#technically. scared of adding that tag Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[skullsandcorals]

Could not stop thinking about this post so here we are.

(click for better quality if you're on the mobile app. do not repost.)

you'd have to stop the world just to stop the feeling

art without writing under the cut 🫶

[fangirl-dot-com]

Incorrect Quotes

all of these were from Pinterest - cause I'm not this funny (I also couldn't wait for the next chapter to come out so here :D)

Like always comments, questions, concerns, reblogs, and likes are appreciated <3

TAG LIST IS OPEN! - 26 spots still open! (please send me a direct message to be added!)

Y/n: I’m cool Oscar  Y/n: I’m THEE coolest  Y/n: In fact, I was once arrested for being too cool *puts on sunglasses*  Oscar: The charges were dropped because there was no supporting evidence. Also, your glasses are upside down. 

Y/n: I have a very specific type  Max: Oh yeah? Like what?  Y/n: Y’know…polite, handsome, athletic…that sort of thing  Arthur (on his fourth energy drink of the day) tripping over camera wires and holding his mic upside down: you little shit eating, damned pathetic piece of shit – now you listen here  Y/n: *heart eyes* that one. I want that one.  Max: *flabbergasted* 

Lando: bet you’re standing in the corner because you’re scared that you’ll get turned down if you talk to anyone  Y/n: please, I could fluster near everyone at this party if I chose to  Oscar: oh yeah? Prove it. Go for someone borderline impossible and I’ll believe you Y/n, approaching Arthur: hey dumbass, hoodie looks kind of cute on you, wanna get out of here?  Arthur: WH- I MEAN- UHHHH YEAH SURE  Y/n: perfect  Oscar and Lando: 

Y/n: I brought a red bull  Max: I don’t want a red bull Y/n: I didn’t bring this for you. This is my red bull. Max: then why are you telling me?  Y/n: It’s a conversation starter.  Max: That’s a lousy conversation starter  Y/n: Oh, is it? We are conversing. Checkmate *sips red bull* 

Y/n: *gently taps table*  Logan: *taps back*  Alex: what are they doing?  George: morse code Y/n: *aggressively taps table*  Logan: *slams hands down* YOU TAKE THAT BACK- 

Lewis: Treat spiders the way you want to be treated  Y/n: Killed without hesitation  Lewis: nO!

Y/n: Is stabbing someone immoral?  Mitch: Not if they consent to it.  Max: Depends on who you’re stabbing.  Christian: YES?! 

Cop: You’re receiving a ticket for having three people on one motorcycle.  Y/n: Shit  Logan: Wait, three?  Cop: yeah? Lando: OH MY GOSH OSCAR FELL OFF!! 

Max: Time for plan G.  Liam: Don’t you mean plan B?  Daniel: No, we tried plan B a long time ago. I had to skip over plan C due to technical difficulties.  Y/n: What about plan D?  Daniel: Plan D was that desperate disguise attempt half an hour ago.  Max: What about plan E?  Liam: I’m hoping not to use it. I die in plan E  Yuki: I like plan E. 

Christian: Did none of you think this was a bad idea?  *Y/n, Max, Charles, and Arthur covered in navy and red paint*  Y/n: Oh no, we all did. We just decided to do it anyway. 

George: (in sunglasses and newest Tommy Hilfiger jumpsuit) *in the most posh accent* I’m too good for revenge  Logan: (covered in bug spray, cowboy hat and overalls on, pumped full of Bang energy drink and high on freedom) *cocks shotgun* Well, I’m not. Give me the name. 

Arthur: So what’s your type?  Y/n: Kinda long blond hair, green eyes, dumb, dimples, funny, really thin waist  Arthur: Huh, that kind of sounds like me! Too bad its not me! Y/n: did I mention dumb?  Arthur: yeah, why?  Y/n: just making sure 

*Over Text* 

Y/n: Hey pretty boy, what’re you up to? :) Arthur: Eating cereal in bed  Y/n: And what would you be doing if I was in bed with you?  Arthur:…I would still be eating my cereal? 

Waitress: And what would you like to eat?  Y/n: I wish to devour the unborn  Fernando: Eggs, she would like eggs 

Y/n: Do you think that when sheep go to sleep they count themselves?  Lando: Or do they count humans?  Y/n: Ooo, that’s a good question  Oscar: GO TO SLEEP 

Y/n to Max: because I am a mature adult  *turns to see Mitch, Christian, and Vito shake their heads*  *turns back to Max*  Y/n: I am an adult 

*Dinner with Max, Y/n, Charles, and Arthur* 

Y/n: The food is too cute, I can’t eat it!  Max:  Charles:  Arthur: You’re cute, but I’d still eat y- Max: ONE DINNER  Charles: *sighs* here we go again  Max: ONE NORMAL DINNER IS ALL I ASK  Y/n: Charles, this pasta is also crunchy, I truly can’t eat this 

Ollie: Good night everyone  Arthur: Good night  Lando: Good night  Oscar: Good night  Y/n: good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite. Tonight, imma fight until we see the sunlight. Tik tok on the clock, but the party don’t stop  Oscar: I’M DONE

George (t-posing in the doorway): Greetings, parental figures and sister figure  *Y/n, Lewis, and Toto walking past*  Toto (not looking up from his coffee): Good morning, problem child 

Christian: You see, Fernando, Y/n is at the age where she only has one thing on her mind  Fernando (noticeably excited): Oh! Oh! Oh! Boys?  Max (looking over at the dead tired rookie with revenge in her eyes as she looks at Esteban): No. Murder. 

Y/n: Hey Liam, want some of this food?  Liam: Sure, thanks!  Yuki (storming in with the anger of the gods): WHO TF ATE MY LEFTOVERS THAT CLEARLY HAD MY NAME ON IT  Y/n: WE did  Liam: You surprisingly smart little mf

Y/n: Never have I ever…Been grounded by my parents!  Arthur (exasperated): Every time. She makes disownment jokes every time and she always wins  Max: Good one Kid. I always go for the ‘never had a dad who supported me.’ Charles: *stands up and walks away* 

Y/n: I’ve only said I love you to four people. Christian, Vito, Arthur, and Max when I thought he died after he wouldn’t respond after a DNF. I only regret one of those  Lando: Which one?  Y/n: Max. He was just pressing the wrong button and walked out a few minutes later. He made me look like an idiot.  Max: I let you win next race   Y/n: still

(Y/n, Logan, Lando, and George trying to sneak into RB for more energy drinks after being banned from drinking more) 

Logan: So what do you think Y/n will do as a distraction? Lando: She’ll probably, like, make a noise  George: Or throw a rock. That’s what I would do  *The door flings open and smoke follows. Screams of mechanics fill the air as they try to extinguish a small fire*  Logan:…Or she could do that. 

Y/n: When I die, donate my entire body to science  Y/n: Except my middle finger, give that to Esteban 

(max and y/n in a horror movie) 

Max: QUICK YOU’RE LOSING A LOT OF BLOOD. WHAT’S YOUR TYPE?  Y/n (bleeding out): tall, male, brown hair, dimples, caring, supportive, Monegasque Max: BLOOD TYPE DUMBASS  Y/n: oh  Y/n: (looks down at wound)  Y/n: red 

Lando: I wish we could block people in real life.  Oscar: Restraining order  Y/n: Murder 

Christian: Y/n, we need to talk about your professionalism for media days  Y/n (and a lot of media personelle she rounded up, all standing on chairs): those are some mighty brave words for someone standing in lava 

Y/n (to Max while hiding behind some tires – regretting everything): and then I called him dad  Christian (to Geri – trying not to cry while cameras are everywhere): and then she called me dad 

Max: Christian, look what Y/n got me for father’s day *holds up generic #1 dad mug*  Christian (glaring silently while sipping from his own #1 dad mug)  Max: that lying rookie Vito (holding a worn down #1 dad mug): you guys are late to the party suckers 

Criminals: We have your daughter and son  Toto: I don’t have a daughter and Jack is right here Criminals: then who just asked for warm milk and made us cut the crusts off their sandwiches?  Christian: dear God, you have Y/n and George

 

Mitch: So Christian, you and Geri want to be a parents again someday?  Christian: Someday? We’re parents right now.  Mitch: Y/n is your employee Geri: She is our BLOOD 

Christian: Max is late again  Kelly: I woke him up at 8 and pretended it was 11 Y/n: I wrote a fake schedule saying we were starting at 9 instead of 12 Lando: I changed his clock from AM to PM  Christian: I think you may have overdone it  Max (bursting into the garage): WHAT YEAR IS IT? 

Y/n: If I blended Red Bull, five hour energy, monster, coffee, and hot Cheetos into an energy smoothie...would it kill me? Logan: *shrugs* only if you die Y/n (getting out the blender): you're so smart Logan Max (running into the room): y/N STOP!

Lance: I got Netflix like you asked! Y/n: OH that's amazing! I've been mooching off Max's and Arthur's accounts for a while. This will be nice! Lance: Wait, what do you mean accounts? Y/n: Their Netflix accounts? Lance: Y/n: Like their profiles? I wanted one of my own, they're like $12 Lance: Lance:....Oh....You meant the account on the service... Y/n: Yeah, what did you think I meant? Wait...What did you buy? Lance: Lance:....Netflix...

TAG LIST: @fionaschicken @glitterquadricorn @laura-naruto-fan1998 @treehouse-mouse @sam-is-lost @kagatinkita @fangirl125reader @megatrilss1885 @myxticmoon @angsthology @cmleitora @agent-curt-mega @graciewrote @ashy-kit @slutofmultifandom @aexitizen @sugarvibez @vellicora @thatgirlthatreadswattpad @cashtons-wife @hoetel-manager @xcharlottemikaelsonx @jayda12

[kaylopolis]

Alastor's Shadow (18+) - My Fawn & My Shadow: Chapter Eighteen

Alastor x F!Reader

Synopsis: There’s a new Overlord in town and it isn’t the Radio Demon. Six years after you fell into Hell, you have finally earned your seat at the table as Pentagram City’s newest and baddest and with the Extermination coming six months earlier than planned, it is now time to implement your ultimate endgame. After all, who doesn’t love a bit of power and chaos? Your plan brings you to the doorstep of the Hazbin Hotel as Charlie’s newest Redeemer, but who you find waiting for you will not only turn your entire plan upside down but also challenge your grab for power… 

Tag List: Slow burn, rivals to lovers, eventual smut

Masterlist Link: Masterlist

(Let me know if you want to be added to the Tag List!)

____________________________________________

Author note: Dear Hoteliers,

Why 2 alternate endings? A few reasons; the main reason is because I wrote this first part with Angel and Mikaela and FELL IN LOVE with it. It was so cute and adorable I had to include it somehow. Also, because not everyone loves a pregnancy trope. I, particularly, was genuinely torn. I could not decide how I wanted things to end. "My Fawn and My Shadow" will include a pregnancy trope but "Paris" will not.

I will say, the epilogue I have planned for "My Fawn and My Shadow" had me crying (were they happy tears? were they sad tears? Is she foreshadowing? IDK!) - but, that being said, to each their own. Should you choose to read both, be aware that some sections are straight up copy and paste. The Epilogues will obviously vary greatly.

P.S. Ignore the timeline for the pregnancy trope. In reality, this is not how biology works. But someone *cough* author *cough* forgot to factor in the timeline by the time she got to this chapter... It was part of my original outline, but I got carried away *insert upside-down smiley face here*

<3 Stay smutty

My Fawn & My Shadow:

Chapter Eighteen

Content Warning: Unwanted Pregnancy, Suggestions of Abortion, Self Harm

T-6 Hours Before the Portal Opens...

“Angel!” you practically screamed, falling into the spider demon’s destroyed room. Well, technically, it was not destroyed; this was his normal state of being. 

You fall onto the bed, your foot catching on a wadded-up sweater on the ground. You got a face full of Fat Nuggets before Angel jumped up and almost punched you in the stomach. 

“What the fuck are you doin’ in here, Hairclip, screaming and scaring the shit out of me this early in the mornin’!?” He rubbed the sleep from his eyes. You noted the time - it was ten in the morning - not that early. Well, early for Angel. 

“I need you to come with me somewhere,” the anxiety was bubbling in your chest, overflowing into your words.

Angel paused, “Is everything okay? Is it the Extermination? Did they come early!?” 

“Angel,” you bite. “Please?” 

He looked at you, trying to read behind your eyes, before fully seeing how serious you were. He nodded before pushing Fat Nuggets to the side so he could get up and dress. 

“So, uh, where we goin’?” He asked as he pulled on a pair of pants. The demon struggled a bit, be it the sudden cessation of slumber or the booze from yesterday, or both, you didn’t know.

You curl into yourself on his bed, knotting your hands together to stop the shaking. “Wrath.” 

Angel froze, his eyes alight with shock. “I’m sorry, toots, I don’t think I heard ya’ right. Wrath? As in the Circle of Hell?” 

You nodded. 

“Wow,” he gawked. “This is serious… Wait, I can’t leave Pride, so how…” 

You snapped your fingers before he finished his sentence, amassing a portal in the middle of his room. The Circle’s familiar orange glow illuminated his white fur. 

Angel jumped backward and fell on the ground, his mouth gaping at the interdimensional crack you just punched into his bedroom wall. “Holy shit fuck!” 

Oh, you forgot only Alastor knew you could do that. Desperate times, however…

“You can, actually,” you shrug. “Just gotta take a different door.” 

Angel looked between you and the wall a few more times before shaking his head and finished dressing. 

Your mind was numb, your thoughts all jumbled into a knotted mess. How could this have happened? It wasn’t possible. It just wasn’t…

“Hey,” he put a hand on your knee, pulling you from your thoughts. “Ya’ okay?” He looked down at you with wide eyes. Angel was the only one you could trust right now. 

You nod before taking his hand. 

Wrath was a time capsule, stuck in the ages of the Wild West: the American Frontier. Fitting the place named for anger was a desert. 

Despite the change of seasons in the world above, Wrath was scorching. Although the Harvest Moon Festival was still a few months away, the locals were skittering about the small town in preparation. They were so busy they didn’t think twice at the two strangers zipping through the traffic, hidden under hoods and glasses. Angel protested at first, but once you pointed out that Wrath natives were imps, then he understood - the spider demon would stick out like a sore thumb. 

The demon ducked under the doorframe - probably three times the height of an average imp, but you couldn’t help that. The imps stared but not too long. 

“A convenience store? You dragged me all the way down here for a candy bar?” Angel spun in circles, taking in everything. 

God, he was so obvious.

“No,” was all you could manage. 

Being a Native Heaven born you were subject to certain… biological processes that Human Sinners were not. No surprise the Pride Ring didn’t sell the necessary products to aid in those situations, so you’d slip down here, grab a few things and head back up. 

But this…

You headed down the aisle labeled “Feminine Products” and stopped deadpan at what you were looking for. There were so many options, how did you know which one was the right one? 

“So hey, how about we check out a bar while we’re… Oh,” Angel came to a stop next to you, noticing the blood drain from your face at the things you were looking at. “Oh, shit, Hairclip.” 

“Yeah,” your voice cracked, trying to hold back tears. 

Angel’s hand found your shoulder. He shook his head. “But how? I thought Human Sinners couldn’t… ya know?” 

“Reproduce.” You filled in the blank for him. “Me neither.”

Angel was silent for a moment, letting it all sink in. 

“But…” your lip quivered, “then I remembered my brother and Lilith. Where Adam was the first human soul in Heaven, Lilith was the first human soul in Hell, technically, and they had Charlie. I’m an Angel, like my brother and Al is a Human Sinner so…”

“Shit,” Angel breathed. 

Then you started to chuckle, “I don’t even know which one to buy.” 

Angel pulled you close, “Me neither, dollface, but we’ll figure this out together. I’m assuming you got money?” 

You nodded, the anxiety bubbling over into silent tears on your face. You started hiccuping, the emotional wave too much for your frazzled mind to handle. 

Angel grabbed all five of them, paid for them with the Native money you pulled from your pocket, then dragged you into the bathroom and locked the door. 

You sat on the floor, Angel starting a timer for the three minute countdown. Longest three minutes of your life. 

The spider demon sat cross-legged across from you. “So, why bring lil’ ol’ me and not Smiles?” 

You hiccuped, bringing your knees to your chest and wrapping your arms around yourself. “The Extermination is today. I can’t… He can’t be thinking about me. He has Adam to deal with. He can’t…”

“And what about yous?” 

You breathed, “I’ll be on the field with you guys, just like we planned.” 

“But…”

“No.” You stopped him. “No, Angel. No matter what happens, Al can’t know. Not until after. Please,” you begged. “He can’t know anything is wrong he…” you hiccuped. “Al isn’t as strong and invincible as he seems.”

“Wow, here I thought you thought he walked on water.”

You dropped your face into your knees and gave a small sob. The memories of the fake Radio Demon being held hostage at Voxtech flit through your mind. And, although it wasn't actually Al tied to the chair, he was still a Human Sinner. Which meant he could die. You could as well but not as easily...

“Hey, hey,” Angel crawled to your side and pulled you into your arms. “Okay, okay, I won’t say nothin’.” 

“Not around radios either,” you sniffled. “They work both ways with Al.”

You had tested it in passing the other day. Just to see what would happen. Although Al was not happy about the dirty comment you made into his speaker - as it pulled him from important business in one of his territories - he didn’t seem too upset when he pulled you through his shadows and properly snogged you in the Hotel hallway.

“Shit, seriously? If that’s the case then that man’s heard a lot of things from me he shouldn’t have. A lot of fun noises, too.” The spider demon wriggled his eyebrows, making you giggle. 

Angel always knew how to bring a smile to your face. 

“So, can I ask ya’ somethun’?” Angel’s tone turned serious, making your heart skip a beat. “Is the sex good?” 

You snorted, drying the tears under your eyes. 

“Look I ain’t judging, Hairclip, but ya’ always come down with these bruises and… marks. Don’t get me wrong it's hot, but I just wanna make sure he ain’t like… hurtin’ ya’ or nothin’?”

“No, no Angel. Al is a gentleman, I assure you.” A small smile formed on your lips. 

“So?” He nudged you.

“Insanely,” you giggled. 

“Figures. He’s hung isn’t he?” He winks.

You snorted into your hand. “Angel!” 

“Oh, come on. You ain’t gonna tell me the Radio Demon ain’t packin’? No way, I don’t believe it.”

“Well…” your face turned a bright red.

“I fuckin’ new it!” Angel cheered. 

RING! RING! RING! 

You stopped breathing completely. Angel shut off the alarm, before turning to you. “You want me to…?”

You nodded, your eyes staring off into space, the only thing you could hear was the pounding of your heart in your ears. You couldn’t look up as Angel checked the tests, didn’t dare try to read the expression in his eyes and mouth. 

The demon grabbed one, wrapped in a paper towel, and knelt before you.

“Before I show you this,” he turned the test upside down so you couldn’t read it. “Tell me what you’re thinkin’.” 

A shaky breath escaped your lips, “I…”

What were you thinking? Fear, definitely fear, but were you devastated? Excited? Filled with hope or filled with dread? You didn’t know what to feel. You didn’t know what to feel because you didn’t know how Al was going to react if it came back positive. 

Would he be angry? Would he be excited? Would he even react at all? 

No. Your heart sank. No, he wouldn’t be excited. There are two things Al cares about: power, and chaos. There wasn’t room for anything else… or anyone…

You’d have to get rid of it. 

“I think, no matter what, I’ll tell Al after the Extermination tomorrow.” 

Angel nodded and flipped the test over. 

____________________________________________

T-3 hours until the portal opens…

“Okay, okay, I got this!” Collin breathed. 

Cletus banged him atop his head, “Just open the door!”

The sheep shot a dirty look at the… baby?... before drying his sweaty hooves on his overalls. 

This was it. This was the moment Collin had been waiting for his entire life. He has only ever seen the famous General at a distance and worshipped her from a far during meetings and through photographs. He had every single one of her fan club t-shirts and collector’s pins. He knew her battle strategies inside and out and scored perfect at every trivia night. He was the ultimate fan-girl and this was his moment to shine. 

And he was terrified. 

“Oh, my gosh!” Kennie shoved past him. “I’ll do it!” She prostrated before pulling the bedroom door open. 

The group froze, stunned by the sight of the yellow-eyed Angel ready and waiting for them on the other side. Mikaela Morningstar sat in a clothed chair perfectly perched in the entryway to her bedroom. The Angel had just finished the top laces of her leather boots before the Cherubs burst through the doorway. 

Mikaela had been waiting for them. 

Collin’s jaw audibly hit the floor at the sight of the warrior, legs crossed, one eyebrow perched in question, staring down at the three of them. She was like a goddess in material form - not to disrespect the Maker, of course. Her beauty practically radiated off of her in golden light as captivating as her irises. Although she had changed her hair and her wings were tucked out of the way, she was a vision. Collin couldn’t help but drool at the sight of her. 

“About time the three of you showed up,” the Angel laughed. “Talk about keeping a girl waiting.”

“You…” Cletus stumbled over his words. “You knew we were here?”

“Knew?” The Angel tipped her head in question. A habit she had picked up from a dear… friend. “You’ve been following me for days. Nifty’s collection of wool can only grow so much before a girl gets suspicious.” Mikaela laughed it off as if it was a joke, but Keenie’s head was still very, very sore. 

The Cherubs had no answer for her. 

“What can I do for you?” With hands perched in her lap, the General inspected the three of them, lazily soaking in their forms as they collectively entered the room. 

Wow. Mikaela Morningstar had expected them. Well, duh! Of course! She was God’s General! How could she not have seen them coming? She probably knew about everything: the phone call from Velvette, the orders from Rachel, their banishment from Heaven. She was, after all, an Archangel. Collin still couldn’t comprehend the situation. 

“Ms. Morningstar,” Collin began. Did he sound as nervous as he felt? “We have been sent from Heaven to return you to the Seraphim.”

The Angel blinked, but didn’t respond. Her face remained neutral as Collin spoke and even for a few moments after. He wiped his hooves on his pants again. The Cherub was thoroughly drenched in anxious sweat, which, hopefully, no one noticed. 

“Why?” 

“Why?” Kennie shoved her way forward. “Because you belong there? You’re Mikaela, the General, Heaven’s Archangel. You’ve been gone for over a hundred years doing…”

“God’s work.” Mikaela interrupted the sheep. 

“What?” Cletus asked. 

The Archangel chuckled. “You didn’t seriously think I just ran away from Heaven on a whim, did you?” 

The three Cherubs looked at each other for an answer, but it was the sheep who spoke first. “No, of course not!”

“Thank you, Collin,” Mikaela smiled. 

The Cherub’s heart jumped right out of his chest. “You know my name!?”

“Of course,” her eyes softened. “Why wouldn’t I know one of my biggest fans?”

____________________________________________

Yesterday…

“Hello, thank you for calling, C.H.E.R.U.B., how may we bless you today?”

“Hi! I’m calling about a loved one back on Earth who needs some help. It seems he’s lost his way a bit and I’d really rather not see him down here.” You twirled the cord in your hand.

Alastor sat across from you, a cup of tea in hand, one leg crossed over the other as he enjoyed the dyling light of day. 

“Of course! Can I get a name?”

“Well, actually… I’m quite protective of him, you see, and I want to know that you are sending your best.” The sweetness in your voice was practically sickening, but it made Alastor chuckle. “I was wondering who would be going. Would it be the three from the television commercial?”

“Cletus, Collin, and Keenie? By golly, no! They don’t work for us anymore.”

“Interesting…” You smiled. 

“Can I get the name of the person who needs a blessing?”

“No,” and you hung up the receiver. 

Alastor chuckled as he sipped his tea. “You make this look too easy, my doe. If it weren’t for the circumstances, you'd be running the place.”

This place... As in all of existence.

You grabbed your jasmine tea and clanked your cup with his. “How unfortunate the plan is to destroy it all instead.”

____________________________________________

Now...

The Cherub nearly feinted. 

The Archangel leaned in, speaking to the sheep directly. “You have to promise to keep everything I tell you a secret. No one can know that I am here.”

Collin blinked the stars from his eyes, “Of course! I would never!” 

In a whisper, Mikaela continued, “I’m on a secret mission from God. I can’t go into any detail, naturally…”

“Naturally!” Collin was nodding his head so hard he could have been mistaken for a bobble head. 

Mikaela leaned in a whispered, “... I’m here to find Roo.”

Collin stopped nodding. “Roo?”

“Roo.” Mikaela repeated, as if that answered all of their questions. 

“Wait!” Cletus interrupted once more. “You’re telling us that you are supposed to be here? Cavorting with demons!”

“Shhh,” Mikaela shushed. “Yes.”

Keenie scratched her sore head. “To find someone named Roo?”

“She’s the biggest threat against Heaven. Rumor has it that she’s planning an uprising against God. That’s why he left with me and went into hiding. Couldn’t have him unprotected while I hunted down this rebel.”

Too much information? Nope! Who the fuck is going to believe a bunch of banished Cherubs anyway? They can’t get back to Heaven and no one in Heaven would take them seriously even if they did. Negatives of fucking up with the Upstairs Management but a positive for you.

You could have told them any story that convinced them to leave you alone, and it would be no sweat off your back.

“Oooooooh,” Collin nodded. “That makes so much sense!”

“What!?” Keenie and Cletus echoed each other. 

“What?” Mikaela looked confused. “Do you think I’m lying?” She laughed. “Come now. I may be surrounded by demons, but I am still an Angel.” 

The three Cherubs blinked at her. 

“Oh.” Cletus awkwardly scratched his large head. 

Heaven Natives are so naive. Were you this gullible way back when?

The Angel adjusted the tie on her leather bracer. “And the three of you are interfering with my plan.” 

“What!?” Collin gawked. 

“I can’t exactly have Heaven stalking my every move while I’m on the job,” Mikaela rises from her chair, a towering figure over the tiny Cherubs. 

“Right! Right!” Collin was already headed for the door. 

Mikaela quickly ushered the other two out, ignoring the look of disbelief on their faces. 

“Thanks for understanding, guys.”

And then door shut behind them. 

Collin continued to drool in the direction of the doorway. 

“Now what?” Keenie asked as she dragged him by the collar down the hall.

“She’s so cool,” Collin gawked. 

Cletus smacked his face and rubbed the tension from his temples. “We return to Earth. I need time to think about this and I’m starving. I sure as fudge am not eating anything down here…”

____________________________________________

You shut the door behind them. 

“See,” you turned to the shadow at the back of the room. “I told you they’d believe me.” 

Alastor materialized from the darkness. With his cane in hand, he snaked the other around your waist and pressed a kiss to your forehead. You tried not to shutter at the contact, tried not to think about your stomach pressing into Al's…

This was not the first time you had run into one of Father’s minions. With Eve’s wild party streak, the two of you didn’t exactly keep a low profile. In fact, it would be odd for the two of you to not run into one of the Ishim or even a few Cherubs while they were on the job. You were recognized - because of course - and typically played it off as a happenstance run in while on a mission.

After all, the rumors in Heaven were that you were on some top secret mission with Father anyway. What were they more likely to believe: you were being a good little “Golden Girl” or playing Armageddon with Eve?

Eve on the other hand, either slept with the Holy invader if able, convinced them she was mortal if they were too young to know her face, or simply disappeared leaving you to fend for yourself.

What a friendship the two of you had…

“I never doubted you, my doe,” the demon mumbled into your hair. 

Trying to distract your mind before it decided to focus on the adventure from this morning, you grabbed for Alastor’s lapels to pull him down and…

“Alastor, what’s in your coat pocket?” Your fingers met something hard and boxy. 

The demon ignored your question. Instead, from the Void, Alastor pulled a hair clip - a new one. The metal was red, and pointed, with a small “A” pressed into one of the tongs. 

“I had Carmilla make it,” the demon holds the clip between the two of you, pushing you back so you are no longer pressed so closely together.

Which greatly helped the nerves. 

The red was a perfect match to Alastor’s eyes. 

How intentional… 

“Thank you,” you reached for it, but he pulled away. 

The demon was distracting you, but you allowed it. Your nerves were shot anyway and Alastor felt… off…

“Allow me?” He offered. 

Turning towards the mirror above the dresser, Alastor flipped your hair into a bun, clipping it at the back of your head perfectly square with your shoulders. 

You stared at the demon’s reflection in the mirror, noting the lack of music playing on his radio, noting the loss of static in his voice. He was nervous… 

“Al, everything changes after today. This is where the Endgame plan truly begins.” You tested the waters to see if that was what was bugging him.

“Hmm,” the demon continued to inspect your hair, his mind clearly stuck on something else. Not Armageddon playing his thoughts?

“But,” you turned to him, your back leaning against the dresser. “If I know war, and I do, there is always a lull after a battle. Perhaps, if just for a few days, we get out of here?”

“Oh?”

“I have safe houses in every Ring of Hell and in a few major countries on Earth - including an emergency backup in Heaven if things end up truly terrible… I have an apartment…” God, why were you so nervous? “In France.” 

The demon’s eyes sparked. 

“It’s in Place de l'Estrapade, not a far walk from the Pont Neuf bridge, just across the way from Jardin du Luxembourg*. I know it’s not Louisiana, but… There’s this adorable bakery in the square that I know you will love and…”

The demon swallowed your words with his lips. “Mes valises sont déjà faites. My bags are already packed.”

Right, why did you ever think Alastor Hartfelt would turn down a trip to France? 

Alastor’s shoulder slacked just a bit.

Then it hit you.

It was the after that was bugging him. After the battle that is. He comforted you last night in regards to your qualms with the battle, but funny how facing imminent death felt like an everyday for the Overlord.

But the after made him nervous.

The after…

Fuck, you promised Angel you’d tell Al after.

Your stomach turned itself into knots and threatened to spill all over the carpet. How would you explain that one to the demon?

Fuck.

Did you tell him now that you and Angel went to Wrath? Tell him what happened? Your mouth watered bitterly at the thought that you were lying to him - you had promised no more lies - but were you truly lying? This was for his own good. This was for his protection. If anything happened to Al, it would be your fault.

Your fault.

YoUr FaUlT.

YOUR FAULT.

The air was suddenly sucked from the room.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

“You lovebirds done shackin’ up o’ what?” Angel screamed from the other side of the wall. 

“Seriously?” Husk scoffed. “You called me up here for this?”

“What? Come on, Whiskers, you love spendin’ time with me,” Angel teased. 

You could practically hear the disbelief on Husk’s face through the door, “I thought you wanted me to help you bring something down, not hold your fuckin’ hand because you’re too scared of the Boss.”

“I ain’t scared of nothin’!” The spider demon protested. 

You smiled at Alastor, grateful for the spontaneous distraction. The demon pressed a kiss to your cheek and melted into shadow. 

Throwing the door open, both Husk and Angel jumped back in surprise before they realized it was just you. 

“Ha!” Angel crosses his arms. “See yous was scared, too!”

“I..!” Husk’s face turns red. “I was scared because she fuckin’ appeared outta nowhere, not because of…”

“Me,” Alastor melted from the floor, appearing behind the two of them. 

Angel jumped into you, grabbing onto your arm for support, while Husk remained utterly unphased. 

“Yeah, him,” the cat crossed his arms. 

You giggled at the sight of the two of them, the laughter breathing life back into your chest.

Just don't think about it... Yeah? Yeah! Don't think about it. Everything is going to be okay! It's fine. Everything is fine!

Taking a deep breath, you planted a smile on your face. “Come on, boys, we have an army to ready.”

You snuck a glance at Alastor, who looked distracted, wholly unaware of the nerves in your belly. Whatever was captivating him, you were thankful for it. It was quite uncharacteristic of him, but then again, you’ve never seen Alastor in the hours leading up to battle.

For whatever reason, you were disappointed in the last few remaining private moments you might possibly have with the demon. Not that you were expecting a big declaration of love from him.

Holy shit, you still hadn’t even told him you love him!

Oh, no, no, no, no.

You put the brakes on.

You’d been so distracted about this morning that you completely forgot about everything from last night! “Al, I need to talk to you-“

“There she is! There’s my little tomatuh!” Rosie had you in a hug so tight one would argue it was a chokehold.

“Rosie, dear! How delightful to see you!” Alastor pressed a kiss to the top of her hand. “Is that a new scarf? It looks astonishing on you darling, absolutely astonishing!”

The Overlord’s eyes shined like stars, “Oh! Al, stop! You flatter me.” Rosie ran a hand through her new purple boa.

“It isn’t flattery if it’s true!” Al came to stand beside you, his hands wrapped around the top of his cane.

The smell of the forest after rain calmed your nerves.

It’s okay. After. You can tell him after because there will be an after.

There will be an after.

Heading down the hall you ignored Angel's worried eyes on you. You ignored Alastor's shadow swirling about your feet with concern. And you ignored Husk's offer for a drink. For you had too many things to focus on right now...

A battle to win...

An identity to keep hidden...

A Human Sinner who still didn't know how you truly felt about him...

And a secret to keep...

Welcome to the Endgame.

____________________________________________

T-1 minute until the portal opens…

“This is it,” you press your forehead into Alastor’s. “Al, I -”

“Shh, my doe. Entre deux cœurs qui s’aiment, nul besoin de paroles,” and then the demon melted into shadow, to find his place atop the Hotel.

Goddamit, the demon switched between French and English so fast you couldn’t keep up half the time.

Charlie appeared next to you, a hand on your shoulder. “You’ll get a chance to tell him.”

You blinked. But how did she…?

“Uh,” Vaggie cut in. “I don’t mean to break up this moment, but we have Angels incoming.” The ex-Exorcist pointed her spear at the sky, where a large portal had cracked through the walls of reality.

Fixing your hood atop your head, you summoned your two short blades from the Void and readied yourself next to the Princess.

On the other side of the portal, you could make out the beautiful golden glow of Heaven. God, you did not miss it.

Two figures stepped through: Adam and Lute.

And then the onslaught began - but not before Alastor summoned his dark shield. The mass of magic covered the Hotel in a dome. Some of the Exorcists made it through, but the less fortunate ones bounced off in a wave of broken bones.

“It’s working!” Charlie screamed.

Until it wasn’t.

With a flick of Adam’s wrist the shield melted and then the exorcists fell through.

It was a dance of a battle. A beautiful pirouette of savagery and desperation, impregnating the air with the stench of golden iron.

You would have found yourself riding the high of battle had you not had Charlie to look after. Yes, Vaggie could well protect her on her own but it was the deal with Lilith that ensured no harm came to the princess.

As the princess shot sparkles you shot daggers. As she sang apologies you delivered death. Constantly you were forced to grab her by her wrist and twirl her from danger. It was hard work, one that captivated all of your attention.

Good. You needed the distraction.

BOOM!

Cherries’ explosions began, the next line of defense before the Exorcists reached Sir Pentious and his battery of cannons.

This was good! Things were looking good!

Fuck you might actually all make it out of this thing.

BAM!

The next thing you knew, you were on the ground, a pain so powerful ripping through your core it blinded every sense, every fiber of your being.

Green light exploded from the scar which cut you from neck to hip, a beacon of agony which temporarily halted the onslaught from Heaven as Human Sinners and Angels alike were forced to shield their eyes. The wall of light shot up into the atmosphere of Hell before dispersing into a rainstorm of sparks that fell upon the whole of Pentagram City.

You felt, rather than saw, hands upon you. The green had burned your retinas, completely blinding you. Your body healed fast, however, but not fast enough to clearly make out the fuzzy grey/red blob shaking your shoulders.

“Come on, kid! Come on! Don’t quit on me!”

The pain numbed your body, but your Angelic blood quickly fought against it. Your fingers and toes tingled as your mind reset itself over and over again. Where are you? What happened? The memory of pain threatened to spill as the ability to breathe found your lungs, as your eyes remembered how to blink.

“Holy Hell, what da fuck was that!?”

“I don’t fucking know, but both Boss and her went down at the same time.”

“What da fuck kind of Voodoo shit did he do ta ‘er?”

You forced your mind to clarity, forced the blurriness into - somewhat - sharper objects. A vague outline of Husk and Angel came into view, along with a background of Exorcist Angels flying overhead. The fighting had resumed despite the interruption.

“Husk?” You mumbled. Grabbing onto the cat’s paw, you slowly pulled yourself into a sitting position. Despite the pain which had surged through your scar, no wound was visible. You hadn’t been struck after all. “What…?”

There was a pull behind your navel - it was weak, oh-so weak.

Alarm bells immediately went off.

Alastor.

Without a thought, you shoved away from the cat demon and shot into the air, not caring that your wings were now on full display for the entire Angelic Army to view. Not caring that the hood Charlie helped make you was now shredded to pieces.

You hit the roof, landing practically on top of the red and black mass crumbled in a heap of blood. Using your black wings, you attempted to shield as much of Alastor as you could.

You couldn’t make out Alastor completely, your vision was still sluggish to return despite you willing your blood to heal as fast as it could, but you could feel him. You could feel his heart beating wildly, feel the pain with every breath, feel the one ounce of panic the Overlord allowed himself to feel in this moment as he watched you take up a defensive fighting stance over his prone form.

The demon was hurt and bad.

Like a panther protecting her wounded mate, you unleashed the full force of your power. Dark and twisted horns grew from your skull as you morphed into your demon form. A spiked tail uncurled from your backside, your fingernails sharpened into claws, and your fangs elongated to a point. The sclera of your eyes flashed black as the rune on your back was unlocked, the text from the Book of Knowledge melting into your hands, forming an exoskeleton of Newtonian fluid that flowed over your appendages.

As your vision healed, the Angel’s stupid helmet sharpened, a look of pure shock reflected in the metal. Adam had his guitar and Alastor’s blood was still fresh as it dripped off the blade.

“Don’t…” Alastor protested, but his sentence was cut off with a cough.

“Mikaela?” Adam’s jaw dropped.

Your only response was a low growl. Pure instinct had kicked in. You were more animal than Angel.

You felt the coldness of Rolf wrap around your ankle, but it was barely a whisper compared to how solid the shadow normally felt. The shadow tugged, threatening to whisk you away from the rooftop, but be it the weakening of Alastor’s magic or your stubbornness, you did not move.

“Holy shit, it is you! How you doing, sister?” The First Man smiled, lowering his sword.

Behind you, you could feel the blood flowing from Alastor’s chest as real and as solid as it would your own. It only added to the panic and anger and desperation you were feeling in this moment.

“Where’s Eve?” The Angel looked around as if the Second Woman might turn the corner at any moment and join the conversation.

“Dead,” you bore your teeth and growled, your voice laced with Alastor’s radio static.

“What?” Adam did a double-take.

You pulled your sword from the Void, your blue fire licking the steel’s surface as small green bouts of static danced its way down your arm and disappeared into the heat. “And you’re next,” you threatened, your voice filled with static.

“Wait,” Adam narrowed his eyes, his pupils darting back and forth between the two of you as he slowly put the pieces together. “Wait. Wait. Wait.” He put up a hand. “You’re defending this loser?”

You growled, your teeth itching to sink into flesh.

Kill him. Kill him. Kill him. Kill him. Kill him. A voice rang in the back of your head.

“Woah, there, sister. We’re on the same fucking team!” Adam had a look of pure terror on his face.

From your crouched position on the ground, you moved forward.

Adam immediately dropped his sword and began backing up. “Listen! Listen! Listen!” He stammered. “Let’s just take a fucking second and talk like bros. Okay?” His laugh was strained. “I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation for why you’re down here defending the scum of existence? Ha, ha. Right?”

Kill him, the voice commanded.

You growled again and attempted to take another step forward, but a clawed hand wrapped around your tail and tugged. Finally, you turned to face Alastor and the sight knocked you out of your bloodthirsty trance.

The demon was pale, a deep gouge sliced right across his chest in an exact mirror image to your injury from Velvette. You felt the anger flee from you then, only to be replaced with pure terror. You met Alastor’s stern eye and the look he shot you stopped you dead in your tracks.

But it was already too late. All of Heaven had seen. Mikaela Morningstar was alive and well in Hell, defending Lucifer’s daughter in a battle against Heaven. You had killed Exorcists. A war was brewing, and you were a part of it.

The demon shuttered out a pained breath, one you felt reverberate through your own chest. You dropped your sword, the steel popping back into the Void before it even made contact with the ground. Falling to your knees before Alastor, you cupped his face in your hands and pressed a soft but shaky kiss to his forehead.

“What, the fuck?” Adam gawked behind you.

Every part of you was screaming to rip the Angel limb from limb, but you fought the instinct, and instead channeled that energy into the connection that had ripped open between you and Alastor. You let your magic flow through your inky fingers and into the demon, willing his heart to beat faster, to slow the blood seeping from his wounds, to staunch the pain in his chest.

Alastor’s eyes fluttered closed as he took a deep breath, already the color returning to his cheeks.

You turned to Adam then, your black sclera burning pure hatred into the Angel’s heart. “I won’t be the one to kill you today, Adam.”

“I am so fucking confused,” the Angel scratched his head.

“Adam!” Charlie appeared atop the rooftop, royally pissed as she hung from the Hotel sign.

And with that, you shadowed the two of you from the rooftop, landing in the only place you could think of to go right now: Alastor’s radio tower.

Atop the balcony, you pulled the clip from your hair and slit open your wrist, dripping a waterfall of golden blood into Alastor’s wounds.

“Stop,” the demon tried to shove your hand away, but he was too weak at this moment to do anything other than lay there and breathe.

Clenching your jaw shut, you didn’t let up until you watched the first stitches of skin begin to form. Jesus Christ, the wound was deep. It had cut through several ribs but, thankfully, had not nicked his heart. Alastor would have been dead before you had even landed on that rooftop had it gone any deeper.

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! You knew! You fucking knew this was going to happen!

A tear fell from your cheek and landed in the mixture of black and gold liquid swirling atop the demon’s chest.

“Stop,” Alastor said more forcefully. The demon wrapped a hand around your wrist, the golden liquid bubbling through his fingers. He pulled you down into him and pressed his forehead into yours. “I’m alright, my doe.”

“This is my fault,” your voice cracked. Green static danced across your skin, your demon form still out in full force. Sucking in a breath, you forced yourself to your feet. Sinking your inky hands into your hair, you paced the floor, your wings dragging behind you.

Alastor’s magic jumped off your form in sparks. Which was impossible but you didn’t have the mental room to even consider why.

Alastor had almost died! He could’ve died! Adam almost killed him!

“My doe,” Alastor attempted to sit up, but the pain from the wound was too much, his body demanding every ounce of power to heal.

“My fault,” you shuttered. “My fault. My fault. My fault!” You bent over the handrail and threw up.

Alastor jumped to his feet then, one hand wrapped around his middle to stop his insides from spilling out. “Mikaela!”

Using his cane for support, the demon forced himself to stand next to you. His red irises bled into your soul, his brow crinkled with worry.

Your entire body was shaking as he wrapped his arms around you. “It was not your fault.”

“We almost lost you,” you mumbled into his coat jacket, drenched in blood.

“We?”

____________________________________________

Somewhere Else in Hell…

“Ha, ha,” Striker plucked the cigar from his mouth and tapped the lit end into the cement lining of the roof.

The imp pulled the rifle to his shoulder and aligned the scope with his eye. “Too easy.”

And pulled the trigger.

____________________________________________

You saw the bullet before you heard it.

BANG!

The metal object soared towards you as if in slow motion, the iconic swirls of Angelic Steel clearly coating its surface.

But the bullet meant for you did not hit its mark.

For Alastor shoved you at the last moment, appearing between you and the shooter.

Red irises met yours, “Mourir d’amour, vivre de haine…”

The bullet met its mark right between Alastor’s eyes.

Dying for love…

“Nooo!”

The demon went down, his cane smacking against the metal balcony in an explosion of green sparks.

You spun, immediately knowing where the bullet originated from. You didn’t care who or what was on the other end. Fuck you didn’t even care why.

Kill, the voice echoed as a blast of dark ink shot out from your hand. Like a wave of a tsunami, the mass collided with the building the shooter was perched atop of, taking out the top twenty floors. You swung down, collapsing the building in on itself in one fell swoop.

Whoever it was - plus the inhabitants of the building - were dead.

“Alastor!” You screamed as you collapsed onto the ground next to him. Dark blood pooled beneath his head. The wound between his eyes steamed with green as his magic desperately fought to heal.

But fought in vein.

You watched as Alastor’s eyes fogged with the veil of death.

“No! No! No!”

And felt his Soul fade from his body.

“Alastor!”

You screamed. You begged. You cried.

“Don’t!”

You even heard yourself begging with God to let him live.

“You promised you wouldn’t leave me again!”

But you could do nothing as his Soul slipped from his body…

“No! Don’t! You can’t!”

… and faded from this world entirely.

“Don’t leave…”

Alastor was dead.

“Don’t leave us…”

____________________________________________

You don’t know how long you lay there.

Minutes?

Hours?

Days?

Years?

Long enough that Alastor had grown cold next to you. Long enough that the blood began to crust against your skin. Long enough that your joints hurt and your body begged to move.

He was gone.

Alastor was gone.

You curled into him, praying somehow your warmth might leech into him and warm his cold body back to life. Praying he’d brush a hand through your hair and tell you everything was going to be alright.

Praying this was just a dream.

Praying that you were the one dead instead.

Praying that you were both dead and this was some sick version of Purgatory Father had concocted for you as a punishment.

“Al…” You mumbled into his jacket, your fingers curling around his lapel as if he would fade beneath your touch entirely.

Too soon. Too fast.

And all your fault.

All your fault…

And then your fingers brushed something hard.

In his jacket, hidden away in a pocket you didn’t know he had, was a small leather box.

Fuck.

No. No. No. No. No.

Sitting up with alarm, you dropped it on the balcony and scooted away.

That better not be what you think it is.

Open it.

You jumped.

A young woman with hair as brown as mud and eyes to match sat across from you. Cross legged, arms folded neatly in her lap as her curls pooled down her back, the girl stared intently at the small leather box.

Open it, she repeated.

You didn’t respond, your mind was too preoccupied with trying to comprehend how this was happening.

It’s a ring, obviously, but you already knew that. You think that’s why he was so distracted today? She motioned to the blood. So distracted he didn’t even notice the fawn growing in your womb. How pathetic…

“Shut up!” You bit, your throat raw from years of crying.

Ouch. Is that anyway to greet an old friend? Oh, wait, sorry. Were we even friends? I mean, you did murder me and all. Did Alastor…

“I said, shut up, Eve!”

Her eyes found the box once more. Do you think he’s an emerald man or a diamond man? Emerald is more classic for the 30s but diamonds! Ugh, I’m just dying to know, aren’t you?

She went for the box, but you were faster. You held it against your heart, “Don’t touch it!”

Eve gasped, Is that why he asked you to take him to Louisiana to visit his Mother!? Awww, he stayed behind to tell his Mom about the ring. How sweet. Too bad she wasn’t actually there. - ya know, being in Heaven and all. But I suppose it’s the thought that counts.

“Why are you here?” The words seeped out from behind clenched teeth.

She smirked. Because you let me out.

You followed her eyes to your hand, still black from the ink. You never sealed the power away after desecrating the building.

Fuck, you were still in your demon form.

You’ve never let me out this long before. Figured it was time to stretch my legs and finally introduce myself. She stood and made her way to you, stretching her limbs as she went. Holding a hand out to you she made to help you stand.

Hello, I’m the Book of Knowledge, but you can call me Eve and we are going to have so much fun together.

You didn’t take her hand.

Your eyes found the dark jacket seeped in blood laying a few feet away.

You went to him, your fingers brushing the curls away from his face. With his eyes closed he looked as if he was sleeping - so peaceful.

Even in death Alastor smiled.

The girl frowned, clearly annoyed that you weren’t giving her your full undivided attention. What about power and chaos, and all that jazz? What about revenge!?

To power and chaos…

Your hand found your belly. “There is no power and chaos without him.” Pressing a kiss to his forehead. You whispered, “I love you, too.”

Wait, so that’s it? Eve threw her hands in the air. The plan is over? The big Endgame we’ve been planning for over one hundred years is just done!?

You stood, “New plan.”

New plan? Eve scrunched her nose. What new plan?

You smiled softly, the dark ink slowly invading your arm, “The one where everyone dies.”

Oh! Oh! Oh! I like that plan. Where do we start?

You turned to the pile of rubble 100 yards away. “Greed.”

*Yes, this is totally where Emily in Paris is shot lol

Annnnnnnd yet another cliff hanger. Come on guys you know me by now. Not everything is as it seems!

Hang in there :)

-> My Fawn & My Shadow: Epilogue

Tagged Hoteliers: (Let me know if you wish to be added!):

@sirens-and-moonflowers @wonderlandangelsposts @saccharine-nectarine @goyablogsstuff @mommymilkers0526 @eris-norwega

@missgirlsstuff @alastor-the-radio-demon @sillywormtrixareforkids

@its-a-dam-blue-brick @cloverresin20 @blue-bird251 @speedycoffeedelight @littlebluefishtail @sawi1987 @mopeyghost

@beelz3bub @fraugwinska @minamilinaqueen @demoarah @diffidentphantom @divineknightmare @animecrazy76 @sleepykittycx @graunta @reath-solia @satansdaughter123 @mysticatto @freshonyourpages @chibistar45 @rapunzelbro

@stephydearestxo

[littlexscarletxwitch]

Florence pregnant is such a cute idea and I loved your fic about the baby talk! Can I request a fic on Florence being pregnant and the baby being born? WLW couple, first baby and they are so excited!

── ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎ 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝘀𝘆

paring: mum!florence pugh x fem!reader

tag(s): fluff, smut (or at least I tried), established relationship, pregnancy

warning(s): grammatical errors, unedited, not proofread, language, smut, wlw sex, oral sex (r receiving), fingering (r receiving)

word count: 2,504

note: Thank you for requesting this, I had so much fun writing it. I hope you don't mind I added the smut part, it just sort of happened. I really hope you like it. Also guys, (not sure if anyone actually reads this part) in two days I'm going on holidays, so i don't think I will be able to post anything, maybe some Florence's pictures/videos from time to time. But I can't make any promises. I'll tried to work on more fics tho, so once I'm back I'd just post them. I only have one request left for the moment, so I will try to post that before leaving. Also I was thinking of writing for Wanda and maybe some other Marvel characters. What do you guys think? I'm not a native english speaker, so please let me know about any sort of mistake. Hope you enjoy! <3

note 2: Since this is sort of my universe, I decided that a woman can get another woman pregnant so this would be Y/n and Florence's biological child. Yeah, I don't want men around Florence, even if they are fictional and technically created by me. Flo is for the girls, the gays and the theys.

requests are open! + check my rules here <3

It was raining outside when Florence told you the best news ever. 

You were looking out the window, admiring the rain. There was something so peaceful about the rain that just calmed you down, as though it was washing away all your worries. Billie sat next to you, cuddling in your thighs. She would stir when hearing thunder and get closer to you, as if looking for your protection. 

You were lost in your thoughts that didn’t realise Florence kneeling in front of you until she taped your knee, demanding your attention. 

“What is it?” you asked, you couldn’t read what she was feeling but knew she needed you to know something. 

“Do you remember me being sick the last couple of days?”

“Yeah, what about it? Are you sick again?”

“No, not quite,” Florence looked at Billie, trying to find some comfort and reassurance in her dog. She was scared of your reaction. “I, um, I realised why I was feeling sick.”

“What was it, baby?” you grabbed her hands and squeezed them softly, letting her know you were listening carefully to every word she was saying. She then looked at you, took a big breath and just spilled the words out of her mouth. 

“I’m pregnant,” she mumbled quickly, as if not actually wanting to tell you. 

It took you a whole second to understand her words, your eyes lighted up, a small smile forming on your lips. “You are? One hundred percent sure?”

“Yes, I took three tests. All positive,” her eyes were starting to get watery. 

You hugged her at the confirmation, tears forming in your eyes. But they weren't sad tears. Florence let out all the breath she had been holding since she saw the results of her tests once she felt your warmth. 

“Oh my god. We are going to be mums. I’m so happy. I love you so much, Flo. So so much,” you kissed all her face. 

Billie started to bark at the two of you, almost as if she knew that soon there was going to be a little human keeping her company as well. 

“You’re not mad?” Florence said, tears now running down her cheeks. 

“Why would I be mad? This is the best news ever. I’m going to call my mum, she’s going to love this. I can’t believe this. This is the greatest day of my life,” you kissed her lips and quickly grabbed your phone to tell all your acquaintances about the news. 

Florence could only look at you in wonder. She couldn't believe that just minutes ago she was afraid to tell you about this. How silly of her.

[...]

You guys were waiting for the doctor to call you in. Florence was now three months in. Her belly was showing a bit, but not enough to tell if it was a pregnant belly or a beer belly. You thought that it looked good on her, sometimes even hot. 

Minutes later you guys were called for the check up. This would be the first time you would look at the screen and see some kind of human resemblance. 

Florence was lying in the stretcher, her hand in yours giving you a squeeze. She was so excited to see her baby. 

“How are you guys doing?”

“Everything’s just fine, Doc,” she answered. 

“Glad to hear that. Okay, let’s take a look at the baby, shall we?” you only squeezed Florence's hand even harder. 

A few minutes later, when the doctor was done setting everything up, the screen lit up. At first you couldn’t understand what your eyes were looking at. The doctor said that she was taking measurements of the baby's head, hence the big circle taking up the whole screen. She then moved the instruments further down Florence belly and said that she was now taking measurements of the baby's femur. She did a few more examinations and then said:

“Okay, everything seems good. Now, let’s listen to the baby’s heart beat.” The three of you went silent and then, a second later, the room was filled by a loud thumping noise. “Wow, that’s a strong healthy heart, guys,” you could only smile at Florence, your eyes getting watery in just a second. “Okay, we’re done with the check ups. Let me show what you want,” she moved the instrument along Flo’s belly, and a second later a baby-like image showed on the screen. 

“Oh, god,” that was all you could say, mesmerised by the simple image in front of you. They were tiny, and all you could see was just their silhouette, but you knew they were perfect already. 

You looked at Florence, tears in the corner of her eyes as well, pecked her lips, and whispered in her ear how much you love her. 

[...]

“What about Rafaela?” 

“We are not naming the baby after you, Raffie,” the youngest pugh rolled her eyes pretending she was mad at her sister’s response. 

You and Florence were having dinner with her family, and the baby’s name came up as a topic for conversations. 

“Raffie, I’m sorry. But they are naming the kid after me. Y/n told me earlier, but she didn’t want to upset you,” Toby teased her little sister. You could only roll your eyes at the two of them, trying to hold your smile at Raffie’s clearly now upset face. 

“Toby, stop bothering your sister,” Deborah scolded him.

“I actually like the name Toby,” Florence added, just to annoy her sister even further. 

“Oh, come on, Flo. We can name our child after your brother of all people,” you winked at Raffie. 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Toby asked in disbelief. 

You looked at Raffie and the both of you just burst in laughter.

[...]

Florence was now seven months in. Now everyone could tell that you knocked her up. 

You guys were watching a marvel movie. Your arm around Florence while your other hand was trailing small circles in her belly, hoping to get the baby moving. 

“I always liked the name Natasha,” Florence squinted her eyes at you, trying to tell if you were being serious or not. 

“We are not naming our kid after one of your favourite marvel superheroes.”

“Pff, that’s not why I–,” she raised her eyebrow at you. “Okay, fine you got me. What about Natalia?” you tried again. 

“Y/n.”

“Okay, fine. You’re boring.”

“Oh, yeah?” a grin forming on her face. “Am I boring when I do this?” she moved her mouth to your neck, her breath instantly making you shiver but then it turned into a burning feeling once she gently kissed your sensitive skin. 

“You are a bit less boring now,” you tried to suppress a whimper escaping from your mouth. 

“What if I do this?” her hand moved down your shirt to find your breast, you silently thanked god that you weren’t wearing a bra. 

As soon as her hand touched your sensitive nipple a moan escaped from your mouth, but was quickly cut off with Florence’s lips. Her tongue exploring the inside of your mouth, more moans falling from your mouth but muffled by Florence’s lips. Her hands trailing circles and pinching your nipple. 

Once you guys pulled apart to take a breath, she took off your shirt, your whole chest now on display and for her to touch as she wanted. Her right hand went straight to your left breast while her mouth went straight for your right nipple. Her tongue circling it, sometimes even biting it. 

She then moved her lips further down your body, leaving love bites all over your abdomen. Once she reached your shorts, you helped her take them off of you. Panties included. Now you were all hers. She kissed the insides of your tights, getting closer to your core, where you needed her the most. 

“Flo…” you trailed off, not being able to say much, your mind too foggy to think of anything else but her. 

She licked up your slit, earning a moan from you. A grin on her face knowing you were all hers, in that moment and for the rest of your life. She put her mouth and tongue to work, sucking and licking as much as she could. She tasted your wetness on her lips making her aroused. 

“Stop teasing,” you begged her. 

“What do you need, baby?” her hot breath caused goosebumps. Florence knew what you needed —what you wanted. But she needed to hear from you first. Being pregnant made Florence even hornier than when she wasn’t. She blamed it on the hormones. But truth be told, she had always been this horny, but only for you. There was something about you that made her knees go weak everytime she got a glimpse of your body.

“Your fingers,” a whimper escaped from your lips once she bit your core. “I need your fingers, Flo.”

Without wasting another second Florence pushed two fingers inside you, a small cry came out of your mouth. 

“Look at you, taking my fingers so well,” you said before getting her tongue back to work. 

She curled her fingers inside you and stared a small pace, out and in of you, while her tongue attacked your clit. You were a mess under her. Your knuckles were turning white from your thigh grip on the bed sheets, your back arching at her touch, your legs spreading wide open for her to have more access to you. 

She started to thrust her fingers in you faster once she noticed you were close to your realise. Your eyes rolled to the back of your head. Florence moved her head up just a bit so she could see your face. Your lips were apart, moans coming out of them, your brows were furrowed, she enjoyed that view. Especially you moaning out her name over and over again. 

You felt the knot in your stomach tightening, you knew you were about to finish. “Flo…” you whispered.

“Let go, baby,” and as if on cue, you felt the knot disappear, your hand moved to her head, pushing her even closer to you, her tongue making you scream her name. A soft moan escaped from Florence lips while trying to suck all of your juices. 

She guided you while coming out of your high, her fingers slowly moving out of you. She then sucked at her fingers, wanting to get as much of you as she could. You already missed her fingers inside of you. 

“So sweet,” she said tasting you on her fingers. Then lied next to you, kissing your forehead. 

“I love you,” you muttered, already getting sleepy. 

“I love you more,” she replied, covering both of your bodies with the bedsheets. 

[...]

About three months later, you and Florence were doing some gardening when Florence felt her legs get wet. 

“Um, Y/n, I think my water just broke.”

“Oh, shit. Holy fuck. Oh my god is happening, oh my god,” you rushed inside to get the bag you and Florence had packed a few days ago, knowing the baby would come any day. “Holy shit, Flo, we have everything right? Did you…?

“Y/n, calm down. It’s going to be fine,” she squeezed your shoulder.

“I think I’m going to faint, baby,” you eyes rolled back for a second, Florence shaking you body so it would work properly. 

“Don’t you dare pass out on me, Y/n. I’m the one about to pull a baby out of me, okay? Keep it together,” she suppressed the need to slap some sense into you.

[...]

You couldn’t stop looking at her, mesmerised by her entirely. 

You had been waiting for 9 months and now there she was. You thought the greatest day of your life was when Florence told you she was pregnant, but now this was the greatest day of your life. The day that your daughter had been born.

Florence had given birth to your beautiful daughter just an hour ago. Once your ears were filled by her loud crying, tears forming in your eyes as well as in Florence’s. This was the moment the both of you had been waiting for the last 9 months —meeting her. And god, she was perfect. The first thing you recognized in your daughter was Florence’s little nose, you chuckled at the similarity. 

Not only was she healthy but she was breathtaking. You knew all born babies were ugly, that was the rule of life. But it seemed that for some reason the rule didn’t apply to your babygirl. Because she was the most beautiful person you had ever seen, as beautiful and mesmerising as your Florence. You couldn't be more proud of her, for growing this little human inside of her. 

“I love her so much already,” you whispered to Florence, trying not to disturbed the baby in her arms.

“She’s as perfect as you are,” a smile plastered on her face once she looked at you. 

“Oh, come on, those are your genes. Just look at her,” you kissed Florence’s forehead. She giggled at your words. 

“You want to hold her?” she was already giving the tiny human to you. 

Once she was in your arms, you felt completed. Not that anything was missing, but it was as if things should have always been this way. With Florence right by your side. The baby stirred under your hands, getting used to your warmth and touch, but it was af she could tell that it was her mama holding her and stop moving around, falling back into her sleep. You poked her hand with your pinky finger, trying your best to not disturb her but you wanted to touch her, as though you were making sure she was real. You gasped once her tiny hand opened and grabbed your pinky finger. 

Florence was looking at the both of you with watery eyes. She couldn’t believe that her daughter was finally there with her, you holding her close to your chest. She didn’t know she could love someone as much as she loved you, and there it was, right in front of her. She couldn't wait for everyone to meet her. She knew she would be loved by everyone, but loved the most by the two of you. 

“What about Daisy?” you whispered to Florence. 

“Are you sure it’s not a marvel character?” she teased you. 

You looked at her, trying to find an answer, the truth was that it was a marvel character’s name, but you had always loved that name regardless of that.

“I, um…” she chuckled at your missing words. 

“It’s perfect. Little Daisy,” your eyes lit up at her words. 

“Little Daisy,” you repeated, it did sound perfect. 

[...]

Bonus scene (moments before driving Florence to the hospital):

911 operator: 911, what’s your emergency?

Y/n: Yeah, my wife is going into labour *trying to not freak out*

911 operator: Is this her first child?

Florence: DON’T YOU DARE.

Y/n: No, this is her wife.

(I thought this would be funny)

Likes, reblogs and comments are appreciated! <3

-M

[dj-of-the-coven]

DJ's Beat headcanons that can't be textually justified but are nonetheless true. to me

Beat's grasp on modern technology is rather poor, given the extremely rapid advancement of the internet during his teen years. While Rhyme and Shiki kept up with it well, Rhyme even contributing to a number of groundbreaking feats of modern programming, Beat's still out here living like it's 2007 with the singular exception of wireless Bluetooth headphones and a phone that can use them. He's able to use messaging apps but sees no point to social media.

It's all physical media with him. He collects cassettes and vinyls, and burns his own CDs when he's got free time. He owns a boom box.

On that note: if he has to use his phone for music, he only listens to downloaded full albums, completely unaware that this technically counts as piracy because he rips it from youtube.

Beat likes to decorate almost everything he has with skateboards and skeleton themed stickers and graffiti tags. Even the cups at his place have tiny skateboard designs on them.

He mostly listens to rock, metal, and hip hop, though can occasionally find a favorite in other genres. He and Neku make rock music together, and it's his absolute favorite, especially when Neku's on vocals.

Beat plays drums, electric guitar, and electric bass, switching what he plays depending on the needs of whoever he plays with. His vocals are grungy and rough, which Neku really likes adding to their music, but Beat declines to sing except with very familiar songs because he finds it hard to multitask with his playing.

If he were to get tattoos, he'd ask Neku to design them.

His ears are pierced in several places. He got them done both because he wanted piercings and because Shiki was too scared to get hers by herself, and he ended up getting multiple at once just to prove to her that it was fine. He still has a mark on his hand from how tightly Shiki gripped it while getting her ears pierced.

Beat puts red streaks in his hair, but doesn't care about making them consistent, so they're in a different spot every time. there's always a light red/pink frost in the old spots for a month or so after he picks new ones.

When one of the twisters is having a bad day at school, he calls pretending to be a parent and signs them out to get coffee. This happens about 3 times each before Nagi finds out and smacks the shit out of him for risking their academic careers. It doesn't stop him from then bringing the coffee to them instead.

Shoka teases Beat for getting words mixed up pretty often, and it becomes a running joke in the twisters group chat for a while until Neku steps in to inform them that he's actually severely dyslexic. Diagnosed and everything. Beat takes the teasing lightly, but Neku, Shiki, and Rhyme crack down on the jokes when they realize how prevalent they are.

Beat is scared by horror movies, but he likes them a lot. His preferred way to watch them is curled up under a fluffy blanket with his sister, one or two of the twisters, and Neku on special occasions. When Neku comes over for movies, they order shoyu ramen and have a habit of falling asleep together on the couch.

[thestrangeillusion]

a get to know you better meme

Ahhh this took me more than a month to get around to doing, but I didn’t forget about it!! Thank you so much for tagging me @dummerjan! <3 <3 <3

do you make your bed? No, I don’t really see the point tbh, I’ll only be messing it up in the evening again anyway.

what's your favourite number? Umm, 7 I think? There’s not a particular reason for it though. I do have a soft spot for 21 as well for entirely SKAM related reasons haha.

what is your job? I do scientific evaluations of (primarily) government programmes.  

If you could go back to school would you? Hmm, there’s some appeal to that because I didn’t hate school and the structure and routine of it was mostly good for me, I think. But the thought of being a teenager again and being cooped up in a room with 25+ other teenagers for a minimum of 30 hours a week – no, thank you. But if school is meant in the way US-Americans sometimes use it, as in also meaning further education, then I could be convinced. I mean, I still have to write my master’s thesis, so I’m technically still a student, but I sometimes think re-doing my first couple of years of undergrad (and maybe making some better decisions lol) could be fun.

can you parallel park? Nope, I can’t even really drive anymore, I’m pretty sure, even though I do have a licence. It’s more of a glorified ID at this point because I haven’t actually driven a car in like 4 years or so and even before that I honestly wasn’t very good at it (driving or parking).

a job you had that would surprise people? Not really tbh.

do you think aliens are real? I mean I am pretty sure there are forms of life on other planets, since some of them have been found to have inhabitable environments. If it’s intelligent life I don’t really feel qualified to say although, if I remember correctly, one of my good friends who’s doing a PhD in astrophysics and is one of the smartest people I know once made a pretty convincing argument for it (but I have since forgotten what the argument was lol).

can you drive a manual car? Refer to the question about parallel parking above. I learned to drive in a manual car (I’ve actually never driven an automatic), but I’m fairly sure I don’t actually know how to do it anymore.

what's your guilty pleasure? That’s a difficult question. Reading fucked up smut fics is definitely one of them, I guess. Also does pissing away many of my weekends by staying in bed all day and reading or writing fanfics instead of putting effort into having a social life count? Because I also do that and I do enjoy it, but it’s painful whenever anyone asks what I did on the weekend lol. There’s only so many times you can say “Nothing much” tbh.

tattoos? I like them on other people, mostly. My cousin has a full back tattoo in colour and is slowly adding onto it so that it expands to her arms and sides and I always love seeing which new piece she’s gotten tattooed since I last saw her. It just suits her really well and she’s super passionate about the motive and I love that. And I think that’s where the problem lies for me, I just don’t have any motive or phrase or whatever that I am passionate enough about to permanently put on my body tbh. Also, I am scared of pain and needles, so…

favourite colour? Burgundy.

favourite type of music? Ooof that’s hard to answer, I listen to so many different types of music. One genre I’ve liked pretty consistently from my early teens until now is (mostly British) indie rock and alternative rock – I really like Muse, Placebo, Arctic Monkeys, The Libertines and Nothing But Thieves, for example. And I’ve been to quite a few tiny club concerts of that genre because I know I’ll enjoy it even if I don’t know the band or any of their songs beforehand.

And then I also go through intense music phases mostly related to TV shows I love – it started when I was like 13 watching Gossip Girl and obsessively listening to Death Cab for Cutie, Bloc Party and Sum 41 to when I watched SKAM and got very into Norwegian music (the Norwegian singer/rapper Cezinando still features consistently in my top Spotify artists and has done so since 2017). And now that I’m watching Thai BLs, I started with an obsession about Jeff Satur’s music (and listened to nothing else for like 2 months) and am now gradually venturing out into discovering other Asian music (I’m really enjoying WOODZ, Hua Chen Yu and Violette Wautier so far). So that was a lot of rambling, but still barely covers half of what I actually love listening to…

do you like puzzles? I haven’t done puzzles in aaages, but I have very fond childhood memories of doing them with my grandparents on NYE while waiting for midnight. I think I would still enjoy them if I did them now.

any phobias? Not really. Stuff I’m pretty scared of, sure, but no full-blown phobias.

favourite childhood sport? Hmm, in terms of the sports we played in school, I really enjoyed “Völkerball” (which I’m pretty sure vaguely translates to dodgeball, but I don’t think it’s entirely the same thing). The only problem was that I was really good at dodging the ball and never getting hit, but very, very bad at catching the ball or hitting other people with it, so I could never actually end the game by taking out people on the other team either.

I only started in my teens, but I also really enjoyed (and still enjoy) climbing and bouldering. And my family went skiing every winter when I was a child, which I hated at first, but started to enjoy in my early teens when I didn’t have to do lessons with a bunch of other kids tumbling down the mountain anymore.

do you talk to yourself? All the time in my mind, and sometimes out loud when I’m on my own (particularly when I’m frustrated about something).

what movie(s) do you adore? I actually really love heartwarming feel-good movies tbh. One of my favourite movies is Pride (2014) because it just radiates so much joy and solidarity and a will to live and make things better that always lifts my mood. And I can’t even tell you the amount of times I’ve rewatched Mamma Mia. Another genre of movies I seem to enjoy is movies about female rage a.k.a. women going batshit crazy but being totally justified in it, such as Promising Young Woman or Gone Girl. I do generally prefer watching TV shows to movies, though.

coffee or tea? I get the jitters and become hyperactive in a really uncomfortable way when I drink coffee, so I rarely do. I mostly drink black tea or Mate for the purpose of waking me up.

first thing you wanted to be growing up? Well, according to old friendship book entries, I first wanted to be a princess (until my mum bought me a book about the Habsburgs and I quickly abandoned the idea, which I think was the point) and after that a cook.

Tagging @crumchycow, @mightymightygnomepriest, @salamander89, @fiddlepickdouglas, @obscurecurse

and @lilmaemae and anyone else who wants to do it 😊

[psychologeek]

Psy's masterpost

Like my writing? Came here for a prompt and wants more? (update: 06.05.24/

I HAVE AO3! PsycholoGeek feel free to look. (I love comments. Just saying 😜)

Writing Tags:

"my additions" (adding to others)

"my writing" (og/long adds)

"my poems" (poems)

Not all my writing is there, of course.

Fic Recs (personal favourites)

Who am I (to disappear) - DC, Cass-centric, 22k words. Who am I (to disappear) - David Cain tried to create a weapon. Weapon forge themself into something new. (Many names, they\them Cass). Ft. Kid!Jason, Mayan mythology, and the many forms of communication. It also has an extended version. I highly recommend reading the fic first, and THEN going for.the EV, as it contains spoilers and lose the emotional damage and delight you may get.

Witwat and the Jin - Batman, 2,245 words. Damian had a brother, once. (H/C. Happy ending.)

Grave Promises - Batman, 2,111 words. Healing and recovery and disability isn't a tragedy.

Sing Me To Sleep - DP*DC 19k words. Tws in tags. Tim and healing (it gets worse before it gets better. But it gets better.)

A list of my fics (complete and WIPs) undercut:

Completed one-shot:

Who am I (to disappear) - David Cain tried to create a weapon. Weapon forge themself into something new. (Many names, they\them Cass). Ft. Kid!Jason Todd, Mayan mythology, and sign language. (Stand alone, technically prequel to "Sweet Dreams", but no need to read.)

Grave Promises (Batman, 2,111 words) - very important to me. Life, recovery, and disability is not a tragedy. Barbara kill the Joker, but it isn't the focus.(Barbara Gordon focused.)

Do You Understand?  ( Encanto, 330 words).c

Witwat and the Jin (Batman, 2,245 words) - Dami-being-Dami and slowly understandings.

Just short of a fairy tale (I told myself that I wouldn't be scared) (Batman, 770 words) - urban fantasy. Jason Todd centric.

Sing Me To Sleep - DP*DC (19k words). After fired from Robin, Tim had enough. He's done with life. Clockwork said "not today, bitch" and got some good old ectoshot. Ft. Jazz Fenton as an older sister TM and the 3Ds as their usual chaotic selves. (I wrote the second half, chapters 2-6. A bit heavy, but I hope I did well with the subject.)

Hold Them Close -DP*DC (12k words). I wrote the first chapter+Fanart. Danny escaped Vlad and his experiments with bb!Ellie, and flew straight up-up-and above. In the watchtower, our heroes sees a monster and (what they think is) a child in distress. Misunderstandings and whump, with the last quarter of the fic as comfort and fluff :)

Main serieses:

Sweet Dreams - (DC, 3 works, 1 complete. ~17k words). Reverse Robins + Badman verse (inspired by @byrambles fic). Batboy's younger brothers were taken by the Batman who defeated his father. Trying to protect them, he promise his loyalty to the newcomer. But even though he assure him he is perfectly trained, and can properly punish the kids to surrender, the man isn't impressed. In which there's Misunderstandings and sadness (first fic). The series deals with trauma and the ongoing issues it causes, and shows how it changes you. TW: Include suicidality+mention of kid's suicidality, flashbacks, mentioned past child sexual abuse, dissociations, Whump and angst with eventual comfort. I don't go in details about their past, but it's important to notice that the first 2 fics contains HEAVY (but non graphic) themes.

Liminal Skills for the Living Dead - also known as "therapy verse". DP x DC xover. AKA Anger Management! Fake dating for fun and profit. Enter family, friends, and Wikipedia explanations of some necessary skills as titles. Jazz is her autistic with anxiety self. Jason is a crime lord with anger management issues.

Or: in which THERE'S THERAPY!! (6 works - 4 are complete. ~30k words)

Lost and Found (if this wings could fly) - also known as "FF AU". DP x DC xover. Jazz and Jason as childhood mutuals. (4 complete works, ~10k in total. more to come)

(also some other things. Feel free to look, ask and comment!)

[roxannarambles]

Title: The Bloodmoon Graves (Part 1/7)

Ship: Juliana/Nemona

Rating: T/PG-13 (for Spooky Scary)

Summary: Nemona learns about the rumors of a fabled "Bloodmoon Beast" and decides they should all go for a camping trip out in the Timeless Woods to search for it. They end up finding a bit more than they bargained for.

Tags: Action/Adventure, Horror, Romance, Established Relationship, Halloween Special

Warning Tags: Blood/Injury, Body Horror, Claustrophobia, Pokemon attacking humans/humans attacking pokemon

Chapters: Ch 1 - Ch 2 - Ch 3 - Ch 4 - Ch 5 - Ch 6 - Epilogue

Notes: Okay look. I know it's December but look. I just really wanted to try writing a horror story, so here's your Halloween special. 🎃There's a bit of Julinemo fluff in here too as a treat but this is mostly a horror story. So. I hope somebody reads it despite it not being super ship-focused lol

This is technically a sequel to my Teal Mask fix-it fic but that's not required reading. Just know the Paldean Pals joined Juliana on her trip to Kitakami. As it should be.

“Penny! Hey, Penny! You gotta hear this!”

Penny glanced up from her laptop, sighing. She had been hiding out in the Community Center, playing games, but seemed she’d been discovered. Nemona and Juliana bounded up to her.

“So this is where you’ve been hiding. You been avoiding us?” Juliana teased. Penny answered,

“No. Not avoiding. Just . . . taking a break.”

“From what?”

Penny shrugged,

“I dunno, all the majestic nature and junk, I guess. Some of us aren’t as outdoorsey as others, you know.”

“Oh, okay, I thought you were gonna say you were taking a break from us.”

“Well, that too.”

Juliana opened her mouth to protest, but Nemona impatiently cut her off, waving her hands,

“Nevermind all that! Penny, Jules and I just heard something awesome! There’s rumors of this super-powerful, super-rare Pokemon that lives in Kitakami, and we’ve been talking to the townspeople about it, and it’s been living out in the Timeless Woods for like ages and everyone’s scared of it but it’s really reclusive and mysterious and only shows up on really foggy late nights when it’s all spooky, isn’t that cool?!”

Nemona had her hands curled into fists, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Penny blinked at her.

“Uh . . . I . . . guess so?”

“And get this– it’s an Ursaluna! That’s already a super rare Pokemon, but this one’s a special Ursaluna, it doesn’t look like the others at all!”

Juliana cut in,

“Tell her what the townspeople call it.”

“Oh right, right! Hehehe, get this Penny, the townspeople call it– The Bloodmoon Beast! Isn’t that awesome?!”

“They say the mark on its head glows blood-red like the moon during an eclipse!” Juliana added, pointing at her forehead. Nemona agreed,

“Yeah! And on those nights, the Beast’s blood boils and it goes mad with fury, seeking to avenge its fallen fellow Ursaluna!! Or that’s what some kid told me, anyway.”

“Uh-huh. If you guys say so,” Penny said flatly, looking back at her laptop.

“Hey, it’s real! Probably,” Juliana replied.

“Yeah, it’s definitely real! Some famous photographer got some photos of it not too long ago. Gimme a sec,” Nemona said, flicking through her phone. She pulled up the photos posted to some website and angled the phone at Penny, cycling through them. Most were very blurry, depicting a hulking figure in the fog, but the bright-red mark on the blurry figure’s forehead was very noticeable.

“I guess that’s probably a pokemon,” Penny conceded. Nemona nodded,

“Yeah, this photographer lady is legit, I think her name was Perrin? She posted a firsthand account, so we know it’s real! She went out camping in the Timeless Woods to spot it. She only had her Growlithe though, so she barely escaped with her life, apparently, after she took those pictures.”

Penny had pulled up an article on her laptop with impressive speed and hummed,

“Mmm-hmm . . . Perrin Kongōseki, 26, multi-award-winning photographer of international fame, recently has released controversial photos about the folklegend ‘Bloodmoon Beast’ from rural Kitakami. While locals have hailed her as a hero, critics have argued it to be a transparent grab for media attention, as the once highly-popular photographer’s reputation has slipped in recent years . . .”

Juliana scowled and crossed her arms. “Oh, c’mon Penny, why do you gotta try and suck the fun outta this?”

“I’m not, I was just curious! Sorry. I agree it’s probably a real Pokemon, though maybe not anywhere near as impressive as these stories claim . . .”

“Well that’s why we’re gonna go find out!” Nemona said, beaming. In a tone that suggested mild concern, Penny asked,

“And how’re you planning on doing that?”

Nemona grinned,

“We’re all gonna go camp out in the Timeless Woods tonight and look for it!”

Her concern quickly increasing, Penny said,

“Wait, all of us? I don’t recall volunteering for this–”

“Weren’t you just doubting the Beast is even all that scary?” Juliana asked her quickly. Penny frowned, grumbling,

“Well I– it’s not that, it’s just– l-look, I’m not real big on camping out, you guys–”

Nemona said,

“Aww, it’ll be fun, Penny! When’s the next time you’ll get a chance like this? The Caretaker said we’re supposed to explore Kitakami while we’re here, remember?”

“Yeah. I was hoping he wouldn’t notice I wasn’t doing that,” Penny mumbled. 

Juliana chuckled. She said,

“I know camping isn’t your favorite, Penny, but one night of camping can’t be too bad, right? Arven’s got everything planned out for us, and we’d hate for you not to be included.”

Penny’s brows lifted.

“He does? I’m kinda surprised he wanted in on this too.”

“Well, I think mostly he wants to do it because he enjoys hiking and camping, he’s a bit indifferent about the Bloodmoon Beast, but still. Even if we don’t find a super rare pokemon, it should be a fun time.”

“Yeah! And if we DO find the Beast, we can fight it and maybe even catch it! It’s a win-win,” Nemona agreed with enthusiasm. Both girls looked at Penny expectantly.

Penny sighed.

“All right, fine . . . I guess I’ll go.”

Nemona cheered,

“All right! This is gonna be the best!”

“You should get packed and ready, then. We’re leaving in an hour.”

“But it’s only like, two o’clock. I thought you wanted to look for this ‘beast’ at night?”

Juliana nodded.

“Yep. But the Timeless Woods is a three-hour hike, plus we wanna do some exploring before it gets dark, y’know?”

“Three hours?”

“Eh, three, three-and-a-half, something like that. We’ll meet you in front of Peachy’s, okay?”

“Wait, wait–”

Penny groaned as her friends bounded away from her, too excited about the trip to notice Penny’s protests. She was regretting this already.

~

The hike out to the Timeless Woods was indeed a long one. There actually were two different routes they could have taken, and the path through Fellhorn Gorge was technically much shorter, but it was also far more rugged. Thus, they opted for the longer but flatter path through the Wistful Fields, then past the Paradise Barrens, and on through the Kitakami Wilds. Arven and Juliana carried the heavier packs that included the tents, as they both had more experience with backpacking. Of course, things would have been much easier if they had brought Koraidon along, but the oversized lizard had been particularly lazy that day; besides, Arven had encouraged them all to not rely on their ride pokemon too much when it came to hiking. Juliana eventually let Nemona and Penny switch off riding her Tauros anyway once they were tired enough.

Their trek took a little longer than expected due to the number of breaks they took– it was summer and the weather was pretty sweltering during the day– but once they arrived at the gorgeous old-growth forest that was tucked away in a valley like a special little secret, it was far, far more comfortable. They took a little time to dip their feet and splash around the idyllic little pond there, just relaxing and unwinding from the hike. However, before long, Arven was up and telling everyone it was time to set their campsite up.

“Arven, we just got here! Sunset’s still a few hours from now, what’s the rush?”

Arven put his hands on his hips.

“Yeah, and we need to get everything set up well before it starts getting dark. C’mon guys, work first, play later.”

“Unnnghh,” Nemona groaned, leaning against Juliana where they lay in the grass, making no move to get up. Her feet dangling in the water, Penny stared at her cellphone and pretended she didn’t hear Arven.

“Guys, c’mon, I’m serious.”

When still nobody moved, he scowled and said,

“All right, if nobody helps then I won’t be making dinner or setting the tents up. Or building a campfire. Did I mention it cools down a lot at night? Enjoy your cold trail mix and sleeping in 4 degree weather without shelter.”

Everyone grumbled and reluctantly got up.

“That’s more like it. All right, we’re starting with the tents. Everyone help me scope out a nice flat spot over on the high ground this way.”

Once they chose a good site, they cleared the ground, unpacked and pitched the two tents, while Arven explained to the camping novices how to put things together. When Juliana and Nemona finished, they tried to leave, but Arven stopped them.

“Where are you two going? You need to finish your tent.”

“It’s finished! See?”

Arven shook his head,

“You haven’t put the rainfly up yet.”

“Arven, it’s not going to rain!”

“There’s a 20% chance of precipitation tonight.”

“Oh my god Arven–”

“Better safe than sorry. Put it up.”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“It doesn’t take that long, and it’s good practice. Just do it.”

Juliana grumbled and they returned to the tent.

“Is he always this bossy about camping?” Nemona asked.

Juliana sighed.

“Yeah, unfortunately. Let’s just get this finished, he gets bent out of shape if things aren’t done right.”

After they futzed about with the rainfly and eventually got it into place, Arven doled out more tasks to help prepare the campfire and cooking equipment. Everyone dutifully did their chores, unpacking equipment and arranging some seating. Penny was then sent out into the woods with the joyous task of establishing a bathroom site, and Nemona and Juliana were tasked with clearing an area for a campfire.

The moment Arven turned his back, though, Juliana grabbed Nemona’s hand, holding a finger to her lips and grinning. They snuck away quickly before he noticed; eventually Arven realized what was going on and he shouted after them, so they broke into a run, laughing.

~

It seemed Arven soon gave up on pursuing them, and the two were able to wander the forest in peace. Juliana let Ogerpon out of her ball; the pokemon was thrilled to be back in the Timeless Woods, hopping up and down in excitement and trilling happily. They spent the time just meandering and exploring, letting Ogerpon choose the direction. When they spotted a little pink Gligar skulking through the underbrush, they gave chase for a while, trying to catch it. Alas, the pokemon proved to be too illusive for them, somehow sneaking off and giving them the slip. However, the sting of disappointment was soon forgotten when the two girls stumbled across a cave entrance they’d never seen before. Hopeful for some excitement, they ducked low and poked inside. Ogerpon followed after, chirping curiously.

“Oof. It’s dark. Dunno what I expected though, I guess that makes sense,” Nemona giggled.

“Yeah. I wish we had a . . . oh wait sec, we do. Where is that . . .”

Juliana fiddled around with her bag until she located the headlamp Arven had given her. Sticking the strap to her head, she flicked it on.

“Oh, much better!”

Juliana aimed the light around. The cave was rather bare, a few Spinarak on a web in one corner, and a dozing Munchlax in another. It didn’t take them long to walk the length of the little cave, which sadly didn’t turn up much beyond rocks, dirt, more cobwebs and a lone Dunsparce.

“Aw, man. I was hoping for something really cool,” Nemona sighed, sitting down on a large rock. Juliana nodded.

“Yeah . . . me too. I guess Kitakami caves aren’t as exciting as Paldean ones.”

Ogerpon had been wandering about the cave, apparently very much at ease in such a setting– likely due to how much time she’d spent in one. Nemona and Juliana took a few minutes to rest, sipping from their canteens and chatting about one of Juliana’s camping trips with Arven when they’d been hunting the Titan pokemon.

“. . . and he sounds like a Snorlax when he sleeps! I could hear him half a mile away, I swear.”

Ogerpon began to chatter excitedly, but the girls didn’t notice at first.

“Ahahah, oh my god! How did you deal with it?”

“Well I got my own tent, but I still could hear him, so I had to pitch my tent further and further away from him– Ogerpon, what’s up?”

The excited pokemon had vanished from sight, which worried Juliana. Both girls got up and went to the corner of the cave.

“Oh, Ogerpon, be careful– I don’t think you should go in there!”

The little pokemon had located a small gap, very well hidden, near the floor in the darkest corner of the cave. She had crawled inside and was climbing deeper and deeper into the secret tunnel.

“Ogerpon! Come back, wait! Ugh. Well . . . there she goes.”

They could no longer see her, but they could hear her further in the cave, making her excited, happy cries. At least they knew she was all right for the moment. 

“Right, well, better give me that light, Jules, I’ll go after her.”

Juliana frowned as Nemona plucked the headlamp off her.

“We could just call for her to come back? She’s bound to get bored in a few minutes.”

“No, no, we gotta follow. She could be in danger! Lost and scared!”

Opergon’s giggles echoed from deeper in the cave. Juliana raised a brow.

“. . . if you wanna explore the creepy secret tunnel you could just say so.”

Sticking the light’s strap to her head, Nemona clasped her hands together and said excitedly,

“Okay, yeah, I really wanna explore the creepy secret tunnel!”

Juliana laughed.

“I mean, I do too, honestly.”

“I thought you were claustrophobic?”

Juliana took a moment to consider the gap Ogerpon had disappeared into; it was definitely pretty small and would probably require a human to get down on their hands and knees, a thought that made Juliana’s chest squeeze a little. It wasn’t so much the tight space itself as the thought of it caving in and burying them alive. Which was admittedly unlikely.

She answered,

“Y-yeah, I am a little bit, but sometimes my curiosity wins out over that.”

“Well, okay, but I don’t want you doing anything that makes you too uncomfortable . . .”

Juliana was poking into Nemona’s bag.

“Nah, it’s okay. If I start feeling too anxious I’ll back out. I think there’s– yeah, here it is.”

She took the second light from her friend’s bag.

“Oh, I had one too? I didn’t even realize.”

“Arven passes them out right away before camping. Safety and all that. He can be kinda annoying but I admit it does come in handy sometimes, too.”

After getting their headlamps properly attached, they squatted by the tiny tunnel entrance.

“You want me to go first or you?”

“Take point, my fearless leader!”

Nemona laughed.

“All right then. Let’s go!”

Nemona began to crawl into the tunnel, Juliana watching her progress for a bit. It actually didn’t look so bad; yes, she was on her hands and knees but it still looked pretty roomy, as far as creepy secret tunnels went. Juliana got down and started climbing in after her. The ground was a bit damp and muddy and it was a little hard on her knees but she felt okay. Of course, it helped that she had Nemona with her.

“Ooh, I can see the cave gets bigger just a little further ahead! Almost there!”

After a pretty short crawl, they both emerged into a larger cave, one that dropped in elevation at a fairly steep angle but was still easily walkable. They looked around the space, casting their lights about and taking it all in. Nemona said,

“Yeah, there’s a whole hidden section to the cave here! That’s so cool. And look, I think it opens up even more that way!”

“Yeah, looks like it.”

They stepped along the declined ground, careful not to slip, daring to explore further and further into the cavern. After ducking under an especially low portion, the two girls gasped at what they came upon.

The pocket of cave they had found opened up before them, and it was full of shimmering, glittering light– the light of their flashlights being bounced back at them by hundreds and thousands of crystal formations. They were the same exact rainbow-colored crystals of the Area Zero caverns.

Nemona turned to Juliana, saying,

“Oh my god, Jules!!”

She squealed back,

“I know!!”

They rushed in to explore the crystal-encrusted cave, admiring all the formations, in awe of their discovery. Nemona exclaimed,

“It’s exactly like Area Zero! You think this is why the pokemon in the Kitakami region can terastallize? I mean, this looks even more concentrated than the crystal pool’s formations are, there’s gotta be a ton of energy here.”

“Probably! Although the water from the crystal pool feeds down into the river, and I noticed the water was all glowy from the tera energy, so that probably does a lot too! One thing’s for sure, Paldea isn’t the only place on the planet to have this phenomenon. Kitakami is loaded with this energy.”

Nemona nodded.

“Definitely. This is so wild.”

The cave also appeared home to some Pokemon; mainly Carbink, although the girls woke up some Noibat snoozing from the ceiling and a few Geodude rolled about underfoot. Juliana watched the Carbink slowly drifting their way over to them, their glittering eyes curious. She then realized that there were some Glimmets floating among them. That made sense; Juliana had really only seen Glimmets and Glimmora in the presence of these tera crystals. 

Outloud, Juliana mused,

“So . . . I always thought maybe the reason for the tera crystals in Area Zero was because the meteorite that caused the crater was carrying something special. But there’s no craters here. I bet there’s nothing special about that crater after all– it just happened to expose the deep caverns where the crystals were already growing! And some caves just grow them naturally, ya know? Like here and the crystal pool. Carmine told me the crystal pool has a cave attached to it, and the water itself seeps up from an underground cavern.”

Nemona angled her headlamp away so it wouldn’t blind her friend and enthused,

“Ooh, I didn’t know that! That makes sense, though. You should totally tell Mrs. Briar your ideas, I bet she’d love them. Oh man, if you could help her figure out how tera energy works, we could bring tera battles to other regions! Imagine!”

Juliana grinned at the thought. 

“That would be pretty incredible.”

Nemona bounced a little and said,

“Oh, oh, and we should go explore the crystal pool’s cave too! We gotta remember to do that!”

Juliana laughed,

“Okay, but we should probably finish exploring this one first, don’t you think?”

Nemona grabbed onto her and giggled,

“I knowwwww, I’m just excited and planning ahead!”

Juliana felt a wave of affection for the wonderfully silly girl holding onto her. She tilted her head back and nuzzled against Nemona a moment, then placed a soft little kiss to her lips. 

“You’re cute.”

Their relationship still brand-new, Nemona was flustered by the casual compliment. She squirmed and glanced away, mumbling with a smile,

“No’m not.”

Juliana grinned at how easily she was flustered. She leaned in again and pressed her lips against Nemona’s ear and murmured to her,

“You are unbearably adorable.”

Nemona squirmed harder and made a delightfully embarassed noise that only confirmed the truth of Juliana’s statement; Juliana squeezed her and they both giggled.

The familiar cry of Ogerpon brought them out of their antics, reminding them of why they were there.

“Whoops. We better go find her.”

“Right.”

Once they ventured a little further in, they easily located Ogerpon, who had been busy chasing the Carbink and Glimmets with a gleeful smile. Apparently she liked how they sparkled. It was a relief to see that Ogerpon was fine, although they hadn’t been too concerned to begin with– Ogerpon had proven she was very good at taking care of herself. Albeit, she did have a tendency to wander. Juliana leaned down.

“Try not to wander off without telling us, Ogerpon, okay? We don’t want you getting hurt. I admit you did lead us to a pretty awesome cave, though.”

“Jules, look! I think there’s an underground pool here!”

Juliana glanced to where Nemona was headed– the ground slanted downwards as the cave continued deeper into the earth. Quickly, Juliana and Ogerpon followed her.

When they’d gone deeper, they found it was indeed an underground pool . . . just not the sort they’d expected. Juliana had envisioned crystal-clear, cool waters, bathed in the light of beautiful columns of tera crystals. 

Instead, the pool contained a thick, goopy, pitch-black substance. Steam was rising from the pool, and sticky, viscous bubbles slowly formed and popped in the pool.

“What the heck?”

Nemona ventured closer, staring down into the strange mess.

“What is this stuff?”

Juliana hazarded a guess.

“It looks like . . . tar?”

As she came up beside Nemona, her face wrinkled.

“Euugh. Smells like tar, too.”

“Tar? Why the heck would there be a pool of tar here? Who’d do that??”

Juliana shook her head,

“No, I think– well, it’s naturally occurring sometimes. Uncommon, but not unheard of. There’s some pretty famous tar pits back in Unova. They study them because lots of ancient pokemon fell inside so there’s lots of fossils in there.”

Nemona looked thoughtful.

“Huh. That’s wild. So this could be an important scientific discovery?”

“Yeah, it might be, if nobody else knows about this!”

Nemona laughed and patted Ogerpon’s head.

“You could be famous, Ogerpon! If they discover any new pokemon fossils here, they’ll have to name them after you!”

Ogerpon chirped, not understanding but happy for the attention. Juliana stared down into the dark bog. She mused,

“It looks like it’s pretty hot, too. I wonder how hot it is? And how deep it is?”

“Hey, I think I see something poking out in the middle there.”

“Where?”

Nemona leaned against a large column of crystal growing from the ground along the pool’s edge, pointing towards the pool’s center.

“There, sorta around the middle but a bit further back, it looks like–”

“Careful, Nemona.”

“--might just be a stick but it could be a bone–”

There was a cracking sound and the crystal Nemona had leaned against started to fracture. Eyes wide, Juliana grabbed onto Nemona and pulled her back, the huge column of crystal giving way soon after and tumbling down into the tar pit, making a huge ‘gloppp’ noise and splashing tar about before slowly sinking into the black. They watched it vanish into nothing, the foul stench of tar the only thing remaining.

The girls looked at each other. Nemona laughed nervously.

“Ahahaha . . . maybe we should stop messing around near the tar pit.”

“Yyyyeah . . . why don’t we head back to camp?”

“Sounds good.”

The three quickly retraced their steps and exited the cave. Had they remained just a little while longer, they might have heard a strange rumble coming from the tar pit, bubbles forming much more rapidly than before and the surface of the pool roiling in strange shapes . . .

[shipperssafehaven]

my season five dream team ups bc i'm bored and have too much time on my hands

1. will/mike/robin/nancy

this group is literally what dreams are made of. first, you get a continuation with the ultimate slow burn that is byler. second, you get ronance which is always a plus & possibly a jealous nancy when vickie is added into the mix. third, you get nancy/mike sibling bonding for the first time in what feels like forever. and fourth, you get a will/robin "you're like me" moment. the power this group holds would be magical.

Give me a frightened & an adorably idiotic Will who is seeing visions and clocks but doesn't want to worry anyone so he keeps it to himself because everybody else already has so much going on. Let him space out at the Wheeler house only to be caught by Nancy.

Then it proceeds with Will begging her not to tell anybody but Nancy snitches to Mike because she knows the drill and is not letting another kid die on her watch. And since she's avoiding both Jonathan and Steve because she wants to know who she is outside of them, she ropes Robin in to help instead, leading to a limitless amount of gayness <3 (bc as much as i am excited to learn about vickie, i don't really have the desire to see robin with her clone).

Give me a terrified Mike who's scared to lose Will and is angry because Will actually wanted to keep him in the dark about this. Give me the most queer fight in tv history:

"i can't believe you weren't going to tell me this. this isn't a game-- you could die, will! just because you got out once, doesn't mean you'll make it out alive this time around!"

"you aren't even trying to see my side of things! if I have a connection to vecna then that gives me the perfect opening to end this once and for all!"

"there is no ending this, will! he's going to kill you!"

"that's a risk i'm willing to take."

"well, i'm not!"

2. el/lucas/dustin/erica

i really want to see el outside of mike and pairing her up with lucas/dustin/erica would do just that. dustin teaching her things and erica teaching her how to properly put her bullies in their place >>>

plus we'd get the best sibling duo that is erica and lucas. if i don't get a protective lucas who's going through it and afraid of losing his little sister (since he technically already lost someone he loved) then i'll riot

and don't forget the lucas/el bonding we'd get that would also feed into my elumax delusions. them teaming up to get max back and slowly bringing each other back to themselves & just being so vulnerable and happy in one another's company is a need

oh and as a treat, if dustin and erica stumble across kas in the upside down and it looks too much like a certain metal head so they have no choice but to get to the bottom of things on whether eddie's death truly meant the end... then i'd be down for that

3. jonathan/steve

i've been waiting for this one since season one. i want them to be forced to work together and go from reluctant allies to i'd lay my life down for you without hesitation

let them have development outside of nancy! let jonathan accidentally meet steve's neglectful parents and have him understand steve. let steve have the absolute displeasure of meeting lonnie and calling him out when he talks down to jonathan & say "you didn't want him as a son? no, you didn't deserve him as a son!" let jonathan be on the verge of tears bc nobody has ever stood up for him like that before.

these two could learn so much from each other. let steve teach jonathan how to work his damn way around a tie. and let jonathan teach steve what it's like to have a family and that it is in fact not normal to be so brushed to the side and disregarded by your own parents.

let them be BEST FRIENDS. the potential has literally been there from the start!

and for the love of god give me this moment:

"i never thanked you for the camera you got me for christmas back in '83."

"i told nancy not to tell you it was from me."

"she didn't."

oh and if argyle is not tagging along and bringing up the mood and smoking pot with the both of them, then i don't want it. they'd be a trio for the ages.

4. joyce/hopper/enzo/murray/wayne

probably my most basic answer but i am in desperate need for established jopper fluff with their besties tagging along for the ride. and i have been a bring wayne munson into the gang truther since volume one so i am DYING to see this.

hopper and wayne bonding over losing a kid.

enzo, murray, and joyce being a comedic trio.

them all being badass and saving their kids. murray giving byler a much needed moment of clarity. jopper having moments with el, will, & jonathan. enzo introducing to the gang his son (who possibly becomes a member of the party.) wayne completely crumbling when he sees kas for the first time.

the potential of it all... 🥂

[librosamarillos]

passed down like folk songs

chapter 7: it would've been you

Maegor Targaryen x OC

Also on Ao3

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Tags: hurt/comfort, friends to lovers, angst, mature themes, targaryen incest, violence, Maegor is a red flag himself, characters are ooc probably, MINORS DNI

Let the angst begin besties! <3

“What?!” Ceryse asked in pure shock.

When her handmaidens ran into her chambers to rush her to her father’s solar, this was the last thing she was expecting to hear. She assumed something horrible had happened and technically, it had, just not in the way she was expecting. Her brothers were quiet, both looking at their father, deep in thought.

“Your uncle had suggested it, the King himself accepted and requested the wedding take place as soon as possible.”

“Why would he suggest marrying me into that family? With those people? When was I going to be told?” she asked, trying to wrap her head around what was happening.

“Marrying into the royal family, you will live like a princess. You’ll want for nothing.”

“I don’t want to leave Oldtown. I’ll be in King’s Landing all alone! You said it yourself, the Targaryens cannot be trusted. And the Prince? Surely you’ve heard what they say of him. You want me wed to that supposed brute?” she asked, looking to her brothers for support.

“It is a smart move, but you plan to leave our sister alone there? Surrounded by dragons?” her younger brother, Morgan spoke up. 

“It would be foolish for them to mistreat her. The whole point of this union is Oldtown’s alliance. They’re not dumb.” their father countered. He turned to her, approaching her. “Ceryse, I know this is less than ideal, but we are not in a position to reject this proposal. You are six and twenty, my dear. You’ve turned down every lord who’s asked for your hand so far, it’s time you married and settled down. You’ll marry into the most powerful family in Westeros, your children shall have dragons.” he added.

Ceryse thought for a moment. She found the idea even more dreadful the more she let it sink in. If she had it her way, she’d remain in the Hightower for the rest of her days, surrounded by the people that loved her, not by strangers that she didn’t trust. 

What were the Targaryens, other than invaders? Coming to their land, forcing their people to yield or die a most painful death? And now she’d have to marry into their family? When had they let an outsider marry in anyway? Alysanne was a cousin, that was as far as they were willing to go, since the Queens had no daughters. Just the thought disgusted her. Truly, how could they bed their own brother? And would her own children have to marry each other? Surely her uncle wouldn’t allow it, but would they even care to listen when they could burn them all to the ground? She shuddered. 

It was a smart move on their part, she had to admit. Her uncle and the faith were the Targaryen’s biggest problem, so a union would bring them all on their side. She just hated that it had to be her. She adored her family, her city, her friends, and now she’d be shipped off to the capital that she hated. 

Ceryse remembered when the King visited Oldtown with his sister, Queen Rhaenys. She was young, but she immediately didn’t like them, as open a mind as she tried to keep. Aegon had this air of assured righteousness, as if he was owed their land and their support, and Rhaenys took a supposed interest in their culture. She clearly put up a front, Ceryse knew. It wasn’t her first time in a court, there were many like her that pretended to care for others, wanting to appear kindhearted. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but the Queen treated them like one would treat a child who was babbling. Like she was above them, giggling at their ways and thoughts. She couldn’t stand it. She felt guilty to be glad she was no longer here. 

She had only seen Queen Visenya once, from afar. It scared her, that it was her son she’d be marrying. Both their reputations were cold and ruthless. Visenya was the most feared out of her siblings, and for good reason. Supposedly Prince Maegor was a brutal man, a knight at six and ten, the blood of many on his hands, something he had enjoyed, or so she heard. If the rumours were true, he was nothing like the charismatic and kind Aenys, quite the opposite. Gods, how could she be optimistic about this union? It was her duty, she knew, but she had always hoped her duty could be near her home, far away from dragons. The gods had other plans, it seemed. 

“I still don’t trust them, father. Even if they don’t mistreat her, Ceryse will have to spend the rest of her days with that man and his family. Do you trust them with our sister’s life?” her eldest brother, Martyn argued. 

Their father was silent for a moment. Very few times could she remember seeing him look this defeated. He looked at them all, eyes landing finally on Ceryse, before he spoke again. 

“I do not. But I’m afraid we have no choice. Your uncle made the suggestion without consulting me, if we step back now, it will only make the situation between the crown and the faith worse. We cannot risk our house like this.” he explained, grasping her hands. “I don’t want to send you away to them, believe me, my daughter. If I had it my way, I’d find you a match here, close to us. I fear it’s too late for that. I do not trust the Targaryens, but I do trust you. It’ll be difficult, but I know if anyone could navigate it, it would be you, Ceryse.” 

Her father, Lord Manfred Hightower, was a pragmatic man. He had the gift of assessing a situation and putting his feelings to the side in order to make a decision with the most favourable results. This time, he was having a hard time doing so. She knew why. They had lost their mother not even a year ago, the pain of her loss still looming large on their family, and now he was losing his daughter. Although quite formal, they were always close. It was hard to picture her life without having her father and brothers so close by. She had recently become an aunt, and she adored her nephew and good sister.  It was so unfair she’d have to leave it all behind. 

“I understand father. I’ll… I’ll prepare for the trip.” she nodded, and her father pressed a kiss on her forehead. Nobody in that room wanted to leave. 

“You hate this.” Martyn stated, entering her chambers. 

Ceryse was throwing dresses for the trip on her bed, trying to decide on what to wear. If she was going to be forced into that family, at least she was going to look good while doing it. She turned to face her brother, who had his arms crossed. 

“Of course I do. But what’s done is done, I might as well not drag my feet. It would only make me twice as miserable.” she answered, biting the inside of her cheek. “Besides, the rumours could be greatly exaggerated. At least I hope they are.” 

Martyn looked down. 

“I wish I could go with you.” he sighed. 

“You need to be here. To be acting Lord of the Hightower. If what I heard the maids whisper is true, uncle will insist we marry here, in the Starry sept. If the King wishes for us to marry quickly, I’ll be back soon.” she countered. “Does that not sound suspicious to you?” she asked. 

“Hm?” Martyn looked up at her. 

“That he wishes for us to marry as soon as possible.” Ceryse mused. “He’s trying to rush our union, is it not strange that the King is doing so? It should be the other way around, for a house to push for the union with a Prince. I think the King is hiding something.” she said, eyeing her brother. 

“Perhaps he’s trying to save his son from scandal. That, or he’s very eager to mend relations with the faith before he gets too old to govern.” he answered thoughtfully. 

It was silent for a while. Ceryse didn’t want to worry her family any more than they already were, but she was truly afraid of what she was getting into. Martyn seemed to sense it, wrapping her in his embrace, silently sharing her sorrow. 

“Please be careful. The dragons can be unpredictable, dangerous. Warm up to the Prince, you’ll at least be safe.” he pleaded, before pulling away. How she’d miss him. 

“Morgan and uncle will join us to King’s Landing. They’ll… keep me safe.” she said, trying to convince herself that her brother and uncle could stand a chance against dragonfire. 

The Hightowers had the advantage of politics and cultural influence; they'd be a great tool for House Targaryen to show that they were joining Westerosi culture and traditions, but dragons were volatile. Who’s to say they wouldn’t burn them to the crisp if they were displeased? Sure, now they are playing politicians, but what if they go back to how they were? Bathing the kingdoms in fire and blood? Ceryse could only put on a brave face and do her best to survive. 

Court was summoned in the throne room, leaving everyone to whisper in anticipation about what this could be for. Grandmaester Gawen had informed Rowan, and everyone else in the library at the time, of the sudden announcement the King and Queen wanted to make. He seemed in good spirits, making her assume the King would announce a new project for the city. 

In the throne room, she quickly spotted her father, who also appeared to be looking for her, greeting her with a smile. Her eyes found the royal family, all standing in front of the throne, whereas the King and Queen stood atop. Rowan studied them for a moment. The King appeared happy, no, satisfied. Visenya on the other hand was nervous. As much as she resented Aegon for all the pain he caused Visenya, she had to admit, they looked good together as a couple. To those who didn’t know her, she appeared stoic and confident, but she knew better than that. She noticed she always clenched her jaw a specific way when she was trying to calm her nerves. Had they argued? Perhaps the King had chosen to do something Visenya disagreed with? She was sure she’d tell her about it eventually. 

Maegor stood next to Aenys on the base of the throne, looking like a million things were on his mind. Rowan was worried now. As if feeling her eyes on him, he only returned a tiny glance, before looking straight ahead. He looked guilty. Any excitement she felt before had now faded away. She tried to not let her mind assume the worst, but it was too late. 

“I have happy news this afternoon. It is with great joy that I announce the betrothal of Prince Maegor to the Lady Ceryse Hightower. The High Septon himself will join House Hightower in court within a fortnight to discuss the details for the grand ceremony.” Aegon’s voice boomed in the room, causing the lords and ladies to cheer, offering congratulations to the Prince. 

Rowan felt the room shatter around her. For a moment, she couldn’t hear anything but her own racing heart. For a second, she thought she saw Visenya give her an apologetic glance, but she couldn’t be sure. She quickly snapped out of it, trying to replace her broken expression with a smile to match everyone else’s. Not until her father grabbed her hand, did she notice she was clenching her fists so hard, her nails had drawn blood on her palms. She watched the people around her, not fully registering what was happening.

She didn’t know how long she was standing there, still as a statue, until court was dismissed. She felt her father pull her away, heading straight to her chambers. It took her a few minutes to truly understand what was happening, to understand Maegor would not be hers. Her father was talking to her, but her ears were ringing. Realising his words were not getting through to her, he pulled her into a tight embrace. 

In her father’s arms she felt the first few tears drop. And then she wept. She wept and wept until she couldn’t breathe. She mourned the future she let herself dream of with Maegor, she mourned their little family she imagined nightly, she mourned for all the love she had for him that she knew would never fade away, she mourned for herself that would have to watch him from afar as he married another and had a life with her, all in front of her eyes.

“I’m so sorry, darling.” her father whispered, rubbing her back to try and soothe her. “Just let it all out.”

By the time Rowan stopped crying, it was nighttime. Had she truly spent the entire afternoon there, crying? Her father had offered her some water, his face riddled with concern. Water was a welcome and calming thing, helping to bring her back to reality. She made her way to the vanity, splashing her face with the water in the bowl, her hands lingering on her cheeks. Her palms were stinging, the half moon indentations still red. How had she not realised how much it hurt before? She looked up at her father, who still looked at her with sorrow.

“Did you know?” she asked softly.

“No, the Queen hadn’t informed me of this, or hinted at anything.” his voice was soft, calming.

Rowan nodded, before walking to the small table and pouring herself another glass of much needed cold water. She drank it and sat down, her expression empty. Her father took both of her hands into his own.

“My love, please do not take this the wrong way, but I must know. Did he… do anything to you? Has something happened?” he asked, his voice heavy with worry.

“No, no father. It’s just…” she trailed, her voice still hoarse, “we kissed, the night of the feast at home, but nothing more. He told me he wished to ask the King to have us wed, but…” she felt herself tear up again, shaking her head.

Her father let out a sigh of relief, before making his way right next to her to wrap his arms around her once more, his warmth soothing the ache in her chest just a bit. Rowan never imagined heartbreak to feel so literal, that her heart was indeed being torn to shreds. How was she to feel normal ever again?

“I’m sorry my girl, I know it feels awful. I wish things were different, but the situation could not be helped. Not with so much involved.” he whispered.

“I know.” she whispered back, wrapping her arms around him as well. “I let myself believe that things would be a bit different, but I suppose I was foolish to do so.” 

“My love, you’re no fool for loving someone and hoping. It’s just that life can be cruel sometimes.” he said, patting her hair.

“I know… It could not be helped.” she whispered. “I just wish to go to bed. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“Nonsense. I’ll always be here, no matter how small or big you think a problem is. I’ll leave you to rest. Would you break fast with me in the morning?” he asked.

Rowan nodded and he placed a small kiss on her forehead, wishing her a good night. She felt like her body moved on its own as she undressed to wear her nightgown and undid the braids from her hair. She laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, her heart still aching.

How could she not foresee this happening? It was the only logical thing to happen, that he married for advantage, as the Targaryen rule was still too new, in need of solid allies from great houses. Ceryse, she remembered her. They had been introduced at a great feast in Highgarden, as their fathers were friends as boys. She was great company and Rowan recalled she had the most beautiful blue eyes she’d ever seen. She would make a lovely bride, she was sure of that. It didn’t stop her heart from feeling like it was being stabbed a million times at the thought. 

How was she to face Maegor ever again? She felt that looking into his eyes would end her, that it would be too much. Like it would tear her apart to even hear his voice and be near him, but all she wanted to do was run to him regardless. What was she to do? Abandon her studies in King’s Landing and hide away in the Citadel? The more she thought of it, the idea was growing on her. To run away.

Her fingers traced the cuts on her palms, as she wondered how the discussion went. Had Maegor fought for them at all? Did he try, or did he accept his King’s commands at once? Had Visneya tried to sway him? The questions were eating her alive, she was unsure how she’d find any sleep at all. 

Did she regret it, kissing him that night? Knowing what a euphoric feeling it was, to feel so close and connected to someone, how his stubble tickled her face, how she loved the way he held her, how she felt her heart jump and race at how he looked at her. Gods, she didn’t even want to look at anyone else but him. She blushed at the memory of his firm hands pulling her so close to him, she could think of nothing else since then.

But he was no longer hers, he never was. Someone else would have him all to herself and it made her burn with jealousy, before the guilt hit her. It wasn’t Ceryse’s fault that Rowan went and fell in love, like an idiot- had she ever admitted that before? Love, she never said the word out loud. But she knew, she always knew she loved Maegor. And in that moment, she hated herself for it, for she knew she’d never stop.

Maegor wanted to scream. He wanted to rage, to break everything and anything in his wake, to march into battle and kill. But he had to sit in the small council meeting regarding the possible expenses of his upcoming wedding. Aenys was casting him sympathetic glances throughout the whole thing, but Maegor kept his face blank, save for the light frown that was always present. His father went back to normal, in not paying much attention to him, which normally filled him with unspeakable anger, but right then he was glad, for he knew he’d get told off for appearing like he had murder in his eyes during talk of his wedding. His mother was unreadable. She didn’t speak much, only asking for specifics in their budget, seemingly satisfied at the reminder of the Hightower’s wealth and thus their grand contribution.

The only thing on his mind was Rowan. Just the thought of her made him want to scream again. He only caught a glimpse of her face, how hurt and absolutely destroyed she looked, before putting on a smile to not raise suspicion. He wanted to run to her, to hold her, to tell her it was her he loved and her alone, to apologise a million times. She had told him years ago that she worried about things outside of their control, and like a fool he thought he could control his father’s decision. He felt like the biggest traitor in the world.

“Maegor, did you hear me?” Aenys’ soft voice made him turn.

Maegor blinked. The room was empty, leaving only him and his half-brother there. When did he stop listening and when did all of them leave? Aenys walked close to him, awkwardly placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I was nervous too, when I was first betrothed.” he offered another kind smile.

Maegor only hummed, not wanting to humour his half-brother, but not wanting to raise suspicion of his true feelings either. He wasn’t nervous, he was angry this was even happening. He was angry about many things, but this anger was a different beast.

“Lady Ceryse is lovely, I’ve met her many times in the progresses in Oldtown, I think you’ll grow quite fond of her.” Aenys said.

The thought of ever growing fond of anyone else felt like a sin so great, the gods he didn’t even believe in would strike him down where he stood.

“I see.” he managed to spit out.

“You know, even if things are awkward in the beginning, you two will grow close when you have children. I know it was true for me and Alyssa.” he offered his advice, before stepping back, as if he could feel the rage seeth out of Maegor.

He wanted once again to march into some battle for the kill. He had longed for fatherhood for a long time, but only with Rowan at his side, no one else. And now what he longed for would never be, it couldn’t. Would he even be able to look at his children if they weren’t Rowan’s, or would he treat them like his father treated him? He knew she’d hate him if he did. 

He gulped. Did she hate him now? Would she slap him, yell at him, call him a coward? He didn’t think Rowan was even capable of such anger, but he wished she could. He felt he’d deserve everything she’d throw at him. Anything but her tear soaked face. That would send him into a spiral he’d never get out of. He promised himself he’d protect her from any harm, but now the pain was his fault.

“Maegor?” Aenys’ face showed concern as he looked up at him.

“Thank you for the advice. I shall keep it in mind.” he somehow managed to sound somewhat grateful, before turning to leave.

He had to find her.

After escaping his chambers unnoticed, he managed to go unseen in the dark of the night. He was always vigilant, his eyes noticing everything at all times, including what times the servants went to bed, leaving the halls empty. He found himself at Rowan’s door, a lump in his throat, feeling for a moment that he couldn’t move, that he wanted to run away like a boy. But he had to see her, he needed to. So he knocked, and entered as soon as he heard a confused ‘yes?’.

She was sitting on the desk, writing a letter, her eyes wide in surprise when she saw him enter. For what felt like forever, neither spoke. She played with her fingers as she rose, the way she always did when she was nervous.

“I’m so sorry.” he managed to find his voice.

Rowan only nodded, the sorrow in her eyes being answer enough. Maegor walked close to her, close enough to hold her hands. 

“I tried to reason with him, truly. He and mother had a fight about it too. He had already accepted on my behalf, I swear it, I would never have accepted if I was given the chance.” his voice trembled as his eyes burned looking down at her own broken face.

“I understand, it is your duty. You cannot run from it.” she said softly, a frown on her face. 

He hated it. He hated seeing her so sad, so defeated and not being able to fix it.

“Lady Ceryse is a fine woman, she’ll make a lovely bride and wife to you.” she managed a pained smile, as tears slipped from her eyes.

“Please don’t. Don’t say that. I don’t want anyone else but you. All I want is you.” he pleaded, tears beginning to stream down his own face, but unlike the hot angry ones he shed in her arms as a boy, but desperate and miserable ones.

Rowan shook her head.

“But that’s not the reality of things, no matter how much I hate that it is not. What’s done is done, we cannot be.” her own voice was hoarse from crying. “You have a duty to your house, to your family, to your wife. As much as it pains me, you were never mine to lose, Maegor.” she shook her head again.

Maegor felt himself torn apart. How much had she wept for her voice to be so strained, for her eyes to be so puffy? How he hated himself at that moment. He hated feeling powerless more than anything.

“It should’ve been you. It would’ve been you, had he only listened to me.” he frowned. 

“He was thinking like a King should. It’s no one’s fault. Life is unfair at times.” she breathed, closing her eyes for a moment.

They fell in silence again, gripping at each other’s hands. Rowan looked to the ground, like looking at him pained her. But Maegor’s eyes were pleading for her to do just that, to look at him. He felt the back of her hand with his thumb, before sensing her stiffening up. He turned her hands to look at them, his eyes widening at the fresh scars caused by her own nails. She tried to pull away in shame, but he held on. She always picked on the skin around her fingers when her anxiety was too much, she was always ashamed of it when he noticed.

“Rowan…” he whispered, his concerned voice making her shake her head again.

“It’s nothing. Really.” she finally looked at him with her puffy green eyes. “You really shouldn’t be here. If someone were to see you-”

“No one saw me.”

Another moment of silence.

“The wedding, it will be in Oldtown, won’t it?” she asked.

He hated it. He hated how pragmatic she was, how calm and thoughtful. He wanted her to yell at him, to scream, to throw things at him. All that he would deserve. Her calmness, he did not feel worthy of. He nodded.

“I’ll return home, but we’ll come to the ceremony, father and I.” she said.

“What?” he asked, panic suddenly taking over. “You’re leaving? But- When will I see you again? Rowan you cannot leave. What of your studies, or- or helping your father? Please, you cannot leave, I cannot bear not seeing you.” he pleaded.

“Do you think I can bear to see you with another? Everyday? Do you not think it would drive me mad? How could we ever go back to normal if I stay?” she pleaded right back.

Maegor was speechless. He felt like the biggest asshole there ever was for asking her to stay. Every part of this conversation hurt, but the reality that she wouldn’t be here with him half the year, like she always did, sliced his heart apart.

“I hate that I’ll leave, believe me, I do. But we cannot- we can’t, it’s not fair. It’s not fair to you, to me or to Ceryse. Please… you have to go. The hour is late.” she pleaded one last time, her voice still trembling as she pulled her hands out of his grasp to wipe her tears and take a step back.

It felt final, too final. He knew she was right, he hated that she was. But soon the guards would change shifts, he had to leave, even though everything in him was yelling at him to stay. He looked at her again, wishing to fall into her arms and weep.

“Rowan… I lo-”

“Please don’t say it.” she begged, holding back a sob.  

taglist:@heartstalked@stupidocupido@discowizard88 @slytherisstuff

[bubblegum-blackwood]

Fifteen Questions Fifteen Mutuals

Thanks for tagging, @dontbesylly and @uncivilcivilservice!

1. Are you named after anyone?

Yes, a notable figure in Christianity (won't say which for privacy reasons, you may just know me as Persefoni)

2. When was the last time you cried?

Oh man I don't remember, it was probably like a few weeks ago lying in bed at 2am making up some really depressing story I will never commit to paper. That happens a lot lmao

3. Do you have kids?

I do not.

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

I would say I use it a moderate amount.

5. What sports do you play/have played?

Wouldja count being in marching band and winterguard in high school?

6. What's the first thing you notice about people? 

Usually their look/aesthetic/what they're wearing.

7. What's your eye color?

Blue, but vague enough that some people think they're grey.

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

9. Any special talents?

Writing? Getting overstimulated at the dinner table? Bringing books to family gatherings?

10. Where were you born?

In a hospital 😈😈😈

11. What are your hobbies?

Writing (or, rather, starting story ideas I forget about for two years), going on Tumblr, nerding out with my best friend about classic lit and historical fashion, scaring people off with my extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for vampires, adding two hundred pins to a Pinterest board in a matter of a few hours and then never touching the board again, playing the trumpet

12. Do you have pets?

Two cats, Fred and George, littermates. Those are the names they came with, although my mom considered Simon and Oliver. They're technically not mine but the entire family's. Fred is a tuxedo and George is a tabby.

13. How tall are you?

Five feet exactly

14. Favorite subject in school?

English.

15. Dream job?

Writer, author, whatever you want to call it. I want to make books and poetry and get paid for it.

Tagging:

If you don't recognise this blog and I tagged you know that my main is persefoniajax and from there you can find what my other blogs are

@the-apostates-martyr @dorianbluee @dorianslayyy @faerywhimsy @redversaillesrose @darkangel1791 @whiteliesblueskies @kaelio @desertfangs @sspoike @rainbowcarousels @le-cabinet-du-garei @neilcfreak @ancientsassybitch @a-random-guy-online

[daisyyy-do]

Get To Know Me - Redacted Listener Edition

Thank you so much @whatalovelymae for tagging me in this <3! I know it’s super late but I’m only alive on here every so often (╥_╥)

——————————————————————————

Favourite Listener Character? Angel and Sweetheart

One part of me loves Angel because I can see myself in them, but the other part just thinks that they’re somebody that I’d genuinely enjoy being friends with not just to get with their man. David move over if you won’t play minecraft with your mate; I will. Extra added bonus is sweetheart because hello do they not just radiate ‘I am hot’ energy. Plus their mischievous side just makes the happy. I live for the fear they’ve instilled in Milo.

Listener Character I Relate The Most To? Angel

As previously mentioned, unbeknownst to myself, it’s 100% Angel. There’s multiple videos that I’ve kind of went ‘oh shit that’s me’ when Angel has said/done something. I often think about the ‘comforted after a hard day at work’ video and Angel’s reaction overall and I can’t help but just ahhh.

Favourite Listener Character To write/Read For? Sunshine

I absolutely LOVE sunshine’s character the recent videos are breaking my heart and the experiences they’ve been through, so writing about them is the most enjoyable. As in reading, I’m a sucker for found family, so any fics which include the wolf pack, the Solaire Clan, or the DAMN bois immediately have my heart in a tight grip.

I Want Their Life: Freelancer

You really think I wouldn’t pick four people who turned into a found family and care for each other immensely and would die for each other? AH. I’m so immensely jealous of the bond Freelancer has with the boys and what I would give to have it in my own life. My dream goal is to play smash with the bois and beat Damien just to see his expression slowly turn into anger. I’m incredibly competitive myself so losing is not an option.

I Have Their Life: ?

Dude I have no idea. Luckily it’s not like cuties atm that’s a bonus. Everyone’s in a relationship man and I cannot relate because I don’t want to be in a relationship and most of their videos revolve around their relationships 🧍‍♀️. I guess you could say the DAMN crew as a whole because we’ve both got exams going on in our lives atm. We’re suffering together.

I Want Their Powers: I’m breaking the script

Gravitation. You do not understand how badly I want this ability. If you think about it, technically you have telekinesis and the ability to fly. Also black holes hello? I could wipe my enemies out of existence? I’m joking, I have no enemies. It’s mainly the feeling of being weightless. Because yeah okay you can fly, but flying isn’t being weightless you’re still fighting against gravity, but remove that problem and you can literally float AHHHH. It sounds so peaceful. But if I HAD to choose a character it’s without a doubt sweethearts. I get to scare my friends for a living sign me up please.

Comfort Listener Character? SWEETHEART

Like I previously mentioned the MISCHIEF. They never fail to make me laugh, especially with the sleep aid. Their anxiety video also makes me feel extremely safe it’s such a warm video towards the end of it with the absolute care in Milo’s voice. Sweetheart is chaos and I love chaos.

——————————————————————————

It’s like a month later after when I was originally tagged in this but it’s fineee (thank you once again mae <3). This is rushed as hell I did it within the hour but it’s good enough.

All the accounts I previously wanted to tag have already done this (this is what I get for being late). SO, if you see this just do it and tag me I’d love to see ittt ✨.

If there are any spelling mistakes; it’s you not me this relationship can no longer go on 😔.

[hippolotamus]

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Rules: post the top 5 works you’re most proud of that you released in 2022 (not necessarily your most popular), your top 4 current WIPs that you’re excited to release in the new year, your top 3 biggest improvements in your writing over the past year, your top 2 resolutions (ways you wish to improve your writing/blog) for the new year, and your number 1 favorite line you’ve written this year!

Tagged by @rmd-writes @blackandwhiteandrose & darling wife @lizzie-bennetdarcy 🥰

5 works (in no particular order)

Warm Hellos and Our Last Goodnights This one is definitely a pride and joy of mine, despite it's more serious content. Well, really because of the more serious content. Up until I published this I felt I was an author readers could count on for fluff and light-hearted feels. But the idea shouted at me and begged to be written. I'm truly glad I listened. [David/Patrick, T, CW: MCD]

What's Next? My first crack at writing Rachel, during a period when there was some fandom upheaval over her purpose in the show. By far one of my least popular offerings. It was satisfying to dig into her side of the breakup and what she may or may not have noticed before Patrick left for Schitt's Creek. [Patrick/Rachel, G]

Whatever may come (your heart I will choose) This one is... my baby, love of my life, I'll snarl if you look at it wrong. LOL (sort of). In all seriousness I have a very strong attachment to this work. There are many pieces of my own complicated coming out journey littered in every corner of it. Mapping out Eddie's journey from high school to adulthood was... let's just say I'm getting choked up thinking about it. It's safe to say I'm very proud of my Marshmallow. [Buck/Eddie, M]

My Favorite Color is You I both love this one and am quite proud of it. It's a level of E I hadn't really explored before and, while some of it could probably use some tweaks and fine tuning, I love the shit out of it. Artist!Buck being adored by one Eddie Diaz, with a side of painting each other, lives in my head rent free. Always. [Buck/Eddie, E]

The Sound of My Heart My first attempt at fake dating. It was... a wild ride from a plot planning perspective. (I use the word planning incredibly loosely here). However, I'm rather impressed at Past Me's ability to research a city I hadn't been to since my senior year of high school [redacted] years ago. Researching train schedules and the New York Botanical Gardens was probably my favorite part of the whole experience. [David/Patrick, T]

4 wips

4... really??? Okay, so the ones most likely to get published that I'm excited about:

Completing If you like Fashion & Baseball

A yet to be named Twylexis oneshot with some worry/comfort over a health scare.

For the Record [working title]: a fluffy little Buddie first kiss/getting together fic for @shortsighted-owl

Continuing to add to the Secrets & Lies universe

3 biggest improvements

Punctuation around dialog tags. Still a struggle but better than before.

Taking direction from my betas and applying those notes more consistently

Varying my word usage by eliminating duplicates and making more trips to the thesaurus.

2 resolutions

Writing multi-chapter works fully before publishing. I am terrible about this and often write myself into a corner.

Consistently adding more eyeballs to a doc for feedback.

Number 1 Favorite Line

This was insanely difficult to choose just one. I'm cheating and picking something from both fandoms:

I know all your secrets: “Never better. Should we exchange the usual my country wants you dead pleasantries first or is foreplay off the menu tonight?” 

Whatever May Come: Technically only one line used multiple times, but I absolutely adore the repetition of I love you, I love you, I love you in chapter 23. There's just so much yearning packed into it.

I don't know who has been there, done that with this but I'll tag @shortsighted-owl @vanillahigh00 @alysiswriting @sarahlevys

[librathefangirl]

My Writing Year in Review - 2022

I only joined ao3 in July and I've definitely haven't written as much as I've wanted this year, but I figured I'd celebrate the new year with looking back at the writing accomplishments I did manage in 2022. @LibraTheFangirl.

(Continue reading for my personal favorite posted stories of 2022 and why, as well as resolutions/plans and WIPs for 2023).

Stories posted: 6.

Fandoms posted:

Stranger Things (3 stories).

Nowhere Boys (1 story).

9-1-1: Lone Star (1 story).

S.W.A.T. (1 story).

Pairings posted:

Jonathan Byers/Steve Harrington/Nancy Wheeler (3 stories).

Carlos Reyes/TK Strand (1 story).

Word count: 3, 249.

Longest story: TK Vs Tomatoes (9-1-1: Lone Star) - 944 word, 1/2 chapters.

Completed stories: 5 out of 6.

Most common tags:

Hurt/Comfort (4 stories).

Hurt Steve Harrington (2 stories).

Triple Drabble (2 stories).

Most popular stories:

Hits: Warm Hands (Stranger Things) - 1, 897 hits.

Kudos: Warm Hands (Stranger Things) - 196 kudos.

Comment threads:

Warm Hands (Stranger Things) - 3 comment threads.

Trust and Needles (Stranger Things) - 3 comment threads.

I Think I Love You (Stranger Things) - 3 comment threads.

Bookmarks: Warm Hands (Stranger Things) - 3 bookmarks.

Subscriptions: TK Vs Tomatoes (9-1-1: Lone Star) - 17 subscriptions.

Total hits: 5, 815. Total kudos: 568.

Total comment threads: 13. Total bookmarks: 78.

Total story subscriptions: 26. User subscriptions: 4.

My personal favorite stories posted:

Warm Hands (Stranger Things)

Jonathan’s gaze softens as he uses his free hand to lift up the blanket. Steve blinks at the sight underneath. His chest is almost completely covered in bandages. Yeah. Not good. “Oh.” Jonathan places the blanket back down. His hand gently gracing over Steve’s chest. Jonathan gives him a warm smile. Nancy still looks angry. Steve gives her an uncertain look, and she sighs, “You scared the shit out of us, Steve.” “Sorry.” “It’s fine, just- Don’t do it again,” Jonathan says and Steve smiles. “Not making any promises.” “Of course you won’t,” Nancy scoffs half-heartedly. “Next time, I’ll kill you myself.”

I feel like what I really like about this story is more about the circumstances and what it meant to me than the story itself, if that makes sense. This was not only my first Stranger Things and Stoncy story, but also the main reason I finally got an ao3 and Tumblr account in the first. Mind you, I've wanted to get those for years now, but Stoncy Week 2022 and with it this story was what finally pushed past the anxiety and whatnot. This was also the first time in a really long time I just sat down and actually wrote. This story's signifies my way back to writing.

The Bremin Gang (Nowhere Boys)

“... Still, try finding another four kids in Bremin who could have solved the mystery of why that demon wanted an apple tree.” “We never figured out why it wanted the tree.” “Why do you have to ruin my fun, Jakey?” For a moment the two boys just stared at each other, then Jake sighed. “Okay, I’ll bite. Who’s who?” Glancing over his shoulder at the other two teens, the earth element then added, “Andy’s Velma, right?” “Of course!” Sam agreed. “And you’re Fred, except instead of traps you think brute force is the answer to everything. Your method is about as successful as his traps.”

This technically wasn't written in 2022, but it was posted then, so it still counts. I mostly just write Hurt/Comfort and Whump, so I take a little extra pride whenever I manage some more lighthearted/humor-esque. This is also something I've wanted to share for a while. And who doesn't love a good Scooby-Doo comparison? 😂

New year writing resolutions and plans for 2023:

Writing more regularly for the sake of writing and my own enjoyment.

Participate in Febuwhump and Whumptober.

Complete at least SOME of my too-many-to-count WIPS 😂

Cross-posting my FF-stories on a03? (Not without spell-checking though, my god, my old works have som brutal errors 😂)

WIPs I'm most excited about (so many but here's a selected few):

Tarlos Timer AU (9-1-1: Lone Star; current word count: 1k+ words)

Carlos had grieved for a man he’d never know for a few months when TK Strand came crashing into his life.

This is one of my WIPs i'm most excited AND most frustrated with (the writing just isn't coming along as I wish it was). It's a Tarlos soulmate AU where everyone's born with a timer on their wrist, representing their soulmate's (remaining) life. The story takes off at the beginning of the show (and probably will include a somewhat rewriting/changing of season 1) when Carlos is faced with the sudden horror of the timer on his wrist hitting zero, signifying the death of his soulmate. Everything just gets more angsty and chaotic after that as the Strands arrive in Austin. (Read a sneak peek from chapter 1 here!)

Meliodas Tortured in Hell Three-Shot (Nanatsu no Taizai/ The Seven Deadly Sins; current word count: 700+ words)

“Oh…” Meliodas’ gaze finally finds his. “An illusion.” King’s blood runs cold at the statement. “Captain, no. I-”

Originally planned for Whumptober 2022's prompts: "No one's coming" + "Are you here to break me out?" + Carried to Safety + Tears. A non-canon compliant story where Meliodas, shortly after the Sins find out he's a demon, is taken to Hell on order by his father. There's lot of angst and whump, from both Meliodas and the Sins part, some torture, as well as King being forced to confront his feelings regarding Meliodas (a classic trope in my 7DS WIPs).

The Curious Case of Stoncy (Stranger Things; current word count: 200+ words)

It all started for once not with Dustin, but with Will and Mike. Of course, the real start had happened between Steve and Nancy and Jonathan and a quiet house months prior. But the kids didn’t know any of that. So, for the kids it all started with Will and Mike and a broken lamp.

Originally planned for Stoncy Week 2022 Day 7: Secret Relationship. To sum it up: Jonathan, Steve and Nancy are dating, but nobody knows. The kids don't get their relationship, especially since Jonathan and Steve apparently "can't be friends" yet are suddenly hanging out together. This all leads to the them launching a whole investigation. Things get as chaotic as you might think with that.

When the Spell Breaks (Nanatsu no Taizai; current word count: <100 words)

It was a startling realization for a king to make, but while the Seven Deadly Sins had always served him, their loyalties had never been his to claim.

Okay, not sure if this even counts as a proper WIP because this sentence is all I have so far. But this is one of the two 7DS AUs I'm most excited about (the other I wanna develop a bit more before sharing though). Basically, it's an AU where the Sins were never framed. Somewhere along the years, the Sins found out about Meliodas being a demon and agreed to keep it within the group. Then some Stuff™ happens and the secret is spilled. The kingdom reacts badly and the Sins are like screw that. They pretty much chooses Meliodas over the kingdom and willingly becomes fugitives of Liones to protect their captain. Then it goes from there.

[gothhabiba]

[ID: a screenshot of the little blurb that pops up before you click through to a link if you search "define purpose" on DuckDuckGo. text reads "purpose" (pûr′pəs). noun. 1. The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or goal: synonym: intention. 2. Determination; resolution. 3. In biology; the result which a structure tends to secure, without any reference to an intelligent agent. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition. A red rectangle has been added around definition number 3. end ID]

@motherfucker-somewhat-limited's tags read: #look i know this is a counterargument to bigots who try to use evolution to support their transphobia/racism/sexism/etc #(all of whom can fucking choke) #but this is one of the worst takes i have ever seen on evolution #definitely has the air of a creationist going ''well it's just a THEORY'' #when ''theory'' in fact has a different definition in scientific spaces than in the common vernacular

The purpose (lol) of my putting scare quotes around "purpose" every single time I use it in that post is in order to shew that I'm using it in the colloquial sense—namely sense 1. I'm trying to address and counter a misunderstanding that arises from people misunderstanding scientific concepts and terminology because of conflicting colloquial definitions of a given word, not take advantage of one to argue against science, so your comparison there is just completely beside the point.

I think it ultimately a bit vacuous to try to use an Argumentum Ad Dictionarium on me here. Just to point out that this definition is technically "in" a dictionary doesn't say anything about how this definition arose, the circumstances of its use, or the ways in which people practically understand it. In fact this is the very thing my OP is trying to explore.

The reason that this terminology is used in scientific circles is because it's a useful extension from (/ schema or metaphor based on) a colloquial definition of a word. Biologists, when using this phrase, do not actually believe that things evolve in order to fulfil a specific "purpose" (noun: "the object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or goal"). But it's easier to say that (to quote my OP) "an animal evolved a specific organ in order to do a specific thing" than it is to say whatever entire clunky sentence you would have to say to get closer to the truth of the matter, every single time. So biologists use the word "purpose"—which already had definition 1. before evolution by natural selection was a glimmer in anyone's eye—as a (to quote my OP once more) "shorthand." They are imposing that word "post-hoc on a bunch of processes that just sort of happen," because it is useful to do so. But they must "remind themselves [that it] is untrue." (You could argue that they just sort of statically "know" that it is untrue—personally I think that metaphors and schemata like this are so intuitively attractive—they are used because they are intuitively attractive—that scientists are not immune from needing to consciously refute them to themselves, and are not immune from misunderstandings based on them.)

This kind of use of scientific metaphor—understood to be technically untrue, but easy to understand, apply, and say—technically untrue but useful within certain frames of reference as long as they're not overapplied—&c.—is widespread throughout various scientific disciplines. But a problem can arise when these metaphors are misunderstood (i.e., taken too literally, applied outside of the constrained situations in which they are useful, read as identical to their colloquial meanings). I don't think I'm incorrect at all in asserting that there are non-biologists who literally believe that things evolve in order to meet a specific purpose ("noun: an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal").

Also, to say that this is a bad "take[...] on evolution" is completely silly and overweening given that I highly doubt we disagree on how evolution works. "Processes that cause other processes like them to be replicated in the future are going to become more common in the future" is just one of the mechanisms by which evolution by natural selection operates; that's not controversial. What we appear to disagree about is not in fact "evolution," but rather the state and function of scientific metaphor and its ability to be misunderstood by the public. I think probably you just didn't understand what I was trying to get at here.

things do not evolve for a specific "purpose" btw. if anyone says that they do, then they are at best engaging in a useful but dangerous and obfuscatory shorthand that they must constantly remind themselves is untrue--at worst they are demonstrating that they do not understand how evolution works while attempting to use said misunderstanding to further reactionary evopsych-style arguments

[grantspectortrash]

Sleep With Me, Anytime

Pairing: Steven Grant x Reader (with hints of: Marc Spector x Reader and Jake Lockley x Reader)

Summary: You and Steven live opposite each other and have been dating for a couple of weeks. One night you sleep at Steven’s during a storm. You get to meet Marc and Jake.

This is the 3rd and final part to the Suited and Booted series. Part 1 is here, and part 2 is here!

Warnings/Tags: No warnings. Fluff, forehead kisses, sleeping in the same bed, mentions of all 3 Moon Boys, just cute shit :)

Word Count: 3K

A/N: Credit to justoscarisaac for the GIF. It's beautiful. This fic is a personal favourite of mine, but as always if I’ve portrayed anything incorrectly please call me out on it so I can fix it! If anyone has any requests let me know because I would LOVE to write them!

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Outside a storm is raging. It’s past midnight, with the moon high in the sky, and you haven't slept a wink. You've been tossing and turning for a few hours now, and nothing is working.

Every clap of thunder makes you jump and each and every bolt of lightning makes you squeeze your eyes tight, almost as if if you couldn’t see it then it wouldn’t scare you.

But your tactics aren't working. You feel scared and alone.

So, you distract yourself. You decide to think about your boyfriend, Steven Grant.

You think about the past two weeks and everything that's happened, and how happy it's made you. You go over everything Steven told you after your date at the quiz night. He had promised you that he would explain everything about himself, and he had. The pair of you had sat on your sofa, and Steven’s life was revealed to you.

“You see, I’m not alone in this body. I uh- it’s a identity disorder, see? Technically I’m not even the original. I’m an alter. But I’m still me, still a real person. Still Steven.”

Steven’s explanation made sense. You had heard him in his apartment talking to other people, even though he lived alone. You asked him then, who were the other alters? How many of them were there? You wanted to understand, to finally figure out the life of Steven Grant. He had frowned.

“You don’t think of me differently, do you? Knowing that I’m not just…me? We all have the same brain, kind of. We all have the same body.”

“And so, do you all like me?” The question had slipped out before you had time to stop yourself.

Steven had chuckled, a little. He cocked his head to one side slightly, as if listening to a song far away. You couldn’t hear anything.

“Yes. That’s kind of the number one rule. We all have to agree on someone, you know, that we all like. There’s me, obviously. Then there’s Marc, he’s the original. His last name is Spector. And then there’s Jake. Jake Lockley.”

You had stayed silent for a little while, trying to take in the information. It was hard to process the fact there was three of them, and they all liked you.

“Right, so you’re the only one who…who fronts, then? Or is it like you all are there at once? Have I met Marc, or Jake?”

At that point Steven had explained how fronting worked. He explained who Marc was and what his job was. You had pulled away slightly at the word mercenary, and Steven had no choice but to tell you the whole story. He told you about Khonshu. And after everything, after Steven’s love for Egypt and the way he seemed so strong as well as smart, the fact he was a host for a god seemed believable. You believed Steven, and he couldn’t believe it.

“I know it’s a lot. And I promise I’m not making it up, that would be weird. I just want you to know the truth. And if you don’t want to know me after this, I get it. I really do.”

A rumble of thunder disturbs you from your thoughts, making you nearly jump out of your bed. You don’t want to bother Steven, he had enough issues to be worrying about without your irrational fear of storms being added to the list.

But, you can’t stop thinking about him. Can’t stop thinking about being wrapped in his arms, feeling safe and protected.

The pair of you hadn’t shared a bed yet, you hadn’t even done more than making out and holding hands on dates. Not that you minded. But right now all you want is to be in his arms, in his bed, knowing that you have someone to ride the storm out with.

You slip out of bed, flinching at every lightning strike, and find your slippers and keys. You’re wearing shorts and a tee, standard pyjamas by any means, and you don’t care if Steven sees you in them. You just want him.

You pad across the hall and knock on the door. If he’s asleep, and doesn’t answer, you’ll just go back and try to watch something on the telly instead. But deep down, you’re hoping that you knocked loud enough to wake him up.

The door opens and you’re surprised to see Steven looks wide awake. When he realises it’s you at his door, his demeanour relaxes and he pulls you into a hug.

“Y/N you okay? What’s wrong, love?”

He pulls away from you, all worried with scrunched up eyebrows and a pouty lip. He’s wearing an oversized jumper and baggy sweatpants. His feet are bare, which makes you think he might have been asleep, but the look on his face suggests he hasn’t been sleeping at all.

“The storm, I can’t sleep. I was wondering if maybe I could stay with you? But, only if that’s okay?”

Steven quickly glances behind him, and you suddenly realise you've never been in Steven's apartment before. It's always you at his, and you've only ever hung out outside of Steven's apartment before a date while you waited for him.

You can’t see what he’s looking at, and you think he’s going to turn you away and say you can't come in, but when he looks back at you he’s smiling.

"Oh, love. Come in, yeah? Good thing I was awake. I uh-" Steven pauses as you step into his apartment. The layout is identical to yours, but Steven's flat is way more lived in. There's stacks upon stacks of books all around the apartment, some on bookshelves and some rising up in wobbly towers from the floor. There's lamps on all around the apartment, giving it a warm and cosy feel, even though the storm is still raging outside. Somehow though, just by being with Steven, it doesn't seem to bother you as much.

There's a goldfish tank at the far end of the room, and there's maps and Egyptian posters plastered all over the walls and, just like the layout of your apartment, Steven's bedroom is on show. But it's much different to yours...

There's sand all around the bed, and some sort of restraint is tied to a pole at the end of the bed.

"It's not uh, not a sex thing. Promise." Steven shuts the door behind you and scoots over to his bed, shoving the restraint under it. "Before I figured everything out about Marc and Jake, I thought - well I thought I was losing my mind - but I thought it was a sleeping disorder. I haven't got rid of it because it's kind of, habit? I don't know. Sorry."

Steven is babbling, flattening out his bedsheets and trying to tidy the place up while you stare at him. You think it's cute, the way he gets flustered around you. You take a step closer to him, and take his hand.

"You don't have to apologise Steven. It's alright. Is that why you haven't wanted me to come over before?"

Steven shakes his head, "No no no, Y/N, I've wanted you to come round. I've just...not had the balls to ask."

He squeezes your hand and leads you to his bed, where you both sit down.

"Anyway, you're here now. The storm's scaring you, huh?" Steven brushes a hand through your hair, coming to rest his hand against your cheek. You move to kiss his palm.

"I hate them. And I couldn't sleep. I didn't want to disturb you, but the thought of sleeping with you just seemed so much better than sleeping alone."

Steven moves his hand away from your face, bringing it down to meet your hand. He blushes at your words, but he’s no longer seems ashamed of the affect you have on him. He wears his reddening cheeks with pride.

"You know I'd do anything for you, love. You can sleep with me anytime." His words are sweet, but as soon as he says them his eyes widen, "I mean like, in my bed. Not like sleeping together together, you know? Well, maybe. If you wanted."

You shut Steven up by laughing. Even the rumble of thunder doesn't make you jump. Instead, you pull Steven in for a kiss. "I know what you're trying to say. It's okay." You pause, "Why were you up anyway?"

Steven's blush has gone down, and his expression becomes more serious. "Khonshu. There's a mission. The lads are trying to plan something."

Steven glances at the mirror on his wall, and you follow his gaze. You know he's talking to himself, either Marc or Jake has something to say. You want to say hello, even though you can't see what Steven's seeing. You wish you could meet them.

"Oh. Right. Scary stuff then?"

Steven looks back at you, and a fork of lightning flashes in the window behind him. You jump a little, and Steven puts an arm around you.

"Let's not worry about that now, yeah? Why don't you get in bed? I'll turn out the lights."

You do as he says.

His sheets are soft and his pillows smell like him and you feel like you're in the midst of one big Steven hug. He goes about, turning off the light's one by one until it's just the bedside lamp left. His bare feet patter against the floor before he slinks into bed next to you.

"Shall I turn this light off, love?"

He turns to you, propped up in the bed on his elbows, and you drink in the sight. Suddenly, the storm doesn't even seem so bad. All you care about is Steven.

You scan him, looking at his perfect curls and kissable lips. His kind eyes and his gorgeous, goofy smile. You nod, and the light goes off.

It takes you a second for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, and while you do all you can here is Steven getting comfy beside you. You're on your side, facing him, and when your eyes adjust you realise he's facing you too.

You can feel his breath on your cheek and when a flash of lightning illuminates the room, Steven smiles at you.

"Hi." He whispers, as if just because it's dark now he has to be quiet. It makes you smile.

"Hi." You say back. You're aware of his body heat beside you, but there's a distance between you and none of your body is touching his. You reach an arm out and put it against his chest.

He reacts by shuffling closer, and puts an arm on your waist. Your pyjama top has risen up slightly and Steven makes contact with your skin. It makes your brain tingle with delight.

"So," you say, trying to distract yourself, "When you say the lads are planning something, does that involve you?"

Steven's rubbing slow circles against your skin with his thumb, and it's the most soothing thing you've ever experienced. You start moving your fingers against his chest, rubbing the fabric of his sweater.

"Yeah, yeah. It involves me. I'm 1 out of 3 of the protector of the night, you know?"

There's a joking tone in his voice, and you're aware he's trying to make the situation lighter than it actually is. You almost laugh, because you realise now you're both whispering to one another about a very serious topic of conversation.

“So, you’ll have to go soon, then? To deal with…whatever the mission is?”

"Yeah. It's okay though. I've got the suit. I've got Marc and Jake. They'll have my back and we'll be home to you in no time." Steven moves his hand from your waist to stroke your cheek again.

"The suit?"

"Yeah. The ceremonial suit of armour from Khonshu's temple. Although my suit isn't like Marc or Jake's, mine's sharp and has style, you know? I did say to you that I'm suited and booted sometimes." Steven chuckles to himself and you smile. You've never seen the suit, but the way Steven describes it makes you believe you'd find him sexy in it.

But your mind isn't fully focused on that. Your mind keeps replaying something he said only moment's again

"Hold on. What did you say? You said we'll be back to me in no time. As in, all three of you. Like, like-"

"Love, I did say to you we all have feelings for you. We all want to come home to you after this mission. You're what keeps us going."

At Steven's words you subconsciously move closer. You move your leg on top of his and he shifts. He's on his back and now you're hugging him like a koala on a tree. Neither of you say anything, because neither of you mind. Your heart is racing.

"That's the nicest thing anybody has ever said to me." You tilt your head upwards to look at Steven, who's already looking at you. Thunder and lighting go off at once, suggesting the storm is close, but it doesn't matter to you. You take one look at Steven and kiss him, hard. One of his hands is playing with your hair, and the other is resting on your hip.

When you pull away, there's a thought lodged in your brain.

"Can I meet them? Jake and Marc? Only for a minute or two, only if that's okay? Can you do that, at will?"

Steven goes silent, and you're worried you've pushed your boundaries. The last thing you wanted to do was make him uncomfortable.

"Yes. Yeah. They...they'd like that. Are you okay with that? Try to think of it as me, but different. If you like them too, I won't be mad. If you want, it'll be like three boyfriends in one." Steven plants a kiss on your forehead, and you practically melt under his touch. The idea of being the girlfriend to all three alters makes you sweat, and your excitement has fully outweighed your fear of the storm.

"Okay." You whisper, " Let's do it. Please."

You're not sure what to expect, you know they'll look the same so it doesn't matter that the room is dark, but you don't know if they'll sound the same or act the same. You're not sure if you should move off of him or not, when something happens.

Something passes through Steven, and you feel the change immediately. The grip on your hip is slightly tighter and his body tenses slightly. You look up at him and it's the same guy, but different. In the dim light you can see his jaw is more set, and his eyes don't quite hold the same, soft glow as Steven does. But he's still drop dead gorgeous.

"Hey, Y/N. How's Steven's babygirl doing?" You do not expect the American accent that come's out of his mouth. He too is whispering, but he sounds much more confident. You're blushing at his word choice - babygirl - and you can't help but giggle.

"Oh, okay. Listen to you." His voice is full of satire and there's a smug smirk on his lips as he looks down at you. He's loving every second of how flustered you are. "I'm Marc, by the way."

First introductions are usually followed by a handshake, but instead Marc just pulls you closer to him so that your head rests on his chest and the hand on your hip moves to snake around you.

"Is this okay? Are you comfortable with this?" He whispers into your ear and if you were standing, your knees would have buckled.

Steven was sexy in his own goofy, lovable way. But Marc was next level. And in a weird way, after what Steven said, you didn't even feel like you were cheating. This all felt totally normal, as if you had spent just as much time with Marc as you had with Steven. You guess, in a way, you had.

"This is good." You don't want to look at Marc because you know you'll blush.

"Steven says he knew you'd love me as much as you love him." You can hear the smile in Marc's voice. He's started rubbing your scalp, your hair intertwined in his fingers. Then, Marc laughs. "Steven also says he doesn't mean love like love. What an idiot. I know the pair of you are taking it slow and haven't said that just yet but, by the way, it's obvious."

You look up at Marc this time, totally distracted by the way he's playing with your hair, and he winks at you. Although meeting Marc is exciting, and it's all very surreal, you're slowly getting sleepy. Your body's relaxed against Marc's and you stare at him through a happy, sleepy gaze.

"You wanna sleep soon, huh? Wanna meet Jake first?"

"Mhmh. Sure." You're nearly falling asleep. Your eyes droop and shoot back open, trying to stay awake.

"We'll make it quick, sleepy girl." Marc leans over to kiss your forehead.

You don't notice when he changes to Jake. But he doesn't disturb your sleepiness. He simply snuggles closer to you, resisting all his sexual urges, and holds you closer as you begin to drift off to sleep.

"Sleep well, princesa. I'll get my time with you yet. Guess I'm the lucky one who gets to watch you sleep."

Jake's words fall into the void, and you're asleep.

He watches over you all night, protectively cuddling you and brushing hair out of your face. Before morning comes, he switches back to Steven, who plans on sleeping for a couple of hours before you wake up. Jake has done Steven a favour by taking off the sweatshirt, and now he's shirtless beside you. Steven's nervous about it, but Jake gives him the confidence he needs. As Steven settles down, and you subconsciously cuddle into him, he whispers one last time.

"We're so lucky. So bloody lucky."

The boys agree.

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