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lucienarcheron · 1 month

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Spirit Meets the Bones XXX

Genre: Angst/Romance/Drama Warnings: Mentions of physical abuse. Author’s Note: In case you missed it, here’s a little art I commissioned of my darlings <3

shoutout to @divinerivals for being on this journey with me <3

Tagging: @climb-the-mountian / @vanserrass / @zenkindoflove / @animezinglife / @readthelastpaage / @teddyhoneybear / @positivewitch / @clockwork-ashes / @carnythian / @secret-third-thing / @runningwiththeoceans / @readychilledwine / @goldenmagnolias / @that-golden-lyre / @thedarkinmansfield / @mali22 / @maidr-00 / @electromagnetic-waves / @eastofatlanta / @moobell55 / @bibliophiliaxvignette / @devilsfoodcake22 / @weesablackbeak / @ladywhilemia / @alohaangels / @feysandfeels / @corcracrow / @dawneternal / @gracie-rosee / @mage-neve / @queenoftheworld1998 / @wolvesnravens / @illyrianvalkyrie / @rainbowsnowflake

Find it all here.

For once, Iris was awake before her husband.

The last few days had been a whirlwind of movement and this was the first time he’d gotten a chance to actually rest. He slumbered next to her and she couldn’t help but watch him, her chest tightening at how exhausted he seemed. Iris hadn’t slept too well either given the impending ball and all that was to come from it. It had awoken a new set of worries in her and what should’ve been a joyous event of some sort, was now going to end in a bloodbath.

Whose blood they would be drowning in remained to be seen.

Aside from the chain of events that would be taking place, whatever else Eris wanted to discuss with her made her nervous. Her husband had always been straightforward with her, even when he was hesitant to discuss something. Eris avoiding the discussion altogether had Iris wondering just how unpleasant it would be.

There was so much to be done and so much to worry about and as she watched him sleep, an ache unfurled in her chest.

She had basically confessed that she was falling in love with him. While Iris was sure it was obvious and he could probably sense it, this was the moment she was finally admitting it to herself. Which was incredibly silly given they were married and mates. And yet…words between them held a certain weight. She wanted to wait until he was ready to hear it. Until it felt right.

Even if they seemed to be running out of time.

Iris brushed her hair from her face then curled back into him and immediately, Eris’s arm wrapped around her. He slept on his side and she gazed at his face, still so serious in his slumber. Iris couldn’t help but brush the back of her hand across his cheek and as Eris sleepily nuzzled into her hand, she felt her cheeks heat. She loved being touched by him but she loved touching him even more and watching him shudder, knowing he had never been this relaxed with anyone else. Knowing only his mate could bring him this level of ease.

It never ceased to make her heart flutter the way they touched so easily and openly.

And gods, she didn’t know when the two of them had become such blubbering messes with each other…anytime she thought back how prickly they had been together, it seemed a lifetime away.

Now, Iris felt addicted. It was a chasm of all her wants and desires and she dived in headfirst. And it really was these little things - the touch of his hand and how it lit a fuse in her heart, how it made her ache in the best way.

Leaning in, she couldn’t help but place a small kiss against his lips. And while yes, she was worried about whatever else he had yet to share, Iris trusted him. He’d tell her when he was ready.

In the meantime, she could ease some of his stress, right? They could…play with each other, right? Especially when in three weeks they…they could be separated.

Iris forced herself to take a breath, wiggling the prickle of anxiety from her fingers, and instead, focused on cataloging every inch of his face. He would be alright. They would be alright together.

Lightly, she let a finger trace the scattering of freckles on his shoulder – freckles she had thought about kissing embarrassingly often. She wondered if he could tell.

Biting her lip, Iris watched him for a breath then — feeling bold, she leaned forward and planted a feather-like kiss on those exposed freckles that she was just tracing before moving again to plant another soft kiss on his collarbone and then one more on his neck.

She would’ve kept going, that invisible string between them urging her to keep close and do more but Iris felt him shift and pulled back. She blushed furiously at his sleepy smirk.

“Well. Good morning, wife.”

“Hi.”

Her response sounded too demure to her own ears and when he chuckled, she couldn’t help but hide away in the crook of his neck, hating that he brought out this side of her. This stupid shyness.

His chest rumbled with another chuckle beneath her and Iris felt goosebumps erupt across her body when his hand slid down her back and up. She was still in her silk robe from yesterday. Eris had begged her to keep it on so he wouldn’t lose his sanity and the way it felt beneath his fingers now as he soothingly rubbed her back – it was testing Iris’s own sanity.

“If you’re trying to take advantage of me, I can pretend to be sleeping again.” he murmured in her ear. “You have my permission to do whatever you want, little gazelle.”

“You’d love that, wouldn’t you,” she said, pulling back to meet his gaze and the knowing grin on his face.

“You having your way with me? I’m dying to see how creative your mind can be.”

Iris tsked and pursed her lips, her finger back to tracing his collarbone, and she avoided his gaze. “I’m not sure what kind of dirty mind you think I have but I doubt it’s as filthy as yours.”

Eris’s hand slid until it was under her chin and forced her to look at him, his smile wicked. “I hope it’s the filthiest.”

“I don’t think anyone could take that top spot from you.”

“You’re right,” he whispered, his gaze darkening as he watched her. “My mind is absolutely, wholeheartedly, and unapologetically disgusting when it comes to you.”

Heat surged between them and their mingled scents of arousal filled the room. The evidence of Eris’s desire was already pressed against her and Iris wondered if he knew just how tempted she was to climb him like a tree. She wondered how many mornings could they have like this, waking up and wanting to be skin-to-skin. Where they could wake up and be all over each other. Iris wondered if he could sense the slickness gathering between her legs.

She licked her lips and whispered, “Tell me.”

Eris closed his eyes and Iris had to bite back a smile when he took a deep breath, his nostrils flaring.

“Wife.” he said tightly and squeezed her against him.

“Mate.” she whispered again and Eris made a noise of distress, burying his nose into her hair and Iris couldn’t help the giggle that slipped from her lips.

“Menace,” he choked out, pulling back to narrow his eyes at her.

“I think you mean delight.” she replied sweetly and Eris felt his heart nearly beat out of his chest.

He kept telling himself to be patient but gods, waking up like this with her — with her lips on him and lovely soft body pressed up against him, the scent of her desire all over him. How was he supposed to resist? How was he not supposed to devour her?

Iris watched his mind work but for once, she didn’t want him to think. She didn’t want either of them to worry about anything – to hold back. The bond between them was a living thing and it was begging the two of them to touch.

“Do you want me to start?” she asked and watched as her husband’s eyes darkened with desire.

“Start what?” he rasped.

“Telling you how often I think about you touching me.” she continued in her hushed voice and Eris groaned.

“Yes – no – wait –”

“I barely said anything.” she teased. “Should I keep going?”

“No.” he almost begged.

“But…” she started and had to swallow before having the courage to continue, “I didn’t get to tell you about how often I – I think about your cock. How good I know it’ll make me feel.”

“Oh fuck.” Eris breathed and squeezed his eyes shut. He had to force himself to count to ten slowly so he didn’t embarrass himself and fucken come right then. His wife was supposed to be shy when it came to sex. Despite his teasing, he always approached it carefully so he didn’t push her away from it. So he didn’t overwhelm her. So he didn’t fucken tackle her in his haste to taste her.

Yet here she was confessing something so simple and he was about to crumble. Like an imbecile.

“It’s too early for me to be able to handle the word cock coming out of your mouth.” he said tightly.

Iris flushed deeply, thoroughly enjoying his pain, and said, “I think about tasting you. Taking you in my mouth.” she confessed and Eris wasn’t embarrassed to admit he almost whimpered. “I don’t have experience doing that but – but I’ve read enough romance novels to manage.”

“I’ll teach you,” he said and squeezed her against him. “I’ll teach everything while I show you everything I’ve been wanting to do to you.”

“Do you want to know what else I’ve thought about?” she whispered and Eris’s eyes were almost glazed over as they shared a look.

“Yes.” he breathed then, “No.”

Iris’s chuckle was a little breathless as she said, “I think about how experienced you are and how that’ll work in my favor.”

“You have no idea how depraved I want to be when it comes to you.” he said, his voice guttural.

“Then tell me.” she whispered, pressing herself against him even further, knowing that being chest to chest would be something he couldn’t resist. Eris couldn’t take his eyes off her as she stared up at him with those rose-colored cheeks, her eyes filled with as much desire as his own.

Licking his lips, he finally spoke. “I think about us fucking almost too much for my own good,” he said. “It’s a sickness. An illness. An addiction. You’d never be the same after.”

Iris bit her lip and shifted, squeezing her thighs together. “That’s – that’s a big promise.”

“Mmm.” Eris hummed and couldn’t stop himself from saying more. “I think about how I’d lock us in this room and have my way with you. Fuck you in every position possible until you’re so overstimulated you can’t move. Until the only thing you can do is whimper my name and I’d just fuck you again to keep hearing your whimpers.” Iris shuddered against him and Eris’s hand slid down her back and squeezed her backside, kneading as he continued, “I’d have you covered in my come with more of it dripping out of you. I’d fill you up every chance I had. Wake up with my cock inside you and go to bed with my cock inside you, keeping it warm for me.”

Iris had to take a shaky breath, arching into his touch as he squeezed her ass, her nipples hard beneath the robe and she knew he felt it, pressed up against him like this.

“That sounds like a lot of work.” she rasped and Eris’s grin was wicked.

“As long as you’re willing to keep these lovely legs spread for me, I’d be delighted to have you sit back and let me do all the work,” he said, his voice low. “You can be my pretty princess.”

Iris licked her lips and squeezed her thighs together again, feeling her core throb with each word he said. “And what if I wanted you on your back, where I think you belong?” she asked. “What then?”

“I’d lay back and let you decide if you want to ride my cock or ride my face. As long as I can have your pretty cunt on me.”

Iris didn’t know if it was possible for her face to heat further but her whole body was on fire. The silk of her robe was a cage, a curse when she desperately wanted him to touch her.

“Eris.”

“Yes?”

“If you don’t touch me right now –”

She didn’t finish the sentence before her husband was upon her and immediately, her legs wrapped around his waist, her robe falling open, and his hardened cock lined against the spot she was craving for him to touch. Their kiss was a clash of teeth, messy, desperate, and asd Eris thrust his hips into her hard enough that Iris was sure she would come any minute.

Touch. Taste. Claim.

Eris rolled his hips into her again, relishing in the feeling of her cunt against him through the sorry excuse of lace covering, and feeling her wetness only made him want to taste it, made him want to dive between her legs and never come out. His hands touched and squeezed every inch of her and the sounds she was making only spurred him on as he nearly ripped that fucken robe off her. The straps of her nightgown fell off her shoulders in his haste, and her breasts were pushed up by the way he was hovering over her and Eris was almost sure he was going to black out. His tongue found its way to hers and their desperate kiss became even more eager as she dug her nails into his shoulder, rocking her hips to meet his.

It would take him seconds to rip the scrapes she wore off. Even less if he burned them off and as Eris’s mouth devoured hers, the mating bond between them shone bright, the gold thread wrapping its way around them and Eris – he would embarrass himself and come like this, nearly fully clothed – especially when Iris whimpered, clamping her legs around him – he would embarrass himself and their scents together would threaten to kill him —

Their scents — the scent of their mating bond threatened to —

And it was like a bucket of cold water was thrown over him and Eris froze. The scent of their mating bond — How could he forget?

Iris stilled beneath him, her brows furrowed at him in confusion as he abruptly pulled away. Their labored breaths were the only sound throughout the room and Iris would’ve died of embarrassment of being so disheveled had Eris not been right there, struggling with her.

But he’d pulled away –

“Eris…?” Her tone was tentative as she glanced at him, still hovering over her.

“We should stop.” he said hoarsely and Iris blinked.

“What?”

“We need to stop.”

The words had barely left his mouth when he pulled away completely and Iris shifted, slowly and carefully fixing her nightgown, suddenly feeling exposed in a way she didn’t like. She watched as Eris stumbled out of their bed, running a hand through his hair, his expression shutting down.

Swallowing, she sat up on her knees, observing him standing at the foot of the bed, his back to her, and immediately, whatever worries she had tried to keep at bay came flooding back. A moment of silence passed before she finally asked, “What’s wrong?”

Eris winced but kept his back to her, trying to calm the raging beat of his heart, trying to ignore the thread of gold that tied them together currently choking him.

A risk. It was a risk to become more intimate than this. With everything that was to come, having anyone, especially his father scent their bond now would be a very foolish move. He couldn’t risk it. He couldn’t make it worse for her.

A wife could always leave. A bonded mate? A bonded mate would always be linked back to him.

“Did I do something wrong?”

And her question was in a tone so quiet and troubled, Eris almost threw himself out the window.

He turned back to find her sitting, her robe back on her and her fingers nervously fidgeting in her lap but it was the way she looked at him that struck a nerve. She hadn’t looked so deflated since he’d met her and he had caused that.

“Of course not.” he breathed and as quickly as he had shot away from her, Eris closed the distance between them again and kissed her furiously. “You’re – you’re perfect. You’ve done nothing wrong.” he whispered before pulling away again and Iris blinked rapidly at the quickness of his movement.

“Then…what just happened? I thought – I thought we —”

Eris shook his head, giving her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes then turned away from her again, and Iris’s brows furrowed as he walked towards their shared closet and started rummaging. “As much as I would love to keep going in the direction our morning started, we – we can’t.”

“Alright…” she said slowly and slid off the bed, edging closer to him. “It’s alright if you changed your mind.” Smoothing down her hair, she attempted some humor, “I won’t make fun of you too much if it turns out you’re all talk with no follow through.”

Eris tensed and squeezed his eyes shut, misery choking him. “It’ll be a busy day and I’m already running late,” he said and Iris flinched when he slammed the closet door shut. “I’ll try to meet you for lunch but if I can’t, I’ll send word and you can continue with your day. Keep a hound on you at all times.”

Iris frowned, her hands fisting at her sides. “You’re making it very hard for me to believe that I didn’t do something to piss you off,” she said. “You – I’m feeling pretty rejected right now.”

Forcing himself to take a breath, trying not to inhale her scent too deeply, Eris turned to face her. “I’m – We have to be extra careful these next few days. I expect you to be on high alert every minute you’re outside of this room,” he said and Iris blinked. “I think it’ll be safest if we aren’t seen together as often. Let them believe we’ve gotten into some sort of fight.”

Iris stared at him in disbelief then huffed out an incredulous laugh. “Eris. What the hell are you talking about?”

“Haven’t you been listening?”

“Oh, I’m listening,” she said and her expression flattened. “I’m just waiting for you to start making some sense.”

Eris scowled and felt his ears turn red. This was stupid. He was being stupid but he couldn’t get into this with her right now. He couldn’t let himself get sucked into her orbit again, forgetting what was at stake. She was already a target for being his wife. The moment anyone scented their mating bond, it would be the end and he knew with how big these events usually went, his Father would already have something up his sleeve for the ball.

Finally, he sighed. “I’m sorry. Again, you didn’t do anything wrong. I will explain later when I’m not – when it’s better timing.”

“I have nowhere else to be right now,” she said curtly. “And the world won’t end if you take five minutes to explain what the fuck is going on in that overthinking head of yours.”

His mouth thinned and Iris felt anger surge through her body. She was angry and embarrassed but she sure as fuck was not going to let him leave without explaining.

“This is getting worse for you by the second, Eris,” she said. “I trust you but trust has to go both ways and I’ve been nervous about whatever you’re holding back on since the other night.” She moved until she stood right in front of him and pointed a finger to his chest. “Until you explain, I will not make it easy for you to leave this room.”

Eris watched her beautiful face and hated that he knew the pink of her cheeks was in anger – in discomfort that he was putting her through. That he had embarrassed her. But if he hadn’t stopped himself, it would’ve – he wouldn’t have been able to resist. And what kind of a husband, what kind of a mate would he be if he didn’t weigh the cost of his lust?

“Every mating bond has a scent,” he finally said and reached up to take her hand on his chest in his own. “Depending on how long the couple has been together, it either simmers down or becomes more potent. Couples who are freshly mated…the scent of their mating bond is very potent. Not to mention the craze of the mating frenzy that takes place.”

Iris blinked. “Oh.”

“Yes.”

“So you don’t want us to –”

“Yes.”

“Because you don’t want others to –”

“Yes.”

Her expression flattened. “And you didn’t think to take a moment and calmly explain this to me instead of pulling that little stunt?”

“I don’t explain things. I just do them.” he retorted and knew he sounded like an insolent child but he couldn’t help it and – he blinked and then scowled. Eris hadn’t even taken into account what the mating frenzy would be like and how he’d handle that amidst all that was happening.

Iris’s annoyance was evident on her face, especially when she pulled her hand away. “That may have worked for you before but clearly and obviously now, it doesn’t,” she said and tried with all her might not to snap at him. “This feels like an odd regression on your part given all that’s been happening between us.”

“I’m not –”

She held up a hand. “If you’re worried about people scenting our mating bond, you say that. We can find a solution. If you don’t want us to go further because you find yourself not wanting to, which is perfectly acceptable, you say that –”

“I always want to –”

But Iris waved her hand. “You use your words. I know that’s been difficult for you in the past and I am happy to be patient as you figure it out but what I don’t have patience for is being made to feel like this. Like I made a mistake and wasn’t dignified with a moment of your time for an explanation.”

Eris scowled. “I already said you didn’t do anything. I apologized.” he snapped.

Iris’s scowl was as mean as his own. “I do not care for that tone, Eris.”

“I do not care for yours either, Iris. I said I will explain later.”

A beat of tense silence passed before Iris scoffed and shook her head, taking a step back. “Of course, Your Highness,” she said curtly and Eris struggled not to let his expression fall when she backed away further and then turned from him, tightening her robe around her. “You did say you were running late and who am I to add to your plate? Don’t let me and my logical demands stand in your way.”

“Iris –”

“I’m too annoyed with you to continue this conversation. You can get what you asked for and we’ll discuss it later,” she called over her shoulder. “Don’t bother finding me for lunch either. I wouldn’t want you to accidentally have time to explain your thought process to me.”

“Will you please –”

But his wife had walked off into their bathroom, slamming the door behind her and Eris had to hold back a groan, left standing, like the idiot that he was, scowling in the aftermath of his own stupidity.

~~~

“Stupid bastard. Thinking I’m some mind reader…It’s not like I’m a daemati and can figure out what he’s thinking!” Iris grumbled and the pups turned as one to watch her pace around their kennel. “I know whatever it was he was thinking, was idiotic. He’s an overthinking machine and I’m certain it was a stupid reason that if we had just talked it out, it would’ve been fine.”

Iris paused and glanced down at the hounds, Lyra closest to her. With a sigh, she lowered herself to pet the hound, scratching behind her ear. “I suppose I could’ve let him start explaining but it would’ve been like pulling teeth and he was already running late.” Glancing at Lyra, she tilted her head and the hound followed the movement. “Plus I was annoyed. So. I think he needs to stew for a bit. He made me feel terrible this morning.”

And true to her word, Iris had ignored his message for lunch and avoided wherever he was. Was it childish? Yes. Did she feel silly doing so given everything between them and what was to come? Also yes.

But she couldn’t help it. When he pulled away from her after she had initiated their…hot and heavy morning, she was mortified. To have all that skin on display and be in such a vulnerable position, after saying all those things he said and all the things she had said – for him to pull away?

“Good luck getting my hands or mouth near your cock now, asshole,” she mumbled and slowly stood with another sigh, glancing down at Lyra. “Fancy a trip with me to the stables?”

“I’d love to go.”

Iris whirled around, her heart jumping to her throat and hand already at the dagger hidden in the folds of her dress but froze when she saw who the unexpected guest leaning casually against the door was. She straightened, six of the twelve hounds surrounding her.

“Finn.”

Her brother-in-law gave her a roguish smile and then bowed at the waist. “Sister-in-law.”

“How long have you been standing there? Wait – how did you get in?” she asked quickly, flustered that he may have been watching her and she hadn’t been aware. Judging by the smirk that graced his face, too similar to his brother’s, Iris had a feeling he’d heard more than she wanted.

“I also have access to their kennel though they’ll never like me as much as they love Eris,” he said and his smirk widened. “I heard something about hands and mouths near a cock? I could be mistaken, of course.”

Iris flushed and then scowled. “Sneaking up on me will not warm me up to your presence.”

“Ah, apologies, my lady. I didn’t want to interrupt such a riveting discussion.” Finn said with a grin. “If it helps, touching cocks is an enjoyable pastime of mine as well so nothing to be embarrassed about.”

He had the audacity to wink and Iris wished for the ground to swallow her whole.

“It does not help.” she tried to snap but only sounded even more flustered. “That – is — inappropriate.”

“Of course, of course,” he said, his mouth twitching before he glanced at the hounds still surrounding her. “I come in peace. Only to accompany your mother to her next destination. You can stand down.”

Surprisingly, the hounds listened to him but Lyra remained on high alert at Iris’s side. Glancing at the hounds, she knew Eris must’ve trained the hounds to trust Finn enough to get this kind of reaction from them.

“Accompany me?” she asked and met her brother-in-law’s gaze as he straightened, giving her a nod.

“Yes. I was told you’re sick of my brother’s face so I volunteered my own handsome face instead.”

Iris narrowed her eyes slightly. “He told you that?”

Finn chuckled. “Through clenched teeth and threatened me about sixty-five times before he actually allowed me to come.”

So Eris knew she was avoiding him and yet, couldn’t stop himself from sending someone to look after her. She wanted to be annoyed with him for this little antic but sending Finn was extending an olive branch; Iris knew exactly how much he liked his brothers being anywhere near her. For him to send Finn…at least he was respecting her request for space.

She couldn’t help but sigh and saw Finn try to fight back a smile. “I’m on my way to take Axel for a ride. I suppose you can join me.”

“Thrilled by your enthusiasm,” was Finn’s retort. “Do lead the way.”

Watching him warily, Iris bid the puppies goodbye and exited the kennel with Lyra in tow, Finn following her.

“So, Iris.”

“So, Finn.”

And the two watched each other as they walked, highly aware of their surroundings. Iris maintained the demur stance she always did with Eris in public and Finn seemed to walk with a menacing gait that Iris wasn’t sure he was faking. Their first interaction had been brief and though Eris had filled her in more about his personality, it was different being alone with him.

She tried not to be too intimidated by his height.

“Are we going to talk about how you have my brother by the balls?” he said and Iris snorted before remembering herself and clearing her throat.

“I don’t know what you mean. My husband is responsible for himself.”

“Ah, don’t want to ruin his image, I see,” Finn said with an exaggerated nod. “If it helps –”

“I don’t think you realize that whenever you say if it helps, you’re not actually being helpful.”

“I didn’t even get to finish my sentence.”

“Judging by all the other sentences you’ve said before, I deemed it necessary to cut you off.”

Finn snorted and gave her a sidelong glance. “I like you.”

Iris’s lips twitched. “The jury is still out on how I feel about you but I suggest not to get too comfortable.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

“I won’t be responsible for how Eris reacts to your behavior.”

“Pfft. He can be mad all he wants that we’re best friends.”

“Oh, we’re best friends now?” Iris asked with a raised brow and Finn grinned at her in such a devilish way that she knew almost instantly, that no male or female stood a chance against his charm.

“The absolute best of friends,” he confirmed. “Any female that my brother has allowed to touch him in front of me is my new friend.”

“Is that so? And how many new friends have you had?” she asked, her cheeks heating at his knowing gaze and Iris could tell from these few minutes alone with him, that this brother-in-law of hers was a riot to be around.

“Just the one, sister.”

The two had reached the stables and Iris paused by the door, her curiosity winning out. “Why are you really here, Finn?”

Finn’s gaze seemed to catalog her every breath as they stood before he shrugged. “He was worried and distracted enough that he sent me to make sure you’re alright. I’m assuming he did something stupid?”

“Did you ask him that?”

“I did and when he looked about ready to light a fire under my ass, I assumed the answer was yes,” he said and Iris’s lips twitched before she turned away, walking into the stables. She waved to the stable worker who bowed and upon seeing Finn, immediately exited. Finn had followed her in, a respectful distance away with Lyra between them, and as she stopped in front of Eris’s horse, she allowed herself another glance at her brother-in-law who watched her with too much glee on his face.

“You’re being odd.”

“I’m only excited to be spending time with my new best friend.”

Iris’s amusement rose by the second. “Has anyone told you, you’re a little too friendly?”

“All the time but it’s usually in a different setting,” he said with another wink. Iris rolled her eyes and turned to Axel, smiling at the horse and petting him gently as Lyra paced the stables.

“Aside from being distracted, is your brother fine?” she asked carefully and Finn’s smile was too smug.

“Are you worried about him?”

“Not particularly.”

“Ah, you’re a liar too,” Finn said and settled himself against Axel’s stall. “No wonder you fit right in.”

“I am not a liar,” she muttered with a scowl. “If you’re only here to escort me, I’ve arrived. You may go now.”

Finn tsked. “I thought we were going on a ride? Don’t withdraw your invitation now when we haven’t even gotten to Eris and his disappointing behavior as a husband.”

Her brows lowered, her expression betraying how incredulous she found him. “Don’t go putting words in my mouth about my husband.”

“Given what I heard you say you’d rather have in your mouth, I would never do that.”

Iris blinked, a breath of silence passing between them as he smirked down at her, and in the next breath, Iris’s knife was unsheathed and pressed to her brother-in-law’s throat.

Finn had the nerve to look delighted as he raised his hands by his head.

“I know you’re my brother’s wife and he would skin me alive if he heard me but I think I’m in love with you.”

“Finn.”

“Yes?”

“You’re too comfortable,” she said sweetly.

“But we’re best friends.”

“No, no we’re not. Especially if you keep this up.”

“If it helps —”

“It doesn’t.”

“ — I can tell you embarrassing things about Eris as a child?” he offered with a smile. “I’m his favorite brother. I have so much ammunition.”

Iris snorted and lifted the tip of her dagger to his cheek, tapping gently. “It’s sweet you think you’re his favorite,” she said, and giving him a warning look, she backed away, hiding her dagger again. That delighted expression of his remained and Iris wondered if he’d been dropped on his head as a child.

Granted, Finn Vanserra was called The Sword for a reason and Iris holding a knife to his neck had to be comical to him.

“You look so damn soft. Didn’t think you’d have it in you to knife me.”

“I look how I have to,” she merely replied and Finn watched her, a curious smile gracing his face.

Iris let him watch her, feeling like this was some sort of test she hadn’t signed up for and it made her wonder how often Eris had ever mentioned significant others around his brothers. Given his history and the nature of the Vanserra household, she couldn’t exactly be too surprised at how interested Finn seemed. Without a word, he moved past her and Iris backed away as he opened Axel’s gate and began to prepare the horse for her.

Iris watched him silently, suddenly feeling awkward as he worked; she didn’t think Finn was ever the type to be quiet and now Iris wondered if she was being rude to him. He was only here at Eris’s request; it wasn’t like he was trying to make her uncomfortable. Eris had told her he had a loud personality despite being under Beron’s thumb and it made her realize this loud personality was probably Finn’s act of rebellion against his father. Brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, Iris pursed her lips wondering if she also just sucked at realizing how friendships were formed.

Elain and Lucien had been different. Eris had prepared her for that but given how he’d originally warned her of his brothers, Iris wasn’t sure which side of them she would be getting.

She reached out, tapping his shoulder softly before dropping her hand as Finn paused and looked at her. “You don’t have to do that, you know. I can do it myself.”

“I’m not sure if your husband is just an idiot and he hadn’t made you realize this but you are much too pretty to do anything yourself, especially when you have a big strong handsome male around to do it for you,” he said, the corner of his mouth lifting and Iris couldn’t fight back a small smile.

“He would not take the words coming out of your mouth very well,” she said and Finn laughed softly.

“Getting on Eris’s nerves is an art I’ve perfected. Him marrying you only gave me more to work with,” he said and finally, led Axel out of his stall, handing the reins to Iris. “Despite the reservations I see you have about me, I’m genuinely curious about you. I know the way things are don’t allow much room to…do that comfortably but the offer is there.”

“To be my obnoxious best friend?” she asked with a raised brow, her lips twitching at his offended expression.

“I’m a delight.”

“Your brother thinks that too about himself but all he actually is, is annoying.” Iris replied and Finn snorted. “You two are cut from the same cloth.”

“I disagree but you are married to him. You can’t exactly call him out for the troll that he is.”

Iris shot him such a reproachful look, that her brother-in-law couldn’t help but laugh heartily. “If you’re jealous of him, Finn, you can just say so. Don’t go around saying ridiculous things.”

“Aw, you think my brother is handsome?”

Iris rolled her eyes then schooled her expression and said primly, “He’s alright.”

Finn grinned. “Not a troll then?”

“The only troll I’ve had contact with so far is the one standing in front of me.” she said dryly and Finn snorted.

“We both know that’s far from true,” he said and gave her a Cheshire cat smile. “I won’t tell Eris you think I’m more handsome than he is. It’ll be our little secret.”

“Wow,” Iris said and fought back a laugh. “You are certainly as delusional as he is about his looks.”

Finn chuckled and she watched him prepare his own horse, wondering if indeed, she could have a friend in him. Despite the circumstances, she knew Eris trusted him to an extent. With the ball coming up…she knew how deep that trust had to run for them to accomplish what they planned.

Her expression turned serious and when he met her gaze with a quirked brow, Iris straightened. “Finn.”

“Yes?”

“You’ll…you’ll have his back, right?” she asked quietly then swallowed. “He’ll be alright.”

Iris watched as emotions shifted across his face and a muscle flexed in his jaw before he put a hand over his heart and bowed. Iris blinked in surprise.

“None of us know what that night will bring,” he said softly and straightened, his expression the most solemn she’d seen from him. “But whatever it is – whatever happens, we’ll make sure he’s alright. You have my word on that.”

She bit the inside of her cheek and then nodded. “You – you didn’t have to bow.”

Finn’s expression softened into that roguish smile. “You’re the future Lady of Autumn. If I don’t pay my respects now, how else will I stay in your good graces to cause chaos later on?”

Iris shook her head, a small smile blooming on her face. “As if Eris would let you get away with anything.”

“With you distracting him? It’ll be a breeze.” Finn said, waving a hand.

“You overestimate how distracting I can be.”

Finn cackled. “You underestimate yourself, sister. I have never seen my brother like this before,” he said and gave her an approving nod. “It’s good for him.”

A blush spread across her cheeks and Iris pursed her lips, pulling Axel forward to give Finn space to bring out his own horse, Lyra wagging her tail in front of them. “I see the sweet talking has already begun.”

“I’m an excellent ass kisser, my lady.”

Iris tried to fight back her laugh but failed miserably when he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at her. Shaking her head again, she gave him a warning look. “Let’s get this ride over with so I can be free of your inappropriateness.”

But as they stepped out of the stables, Finn’s body snapped to attention and Iris’s brows furrowed as his expression changed. He shot her a warning look before they turned and were stopped by none other than the High Lord himself, the curious gleam in his eyes immediately setting Iris on edge.

“Well. Interesting to find the two of you here.” he drawled and Iris felt her pulse quicken. Her run-ins with her father-in-law had been far and few but Eris had always been with her, shielding her from it. This was her first run-in with him after what he did to Eris and she had to swallow the surge of anger that coursed through her.

Now the High Lord stood across from them and Iris already knew it would be as unpleasant as every interaction with him was. Two of his advisors stood behind him, glancing at her and Finn in curiosity but saying nothing as Beron took a step forward. The High Lord waved his hand carelessly behind him for them to leave and as he took a step forward, Lyra immediately straightened in front of Iris.

The High Lord’s brow lifted as he stared down at the hound then back at Iris. “If that hound doesn’t move in the next breath, I’ll kill it where it stands.”

Iris’s heart dropped and she quickly tapped her leg. “Lyra,” she called and the hound stood her ground until Iris repeated her name in a sharper tone. After a tense breath, Lyra shifted to Iris’s side, the hound’s gaze never leaving the High Lord despite how he sneered down at her.

“Father,” Finn said, shifting himself slightly in Iris’s space with his horse. “This is an unexpected surprise. I thought you were surveying the fields for our new crops.”

Beron shifted his gaze to his son and Iris swallowed hard at the way the High Lord’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I am where I wish to be.”

Finn nodded graciously. “Of course.”

Beron’s mouth shifted in disgust the longer he stared at Finn and Iris’s body tensed further when his gaze shifted back to her. She lowered her eyes, knowing it was what he wanted to see, her fingers tightening in the folds of her dress, and tried not to imagine the scars on Eris’s back. The scars Beron so happily gave him, still healing.

“Daughter-in-law,” he said and his tone had her hackles rising. Iris lifted her head as he took a few steps closer to her and met his sneer. “I see you’re venturing out without your husband.”

“He gave me permission, my lord.”

“Did he?”

Iris managed a nod and tried to keep her expression even as Beron’s gaze skated down her body, even if the way he looked at her made Iris want to claw his eyes out; she was wearing a fitted riding set but the way he watched her made it seem like she was standing in one of her nightgowns. His eyes lingered long enough that it made Iris fidget and the High Lord’s smirk was vile as he shifted to his son.

“Does your brother know you’re sniffing around his wife?” he asked and Finn tensed. “If you plan to share her, that’ll get messy.”

“Father.” Finn snapped with a scowl and Iris flushed deeply, rage lighting her body as the High Lord gave a nasty laugh. “This is not what —”

But Beron waved his hand, cutting Finn off, his magic forcibly pushing him back out of Iris’s space as the High Lord edged closer. “Are you preparing yourself for the first ball as a princess, Iris?”

“Yes.” she said tightly. “Of course.”

“I do wonder how your husband will fare given how all eyes will be on you,” Beron said slowly, again, watching Iris’s every breath with too much interest. “You may be required to dance with others.”

“I will do my duty as Eris wishes,” she said carefully and his snide smile made bile rise in her throat.

“You may be required to dance with me as well.”

Iris schooled her expression to remain as blank as possible. “It would be an honor, my lord.”

Beron lifted a brow. “Will it?”

Iris blinked. “Of course. I will do what is expected of me.”

“To please your husband?”

And Iris hated the way he said it – that tone he always used whenever she was unfortunate enough to be in his presence. The way he watched her every breath, trying to get a reaction from her. She desperately tried to fight back the heat rising to her cheeks at his choice of words.

“As I said, my lord,” she began quietly. “I will do my duty as Eris wishes.”

“Such loyalty,” he said lowly, a hand reaching out to tug sharply on one of Iris’s loose curls and Iris tried not to wince, taking a careful breath. The High Lord’s head tilted to the side, his nostrils flaring as he watched her before his gaze flickered to his son in distaste then back to Iris. “You do well to remain loyal.”

Iris had to swallow the insult as she flushed. “Of course, my lord.”

His eyes narrowed again and Iris didn’t know what exactly he was seeing or sensing other than her discomfort and the raging beat of her heart. She wondered if Eris could sense something was amiss. She hoped for his sake that he didn’t. Iris didn’t want him coming anywhere near his father right now, especially when Beron added, “Do note your father will be in attendance. I assured him you’d be on your best behavior. It will not end well if you are not.”

Iris tried to keep her expression from falling, to not give the High Lord the satisfaction of impacting her but immediately, she felt ringing in her ears, and a slow panic began to simmer in her stomach at the idea of seeing her father again. At an event that was already going to be incredibly stressful.

She didn’t like the gleam in her father-in-law’s eyes as he watched her reaction. This fucker knew exactly what he was doing by telling her this. It was a cheap shot at her but also at Eris, knowing Eris would never want her father in the same place as either of them.

“Will you be on your best behavior, Iris?” the High Lord almost purred and she had to fight back a gag as she answered him in the way she knew he wanted.

“Of course, High Lord.”

Beron tapped her cheek rather roughly and Iris tensed. “My High Lord.” he spat and she forced her jaw not to clench. It was all a power play – she could not get angry. It would only be worse for Eris.

And again, thinking of her husband and his scars. Thinking of the state he had returned to her that night after the High Lord had finished with him — Iris forced herself to take another quiet breath.

“Of course, my High Lord.”

That nasty smirk returned to his face and finally, after a tense silence, Beron stepped back. He glanced at Finn, his mouth frowning in distaste once more.

“What are you doing here?”

“I was asked to escort Iris.”

Beron snorted. “Why? Is she blind or stupid?”

Iris’s flush deepened and before she could open her mouth, Finn replied rather curtly, “We’re family, Father. We’re spending time together.”

Beron gave a nasty laugh. “Well then,” he said and glanced again between the two of them before adding, “Be sure you don’t cause a scene. If you’re going to fuck her, at least do it privately.”

“You have got to be fucken kidding me.” Finn particularly snarled and Iris had barely blinked when Finn stumbled back, holding his face.

The High Lord had backhanded him so quickly, Iris had missed it. Her pulse spiked as Beron glanced at Iris once more before his condescending gaze flickered back to Finn.

“Do not give me that kind of an attitude.” Beron spat. “You all have mouths on you that speak without being asked to. You act as you like and think there aren’t consequences for it.” The High Lord glanced at them both with disgust. “The Mother gave me all of you and you’ve been nothing but disappointments. Maybe one of these days, I’ll have you all whipped into better shape.”

And with a final noise of disapproval, Beron walked off, leaving Iris and Finn where they stood.

Moments that felt like hours passed before Iris let out a breath and Finn finally glanced at her with a tight expression, the right side of his face still marred with red. “Are you alright?”

Iris managed a nod, blinking rapidly. “A-are you? He backhanded you hard.”

Finn shrugged but Iris saw it for what it was, knew he was embarrassed and hated that he was. “Wasn’t the first time and certainly not his hardest hit.”

“I can look at it if you’d like?” she offered carefully but Finn shook his head.

“It’ll go away on its own,” he muttered and worked his jaw before glancing at her, his carefree demeanor from earlier gone. “I want to be perfectly clear that despite the jokes I made earlier, I truly mean no harm and would never cross that boundary with you. I truly do welcome you as my sister and a friend if you’ll have me.”

Iris flushed lightly and her expression softened. “Of – of course. I know you meant it all jokingly. Don’t – don’t let him sour things between us with those disgusting accusations.” she said, her expression firm, and carefully, she touched his shoulder. “I could use all the friends I can get.”

Finn nodded, letting out a breath as his shoulders dropped. “I don’t know about you but I don’t think I’m up for a ride after all.”

Iris shook her head, a boulder sitting on her chest. “Neither do I. This felt like a warning.”

“I have to tell the others,” Finn muttered. “I don’t know what he’s planning or if he meant anything else by it but…”

“My father being invited despite knowing how Eris feels about it is deliberate,” she replied, her fists clenching. “I wouldn’t put anything past him to rile Eris and cause additional problems.”

“I’d have to agree,” he said and rolled his shoulders back. “Let’s get these horses back and find my brother. It seems additional planning needs to be done.”

~~~

Eris had found them shortly after they entered The Forest House and without saying a word, had walked them back to his study, reinforcing the shield with Finn’s as they sat down to discuss. Finn had taken the lead in retelling their interaction with the High Lord and Iris couldn’t help but watch Eris and his body language. The white knuckles, his rigid stance, his blank expression.

“I want to know exactly what he said and did. No detail is too small,” he ordered them both. “Tell me everything.”

His expression had darkened the more they explained and when they finally retired to their bedroom, his demeanor hadn’t changed. He didn’t speak as they changed for bed and Iris felt herself deflating the more they sat in silence, watching him carefully through the mirror in her vanity as she brushed her hair.

He was seated on the edge of their bed, his back to her, and Iris frowned as she turned to face him. Cautiously, she tugged on that gold thread between them and Eris finally shifted, glancing over his shoulder at her.

“Yes?”

“Don’t let him get to you this much. He did it on purpose,” she said quietly. “You know that better than I do.”

Eris shook his head and looked away but didn’t reply and Iris’s frown deepened.

“He’s said worse before,” she added.

“You said when he leaned close to you, he seemed to be…sensing something,” he said, his back still to her.

“Yes,” she said carefully. “I am assuming it was my discomfort. He does enjoy that.”

Eris scoffed and leaned forward, his head dropping in his hands. “That he does,” he said quietly. “He enjoys making everyone uncomfortable and now he’s put us on edge.”

“Do you really think the interaction was that out of the ordinary for him?”

“I don’t know.” Eris said, his tone curt and Iris felt her shoulder drop.

“Eris.”

“What.”

Iris tried not to scowl at his snippy tone and forced herself to take a breath through her nose and then stand, walking over to his side. She crossed her arms across her chest. “If he knew anything, Finn and I wouldn’t have been able to walk away from that interaction,” she said and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t let this add to your stress. You have enough on your plate.”

Eris snorted and sat up, meeting her gaze. “Easier said than done when I felt your damn panic,” he said. “I thought he –”

“But he didn’t. I am fine. Finn is fine.”

“I hate that fucken word.” he spat and stood, moving past her to start pacing. “Nothing about this is fine.”

Iris frowned. “Eris –”

“Every time I think things are stable, he does something that triggers me and I start to —” he started then growled in frustration. “We’re so fucken close. I don’t know what I’d do if we don’t – if he isn’t —”

And as Iris watched him pace, she found it harder to picture leaving him when the ball came. Yes, he would have his brothers but the thought of him going through all this in his head – where he couldn’t even have her to bear it with him – made her rethink her agreement.

“What do you need right now?” she asked softly. “Tell me how I can help.”

“I need a — a break. A distraction,” he muttered. “I need to close my eyes and forget about everything.”

“I would’ve thought what I was wearing could’ve worked,” she said, hoping he could read the humor in her words. “You’re distracted enough that you didn’t even comment about the robe I’m wearing.”

And indeed, she’d picked this white silk robe with feather trimming on purpose. She’d chosen what was underneath it for the same purpose. Since he’d heard about the interaction with Beron, he’d shut down and all Iris could sense was anger. She wanted any other reaction to get him out of this funk.

Eris paused and his gaze narrowed on her, standing with her hands folded in front of her. Of course, he’d noticed what she’d decided to wear. He always noticed and Eris hated that the first moment he’d had her to himself all day, they were spending it like this – dealing with his moods. But he couldn’t stand to even think about touching her. He had a feeling his father’s observation skills had given the High Lord more than Eris had wanted about his relationship with his wife.

What if he had sensed their bond? How could Eris jeopardize things now?

“Given how silent you are, I’m getting a strong sense of deja vu from this morning with how embarrassed you left me.” Iris said dryly and Eris blinked himself back into reality.

“I’m not trying to embarrass you,” he said quietly. “I’m trying to protect you.”

Iris blinked then quirked a brow. “I’ll need you to explain this one,” she said.

A muscle flexed in Eris’s jaw as he gazed at her, trying to organize the many thoughts going through his head but when Iris took a step towards him and extended her hand, he scowled and then sighed, allowing her to lead him back to their bed, forcing him to sit.

“The floor is yours,” she said with a wave of her hand. “You said you would explain later. We are now at ‘later’.”

“I would’ve explained earlier had you not avoided me all day,” he mumbled and Iris gave him a pointed look.

“Are you sure about that?” she asked and his scowl returned. “You look even less inclined to explain things now than you did this morning.”

Eris crossed his arms and Iris did the same, standing opposite him. The last time he had seen her in white was their wedding; it had looked lovely on her. Now, standing in this rather extravagant robe, she looked as beautiful as ever. Downright edible. It made his shoulders slump and he ran a hand over his face. How was he to avoid touching her when she looked like that?

“Again, I wasn’t trying to embarrass you. I am – struggling with how to phrase this.” he finally said and Iris nodded patiently which only made the tip of his ears heat.

When a few moments passed and he didn’t elaborate, Iris sighed.

“Let me assist you with this.” she said and Eris lifted a brow.

“...Alright.”

“I am assuming you’re still attracted to me, yes?”

Eris rolled his eyes. “How much more obvious does my cock need to be for you to know that?” he said and Iris flushed, pointing a finger.

“Check yourself,” she warned and Eris held his hand up in surrender. “And I am also assuming you do want us to be intimate at some point?”

“Yes.”

“So why are you hesitating?” she asked, curling a strand of hair behind her ear. “Is it because I have hesitated in the past?”

Eris shook his head slowly and struggled to let the words leave his mouth. He looked at his wife – really looked at her. He watched the slant of her full mouth, frowning slightly as she waited, felt the weight of her hooded hazel eyes on him, standing there like a gift he was more than ready to unwrap. But…she was already condemned to be his wife and mate. Did he need to condemn her to stay tied to his memory should something happen to him?

He didn’t trust his father one bit and the way the High Lord kept sniffing around her made him uncomfortably tense – like his father’s slimy ways were seeping into him – onto her. It made him anxious, anticipating the worst. More than usual and that was saying something.

He glanced at Iris once then looked down at his hands. He knew she was nervous about what he’d say and the last thing Eris ever wanted was for her to feel any kind of discomfort with him but…he didn’t trust his father. Eris did not want to consider what Beron would do to her. She needed to have a plan.

“This morning when I stopped us, it wasn’t because of anything you did. It was because I was trying not to be selfish with you.” he said quietly and her brows furrowed.

“Selfish?”

Eris ran a hand over his mouth and sighed softly. “I want you so badly that I was – am willing to keep you with me forever.” he said. “But I also know that I can’t do that to you and would rather have you prepared for the worst-case scenario.”

Iris forced herself to take a breath, her fingers tightening in the folds of her gown. “The worst-case scenario being…”

“My untimely death when my father hangs my body on the flagpole for the court to see an example of what he does to traitors.”

She felt the blood drain from her face and quickly shook her head, refusing to let the image of what he just said take root in her brain. Her grip tightened on her gown and forced herself to take a breath.

“And how will we be ready for that, dare I ask?” Her voice was tight and Iris refused to believe in such an option, refusing to even consider that Eris wouldn’t be fine and whole by the end of all this.

Eris ran his tongue over his teeth, trying to word it in a way that didn’t cause him additional strain when he finally forced himself to say, “I want you to prepare for a longer stay in the Day Court.”

She let a heartbeat of silence pass before she asked, “How long?”

His expression turned stoic and he met her gaze as he spoke, “In the event our worst-case scenario plays out, I want you to have an out.” he said firmly. “You would be long gone by then and if we don’t – if the mating bond isn’t fully accepted, you have an out to never return or be tied to this court again.” A muscle flexed in his jaw and he felt himself choke on the words as he continued, “You would be free of me, the bond, and all that it entails.”

“Free because you’d be dead.”

“Yes.”

He watched her expression as she blinked rapidly, silence stretching between them and Eris could only clench his hands in his lap as she opened then closed her mouth, her expression shifting through her emotions until eventually settling on disbelief.

“Is that what you think?” she asked incredulously.

Eris only straightened. “You won’t have to live with too hard of a loss. With any kind of guilt or lingering feelings. I’m sure it won’t be easy and will take some adjusting to but I’d rather you lived and dealt with the loss of an unfilled mating bond than die or be tortured enough to wish for death at the hands of my father when I can’t be there to protect you.” He said and his expression hardened as he repeated firmly, “I want you to have an out.”

And Iris could only stare at him in stunned silence, her battered heart cracking at the seams.

#eris vanserra #eris vanserra x oc #eris x oc #eris vanserra fanfic #acotar fanfiction #vanserra brothers #gfics #smtb chapters #thanks for reading :)

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maliciouslove · 1 year

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𝔼𝕏𝕋ℝ𝔸ℂ𝕌ℝℝ𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕃𝔸ℝ 𝔸ℂ𝕋𝕀𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀𝔼𝕊

NSFW—college AU, aged up characters (21+) || minors, ageless and/or empty blogs DO NOT INTERACT!

pairing // itadori yuuji x professor!reader

summary // you’re having a particularly rough week and your student yuuji’s childish and nonchalant behaviour towards his failing grades and missing assignments is simply the last straw, forcing you to snap and teach the brat a lesson. for some extra credit, of course. :)

word count // 5.1k

tags // power imbalance, mean dom!reader, sub!yuuji, dubcon (tagging non-con just in case), forced masturbation (m!receiving), blackmail, recorded masturbation (m!receiving), cockwarming a dildo (m!receiving), little to no preparation penetration (m!receiving) sexual favours for extra credit, oral (f!receiving), dacryphilia, slight degradation, humiliation, praise, use of the title ‘professor’, hair pulling, spit as lube, cum play, unprotected sex, creampie

AN // and the reposting continues! reading this again reminded me that i love writing submissive men. a very long time ago @/cyancherub beta read this for me, and I am still eternally grateful :) <3

You’ve been having a very shit week so far—your car broke down on Monday and the guys at the repair shop told you it’s going to be at least three days before it’s fixed, and the price they charged for their services also didn’t help with your mood.

Furthermore, on Tuesday you found out your health insurance claim didn’t go through, adding yet another expense that you have to worry about. Your poor wallet can’t handle all the damage it’s taking.

You would think you could’ve gotten some peace and quiet when you got home on Wednesday, but no—you walked into your apartment only to find your new couch and all the pillows completely destroyed by your dog. Pillow filling and pieces of cloth scattered all across the living room as your dog was now laying in his bed, looking up at you innocently, as if he didn’t just destroy an extremely expensive couch.

Thursday was no breeze either, as you started your day by spilling a venti sized caramel macchiato all over your white dress shirt. Walking into your meeting with the dean of the school covered in coffee was embarrassing enough, but when he started chewing you out for the low grade point average in your class, you were just about ready to cry.

But you clenched your fists and bit your tongue, refusing to show weakness to anyone. It was just a bad week, it too would pass.

There is only one day of the week left, and after that, you can indulge yourself over the weekend and take time to relax and de-stress. Only Friday left… but boy, you’re not looking forward to this Friday. Why?

Because you have to teach a class with him—Itadori Yuuji, your most annoying student. Yuuji is by no means unintelligent or incapable, no—but he is, however, an asshole. A petulant child that firmly believes he can get away with anything simply because he is handsome and charming. He is the type of guy to enter the classroom 20 minutes late and simply smile and wink at you; no apology, no explanation. Just a cocky 24-karat smile. He talks loud, voices all of his opinions, and doesn’t really care about anyone or anything.

Now apparently he has decided to stop handing in his assignments, which in turn creates another problem for you. You could, of course, choose to ignore him and simply let him flunk, but that would mean two things: first, he would have to repeat the class, meaning you would have to see more of him, and second, it would give the dean one more reason to be angry with you and punish you for “bringing down the grade average of the entire institution”.

So this Friday you’re planning on pulling him aside after class and having a serious discussion with him about his grades and work ethic. You have been lenient enough with him over the past few months, choosing to ignore his attitude and simply focus your attention on the students who actually wanted to be there, but that has to come to an end. What you’re less willing to admit to yourself, is that you’re very anxious about the conversation you’ll have with him. What will you say? What if he mocks you? What if he keeps that irritating everything-is-a-joke attitude? But the scariest thought of all: What if I finally snap? Maybe I should teach that little brat a lesson.

So here you are, laying in your bed awake way past your bedtime, anxiously pondering over the events that might unfold tomorrow. It’s going to be a long day.

2:37 PM

The days are surely growing shorter and colder. Grey clouds are hanging heavy over your head, ready to rain down on you any moment now. There are 23 minutes left until class begins, so you grab a quick cup of coffee to go and you head on over to the classroom, mulling over what to say to Yuuji, practising different scenarios in your head. For some reason, the majority of these scenarios end up with Yuuji tied up and sobbing, spanked raw and begging for forgiveness. You shake your head, trying to get rid of these thoughts. Trying to shake away the urge to break the strawberry-haired man. He would look so cute crying though.

By the time class starts at 3:00 PM you’re halfway through your coffee, slightly starting to regret having more than two cups that day because it’s making you antsy. You take a final sip and greet your students, making a mental note of the fact that for once Yuuji is on time. The lesson goes smoothly, but you can’t help noticing that Yuuji never seems to be paying attention; never really even looking towards the big screen behind you where important slides containing assignment details were shown. Almost like he’s avoiding looking at you.

Finally, class is over, the room filling with the sounds of chairs being pulled and students chatting amongst each other. You call Yuuji over, secretly glad that none of the other students are paying attention and simply rolling out of the classroom one by one. Itadori slings his backpack over his shoulder and saunters over to your desk, hands in his pockets, a certain pep in his step.

“Whaddup, Y/N?” he grins, not a care in the world.

“It’s miss L/N to you. And I need to speak with you about your last assignment, the one you never handed in.” You don’t even look up from the pile of papers on your desk that you were busying yourself with in an attempt to remain composed.

“Oh yeaaah, there was an assignment, wasn’t there? Oops.” His stupid smile never falters. The irritation is bubbling in your chest and it tastes bitter in your mouth; the papers in your hands crinkle under the force of your fingers.

“Yup, there was, and it was worth 40% of your final grade. That means you are facing the possibility of failing this class, Mr. Itadori.” Your voice is cold and calculated, all traces of irritation erased—you’re all business. You are his teacher, you need to keep things professional, no room for emotions, especially emotions that will not improve the situation in any way, such as anger.

You finally look up at the strawberry-haired boy, only to find him staring, but not at you. His brown eyes were fixated on the collar of your tight shirt, the top two buttons undone, showing off your soft skin and collarbones. The shirt itself doesn’t reveal a lot, but it’s tight, the outline of your bra quite visible up close. He swallows and looks away quickly, but not fast enough for you to not notice his quite obvious interest.

“I’m sorry Mr. Itadori, are my breasts more interesting to you right now?” You arch an eyebrow, the irritation that was growing inside of you finally reaching your voice too. The audacity this brat has.

“I- no... I- m’sorry” he stutters. Yuuji Itadori, Mr. Charming and Almighty, was flustered. How interesting. The scenarios your mind conjured earlier are suddenly flooding your brain again and you can’t help but wonder… could you make him even more flustered?

“Listen here Yuuji, this is basically sexual harassment, you know. I’m trying to help you here, have a serious conversation about your situation, yet all you can do is stare at my tits. Now, what do you think I should do about this, hm?”

He opens his mouth in an attempt to say something, to argue, to come up with some witty comeback—yet no sound comes out. After a long, uncomfortable pause he finally mumbles a barely audible m’sorry, fixating his gaze on the floor. Some sick, twisted part of you finds this adorable. The corners of your lips curve upwards just barely.

“What exactly are you sorry for, Yuuji?” There is a teasing lilt to your voice, the use of his first name completely throwing him off guard. He looks at you with big eyes, once again unable to form a response.

“For, uh- … for always staring at you inappropriately.. a-and fantasizing.” He gulps loudly, mouth suddenly feeling all too dry. His little confession is a surprise to you, but you don’t let it show. You maintain a neutral face, studying him closely. You can see him get even more nervous under your gaze.

“Always?” you pause, eyebrow raised quizzically. “Fantasizing?” tilting your head slightly to the side, your eyes never leave his. Your presence only grows, asserting its dominance over his. The boy that usually towers over you and always has a carefree, happy-go-lucky attitude, suddenly looks very small to you. A blush is creeping up his neck and cheeks, proof that he really is feeling flustered.

“Huh.. so you fantasize about your teacher?” you smirk, several sinister ideas flooding your brain as you look at the boy in front of you shrink even more. “You can get in a lot of trouble for this… Mr. Itadori.” Gracefully you get out of your chair, moving to sit at the end of your desk, shortening the distance between you and your student. “If word got out, administration would have to remove you from my class—you would lose all credits you’ve obtained thus far in my class and you would have to pick a different course in order to obtain those credits again.” Your eyes travel up his body, slowly, undressing him in your mind. “That would be a lot of work, Mr. Itadori. Don’t you think?”

Not trusting his ability to speak right now, he simply nods. There is apprehension in his eyes, but also curiosity.

“Perhaps we can work this out? Resolve our… conflict, as to avoid getting administration involved.”

You hear the gears turning in his head, mulling over all the possibilities, mind racing and his heart pounding loudly in his chest. “Resolve… how?”

You can barely contain yourself at how small his voice is, how unsure. The boy that usually gleamed with confidence and strides down the corridors as if he owns them is suddenly unable to look you straight in the eye.

“Well, Mr. Itadori, I am a teacher after all. I think it would be best if I teach you a lesson about how it feels to be objectified. To be seen as nothing more than a pretty face, or hot body.” Your hand darts forward, now toying with the hem of his shirt. Yuuji is holding his breath as if the tiniest movement could drive you away. “Relax, Mr. Itadori, it’s just a lesson. You will benefit from it. Just do as I tell you and this little incident will be forgotten.” You pull him in by the collar of his t-shirt, his face now inches away from yours. A coy smile plays on your lips as you practically feast over the expression painted on his face at this moment. Surprise, desire and fear mixed all together, making his coffee-coloured eyes water slightly. But a breathy okay leaves his lips, eyes transfixed on yours as you push him backwards to sit in a chair.

“Clothes off. Don’t talk unless I ask you a question. Understand?”

Yuuji mutters a quick “yes,” fingers already hooking under his sweats, pulling them down as you lock the door to your classroom and make sure there is no way to peek inside the room. Lucky for you, most classes also end early on Friday, so the building is surely almost completely empty by now.

Yuuji’s heart rate picks up with each clank of your heels against the wooden parquet as you head on over back to the desk, once again sitting on its edge, arms crossed over your chest. Here he is, strawberry hair dishevelled, chest exposed and if you look closely enough, you can see the vibrations on his skin as his heart hammers wildly against his ribcage. All he has left on were his over-the-calf white Nike socks and his banana print boxers. The outline of his dick making your mouth water, already semi-hard even though nothing has really happened so far.

“Show me what you do when you fantasize about me. Tell me what you think about. I want to know how exactly you objectify me… how often.” Your voice is quiet but commanding, distant yet curious. It takes him a moment to gather the courage to go through with what you ask of him, but he finally palms himself over his boxers, not daring to look at you, but opening his mouth to speak.

“I- I often imagine what you look like under your clothes. What kind of l-lingerie you wear...” his voice falters at the end, the blush creeping up his face betraying him. But quite visibly, blood isn’t rushing only to his face. His eyes are shut and eyebrows pinched together, but he keeps on talking, just like you asked him to. “I think about you masturbating… Like I do almost every night. I-I think about eating you out and I imagine how you taste, what you look like.” He is gripping his now fully erect cock under the cloth of his boxers, and the whole view is just so delicious. His little confessions go straight to your clit, desire taking you over. You take your phone out and quickly open your camera, switching to video and turning it on.

“Go on, don’t hold back.”

He keeps his eyes shut, but his hand movements get braver. In an instant, his big calloused hand dives under his boxers to pull out his heavy cock, the elastic band of his underwear resting under his balls. He’s already leaking, a pearly bead of precum sliding down his shaft, right next to a big juicy vein. You zoom in with your camera, making sure to catch all the details.

“I imagine how tight you’d feel when you cream around my cock.” At these words he squeezes his length harder, a tiny whimper escaping his lips and it makes your heart twist and your insides burn. You just know the stretch of his cock will be delicious. You know he’d feel so good. The thought alone has you clenching around nothing and you slide a hand under your skirt, fingers pressing over your clit as a shudder travels your spine.

“Yeah? You wanna do all those things to me, Mr. Itadori? You want to see me naked, taste me, feel me? Tell me how much you want it.” You’re focusing the camera on his face now, capturing his face contorting in pleasure and need. Hand stroking his dick faster now, smearing the pre all across his length. He doesn’t really need to say how much he wants that as it becomes evident from the vigour in his strokes, but you want to hear him anyway. “Tell me, use your words, baby boy.” The nickname sets him off, all the moans he’d been staving off finally surfacing.

“S’much… it’s all I can think about. Every time I come to class my mind… w-wanders, mmgh.” His chest is heaving, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he fucks his fist wishing it was you, eyes still tightly shut. “Even now… I really am imagining that you’re jacking me off… it’s so fucking h-hot.”

It would be a lie to say that your hands weren’t itching to touch him, to make him writhe and squirm and beg. But that would have to wait. Right now, you just want to see him cum.

“Mmm, and how do these little daydreams of yours end, hm? Wanna show me?” It takes Yuuji only a few more strokes before his orgasm washes over him, abdomen muscles tightening, hot thick cum spurting over his chest and tummy, some even landing on his chin. His breathing is erratic and his heart feels like it's trying to break a hole through his ribcage. Finally, he cracks an eye open, gaze immediately landing on the phone in your hands.

Stopping the video and tossing the phone aside, you stride over to him and card your fingers through his hair, slightly pulling his head back to look him in the eyes. Amongst all the emotions he’s feeling, fear is the most prominent right now. His eyes are watering again, and you quiver at the sight.

“Call it an eye for an eye. One video for me to keep in exchange for all the times you’ve stared at me, imagining how good I would actually feel. If you behave, the video stays in my possession only. So be good f’me Yuuji, yea? Can you do that?”

He nods his head quickly, too quickly for his own liking, but he dares not to disobey. His submission pleases you so you ease your grip on his hair, deft fingers sliding down the side of his face and tracing his sharp jawline.

"You know Mr. Itadori, we’re not quite done here yet. I still need to discuss the possibility of you failing my class. I was thinking of assigning you some extra credit work to make up for the assignment you didn’t hand in… if you’d like to stay in my class-"

He cuts you off. “P-Please… I want to do the extra credit work. Please, I-I’ll do good, I’ll make up for my bad grades, ‘promise.” The puppy eyes he gives will simply be the death of you. You smile and rub soft circles with your thumb on his cheek.

Straightening up, you walk away from him heading towards your desk, fingers running through the wooden surface and landing on your briefcase. "I really, really dislike brats, you know. And I absolutely will not tolerate more mistakes like this from you, Mr. Itadori. No more attitude. No more slacking off."

There’s an edge to your voice, a coldness emanating from it, and it sends shivers down his spine. Unconsciously he swallows, tongue darting out to swipe at his bottom lip. Even for him, it’s hard to tell if he’s scared or aroused. Or maybe both. But what he is sure of is that you’re commanding all of his attention right now. He would do anything for your approval.

“To ensure you actually complete the assignment and don’t flunk out of my class, I will be monitoring your work. And you will do it right here, where I can see you.” The briefcase is now open, your hands rummaging in it, fingers wrapping around the object you’re looking for. “You’re going to use some tools to further… motivate you.” Your grin is wicked as you pull out a pink silicone dildo from your briefcase. Smiling at your student, your tongue presses itself flat against the dildo, licking a slow stripe from shaft to tip.

"You said you’ll be good, right? Promised you’ll do the extra credit… Still feeling up for the task?" You're now walking back to him and his eyes grow wider with fear. He's never done this before. He tries to swallow the lump in his throat as you sit down on his lap but to no avail. His mind is going completely blank, but his dick is acting on its own accord, becoming hard again pressed up against your ass.

“I want to do the extra credit, professor. Please?” The words are almost a whisper, the sound of his heart drowning out the sound. You chuckle and present the dildo to his lips in a silent command which he obeys, wrapping his lips around the tip of the dildo.

"Ah, so you can obey orders, well that's a relief. Because I have a tall order coming for you." You shove the dildo all the way down his throat, tears immediately pooling in his eyes, the only noise coming from him being muffled moans and gagging. "So listen up, brat—you're going to take this dildo like a big boy and cockwarm it for me as you write your assignment right here, right now. Where I can see you."

He can’t verbally give you an answer with the dildo shoved down his throat, so he nods, trying to hold off his gag-reflex, a single tear rolling down his cheek.

You don’t even think about it as you lean closer, tongue darting out to collect the stray tear, the salty taste of it making you hum in delight. You remove the dildo from his mouth, a clear string of saliva connecting his lips and the pink tip of the dildo, which you simply hand to him. It’s his extra credit work after all, he should do all the work himself if he wants a good grade.

This time you drag your chair from behind your desk and position it across Yuuji’s, giving you a perfect view of the show he’s about to put on for you. With shaky hands he positions the dildo on the chair, making sure the suction cup at the bottom is well attached. You could see him think through every move he makes, taking his laptop out, positioning everything so that he could attempt to write while he cockwarms the dildo.

The strawberry-colour haired man takes a final unsure look at you as if seeking confirmation, but even he can’t deny the excitement he feels deep down. The primal need to please you, show you he can be a good boy too, for you and you only. Lifting one leg over his desk, he gives you a perfect view of his round ass, puckered hole already clenching in anticipation. Two of his long fingers push past his lips, tongue sloppily covering them in saliva that he plans on using as lube. Those same fingers, now covered in a layer of spit, rub soft circles over his puckered hole, lightly teasing and prodding while he gets used to the sensation.

One finger finally pushes past his ring muscle, a wanton moan escaping his pretty lips. The sound is heavenly and you just want to hear more. To see more. Slightly parting your legs, you let your right hand travel up your thigh and toy with the hem of your lacy panties, enjoying Yuuji’s reaction. The little display you’re making for him is really fuelling him further. Not even a minute later, he’s sinking a second finger in his greedy hole, sounding more and more desperate, each moan and whimper a treasure for you.

Spitting on the dildo again, this time nasty and unabashed, mind hazy from lust, Yuuji finally positions himself over the pink dildo, the tip resting right over his hole. One more glance in your direction and he sinks down an inch, the tip pushing past his muscle, the stretch immediately filling his eyes with more tears. But he ignores the weird feeling, ignores the pain, and simply focuses on the pleasure. The more he sinks down on the dildo, the more you toy with your pussy, panties now pushed aside to give him a better view. Fingers sliding up and down the slit, collecting your essence and smearing it all over, gentle circles with your middle finger over your clit.

Halfway down the dildo, Yuuji opts to slide back up, and then down again, his eyes rolling to the back of his head, mouth hanging open in pleasure. He was not expecting it to feel this good, the fullness making him slightly dizzy. One hand gently strokes over his sensitive cock, the feeling making him shiver.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” In response to his puzzled look you simply nod over to his laptop, reminding him that he is supposed to be writing an assignment. “Just write an essay on any topic that we’ve covered in class… or did you not retain anything from our classes because you were too busy being a pervert?” At these words, you slide two fingers inside you, knuckles deep, pumping them in and out slowly.

After staring dumbfoundedly for a few seconds, his shaky fingers pull the laptop closer and he begins to type. It’s adorable to watch him struggle to remain concentrated on the task at hand, with the dildo filling him up perfectly and with the sounds you’re making as you fuck yourself on your fingers… poor Yuuji can barely keep it together. Even though he’s sunk all the way down on the dildo and knows he’s supposed to stay still, he can’t help the little thrusts of his hips against the silicone cock.

Around 10 minutes has passed since Yuuji started his attempt at writing an essay, but it’s becoming more and more difficult for him to focus, not with the tip of the dildo pressing up against his prostate, making his thighs quiver and his breath hitch. He needs relief; he can’t write like this. And you know this all too well, your own desire taking over you completely, temporarily forgetting how you got in this situation in the first place. Screw it.

“P-please, professor.. I need..”

Before he can finish his sentence you’re already on his lap, lips pressed to his in a heated, sloppy kiss. You can’t hold it in anymore; you want to feel him. His lips feel soft against yours, but his tongue feels sinister as it dances against yours. Moving his laptop to the side, you sit on top of the desk and spread your legs for Yuuji, pussy glistening with your slick and on full display for the boy.

“An orgasm or two might put you in my good graces?” you suggest and spread your pussy lips with two fingers, watching as Yuuji practically drools over the sight. He doesn’t need to be asked twice, still impaled on the dildo he bends forward, tongue darting out to lick a stripe from your entrance to your clit. The taste of you drives him feral, lips latching onto your clit and sucking hard, mouth hard at work to coax more moans out of you. To taste more of you. To him, you’re truly intoxicating. As his tongue works feverishly against your folds, constant praise falls from your lips. That’s my good boy, fuck yes, right t-there.

“Move your hips, ride that cock baby boy.” You’re so close to your own release, it’s suffocating you. A few more flicks of his tongue over your sensitive bud and you’re coming undone under him, legs shaking violently as your mind floods with overwhelming pleasure and your pussy flutters. Yuuji’s greedy mouth is ready to swallow all your slick, hungrily lapping at your cunt, the obscene squelch of his tongue against your wetness filling the room.

Pushing him away just enough to sit back in his lap, your hands wrap around his length, pumping it languidly. His hips slow down but he doesn’t dare stop moving up and down the dildo, he doesn’t dare disobey you. Catching his lips in another kiss you guide his cock to your slit, rubbing it up and down, collecting all your arousal. Slowly you sink down on his cock, eyes rolling back at the feeling of his fat meaty cock stretching you out, your tight hole hugging him perfectly.

And Yuuji could cum from this alone, from finally feeling your warmth and wetness around him, squeezing him for all he’s worth. You feel so much better than he could ever imagine. With you hovering over his lap enough to give him space to bounce up and down, impaling himself on the silicone cock, and simultaneously drilling upwards into your welcoming heat. The feeling is so overwhelming; his movements are sloppy, and he’s constantly babbling incoherent words, hands gripping your waist tight enough to bruise. And as you look down at him all you can think about is how gorgeous he looks all fucked out.

Your hand snakes down your body, middle finger expertly rubbing tight circles over your clit, pussy immediately clamping down even harder on his dick. A second orgasm was approaching and Yuuji can feel that, the way your walls flutter around him, how much louder you’re getting. All he has to do is hold off his orgasm for a while more. He angles his hips and pistons up into your cavern, the tip of his leaky cock ramming against your cervix in a mixture of pain and pleasure. Right there is all you can repeat, teetering on the edge of your second orgasm, a few good strokes being the last push you need before you stumble over and drown in the pleasure once more. Yuuji follows right after, sinking all the way down on the dildo and pushing you down his length to completely bottom out inside you as he empties his balls, thick cum spurting right against your cervix. You can feel how full of cum you are, the thick sticky substance dribbling down your thigh.

After a few moments of silence, the two of you just staying close and trying to catch your breath, you finally speak.

“You know, you will actually have to write at least one essay for me for that extra credit, consider this just your… motivation to actually get it done. At the end of the day, I’d rather you not fail, Yuuji.”

You did it again, you used his first name. The softness to your voice makes his heart twist, and he knows he has to live up to the promise he made.

“And this stays between us.”

You didn’t really need to tell him that, he knows how badly things could turn out if anyone found out, but he gives you his word. He doesn’t dare say anything else out of fear that anything he says might ruin the magic. One wrong move could sully this moment forever, and this is a memory he’ll cherish for a long time. So he tucks his flaccid cock in his boxers and puts on his clothes, gathering his things and heading for the door. He pauses for a second and turns around for one last look.

“Miss L/N.. uhm, thank you for giving me an opportunity for that extra credit. And uh, I don’t mean the sex. The actual extra credit. I know I can be difficult, so I appreciate this a lot.”

You smile and wave him off, telling him there’s nothing to be thankful for. You remind him to hand in his essay before the following Friday and you say your goodbyes.

There’s a slight empty feeling budding inside you, missing the attention of the younger boy, but ultimately you realize you had completely forgotten about the stress of the week; and there was an undeniable pep in Yuuji’s step as he made his way home that night... Today was truly a good day, for both of you.

𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐑! I do not own any of the characters or people mentioned in my work. these are works of pure fiction that do not reflect the views, opinions, or actions of any person, real or fictional. Furthermore, all characters I write for [thirsts, drabbles, fics, etc.] are aged up to 21 or older – they are adults with adult characteristics presented and written in adult contexts.

all rights reserved © by maliciouslove. my work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. all fanfics belong to me, please do not copy, translate nor repost the fics or files seen above as this is strictly prohibited.

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ghosttownwherenoonegoes · 1 year

Text

'Ruined' domesticity - e.m. x gn!reader ft. Uncle Wayne (dad💗)

Summary: You and Eddie are both cuddling in bed after a long day full of all the usual bullshit and just as you reach your threshold consciousness, Uncle Wayne comes home from work and you 'ruin' the moment by launching out of bed to give him a hug. Uncle Wayne would later call it a 'flying tackle', but you won't care. All you ever want is the Munsons home together with you, and they're here. This is just another favourite part of your day, but it always happens right at the end... as Uncle Wayne comes home, you and Eddie come home to yourselves. Home is where the heart is.

A/N: Inspired by a conversation @thefreak0fhawkinshigh and I have had a few times. I couldn't get this little daydream out of my head. If you spot the LOTR reference, I'm giving you a forehead kissie.💗This is self-indulgent as all hell, I just wanna attack Uncle Wayne in a hug and call him dad and feel him hug me back. I just want to be loved by a parent since my own do not care.

TW; this is just fluff but in case it's triggering to anyone, there's swearing in the narrative, Eddie is a squeezer and I describe his hugs as being held by a boa constrictor (positive, affectionate, I adore snakes and Eddie), mentions of unspecified stresses in your lives, reader calls Uncle Wayne 'dad'; there is no familial connection but he's a definitive paternal figure to Y/N, mentions of reader's parents not taking good care of them so Uncle Wayne is very much their father figure and fulfils the role perfectly because of course he does!😭🥺

Gender neutral reader & no coded language.

People who wanted to be tagged: @ali-r3n @jslittlebirdie

Word count: 2, 080.

Finally, finally, you were exactly where you had wanted to be even before you had dragged yourself out of bed this morning.

Wrapped up in Eddie Munson's arms, and he in yours.

Limbs tangled together, heads sharing the same pillow, your arms around one another so tightly that you could feel his heart pounding against the safety of his ribcage and fluttering against your own. You could feel your own heart racing, too, your blood singing in your ears even as you laid there waiting for Morpheus to embrace you.

The 'you' was singular but it included you and Eddie, for nowhere would either of you go where the other couldn't follow.

Eddie hummed contentedly as you pushed your body into his, curling your arms tighter around his shoulders as you nuzzled the cool tip of your nose into the crook of his neck.

"Love you so much, Eddie," you mumbled, carelessly pressing kisses to whatever part of him was nearest, "don't know what I'd do without you."

Eddie had a feeling that you had more to say, so he squeezed you even tighter into him, until not even a sheet of paper could have been slid between your bodies, and awkwardly moved so that he could kiss the top of your head. "I love you too, sweetheart." No matter whether you were mid-intense discussion or half asleep, you and Eddie always said those few words back to each other. Even if such a 'rule' hadn't already been in the Munson Doctrine, you would have made it an addition; Eddie knowing how important he was to you was always a top priority. The thought of Eddie not knowing how loved he was made you feel genuinely sick.

"I just miss you all the time," you sighed, "even when you're right here." You squeezed Eddie and he playfully groaned, pretending to be in pain from the strength of your grip. "Want you around all the time. More I have, the more I want of you. Don't wanna let go."

"Whoa, hey," Eddie grinned a megawatt grin which left your heart aching, giddy was he to know just how loved he was by you, his eyes soft with all the love in the world because he never thought he'd ever have this with anyone, let alone with you, "you don't have to miss me, okay? I promise. I'm right here, sweetheart." He tightened his arms around you again until you felt, for a second, like you were being held by a boa constrictor (and you loved it when Eddie held you like that). It was a silent reciprocation of everything you had just shared, and a mutual need to have you as close to him as possible. In turn, you pressed kisses where you could reach. With you and Eddie, the more affection which was shared, the more the love grew. Your hearts were so big anyway but they were limitless and timeless when it came to each other.

You could never get enough of Eddie; your heart squeezed so much that it made your chest physically ache with the force of all the love you held for him. You both laid there, wrapped up in one another's embrace and not willing to let go for even a second. Little more was said as the both of you wound down for the night. Just holding each other, breathing and thinking and finally finding peace in one another's company after yet another crazy day full of too much to do and little time to do it in, mixed up with all the usual bullshit which life liked to throw at you like you weren't already busy enough.

You and Eddie were creeping closer and closer to your respective threshold consciousness, but just as you allowed yourself to properly settle down with the intention to sleep, you heard the roar of a van coming down through the trailer park, tyres crunching on gravel, and then the sound of a car door opening and closing. Boots bit down on gravel and then concrete, and you froze as you realised that the steps the feet were ascending were the ones outside the trailer. Which meant only one thing:

Uncle Wayne was home.

There was the familiar jangle of keys and before you even realised what was happening, your body was wriggling out of bed. Now that Uncle Wayne was home, there was no way you would relax enough to fall asleep without being able to say hello and give him a proper hug.

"Mm?" Eddie sleepily shuffled around, his hands patting around for you. "Wassit?" It would have been enough to make you get back into bed at any other time, but this was Uncle Wayne. You could cuddle Eddie any time you wanted, but Uncle Wayne was only around for limited hours every day and you always made a point to seize every opportunity for a hug that you could. He was more of a father to you than either of your parents had ever been, and he had only been too honoured the first time you had told him. He was used to you greeting him excitedly and always with some sense of urgency. You had been waiting for this moment all night and now he was here.

"Dad!" You hissed, shaking Eddie gently, "dad's home!" you were desperately dodging Eddie's grabby hands as you tried to untangle yourself from the hot bedsheets which you and Eddie had been sharing for several hours. Finally, you got yourself free, hopping awkwardly on one foot to make sure that you didn't trip over the sheets wrapped around your toes. You moved much faster than your sleep-heavy mind could comprehend as you were already in the hallway by the time your mind told you that your limbs were cold from being in bed for so long. "Dad's home dad's home dad's home!!!!" Your words quickly became nonsensical as your excitement heightened and you ran down the hall, just catching a blur of red and blue flannel closing the front door behind him, a hand deftly locking it, before you launched yourself at it. "Dad!!!"

Uncle Wayne was very used to being attacked when he came home from work. Anyone who knew him, though no one knew him better than you and Eddie, knew that he adored being attacked when he came home. It meant that he was home, that he was safe, that he was loved. Eddie had been throwing himself out of trees and vans and into his Uncle's arms for as long as he could remember, but now you did the same thing... it had been just over a year since you had begun to date Eddie and you were well and truly a Munson now. Honourary, at least. But still... a Munson.

And that meant that you were 'allowed' (encouraged) to indulge in the luxury of doing what Eddie liked to do every morning before school after setting up the trailer so that his dad could reheat dinner, shower and then collapse into the bed Eddie unfolded and set up for him - throw yourself at Uncle Wayne in a hug. But more than that, oh, more than that... you would be caught, held tightly, and feel yourself coming home just like Eddie did, when he did the same.

If anyone other than a Munson tried to do to Uncle Wayne what you and Eddie loved doing, then woe betide them. Being loved by a Munson as a Munson came with a different set of rules, a different way of expressing and sharing love. The only exception to that may well have been Dustin... everyone loved Dustin, and for good reason. He, too, could score an Uncle Wayne hug, but he would not have been allowed a moment of flight beforehand, unlike you and Eddie.

Uncle Wayne's arms were already open for you; he had heard you almost yell Eddie out of his threshold consciousness and then bound down the hallway, through the living room, and then -

home.

Uncle Wayne grunted, a gruff oof as you collided with him in that red and blue flannel you loved so well. He didn't stumble, he didn't falter. No, he merely adjusted his feet, caught you in his arms, and held on tight. "Well, it ain't a proper homecoming 'less someone throws themselves at me." Uncle Wayne's greeting was saturated with laughter, his ocean blues deeply creased at the edges and alight with tender affection. He squeezed you in his arms and you nuzzled in, smiling to yourself as your body took a natural deep breath of its own accord. "Hey there, darlin'," Uncle Wayne ducked his head down to press a kiss to the top of your head; it was all he could see of you. You moved your arms so that instead of being over the top of his flannel, you moved them down and then under his flannel, where it was warmer and closer to your dad. "Take it you missed me?"

"Even when you're here." You squeezed Uncle Wayne around the middle, letting yourself sink into the hug with the man who was more of a father to you than either of your parents had ever been combined. You didn't want to let go but you knew that you would have to eventually. "How was work?"

"Miss you too, darlin'. You and our Eddie." Uncle Wayne sighed between greeting you and answering your question; the exhaustion in his voice made your breath get stuck in your throat. "Oh, same old, y'know." You had the feeling that Uncle Wayne was going to elaborate a little, but before he did, there was a loud and overdramatic sigh from behind you. You gave Uncle Wayne one final big squeeze before you stepped away from him. You stayed close, though, and waited to see if your Eddie would join you in greeting his dad.

"Would you quit stealin' Y/N from me, man?" Eddie's words were harsh, but his tone was soaked with barely restrained laughter as he bounded across the trailer. He skidded to a stop in front of his dad, thought better of it and then jumped at Uncle Wayne, throwing his arms around his dad's shoulders as he pulled himself in.

Uncle Wayne chuckled. "I did no such thing! Y/N attacked me!" He held onto Eddie like if he let go, then Eddie would slip through his fingers like the sands of time. "I ain't gonna complain about that, you know I ain't." Just like with you, Uncle Wayne let himself both sink into his hug with Eddie as well as be the strong wall for Eddie to melt into. The hug between the Munson men went on for longer than the hug you had with Uncle Wayne, but that was okay - you could have a hug from him any time you wanted, all you had to do was ask. And sometimes, you didn't even have to ask; just one look at you, when you were in a certain mood, and Uncle Wayne knew that you needed to be sandwiched between him and his boy for an undetermined amount of time. Uncle Wayne tried to let go of Eddie, but the boy whined and Uncle Wayne smiled to himself and squeezed Eddie tighter. "Easy, son, that's it. You know I ain't lettin' go 'til you want me to. M'right here."

Eddie sniffled and mumbled something like, "never gonna want you to let me go, dad," and your heart melted into a puddle on the floor, right along Uncle Wayne's. You weren't supposed to hear it, only Eddie's dad was, so you let Eddie keep his secret. Finally, Eddie literally wriggled his way free and found his way back to you as Uncle Wayne turned to look around the trailer. He saw the pull out sofa ready for him with the duvet pulled back and the pillows fluffed up, he saw frying pans and dishes on the draining board next to the sink and suspected that dinner leftovers were waiting for him in the fridge (he was right), and that the shower would be ready for him as well with pyjamas and his usual products (it was). His kids had made sure that all he had to do was eat, shower and then sleep, and warmth bloomed in Uncle Wayne's chest like flowers in a garden.

An eternal spring day, deep inside, forever.

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson x gn!reader #wayne munson #the munsons #eddie and wayne munson #stranger things #stranger things x reader

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my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction · 1 year

Note

Can I request "i’m staying. end of discussion. you gotta learn to let people take care of you." with Jake Lockley? It can be naughty or nice, gender neutral or female reader. Please and thank you!

Of course! Thank you so, so much for the request ❤️ ilysm! I hope this is okay!

(Also I don't know what's wrong with me, I seem to be writing all the unwell fics at the moment.)

I'm Staying

Jake Lockley X GN!Reader Rating: T Masterlist | ao3 | want to be tagged?

Warnings: mirgraines, typos, Jake calls reader 'honey' (I personally see this as a gender neutral term, but I just wanted to mention it in case it has any negative connections for anyone.) Please let me know if I've missed a warning!

Word Count: 1098

_______________________________________

It was obvious he was in pain. More than obvious. You’d have to be practically non corporeal to not see it.

Not that Jake would tell you. Not that he would ever admit it.

He handled physical pain well, or at least quietly. Used to torn tissue and internal bleeding long before they met Khonshu.

It had become a habit to front when the body was in severe enough discomfort, pushing Steven and Marc back so that they didn’t have to feel it.

That was why both of them had never told you that they suffered from migraines, because they didn’t. Jake suffered for them.

You watched him move around the kitchen, trying to get himself something to drink. The harsh afternoon sun was streaming through the window, cutting like glass into his skull. He kept pausing, moving out of the light and screwing up his eyes. Trying his best to navigate the space with his eyes closed or his hand shielding them from the sun.

“Jake,” you started, trying to keep your voice quiet as you could but loud enough so that he could hear you. It wasn’t the first time in the last twenty minutes you had tried to talk to him.

“Honey, I’m fine.” He stressed the last word. Putting an edge on it that you knew what meant to be playful, but just came across as irritated. “Fine.”

If he repeated it enough times you would believe it. If he repeated it enough times he would be.

He took a glass from the cupboard and put it on the counter. The sound of it, the smallest clink as it landed was horrendous. A wave of nausea ran through him as pain seared along his temple, pulling at his skin like claws scraping across his skull.

“Jake-”

“You go, I know you’ve been looking forward to seeing your friends all week. You’ll be late if you don’t go now.” His voice was weak, a waver in it as he gripped the countertop, eyes closed. He tried, and failed to will off the nausea, the slight distortion in the corner of his sight that was warping reality inwards. He just needed some tablets. Then to try to sleep holding the bin praying he wouldn’t throw the pain relief right up again.

You’d had enough. You couldn’t stand seeing him like this.

He didn’t hear you move closer to him, too preoccupied with the sound of his heart and blood rushing through his ears.

“Jake Lockley.” You kept your voice quiet but lowered it, trying your utmost best at a Khonshu impression.

Jake paused, and turned his head towards you, squinting.

“I’m not going out, not with you like this.” You put your hands on his shoulders, trying to coax him to lean on you for support.

“Hone-”

"I'm staying. End of discussion. You gotta learn to let people take care of you."

Jake groaned, a low rumble of a sound. But he shifted back and leat his head on your shoulder, keeping his eyes closed.

You wrapped your arms around him, just holding for a minute as he breathed heavily through the pain.

“Was that a Khonshu impression?” He mumbled against your neck. You could hear the small smile in his voice.

“Did you like it?”

“It’s disturbingly accurate. How did you?...” He railed off as another fresh wave of agony washed over him.

“Steven,” you whispered, pressing a light kiss to his head. “He does an excellent impersonation of ‘that old bird’.”

Jake snorted and then winced.

“Sorry,” you kissed his forehead again. “I shouldn’t be making you laugh.”

He shook his head lightly against you and then breathed heavily again. “So it’s an impression of Steven’s impression.”

“Yes it is.” You rubbed his back in soothing circles as he relaxed more into your arms.

“Good, for a minute I was…”

“Did you think I had heard him.”

Jake nodded weakly.

You leaned close to his ear and whispered. “Luckily I haven’t had the displeasure.”

Jake laughed again before scowling in distress.

“Okay, come on,” you slowly guided him to bed. “I know you’re in a bad way because you never laugh this much at my stupid comments.”

“That’s not true.”

You tutted, but said nothing as you helped him lay down. Pressing a light kiss to his temple before you went back to the kitchen to fetch some water and painkillers. You were in half a mind to try to find something to use as a makeshift curtain over the kitchen window. But the light from there didn’t reach the bed and you didn’t want to make too much noise.

There was a moment when you walked back to him that you thought he might have fallen asleep, curled up on himself and clutching a pillow to his chest.

“You could go out now, you know.” He muttered.

“I’m staying, stupid. Here.” You held out the water and tablets.

“That’s not very nice,” he teased. “Calling me names, I’m sick.” He took the tablets and water, swallowing quickly.

“Hmmm.” You tried to bite back your smile as you put the half full glass on the side table, using your pinky finger underneath the bottom to cushion the sound it made. “Do you need anything else?”

“You can still make it.” He mumbled. There was a slight pinch to his features that was easy to miss. A well covered distress. He wanted you to stay.

“Well I’m not going to, I’ve already messaged.” You climbed into bed next to him, taking great care not to rock the bed or jostle him too much.

Jake let out a soft sound, a low wine of content as you shifted close and wrapped your arms around him; hugging him tightly, but not too tight, as the big spoon.

The steady rise and fall of his chest was soothing and even thought it was only early afternoon you found sleep starting to call to you.

You had almost nodded off when Jake spoke suddenly, his voice heavy and far away.

“I know what would help.”

“What?” You answered quickly, suddenly feeling very awake and ready to do whatever you could to make him feel better.

“Well, I’ve heard that coming really helps with a headache so…” The grin in his voice was undeniable.

You laughed, gently butting your forehead against his back. “That’s not for migraines Jake.”

“Couldn’t hurt to try?”

“With our luck you’ll get motion sick.”

He chuckled and sleepily squeezed your hand. “I guess you’re right.” There was a pause before he spoke again. “Maybe later?”

You weren't sure whose giggles were louder, yours or his.

____________________________________

Thank you for reading!

Taglist: @pleasurebuttonwrites @jake-g-lockley @raven-rk @campingwiththecharmings @alexxavicry @mystinky-butt @cocodiem @oscarisaacsspit @welcometostayingawake @mbakubabe @solobagginses @welcometostayingawake @melodygatesauthor @romanarose @mbakubabe

If you'd like to be taken off the tag list please let me know here

#jake lockley #jake lockley x you #jake lockley x reader #jake lockley x gn!reader #jake lockley x gender neutral reader #x you #x reader #x gender neutral reader #x gn!reader #moon knight #moon knight mcu #moon knight x reader #moon knight x gender neutral reader #my writing #fanfic #oscar isaac #oscar isaac characters

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am-i-the-asshole-official · 11 months

Note

aita for not putting "minors dni" on my nsfw/nsft blog?

I've been thinking about this for a while and I don't know where else to get people's opinions on it without getting myself blacklisted. (this ask contains abstract discussion of sexual content and grooming)

I (24nb) have this nsft blog where I'm honestly just getting my footing, figuring out how/if to organize it and how/if to interact with similar blogs beyond liking/reblogging their posts. I'm on the ace spectrum and have mostly been using the blog as a safe space for myself to explore. that said, the posts can be pretty nasty, and there's a decent amount of hard kink. I currently don't make any of my own content. it was never really meant for other people's consumption, but I'm kind of branching out?

nsft blogs make more extensive use of dni lists than any other area of tumblr I've experienced. i have complicated feelings about dni's, but because of the context I feel like yeah state your boundaries. the most common one by far is "minors and ageless blogs dni."

I cannot stress this enough: I do not intend to interact with minors on this blog in any meaningful way. likes and reblogs do not feel like meaningful interactions to me, they feel like we looked at the same picture and said "yeah." I screen everyone for dm's and would never dm with an ageless/under 18 blog, and I'm happy to block anyone if their tags or comments make me uncomfortable. I do not want to have sexual interactions with these people. but if they're just looking at the same content as me, I feel like that's fine. many teens lead sexual lives and it's healthy for them to have places to explore while they figure themselves out. I also guarantee they can find other sexual places on the internet which are way more of a risk to them than looking at my loosely curated monsterfucker posts.

I get that a lot of people have this dni because they don't want to feel like they're grooming someone, but the thing about dni is that it puts the responsibility on the other person. in a lot of situations that makes sense, but in this case, I really believe the responsibility's on adults to make sure they don't groom kids, not on kids to not get groomed. I'm happy to do my part in not interacting with them.

is it naive of me to think I can run a blog like this without hurting anyone? is it naive to think I won't get blacklisted by other blogs? aita? thank you for reading and voting

What are these acronyms?

#aita #am i the asshole

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llawlieta · 11 months

Note

What’s your most unpopular DN opinion? (It can be about canon, fanon the fandom)

This is a hard to answer question for me because I don't know that I have many unpopular opinions, or any at all?! So I'm just going to ramble a little bit at you. I hope this is the quality content you were looking for.

I am FAR from confident that my own characterization of Light and L is right, but I sometimes feel like my view of them is an unpopular one because I see different sides of fandom taking certain traits and pulling in totally different directions - Light is either dramatic with a hair-trigger temperament and ready for Violence OR he is very soft and fluffy. (Or, he is either constantly openly and shamelessly putting women down or actually a #feminist.) Same thing with L. L is very soft and gentle and full of angsty feelings, or (and I think the following is a view that some people have adopted as a rejection to the Uwu L ™ characterization that was king in the early days of the fandom, sjsksjd) he is a confident asshole with almost no consideration towards other people beyond what is useful to him to be able to solve a case.

But then of course I know this is a bit like saying nothing because all fandoms will do this to their blorbos, and all characters are more complex than you'd think from a cursory search through their Tumblr tag. I was discussing this with a beloved friend and she illuminated me by mentioning that fandom... just loves Drama and Heightened Feelings... People consume the source material and want more Feels out of it (especially media like Death Note, I'd imagine, which really doesn't spend more time than necessary dwelling on anyone's feelings) and so they take... Light having a yelling fit and make it a very prominent trait of his personality. Or L having a soft moment and fill him with soft feelings that are coming out all the time. Which is a reasonable instinct to have! even though I think the interesting part of those moments in canon is precisely the fact that they are extraordinary in some way.

So I AM saying nothing and this does happen in every fandom, and contrary to what that cursory search through any fandom tag would tell you, a lot of people certainly treat the characters with subtlety and pay careful attention to all of their dimensions. I mean, evidently, most people do it much better than I could ever hope to do!! (In my defense I have to say that if I stress myself out with writing Light and L properly in-character I will drive myself insane, so not doing it is Self Care for me). But, ah! hopefully this is still some sort of answer, anon!

The L thing bothers me more, because he is my beloved boy and because I think people insist a bit too much on the view of him as confident asshole who doesn't give a fuck. Cleverer people than me have discussed this, particularly in the Lawlight server in which I am, but L does in fact Give Some Fucks. I'm noticing it more now that I'm rereading the manga! A lot of soft little L moments are making me sort of understand why people back in the early fandom days really ran with that Soft Uwu L interpretation haha. It's not remotely accurate to reduce him to those traits! but it's not accurate either to reduce him to the opposite ones?

And I feel like the same phenomenon happens with Lawlight, My Beloved Ship. Sometimes it feels like, if people don't portray them as a very soft and fluffy couple, they can portray them as a couple that would be so toxic and unhealthy that they couldn't have a normal, loving relationship without mind games and manipulation always running through the undercurrent of it. Idk we all know these boys are crazy insane but I don't think they'd be quite THAT toxic!!

Rereading the manga has made me have the realization once again that (I think) L and Light honestly just fit together very well, and don't hate each other with nearly as much venom and intensity as one might think, and there's a lot of common interests and genuine mutual appreciation and fun in their relationship. Particularly in a no notebook AU where there'd be no need for 70% of their mind games of course lol, but it's also there just, like, canonically.

↑ they discuss the news and buy groceries together and read different books silently on the couch actually.

#if you read all this: [anime L voice] I'll give you a strawberry.#choosing a Yotsuba arc mangacap wasn't intentional in the sense that I am saying that #any of what I just said is only appliable to an L who is paired with a Yotsuba Light - not at all!!#I just had this edit of this mangacap in my folder and I wanted to put a picture at the end of these blocks of text kjsksjsks #Death Note #L #Lawlight #ask #anon #lau.txt #would anyone even think of it that way... I don't know. but I love worrying about things no one has ever had a single thought about ever.

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imminent-danger-came · 1 year

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Anon chilling on the precipice of madness again, and I’m so glad you liked that last ask! Truly, there is much joy to be found in discussing how much we enjoy (*cough* are dealt immense emotional damage on a daily basis by *cough*) the monkey show. Also, since I apparently can’t stop bugging you, for clarity’s sake I’m going to call myself Unhinged Anon if I submit any future asks lol.

As always you make excellent points, and I am very normal about you bringing up the ‘MK smiling at his reflection’ thing because the motif of reflections in this show (see also: S2E5, S3E4, some others I’m probably missing, and especially S4E1) doesn’t make me even the tiniest bit insane. Nope! Not at all. But this time, it’s actually something you said in the tags that launched my marbles into the stratosphere for me to never find, because now I can’t stop thinking about how badly I want, like… a Sandy spinoff series or something.

And I don’t mean a lore-heavy, epic adventure rich in heavy themes and conflicts like we have in the main series, just with Sandy at the center instead of MK. I want Sandy's series to be almost exclusively season one-style laid back episodes. But the good kind of laid back episodes, you know? Stuff like S1E6&7, that a lot of people dismiss, especially on a first watch, as nothing more than filler but actually serve as a subtle expansion/exploration of characters (“I also summoned monster trees with my stress, so. Should I see a doctor? We’ll worry about that later” still haunts me) and dynamics hidden under the guise of a silly little adventure with funny jokes, great animation, and fairly low stakes.

I want to see what an appointment with Sandy’s therapist looks like, or even just the shenanigans he gets up to during those episodes where he’s mysteriously absent and only Tang seems to notice.

I want to see Sandy teach Tang how to make tea, and maybe nerd out about those theories Sandy mentioned having about the gang's whole deal with the OG Companions.

I want to see Sandy’s endless teddy bear energy clash with Red-wants to seem intimidating but will also grab his new friends warm milk if they ask-Son.

I want to see Wukong forced to have an extended conversation with Sandy, or really anyone from the team that isn’t MK or actively yelling at him, and getting to really see how they work off of each other.

I want to see the secret ‘how do we help our clearly not okay friend?’ talks Mei and Sandy have behind MK’s back whenever he starts acting weird, and all the gossip that goes on during the yoga sessions they start doing together after Mei gets the Samadhi fire.

I want to see Sandy talking with the little girl that LBD possessed, especially since something kind of similar happened to him during season 4, and accidentally becoming her new (and favorite) giant blue uncle.

I want an episode of MK and Sandy hanging out. Just chilling on the boat, playing with Mo, going for a little walk around town until BOOM! Sandy brings MK to his unsuspecting therapist, who’s about to get the most interesting case of their career. And maybe, if we’re allowed a little angst, a discussion about how scary it is to be born with a lot of power that not only can, but will, hurt a lot of people if it isn't carefully controlled. About how they’ve tried, and failed, to avoid causing pain. About wanting to never cause pain, and how the futility of that sentiment almost outweighs the importance of trying anyways.

And above all, I DEMAND a Pigsy-Sandy origin story!

Anyways, this is basically just me edging ever closer to the brink of madness after you accidently inflicted No Thoughts, Only Sandy syndrome upon me with your last response. But, it's also an invitation to gush about Sandy some more, if you want, and also share anything you would want to see in a hypothetical Sandy show!

Unhinged Anon I got you, here's a motif post where I have every MK reflection in the whole show.

AND “I also summoned monster trees with my stress, so. Should I see a doctor? We’ll worry about that later” HAUNTS ME TOO. There's something about the way those shots are set up, cracking from blue to gold:

MK also becoming a "master of focus" in this ep, with focus becoming important later in episodes like 1x09 and 3x11/12 with Mei.

BUT ANON.

Imma use this ask as a spring board for one of my fav personal theories, which is this: OG Sandy, from the original jttw pilgrimage, is also our current day Sandy!

I'll probably throw this into an official theory post later, but for now I'll go into this theory underneath the cut:

First, let's start with 2x08 To Catch a Leaf, during which Sandy has several PTSD flashbacks:

So, the first one is some sort of battlefield, and the second one...

Is of Zhu Bajie?

Now, we know Pigsy has never worn an outfit like this based off of this comment in 4x05:

Pigsy: "Blue ain't really my color, but it beats looking like that monster, Zhu Ganglie."

The Pig Demon in that flashback from 2x08 HAS to be Zhu Bajie of the original jttw pilgrimage. But why would Sandy have a memory like that?

Next is the fact that while everyone else in 4x09 Roast of the Monkie Kids is compared to their past life, Sandy notably isn't.

Tang knows friendship, but unlike Tang Sanzang isn't studious.

Mei is bold and brave, but lacks Ao Lie's caution.

Pigsy like Zhu Bajie is stubborn, but he has the heart his predecessor originally lacked.

Yet this is all Subodhi has to say to Sandy:

Subdohi: "You have nothing more to learn my hilariously blue student! Another star for you!" Sandy: "Dooww thank you wise master!" Subodhi: "But! You're far too nice for your own good." Sandy: "Uh huh, you noticed!"

(4x09 Roast of the Monkie Kids)

It's exceedingly strange that in an episode where Subodhi breaks down everyone's character arcs, Sandy is told he's all good. He has nothing more to learn, and no more character development to go through.

Unless of course...Subodhi quite simply couldn't compare Sandy to his past life because there was no past life to compare him to.

Another detail in s4 that's always intrigued me is how Sandy is brought back to himself from Sha Wujing in 4x06.

Pigsy's heartfelt speech on the legacy of their past lives not defining their current one, or how they're not monsters, doesn't work. It's instead Mo offering Sandy wholehearted love that brings Sandy back:

Which, of course Sandy has a close bond with Mo, but Pigsy's speech wasn't anything to scoff at either:

Pigsy: "No. No! Just cause we look a certain way, cause our monster ancestors were, well, monsters, none of that matters! I won't let his legacy define mine, and neither should you! Your the strongest, the biggest, the bluest guy I know! But all you've ever used those muscles for is to help people in need—your friends. That don't sound like a monster to me." (4x06 Show Me the Monster)

As far as we know, that should have been the exact thing Sandy needed to be freed from his past life, and yet it wasn't.

That would be because, at least under the confines of this theory, the guy Pigsy is saying Sandy wasn't like was indeed who Sandy used to be. Yes, Sandy has far outgrown the person who fought to establish his own place in the world, learning that "hurting others isn't a measure of one's strength". But here's the thing, who you used to be matters. Unlike Pigsy's relationship with Zhu Bajie, Sandy's relationship with who he was in the past can't as easily be written off. It's still a part of him.

There are also certain other details. like the fact that Sandy knows his way to Flower Fruit Mountain in "A Hero is Born", or how he's so knowledgeable on ancient powerful remedies like the crimson jimson weed. Of course these details could be chalked up to plot convenience—which is by no means a flaw or complaint—but I've always wondered if there was anything more to it.

But, Sandy's more laid back reaction to most things has always intrigued me, and it would re-contextualize certain scenes like this one from 2x10 in a fun way:

Pigsy: "No! What could have been so important that you'd leave MK alone to face that- that thing! You're supposed to be his mentor-"

Sandy: "ENOUGH!" "I think we should give Mr. Monkey King, a chance to explain."

(2x10 This is the End!)

Of course with this theory comes a few questions, like why Sandy didn't meet the same fate as the other pilgrims, or why he wouldn't let Sun Wukong know he was alive, or why he would bother to pretend he wasn't the OG Sha Wujing at all. And honestly? I don't have an answer to these questions!

But what I do know is that Sandy's friends are greatly important to him-

Sandy: "Hurting others isn't a measure of one's strength—took me a really long time to realize that. As long as I'm doing something to help out a friend, I don't mind what it is! I just want to be there for 'em when they need me. Cause at the end of the day, helping my friends is more important than anything else in the world!" (2x08 To Catch a Leaf)

-and losing them would affect him greatly.

Whatever happened to the og jttw crew, that could very easily be the reason Sandy was "the most dangerous, deadly, rage filled warrior [Pigsy] ever [knew]". Based off of that 2x08 Zhu Bajie flashback, Sandy could very well have watched his friend die.

But, now that Sandy has his friends back in his life? Of course he's going to do whatever he can for them!

Which would include anything from making tea to breaking his vow to never fight again.

And please for the love of god give us a Pigsy - Sandy origin story. I'm begging. WHAT IS THEIR HISTORY MAN. WHY DID PIGSY KNOW HOW TO COMMIT A JAILBREAK.

#that slice of life sandy show sounds so comfy #I would love to learn about the sanctity of quiet moments and daily life with my favorite blue thing!#Also MK get's therapy pog #anyways *plays Sandy's ''anything for pigsy'' in my mind over and over again*#So if the stars aligned and BOTH og Sandy is current Sandy and eamk were true #Which is unlikely. BUT PRETENDING FOR A MOMENT IT COULD HAPPEN #The dream would be for Sandy to share what he learned with MK.#Like. How he got from ''I am a monster! That's what the world wants me to be—so that's what I'm gonna give 'em!'' to #''Hurting others isn't a measure of one's strength'' and just wanting to have some tea with his friends #Either way clearly Sandy has some expertise on the subject of being a chaotic destructive force. HE CAN HELP MK OKAY #HE HAS GUIDANCE AND WISDOM TO SHARE #SANDY MK TRAINING ARC WHEN #I need Sandy to meditate with MK at least once alright #Which may never happen and that's okay. But I can dream!#asks #lmk theory #lmk #lego monkie kid #monkie kid #lmk sandy #Still chasing the high of 2x03 where Sandy and MK made tea together #unhinged anon

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roo-bastmoon · 1 year

Text

Welcome new followers

Um, hi there, puppykitties! Welcome.

Just a few things you might not immediately realize about me:

WHO I BLOCK

I periodically review everyone who follows me and I block anyone that looks like a bot or a troll. If I'm unsure, I'll message first. It's totally fine by me if you just want to lurk, but if an account has no profile pic, no posts, no likes, or seems like a set-up sock puppet, I remove those followers because I truly am allergic to drama. I also immediately unfollow and block anyone who talks like an anti or bigot. This blog is meant to be a safe, happy place to celebrate Jikook and BTS. It's where I go to escape from stress, not seek it out.

HOW I TEASE

Also, if I write something like "I'm not saying x, y, z, but I'm also not NOT saying x, y, z" that is just light-hearted sarcastic humor. In the screenwriting world, it's called "hanging a lantern on it." Please know I'm not being serious. I'm also half-joking if I say something but use the strikethrough. So if you're just meeting me for the first time, please know I'm only gently teasing when I do this kind of thing in my posts. I absolutely will not ever disrespect or drag a member or fellow ARMY in earnest. I don't even really like criticizing anyone out on the main timeline--I feel it's more respectful to have a conversation in the DMs, so things can be discussed calmly and with dignity.

WHAT I POST

Finally, I'm so random, y'all. I can't help it; like, 99% of the time I post about BTS (mostly Jimin) but sometimes I might randomly post something about TV shows or books or a cute animal video or a funny political meme. I've had this blog for like 15 years or something. I'm a Dope Old Person and so there's just all kinds of stuff on here. I never thought I'd have "followers" and as an introvert it sometimes gives me anxiety because I never want to let anyone down so, sorry if there's no real tagging system or the posts seem totally incongruous. *shrug* I'm a hot mess sometimes. Hopefully you have a good time here anyway.

In any case, you are welcome here. Thank you for working hard for our boys! I appreciate when you share your perspectives and fun fan stuff in a respectful way. I'm really glad to be ARMY alongside you.

Feel free to friend over on Twitter too.

Lots of love, Roo

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nixalegos · 2 months

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One of Nixalegos' imps would provide him with a small, rolled scroll, secured with a piece of twine. The little demon would be more than a little shaken, muttering something about its contract and how direct interaction with an Illidari was not supposed to be part of the occupational hazards. By the first letter, it was clear who the sender was.

"NETHERMANCER-- NEW TARGET LOCATED. CLEARED OUT A MODERATE INFESTATION IN THE RUINS OF ISILIDEN, SOUTH OF ELDRE'THALAS. WRATHGUARD LEADER SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND THE TIDE HAD TURNED AND WAS ALREADY DISARMED/READY TO TALK BY THE TIME I REACHED HIM. INFORMED HIM I AM NOT OPEN FOR DISCUSSION, BUT THAT HE WOULD HEAR FROM YOU IF HE REMAINED IN THE LOCATION; ELSEWISE I WOULD SEE TO HIS DESTRUCTION IN THE IMMEDIATE. APPEARS TO BE MORE TACTICALLY-MINDED THAN MOST OF HIS ILK. PLACED SEVERAL SHACKLING RUNES AROUND OBVIOUS EXITS IN CASE YOU NEED USE OF THEM, THEY WILL ONLY BE TRIGGERED BY DEMONS (WARN YOURS).

I MUST STRESS HOW EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT IT WAS TO LEAVE THIS STONE IN AN UNTURNED STATE.

BEST OF LUCK WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS, MAY THEY BEAR FRUIT.

--CAEDUN"

Somewhere in Feralas

"Thank you for your complacency in this matter." The hooded man said as he stepped over the threshold of the ruins inner chamber. As the Illidari had said, this one had been of keener insight into their future prospects, they hadn't tried anything stupid, like an ambush. "I am Lord Felscythe, Nethermancer of Silvermoon, Loyal to Dreadscar." He announced plainly and with little fanfare.

What shackling runes had been set around the temple grounds were still occupied by the Wrathguards once loyal forces, caught mid act of attempting to flee, imps mostly, perhaps figuring their chances on their own were better then to be subjected. They'd be press ganged into the Au-Bound regardless. Or sundered into materials. Waste not. Want not.

"The half spawn didn't offer many options." Zal'gon of the Thirty-Six Strikes replied. The blue-gray bulk of the brute lingered with his back turned towards the entering warlock, its glaze instead focused on the banner of the Legion that hung mockingly against the center wall of what might have once been the heart of a temple to Elunian worship. The stitched together ogre flesh still leaked blood upon the wall.

"Would you have preferred oblivion?" The hooded man asked in reply as he unslung his weapon, an act that drew the demons attention away from the flag and towards the mortal subjugator. Nixalegos brought the heavy warstaffs spiked bottom onto the floor, dragging it, and letting the metal scrap and bite into the stone, carving the rock.

"I am just as capable of seeing the red glow of Argus in your night sky as anyone else." Zal'gon retorted bitterly. "Years without support in this hellhole of a jungle. Without materials. Reinforcements. My only entertainment beasts, and two headed dolts who's greatest attribute is how wet they left my blades." Clawed feet brought them away from the wall and towards the center of the room.

"Not even a month ago. My own kin, in blue and gold trimmed armor, alongside a rag tag group of mortals stole a keystone we held faithfully in this position for years. Betrayed. So they could coddle their supposed guilt, and assuage their thousands of years of fiery purpose could be rectified." The demon snarled. "You're free to take their skull alongside my belongings as a gift for my recruitment summoner." The demons contempt dripping off every word as the warlock finished the first circle around the floor, the pride of a defeated, but unbowed leader of demons radiating off them.

"That's surprisingly tactful, but I can't accept it yet." The hooded man said as he looked up from the runic circle he'd been carving. "I haven't decided if you're worth binding yet."

A beat passed between mortal and demon.

"What." The eredar blade master said in befuddlement. "Do you know to whom you address? I am Zal'gon of the Thirty-Six Strikes! I am-"

"I know who you are." The mortal cut them off and brought his staff back down onto the stone, the sound cutting Zal'gon off before they grew even more incensed at the mortals gall. The last of the three runes completed the binding circle. "I did my research the moment the Illidari informed me of your decision to be reasonable." He said, tapping the warstaff to the circle itself, empowering it with a gesture, and a sacrifice of mana.

Wrathguards could shrug off the chains of trickery with sheer will alone. Their circles needed to be plain. A declaration of sheer might, as opposed to duplicity. The glyphs minimal and true, with no deviancy. As precise as the demons own cunning was.

"What you can do is tell me a little about yourself." The warlock said as he took his staff and reslung the heaving weapon to his back. Coming to stand at the edge of the circle, a mere, and exacting inch, from crossing the line.

"Is this a joke?" Zal'gon snarled as his clawed hands came to rest upon the pommels of his two swords; Xulfahar, Blood of the Thousand Worlds, and Thulfgul-gon, The Hungering Steel. "Tell you about myself?!" It repeated with indignity.

"Yes, a little about your history, your skills. What exactly you bring to the table I can't find in another? Do you have any collaborators who can verify?" The warlock said as another Eredar entered the ruin, it's armor the same style and material, even its skin color the same shade of bruise grey, only it boasted a two handed sword on its back as opposed to Zal'gon's choice of weaponry. "Azatik." The warlock said by way of acknowledgement. " The others outside?" The mortal man inquired outloud, despite not needing to.

"Handled my Lord." The other eredar said as it looked to its erstwhile kin, Zal'gons jaw setting in frustration. "So you've made a contract with another of my kind. Is that supposed to intimidate me?" Zal'gon barked.

"You'd be the fourth in my employ." Nixalegos answered flatly, not phased by the circle bound demons growing anger. "Again, I ask, what exactly do you bring that I can use?" The emphasized on the word use not lost on either of the demons.

"I- I am a warrior without pe-" Azatik cleared its throat in rebuttal loudly enough to cut them mid sentance.

"A warrior without peer." Zal'gon repeated, suddenly realizing why the other eredar wrathguard had been brought in, to undercut the very notion of their uniqueness. "I have fought bravely, and with decoration and praise since before the birth of the Legion itself."

"Can you do anything asides fight?" The warlock continued his dry questions.

"I've led troops, and handled the logistics of occupying territory since before your mortal cities had mortar and bricks." Was the demons reply.

"So only activities regarding the art of war." Was the warlocks cutting question in return. The warlock sounded bored if anything.

"I..err. Yes." Zal'gon answered, who suddenly felt much smaller then before the circle had been dragged closed.

"Do you have nothing to declare asides your use as a tool?" The smaller mortal man said in judgement, the hooded gaze seemingly able to cut into the heart of the demon, and found it wanting.

It was, for the first time in over thirteen thousand years, Zal'gon of the Thirty-Six Strikes, The Last Scion of the Dark Crescent, Desecrator of Countless Worlds. He, who'd dueled the Slave Kings of Thuthea to the last, wondered what he'd wasted all his time doing.

"…I, no. I am in need of renewed purpose." The demon admitted.

"Very well. Submit your truename to me. You will either be summoned personally by me, or recruited to Dreadscar for processing and posted as guard until something better suited for someone of your skillset can be found." He answered.

There, a pause. The edge of the precipice. Clawed hands lingering still over the hilt of his swords.

A word that was more then any other word was passed between summon and summoner before his swords could be drawn. A nymic that cut deeper then any blade, spoken faster then he'd ever be able to swing.

"We'll reach out to you very soon." The warlock said with a too wide smile. Zal'gon could not BE summoned, without first being dismissed.

The other man'ari eredar unslung its sword.

#warlock #warcraft #nixalegos #moon guard

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jeongyunhoed · 5 months

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As seen on my FF.net

Following the events of fifth year, a new adventure awaits for Norah Lee. Boys, exams, school events, common room parties, and old foes outside of Hogwarts. Even battling pensieve guardians was easier than this.

Main Pair: OC/? Genre: Adventure/Angst/Fluff (it's a little of everything, tbh)

KEEP IN MIND: Characters are aged up (even if the story's got them in sixth year) to make it more appropriate. Time period is leaning towards the modern day so in case you might find anachronisms in the dialogue or references, this is why. This may also be quite a lengthy fic too.

BE WARNED: Social anxiety, mentions of blood and injury, grief, drinking, kissing but nothing more than that, death (this is Hogwarts Legacy, after all)

P.P.S: Sorry in advance for any mischaracterization and other mistakes. Tag list is open if you would like to follow this story on here. Reblogs are much appreciated.

Masterlist

Chapter 3

"6th years, you've now managed to make it to NEWT levels," Professor Sharp addressed them all that afternoon. "Well done, I must stress that everyone pay attention, and assume that you've all done adequately the previous year to be able to take this subject. All of the potions I will discuss from here on out, you will be required to make and know like the backs of your wands."

Norah was reading along to Professor Sharp's description of the first potion they were to make this year: Veritaserum, which made the drinker tell the truth. Along with the confused hums coming from everyone else, Sharp explained that it was because today, in particular, was the start of the new moon. The ingredients seemed simple enough as she rummaged through her own stock of ingredients.

"There won't be any need to drink these potions, however, lest you look forward to a visit to the hospital wing or even St. Mungo's, so for your safety and everyone else's, avoid doing so. The grade for this will depend on what it looks like after 28 days."

She chuckled, looking over her own kit of ingredients when Professor Sharp signaled for them to begin. Carefully measuring each ingredient, she took her time in brewing the liquid.

"Psst! Norah!"

She looked over her shoulder, seeing Samantha Dale, the Ravenclaw she helped return a crest into her troll-infested family tomb. "Hello Samantha," Norah nodded. "I see you're taking NEWT Potions too."

Samantha was grinning. "Anyone ask you to the Yule Ball yet?" She said, keeping her voice low.

Norah shook her head. "No,no one's asked me yet. It's still quite a long way away, isn't it?"

"Yes, and no," The Ravenclaw replied. "But people are now wondering who might be the lucky guy who takes the Hogwarts heroine to the ball, you know."

Norah looked back at her own cauldron, quickly stirring the mixture until it reached the desired color. Sebastian, who was sharing a table with Norah as well as Amit, glanced at Samantha when she said it. "I'm not expecting anyone to ask me, let's put it at that. I might've scared them away knowing what happened last year," She mumbled, crushing two sopophorous beans with her blade. "What about you, has anyone asked you yet?" She turned it around.

"Oh no, but he will ask me soon, I know it," Samantha was confident. "He might just be waiting for the right time. I'll see him in the common room."

Sebastian and Norah tried to stifle their surprise when Samantha glanced at Amit, who was absorbed in getting his potion right. Or at least gave the impression that he was focused, as the blush in his cheeks became evident.

Norah bit her lip to keep herself from giggling. It was cute. "This is what hanging around Norah feels like, I'm getting more than I bargained for," He mumbled, the blush on his cheeks becoming even more visible.

"Amit is blushing," Ominis quipped as he carefully added his own ingredients in.

"You don't know that," Amit tried to shoot a look at the blonde Slytherin.

"I don't have to see you to know, and I know."

"You're lucky we're not doing amortentia," Sebastian quipped, making the two of them snort, Norah nearly spilling some of her ready made potion as she poured the liquid into a vial. "You'll be in trouble then."

They stiffened up when Professor Sharp approached their table. "I hope all the snickering is that you're all done with brewing your own veritaserums," He said, giving the side-eye to Sebastian and Norah, who presented him with her vial. "Well done, Miss Lee. You've managed to stay focused."

They sighed in relief when Sharp walked away. "So," Norah decided to change the subject. "Are we looking for our first table tonight?"

That made Amit look up in delight. "Yes! But..." His shoulders suddenly sunk.

"But?" Sebastian asked.

"But the nearest ones after the tables we found here in Hogwarts are in the Forbidden Forest," Amit frowned. "I hate to think of what we might encounter in that forest at night."

"You say that like you didn't fight goblin loyalists with me in that mine, Amit," Norah raised a brow. "You're a lot braver than you give yourself credit for. And besides, you're not looking for those tables on your own. If anything happens, we can handle ourselves."

Even though it wasn't directed at him, Sebastian felt assured by her words. It was true after all. The previous year tested her relationship with each of them like no other, and certainly proved that they were going to be lifelong friends. Amit also seemed assured, yet still wary about heading into another adventure with Norah after the mine incident.

"Not every goblin is bad. I've come across quite a few of those goblins last year, helped them with missing art carts and mooncalves. They love life and beasts just as much as we do," Norah remembered those moments fondly, smiling to herself as she cleared out her cauldron by pouring the remaining contents of her potion into one other vial to have in handy. If only Ranrok spared his own brother, they would've met again for a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks by now, celebrating thwarting Ranrok's plan, she thought.

That made Amit mutter something that they were sure was him wanting to improve on his Gobbledegook. "Well, Lodgok was one of the nice ones," The Ravenclaw glanced at her.

The mention of Lodgok made Norah think about something she thought of doing now that she was back. Once class was dismissed, Norah cleared out her cauldron and left the room, focused on what she was thinking. It took her a week or so to finally learn how to apparate, with some help from Professor Weasley and practice from Poppy and Natty. In a flash, she was at a mausoleum at the Hogsmeade graveyard.

Professor Fig's grave was next to his late wife's, and next to his late wife's was the grave of the goblin Lodgok. Norah had gotten some flowers nearby, carefully placing some on each grave stone. She immediately wiped the tears that quietly fell down her cheeks as she stood back up. Each time she wiped her cheeks, more tears came out, as if her grief had only caught up to her now, the sadness finally sinking in.

"I'm pretty sure the three of them would've been proud of you, for finally putting an end to Ranrok and for discovering what they worked for."

Norah didn't want to look over at the Three Broomsticks barkeep herself, Sirona Ryan, standing a few paces behind her. Her eyes were likely so puffy already. Sirona knew the goings on in Hogsmeade and was perhaps one of the most-liked shopkeepers in all of the village.

"You think so?" Norah sniffled and wiped her face with the tea towel Sirona handed her.

"At least I know Lodgok would and Professor Fig too."

With a wave of her wand, Norah made sure to clean the tea towel she used before handing it back to Sirona. "I hope so."

Sirona patted her shoulder. "You're in need of butterbeer, dear. Come, we'll raise a pint to them," She offered. "And if it's any further consolation, several people would want to be there for you right now."

When they entered the Three Broomsticks, Norah was met with the faces of her friends, all of whom seemed relieved. Yet, even with their concern, they each had pints of butterbeer in their hands. Much like her, they were already dressed quite casually, with Amit being especially excited. "We figured you'd be back there again," Sebastian got up from the stool and approached her.

"What do you mean?" Norah raised a brow at him.

"Whenever you suddenly leave without saying anything, we know it's you going back to the mausoleum to visit Professor Fig and his wife, and Lodgok," Sebastian pointed out, handing her a pint of the drink Sirona just poured out.

"This has apparently been a habit of yours, hmm?" Sirona said with a knowing smile. "I've been hearing Timothy Teasdale call you all sorts of nicknames. At first I thought you were just hanging about again, possibly shopping for more fertilizer from him. Apparently, he's seen you go into the graveyard and the mausoleum twice, three times a month."

"The Troll-Slayer," Natty chimed in.

"The Absconder Assassin," as did Poppy.

"The Hogwarts Heroine," same went for Amit.

"The Mongrel Murderer," Ominis piped up with a grin.

"The Dugbog Dropper," Sebastian added.

"The Bane of the Poachers' Existence" Natty said again, making them laugh.

"I must ask who calls me those last three names," Norah's brows furrowed at the absurdity of the names. Yet, it did bring some levity to how she was feeling. All of them laughed.

"Well then, shall we raise a glass?" Natty steered the topic back, raising her own pint of butterbeer. "To Lodgok, to Professor Fig, and to his wife, Miriam," she said. "But also, to Norah."

"To Norah!" The rest of them cheered as they clinked their drinks before taking a sip.

Norah sipped the warm drink, already feeling a lot better. Yet, the last moments of her and Professor Fig kept playing in her mind. The last moments of her and Lodgok in that mine. She made her choice, and she hoped she could stand by it until she couldn't. It was becoming more clear that it would be insulting to their memories if she continued with the choice she made at the caverns. Norah could only hope it wasn't too late.

If only she could access the caverns again. But how would she do it? Only the keepers seemed to know how to do it. Now, she would practically be considered one herself.

"Norah?" Sebastian's voice suddenly snapped her out of her thoughts. "You okay?"

She glanced at their expectant faces. "Hmm? Sorry, I was thinking about heading to our first astronomy table outside Hogwarts," She tried to explain.

The rest of them exchanged looks. "You were staring so intently at your butterbeer," Natty pointed out. "We've all agreed, Amit, we're going to the tables in the Forbidden Forest."

"In that case, I'd like to remind all of you to be careful. There are still people and creatures there that don't take kindly to witches and wizards. Even ones that did some good," Sirona eyed each of them.

After another round of butterbeer, they sought to walk back, but not before they stopped by 's for extra stocks on certain potions. After Norah told them what to arm themselves with, they sought to do just that. While they each had an idea of what she had been up to whenever they weren't with her, Norah filled the blank spaces of the stories they knew. At least most of the blank spaces.

Unsurprisingly, Amit offered to write those escapades in a book.

"I will say it was a good idea to have this incredibly miniscule satchel," Amit was referring to what looked like clutch purses on each of them. The purses were enchanted to hold anything and everything no matter the size. "I love being a wizard. If we were muggles, we'd be bringing a lot."

"Yeah, I was wondering how many Chinese chomping cabbages I could fit in here," Poppy looked inside hers.

When they finally stopped in front of the entrance of the forest, they exchanged looks. "So the search begins," Sebastian said, while Norah cast lumos with her wand to lead the way. "The first table should be nearby."

"I'm not too keen on climbing up those rocks," Ominis frowned.

"You'll be fine. We'll lift you up if we need to," Natty assured him.

The six of them walked down the dark path, with Norah's and Sebastian's wands the only ones illuminated so as not to draw too much attention to themselves. They didn't have much time until they had to return for curfew. They trekked up the small hill, with Norah standing by Ominis in case his wand didn't pick up the land they were treading on.

"Can you hear that? I hear a low humming, it's coming from that stream over there," Ominis said, his head tilting toward the direction he heard it from.

"Just a dugbog, Ominis, it's alright," Norah assured him. "It's not going to get us from up here. Amit, you might as well get on with it."

"Gladly," the Ravenclaw clambered up to where the table was and set up his telescope. "Wow!"

The rest of them set up a little blanket to sit down on, with Norah bringing in a few sandwiches and snacks from the kitchens for them to eat while they waited for Amit to finish stargazing. From all of them, only Amit took NEWT-level Astronomy.

"So, my mother is excited for the Yule Ball," Natty glanced at the girls. "She wants to take me shopping for a nice dress. Do you two have something to wear?"

Poppy hummed. "Not yet, but my gran was excited when I told her."

Norah shook her head. "I guess I'll figure it out, won't I? Maybe look through what I have. It's all in the room."

"Did anyone ask you yet?" Natty looked especially excited upon asking. "I know two boys who have been arguing in our common room to see who gets to ask you first."

"Please tell me they're doing that as a joke," Norah said.

The Gryffindor girl laughed. "Norah, lighten up. Amit's not the only one among us who's getting a date to the ball. What about the two of you?" She turned to Sebastian and Ominis.

"Well we'll see, won't we?" Sebastian quipped, taking a big bite into the sandwich he had.

"Adelaide Oakes and Nellie Oggspire are waiting," Norah teased, remembering the fleeting comments the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor girls made when they talked to her. The two Slytherin boys shrugged it off. Natty and Poppy laughed.

Norah smiled to herself as she ate the rest of her sandwich, glancing at Amit, who was frantically trying to fill out his star chart - a new one after filling up his other chart. No doubt that Sebastian and Ominis would have girls fawning over them by now. She was also sure that Natty and Poppy each had admirers of their own.

Her mind drifted back to what she planned on doing in the map chamber. It needed to be a priority, at least for her. A chance to make things right. She wouldn't have time to think about boys and who might be interested in her and who she might be interested in, not that there were many. But a glance at Sebastian and Ominis seemed to make a convincing argument that yes, she did have time.

"So, Norah, between Garreth or Leander, who would you want to ask you to the Yule Ball?" Natty pressed, almost making the Slytherin girl spit out her sandwich, cheeks tinged pink.

"Why did I know it was the two of them?" She muttered, wiping her mouth with a napkin. Natty and Poppy laughed, while Sebastian let out a snort. "I don't know. They seem like nice boys, though."

"If I recall correctly, Weasley made you go to Honeydukes for him and you bested Prewett in Summoner's Court and in Crossed Wands," Sebastian pointed out. "And Prewett still thinks of asking you to the Yule Ball?"

"And what about it?" Natty raised a brow at him. "Leander's a nice boy, he's just a sore loser at times."

Norah smiled. "Maybe I'd consider it. He showed me around the greenhouses too during my first Herbology class."

"You would consider going with Prewett or Weasley?" Ominis suddenly asked.

"It's not like-" Norah wanted to say something, but she bit her lip. "Never mind. I don't think what happened to me in those caverns made me any prettier or something. I wouldn't be surprised if I scared boys away."

"We're still here, aren't we?" Sebastian said. "Even Amit."

"No one would be surprised if the two of you were friends with me one bit, though," Norah side-eyed him, and he nodded knowingly. "Besides, you like to live your life on the edge," She teased. "Not sure about Ominis."

"My last name already gives off danger," the blonde boy retorted.

"That is true too," The three girls nodded.

Amit cleared his throat. "Alright, I'm unfortunately done. The sky is so beautiful tonight," He sighed, helping himself to the last remaining sandwich. "The stars are out there, as clear as ever."

"It's quiet too..." Norah muttered, looking up. "If I could just stop time for a moment, just not think about what lies ahead of me, that would be really nice..."

She felt her eyes suddenly feel a little prickly, tears threatening to come out. Not now, she thought. No one must see her like this, she kept thinking to herself. "We should probably go back to the castle now, before the prefects go on their rounds again and we'll get caught," Ominis suddenly suggested, making her glance at his direction. They knew this was to remind Sebastian not to get himself in detention so early in the year.

"The next table we can find is further into the forest, Amit," Poppy reminded the Ravenclaw male.

"It's okay, I'm not completely terrified now that I'm certain we all go there together," He said, with renewed confidence as they gathered their things and one by one, made their way down.

#hogwarts legacy #hogwarts legacy fluff #hogwarts legacy angst #sebastian sallow #ominis gaunt #amit thakkar #leander prewett #garreth weasley #andrew larson #natsai onai #poppy sweeting #imelda reyes

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