#then she takes a normal job and now some guys harassing her

[stari-hun]

Yeah I mean like sure Forget me not could always end up switching sides to Vertin’s team one day like Druvis and other manus personnel have but Carbuncle Jr’s funniness and evil aura are the best parts of him. If you have him a redemption arc unless he became a cry baby or sumn as intense you’d be ridding him of all seasonings

Yk the funniest part with that too? Like not EVERYONE hated him. He’s SO annoying with his menacing when you read the side content because he’s like SIGNIFICANTLY less unfortunate than some of the people in the game and they never even considered turning evil. Not that I’m down playing the divine right of a person to go apeshit over years of piled in discrimination but like the evil to backstory misfortune ratio is kindaaaaa funny.

[kyemna]

Hazbin Hotel headcanons

TW: Mentions of sex and alcohol. some suggestive themes that's it, it's mostly just fluff.

(English isn't my first language)

Charlie

-Will do anything for you.

-you want flowers? Done. You saw a cute stuffed animal in the store front and you want it? You got it. Somebody harassed you on the streets and you want them punished? Let her take care of it. Normally she's against violence, but when it comes to protecting you? She'll do anything.

-will sing to you, all the time

-made a special song that she sings to you when you've had a bad day

-the best listener ever.

-will sit and listen to you talk for hours

-if she needs to get to work early, she'll make you breakfast and leave you a note that says something like:

-hi, good morning lovely! I hope you sleep well.

I had to leave early.. something happened at the hotel while Alastor was away, and they needed me.

See you 2night, i love you:)<3

-i think her love languages are physical touch and words of affirmation

Angel Dust

-whisper's provocative things to you during meetings

-definitely a physical touch kind of guy.

-Will cling to you at the most random times

-keeps Valentino as far away from you as possible.

-tries his best to keep his relationships hidden from him as well

-if you'd come home after a long day, he'd give you a massage

-is super funny, tell me otherwise.

-has a high sex drive, and is pretty kinky due to his job.

-so expect him to ring you up at the most unexpected times.

-PS. Don't put him on speaker when you're in public..

Vaggie

-was pretty cautious around you in the beginning, but slowly warms up to you

-once she's comfortable, she tells the wildest stories and acts them out for you

-if you don't know how to fight, she'll teach you

-if you do know how to fight, you guys spar all the time

-jealousy issues, and you can't tell me other wise.

-she hears someone talk to you in a tone she doesn't like? Glare. Someone low-key flirting with you? Glare. If looks could kill.. she will actually kill them though, so..

-not super experienced in bed, but she's open to suggestions

-once she finds something she likes/is comfortable with, she askes you for it all the time

-a "words of affirmation" and "acts of service" girl for sure

Alastor

(i am perfectly aware he's ace, but these are scenario's for if he wasn't, don't come for me)

-now, Alastor is a great dancer.

-he has great music taste too!

-listens to 1940's and below.

-i think he's mostly into Jazz and Classical music to be honest

-i do think Amy Winehouse and Dave Brubeck are his exceptions when it comes to listening to 1950's and above

-somehow always knows where you are..? You often see his shadows follow you, so that's probably why

-kills for you. Also because he has a thirst for blood, that needs to be satisfied. So that's 2 birds with one stone

-holds doors open for you

-just a general gentleman

-loves it when you wear dark red, dark blue and dark green

-it can be anything. Lipstick (just red though), a hat, a dress, heels, etc.

-expects you to respect his personal space but doesn't respect yours LMFAO

-gift giving and physical touch

Husk

-knows all your favorite drinks

-loves to dance with you

-also a Jazz person, but I don't think he'd mind country music to be honest

-once he secretly took a picture of you.

-he thought you looked so good, he keeps it in his nightstand.

-doesn't really talk about his problems/feelings, but prefers it if you do.

-respects your boundaries more than anyone.

-you don't wanna talk? He'll kiss your forehead, and leave you alone.

-you don't really like being touched? He'll always ask first.

-other than making amazing alcoholic drinks, he makes great coffee too!

-quality time and physical touch.

It's been quite a while since i've written something, so I apologize if there's any grammar mistakes or sentences that just don't make any sense LOL

Thank you for reading!

[gabessquishytum]

Time for some dreamling crack! I apologize for the length, it got out of control. Destiny is done. He's just done, okay? He's had enough of his parents who were never there, siblings who are constantly up to some shit, and his ultra-serious job with no vacations. Moreover, being constantly chained to a book (especially when it's such a huge and heavy book) sucks. So, one day he makes an ultimate decision to go on a holiday into some remote galaxy for a century or two, but first, he needs to complete one task that he actually assigned to himself. Technically, he's not supposed to intervene and all that cosmic bullshit, but he's Destiny, and that's his destiny, pun intended. He's the CEO! The year is 1389. Destiny calls Death and tells her they need to go to Dream asap. She's surprised and slightly worried but obeys without questions. Dream is even more surprised - Destiny normally never visits, so the circumstances must be exceptional. Which they are. Destiny is in no mood for pleasantries and gets straight to the business, informing Dream that he needs to get laid for the common good. Dream bluescreens, and so does Death. 'I beg you pardon?' Dream blinks. Destiny never jokes, and he must have misheard… But Destiny, in his impassive, 100% serious tone, repeats that Dream does need to get laid. To prevent the deaths of thousands of dreamers in the 20th century, to prevent the grudge with hell, to save multiple dreams and nightmares, etc., but ultimately, to save himself from the ill fate. 'All this can be prevented if I get laid?' Dream's metaphorical head is spinning. 'Yes,' Destiny deadpans. 'Okay...' Death interrupts cautiously. 'Why am I here, though?' 'Because he needs to get laid regularly, and there is only one human who can handle this task. He must be made immortal for this reason.'

Dream feels like the Dream.exe file has been irrevocably damaged. 'I need to get laid regularly?' He repeats weakly. 'Brother, you know how important my function is. I have no time for-' 'This is exactly why you meet your doom in all the futures but one.' '…where I'm getting laid?' Destiny nods. Death beams. Dream pales to a previously unexisting shade of white. Without further ado, Destiny takes them all to the White Horse, buys some ale (his vacation mood starts to kick in - he expected more objections from Dream), and nods at one table. 'Robert Gadling. He is the chosen one.' 'Brother, you surely do not want me to lay with a mortal who has fleas and hasn't bathed for Delirium knows how long,' says terrified Dream. 'I surely do. Fleas are the least of your potential problems, little brother.' 'Alright.' Death says. 'Robert Gadling is immortal now. Can I go?' Destiny nods again. Death smiles and, before disappearing, loudly whispers to Dream to invite her to the wedding. Dream glances one last time at his brother and approaches Robert's table. If this is his destiny...and it's for the greater good of the universe and dreamers...Besides, this Robert Gadling is quite handsome - well, unwashed and smelly, but handsome still. Destiny is very pleased. Now, he only needs to sign up Desire for a few millennia of uncancellable therapy, and he can go drink his cocktails in a galaxy far, far away!

I love this, thank you so much for writing it all out. It really made me chuckle.

I'm absolutely obsessed with the idea of Destiny just getting really sick of the universe and all the bullshit that it contains. He's the equivalent of a harassed middle aged working parent attempting to keep everything under control and inevitably watching it all go to shit. He deserves such a good vacation, I hope there's a really good spa in the galaxy he's picked out.

Being the oldest sibling is hard, even when you come from a family of cosmic entities. And honestly? Destiny kind of likes the look of his new human brother-in-law. If this guy can keep Dream from going off the rails then that's wonderful, but the fact that he's cute? Also helps. Destiny may be blind but he is not immune to the Hobpropaganda. He's actually kind of not dreading the next family dinner? He can already see that it's going to run a whole lot smoother with Hob around the table.

But first: bottomless mimosas in a different star system. Bye, losers!

[shotoyami]

Could do gambit x f reader basically f reader is a normal person working and is saved one day by gambit in a fight and offers to take her home and basically gets to know her and take her out on a date’s <33

prenotes: Gambit beloved <33 !!! The silly little Cajun man, he has my heart… I loved writing this sm, super cute, might make a part two if anyone would like to see that!!!

Thank you so much for the request, anon<3

pairing: Remy LeBeau/Gambit + female reader

warnings: none, yet again!

genre: fluff, that’s all to be seen here

notes: so please ignore the jokes I make in here if anyone doesn’t like them, I had to make them as a retail worker and the usual daily struggles of retail. but if anyone laughs, I’m glad! (please respect your retail workers, they don’t get paid enough or appreciated enough)

word count: 900+

Sir, this is a Walmart…

Work. Mediocre, stressful, annoying. At least, that’s a normal day on the job. Another day at some high end grocery store that cannot be named here, just dealing with the same customers to expect every day. The entitled old people, the crass young people that shouldn't be without adult supervision, crying babies that the mother literally is not even a foot away from and doesn’t care about, and so much more stupidity. 

“You young kids and not respecting their elders. I swear, it’s like I always talk to the same person no matter where I go unless it’s a machine!” Like now, where an older woman is harassing me.

I force a civil smile onto my face, knowing everything is both on video and on audio, and that anything against store policy could get me fired. “I’m sorry to hear that, ma’am. Unfortunately, I can’t bend the rules for anyone. If I change the price for you, I’d have to change the price for everyone in the store- which can’t happen, of course.” I try to explain to the woman– which is stupid, because when do entitled people ever listen to reason? She starts shouting, which is to be expected, and of course a supervisor comes over, trying to gauge what’s happening, and now she’s screaming at them too. The supervisor gives me a glance and I just put my hands up defensively and turn and walk away– because I don’t get paid anywhere near enough to deal with this crap.

I fall into the breakroom’s couch with a long sigh, making one of my coworkers giggle. “Gosh (y/n), tell us all how you really feel girl.” I groan, but let out a small laugh, finding humor in my coworker’s words. “Was it Sharon again? Or Beth?”

I sat up as I respond, “Neither, it was Martha.” My coworker grimaces at the name, before she sighs.

“Yikes. I’m sorry girl, she’s a pain.” I snicker, nodding in agreement. “But have you seen that new looker that’s been coming in recently?” That sparks my attention, and I sit fully toward her, attentively. “No? Okay, so there’s this guy that’s been coming in, right? And he’s got weird eyes and a southern accent, and he flirts with everyone.” I nod along as she speaks, humming afterward in thought.

“No, I haven’t seen or met him yet. He sounds interesting?” She nods in agreement, but we’re interrupted as our supervisor comes in, rolling his eyes.

“Martha.” Is all he says, making both of us giggle. “You’re good to go back on the floor, (y/n).” I nod and hop up, making my way back out onto the sales floor.

Of course, my luck willing, there’s some weird looking people (hey, we’re not trying to judge here, but just imagine this the same kinda way as describing your neighborhood crackhead) getting into a fight on the sales floor. I stand there, awkwardly, because I’m not trying to get into the middle of all of that. 

As I go to shuffle on by, because I don’t get paid enough to care, some kind of metal comes flying at me. My survival instincts aren’t survivaling because I just stare at my impending doom for a moment, accepting my fate and all, until a card with a purple looking hue just flies in front of me and blows up the metal??????

Whilst pondering my existence and how I didn’t just die, I get grabbed and my snatcher???? savior???? just kind of runs, cursing in some other language – french? Once again accepting my fate, I don’t exactly struggle or anything because this is all on camera and surely  someone will clock me out for this or just give me extended pay time for dealing with this crap.

The person finally stops and sets me down in the back of the parking lot, and I find that it’s my coworker’s deemed ‘new looker’. “Ya’ alri’, cher?” I slowly nod, probably looking like a big eyed fish or a barn owl or something. He chuckles, offering a hand, “The name’s Remy LeBeau, ya’ welcome fa’ the save. How’s ‘bout yous make it up ta’ me by lettin’ me walk ya’ on home? Ya’ off the clock?” Again, I just nod stupidly – my coworkers can clock me out, it should be fine. Fortunately, I use public transportation anyway, so it all works out.

Of course, everyone’s staring at the man next to me. Not so much for his “good looks,” but moreso for his odd appearing eyes – red on black. The entire subway is…rather quiet for once. It’s a nice change, a welcome change. He’s the one that breaks the silence as we get off of the subway, “Ya’ from ‘round these parts?” He sort of leans over me, smirking but still being quite respectful. He’s probably fishing for something in common, given his thick southern accent.

“No, I’m from the next state over.” He slowly nods, humming and keeping the conversation going similarly until we arrive at my front door. “So, I be seein’ ya’ again? Here, le’mme give ya’ my fone number.” He quickly comes up with a way to scribble down his digits, handing the paper to me. “An’ maybe we can go on a nice little date or somethin’ soon, cher?”

A goofy smile comes onto my face at this words, a bit shocked that all it took was a bit of small took to charade this man, but I nod in agreement nonetheless. “I’d appreciate if it involved me not being in immediate danger next time?” He chuckles and nods.

“See ya’ then, darlin’.”

[thekeeperof-thefandoms]

TW: sensitive topics

Adam slowly becomes more tolerate and less misogynistic over time via osmosis but won't admit it and instead hides it.

Adam thinks women bitch too much about the pink tax until he's sent out to get period products for Reader and Lute, only to realise that his cost of his shopping just doubled in price from just one pack.

Adam thinks women bitch too much about not being welcomed to normally male occupied spaces until he's playing late night online and hears a woman join only to leave after five minutes because everyone kept harassing them.

Adam hounds a girl for her number, thinking that he's so smooth for getting it in the end, but then decided to lose it after watching a film with Reader and Lute where it showed a girl terrified of what would happen if she didn't give a guy her number and hears Reader and Lute, two very capable women, talk about how they've been in similar positions.

Adam has done a lot of thinking lately.

Personally, I'd like to think that Heaven, while flawed, is above some of the nonsense like the pink tax. I do still think catcalling and being harassed happens, probably mainly in result to a lot of men modeling Adam's behavior.

But once he gets with you and you start calling him on his shit, and therefore Lute gets more comfortable calling him out, and especially after the period simulator, he's more aware of certain things.

I feel like eventually he'd ask you if this is how bad it is now, what did you do when you were alive? When you had to work constantly, sometimes 2 jobs at a time, just to afford basics. That's when you tell him you didn't really have a choice but to suck it up. That you weren't allowed to get a hysterectomy, you couldn't take sick days just for a period, and that most doctors wouldn't believe you anyway.

Especially if you're a trans person this is a big foot in the door to explaining how poorly women and queer people are treated. Hit em with the fact that religious nuts use Adam and God as examples for their behavior and he's going to feel physically sick. I think he'd have to take a few days to just be by himself and really think about how he acts and how people interpret that.

From there it's a slow build up to correcting his behavior. And it's not always gonna be easy. He's going to be defensive, he'll tell you that you're overreacting and that him persistently following a girl around to ask her for her number repeatedly isn't bad, it shows he's interested. He's a nice guy.

Tell him that's what other men thought too until "insert any woman you can think of who was assualted".

Lute's more direct, she sits his ass down and has him watch as many true crime stories of women getting kidnapped, SA, tortured, and murdered as she can find. Usually she picks ones based off the names you drop. He really only has to hear 4 or 5 before it sinks in. (Tiktok reminded me of the girl who was tortured to death for 45 days and assualted with lit fireworks so, have that fresh horror in your minds).

Tell him about any personal experiences you had and how terrifying it is to be a woman or queer. Show him the responses to the man or the bear question. Let him fully realize how many people, people he knows as strong and capable, would rather face the bear because "the worst the bear can do is kill me". Or "Nobody accuses me of liking being attacked by a bear"

"No one asked me what I was wearing when the bear attacked"

"People would actually believe me if I said I was attacked by a bear."

"The bear sees me as a person."

"The bear lives in the woods, the man probably followed me."

Each answer is gonna send a new shiver down his spine.

Reforming Adam isn't an easy or fast process but it's fully possible because I don't think he's bad or a fullblown narcissist. I think he's been told his entire existence that he's a good guy, a pinnacle of creation, someone to be admired and obeyed without question.

You could argue he may be a bit controlling and narcissistic because of how he treated Lillith and requested a submissive wife with Eve. And I don't think he's ever not going to be full of himself and expect his ideal partner to be a bit more traditional in the sense that they're a housewife/domestic type. But he also likes people who go out and have fun, can get wild, and he definitely thinks it's hot if you can defend yourself even if it strokes his ego if you let him do it.

But overall, I think with enough time, patience, and exposure Adam could become a better person. Probably the type who would throw hands with himself if he could. Definitely becomes the type to start borderline hating other men.

[liminal-space-lesbian]

Loser IV

Pairing: Enid Sinclair x fem!reader

Warnings: Mutual pining, scary Wednesday, bullying / harassment, the d slur, physical violence, blood, panic attack, mentions of police and EMS

Summary: During a field trip to Pilgrim World you and Enid are paired up for volunteering. Things are going well until a group of boys decide to harass Enid.

Words: 3,659

Part One // Part Two // Part Three

a/n guyssss this is kinda bad ngl... I got carried away but OH WELL. Also any legal stuff I mention is all mumbo jumbo bc I have no clue how any of that works so just ignore it please 🫶

The days following your confession to Enid were... awkward to say the least. Though you both had promised things could go back to normal there was a tension between the two of you. You caught Enid staring at you more than once during Vampire biology, and you weren't quite sure what to make of it.

Today wasn't the day to worry about it however, considering you and your classmates were on a field trip of sorts to Pilgrim World to... volunteer? You weren't really paying attention during the announcement so you weren't even sure. All you knew was that getting away from Nevermore for a change of scenery was just what you needed for a distraction.

Or so you thought.

Apparently your teacher was pairing up students for their tasks of the day, and you were paired with none other than Enid. Perfect.

"Ready, partner?" Enid asks, bouncing up to you excitedly and looping her arm through yours. You stiffened at the contact, your heart skipping a beat at the warmth of her arm against yours. Her smile faltered as she noticed you tense, trying to casually release your arm. The atmosphere between you was awkward now. Great.

"Ready as I'll ever be. What are we even supposed to do anyways?" You ask, trying to diffuse the tension as you begin walking side by side. Enid lets out an agitated sigh, rolling her eyes.

"We get the boring job. We have to check tickets at the entrance." Enid says with a groan, purposefully dragging her feet as she casts a forlorn glance at you. You can't help but chuckle at her antics.

"Well at least you'll have good company." You say with a cocky grin, causing her to smile, pink tinging her cheeks. You felt your heart stutter in your chest. 'Wait, was that flirting? Did I accidentally just flirt with her? Oh God I hope I didn't weird her out.' You think frantically as you turn your gaze ahead.

"Mm that's true. I do think I got the best volunteer buddy for the day." Enid says with a wide smile, her eyes glittering with mischief and something almost like affection. You had to look away from her gaze or else you'd stare for too long. 'Why is she so pretty, oh my God.' You thought as you felt your cheeks burn.

"Oh hey, are you guys the Nevermore volunteers?" A young man with a scruffy beard and messy blond hair asked with a half smile. You nodded, stuffing your hands in your pockets.

"Yep that's us. Are you like our adult supervision for the day?" You asked, eyeing the pamphlets in his hands. He barks out a laugh, causing you to flinch slightly.

"Well, something like that. I'm not gonna be here to supervise much though, you're taking over my job for the day. I'll show you the ropes, and if you need anything I'll be in the lounge." He explains simply, handing you some pamphlets and a hole punch to Enid.

"It's simple, you," he points at Enid, "take a look at the tickets and make sure the date and price is correct, then hole punch the upper right corner like this." He demonstrates on a ticket he pulls out of his pocket, then he turns to you. "And you hand out the pamphlets, which is basically more information on Pilgrim World and also a map of the grounds. Easy peasy." He says, patting you on the shoulder and flashing you a smile. "Well I'm off, goodluck." And with those words he was gone.

You turn to Enid, only to already find her staring at you wide eyed.

"Well that was... a less than ideal introduction." You say, stifling a chuckle at Enid's distraught expression.

"Yeah, that's one way of putting it. We totally got this though, how hard can it be? Like he said, easy peasy." She says, shrugging her shoulders as she tries to stay optimistic, turning to face the entrance as a few people approach with their tickets.

"Hi! Welcome to Pilgrim World!" She says in her usual enthusiastic tone, causing you to smile. This day was gonna be a peace of cake.

~ ~ ~

Oh how wrong you were. After about an hour of standing in the hot sun waiting for people to arrive, this job was looking very bleak. Pilgrim World wasn't as popular of an attraction as it used to be, if it was ever popular to begin with. You were simply standing there sweating miserably, and you now understood why that guy was so eager to leave you two to this job.

"Well this sucks." You say with a sigh, wiping sweat off your forehead. Enid chuckles, gently pushing your shoulder with hers.

"Hey, don't be so negative. I mean we've already been here for," she checks her phone for the time and blanches, "forty minutes?" She nearly shouts in astonishment, her expression crumpling. "Oh my gosh we're going to actually die here." She dramatically says in despair. You couldn't help but laugh, causing her to playfully pout at you.

"Hey, how about I run and grab us some water from the fridge inside? A cool drink will probably make this a bit more bearable." You offer, and Enid turns to you with wide eyes. She grabs you by the shoulders and looks in your eyes seriously.

"At this very moment in time I wouldn't love anything more than a cold water." She says in a dead serious tone and you stifle a laugh, gently patting the hands that rest on your shoulders.

"Yes ma'am! Think you can hold down the fort while I run and get them?" You ask, wiggling your eyebrows playfully as you gesture to the empty queue. She scoffs, playfully pushing you in the direction of the lounge.

"Yes, I am more than confident that I can handle it." She says with an eyeroll and you giggle as you scurry off to get some water. You let out a relieved sigh as you enter the cool ac of the lounge. The guy who was supposed to be supervising you was lying on one of the couches, dead asleep. You chuckle softly as you open the fridge and grab two chilled bottles of water. You turn around to head back outside only to be met with Wednesday standing right behind you.

"Holy shit." You nearly scream, flinching back from Wednesday sharply. The girl doesn't react, simply staring at you with the same intense dead eyed stare.

"What are you doing?" She questions, her tone cold. You feel goosebumps rise on your arms from the intensity of her stare, and you swallow nervously.

"I'm getting water for Enid and I, since it's hot in the sun." You explain, voice shaking embarrassingly as Wednesdays eyes narrow. There is a tense silence for a moment before Wednesday takes a minuscule step closer to you, causing you to take a step backwards, nearly bumping into the fridge.

"Enid cares about you. I can't even begin to understand why, considering you are nearly as unremarkable as a drop of water amidst the ocean. However you are important to her, considering you're nearly all she ever talks about. So I shall give you a single warning." She leans closer to your personal space and you lean backwards away from her, heart racing in fear at her unblinking gaze. 'How does she never blink? It's like she has creepy soulless doll eyes.' You think as her dark eyes bore into your soul.

"If you hurt her, I will eviscerate you and strangle you with your own intestines." Wednesday says, her tone clear and colder than ice. You shiver, and nod, not trusting your voice. There is another moment of tense silence before Wednesday turns on her heel and leaves you alone, heart still hammering in your chest.

"What the hell was that?" You whisper to yourself, blinking at the space Wednesday occupied only moments before. What did she mean, Enid cares about you? She talks about you all the time? You couldn't help feeling a flicker of happiness at the thought. You shake your head, quickly leaving the lounge and heading back to Enid. You'd unpack your encounter with Wednesday later, right now you needed to get back to Enid.

As you approached, you noticed three guys standing a bit too close to Enid for comfort. You could see the jeering smiles on their faces before you heard their voices, and you felt adrenaline begin to flood your system as you approached.

"Isn't this the little werewolf chick from Nevermore?" One of them drawls, pinching the shoulder of Enid's blazer, causing her to lean away from him.

"Yeah I think so. She's the one who can't even shift though, right? Like some sort of runt or something." One of the other boys taunts, reaching over to tug at a piece of Enid's dyed hair.

"Hey, what's going on here?" You announce your presence loudly, shoving your way through the boys to stand beside Enid, placing your body between them. Your tone is cold and your expression is serious as you stare down the boy who touched Enid's hair.

"Tsk, chill we're just trying to get her number." The boy lies, a disgusting smile curving at his lips as his eyes drift from you to Enid, who was still standing slightly behind you. You shift your body to shield her from his gaze.

"Well she's not interested. So either show me your ticket or fuck off." You say, your voice hard as you grit your teeth. He raises his eyebrows at you, a scoff leaving his lips as he glances at his friends for support, who chuckle as well.

"Oh, what, is she your girlfriend or something? Damn, can you imagine being a dyke and a Nevermore freak?" He directs his question to his friends, who jeer and laugh along with him.

"Hey!" Enid protest from behind you, but you cut her off, wrinkling your nose in disgust as you stare him down.

"Seriously dude? Grow up." You snap, your tone laced with distaste. The kid straightens up to his full height, trying to loom over you and intimidate you. Your heart pounds nearly painfully in your chest with fear, but you keep your exterior calm.

"Or what? What even are you anyway, a vampire or some shit? Gonna bite me?" He taunts, and you stare at him with an unimpressed look.

"You're really fucking pathetic, you know that?" You say, anger flaring in your chest now. 'Can't this douchebag just leave us alone? God, why is he so entitled.' You think as your grind your teeth.

"What'd you just say?" He asks in a threatening tone, stepping into your personal space. You hold your ground, meeting his gaze. Your pulse roared in your ears and you felt Enid's hand grip the back of your blazer tightly.

"Oh, are you deaf or just stupid?" You taunt, feeling a shred of satisfaction at the way his expression contorts with anger. You see the way his hands ball into fists and you gently reach behind you, pushing Enid away from you.

Just as you expected the boy shoved you hard in the chest, causing you to stumble backward. Enid cried out your name but you ignored her. He had put his hands on you, now you could beat the shit out of him.

You drop the bottles of water into the dirt and fly at him, driving your elbow into his face. He stumbles back with a grunt, but before you can land another hit one of his friends grabs your arms and wrenches them behind your back. He lifts you up painfully, forcing you to stand on your tiptioes as your shoulders strain under the angle he has your arms pinned at.

"Fucking whore." The boy spits, punching you across the face. Your head snaps to the side but you hardly feel the pain from the adrenaline in your system. You don't know where the third boy is, too focused on the one holding your arms. Your punched in the face again and you twist and writhe, trying to escape the firm grasp on your arms.

Suddenly you're released and sent sprawling into the dirt face first. You scramble to your feet and glance behind you to see Wednesday standing over the boy who had been holding your arms. You turn back to the one who had punched you and lunge. You slam your shoulder into his stomach and tackle him to the ground. He gasps for breath as the wind is knocked out of him. Before he can recover you are slamming your fist into his nose repeatedly. Your vision narrows, solely focusing on continuously hitting him. Your heartbeat roars in your ears and rage seems to fill every inch of your body. 'How dare he harass Enid? How dare he say those things about her?' Your mind repeats this like a mantra as you continue hitting him.

Suddenly someone is dragging you off of him, shouting at you. You shove them away, trying to claw your way back to him, but their grip is too strong.

"Let me go! I'm gonna kill him, I'm gonna beat that motherfucker until he can't breathe." You snarl, writhing and struggling against the arms holding you back. Your voice tears through your throat as you scream, slowly losing steam as you feel ever emotion flood your system.

"Y/n, you need to calm down." An even voice says close to your ear, and you sag into the arms, tears streaming uncontrollably down your face. You feel overwhelmed in every sense of the word as you try to catch your breath, hyperventilating as you begin to sob.

The next thing you know you're sitting in the dirt crying, Wednesday in front of you with something akin to concern in her gaze. Enid hovers behind her, looking panicked. You notice her claws are out and covered in blood.

"Y/n you need to take deep breaths." Wednesday says in a steady reassuring voice. You try to even your breathing, still gasping and hyperventilating as your eyes dart around. You notice a few adults are kneeling over the boys. who are all lying on the ground or sitting up clutching various injuries.

"Let's get you three to the lounge." One of the Pilgrim World employees says before leading you to the lounge and away from the boys. You wait for EMS and the police to arrive, slowly calming down, wiping your eyes as you stare down at your shaking and bloodied hands.

"Here." Enid's voice says softly beside you, her hand gently tilting your head towards her so she can dab at the blood dripping down your face. You avoid her gaze, your breathing shaky from crying.

"I'm sorry." You whisper, sniffling slightly. Enid lets out a quiet breath, her thumb tracing your jaw gently.

"You don't need to apologize. You were just trying to help; those guys were being creeps." She says softly as she finishes wiping at the blood on your face. You look up as an officer enters the room, speaking to one of the Pilgrim World employees before nodding and leaving once more to retrieve EMS.

"What'd he say?" You ask the employee nervously. They sigh and look at you with their hands on their hips.

"Well, since we have security footage of the fight we know you're not the aggressor, so long as neither of you press charges the cops are willing to let it go." They say with a heavy sigh, looking relieved. "Of course you'll all be banned from Pilgrim World in the future but I assume that's the least of your worries." They say with a tight lipped smile and a nod.

"Oh okay... Thank you." You murmur, dropping your head to rest in your hands as you take a deep breath, The adrenaline had long since fled your body and now your face and knuckles were throbbing terribly. Your shoulders felt strained from how they had been held as well.

The rest of the day was a bit of a blur as EMS checked you out, patching you up and giving you a few stitches on your lip where it had been split from the boy punching you in the teeth.

Soon you were back at Nevermore and lying on your bed with an ice-pack pressed to the entirety of your face. Every heartbeat sent pulsing pain through your face and hands, causing you to groan. You didn't regret it exactly, you knew you'd fight a thousand people to protect Enid. You just wished it didn't have to escalate that far.

There was a knock at your door and you mumbled for whoever was there to come in. You pulled the icepack off your face and were surprised to see Enid standing there.

"Oh. Hi." You say dumbly, sitting up to stare at her in surprise. She offers you a small smile, padding over to stand in front of you, fiddling with her hands nervously. "Uh... Sorry again for earlier. I didn't want to fight him but he just wouldn't-" Your rambling was cut off as Enid threw herself at you, wrapping you in a tight hug. You stiffened in shock, gently resting a hand on her back.

"Thank you." Enid whispered, pressing her face into your neck, and you felt goosebumps prickle your skin as her breath tickled your skin.

"I- it's no big deal." You say casually, rubbing Enid's back soothingly as she tightens her grip on you..

"I was really scared when they were... I didn't know what they wanted with me. You have no idea how relieved I was when you showed up." Enid admits as she leans back to look at your face. Your heart lurches when you notice her eyes glistening with tears.

"Hey, it's okay. I'd never let them do anything to you." You say, attempting to comfort her as you brush hair away from her face, offering a gentle smile. Her eyes soften and her gaze flicks down to your lips for a moment. Your heart races in your chest, and you think maybe you had just imagined it.

"Well I appreciate you. And I'm sorry that you got hurt." Enid says, leaning back slightly as she adjusts how she's sitting in your lap. Her fingers trace the stitches on your lip and suddenly the throbbing pain was replaced with pleasant tingles.

"I'd do it a thousand times if you asked." You whisper before you can stop yourself, and Enid's lips part slightly in surprise. Her eyebrows pull together slightly as her thumb traces your bottom lip, her breath fanning over your face. 'She looks like she wants to kiss me.' You think, sure you must have some sort of head trauma. No way Enid would-

All at once, she's leaning down and her lips press to yours gently, softer than rose petals. Her mouth is warm, her lips tasting of cherry lipgloss. Your eyes drift shut and your hand on her back presses her closer to you. Your head feels light and airy, as if it's full of clouds. Surely you're dreaming?

No, the way Enid cups your jaw in her hands is all too real. The soft breath she exhales through her nose as she moves her lips against yours, tilting her head slightly so her nose brushes your cheek. All too soon she pulls away and looks into your eyes, her face tinged with a blush.

"I like you too." She confesses in a quiet voice, and you simply stare up at her dumbly, mouth agape. "When you were avoiding me it made me realize I thought of you more than I did Ajax. I was more upset over you than I was over my breakup with him." She murmurs, looking a but ashamed. You bring your hand up to brush your fingers across her cheek lightly.

"I can't say I'm disappointed." You say with a breathless chuckle, a smile curling at your lips involuntarily. Enid smiles back, giggling slightly as she leans into your touch.

"So... will you maybe be my girlfriend?" She asks quietly, her hands sliding down from where they cup your jaw to rest on your shoulders. Your stitches burn from how big you smile.

"Only if you'll be my girlfriend too." You tease, chuckling at the way Enid covers her giggle with her palm, gently giving your shoulder a playful swat.

"Okay, we're girlfriends then." She says with a broad smile, bringing her face close to yours to place a gentle kiss at the corner of your mouth. You gently guide her lips to yours to kiss her fully, relishing in the taste of her lipgloss as you inhale deeply through your nose, smelling her vanilla shampoo.

You lean back onto your bed, pulling her down on top of you, cuddling her close. She is more than happy to oblige, curling into your side and nuzzling her face into your neck, placing a gentle kiss there. Your arm is wrapped around her shoulders while your free hand is laced with hers where it rests on your stomach. Her legs twine with yours lazily and you let out a contented sigh.

Your face and knuckles are still throbbing, and you know your lip will scar. However those worries seem small and far away as Enid's warmth seeps into your body. You feel sleep tugging at your mind as you roll over, tucking Enid's head under your chin as you wrap your arms around her. She quickly reciprocates, her arms looping around your waist as she holds you close to her. She's so soft and warm that it's not long before sleep fully takes you.

When you wake up the next morning with Enid still in your arms, you fully realize that it was in fact not a dream.

p.s. I've never kissed anyone before so if it's poorly written that's why 💀

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

A New Sheriff In Town

Summary: The reader takes over as acting Sheriff when Beau is forced to be out on leave. Except the normally friendly Beau is anything but when he finds out it’s up to the reader when he comes back to work…

Pairing: Beau Arlen x Marshal!reader

Word Count: 3,500ish

Warnings: language, mentioned kidnapping/betrayal

A/N: Was missing Beau over the hiatus and came up with this little glimpse of him!...

________

“Hello?” You popped your head up from your laptop, smiling at the handsome, albeit tired, looking man in front of you.

“Sheriff Beau Arlen,” you said, standing from your chair. He nodded, a confused smile crossing his face.

“Not that I normally don’t mind finding an attractive woman in my presence, but do you care to explain to me what you’re doing in my office, at my desk?” You smiled and pushed your jacket away from your hip, showing off your badge. 

“US Marshal Y/N Y/L/N. I’m the interim sheriff while you are on medical leave.” His face flashed between alarm, anger and back to alarm in the span of a second. “Take it up with your boss if you have a problem with it.”

“I am fine. I-”

“Beau Arlen,” you said, picking up a file, flipping through a few pages. “You were kidnapped for the past two days, correct? Rescued yesterday afternoon with minor injuries.”

“Exactly. Minor,” he said, snatching the file out of your hands. You looked him up and down. He was handsome when he wasn’t scowling at you like you kicked his puppy. “Now call your damn boss and let me get back to my job.”

“Funny. Everyone around here tells me you’re as sweet as can be, a nice, happy guy. But you’re being a bit of a dick. You know why?”

“Because you’re in my fucking office!” he said. 

“Some injuries you don’t see. Now I am sorry but I’m in charge and-”

“Why isn’t Deputy Hoyt interim sheriff?” he said, tossing the file on the desk. “She’s my number two. Why-”

“Deputy Hoyt is visiting her son at college. She has too many unused vacation days and she was far more willing when I told her to take a leave of absence.”

“She would never-”

“She would because she did. Don’t be the fucking tough guy. Go home. Talk to a therapist. Binge watch Netflix and eat junk food. I don’t care. But know you do not get back in that chair until I authorize it and you are far from it.”

His eye twitched and he huffed, storming out, slamming the door along the way. You groaned and sat back down, the door opening after a moment, one of your deputies poking his head in. “Yeah Poppernak?”

“He’s really nice when you get to know him,” he said with a sheepish smile. “He’s just…”

“I know.” You held out the file Beau had thrown down, Poppernak walking inside to take it from you. “What’s he like? Hobbies, food, stuff like that.”

“Why?”

“Just trust me deputy.”

“Are you going to harass me at my home too?” scoffed Beau the second you were out of your truck, approaching his air streamer that evening.

“Anyone ever tell you that you live in the most gorgeous trailer in the world? God, you could charge newlyweds a whole bunch of cash just so they could bang for the night under the stars.” He grumbled as you reached inside your truck across the bench and pulled out a bag, smiling as you approached him. He was wearing a jacket and jeans, feet barefoot as he sat in a lounge chair in front of a nice large fire pit. 

You stepped up onto the deck, offering the bag to him. 

“Go away.”

“Wow. You really are being a jerk. It’s a good thing I’m here then,” you said. You sat the bag down on his table, pulling out a pair of containers and a DVD. You carried one over to him, setting it in his lap. He eyed it suspiciously before flipping it open, a large sandwich and side of fries inside.

“This is a meat lovers from Donno’s diner,” he said, voice rough.

“I don’t know who Donno is but I did some recon and it turns out Beau Arlen, you are a man that appreciates a good meal. I love a fellow foodie,” you said, holding up the DVD. “And because I know you love your movies too, I brought my favorite romance, The American President. Now I know, not a classical romance but you’ll like it.”

“What the hell are you doing here?” he asked. You pushed up your jacket and shirt on your right side, exposing your torso where a faded pink scar shown bright on your skin.

“My spotter fucked up on one of my cases as a Marshall. I got kidnapped and only a little hurt like someone I know. But it fucks you up and it’ll keep fucking you up until you deal with it. Now that’s the job of your department therapist but at home comforts help too.”

“That’s a scar from getting your appendix out.”

“Alright,” you said, sitting down in the chair beside him. “You caught me. But that did happen to my old partner so I know it’s true.”

“Listen,” he said, setting the food aside. “I appreciate the dinner and while normally I’m a much more pleasant person, can you leave and let me have my station back?”

You sighed, Beau rolling his eyes. “Sorry bud. Enjoy the forced vacation.”

“I don’t like you!” he called as you headed back for your truck.

“Never met a cop who has!” you shouted back with a wave. You kept a smile until you were back in your car, slowly closing your eyes.

This was not the relaxing vacation you were hoping for.

“Marshal,” said Beau the next day, trying to walk past you into the station.

“Sheriff,” you said, curling a finger at him, enjoying your cup of coffee on your morning break. “Take a step in that building and I’ll have you arrested.”

“I’m sure you will,” he said, walking straight on inside. 

“I warned him,” you said to yourself, finishing off your coffee before going in after him. He was in his office when you got there, adjusting the height of his chair. “Beau Arlen you’re under arrest for violating direct orders from your superior.”

He chuckled, grabbing a pad of paper. “That’s real cute. Why don’t you-Hey!”

You shoved him down on the desk, cuffing him and dragging him out the side entrance, avoiding most of the other officers. “I told you.”

“Oh I swear I’m calling your boss and getting you fired,” he growled. You just whistled, guiding him outside and over to his truck. “Marshal-“

“Be anywhere but here. The more you resist, the longer I stay. Period.” You uncuffed him, Beau rubbing his wrists, faded red marks marring his skin. He huffed, opening his door when you put a hand on it. “Please listen to me.”

He simply jerked the door open, driving away without saying another word.

Two Weeks Later

“Oh come on,” said a gruff male voice. You turned around from where you were fishing, perched on a rock along the river, Beau meeting your gaze. He had a baseball cap on and a fishing pole in his hand. “Are you stalking me or some shit?”

“We can share. Plenty of fish,” you said, Beau grumbling before he walked over, sitting nearby. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Yup. Now when exactly can I get back to work?”

“When I say so.”

“This is a total abuse of power you realize.”

“This isn’t how I wanted to spend my vacation either so don’t be pissed off at me,” you said, reeling in your line a smidge. 

“Then why are you acting as sheriff?”

“Because I have experience and I wasn’t personally affected by your kidnapping like all of your officers were. You came from the outside. I know you understand that.” He hummed, the air quiet save for the sound of running water. 

“So…what exactly do I have to do to convince you to let me back to work and you finish your vacation?” You reeled in your line, packing up your tackle box and standing. “Hey. Where-“

“Because I want to have one relaxing fishing trip and you just don’t stop.” You started to leave when Beau hopped up, chasing after you. 

“Marshal, wait.”

“My name is Y/N,” you said, walking across the rocks carefully, unfortunately giving him a chance to catch up. “Beau just-“

“I’m sorry for being an ass.” You stopped, dropping your head. “I get…I don’t handle trauma well.”

“Who does?” You spun around, Beau smiling softly. “It’s not a punishment. I’m trying to help you.”

“I know. I know I have to deal with it to process it and move past it but it’s…I’m not in a big rush to feel vulnerable like that again.”

“I understand but until you do, I’m in charge around here.” 

“The Marshal service is going to just let you stay here however long you tell them?”

“Yes.” He raised an eyebrow. “Oh sweetie, playing on the federal level is a whole other game of office politics.”

“So who fucked you over?” he asked. You breathed slowly, even.

“You know that story I told you about my partner getting captured? That was really me and my partner fucked me over on purpose after I expressed concerns to my supervisor. No internal case and I get to do whatever the fuck I want now. My pick of cases, my choice of vacations, whatever I want I get all to cover up for his fuck up of a son.” Beau blinked, smiling softly. “What?”

“You let me go off on you when you’ve gone through shit that I dismissed. You’ve been nothing but nice and it sounds like you keep getting surrounded by dickheads,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

“You’re not a dick. You’re processing,” you said. He nodded back at the river. 

“It’s a big river. We could share.” 

“Alright. But keep the gabbing down. Fish’ll hear ya.”

Three Hours Later

“So did you make some sort of deal with the fish devil?” asked Beau as you headed back towards your vehicles, a storm rolling in. “Because you caught close to twenty by my count and I caught a whopping one.”

“You’re right,” you said, packing up the back of your truck. “I’m part of the trout cult. We sell our souls to be able to catch and release some fish on our days off.”

“You’re joking, right?” You rolled your eyes, shutting your lift gate. “Hey, you never know what people are into.”

“This job has taught me one and that is that you definitely cannot judge a book by it’s cover.” 

“Marshal.” You pursed your lips, Beau stepping closer. “Y/N. Do you want to get out of the rain, grab a cold beer in a warm bar?”

“Follow me. I know a place.”

Twenty minutes later you were sat in a corner booth near a fireplace, Beau looking around the small bar. 

“How’d you find this place?” he asked after you had your drinks, a basket of fries between you. You took a short sip, leaning back.

“I was feeling pretty shitty a number of years back after the partner betrayal thing. Just drove and drove for days. I wound up in Helena, drove around until I found a bar and then proceeded to get shit faced in this booth.” 

Beau munched on a fry, taking off his jacket while he chewed. “You’ve been in Montana all this time?”

“No. The bartender called me a cab and booked me a motel room when I broke down. I stayed there a few days feeling sorry for myself before I sobered up and went back to Knetucky. That’s when I gave my boss a list of demands for not saying shit about his son. After that, I bounced around working solo cases, mostly money trails, until I came back here. Now I work a remote desk job, help out local law enforcement when needed. Found some peace and comfort along the way.” 

He nodded, fiddling with his beer bottle. “You should work for me.”

“Beau.”

“I’m serious,” he said, green eyes flickering over to you. “If you’re a Marshal you could easily pass the exams. You could work the field again with people you trust. My people are clean.”

“I know. I can tell you run a tight ship,” you said, his head tilting. “I don’t think I’m cut out for field work anymore.”

“This is Helena, not Detroit,” he chuckled. “You’d be a deputy, have seniority, get to run investigations. It wouldn’t be all that different than what you do now I’m sure.”

“You offering me a job so you can get back to work sooner?” you teased. He held up his hands, smiling proudly.

“Nope. I know a good cop when I see one is all.”

“I’m a US Marshal, Sheriff. I outrank you for all intents and purposes.” 

“Well…I don’t have a good reason to give that up,” he chuckled. “But we could find a desk space for you in the office, when I do eventually go back to work. It’d be nice to have someone with such superior expertise at our disposal.”

You flipped him the bird, Beau laughing against the rim of his bottle, taking a long drag. “Offers on the table is all I’m saying.”

“I work better alone Beau. But, when you are back in charge, call me up if you need a local Marshal.”

“Will do,” he said, tipping his bottle towards you. You clinked it with your own, the air turning warmer, heat from the fireplace spilling out. “Any advice on how to get over the whole…you know.”

“Accept that you were afraid, that you could have died, and that you aren’t weak because of it. The people we help every day aren’t weak because something bad happened to them. They just had bad shit happen and that’s it. That’s all it was Beau. Something bad. You’ll feel better with time and the more you start to believe that.”

He nodded, gaze fixated on the table in front of you. “Sorry for being a dick before.”

“Sorry for being pushy.” 

“I needed it,” he said with a smile.

“Oh I know,” you laughed. He chuckled, stealing another fry from the basket. “So. How’d a Texas boy like you wind up here?”

“Like you don’t already know,” he said, face softening. You shrugged.

“Yeah but I’d rather hear your version.”

“Alright. Be careful what you wish for though.”

Two Weeks Later

“Marshal Y/L/N,” said Beau behind a pair of sunglasses, badge back on his hip. You smiled behind your own, crossing your arms as you stopped beside him, looking into the back of the overturned truck on the highway. “I think we found the money from that bank robbery in Washington last week.”

“Looks like you did. You got to love when criminals are morons,” you said, peeking your head into the back. You cocked your head, scanning the scattered bills. “You’re missing about five million.”

“How can you tell?” he asked, looking inside with you. 

“One duffel bag fits about five million. The bank reported fifty stolen. But you only have-”

“Nine bags,” he said, straightening up, lips pursed. “Let’s talk to the driver.”

“Mind if I take lead?” you asked. He waved you forward, letting you approach the man cuffed at the end of Poppernak’s squad car. “Hey Joe. I know you know you’re in deep shit so let’s skip the small talk. I know you crashed on purpose and I know you’re supposed to take the blame and we’re supposed to assume you have the other five million stashed somewhere. But we both know that’s not the truth. So why don’t you tell us who is actually behind this and we will go find your girlfriend for you, maybe even find a bit of leniency for you. What do you say?”

Thirty minutes later you were in Beau’s truck, tapping your fingers against the door panel. “Okay. How the fuck did you do that?”

“Marshal service suspected the bank manager was behind it. Joe Niven is a guard at work there, been missing several days. But so has Joe’s girlfriend. Now one could assume they were on the run together but Joe’s girlfriend didn’t show up to work for two days before the robbery happened. I had a gut feeling it was coercion. Joe confirmed that.”

“How can we trust his word?” he asked, turning down a road, a trail of police cars after you. 

“His knuckles were scrapped up and he had bruises on his biceps like someone dragged him back. They showed him the girlfriend, Joe got pissed and they separated him from her before he had a chance to get her out. He couldn’t have grabbed himself like that, fingertips are all wrong.”

“Why would he trust us then?”

“Because the robbery was days ago and Joe wouldn’t still be doing what they asked if the girlfriend was free. It’s going to leak soon they found the money on the highway. When it does, that girlfriend is dead which is why we’re going to Elden pass. He said he heard howling in the background. Wolves migrate through Elden pass this time of year and yes, the only reason I know that is because I’m a documentary nerd.”

“You have no idea how much I want you to take that job offer.” You smirked, nerves crawling up your spine. “You got my back in there?”

You turned in your seat, brow furrowed. “You want me going into the scene?”

“You have more tactical experience than any of my people and it’s my first run back. I could use a steady hand with me.”

“Beau, I haven’t been-”

“I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think you could handle yourself.” You closed your eyes, nodding to yourself. “Okay?”

“Okay,” you breathed out. “I got your back.”

“Nice job in there,” said Beau an hour later, the sunset making his hair seem golden. You were leaned against his truck, Beau sliding over to stand beside you. “Thank you. I know it was dangerous going in to get Jane out.”

“I was scared to death,” you said, running a hand over the thick, heavy vest you wore. “But as soon as we went in, that went away. I’ve been terrified of real field work for years and I thought it was because of what had happened but really, it’s because I didn’t trust anyone after that. But I did today. I trusted you and your people and because of that, we were able to save that woman.”

“I’m not joking when I say I’d love for you to work with us regularly, even on a consultant basis.”

“Maybe I do need a change.” You looked over at him, Beau smiling wide. “I’ll think about it. No promises.”

“That’s all I can ask. In the meantime, you want to come to movie night? We can watch my new favorite drama chick flick.” 

“You watched it!” you said, eyes wide. “What did you think? Tell me everything.”

“I think it is the most random ass excuse for a chick flick I’ve ever seen yet I really enjoyed it. So you want to come over and watch? We could order a pizza, unwind after a long day.” 

“I’d love that, Beau.” He tucked your hair behind your ear, a spark rushing up your spine.

“See you at my place in an hour.” He didn’t walk away though. Instead he smiled, leaned down and placed a soft, lazy kiss on your lips. You were surprised to say the least. You knew you were getting friendlier but you weren’t expecting that. He pulled back, letting the kiss linger before his eyes were taking in your face. “You know what I liked about that movie? She doesn’t give a fuck that he’s the president. He’s just a guy she likes. And he goes for it despite how horribly wrong it could all go cause he comes with a lot of baggage and that should scare her but it doesn’t. And even though he’s got to do something that goes against her, they still find a way to make it work in the end. Reminds me of this idiot guy I know.”

“Beau,” you whispered as he played with the end of your hair. “Is tonight a date?”

“You tell me.” You put a hand on his chest, tapping the spot where his name was woven into his vest.

“Make it a supreme pizza,” you said. “I ain’t a girl that hides how much she loves to eat on the first date.”

“You got it,” he said, his smile faltering only slightly when someone called his name. “Let yourself in if you get there before me. Key is under the patio chair.”

“You’d trust me with a key to your house?” you asked as he walked away.

“I trusted you the whole time, Y/N. Just took a while to admit it to myself,” he said, spinning around with a grin. “See you later, Marshal.”

“Yes you will, Sheriff.”

__________

[ilikekidsshows]

About you being harassed by Marinette fans. I don't know if me doing this is weird, but you being open bout that makes me want to open up more too. I've send you 4 anons by now (u probably could already tell they were from one person) because I don't have a miraculous Blog anymore since the hiatus before Destruction because Marinette fans found one of my posts criticizing Marinette's treatment of Cat Noir and her leadership and they went after me for i think almost an entire week. I ended up deleting my blog in panic and fear of it getting worse the more traffic it got amongst Mari stans.

I followed the show and Fandom til now from afar to see if any of my Marinette problems were getting the fixes everyone screamed about season 5 would deliver but I can't say that happened. I wholeheartedly agree that with alot of other people that it only got worse with the doubling down and her gettin less heroic underneath the surface.

So I'm still here and upset that I was bullied out of this fandom for things I was apparently right about to degrees I didn't even knew back then how right I'd end up being....

I found a couple of blogs to follow that share my opinions and you guys have been interwoven alot now so I thought sending anons to dip my toe back into being part of the discourse is a good idea. I hope I didn't cause any Mari stans getting angry at you for it, I've been worried bout that ngl.

I would like to ask bout one of the topics Marinette fans cyberbullied me for but I still think I'm right for questioning:

How much value does Marinette see in being friends with her love interests?

Oc im not doubting that she sees at least some worth in it, but it feels very shallow. Fandom is working the lion's share to take what little canon gives and run with it til they think their fanon is real.

Marinette values friendship, sure, but Zoe is the only love interest of hers for whom that feels right to say

Marinette in Canon has said many times that for her being friends with the one she loves is the worst thing she could possibly imagine. E. g. Psycomedian. And she was rewarded with Adrien being her devoted and desperate prince for her doing probably the most friendship related thing she did in all season 4. She had a basic little convo with him about understanding to have problems and that's where it ended. Where did Marinette ever even try to be rlly Adrien's friend? She said 500x that she's finally gonna put her romance feelings aside for a bit to focus on her job (which I hoped would mean she'd work on her weaknesses in the platonic Ladynoir team dynamic too... Silly me... )

But that never goes anywhere? Weren't Adrien and Kagami the ones literally having been created out of the feeling love or to love someone in particular and even THEY could overwrite their senti programming better than Marinette ever could get over her normal ass feelings for a week? Adrien and Kagami value the friendship with the one they love deeply, is that the difference? That Marinette can't ever move one from loving someone because friendship feels like an awful downgrade and torture to her so she stays the same? What does that say bout her?

Or that Luka and Cat Noir never caused her stalker paranoia to break out that Derision claims she does to protect herself. Why does it only apply to Adrien? And not even Cat Noir, too? In my other anons I brought up how awful I think it is that Marinette seemingly has no interest in leaning anything rlly about the boy underneath Cat Noir's mask, now she barely acts like she remembers that he's real and that they'll one day reveal where he'll then find out how many times she deliberately deceived him with her civilian identity in very hurtful ways.

How does that correspond to her being in love and more important for my question, what does that level of refusal to treat someone like a real person say about her willingness to be Cat's friend? Cause I can't see friendship in Ladynoir anymore. Marinette was the one who killed that in season 4 and then season 5 didn't improve her in much. Friends don't treat each other the way Marinette so easily uses, hurts ignores, silences and deceives Cat Noir without batting an eye.

The only effort she really made was before Kwamis choice. When she thought he was still in love with her and expected that s4 magically caused no damage to his feelings for her. she seemingly thought she could just allow him to dedicate himself to her for an overall easy way to sweep everything under the rug and make him "happy" again without her ever having to really try and do better herself because that was the comfort she was seeking at that time (shoutout to Familyagrestefanblog and erisluna35. I've been paraphrasing them alot and wanted mention that too. Didn't get to write out my own opinion in a while and I agree with them x})

This refusal to face her hurtful actions of s4 quickly developed into her craving for him to give her his easy love and not wanting to take anything less than precisely the endless devotion she wanted from him now. No matter what the price. No matter how much it put him too in danger (what even meant Cat Blanc?), and yet, still no interest in him as a person.

Once she had to take the no, she left and then she never again made a genuine effort in Ladynoir. Any effort to better herself was romance related. Determination may have been the episode where she rlly noticed her changed feelings for him, but she did try earlier than that. But it fully stopped with his no as did her changed feelings vanish as quickly as they showed up. So what does that say about her and how she views their "friendship"?

Season 4 has her already show that she doesn't want Ladynoir to be an actual friendship since she treats him barely better than a magical pet she rarely ever thinks about, which caught her off guard over and over that she isn't being the kindest and adoring person of all time to him. She treats him so much worse than her actual friends and in s5 she isn't trying to build a real connection beyond wanting him to shower her in his devotion and love.

What season 5 shows bout Marinette's view of the Ladynoir friendship is in my most generous reading her not getting to hide behind any romantic feelings from either side that she doesn't know how to be his friend, after she had to learn in season 4 that she was a really really bad one. But even with that generous reading, it would still mean that Marinette then went on prioritizing not having to feel any further discomfort or having to owe up for her actual mistakes in their bond over her finally being the friend she SHOULD think Cat Noir deserves. A friend he desperately needed but never got cause she called it a day with her personal needs being met my having her best friend Alya with her.

Friends don't do that. Marinette denied him any genuine friendship he obviously truly needed as Cat Noir because she personally didn't need it from him anymore cause of Alya. And he rejected her desire to now be adored by him so there was no purpose left anymore for him to fulfill in her life besides the easy partner she made clear cant ask shit from her.

That is so unbelievably selfish... How on earth is that supposed to be FRIENDSHIP?

Srry, for this being long. Last point.

Luka of course needs to be mentioned too. Sure, the show says they are friends. But are they really? Their friendship is built on him being her platonic therapist back-up boyfriend who doesn't ask shit of her either. This is still the same pattern as with Catrien. Luka does all the emotional labor and Marinette just takes and takes and that's what makes her so comfortable around him but she isn't interested in him either beyond what she sees day to day in front of her.

That doesn't count as friendship in my book. For Adrigami you can still feel their friendship after their breakup. But Lukanette is Luka being a platonic therapist boyfriend and Marinette being just as disinterested in him as with Cat Noir while being just as comfortable getting showered in emotional labor that she's unwilling to work on giving back the way she should.

How is that friendship? What value has friendship for Marinette once any romantic feelings are involved from either side and it isn't Zoé (feels like a homophobic backhanded compliment lmao)

That was very long, I apologize. But thanks to writing in anon I started becoming more comfortable with the idea of joining the Fandom discourse again. I've got alot I wanna say after all that time in silence but I'm not sure yet if I should put myself out there again with a blog. With how season 5 ended Marinette stans are gonna be vicious beasts to any criticism they come across and I don't want that to happen again :(

---

I hope this isn't a case of speak of the devil and he shall appear but lately things have been really quiet on the Marinette stan front. The worst I’ve gotten was this really unhinged one, but they were so unpleasant they didn't have any friends so the harassment was very one-note and stopped pretty quickly since they had to run it alone. It could be that now that season 5 confirmed that season 4 wasn't an outlier, that the show’s writing has gotten incredibly sloppy and nasty, the critical side of the fandom has become unified and we add to each other’s posts and kind of back each other up. It's harder for Marinette stans to target us one by one, and their preferred tactic is dogpiling a single blog. A lot of the Marinette stans protesting my posts now shut up right quick when they see more people agreeing with me adding to the reblog chain.

As for the question, I agree with your assessment. It really does appear that Marinette hates the idea of being friends with a love interest. She whined about Adrien seeing her as just a friend all the way back in Riposte. Adrien sung her praises to Kagami, while she spied on them, and she had the gall to whine that the boy she “loves” thinks so highly of her because it wasn't the kind of thinking she wanted.

There was this one thing I said in a previous post that I think is accurate: Marinette part-times being Cat Noir's friend. Even the part of time she acts as his friend, she ignores his feelings, insults him, pushes him away, refuses to give him emotional support in any way and lies to him about anything she possibly can. She only approaches him as Marinette when she wants to complain about Adrien not coming to the date he didn't know was a date, when she thinks she can score a date with him or so that she can practice confessing to Adrien on him. Marinette's “friendship” with Cat Noir is all take with no give when she isn't outright ignoring his existence.

She also ignores boys who have feelings for her in her civilian life. Nathaniel is very suspicious of her in Reverser, having to be convinced that she wasn't planning to humiliate him, implying he isn't part of her friend group since he doesn't know her well enough to know she only humiliates people when they're in her way of getting at Adrien. (Alix makes it sound like she wouldn't do that period, but we know the truth by now.) She also refused to come to Juleka and Luka's shared birthday party if Luka was present after they broke up. I bet if you tried to tell Marinette, or her writers, that your romantic partner should also be your best friend to make a healthy relationship, they just wouldn't compute. 

I don't want to say Marinette doesn't hold friendship in high regard period, because the amount of exceptions she makes for Alya shows that she at least values Alya’s friendship. I think she just doesn't value friendship with boys. I feel like Marinette is the kind of person who doesn't think boys and girls can really be friends, which would explain why she thinks Adrien considering her a friend is worse than anything else. If boys can't really be friends with girls, Adrien using the word “friends” means they aren't even that.

Consider this: how often does Marinette hang out with her guy classmates when it isn't 1) a whole-class outing or 2) more likely that Marinette just wanted to hang out with his girlfriend? Like, in Animan, Marinette had no idea Nino had a crush on her, but she still acted like an outing with him at the zoo was the worst thing ever. I get that she was disappointed Adrien wasn't there, but Nino is one of Marinette’s oldest classmates, yet she doesn't want to spend time with him, unless she's planning to use him to get closer to Adrien, since he's Adrien’s best friend.

Of course, she doesn't really value the time with her other friends for its own sake outside of Alya either. It seems like the only times they hang out together is to plot or participate in her get Adrien quick schemes. The only times the girls do something not Marinette related is when Marinette hasn't called them together, like when they were going to the pool in Gorizilla, something Marinette completely forgot until Alya called her. Marinette has poor memory but, despite her knowing she has poor memory, she apparently gave herself no reminder to hang out with her friends. You bet I write down every occasion I’ve agreed to see my friends specifically because I have bad memory as well.

It seems like, unless you're Alya, Marinette only cares about you for how able and willing you are to help her catch Adrien's attention. I keep saying Marinette treats her Adrien romancing problems as the most important thing going on at any given moment, and it's true for all areas of her life. Maybe that's the reason we didn't see Socqueline for four seasons despite her supposedly being such an important friend to Marinette, and why she never joined the friend group proper; Socqueline couldn't help her get with Adrien so she wasn't worth Marinette’s time.

This is a yet another thing where Miraculous is actually pretty sexist; girls and boys can't ever just be friends and girls care more about getting guys than they do about their friends. Another thing of course is this idea that boys just don't have as in-depth feelings as girls or should bury their feelings and never ask for emotional support, which is why all of Marinette's love interests are her emotional support dispensers whose opinions on anything don’t matter when their job is to simply mindlessly worship Marinette while their feelings are devalued by the narrative every time they dare to try to ask Marinette for some support back. Luka gets Akumatized which convinces him to break up with Marinette when he had emotional needs she wasn't willing to fulfill. Meanwhile Adrien goes through the travesty that is Kuro Neko

“Power of love always so strong” but only when it's Marinette's toxic idea of love and when it isn't platonic love. Unless you're Alya, I guess.

[laduenadelswing]

Love game (Vox x female OC)

Chapter 3

Isabel stood in front of the old, red, rusting Hotel. Just as she was about to knock on the door. A blond, cute and overall positive woman opened the door. “I am Isabel, I don't know how I got into hell and could use some help.” She sopped. “Oh, don't worry, there is always a place for a lost soul. I am Charlie.” She smiled, hugged her and seemed happier than everyone. Oh, yes! Vox told her Charlie was a sunshine and naive, it's not that hard to manipulate her. Isabel thought. “Uhhh, I need to introduce you to our family.” She exclaimed excited.

Alastor - A deer like demon and hotelier. Everyone seems intimidated by his presence. Angel dust-porn star, famous very horny and masking. He would understand her, they went through the same things in a different setting Charlie – Sunshine and rainbows, way too happy for hell. Naive. Husk-Barkeeper, seemed pretty smart but wouldn't be to be manipulated easily Sir Pentiuos- Not as powerful but had deep-rooted desire for friends Nifty-small, clean, crazy Vaggie- instantly distrusted Isabel, never smiles except for Charlie but seemed to support her no matter what.

This would be a challenge.

“What do you guys do all day?” Isabel asked intimidated. “In the morning, we usually work on redemption and trying to become a better person. After that some go to work, go to Husk at the bar or work in the hotel.” Charlie almost screamed while laughing, happier than any human has ever been. “So nice, what do you eat normally?” Isabel asked, her stomach growling. “Normally everybody grabs something,” Charlie explained, scratching her head. “Let me cook something, since everybody has something to do and every exercise is done. Let me help.” Isabel smiled nervously. “Of course, Alasitor, help our new guest please.” Suddenly a tall figure appeared behind you, he had claws, deer like hair and the biggest smile on his face. “I've seen you before?” Isabel thought. She couldn't quite remember exactly what happened on her first night, but the demon looked familiar. “Pleased to meet you, darling.” He smiled. After your brief introduction, Vaggie pulled Charlie aside, her eyes killing you. “How can you get any kind of food here?” Isabel asked. “We could take a stroll, but for now you can leave it to me.” With a snap, the whole kitchen was equipped and food appeared right in front of your face. “Wow impressive, I assume you're vegetarian? Since you resemble a deer.” Alastor glared at her. “Why dear. In my days, hunting was really normal. I was pretty skilled.” As the last words left his mouth, the surrounding air heated up, the lights began to flicker and his face turned dark. He is intimidating, know I understand why Vox wants me to keep an eye on him, Isabel thought. She forced a smile on her face. “ I have never hunted before. The paparazzi always hunted me.” She confessed. Alastor laughed, “Oh dear, I couldn't be this bad, couldn't it?” Now her face turned pale, thinking about how many times she was stalked and harassed made her sick. “How did you survive your first night, darling?” Alastor deflected. “ I just ran into someone who gave me a job and a place to stay.” Isabel answered truthfully, thinking about her previous night with Vox, he was really caring. “Convenient” Alastor exclaimed. Together they cooked a balanced dinner with fresh meat, raw meat for the radio demon, a bunch of different vegetables and fruits. The whole hotel crew feasted on their home cooked meal. Charlie loved it, Angledust was horny as always, Husk smiled, nifty couldn't stop eating, Sir pentious was happy and praised the food. Vaggie, however, stayed quit and glared at her. 

“You are a really great addition to our team.” Charlie fangirled. This made her smile, no one has ever been so cheerful in her presence and meant it. “I love to help, maybe you can help me someday to go back to earth.” Charlies eyes grew bigger. “How is earth right now?” She asked curiously.

“Right now? I don’t know if it´s getting better or worse. So many people fight and hate each other, the real beauty is forgotten. But to be able to travel anywhere you want is actually amazing. I am sure you would love the sun, beaches, galas and stars.” Isabel answered Charlie's happiness was addicting. Charlie smiled. They tidied up, everybody seemed to go their way. Alastor showed you your. It was small, but it had character. With some pictures and cool pillows, it would be very comfortable, she thought. After that, he also left, she could leave after they did all their funny games. She waited a couple of days before leaving the hotel at night. Vox lost his mind. He covered every centimeter of hell with cameras, except for the hotel. Not seeing his obsession made him sick. He gave you into the claws of his enemy. Until she left the hotel one night, she looked so stunning. It was way too long since they have last seen each other. The chokehold she had on him was unbelievable.

She went downhill and as soon as she wasn't right next to the hotel, Vox appeared. “Long time no see.” He greeted her and kissed her hand. “Vox, how are you?” She asked him as they walked into the night. “Ah you know the usual, work, Velvet, Valentino. Nothing special.” He smiled. “I love seeing you again. Hell can be exhausting. It's refreshing to have someone like you around.” He admitted. They tried to vanish into the crowed. Some demons looked around to attack the couple. “Oh, she looks like fresh meat.” They murmured with their predatory smiles.

They cornered Vox and Isabel. “Gentleman, I am sure you don’t want to get into a fight with me.” He buzzed. As they came closer, his left eye started changing, his smile grew bigger, and he shoved you gently behind his back. The gang of demons turned away immediately, hypnotized. “Let's get out of here.” Vox whispered. The rest of the walk was uneventful, Isabel tried to vanish in Vox´s shadow. Vox towered her and made sure she was under his protection. “Finally.” He stretched when they entered his apartment. They sat down, Vox purred both of them a drink. They caught up on the events that they missed. As the night continued, they climbed up the rooftop. “I really missed that.” Vox confessed. “What did you miss, the company or the view?” She shot back playfully before continuing, “I missed our conversations too Vox, the hotel is great, but this is something different.” Isabel admitted.

At that moment, Vox's internal conflict became palpable. He wanted to taste her lips, get a taste of how their intimacy would be. Vox restrained himself, he was a master manipulator, always in control. H e wanted her closeness, but only if she desired him as well. Vox tried to get some space in-between them. She was caught in Vox's magnetic field of desire, the energy between them was growing. Shivers ran down her spine. She looked at him seductively. Her face painted in a light blue shine.”Blue suits you.”He whispered. “Thank you for saving me.” Isabel replied. He tucked her hair behind her hair. She took his claw and gave it a small kiss, looked up and gave him a Hollywood smile. At this moment she could see the electricity shooting through his body, his eye glitching a little. “You know, Vox, sometimes it's good to let loose.” She whispered, while Vox became stiff under her touch.

“Chaos can be beautiful.” Isabel added her smile made his world lit up. “I really don't want you to go back there.” Vox admitted. “Vox, you are the one who wanted me there.” At this moment, he knew it was too late to kiss her. Or was it? She turned away from him and faced the breathtaking view from the roof. A shy smile appeared on her face. “Oh, I think I need to go. I don't wanna cause any trouble.” She faced him, “Thank you, Vox.” She smiled, hugged the Overlord a little bit longer than adequate, and left smiling. Vox repaid her smile, it was genuine. He walked her to the hotel. “You wanna come back tomorrow? Or whenever you want.” He asked with a hint of shyness, before he turned on his best PR- smile. Isabel, not wanting to cause any commotion, went back to the hotel. As she entered, Angle sat on the couch. “Had a long night, Sugar?” He asked playfully. “Kinda.” Isabel replied. “You're dating someone.” He asked half-heartedly whilst scrolling on his phone. She chuckled and left into her room.

Authors Note: I would love to hear some feedback. Also, I am so excited for tonight's episode. Thank you so much for all the love. It means the world to me.

[berkmansimagines]

Vigilante Shit

A/N: This was really fun to write 🔪💋

Summary: You and Barry help out a family friend.

Pairing: Barry Berkman x hitman!wife reader

You don’t normally do pro-bono work but this was a special case. You’re doing it as a favor for your handler - Diane. Diane’s teenage niece, Sarah, has been getting some unwelcome attention from a stalker. The stalker is named Jeremy. He’s a twenty-something loser that works as a pizza delivery boy. Jeremy won’t leave Sarah alone. He has texted and called her so much that she’s had to change her phone number twice. The creep has even followed her to school a few times. Sarah tried going to the police for help but they did nothing. She has become so freaked out, she’s afraid to leave her home.

You used to babysit Sarah when she was a little girl. It was long ago when you first moved out to LA, before you got started down your current career path. Sarah’s a good kid. She doesn’t deserve any of this. So when Diane told you what was going on, you volunteered to take care of the problem. Diane demanded that you only intimidate the guy and not kill him. She doesn’t want to raise any suspicion from her niece. Neither you or Diane want Sarah to find out what you really do for a living.

While doing some pre-op, you discovered that the stalker lives nearby a restaurant that you and Barry have been meaning to check out. You asked your husband if he wanted to join you and he offered to help out with the job. You plan on getting dinner afterwards. Because this is sort of a date night for you and Barry, you’re more dressed up than usual. You're wearing a little black dress and did some cool cat eye makeup.

You and Barry broke into Jeremy’s place and are waiting for him to return from work. It’s a tiny studio apartment. There’s an entire wall covered with pictures of Sarah. Many of the photos appear to have been taken without Sarah’s knowledge or consent. You tear down the pictures before the stalker gets home.

You’re in the middle of perusing the liquor cabinet when Jeremy walks through the door. His jaw drops when he sees you. A hot woman is inside his apartment. He thinks he won the lottery or something.

“Hi. Uh, what are you doing here?” Jeremy awkwardly waves to you.

“Waiting for you,” you casually nod, “I was hoping to make myself a drink, but you have some terrible taste in alcohol. I mean, what the fuck is this shit?”

You hold up a bottle of Whipped Cream Vodka.

“Such a child,” you scoff.

You pour the vodka down the drain. Jeremy’s face drops.

“Hey! What the fuck?!” he yells.

Jeremy rushes toward you when you suddenly smash the vodka bottle. Glass flies everywhere. Jeremy stops in his tracks while you remain unfazed. You hold up the broken bottle like a weapon and slowly approach the stalker.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” you shake your head.

Jeremy takes a few steps back before bumping into Barry. He turns around and screams at the site of your husband. Barry is leaning against the door with his arms crossed against his chest and a gun in his hand. He coldly stares down the stalker. If looks could kill, Jeremy would be dead.

“What the fuck?! Who the fuck are you people?” the stalker asks.

“Oh don’t worry about him. You’re going to be talking to me. I’m Y/N. You don’t need to introduce yourself. I already know all about you, Jeremy,” you say coolly.

“What….what do you want?”

You smirk, confidently fiddling the broken bottle between your fingers. Jeremy is absolutely terrified. You’ve got him right where you want him.

“Listen, me and my partner over there have dinner reservations. And I’m nothing if not punctual so I’m going to make this quick. I know what you’ve been doing to Sarah. The stalking, the harassment, all of it. And it stops now. You understand?”

Jeremy quickly nods his head. He looks like he’s about to cry.

“Yes…yes, ma’am,” he stutters.

You put the broken bottle to Jeremy’s neck.

“I want you to promise me that you’ll never bother Sarah again,” you demand. “I promise!” Jeremy yelps.

“Promise what?” you press the glass shards against his neck. “I promise I won’t bother Sarah again!” he cries.

You take a deep breath and lower the bottle away from Jeremy’s neck.

“Great! Then we’re all done here.”

You nonchalantly toss the broken bottle behind you.

“Thanks for being a good sport,” you nod.

You put your fist out for Jeremy to bump. He gives you a confused look and reluctantly puts his fist out, when Barry abruptly grabs him. Your husband slams Jeremy against the wall. Jeremy shrieks in pain.

“Sorry I should’ve warned you that my partner is a little protective. He doesn’t like it when creepy stalkers try to touch me,” you snicker.

Barry puts a gun to Jeremy’s chin. You stand by your husband and get right in Jeremy’s face.

“Don’t talk to Sarah or go near her ever again. If you even so much as look in her general direction, my partner and I will come back and I promise you we won’t be as polite,” you threaten him.

Barry lets go of Jeremy and he falls to the floor. He’s crying in the fetal position.

“I think our work is done here. Come on, babe, let’s go,” you tell Barry.

And with that, you and Barry walk out. As you leave Jeremy’s building, the two of you do a cute little high five. You’re so happy you pulled this off. Now that creep will finally leave Sarah alone.

“That was kinda fun!” you giggle and scrunch your nose, “Did you hear him call me ma’am? I don’t think anyone’s called me ma’am before.”

“Yeah! You were so intimidating, babe,” Barry compliments you, “It was actually pretty hot.”

Your husband can’t help but check you out. You look so pretty. He’s impressed and proud of you. That’s my fucking wife.

“Awww thanks babe! You were good muscle,” you wink.

You and Barry get into the car. While Barry gets the directions for the restaurant on his phone, you check out your make up in the mirror. It still looks good.

“You know, I feel like I really had to hold myself back with that creep,” you quietly admit, “This whole situation got me thinking, what if we have a little girl one day and something like this happened to her? What would we have done?”

“If it was our kid, he would’ve been dead the moment he walked through the door,” Barry immediately replies in a low, serious voice.

You raise your eyebrows and coyly smile. Barry didn’t even hesitate with his answer. You’re kinda turned on by that.

“Babe…”

You rest your hand on Barry’s thigh.

“I know we made dinner reservations, but I want to skip right to dessert. How about we blow off the reservation and go home?” you suggest.

Barry’s face perks up. He stops the directions for the restaurant and puts in the address for home.

“Whatever you say, ma’am,” Barry smirks.

[kharmii]

ngl it’s always interesting to watch and observe the American Elections as an European.

The fact that the results were this overwhelming this time is telling.

People are sick and tired of the nonsense that was going on in the past 4 years.

And now the people have spoken.

The cope is so entertaining to watch. I’m sitting here in Europe and eating popcorn while the wokies loosing it.

🍿

Want some?

They went too far, as the radical left always does. The populace does not want expensive food/gas, abortion up until birth, unchecked immigration, mutilation of children, and unprosecuted crime. It was telling a guy named George Gascon lost reelection in the most leftist leaning city in the country, Los Angeles. He was one of those 'defund police' clowns who caused endless misery and death allowing criminals to operate freely. Sane normal people don't want that, even if they are left wing.

Anybody who wasn't the most foaming at the mouth cause head fanatic also didn't think it was right for the left to use lawfare to make Trump a felon, and of course it was the most horrific thing ever how they are actually putting out messages in the media encouraging nut jobs to take a shot at Trump. Now he won, the minorities and gays are all like.....HE'S GOING TO GENOCIDE!!!!!! (.....blahblahblah) when actually that man is the least vengeful person on earth. He's totally chill and hopefully will just get right on pushing through policy that will make everybody's life better.

I'm also hoping he'll pardon the political prisoners that were real victims of left wing lawfare. We still have Jan 6th protestors and abortion clinic protestors rotting in prison. A few cops who put down criminal noncontributing members of society who were dangers to the public were railroaded because the criminal scum happened to be minorities.

There's the ongoing case of Daniel Penny who put a crazy homeless guy named Jordan Neely in a chokehold after he went around threatening to murder people on the subway. The guy was a repeat offender with a history of threatening people and being a nuisance. Daniel Penny's chokehold didn't even kill him. He was still breathing when let go, but none of the responding officers wanted to put their mouths on his mouth to perform CPR because they were afraid of catching Hepatitis from a gross disgusting filthy homeless guy. Now Daniel Penny -instead of being labeled the hero of the subway- is being charged with murder, all because leftists are upset that a white guy had the nerve to stop a black guy from harassing people.

Then there's the case of Tina Peters who was given an 18-month prison sentence because she questioned our last fraudulent election. Left wing activists came up with reasons to charge her with a crime. Not only was she found guilty, but this douchebag activist judge told her off during sentencing in the worst way. He ground her face in the dirt and made her apologize. When handing out prison sentences, judges are supposed to take intent to commit a crime into consideration. There are murderers and child rapists who were treated less harshly than a women pushing sixty who questioned an obviously fraudulent election.

[corazon-calaveras]

Late Night Thoughts

Okay so..............

The coffin of Andy and Leyley. Where do I even begin?

It's a very good game I'll admit that and I'll give credit where credit is due. The game has a very simplistic but cool art style which makes it very recognizable to the fans of the game or at least those who have either played it or seen playthroughs of it. The overall story telling and pace is very well done and it certainly has kept me intrigued. I tend to have a soft spot for plots that contain edgy and dark themes to it (so long as it is written really well and not overdone) and this game seems to have done a good job of not overdoing it.

Now then, on with some issues I personally have with a certain aspect that has definitely left a sour taste in my mouth (and not in a good way considering I love sour candy and what not).

(Just a heads up, I'm not saying that the topic I'm about to talk about can't be used in stories, in fact this topic has done a really good job to make me feel bad for Andrew but at the same time be like "Dude, are you dumb?!". The incest aspect of their relationship is actually written well because it's done one hell of a good job to make me feel uncomfortable as fuck and I hate it. Now do I support incest? Absolutely fucking not, that shit is hella disgusting and I DO NOT condone that shit.)

On to the rant.

The major issue I have about the story of the game is the overall relationship Andrew and Ashley have and of course it's the incest aspect of the relationship. But that's obviously a very obvious topic that a lot of people would not be a fan of (unfortunately there are some creeps out there who ship the two regardless). Let's set the incest aside for a moment and discuss the main issue of the Grave sibling's (that's their last name, right?) relationship and that is how very toxic and abusive it actually is.

In the first episode of the game we see that Ashley has a very unhealthy obsession with her brother and although there's nothing wrong with having a fondness of your sibling, Ashley just takes that fondness to the EXTREME. We see that she gets overly jealous whenever Andrew remotely gives another girl attention and would do anything to get them away from Andrew as we could see in the game. I mean c'mon, she not only committed manslaughter (straight up murder actually) she also consistently harassed Andrew's girlfriend until she dumped him. But oh, that's not the only horrible things she's done to Andrew. Ashley would straight up emotionally manipulate him into doing all the dirty work only for her to later on be like "I didn't tell you to do it, you CHOSE to do it yourself." Miss girl don't lie, we all know you literally manipulated him into doing it to appease you only to later have the AUDACITY to gaslight him.

Now I won't go too hard on Andrew considering that he's the victim in all of this but there are times when he literally could have put an end to Ashley's abusive behavior and stand up to her, but seeing him try to do so only to fall back to being submissive made me feel sorry for the guy. However, things would get even weirder with him when he asked his girlfriend to tie her hair up so she could resemble Ashley a little more which uh.....HELLO??? Nah nah nah, you wrong for that one Andrew. I'm sure there's a few other things he's done that's equally as weird as Ashley but so far that's the one example I can think of at the moment. Oh wait, there's that one official art of Ashley just sitting on Andrew's lap with a bitemark on her shoulder while he's lighting a cigarette and has a hand up her thigh as if it was completely normal. *Sighs* Sweet home Alabama.

I know there are people out there who will say things like: "But the game literally has cannibalism and murder but you draw the line at incest? That makes no sense!" Um, no not really. It's literally in our nature to find incest disgusting considering how the offspring will come out with a lot of issues and thus will not survive out in the world. Yes I'm aware that royalties in the olden days literally married their distant cousins to not "taint" the bloodline and I say that those people are equally as weird as the ones who ship Ashley and Andrew. As for the cannibalism part, yes it's also disgusting but if you think about it it makes a lot of sense that someone would resort to it if it's for survival, a last resort if you will. Incest? Now how the fuck is that going to benefit human survival? Last I checked no one has ever done the dirty with their own family members to survive.

Alright, and I think that concludes my rant for tonight. I just felt like ranting about the Grave sibling's relationship because I literally have no one else to talk to about this and I do find the topic interesting.........very disturbing though.

Eugh, gross.

[verysmolnerd]

Double-shift Drowsiness

Drabble: You're ten minutes from closing and your former professor comes in asking for directions.

I think it’s blatantly obvious that I don’t like working minimum-wage jobs. Hell, my very first fic posted on the internet was because I was treated like shit at a retail store. Now, it’s a little better but that doesn’t mean I’m still not getting the butt end of a stick. This be a vent drable… my bad. 

Cw: Swearing

God fucking dammit. 

You’re here again, for another summer, to take a ludicrous amount of bullshit from your coworkers just to shell in a few more dollars towards your college tuition. 

Normally, the shifts are bearable and you can come home fine, but when you’re there all day sunrise to sunset, it isn’t ideal coming home with so much grease on you. When you shower, you don’t even feel the water on you for a minute because of how much grease had gotten in your skin. 

As for the coworkers part, it’s mainly just one blonde bitch in particular. Specifically, a carhop that’s more entitled than the angry customers here and has the audacity to be a douche to anybody and everybody. When she speaks it always sounds like she cops some sort of attitude when she comes back into the kitchen. 

The only time -as of recently- when she isn’t acting like a punchable brat, is when the general manager of the kitchen staff is around. You had pointed out to them that she was only doing this to be in their good graces, and they agreed; explaining to you that they’ve already talked with her numerous times but she still refuses to listen. You could only hope that one day she’ll get the boot like someone that everyone else in the kitchen even refuses to talk about. 

It always feels like when one problem from the kitchen gets extinguished, three more pop up. With whom that shall not be named is gone, all the kitchen staff are comfortable with talking with each other and making jokes without someone coming in to ruin the mood or harass you. Now, the problem is the one carhop acting like the next cockroach of the damn place and new hires refusing to do work. May you be reminded that you’re only here for the summer and ONLY HERE TO MAKE MONEY FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

…

Why do you care so much? It’s just who you are, sadly. 

Now you’re here, still at the restaurant ten minutes to close. You were calmly wiping down the countertops while the general manager had some nostalgic slow songs from the 2000s playing on a Bluetooth speaker that somehow is still working after months of straight abuse and constant use. 

Your other coworkers in the kitchen -you guys just call each other comrades at this point with how tight you are with all the workers that have those strong skills back here- were sweeping and restocking the fridges for the deep fryer or grill. It’s peaceful, well, as peaceful as a food service kitchen could be. 

Everyone was just as tired as you were because it was really late and a long day for those who didn’t work a double shift like you. You needed the hours, what else could you say? Unfortunately, the amount of tiring work doesn’t dawn on you until you’re working over forty hours a week. 

You could see the silhouette of two cars pull in from the packing window, and you sighed. Late stragglers. Somehow, the most desperate people to get to a cheap chain restaurant are also the people who order half of the menu, it infuriates you to no end. 

One car pulled right up in the spot in front go the building, and the other pulled in at a farther spot. You close your eyes and exhale, this is a common thing to happen so you’re not surprised. You are, however, annoyed that everyone in the building is bitching about it. 

What you weren’t expecting, was the person who parked so close to the building to come inside. It’s not like you truly cared anyway, you were just upfront to refill your drink; you haven’t done so in hours and you were beyond parched. 

Your back was to the counter as you waited for the machine to finish pouring your drink, not expecting your name to be called. You turn around, thinking it’s some sort of coworker calling you….

But it was Otto. Your former professor of all people. Dressed in those turtlenecks that hug his figure with dress pants and completing shoes that shine under the restaurant lobby’s lights. 

You lock eyes with him and freeze, both of you staring at each other in shock. “What are you doing here?” You ask him, you’d never thought that you’d see him again…period. “I could say the same about you,” he responded, fumbling with his hands. 

You can feel a few of your coworkers peer through the small window to look at you and the front staff watch the conversations from the blind spots of the counter. You sighed, “This is my hometown. I work here in the summer.” Otto glanced over the counter and noticed the nosy staff, they quickly retreated to the backrooms when they were discovered. 

“I just came to ask for directions since my phone died.” Otto held up the dead device. You nodded, setting your cup down on the counter, “Where are you headed?.. Or where do you think you’re headed?” This isn’t a common thing when people want to go somewhere in this part of the state but end up getting lost, the maps are outdated when you’re this rural, so you’ve had to point a few people the right way. “A retreat where some of my colleagues are, it’s supposed to be more up north..” He paused, you know Otto very well; he hates making mistakes, to be seen as an idiot when he genuinely didn’t know something, “but I think I took a wrong turn- ” he told you the name of the camp with a few descriptors of the place, and you nodded. 

You walked up near the front of the store and picked up a pamphlet, “I think this is the camp you’re talking about,” You handed the advertisement to Otto. He smiled brightly, “Yes it is.” You can see the relief across his face. 

“Good news then. You’ve only got two more hours worth of driving on the main road.” Otto’s face fell, it seemed that the urban convenience he’d had his whole life might’ve been a stunt to his patience. Though you don’t blame him, night driving in the countryside can be quite nerve-wracking.  Deer are the most ruthless to people from the city. 

You let out an airy chuckle, “Is it bound to get dark soon,” You eyed the electronic clock, it displayed the time 9:00 pm, “Are you sure that you want to drive when it’s dark out?” Otto looked like he wanted to say yes, but he stopped himself. 

“You’ll crash at my place tonight.” Otto opened his mouth to protest, but the carhop of your nightmares entered the restaurant and walked right up to him. “Hi! How can I help ya?” You clenched your jaw at the sickly-sweet tone she uses. Otto waved her off, “Ah, no thanks I’m just asking for directions from a friend of mine.” Otto gestured to you with those huge hands of his. You felt yourself heat up with pride, he sees you as more than a student; well, you do have his number…

You can see that the source of your dismay clenched her teeth with a customer service smile before walking away. Otto cleared his throat, “About earlier-“ “Yeah, you can just follow my car home.” You gave him zero room to say no.

“Ah, just a sec,” You walked into the kitchen to see if it was okay, but the team lead already waved you off and said, “Go.” 

Well shit.. alright then..

You grabbed the stuff you brought with you and you clocked out on an outdated machine up front. You waved to Otto to follow you, to the parking lot. You got in your car, and he got into his, and now you’re leading him to your place. 

It wasn’t that far of a drive, the longest part was making a left turn from one of the main roads, there always seemed to be cars there when you wanted to make a turn.

You pulled into your driveway and were now getting your keys out to unlock the front door. You felt the warmth of your previous professor at your back fighting the chilly night air. It was about time that the nights got cooler again, it’s nearly September after all…

You open the front door and hold it for Otto, but he uses his height to keep it open; his hand is high above your head to keep the door open, “No, it’s fine you can go in first.” You thanked him and went inside.

You were in the process of putting your things away in their respective spots when the front door shut behind Otto, he was watching you move around your house with ease; like clockwork. “You keep yourself on quite the schedule.” He watched you move around your kitchen, but then you stopped to look at him after he said that. “Oh, don’t let me stop you.” He moved his hands in a manner to tell you to keep moving. “No, I was just wondering if you’ve already eaten dinner? I can whip something up if you’d like.” You explained yourself, Otto nodded and you swore his face was a bit pink, “I did, thank you for asking, but about staying here-“ You cut him off again, “What kind of person would I be if I didn’t let the person I care about stay here for the night,” You turned to shut off the kitchen lights and show him to your bedroom, but you stopped yourself to relay that information to him, “You can stay in my bedroom, what kind of host would I be if you’re not comfortable?” 

“I was just going to say that I can sleep on the couch,” Otto protested, but you weren’t having it. 

“No, I’ll be fine. I have tomorrow off, you need the rest so you can drive.” “You need the rest so you can have a nice day off.” Otto folded his arms.

“No-“

“Let’s not-“ 

You both cut each other off in the argument..

….

You and Otto are now both dressed down in bed, looking at each other completely flushed and in partial shock from the stubbornness you both share. 

You click off the night, and Otto speaks, “Well, good night.” “Love you.” You automatically responded. You froze and Otto laughed. 

“Love you too.” 

[cosmicjoke]

"There is so much hostility toward the Eruri fandom by Levi stans" Excuse me but Wtf. Dear Anon, have you ever thought about why this happened? From your other colleagues lynching Levi saying they are homophobic for shiping with someone else, especially a woman, to the fact that Levi has a life outside of Erwin and his own character, you are always bullying people for saying it doesn't revolve around Erwin and then you play the victim card and say "they are so touchy" "we only presented (vague and mistranslated) canon evidence". "E L has a faithful and loving relationship and they are jealous that it's not on their ship"Saying and somehow you manage to get rid of your own messes. While Erwin and Levi have a well-crafted relationship in canon, in your fandom you make Levi ugly, a sewer rat, a spoiled who is always angry, but who is calm and knows his place next to Erwin, and you make Erwin radiant, clean, a god. And you write about a dynamic that follows Erwin as if this is the ideology of his life, that he follows every order, that every action he takes is only about Erwin, and that he is ready to drag everything, including humanity, to hell if his countryside is harmed. Yours say it's a Canon, not an Hc, and to those who say it's not, you do what you do best and gather all your friends and bully them. There are so many dramas that you have been doing for years that if I count these things, there will be at most 3 full pages, but I will mention a few of them here as an example;

A month ago, when the Bad Boy spin-off was announced, and it was mentioned that some guys were making Levi do "the same job as his mom" and it was implied that Levi was being sexually harassed in some way, some Eruris were happy and fetishized it… Because it meant that Levi would have a sub and that he would probably be gay… It's so vile and disgusting.

At least one-two years ago, an artist on Twitter said that Levi has no romantic feelings for anyone and that no ships are canon. While some shippers and people agreed with this, only the Eruris didn't accept it and harassed the artist. Some time after that the artist's account was hacked in a strange way. Luckily she was able to get her account back.

Last but not least, this just happened. 2 weeks ago a Lh shipper who was known (both by her toxicity and by her Lh friends and artists she loved) died of her illness. While most of her friends were mourning, someone who was known for bullying and harassing those people and people who didn't ship Eruri for years with her friends because of the ship she didn't like on Twitter, and who got rid of all the shit she did, made fun of the death of that person and said that she faked her death because her ship was not canon in the anime. Although she did not seem to regret what she said, she wrote an apology post because she lost a few followers. The silent followers who supported her and bullied her are just as guilty as this person. Fortunately, someone on Twitter created a post exposing the toxicity of this person over the years for awareness and I am leaving the link here for other people who are not aware to read it. [update:Unfortunately, I can't post because of the link..]

I know you'll say that there are toxic people in every fandom, but there are also normal people. Yes, there are. I've seen various toxicities in other levi shippers. But when I see the sewer rat comments about Levi being ugly and the fetishization of his abuse, when I see the misogynistic comments about him being selfish and hating women and the mischaracterization of his character, these discourses come out of Eruris the most. As much as I see a lot of toxic eruri, I also have Eruri friends who understand the difference between canon and fanon, who appreciate the two characters separately and love and ship the dynamics of both. I used to have them. Now, after seeing the toxicity of Eruri and their views on Levi, they stopped posting. All they do is art appreciation.

So Anon, I hope I was able to explain why they have so much hostility towards Eruri. Half of your fandom is busy twisting Levi's character for a ship and proving that even if the ship is not canon, Isayama is still trying to say that it is canon through subtexts. And your are trying to convince those who do not accept it under the name of 'discussion'.

Do you argue that Isayama, who focuses on subject-oriented the series rather than romantic relationships and is cold-blooded on these issues, is actually resorting to fanservice by drawing a heart on Levi's cheek and silently shouting that it is canon? If we are going to start from subtexts, why only Eruri? Lh and RivaPet, they also had subtexts that resembled romance.

And that's pretty much it in a nutshell. A certain sect of the eruri fandom just can't let it go, and harass anyone who denies their ship, over and over and over again. The whole reason I was so blunt and short in my initial replies to this person, because they just never stop, and they never accept your opinion, and they just keep pressing. Their passive-aggressive BS is blatant, hiding behind a facade of friendliness, only to expose themselves for the raging psychos they are when they don't get what they want.

[endlesscrimson89]

FFXIV Write2023, Prompt 23: Suit.

[New AU]

Senri hardly ever felt like he fit anywhere, much less when stuffed into a borrowed, expensive suit that was just that side of unpleasantly tight in strategic places. He fought not to let any of his inner anxiety show in his expression as he let his pale eyes drift across the massive, beautifully decorated interior of the lobby while avoiding looking at the assistant - or whomever the blonde female was in this building - that seemed bent to expose her cleavage at him whenever his eyes landed anywhere in her vicinity. 

Normally he would simply shoot her down with short but to the point, 'Don't bother, I'm gay,' but he was quite interested in the vacancy that brought him here, so he kept his trap shut, hoping she would get a clue on her own... eventually. 

The job offer seemed perfect for him, considering it asked for nothing more than for the candidate to be 'well-built' and experienced in combat, so his best friend, Alisaie, who shoved it in his face after he wailed at being fired again, was convinced he could pull it off. The company - Allag Corp - was reputable and well-respected in the city, and she apparently knew the guy who was offering that gig, so she was convinced he wouldn't be faced with his usual... issues. 

The company was famous for developing ultra-advanced technologies based on the use of aether, and Alisaie’s buddy, who looked for security due to some ridiculous threats, she assured Senri, was a nice, meek guy who wouldn't fire him because so his miserable mug. Or, to be more precise: the miserable effect his stupid face had on people around him. 

Ever since he was a little kit, his stupid face brought him nothing but trouble. He was only lucky that his older brother shared his affliction, so as soon as Senri grew big enough, Ares made sure to teach him how to protect himself. Both of his older brothers were extremely protective of him - the baby of the family - but they could only do so much, too. 

Alisaie was his first and only real friend, and by the time they met - in college - he was beyond burned on anyone who paid too much attention to his face. 

Especially women, because a scary number of those believed that his sexuality was too much of a loss and they could cure him of it... and some wouldn't take no for an answer, either. 

He got some crushes over the years, obviously,  but it never went anywhere because who would want to deal with the bullshit his appearance brought about? Ares was single, too, for the same reason, despite having a tad more leeway with being bisexual - and cynical as fuck. 

In college, he heard his classmates countless times say how much would love to change with him - and he used to react to that with nothing more than a wry smirk, knowing that if they knew the truth of it, perhaps they wouldn't be so kin to do that. 

His work record was another example of his rotten luck, too - because apparently, when you look like him, you're somehow obliged to put up with constant sexual harassment. Because people laughed when he complained or thought he should be happy about horny bitches pawing at him whenever in arm's reach. 

And he tried to put up with it, he did... until his last boss, an older and married woman, downright threw herself at him and then fired his ass when he balked. 

That was a month ago, and looking at his thinning savings, he was getting a tad desperate and much less picky - if still refusing to go anywhere where women were in charge. He was far too sick of that bullshit!

"Mister Mallory will see you now, sir," the blonde chirped, and Senri blinked, getting back to reality. He sighed and stood up, then fixed the lapels of the borrowed, black suit and sent her a weak, strained smile on the way to the door of the office. She beamed, exposing her breasts even more obviously, but he ignored it, knocking briefly and heading inside while steeling his back and pushing his chest forward. Usually, he strived to keep his massive height and build as non-threatening as possible, but considering the nature of this gig and the pay Alisaie mentioned? 

Hell, he wanted it bad!

"...sir?" He said gruffly toward a surprisingly small figure slouched over a pile of papers covering a massive desk below the floor-to-ceiling windows showing the panorama of the city below. Despite Senri being invited in, the redheaded figure flinched as if surprised, and then a pair of shockingly ruby eyes shot toward him with an adorably owlish look at a handsome if quite as surprisingly young face. 

If that man was older than him, it couldn’t be by much. And again, he wondered how Alisaie knew someone in charge of this company. 

"Ah..." A Seeker, like him, blinked those ruby eyes at him, gave him a quick once-over, and then leaned back, clearing his throat. "...Senri?" He fixed glasses on his nose, their frames somehow, even more, accenting that baffling... cuteness if his expression remained curiously unreadable when he pointed toward one of the chairs set on the opposite side of his desk. "Please, sit down?" His voice was calm if carrying this interesting, soothing quality that sounded like silk for Senri’s ears. 

"Um, yeah..." he complied, though trying to keep his nerves at bay when the redhead folded his hands together atop the papers in front of him, still watching him with that impassive expression. 

Alisaie said that she 'vouched' for him, but he wasn't sure if he had already somehow screwed up... or something, because as much as he disliked the usual reaction to his appearance, its seemingly complete lack here... unnerved him a bit. 

"Alisaie assured me that she thoroughly explained what this... gig would require?" The man said calmly, and Senri nodded, clearing his throat a bit nervously.

"Y-Yeah, she did," he fought himself not to tug at his tie, as suddenly it somehow seemed much warmed inside the spacious, beautifully decorated room. "If I still don’t exactly understand, why wouldn't you hire a professional... sir?" it felt weird to address like that someone who looked very much his age, but... he really needed this job if he didn’t plan to make it too obvious... unless forced to. "She told me it's about some... gala?" 

"Professional?" The redhead blinked twice, then tilted his head with a slightly suspicious smirk. "There seems to be some misunderstanding... Considering the situation, it's of utmost importance - for me - for the whole thing to be... discreet," he accentuated, then sighed at the sight of lack of understanding on Senri’s face. "Let me guess... Alisaie failed to mention that if you would be interested in this... job, I would need you to pretend to be my boyfriend?" He drawled with amusement and thinned his plush lips when Senri's jaw dropped. "...I guess not."

"...huh?" He finally gasped in thought swearing he would wrangle his best friend’s scrawny neck the next time he saw her. "B-Boyfriend? She made it sound... I mean, I thought it was about... protection. Like bodyguard type of thing?"

The redhead blinked again, slowly, and his smirk turned into a sort of comforting smile that had Senri relax involuntarily, leaning back in the impossibly comfortable seat. 

"It is, however..." the man's expression appeared somewhat sheepish with his next words as the hands in front of him seemed to tighten their grip. Was he nervous? "...it's very important for me that my family - who will be present at the said gala - does not realize that I felt the need to seek out this sort of... arrangement. My older brother, whom this occasion is to celebrate, can be quite... overprotective - to the extremes - and I rather avoid gaining his attention. Hence, when Alisaie assured me she knows someone perfect for the job..." he trailed off meaningfully, raising his dark-red eyebrows, and Senri exhaled slowly. 

Well, if nothing else, he could definitely understand the issues of overprotective brothers! Hell, if either Ares or Hades heard he'd been threatened... there would be literally hell to pay, not to mention they would fucking smother him in the process! 

"Think I get that," he said with a slow nod if keeping his expression carefully neutral. "If I feel pressed to mention that Alisaie likely had more than one motive on mind suggesting... me," he hedged, trying to read the redhead's face, but it appeared impossible when he tilted his head slightly, freeing one hand to motion for him to continue. "I'm not sure how you know each other... but you’re aware she's quite a stubborn matchmaker?" 

"Oh?" He frowned, perhaps in habit biting his lower lip... and suddenly the room grew even hotter, while Senri forced himself to keep his gaze on ruby eyes behind the glasses. 

"Listen...?"

"Raha," the man offered easily, smiling again if it looked a bit uncertain.

"Okay, listen, Raha..." he took a deep breath and straightened in his seat. His family taught him never to be ashamed of his sexuality, and with how obvious was this ploy on Alisaie's part...? Not to mention how fucking cute was this redhead? "...I'm gay, so I don’t know how comfortable you would feel with me..." he stopped, pointing at himself, then at him." ...playing your boyfriend."

Raha blinked again, and his whole expression seemed to close off completely. 

"What that has to do with anything?" He finally said calmly, almost infuriatingly so. 

Really, what does it...? Only, he was so freaking cute, and those lips... were downright fuckable!

Senri felt that if shoved into the role of this man's boyfriend, well... it might be hard to resist the idea of using it to turn that play into reality!

"I mean..." he started, then trailed off, feeling the way his face heated up. 

"I just need a proper company for one evening, Senri," that comforting smile again, and he found himself nodding, despite his whole body going hotter for no reason. "Marvelous. The gala is this weekend, Saturday evening. If you write here your address..." now he seemed like a flurry of movement, pushing a piece of paper and pen toward him. "...I'll have a car pick you up."

"Y-Yeah, sure..." he sighed, then leaned in and hastily scribbled down the address of his apartment. Normally he resented giving it to anyone, especially a stranger, after some issues with stalkers, but... fuck, he needed cash, and for just one evening of pretending this dude's boyfriend, the pay Alisaie promised was beyond nice. He could stay being picky about his next job for quite a bit longer, if nothing else... "That’s all?"

"Yes, of course," the redhead announced with a smile, taking the paper back from him but holding his gaze still with that unreadable look in his unique eyes. "If you leave your measurements with my assistant, I'll have a tuxedo delivered a day before, then after that party, you can keep it alongside the agreed upon payment. Is that alright?" 

He didn’t really need a tux... but hell... Senri nodded, standing up when the redhead did and accepted a handshake above the papers spread over the table... trying to ignore the jolt it sent up his arm. He pulled his hand back quickly, nodded again, then turned and headed toward the door. 

"Nice meeting you, Raha..." he tossed a tad awkwardly over his shoulder, then, without waiting for an answer, left the office, heading toward the desk of the blonde assistant. 

Well, he might not strangle Alisaie after all... maybe. 

*_*_*

When the door closed, Raha exhaled loudly and fell back in his seat, then pressed his hand over his insanely pounding heart.

"Idiot," he hissed at himself under his breath, praying to any gods who would listen that Senri didn’t notice any of his usual awkwardness. 

He thought himself well prepared for it. He rehearsed every word so many times it should have been easy... but they all seemingly fled his head the moment the love of his life set foot inside the room! 

Alisaie trained him well, and he thought that he managed not to show any hint of his attraction toward the impossibly beautiful male. She warned that her best friend reacted badly to that, and considering he scarcely managed to convince her to help him in the first place...? 

They were friends mostly due to their parents being one, and since he was little, they met constantly at various gatherings. Alisaie liked him well enough, he supposed, but she loved Senri like a brother and was fiercely protective of him. He knew because it took him literally months of whining before she caved, agreeing to play her part. 

Mostly after he admitted that he's been in love with him for-fucking-ever, but was too chicken shit to do anything about it other than watch him from afar. He wasn’t at all surprised that Senri didn't remember him at all, as the last time they met face to face, they were barely kids. 

...when Senri saved him, and he fell madly in love with his adorable grin. With his kindness and the way, the other boy dried his tears without a hint of judgment. Stayed and played with him despite the other kids laughing at his freaky eyes. 

Then, the next day he was gone, and it took years before he found him again. By accident, no less. 

Or, perhaps... fate. 

He didn’t mind one way or another but simply wanted one chance... to see if it could work. One evening to convince Senri that he could be everything he wanted, as he was everything Raha wanted. 

He sighed, then ran his fingers through his hair, still watching the closed door. He had four days to prepare to - somehow - sweep him off his feet. 

...if you dream, dream big, right?

[Continues in the next one o.~]

[despair-to-future-arcs]

Are you ready guys?

Wait, so if I'm understanding this right; your mother encourage the sexual harassments nor did you have a bank account?

Uh yeah, she did - she say that it means getting more money from my job as a waitress, means our family would be provided.

Besides, given how often she got pregnant she couldn't get a job so I didn't mind.

Right, you say your mother had multiple partners but it sounds more like she was a prostitute and had an orphanage and left you along with the older siblings taking care of your younger siblings, that's... not normal.

Maybe to you it's not but to me, that's normal; that's how life was like and I didn't question it, I just accepted whatever.

Also for the record, mom doesn't like being called a 'prostitute' or a 'whore' she told Hinata that it's an 'open relationship' or 'polygamy' or something like that, I'm not sure.

Honestly relationships didn't interest me too much anyway, so I never really question or care at all. Just as long as we had food on the table, that's all that matter to me.

I see, well I think I got some understanding of your family structure or an idea regarding you and your mother.

You do, what do you mean?

Well first off, I want to ask a few questions and you need to answer them truthfully, if you mind.

Sure, go ahead...

Okay so regarding your mother, Ryo Owari - when did her getting partners and having sex constantly started?

I think it started when I was 4, that's the earliest I remember - she always brought a partner home and usually kids are left under her care, it happen after dad died.

Alright, does she take care of her own children or does most of the child raising are left with you?

I...think usually she takes care of a child for a year when they are born or if they are older kids when brought in, then me along with Hinata, Yota and Makiko take care of them. Yu doesn't help at all...

Have you... interacted with anyone outside of your family around your age, what about school?

I...I don't think so, I never really went to school much or attended outside of elementary school, I was busy with the younger ones; Hinata and Yota was probably the only one of us older ones that went to school, I only went to my job after finish elementary school so doing that math was easy.

Alright then, now a final question; do your siblings come to you for their problems, how often do you get call to help them and are able to spend time with yourself and away from your family? Do you often make sacrifices that go unnoticed by other family members?

...They do, honestly they... always do, I...I don't think my siblings care much unless they had food or worry about other things but what does that have to do with what's wrong with my mom and me.

Simple, your mother seems to be suffering from a sex addiction and you are the result of Parentification of the instrumental kind.