#then they’ll just tell me to get a sit down job and i’ll point out that i’m trained for NOTHING

[fingertipsmp3]

We need to take all the hate that tax collectors get and instead give it to debt collectors and people who check on eligibility for benefits. Tbh

[sturniyolos]

The thought of nerd Matt being submissive makes me lose sleep.

“What do you want?” You ask Matt, sitting on his lap, pulling away from your heated makeout.

He starts blushing— embarassed to say what he actually wants. Born to say, “ride me until I can’t give you anymore cum” but forced to say “I want you.”

“You want me?” You ask lifting his chin up to look at you. He starts nodding fast. His fucked out look made him even more desirable.

His pink plump lips, his half unbuttoned shirt, love bites all over his neck, and his glasses still on the bridge of his nose.

“You gotta say somethin’ before I stop, you want me to stop?” You ask, looking down at him.

“N-no!” He says, holding your hips to make sure you don’t leave.

“So beg for it, what do you want?” You ask more sternly.

“Please f-fuck me. Please?” He asks, his words getting quieter and quieter everytime he spoke.

“There you go, good job baby.” You say, unbuttoning his shirt.

Matt always grew up being submissive, wondering what was wrong with him. He always did what everyone wanted, he never questioned them and just went along with it. And you loved that about him.

You always found Matt attractive, and one day you asked him out and he shyly said yes. He didn’t know how far this relationship would go, but now you’re in his room, making him beg you to ride him.

“I haven’t fucked you in so long, love.” You say, pulling into a kiss. Small, low whimpers leave his mouth. He starts gripping the bedsheets next to him, almost about to release in his pants. You start taking off his pants, so he’s left in his underwear. You look down and see the print, and you almost start drooling.

When you and Matt first had sex, you were in shock for at least a couple of days as you didn’t believe how huge he was. You even asked him if you could ride him everyday just because he was that addicting.

“D-do you think they’ll c-catch us?” Matt asks, in between kisses. Matt’s biggest fear is always Nick and Chris walking in, seeing him just to listen to his girlfriend like a dog.

“Who cares, baby? If they do, they’ll know how good I fuck you.” You say, slipping your shorts and panties off. You start pulling down Matt’s underwear very slowly. He starts breathing heavier, bucking his hips in order to help you go faster.

“Did I tell you to do that?” You look up at him with disbelief.

“I’m sorry. I just w-want you.” He says looking down, fixing his glasses that is about to fall off. You look down and finally get his underwear off. His tip is beating red, with precum oozing out of his slit.

“Oh my gosh, mmmm. I’ll never get tired of you.” You say to yourself, kissing his tip so gently. He starts whimpering, needing anything more than this.

“Ride me raw, please.” He says quietly, hoping you heard.

And you did hear. You just wanted to hear it again.

“What was that baby?” You say, rubbing your thumb over his tip.

“R-ride me raw, p-please.” He says, basically pleading at this point.

You and Matt always used protection, as he was very cautious on not wanting an accident to happen. But, this time he was so desperate— he wanted more.

“Yeah? You want it?” You ask, slowly getting up and pulling yourself on his lap.

“P-please, I’ll do anything.” He states whimpering.

“You’re so pathetic for me, I love it.” You state, grabbing the base of his cock and sliding down.

You both gasp at the feeling, Matt knuckles turning white from how hard he was gripping the sheets next to him.

“F-fuck, you’re so big.” You say, completely bottoming out.

You sit still and you feel Matt twitching inside you already, not daring to make eye contact.

“Why won’t you look at me?” You ask, choking him slightly.

“If I-I do, I will cum really fast. I don’t w-want to c-cum yet.” He says, looking up at you with his signature “fuck me” eyes.

You start slowly bounching on his cock, him feeling how truly wet you are. He takes matters into his own hands and removes your [his] sweater, revealing you wearing nothing underneath. He starts sucking your left tip, you moaning as a result.

“Baby, you’re so big I don’t know if I can take it— oh my God.” You say, your wetness getting all over his cock, his thigh, his bed, everywhere.

“Please don’t stop. Oh my God. Y-you’re so tight.” He says, his head hitting the headboard of his bed.

Matt was getting closer and closer to release, but his number one rule: “You need to cum first before I do.” And he always stuck to that rule, but this time he doesn’t even know if he’ll make it.

“You gonna cum soon, baby?” You ask, taking his glasses off and putting on you.

He almost cums at the site of you wearing his glasses, your fucked up hair, your titties bouncing, and your make up half off.

“You h-have to cum first.” He states, mouth slightly open.

“If you cum first, you’ll make me cum.” You state, hands on his stomach.

“I’ll t-tell you when to get o-off.” He says, getting closer and closer to his release.

“No. You’re cumming inside me. I want you to fill me up. I want you to make me a mommy baby. Fill me up, baby please.” You say, knowing damn well he’s gonna cum soon.

And you were right, he moans loudly, filling up your tight hole.

Then, you reached your climax. Your juices getting all over his cock, slowly riding him to finish yourself.

“You’re so good to me, baby.” You state, kissing his neck up and down.

——————————————————————————

[khaleesiofalicante]

Like a Challenge - An LDV Malec Story

“Tutoring, Mom? Really? The rest of us didn’t get tutoring.”

“It’s different these days, hun. The curriculum is extremely competitive now,” his mother points out, walking past him down the stairs. “It’s as if they want the children to fail in class.”

“So, what if he fails a class or two?” Alec asks without thinking.

Mom stops in her tracks and turns around, incredulous. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

“He’s in fourth grade!” Alec throws up his hands. “Nobody cares if he fails at math!”

“I care,” Mom huffs.

“Do you really care if he fails math, or are you just worried about your friends finding out?” Alec cocks his head.

“Do you really not want him to go for tutoring, or are you just complaining because you don’t want to drive him?” Mom counters, raising an eyebrow.

Right. Never argue with a lawyer.

“Mom, come on,” Alec groans, trailing after her. “I have lectures.”

“You don’t have lectures on the weekends,” she points out, pausing at the bottom of the stairs. “And the last time I checked, you don’t have a social life either.”

“That was unnecessary!” Alec scowls, crossing his arms. “I have plans to hang out with Jace on weekends, you know.”

“Great, take Jace with you.”

“Mom!”

“Alec, honestly, I ask you for one thing-”

“Okay, here we go-”

“-And I do so much for this family while managing my full-time job-”

“Jesus, Mom! Fine. I’ll drive him!” Alec relents. 

He knows full well that she only asked him because he was the only one who’d drive through Manhattan traffic on the weekend without complaining (much) about it. 

Izzy just straight-up said, ‘No, thanks.’ Alec wishes he could be that indifferent too.

But maybe it’s not a bad thing. 

His little brother is growing up fast, and Alec worries that Max will pull away any day now. He’ll be a teenager in a couple of years, and Alec will have graduated from Columbia. Max will be too cool to hang out with his boring older brother.

So, yeah. Maybe this is an opportunity to bond. God knows he struggles with it. He’s good with Izzy, and Izzy is good with both of them. But Alec and Max never really clicked for some reason. He usually blames the age gap, as it prevents him from thinking too much about other possible reasons.

“Thank you, darling, drive safe!” Mom blows him a kiss and heads out the door.

Alec heads upstairs to find his brother, only to discover that Max is already downstairs, sitting in the passenger seat, waiting for him.

“Someone’s excited for tutoring,” Alec chuckles as he slides behind the wheel. “Is Mom forcing you too?”

“No, I want to be good at math,” Max hums in response. “Dad says I need it if I want to study programming.”

“Buddy, you’re nine,” Alec shakes his head fondly.

“Maybe I’m a child prodigy,” Max shrugs and leans out of the window. “How long till we get to Brooklyn?”

“Shouldn’t you know that, Child Prodigy?” Alec grins.

Max scowls and looks out the window again, unimpressed. Alec isn’t really sure how to get through to him. Nothing he ever does or says seems to interest Max.

Except for one thing.

“Do you think when you’re president, we can skip the line when we go to Five Guys?” Max asks suddenly.

It’s one of his favorite things to do - asking Alec the most random hypothetical questions about his future as the president of the country.

The rest of the family, and probably the rest of the country, mostly care about how he’s going to change lives. Max just wants to know if they can skip lines and get discounts.

Sometimes Alec wants to become president just to make those dreams come true.

“They’ll probably close it down for us,” Alec replies. “We’ll be the only people there.”

“That sounds sad, Alec,” Max says casually.

“I guess,” Alec murmurs, trying not to let it sting. Kids, man. Oof. “But we’ll have each other, right?”

“I guess,” Max echoes, going back to people-watching through the window.

When they arrive at the address Mom gave him, Alec climbs out of the car and escorts Max to the building. They climb the stairs, Alec holding Max’s hand.

“I’m not a child,” Max mumbles, tugging at the strap of his backpack with his other hand.

“You are literally the legal definition of a child,” Alec laughs. Max rolls his eyes.

Maybe this is why they don’t vibe. Maybe Max doesn’t want to feel like a child, especially with siblings old enough to go to college. But Alec doesn’t know how else to treat him - like a baby, something precious and important. 

“Why are we taking the stairs anyway?” Max complains.

“This is an old building,” Alec explains. “Most on this side of town don’t have elevators.”

“Do you think when you’re president, you can make elevators compulsory for all buildings?” Max asks.

“I don’t see why not,” Alec shrugs. “It would make buildings more accessible for people with wheelchairs.”

“Or you could ask people to build flying wheelchairs,” Max suggests. “That would be accessible and fun.”

“Would you be interested in being one of my advisors?” Alec asks, maybe a little too genuinely.

“We’ll see,” Max hums, as if considering all the offers from all the potential presidents.

Alec can’t help but smile. His brother is too good. 

Which is why he doesn’t need this stupid tutoring. Max is perfect. He is hardworking and probably the smartest of them all. Alec doesn’t want Max to think there’s something lacking in him, even if there is, he doesn’t want Max to feel like it’s something to be fixed.

Sometimes you’re just bad at stuff, and that’s fine.

Max knocks on the door, and Alec quickly crouches down. “Hey, listen. We don’t actually have to do this.”

“Really?” Max looks surprised, as if he didn’t know that was an option. “What about Mom?”

“We could tell her you went to class,” Alec grins. “We could just hang out in the arcade for an hour instead.”

“Really?” Max gasps, eyes wide with excitement.

So, that’s how you become the fun sibling. You lie to your parents and play loose with your morals. 

Got it. Alec can do this all day.

He’s about to throw Max over his shoulder and run down the stairs when the apartment door opens. Alec looks up.

Oh.

“Hello?” The man on the other side smiles warmly. “You must be Max. I’m Magnus.”

“Er, it’s Alec, actually,” Alec straightens up immediately. “Alec Lightwood.”

“I was talking to the child, but it’s nice to meet you, Alec Lightwood,” Magnus says with a small roll of his eyes. His gorgeous eyes. “Max, do you want to come inside?”

“Uh,” Max hesitates and turns to Alec. “We’re actually here to sell Girl Scout cookies. Right, Alec?”

Magnus leans against the doorframe, an amused smile playing on his lips. “Are you a Girl Scout then?”

“Yes?” Max replies, uncertain but determined.

“Not that I am opposed to breaking gender roles, love, but you don’t seem to have any cookies with you,” Magnus points out.

“It’s in the car,” Max informs seriously. “We’ll go get it.”

“Hold on there,” Alec grabs Max by the shirt and pulls him back. He smiles awkwardly at Magnus, who steps aside to let them in. “He’s just joking.”

“Joking?” Magnus raises an eyebrow, settling into a small circular dining table for two. “Trying to be a stand-up comedian, are we?”

“No,” Max scowls, clearly not amused.

“No?” Magnus shakes his head with a smile. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. “What do you want to do when you grow up then?”

“I’m gonna make video games,” Max declares confidently.

“That sounds fun,” Magnus says, genuinely interested.

“You’re not gonna ask me what I want to do when I grow up?” Alec asks, trying to keep his tone light.

Magnus gives him a look, then sighs dramatically. “What do you want to do when you grow up, Alexander?”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

“I’m gonna be the president,” Alec announces.

“That doesn’t sound fun,” Magnus remarks, turning back to Max.

“Shall we get started? I know a lot of people don’t like math, but I’ll try to make it fun for you, hm?”

“You do this a lot?” Alec asks, settling onto the couch, unable to resist.

Magnus glances at him, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Alexander, you are interrupting my class. But if you must know, yes, tutoring is my side gig.”

“What’s your main gig then?” Alec presses, intrigued.

Magnus tilts his head, a playful smile dancing on his lips. “You know, your mother doesn’t pay me to talk to you.”

“Can I pay you to talk to me?” Alec grins, undeterred.

“I don’t think you can afford it, darling,” Magnus hums, turning his attention back to Max.

Alec doesn’t disturb them afterward. He settles on the couch, fiddling with the book he brought. But he can’t focus. His eyes keep drifting to Magnus, who is quietly tutoring Max, a smile ever-present on his face. Max seems engaged in the lesson, asking questions now and then, laughing at whatever Magnus tells him.

An hour and some intense pining later, Magnus wraps up the lesson and even offers Max a cookie.

“Do I get a cookie?” Alec asks with a grin walking up to the man in the small kitchen. 

“I don’t think you’ve earned it,” Magnus shrugs, putting the box of cookies away carefully. “Is there someone else who can accompany Max next weekend?”

“Do you find me distracting?” Alec cocks his head.

Magnus lets out a dramatic sigh, as if annoyed, but it’s not a no. “Does your brother know?”

“He knows I’m gay,” Alec shrugs.

“Does he know you’re flirting with his teacher?” Magnus corrects.

“Max, do you know that I’m flirting with your teacher?” Alec calls out.

“You keep staring at him a lot,” his brother says with a slight frown. “Is that what flirting means?”

“No,” Magnus says seriously and turns back to Alec. “If you’re coming here again, I’m going to have to ask you to behave.”

“What if I find him a better teacher?” Alec suggests. “Can I come back here and not behave then?”

“You can find him a different teacher, but I doubt you’d find him a better teacher,” Magnus replies haughtily.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Alec notes.

“I quite like Max,” Magnus says to that. “I’d like to keep tutoring him.”

“Yeah?” Alec can’t help but smile at that. “He’s good?”

“He’s curious,” Magnus replies. “I like curious children.”

“And he seems to like you too,” Alec points out. “He’s usually very quiet. He laughs with you. Never laughs at my jokes.”

“Maybe you’re not as funny as you think you are, Alexander,” Magnus suggests.

Alec laughs at that, shaking his head. “I guess it’s just an older brother thing. He doesn’t like anything I do.”

“Appreciation is not the same as affirmation,” Magnus says. “He might not show it, but he seems to believe in you anyway.”

“Is that right?” Alec asks, amused.

“I’ve known him for an hour, and he’s already mentioned four times that when his brother becomes president-”

“It’s just a silly game he likes to play-”

“He says when, not if,” Magnus points out. “He believes in you. Sometimes that’s enough.”

“You got all of that in an hour?” Alec asks incredulously.

“I am very perceptive,” Magnus shrugs.

“Do you want to go out on a date with me?” Alec asks, feeling like enough foreplay has been had. Well, not enough, but maybe they can pick it up later. Hopefully.

Magnus stares at him for a long moment, fiddling with the hem of his blue shirt. “Did you mean what you said before? About the president thing? Is that really your dream?”

“Yes,” Alec nods without hesitation.

“Then it is best that you keep your distance from me,” Magnus points out.

“Why?” Alec asks.

“Because dating someone like me will make things difficult for you,” Magnus replies.

“Magnus, I’m a gay man trying to be the president of this country,” Alec laughs. “It’s already difficult for me.”

“So why on earth would you make things more difficult?” Magnus demands. 

“Because I like a challenge,” Alec shrugs. “And you’re really fucking gorgeous.”

“Huh,” Magnus says in response. “Well, you should’ve probably started with that.”

Alec chuckles. “So?”

“So?” Magnus echoes.

“You gonna give me a cookie or what?” Alec asks.

“Not yet,” Magnus hums. “Perhaps you should give me your number, and I’ll let you know if I change my mind.”

Alec does his best not to jump into the air and pump his fists. He nods solemnly instead. “That sounds fair.”

“Alec, let’s go!” Max shouts, picking up his backpack and wiping his hands on his trousers.

“I’ll see you next week, Max,” Magnus tells the boy with a smile. “Remember your homework, hm?”

“Okay,” Max gives a thumbs up.

“I’ll see you next week too?” Alec asks.

“I suppose you will,” Magnus smiles at him. “Have a good day, Alexander.”

“Yeah, it’s not gonna get better than this,” Alec calls over his shoulder as he grabs his brother’s hand and heads down the stairs.

“Alec?” Max says as he climbs into the passenger seat of the car.

“Yeah, buddy?” Alec asks as he gets behind the wheel.

“Are you going to marry Magnus when you become president?” Max asks him.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Alec scoffs, giving his brother a smile. “I’m gonna marry him way before that.”

[stardust-sunset]

Fluffy holiday headcanons? Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, any holiday you’d like ❤️🎞️

Oh I got you! I’ll do as many holidays as I can think of (including birthdays-this is gonna be an uber long post but i’ll organize it by months

January

Darry’s birthday

Those two will wake Darry up by jumping on his bed because there just SO damn excited (they used to do this as kids more so than now because they realize Darry needs to sleep-

They convinced Dally and Two Bit to dig up info on Darry’s boss so they could blackmail him into giving Darry the day off with pay 💀

They purposefully turn his alarm off in the middle of the night and then he freaks out because he overslept and Pony/Soda has to calm him down by telling him what they did (he was a mix of concerned, a bit angry and lowkey impressed

They don’t let Darry do anything on his birthday like the will straight up shove him into his chair and push a newspaper at him while they do all the chores that day

They deep cleaned the house while he was sleeping (they even snuck into his room and dusted everything and polished all his trophies (They were so super careful with those)

Speaking of trophies, side headcanon that Darry pawned away his football trophies and uniform to make more money because money was uber tight around this time and Soda/Pony made Dally break in and get (steal) them back (Dally went to jail and he was very mad)

Darry bawled and didn’t even care at that point he was so grateful

Soda and Pony have to buy a cake because they almost burned the house down trying to make one (Soda got distracted and left the cake in the oven for so long it caught fire and Pony forgot about it-

They don’t let Darry leave the house tho (they also don’t tell him Soda got a speeding ticket)

They literally tried to make like a five course meal but at that point they just ended up making a bunch of random appetizers and some tacos or something-Darry didn’t care tho he was honored

Pony in the future takes up two jobs (he waits tables with Johnny and works at the library) and him and Soda save up to buy him whatever they can that they think he’d like

Its mostly a bunch of stuff from his favorite football team and they buy him new work boots

They also bought him a chinchilla once (Darry loves chinchillas tell me otherwise) and Darry was just so happy

They insist on cuddling with him that night and at that point he feels so spoiled but he can’t even say no 😭

They all end up snuggled in his bed with Darry in the middle-he’s genuinely so happy and it’s one of the only days he looks forward to

February

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s day is not just for romance! It’s about spreading love to everyone you love including friends and family

The three Curtises definitely leave little things in each others rooms like they’ll scatter those chocolate hearts in each others rooms-Pony does it when Darry and Soda are at work, Soda does it at night when Darry and Pony are sleeping and Darry does it right before he leaves in the morning for work

They all end up buying one gift for each other-it’s never really a “big” gift but it’s something to show they love each other

Soda and Darry both get Pony books-Darry even saved up to buy Pony a little polaroid camera and Pony’s side of the room is littered with pictures of him and Johnny and him with the gang and just sunset pictures. It makes Soda and Darry so happy to see

Pony and Darry get Soda those giant chocolate things 😭 They know bro is absolutely food motivated but then he ends up eating the whole thing in one sitting and getting sick-they also get him stupid little toys they find. Soda would love those stretchy guys the dentist gives you as a kid He also likes fidgeting so they get him little fidget toys (him and Steve goof off at work with them and have gotten them confiscated 😔)They get him a lot of horse themed things too!

Pony and Soda get Darry little football figurines and stuff-one time they actually managed to scrape together the cash to get him tickets to go see a game-they could only buy one tho but Darry had the time of his life and actually looked his age for once when he came back.

Soda makes cringy little “roses are red violets are blue i think you’re great and I love you” type poems and writes them on hearts and hides them around the house for his brothers

Pony writes both of his brothers a very personalized poem-it’s so complex and honestly Soda and Darry are both uber impressed with his writing skills

Darry leaves little doodles around the house of things he laments on them doing as kids-he sketches one picture before bed every night (not even just on Valentine’s Day but as a coping mechanism as well) and the whole month of February he straight up draws the most beautiful pictures of them hugging and them as kids-Soda and Pony keep them in a drawer. Darry found said drawer and almost cried because he didn’t think anyone saw them or kept them

Every year they do a little tribute to their parents because they loved them-they’ll put a heart shaped piece of paper on their bed and a few roses and daffodils in their bedroom

They all eat little candy hearts in Darry’s bed before falling asleep

March

St. Patrick’s Day

Okay so this is more so when they were younger because I feel like St. Patrick’s Day is more so a holiday for kids but still-

Soda makes green pancakes. He makes a bunch of green food and even dyes their milk green (he also dyes the toilet water green)

Dont let him have any food dye

I feel like the three boys used to set up Leprechaun traps a lot and Mr/Mrs Curtis would buy those little gold chocolate coins and scatter them around to make it look like a Leprechaun was actually in the house lol-they also wrote some note like “better luck next year!” In shitty green marker and Pony used to get so mad-he literally guarded the traps all night because he was determined to catch one but he fell asleep and had to be carried to bed 😭

Even when Darry grew out of believing in Leprechauns he never told Soda and Pony and always helped them make traps

I feel like the first one after their parents death was really sad so Darry just coerced Pony into making more Leprechauns traps (which he begrudgingly does because “I’m thirteen now I know it was just mom and dad” but Darry spent all night doing what his parents did just to make Pony smile. He never tells Pony (Pony probably knows it’s Darry but it still made him cry)

I feel like Soda helped out but he insisted on making it ‘more mischievous’ so he put green handprints and footprints on the ground and Darry FREAKED OUT when he saw 😭 literally took Soda outside and was like “ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS” (he didn’t care much he just didn’t want the floors and sinks to be ruined 💀)

They definitely but those little chocolate coins and just spend the whole day eating them. Soda and Darry sneak some into Pony’s lunch and Soda and Pony do the same with Darry and Pony and Darry do the same with Soda <3

I don’t have much since St. Patrick’s day isn’t very like….popular? But I feel like Soda would wear a Leprechaun hat (he pulls it off somehow. Fuck him fr)

Darry lets Soda dye the food green but half the time it just turns the food diarrhea colored because he tried to dye meat

April

Easter

similarly to St. Patrick’s Day I feel like this is also a holiday more for kids (I mean without the religious aspect of course) but the Curtis boys (Soda mainly) LOVE dyeing and decorating eggs

Pony cannot stand the smell of vinegar tho so it’s hard for him (he uses a clothespin to keep his nose shut, dumbass) but he loves doing it too

I feel like Darry would be super simplistic. He dyes his eggs one or two colors and lets it dry before doing the most articulate sharpie art on the eggs. Like it’s this mosaic type shit in Sharpie and Pony and Soda are so impressed

Soda’s are always like-every color they can be and then some because he uses colorful markers on them. If a rainbow threw up on an egg that’s what Soda’s would look like. He also loves putting googly eyes on them and he even makes little paper hats for his and uses pipe cleaners to make arms and legs 😭

Pony’s actually look so beautiful. He loves the warm colors and likes to make his look like scenery. Like he’ll dye his eggs sunset colors and then use markers to paint mountains and trees and whatever else. Darry and Pony are super artistic-Soda just likes making his look like what he enjoys and his brothers have no problem with it

They line the eggs up around the house so that it feels more holiday like

All three Curtis brothers are suckers for candy and chocolate (obviously) so they spend their grocery budget that week on chocolate bunnies and peeps (Soda is the only one who likes them but they buy them for him)

Pony and Soda have both given themselves stomachaches and Darry has to take care of them 😭

I feel like the Curtis parents used to buy like fake bunny feet prints and would put them around the house when they were kids

They definitely have Easter egg hunts. They do these with the whole gang (Dally never finds any, he just sneaks behind people and takes theirs from their baskets)

Theres never a prize or anything because Darry’s the one who hides them so he doesn’t really participate but they combine all the candy from the eggs and they just sit on the floor and devour the candy

Darry buys a ham. All three Curtises LOVE ham but they never really have enough money to buy one often so you better believe these three boys are eating the whole entire thing and not leaving leftovers

Darry makes mac and cheese too (someone said he was a mac and cheese guy. I love that) and it’s a fun night for all of them

Theyre all like way too full in the end but nobody really minds much. They enjoy nights where they can pig out a bit lol

July

July 4th

ohhhhh boy

These boys LOVE July 4th (Especially Soda)

The whole gang goes down to a lake for the day to just chill out for a bit

Darry brings hot dogs and hamburgers and the gang fucks with them so hard, they all love barbecue

They also love Sparklers (especially Pony because Ponyboy is a wee bit of a pyromaniac

Soda always gets scared by them when they light up because it takes a minute and he always throws it right over Darry’s head. He almost made him catch fire like more than once

“Sorry Dar I got scared 😨” “It’s fine” he says while patting the small fire out of his hair

Pony likes writing on trees with the burnt ends of the sparkler. He thinks it makes him tuff (loser)

I feel like they either bring down hot dogs and hamburgers or they just buy like five pounds of steak

Likley the latter because they are pure carnivores

Dally buys illegal fireworks but Darry actually does have a license so he shoots them off by the lake (they all go diving for the pieces of the fireworks after-they make it a game)

I feel like Soda would buy those obnoxious Uncle Sam hats but I’m not sure if he’d pull that one off (sorry Soda)

They spend most of the day in the lake-all three brothers love swimming. Soda loves doing those weird dolphin dives into the water but whenever he comes up from the water he’s like…glistening. Darry likes anything that can show off his strength so he loves to swim. Pony gets tired kinda easily in the water because he goes HARD in the water and then like fifteem minutes later he’s clinging to Darry’s back

Swimming definitely makes them all hungry as fuck too so they end up somehow devouring all five pounds of steak

Soda goes into the water again but ends up crawling back because he got cramps

The lake is also right by the west side so they like to just sit back with each other and watch the fireworks from the lake

They throw the scraps back on the west side tho because they hate that they just leave their litter there

One of them definitely gets bit by like a snapping turtle or something

I feel like 4th of July isn’t really a holiday to them, more so a day they can go to the lake and pig out on steaks lol

Pony’s birthday

I feel like Pony doesn’t really like his birthday because his fourteenth and fifteenth birthdays must have been super hard for him (plus it’s around the time the book events happen and it just makes him depressed)

But Darry and Soda do anything they can to make him happy-Darry skips work for the day and Soda does too

Darry lets him sleep in (usually he has Pint wake up at 8 or 9 on weekends so he’s on some sort of sleep schedule but he’ll cut him slack on his birthday)

I feel like the two of them stay up super late decorating the house for him too-they tie balloons to his seat and they have little homemade banners (they do this for all the Curtises birthdays) and Pony gets so surprised every time because he thinks he’s too old for it-

Soda even made cupcakes (i headcanon Soda as a good baker-I know in the book Pony said he liked Darry’s cakes better because Soda puts too much sugar in the icing but I feel like that’s just because Soda likes it super sweet) but he knows Pony doesn’t like it too sweet so he’s careful with how much sugar he puts in

Darry brings Pony a cupcake when he wakes up (after Soda starts calling for Darry like “can you get him a cupcake I don’t wanna get up :(“ but they both sit with him as he sleepily eats the cupcake and is like “thanks guys” while snuggling into them as a thank you 😭 they better not say anything tho because if they do he stops immediately and is like “I ain’t a baby quit babying me i’m fifteen now not four 😡😡”

They seriously just let him do what he wants all day-if he wants to read with them they do that. If he wants to show them a movie or go to the drive in, they do that (and if he wants to bring Johnny or Two Bit they pick them up if they’re up for going. If he wants to just lay down for a bit they’re snuggling him together

Darry definitely brings them all to Dairy Queen for lunch and spoils the hell out of Pony-he gets him one of those ice cream things (Blizzards? Is that what they’re called?) and makes sure he gets the biggest one there and he lets Pony get jowever much food he wants-Pony has eyes bigger than his stomach tho and ends up needing to lay down for a bit lmao

But in the end they take him to the pool at the Y to help work his appetite back because Darry always makes Pony’s favorite meal for dinner (he had a feeling Ponybwould end up feeling like shit so they take him out early in the morning so he has time to digest it all lmao) but anyway, he loves swimming SO much and gets so excited whenever they go to the pool

He likes laying on his back and just floating for a bit until he bumps into Darry who just stares down at him and laughs-Soda also pushes on his stomach/chest and shoves him under and Pony’s just like “hey 😡😡” he doesn’t actually care though he just jumps on Soda’s back and they start wrestling while Darry just watches

They’re there for basically the whole day and they’re all hungry in the end so while Pony and Soda are washing off Darry is making steaks for Pony’s birthday (Pony LOVES barbecue)

After dinner they let him open his gifts and he’s so grateful for all of them-he actually gets really nice gifts-he got a bunch of camera film for his polaroid (polaroids were invented in 1948 so i’m safe), they get him a bunch of books from his favorite authors (which Pony stays up all night reading) and they get him some art supplies because it’s a healthy way he copes with his trauma and they’re more than happy to support him!

They then go in Darry’s pickup truck and Dary lets Soda/Pong sit in the back (like in th cart the truck drags along) and he just goes for a long drive while the sun sets and Ponybid SO happy-he gets happier when Darry tells him he looks tuff with his wind blown hair too

They end the night with chocolate cake with sprinkles inside and by cuddling, Pony in the middle and Soda/Darry just holding him 💜

October

Soda’s birthday

Soda LOVES his birthday because he loves the attention 😭 He’s so happy when he realizes the day is all about him-

Pony and Darry go CRAZY decorating because Soda literally walks downstairs and acts like he’s witnessing the greatest thing ever-he looks like a kid in a candy shop and he literally puts his brothers in a BONE crushing hug and he flat out starts crying 😭😭

Steve takes Soda’s shift for him because he’s nice like that on occasion (but Soda you owe me in April when it’s my birthday 😡😡”) so Soda can just stay home all day

Darry stays home from work too and depending on what Pony is doing in school he’ll let him kiss the day if he doesn’t have tests or anything (Pony lies a lot unless it’s a class he doesn’t wanna make the test up for)

Soda is just so happy and he makes Pony cuddle him for a few extra moments and Pony doesn’t mind until he’s like “Soda I need to pee” “Just go here I don’t wanna let go :(“ “NO”

Pony goes back because Soda starts fake crying lmao

They get him out of bed and they prepare themselves to match Soda’s energy for the day because he just really loves that his birthday is in fall and he loves doing all the fall things on his birthday (apple/pumpkin picking, playing around in the leaves, that sort of thing

Soda loves apple picking evacuee he can climb up the trees and just get the apples from the top-plus they’re his favorite fruit but Darry has to keep being like “Soda save room for dinner” but Soda doesn’t care lol

He loves going on hay rides at the pumpkin patches, he doesn’t care he’s turning 17 or 18, he’ll be giggling like a kid and like “LOOK AT THE HORSES!” (the horses wee pulling the hay barrel)

They take him to the petting zoo too but it backfires when he got emotionally attached to one of the lambs :(

They let him stay however long he wants and he’s just so happy because one of the lambs curled on his lap and fell asleep and he was just like “😮🥹” like bro was so close to crying-

He got a bit distracted by the horses too and Darry bought food for him to feed them-Soda has a way with animals and probably accidentally made several kids cry because they wouldn’t leave Soda alone and kept ignoring the kids/Darry didn’t have the heart to pull him away tho

When they get home Darry makes beef stew because Soda LOVES beef stew-Soda loves hearty fall foods.

He’s learned to make two pots because Soda straight up will eat all of it and leave nothing for anyone else lol

After they eat they give Soda gifts-he insists he doesn’t want anything but he also doesn’t protest being spoiled a bit lol

They get him a bunch of things he can build-he’s super good at what he does with cars and he really loves building things and taking things apart, so they get him like…3d puzzles and figurines he can build and he absolutely loves it and is so so happy <3

They know Soda loves his snuggles so Ponyboy will lay on top of him and Darry just envelopes him in this tight bone crushing hug-many happy tears are shed

Halloween

The Curtises honestly don’t do much for Halloween (except Soda, Soda LOVES Halloween and dressing up

Him and Steve dress up to go to work-Soda usually goes fully dressed as a zombie and Steve a werewolf (he even has a mask and a tail)-Soda’s able to charm his bosses into not being mad though and they actually manage to pull it off and they have good sales because people think it’s funny

I feel like Pony and Darry aren’t as into it-Pony doesn’t go trick or treating because “it’s for kids” so he usually hangs out with Dally and Johnny for the night and dresses like Paul Newman (of course he does-he actually pulls it off tho) Johnny probably just wears all black and Dally buys a scream mask and waits in bushes for kids to come out and they just steal the kids candy after they drop it because Dally is a dick and scares them 😭

Darry hands out candy and actually kinda gets into it because he’s super good with kids-he puts on a flannel and is just like “fine I’m Paul Bunyan”-he loves handing out candy tho and he’ll be super swwwgblike “oh wow that’s a scary ghost costume, you almost scared the life outta me!” like he just plays into it and he really does enjoy

Steve, Soda and Two Bit go trick or treating and of course Soda has his natural charm and girls bring him candy at work that day lol-Darry deals with similar stuff but he roofs this super sweet old lady’s home and she’s like “oh we don’t get kids often…do you want some candy young man?” and he’s like…trying to refuse but she keeps insisting and he eventually gives in 😭

So that night Darry comes home from work with a bag of candy and the leftover candy from handing it out, Pony comes beck with candy Dally gave him after he jumped kids for it and Soda brings back the mother load of candy

The three of them just eat candy together and watch scary movies (not really scary-think like Lifetime horror movies)

Pony likes chocolates, Sosa loves sour stuff and Darey enjoys just about anything, but he’s a sucker for chocolates with stuff inside (like Reese’s cups/Milky Ways)

One of them (all three of them) end up with stomachaches but it’s all good and they have a good night

November

Thanksgiving

The whole gang LOVES Thanksgiving

They used to do things before the holiday-every day in November they have the whole gang write something they’re thankful for and they put it in a jar to read at the table

Pony makes it heartfelt like “I’m grateful for my brothers and all they do for me”-Darry is the same way but after the book he gets really specific like “I’m thankful that Ponyboy is here with me and supports me after work” “I’m thankful for Sodapop and his endless snuggles even if it seems like I don’t want it”-Soda is kinda hit or miss, sometimes he’ll put something in but sometimes it’ll be like “I’m thankful for cheese puffs” and they’re like “Soda really 😒”

Everyone thinks Darry would cook everything by himself but I think that only happens after Pony insists on making the turkey and Darry’s like “Okay but you have to gut it” and Pony’s like “fine” but he takes one look inside and throws up and Soda kept sneaking food and then got sick because he ate raw turkey

Soda got banned and Pony refused to go back in

They all make the stuffing together tho and it turns into a bit of a food fight lol-they’re all laughing and having fun

They invite the gang over and Dally gets so mad that Darry makes them do the whole “what are you thankful for” ritual and eventually just literally reaches over the table and grabs a drumstick and eats it and Darry’s so done

They have to kinda coax Johnny into eating sometimes because he doesn’t wanna be seen as greedy but a few bites later and it’s so good he can’t resist anymore and just devours half a turkey by himself

Pony stocks up on rolls and mashed potatoes-he loves turkey too but he will eat an entire pound of mashed potatoes by himself and he has

They’re all lowkey gross at the table like Dally literally just burps so fucking loud because he has to announce to everyone that he’s finished and Darry is just so done with him lmao

In the end they all just drag themselves to the couch-there’s literally no leftovers either that’s how much they eat. They’re seven teenage boys lol

Darry likes watching football but even then he’s so sluggish and full he can’t even focus on it lol

They all have a gigantic cuddle pile and they’re all whining about how full they are, it’s so sad

Johnny is not used to being full at all and he’s so embarrassed because he ate SO much and everyone is teasing him and Pony specifically because they’re so small but they packed away the most and Johnny ends up with super bad hiccups and that just leads to more teasing and he’s just like “shut up guys”

Theyre gross so they probably end up having annual burping contests. Johnny is of course undefeated and Dally storms off to god knows where after

When everyone leaves the Curtises are so full they can’t even go upstairs so they just lay on the couch and it’s so bad that it takes the next day to fully digest it all too 😭

This is probably their favorite or second favorite holiday.

December

Christmas

Their favorite holiday is Christmas honestly

They absolutely LOVE the preparation beforehand of baking Christmas cookies and putting up a little tree with decorations

They can’t really buy a tree but they have this fake tree that they have put up every year since Darry was a baby-it’s still somehow in tact

Mr. and Mrs. Curtis didn’t have a lot of money so they made a star out of cinnamon sticks that they used instead

The Curtises cherish that star and put two angels right next to it too to symbolize they haven’t forgotten their parents or their traditions

Additionally I feel like Mr. Curtis was the one who made the cookies with the boys while Mrs. Curtis would decorate

As kids they would take turns making a cookie, like Darry would help make oatmeal raisin or something, Soda would make snickerdoodles and Pony would make sugar cookies, they would just alternate like that

But now that their parent are dead they all just do it together

Soda gets banned because he keeps stealing dough (They’re all guilty of this tho, even Darry)

They all end up eating too much and Pony and Soda are SO whiny- “Darryyyyy why did you let us eat that much..?” “You’re the one who kept sneaking it!”

They actually end up pretty good in the end and give them out to the gang

Darry’s an oatmeal raisin kind of guy-Soda likes snickerdoodles, Pony likes sugar cookies, Johnny likes chocolate chip, Dally likes those cookies with jelly in the middle, Teo Bit is the kind of menace to love those frosted ones and Steve likes those half chocolate half vanilla ones with the hershey kiss in the middle so they make a lot of those and the whole gang is there on Christmas day just eating the cookies and watching shitty movies 💜

Christmas Eve the Curtises don’t really like meeting up with the gang because they feel it’s a day for them and them alone-it’s the only day Darry actually makes them go to church and Soda HATES it-he just cannot sit still that long, and he gets bored during prayer sermons-Darry actually enjoys going but he usually doesn’t like-seek out going and Pony finds it serene and it gives him closure honestly

They also do that thing where they open one gift the night before-I feel like the year their parents died and money was super tight it ended up being like the Gift of the Magi-they all bought each other something but Darry sold his football uniform to get Soda and Pony something, Pony sold an exclusive book collection his parents bought him and Soda sold the horse saddle he used to ride Mickey Mouse-Darry bought Pony a little bookshelf, Soda bought Pony some pretty fancy figurines of the book characters, Darry bought Soda a mantle to put the saddle on and Pony bought him a horse statue to build and put the saddle on, Pony bought Darry some cleats and Soda bought him a helmet embroidered with his father’s words to him and all three of them sold their most valuable things to buy those for each other and they just cry for a bit

On a lighter note they all but each other joke gifts-at Pony’s school they have a sale where they just sell old junk nobody wants and Pony gathers the most random shit. Darry has a tiki statue in his room and Soda got a lamp with a mysterious brown stain on it (based off actual events)

They have turkey and ham because the gang comes over on Christmas and all of them are actually like-very food invested lmao

athey all cuddle by the fireplace and pass around secret santa gifts (they do Secret Santa Im calling it)

New Year’s Eve

They have their own little traditions! Darry makes appetizers (like jalapeño poppers and nachos) and they make 24, every hour they eat one together as a way to count down

I feel like they don’t do much during the day besides just go about their normal activities. Darry and Soda both get off early (Pong brings them bits of appetizers each hour to keep the tradition going because they did this with the Curtis parents and little bro hates change-

Darry and Soda get off at like…2 or 3 and that’s when things get fun

Theybhave game nights! Game nights usually don’t end well and this is no exception-

Teh first game they try to play is monopoly but Soda gets impulsive and that makes it easy to swindle him out of stuff so he’s the first one to go bankrupt and lose-it’s Pony and Darry that butt heads lmao

Darry is really good at swindling Ponyboy out of money and whatnot and Pony gets SO pissed- “Darry I want a refund 😡” like I know someone (Pony) walks away crying-

Pony has learned Darry’s tactics over the year and is VERY good at lying so he manages to swindle Darry this time and Darry is actually proud until he realizes he lost and then he flips the board lmao

They have other games they love to play too-they play cards as well but Soda is banned from playing War because he always peeks at his cards

Theh stop playing games after a while to watch the ball drop

They do a little reflection thing yearly-like “my name is ____ I’m ____ years old, I’m in the _____ grade, my favorite color is ____ my favorite food is _____ my favorite toy/game is _____ my favorite color is _____”-Mrs. Curtis made them do this but they agreed to keep the tradition going evacsue they thought it was cool to look back at their younger selves and see how they’ve changed

They read out past ones to each other and they get to the ones like “My favorite memory is _____, the funniest thing that’s happened this year was _____, I love _____ about my brothers” and the three of them are HOWLING because reading back on them they just love remembering and such-it’s bittersweet.

New Year’s eve is the one night Soda can stay up later than like-9:30 (Bro has a bed time-it’s not Darry that gave it to him, Soda just appointed himself a bed time and if he isn’t in bed by then he becomes a bitch) but New Years Eve is the one time a year he’s okay with staying up

Darry lets Pony and Soda have a champagne glass too and they all hug when the ball drops and then they just pas sour on the couch lol

Hope these are good!! I did a lot-

[sdr2lovemail]

May I request a similar fic to the Sanemi fic with Kyojuro Rengoku? Or Giyu? (One where he survives preferably) but maybe without thw arguing? I love me some hurt/ comfort. OR Some family fluff would also be cute if you'd rather to that instead ♡ ;w;

If not, that's 100% alright. 🥰 No pressure, I know some people can be real rude 😕

Set Your Health Ablaze! (GN Reader)

Synopsis: After getting injured on a mission, Rengoku helps you get back on your feet

Notes: I fear I struggle to write for Rengoku. :( Great character, but strangly hard to characterize for me. I hope you enjoy! (Weh, two requests in one day, and I'm working on a third! 0u0)

Requests are open!

“It’s okay… We’re almost there.”

Kyojuro’s pulse was loud in his ears. He let his guard down for only a moment, but it was enough time for you to get hurt. His haori was wrapped around your torso, staining dark with blood. Every step he took sent shockwaves of pain through your body.

“Just keep your eyes open and steady your breathing. Kocho will help you soon.” At this point, Kyojuro didn’t know if he was comforting you or himself. The Butterfly Estate was coming into view, and Kyojuro picked up his fast pace. 

Aoi nearly dropped her basket of sheets as the door slammed open. She was about to reprimand Kyojuro for being so loud at night, but she caught sight of you. Her eyes widen and flicker at the Flame Hashira’s disheveled appearance.

His legs were shaking as he took a step forward. “Please… Go fetch, Kocho. It’s urgent.”

Setting the basket down, Aoi quickly guides Kyojuro to a room. “Right, you can bring them in here.  Keep applying pressure to the wound. I’ll be back right away.”

He lied you down as the butterfly girl ran off. It was like he couldn’t breathe. 

It was like his heart stopped. This wasn’t the first time he’s seen you injured, but it’s never been this bad. He knew that being a slayer was a dangerous job. But it never stopped the aching feeling in his chest. It never stopped the feeling of helpless dread that washed over him.

Kneeling by the bed, Kyojuro had one hand gripping yours and the other pressing his haori against the wound. Your pulse was weak but still there. “I’m here, my love. I’m not going to leave your side.” There’s a spark in his eyes as he feels you faintly squeeze his hand.

Shinobu came not soon after and quickly got to work. Kyojuro stayed, wanting to be by your side, but kept out of her way. Thankfully, the procedure didn’t take long. Removing off her gloves, Shinobu stands up from the side of the bed.

“They’ll be okay. You got them here soon enough to make sure of that. While there was a lot of blood, the wounds weren’t too deep. They only needed a few stitches.” She gives Kyojuro a reassuring smile.

He didn’t respond as his calloused hand stroked your cheek. After a moment, He finally spoke up, voice unusually quiet. “That’s a relief. I knew they would be in good hands. Thank you, Kocho. Please, give my regards to Young Kanzaki, too.” Kyojuro smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“There’s no need for that, Rengoku. Healing is our job. Now,” She was about to tell him to go home and get some rest after a long day, but she saw through that cracked smile. Her eyes softened. In moments like these, she was reminded that the man in front of her wasn’t just the flame hashira. He was Kyojuro Rengoku. “Would you like me to set a bed for you?”

“That would be great.”

You wake up to the sound of many repeated chants of the word “tasty.” With tired, heavy eyes, you open them and look around the room. Sitting on the bed next to you was Kyojuro with two trays on either side of him, piled high with food. Practically dropping his bowl, Kyojuro leaps up from the bed. 

“You’re awake!” He shouts, quickly quieting down as he sees you flinch. “How are you feeling, my love?” 

You let out a groan, your voice weak and shaky. “Awful…” was all you were able to muster out. It hurt to breathe, it hurt to be awake. Opening your eyes was a struggle enough.

With near-blinding speed, Kyojuro brings a tray of food over. “Are you able to eat something? You need to replenish your strength.”

“They shouldn’t be eating right now.” Aoi chimed as she brought in a pitcher of water and a packet of medicine. Standing at the bedside table she starts to mix the powder into a glass. “They could get sick. Right now, they’re on a strict liquid-only diet.”

With his usual bright smile, Kyojuro nods. “My apologies! I would hate to make their condition any worse.” 

She sets the glass closer to the bed and looks at you with a stern expression. “Try to drink as much as you can. The medicine doubles as a pain reliever, so you’ll start to feel better soon.”

With a nod, Aoi leaves the two of you alone. Kyojuro helps you sit up. His hands are warm against your chilled skin. It’s a struggle to drink, but once the pain relievers started to work, it went down a lot easier.

“I must apologize.” His voice cuts through the silence. You look up at him with a sluggish, curious gaze. Even with a smile on his face, Kyojuro seemed so sad. There was a heavy, sorrowful, air surrounding him.

“If only I had been a little quicker, you would not be lying in this hospital bed.” Taking a step back, Kyojuro drops to his knees, his forehead pressing against the wood floor. “Please, I hope you can forgive me.”

Mustering up any strength you can, you try to reach down to him.” Hey… Get off the floor. I’m not mad at you. We’re slayers. It’s almost expected of us to get hurt.” You tried to console him.

“You’re much too kind. Always so quick to forgive.” 

The way Rengoku looked up at you was so tender, so loving. His voice is quiet as he gently strokes your back. “Kocho is a wonder when it comes to medicine. You’ll be back to your usual self in no time. I’ll see to it myself.” 

True to his word, when he had the time, Kyojuro was by your side. He would stop by the Butterfly Mansion during meals to eat with you, bringing all types of food from his missions. He oversaw your rehabilitation training personally. Naho, Sumi, and Kiyo were thrilled to have him around to train. But the girls would scold him if they thought he was going too easy on you.

A few weeks later, through some convincing and that bug-eyed stare of his, Shinobu permitted you to finish healing at the Flame Hashira Estate. Kyojuro did everything in his power to make you comfortable while you healed. When he could find the time, he would help you exercise and regain your strength.

In the garden, the two of you spar with wooden swords. With a single swift motion, Rengoku jabbed you in the chest. Setting his hand on your shoulder, he lets out a loud chuckle. “You almost had me there. I’m happy to see you healing up so well. It’ll be any day now before you’re back on missions.” Bright and happy, he pulls you into a hug.

[littlebitshylittlebitangry]

Hi, hi it’s me again… your writing was very good, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Now you must be responsible for the consequences…. Which is listening to me ramble. 

Anyways, first off small doodle!

This is what I imagine bound arcane egg looks like, and something I didn't explain, my b. Is when arcane egg gets taken to be the “heart” of the hungry ones, it’s basically an in between plane of existence. It’s between the normal world and where the hungry ones reside.

Secondly this is one of two times arcane egg goes to this inbetween, and that second time is more triumphant and it’s where her light of defiance reignites!

Anyways no more exposition, time to talk about some new stuff mainly the aftermath after arcane eggs desperate pleas for death!

Note I do imagine her pleas at that moment go from sad and desperate to manic and desperate, since at this point of the story it’s a nice contrast to how well and collected they’ve appeared so far.

But yeah when they wake up… boi it’s so sad. When they awake their very comatose and quite, very similar to how they were when they came back to life after their death by the hungry ones. I imagine that shadow milk and golden butter are waiting her them to wake up, which arcane egg can’t fathom why but, what ever. 

If you haven’t noticed arcane eggs response to their own emotions and emotional problems is to ignore, belittle, or don’t think about it. Which is in sharp contrast on who they USED to be, which was open and tbh the therapist / listener friend. But also they were honest about their feelings, so arcane egg after that display of pure raw emotion acting so… empty greatly upsets her friends.

They’ll try to get an answer but they’ll just get a chill and numb cookie in response, I do imagine they get her to talk at some point after pleading and asking persistently for a while. And it would most likely begin with arcane egg breaking down sobbing and they’ll also shake like a leaf.

Than afterwards if the two ask questions and prod for specifics, she start answering and probably tell the, how she got to this point / her history thus far. She’ll tell them that they’ve died before, that their now both alive but technically an undead thing,… that they thought about taking their own life during the dark flour war.

They wont tell about their complicated feelings about the two of them yet, no not yet. But she will spill how she feels about themselves which is again bad!

How would the two react, o honest don’t know I’ll need to think about it more. Do you have any ideas? You did a good job last time so. Anyways thanks for listening have a good day :D.

(Also tell me if you want me to post ideas to you here or on your side blog!)

Took me awhile to get back to this post-

Anyways, had to do some searching (thanks for the notes.) Ended up being four pages long-

Honestly for some reason this gives me ‘nowhere king’ vibes.

Now, Warnings; implied masscure, war crimes, sucidial thoughts, dissacation.

She blinks awake- her body is heavy and it's hard to move. She feels a hand carding through her hair, for a moment she struggles to move her head, but she does. She mentally feels the want for her shoulders to tense up- but they don’t. Yet Mystic Flour doesn’t stop carding her hands through her hair. For a minute they could almost swear her eyes opened, but she didn't say a word. Carefully moving their head around, she blinks yet again.

The room wasn’t overly big by any means, but it was a decent size. Arcane could spot Silent salt staring out the window, Burning spice was oddly calm as he rubbed his axe. Shifting her focus to the other half- she found Eternal sugar half sitting on a chair, half resting her head in her arms on the bed. Its then she spotted by a table that looked like it was dragged over that Shadow Milk was writing something onto the desk- he looked oddly frustrated. It was… It was an old memory. He’d often be over desks like that when he hit a wall with whatever he was researching or when he was lacking the creativity on his newest project. 

For a moment she puzzled over where Golden Butter was, until the door opened. The very person who they thought about walked in with a bag over to Shadow Milk, They closed their eyes as they felt Golden Butters gaze on them. The other sighs, “...Shadow… how is progress?” Shadow Milk seems to growl, “It's honestly worse than I thought! Those Damn witches that sealed us are the reason those fucking thing even exist! And that means they are the main issue on why Arcane is like this!” They can hear a fist slam onto the table, its silent for a moment, before Silent salts' rarely heard voice comes through, “....The witches did this? To her?” They don’t know what Shadow does but they hear the screeching of the chair and his words, “YES! They did! They fucked up Arcane so badly that I’m not even completely sure there is a way to undo it!” 

Mystic Flours hand pauses, she hears the other speaks, “.... Shadow Milk….are you… are you sure?” They don’t exactly hear much other then shuffling for the next few moments before an audible sigh, “..I can’t be completely sure at least now.” His tone turns resigned, slightly saddened with a hint of frustration, “If only I had my labs, the tower and…” Her heart drops, she knows just who he was going to say.

Fortune Cookie, his closest pupil. 

Fortune Cookie had a bright future ahead of them. At Least until Shadow Milk destroyed his own tower. It was of very little doubt that Fortune cookie was a casualty in that event. Fortune Cookie, she thinks, had a brain even Shadow Milk sometimes struggled with. ‘Boundless creativity filled with sky high genius’ Shadow Milk once put it as. Fortune Cookie who he likely killed. 

This hadn’t been the first time he’d regretted it.

She allows her eyes to open, everyone is still in the room just different. Eternal sugar, for once, is awake, and is blankly staring at them, Silent Salt has moved away from his window position, Burning spice had set his axe down and was gripping onto his hair with a fierce look on his face. She couldn’t see Mystic Flour from this view, but she could see Shadow Milk back as Golden Butter looked over him.

He was half hunched over and he was shaking. 

Part of them wanted to reassure him it would all work out, but wasn’t that hopeless? 

There wasn’t a cure and one person who had the most research on the hungry ones is dead, anything she did note was likely destroyed. It was hopeless. 

It threw everyone off the moment they spoke, “It's been a hopeless situation from the start. It would do you all better to just kill me now.” The air in the room became strained just at her words. Shadow Milk straightens up, brushes off Golden Butters Hand and immediately turns around and walks over very calmly. He pushes his hands on the side of the bed and looks directly at her, “We won’t, we’ll find a cure. There isn’t another option.” 

She blinks at him, “..You just said it yourself...you don’t know if there is a way to undo it… There isn’t a cure coming.” She shakes her head, “It would be the best choice- the hungry ones would be gone.” Shadow Milk shakes- not in a silent fear or overwhelming sorrow, but in a very poorly suppressed rage. “It doesn’t matter what I just said, I will find a cure.” 

Arcane egg stares at him as she speaks, “....Fortune cookie was the only one who had-” He slams his hands on the bed as he shouts, “I’ll bring back the fucking dead if I have to! I’ll face whatever goddamn consequences that come my way!” He sags, “I’ll face Fortune cookie if it means I can help you.” He looks resigned, “I’ll search every single book the witches saved, I’ll tear down kingdom after kingdom and build them back up, If I need to I’ll start a new a tower just to figure out a fucking cure, I’ll let that stupid half-a-cookie replacement of mine keep my damn soul Jam!” The rage slowly wears off, replaced by desperation, “Please- just don’t- never ask me- never ask any of us- I don’t think.” Tears well and fall off his face like the sword of damocles falling, “I don’t think we could take it.”

Something in them hurts, so very deeply hurts in a twisted sense that its like having a vine shoved right into your heart before twisting and growing. Something grabs their left hand, looking over Silent Salt, it seemed he was the one who grabbed it. Burning spice had dragged a chair over and was sitting with the backside facing her as he sat facing her. Eternal Sugar has shifted from her place and is now sitting at the edge of the bed as Shadow Milk and Golden Butter stick to her right. She can spot Mystic Flours dress off the side- likely sitting by the pillows on their left side. 

They had all moved to gather closer than previously. The next words flowed out her to easily as she looked at them. She- she doesn’t know what to think.

(She lost count after thousands of years, after watching hundreds of cookies crumble from age. Yet things linger in her memories.)

(Afterall the hungry ones have been with her for almost the same amount-- and it hurts holding them- it hurts in a sense that she can’t quite let go.)

(Everyone left in one way or another and she was left behind, Fortune died, her friends left her behind- and even when she grew close to people they disappeared. She doesn’t have anything- her friends are here now, yes. But they left so long ago- they told her not to come looking for them and-)

(- and they fell.)

Everything- Just feels so overwhelming. This isn’t the first time- something just- they feel so wrong today. They woken up for days with the group here for a number of days- some of them are normally out.

(Burning spice came back once with strawberry jam covering him, Mystic flour and Eternal Sugar just stared him down until he left. They don’t remember much of the few days after that- their head was just buzzing. She noticed the more… careful and hesitant natures when they wake up. All weapons, she noted, were always kept out of sight most times. No one ever came in the room without knocking unless they were ‘cleaned’ as Mystic Flour put it.)

Part of them just- there wasn’t an exact way to put it into words. 

(“We have been silent for so long, haven’t we?”)

(“How long must you remain to let your defiance be stamped out?”)

(“Listen to me- to yourself. Defy this fate- fight against it, do not let yourself fall.”)

(“Please- just fight off for a little more. To defy in this moment, allow yourself to be helped.”)

Its quite- a mere echo in her head- but something. Something in her breaks. 

Tears, she notes almost mutely, she’s crying. 

Someone- she's guessing Mystic Flour sits her up as Shadow Milk crawls his way onto the bed by her sides. Golden Butter sticks to the side but sits on the bed as the rest stay close. She lets it spill out.

She talks about the isolation that happened after Golden Butters sleep, she speaks of the horrors of the experiments of the witches and the hungry ones who were sealed inside her- the war she fought to save cookies who either died or forgot about her actions, she brings up letters she sent- only to learn they never received a single one of hers. She whispers of the dark flour war, the endless death, the chaos that reigned and even traced over scars left from those dark years. Of the violence that she faced in the line of cruelty of Dark Enchantress Cookie. 

The room is silent for the longest period, and then she admits the most damning thing.

She admits her death- and coming back different.

The silence is different, its stiff, its twisted and she can see something is off. Shadow Milk is the one who prodes her further with his face towards the ground. She tells the rest what they wanted to hear, she admits everything slowly hesitantly, as tears fall down, as she cries, screams, and breaks down. There are several times someone in the group leaves for a few minutes before coming back in- but Shadow Milk stays the entire time, just staying by her side. 

Somehow, she ends up asleep as the rest of the group lingers within the world. 

Shadow Milk is frowning as he takes Mystic Flours combing through Arcane Eggs hair, Golden Butter stays by his side as the rest of the group lingers around. Golden slowly speaks, “..I should’ve focused on her- I was so- I was so caught up in my own misery that I…” Golden Butter looks down. Shadow Milk sighs, laying a head on her shoulder. Its silent before he speaks, “We’ve been dealt a shitty hand- just-” He looks frustrated before looking at Arcane egg and his face softens in sad way, “...We just been playthings for the witches- they’ve- They’ve been treating us like that for so long.. I just-” Burning Spice speaks up, “They will pay.”

His words are followed by nods as Shadow Milk echos his friends words, “They will pay.” He pets Arcanes Hair, “But not now. For now, we tend to our wounds and we focus on finding a cure.” Its an unsaid agreemnt by the others.

Right now, tending in their own in the focus.

Vengeance upon The witches, Dark Enchantress cookie and any other cookie else can wait until they’ve recovered.

Then, all cards were off.

[australiancarisi]

A little drabble that was written on my phone.

No idea how many words

I’ll reformat and check it later i just wanted to post it heheheh

Bruno x reader

“If you don’t stop staring they are gonna know something is up”

“No they won’t”

“Yes they will”

“No they won’t”

“Terry-“

“I’m not even staring at you”

“Yes you are and Fin is already suss on the two of you” Velasco said sitting down at his desk opposite you. You glared at Bruno who just grinned at you.

“Honestly it’s like you want to get caught” Velasco smirked at him. Bruno just shrugged and went back to work. You quickly looked over your shoulder to Olivia’s office. She and Fin were talking about something thankfully with the door shut so they didn’t hear this whole thing. You and Bruno started dating only a month ago and you planned on keeping it a secret until you were ready to tell Liv. However Velasco has a habit of not knocking apparently and caught the two of you sharing a moment in the cribs after a particularly hard case.

In his defence, he doesn’t normally need to knock to go into the cribs.

“Bruno I swear to God” you felt his eyes on you again. You grabbed a stress ball you had on your desk, one that was kept there mostly for the boys to fidget with, and threw it straight at his head.

Luckily for Bruno he ducked the ball. Unluckily for you it happened to hit Detective Stabler. With an amused look on his face, Elliot bent down and grabbed the ball.

“Detectives” he tossed the ball at you.

“Sorry Stabler” you apologised as he headed towards Liv’s office. You waited until you heard the click of the door shutting before turning back to Bruno. “No sex for the rest of the week”

“WHAT?!”

“You heard me” you shrugged and turned back to your computer. Velasco let out a laugh and got up from his desk leaving a stunned Bruno, who just continued to stare at you.

//\\//\\//\\

“Your children are acting weird” Elliot said after he shut the door to Olivia’s office.

“What?”

“Your children” he point with his thumb back out to the bullpen “they are being weird”

“Bruno and y/n?” Fin asked

“Yeah”

“Don’t worry about them” Liv waved him off “They are ‘secretly dating’ but I don’t know who they are trying to fool. I think they are forgetting we’ve been detectives since they were in diapers” she used her fingers for the air quotes around secretly dating.

“They ain’t doing a good job of hiding it” Fin smirked “No one at this precinct is good at hiding feelings for there partners”

“We’re just waiting for them to hurry up and disclose. Carisi and 1PP are already aware, it’s in their files and I updated their emergency contact to be each other” Olivia said ignoring Fin’s comment.

“They’ll tell us when they are ready”

[nescaveckwriter]

Saving Grace - Chapter 4 💓😭🩷

A/N: 🐞... While writing this chapter, the emotions were running high extremely high... So fair warning, grab a BOX of tissues 🤭🥺🥺 okay y'all... L💓VE y'all...!

Warnings: *18+ Only* Mentions of a medical condition, and dying ... bit swearing, heartache,🥹❤️

Characters: Dean Winchester, Bobby Singer, Benny Lafitte, Grace Tucker, Kelly Tucker 😍

Words: 1800-ish😊

Cover & Pictures: Pinterest, Canva, Google

Side Note: Songs not my own, also, Please check out my Masterlist for more, epic stories🐞💕

The old man’s voice is gruff as he speaks to Kelly “Listen the whole point of this album, and show is about touring” Kelly looks at him “Bobby it's simple you sign it or you don’t, Dean Winchester needs Grace more than she needs him, and you know that’s the truth”. Bobby couldn’t deny it, the truth in her words, and Kelly drove a hard bargain, so after some small changes, and a promise of a world tour in a year, he signed.

Kelly walked out of that meeting with Bobby feeling satisfied, and saddened, she promised the old man that Grace would do a world wide tour in a year, letting out a humourless chuckle… ‘Grace will be gone by then, she’s only got a few months left, and I just lied to an old man, great job Kelly, you a horrible damn person, she cussed herself. As she left the studio she tried her very best not to break down, hating the fact that Grace is so strong and all she wants to do is break down and cry, life ain’t fair. 

The thought of burying her sister in a few months overwhelmed her and she broke down crying in the middle of the hallway, tears streaming down her face, her body trembling as she keeps replaying the news they got, not so long ago, the doctor’s words tumbling around “Sorry Grace the scan’s” the doctor’s tone turned sympathetic “honey I’m sorry you have less than a year left” she looked at the doctor then at Grace and she just smiled and said “Then I’ll make the best of the few months I have left, thanks Doc” she looked at Grace like she didn’t understand what he said , but she did. And Kelly wanted to do was break down, scream and shout, and curse and yell, at how it can be possible that her lovely, kind hearted sister could be taken away so early from her.

A hand on Kelly’s shoulder snapped her out of her thoughts, the greenest of green eyes met hers, a gruff voice “Hi? You okay?” she immediately knew who it was, not just was she a fan of his music, but her Fiance, is the drummer for him, and Grace raved on about him, of course she wouldn’t admit but she likes him, and not just about his singing voice. Kelly smiled brushed her tears away and said “yeah, fine thanks Dean” 

Smiling “You don’t look fine?” 

She nearly bit his head off “I’m fine dammit, just leave me the hell alone” Dean raised his hands in the air “Hell I’m just trying to be nice for once, and this is the reaction I get” he huffs “And people still wonder why I prefer Jack Daniels?” he just walked off growling something to himself. And Kelly was left standing, feeling ashamed and heartbroken, she couldn’t tell him the reason. Grace made everyone promise that on one should know, she doesn’t want to be treated like some kind of fragile person, but hell she was fragile. She started making her way out of the building to the car, time to act as if everything is just fine, like her sister is going to die.

Dean walked into the studio, huffing, the little muscle in his jaw jumping. He shot Benny a look “What the hell is the matter with your fiance?” Benny was so confused “Excuse me?” Dean growled “I tried comforting the woman and she bit my head off” Benny nearly jumped up from his sitting position “where is she, is she okay?” Dean glared at him “hell if I know!”.Benny didn’t answer, he shot out of there like a man on a mission, leaving Dean there, still kind of ticked off about the whole situation. 

Grace sat there reading, and humming to the songs they’ll be recording together, she made sure to get some rest the night before, drinking lots of water. She heard them stetson boots on the floor, and there he was, plain old jeans, a black t-shirt and white-creamish cowboy hat, and she could’ve sworn her breathing hitched, but hey she has a heart problem, so it ain’t got nothing to do with him right? His voice broke through, bouncing off the wall “Howdy Grace?” she smiled and greeted “Morning, ready to do this?” he gave her a cocky smile “darling I’m born ready”, shaking her head, laughing a little “good thing your humble?” he found his seat next to her, his forest green eyes piercing her “Oh Honey, why should I be humble, people love me” she tossed her strawberry blonde hair over her shoulder “Oh your pretty smug aren’t you?” he laughed “what can I say darling? I am just confident! She shook her head “nope the word your looking for are arrogant!” he mocked offence “ouch, you know how to humble a man don’t ya?” she giggled and it sounded like a choir of joyful angels, “Nah! Just simply keeping you in check”. He smirked “Alright Miss Humble, why don’t we start with this song?” he tapped on the paper and she nodded, “yeah alrighty let’s do this cowboy”.

She started with the few first verses…

I pushed him away

And carefully said

I'm just not that kind of girl

You might think I'm square

'Cause you've been around and you're wise

In the ways of the world

I know that making is taking for granted

It's all easy come, easy go

He pulled me close and whispered

His gruff voice begun…

Now darlin' there's something I want you to know

I still believe in Waltzes

And girls with old fashioned ways

I still believe in love songs

In the good, in the good ole days

I've always liked happy endings

Somebody's dream coming true

I still believe in Waltzes

And dancing the last one with you

She pitched in again…

He slipped into bed, I turned over and said

I'm worried you working so late

Is it just your job that keeps you away, Lord

I know the temptations are gray

I'm just a wife, I'm just a momma

It's not too exciting I know

He pulled me close and whispered those same words

He told me that night long ago

His voice drew …

I still believe in Waltzes

And girls with old fashioned ways

I still believe in love songs

At the end, both of them started to sing in harmony 

In the good, in the good ole days

I've always liked happy endings

Somebody's dream coming true

I still believe in Waltzes

And I'll dance the last one with you

We still believe in Waltzes

When they hit those last notes, they were so in sync, like they’ve been doing it for years, Dean let out an impressed chuckle “damn that was amazing” Grace nodded excitedly, “yes that was perfect, that was amazing, the way you came in on that first verse ‘now darling’ that was mind blowing” while she explained she gestured with her hands, and he couldn’t really make out the rest, of her sentence because he got mesmerised by the way her lips moved as she spoke, watching intently, the way it curved, the way it pursed together with certain words, and then finally as she spoke and her tongue darted out, wetting her lips, to speak further, all he could think is how is it possible for one woman, to do such an innocent act, that was downright turning him on. He had to take a sip of water to cool himself down, and then he heard her sweet voice “You okay Dean?” he just simply nodded and gestured that he was thirsty. She simply smiled and took a few sips of water herself. 

Bobby, who was sitting, listening and watching to them, handed them the next song, and Dean shot him a somewhat uncomfortable glare, but of course the old man didn’t care. After Dean adjusted he started strumming on the guitar, and looked at her, smiling, a smile reaching his eyes. As he sang the first verse he knew never had a song felt so true, because he’d really love to lay her down.

There's a lot of ways of sayin' what I want to say to you

There's songs and poems and promises and dreams that might come true

But I won't talk of starry skies or moonlight on the ground

I'll come right out and tell you I'd just love to lay you down

Lay ya down and softly whisper pretty love words in your ear

Lay ya down and tell you all the things a woman loves to hear

I'll let you know how much it means just havin' you around

Oh darlin', how I'd love to lay you down

A slight pinkish colour crept onto her cheeks as he glanced directly into his eyes, falling in with the next verse…

There's so many ways your sweet love made this house into a home

You've got a way of doin' little things that turn me on

Their voices collided with the next few verses, and they couldn’t keep their eyes off each other, emotions running high, their voices, singing the words their hearts and bodies wanted so badly…

Oh darlin', how I'd love to lay you down

Lay ya down and softly whisper pretty love words in your ear

Lay ya down and tell you all the things my woman loves to hear

I'll let you know how much it means just havin' you around

Oh darlin', how I'd love to lay you down

Lay ya down and softly whisper pretty love words in your ear

Lay ya down and tell you all the things my woman loves to hear

I'll let you know how much it means just havin' you around

Oh darlin', how I'd love to lay you down

The song ends and the air is palpable with so much unspoken desire, and need, to simply taste each other’s lips, the two of them stared at each other, Dean slightly leaning in, merely inches away from finally giving in and tasting her lips, but the moment was ruined by Grace getting up and walking out hastily, mumbling something about she needs fresh air. Dean groaned out of frustration, he could’ve sworn she felt the electricity too, but no, she just left.

Grace hurried outside, trying to catch her breath. Before she knew it, she called Kelly, before Kelly could properly greet her, Grace rambled on “Sis, I’m in big trouble, the man… I nearly kissed, I nearly kissed him, I can’t feel this way… why do I feel this way, I barely know him… I can’t be falling in love with him.. Can I ..?” Kelly’s heart broke, she knew what her sister meant, “Gracie, sweetie… I don't know what to say!” Grace’s voice came out sounding slightly brittle, “This can't be happening… why? I can’t be falling in love now” Not now! Why did he have to be him” she grunted. 

Kelly tried to calm her down, knowing she shouldn’t exert herself, “please calm down, please”. Grace broke down for the first time since she got the news “K…Kelly, I can’t fall in love with Dean, I am going die in a couple of months, and I can’t imagine a future, because there is now future, there is now, rainbows, and roses, candle light dinners, whispering loving words to each other, there is nothing, that’s certain” barely audible through the crying “the only thing that my future holds, is my heart stopping in a few months, or weeks or days…” all you could hear on both ends off the phone calls, is heart shattering sobbing. 

@jackles010378 @winchesterwild78 @k-slla @angelbabyyy99

[teaberrii]

Chapter Twenty: The Ex

Alhaitham has the looks and the smarts. He will also be the stand-in CEO for his grandfather's company for a year.

But, he's been mysteriously cursed to turn into a cat every night since his eighteenth birthday… until he meets you, an employee at his grandfather's company, who rescues him as a cat and changes him back with one kiss.

Alhaitham/You

Notes:

Cross-posted on AO3

Female reader

Chapter index at the end of chapter one

Thoma is driving Ayato home from the hospital that night when Ayato's phone goes off. When Thoma glances at his friend in the rearview mirror, Ayato is already talking to the person on the other end. The call is brief, but from the look on Ayato's face, it isn't good news.

When Ayato slips his phone back inside his pocket, Thoma asks, “Is everything okay?”

"...The lead role they offered me went to someone else."

The car slowly rolls to a stop at a red light. “Is that… bad news? I thought you wouldn’t take it.”

Ayato sighs. “I was seriously considering it.” He looks at Thoma in the rearview mirror. “You were right. I am using acting as a lifeline… but even so, I’m not doing a good job.”

“...Ayato.”

“And this call just proved my point. I know who took the role.” When Ayato tells Thoma the actor’s name, Thoma also knows who he’s talking about. A rising, young actor whose career took off when he had a supporting role in a major drama production that became extremely popular.

“Answer me honestly, Ayato,” Thoma says as the car rolls forward. “Do you really want this role? This is your last chance. If you really want it, you need to say something. There's a chance they'll reconsider."

Ayato doesn’t know what comes over him, but it’s as if Thoma’s words are the final push that leads him to make the call.

“...Yes,” Ayato says after a moment. “I’m willing to audition if that’s how they’ll make the final decision.” As soon as Ayato gets off the phone, he glances at Thoma, who has a small smile. Ayato looks out the window. “You asked me if I want to continue acting, and I do. I don’t hate it. I don’t love it. Regardless, I want to do better.”

And, he might find a more meaningful purpose behind it.

◆◆◆

You’re on a small coffee break with your coworkers the next morning when they bring up Alhaitham dropping out of the panel to determine the company’s next big production. One of your coworkers nudges you.

“Do you think you got lucky? You don’t have to make a big presentation in front of the CEO.”

If only they know you’re dating him. Alhaitham never told you he dropped out, but you can already guess why. And, if you're right, it’s a smart move.

“Are you nervous?” your coworker continues to ask. “It’s coming up in a few days!”

“Well, I’ll put my best foot forward. That’s all I can say.” Then, you pick up your coffee mug and walk out of the lounge, leaving your coworkers wondering what kind of interesting idea you’ll present this time.

You’re about to reach your desk when your phone buzzes. Once you take it out of your pocket, you see that it’s a message from your manager.

It’s urgent. Come to my office now.

What is this about?

When you reach his office and close the door behind you, he doesn’t even gesture for you to sit down.

“Is something going on between you and the CEO?”

You’re so caught off guard by the question that you say the first thing that comes to mind. “What?”

Then, he turns his laptop around and plays a short video that shows Alhaitham coming out of a room. Shortly afterward, you come out of the same room. “This was at the Awards Night, was it not?”

There is only one reason you can think of why that video exists. You remember the crazy reporter and his malicious intent of giving people keychains or charms with a small hidden camera. But… even if someone caught you and Alhaitham… who would blackmail you? And why?

Regardless, nothing could’ve prepared you for this, and you’re at a complete loss for what to say until you finally gather your nerves.

“Nothing happened that night,” you say. “Who sent this?"

"It was sent anonymously."

You almost roll your eyes. Right. Of course. 

"Isn't this illegal?" you ask. "Filming someone without their permission?"

As you listen to your manager talk, you start wondering if he’s worried about you or the company’s reputation. You agree that a CEO dating an employee doesn’t sound professional and can lead to a whirlwind of gossip. But that shouldn’t be any reason for you and Alhaitham to break up. 

“Do you know if anyone else has this video?” you ask. "Because I didn't know about this until you told me."

“I don’t, and I hope no one else does."

You want to ask if this is such a big deal. There's nothing scandalous in the video, but perhaps it's about the speculations. The rumours. Even though you're not a public figure, Alhaitham is. At least with his tenure as CEO. If it comes down to it, you or Alhaitham might have to clarify what you two were doing together.

Once you leave your manager’s office, your phone buzzes. It’s a text from Alhaitham, and you quickly enter an empty meeting room to take his call.

“...I saw the video,” he says after listening to you recall what happened with your manager. “It was also sent to me.”

Well, that's just great. Does that mean the rest of the company has seen it, too?

“Did that person want anything from you?” you ask.

“...No, surprisingly.”

That's strange. You’d thought that this person would demand money, at least.

"Let me get this straight," you say. "They just sent you a video and... that's it?"

"I have my speculation. We obviously have more questions than answers, and perhaps this is what they want."

"Playing mind games, huh? That's dirty."

“Regardless, whatever the reason, I won’t let them get away with it.” Alhaitham looks out the window. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise."

As you're heading back to your desk, you go through all of your emails on your phone. Apparently, this person is too cowardly to contact you directly. You're so busy on your phone that you don't notice Ayato and Childe walking toward you.

"Busy, busy, I see."

You look up upon hearing the familiar voice. “Ayato!”

Childe frowns. “Aren't you forgetting someone?"

“And Childe.”

“That’s better.”

You look at Ayato. “What are you doing here? Another shoot?”

"Some last-minute touches," Ayato says. "But… you might see me less often from now on."

You’re about to ask why when Childe spills the beans. “Just between us… he’s going to be busy rehearsing for a lead role.”

“A lead role… that’s huge!”

Ayato smiles. “I guess you can say I’m finally taking a step forward.”

“We’re going to be losing one of The Strays pretty soon,” Childe says. When you smile, he does too. “Well, you finally smiled.”

“Hm?”

“You looked a little down,” Ayato says. “Is everything okay?”

“...Ah. Well, sort of, I guess,” you say quietly. You lower your voice, and after telling them what happened, both of them look baffled. Then, Childe’s expression turns stern and Ayato frowns.

"That's ridiculous," Childe says. 

“As… crazy as that sounds,” Ayato begins, “You’re in good hands if Alhaitham is dealing with it.”

You sigh. “I know. But still… I’m just… a little rattled.”

“Well, it’s not just Alhaitham who has your back,” Childe says. He and Ayato look at each other. “If anything happens, we’ll be there for you. And if it’s any reassurance, I didn’t get that video… which means I doubt anyone else has gotten it, too.”

“...I hope so.”

“My, what a crowd.”

You recognize the voice almost immediately. When you turn around, your guess is right. "Kaeya!" Tighnari is beside him, holding a laptop. “And Nari!”

“Hiya.”

Kaeya’s eyes don’t stay on you for long. He glances at Childe, who’s looking at him with a small frown.

“Today is just full of surprises,” Childe mutters.

Kaeya chuckles. “You’re right. Good surprises, though.” He looks at Ayato. "You must be Kamisato Ayato."

The two men shake hands as Ayato says, "Yes. And you are...?"

"Kaeya. Kaeya Alberich."

“What brings you here?” you ask.

“We had a meeting for Sumeru Geographic,” Tighnari says.

“It couldn’t have been online?” Everyone turns to Childe.

Then, you and Tighnari glance at each other. In an attempt to break the semi-awkward silence, Tighnari says, “In-person meetings are usually better, don't you think? You get to see everyone's faces.” When Childe frowns at him, Tighnari wonders if he said something wrong.

“Lumine told me you aren’t coming to the party,” Kaeya says. “It’s a shame.”

You look at Childe as he says, “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll still be there. Maybe just not in the way you expect.”

“...That doesn’t sound slightly threatening,” you say quietly.

Kaeya smiles. “Well, you’re always welcome.”

“We should get going,” Tighnari says. “We have another meeting.”

As Tighnari and Kaeya walk off, Ayato says, "He's quite charming."

“A fake pretty boy,” Childe mutters.

You and Ayato glance at each other, and Ayato swings an arm around Childe. You pat his back.

“So... about what you said earlier..." Then, you lower your voice. "Does this mean you're infiltrating a party as a cat? What an exciting life.”

“Truly living the dream,” Ayato adds. "It would make a great series. Childe's Catventures. A catchy title if I do say so myself."

Childe frowns. "Oh, I'm sure it'll be a hit until I claw someone's eyes out."

"Hopefully not Kaeya's," you say quietly, and Childe gives you a deadpan look.

As you and Ayato smile at each other, Childe’s phone goes off. You watch him answer it, and his face quickly turns serious.

“What do you mean we lost some of the footage?”

A pause.

“...Uh huh. Yeah.” Childe looks at Ayato. “Yeah, I’m with him right now. Sure. We’ll be right there.” As soon as Childe gets off the phone, he says, “One of the interns accidentally corrupted the audio file for the scene we just shot, and now there’s no sound. They’ve already tried fixing it, but nothing’s working.”

“I suppose this means we have to reshoot,” Ayato says.

Childe sighs. “Yes, but the problem is that the actress has already left. They can’t get in touch with her.” Then, he looks at you and smiles. “Do you happen to have time right now, Mademoiselle?”

“...You aren’t asking me to act, are you?”

“It's just a small scene. You'd be the closest person we have who can pass as the original actress." Childe gives you an innocent, desperate look. “Please?”

Can you really say no?

◆◆◆

It's the first time Signora has been to the CEO's office, but she has mixed emotions. Alhaitham had reached out to her directly, saying that there was a matter he wanted to discuss with her. The only problem is that he never specified what it was.

She knocks on the door. As soon as she hears “come in”, she opens it and sees Alhaitham sitting at his desk with a stern expression.

“...You wanted to see me?” she asks.

“Take a seat.”

When she does, Alhaitham turns his laptop to her and plays the video. “...This video was sent from your laptop.”

Not even five seconds in, Signora looks puzzled. “What is this?”

Alhaitham turns his laptop back. “You tell me. This was in my inbox this morning.”

Signora holds up a hand to stop him. “Hang on. You’re saying that someone sent that video using my computer?”

“...Are you saying you didn’t send it?”

Signora was walking along an empty corridor, looking for her way back to the main hall for the Award ceremony when she heard faint voices. When she looked around the corner, she saw Alhaitham coming out of a room. As soon as he disappeared down a set of stairs, Signora saw you walking out of the same room. S he raised a brow. Well, that wasn’t suspicious at all.

“I saw the news about that reporter hiding cameras in keychains he gave to people that night.”

“You took one from him?” Alhaitham asks.

“I had no idea there was a camera in there. So, when I saw the news, I had a friend look into it. He took the keychain apart and got whatever footage that stupid camera recorded.”

“...A friend?”

"I know he didn't watch any of it. I was with him."

“So, you never saw this video.”

“No," Signora says. "I admit I saw you and her that night. I never knew it was caught on camera.” She looks him in the eyes. “It wasn’t me who sent that video to you.”

“What about your friend?”

“...Dottore?”

When Signora stays quiet, Alhaitham says, “You look a little conflicted.”

“I don’t see why he would do this.”

Her guess is as good as his. Alhaitham hasn't the slightest clue about who this person is, but you must know him… right?

◆◆◆

You sigh out of relief as soon as the shoot is over. It's a small scene, but the mental fatigue is kicking in.

“Was this your first time in front of a camera?"

You turn to Ayato who’s still in costume. “Does posing for normal photos count?” you joke.

Ayato smiles. “You’re a natural.”

“Ah, you’re too kind, Ayato. But thank you. I did my best.”

“Well, I’d say you two are a hit.” Childe walks up to you and Ayato. “The director likes this better than the one that was originally filmed.”

“You also worked hard, Childe,” you say.

“It’s the first time I saw someone do a complete rewrite on the spot,” Ayato adds.

Childe waves his hand dissmisvely. 

Then, your phone starts going off. At first, you think it’s something for work. Well, you aren’t completely wrong.

Oooh, they’re cute!

I’d buy the snack they’re advertising hahah

They look good together

When you finally find the source of the comments from your colleagues, you're getting an influx of messages from people joking about whether you're changing careers or making your "much anticipated" acting debut. Someone had taken a short clip of you and Ayato together on set and shared it internally, getting tons of reactions.

Well, you guess it’s better than the other video going viral.

When you get an incoming call from Alhaitham, you quickly step aside to take it.

“...Do you know someone named Dottore?”

You stiffen at the name. “Why do you ask?”

After he tells you what he learned from Signora, your jaw almost drops. It sounds like something that only happens in fiction. You should know. After writing so much of it, after all.

Alhaitham says your name which makes you say, “I… yeah, I do know someone named Dottore.” You sigh. “...He’s my ex.”

Alhaitham unconsciously grips his phone tighter.

◆◆◆

You're heading to your school reunion after work, but your mind is on other things. Perhaps Dottore heard about you from Signora. You were also on TV. There was also the photo incident with Ayato. In other words, it feels like you're a public figure now with everything that's happened.

The thought of Dottore possibly stalking you is enough to give you goosebumps. Thinking back to when you first got together... he might've already shown some questionable behaviour.

It was like a scene out of a movie. Dottore had you caged against a locker in an empty hallway. Both of you had arrived earlier than usual for school. You were here to study at the library for your first-period test. Dottore was here to work out.

“I couldn’t hear you,” he said, leaning closer to you. “Could you say it again?”

You were a blushing, nervous mess. It only took about half a year for the guy you’ve been crushing on to notice you.

“...I… I like you.”

Dottore smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes.  “I like you, too, kitten.”

Once the bus doors open, you quickly get off and head toward Lambad’s Tavern. You bump into Dehya on your way there, and you let her rant a little about what's been going on at work before she picks up that you seem a little off. After telling her what happened, Dehya is at a loss for words.

“Good God. That's like... borderline threatening."

"It definitely messes with your mind," you mutter.

“I agree he could've easily heard about you, but how would he know who your manager is? That's stalker behaviour."

You push open the doors to Lambad’s Tavern when you hear, “Oh, c’mon, Collei. Don’t be like that. We’re all old friends, aren’t we? Besides, he’s in town just this week!”

You face forward and you freeze upon seeing the red eyes that once made your heart race.

“Long time no see, kitten.”

◆◆◆

Back at the office, Alhaitham has just finished a meeting. He closes his laptop and rubs his tired eyes. Is there a possibility Dottore will show up at your reunion tonight? Just as Alhaitham mulls this over, he gets a notification that the semi-viral video of you and Ayato got taken down. 

You’d told him about it, including the story behind it. While Alhaitham is proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone, he's bothered by the comments. You and Ayato look good together? Alhaitham takes that as you and Ayato are professionals. Still, Alhaitham sighs. Maybe it won't bother him as much if people know about your relationship.

How long will this secret relationship continue?

Bzzt. Bzzt.

Kaveh: Hey junior. Up for a drink tonight?

A drink, huh? That doesn’t sound like a bad idea.

Where?

Kaveh: Lambad’s Tavern 😀

Chapter Twenty-One

Tag list: @suoshiii @lordbugs @seirenspinel @lxry-chxn @sakiimeo @ash-in-lavender @ceylestia @deathkat657 @forsh4dow @kalpie @elernity @sentieence @chichibleeps @sunsethw4 @hjjks @nqctre @just-simping-over-genshin @tanspostsblog @uchihaeirin @vynbin @ayanokomu @dksfl920 @alatus1808 @itztaki @thetwinkims @imkaaayy @angeilix @starlighttotheleft @letthewindlead @thelonelyarchon @certaindreampost @winterpein @theprinceofkhaos @vvyeislazzy

[neo404]

Hey when you get some free time i would love another part of Proud of you, buddy if you are feeling up to it

Proud of you, buddy. Part 3.

Summary: introduce Jackson to your family.

Tw: cursing?

‘’You told your brothers?!?’’ Jackson is standing on the front door; I nod and he starts to panic. ‘’Oh shit, I’m about to meet them and they know we kissed.’’

‘’They don’t know that; they know you are my boyfriend.’’ He lets out a sigh.

‘’This is fine, I’m fine, I’m cool. I’m a cool guy…’’

‘’Yes, you are.’’ I grab his hand and pull him inside the house. ‘’I’ll call them.’’

‘’WAIT. Give me a second.’’ He rests his head on my shoulder and let’s out a sigh. ‘’Okay, I can do this. I’m so cool and collected, I’m not nervous at all.’’ I laugh at this and kiss his cheek.

‘’Nick! Matt! Chris!’’ they are in the kitchen, wrapping mom’s gifts, talking about mom, she is outside shopping with dad for the dinner, so it’s just us for a bit. I see my brothers entering the living room with a serious face, Chris has his arms crossed over his chest, oh god, this will be funny.

‘’I see, you are the young man that stole my brothers’ heart.’’ Chris talks. ‘’I’m Christopher, sit down.’’ Jackson sits down on the couch immediately.

‘’Jackson, nice to meet you… sir?’’ Chris almost breaks up laughing, I can see it in his face.

‘’Yeah, that sounds right.’’

‘’He is Matthew and he is Nicolas.’’ They nod along as Chris introduces them.

‘’And just so you know, we played lacrosse and hockey when we were in high school so we can pretty much beat you ass.’’ Jackson gulps and nods, Matt was serious, that was not part of the joke.

‘’So…’’ I clap my hands, now that we all know each other, we can go back to what we were doing.’’ I practically shove the 3 of them into the kitchen. ‘’What is wrong with you?? Christopher, Matthew and Nicolas, are you serious? He is scared.’’

Matt smiles and nods. ‘’yeah, that’s the point.’’

‘’Too much point Matt.’’

‘’Whatever.’’ He mutters.

‘’It was not my idea.’’ Nick says raising his hands. ‘’I just played along.’’

‘’Whatever, we will be on the living room.’’ I turn around and start walking out of the kitchen.

‘’Cool, and just so you know we can see you from here, no smoochies or kisses and remember to leave room for Trevor.’’ Chris says laughing.

‘’I’m so sorry, they are not like that, they were just traying to scare you.’’ I sit down besides him.

‘’And they did an amazing job. Jesus, I was shitting my pants.’’ He laughs and hugs me. ‘’Do you think they’ll like me?’’

‘’Nick does, he was just playing along, Chris will eventually and Matt… well, it’s a bit hard to get on his good side, but once you get there, he’ll be the nicest person ever.’’ I smile warmly at him and wrap my arms around him.

---

It passed like 2 hours when I hear the car park outside the house, I jump up from Jacksons arms and pause the movie.

‘’I’m gonna help them with the bags.’’ I whisper to him.

‘’Okay, me too.’’ He stands up and I open the door.

‘’Hi honey.’’ Mom looks at me with bags on her arms. ‘’Oh god, hi Jackson, I thought you were coming for the dinner.’’ Mom gives him a quick hug.

‘’Well, I wanted to spend the day with my friend here. Hope it’s not a problem.’’ He smiles shyly at her. It sounds weird for him to call me that.

‘’Of course, not sweetheart.’’ Matt comes out of the kitchen helping mom with her bags and purse, while telling her about the blue macaw and why is no longer in danger, I see Nick and Chris snacking away with her gifts wrapped up behind Matt. They are so dumb…

‘’Hi Jackson.’’ Dad enter the house and gives me a pat on the back. Jackson smiles and greets him. ‘’Hey kiddo, help me with the other bags.’’ I nod and walk to the car with Jackson.

‘’Okay, I’m more nervous now.’’

‘’It’s okay, my parents are very chill about this.’’

‘’I know. I know. Its just… they’ll see me differently; I’m scared that they won’t think I’m good enough for you.’’ He grabs two bags, and looks at me.

‘’That won’t happen, ever. They don’t think that and they will not think that.’’ I grab the last bag and kiss his cheek. He nods and starts walking inside the house, I close the car door and walk inside too.

----

We are preparing the dinner. Chris, Matt, Dad and Jackson are outside preparing the barbecue, Nick, mom and I were inside the preparing the salad and rice, I look over and Nick and then at the door, he nods and leaves the kitchen.

‘’Hey, mom.’’ I go beside her in the sink.

‘’Yes, honey.’’

‘’Do you think I’m too young to be in love…?’’

‘’Oh no, I don’t think there is an age restriction to fall in love sweety, why? You like someone?’’ I let out a sigh.

‘’Yeah, I really do. And I’m kind of like… dating that person.’’ Mom gasps and turns around.

‘’Really? That’s amazing.’’ She smiles at me and hugs me.

‘’Yeah, the thing is… that person is Jackson.’’

‘’WHAT?!’’ she smiles widely and hugs me tighter. ‘’Your dad owes me money.’’

‘’What?’’

‘’Yeah, I told him you guys would date eventually, he told me you liked girls. Guess the mother instinct never fails.’’ She smiles warmly at me. ‘’thank you for telling me sweetheart. When are you planning to tell dad?’’

‘’How do you know I haven’t told him yet?’’

‘’I know you too well.’’ She messes my hair and I smile at her.

‘’You do.’’ I kiss her cheek and go outside. My brothers sitting on the grass fighting with each other as Nick tries to decorate the garden. ‘’Hey dad.’’ I get closer to the barbecue; Jackson is there helping him. ‘’you know how Jackson and I are like… really close and stuff.’’ Dad nods, Jackson looks at me with wide eyes. ‘’Well, he’s kind of my boyfriend.’’ I smile and hide my hands behind my back. Dad look at me with a surprised face.

‘’Oh, don’t tell me that… shit, I owe your mother money.’’

‘’I know.’’ He smiles at me and pats my back.

‘’That’s good kid, he’s a great guy.’’ He then looks at Jackson. ‘’You know, those 3 crazy guys over there used to play hockey and lacrosse, so be careful.’’

‘’THAT’S WHAT WE TOLD HIM!’’ Matt said from the other side of the garden.

‘’That’s what YOU told him.’’ Nick rolls his eyes at them.

[fruitless-vain]

How do you find people react to yoshi in stores? It was interesting yesterday I took my one dog to some dog friendly stores that arent as well known as dog friendly, I had her clipped to my belt and a treat pouch and no one interacted with her. I even had an employee ask if i was training her, shes a good girl but not nearly as well trained as yoshi so I was a little surprised at the space people gave us as when we go to more obvious dog friendly stores she gets lots of pats

Really depends on the day!

For the most part it’s a lot of distanced stares or that walk-by side eye where they’re staring at Yoshi but trying really hard not to make it obvious they’re staring at Yoshi. The majority of people understand what a service dog is and not to interact with them in any capacity so people will just walk by or I’ll hear conversations between themselves about “omg it’s a service dog!” “Omg it’s so cute!” Talking amongst themselves

Parents and kids I’ve had nothing but good interactions with so far, most of the time the kid points out Yoshi and the parent promptly either just scoops the kid and runs off or educates them that she’s working really hard and we can’t distract her right now!

Elderly are my biggest issue causers. If I have a bad interaction it’s always an older person - boomers and over. Boomer age group feels entitled to all my information and zero discretion. I’ve had them shout from across a store at me things like “what’s the dog for???????” “What’s wrong with you then??” And the like. Older folks are the worst for talking directly to Yoshi, making kissy sounds at her, and trying to actively get her attention. I’ve also had elderly take it upon themselves to try to correct her? Like Yoshi broke her down when the lady was crouched over her baby talking her and this lady just snapped at her going “no!! You shouldn’t do that!!!!”. I just re cued the down, wasn’t a big deal idk what her problem was it was so strange.

Teens to the thirties age group is most likely to be really respectful and talk to me. They’ll tell me that Yoshi is cute or that she’s doing a great job. They’ll ask if it’s okay to ask questions before asking things, want to know her breed or more about how her job works/ how she knows what to do. Typically this age group won’t stop to ask me things unless I’m already stopped myself. If I’m walking it’s brief comments, if I’m doing training drills back and forth or sitting then they have more thorough respectful convos.

Store managers and security are the most wary and understandably so. They’ll keep a close eye on us as we approach the store or walk the first few aisles. They’ll either stop us and ask if she’s a SD before letting us go on or they’ll just see her behaviour and move on with their day. Some of them I’ve had pleasant convos with regarding SD standards and fakes they’ve had in the store in the past, use Yo as an example for their employees to reference and inform them of the laws/ things they can kick a team out for. Standard employees almost always I will hear a squeal and “oh my god loook!!!!” Between the staff immediately followed by arguing over who gets to ask if I need assistance 😂 or mumbled discussions of whether or not Yoshis a fake because she’s small.

Other SD teams I get one of two things- we spot eachother and both go out of our way not to have to cross paths, take things wide, give a nod, and carry on. Or people assume Yoshi is a fake and give me the worst glare imaginable for simply existing in a space because she is a small working dog. (It’s always someone with a lab) last option is their dog is a fake and you see the panic come over their face before they u turn and drag their dog out of there asap.

I will say the worst issue I have currently is people NOT giving us space. She gets narrowly missed so often, I basically have to have her walk in between my legs for the duration of the trip in chaotic places like Costco because people will just run over her. If we’re stopped she has to be between me and a shelf, at checkout she’s against a wall, even walking around where there’s ample space people will still cut so close to her. I’m thankful she doesn’t have a tail because damn it absolutely would’ve been run over by now with the way people either don’t care or don’t pay attention.

On an average outing I’d say I get stopped two times? Mostly peaceful not a lot of issues, the occasional annoyance. But I’ve never had an outing where there wasn’t at least commentary to be overheard. It’s not possible for us to walk around a store without overhearing someone talking about us in some regard. Yeah they’re mostly positive, half the time I chuckle because grown adults going “omg puppy!!!” Is always a little cute and funny, but most people don’t enjoy being /perceived/ every single time they go somewhere. But that’s just part of the package when you have a service dog

[bevswashere]

Koi No Yokan

Chapter 31: Moving On

It’s cold here, inside the abandoned clock tower. Wood creaking beneath my feet, no sound besides the tick of the seconds going by. It means nothing, though. Time doesn’t pass here, my body doesn’t age. Only cold, empty.

The white glass panes behind the clock arms slowly drip with something crimson. I look more closely, only for the tower to rattle in a thunderous chime. The hour hand has reached twelve, and from its tip hangs Haruki’s body.

December 20134 years later.

I wake up briskly after that, eyes snapping open, a sweat broken out across my brow. My heart is beating rather quickly. I have to sit up, take a few slow breaths.

Shigeri stirs, reaches out. “Who was it this time?”

I lay back down into his arms, feel him breathe warmly into my side. “Haruki.” Another student who died last year. We’re used to these nightmares, though. Dead students, family members, friends, all coming back to haunt us in our sleep. The narrative varies, sometimes curses that have left a lasting impression kill them, other times they die at my own hand. At times they are simply there, loitering in my mind, watching me. When there are no nightmares, there’s only deep, dark sleep. I find myself craving that more and more these days.

“It’s still early,” Shigeri says. “Try to sleep some more.”

I close my eyes as he tells me, but my mind is already alive. I cannot forget Haruki’s face, or any of the others. I stay in my place, awake, until our alarm sounds.

“What do you have for today?” he asks, pulling the top of his uniform over his head.

“Not much.” I pull my shoes onto my feet, remembering that last night, I’d found a ring in Shigeri’s nightstand while looking for something else. “Yaga wanted to meet in an hour for a mission briefing. After that I might take the kids into the field.”

“And after that?”

“After that, nothing.”

I feel his arms wrap around my middle, his chin landing above my shoulder. “You’ll be free for dinner then?”

My stomach turns. “I should be.”

He kisses my cheek. “Good, we’ll have a date night.”

I can already picture it, Shigeri giving some sort of heartfelt speech, before getting on one knee in the middle of a restaurant. Everyone will start clapping, and I’ll want to sink into the floor where no one could find me.

“What’s with that sick look on your face?”

I straighten up in my seat. “Nothing, nothing.”

“As I was saying,” Yaga continues clicking through the mission file on his computer, “Expect to be overseas for some time, maybe two to three weeks. You guys will need to take your time flushing out the curse users.”

“‘You guys’?”

Yaga sighs. “The higher ups are still weary about your movements. They won’t say it outright, but they’ll want you monitored, especially considering the distance.”

“I’ve behaved myself for four years.”

“You discovered a sixth Sukuna finger last month,” Yaga counters. “You’re nearing half of the whole, that makes them uneasy. Tsuda-san has volunteered to accompany you.”

“Kei?!” I can’t contain my disbelief. “She hates me. Why would she volunteer to join me overseas?”

“Perhaps on the off chance that you make a wrong move, she could justify killing you.”

I scoff, arms folded above my chest. “As if.” I let my head fall back against the back of my chair, sighing largely up at the ceiling. “They should just sentence me already.”

“And give you an excuse to act out?”

“If I wanted to act out I would have done it by now. The only reason I’m laying low is—”

“They’ll entrust Satoru with your execution.”

Yaga’s words pose a statement, not a question. “Right. After all, killing Suguru is still technically his job.”

“Work carefully on this mission,” Yaga tells me. “Locate the curse users, carry out their sentences, quietly. Drawing any attention to yourself won’t be good for either of us.”

“So you keep saying.”

∞

“Right, inside here is a third grade—no, second grade? Third?” My thumb points to the doors behind me. I lean in a little closer. “Sounds like a second grade.”

“You can hear it?” Sachi, my most enthusiastic first year, raises his hand as he speaks.

“Everything has a frequency, even cursed energy, if you listen hard enough.”

Runa, the only girl this year, meets this fact with the same apathy she meets everything else with. “Why don’t they teach us that in the first place?”

“Well, there’s only two people I can think of who can do this.” They’re looking at one of them. “Besides, it isn’t just uncommon, it’s pretty annoying when you’re not trying to find a curse. Ah, that reminds me,” I reach into my pockets and pull out three blue whistles fixed to some string, “Exorcise it, but if you can’t—and only if you think you’re going to die—blow this.”

I toss one to each of them. Iwao observes it, unimpressed, “A whistle?”

“You guys will do better if I’m not watching, so blow that and I’ll come help if you need me to.”

“And if we die before we get the chance?” Runa asks.

My tone turns serious. “You’ll know right away if you’re outmatched. Unless you’re feeling particularly good today, don’t try to be a hero. Blow the whistle.”

They put on their faces of determination and enter the gymnasium without me. Silently, I wait, leaning against one of the walls, holding my breath as I do every time they leave my sight. Each of them are gifted, I don’t doubt that, but they’re young, eager to prove themself. I would know, considering I’m not that far off from their position.

Arakawa Iwao, the tall one, with the clean cut hair, and thickly framed glasses might be the most type A person I’ve ever met, second only to Kento-kun. His actions rely solely on logic, probabilities. Likewise his technique requires him to form physical barriers of exact measurements, once established these barriers can amplify the techniques of those inside. It’s not the most useful technique in terms of a one on one battle, which is why I immediately thought to keep him close to Yagami Runa, the daughter of a curse user Mei-san killed about six years ago. Since then, both the Tokyo and Kyoto schools have been keeping a close eye on her. Runa, and her father, possessed the ability to convert cursed energy into raw dark matter. It’s a unique skill, potent when encountered, but like any technique that creates physical matter, the energy expenditure outweighs the end results. Keeping Iwao close is the key to overcoming those limitations, letting her push the boundaries on her technique.

Fukase Sachi, with his helplessly innocent demeanor and mussed golden hair, is a shikigami user. What he lacks in strength, he makes up for in good attitude. With a bit of guidance, he’s been able to expand his shikigami collection to a cursed gazelle, eagle, and badger. My main focus, though, has been solidifying his hand to hand skills, making sure he doesn’t fall behind when the other two have each other to depend on.

Thirty minutes later, no whistles are blown, and they return bruised and battered. Iwao’s left arm is bleeding heavily, and Sachi is limping.

“All done?” My hand hovers over Iwao’s wound, turning ever so slightly as the bleeding stops.

“Oh, Reverse Cursed Technique?” Sachi says in wonderment.

“Barely.”

“Is there anything you can’t do?” Runa says, voice low, monotone. I can’t tell if it’s impress or resentment.

“Tons of stuff. For example, healing Iwao here.” We break into the open air again, my hand still carefully above Iwao-kun’s arm. Runa is helping Sachi walk. “Don’t worry, though. I’ll teach you guys everything I know before the school year is up. I promise it.”

∞

“How did they do today?” Shigeri’s load has been easy recently, seeing as he only has one student. Haruki’s classmate.

“Passed with flying colors.”

He shifts in his seat, and I hold my breath. “Are you sure? You seem jumpy.”

“Just a little tired,” I say, eating my dinner slowly, acutely aware of each bite taken. The slightest movement from Shigeri, the faintest twitch of his arm, puts me on alert. I would gain warning from the Forward Sight, but what good would it do? What would I say if he really does take the ring out?

But the dinner concludes, we split the bill, and I feel myself release this massive breath I didn’t know I’d been holding. The ring can be a situation for another night.

Arm in arm, we walk through the city, the sun slowly sinking beneath the skyline. “Were you ever going to bring up how you’ll be leaving tomorrow?”

“To be honest, I forgot.” Things slip my mind easily these days, fade into the background of problems that aren’t my own. “Kei is coming with me.”

“Really?” he says in pleasant surprise, “I haven’t seen her in forever.”

Lucky you, I think to myself. “I’ll be gone for a while, if you could watch over everyone for me.”

“Anything you need.” He stops suddenly, and lets go of my arm, dipping his hands down into his jacket pockets. I feel my heart beat into the soles of my feet. “Kaede, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”

But the ringer of my phone is on, and begins chiming at a wonderfully loud volume. I don’t ask Shigeri if I can take the call, and answer immediately.

“Kaedeee.” His whining never changes. “Come over. It’s important.”

“Are you dying?”

He scoffs largely. “As if.”

“Then, what could be so important?”

“Come over and you’ll see.”

I look at Shigeri, see him slowly remove his hands from his pockets. Why am I like this?” I ask myself. Why must I ruin a perfectly good thing? Shigeri is kind and affectionate. I feel safe with him, loved. The sensible thing would be to take the ring from his pocket and get on a knee myself, profess how unworthy I am of his goodness, yet I’m deliberately stalling the inevitable. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

“Gojo?” Shigeri says.

“Yes.”

He makes the same expression every time he hears his name, a halfhearted smile paired with a slow nod. But not once has he ever denied me of speaking with Satoru, or seeing him. Not a single complaint or question of what we do when alone. Trust of an incredibly dangerous degree. “Go ahead. I’ll see you once you’re back.”

It’s because of that blatant trust that I bring up, “Didn’t you have something you wanted to say?”

“It can wait.”

∞

Satoru’s apartment was on the umpteenth floor of a newly built complex. The air still smelled of paint and inside the lobby was a doorman who insisted on operating the elevator for you. I imagine he held his own twisted notions about Satoru and I, seeing as he’d lead me up to floor sixteen about twice a month, and watch me leave within the same night.

He opens the door before I can knock, “What took you so long?”

“Not all of us can teleport across the city.” He pulls me into the place, everything a cold gray color, the walls uncomfortably bare. You would hardly think anyone lived here. “What is it? What was so important?”

He hums in confusion, meaning he’d already forgotten the claims he’d made on the phone. “Oh, well, it’s been too long since I’ve seen you.” I’m ushered towards the couch, sat down on the firm and leather surface. “Tell me about things.”

It’s always the same. Calling when he pleases, engaging me in random tasks, listening to the nonsense of my daily life, and then he’s sated and I leave. Nothing I talk about is new either, curses, training, the higher ups getting on my nerves, and most of all my students. I brag of their achievements, no matter how they pale in comparison to his own. Satoru listens attentively, mentioning ideas for how I could better train everyone, his own upset comments on the higher ups. I remember when I confessed that Haruki died, he hugged me. It was the only time we’d had contact like that in years. “All of them will be great,” I say.

“You say that every year.”

“And I mean it every time.”

Satoru laughs at me, then softens. “You seem so happy when you talk about them.”

“They do make me happy.” I tell him in earnest, “I would give my life for them to not go through the things we did.”

“Those things made us strong.”

“That doesn’t make it okay,” I say. “Lots of people can teach them to be strong, but I want them to see that this morally gray way of running things can be changed.”

“Changed into what?”

“I don’t know yet. But I realized it some time after seeing you with Megumi. It’s not about us anymore. You and I could kill everyone and take over the world, but the world won’t follow us. At least if we teach them, they’ll know the difference between right and wrong well enough that it’ll never come to that.”

Satoru yawns dramatically, stretching his arms out at his sides. “Sounds like a lot of work teaching a ton of brats.”

“Well, I guess it’s not for everyone.” But I know him, and I know that what he’ll never admit is that he loves people, brats and all. He probably loves them far more than me, feels it’s some kind of privilege to be surrounded by them, but he’s cut himself off from the world. Even from me. We’re all shadows to him now, chasing from behind, fading in the darkness. “Have you been seeing anyone else?”

Casually he says, “I haven’t been with anyone else since we broke up.”

“I meant friends.”

“Oh,” he looks at me with unease. “Only you, I guess. Shoko’s busy with school, and Nanami is gone.”

“I don’t want you to be alone too much.”

Satoru’s gaze pierces into me, even from behind the glasses. I notice then that he’s replaced his old ones, exchanged them for a slimmer, rectangular frame. “I don’t feel lonely.”

I felt content knowing that I still held some vestige of necessity for Satoru, that I could relieve him of the hard life he’s meant to lead. Then I realized it’s wrong to feel that way, to want to be necessary for him. As if he can hear my silent wanting, he leans in rapidly. We kiss for the first time in I’m not sure how long, and I immediately pull away. “I should go.”

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I’m not upset.” I think to reach out, but refrain knowing the flame his touch would incite. “I have to catch a flight tomorrow morning. I want to say bye to my students before I go.”

When I stand up he quickly follows. “I don’t want you to stop seeing me because of this.”

“I’ll see you whenever you want, Satoru, don’t worry.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

∞

Guilt is the sole thing I feel as I return to campus. The sting of Satoru’s lips on mine lingers and incites a kind of irreparable passion I fight hard to ignore. Love like that, like the one we had, doesn’t ever disappear. It only quiets when you’re distracted, and roars at the simplest touch, a kiss. I’ll never experience a love like that again in my life, and maybe I’m not supposed to. Maybe I’m supposed to choose a comfortable love, one that doesn’t break apart everything I build up. I countered my guilt with sudden determination, When Shigeri takes out the ring, I’ll say yes.

Her shadowy figure enters my peripheral, “Can’t sleep?”

Runa’s already in a deep purple nightgown, her skin like a ghost’s in the moonlight. “I don’t usually sleep very much.”

She aligns herself with my stride. I notice she’s barefoot. “Why not?”

“Too many nightmares.”

“About curses?”

“About myself,” she says darkly.

“I understand.”

“What could you possibly understand about it?”

We come to a stop. She’s only half my size, frail in this light, eyes large. A sadness I hadn’t felt previously arises when I realize how devastatingly young she looks. “I’ve been in your position before.”

“Knowing you’re supposed to be stronger and still failing all the time?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t believe that for a second.” Her gaze drifts to the ground. She’s angry. “You’re excessively strong. Both you and Gojo Satoru.”

Runa mentioning his name frightens me, like she knows the bad things I’ve done, the hurtful things I’m thinking. She’s waving it all in front of me. “I’ve failed a lot of people,” I tell her, “Gojo Satoru most of all.”

“You failed Gojo Satoru?”

“We were supposed to be the strongest together.” I don’t give Runa time to dissect the statement. In fact, I selfishly turn away and head towards the staff building. “You should know happens to the boys isn't your fault. Goodnight, Runa.”

I can’t linger on strength or Gojo Satoru any longer. It’ll ruin me, more than I’ve already been ruined. Shigeri is waiting for me in our room, I tell him I know about the ring, I tell him to let me wear it. 

**if you didn't notice the little easter egg, her students i.e. the three in the picture are the kids Nanami saved in JJK 0 :))

[nkirukaj]

Fawning for You (21)

Pairing: Alastor x Voe (Fem!OC)

Warnings: Swearing

Genre: Fluff, Angst (& Humor!)

Word Count: 4.6K

21. Someone Gets Hurt (Reprise)

“Hey baby, hey,” she walks up to her children, they both stare before Alyson crawls away. Vernie, however, stared up at his mother and watched her movement. Voe squats down and sits before her son “Hi baby,” she says. She is met with wide eyes and no movement or response. “Come to Mommy?” she holds her hands out for him as he continues to stare up. Voe drops her hands and just stares back at him “I’ll win your heart one day,” she pouts at him

Vernie stares as Voe gets up and walks away, making a little bleat. 

“They’ll get to know you, they just gotta get used to you,” he turns to Cherri “Is that it?”

She shrugs “I don’t know, I’m not a mother,” she puts a piece of gum in her mouth

“So,” Angel starts again “How do you plan on getting your souls back?”

Voe shrugs “I have no idea. Most of them went back to the Vees, so they’re not even claimable,”

“Why don’t you just go kill ‘em again?” Cherri offered

“You could do that,” Angel agreed “Show them who Voe the Beau is,”

“Eh,”

“What? What’s wrong toots?”

“I was a different woman when I did that,”

“What? It’s because you’re a mother now?” Cherri rolled her eye

Voe shrugs again “Being a mother changes you!”

“You and Smiles, bringing down your rep!”

“Hate to say it toots, but this is Hell, if you want those souls back, you gotta get your hands dirty,”

She tilts her head “Can I be honest?”

“Eh, sure,”

“I’m not that upset that they’re gone. I mean being an overlord did matter to me, and I’m glad that I achieved it, but I don’t know if it’s a goal that I want to keep pursuing,”

Cherri hits Angel’s arm “See Angie? And you thought she was gonna be mad that you went back to Val!”

Voe whips her head around “What?!”

Angel glares at Cherri as she slinks away “Oh shit….”

Voe steps up to Angel “You went back to Valentino?”

“Look, I needed a job and-“

“After everything he’s done to you?!”

“He’s done things for me too!”

Voe is flabbergasted “I’ve done things for you,”

Angel furrows his brows “Look, I’m grateful for everything you’ve done, but,” he seems exasperated “Val’s the one that made me famous!”

“Yeah? So?”

“I’m tired of being unknown! There were people on my live last week asking ‘Who the fuck is Angel Dust’? Can you believe that? ‘Just some porn actor’ they said. I’m not just ‘some porn actor’, I’m the porn actor!”

“So fame is worth more than your safety??”

“Yes,” he sounds resolute, but she can tell that he’s unsure “I won a Sex-xx-i Award! 5 years in a row!”

“And what did it feel like? Huh? When you came home and Val would smack you because you deviated from the approved speech, or didn’t smile correctly?”

“I don’t care about all that! I care about fame! I want millions of people to see me on their screens. I can’t be forgotten! I want to be loved again! ”

Her volume increases “ANGEL YOU ARE LOVED!” 

“Good on you for being a mom and all that, but I gotta do things my way,” he glares at her and walks away 

Voe goes back to her room and face plants on her bed. There was nothing she could do to fix anything anymore. At this point, all she wanted was for her children to love her, and that would be enough. 

_________________________________________

“Okay Casper, what can we do the fix the theater? The theater is my biggest love and I want to share that joy with the denizens of Hell, no matter how many souls I do or do not own,”

“Well, we can try to put on another show, or have a party? You know, I don’t know,” he sat and thought “I got it! What if we did something for poor sinners instead? Like a soup kitchen or something,”

“And we can run it out of the Hotel! Casper, you’re a genius!”

He looks proud of himself, “Yeah,”

“So what do you think Charlie? Can we do it here?” Voe asks

“Oh my gosh! Of course!” Charlie has tears in her eyes “You are getting better every day. You are gonna be redeemed in no time!”

Off in the shadows where he was the most comfortable, stood Alastor watching his wife converse with the princess. 

“Why I think it’s a wonderful idea! Why don’t I help out?” He steps forward

Voe is shocked “Really?”

“Of course! I will my wife anyway that I can!”

She smiles “That’s so sweet Alastor,”

“Of course, anything for you, my dear,” he wraps his arm around her “And maybe Angel could help! He could make something Italian,”

She looks over at Angel who says “Uh sure, I can help…if Voe wants me to,”

Voe looks down and turns her head away from Angel and at the floor.

“Look, I know that you don’t want to talk to me, I just want you to know that whatever I do is my business. But you’re still my friend and I’ll help you if you want me to,” 

“Okay, I guess,”

“Great! You know Voe this is amazing!” Charlie beams “I thought you might have given up after the thing with your businesses and all that!”

Voe tilts her head demonstrating that she would rather not talk about that, and turns to Alastor “Well, we’ll need your best recipes babe,” she pats his chest

“I will make sure that they are the best dishes any homeless sinners have ever had. If they’ve ever had any! Ha ha!”

Voe taps his arm “Thanks babe,” she tells him

“Good morning Sam!”

“Niffty,” Voe kneels in front of the housekeeper “That is not his name,”

“Oh! Come on Vernie!”

“Hi, Vernie!” He made a bunch of gibberish noises and a happy bleat in response. “How are you doing baby?”

He stares up at her with curiosity, and his little nose twitches rapidly. She sits on the floor and allows him to climb up onto her. 

“Hi Vernie! Hi!” he runs his nose over her as he climbs up her legs. He continues to sniff her and then lays his head on her shoulder. Voe slowly wraps her arms around her son to see if he would allow her and he does not protest when she does. He stares at her from his spot on her shoulder, taking her in as she holds him. Voe is quietly excited, to not startle or upset him. “It’s Momma. I’m your Momma,” she tells him, with him blinking in response. 

Vernie continues to rest there on her shoulder, opening and closing his hand, and letting out a fawn squeak in return. Voe tries not to smile but can’t help it, and Vernie smiles back.

“Alastor! Look, at what Vernie has on!” She tells him

Alastor looks as she holds up their son, and he’s wearing a cute red onesie with black feet. “Cute,” he muses 

“Look, it has a little bowtie like yours!” she is so excited to be dressing him ever since he let her hold him. Vernie is opening and closing his fingers with his other fingers in his mouth. “And the bottom has little hoof prints like your shoes!” she lifts his little foot to show him

“Aw isn’t he precious?” he states looking down at them both

She hands Vernie to him and Alastor is taken aback by it for a moment, then holds him properly as Voe holds up another onesie.

“I got this one for Aly, but I don’t know if she would let me dress her. It has a bow like my dresses, and it has hoof prints too!”

“Well, why don’t we go see?” 

They approach Aly in the crib, she’s sitting up when Voe approaches, and she puts her arms out reaching for her daughter. Aly looks up and sniffs her mother the same way that her brother did, analyzing her scent to make sure that she is trustworthy. After careful sniffing, Aly reaches up for her mother.

Voe gasps in happiness as she picks up her daughter “Alastor!” she whispers

“I see,” he responds, shocked himself as he holds Vernie

She turns to her daughter “Let me massage your little hoovsies,” she smiles, putting her down on the bed and rubbing her hooves. Voe pulls out the onesie, Aly claps her hands, and smiles her pacifier falling out of her mouth. “Someone likes the onesie. Can Momma put it on?” Aly grabs at it “Ooh patience!” she puts on the onesie, tying the bow. She holds her. “Look!” she shows Alastor, tearing up.

“My dear, she’s adorable,” he hugs Voe

“Look at us a big happy family!”

Alastor sighs “Indeed we are,” he kisses her forehead

“I’m gonna cry,”

_____________________________

On the day of the soup kitchen, the turnout was wild. The Hotel was full of. impoverished sinners looking for a meal. There was nowhere for any of the residents to sit, but that was worth it to be giving back to the community. Voe had her hair tied up and big plastic gloves on behind the table as she served salad and rice alongside Casper, Niffty, Charlie, and Vaggie. The dispenser of juice sat at the 

“Don’t forget your bread!” Niffty calls out 

“Actually I can’t have any-“

She giggles “Don’t forget!” and piles some garlic bread and rolls on the demon’s plate

“This is amazing, right Casper?”

“Definitely, this was a good idea!”

“Well, it was your idea,”

Casper sighs proudly “Yeah,”

They had Cherri at the door since Bean was unavailable, and she seemed like she was doing a good job

“You sign in or you starve!” she called out 

“What do you think Charlie? Is this great or what?”

“This is AMAZING! Oh- you look really hungry,” she piles food on the demon’s plate

“This is so fun! I’m so glad we’re doing this!” Voe seems cheery and teary-eyed

Casper chuckled “Don’t cry into the food,”

Charlie gasps, about to put food on the empty plate “Eric! What are you doing?”

“I just want some lasagna, just put it on my plate,”

“Uh no! This food isn’t for you!”

“So we have to starve?”

“Eric, this food is for homeless sinners!”

He scoffs “So I have to starve because they’re homeless?”

Charlie is appalled “Leave,” she points

“Ugh,”

“Don’t forget your bread!” Niffty places a large roll on his plate

“Damn, thanks Niffty!” Eric takes a large bite out of it, swallowing quickly. When he walks away there’s a queasy look on his face before vomiting on the floor. Everyone stops and stares at him. It’s complete and total silence before someone else vomits. Then another, and another. Everyone who had eaten was throwing up the food. Voe spotted someone recording in the corner before they threw up as well. Charlie and Vaggie ran out to try and help the sick sinners, but all that Voe could do was stand behind the table in disbelief as it all went to shit. 

“At least we had somewhere they can rest?” Casper offered

Alastor appears “What a shame there’s no hospitals in Pentagram City,”

Voe widens her eyes “What about my hospital?”

“That’s right! We can take them there!” Casper agreed

“How are we going to get all those sinners there?”

Voe thinks, “Well I can fly…”

“Why don’t we bring everything here?” Charlie asks

“Where are the residents going to be?”

“There are still rooms left and the sick ones can stay here until they’re better,”

Voe sighs “Fine,”

“Great! Let’s get everyone to a room!”

They each help sinners to a room, filling them all in about an hour. Voe and Casper collapse on the couch

“Well, that was a disaster,”

“Well, at least we were able to fix it,”

She sits up and looks to her assistant, “We gotta do something else,”

“Like what?”

She looks away “I have no idea,”

Casper sits up with her “Maybe a…state fair? People Love State Fairs,”

Voe turns and shakes Casper “Why are you so smart???”

“Uhh, I don’t know,”

“Hi again Lucifer!” Voe sings entering the King’s room

He turns to greet her as he looks up from his novel “Oh hey,”

“I need a favor again,” she smiles tightly

“Okay…”

“So, our soup kitchen didn’t turn out well…”

“Oh yeah, I saw that,”

She gets closer to him “So, I was thinking…maybe we could have a state fair?”

He slams the novel shut “A what? Where are you having a state fair?”

“Well, remember you told me about how you had a theme park?”

“And remember how I told you that we can’t leave this ring? Sinners cannot leave the Pride Ring,”

Voe falls over him “But why…?”

Lucifer tries not to laugh “Because…should I remind you that sinners are here for punishment? Not on vacation. This is what you get,”

“But I wanted to do something nice!”

“Sinners don’t get nice,”

“Please!” she begs

He sits up “I’m sorry, they can’t leave the ring. It’s not just me, you’d have to ask the Seraphims in Heaven for permission too, and you’re not going to get permission from them,”

“Maybe make one in the Pride Ring? Please?”

He sighs “Fine. I will help you, but only because I feel bad about you dying,”

She twirls her hair “Is that the only reason?”

“Do you want my help or not?

“Of course!”

“Okay then,”

“Oooh A state fair! That is amazing that you helped out Dad, remember LuLu Land? Great memories!”

He crosses his arms “Yeah, something like that,”

Voe is standing along with Alastor, their children in baby carriers, and Voe is beaming “Isn’t this amazing Alastor?”

“It’s an amusement park, pretty childish isn’t it?”

“I like amusement parks! And we should be able to be silly instead of killing each other all the time!”

“I suppose, but most of these sinners are adults, it’s a bit strange,”

Charlie butts in “I think it’s amazing!”

“I think it’s a great idea!” Lucifer agrees with a wide grin

Alastor squints in frustration “Very well,”

“Alastor, have you ever been to an amusement park?”

He sighs “I guess not,”

Voe’s eyes widen and her jaw drops “You’re going on a ride,”

“Oh, I’m not the ride type, my dear,”

“You never know until you try!” Voe goes up to Vaggie “Can you watch them, please?”

“Of course,” 

“Look at my girl being a babysitter,”

Vaggie puts her head behind her ear and blushes, taking the twins “Whatever,”

Voe pulls Alastor to a rollercoaster and goes to the bathroom while waiting in line. Some sinner demons in front of them turned back and flinched ostentatiously when they saw the Radio Demon behind them.

“Don’t turn around,” they whispered and Alastor’s grin grew wider. As he waited for his wife, he leaned over to the side and slowly loosened a visible screw in the ride, just before his wife rejoined him at his side. 

“Did I miss anything?” she asked

“Nothing at all, my dear,”

Alastor dissipates his cane and steps on, the ride creaks as it starts up and Voe holds on to the bars in the seat.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes indeed,” he says with a smirk

The ride starts and up they go, when they come to the first dip everyone physically reacts except for Alastor, whose stance and smile stay in place. Once they get to the highest point on the ride, they get to the tippy top of the hill she grabs into Alastor’s arm, and the creaking returns as they head down the hill. The car starts shaking intensely and instantly falls apart. Dozens of sinners are free falling in the air, including Voe. All that was running through her mind was that she would have to get reacquainted with her children again and how they wouldn’t remember her. She starts to cry when she feels cool hands around her back and legs. She opens her eyes.

“Oh! Look at that. I wasn’t expecting to win something so beautiful at the carnival today,” She throws her arms around Alastor’s neck and cries “Aww you must be frightened, don’t worry I’ve got you,”

“Oh my god Voe are you okay?!” Charlie, Vaggie, Angel, Husk, and Lucifer rush up to the doe “I swear it was sturdy this morning. We tried it out so many times,”

“Yeah, I was the one riding it the whole time,” Angel agreed

“Huh,” Alastor muses as he puts his wife down.

“What?” Angel asks

“And where were you today? Didn’t want to join in on the festivities?”

Angel tilts his head “Huh?”

“And you went out and never returned a few weeks ago during the soup kitchen. Why is that?”

“Now hold on, I know you not blaming me,”

“Come on guys, let’s just make sure Voe is okay. And everyone else!”

“I’ll take care of my wife,” Alastor pipes up

Voe runs over to Vaggie “Give me my babies!”

“Of course!” She holds her twins close to her and they are utterly confused by her tears.

Casper runs up to her “Are you okay? Are you injured?”

She shakes her head, not able to speak through her tears.

“This is probably not a good time,”

“Is there something wrong Casper? Let’s discuss,” Alastor takes him to the side and questions “What is it that you wanted to tell her?”

“Well, whatever sickness was going around a week ago is back, and people are throwing up by the barrel. There’s also some other malfunctioning rides on the other side of the park, and Sinstagram is ripping her a new one, so tell her to stay away from social media,”

“Oh my,”

“In a bad way right? You’re saying it in a bad way?”

Alastor does not respond to the question but instead says “I will take care of it, don’t you worry!” his grin growing wider

Alastor returns to Voe who has finally stopped crying “Hello my dear, how are you doing now?”

She inhales “I’m okay now,” the twins are in their carriers “I am so sorry for making you go on that ride,”

“Now now, you are not to blame. I think you should call it a day,”

She nods “Yeah, I just want to spend time with my kids right now,”

“Splendid,” Alastor agrees “Oh here’s your phone,” he hands it to her

She sniffles “Thanks,”

“A LuLu Land knockoff gone wrong,”

“She doesn’t know what she’s doing,”

“Is Voe the Beau trying to kill people?”

“Worse than any Overlord,”

“This is just insulting at this point!”

Voe shuts the laptop urgently and falls back on her bed. She looks over at her kids in their crib as they sleep, knowing that they deserve a mother who does wonderful things for people and is not disgraced by the public. Two outings, two L’s, she had one more chance to get a W, and she had to make it count.

____________________________

“Lucifer,”

“Hmm?’

“I have a question,”

“Yeah, but first I have a question for you. Are you okay?”

She waves him off “Don’t worry about me. But, what is the rest of Hell like?”

“What do you mean?”

“Is it like this? Or is it like a proper society?”

“I guess you could say it’s a proper society, but it’s kind of hard for them because of poverty,”

“Excellent,”

He looks up confused “Huh?”

“No, not excellent that people are poor. But excellent that there are some societies in Hell,” she turns her back to him “Can you leave this ring?”

“Oh yeah!”

“I need you to bring something to another ring for me,”

“Wait is this about redemption?”

“Why?”

“I think you should take it slow, maybe rest?”

She whips back around “I can’t rest, my children my children have a disgrace for a mother!”

“What? Voe you’re not a disgrace,”

Voe slumps onto his bed “Everyone else thinks so,”

“Screw what everyone else thinks!” he sits next to her

She leans on his shoulder “I don’t know why things keep going wrong,”

“Maybe, just take it easy. Relax. The people that love you do not think that you’re a disgrace,”

She looks up at him through her lashes “You love me?”

“Of course I do,” he kisses her forehead “Why wouldn’t I?”

“I don’t know what to do Lucifer,”

“You know what? I’ll make sure nothing happens to your next event, you’ll be guaranteed to succeed,”

Voe sits up “Really?”

“Really,”

She went and posted a video saying “I’m going to have a bake sale out of my theater, and all the profits will be sent to orphans in the Greed Ring. Run, don’t walk!” She’s scared to do lives now, afraid of what people would say, but she posts the video and closes the app immediately, hoping that it would make some kind of noise.

“Do you need any help, my dear?” Alastor asked as Voe prepared to bake

She shakes her head “No, I love baking, I can do this on my own. Besides, you’ve done enough baby,” she kisses him, and he is frustrated now unaware of how to proceed.

The video did make some noise, but unsurprisingly was mostly people who were coming to see her fail. They stood outside the theater screaming and making fun of her entire plan, kind of like the opposite of a protest.

“Would you like me to take care of them?” He raised his brow

“I thought you weren’t killing anymore,”

He smirks “I didn’t say I was going to kill them,”

“It’s fine, leave them be,”

“Your choice,”

Voe meets Lucifer inside and she hugs him before he helps her set up the booth. Everything was going quite well, people hoards of people buying baked goods from Voe the Beau, perhaps they didn’t care about the cause but it didn’t matter, she was feeding them and they weren’t throwing up and nothing was collapsing.

“Hey babe, could you watch the stand and keep everything going for me? I have to use the bathroom,”

“Of course!”

Lucifer stood by as she left. Why hadn’t she asked him? He was the one who pledged to make sure that nothing went wrong today. He was basically watching over everything anyway. He knew that his chances with Voe were over, but it still irked him to see her ask him to do any of the things that he knew he could do for her, which was everything that he did and more. He could do anything that Alastor could do… including standing there and letting people take the money from the box???

Lucifer jumped into gear, stretching out his hand and paralyzing the would-be thieves, before he went over and retrieved the money from them, turning them into worms for good measure. Voe comes storming out when she hears the commotion.

“What just happened?” She asks

“These two sinners were trying to steal all of your money,” Lucifer told her immediately

“What?”

“And Alastor let them!”

Voe looked as if she was smacked in the face by those words “W-what?” she asked, much softer “No, I think you saw wrong Lucifer,” she looked up at her husband and waited for his response

“Of course, he saw wrong. I would never do that! I was trying to stop them! If anything, I would talk to Angel,”

Voe blinks slowly “See Lucifer, you had it all wrong,” she says, but her tone betrays something else. And so does her silence for the rest of the event as Alastor stands beside her. 

__________________________________

When Alastor enters Voe’s bedroom, he sees that the twins have already been put to bed, everything is in order and Voe lays on the bed with her back to the door. He reaches over to give her a kiss goodnight when she sits up.

“I think you should go to your room tonight,”

“What? What’s the matter, darling?”

She looks away from him “I don’t…want to share a bed with you,”

“…Why? Do you really think I would try and sabotage you?”

She looks down at her fingers and takes a deep breath “Alastor you were there,”

“What do you mean?” he squints 

“For everything, you were there,”

“Well I-“

“You were the only one that was there for everything,” she stares at him as he stands in silence “Say something!” she hisses

“What would you like me to say?”

Voe shrugs “I don’t know, maybe ‘Of course I didn’t’”

“You seem to have made up your mind that I did do it,”

Voe shakes her head and laughs “Why you would do this to me? I know you may not love me, but I thought you at least cared about me,”

“I didn’t do anything,” he asserts

“Ruining not only my endeavors, but my reputation and I could have died!”

“But you didn’t and I saved you, that proves I didn’t do anything. I was also on that ride,”

“There was a moment where you were left unattended every single time,”

“You really think I would do that to you?”

Voe rubs her forehead “Please stop lying to me,”

“I don’t know what you want to hear,”

She stands and rushes him “Why are you fucking up my progress?!

“I do not know what you mean,” his smile was tight

“What’s your problem?”

He stood in front of her, the ever-present smile wavering ever so slightly 

“I don’t think Heaven is the proper place for you, dearest.” That was all he said

“What?! That’s why I’m trying to be redeemed!” She crosses her arms 

“Well, maybe you shouldn’t.” He spat back quick as ever

“What? Why? I’m so close to finally leaving this place!”

“Well, maybe I don’t want you to leave!” His radio filter dropped, along with his ears, eyes, and the rest of his body

“May I touch you?” 

“No,”

“Okay. You may touch me.” He turns and looks over his shoulder apprehensively, before turning back and slinking his arms around her waist, burying his face in her chest. 

She stood very still, suppressing the urge to hug him back, her arms limp at her sides, when he took her hands and placed one on his back and the other in his hair. She smiles softly and scratches the spot behind his ears, and they perk up

“You know you could try,” she tells him

Alastor stares up at her in slight confusion “What?”

“You could try to be redeemed, and we could go together. Bring our kids along with us. You’ve already chosen to stop killing, so you’re on your way. Have you ever thought of that?”

No, he hadn’t thought about it. He hadn’t even considered that there was a universe where he was good enough for Heaven, or one where he wanted to go. But in truth, he wanted to be wherever she was.

“How about this, I’ll halt my redemption plans for you. That way we can go together, however that works. Ha ha,”

“How does it work?”

She shrugs “I have no idea,” she laughs “But we’ll make it work, for us,” she holds his chin “Okay?”

Alastor gives her a soft smile and relaxed eyes “Okay,” he buries his face into her chest and they sit there for a moment. One nice and peaceful moment, that is immediately ruined by the sound of attack drones firing outside the window.

[cevansbrat0007]

Daddy Lessons: Andy & KitCat

Summary: KitCat has a secret she's been keeping from her father. How will he react when she finally shares her truth? Andy Barber x Black!Reader, Katrina Barber

Warnings: Coming Out, Discussions of Sexuality, Fluff, Girl!Dad Andy, Cursing, Minors DNI

A/N: Please let me know what you think of this latest installment. All feedback is welcome. Part of my Growing Pains Series. Thanks for reading!

___

Andy and his baby girl, Katrina, are out and about enjoying an ice cream date at one of their favorite parks when the conversation begins...

“Look, I know you’re all psyched to be leaving for college at the end of this summer, and while I’m going to miss you –”

“Oh, my God, Dad.” Katrina giggles. “I’ll only be, like, an hour away. Plus, Bianca will be there, so there’s really no need to worry.”

“I know, I know.” At least his two oldest girls would have each other, even if it was only for a year. Thank the Lord for small favors. “But it’s my job to worry about you. That’s what we Dads do. It’s in the handbook and everything.”

Katrina lets out an amused sigh, having grown accustomed to her father’s dramatics over the years. He always meant well, even if he was a little overbearing at times. 

“And as your father it’s also my civic duty to warn you about these devious creatures otherwise known as the opposite sex, or college boys as you call them.” He bristles, giving her a pointed look. “You need to avoid them at all costs.”

“Dad! Seriously?”

“I’m dead serious. Those body spray wearing delinquents have no morals, zero scruples, and are going to do everything in their power to try to convince you otherwise. Fucking pencil-stached miscreants.”

“Wow.” Is all she can muster. “Just wow, Dad.”

“Yep. And those boys –” Andy continues.

“Or girls.” Katrina interjects softly.

“Right. They’ll try and – wait. Wait. What?” He watches in confusion as his precious Katrina looks away from him. Her hazel eyes brimming with unshushed tears.

“I just meant, like, girls as in maybe. I dunno.” She sniffles, wiping her nose on her sleeve. “Or it could totally be a boy. But preferably one who actually understands the merits of showering.” She tries to hide her nervousness with a laugh, only for the sound to get stuck in her throat.

“Okay.” Andy murmurs, nodding his head. “Okay.”

“Mama said, cuz’ she knows, that it’s, um, okay not to know. Or to maybe like both. No matter what, she’s already promised to protect whoever I bring home to dinner.” His little girl tells him, all the while still refusing to look him in the eyes.

Heaving out a soft sigh, Andy picks up their half-eaten bowls of ice cream and tosses them both into a nearby garbage bin. He then grabs a handful of napkins before heading back over to where his daughter is sitting.

“Alright, kiddo.” He tells her, handing over the slightly crumpled tissues. “Let’s take a walk.”

“Daddy…wait.” Katrina mumbles, dabbing her eyes.

“What, KitCat?” Andy squats down next to her. “Are you gonna ask me what I think you’re about to ask me? Because, if so, you already know the answer, honey.” He playfully tugs on one of her golden brown curls, prompting another sniffle. “You’re about to ask me if I still love you. Right?”

Two tears spill over onto her cheeks as she nods. “Do you?” She asks, her little shoulders beginning to shake.

Out of instinct, his big, warm hands move to delicately cup her face. Using his thumbs to brush away a fresh set of hot tears, he finally gets Katrina to look his way. 

“Of course I love you. I always have, and I always will. Consider that Daddy Lesson number one. You can’t shake me, kiddo. Do you understand me, Katrina Claire Barber?”

Instead of responding, his second oldest, his cheeky little bookworm, his aspiring journalist, simply throws her arms around his neck, squeezing tightly. Smiling, Andy gently rubs her back. 

In his mind, this was what being a father was all about. Loving your children for who they were.

“You’re okay, KitCat. You’re okay. Your Mama and I just want you to be happy. That’s all. And if you remember nothing else, always remember that my love for you is unconditional. I’m proud of the young woman you’re becoming. You're a force to be reckoned with - in fact, all my girls are. All thanks to your mother.”

“Okay, Daddy.” Another sniffle.

Katrina pulls away to offer him a watery grin of her own.

“There’s that beautiful smile I love so much. Now, come on. What say you and I head on over to Eddie’s for a couple of double bacon cheeseburgers?” Andy helps his daughter to her feet before slinging a protective arm around her shoulders. 

“With extra bacon and cheese fries?” She asks, lightly bouncing on her toes.

“Sure thing, Sweet Pea.”

___

“Daddy?” Katrina chimes a few moments later.

“Yes?”

“I love you too.”

“I know. But you’re still not allowed to date until you're married.”

“Oh, come on!” She rolls her eyes as they cross the street. “Not this again.”

“Yep. That’s Daddy lesson number two, for ya. We fathers don’t make the rules, we just enforce ‘em. It’s a hard knock life.”

“I’m telling Mom, you know.”

“Go for it. She’s not allowed to date either and she’s already married.” He jokes, earning him yet another groan.

Ahh, the benefits of fatherhood.

END

[honeystwiggypeach]

I told ya you were going to see me here often and since we both love nanami as a dad, imagine a scenario where detective!nanami finds a little boy (and guess who’s the kid: “yuji ofc) in a mission and takes him back to the police station in hopes of finding his parents but then finding out he was an orphan that was kidnapped to be sold in the black market. So after a few weeks the police decides to put him in an orphanage again but now nanami feels some kind of connection with the kid and after talking with his wife they decided to adopt little angel yuji. Even tho being married for years they never really had plans of having a baby any time soon but that chances after meting that pink haired baby. So imagine nanami and reader trying to be the best parents that yuji can have. Maybe I’ll request for this to be a mini serie with different scenarios of the nanami’s household.

Let me know what you think about this bestie. I’ll be waiting for your answer and to request to other parts for this. *sits patiently*

Bestie I’m going to sob?????? This is such a good idea and I want to cry imagine like little baby Yuuji just clinging onto Nanami’s pant leg because he’s nervous??

Part two!

Tw- kidnapping, orphan, orphanage, Yuuji is implied to be a bit traumatized, reader cries, and is referred as mama, emotional exhaustion let me know if I missed anything(I’m not good at writing adoption so I didn’t describe it much!)

Also I made this a little scorcerless au😭so Nanami’s full time job is being a detective!

When Nanami went off on his last case, it took an incredibly long time for him to come home and when he did, something was wrong.

He seemed exhausted, more so than usual, maybe it was emotional drainage?

“Kento?” You called softly and he pretended to perk up letting off a soft hum as he glanced over at you from his recliner.

“Do you want to talk about it?” You always asked and it was normally always a no.

He let out a little sigh, “there was a kid…he was kidnapped” Nanami tried to never get connected to the people in his cases, and he felt like he tried extra hard this time when he was hired by the police station to find a missing boy.

In the end he’s quietly telling you that he got connected to the cutest little boy named Yuuji.

“He’s uh…still at the police station…I don’t know what they’re gonna do yet… hopefully they’ll find his family.”

Though when the two of you wake up a few days later, you’re both being called in which isn’t uncommon…you’re Nanami’s wife but you also work at the station as well.

Of course this has nothing to do with your job, “Yuuji’s parents were in an accident” the chief begins, Nanami watches you play with Yuuji on the other side of the one way glass.

You seem happy, “they unfortunately passed…so we’re going to send him to an orphanage” Nanami’s eyes widen.

“…” he pauses for a moment, for the past few weeks instead of doing his work Nanami had spent his time with Yuuji, carrying him on his hip around the office messing with his toy cars and even bringing him to lunch as he’d slip past you.

For that day it’s the end. When you two wake up once again Nanami decides he should at least ask.

“Wasn’t Yuuji cute?” You beat him to it, “maybe we should have a baby…” you yourself are confused, you’d never wanted a baby before but seeing Yuuji and interacting with him seemed to change your mind a bit.

“…you know Yuuji’s an orphan?” He asks setting his mug down on the table.

“…I didn’t know”you cover your mouth softly in remorse.

“Well…how do you feel about adoption than…” and from than on it was settled.

When Yuuji came home you couldn’t help but spoil him, of course being more familiar with Nanami he retracted.

Always hiding behind Nanami and clenching his pant leg. It had gotten to the point where you litterally cried in frustration upon hearing Nanami be called dad when Yuuji had yet to speak a word to you, and all you’d get from Kento was a be patient and you were you swear but it felt like forever!

But when Yuuji runs in after nanami had taken him to a little play date yelling out a “mama mama! Look” you also cry in joy.

You bend down gently placing your arm around Yuuji to pull him into you while he babbles about whatever he had drawn.

“That’s so nice honey, do you want Mama to hang it up for you?” Your voice is soft and watery as you speak with him.

“Yes please!” He hands it to you smiling happily.

Pls request more I love this so much I’d love to make it a series!!!!!

[ejunkiet]

Hi! You know I can't resist your requests... But!! I see you're looking to generate creativity to move your original work forward, so feel free to just let this prompt get you thinking but don't actually write a single word. (Sometimes that helps!)

undone for Milo/Sweetheart?

>:3 I took this prompt & mixed it with a request from @glassbearclock for early days milo/sh and a sick milo. ENJOY <3

redacted audio: milo/sweetheart, rated teen, short & sweet.

READ ON AO3

“I don’t need ya to be my nursemaid, sweetheart.”

--

“I don’t need ya to be my nursemaid, sweetheart. I’m fine.” His voice is even deeper than usual, almost a growl down the line, and while they like the effect, that doesn’t change the fact that he’s very obviously sick.

Sick as a dog, you might say - pun intended. “You don’t sound fine, loverboy.”

“It’s nothing, really. I’ll-” He’s cut off by a wracking cough, loud and painful enough that he has to pull away from the line, covering the mouthpiece. They wait for him to pick up the phone again, fingers tapping against the side of their leg, their concern growing the longer it goes on, and shit.

When he comes back on the line, his voice sounds wrecked, rasping at the edges, as if he’s coming undone. “I’ll be fine, just gotta sleep this off.”

“Try telling me that again, without sounding as if you’re about to choke to death.” 

He snorts, not fighting them on that, but they don’t take any pleasure in it as he pulls away from the phone to cough again, the sound edged with a miserable whine. 

“Look, you sound awful. You got anyone there with you, from the pack?”

He scoffs. “Nah. I don’t want any of ‘em to catch it. ‘Sides, it’ll get through my system soon enough.”

Mouth twisting, they glance over at the clock in the corner. It was still too early for them to sign off, but there was a chance that they could take the rest of their work home with them. They’ve been stuck on paperwork duty for the day, anyway.

Sticking the phone between their cheek and shoulder, they open their work messaging app, drafting out a quick message to their line manager.

“I didn’t think wolves got sick,” they say to make conversation as they wait for a response, fingers tapping against the mouse pad. It’s been a while since their healing classes at D.A.M.N, but they’d remembered that note from one of their anatomy lectures.

(They hadn’t achieved full certification for nothing.)

Milo snorts again, a wet sound that somehow also manages to sound stuffy. “We do. It’s just not as common. We get the flu every now and then. I reckon Ash was down with it last week.”

The facts click into place, and right. He’d mentioned that Asher had been sick, meaning that David had to take the lead on the job he was meant to be running. Milo had spent the entire evening in the kitchen at his alpha’s request, preparing meals for the ‘sad sack who can’t cook anything’.

And then Ash had given his flu to him. Figures. One good turn deserves another, and all that.

The message notification on their computer screen dings, and they glance over to see that their remote working request had been approved, and good.

“I’m coming over,” they say instead of pointing out the fact that Asher is absolutely the reason why he’s sick right now, smiling at the way he sputters. “You need someone to take care of you, and if your pack isn’t gonna step up, then I guess I’ll have to.”

He lets that sit for a long moment, and they pause, uncertainty crowding their thoughts. “Unless you really don’t want me to-”

“No, it’s- it’s not that.” He huffs out a laugh that sounds more like a croak, and they make a note to pick up ingredients for ginger tea, with plenty of honey. “Just… you’re too good to me, sweetheart.”

They smile at that, warmth curling inside their chest. The big softie. “I know.”

Signing out of their work accounts, they take their laptop and slip on their jacket, making their way out of the office. They’ll make a stop at the market, pick up a carton of that cream of tomato soup he likes, as well as some fresh ginger and honey, and any other supplies they can think of along the way.

“I’ll be there soon. We can watch that show we’ve been talking about, with all the murder.”

“Murder on a weekday? You sure know how to woo a guy.” He huffs out a soft laugh, and it’s the best he’s sounded since they first called him from the office. “I’ll see you soon.”