#then even if u grab the search function by the neck and force it to specify the actual ship nobody tags their shit consistently 😭😭

[bonestrouslingbones]

now realizing that i haven't seen an edgepuff fic any longer than a oneshot since fucking. 2022. and not even a oneshot since 2023. god.

[mochikeiji]

Looking Like U Got Me

Request: "Prompt no. 56 and 55 for Gojo ＼(^o^)／"

55. "You look like my husband/wife"

56. "Keep doing that and I'll marry you faster"

↠ Pairing: Gojou Satoru x Reader

↠ Warning: none! Simply fluff

↬ Word Count: 1.7k

↠ a/n: i accidentally mixed up prompts 55 and 57 ;-; but still hoping this turns out good!!

↳ from Go! Go! Gogatsu Event!

All he wanted was to wake up in bed, next to you— who would cuddle deeper in his arms even in slumber so he'd smother you with his kisses and tighten his hold around you and drift back to sleep longer, finally free of responsibilities for once and enjoy quality time with his only favorite person. But instead he wakes up with a groan passing through his lips, supporting his back side with his hand while shuffling to his side in a different position as the light sun rays shun through the window blinds, softly fanning his eye and forehead.

Gojo chuckles a bit before wincing. His lower back so tensed that he feels himself get older by the day. Pouting at the empty space next to him, he palms the cold sheet in wonder of where you are. Up so early in the morning when you could've just stayed in for him. How annoying. His eyes shut for moment when the scent coming from outside the room intruded his senses. Ah, you must be cooking breakfast. How sweet of you.

Thank goodness it wasn't another batch of dried crackers or cup of noodles that'll enter his mouth. He was never one to cook meals when he was on solo or when you weren't around. The very thought of not only the meal was awaiting for him outside, but also you excites him that it made him feel tingly inside. Call it dramatic, yeah, but it's not every day someone gets to wake up and immediately feel this full of love in the morning. You were the only and last love he's ever wanted to have in this world. It was so surreal even to him.

Sighing before pushing himself up, Gojo yawns out the remains of drowsiness in his system and stands. He didn't bother wearing a shirt since last night, claiming that he misses how his body rubs off yours in both comforting and suggestive ways. Plus it was just you and him home, he'd rather walk naked than wear the usual long sleeved uniform on a warm day.

The scent of coffee got stronger as he closes in his journey towards the kitchen. There was faint sizzling coming from the pan as you stood there in attendance. Stuck in your own little world, swaying to the sound of the radio playing, U got Me by Yung Heazy. It was one of the few songs that reminded you of Gojo back when you were both high schoolers. The exact song you remembered playing when you both hung out on a small cafe in Tokyo. Where he was so flustered, attempted to hide his blushes with his round glasses. The little things that reminded you of that memory never fails to make your heart race.

Of course Gojo knows this one as well. Because it was on that date as well he had call you, "his" after masking his embarrassment and from obviously checking you out every minute. How could he contain himself? He was a young man who was having trouble in the arts of love. Nevertheless he was glad to have grown up from those years. If his younger self could see him now, he'd be gagging at the sight of a softer version of his older self.

Snaking his arms around your torso carefully to avoid surprising you, he places his chin above your shoulder. Salivating at the sight of thick bacon in deep frying, shamelessly letting you know he was hungry from the sound of his stomach growling. "This is a nice way to greet me." you smile at the man behind you, who had his eyes closed in delight while rubbing his cheek against yours like a cat in need of attention. "Good morning to you as well, sweet cheeks." he says after  pressing a kiss on your skin.

"You got up early." whining softly, his hair and nose tickling the side of your neck and shoulder, "I was hoping to stay longer y'know?" trailing his hands underneath the his shirt you were wearing, mapping out on all the skin he could squish and hold with his large palms. Noticeably pressing himself closer to your body, the much needed space gone but you weren't complaining. After all, this was Gojo, a man who knows no boundaries.

"I wanted to make breakfast for you. We haven't had one together since we're both busy." you say as you grabbed the nearby plate, turning off the stove as the now cooked meal sizzles softly from the pan before sliding down to the porcelain surface. In attempt to lick his lips at the now prepared food, his tongue grazes upon your skin, sending you to jolt a bit, hearing the joyous laughter from him as he places a kiss on the spot as an apology.

"W-why don't you go sit down, there's rice bowls and cooked eggs prepared already." stammering, you quickly excused yourself away from his embrace to clean out the mess from the counter. Gojo sighs out the adoration but obliges to your command. Not long after you had finally settled down in front of him. Seeing him in all smiles as he scarfs down on his food made you smile as well. Thank goodness his blindfold was off, they looked adorable twinkling in happiness.

This felt nice. To have an opportunity to be a normal couple once again. So many times you could only daydream of scenarios like this. He could say the same as now that you were present on the usual spot he'd come home to empty. Often dozing off during meetings thinking of where you were or how you were, the multiple times Megumi has fed up with his whining about how he never gets to see or have more time with you. Nobara even pointed out a fact saying, "You act as if you're both married." and Yuuji, being the happy child of the three had said something that always ponder in his mind, "Why don't you marry each other yet, sensei?"

It was a statement he's been considering for a long time. Marriage. Of course Gojo wanted to marry you after years of torment love. To have his precious students say that you both already looked as if you were married got him all heart racing, and very very happy. He's had vivid images of a life with you. Not far from what it is today, but imagine. Unlimited happiness after so long of fearing it. Perhaps maybe even tiny legs running around, giving him such big love as his grows for the family he's craved, watching you smile beside the doorway and calling them in for a meal.

If marrying you means he can have that every day, then the hell with it.

"You look like my wife."

The spoon drop echoes. Slowly his face erupted into a faint blush while staring back at your widened eyes and opened mouth. "What?" gulping down the stuck food in your throat, Gojo bites his lips watching you maintain your composure. So cute. "Y-you know you say funny stuff when you're out of it. Maybe some daifuku would help? Yeah! Wait a sec." quickly getting up from your seat and rummaging in your fridge, you breathed out the heavy puff of air from your lungs.

He did not just say that so directly towards you. Maybe you were dreaming? You wouldn't be if your heart wasn't practically being forced out. Gojo is always fun and games, right? He doesn't mean that.

Sad to think of it that way.

"Ow!" thumping your head above the fridge as you grabbed some of the take outs of Daifuku you got yesterday, closing the fridge back before returning shortly to Gojo, who seemed as out of it as you were. "You did say your brain functions best when you eat sweets. Luckily for you I bought these yesterday. That's why I cooked earlier now because I wanted to try it out with you!"

Gojo can't tell if he wants to be offended at the fact that you think he was joking or just now, cover his half of his face to hide his laughter and igniting squeals. God he wished he had his phone right now, the moment was just so priceless and precious as you were.

"...ter"

Muffles from behind his hand was heard. Tilting your head to the side, trying to process what he said but no avail. "What was that?" you moved a little closer next to him, tapping his hand away almost eagerly. When he does, you spot that knowing smile present on his lips and the uncharacteristic blush still painted on his cheeks.

"Keep doing that and I'll marry you faster, honey."

You've gotten more shy when his hand held yours in the most loving way while drawing patterns. Searching through his eyes if he was playing around, but you were met with ones you know of when they were full of sincerity. "I-i. You know, they were so cheap anyways and I figured you'd want them." he snorts before leaning his head on your arm and laughs hysterically. It was painfully obvious that you were in state of shock that you couldn't even process his words.

Up until now the effect he has on you was still there like before.

"Sweetie." he turns his body away from the table to face you, pulling you so that you were standing in between his legs looking down shyly on the floor. "I'm serious." his fingers reached for your chin to pull your head up to meet his features. His other hand still holding your smaller one; index finger tracing your ring finger in circular motions as if he was creating a make believe ring.

He should thank himself for falling in love and be trusting once again.

Because now, staring back at your eyes filled with the same amount of emotions as his. Reciprocating the exact thing he was feeling. Waking up just to start the day already wanting him to be there. Knowing all the littlest things he's shared. Hearing the erratic sound of both of your heart beats.

He knew he's made the right choice.

"You really do look like my wife. My future."

© all content belongs to mochikeiji. Please do not repost or copy, ありがとうございました!! (=^･^=)

[jacmyheroacademia]

Hanahaki Bakugo X FemReader Part Five

Writers: Jac and Zeptikye Warnings: Mentions of blood, sickness, and medication Pairing: Bakugo X Female Character All Chapters

[Y/N] rolled over in bed at the sound of her phone buzzing, reaching for the device on her nightstand. Her throat burned and her chest ached, [Y/N] gritting her teeth in pain as she fumbled for her phone.

She yelped slightly as it nearly fell, barely catching it and turning the screen towards her. Her heart nearly stopped at the contact- and her flowers flared as she realized when she picked the phone up, she'd accidentally accepted the call.

“Hey-” Katsukis gruff voice came from the other line, [Y/N] panicking as she quickly sat up, “h-hey-!” She squeaked in surprise. 

She rubbed her eyes, holding the phone away from her a moment as she cleared her throat. “Wh-what’s uh.. up?” She mumbled sleepily. Katsuki grunted, “I didn't mean to wake you up… Sorry” he grumbled apologetically. 

[Y/N] stifled a yawn, taking a shuddered breath as she reset- her lungs struggling silently. “That's ok.. you alright?”

Katsuki was silent for a bit at that question before speaking quickly. “Would it be alright if I came over?” he questioned, even if it sounded a bit more like a demand, “I feel like we should talk.” he managed quickly.

[Y/N] blinked quickly, trying to quell her panic. “U-uhm- what about?” She stumbled, trying to shake the remnants of sleep. Katsuki cleared his throat slightly before speaking, “Just uhm … I’ve been- thinking about some stuff.” he said pensively “And I’d like your opinion or whatever.

She paused for a moment in confused thought. “O-okay, um- me too actually.” She murmured quietly. Katsuki paused for a second. “Good. Cuz I'm outside.” [Y/N] made a startled yelp before answering quickly, “Oh! O-Okay- give me just a second!” she exclaimed, leaping out of bed and throwing on a shirt over her tank top, trying not to cough loudly enough for him to hear.

[Y/N] gripped her chest as she stood, the room spinning at her lack of air combined with the sudden movement. She coughed violently, reaching out for anything to grab so she wouldn't fall.

Her knees buckled from under her, [Y/N] not sure what she grabbed but knowing whatever it was, she took down with her in a crash- but coughing too hard to care.

“Shoot! [Y/N]?” She heard Katsuki swear from outside the hall, “I’m coming in, okay?” he grunted, opening the door as [Y/N] curled her knees to her chest in embarrassment.

Her eyes watered as she panted, grasping her throat as it felt like the thorns stuck in it were trying to push their way through her skin from the inside. She felt her quirk materialize out of instinct, flailing miserably and crashing into more miscellaneous items.

“[Y/N]! [Y/N]!” Katsuki spoke to get her attention, quickly kneeling in front of her, “Hey- look at me, calm down.” he said, placing one hand on his shoulder and the other hand reaching for the water bottle she had knocked over. “Deep breaths through your nose.” he demanded, forcing her attention onto his crimson red eyes.

The flowers erupted under his stare, [Y/N] curling inward with a soft squeak of agony, scrabbling at her neck. Katsuki quickly backed off, looking at her in alarm. “[Y/N] what’s going on?” he questioned, his eyes searching her in confusion before his vision snagged on something. Tears streamed down her face, [Y/N] coughing violently to try and get the flowers out of her throat so she could breathe again- Katsuki losing her attention as she tried and failed to pull herself up.

“[Y/N] …” Katsuki said quietly, holding something in his hands that she couldn’t see. [Y/N] only shook her head, trying to pull herself up to sit properly as her lungs tried to hack up another flower, [Y/N] mortified that it was happening while Katsuki was literally right there.

She silently cried harder, her arms arching to shield her as petals and full fledged flower heads finally cascaded from her lips- the betraying, cheerful, peachy petals spattered red.

The explosive blonde fell silent, still kneeling on the floor as rose petals fell to the ground at [Y/N]’s feet- a strangled sob making it’s way to her throat before suddenly Katsuki was moving quickly in the corner of her blurry vision. “[Y/N]-” he said again, [Y/N] recognizing the sound of a bottle of pills hitting the ground as Katsuki dropped it to kneel in front of her, lifting a hand up to her face to cup one of her cheeks and tilting her head up the few inches to meet his eyes. 

“Are you in love with me?”

She shook violently, tears still streaming down her face as she tried to make herself as small as possible. “I- I'm so sorry- b-but… Yes..” she hiccuped.

Katsuki shook his head as a shuddered gasp left his lips, heaving a deep breath as the hand holding her face warmed. “D-don’t apologize.” he muttered quickly, his cheeks tinted pink. “I love you too…. Gosh [Y/N] I love you so much …” he whispered passionately.

She drew back as her mind reeled, that not being the reaction she expected at all. “Wh-what..?” She whispered tearfully in shock. Katsuki’s crimson eyes met hers, his face still it’s usual glare- but it wasn’t angry, it was determined and passionate and genuine. “I love you.” he repeated again, “I love you and good gosh I don’t want to see you hurting.” he cursed in a whisper.

[Y/N] blinked her wide eyes back up at him in silence, biting her lip so it wouldn't tremble. Her eyes screwed shut and she slowly ducked her head, silently setting her forehead against his chest as she hugged herself.

Katsuki wrapped both of his arms around her protectively, tucking her tight to her chest as [Y/N] let her brain comprehend the last chaotic three minutes of her life … Katsuki loved her?

The pain that had resided in her throat for so long and caused her so much pain was gone immediately, as if it had never been there as [Y/N] felt her lungs be released from the crushing grip of the roses vines- the sickening scent of flowers leaving her airways as she took in a shuddering gasp as the sudden sensation.

She panted quickly, her eyes shut tight and her brows furrowed as she hugged her arms to her chest, holding her neck. “I'm sorry..” she whispered- the cuts left in her throat still making it raw. Katsuki shook his head, “I’m sorry.” he said in retaliation. “If I would’ve known you were going through this s*** too, I would’ve told you the second I found out.” he swore, tucking her close as if doing so would help relieve the pain.

[Y/N] tucked her legs next to her, allowing herself to be immersed in his safe grasp as she tried to grasp his last sentence. She turned her head so her cheek was against his chest instead, still shivering. “I'm just.. I'm sure this isn't… The way you wanted to hear it. I don't want to.. to make you feel obligated…” She mumbled.

Katsuki scoffed, shaking his head, “[Y/N]- after puking up flowers for the past 48 hours I couldn’t care less how it happened … I’m just relieved to be able to breathe again …” he said softly, [Y/N]’s eyes widened in realization as she hadn’t even considered until this moment that he could’ve been going through the same thing.

She pulled her head back to examine him, her exhausted mind still trying it's best to function as quickly as her adrenaline wanted. “Y-you..?”

Katsuki scoffed, nodding quietly before pressing his forehead to the top of her head. “Just breathe for a bit- we can talk about it in the morning …” he said quietly, taking a deep breath himself.

[Y/N]  paused, her mind screeching at her to keep talking, but her tired, aching body got the best of her, nodding and slumping against him. Katsuki nodded quietly, squeezing her close for a minute before speaking. “Is uhm … is it okay if I just … hold you for a bit?” he grunted embarrassedly.

[Y/N] smiled at the sentence, her face warming comfortably and for some reason the question making her rather happy. She nodded, closing her eyes and settling against him. Katsuki squeezed her close, tucking his head on top of hers and [Y/N] feeling content to realize that they just kind of fit well together.

She nestled into him, finding how naturally warm he was comforting- as her arms tentatively looped themselves around his waist in return. Katsuki tensed slightly, but only for a minute before he tucked himself closer with a small huff, [Y/N] taking a deep breath and relishing in not feeling dizzy for a moment.

A deep inhale slid down her throat and into her lungs- [Y/N] not knowing if she would ever be able to relish the feeling of air actually moving freely down her airways as much as in this moment. And finally, after a torturing few days, her body began to relax.

…

Katsuki’s eyes fluttered open as he registered a crick in his neck- and also the fact that he was apparently sitting on the floor rather than sleeping in his bed? 

He grunted in displeasure, lifting his head against what it was leaning on and his sleep-fogged mind extremely confused. Katsuki turned his attention down, brows arching as he found [Y/N]- the two having fallen asleep leaning against each other and the wall.

His eyes widened as he remembered the phiasco that had been both of their attempted and mildly forced confessions- Katsuki taking a deep, flower free breath as his mind woke up.

He rolled his neck to stretch, smiling subtly. He turned his eyes back down to her after a moment, his hand absently playing with her hair while his mind ran. He had expected his thoughts to be anxiety ridden, and maybe they would be once he was fully awake, but right now he was  more than content to just hold her close.

Katsuki shifted to lean more comfortably against the wall, pulling [Y/N] with him and tucking her back close. [Y/N] shifted in his arms, offering a small yawn and tucking herself close.

Katsuki blinked quickly in silent startlement, flushing quietly but squeezing her as close as she could possibly be. [Y/N] hummed contentedly, Katsuki reaching a hand up to pet through her hair and closing his eyes again. A quiet sound reached his ear, what was close to a cat purring- almost silently, and slightly raspy as though it hurt a little bit… [Y/N] nestling closer.

His eyes fluttered open in surprise as he realized the contented sound was coming from [Y/N]- the thoughts making his cheeks redden. Katsuki looked her up and down for a moment, a tiny smile crossing his lips while he set his head atop hers.

[Y/N] continued to purr softly as she slept, Katsuki wondering if he should move her to her bed but also really not wanting to stop holding her. 

He settled with staying where he was, hugging her tight and petting her hair while he rubbed her arm.

The sun would be coming up soon anyway and they would have to go to class, no sense in waking her up now. He sighed softly, leaning back against the wall and exhaling a deep, contented breath. Of everything, this was not the outcome he predicted.. but knowing he was beyond grateful.

…

[Y/N] rubbed her eyes blurrily with a quiet yawn as she stretched, her head nestling against … Something? Her brows furrowed as she realized she was sitting up, leaning against something rather than actually in bed.

She blinked open an eye, brows furrowed in confusion as she tried to figure out where she was.

The sight of strong arms wrapped tightly around her waist brought her back to her surroundings with a jolt as she remembered the events of last night. 

[Y/N] blinked quickly in surprise, sitting straighter and jumping as she looked up to her eyes meeting crimson red.

“Finally woke up.” Bakugo grunted with a small smirk, [Y/N] blushing. She quickly turned her gaze back down, flushing as she rubbed an eye. ���S-sorry..” Katsuki grunted again, “don't worry about it.” He muttered, setting his head back on top of hers. 

She made a soft sound of surprise, a quiet, contented smile drawing over her lips as she settled back against him, nodding.

The two sat in silence for a bit. She exhaled a shuddered breath, nuzzling closer to him with a flushed face and a happy smile.

Katsuki grunted, ducking his head- “... Were you puking up roses?” He asked quietly. [Y/N] bit the corner of her lip, but nodded, the sentence bringing her to realize her throat still ached.

Katsuki nodded, tapping his forehead to the top of her head. “Do you … I mean should we talk about it or- … Whatever?” He grunted embarrassedly. [Y/N] bit her cheek, shifting softly. “Do you… Want to?”

Katsuki was silent for a bit before answering, “not really … But we probably should.” He said briefly, turning away with a blush. [Y/N] nodded, hugging him gently.

“K… What.. what should we talk about then?”

Katsuki shook his head, “heck if I know … I just … Are we- are we dating now, do you want to? How long has this ish been going on? What were you thinking falling in love with me?” 

[Y/N] sat back, thinning her lips. “Because you're a good person.  Because you genuinely try, at everything, and you genuinely care. You've made me a better person in just a year than I ever thought I could have been- and you're determined to keep going even when everything's against it.”

Katsukis crimson eyes stared at her in surprise, his cheeks darkening. She paused as she realized what she said, flushing as she looked away. “A-among.. other things… That's.. what I was thinking..”

Katsuki blinked a few times before clearing his throat quietly, looking to the ground. “H-how long have … Uhm- …” He spoke gruffly through his admittedly kind of cute blush. [Y/N] smiled quietly, aware of how hot her cheeks were herself as she wrung her hands together. “U-uhm- I don't really.. know?”

Katsuki grunted in agreement, his grip around her tightening slightly before he spoke… “I think I've liked you for a while.” He admitted. [Y/N] felt her face continue to warm, a smile yanking its way into her face against her will. “I… Think, me too..”

Katsuki nodded, “are we … Do you-?” He tried before growling and dropping his head, his eyes in a glare as he undoubtedly tried to process his emotions. [Y/N] paused, encouragingly waiting for him to continue.

“Are we like … A couple now?” He growled the tips of his ears turning red. [Y/N]’s face followed the same manner, ducking her head. “Um.. do you… want to be?”

Katsuki cursed quietly, “How should I know- I don't know how to do any of this crap I just want … I just want to …” his voice faded as he squeezed her, tucking her close. [Y/N] looked up at him in timid curiosity, waiting for the end of the sentence as she bit her lip.

“Whatever…” He finally muttered, “I don't know- shoot-” he swore. [Y/N] squeezed him gently, tucking herself close. “It’s ok to want something, even if it’s different from mine.. And I don’t even know what I want.” she murmured in faint amusement.

Katsuki growled, “whatever.” He muttered “I just … I don't really care about all that crappy romance and dating and stupid stuff like that. I just wanna …” He faded off before growling, “I just wanna be your freaking boyfriend or whatever! Take care of you and love you and s***! Whatever that means for … This.” He said, gesturing between them.

[Y/N] paused for a second in surprise, her eyes wide while she went silent. It took a second, but she felt her face shift to a wide smile, giggling softly as she blushed with a quiet nod.

Katsuki cursed, looking down at the ground again with a raging blush. “Don't laugh! I'm bad at this!” He shouted, only making [Y/N] smile wider.

She cupped his cheeks tenderly, shaking her head with a giggle. “No, no, I don't think it possible for you to be bad at anything honestly… But I uh.. I think that's a good.. idea.” Katsuki looked up to her with a softened glare. 

“So do you wanna be my girlfriend or not?” He growled, [Y/N] laughing softly. She smiled as she tilted her head, her face softening. “I-if… that’s what you want.. I’d love to.”

Katsukis crimson eyes widened as of even after all that he still hasn't been expecting that answer, “I'm gonna be a crappy boyfriend.” He warned, “but I can learn to be the best dang boyfriend in the entire world.” He said confidently. 

[Y/N] giggled, gently tapping their foreheads together. “And that’s how I know you already are. Or at least to me.”

Katsuki gave a firm nod, squeezing her into a hug. [Y/N] giggled happily, hugging him in return, tucking herself closer. Katsuki rubbed his hands over her back for a moment before speaking again. “We should go to recovery girl. Just to make sure the flowers are all cleared up.”

[Y/N] chewed her bottom lip with a sigh, nodding quietly as she sat back. Katsuki nodded as well, glancing to her for a moment before blushing and looking away, shifting to pull himself to his feet and cracking his back. 

She folded her legs beside her, reaching her arms up to stretch with a yawn. Katsuki glanced around her room, “ you're gonna need a new bed table.” He said, [Y/N] noting she had broken the shelf in her fall. She face palmed with a sigh, laughing ruefully.

Katsuki smirked, shaking his head. “We’ll worry about it later” he grunted. She nodded softly, holding one of her arms with the opposite hand and smiling sheepishly. 

Katsuki glanced toward her like he wanted to say something but ultimately decided against it, walking towards the door and holding it for her. “C'mon.” She paused curiously, studying him for a moment or two longer before she nodded.

[littlespoonevan]

Love your fics! If you’re still taking prompts, what about one where Ian loses his ring and he frantically searches for it before Mickey finds out 🤓

thank you!! okay i’ve had a headache legit all night so this may not be up to my usual standard but hopefully it’s still a nice read!! :’)

(gentle reminder i’m not accepting prompts right now while i finish the ones in my inbox work on my longfic!

*

Contrary to popular belief, the only time Ian ever takes off his wedding and engagement rings iswhen he’s afraid they’ll get ruined. Like when he’s washing the dishes orcleaning the bathroom or whatever. His rings symbolise his commitment to Mickeyand nothing on the planet is more important to him than his commitment toMickey so he takes care of his rings. And sometimes that means taking them offto keep them safe.

Well, the goal isto keep them safe.

Ian had been on dish-washing duty tonight and it hadbeen a particularly messy affair with them cooking lasagne for seven peopleplus Franny and Freddie’s food. Looking at the cheesy, sauce-y mess that wasthe sink and surrounding area he’d slipped off his rings, carefully placed themon the windowsill behind the sink and gotten to work.

And really, it’s Mickey’s fault he hadn’t put themback on.

Ian had just been finishing up with the last platewhen he’d felt arms slide around his waist.

Glancing over his shoulder, Ian had grinned at thesight of Mickey’s wry smile and raised eyebrows. “You done yet, firecrotch?Your family are significantly more unbearable without you there to distract me.”

“Sure, that’s why you’re in here,” Ian had scoffed,looking pointedly at Mickey’s hands drifting lower towards his belt buckle.

Squeezing his hips, Mickey had forced him to turnaround and, well, Ian had gotten a little distracted with kissing his husbandthen, his hands otherwise occupied.

It’s only as they’re getting ready for bed later thatnight that he realises his hand is bare. Eyes widening in panic, he looks toMickey but Mickey’s not paying any attention to him, too busy picking up therandom pieces of clothing littering the floor to throw into their laundry pile.

“I’m just gonna get a glass of water,” Ian tells him,slipping out of the room as casually as he possibly can before he races downthe back staircase to the kitchen. He makes a beeline for the sink immediatelyand very nearly has a stroke when he realises the window sill is empty.

Fuckingfuck. Where the fuck are his rings?

Trying not to freak out, he searches all around thesink area, for once cursing the fact that he made sure the counter was spotlessearlier. It just makes it even more obvious that his rings aren’t there.

Okay, it’s fine. It’s fine. Someone probably just moved them.

Ian spots Carl still sprawled out in the living roomwatching TV so he corners him first.

“Hey, did you move my rings?”

Carl pauses the TV, looking up at him in confusion. “Shouldn’tyour rings be on your finger?”

Ian huffs, rolling his eyes. “I took them off when Iwas doing the dishes,” he explains impatiently. “Did you move ‘em?”

“Nah, sorry, man,” Carl says and he looks too sincereto be lying. “Ask Debbie. She was cleaning up around the kitchen before shewent to bed.”

Ian nods his thanks before hurrying back upstairs andknocking quietly on Debbie’s door. He waits for her call of, “Come in,” beforehe opens her door and steps inside. “Did you move my rings when you were in thekitchen?” he asks hopefully.

Debbie looks up from where she’s tucking a blanketaround Franny, a frown on her face. “Your wedding ring? No, sorry.”

Ian’s mouth twists into a tight line and he closeshis eyes. He’s so fucked. “Did you see ‘em at all?”

Debbie shrugs. “Not since they were on your finger.Maybe Liam knows.”

Ian sighs and trudges down the hall, silently gratefulMickey is in the bathroom as he makes his way to Liam’s room.

“Did you move my wedding rings?” Ian asks himsomewhat desperately.

Liam glances up from the books he’s reading and atleast has the decency to look concerned. “No, I haven’t seen them.”

And that’s it. Ian is officially about to have aheart attack. Shit, Mickey is gonna kill him.

“Mickey’s gonna kill you,” Liam says and Ian groans,collapsing against the wall.

“I know,” he says, forcing himself to take asteadying breath. Where the fuck could they have gone?

“Why don’t you call Lip?” Liam suggests. “Maybe he orTami saw them before they left?”

Ian nods miserably. “Thanks, buddy.”

After an unsuccessful phone call with Lip Ian findshimself back in the kitchen, scanning the counters again just in case. It’s ashe’s on his third sweep of the place that a horrific thought crosses his mind.He stares at the sink and feels dread rise up in his chest.

No.

No, no, no, no, no.

There’s no way they fell down the sink.

They couldn’t have.

Jesus Christ, Mickey’s gonna ask for a divorce if they went down the sink.

Before he can think better of it, Ian grabs thetoolbox from the shelf above the washer and opens the cabinet doors under thesink. If he’s lucky, they’re just stuck in the u-bend. He’s in the middle ofattempting – pretty unsuccessfully – to unscrew the pipe when he hears, “Ian,what the fuck are you doing?”

Mickey’s voice takes him by surprise and in his hurryto sit up he ends up whacking his forehead off the pipe. “Fuck!” he exclaims,dropping back down and putting a hand to his head.

“Jesus Christ,” he hears Mickey mutter before stronghands are helping ease him out from under the sink.

Once he’s sitting up, Ian leans back against thecabinet door and screws his eyes shut.

“Why the fuck you tryna be a handyman at 11pm?”Mickey asks, squeezing his shoulders.

Ian opens his eyes, smiling weakly when he meetsMickey’s worried gaze. “Sink’s clogged.”

“And that can’t wait ‘til the morning because…?”

Fuck. Ian drops his gaze, knowing lying is just gonnamake this whole situation worse. “Okay,” he says, taking a steadying breath. “Pleasedon’t be mad and remember that I love you.”

“Two things every guy wants to hear,” Mickey snortsbut his thumb is still grazing over Ian’s collarbone reassuringly.

Closing his eyes and bracing himself for what’s sureto be a night spent on the couch, he says, “I think my rings went down thesink.”

He waits for the onslaught, for the tirade, but itdoesn’t come. After a few seconds too long of silence he looks at Mickey andsees a slight furrow between his brows but none of the fury he expected.

“Your rings are upstairs on the nightstand,” Mickeysays.

Ian blinks. “What? No they’re not.”

“Yeah, they are,” Mickey says slowly. “I saw ‘em onthe window sill earlier so I brought them upstairs to keep them safe.”

Ian stares at him, dumbfounded. “Are you serious?”

Mickey huffs a laugh and stands up, taking hold ofboth of Ian’s hands to haul him up. “Can you stand with that giant bump on yourhead, dumbass?”

“You seriously brought them upstairs?” Ian asks disbelievinglyas Mickey leads him back upstairs.

Mickey doesn’t say anything until they get to theirroom, coming to a stop by their bed and letting go of Ian’s hands to point atthe nightstand where, sure enough, both his rings sit neatly next to the lamp.

“I-“

“You’re an idiot,” Mickey says amusedly, shaking hishead as he picks up the rings. Turning to Ian, he takes hold of his left handand carefully slides the rings back onto his finger.

Ian swallows hard, folding his fingers through Mickey’sand leaning their foreheads together. “I really wasn’t bein’ careless, y’know?I was tryna be the opposite actually.”

Mickey breathes a laugh, free hand skimmingcomfortingly over Ian’s arm. “I know you only take your rings off so nothinghappens to them. Why didn’t you just ask me?”

Ian sighs, feeling his cheeks heat up inembarrassment. “I asked everyone else,” he admits but he knows that’s notreally an answer. “I don’t know, guess I figured you’d be pissed if you thoughtI lost my rings.”

Mickey leans back to meet his gaze and his expressionis mildly sheepish. “Look, I know I was a little uptight about the rings in thebeginning but Ian, you’re my husband. Have been for months. And I don’t need tosee a ring on your finger to know that.”

Ian gets that. He knows there had been a lot more uncertaintybetween them back then and it’s not really comparable to them now, six monthsmarried, building a life together and actually communicating likefully-functioning adults.

“It’s still important though,” Ian says, handtightening around Mickey’s. “I didn’t want you to think I lost it because I didn’tcare or I was being an idiot.”

Mickey nods, grips the back of his neck reassuringlyand lifts his mouth in a half-smirk. “You were kinda being an idiot though.”

“Yeah alright, asshole,” Ian huffs, rolling his eyesexasperatedly when Mickey laughs and wraps his arms more firmly around him.

“Can we go to fuckin’ bed now or you got any otherDIY projects you need to do?”

Winding his arms around Mickey’s waist, Ian nods,kissing him soundly on the mouth. “Let’s go to bed.”

He’ll figure out a way to surgically attach his ringsto his finger tomorrow.

*

[yespleasefandomtrash]

Honestly write whatever you want catradora is sooo good and I just need to c o n s u m e. An au would be nice, tho it's up to you what kind!

me, chanting: IRON MAN AU IRON MAN AU IRON MAN AU (aka the au no one asked for but the one i wanted to write lmao)

tumblr still isn't letting me add line breaks but i will try to put them in later!! thank you for your patience xx

HI = Horde Industries

~*~

“Hey, Adora - don’t forget you have a teleconference with Hordak tonight,” Catra said as she walked into the lab, marking off something on her clipboard. “I’ve already prepared all the documents you’ll need for the meeting because I know you don’t have the foresight to do that yourself.”

Adora groaned at the thought of dealing with HI business, especially involving Hordak. “Can’t someone else do it?” She paused in tinkering with the various electrical parts in front of her. “Like you?”

Catra rolled her eyes. “Obviously I normally would, but I have tonight off, in case you’ve forgotten.” She clicked her pen shut. “I know you’re utterly incapable without me, but you’ll have to make do for a few hours.”

Adora stood up from her worktable, brushing the front of her pants off before walking over to Catra, a frown creasing her lips. “Why are you taking tonight off?”

Catra laughed, the hint of irritation in her voice making Adora wince. “I’m allowed to have off on my birthday, Adora.”

“Oh. Today’s… your birthday.”

“Mhm. That’s what I just said.” She tucked her pen into the pocket on the front of her shirt.

Adora chewed her lip, shoving her hands into her back pockets. She hadn’t meant to forget. She just… hadn’t grown up with any importance placed on birthdays. “Buy yourself something nice from me, then.”

“Oh, I already did.” Catra smirked as she removed the first paper on top of her clipboard and handed it to Adora - a to-do list for that evening. “Thank you. It was a wonderful gift.”

“It’s nice, I take it?” Adora asked, begrudgingly accepting the paper while simultaneously unable to stop herself from wondering what ‘she’ had bought for Catra.

“It’s amazing. Brings out the blue in my right eye.” She chuckled. “You have impeccable taste.” Catra then glanced at her watch. “Will that be all, Adora?”

A chill always ran down her spine when Catra said her name. She couldn’t keep her eyes off the woman’s lips. “That will be all, Catra.”

There was a lingering silence between them where neither moved, but the ringtone that suddenly blasted from Adora’s phone startled them both out of their reverie. Catra gave her a familiar smirk before leaving, and it took all of Adora’s willpower to stop herself from watching her go.

“What do you want, Glimmer?” Adora grumbled as she answered the phone.

Glimmer snorted. “Well, by that tone I can tell I interrupted you and Catra flirting, didn’t I?”

“You know as well as anyone that Catra and I’s relationship is strictly professional.”

“A blatant lie, but I really don’t have time to argue with you right now. You’re an entire hour late for our flight!”

“Please. It’s my personal jet,” Adora scoffed. “It’s not like it’s going to leave without me.”

“Just get over here stat before you drive me any further to the brink of insanity.”

“Yes, mom.”

~*~

“Light Hope, what is it?”

“It is a sword, Adora.”

“Don’t make me reboot you.”

There was a pause, and if an AI could sigh, Adora had a feeling Light Hope would have. The only noise in the room was the low humming of Light Hope’s system as she scanned the sword.

“It is made of a rare metal,” Light Hope finally said. “Vibranium, I believe it is called. And there are inscriptions along the handle in a ‘forgotten’ language of the ancient Etherians.”

Adora frowned. “First Ones?”

“Correct.”

She tapped her fingers on the table, the sound muffled by her gloves. “Is there any way to translate the inscriptions?”

“Only fragments of First Ones’ writing have survived. However, given time, I can compile a list of all known translations of these writings and see if any applies to the symbols on the sword.”

Adora nodded. “Yes. Do that, please.” She stared at the sword, resisting the urge to pull off her gloves and pick it up. “Also, scan it for radioactivity and anything else that might be dangerous. I want to know if I can touch it bare-handed.”

“Certainly.”

As the AI got to work, Adora tried and failed to tear her gaze away from the blade. Something in her still wanted to grab it and try to interpret the inscription herself, as if somehow an ancient sword was going to fill the void inside her -

“Adora, why the hell do you have a giant sword in here?”

Adora jumped at the sudden voice, turning around to see Catra standing in the doorway with her arms crossed over her chest. “I told you to knock before you come in here.”

“Yeah, right,” Catra scoffed, walking around a worktable to get to Adora. “If I knocked every time I came down here, you’d be dead because I wouldn’t have been able to save you from the stupid things you’re always doing.”

“I have never done anything stupid in my life.”

“You have done everything stupid in your life.”

Adora rolled her eyes in what was probably a very childlike but nonetheless cathartic manner. “What, and you haven’t?”

“Not since you hired me!” Catra hissed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Look, what is even going on down here? You get back from a war zone and the first thing you do is start looking at new weapons? Are you kidding me?”

“It’s not a new weapon,” Adora protested, which sounded pathetic even to herself. “It’s a First Ones’ sword. So it’s an old weapon. And all I’m doing is having Light Hope run a few scans on it, okay?”

“What you need to be doing is helping me figure out what we’re doing with the press,” Catra argued. “Everyone is clamoring to know why HI wants to drop out of weapons manufacturing the war against the Rebellion!”

Adora winced at the mention of the war, her mind flashing back to what she’d witnessed HI’s own technology doing to innocent people. Destruction she alone was responsible for. “I know, I know. But right now -”

“I am detecting strange molecular activity from the sword,” Light Hope interrupted.

As if on cue, the sword began to glow with a dim white light.

“Uh, that’s not radiation, right?” Adora asked, instinctively taking a step away even though a part of her wanted to move closer and observe the blade. She was really losing her mind.

“It does not appear to be radioactive,” Light Hope replied as the sword began to glow and pulsate with greater intensity.

“Literally, why do I still work this job?” Catra grumbled, massaging her temples as she glared at the sword warily.

“Because I can’t function without you,” Adora said, stepping between Catra and the sword, keeping an eye on the glowing blade. “But maybe you should consider getting out of here -”

“God, you need to take a break from - from this!” Catra snapped, gesturing to the entire room. “There’s HI business to take care of, Shadow Weaver is breathing down both our necks, and dammit, Adora, I’m really worried about y-”

The room was suddenly filled with a blinding white light emanating from the sword, and Adora jumped out to grab Catra, tackling her to the floor as the sword hissed and sparked and all the lightbulbs in the room exploded.

When the bright light from the sword faded, Adora was able to clearly see the icy glare Catra was directing at her. The awkwardness was only intensified by the rather… intimate position in which they’d landed, with Adora on top and Catra below her.

“Uh…” Adora winced. “In my defense, I did not know that was going to happen.”

~*~

“And you’re sure it’s safe to touch?”

“As certain as I can be, Adora.”

Adora hesitated, then shrugged. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” She pulled off her gloves, then carefully picked up the sword. For such a large blade, it felt surprisingly well-balanced in her hands. “Any updates on a translation of the inscriptions?”

“Yes,” Light Hope replied, sounding as pleased as an AI possibly could. “From what I can determine, the words translate to ‘for the honor of Grayskull’.”

“‘Grayskull’? What’s that?” Or who, Adora supposed.

“Regrettably, I could find no information on that term. But I am still searching.”

“Thanks, Light Hope.” Adora exhaled slowly, running a finger over the symbols carved into the golden handle. “‘For the honor of Grayskull’, huh?”

Out of nowhere, power surged through Adora’s body, strength flowing through her veins as the room was filled with a blinding light not dissimilar to the one from only days earlier.

When the light faded, Adora’s reflection in the glass walls of her lab was no longer her own. A much taller and much blonder woman stood in her place.

Adora somehow managed to bite back a scream of horror as she stared in shock at the stranger who vaguely resembled her, the sword falling from her hands and clattering on the ground at her feet. “Light Hope,” she said through gritted teeth, trying not to panic, “what the hell just happened?!”

“You appear to have transformed into the legendary hero ‘She-Ra’,” Light Hope replied. “I have run diagnostics, and you do not seem to have suffered any ill effects from such. This transformation is likely connected to the words you spoke while holding the sword.”

“Oh, you think?” Adora groaned, her fists clenching. Magic sword. No big deal. “Is there anything in recorded history about She-Ra? Something that could be related to why I am now… her?” All things considered, she thought she was remaining pretty calm about everything. “And how I can turn back into myself?”

“There is extensive documentation. Would you like me to sort through it?”

“Yes. Separate what you think is relevant so I can go over it personally, please.”

“Certainly, Adora.”

An hour or so later, Adora - or should she call herself She-Ra? - was lying atop one of her worktables, surrounded by files with the umpteenth manilla folder in her hand as she tried to force herself to continue reading about She-Ra and her magic sword. Really, all she’d learned so far that her transformation was a result of ancient First Ones’ magic or heavy LSD.

Ugh. Her eyes were starting to glaze over. She needed a nap.

“Hey, Adora, are you - oh my God who are you?!”

Adora yelped and fell off the table at the sound of Catra’s voice, landing uncomfortably on her back as the same glittering light from before surrounded her and finally returned her to being -

“Adora?! You were - glowing - giant - what?!”

Catra’s voice was an octave higher than usual, which Adora had to pretend wasn’t simultaneously hilarious and adorable.

Adora sighed, not even bothering to move from where she’d fallen upside down on the ground, paperwork scattered around her and the sword next to her head. “Let’s face it. This is not the worst thing you’ve caught me doing.”

Catra simply buried her face in her hands.

~*~

this is an AU im totally up to expand in the future. the pepperony dynamic fits catradora ridiculously well. thank you for reading! :)

[whumpiary]

BTHB (@badthingshappenbingo) Fill: Manhandling | Requested by: @my-whumpy-little-heart (approximately 12 million years ago)

[content warning: referenced noncon/dubcon, abuse of power, threats of death, mild suicidal ideation/self-endangering thoughts, alcohol mention]

-

Cass doesn’t quite wake up to the sliding thud of his boarding door opening but by the time Tucker slams on the light with a fist against the switch, and thumps the wall with three shuddering thuds, Cass finds himself sitting up before his brain has time to process. 

“The fuck’re you doing?” he starts. Cass  squints up through the light at the man towering over him as he tries to get his heart to chill the fuck out.  “Wha'time is it?”

“Do you have any idea how much I just lost?”

Cass sighs wearily, dropping an arm over his eyes as he slumps back down. 

“Told y'not to play cards with AJ,” he slurs “She cheats”

“Oh I’m talking about a lot more than a little game of cards, Ace,” Tucker says, low and growling “But I think you know that”

Tucker grabs him by the collar with such force that Cass hears the threading of his t-shirt tearing as he’s hauled up, slammed against the wall. He’s instantly winded, breath beaten out of him, and in the moments searching for air he tries to focus, running his eyes over Tucker and realising that the usually immaculately presented man is in fucking disarray.

His hair is pushed wild and unkempt. His shirt is partially untucked, sleeves shoved to the elbows, not rolled. He’s not wearing a jacket. He’s not wearing his glasses. His tie hangs loose around his neck like an untightened noose.

“Are you drunk?”

“Might’ve had a few,” Tucker says, his breath soured with whiskey “Does that make you nervous, Ace?”

Cass tries to catch his breath back in long slow drafts instead of the gasps his lungs are begging for as he gives Tucker another once-over. “Depends what kind of drunk you are, I guess”

Tucker barely holds back a snarl, “I’m not in the mood for cute. You fucked me tonight”

“Oh that was you? I thought it was a particularly tense a-”

Before Cass can even finish the sentence, there’s a fist in his hair and his head is slammed against the wall. He barks a laugh in shock.

“Jeremy Beetham,” Tucker spits “That name mean anything to you?”

“Dunno,” Cass says, trying to blinks through the dizzy “Sounds very ‘my parents paid for me to get off the wait-list at an Ivy League’”

Another slam and Cass grits his teeth, slams his eyes closed. He breathes through his nose, hard, as pain cracks through his head in a blinding flash. 

“What about Winona Evans?” Tucker snarls “Leonard Bernadi? Richard Goa? Bellamy Saints?”

“To be honest I think you just made that last one u-”

Another slam. Jesus. He’s gonna lose brain function in a minute.

“You don’t remember them because you never fucking met them, did you?” Tucker says, yanking Cass’ head back with that same relentless grip in his hair “You never met them, you never talked to them, you never named them, and you certainly never got them to meet the settlement contracts I needed you to”

Understanding and annoyance dawn on Cass in the exact same instant.

“This is about that Hellcat thing?” he asks “You’re joking right?”

“Sixteen million dollars in company losses overnight is a pretty expensive joke, don’t you think?”

Okay, Cass reasons. Okay so this is maybe very bad.

“But see the thing is Ace, maybe it is a joke to you. Because you’re not the one who has to talk to the higher ups after that sort of loss, are you?” Tucker’s breath is fucking ripe with booze. He drops his grip on Cass’ hair, his hand instead settling lightly around Cass’ throat. There’s no tension there. Not yet. But there will be. Cass breathes in.“I’m the one who has to have four different meetings, with four different goddamn sectors of the goddamn company. I’m the one that had to figure out how to flip this into a vaguely neutral situation, instead of something bad enough to get us both castrated”

“Well let’s be real, that wouldn’t be much of a loss for y—”

Cass actually sees stars this time. Literal starbursts of white cross his vision and the crack of pain along the back of his skull starts to wrap around and drill in at his temples.

“Shut up,” Tucker spits, his hands tighten around Cassius’ neck as he speaks “I am done with jokes, Ace. We are so far beyond jokes now.”

Cass jerks his shoulders, tries to wriggle out of Tucker’s grip because he’s been violent before, sure. He’s said things like this before, too. But he’s never meant it. There’s never been that look in his eyes. 

“See, I had to beg to keep my job today. I had to beg not to have this entire fucking project dissolved. And then I had to beg to keep you from being sent back to Bergen”

Cass freezes, eyes wide. 

“Yeah, Ace,” Tucker mutters, a bitter little smile curling his lips. He takes the opportunity to press his hands even closer to Cass’ throat. Cass breathes in. No air comes “That’s right. I had to get down on my fucking knees in front of the fucking director and come up with reasons why Christopher Bergen’s little whore boy shouldn’t get sent right back home to him”

Cass closes his eyes tight, clenches his jaw. It’s fine. It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s fine. He’s not going back there. Tucker’s hands squeeze tighter and that’s fine too. Cassius feels his chest start to tighten, the first warning signs of not enough air, and it’s fine, it’s fine, it’s fine, because he’s not going back there.

“Do you know how many questions I had to answer? Huh? Do you know how much I had to justify your fucking worth to the goddamn company?”

Cass grabs at the hands at his throat, fingers curling around fingers and trying to tear them away. He tries to thrash, but ends up with more of Tucker’s weight pushing down on him than before. He can breathe just barely if he tilts his head up. 

“And after all those meetings, after all that time on my knees, I got thinking… Why the fuck was I the one begging? Why was i the one grovelling again and again when it wasn’t my fucking mistake? Huh?”

Tucker’s grip is starting to bruise now. Cass can feel his heart still desperately trying to circulate blood to his brain despite it. A thumping beat beat beat that feels less like a pulse and more like a hammer to the head. 

“I’m not gonna get my bonus. I’m not gonna get my promotion. I fucking debased myself for you, again and again and again and as one of the executives so kindly pointed out I’m not even fucking you. So I think I deserve something in return, don’t you?”

Cass hits the wall with his hand and that’s stupid because it’s using up energy he doesn’t have but he needs air.

“Do you know what I want, Cass?” he says, eyes dropping heavy to Cass’ gasping mouth, then back up again “Actually why don’t you tell me what I want, huh? You reach into my head, and you tell me what I want and I’ll let you go right now and consider your punishment paid”

Of course he can’t. He never can with Tucker. It’s cracked and oozing and wrong and his mind flinches away from it before he can touch it like a hand to a flame. He shakes his head, mouth gaping open. He needs air. He doesn’t fucking know. He never knows.

“I want you to beg me,” Tucker spits “I want you to beg me, like I had to beg every single one of those fucking executives. I want you to beg me not to bash your skull in. I want you to beg me not to kill you. And I want you to beg me not to send you right back to the silk sheets I hauled you from because right at this moment I don’t know if I’m all that invested in this little game of ours anymore"

Tucker pushes away from the wall, from Cass, with a hard shove and Cass reels. He sucks in air desperately, hands pressed flat to the wall behind him just to stop himself from doubling over. He tilts his head to the ceiling to make space for oxygen to fall back in.

There’s not enough time for him to catch his breath before Tucker’s back on him again, hand squeezing at his jaw.

“I bet you haven’t begged in your whole life have you, Ace? Certainly not for me”

Cass paints his gaze carefully blank as he makes eye contact, heaving in wheezing breaths. Tucker has that hazed, drunk look of someone who knows exactly what they want and exactly how they’re going to get it. He wets his lips with a quick dart of his tongue and Cass pretends it doesn’t freeze the blood in his veins.

“You begged for him, though. Didn’t you?” Tucker purrs, the faintest hint of a smile at his lips. He reaches out, tucks a strand of hair behind Cassius’ ear, traces his hand down his cheek. Cass doesn’t flinch, even as a wave of cold shock runs through him. “Go on. Darling boy. Show me how you begged for Christopher”

Cass raises his chin higher. He holds Tucker’s gaze as he reaches for the man’s hands, pulling them towards himself until Tucker’s fingers curl back around his own aching throat.

Tucker laughs, a twisted mix of shock and delight. His eyes drop to Cassius’ throat. He licks his lips again. Almost tempted. But then he sneers, “Cute, sweetheart, but not what I asked for"

His knee hits into Cass’ stomach so hard it has the younger man doubled over. Another kick to his legs and his knees are hitting hard on the ground before he even as a chance to straighten. Cass lets out a quiet groan, a little exhale of sound to push out the heaving nausea that hits him as he’s shoved around.

“This is better isn’t it?” Tucker says, looking down on him like he’s just won some prize. His hand trails slowly down Cass’ cheek. Across his jaw. Along his chin. “It’s gotta be muscle memory for you by now, huh? Being on your knees?”

His thumb grazes up to ghost across Cass’ mouth, pulling down his lower lip. Cass knows that look. He’s seen it so many times that having it land on him almost feels like coming home. He wonders, for the barest of moments, if he should bite or suck. Instead he just holds his gaze.

“Thought I wasn’t your type”

Like a spell being broken, Tucker snaps his hand away. He practically snarls with disgust.

“You’re still not"

The blow to the side of his head is expected. It still sends him flying to the ground. Cass catches himself just before his face crashes into the floor. He can taste blood in his mouth, He spits it onto the polished concrete. He’s always liked the way blood and saliva look pooled together, Like they’re their own kind of marble.

“Beg”

Tucker’s foot nudges his shoulder and when he doesn’t move, he’s instead kicked in the gut. And again. And again. And again. And again.

“Beg”

Cass takes a ragged breath. Let’s out a laugh.

The hand in his hair actually hurts this time. And isn’t that funny? The way a thing can hurt and then it can fucking hurt. It feels like his skin tearing from his scalp. He wonders if that was even possible, or if maybe the hair follicles would snap first. Maybe if he survives he’ll look it up.

He feels his head smack into the leg of the desk. He considers telling Tucker that there’ll be more blood if he aims for the temple. More blood was more satisfying, right? Another whack.

“Beg me to stop”

He feels his body being turned over and then he’s being hauled up by his shirt again. His face is being hit. Again. Again. Again. That’s gonna bruise. Shit. Sorry, Henri.

“Or I swear to God I’ll kill you”

He’s dropped, lying flat on his back now with the wind knocked back out of him — Jesus, just give a guy a second to catch his breath. Tucker’s got his knees either side of his hips and his hands are back on his throat.

Cass feels himself laughing again. There’s blood in his mouth. Maybe he bit down on his tongue.

“Can’t beg if I can’t breathe,” he croaks out. 

“Can’t talk back either, you little shit”

His throat is already sensitive from earlier, a dull bruised kind of ache that releases and relents as it’s pressed into again. Like his throat knows it’s best served when a tightening grip is settled on it. 

The blackness crackles in almost instantly this time, darkening around the edges of his vision like a tide, accompanied with the rush of blood in his ears. He tips his head right back, closes his eyes. He has the passing thought that maybe he’s going to die like this. But that’s fine. It’s fine, it’s fine. Because he’s not going back to Christopher. So if this is what dying is, he doesn’t mind.

As soon as he thinks it, the world comes swimming in again. 

“What is it gonna take, huh?” Tucker’s so close to Cass’ face he can feel his spit flecking onto his cheeks. It’s like getting beaten up just before the rain comes in. He’s always kinda liked that. A storm to wash the blood away. “Answer me!”

A blow to his stomach. And another. And another.

Cass feels like he’s floating, like he’s never existed outside of this second here and he never will again. Maybe he hasn’t. Maybe he won’t. 

“What’s it gonna take for you to fucking break?”

Cass grins up at Tucker, a swaying haze with three heads up above him, and lets out a laugh that bruises his throat from the inside out, “Why don’ we find out?”

[jinjikook]

two’s a crowd; three’s just fine with me (m)

🎃 word count: 1.2k

🎃 genre: fluff + smut ; domestic au + poly showkyun

🎃 pairing: shownu/reader/changkyun

🎃 warning(s)/kink(s): polyamory relationship, oral sex, slight marking, come play + eating, use of pet names (princess + baby), hand jobs, slight nipple play, thigh riding

🎃 summary: just sweet a sweet every day occurrence between you and your two boyfriends, one that was careful and kind and one that was shit at mario kart

🎃 requested by: anon - “for kinktober could i request something with ck and shownu and the reader in a poly relationship? some fluffy smut would be amazing”

🎃 music: guess i need u - b.a.p

🎃 masterlist + kinktober 2017

gif credit

Hyunwoo chuckled as Changkyun shouted once more, angry that he kept coming in third place behind yourself and Hyunwoo. He swore that you two had to be cheating, pitting against him together to make him lose.

“Baby, I promise we’re not doing anything. Have you ever considered you’re just shit at Mario Kart?” You giggled, watching Changkyun’s nostrils flare angrily and his frustration continued to bubble up until Hyunwoo began to rub at his shoulders behind him, melting the tension from his body visibly.

He peppered dry kisses along the column of his neck, Changkyun submitting to the treatment by exposing more of his neck, Hyunwoo using his plush lips to follow down to the juncture of his shoulder.

“I think we need to help our baby unwind, what do you think Y/N?” Hyunwoo spoke softly, as if placating a small and scared animal. With a nod, Hyunwoo took initiative and turned Changkyun to face him, kissing him on the mouth this time. Changkyun let out a muffled noise of protest, just for a second before a small moan replaced it as you took Hyunwoo’s place kissing at his neck.

The added stimulation of two mouths on him made him keen, feeling both vulnerable and completely sheltered simultaneously. Instead of staying on his neck like Hyunwoo had, you quickly made work to drop to your knees next to the couch, already palming the younger male’s growing erection. Changkyun held on tightly to Hyunwoo’s shoulders as he deepened the kiss by prying his mouth open with his tongue, gently swiping over his own while you focused on getting Changkyun out of his briefs.

You kissed along the clothed length before hollowing your cheeks and sucking at the head leaking through the fabric. Changkyun squirmed and that was the breaking point when you finally gave up on the foreplay and pulled his cock out from its confines, hard and solid in your palm.

Whilst you began to pump him languidly, Hyunwoo let his hands drift to touch Changkyun’s nipples, the other trembling at the new sensation to pair with your mouth beginning to suckle at his length. His member twitched as your tongue stroked it softly.

“Feel good, baby?” Hyunwoo whispered, to which Changkyun audible groaned and nodded, the other looking down to catch sight of you with his cock in your mouth, the tip bumping against the skin of your cheek and making it bulge there. “Our princess is making you feel so good, we better reward her when she’s through with you.” At the sound of that, you moaned around Changkyun, a new spurt of pre come sprinkling your tongue with the added vibration.

The older was visibly straining in his pants and you motioned for him to sit closer so you could get your hand on him too, palming him over his own clothes. He chuckled from how much you enjoyed taking care of your two boyfriends, just as much as they loved to treat you together.

“Baby, help our princess out. She’s doing all the work, at least lighten the load for her.” Hyunwoo whispered into Changkyun’s ear and the other moved to grind his cock into your mouth slowly at the words, letting you simply run your tongue against him while most of your focus moved onto undressing Hyunwoo’s bottom half.

With his cock now out, you stroked it firmly, squeezing just under the head where you knew he liked the extra pressure. His head lolled back, eyelids coming to a close as Changkyun thrusted particularly hard, making you gag slightly and he pulled back to let you recover. Saliva strung between your mouth and his length and the sight had Changkyun nearly coming on the spot, seeing you so dirty and hot always did wonders for him. Hyunwoo noticed the lack of noises and opened his eyes to check up on the two of you; always the careful one in these situations.

When you reassured the other you were okay, you returned to sucking Changkyun off in earnest, the younger male clearly happy with the decision to continue. He reached out to stroke your hair, keeping it out of your face so he could meet your eyes and watch as you went down on him further and further.

Hyunwoo batted your hand away once he noticed you were getting back into it with Changkyun, forcing the other man to jerk him off instead with the hand that wasn’t keeping a hold on your hair. He returned to Changkyun’s neck, though this time he suckled the skin there instead to leave light marks in its tracks.

The younger couldn’t hold back his noises even if he tried, crying out as you took him further into your mouth and swallowed, the muscles of your throat contracting around him and making him see stars. It was obvious he was close to the edge when he let out a strangled moan, fingers tightening in your hair before finally spilling into your mouth, pulling out a little too soon and getting remnants of come on your face; mostly around your mouth but you still shut your eyes in fear of getting release in them.

Hyunwoo pulled you up, licking and kissing around your mouth to clean you up before tangling tongues with you to taste Changkyun’s release between the two of you. If he hadn’t just come his brains out, Changkyun swore he would’ve came from that sight alone, though his cock did valiantly try to twitch to life again.

With a growl, Hyunwoo tugged you into his lap and you fitted his thigh in between your legs, just against your core as you fisted Hyunwoo’s cock between your bodies. The kiss became more heated, desperate as you rutted wildly against him in search of your own high. Hyunwoo simply held you at the small of your back and let you set the pace, grinding against him while matching the rhythm with your hand.

You stopped the lip lock for a second to spit in your hand, giving more slide to Hyunwoo’s cock and Changkyun sat idly and watched his two partners in the throes of passion. It was hot, no doubt, but he also looked on affectionately at the two people he loved the most in the world.

It wasn’t easy to work out a relationship with more than two people but it seemed to function between the three of you, even though the normal hardships of a regular relationship were doubled.

Hyunwoo sucked at your tongue roughly and you whimpered as you came completely clothed, his thigh giving you just enough pressure to come pleasurably. Hyunwoo followed suit as you poured all your attention into the grip on him and jerked him off to completion, his come covering your fist in strings.

Changkyun reached in between you two, taking your hand and suckling at the digits until they were all clean and devoid of come. The sight incited fire in Hyunwoo’s eyes and he took Changkyun’s chin in his grip and tugged him into another open-mouthed kiss.

You smiled lazily and let them make out some more as you got off your boyfriend, careful not to brush up against your sensitive core while you went to the bedroom to get changed and grab Hyunwoo some new bottoms.

Yeah, it wasn’t easy being in a relationship with two guys but when it came to the three of you, you did alright. More so, if you had any say in it.

Plus the sex was great so, there’s that.

[pyro-technically]

The legend of Captain Purkiss part 1

Before I start this LONG story, keep in mind that this is just something I've imagined about for a while now. Also, I think @space-australians and @space-australia-stories would possibly like this. NOW LET'S GET TO IT.

She was a force to be reckoned with, her fame and presence was known across the intergalactic space net. The entire space continuum knew what she was capable of and they feared or admired her. She had a swagger that showed her knowledge and power, it was as if her 5 foot frame were 2 feet taller and a bit scarier. Built lean and ready to kill, she led the entire intergalactic fleet with her crew which also were the best of the best. From a young age of 7, she was taken from Earth and raised in the main vessel as well as trained by Adtor'iik whom of which was considered the greatest of them all with little ol' Erin Purkiss coming as a close second. She spoke 13 languages as well as two languages for the deaf and hard of hearing. It was no wonder she was considered an impossible story.

"...and as tale tells, she fought a great battle with only the skin of her teeth and her own body standing beneath her, taking down the Myrrhj empire single handedly before disappearing without a single trace." The blind story teller came to a close as 30 adamant ears listened closely to the precariously told story. Erin Purkiss must have been a myth the humans started, either that or someone wrote a fake epic about this damned godly being. Mi'jal ran to the other side of the archive and asked for any books on "Erin Purkiss". As a jelly finger pointed to a dusty bookshelf a little high up. He excitedly climbed the steps on the wooden ladder as the floor trailed away beneath his 10 appendages. He searched through the books until he hit the jack pot.

"The tales and history of Captain Purkiss and the Armandii fleet." Sliding down the ladder, he landed with a soft thud against the white marbled floor. He ran home with his bag full of books on the "fools tale" as some called it. His semi-transparent limbs carried him home as he held what he knew was an epic, a tribute to the galactic fleet that always ensured the protection of the galaxy and that they kept their promise of loyalty and obedience to royalty. He quivered at the thought of being up there one day, commanding an entire fleet with everyone willing to back him up, but for now he has to deal with being shoved in lockers and toilets.

When he got home, he bolted up the stairs straight to his room and slammed the door shut as he got weird looks from his family unit. Spilling the books onto the bed, he fervently read through each and every single one faster than a jack rabbit would take off. Each book talked about her tales and stories as they showed the heroic status of this one individual. It was all incredible really! He delved into his last book as he expected it to be the same stories and rumors. What surprised him was that it had pointed out her blood family and who she trained with and who was in every fleet and yada yada. One thing he noticed was that in her last battle (The last Stand of 5000 of which was right before she disappeared) she talked to her comrades about going home to Earth or taking up the job as a freelancer. He used his holotech, who was named "Athena", to look up what a freelancer was.

"A being who spent their career hunting down assassins and bounty hunters"

He froze at the thought of this, what if he could bring back captain Purkiss back into the fleet and reassure the myths and rumors, that was if she was alive or even real in the first place. The book also noted that her last known location was on Ikora (ya it's a destiny reference) and that she was alive and well.

He grabbed a note book and wrote down some notes and a plan to get her back.

She loved sushi (what ever that was)

Last known location was ikora

Should be alive

Talk to Adt'ran princess as well as fleet (somehow) and propose this plan

Since E. Purkiss pledged loyalty and protection to the princess specifically, she should arrive in the time of the royalty's danger

Get someone to potentially "assassinate" the princess

The fleet/princess talk to Purkiss

Idk buy some tacos????

It was fool proof. He needed to somehow contact the fleet AND the royal authorities and considering he was next to nothing to both parties, he had to work hard on this project and not get rejected the first time around. He was nervous and shook with anticipation. He didn't know if she was even real or if it was all a story to tell your kids around a camp fire.

He trudged over to his desk and turned in the radio. He turned to local news as he only used the outdated tech to listen to news, local police, or maybe he'd occasionally pick up obscure contact attempts. He had once gotten in trouble with the galactic court as he listened in to secret transmission of the main vessel to another military vessel as it talked about a rogue attempting to attack wrong doers.

He smiled at the thought of something that would help him and little did he know that just exactly that came on.

"We have gotten reports of an unidentified sos call from the distant planet A3TB6712. Here's the recording. "

"Hello, is anyone there?! My ship is destroyed and I'm severely injured. I repeat, my ship is destroyed and I'm stranded here with little food. I've lost alot of blood and I don't have proper medical equipment with me. Please anyo-" as the radio crackled to an eerie silence as the female voice came to an end, the previous announcer came to life on the intercom again and stated that it had sounded like the illusive Erin Purkiss herself.

It was like Mi'jal won the lottery! It was his ticket to meet his role model and what he thought was his warrior. He spent the rest of the night planning until he saw a smoke trail in the light of the 2 moons that rose in the sky a little off in the distance. Curiosity got the better of him and he packed necessities and even a medical pack with the hopes of it being the legend herself.

Excitement tore through him as he snuck off into the night, hoping to not be caught by authority. As he followed the black clouds as they caressed the night sky, his mind wondered a little too far as he thought about what would await him. It wasn't too far now, he only needed to travel about 10 minutes more before he reached his destination. He stopped. What if it was her? Would she punish him for breaking the Ad'riian law? Mi'jal shivered before he continued his journey.

She was human and humans were known for being ruthless and merciless to their victims. But they were friends with the Ad'rii, right? Right???

He let out a shaky breath as a ruined ship lay before him. It didn't seem like it crashed too long ago but long enough that the transmission made it onto the radial news. He looked around for any evidence of life as he turned on his ancient radio set again.

"-lease save me, anything would help, anyth- is worthless. These dammed creatures are probably sleeping by now-" He couldn't believe his hearing cavities, the same female voice, presumably Erin's, said that exact phrase of hopelessness? He had to persist if she was still alive. He examined the area around and inside the ship and found that the radio was torn out, shards of glass as well as blood and boot prints were leading out into the forest. What he assumed was the food storage was raided and the medical cabinet was empty. The only thing that was left behind was a golden plaque. It had terran writing on it but he didn't recognize the words as he was barely learning human tongue. He grabbed it off the wall and shoved it into his duffle bag as he raced into the wilderness, following the bloody book tracks left behind.

-----

I was light headed and on the verge of death as nausea took its place in my abdomen. "Damn it" whispered it's way out of my mouth as the fire in front of me kept me warm as I stuffed the last of my clean cloth into my wound. How I'm still alive, I'm not sure, but I escaped my old friends, my team, my family as that is what I cared about right now other than the blinding pain in my left kidney as I poured fresh water into the wound to try to keep it clean. That damned ship had enough medical supplies to mop the floor with but not sew up my f**- I sighed as the thought made its way into my mind. I used to be a hero, a legend to be told, but now all I do with my life is hunt down criminals and use my last dying breath to kill them before some miracle saved me from the cold hands of death. I was trained to work with other people, this lone wild thing was a pain in my as- "Arrgh!" Another bolt of pain shot through my gut.

Suddenly I felt as if I was being watched. I looked around as the hair on my neck stood on end, it felt as if by surroundings got colder. "W-Who's there!" A shaky figure came out of the bushes as he made his way forward. I kept my hand by my trusty quazart pistol.

"Who are you?" I said sternly as the small jelly creature stopped. "WHO ARE YOU!?" A shrill shriek made its way out of his lungs as he fell to the floor as if he was dead. I sighed and pulled him over to the fire. I muttered a quiet apology and explained that I was just startled by his appearance. He seemed to calm down a little bit but still remained still with fear. I kept my hand on the bloodied cloth that kept my wound closed and he seemed to notice this. He beemed with sudden confidence and spoke in a language that I long have forgotten. I gave him a confused look and he shoved a medical kit into my hands, a full kit with everything I needed.

Another miracle. I threaded the needle with the durable thread and started to disinfect my wound without hurting myself too badly. I had sewn the cut closed and prayed that I still had enough blood to function enough to not die. I'm still amazed I didn't pass out from blood loss honestly. The semi-transparent alien spoke again as the words were familiar. U slowly pieced together the words until it all clicked together in my mind. He was speaking English, I hadn't speak it since I left that fleet.

"Excuse me for bad English, but what is your name, human?" I contemplated telling him who I really was. He must've been too young to know why I left, why I vanished off the grid.

"Erin." As soon as those sounds left my mouth, it was as if he became possessed. He grew excited and shook with a new look in his eyes. He asked me millions of questions of how life in the fleet was and how did you become so brave and why did you leave.

--

As the foreign words left my gooey lips, she looked away, a ping of guilt settled in my gut.

"I left because I did something I shouldn't have."

Wonder and amazement took over his mind. How did she single handedly hide from the scouts and officers of the fleet, authorities, royal authorities, as well as avoided attention from everything else? She looked back over.

"When I stood there, facing all of those soldiers, I saw someone who was cruel and evil but the galactic fleet saw nothing of that. So I killed him myself when I got the chance and ran. The galactic court now wants my head for what I did, so I hide where I will be invisible until I can run without being seen. I crashed here about a day ago as I ran into the military vessels 3 and 8, behemoths of power those things are and they shot me out of the sky. They are still searching for me and will kill me when I get the chance."

Mi'jal was engrossed by the sudden confession but sat uncomfortably. "What did prince do?" His broken English again shine through his intelligent look.

"He killed and enslaved my people and took them from Earth to do his bidding. When I wad younger, I was taken into the fleet so I could avoid the chaos that was prince Ejett. They trained me too kill him but since that was so long ago, the price's actions became invisible and what I did was assumed to be wrong."

Silence again filled the space between them as she finished up her story and put the fire out. "If it wouldn't be too much of a hassle, may I stay at your dwelling for the night being?" Mi'jal thought about it and nodded. She grabbed her black helmet which would match the thermodynamic suit she was in the midst of putting on over her under clothing. The suit had a transistor radio, pouches for ammo and weapons, and a sheath for some sort of staff that was attached to the back. She slid the helmet on and helped the young alien up as they traversed the wildlife back to civilization.

[singingwordwright]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Shadowhunters (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood, Alec Lightwood & Isabelle Lightwood, Alec Lightwood & Jace Wayland Characters: Alec Lightwood, Magnus Bane, Jace Wayland, Isabelle Lightwood Additional Tags: Angst with a Happy Ending, Implied/Referenced Drug Addiction, Communication, Post-Episode: s02e10 By The Light Of Dawn, references to suicidal tendencies/ideation

“Magnus. It’s Alec. Call me back now.”

The first call went to voicemail.

“Magnus. I need you to call me. Please.”

So did the second.

“Oh, God, Magnus. Please be okay. Just call me. Just--I need to know you’re okay. Please tell me you weren’t here.”

And the third.

After that, Alec didn’t trust his voice to work and started texting instead.

Where r u?

R u ok?

Magnus pls?

His thumbs rapidly tapped out a series of increasingly incoherent pleas as the elevator climbed from the second floor to the third and when the doors slid open, he heard the chime of Magnus’s ringtone for him sound in the body-strewn hallway before him.

“Oh, God.”

He checked each corpse because he had to. At least the process of finding out one way or the other let him feel like there was something he could actually do.

An unreal silence shrouded the grisly scene running down the corridor. The Institute was never this still, like the historic cathedral itself had sucked in a horrified breath at the calamity that had befallen its denizens and was waiting to exhale.

Finally, half-hidden underneath one hunched-over body with dark hair and a dark jacket, Alec spied the familiar case of Magnus’s phone and felt his world end. He stood there staring at the phone, unable to bring himself to bend down and turn the corpse over for confirmation.

This isn’t happening. Not now. Not this soon.

Magnus was supposed to outlive him. By centuries.

Gradually, other details began to filter in. The cut and fabric of the jacket were far from fashionable. The shoes were scuffed and ugly. The fingers, twisted into a rigid claw in the moment before death, wore no rings. The nails were unpainted. The hair was too long, not shaved close to the nape of a neck he loved to kiss.

Oxygen flooded Alec’s lungs for the first time in what felt like hours and he rolled the corpse, revealing the circle rune on its neck.

Not Magnus.

Not Magnus.

Alec knelt beside the body with his eyes closed and his head bowed for a long moment, trying to remember how to breathe. There were still dozens of bodies to check. Magnus has been here, the phone made that much clear. Just because this body wasn’t his didn’t mean his wasn’t here.

Alec pocketed the phone and pushed on, bile rising in the back of his throat every time he had to turn over a corpse that bore some resemblance to the one he sought.

Shadowhunters. They were all shadowhunters. Some with Circle runes, some without. Some had been stabbed with seraph blades, others appeared to have asphyxiated.

None of them were downworlders.

By the time he’d checked every room and hallway, sunlight was beginning to filter through the stained glass windows and Alec’s panic was dancing a merry jig on his psyche, accompanied by helplessness and an odd inability to allow himself to hope for the best that he knew was coming from another source.

I don’t deserve for this to end well.

He pushed the thought aside, because it wasn’t entirely his, or even mostly his. That was another issue, one he’d have to deal with later. Yes, for a split second after realizing the Soul Sword had been activated, he’d wondered if Clary had finally evened the score for her mother’s death, but even before Jace corrected his assumption, Alec had dismissed the idea because he believed Clary when she said she didn’t blame him.

On his way back downstairs, Alec re-checked the major clusters of bodies to see if he’d missed anyone. By now, shadowhunters who had been out on the streets dealing with Valentine’s altered downworlders were filtering back in and beginning to collect the fallen. There would be another Rite of Mourning held in a few days, and Alec would probably have to organize that because he’d overheard someone say that Aldertree would be escorting Valentine back to Idris.

It didn’t matter now. He couldn’t conceive of trying to organize his sock drawer right now, much less a mass memorial ceremony.

There were still places he could check. If Magnus had portaled in with Clary, surely he wouldn’t have gone far? But maybe he’d been forced to retreat. Maybe he’d been injured but made his way outside before the sword was activated. Alec would check the grounds first, then the underground utility tunnels.

And then? Keep branching out, perhaps. Magnus’s loft? Magnus’s friend Catarina was a healer, wasn’t she? If Magnus were hurt, maybe he’d go there. Hell, Alec would even check the Hotel Dumort, if it came to that.

He waded through the influx of returning shadowhunters into the daylight outside the Institute and turned a helpless circle, too overwhelmed for a moment to decide which direction to go in first.

But then a hand closed on his arm.

For the briefest instant, he thought it was someone coming to tell him they’d found Magnus’s body, but before the idea had an opportunity to cement, he’d already turned to see Magnus standing there.

Not even the blessed touch of the angel Raziel himself could possibly compare with the rapturous relief of that moment. He grabbed Magnus to him with no thought for dignity or decorum and clung to him there on the front steps of the Institute with his subordinates streaming past them.

Then he stepped back, held Magnus at arms’ length just so he could look at him again, see him truly standing there.

“Magnus, I thought--” Alec’s throat locked up, refused to let him form the words.

As always, Magnus was quick with his reassurances. Something about Madzie that Alec was sure would be important later but right now it didn’t seem to matter. The only thing he heard was the word “safe.”

Safe. The word echoed in his head, and with each repetition, Alec’s panic drained away, leaving a relief so profound that it obliterated doubt or discretion.

“Look. Magnus, on every mission I’ve ever been on, I’ve never felt that type of fear,” he confessed. Word vomit. Out of control. Heedless, in a way only Magnus seemed to have power to render him. “Ever. Not knowing if you were alive or dead, I--I was terrified.”

Magnus’s face was tender and intent. Offering comfort and reassurance, yes, but not in a patronizing way. He accepted Alec’s vulnerability like it was something precious to be cradled carefully in both hands, and offered his own in exchange, with all the generosity in his enormous heart.

“So was I.”

This, Alec would later ponder, was Magnus’s true magic. To gently create a space where Alec’s relative inexperience with these emotions didn’t matter, where it was safe to feel all these petrifying new things because he wasn’t alone there with them.

“Magnus, I--” An instant of hesitation, before he stepped off a different sort of ledge, the kind he hadn’t been practicing for. And then he surrendered to gravity’s inexorable grasp and the breathless, heart-stopping plunge. “I love you.”

The emotions on Magnus’s face were too complicated to unpack in the short moment before he joined Alec in the fall. “I love you, too.”

Such simple words. They changed everything.

And they changed absolutely nothing.

This wasn’t a development that had happened in the past few minutes or even in the panic-stricken hours before dawn in which he’d been searching for Magnus. This had been happening for weeks, in small steps. It had been happening in fiercely competitive grins across the pool table at the Hunter’s Moon, and in the unaccustomed feel of Magnus’s hand taking his to pulling him down the streets of Prague. It had been happening in companionable hours of gentle kisses and conversation on Magnus’s balcony and in impassioned gasps and the slide of sweat-slick skin against his own between Magnus’s sheets.

There was only one thing to be done.

Kissing Magnus felt like the jolt of electricity necessary to restart Alec’s heart, and clutching him close again was life support to keep it beating. Alec had never known an embrace could be so absolutely essential to his continued survival.

Aldertree’s words about the impossibility of shadowhunters and downworlders being together echoed in his brain, haunting him as he breathed in the scent of Magnus. But even if Alec wanted to heed them, he couldn’t. He was too far gone. There was nothing to do but ride the fall out and wait to hit the ground.

He didn’t let go until his lungs were functioning properly on their own once more.

“I have to go,” Alec said at last, though stepping away from Magnus felt like trying to hack off his own arm. “I have to check on Jace and Izzy. I have to start organizing the Rite of Mourning. I--”

“I know.” Magnus smiled and laid a soft hand on Alec’s jaw, stilling the spill of words. “I have to go, too. The fight to get myself and Madzie out was draining. I don’t have much magic left, so I won’t be much good to you healing the wounded. I’m going to go stay with Madzie and send Catarina your way. She can also rebuild the wards. Hers are just as good as mine, and it’d be useless to have me do it. Until my book of counterspells is recovered, anyone in possession of it would have a key to the front door. I think Madzie and I will make finding where Valentine stored it our little project for the day.”

Alec huffed. “Guess we know now why Valentine wanted it.”

Magnus nodded, then stopped mid-motion, frowning. “Alec--you may wish to have Catarina incognito when she rebuilds the wards. Or send the other shadowhunters out and turn off your internal surveillance. Fudge the paperwork.”

“What? Why?”

“I could be wrong.” Magnus laid a hand on Alec’s forearm, still looking troubled. “After all, it’s no secret that you and I have been seeing each other. Valentine could have easily guessed at which warlock build the wards.”

“Or he might have had inside information.” Alec groaned softly, catching on. “Any shadowhunters who were here the day after the forsaken attack would know. So would anyone with access to high-level administrative files.”

“Precisely.” Magnus’s hand tightened, then fell away from Alec’s arm. “Be careful, Alexander. Hodge Starkweather might not have been the only sleeper agent the circle has in the Institute.”

Jace was looking better than he had in those horrified moments after he activated the Soul Sword, but that was surface only. Underneath, Alec could feel the conflict roiling within him, relief at not being part demon, at not being the son of a monster, battling against his devastation at the atrocity he’d unwittingly helped commit. And something else, even more turbulent, was amplifying the rest.

Whatever had happened when Jace had gone to talk to Clary had not helped.

“You think Magnus is right?” Jace asked when Alec had filled him in on Magnus’s warning. He was trying as hard as Alec to set all the rest of their issues aside and focus on the job they had to do.

They were in the office designated for the Head of the Institute. With Aldertree escorting Valentine back to Idris, it was Alec’s for the moment. At least unless and until his mother or Lydia returned from Idris, or the Clave sent someone else to uphold their longstanding tradition of having absolutely no faith in his ability to do the job.

Ostensibly, it should be the one room in the Institute where they could talk freely. Nevertheless, Alec had disabled the cameras and searched for any other surveillance devices before he started working.

Alec crossed the room to switch on the gas in the fireplace, even though he and Jace both knew the chill in the Institute today had nothing to do with the temperature and everything to do with the calamity that had befallen the sacrosanct premises they’d called home for so many years. He braced a shoulder against the mantle. “He could be. I mean, yeah, it wouldn’t be hard for anyone paying attention to guess that Magnus built the wards. Even if I hadn’t made a public display of my interest in him at my wedding, he’s the nearest High Warlock and traditionally we pay for the best for services like that. But it couldn’t hurt to be careful.”

“Careful of what?” Izzy’s interrupted, appearing in the doorway out of nowhere. Her casual lean against the door frame did nothing to disguise the shakiness in her voice.

Alec was in motion before he could think twice. “Iz, you need to be resting,” he scolded gently, escorting her to the chair closest to the fire. There was a deep tremor in her body and the fact that she let herself be coddled said a lot about her state.

Jace made a noise that drew both her and Alec’s attention. He was staring at Izzy, stricken.

“Yin fen, Iz? Really?”

“I didn’t know until it was too late,” she sighed. “And now’s not the time to discuss it. Back on topic. What are we being careful about?”

Her denial of responsibility regarding the yin fen made Alec hesitate to confide in her. Self-serving rationalization, straight out of the addict’s handbook. Until she was well past the detoxing stage, she couldn’t be trusted. If her need grew desperate enough, she’d say anything, do anything, sell out anyone, for another fix. And she’d manage to convince herself she had to do it.

She was Izzy. The brilliant young woman who’d acquired the shadowhunter equivalent of a doctorate before most mundane children were out of high school. The fierce warrior who’d wanted to be an Iron Sister, who could take on four Circle members even when she could barely stand on her own feet.

Izzy. His sister. His confidante. His constant ally and best supporter. The girl who’d only ever wanted his happiness.

And now he couldn’t trust her.

In a sudden surge of fury, Alec swept his arm along the mantle, sending Aldertree’s trinkets and bric-a-brac crashing to the floor.

“Dammit! How did we get here?” He snapped at both of them. “Us. The three of us. We’ve been inseparable for the last decade and now we don’t even know how to talk to each other? How did that happen?”

“I don’t know,” Izzy whispered, her eyes brimming. “Some days it feels like we’re all under a spell like the one at Magnus’s party. Or like I’m still possessed by that demon, and it’s dragging out all the little bits of bitterness and insecurity hidden inside me and amplifying them. I pushed you away. I pushed Clary away. I didn’t trust you, and I didn’t want you to see--”

“Divide and conquer,” Jace said. “Oldest trick in the book.”

Alec looked at him sharply. “You think this--this is what? Deliberate?”

Jace huffed. “How could it not be? I’ve been trying for hours to figure out just what Valentine gained by telling me I was Clary’s brother when I wasn’t, and the only thing I can think of is that it forced us apart, isolated me. Same with telling me I had demon blood. All of a sudden everyone in the Institute was giving me the side-eye. Even my own family. He told me my friends and allies made me weak, but he was lying. I’m stronger with you; that’s why he had to get me away from all of you.”

Alec sat on the footstool before Izzy’s chair, studying Jace with a frown. “Okay, that makes sense where you’re concerned. But Valentine never got anywhere near me or Izzy.”

“Didn’t he?” Jace asked with a bitter smile. “A demon that feeds off deep-seated anger going after the children of Idris’s most demanding perfectionists? A warlock with a spell that manifests our worst insecurities? The hell he didn’t get through to you. Alec, you nearly died. For weeks now, everywhere each of us has turned, there’s been someone or something telling us to pull away from each other. And now there’s a chance he might have another sleeper agent in the Institute.”

Okay, so apparently Jace didn’t share Alec’s uncertainty about speaking frankly in front of Izzy.

“Aldertree,” Izzy said quietly but firmly. “If there was ever there was someone trying to tear us apart from the inside, it’s him.”

“Yeah, he did pretty much force me out of the Institute,” Jace conceded with a thoughtful shrug.

Alec hesitated. “Not to play devil’s advocate, because I sure as hell don’t know if I really trust the guy, but one of us has to be objective here and I’m not sure either of you can be where he’s concerned.”

“You think?” Izzy snarled. “You know he gave me the yin fen.”

“He warned you of the risks, Iz. You need to own that.”

“Says who? Him?” Her eyes blazed with anger. “Look, I’ve made some damned questionable choices the past few weeks. I’m not trying to dodge my share of the blame for what happened. But if he told you he warned me, he’s lying. He didn’t tell me what yin fen really was, he only said that it would help me heal from the infected wound. And he didn’t tell me it was addictive. All he said was ‘a little goes a long way’ and he said that after I was already high on the first dose, which he applied himself.” She scowled at Alec. “Would you call that an adequate warning, given the potential danger?”

Jace started nodding slowly as she spoke. “She raises a good point,” he said, catching Alec’s eye.

”He’s been trying all along to ingratiate himself with me, praising me for minor things that were no big deal, even asking me out on a date,” Izzy added, sinking back in her chair again. She pulled her legs up so that she was curled in a ball, and she seemed impossibly small and drained. How much blood had Raphael been taking? “And whatever he claims, he knew exactly what was happening with the yin fen. He banked on it. He hinted at withholding a refill to blackmail me into spying on Clary.”

Alec hunched forward, bracing his elbows on his knees and leaning his forehead on his clasped hands as he tried to slot the pieces of what they were telling him together with the confession Aldertree had made to him on the roof.

“The roof.” His eyes flew open and he looked back and forth between them. “He made a big production about hacking the power core remotely, said he had the access to shut it down, but once we were up there, nothing he did worked.”

“Delaying tactic,” Jace said. “He kept you occupied and out of the way long enough for Valentine to power the sword.”

“Why not just kill me?” Alec shook his head, dismissing his own question as soon as he asked it. “No. Too big a risk of exposing himself if he failed. Besides, he wanted to get into my head.”

“How?” Izzy asked, her voice dropping dangerously.

It felt like peeling off his own skin and exposing his insides, telling them the tale Aldertree had related and how it had resonated with him. Planting the seed that a shadowhunter and a downworlder couldn’t be together.

“That’s a damned convenient anecdote to have on hand for you specifically,” Jace pointed out. “It was personal enough to distract you, keep you from noticing that he was stalling. And he knew exactly the right thing to say to make you doubt our most powerful downworld ally. Someone who’s already gotten in Valentine’s way at least once.”

Izzy leaned forward, gripping Alec’s arm. “Even if he was telling the truth--and you know he wasn’t--what he said has nothing to do with you and Magnus. Alec, you can’t believe him.”

Alec’s jaw clenched, and he surged to his feet. “No, I can’t. But right now we have bigger problems. Because Aldertree is escorting Valentine to Idris.”

“No one there is going to take our word for it,” Jace said. “Not against the Clave’s golden boy.”

Alec nodded, reaching for his phone. “I’ll start with Mom. And Lydia. Neither of their reputations are sterling anymore, thanks to me--”

“--Us,” Izzy and Jace corrected in unison.

“--but maybe they can begin working on the Clave.” He wiped his palms on his thighs and pulled his shoulders straight. “But first things first. Izzy, you’re confined to your room or the infirmary while you detox. Go now. Don’t make me make it an order.”

She winced but didn’t argue. “I’ll go. I just might need some help getting there. It’s getting worse by the hour.”

“I’ll take you,” Jace said softly. “But seriously, Iz. Yin fen?”

She gave him a narrow look. “If we’re going to question each other’s poor life choices recently, I hear someone’s been cutting a wide swath through the Seelie maidens.”

“Not even close to the same thing,” Jace shot back, jabbing two fingers in Alec’s direction. “And you can blame him for that, anyway.”

“Wait, what?” Alec spluttered, his eyes darting back and forth between them. “How did I get dragged into this?”

Jace scoffed. “If I hadn’t been getting laid, your sexual frustration would have driven us both crazy. Thank you for finally dealing with that and giving me a break, by the way.”

Alec glowered and tried to pretend his face hadn’t just become a second source of blazing heat in the room. Come to think of it, Jace had stopped running around like he was trying to screw every girl in the downworld since Alec and Magnus had started sleeping together. Damn it.

“We’re getting off track,” he gritted.

“True,” Izzy agreed.

“Jace, help Isabelle to the infirmary, then I need you back here. Iz, I’ll come check on you later.”

The way she shook as he helped pull her to her feet made his chest tight with fear, but he kissed her clammy, pallid cheek and turned her over to Jace.

Then he paced his office and tried to organize his thoughts until Jace returned.

“Izzy preferred to go to her room,” Jace announced when he got back. “I’ve got one of the convalescing trainees stationed in the hallway outside. As far as he’s concerned, she’s just sick and injured; no need for him to know what’s actually going on.”

Alec licked his lips and nodded briskly. “Thanks. So, I take it telling Clary didn’t go well?” he asked grimacing at his own customary lack of tact.

Jace shook his head. “Change of plan. I’ll tell her later. We have other things to deal with right now.”

“Yeah, we do.” Alec folded his arms over his chest, one hip on the edge of the desk. “Like you grabbing the Soul Sword thinking it would kill you.”

Jace’s face went blank and he mirrored Alec’s closed-off posture. “Better that than letting it become a weapon of mass destruction. Not that it did much good.”

“As horrific as the outcome was, what I’m getting at here is that this isn’t the first time you’ve actively courted death since everything with Valentine began.” Jace’s eyes slid away from his, but Alec chased them, stepping sideways into his field of vision again. “In fact at this point I’m pretty sure I’ve lost count of the number of times you’ve willingly--you might even say, eagerly--tried to fall on your blade.”

“This coming from the guy who almost took a dive off Magnus’s balcony?” Jace’s eyebrows shot up and he gave Alec his best sneer.

“Yeah, about that.” Alec cleared his throat. “I’ve been trying to figure out what happened that night. I mean, sure, I feel like complete hell over what happened to Jocelyn, but not bad enough that a few harsh words from Clary were going to push me off a ledge. But there you were in the other room at that exact moment, convinced the only mother you’ve ever known was telling you she wished you were dead.” He spread his hands in a shrug. “Call me crazy, but I’m not sure that’s a coincidence.”

“Oh, God,” Jace muttered, his mask of derision falling away.

“And the thing is, I’ve spent a lot of time lately running away to high places. Activating my surefooted rune and jumping. Courting death, just like you. I’ve lost count of the number of times that’s happened, and I’m not sure that’s a coincidence, either.”

Jace hunched forward, his arms tucked in against his chest, his hands in his armpits, his head bowed. “Alec--I didn’t know. I would never--”

“I know.” Alec stepped in close to him, until Jace was forced to look up and meet his eyes. “And if I’m being fair, maybe some of it is coming from me. But my point is, we’ve got to find a way to deal with this, both of us, together. Especially after what happened today. Don’t think I didn’t clock the look on your face when you told me you were the one who’d activated the sword.”

Jace’s eyelids started growing red at the edges, tears flashing but not falling. “All those people--Alec--I don’t know if I can--”

“It wasn’t you.”

“The hell it wasn’t!” Jace planted his hands on Alec’s chest, trying to shove him away, but Alec braced against it, refusing to budge. “Valentine played me like a fiddle. I swooped in there thinking I’d save the day and I killed them. How many were there? Have we even gotten a body count yet?”

“Valentine killed them.”

“I made it possible.”

“True,” Alec nodded. “But he put your hand on that sword as surely as his demon put mine through Jocelyn’s chest.”

“You didn’t choose to kill Jocelyn. But I chose to try to destroy the Soul Sword,” Jace protested, still pushing half-heartedly.

“Really? That suggests you thought you had other options. What were they?” Alec grabbed Jace’s shoulders, giving him a gentle shake. “You believed what he wanted you to believe, and you tried to do the right thing. It’s not your fault he lied.”

“It’s not your fault Jocelyn’s dead either. You telling me you don’t still blame yourself?” Jace shot back.

Alec shook his head. “Not as much as I did. You can thank Clary for that, really. Even just seconds after seeing me kill her mother on the surveillance video, she knew exactly where to put the blame.” He ducked his head. “She’s a lot better about that than I’ve been where she’s concerned. I’m trying to take notes.”

“You think it’s that easy?” Jace asked bleakly.

“Hell no. It’s not easy at all. But we have to do it. Because whether it’s your death wish or mine or a combination of the two, it’s going to kill us both if we don’t work it out.” He sucked in a shaky breath, something wonderful fluttering hard in his chest as he remembered those moments on the steps with Magnus. “And I really don’t want to die right now, parabatai.”

Jace almost smiled, just a little, some of the despair in his eyes lightening. “I know. I’m happy for you.”

“I am, too,” he murmured as Jace pulled him into a brusque hug.

Alec let himself smile and feel his own joy for a moment. It seemed misplaced today, when so many bodies still lay on the floors outside this office, so he tucked that spark of happiness back inside, nurturing it for a more appropriate time, stepping back from Jace.

“Ready to get to work? he asked.

“Yeah.” Jace nodded once, firmly. “The downworlders aren’t going to want to see my face when they come to collect their fallen, so where do you want me?”

“Get a head count of whichever able-bodied shadowhunters we have left and start organizing patrols,” Alec instructed, crossing the room to sit behind the desk. “Leave interfacing with the downworld to me for now.”

“You got it.” Jace spun on his heel, striding toward the door, only to turn back at the threshold and speak over his shoulder. “You’re really great at this job, Alec. The Clave needs to make this permanent.”

It was another thirty-six hours before things were settled enough that Alec finally was able to retreat to his room and try to rest. By then he’d been awake for nearly three days and he was getting seriously diminished returns from activating his stamina rune.

He pulled out his phone to text Magnus to check in and apologize for not having the energy to come over, only to stumble across the man himself before he had a chance to hit ‘send.’

“What are you doing here?” he asked, though he’d made certain that Magnus was on the list of downworlders approved for entry into the Institute. If the Clave had a problem with that even after the sacrifice New York’s downworlders had made trying to stop Valentine, he’d deal with them later.

Magnus spoke over his shoulder, running his glowing hand along something on the wall that Alec couldn’t see. “Inspecting the wards. Though I might not have cast them, I’ll feel better having double-checked them. Not that I doubt Catarina’s skill, of course, it’s just--Oh, this is new. Very nice. I’ve never seen it done that way before. She’s refined her technique. I’ll have to get her to show me that spell.”

Somewhere in the middle of Magnus’s chatter, Alec’s eyes began to drift closed and he swayed on his feet. Magnus caught his shoulder and Alec’s eyes popped open. “Sorry. I just--”

“I know.” Magnus smiled gently. “I was going to ask if you wanted to grab a late dinner but clearly the only place you’re heading is bed.”

“Pretty much. How’s Madzie?” he asked as Magnus fell into step with him, subtly shoring him up and keeping him from walking into walls.

Magnus grew quiet. “She’s sad and afraid and not sure who to trust right now. After the way Valentine manipulated her, I was determined to be completely honest with her, no matter what. But that meant I had to tell her the truth about where Iris was, which entailed explaining to her that Iris had hurt people and was going to be punished.”

Alec hissed between his teeth. “Which got her wondering if she was going to be punished for what Valentine made her do.”

“Exactly.” Magnus sighed, his shoulders drooping. “She’s been alternating between bouts of hysterical panic and being so withdrawn she’s almost unresponsive. I’ve spent a lot of time the past couple days trying to reassure her that there’s a difference between adults who make their own choices and children who have been tricked into doing things they wouldn’t normally choose to do, but it’s going to be months, maybe even years, until she feels truly secure again, I think.”

“Damn,” Alec muttered. “She’s such a sweet little thing. She didn’t do anything to deserve any of this.” He rubbed his eyes, stifling a yawn. “You think she’ll be okay with Catarina?”

Magnus nodded. “I do. Catarina has raised orphans before; she’s good with children, including traumatized ones. I’m going to make a point of spending time with her as well. Iris’s corner of the downworld was home to a particularly fringe element, and thus not a very stable or healthy place for a child. Catarina and I will be a much better influence.”

“I’d like to see her again, too.” Alec smiled softly. “Thank her for saving my life, at the very least, and maybe show her that shadowhunters aren’t all like Valentine.” His jaw tried to unhinge itself on another yawn. “Not tonight, though. Obviously.”

“Obviously,” Magnus agreed with a wry smile, opening the door of Alec’s room for him.

“I would have called and asked to come over, but I don’t want to be too far from Izzy right now,” Alec explained, peeling his shirt over his head and dropping it without any thought for tidiness.

“Yes, I checked in on her earlier.” Magnus kept his voice a low murmur, thankfully not pointing out just how terrifying badly Izzy looked. “How long has she been semi-conscious and delirious?”

“She started to get bad around this time yesterday.” The brush of Magnus’s hand on his arm told Alec that Magnus heard what he wasn’t saying. Seeing Izzy in that state killed him every time he looked in on her. Even the horror of personally overseeing the return of dozens of downworlder bodies--with as much ceremony and respect as he could organize on short notice--to their clans, packs, and kin, had nothing on it. “Jace and Clary have been doing most of the heavy lifting there because I’ve got to run the Institute, and Izzy didn’t want any other shadowhunters getting involved. If the medics gossip--”

“--It will be devastating to her reputation, yes.” Magnus nodded sympathetically. “ I know it looks awful, Alexander, but she will improve, I promise. I did what I could to help her be a little more comfortable, and I’ll check back in on her before I leave tonight.”

“Yeah? Who says you’re leaving tonight?” Under other circumstances, Alec might have tried for a jaunty leer, but at the moment he was lucky to pull off a somnambulant slur.

“You want me to stay? Here at the Institute?”

Alec shrugged, rubbing his neck. “I sort of have an in with the guy who’s temporarily in charge, and he’s putting a moratorium on the Clave’s ban on downworlders in the Institute.”

Magnus’s head tipped slightly to the side, accompanied by a tiny smile that Alec was coming to understand meant Alec had done something to surprise him. “Well, I suppose I have no urgent business requiring me to be elsewhere, if that’s what you’d prefer.”

“Please,” Alec whispered with as much depth of feeling as he could muster the energy for. He settled his hands on Magnus’s waist and pulled him close, leaning his brow against Magnus’s. He was so tired he could have dozed off just standing there; sex certainly wasn’t on the menu tonight, but after those horrible, horrible hours of uncertainty, he needed that contact, needed to hear Magnus’s breath and have him within touching distance. “Please. I have to grab a shower, but I’d really love it if you’d be here when I get back?”

“Then here’s where I’ll be,” Magnus vowed, pushing up on his toes to brush a soft kiss across Alec’s mouth before stepping away. “For as long as you want me.”

BUY ME A CUP OF COFFEE!!