#thank you all for your patience and cooperation <3 <3 <3 <3

[soupernatural]

canonverse destiel: a fic masterlist

brought to you by ao3 user dirtybackroad

a corruption cleared (M , 2.7k) : demon cure for dean, but if the cure was angelic grace. dean gets slutty. some homoerotic blood drinking, light canniblism references. from the ashes (G, 1k) : some good ol’ Cas rebuilding Dean post hell people will say we’re in love (T, 4.8k) : everyone knows but them. liiiiiterally everyone. dean and cas work a case together and everyone they see thinks they’re dating. what’s that about? allegory of happiness (G, 2.5k) : early seasons. cas doesn’t quite understand what he’s feeling, he just sure is feeling it. he asks dean what happiness is like. this is juuuust fluff. fluffy poetic garbage. they’re gay your honor. catch your breath (M, 2k) : some established relationship, post canon lovin’ gets interrupted by the past. ptsdean is something that can be so personal to me. falling must feel (T , 2.1k) : angsty repression dean trying to cope with being a little gay once by going out and performing heterosexuality. it has a nice happy ending i promise. telling the bees (T, 1.4k) : post confession, pre empty rescue. dean reflects on the death of his best friend and the love of his life. fine (G, 2k) : dean and cas bickering like the old married couple they absolutely become post canon. it’s not real fighting it just seems like it. its actually really sweet i promise. weathered glass (G, 1k) : post canon. soft and loving. porch sitting and coffee drinking and discussion about growth. destiel aus | sapphicnatural fics | misc. spn

[tramontane-fire]

I realize this is an unusual sentiment in the Year of our Lord 2023 but my inbox had better have emails in it tomorrow.

[uravitypng]

Hope you’re doing great!! I’m obsessed with your writing. What do you think Bully!Tsukishima would act if someone else tries to bully his crybaby?

~ Anon ❄️

i'm good thank you!! i hope you're well too! i hope you enjoy how bully tsukki reacts <3

it never even crossed his mind that someone else might try and bully you and if it did it was fleetingly and on occasions when he heard someone laugh at something he did to you, the thought didn't bother him. in his eyes it doesn't matter, if someone did start teasing you then that's your problem, it doesn't affect him.

although it really does.

when it actually does happen properly and he realises someone is genuinely bothering you it then becomes a reality and he has to deal with it.

you never hid that someone else was upsetting you and teasing you, tsukishima would never care about it anyway. coincidentally he found you one day taking deep breaths and sniffling as you're trying to breathe correctly after being tormented by someone who has started bullying you and they were crueller than anyone you've ever met before.

tsukki never thought he'd see the day where he would see you cry and not take some amount of pleasure in it but seeing you desperately try to calm down from something he didn't know about filled him with serious dread. something he has never felt so strongly before.

he crouches down to your level to where you were sitting and you jump not realising he was there in the first place. he frowns and tilts your head up so he can look at you and wipe the tears off of your face with his thumb but the tears just keep coming. "talk to me princess," he says gruffly.

you shake your head vehemently.

tsukishima clenches his jaw at what he believes is your ridiculous behaviour. "don't be a baby, talk to me."

"you won't care," you reply quietly.

"won't care about what?" if you were anyone else he'd likely have lost interest in trying to help someone so stubborn by now but you're you. if people don't want to accept his help and keep refusing to cooperate with him the majority of the time he stops trying to help, the only real exemptions are his brother and yamaguchi but even they know better than to test tsukishima's patience on this kind of thing.

"someone's being mean to me," you say while trying to stop crying.

tsukishima scoffs. "so what?" he pauses for a second before continuing, "is this why you're in here hiding away? so what if someone is being mean taking away your pen and you cry your eyes out."

you shake your head again but meekly this time, "they're being really mean tsukishima." he doesn't say anything and just looks at you. because of his gaze on you you feel his scrutiny so you come clean completely and tell him, "they're bullying me."

tsukishima just goes completely still because no one else can treat you like that. no one else can make you cry, at least not over something so serious, not over something that really upsets and affects you. not if that person or persons are bullying you. you're his, only he is allowed to do that to you. no one should make you cry. he can accept you crying if you thought someone looked at you funny or took a belonging of yours or teased you a little because you cry all the time, but this? he's not having this.

he wets his lips and looks up, taking a deep breath and trying to stop his anger from rising to the top. he's not an angry person, no one ever would assume he was an angry person and they'd be right, he's not and he never thought he would be but the idea of someone bullying you, the idea that someone is being really mean to you, that pisses him off because its not like before when he thought you where overreacting like the crybaby you are about someone mildly teasing you on one occasion, this is serious. "who?"

"does it really matter?" you fiddle with your fingers, finally calming down a bit and having less tears flowing down your chubby cheeks.

"yes, it matters."

you tell him their name and tsukishima notes it to memory.

tsukishima kisses your forehead and lifts you up, resisting the urge to kneed your soft wide hips as you stand up. "come on, lets get you something to eat and drink." it's extremely rare that tsukishima ever is seen with you in public alone but he takes you to a vending machine outside in campus.

you think he did this because it's quieter out here so there's less people and less people to recognise the two of you together but in actuality it was the closet place from where you were and he wanted you to drink something as soon as possible with how much you were crying. he's never seen you cry that much and that's saying something, the man who gets off on seeing you and making you cry not ever able to make you cry as you just have been... (yet)

that person never bothers you again. not once. why? you don't know but you're guessing tsukishima had something to do with it.

the thing with tsukishima is that he is actually very popular and is friends with people that are also popular so one bad word about someone spreads like wildfire. there are so many rumours about him in just one day it's crazy, that's when tsukishima decides to have his own private conversation with them. "your social life is a wreck your club is thinking about kicking you off the team because of all those allegations. they might be fake but really who would they believe out of the two of us? you bother my girl again, i'll make it worse. if you even talk to her or look at her i'll make sure these rumours follow you for the rest of your life."

no one talks to your bully any more but tsukishima kept his promise to not make even more extreme rumours. after he was kicked off his basketball team he was content. he'd never done anything like this before because it's not like him at all it's not in his character. so he doubts he'll ever do it again... that is unless someone else tries to bully you. they need to learn their place after all. don't touch things that aren't yours to touch.

[bitethedevil]

Raphael dealing with another fiend that is offering something to the cambion in exchange for an entire night with Tav. Not Haarlep in Tav's form, but Tav. Now, two things about this fiend: 1. They want to know what's so special about Raphael's little mouse and experience it for themself. 2. This fiend is extremely sadistic and refuses to agree to any deal that would stipulate Tav ends up unharmed or even alive by the time the mortal is returned because, "I think we both know I can't promise that."

It's a bit of a short one. Raph loses his patience. Thank you for the prompt <3 <3 as always: it’s not super edited.

TW: Mention of Non-con

Diplomacy

Being the Archdevil of Avernus only came with so much power. Though Raphael had delegated his responsibility to others, seeing as he was not exactly the fierce army general that Zariel had been and Bel before her, the Blood War was currently a mess. Him gaining his new position had caused just enough chaos that they had fallen behind in the war.

Raphael needed resources, the cooperation of the other layers, and most of all he needed for them to trust in his leadership. Unfortunately, trust was the most rare and expensive resource in the Hells, and it did not come for free. There was not a devil in the Hells that was not forced to participate in the Blood War, such was the laws, though when and how was an entirely different matter. Raphael needed men now.

He could simply use the Crown of Karsus to force someone to hand over their men, though he was also painfully aware that the more his power relied on the Crown, the easier it would be for him to lose it, should it somehow slip out of his fingers. He was careful and he played fair…for now. He might not be an army general or a soldier, but he was a strategist.

He was talking to a fiend from Dis that could grant him thousands of men immediately. The conversation was going well. It seemed promising, though Raphael also knew that this was not going to be cheap. They finally reached the end of the fiend’s pitch.

“A very generous offer indeed,” Raphael said calmly while holding back any sign that he desperately needed this deal. “What is your price?”

The fiend gave him a wicked smile.

“Five hundred souls,” the fiend said.

Raphael raised an eyebrow.

“And…?” Raphael said with a hand gesture to urge him on. “Surely you would not sell your army to me for such a low cost.”

“Five hundred souls, my lord,” he repeated. “And a night with that little mortal of yours.”

Raphael’s eyes narrowed.

“And which mortal would that be?” Raphael asked. “I have thousands of mortals under my thumb across Toril. Be specific.”

He had an idea of who he thought the fiend meant, but he hoped that he was mistaken.

“You know who,” the fiend said. “Your little favorite. The one that gave you your crown. The one that my connections say you are still visiting even now. I want to know what’s so special about her.”

The familiar feeling of anger started bubbling up in him, though he tried to keep it down. This was a powerplay. A powerplay to show him that he was being watched and that the fiend had no respect for him.

“She’s not mine,” Raphael said with a dismissive hand gesture. “She fulfilled her end of the bargain. Her soul is hers. The only reason I visit her is to convince her to hand it over to me. I have not succeeded yet so I cannot give you what you want.”

“Ah but I think you’re lying,” the fiend countered. “Five hundred souls and her. That’s my price. I won’t change it.”

Raphael’s claws were starting to dig into the arms of the chair he was sitting in. The sheer audacity of this other devil was infuriating. He would not let himself be accused of lying or spoken to in such a way, and yet he was now forced to if he wanted to get what he needed from him.

“I’ve told you,” Raphael said. “I cannot give you what I don’t have. I have an incubus in my possession who has her form. That is something I can offer you.”

The fiend shook his head with that same annoying grin on his face.

“Her,” the fiend said. “I won’t settle for less. I know you can convince her. She likes you, doesn’t she? Trusts you, even. You can lure her somewhere, I’ll use a glamour spell to look like you, and do my business. It’s perfectly legal, and no contract needed. It’s only for a night.”

It took everything to keep down the rage that Raphael felt spreading through his body. If he agreed to this, he would never get her to give him her soul. Besides, he did not treat his favorite clients this way. Especially the one who gave him everything he had ever wanted. And yet, he needed this deal. He had to entertain the idea at least.

“I would perhaps consider it,” Raphael said and raised a finger to him. “If…you can guarantee me her survival and that no unnecessary harm comes to her. You will persuade her, not take her against her will.”

The fiend burst out laughing. Raphael ground his teeth in irritation at the sound.

“She’s mortal,” the fiend said. “Of course she’ll be harmed. Fragile little things that lot. You want me to seduce her? Offer her serenades and roses?” The fiend laughed even harder. “You won’t survive for long as the Archdevil of the First, boy.”

Complete silence fell over the room for a moment

“Boy?” Raphael repeated slowly, his tone dripped with warning.

“Yes. A boy,” the fiend said with a grin. “That mortal part of you is surely there, bastard. I would never have thought Mephistopheles son to be this soft…Ah, no matter. You said the girl wasn’t yours, eh? I’ll stay in your good graces then. Five hundred souls. I’ll find the bitch myself then. That’ll keep you out of any trouble. I’ll even be so kind to give her something that will make her lie there nicely without protest while I fuck her, since your heart is so soft for the girl.”

Raphael took a deep breath and suddenly something changed in his expression.

“You’ll do no such thing,” Raphael said. He was suddenly eerily calm. “In fact, I’m suddenly not in a particularly generous mood, so you will hand over your men without any payment.”

“You what?” the fiend said with a flat chuckle, as if the thought was ridiculous.

“You heard me just fine,” Raphael said with a smile. “I’ll expect them on the front lines tomorrow.”

“Absolutely not,” the fiend said.

Raphael waved his hand, and the fiend was shoved through the room. His magic pinned him to the nearest wall. The fiend’s eyes glowed purple as Raphael dominated his mind. Raphael walked over to him with slow steps.

“They will be there tomorrow,” Raphael said slowly. “I will speak with ‘my little favorite’. I will tell her of your little offer and see if she wants to play with you a little first. The girl is awfully sloppy with a knife, but she can take her time, seeing as you are going to lie there nicely without protest. After, you will be with your men on the front lines, as a lemure. Do you understand your orders?”

The fiend mindlessly nodded.

“Good,” Raphael said with a wide smile. “A pleasure doing business with you. Now, go order your men.”

So much for diplomacy…

[doumadono]

🌹🌹🌹 COOOOOONGRATULAAATIONNSSSS 🌹🌹🌹

Can I get a cone with vanilla flavour, topped with M&Ms and maple syrup? I want to ask for snow leopard Shoto 🐆

A/N: thank you so much for your ongoing support! I really enjoyed writing these headcanons for you, and I hope you'll like them as much as I do :3

5k FOLLOWERS EVENT MASTERLIST MY HERO ACADEMIA

Snow leopard!Shoto, who usually maintains a dignified demeanor, turns into a playful goofball when he's alone with you.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who often finds himself fascinated by his own fluffy tail, can be seen chasing it in playful circles. Whenever he catches it, he looks at you with a triumphant glint in his eyes, as if he's just accomplished the greatest feat.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who senses whenever you're feeling down or stressed, and curls up beside you, purring softly, his warm fur offering comfort and solace.

Snow leopard!Shoto has a penchant for being a bit goofy at times. He'll pounce on fallen leaves or playfully bat at floating feathers, his playful antics never failing to bring a smile to your face, and you can't help but laugh at his playful clumsiness.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who absolutely adores playing with balls, especially when you roll them across the floor for him. His mismatched eyes light up with excitement as he chases after them, his graceful leaps and bounds a joy to behold.

Snow leopard!Shoto and one of his favourite pastimes which is taking leisurely naps in the sunlit spots of your home. You often find him basking in the warm glow, napping with his head placed on the tip of his fluffy tail. You snap photos of him snoozing and send them to your friend with a captions like, "isn't he just adorable?!"

Snow leopard!Shoto, who is particularly fond of belly rubs, melts into a puddle of contentment when you stroke his soft fur, his purrs rumbling in satisfaction.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who also has a particular fondness for chin scratches. He tilts his head upwards, his eyes closing in bliss as you scratch under his chin, his purring intensifying with each loving touch.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who is deeply protective of you, often stands guard by your side, his watchful eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.

Snow leopard!Shoto is deeply attuned to your emotions, sensing when you need a comforting presence or a gentle nudge of encouragement.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who loves his nose being booped by you!

Snow leopard!Shoto, who values your companionship above all else, often nudges your hand with his head, silently asking for your attention and some head pats.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who is fond of exploring new places, and enjoys going on adventurous walks with you.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who absolutely loves rolling in the soft, lush grass. The sensation of the cool blades against his spotted fur brings him pure joy, his contented purrs filling the air as he revels in the simple pleasure.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who absolutely despises baths, will do anything to avoid them. At the mere mention of bath time, he'll slink away, his tail bushing in defiance as he seeks refuge in the farthest corner of the room.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who detests having his teeth cleaned, becomes a picture of stubbornness when it comes to dental hygiene. He'll clamp his jaws shut firmly, refusing to cooperate as you attempt to wield the toothbrush with patience. "Come on, Shoto, open your muzzle, I don't have the entire day!"

Snow leopard!Shoto, who prefers to maintain his grooming routine on his own terms, will often retreat to a secluded spot to lick his fur clean with meticulous care, glaring intently at you, making sure you're not trying to give him a bath.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who is quite picky about his food. He can and will be the drama king when it comes to his meals. You might present him with the fanciest of gourmet feeds, only for him to theatrically gag at the mere scent. For him, nothing quite compares to the delight of raw salmon or a juicy steak.

[ozzgin]

Hello,, I've been a silent spectator for a while, liking and reposting everything that makes my heart and lower heart flutter in excitement ✨

I also really love your silly posts and I'd like to join your group of anonymous horny spectators, that scream at you in excitement for your wonderful fantasy monsters <3

May I be your 🌚 (pervert moon) Anon? :)

Ps. I hope you'll have a wonderful night filled with sweet dreams ✨

It is my pleasure to have you and everyone else in this family, anon. Speaking of everyone else...

I have included some of the anon proposals in this post, just as a way to keep things somewhat organized within the household.

To ☁ anon, I thank you for the recommendation. I have never heard of this Epic; I'm an old man, you must understand. All I have as a reference when it comes to Homer's Odyssey is the book itself. It's nice to know it has a musical adaptation

💕 anon, feel free to speak your mind. You'll notice most people don't exactly hold back here.

👁 anon, have a good day. Skibidi toilet rizz.

🔮 anon, if you look closely at my tray of cookies, you will notice I've included a little surprise. The future is now.

💥 anon, rest assured, your spark has not been taken. Maybe don't stand too close to the furniture, though.

Lastly, a rather fun coincidence to see two dragon anons. 🐲 and 🐉? Is that how it works?

It should be rather obvious that I'm also grateful for everyone's kind words. If I'm slow to answer or scatterbrained, my awkwardness is to blame. Pretend I'm a goldfish who requires a little extra patience to cooperate. It does its best.

[pupyuj]

dubcon!!!!

being one of the best dancers on campus, it was a given that you’d get chosen to represent the school in an upcoming dance competition,,pero the catch is…you were partnered up with maloi, your no. 1 dance rival na super pikon at mainitin ang ulo😁ohmygoshhh imagine the anger and (sexual) tension kapag you and maloi are alone in a dance room, practicing and arguing with each other😵‍💫ughhh tas ikaw na medyo tanga-tanga (reader too prideful to admit she was struggling), kept fucking up the choreo over and over again, kaya a very angry g!p maloi fucked you instead😁fuck up the choreo, get fucked by her. simple. 🤷‍♀️ and since you’re prideful nga, you couldn’t allow yourself to enjoy what maloi was doing to you (u were crying and begging her na itigil), kahit deep inside (literally) ang sarap–🥴PLEASEEEE ugh hate sex >>> throwing insults at eo while fucking >>>>> OH AND MALOI IS VV ROUGH….😁😁😁😁😁😁

with love,

-🍒

🍒 anon our lord and savior thank you for this delicious ask 🤭 you always deliver and outdo me I LOVE YOU 😭😭‼️ kinda a long one kase i love toxic yuri WOOOOO

[cw: heavy dubcon, g!p maloi.]

almost everybody agreed that it was the worst idea in the world to have you and maloi partnered up and dancing together kase they knew neither of you would cooperate to get anything done 😭 and that was exactly what happened!! 💀 you, the bida-bida na masungit and super demanding pa and maloi, who refused to listen to anything you said and actually ignored your annoying ass most of the time and did her own thing 😭😭

maloi not having the patience for any mistakes so she makes a habit of pointing out where you were wrong all the time! like your toe could be facing the wrong angle and she’d give you the lip for it 😒 ofc there’s always some back and forth too.. getting all up in each other’s face and arguing about the other being a beat too late.. but ah it was impossible for you to focus when maloi looked too good drenched in sweat 😵‍💫‼️ doesn’t help that she sometimes refused to tie her hair up so her hair would just stick to her forehead, neck, and back and you’d ogle all over her when she wasn’t looking… watching and practically drooling while she drinks water and exposes her neck that was slick with sweat.. it was rlly embarrassing to admit that you did find her rlly attractive PERO YOU HAD A COMPETITION TO WIN 😤😤😤

tanginaaa getting sooo shy and quiet whenever she wants to personally guide you through a move you were obviously having a hard time following but refused to ask for help bcs of ur pride?/!;&3’ she tells you you’re wrong, walks over to your side and grabs your arms but you literally flinch away from her and glare at her to cover up how flustered you felt.. 🫣

“ang sensitive mo naman! ikaw na nga tinutulungan, ikaw pa mag-iinarte dyan!”

“sino ba kasi nagsabi na kailangan ko tulong mo?? i don’t need you for anything, ricalde. ever.”

“ewan ko sa’yo. edi mag mukhang tanga ka nang mag-isa.”

the conversation usually ends with a roll of your eyes and maloi walking away pero one day mas sobrang nakakaasar siya 😭 it was like she loved riling you up for no reason but also rlly just loved berating you whenever you made the smallest mistakes..

“mali. mali ulit. ang dami mong mali. do you ever do anything right?? this is why i tried to help you.”

“gusto mo lang ako tuksuhin. leave me alone, i’ll get better on my own.”

“i have been leaving you alone. seems like it hasn’t been doing much naman.”

ohhh you’d be so pisseddd 😭😭😭

“fuck you, ricalde.”

and she’d be pissed too bcs wtf?/?!;!/; she only tried to help 😒😒

“say that again.”

“fuck you.”

ayun suddenly your back gets thrown against the wall and maloi’s kissing you 🫣🫣 for such a tiny thing, she sure was strong.. no matter how much you resisted, she wouldn’t budge! you were pretty sure you could throw her to the ground with one arm until now.. seems like you should never underestimate her ever again 🤭 pushing her away, trying to kick her legs, and slapping her does nothing either.. esp when she slides her tongue inside your mouth and squeezes your ass with both hands, suddenly you were moaning even tho you were still actively trying to push her off..

loi forcing you to turn around and pressing your face against the wall while she pulls your skirt up.. god you were practically begging her to fuck you! she was looking right at your drenched panties and you still had the nerve to curse at her?? and that’s why your punishment is her only rubbing her tip against your panties, not doing anything further even while you’re pushing backwards against her..

“come on.. alam mo naman kung ano sasabihin mo diba?”

“j-just.. fuck me.. you’re so annoying.”

“tsk. wrong answer.” AND EVERY TIME YOU REFUSE TO BEG NICELY SHE SPANKS YOU?? she loves the sound of her hand hitting your plump ass and how you whine so cutely… spanks you until your cheeks were red and your panties are soaked not only with your wetness but also her precum bcs maloi wanted you so fucking bad 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 because of that ofc she doesn’t actually wait until you say “please” and before you knew it her throbbing cock was inside you, sitting snug inside your tight walls and stretching you out.. hitting all the right places that it makes you moan and moan until you were merely just standing there against the tinted windows, free for maloi to use as she pleases.. 🫠

it was hard enough to focus when she’s doing so fucking good pushing you to the edge.. even harder when she’s saying such mean things to your ear 😓 “y-you will not.. embarrass me… gawin mo ng tama yung choreography o-or… fuck..! or i’ll punish you just.. like this…” knowing maloi she’s probably just staring at your reflection in the window, enamoured by your pretty expressions while she fucked you harshly 🤤

and ykw neither of you will go back to practicing bcs sex that good has to be done over and over again are you kidding 🫠🫠 esp in the dance room where there’s sooo many things you could do.. maloi’s favorite?? fucking you doggy style facing the mirror so you can watch how good you looked taking it from behind for her like the good girl you actually are 🫣🥰

[nameless-ken]

Aight, so I don't know if this makes a lick of sense, but I'm trying.

Basically, can you do a piece where Billy and Reader are at the gas station at the same time (not that they really realize it). And Reader is trying to start up her car just as Billy is leaving the store, and her car won't start and she has run out of quarters for the pay phone (or something, not important). Billy watches this go down and they bicker a bit until he is just like "So you want to freeze in a dead car?" Or "Do you want my help or not." (Something like that) IDK how you want it to end, I have no preference.

Not necessarily romance, more like they know of each other but haven't really interacted, and Billy is either just trying to be a better person or is helping because he thinks reader is hot and slightly expected her to be easier to woo.

Feel free to change anything. I'm just a sucker for bickering really.

It's usually hard for me to not write romance lol so this kind of friendly behavior was fun to write! Thanks for the request, hope you like it <3

Check out my masterlist for more!

Roadside Assistance

You're standing by your car, frustration mounting as the engine refuses to cooperate. It's the worst possible time for a breakdown—at a gas station, of all places. You've tried everything, but the stubborn machine won't even sputter to life. You glance around, hoping for a miracle or at least a pay phone to call for help.

Meanwhile, Billy exits the gas station store, a bag of chips and a bottle of whiskey in hand. He's about to hop into his own car when he notices your predicament. There's a moment of recognition that crosses his face as he remembers you from high school. 

"What's the problem?" Billy asks, not unkindly but also not so friendly, as he approaches your car.

You shoot him a frustrated look, feeling a mix of embarrassment and irritation at being caught in this situation. "My car won't start," you reply curtly, patience running thin.

Billy eyes the car for a moment before glancing back at you, an amused glint in his eyes. "Looks like you're having a rough day," he observes, a hint of sarcasm creeping into his tone.

You bristle at his comment, feeling a surge of defensiveness. "Thanks for the observation," you retort, your tone laced with sarcasm of your own.

He quirks an eyebrow, not backing down. "Need a hand?" he offers, his expression unreadable.

You hesitate, weighing your options. Pride wars with practicality, but ultimately, the cold air and the sinking realization that you're stranded win out. "Fine," you relent, admitting defeat. "But don't think I owe you anything."

Billy chuckles, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Wouldn't dream of it," he teases.

You roll your eyes, begrudgingly grateful for the lifeline he's offering. With that, cooperation takes precedence over bickering, at least for the moment.

Billy steps forward with a confident stride, a smirk playing on his lips. "That's the spirit," he says, leaning across you with a smirk as he pops the hood, his movements surprisingly deft. He walks back around, propping it open. 

He seems to know his way around an engine, which surprises you. Maybe there's more to Billy than meets the eye.

"So, what's the diagnosis?" you quip, joining him. 

He shoots you a playful stare before turning his attention back to the engine. "Looks like your battery's dead," he replies, his tone matter-of-fact.

You groan inwardly, cursing your luck. Of course, it would be something as simple as a dead battery. "Great," you mutter, running a hand through your hair in frustration.

Billy shoots you a sympathetic look. "Lucky for you, I come prepared," he says, his voice carrying a hint of reassurance.

You watch as he strides over to his car parked a few spots away, starting it up and maneuvering it in front of yours. He returns by your side triumphantly with a set of jumper cables held high. Despite your embarrassment at having to rely on him, a sense of gratitude wells within you. "Thanks," you mutter, feeling the weight of the situation lift slightly.

Billy shrugs off your discomfort with ease. "No problem," he replies casually, connecting the cables to his battery.

"Try again," he instructs, gesturing toward your car as you climb back inside. With a sense of hope, you insert the key once more, willing the engine to start.

As the engine roars to life, you can't help but feel a sense of relief wash over you. Maybe Billy isn't so bad after all. You shoot him a small smile of gratitude, silently acknowledging that maybe, just maybe, you misjudged him.

Billy returns the smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he meets your gaze. "See? That wasn't so hard," he says, a hint of smugness in his tone. You roll your eyes, but there's a small flicker of amusement in your chest. 

Billy steps back, a satisfied grin on his face as he watches your car come back to life. "Glad I could be of service.”

"Yeah, thanks again," you reply, genuine appreciation coloring your words. He waves off your thanks with a casual flick of his hand. "Anytime," he says, his voice surprisingly warm.

Maybe this chance encounter was exactly what you needed—a reminder that sometimes, unexpected allies can come from the most unlikely of places.

With a final nod of gratitude, you climb into your car, ready to get home for the night. As you drive off, you can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, this won't be the last time you cross paths with Billy.

[atomicbland]

Just a Mirage Pt. 2

mmmm radioactive food... sorry this one is so short! I promise pt. 3 will be longer. And actually have some action...

Again thank you @ghoulphile for encouraging the brain worms!

pairings: cooper howard x fem!reader rating: 18+ MDNI! warnings: bondage, degradation, pet names, mentions of age gap (obviously), Cooper Howard being a jackass in general, canon typical chem use, smoking AO3 Link

Skinning and gutting the rabbits, despite how gruesome it could be was no problem for you. However, making sure Dogmeat kept her distance from the food was another problem. She kept shoving her head under your arms in a feeble attempt to steal a nibble of radioactive rabbit’s foot. Meanwhile, her owner lounged like a sack of tatos on the tattered sofa, huffing chems and humming a tune. 

Dogmeat whined next to you, pawing your arm. It would’ve been cute if it wasn’t for her long nails that scratched into you, almost breaking skin. Your patience with her was waning, resorting to gently yet firmly pushing her back so that you could finish butchering your meal. She stubbornly returns to your side pawing at your arm again, this time with more force, drawing blood. “Shit!” Seething at the sharp new feeling in your forearm. 

“Get your fucking dog out of my way!” You snap at the Ghoul. 

He nods his head in your direction, lazy and high. “She ain’t my dog.” 

Without breaking your glare from the rotten cowboy you cleave your knife down faster than he could process in his chem-fueled haze startling the trouble-making mutt, causing her to yelp. The Ghoul’s eyes grow wide in fear, his lips curl into a sneer at the thought of what just done- make dinner out of Dogmeat. A severed rabbit’s leg whizzes over his head landing somewhere in the direction of the kitchen. Dogmeat bolts after it taking the straight shot lunging over the couch the Ghoul claimed. His look of anger turns into something else, perhaps respect as if you proved you weren’t one to fuck with. That’s the only acknowledgement you get and he returns his important task of emptying another Jet inhaler. Leaving you alone to skewer the carcasses and place them over the firepit to cook. 

You sigh and crack open the can of water, drinking it greedily as it soothes your dry throat, not paying attention to the rivulets that miss your mouth and find their way into your cleavage, mingling with the ever-present sweat. Despite your thirst you decide to save the rest of the water to help wash down your dinner, the radioactivity leaving a sour, bitter taste to anything it touches no matter how well seasoned. You opt to quench your remaining thirst with something else, producing the unlabeled bottle of booze from your bag. It uncorks with a pop, immediately gaining the Ghoul’s attention. He watches as you take a swig, the alcohol burns its way down to your stomach, and you shiver from the harsh taste. You hold it towards him in offering. “Found it in the kitchen. Taste’s like hell.” 

He stares lips in a tight frown at the thought of having to move anymore today. A gloved finger gestures for you to bring it to him.  

“I’m not your fucking dog. If you want it then get off your ass and get it.” You take another sip, slamming it next to you as you return to roasting the rabbits. The mix of the fire’s heat and the Ghoul’s abrasive attitude had you running hot. If you had known how much of a prick he was you would’ve hired someone else to be your escort. The geezer walked around like he was the hottest shit in the West. He gave zero fucks who he pissed off, friend or foe, captive or companion, all the same to him. But he was THE best, you knew it, and despite being warned before approaching him that The Ghoul was as rotten as he looked, you hired him. A sharpshooter with quick wit and charisma that got him out of the hottest shit and the biggest fucking asshole this side of the Wasteland.

“Well,” he huffed, the springs of the couch groaning under the shifting weight. “You ain’t my dog,” footsteps accented his words as you could hear him moving closer towards you. You felt fingers lace through your scalp and then a hard tug, forcing you to meet his eyes. “But you damn sure’s a bitch.” 

You lock eyes with him, a sick twisted smile puts his stained teeth on show. He made you so mad you could spit. Though you thought better of it, thinking he would’ve derived some sick pleasure from it. In a fluid motion, hand still firmly in your hair he scoops the booze up greedily finishing the bottle in one long drink, throwing the bottle aside. It’s not until he reaches for you can of water that you find your words.

“Fuck you! Let go of me!” Your nails dig into the leather of his jacket, desperately attempting to get him to release you from his grip. 

The man ignores you and takes a long slow drink, watching your eyes grow like saucers as he takes back the water he gave you. He laughs, a low gritty rumble. “Don’t feel too good when someone’s fuckin’ round with ya now does it, sweetheart?” 

The grip on your scalp tightens, and you can feel your unwelcomed arousal pooling between your thighs. You loathed how touch-starved you were, telling yourself that once you were settled at the Old World Wall you’d find a quick fuck to satisfy your needs. Though in your desperation early into the trip you had asked how many extra caps it would take for your escort to whore himself out to you, he laughed in your face. Since then he had been rougher with you, making a lude comment anytime he manhandled you and in the context of having your needs satisfied you wouldn’t have minded but the constant rough teasing was bordering on torture. 

You kept eye contact, trying hard to ignore the bulge that became outlined by the Ghoul’s pinstripe pants. His glare was hungry as his eyes followed the beads of nervous sweat that traveled down your neck and into the crevice of your breasts lingering at the soft dark skin for a touch too long for a man who had rejected you. The fire crackling and sizzling was the only thing keeping the room from being silent as he studied you.

“May I- May I please have my water back?” Your voice breaks whatever trance he is in.

“Well since you asked so nicely.” He tugged your head back, placing the can to your lips tilting it so that the water rushed down, forcing a stream down your throat. In your best efforts, you drink down what you can, the rest finds its way down your shirt dampening it, the fabric clinging to your form. 

The two of you eat dinner in silence, ignoring the tension growing between the two of you. You think to ask him for his name, where he came from, why he became a bounty hunter, so many questions swam in your head but the dumbest one is vocalized. “If she’s not your dog then who does she belong to?” You ask throwing a too-chewy piece of meat the dog’s way, she catches it in her mouth with surprising accuracy. 

“Dead man’s dog.” The Ghoul answers without looking at you, throwing Dogmeat the remains of his rabbit, large chunks of meat still on the bones. Ghouls didn’t need to eat much yet he insisted on a whole rabbit for himself. You try to hide your frustration in his wasteful attitude, that meat was smoked enough to pack away to have in the morning at the very least. He meets your glare, flashing you that damned smile. “Sorry sweetheart, big breakfast.” 

He kicks his legs back up on the sofa pulling a cigarette from his ragged leather jacket and placing it between his teeth. He reaches back into his pocket for his lighter confused to find it missing. While the Ghoul pats himself down in search of his lighter you rifle through your bag, tossing him the tattered book of emergency matches. He doesn't even thank you, striking a match across his pant leg, the small fire illuminating his hollowed face in amber light. 

  “Say, sweetheart,” he starts between puffs. “You ain’t happen to have ‘nother one of them bottles o’ moonshine in that bag of yours?” 

You dump the contents of your bag out, making it easier to find what you need in the flickering of the firelight, forgetting about your tin of mystery fruit as it clatters to the floor, lid falling open and dispersing what you’ve concluded were rather strange tomatoes. One rolls across the floor to the Ghoul, he picks it up before Dogmeat can grab it. as you clamor to scoop them up and return them to the container. He continues to examine it rolling it around in his fingers, you catch him staring at them fondly. 

“Any ideas what they are? Found ‘em in a glass house past the kitchen.” You find yourself sitting on the floor next to the Ghoul holding the now full container. Before you can take one for yourself he snatches it from you, ashing out his cigarette in the lid you still held  

  Ignoring your protests he took a bite. A soft crunch echoed through you as red flesh gave way to his teeth and you watched in awe as sweet juice dribbled down the marled skin of his chin. He sighed into another bite ravishing the sweet tenderness he hadn't felt in centuries.

You stared in awe, this grotesque figure relishing in something so small and insignificant in this harsh wasteland. This man’s favorite food was cigarettes and chems yet here he was about to polish of the tin of ugly tomatoes. You watched as he liked the sweet smelling juices from his glove- part of you wondered what his mouth felt like elsewhere. His tongue moved quickly and swiftly at the folds of leather mindful to not waste a drop. He had greedily finished off the small bushel of berries you had scavenged while you were distracted. He chuckled at your expression, you were thoroughly wet from watching him work his mouth.

"It's been a long, long time since I had somethin’ that sweet in my mouth," his voice is gravely and low. He smirks at you as he hands you the now empty container, "Would've saved you some but they ain't for girlies like you."

You huff in frustration, snatching the metal container from his hands. "That didn't answer my question." Your tone is more pouty than you intended and you just hope he doesn’t catch it.

"Strawberries." He huffs, springs squeaking as he settles further into the ragged couch reclining as he produces his inhaler and takes a long draw of Jet. The chem vapors curl and dance off his parted lips. "Like I said, they'll make a smooth skin like you sick." He settles pulling his hat over his face as a lazy hand brushes through the fur of Dogmeat who was happily snacking on the leafy discarded tops of the red berries.

A ball of nerves and mixed feelings swam in your stomach as you crawled on the floor back to your pile of stuff and shoved it back in your bag. You move to the spare couch across from your escort and make yourself comfortable, Dogmeat jumping into the seat to snuggle up with you. Your fingers dragged through her fur as you planned to return to the same place you found the "straw-berries" remembering the other seemingly edible plants that filled the glass house.

[feralghoulie]

Note: This is a day late, but shh. This one was. Interesting to say the least. Hope you guys it enjoy.. 🤭

MINORS DNI 18+ CONTENT. SEMI NON-CON/SEMI FORCE WARNING.

Promt: Somnophilia (Day 3)

Summary: Cooper isn't known for his patience. He takes what he wants, whatever the situation. His thoughts take over his actions while Lucy is sound asleep.

Cooper Howard (The Ghoul) X Lucy Maclean

☆

It Can't Wait.

"Oh and in the vault, i was a teacher! I think I worked really well kids. I've always wanted a kid. Did you have a ki-" Lucy was abruptly cut off.

"Listen honey. I'd love to listen aboutcha life in the vault. But don't you think it's a little late to keep talkin. We've got quite the long day ahead of us." He said leaning his back against the metal wall. Eyeing the dying fire in front of them.

She frowned. "I mean. I guess so." She said a little sad. Entertaining herself from talking his ear off. She wanted him to open up but he was more of a listener. Sitting back and nodding his head as she spoke. Eyeing her body, hardly hearing a word she said.

He groaned as he stretched out his arms. "C'mon Luce." He said standing up from the milk crate he had pulled up. Grabbing some old pillows off the ground and beating the dust off. Walking over to the beaten bed across the floor. He tossed the pillows onto it, and searched for something that could do as a blanket.

She took the hint, crawling into bed like a sad child. She unzipped her vault soon, and wiggled her way out of it. The Ghoul pausing a moment to try and sneak a look. He fucking loved when she would walk around in just her tank top and panties.

Throwing obvious glances as he pretended to keep looking for a blanket. He wanted to rip her clothes off. Tear scars into her skin. Mark her entire body. Fuck sleep. His cock was throbbing. All she had done was get comfortable for bed. He needed to contain his thoughts.

He grumbled to himself. Turning to fix his tent. Turning back around, giving up on his short hunt for blankets. Lucy was digging through her bag. On her knees on the bed, her ass looking perfect through her snug underwear.

He assumed she had no idea how much he wanted her. God. He wanted to fuck her brains out. So much innocence and love behind her eyes. Not yet tormented by the wasteland. He needed to be the first.

She pulled out a can of water and cracked it open. Taking a sip and setting it aside. Attempting to get comfortable on the bed. Springs threatening to stab your skin if you moved the wrong way.

"Are you going to be keeping watch?" She asked untieing her hair. Running her hands through her hair.

"Yeah." He responded. Poking the fire with a nearby board. "Don't worry." He said smiling. Reassuring she was safe to sleep.

She nodded her head graciously and flipped from her side to her back. Adjusting her body until she was comfortable.

"Cold?" He whispered. Dragging his crate closer to the bed, and sitting down.

"Yeah.." She huffed. Her eyes closed.

Cooper removed his overcoat and draped it over her. She pulled it close to her face. Smelling it in secrecy. Smiling as a thank you.

"Goodnight... Ghoul." She said softly. Drifting off to sleep as she thought about what his real name may be. What monsters would attack them tomorrow.

Although Cooper had a whole different set of thoughts. He stared at her. Intensely. Her chest poking out just a little bit from the jacket. Her legs almost fully covered.

He wanted to take her. He wanted to rip her skin apart. He wanted her to scream. Not in pain, but in full body pleasure. His fingers would fit so perfectly into her empty pussy.

His textured cock would leave a mark in her mind. No one after him would ever feel as good. He thought of every position. Her breasts bouncing in his face. Bending her over, slapping her ass until it was a swollen red.

He grabbed at his cock through his pants. Holding it tightly. Rubbing his thumb over it. She would puke on the size of his cock. He knew she wouldn't be able to handle it, and that made it all the better.

She must taste sweet. She would be soaked from him barely touching her. She's a delicate and soft creature. He couldn't handle the thoughts much longer.

His cock straining his striped pants. "Fuck.." He said under his breath. Staring at her figure on the bed. Already softly snoring. He needed to bury his cock in her..

He started to undo his belt. Moving with haste. She was asleep, she wouldn't see him get his pants off. No harm, no foul. Once his belt was undone, he slid his pants down. Not having underwear, he got those stolen ages ago.

His pants now pooled at his ankles, he was tugging at his cock. Leaning back against the metal wall. Touching himself wasn't going to be enough. He ached so bad it was almost painful.

Against his better judgment, he quietly stood up. Hovering over her body, standing at the foot of the mattress. He ran through thoughts in his head. Debating if this was wrong. He didn't care.

He squat down. Getting onto his stomach and inching his way forward. Holding himself in a way his cock wouldn't come in contact with the rough floor or bed. He carefully moved his jacket upwards. Off of her legs, scrunched onto her stomach.

He eyed her panties. He adjusted his body, freeing both his hands. He hooked his fingers onto the wasteland. Very carefully pulling them down. Setting them inside.

Her pussy was perfect in every single way. Unshaved, but a little wet. An absolutely inviting smell as he drooled. He got closer, pressing his stomach onto the bed. Drawing his tongue out to taste her.

Sweat mixed with her natural taste made his cock twitch. Holding every single muscle back not to shove his cock into her. He shoved his face into her crotch. Placing his hands on either side of her body.

He drew his tongue out again. Separating her walls with just his tongue. Licking stripes as he indulged in her taste. He was surprised she hadn't started to stir. Afraid she may wake up and jump out of fear.

He sucked on her clit, and balanced with one hand, using the opposite hand to grip onto his cock. Slow sensual strokes as he enjoyed his meal.

Lucy was slowly waking up, feeling an extremely warm sensation between her legs. A heavy weight on her sides. Half conscious she questioned what was happening. Her body feeling deep sparks of pleasure. She opened her eyes slowly, opening wide at what she saw.

The ghoul was ravishing her. His mouth latched onto her clit. She closed her eyes tight and opened them again. Seeing his closed eyes, his hand furiously working at his cock.

She was confused, but couldn't deny she almost happy to wake up to the experience.

Closing her eyes and trying not to move. A little harder now that she knew what was happening.

Wanting to squirm and moan. Unsure if she should let him know she had awoken, she relaxed into the bed.

He pulled back from her pussy, and ran his finger against her wet slit. Sucking on his middle finger and eyeing it. Pressing it and wiggling into her hole carefully.

She couldn't hold back, she jolted and he looked up. She opened her eyes, locking eyes with him. He didn't say anything yet. Just sharing a mutual look of desire.

"Wh.. what are you doing." She said softly. Unsure if she was supposed to be enjoying this.

He kept pressing his finger in. Staring at her as he did so, waiting for it to be completely in.

"Well. I wasn't expectin you to wake up, but i suppose that was a little stupid to assume." He said clicking his tongue.

"I'll stop if you want me to." He said pulling his finger out. Wiping it on her inner thigh..

She was quiet for a moment. Gasping at the absence of his finger. "Um- I don't- you can.. you can keep going." She said accepting she did enjoy this. Being woken up like this was something incredibly new. Not new like seeing monsters, or leaving the vault. But knew as in her body craved it.

He nodded his head and pressed two fingers back into her. Curling them and working them inside. She furrowed her brows and covered her mouth.

He readjusted his body. Now hovering over hers, his face close to hers.

"Move your hand. I want to hear you. I need to hear how much you fuckin like it Lucy." He said in a stern tone. Pressing his fingers deeply inside, setting a faster pace as he looked at her.

She removed her hand, letting out small breaths.

"That's it.." He hummed proud. "You're really fucking tight. I don't know if I'll fit." He said pulling his fingers out.

"Now I know this is probably your first time. Or maybe it's not. I don't know what you vault freaks did down there, but I ain't going easy on ya" He said, moving onto his knees.

Pushing his jacket off of her, so he could look at her pudgey breasts, sitting unevenly in her tank top.

He spread her legs open, and pulled them upwards. Pulling her body forward. Fitting his body between her legs, he lined his cock up with her soaked hole. Leaning in close to her face.

He pressed his face into her neck, and inched his cock inside. Each inch breaking her tight unused pussy. She held onto his back tightly. Using it as a means to ground herself.

"It hurts! Is it supposed to her this bad?" She exclaimed wincing.

"Mmm. It hurts because it's your first time honey. I've also got a huge cock. It ain't gonna fit perfectly." He said in his deep southern draw. Licking and biting at her neck.

Slowly thrusting into her. Deep inside of her every move. She squirmed, unable to handle so much at once.

He didn't care, he kept his pace. Picking up as he growled in her ear. Biting down into her neck, licking over the marks each time. Savoring every single moan that escaped from her lips.

"You like how big my fuckin cock is don't you. You're squeezing me real fuckin tight sweetheart." He said moving faster. Her legs wrapping around his back.

Hitting her so incredibly deep, it felt like he would pass out from the insane pleasure.

"Good fuckin god girl... you're really showin me how much you want it. I know you've fantasized about me. I'm sure you've touched your pretty pussy thinkin about me." He said licking the shell of her ear. Grunting as he felt himself getting closer.

"Ghoul-" She exclaimed.

"Cooper." He whispered. "My name is Cooper." He said pulling his cock all the way out and driving it back in.

"Scream my fuckin name. Tell me how fuckin good my cock feels." He said.His thrusts becoming more sloppy.

Lucy was feeling herself slipping, knowing she was so close to cumming. "C-Cooper! Your.." She paused. Unsure if she would want to use that weird word.

"Your penis feels so good!"

He giggled in her neck. Unable to take her seriously. Never hearing her curse, even while being relentlessly pounded.

Cooper bit her shoulder as he started to empty his load. Growling deeply as he claimed her body as his. The first to destroy her innocent body.

Lucy practically screaming as she felt her climax crashing. It was nothing like she had ever experienced. A undescribeable feeling in her stomach and her core. Gasping for air as she finished.

Slowing his thrusts he removed his mouth from her shoulder. Catching his breath, his cock buried inside of her.

Realizing he had given Lucy his name, he cursed at himself. She hadn't thought on it much, but things were starting to click.

Was she just fucked by Cooper Howard? The infamous cowboy movie star? Her eyes widening as she studied his outfit. Trying to see past the vest he wore. He scrambled to get his pants on, but she watched in awe. Laying on the bed almost fully naked.

"Cooper... Howard?" She said. A questioning tone. "Did I just have a sex sirh a movie star?" She said feeling proud of herself

"Shit." He thought. She had ranted for almost an hour earlier how much she loved the movies he starred in. A novelty cowboy charm.

"Yeah honey.. that's me." He sighed, though smiling when her eyes lit up.

[its-in-the-woods]

Coyote Head - Part 5 - Livestock Is Deadstock

master list

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Pairing: Cooper Howard x Lucy Maclean 

Includes many other characters from Fallout

Synopsis: Calf check doesn't go as planned. But brings out two main characters closer.

MINOR GET OUT. Rating/Warning:  Animal/people death, Stillb0rn animal, Horror, blOod/G0re, nightmares, Alternative Universe, Slow Burn, Death, Aging, Family Feuding, Eventually (I swear to the universe it will happen): Older Man/Younger Woman

Note: that I will not be spoiling any of the reading. So you have been warned. I will keep my tags relevant without spoiling what is happening in the story.

** Thank you for your patience! I basically rewrote this entire chapter about 4 times before the characters were happy with it. Little under 4k words. Enjoy*

Flag in hand, Lucy watches the Mama cow as her little munchkin makes a fuss. The thing is squirming, mooing, and rolling trying to get anywhere but where he was. Cooper works quickly, tagging, vaccinating, and wash of minerals. Then go as fast as possible before Mama charges.

“You're a’right Mama, you won’t be mad at me in a few months,” Cooper chuckles, as they speed away in the side-by-side.  

“Forgot how testy they could be” Lucy smiles, scanning the horizon for any signs of fresh calves. 

“Don’t tell anyone, but I like it when they are a little wild,” Cooper’s face lighting up with a big smile at the comment. Lucy feels her heart jump as she smiles back at him, noting that down for later. 

“Makes them good Mamas, especially with all the coyotes around,” Lucy adds, pointing towards a mama calf standing near a bundle. “I think there is one there.” 

Cooper adjusts his direction with a gentle turn of the wheel. His eyebrows furrow as he aims towards the Mama cow; surprised when she doesn’t move as they come close. Lucy’s stomach clenching as dread washes through her. The cow stood squared up to them, her eyes looking down at the ground where the calf lay, something was wrong. 

“Com’on sweety,” Cooper says to the heifer, as he carefully gets out of the ATV, “Let us take a look -”

Lucy gasps, as she looks at what should be a calf. Instead of an alive calf, there is what looks to be a mummified body on the ground. The cow was standing there looking at both of them, tail flicking but not moving. Lucy puts the flag down, walking to squat down on the other side of the poor thing. The body was a dark ochre color, the entire thing looking like it had been vacuum sealed in plastic. No eyes, or ears, just hollowness, legs tucked in head tucked down. If it had not been so shrunk it would almost look like it was alive.

“Oh dang,” Cooper sighs, bending down to look at the mummy. “I am sorry girl,” Cooper raises his hand, Lucy watching carefully as the cow comes over and bumps his hand. His forehead furrowed as he rubbed her nose gently, looking back at what should have been a alive calf. 

“Lucy write down her tag number, we will get Woody out to check’er. Once we’re done we’ll mov’er up to the barn. Make sure there is nothin’ left in ‘er.” Cooper says quietly rubbing the cow's nose and face, the cow leaning into the comforting hands of its owner. “You did good Mama, sometimes it happens.”

Lucy did as she was told, grabbing the notebook to write down the cow's ID number. As she watches Cooper comfort the animal. Most cows were protective of their offspring, but this one seemed to understand what was going on. Or maybe it just knew Cooper was trying to help, the thing leaning its head into his chest. 

“We’ll move it, into the back of the ATV. Can’t leave it out’er, don’t need to draw any more predators.” Cooper said quietly, moving away from the heifer slowly.  

The two of them work as quickly as possible to move the poor creature. Mama snorted and stomped a few times, Cooper letting her smell it before they put it into the box of the ATV. Lucy watches the cow for a moment as they drove away. The bovine's long bellows made her heartache, if cows could cry it would have. 

“Do you think they understand?” Lucy asks, wiping her tears away. Grandpa Tim had always said the cows knew more than they’d ever know. She hadn’t been sure at the time, preferring to deal with more facts than fiction, but watching the cow made her wonder. 

Cooper shrugged, hazel eyes shining as he dug in his pockets for a smoke. Lucy grabs the lighter from the cup holder, handing it to him. Wondering if she should ask for one herself, deciding against it at the last second. 

“Think they understand as much as any animal.” Cooper breathes out a puff of smoke. “I like to let’em see the body, make sure they smell it,  keep’em calmer. At least with my herd, unless we’re tryin’ to graft. Then gettin’ the grafter there ASAP takes priority.”

Lucy nods, a sadness pitting in her stomach as they drive over to the next calf. Thankfully on their feet and running as they drove close, Mama whale-eyeing them as they approached. 

***

Lucy stayed and helped Cooper move the cow over to the main barn. The barn wasn’t anything fancy, with a few stalls for anyone sick and, a cow shoot to help make handling anyone easier. Cows spent the majority of their life in the field, or forests. They got health checks, hooves checked, moved, and sorted into different fields. It kept them happy and healthy. Nothing was perfect but this was the way it had been done for many many years. A practiced ritual, at the end of the day, the cows always came first. 

Woody was surprisingly close to their area when Cooper called. The big man drove a white cargo van covered with hand-painted animals on all sides. The vehicle was fully loaded with anything he might need. He was one of the few large animal vets in the area, and getting him over quickly was a rare surprise. 

The man had a riot of dark brown curly hair, a big smile, and a shaggy beard. He was almost always in some kinda overalls. At the moment they were purple with embroidered cows. He was looking at the calf, blue gloves moving it this way and that. Woody frowned, glasses perched on the end of his nose. The body was stiff, more like a rock than a body, it was also surprisingly light. How the cow had birthed it without difficulty was shocking. 

“Well, it’s not common. But not the first one I’ve seen.” Woody sighs, removing his gloves and washing his hands in the sink by the side door. “The cow in the shoot is the one that gave birth?”

“Yah, pretty sure. She was standing over them,” Cooper swallows, and walks Woody over to the bovine, she had been put into the shoot for easier examination. The cow acted as if nothing was wrong munching on some hay. “We checked eighty percent of the herd this mornin’, rest are deeper in the bush. But no one else looked distressed.”

Woody looks her over, checking her body condition before sliding on some shoulder-length gloves. “Alright now Mama, be gentle on me. Just got make sure there is nothin’ left in’re okay.” Woody reached into the cow, Lucy standing near the head of the cow to make sure she was comfortable. Hands running against the creature's big head, scratching behind her ears as Woody 

“Well, everythin’ feels fine. I am going to take some tissue samples, do bloods too. Make sure there is no infection or anythin’ else that might of cause this. She had twins last year right?” 

Woody asked, as he degloves and went over to his vet kit. The man had always had a knack for remembering the ID tags of a herd.

“I’d have to check the record book, but I believe you’re right, yes. Two heifers, both healthy. “ 

Cooper replies, as Woody draws blood and takes what he needs. 

“I will give her a few shots, keep her separate until the tests come back.” Woody said, “Just to be on the safe side. Once we know she’s safe we can put her back into breeding rotation.”

Cooper nodded, “Well thank you for comin' out so quickly Woody, I know you're a busy man.”

Woody smiled, “Not a problem, Coop, if anything else pops up let me know.”

***

The drive into town was mostly peaceful, Lucy trying to avoid the thought of going home. The place felt less and less like home, maybe it was the lack of Grandpa Tim or constant nightmares. Gripping the steering wheel she turns down the main street of town; willing those thoughts away as she heads to the piece-together building that was the hardware store. She had already dropped off the paperwork at the new accountant, the woman seemed excited about the piles of neatly organized boxes. Lucy couldn’t have been more grateful to hand it to someone else. If the rest of the plan fell into place Lucy would have the holes repaired and a fresh coat of paint put on by the end of the week. 

Three sheets of drywall are strapped into the back of the truck, along with a few pieces of lumber. Screws, putty, paint, along with a texturing brush, and various other bits and bobs go into the back seat. Lucy felt somewhat confident she could handle the task at hand. Her hands itched to call Cooper, double-check that she had all the things she needed. Her mind ran back over this morning, the way Cooper’s face had fallen seeing the dead calf. Cattle ranching was hard on the best days, livestock meant deadstock, but that didn’t mean it hurt any less. No, she’d let him be like he didn’t have enough on his plate. 

“Hey, Lucy!” Lucy turns out of her daydreams, to see a tall lanking person with a buzzed head walking towards her. 

Lucy squints, realizing it was her friend Dane from high school. “Holy smoke, Dane! Is that really you!”

Lucy trots over to her friend giving them a big hug. They squeezed her back before letting go to look Lucy over. 

“Jeez, Lucy. You look the same as when you graduated!” Dane smiles, leaning against the side of Lucy’s truck. “I haven’t seen you in forever. I heard about Tim, really sorry ‘bout that.”

Looking away Lucy composed herself, still strange to hear people give condolences. “Yeah, cancer came in fast and hard. Just happy it’s over you know. Don’t think I look quite the same, but thank you, look at you all grown up.”

Dane rubs the back of their buzzed head, a blush staining their cheeks. “You’re too kind Lucy. Still adjusting to everything. Dad has been good, Mom- still getting used to it, but I am happy.”

Lucy grinned, “Good, don’t let anyone hold you back. You stayin’ in town now? 

“Oh, uh-no, just making some extra money before I start working as a heavy-duty mechanic in the fall.” They said beaming with pride. 

“No dang way! That’s great to hear.” Lucy smiles back, happy to hear her friend was doing well, 

“We should go for coffee sometime, or maybe get some food. Be good to catch up.”

“Yes, definitely.” Dane nods eagerly, “I actually if you got any tractors you need to be worked on. I'd be happy to take a look at them.”

“Really?” Lucy said, remembering that she had been neglecting to phone the tractor dealership.“I actually got two, think late eighties, haven’t been used in probably three or four years.”

“Oh, I would love that! Always loved old equipment. Why don’t I come by this Saturday? Hazard a guess you are staying at your Grandpa’s place.” Dane replies a sparkle in their eye at the idea of getting to work on the farm equipment. 

“Yep, I am there! Got the same number too. Give me a ring before you stop by.” Lucy said, more than happy to have an old friend drop by. It would be good to have company, plus she could get her tractors up and running. 

“I will see you then, Lucy,” Dane said as they walked away, Lucy hopping into her truck before taking off herself. Happy to know a friend would be dropping by that weekend. 

***

Lucy sits on the edge of the kitchen counter looking at the drywall she’d managed to get in. It wasn’t the greatest job but with a little mud and paint it would look good as new. Well, Lucy hoped it would. She took a pull of her beer, desperately wishing she had picked out some crappy Chinese food before coming home. 

Her hands taps at the counter, her arms were too sore to keep going right now. Tomorrow she’d hopefully get the mudding done, her hand dug into her pocket and pulling out her phone. 

Opening it up, she clicks on the messaging icon opening up a text thread with Cooper.  Just as quickly closing it, placing the phone on the counter. 

“No, we are not gonna bother the man,” Lucy hums, slipping off the counter and going into the laundry room and opening up the big chest freezer. Rifling around she found some ground beef and frozen mixed vegetables, it would pass as dinner. 

Sitting on the couch she flicked on the TV, scrolling through the different apps to find something to watch. Somehow there never seemed to be anything of interest, instead, she flicked over to some Lost, a guilty pleasure. Did the ending satisfy? No, not at all. Lucy preferred to imagine something different. Maybe something happier, or less flippant. 

Her phone buzzed beside her plate of food, Cooper Howard, popped up across her screen. She put her fork down and flipped it open, swallowing as she hit the message icon, a small grin pulling at her lips. 

Cooper: Hey, thought you should know the Mama from this morning is doing good :) 

Lucy smiles, was she smiling more since meeting Cooper? Shaking her head, she was happy to know the cow was doing okay. Having a stillborn mummified calf could mean that something was seriously wrong inside. Or it could mean nothing at all, that was the tricky part about livestock. 

Lucy: Hey, thanks for keeping me posted, hope she continues to do well. 

Cooper: Did you end up getting the drywall?

Lucy waits for a moment before replying: Yeah, got most of the holes filled in

She winces at the framing of the words but tries not to overthink it. Wasn't like there were many other ways to describe what she was doing. 

Copper: Want to do a calf check in the morning? I will come help with the mudding. 

Lucy smiles, she was not going to turn down the offer of having Cooper over: Deal. What time tomorrow?

Cooper: 6 am, I can pick you up

Lucy felt her cheeks redden at the message, she typed out: Why don’t you come over tonight- Then promptly deleted it, her hand coming up to cover her face. What was she thinking? No that would not do, like the man needs more on his plate.

Instead, she wrote: Sounds good, I will see you then.

Turning back to her food, Lucy tried not to let her mind run too much. Cooper was sweet, kind, caring, and goddamn gorgeous. She worried at her lip, remembering the way the cow had booped Cooper’s hand. How he’d comfort her, the man was something else. 

She rubs at her face, having missed most of the episode she was on. Sleep was on the menu, it was already well past ten, and five am would be coming like a freight train. 

Looking over at her room Lucy feels a shiver run up her spine. Shaking her head, Lucy went over grabbing a blanket, pillow, and her charging cable. Keeping the kitchen light on, she left Lost playing as she curls up under the blanket. She’d work on sleeping in her room later. 

***

The alarm went off loud enough that Lucy fell off the couch, confused as to where the hell she was. Blinking a few times, remembering that she had crashed on the couch. Groaning, she grabbed her phone, turning off the alarm, wanting nothing more than to curl back up under the blanket. Instead, Lucy pushed herself up onto her feet. The coffee pot switched on, she made her way to the bedroom. Stopping at the entryway, her body refused to go any further, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end. 

Lucy pushes her hand in and turns on the light, eyes blinking at the bright space. No shadows moved, nothing peered out from behind the closet door. Yet she still couldn’t move. Turning her head she looks out the door, her mouth falling open in a silent scream. 

Outside the door, across the deck, in the shadow of the forest were two glowing orange eyes. Standing roughly seven feet off the ground, the eyes stare back at her unblinking. Lucy was scrambling backward trying to get away as she trips and falls over the laundry basket crashing onto the floor with a loud bang. Her screaming rang in her ears as she lay splayed out on the floor. Lucy’s chest heaving, her eyes squeezed closed as she tries to will the image away. Shaking on the floor, Lucy pushes the laundry basket away to look at the patio door. Whatever had been there was gone, no eyes, no creature, nothing. 

“What is going on?” Lucy shutters, staring out the door for another minute. “Okey dokey,” She let out a few breaths focusing on lowering her heart rate. “Time to get dressed, Lucy.”

Dressed in leggings and a big shirt, she finds her overalls and slips them on with a big sweater. Filling her biggest to-go coffee cup, she takes several sips of coffee finally feeling somewhat more alive. Trying to convince herself that the orange floating eyeballs from this morning were sleep delusions. Or something other than a creature staring into her house from the forest. 

A knock on her door cleared her mind, she threw a few bits and pieces into a bag. Snagging her coffee and keys she opens the door to see Cooper standing there. He has a tan leather jacket on, a white cowboy hat, and perfectly fitted jeans. His face breaks into a crooked grin when he sees Lucy in the doorway. Her face goes flush as he looks her over the same way she just had. 

“Good mornin’ Miss MacLean.” Cooper drawls, his tongue darting out over his lips, making Lucy feel warm all over. She could get used to him looking at her like that. 

Lucy swallows, “Morning, Mr.Howard. Ready to be on our way.” Happy that her voice didn’t break as she moved through the doorway, locking it behind her.

Cooper held out his arm, Lucy doing her best not to trip over her own feet, as she took his arm. The two walking down to his truck, it was still running and warm inside against the cool spring air. He opened the door for her, and she hopped in. 

***

The calf check was thankfully uneventful, Cooper driving the two of you back to his family farm. His mom, Dorthoy, asked Cooper to bring her over for breakfast. The home was country chic in every way, two-story, white, with a large vaulted front window facing west. 

A deck wrapped from the front door around the back, and the yard was filled with Dorothy's plants. Still dormant now, but come spring the whole place would be filled with flowers. Coop pulls up beside the other vehicles on the dirt road, just outside the separate garage. 

Janey came running outside, in pjs and gumboots, shouting excitedly for her Dad. Lucy smiles as Cooper scoops up his daughter and swings her around in his arms. 

“Eeee” The little girl giggled, Mathias poking his head out the door and watching the two. 

“Hey Mathias,” Lucy smiled at the older boy, he frowned but walked out, socked feet not going further than the front mat.

“Hey buddy,” Cooper smiled, ruffling his brown hair. His frown deepened as Lucy came into the front door.

Lucy toed off her boots, thankful her overalls were mostly clean. She placed her bag by the door before following Cooper deeper into the house. The smell of bacon and coffee made her stomach growl. 

“Are you having breakfast here?” Mathias questioned, standing in the dining room. Hands on his hips, looking at Lucy with narrowed eyes she moved into the kitchen. 

“Mathias, don’t be rude,” Came the chipper voice of Dorothy, she was a stocky woman, with perfectly pined grey hair. Her face marked by the sun with crow's feet and smile lines, she could have easily played Mrs. Clause. 

“Good morning, Mrs. Howard,” Lucy beams, as she helps grab cups and plates for the table. Setting them out as Janey grabbed forks and knives for each seat. 

“Lucy, please call me Dot,” Dorothy smiled, filling each cup with coffee. “We’re all family here,”

Lucy and Cooper finished setting the table, bacon, eggs, and toast piled onto dishes in the center of the table. Richard Howard came in slowly, leaning heavily on his cane. The man had once stood at the same height as his son, now was stooped over with pain as he came to sit at the head of the table. Lucy felt her heart clench, an all too familiar sight before her. A flashback of Tim, the man who had once ducked through doorways stooped over as he shuffled from his bed to the bathroom. She swallows but does her best not to stare, helping Janey get seated instead. 

“Good to see you, Lucy,” Richard said with a small smile, wincing as he shifted in his chair. “Thank you, for helping Cooper.”

“Not a problem, Mr. Howard.” Lucy says as she helps Mathias scoop food onto his plate. He was still glaring at her, but she let it go. Kids would be kids. It wasn’t like she didn’t understand what it was like to lose a parent. 

***

Lucy waves at the kids as they load onto the bus, Mathias waves back with a small smile. Janey had clung onto her Dad, practically having to be peeled off the man to get her onto the bus. They both climbed back into the truck as the bus left. 

“Sorry about Matt,” Cooper added as they drove to Lucy’s place. “He has had a rough go, gets uncomfortable with new folks.”

Lucy shrugged, “It’s okay, little guy has been through a lot. I was similar at his age.”

Cooper nods as they turn down Lucy’s driveway, “I try to do my best with him, but he knows his Granddad is dying.” He swallows as he parks the truck, “Little guy can only handle so much.”

Lucy reaches over squeezing Cooper's arms, “You’re a good Dad, Cooper Howard.”

Cooper swallows looking out the windshield, his knuckles going white as he grips the steering wheel. "I feel like I am drowning most days. Hated having to move them so far." He rubs his jaw, "But we couldn't stay either."

Lucy keeps her hand on his arm, listening to him patiently. His shoulders were drawn tight like he was carrying the weight of the world.

"I am sorry," He murmurs, "We should - ah - go in."

"What if we help each other?" Lucy says, her mouth running before her brain can catch up. "I know, you have so much going on. With the farm, being a Dad, your own Dad. Plus you throw me into the mix with all my wack-a-do problems. Doesn't make it easy." She stops, trying to find out where this train of thought is heading. "But, umm, maybe between the two of us, we could make things work. Two heads is always better than one, and we work well together."

Cooper watching her with an unreadable expression on his face. Lucy felt her stomach twist, wondering if she may have gone too far.

"If that's something you might like to do?" Lucy looks away, moving her hand away to get out of the car before more words spill out of her mouth.

"Lucy," Cooper says, his voice so soft it's almost a whisper. "I would like that. Be nice to have someone who gets it."

SIX

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tag list: @toogaytofunctiondangit

**As always likes, comments, shares are soooo appreciated, you can find me Ao3 as well

** Want to be on the tag list let me know

** Most of my fics will be updated once a weekish possibly more often depending on how much writing I can get done! Want to keep the quality and make sure I am putting out my best work.

[travelingmaster-inspirations]

"I want you on your best behavior girls. Is that understood?" I said.

"Yes Mistress!" they all said in perfect unison.

I smiled and went to open the door.

"Thank you for your patience Josh. Come right in." I said, stepping aside to let him in.

"Thanks!" he said. "Oh wow... You weren't kidding huh?"

"I rarely do." I said as I followed him to the bed.

"Ok I have to admit..." he said after looking at the obedient kneeling girls nervously. "This feels completely bonkers... Like... At any moment you'll all burst out laughing or something..."

"I assure you nothing like that will happen." I said, taking the time to move to the other side of the bed so I could stand next to Becky while still facing my client. "As we've discussed before, this is very real and my goal is to earn your patronage..." I said, letting my hand comb her short mane. "It wouldn't make sense to make fun of perspective clients now would it?"

"No I guess not..." he said, still visibly nervous. "But come on... You have to admit that what you are offering is kind of out there..."

"I prefer to think of my service as... Unique." I said, winking at him. "All though I'm sure you'll agree that pimping out pretty girls is hardly anything new."

"Right..." he said, swallowing nervously. "So... You are saying that I can choose one of these girls and... Huh... They'll be my girlfriend for 2 weeks?"

"For the next 2 weeks at least, I guarantee that the girl you pick... And pay for... Will believe with all her heart that she's your girlfriend... Mistress... Human pet... Slave... Which ever tickles your fancy..." I said. "As long as you take care of her basic needs and she comes back to me unharmed, she'll be ANYTHING you want her to be."

"And... Huh... They won't mind?" he asked.

"Of course they won't..." I said, caressing Becky's mane once more. "Or to be more precise... They CAN'T mind..."

"So you've mentioned..." he said looking back at my 3 smiling slaves. "But I'll admit I still have a hard time believing that hypnosis and brainwashing could really give you THAT much control over your friends..."

"Oh Honey..." I said, letting my hand follow her main all the way to her cleavage. "You don't have to believe in any of that to be able to enjoy the fruits of it..."

To make my point, I casually grabbed her top and pulled it down to expose both perky tits. As expected, Becky showed no sign at all that she registered, which had the intended effect of making Josh's jaw drop. I let him enjoy the sight for a few moments before lifting the top back over her tits.

"I... I guess you're right..." he said, swallowing hard. "Wow..."

"I can tell you enjoyed that..." I said. "And just think... If you rent out one of my girls, her tits will be all yours to enjoy however you want for those 2 weeks... In fact... ALL of her will be yours to enjoy... When ever... How ever you want..." I said, kissing the top of Becky's head. "I give you my personal guarantee that each of these girls have been extensively trained thanks to the... 'Cooperation'... of one of my rather largely hung boy toys. So you don't have to worry about anything you ask them to do because unless you're packing something overly excessive, these fine girls will be able to handle it without any issues."

"Huh... Boy toy?" he asked, looking at me.

"What?" I said straitening up with a coy little smile. "Did you think I only hypnotized girls? No my dear... I have my own little toys to play with outside of my side business and thankfully, it happened to come in handy when it was time to teach these girls all there was to know about pleasing the opposite sex. You wouldn't believe how convenient it is to be able to condition a man to only cum when I authorize it." I said, walking slowly around the bed. "Makes for incredible sex of course... But it's also incredibly erotic to coach my girls through their gag reflex when they use a real cock instead of a boring old dildo..."

"Wait... You can do that? I mean... Block a guy's... Huh... Release?" he said.

"Of course I can..." I said as I walked up to him. "In fact... If 'stamina' is a problem for you... I also offer help in that department..."

"Right... Huh..." he said, visibly uncomfortable with my proximity. "But I mean... If I huh... You know... Would happen to... Need that... NOT that I'm saying I do!"

"Of course..." I said, trying to comfort his obvious discomfort. "But then again... Having extra stamina to be able to enjoy all the pleasures of your rental does sound pretty nice... Right?"

"Right..." he said, swallowing again. "So... If I would huh... Be interested... Then... Huh... That means I have to... Huh... Let you hypnotize me and what not... Right?"

His gaze slid sideways to look meaningfully at my 3 thralls.

"Correct..." I said, chuckling softly as I placed a manicured finger under his chin, pulling his focus back to me. "You'd have to... Hmm... 'Let me' hypnotize you... You'd have to peer deep into my eyes and allow yourself to relax into them... Because you know that if you do... If you listen to my soft soothing voice and focus all your attention on me... I'll give you unending pleasure... Stamina in spades to properly enjoy the helpless thrall you are renting to fulfill your wildest fantasy... I know that's something you want... Something you wish for... Something you want to surrender to... Isn't that right Josh?"

It took him a while to process what I was saying as I watched his eyes slightly glaze over with fascination and lust. But as my low voice died down, his mind understood he needed to voice his desire.

"Yes..." he said softly, making me smile.

Dilemmas... Dilemmas...

Josh was clearly the type of man I could easily hypnotize and as it always did when I found someone like him, my mind thought up a million fun things I could make him do once he was properly conditioned and enthralled.

He was handsome enough, but very shy and awkward. The former was always a good bonus and the latter could easily be worked on as I brainwashed him.

However, I did have plenty of boy toys already and I was looking for income more than I was looking for new sources of pleasure. Which meant that it was better to keep my libido in check.

Even IF he was such a tempting target...

Or maybe...

I could see how far I can take him and slip in a few suggestions that would ensure he keeps coming back...

I didn't break eye contact, but my focus went to my 3 obedient thralls on the bed and I forced myself not to laugh because I knew that once he got a taste of one of them, he wouldn't need much convincing to rent them again...

Although a little reinforcement couldn't hurt...

Right?

[galeorderbride]

Could I request headcanons for Dark Urge (good-aligned), Geraldus, Astarion, Gale, Wyll, and Halsin with GN Tav who is a martial pacifist please?

Finally, I bring happy tidings in the form of your requested headcanons. I seriously hope you enjoy them, and thank you so much again for your patience <3

I gave Durge GN pronouns as well, just a note.

HCs below the cut, much love xx

Some allusions to romance, but T rating for all

Headcanons for Geraldus, Astarion (spawn), Gale, Wyll, Halsin, and Durge (in that order); Tav as a Martial Pacifist

Geraldus: 

Geraldus would admire someone like this deeply. Tav, representing the grace, confidence and strategy that he believes Harpers should emulate. Traits he tries to achieve but sometimes feels that he falls short on. Especially after the fight at Danthelon’s. Survivor’s guilt would plague his mind a lot after that, and a strong motivation to prove to Jaheira and everyone he cares about that he could do his new job with honour. He wishes he could embody such a tactical way of encountering others of various temperaments.

Perhaps that’s what draws him to Tav. A self assuredness that anyone would be charmed by. And he’d be just as good at Tav’s side in a fight. Given how skilled he is with a bow when they fought those doppelgängers. The two of them would make a good pair, Tav knowing when to choose the battles, and Geraldus swooping in with those archery skills. Eventually, he’d get used to being at Tav’s side, and his confidence in himself would improve, as would his abilities as a Harper. 

Astarion (Spawn):

In all honesty, Astarion wouldn’t care for this attitude much. Not right away, anyway. When he’s absorbed in the need for revenge for all that Cazador did to him, he’d find difficulty in understanding Tav’s general pacifism. This is boring to him, unsatisfying even if it’s a bit more pragmatic. A martial pacifist Tav and Astarion might not even get along that well at first. Suffice it to say, their attitudes toward life tend to—clash. 

This wouldn’t last forever, though. Tav’s peaceful side also implies patience, an understanding that a lot of Astarion’s irritation comes from pain. Once Cazador is defeated and Astarion can begin to heal, he will see the value a little more in how Tav chooses their battles and wishes to cooperate instead of fight. That very patience is what would drive them closer as friends. 

Not to say he wouldn’t get a kick out of the times Tav fights back though, he’d remember those moments fondly. 

Gale: 

Gale isn’t the type to be confrontational for no good reason. He has a value for words and believes deeds reflect the character who performs them. He says it himself when entering the Grove that helping Zevlor with Kagha is a good idea, or, ‘the diplomatic approach’ as he calls it. So, he’s pretty impressed with Tav’s abilities to keep peace early on. Before Elminster charms him, he’s happy to avoid fights or stressful situations anyway, given he doesn’t know when the orb could detonate. 

But Gale has a bit of a wicked side, taking unexpected pleasure in seeing Tav exercise the last resort: fighting. The Shadowlands would force Tav’s hand in heavy combat, pushing off phantoms and cursed harpers in the emerald darkness of Reithwin. At the end of it all, when everyone is taking their breath and Gale sees them covered in viscera and sweat, his growing crush grows into strong desire. Enamoured by Tav’s tactical approach, as capable of swinging a sword as they are in the skill of word. 

Wyll: 

The best thing about Wyll is that, in some ways, he is also a martial pacifist. With those warlock charisma levels, it’s no surprise that he can talk himself out of a situation as adequately as he could fight his way through. Tav and Wyll would be an absolute dream team throughout the journey! Getting along well through conflict but also times of relaxation, sitting around the campfire exchanging stories of past adventures. 

These two learn a lot from each other and it brings them closer. He appreciates a person who can rise above themselves for the greater good, whether they’re angry, vengeful or saddened. To understand that peaceful resolution can get someone even more than fighting them. But he’s also gifted with the sword, enjoys the adrenaline of battle when it comes down to it. Much like Tav, he knows the balance between love and war. 

Halsin: 

Despite his size, the man is not a fighter. Not that he isn’t capable, but that he simply prefers balance to chaos. As is the nature of most Druids. While Halsin struggled with the constant politicking of being Archdruid, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t value the other preservation of peace through words and negotiation. He wouldn’t believe himself to be charismatic enough to manage it himself, certainly not in the way Tav would throughout their adventure. But he would feel confident in Tav’s reliability that shows in their implicit pacifism. Because of this, he’d prefer the ‘pacifist’ side more than the ‘martial’. 

He’d appreciate Tav’s confidence in fighting in the Shadow Cursed Lands. A place that demands combat all the time, not many opportunities to talk one’s way out (at least until they reach Moonrise). But Tav pushes through, helping Halsin break the curse he’s been studying for a century. The rugged journey of finding Thaniel in the Shadow veil is not fit for the faint of heart. And after fighting off undead monsters, only to help Halsin bring Thaniel to camp, the friendly giant has nearly no choice but to fall for Tav. 

Durge (Redeemed): 

Good-aligned Durge wants to be good, but at the beginning of their journey, they have no idea where to start. Bloody urges still fester in their brain despite the tadpole’s influence, and pushing them away is definitely harder than giving in. Honestly, Durge might have initially learned to cool their head and de-escalate violence from Tav when they first met. Watching Tav go through stressful situations with confidence, never losing their temper even when the moment begs for rage. Durge would envy that ability, even to the point of madness as Tav seems to do it so effortlessly, slinking into the background as if they weren’t battling with themselves. 

Nights by the fire with Tav would be the real ticket to Durge admiring them rather than being jealous. Maybe even become entirely attached, as Tav would be understanding and helpful when Durge becomes downtrodden by fighting their ancestral desires, wondering if they’ll ever be able to change despite forcing themselves to be peaceful. Eventually, when Durge frees themselves from the clutches of Bhaal for good, they’d credit Tav as teaching them about the kind of person they want to be from then on.

[spampai]

Struggle.

Mine, Aka Spampai/Clsketches

…

Sigh.

Thoughts again. I know people will probably skim thru this, but I don’t have the heart to care right now. I’m sharing because I trust you. I’m aware of the dangers of the internet and how they can use to manipulate, but I just don’t care right now.

I don’t really care if this gets 1039390384 notes or less than 10, and I don’t care what time I’m posting this, because apparently now it’s the dead hour ‘til nighttime, but I don’t have the patience to wait.

I’ll place an image of Bitty because I don’t like false hashtags and I relate to him in some way. Favorite character, is all.

Everytime I boot up Tumblr, my expectations boost up to the max, expecting notifications, feedback, reblogs, likes, comments. I see none. I leave quickly with a frown.

It also happened on Instagram; it’s just the same thing happening all over again in Tumblr.

In my last post on a ramble, everyone convinced that it takes time, which of course, is true. But I always find a way to come back to this occurrence, and I can’t take that thought away. What’s happening?

Are the artists not reblogging because of poor quality? Is it because I have poor management on when to post? Is my hashtags outdated? Is it because the content I’ve posted is dead?

Or is it the luck? People tend to base their account out of luck of people, big artists, communities, to find, like, reblog, comment. I’ve rarely got that, and whenever it’s about them, I get more likes.

Am I like-driven in some way? I don’t know.

Am I promoting the manga way too much? I don’t know?

Is it spam content? I don’t know.

Does my content stand above the rest? I don’t know.

Do I post too often or too less? I don’t know.

Is my account worth to reblog on? Art-wise? Comment-wise? I don’t know.

I just don’t know.

I don’t know anything.

Too much questions, too much.

My brain can’t think. My heart can’t feel.

They can’t cooperate and work together.

All the brain does is overthink; the heart mourn, carrying more burden everyday.

Even if I did take a break, it’ll never stop my pursue for more feedback. The only thing I ask myself to do is to stay positive, commit to my goals and be happy, but I think it’s wearing off over time, slowly.

…

I’ll just see u in my next post.

Thanks for everyone who commented in my last ramble. It helped, and I hope I can see more someday. Whenever that is.

Thanks to all the artists who convinced me to stay here; idk if any of u are reading this but love ya and keep the positivity.

Support my manga, reblogging if u like it or smth. I need it. Physically and mentally. Use #Talk Your Way Out! Or smth I don’t know anymore on how the algorithm works. I don’t know if the upcoming chapters will receive as much, but idk. Idk if this counts as more spam promoting.

Part 1:

Part 2:

I’ll just add this. I’ll be working on Part 3 now, ‘cause I spend way too much time on this post. See you.

[amidstnamjin-and-binchanlix]

how long can you stand the heat || ot7

Warnings: Uhhh, none I think? Non-graphical smut and slight angst, but that's pretty much it for now since I'm still crafting the next part, and some curse words lmao.

I won't control you, but MDNI. This is not for you, please.

Pairings: OT7/(F) Reader, Jackson Wang/(F) Reader

Plot: The one where your soulmates don't want you in their life, so you give them what they want and stay out of their way.

Genre: not really unrequited love (but they're all idiots), mutual pining, angst, denial of feelings, poly ot7

How do you think I'm going to get along

Without you when you're gone?

You took me for everything that I had

And kicked me out on my own.

Are you happy? Are you satisfied?

How long can you stand the heat?

Out of the doorway the bullets rip

To the sound of the beat.

mixtape: all i have left to give - part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - ending 1

I originally posted this on ao3 last April but I've just recently thought, "why not post this on tumblr now that i'm using it again after a few years?"

this fic is v self-serving, and was brought to you by my ✨maladaptive daydreams✨

first fic i posted here. idek what im doing but lezzgawwww

Title obviously came from AOBTD. Thank you, Sir John Deacon. You are heaven-sent for making this iconic and legendary bop.

This will be a part of a multi-fic series and i've already crafted 80/90-ish% of the next part im so sorry my mind isn't cooperating rn

✨️

God must be testing your patience.

I mean sure, you might not also be sure that there is indeed a god out there somewhere. However, you must have pissed off some deity or you had pissed on some old man of the mound. Either way, you don't care. You're pissed off now, too.

You see when they rejected you and asked (read: avoided you like the plague until Sejin spoke with you) not to speak or interact with them, you respected their wishes. It stung, but it's not really surprising.

It's not a secret that the seven of them are soulmates, polyamorous soulbonds not even a rarity in and out of the industry. However, it's also not a secret that they're very exclusive and don't let too many (if any) other people in their circle because of the things they had to endure as a group. It makes sense that they wouldn't want a new person intruding and messing with their dynamics, soulmate or not.

(deep down you want to say it doesn't make sense. you're their soulmate, why can't they accept you like that? but there's still nothing you can do, isn't there?)

And so, you delegated all your tasks related to their group to your most trusted employees completely and avoided them at all costs. And by 'at all costs', you mean everything. You even deleted all their songs on your playlists and blocked them on social media (even on Spotify). You can co-exist with them without interacting, although it makes your chest ache through the bond because of the soul rejection like a 24/7 acid relapse.

It's fine. You can ignore all that. You can handle rejection. You've been used to this since you were a kid; adult you can handle this.

Soul rejection side effects? Nothing meds and doctors can't fix. Technology has never been more advanced and all that jazz.

You're a mature person, and you pride yourself on that. You don't like confrontations that much and would rather step back as much as you can to disengage. If your soulmates don't want anything to do with you, then you'll back off.

But you sometimes wonder if they can feel it too, the soul strings fraying and slowly decaying. After shit went down, it's bouts of nausea and dizziness, and constant chest aches for you. That's not even half of it. It'll take a whole day for you to list all your symptoms.

If they do feel it, does it add to their list of reasons why they hate your existence? You mean, they had been borderline antagonistic since your first meeting, cold but civil at best.

It was a contrast to the way the tiny soul marks on each of your fingers glowed on your first meeting even until after Taehyung and Yoongi fled in what you can guess is disbelief and refusal, the others following suit. The warmth in your hands felt scorching, and you had never wanted to scrub them with water in your life then more than you ever did, your chest beating hard and painfully. You remember feeling like someone slashed your insides with a hot knife, and it has never stopped being in pain ever since.

What else were you supposed to think other than they hate you?

Not wanting to risk another embarrassing conversation with Sejin (bless his heart), you decided to book an appointment and signed up for the relatively new soul-scraping therapy. It's still in its human trial stages and is slowly being recognized as a way of severing soul ties, albeit not approved and sanctioned by the government. Anything to give and honor their wishes. They're your soulmates, and it's innate in you to give people what they want.

(or was it really just that?)

All of that and everything else, you can take. You live and abide by your life motto to stay out of drama, so you take all of it in stride and with dignity because it's all you have left at this point when it comes to them.

This is where you got pissed off, though. This day takes the cake, this sodding party.

Attending the party was certainly not your idea. You're tired from the long-ass meetings you had today—JYP's team asked for a meeting for your agreement with Day6 since Sungjin got discharged a few months ago with Younghyun following suit in a few days. A party is definitely not on your to-do list. If it's up to you, you'll be going home to your phone and fics.

(and if they're bangtan fics, nobody has to know. this, you can let yourself have—you were advised against going cold turkey from them by the doctors handling the soul-scraping therapy, after all. if you can't have them, maybe you can at least indulge in fictional them.)

You have been minding your own business since you arrived at the bar. It's laughable how socially inept you are despite handling your business and meeting the entertainment industry's biggest names and leaders regularly. When being put in parties and other gigs that force you to socialize just for the sake of socializing, you're back to being the fat loser kid that avoided making new friends because the ones you previously had in childhood (if you can really call them that) can't understand how your brain and mouth work. Frankly, you don't, too, so you just preferred to stay in one corner until it's socially acceptable to go home.

"Hey." Jackson squeezes your hand in his and smiles worriedly at you. "You doing okay?"

Jackson had been a long-time friend and is someone you trust your whole life with. Jackson had seen you through your bests and worsts, but had never once turned his back on you or betrayed you as many people did.

Yeah, you would trust him with your whole life. Your panties too, but don't tell him that.

(there's no need to because he knows; he did lots of times before, with his face between your thighs and your undies in his pocket.)

"I'm good." You don't even bother smiling, knowing it won't convince him too much. He knows your stand on parties; you're his polar opposite, after all. "I just really wanna go home."

"Can I come with?" he asks with a salacious smile.

You roll your eyes.

"Stop being horny for five minutes, please."

"You shouldn't have worn that dress, then." He rakes you with an assessing look. "On second thought, that's the best decision you did tonight so far. If you're not going home with anyone tonight, my room's open."

"You up to be my wingman?" you ask.

"Sure. I'll sit with you all night so we can look like a swinger couple scouting for a third we can take home." He waggles his eyebrows.

You snort at that with an amused chuckle, oblivious to the glare(s) directed your way by—who else?—your soulmates.

They (Taehyung) heard from Manager Sejin and Noona Ae-cha that you're not sure if you can come. They didn't know why the two were talking about you, but Taehyung tried to act immersed in his phone while eavesdropping.

Apparently, you had been stuck in the boardroom almost all day with the back-to-back meetings, and you even had to cancel your doctor's appointment. For what the appointment is for, he didn't know. It explains your absence that day, and he files the information away at the back of his head. He can't for the life of him understand why he can't stop trying to spot crumbs about you.

(he does know, but he's in denial about why—and he'll deny both.)

He then told his hyungs and Jungkook, which they just nodded at, seemingly uninterested. But if Namjoon's faraway serious look at times is anything to go by or the way Jimin picks at the skin on his lips as he's lost in thought, he's pretty sure they are also subtly trying to figure out if you're coming.

(but they'll all deny that if asked.)

They haven't seen you that much since they started actively avoiding you months ago and shut down whatever soul link you have with them, and you are damn good at trying to stay out of their way.

It surprised them, they're not gonna lie. They expected you to put up a fight, but all Manager Sejin told them was that you agreed. You never interacted with them ever since unless it was really needed, and you were always wearing your rings and not making unnecessary eye contact even once.

(and that somehow pisses them off and itches under their skin because how dare you not be interested?)

And now you've been here for the past hour or so, Jackson Wang in tow. Or rather, Jackson has his arms alternately snaked around yours or slung around your shoulders. It makes Jackson look like a frat douchebag.

(and it makes taehyung look jealous and interested in you which he is so not, no.)

Hoseok was the first one to spot you arriving, Another One Bites The Dust thumping through the dancefloor that was bathed in red lights. He nudges Namjoon from his seat in their secluded and swanky VIP room that was separated one floor above the bar proper.

"There she is", he says then, gesturing towards you as all seven pairs of eyes land on you as you enter with Jackson. "She's with Wang."

With varying levels of internal turmoil, they all watch as Jackson led you through the throngs of people, presumably to another room like theirs. They see you shake your head and point to the bar, and Jackson's face light up with a wide smile before redirecting your steps.

Yoongi asks himself why you have to wear that dress or why Jackson has to clutch at your hands like a little kid, the others having a similar train of thought. Does Jackson think he's going to be lost in this bar? Is he that plain stupid to be lost in this bar, really?

And why are you letting him?

Jimin tries not to let his eyes wander on your legs, tries not to let his mind wander back to the thought of being choked by your thick supple legs and ripping that off-shoulder dress off you and—

Oh. Woah, there.

Stop it! he thinks to himself and shakes his head.

(this is not the first time he's thought of this, darling. when he first saw those smooth and lovely-looking plump thighs, he knows he was fucked.)

Jin is no better, but he hides it better than the others. After all, it was not his idea to shut you out like that. He was opposed to it and tried to talk some sense into the others, but they didn't listen. He thought back then that Namjoon would at least be reasonable and give you a shot but nooo, the kid was stupid enough to listen to others.

Let them have what they want, then.

(he can feel the pit and longing in his chest some nights and thinks that maybe he can let the others do what they want but still do what he wants too. but he takes a look at the six men who had been there for him through thick and thin, and he can't lose them. he sends you an apology mentally, hoping you can at least feel it through the bond.)

"Calm down," Jin tells them levelly, trying to pry the glass off Namjoon's hand, lest he crushes it and injures himself. "You're crushing the poor thing, Joonie. Don't wanna end up in the ER, do you?"

Jackson's the one to end up in the ER if he doesn't unwrap his arms from your shoulders, that's who, Namjoon thinks to himself bitterly before he can stop himself.

Jin leans back on his seat and watches as you laugh with Jackson, arms slung around your shoulders as the latter listens to you talk. They all wouldn't have to seethe in barely contained anger if they just listened to him though, so who's at fault here?

Aish, these brats.

"I'm going to get more drinks," Jungkook suddenly says, disentangling himself from Taehyung fluidly.

"You can just ask them," Namjoon says, pointing towards the glass doors where their security detail is posed out of the room. "There's no need to go out."

"I'm going to get more drinks," Jungkook repeats firmly, ignoring him. Namjoon's jaw clenches. "Come help me, Jin-hyung?"

Ah, this conniving brat. Jin wants to kiss his pouty lips for this.

"Sure," Jin says easily, much to Namjoon's annoyance. He pats Namjoon's cheeks gently. "No breaking the glass, Joon-ah. We have a photoshoot tomorrow."

He pulls Jungkook out of the room before any of them can disagree further. He loops his arm around Jungkook's petite waist, nodding once to the man stationed at the door.

"You're not just getting drinks at you, aren't you?" Jin asks as they descend the steps.

"I don't know what you're talking about, hyung." Jungkook's smile is sharp. "I just don't wanna get roofied and end up on the tabloids tomorrow, is all."

"You don't have to lie to me," Jin says, kissing his hair. "I wanna see her, too."

Jungkook's smile turns sad at that.

"I just don't understand. [Name]-noona seems like a nice person. They're all being stupid."

Jin has to agree. "But you know why we have to, right? I don't like it, too, but we have no choice."

"But we do!" Jungkook insists. "We can be friends, even."

"Friends don't fuck friends." Jungkook snorts at that. "There's nothing 'friends' about wanting her with us, Jungkook."

"Friends don't fuck friends, my ass," Jungkook mumble mockingly. "That didn't stop Jackson-hyung at all."

Jin stops momentarily, pulling Jungkook to a stop. "Excuse me?"

"They were having sex last week, hyung. When Jackson-hyung came over last Wednesday."

"Was that why...?"

"Yeah." Jungkook takes his hand as they walk again. "I felt it through the strings, too."

Jungkook is suspiciously not meeting his eyes.

"Jungkook-ah."

"What?" he asks innocently. Jin's lips pull into a smirk.

"You naughty cat!"

"I—what? No!" but Jungkook is still not meeting his eyes. "I didn't watch them."

Jin gasps delightedly.

"This is so much better. I didn't even say anything yet!"

Ah, fuck.

In Jungkook's defense, he hadn't meant to listen in. But he had been on his way back to the practice room from relieving his screaming bladder when he heard it. The warmth and arousal that was definitely not his he had been ignoring since that lunchtime was not helping his curiosity.

"Ah!" And oh shit, it's someone moaning and it's you.

That explains the arousal he's been feeling. Oh, and the jealousy now (his), too.

"Yeah?" A deeper voice asked breathlessly. Another punched-out moan from you, and the arousal flares in his chest.

Yup. It's definitely his this time.

"Jackson, please," your equally breathless voice pleaded, and the sound shot to his cock. Jungkook had to stop his hand from going south inside his pants and boxers.

A delighted shriek and breathless laugh, followed by a staccato of 'ah ah ah's and hips slapping against each other punctuated the otherwise silent afternoon he was having.

And what would a self-respecting man do?

Stay and listen to you get railed six ways to Sunday, was what he did.

(jungkook didn't say he's a self-respecting man.)

Jungkook slipped his hand inside his pants and boxers and wrapped his hand around his aching cock. He almost moaned at how your moans quickly reached a whole other level of desperation. He wondered and tried to imagine how you would feel around him if he fucked you harder and deeper than Jackson possibly can.

He knows he can.

"Hands, Jackson." There was a chuckle, then your whine was heard. "Baobei, please."

Jungkook heard Jackson's sharp intake of breath, and he had to internally agree. Even speaking Mandarin, you sound so hot.

He heard you mewl with a choked giggle as the sounds of hips to hips got faster.

"You really like my hands, huh?" Jackson asked.

"Mhm. Want them wrapped around my—ah!—neck all the time."

Fuck.

Jungkook had to bite onto his hands as he came, so as not to give his position away, cock spurting on his hands,. Seconds later and he heard you cry out and Jackson grunt to completion.

So, no. He definitely didn't watch.

"You nasty, nasty boy!" Jin cackles at him and he wants to pout. "You listened in to them having sex?!"

"Hyung!" Jungkook hisses. "Not too loud."

Jin snickers at him, mouth pulled in a tempting smirk he wants to kiss. "Was it good?"

"Hyung," he whines. At Jin's unfaltering smirk, he sighs. "It was. She sounds so good, hyung. I can't take it off my mind."

"Maybe later, we can do something about that." Jin says with a low hum.

He peers at Jin's eyes and almost shudders at the dark and hungry look in them. Jin squeezes his waist, and it takes Jungkook's breath away.

In his silence, Jin nods with a hum.

"Hm, definitely later."

He won't say no to that. If they can't have you, Jungkook's gonna take what he can get, even if it means settling on replaying your moans in his head.

When they reach the bar, you are still sitting at the other end with Jackson. They are careful not to be seen by you or you'll probably leave like you always do when they get within your 10-foot vicinity.

Then Jackson puts his hand on your slightly exposed leg. He feels the others' jealousy through the bond first before he feels his own, and he sees you stiffen in your seat.

Hyungs!

Jungkook quickly looks away, but not before Jackson catches his gaze. He completely misses the way Jackson's mouth pulls into a quick smirk as their drinks are thankfully served at that exact moment.

"Wanna head back to your place?"

You're unexpectedly suddenly close, and it's like Jackson wants him and Jin to hear to rile them up. It works, and he can barely tamp down the urge to pour the drinks over Jackson's big head, being older be damned.

"Sure. I'll just swing by the restroom." You say as you walk away. Jin and Jungkook take that as their cue to go back to their ritzy room.

"That was short," Jin says tightly as they go back. "Was it you?"

Jungkook shakes his head.

Jin's lips quirk into an amused smile.

"Ah, jealous bastards."

"Weren't you too, though?" Jungkook asks with a slightly amused smile of his own. "That was... that was intense."

"That serves them," Jin says as they near the room. "If they weren't just pigheaded, it's my shoulders her legs are gonna be hanging from later."

"Jin-hyung!" Jungkoo huffs, but then deflates. "Yeah."

"Don't worry, we still have later," Jin says with a lascivious smirk.

And he can't complain about that, can he?

"Where's Tae-hyung?" he asks when they enter the room, Taehyung nowhere in sight.

"Went out. Didn't say where." Hoseok says as he accepts their drinks and puts the tray on the table. It takes a few seconds for him to piece it all together, and he mentally facepalms.

"Whatever happened to 'not giving a fuck' about [Name]?" he mumbles.

"Jungkook," Namjoon warns.

It sets him off.

"What? Are you all really going to keep on pretending? You do realize I felt that back there too, right?" he shoots back.

"So the drinks were just a ruse?" Namjoon's face is stormy.

Jungkook holds his gaze steady. "And what if it was? You all know what I felt about this since day one."

"Kook-ah." It's Jimin this time. "Not now, please."

"And when, hyung? When we go back to just pretending an eighth of our soul doesn't exist out there?"

"Jungkook."

He glares at Yoongi. "No, hyung. If you all want to be stupid, I don't! [Name]-noona is going through therapy because of this, don't you know?"

Yoongi scoffs. "She's a big girl, she can handle herself."

"Not soul-scraping therapy, she won't."

They all stop at that. Even Jungkook stops and internally curses.

Fuck, he wasn't supposed to say that.

"What did you say?" Namjoon's voice takes on a dangerous tone.

He huffs but stays silent, not really wanting to dig a deeper hole for himself.

"Jungkook."

"I talked to Jiho-hyung, okay? I bumped into him five months ago when he visited her."

Silence.

"Im Jiho?" At Jungkook's nod, Namjoon's frown deepened. "I didn't know he practices soul-scraping."

"He's co-authoring the soul-scraping study with Doctor Seong."

At the mention of one of their previous soul health doctors, Yoongi raises his eyebrows.

"Our Doctor Seong?"

Jungkook nods with a sigh, plopping down beside Hoseok. "Apparently, it's why he stopped private practice—to focus on the studies. They're also lobbying for fully legalizing soul-scraping in the Assembly. I ran into him, and he mentioned that he was there for noona's side effects from the therapy."

Side effects?

Shit.

"W-wait. Five months, you said?" Jin says with a tremble in his voice. "Is that why I can barely feel her anymore?"

Jungkook's sigh is pained, forlorn. "Apparently, yeah."

They all lapse in complete silence after that, the thumping of the beat on the dancefloor faint through the walls.

"Fuck."

Indeed.

It is then that Taehyung comes back. He takes one look at their varying degrees of solemn and stunned expressions and tilts his head.

"What? What happened?" he asks.

"[Name]..."

Taehyung's eyes widen before his expression smooths into indifference.

"I told you, I'm no—"

"That's not it," Jimin says softly. "She's in soul-scraping therapy, Taehyung-ah."

...

"What?"

(oh, lord. you don't know the turmoil you caused all these pining idiots, darling.)

---

And what about you?

As we said in the beginning, god must be testing your patience.

"Hey," Jackson says softly. He lifts your chin with a gentle smile long after Taehyung fucked off to god knows where. "You good, baobei?"

You didn't even know they were here. You were vaguely aware that yeah, they might be, but it totally slipped your mind. Meetings really did drain your brain.

When you stood up and went to the restroom while Jackson called for the driver, you didn't know that Taehyung was watching you from their room and completely high-tailed it from there just to intercept you when he saw you stand up from the corner of the bar. You didn't know why, but his stupid drunken ass just decided it wanted and it was a good idea to rile you up.

To piss you off is why, you think.

When you exited the ladies' room, Taehyung was standing there by the wall looking lethal. The ache in your chest flared up for two different reasons, but you ignored it. You ignored him and started walking away, pretending you didn't see him.

"So you're really here."

Seriously?

You continued ignoring him and walked on, but he didn't let you get far.

He grabs your wrist. "I said, you're really here."

The spot where he held you burned and you hissed, cursing the therapy's side effects. You were warned that coming in contact skin-to-skin with your soulmates while undergoing the therapy would feel painful (literally), but you didn't heed it then. You had no reason to touch them after all when they didn't even want to see you.

But it is painful, and it burns.

You yanked your wrist away, hiding your wrist behind your back. There's no need for that, though. Taehyung was looking at your face intently.

"Yes, and I was just leaving. See you around, T—"

"With Jackson?"

What's it with this guy?

You looked back at him and squared your shoulders up. "That's really none of your business, Taehyung."

He laughed with a sneer, shaking his head.

"What would people say if they knew you're off gallivanting with men who aren't your soulmate?"

Wow.

The nerve of this asshole.

You can't let him see it affect you though, so you tilt your head with an innocent smile.

"I'm just a nobody. Why would they talk about me? " You smirked in amusement. "I don't think it'll be me they will talk about since I wasn't the one who rejected my soulmate, was I?"

And oh, shit. Where did that come from, [Name]? Feisty.

"And I'm not doing anything illegal. Why should I be scared?" You slightly lean back and tilt your chin up. "I'm not the one between us with a reputation to uphold, a name I should protect."

You paused, a serene smile on your face.

"I'm not a coward. I'm not you, Taehyung"

The smirk on his lips was replaced with a sharp look of disdain, almost like he wants to slap the smile off your face.

(he wants to, darling. trust me. just not in the way you think.)

You knew you hit a nerve and it feels petty and mean, but it's nothing compared to the loneliness and pain they gave you these past few months. It felt satisfying, even if for just a bit.

"You really think you're all that, don't you?" He smiled almost mockingly. "Tell me, how does it feel to be rejected?"

That really stung and angered you, but you've spent all your life hiding your emotions when needed to. Your expression didn't falter.

"It feels good—"

"—because she dodged a bullet."

You internally sighed in relief as Jackson's voice float behind you. You'll forever be thankful for this man's existence, gods or not.

You melt in his arms when he wrapped them around your waist. You chanced a look at Jackson, not seeing the twitch on Taehyung's brows at your body language.

"You really think you're all that, don't you?" Jackson mocked back at him. "Imagine thinking it's the end of the world for your soulmate just because you shut down their bond." Jackson chuckled ruthlessly.

"You're pathetic, Taehyung-ssi."

The two were locked in a glowering match before Taehyung straightened up and spun on his heel without a word.

Jackson let you get your bearings by the wall of the hallway to the ladies' room in silence. But he didn't let you stew in your thoughts for long.

So now here you are, looking at his gentle eyes.

"You good, baobei?"

You don't know how to answer that really, so you pull him by the collar into a searing kiss.

He puts his hand on your waist, the other on the wall by your face, and you tighten your hold on his collar.

You pull away to gasp for air.

"Take me home," you exhale heavily as you lean your head on his shoulder. "Take me home and fuck me 'til I forget, or I might do something stupid."

Jackson's sharp intake of air is your answer before he pulls you away to your awaiting car outside the club.

---

feedback (constructive, please don't be too rude bc i'll cry) and kudos very much appreciated!

[hesbuckcompton-baby]

Damage Gets Done - SAS: Rogue Heroes x OC - Chapter 10

Masterlist | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | - | Chapter 11

Summary: On a mission to meet with an informant, more of Diana's past is uncovered, and the group's plan is thrown into jeopardy

Relationships: L Detachment x Platonic!OC, eventual Reg Seekings x OC

Warnings: Language, violence, blood/gore

Word Count: 3.8k

Tags: @20th-centu-fairy-girl @trenchenjoyer @dcyllom @footprintsinthesxnd @regseekings

A/N: I'm SOOOOO SORRY for the hiatus this fic has been on for the last couple months - I was struggling with writer's block for a while and then other fics sort of took over my life, but I'm really glad to be back writing this again. Thank you so much to everyone who's stuck around, I really appreciate your patience <3

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She could taste the sea air on her tongue, feel the salt spray turning her hair sticky as they pulled up along the beachfront of the small, coastal town, barely fifty miles away from Benghazi. On a routine intelligence mission, Stirling had sent their small group - Diana, Seekings, Kershaw and Cooper - to get in, find their informant, exchange information, and get out. It was nothing, not for the four of them, who had all performed dozens of missions ten times more dangerous than this. It was practically a day off.

For an occupied town, the military presence was scarcely noticeable save for the occasional soldier smoking outside a cafe. The citizens seemed almost unaware that there was even a war on, visiting shops and taking their children to the beach as if all was normal, nothing like the tension that had hung thick in the air at Benghazi.

Their uniforms had long since been discarded, the men dressed in civilian clothing, a jarring sight after so many months in their company. Diana's curls erupted outwards from beneath the brim of her sunhat, tinted glasses shielding her from the sun's glare reflecting against the waves.

"Remind me who we're looking for again," She uttered under her breath, hands resting loosely in her pockets. Everyone in this town looked the same, and without a photo to work from, finding their informant seemed nearly impossible.

"Stirling says we'll know it when we see it," Cooper drawled, practically rolling his eyes from boredom. He'd been a strange choice for a mission like this - the absence of violence made him twitchy.

"Oh, wonderful, very helpful," Diana huffed, fiddling with the watch around her wrist. They were exposed out here, the four of them wandering the streets in a neat little row without any clear direction or purpose to guide them. It was clear they had no idea where they were going, and sooner or later someone would notice. If only Stirling had let her come alone-

Diana stopped.

She knew that face. And she knew he wasn't meant to be here. Which could only mean one thing. Stepping back on her heel, she began a retreat, much to the confusion of her companions, who watched her turn with furrowed brows.

"That one over there, sitting at the table by the door," Diana nodded, the others following her gaze. "I'll just wait in the car, I'll see you later."

Before she could walk away, Seekings' hand found her arm, seizing her gently, but with just enough force to root her to the spot. She glanced up at him, rolling her eyes to hide the tension that had overtaken her.

"What's goin' on?" He asked, voice hushed. "You've gotta come, you're the only one who can read the bloody thing."

He was right. The files they'd been sent to retrieve were written in Arabic - she was the only one who could confirm its legitimacy. Damn, Stirling. There was no doubt in her mind he'd had a hand in this. Their informant had looked up from his newspaper, meeting her eye from across the street, the colour draining from his cheeks.

"Stirling's a fucking bastard," Diana muttered, roughly shrugging Reg's hand away and storming over, taking a seat at the table opposite the man. He was staring at her, mouth slightly agape, barely even noticing the other men as they approached and took their seats, exchanging wary glances.

"Afternoon, Andrew."

He folded his newspaper away, a stray golden curl falling into his face. "Diana. Long time no see."

Kershaw's brow arched in question, his gaze flitting slowly between the pair. "Right... who's this?"

The informant stretched his arm out across the table, reaching for a polite handshake. "Andrew Schulz," He introduced himself, German surname inducing an instinctive bristle among the men. Reg hadn't stopped glaring at the man since the moment they'd sat down, and Cooper had to elbow him hard in the side to snap him out of it.

"We used to be engaged," Diana stated nonchalantly. Johnny had reached for the cup of coffee on the table, pilfering a sip, and Dave had landed a hard slap between his shoulder blades to stop him from choking at this revelation.

"You were gonna marry a German?" Cooper asked, boyish eyes wide in horror. Seekings's entire face had turned two shades redder.

"Yeah, until he developed an affinity for the Third Reich."

"I think the fact we're sitting here would indicate I wasn't exactly genuine in my regard for the Nazi party," Schulz hissed, voice lowered to avoid attracting attention. His English was fluent, albeit tinged with a German accent. Everything about the man screamed wealth - the perfect state of his hair, the neat knot of his tie, the pristine skin of his hands - he bore the look of a man who'd never worked a real day in his life. Even on her best day, Diana wasn't as polished as him. Sitting opposite each other now, Reg found it impossible to picture the pair ever having any sort of regard for each other. Or perhaps he just didn't want to.

"Just gimme the file so I can leave," She huffed.

"No. You've got to sit here long enough that it doesn't look suspicious. We're meeting for drinks, nothing more."

Diana's jaw clenched, staring anywhere but at the man across from her. Dave had begun to fear she was going to make a break for it when she sucked in a sharp breath, reaching for a cigarette. "At least tell me where it is."

"In the bag next to my seat."

"Fine," She shrugged.

An almost unbearable silence hung upon them for a moment, the three SAS men sucking their cheeks for something to say as she puffed cloud after cloud of smoke, seemingly revelling in Andrew's discomfort.

After a few minutes of skin-crawling quiet, Reg cleared his throat. "Oi, Di, d'you want to go get drinks?" She was up before he'd even finished the sentence, the pair of them scurrying inside the cafe. At least with half of the bitter couple gone, Kershaw and Cooper could carry some semblance of conversation.

He frowned at her as they entered the cafe - if she clenched her jaw any harder, he reckoned her teeth might shatter. The woman behind the counter glanced up at them with a smile, and it was as if a switch flicked within Diana, the tension sapped from her body, a pleasant smile curling her lip. She ordered quickly and politely, conversing in Arabic so that Reg simply had to hope she'd ordered his coffee how he liked it. As soon as the exchange was over, she stepped silently to the side to await their order, tugging at the cuffs of her shirtsleeves agitatedly.

Reg had never known her to be like this - on edge, certainly, but not fucking quiet. She was dynamite with a pretty smile, and no man made her nervous. Perhaps he had despised Andrew Schulz from the moment he'd sat down, but his impression certainly wasn't getting any better.

"So are you gonna... talk about it?" He prompted, voice kept low beneath the hum of patrons' conversation.

Diana turned her head to him, brow raised. "You, Reg, want to talk about... feelings."

Passing his weight between the balls of his feet, Reg cleared his throat slightly. "Uh. Yeah. I guess."

She hummed, disbelief evident in her expression. "Right. Well, there's not exactly much to tell - I was a socially isolated teenager, and he was handsome and rich. There wasn't much to it."

He nodded along as she spoke, keeping his clenched fists in his pockets and out of sight. "... Right. So you don't still-"

"No," Diana snapped, a little faster than he was perhaps comfortable with. "God, no. I haven't seen him in years, and it's not exactly like I've been sitting around with a lack of something to do."

Reg took a sliver of satisfaction in this - in the idea that what the SAS did had successfully replaced any presence this man had had in her life. "... He's a bit of a prick, isn't he?"

"He's absolutely a prick," She had clearly been resistant to talk about Andrew at first, but the more she spoke the more energised she became by it. "Y'know, he joined up in '38, before the war even started. Yunno who does that? Freaks and fanatics."

"Cunt."

"Exactly," Diana nodded firmly, bouncing slightly on her heels. It had clearly been a long time since she'd vented these frustrations to another soul. "But no, apparently I should've just fucking predicted the fucking future and guessed he would've turned out to be a you know what."

"Unreasonable."

"Unreasonable."

By the time their order was finished, the waitress passing a tray of coffee cups across the counter, she was practically red in the face, a different kind of tension taking over. Diana no longer looked like she was considering hurling herself into the harbour to avoid talking to Shulz - she looked like she wanted to drown him in it instead.

Kershaw noticed the moment she stepped outside, looking up with a cautious frown as she put the tray down at their table, taking her seat with an elegant rigidity. Reg raised a brow at him as he came to sit down, accepting his coffee with a nod. She had gotten his order right.

Lifting her cup to her lips, Diana took a long sip of the still-burning liquid, her gaze never leaving the German officer sitting across from her.

"Alright. New plan," She stated as soon as the silence had lingered just long enough to make Andrew squirm.

"Oh?" He enquired, a hint of condescension in his tone that made Reg's knuckles whiten.

"I'm gonna drink half of this. Then I'm gonna pick a fight. When I do, you boys back off and get the car - swing 'round back and I'll meet you there."

"What do you expect that plan to do?" Shulz scoffed.

"I expect it to work."

Lips pursed, the German swallowed hard, staring as if the mere act of glaring at Diana could make her go away. "You always were reckless."

"Ah, ah," She tutted. "I said I'm drinking my coffee first."

Johnny snorted, unable to wipe the childish smirk from his cheeks as he watched the pair dart back and forth. Glancing at the three SAS men at the end of the table, Andrew seemed to be fighting the redness flooding his face. This was a man unused to being laughed at. Diana's head lolled to the side, flashing Johnny a grin, a melodious laugh escaping her throat at the hostility that seemed to envelop the group.

"So," Schulz began. "How's... Jasmine?"

"Jaspreet is fine. Dave fancies her."

Kershaw looked up from his coffee with a start, almost choking on it. "Wha'? No, I don't."

"You do a bit."

Dave considered this for a moment. He shrugged. Johnny chuckled - he had seemingly revelled in every moment of uncomfortable awkwardness since the second he'd sat down.

Diana stared down at her drink. It was more than half empty already - how had she drank it so fast? She realised the tip of her tongue had turned numb, tastebuds tingling painfully from the heat that she'd been too busy antagonising to notice. Stray coffee grounds were already sticking to the porcelain, the bottom of the mug in sight. But for a moment she almost didn't want to fight. Why did everything always have to be such a bloody fight? Fuck this mission, and Fuck Stirling for sending this man back to her, for reminding her of the time she'd spent living under his boot, even if he'd never realised it was on her neck.

She bolted to her feet without bothering to move her chair, the whole table rocking to the side with the force of her body, the remains of Andrew's tea sloshing over the rim and into his lap as the cup clattered sideways against its saucer. Letting out a yelp at the sudden heat, he too leapt to stand, hands help up in irritation, redness flooding his face. Reg caught her eye. She nodded - such a minuscule movement that anyone not looking for it would have been none-the-wiser. But they were looking. Her comrades in arms were up and gone before Schulz could even stammer a word, retracing their steps towards where they'd left their car further along the seafront.

"What the fuck?!" Andrew hissed, a dark stain spread across the lap of his uniform trousers.

"You know her name's Jaspreet you fucking prick," Diana spat, teeth gritted. "She was my only fucking friend, I know you remember."

"Do you really think I think of you that often to remember your fucking friends?!"

The cafe's other patrons had begun to stare, sitting in awkward silence as they found themselves suddenly unable to avoid the row.

"Oh, you practically begged me to marry you, and you expect me to believe you don't think about me?"

"You always did think you were the absolute shit, didn't you Diana? You were an egotistical bitch when I met you and you're still one now."

"What I was when I met you was seventeen-fucking-years-old. You were twenty-five, you don't get to stand here and make out like you were some kind of victim in this scenario!"

Diana bent down, snatching the bag beside Andrew's seat like an enraged spouse grabbing for her purse, tucking it and its contents tightly under her arm. She hadn't heard the hum of their car's engine yet - it was time to start stalling.

"And you know why this never would've worked out, Andrew? It wasn't because I was young and naive, and it wasn't because you decided to become a bloody fascist - it's because you knew what Hannigan was turning me into and you did nothing."

Schulz had opened his mouth to yell out a reply, but her jab had caught him off guard, jaw snapping shut before the words could reach his tongue. She sucked in a long, deep breath, somewhat surprised herself. She hadn't expected to say that.

"Andrew?" An unfamiliar voice sounded behind her, his accent running thick and distinctly German. Diana didn't tear her eyes from Schulz for a moment, watching the way the colour suddenly drained from his face as the man approached.

The uniformed officer stepped between them, brow furrowed as his gaze flicked between Andrew and Diana, assessing the scene.

"Paul!" Andrew cried, forcing a friendly demeanour as he held out a hand for the other man to shake, which he accepted somewhat hesitantly.

"Is everything alright, my friend?"

"Uh, yes, of course," He nodded, stepping closer towards her. "This is... Juliet. We were just-"

"-He cancelled our date tomorrow night," Diana interjected, the lie spilling out before it had even taken proper shape in her mind. "I... overreacted."

Paul nodded slowly, continuing to look back and forth between the pair. There was something keen and discerning in his gaze, as if he could see her bones straight through her skin. Diana almost squirmed. They were treading a fragile line now. She eyed the gun on his belt - how fast could she reach it if needed?

"You should count yourself lucky for having such a beautiful woman," Paul chastised lightly, nodding towards her. Her grip on the bag tightened.

"Oh, I do," Andrew nodded. "It's just this job, you know? Always busy."

A flicker of confusion crossed Paul's face, and he began to frown. "... Tomorrow night?"

"...Yes."

"...There's nothing happening tomorrow night, my friend."

His gaze darted towards Diana, staring at her hand, knuckles whitening under the force with which she gripped the bag.

"Breathe, Diana," She could hear her father's voice echoing in her mind. "The moment you give in to fear is the moment you lose."

But he had never trained her for this. Damn him.

"I have to go," She blurted. "You should catch up with your friend, Andrew. Call me later."

Before he could speak she began to walk away, sucking in a long, quiet breath as she tried to soothe the ache in her lungs. The car had to be close - just around this corner and she was free.

"No, wait - Diana - " Schulz called. The moment her name slipped from between his lips he froze, and without even looking she could picture the stricken look that must have been contorting his features. She stopped, turning back towards the men.

Fucking incompetent bastard.

"...Diana?" Paul asked, and it was as if she could see the gears turning in his mind, piecing everything together. In an instant, his hand reached for his belt, wrapping around the grip of his pistol.

Time seemed to slip by in slow motion. He was raising to shoot her as she pushed off with the ball of her foot, darting towards him, speed the only possible thing that would keep her alive in that moment.

Until it wasn't.

Schulz seized Paul's arm before he could pull the trigger, jolting him sideways as a terrible bang sounded, the nearby patrons scattering for safety.

For a split second everything was silent, until a gurgled cough escaped Andrew's throat, his knees going slack beneath him, blood blooming against the fabric of his shirt just below the waist.

Paul's jaw hung slack with shock, staring down at his friend, chest heaving as he fought for breath. But he hesitated too long. Diana leapt forward, seizing the pistol in his hand and twisting downwards, feeling the bones in his trigger finger crack as a cry of anguish escaped him.

She had put a bullet in his neck before he even had time to process what was happening.

The two men lay side by side on the pavement, Paul's eyes glazed over and staring blankly up at the sky, blood pooling around his head. Andrew was on his stomach, laying on his hand as he kept it firmly pressed against the wound, fighting for each breath, eyes wide with shock as he stared across at the man beside him.

For a moment, Diana just watched, the gun still gripped in one hand, the bag with its files held tight in the other. She could just leave him here. She could let him bleed out, and die in the uniform of a regime he'd never actually believed in. Perhaps it would be for the best - it was safer to die here, to let the blame fall on the enemy, than to survive as a traitor, his betrayal like a target on his back until the day this war was over.

She could do it. She knew she had it in her - and really, that was the only thing about this prospect that frightened her. He hadn't been the first person to break her heart. But he was the only one she could punish for it.

"Come on," Diana breathed, stuffing the gun into her bag as she crouched beside him, lifting his free arm to wrap it around the back of her neck, grimacing as Andrew let out a yelp of agony at the sudden movement. "Get up," She spoke through gritted teeth, tone entirely void of sympathy.

He was panting heavily, blood seeping through the gaps between his fingers as he forced his feet beneath him, turning his face up towards the sun as he pushed with any strength that remained to him. With a shared grunt, the pair hauled him upright, dragging him to stand. Diana's heart was pounding out of her chest - they had to leave now, or they were both dead.

Every few steps, Andrew's feet began to drag, his strength coming in short, weak bursts, never enough to propel him more than a few metres. He was too much taller than her, their stance too awkward for her to properly support him when his knees gave way, groaning as his sudden weight pulled her downwards every few seconds.

"Get it together, you fucking imbecile," She hissed, frustrated more by the desperation of their situation than at the man himself. "I'm not dying for you."

Andrew almost chuckled, letting out another gasp as a jolt of anguish shot through him. "You're not the person he tried to turn you into... You're not a monster," He breathed, voice barely able to rise above a whisper as they turned down the alley running alongside the cafe, hopefully leading them straight to the car.

"You should see how I spend my evenings," Diana joked, a sliver of teeth visible as she cracked a faint grin.

"If I survive this... you've gotta tell me... what the hell are you doing out here with them?"

"Deal," She grunted. Limping their way around the corner, it was as if a ten-ton weight was hauled off of her shoulders as the car suddenly came into view, catching Johnny's eye in the rearview mirror. Her heart was pounding so hard she could scarcely hear anything else as she dragged Andrew the last few metres, Kershaw leaping out to open the door for them, strewing his body across the backseat.

"What the fuck happened?!" Dave cried, looking over at her with a stricken expression. As Diana looked down at herself, she realised her hands were stained with blood, dark red smears streaked across her blouse. She couldn't even remember when it had happened.

"Just get in the car and fucking drive," She barked, attempting to keep her voice as level as possible as she climbed in, Andrew's head and shoulders forced to rest in her lap, his legs stretched across Kershaw so that they could all fit inside.

Johnny was at the wheel - just quite why, she had no idea - but he turned to look at the scene in the back seat, wide-eyed and hardly moving. "Where do we go? What do we do with him?"

"Just fucking go, Johnny!" Diana yelled, her fringe slick with sweat and plastered to her forehead.

As the engine roared to life, she stared down at Schulz, writhing in agony against her, eyes screwed tightly shut as blood continued to seep from between his fingers, and for a second she had to fight the urge to gag. It was nowhere near the worst thing she'd seen - it wasn't even the worst thing she'd been responsible for. But this was different. Diana felt the warmth of blood against her hands, and when she closed her eyes the darkness took her back to the night of her first jump, dragging Eoin McGonigal's corpse across the dunes without any ending in sight.

If Andrew died here, now, where could she take him? Would she bury him out in the sand like she had Eoin? It was a hero's burial for bastards like them - maybe he'd like it that way.

As they pulled out of town, he vomited a mouthful of blood over the backseat.