#the past tense of spin is spun

[songweaver]

I'm really enjoying the story and characters in An Archdemon's Dilemma, but J-Novel Club really needs to up their translation game. If I have to read the phrase "span on the spot" one more time, I'm gonna seriously lose my shit >_<

[mallowsweetmiri]

Truth, Dare, or Punishment ~ Fred Weasley

summary: you bitches asked for dom!Fred and you shall receive. a game of truth or dare in the common room goes south when Mclaggen dares you to kiss him

warnings: possessive dom!Fred, smut, cursing

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The night had been going splendid so far. Everyone was way too excited after the arrival of Beauxbatons and Durmstrong to go to sleep, and the older Gryffindors decided to get shitfaced as the perfect solution to their restlessness. After all, there was no quidditch this year to justify throwing common room parties, so you guys had to get creative. The new year brought new witches and wizards to corrupt, and so the twins finally let their baby brother Ron and his year join the fun. It been going well, granted Hermione was drunk off her ass, but Harry had been watching over her well enough. You were also past the point of drunk, and you assumed by their faces that the rest of the group were on their way there. At this point in the night, those who were still awake were circled up playing a filthy game of truth or dare. Angelina had gone to do seven minutes in heaven with George, Neville had eaten a puking pastille, and Ron had madeout with Lavender Brown in a disturbing manner. It was time to spin the bottle again to see who would ask the next question. Hermione giggle and leaned into the circle to spin the bottle. Everyone look around with nervous smiles as it spun around and around, before landing on Cormac McLaggen. You cringed. This was possibly the worst person it could've stopped on. Your body had a visceral reaction when your name left his lips.

"Y/N," he smiled drukenly, "Truth or dare?" You rolled your eyes. Oh, great.

"Truth," you said, grabbing your drink and taking a swig. You were going to need it.

"Who did you lose your virginity to?"

You choked on your drink as the rest of the group murmured at the question, Hermione's jaw dropping before a stream of shocked laughs escaped her. You felt Fred tense up beside you. Your mind raced with the memories of this summer at the Burrow.

"Just like that, Y/N. You're doing so good," Fred praised as he thrusted into you, kissing the crook of your neck while he fucked you. He'd been teaching you how kiss, as a friend of course. He had to help out his dear friend Y/N when she confessed how embarrassed she was that she had never kissed anyone. Never done anything with anyone. From there it had escalated. First, you wanted to know learn to give a blowjob, but soon enough Fred thought it'd be best if you knew what these things felt like too. After a while, you both realized you were terribly obsessed with each other, and one night you decided to let him be the one to take your virginity. He was big, and you were nervous, but he was so sweet about it. Even at the beginning when you thought it wouldn't be able to fit, he was reassuring and gentle with you. But that was at the start, and by now he was fully fucking you on your back, your pussy starting the soften around his cock as pleasure began to ripple through your body. You both came together in a heap of sweat and kisses.

"Y/N," McLaggen sung, waiting for your response.

"I'm not answering that," you coughed, still choking on your drink. The group has set up measure to tell if someone was lying, so you couldn't fake still being a virgin. You supposed the question wasn't that out of pocket, but you couldn't answer it. Nobody knew about you and Fred besides George, and you both wanted to keep it that way. Especially from your families.

"Well then, you know the rules," McLaggen tsked teasingly, "you forfeit to dare."

"What? No, I-"

"Those are the rules Y/N," Hermione cringed, unable to stop herself. McLaggen smirked.

"I dare you to kiss me."

You felt nauseous. McLaggen was disgusting, and the last person you'd ever want to kiss. Unfortunately, you'd brought this onto yourself. You should've known he would dare someone to kiss himself. What a weirdo. The circle groaned and laughed in disgust as McLaggen puckered his lips. You cringed and shifted your weight to lean across the circle. Just as you were about to shuffle over to him, Fred grabbed your wrist and pulled you back. You looked back at him and saw anything but a smile on his usually cheerful face. He spun the bottle and landed it on himself in a hasty motion, still holding onto your wrist tightly.

"McLaggen, I dare you to stop wearing your fucking Ballycastle Bats tighty whities to every single quidditch practice," Fred sneered before yanking you up with him and pulling you towards his dorm. You heard the group go crazy with laughter behind you and hoped it would cover for the fact that Fred just pulled you away from the party. Hopefully George could cover for you two, he should be done with seven minutes by now. Fred dragged you up the stairs without so much as a look in your direction. Once you reach his dorm, he threw open the door. What was happening?

"Fred-" he smashed his lips into yours and shut the door with your body. You gasped as your back hit to wooden surface, Fred pulling your skirt up while his hand gripped your thigh. He used your lifted leg as leverage to grind down into your hips as he pressed you against the door. Your pussy pulsed when you felt him against you, his hands gripping in all the right places. Wait a minute. When did he start kissing you again?

"Fred," you said quickly, pulling away from his mouth. He tried to kiss you again. "Fred, we just left the party. You just dragged me up here when I was supposed to kiss-"

"Don't even say his name," Fred growled, his breathing heavy and hot as he kept his face inches from yours.

"I'm sorry," you whispered out, unable to speak properly. You'd never seen Fred mad before.

"I'm sorry I dragged you," he softened, ducking his head down to kiss your neck, "but I wasn't going to let somebody else kiss you." With that, he began to attack your neck. His left hand came up to grip the back of your head as his tongue and teeth lapped at your sweet spot. You let out whimpered moans as he worked, his fingers gripping you just right. Rougher than usual.

"Freddie," you moaned, grinding yourself onto his leg. You needed more. This man had hooked, and you'd never been so addicted in your life. He picked you up under your legs and carried you to the bed before placing you down on your back. He stood over you, leaving you panting on the bed as he took off his shirt and undid his belt. His eyes were locked on yours. You wanted to look away but you couldn't, his gaze wouldn't let you. When he finished, he rushed towards you again, kissing you deeply as his hand flipped your skirt up. His tongued rammed itself into your mouth, stifling your moans when his fingers grazed over your clit. You blushed as his fingers masterfully moved your panties aside and dipped into your core. Fred laughed into the kiss as he felt you.

"Already so wet for me," he breathed huskily, "are you ready to take me?" His words had you aching. You nodded up at him bashfully. You wanted him so badly. You had turned into such a slut for his cock. "Good girl." He sat up and flipped you over, pulling your panties down as he took off his own pants. He didn't bother to take off your skirt as he pulled you back onto him. You let out a guttural moan as you felt his length stretching you out.

"Fuck, Freddie," you whined as he gripped your hips and began to thrust into you. He was going to leave bruises for tomorrow, but you didn't care.

"You're taking it so good, Y/N" Fred groaned, smacking your ass, "you like getting fucked by me? Huh?" He picked up his pace, pounding into you hard. Your moans were bouncing with the rhythm of his thrusts as he waited for your reply.

"Y-yes, Freddie. I love when you fuck me," you whined, feeling you pussy begin to clench around him. His dick twitched at the feeling and groaned. In one motion, he pulled out and spun you onto your back, pulling your shirt up over your tits and pinning your wrists above your head.

"God, you look so fucking pretty. Can't see your beautiful face while I'm behind you," Fred grunted as he thrust back into you. You moaned and threw you head back. You writhed underneath Fred, his hand constraining your wrists. You desperately needed to grasps something. You were reaching the edge.

"Freddie," you cried, unable to say anything except his name. Your eyes clenched shut as you felt your stomach knot up one final time.

"That's it, baby. Come for me." You could feel his eyes on you as you released yourself around his throbbing cock. As the waves of pleasure began to slow, Fred grunted and became sloppy. He released your hands and buried his face into your neck as he came, pushing himself as deep as he could inside of you. He laid there for a moment before pushing himself off you and pulling you onto his chest. You couldn't help but giggle a little as he kissed your head and rubbed your shoulder.

"You are so jealous," you teased, looking up to see Fred. He laughed with a sleepy half smiled.

"I'm not jealous," he retorted, pinching your cheek. "I'm just protecting whats mine."

[klausysworld]

Hey so i was wondering if maybe you could possibly write me a smutty story with Klaus like about how even though he turned me made me a hybrid or vampire now he still wants to celebrate my birthday? My birthday is on the 29th of August so its literally 4 days away id love that

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart.

Turning wasn't something I had intended to do or wanted really, it was out of necessity that Klaus had given me his blood and it was an accident that I died with it in my system.

Klaus had convinced me to complete the transition, promising to be there with me and for me throughout the highs and lows of vampirism.

In all fairness, he had been with me but sometimes the lows were really low. Especially when it came round to my supposed to be birthday. However I was never going to get older again, there was no point in blowing out some silly candles and making a wish that would never come true. I couldn't celebrate that I was a year closer to any major life event or be able to talk about stupid things like a slight pay rise as I get older.

So when I woke up, and checked to see the dreaded date, I didn't bother getting out of bed. Well not until I felt an arm round my waist, pulling me back against a firm body. My eyes cracked open when his deep voice rumbled from behind my ear.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart." He muttered, a kiss pressed to the back of my ear and then my cheek before I was rolled over to face him. My face was level with his as he brushed the tip of his nose over mine and I groaned.

"Can we just not?" I mumbled, my voice croaky from sleep but I knew he got it as his brows pulled together and his eyes crinkled ever so slightly at the edges.

"No, we definitely will." He argued, his face returning to relaxed again as he pecked my lips. "Believe it or not but we all still celebrate our birthdays, Rebekah insists upon it."

"Were calendars even a thing back then?" I ask, still just about coherent and he hummed.

"No...but we had our ways to know...or perhaps we simply chose our birthdays a few years down the line. Nevertheless we celebrate and I refuse to let you go without." He whispered, kissing my temple and offering a smile.

"I've been here ages and haven't seen any of your birthdays, you're lying." I murmured, eyes narrowed.

"Well..." He sighed, a click to his tongue. "We celebrate as often as we can, the past couple months or so have been very complicated to say the least."

"Fine but I better see you with a birthday hat and badge on- when was your birthday?" I question and he sighed.

"March time. Doesn't matter, it isn't about me. This is about you. Now come, the festivities have only just began." He teased before both arms were hoisting me up and over his shoulder like a rag doll making me whine.

"Klaus!" I squirmed but only for a second, I wasn't awake enough to fight him. His hand patted my ass playfully as he carried me out of our room, making my body tense but he shushed me.

"I won't let anyone see this pretty little behind of yours." He chuckled, bringing me down the stairs and spinning me round and placing me on the breakfast stool. My head spun a little, attempting to adjust as a warm plate was placed in front of me by a softly smiling Elijah.

"Congratulations on your birthday, Y/N." He uttered, keeping his voice quiet which I appreciated before Rebekah's voice bellowed out.

"For christs sake Elijah! Just say normal things like 'happy birthday'!" She tutted, rolling her eyes and dropping down beside me. "Happy birthday, darling. It'll be spectacularly, I guarantee." She grinned and I could feel the dread forming as I pushed a smile to my face and bit the end of some bacon to keep my mouth preoccupied so I wouldn't have to find any words to keep the magic of my fantastic birthday alive.

Klaus's hand ruffled my hair, his chuckle a distant sound in the air as he left the room. My head turned to find him but Rebekah was nudging my side.

"Don't look, he's going to get your presents. Keep eating, and try to contain your excitement." She practically bounced beside me, smile brighter than ever as she pulled out a party horn and blew it in my face.

Just seconds later an elastic band snapped under my chin, a card hat on top my head and Hayley kissing my cheek before catching my ear. "Just go with it, it'll get better." She whispered and I listened.

By the time I had finished my breakfast, Klaus was behind me.

I had just slipped off the stool, Elijah had already taken my plate and when I turned around there was an array of differently shaped and sized presents wrapped and displayed across the room. Klaus standing infront of them, slowly coming towards me with a hand outstretched.

I took it after a second and let him lead me over, arms going round me from behind as he lifted the first gift to my hands. "Please...just enjoy yourself." He whispered, nose in my neck.

Presents took a while. By the end I couldn't be upset. Klaus knew me like an open book and had hit every mark possible. Bringing me to tears several times with extra special gifts.

Which was why my face was buried in his chest, eyes closed and fingers curled around his henley as he kissed the top of my head.

I found myself back upstairs soon after, stripped bare and soaking peacefully in the bathtub whilst Rebekah and Hayley yelled through the next room, going on about the party they had planned.

The dress Rebekah had designed fit like a glove and I couldn't deny how beautiful I felt in it, especially once the girls had done my hair and makeup.

"Everything's perfect." Bekah uttered, hands fixing the last few strands and checking the hairspray had set.

"Klaus is gonna go crazy." Hayley whistled and my eyes rolled though a smile pulled at my face.

They were right too, he was all over me as soon as I got to the bottom of the staircase. Lips kissing mine and hands on my hips, gripping them like he usually does in the depths of our room.

"Happy birthday, my love." He whispered and I hummed before adjusting his bowtie.

"You are adorable when you dress up." I teased and he smirked.

"You may never cease to surprise me with your...unique compliments for me." He chuckled and I hummed, kissing him again.

"Lets go dance." I whispered and he shook his head with a grin.

"Birthday toasts, my love." He told me and I groaned softly as I pulled him over to where everyone was spinning each other around happily. He relented of course and gave into a few dances before pulling me onto the stair case and having me held to his side whilst he toasted my birthday before his siblings and Hayley followed. All expressing their appreciation and love for me.

It was quite lovely actually. I was glad to have celebrated my birthday when I hugged each of them before we all got back on the floor.

So many people had brought me gifts, said such kind words and I had to wonder if they were compelled but I didn't even care by the end of the day when Klaus had me held against the wall. Mouth on my neck, sucking his beautiful marks into my skin and hands bunching up my dress.

I could still hear the music and chatter of guests just a wall over as his fingers stroked their way up my thighs. I could feel the warmth spreading through my body. I clung onto his suit jacket, tugging relentlessly with need as I tried to contain the moans that clawed up my throat.

A gasp escaped me as his teeth bit my skin, not his vampire teeth but his human ones. Not quite making me bleed but still breaking the skin.

I tried to pull him closer, my legs pulling at his waist letting me feel how hard he was against me.

"Oh god" I breathed, my eyes looking down quickly but all I could see was dress as he ground himself against me.

"You have no idea how badly I want to take you right now." He whispered and I moaned softly.

"God..yes, do it." I begged and he hummed.

"Not yet...you need your gift." He muttered before he was holding the backs of my thighs tightly. I glanced at him, confused before groaning softly as he got down to his knees and placed both my legs over his shoulders.

"Klaus..." I whispered as his head was completely covered by the skirt of my dress.

Despite not being able to see him, there was absolutely no doubt he was there as the heat of his treasured mouth kissed my wetness through my thong. God he was good, he was always so good.

If euphoria were a person, it would be Klaus.

He knew exactly what to do, how to touch, how to love me so good that I love myself too.

My hands pressed to the walls around and my head went back to rest. He was pure heat between my legs and he made my legs shake against my will.

"One day you're gonna really kill me." I whispered, my words a blur as I felt my back arch off of the wall behind. I could feel his lips move against my cunt as he mumbled something back. The wet vibrations of his mouth making my insides twist delightfully. "God- fuck!" I cried as he chuckled, only adding to the intensity.

A laugh escaped him whilst he pulled his face away though my dress still hid him from my view.

"You'll alert the whole party if you keep screaming sweetheart." He reminded and I nodded in acknowledgment. My mouth closed in an attempt to muffle my sounds as the warm touch of his fingers stroked my pussy tauntingly.

I felt blood pool my mouth when my fangs sunk into my own tongue in time with his fingers plunging inside me. He made my nails penetrate my palms; a shiver to run down my spine.

My mind drew a blank at the methodic pump of his fingers, each curl and stroke hitting so unbelievably perfect that I seemed to be falling apart before he'd truly even started.

His laugh was amused and teasing as my legs were dropped to his waist where both his hands grabbed my thighs.

"I'm very serious when I tell you that the entirety of next door just heard you my love." He grinned before lifting my as he got to his feet and carried me to our room.

I was dropped to the bed with a soft thud, his body covering me like a blanket would as he nuzzled beneath my ear. "You know...I sincerely considered wearing a ribbon for you, my love." He murmured making me giggle at the idea.

"Oh yeah? Where would you have worn it?" I teased, my hands lifting to cup his face; my thumbs brushing over his stubble. "What part of you would I have gotten to unwrap." I whispered and a soft rumble travelled through his body.

No words left him as I felt my dress be tugged, a quick rough tug which caused a loud tear to sound through the room. I didn't have to look to know the extent of his damage, the cool air spreading down my front told me enough. His hands pulled the loose material away, leaving me completely bare beneath him. Open to him in all ways.

"Must you always break things?" I whined, despite not truly being annoyed.

"Oh love. I don't break things, I ruin them." He uttered, his words sharp on his tongue as his calloused hand stroked the side of my face. "Now lay back, my love, and let me ruin you."

I knew it wasn't a question but a demand and a demand that shot straight to my core.

The silence rang as I laid back, head against the pillows.

I accepted my fate wholeheartedly, and under no circumstances would I even consider skipping out on my birthday next year if I knew this was coming.

————————————————————————

You have no idea how sorry I am for this being so god damn late. I know it’s not my best, I hope it’s still something that can make you smile even just a little bit @nerdygamer829

[xprakzif]

LOVE YOU GOODBYE,

matt x fem!reader

summary: when matt’s career gets in the way of his relationship, his girlfriend simply cannot take it anymore. what better way to say goodbye than this?

warnings:: MDNI//SMUT, car sex, overstimulation, raw intercourse, kissing, angst, no happy ending.

“just one more time?”

the chilly breeze of the night rushed in causing both bodies to shiver. her short mini dress with lack of sleeves or a jacket only worsened the setting. the hair around her shoulders wasn’t doing her any favors by warming her up.

her tear stained cheeks illuminated by the street lamps occasionally flickering with him standing in front of her. so majestic yet full of shit, how could he stand there so beautifully after breaking her heart?

“face it, matt. i understand this is your job, i get that and i know you have to do this. you have to go hang out with other girls, you have to film and stream all the time, i know! but even when there’s time you don’t bother..” her heart pounding against her chest feeling like she was slowly sinking. she didn’t mean to come off this way. but it gets tiring after a while.

“i don’t know what you want me to do..” he didn’t even look her way, still looking out into the crowd of bodies that filled his shared home.

“yet you throw a party? shit, this is the closest thing i get to-“

“it wasn’t even my idea, y/n! you swear you get me but you don’t, ‘cause if you did, you’d know i don’t even want any of this! it was chris’s idea to invite some people over—shit, it’s not even a party for real. you always do this.. i’m just as tired as you are, alright?” his sudden outburst snapped a few heart strings, she felt herself breaking down quicker by the second.

the booming voices made her racing heart only beat faster. maybe she’s the problem. maybe her leaving would solve his worries, cut back the stress he’s dealing with.

“okay..” she whispered, face heating up as her eyes burned with tears. she continuously swallowed the nerves in her throat but nothing could stop the pain in her heart right now.

she moved through the room trying to find an escape, an exit. haven’t even noticed she let loose and sobbed, ruining her eye makeup.

finally reaching the front door, she stepped out trying to slam the door behind her, but something was in the way.

“cmon, y/n..” matt took ahold of her arm, which she ripped out of his grip to walk off.

from an outsiders point of view, it’d look like he was chasing her. her heels clicking against the cement as she made her way to her car parked a bit far from their house.

“please- wait!”

getting to her car, she finally spun around,

“no, matt! i’m done- with you, with us.. i’m sorry.” she managed to get out. he took in her figure underneath the glooming street lamp. it looked like a scene from a movie.

“what..?”

“i’m sorry.. i don’t wanna be in the way of your career anymore–please don’t convince me otherwise..”

he stood shut, a part of him knew she was right.

he felt his heart tense up as if it were being squeezed. thought they were both going through such heartbreak, neither of them could help but admire the other.

after all, she was his–or atleast used to be. it wasn’t unlikely for him to lust over her, now just wasn’t the right time.

both of them couldn’t deny how sexually frustrated they were. she was right, matt hadn’t spent enough time with her. neither of them were disloyal, so the days added on and on.

he couldn’t help but realize her beauty, even with eyeliner and mascara running down her stained cheeks. if anything it only made her more exquisite.

him standing there, dark purple bags under his eyes from the lack of rest he had gotten these past weeks, his bright blue eyes looking up and down her body. she felt the need as much as he did.

his slow steps toward her made her head spin. he placed a delicate hand to her cheek, caressing it while he looked into her eyes.

“just.. one more time?” he whispered. “as a goodbye..”

there was no need for context when they both knew what that meant. she grabbed the back of his neck, drawing him closer to smash his lips onto hers.

the world around them paused, no care for the party that was going on just a few houses away.

struggling by reaching in her purse, she searched with her hand for her car key unlocking it in the process. the lights flashing for a second took matt’s attention to pull open the backseat door; pushing their bodies onto the cushioning of the seats.

she laid on her back, matt crawling on top of her after closing the door. it was such a cramp space but neither seemed to care too much.

he reconnected their lips to move in synchrony, their hands roaming each others body.

“matt-” she whispered breathlessly, tugging at his hair.

his touch grazed over the thin fabric of her mini dress, trailing down to grip onto her hips. the opposite hand pulling up the material over her waist, revealing her lacey panties.

her hands began unbuckling his belt and undoing his baggy jeans. somehow, he’d shifted them so she was now straddling his lap.

he trailed his hands down to her hips, once again holding onto them while they moved with rhythm, grinding onto his crotch.

“fuckkk– y/n..” he dragged out.

the car filled with heavy breathing and the smacking sound of lips, causing the windows to fog. matt was sat up, back against he car door. she felt the stiffness in his pants through her panties that were damp and sticky.

breaking the kiss, she reached down to tug the fabric down her legs; it was difficult in such an awkward position, but her eagerness made it happen.

he watched her with gleaming eyes as if she were a display of art in a museum. pulling down his jeans, including his boxers, he freed his hardened cock that sprung up.

she aligned her entrance with his length, sinking down slowly; she gasped. he sucked in air between his teeth, seething at the feeling of her tightness gripping around him.

she was swallowing him whole as her hips dove lower to collect him fully into her.

“keep going— that’s it-ahh, take it all..” he groaned and she was fully sat with him deep inside her.

she began rolling her hips forward, reconnecting their lips in the process. the kiss was sloppy. her mouth opening constantly to let out breathless moans from bouncing on his cock.

it sounded like they just ran a marathon with the amount of heavy breathing. he tried his best to buck his hips upward to feel her deeper inside.

“fuck!–so deep—nngh- need to–”

he took everything in his power to thrust deeper and harder with a quickened pace to bring her closer.

she threw her head back with pleasure, clenching around his base as her orgasm washed over her.

“matt–ma– ah–“ she stammered out while she stiffened up with trembling thighs, digging her nails into his shoulders.

he wasn’t far behind her. groaning while slamming up into her, she was caught in a trance by the overstimulation.

“ohmy– nngh—fuckkk, i love y-you–i lov–” he echoed into the car, shooting white ropes of his seed into her painting her slimy walls.

there was a ring of a bubbly, white substance around his cock, a mix of both of there liquids.

they panted trying to come down from their highs. she felt a pang in her chest; the sudden realization hit and hit hard.

this was it. the last dance.

she started to remove her self from him,

“wai-wait. don’t leave yet.” he helped her off, “it’s late, y/n. just stay the night, please.”

she thought for a minute. he was right, though they weren’t aware of the current time, it was late. she thought about the dangers of driving so late on a friday night,

“alright.. fine”

after fixing themselves up, they found their way back to the house. the ‘get together’ the boys were hosting had already died down. no one noticed them slip into matt’s room.

“here,” he handed her one of his larger shirts, "wouldn’t want you sleeping in that..”

“thanks..” she accepted the offer, still feeling hurt with the tension from someone she was once so comfortable with.

she changed, slipped under the covers, and took a deep breath.

he got in right behind her, they were faced away from eachother, she thought.

“y/n?” he whispered, clear enough for her to hear.

“hmm?”

“i love you..” he watched her body expanded with every breath she took. he was facing her the entire time.

“i-i love you too..” she whispered, her voice steady but her eyes brimmed with tears.

the night fell silent. both bodies drifting to sleep after losing energy from their previous actions.

it came morning time quickly, matt shifted in his spot as the sunlight peeked through the curtains.

he recalled being with her last night, joy awakening him. he rolled over to the other empty side of the bed.

empty? this can’t be right, she was here..

he felt like he remembered a bad dream from last night. quickly grabbing his phone to call his girlfriend.

the line rang once.

“you have reached the voicemail box of—“ rang too loud in matt’s ears, he quickly shut it off. his heart began to race.

baby? •!Not Delivered

his mind soon flooded with the memories they shared, then it got to last night.

that wasn’t a dream after all.

[crescenthistory]

b.11 w/ paul atreides please <3

i hadn't realised how much i missed writing for paul, my best boy. thank you for your request love<3

Prompt: B.11 "Come back to bed"

Words: 1.5k

Warnings: not proofread, tooth-rotting fluff, insomnia, talk of anxiety and feeling the pressure of leadership, cuddles and kisses

Note: again, in my mind this is the same paul and reader as in in the silence, there is an us just because i love them and they both clearly cannot sleep without each other

The cool desert air wrapped around you as you stirred from your barely-there-sleep. The bed felt too big, too cold, and as you stretched out a hand to be lulled back to sleep by Paul’s breathing you knew why – he was gone. Your fingers drifted across the blankets, but only touched emptiness where his warmth should have been.

You sighed, rolling onto your back as your eyes adjusted to the faint light filtering into the room. The Sietch was quiet, but you could still hear the distant murmurs of the desert, the occasional soft sound of wind brushing over the sand. In theory a comforting sound that should help you fall asleep, but you knew from experience that without Paul there, your body refused to settle. Neither would your mind, spinning with worry for your sweet boy who was rapidly turning into a strong man, overworked and drawn too taut the past few months.

Paul had been doing this more often lately, slipping away in the middle of the night, drawn in by the weight of his responsibilities, the relentless pull of being Muad'Dib. You saw that familiar gleam in his eyes slipping more and more, and you ached to inspire it back into existence. That burden was not just his to carry, but you knew that was difficult for him to fully accept, which is why you made it your mission to remind him.

With a soft groan, you sat up, wrapping your shawl around your shoulders to chase away the chill. You knew Paul was not coming back on his own, so you would bring him back. No one can save the world with 2 hours of sleep.

You padded softly through the halls of the Sietch, navigating the familiar paths that had somehow become home. While your mind still spun with all the changes you had had to face, Paul remained your constant and you were determined to keep it as such, grounding him into all he was and all he did. It didn’t take you long to find him, he was exactly where you expected – his private makeshift study, hunched over a table littered with charts and maps of the desert. 

You lingered in the doorway for a moment, watching him. He had his back to you, shoulders tense with focus and hair still mussed from sleep. You could see the twirls you had made in it by the nape of his neck as you were falling asleep. 

There was a certain beauty to him like this, lost in thought, the weight of leadership heavy on his lean frame, but you knew what it was doing to him, too. You saw the way his eyes darkened when he thought no one was watching, how the weight of being the Kwisatz Haderach pulled him further and further into himself. The worry served a purpose in the daylight, but you couldn’t let him disappear into that tonight.

With a soft smile, you crossed the room, your bare feet making almost no sound as you came up behind him. Yet you could see he knew you were there by the way he sat up a bit straighter, ready to lean into the touch he knew was coming. Without a word, you slipped your arms around his shoulders, pressing yourself against his back.

“Paul,” you whispered, leaning your head against him, breathing him in. “It’s late. Come back to bed.”

He let out a breath, leaning into your touch as his hand instinctively moved to rest over yours where they clasped at his chest. 

“My love, I didn’t mean to wake you,” he murmured, though his eyes were still fixed on the maps in front of him.

“You didn’t,” you said softly, your lips brushing the shell of his ear. “Just missed you.” 

Paul let out a soft hum of acknowledgement, though he didn’t make a move to get up. His thumb absentmindedly traced circles on the back of your hand, his mind still half-lost in whatever plans were swirling in his head. “There’s… too much to think about,” he finally said, voice low. “I just need to finish–”

“No,” you interrupted gently, tightening your arms around him. “What you need is to come to bed and get some rest while you can.”

He sighed, tilting his head slightly to rest against yours. “You sound like my mother,” he teased, though there was a hint of exhaustion in his voice.

You smiled against his skin, pressing a soft kiss to his neck. “Then you should listen to her,” you said playfully, your breath warm against his skin. “Despite her peculiarities, she is very wise.”

“Mmm, you might be right,” he admitted, turning his head just enough to catch your eye. His lips twitched with the barest hint of a smile, and your heart fluttered at the sight. “But she doesn’t quite have your charm.”

You grinned, brushing his hair back with your fingers. “Flattery won’t get you out of this, Paul. Come back to bed. Your maps will still be here tomorrow.”

His smile faded slightly, his eyes drifting back to the table. “I don’t know if I can. I can’t stop thinking about it all,” he admitted, quieter now. “The future, the Fremen, everything I have to do. It’s… always there.”

You frowned softly, shifting to hug him from the side, so you could see his face better. “I know, love, but that is not yours to carry right now,” you said, your voice gentle but firm. “Not tonight. You’ve done more than enough.”

He didn’t answer immediately, but you could feel the tension slowly draining from him as your fingers continued to comb soothingly through his hair. His body relaxed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he leaned into your touch. He tilted his head back just enough to rest it against your shoulder, closing his eyes.

“You always know how to make me calm down,” he murmured, his voice soft and full of affection. “It’s dangerous, you know. I might never get anything done if I listen to you all the time.”

You chuckled, brushing a kiss against his temple. “I think you could use a little less getting things done and a little more sleep. I promise to use my persuasion to kick you back into sleep tomorrow.”

“I’ve noticed you seem particularly invested in my sleep schedule,” Paul teased, opening one eye to look up at you. “Should I be concerned?”

You smiled down at him, your heart warming at the familiar lightness in his tone, the teasing he only ever reserved for you. “Very concerned,” you said in mock seriousness. “Especially since I can’t sleep without you there.”

His face softened, the teasing giving way to something more tender. He turned fully in your arms, slipping his hands around your waist and pulling you close in between his legs until your foreheads touched. “I can’t sleep without you, either, you know,” he confessed quietly, his breath warm against your lips. “You… ground me. In ways no one else can.”

Your heart swelled at his words, and you smiled softly, brushing your thumb over the curve of his cheek. Familiar words, yet they never ceased to warm you. “I know,” you cooed. “Then let me ground you tonight. Come back to bed with me.”

He stared into your eyes for a long moment, and you could see the struggle there – the pull of duty versus the need for rest. But in the end, he sighed, a small, grateful smile tugging at his lips. “Alright,” he whispered. “I’m coming.”

“Good,” you said with a grin, tugging at his hand as you led him away from the table, back toward the bed waiting to be warmed up by the both of you. “You’ll thank me in the morning.”

As you reached the bed, Paul wrapped his arms around you, pulling you down with him in a tangle of blankets and limbs. You let out a soft laugh as he pressed his face into the crook of your neck, placing sweet kisses there, his warm breath tickling your skin.

“If I didn’t know any better,” he began, his voice muffled against you, “I’d say you’re trying to distract me from my very important work.”

“Very important work,” you echoed with a laugh, running your fingers through his hair. “It can wait, Paul. I’m your very important work tonight.”

He chuckled softly, his grip tightening around your waist as he pressed a soft kiss to your ear. “You make a compelling argument.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

For a while, you just lay there together, his body pressed against yours, the quiet of the Sietch wrapping around you both like a protective cocoon. The world outside faded into the background. Here, in the soft glow of the night, it was just you and your Paul. 

“Thank you,” he whispered after a while, his voice sincere and, to your glee, sleepy.

You smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of his bedhead. “Always.”

Neither of you woke up again throughout the night as you slept soundly in each other’s arms.

[moutainrusing]

accident

519 words, @wolfstarmicrofic

Friends kissed all the time. It was just a thing, obviously, a cheeky peck on the lips, or to teasingly piss people off. Just a thing. If the bottle lands on your friend during spin the bottle, you put on a show. If there’s mistletoe above your heads, then pucker up.

So really, it wasn’t a big deal when Remus and Sirius were dared to get caught past curfew in an act of public indecency.

“Alright, what should we do?” Sirius asked, standing in front of Remus.

Remus shrugged against the wall, before his eyes widened, and he hissed, “Hufflepuff Prefect round the corner. Think it’s… Qingjin Yao?”

Sirius laughed, “Bloody werewolf senses. You’re awesome.”

“Thanks. Now shut up and do something indecent in five secs.”

“What should I—”

Remus kissed him, and breathed, “Indecent,” into his mouth. Sirius felt the word diffuse from his lungs into his bloodstream, flowing into his organs and muscles as they tensed and clenched in response. He kissed back with equal fervour, ‘indecent’ chiming in his mind on repeat. Indecent. He reached down. Indecent. Their hips rolled like a spinning record. Indecent. The record stuttered in time to their own stutters.

Indecent, but it was more than decent, because Sirius was thrumming with energy, whirring faster and faster until the momentum thrusted them upwards, and they collided with atoms in the air, sparks flying and skin sparking. He pushed into Remus with a surge of power, the air hot and dense as particles compressed and pressure built, and Remus was pulling him like a magnet, the charges in his body lining up to face him and tug, as if Remus was the core of the Earth and gravity was dragging Sirius into him, and when they met, the world would explode into a million tiny stars—

“Um. Uh. I didn’t see this. Boys. Please step apart.”

Sirius flew away like a flipped magnet. But he immediately flipped back, and wanted to crowd Remus’s space forever—

“Hi, Qingjin,” Remus politely smiled, patting his hair down and fixing his clothes. Sirius frowned, and thoughtlessly reached up to dishevel Remus’s hair again. “Accident,” he muttered, smirking at Qingjin before shamelessly staring at Remus.

“Could you please escort us to the Gryffindor dorms before we get caught up in indecency again?” Remus asked, somehow sounding agreeable despite the way he was smirking.

Qingjin shook her head, “Um. I suppose. We’re gonna forget this happened though. I need bleach.” She began to walk, and they followed her quietly. She spun around suddenly, “No funny business, or I’ll take points and file detentions. Only reason I’m not doing that is ‘cause I really don’t want a reminder of this.”

“And ‘cause you’re a Hufflepuff,” Sirius smiled sweetly.

She ignored him, and carried on marching them to the common room, where James and Peter were waiting outside the portrait.

“Oh, thank you Qingjin,” James gushed, “We were so worried as to where they went! So… what did you catch them doing?”

“What trouble were they causing?” Peter piped up innocently.

She sighed. “Gay shit.”

James and Peter burst out laughing.

[vampykween]

remind me

because @tomiesdiet is the little angst devil on my shoulder hehe

simon ghost riley x reader

“how am i supposed to live without you? i- i don’t think i can do this…” your sobs cut your words short and you try to speak again but the lump in your throat is slowly suffocating you.

the smell of alcohol and harsh chemicals infiltrate your nose and nauseate you. you’ve always hated the smell of hospitals. always so sterile and lifeless, which you guess is fitting.

you stare out the small window to the room and ponder about the people steadily walking past. could they see in your eyes that very soon your life was going to end? your reason for living would soon cease to exist. or was this just another meaningless day? while your entire world has halted and been spun wildly, there are people experiencing the best days of their lives.

you desperately wish simon could respond to you, squeeze your hand back, smooth your hair and kiss your head like he always does - or how he always did. you were sure you’d never get used to speaking of him in past tense. there was no manual for how to live after simon.

suddenly the room begins to spin and you feel like you’re watching a scene from a tv show as the nurses tell you to say your last goodbye. your stomach clenches so painfully you’re sure you’re going to vomit everywhere. you want to scream at them to stop, to shake them and tell them to save him, but there wasn’t anything they could do that’s what they told you.

-

the drive home feels endless and with all the tears clouding your vision it’s a wonder you make it back safely. simon would get onto you if he knew you were driving so carelessly. except no he wouldn’t. he’s dead. you remind yourself of that. simon riley is dead, gone, no longer living. that was fact.

you’re not sure what to do with yourself as you wander aimlessly throughout the house. every room feels so lifeless now, there’s no sound of a football game on and even though everything looks the same way you left it, it feels emptier.

something bright pink catches the corner of your eye and it’s like there’s a lead weight crushing your lungs. you slowly walk over and pluck the note off the counter ‘don’t forget your lunch. love you xx’ you always had a bad habit of that and simon loved leaving you little reminder notes from time to time. you normally keep them in your nightstand drawer to read when he’s away but now you’re not sure if you’ll ever have the heart to look at them again.

the notes crumples in your hand as you fall to your knees and let out a visceral scream. the force of your cries wracking your body and leave you heaving and shaking. simon riley was gone and all those notes were all you had left of him.

[missmarveledsblog]

I'll show you different ( joel miller x reader) part one

Summary : y/n ( peach ) is learning to be free , learning to be her own woman again. Since life wasn't so easy for girl she ran from one monster into hands of another now back in her hometown back with her grandfather she learns being free is lot harder than she thought but lucky for her there's a couple of brothers help her along the way .

Warning : mentions and allusions to domestic violence and child abuse. Slightly angst but not much .

It’s funny when you hear thing repeated to you , that you begin to believe them and absence and time makes you take a step back and you realize how truly fuck it all is , when it takes an outside look to see the toxicity . y/n would always be indebted to her friends . she was a runaway , a product of a cycle that kept repeating from her mother to now her. She was afraid when she was younger no one would believe her so to escape her father she ran with the help of fake id , she crossed country ended up away from one monster to the hands of another . she thought he was one to save her , she should of seen the mask he held perfect man saving her like a damsel in distress . looking back it was stupid to believe it all but thank to good surprising people she was able to escape and only one place she could go that had family was austin texas , she was born and bred , only family consisted of her grandfather probably the only man in her life that didn’t hurt her , one that loved her no matter what . she felt guilty not seeing him in so long and yet when she showed up on his door step he said sorry , he apologized for not protecting her as if he was the one to let her down.

He set her up in one if his houses , his old home that he was going to rent out but couldn't due to it Being The one He shared with his wife. She spent many times in the confines of these walls Everytime her mother was in er or her father in jail . The house held the only happy memories from her broken past . She was happy to be home though this was always home whether it was just her or her grandparents This was her safe space , her breather The one place that didn't have fear laced In the foundations .

She Stood looking over the garden , knowing to sass her grandfather for its state . She checked the old shed door almost falling off The hinges But the things she needed taken care of pulling Them out And heading placing Them along the porch only thing she couldn't do was put on the gloves Those ones that kept her grandmother's hands safe tending to the once beautiful rose bushes. No those went into a draw In the house to be kept safe . She wrote list smiling at the freedom Of being just able to leave and come back without a fight Or more To ensue After . Checking the car she'd bought second hand , like it was second nature make sure nothing or none one was lurking Waiting . She watched the town passing By one she grew up in seeing the change and yet it was still the same . Few saying their hellos and what not she could tell it was to fish information out , the faux Friendly manners to fuel the gossip pressing at tip of their tongues . She and her grandfather even held A little bet on it one she was winner of the moment she got his text standing in hardware store .

Eyes scanning the aisle looking at the buckets of paint all looked the same and yet All claiming to be the best for this and that . She moved back trying to make out The buckets up higher only for her back to hid a solid Mass and clash of Metal making her tense up .

“ woah easy there darling” the voice rasped making her spin to see what or who she hit.

“ shit I am so sorry here let me help” she spun picking up the bit And bobs She knocked From his hands .

“ which one you need” he asked softly head nodding To the shelf .

“ white paint one up there says it weather bearing , I need like two cans “ she shrugged going to hand his thing only he Walked up effortlessly reaching for the ones she wanted . “ good brand actually does the job Too” he chuckled placing Them in her cart , glancing at other thing that sat there .

“ I hope so still getting used to the heat again it's something” she nodded finally handing His things to him. “ well thank you and sorry again for before” all she said heading off .

“ hey wait if you need help with anything build , repair heres my card” he smiled pulling it out and holding It out.

“ thanks … Joel but i got it covered” she glanced to the card.

“ actually I'm tommy work's my big brother , but we actually work in construction and since I'm guessing your new To town well handy man is handy to have right” he chuckled.

“ well thank you tommy but I'm Not new to town just back and I'll hold on to “ she sighed before completely leaving him standing there like a boy lost in dreamland.

“ tommy what you doing standing around, John's waiting” a gruff Snapped the man from his dreamy state.

“ met the hottest girl in town joel give a man a minute ” he smiled Brightly .

“ you said that Friday night too “ the older miller Rolled his eyes .

“ no this ones different I can feel it” he chuckled as two headed Get rest of their supplies.

The two brothers heading home for lunch Tommy miller non stop Chatting over the mystery Girl , while joel learned To drown his Little brother out knowing The man would move on , glance at the car cross the street wondering who the mystery tenant was knowing his boss wasn't In a rush to rent that property out at all. Seemed to special for him to do so but didn't question much when he did event catch the new car parked out there once no trouble was brought To the street well it was fine By joel .

Tommy eyes widened as He caught the person standing on the porch. “ that's her man that one from hardware Store” he clapped his brother excitedly On the shoulder.

Hell his brother was right she was beautiful, yet he even from where he stood he could tell she was way too young for him she barely looked mid twenties probably College kid needing place to stay he reckoned.

“ I should say hey welcome her to the neighborhood” tommy winked .

“ though it was her” the voice Of miss Benson taking A stand beside them sad look on her face. “ that boys is john granddaughter y/n, now don't Bother poor girl I'd say it hard being back here” her words more pointed to the younger of The two men.

“ hard, how ?”.

“ y'all not heard What happened surprised with the mouths Around here , her mama was killed By her daddy girl ran away when she was 16 all way across the country , think it was new York guess she finally came back “ she sighed remembering the little pick of a thing that used to stay in that very house.

“ shit That is ..” tommy voice dropped.

“ he got life and he should of gotten the needle” she scoffed. “ hey peach “ she called making girls head shoot over.

“ miss Benson you still here huh?” She smiled although staying away taking in the two men standing til gaze feel On one .

“ I ain't following you darling , that brother I was telling you about We live here” tommy chuckled as three headed over.

“ how you doing sweet girl , good to See you back” the elderly Woman smiled softly .

“ I Don't think all have those same feeling but you alway been Exception to most” peach shook her head shyly .

“ so your grandpa Is our boss and landlord” tommy smiled bright flashing his flirty grin only to return a head nod back .

“ you fixing up your grandmother's garden ,about time someone did I'm sick of giving out That stubborn man” miss Benson chuckled.

“ he got mouthful from me too , but he ain't got green thumb is his Excuse” She rolled her eyes.

“ well if you need anything you got our card” tommy winked again she didn't bat a lash at the action.

“ thank you again I don't think I do “ she smiled softly trying not to come off rude Or anything .

“ welcome party has arrived “ the cheery Voice called .

“ of course it has , although not happy I find out she here Days later “ miss Benson narrowed Her eyes.

“ letting girl settle In before you start with your casseroles is all Ellis “ he chuckled .

“ my fault miss Benson , just needed time to be back” she smiled Weakly it wasn't a lie but it wasn't the whole truth either.

“ I'll drop by Once your settle peach good Seeing you” the old woman smiled.

“ we best get our lunch but need anything darling” tommy smiled .

“ I got your card “.

“ come on , it was nice to meet you y/n” joel nodded.

“ you too , pop I got your Food ready come in when you finished” she smiled heading Into the house not Really used to the social Proprietary ties Being back .

“ hey boys y'all wouldn't mind keeping eye on her while she there , you know young girl living a lone and all that?” john Asked but felt their was more to his words .

“ course we don't not one bit” Joel called back something was different about the girl , he'd give that much to tommy but he couldn't place his finger On it. Something she was hiding. Some thing clouded over her like weight of world was on her Shoulder So to say joel was intrigued was understatement

Part two,

[mykoreanlove]

rotten fruit

“Hyunjin, who is blowing up your phone?”

Hyunjin’s eyes left the gorgeous girl he was talking to and darted to the other side of the room where he had left his phone unattended. It had been buzzing and ringing for the past hours, but he didn’t bother to notice. He took another sip of his beer before getting up and grabbing the device. Hyunjin smirked as he realized that it was you – again.

“So, who thinks you’re THAT important?” His friend scoffed sarcastically. Hyunjin’s eyes didn’t leave the screen as he was answering. “It’s y/n.” His friend came closer, curiosity getting the best of him. “Y/N? Is that the girl you’re seeing right now?” Only now did he look up from his phone, grinning from ear to ear. “One of the girls I am seeing right now.” His friend applauded proudly. “Damn, look at you player!”

Hyunjin thought back to the night he had met you. He was out dancing, shaking off the stress of the past weeks. He had been confined way too long, he desperately needed to let loose. And then you showed up – beautiful, captivating, cute. You were just his type. Given the fact that you stuck your tongue down his throat in the back of the club made him your type, too. You were crazy about him. One look was all it took for you to fall madly in love with him. But for Hyunjin it was different. He was out to hunt, to catch his prey – not to fall in love. He worshipped you all night, licking and kissing every part of your body until you fainted from pleasure. He whispered the sweetest, yet naughtiest things into your ear – his words taking you for a spin. He knew exactly what he had to do, crafting one lie after the other to get you hooked on him.

Which you now were.

“Tell us about y/n, Jinnie.” Hyunjin turned around and looked into the almond shaped eyes of the gorgeous girl he had been talking to earlier. “What do you wanna know?” The girl got closer, almost whispering. “Are you guys fucking?” He chuckled. “I didn’t take you for the bold type.” She fake-pouted and closed the space between them. “You can take me right here after you told me what your deal is with her. I don’t want no taken man.”

Hyunjin spun her around and cornered her against the wall. His lusciously shaped lips tracing her neck, leaving little kisses as he was making his way to her ear. “I am no one’s man, baby.” She grabbed his bleached hair and pulled it to the side, making him let out a hiss. “And why is that?”

Hyunjin tensed up as he had had the same conversation with you before. Tangled in one another you talked about deeper stuff in between sweet kisses. He barely talked about significant topics to anybody, yet somehow, he opened up to you. “Don’t you believe in love?”

That’s what you had asked him.

Love.

L-O-V-E.

You clearly mistook him for a precious gem, failing to recognize that he was a rotten fruit instead. If he had been honest that night, he would have confessed his darkest thoughts. No, I don’t believe in love. I believe in pretending to love, though. Do you really want to know what I’m like? I’ll trick you into giving me your everything. Your time, your energy, your love – even your devotion. You’ll lose yourself in me, giving me your all. I won’t even have to ask; you’ll do it gladly. You will believe my lies and ignore my actions. I will give you pain, and you will interpret it as love. And once you figure that out, I’m long gone. That’s what I believe in, y/n.

He wasn’t honest, though. Far from it. Hyunjin took your head into his palms and kissed your nose. “I never believed in love but maybe now I’m having a reason to?” He flashed you an innocent smile before kissing you again.

“Hello? Jinnie? Earth to Hyunjin?”

Hyunjin snapped back into reality, only now noticing the finger snaps in front of him. “Sorry, I…” He let go of the girl and turned around. “I’m gonna go and grab a beer. See you later.”

Hyunjin grabbed another beer and left the apartment, he had trouble breathing. His phone started buzzing again, your messages flooding his notification bar.

Jinnie, please. Can I see you? I want you. I really fucking need you. Forget about dates, we don’t even have to go out. Let’s stay in and do nothing. I just- I really want to see you again. Pretty please?

Your desperation grew by the minute, just like he had predicted. Hyunjin watched the screen light up, feeling proud and disgusted at the same time. Y/N, y/n, y/n. He shook his head in dismay. You are so needy for me; you can’t even think straight. One night of me fucking you has you already like this?

He got into the next cab and contemplated his next move in silence. A part of him felt sorry for you. A part of him wanted to warn you. Get away, as long as you can. No one is going to save you. I can do whatever the fuck I want to, do you understand? You are at my mercy. You are in danger, y/n. No one can punish me – you get that?

He often found himself in situations like these, balancing between good and evil. But a game was just a game, right? Wasn’t this fun? He got off the cab and watched your apartment from the outside. It was up high, yet he could figure out your silhouette at the window. You were already waiting for me, huh?

Uneasiness grew in his stomach. This is going to hurt in the end. I can feel that. A perverse smile formed on his face as he realized what that meant. You are going to be devastated, y/n. The pain will be unbearable. But you know what? It will be bittersweet. You will forever remember me in your heart. 

Hyunjin got out off the elevator and waited in front of your blue door. He took one last deep breath before ruining you, once again. He whispered silently as he knocked on the wood, letting you know that he had finally arrived.

Forgive me, y/n.

[auroravictorium]

still in love and half alive (k.b.)

can't say we didn't try. baby, we're a bad idea. - bad idea by dove cameron

Summary: kaz and reader have a job: take out the leader of one of the newest up-and-coming gangs in the barrel that hope to fill the vacuum left by pekka rollins's departure. said job requires reader to utilize her skills from her days as a showgirl; despite the unpleasant reminders of her past, she completes the job and helps other showgirls and the low grunts of the new gang in the process.

Pairing(s): kaz x former showgirl!reader (established relationship) Word Count: 4.6k Warnings: alcohol consumption, men being creepy, poor treatment of women (nothing explicit, just allusions to men treating them like crap), allusions to past exploitation, kaz having non-explicit thoughts about reader, reader playing up the seduction factor, violence [cutting someone with a dagger, kaz choking someone, kaz hitting someone with his cane], mentions of past trauma, very quick mention of kaz's haphephobia Genre: action-ish, a little angst, fluff near the end Request? Yes! (@futurecorps3)

Author's Note: hello hello! so this is an absolute BEAST of a one-shot, but i couldn't figure out where to split it. i hope you all enjoy <3

Kaz sat in the far corner of the entertainment hall, nursing his drink and trying to keep his jealousy at bay. Patrons and dancers milled about, amusing themselves with conversation, cards, or propositions. A few disappeared up the rickety stairs to amuse themselves, laughing and stumbling with drinks in one hand and cigarettes in the other. The room reeked of smoke, liquor, and sweat. 

He was only here for your sake. If he were smart, he would be anywhere else, certainly not in some up-and-coming gang's crumbling entertainment hall. If he could, he would leave you to play your part. You could hold your own just fine, no protection from Kaz needed; but jealousy had him rooted to his teetering stool in the corner, with his watered-down liquor in a gloved hand and a scowl on his face. He couldn't bring himself to leave. Not when three dozen men were staring at you in a tiny dress that hugged your waist.

You'd paid a hefty sum for the chance to dance on the stage; from your position, you could survey the bar for the man calling himself the leader of such an establishment. Armed with a description of the wannabe gang leader and three knives hidden under your sparkling red dress, you circled the shimmering pole in the center of the stage and traced your gaze over the people watching you. 

There was no sign of the target, Pieter Gabel. It took every ounce of your self-control to resist a sigh, and you decided to do a lazy spin around the pole to amuse your audience. A few men whistled as you hooked your arm around the pole and spun, letting the light catch in the faux diamonds threaded in your hair. You settled on the ground again and tossed your hair over your shoulder, scanning the crowd for the only set of eyes that mattered.

You didn't find Kaz in the crowd. Not that you expected to. Instead, you caught his gaze from across the room, his icy blue eyes illuminated by a near-snuffed candle on his table. To anyone else, he looked as indifferent as ever, maybe vaguely interested in the spectacle on stage. But you saw the slant of his mouth, the clench of his jaw, how something dark glimmered in his eyes, perhaps a promise of violence. He didn't like all the attention on you.

So you offered a small smile, a look reserved for him and him alone. You'd apologize later, but he'd understand. You were doing what needed to be done. The stage gave you the best vantage point in the building, and Gabel had to be found and driven out of the city. The Barrel was tense enough while the remnants of the Dime Lions attempted to regroup; the Dregs needed to eliminate any rising threats as soon as possible.

You and Kaz both knew that. He'd forgive you once you were off that damn stage and by his side, helping him rule the Barrel. 

For years, crowds of tourists and too-rich men waited at your feet, leering at you like you were nothing more than a pretty face and a body to buy, bed, or watch with predatory glints in their eyes. They didn't bother to see past the costume and see how sharp and dangerous you could be. To them, you were nothing more than a piece of entertainment. 

But Kaz saw right through the ruse and saw every jagged scar your past had left. He saw how Ketterdam had sharpened you into a dangerous weapon, ready to wreak revenge on a city that had hurt you deeply. 

Like called to like. Your similar tastes for vengeance pulled Kaz toward you, despite all attempts on his end to ignore the summons. For years after you joined the Dregs, he settled for admiring you from afar until you got sick of his shit and told him to either do something about his feelings or quit scaring off everyone who looked your way.

You didn't say it so kindly, of course, and Kaz reluctantly admitted you had a point, though he knew it was a bad idea to indulge his feelings and yours. But he had, and he couldn't bring himself to regret it. The year since had passed in stolen moments after jobs, in the shadowed corners of the Crow Club during the slow hours, and peaceful mornings and evenings in either of your rooms. 

Your set was coming to an end, and there was still no sign of the target. After one final circle around the stage, one last attempt to entice more kruge to fall at your feet, you slipped through the moth-eaten curtains behind the poles and left the cheering audience behind you. 

As soon as their eyes left your body, you shuddered, clasping your hands over your forearms and making a beeline for the back hallway leading to the dark, rotting dressing rooms. As soon as you could, you pulled on the coat Kaz had given you, an exact match to the one he usually wore but tailored to your size. It was fur-lined, and it covered you up. Exactly what you needed to battle the cold shame beginning to cling to your skin after your performance.

No matter how often you put on the ruse and brought your old life back from the dead for a night, it was a feeling you could never shake. Being with Kaz, knowing he was out there and he would never judge you for your past, helped. More often than not, he was the one telling you that you didn't have to do this; there were other ways to spot your targets, to bring them down. He made sure you knew you didn't need to be exploited anymore. All you needed to do was have your weapons and wit ready.

But using the sins and vices of Ketterdam against itself was the easiest way to do this. It gave you power, something you didn't have during your days as a showgirl. Before, you were a puppet. Now, you were the puppetmaster, fueled and encouraged by someone equally as dangerous as you. He would never allow Ketterdam to suck you back into that life again. You would never let yourself.

As you slipped back into the crowd, you were pleased by the anonymity of wearing a coat and removing your elaborate makeup. You crossed the entertainment hall to Kaz's shadowy table and settled on the stool across from Kaz.

His eyes turned toward you, landing on your freshly-bound hair and the grim expression on your face. "Are you alright?" he said quietly. Though his face didn't change, you knew he was concerned. He always was after you came off the stage. 

Kaz passed you his drink, and you lifted it to your lips and took a sip. The liquid stung on its way down, and you wrinkled your nose. "I'm fine. But I understand why you look so miserable." You pushed the glass back toward him. "That's disgusting."

"But an excellent business tactic," Kaz muttered. "People buy more drinks." He knocked back the rest without flinching and set the glass down with a thump. 

"Any sign of him?" you murmured, lowering your voice and leaning across the table so Kaz could hear. The hair on the back of your neck was prickling uncomfortably, and you felt the weight of unfamiliar eyes on you. "Someone's watching us." You tucked a loose piece of hair behind your ear and made a show of placing your chin in your palm and peeking through your eyelashes up at Kaz. You needed to look as unbothered as possible by your audience's attention, which meant putting on your facade again.

For a moment, Kaz didn't realize that you had hinted for him to look around for Gabel. He was distracted by the dancing of the fading candlelight in your eyes, how it cast the shadow of your eyelashes upward, how it illuminated the curve of your lips. They looked soft and tinted red from the lipstick you wore on stage, and he imagined how warm they felt against his when he dared to kiss you.

There was nothing else in the hall but you and your lips and his thoughts spinning in a million directions.

He blinked, breaking from his trance. He blamed the sweltering heat of the building for the heat rising in his cheeks as he looked around for the eyes he could now feel on him. Nobody caught his attention at first, and then he saw a figure across the hall. The man was leaning against a dented, grimy wall and watching you too closely for your comfort.

You followed Kaz's icy, suddenly furious gaze to the man in a poorly-tailored suit that didn't match and was most likely stolen. His watch was clearly fake, and his jewelry had an artificial glimmer. His gang, if you could call it that, was barely above water; you could tell from his poor attempt at looking flashy and put together, as Per Haskell or Pekka Rollins had before being ousted.

"I'll get him alone," you whispered. You moved to slide from your seat, but Kaz's cane pressed against the top of your shoe to keep you still. Your eyes flicked to him, and you raised a brow. "Kaz?"

"No," Kaz said firmly. "You've done enough."

The mere thought of you being alone with him, even long enough for Kaz to trail the two of you and land a strike on Gabel, infuriated him. He knew why the man was looking at you and could guess what was running through his mind. It didn't take a genius to figure out that the man hoped he had a chance with you. Kaz didn't want to put you at risk.

"If you approach him, he'll bolt," you argued. You nudged Kaz's cane off your foot and turned to face him again. You plastered on a sweet smile like you weren't disagreeing with him about how best to neutralize the man practically salivating across the room. With luck, it would only appear that you were trying to convince him to pass over enough kruge for you to pay for another set of dances on stage. You hoped it was convincing.

"If you approach, he'll think it's his lucky night," Kaz ground out between his teeth. His fingers twitched around the top of his cane. What he would give to hit him hard enough to see stars. Or the Saints above. "You've done enough," he repeated, softer this time. He could see you itching to shed your act of seductive showgirl as soon as possible. He refused to ask for any more of it from you.

You sighed deeply. There was no arguing with Kaz. "What's your plan to approach him without scaring him off? Would you like to borrow my dress?"

Kaz glared at you. "Funny."

"Red's not your color anyway." Your lips twitched with a smile, and you turned your gaze to the stage. You thought back to your view of the entire building, a cramped, dilapidated theatre. The first floor was where the musicians used to sit and play; the second contained a semicircle of private boxes where the rich would sit, smoke, and indulge in their vices during the plays happening below.

It was the perfect place to go unnoticed or gather attention.

You leaned forward again, and Kaz raised a brow at your invasion of his space. "I have an idea," you murmured. You slipped your fingers into your hair and retrieved a sparkling pin. Leaning forward until your face was mere inches from Kaz's, you dropped it into his gloved palm. Shimmering, obvious bait you hoped the target would take. "There's an empty box upstairs," you whispered. Keenly aware of the unwelcome eyes on you, you looked up through your eyelashes again at Kaz. "Fourth door."

Kaz had to remind himself to keep breathing as you stood up and walked toward the stairs to the second floor. He could still smell your perfume and the product Nina had helped put in your hair before you left for the job; beneath that, something intoxicatingly you. His head spun, and he forced himself to stand and follow, closing his fingers around the hairpin you'd deposited in his palm.

Saints, this was a bad idea. He was too distracted to figure out what plan you were concocting. All he could think about was you. Your lips, your eyes, how you were thinking so quickly on your feet about how to eliminate Gabel. You were his match sculpted by some divine presence: his intellectual equal, a beautiful drug that appealed to every instinct he thought had drowned with Kaz Rietveld in the harbor.

Ketterdam had underestimated you, but it brought you to him. For once, he couldn't curse the city for something.

He followed you up the stairs and into the private box, his heart pounding in his chest and his mind muddled by the burning hairpin in his hand. Distantly, he sensed that the two of you were being followed. Your plan, no doubt.

Right, yes. The plan you had.

The private box was small, with a row of two seats in the front and a row of three on a step just above that. The upholstery was covered in grime and dirt from lack of maintenance since the theatre's abandonment, and the wooden arms of the chairs were rotten and crumbling. 

You were perched on the step between the two rows of seats, tugging on a pair of boots you'd stashed earlier. You'd also pulled on trousers and tucked the short dress into them, making your outfit more comfortable and functional.

"Are we killing him or just scaring him?" you asked, pulling a knife from the hidden inner pocket of your coat as you tugged it back on over your new outfit. "I think roughing him up would get the point across nicely. I'd hate to get too much blood on this coat." 

"That would be a shame," Kaz managed to answer. He handed you your pin and watched you slip it back into your hair. He took a position by the door, hoping the distance would help him focus. "Scare him first."

You nodded and settled in the least grimy seat. Slow footsteps creaked up the stairs, followed by long pauses between each step. The man hoped to go unnoticed and unheard, likely to ambush the two of you as you supposedly indulged in each other.

You twirled your knife across your knuckles, listening to the footsteps approach down the carpeted hall. Kaz gripped his cane tighter and pressed himself flat against the wall, using the shadows to his advantage. He adjusted his grip and raised it, ready to bring it down.

The footsteps stopped outside the door, and you plastered on your sweetest smile. But your fingers were curled around the hilt of your blade, and it glittered with the promise of violence. Such a contrast from the sparkling, luxurious diamonds in your hair earlier, which promised only pleasure.

The door creaked open, and Pieter Gabel stepped into the trap. His lips curled into a smug smirk as he saw you all alone, and an oily strand of hair dropped onto his forehead. He reeked of alcohol and pride, but you maintained your facade as he leaned against the doorway. "Didn't take you up on your offer for a dance, did he?"

Kaz stiffened behind the door, his muscles coiled to strike. 

You looked Gabel up and down as if seriously considering his presence as an alternative. Really, you were searching his form for weapons. But he was arrogant and unchallenged thus far; he didn't think the Dregs would come for him so soon. 

He was making this too easy.

"He got a better offer from someone else," you said, lifting your shoulders in a delicate shrug. Behind the door, Kaz wrinkled his nose. There wasn't an offer in the world that could tempt him away from you.

You pretended not to notice Kaz's disgust and inspected your nails instead. "Hoping to take his place?" You felt as though you were about to vomit. On stage, it was easy enough to focus only on Kaz and pretend he was the only one watching. But with only this man's gaze crawling over your face, you felt like you were back to your showgirl days: exploited and barely scraping by.

Breathe.

"Perhaps." Pieter shrugged off his ill-fitting topcoat and tossed it to the floor. You nearly gagged on the smell of alcohol wafting off of it, and it took most of your self-control to stay unaffected as he prowled closer. "I'll pay for your next set." He nudged the door shut behind him.

In his inebriated state, he was unaware of the dangerous presence behind him, whose eyes lit up with fury as the target moved toward you. He was only a foot away.

I am not a puppet, you thought. I am in control. With one flick of your wrist, your dagger could be buried beneath his ribs. His blood would seep out, and he'd be nothing more than a man who failed to make Ketterdam know his name. In hours, the city would move on; the dancers would leave, and his followers would scatter and be absorbed into other gangs.

You held this man's fate in your palms, and he didn't even know it. The thought morbidly reassured you. 

Kaz saw the decision flicker through your eyes and took a silent step forward. But he didn't strike, watching as you slipped out of your seat and rounded it, revealing the dangerous glimmer of your dagger.

"I have a better offer," you said, twirling the blade in your hand. 

Gabel paled, and some semblance of understanding and fear passed through his bloodshot eyes. He stumbled back to put some distance between you, and Kaz was ready. He brought his cane down on the back of one of his knees, making the man grunt and fall forward.

You brought your foot down on his hand as he caught himself, and a wicked rush of satisfaction ran through you as the bones snapped beneath your weight. He cried out and went to grab your ankle with his unbroken hand, but you kicked it aside as Kaz swung the crow's head of his cane downward. 

Gabel roared in pain and hunched forward, covering the gash in his temple with his crooked, bruising fingers. Blood seeped between them and down the side of his pale face, and it started to drip onto the carpeted floor.

A heartbeat later, Kaz shoved Gabel's hands away from his face and hooked his cane horizontally across the man's throat. Kaz hauled the man back so he was forced to look up at you. He choked on the wood pressing against his windpipe and fought against the gloved hands holding him in place, and Kaz pulled his cane back to cut off the rest of his air. Gabel's eyes bulged, and he tried to pull the weapon away from his throat; it was no use, and Kaz nodded for you to speak.

"It's my understanding that you think you have a chance at filling the power vacuum left by Pekka Rollins," you said. Gabel's eyes darted away from you as you advanced, and you positioned the tip of your blade against the corner of his eye. It nicked the skin, and blood dripped down his cheek like a gruesome red tear. His gaze turned back to you. "Unfortunately, you treaded too closely into the Dregs' territory and threatened our business. Kaz Brekker is willing to forgive it on three conditions. Wheeze if you're listening."

Gabel let out a barely audible noise of confirmation.

"Good," you said. You held up a finger. "One, you leave the Barrel. Two, you liquidate your possessions here before you leave. And three, you give that money to your dancers and your grunts." The last point was solely your idea; you hadn't discussed it with Kaz, but it was important enough that you would risk his anger at not being informed first. 

You wanted to give the dancers and grunts the choice to get out. It would give them power over their fate you didn't have when you were on that stage.

You pressed the edge of your dagger against the underside of Gabel's chin, watching his lips turn blue. "Do we have a deal?

Kaz loosened his grip on his cane, and Gabel gasped for air. "Speak," he said quietly. There was no shortage of danger in his voice, and Kaz kept his cane braced just tight enough against the man's throat that he couldn't get out of this. There was only one answer available to Gabel if he wanted to live.

"Fuck you," Gabel wheezed.

It was a poor choice.

"I'm going to let you try that again," you hissed. Kaz tightened his grip on the cane again as your blade parted skin. Blood oozed down the metal, and you stopped when the cut was just deep enough for him to understand you were serious. Gabel writhed, trying to fight free. But you hadn't pulled your dagger away, and he only succeeded in cutting himself deeper. "Do. We. Have. A. Deal?"

Gabel finally nodded as best he could with the wooden cane in his way.

You pulled back. "Wonderful." You sheathed your knife inside your coat and met Kaz's gaze. "He's all yours."

Kaz released Gabel, who slumped to the side and clutched his throat. His chest heaved as he gasped for air, but it contracted sharply when Kaz brought the blunt end down on his ribcage. Gabel howled in pain and curled his legs to his chest. "You close today, and the dancers get their money by the end of the week," Kaz growled. "If my Dregs see your face on this side of the East Stave, she," he jerked his chin toward you, "will not be so kind again. And when she's finished with you, I'll ensure nobody finds your body."

He lifted his cane from Gabel's chest and held his hand out to you. You took it, and Kaz led you out of the trap you'd set, down the stairs, and out of the theatre, leaving the sultry music and spluttering excuse of a gang leader behind you.

The two of you moved quickly back into Dregs territory, and Kaz kept his hand around yours the whole time. You waited to speak until you were sure nobody was following, and your shoulders remained tense until your surroundings looked familiar again.

Once the Slat was in view, you glanced up at Kaz. "Do you think he'll actually do it?" you asked. You squinted in the early dawn light. Between the buildings, the sun was beginning to rise; you'd been gone longer than you thought.

"If he has any sense of self-preservation, he will," Kaz answered. He looked down at you, and he evaluated your face. He recognized the worried set of your lips, how you seemed to be waiting for something. "You didn't think I'd follow through on the conditions you set."

"I knew you'd follow through, but I thought you'd be upset I didn't discuss it first." You knew Kaz would never deny anyone their freedom. You just knew he didn't like being left in the dark.

You followed Kaz into the sleepy, abandoned Slat and up the long flights of stairs to his room. Along the way, you shed your coat and threw it over your arm, itching to get out of your dress as soon as possible. Now that you were out of the theatre and back in your domain, you were reminded that you were free. You had control. There was no reason you had to stay in the costume or wear one ever again.

Once in his attic room, you tossed your coat over the rickety chair in the corner and helped yourself to one of his spare undershirts while he sat on the edge of his bed and removed his gloves. You could feel his eyes on you as you untucked the short dress from your pants and pulled it over your head, revealing the skin of your back. Kaz saw the physical scars of years past, visible now in the yellow-orange of the sunrise. He wanted to trace them and kiss the ones along your spine.

He wanted to remind you that you were free and apologize for you playing this role, even though those days should be behind you.

Unaware of his thoughts, you pulled the shirt over your head to conceal most of your scars and turned to face Kaz. He dropped his gaze to his shoes, starting to loosen the laces.

You crossed the room and sat beside Kaz. For a moment, you were silent, figuring out what to say. How to tell him how much his support meant. "Thank you," you finally whispered. It felt as if your scars were floating to the surface of your skin for only him to see. Some bubbled up your throat and past your lips, making you flush as you spoke. "For a long time, I wished I had a choice. I hope that the money gives them a choice. I hope that the ones who want to get out can, and I hope the ones who stay use the money however they want. I don't want them to end up like how I was until I joined the Dregs."

A puppet controlled at the whims of others.

"Don't thank me," Kaz said quietly. "You helped them. You gave them what you didn't have in their position and finished the job. As long as the job is over and you're unharmed." He took your hand in his again and laced your fingers together. His gaze met yours, and you saw an unexpected seriousness in his eyes. "You're alright?"

"I'm alright," you said softly. There was residual coldness from being on stage, from having to step into those shoes for even one set of songs, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. You had given the dancers and grunts of the former gang the means to escape the Barrel if they chose, and you secured the Dregs for now. 

Protecting the Dregs was a violent cycle of blood, ambushes, fighting, and temporary security. But if some good came out of it and the past you couldn't erase, maybe it wasn't the worst thing in the world. You had some security. You had control over your future.

And you had Kaz, who would be damned if he let Ketterdam take either of those things from you. He'd reduce the city to rubble if it meant keeping the fire in your eyes that he had seen when you first joined the Dregs; then, it was a spark, a hint of what could be. Now, it was an inferno that Kaz would gladly let consume him.

Kaz leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. Nausea twisted in his stomach, and Kaz had to pull his hand out of yours to bear the feeling of his lips on your skin. Still, you smiled and let your eyes slip shut as he somehow said exactly what you needed to hear, what soothed the aching in your chest as the painful memories of a few years ago threatened to make themselves at home.

"Get some rest," he murmured. "I'll get rid of the costume."

TAGLIST: @tonberry-yoda, @b3kk3r-by-br3kk3r, @futurecorps3, @statsvitenskap, @sapphiccloud, @casualladyinternet, @d34drapunzel, @noctemys, @whitejxsmine, @so6, @franzelt

[foxsoulart]

Blorbo for Mystic Summons au, takes place after Leo loses his arm.

Leo opened his eyes, half-lidded and drowsy still. The world spun in a kaleidescope of blurred colors and shapes. He scrunched his eyes shut, tensed, and willed it to go away. It did. Gradually. Once the spinning and subsequent nausau stopped, Leo reopened his eyes and settled into his body. The crinkle of sheets under him and the shift of a blanket when he moved told him he was in a bed. Not his though if the scent and color choice said anything. Which it didn't literally but still.

The dimmed lighting either meant it was night or someone was worried about waking him.

Tilting his head to look on either side of him felt like a momentous task. Muscles aching in tandem with his brain fog. Geez, what did I do before this? Run a marathon or six? I am so tired.

To his left was the rest of the room. Which if his eyes would focus he could tell what that was, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

To the right was the door. And a slumbering figure in a chair that looked like it was dragged in from another room. Because, wow, that does not match the decor in here that I can see at all. I hope it is not normally in here. Otherwise I'm gonna need to have a talk with somebody.

After straining to pick out details with his still unfocused eyes for far too long, Leo gave up and closed his eyes with a sigh. Letting his head flop back onto the pillow with a thump. The motion jolted awake the guy in the, absolutely hideous, chair.

A grey sweatshirt over baggy worn blue jeans, long black hair pulled in a messy half pony, and startingly blue eyes.

Ah, I know this guy. Casey.

"Still a walking self-care disaster." Leo mumbled outloud, potentionaly unintentional.

Casey heard but elected to ignore that comment. He instead slipped around the end of the bed and checked Leo's pulse using his left wrist. Comparing and counting with a watch he was wearing.

The yokai scrunched his brow in confusion.

"Dude, you could have just done that with my right. Less work."

He lifted his right to wave it around to prove his point. Or tried to anyway.

He was met with the sensation of.....nothing. He felt his shoulder move, but nothing after that. Feeling just.....ended. Leo's beak twisted in further confusion, his mind on the brink, the precipice of remembering something important, of clearing his fuzzy head.

Casey was saying something but Leo wasn't paying attention, too preoccupied with the mystery of why his right arm wasn't responding. He turned his head and lifted it to see better, ignoring his body's aching protests. What he saw...was nothing. A small bit swathed in white bandages extended a little past his shoulder. But that was it. His arm just ended. It wasn't there.

What. Why isn't...

Then the brain fog cleared and let the memories come crashing back in.

The glint of metal, the all consuming burning pain, a horned face cruel and cold.

Horrible re-realization and panic pulled him into a sitting position, lurching up. His left arm held onto his shoulder, feeling the absence of that arm. He hunched forward, eyes blown wide, pupils pinpricks, his breathing shook and convulsed in his chest. Tears fell unbidden. He leaned forward pulling his knees up to grind his forhead on. His whole body tensed, fingers and toes curling in, then released inone long shuddering breath.

"I'm never going to see a triceratops the same again, am I?"

".....No." Casey said, remorseful. The experience had already been ruined for him, but it must be 10x worse for Leo and his brothers.

".....Cool." It wasn't. "My favorite was brachiosaurus anyway." Leo tried to joke. Emphasis on tried.

He really needed a better coping mechanism. But laughter was supposed to be the best medicine right? Too bad his laughter died deep in his chest. And dang, the tears just wouldn't stop. No matter how hard he tried. So he dropped his resistance and let them flow. He just lost his entire freaking arm, facade be damned.

This felt better that holding it back anyway.

Leo was a quiet cryer, quieter that even Donnie(who wasn't as quiet as he thought himself) He didn't sob loudly, it was just silent anguish. Over time his brothers figured this out and learned how to tell. Leo would say he preffered to cry alone if it wasn't a lie, he absolutely hated it. It was just so hard to take that first step. Once he started, moving anywhere by himself was out of the question; he just couldn't.

Leo had curled further into himself. The solitary arm hugging his knees to his chest had him crying harder.

Now a Leo from another time might be thinking himself selfish for crying over his arm before making sure his brothers were okay; but those same brothers had drilled into his brain (and their own) that if no one was dying right that second, to take care of himself first. They were all still working on that, but they were working on it.

Casey was panicing.

"Um, it's okay. I'll uh I'll go get your brothers? Would that help?" I have no idea what I'm doing.

Every action was faltering, not sure what would help or make it worse. He moved toward the door, deciding to find someone else who would know what to do, at least more than he did.

Leo noticed Casey leaving and was clutched by fear, he hated crying alone.

"Don't leave!" was choked out past his tears in desperation.

The utter and absolute panic in the slider's eyes told Casey that the best course of action would be to stay. So he did. His hand lifting off the doorknob to hang awkwardly at his side. Casey came back around to sit back down in the chair Leo had first seen him in.

"I won't." He promised.

Leo sagged in relief. Silence only broken by shuddering breathes settled over the room. Surprisingly the atmosphere was not negative.

Casey was still uncertain if he should be doing something more, so he fidgeted nervously. Carefully studying Leo when he sat back up, wiping away his remaining tears with his remaining hand, sniffling.

"Do you....um.....do you want a hug?"

For Casey a hug always made him feel better after crying.

Leo looked surprised by the offer but recovered quickly, smiling softly and shy. "Sure, I'd love one."

Casey stood and leaned over, wrapping his arms around Leo. He gave his best, most comforting hug he could, mindful of Leo's injuries.

It reminded Leo of Raph's hugs. Of a big brother. Of warmth and safety. It wasn't nearly as crushing and all-encompassing, but it was still absolutely amazing and exactly what he needed.

[jinxedruby]

Alternate ending to Febuwhump: Presumed dead

this one. where time and twilight get attacked by redeads. this is just a silly idea i had while replaying majora's mask, it's not actually whump lol

-------------------------------

“Rancher, cover y-!”

A piercing scream drowned out whatever Time said. Twilight’s muscles seized, eyes screwing shut as the sound stabbed into his ears, flooding his veins with ice. He’d frozen in a hunch, jaw tense as shuffling from behind him replaced the screaming. Panic spiked in his chest as he struggled to move, to even just open his eyes. The scream had been more high-pitched than what he was used to, but he knew a gibdo when he heard one. The shuffling drew closer and he roared within his body, fighting against the paralysis.

Time gasped beside him. “Let me just-“ Twilight heard soft shuffling then a quiet aha from Time. After a moment, a warm hand wrapped around his upper arm. 

“Rancher? Just hold on, it should fade soon.”

Confusion hesitantly overtook the panic in Twilight’s mind. What happened to the gibdo? Was it still alive? He could hear footsteps from behind him still but Time didn’t seem concerned and they didn’t seem to be getting any closer. 

Finally, the paralysis released its hold on him. He sucked in a breath, stumbling a bit. Time steadied him as he blinked his eyes open. He looked up and nearly jumped out of his skin as the face of the Hero’s Shade stared back at him. Except that it wasn’t the Hero’s Shade. Time wore some kind of skeleton mask on his face, one that Twilight recognized from when he’d startled Warriors all that time ago. 

“Right, sorry.” Time gestured to the mask. “Have to keep this on.”

Twilight opened his mouth to ask why before remembering the footsteps behind him. He looked over his shoulder. Did a double take. 

The gibdo- well it wasn’t quite a gibdo, it didn’t have any wrappings- wasn’t stepping closer to Twilight. It was… dancing? It crouched low with its arms folded over its chest, legs kicking out in front of it one after the other in a rhythm. 

Twilight stared with wide eyes. “Um.”

“ReDead,” Time explained, releasing Twilight’s arm. “If I wear this mask, they dance.”

Twilight slowly turned his stare toward Time. 

Time shrugged. “Don’t look at me, I don’t understand it any better than you do. Anyway, let’s go.” He turned and headed farther down the tunnel. 

Twilight glanced back at the kick-dancing redead. He shook himself and hurried to catch up to Time. 

“Oh, there’s more.”

Twilight leaned around Time to see three redeads in the hall ahead of them. One twirled in a circle on its toes, arms in a loop above its head. Another spun around on one foot, kicking the other out to keep its momentum going. The third also did that kick-dance that the one farther back did. 

“Um,” Twilight said again. Because, really, what else could he say in a situation like this?

“We’ll just go around, it’s fine.” Time beckoned Twilight, skirting around the redeads. Twilight followed after in a daze. The spinning redead nearly kicked him in the face as he went past. 

They kept going, passing by more and more redeads, all in the midst of various dances. Most of them were spinning like ballerinas. An alarming number of them were spinning like ballerinas. 

“There sure are a lot of them down here,” Time murmured. Twilight really could not think of anything to say. 

They came to four that danced abreast, blocking the way forward. Time, with zero hesitation, strode up to one of them and ran it through with his biggoron sword. It let out an unearthly groan and Twilight sucked in a breath, tensing. He expected for whatever spell the redeads were under to break and for them to all begin shrieking. But a moment passed, then another, and the other three just kept on dancing. The redead collapsed and Time turned sideways to step over. 

“Just squeeze on through,” he said, slipping between the dancing redeads like an expert. 

“Uh,” Twilight said. Instead of um. Just to shake things up. 

Time beckoned him yet again and Twilight shuffled forward, sidestepping over the dead monster and avoiding the others. He hurried after Time, the two passing by a great number of groovy redeads. Eventually, finally, a smudge of light shone at the end of the tunnel, heralding the end of whatever they just went through. They stepped out in the gray light of day and only once they were a safe distance from the mouth of the cave did Time remove the mask. 

He sighed, tucking it into his pouch. “Good thing I kept that. That could’ve been bad, huh, Rancher?”

He glanced up at Twilight. Twilight stared back. He finally found the words he’d been meaning to say the entire time. 

“Time, what the fuck.”

[lovejosephquinn]

A little exboyfriend!Joey smutty one shot for your reading pleasure. Under 18's DNI. Word Count: 3.3k

Idk, the picture's hot and I feel like it fits. 👀

It's a sad state of affairs the morning after a night out when you wake up in your ex boyfriends bed, you glance over at him still sleeping, everything flashing back to the night before when you had your unfortunate reunion right up to the point where you got into a taxi to go back to his and then of course; you end up sleeping with him to the point where you pass out.

You bite your lip down with a slight sting from a mark he's left right where you touch it, turns out sex with your ex is the angry kind, the hateful kind and above all the kind where not all feelings are obviously lost between the two of you. You try to make no sudden movements, Joe waking up now would be the biggest of your worries. What would he think? Why are you still laid here considering these thoughts yourself? You obviously want to admit that you're the idiot here, clearly bringing yourself down to the level of desperation for the physicality's known has sexual intercourse and the need of another human touching you; obviously sharing your frustrations. It had to be him... You decided to close your eyes, let him be the one to wake up and wander these things and then you could at least pretend to be the one who was shocked about it.

It started with you making eye contact at the bar, you were already half cut and the confidence boost of alcohol had you staring even more, eyes locked and heart going mad with confusion and the thoughts of your past relationship with the man in question. What is it about the sense of danger also known as an ex that made the thought of talking to him so exciting. You played hard to get, moved around the club, everywhere you seemed to be, he was there too. It felt like an unrequited fate, something you had probably dreamed about and conjured up in the depths of your mind and all of a sudden it was coming true.

The break up was mutual, you argued all of the time over the silliest things and never saw eye to eye on your own opinions, it ended a little sour but it was absolutely for the best. That was at least a year ago, you hadn't seen him since. It was clear to you that you were either really intoxicated or you weren't quite over him, both options seemed feasible. You made sure that he made the first move before you even considered interacting with him, one tap of your shoulder had you spinning around faster than the speed of light. To others you would look absolutely pathetic, you may as well of just fell onto your back like a puppy begging to have their belly rubbed.

The small talk was minimal, a small exchange of hello's would have sufficed in the tiny few words you had said to one another. In no way was this planned, but you couldn't help but fall for his god like charm and the way he stunned you with the cheeky smile that used to make you swoon over and over again. It wasn't planned when you were dancing up against him, your ass brushing right up against him as you shook your hips, his hands gripped onto your waist to keep you in place as you moved in unison to the tune of the music. It wasn't until he spun you around and your hands clutched onto his arms to keep yourself steady, you gripped and felt the slight tense of muscle which made you take a breath in, it flexed a little more when one hand came up to meet your chin, raising your head up to fix your sights on those doe eyes once more.

"I missed you." Joe mouthed and you heard it loud and clear, there wasn't any need for sound, the movement of his lips told you everything you needed to know. Before you knew it or even felt it, your body had gained a mind of it's own and you'd managed to rise up onto your tiptoes to meet his height, mouth on mouth attracted like a repelled magnet, done in. Too little too late to back out now. Your tongues writhed, meeting in the middle to create a further friction. Joe's hand had creeped underneath your hair and wrapped firmly around the back of your neck to ensure you stayed firmly where you were and didn't try to pull away, there wasn't a chance of that when your arms resembled his own movement, your hands intertwined together at the back of his own neck like you were keeping yourself dangling off of him. It was hot, better yet a torturous effect of emotion that left you needing more, more of something and someone that had already had a hold on you for the longest of time, it was undeniably wrong but it felt so right.

It caught you by a gasp when Joe's other hand travelled down to squeeze at your ass cheek, you managed to inch yourself away a step. To his own surprise he put his hands up in defeat, not sure if he took it a step too far, it clearly wasn't because you had already found yourself making out with him in the middle of the club, that was the least of your worries. Joe leaned down to your ear, a shout which could of probably burst your ear drum so that he could be heard over the booming noise.

"Come back with me..." He didn't move, clearly not finished, you waited in the slight pause of his question, the next word seemed so forlorn and nervous at the realisation that he himself had plucked up the courage to ask you to go home with him. "Please?"

Your head sprung up and down like a nodding dog figurine and the oxygen flow had immediately stopped inside of your lungs, you could feel the way your heart burst through your chest when Joe grabbed a hold of your hand and led you through the crowd and out of the double doors into the cool summer night. Ridiculously and inevitably you couldn't keep your hands off one another in the taxi, like a couple in their honeymoon period you were leaned into his side, your arms back to holding one another in place, feeling every part that you were allowed to in public whilst your mouths violently attacked and teeth clashed against one another.

You almost fell out the var when he dragged you out of it, laughing when your arm nearly came out of it's socket from the force. Joe picked you up bridal style and continued to kiss you all the way up to his front door, fumbling around in his pocket whilst one arm kept you propped up against him. You insisted he put you down for one second so that he could get you both inside, obeying you quite quickly, you felt your feet touch the ground as you held yourself against the wall giggling at the amount of attempts and profanities it took for Joe to get the key into the door. You brushed past Joe in an effort to get out of the cold and he caught a hold of your hips whilst kicking the door shut behind him.

"Where do you think you're going?" He smirked, swirling you round to meet him.

"Hi." The sparkle in his eyes spoke a million words of affection, something you had truly missed.

"Hi." You mouthed back, a little neurotic whisper weeping from your vocal chords.

"Remember your way to my bed?"

"Absolutely." You were the one to take a hold of his hand this time, dragging him through the hallway and up the stairs, eyes making a beeline for the second door on the left as soon as you reached the top. You stumbled, chuckling at one another's attempts to walk in a steady line and for a second it was as innocent and as lovely as before, whatever before was.

You were pushed through, falling back until your legs hit the edge of the bed. Falling back onto it, Joe creeped up to come and lay by your side, propped up on one elbow. The very scent of him engulphed your nostrils making him feel all the more inviting. He was undeniably as gorgeous as the last time you had laid your eyes on him and suddenly you felt lucky, like another chance had arisen for the two of you. You felt the attraction and you wanted everything from him in that one second, you needed it like yesterday.

The view was firmly cut short by you when you leaned up to push his head down to kiss you some more, his hand stroked don to meet your chest, fondling you through your dress and massaging each breast in turn making you whimper into his mouth. His touch was excruciatingly memorable and made every baby hair on the back of your neck stand up, goose bumps rising, your core aching for more. It's like he read your mind and before you could mention it, his hand creeped up your dress, rubbing along the inside of your thighs that were parting magically granting him the access he wanted. When he reached the cotton of your underwear, the slight dampness he felt interrupted your lips touching, making him bite down onto your bottom lip in a strong willed manner.

"Fuck, always wet and ready for me aren't you, just like before."

Before. Before shit hit the fan? Yeah.

Your hand which was brushing right up against his bulge made you want to get your own back with your reply. You gripped onto the outline of his hardening length, squeezing a little, his bite intensifying on your lip almost drawing blood, slowly pulling back and letting go as he let out a little grunt.

"Fuck, always hard and ready for me yourself aren't you? Just like..."

Joe got the gist of your cheek and where you were heading with it, before you could even finish your sentence, your panties had been pushed to the side and two fingers were slammed inside of you, fucking their way up, thrusting in and out rapidly. Your breath hitched and a borderline pornographic moan fluttered out of you, your grip in turn pressed a little harder onto his cock making him go harder on you, the slick you had already created gave Joe a nice and easy pace to go at your cunt to his hearts content.

"I remember that face, the little slut who would beg me to fuck her harder, you want more don't you? I can tell."

You submitted almost instantly, your nodding dog demeanour back in full force as another finger pushed its way inside of you, his thick digits were spreading you well. "Shit, you're so tight."

"You forgot?" You giggled. The smirk was wiped straight off of your face when his fingers curled upward, and his fist was touching the entrance of your pussy, you pulsated around him, clenching against his fingers as your hips writhed along with his movements.

"I remember that this is the one thing we agreed on, the sex was always amazing darling. You were-" You attacked his mouth biting down onto his bottom lip just like he had yours, pulling back and letting go and giving him the eyes that warned him to shut the fuck up. "Are amazing." He finished, great save.

Your own hand had found itself massaging him through his trousers, his own little wet patch from the pre-cum formed it's own little mark where he'd already began to get over excited from all the commotion, jerking him through his clothing made you want nothing more than for him to release and make a mess of himself, but your drunken self was in a more selfish mood and you were in need of more requirement to pleasure yourself over him.

His fingers slipped out of you and raised upward until his index and middle finger were sloppily rubbing away at your clit, his once twinkling eyes were now replaced by a darkened aura which confirmed to you that he wanted you more than anything. You attempted to close your legs to stop Joe from having all the fun. A slight whisper of nuh uh came from his throat and he prised them open once more, vigorously attacking your bud until your back was arching itself off of the mattress.

The ache in your core snapped when he pushed his fingers against a part of your slit, messily massaging against you whilst putting a little more effort into it to really make you feel what he was doing down there.

"Joey I-" You hadn't called him that in a long time.

"Yes baby that's it, atta girl." You came undone, the knotted ball in the pit of your stomach broke and you moaned breathlessly through the orgasm that travelled all over the entirety of your body.

You were still coming down from your high, yet a burst of energy catching Joe off guard made you push him so he fell flat onto his back, undoing his belt buckle and ordering him to give you what you needed, your sole purpose for coming back to his in the first place. For a stupidly drunken fuck.

Slipping off your underwear whilst he was busy ridding his own clothes into a forgotten mess on the laminate flooring just below the bed, you climbed onto Joe, straddling him with all intense and purpose. You felt his hands move your hips as he grinded his cock between your slit, feeling the remanence of your cum dripping onto him. You leaned down and attacked his neck, biting, sucking, licking and making every effort to mark him yourself, claiming him almost, not as your own but just so he wouldn't forget.

"I need you inside of me." You whimpered, his own groan following after yours at your erotic words.

"Yes ma'am, fucking ride me baby." You hovered yourself upward so that Joe could position himself at your entrance, bringing yourself down, his thick cock squeezed itself inside of you, your high pitched moans mirroring one another's in the same pitch as you both adjusted to both the size and tightness.

You began to move, grinding against him, your hands pressed against his stomach for leverage, every inch inside of you quivering as his cock tapped against your cervix. "Fuck!" Joe called out, your eyes fully trained on each other so that you could see who came undone first. "Bounce on my cock." He snapped at you and you didn't need to be told twice. His hands guided you along, creating a solid rhythm. Two could clearly play this game when he rose his own hips to meet you coming downward, it felt like the tip of his cock was touching your stomach with every thrust. It wasn't even fast, it was hard and made to be felt.

The tables turned when Joe pushed you onto one side, taking over immediately, wanting nothing more than to be in control. You were now the one on your back, over stimulated and anxiety free being completely in the zone. He grabbed a hold of your legs, hoisting your feet over his shoulders, etching your dress up a little so he could watch the way he was about to rail you.

"And what do you think you're doing?" You teased.

"Pounding this perfect little pussy, that ok?"

"Yes..." You have to admit, the reply you gave came out a little sarcastic. You bit down onto your lip again, adding to the already bruising mark Joe had created earlier. Joe's leaned over before going back in for more, wrapping his hand around your throat.

"I wasn't asking your permission." He smirked, your knees were almost at your chest in the way he'd moved to get closer to you. You were too fixated on the brown eyes looking right back at you intensely to realise that his cock had plunged it's way inside of you. Bringing you straight back down to earth, he moved back up into position and did exactly what he had suggested he was going to. Joe fucked into you as hard and as fast as he could, multitasking by using his thumb to stroke over your already over sensitive bud.

"Cum for me again, I need to store this memory in my brain again of how pretty you look when you do."

"You don't remember?"

"I took it for fucking granted before." His head fell back as he tried to concentrate on not cumming himself.

His cock was buried so deep inside of you that it was hard not to feel the orgasm creep on you again, his head snapped back into place when he felt the way your walls contracted around his shaft.

"Yes, yes that's it, take this fucking cock. Oh- my-"

You were gone and so was he. The moment he saw your eyes roll into the back of your head, Joe came to a stand still, his cock throbbing as the cum spirted inside of you, your cunt gripping harder, taking all that you could from him.

It's a sad state of affairs the morning after a night out when you wake up in your ex boyfriends bed. Your eyes open and you're back to the morning light seeping through the window, a small heart attack rampaging through you when you turn your head to see Joe staring at you with a rather worried look on his features.

"You're still here?" He mumbled, the low gravelly morning voice echoed through the goose bumps that still remained, permanently tattooed on your skin as they had been last night.

"I am." You whispered.

"Do you regret it?" Joe asked, he may as well of thrown you in front of a moving car at this point, it probably would of hurt less.

You looked up to the ceiling and quickly returned to watch him when a huge saddened sigh erupted from his throat.

"I'll take that as a-"

"No. I don't."

"Me neither." Joe stated, a small smile creeping onto his lips.

Well this was an unexpected reaction to what you thought it was going to be, so much was unsaid which hadn't occurred to you before, maybe it was right person wrong timing. The amount of tears you had shed when you broke up was enough to fill a small lake so it was clear that the whole thing was a shit storm and you very much still had feeling for him, even if it was over 365 days later.

"I know this might make you feel awkward, but if I don't say it now then I don't think I ever will." Joe took a deep breath in.

You gulped yourself, nausea hitting the pit of your stomach in the form of either a hangover or the anxiousness of the seconds of waiting for him to say what he wanted to say.

"Will you come to dinner with me tonight? I-"

"Joe." You interrupted, probably making him feel really small when he had plucked up every ounce of courage to do this.

"As friends. I meant it when I said I'd missed you."

"You remember?"

"How could I forget." Joe offered a sympathetic smile. Your smile became more genuine, you had nothing to lose after all right?

"Dinner sounds great."

[megalony]

Don't Leave Me

As promised, here is a new Jonah Hauer-King imagine for all you lovelies, I hope you like it. Any feedback or requests are always amazing, enjoy.

Taglist: @lunaticspoem @butlegendsneverdie @langdonzvoid @jennyggggrrr @rogmeddows @radiob-l-a-hblah @rogertaylorsbitontheside @chlobo6 @rogertaylors-lipgloss @sj-thefan @omgitsearly @luckytrashgooprebel @scarsout @deaky-with-a-c @killer-queen-ofrhye @bluutac @vousmemanqueez-blog @jonesyaddiction @milanosaurus @httpfandxms @saint-hardy @7-seas-of-fat-bottomed-girls @mrsalwayswritex @rogerina-owns-me  @hellsdragon @im-an-adult-ish @crazylittlethingg @allauraleigh @onceuponadetectivedemigod @ceres27 @avyannadawn  @noonenuts @sleepylunarwolf @coverupps @justagirlthatlovedtoread

@jonahhauer-kingg @melaninjoys​ @luna2034 @mystiqueprincess @fangirl-tothemax @musicistheway @wandamaximoffbae @notagreekgal28 @ellietalenfwlers

Masterlist

Summary: Jonah is on his way home when a car accident delays him a while. And he finds himself desperate to help the girl in the accident and make sure she's alright.

Enjoy.

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A steady beat drummed out against the steering wheel, matching in time with the tune playing quietly from the radio. As the daylight started to fade and the darkness drew in, he turned down the radio every so often until the tunes were soft and quiet in the background since his mind was so easily distracted.

He didn't always find driving calming and easy and distractions tended to make it worse.

The moon was a dusty, pale yellow with an outer white glow that looked very luminescent and eye-catching. There were a few stars poking through the layer of mist and the sky was a pale navy blue with streaks of purple and tints of red. Jonah loved looking at the evening sky because it looked so capturing and interesting.

He used to hate driving on the motorway, it always panicked him because everyone was driving so fast but now it felt normal. It didn’t feel like he was getting whiplash when he increased speed, it felt rather slow now that he had gotten used to it.

Drifting his eyes around the road, Jonah rubbed at his temple as he noticed his sliproad was coming up to get him back on the normal roads and not on the motorway anymore. He wasn’t too far from home now which was a relief because he couldn’t wait to put his feet up and just have a drink.

He was ready to go home.

His fingers hovered over the indicator at the side of the steering wheel but he didn't get chance to flick it on.

One fleeting, chancing look in his rear-view mirror drew his attention to a car that was flying up behind him, swerving between two lanes. The car was out of control. The driver wasn't breaking. He was going to slam into the back of Jonah's car. They were going to crash.

Jonah did the only thing he could think of. Without looking in his side mirrors or really thinking it through at all, he slammed his brakes on and swerved into the hard shoulder to his left. It was a small, grit covered lane for emergencies and this was definitely an emergency. Jonah would be crushed or run off the road if he didn't swerve into the safe lane on his left and it was all he could do. The front of his car spun towards the left, bumping into the barrier as he came to a sudden, jerking stop.

Every muscle in his body tensed, curse words flew past his lips and everything started to shake as ragged breaths passed his lips.

"No-"

Jonah jumped back in his seat as he watched the car speed past him in the lane he was just in. His eyes widened in terror when he watched the out of control car slam into the car that had been in front of Jonah.

The cherry coloured car propelled forward a few feet before swerving and spinning into the hard shoulder lane. The back end of the cheery car hit the metal barrier so harsh and fast that it smashed through and slanted the car part-way down the hill. It was by sheer luck that the car didn't roll off the hard shoulder and go down the ditch. It was wedged between the metal that was saving that poor driver from going into the water at the bottom of the ditch.

Was that Jonah's fault?

Would he of had time to flash his hazard lights to let that car in front know something was wrong? Should he have tried to warn them somehow? Shouldn't that of been Jonah who was almost falling down into the ditch?

He couldn't see where the out of control car had ended up. It seemed to be a mile ahead on the motorway but Jonah could see half the people were stopping and others were hurriedly shooting up the exit Jonah should have been on by now.

He didn’t know if someone had called the police or an ambulance or if the drivers needed any help. He guessed the people in the cherry car needed help, no one had made a move to get out yet and they needed to move. If the car jolted an inch, it would be in the ditch.

There was no way Jonah could try and drive home now. He had seen the accident. He would need to give a statement to the police, if he drove off now it would make him a bad person, just as bad as the people who weren't stopping to help.

When Jonah unsteadily climbed out of the car, his legs had gone to jelly and he had to lean heavily on the door and take a few seconds to catch his breath and calm down. He had never been in a car accident before. He was a good driver- not that he had done anything wrong tonight that had caused this crash, not really. He had never witnessed a crash like this before. What could he do to help?

He locked the car, stuffed the keys into his pocket along with his phone and jogged on numb legs down towards the cherry coloured Fiesta.

People further ahead on the road were starting to stop and check on the driver who had caused this mess but no one was coming Jonah's way.

Jonah rounded to the driver’s side. It took him a few moments to jiggle the door handle so the door finally opened, almost swinging off the hinges when it swung open with a creak that made him shiver. He bent the door as far open as it would manage and weaved behind it so he could lean over and see if the person needed any assistance.

Whoever was in here, Jonah wanted to tell them to get out. He didn't like how close the car was to the edge of the ditch. One wrong move and the car would be gone.

Turning her head slowly to the right, (Y/n) let out a shuddering breath at the stranger who managed to open the door. Her mind was coming back under her control now. As soon as something hit her car and it started to swerve, her mind blacked out and she couldn't see a thing. A sob burned against the back of her throat that felt like sandpaper and pain bolted through almost every nerve in her body.

Her eyes tried to focus on the mop of raven black curls that swished in front of her eyes as the stranger who had seemingly come to her rescue bent down on his knees. He had one hand holding onto her car door and the other was clamped around the roof of the car like he was trying to hold himself up.

He had a calming, somewhat sugary sweet smile and for a second or two, it distracted (Y/n) from why she was panicking.

"Hi there, love. I’m Jonah, can you tell me your name?" Jonah paced his words to let (Y/n) have a moment to process them and hear how calm and collected he was trying to be.

"(Y/n)… out, p-please get me out!" Her throat burned, her words came out croaked and weak but with an air of urgency that stunned Jonah.

(Y/n) didn’t know which area of pain to focus on or where exactly the pain was coming from because it was circulating everywhere. But she knew that she didn’t want to be in the car anymore. She could feel the smoke drifting around the car, seeping into her lungs and making it harder to breathe. She could feel that the right side of the car next to her legs was dented and the bonnet had been crushed and the metal was pushing towards her. She felt like she was becoming boxed into her car and she wanted out.

The seatbelt was cutting rather harshly into her exposed neck and chest near her collar bone and it was grating like a sharp knife slowly tearing through her skin. She wanted to be out of the car to feel a bit more at ease and safer. Sitting in a car wasn’t the best if it was stationary and still on the motorway which was dangerous as it was without her being in a car which was now a hazard.

"I don’t think that’s a good idea, sweetheart. I don’t know what injuries you have, it’s best to wait for the paramedics, I think I saw someone calling them up ahead."

Jonah could see she was obviously distressed and didn’t want to stay where she was but now he had glanced at her injuries, all thoughts of telling her to get out vanished from his mind. He didn't want to be the one to move her. She could have damaged her spine or her neck or even her head and skull, moving her could disrupt any injuries and cause permanent damage. He didn't want to be the cause of any paralysis and he wasn't trained to get her out of a car with those sorts of injuries.

Basic medical first aid was the only thing Jonah could offer, along with a calming presence and a promise he wouldn't leave her in here alone until proper help arrived.

"Please,"

Her sob burned into Jonah's ears and he cringed, rolling his lips together at how desperate she sounded. He couldn't risk hurting her or making her injuries worse unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Not yet, let's wait for an ambulance to get you out safely, hm? But I won't leave you here alone, that's a promise."

"Okay," If he wasn't going to get her out, him staying beside her was at least a relief and his smile was as calming as it was charming.

"Let’s get that belt off you." Pushing himself up so he was leaning over her instead of on his knees at her side, Jonah tried his best not to touch her in case he hurt her. He didn't know if she had any internal injuries. All he could see were the external ones such as the cuts to her face from the inside of the windscreen shattering.

He rolled his lips into a thin smile and reached over (Y/n), trying to hold up his own weight. The belt came undone surprisingly easy and Jonah carefully pulled it back but it made him queasy to see the belt peel off her skin like a layer of skin ripping away. It revealed a slanted cut along her collar bone like it had burned into her skin, but thankfully it didn't look too deep.

Pulling back a little, Jonah started looking over (Y/n) to see what other injuries she had and how bad they were. He saw small cuts on her cheeks, one on her neck, her hands looked a bit scraped but when he looked closer he saw her right wrist looked damaged.

"I think you’ve broken your wrist, try not to move it for me." The complicated joint seemed to jut out on the left and it was beginning to swell too.

Pushing the almost deflated airbag out of the way, Jonah looked over (Y/n)’s other arm which seemed to have no damage. He locked eyes with her for a brief moment and he smiled to show her she was okay and he wasn’t going anywhere. He didn’t see any blood on her shirt which was a good sign but with the airbag now moved out of the way, he noticed a new problem.

There was a thin chunk of metal puncturing into her thigh, causing blood to pool around her navy blue leggings.

"Can I?" He questioned, referring to her leg. He didn’t really want to leave her bleeding out when he didn’t know how long the paramedics were going to take to arrive and the least he could do was take a look and see if he could help in any way.

"Hm,"

There was a tear in the material so Jonah slowly pulled at the thin cotton and ripped it further so he could see the damage. He held his breath in his lungs to calm himself down; the metal looked like it was rather deep into her leg and Jonah knew better than to even attempt to pull it out. If he moved the metal an inch he could worsen the bleeding or rip a muscle and if he took it out all the way, the blood flow would be a lot worse. The blood was seeping from the deep cut like a tap that was continuously spluttering the liquid everywhere. It was soaking into her leggings and creating a mass dampness around the wounded area.

"Okay… sweetheart, I need to stop the bleeding. Can you talk to me? Tell me what you were up to today or something about you while I fix this."

Jonah needed to stop the bleeding and the best way he could think to do that was to remove his belt and tie it around her leg above the wound. That way the blood would be restricted to her leg because even though the metal was stopping the blood loss from becoming worse it was still pouring out. He knew (Y/n) might become lightheaded and it would hurt so he thought talking might distract her and it would show him she wasn’t suddenly going to faint or fall unconscious.

"What's wrong with my-" (Y/n) cut herself off with a choked moan mixed with a cry when she saw the metal poking out of her thigh a little higher up from her knee. She pressed her head back into the headrest, feeling the urge to scream or try and move because she didn’t even realise that had happened. She didn’t feel the metal puncture through her leg, she simply thought it had gotten bashed and bruised like everywhere else on her body.

"Ssh, hey it’s alright. I’m gonna stop the bleeding and then the paramedics will sort this out for you, don’t worry. Come on, tell me about yourself or your day." Jonah’s voice was oddly soothing to (Y/n), he had one of those deep yet rhythmic voices that you could listen to about anything. It was a voice that you would constantly listen to without registering what was being said.

"I don't, um… I like t-to sing." (Y/n) licked her dry lips, trying to speak clearly though her throat and lips were both dry and felt tight.

It was the first thing that came to mind.

Something soft flooded Jonah's eyes while he stood up and snapped his belt free from the loops of his jeans. He prayed his jeans would stay where they were and wouldn't fall down now they were a bit loose on him without the belt.

He crouched back down beside (Y/n) whilst hoping some form of help would arrive soon to help them.

"I bet you have a beautiful voice. I quite like to sing too," Jonah pushed his knees into the bottom of the car while he carefully lifted up (Y/n)'s thigh, just an inch, so he could thread the end of his belt under her leg. He did his best not to disturb the metal. He made sure the belt was close to the wound but not touching it in any way.

(Y/n)'s eyes fluttered open and she looked down to see what Jonah was doing. It took her mind a few seconds longer than usual to process what he was doing and understand he was going to cut off her circulation to her leg.

When Jonah lifted his head to look at her, he winked in a way that sent (Y/n)'s stomach flooding with butterflies and his smile made her want to squirm and blush. She noticed his smile morph a little when he bit down on his lower lip and threaded the belt through the buckle. Then he yanked it as tight as he could manage. When the belt indented down into (Y/n)'s skin, he heard her ungodly scream as if the belt was around her chest, not her leg.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," He hushed quietly. "It won’t hurt for long, sweetheart." Jonah pressed the pin into the belt to create a new pinhole to make sure the belt didn’t loosen any more than that before he let go. Her leg would turn numb soon enough and it would stop both the pain from the tightness and the pain from the wound.

Jonah ran his fingertips over (Y/n)’s legs to make sure she had no other cuts or injuries, stopping when she choked on a cry as soon as his hands found her left ankle. He pulled up the end of her leggings and moved her sock out of the way before trying to be gentle when grazing his fingers over the swelling skin. Relief bolted through him when he saw that the bone wasn't poking out and it didn't exactly feel broken, it felt in tact. She might have just sprained it.

"It’s not broken, probably sprained… hey, you gotta stay with me, sweetheart. Come on, open your eyes."

Reaching his hand up, Jonah gently brushed his thumb over her cheekbone, trying to get her to talk to him when her eyes closed. He didn’t want her passing out on him in case it was a sign that she was still having bloodloss or that there was something else wrong.

She managed to open her eyes and move her left hand, barely remembering that Jonah said not to move her right wrist which was broken.

"It hurts." (Y/n) didn’t exactly know what she was referring to, whether it was her broken wrist, her bleeding leg, her damaged ankle or her head that was pounding, but she felt the need to express how everything hurt. Jonah didn’t seem to care what she was referring to, he understood what she was going through. He moved his right hand and gently took her left hand in his own, interlocking their fingers.

"I know it does, but it won’t be for long. Squeeze my hand, help will be here soon."

Jonah couldn’t give her anything for the pain and he couldn’t take it away, all he could do was be moral support and to try and help her in any way that he could. He darted his eyes down to her leg which was fading in colour meaning that the blood wasn't getting past the belt so that was a good thing at least.

He felt slight relief when (Y/n) held his hand tightly to show she wasn’t asleep just yet. She didn’t know what she would have done if Jonah hadn’t turned up, she wouldn’t have known her leg was bleeding or how to stop it, she would have tried to get herself out if she had the energy. Her panic died down immensely when he turned up because he seemed to know what he was doing. It wasn’t as scary with someone else here with her.

"P-please don’t leave me."

"Now why would I leave you?" Jonah could hear the worry in her voice as if she thought he was just going to vanish and head home. He wouldn't do that even if he wanted to because it wasn’t fair. He had come over to help and he wasn’t finished helping yet because he couldn’t leave her alone and afraid.

Jonah rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand as (Y/n) continued to squeeze his hand every now and then to show she was still awake. She pushed her chest out to let her spine click into place before settling back against the seat that felt incredibly uncomfy right now.

Something akin to fondness bubbled up in (Y/n)'s chest and pooled in her eyes when she looked over at Jonah. He wasn't looking at her but he was squeezing her hand incredibly tight. He was swaying on his heels, shifting his weight back and forth and his left hand had moved to rub his chin and brush across his lips while he watched for any signs of an ambulance or even the police.

She could see how focused he was on watching for help and how intent he was on staying right by her side. It felt like they had known each other for years, not minutes and his presence was calming and soothing.

The car moved.

A burning scream left (Y/n)'s lips and her body tensed up and pushed back into the seat when she felt the car jolt backwards. The horrid sound of metal scraping on metal sent her body shivering and burned her ears.

She was going to fall. The car was going to do down the ditch and crash. She was going to die here.

Jonah's weight unbalanced and he fell backwards on his bum, one hand scraping against the gravel to steady himself while his other hand clenched as tight as possible around (Y/n)'s hand. As if he was Superman with the power to pull her back and stop the car from falling any further.

"No, no no!"

"Oh God!"

Jonah scrambled to get up and his free hand instinctively pressed out on the roof of the car until it stopped moving and once again got wedged between the broken metal barrier. As soon as it stopped, Jonah breathed shakily in relief and moved round again. He let go of the car, he didn't want to touch or lean on it in any way in case any little touch made it move more towards the ditch again.

He leaned his head down into the car and his hand let go of (Y/n)'s hand so his hands could hold her neck. His fingers curled around the back of her neck, his thumbs brushed over her jaw and he tilted her head up so she was looking at him. He could see the panic in her watering eyes and hear it in each shuddering, shallow breath she took. Panicking wasn't going to do them any favours.

Reaching up, (Y/n) clamped down hands down around Jonah's wrists, even her broken wrist that was now pulsing and throbbing from the movement. She was shaking so badly she was causing Jonah's arms to tremble but neither of them cared.

"Jonah p-please get me out!" (Y/n)'s fingers dug bruisingly into his wrists but it was her eyes that made his stomach flip and sent his knees buckling.

"I could hurt you-"

"Please,"

His eyes slammed closed and his body jolted on the spot when (Y/n) slammed her foot down against the footwell as she let out a sharp cry. She wanted out, she wanted to feel and be safe on the roadside. She didn't want to be in a car that was about to be in the ditch.

She was moving all of her body except for the leg Jonah had tied his belt to, surely that had to mean she didn't have any nerve damage or paralysis? Wouldn't it be safer for him to get her out and move her now than to risk waiting for paramedics to do the exact same thing he could just do right now?

"Alright, alright sweetheart let's get you out of here."

Reaching down, Jonah let go of her neck and trailed his hands down to hold her arms and loop them around the back of his neck. He could see the metal that was punctured into her thigh wasn't still connected to the car so he could move her without ripping it from her skin.

He gently held her lower legs and turned them until her body was shifted so she was facing him and her legs were now hanging over the side of the seat out of the car.

Jonah bent his knees and circled his arms around (Y/n)'s waist, trying to hold her firmly but also be gentle because he didn't want to cause her further pain. He could feel her nails scratching into his shoulders as he carefully started to lift her up from the car. When (Y/n) reached her hand out to hold the door so she could keep her weight on her good leg, Jonah grabbed her hand and looped her arm back around his neck instead.

"Don't lean on the car in case it moves. Lean on me, I've got you."

He could feel the car start to slide again the moment (Y/n)'s weight was lifted from the seat. Jonah moved as quick as he could without hurting her and shuffled backwards with (Y/n) in his arms until they were a safe distance from the car that was four feet away from going down the ditch.

"Are you okay?"

His nose brushed against her hair and her breath tickled his skin when she took rapid breaths but managed to nod against his neck.

"Thank you,"

(Y/n) was sure she heard him whisper 'You're alright' into her hair before he carefully turned to help her sit down. His hands moved under her arms and he lowered her down until she was sat on the gravel with her legs stretched out in front of her as straight as rulers.

Her head felt like it was about to explode and for a brief moment, everything started to spin and her mind went dizzy. She thought she was about to flop down against the floor until a strangely familiar pair of hands grabbed her upper arms. Jonah reeled her into his side and let her weight fall onto his chest as (Y/n) suddenly realised he had sat down on the ground next to her.

His hand rubbed up and down her arm and in her slightly delirious state, (Y/n) was sure he kissed the top of her head, although she couldn't be sure.

"Cavalry’s here, love." As soon as the words passed through his lips, (Y/n) could faintly hear the blaring sirens that sounded very distant but she didn’t know if they were actually far away or if it was her ears distorting the sounds around her.

Two ambulances and a road traffic car pulled up and Jonah suspected they were going to block off this whole side of the motorway for a few hours.

Two paramedics hurried over with a stretcher to where Jonah was sat down beside (Y/n). He could see she was close to falling asleep now but it was alright if she did because the paramedics were here, they would know what to do.

"Jonah…" (Y/n) managed to open her eyes but soon closed them when all she could see was a rotating picture that was blurring too much to make anything out. A flurry of panic bubbled up in her chest when she felt strange hands on her arms pulling her forward to try and check her over and her head shook when she felt her eyelid being held open and a light cross in front of her pupil.

She didn't want Jonah to leave, as selfish as that made her. She barely knew him but she wanted to keep holding his hand and lean on his shoulder and hear his melodic voice telling her she was going to be alright.

"Jonah-"

"I’m still here sweetheart." He responded, feeling his heart pang at how she was beginning to panic again.

He shook his head when one of the paramedics asked if he was injured and his arms folded over his chest as he bit his lip, watching them assess her and talk about the best way to move her. They couldn’t afford to move the metal in her leg but it was easier now she was out the car. They didn’t have to cut her free which was the most important thing.

Jonah felt all the sirens and car horns and voices drift away and blur into silence as he watched the paramedics very slowly ease (Y/n) onto the stretcher. Both making sure her right leg was moved as little as possible as they laid her down. All three of them winced when (Y/n) suddenly made a choking sound. Her chest moving like it was convulsing and she moved her left hand to press to her lower chest before blood started to coat her lips.

One of the medics moved the stretcher so (Y/n) was sitting up instead of lying down so she didn’t choke. Her eyes closed tight and her face contorted into a look of either pain or disgust, Jonah couldn't be sure, and she tossed her head forward to spit the blood from her lips.

"Can I go with her?"

Jonah didn’t even think before the words were rushed from his lips and he felt relieved when one of them nodded. He didn’t even know her and yet he found himself wondering what her fate would be. If she would need surgery and what for, if she would be okay, who needed to be contacted. If her parents needed to be told, if she even had parents or maybe siblings or even a partner he had to contact. All the questions he could possibly have about her and her life rushed through his head as he jogged to keep up with them.

He stopped for a second to tell an officer which car was his because he would undoubtedly get clamped or have a ticket for leaving his car there if he didn't tell someone first that he was involved in this mess. He was too shaken to drive and he needed to make sure (Y/n) would be okay.

When they were in the ambulance, one of the paramedics held a white plastic bowl in front of (Y/n) so she could cough up the blood which tainted the crystal white colour of the tub into a rather dark crimson. Jonah wasn’t very well advanced with medical knowledge but he guessed by the way she was spitting blood like she was throwing up that it was something to do with her stomach. She was breathing well so it wasn’t her lungs at least.

"I’m still here," He mumbled quietly as he reached to take her hand, watching how her features seemed to relax at his voice. Her hand pulled his closer to her chest as she continued to throw up the sticky substance coating her throat and lips.

Jonah brushed her slightly knotted hair behind her ear, keeping it from her face as he felt the ambulance begin to move.

"I won’t leave you."

[ckatwriter]

Little fic drabble I thought of (will have a part 2) some eventual Bowuigi

******************

Luigi in the Fungeon

(Taking place during the movie that I haven't seen yet so prepare for speculation)

From his cage dangling above the lava pit, its hot glow emanating with the heat to throw everything into red light, Luigi could see several of the neighboring cages swinging wildly, spinning, and some dropping down too close to the lava for comfort, only to be lifted back up while the prisoner inside screamed

It happened with the penguin king and his subjects, and the little talking star, and then Luigi's stomach dropped as he felt his own cage lowering.

It swung around and lowered much more slowly than he'd seen the others' do. It didn't stop him from giving an involuntary shriek as the chains clanked, causing him to sway.

As his cage finally halted, he heard a high, childlike giggle from just behind him. It almost sounded like the little star, but perhaps a bit younger.

His cage spun around and around before abruptly halting before a miniature sized version of that hulking dragon-turtle man that had interrogated him about Mario.

"Hi new prisoner, I'm Junior!" 

Luigi blinked at him, at a complete loss for words but unable to forget his manners so he was able to give a small wave.

The mini-dragon-turtle - Junior-  tilted his head in curiosity. He gave Luigi a long, appraising look followed by a series of sniffs through the bars all over his body. 

"You smell funny," he concluded, his little mouth curving upwards to reveal rows of small but sharp teeth. "But good too. You must worry a lot."

Luigi quirked an eyebrow. "How can you tell?" He asked. Now that he surmised he wasn't in any immediate danger, he was finding the young creature as interesting as he was finding Luigi.

"I can smell it," Junior said. "You kinda smell like my Mama. She used to worry a lot, too."

"Really?" Luigi found it hard to believe that the mother of this kid - if she looked anything like him - would worry about anything.

Junior nodded. "Yeah, about me, about Papa, about the other Koopas. She tried not to let me see but I could smell it."

Luigi removed his cap to wipe away the sweat from his forehead, fanning himself with it while he had it in his hand.

Junior didn't seem to be effected by the heat at all, but he did notice the kid's smile had slowly disappeared upon the mention of his mother. It hadn't escaped Luigi that he'd been using past tense to talk about her.

"May I ask, is your Mama around now?"

He blinked at Luigi, his gaze lowering and he shook his head.

"The bad king got her."

Bad king? Luigi hadn't seen much of this world before he was captured, but the idea of a king worse than Junior's papa gave him even more reason to sweat.

When he didn't respond, Junior continued.

"But it's okay. Papa's gonna destroy the bad Mushroom Kingdom so nobody will be hurt by them again."

Replacing his hat to his head, Luigi grasped the bars of his still-dangling cage.

"I'm sorry about that--- your mama."

Junior had been avoiding his gaze, but he looked at him then.

"Everybody says that, I mean, all the Koopas anyway. But they knew her, you didn't. Why are you sorry?"

"I don't have to have known her to be sorry for you," he answered. "I can imagine it being tough for you."

Junior sniffed, wiping his face and trying to make it look like Luigi's words hadn't made him tear up.

A pang of guilt hit him in the stomach. He hadn't meant to make the boy cry. He decided to change the subject.

"And your Papa, he's the one who put me in here?"

Junior nodded again. "Uh huh. But if he comes don't tell him I was here, okay? Papa doesn't like me coming to the dungeon by myself."

"I wanted to play 'torture' though and I don't have anyone to play with."

"So that's why you were shaking the cages around," Luigi concluded.

"It's fun!" Junior exclaimed. 

"Not for the one in the cage," he mumbled.

Junior scoffed. "Come on, they love it, right?" He gestured to the other prisoners who all jumped to attention and gave various hurried, fearful exclamations of agreement.

"See?"

Junior appeared to notice Luigi's skepticism, for he pulled out a remote control with several large red buttons, mashing one and lowering Luigi's cage to the floor of whatever Junior was standing on.

Another button pressed and the door to his cage sprang open, Junior waving him out enthusiastically.

"Here," he shoved the remote into Luigi's hands and nearly leaped into the cage, slamming the door shut and pointing back to Luigi.

"You use the remote and fly me around some. I'll show you how fun it is!"

Luigi blinked again, flabbergasted that it was this easy to be let out like this. He could escape now, easy. All he had to do was use this remote to lift Junior high enough that he couldn't follow him and boom, he was free.

His eyes flicked from the remote in his hands to the entryway Junior must have come from. It *would* be easy...

"Let's go already!" He heard Junior whine impatiently from the cage. Luigi turned back to see the boy bouncing and swinging the cage himself, anxiously waiting Luigi to start the game.

It would be easy, but then what? Where would he go, where could he go? And how would he get there?

It wouldn't be fair of him - even if he did manage to get out of this Darkland place - to leave all of these others behind.

And this Junior kid--- whatever his papa had done to him, Luigi truly felt a kind of sympathy for him. He was just a kid, a kid who'd lost his mom. It wouldn't be right to trick him or betray his trust however misguided.

So, feeling like he might regret not taking the chance later, Luigi pressed several buttons in succession and flung Junior about the dungeon, spinning and dropping him in the same way he had been doing.

He probably should not have been surprised when all of the screaming the boy did was of delight, interspersed with wild, high pitched squeals of laughter.

After a few minutes of watching Junior fly and dive and scream with joy, Luigi almost forgot where he was.

Almost.

He was reminded quite abruptly when a large yellow Koopa guard took hold of him and wrenched the remote from his hands.

"What are you doing?" The Koopa barked at him, Luigi instinctively cowering in his grip. "What do you think you were doing to the prince?"

Junior's sounds of enjoyment slowly died as he became aware of what was happening.

One of the flying Koopas zoomed up to stop the cage from spinning, aiding its descent back onto solid ground.

"It's okay, Junior," the flying guard tried to comfort the boy who only whined and rolled his eyes. "We'll get you out of there and this human will be swiftly dealt with."

"But we were just playing," Junior whined. "He was gonna go back in the cage when we were done, honest."

Luigi made to speak up and agree with him, but the guard holding him smacked him across the back of his head, knocking off his hat.

"Quiet you!" The guard said. "Junior, you're lucky we got here when we did. Who knows what this human was planning?"

The flying guard came up beside his fellow, taking hold of one of Luigi's arms. "Yeah. We'll have to take him to your papa now and see what's to be done with him."

As the two koopas began to drag him away, Luigi saw Junior pick up his hat, scrunching it in his claws as tears filled his eyes.

Luigi wasn't sure if Junior was fearing for him or for himself, but he did know that he was about to come face to face with this koopa king once again.

[unnamed-blob]

One way, or another, I'm gonna get ya (2)

⇢ Pairing: Ghostface/Meg Thomas

⇢ Length: Multi-chapter

⇢ A/N: We break our regulalry scheduled angst for a small bite of fluff in between murder trials. This was meant to be part 1.5 but it ran away from me- Unfortunately, no Ghostface here, but enjoy some survivor bonding <3

Meg’s back slammed into the ground, limbs splayed out as she laid haphazardly across the dirt, trying to catch her breath as the familiar sight of the grey, cloudy sky filled her vision. 

“Someone finally decided to join us”, a teasing voice drifted from behind. Meg startled upwards, whirling around to stare wide eyed at the three figures settled on the felled logs closest to the campfire. She blinked, her heart finally slowing as she released a breath, propping herself up on her hands. The redhead tensed suddenly, swiveling her head to carefully scan her surroundings, shoulders hitching up anxiously.

Thankfully the other survivors were either absent, off in their own trials or further away, likely gathered at another campfire as dim laughter echoed through the empty woods. Meg slowly pulled herself up, stumbling slightly, trying to balance on unsteady feet as her eyes lingered on each darkened corner.

She snapped abruptly at each rustle in the edge of her vision, spinning around to the dark dredges of an empty forest. A shiver crept up her spine as the soft caress of an artificial wind felt too akin to fingers upon her neck, a mouth crowding her space, stealing her air. 

“I have no clue how you made it alive out of that one,” Jake continued from behind. Meg flinched at the reminder of the others nearby, spinning back around. The male continued to leisurely prod at the glowing embers, shifting the burning logs as they popped and crackled. His gaze followed the trailing cinders that floated upwards, before focusing back on her, leaning back as he gestured with his stick. “Ghostface was on our ass the entire time. Overkill on the kills by the way. Tryhard.” 

He threw the stick over his shoulder, dusting the lingering dirt off of his hands as he added lowly, “No clue what his deal was, anyway.”

Dwight nodded from his position across from Jake, reaching up with a grimace to rub at his neck. He cleared his throat, coughing into his fist. “Yeah, that definitely, um.. wasn’t the best round. Good job on outrunning him.”

Meg stiffened. She hadn’t.

Ghostface had frozen suddenly, pausing his torment on her to tilt his head, as though he were trying to listen for something. When she’d strained her ears in turn, the only things she’d been able to hear were her own jackhammering heart and panicked breaths. 

He’d sighed, planting a final, teasing kiss on the corner of her lips as he pulled away, shifting his mask back on properly while his thumb brushed over her lips, keeping her pinned to the ground.

“Duty calls,” he’d teased, easily hoisting her up while Meg remained limp, exhausted from remaining tense the entire ordeal, mind spun in circles at his abstract actions. He’d leaned in to give her a final peck through the mask and a teasing warning that drifted past Meg’s ears before he’d dropped her through the hatch.

Dwight glanced back at her when Meg gave no response, eyes widening as they darted close to her head, stiffening. “I- um- Meg, uh-.” He ducked his head back down, scuffing his shoes on the ground as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck, staring intensely at the flames at his feet. 

“You’re uh- hair’s different! Not that it's bad though! Just uh- y’know, new. Haven’t really seen that on you before.” He forced out a chuckle that fell flat, deflating into himself as the other two took notice to his words, gazes darting up to Meg.

The runner slowly lifted her hands, reaching upwards to feel the loose strands that flowed past her shoulders, curling around her face. 

Right. Ghostface had.. snapped her hair bands as well.

She gave a stiff jerk of a nod in acknowledgement, gathering the strands in a low ponytail, dependent on muscle memory as her hands trembled. As she was suddenly back on the ground when he’d let her hair loose. Had twirled the strands around his finger, had threaded his hands through her hair, had gathered a loose fistfull to guide her head to the side, then leaned in to-

“Meg?” Claudette’s soft voice interrupted. Meg held back a flinch, blinking back into awareness. Her gaze darted about, nerves settling as she reminded herself she was in the survivor camp, in the only safe zone within this entire damned place, away, with her friends. Her view settled on Claudette, perched on a log, leaning towards her. The dark skinned female’s brows creased further with apparent worry at Meg’s answering silence. 

The runner was more than aware she was acting strangely. More than aware she should be darting over to her friends, should be collapsing over one of them as she complained about the trial, as the unfortunate victim would laugh and try to shove her off. Should be walking around them to burn off her remaining steam after her constant running, should be making jokes and biting remarks with Jake, grinning at the taunts they jabbed at the killers. 

She just- she shuffled uncomfortably, releasing her hair to have an excuse to gather it again, pretending to focus her full attention on the task. 

How was she supposed to pretend everything was normal after- well- that? Much less- how was she supposed to admit it to her friends, open her mouth and let the words spill of what had actually happened at the end of the trial.

Meg hardly believed herself, she didn’t expect them to as well. 

She opened her mouth, searching for an excuse, that her bands had just snapped on their own. Bad quality, y’know? She’d find a replacement, maybe she’d ask- Claudette’s panicked gasp slammed into her like a freight train. 

The runner whirled around, feet scrambling back. Poised to dart from dark, gloved hands reaching from the darkness, frantically scanning for the white mask, the concealed robes-

Claudette was at her side before Meg could even flinch, a hand gently shifting her hair to the side. The taller female froze at the gentle touch as the botanist’s other hand tilted her head further to the side, nimble fingers lightly prodding at the skin. Meg forced herself loose, tilted herself lower for easier reach despite how her nerves lashed out, how all she could feel were gloved hands and a grinning mouth-

She forced a breath in until her chest hurt, then shoved it out. This was Claudette. This was her friend. Everything was alright. She was fine.

“There's a wound on your neck,” Claudette admitted in a low, worried tone. The two nearby males straightened at her words, remaining in their spots but obviously tense, itching to stand, watching the pair with attentive eyes. Meg was appreciative they were willing to give her space, she wouldn't have been able to handle being crowded by four worried survivors at the moment. 

She slowly reached up, feeling the area Claudette was eyeing, jolting slightly as she brushed over a tender spot.

Right.

That. 

It was-.. he’d-..

In short, Ghostface had done more than just-.. pin her down and pressed featherlight kisses to her face. She’d been startled when he’d abruptly licked a long strip up her neck, reveling in her flinch and renewed clawing against the ground, leaning lower, lower, low, hot breath ghosting over her wet skin before-

Meg gently grasped Claudette’s hands, bringing them down to clasp in one of hers as she fixed her hair with the other, shifting the red strands to completely conceal her neck. She patted her hair down before she grasped Claudette’s hands in each of her own, squeezing in reassurance as she forced a shaky grin on her face, hoping her hands weren't trembling.

The botanist frowned up at her, unhappy with Meg’s decision as the taller led the two of them back to the campfire, waving the other two tense survivors to sit down. They remained half sitting, half standing until Meg settled next to Jake, pulling the shorter female to sit down next to her. 

“I’m alright“, she soothed, grinning at each of them with far more confidence than she felt, nodding for them to settle down. Jake and Dwight complied hesitantly, casting glances at each other before the former plopped down first, (indiscreetly) shifting closer to press his leg against hers.

Meg relaxed at the familiar motion, physically loosening as she snorted in amusement, ignoring the creeping smile on Jake’s face as the air settled into something familiar, more akin to the typical atmosphere after a trial. He turned to Dwight, striking up some loud, nonsensical argument in the background as Claudette tugged at her arm, pulling Meg closer to her to glance her over for any blemishes.

“Are you ok?” She whispered between the two of them, eyes darting to Meg’s concealed neck before she jerked her gaze away, tilting her arms to check for unnatural wounds on the underside. The runner blinked, allowing the silence to stretch on, to settle her jagged thoughts into something sensical, logical, rounded. 

Maybe she’d made up the entire encounter, that’d certainly be more likely.

Meg hummed, tilting sideways as she curled her arm around Claudette, plopping her chin atop her head while she dimly watched the boys argue; Dwight sputtering with obvious, factual points while Jake gestured in wild movements, hammering in something completely untrue.

The flames from the campfire darted in her direction, heat washing over her skin as Meg finally allowed her eyes to droop shut. Fatigue washed over her like a wave, darting into the space her paranoia had held in a tight grip. 

“I am now,” she murmured into Claudette’s hair, barely twitching as her friend grasped her hand in both of her own, squeezing in comfort. 

Ghostface couldn’t get here.

The trials were a different matter but-

.. She’d figure it out, someway. She’d be fine