#thank you to the kind person who got me started with a betrayal

[asleepinawell]

moodboard of how to motivate me into doing something monumentally stupid

[icaruspendragon]

Hey I just wanted to say thanks, because idk why this didn't just occur to me, but I've been missing "family" meals, the kind of meals I get to make for people and sit down with people I love since I came out and had to leave my house, and idk why but you posting about having family dinners with your friends where you host them made me realize that like, that's something I can still do. If I don't have the people who will invite me over to eat a meal anymore I can always be the person who invites others over myself and idk, I just wanted to say thanks

this warmed my heart in ways i don’t know how to describe.

family dinner started because i’d get some friends over on tuesdays to watch supernatural prequel the winchesters and i’d make them dinner for their troubles. i was feeding like five people max. but then the show ended and one of my friends got a new job and had to move an hour away so we moved it to the weekend so she could still come.

and then i realized that cooking is actually a form of self care for me (let’s not examine too closely how my self care is still taking care of others, it’s been discussed enough in therapy). so we started inviting other folks. and family dinner went from five people regularly to seven. and then i’d have friends from out of town come and it’d be 15-17. and now it’s not unusual for a dozen people to show up at my house on a saturday night to drink and eat and make merry.

there’s a particular kind of warmth that comes from leaning against the entry to my dining room, glass of wine curled against my chest, seeing so many of the people i love sitting around my table as they laugh and bicker and eat a meal that i used so much love to make. food that i spent hours creating because they gave me the confidence and the desire to learn how to make new things. because the effort it takes for me to make pasta or gnocchi or sauces or broths from scratch is worth it. the hours i will spend standing over a hot stove as i make gumbo or chicken and dumplings or fried everything is worth it. the easy smiles and whiskey-reddened cheeks and raucous laughter and full bellies and warm togetherness is worth the trouble.

it makes me understand the last supper (you know, minus the foreboding of betrayal). there’s a divinity in making a meal to share with those you love.

i’ve yet to find a better way express my devotion than to say, “take this, all of you, and eat of it. for it is my love given up for you.”

because even though the darkness can be chasm-wide and canyon-deep, my love is wider and deeper. it’s the bridge over the consumption of it all.

when people sit at my table and break bread that my hands have tenderly prepared i see the point of it all. loving and be loved in return.

and sometimes that love is stored in poetic words and grand gestures. and sometimes, that love is stored in a stockpot full of soup. but they both accomplish the same thing at the end of the day. warmth and safety and care and devotion.

it’s love. plain and simple and small.

[liahaslosthermind]

~ 𝐁𝐞𝐝𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 (𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞) ~

Past Rhysand x OC (Adelaide), Eventual Azriel x OC Part 8 of Betrayal Summary: Much is revealed in who visits Adelaide’s bedside, and who accompanies Azriel as he stays glued to it. (Part 1) Warnings: Suicidal thoughts and ideology, Death of a loved one, Grief, Betrayal

The Shadowsinger hadn’t left Adelaide’s bedside willingly. For the past month, he had been rolled into her room in the wheelchair he was now practically bound to, as early as whoever had declared themselves his nursemaid for the day had gotten up. He wasn’t paralyzed, thank the Mother, but Azriel was so very weak, as if gravity had been pulling his limbs down, afraid he’d fly away without the pressure. 

It took great effort for him to move his arms and hands, he had given up on being able to move his legs without help. 

It was torture.

Azriel had spent 500 years relying on no one but himself. He valued his independence and solitude more than he had realized till it had been taken from him. 

He was never alone anymore. After three instances in which both him and Addie were found suffocating in their sleep, friends and family had all volunteered to watch over both of them in shifts. 

Humiliating wouldn’t convey the strong feelings Azriel felt as Cassian practically carried him out of bed into his chair. It was violating to have every single one of your actions watched closely, something the Spy Master had soon learned he wasn’t fond of. 

But as he looked at his best friend, unconscious in her bed, he knew he would take this kind of discomfiture if it meant he at least lived with the hope he would one day get to see her awake. 

“Thank you, Cas.” Azriel said as his brother helped lift the Shadowsinger’s hand so that he could play with Addie’s hair, a southing habit he had always done before she had passed. It was different now though. 

He could hardly feel her hair touching his fingers. She wasn’t awake to giggle at his sweet gesture.

“If you are going to mess my hair up more than it already is, Az, I’m gonna have to put you in charge of its maintenance.” Addie teased. She had been at war with her deep red curls ever since she had grown them. Even growing up in Day, with access to the best stylists and braiders in Prythian, hadn’t been able to tame her hair. 

“You know damn well the only person who can get your curls in order is Helion.” Rhysand amused. “I’d rather you not torture my head torturer with that job”. Adelaide just stuck her tongue out at her lover while Az chuckled softly, hoping his best friend wasn’t serious about her threat. 

He smiled at the memory, till the look of pure and incandescent love between Adelaide and Rhysand made his stomach turn. In the past, nothing filled him with greater joy than to see two of the people he cared most for in love, but those feelings had changed. 

He held the end to one of her braids Helion had been refreshing weekly. It was unnecessary as she hadn’t moved enough to take the braids out of their pristine condition, but Azriel knew it was more for the High Lord’s peace of mind. It was driving everyone crazy that they couldn’t do more for her. 

Just as he admired the High Lord’s handiwork, Helion walked into the room. 

They hadn’t talked much, unsure of how to start a conversation. They never really got the chance to meet in situations in which they were just Adelaide’s guardian and her best friend. 

There was a comfortable silence while Helion sat to the left of Adelaide, across from Azriel who, as always, was by her right hand side.

“I prayed for many years that she'd come home to me. At least for a bit. But not like this.” Helion finally spoke up. “Never like this.” 

“She often spoke about Day. No matter how long she spent in Night she always carried some part of your court with her. Whether it be her clothes, or how she decorated the River House.” Azriel offered, trying to comfort the High Lord who, in this moment, was just another person grieving. 

Helion chuckled, “Rhysand always complained about it. Said he was jealous he could never fully turn her into the ‘dark side’ of Night. But I think he secretly liked that no matter how much time had passed, Adelaide would always be Adelaide.”

His brother’s name felt like ice being poured onto Azriel in the moment. The two hadn’t spoken since Rhysand broke down in front of him, begging for forgiveness. He had also been banned from Adelaide’s room, Azriel even leaving Shadows to make sure he followed that order. But Rhys never got closer than a peak through the open doorway, clearly trying to make true on his promise to work hard to right all of his wrongs with both Az and Addie. 

“How can you stand it? To be around him after what he did?” Azriel asked, failing to keep the anger out of his tone. But Helion knew better than to think the anger was directed at him.

“You and I both know love isn’t black and white, Shadowsinger, neither is betrayal.” With that, he got up and walked out of the room, but not before placing a kiss on Adelaide’s head. 

Azriel scoffed at the philosophical answer Helion had given him, a far cry from the usual dirty humor and flirting the Young High Lord participated in. He had begun to actually think about what on earth he could have meant by that answer while alone with Addie.

As usual though, he wasn’t alone long as Cassian came back into the room, carrying the breakfast he had left the Shadowsinger with the High Lord to get in the first place. 

“What's with that face? Did Helion threaten to sleep with your mother?” Cassian amused. 

Despite the absolute hell Azriel had gone through, with the new hope in his chest, he was actually able to slightly laugh at his brother’s joke, even if it was just to make Cas feel better.

No one had been by his side more than the General. Despite the all consuming grief, and the trauma both Azriel and Adelaide had put him through, just as the idea that Addie could wake up had given Azriel a second chance, Cassian felt that two times over, knowing he could be getting both his brother and Addie back. 

“You are the one who threatens to sleep with mothers, Cas. But do remind me never to bring her around him.” Azriel replied gruffly. 

“Well never say never-” But before Azriel could question the General, he had a cup of tea being forced into his mouth. 

Following the humiliating meal, as all meals were now that Azriel could hardly feed himself, a silence washed over them, one that wasn’t as comfortable as with Helion. They too had a hard conversation to have. 

“I would have helped you, if you had told me.” Cassian confessed. Azriel just scoffed. “I’m serious. The Mother knows I’d do it for Nesta, I’d do worse actually.”

“You’d have locked me in a straight jacket had I told you an old book had followed me and I was going to use the one spell written in it to bring back my best friend.”

“Maybe, but I’d still help you while you were tied up.” 

The two Illyrians laughed, feeling some of the weight of their individual grief lift away. Azriel hadn’t realized how much he missed the company of his brother. The stupid and lighthearted conversations he hadn’t appreciated as much as he should have these past 500 years. 

Nesta had also been a common companion for Azriel during this time. Unlike her sisters, she had developed a strong relationship with Addie. 

“It’s still strange. Even after weeks I can’t stand seeing her like this, so weak and lifeless.” 

Azriel didn’t respond. Of course it was hard, but it beats the time she was actually lifeless. 

He knew what his sister-in-law meant though. Adelaide had been the one to stay with Nesta while she was grieving following being forced into the Cauldron. She would sit in the corner of Nesta’s room, not saying a thing as Nesta threw every hurtful word she could come up with at her, every item that hadn’t been glued to the floor. Fortunately, Az’s Shadows had been the ones to block the physical blows, but even he couldn’t understand how Adelaide had put up with Nesta’s verbal abuse for so long. 

She never moved from her chair, not when Nesta would have throttled her had she gotten the opportunity, not when Nesta sobbed in a ball on the floor. It wasn’t until the eldest Archeron sister had crawled to the red haired fae, finally at her limit and in need of any comfort she could get, that Addie had been more than a catatonic watchman. 

From then on she had let Nesta curl up to her on her bed, softly stroking her hair and humming until she fell asleep. She would tell Nesta about her time in the Day Court, correctly assuming that maybe the best way to acclimate her was to talk about the good that lived outside of all the bad Nesta had associated the Night Court with. 

While Adelaide and Nesta’s friendship had been built on an earned trust and need for comfort, Azriel and Nesta’s had been made on a mutual understanding of the things they wouldn’t say. Even when everyone else told Azriel how his actions impacted them, as if he had been thinking about how they would affect them when he had done it, Nesta conveyed all she needed him to know in the parts they wouldn’t say out loud. 

A simple hand on the shoulder, or silently fixing Azriel’s position without being asked so his muscles wouldn’t cramp up, he knew she was hurt not by what he had done but what he didn’t. 

He knew she wished so badly that he would have gone to her for help when he was in his darkest hours. 

Sometimes he wished he did too. 

“It's almost evening, you have a visitor coming soon” Nesta quietly said, as if approaching a wounded animal who might pounce at any second.

The uneasiness in her tone made him nervous. 

“What do you-” But he didn’t get to ask his question as the last person he had expected to see walked through the door. 

“Oh, my sweet boy, when I used to tell you stories about lovers resurrecting the dead, I didn’t think you’d take inspiration.” 

Azriel would have been less shocked at Eris Vanserra barging in and confessing his undying love for him than he was at seeing his mother in the doorway.

[thedensworld]

Top 10 Anime Betrayal | K.Mg

Genre: fluff, est. Relationship

Summary: It's hot news, and you can't help but share it with your boyfriend because Mingyu always loves your stories—top 10 anime betrayal level.

Author note: literally based on a recent experience of mine. I'm done with them凸( ���̀_•́ )凸

“I swear this one takes the top spot on my list,” Mingyu giggled, recalling your earlier struggle to articulate what had left you so speechless. You had been fuming, your voice caught somewhere between disbelief and anger, too stunned to say anything coherent when he first asked you what was going on.

“So, now you’re ready?” he teased, leaning back as he observed you intently. He noted that your breaths were steadier, your flushed cheeks had regained their normal color, and the fire in your tone had simmered down, if only just a little.

You nodded, taking a deep breath before starting. Mingyu tightened his hold around your waist, drawing you closer. The two of you were sitting on the couch, your legs draped over his as you straddled his lap, his face inches away from yours. The proximity between you revealed just how eager and passionate you were to share this news.

“I told you about Yunji last night, right?”

Mingyu’s eyes lit up with recognition. Of course, he remembered Yunji—one of your closest friends. She was a sweet girl, full of kindness and patience, but she had unfortunately ended up with a very toxic and manipulative man. Yunji had been dating this guy for five years, and you and your other friend, Dain, had tried numerous times to show her what kind of person he really was—a cheater, a liar, and emotionally abusive.

Mingyu’s jaw had dropped when you first told him about the time Yunji’s boyfriend almost slapped her, and how he always tried to undermine her achievements, belittling her and making her feel small. You had recounted how you confronted Yunji with all the things you’d uncovered about him, only for Yunji to respond with words that had left you devastated. “I don’t know who to believe.”

“She didn’t believe me, babe. It broke my heart,” you’d confided in Mingyu that night, tears of frustration and hurt streaming down your face. Mingyu had held you in his arms for hours, whispering comforting words and stroking your hair until you finally drifted off to sleep, both of you still aching from Yunji’s refusal to see the truth.

Last night, Yunji had texted the group chat in a frenzy, saying she’d finally caught him cheating. She’d found messages on his smartwatch, which he’d accidentally left at her house. You’d been beside yourself with joy and relief. “I can’t believe the time has finally come! Oh my God, I’m so happy!” you’d exclaimed, clutching Mingyu’s arm as you read out the messages. Yunji had said she was going to break up with him for good, and Mingyu, despite being half-asleep, had listened patiently to your excited ramblings, smiling softly as you kissed him goodnight. “I always knew he was a cheater. I’m just glad she’s finally aware now. Thank God you’re not like him, love.”

But now, here you were, with an entirely different expression on your face.

“It was a misunderstanding,” you muttered, the words tasting bitter as they left your mouth.

Mingyu’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean, honey?”

You let out a frustrated sigh. “The messages weren’t his. They were his brother’s. Apparently, his brother had been using the smartwatch until just yesterday, and the messages got left behind when they switched.”

Mingyu still didn’t get it. “But… they’re still breaking up, right?”

You scoffed, bitterness seeping into your tone. “I wish.”

Mingyu’s eyes widened. “No? Really? She’s staying with him?”

“And you know what she said after all of this?” You paused, glancing at your phone, as if reading her words would make them any less painful. “She said, ‘It was a misunderstanding, and I have to settle everything. Let’s not talk about this for now.’”

Mingyu blinked, sharing your expression of betrayal. “That’s it? After everything you and Dain did for her?”

You shrugged, showing him the last text you’d sent in the group chat. “I told her I’m done with this shit.” Your voice shook as you remembered the sleepless nights and the hours you’d spent worrying about her, all gone to waste. “I told her I’m here for her if she needs company, but if she wants to vent about her sad life with that shitty boyfriend, I’m out.”

Mingyu scanned the message you’d sent, his gaze softening as he looked back up at you. “You did the right thing,” he murmured, pulling you into his chest and wrapping his arms around you. “I know she’s your best friend, but she really discredited you and Dain by saying that.”

“I know,” you mumbled into his neck, fighting back the urge to cry. “I didn’t lose sleep for nothing!” Your voice wavered, your exhaustion seeping through.

Mingyu chuckled softly, rubbing small circles on your back. “Let’s go to sleep, baby. You need to rest. No more thinking about them.”

You lifted your head, nodding with a resigned smile. “Right?! I don’t need to think about them. I don’t have to care anymore. Screw them both. If she needs me, I’ll be there, but I’m not wasting any more energy on this drama.”

With a soft grunt, Mingyu stood up, carefully cradling your body that still clung to his. “Alright, baby girl. Now it’s time for you to get some real rest.”

You hummed contentedly, nuzzling into his neck as he carried you to bed. “I love you…” you whispered.

Mingyu smiled, his heart swelling with warmth as he gazed down at you. “I love you more, love. Now sleep.”

With him holding you close, the weight of betrayal and heartache slowly began to melt away, leaving you cocooned in the safety and comfort of his embrace. And for the first time in days, you felt like you could finally breathe again.

[aettuddae]

business matter — chapter 130.

a christmas special.

↳ synopsis: two of the most important kpop companies covet a partnership with a huge global brand, only to be surprised when the deal is extended to both labels. fearing potential sabotage and cynical strategies to secure exclusivity for just one of them, both CEOs resort to desperate measures. in a bid to maintain trust and prevent betrayal before the signing, they come up with a pact: forcing a fake relationship between the leaders of their star girlgroups. if one side attempted to fail the other, they threaten to expose it all to the conservative south korea.

masterlist | prev | next

[written chapter]

[a/n: special thanks to 🦦 anon, and 🥷🏻 anon who helped me with this chapter.]

the cookies were good, except for the burned ones, how bitter a soul must have to be to not enjoy cookies you baked with the person you love?

but no amount of cookies, no matter how delicious, could make up for the damage the person you love had done. which meant that no cookie, no matter how well made, could secure jimin an invitation to serim's birthday.

december 5. jang serim had been born 20 days before christmas. there was no question why she was fascinated by the cold when she was a child of winter. ironically, though, serim was one like the flame of a lighter, bringing warmth when you needed it.

she couldn't pretend that she was the kind of person who hated her birthday. serim loved the day, people celebrating her, getting presents, being the center of attention, and she loved the actual party of such events. after all, she was a celebrity for a reason, it was in her blood.

her family never had much money before serim started making some from music so when she was still living at home in daegu her mother would prepare excessive amounts of hotteoks for her and her few school friends to eat while drinking sikhye, which was a tradition in her house as her mother loved the drink. it carried on over the years and in her present serim could not remember a single year where she had eaten a cake, even now she only ate hotteok and drank sikhye on her birthday.

she had no other traditions, although after her debut her fans organized birthday events for her in cafes in the city, so she always tried to visit them, which it could be said was already a habit. that year was special because she missed being in touch with her followers due to her time on hiatus, and she was thrilled to see that even when she was not active in her work her fans did not forget to prepare the special events. she visited some of them, going to three different stands on her own in her car, at the last one she stopped for a drink and then came back. it was still snowing so when she got out and got in the car she had covered her clothes with flakes.

she had been receiving messages and calls congratulating her on another year of life all day, but she was ready to go back to her apartment and talk to her friends about visiting her in the evening for a quiet meeting, which was no longer necessary when she opened the door and when she turned on the light, which was curiously turned off, they all jumped up with a cry of 'surprise.'

there she was greeted by her members whom she missed as if they didn't talk every day, her best friends who seemed to have finally had some time off from their busy schedules and ningning who in that short time had become someone extremely important in her life. seeing her there, she didn't hold back her urge to look for that person, for jimin, hoping that maybe she hadn't been able to be at the reception, but was somewhere in the apartment. she was angry at herself for not being able to concentrate on the people who loved her the most because she was waiting for someone who couldn't even put into words what was going on with her. but jimin wasn't there, of course she wasn't, and she had disconnected from reality, not paying attention to her friends' greetings just to look for her.

"happy birthday, sese!" sejeong's voice woke her up, bringing her back to the real plane to be wrapped in her best friend's arms.

"thank you, love." she reciprocated the gesture, still somewhat absent-minded, but trying to focus on the nice gesture her mates had arranged for her.

they had put gifts on the center table in the living room and there were, as usual, plates and plates full of hotteoks, as well as other snacks available for whoever wanted to taste them, they had prepared the rice-based infusion that she always drank on that date, but only a jug for when she blew out the candles as if it was their own champagne, apart from that they had beer and other types of alcohol or soda to accompany the meal.

they rushed to play music on the stereo in the living room and everyone crowded into the long armchair around the television, even though it was turned off, to chat and enjoy everything there was to try. it was the casual gathering she wanted with her friends and they knew serim well enough to not organize anything extravagant. kimchi paced the floor and the skirts of her friends who dared to hold her. serim had not even changed out of her slightly wet clothes from the snowfall, just taking off some of her coats.

she had indeed gotten sick after going out to the park with jimin a week ago. she was getting better from her cold, but she knew that when she went out today it would get worse again and more if she didn't change those clothes, but she was distracted by the presence of her acquaintances, she loved to see them interacting among different groups of people she cherished, she wasn't even thinking about going to put on something dry.

the hours passed and they were entertained by what they found in the house, they were simple people and some had enough imagination and charisma to liven up a funeral if they had to. of the various activities they embarked on, they were now in the middle of a karaoke battle on the machine serim had bought that in no way, for any reason or chance was she using at 2 am to pretend to be part of a little shop of horrors performance. even the vast collection of costumes she owned was making an appearance.

it was a theater kid's birthday after all.

they were in the third round, representatives of each team at the two microphones, on one side yizhuo and on the other yujin who was trying to hit the highest note she ever faced in her entire life intending to beat the chinese girl on the chosen song, but her throat was saved from making such an effort because they were interrupted by the doorbell.

"i'll get it." the relieved maknae from HeAVEN called out and hopped happily to the door.

it was the door, not the telecommunicator.

yujin, with a big smile, opened it to see who was behind it, but as soon as she recognized the person, she closed it tightly and shuffled, her expression now sour, back to where they were singing before.

"who was it?" inquired serim confused by her reaction, getting up to go check herself.

"a beggar." the chestnut replied grumpily.

serim scoffed at hearing the girl and walked over to the entrance to open it and like deja vu from a few days ago, there was jimin covered in snow waiting for her, although this time she came holding the leash that contained hiro by her side, the dog brought his own clothes so he wouldn't get cold in these climates.

"guys-" began jang.

"she wasn't invited!" yujin yelled annoyed.

"it's clear to me." agreed the birthday girl a bit stunned by the volume she used.

she glanced at the visitor, waiting for her to do something, but she remained in the same position, waiting. she wanted a sign that she could approach or talk, but serim was thrown off, she didn't know how to react. she was angry at jimin for the argument they had had a few days ago, but they also left it on good terms that time pretending nothing had happened. also, she knew that her friends didn't want her to hurt again, which meant, not letting her in, but she was so excited that she remembered her birthday and was there. and on top of everything, she hated that animal she brought with her and was hesitant to let him into her house.

she took a step into the hallway, a little further to where jimin was, which the youngest took as an initiative to throw herself at serim by wrapping her in a hug. "happy birthday, my namu." she closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of having her in her hold, her chin resting on her shoulder. "i adore you so much, baby." she stroked her back gently.

i adore you. of course.

serim wanted to reciprocate, but those words stopped her, she stood static receiving the girl's affection, not returning her touch until she broke away and gave her an expectant look.

"thank you, jimin." she said with no expression on her face.

why did jimin have to ruin every good thing she accomplished? the speed with which she did it was admirable, serim recognized.

"i bought you a present." she held up a bag in her hand.

"it wasn't necessary."

"but i wanted to." she assured. "and i know you're with your friends, ning told me." she looked down at the floor. "in fact, i tried to convince her to bring me, but she said your friends would kill me." she let out an uncomfortable chuckle. "i just thought maybe," she took a breath keeping her cool. "maybe we could go for a walk for a while if you want." she proposed innocently. "it's snowing, but it's a nice day and i just wanted to spend a few minutes with you." explained. "if you want, of course, it would just be a walk around the block."

with some stupid excuse without much sense about why she agreed to go with jimin, she ended up bundling up again to the sound of yujin's complaints and walking down to the lobby of her building with the blackhaired, making her friends judge her.

they understood why serim always went back to jimin, and they didn't really hate the girl, they were just tired of seeing their best friend suffer for her.

except yujin, yujin did hate her.

they walked a bit, making small talk about what serim had done during the day and how she was having a good time in her special moment, until they arrived to a gallery that was not far away, it was a fairly closed street full of stores and some restaurants, it connected with the outside so they could let hiro go play, but it was secluded enough to be less cold. it was a nice place, there were trees and it looked quite rustic despite being a shopping center in a rich neighborhood, and the first christmas decorations were already beginning to be seen.

they sat down on a somewhat hidden bench and jimin took the leash off her dog so he could explore the place, and after a few minutes, she was left alone with serim, at which point she looked at her a bit uncomfortably and just held out the bag with the gift she had bought her. serim took it, opening it and looking at what was inside as she took it out.

a gift card, she read what it was for, but jimin made it easier for her by saying, "it's for you to choose the musical you want to want. you can take someone else, i'd like you to take me, but it's your choice. i'll pay for everything."

the first item in itself thrilled jang, of course she loved going to the theater and now that she had nothing better to do, she would gladly take advantage of jimin's gift. a smile peeked on her lips. she left it inside the package again while she looked for something else to take out, then lifted the book in the air.

how many books had jimin given her already? was it a hint? 'the history of theater.' it read on the cover.

serim was a person of hyper-fixations and jimin had noticed that, she knew that when she liked something she would engage with it in the most intense and deepest way, so she was smart to pick gifts for her. she would love to read who knows how many pages about her great love, the theater.

she put it away again and reached for the most obvious of all, the small plant that was carefully lying against the edge of the box of thick paper, possibly chosen to take care of this specific object. the girl recognized it on the spot, a fittonia, the pattern of the leaves and all the colors gave it away, those plants looked beautiful when they grew and, although they were common, she didn't have one until now.

"i thought you might like a new one." commented karina as she watched her hold the pot in her hands. "maybe you'll learn something from it like you told me about your other plants." jang couldn't believe she remembered that story. "besides, you gave me one, i'm returning the gesture."

"i love it." the older girl confirmed sincerely without taking her eyes off it.

she left it, but outside, leaning on the bench, to remember to carry it in her hands so the leaves wouldn't break. she peeked out again to look for what else was there, pulling out a stuffed animal of a dog, this one puzzled her, so she threw a sidelong glance at yu indicating she should explain.

"it's you!" she exclaimed excitedly, moving her body in a short dance trying to channel the tenderness that making that comparison generated in her, serim frowned. "you're a dog with big, tender eyes." she pointed at the stuffed animal, right at its plastic pupils.

"jimin, i think you're delusional." she threw her a judgmental grimace.

"i wanted to give you something to cuddle when you sleep because i know that, even though i already gave you kimchi, you have a hard time being in the dark." she articulated. "i don't know of an animated character you like and i wasn't going to find one of your musicals." she admitted. "so i bought one that reminded me of you." she gave her a wide, confident smile. "and to me, you're like a puppy." she finished.

"i'll take it." she put the toy in the bag. "it's weird, but i'll take it."

finally, she grabbed a little velvet box that lay at the bottom of all those material parts of serim's personality. she lifted it in the air, appreciating it carefully before opening it, threw a cautious glance at jimin and then dared to lift the lid, revealing a ring with a stone in the center, in the style she liked to use in her jewelry: dark, gothic, edgy. she didn't usually wear many gems, but that piece seemed to be designed specifically for her, and it sure was. she kept her eyes glued to the jewel without saying a word, which jimin took as a signal to start talking.

"when i was on tour i couldn't stop thinking about you." she suddenly confessed. "i missed you, even if we don't see each other that often, i missed being a few minutes away from you." it made her nervous to be exposing herself like that. "everything i saw connected it to you somehow as if that made me need you less."

she rubbed her palms damp from the sweat generated by the eagerness against her pants. serim didn't dare raise her head and look at her, for reasons she couldn't quite explain, maybe the vulnerability that attacked her when she was with jimin would drown her again and she didn't want that.

"when i went to sidney i was able to go out and visit the city a bit and i ended up in a place with several craft stalls." she continued. "at one stall they were selling gemstones and the man in charge started telling me about the properties of each one." she cleared her throat trying to clear her voice which was shaking a little. "i bought these with you in mind." she took the ring from between serim's fingers, unintentionally forcing her to finally turn her attention to her. "this is the agate." she pointed to the green part of the gem. "it is deeply connected to nature, mother earth, the tree of life." she listed. "and you are my tree." she added with an amused tone, making the older one laugh slightly. "it gives peace, helps with self-esteem, encourages one's communication and expression."

she emphasized the last detail, concentrating on the woman's reaction to her hint, watching her roll her eyes, but maintaining a friendly expression. at first, she was struck by the stone because of its relationship to the earth, but when she heard how it helped with developing relationships, she bought it. if rocks would save her relationship with serim, she'd spend any amount of money.

"and this one." she pointed to the pink part. "it's rhodonite." she paused. "it's one of the love stones." she reported, causing jang to become serious. "it builds trust and brings harmony, tenderness to couples, it is a good helper to open the spirit and encourage new relationships." she said it all in a soft voice, always afraid to generate another argument when she just wanted to show her how much she cared for her. "it heals the wounds of the past, promotes forgiveness." she lowered her head in shame knowing she was the cause of this one. "it also helps with anxiety." she finished.

they were silent as always happened to them, it wasn't that they had nothing to say, but they had so much they didn't know where to start.

"i bought the stones with you in mind." she commented. "us." she corrected. "and when i returned to seoul i had the ring made." she lifted her chin in it's direction, presenting it. "i hope it has some effect." she let out a chuckle.

serim for a moment forgot how angry she was at her, the gifts were so carefully thought out that they didn't fail in moving her. it was all a part of who she was, something she had shared with jimin and she had chosen to remember. the ring fascinated her, she loved to wear accessories on her hands and that one was very similar to the ones she used to wear, only it had a jewel designed just for her that represented the wish for good things.

she wanted to show gratitude without sounding dry, to make it clear that she did like everything and that she wasn't going to despise it no matter how many difficulties they had between them. she placed the ring on her middle finger, took the plant out of the way and left it on the other side of her legs, in a corner, and lowered the bag with the other things to the floor, thus creating space to move across the bench towards her and catch her in an embrace, in which they stayed for a while as they watched the snow fall and hiro play, before going back to the apartment.

"you can stay if you want." serim invited jimin once they returned to the apartment. "they haven't sung happy birthday to me yet and anyway ning is here." from the entrance she pointed at the girl, who waved innocently as if they were strangers.

"are you sure?" karina looked at her suspiciously.

"of course, it's my birthday and it's on me." she assured. "later i'll take you and hiro home." she proposed. "i'm not going to let you come all this way just for twenty minutes and then throw you out like you have the plague."

serim gave her some space, opening the door wide letting her and her dog through, she obeyed, walking into the house she once lived in and greeting everyone with a few short bows. she was nervous, she felt like everyone there hated her.

"don't worry." the older one closed and then proceeded to put her hands on her shoulders from behind her, squeezing a little to calm her down. "if i don't hate you, they less."

serim put her hand on jimin's back to guide her to the couch, the girl looked so lost, she was clouded with nervousness, so the care the older was taking reassured her. she led her to ningning's side, and both group mates settled together on the couch. serim took some plates with food to offer her, from which jimin chose something light. lastly, jang knelt to take hiro's leash off, even as he kept growling at her.

when serim sat back down on her spot on the couch next to jennie, chaeyoung approached her, taking the area on the contrary side, followed by yujin. "semmie, i'm sorry, but i don't want to ruin your birthday with my bad vibes, so i think it's best if she's here that i leave." she warned trying to sound as reasonable and kind as possible, she didn't mean it in a bad way, but it hurt.

"and i'm leaving because i can't stand her." yujin added.

"i don't want any of you to leave." the older one refused. "i am not even with her, she will only stay because she already came all the way here." she explained. "and you are my family, i want you to be with me."

"i want to be here for you, but it's hard for me to be around you two." she reiterated what they both already knew.

"chaeng." she cocked her head a little so she could cup her cheeks properly and make eye contact. "i'm not going to be with her, okay?" she rubbed her face with her thumb. "we're not on good terms." she reported.

"fine, then." she dropped the weight of her head onto serim's palm. "but if i see something i don't like, i'm leaving." she warned.

"alright." agreed.

"are you about to kiss?" yujin burst in from behind chaeyoung, to which they both responded by playfully hitting her with cushions.

serim didn't know that from the side jimin was watching everything with a flare of jealousy starting to burn inside her.

the night went on well, jimin, with her outgoing and friendly personality, even managed to get them to integrate her as if she didn't have all the reputation she carried. they continued with the karaoke battle, to then have a board game tournament and other things that adults with little desire to party could do on a snowy day. finally, they started to pick things up and take them to the kitchen, preparing to blow out the candles and fulfill the tradition of eating hotteok, and then they would all go eat dinner at a nice restaurant.

"chaeng." called serim to the girl who was surprisingly in a good mood after deciding to stay for the celebration. "could you help me put these away?" she referred to the costumes they had been wearing.

chaeyoung readily agreed, piling a couple on her arms and following serim to the various things closet to leave them there. it was a small room and when they got in there both with a bunch of bulky unsorted garments, there wasn't much range of motion. with the limited space there, they tried to put things back in place, but it was difficult. chaeyoung decided that maybe if she lifted up in the air, where it was unoccupied, the costumes she wasn't trying to hang, then she should give them a little more room, but all she managed to do was bump and knock over some boxes that were on the top shelf, to which serim turned as fast as she could, crossed one arm over the side of her bandmate's head and managed to hold them in place before they fell, but if she pulled the hold out, they would fall.

chaeyoung was trapped between the wall and serim, and she moved her head in her direction as if to tell her what to do, while they both still held the costumes in their other hands. they were very close, but they had no choice because of the small closet and because if serim changed position, the boxes would fall on both of them.

"namu, you forgot to-" the light from the rest of the house suddenly dazzled them as karina entered, holding a piece of latex in her hand that serim thought belonged to the batman set.

chaeyoung and jimin were stunned, while serim, totally oblivious, kept waiting for the newcomer to change her expression of surprise and cluelessness and finish the sentence.

"you forgot this." without much force and with a downcast attitude she threw what she came to bring her, turning on her heels to leave. "and i'm going now, by the way, i don't think i have anything to do here." she announced, giving a disappointed look to both of them.

"but jimin-" serim tried to speak.

"listen." interrupted chaeyoung. "we have to sort this out first." she pointed her finger at the cardboard above them. "raise your arm as high as you can without letting go of the stuff and i'll go out from underneath." she ordered. "and then you run after her all you want."

"but why would she go?" she asked cluelessly.

"serim." she opened her eyes wide in disbelief. "she found us in a particular situation." she replied with obviousness. "she must have thought we were doing something weird." she concluded. "let me out." she hurried.

serim sometimes claimed that she wouldn't survive a single day without her guardian angel chaeyoung, and the woman kept on proving it to be true as only after she told her so did jang realize why jimin suddenly wanted to leave.

she raised her arm trying to move her hand as little as possible so that the boxes wouldn't fall, giving chaeyoung enough height to pass under it and get out. she, now able to take steps forward, hurried to get closer and let go of the costumes she held to reach for what was about to fall with both hands and push it back into place successfully, thus running after jimin who was already getting on the elevator when serim appeared in the hallway.

the vocalist decided to go down the emergency stairs to catch up with her in the lobby, skipping steps and balancing herself so she wouldn't slide down while using all the speed her body and the circumstances would allow her. she met the blackhaired coming out of the front door, who gave her an eye roll when she heard the racket she was making, but her reaction was to walk faster.

"jimin!" exclaimed jang with no intention of causing commotion in the street. "jimin, wait, don't walk away in this weather!" she wanted to stop her.

"i'll get a cab." she warned in a volume loud enough for her to hear her. "you should go back inside before chaeyoung gets mad." she added.

"jimin, i can explain!" her vision was starting to blur, but it's not like she was going to cry. "chaeyoung herself told me to come get you!" she clarified.

"and why would she want you to come for me if she hates me?" she asked,

but received no answer.

hearing no explanation, she annoyingly turned to look for serim, ready to demand a response from her since she had followed her there, but instead, as soon as she looked back, her heart stopped and felt a pang in her stomach.

perhaps it had been because of the sudden change of temperature in her body, her even going out to chase the girl without a coat on. her uncured flu may also have played a role, and how being exposed to the cold and staying in her snow-wet clothes had reactivated it. but if anything had to do with serim fainting on the sidewalk while running after jimin, it was the fact that she hadn't eaten anything at all for two days.

karina ran to the unconscious body and as soon as she confirmed that she was unresponsive, she called ningning to find the first person with a car who could take them to the hospital.

"it's your fault."

"how could it be my fault?

"if you hadn't thrown a tantrum, she wouldn't have followed you."

"you talk like i forced her."

"wasn't that what you did?"

the white light blinded serim as she tried to lift back her eyelids and give way to her vision of being able to identify where she was or what was happening. the voices around her sounded as if they were far away from her, but at the same time they felt like whispers, and although they seemed familiar, she couldn't identify who was speaking. her head was moving, she could feel it, from side to side as if her neck didn't have the strength to support her. she was falling asleep as she tried to wake up.

she wasn't dying, was she?

"she matters to me."

"then behave accordingly!"

the last felt like a scream, one she hadn't expected and it generated a rumbling sensation in her chest. maybe she'd been startled, or it could be discomfort, or euphoria, but it sent signals to her brain to force her nose to suddenly inhale a large amount of air and open her eyes, waking up, as if from paralysis.

it took her a couple of blinks and glances at the room to distinguish that she was in a hospital, she looked to her side and in her hand she noticed she had a catheter, she followed with her pupils the tube it was connected to until she came across an infusion bag, it was an IV.

"i don't like you playing with her like that." serim would recognize that voice even if it was inhabiting a different body. "i'm just saying that if she hadn't run after you, she would have made it to dinner just fine." she moved her head slowly, meeting chaeyoung, who seemed to be filled with anger.

"but i didn't want to cause any trouble, that's why i left, i didn't ask her to follow me." on the other end of the argument that was being carried on so agitatedly above her was jimin. "why would it be my fault if she wasn't eating right? i always try to make sure she doesn't skip meals." she defended herself.

"it's not your fault." muttered serim feebly.

"if you weren't so worried about your romantic whims, then maybe you would have remembered that she didn't eat well these days." observed her companion.

"she was mad at me, she wasn't answering my messages." she argued. "what am i supposed to do, harass her? how is this my fault?" she tried to reason in frustration. "i did everything i could to help her and get her here, i couldn't do more than that."

"it's not your fault." the affected woman spoke again, louder this time, gaining the attention of her friends who were in the room. "i don't know what happened, but if it's what i imagine, it's nobody's fault." she assured.

"my love!" shrieked jimin as she saw serim awake, throwing herself on her body that was lying on the stretcher to hug her out of happiness. "you idiot, you fainted, i told you to feed well." her attitude changed from one second to the other and she straightened up so she could tap her shoulder in annoyance.

"i tend to forget." she replied honestly, her relationship with food was peculiar as serim used to forget to do things that didn't have to do with her work.

"let's see if you feel like forgetting again now." reproached her ex-girlfriend. "look what happened." she pointed to the serum that was connected to her arm.

"i'll try to write it down somewhere." her voice came out slurred as she not only felt weak, but also had a dry throat.

"no." refused sejeong. "i'll take care of reminding you of your meals myself." she warned. "sorry, now you'll have me in your apartment even longer than planned."

"that's okay." she agreed defeatedly.

"and watch out for the weather changes, semmie, you have a cold, that got to you too." added jennie with concern from a chair next to the bed.

"i'll do." she nodded awkwardly.

"you scared me." jimin took the voice.

she took a seat in the chair opposite jennie's, then leaned over the mattress to arrange any hair that might be bothering serim and arranged the sheet that covered her, placing it correctly over her chest. she held the hand that wasn't intervened and with her free hand she caressed her cheek.

"you're such an idiot."

"how kind you are to a hospitalized person." she joked, making her judge her with her eyes. "sorry."

"sorry?" jimin frowned in confusion. "why would you apologize to me?"

among the others began to gesture to each other indicating that they should leave the room so that the two could chat, but being in the bubble that was created around them when they were together, jimin and serim didn't even notice until they began to move.

"chaeng and i-"

"she already explained to me." she stopped her, no one in the room besides them anymore. "chaeyoung already told me everything while you were sleeping." she assured. "and forgive me for reacting like this without asking you first." she leaned her torso against the side of the gurney, her hold clinging to serim's arm. "i didn't mean to make a scene, i was just sad and wanted to go home." she admitted.

"i should have been more careful about your and chaeng's emotions." she took the blame.

"no." she dismissed. "no, you didn't do anything wrong." she denied. "except not eating correctly." she narrowed her eyes and glared at her.

"you didn't do anything wrong either." she reached for jimin's hand and wrapped her palm around the girl's thumb. "not this time." she reiterated, turning her body sideways, bringing the opposite limb to hold it against her chest and closing her eyes. "hiro?" she remembered.

"we had to take him home." she announced. "we tried to drop him off at your apartment, but he almost ate kimchi." they both laughed.

after that no one else spoke and so, holding jimin, serim went back to sleep.

[luvvictoria]

Through Fire and Void

+ pairings. suguru geto x f!reader/satoru gojo x f!reader

+ tags. romance, heavy (?) angst, cheating, betrayal, dark romance themes, love triangle (more like a square), secrets and lies, eventual smut

+ status. on-going

+ official playlist. by victo

+ materialist ; prev. part ; next part + a/n. Reblog with your favourite line ! It would help me very much to grow my account !! Thank you in advance

The days blurred together in a haze of routine and unresolved tension, each one indistinguishable from the last. For [Name], the mornings were the worst — waking up felt like an uphill battle she had already lost before opening her eyes. The gnawing emptiness in her chest would greet her like an unwelcome visitor, settling heavily as if it had every right to be there. She would lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, her body weighted by an invisible force that whispered to her that something was wrong, even if she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.

But life didn’t stop for feelings she couldn’t explain. So, she did what she always did: got up, plastered on a smile, and went through the motions of her day. It was easier to pretend than to face the gnawing questions in her mind. That was what Suguru loved about her, after all — her ability to hold it all together, even when everything inside her felt like it was shattering into a thousand pieces. She was dependable, predictable, someone he didn’t have to worry about.

The mornings stretched into afternoons, where her routine felt like a carefully choreographed dance, each step hiding the chaos beneath. She would laugh at jokes she didn’t find funny, nod along to conversations she wasn’t really listening to, and avoid lingering too long in moments of silence where her thoughts might catch up to her. And when she saw Suguru, she made sure to keep her doubts buried deep, masking them behind the perfect image of the girl she thought he wanted her to be.

Today, though, was different.

The cracks were starting to show. It was in the way her hands trembled slightly as she buttoned her shirt, in the way her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes when she greeted her classmates. It was in the way she avoided looking too closely at Suguru’s face when he kissed her on the cheek that morning, afraid that she might see something she wasn’t ready to acknowledge.

Her reflection in the bathroom mirror caught her off guard. She paused, staring at the person looking back at her. Was this who she really was now? Someone who spent every waking moment second-guessing herself, walking on eggshells, and pretending everything was fine when nothing felt fine at all? Her chest tightened, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. She splashed cold water on her face, the chill shocking her back to reality, and forced herself to straighten up.

The world wouldn’t wait for her to fall apart. It never did.

The school hallways buzzed with chatter and bursts of laughter, a chaotic symphony of teenage life that felt at odds with the storm brewing inside [Name]. She moved through the throng like a ghost, her books clutched tightly to her chest as if they could shield her from the noise, the questions, the uncertainty. Her gaze stayed glued to the floor, avoiding the curious stares of those around her.

The doubts and suspicions that had taken root in her mind felt like live wires, sparking and threatening to ignite if she let herself think too long. How many times had his phone buzzed while they were together? How many times had he turned away with an excuse, his smile disarming but his eyes unreadable? She shook her head, trying to banish the thoughts.

“[Name]!”

The voice broke through her spiraling thoughts, and she stopped in her tracks, turning toward its source. Utahime was weaving through the crowd, her expression warm and filled with concern.

Utahime. The one person who had always been there, her steady presence like a lighthouse in a storm. Her friend’s kind smile cut through the noise in [Name]’s head, grounding her.

“Hey,” [Name] greeted, her lips curving into a smile she hoped looked convincing.

Utahime tilted her head, her eyes scanning [Name]’s face with the precision of someone who knew her too well. “You look like you didn’t sleep at all. Did something happen?”

The question hit harder than it should have. [Name]’s grip on her books tightened, her nails pressing into the covers. She wanted to tell Utahime everything. She wanted to spill the truth about Suguru’s distance, about the constant buzzing of his phone, about the way he sometimes looked at her like she wasn’t even there. But the words stuck in her throat.

“No, I’m fine,” she said quickly, her voice a little too bright. “Just tired.”

Utahime’s frown deepened, but she didn’t press. “Well, let me know if you need anything, okay?”

She slipped an arm around [Name]’s shoulders, and the simple gesture felt like a lifeline. “Want to grab lunch later? Just us? We can skip the cafeteria and go somewhere quieter.”

The offer warmed something in [Name], and for the first time that morning, her smile felt almost real. “Yeah, that sounds nice.”

Utahime grinned, giving her a light squeeze. “Good. You need a break, and I could use some girl talk. See you then.”

As Utahime walked away, her presence lingered like the last rays of sunlight before a storm. For a brief moment, [Name] felt a flicker of hope—a reminder that no matter how chaotic things got, she didn’t have to face it alone. But as she turned to head to her next class, the weight of her thoughts settled back onto her shoulders, heavier than before.

In the crowd, she caught a glimpse of Suguru, his tall frame leaning casually against a locker as he laughed with Shoko. The sight sent a pang through her chest, but she looked away before either of them could notice her. She bit her lip and quickened her pace, the doubt coiling tighter in her stomach.

She told herself she would confront him soon — just not today. Not yet.

Across campus, Satoru Gojo leaned against a wall, his signature grin plastered on his face as he chatted with Yo Haibara. The two of them were like magnets for trouble, their energy infectious and a little chaotic.

“So, did you hear about the party at Mei Mei’s place this weekend?” Yo asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Of course I did,” Satoru replied, adjusting his sunglasses. “Think I’d miss out on a chance to outshine everyone?” Yo laughed, but his amusement faltered when he noticed Satoru’s gaze shift. Following his line of sight, he spotted Suguru walking across the courtyard, his phone pressed to his ear.

“He’s been busy lately,” Yo commented, his tone casual but curious. Satoru’s grin dimmed, just slightly. “Yeah. Busy.” Suguru’s conversation ended, and he slipped his phone into his pocket before joining them. “What are you two scheming now?” he asked, his tone light.

“Planning to crash Mei Mei’s party in style,” Satoru replied, his usual charm masking the edge in his voice. “What about you? Finally done with all those ‘errands’ you’ve been running?”

Suguru’s smile was as polished as ever. “Some of us have responsibilities, Satoru. Not all of us can coast through life on good looks and charm.”

“Speak for yourself,” Satoru shot back, though his laugh didn’t quite reach his eyes.

The air between them shifted subtly, a tension invisible to anyone passing by but palpable to those who knew them well. Satoru’s grin lingered, a shield against the questions simmering beneath the surface. Yo, ever the peacemaker, raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, sensing the unspoken undercurrent between his two friends.

Suguru’s polished smile didn’t waver, though there was a flicker in his eyes — a brief shadow that Satoru caught but chose not to comment on. Instead, he leaned back against the wall, his posture as casual as ever, but his sharp gaze never left Suguru.

“Responsibilities, huh?” Satoru drawled, pushing his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose. “Funny how those seem to come with a lot of phone calls lately. Anyone important?” Suguru chuckled, his tone easy but calculated. “Just people I have to keep happy. You know how it is.”

“Do I?” Satoru shot back, the words light but laced with an edge. His grin widened, but his tone softened, almost too casual. “You’re not spreading yourself too thin, are you? Gotta make sure you have time for the people who really matter.” Suguru’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, the shift barely noticeable. “I always do,” he replied, the smoothness of his voice betraying nothing.

Yo glanced between them, sensing the growing friction but unsure of its source. He cleared his throat, forcing a smile. “Okay, okay, let’s not get too serious here. It’s a party, not a debate club. So, Suguru, are you coming, or are you gonna leave me and Satoru to fend off Mei Mei’s sarcastic jabs by ourselves?” Suguru’s smile returned, this time with an air of detachment. “I’ll see if I can make it. No promises.”

“Translation: ‘I’m bailing,’” Satoru quipped, throwing an arm around Yo’s shoulders. “Looks like it’s just you and me, Haibara. Don’t worry; I’ll make sure we’re the stars of the night.” Yo laughed, the tension easing slightly, but Satoru’s grip on his shoulder was tighter than usual, his focus still on Suguru. “Don’t stay too busy, Suguru. You might miss something important.” Suguru didn’t respond immediately, his expression unreadable as he met Satoru’s gaze. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said finally, his tone neutral.

With that, Suguru turned and walked away, his pace unhurried but purposeful. Satoru watched him go, his usual carefree demeanor slipping for just a moment as he ran a hand through his white hair.

“You two okay?” Yo asked hesitantly.

Satoru shrugged, the grin back on his face like a mask. “Yeah, we’re fine. Suguru’s just... complicated.”

Yo didn’t push further, but the unease lingered as they made their way across campus. Satoru’s thoughts, however, remained on Suguru. He’d known his friend long enough to recognize when something was off, and lately, everything about Suguru felt like a puzzle with pieces missing.

As they reached their next class, Satoru made a mental note to keep a closer eye on him. Secrets had a way of unraveling, and Satoru wasn’t about to let Suguru’s unravel without warning.

Later that afternoon, [Name] found herself in the quiet sanctuary of the library, sitting across from Nanami Kento. The rows of books around them provided a sense of stillness, the hum of hushed whispers and the occasional turning of pages creating a calming background. It wasn’t the first time she had sought solace in Nanami’s company. The studious, dependable boy had a way of grounding her, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions she’d been wrestling with lately.

“Are you okay?” Nanami’s voice cut through the silence, soft yet direct. He didn’t look up from his notebook, his pen moving methodically across the page, but there was a weight to his words that made her pause.

She hesitated, her pencil hovering over the math problem she had been pretending to work on. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?” she finally muttered, her tone defensive but laced with fatigue.

Nanami stopped writing and set his pen down carefully, his gaze meeting hers. His hazel eyes were steady, unfaltering, and filled with a concern that was impossible to ignore. “Because you’re not hiding it as well as you think,” he said simply. There was no judgment in his voice, just an observation that landed uncomfortably close to the truth.

Her shoulders sagged under the weight of his words. She sighed, dropping her pencil onto the table and leaning back in her chair. “I don’t know, Nanami. I just feel… off. Like something’s wrong, but I can’t figure out what it is.”

Nanami didn’t respond right away, giving her the space to gather her thoughts. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. “Sometimes,” he said after a moment, “it’s okay to not have all the answers. You’re human. Feeling lost doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you.”

She stared at him, the unexpected kindness in his words catching her off guard. “But what if it’s not just me? What if it’s… other things? People?” She trailed off, the confession hanging in the air between them like a fragile thread.

Nanami’s expression didn’t change, but there was a slight shift in his posture, a silent acknowledgment that he understood more than she was saying. “If something — or someone — is making you feel this way, you don’t have to face it alone. You should talk to someone about it. Someone you trust.”

His words lingered in her mind, each one heavy with unspoken meaning. She wanted to tell him everything — the doubts gnawing at her, the way Suguru’s behavior didn’t add up, the emptiness she couldn’t seem to shake. But the thought of saying it out loud felt like standing on the edge of a cliff, the drop too terrifying to face.

Instead, she forced a smile. “Thank you, Nanami. I’ll think about it.”

He studied her for a moment longer, as if weighing whether to push further, but finally nodded. “Anytime.” Picking up his pen again, he returned to his work, his movements precise and deliberate.

[Name] tried to focus on her own homework, but the numbers and equations blurred together on the page. Nanami’s words echoed in her mind, intertwining with her own swirling thoughts.

When their study session ended, Nanami packed his books neatly into his bag. Before he left, he paused, his hand resting on the strap of his bag. “If you ever need to talk, I’m here,” he said softly, his tone so genuine it made her chest ache. Nanami hugged her before finally tossing his bag over his shoulder.

She nodded, watching him walk away with his usual calm, measured stride. As the library fell silent again, she sat back in her chair, staring up at the ceiling. The weight of her secrets felt heavier than ever, pressing down on her like a suffocating blanket.

For the briefest moment, she considered taking Nanami up on his offer. But the thought of unraveling everything, of exposing the cracks she had worked so hard to hide, of the fear of judgment, of the fear of someone expossing everything to the whole university, was too daunting.

Instead, she stayed there, alone with her thoughts and the overwhelming quiet of the library.

As evening fell, [Name] sat alone in her dimly lit room, the faint glow of her phone screen illuminating her face. The silence pressed heavily around her, broken only by the occasional muffled sound from outside — a dog barking, a car passing by. She stared blankly at the wall, her thoughts racing but directionless, like a storm churning in her mind with no end in sight.

Her desk was cluttered with unfinished assignments and crumpled notes, remnants of tasks she’d started but couldn’t bring herself to finish. Even the simple act of picking up a pen felt like dragging herself through quicksand. Her bed was unmade, the sheets tangled from restless nights spent tossing and turning.

She’d told Utahime she wasn’t feeling well and skipped their lunch earlier that day. She hated lying to her, but the thought of forcing a smile and pretending everything was fine felt unbearable in that moment. [Name] didn’t want to face anyone — not when the storm inside her felt like it was on the verge of breaking, spilling out in ways she couldn’t control.

Her phone buzzed in her lap, jolting her from her spiraling thoughts. For a fleeting moment, her heart leapt, a desperate hope swelling within her. Suguru. Maybe he’d finally noticed her absence, finally decided to check in.

But it wasn’t him.

It was Riko Amanai.

Hey, just checking in. Are you okay?

[Name] stared at the message for what felt like an eternity, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. She wanted to respond honestly, to tell Riko that she wasn’t okay, that she felt like she was drowning. But the words caught in her throat, the weight of her own thoughts silencing her.

Finally, she typed out a reply, her hands trembling slightly.

Yeah, I'm just tired from all that studdying, that's all. Thanks for asking, sweetheart .

She hesitated before pressing send, her chest tightening with a pang of guilt. Another lie.

Riko’s reply came almost instantly. If you need to talk, I’m here. Always.

The words hit her harder than she expected, and before she could stop herself, tears welled in her eyes. They blurred her vision, spilling over and streaking down her cheeks as she clutched her phone tighter.

But even as the tears fell, she didn’t respond. What could she say? That she felt like a shadow of herself, hollowed out by the weight of her doubts and fears? That she spent most nights lying awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering what was wrong with her?

The thoughts swirled relentlessly, dragging her deeper into the void. She wiped at her face hastily, as if erasing the evidence of her unraveling would somehow make it less real.

No one had noticed — not Suguru, not Shoko her best friend, not even her teachers who saw her every day. She’d perfected the art of smiling, of nodding along, of being what everyone expected her to be. A people pleaser.

Her phone buzzed again, pulling her back. It was another message from Riko.

Seriously, anytime. I’m here.

The sincerity in Riko’s words broke something in her, and she let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she typed out a response she would never send.

I’m not okay. I’m falling apart, piece by piece, and I don’t know how to stop it. It feels like I’m screaming into a void, but no one hears me. I’m surrounded by people who care, but it doesn’t matter — It's like I'm losing myself and I don't know why, it's like I can't be helped, I’m still drowning in this endless emptiness. I can’t breathe, I can’t think, and I can’t remember the last time I genuinely felt like myself. It’s like I’m fading away, and the worst part is, no one even notices and it fucking hurts. No one sees me slipping, not even the people I thought knew me best. I don’t even know if I’m worth saving anymore.

She stared at the unsent message, the words staring back at her like a confession she wasn’t ready to make. With a sigh, she deleted it and placed her phone face down on the bed.

Instead, she curled up in the corner of her room, her knees pulled tightly to her chest as the silence closed in once more. The storm inside her raged on, unseen and unheard by anyone else.

s the night deepened, the invisible threads connecting them all tightened, pulling each of them closer to the breaking point. Secrets layered upon lies, creating a suffocating web that clung to them, unseen but impossible to ignore. It was the kind of weight that settled in the back of their minds, growing heavier with each passing moment, yet they pretended it wasn’t there.

For Suguru, every lie he told was like a brick added to the fragile façade he had built. He wasn’t blind to the cracks forming, but he couldn’t stop. The thrill of deception had become its own addiction, feeding a part of him he didn’t dare acknowledge. Each time he looked at [Name], her adoring eyes searching his for truths he’d buried, he felt a fleeting pang of guilt. But it was fleeting, drowned out by the whispers of temptation that beckoned him back to Shoko.

For [Name], the web wasn’t invisible — it was suffocating. She could feel its strands tightening around her, constricting her every breath, yet she convinced herself it wasn’t real. Her mind was a battleground, torn between the image of Suguru she cherished and the shadows of doubt she couldn’t shake. She replayed their moments together like a broken record, searching for clues she didn’t want to find. Every laugh, every touch, every lingering kiss, every night spent together, — was it real? Or was it all part of a lie she was too afraid to confront?

Satoru carried the weight of knowing too much. The truth sat heavy on his chest, a burden he hadn’t asked for but couldn’t let go of. He watched Suguru navigate his double life with the precision of a skilled manipulator, and it churned something bitter in him. He’d warned Suguru once — told him that secrets like these had a way of unraveling, tearing apart everything in their path. But Suguru had laughed it off, confident in his ability to keep the pieces together. And so Satoru stayed silent, his loyalty to his oldest friend locking him into a role he hated.

Even Yo, so often dismissed as the carefree troublemaker, felt the pull of the web. His own secrets weighed heavy on him — the pills in his pocket, the deals that left a sour taste in his mouth. He told himself it was just temporary, that he’d walk away when the time was right. But the longer he stayed, the more tangled he became, the more the lines blurred between who he was and who he was becoming.

And then there was Shoko, the catalyst no one talked about. She wore her indifference like armor, but beneath it was something colder, sharper — a satisfaction in knowing the role she played. She wasn’t blind to the pain she caused, but she told herself it wasn’t her responsibility. Suguru had made his choices, and [Name] was too naïve to see the truth. It wasn’t her job to fix anything, even tho [name] saw her as a best friend, Shoko couldn't care less about her.

As the night stretched on, each of them felt the web pulling tighter, the strands digging into their skin. None of them could see the full picture, but all of them felt its weight. The lies they told themselves were the hardest to escape, echoing in their minds like a relentless tide: This is fine. I can handle this. Nothing’s going to fall apart. It will get better.

But deep down, they all knew better. The web wasn’t just trapping them — it was unraveling, one thread at a time. And when it finally gave way, none of them would emerge unscathed.

✨ Enjoyed this story? ✨ If you’d like to support my writing, consider leaving a tip or commissioning a custom fanfic on Ko-fi. Every bit helps me and my family, and I’m so grateful for your support! 💕

[solarmorrigan]

For the dialogue prompt, how about “What happened doesn’t change anything” for either Steddie or Newmann?

Thank you!

Hello hello hello I finally have something for you! I chose Steddie for this one, since I was on a roll. I hope this suits!

[post-S2 Steddie AU; CW: Outing, transphobia, some internalized transphobia; soft ending guaranteed, though]

-

When he sees Hagan meandering over towards them in the parking lot after school, his queen bee tagalong, Perkins, in tow, Eddie knows nothing good is going to follow. The way he feels Steve shift beside him says that he suspects much the same. The rest of the Hellfire guys, all gathered around Eddie’s van, talking and joking before heading home, have fallen silent.

It’s a small consolation that Hagan isn’t trailing Hargrove; since putting Steve in the hospital (briefly, Steve always interjects) last November, Hargrove has mostly given him—and the members of the Hellfire Club, once Steve had been taken into their fold—a fairly wide berth. Hagan, however, has had no compunctions about hassling Steve whenever he gets a bug up his ass about something, and he’s only become nastier since he started toadying for Hargrove.

So Eddie expects trouble, but he hadn’t expected–

Hagan starts small, crowing about how Steve has finally found his rightful place: among the freaks. Steve doesn’t give anything away, no displeasure, no anger, just bored indifference – the same mask he’s always hidden behind (the one Eddie had learned pretty quickly to see past, once he knew what to look for). But Hagan pushes.

“I guess the freaks already have a king,” Hagan snipes, cutting a glance at Eddie, “but I’m sure he needs a lady to rule by his side, right, Stevie?”

It seems like an unoriginal sort of dig—calling Steve a girl, how creative—except Steve goes pale. The mask slips, showing wide and frightened eyes for just a moment, but for Hagan, who’s known Steve for years, it’s long enough. He knows he’s hit something good.

“Do all your new little friends know, Stevie-boy? What makes you fit right in with them?” Hagan glances around the group, apparently enjoying the fact that if looks could kill, he’d be dead four times over. Then he leans in and practically spits at Steve, “Do they know that they got into your pants, you’d be less of a King Steve and more of a Queen Stacy?”

And that does it – shatters Steve’s mask so thoroughly that he actually takes a step back, staring at Hagan with a kind of disbelieving betrayal frozen on his face.

The full meaning of the words hits Eddie about three seconds before Hagan hits the side of the van, one of Eddie’s hands fisted in the front of his t-shirt and the other held firm at the base of his throat – not hurting, exactly, but heavily implying that he could.

Eddie doesn’t even have to reach for one of the many theatrical voices he uses to rile people up or cow them into submission; he’s so thoroughly taken by a type of rage he hasn’t let himself give into in a long time that his tone comes out perfectly threatening all on its own.

“If you ever repeat what you just said to another person, I will find out, and I will make your life a living hell,” he hisses.

Somewhere behind him, someone—it might be Jeff, though Eddie isn’t sure—clears their throat, and when Eddie tosses a glance over his shoulder, he finds the rest of Hellfire standing firm at his back (even tiny underclassman Gareth, with his arms crossed and the meanest look on his face the poor kid can muster).

“Ah, my apologies,” Eddie says as he faces front again, flashing a manic little grin, “we will find out. And we’ll ruin your life, Hagan. Same goes for your girlfriend.”

Perkins, who had been standing off to the side as the snickering peanut gallery right up until Eddie had pinned Hagan to the side of the van, makes a choked noise of offense that goes entirely ignored.

“Tell me you understand, Tommy-boy.” Eddie punctuates the command with a flex of his fingers near Hagan’s throat, until Hagan reluctantly nods, and Eddie releases him. “Glad we’re in agreement.”

Hagan and Perkins hightail it the other side of the parking lot, leaving them be with nothing more than a nasty look from Perkins, but no one is much in the mood to chat after that. No one really knows what to say – except Steve, who offers a quiet thanks to the rest of the guys and, having caught a ride in with Eddie that morning, then asks to be taken home.

Even with the radio playing quietly as Eddie drives, the atmosphere in the van feels silent and stifling.

Asking Steve if he’s alright feels like kind of a ridiculous move. Eddie wouldn’t be alright if he was in Steve’s position – hell, Eddie’s not alright. He’s pissed. But from the way Steve is sitting rigidly in the passenger seat, staring out the window like Eddie is driving him to his execution, Eddie’s anger—even on his behalf—isn’t what he needs right now.

Slowly, Eddie forces himself to let it go (for now, at least for now) and follow the familiar roads home.

It feels perfectly natural to simply head back to his place, where they’d been planning to go before that shitshow of a confrontation, though the surprise on Steve’s face when they pull up to the trailer says that he’d thought otherwise.

“You could’ve just taken me back to my house. I wouldn’t– I’d get it,” he says, and Eddie frowns at him.

“Did you want to go back to your house? We can hang out there if you want, I just figured…” Eddie tilts his head regarding him carefully. “You seem more comfortable here.”

Steve stares at him for a long moment, blank and uncertain, before he breaks back into motion with a shrug. “Okay,” he says, moving to get out of the van.

They head inside and nod a quick hello to Wayne, who looks like he’s just woken up in preparation for his shift, and then they go straight back to Eddie’s room. Eddie’s bag goes on the desk, but Steve’s goes by the door. Eddie sits down on the bed (admittedly one of the few places to sit, but also an invitation for Steve to come sit next to him) but Steve – Steve hesitates before leaning up against the wall, by the door with his bag, arms crossed and gaze cast towards the floor.

He looks ready to run at any moment, and Eddie sighs. This thing between them is new – so new that they’ve been afraid to put a label to it, dancing around each other uncertainly for months before sharing their first kiss barely a month ago. They’ve spent almost every available moment since with their hands on each other in some way or another, though Steve has been a bit skittish about moving past making out (Eddie had thought that maybe it was the unfamiliarity of being with another guy, but he thinks he might have a better understanding of the picture now).

Eddie doesn’t want to break things by pushing too hard, but somehow, he thinks leaving it unaddressed would be worse.

“Look, we don’t have to talk about it,” he says, watching Steve, though Steve still isn’t looking back, “but if you want to…”

Steve shrugs. “I wasn’t hiding it from you,” he says, finally glancing up at Eddie. “I mean, I was, but not– I was going to tell you.”

“You don’t owe me any kind of explanation,” Eddie says.

“You would’ve found out eventually, either way.” Steve lets out a sound that suggests he may have been trying to laugh. “But it was – I should’ve been the one to tell you. That was – that was mine to tell.”

A little bit of Eddie breaks as Steve’s voice does. He’s almost vibrating with the desire to hold and to reassure, to go over to where Steve is standing, still propped against the wall, practically curling in on himself (trying to make himself smaller), but he’s not sure how well it would be received. He tries words, instead.

“Steve, I’m so sorry–”

“That was the one thing,” Steve snaps, anger tearing across his tone, “the one thing Tommy would never touch, the one thing that was off limits, even he knew– and he just–” As quickly as it had come, the anger goes, taking Steve’s energy with it. He presses the heels of his palms into his eyes and lets his hands slide down to cover his face; when he speaks again, he sounds small. “I wasn’t ready.”

Eddie couldn’t keep himself from crossing the room if he’d tried – though isn’t trying, after that. He’s up off the bed and into Steve’s space before he’s even realized, and it’s probably only his proximity that allows him to hear what Steve says next.

“I’m not ready for things to change between us.”

“Steve,” Eddie says, low and careful, “what happened doesn’t change anything.”

Steve pulls his hands away from his face with a derisive little huff of a laugh. His cheeks are red and his eyes are bright; he’s not crying, but it looks like a near thing.

“It’s – like, I get it. You’re fully into guys, and I’m…” He waves his hands down at himself, sharp and frustrated. “Most people wouldn’t call me a real guy, if they knew.”

“Since when am I most people?” Eddie asks. “You say you’re a guy, you’re a real guy, fucking end of. Anyone who thinks otherwise can fuck off.”

Steve scoffs, rolling his eyes, clearly trying to hold back a much more emotional reaction, and Eddie chances resting his hands on Steve’s shoulders. Steve doesn’t move away, even eases a little into the touch when Eddie starts circling his thumbs at the skin right where his shirt collar ends.

“You don’t have to believe me right now,” Eddie says softly. “But I like you, Steve. I like you, andI’m gonna stick around and prove it to you.”

Something about the declaration makes Steve’s eyes snap right to Eddie’s, searching, anxious and cautiously hopeful, and Eddie lets him look. Whatever he’s after, maybe he finds it, because he uncurls from himself a little after that, just enough to lean in for a hesitant kiss that becomes much more certain when Eddie himself doesn’t hold back.

Eddie pulls Steve back over to the bed after that, poking and prodding him around until they’re both settled, Eddie’s back to the pillows and Steve’s back to Eddie’s chest (Steve’s never said as much, but Eddie’s gathered that this is one of his favorite positions to cuddle in; he doubts if Steve’s spent much time being the little spoon).

“Tell me something else,” Eddie says, once he’s got his arms wrapped securely around Steve’s waist.

“What?” Steve asks.

“Tell me something that you want me to know.” Eddie leans forward to press a kiss to Steve’s temple. “Anything.”

For a moment, Steve is quiet, thinking as he traces absent patterns over Eddie’s forearms. “I could tell you why I picked Steve,” he says finally.

“If you want to, I’d love to hear it,” Eddie says.

“It wasn’t because it was sort of close to my… old name. That was actually kind of a coincidence.” Steve lets his head fall back against Eddie’s shoulder, the tension that’s been wound through him for the last hour finally starting to ease. “Steven was my grandad’s name.”

“Yeah?” Eddie prompts softly.

“Yeah. My mom’s dad. I used to spend a lot of time over at his house when I was a kid. Before he died. I kind of got the feeling he liked me more than my parents did.” Eddie gives Steve a squeeze around the middle. “But he used to tell me all these stories about fighting in World War II. Probably not very age-appropriate, now that I think about it, but at the time I really ate it up.

“He didn’t really, like… glorify it, I don’t think? He just kind of told me what happened, good or bad, and whatever the story was, I always thought he sounded, y’know – strong and brave. And when I wanted to pick a new name…” Steve shrugs against Eddie. “I kind of hoped he wouldn’t mind sharing his with me.”

“Bet he’d be honored,” Eddie says, giving Steve another little squeeze.

“Some days I’m not so sure,” Steve says quietly.

“Well I am. I’ll just have to stick around and prove that to you, too,” Eddie says decisively.

Briefly, Steve’s hands tighten where they rest on Eddie’s arms. “I like the sound of that,” he says, and Eddie turns so he can press another kiss to the side of Steve’s head.

“Good,” he says. “Me too.”

[mrsevans90]

Puppy Love

Captain Syverson x OFC Emma Miller Part 3

Summary: Austin Syverson has returned to Texas after retiring from the military and starts his own contracting business. Syverson is used to being alone and thinks he prefers it that way. While at work he stumbles upon an injured and abused puppy. When he meets the new veterinarian in town, Emma Miller, he is immediately smitten with her. It turns out Emma has some baggage of her own. Will they be able to make it work? Or is it just a case of fleeting puppy love?

Pairing: Henry Cavill as Captain Austin Syverson x OFC Emma Miller 

Word Count: 2, 593 (This one is a bit shorter because the next chapter has ALL. THE. SMUT. Prepare yourself in advance loves!)

Warnings: Fluffy Sy, Sexual innuendos, Abused animal, domestic violence, stalker ex-boyfriend, mention of nightmares/PTSD, smut in future chapters.

MINORS DNI! Must be 18+

I do not authorize any copying/pasting, stealing of my work, or using my words as your own. 

This story is not beta’d. All mistakes are my own.

A/N: I am an imperfect person who makes mistakes. All that I ask is to please be kind and if you enjoy it then please comment and REPOST! I appreciate any love, comments, and reposts more than you could know. Thank you for reading! 

Part 2

I lay back in bed with my arm behind my head and start thinking about Emma even though I know I shouldn’t because I won't be able to stop. I think of how beautiful she was standing on my doorstep, the way she cocked her hip at me with her arms crossed when I got on to her for trying to do dishes, the way her nose scrunches when she laughs. I smile to myself when I think about the weight of her tiny body across my lap and the way her nails scratched the stubble on the back of my head and neck when she was kissing me. Her perfume was not overbearing and overly potent like so many women I know. Just a soft, sensual scent that enveloped me when she was pressed against me. I think about how soft and swollen her lips felt before she left and the little gold chain necklace that rested against her cleavage and sigh. I lay there continuing to think about her as my eyes close and I drift off in a deep dreamless sleep.

I wake up the next morning stunned that I slept all night. Even though I was on a decent streak without nightmares lately, I usually never slept so soundlessly. I am once again still thinking about Emma and our upcoming date. Maybe this could be more than just physical. Don’t get me wrong, sex is great if we get to that point but I wonder if I’ll ever stop craving something more. A connection so deep that it spans a lifetime. I’ve always admired the pure love and admiration that my grandparents have for each other but lost hope a while ago that it may be something I could have. My military career made it impossible to settle down and although I thought I loved women before it just didn’t seem to be the same type of love that Nana and PawPaw have. It’s like they are each a half of the same person. The way they complete each other to make up this seemingly perfect couple who loves each other despite any flaws. It’s an all-encompassing type of adoration. I settled on the fact that their type of love is the exception. The one in a million lottery that most people never experience. Over the years I began to subconsciously accept the fact that I’ll never have that. I’ve become content being alone simply because it’s a way to protect myself from betrayal and heartbreak. I was fine with this lifestyle until I laid my eyes on Emma Miller. I’ve never felt so immediately smitten by a woman before. Talking to her felt comforting, her smile made my heart race, and I loved that she playfully bantered with me. Could it be that maybe my poor luck in the love department is over now because she’s the right person? My soulmate perhaps? Am I just fooling myself because I could see myself actually marrying a woman like her and worshipping her every day without being able to get enough of her? The thought of her with two or three little kids that look like a combination of us causes my thoughts to blur and my chest to expand with butterflies. Maybe this could work for once. It's too soon to tell. My nightmares aren’t happening as often and I feel like my PTSD isn’t as crippling as it once was. I don’t want her to have to deal with my problems though. She would be terrified if she saw me in an active PTSD episode. It’s been six months since I’ve had one but there's no guarantee I won't have another. Maybe I’m done with them or my brain is tricking me into this false pretense that I'm cured so that I get complacent. I’m getting way too far ahead of myself. I need to temper my hopes and expectations in order to protect myself from the inevitable let down. Hell, she may not even be as interested in me that way. Emma may not want anything to with something long term. I know she certainly must have her own qualms after being treated the way she has by men in the past. She’s had more than enough trauma to not have to witness mine.

After showering, getting ready for work, and eating some breakfast, I kiss Aika on the head and load up Mills for another day at work. I’m heading back to the same house to assist with the siding repair. There was more rot on that fireplace than we anticipated so it’s going to take a bit longer to repair. I call Nana and listen to her start carrying on about picking muscadines so she can make and can her some muscadine jelly. Pawpaw loves it so much he planted some muscadine trees on the back of the farm when I was about fourteen and she makes his jelly every year.

“D’ya hear that they got a new vet in town at Aika’s vet office?” I ask her.

“Oh, I sure did! Cute little blonde woman I think. Seems nice but I haven’t gotten a chance to speak to her yet. I know that Martha Foster invited her to church but she hasn’t come to a service. I can’t say I blame her, I don’t think I’d want to spend time with Martha and her nasty potato salad either.”

“Damn, Nana. Don’t hold back.”

“Well, I love the Lord, honey, but I only have so much patience for Martha and her know it all attitude.”

“I can’t disagree with you there, Nana. So yeah, the new vet, Emma, is very nice. I met her when I took the puppy I’m keeping over there after I found him. Did you see the picture I sent you of the little feller?”

“Your pawpaw showed me. He’s a cutie. What did you name him?”

Here we go. “Mills.”

“Mills? Like Milton? Where’d you think up a name like that?”

“Um, it’s short for Miller. Like Miller Lite Beer.” I think I just saved myself with that little white lie.

“You seriously didn’t name that poor thing after beer, Austin. What am I going to do with you? Bring him with you this weekend when you come to lunch on Sunday so I can spoil him. Your pawpaw won’t let me have any more animals. He said the barn cats, cows, chickens, and pigs keep us busy enough but I disagree. Do you know if that cute new veterinarian is single?”

“She is.” I quietly reply.

“Oh, you should ask her on a date. I keep telling you it’s time you start looking for a wife, Austin. If she turns you down, I can still get Susanne’s number for you. She may not have a job, but I’m sure she’ll find something soon.” Jesus Nana.

“No, I’m alright. I actually already asked Emma to dinner tonight. I’m only telling you because I know you have your ways of finding out sooner or later after gossiping with the ole bitties in town. Don’t you run off and start dreaming of a wedding and great grandkids now, ya hear? It’s just dinner.”

“Austin Syverson, you better not be calling me an ole’ bitty. I may be elderly but I can still smack you upside the head. You don't scare me."

"Yes ma'am." I reply with a chuckle because I know she means it. That ole' woman has smacked me upside the head so many times I can't count.

"I’m so glad you asked her to dinner. I want to meet her.”

“Like I said, I haven’t even taken her on a date yet.” Not exactly true but she doesn’t need to know that. “Let's not go and get ahead of ourselves and scare her off. Just do me a favor and wait a while before you ambush for information. Let me get to know her first please.”

“Fine, fine. I’ll stay out of it but please at least tell me how the date goes.”

“Deal. Now I gotta get on to work but I love ya. Tell PawPaw that I love him too.”

“We love you too, honey. Have a good day.”

The day drones on and finally I arrive at a small cottage style house on Beasley Avenue and pull up in the driveway. I’m sure my diesel truck rumbling announces my presence so I waste no time hopping out of the truck and making my way to the pale-blue door that has a summer wreath hung on it. There’s no doorbell so I knock loudly and within a few moments the door opens widely to reveal Emma in white shorts, and a yellow and white floral top that shows off just a sliver of her toned and tanned midriff. 

            “Hey Austin!” Emma says cheerfully while I’m still stunned over her appearance.

            “Sugar, you look good enough to eat.” I say with a smirk and wink.

            “Thank you, but you’re just saying that because you’re hungry.” She giggles as she reaches up to wrap her arms around my neck for a sweet hug. I put my hands on her hips and kiss her forehead.

            “I don’t say things I don’t mean darlin’. Nice place.” I say as she pulls back from me.

            “Thanks! It’s small and I need to do update some things since it’s an older house but I liked how simple and classic it looks. It also helped that it was in my budget, move in ready, and only ten minutes from the clinic.” She tells me.

“It fits you. It’s very bright and welcoming.” I say and she grins widely. “I don’t know what needs to be updated but I’d be happy to take a look.”

“I may have to make an appointment and take you up on that at some point. I need to install a doorbell. the hot water heater is not great and the kitchen sink is a little fickle but it’s not a big deal.”

“No need for an appointment darlin’. I can take a look whenever you’d like me too at no charge.” 

“I couldn’t ask you to do that. Let’s go eat, I’m starving!” She deflects.

“I’m offering so you don’t need to ask. But, I can’t be responsible for you starving so let’s eat and I can look at it later.” She locks the front door and I lead her to my truck.

“I missed lunch today. Janet accidentally double booked me and so I got behind. Had to work through lunch just to catch back up.” She says as I help her into the passenger’s seat.

“You don’t need to be doing that darlin’. I’m sure everyone would have understood.”

“It was okay. Janet felt bad about it and I didn’t want to waste people’s time. Just made for a crazy day! I’m ready for some lasagna!” She giggles and I smile at her from the driver’s seat.

We get to Gia’s and I say hello to the hostess, Sofia, who is the owner’s daughter. She’s always blatantly flirted with me but I’ve never returned the sentiment. She’s too young; barely twenty-two and is clearly looking to immediately get married and have kids like so many other women here. She’s a nice girl but I wouldn’t want to give her the wrong idea. I make a point to place my hand on Emma’s lower back and pull her chair for her to sit and she smiles gratefully at me. After we order, I see Giovanna the owner heading straight towards me. My mama and her were friends since I was a teenager and we have come to Gia’s throughout the years for meals. Giovanna and her husband, Matteo, opened this restaurant when I was about ten years old.

“Sy! Good to see you sweetie.” She says as she hugs me. “Who’s this beautiful lady?”

“Hey Giovanna. Good to see you too. This is Emma Miller. She’s our new veterinarian over at Hope Animal Clinic.” I answer and Emma smiles and produces her hand to shake as I introduce her.

“Ah! I’ve heard wonderful things about you! I have an appointment next month for our cat, Luigi, to get his yearly shots.”

“Oh, what a sweet name. I’ll be looking forward to meeting the little guy!” She tells her and I chuckle.

“He’s not a little guy. He’s the biggest domestic house cat I’ve ever seen!” I tell her.

“Really?” Emma asks.

“He’s a big boy, but what can you expect? He sleeps all day and his parents own a restaurant that sometimes has left over fish that would go to waste.” She says waving her hands dramatically and we laugh.

“Well then I look forward to meeting your big boy.” Emma jokes.

“Are you settling in okay? I’m so glad you are here!” Gia says and Emma smiles brightly.

“I’ve settled in nicely! Everyone has been so welcoming. I have to say, you have the best food in town. This is my first time coming in but I’ve ordered take out several times. Your delivery drivers are probably sick of me.” She jests.  

“Oh, I’m so glad you enjoy it dear. Don’t you worry about Derek and Joe. They get free food and only have to drive orders around so they are living the good life. Well, I’ll let you get back to your evening but I just wanted to say hello. You come back in anytime sweetheart!” She calls and we thank her and wave goodbye.

“So, are you one of those people that everyone in town knows? I saw that cute little hostess just about drooling over you.”

“Nah, that’s Gia’s daughter. I do know almost everyone in town but that’s what happens being raised in a town like this. My grandparents are pretty well known by everyone so I am just by proxy I guess. I’ve essentially spent the majority of 17 years overseas in different parts of the world, but when I come back home it’s like I never left. Unfortunately, that means everyone also knows everyone else’s business. I hope you don’t mind but I’m sure it’ll get around that we were here tonight on a date.” She blushes.

“I don’t mind. As long as you’re okay with that.”

“Wouldn’t have brought ya if I wasn’t, Sugar. You deserve to be shown off and I’m proud to be the man who gets too.” I reach over to grab her hand and stroke my thumb over her knuckles before kissing them. She smiles from ear to ear.

            After dinner, we climb into my truck and I offer to take her for ice cream and she just pats her little belly.

“Normally, I would never turn down ice cream but I think I ate my weight in pasta. I’m completely stuffed.”

I stare out at the parking lot as I fight the urge to make a “that’s what she said joke” or an innuendo about how I could stuff her later and with once glance I can tell she caught my train of thought.

“You’re fighting making a dirty joke about stuffing me, aren’t you?” She giggles and I wink at her.

“I didn’t know you could hear my dirty thoughts.”

“I can’t, it was just so obvious. Your cheeks got red, you scrunched your nose while smiling and you broke eye contact with me.” Emma grins.

I shake my head and laugh lowly until Emma scoots over to me and whispers seductively, “Let's go home and maybe I'll let you stuff me full.”

Part 4

Taglist: @shellyshellshell @henryownsme @caramariehurst @beck07990 @mollymal@kingliam2019@syversonswife@identity2212@starfirewildheart@hannah9921 @wa-ni @kneelforloki @cutedoxie @summersong69 @enchantedbytomandhenry @foxyjwls007 @geralts-yenn

[hoaxriot]

Sirius x reader where the marauders are ignoring him after the prank on Snape and the reader comforts him.

LABYRINTH

pairings. sirius black x reader

synopsis. after sirius did the prank he can’t find comfort from anyone but you.

notes. thank you for requesting this, i hope you like it🫶🏻!

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the marauders was a tight knit group of friends, of course on top of the other friends they had but just them no one could come between them— except their own. sirius didn’t mean for it to happen the way it did but it was the biggest betrayal remus has ever encountered so it split the group up or really sirius being not apart of it.

everyone stopped talking to him, he deserved it but he beat himself up for it, he couldn’t sleep in the dorm and he couldn’t even feel okay sleeping in your dorm since all the girls were on remus’ side.

he was currently sat watching the fire on the couch in the common room, thinking of millions of things. maybe he was who his parents said he was, maybe being around all these kind people made him forget who he actually was, maybe— his thoughts were cut short when he felt someone touch his shoulder from behind him.

he jumped a bit turning around to see you in your pajamas with a cardigan tugged around your torso. he softened as he met your eyes but his shoulders were still stiff, his mind was still yelling at him. it got worse when you started to make your way around the couch seeing how upset he was, he watched as you gently sit down beside him and grab his hand softly.

he didn’t lock his fingers the way you did.

you don’t deserve her. you don’t deserve her. you don’t deserve her. he repeatedly said to himself in his head. he doesn’t deserve anyone, so he let go of your hand causing you lips to curve down a little.

“sirius?” you said lightly, he didn’t move he just stared at the fire.

“i don’t deserve you, i don’t.. i don’t deserve anything from you.” he spoke, you could tell he was already getting choked up but you didn’t move letting him get his emotions out.

“i did something horrible to- to someone you has done everything for me, remus has done everything good for me from the moment i sat down next to james on the train. he didn’t judge me for my last name or my family. for anything. a-and i did everything wrong to him in one single night. everyone hates me, yo— you should hate me, i need someone else to hate me and tell me how horrible i am. everyone is so quiet around me or they look at me oddly. i need someone to tell me— i need someone to tell me how wrong i am, how i am exactly like who my mother told me i am.” he ranted, sirius started to cry leaning over to hold his head in his hands, pulling at his long locks.

“sirius,” you put your hand on his back but he moved away, this time you didn’t pull away. you grabbed his hand from his head grabbing his face gently so he could look at you but he moved his face again.

“sirius. yes, you did something wrong. and yes, remus has every right to be mad and yes everyone is entitled to be upset— especially remus, you know that,” you spoke, you couldn’t lie to him but you loved sirius dearly so lying won’t work.

“but you are nothing like what your mom told you or who she forced you to be, nothing. you will never be that. you have the sweetest heart and people do things that they shouldn’t do. you have to learn and know what you did wrong for you to forgive yourself. you have got to stop sitting down here all night and beating yourself up, not sleeping, drinking when your mind gets to heavy, going to class late. you can’t do that.” he shakes his head as he listens, why are you being so sweet?

“no! you don’t understand. i am not who everyone thinks i am, this is who i am.” sirius looks at you eyes full of tears, you shook your head as you felt the sting in your eyes as tears started to form, he was so deep in head he was convincing himself that he was a horrible person because of this.

“no, sirius. this is not who you are!” you slightly raised your voice, he looked up at you listening to you for the first time, actually listening . “you did something wrong, yes. okay? but your whole word is not ending, you are not falling to the wrong side because of this. sirius, remus needs time. you have to give yourself time. you’re moving to fast, you’re listening to every single thought that pops into your mind. you can’t do that.” you talk, he listens. as you finish he lets out a sob shaking his head multiple times.

he easily falls into your body making you fall back onto the couch, half his body is off of you so it doesn’t hurt.

“why don’t you hate me like everyone else does?” he speaks into your collarbone where his head lays, you feel his breath on your free skin.

“one bad thing doesn’t defy who you are.” you speak softly as you bring one hand to his hair. he begins to sob again.

the prank that sirius did was wrong but you loved sirius, you also loved remus and sirius knew that so he pushed you away. he ignored you, you let him but as he went into a hole you couldn’t anymore. you saw him sleep on the couch (more of him staring off into nothing.) you noticed the way he come into class looking messy, the bottles beside the couch in the morning.

he needed someone to tell him what he needed to hear, you gave him his space because sirius is hard headed when it comes to his emotions. he shuts everyone out when he comes home from a bad break at his home, he doesn’t mean to. it’s just what he grew up with. he never had anyone, he always comforted his younger brother not being able to bare regulus with more. so he did it all by himself.

so that’s why you came down tonight knowing he was going to be there awake— thinking.

you let sirius cry as you held him, another night sirius black cried himself to sleep after the prank but he had someone for once. he let his emotions out in front of someone, he let someone help him.

[butchbarneygumble]

Imagine how I must feel as one of the only fans of Mighty Magiswords. You know. A headcanons-and-fanfic kind of fan. I even cosplayed Prohyas once.

Of course, it's nothing compared to what the actual victims went through... I'm fine. But it still felt like a part of my identity has been permanently soured. I don't want to seem like I somehow have it worse, that's not my intention. Nothing bad happened to me personally. I'm only posting my own side of how I deal with the situation, to get some closure myself and show solidarity with the victims.

I don't admire him anymore, and that's putting it lightly.

Full story under cut. Content warning for non-graphic discussion of csa.

The news came to me from my ex-but-still-friend. He told me privately, out of nowhere, just dropped it on me. Like, "Hey, sorry to tell you, but the guy you like got arrested for csa". However, I am glad he told me rather than me having to find out on my own.

The news hit me, and I felt nothing in my body. I usually would get this painful fight-or-flight all through my body whenever I read something that upset me, something I've been training myself to get better with. But right now? I just felt like... "huh. That happened." It helped a lot that Magiswords wasn't my fixation of the moment. And like... it's been like I've been slipping away from it. Like I didn't need it anymore.

More and more people were talking about him, and it wasn't positive. Who? Kyle.

I talked to him. Personally, like many people did. He never acted weird to me. I admired him. I loved his art, sent him physical fanart, all that stuff. I knew more than one person said he was not trustworthy but hey, he made a show that saved my life, so it was a constant struggle between feeling like I had to pick sides. I was going through hell by virtue of my dad being terminally sick and needing constant care, so I was gonna ignore the red flags and enjoy my silly sword show that brought me such joy.

Even if as time went on it started get harder and harder.

But you know what a certain depressed horse show said? When you're wearing rose coloured glasses, red flags just look like flags.

I now think dodged a bullet.

What emotions do I feel? Betrayal. Anger. Disgust. Disappointment.

The irony about it all. The sheer painful irony of blacklisting somebody for *drawings*, and then going behind everybody's back to actually hoard *actual* csa, and revenge porn, and all sorts of nasty stuff. For the record: there is nothing wrong with being put off or disgusted by specific sorts of drawings. But the irony here is what's most painful to me. I do not like people using this as a "gotcha" for either side of this tired argument. It's disrespectful to the actual victims.

People say I can easily seperate art from the artist if I want to but... right now I don't think I want to. He's in every pore of its identity. I do not want to talk or think about Magiswords right now, and I don't know if I ever will again.

It meant so much to me. Prohyas felt like Me. Being a goofy capable adult who doesn't stop collecting things he likes just cuz he's an adult. I thought I was trans for a while and the euphoria of relating to Prohyas helped that. Then he got lowkey confirmed nonbinary and I was over the moon.

It was good. Emphasis on "was".

And to the man himself I have one thing to say: you're another one in a long history of cartoon artists who end up being unsavoury, slimy people, taking advantage of young people, especially girls, in the animation industry. Not something to be proud of. I know we talked and you seemed perfectly okay to me, personally. All I can think is thank god it never went beyond casual chats.

I guess I can finally say I never liked the joke about Vambre not liking pants. Sure, sensory issues exist, but I doubt that was the intention of the design. I have deleted my sideblog where I chronicled ooc screencaps of the show and deleted my little spotify playlist of songs that reminded me of the show. I don't want to finish my longfic where Prohyas and Flonk fell in love anymore. I can't even change it into ocs because it's just so ingrained in the show's lore. So yeah, there's that.

I'll be fine. When the news hit I took it surprisingly well. I was going to an Alestorm concert and it was the most fun I had in ages. So yeah, I've got Christopher Bowes and His Plate of Beans to fill the void of comedy music. Was fixating on Simpsons already so there's that in terms of cartoons. I'm fine.

All I can say is my heart goes out to all the victims, and I'm deeply sorry I didn't see you sooner. I hope you can heal and have some semblance of closure now that he's gotten arrested. My heart goes out to all of you and again, I am so so sorry. I wish you all the love and healing.

[patrophthia]

Hi queen, and congrats! I’m in my Sirius era so maybe a fic with him and literally any trope/idea you have (although I have to admit I love e2l)

Anyways, congratulations again 💞

babe i’m always in my sirius era so i GET you and i love e2l so i (hopefully) GOT you too!! and thank u!!!

just kiss already! | sirius black

pairing: sirius black x reader

genre: silly banters, not exactly enemies to lovers but they’re bickering and bantering with each other (except one is in love with the other)

part of my 1k celebration event !

If you had a galleon for every time Sirius Black disagreed with you on something you’d have about just enough to build your own Hogswart. It was all in good fun at first, playful banters between the two quidditch announcers until the quote unquote ‘banter’ made its way into your day to day left rather than it staying within the announcer’s booth. 

“What?” You don’t have to glance at him to know that Sirius had slid into the sit opposing you, not caring that you’ve been saving it for a friend of yours. “What is it this time?” 

You know what he’s going to say by how casually he’d plop himself down. It had started this way, you sliding up to him as naturally as you could as you ask him in aiding you commentate this year’s quidditch matches seeing as the old announcer was your ex boyfriend and you’d much rather die then work with him again. 

And Sirius was popular enough to make people want to listen to what he had to say, plus he’s well aware of the rules in quidditch through his friendship with the Gryffindor’s team captain. He was the perfect candidate then, and maybe you’re regretting your decision now (just maybe). 

“I need a favor from you,” he says easily; a sly smile creeping onto his handsome face when you finally look at him, “I need you to do this weekend’s match alone.” 

“You want me to commentate the final match of this season alone?” You ask him, tone ridiculing. Everyone who knew anything about sport knew how stressful the finals are, and when you’re two teenagers commentating on the school final match with nothing but magic as your helper, you’re going to need all hands on deck. “Do you hear yourself?” 

A hand finds it’s way into his curls, tossing it slightly as he tried to come up with a reply. “I have a good reason.” 

“It better be,” you snickered. “I’m seconds away from hexing your arse into announcing the match with me.” 

“It’s well—” he pauses, seemingly nervous for once. “—I have a date.” 

“That’s your reason?” You scoff, ignoring the weird pang in your chest. Sirius Black is handsome, you know that, the whole school knew that; he’s always been desirable —and, in your eyes, incredibly annoying. So how anyone could want to be with him —despite his good look, and honestly charming personality— is a mystery to you. “You’re missing the match to get your dick wet?” 

He tears his eyes away from you, breaking contact as he looks to the side. “When you put it like that it’s . . .”

“It’s what?” You’re annoyed and he could sense it. “It’s a stupid reason to miss the most important match this season that your best friend is playing?” 

Sirius is quiet for once in his life. It’s the first time you’ve ever seen him this quiet —probably being eaten up by his own feelings, and he looks so . . . guilty you almost almost feel bad for him. 

“You know what?” You say after a while, grey eyes meeting yours once more. “Just do whatever you want, I don’t care. I don’t know why I’m still holding out hope that you’d do the one thing I’ve asked of you to do. ” 

And maybe his date cancelled on him, or James Potter said a few not so kind words about how it’s utter betrayal to not be there for him during the finals; or maybe, just maybe, your words got to him. 

Leaving you more than just surprised to find him already sat at the announcer’s booth when you arrive. You sit down besides him, not daring to look at him seeing as the last time you did look at him, you’d told him that you’ve been expecting something from him and he’s only disappointed you since. 

So you waited until the game start, siding with the team he was naturally opposed to. It was second nature by now, for him to always support whichever team you didn’t (even if it was his own house). 

“It looks like Prongs spotted the snitch,” Sirius says, ignoring you when you corrected him that ‘Prongs’ should be referred to as ‘Potter’ in these settings, “if you’d stop telling me what to do maybe someone would be seeking for you. Merlin, knows you made everyone around your miserable enough.” 

There’s a few audible gasps from the audience, even fewer laughters finding amusement in the word ‘seeking’ being used in a quidditch pitch in entirely different contexts. The audience are used to your banters by now, though those had always been playful without this —this, underlying pretense of light heartedness. 

Sirius had meant something hostile with his words, and every could sense it. 

Which is why the Seekers of each team only stop what they’re doing to look at you when you retorted. “I didn’t ask for you to be here, go be with your date and stop being an ass to me, Black. I’m getting real tired of you.” 

“Of course, you didn’t ask to be here. You only said those things where it’s oh so clear you’re upset with me knowing full well I can’t stand seeing you be mad at me.” His remark is quick, racing out of his mouth just mere seconds after your words. “You’re getting tired of me? Merlin, knows I’m getting real tired of constantly worrying about how you’re feeling.” 

He’s not looking at you, his hands curled up into a fist besides the microphone, clearly frustrated with something. 

You’re scoffing now. “And why are you constantly worrying about how I’m feeling? We’re not friends, Black. I’ve never once asked you to be my friend, let’s not play pretend here.” 

“I’m not playing pretend,” he snaps. “You and I both know that we don’t have to be friends for me to care about you.”

“You care about me?”

“Oh Merlin. Are we really doing this right now?” There’s a shout from the pitch, and the voice so distinct that you don’t have to even look to know that it was the one and only James Potter screaming at you. “Yes. Yes, he does! Now just kiss already and let’s get back to the match!” 

You don’t say another word, and neither does Sirius as the audience waited with bated breath to see whether you’d actually kiss. But, unlike everyone else, Professor Mcgonagall seems to actually have some sense within herself to step in and direct the attention back to the match. 

And if she spotted the two announcers slipping away during the break, she doesn’t find enough sense in herself to stop them from doing so. 

— from bee: i got so carried away this ended up at 1.1k words oops

[acourtofchaos]

👀

Hi!!! Thanks for sending this!! Here's a regulus black wip i started back in april and then got stuck on so it now just sits there and haunts me 🫠

When you finally slipped off the gloves, grimacing slightly at the feel of wet silk dragging along your skin before you dropped them away from you, you were still seething but too exhausted to keep up being truly murderous.

And too distracted with contemplating whether to just kick your shoes off and apparate home barefoot to hear the approach of someone that had been lingering nearby the entire time, their steps slow and careful like they were afraid to make too much noise lest you took off running once more. 

“You know, I always thought that Lucius was the one with all the dramatic flair out of you three.” A familiar voice mused behind you, tone mild, as if they were discussing the changes in weather and not the fact it probably appeared like you were losing your damn mind. “But I can’t say I’ve ever seen him flee a party to undress in the rain when someone’s upset him.”

You took a deep breath and tried not to groan, tried not to curse out loud, because really how much worse could your luck get that the last person you wanted to face right now was the one who had stumbled across you rapidly descending into madness.  

Or maybe that was being too harsh. 

He definitely wasn’t the last person, or even second to it, but the younger Black had been a thorn in your side for almost your entire life and you really couldn’t cope with him choosing now as an opportunity to needle you further. 

You were already at a disadvantage, after all. Not only from the way he had managed to sneak up on you when you were vulnerable, but that when you turned around to tell him to leave, your breath stuck in your chest at the sight of him. 

Because Regulus, as much as you were loath to admit it, was a heart-fumbling kind of pretty on a normal day but stood before you in that moment, lit only by the soft globes of light that lingered against the surrounding night, he was breathtaking. 

All dark dress robes embroidered with swirling, golden vines and hair that fell in damp, messy curls around his face, soft strands stirring in the night air and illuminating those grey eyes that refused to leave yours for even a second. 

You swallowed and the scowl that twisted at your expression was more of a blessed reflex than a genuine result of the ire that his presence ordinarily inspired. 

“You almost sound disappointed.” You responded flatly, a low drawl that lacked its usual withering sting. “I could go back in there and get him for you if you’d like, I’m sure he’d be flattered to know that Narcissa isn’t the only Black interested in seeing what he looks like out of those boring suits he’s constantly wearing.” 

He tsked, the noise lightly scolding as he leaned against a shining column. “And risk bringing the wrath of my darling cousin down on my head?”

There was a typical air of arrogance to the boy as he trailed his fingers over coiling vines before flicking one of the light pink roses in disgust, but the way he softened his voice into a tease, all feigned betrayal and suffering, was new. “I had no idea you could be so cruel.” 

Your lips twitched despite yourself, amused by this side of him regardless of your bad mood because he was smirking now, and that too was tinged softer, a mirthful tilt to it instead of the mocking edge you had grown so used to. 

It was strange, endearing. 

It was almost enough to make you forget the years you had spent finding ways to wipe any smirk he’d previously gave you off his face.

Almost.

You rolled your eyes, incapable of resisting scoffing. “Narcissa is an angel, you just have a rather murderous effect on people.”  

[imaginesheaven]

National Anthem – F!Reader x Price (x little bit Valeria)

Summary: After Graves’ betrayal another villain appears on the screen for the Task Force. They are nothing like all the others before.

This is kind of inspired by the song National Anthem by Lana Del Rey. I wrote all of this down, but I’m actually not sure what to do with it, so enjoy this little piece of pure braindump. I’m also not sure if I like this at all, so I would really appreciate to know what you think about it :)

Warnings: MDNI – sexual talk; swearing; angst; mentions of death

Length: 2.7 k

“Laswell, you look like you could use a drink”, Price sits down at the bar handing her a glass full of the best whiskey. “Thank you, John, but alcohol isn’t going to get rid our problems this time”, Kate takes a sip of her drink.

Her words make the whole Task Force kind of uncomfortable. Laswell is usually convinced that they can manage everything that the world throws at them, but this time she does have her doubts.

“At first, I thought we only have a usual Russian problem, but it turns out to be way bigger and more than just that”, she gets out two pictures from her jacket pocket to put them upside down onto the table, “There is no room to fail this time.” John exchanges a brief glance with his team, “Hit us, Kate.” As if there would be ever room to fail in their field of work.

“Alejandro contacted me a few hours ago fuming. Valeria got bailed out of jail with an amount of money we all only can dream about. I did a lot of digging to find out what the hell is going on. A woman paid the money to get Valeria back to her El Sin Nombre cartel. It was the same person, who overtook the Shadow Company after Graves’ got killed. This woman is going to be a big problem gathering herself the best army”, Laswell pushes one of the pictures towards John.

The Captain can feel his heart stop for a second as he turns the picture around just to find a very familiar face looking back at him. A thick coldness starts to spread in his chest; doom setting slowly in.

“Price?”, Gaz asks quite concerned about John’s silence. The Captain keeps staring as the seconds tick by. “Fuck”, it’s the only thing he says and hands the picture to Gaz. John literally prayed years ago to never see your oh so beautiful face ever again. His heart can’t get over the fact that you are still looking the same. The way you glance at the camera with a winning smirk makes his knees weak. You know that you were observed from afar and you did not give a single fuck about it.

“You know her?”, Kate can’t explain otherwise his reaction. Price nods his head in agreement, “(Y/F/N) (Y/L/N). Met her once years ago. We had a mission together, but never saw her again after that.” He really hopes none of them can see through his lie. It was way more than just a mission. It was way more complicated than that.

Even after all this time John feels everything like it has been just yesterday. The way your hands have been roaming over his chest. So fucking close to him. Skin on skin. The way you felt amazing underneath him. As well as the way you broke his heart into thousand pieces. If there would be ever a regret he has to live through, it would be you.

Price doesn’t tell them a single thing about it. He will not go through every detail of his biggest mistake with his entire team. That’s something only between you and him for the rest of his life.

“So, she is military?”, Gaz asks as Soap hands the picture to Ghost. Neither of them can’t deny that you are absolutely breathtaking as much as you are deadly probably.

“Yes, (Y/N) worked for a special forces team in the American military. There is nothing much to know since almost everything is classified. Only a handful or so have the security rank to gather that information. The team included five members with the call signs X-1 to X-5, which sounds very nice, right? X-1 means Executer-1, so they called them actually Killer-1 to Killer-5. She is one of the best”, Laswell answers and pulls another picture out of her jacket.

John already knows that the picture will be you in your impressive completely black Executer-gear. He hates and loves this one so much. “No, Kate. (Y/N) is the best”, Price doesn’t say those words very lightly, but they are the truth. If you are going to be their enemy, it will be a fucking war.

“She took over the Shadow Company and the El Sin Nombre cartel? For what? What is her goal?”, Gaz can’t make the connections yet. Kate let’s out a deep sigh and turns around the last picture, “I think she is going for this man.”

The Captain shakes his head, “Makarov? (Y/N) is going for the big kill. If she can gather Russians, the Shadow Company and the El Sin Nombre cartel around her, we are all doomed. With that (Y/N) can take over every army and if that happens, she will go back to America getting her final revenge.”

“What do you know, John?”, Kate is almost kind of mad that she isn’t fully in the picture apparently like Price himself. “(Y/N) made a decision the military didn’t want to see. X-2 to X-5 were supposed to execute her. The members were named after their ranks, so (Y/N) was Executer 1 – the best of them. She killed every single one of her former teammates. The American Government classified everything to keep people from talking. (Y/N) escaped in the end, but all of that were rumors years ago. Everyone who told them got silenced. The military didn’t want to acknowledge her existence anymore. So, who really knows if that’s real or not”, Price knows exactly that everything he just told was real.

Neither of them dares to interrupt the silence thinking about the worst that could happen. Someone as power-driven and skilled as you will bring hell over those who did you wrong. What they don’t know is that you are halfway through your plan to conquer the world like you want it to.

A few hours earlier…

“Ah, Valeria. Nice to meet you in person finally. (Y/F/N) (Y/L/N). At your service”, you give the soldier your best smile to greet her properly. She raises one of her eyebrows still unsure about your intentions, “Why did you pay for my freedom?”

You mention towards the waiting car, “Let’s talk in the car. It’s way cooler in their and it would be only fair to bring you back to your cartel.” Valeria follows your invitation, “If you try to do something stupid I will kill you.” You can’t help yourself but laugh as you get in the car after her, “I really don’t doubt that for a second.”

“So, what’s the deal, hermosa?”, Valeria asks after taking a sip of the cool drink you gave her. You lean forward smiling knowing exactly how to expose your cleavage and use your body to get what you want. Valeria’s eyes follow just like you planned.

“Mi vida, I want your El Sin Nombre cartel to work with my Shadow Company. I am working towards a goal that is very important to me”, you explain to her leaving out a few important details. Valeria doesn’t ask but you could see the question in her eyes.

“Graves got … detained by me. His former soldiers are under my wings now. And well, there is no nice way to tell you this, but your people are also mine”, you keep on smiling knowing exactly she will understand the hidden threat.

“So, the rumors are true that you are gathering an army. They warned me about you, hermosa. Take my men if you need to. You paid for my freedom”, Valeria knows when she is in a situation without options. She is in your hands without any chance of an escape, better playing along for now.

“I’m really glad you took that so well. Graves wasn’t really cooperating”, you lean back taking a sip of your own drink. Valeria knows how to pick her fights and you are much more powerful than she thought.

“Well, the Gringo didn’t know how to handle dangerous women. Especially when they are as breathtaking as you are, mi vida”, Valeria holds up her glass to clink hers with yours. She can’t help herself but be enchanted by you.

You have already wrapped Graves around your little finger with your sex appeal until you took what was his. Now Valeria, next one will be Makarov. And you are pretty sure he will not resist you just like the others. Your plan is going wonderful. Now comes the fun part…

The ringing of his phone snaps Price out of his deep focus on working out a plan to bring you down before you can raise hell. No matter how many options his brain goes through it will never be good enough to keep up with your next steps.

“Captain Price”, he is only paying half attention to the caller on the other side of the line. “Hi, John”, your sweet voice rings in his ears over and over again. Price is not a man to get shocked easily, but right now his mind is absolutely blank. There are literally not words to form a proper sentence.

“Oh, I wish I could see your face right now. Happy to hear that I’m still alive?”, you can’t help yourself to let a heartfelt laugh, which brings John’s heartrate into a very dangerous zone. “Why are you calling?”, he tries to keep calm, but everything in him turns slowly into panic mode. It’s unusual for him. Only you can make him feel this way.

“Oi, don’t you know anymore how small talk works, muppet? How are you doing? What have you been up to the last decade? We really need to work on your manners, handsome”, you didn’t mean to sound it seductively, still you are not mad about it. You don’t have to be in the same room with John to know that you are still going under his skin with so much ease.

“John, humor me for a second. How have you been? Tell me a bit about your little Task Force”, your voice could play on repeat for eternity and John would still not get enough of it. In this moment he hated you so much for all the love he still has for you in his heart. But the two of you are a shadow of the past.

“You haven’t changed, so I’m pretty sure you know already everything about my team”, John will not give in. Not this time. “Yeah, but it would have been nice to hear it from you. Do you really think your Task Force is good enough to keep up with me? Are they ready to do whatever it needs to take down the devil herself?”, you have been watching him and his team for a while now; tracking their success as a team and still they will never be as good as you are.

“What happened to you? This isn’t you, (Y/N)”, John’s voice is only a whisper over the line. You don’t want to admit it, but you actually missed how sweet your name sounds when it comes over his lips. “Betrayal. So much betrayal that I finally found solace in power and revenge”, you reply replaying in your head what happened long ago.

“You killed innocent people… Children…”, John remembers how you stood right in front of him; trying to explain everything, but he wouldn’t hear a word about it. He knows now that you made the right decision back then. His younger self didn’t know it.

“You draw the line wherever you need it, Captain! Isn’t that something you like to tell your team? I did that, but what did I get for sacrificing so much? Nothing. The military sent my own team after me. You left me. I lost everything to save thousands of lives. But you know what? I will gain so much more for sacrificing those lives now. Revenge is best served cold”, once you get what you want, you will never have to defend yourself ever again, “John, we both know that villains are also human beings with a dramatic backstory. Just like the heroes.”

“You called just to tell me all of that?”, John can almost feel his heart bleeding; knowing he is part of the problem. He is one of the reasons you turned your back against humanity. “No, since we have quite the past together, I wanted to give you a change. I can be merciful, if I want to. You have 24 hours to find Makarov to stop me”, your voice transforms from being bitter to cheerful in a second.

“You already know where he is, eh?”, Price realizes that you are playing with him. You know exactly there would be no chance for him to win this battle. “Oh, of course. I would never go into a conversation like this without having plan beforehand, handsome. 24 hours, big boy. Time is ticking”, without a further word you end the call leaving John alone in a deafening silence. This is a fucking war neither John nor the Task Force can win.

Bonus:

“It’s over, (Y/N). Lay down your gun”, Price points his weapon at you as he makes his way towards you. A slight smile appears on your lips before you do what he says. Your little handgun compared to his gets put on the table right in front of you.

You can’t help yourself but admire how handsome he looks after all this time you have seen him. He is aging like a fine wine. For a moment you remember how young he had looked back when he still was a Lieutenant.

“Don’t worry, I’m not a sore loser”, you raise your hands so he can see them clearly. For once you are not a threat to him. Slowly you make your way around the table. He keeps his gun pointed at you, but still lets you come as close as possible. His eyes never leaving yours for a second.

“We all know it was your decision to lose. You had everything to bring hell upon us. So, why do you give up now?”, John’s finger ache to stroke your cheek softly; to feel your warmth against his skin once again. Your eyes bore into his; looking straight into his soul. “And we both know I can’t do anything against my weakness, John. You are still the only one I don’t want to hurt.”

Your words touch his soul; breathing back live into him. For a moment neither of you know what to say. Softly you push away his gun and he let it happen. The two of you are so damn close now almost breathing the same air.

“Do you still love me?”, John can hear the pain but also the hope in your voice. There is no need to deny the truth any longer. He can’t ignore anymore how his heart calls your name over and over again. How it has been doing that for the last few years.

“Yes, I always have and I always will…. I’m so sorry for everything”, he caresses your cheek with his hand and you lean into the touch; yearning for his attention for such a long time already. “It’s okay. I love you too, John…”, you reply letting your tears fall freely now.

“… But neither heroes nor villains get happy endings, handsome. Right person, wrong time. Maybe we will find each other in the next life again. Good bye, John”, you place a soft kiss on his lips. Both of you savoring this moment as long as possible.

A single shot rings through the silence, then a body hitting the ground. And that’s how this story ends.

[maopll]

Hewwo. Could I request Kaveh, Thoma, Cyno and Wanderer with an s/o who loves talking about how handsome they are?

Oh, you give me butterflies

| genshin impact !

⌗:, you just can't brush of the feeling you first felt when you met your lover but...you still have the same butterflies everytime you see his handsome face...

⌗:, I've waited for a while for my sisters laptop to be cleared but since I can't get my hands on it no gradient for this one lmfao enjoy

⌗:, a/n: I still drool over genshin men I can't help it. its unfair of hyv to keep pulling out pretty characters. I may or may not have gone overboard with Wanderer.

⌗:, warning: nothing just fluff, fluff, fluff

,,people fawn over how good he looks and you being his lover are really proud but when you look at his face more closer, with more adoration you can't get over how his face looks like as if it was crafted by gods....

✧ ˚ 　· 　　 .✧ ˚ 　· 　　 .✧ ˚ 　· 　　 .✧ ˚ 　· 　　 .

Kaveh being the light of Ksharewar and a stern follower of aesthetics and architects maintains his face like a beauty expert. He would hate it if his face isn't smooth without any faults just like his unbeatable architectural masterpieces.

You love his face when he is concentrated but when his face is covered in sweat after he completes his work with a smirk of victory on his face...oh you go crazy looking at him something just starts riling up in you.

You observe him when he works because you are unable to spend time cuddling him as he is busy covering up his debts. You observe him because you like his face but maybe you stare a little too hard. " like what you see [name] ?" he said and you just suddenly proclaimed how much you love staring at his pretty face that it became a hobby of yours.

when you finally processed what you said you flushed bright red while Kaveh had a lovable smile on his face.

oh how could his [name] be so adorable? don't worry you won't get away from him until he has given you a sufficient amount of kisses !

You fell head first when you saw the kamisato retainer Thoma on his way out from the estate on his way to the shrine, the same direction as you and that's pretty much how you both fell in love at first sight.

You love thoma to the moon and back and you love the way how he gets easily flustered when you tease him even a little bit. it makes you feel giddy. you always cook food for him on the pretense of you getting the chance to visit him and feed him.

While you were feeding him the food you made you stated gently at his lips. the way they parted and the way thd food would go down his throat, you observed his every little act with great detail. You told him that " how do you look so handsome in whatever you do? im so glad i fell in love with you first" hearing your sudden statement made him choke on his food and you seriously got worried.

" [name] thank you for the compliment but...I am eating and I might choke"

You were an adventurer of the desert, and you heard of the general mahamatra, Cyno but you never saw him in person until you were being ambushed by a group of hiluchurls, and he came to save you.

His reason for loving you is very simple. you are a great person and you like his jokes..well to some extent not all are bad. You helped him many times when he was carrying out his duty and after some time both of you moved to a new home. You loved how he looked when he wielded his spear with ease and how he would finish off the enemies in one go. You swear that you never saw a much more cool boyfriend than yours.

You also picked up his habit of saying bad jokes and you told him when he was resting

"Cyno, do you know what kind of tea I like?"

"...what kind?"

"It's you, shawtea"

Well he liked your joke but you could've been straightforward with your admiration for him. Nevertheless he is glad you have a keen sense of humor.

After Scaramouche became Wanderer he did not want to suffer another betrayal and wanted to forget anything that happened to him. But he was sure that if you leave him, he would suffer the greatest betrayal that he will never be free from. You were just an Inn keeper in sumeru and you happened to see him wandering aimlessly. You didn't want him to catch a cold in that storm so you brought him in. But who knew that it would become another tale, lead to another beginning in his life?

You provided him with everything you could after you got to know about his past. You provided him with warmth that he could always expect from the person who loves him a lot. You would sheepishly smile from across the room when he would pout at you for not giving him enough attention for the day.

One night after you caught a cold he stayed right beside your bed taking care of you lest anything goes wrong or you need his help. You were in a daze and unknowingly you told him " you act so rough and tough around everyone...but how come you change your attitude around me? really..I like it a lot how sweet you act towards me...I love you so much. I love your face, I love your lips, I love all your scars that are proof of your bravery, I love the way you talk, I love your everything"

it was so simple yet so laced with love. it was his first time hearing something so pure that he was sure he couldn't believe it. his brain turned into mush when you confessed your heartfelt feelings to him.

He loved you since the day he met you, he loves you today and he will keep loving you till the end of time.

[chaoticgoodthief]

for the stp ask game: 5, 11, 23 (Smitten)?

5. Who is your favourite Voice?

No matter how long I play, Contrarian still holds a special place in my heart. He's basically everything I want in a character. Silly little goober, now with a free serving of Trauma TM. As much as I love Hero like most people do, I've been loving the Silly Guys + Pain combo meal for ... probably a good few years.

11. Any non-canon Vessel-Voice you think is fun to see?

Hmmm tough choice. I mainly enjoy Voice-Voice dynamics personally, although I'm not really sure why. And even the Vessel-Voice interactions that I do see are usually most enjoyable when canon because they have history with each other.

But that being said, I do think Opportunist and Tower would be really fun. The Voice most prone to betrayal and the Vessel that expects nothing but submission and loyalty. Considering thow you can get Opportunist in the first place (*cough cough* let the Narrator control your body *cough cough*), it would be fun to see what plan Opportunist comes up with. Who knows? It might not even be that different to Broken's plan, even if done based on different reasoning.

23. Any first impressions regarding Smitten? How about now?

Ooooh boy, prepare for a ramble, buddy.

Surprisingly, I clocked onto the dark side of that little lovebird's deal fast. My very first impression of him was kind of... eh. That's sure a guy. But then, when he immediately sided with Opportunist when Opportunist was on team Save The Princess and started talking about "redemption". I got Burned Grey, saw how quick he was to turn against the Long Quiet when the Princess died, his well... burning hatred for Cold.

And I think that's when things clicked. This was the messed-up Paladin, who likely would hurt the people around him in the name of "doing the right thing". There seemed to be no limit to how far he could go if he thought his actions justified, no way to calm his dangerously volatile emotions other than the Princess' presence. If he and Opportunist were left to their own devices after the Thorn route, I would be more concerned for Opportunist's safety.

My impression has only been further solidified the more I learnt about him. His refusal to acknowledge the harm done by even the worst of the Princess' actions. His actions in Dams3l and the events leading up to it. All of them pointing to me being right on the money of my initial assessment of the warning signs. (so much so that I even unknowingly predicted Dams3l when writing an AU version of him, but that's a story for a different time).

...So overall, pretty consistent impression on Smitten's personality.

Thank you so much for the ask!!! This was super fun! :D

[recurring-polynya]

Hi! I want to start off with saying I love your blog and it was this blog that introduced me to a new side of the Bleach fandom, so I owe you a huge thanks for that. My question pretains to when you mentioned that you read a lot of fics where Byakuya was there when his father died in the lines of duty, and I was wondering if you could recommend those fics and any other byakuya centric ones.

You're very welcome! I am always excited see new people in the fandom, especially here on Tumblr.

I want to preface this with saying that I have kind of a complicated relationship with Byakuya. He is an interesting, complex character and I like to read fanfic about him, but I hesitate to call myself a fan. I'm mostly interested in his character as it stands in relation to Rukia and Renji. I like stories where he is shitty and causes problems. I like reading about the long, horrible history of the Kuchiki clan, and how much it screws a person up to be raised in that mess. I also just like stories that make fun of him a bit. He's a deeply strange person, and I love his weird, dry sense of humor. Byakuya-shipping usually falls flat for me: I think he's mostly ace, except for the time he fell in love with his wife, and even then, I only really like Byahisa stories where the author has done something creative with who she is and I also need her to drag his ass a little. I would swipe left on him. So, anyway, take these recommendations (and the absence of ones I have missed) with that grain of salt.

The fanfic I was specifically referring to regarding Soujun dying after a mission he and Byakuya were on together was the Rise & Ruin series by @afinepiece, specifically part 2, An Education. It's a...little-bit-AUish precanon fic where Hisana is a thief who ends up getting tangled up in the Kuchiki family after she attempts to steal a painting from them. If you're looking for Byakuya fanfic, AFP is always going to be my first recommendation, especially her Thin Red Line series. Her works are always sprawling and genre-defying, but beautifully crafted. They've got noble/family drama, intricate world-building detail, and great character writing. The Kuchiki family deserves epics, and that is what AFP is out here doing.

Funnily enough, my other favorite ByaHisa writer is all the way at the other end of the writing spectrum. @thegreenfaery. She works in the AU space, and if you enjoy Byakuya Going Thru It but also being in love with his beautiful wife. I'm biased, because she wrote it for me, but The Wedding Party is my fave of her works (80's/everyone's human AU where Hisana has to rent out part of Byakuya's house for her little sister's dirtbag wedding).

If you like Byakuya in his gothic horror era, please read dogviolet by @renjirukia. It's a closer examination of some canon between-scenes during Byakuya and Rukia's Bad Times period.

I think @lucymonster is one of the best Byakuya character writers out there, and Metaesthesia is one of the best fanfics I've ever read. It's a Byakuya - Renji bodyswap, but not in a fun way. You should really only read it if you're in the mood to have your heart kicked down the stairs. I also really like Sticks and Stones and Building Bridges. Note: Most of her works are ByaRen (these are not, at least not explicitly). That's not a ship I am normally fond of, but I get, like 3 weird days a year where I can read it.

Speaking of ByaRen, if you are into it, the other ByaRen writer I like a lot is @grizmelder, who is also a very nice person. I particularly enjoyed Heart Tangled, which is a historical AU set at the end of the samurai era, where Renji is Byakuya's bodyguard.

I was just talking about Lull the other day, but it's a lovely little fanfic by Branch about the relationship between Byakuya and Rukia and sometimes Renji. It's an older fanfic and breaks off from canon after the Soul Society arc, so you can think of it as sort of an alternate idea for how Soul Society rebuilds after Aizen's betrayal.

The Journal of Kuchiki Byakuya by @saranel is a great little fic in the form of young Byakuya writing diary entries about his life, in particular, his dealings with Yoruichi and Urahara. It's really cute in general, but in particular, I love the way it portrays Byakuya's interest in photography.

I also have a soft spot for Breaking to Bridle by Vivienne Grainger, which is about how Byakuya sees Renji, both as lieutenant and eventually as suitor for his sister.

I guess I would be remiss if I didn't mention my favorite crack Byakuya fic, which is Become a Ghost by @hardlyfatal. Orihime dies and goes to Soul Society and becomes a therapist and falls in love with Byakuya. It's pretty silly but also a lot of fun, and it's chock full of Byakuya being Byakuya.

I hope you find something you like in there! Like I said, I am not the world's best Byakuya fan (probably in the top ten worst Byakuya fans tbh) but these are some that I have enjoyed and have stuck with me!