#suffering in their own way from it as you said. but AHH thank you!! you're so sweet PLSSS like i'm glad that you find him interesting-

[mad-hunts]

as far as jack could tell, jervis was really out of it; and it made him wonder it was due to something that had happened while he was out with his father, or when they'd gotten here. perhaps both. jack gnawed on his bottom lip, his eyes darting to jervis's hands, which were flexing like he was struggling with something. an eyebrow rose as jack contemplated asking whether he needed some pain medication.

since he didn't receive an answer to his question yet, jack figured he might as well introduce himself. ❝ uhh, well, you don't have to talk to me if you aren't feeling up to it. my sister told me that you fainted in front of her out there — so, i understand if you're still feeling sick. my name is jack, ❞ he scratched at the back of his neck as he continued to observe jervis. whenever the man tried to get up, jack approached him and was about to caution jervis that maybe he shouldn't by lightly touching his shoulder.

but he remembered matilda telling him something about the other really not liking to be touched, so he merely was going to verbally tell him. up until jervis laid back down himself, anyhow. jack couldn't hold himself back from frowning at his poor present state before venturing out of the room with a 'i'll be right back.' and indeed he had been, with two different vials, alongside a few syringes to inject into that IV bag: should jervis want to be medicated. jack figured it'd be easier to just do that rather than forcing him to swallow anything.

he placed those also on the table before tilting his head at the quote jervis had said until it clicked a few seconds later, ❝ that's a quote from through the looking glass, isn't it? and one that the red queen said in the story if i remember correctly. she was basically teaching alice that staying in the same place is falling behind, right? ❞ jack squinted his eyes at that before a thought came to mind. a soft snort left him, but one that was done of an innocent sort of amusement rather than malice. ❝ that is a kind of roundabout way of talking about survival of the fittest. but hey, lewis carroll was all about the whimsy of things, i guess. and its no big deal. ❞

jack pretended not to see the tears that the other shed for jervis's own sake. the blood on his lips was something he couldn't ignore, no matter how hard he tried, though. jack grabbed a washcloth from his pack and held it out towards's jervis's hand. once it was out of his hand was when jack set down that teacup, the slightly too long stripped pants he wore swaying across the ground. ❝ mm, you and dad were both asleep for nearly four hours. sure — i don't think that's silly at all. i keep something on me all the time from when my brother, julien, was still around. ❞ the bracelet he showed the other on his right wrist then seemed to be made up entirely of tiny conch shells.

julien was a big fan of the sea, which jack thought made his death all the more crushing. after seeing the state that the stuffed animal was in, he figured that that bunny must've been really loved; though it didn't really matter by whom it was. the end result was the same, as love changes you. jack knew this well as he'd never wanted anything more than to be embraced by the warmth of it.

he quickly shook that thought off, only to grab the two vials he got from the fridge once more. ❝ eh... the four hours actually went by rather fast. ❞ jack cleared his throat then, ❝ you know, i couldn't help but notice that you aren't looking so hot still, and so i grabbed some meds for you. but i won't force you to take them. i have a pain reliever as well as something that relieves vertigo. are either, or both of these, something you want? ❞

Eigengrau.

A faint hum buzzed in his ears; his mouth was so dry it felt like he’d swallowed a wad of wool.

The thin sheet beneath him brushed his fingertips as Jervis flexed his hands, cracking his eyes open a sliver. The room tilted, everything blurring at the edges. Ah… so he had fainted. Just as he’d suspected. No glasses, then.

"Hey. Ahh, you're awake… That's awesome. How are you feeling?"

The new voice was barely a whisper, young and uncertain—belonging to a boy, maybe sixteen or eighteen by the timber. Was this another of Barton's assistants, a friend of Matilda’s, or perhaps her brother? Jervis couldn’t quite remember; hadn't Barton mentioned something about having more than one child?

He winced, his body feeling heavy, leaden; aching everywhere. Slowly, he exhaled and tried to push himself upright—tried being the keyword. The effort brought only a wave of vertigo, dizzying and blue-hot, making his vision swim.

… ohh, god…

He swallowed thickly, curling into himself. Something wasn’t right. His glasses and gloves weren’t the only thing missing. He was in his socks, jeans, and a now damp charcoal t-shirt, his body slick with cold sweat. His graying auburn curls clung to his neck in tangled ropes. His boots were beside the cot, his messenger bag on a desk across the room. His overcoat and maroon button-down were draped over a chair.

A flicker of discomfort in his right arm. Burning. Tugging.

Jervis glanced down at the source: a plastic tube. A peripheral IV catheter.

"Ah, you know... 'It takes all the running you can do, to stay in the same place,'" he muttered, his voice clipped and hollow; Bermudian accent casual, almost detached. He turned his eyes to the boy; offered him a faint, strained smile. "Keeps things interesting, I suppose... but I appreciate your concern, lad."

He lifted his fingers to his cheek, feeling the moisture trickle down—salt on his lips. Tears, sharp and stinging. Jervis flinched and quickly scrubbed them away with the heels of his hands.

Cold metal pressed into his spine, tight around his neck—the chain with his and Sylvie’s wedding rings twisted against his skin. He must’ve been thrashing in his sleep. There was blood on his lips.

"Forgive me…" His vision swam as he watched the boy set a teacup on the small table beside the cot, just within view. "But I'm afraid I've rather lost my sense of time. How long has it been since I…?" He paused, his voice barely steady. "... if... if you don’t mind, could you please reach into my coat pocket? You'll find a small cuddly toy. A rabbit..." He rubbed his mouth, lowered his eyes. "It sounds foolish, I know... but it... it was my daughter's, you see..."

The boy nodded, moving quickly to retrieve the toy from Jervis’ coat pocket, and placed it on the table beside the teacup. The bunny was missing one of its button eyes, its white fur faded and matted. A pink satin ribbon around its neck was frayed and tattered.

“Thank you,” Jervis said hoarsely. “I must have been out of it for quite a while.”

[otomiyaa]

On Camera

Hisashi x Mao

A/N: I saw Tasogare Outfocus episode 1 - 5 last night, and poof, this fic was suddenly in my head. I'm an anime-only for now but definitely want to check out the manga too^^ thank you @ticklygiggles for your support!

Summary: Mao finds himself tickled to death again, again and again by his ruthless boyfriend Hisashi. He wonders if there is any chance to turn the tables... (Also on AO3)

Warnings: Tickling, bondage, no smut.

Word Count: 2.6K

Ah, the lights were on but they looked blurry. His chest felt like it was burning, as did everywhere he was being touched. And no, it wasn't even that kind of touch. But he surely was dying.

"HISA-ahhh! S-staha-nohoho w-wait!"

Mao could barely comprehend what he was saying, or trying to say. He could feel Hisashi's mouth on his neck, making the little hairs stand as he tickled him with his lips, his tongue, his breath.

"Does it tickle?"

All that, and Hisashi still had the nerve to ask him the obvious. Mao nodded tiredly. He felt dizzy and lightheaded from laughing so much. He could barely register the sound of his own voice as he felt his entire body react to the ticklish onslaught.

Already for a while now, he lay trapped in Hisashi's arms. His sides and ribs were suffering an endless ticklish terror, which would switch to other spots such as his stomach, hips, armpits and neck, only to return to those sweet spots between his lower ribs again. On repeat.

Hisashi was an absolute monster, and still, a monster he loved.

"AHH-I c-cahahan't! Hisahahashi!" Mao begged. He blinked his eyes and felt how tears were streaming down his cheeks. Even the funniest movie wouldn't be able to make him laugh like this. It was a feeling out of this world.

"Of course you can. Laugh some more for me, Mao," Hisashi whispered in his ear while his fingers remained buried under Mao's shirt, tickling him to death in multiple places.

Ah, those words of encouragement only made Mao feel even more flustered.

"Plehehease, h-have mehehercy!" he giggled tiredly. His stomach did start to hurt a bit from laughing so much at this point.

When he finally felt the tickle attack slowing down, he managed to turn himself in Hisashi's embrace, and he faced him.

"Are you done?" he asked breathlessly. Hisashi wore the most beautiful smile.

"I think so," he chuckled.

"Geez, you always do this," Mao said, leaning his head against Hisashi's shoulder to rest some more. He really was out of breath this time.

"It's because you're so ticklish," Hisashi muttered, his fingers creeping back under Mao's shirt. For a moment he tensed up when he anticipated more tickles, but the next minute they were kissing passionately, surprising Mao that he still had some air left to kiss his evil lover long and deep.

He loved Hisashi, he would even say he loved his tickle attacks. But... wasn't it getting a little unfair at this point? Sure they'd had the conversation a few times before.

"You're so ticklish Mao," Hisashi would say after wrecking him completely. And whenever Mao would try to tickle him back, he could barely get a similar reaction out of him.

"Were you trying something~?" Something like that would be Hisashi's response whenever Mao tried to tickle him. And 9 out of 10 times it would result in Mao's very own demise. By now, he knew to be careful.

Still, after getting tickled to tears just now, again, he really started to wonder if there was no way for him to make Hisashi laugh like this. Something more than a giggle would already be appreciated.

Mao would often think that, but this time it wasn't like other times: getting tickled to death by Hisashi, fantasize about getting his revenge, then forgetting about it. Repeat.

No, this time the thought stayed, and started to grow. What if...He would find a way to carefully discover if Hisashi really could laugh for him too. Whether he had any ticklish spots. And also whether it would be possible to, just a little, make him... beg?

Mao blushed and felt like trash for thinking it. But the image of Hisashi squirming under his touch, giggling, moaning and laughing while begging him to stop tickling him... It was a certain thought that had Mao end up in the bathroom by himself the next day.

Pfff. Even that little round of solo pleasure wouldn't let him get over it, so he decided to think of his plan. And the moment he replaced the 'don't be ridiculous'-thought with the 'but how can I make this happen'-planning process, his creativity as a filmmaker started.

Speaking of film...

"Mao? Is something wrong? You've been spacing out the past few days. I can tell something's on your mind."

Yes, it indeed took at least a few days to come up with the plan. And this little interrogation about his feelings was all part of it.

"....No, nothing," Mao lied. He wanted Hisashi to pry a little, at least. Hisashi stood closer to him and cupped his face.

"Tell me what's wrong. Your face is all red too," Hisashi said, rubbing Mao's cheek with his thumb. Mao closed his eyes when he leaned in for a kiss. Ah, he loved Hisashi so much...

"It's embarrassing," he mumbled after the kiss. Hisashi looked at him with those beautiful eyes.

"What is?"

"There is something I would like to try," Mao finally admitted. Ah, even when it was all part of his act, it was still embarrassing. What if Hisashi would be grossed out? They had made jokes about it before. Well, particularly Hisashi was the one to joke about it.

"What do you want to... oh?" Hisashi noticed the camera that stood in a different position.

"When did you put that here?" Hisashi walked towards the camera and studied the angle, right beside their bed. He then pointed at it.

"Erotica? Do you want to...?" he asked with a curious but excited look in his eyes.

"I wanted to try something o-on you," Mao mumbled shyly, and he revealed the other part of his plan, taking them from under the bed. Restraints.

Hisashi's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow. Really? I am flattered," he said with a smile. But then when he realized Mao was serious, he blushed and nodded.

"I mean, of course! I told you before, if there's anything you would like to try, do tell! So, do I go first?" he asked, and Mao's stomach already made a backflip at the word 'first', since he knew Hisashi would eventually want to try the same thing on him.

"Do I undress?" Hisashi asked when Mao didn't answer, and he walked towards the bed and started to unbutton his pants.

"N-no no, wait... Just your shirt, please," he suggested shyly. Hisashi looked surprised again, and then smug.

"Ah, I see. Of course!" He didn't bother to button his pants up again, but he did take off his shirt and sat down on their bed. He reached up with his arms, placing them wide first, and then together.

"Like this? Or this?" He was so cooperative! Probably because Mao was being so shy about this, which were his true genuine feelings. But also part of the plan... He had an inkling it would get Hisashi to cooperate sooner, but he hadn't thought it would actually be this easy.

"L-like this," Mao said, sitting down beside him and grabbing his arms, helping them spread wide above his head again.

"Only my arms~?"

"No, the legs too."

He tied each arm and leg to the bed, admiring how handsome and sexy Hisashi looked like this. So irresistible that he couldn't help himself and kissed his lips.

"Hmmh," Hisashi made a cute sound. "Mao. You're forgetting something."

Ah. Hisashi even reminded him that the camera was still off. Mao couldn't believe Hisashi seemed this determined to make, what was probably in his mind, some steamy porn of their own. However, Mao had different plans. On shaking legs, he got up from the bed and turned the camera on.

If Hisashi would happen to be ticklish, not only could Mao finally have his deserved revenge on him for all those times he was tickled to death. He would actually have it on camera too...

"Ready? I'll m-make you feel good," Mao said, staring down at Hisashi with a blush on his face. He straddled him and put both his hands on Hisashi's chest.

"I'm all yours," Hisashi said with a seductive smile. And he meant it. Mao could see the determination in his eyes. He started off by still making Hisashi think he was just going to fondle and touch him in the erotic kind of way, by rubbing his hands against his chest, admiring the beauty of his body.

"That feels like a great massage." Hisashi hummed and closed his eyes. Mao felt nervous when he replaced his handpalms for his fingers, dragging them softly up and down Hisashi's sides.

"I hope it feels good," he replied. He watched Hisashi's reactions closely. Maybe he wasn't ticklish after all, since the way he was being touched now was the kind of tickle that would already make Mao sound like a squeaky toy.

"A-ah..." Hisashi made a tiny sound when Mao reached his lower sides, where he made little circles with his fingers, adding a little more pressure. He noticed a little twitch. A twitch!

"T-taking it slow, aren't you?" Hisashi asked, opening one eye, still with that same smile. Mao nodded.

"We shouldn't rush it, right?" he said, and without warning he curled his fingers and tickled Hisashi very intentionally. It worked. Hisashi jerked all of a sudden and let out a surprised: "OHh!"

Mao's eyes widened. "Sorry, what did I do?" he asked. Of course he knew very well. He wanted to hear him say it.

"Nothing! Nothing, you just surprised me that's ahahall, h-hey, M-Mao? W-what nohohow?" Hisashi broke down in soft restrained giggles when Mao repeated the same touch again and again.

Yes, yes yes! "Does it tickle, Hisashi?" he asked. He could see the realization on his boyfriend's face.

"Mao y-you cahahan't be s-serious!" The more Mao tickled him - the soft kind, the more Hisashi giggled. Mao tried to squeeze, pinch or claw, but found they were not as effective as the soft brushing with his fingertips against Hisashi's smooth sensitive skin. His boyfriend arched his back and whined.

"Does it tickle?" Mao asked again, and when he found the perfect opening and tickled Hisashi's arched lower back, he was pleased to hear the little surprised squeak coming from him as he fell back. So sexy!

"It doesn't! You lihihittle- wahhah!" Hisashi really did seem to realize this had been Mao's intention all along.

With his hands stuck between Hisashi and the bed, Mao continued to lightly scribble at his lower back. Hisashi's mouth opened slightly as more of those beautiful giggles filled the room. Mao wanted more than that. He needed more.

"Ah, so it doesn't tickle. I see," Mao said, showing off his look of disappointment before suddenly moving his hands back up and wiggling all ten fingers against Hisashi's ribs.

"HEY! Hohohold on- ahhahah no!" Hisashi cried out. Mao's eyes widened in disbelief. This worked, it really did! Entranced, he let his fingers climb up further. Those exposed and vulnerable armpits, they had to be ticklish They had to....

"Mahahahao no not there- don't you dare- don't you dahahare!" He sensed that the longer Hisashi was subjected to this, the more nervous and ticklish he seemed. His smug appearance crumbled and that bright smile had only become more beautiful.

"Why not? It won't tickle you, would it?" Mao said, cringing from his own cold boyfriend act, but he couldn't help himself! He was finally winning!

"I s-swehehear I'll gehehet you- NOHohh!" Hisashi laughed like Mao had never heard him laugh before. It was more like a cute howling sound. Tickling his armpits with wiggling fingers, brushing, digging, scratching very lightly, Mao noticed that he had found a goldmine.

Hisashi shook his head, his beautiful blond hair moving from side to side and his arms and legs were kicking and fighting against their restraints.

"Does it... tickle?" Mao asked, finding himself return to that question again, not only because it was the exact way Hisashi would tease him, but also because it was kind of his indicator whether he was going too far or not. He figured, if Hisashi would want him to stop, he'd surrender and admit the obvious: how much it tickled.

Or wouldn't he?

"Nohoho! Gahaha- Mahahao!" That still wasn't anything close to surrendering, but the moment Mao hit that sweet spot under his arms, Hisashi's hips bucked so much that Mao fell right off him.

Not that it would stop him. He sat on the side and leaned over him, still aiming for both those ticklish armpits. Meanwhile he glanced at the camera, making sure he wasn't blocking the view of Hisashi's beautiful laughing face.

"Heeheee- nahahah do nohohot!" Hisashi laughed when Mao's dancing fingers finally decided to try some other spots, even though it was just tempting to tickle his armpits until Hisashi would give in.

He lowered his hands to his hips and squeezed, enjoying the way Hisashi bucked in response. With his pants unbuttoned, chest bare and that huge smile on his face, he had never looked so sexy before.

"Eyaahahaha! Not thahahat!" Mao grinned. He finally broke him. It didn't matter anymore whether it was the soft or rough kind of tickle. Hisashi seemed sensitive to all of them now. He was laughing hysterically, there was still restraint on his arms, but no more on his voice. He had no energy left to hold back, or keep in control.

If Mao wasn't mistaken, it could be any second now. Just a liiittle more...

"AAHH! Hahaha not thehehere- ohohoh eeeek!" Hisashi sounded hilarious when Mao - after a tickly trail down his boyfriend's sensitive thighs and knees - started to tickle his bare feet.

Mao was impressed for how long Hisashi had taken the playful tickle torture before finally giving in.

"Ahahalright it t-tickles! It tihihickles Mahahao! You wihihin nohohow!"

Smiling proudly, Mao couldn't help but tickle Hisashi's soles some more. It would've been a crime if his beautiful feet weren't ticklish, but luckily there was plenty of sensitivity there to make him laugh.

"Mahahahao!"

"Oh, I didn't catch that, what did you say?" Mao asked playfully. Hisashi stared at him with that gorgeous smile.

"Plehehease! Staha-stpo hehehe! It tihihickles! No mohohore!"

He was begging, yes!!! Mao grinned like a fool. Hisashi was so cute!

"Ahahh!! It tickles - y-you win, alright? Now... get back over here," Hisashi panted. Mao couldn't deny he wanted the same. He climbed back on top of him and immediately crashed down with his lips on Hisashi's, kissing those lips that were smiling so beautifully mere seconds ago.

And for a moment he forgot the camera was still running. They made out - even when Hisashi was out of breath, he still managed to kiss Mao until he felt light in the head.

Though shaky and clumsy, in the middle of their kissing he managed to untie Hisashi's arms, and even though Hisashi's ankles were still tied to the bed, he had plenty of freedom to devour him now.

Mao felt how Hisashi pinned him down firmly, and for a moment he thought he was going to be really in for it now - that tickly revenge. But when they pulled apart and he noted the expression on his boyfriend's face, he gulped.

"I don't think I can hold back now. You've had your fun, now let me have mine," he said breathlessly. Mao's eyes widened, it had been a while since he saw that predator look on Hisashi's face, and he knew they were probably going to make love until dawn at least.

"I'm all yours," Mao said shyly, before entering the continuation of their blissful night together. And the camera? .... He was going to find out later that it was still running!

[shmowder]

The return of crybaby reader fuck yeah we love to see it!! Good stuff - definitely preferable (imo) than when the person with dacryphilia is the one making you cry on purpose :( Evil :( And it's literally fine, who among us is seeing the light of heaven anyway 😇

I've been wondering about a few things lately so I hope you don't mind me asking! When you're writing for a character (and the request hasn't specified the P1 or P2 version of them), how do you decide how to characterize them? Especially with someone like Saburov, who you said earlier was quite different between the two games. Do you find yourself picking one or the other version, do you try to focus on what's in common between the two, do you pick what you want to from each version and blend them together, a secret fourth thing?? Do tell! I'm just curious ^^

Also, how do you decide whether something goes in "x reader works" or "x reader drabbles"? The length probably plays a role, but anything else?

Re: modding, tysm <3 To be fair, what I did is probably one of the easiest ways to mod the game......... but like I even struggled to find the game data folder in the beginning, so I'm happy!

Thank you sincerely for more P1 tips. You're the best. I just got so mad save scumming when I could have spent that time getting on with the story - but still, I really don't want to screw myself over by not having enough resources as time goes on, so I'll keep doing it as long as I have the patience. I've been trying to use your advice to fight, but I just don't have the timing right yet - now I know not to aim for the chest though!! Ahh I'm very happy you told me that about the yellow pills. Is there any place to buy lockpicks other than Bad Grief?

I hope you're having a good day :) It's nice to see so much activity here. I've got to run, so I might not see your reply for a while depending on when you answer.

🐿️ anon

I always default to P2 unless the requester specifies otherwise. Even with my own work, I use P2.

P1 was more about survival than about a narrative story, it was more of a... gamey game to say? The townfolks–even the children, are more jaded to the brutality and indifferent to other's struggles.

It was a truly unwelcoming town that's bursting at the seams from the constant tugging and power struggle. People rarely liked each other, let alone liked you.

It was hard to relate and sympathise to the characters because everyone built a fortress of steel around them, you simply couldn't crack past the shell no matter how much you tried, even if you risk your life for them, you will remain a stranger locked outside the gates.

People were more cruel, cold, and punished for their loving and naivety. That town cannibalised its weakest each night, women were beaten in the streets past a certain hour if they dared walk around at night, and you lose reputation if you try to interfer.

That's why I default to P2 where the story is more flushed out, so much that they added easy difficulties because they genuinely wanted you to listen to their tale, become a part of the show and relate to the town and its people. The townfolks weren't needlessly cruel, they were terrfied deep down and paranoid, yet love flourished in hidden corners and in the least places you'd expect.

P1 punished you for wanting to play it, P2 encourages you to try more albeit with tough love and taunting. Mark Immortell can afford to be cruel to you because the warmth of the town will mend any wounds he inflicts on you, while in P1, the tragedians and exectuers almost pitted you at times, advising you with mourning in their tones as if they can forsee your grim fate.

In P2, they truly wanted to save the town, they cared for their home. P1 Alexander is power-hungry and wants to prove a point by taking control over everything and show that he is capable. He wanted to save the town to prove that his convictions and ways are superior, to win an imaginary contest rather than actually save it for the people suffering inside or because it's his home.

Even the kids feel more like... kids. Silly, full of love and wonder. Doesn't a little girl give you milk and bread for free on day 1? She never asks you for anything in return but if you give her a piece of bread–not even a full loaf–she is over joyed and tells her friends "See! See! I told you he's good! I told you he'll return the kindness."

While in P2, he is almost the opposite, he doesn't stubbornly insist that Artemy is the killer based on little evidence. Instead, he actively helps you find your father's killer, time after time, and actually makes progress.

He asks for your opinion on the fate of those who could've prevented your father's murder but didn't. He genuinely worries about Clara and his wife rather than seeing them as a source of more power and control.

Especially your relationship with Murky and Sticky, oh my god it pained me to shut them out in P1 because you're never presented with a different choice. It is truly soul sucking to go back to the lair each day and not see Sticky there. Knowing things can be different, if only.

In the x reader genre, I'm not trying to fully incorporate the canon characterization. I only want to float close-by sun, never fly into it directly.

Because it's a hopeless endeavour, you'll lose your mind trying to imitate another's art and only end up feeling hollow and disappointed even if you succeed.

I take creative liberates, lots! I make them softer, lower their guard more, their love is easier to earn and keep. I flush the humane parts of them, the mundane struggles that the average person can relate to rather than the ingenious traits which make them an interesting unique character in a game.

Yulia's disability, Daniil's double-edged perfectionism, Rubin's paranoia, Artemy's suffocating devotion.

I build off of the P2 characteristics. I do borrow plot points from P1, however, I intertwine the canons together and cherry pick what serves a better narrative for the kind of tale I'm trying to tell here.

For example, I like that Peter has no bed in his room. He sleeps inside a ceramic bathtub instead that someone must've broken their back carrying up all these stairs to his room. So I'll incorporate it into the version of Peter I write in my stories.

But when it comes to personality, yeah, hard on P2. I don't even consider P1.

I don't like the phrase "done dirty" Neither should we belittle P1 characters writing. It wasn't a stepping stone, it was the foundation whole. They did the best they could with the limited times and funds they had, plus the conversation flow and dialogue choices felt better and more natural in P1.

P2 was terrified of giving you any dialogue choices that are longer than a sentence while each character freely monologued to you over and over. I like talking dammit! Let me talk!

And the story P1 was trying to tell is very different than the story P2 told. Same premise but different cores and essences. You don't judge art by its relativity to another piece that subjectively "did it better". That's horeshit.

You judge art by it succeeding in reaching what it was set out to achieve. What is the author or artist in general trying to do here? Not if it's to your personal tastes or not, why subject them to imaginary expectations and damn them for failing to reach the goals you secretly set for them by your own self?

I'm not talking about you, squirrel dw, it's just a general "You". A term of speech. You haven't done anything similar to that, if anything you've been very considerate and understanding when it comes to the things you don't like or enjoy in my writing. I really admire that about you.

P1 wasn't looking for a heartfelt story about the people of the town, but about you. Not Artemy, Not Daniil, hell not even Clara.

But You. The player. It's your story, your struggles. You're the hated person who keeps coming back by their own free will each day.

That's why it has so many 4th wall breaks! That's why it taunts you at every corner, why the mechanics are so easy to exploit but so time wasting and obnoxious. Because they were ment to test your patience! They were meant to be annoying on some meta level, a final "fuck you" to the player for abusing their player powers that the game itself EXPECTS you to abuse.

While P2 wasn't about you, really. It was about this beautiful town that has fallen under a grim tragedy. This rich folklore and stories of magic, love and survival. Of betrayl and guilt.

Everything you expected from your father killer, you find in P1. That game hands you Oyun as the unlikable ruthless antagonist he was always predetermined to be. He fights you on each level, he makes your life a living hell as the player not just as Artemy.

And being annoying to the reader, annoying to the player, is the biggest crime any character can ever commit.

That's why you don't hesitate. You spare him no sympathy.

While in P2, instead of the grand revel that happened in P1, you're met with the shell of a broken man. Tethering on the edge of life, withering away, begging you to grant him mercy and end his suffering, to atone for his sins.

He's already a corpse by the first conversation you ever had with him, not a single light in those eyes. You're robbed out of your revenge, you end up feeling sad for the man who stole your father from you.

Empathy.

Even if you do kill him, he doesn't put up a fight. One stab, he swiftly falls down. This hulking gaint minotaur.

Do you know how many times In P1 I had to-

I don't want to spoil the story, I want you to experience it for yourself.

But yeah. Mischaractersation is doomed to happen. The more I talk and write about them the more they'll twists and change, gradually over time. Might as well embrace it and make my own versions, be open about it rather than cling to the stolen puppets of two kids who grew bored of their sandcastle.

-

It's not the length that determines what goes into the "Works" or "Drabbles" category, it's the effort and polish I put it.

Sometimes, people will request a fic or HC, but I'll still give them a drabble based on their concept instead because it's all the energy I could afford for the day.

I know it's quality over quantity but god is it tiring and consuming. This is my hobby, not my work and not a skill I'm honing. This is my relaxation, my respite, my bit to the world before I venture into the abyss forever and get lost to obscurity and irrelevance in history.

I deserve the right to mediocrity. It's fun as fuck.

I get to decide in the end, I love my readers but I'm the one who is writing at the end of the day. I get to pick and choose which glowing ember of an idea I want to hammer and polish until it shines as bright as any star in the night sky, or simply cradle it and give it a loving smooch before sending it off to be posted immediately.

Sometimes, you want intricate full meal fics. Other times, you simply want snacks and candy.

It's the type of effort, too. Some things are hard for me because they're new and therefore scary, so I have to put in a lot of energy to achieve very little while still labelling it a drabble at the end.

Other times, things are hard whilst being familiar because I genuinely want a good story, I want something beautiful and above the bar. That's when it's labelled as a full work.

I also tag my full work while my drabbles remain untagged. it is the wild west in there. Like a kinder surprise, you'll never know what you get once you click on the mystery link!

-

Oh I didn't intend for the Alexander fetish drabble to be crybaby reader. I pictured it as more of a reader that deliberately taunts and teases him without him being aware.

But I wanted to be very subtle about it, I don't do subtlity much in my works. My meanings are as hidden as the sun in the sky. So this time around, I tried something new by implying you're actually the one in control... rather than blatantly stating it like I usually do.

Yk, that line about you holding "power" over him. Or your choice of clothing, pressing your thighs against him. Sitting on his desk! what kind of a person in strife would ever do that? Your thighs being so close to his hands too.

It's more of a reader that gets a kick out of watching his self control crumble, the inner turmoil he goes through everytime you fake cry and run into his arms.

But art, especially x reader works, are meant to be a mirror for the... reader. So you're free to interpret it however you want, death of the author and all.

-

I get where you're coming from, that line about wanting to move on with the story but the savescuming is sucking the fun out. It will cause burnout if you're not careful, it's why I'm moving at a snail pace in the Bachelor route.

I just dread having to over-achieve again. I feel the need to perform better than my Haruspex run and somehow collect more than 24 shmowders this time around–or was it more? I don't want to check.

But deep down, I enjoy savescuming. I like zoning out and watching youtube or something while reloading. It's rotten work but it's worth it just for that high afterwards when I meet a shmowder girl and I can easily trade for one with my pockets stuffed with nuts.

Or cheeks? Yk bc you use a squirrel emoji. Man I am so funny fowjfijejfiwid.

I think you should do what you want, not what you must. Move on with the story and deal with the consequences later.

None of your bounds will ever get infected, I guarantee you that. The mechanics are different than P2. As long as you finish your main quest daily, your bounds will never have a reason to go outside and get infected.

The shmowders are really for the other two healers' bounds, who will randomly end up infected. You should only cure them if you're gunning for the double secret ending where you meet the devs.

And at most you'll need like 5 or 7 shmowders? That's not counting the panacea you'll have in the Haruspex route yk. Like 4 or 5 bottles total, I think.

So really just two or three shmowders are needed for the secret secret ending.

Ignore teensy, she is useless to you.

for the lockpicks, you shouldn't be needing too many? What are you using them for? Looting healthy houses or savescuming trading with kids inside the houses?

If it's the first, don't bother. Whatever food in the healthy houses pales in comparison to the fact you can find weapons in looter houses that sell for a shit ton of money. Buy food from shops instead, you'll be able to afford it eventually.

If it's for trading with kids, don't bother either. Or only do it once a day at night when wasting time. Hog all of your trade items, memorise one house with at least one girl with pigtails who trades bullets and one black hair boy who trades bullets, then trade all your items to them

Their inventory refills when you leave and re-enter the house! So you can endlessly trade with them.

If you still want lockpicks, you're better killing enemies and looting it out of their corposes. You can also trade them from pigtails girl, otherwise yeah Grief is the only option.

Eitheway. I hope your day goes well <3 And whatever you're in a hury for ends up going smoothly and to your liking. I loved talking about this! I really enjoy talking about my art and writing process, thank you for the thoughtful questions.

[dresshistorynerd]

#ahh i see. well. i stand. perhaps not entirely corrected but more accepting of using the term! thanks for having the patience to explain :)#i can definitely see the connection between finnish history and the histories of other colonized peoples and can't deny there are. a lot of#similarities. it's just in the past few years i've seen a sort of. well i don't want to call it uhriutuminen but it kinda has felt like tha#occasionally where people have emphasized how tough history has been on us finns and oh how much we've suffered and oh look we are#victims of two empires augh ough the horror. like. it's not that that's necessarily untrue as you pointed out but a lot of the time the#people saying this stuff have done it while ignoring like. how finns have benefited from these things (and consequently how they've put#down others like the sámi or karelians or god forbid the romani people). like they say that finland was treated terribly under russian rule#and while that can be said of th russification period and whatnot before that one could argue being a part of russia was a better time#for finland than being part of sweden ever had been! autonomy and getting to develop our own language and getting our own currency#etc. like the people saying these things seems to really want finland to slot in with the rest of eastern europe and their experiences#under russian rule when the truth is that finland came out both of being a part of russia and even wwii way better than the rest even when#finnish experiences are closer to them than say sweden or western europe. i feel like this attitude has been spread for example by mr prez#candidate mika aaltola... like we've jumped from wanting to be seen as part of the west to wanting to be seen as part of the east when#there's nuance there. and that's why seeing people emphasize the colonialism and oppression finland has faced makes me abit wary n stuff#but you're definitely right! i shall look into the study you linked more. also ahdfas we had it bad so it's fine if they have it bad too#is somehow depressingly finnish. i think my mom's said those words almost exactly lmao.

and that bit about finnish colonialism being#even more shameful because we should know better from our own history is also very true and a thought i've had many times for example#when it comes to refugees. like almost half a million refugees settled all around finland after wwii and now many if not most people#are related to said refugees and they've done nothing but enrich the culture but because they weren't called refugees or asylum seekers#bur instead evakot it's different apparently. ok.#also last thing funny that you should mention the club war because i am from my ostrobothnian grandpa's side directly descended#from jaakko ilkka :D i bet his ghost hates it when i visit the turku castle - which he had to escape - by my own free will lmao#anway. would've been easir to reply as comment but i like to inconvenience myself and others. thanks for the lovely discussion! :)

I do absolutely get your weariness and it's undoubtedly justified. Painting yourself as a victim is an easy way to deflect any responsibility of your own, but it's not actually that simple, people can be both victims and perpetrators at the same time. I find those types of "we are actually the real victims :(" nationalist extremely pathetic. Like I'm irrationally angry at all the early 20th century nationalists (which I'm sure many of were just fascists) who idolized the Club War, because at the same time they were having brawls with worker union reds so obviously they were exactly the same people as all the Finnish soldiers of the colonial army killing the uprising peasants. And then there's the obvious thing that now we are very much beneficiaries of colonialism, like none of us alive have been oppressed because we are Finns (except like maybe some of the Swedish Finns, because some of those kids (obviously applies to Sámi kids too, probably even more) are still sometimes punished for speaking their first language in school there was a court case about it in EU), but Sámi people and Karelians (and as you said Romani people) are oppressed by Finland right now, so when we talk about current Finnish politics it's so pathetic to pretend to be a victim. But I do think we need to unpack both colonialism we are doing and what was done to Finns in past to actually unpack both, because they in the end come from the same white supremacist root.

The proud Finnish tradition to fuck over others after you've been fucked over... :')) And like those WW2 refugees were also treated terribly, and now people can be like "yeah remember those times when Finns were refugees?? And none of them complained about their treatment!" and yes they did (also most of them were Karelians not Finns). Literally zero ounce of solidarity in these people.

Also extremely cool of you to be a descendant of Jaakko Ilkka XD You should try chewing the Turku walls too next time you visit! xD (I don't remember if he was one of those who was punished like that but still :D) I don't think there's much to be proud of about this artificially constructed Finnish identity but like I think rebellion against exploitation is always a pretty proud heritage!

Thank you too for a very nice discussion!!

Hey, I noticed that in one of your posts you showed an Iron Age Finnish woman's dress. Would you happen to have a good idea of what Finnish men were wearing in that era? The information on it seems sparse. I do have a relevant book that I'm about to look through, but I'd like to hear your insight too!

Hi! Thanks for the question (and sorry for the slow answer), I do love Finnish Iron Age clothing so it's always my pleasure to write about it. I've been wanting to do a deep dive into this for a long while, so maybe I'll do at some point a post about women's dress too.

Unfortunately no one has good idea of the Finnish Iron Age men's dress (and if you find any book or other source that claims otherwise, do not trust it), since there's much fewer archaeological finds of men's dress than women's dress. The most accepted theory on why the textiles of women's dress survived surprisingly well is because of the bronze ornamentation commonly sewn into especially the fine women's dresses of the era. The bronze protected them from decomposing fully. Presumably men's dresses were not decorated similarly then. There are some finds though and we can piece together at least some kind of vague picture.

I will be discussing the period from Viking Age to Crusade Age in Finland. Viking Age is often defined to cover 800s to mid-1000s and the Finnish Crusade Age started right after the Viking Age and ended in the end of 1200s, where the Finnish Medieval era begins. Crusade Age refers to the period where mostly Swedish (also German) crusaders in the span of couple of centuries conquered lands of the Baltic-Finnic pagans. The crusades of this period targeted pagans all over eastern Baltic Sea, including Baltic-Finnic Karelians, Livonians and Estonians, and Baltic peoples, and the Scandinavia too, where Sámi people were targeted. After that the Finland and Sápmi were colonized by Norse people and stayed that way untill Finland was transferred under Russian rule, but to this day Sápmi still stays that way. The current Finland was very multicultural area, mostly populated by Finno-Ugric peoples, including Sámi people, Karelians and various Finnish peoples.

It's important to understand that even just Finnish peoples where not homogeneous, but had distinct, yet of course strongly related cultures. These were Finns (suomalaiset) (yes most people we now call Finns were not in fact called that) in the coast of southwestern and western Finland, Tavastians (hämäläiset) in central-western lake-Finland and Savonians (savolaiset) in central-eastern lake-Finland. This means we can't mix findings from all over Finland to reconstruct a dress without evidencing that all the elements were actually used in one place. These three tribes had broadly similar base for their clothes, but distinctive jewelry and detailing. The big divide was and has always been between eastern and western Finnish peoples. This is because western Finnish people were in close contact through the sea with Norse people and southern Baltic-Finnic peoples, while eastern Finnish people, Savonians mostly, were influenced a lot by their proximity with Karelians. Another dividing factor was the very different environmental conditions between western and eastern Finland. The Finnish coast especially in west is very flat and fertile land, while the lake area, especially in eastern Finland is very rocky, hilly and quite infertile. The main way it effected clothing differences was that western Finland being more wealthy had more elaborate clothing. Tavastians in both occasions fall quite in between, but they tended to be more in the western cultural camp.

My most important sources are a study by a doctor of cultural anthropology, Jenny Kangasvuo, Savon historia I (Savonian history) digitized and open sourced here and the digitized archeological collection of Finnish Heratage Agency. They are all in Finnish so not very useful for most people unfortunately.

Finnish Men's Dress in Viking and Crusader Ages

The basic garments men wore were broadly similar as women. They wore a shift/shirt, knee or above-knee length dress, cloak, belt, shoes and some kind of headwear. Wool was used most commonly, though the shirt would sometimes be linen too. Even evidence of silk has been found in some western Finland graves. I would assume that would be from a dress of some great man, who traveled to gain riches, possibly with vikings. Embroidery and decoration with metals was a typical feature of the whole Eastern Baltic Sea area. In Finland during this period bronze was the most common decorative metal, but silver was used too. Decorative elements were usually woven with small bronze spirals into all kinds of patterns. Here's examples from the reconstructed Ravattula's dress (Finns) used by women.

Shirt

The shirt (in Finnish shift of both women and men was called shirt) was basically a long shirt or under dress. We can assume it was similar to those of women's except shorter since the dress men wore was shorter too. They were made from wool or linen, I would assume wool was used in winter and linen in summer, when linen was even available. The neckline had a cut and closed with a bronze brooch. Horseshoe brooch was common. The first one is a quite typical bronze horseshoe brooch with a bit of ornamentation from Salo (Finns). The second one is from Tuukkala, (Savonians), it has exceptional ornate detailing and is uncommonly silver, not bronze. The third picture has two quite uniquely ornamented horseshoe brooches, first from Köyliö (Finns), second from Kurikka (Finns).

Legwear and footwear

Very little of men's legwear has survived and it's unclear weather men wore pants or separate pant legs, leg wraps or perhaps long socks. Evidence of strings decorated with bronze spirals and tablet woven band has been found in leg area of men's graves. This could mean that they wore either leg wraps, long sock or some sort of pant legs that needed to be secured with string or band under knee. Women used strings and tablet woven tape to secure leg wraps and socks, which I think supports that theory. Sometimes both bronze decorated string and tablet woven band was found in the leg area, which would still be explained by this theory, since it was common to decorate the ends of the bands with bronze decorated strings. Here's an example of sock bands just like that from the earlier mentioned reconstruction of the Ravattula's women's dress. Since men's dress was shorter, I think it would make sense if they still wore some kind of pants or separate pant legs with socks or leg wraps like that.

However, the strings and bands could have also been part of the shoes. Everyone probably wore similar shoes - laced leather shoes with a bit of pointed end. They might have been short or ankle length and the lacing was done with either leather cord or tablet woven band, which would also explain the findings. Socks or feet wraps would have been used in them, and straw or wool could be added as filling for warmth. Here's a pair of traditional Izhorian shoes from Estonia from early 1900s, and a pair of traditional Sámi shoes. The designs were likely roughly similar in Viking and Crusader Ages, though obviously more simple, and it's probable that Finnish shoes very something like that too. Here's a 1893 drawing of what findings of shoe material from Korpiselkä (Savonian or Karelian) might have looked like. Considering the quality of archaeology of that time, copious amounts of salt should be applied. And finally as a fourth picture there's reconstruction shoes from Ravattula's dress.

These are not necessarily mutually exclusive theories. The lacing of the shoe could have been laced up the leg and used also to secure either sock or leg wrapping, or they could have been separately secured in ankle and knee respectively.

In some graves twill fabric has been found in the leg area. It could be part of pants or for example leg wrapping, which was often made of twill. One theory about pants is that they were similar as some findings in Sweden, where fairly tight pants made of twill were secured at the hem with buttons similar to cuff studs. These kinds of cuff stud buttons are quite a common find in Finland and some have been found in men's graves close to legs.

Dress

Again there's not much findings of dresses, but a little more perhaps. It was usually from wool. The shape was either a tunic or an open coat. In Karelia there's findings of men's dress suggesting tunics thicker than women's dresses and made from sarka, a type of broadcloth. On the other hand, in Masku (Finns) they found buttons in a row on top of the torso, which suggest a coat closed with buttons. The first picture is a drawing of the grave find. Similary coak closing amounts of buttons have also been found in other places in western Finland. This suggests that Finns and probably Tavastians too wore long coats buttoned to the waist and Savonians wore tunic of Karelian influence. Below there's couple of version of what might this western Finnish men's coat dress could've looked like. The first is an imagined version of the coat based on the Masku grave finds, second is just as imagined version based on Eura (also Finns) grave finds.

Take these "reconstructions" with a strong dose of salt. These are more artistic reconstructions than scientific, since there's not enough material and too much guesswork needs to be done. And because we can see in the Masku grave drawing right here that the other deceased has a large buckle to (probably) close the shirt (to be fair, it could for a cloak too), like was typical, I find it implausible that the coat neckline would be small and round covering the buckle. If you make a decorated big buckle, I assume you want to show it. I would find a v-neckline more probable. It's also easier to make without wasting expensive fabric.

The buttons are interesting. There were what you would imagine - your typical buttons made of bronze like seen in the first artifact from Hattula (Tavastians). But then there was silver jingle bells used as buttons, found for example in both Masku and Eura graves, Eura findings pictured below.

It's possible, even probable I'd say, that the hemlines of men's dresses were finished with tablet weaving patterns, like women's dresses. Also I would assume the pattern of the men's dress (and shirt) was mostly similar to the women's underdress/shirt patterns. So here's couple of different reconstruction patterns for women's dress. Different historians have made different interpretations of the patterns, so it's very much undecided what it really was like.

Belt

This is likely the most ornamental part of men's dress. They could be made out of leather or tablet woven band. And there's another east-west cultural divide here. Karelian belts were made out of leather, were usually 1,5-2,5 cm wide, decorated with iron or bronze studs and had a buckle made out of iron or bronze. These types of belts have been found in Savonia too, for example in Tuukkala grave find, which you can find very cool pictures of in this photo documentation of the dig in pages 173-175. In western Finland a "hela" belt was the common style. I don't think there's a world for hela in English. It's a sort of decorative lamella, small metallic plate (not necessarily square but often so) attached to fabric or leather with studs or sewing. Hela belt came from the Permians of Kama river, who were one of the many Finno-Ugric peoples who used to populate much of European side of Russia. Karelians lived closer to Permians, so you might think Permians would influence eastern Finland more, but my theory is that the costal Finns, who frequently joined viking crews and at least were in close contact with merchants including vikings, who would travel along the eastern route through the eastern European rivers, where they could go all the way to Kama river or at least meet traveling Permians. Here's yet another Finnish source more on the Finno-Ugric people around Kama river.

Anyway, hela belt was made of leather and filled with small decorated lamellas, often in square shape, but various other shapes too, like animal ornamentation. In this period hela belt helas were bronze. First image is a nice full set of hela belt metal pieces found in Pirkanmaa (Finns). Second is an older example, right before Viking Era, from Vaasa, costal settlement, (Finns), depicting a very Permian style. The third one is a lion hela found separately in Pälkäne (Tavastians). They are also found in Tuukkala, showing that both eastern and western cultural influences were present there at the same time.

Another western Finnish belt type for men had intricate tassels decorated with bronze spirals hanging on the waist at the end of the belt. They could be made out of leather or tablet woven band. First image depicts a reconstruction of such tassel. Belts in east and west would have strap dividers to hang straps for things like purse, knife and sword. The first picture above has couple of those, but the second picture below has two more of them in more detail in the middle of the picture. These finds are from Lieto (Finns).

Cloak

Like women's cloak, men's cloak was woolen and either a square or trapezoid. Cloak is yet another east-west divide. In western Finland men's cloaks have embroidery with bronze spirals. They in fact appeared earlier in men's cloaks (in 900s) than in women's cloaks (1100s). They were also a little different in men's cloaks. The spirals and the patterns themselves were bigger and the fastening thread itself was also used for the pattern creation, unlike in women's dresses, where the thread was mostly covered. In eastern Finland there has been no finds of bronze decorations in men's cloaks, mostly only cloak brooches have been left of them. Unsurprisinly same applies to Karelia. This also means there's very little fabric left too. There's one exception. In Tuukkala (Savonians) they found a piece of fabric probably from men's cloak, though it could be from a men's dress too. It was striped, with possibly white or brown base and wide stripes of red, blue and yellow. So perhaps eastern Finnish cloak was not non-decorated, but the decoration was in the fabric pattern. Unfortunately it's hard to know how common fabric like that was, when so little of it is left.

Accessories

It's safe to assume men too wore some type of headwear, but none of those has survived. It probably means it was entirely made out of fabric whatever it was. Some type of hat or cap was certainly used in cold weather at the very least. Tablet woven headband was also possible option for not too cold weather.

In Tuukkala there was couple of interesting jewelry finds too. Two graves had a necklace type mostly found in Karelia. It was birchbark tape covered with nettle fabric and had square helas sewn into it. There were also more typical Finnish necklaces made of beads and bronze spirals.

Razors have also been found with men in their burials, so we can assume shaven faces or at least trimmed beards and moustaces were fashionable.

[mrpenguinpants]

Ok like I know this is your third compliment but I'm so glad you're writing for this fandom. All your ideas are so creative and developed that none of it felt so OOC. If you can, what about angst HCs from Kaeya and Diluc. Since theyre so head to head against each other, imagine if they were in love with someone but was with their brother. Now they have to watch Kaeya/Diluc with their s/o while suffering from the sidelines ;w;

Ahh you’re all so lovely 💕 Don’t be shy to just say anything I promise I’m not scary. Your compliments makes me feel more confident ;u; I just finished diluc’s and kaeya’s hc of being jealous so I’m lowkey branching of my last hc point for both of those posts. Took a bit of a different style this time and I might have went a little too deep aha. 

Spoiler’s for Diluc’s and Kaeya’s character stories and past (but you should really read Kaeya’s story) 

---

Diluc and Kaeya: Falling for their brother’s s/o 

You had told him when it was late at night in the tavern. For the better half of a couple months, you’ve been dropping by around late afternoon asking if you could keep him company and help out since he’s been so busy during the day, and Diluc would never say no to that. It was a passing comment you made as you said goodbye to him as you opened the door to head out.  

You wanted to keep your relationship a secret from the public? Felt it was wrong to not tell him since you were dating his brother? Had you not noticed that he was in love with you for months? 

He smiles and bares it, nodding goodbye as you leave, just until that door closes and he’s left alone. He slowly unclenches his fists from under the counter as the weight in his chest gets heavier. He hasn’t felt like this in a long time. The last time was when his father passed away. 

A part of him feels ashamed that he let himself get so close to you even though at the time, he had no idea you were actually in love with his brother. He hadn’t even seen you talk to Kaeya once since knowing you but to be fair, he doesn’t involve himself in Kaeya’s affairs unless it’s to protect Mondstadt. 

But as he reflects in the empty tavern, he doesn’t regret meeting you and becoming close friends. It’s not your fault, you were in love with someone else. He should be happy for you and Kaeya. 

He wants to protect the things that he treasures most. When his father passed away he lost the faith in both the gods and the knights of Favonius. He doesn’t want to push you away and lose what he still has because of his actions or behaviour. 

In the beginning, he becomes bitter to Kaeya. Before he might have humored Kaeya’s antics and random drop ins but now all he feels is rejection and this weight he can’t get rid of that start’s clawing at him whenever he sees his brother. The first time Kaeya made eye contact with him after you had told him about your relationship, he simply had a wry smile stating that he hadn’t seen Diluc’s eyes like that since he defected from being a knight. 

He doesn’t hate Kaeya or think Kaeya stole you away from him. Kaeya protects Mondstadt in the day while he does in the night. That’s how they’ve always been. When he sees you out with Kaeya in the morning he stares longingly before quickly disappearing out of sight. 

When his father passed away, Diluc's took a journey that lasted for three years. He had a lot of time to reflect on his past and the anger he had carried until he acknowledged his shortcomings. Those years away let him leave his childish immaturity and when he returned to Mondstadt, he was ready to take on his father’s will one more time. He’s been through this process once before and he’ll push himself to do it again. 

That doesn’t mean that his feelings for you will immediately leave him but he’ll learn to move on and treasure you as a friend, that you’re still in his life. There might be some days when he’s alone that he might think of the what if’s but he’ll take a deep breath, know that you’re happy, and the weight will settle down and become lighter. 

You were friends with Kaeya before you officially met Diluc. You and Kaeya had bonded over drinks and soon became drinking buddies. At first you had been a bit wary of him since he was the Cavalry Captain and thought you had done something wrong, but he really was just interested in talking since he heard you also disliked grape juice. 

Naturally, that meant that he would drop by the tavern with you and one day, Diluc happened to be there and he thought he might officially introduce you two. Maybe poke some fun at Diluc and his distant personality.  

Overtime Kaeya finds that he looks forward to your outings. Hunters and bandits are often his drinking buddies but he’s there to smooth talk them until they end up telling him everything he wants to know. But you’re not a bandit or some spy, he can let his guard down around you and just have a normal conversation without ulterior motives. It feels...nice and he let’s himself slowly relax until he ends up tripping along the way and finds himself falling. 

That is until he makes an unprompted visit to see Diluc only to find that you’re there too. He takes one look at the scene and turns around. He remembers when they were younger and how people would say they were almost like twins, knowing each other’s thoughts and intentions without having to say a word to each other. 

He think’s its some cruel joke you’re playing or maybe the Gods are cursing him over his methods. As he walks down the streets of Mondstadt, he wants to rationalize that the only reason you were so kind to him was to get closer to Diluc. Or maybe you actually were a spy? He’ll laugh to himself for thinking of such a thing as he replays the same scene in his head over and over. 

Everyone's got a secret, but not everyone knows what to do with it, he had told you this with his usual arrogant smirk one night. You were confused at his implication before he shift’s his gaze to where Diluc is. Diluc quickly turns away when you turn your head in his direction. He watches amused as you sputter about how you do not need his help with setting you up with his brother. 

On the contrary, he actually enjoys putting people into the difficult position of making tough decisions. He won’t lie and say that he hasn’t given you false information just to see you come back embarrassed. In a way, these moments are a way for him to slowly let go of his feelings by helping you get yours across. 

Diluc is direct so he’s not surprised when his brother cut’s right to the point early in the morning and asking what he’s trying to do. As Diluc’s hard stare attempts to drill into him for answer’s he thinks back on that same scene. Diluc had looked calm and in a state of content. Peaceful happiness. It’s the same feeling he has when he’s with you. 

He thinks back to another scene. It was the first and only time Kaeya failed in his duty. By the time Kaeya finally reached Diluc, it was all already over. Their father was dead and killed by his own son. 

Kaeya’s own biological father had abandoned him and it was Diluc’s father and Mondstadt that had welcomed him with open arms when he had nowhere else to go. 

Kaeya just smiles at Diluc and remarks in his typical cryptic manner that there will be a time where he won’t know where to stand. He doesn’t know when that time will come but he’ll think of you and where he would want you to be. So until that day comes, he’ll do everything he can to guarantee your safety. He can tell Diluc wants to say something but he holds back. 

To be the first yet placed second, he thinks when you come running up to him to thank him for all his help. He can see Diluc off to the side silently watching and ready to step in and he thinks of the possibilities of what he could do in that moment. Maybe he could confess that he’s been secretly in love with you before you even met Diluc? 

Instead he holds back and repays the favour from earlier in the day. He congratulates you and invites you out to drink in celebration of your new relationship. 

[meenah-chan]

Safe haven

a Diavolo x GN! MC fanfic

2.36k words

Genre: Angst

Trigger warning: Insane deadly stunt but not suicide, please don't read if you have this triggers. And please don't try this at home... or anywhere

Part 2 (Safe Haven ~Another Story~) | Part 3 (Safe Haven ~Epilogue~)

Masterlist

It is their sanctuary. A place that has everything they could wish for...

if only, fate isn't fickle...

"If I jump, will you save me again?"

"What a wretched soul I have..."

It’s been an hour since they were staring far in the horizon. Dusk is on its way, with the lake gulping the sun whole to bring forth darkness in the grassy land they’re on. That place is secluded, surrounded with trees serving as its walls. As if it were cradling them away from everything.

It's not their first-time watching day turn to night on where they are. They’ve known that spot enough to vividly paint the place on a whim.

It was neither a simple place as it seems. That place is a part of the human realm, untouched by anyone but two persons— them and Diavolo. A place which witnessed how the said Prince dropped on his knees and confessed he likes them. The place they admit they felt the same.

The place where they held hands in their secret rendezvous; times where the Future king would go to whenever he ran away from his endless responsibilities for a day and spend it with them, with words of affections and adorations for each other. It is their safe haven.

The Forget-me-not flowers they planted are blooming around them. As the two sat beneath the shade of the tree, appreciating the presence of the flowers and each other.

Diavolo has a habit of caressing their cheeks, brushing strands of their locks past their ears, as he embraces them as if they were the most precious treasure, he has ever held. Those smiles he would beam; brighter than the sol they always see. "You're the most beautiful being I have ever seen." And they would smile back, with their feelings overflowing so much they would always pour it back to him with a kiss.

But being always in that place doesn't mean they never left it. There are times they would give him a heart attack by literally jumping off the edge of the cliff. The demon prince then would follow them in a snap, before transforming right before their eyes and seizing them.

They knew it was a foolish thing to do. No sane person would ever carry out such dumb, dangerous stunt. They do have a magic or two under their sleeves should Diavolo fail the task. Spells they would feverishly study and tirelessly practice for the sake of the success of the Exchange Student program; for the sake of making Diavolo proud of them. So, they studied hard, yet fools only around their beloved.

So, they kept on flying off to the danger at every given chance. For the feeling during the times they would fall, they had the best view they could ever see in their lifetime. How the demon they ever loved could be so... breathtaking. Turning into his demon form—metamorphosing like a dazzling butterfly, his red locks fluttering in the wind, with such golden ornaments, such golden eyes reflecting the radiance of the sun. And most of all, such playful, thrilled smiles they would willingly lay their life just to see. He seems like the mesmerizing golden red dusk. He may be a demon, but Diavolo is much more divine than the angels in their eyes.

And to think that such an ambrosial prince would hold them in his firm arms, and bury them in his well-toned chest before gliding up in the air. They really love the feeling. Akin to the flowers they cultivate symbolizes, he is their true love.

"Should we land back on the top of the land?"

"Just a little bit longer." Humming, they would place a peck onto the tip of his horn or temple whenever they would request something so badly, which then would receive a chuckle from the Demon. "Hahaha, what a pampered human... Alright, just a little bit longer." And who knows how long they stay in the air. Then they would share small talks back on the cliff, and soon be bombarded with tons of messages and missed calls from the butler and the right-hand man. They would head back home after that, before the said aides decide to search for them and find their secret haven.

It was all they could ever wish for. An everlasting love to carry inside their mortal heart.

They have everything they could ask for, until that day comes. A moonless, rainy night during the celebration of Diavolo's birth.

"I'm glad to finally meet you, the Future King of Devildom." …the day she came. Rosa, a rather respected princess, and the daughter of Queen Rose.

"...N-No, the pleasure is mine." Whether he was flustered by her sudden appearance or not, something was rather amiss. His gaze towards her was different than anything they've ever seen him make. So different yet... familiar. Like the way his eyes sparked of reverie the day they first met, except it was more profound.

Diavolo sighed, "I'm telling you, you don't have to worry. You know you're the one I love." It was nothing, he said. It was only in their imagination, he said. Even so, the connection between the two they perceived every time the two met on business, felt so real.

They were so anxious, so angry they wanted to explode. They want to blame it all on that demon princess who appeared out of nowhere, and brought everything to a big mess! They wanted to lash at her, right from the deepest pit of their stomach!

...Yet, they didn't.

They simply can't. Not when she was like an angel who descended in the land of darkness.

So pure yet so wise, so diligent and well-versed. She is strong-willed and rather capable in every aspect. She doesn't deserve to be blamed for something she didn't mean to do. It was merely a work of two hearts naturally falling for each other. It was inevitable.

Instead of brooding without doing anything, they will fight. They will fight for what's theirs. For what's right. For the specks of affection left inside Diavolo. For their love, they won't give up.

Or so they thought...

"Y/N, would you mind having tea with me later?" Barbatos asked for their attendance.

But unlike the usual afternoon tea they always share with the butler, "Where's Diavolo?" ... the prince is not around.

"The Young master has prior engagement and brought Lucifer in my stead. My apologies if it was not to your liking."

"Ahh, no. I didn't mean it like that. It's just that... having snacks with only you are unusual." It's not unusual. Rather, it never occurred even once. Diavolo tends to postpone the teatime for another time whenever he can't go, as Barbatos always join his absence.

"Actually, I asked you today about an important matter to discuss."

"...Is it related to Diavolo and me, isn't it?" They shouldn't have asked him. They hated themself for asking Diavolo's attendant.

"Yes. To be precise, it is about your relationship and the lady you met during Young master's birthday. I believe you have the right to know this." They held their breath. "I hate to break it to you but the lady you met back then, is the Young Master's... fiancée and his soulmate." The words that came off Barbatos' lips felt like cold water dumped on them.

They just want to end the conversation right there and leave the garden as fast as they can, but they forcefully pull themself together and learn the whole truth, as painful as it is for them. "...Fiancee, you said? And what do you mean by soulmate?"

"For every heir of the throne, there is a prophecy foretelling the righteous betrothed one fated for them. This Oracle has never once failed in predicting who..." Barbatos paused, evaluating whether they could take any more. "...would help the Ruler in bringing prosperity in the Devildom."

After a minute of silence, they spoke. "Does Diavolo know all about this? About her?"

"Yes... but I swear in my name, he has always wanted to be free of the prophecy and achieve prosperity through his own power."

"Where is he headed to at the moment?"

"..." Barbatos' silence tells them everything. He is with her. That's all that they needed to know.

"I... see... Thank you for telling me this."

"I— no, I don't deserve such words from you." They shook their head, "You still disclosed this even when Diavolo wanted to keep it a secret from me. I'm sorry I brought trouble to you."

"It was my own choice. I'm just doing what I think is right."

"Thank you, really..."

They left the castle, thinking a lot of things but also finally enlightened.

They never had Diavolo's heart from the start.

He is the future of the Devildom, the future of all the demons who could easily outlive them. And for that he needs an Empress who can fully support him and bear another long-lived heir. His soulmate, his forever, his other half. Everything that they could never be.

Their life is short. His' is not. He could never fathom the extent of his life like they could. That is also the reason why they could love him until the day they cease to exist, a mere blink to him.

As obvious as the glaring sun that blinds them atop that cliff, his love... is gone.

They could see it in his eyes. Every day he spends with them, his mind is somewhere else.

Even in their favorite place, his embraces were still as cold as the mountain's peak. His smile is too forced, like a one man playing before their eyes. His kisses were prickling and painful. And his gaze... He is suffering.

Like they were.

"Forgive me." It was for the Devildom, he said. His head hangs low, wearing that distressed expression.

"Hey, lift your head? The future king shouldn't bow to anyone." They smiled, cupping his cheeks to raise his face.

"Look, I understand." It was a surprise they didn't shed a drop of tear, as they pat his head gently. "Follow your heart. You'll become a great king."

He made a wise decision, to choose his bond that suddenly came that day. Someone who really owns Diavolo's heart per destiny's decree. The heart they thought he offered back then, with the trees, and the cool breeze, and the swaying leaves, and the sunset as their witnesses. The heart they thought were already theirs. The heart that slipped from their fingers as he let go of their hand when Diavolo locked eyes with his fated one.

Diavolo's love is fleeting. Or maybe it was never love from the start, but a mere curiosity on his end. A misconception, but it doesn't matter anymore. They already knew the answer.

He already achieved his true love, holding his Empress in white. He wears that smile, much, much brighter than anything they have ever seen.

The bells sing with the crowd in jubilation. It is a merry occasion, with the official new rulers of the Devildom. All were so elated.

Except for one. "What a wretched soul I have..." they uttered under their breath. They couldn't take the sight. With the man they so love to be happy in someone's arms. Rage was boiling inside them. Staying there for a second longer and they would definitely ravage everything. So, they fled the scene, escaping to their secret place surrounded by the lake and the sea of trees.

They wanted to let it all out. Pain, sorrow, rage, envy. They were overflowing with emotion more than they could take. It should be them, placing a ring on his finger! the one smiling and crying of happiness as he makes a vow! The one who should be kissing him in front of thousands of witnesses!

"WHY?! What did I do to deserve this?!" The swaying blue and white Forget-me-nots they took with utmost care came to view. "What useless plants!!" They cried out, yanking and tearing everything off the soil. "True love?! It was only me from the very start!!"

All they could do was cry. Scream until their throat goes dry, until their voice disappears.

When all energy left their body, they slumped in the grassy land they’re on. In that secluded place, surrounded with trees serving as its walls. As if it were cradling them away from everything. Hiding their wretched self from everyone.

Dazed, they stared at the sky for an hour. As its hue turns from light blue to red, their mind gets clearer. That's when they heard a familiar sound. They followed it on the tip of the cliff.

It was the roaring waves beneath the land mass. It seems like it's continuing the cries they couldn't do anymore. Roaring like it was spilling the emotions inside them.

"If I jump, will you save me again?" They spoke to the man who is no longer in that secret place. It will never be a safe haven for them anymore.

"I want to be saved by you one more time." I want to be embraced by you one last time.

They faced their back to the rim of the cliff, and took a step backward. A foot standing on a void. And so, their body tipped, losing the other foot from the ground. As their balance disappears, they see nothing but the golden rays of the sunset and the redness of the dusk. So red like Diavolo's locks, golden like his eyes. There's nothing but only traces of him; of the man who doesn't really love them as he promised.

This is foolish... They thought. They're all alone. No Diavolo will fly down and save them anymore.

"I should go home..." Dying here would only hurt him... They whispered as the firm breeze swirls beneath, ready to catch them. After all, no one will save me but I... thinking of that, another pang spiked their heart.

But the wind spell they casted couldn't catch them. When they should have been falling, a hand appeared and pulled them in an embrace.

"Please don't do this..." it was not the warmth they were expecting. Yet, streams began flowing down their cheeks, in comfort of another’s arms. With their hoarse voice they sob the sorrow of losing their safe haven.

Part 2 (Safe Haven ~Another Story~) | Part 3 (Safe Haven ~Epilogue~)

Masterlist

[arminbitchlover]

reincarnated lovers (1)

armin arlert x f!reader

summary: in their past life, reader and armin's love journey is cut short with the tragic death of reader from a deadly plague. now, they are once again reunited, but somehow everything feels wrong between them.

word count: 2.5k

content warnings: death

1349

"Armin... it hurts." You dazed off and felt nothing but sharp pains all over your body.

Your throat was dangerously dry, and your stomach grumbled from the lack of food you couldn't properly digest. You suffered from the feeling of a knife being pushed into your lungs and when you tried to pick up your head, black dots overtook your fuzzy vision. Every time you tried to move a muscle, the pain would exponentially heighten, and experienced your abdomen compress with an exorbitant amount of pressure.

"N-no please don't leave me yet. What about all our plans together? Going to the beautiful forest behind the hills for our anniversary next week, building a house to move in together, getting married, a-and start a family..." Armin's voice cracked as tears cascaded down his cheek and dripped onto your arm.

You sensed a soft warm hand grab yours which caused your heartbeat to quicken as you felt it coarse throughout your body.

This is the end.

You knew this was your last few moments on earth with your soulmate. It was over so fast. Too fast. You couldn't believe you wouldn't be able to fill the promises you made with your lover. This was your only and last chance at this life, and it was over in nineteen years, only four of them being spent with the person you thought you would grow old with

"Stay away... get sick..." You jerked your arm away from Armin unaware that you didn't feel the need to chug a gallon of water to quench your throat and that the nauseating feeling from hunger completely vanished as you kept slipping in and out of consciousness.

"Don't do this shit to me right now, I'm staying by your side no matter what." He lightly caressed your face not caring about the black lumps that engrossed your skin.

He knew he would become infected sooner or later and understood that this would be it for you even though he couldn't find it in himself to believe it.

"I-I-I'm sorry." You felt the back of your throat get knotted up but couldn't produce any tears.

You slowly moved your hand back down to your side, not feeling the aching pain that had taken over your body, as you barely brushed his fingertips.

"Baby, what are you apolo... not your fault." He looked down to your palm and intertwined his fingers with your cold limp hand. He trailed his eyes back up to your face and saw your closed eyes.

"Y/n?" His breathing became shallow and irregular as he gently shook your body in an attempt to bring you back to consciousness.

You lightly squeezed his hand with the last bit of energy you had in you; letting him know that you were still with him.

This isn't the last time... swear to you we'll find each other again... I'll... protect you. I lo..."

And that was it.

The last words you heard.

Passing away was more peaceful than you imagined. It was just like going to sleep, except you knew that you wouldn't wake up with Armin by your side.

...we'll find each other again...

His last words kept replaying in your mind before your brain completely shut off. It made you happy. He made you happy. You died happy knowing that there was a chance to meet him again, but who are you kidding, this was it. It's over now.

Right?

Present Day

"I don't know if going on a date is the best thing to do right now, Sasha. I just got out of a three-year relationship with Jean and that was really rough." You grab a bag of chips and plop yourself onto your bed.

"Comeeee onnnnnn, y/n, I think you would really get along with this guy. I mean he's smart and kind anddddddddd has a pretty face!" She walks up to you and quickly steals a chip from you.

"Hey! Well as tempting as your mystery man sounds, my professors decided to assign a shitload of work, so I have to get busy." You pull out the box of textbooks from under your bed as you mentally prepare yourself for a draining weekend.

"Ugh, you're hopeless. Well, I'm going with Niccolo for a while, so have fun with... that! But if you change your mind, I'll text you his number." She grabs a Twinkie and skips out of your dorm room.

You figure that maybe she's somewhat right, but you know it's too soon to go out with another person. You and Jean had been together since high school and only broke up because you agreed that both of you needed time to find yourselves in college. It's very apparent that you still have some type of feelings for him even if it isn't love and it certainly didn't help that he goes to the same school as you.

But it is college. Even though the love you have towards Jean is still slightly there, maybe going out with another person was what you need to get over him. Even then, you wasted all your high school years getting good grades and being an A+ student that you never got to enjoy yourself and you weren't going to mess it up again. Besides what's the worst thing that could happen?

༛༛ ༛ ༛༺༻༛ ༛ ༛༛

roomie <3

Today 5:12 PM

can you send me his number

AHH I KNEW IT

here ya go ;)

contact sent

ur a pain but thank u

you better tell me how it

goes!!

duhh

love u

love you moreee

༛༛ ༛ ༛༺༻༛ ༛ ༛༛

While gazing at the contact, you can't quite explain the feeling you have in your stomach and could only call it excitement, but why?

You're just going out with a guy you've never even met before and for all you know, he could be some creepy perv who just wants to make you feel extremely uncomfortable for his own liking. You giggle to yourself as you keep on thinking of worst-case scenarios and become very aware of how in need you are of getting out of your dorm.

You sit and stare at your phone, wondering how to text someone who may not even remember his conversation about you with Sasha. But fuck it, it was just a date.

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Maybe: Armin Arlert

Today 5:20

hey armin, i'm y/n and i don't

if you recall giving your number

to sasha but she said we would make

a great match so i would love to go

out with you later today !

Hey y/n, I do recall Sasha

talking about you and everything

so I would be honored to take you out! (:

Do you want to go out for

a coffie in about an hour?

yeah, that sounds great !

We can meet at the library.

alright, see you then (:

Read 5:31

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You feel your face warm up, excited to finally do something out of school and maybe have the possibility to meet someone who could be special. You waste no time sitting around, given that you had only an hour to look your best, and got ready.

You have ten minutes to spare after prepping yourself and decide to walk to the library a bit early. You head out of your dorm, still in disbelief that you're going out with someone who was a stranger. It's definitely more of an exhilarating feeling than a nervous one; this would be the second person you've ever gone out with, Jean being your first and only partner and you have to admit that you feel good. You could feel yourself growing as a person even if this was just a silly first date that could potentially mean nothing.

You make your way to the front of the library and right when you were about to open the door you hear your name being softly called out. You turn around and see a blonde boy with a blue-collar shirt and khakis.

Damn, you have no idea who this boy is and you don't care, but why is someone this gorgeous calling out to you? His doll-like skin complexion looks so soft and smooth while his shirt matches his blue eyes perfectly, and his khakis just adding on to his soft persona.

"Are you y/n?" He snaps you out of your thoughts and back to reality.

"Oh, um yes, and you're Armin? How did you know it was me?" You can't keep your eyes off of him. This is the mystery man that Sasha fixed you up with and, fuck, he's more beautiful than you could've pictured.

"Sasha showed me pictures of the two of you and I must say you're more stunning in person." His cheeks turn into a bright pink as he looks down, feeling as if he's embarrassing himself.

"Thank you and you're a lot more attractive than I ever imagined." You give him a friendly smile when he looks back up as he hears your compliment.

"The uh coffee shop is not far off-campus so we can walk if you like." He rubs the back of his neck, unsure how to begin your date.

"Yeah, that sounds great." You both walk together in awkward silence, not knowing how to start a chat with each other.

"So, Armin, what are you majoring in?" You turn your head towards him, but Armin seems to not want to make any eye contact with his hands in his pockets.

"Oceanography."

"That's cool, have you always loved the ocean or are you just experimenting with different fields?" You try to carry on with the conversation, hoping he would open up to your about his studies at the least.

"I've always loved the ocean."

"Are the classes you're taking pretty difficult?" You feel your face heat up as he continues to be difficult about continuing your attempted dialogue.

"No."

You start losing your patience with this boy. It frustrates you that no matter what you did he can't try to at least engage in the conversation. You knew from the beginning that this could've been a disaster, but it hadn't even started, and it's already exasperating.

You start to genuinely think of ideas to bail yourself out before it could get any worse, but no, you're going to finish this date whether it's awful or not and move on with your life. You told yourself you were evolving as a person and to bail would only be taking you a step back from the new you.

"How do you know Sasha," you ask him, making it your last-ditch effort to start a conversation as you arrive at the coffee shop.

"We met through a mutual friend at a party." He opens the door for you and both of you enter the cafe.

You and Armin are kindly greeted by the barista as you walk to to the cashier. Both of you order your drinks and sit at a table that's next to the glass wall.

"So, did you meet Sasha because you're dorm mates?" He finally ignites some type of conversation as he fidgets with his fingers.

"We actually somewhat knew each other through my ex-boyfriend and we randomly got paired to be dorm mates." You grin to yourself, thinking about how close you and Sasha got over the year.

Even if it was a bitter-sweet moment mentioning Jean, that you realize may not have been the best thing to do. You hear you and Armin's name being called, but right when you're about to get up Armin quietly spoke, "Stay here, I got it."

You watch him get up from his seat and walk back over to the cashier. He pulls out his brown leather wallet, pays for both of your drinks, and makes his way back to the table with a cup in each hand.

"Thank you for paying, you really didn't have to do that." You feel your cheeks get hot as you grab your drink, slightly grazing his fingers.

"It was no biggie." He shrugs his shoulder and slumps back to his seat.

Subsequently, the awkward silence is back, but a lot stronger than before. You can't understand why it's so difficult to get along with him if this was the date where you're supposed to get to know each other and have endless topics to discuss. You keep reassuring yourself that this would be over soon anyway and now you know that Armin just isn't the one for you and you're completely fine with that. At this point, you only see Armin as the boy you went on the most awkward date with and didn't even picture him as a friend.

"Sorry about this, I've never done anything like this before," he mumbles while tapping on the side of his cup, not wanting to look at you because he felt ashamed.

"O-oh, don't stress about it too much, it's my first date after getting out of my relationship so we're on the same boat." You both exchange warmhearted smiles, trying to break the tension but nothing seems to work.

"We can go back to campus. I have some assignments I need to finish up anyways," he suggests and you feel the weight being lifted off your shoulders. Even though Armin seems like a great person, both of you assume that your wavelengths couldn't match, and it was just best to end it.

"Yeah, that sounds good. I also need to catch up on schoolwork as well." Both of you grab your drinks and head back to school without trying to strike a conversation, knowing that it would just make the tension even more awkward.

As soon as you make it back to your dorm, you must say that you never feel happier to arrive in your shitty box.

"Well, thank you for the coffee and I hope you have a great weekend."

"Yeah, you too." You both wave bye and you walk into your dorm, feeling displeased.

While you didn't expect your date to be completely perfect and for you and Armin to fall in love, this was by far the last thing you wanted to happen.

It didn't take long for you to forget what had transpired as you change to comfortable clothes and start heavily working on your assignments. While you were finishing up on one of your worksheets, you feel your phone vibrate and see a text from Sasha.

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roomie <3

love you moreee

Today 7:47

you better still have some energy

left in you

??

i'm heading back to get dressed

cause we're going to go PARTYYYY

oh god sasha

i don't do well at parties

pleaseeeeee

i can introduce you to my friends

they're really cool

okayyy sure

so get dolled up

i'll be there soon <3

alright

Read 7:53

next chapter | series masterlist

[quickdeaths]

As some of the other women at nearby tables snickered at Sonia, Anzu fixed them with a deathly glare. Ugly, stupid, annoying hags. Some of the clientele were hostesses themselves, and those types, Anzu usually got along with. It was the other customers, the wealthy, pathetic, saggy old bitches who couldn't find attention anywhere else who really got under her skin. She'd had her verbal sparring with them from time to time, but to bring Sonia into it pissed her off. "Don't worry about them, Sonia-san. They're just haters." Anzu's words came accompanied by a small squeezing of her friend's hand. She'd have to figure out some way to get even before the night was through.

To Sonia's explanation, though, she nodded. "Well, I don't relate to it, but if that's how you feel, then I don't think there's anything wrong with it." In contrast to some of the other club patrons who were content to make their little jabs, she only had a bright smile to offer Sonia. "But if that's the way you feel about it, don't forget to keep your heart, and your eyes, open, mm?" Delightfully devilish, Anzu, she thought to herself. "You never know when the right person might show up, you know?" Or maybe she was already there, waiting.

Still, thoughts of Shinobu were pushed away as soon as Monsieur had begun speaking and while Anzu tried not to look too eager (with mixed success), she did very much want the champagne call. Both for her own sake, of course, and to spite some of those boring women by taking away their precious pretend-boyfriends. Those poor, long-suffering hosts deserved a few minutes to look at pretty girls, anyway. Monsieur seemed amenable to all of Sonia's requests and preferences too, as he nodded along to her words.

"Your university studies," he said, with a knowing glance towards Anzu. "Of course, you should both be very proud, and certainly deserve a night of relaxation and pleasant entertainment." With a small notepad, Monsieur took down a few stray thoughts with his pen. "It's very generous of you, customer-san, to allow Anzu-san some indulgence." A faint smile grew on his lips. "She's so rarely indulged, after all."

If there was veiled teasing in that statement, Anzu didn't take the bait, clearing her throat and gesturing to Sonia. "Well, Monsieur, you heard the lovely lady." That earned a laugh from the older man, who nodded. "Of course, Anzu-san. Give me a few minutes to organize things, and we'll begin." Once he'd departed, Anzu leaned back in towards Sonia, lightly holding her arm. "Ahh, this is gonna be so fun! If you're not gonna partake in the best part, though, take a look around the club for me, okay? Try to get a mental snapshot of those jealous women glaring."

Shortly after, the lights in the club dimmed, with a spotlight shining down upon the stage, where Monsieur stood with a pair of crystal glasses in his hands. "Ladies and gentlemen, if I may take a moment of your time and a fraction of your attention, we have received a remarkably special order." The spotlight followed him as he stepped down from the stage, and over in the direction of Anzu and Sonia's table. "And a special order deserves a special celebration." With a little flourish, he set Anzu's empty glass down, while slipping Sonia's in front of her with a bit less fanfare, in accordance with her wishes. His role finished, Monsieur disappeared off to the side of the club.

"Shooting Stars Champagne Call!" Stepping out from backstage, holding a microphone in his hands, was a tall host with long legs who could best be described as pretty, with tousled blond hair, light freckles across his face, and kind, dark eyes. "Thank you!" came the voice of all the other hosts. "This lovely champagne was ordered by this table's wonderful customers! So, all staff, gather around!" From their various positions throughout the club, behind the bar, backstage, and at other tables, the other hosts got up and surrounded the girls' table.

"Of course, this is a very unique, magical bottle," the pretty boy said, lightly tapping his microphone with a percussive rhythm that lent an almost poetic cadence to his words. "I'd love to open it for our guests, but it requires something special. Everyone, you'll help me, right?" The other hosts all loudly answered in the affirmative, as the blond made a show of struggling with the bottle, before shaking his head and setting it back down, returning to tapping at his mic in that smooth, rhythmic way. "Only our guest's happiness can open it. Make sure she knows how appreciated she is, everyone." His eyes locked with Sonia's for only a moment, paired with a light smile that seemed aimed at reassuring her, before he gestured to Anzu.

Another microphone was produced, and handed down the line of hosts. "So cute!" "Fashionable and stylish!" "She's basically an angel." "Such a warm-hearted, generous girl." "With a great rac-" In what seemed to be a rehearsed routine, one of the hosts seemed about to say something lewd, only to be shushed by the others and dragged away with a hand clamped over his mouth, to great laughter. For her part, Anzu sat with one hand at her chest and the other alternating between pressed against her cheek, a smile on her face, and lightly waving at the hosts, as if dismissing the compliments even as it was clear she was basking in the attention. Once they'd all finished, the hosts bowed in unison, holding out their hands towards Anzu. "Oh lovely customer, please accept our gratitude, our joy, and all our warm feelings!" Standing back up, they all clapped together. "Thank you!"

The central host opened the bottle with an audible pop and then handed it to the first host in the line. Each took a small sip, careful not to touch their lips to the bottle, until it had worked its way around to the blond host again. Turning off his microphone and stowing it, he sat down in the booth next to Anzu, being handed a warm, slightly damp towel from another of the hosts. "Hi, Anzu-san," he said in a gentle voice. "Hey, King," she responded, grinning, as he unrolled the towel. "Are you having fun?" "Very much so, thank you." With a magician-like level of misdirection, he flourished the towel, drawing all the attention to it even as he gave a smile and a soft wave towards Sonia, managing to fill her glass quickly and without much notice. After pressing the towel beneath Anzu's chin, he carefully placed the bottle against her lips.

With both her hand and his own steadying the bottle, King lifted it to allow her to drink, catching anything that dribbled down her chin with the towel. He wiped her face delicately one last time when she sat back with a satisfied ahhh, before finishing the bottle himself and handing it off. "Thank you everyone for this special moment together! One last Shooting Star to commemorate it," he said, before leaning down and pressing his lips against Anzu's forehead, to clapping and cheers from the other hosts, and one final "thank you!" from all of them. Once it was finished, though, they dispersed, the lights returning to the usual ambiance. Anzu turned to Sonia, holding both hands against her own cheeks, positively glowing. "Ahhhh," she squealed, not able to contain her excitement. "So fun!" She moved to open the second bottle and fill her still-empty glass. "Well? What'd you think?"

Maybe she shouldn't have said anything, not if it had made Anzu that surprised. Still, Sonia thought as she smiled over her drink menu, Shinobu hadn't exactly told her not to mention what had transpired, especially to Anzu. And they were best friends: if it was anything like the bond between herself and Chiaki, if one knew something, it wouldn't be long until the other knew about it anyway. For better or worse: there were tidbits of each girl's life the other could have done without knowing. "Yes, it was quite thrilling!" Sonia assured her, "I had never fed koi fish before, you see, and had wanted to try it before I graduated from Hope's Peak. Yaguchi-san helped me, how do you say, checked off my basket list!"

She'd meant 'bucket list,' earning quite a few dry chuckles, if not a ladylike snort or two, from some of the other patrons who happened to listen in. Maybe it was her heavily accented Japanese, or her blonde hair, or the fact she'd arrived with Anzu Tachibana, clearly a beloved and important customer. But Sonia did her best to ignore the scrutinizing glances their way: as a princess, she was used to it. As a person who simply wanted a fun night out with a friend, it was much more unsettling. "Yes, I think it is somewhat like that," She answered. In a competition of discomfort between the surrounding booths' jeers and having to explain how she could idolize and fantasize about fictional men but not real ones (that she didn't know well, anyway), she'd take the conversation. "With fictional characters, I feel very much equipped to know who they are and how they act, and as they are fiction my habits, personality, and feelings are not an inconvenience or hindrance to them. It is simple, then, to form a crush on someone who is not real. It is much more difficult to be attracted to someone who is real, especially if I have not yet gotten to know them. I am afraid it is a challenge to form an attraction on physical appearance alone for me."

It was the most polite way she could say that dating was not a priority and she was often surrounded by physically attractive people who vied for her attention, no cover charge or bottle service required. Simply because she was the heir to the Novoselic Throne, others either wanted something from her or wanted to know her, and prove that they did. But her position in life was a rare one, and she couldn't begrudge anyone else who craved such attention.

Even if she'd unknowingly ordered it for them both just by requesting drinks.

"A champagne...call?" Sonia repeated, wide-eyed as she listened to the club manager and Anzu explain what ordering champagne meant. How extraordinary, that even if the alcohol came from the same vineyard and tasted the same, it meant something entirely different in two continents. In Europe, bottles arrived behind velvet ropes and a pretty waitress or two bearing them, often with a lit sparkler stuck in the cork that someone grabbed and waved about once it was popped and poured. Glasses would clink amidst a constant, fast-paced beat that encouraged more drinking, more dancing, more leaving inhibitions behind in favor of friends and fun. Often in a European country near Novoselic where the staff were less likely to recognize underage royals and members of Novosonian nobility (or at least look the other way when a large money clip of Euros or an unlimited credit card was offered).

In Japan, it seemed to mean every young, handsome host in the club would gather to watch them enjoy their beverage. With a hot towel, though Sonia wasn't sure what that was for. Surely she could ask Anzu discreetly to explain: there was nothing wrong with ignorance, as long as someone intended to learn from it. "Mm, well, I simply thought it would be a wonderful celebratory beverage," She answered, a hopeful smile on her face as she looked from Anzu to Monsieur. "It is not often that I have such relaxation time with a precious friend. We both work very hard at our studies and our work, and we should take pride in that, do you not think so?"

True, she was concerned about so many hosts surrounding their table, but she also couldn't ignore the look in Anzu's eyes as she explained the circumstances. She'd leaned in to quietly explain, but in Sonia's opinion, her expression was filled with excitement. A small, spiteful part of Sonia had to agree: if just to quiet the naysaying customers at other tables. Ones that did not take kindly to Miss Anzu Tachibana and her foreigner friend.

"Perhaps," She suggested quietly, so only Monsieur and Anzu could hear. "If we ordered the 'Champagne Call' and all of the hosts were to devote their attention wholly to Anzu-san instead? I would enjoy sipping champagne and seeing Anzu-san in her element, really. She has spoken so highly of you all and I should like to experience this with her, but with her as the focus of the champagne service and conversation. But if that is not suitable, then...these two wines, please," She instructed, pointing to a red and a white she found appropriate. The white being from a Novosonian vineyard, but she knew it was reliably delicious and easy to sip, and she had to hope no one would put two and two together. Or at least pay much attention to modern European nobility.

[maira-writes-shit]

You look cute

Tanizaki Junichirou x Tachihara Michizou

Tattoo parlor x Flower shop AU, meeting, fluff

Junichirou was a very simple person.

He loved his sister, his friends and his job.

He was a florist for one of the best flower shops in town.

Junichirou was currently working on a arrangement for one of their frequent customers. It was a old man that came by every week or so to get a small arrangement for his wife. They had been together for over 50 years now.

The redhead smiled down at the arrangement he just finished.

Their relationship is so sweet...I wish I could have that...

“Tanizaki! You’re back here, right?“

The man in question turned around to see his best friend Atsushi waving at him from the front of the shop.

The redhead nodded and walked out of the back room to the front the shop.

It wasn’t the biggest size wise and it was stacked with plants but it felt as much as home as the little apartment he and Naomi lived in.

„Aku is taking me out on a date. Could you cover my shift for today? Only if you're finished of course!“

„Sure thing, Atsushi! Don’t worry you’ll be fine!“

“Thanks you’re the best!“ the white haired boy then vanished into the back with a big smile on his face.

The older of the two looked at the closing door with a soft smile.

He had sadly been on the receiving end of most of his coworkers rants about this guy he constantly butted heads with but still somehow thought was kind of cute. It actually hadn't been that long ago when Atsushi had finally mastered the courage to ask Akutagawa out.

Junichirou was happy for him (also maybe because he wouldn't get random 3am calls of Atsushi screaming about said boy anymore...hopefully).

Since it was the late afternoon the shift didn't have many customers.

There was the old man coming to get his arrangement, a young man buying the classic (roses), a bride that came to check up on a few things and a mother and her little daughter who bought a couple of single flowers.

Junichirou helped them all and then sat back just scrolling on his phone.

He was just looking at the clock and realizing he should slowly start to close the shop, when the little bell above the stores door jingled.

The florist looked up to see a man standing slightly awkward in the door.

...a very handsome man.

He was around Junichirou's hight, with red hair some shades darker than Junichirou. The man wore a cropped green jaket and a white V-neck shirt as well as...a band aid on his nose?

Wierd fashion choice...b ut it doese look good on him.

He'd look good in everything.

Jun we don't even know his name!

I'm just saying!

Junichirou shook his head to get rid of his thoughts as he put on a smile again.

"May I help you?"

The man jumped a little but then went up to the desk at which the other redhead was sitting.

"Uh yeah. I think you can." Junicirou chuckled. "And how?"

The man rolled his eyes but his cheeks were tinted a light pink.

"I just need an arrangement for the front window of the place I work at." "Oh so you can say stuff that makes sense!"

Junichirou was usually not like this, especially to customers. He didn't know what it was about this guy that made it so easy for him to tease and joke but if he was honest...he liked it.

The redhead in front of him snorted and raised an eyebrow.

"So now that we've established that-" Junichirou stood up and grabbed his notebook and pen. "-what's the style you're going for?"

"Well it's a tattoo shop-" "The one down the street?" "-Uh yeah. Do you know it?"

The florist tapped his pen on the notebook.

"Yeah my coworkers boyfriend works there..." ,he mumbled as he walked over to some of the flowers in he coner that might be of intrest for the man.

"Oh-um well then if you've been there before you should know what type of aesthetic, I guess, we are going for, right?"

Junichirou hummed.

"'kay so I have some ideas. The thing is just you came very shortly before closing and frankly I have a sister at home that will beat the shit out of me if I'm not back on time so-"

The redhead went into the back to get his bag.

"_don't worry I'll have the arrangement finished tomorrow at noon. I'll just need you to write down your name and if you want it to be brought to the shop of course where the shop is. Please make it fast I can't be late."

The taller man in front of him looked slightly speachless but then seemed to regain his mind because he started writing the information down on the pice of paper JUnichirou had given him.

Tachihara Michizou, huh?

I'll remeber that...

Tachihara seemed to linger for a few seconds too long until he then turned around and walked to the shops door.

"Oh yeah by the way."

JUnichirou looked back up.

"You look cute." ,he winked. "Well see ya sometime, Red!"

JUnichirou just looked at the door closing with his mouth open.

"Wha-what the fuck just happned?!"

Honestly Junichirou was just confused.

He walked the short way to his and Naomi’s apartment without paying attention to anyrhing, nearly getting hit by a car.

He was so distracted that even completely ignored his sister who jumped to hug him the second he opened the door, which wasn’t good.

“Hey! Are you ignoring me?!“

“H-huh? Oh! Sorry Naomi!“

“Something must have happned at work today.“ the redhead could feel his cheeks heating up. „So I’m right!“

“Yeah ok ok you’re right.“ Junichirou walked around his sister into the kitchen, where he opened the cupboard to get out two bowls.

“So tell me!“

„You‘re a noisy one, aren’t you?“ „Hey! Don’t be mean to your adorable little sister!“

The siblings sat down as the water started to boil.

There was a comfortable silence between them even if Junichirou could practically feel Naomi‘s questions floating in the air.

“Ok it has to do with a customer.“ Naomi gave the happy little squeak she always gave when he told her, as she called it, „The tea“ from work.

“So I was just about to close where this guy came in.“ his sister seemed to visibly get even more intrigued.

„He was like really handsome. He was tall, had red hair, intense eyes and I’m pretty sure he wore eyeliner. He had an interesting fashion style and had a bunch of tattoos, because he works at the tattoo parlor Atsushi‘s boyfriend also works at.“

Naomi hummed with a smirk on her lips, as she held her head in her hands.

“Well he walked in last minute and asked for an arrangement for the front of their parlor. And of course I was like: „sure I’ll do it. It’ll be done by tomorrow just give me the name of the place and I’ll deliver it“, right?“ Naomi nodded.

“And everything is fine everything is normal.“ his sister raised an eyebrow. „Ok normal with a little bit more blushing.“

“Anyway! He walks out but just before he leaves he turns around to me and says, and I quote: „You look cute.“ and then he winked at me and left!“

The black haired girl in front of him gasped. „He winked?! No he didn’t!“ „Yes he did!“ „Oh god!“

The water was finally done boiling so Junichirou stood up to get it and finish their dinner.

“Well he seems to like you. Wait- did you get his name?“ „Uh- yeah I did. I need it for the delivery and everything, remember?“ „Yeah yeah. So what is it?“ „Tachihara…Michizou Tachihara.“

Even if Junichirou didn’t like the expression on his sisters face he just ignored it and sat down in front of her with the food.

„Good Morning Jun!“

„AHH Oh god Naomi don’t scare me like that!“

“Yeah yeah whatever. Come on I need to show you something!“

„Wait don’t I need to go to-wait it’s 6am. What the fuck Are you doing awake?“ „Pssst!“

Naomi basically ran through their small apartment dragging a very tried Junichirou behind her.

On the small couch the siblings own sat a girl with red glasses, long brown hair and tried looking green eyes.

Haruno, his sisters girlfriend.

„Good morning Haruno.“ „Good Morning Junichirou“, she said giving him a small smile. They suffered together by the hands of the one, Naomi Tanizaki.

“We found something out. Sit down.“ The black haired girl grabbed to open laptop sitting on the table in front of the couch.

With „we“ she probably mean Haruno, and she was just cuddling her half the time…

“Michizou Tachihara, 22 years of age, Tattoo artist. He’s currently single and a bisexual. He has been working at Port tattoo for about 2 or 3 years, not sure about that one. He’s pretty good friends with someone called Gin Akutagawa, but don’t worry they have a girlfriend.“

“Also before you ask: yes Gin is related to Atsushi‘s boyfriend. They are siblings“, Naomi‘s girlfriend piped up.

Junichirou was just stunned.

“Wha-what? When? How? Did you guys even sleep?!“

“No we did not but that is not important! What’s important is that we now know that he is single and probably attracted to you.“

He had no words.

Junichirou was distracted again.

He was just working on an arrangement for a handsome bisexual guy who told him he looked cute…

What the actual fuck?!

He took a step back.

The arrangement was beautiful, one of his best works he’d say.

A lot of dark blues and purples.

The hyacinths blending beautifully with the cornflowers. Just all in all pretty.

Sure he thought it was kind of embarrassing adding the cornflowers, he knew a lot about flower language after all but most of his customers didn’t really care especially for these types of jobs so the redhead bushed those thoughts to the back of his head.

Junichirou took a deep breath.

Lets do this!

Be confident!

He took the arrangement.

The walk wasn’t going to be long so it was fine for him to just carry it.

“Ok I’m off, Atsushi! See you in a bit!“ „Yeah sure thing, Tani!“

…

The walk to the tattoo parlor was blurr and now he was standing in front of it.

Oh fucking god-

Deep breaths Junichirou

Deep breaths

And he walked in.

“Hello how can I help you?“

The woman at the front was a little older than him, had blond hair that she had in a bun and had warm brown eyes. She looked nice.

“Uh I need to talk to uhm Tachihara?“

She eyed him a little bit visibly inspecting the vase in his hand.

She gave him a smirk.

“Yeah he should be free I’ll tell him.“

“Thank you…“

He had only ever been in here once. He had to wait in the front room as Atsushi and Akutagawa were at each other’s throats agin. Oh how happy he was they were dating now. Less fighting…less.

The place looked nice though.

Even if it had a rather cool color palette with a lot of blues, purples and blacks it still seemed very cozy and the seats were the softest things Junichirou‘s ass had ever touched.

Some of the work by the artist that worked here was displayed on the walls. These people were so goddamm talented.

[fallenrepublick]

JUNE I HAVE AN IDEA AHH AND I CAN'T MOVE ON FROM IT TIL I BLURT IT OUT

Chiss triangle because you already know the game

We know the drill: you're with Thrawn, he's with you, Thrass wishes he was with you, you care for Thrass, and Thrawn isn't thrilled by whatever Thrass has got going on for you.

On some level, Thrass understands what he feels isn't ideal. Not that he's ashamed of loving you, no, just the opposite - He's afraid of loving you so much that it will forever impact his life negatively, knowing he might never get to be with you and feeling his heart break every time you and Thrawn accomplish another milestone together. It's not like he can take himself out of the picture since he's family, and essentially in charge of making sure Thrawn stays in line as far as work is concerned, nor would he want to. Any time with you is better than none at all. Still, he knows it would be best to at least try to move on from these feelings. He knows he'd die for you, but if he's ever going to be there for anyone, he needs to keep himself in check.

So, he decides to date around in his own circles, a little embarrassed by the fact that at one time he'd have any of these women on his arm just for appearance's sake, to compliment his own career. It would be hard to transition back to the same mindset he had before he fell in love with you, but for both your sakes, he was willing to try. He meets a fellow politician who seems nice enough - she's poised, elegant, intelligent, and knows what she wants. In the eyes of the Ascendancy, they'd be an ideal couple. That's good enough for him, he guesses.

Things go relatively well during the first month of their Chiss-typical courtship, and a family dinner is arranged with you and Thrawn. He knows he doesn't love her yet, and maybe he never would, but maybe this step was necessary to finally start breaking free. He doesn't mention much about you to her out of fear that she'd pick up on his feelings for you, so he doesn't say much other than you're his brother's significant other and what your profession is. In doing so, he neglects to mention that you're human.

The first thing she does upon seeing you is laugh into her palm and whisper to Thrass, "Is this some kind of joke?" to which he replies, "What are you talking about?" and she quickly realizes it isn't. How how the mighty Mitth have fallen, to allow their members to bring home trash from lesser space. It was unthinkable. She doesn't care to hide the mild distain on her face during the introductions, which doesn't go unnoticed by any of you, however, her snide remarks throughout the entire night indicated that didn't matter to her.

Thrass's brows knit tighter and tighter with every passing minute, seeing that although you're defending yourself quite well and minding your manners, her sharp words are subtly affecting you. Everything boils over for him when she shifts all her attention on Thrawn and asks him how you two met. He calmly tells the story, all but unaware of her politically-attuned reasons for asking, and she hums in response. "I see. If I may ask, is that even allowed?" She glares at you as though you were roadkill in a dress, not hiding her disgust in the slightest, "Does she have all her shots? Do you keep her indoors?"

Thrass bangs his fist on the table and immediately rises up from his seat, shooting a death glare her way when he asks her for a word in private. As they leave, you let out a sigh and lower your head.

"I'm going to excuse myself to the balcony," you whisper to Thrawn.

"Would you like me to join you?" he asks with a knowing care in his voice, and you agree to abscond with him. He wraps you lightly in his arms once you're both situated on a bench, ready to listen to your heart's concerns.

"I can't believe Thrass would fall for someone like that," you begin, "I really thought he was more..."

"Selective?" Thrawn guessed, and you nodded. He holds you a little closer, "Perhaps. My guess is that he wasn't aware of her prejudices. If my intuition is correct, she was mainly a distraction for him."

"A distraction?"

He raises a subtle eyebrow at you and smiles, charmed by your naivety. "In any case, I doubt we'll be seeing her again."

Before you can inquire further, Thrass steps out onto the balcony disheveled and alone. He looks to you and Thrawn, who gets up and whispers once he's at Thrass's ear, "You can apologize to me by covering dinner. You'll have to suffer more than that for her."

Thrass shoves his paycard into Thrawn's already-open palm and responds with a solemn look as if to say "I know" before Thrawn exits back through the corridor. Your eyes meet, and he moves to stand at your side, the epitome of guilt.

"I don't-, I'm so-, I can't believe-," he sighs, finally getting a grip on himself, "I apologize for everything you endured tonight. I never would have brought her had I known she'd be such a-"

"It's okay, Thrass," you interrupt calmly, "Really. I'm used to it."

The implications of your words melted his countenance into something pitiful, the realization that this wasn't a new occurrence for you breaking his heart. It didn't really occur to him that you likely were faced with disapproving looks and snarky comments nearly every day you interacted with the Chiss, since he himself had never seen you as anything less than perfect. He sat down at your side, taking your hand cautiously in his.

"You didn't deserve that. ____, I want you to know that I've never in my life thought of you as..." he let his thought get lost, making himself aware of what was appropriate to say, "I think you're wonderful. Please don't let what you heard tonight give you a bad impression of me, because I-"

You brought the back of his hand to your lips and gave it a quick kiss, charmed at how dumbfounded he suddenly became. "I know, Thrass. Thank you for being, well, you. I really appreciate it."

His eyes lit up, a feeling of relief washing over him. "You forgive me?"

"Of course," you answered, pulling him into a hug. He tentatively rested a hand on your back, thinking of a way to break the silence once it had dragged on a little too long, before he'd become a little too comfortable and say something he couldn't take back, but you beat him to the punch as you pulled away.

"So, what did you say to her?"

He stroked the back of his neck nervously. "Uh, nothing that bears repeating."

"Oof, that bad?"

He chuckled, remembering the heated argument from only minutes before. That beautiful human is the love of my life, and I'll sooner destroy you before you even look at her ever again. That, coupled with plenty of insults and expletives. "Yeah. Needless to say, we broke up."

Your expression was thoughtful for a moment. "I'd say I'm sorry, but... I'm not." You smiled, relieved when he returned it with glee. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he replied, "it's you I was more worried about."

He squeezed your hand, which hadn't left his the entire time, and you gave a reassuring squeeze back. A certain tension started to fill the air, and before you could acknowledge it, the sound of Thrawn clearing his throat from behind the both of you shook you out of it.

"I believe you have an early appointment tomorrow, Thrass."

He shuffled back onto his feet, backing away until he had both of you in view. "You're right. I suppose I should get going. Please enjoy the rest of your evening."

With that, he reverently gave a slight bow and strode out the way that Thrawn had stealthily came. You lover came and took the recently vacant seat next to you, setting an ornamentally-wrapped box between you both.

"What's that?" you asked.

"Dessert," Thrawn replied smugly, "courtesy of my brother."

You chuckled, leaning back into your rightful place in his arm. "You forgot to return his paycard."

"Did I?" He wondered aloud with no small amount of feinged surprise, holding it out in front of him. "Shame. I don't suppose there are any productions you've been wanting to see? Perhaps any jewelry you've been admiring?"

You gave him a good-natured slap on his wrist as you smiled. "I'm fine with dessert."

"As you wish, my love."

He was going to surprise you with something, anyway. Something expensive. It was the least Thrass could do, after all.

OHOHOH WAIT BUT THERE’S MORE

Think about it a second, do you really think that woman’s going to let Thrass get away with something like that? Chiss pride is a dangerous thing, and when crossed, can be fickle and vile to its victims.

And here, Thrass has crossed what he is soon made to regret. The woman goes to Thrawn, who’s obviously less than pleased to interact with her, but lets her speak regardless.

She tells him what Thrass said, everything so accurate to his personality, so reflective of how Thrawn knows him. Though her bitter demeanor gives him pause, he knows when someone is lying, and this... wasn’t it. The more the words circle around his head, the more he hates the knowledge that Thrass still can’t get over it.

It’s not his fault entirely. More often than not, it’s difficult to deny such strong feelings. And really, Thrawn has to at least give Thrass credit for trying. But that doesn’t change the fact that this ordeal may have only made it worse.

But Thrawn doesn’t tell you what his brother said, more for his own sake than Thrass’s, and only wants him to hurry up and seek out another distraction before he makes him. As long as he stays in a constant state of concern for himself, he won’t have the energy to pursue you. Thrawn’s certain of it.

[booksandlewks]

Intensity in Insmire | A Jurdan AU

Happy Holidays to my wonderful knife wife @starborn-faerie-queen!! I’m so lucky to have you as my friend and now snusband (we’re def married now) <3 I was so excited to see that I got to try and write something for you. I also have to thank everybody in the @jurdannet discord for helping me with my writer’s anxiety throughout, and @jurdannetrevels for hosting this secret santa event! 

So this was a prompt you didn’t ask for, but that I hope you will like. I thought of this right when I saw your name and have had a blast making it a reality. One of our first conversations in the discord was about none other than Lauren Layne, so I thought I’d give it my best go at making it Jurdan. I picked what I think of as the iconic scene in Passion on Park Avenue because Jude and Cardan literally define passion. You also put Nicaryn, so in my head when I wrote this they’re already dating and Jude just hasn’t noticed. 

"Be careful, you're going to drop that!" Jude said watching her twin throw down yet another box full of her merchandise.

 It was times like these that Jude wondered about her choice in friends. Not that she had so many choices in friends to begin with, something about her being "abrasive". People may not always appreciate her edges, but that edge is what landed her on the 30 under 30 list. She was grateful, if not confused, about her new-found friendships. While the ladies made for excellent company, and fellow schemers in action, a moving company they were not. Not that Jude would say a word against their help out loud. She was still so grateful to have her twin back in her life.

Jude would thank Locke for bringing them together, if she'd thought it was even remotely a part of his plan. Maybe she could thank him for dying, so that they could find each other in the park that fateful day. Not likely, she had better people to think on.

Nicasia kicked a box into the corner with the toe of her Louboutin heels, "You worry too much, they're not going to break because I didn't gingerly place every single one of your hundreds of boxes down."

"I'm not worried about you breaking an accessory," Jude said huffing as she moved to open the box Nicasia had kicked to prove a point. She held up the lipstick tube, twisting to expose the blade to prove her point. "I'm worried about one of my accessories breaking you."

"Oh, I like that," Taryn laughed, her eyes widening, "Can I borrow that for my next date?"

"Well, it is just a sample," Jude nodded her head to the truck parked outside her new building, "You can keep it if you help me unload the rest of the truck." 

"You drive a tough bargain, a days labor in exchange for one accessory?" Nicasia teased.

Jude put one hand to her heart and the other to her forehead dramatically, "Oh you're truly suffering going up and down the elevator while carrying small boxes."

"These boots were not exactly made for walking Jude," Nicasia said flicking her hair over her shoulder, and punctuating it with an all too casual check of her nails. Why she wouldn't just concede to putting her hair up was beyond frustrating to Jude. She wasn't sure if she hated or respected Nicasia's commitment to always looking perfect.

 "I mean I didn't get to where I was by giving things away for free, but I may have also ordered us pizza and tiramisu from the Italian place on Lexington Ave."

 "Ahh I knew you were my favorite twin!" Taryn said wrapping her arms around Jude and kissing her cheek with an exaggerated smack.

 "I'm your only twin, and you definitely did not know it."

 "The real question isn't why I can't move things in these heels, it's why you think I should be doing this in the first place," Nicasia said glancing speculatively.

 "Wait, yeah, aren't you meant to be rich now Jude?"

"Well, according to my accountant, approximately I am," Jude tilted her head and pretended to tally with her free hand, "filthy rich." She moved the box that had been hoisted on her hip onto the floor of what would be the main living area.

Jude wasn't insane, the larger items like the couch and industrial garment racks would be delivered by a moving company later. She just knew that she could handle the smaller boxes herself. She'd always survived by being self-sufficient, so she wasn't going to start changing what was working now. She'd moved herself into her first shoe box apartment, all her belongings compact and loaded into the back of her ancient little two door.

 "Then why on earth are we moving all of this by hand?" Taryn said turning to her sister, exasperated to see the determination gracing her twin's face. She hated that look, especially when it was on the face that was practically her own under all that stubbornness. "Nic, I need backup here, we're entering dangerously uncharted areas in stupidity. "

 "Jude, love, remember when we agreed to stop each other from entering another toxic relationship?" Nicasia said gently, her hands up as if coaxing a small animal.

 "No, I've blocked out the entirety of Locke's funeral out of a sense of self-preservation," she said voice and face purposefully blank.

 "Why stop there, why not erase him from your entire mind?" Taryn said a bitter edge to her words.  

 Jude laughed, "Me and my therapist are hard at work doing just that."

 "Well while you're working on that, have her work on the toxic relationship you've got with your stupid pride," Nicasia said checking her already perfect nails.

 "Wait, was all of that just the set up for the punchline to your dumb joke?"

 "Woah Tar, harsh words from the woman who asked for my backup in the first place." Nicasia pursed her lips clearly displeased that Taryn had not enjoyed her attempts at humor. "Maybe you should try being nicer to me considering that I have the power to save you from Jude's torture."

 Jude laughed as Taryn started to pester Nicasia to tell her what she meant. While they'd all become fast friends on the fateful day of the funeral, Jude couldn't help but feel that Nicasia and her twin had gotten closer over the summer. She supposed it had to do with the fact that they both had to worry about their reputations and what the fallout from Locke's infidelity would do to it.

That old wound started niggling at Jude again. She may not have been in an official New York society relationship with the man, but she'd had to mourn the loss too. She supposed it hadn't affected her societal standing, being Locke's dirty secret, but she hadn't gotten out unscathed. The bastard had known about her fears. She'd confided in him, about her mother's cheating and how she'd grown up not wanting to get attached for fear of ending up in a similarly messed up situation.

 He'd comforted her, talking about how cheating on somebody wasn't in her character. He'd spelled out what their story could be instead, spinning a story of comfort, safety in his arms, and safety in that future. It made Jude's skin crawl to think about now. How he could say all of this while cheating on her with Nicasia and Taryn, and using her to cheat on them. Some nights it actually made her physically ill. She was such a careful woman, and yet she'd never suspected.

 She wondered if lying to her was part of the game to him, it had to be. Jude thought about how she'd considered bridging the gap and calling Taryn to tell her that she'd met somebody. She'd been too scared to reopen that wound. At eighteen Jude walked away from the stifling role of being Madoc's daughter. She hadn't thought about what leaving Taryn behind to deal Madoc's only other eligible daughter would do. She left her behind for him to put all of his stupid high society rules and dreams into. She'd wondered about her twin over the years, but could never pick up the phone and just dial. What would things be like if she had? Thinking about it wouldn't change anything.

 During Jude's musings Taryn had moved into Nicasia's lap and was switching between pleading and apologizing. Her groveling was so over the top that a warm spot bloomed in Jude's chest while watching her. She had no idea how much she'd missed Taryn, and yet having her take up space in her apartment just felt right.

 "Okay, okay, fine!" Nicasia said standing up and taking Taryn with her. "I happen to have a friend through the New York royalty network, as you call it, and he lives in this very apartment complex."

 "Oh thank god, I love you Judie Bee Jones, but this is the worst."

 "Woah no, I never agreed to having anybody over," Jude said walking over to lock her door, "and wasn't the point of having you ladies around to avoid the assholes."

 "How can you call them an asshole when you don’t even know who it is?" Nicasia asked unlocking the door. Jude went to stop her, but Taryn simply took her face in her hands and pointed it towards the window where the open moving truck stood idle.

 "I promise he's good people, we grew up together," Nicasia said clearly forgetting that her and Jude had not exactly grown up as friends.

Jude did not have much of a chance to consider who might be coming to the rescue she did not need, as there was a knocking at the door.

The warmth she felt from being with her friends left her the second she opened the door and saw Cardan Greenbriar standing there. She'd never seen Cardan look anything less than impeccable, so she was even more furious to see him standing there looking like a Saks Fifth Avenue model from the catalog to help her move. A cable knit sweater, really, to move boxes. With an overcoat no less. No, no, this couldn't possibly be happening. Jude would rather move every single box one by one, than have Cardan Greenbriar help her.

What on earth could have even possessed him to try. She thought she'd made it clear when she'd damn near bitten his head off in her "entry interview" to the apartment complex. It wasn't her fault. Cardan had a particular way of getting under her skin, and the fact that he'd known her from her twin and had not even bothered to look at the application resting in his hand the entire interview had gotten her blood boiling. She'd never actually wanted to live in Elfhame.

The stupid application had been filled out for her and sent in by her mother ages ago. Eva Duarte had been so proud of Jude's success, it had never occurred to her that her mother had plans to use it as a statement. She'd miss her mother's mean streak, and wished she'd been around longer so Jude could understand this plan. Jude had been shocked to be called in for the interview to move into The Palace, and caught completely off guard to see Cardan on the day of the interview.  

 She must've released an actual snarl at seeing him darkening her new doorstep because Taryn and Nicasia pried her away from the door and invited him to come in. This was ridiculous ; she was not a rabid dog to be put in the corner. Although, she was considering biting Cardan.

 "And hello to you too Jude," Cardan said laughing as she struggled to break free of the grip of her friends, "Lovely as ever to see you."

"Why am I seeing you?" 

Cardan raised an eyebrow at that, "Not a very friendly greeting neighbor."

"I read over the paperwork your father sent over and it said that the building takes care of pests in the apartments."

 "Ha ha, very funny Jude," Cardan said stalking closer, "I do hope that's true, as I'd love to see them take you out of here."

 "Really, we're going to resort to I know you are but what am I?" Jude intoned, "On day one?"

 “Is this really our first day together, Judiebeet?"

 "Don't call me that!"

 "As much as I do love seeing you upset my sweet villain," he said trailing a finger over her cheeks, "I didn't come to pick a fight." Jude knew her cheeks had to be bright red, she always got flushed when she was mad. She hated that he had command over her, more than she appeared to have over her own body. Which only made her more upset when he called her that stupid name.

"Why did you come, I had demon summoning scheduled for later in the day," Jude said ignoring the looks Nicasia and Taryn were shooting her.

 "I was informed of a damsel in distress, and princely duties demanded that I come to your aid."

"Oh no, that's it," Jude turned on her friends glaring, and pointing at the door while practically shoving Cardan out, "Everybody out, I'll move them all myself."

 "Wait, but I brought champagne," Cardan said materializing a bottle from the inside of his coat. 

"Jude you can't kick the man out, he brought Dom," Taryn said pulling Cardan back into the apartment by his arm. Jude watched as he re-entered what was meant to be her space, unwilling to fight with Taryn.

"Fine, but if he's here he works," Jude said looking at Cardan as if to say 'unless you've got a problem with that.' The Cardan she knew would never deign to do a day's labor on his own. Always calling somebody his father employed to do things for him instead. So Jude was shocked when all he did was set the actually quite nice bottle on the counter, and gesture his hand towards the door with a look that said 'after you'.

Jude was not sure if she was pleased or pissed off when Cardan actually matched her for work ethic for the rest of moving. He eventually took off the coat, and the sweater, tossing them on the counter with his welcome gift. Jude wished he had not, as she'd been determined to carry more than him before that. She would have managed it too, if he had not rolled up his white dress shirt to the direct center of his forearm. Where it hugged just below his elbow as he worked.

She dropped one of her merchandise boxes when his arm brushed hers while reaching for another, shocked by the contact of his skin hot against her own. Furious with herself for the look that graced his face when she cursed and picked up the box, she decided to be less ambitious with how much she carried.

They had not actually had all that many boxes left. Which made it all the more traitorous that Nicasia had called in for help. As the work dwindled Nicasia and Taryn gave up the pretense of pretending to want to help move the boxes, and sat on the benches that were near the building's entrance. They sat close talking and laughing quietly at each others jokes. Jude could be funny too, but her humor was more dry and wicked. Just as Jude was sprinting to get the very last box, the pizza delivery driver had pulled up to the curb. 

Taryn had gone from commiserating with Nicasia, to giving Jude puppy eyes in 10 seconds flat. Jude laughed softly as she went to go pay the man. Her path was blocked by Cardan who'd made a beeline for the car as it pulled in, while she'd been distracted. If she hadn't been so focused on his damn arms she might have missed how he went to get his wallet from his back pocket. Hell no.

Jude stood one shot at having Taryn and Nicasia not mention her attitude since Cardan walked in, and that was to buy their silence. Nothing says be on my side like hot pizza and good dessert. Which is why she was going to pay for it. Cardan was already handing the man a crisp bill when Jude went to shift the box she'd been holding to under one arm. God, she hated him so much. She'd already missed out on getting to bond with her friends over how annoying moving was because of him, and now he was going to ruin their meal too?

He'd already ruined Jude's childhood, but she was an adult now, and he would not even get a single day from her. She grabbed the boxes of her food and walked to the elevator clicking the button for her floor and slamming on the door close button before he could follow. She walked into her apartment, and she would've locked Cardan out if it not for the fact she had to wait on Taryn and Nicasia to follow. If she had to face him again today, it was going to be on her terms and her rules.

 Jude moved to the boxes now all neatly lined up in what would be her living room. She scanned the barcode stickers on the top of the boxes, each item had been carefully cataloged so that she could be sure that she didn't lose anything important in the move. Downsides to owning and running a successful companies that sold accessories with a dangerous edge? There was so much inventory to keep track of.

 She found what she was looking for and swapped her sneakers for stilettos. She'd love to see Cardan try to look down on her when they were eye level. She'd give a new meaning to the term glaring daggers. She was perfectly capable of paying for a damn pizza.

The door of her apartment opened and Cardan strolled in, his arm around each of her friends. Jude let out a breath that his shirt had been set back to normal, although she was not sure if she was relieved.

 "Really, my own twin?" she said putting a hand on her hip and looking at Taryn who moved, hands up, to sit on the counter top.

"Jude, he got us pizza, please be reasonable," Taryn said in a placatory tone.

 "I got you pizza, this interloper just stole it because pizza is joy, and he can't let me have it."

"You need to stop, you're hangry and turning into rude Jude," Nicasia teased using the family nickname she knew Jude hated. That was just low, she'd revealed that in a 2 A.M. group chat. Which every woman knows means it’s classified information.

 She was being rude, she knew, but well...frankly he started it. Years ago, but she was a petty elephant and would not forget.

 "Fine, have a slice of pizza and then get the fuck out."

When Nicasia and Taryn turned their looks at her, Jude just blinked her eyes slowly a few times. She had never claimed to be a saint. 

"Can I at least get a drink before you kick me out on my ass?" Cardan asked the corner of his mouth upturned.

"Nope, sorry," Jude started and feeling her friends angry stares added, "I just moved in, and I haven't stocked the fridge yet."

"Well, then it's lucky for us my friend was kind enough to drop in to christen the home with champagne," Nicasia said as she made remove the muselet. Jude watched her carefully grip the wire as she twisted it off with effortless ease, and admired her friends grace. Jude would've likely embarrassed herself biting at it. She'd been served champagne at events, but it always came in a glass if she was honest.

 With the sound of the popping cork her control of the apartment got further away from her. She watched as the three of them opened cupboards and looked at an empty counter top as if expecting glassware to simply appear. Jude knew she could easily scan the boxes and find her glassware, but business had taught her to spot an opportunity.  

 "Oh darn, it seems like we can't get you that drink after all."

 "Yes, you seem very forlorn about it," Cardan said shaking his head at her, amusement in those dark eyes. 

Jude gave him a mock apologetic shrug of her shoulders, lips pulled to one side of her mouth. The amusement in his eyes turned to challenge. Unbeknownst to Jude, Cardan's newest hobby was complicated jigsaw puzzles. He had needed something to do while being able to keep an eye on his father, and he found that once he started he just couldn't resist figuring out how the pieces fit together. She'd just presented him with his newest game, and he was going to figure out her pieces.

"Don't worry my darling, like I said we're neighbors now," smiling when Jude scowled at the pet name, "I can just head to my place, and get us some glasses."

It was clear that he'd gotten under Jude's skin when she stalked towards Nicasia and took the bottle from her, and into her own hands. Nicasia just looked at Taryn, and whatever that look meant Taryn must have understood. She moved to the edge of the counter top and invited Nicasia into the circle of her legs, resting her chin on her the top of the other woman’s head.

"How very unfortunate for high-born little princes like you, that you can only sip champagne from the finest of glasses."

She looked right into his eyes as she began glugging the expensive bubbly from the bottle and drinking it like watered down beer. She raised an eyebrow at him as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"I do hope I haven't offended you Cardan," she said snarling out his name as if it was foul, "I'd hate to scare you off from ever visiting again."

"Not at all, I'm quite charmed by your lovely manners," he said walking over to where she stood by Nicasia. "Do not expect others to share my depraved tastes," he said taking the bottle from Jude's firm grip and drinking directly while their gazes stayed locked in a battle of wills.

 "Nic, you feel like we're interrupting something here?" Taryn said from where she sat inches away. It shocked Jude out of her stupor, and her sister hopped off the counter as Jude made to reach for her. She was suddenly stricken, it was all fine and well to hurt Cardan, but she wouldn't lose Taryn again. Not when she just got her back.

"Ugh I thought you'd never ask, this is all too straight for me," Nicasia said taking Taryn's hand and making for the door.

"Wait guys, don't go--"

 "Nope, text us when you're ready to act like a person again," Nicasia said laughing as the door shut behind their quickly retreating figures.  

 "Way to go, you scared them off with your stupid smoldering thing."

 "Jude, I think you'll find I'm not the one in the wrong here, although I am delighted to hear you think I smolder," Cardan said backing away from her.

"I meant that stupid staring," she started but trailed off when she noted his smug face.

 "Jude, all I've done today is bring you a housewarming gift and offer help at my friends request."

Jude opened her mouth to protest about the pizza slight, but stopped as she'd realized she'd just dig herself into a deeper hole. All he'd really done was cover her food for her and her friends. Was it possible that her childhood tormentor really had come here without the intent of torturing her. She'd been too caught up in trying to catch his next move, that it hadn't occurred to her. He’d clearly taken her silence to mean something else, because he went to gather his coat and sweater.

"Look, it's clear you don't want me here and I'm not actually trying to hold you hostage in your own apartment."

Jude's pride stopped her from correcting him. She'd been working so hard to get him to leave, that she couldn't exactly walk back her position now. She wanted to though, she wanted to grab him by those rather toned arms and hold him in place. To explain herself or make him explain himself, she wasn't sure. Instead she nodded her agreement, and silently watched him leave. She watched as he walked down the hall, opening and then closing his door. Only then did she finally unfreeze from her doorway and shut her own door.

She sat for about 30 minutes just trying to process all that had just happened. She was not sure when she'd become the villain in this story, but she didn't enjoy the feeling. He was the bully, not her. If his actions today were to be trusted, maybe not even him any longer. Jude stood up suddenly confident in her movements as she scanned the boxes searching for her glasses. She hadn't actually moved everything today, so all she was able to find was some coffee mugs. She looked down at her "I Rule" coffee cup, it'd have to do.

Jude went to where the remains of the bottle was left on the counter, and poured it into the cup. She wouldn't apologize, as she was not truly sorry. Even if he was not the menace he used to be, one day of rudeness was the least of what he'd deserved. She did however write what she'd call her concession. She'd apologized for the coffee mug. The note told him that while her fine Waterford Crystals were still in storage, it should taste just as good coming out of a mug. Jude left the note under the cup, and knocked on his door before leaving.

[mitsuaziel]

Rain (Barbatos x Reader)

Female! Reader

Slight angst but with a happy ending

In the human realm there you stood, under the heavy rain that wets your figure, soaking your entire being with its polluted water but you couldn't care less about how you'll get sick afterwards. No. You stare into nothingness, the heavy rain greatly limiting your field of vision to maybe one to two meters and even so, objects are extremely blurry.

The reason why you're under the rain is because you're heartbroken. It's stupid, yes, you know but he was your fiance of three years so it's heart shattering and as if your life line is plugged out when you caught him in action with another woman, balls deep into her as her moans fill the room, clearly having a good time. The reason for his cheating is because you didn't want to have sexual intercourse with him but being the religious person you are, you stated that you didn't want to have sex until after marriage but it seems that he couldn't wrap his mind around the idea.

'He only wants you for your body', your best friend said, attempting to comfort you but it didn't do much as your mind wanders to that specific moment in your life.

'He's the one missing out! It just means that he wasn't your soulmate. God has other plans for you', then why did He has to make it so painful to you?

'Fuck that guy! I hope he gets condemned to Hell', you wish too but you try to get yourself out of that mind set since it's quite the sin to wish someone that.

All these allegations are true, yet here you are, under the rain thinking negatively about yourself. Weren't you pretty enough? Wasn't your company enough for him? Satisfying enough for him? You let out a shaky breath and close your eyes, the rain getting heavier if that's possible. You really want to disappear off the surface of the Earth but you didn't. Again, it's a great sin if you did it.

So, you resorted to just being sad and crying out your sadness all alone. It was... Comforting, to say the very least and with the rain, it's easy to cover up your tears and voice.

"ARGH!" You screamed out loud. You could barely make out your own voice. Perfect.

So you screamed again and again and again until you ran out of energy. If you can't hurt or kill yourself, you might as well tire yourself and just go to sleep. But even so, you figured that you might have nightmares regarding what happened to you just yesterday so you might as well completely drain your energy until you can't move.

With one last scream of frustration and anger, you drop to your knees and let tears flow down your face. God, you just wanted to kill yourself but you can't. Sometimes you wish you weren't that religious but it's these times that you're also glad.

How long have you been under the rain? Half an hour? An hour? More than that? You don't know nor do you care at this point. You certainly couldn't care less about your health as well. You just want to hide under the rain so when you thought the rain stopped, you were confused. It's still raining yet why aren't you under it? Then, you look up.

An umbrella.

"Wha?" You breathe out under your breath as you look at the person holding the umbrella.

Due to the darkness, you can't really see his features but you can tell that he's wearing a suit and has gloves on. His expression though empty as ever, his eyebrows are furrowed as if to mimic confusion. He holds out a hand for you to grab and for a moment, flashbacks of your ex-boyfriend doing the same fills your vision and you shake your head.

The man assumes that you didn't want help and retracts his hand. You stand up but wobbled a bit due to you kneeling for so long, causing you to accidentally grab the man's arm. He was as still as a statue, seemingly unbothered by the fact that you just threw yourself towards him. You mutter an apology even though he won't hear it and didn't bother to squeeze water out your hair or clothes.

"Are you okay, miss?" He asks.

You nod and look away, slightly embarrassed of your appearance at the moment. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be going now."

"Wait."

You turn to him. "Do you need something, sir?"

Lightning strikes, lighting up the darkness and you only manage to see his features clearly for a few seconds. Beautiful emerald eyes, green hair gradienting to a teal down his bangs on the left side of his face and no expression at all yet it seems to compliment his handsome features. For a moment, you forgot to breathe. How can a man this beautiful exist?

"You just seem sad and I know that I'm just a stranger, a nobody to you but I do have some time to spare before I go back to serve my master." He states.

You were suspicious. The world is a dangerous place and if a handsome man like Ted Bundy can turn out to be a manipulative murderer, then surely, the man in front of you can do the same.

When no answer is heard from you, he sighs and puts a hand over his heart before bowing down to you, much to your surprise. "I am Barbatos, the butler to my master, Lord Diavolo."

"I... I see." You weren't expecting a butler to be by your side.

"You now know my name, my occupation and my master. Surely, this is enough information for you." The butler, you now know as Barbatos, said.

"Oh, uh, yeah." You awkwardly fidget around. He's just too formal with you that makes it uncomfortable for you.

"So, may I know what is the cause of your sadness? Why are you just kneeling under the heavy rain? Are you not scared of what might happen to you if you were to stay too long out here?" He shoots you question after question.

You wanted to tell him but you're scared of the thought of him ridiculing you. Your fiance's friends did, is he any different?

Barbatos sighs once again and mumbles something before saying, "I do not wish to make you uncomfortable. I do apologize if I do happen to make you feel that way. All I want to do is lend an ear. It is not too wrong of me to do so, is it now?"

You look at the more interesting ground. "Why do you even want to listen to my problems anyway? A butler like you shouldn't help me. You must have other jobs to do and even if I tell you, it's not like you're gonna use that information."

"Maybe, maybe not. But I just want to help."

Damn, he's persistent, you thought. It's not like you're ungrateful, it's more like preventing other people from meddling into your own problems that you can handle by yourself. You didn't need or want someone else's help. You can figure everything out yourself.

And yet...

"Kill me."

The butler was surprised. "Excuse me, but could you repeat what you just said?"

"Ah..." You shake your head. What were you thinking? "I'm sorry. I'll leave."

Just as you turn away, a hand grabs your arm. "Wait."

You wait for him to talk.

"I know I have no place to say this, and it's ironic that I'm the one who's saying this, but don't do it. Life may be hard for you but surely, there must be people who love you. I don't know what happened and really, I have no say in this, if you're thinking about suicide, shouldn't you do something you love? Be with the people you love instead of suffering all alone and eventually hurting other people?"

You look back at him with tears welling up in your eyes. "This is a stupid reason and all, but I just... Can't. The person I love betrayed me. He... He promised."

Barbatos lets go of your hand. "Then, that just means he's a liar, a toxic person in your life. Is it not a relief that you found out instead of being blinded by his lies?"

You wanted to talk back but you bite back your tongue. It is true. Better now then never. You think for a while before forcing a smile on your face. "I suppose so. Thanks for... Talking, I guess. I really appreciate it."

A small smile curl his lips, enhancing his already handsome face. "You're welcome."

*****

Barbatos finally went back to Lord Diavolo's castle after buying all the necessary items from the human realm.

"Barbatos! There you are! Where have you been? It took longer than usual. Did it run out of stock or something?" Lord Diavolo asks as he goes through his endless pile of paperwork.

The butler bows down to his master as a form of apology. "I am sorry, My Lord. No, it's not because of that."

"Then, what took you so long?"

Memories of the rainy scene plays in his head but he answered differently despite knowing that Lord Diavolo can tell between a truth and a lie. "There was a fuss over a mistake I did, My Lord. Wouldn't this new generation call that a 'Karen'?"

Though he knows, Lord Diavolo was more interested in the name the humans gave for someone with such an attitude. "A Karen, huh? Call Levi here! I need to know what that means!"

The day continues on like normal but Barbatos kept on wondering why the devils did he help such a helpless human who's willing to kill themself just because of a broken heart? He doesn't understand his own actions and frankly, he doesn't wish to know why either. He's a demon, a duke, an earl, he shouldn't care so why did he help that one human?

Ahh, of course.

"Welcome to Devildom!"

"Barbatos?"

He bows down to the new exchange student and smiles at you. "Welcome, MC."

"You were a fucking demon?!" You were surprised rather than scared.

"Were?" Lucifer asks but is ignored when both you and Barbatos wouldn't answer him.

How have the Fates destined the both of you to meet again.

[xxisxxisxxis]

Gateway Drug | Part Seventy-Eight

Words: 3k

Warning(s): explicit language, violence, substance abuse

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"H-Hi." Deana tries to keep her composure upon the sight of Nikki freshly off-stage. 

He looks more pale than he was before heading to play, his sweat cloaked body shaking slightly. 

His mother, her dark hair curled and bright red lips tugging into a sappy smile as tears bubble in her eyes.

Even without probably knowing the whole story, Axl and the guys know Nikki doesn't have a relationship with his mom, and the nightmare about to take place has them slowly leaning against the wall of the hallway, quietly looking down, uncomfortable with getting caught in the middle of this. 

"What are you doing here?" Nikki asks, confused, more than likely questioning if its a hallucination from mixing too many drugs or not. 

"I made the arrangement." Doc states chipperly, stupidly thinking Nikki would be happy. "An early Christmas present." He adds. 

"I wanted to see you," She tells her son, taking a few steps closer, "I wanted to see both of you...I've already missed out on so much." She explains, looking at me. "I-I know the timing is off, but I really wanted to talk to you." 

"No, the timing isn't off--" I try to assure her. 

"--Don't waste your breath, Viv, she's just gonna ask for money and then disappear for another ten years." Nikki scoffs, brushing past her. 

"Frank--"

"--That's not my name." He snaps to her. 

"It's the name on your birth certificate, Frankie. Frank Ferana. It might not be as glamorous as 'Nikki Sixx' but--" 

"--It's Nikki. Legally. It's Sixx. Legally. It's her last name. Legally." He refers to me and she clenches her jaw. "And any kids I have are gonna have that last name. Legally. I'm not 'Frank', or 'Frankie', and I'm certainly not a fucking 'Ferana' so don't even start that shit."

"You're still my baby." She tells him, trying not to cry. "I came all this way to see you." She adds, wrapping her arms around him. 

I see the glimmer of a little boy in his eyes, for a split second, then it's quickly pushed aside and replaced with that of an angry, abused, hurt, scorned, abandoned dog. 

And he's going for the throat in a moment the second she says:

"Oh, my Frankie." 

He's shoving her off of him so hard she nearly goes to the floor. 

"That's not my fucking name!" He screams at her, throwing his bottle of Jack at the ground at her heeled-boot covered feet. 

He's storming off, Doc following after him, and Fred takes a breath and goes to Deana, to politely usher her out. 

"That's fucked." Izzy mumbles, shaking his head slightly, going to their dressing room and I walk behind them. 

"Nikki--"

"--Who the fuck do you think you are?! Huh?! Who the hell are you to bring my personal life front and center for every God damn body to see?!" 

"I didn't realize you and your mother weren't on good terms." Doc tells him, honestly. 

"You think I'm this fucked up for the hell of it?! You think I'm this way after growing up with parents who gave a shit?! Really?!" Nikki laughs humorlessly.

"Nikki, I'm sorry, alright?" 

"No, you're not, you don't give a shit and you never have, you're just another greedy fuck getting his rocks off from the money in my pocket but I'm done!" He yells, turning to walk away. "You don't know what's fucking best for me, you don't care about me, you don't care about the band, you're not my fucking father and you sure as shit aren't my manager anymore so just go get fucked, Doc, you're fucking fired!" He calls. 

"You're not fired." I assure Doc, wanting to go after him, but not able to bring myself to. 

He doesn't want to talk to me about it. 

I am surprised to see Axl rub his forehead and roll his jaw before stalking past me, Nikki's way. 

"Where you going?" I ask him. 

"I fucking hate my mom." Is all he says as he goes by. 

I didn't know what exact issue Axl had with his own mother, but I'd later find out it was because her horrible judgment in men and what abuse she'd allow him and his siblings to endure from those men, along with her forceful hand in religion that she and Axl's stepfather enforced brutally on their kids.

"Did Doc really not mean to set that up?" Steven asks me when I get into their dressing room. 

"No, he didn't." I reply. 

"Is Nikki gonna be okay?" Tansy asks quietly. 

"I don't know, Tansy." I roll my eyes and she furrows her brows, slightly. 

"Do you even care?" She asks me and I look at her. 

"Tans--" Duff starts. 

"--No, I mean, really, Vivian. Do you even care?" She cuts him off. 

"Excuse me?" I ask, practically seeing the dullness in her eyes of a mixed-drug high.

Without a doubt coke and smack.

"Of course I care, Tansy. Just because he and I are separated doesn't mean I want him to suffer."

"Way to take one for the team by sleeping with Duff, then, because surely that is the one thing that has to be done to prevent Nikki's suffering." She states. 

"What I do and who I do it with is my business, Tansy." I tell her, crossing my arms. 

"Sure doesn't sound that way when everybody on the same floor as you can hear nothing but, 'ahh, ahh, Duff, ahh!'" She mimics moaning. 

"Maybe I'm staying under Duff so much because if I don't, you'll take it as an open invitation, and there really are some people you don't have to try to sleep with mandatorily based on their wallet size, Tansy." 

"Just like there are some people you don't have to sleep with based on whether or not they're gonna be big rockstars or not." She shoots back. 

"Wanna be the pot or the kettle?" I ask. 

"I want you to stop adding fuel to the fire and then acting like your hands are clean while smiting all of us." She outbursts. 

"Smite you for adding to his problems? Offering him drugs when he's already going down hill? Letting him think screwing another woman is okay--not even screwing her, having an entire relationship with her." I correct myself. 

"Given the circumstances of your marriage, he needed an escape." She says next. 

"Given the circumstances of your new-found smack-induced courage, you act like you need my fist to knock your teeth out." 

"Viv--"

"--Then you'll really be laying on your back to get work." 

"But at least I do work. What do you do? Aside from spend Nikki's money and sleep with his friends?" 

"I'm not killing him like you and Sparkie have been with your junkie bullshit." I manage to keep myself from having an outburst, more concerned with Nikki's crisis with his mom. 

"Not yet, at least." She mumbles as I'm walking out. 

"Where you guys going?" Tommy asks as we head to leave for the bus. 

"Um… about to pack our stuff up and head out?" Izzy replies.

"No, no, no, just because Nikki's parade's been pissed on doesn't mean ours has to be." Tommy suggests to them. 

"Yeah, c'mon it's our last night hangin' out for a while." Vince points out, two groupies already under each arm. 

"I was gonna check on Sixx." Slash explains. 

"I'm fine." Nikki shows up, his hands on Slash's shoulders, tightly in an aggravating manner, making Slash chuckle as he twists away from him. 

Axl isn't far behind, he and Izzy looking at the invitation to hangout with the guys one last time on this tour, hesitantly. 

"What the hell," Izzy shrugs. 

"So glad you said that, man, because we have a special surprise." Nikki grins, beckoning them with his finger. 

"Stevie, c'mon!" Duff exclaims from behind me, Steven exiting their dressing room with Tansy behind him. 

"You good?" He asks Nikki. 

"Yeah." Nikki assures him. "I have a present." He adds, leading the guys to the double doors of what I assume is a bigger room. 

Sure enough, he opens the door, and at least ten girls are lined up, naked, asses up, thick lines of coke down their spines. 

Nausea nestles it's way into my stomach, but Tommy, Vince and Nikki look as if this is their promised land. 

Even Steven looks slightly off-put by the brazen display. 

Complete disinterest cascades off of Duff, a heavy puff of cigarette smoke leaving his nostrils with the huff of his unamused breath. 

"Who's first?" Nikki asks. 

Naturally, the guys look to their "leader," and Axl reluctantly rolls his eyes and walks over to the first girl. 

It's like he refuses to acknowledge she's naked, his main focus is the line of coke on her back. 

He snorts one-eighth of the line before deciding that's enough. 

I don't blame him--the way his fingers hold at the bridge of his nose makes me wince because I know it probably burns like a bitch. 

"Boo!" Tommy disappointedly calls to Axl as he walks out. 

He's had his party. 

Izzy follows. 

"More for us." Nikki shrugs, smirking. 

He looks at me directly in the eyes, heavy black liner sharpening the contrast of his hazel eyes as he keeps my gaze, spitefully unbuckling his belt and he starts unlacing his pants, making his way to the girl Axl was at earlier. 

He is not…

Duff's snatching me out of the room only milliseconds before Nikki enters the girl in sync with snorting the line up her skin.

That was that.

It's a bittersweet draw to an end, "thank you" and "damn, I'm gonna miss you" seeming to be on everyone's lips as hugs and high-fives go around between all the boys once we get back to L.A.

I rub my lips together and smile softly as I hand Fred my purse to put in the car, sighing softly, smiling when he looks down at me. 

"See ya later, kid." He tells me and tears swell in my eyes as I wrap hug him tightly, taking him off guard a little. "Don't kill each other...not even over that dumb shit he pulled tonight." He says, referring to the groupie cocaine platter. 

"I'll try." I mumble, wiping my eyes quickly before stepping up to say bye to the guys. 

Steven and Slash are pretty easy, but Axl just stares at me for a moment before reluctantly wrapping his arms around me and hugging me tightly. 

"I'm sorry I was an asshole this entire trip." He mumbles lowly in my ear. 

"I'm sorry I almost got you kicked off." I reply in the same low tone. 

"You're one of the reasons they took us in the first place." He states, pulling away to look at me, cupping my face in his hands, grinning. "You're gonna keep up my lie that we're siblings, right?" He asks and I chuckle. 

"You guys are gonna make it big and I need a meal ticket so of course." I shrug and his smile grows wider. "I love you." I tell him. 

"I love you, too." He assures me, kissing me on the cheek, giving me one last squeezing hug before heading to their bus. 

Izzy looks at me for a moment. 

"Izzy." I say to him. 

"Viv." He acknowledges me and steps to the bus. 

Just before Duff can tell me 'bye', arms are locking around my waist, and pulling me against the person they belong to. 

"Izzy?" I ask after a moment. 

"We're not friends." He says, pulling away to leave, leaving me and Duff. 

"Um, I'll see you later?" I offer and he rubs his lips together, his eyes over my shoulder, and I look to see Nikki and a woman that we'd picked up from the airport, getting into the car. 

I turn back to face Duff, biting my tongue to keep my tears back. 

"You can stay with me tonight." Duff offers. 

"Really?" 

He just smiles down at me. 

I inhale the familiarly comforting scent of cigarette smoke as we walk into Duff's apartment, dropping my bags and running to the bedroom, face planting into the mattress, exhausted. 

The weight of Duff's body laying on top of me making me laugh, his own chuckle further making me grin. 

"I'm so tired." I tell him.

"Me too." He replies, and I turn over underneath him, wrinkling my nose.

"You stink." I say. 

"I think I smell pretty sexy." He grins, teasingly. 

"No." I shake my head a little, scrunching my face to my shoulder when he tries to kiss my neck. "Go shower." I giggle when he tries again. 

"Come shower with me." He counters. 

"I don't feel like it and I don't stink, so--ew, Duff!" I squeal as he takes his shirt off that reeks of sweat and rubs it all over my face and hair. 

"What about now?" He asks and I pick up the pillow above my head and start hitting at him with it.

After a few hits are gotten in, he's getting off the bed, stretching. 

"You coming?" He asks when he walks to the bathroom. 

"I guess." I reply, following after him. 

Once I get out and have one of Duff's shirts on, I go to the kitchen to grab some water before bed, the quietness of the apartment allowing different thoughts to invade my mind. 

I can't help but wonder what Nikki's doing. Is he high? Is he drunk? Is he even still alive? They leave in a few days for Japan but I honestly don't believe they should go. They need help. 

I think at this moment everyone's just trying to see if they can get away with pressing at them a little more without anybody snapping. 

But by the looks of it, Nikki is pretty damn close to snapping, and Tommy anf Vince and Mick aren't far behind at all. 

Nikki. 

My heart tightens in my chest, remembering last Christmas, how he sat curled under our tree, shooting up. 

He'd get strung out, then lay underneath the tree and stare up at the lights for hours. 

"Are we gonna buy a Christmas  tree?" I ask, looking at the empty living area. 

"If you want to." He calls to me from the bedroom.

"I want to." I reply, going into the room and getting in bed while he follows. 

"Yeah?" 

"Yeah. You know, homey-ness and stuff." I add. "Especially if I'm gonna be here longer." I add and he falls beside me. 

"I'll get a tree tomorrow." He assures me, kissing me chastely before yawning and getting comfortable, and I turn off the lamp and lay down, too. 

He goes to sleep in no time, but two hours later, in the early hours of morning, I smile to myself in the dark room, Christmas lights from the street shining into the window, lighting up the room and cascading a comforting dim light over Duff's sleeping body next to me. 

Reaching over, I run my fingertips softly against his cheek, pushing blonde strands of his hair out of the way, his eyes slowly blinking open slightly before a small tug of a smile pulls his lips slightly. 

"Sorry." I whisper, not meaning to have woken him up. 

"It's okay." He says quietly, closing his eyes again. "I love you, Vivian." He adds, his eyes staying closed, but he grabs my hand that's on his cheek, and presses a kiss to my palm, holding my hand when he's done. 

I snuggle closer to him, laying still and closing my eyes, too, while I reply, "I love you, too," the way I wish I would have done to Nikki all these years. 

Years later, while on what I presumed to be his deathbed, he told me that simple moment was what made him feel sure that I was the one. I took everything he had done up to that point with stride. But thinking he was going to die, reflecting on everything that could have been between us but never got to be, and hearing him tell me, "there's a ring I got you years ago when we thought we were gonna be together, but I never gave it to you. Mandy never knew about it. Linda doesn't know about it, but it's on my closet shelf and I don't want to go without giving it to you," broke my heart more than anything he could've done up to that point.

NIKKI

I turn over, seeing the silhouette of the brunette I picked up at the airport, her sheet-covered chest rising and falling with each breath. 

A part of me feels irritated because her perfume is contaminating Vivian's side of the bed that still smells like her. 

I've been reduced to plucking Viv's clothing from drawers or from in the closet and smelling it. That makes me sound like a fucking stalking creep, but it's the truth. 

How the fuck did we get here, again? 

Oh, right, me not able to keep my dick in my pants, and the woman I didn't keep my dick in my pants for, didn't keep her mouth shut.

I sit up, walking to the bathroom to piss. When I'm done I look at myself in the mirror and feel a little impressed. 

I don't look as bad as I thought. 

Well, kinda. 

I splash water on my face, wincing at the dark circles under my eyes. 

I end up staring at myself for God knows how long, remembering how Vivian would wake up and come in here to get me back in bed if I left her for too long because she didn't like sleeping by herself. 

I smile a little, slowly closing my eyes, feeling her touch across my back, the softness of her lips pressing to the skin of my spine before her cheek presses to the same place before she sleepily mumbles out, "come back to bed." 

Opening my eyes, for a split second, I see her. Standing behind me, green eyes peering at me over my shoulder, the feeling of her holding me...it's gone in a flash. She's gone in a flash. 

My nose burns with the oncoming tears cooking up in my eyes, and I erase them quickly with another splash of water to thr face. 

[bluebird167]

The Sinners and Their Saints Chapter 13: The Werewolf and The Jewel Witch Part 2

"Does her father treat her like that everyday?" Dipper wondered. "If he does no wonder she's so mean."

Just then he heard her scream, he rushed back to find Pacifica being attacked by ghostlike animals. A bear, a mountain lion, a boar, a deer, a fox, and a wolf. They snarled and growled at her with blood red eyes. They lunged for her with fangs and claws.

"Look out!"

Dipper grabbed Pacifica and pulled her out of the way of the charging animal spirits.

"Run!" He took her by the hand and ran from the spirits while pulling her along.

"What's their problem?" Pacifica asked as she ran.

"I don't know maybe they're pissed off because your father turned their pelts into wall art?! Oh crap! A dead end!"

"Quick in here!" Pacifica pulled a book off of a shelf which opened to a secret stairway. The two of them shut the secret door and ran upstairs to the attic.

"Secret passge." Dipper panted. "Very smart."

"Thanks. So have you gotten close to getting rid of the ghost?"

"We are so far from close."

"Ugh! I can't believe I called you five just because you were cheaper. I should've just called Reverend Gideon, sure he's crazy expensive but at least he could get the job done."

Dipper growled at the mention of the priest's name.

"Don't you ever go to that bastard for help!" He snapped. "That man is a demon masquerading as a holy man!"

"What are you talking about? The man is a saint."

"He is NOT! He's a murder and a rapist who deserves to burn in hell!"

"Why on earth do you think that?"

"Because it's his fault my sister is dead!"

"What?"

"He told my sister that I was dead and then he raped her and in hysterical grief she threw herself off a cliff! She killed herself because she thought everyone would see her as a whore and that I wouldn't be there to protect her from him! You call a man who rapes an innocent woman and drives her to suicide a saint?!"

"That...That's not true...He would never."

"He would! And he did!" A loud booming voice said.

The items in the attic began to levitate and fly around the room, a blue flame appeared taking the form of a man in his mid-forties.

"Who are you?" Dipper said.

"I am the ghost of Jediah Hale!" He said. "Fifty years ago the Northwests wronged me in the most horrible way imaginable!"

"What do you mean?" Pacifica asked.

"Ahh so your parents never told you did they? Can't say I'm surprised. Secrets and lies is a common trait in the Northwest family tree."

"Spirit why are you here?" Dipper asked.

"Revenge. Thirty years ago Reverend Gideon abducted me and my family to use as sacrifices to devils! I watched him murder my wife and son and give their blood to a demon! Authorities arrived before he could kill me and he escaped! When I told them what he did they didn't believe me! It took me months but I managed to find evidence that proved that he was a devil worshiper and that he killed thousands of innocents! But your grandfather had been paid by that monster to steal the evidence and plant it on me! I was framed for the murder of my own family and was left to die in prison but my ghost still lingers in this world!"

"Why are you taking this out on my family? Why not Gideon?"

"Because he made a pact with a demon and that protects him from spirits so I went after the next people to blame! For years your family has been covering up Reverend Gideon's devil work in exchange for wealth! And I intend to make sure each and everyone of you pays for it!"

"Oh my God." She gasped in a whisper.

"Wait Jediah!" Dipper said. "Pacifica is completely oblivious to her family's crimes and deception! She's innocent! You can't destroy her!"

"Why not? My wife and son were innocent! I was innocent! But we suffered!"

"I know! But you're not alone! Reverend Gideon took my sister from me! I would give anything to slaughter him and anyone else who's stupidly ignores his evil ways but there are those who don't see him as the monster he is! People like her! If you were to kill Pacifica you'd be just like him and the Northwests! I'm sure we can come to an agreement!"

"My soul will not be at peace unless either of these two things happen. The Northwest line must end or Gideon must pay for everything he's done!"

"What if I was to expose him for what he really his?! What if I were to finish your work! To show the world once and for all what Gideon really is! Would you spare Miss Northwest?"

"Perhaps that is if she were to help you."

"How could I help?" She asked.

"Your family have been hiding evidence of his crimes in this house for years, surely you can find it!"

"I guess I could but...How?"

"You're a smart girl figure it out and as for you boy let's make a deal. If the two of you can expose him for what he really is before the fiftieth anniversary of my death I'll spare the Northwests and never bother them again if not I'll destroy them all!"

"Okay...Deal." Dipper agreed.

"What?! No way!" Pacifica cried.

"Do you have a better option? It's either try to prove he's guilty or die right now. Take your pick!"

"Oh.....Fine. It's a deal."

He held out both of his hands for each of to shake. They both shook his hands.

"I'll be back in two years and one month. Be ready."

He then vanished in the blue flame. Pacifica's body was as white as paper and was shaking like a leaf.

"What just happened?" She asked.

"Looks like you and I have some investigation to do after this."

"I...I can't believe this! Did that really just happen? Or have I had too much wine?"

"It happened."

"Oh God! Oh God! I think I need to sit down!"

"Okay just let me get a chair and-"

THUMP!

She had passed out right onto the attic floor.

"Or you can just lie there and I'll wait for you to wake up if that's okay with you?"

"Yo Dipper where are you?!" Steven called.

"Coming! Alright your majesty. You're coming with me." He lifted her unconscious body over his shoulder and carried her downstairs.

"Whoa! What happened?" Steven asked.

"Long story but I've got good news and I've got bad news. The good news is the ghost is gone the bad news is well...That's where the long story comes in."

Several minutes of explaining the whole situation later...

"Wow...And I thought I was in deep shit." Manny said. "Hey is she gonna be okay?"

"I have no idea." Dipper said.

"She's fine, just in shock." Frida said. "Connie get me some water."

Connie handed her a cup of water which she poured on to Pacifica's face.

"Who?! What?! Where?! Why?!" She said waking up. "What's going on?"

"You passed out." Dipper said.

"Oh God you people are still here which means it wasn't a dream." She cried. "I am so dead two years and a month from now."

"Yeah you are. So can we get paid now?" Frida asked.

"Now wait a minute." Dipper said. "I said I'd help you."

"Why on earth would you want to help me?"

"Because I want to expose that son of a bitch as much as Jediah does."

"Exposing him is impossible especially if my family is covering his tracks!"

"Maybe not, with you helping it's an advantage."

"How?"

"You can get information. Ask your parents what makes them so rich, try to get involved and figure out their secrets."

"And what if they don't tell me? Did you ever think of that Sherlock?"

"Doesn't hurt to try."

"You don't know my parents! If Gideon is the whole reason they have money then they will stop at nothing to prevent him from being exposed!"

"Hey we don't have to do this right?" Manny asked. "Because I have enough problems of my own to deal with."

"No. She and I are just working on this."

"Okay then I'm going home, let's go Frida." He said pulling her along.

"Wait we didn't get paid yet!" She argued only to have him continue pulling her along.

"Are you coming?" Steven asked.

"I'll catch up." Dipper answered.

"Okay let's go back Connie. Call us if you need anything Dipper, just so you know we're taking the car."

The four of them got in the automobile and drove off.

"Alright listen if we're going to un cover secrets I need you to tell me if your parents keep a safe or have anything that is used to hide secrets or other stuff."

"Well I do know one place."

He followed her upstairs back to the attic, there was a small door with a keyhole in the attic wall.

"My parents have told me since I was little that I was never to open this door. If they're hiding anything secretive it'll be in this safe." She said.

"It's locked. Where's the key?"

"That's a problem."

"What do you mean?"

"My father keeps the key in his pocket at all times."

"Well he has to sleep sometime. When does he go to bed?"

"Eleven but he keeps the bedroom door locked every night."

"Oh boy, this is definitely going to be hard."

"I doubt will ever get that silver key."

"I'm sorry did you just say....Silver?"

"Yeah the key is made of silver."

Dipper gulped. Being half werewolf he couldn't touch silver because it would burn his skin.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Um...Well....Let's just say I'm a little allergic to silver."

"How much?"

"Well if I touch it I...I die."

"You're kidding."

"No."

"Now we have an even bigger problem my parents happen to collect hundreds of gold and silver stuff. It's practically everywhere in my house."

"Oh....Crap. This could only happen to me."

[sainadazai]

Chapter 3

Returning home that day, you had a new sense of determination. You weren't sure if it was different than that of this morning, considering you really did think you could make friends, but you hoped it was. Todoroki may have been one of the least approachable people in class that day, but for some reason you knew he'd be the easiest to talk to. Well, once you got him to acknowledge your existence.

As you swung open the door to the single story home, you were greeted by the sight of your mother, shuffling through bills at the kitchen table. She didn't seem upset with it, though, rather content in her chore. You admired your mother for that, always being content no matter what. Sending her a quick wave, you march down the hall to your room. You might not have looked it, but all those tests got you tired, let alone all the people trying to speak to you. They seemed nice enough, now that you could think back on it, why did you feel so scared at the time?

Tomorrow would be different, though, because now, you had a plan. The stone faced boy, shoto todoroki, was going to be your first friend. Or at least acquaintance.

You really just needed a nap, maybe some laying down peacefully on your bed to forget the disaster you acted like earlier. However, your cat had other plans. Mochi was perched happily in the center of your bed, curled up as cats do and looking way too adorable to be mad at. YOu cooed at her being so infuriatingly cute. Why couldn't you just go to bed peacefully as she does?

"Ahh, mom come here!" you whisper-yelled marching your way back to the kitchen.

"What, darling? Is it your quirk again?" she shouted excitedly, not moving from her spot.

"NO!Better!"

Her face contorted into a grin as you re-entered the room. "Oh? What could possibly be better than the great metallic's quirk?" she teased your nickname.

Ever since you were little you had been planning to be a pro, that came with lots of different possible hero names. Two years ago, Metallic came into the mix, as your dad suggested you use a more simple name.

"Mochi can, mom."

She giggled a bit, gesturing her hands to the handles of her wheelchair. " You'll have to take me then, I'm not sure Mochi is enough to sheel all the way away from my bills.." she continued to chuckle as you grumbled, but happily went behind her to push her forward.

"Hold on tight, then!"

"Wait, Y/N."

It was too late, you went zooming through the halls, giggling joyously as your mother laughed in fear. She knew you wouldn't let her fall, but she hated the feeling of needing to be picked up by her daughter and hauled into her chair. It made her feel unbelievably helpless.

"Woohoo!"

"Y/n, you passed your room."

"Oh, right, thanks mom!"

Backtracking a couple feet, you swung your room door open, revealing your little cat all fluffed up on your bed, eyes staring at you in alarm at your volume.

"I think you scarred her, hon."

"Shh, isn't she so cute, though? When I came home she was all cuddled up in my blankets."

"Yes, that cat is my favorite child, she is always quiet..." your mom mumbled, smirking although you couldn't see from behind her.

"Hey!"

"Ah, your right, maybe your brother too.." she faux pondered.

You pouted, not knowing if she was joking or not.

"Just kidding I love you all! But seriously hon I need to do the bills."

"Okay, want me to wheel you back?"

She shook her head, "No, I'm sure you're tired after school, go move that cat over and get a nap in before your dad gets home."

You were skeptical about letting her go back on her own, it wasn't more than twenty feet away, but you were protective of your mother. Seeing her even at the chance of pain was unbearable. Maybe it was the attachment that comes with her and dad being your only friends since day one, or your heroic nature, but her suffering was almost more painful to you.

She had always relentlessly assured you that she felt no pain in her legs, but it still always felt like it would. Especially when you were younger and first noticed how she could barely stand. See, when mom and dad met, dad had been an aspiring hero, while mom wanted to be a chef. Neither of them went to U.A, but he was in a hero course, while she was in general studies. It worked out for the most part, too. Dad had gotten his hero license at 18 and mom her first job at a small restaurant.

Didn't last, though. One day while mom was out shopping in the city, a large villain attack occurred. All might have come to fight with an unknown villain who seemed to fare quite scarily against him.

During the fight, however, moms legs were crushed under a fallen building, damaging many nerves and breaking bones. All might saved her that day, kept her from bleeding out and got her to a hospital safely, but the damage was very painful.

Mom never blamed that villain for her pain, or anyone for that matter. Once she began healing and started physical therapy, she had almost completely forgotten the pain of it all. Then, when she had you, she promised her husband that she would try her best to stand and walk and move for you. So her daughter always had someone to play with. Dad didn't like that, though. He wanted her to be safe, and not in pain.

So he hung up his cape and got a job in construction, given the family quirk it suited him well. With that, he could spend more time with you and your mother, looking after both of you.

That didn't stop the pain from getting to her, though, and the nerves going numb. Leaving her completely unable to walk now, but she wouldn't trade those years when you were little for anything. She just loved you too much to mind her own pain.

Smiling at the memory of the story your parents used to tell you, you fell asleep with one arm around mochi.

-

Todoroki never minded other kids. He spent most of his life training with his father, though he couldn't say he liked his father all that much either. Kids his age had a habit of making him jealous though, even if their lives weren't perfect, they didn't have endeavour for a father.

Still, mow he stood in his home bathroom, looking at his face in the mirror, practicing how to speak to you. Wondering what might male you smile.

It was stupid, really. He had been speaking all his life, words weren't all that hard, but he guessed je might have to try a little harder on these ones.

"Hello, im shoto."

No, you already knew that, you would probably think he is dumb.

"How does your quirk work?"

Metal, obviously. How could anyone have missed that after yesterday. Maybe if he tried to relate to you? But how could someone like him relate to you? You looked so pure, maybe not the happiest, but you didn't seem like you'd been to hell and back.

He thought you were likely just the nervous type, an overthinker.

"Hi, y/n."

"I'm sure that would work.."

Shoto's head jolted to the open bathroom door and he saw fuyumi standing there. He didn't know her well, but they lived together so he should have shut the door.

"What do you mean?" he questioned, not sure that was the right one at all.

"Brother, I don't know who you want to talk to, but, it's best if you speak in the moment, all you have to say is hi."

"Maybe to normal people." he spoke, still stone faced, not believing he would work.

"So this person isn't normal?"

"No, she apologizes too much."

Fuyumi laughed a bit, "What does that mean?"

"Well, after observing her today, I think if I said hi, she would just say sorry.." he pondered, imagining your cute face flustering and stuttering and putting an apology.

"Oh my, well I guess I'll leave you t0 it then."

"Um, thanks?"

-

School the next day was exciting for both of you. You, being ready to train and learn and make friends, and he to use his well rehearsed conversational skills. Little did the two of you know the dramatic training that would take place all but the second day of school. It wasn't like anything to be expected, the day started out with a simple english class led by present mic.

Having arrived barely on time due to the crazy long bike ride, you had no time to become friends with todoroki. However, upon first entering the school, you met the smart and pretty girl from the day before. It seemed she was still curious about your quirk, but this morning she was mindful of your anxiety.

Her movements were soft and her voice was calm and quiet as she questioned you on the way to class. The way she treated you was very settling, it made the brisk walk towards class 1-A just a bit easier today. No one had ever really spoken to you like that.  Kids at your old school opted to ignore you because you were always busy anyways, or tease you for being sheltered and as they would say "innocent." You were not.

All of the things middle schoolers seemed to fancy were just irrelevant to your career as a hero, it made no sense to indulge them. So, given that history, this sweet girl, who had a habit of pulling and twisting the ends of her skirt, had made you feel ecstatic. Yaoyorozu had actually changed her demeanor to accommodate you, she really was too caring.

"Now, which of these four sentences contains a mistake?"

You weren't paying attention, to say the least. English and learning could wait for a time when the boy next to you wasn't looking so endearing. Today you learned he has different colored eyes as well, beautiful cerulean blue on one side and dark grey on the other. It was odd of you to be staring, even more odd at this boy you barely know, but something about that blue in his eye was so familiar, you just couldn't place it. Not to mention the burn scar residing around it.

It would be rude to ask, but you really were curious. Suppose that's a topic to remember when you know him better-if you know him better.

The class went by in a haze as you tried to find another pair of those blue eyes in your memory, but to no avail.

Then, you quietly shuffled down the halls to the lunch room. The line for lunch was very long, so you it was nerve racking to enter, but you wandered up and made your way there. Once you had your lunch, you took a long inhale, treasuring the steam of the rice that warmed your face.

The table's seemed mostly occupied, but you had to remind yourself there were probably no assigned groups. Everyone was new. Everyone was confused about where to sit. Or maybe they weren't? Maybe they made friends on the first day while you were busy apologizing...

"Hey, y/n, I still have some questions if you wanna sit with me?"

Startled by the voice, you jumped, the food on your tray doing a quick bounce to mimic you. The voice was recognized quickly, though, as the girl you'd spoken to earlier. It wouldn't hurt for todoroki to be your second friend, would it?

Turning over your shoulder you shot a half-assed smile at her to mask the sudden discomfort. She really was right behind you, had she been there the whole time?

You walked to a table in a corner, following her, and noticed a couple other girls there. It wasn't a new idea that in school settings, people often linked to stick with their own gender. It was just a bit of a shock that they could all bond so quickly over something so miniscule as being female.

In life your mom and dad had always equally been your best friends, it's an odd example but the dynamic is similar to if they were kids, too. That led you to believe there wasn't much difference between hanging around girls or guys. You wouldn't complain, anyone talking to you here was a blessing. Well, maybe not the yelling one.

"So, um, you had more questions?" you look up at momo warily.

Her face brightens in excitement as she pulls out a piece of paper. It seemed to be a list, had she been preparing questions? Geez, no need to make you feel special.

"So, you used your blood yesterday and somehow applied ample force to it to hurl a ball to an exact distance, care to um elaborate?"

The rice was just about to reach your mouth, but you paused, for her sake. Best to answer, then eat, although it smells delicious.

"Oh, well, you acknowledged earlier that my quirk has to do with metal, the medical term would be ferrokinesis. So, I was just manipulating small particles of iron, without unbonding them from my blood."

"Woahh, I totally didn't even know blood was like that..." Mina, the pink haired girl spoke, shaking her head and bouncing her beautiful curls as she did so.

Seeing her distraction, you shoved an ungodly amount of rice into your mouth, feeling a bit more comfortable already. Your cheeks squished out like a chipmunks and you chewed the best you could to both savor the flavor, and not choke.

"So you could do that with other people's blood?"

Mouth still full of food, you continued to answer casually.

"Well, I suppose I could.." you continued to chomp, voice slightly muffled by the rice in your cheeks,"but I'm not sure that'd be vewy hewoic of me."

E/c eyes glanced up at them casually to scope their opinions on your words, but the girls were too busy cooing at how adorable you were. Their sudden change of emotion caused an embarrassment trigger to go off in your mind. Cheeks heating up, but not showing any red. Eyes widening, you quickly swallowed the last of your rice, and sputtered out an apology for your disrespect.

"Oh gosh, it's rude to talk your mouth full, I'm sorry. My mother usually finds it funny because of the way my voice changes, but you're not my mom, haha. Wait!Um no she doest say that, um, I-"

"It's okay, you're adorable, and please don't say sorry, okay?" The girl with the sound quirk, and stylish hair spoke.

"Oh, um, yeah.."

-

Hero basic training. The moment of the day you'd been anticipating. Come to U.A. for the hero course, and this is the time of day you will always look forward to.

"I AM HERE!" You heard a voice boom from the doorway.

Sure enough, there he was. The number one pro hero, All Might himself. He was cool, but you preferred endeavour or best jeanist. It was just, he was so flashy, and people always depended on him for relief or safety, it didn't make sense. What happens when eventually, he is out of commission? Heroes that didn't worry about being some beacon of hope might be less comforting, but at least they'd get the job done now, and be easier to let go of later.

These thoughts, however, did not change the fact that you did still revere him. Who wouldn't? It All Might.

He went on a spiel about today's training, being ridiculously loud. Today wouldn't fight training, and it seemed the boy next to you was indifferent about that, but you, you were excited. This was what your quirk did best. Not to brag, but you'd say you have about a 7/10 chance of beating almost anyone in this class in hand to hand or quirk on quirk combat.

After all, you sacrificed your childhood to pursue it.

"But one of the most important things about being a hero is looking good-" The walls suddenly protrude outwards, causing your body to stiffen. Oh. It was the costumes. How exciting.

"Get yourselves suited up, and then meet me at training ground beta."

You happily obliged, rushing to grab your case and to change, this would most definitely be a fun training day!

[cutegirlmayra]

(All your prompts and writing has given me so much feels Mayra

(*crying tears of joy* she said talented and great work, and that it gave her feels, I’m just.. my heart. *grips* Thank you, child. Thank you.)

I actually have been KILLING to write my idea for the new character as a villain. I have two scenarios, one as a man and one as a woman, but both villains. After this one, I’ll definitely have to write the female version! In both of them, either Amy or Sonic is threatened and the other basically saves/helps them out.

I’m so excited~ You are the best for giving me a prompt that allows me to work my magic!!!~

Prompt:

As he looked out over the battlefield, seeing how Eggman’s minions were doing and also analyzing team strategies, the villain suddenly took notice of a girl fighting the crowd.

“Oh?” his curiosity peaked up as he smirked, “Cubot. Orbot.”

The two robots shivered, deeply afraid of him, maybe even more so than Eggman since this mercenary had a ‘darker’ moral code than even he…

“Who’s she?” he looked fondly to the scene, but there was something sinister in his questioning.

“…” the robots looked to each other, worried about giving him information.

The man turned his head back, “Do I not recall your creator giving you strict instruction to inform me on my enemies?”

The robots, on either side of him, suddenly scooted back and gripped each other in a clanking hug. They saw what he did to their kind…

“S-sh-she’s Amy Rose, sir!”

“N-no one of any great importance really. Her skill set is mostly a balance of raw power and extraordinary speed.”

“Y-yeah! And the self proclaimed girlfriend of Sonic the-EMPH!” Orbot shoved a hand up over Cubot’s speaker.

“You idiot! He doesn’t need to know that!”

“What? A girlfriend?” he suddenly looked down at the girl, fighting to her heart’s content.

He suddenly smirked, and began to chuckle.

“She’s the queen of this little band of fools?”

“Q…queen?” the two looked at each other, confused.

He laughed again, leaning his head up before looking back down and seeing Sonic come in to take out a few robots around her.

She smiled and nodded to him as he winked and gave her a thumbs up, and sped off.

He adjusted his gloves, pulling them down. “Come on, boys. You know what they say…” he walked with absolute steadiness that didn’t seem earthly, as his quills suddenly stood on end, as if he was excited for the events his mind imagined to unfold…

“If you want to learn the strength of the pack…

                                                 ,,,you attack the queen.”

Amy swung around and dodged a large robot arm that had swung down at her, then, taking the A.I robot by surprise, she twisted her hammer to where it’s edges gripped the crook of it’s arm, and pulled it over herself and let it smash to the ground.

She wiped some sweat off her brow, seeing her work here was done.

“My, you really are a strong alpha female…”

“Huh?”

Amy turned around, but only saw a shadow within the flames.

“I’m amazed they left you unguarded… without any way to call for help..”

“Who are you..? And I’m perfectly able on my own!” Amy held her hammer up, confident as she glared into the flaming silhouette, as it continued to walk around and behind the flame.

He laughed lightly, before the silhouette showed him raising his hand up, as if gesturing skyward. “I simply wanted to see what would happen if I got you alone… I suppose my little strategy worked. Look,… no cameras.”

She took a second to turn and look up, seeing that the cameras Eggman installed were destroyed.

Her eyes traced the area for origin of destruction, but was suddenly met by a fierce wind that broke the flames from him, creating a curtain effect of a kind that parted a way for him, as he charged her and gripped her neck.

“Augh! Ahh…” she gripped his arm and pulled it back, but noticed his being was still hovering from the launch.

His steel eyes were fixated on her, as he slowly moved to place a foot on the ground, and then another.

“You certainly are a careless queen. Turning your eyes from the enemy.” he tilted his head as she struggled.

He eyed her hand.

“You have… a remarkable strength about you.”

“L…Let me go!”

“Why? It’s almost a dream to hold you close..” he suddenly pulled her towards him, shocking her into a gasp, before he looked down at her and moved his hand to punch her in the gut.

“Ack..! Ugh…” she dropped her hammer, as he saw her hand loosen from his own and moved his grip to her chin, pulling her up so she didn’t fully collapse.

“Oh, you’re no fun…” he moved his lips carefully over the side of her face, barely closing his eyes as he took in her scent. “I would have at least thought you’d scream for help…”

“I don’t… urk… scream.” she twitched her eyebrow, before pushing back and summoning her hammer from the ground, swinging it.

He reached up and gripped it, but she smiled.

“What?” He lost his suave as Amy traced the fearful surprise in his eyes.

She cleverly hammed a fist into his stomach, as he slowly bent over from the impact, and moved away, rubbing her hand on her chin and then wiping the side of her face off.

She stood boldly, as if with pride. “I guess I’m not as stupid as you thought. Thanks for the idea.” She narrowed her eyes, “You must be Eggman’s new puppet, right? The Metallic bender.”

He gripped his stomach, having purposefully let her go to get away, and then looked up from kneeling on one knee.

He shook his head and rose up again, shaking off the pain by rotating his shoulders, and again, laughing lightly.

“You amaze even the most dangerous of foes.” he complimented, before shifting a flirty eye back to her. “Perhaps that why you’re a solo queen.”

“Excuse me?” Amy rose an eyebrow. “Look, I don’t know what you’re getting at here…”

She readied herself for another counter, in case he charged again. But he just laughed, bending over and then arching his back to do so.

“But what you’re doing is wrong! Can’t you see that? They’re must be some mercy and justice in you!”

“Mercy?” he suddenly, and with sharp precision, cut off his laughter to smile and look back at her.

The turning of his body made her step back slightly, before making sure her footing was sturdy enough to take a blow.

Why was he so… cheery?

“Heh. You speak of mercy… What? Ah!” he suddenly pointed to her, “You… no,…” he slightly moved his head back, as if questioning his own theory. “You’re not trying to reform me,… are you? Oh, that’s precious. You see… people like you will always be prey. Believing that the… oh, what would you call it… natural order of things can be pursued against itself to a far better nature than presented.” he casual swung himself towards her in his walk, as if completely confident in both his words and the unsettling situation.

As he approached, he snapped his fingers and searched for a word, but once having it, continued on before stopping in front of her, eyeing her and not even giving her hammer the corner of his eye…

“But you’re forgetting something very important, Queen Rose.” he looked so innocent as he pouted with a shake of his head, mocking her.

He spoke quietly, and watched her intently as he moved ever so slightly closer to her.

Then his tone grew vicious, and his true hangs appeared as he leaned above and down to loom over her with every bit of a bite to his words…

“You forget that some in this world love the suffering of others! The pure torture of taking everything one loves away from them. And the screams of their last hope lost.”

“…Like I said.” Amy breathed hard quietly, but it showed by the bouncing of her chest that she was unnerved by his reaction.

“I don’t scream.”

He suddenly shifted his fierce demeanor, leaning back and laughing.

“You are too idealistic, Rose! Oh, queen of the rebellion! You are truly a prize worth risking a king’s anger for.” he bent his head back down as she attempted to swing her hammer out, but he dodged it.

“I will enjoy ripping every last bit of fight out of you… and crippling your friends into a submission that will cost them more then the war… but their very lives…” he started to quickly advantage on her.

“Ge… Get away from me!” Amy continued to fight him, as he dodged and blocked, going to hits but she skillfully deflected and at times, reflected them.

He was hit away, at last, before looking fierce and animistic in his eyes.

Fire burned in his eyes much like the surroundings, as he held his arms outstretched.

“What’s wrong, queen? Refusing to reform me? Have you given up!?” he slammed his hands down, and the robot parts around him spiraled upward and formed armor around his being.

“Let’s dance.” the that had just formed helmet clicked down.

—————————————————————————————-

Eggman was trying to turn on his cameras, but the spy system seemed busted. “Dratt! I thought Sonic and his pathetic friends would never find them this time!”

Orbot and Cubot, coming through the door first, looked worriedly at each other as they pushed their fingers up nervously together, and swiped them over the other before addressing Eggman.

“Sir… we need to talk.” Cubot started, gesturing up to the doctor.

“Not now! Can’t you see I’m working blind?”

The two looked at each other.

“That’s the thing! You’re new recruit is-!”

“Doctor. I’ve arrived.”

The two froze up, clanking in fright as they turned around.

He smiled, looking easy as his eyelids drooped to show how calm he was.

He looked to the robots.

With every bit of poison that sounded like charmingly smooth music, he spoke to them, “Hello, boys.”

They hugged each other again, afraid he may have overheard them about to warn Eggman.

“Hmm? What’s gotten into you two?” Eggman looked down at how intimidated they were, before looking around and seeing the mercenary put Amy down, gently stroking a quill out from upon her face, as if obscuring her face was a sin in his eyes.

A lesser sin… perhaps… to those that he’s already performed…

“There’s been a change of plans, Eggman.”

“EMPEROR EGGMAN to you.” He stood tall, folding his arms, and suddenly extremely suspicious.

“What’s this all about?” he cocked an eyebrow up.

He smirked, and walked forward, “I want to rearrange our little deal.”

“…Go on?” Eggman was still curious why Amy was there, but figured he’d explain soon enough.

“The girl. I want her apart of the deal.” he fondly turned back to Amy. “I was planning to knock her out and use her as bait to rile up her teammates. But I grew slightly fond of her. If you really do robotize the world, I’d like to have at least one… play thing in it.” he turned back to Eggman.

Eggman, suddenly feeling a bit fatherly for the first time, threw his arms down.

“Absolutely not.” he briskly walked back to his computer.

“You lay a hand on even a fraction of her quills, and Sonic’ll have your head. I’m not going to be responsible for that kind of revenge plotting. You haven’t seen him when he’s upset.” Eggman looked indirectly over his shoulder, that last line as if he knew first hand how dangerous that could be.

“Typical of a king.” he rolled his eyes at Eggman’s response, as if having little to no real worry about any of that.

“It’s best to play it off as a game. Deliver her back or use her. I don’t care which. But don’t think I’ll leave you an Eve to your Dark Eden.”

“There’d be no Eden without Eve…”

He didn’t look pleased by that response, before turning back to Amy.

“The answers no.” He stated very firmly, folding his arms, and then turning back to his work. “Now, scat along, will you? I’ve a very busy tyrant.”

“Then… perhaps I won’t be so… willing to assist you anymore.”

“Excuse me-EEE?!?!?” Eggman leaned back as a metallic shard was thrown to hook a side of his mustache against the computer screen, causing the screen to crack and show grey streaks of lines as if offline.

Eggman tugged a moment, before ripping the shard out, and looking it over.

“…You make a good point,… Synchro…” he gripped the metallic shard, and turned back to him, a deadly bargain afoot as at first Synchro looked serious, before smiling friendly back to the Doctor.

“I could use a man with your… unique… metal bending talents.”

“Oh, go on.” he rolled his head, as if adoring the praise. “I live to please~” he bowed deeply, but clearly, it was all for show.

“..Heh… good.” Eggman threw the metallic piece down, slamming it with his fist into the ground, and then pointing directly up at Synchro.

“I want no part of your scheming, Synchro. But you can tease the girl all you want. But there better not be even a scratch on her head by the time Sonic comes to get her. Understood?”

Synchro raised a mocking eyebrow, “You seem to say that as if suggesting I’ll give her back.”

“Not. One. Hair.” Eggman wagged the finger closer and closer to his face, before the two turned to see Amy slowly coming too.

“Take her away from here. Do what you will but Orbot and Cubot will see to the girl.”

“Ah. Supervisors?” Synchro looked to them. “Well, things are just going to seem awkward for you third and forth wheel.” he kid, as the two quickly scurried to Amy, having processed their new commands.

He turned his head, and seemed to eyed them very closely… as if figuring out how to get rid of them later.

“Synchro.”

He turned his head back to Eggman. “My liege~” he faked another proper bow.

Eggman stared back at him over his shoulder, leaning down with his hands supporting him on the control panel, before clicking something to get his cameras and sights back online.

“…Don’t abuse her. I won’t forgive defying me.”

“Defiling? What was that? Doctor! I’m surprised you would suppose…” he smirked, lifting an acted hand to his ear as if just playing the role.

“I need to hear it. You won’t harm the girl.”

“…I may just do that. But I won’t kill her.”

Eggman turned his head back to him, growing angrily.

“… I’ll only touch what can be seen~” he winked and held up a finger, before drawing an ‘X’ over his heart. “Promise, good tyrant. Promise.”

“…See that he does.” Eggman turned to his robots, who worried they didn’t know how to stop him.

The two dragged Amy off, hauling her onto a hover cart, as Synchro turned around and looked down at her.

“Even protected by a supposed evil overlord. Tell me, queeny. Have you reformed the world?”

His mocking laughs trailed into Amy’s ears as she twitched her eyes, attempting to try and wake up… as the light faded…

And she was dragged off into an unknown location.

“Son-” she barely could speak out, as he looked out, and placed a finger over his mouth, smirking. “-ic…” he placed something over her mouth.

“Shh…” he cooed, ever so softly, before the gas knocked her out again. “There’ll be no talk of such things.” he looked to the robots.

They quickly turned forward, pulling the hover craft along.

He crooked his smile even further before looking ahead.

“Now it’s my time to assert the throne. I’ll steal your queen. I’ll overthrow the overthrower. I’ll kill this world’s hero. And all the while I shall I make this world�� My world…”

Orbot and Cubot, once out of distance from Eggman, were suddenly cringing as their beings were combined and reorganized into a chest armor and gun, and then a nice metallic crown on his head.

“Heh. Such trusting fools.” he laughed as he kicked Amy’s craft down an air shoot, and jumped on it.

Taking her far away, he looked back to see a blue blur charging Eggman’s tower.

“….She’s not there~” he whispered manically, and let his wicked laugh carry in the winds…

(Don’t worry, she’ll be okay :) I hope you don’t mind… I focused more on Amy in danger and trying to reform him than I did Sonic saving her. It’s clear he will, but I wanted to show off a villain who was interested in Amy. It makes it even more sinister when he flirts with her! Don’t you think?)

(Part 2 x)