#that way i can yeet old people out of their beds and get them ready for the day most effectively

[advisorsage]

Good fucking gods this stomach ache better mean I got that A

And I better get the grade soon cause I'm going batshit waiting for it

[xneens]

thank u, next (ft. loki)

Warnings: angst, swearing, jealousy, mentions of sex

Word count: 4.5k

Summary: A new team member in the group shakes things up for the super soldier.

Or: In which Steve casts you aside for a Carter only to regret his decision when he sees you with the God of Mischief.

"Yeet."

Swiveling your chair, you saw the empty pint of ice cream hit garbage can, bouncing off the rim and dropping on the floor with a light thump. You looked at Tony, shaking your head. "You've been hanging out with Peter too much."

"Why, thank you." Tony replied, smirking at you. "So, tell me, you sexy vixen, how do you feel with Thor bringing Loki? You were quiet during the whole argument that almost ended with Barton ripping out his eye."

You shrugged, the heels Tony had bought earlier drawing your attention to your feet. "I'm fine. I don't really care, I mean, I wasn't with you guys when New York happened so I don't really think I get to have an opinion about whether the mind-controlled God of Lies gets a spot in the team."

"You realize your on the team, right? I'm pretty sure your opinion matters especially with the mass murderer joining." Tony replied, accidentally hitting himself with the candy cane in his hands. "I really thought you were going to side with Cap on this one. You always do."

It wasn't a secret that Steve Rogers wasn't completely on board with the plan. That was pushing it; in other words: Steve Rogers despised the plan. If he could kill it, he would've. When Thor had proposed the plan to bring Loki on the team (a punishment from Odin himself)—trying to convince everyone he was "good" now—less than a handful had let him continue speaking. The rest wanted to riot. You had just sat there, a smirk on your face as you watched the six of them fight with each other while Fury shook his head, looking like a disappointed father.

When everyone had came to an agreement on Loki's trial period, there had been pages of rules on what he was restricted on doing including magic and stabbing. Of course, it was very specific so even the God of Mischief couldn't find a loophole. Maybe he could if he tried, which he probably will.

Clicking your tongue, you shrugged, ignoring the little pang in your chest. "Not on this. I'm smart enough to see that there's more reward than risk to have Loki on the team. For example: he's not bad to look at."

Tony choked on his candy cane, coughing up a large piece. With wide eyes, he studied you in silence, trying to figure out if you had been joking. "Are you serious? We should bring you to Helen so you can get your head checked. There's a chance you might have a concussion from the last mission."

"You have eyes, you can see how regal he is despite not genuinely being born royal. And those cheekbones..." you trailed off, biting your lip at Loki's handsome features. Tony raised an eyebrow, slowly shaking his head. "Not that his perfect bone structure justifies all the people he's killed. I'm just very observant being an avenger and all."

"Uh-huh, yeah, yeah, yeah, sure." Tony mumbled, leaning back on his chair, his eyes narrowing after your confession. "Ms. Natalia Romanoff didn't get the chance to tell me what happened between you and old Capsicle."

Rolling your eyes, you spun around in your chair, facing away from the nosy billionaire. "There's not that much to tell. We talked, we liked each other, then the sun came up and reality set in as the form of Sharon Carter. It didn't take long for him to ditch me to go for Peggy's niece. Anyways, been there, done that. People change."

"You're not the same girl I met." Tony stated. "On that note, Rogers' old brain is still defrosting and he's getting older so I don't think he knows how stupid he is...yet."

"And I'm not going to wait for him to find out." you muttered, a loud sound coming from the big yard. Looking through the garage window, you saw the blinding light before two figures in different colored capes appeared, the blinding light ruining the fresh-cut grass. Beaming at Tony, you got up. "Want to plan a party with me?"

"You say that like I'd have the ability to say no. Tonight?" Tony replied, grinning at thought of loud electronic dance music and booze.

Getting up, the stilettos clicked on the floor, your perfect pedicure peeking through the hole. Smiling, you walked towards the door. "Well, we are in the presence of two Gods. I think it's only fair we celebrate like it."

"I'm putting Party in the USA on the track-list!"

Rushing to the lawn where the rest of the team gathered, your mood was lightened by the sight of the golden haired retriever in disguised as a jacked God. Ignoring the others, you threw yourself at Thor, the God of Thunder catching you, arms tightening around your body. You let out a breathless laugh, momentarily forgetting your idiotic plan to avoid Steve. "Thor!"

Thor guffawed, lifting you off the ground, shouting your name in glee before letting you breathe again. "My favorite avenger! Miss me?"

"Duh." you responded, glancing at Loki, who had magically changed into an all-black suit, his shoulder length raven-colored hair slicked back. His eyes narrowed slightly at the team who had defeated him. He looked even better in person. "So, that's Loki."

Natasha spoke up before either Asgardian could. She stepped closer, observing him with you. "Not sure. He isn't as smug as before—"

"And he's missing those horrendous reindeer horns he was wearing." Clint chimed in, crossing his arms. His hate for Loki—which had increased when he found out the man who once controlled him was coming to the team—was almost as deep as Steve's. "He looks like a witch in that black suit."

Thor snickered, releasing Loki from the handcuffs that held him. "As you all know, my adopted brother's punishment from Father is to help Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Loki understands all the rules, and he will so follow them accordingly. Isn't that right, brother?"

Loki rolled his eyes, sighing before reluctantly nodding. "Yes, I will."

"Let me make this clear, Loki." Steve stepped up, Sharon right behind him, face composed. You had to fight the urge to roll your eyes at the couple. "If you break one rule, no matter how small, you will be sent back to Asgard and face Odin's alternate punishment. Just so you're clear, we won't hesitate to send you back."

The God of Mischief smirked, feeling smug knowing he could push the super soldier's buttons. "Of course, Captain. I wouldn't dream of breaking the rules enforced."

Everyone could sense the sarcasm and mockery in his voice, all of them tensing. Thor sighed, clapping his brother on the back, the force making Loki take a steps forward. "Come on, brother. I'll show you your quarters before you get punched by Lady Natasha."

Without waiting for Loki to answer, Thor practically pulled Loki's arm off, pulling him towards the building, crossing the ruined lawn that Tony would bitch about later. Everyone followed them, staying a few feet back, wary of the new team member. You noticed Steve stealing glances at you, quickly moving away from Sharon's side and made his way to you.

Without being too obvious, you squeezed your way between Bruce and Natasha, snaking your arms between there's, hoping it would give Steve the impression not to talk to you. Ever. Natasha threw you a sympathetic smile, squeezing your wrist while Bruce raised an eyebrow, clearly confused.

Thor continued talking about the new compound, leading his brother to the entrance while pointing out installments that would've seemed impressive to a simple "midgardian."

He might've unconsciously murdered people but he kinda thicc.

At that exact moment, Loki turned around, his piercing blue eyes meeting yours. His smirk grew, glancing between you and Steve before turning back. It had been so quick that you weren't sure it even happened. The group scattered as soon as they stepped a foot inside; Bruce heading to the lab, Steve following him while Sharon split and headed up to Medbay, Natasha hitting the gym with Clint, leaving you alone with Thor and Loki.

Unfortunately, Thor's room had been across yours, the empty room next to yours becoming Loki's so both a spy and a god could keep an eye on the trickster. Both Tony and Steve had fought on that, Steve concerned about your safety while Tony argued back, telling him you could keep yourself safe. If not, Thor was there. That had angered you; Steve didn't think you were capable of fighting off Loki if it came to it, and that made you roll your eyes at him, exiting the room.

"...and this will be your quarters. Decorate it any way you want, just no magic." Thor continued, reaching the area of your rooms. It was a big arc, the area looking like a semi-circle with three doors spaced evenly out. "My chambers is across Lady Y/N's, so we won't have any problems. She's a smart one, brother. Anything else to add, Sunshine?"

You ignored the nickname, eyes narrowing at the black-suited man. "There's a party tonight 'celebrating' the addition to the team. It starts at 8 so don't be late or else Tony will have your head. Also, if you wake me up before seven in the morning, watch your back 'cause I hold grudges."

Giving Thor a smile, you head to your room, closing the door with a sigh. On the other side, you heard Loki chuckle once. "I like her."

"She's serious. She almost ripped my heart out the one time I accidentally woke her from her slumber." Thor added, the clap on his brother's back loud. "Get ready for the party, Loki."

Loki had been forced in his room by his brother, the door closing after him. He listened carefully, hearing you plop on your bed. He bit back a smirk, a plan unfolding in his brain. With a swift gesture of a finger, the room had been decorated, the hideous white theme changing into an exact copy of Loki's bedroom in Asgard.

The day went by fast as you wasted it away planning the party with Tony, who had, in no way, helped. You had ran off to your room once the people Tony had hired came, setting up everything in the main room. As you walked to the three-bedroom wing, you saw Steve rocking back and forth in front of your door, his hands in his pocket while Thor gushed about his flying hammer.

Relief washed over his face as soon as he spotted you, and you almost turned around, wishing you had gone to Natasha's room to get ready.

Steve called out your name, abruptly ending his conversation with Thor. As you walked closer, you could see the concern etched on his face. "Hey, are you okay?"

Thor watched your reaction, your face fighting the urge to make a face at America's sweetheart. Maneuvering your body, you slid between the two men to get to your room. "I'm fun-fucking-tastic. Thor, remind Loki about the party. I didn't spend the whole day with Tony for Loki to miss his own party."

"I'll be there, darling." Loki chimed in, his head poking out of his bedroom. Everyone turned to look at him, seeing the not-so-subtle wink he gave you.

Ignoring Steve's clenched fists, you moved past them, entering your room. Before closing the door, you said, "Tony requests the presence of all three of you, by the way. There's no way you're getting out of this. See you at 8!"

With a sighed of relief, you closed the door in Steve's face, the loud slam cutting off whatever he was about to interject. He could talk to Sharon about whatever shit he was dealing with, the girl he chose. You were no longer someone he could vent to after the shit he pulled, leading you on before leaving for Sharon Carter. It was then that you came to the decision to not love so easily.

Getting ready for the party took longer than you thought it would, the hot shower burning your skin to the point your skin started to redden. Your mind wandered to Loki, curios about the wink. Maybe it was his way of messing with people, a loophole that had not been included in the agreement. Realizing how inappropriate it was to think about the God while showering, you quickly turned the water off and stepped out.

Knowing Natasha, she's be disappointed if you didn't dress up like your inner slut, the one that got fucked up in Tokyo, and the petty hoe who would do everything to make Steve Rogers regret his decision. Well, you weren't going to let your sestra down.

The sultry, tight red dress was almost too short to be considered decent. With it's low cropped top, your tits we're begging for attention, the bra non-existent. Your new motto: protect the city, free the titties. The matching red stilettos would've been a pain if you hadn't started wearing them so early in your life. You let your hair down, running hand through it before slapping some natural makeup on your face, trying not to look desperate for attention.

It was around 8:15 when you finally finished, already exhausted by the amount of work you had to put on for others, but mostly for yourself. Either Tony or Natasha would come barreling through your door if you were going to be any later. Rushing, you took a quick look in the mirror before opening your door, nearly bumping into the God of Mischief.

He was dressed in a black buttoned-downed dress shirt with matching dress pants. Like before, his hair was slicked back, the shoulder length, raven hair looking silky and sexy. You both eye each other, eyes appreciating the sight in front of them. It wasn't until you finally met his eyes that he cleared his throat, a smug smile covering half his face.

"Would you mind accompanying me to the party, Lady Y/N? My brother is an idiot and cannot give a proper tour with his minuscule organ that he calls a brain. As of that, I do not know where this celebration is held." Loki explained, holding out his arm, waiting for you to take it. He raised an eyebrow while you hesitated. "If not, I could just follow you and everyone would assume I'm planning to have your head."

"Jesus Christ, you and Thor are so fucking dramatic." you grumbled, taking Loki's arm, your arm snaking around his. "Must run in the family, huh?"

"I'm adopted."

"I don't care."

Loki darkly chuckled, feeling your warm body against his, letting himself grow closer, enough that he could feel more of you but not enough that you would've noticed. "I sincerely hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you look rather ravishing, darling."

"Have you ever thought of cutting your hair?" you replied, loving the way Loki's smug expression wavered—probably expecting a compliment—before composing himself. "You'd look less like Johnny Depp from Pirates of the Caribbean."

"I don't understand." Loki said, leading you towards the elevator. For someone who claimed they didn't know where they were headed, he had the sense of knowing where everything was.

You waved the pop culture reference away, pushing the elevator button. "You wouldn't. Is Thor already at the party?"

"I'm quite positive."

The rest of the walk to the main room was quiet, neither of you making small talk as you led him. More like, he led you. You were suspicious he had stayed back and faked not knowing the compound in order to mess with you. But you waved that thought away, focus on getting distracting yourself from Steve.

You could hear the party before seeing it, the big room had been half full, not too much, not too little, yet you had been surprised considering how extra Tony could be. Letting go of Loki's arm, you walked to the bar where Natasha was sipping a glass of whiskey, ignoring the rest of the party. She pulled out a bottle of gin as you arrived, raising an eyebrow at your accompanied date.

"Before you say anything, he didn't know where the party was so he asked me to guide him. Nicely if I might add." you said, pushing back the bottle, settling on a bottle of water instead.

Natasha smirked, watching Loki interact with his brother, a frown deepening on his face. "He knows where everything is, Thor gave him the whole tour while you were with Tony. Can't believe you took the bait."

"Ugh." you grumbled, wishing you could forget about tomorrow and drown your problems in alcohol but the last hangover nearly killed you.

"Stevie doesn't look to happy with you showing up with Loki." Natasha noticed, the smirk widening as she watched Steve's glare grew more lethal as Loki's grin got bigger. "This is so much better than America's Next Top Models fails. Do you wanna bet that one of them will punch the other before the party is over?"

"Daddy, chill." you mimicked, turning to see how enraged old Capsicle is. But with the blonde besides him, looking up him in both wonder and worry, he had no right to be angry at Loki for attending a party that had been thrown for him, despite the many people he murdered—while being controlled. "He can't seriously still be sour about Loki joining."

The redhead giggled, a little drunk from the amount of alcohol she already consumed. "I don't think that's what he's so broody about, not anymore at least. He was smiling until he saw you on Loki's arm."

"Ain't my fault he chose Peggy's niece over me, meaning he doesn't get to be jealous whether Loki is my date or a walker for these killer stilettos." you muttered, secretly loving and hating the jealousy that oozed out of Steve Rogers. Even his blonde date had noticed. "Look at these heels, aren't they gorgeous?"

"Almost as gorgeous as you." Natasha replied, winking just before she drowned the rest of her drink. She winced a little at the taste.

"How many of those have you had?" you wondered, eyeing the spy. After the worst hangover of both your lives, Natasha had made you swear to never let her get that drunk again. Although with the rate she was going, you feared you had been too late.

She shrugged, taking your bottle of water. "Four. Oh, look, here comes Steve."

Before you could ditch, Steve leaned against the counter, his blue buttoned down shirt matching his blue eyes. Natasha not-so-subtly walked to the other side of the bar, motioning for Bruce to keep her company, although knowing her, she'd listen to every word.

"Rogers," you greeted coldly, looking everywhere but him. He tensed at your cold greeting, the frown looking permanently pressed on his face. "Enjoying the party?"

"Yeah."

Lie.

"Good."

You sat there for a good two minutes before he cleared his throat, shifting his weight nervously from one foot onto the other. Steve coughed in his fist. "So...living near Loki isn't too much trouble, is it? He causing any trouble, yet?"

"Sweet as an angel." you replied sarcastically, wishing you were anywhere but here. Loki caught your eye, raising a hand to wave and the group that had been brave enough to be near him, gasped in shock, the noises audible across the room. Their reactions made you chuckle.

Steve cleared his throat, this time louder. "Would you like to dance?"

"Ask your girlfriend." you fired back, satisfied by the hurt on his face. After the stunt he pulled, leading you on only to stomp of your heart, you wanted to be selfish and make him suffer just a little bit. Thankful, Loki came to your rescue.

Ignoring Steve, he held out his arm once again, a smile playing on his lips as he took in the tense situation between you and Steve. But before he could utter a single word, Sharon decided it was the perfect time to come looking for Steve. She assessed the situation, awkwardly noting Loki's presence.

"Er, hello." Sharon said, standing in false bravery. She wouldn't admit it, but she was afraid of the God of Mischief.

Loki gave her a curt nod and held out a hand to you instead, easily fitting yours in his. He murmured your name, softly kissing your knuckles. "Would you like to dance? This is the first song that came on that has not made me want to tear my ears off."

"Why, yes, I would." you agreed with a grin, moving your body close to Loki as you reached the unofficial dance floor, everyone's eyes on the both of you, with shock and slight fear. You would've cackled at their reactions—and it looked like Loki wanted to, too—if you hadn't been raised with manners. "Thank you."

Loki raised an eyebrow, surprised by the words. "For what, if I may ask?"

"Saving me back there. I don't need that kind of drama in my life. Not anymore." you explained, drinking in the warmth of his arm wrapping around your waist as you both slowly swayed to the slow song.

The raven-haired God smiled—not the smug smirk he wore, but a genuine one that Thor hadn't seen his brother wear for a few years now. "My pleasure. A lady like you deserves someone who'll give her his undivided attention. Any suitor would be lucky to have a tenth of your attention."

A coping mechanism: you rolled your eyes but you couldn't help the small smile that forced itself on you lips. You bit it back, hoping no one had noticed.

Loki had. And he meant every word he said.

By the end of the night, you found yourself naked, against the wall and legs wrapped around Loki's waist. Lips crashed against one another, soft kisses trailing down necks, leaving little love marks that would surely be dark. But at the moment, you didn't care. Not when Loki whispered sweet nothings in your ear as he took you from behind, above, underneath, and even on the side. You had both been teasing each other at the party and now you had given in, no matter the consequences.

—

Annoyed Steve had missed the date he had asked you on, you walked up to his room, heels clicking. You had waited for him for over two hours, texted him and getting no replies, leaving the restaurant with the humiliation of being stood up.

But as you neared his door, you heard crying. But it wasn't Steve. Peeking inside, you saw Sharon. Pretty, talented Sharon. Her eyes were red, tears steaming down her cheeks while Steve hugged her shoulders, resting his chin on her head as he comforted her. Jealousy and hurt knocked the breath out of you.

You waited.

And waited.

And it happened. Leaning in slowly, he kissed her. Softly, like he had kissed you. And she kissed him back, finding comfort in the kiss.

Heart breaking in two, you left, leaving the door open. The couple broke their kiss long enough to see you walk away through the slit of the door. Steve hung just head, feeling terrible. But Sharon had helped him as he had. This time, they hadn't stopped at kissing, forgetting the girl who had her heart broken by the man who claimed he would never hurt her.

Steve knew it was over between you two, but he could focus his attention on caring as much as he wanted to when Sharon kept kissing him. He did try to apologize only to learn you had went to visit Thor in Asgard, leaving him to feel sorry for himself and his decisions. Yet, he still found temporary comfort in Sharon's arms.

—

You woke to the warmth of Loki's arms around you. Opening your eyes, you found yourself tangled limbs with the God of Lies, your hair a mess, a hand over his chest and a leg over his waist. Your cheek rested on the crook of his neck, fitting perfectly as if he was made for you.

"Good morning." Loki whispered, stroking your hair with one hand, the other softly massaging your thigh. "Sleep well?"

Nuzzling into his neck, you snorted at the irony. "Don't know, considering we didn't do much sleeping."

Loki chuckled, pressing a soft kiss on your head. "Touché. It would only be fair of me to apologize for the love marks I left on your soft skin last night. Forgive me but I could not help myself."

Gasping, you jumped up, looking at the vanity mirror across your bed to find your collarbone, neck, and the top of your breast covered in Loki's hickeys. He looked rather proud of himself than sorry. "Loki!"

"Please note my apologies are genuine when they are directed towards you. Although, I have to admit, I'm quite proud of myself. It's my best art." Loki announced, bringing himself up on his elbows, eyes ravaging your naked flesh, littered with his marks.

Noticing the difference between your bodies, you quickly turned around to see the reflections had been right; Loki's body remained unmarked. "I swear to god I left hickeys and bite marks all over you last night."

"You tried but got rather mad when my skin healed itself." Loki explained, pulling you back in his warm arms. The soft gesture surprised you, the whole situation coming into light. You had slept with Thor's murderous brother. Loki read your thoughts. "Don't be like that, love. What what I can remember, you enjoyed yourself last night quite immensely. If it will make you feel better, I can show all the love bites you made the night before."

Thankful you hadn't drank anything last night, you had been so happy to not wake up with a hangover and Loki. Turning to face him, you raise an eyebrow. "What?"

With a smirk, his chest gleamed green for a second before it uncovered layers and layers of hickeys, and reddening bite marks. It was identical to yours. You gasped in shocked while Loki stared at you in amusement, his arms tightening. "You did a little bit of damage. I'm proud."

"Holy shit—" you were cut off by Thor and Steve bursting into your room, the sudden motion making you cover up your naked chest with a shriek. The two men's jaws dropped as they took in the scene, Loki's bare chest covered with the evidence from last night, his arms wrapped around you while you stared at them with wide eyes. "Knock, goddamnit!"

Both of them stood in silence, their brains not processing what was in front of them. Steve's eyes had mirrored yours from when you caught him kissing Sharon, eyes watering, you could see his heart breaking just by making eye contact. But at that moment, you couldn't find yourself to care, not with Loki's arms around you.

"What—" Thor began.

Loki smirked, kissing your bare shoulder. "Hello, brother."

next >

[hinadoria]

Title: like nobody’s business

Author: hinadoria / Twitter: @bunniepunk / AO3: bunnypunk

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Mild amounts of swearing

Summary: Shen Yuan had never known what to do about crying people, much less crying men asleep in his bed at ass o’clock in the middle of the night. God, if Jiu-ge knew about this, Shen Yuan would be six feet under. No, he’d be yeeted directly into hell’s abyss. Arguably though, this was all Jiu-ge’s fault.

AO3: Link

It started when his old roommate Shang Qinghua decided to get hitched at Shen Yuan’s 25th birthday party. Disregarding the fact that it was his birthday party in his apartment that he was paying for (Shang Qinghua was only there to keep an eye on him at Jiu-ge’s ever insistent demands), an increasingly hammered Shang Qinghua had decided it was the perfect time to propose to his disappointingly sober boyfriend.

“My LORd, have yOU EvEr ThoughT about Getting HitchED?!” he shouted in Mobei-Jun’s face. Shen Yuan saw the wince on Mobei-Jun’s face before he could smooth it away. Airplane-Bro had that effect on people. Even his boyfriend was no exception.

However, Mobei-Jun had silently pulled the biggest ring Shen Yuan had ever seen out of his pocket like it was a dimension to worlds unknown. Shang Qinghua yanked it out of his grasp, put it on, and immediately started sobbing loudly in his boyfriend's arms, effectively ruining the atmosphere.

If it wasn’t because Shen Yuan was already secretly plotting to escape to his room, he might have been significantly more miffed at this sequence of events.

After all, he had never been one for big, lavish events like a formal birthday party. He’d much rather spend it in the comfort of his room, maybe playing videogames with a few close friends. However, Jiu-ge had insisted, in that stubborn way of his, taking no arguments. As a result, Shen Yuan wasn’t sure he even knew half the people at his own party.

This all didn’t mean he was completely free of indignation, however. Shen Yuan cleared his throat pointedly, but was ignored by both the affectionate couple and the crowd of people politely applauding.

It was a testament to Mobei-Jun’s excitement, if he was a man that felt such emotions, that he leaped up onto the table, which creaked dangerously with his weight.

“I’d like to thank my dear friends and my soon-to-be best man who supported me through this time. Whom I wouldn’t have met without Shen Yuan’s recommendation to work at Cang Qiong’s internship program under Shen Jiu. So a heartfelt thanks to them both,” Mobei-Jun proclaimed.

The attention of the party turned to its host, who began to turn hot under all the attention.

Damn, it wasn’t as if he was Mother Teresa.

He had simply wanted to stop hearing Jiu-ge’s nagging complaints about a lack of competent interns at his company. And he knew that Airplane-bro’s boyfriend was just about to graduate. It was simple math.

Either way, he had to resolve this situation before Mobei-Jun broke the table or worse, made him give a speech. He quickly grabbed an abandoned glass from the table and raised it high. With raucous cheer, the party returned to full swing, and Shen Yuan strategically retreated to his bedroom.

The next day, Shang Qinghua had all but been moved out of his apartment (Mobei-Jun worked fast and efficiently. Shen Yuan had been begrudgingly impressed). In the midst of his soporific haze, a loud banging came from his front door. Reluctant to get up, Shen Yuan nevertheless used every last bit of his willpower to do so. When he opened the door however, he immediately found himself in deep regret.

A pale Jiu-ge, like Bloody Mary summoned from a dirty elementary school bathroom mirror, stood at his door, foot tapping a mile a minute. He stormed past Shen Yuan into his apartment and curled his mouth in distaste at the mess.

“This apartment is no longer acceptable. I’ve put up with it until now, but this is the last straw. It is imperative that you move out immediately to a place not infested by the stench of the poor,” Jiu-ge demanded. Shen Yuan would never tell him it was probably the week-old ramen stewing on his kitchen counter.

“But I don’t want to, Jiu-ge, please!” he whined. Like most things regarding his older brother, would eventually yield, but would put up a valiant effort nonetheless. No one had the right to accuse him of being a pushover, after all.

Jiu-ge sat down at his oily counter with a sigh, hands flying up to bury themselves in his messy hair.

Shen Yuan immediately felt guilty.

His brother looked a lot less put-together than he usually was, now that he was looking more closely. His shirt was unbuttoned and his makeup was smudged, both facets of his appearance he usually controlled with meticulous determination.

“Please don’t fight me on this, A-Yuan.” His brother looked back at him, and Shen Yuan could see the weariness in his eyes.

“Is everything okay?” asked Shen Yuan. He tapped his fingers nervously.

“It will be,” Jiu-ge answered immediately as if he had expected this question. “Once I get a good night’s sleep.” Shen Yuan moved to sit by his brother.

“Mobei-Jun proposed to Shang Qinghua yesterday,” he offered. This made the crease between Jiu-ge’s brows deeper further.

“At your birthday party?”

“I know, I was shocked too!”

“Rude bastard. I knew nothing good could come out of that tight-knit group of rascals the company foisted on me.”

“Don’t be like that. I bet you secretly appreciate their help, big softie.” Shen Yuan poked at his brother’s cheek, and giggled when Jiu-ge pretended to bite at him. A small smile appeared on his brother’s face, and Shen Yuan rejoiced at the sight. He felt like he deserved an award for Best Brother of the Year.

“I suppose they suffice at times.” Jiu-ge wrinkled his nose like he had thought of something particularly disgusting. “Well. Almost all of them,” he huffed. He shook his head when Shen Yuan looked at him in question. But Best Brother of the Year did not do things half-heartedly.

“I know how to cheer you up even more,” Shen Yuan decided then and there.

That was how Shen Yuan found himself moved into the expensive nouveau-riche apartment complex next door to his brother on the third floor. All things considered, it wasn’t too bad. Jiu-ge was too busy to check up on him more than once a week in person, although the daily calls to his office phone were still a requirement.

Shen Yuan had always been a homebody, there was no denying that. As long as he could coop up in his room reading and editing trashy novels, he didn’t care for the particulars of time or place, even if leaving his apartment and chancing upon another human made him feel like Oscar the Grouch having been caught outside of his trash can and committing a crime.

The point was: it had all been going just fine and dandy, until one day a shout disrupted Shen Yuan from his editing of one of Airplane’s terribly written papapa scenes. He roughly yanked open his curtains, hearing a rip in the plush blue velvet. Whatever, what Jiu-ge didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.

The scene which greeted him was one of darkness, which okay, he wasn’t quite expecting that but fine, it wasn’t the first time he had lost track of time doing this and that. Shivering, Shen Yuan stepped out onto his balcony and peered over the rails to see a very attractive, very drunk man holding a broken bottle of what looked like Xin Mo liquor.

“Shen Jiu, there you are, you fucking bastard. Fucking coward! What, too afraid to come and see your disgusting student Binghe on this beautiful night? You always thought you were above us mere mortals, didn’t you? I hope both sides of your pillow are always ice!”

Yikes, Shen Yuan thought privately.

This dude was hammered. Despite everything a laugh bubbled its way up his chest. He didn’t know his brother was so unpopular at work but with a sour face like his, he should’ve expected. Briefly, the thought of pretending to be his brother just to hear more of the entertaining insults crossed his mind, but before he could open his mouth the man, probably named Binghe, went on.

“I bet you think you wake up just looking like an angel descended from the heavens! Well let me tell you, scumbag, that I curse you and your descendents to always have shaky eyeliner! Let’s see you keep up that hoity-toity look and scream at me when you come into work looking like a clown!”

Shen Yuan covered his eyes in horror. Not his eyeliner! He had to look sharp for the ladies.

“I fixed that stupid assignment one million times! Your nitpicking doesn’t even make sense anymore, you blind geezer! Come down here, if you’re not a coward and I’ll show you ...” Binghe paused, looking like he was gonna hurl.

“Show me what? You can’t leave me hanging like that, I won’t be able to sleep!” Shen Yuan shouted out, against his better judgement. He had already been collecting Binghe’s flavored insults to use against that traitor Shang Qinghua next time he saw him.

Binghe looked back up, with what seemed like confusion in his eyes, though it could have just been bleary drunkenness. To Shen Yuan’s horror, it looked like Binghe had tears in his eyes.

“All I wanted was for Laoshi to acknowledge me,” Binghe sobbed out. At this point Shen Yuan had missed his chance to tell the poor man that his brother was out of town on a business trip, and that Binghe was shouting at a stranger. He felt something in his chest squeeze at Binghe’s watery puppy dog eyes.

“Why does everyone look down on me?” Binghe cried. “I try so hard, over and over but all you do is scorn me … again and again! What do I have to do, just tell me, and I’ll do it. Anything! Just …” At this point the boy was choking on his sobs. Shen Yuan felt something shattering. He found himself walking down the stairs. He was going to go down and fetch him before the police were called, that was all, he told himself.

By the time he arrived on the cold grass ready to coax the drunkard, he found him passed out, clutching the broken bottle so hard his hand was bleeding. Shen Yuan sucked in a sharp breath.

“Alright buddy, let’s get you warmed up,” Shen Yuan said as he pried the glass from Binghe’s hand and used all his strength to haul him up and to the elevator.

He got several strange looks as he dragged an unconscious man across the fancy lobby, but Shen Yuan just snorted and ignored them. The people here had sticks so far up their ass they were getting free prostate massages. Shen Yuan stifled his laughter at his own wit in Binghe’s dead weighted shoulder and got a few more strange looks by the lady in the elevator. Halfway to Shen Yuan’s room, Binghe woke up and stared at Shen Yuan like he was an alien.

He struggled a bit and whined, “Laoshi, please don’t dropkick me into the Panama Canal, I promise I’ll be a good boy.”

Shen Yuan laughed and patted Binghe’s hair. “Go back to sleep, rowdy boy. We’ll talk in the morning.” It probably wasn’t because of his words, but Binghe managed to walk a few steps on his own before becoming dead weight on Shen Yuan again. He felt the breath knocked out of him.

“For someone who’s such a crybaby, you sure are … heavy!” Shen Yuan panted as he managed to drag Binghe into his apartment and throw him onto his bed. He shoddily wrapped up Binghe’s bleeding hand with several bandages. Novels may have taught him a lot, but he had surprisingly little practical knowledge when faced with a gash like Binghe’s in reality.

The fatigue of the night finally caught up with him as he saw Binghe’s peaceful sleeping face and he barely managed to do his nightly routine before sliding into his bed next to the unconscious person.

Shen Yuan was just about to drift away into sleep until he heard sniffling coming from the other man and turned around to see Binghe crying in his sleep.

And so was his current dilemma. Shen Yuan had no idea how to handle crying people. He stared dumbly for a few moments before kicking himself to do something, anything!

Shen Yuan wouldn’t do this for any random stranger that came knocking to his door, but luckily he had gleaned several useful tidbits of information from Binghe’s drunken speech. For example, he was likely one of Jiu-ge’s new interns at the large Cang Qiong Company he worked at, under the Qing Jing subsidiary. Second, Jiu-ge seemed to be giving the poor boy an extremely hard time, and Shen Yuan knew better than anyone just how sharp his brother’s acerbic tongue could be. Shen Yuan felt mildly responsible for cleaning up his brother’s mess.

Also, Binghe was terribly cute. He reminded Shen Yuan of the little puppy he used to play with in childhood, named Bingbing, after his favorite actress.

It was a combination of these facts, or none of them, that ultimately made Shen Yuan do what he did next; wrap his arms around Binghe and gently stroke his hair, murmuring comforting words to him until he stopped crying.

Somewhere along the way he found himself asleep as well.

Binghe awoke from his drunken stupor sometime between ass and fuck o’clock in the morning. His hand was covered in messily wrapped bandages.

When he saw the face of the person fast asleep next to him, he flinched backwards so hard he almost fell out of the bed.

What did I do last night? He wailed miserably in his head. A worst case scenario flashed through his head, and he made sure that both of them were clothed before exhaling a sigh of relief. That was the last time he let Mobei-Jun get him drunk, bachelor party be damned.

The last thing he remembered was accepting a glass full of alcohol in the bar he’d been dragged to, but everything afterwards was a blur. He didn’t remember how he walked all the way to his boss’s nouveau riche apartment, and he certainly didn’t remember how he ended up in bed with the man he was most fearful of.

There was one thing Binghe knew with full certainty, however; he had to escape this apartment immediately before he lost his job or worse: his life.

He had barely turned around and registered vaguely that the apartment was a lot sloppier than he’d expected of his avaricious boss before a sleepy hum made him freeze in his tracks.

“Mmm… Binghe?”

Binghe froze. Shen Jiu had never called him by name, it was always something along the lines of “scum” or “lad”.

Filled with trepidation, he turned to face his boss against his better judgement.

A sleepy smile stretched its way across the face of the person in front of him just as the morning’s rays peeked through the rip in the curtains and fell across his face.

Angelic, Binghe’s mind vaguely registered. Maybe he hadn’t come to his boss’s apartment after all. Maybe he had died and entered a realm different than the one he’d been in. Maybe he was already in heaven.

The angel’s face scrunched up cutely at the offending rays across his face. He glanced at the curtains before letting out a forlorn sigh.

“Jiu-ge’s gonna kill me for that …” sighed the angel across from Binghe.

Jiu-ge? Who’s that, I’ll fight him so you never have a frown on your pretty face ever again, Binghe thought blearily.

Mr. Angel noticed he was awake and smiled a crooked smile.

“Good morning. You were drunk and screaming outside my window last night, so I thought I’d do a public service and take you in before you hurt yourself, “ the angel laughed nervously. “Binghe is your name, right?”

Binghe nodded, feeling like his body was not his own. Then he had a thought.

“Wait … how do you know?”

The angel’s lips thinned, looking like he was trying really hard not to laugh. Oh, that was not a good sign.

“Well … You dropped your name in the middle of shouting about how you wished your boss’s food was too salty, among other things …”

The wave of relief that was about to pass through Binghe at realizing this person was likely not his boss aborted itself as it was overtaken by sheer waves of mortification.

Binghe covered his face with his hands, letting out an ungodly groan of embarrassment.

“Binghe… I’m saying this for your own good.” Mr. Angel looked into Binghe’s eyes seriously. “Do you know how to use swear words?”

Binghe immediately pouted, feeling like he was being made fun of. He couldn’t find it in himself to be truly annoyed, however, at the angel’s bell-like peals of laughter smothered by his hand. It was such a stark contrast to his boss’s restrained expressions.

“Ah! I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Shen Yuan, Shen Jiu’s younger twin brother.”

And there was the horror again.

Just as Binghe was about to bid farewell to his short, inconsequential life, Shen Yuan continued chattering. “You’re lucky Jiu-ge’s out of town on a business trip, and that you weren’t actually serenading his window but mine. If he was here, I don’t know if I could have even stopped him from personally throwing you into a jail cell.”

Binghe felt like he had gotten off of a life-threatening roller coaster ride. Stiffly, he rose from the bed and bent ninety degrees into a bow.

“Thanking Shen Yuan for his kindness in rescuing this lowly one from his predicament!” Binghe grew so nervous he immediately started speaking as if he were in a period drama. “In order to repay my honorable benefactor, this one will prepare breakfast!” He rushed away before Shen Yuan could speak a single word.

Once Binghe found the kitchen, he allowed himself a mini-freakout session. He! Was in! His boss’s younger brother’s bed! And the younger brother was an angel! Even though Binghe was fairly certain nothing untoward had occurred between the two of them the night prior, he felt every inch of his nerves tingling. He was also fairly certain that any other person that lacked Shen Yuan’s generosity would have immediately called the police on him at the least.

This was the first time anyone had done something so selfless for his sake.

Unbidden, a flush streaked across his cheeks, and Binghe slapped at himself to get out of it. Shen Yuan was his benefactor, and it would be wrong to have indecent thoughts about someone so innocent. There may not be much Binghe was good at, as he had learned from his internship under Shen Jiu, but the least he could do was cook him a decent breakfast.

Shen Yuan was roused from his half-wakeful state by the smell of something good coming from the kitchen. Which was weird because last he checked, there was nothing in there but dust and half-eaten ramen. (Yes, he had a problem.)

Wait … Binghe!

It was a little belated, but the nagging voice in Shen Yuan’s head that sounded suspiciously like Jiu-ge berated himself for falling asleep again while a stranger was in his apartment. A cute stranger, but a stranger nonetheless.

Shen Yuan, the voice nagged. One of these days you’re going to get yourself murdered in cold blood …

Alright, shut up, you. No one wants to hear this in the early morning, Shen Yuan bickered back.

“Sir?” Binghe’s voice nervously called from the kitchen entrance.

Shen Yuan immediately relaxed back into what he thought was a cool pose.

“There’s no need for formalities, Binghe. After all, you’ve already slept in my bed.”

Binghe’s ears flushed red at his words, and he swayed back and forth like a maiden on the morning after her wedding night. Shen Yuan stopped this strange line of thinking once he realized how weird it was.

“I made you breakfast as a thank you for er… handling me last night,” Binghe said softly.

Well, that didn’t help his strange thoughts. The last conscious thought Shen Yuan had was that he’d better go and eat the poor shy guy’s food since he had made it already.

He didn’t recall getting up or sitting down at the kitchen table, but the next thing he knew he was staring down at an empty plate, stomach full of delicious food.

“I don’t know what to think. This is the first time this has happened to me.” It wasn’t, but Shen Yuan had always had a flair for the dramatic. “If you can cook so well, why are you wasting your time under my brother’s wing? You should go be a professional chef, and share this magic with the rest of the world.”

It wasn’t empty praise. Shen Yuan genuinely believed he’d be blessed if he could eat like this every day for the rest of his life. His terrible habit of crappy eating would be forever changed.

Binghe was so red he looked like a tomato.

Abruptly, the sounds of a phone ringing disrupted the nice atmosphere. Binghe’s face paled.

“Oh no, I left Mobei-Jun at the club last night. He must be wondering where I am. The bachelor party got kind of crazy.”

Hm? Mobei-Jun? Shen Yuan slapped his forehead in realization. Of course! Binghe was a part of Jiu-ge’s interns, of course he knew Mobei-Jun. Shen Yuan had no idea how he had failed to make that connection. He might even be the best man Mobei-Jun had mentioned, since he was pretty sure the third intern was a woman. Sha Hualing, he believed her name was?

Either way, Shen Yuan hadn’t realized he and Binghe were so closely connected. Besides, he hadn’t felt comfortable calling Binghe a stranger, now that they no longer were.

Maybe he’d get a chance to see Binghe in a tux at the wedding? That would be so cute! Of course, he’d have to help keep him away from the champagne, especially since Jiu-ge would also be there. That was a nightmare waiting to happen.

While Shen Yuan was off fantasizing, Binghe had gathered all his stuff and prepared to leave. He hovered nervously around the door.

Shen Yuan snapped out of it to bid him goodbye. Binghe smiled shyly.

“Maybe I’ll see you around again sometime?” he asked.

Shen Yuan hid a smile behind his hand, and adopted a lofty expression.

“This immortal does not often descend from his honorable peak. However, if fate wills it to be so, then so shall it be,” he said, imitating Binghe’s earlier style of speech.

Binghe laughed, but kept hovering near the door as if he was waiting for something.

“Alright, your friend must be wondering where you are. Go on, now.” A flash of disappointment crossed Binghe’s face, but he obediently left, looking back like a puppy several times as he did so.

It wasn’t until much later that Shen Yuan would realize he had forgotten to explain that he was friends with Shang Qinghua, and that they would likely see each other again at the wedding. By the time the wedding itself rolled around, it would prove to be an ordeal of its own.

But that would remain a story for another time.

[descendantofthesparrow]

Remember your past - Prince! Harry Hook x Knight! Reader - Part 20 - The adventure begins

=

Hours later and Purah had finally let the two of you go, keeping Terrako for the night as so test for any possible clues to what had happened in the last 500 years and to make sure the little guardian wasn’t damaged in any way.

You were stopped just before you started making your way back down the hill, and Purah helped activate the transportation seal in front of the laboratory. Harry mentally celebrated in relief of not having to climb all the way back up the hill to come in the morning at Purah’s request.

You swiped through the tablets inventory slots, humming to yourself as you tapped on some of the new items that had been added to it. You skimmed through the description and looked up as Harry tossed himself over on his inn bed and his eyes burned into your side. “wha?” you whispered, shutting off the tablet and stuffing it in your bag, hiding it with your cloak.

“it's still hard ta believe this is all real…I still think I’ll wake up back at Auradon not even knowing this place exists…yet every morning I wake up to us on a quest to fuckin save it from a red goop demon” he whispered, grinning as you snickered from his description of the “dark one”.

“yeah…I’m still getting ahold of the fact that I’m technically over 500 years old and I was a personal knight to a prince that had some sort of locked magic and I was badly injured and yeeted into a healing shrine for 500 fucking years” Harry buried his face into the pillow and let out a small scream. “I can't tell if you're just reacting to what I said or everything in general.” He lifted his head out of the pillow and scrunched his nose (quite adorably you might add) as he laughed.

“yeeted into a healing shrine” he quoted, laying back down on the pillow and continuing to laugh. You rolled your eyes and tossed your extra pillow at him, smirking as he quietly yelped.

“Go to bed, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow” one of his eyes peeked at you from below the pillow before it disappeared, his body shuffling around until he found a comfy spot. “goodnight harry”

“g’night (y/n)”

-

Uma tapped her fingers harshly against her arm, her leg tapping rapidly as Ben conversed with the stable owner, asking if he had seen Harry or (y/n). “we got a lot of people comin’ in ‘an out of these stables son, if they were here, I don’t remember ‘em. Might do you better ta ask the riverside stable”

Ben sighed and nodded, walking back towards the rest of the group who were waiting anxiously “any luck?” Phillip asked, curling his arm tighter around Audrey who buried herself into his side.

“No, they haven't seen them, said we might have more luck at the riverside stable, which I think” he took out a map from his saddlebag and unfolded it “is over on this side of the peaks, we’d make our way back to the plateau then take a right just after the bridge”

“Are we sure this is a good idea?” Mal butt in, stepping closer to Ben and looking over the map “I mean, Regina asked us to stay within the village because of how dangerous it is here, and it is (y/n) and Harry but, it could be more of a risk to go out and find them than to just wait for them back at the village. We don’t know what's out there”

“that’s exactly why we are going to go look for them Mal” Ben stressed, closing the map and putting it back in the saddlebag “We don’t know what's out there and they probably don’t either, I can't sit by while they go out and risk their lives if anything we might be able to help them do whatever they are doing.”

Mal sighed and nodded, while she didn’t want anyone to get hurt out in this land that was completely unknown to them, it would be hard to sleep at night knowing she had willingly left (y/n) and Harry to travel it alone and possibly get hurt “Alright then, let's get some supplies and then we'll go to Riverside stable, then we’ll go from there”

Uma let out a small huff and climbed onto her horse, glaring down at the rest of the group “What are we waiting for? Let's go”

Ben stopped Mal from starting an argument, deciding that they would get supplies at the other stable and head out now.

-

“Anand there we go! All runes upgraded and ready to use~!” Purah handed you back the tablet “I also tried to look through Terrako’s old files but the only thing that was there was stuff I had seen forever ago, so!” she clapped her hands then held them out towards you and Harry “everything Is ready to go! And I set up the sheikah sensor plus as well so if you need to find something specific, just take a picture with it, go into the compendium that’s within the same section as the map, and select that item and it'll lead you to it” you slowly nodded, messing around with the tablet until the rune screen popped up.

“um,” you started, showing Purah the screen “how do we use the runes?” she smiled fondly and took the tablet, tapping one of the icons and turning to Symin. The two nodded at each other and Symin threw a small teacup at Purah, Purah trusted the tablet at the cup and it froze mid-air, a glowing yellow filter surrounding the cup as it did.

“Stasis!” Purah exclaimed as Symin walked in front of the cup and wrapped his hands around it, waiting for the quiet noise of a ticking clock to stop as Purah turned to the tablet towards you and Harry “Time stopping rune, you just have to aim the tablet at the item or thing you want to freeze in time, then you can add kinetic energy by hitting it and the item or thing will fly in the direction you hit it! Easy!”

You and Harry nodded, Terrako jumping up between the tablet and you in an attempt to see the screen “Then there’s magnesis, which allows you to control any type of metal object” Purah demonstrated with the tablet, lifting a spoon into the air, a beam of red, blue, and yellow stringing the spoon and tablet. “Like that, and there's no limit of size or weight of the metal object” Purah released the spoon and switched to the next rune.

“then there are the bombs” you and Harry jumped back as Purah held up her hand and a round blue glowing bomb appeared in her hand “Remote activated as well, come along!” Purah skipped out of the lab with you and Harry following behind her, Terrako scuttling after you.

Purah tossed the bomb over the side of the mountain and gestured for you to watch the tablet as it bounced down the mountain “To activate, you just” Purah trust the tablet forward, a large blue glowing exploding where the bomb was “And that’s the bombs! These two bombs as well, the round one and the square one” Purah summoned the box-shaped one, holding it in her hand for you and Harry to see before she closed her hand, the bomb disappearing as she did. “to send ‘em back into the tablet, you just close your fist, easy peasy~!”

Purah led you back inside the lab and showed you the tablet again, the rune symbol now showing a snowflake “This is the cryonis rune, with it you can create a pillar of ice from any water surface. I can’t demonstrate this one so we’ll just move on” Purah swiped to the next run, now showing a camera symbol

“The camera, we already figured out that one” you muttered, Purah smiled and nodded, handing the tablet back to you.

“Good! There is a hidden rune on there but I've never been able to figure it out, maybe you will! But!” Purah clapped her hands, you and Harry flinching a bit at the sudden action “you two have somewhere to go don’t you~ now remember; stop at the places where the eleven pictures show to see if you can regain any memories, get the towers for the map, and free the divine beasts! Good luck! Goodbye Terrako!” the little guardian chirped and followed after you and Harry as you walked back outside. The lab doors closed behind you as you and Harry looked at each other.

“Well” Harry muttered, rubbing the back of his head as he looked around the mountain top you were on “tha’ was….an experience” you laughed a bit and nodded, pulling up the map and scrolling around, tapping on the shrine that was down in the village.

“yep” in a flash of blue light you, Harry, and Terrako were now outside the shrine, it’s orange/blue glow blinding you a bit. “let's get a couple more supplies and then well head for the nearest beast, which I think is past storybrooke, we kinda went the opposite way but there's another road to Lanayru, we’re in Necluda and we just need to take this path down this way, there is a way directly to the Lanayru tower but it crosses through storybrooke and I don’t think either of us want to risk a run through with everyone?” Harry shook his head, grabbing your arm to guide you back to the horses as you continued to look down at the map “yeah there's a path down this way that should lead to the Lanayru tower, so we’ll head down that way.” You closed the tablet and hooked it on your hip, moving to step beside your horse and leading her backward out of the stall, Harry doing the same with his horse.

“let's head out” Harry nodded, looking down at Terrako who chirped.

“uh, do yeh want a ride or do yeh jus’ want ta’ follow?” the little guardian just chirped and walked back and forth “im guessing that’s walk?” Terrako nodded its body and Harry nodded back “All right then, let's go” Harry swung up onto his horse and followed after you as the three of you rode out of Hateno and down to Lanayru.

-

Uma sighed and rubbed her face, they had just left the riverside stable, and while the workers there had seen (y/n) and Harry, along with the little guardian, they had no idea where the three went. so once again the trail went cold after a moment of hope. “How are we ever going to find them?” Gil whimpered, crossing his arms and looking off in the distance, scared for his two friends. “This kingdom is huge; they could already be…I don’t know halfway across the map by now who knows?”

Ben sighed and shrugged, climbing back on his horse and taking out the map “I don’t know Gil, we just have to hope for the best to find them before they do anything stupid”

“they could be heading for one of those divine beast things (y/n) told us about” Phillip hummed, scratching his chin as Audrey cuddled into his side “though she failed to mention where they were” Ben sighed again, looking down at his map.

“Yeah, we really have no clue where they are, and who knows, they might avoid us if they find us first. You heard what Regina said, they are dead set on saving the kingdom, from something their past lives had failed in.” Ben folded the map and placed it in his saddlebag, helping Mal climb up behind him and grabbing the reigns “Lets head for Faron, we might get lucky if they headed that way” the group nodded and mounted their horses, Ben leading the charge as Harriet and CJ rode in the back, Harriet's jaw clenched as flashes of the past flew past her on the road.

Regina had told her and CJ that they might have been reincarnated as well, as there were two princesses named Harriet and Calista Jane. And it seemed she was right, the longer they were in Saorsa the more “memories” returned to them, they were hard to understand and distinguish, but it was clear that along with Harry they had been reincarnated into their present selves.

“What are we gonna do Harriet?” CJ whispered, leaning over to her sister and giving Harriet a worried look “are we gonna-“ Harriet gave CJ a look.

“We are, tomorrow night when everyone's asleep, we’ll split off and look for Harry and (y/n) ourselves, and im going to drag Harry back to Auradon by his ear if it kills me” CJ looked relieved to hear Harriet’s ‘threat’ towards Harry, it was good to know Harriet wasn’t as shaken up as her so at least one of them would have a calm head on their shoulders.

“okay” CJ hummed, snapping the reins of her horse and catching up with the rest of the group.

-

By nightfall you were about halfway to Lanayru, thankfully there was a stable right next to where you and Harry had called it for the night so you let your horses into the stalls for the night and rented two beds till the morning.

You pulled up the map and hummed, from here you could see Storybrooke village was just past the wetlands and up the hill. And the Lanayru tower, you looked up from the map, seeing the orange glowing tower in the distance, shrouded by rain clouds that never seemed to disappear, was just ahead, maybe a half days travel from the stable.

“we almost there?” Harry softly asked, stepping so close to you-you could feel the warmth radiating off him.

“yeah” you talked in a hushed tone, turning to him and holding up the map “can't see it on the map but the tower is here, I marked it” Harry leaned in to look, glancing between the tower and the diamond marker you had placed. He nodded and stood straight, watching you turn off the tablet and hook it on your hip.

You took and deep breath and looked at him, giving a tired smile “come on, it's been a long day, let's turn in and we’ll head out first thing after breakfast” Harry returned the smile and nodded.

“aye, see yeh in the morning”

“see you in the morning”

-end-

 yep, part 20 after 5 (almost six) months, not a single person asked for this so...yeah...i request validation pls.

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[aceofspadegrass]

I’m curious about bedbears

What do you know about them?

Any lore?

Stories of close encounters?

Mysterious happenings?

Death? Disappearance?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW???

I’m sorry for yelling. I got over excited. I am terribly curious

Oh, don't fret about yelling, excitement is good in this environment! >:D

Now bedbears. Unlike regular bears, they're intended solely for bedtime. Not just any bed, oh no. Open beds. Spacious little fucks.

Bedbugs like the taste of tight, cramped spaces. Little dark nooks and crannies and near their fresh supply of blood. Bedbears like the outdoors. They like moving around and feeling the wind in their outer shell fur. Oh, they have an exoskeleton and fur by the way. Imagine a bear wearing a cockroach suit, it's kind of like that.

Also unlike bedbugs, bedbears don't suck up your liquid nutrients like a bedbug, that's too simple. Packed with a fine set of miniature bear teeth, they instead consume their daily intake in the more rational route: Your delicious, succulent ankle meat.

Now, how does one bugbear consume a person's ankle? How does it fit in them? Well, it's simple. Bears are solitary by nature, and bedbears are, well, not. Bedbears tend to hunt in a pack of three to four, maybe five if they're feeling especially saucy. That way more bedbears can consume, and your ankles are as good as gone.

Bedbears (thankfully) do hibernate like real bears, so in the winter the ankle population is pretty much safe until they warm up and are ready for the fresh, juicy meat.

The size of an adult bedbear is about the size of a moderately sized caterpillar. So perhaps 5 centimetres at best. I know, that's pretty big. Another reason they're not much for a bedbug life (which are the size of an apple seed.) Baby bugbears are more aptly a bedbug size. Teensy!

They prefer to live near their food source (AKA you) but any mammal is fine as long as they have ankles. For some reason it's only the ankle they are after. They know by instinct whether a mammal or not has an ankle.

Now, your ankle is kind of important, because the joints in that pretty much hold up the rest of you (Woo!). When the bedbears get you, you're pretty much as good as amputated. Those things can be thorough (and the infection! Yuck!). Plus, your Achilles tendon is kind of there, so..... have fun trying to walk. They're gonna gobble that up like McDonalds.

Now lore. Not everyone knows of the elusive bedbear, and many usually go for the closely named bedbug or chalk up their sudden ankles being yeeted as a freak accident. After all, who is going to believe a five centimetre living, breathing bear exists? Definitely not the average human, that's for sure. But some who dig in real closely into old traditions and word of mouths hark the tale of a literal miniature ankle biter.

" But!" I hear, " Isn't that just a nickname for children and small dogs?"

Why yes, thank you for asking. People have heard that name for centuries, and they're right. Those children and puppers of the tree flesh can inherit the title of an ankle biter. Heck, it can even be a mosquito, it doesn't matter.

But bedbears? Oh, they really do hold that title true. They don't poke and nibble, they crunch. They're there for a good time and a long time (Those bastards.....)

So only a few know of these creatures, and instead of the teensy little bugs of woe, they bid their sweet and tender pals and mates good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbears bite.

Then, as the next generation in their tiny circle comes to light, they pass on that knowledge in hopes for many more years to come where the descendants of Earth know of these feral bastards.

Now, not everyone has died from a nighttime encounter with these fiendish beings. A few live to tell the tale, about how they woke up in a fright to hear something smick-smacking away at their heels, how they right themselves and find a source of human illumination, only to find a sleuth of bedbears scattering like dandelion fluffs in the wind into the abyss. They may have a decent amount still available, perhaps its far too late. Either way they required a rush to the hospital for treatment, and fate can only decide the ankle.

Rarely, a few find them crawling up to the free course meal before their ankle's fates are sealed, and those are the lucky ones. Real lucky.

Have a few disappeared? Not yet, or that we know of here. Every body has been safely recovered and given the title of 'Mysterious Circumstance', and nobody has disappeared.

..... That we know of. For all we know, someone might be King/Queen/Leader of the bedbears. Perhaps they have an ulterior motive. Perhaps they're just wielding seventeen cans of bear repellant and even the bedbears don't want to fuck with that beast of a being.

Oh wells.

Now, hehe, here's a funny anecdote. So apparently one person, in a curious attempt to find out what these bedbears especially like, decided to set up a scientific experiment.

First, they obtained ankles. Live and dead, of as many ethnicities and species as physically possible. How? Pfft, that doesn't matter, just know they obtained these ankles. After properly securing the tests with a control where it was just random ankle meats (A ton of it) on a deflated air mattress, they start the experiment. Don't worry, they set up cameras.

Well, turns out leaving a fuck ton of meat attracts more creatures than just bedbears. Bigger creatures than the little bedbears. So they had to do this several times to gain a semblance of a result that they can measure.

The results turned out to be: Congrats, they like living flesh the most, and now you have an infestation of ankle hungry bugbears who have now figured out there's a hearty supply of ankles ripe for the picking. The person who started this was also eaten by a real bear shortly after concluding this experiment, so Rest in Bedbearoni.

Now, how do we fend of these little creatures of the night? Well bug spray doesn't work, even though it should. Bear spray however does. Any chemical also works perfectly fine. Just be careful not to poison any precious creatures that are supposed to live, hurting them is mean.

Another method is by sending a bedbears worse enemy against them: Pines. Yeah, pines. Those trees that look sexy no matter the season. Now slap that into a scent, do some magic, and maybe come out with a fresh, tasty bottle of Pine-Sol (Warning: Do Not Drink Pine-Sol. That's bad for your tum tum.) to politely spray around the house (Get a good cleaning in the meantime) and ward away those furry skeletal fucks.

Congratulations! You have completed one(1) course of "Totally Real Biology I Swear! " Here's a sticker for your problems.

[tinyyoungblood]

a night in | peter parker

summary: queens’ coolest friends group of smarty pants is back with fun sing-alongs, some life advice and a few hilarious childhood stories while peter can’t keep his hands off you

pairing: peter parker x reader

warnings: swearing and quick mentions of violence and vandalism

word count: 2.2k

song: Boys Ain’t Shit (feat. Tate McRae & Audrey Mika) by SAYGRACE

a/n: this is for everyone out there who would like some company on a boring friday night. just hang out with peter and the gang:)

↳ masterlist

* * *

“These boys ain’t shit, I’m not here for it,” you sang on top of your lungs while holding the white blanket around the nape of your neck, hips moving to the beat.

“If you want me, act like it. Act like it!” MJ sang the next line and twirled around the kitchen counter while carelessly throwing her hands up in the air. You met halfway and locked eyes with each other, a sparkling gleam dancing in them.

“These boys get pissed. ‘Cause I won’t stand for it.” MJ threw her hair over her shoulder and you cheered her on, “If you want the sweet life then act like it!” The LED lights dunked your skin in vibrating pink.

You were just two careless girls, dancing and singing their hearts out on a Friday night while the music was blasting through the speakers. “Run it backwards, don’t be such an asshole, run it backwards, run it, run it back— “

Suddenly the joyful moment ended when the music was abruptly turned off. Your heads snapped to the door, ready to cuss out the person who cruelly paused your music.

When the harsh lights were switched on, you could see them standing in the doorway: Your very confused boyfriend and his amused best friend, each of them holding bags of food.

“So this is what you do when we’re gone for ten minutes?” Ned asked with a grin on his face while setting his stuff on the kitchen counter. MJ rolled her eyes at him and fished out a can of soda, replying, “Always. Next thing on the list would be a pillow fight and a makeover.”

You walked to the living room to put away your fluffy blanket and called out, “Don’t forget sneaking out to meet up with leather jacket-wearing biker gangs.” As you turned back around, two strong arms slung around your waist and the familiar curls were nestled into the side of your face as Peter placed soft kisses on your neck.

Melting into his embrace right away, you smiled at his affectionate greeting. “Missed me?”

“You tell me,” he mumbled into your neck and you giggled slightly at the vibration, “I’m gone for two seconds and my girlfriend sings about boys not being shit.”

You gently removed him from your neck before he could reach your sweet spot and rested your hands at the back of his neck to face him. A sweet pout was resting on his puckered lips and you couldn’t help but peck them, immediately conjuring a smile.

“I was just jamming out to a song with MJ.” He cocked his head to the side to mutely question the song choice, but you just shrugged. “Besides,” you said with a smirk while playing with his hair, “you know, you ain’t shit, Parker.”

He gasped at you and placed his hand over his chest, making you laugh at his dramatic gesture. “But I love you anyway.” You leaned forward and captured his cold lips with yours.

The familiar warmth promptly welcomed you and rose from your stomach to your chest and the distinct chatter of your friends quickly vanished into the background. Peter melted into the kiss and you smiled at the impact you had on him.

When you pulled back, he instantly pressed your waist closer, prolonging the soft-lipped kiss. Not wanting to let go either, you moved your lips with his whilst soft curls slipped through your fingertips.

When his tongue glided over your bottom lip to ask for permission to enter, you had to fight everything in you to not let him take control and instead, reluctantly pulled away, leaving your lips disappointedly cold again.

“We wanted to spend the evening with MJ and Ned, remember?”

“They have food in there, they’ll be fine,” he waved you off and went in for another kiss, but you turned your head to the side, making him peck your cheek instead.

“Come on Pete, we promised them.” Groaning slightly, he pouted again and you wanted nothing more than to just plant thousands of kisses on his soft lips. Instead, you dragged him back into the kitchen.

And that’s how the four of you ended up on the living room floor, eating takeout pizza and exchanging embarrassing childhood stories.

You were cuddled in between your boyfriend’s legs and listening to Ned’s funny memory as Peter mindlessly drew circles on your waist with his fingers.

“And because nobody was paying attention to him, I had no other choice but to scream out his name while preparing myself for the impact!”

“You had to prepare yourself for the impact?” you laughed and MJ shook her head with a look of disapproval on her face, though she couldn’t help but grin herself, “You yeeted the poor blind kid across the playground!” You burst out laughing.

“Dude, pushing over a blind guy is not cool,” Peter chocked out between his laughter, your back feeling his chest vibrate.

“I was on a swing!” Ned defended, still aware that it was all kinds of messed up, “What kindergarten teacher lets a blind kid walk up to the swings?! That’s child neglectment!”

Everyone burst out laughing again, tears were almost streaming down your face. Eyeing your half-eaten pizza, you turned your head and handed it to Peter who wordlessly grabbed it and took a bite off it.

You smiled up at him and loved how he had a great time. He deserved every second of joy and happiness. Noticing you stare at him, he curiously looked down at you and you just silently exchanged warm smiles. A sparkling gleam was dancing in your eyes and Peter felt his heart flutter again.

Sometimes he couldn’t get over the fact that you were his. The funniest, smartest and kindest girl out there was sitting in between his legs, sharing her pizza with him. God, he was lucky.

He bent down and pecked your lips. Your nose scrunched at the heavy taste of onions, but Peter just gave you a lopsided grin.

“So what happened next?” MJ asked and picked up a bag of skittles off the floor, ripping it open to hand it to Ned.

It was an unspoken rule in your group that he always gets the bag first since he only eats the red skittles.

“Our parents were called in and I was expelled for the rest of the day,” Ned explained sheepishly and picked out his skittles.

“Getting expelled in kindergarten,” you chuckled, “Ned Leeds, you are a wild one.” He shrugged with a huge grin on his face, returning the bag of sweets to MJ.

“Well, if you want to talk about being a wild one, how about you share a story now, babe?” Peter nudged your side and you grimaced, nibbling on your bottom lip.

MJ nodded while leaning back on her arms, “It’s your turn.”

“Yeah,” Ned agreed, “I know like nothing about your childhood.”

You snatched the skittles bag from MJ and acted like you were deeply invested in picking out a specific colored skittle. “Because there’s nothing to tell,” you mumbled, clearly embarrassed of your younger self, but as always, Peter caught it with his enhanced hearing.

“Your mom told me what you were like as a child. There’s plenty to tell!” he urged and you elbowed him, but he just snickered, finding it adorable that you believed you could hurt him in any way.

“You seriously need to stop having dinner with my mom.” You deadpanned but you just felt him shrug.

“She makes the best lasagna.”

The others agreed, “She really does.”

“Bless that woman’s lasagna.”

You groaned and threw the bag in the middle of the floor for the others to grab. “Since when is everybody having dinner with my mom?”

“You wouldn’t know, you’re never home.” MJ shrugged, causing a pang of guilt in your chest.

“I get it, I’m too busy,” you mumbled while playing with the sweets in your hands.

“Well,” Ned eyed you and glanced at Peter who was absentmindedly playing with your hair, “you do have a lot on your plate with all the extracurriculars. You can always drop some, you know.”

Sensing the growing discomfort, Peter let go of your hair and hugged you from behind, pressing you against his chest. You naturally melted into his embrace and his heartbeat calmed you down.

“I guess I could drop one or two,” you mumbled and the others gazed at you knowingly.

“You know,” MJ spoke up in her monotonous voice that indicated that she tried to be gentle, “there’s nothing wrong with giving up on something if you don’t enjoy it anymore. No shame in that.”

“She’s right,” Peter encouraged, “babe, you don’t have to keep going just because you don’t want to let other people down. Whether it is the marching band or the speech and debate team, they’ll be fine without you. Do what makes you happy.”

The others agreed and the corners of your mouth turned up. You were grateful for moments like these with your friends.

They were right, you haven’t had dinner at home with your mom for a while now and you couldn’t even remember the last time you properly talked to her or even to your friends. You were always out, always doing something and always trying to please somebody.

“Thanks guys, I really needed this.”

MJ gave you a two-finger way and Ned beamed at you. You felt Peter place a gentle kiss on the top of your head and you honestly never wanted this evening to end.

“Anyway,” Ned announced loudly, “before we got all emotional, it was Y/n’s turn to share an embarrassing childhood story.”

The others nodded and you plastered a smile on your face, deciding on telling them a rather harmless story of your childhood. They would get to hear the cooler ones eventually.

“So,” you clapped your hands together and set the scene, “when I was 6 years old, I had to pop into the store around the corner to get some eggs for my mom since she was sick and on bed rest. But on my way home, I ran into this boy who I had a crush on and I was super embarrassed because I was wearing these pink barbie pajamas that I really did not want him to see me in.” You rolled your eyes at your younger self.

“But there was no way to hide from him since he was coming my way and I had to go down the street from the direction that he came from.”

“Very thrilling,” Ned commented while popping mini pretzels into his mouth. MJ swatted him with her hand to shut him up. You smiled at that motion and continued,

“But to my luck, a police car just pulled up and what my 6-year-old super brain immediately came up with was that instead of letting him think that I was a girly wimp, I could be a super cool badass right in front of him.”

“Of course what every 6-year-old aspires to be,” Peter snorted and Ned added, “Understandably.”

You jokingly rolled your eyes at them. “So I pulled out the eggs and threw them on the windshield of that police car while also making sure that the boy witnessed it all.”

Ned slapped his hand on his forehead, staring at you bewildered, whereas MJ just proudly grinned at you.

“Obviously, the cops jumped out of the car and chased me down. Clearly haven’t thought it through, I ran as fast as I could to escape them but when I passed the boy, he tripped me!”

A collective gasp left their mouths as they gaped at you with wide eyes.

“Turns out, he was the cop’s son,” you paused for dramatic effect, “and he was disgustingly proud of having stopped me.” Peter let out an irritated huff and you mindlessly rubbed circles into his arm.

“When the cops asked me why I did what I did, I obviously told them the truth because you know I suck at lying. The boy, of course, had to hear all of it and was just as awkward about it as me.” A small laugh escaped your lips as you remembered the memory clearly. “To my luck, they found it adorable, so they just drove me home with a simple warning,” you ended your story and popped another skittle into your mouth.

Ned shook his head at you comically, “Nope Y/n, I take everything back. You are the wild one. Shoving a blind kid doesn’t sound that bad anymore compared to your story.”

“It’s still just as bad, Ned,” MJ interjected and gave him a pointed look.

Peter leaned forward to catch your gaze. “I can’t believe you did that.” He smiled at you amused but you just shrugged it off and grinned at him.

“It’s nice to be wanted, you know?”

He stared at you horrified as everybody laughed. “Not by the law!” 

* * *

quarantine sucks, i miss my friends:( anyway, this was a lot of fun to write so feel free to leave some feedback, send in requests or talk to me!

check out more of my stuff on my masterlist and if you don’t, that’s fine too. buh-bye! 

[haro-whumps]

Group Whumpees 13: Spirit

CW: Slavery, depression, less than great self-image, ghosts and the discussion thereof, multiple whumpees, aftermath of abuse, blink and you miss it references to noncon, catholicism (brief)

Tag List:  @bleeding-demon-teeth @theycomeinthrees @redwingedwhump @whimperwoods @inpainandsuffering @whole-and-apart-and-between @whump-whump-whump-it-up @whumpingupastorm @newandfiguringitout @lonesome--hunter @looptheloup @icannotweave  @deluxewhump @whumping-every-day @yeet-me-out-a-window @what-a-whumpy-world @burtlederp @swordkallya @finder-of-rings @fairybean101 @adventuresofacreesty @arlennil @thingsthatgo-whump-inthenight @lumpofwhump @thatsthewhump @pinkdiamondprince @shameless-whumper  @whump-only @infested-with-bloodv2 @kiretto-laorentze @eatyourdamnpears @whumpzone @bluebadgerwhump

How many references can I fit into one whump story on the internet? And yes, Galo’s ass is canonically phat.

Masterlist

They had never discussed it, really, never quite put it into words, but when they went to bed there were common configurations they all slept in. Evan almost always insisted on sleeping with his back to the wall, Sasha needed the edge of the bed so she didn’t wake them when she got up in the morning, and Greyson was almost never in the middle so he slept just in front of Sasha. Lilah and Nyla would take turns in the middle, occasionally switching with Evan or Sasha if they were hurting. 

Evan was hurting, now, his leg making the journey all the way to the wall a lost effort, so he was in the center. Lilah curled up in his arms, so Nyla’s back was to the wall. In theory, then, Greyson should be at Evan’s back, and Sasha at his back, and yes, that had been how they’d slept the night before.

But that night, Greyson had insisted that Sasha lay between himself and Evan, knowing he’d been weirdly adamant about it and that his family was concerned. But he knew, very well, that he would not be able to sleep that night, and would need to move out of bed without waking them.

And, indeed, the sliver of moonlight that managed to find its way in through the tiny rectangular window at the very top of the room landed on Greyson, wide awake, propped up on one elbow. His tired eyes (and god, he was so tired, but not in a way that craved sleep) surveyed his family, their soft bodies, their loose hair, the gentle curves of their hands.

He sat, apart from them.

Honestly, he’d been apart from them for a long while. 

He could ask for no firmer proof of that than the events of that very day. Lilah, little Lilah, who had clung to his arm, to Nyla’s skirts, to Evan’s vests, who had hid behind their bodies from Mistress Bethany’s wrath, now bravest of them all. But should he be surprised? She and Evan were always thick as thieves, didn’t it make sense that she would collect some of his bolder habits? She had always been playful, among them, was that something that she’d extended towards free people? Was this new? In small part, Greyson felt like he should know.

In large part, Greyson didn’t feel a damn thing.

He knew he had, once. He remembered feelings, could even summon the ghosts of them, as he looked over his family. Fondness. An aching longing that stretched over his skin. He’d felt something at his Mistress’s grave, though he couldn’t summon even the phantom of such emotions now.

Lilah was brave, standing proud before the man who, by all rights, should terrify her. Evan was calming down, lashing out less, barely lashing out at all, really. Happier. Easier. The defensive hunch so characteristic of his shoulders was slowly lowering, so slowly Greyson hadn’t even noticed until he looked and found Evan had practically no hunch at all. Nyla, she was happier, unwinding sliver by tiny sliver, but she was. She’d allowed herself to be gently corralled into bed, even if it had been backed by an order from their master. She was willing, just barely, to let down her guard, even if it meant an increased chance of imperfection. She did not, by Greyson’s observation, seem so petrified of imperfection, anymore. And Sasha, Greyson ran a thumb very gently over the skin of her upper arm, Sasha was going outside, she was smiling, her eyes had lost the permanently watery quality to them. She was more openly affectionate, freer with touch.

What was Greyson?

Greyson was the same as Greyson had always been. Quiet. Thoughtless. Hollow. The shell of a man who’d broken and been left to gather dust where he shattered. 

His family was growing, healing, but an inanimate thing cannot heal. He was beyond repair. An old plaything that had been used dry, and when opened found empty inside.

If someone were to take a knife against him, carve open his skin and split the seam, would they find anything? They’d find blood, oh yes, he knew that he could still bleed. But beneath his skin and blood, would they find bones? Beneath where his ribs should sit, would anyone find a heart? Did he still have lungs, were there entrails to be lifted? Or would they find empty air and still, placid blackness? A broken papier mache balloon, a wrinkling, decaying pumpkin with its insides carved out.

He took his hand from Sasha’s skin. It didn’t feel right to touch her as he thought such things.

Three decades. Perhaps only two and a half. The years...they were blurry. And Greyson wasn’t naturally inclined to keep track of the time. He’d spent more of his life with his Mistress than he had without her. Was he even good, for anything else? He knew other men his age didn’t look like him, like they were faded and falling apart. She’d had every right to get bored of him, uncomely as he was.

His thoughts were all over the place, slipping and sliding this way and that. He should go to sleep. It was late. He was tired. God he was so tired. He laid down. His eyes stayed wide. He forced them shut. Attempting to relax made his eyes open again. This was pointless.

He leaned back up on his elbow again, looked at his family. The fondness there was growing colder. Not in general, just for right then. Would he go cold in the larger sense, though? Was a thing like him even truly capable of actual, meaningful love?

He got out of bed.

The bed fit four better, anyway. At the very least it was what they were all used to, though they’d all adapted to the company of their fifth quickly, since Master Galo.

Greyson wished he understood him. He doubted he ever would.

But that wish, that doubt, they were glancing, shallow things. Sort of like how everything in Greyson’s life felt incredibly shallow, like an optical illusion. His whole person, his whole life, he was just an illusion. Presenting the facade of depth but if you reached out to touch him, you would find your perception all wrong.

The basement was too dark to see in, but that was fine. He knew where the stairs were, where the rail was, he’d walked them multiple times a day, every day, for three decades. Or perhaps just two and a half.

The main floor was lighter, distant street lights and the moon curving their way in through the dark, casting long shadows where the blackness did not already swallow them whole. It was still dark, but Greyson did not want to turn any lights on here, either. He could navigate the darkness fine. Was it because his own soul was like this house? Kindred spirits, filled with lonely shadows in the black.

But, that was strange. Light cast against the familiar portrait at the end of the hall, like someone had left a light on in a nearby room. Greyson approached, the lack of glasses making the details fuzzy but he certainly knew what he was looking at. He peered around the corner and came to a halt.

The door to the den was open, which was hardly noteworthy in itself, but lamplight spilled out of it, yellow and warm. The sight settled a coldness in Greyson’s chest, whatever he had left in there frosting over. There had only ever been a single lamp in that room, and Mistress had knocked it over when she collapsed, that day before she died. Greyson had picked up the larger pieces and vacuumed the smaller, had emptied the vacuum’s basin into the same bag as the larger pieces and lampshade and set the bag outside for the garbagemen to collect.

But there was lamplight coming from the den.

Greyson felt numb. Numb, and cold, a churning pit of fear pounding at the glass his feet walked across, shadowy hands ready to swallow him whole as soon as the numbness broke. With each step towards that light, his body grew colder, colder, so by the time he reached the doorframe his whole body shivered violently.

The old, well-worn armchair was positioned so that it looked over the rest of the room, and would only require someone sitting in it to turn their head to look at the doorway. So he did not see her face, right away, just her dark, curly, slightly-frizzy hair that stressed her so, the fabric of her light blue nightgown over her arm and shoulder.

Slowly, she turned her neck and looked straight at him.

The numbness broke the moment their eyes met, Greyson’s hand snapping up to his mouth and his body convulsing, curling in on itself, with a hand to his stomach. This can’t be happening some part of him thought desperately.

“M-Mistress--”

“I’m barely in the ground and already your behavior’s gone to shit,” she snapped, in her voice, her voice. “Is that how I taught you to greet me? Do you think this is appropriate?”

“I’m sorry,” he gasped, rushing forward, in front, to bend and kiss her hand but she stopped him two feet away.

“Kneel.”

He crumpled to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut, elbows wedged between his spread knees and hands clasped out in front of him, head bowed and eyes staring wide and vacant at his shadow on the carpet.

“Up and about dressed like that. Disgusting.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, hot tears against his forearms. He hadn’t cried from fear in...years. He’d forgotten he could.

“I heard you, you know,” she said, voice pitching low.

His eyes squeezed shut and he choked on a sob. “I’m sorry.”

“Think you can just go to my grave and say whatever you want?”

“I’m sorry, Mistress.”

“Did you think ‘oh there won’t be any consequences, I’ll just do whatever I want’ like a little entitled rat?”

“Please, I’m sorry, Mistress, I’m sorry!”

“You like my nephew better than me, don’t you?”

“No, Mistress, I--”

“Liar. You only say that because you got caught in the act.”

“Please,” he blubbered, rabbit-pulsed and shaking apart on the carpet.

“You’re a disgrace, Greyson.”

“I’m sorry,” he wept, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m sorry Mistress I’m sorry.”

--

Galo moved to a room at the front of the house, peering through the window, but yup, the driveway was still empty. Not that he had genuinely expected that to change overnight, but still, better to check. He yawned, stretched his hands up above his head, and went back to his room to grab his cell phone.

“Hi! My name is Galo Fotia, I scheduled to have a dumpster dropped off at my address two days ago, but it did not arrive that day or yesterday. I was--no, go ahead? ...Yeah, no, I absolutely understand that, sometimes things just get lost in the process. Yeah, yes please, I appreciate it.” Galo descended the stairs as he spoke, bare feet against the soft carpet. “No, it’s no problem, just, as soon as you’re able. I--” Galo stood straighter, something… off. “Mhm, yep, thanks a lot. Have a nice day now, bye!” he said, cutting the conversation a little shorter than he would’ve liked.

But he felt alarmed. And in this house of horrors, any bad vibes he got were very much worth listening to. He pocketed his phone and rolled his shoulders, ready to widen his stance and square himself to look as massive and menacing as possible if he found a threat. He made a beeline for the den, whatever signals his brain was giving him were leading him there, and blanched to find Greyson, of all people, there. Face down on his knees with clasped hands extended out. Wearing pajamas.

“Uh, Greyson?” Galo asked, anxiety spiking up at the full body flinch--really, more of a jolt--that came with Galo’s words. “You alright there dude?” He tried to keep the alarm out of his voice but was pretty sure he did not succeed at all. He moved to Greyson’s side, noticing how the man was kneeling pointed at the old armchair, and carefully went down on one knee, not wanting to spook him more.

Greyson was awake. Mouth-breathing, twitching, but he didn’t move for a long moment, not until Galo lightly placed his hand on Greyson’s back and gave a light, slow stroke downward. He heard Greyson swallow, and watched him slowly separate his fingers and press his palms to the floor. Galo moved a hand to Greyson’s front, helping him lift up to somewhat-sitting, and winced sympathetically at the dark shadows under his eyes and the dried tear-tracks there.

“Hey,” Galo said gently, leaving his hand on Greyson’s chest and continuing to pet up and down his back, “Ground control to Major Tom. What’s goin’ on here, dude?”

Greyson looked at him, then up at the armchair. His body trembled all over, then went still again under Galo’s palms. His lips cracked open but no sound came out, and Galo rubbed a circle into the back of his neck. “Take your time.”

“She was here,” Greyson stated, and fear crawled up Galo’s spine. Haha, that was fucking ominous.

“What do you mean by that, Greyson?” Galo asked, kind of proud at how his mental screaming only barely filtered into his tone.

“She. Mistress, she, she was here. Last night. The light was on and she was sitting here.”

“Okay,” Galo said, mentally adding the armchair to the list of things he would be throwing into the dumpster when it arrived. Actually, he might put it in the middle of the driveway and set it on fire. “Okay, that’s alarming.”

“She spoke to me,” Greyson whispered, lifting a knobby hand to his face and covering his mouth. “She--she was here. She was right here.”

“Right, right okay, Greyson, can you stand for me?” Galo asked, moving the hand on his back to under his elbow. Greyson nodded and Galo stood slowly, hands bracing Greyson and glad of it. His legs were shaky at best, and Greyson caught himself on Galo’s strong arms, body trembling and staggering.

“How long were you kneeling there?” Galo asked gently, waiting as Greyson winced through the pain of circulation returning to his lower body.

“I… at least half of the night--I didn’t sleep, Master.”

I can tell Galo thought with another glance at the bags under Greyson’s eyes. But oh, the thought of this poor man kneeling there for half the night, more, dawn sliding over his body as he continued to kneel in one of the worst rooms in the building…

“Okay,” Galo said, mostly to himself, “Okay, deep breaths. Greyson, do you maybe wanna go get dressed? I’ll get this all sorted out, don’t worry, but I think you might feel better if you do.”

Greyson nodded, because when did Greyson ever disagree with him, and Galo helped him down the steps. He kept an arm extended for Greyson to brace himself on all the way to the slaves’ room, and he knocked twice on the door. Nyla opened it with confused alarm, which turned into just-alarm when she caught sight of Greyson.

“Hey, weird developments in the night,” Galo said, looking at the spot just above Nyla’s head because her nightgown was very flimsy and pretty and he Was Not Looking, “Greyson’s kind of going through it. Could you all come up to the kitchen once you’re dressed?”

“Yes, Master,” Nyla said, glancing at him as she reached for Greyson, and Galo brought his arm forward to help Greyson along.

“Cool, excellent, let me know if Evan needs help with the stairs,” Galo said and rushed off. There were two wolves inside him: one that was absolutely flipping its shit about potential ghosts and one that was blushing about seeing Nyla in her nightgown and what was his life that these were the things warring for his attention? What was his life? Why was this his life?

Sasha was in the kitchen but nearly jumped out of her skin when he came in through a different door than he usually did.

“Hey, morning, weird things going on,” Galo said, bypassing his usual greeting. “Can you freeze bread dough? Or like, refrigerate it? Because uh, yeah, just, I don’t want your work to go to waste but I think today is a good day for us all to be outside.”

Galo reached up on top of the fridge and pulled down a nicely sized cooler. “And, in the spirit of being outside, like, all of today probably, would you please pack breakfast and a buncha fluids into here for me?”

Sasha took it with a nod, visibly befuddled. “Great, thanks, sorry to alarm you but some weird--I already used that adjective--just, stuff’s happening, okay? Stuff is happening that I think we would all prefer not to be happening aaaaand I’m gonna take care of it but I’m gonna take care of it outside.”

Sasha nodded again, wrapping the bread dough in saran wrap and setting it in the fridge.

Galo pulled out his phone and started googling. It turned out people could get dressed pretty quick here, though, because he’d barely saved two phone numbers to his notes app before the other four were entering the kitchen, dressed with pinched expressions. Evan was on his crutches with Lilah at his side, and Nyla had one of Greyson’s arms braced in both her hands. He was covering his mouth again.

“Great, cool, so, Greyson saw a ghost last night and I think we should all just have a nice day off outside.” Sasha’s head snapped towards Galo with wide eyes, dropping the bag of grapes into the cooler which, hey, of all the places they could be dropped. “Yeah, yup, I’m gonna talk to some people who are, uh, more professionally inclined to the supernatural than I am, but in the meantime I would like not to be in this building. Or for any of you to be in this building. So, garden party.” Lilah stiffened, “Oooooor whatever we wanna call it. Just.” Galo gestured towards the door and lifted the cooler for Sasha. “Outside.”

Lilah helped him find and set up a large umbrella to keep the sun off them, Galo carrying the heavy weighted base for her. While they were in the garage, away from the others who sat together around Greyson, Galo asked, “Has Greyson ever seen ghosts before?”

“No, Master,” Lilah answered, sticking a can of bug spray in her jean pocket.

“Good thinking,” he praised briefly, “Okay, I’m gonna drink my breakfast and make some phone calls. Do you think it’d be more reassuring for me to stick close to y’all, or should I move over and give you some privacy?”

“Privacy, sir, just for a bit. We all want to ask Greyson for details. And comfort him, if we can.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Galo said, rubbing the back of his neck with the hand not holding the metal base. “I appreciate the guidance.”

Lilah looked up at him and gave a brief smile. “Well, hypothetically we’re in cahoots, right? I’m only behaving sensibly, sir.”

“Yeah. Even so, I’m still grateful for it.”

Once the umbrella was up and Galo had snagged the thermos Sasha had prepared for him, Galo told the group that he was gonna be a couple benches over so he could make some phone calls, but please come get him if they needed him for literally anything.

He was an hour into calling people when he finally got ahold of someone willing to help. “Hello, may I speak to Father O'Reilly?” Galo asked, and when the man was on the line he took a deep breath, ready to repeat himself for the umpteenth time.

“Hello Father, my name is Galo Fotia and let me preface by saying this is not a prank call. I am legitimately asking, do you do exorcisms?”

“I… would like more details,” the priest answered, and honestly? That was the best response Galo had gotten so far.

“Someone I live with saw a ghost last night, and while I do not consider myself a man of any particular faith: I don’t mess with the supernatural. Someone who lived here recently died and it seems like a very real possibility that she’s haunting us, since she was a bitter, malicious, cruel person. It could also be a demon. It could also be a nightmare or hallucination but personally I would prefer to cover absolutely all my bases, so, do you do exorcisms? Or, I dunno, at least come take a look?”

“I believe that would be doable.”

Galo heard himself sigh, shoulders slumping. “Thank you, Father. Today?”

Galo gave him his address and number, asking him to call him when he arrived because, again, Galo didn’t fuck with ghosts. He was not going back into that house until someone with a degree in Weird Bullshit was there with him.

He was not a man of faith, but he went to religious men first. He was aware of the irony. “Yeah, well, in the immortal words of Regina Spector, no one’s laughing at god when they’re desperate,” he muttered to himself. Or however that song goes. Whatever adjective she uses, he thought. It was a whole song. Not important. Focus.

Google reviews spoke very highly of a website that was designed to all but physically scream “I’m a scam.” But every person who left a comment professed that the psychic agency in question had solved their problems, and it had a five-star user rating. So Galo cautiously navigated the page, bright colors and comic sans putting him on edge to exit out at the first sign of a popup or potential malware.

His phone call with the agent was nearly identical to his call with the priest, explaining the ghost situation. He was asked more questions: when did this start happening (last night) what was the person’s relation to the deceased (he was her slave) how recent her death was, did Galo know of any unfinished business she might have, and a brief discussion of prices. Galo might’ve been daunted by the gaudy webpage, but the agent was nothing but professional on the line.

Satisfied he’d exhausted both a religious and non-religious form of supernatural-fuckery, he returned to the group. They were sitting clustered together on a long stone bench, Nyla and Evan on either side of Greyson, Sasha holding onto Nyla’s arm and Lilah sitting on Evan’s leg, the uninjured one. Nyla held Greyson’s hand and Lilah’s palm rested on his shoulder, and his hand still covered his mouth. Poor guy.

“No, please, stay sitting,” Galo rushed when Sasha heard his approach and triggered everyone else realizing he was there. “I’m just comin’ back, no need for formalities.” He looked directly at Greyson, face involuntarily screwing up in pity. “How’re you doing, Greyson?” he asked with a low, quiet voice.

The older man shook slightly, his fingers curling against his lips before lowering his hand. “Better than you found me, Master.”

“Good,” Galo said, sinking down to sit with crossed legs. “No, no! Stay,” Galo said, raising both hands to stop the group. They all, Lilah included, looked panicked to be sitting up higher than their Master. “I’m sitting on the ground because I want to, I happen to like it down here. Please, just stay where you are.”

“...Yes Master,” Nyla answered after a tense moment, deliberately settling herself back on the stone and smoothing out her skirts. She looked different without her usual apron on. Galo couldn’t wait to see her in one of the dresses she’d ordered.

Now was not the time brain, get it together.

The others took their cue from her and sat back, Lilah shifting off of Evan to sit next to him on the stone. 

“Thank you,” Galo said supportively, smiling up at them. “Nyla, where’s the carbon monoxide detector located in the house--or, a building this size would probably need more than one actually…”

“I, sorry sir?” Nyla said, smiling but eyebrows twisted up in confusion.

“The carbon monoxide monitor?”

“I… am not certain, sir, what you mean?”

“Oh. Okay, uh, hm.” Galo nodded slowly. “Yeah, so, that’s something I’m gonna go ahead and order. You don’t need to mind me, I’m just gonna sit here and do that real quick.”

Galo pulled out his phone again and googled how many he should even get. Google suggested one for each floor, and possibly extra ones in or directly outside sleeping areas.

“I would actually kind of prefer it if you all didn’t stare directly at me while I do this,” Galo mentioned as mildly as he could, but they all snapped their gazes away in an instant anyway. He… ugh, whatever, don’t overthink it. He ordered six, just to be safe, and pocketed his phone again.

“Alright, so, I’ve got a priest coming over hopefully within the hour, and an appointment with a psychic this afternoon. I’ll just order lunch and we can eat out here, because, uh, ghosts.” Galo gestured vaguely. “I’m not taking chances with that shit.”

“Yes, Master,” Nyla said, “Is there anything you would like us to do in the meantime?”

“Mmmnng” Galo hummed, scratching at his undercut. What to do with a group of people who’d never relaxed a day in their lives? 

“Oh, uh, actually, since I have you all here!” Galo said, remembering. “I wanted to make a statement that you’ve all been very good for me so far, and I appreciate all the effort you’ve put in, but I want to do away with some of my aunt’s old rules.” Galo noticed confusion on most of their faces, but Sasha’s was the only one holding any real sense of distress so he marked that down as a win.

God he needed to find a way to make Sasha, specifically, feel more comfortable around him.

“So,” Galo lifted three fingers, eyes rolling back to the side as he tried to remember if that was right. “First, I don’t care about stuttering. I understand my aunt apparently had a thing about it, but I don’t, so if you stutter I won’t mind.” Evan’s eyes flicked, briefly, barely noticeable, to Sasha, before he resumed being as stony-faced and attentive as the rest of them. Lilah, Nyla, and Greyson didn’t react, but Galo suspected that might be because they were deliberately refraining.

“Second, it’s okay if you don’t move super gracefully around me. It’s okay if you do, too, but like, you don’t have to put an effort into it if you don’t feel like it.” Nyla, impossibly, sat up straighter at that, her lips pressed into a thin line.

“And, uh, fuck,” what was the third one? Oh yeah, “Smiling! I don’t need you to make pretend-expressions at me. If you wanna frown or anything you’re allowed.”

They collectively looked baffled. Galo, who was pretty sure he was just allergic to awkward situations, pulled out his phone again with a cheery grin.

“I have Netflix! There are a couple different movies I’ve thought looked cute that I haven’t gotten around to yet. I mean, my phone screen is kinda small but I bet we could make it work if we all just sorta get in close.”

Evan reacted positively to that, though his expression shuttered the moment Galo’s eyes flicked to him. “That sounds wonderful, Master,” Nyla said politely, but she also kinda sounded like she meant it, her smile taking that softer quality that Galo associated with genuine pleasure. Galo smiled up at her. “Cool.” He’d need to grab his portable charger while the priest was in the house, but he should have enough battery to last until then. He pulled up Song of the Sea, which had selkies, not ghosts, and sat with his back to the group, right in front of Greyson, lifting his phone with one hand. He was strong, so he could keep his hand lifted up like that for a while, and he’d just switch hands when he did get too tired.

They were about 3/4ths of the way through the movie when it auto-paused for a phone call. “Aw, shit, to be continued,” Galo said as he rose, answering the phone with a hello. He jogged around to the front of the house, not passing through it, and waved hi when he caught sight of the priest.

“Hello Father,” Galo greeted politely, extending a hand. 

“Hello, my son,” Father O'Reilly greeted in turn, eyes darting to Galo’s tanktop and then doing a double take. Galo glanced down, and oh, yeah. He was wearing his “Mothman wants what I have” shirt. The one with the art of Mothman’s GIANT ass. Probably not the most professional. C'est la vie. 

“So about the ghost,” Galo said, attempting to get back on track. “Wait. My shirt probably makes it seem like I’m not taking this seriously. I am taking this seriously. I just, didn’t realize what I was wearing, I--”

“It’s alright,” he cut in, much to Galo’s relief.

“I’m a little jumpy today,” he said with hands held half in front of him, “Sorry.”

“It’s alright. Please, show me where the spirit was seen.”

Galo led him to the den, very much hoping that Greyson had just had, like, a super bad nightmare while sleepwalking. That would be the best option. 

“He said the light was on, but when I found him this morning the lights were all off,” Galo said, settling a hand on top of a bare side table near the armchair and leaning on it. “This is where he saw her,” he said with a gesture towards the chair. 

“Mm,” Father O’Reilly hummed, examining the armchair. He examined the rest of the room lightly, not opening anything or prying. Which. Good. Because the dumpster still wasn’t here and Galo really didn’t wanna explain the cabinet full of weapons and chains to a Catholic priest. The man just said a few chants, what Galo assumed were Hail Mary’s. He finished with the lord’s prayer which Galo did know, due to his own churchly upbringing, and Galo muttered along under his breath. Well over a decade later and Galo still knew it word for word (but then, he could also probably sing Veggie Tales verbatim so who knows if that was indicative of anything). 

“The Lord has blessed this home and those within it,” the priest assured as he headed out, “Rest easy now, my son.”

Galo did not believe that at all but he thanked the priest gratefully regardless. He grabbed his portable charger and his laptop, then headed back out to the slaves.

“Good news, the priest has come and blessed the house. I’ll meet with the psychic this afternoon and then we should be able to head back inside.”

Galo ordered pizza, plugged his phone into the portable charger, and then pulled up the rest of Song of the Sea on his laptop. Nyla, interestingly enough, settled herself on the ground next to Galo when he sat down again, and he was gonna protest but…

Well, if it was just her.

This was an interesting exercise in proximity, too. Galo tended to see them fleetingly, just here or there unless something was going on, and rarely all of them together at once. They were stiff around him, but he was kinda stiff around them too, for all he tried to project only friendly, relaxed ease. They were… still figuring out how to exist around one another.

The dumpster arrived mid-afternoon (yay! A project Galo could work on some other time) and they’d started another movie by the time the psychic arrived, and Galo took his laptop inside with him to plug it in while things happened. He was a little more okay cutting through the house with the priest having been there, which meant his first look at the psychic was when he opened the door.

Before him stood a relatively short, middle-aged Japanese man with a polite smile who was absolutely SHREDDED. Just completely fucking JACKED. Galo’s face immediately lit up in unadulterated delight.

“Hi!” he greeted, extending a hand. 

“Hello,” the exorcist greeted with a mild accent. “Are you Galo Fotia?”

“Yes, that’s me! Mr. Kageyama? Or, uh, Kageyama-san?”

“Oh, either’s fine,” the man said with a wave of his hand, smiling pleasantly. “I apologize for coming alone, my coworker had something come up so it is just me today.”

“Yeah, that’s cool. You can uh, you can get rid of ghosts without your partner though, yeah?”

“I am the primary agent who handles spirits, yes,” he reassured.

“Thank you, great, so, uh, this way?” Galo led him to the den and pointed at the armchair, but Mr. Kageyama shook his head.

“There is an evil spirit in this house, but it is not here,” he stated plainly, and Galo’s face froze in a wide eyed smile. 

“Ah. Yeah?”

“Mm,” Mr. Kageyama said with a nod of his head. Fortunately, he looked utterly unperturbed, because if the professional looked bothered Galo was going to Lose His Whole Shit. “May I lead the way?”

“Uh, yeah, yes, please,” Galo said with a weak gesture, edging closer to the older man. No way in HELL was he going to be alone in this house for even a moment.

It occurred to him, distantly, that between the shady website and Galo’s own nerves, this man might possibly just be winding Galo up to scam him. But Galo had the money! Scamming was a non-issue. And if there was an issue, Galo was all too happy to pay this nice, buff man to make it go away. Please dear god.

Mr. Kageyama walked out of the den, over into the dining room, but paused, staring up at the ceiling. “No, upstairs,” he mumbled, turning back around and leading Galo up the steps, down the hall, directly to Auntie Bethany’s bedroom. Galo’s steps slowed as he realized where Mr. Kageyama was heading, and he felt his breathing going tight as he came to a halt completely, a couple feet away.

“Well,” Galo said with a strained chuckle, making Mr. Kageyama pause and turn. “I know you’re the real deal,” Galo told the man standing in front of Auntie Bethany’s “tool closet.”

Mr. Kageyama nodded and turned back to the closet, settling his hand on the door handle. “This is not a ghost,” he stated plainly, “but it is an evil spirit. They can sometimes form in places of concentrated hatred, pain, and anger. It does not have any memories since it was never alive, but it does have a ‘mind’ that might interact with the living.” 

Mr. Kageyama stared at the door a moment, then removed his hand from the handle. “It is strong. It would’ve taken years to gain this sort of strength.”

“Yeah,” Galo breathed. “My uh, my aunt--look, the stuff that’s in there, please know that I would never…”

Mr. Kageyama glanced at him, nodded once, and placed his hand against the plywood. “I don’t need to open it. I can do my work from here, and I feel I probably do not want to know.”

Galo blinked as the light in the room warped, physically waving around Mr. Kageyama in a purplish blue, then just as suddenly went back to the cheerful, neutral light of the daylight coming in through the windows.

“...ah.” Galo said. Ghosts were real. Evil spirits were real. Psychics? Also real apparently! This was a lot to take in during one day.

“So, that thing, the evil spirit,” Galo said, fiddling with the neckline of his top, then rubbing his undercut, “that’s what looked like my aunt last night?”

“Probably not. Although it was powerful, usually only ghosts can look like human beings. It could have induced a nightmare in a susceptible mind, though.” Mr. Kageyama approached Galo and asked, “May I speak with the man who saw the ‘ghost?’”

“Yeah, sounds good.” Galo took the lead this time, and debated on if it would be impolite to ask about leisure activities during a work assignment. Eh, fuck it, Galo was friendly. “So, what gym do you go to?” Galo asked. Mr. Kageyama brightened, and the two talked companionably the entire way out to the garden. Mr. Kageyama seemed to favor afternoons for his exercise, while Galo was definitely a morning man, and they compared notes on their weekly rotations. Apparently Mr. Kageyama had a group of people back in Japan who he videochatted with he’d befriended back in middle school, where they all kept tabs on each other and stuck to a group routine, even though many of them didn’t live in the same city or even country as the others, anymore.

Galo longed for friends like that.

“Hey, guys,” Galo greeted as they rounded a hedge. Nyla was on her feet in a flash, and Galo hastened to assure the others they could stay sitting, yes, even with Mr. Kageyama here. “He just wants to ask Greyson a couple of questions, okay?” Galo said, and Greyson’s adam apple bobbed visibly. He stood and walked to Galo and Mr. Kageyama, and Galo pressed a hopefully reassuring hand to his back as he passed. “We’ll just be over here,” Galo said to both Greyson and Mr. Kageyama.

“Yes sir,” Greyson said as Mr. Kageyama nodded, and Galo went to Nyla as they left.

“Everyone over here holding up okay?” Galo asked, reaching up and letting her kiss his hand before he caressed the side of her head, stroking a thumb over her hair.

“Yes, Master,” she answered, and if his eyes did not deceive him she actually smiled a little as she leaned into his touch, eyes slipping slowly closed like a cat before she blinked them back open and stood straight.

“Easy,” he breathed, not wanting to scare her off but feeling like that was so precious. “So, I can repeat myself when Greyson gets back if Mr. Kageyama didn’t catch him up to speed, but Mr. Kageyama found an evil spirit in my aunt’s old bedroom. Not a ghost, apparently, but like, a conglomeration of evil energies? I’m pretty sure. He got rid of it though.”

Galo explained how Mr. Kageyama had walked straight there, and Evan confirmed that the dining room was in fact directly underneath Auntie Bethany’s bedroom, and everyone knew that the ‘tool closet’ was as good a place as any for terrible things to fester.

“So… magic is real, sir?” Lilah said, sounding dumbfounded and struggling with the information as much as Galo felt.

“Honestly, I’m just gonna ignore that and ideally never bring it up again,” Galo stated. Sasha nodded, Nyla and Evan staring into the middle distance, Nyla with a fist lifted to her lips.

“...Yes Master.”

When Greyson and Mr. Kageyama returned, Gresyon’s hand was tight-knuckled on the lapel of his jacket, eyes down, but his posture immaculate. “Mr. Fotia?” the psychic asked.

Galo rejoined Mr. Kageyama and walked out of earshot, Galo drumming his fingers on his thighs. “So,” he prompted, scanning Mr. Kageyama’s face.

“I do not believe the evil spirit was what caused last night’s vision,” Mr. Kageyama stated mildly. “It is not impossible, or even uncommon, for extreme stress to manifest as audiovisual hallucinations. I would strongly urge you to seek the counsel of a psychiatrist.”

“Yeah,” Galo said with a heavy sigh, “yeah, trust me, I know. They’ve all got appointments with therapists this upcoming week.”

Mr. Kageyama hummed and nodded approvingly. It made Galo feel… nice. It was pleasant, knowing that at least someone approved of his decisions.

“There are no more evil spirits in the house or nearby; did you have anything else I could help with?”

“...If I may get oddly personal, how do you get your glutes to look like that?”

“Oh, I was simply born with very little fat on my hindquarters.”

“God, I’m so jealous,” Galo said, laughing. “I feel like one of those old ladies that jokes about everything she eats going straight to her ass and thighs.”

Mr. Kageyama laughed politely, bringing up the exercises he favored that really worked out those muscles, and Galo compared his own routine. They both seemed to welcome the positive change in topic, and kept it up all the way back to Mr. Kageyama’s car, where Galo thanked him again, paid him for his time and service, and waved goodbye.

He sighed, and looked to the house, rubbing at his undercut. It was safe to go back inside. No ghosts. Just demons of a metaphorical kind.

--

Master Galo had been generous. More than generous.

Greyson was aware that he was, in a large way, very ignorant, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew how it looked, to find him kneeling in front of an empty chair, talking about lights when the lamp was gone. He knew that the questions the psychic had were only asked to gauge his mental state, whether he was a raving lunatic or not, no matter how politely the man had framed the words. He knew that it was foolish, for a man in his 40’s to be frightened by ghosts.

But Master Galo had taken his concerns seriously. His large hands had been gentle on Greyson’s aching, tired body, bearing his weight when his own hollow legs couldn’t. He’d touched him softly, brought them all outside and forbade them from work, removed long-standing rules when by all rights he should be punishing Greyson for the inconvenience, hired not one but two different professionals to handle Greyson’s childish fears.

He knew he did not deserve this.

But Master Galo demonstrably cared very little for what Greyson deserved. He gave very openly, very freely, very frequently. 

He had ordered them to please try and take the evening off, and allowed Nyla to beg to water the plants, and hadn’t been even remotely irritated by the contradiction. Lilah disappeared while Sasha and Greyson helped Evan back down to the basement, and Greyson was almost inclined to worry on her whereabouts, but only almost.

Master was inexplicably kind, and Lilah had tried strange boldness with him before. If Master Galo caught her out and about with no reason for her wandering, the worst he would do would be direct her back down to the basement. Greyson was surprised by his own certainty, that she was fine.

But Master Galo had always been kind, even from his youth, and Greyson had known him, in whatever small way, the longest out of everyone here. Should he truly be so surprised by his Master’s kindness?

Shortly after Nyla and Lilah had both returned to their room, Greyson gave voice to the rattling thought that had taken up new residence inside his empty skull.

“Greyson,” Sasha tried to dissuade, because apparently the only times Greyson felt want were when his wants were absurd.

“No, he can go,” Nyla said, her brow furrowed a little, Lilah and Evan glancing between the three of them.

Greyson nodded to Nyla, his shoulders curving in a shallow bow, and left their room. He heard Sasha’s frustrated noise, and then, surprisingly, the door.

“Sasha?” he asked, surprised, and she firmly wrapped her arms around his, her strong fingers digging into the nonexistent flesh of his arm.

“So you d-don’t see any more ghosts a-alone in the house,” Sasha said firmly, her mouth pulled in a determined line.

Greyson opened his mouth to protest--he didn’t need walked up the stairs and down a hall--but found he simply did not have the energy to argue, and he didn’t really want to in the first place. He was surprised he had even the single want he currently possessed, and even his surprise was a shallow, hollow thing. Like a car wreck glanced at on the morning news.

“Thank you, Sasha,” he said, lifting his free hand to pat at hers, and he left it there. Palm to knuckles, skin to skin.

He was so tired.

But regardless, he wanted to do this, despite his fatigue, so he climbed the stairs again and sought out his Master. He was sitting with a damp cloth over his eyes, arms spread over the back of the couch, legs spread carelessly, head tipped back and his ridiculous shirt on display.

Greyson really shouldn’t have an opinion about his Master’s wardrobe, and yet, that one thought continued to flit about in the back of his mind, like a tone deaf background character in a serious scene.

Greyson, silent as the air, pressed his lips to Sasha’s cheek in thanks for taking him here, then waited until she was gone to knock on the doorframe.

“Master Galo.”

“Greyson?” Master Galo asked, sounding alarmed, sitting up in an instant and pulling the washcloth from his eyes. “Hey, dude,” he said, beckoning him in, and Greyson went, straight-spined and graceful despite his Master’s earlier retraction of the rule. “Are you okay?”

“I am, Master, thank you,” Greyson, and it was more or less the truth, he figured.

“What are you doing here, instead of with the others?” he asked as Greyson knelt and kissed his hand. It was so big, he noticed, like he’d noticed every time he kissed it. At first it had alarmed him. Now he didn’t feel anything at the observation.

“I wanted to thank you, sir,” Greyson said. My body is present and available for your service and pleasure, please use me as you see fit. The words were familiar and worn, though he was perhaps the only member of his family who had ever meant them, when he said them. He would’ve meant them now, too, if he thought he was allowed to say them.

“You don’t need to,” Master Galo said, sounding tired of Greyson’s fawning, and Greyson at first resisted the urge to grip his own wrist to soothe himself. “You didn’t sleep at all last night, aren’t you tired? Go to bed, Greyson.”

“Please, I wanted--” his words cut out. He… was not the most eloquent speaker. He did grip his wrist, then, and swallowed hard. This was defiance. He’d been given an order. He pressed himself to speak anyway. “To… seek comfort, Master.”

He hadn’t told Nyla and the others about that part. They weren’t… they hadn’t had the same relationship with Mistress, as he had. They never saw the part of her that Greyson missed the worst.

“Yeah?” Galo asked, no more than a whisper. “What--what can I do for you, Greyson?”

Greyson’s shoulders slumped in relief that his defiance had not pushed his Master to anger. “Please, Master, may I rest my head against your leg?”

“Ah, sure?” Master Galo leaned back against the couch, shifting as he did. “Like, just, sit there?”

“Unless you would prefer I do something, Master?”

“No. No, definitely not. Uh,” Master Galo gestured at the thigh closest to Greyson, which was probably about as large as Greyson’s waist if he was honest. “Go ahead?”

When Greyson was a teen, he’d pillowed his arms across Mistress’s knees and rested his head there as well, her fingers petting at his hair and shoulders. As he’d aged, his arms had left the equation, simply kneeling at her side with his head against her skirt.

Now, with his Master, he let his posture relax further, sitting on his rear instead of his ankles, his wrist grasped in his lap, his glasses held loosely in that hand. Master’s thigh was warm against the side of his face, his eyes closed and knees pressed to the front of the couch. Master’s hand gently caressed his skull, passing over his hair just behind his ear.

Greyson sighed, some pale shade of contentment passing through him, his body slowly, very slowly, unwinding. It happened in increments, first his legs, then his shoulders, then his jaw, then his brow, all of him melting under the steady, slow pass of his Master’s hand over his head.

God, he was so tired.

He woke in bed, with the others, in the basement, with no recollection of how he’d gotten there.

Next

[cdyssey]

“Lyra’s Jordan” Reaction:

Hello!! I just recently got into the His Dark Materials series, and now that I’m almost done with the The Subtle Knife, I wanted to start the first season of the show! It caught my eye on Tumblr and made me want to start the books in turn. I’ve heard such good things about the series, and I’m keen to see what it does with this gorgeous world of Pullman’s.

DJDJS, nooooo, not the expositional text scrawl. I get it. You have to introduce people to this world, but still.

OH, it’s Asriel, Stelmaria, and Lyra!!!!!

Aughshsh, baby Lyra smiling at the Master. 😭

Lmao, the canon of Asriel literally just dropping his baby off at a college is objectively the funniest thing in the world. The Master is just like, Wtf? What is wrong with you, man? (To which the right answer, ofc, is a lot of things.)

OH, Dafne Keen is already everything I’ve ever wanted in a Lyra adaptation. Playful, witty, adventurous, (currently) carefree. The type of girl who has no qualms playing with a skeleton’s bones.

And I’m also really glad we get to see these shots of Lyra and Roger playing together. It feels like such a real childhood friendship.

Ooooooh, the show’s letting us see what Asriel’s up to even when Lyra’s not around, which I think is a great move. In the book, Asriel really only showed up at the beginning and end, so having some extra content to help flesh out his character is nice.

Whoa! The title credits and score are so pretty. They remind me of the ones from The Crown.

The Librarian’s fond smile at Lyra when she says please is wonderful. And then she yeets out JSJSJSJSJS. Perfect Lyra.

“The retiring room is expressly forbidden!” / “Not for family reunions.” SJSJSJ.

The Master’s hand shaking as he pours the poison into the Tokay. 🥺

They did such a good job capturing Stelmaria’s air of elegance and regality. I love her VA!!!

God @ Asriel pinning Lyra down. You suck. When I was reading the book, I didn’t know what to think of him until this precise moment, which shaded all my impressions of him from there on out.

(Holistically, tho, I actually do love both his and Mrs. Coulter’s characters. They’re both stunningly vile, but Pullman invests them with such interesting nuances that they’re genuinely two of the most electric characters in a series full of electric characters.)

God @ Lyra rubbing her shoulder after Asriel lets her go. Worst. Father. Of. The. Year.

“I’m sure he had a good reason. To be honest with you, if I were him, I would be afraid of me.” / Huh, I don’t remember if these lines were in the book, but the self-awareness here is really interesting. Asriel knows that he’s playing with dangerous fires, and he’s still doing it anyway.

That sweater on Asriel? And that little gray curl in his hair? Hot damn.

A subtle worldbuilding detail that the show was spot on to pay attention to is how all of the Scholars are essentially old men.

Between Asriel and Dr. Malone, Pullman really understands how much of academia runs on asking for grants hahahaha.

OH, MY GOD. IS THAT MA COSTA.

SHE’S SO WARM AND LOVELY AND OH MY GOD. BILLY. HE’S SO SMALL. JESUS.

And the inclusion of this little coming of age ceremony is beautiful. 😭 The Gyptians are so wonderfully communal.

BILLY 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭.

Aufh, Asriel carrying a sleeping Lyra to bed. That’s so soft.

Ur still a shitty father, tho.

But you’re a nuanced man, and I appreciate that.

Lyra waking up and smiling gently in realization. Asriel untying her shoes. Oh, my g o d.

“Can I see the man’s head?” / “No, why would I let you do that?” KWEODIDJ.

This Master and Librarian conversation has me tender. They both care for Lyra so much.

Lyra desperately pleading for Asriel to take her with him. 😭😭 And Asriel’s response: “I am sorry, but I just don’t have time for you right now.”

GOD.

“Did it look like this?” / “What?” / “The airship that my parents died in.” / “No. No, it was smaller.” Jesus.

Something that got me from the books, and that gets me here, too, is that the adults in Lyra’s life had had a similar refrain. “A college is no place for a child.” “The North is no place for a child.” And because these are the only paradigms that Lyra knows, whether through experience or imagination, the most consistent lesson that she’s ever been taught is that there is no place where she belongs.

JOHN FAA!! I love him.

And man, I’m really appreciating the way the show is paying close attention to the Gyptians, who are marginalized in their world. The way that they’re organizing to look for Billy just has me feeling some type of way.

OH? Lord Boreal!!??

“That includes her.” IT’S TIME.

I’m not going to lie. The Tumblr gif that got me interested in the series was a set of Ruth Wilson acting her ass off, so I’m ready to be hurt by her in so many more ways than one.

LMAO, this evil theme at her power walk entrance. Perfect.

The golden monkey!! He looks so deceptively cute here.

It is insane how much Dafne and Ruth weirdly favor each other. If you told me that they were really related, I’d actually believe you.

Thinks about how this is the first time Mrs. Coulter has seen her daughter in, like 12 years.

Also, ooooh, the Master in the background is intently monitoring the conversation because he knows how significant it is, and ofc, he’s absolutely wary of Mrs. C.

She’s so soft-spoken here. 😭

AUGH, and her reaching up to briefly stroke Lyra’s cheek.

“You feel utterly alone. And you feel utterly... magnificent.”

Lyra’s wide-eyed adoration of Mrs. C breaks my heart. It only makes the revelation of her true nature all the more awful. Though she doesn’t know it at this point, Lyra looks up to both of her parents, and both of them so completely fail her.

Wow, in the show, is the implication is that Mrs. Coulter gets Roger kidnapped because Lyra talked about him to her??????? Brutal.

OH, GOD. RUTH WILSON’S FACE AT LYRA UNRESTRAINEDLY HUGGING HER FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE SURPRISE, the CONFUSION, the TENDERNESS.

Roger. 😭

Ma Costa sobbing and Tony hugging her oh my g o d. I’m upset. It is no coincidence that this scene almost comes directly on the heels of the Mrs. Coulter/Lyra hug. The juxtaposition is bonechilling. Mrs. Coulter is partaking in the joys of motherhood for the first time, and Ma Costa is contending with the grief of missing a child directly because of everything that Mrs. Coulter is doing.

“Lord Asriel himself brought it to the college when you were just a baby.” Cue the Master and Librarian smiling fondly at their little Lyra, remembering. 🥺

Lyra frantically shrieking for Roger stings. The show did an excellent job of capturing their friendship—honestly, better than the books I would argue.

“BECAUSE YOU’VE BEEN A GOOD AND STRONG MOTHER TO HIM, MAGGIE.” I’m crying a little at this line because my name is Maggie, and so now I love Ma Costa even more if that’s at all possible.

John Faa’s casting is pitch perfect. He’s authoritative and stern but so caring and compassionate at the same time.

In an alternate universe, Mrs. Coulter and Lyra track down the Gobblers would be such a badass plot line.

“We’ll have plenty of time to discuss whenever you wish.” Wow, this line echoes Asriel’s from earlier: “I am sorry, but I just don’t have time for you right now.” But the irony is that they’re both saying nearly the same thing. Mrs. Coulter may say this, but she absolutely doesn’t mean it.

OH, the complexities here!! The monkey noticing that Lyra shoves the alethiometer deeper into her pocket, Pan noticing the monkey growling, and then Mrs. Coulter looking up. Such quick but charged moments.

What a magnificent first episode. I’m already hooked.

[dr-spencer-reids-queen]

Oblivious

Characters: Spencer Reid x Reader, Penelope Garcia, Derek Morgan

Word Count: 1,464

Warnings: just fluff, drunk!reader, caring!spencer

Request by anon: Cinco de Mayo challenge request is Reid and Reader have margaritas after work.

Summary: You and Spencer go get drinks after work on Cinco De Mayo.

Squares Filled: fireman carry for @fluffbingo // opposites attract for @cmbingo

Author’s Note: Pretend that Cinco De Mayo fell on a Friday this year instead of a Tuesday. If you have any requests, please send them in! this is unbeta’d and every mistake is all on me.

Feedback the glue that holds my writing together

Tags at the bottom

“So, who’s ready to party?” you ask as soon as you step foot into the office.

It’s been a long and grueling case, so the best thing for you and your mental health is to head to the bar and have a few drinks to unwind. The rest of the team groans in response, but you just chuckle and head straight to your desk.

“Sorry, guys, but Will and the boys need me. The kids have been sick all week, so I’m going to see if I can’t take over for the weekend,” JJ explains as she heads to her office.

“Send my love!” you call out.

“All I can think about is my bed, sweet cheeks,” Penelope apologizes.

The rest of the group rejects going out with you to a bar, and your spirit died down just a little. You don’t want to go alone, but you do need this outlet right now. The only person who hasn’t said anything is Spencer, and you look at him to see him staring at you. You quickly look away with a shake of your head.

“That’s fine. I’ll just go home then,” you chuckle, but it’s hollow.

“I’ll join you,” Spencer blurts out, and a few heads turn his way.

“You will?” you ask, your eyes lighting up just a bit.

“Yeah, it will be fun. Just let me get my stuff.”

“You’re whipped,” Derek whispers as he passes by the young doctor.

“Shut up,” Spencer mumbles back.

Everyone knows how big of a crush Spencer has on you. When he first started out in the BAU, he was so naive and oblivious. Everything went over his head, when girls made passes at him, he wouldn’t think anything of it until someone explicitly told him that they were flirting with him. Even then, he’d still deny it as something that isn’t true.

You’re like that but much worse.

You can’t tell the difference between someone flirting with you and someone being nice to you. There were boys in the past that have come up and flirt with you, but you never pursued them because you thought they were just being nice and friendly. Because of this, you haven’t really had many boyfriends. The only boyfriend you had was because your best friend practically threw you onto him and told you he was into you.

Spencer isn’t good with the emotions and the words as much as Derek or Penelope is, so he doesn’t know how to tell you how much he loves you. The whole team has a bet going to see when you two are going to get together as well as another bet as to how it’s going to happen. Will you finally confess your hidden feelings for him, or is Spencer going to man up and do it himself?

“Spencer, happy hour is almost over. It’s Cinco De Mayo, we have to get the good drinks!” you say to him once you sling your purse over your shoulder.

“Alright, I’m coming,” he chuckles and approaches you just as he throws the strap to his satchel over his neck and shoulder.

“See you guys on Monday!” you exclaim to everyone before leaving with Spencer.

Luckily, the bar you want to go to is a couple of blocks across the street from yours and Spencer’s apartment complex. You two met when you practically fell down the stairs in your apartment complex trying to move in. He caught you, and you invited him over for lunch to thank him. When you showed up at work the following Monday and say him, it was like it was meant to be.

The bar is alive with chatter and buzz from the excited patrons from having drinks after work. TVs are playing baseball, hockey, and basketball games that people are just living for. There shouldn’t be any bar space since it’s a Friday night, but you manage to snag two of them by the bar counter.

“Two margaritas please,” you state to the bartender who came over to tend to the new customers.

“And one beer please,” Spencer says before he can walk away.

“Not a fan of margaritas?” you chuckle.

“Not a fan of tequila in general,” Spencer smiles.

“It’s happy hour! And because it’s a holiday, it’s 50 cent drinks! Hell yeah!” you laugh.

The bartender comes back with your drinks, and you don’t waste time downing the margarita even though it’s freezing your throat.

“So this is going to be a long night, right?”

“Good thing we walked because I plan to get fucked up tonight! What are you doing this weekend?”

“I plan to go to the local bookstore and get new books. I have a deal with the owner that if I bring my old books, they’ll exchange it for ones I want. I’m thinking of getting twenty-five new books to read.”

“Fuck, Reid, your brain is amazing. To read that fast is a gift. You’re amazing,” you laugh.

“You’re drunk,” he dismisses.

“Spencer, it takes a lot to get me drunk. Trust me, you don’t want to see that,” you snort and finish your margarita.

The bartender keeps your tab open, putting all of your drinks on it along with Spencer’s. It’s best if they don’t bother you until the end of the night. By the time Spencer gets through his second beer, you’re already on your fifth margarita. He should stop you, but he knows you’ll be safe with him. He wants to stay sober so he can make sure you’re not going to fall when you walk or flash anybody on your way to the bathroom.

“Oh, Spencer I love this song! Dance with me!” you grin and get up from your spot at the bar.

“Go without me. I’ll watch,” he says politely.

You’re only going without him because you really want to dance. Alcohol makes you dance. The more you drink, the crazier you get with your dancing. Spencer watches as you move your body with the other customers, and he smiles at how much fun you’re having. You’ve always been a free-spirited person, and this proves it. Everyone else disappears, and you’re the only one in the crowd.

A few songs pass before you need to take a break, and you head back over to Spencer who saved your seat the entire time.

“You should have danced with me,” you laugh. “I would not have resisted that body.”

“Okay now you’re drunk,” he laughs. “Do you think you’ll be okay if I go to the bathroom? Can you handle being by yourself?”

“Yes, Doctor, I’m not a child,” you pout.

“Behave.”

“Is that an order?” you smirk.

“Yes.”

“Kinky,” you tease as he gets up and walks away.

Spencer wants to pee as fast as he can so he can get back to you. While he knows you’re perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, you’re not the most careful person when you’re drunk. He finishes up in the bathroom as quickly as he can before booking it out of there and heading back to the bar.

He hears you before he sees you, and he knows you’re doing something crazy. When he rounds the corner, you’re on top of the bar dancing your ass off. Your shirt is unbuttoned so that you’re only showing your bra-covered chest. The men around you whistle and holler, and that makes Spencer’s blood boil. It’s time to go now.

“Spencer! Hi!” you giggle.

“Okay we’re done here,” he says and takes out a wad of cash. He hands it to the bartender and motions to you. “Keep the change. I’m so sorry.”

“Yeah,” he nods and pockets the money.

“Come on, we’re leaving,” Spencer says to you.

“I want to stay!” you shout.

“No, we’re leaving now. Get down or I’m going to make you.”

“Oh, you’re going to make me? I’d like to see you--whoa! Spencer!” you laugh.

He grabs your legs and throws you over his shoulder fireman style. The men boo him for taking away their entertainment, but he doesn’t care about them. Spencer’s ass is right in front of your face, and you lean forward to nip it a bit.

“Y/N, what the hell are you doing?”

“What? You have a delicious ass,” you laugh.

Your apartment is not that far, so he’s not worried about getting tired or anything. You’re definitely not going to remember this, but it’s seared into Spencer’s brain for all of eternity. He doesn’t know what this means for you two, but he has to man up and tell you how he feels. He wants to be there for you, and he can’t do that if he doesn’t let you into his life the way you let him into yours.

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[joshslater]

Grindr Gold

This is a rewrite of Rozza’s rewrite of Tinder Gold. Similar stories and bonus material on my Patreon.

“Fuck, why don’t you guys respond!”, Tom moaned as he fell back into his bed. Another guy had just gone and ghosted him, the sixth one this week. Tom was pissed and confused as to why he was failing with so many guys. It was true that he didn’t have the looks. Average height, average hair, average face. A face dotted with acne, on top of his unremarkable body, pudgy from years of studying. He was smart, provably so, but also funny and kind. He hoped that would shine through in his bio. Tom went back to his phone and looked over it, and his pics. Maybe there was something he could tweak to make him more attractive. Or it could be a waste of time. All the guys wanted was cheap sex with the man of their dreams, and that was it.

Tom was about to let go of the phone when he saw a new banner at the bottom of the screen, advertising Grindr Gold. “Stop looking for the perfect match - become one!” It totally looked like a scam to Tom, but he had been so unlucky recently that he would consider anything. He tapped the banner, bringing up the purchase screen. It wasn’t very clear to him exactly what they provided for the hefty $250 a month. “Personalized profile to maximize your chance to strike gold.” Whatever. The first month was $10, and he could cancel at any point, according to the page. He could buy it, maybe get a few dates, and then keep the profile as is after cancelling.

He tapped his screen again to pay, ignored a mile of terms and conditions, and finalized his payment. He looked impatiently at the screen as nothing happened. Everything was the same. A scam after all. A few seconds later there was a knock on the door, giving Tom a jump scare. He got up to go and see who it was, still pissed about his lost $10. He opened the door and almost dropped his jaw on the floor. Outside the door was the most handsome twink he had ever seen, online as well as in the flesh. A shorter, younger boy with bronzed skin, blond hair in a quiff, sparkling green eyes, and just as sparkling, white smile. He was wearing gold shorts, trendy shoes, and nothing else, showing off the rest of his body. It was fit, without being muscular or overly cut, showing hints of definition and abs. His skin was beautifully, evenly tanned and smooth, and like the rest of him looked perfected with many products. His face had been cleansed of any impurities and facial hair, while his golden gelled up quiff was flanked by freshly buzzed sides. Tom’s brained blanked, partly because of the unexpected surprise visitor, partly because of this visitor in particular, and partly because the blood rushed into his quickly stiffening dick.

“Tom, I assume?” the twink queried.

Tom was speechless, struggling with where to look. When he looked at the face his eyes were drawn into the green eyes, and it felt rude and awkward to gaze into an unknown mans eyes like that. Anywhere else on the body was worse. Look at the nipples? The golden bulge?

“I am Grindr Gold, professional dater and dating expert, and I am here to assist you. May I come in?” Tom was struggling to comprehend that Grindr Gold wasn’t a software update, or a service feature, or even a scam, but a real, life something seemingly teleported to outside his door.

“Yeah... Yes! Yes, of course. Step right in.” Tom moved out of the way and waved towards the interior of the messy apartment. “Are you some kind of dating coach? Will you get me laid?”

“Of course! I am Grindr Gold, and I never disappoint.” Gold was slowly turning, taking in the sight of Tom’s small student apartment.

“Wait, your name is Grindr? No, nevermind. What’s first?”

“Take off your shirt and have a seat”, he motioned towards Tom’s study armchair. “We know exactly what everyone is looking for, what types get hookups, what the supply and demand is. I’m here to improve supply where it is needed the most. Firstly, no one wants another post-college graduate. There are plenty of them around. They want a freshly minted fuckboi."

What did he just say now? Did he just say fuckboi? No way Tom was going to be like one of those dumbasses, who just existed to get laid. But before he could object, Gold began waving his hands. Tom became dizzy and distorted as energy waves from Gold’s hands flew into him. His skin vibrated, turning back years. His fat mostly melted away, leaving a little around his stomach. The hair on his chest receded back into his skin, softening out his pecs. The hair on his legs thinned out as well, but remained spread out for his age. The lines and bags on his face, caused by all the stress of college, faded. His looks had gone from mid-twenties PhD student to a youthful 18 year old.  

"What the fuck! This isn’t what I wanted! I look like a dumb teenager!”, Tom shouted in a decidedly younger voice, as he saw his reflection on his phone screen.

“Relax, this is just the first step to getting you laid. Your profile said you are just looking for a hookup, right?”

“Yeah, but not like...”

“I’m gonna do the best I can, making you the most sought after fuck for miles. Let me change your mind on this. If things don’t work out, we can always go for a different look. Now we gonna get you yeeted up…”

Without waiting for a response Gold started massaging Tom’s arms, infusing them with the same energy. Tom laid back as all he could do was relax in Gold’s hands. Gold moved his hands carefully across the entire surface of Tom’s skin, everywhere his hands went hair disappeared. After finishing with his arms, he moved to his chest and then finishing with his legs, removing any stray patches of hair.  Once he was done, the only hair left was around his dick and his pits. Gold focused harder now, causing his hands to vibrate and made a second pass. This time as they swept across Tom’s body they instilled a golden tan with a touch of Italian olive as he rewrote his genetics. His hands swept through the mess of Tom’s hair, changing it into a light, crisp brown. Then he continued down, focusing on Tom’s face, cleansing it of impurities and perfecting his features. Tom’s nose and mouth shrunk, though his lips grew, and eyes turned brown. Gold poked Tom’s nipples causing them to darken and grow slightly. Golds hands then pushed the energy down Tom, doing unseen magic down his pants.

“Now, anyone can be young and pretty, but there are really only two sorts of people looking for a date around here. Alpha males, and those who wish they were. And there is one thing that get both of them going, that invites them to dominate.” Gold stepped back and framed his hands sideways as if to take an invisible picture. Then he quickly slammed his hands together. To Tom, it felt like crashing into a pool of water. All of a sudden he was being compressed. His height fell from 5′10 foot down to a more modest 5'6. His limbs crushed in on themselves to meet his new height. Feet and hands adjusting down as well. His size 10 feet shrank to a boyish 7.5. His loss of height and body hair made him look not just young, but cute. The kind of look that if he got angry people would find it adorable. How on earth was any of this going to get him laid? Gold smiled, sensing his skepticism.

“Patience fam, the best is on the way! I promised I would change your mind.” Gold took one hand and placed it on Tom’s temple and with the other grabbed his small package.

“Wait what are you…. ohhh…” Tom moaned as his muscles slacked and resistance faded. He could feel a strange hum in his mind and a stirring in his dick. The sensation scared him but it was also too pleasurable to fight. Tom’s hair began to change, his sides faded down so you could see his skin, while the hair on the top also shortened, before collecting into a cute ruffle. Tom’s pecs remained small but the remaining fat converted into muscle giving him a toned look. His arms swelled with strength and pudgy stomach shrank into a faint but hard six-pack. At the same time, his small dick began to grow, gaining inches. His facial features became more pointed, eyes darkening with hunger and lust in them, and his mouth curled into a pout smile, with his lips puffing up into a pseudo duck shape unless consciously pulled back.

Old Tom would be embarrassed at him now, but Tommy was swimming in horniness, as he began to lust for boys and sex. Any knowledge he had gained, and dreams of careers faded and were replaced with a desire for screwing every boy in town. Gold’s smile transformed into a grin.

“One last thing to make you a proper fuckboi!” Gold said as his energies forced themselves into Tommy one last time. Two shiny studs pierced his ears, glistening in the sunlight. A golden bracelet appeared on his left wrist. Tommy looked down, feeling his dick still growing and tingling, and saw Calvin Klein underwear peeking out from a pair of baller shorts, with slowly filling bulge.

“Ahhhhhhhh fuck boooooooooi!” Tommy screamed in his soft, boyish voice as he came, filling his underwear with boy cream. Posters of video games vanished, replaced by posters of boys bands, athletes and cars. His new idols and interests. His computer shrank and changed into a worn-out basketball and books evaporated, replaced with sports gear, outdoor equipment and Men’s Fitness magazines.

Having done the final touches on wardrobe, accessories and interior decoration, Gold turned to Tommy. “I have a new Grindr bio ready to go for you. Just need a new photo to update your profile with. You should take it with your shirt off. Do it somewhere public, like an elevator or shopping mall, so you look easy and cheap. It’s fucks you want after all, not a boyfriend.”

[leverage-ot3]

notable moments from The Stork Job

leverage 1.06

Joe: Where is he? What have you done with him?

Dana: Why haven't you returned our calls?

Joe: Did you think we'd just go away?

Dana: We’ve given you the money. What else do you want? (approaches Irena) What have you done with Luca?!

(thug grabs Dana and pushes her aside)

Joe: Dana!

(Joe goes to help Dana and is stopped by the thug. Joe punches the thug, who then beats him into the ground as Irena and Nicolas walk away. Thug leaves, and Dana crawls to his side)

yo can we take a moment to respect and love these parents??? like technically luca was just a kid they were going to adopt but these two were ready to THROW DOWN for him because even though they didn’t really know each other, he was going to be their kid if that’s the last thing they did

- - - - -

Dana: $120,000. We had to take a second mortgage out on the house.

Nate: Well, we can get the money back.

Dana: We don't want the money. All we want is Luca.

Nate: Right. (looks at picture of Luca)

we love to see the clients being noble as hell

- - - - -

Eliot: Are we seriously considering this, huh? Swiping a kid?

Nate: Yeah, well -- What happened to you?

Eliot (scrapes on his face): Well, how was I supposed to know it was a lesbian bar?

...I bet it was from something fucking stupid

eliot “distinctive” spencer would have known it was a lesbian bar

(edit: I heard that on the commentary for that episode CK got the injury from trying to play football while wearing cowboy boots and honestly what a chaotic fav)

- - - - -

Eliot: How do we even know this kid is an orphan?

Parker: See him pocketing those cookies? He’s hoarding food. That bag on the table -- he keeps his essentials light and portable. He knows he's gonna be taken away at any moment. And there, when she goes to touch him, he flinches. He’s expecting… for her to... Trust me. He’s an orphan.

parker’s Tragic Backstory™ is about to be told in 40 minutes, let’s go

- - - - -

Sophie: Hey, can we -- can we stop off in Paris on the way?

Nate: Uh... maybe on the way back.

Sophie: Cool

sophie loves paris and was so happy and excited im-

- - - - -

Parker: Yes. And she's with someone.

Eliot: That’s never stopped me before

parker, rolling her eyes: bruh

- - - - -

sophie being “princess magda of slovenia” rb if u agree

- - - - -

Nate: You know, just hurry up.

Hardison: It’s not so fun working in the crappy command center, is it? No, see, you're usually off doing your European spy thing. Well, welcome to my world.

(Computer shows facial recognition program working on picture Eliot sent. Hardison offers Sophie a bottle of pop)

Hardison: Orangescu?

even in a foreign country hardison manages to get something akin to orange soda

- - - - -

Sophie: Who was it? -- Dagmar from the car-rental place was a lovely girl, but listen, Irina’s a professional grifter. She's gonna see straight through your moves. She does this for a living. You know, gets people to like her and trust her, even to fall in love with her. She doesn't do this for sport.

Nate: Mm. Sounds like someone I know.

s a v a g e

- - - - -

Nicolas: Beautiful name for a beautiful lady. Tell me, Hardison, what brings you to Serbia?

Hardison: Oh, do my fangs and cape frighten you

hardison being Done™ with a skeevy guy hitting on parker and making jokes to ease the tension 🥰

- - - - -

parker says that sleeping is one of her hobbies and honestly bitch me too

- - - - -

Parker: It’s amazing how far Serbia’s come, but the scars must still be there. I mean, all the families who suffered during the war.

Nicolas: Yes, but history always has its casualties.

Parker: Yes, but those families and those children.

Nicolas: It’s tragic, yes. But the strong, the smart, the... the beautiful, they survive.

[Flashback]

(Joe, Dana and Luca on home move.)

Joe: Smile!

Dana: Smile.

(A young Parker swinging, cuts to Luca sitting in the car that will take him away, cuts to young Parker on a merry-go-round, cuts to Luca being driven away)

Woman: What’s wrong?

(a young Parker in a car holding her bunny, cuts to Nicolas driving the car that takes Luca away)

Nicolas: It’s time to go.

[American Embassy]

Nicolas: Not everyone is worth saving.

(Parker gropes behind her and grabs a fork from the table, stabbing Nicolas with it. Everyone in the room looks in their direction)

parker’s past is developed a lot in this episode and we love to see it + bby you can stab anyone you want

- - - - -

parker fucking yeeting out the window is me after I do anything remotely embarrassing

- - - - -

Eliot: I’m lucky to have you on such a short notice. (takes paper from man) Zhavaliti. Is that right? Zhavaliti? Thank you? See? Yeah? No? Welcome to the set.

Hardison: Fire in the hole!

(Hardison sets off explosion of flame behind them)

Eliot: Yeah, it's exciting, isn’t it?

Irena: yes.

Eliot: That guy's our special-effects guy. He ain't all there.

friendship means gently bullying each other

- - - - -

Parker (sits down near prop truck): This is ridiculous.

Hardison (sits down next to her with fake gun): Tell me about it. We’re supposed to believe these are real?

Parker: This is what he expects me to do, fetch scripts and water?

Hardison: No, it's a trust thing. He just needs to know that you’re gonna go along with the game plan.

Parker: Yeah, yeah. I get it; we're a team.

Hardison: A little more than a team. I’m just saying

this was such a big episode for parker and her opening up to the team (hardison in specific)

- - - - -

Hardison (picks up papers): Sophie, are you -- seriously, Sophie. It was supposed to be a two-page scene between Irina and a boy.

(Eliot grabs pages)

Sophie: That’s still the heart of it.

Eliot: "The heart of it"? There’s like 10 pages here! You have a stunt. You have special effects.

Parker: "Sister Magda crosses and gets a loaf of bread." Wait, who's sister Magda?

(Sophie rolls out dramatically wearing a nun’s costume while ethereal music is playing)

Hardison: Tell me you didn't see that coming.

(Eliot grabs the pages and walks away)

sophie: is dramatic

eliot: surprised pikachu face

hardison: ??? were you expecting something else

- - - - -

Sophie: Listen. All right, look, look -- look at all this. This is my world, okay? You need -- you need someone to, I don't know, crawl through an air duct, you call Parker. Bash her head in - Eliot. Internet porn -- Hardison. If you need someone to take over a movie, then...

Nate: yes, an -- an actor. Right

sOpHiE bRuH

poor hardison, he never gets enough credit

- - - - -

Nate: And... cut!

(everyone claps, Sophie sits up, smiling)

Eliot: She can't act.

Nate: She can act when it's an act.

Eliot (going to Sophie): Unbelievable.

Sophie Really?! Really?!

Eliot: Yeah, really. It was great.

eliot is such a supportive friend because literally his jaw dropped at her acting and literally the first thing he did when they said cut was rush over to her and compliment her

eliot is secretly a hype man disguised in many layers of gruff

- - - - -

Hardison: Just take it slow until she leads you to Luca.

Parker: I can't believe they sent you to babysit me.

Hardison: I’m here on my own

hardison cares about her so quickly I’m soft

- - - - -

parker’s haunted look and glassy eyes when she stumbles into the room with all the children? her heavy breathing? how she has to brace herself on a bed frame so that she doesn’t fall over? heartbreaking

- - - - -

[Harbor]

(van pulls to a stop and Parker and Hardison get out, Parker pacing nervously)

Parker: This isn't just an adoption scam.

Hardison: I know. I already called Nate.

Parker: These are arms dealers, and they're using the orphanage for cover.

Hardison: I already called Nate. Now, look, we can go over this with the others back at the hotel.

Parker: We have to bail.

Hardison: No. no, no, no. What about Luca and the others? We can't leave them like that.

Parker: Why not?

Hardison: You don't mean that.

Parker: You think this is the only crappy orphanage in this place? This is a country full of orphans, okay? We can't save them all.

Hardison: No, but we can save this one. Parker, we can -- we can save this one. Look, I know growing up was tough. I-I know that you -- you grew up in the system. It was -- it was bad. I know. It was, it was worse than bad, but that doesn't mean that all foster parents are monsters. Mine wasn't.

Parker: You grew up with your grandmother.

Hardison: We called her "nana," but she was our foster mom. She, uh... she -- she would cuss like a sailor. The old girl would tan your ass just as soon as look at you. But -- but she fed us, she bathed us, she put a roof over our head. And, oh, she would raise hell if you so much as looked at us crooked.

Parker: Yeah?

Hardison: Yeah.

Parker: Well, you were lucky. No. We’ll put these kids in the system, and odds are, they're gonna -- they're gonna... (trying not to cry) they're gonna turn out like me.

Hardison: I like how you turned out.

(Parker breathes hard, getting control of herself)

Hardison: Let’s go

this whole conversation was a lot meta wise but also this was one of the real defining moments in their relationship in s1. it’s also one of the first times parker starts to open up to the team for real, even if it’s only hardison

also, I personally will never get over the “I like how you turned out”

- - - - -

Hardison: I ran humpty and dumpty through the usual databases. Chechen separatists. Seriously bad dudes.

(Eliot chuckles)

Hardison: After reading their bios, I don't think I’m ever gonna sleep again.

Eliot: Never tell a Chechen his sister has a nice smile. Trust me

eliot is an idiot

- - - - -

Nate: Okay, let's go. (leads Luca forward)

Sophie (in Serbian): Everything’s going to be okay. Do you understand?

Eliot: Maybe this will help.

(Eliot leads Luca over to the Mortons)

Dana: Hi, Luca. Do you remember us?

(Luca smiles, Dana hugs him)

Dana: Thank you.

Joe: Thank you so much. Come on.

(The Mortons and Luca get in their car)

Eliot: I got to tell you, I had my doubts at first, this feels pretty good

and the eliot-being-soft-around-kids saga B E G I N S

- - - - -

parker trying her best to translate but just making the kids giggle

“men will sadden you” same

and what gets the kids up and going? Haagen-Dazs

- - - - -

fierce, determined parker beating up scumbags is my sexuality

+

parker isn’t violent a lot in terms of being anywhere close to the team’s fighter/hitter, but she fights so hard for the kids in this episode and it’s one of the only times we see her fight fight and that shows just how much she cares

- - - - -

Parker: Shh, shh, be quiet, they have armed guards at that door.

(door bursts open and a man falls through. Eliot stands in the doorway, looking angry)

Sophie: No, they don't

her team always has her back, even if they’re angry at her trying to go at it alone

- - - - -

parker spreading herself out to cover as much space as possible, bracing herself to get shot over and over with the hopes that at least none of the kids will im-

she’s so selfless sksjdnnsns

- - - - -

eliot being all gruff that things happened the way they did but smiling at the exploding building because they did it and the kids were safe

- - - - -

THE FUCKING PROP TRUCK PLAYING SPOOKY AND WEREWOLF NOISES AS THEY DRIVE AWAY JUST TO MOCK THEM

+

bonus: nate’s “anD CUT”

- - - - -

Parker: Hey, how did you know I’d be at the orphanage?

Nate: Thank Hardison for that. (follows Eliot)

Hardison: You know you could have gotten killed. Did -- did you even have an exit strategy?

Parker: I didn't really think that far ahead.

Hardison: You don't work alone anymore. You know that, right?

Parker: I know.

Hardison: We're a team…?

Parker: We're a little more than a team.

this important conversation but also HARDISONS SMILE

- - - - -

Parker: (gets on the van) Hey, Nate. I have to tell you something.

Nate: What is it?

Parker: We have to stop at Hagen Daaz.

Children: Hagen Daaz!!!

after all that they deserve like a billion pints of ice cream

[korgidorgi]

TLOU&Supergirl Crossover x Reader - Part 6

Word Count: 2303

Warnings: Nightmare, violence, not real death, swearing

Part 1 - P2 - P3 - P4 - P5

You find yourself falling. It's a short drop, but it hurts once you land on your back, squishing the Clicker between you and a polished table. You let out a groan of pain before you slip off the edge and onto the polished floor. Some items fall off with you, some of them breaking. You yelp in pain as a few glass shards embed themselves into your skin. The bright lights of the object that dropped you from the ceiling and the room hinder your sense briefly, but your eyes soon adjust. The Clicker rolls over and quickly gets on top of you, screeching at you as you desperately try to fight it off.

“Fuck, get off me!” You yell at it, trying to keep it's face away from you. “Abby! Lev!”

The Bloater across the room screams at you, locating you before charging. You quickly shiv the Clicker, pushing its body off of you and you quickly duck out of the way, quickly grabbing your new molotov and yeeting it at the creature, setting it alight. It flails about as the flames lick at it's fungal skin. The fire finally dies on it and you’ve already found a new position. The doors on the opposite side of the room slide open just as the Bloater starts charging you.

“Look out!” The person screams.

You roll out of the Bloaters path just in time, but the Bloater gives you no time to recover and charges again, knocking you down.

…

“Alright, this should work.” Lena says, plugging things into a tablet to operate her and Brainy’s device. “We might have to go through a few different portals so we don't give you the wrong one.”

“But, if we match the energy reading up to the one you came through, we’ll have a better chance of locating the exact portal you came through.” Brainy adds, looking at his own tablet to monitor the device's energy levels.

The two start the device up, trying to find the right wormholes to open up to connect you back to your world. You can finally see Abby and Lev again! You bounce on your feet in anticipation as you watch a familiar light blue glow begin from the portal. It finally opens wide enough and Lena and Brainy double and triple check everything on their monitors and tablets.

“Alright, just step through and check if it's your world.” Lena says. “We’ll hold it open for you. Just step back through to tell us whether it's right or not.”

You take a breath before stepping through. You’re back in the lab where it all happened. The dark lab is illuminated by your flashlight and the light of the portal. You take a few cautious steps forward, looking around the room. It’s empty.

“Abby? Lev?” You call out, stepping over broken glass and other wreckage.

There’s no response, so you push into the building, gun now in hand. You quickly make your way to the ground floor to look for the two.

“Abby?” You call, coming up the stairs. “Lev?”

You reach the top of the stairs to the ground floor and spot them. They’re both laying on the ground. Your heart rate picks up at the sight. You rush over to them to make sure they’re okay and as you get closer, you notice that there's blood everywhere.

“Shit. No no no no no…” You mutter, kneeling by their bodies.

They’ve got scratches and tears all over their bodies. It looks like Infected did this.

“Lev… Abby...” Tears start rolling down your face as you cry over them. “Please, move, speak, anything.” You beg, holding onto Abby’s limp hand. “Please…”

…

Your eyes shoot open and are met with the familiar sight of the dark ceiling. You sit up, shoving the blankets back a bit. You swing your legs over the side of the bed and stand up to make your way to the living room. You glance at the clock: 3:07 am. You sigh, running your fingers through your hair, pacing silently about the room trying to forget your dream. It was just so real. After a while of pacing around and standing at the window, you take a seat at Kara’s kitchen island on the stool. You reach into your pocket and pull out the tag and look over it before closing your hand over it. You place your elbows on the table and fold your other hand over your fist and rest your chin on top of your hands.

Not too long after, Kara emerges, softly padding down the short hallway and leaning on the wall. 

“Still not sleeping well?” She sleepily asks, yawning.

“No.” You admit, turning the tag on your hands.

“Whatcha got there?” She asks referring to the tag.

“It belongs to a friend.” You answer, thinking back to the day you met your friends. “She gave it to me after I found her when she and this kid brought their boat ashore Catalina Island.”

“What’re their names?” She asks, making her way over to sit next to you.

“Abby and Lev.” You answer.

“What are they like?” She presses on.

“Well, when I first met them, they were very defensive. They were weak, so they were kind of forced to let me take care of them.” You begin to think about the events from back then. “They’ve grown to like me, since they both invited me to join them. Abby is very strong and protective, though she can be stand-offish at times. Lev is quite wise for his age. He came from this weird cult in Seattle. He’s still learning some things about ‘Old World’ things.”

“What do you mean by ‘Old World’?” Kara wonders.

“The people he came from, Seraphites, didn’t believe in technology like electricity or powered items. They had some exceptions for their soldiers, who used guns as well as bows and arrows. They used wood to make their houses and watch towers and other structures on their island.” You explain.

“How long have you known them?”

“I’ve lost track.” You answer. “I’d say a long time, maybe a year and a half, two years.”

“Were you guys looking for something before this all happened?”

“Actually, yeah. Abby wants to find a group she used to be a part of called the Fireflies.” You look over your pendant. “That’s what this is from.” You set it down for her to look at. “The two got a lead for Catalina Island, but by the time they arrived and recovered, the base was no more. We still don’t know where they are. We’ve heard some rumors saying somewhere around National City. Some sort of Desert Facility.” You explain. “We have no clue where it is, just that it’s close to National City.”

“I think I know what you’re talking about.” Kara announces, placing the pendant back on the table.

“You do?” You perk up at her answer.

“Yeah, Alex used to work there.” She says, turning to fully face you. “I can take you there sometime!” 

“You can?” You’re in shock at the news.

“Yeah, so as long as our two worlds are parallel and everything is just… abandoned in your world, it would still be there in your world.” She says, getting excited. “And depending on what else has changed about your world's environment, it would pretty much be the same route in both worlds. Of course I would have to ask Alex about taking you there, but I doubt she’ll say no to me.”

“That sounds great!” You exclaim, heart rate picking up a bit in your excitement.

Kara glances at the clock. “It's only 6:35. We gotta be at the DEO by 8. I doubt you feel like going back to sleep for 40 minutes.”

“Yeah, not really.”

“How do you want to kill some time?” She asks and you shrug in response. “Why don’t you tell me more about Abby and Lev?”

The two of you go back and forth, her asking questions about them, and you answering them. You share a few major stories about your encounters with Infected, and some small lighthearted memories; ones without danger. You then start asking questions about Kara’s friends, and she returns the favor by answering and telling stories about them. You continue to talk through breakfast before finally calling it and heading out to drive to the DEO. Upon arrival, Alex is waiting by the circular table as usual. 

“Alex, so in her world, her and her friends are trying to find a group called the Fireflies. I think their base is the Desert Facility.” Kara explains. “So, I was going to make sure it was okay with you to show her where the facility is so when she goes back, she can help her friends get there.”

“They won't let you in.” Alex warns.

“Yeah, I know, I just want to show her where it is so she can find it when she goes back.” Kara acknowledges.

“Alright, I don’t see a problem with it.” Alex says, putting her hands on her hips.

“Thank you, Alex!” She excitedly bounces on her feet. “Can I take her later today?”

“Sure, as long as she’s back before you have to take her home for the night.” Alex approves.

“Alright! I’ll go tell her!” Kara briskly makes her way into the Lab you’re hanging out in under the supervision of Lena and Brainy.

She opens the door and enters, shooting the two scientists a smile and greeting. “Y/N! Great news!” She walks over to your puzzled form. “Alex is going to let me take you to the Desert Facility!”

“Really?” You ask, surprised.

She nods her head ecstatically.

“Wow, I- Thank you, Kara.” You say.

“I’ll take you later today, I’ve got to check into work first, but I’ll swing by around noon, yeah?” Kara asks.

“Yeah, that's- that works.” You beam at her.

“Great, I’ll see you then!” She confirms.

She then makes her way out of the building, leaving you alone with the two geniuses. To kill time, you start to write a little bit in your journal, sketching a few things to go along with it.

…

Around 12, Kara pokes her head in, just as she had said earlier. You jump to your feet, grabbing your stuff and shoving it in your bag.

“You ready?” She asks, giggling at your antics.

She leads you to her car, waving goodbye to Alex, before making your way down and out of the building. You both get in her car and strap in before taking off. During the ride, Kara tries her best to point out all the street names that she takes, which direction, and whatnot. You dig out your journal and begin to write down the directions as she talks. She points out different notable features of the environment to maybe help as a marker to let you know if you were on the right trail. The cityscape soon becomes residences, small roads, and finally a desert. She continues down the roads, continuing to give you information about the directions. She turns off of the main road and onto a dirt road. She continues for a few minutes before signs start popping up about trespassing. She stops the vehicle and the two of you get out to look around the area.

The dust covered tundra stretches for miles. It's almost impossible to see the skyscrapers of National city. The ridges of the small mountains you two passed through on the way there stand proudly in the distance as the sun beats down on the two of you.

“Okay, so the Facility is just a couple miles ahead.” Kara explains. “This is just the border to the property. If you just continue this way, you should start to see it soon.”

She stands with you for a few more minutes, letting you take in the scenery before she heads back to get in the car. You join her moments after and she hands you a folded piece of paper.

“This is a map of the city, I almost forgot to give it to you.” She turns to help you unfold the map and she takes a pen to it, circling a few buildings in the city. “This is the DEO.” She notes on the map and aloud, moving to circle another building. “This is L-Corp, and this is the exit we took out of the city.” She circles and labels them on the map. “Hope this is helpful for when you go back to your world.” She smiles.

“Thank you, you’re such a big help.” You respond.

She gives you another smile before starting the car to take you back to the DEO.

… 

“How was it?” Alex greets the two of you.

“I think it went well.” Kara responds.

“Yeah, thanks for letting us go.” You thank her for her gesture.

“Well, I think Lena and Brainy have some news for you.” Alex informs you, gesturing to the Lab they’re working in.

You push the door open and enter, catching the two scientists' attention.

“Hello, how was your outing?” Lena greets.

“It was fine.” You respond. “Uh, Alex said you have some news for me.”

“Ah, yes. Well, so we found a model that worked with the computers” She states. “We have the stuff to make it, it will just take some time.”

“Do you know approximately how long?” You ask.

“Maybe a week, if everything goes smoothly.” She informs.

“Which I calculated to be an 86.626% chance of success.” Brainy interrupts, spilling a bunch of numbers.

“We’ll need your participation to find your world, of course, when we have tested it.” Lena adds.

“Alright, that’s great. Thank you.”

[shadow-assassin-blix]

It’s A Gray Area

CHAPTER 8

Finished the last episode 9 finally and moving on to more fun stuff. Um. Slight near death experience. Some Smut. Not very detailed but tis there. Some fluff. Secrets revealed. I am still yeeting canon out the door because I can. 

Everything tag: @mikeisthricedeceased​ 

When they finally returned to Ajon Kloss, she told Poe, “Make sure no one makes our newbie uncomfortable until I return?” As she ran out of the Falcon.

Blix ran toward the med-bay, where Leia was resting on one of the beds, while Ben sat next to her.

“Hi! Okay. Let’s… let’s check things out,” She said trying to catch her breath.

She moved quickly over to Leia and began running scans. Minutes later she was looking over the results and was cautiously happy with what she saw.

“Okay. Okay. Well. Good news, your brain is brightly colored again, and I see no dying areas here,” She reported as she presented them.

“And the bad news?” Ben asked warily.

“Not bad news per se. I don’t know if these effects will last is the main issue. I don’t want you working at all. You are on a stress-free lifestyle indefinitely, Princess Leia. I don’t want anything to aggravate your symptoms. Let’s not… Let’s not waste Luke’s sacrifice to save his beloved sister,” She explained with a sad sigh.

Leia nodded her head understandingly, while Ben looked away clenching his jaw briefly.

“Also… may have turned a baby Sith to our side, no big deal. She’s going to help us find Palpatine and defeat him. I suspect he has some nasty surprises for us in store,” Blix explained, before turning to Ben. “What do ya say? Ready to go fight one last battle?”

Ben nodded his head, determination in his eyes.

“Alright, let’s go work out a plan. Amber, make sure our esteemed patient here, doesn’t move an inch,” She commanded giving Leia a pointed look.

Blix and Ben made their way into the command center, where everyone was discussing the best path to Exegol.

They had a solid plan within an hour, the thing was… they didn’t have the manpower. What they truly needed was the Republic to take up arms and join them, but fear ran deep.

They geared up, and every squadron was given orders to head out. Blix who had her lightsabers and was making sure Rey, Ben, and Maeve were ready, looked around trying to find Poe.

When she did, she spotted him by his X-Wing in his flight gear. She walked over to him after telling them to head to the Falcon, which was going to lead the pack.

“Hey.” She greets watching him get BB-8 ready.

He looked up and said, “Hi. What’s up babe?”

She quietly hugs him, and whispered, “Stay safe Flyboy. You’re not allowed to die remember that.”

He gave a soft chuckle as he hugged her back, “Same to you, Consular.”

She snorted slightly at the title, almost regretting telling him about the Jedi Order.

She presses a quick kiss to his lips, gives BB-8 a pat on his head and moves over to the Falcon.

Soon enough, they were on their way. It was about an hour later when they came to a field of red clouds and lightning. It was a struggle to navigate through for everyone.

When they broke through, what they saw made them all gasp. There was a fleet of Xyston-Star Destroyers before them.

“Finn, set us down and we’ll make our way to Sidious. Stay safe yeah? I still got a lot to teach you, so don’t you dare die,” She warned him as they landed.

“Yes ma’am,” He responded with a laugh.

The four of them made their way down to the platform. Once on it, they were confronted with the Knights of Ren.

“Maeve, Rey, go on ahead. Ben and I will catch up,” Blix ordered, taking her stance with both lightsabers in hand, twirling them.

Ben took out his and stood back-to-back with her. He gave a shrug that reminded her of Han, and she shook her head. The knights surrounded them, and they braced themselves.

One knight to her right, lunged for her and she parried with ease. It didn’t take the two of them very long to defeat the knights together. Once they were all down, they ran forward to catch up to the girls. When they did, they spotted Maeve lying on the ground, and Rey was on her knees trying to catch her breath.

Ben rushed forward to help, and Blix moved to join him but was stopped…. She felt something was off… with Poe.

She reached out to him… her mind racing to find him in the chaos above. When she does, she can see and hear the defeat in his voice.

‘Hey, Flyboy aren’t you always telling me to have hope? Where’s that undying flame?’ She asked him in his mind.

He bit his lip worried, and thought, ‘I don’t know what to d-‘

His thought was caught off as Lando Carlrissian’s voice came over on comms, telling him they weren’t alone.

Blix felt the arrival of hundreds of ships and she broke the line off, cheering him on.

She refocused on the situation at hand and noted that Ben was checking on Maeve, as Rey continued to fight her grandfather. Blix rushed forward as Palpatine sent a bolt of lightning toward Rey. She blocked it with her sabers, pushing it back.

The burst ended quickly and as she gave a twirl of her sabers, Palpatine noted, “Ahh. The Kenobi. Yes. You indeed look just like your grandfather. Think of the power you’d have if you joined the dark side.”

“Thanks, and like my grandfather, I don’t give a fuck. Take your proposition and shove it,” She snarled at him.

He frowned deeply at her, and growled, “Same insolence just like him too. I’ll enjoy killing you.”

He sent wave after wave of lightning bolts at her; she blocked each one as quickly as she could. He snarled before changing his tactic. He sent a bolt directly at Ben and Maeve, who had no way of defending themselves quickly enough. Blix ran forward and dove in front of them taking the bolt.

She gasped hard as the lightning surged through her and her limbs locked. Her vision went black as Rey stood up suddenly. Her mind was numb, and she felt pain just radiating throughout her body. Her eyes clenched shut and when she opened them, she was someplace different.

She was in a temple; she could see large city outside the windows. ’Coruscant?’

“Yes. This is the Jedi Temple in Coruscant. Or at least… when it still existed,” She heard her grandfather’s voice.

She sat up looking at him, confused.

“…am I dead?” She asked slightly panicked.

“No. Not yet. You got very close though,” He informed her as he helped her up.

She looked around, noticing that more and more Jedis were appearing around her.

“She did it. She summoned all of you,” She whispered amazed.

“It wasn’t just her. It was you as well. You are going to be an amazing teacher. If you continue on this course, we feel you will bring the balance back and return the Jedi Order back to its former glory,” Anakin informed her.

“Mh. Former glory? How about… a better version? Because… no offense but… there were many reasons why the Order fell way back when. But I will do my best,” She commented.

Qui-Gon chuckled softly at her, “This is why we think you will do well. You will make an excellent Consular.”

“We will be here for you, just like Rey. May the Force be with you, my dearest,” Her grandfather tells her, pressing a small kiss to her forehead.

They all slowly disappeared along with the room. Her vision was dark, and she eventually came to, looking at 3 very concerned faces hovering over her.

“…Hi. That sucked. Don’t get struck by lightning,” She groaned as she fully awakened.

She heard 3 sighs of relief, and some hands trying to help lift her up into a sitting position. Her head hurt but it was not too terrible. Her chest ached as she breathed; it felt a bit like her ribs were bruised.

“Let’s get out of this hellhole,” She requested gingerly standing up.

Ben wrapped an arm around her, keeping her steady as they walked.

Palpatine was dead. The First Order had been defeated. A ship had landed down near them and picked them up, taking them back to Ajon Kloss.

A medic droid checked over ribs, spritzing some Bacta spray onto them to help begin the healing process.

By the time they had landed, her ribs only lightly ached and she was able to walk without assistance. They looked around through the cheering crowd, trying to find Poe and Finn.

Rey spotted them first, sprinting to them. Ben spotted his mother and rushed over to her. Maeve stood nearby Blix, smiling softly at everyone. One of the other pilots, enthusiastically picked her up, cheering. She laughed at Maeve’s look of surprise.

Blix looked around and moved toward her three favorite people. Poe sees her first and pulls her into a kiss that she gladly returned.

He broke away only to hug her; Finn and Rey joining in. BB-8 beeped and chirped happily at their feet, rolling around in circles.

“We did it!” Blix cheered as they pulled away slightly.

The celebrations went well into the night, with every planet contacting them to send thanks and congrats.

The next day, while still in cheerful moods, they planned their next moves which was to get rid of the last of the Empire’s strongholds.

This process took several weeks to carry out, and while that was done with Poe and Finn in command, Blix continued her training with Rey, Ben, and Maeve. Maeve had gotten a new lightsaber, one that glowed bright orange but was “Infinitely cooler than her old one” as she said.

Her and Poe discussed what had happened within her nightmares and figured their best plan was to go see if there were any clues within her mother’s belongings back on Naboo. However, they had a hard time planning a few days to do so.

In fact, they hardly got to see each other much over the past few weeks. One day, she was working in the med-bay, training some new hires, when Poe walked in. She smiled brightly at him, but quickly scanned him with her eyes to make sure he was okay. She finished up her talk with the newbies and walked over to him.

“Hi. Are you okay?” She checked first just to be sure.

“Yeah. I’m okay honey. In fact… I hate to do this but…” Poe said in a mockingly sad tone.

She looked at him confused until he leaned down to lift her up, throwing her over his shoulder. She shook her head at the ridiculousness, ignoring the whistles and catcalls that were thrown their way as he walked. He stopped, and as she heard a small beep, he began walking again, into his room she swiftly identified.

He sets her down into a chair at his kitchen table, where she sees dinner was laid out before her. Poe lit the candles that he had placed and handed her a red rose.

She takes it with a smile, “Poe… what is all this?”

“This… is us making time for us. I haven’t seen my girl in a few weeks and it’s honestly quite upsetting,” He tells her matter-of-factly.

They eat, telling each other about their day’s and enjoying each other’s company.

“So, I hear you’ve been learning how to take care of BB-8?” Poe asked with a smile.

“Yeah. My padawans are pretty well versed and are good about training themselves. The med-bay keeps getting new nurses, droids, and I’ve even hired a few new doctors to help ease up the duties for me. So, I’ve been trying to learn skills. Bee is one of the most important things to you, so I want to make sure he is in top shape when he goes out with you,” Blix explained somewhat embarrassed.

“Thank you. He’s… he really adores you. Can’t get him to shut up about you,” Poe states even though BB-8 beeped from his charging station that Poe was just as bad.

Blix chuckled at them as they playfully argued.

“I guess it’s a good thing I love you both then,” Blix tells them, cutting them off.

Poe looked at her shocked.

“I’m sorry…. say that again?” He requested as he moved around to kneel before her.

“I love you,” She confirmed looking down at him.

He leans up, capturing her lips with his. She slowly stands up along with him, still kissing.

“Bee. Go to bed yeah?” She ordered between kisses.

She hears him beep, saying we were being gross anyway, before he powered down.

Poe slowly pulled away and after taking a deep breath, stated, “I love you. So much.”

The next few minutes was a flurry of clothes flying everywhere and stumbling blindly to the bed. When they eventually got on the bed, they stopped, breathes heavy, and stared at each other for a moment.

Blix bit her lip, mischievously, and flipped them over. She smiled at Poe’s look of surprise and enjoyed watching it morph into a look of pleasure as she took him in and began to ride him. Her control didn’t last long, as Poe sat up, thrusting in time with her movements.

They were so desperate for one another that it didn’t take long for either of them to reach their peaks. They came down from their highs, pulling away from one another slowly. When they were able to move again, they both cleaned themselves up, before returning to the bed.

She laid down on his chest with a soft sigh. She slowly fell asleep laying there; Poe laid there for a few moments… He gently slipped off his necklace, taking the ring off. He slipped it on to her ring finger on her left hand, happy that it fit nicely. He pulled it off, putting it back on the chain, before gingerly clipping it around her neck.

He fell asleep with a smile.

The next morning, Blix woke up feeling rested, and happy. She got up, stretching, snatching one of Poe’s shirts and slipping it on. She quietly cleaned up the mess from last night. It was as she was moving that she notice something was on her neck. Her hand reached up to figure out what it was, finding a chain. She followed it to the weight and gasped when she saw it.

His mother’s ring. She bit her lip softly, gazing at the ring with awe. She didn’t notice Poe sitting up and watching her fondly. He cleared his throat, and she jumped slightly as she turned to him.

She walked back over to him, straddling his hips, kissing him.

“Does this mean what I think this means?” She inquired as she sat there.

“Yeah. I want to marry you. I’m… hoping you feel the same way?” He was hesitant.

She looked down at the ring and said, “Yeah. Yeah. I wanna marry you.”

She took off the ring that he gave her on their first date, the pretty pink opal one, and moved it to her left hand.

“I think this one makes a good engagement ring, don’t you? Then you can put this one on me when we get hitch,” She explained tapping on each ring.

“Sounds like a damn good plan. I didn’t get to tell you last night, but I have some time off for the next 2 to 3 weeks. Finn and Leia, on light duty, are going to take over to give me a break. Figured we could use that time to get things done,” He offered with a smirk.

“Sounds good to me. When do we leave?” She asked excited.

“I was thinking around noon. Gives us time to get packed and give out orders. Then we get the Falcon and head out with Bee. Rey will probably join us,” He thought out loud.

She nodded her head getting up again, to finish cleaning up. Poe packed up a bag, and hopped into the refresher to clean up, and got dressed. Once he was done, she got in the refresher as well, and got dressed. She ran over to her room to pack a bag of her stuff; making sure to get her proper credentials and such for when they arrived in Naboo.

Blix met back up with Poe, once that was done, and they waited on each other as they gave out orders for the next few weeks, and to contact them if anything came up.

When they walked up to the Falcon, Rey was waiting for them, BB-8 nearby and chirping happily. The trip to Naboo would take about 3 hours so, they got on board and took off.

Blix directed Poe to where he should land when they arrived, having to give her credential codes to the guards that were still posted at her mother’s home. When they were cleared, they set the Falcon down on the landing pad and Blix stepped off first, greeting the staff that had gathered there.

Poe and Rey stared at the house before them in shock. It was a large and grand home, that was surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Blix looked back at them, wondering why they weren’t with her.

“What?” She asked looking at their shocked faces.

“I… forgot that you were an ambassador’s daughter. Not gonna lie,” Poe answered as he moved forward with Rey.

Blix made a small ‘oh’ as she looked around, somewhat sheepishly.

“Yeah… Sorry. Is this too much?” She examined looking around, rubbing the back of her neck.

“This is where you grew up? Why would you ever leave here?” Rey questioned rushing forward, her eyes wide as she took everything in.

Blix laughed at her reaction, shaking her head. Poe sidled up next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

“So… when you said there was room for your students and our kids, you literally meant… a school and our own squadron. With room for more,” Poe noted with a nod of his head.

She just smiled in response and led the 2 of them forward.

“Dax. Where did my mother’s personal journals wind up?” She asked an older gentleman as they walked inside.

“They went into storage in one of the spare bedrooms,” Dax explained showing her to said room.

“Thank you,” She said as she opened the door and revealed a room that had several boxes stacked on top of one another.

It took a few minutes, moving aside and rearranging boxes to get to the ones marked as journals and photos. They dragged them forward and began to open them up.

The three of them began to read through and look through the photos together. They spent 2 hours going through them before Rey gasped.

“Oh. Ohmy.” She handed some photos over to Blix.

Blix looked at them seeing her mom, at a base she couldn’t recognize. Her arms were wrapped around a man, who was dark haired, and from the side profile of the first picture, he was scruffy. She looked at the next couple of photos and saw a man who had dark eyes and didn’t appear to smile very often.

In fact, the only photo she found of him smiling, was one where he was looking directly at the camera but at her mother, with a deep fondness.

“Ma did always say I got my too serious attitude from him. I can see why,” She mumbled looking at him, as she gnawed on her bottom lip for a moment.

“He was very handsome,” Rey complimented with a smile.

“Yeah. He was. She calls him Cass in these passages,” Blix noted gesturing toward the journal in her lap. “Apparently… they weren’t… exclusive.”

“Ooh. Intriguing. Cass? Like. Captain Cassian Andor?” Poe questioned looking over shoulder.

Blix shrugged not really knowing who that was.

She continued reading long after Poe and Rey retreated to go eat. Her mother tended to be sporadic when she wrote. Either she would write for days or there would be several months gap between entries.

She seemed to stop writing around completely around the time Blix was 5. Her last entry was expressing pride over a podrace Blix had won.

“She did so well today. She was so excited to win. I wish you were here Cass. You would’ve loved it. I know this isn’t the way either of us expected life to go, but I feel you would’ve been so proud of her.”

She remembered that race, it was a smaller race, but it was her first win. It was done on Tattooine and she was aware of the gangs that were there to watch. Her competitors were Huttese gangsters and she wasn’t going to let them intimidate her.

When she won, she was congratulated by Bib Fortuna himself and it was terrifying. She was trying to not let her nerve show, waiting for her mother to appear, to rescue her. When she did, she remembered her mother looking proud but there was a sadness in her eyes that she never could explain.

This entry explained that.

She set the journal down, staring off into the distance. She was vaguely aware of Poe coming back in and urging her to follow him. He dragged her to the dining room, where dinner was being served and she sat down at the table.

She quietly ate thinking about everything, more questions racing around her mind.

They eventually went to bed, and she struggled to sleep. She tossed around a few times, before Poe eventually draped himself over her, to settle her movements. She fell into a fitful sleep in his arms.

The next morning after they woke up and got ready, they were having breakfast when the doorbell rang. Dax came to her a few minutes later.

“Miss Kenobi. Maureen Holdo is here,” He informed her.

“Maker. What? Does she have this place bugged?” Blix muttered annoyed, stabbing her eggs.

“As far as we are aware, no,” Dax answered with a hint of a smile.

They heard the clicking of heels coming toward them, and a moment later, an older woman with white hair, and a gaunt face appeared.

“Hello Maureen,” Blix greeted dully, taking a bite of her food.

“Stop taking such large bites and sit up straight. I know I taught you better,” Maureen said in a snobbish tone.

Blix rolled her eyes, “I am an adult. You are not my mother. I can do what I want.”

Maureen pursed her lips.

“What brings you back here, Blix dear?” Maureen asked in a tone that stated she didn’t approve.

She looked over her companions with a twinge of disgust she failed to hide.

“Just needed to look at some of mom’s stuff. That’s it. You can go now, Maureen,” She dismissed getting irritated.

“You’re not even going to tell me about your engagement? I can see the ring from here, not blind yet,” Maureen stated, looking expectantly.

“General Poe Dameron of the Resistance. Formerly Captain of the Navy for the Republic. Now. Get. Out.” She demanded standing up facing her.

Dax stepped forward and began to usher Maureen out of the house.

“Tell me when you start to plan the wedding, I’ll send you samples!” She called out as she was urged out.

“That’s Amilyn’s mother? Really?” Rey asked staring in disbelief.

“We…. Are not letting her anywhere near our wedding plans. She didn’t even greet us. Looked at us like we were something foul. I see why you don’t like her,” Poe remarked with a frown.

“Let’s.. just get the journals and such and get out of here. Lock up everything so she can’t get back in,” She grumbled abandoning her food.

“Dax. Please make sure that woman does not have access to any of the rooms in the house. I don’t trust her,” She requested as Dax re-entered the dining room.

Dax nodded telling her it was already being done.

They grabbed the 3 boxes of journals and photos and took them to the Falcon. Poe insisted that they go see his father on Yavin 4.

They were there within an hour. As the Falcon landed, Blix noticed an older man who looked a great deal like Poe, but with greying hair and prominent laugh lines. She suddenly felt nervous as they stepped off and made their way to him.

“Blix. This is my father Kes Dameron. Dad. This is the love my life. This is also Rey, our kid sister,” Poe introduced proudly.

The first thing Kes seemed to notice was the necklace she wore. He glanced between the two of them, a smile growing on his face.

“So, this is my future daughter-in-law that I’ve heard so much about? I was beginning to wonder if you were real, he talked about you so much before you started dating,” Kes spoke bringing her into a hug.

She wasn’t expecting it, but she slowly returned it with a shy smile.

“He’s told me a lot about you and his mom. I wish I could’ve met her. I feel like we would’ve gotten along really well,” Blix said nervously.

“Oh yeah. She would���ve laughed at the hard time you gave him,” Kes laughed leading them onward.

He led them to a small, quaint home that was somewhat away from the nearby town, hidden by the forest around them.

They spent some time telling stories about battles and such. Rey had many questions and Kes answered them with enthusiasm. Blix who was curled up next to Poe on the couch, realized something that she decided to ask Kes once they were alone.

Rey slowly nodded off in her chair, and Poe quietly walked over to her and picked her. He took her to one of the spare bedrooms.

While he was doing that, Blix asked, “Kes… Did you… did you know my mother? Willow Kenobi?”

“Yes. I did. She was sweet lady. Wiz at technology, though she never liked to brag about it,” Kes answered after thinking for a moment.

“Did… Was… Did you know anyone named Cass?” She finally asked trying to phrase it properly.

“Cassian. Yeah. She was in love with him. Only problem was Cassian was in love with the Rebellion. He lived and breathed it. He did care for your mom a great deal, but… he wasn’t one to talk about feelings,” Kes explained with a half shrug. “Why do you ask?”

“I… I think he might be my father? I’m not… not sure. I was shown…visions… of a great deal of things. None of which made sense. Scarif being one of them. I know it’s highly improbable that anyone could still be alive… but… but I have to check,” She rambled slightly, fiddling with her shirt nervously.

“Mh. Makes sense. She wasn’t really one to sleep around. She only had eyes for him. This is clearly important to you. So, find your answers. Just know they might not be what you’re expecting,” He cautioned, patting her knee comfortingly.

She nodded in response, and followed Poe to their room, when he returned, wishing Kes a good night.

They spent a few days there, getting to know one another, and making some plans for the wedding. Poe was excited and happy to see his father, and she could tell that when they were leaving, it made him sad. He was trying his best to hide it though.

They stood outside the Falcon, and Blix offered, “So… When we finally figure out where we want to live and such, you are perfectly allowed to visit as often as you’d like.”

“Ooh. I may take you up on that and you may regret it slightly,” Kes said in a teasing voice.

Poe looked at her appreciatively and kissed the side of her head.

“Unless we stay at your mom’s home in Naboo. Turn it into a school for Force-sensitive kids,” Poe stated, before mumbling “Have a squadron of our own kids.”

Blix smiled, feeling her cheeks turn red as Kes laughed and Rey snickered at them.

They said their goodbyes and hopped on board the Falcon. It was going to take a few hours to reach what was left of Scarif. She wasn’t sure what they were going to find there. She simply knew… she had to check it out.

[girlgrouptrash101]

Dating Poly!ChaeLisa

Requested: “Can you write a poly dating Chaelisa? Your Chaesoo one was so good”

A/N: thank you to my #1 gal for helping on this post 🦆

- C

Get ready to be loved to no end!!! because these girlies have the biggest hearts and they just want to give you and each other their everything because that is what y’all deserve!!!

You really cherish every single moment that you get to spend with Chae and Lisa, because you know that when you said goodbye, you might not see them for weeks on end, months even.

the distance can get hard sometimes, but it’s always worth it when they finally come back home and into your arms, you love them too much to ever let them go

but when they are by your side!!! You three have so so so much fun together, there are rarely any moments when you aren’t laughing or smiling together

they invite you to all the concerts you’re able to go to, and you can’t help but laugh as the girls blow kisses and wink at you and the whole crowd around you go feRAL

you can’t blame them though dude, your girlfriends are hot tf

though Chaeyoung and Lisa love when you come to their shows, they much prefer spending time with you at home where they can be their genuine selves, no cameras or having to look perfect in front of thousands of people

you’ve learned a lot about how tough the idol life can be from watching your girls work so hard, so you always make sure you’re there to support them every step of the way

like bringing food for all four of the girls when they’ve been practising all day and staying there to be their moral support so they can power through the long dance sessions

+ always being there to watch and listen when Rosé and Lisa want to show you how they’ve improved or having dinner ready for them after a long day etc.

Taking them out to eat is so fun because they get so excited over every fancy dish and seeing them eat well just makes you so happy because they really do deserve the world im soft

plus it’s so cute when Rosie’s cheeks puff up like a hamster when she’s eating

or when she tries something she really likes and her arms do the little flap thing she does when she gets super excited

plus Lisa taking so many photos of you both, she always has her camera at the ready to snap the cutest and most aesthetic pictures of you and Chaeyoung, what a photography queen

Begging Rosé to take out her guitar and play for you omg bls

it’s so soft when you and Lisa just get to sit back and listen to Chaeyoung, who has the voice of an angel, as she sings to you both

she always sings love songs for you too, because Chae baby is super duper soft and takes every opportunity to remind you and Lisa how much she loves you both so much

sharing clothes for a real one like who even owns what anymore? nobody knows

Rosé being the queen of sweater paws and you and Lisa just gushing over her as she gets all smiley and blushy at the attention from you both

CUDDLES. PERIOD.

Lisa usually likes being in the middle of your cuddles, because she gets to hold you both close to her, and kiss you both as much as she wants

also, the person who sits in the middle always gets to hold the snacks so,, Miss Lisa has her priorities in order, obviously

Clothes shopping together!!!

You guys hype each other up so much it’s adorable and it fills you with so much confidence

you guys either go to the most expensive clothes shops, usually, Lisa takes you to those shops where you take one look at the price tag and feel your heart drop to your stomach jhdkfkg

or else you go to the cutest thrift shops where you help Rosie and Lisa pick out the cutest stuff,, feeling especially proud when you pick up those bargains am I right ladies

fashion shows in the middle of the shops??? I think soooo

while the other two of you pretend to be paparazzi and go in stupid positions to pretend to take photos and y’all end up laughing so hard until your sides hurt 

Rosé is just a little baby okay so what if she just wants to eat cupcakes and plait yours and Lisa’s hair what abOUT IT

It never gets old when you’re in the car and you hear Blackpink on the radio,, you still get filled with so much pride for your girls

your groupchat is like an overload of emojis please relax all of you you don't need that many honestly

when you go to sleep you and Rosé always get into bed first and Lisa just yeEts on top of you both and you can’t help but scream and giggle as you all try and escape the wrath of Lisa

which eventually turns into a pillow/tickle fight, and you all fall off the bed

speaking of Lisa, she’s so good at flustering the both of you to no end

from stolen kisses, to pulling you down onto her lap, greasy compliments, just everything to get you and Rosie to blush

or when she smushes your face together and baby talks the shit out of you for no reason,,, and you’re like thaTs grOsS but she’s actually really cute and it lowkey made you blush

whenever you turn on music at your house it turns into a full live performance with singing, dancing, and the girls being your backup dancers and hyping you up as you screech along to some song on your playlist

for some reason, you all just like to grab loads of blankets and make a little fort on the carpet in your living room and just cuddle up there all night long

that’s the time where a lot of DMC’s and venting about your guys’ worries happens because you guys trust one another wholly

and you know that if you share your worries with them, they’ll know just how to comfort you and it’ll be a huge weight off your shoulders

to be honest, all three of you are WHIPPED whipped period

and that’s just how it’s always gonna be uwu

NSFW From Here:

the duality sis the DUALITY

they’re either waiting for you to come home so they can literally take you all night long

or else they’re big babies whos just want to be pleasured for hours,,, there really is no in between

Rosé being an innocent little shit in public while she teases both you and Lisa while no one is looking

having to contain yourself and behave when you see them backstage after shows, when they're all hot and sweaty and still on a high after their show

but it's all worth it when one of them comes over and whispers in your ear, promising that you'll get what you want as soon as you get home

they both really love to put on a show and drive you crazy especially when they know you can't do anything about it

like having some fun with each other on tour and sending you all the videos

they know just how to make you weak in the knees, they have you wrapped around their little fingers

definitely have a sex playlist without a doubt

whenever you go and get cleaned up in the shower afterwards one of you always ends up starting something and you really just go for another round then and there smh

Rosé just wants you to appreciate the fuck out of her thighs and ride her face okay don’t deny her that

Lisa’s fingers>>>>> tell me i’m wrong i dare you

these girls are so loud, they don’t give a shit who hears it once they’re gone enough

except for when they wake up the next morning at their dorm and Jennie and Jisoo tease the shit out of you all

[suhmayzooka]

cursed child broadway, feb. 23, 2020

third time seeing cc in three months for one reason: my sister is, in her words, “in love with joey labrasca” (karl).  she thinks he’s absolutely perfect.  this past week i’ve endured her talking about how hot he is.  i mean, i’ve gotten quite a bit of good lily luna material for my fics now, but at what expense? did i need to know that joey’s (very mild) acne made him look handsomer? did i need to know about how deep his eyes are? did I?

i teased her about what she’d do if he wasn’t on, and she said she’d be so upset.  

we get to the theatre, i look at the cast…and james romney was karl.

my sister was shocked.  the love of her life, who most likely has forgotten about her existence, wasn’t there for what looks to be our final time seeing the year 2 cast.  she was devastated.

we also got to see antoinette robinson as hermione and tom patrick stephens as ron!  and sarita amani nash was myrtle!!  and kimberly dodson as polly!!

james!karl was great and i will bombard my sister with as much james romney content as i can in order to piss her off further :)

patrick du laney was the sorting hat and aaron bartz was the station master.  we actually saw aaron walking into the theatre as we waited outside for part 2.  he definitely has the draco swagger.

anyway let’s get to the good stuff!

~james snyder as harry! great as usual. i don’t think he did much differently than last time, or if he did it wasn’t very noticeable.

~diane davis as ginny – same w james.  i think she held on to albus longer when they hug in godric’s hollow this time?

~jonno roberts as draco: okay this guy singlehandedly inspired me to start a fic back in december (that has…….yet to be finished………) with how his draco and bubba’s scorpius behaved and this was no exception.  idk whether his mic got caught on something or if he was really bringing it all out, but when he shoves scorpius’s head against his desk in the dark world, he GROWLED the “you do NOT use her name in vain” line ???? i’ve never heard him say it like that, it’s usually more of a hiss.  idk how to describe how he said it other than “growl.” almost like an animal.

then when he said “do it safely, i can’t lose you too” he’s looking directly at scorpius.  it’s different from how i’m used to seeing him and closer how i picture him saying it; usually he’s looking away, like he’s afraid of showing vulnerability to scorpius.  but here, with him looking directly at him, and said with so much emotion and love, even in such a dark place…oOOF

he refused to let go of scorpius when they met again in godric’s hollow.  my heart…..always one arm around scorpius’s shoulders, or one hand on his chest, as scorpius clings on to him.

~kimberly!polly SMILED and giggled when she stepped in blood? “oh, potter, i’ve got blood on my shoe!” *delighted* and then as the staircase rolled away, she turned on her stomach to gaze down at scorpius, grinning flirtatiously.  this is my second time seeing her as polly, but from what i remember, katherine!polly wasn’t as sadistic in the dark au as she was.  i personally prefer kimberly!polly.

~sarita!myrtle!! like w kimberly!polly this is my second time seeing sarita!myrtle and i don’t really remember much about lauren!myrtle to compare, but sarita!myrtle was hilarious.  she got a round of applause just for appearing.  “girls….*turns around, stares directly @ albus* AND BOYS” *albus turns around, confused, as if she’s talking to someone behind him* UGHHH she’s so good and she’ll absolutely kill it as (main) polly, i can feel it.

~this was my first time seeing jack pravda as young harry! his voice is deeper than zell’s, and he was so adorably confused in the graveyard scene.  “why are there so many flowers?”

~antoinette!hermione was a lot less playful than jenny!hermione.  she does try for comedic effect, but she’s a bit more serious overall.  she was so scary in the first timeline!  when she waves her wand to dismiss the class and she’s standing all alone, she looks out with such a distant, despairing expression, then composes herself immediately. 

~tom!ron was very funny!  again, my issue with ron in cc comes down to how he was written.  he may have been relegated to shitty comic relief (why……is one of the first things he says……a fart joke…..?), but it’s up to the actors do what they can to flesh out some semblance of a likeable character from the bs that the script gave us.  and tom!ron was great!! he’s not as…dopey? dorky? as matt!ron, who’s very funny but a bit—childish? i guess? tom!ron feels more like an adult who still has a childish sense of humor, if that makes sense.

~ROMIONE.  watching a new take on romione was like falling in love w romione all over again.  tom/antoinette was a very loving pair.  jenny/matt tease each other a lot more, but tom/antoinette are more tactile.  their kiss was so sweet

~there’s hardly any love for sara farb’s delphi for some reason. i’m not sure why; her shift from delphi diggory to delphi riddle is so chilling. delphi diggory has a high pitched voice and is really goofy around albus.  scorpius absolutely hates her lmao.  as soon as she switches, her voice drops to a low growl and she’s downright terrifying.  i’m sad to see her go!

~WILL CARLYON.  is it possible to fall in love with the portrayal of a character in a handful of scenes? he’s got like five lines total but oh my god.  one thing a lot of people note about nicholas!albus is the way he’s so obviously a fourteen-year-old child.  will’s james sirius potter is SUCH a thirteen-year-old in the opening scene…it’s somewhat disconcerting watching this very-obviously-twenty-something-year-old man flap his arms going “WATCH OUTTT FOR THE THESTTRRAAAAAAALS” but it works? it’s believable?? he’s so close with lily luna.  this is my third time seeing him and every time he pretends to pounce on her and hug her during the thestral line i fall in love?? ginny scolds him and he is sheepish, but he won’t stop making the troll face at albus.  “SLITHERING SLYTHERIN STOP WITH YOUR DITHERING” *smacks albus*

~yeah i promised jsp content and i’m fucking delivering

~he’s sO excited watching albus get sorted. when the hat goes “SLYTHERIN” he’s absolutely shocked.  he’s confused.  he just stares at albus, confused, until yann (jonathan gordon, who once again gives us a delightfully dislikable yann) says some shit and james just turns to him and swats his hand at him.  he genuinely looked ready to fight yann.  i couldn’t tell but i think he tells him to stop?? it was hard to hear but his mouth definitely moved, i think to tell yann to cut it out.

~the scene with the students eavesdropping on mcgonagall’s meeting with the parents.  oh my god i don’t think he did anything that much differently than last time but i need to talk about this because i didn’t do it justice in my last recap.

~they sit on the stairs (iirc) top to bottom craig, yann, karl, rose, james.  i’m gonna ignore craig, yann, and karl since there are some serious family feels going on w rose and james

~jsp and rose begin the scene smiling, snickering as they hear that albus and scorpius fucked up.  “ahaha they got into deep shit” but then when they learn that they wrote rose and hugo (??whom??) out of time and then killed harry, their faces fall.  james’s eyes become vacant, far-off as he learns what happened to his brother.  his breathing becomes heavier and faster until he’s a few breaths from hyperventilating.  he leans his forehead against the stairwell/banister and shakes his head, mouthing/whispering “no…no…”

~nadia brown’s rose is such a little shit but she’s so good in this scene.  when she learns that she didn’t exist in the new timeline, she grabs james’s shoulder and he grabs her hand.  they don’t let go for the rest of the scene.

~i’m like half convinced that will got the part because of his amazingly expressive eyebrows.  i think my sister calls it “back row acting?” his eyebrows can probably be seen from the back row.  after the mcgonagall scene is over he sits on the stairs, raising one eyebrow at rose and hermione, then goes back to reading the scroll.

~i didn’t mean for this to become a will carlyon fan account but he deserves it.  according to nicholas he’s the biggest potterhead in the cast. he’s a ravenclaw. he can sing.  he’s so fucking valid and i’m so glad he’s staying for year 3.  he’s got two followers on youtube and one of them is me.  please guys like no one talks about him and i’ll fill this niche.  same with the lovely sarita. she’s so kind and so beautiful and so talented she can sing so well and she gives everything during wand dance listen i spent the beginning of this thing making fun of my sister for liking joey so much but sarita……..

~cc nyc said straight girl/lesbian solidarity  

~anyway…

~nicholas podany as albus.  so. Many. Tears.  i didn’t realize this before but his whole body trembles when he cries?? i first noticed this when he and harry were in the slytherin common room.  i was like “are his pajamas vibrating?? is this an optical illusion (they’re striped pajamas)???” no, his whole body was shaking with suppressed crying.  once i noticed i couldn’t un-notice and this continued for the rest of the show.

~bubba weiler’s scorpius didn’t seem much different from usual? i could go on about him but….that’s what my unfinished fic is for……one day……….

~okay so this is where i elaborate on the scorbus moments that made me want to YEET myself off the roof of the theatre (if you had to make sense of my typos on discord: i am Sorry)

~the slytherin dorm scene: scorpius tickles albus to wake him up.  he then makes himself comfortable on albus’s bed and won’t stop rubbing and patting his thigh.

~in addition to being austistic, bubba!scorp is bisexual (jon case would be proud) and here is PROOF: to flirt, bubba!scorpius leans against objects, sprawls his body out, plays with his hair, etc all extremely cheesy, greasy, suave moves.  he blows a kiss to polly as he’s sprawled across the stairs.  when he ROLLS down the stairs (looked painful…) to see rose at the end, he plays with his hair, shoots her a finger gun (further proof he’s bi), and lowers his voice.  but the comparison i need to highlight is THIS: when he says rose smells like bread, (1) he leans against the suitcases, trying to look suave, and (2) his face is instant regret. he silently bends back and mouths “WHAT WHY BREAD?? WHAT??? WHY???” and now…when he delivers his “ENGORGIMPRESSED” line to albus, he (1) leans against the sink, (2) grins, lowering his voice, and when the pun doesn’t land, (3) his face immediately falls, instant regret, the literal definition of “oH MY GOD WHAT WHY DID I JUST SAY THAT” the same expression he had when rose wasn’t impressed.  coincidence? i think NOT.  he’s trying so hard to flirt but he has no idea how to interact w people im --

~delphi in the church: when the adults have all surrounded delphi with their magic in the center of the stage, albus, ginny, and scorpius are huddled together. scorpius is behind albus, clutching his shoulder and hand.  albus breaks free for “SHE’S A MURDERER I’VE SEEN HER MURDER” (an underappreciated line imo) and scorpius just watches him, clearly wanting to help but not knowing how

~the final hug.  my initial, endorphin-fueled reaction was, verbatim: “THE FUNAL HUG NSCWR SEEN IR LAST SO LLNG NEVER SAW NICJ HUG HIM BACK NOSES ALMOST TOYCHONF.”  not even this is enough to convey my reaction to the final hug, but i’ll try my best to transcribe it.  

scorpius: runs up the stairs, grabs albus into a hug

albus: stunned for a moment, then wraps his arms around scorpius’s shoulders and hugs him back, burying his face into the crook of scorpius’s neck.  this is the first time i’ve seen him hug back, at least so fiercely.  they stand there for a good 3-5 seconds, then albus says, quietly, “what’s this? i thought we didn’t hug.”

scorpius, pulling back but still close to albus: “i wasn’t sure whether we should…” *looks up at albus, literal inches from his face* “in this new version of us…” *more gazing into each other’s eyes for a few seconds*

albus: “well…you better ask rose if it’s the right thing to do…” he sounded unsure? not as playful as before?

scorpius: *stares at albus for a few seconds* “a..aaha………..yeah right!”

he turns around and runs down the stairs.  albus goes “i’ll see you at dinner!” and scorpius turns around, smiles at him, and walks off, albus grinning and gazing so lovingly as he departs i’m gonna c r y

i can’t think of anything else to say about the show itself?  but my sister has given me a lot of material so i’m gonna talk about what went on with her because it’s relevant to our stage door interactions.

as we ate, she described how she would rewrite cc.  she has valid and absolutely invalid suggestions.  she would keep the father/son issues, make scorbus canon, remove or rewrite rose, and rewrite delphi’s backstory (valid).  she would remove the sorting hat and the dark timeline (not valid).  

during the intermission between acts 3 and 4, we started looking through the playbill and she started gossiping/venting about how much she hates the people in her school’s theatre (valid, since they’re bullying assholes).  i brought up a meme i sent her that i saw on twitter about how no high school theatre guys can sing, act, dance, and not be sexist.  somehow this discussion went back to nicholas podany? she was like, “i’ve been listening to his songs and deep blue is a low-key bop.” i asked if she heard his most recent song, telling myself.  she hadn’t and she immediately went to soundcloud to listen to it.  her reaction was PRICELESS.  she absolutely adored it.  she was dancing in her seat, going “okay this is actually really good??” like ofc it is? i don’t recommend bad songs? she tried to replay it but then her data ran out and the lyric theatre wifi is shit so she got very upset.  then the lights turned off and she reluctantly took out her earbuds.

there was a little girl (around 6-7ish, i’d say) in the very first row dressed as hermione for part one--complete with a doll and a broom.  for part two she was wearing a hedwig costume that looked homemade! she was very adorable, and bubba waved hello to her when he came for the curtain call.

stage door:

~sarita came out first! we told her that this was our third time at the show and second time seeing her.  i congratulated her on being cast as polly and she was so happy! dare i say…..loml

~tom and antoinette were so happy to have been the first cover romione we saw! tom was like “ah, you saw the best ron (himself)!” we were in front of a man from the uk who had seen the london show five times, and he and tom struck up a conversation about where they were from.

~nadia brown was so happy to see us! she didn’t remember us lmao but she’s so friendly

~edward james hyland (amos/dumbledore) was…politically campaigning?? the people in front of us were from vermont and he was like “ah…vermont…do you support bernie??” just like that.  they were caught off guard but i think they gave an affirmative answer, and he was like “and if he doesn’t get the nomination…?” they were still caught off guard and he just went “you’ll vote blue, right…? cause it’s the right thing to do….?” idk i’m firmly liberal but i thought this was a weird place to get political but okay

~EVERYONE was telling nicholas podany about how much they love telling myself.  he was telling the people in front of us about how it was mastered/mixed by solange’s producer(?) and my sister and i exchanged :0 looks.  she was getting shy, but i was like “tell him! he’ll love to talk about it, i guarantee it!” because even though i produce 0 content, i *am* an artist and i *do* know that we artists love validation

~so he came to us and she started talking about his songs! we’re fortunate that it was a more rock-y song so we’re…able to sound like we know what we’re talking about lmao.  growing up our mom would play us classical music (check out beethoven’s wig yo) and our dad would play us the ramones.  one of my earliest memories was arguing with my sister (probably around 4 at the time) about the lyrics to “i wanna be sedated” ahh… (she was correct btw)

~(don’t argue with me the ramones may not be poets but they’re valid)

~i was right! he was SO excited to talk to us!! my sister complimented the song and the production.  she said “i ADORE your new song!! it’s a high key bop!” and he broke into the BIGGEST smile.  she was like “i’m gonna play it until i hate it” and he said something along the lines of “i was in the studio listening to it nonstop for 8(??) hours i can’t stand it.”  he was talking about how he made the song with his “own scorpius” but i forgot who…he said scorpius and my mind blanked lmao.  he’s brought this person up before in interviews so i can probably find it.  she complimented the fact that it was different from his usual stuff and he told us about how he had a rock band in high school.  @nick where tf is your rock content pls deliver

~i actually spoke this time and cut in to tell him about how she was trying to listen to it on repeat but the signal gave out. she was trying to tell me to shut up but it’s my legal duty as the older sister to embarrass her.  

me: “I told her about your song during the intermission—”

her: “don’t!”

me: “no, nO, i told her and she was listening and then she ran out of data—”

him: “aaAa noo!”

her: “I listened to it!”

~then i told him that we loved seeing how he played albus and that we’re going to miss him, that we were going to see the cast change show but we couldn’t get tickets (i kindly left off the reason why), and he was so sweet about it *clenches heart* he told us how much he loves being able to experience this, that we’ll be so lucky to have james romney take over, etc etc i kinda wasn’t listening bc I was too emo, but I remember going “…but I don’t want to say goodbye…” and he just. gave me a sad look like “I know.”  there was so much pity in his expression.  why is he leaving us.

~the uk guy behind us was talking about how he’d seen the london year 3 and 4.  nicholas was like “oh, joe and dom? yeah i’ve spoken to joe and dom—wait, no, i haven’t met dom? i know he has an impressive social media presence” and they started talking about how different actors bring different things to albus and how the show allows them to explore different aspects to their characters and he just…wasn’t making any of this any easier for me lmao i’m mourning the loss of nick!albus and it’s not even march

~i feel bad that we weren’t able to speak with fiona reid (petunia/umbridge) because nicholas was talking to us.  

~jonno roberts.  this was the first time i’ve interacted w him at sd.  his draco has made such an impact on me, he’s my favorite actor in the show, and what do i say? what great words come out of my mouth? “hi you were great.” my sister KICKED me with her heeled boots. good thing i’m a lesbian because my doc martens protected my feet from the force of her anger.

~james snyder was enraptured in conversation with the people in front of us and just took our playbills to sign as he spoke with them. then he went “hi,” passed over us to talk to the guy behind us.  my sister was like “you were great!”

~tbh sd was kinda messy bc we were at the end of the line and the barrier things didn’t allow for the actors to get enough room to interact with the fans at the back. also jonno was standing there and he’s not a small man.

~saw several male actors leaving sd, waving goodbye at us and just walking away.  MOOD.  i was exhausted and i wasn’t the one running around on stage!

[cherryeol04]

The Firsts

Summary: No one ever told him that living was going to be so difficult. That there would emotions get couldn’t label and distinguish. He’s just a young boy trying to navigate through life and its unexpected ups and downs.

Genre: Humor, Fluff, smut(?)

Pairings: Oc x Felix, Oc x Changbin, Changbin x Oc x Felix

Warnings: poly relationship, angst in some part, excessive fighting about the MCU.

Parts: Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10 / Part 11 / Part 12 / Part 13 / Part 14 / Part 15 / Part 16/ Part 17

A/N: This story has a theme of Firsts. First love, first kiss and many other firsts. Each part can be read on their own and are meant to stand as oneshots. It’s basically a collection of oneshots (little snapshots into my Oc’s life. 😁)

“The fact you took them back.” Minho grumbled as he sat across from Aiden, eyeing the other who was trying his hardest to hide himself behind Seungmin. “We spent three hours listening to you cry! Do you know how much that hurt hyung, Aiden? I care about you and I don’t want you to be hurt again. I can’t bear to see you go through that again.” He scolded and Aiden whined. 

“I know it’s just -“

“What bullshit did they feed you?” Minho asked. 

“It wasn’t bullshit.” Aiden whispered.

“Hyung.” Hyunjin spoke up, staring at Minho. “I know I came in after all this happened, but scolding him isn’t going to help the situation. I’m sure he has his reasons for accepting their apology and proposal. We should be supportive.” 

“I agree with Jinnie.” Seungmin nodded. “Besides, I saw them trying to make things better. Aiden just was too into his feels to notice. Whatever happened happened. It happened the way it did and now they’re trying to fix it. If it means less strain in the group, who are we to stop it?”

“But what if something happens again?” Minho protested, dropping his sandwich back on his plate and reached out, taking Aiden’s hand gently. “You know I’m not really mad or anything. I just worry about you. I was there from the start of your relationship with Felix until now. I just want -“

“And I appreciate you, hyung.” Aiden interrupted with a smile. “I really do. And I know you’re just looking out for me but I have to try this. I still love him. Both of them and if I don’t I’ll just be miserable for the rest of my life - always wondering about ‘what if’.” He said and pouted. “And if I’m wrong, then I’m wrong and I get hurt. But I’ll have learned then, and work to keep myself protected and try harder to find someone who will love me for all I am.”

“Aiden, stop trying to be such an adult. I miss the hyperactive brat you really are.” He chuckled softly. Smiling, Aiden shook hid head.

“Silly. I’ll be back to my normal self soon. I just wanted to tell you guys what happened before you like accidentally discover it. I think it was the better decision.”

“It was. Thank you for being honest with us.” Hyunjin smiled at him. “And I hope you three are happy for a while, okay?”

“Thanks. That means so much to me.”

“Alright, enough with the sappiness though. I would like to eat my lunch and not puke.” Seungmin teased, pulling laughs from the others as they went back to eating. 

———

“And I told Mr. Jung that there is just no way I can compose four songs last minute like this!” Chan grumbled as he stared at his computer. “I mean I could do one or two by Friday, but I can’t do four.”

“I told you he was crazy, why didn’t you listen to me?” Woojin asked as he eyed the younger male with a smirk. 

“Listen mom -“

“Damn, if this is what university life is like, I don’t want to graduate.” Jisung pouted from his spot on the floor, back pressed against the couch. His history textbook laying open in his lap. “High school is supposed to be easy too!”

“Ah, I miss the good old days.” Woojin mused with a soft sigh. 

“It was literally last year.” Minho scoffed with a laugh. “Stop trying to age yourself.”

“Back in my day I had to walk down the halls with all my books in my hands. None of this new-fangled technology of lockers like you youngins have.” Chan spoke, voiced pitched in his playful teasing. 

“Grandpa!” Felix cheered and laughed harder when Chan smacked his fellow Aussie in the chest with a pillow. 

“Siri, how do you time travel?” Changbin asked as he held up his phone, the others laughing along with him. 

“I need new friends.” Chan groaned and rubbed his nose with the palm of his hand. 

“Sorry hyung, already tried that and they’re still here.” Aiden teased as he looked up from his notebook. “But you wouldn’t have us any other way.”

“I can neither confirm nor deny that statement.” Chan grunted and sighed. “But no seriously, how the hell am I suppose to make 4 songs?” He asked. 

“I can help if you want.” Changbin offered. 

“Oh me too!” Jisung jumped in. “Just got a really high score in production class. I’m like a genius. I got you hyung.”

“Genius? In who’s world?” Seungmin asked, brow raised. 

“In my world, duh.”

“I beg to differ.” Seungmin scoffed. 

“Only if you call me daddy.” Jisung smirked and Aiden choked on his water, coughing harshly as he smacked his chest quickly. 

“Ji! You can’t be saying that stuff around the virgin!” Minho poked at Aiden. “His poor heart can’t take your sinful tongue.” There was a beat of silence before Minho continued. “But I can.” He smirked. 

“Jesus!” Aiden hissed as he coughed again. “Can we not have this sexual talk in my Christian server? Thank you!” He pouted. 

“You would think, a man with two boyfriends wouldn’t still be a virgin.” Woojin mused. 

“Back in my days, whores just ran about flashing every Tom, Dick, and Harry they saw.” Chan joked. 

“Sometimes it was a Harry dick.” Woojin added and laughed as Aiden smacked his head on the table.

“I need new friends!” Aiden whined loudly. 

“Sucks to be you kid.” Chan smirked and shook his head. “Now, about my song production.”

———

Aiden whined as he laid back in the bed, staring up at the off white ceiling of Felix’s bedroom. The room silent, save for his soft breathing and he allowed himself to fall into the thoughts that were running over a million miles a minute. It was only a single thought, one comment that had been said that was really bugging him. 

“You would think, a man with two boyfriend wouldn’t still be a virgin.”

Was it bad he was still a virgin? Was Felix still one? Changbin even? He was pretty sure that Minho had been with Seungmin at one point and now was probably chasing Jisung’s tail. Said friend most likely wasn’t a virgin from all the tales he had told Aiden about the women he had dated back at his old school in Malaysia. 

He couldn’t be too sure about Chan or Woojin. A part of him was thinking that they were dating based on their behavior, but a part of him wasn’t entirely sure they were both gay or simply had interest in guys. And Hyunjin was a mystery to him. The little twink acted both experienced and shy and he couldn’t even decipher what was an act and what wasn’t. 

It worried Aiden. He could very possibly be the only virgin in his friend group and it seemed wrong. It’s not like he needed to have sex in order for his friends to accept him, they already did - at least he thought. It was just something about the way they teased him and Aiden wasn’t stupid. He knew they meant no harm by their words, it was all in good jest. But it was still an insecurity he had. 

Being inexperienced. And now it seemed that maybe he was the only inexperienced person in the group and it worried him. His mind drifted off to thoughts of Felix and Changbin, and what would happen when it came to that time for them to be intimate. How would he able to handle it? He could barely reciprocate the moves Changbin had used on him a while ago, he certainly wouldn’t be able to survive now that there were two of them. And what if he sucked? 

What if he couldn’t figure out how to touch Felix the right way? Or make Changbin moan? What if he couldn’t get either of them off and they were left hard and wanting - disappointed in his lack of ability?

He sighed and lifted his phone up, finger pressing and holding down the lock button until the screen flashed. “Siri, where is the nearest cliff I can yeet off of?”

“Okay, here is what I found.”

Aiden’s nose scrunched up as he read the results for the nearest Cliff’s Restaurant that he could eat off of. 

“Good job, Siri. I knew I could count on you.” He sighed. 

“Oh god, Binnie it’s worse than we thought, he’s started talking to himself.” Aiden lifted his head and watched as Felix and Changbin walked into the room, arms filled with snacks and drinks for their movie marathon. 

“I knew we shouldn’t have left him alone.” Changbin tasked. 

“I should have offered him my pet rock. He’s a great listener.”

Changbin paused and stared at Felix with concern. “Right.” He said slowly and gave a nod. “Okay so I’m dating two psychopaths.”

“Hey!”

“Hey!”

“Oh, that’s creepy. They’re even in sync. Minho warned me about you crazy people.”

“Oh my god, shut up!” Aiden tossed a pillow at him, laughing as it struck Changbin in the face. “Asshole, you know you love us.”

“I never said I didn’t.” Changbin countered as he kicked the pillow back towards the bed and walked over, setting the various cans and bottles of drinks on the nightstand. Sitting up in the bed, Aiden crossed his legs as he leaned over and looked at each label. 

“Alright, we got drinks. We got snacks. I got Black Panther queued in the DVD player, are we ready for a bomb ass movie night?” Felix asked. 

“You’re way too excited for this." Changbin laughed as he took a seat next to Aiden on the bed. 

“Black Panther is my favorite MCU movie, don’t hate.” Felix pouted as he grabbed the remote and jumped onto the bed, getting the DVD screen up on his tv.

“No hate.” Changbin hummed and smirked. “Isn’t there a legend about having sex after watching Black Panther?” He asked.

Aiden could feel his pulse start pounding as he stared at Changbin. There he was being so cheeky, trying to look innocent but his smirk was anything but. “I do not recall any legend. I believe that once we watch Black Panther then we can have cuddle sessions anywhere we want. A better achievement to unlock.” He said quickly. 

Felix laughed at that and shook his head. “We can stop with this whole ‘watching marvel movies leads to something’ joke. Really, at this point, we shouldn’t base our relationship off of watching the MCU.”

“Oh lord, Felix is going to be profound again. Something about moving at our pace and being intimate when we’re ready. And blah blah blah.” Changbin rambled on and Felix pouted. “On the nose right?”

“I hate when you do that.” Felix whined and sighed before looking to Aiden. “But he’s right. Relax babe, we won’t do anything you’re not ready for.”

“W-What?! Why do you think it’s me?” He squealed our indignantly. They both gave him a pointed look and he flushed, looking away quickly. 

“Because you’re the shy one.” Changbin cooed and reached out, pinching Aiden’s cheek gently. “I remember when you got so pouty when you couldn’t even touch my dick, and then you made such a mess.”

“Stop!” Aiden whined and pushed his hand away, smacking Changbin’s arm lightly. “That was so long ago.”

“It was. Wouldn’t mind doing it again honestly.” 

“I wouldn’t mind watching either.” Felix grinned. 

Aiden honestly wasn't sure what to say or do in that moment. Being reminded of the time he jerked off with Changbin had brought back a lot of memories and feelings that he really hadn't allowed himself to feel in a while. He could still see Changbin's face, clear as day when the other told him to cum - that thought alone sending a shiver down his spine. Did he want to do stuff with them? Of course he did. And really he was the only one holding himself back from enjoying the company of his two boyfriends - from experiencing whatever pleasure the two could bring him. He needed to get over himself, and just let loose. But it was hard, so very hard. Especially when is insecurity of being inexperienced was one of the reasons he thought Felix had cheated on him and was going to break up with him. He had been wrong, but that didn't ease any of his feelings. It only seemed to intensify them. 

Aiden hadn't notice Changbin moving until he felt the broad, strong chest pressing against his back. Muscular arms wrapped around his waist, and had Changbin's arms always been that bulky and sexy? Since when had his best friend started working out? Last he remembered, he could barely get Changbin out of his bed to walk down the stairs to get food on some days. When did he find the energy to actually go to a gym and work out? "You know we won't force you, right?" Changbin's voice was soft, words so gentle as his lips grazed Aiden's ear and embarrassingly he whimpered. "It doesn't matter if we have sex now, next week or three years from now." he continued, fingers gently rubbing against the flat plane of his abdomen soothingly. It didn't actually help in any way to relax him and Aiden found himself even tenser than he had been just being lost in his own head. "It's not important. What is important is that you feel comfortable with us - with doing simple things." he said as he rested his chin on Aiden's shoulder gently. 

"I know." A whisper, barely audible and Aiden hated himself for sounding so timid at the moment. "I just don't want to disappoint you."

"How can you disappoint us?" Felix asked, brow raised. "Where in your mind did you come up with such a ridiculous thought?" 

"It's not ridiculous!" Aiden argued and pouted. "You both are so experienced and I'm not. Hell, I avoided kissing you for like a whole week and half because I was scared I would suck at it!" he confessed, cheeks heating up at the memories of his flailing about Changbin's home and crying to Minho and Seungmin because he just couldn't get up the courage to kiss Felix and was too afraid that if he let his guard down and Felix kissed him, the other would leave him. 

"Who says we're experienced?" Felix asked with a snort. "Really Aiden? Is that what you've been thinking this whole time?" he asked.

"Well, yeah." Aiden whispered, eyes lowering as he stared at his lap, focusing on picking at the skin of his thumb, rather than the intense burn of his boyfriend's eyes on him. "Aren't you?"

Changbin laughed at that and Aiden knew he didn't mean to be hurtful in his laughter, but it did still hurt because he was laughing at him. At his apparently stupid thought process - not that he didn't agree, it was pretty stupid when he said his thoughts out loud. "No!" he spoke through his chuckles. Aiden could feel the rumble of Changbin's deep laughter through his chest, shaking Aiden to his core and for a moment he simply got lost in the feeling and the closeness. But when Changbin started talking again, he was pulled from his thoughts and forced himself to focus on the words being spoken. "I've kissed someone before, yeah. But I'm not experienced in anything. I jack off a lot, so does that give me experience in hand jobs?" he asked 

"Well, I mean... maybe?" Aiden asked curiously.

"Then that means you're experienced too." Changbin pointed out. "But I haven't done anything else, with anyone, including Felix." Changbin lifted his gaze from Aiden to look at the blonde male sitting in front of them. Felix nodded his head, a soft sigh leaving his lips

"I haven't done anything either." Felix confessed. "You were my first kiss Aiden." Aiden felt his eyes widen impossibly large at the admission. He honestly hadn't thought he was Felix's first kiss. The other seemed to experienced in what they were doing - how their lips moved and the right amount of pressure to put to keep a kiss soft or maybe to make it a little more heated.

"But I thought-"

"That's the thing, baby. You thought, you never asked." Changbin cut him off, lips pressing lightly to Aiden's cheek. "You sit there and worry about being inexperienced, thinking the rest of us have so much experience that there is no way we could possibly want you, but we're just as inexperienced as you are." he told him. "And that's okay because like Felix said before, it's okay to be inexperienced. It's what life is about, going through the unknown and learning...together."  Aiden could feel himself pouting, brows drawn together as he did his best to will the tears from welling up in his eyes. He remembered Felix saying that on the night of the confession in the Ferris Wheel. He just never thought they meant it, or what it actually meant for them.

But now it was different. He was being told he wasn't alone in being inexperienced. The people he thought who were experienced, weren't and for some reason, that made everything seem okay. Because he wasn't going to be embarrassing himself or being compared to a past relationship. Everything was fresh and new for them. 

And maybe that's all Aiden had needed to know from the very start.

"I want to." he whispered, lifting his gaze to meet Felix's eyes and then turned his head to stare at Changbin.

"Want to what?" Felix asked gently. 

"Have sex. I want to, I'm just scared." He felt Changbin's arms tighten around him, pulling him back closer as he nuzzled his neck gently. 

"It's okay. We can do it when you're ready, baby. There's nothing to be scared about okay?"  Aiden nodded his head slowly, letting out a soft exhale as he relaxed fully against Changbin. Lifting his arms, he held them out towards Felix, smiling as the Australian crawled into his lap and laid against him, cuddling into his chest. Aiden wrapped his arms around Felix and sighed contently, eyes closing as he enjoyed the warmth the closeness brought to him. Aiden watched as Felix grabbed the remote for his DVD player once more and started the movie, the three of them falling into a comfortable silence as they were sucked into wonders of Black Panther. The worries and fears that had plagued Aiden's mind for almost year were finally eased, assured that his two boyfriends would take their time with him and not rush him and he was sure they would make their first time together - whenever that may be - memorable. And for that, he was so thankful to have them in his life.