tommy, with religious themes and verse 5/Kevin understood as The Blood God. The cold cruelty of the Foundation, sentience as a failure/flaw in a tool (Tommy), Dr. Blake completely separating her personal and professional selves because to have humanity is only a weakness anomalies will exploit. 'Though you’ll never die, you’ve found that/All eyes are staring at your hands' is an absolutely perfect line for summoning sessions)

[skydreamplayzz]

Again because got an idea whole roleplaying With that bot again. =)

He's not a werewolf tho- wouldnt really make sense since hes a Skeleton? And i can't draw that. So I will make him similar to azure-or Maybe just not.

Other werewolfes dont See him as a threat because hes bitten by one. He also hates water-

Did i already mention i hate drawing Full bodys? 🌳

[arolesbianism]

The Joshua section of my oni playlist is looking great so far

[wickjump]

ran out of tags so this was cut short but.stage 1 ily… i want to learn more about you i think you’re so neat… i want to give him a nice sandwich. anyway uhhmm i don’t know much about stage 1 so this might be off but whatever freedom of speech 🇺🇸🦅

the idea of stage 1 trying to warn and protect the others in the gang from himself makes me a little sad. im picturing him wringing his little hands together all nervous and afraid after he offered them something—food, a safe place to sleep, something, trying to make up for anything he remembers or thinks he remembers doing in Stage 2 (even if the things he remembers were a dream, he can’t really tell if it was real or not) —and them not knowing what is going on with him or if they can trust him at all. last time they saw him he looked different and he definitely didn’t care about anyone but himself.

and like, depending on how they react to him—he could come to desperately cling on to this one fragile connection outside of his programming and maybe there’s hope for him even if he doesn’t think it’ll last, but if they reject him or react with indifference or hostility it could send him deeper into dissociation—or even trigger Stage 2 as a defense mechanism

[bloomeng]

This is my official Batfam Magical Girl AU Masterpost (everyone clapped)

(image updated: 9/21/24)

I’m going to do a brief overview and then go into more details for those interested.

Bruce being from old money (and apparently being connected to Camelot) inherited a mysterious mineral with unknown properties. In its raw form it’s very unassuming, but when cut like gemstones and added to accessories it can be harnessed into a tool. By altering the mineral into a wearable item it allows the magic within to be channeled. The magic of the mineral connects with its wielder to create an outfit and (typically) a weapon. These outfits do not grant the wearer special abilities outside of the transformation and the weapon, but when worn the wearer is granted (what is basically) hammerspace and a nearly impenetrable outfit. The uniform granted is not something they can alter the appearance of but will change gradually overtime to reflect how the wielder has grown.

This mineral will henceforth be known as Arcanium. It operates on Kryptonite logic in that it’s— allegedly— super rare but also shows up whenever the plot needs it. (I’m aware it shares a name with a card game, but I wanted my Kryptonite spoof)

Martha Wayne unknowingly started the cycle by turning— what she thought was a rare gemstone— into a brooch. She died shortly after having it made and Alfred held onto it in her memory. Like canon Bruce goes on his journey of self-exploration to train. When he comes back he enacts his plan the way he does in Batman: Year One, where he goes out in basically just make-up, and it goes poorly. He wanders his manor trying to formulate a strategy and is drawn to his parent’s room and finds his mother’s brooch. Cue the first magical girl transformation. From there he alters the brooch to fit his bat aesthetic and the Batman Brooch is born.

Dick comes into his life the same way as canon. Bruce takes him in as a ward, Dick tries to track down Zucco on his own, etc. Bruce decides to use the other raw sample of Arcanium to turn into a second magical artifact. He lets Dick pick the theme, and thus the Robin Pendant is born. The rest is history.

(Before I continue I want to warn that I’m making shit up as I go, so some of this is subject to change as I move forward.)

The Robin Pendant is passed down from Robin to Robin. Each Robin got their own unique look while using it. Following canon, Dick and Bruce have their falling out and Dick gives up the Robin Pendant in a moment of anger. In this au I think Dick, not having the pendant to fall back on, tries to lead a vigilante-free life, but of course falls back into it. During a fight he somehow manages to stumble across Arcanium in its raw form. Recognizing it he takes it with him. Like Nightwing: Year One he has his conversation with Superman and decides to become his own hero. Using his knowledge of Arcanium from his years with Bruce he creates his own magical artifact and becomes Nightwing.

This is a good place to interject that I’m not changing any of their hero names. I was asked about it a couple times due to the caption, “Red Bow & Sailor Nightwing” on my Dick and Jason designs. It was just a silly caption, because I didn’t want to simply state “Jason and Dick Magical Girl au.” But being serious, I don’t really see a reason to change their names, with the exception of maybe Red Hood, seeing as I didn’t give him a red hood. My au operates on Sailor Moon logic where despite the lack of masks no one recognizes them, and it’s just vaguely explained by magic. I think it would be funny if Bruce chose to wear a mask anyway because he’s that paranoid, but we’ll see when I actually design him. Anyway point is Red Hood is lacking a red hood, maybe he secretly has a red hood on his jacket or maybe he really does go by Red Bow, I’ll leave that up to interpretation.

Arcanium does not just accidentally appear. At the end of the day it’s still a mineral and it’s not sentient, but the magic has an element of “the wand chooses the user.” It’s not so much a “chosen one thing,” so much as the magic can sense intention. It doesn’t care about the morality of the user, the magic is more seeking a symbiotic connection. (Meaning yes rogues can in fact wield artifacts.) Simply put, it wants a host that will be able to wield it. In its raw form the magic is dormant but it seeks to be… not dormant, so when it finds those who actually have the potential to create an artifact and use it, it reveals itself. It was not a coincidence that Martha had the inclination to have the brooch made, it was not a coincidence that Bruce was drawn to his parent’s room, and it was not a coincidence that Dick found Arcanium in the alleyway.

Each of the Bats have their origin moments with their own magical artifacts. I don’t have the whole timeline down, but I will say there was a lot of drama between Tim and Damian, because Tim was forced to hand over the pendant. Even though he technically relinquished it, emotionally the connection wasn’t severed. No one was sure if the transition would work, but Arcanium responds to whoever needs it more and therefore who will use it more. Like canon, Tim is having an awful time during that era. On top of all of it he’s had his title stripped from him and he can’t even argue because if it wasn’t the right move the pendant wouldn’t have responded to Damian. Dick tries to comfort him by telling him that Arcanium will appear for him when he’s ready, but Tim is furious and impatient. So like a well-adjusted person he decides he’s going to engineer his own magical artifact artificially. It goes as well as his attempt to clone Kon does. It’s not until Tim starts to get back on his feet that Arcanium presents itself to him. My thinking is that while Arcanium finds its users when they need it most, Tim’s case is abnormal. His acquisition of the pendant was unconventional from the start since he showed up and demanded to take on the Robin role. Arcanium is drawn to individuals who will actually use its properties. Tim tends to rely more on his own detective work, which renders the pendant’s properties pretty moot. Especially when he’s going off the deep end, he becomes a hermit meaning a) he wouldn’t really need/use Arcanium’s properties and b) he inadvertently limited his own chances of stumbling across it “in the wild.”

In a similar vein I believe Barbara’s journey is abnormal in that she forged her own Batgirl artifact that operates a little differently than the others, seeing as she made it without Bruce’s influence. After the accident she shelved it, maybe she passed it down to Cass, but eventually she gets it back. She created the Oracle identity without it, and for a long time the Batgirl artifact is something she avoids using, until she gets the idea to combine it with her computer to create a magic computer… sort of. She gets a uniform that is basically connected to the computer.

Going back to Damian needing the Robin Pendant more, its reaction to his acquisition was unique. As I mentioned previously the suits typically provide a weapon, well Damian is the exception. Unlike all the other Robin’s Damian didn’t need more weapons in his life, what he needed was guidance. For the first time the pendant granted Damian a magical animal guardian, which is how he gets Alfred the Cat in this au. Despite being an animal lover Damian is extremely pissed at this development. He wanted dual swords or a scarier animal at least. He can’t formally communicate with Alfred the Cat but he understands him intrinsically, though Alfred the Cat seems to be able to understand human speech somewhat. Only Damian seems to be able to truly understand Alfred the Cat. (Cue the antics of his siblings trying to figure out what the cat means or trying to control him in any capacity.) Besides being an animal, Alfred the Cat is also unique in that he doesn’t dissipate when Damian isn’t in uniform the way that the weapons do. Like the weapons he can be summoned by the pendant, but he seems to have existed prior to the pendant’s creation. (I’m toying with the idea that while in uniform, the cat would also get some sort of uniform.)

Before I get into Duke and his abnormalities, I want to address the Speedsters in this au. It’ll make sense after.

So the Flash. I want to say I don’t know if I will get around to creating full designs for them. I do have plans for Bart and maybe Wally, but I have determined how I want their mechanics to operate in the context of the au. Not all the heroes in this au are “magical girls,” in fact I’ve made the executive decision that you have to be human to wield an artifact. Arcanium may have magic in it, but it doesn’t grant its user magical abilities beyond the uniform itself. The speedsters retain their canon origins, hit by lighting blah blah blah, only with one key difference: they had Arcanium on them when they were hit. Instead of engineering an artifact Arcanium fused with their bodies granting them powers. I want to keep the magic transformation aspect (because it’s not a magical girl au without it), so instead of using a physical artifact as a channel for their powers, it’s instead the act of transforming that serves as a gateway to their speed abilities.

To me it was always important to maintain Batman’s identity of not having super powers and having to rely on engineering, which is why the Batfam have to physically build their artifacts. In a similar way I wanted to retain the integrity of the Flash’s identity of being meta but also still human. Which brings me back to Duke. I know in canon that Duke inherited his abilities, but for the sake of the au I’ve decide that he either had an accident when he was young in which traces of Arcanium fused with him or his parents had it in them and he inherited it from them, but regardless it’s less potent, but operates similar to the Speedsters. For years he couldn’t fully transform or use his powers and it wasn’t until— with Bruce’s guidance— he was able to create an artifact that allowed him to channel his abilities and transform. Even though he is a meta I wanted him to still have some of those Batfam qualities in there.

But what about the Superfam? They’re not human so how do their transformations work? The answer is simple: They’re not “magical girls.” At least not real ones, they’re faking. They’re not human (Kon and Jon are technically half human but they still get their abilities from their Kryptonian DNA), and thus cannot forge a connection with Arcanium. Truthfully I’m about to get silly— even sillier than this au already is— but I have decided that Clark is a fake artifact wielder. I like the idea that Batman has been operating longer than Superman has, so when Clark decided to become a hero in his own right his only example of how to style himself was from the bat themed vigilante, who might as well be a cryptid, operating out of Gotham. Only blurry pictures of him existed, so Clark designed his outfit based on his Kryptonian origins and Batman’s aesthetics. He had no idea about the existence of Arcanium or how it worked. This is also why Kon’s design looks so much like his canon outfit with a few magical girl elements (and definitely not because I think the lines in his canon suit already lend themselves well to a magical girl aesthetic and didn’t want to change much). Later when he gets to know Batman more he learns about the transformations, to which he panics and invents his own transformation using Kryptonian tech (ex: MAWS’s transformation). For years Bruce goes crazy trying to figure out Arcanium’s effects on aliens and if it grants them abilities on top of the ones they’re born with, and if Clark has plans to use it as a weapon, and how he managed to forge the connection in the first place— Clark comes clean as a fake once they reveal their identities to each other.

Side tangent but I find it hilarious that Green Lanterns are— by technicality— already “magical girls,” considering they’re granted magical accessories that give them powers and transform their clothing. Hal is very clear with the JL that he is nothing like Batman and constantly feels the need to assert that he is not a magical artifact wielder. The non-human members of the team still lump them together anyway.

Things I haven’t figured out:

- what each of the batfam’s weapons are

- what each of the magical artifacts are

- what to refer to magical artifact wielders as

Stepping outside the canon(?) lore of the au for a minute, obviously I’m redesigning DC characters using inspiration from a genre, because that’s what “magical girl” is. It’s a genre. This is why I refer to it in quotes and don’t call them magical boys, because I am always referring to it as a genre, which isn’t a gendered thing. However, in universe they wouldn’t call themselves magical anything, the same way the characters of Sailor Moon don’t refer to themselves as magical girls, but rather Sailor Scouts. As of right now I’m sort of just referring to them as artifact wielders, but I feel like Bruce would come up with a better name. On a similar note, throughout this whole thing I’ve been referring to Arcanium in it’s wearable state as an artifact. I don’t know if that’s the best term, but I can’t think of anything better for the generalized form of Arcanium outside of it’s raw state. For now I guess it will be “artifacts” and “artifact wielders.”

- how the wonderfam fits into this

I really can’t think of a reason why Wonder Woman would be a “magical girl” in this au. She was born with abilities, she’s not human, and I can’t see her altering her uniform to match the aesthetic. A transformation would just be a waste of time for her. I could to see maybe Cassie or Donna wanting to match with their respective teams, and perhaps maybe that’s why they would alter their uniforms? All I know is I want see Tim, Kon, Bart and Cassie as a matching “magical girl set.”

Fin… for now.

[I’m just going to put this here preemptively, because I’ve gotten messages about turning my au into fics or tiktok skits. You’re free to use this lore HOWEVER you MUST credit me not just for the designs but for the creation of the lore. I’ve put a lot of time and thought into this and I love that people love it, so I just ask for recognition. If you want to make something that’s inspired by my designs or loosely based on my au, just a simple credit for the inspiration is fine. You’re free to change things this is just how my own au operates. Regardless I would prefer to be tagged so that people can find me but also because I’d love to see other’s work.]

Current designs:

[chiscaralight]

cw: shy!choso x reader, prone boning, college au. sukuna and gojo ver linked at the bottom!

college athlete!choso who’s an absolute beast on the field. everyone loves to watch him play, it’s almost like a movie every time he’s out for the game! he’s always ready to charge headfirst when it comes to his sport, and he won’t let anyone take it away from him.

college athlete!choso who doesn’t talk to anyone outside his teammates and a select few. it’s fair anyway, a lot of people only want to speak to him bc he’s deemed important, not like they want to know him.

college athlete!choso who’s also known for his aloof personality. but when you’re partnered up for an essay, you soon realize everyone is painfully wrong.

college athlete!choso who’s the most shy thing ever! it almost breaks your heart how he starts to stutter and avoid your eyes while you work out the details, just humming in agreement and you swear he almost passes out when you ask for his number.

college athlete!choso who’s practically about to fall off the edge of your bed, trying to sit as far away from you as possible. it’s like trying to coax a hostile cat to eat food you brought it, but with the way you’re looking at him, choso is sure he wouldn’t mind you putting him in your mouth just a bit.

college athlete!choso who finally warms up to you after a couple of evenings together. there’s still significant distance between the two of you, both physically and emotionally, but he’s more open now. he can actually hold a conversation with you now, and he thinks you’re the coolest! he can’t get you off his mind at all, whether he’s walking to the field hoping to spot you on his path, or secretly searching for you in this shared class.

college athlete!choso who jerks himself off to the thought of you after practice, making sure the locker room is empty as he moans out your name, wishing it was your hand wrapped around his cock instead.

college athlete!choso who forgets he’s supposed to meet up with you, cussing himself out when he sees your texts and missed calls. you’re super understanding though, and you tell him to take his time or you can reschedule if it’s better. but he assures you he can be there in less than ten minutes.

college athlete!choso who’s at your door in three minutes, panting and soaked. you can’t tell whether it’s from the shower water or if it’s sweat, but your eyes are more focused on the outline of his exposed arms and damp shirt clinging to his frame. he’s babbling, saying sorry for wasting your time, he ran because he couldn’t find his keys! but his apologies are hitting deaf ears, your mind is definitely on something else. and he notices.

college athlete!choso who’s eyes widen when you pout, shyly asking him to kiss you. this is something you’ve been trying to avoid since the first day he sat in your room, but it’s so hard to hold yourself back when he looks like this!

college athlete!choso who presses his back to the door, holding you in his arms while your tongues tangle. he’s moaning around your tongue, shamelessly feeling you up while you grind your front against his hardening bulge. he’s almost embarrassingly loud, but each sound he makes sends vibrations straight between your legs.

and you’d have to say the same for yourself, fingers dragging down his arms, around his neck, across his chest. but the real kicker is when you softly place your hand against his abs. he’s unconsciously flexing beneath your touch and it draws you in like magic. maybe he’d have good core strength? you’re the one who’s going to put college athlete!choso to the test.

college athlete!choso who passes your test in flying colors, prone boning you with an ease that has you seeing stars. you’re face first in the sheets, cries muffled by the pillow your head rests on while he slams into you like he hates you, much different from the way he asks if you’re okay after a couple of thrusts. you can’t even get your head up! and he’s getting worried but you guide his hand towards your neck, struggling to place your head in the crook of his elbow before telling him to squeeze.

college athlete!choso who gets off on the way your eyes roll back and your voice gets whinier. his hips falter just a bit when you call out his name in that voice, and if not for how good you felt, you would’ve teased him for the way his cock just twitched.

college athlete!choso who can’t face you in class the next day. you’re a little sad when you don’t see him, so you decide to check the field later in the day.

college athlete!choso who freezes up when he sees you waving from the stands. his teammates don’t miss his change in demeanor, and they start to laugh and nudge him in the side, teasing him about the cutie cheering him on from the bleachers.

college athlete!choso who comes up to you during their break, face still blazing hot from the exercise and the memories of you from last night. he says he would have hugged you but he’s insanely sweaty right now. not like you would’ve minded, that sweaty body was all up on yours last night like it was nothing!

college athlete!choso who gives you a nice long kiss before he leaves. trying to drown out the sounds of his team hollering at the two of you from a distance. you break the kiss with a laugh and tell him he can come over later if he wants.

college athlete!choso who forgets his keys and runs all the way to your place for the fourth time this week. he doesn’t mind though, he just thinks of it as prep for the calories he’s about to burn with you in a couple of minutes.

sukuna ver here!

gojo ver here!

geto ver here!

choso pt2 here!