#there's probably gonna be more of this going forward cos i'm told that

[blackjackkent]

Narrator: For the first time in over a century, silence falls over the Bhaal temple. No chants, no screams, no prayers. In the end, your own death brought you more joy than any you wrought on this land.

Narrator: But your journey is not over...

-----

"Rakha!"

As Rakha's body collapses, bloodsoaked and limp, to the stone floor, the cavernous temple of Bhaal goes silent. Wyll does not see what happens to the Death's Heads or the other acolytes. Perhaps they melt into the shadows. Perhaps they are swallowed up by Bhaal's great bloody maw. He doesn't know. He doesn't care.

Rakha is dead.

He collapses to his knees at her side, feeling desperately for the pulse he already knows he won't find. "Rakha! Rakha! Wake up. Wake up... please..."

The tears start to flow and he doesn't try to stanch them. They drip off his face and onto Rakha's bloodsoaked skin, drawing messy lines in the splatters of red. And he gathers her into his arms and holds her, pulling her tightly to his chest and rocking gently side to side.

It isn't fair, he thinks brokenly. It's not fair... it's not fair...

He followed her through so much, learning to love her, letting her learn to love him... and in the wake of his father's death - of his choice to let his father die - he has been comforted by the knowledge that he had her, that they had each other.

They were broken and battered by everything they'd been through; he was tortured by duty he could never fulfill and she by the terrible heritage that haunted her... but they had each other. They were going to find out what that meant; he was going to make sure of it. They were going to claw a path out of the future with their bare hands.

And now she's dead.

"Rakha..." he whispers, pressing his face into her closed cropped hair. He can feel the ragged scar of Orin's lobotomy against his lip. "Don't... don't do this... don't let go..."

"Kaincha," Lae'zel mutters. She's standing a foot or so away, covered in the blood that spewed from Rakha as Bhaal reclaimed her heritage. Like Wyll and the others, she was frozen in place while the terrible scene played out, unable to do anything but watch. "Be at peace. You felt her thoughts as I did. It is... what she wished."

Her voice isn't as steady as she clearly wants it to be; it cracks with barely withheld emotion. But her eyes are steady and her jaw set as she stares down at Wyll and Rakha in his arms.

"Yes," Wyll mutters hollowly. He knows what she means, of course. It ripped through all of them (except Jaheira) in the moment of Rakha's death; the tadpole connection lighting up with shared agony and desperate relief, and the single word... Free...(*)

She was free as she died. It counts for so much; he, who has carried Mizora's yoke around his neck for so long, knows that better than almost anyone. "Yes," he agrees again softly. "It is..."

Lae'zel nods. A muscle works in her jaw. "Sha va zai, t'rac'shka..." she murmurs, almost inaudibly, and turns away.

A soft hand touches Wyll's shoulder. Jaheira is standing beside him, looking down at Rakha's unmoving body with sorrow in her expression. "Silvanus guide the light to the source..." she murmurs. "Take this woman to what she justly deserves. By nature's will, what was given is now returned..." A slight pause, then lower, "What was turmoil is now peace..."

Wyll squeezes his eyes shut. He should feel comforted by the prayer, perhaps - but there is no comfort to be had. He feels empty of everything but grief.

"Enough," Minthara cuts in abruptly. Her voice is curt and sharp, grating to Wyll's ears. He looks up and finds her black-on-black eyes peering at him with impatience. "Let us not waste our time with weeping. We have done what we came here to do. Orin is dead." A strange, manic sort of joy flickers across her fingers. "Praise be... that she is dead," she adds in a lower voice, hoarse.

Wyll glares at her. "Is that all you can think of in this moment?" he asks hotly. He pushes up on his knees, bringing Rakha up in his arms with him. "Rakha was your friend--"

"And she made a foolish choice and died for it," Minthara snaps back. "I told her, time and again, not to waste the gift that she was given in her divine blood. It gave her power. It would have allowed her to live. That she chose otherwise is no concern of mine."(**)

Lae'zel's head snaps around and she flares with fury, all her undirected anger suddenly settling on a target. "You dare--"

"I dare much rather than follow the example of one who would throw their life away," Minthara says coldly. "And I will speak of it as the brazen stupidity that it--"

POW.

Minthara's head snaps back and blood sprays from her nose across Minsc's fist as he strikes her. His eyes are wide and full of fire and Boo, sitting on his shoulder, chirrups with agitation. "You will not speak of Rakha so!" he bellows. "Or Minsc shall see to it that you lie beside her! It is a good trick that Bhaal has, of letting all the blood out, and Minsc is no god but perhaps he may do the same!"

Minthara staggers backwards, glaring at him. "Ingrate," she hisses. "You and your rodent know nothing of what I speak. Were we in Menzoberranzan, I would have your head for such--"

"PEACE, both of you!" Jaheira's voice cracks across the room like a whip. The tone of practiced command is irresistible; Wyll, still holding Rakha, goes completely still, Lae'zel snaps to attention, Minsc drops back to Jaheira's side instantly, and Minthara falls silent, her dark eyes like burning coals.

Jaheira relaxes minutely, seeing herself obeyed. "We will not do this," she says curtly. "We will not tear ourselves to shreds in the wake of this... this tragedy. We will be calm - and we will grieve." She shoots Minthara a narrow look. "All of us."

Minthara says nothing, but wipes at the trickle of blood pouring from her nose and nods sullenly.

"And," Jaheira goes on, with a hint of sardonic humor, "we will find out what he is doing here."

She turns and points up the stairs, back the way they came.

Withers is standing there, watching them all with an unreadable, skeletal stare.

-----

(*) Credit for this idea goes to @amazonprimebox who suggested after my last post that the companions might have been able to feel Rakha's final thoughts through the tadpole. :3

(**) Significant artistic license here. Minthara has not quite reached negative approval with Rakha yet, but she has been steadily disapproving with great consistency all through Act 3 and it seems about time for things to snap, especially in light of how she spoke about Jaheira and the Timeless Body scroll.

[thisapplepielife]

Written for @corrodedcoffinfest.

Got You Good, Kid

Day #15 - Let's Talk About That | Word Count: 1000 | Rating: T | CW: Language, Smoking, Mentions of Unplanned Pregnancy, Eddie Being a Bit Lot of a Dick | POV: Gareth | Pairing: Gareth/OFC (Off-Screen), Background Steddie | Tags: Modern Day Setting, Road Manager Steve Harrington, Eddie and Gareth are BFFs, But Gareth's Keeping Secrets, So They're Fighting, Fucking Interviewers, Fucking Paparazzi, Fucking Eddie

Gareth adjusts the mic on his collar. Beside him, Eddie's fidgeting, Jeff is texting and Goodie's head is tipped back like he's sleeping or counting the ceiling tiles. 

It's the usual press junket. The same ten questions they all answer, over and over again. It's a goddamn bore. 

"One more question," the journalist says. 

She turns her iPad towards them. It's a picture of Gareth, standing on a sidewalk, a lit cigarette in his hand.

Yeah, he smokes when he's stressed sometimes, sue him. 

"Any comment?" 

Eddie leans forward, looking more closely, "Yeah. Don't smoke, kids."

Everybody laughs, and Gareth thinks that's it, until the reporter swipes to the left and another picture fills the screen. Eddie's not looking at the screen anymore. Now, Eddie's looking at Gareth.

Steve comes in out of fucking nowhere, "No comment. We're done here."

And they are. The room is cleared, and they make a quiet trip back to the hotel. 

Only after the door closes, does Eddie wheel on him.

"What the fuck is going on? Did you get a girl pregnant, and what? Just not tell any of us?" 

Gareth quickly looks at Steve, and Eddie doesn't miss the flick of his eyes.

"Oh, you're fucking kidding me. Steve knew? Before me?" 

And Gareth can't really determine if Eddie's mad that he's gonna be a dad or that Steve knew before he did. 

"He's Steve. He manages everything. I was waiting until the tour was over to tell you."

"Are you with her?" Eddie asks. "Is this why you've been bailing on us?"

"We're taking it slow," Gareth answers. He likes her. Could love her. But they agreed to focus on this first.

"Yeah, looks real slow to me."

"And I haven't bailed. I haven't missed shit."

"Eddie," Steve says, trying to rein Eddie in before he's too revved up.

Too late.

"How goddamn stupid are you? She got you good, kid."

Gareth clenches his fists, instantly mad, because that's not true. Not at all. He doesn't think this was some scheme to baby trap him and milk him for money. Corroded Coffin is famous, but they aren't so rich and famous that he'd be a mark for that kind of plotting. 

He had a one night stand, and she got pregnant. She told him. They made the decision together to proceed.

"That's not fucking true. The condom didn't work." 

"That's convenient. She probably poked holes in it."

"Well, it was mine, so..."

Eddie just stares at him, before finally saying, "Mark my words, because you're definitely getting an 'I told you so' when you're nothing but a checkbook and never see this kid."

"Eddie," Steve warns, and Eddie turns on him.

"And you? Not telling me."

"It wasn't for me to tell," Steve says, calmly. Because Eddie can't ruffle Steve's feathers, not like he can Gareth's. Steve won't allow it. There's no steamrolling of Steve Harrington by Eddie Munson.

"She looks like she's about ready to pop! How long have you known?" Eddie demands. 

Gareth's known for months. He just didn't know how to tell Eddie, because Eddie would be worried about the tour, the album, and everything else that affects Eddie. 

Gareth knows Eddie loves him, but Eddie still thinks he's a kid that needs tending to, even if that hasn't been true in years. 

"A while."

"Where does this girl even live?"

"She's a woman. We're both over thirty, yet you're acting like I preyed on a groupie."

Steve interjects, "I'm in contact with her dad, he's a lawyer. We're getting the parenting plan hammered out so Gareth can co-parent."

"Co-parent a kid from where?" Eddie repeats.

"Omaha."

"Omaha. That's great. Convenient for us all." 

"Well, it's centrally located," Steve offers. They both ignore him.

"She probably sold those pictures. No paps were in fucking Omaha."

"I think it was probably a fan…" Steve trails off, trying to bring reason to an unreasonable fight.

"I don't know what you want me to do, Eddie. I can't unring this bell."

And, honestly, he doesn't want to.

"You were smoking near her. Good job, dad."

"Did you see her when I was smoking? Fucking no. Because she wasn't there yet. Goddamn. You judgmental asshole."

Eddie huffs dramatically, "This is a fucking mess. If Steve wants to help, that's fine. But I'm not."

Gareth nods as Eddie storms off, and he'll come around. Gareth can't have a kid Eddie won't have anything to do with.

This'll blow over. It has to.

But Eddie's still mad. Weeks later. After the show, Steve's waiting with a smile, "You're having a baby. Wheels up in an hour."

"Oh shit," Gareth says, "too early?"

"No," Steve says, "just unwilling to consult the tour schedule. Already rude, just like you."

Gareth laughs, and runs towards the dressing room to shower. He passes Eddie without a word, but tells Jeff and Goodie the news.

Eddie pretends he doesn't hear, and Gareth can't dwell on the fact that he's losing his best friend. Has maybe already lost him. 

His daughter is coming, no matter how Eddie feels.

And an hour later, when Gareth is climbing the stairs of the borrowed private plane, Steve is the one behind him. Jeff and Goodie, already on board. 

The plane is crawling across the tarmac, when Goodie speaks, "Hey, wait, there's Eddie."

Sure enough, Eddie's on one of those little carts, being shuttled by airport staff, arms waving.

They must radio for the pilot to stop, and Eddie eventually slides into the seat next to Gareth.

"So, we're having a baby," Eddie says, and that's enough of an apology for now, because he needs Eddie.

There's a beat, and then Eddie asks, "Are you sure it's yours? You've never been early a day in your life."

Gareth laughs, "I'm sure. She must get that from her mom."

Eddie smiles, "We're having a girl?"

Gareth nods.

Eddie leans over and kisses Gareth's head, "Sorry, I'm late."

It's okay. Gareth thinks he's right on time.

If you want to write your own, or see more entries for this challenge, pop on over to @corrodedcoffinfest and follow along with the fun! 🦇

Notes: Lord, I think one was edited and changed and fiddled with the most to stay at 1000 words but say everything I wanted to say. Take away ten, add twenty-seven. Rinse, repeat. There was a whole flash-forward at the end that just had to go for word count reasons. But just know. It works out, for all of them. ❤️

[viennacherries]

Oh oh, I have- well, not really a request, more so a prompt if it strikes any inspiration! No pressure!

I'm a sucker for wizards, so it should come as no surprise that I adore Rolan and Gale. My first Tav was also a wizard, big surprise. I love the scene in the game where Gale teaches you magic and if you're a wizard you can basically be a show off. But- imagine Rolan being ever so kind and offering to give you a quick lesson. The catch is, he doesn't know you're a wizard for some reason... so he's really showing off and making a big deal about the movements and pronunciation for the spell, and at first you're playing dumb. "Oh, like this?" *does everything wrong*.

Rolan walks you through the steps again, and this time you are like "oh, I see! Like this?" and proceed to do the spell perfectly AND with a little bit of flare. Rolan wants to curse because how the hell did you catch on so quick!!! Whether or not you reveal you're a wizard, I'll leave up to your imagination. 😂

I just finished Kiss The Cook and oh my lord I was GIDDY upon realizing Rolan was gonna propose. I yelled so loudly. 10/10. I loved it.

sorry for taking a while with this one! wanted to wait until i was properly inspired so i could do it justice cos i think it's so funny and cute. so much room for shenanigans.

i might continue this one and turn it into something multi-chaptered if people like it? maybe some freaking wizard on wizard smut later on? 👀

for now tho it's just cute and wholesome, i had a lot of fun with this. enjoy!!

SFW

read it on ao3 here

~~~

"Like this?"

Bless him. Rolan is trying to be patient but you can see the mounting frustration on his face every time you mess up a movement.

"Not quite. That one was close, though. It's more like this."

He turns to face you, brings his hands up and around in elegant, practiced arcs before clasping them together and forcing them outwards towards you. A brilliant burst of purple light flows forward, soft around the edges and pulsating with weave. You can feel it emanate from it, calling to you.

You're not quite sure how Rolan managed to never learn that you're a wizard, though you suppose the only times he really saw you fight were when you were defending him in the shadow-cursed lands and when you defeated Lorroakan. Admittedly, he had other things on his mind. He probably just wasn't paying attention.

Regardless, now you're standing in a large open room underneath the Sundries, where Rolan is insisting on teaching you magic. You're not blind; you know he's doing it because he has feelings for you. You would have put him out of his misery and told him you have feelings for him too, but it's rather cute when he tries to impress you.

Like now, for instance.

Every demonstration is slightly exaggerated. His posture is tighter and more disciplined than is strictly necessary, and with every somatic shape he creates he adds enticing flourishes, his fingers curling and pointing invitingly. He's putting on a lovely show for you.

Which is why you'd decided to just... Go along with it.

Is it very polite? Absolutely not. Is he going to be incredibly embarrassed when he realises the truth? Absolutely. But how are you supposed to resist when he looks so delicious like this? His tongue flicks out to brush over his lips to wet them every time he utters the incantation in demonstration, and a few stray strands of hair twist and curl in the air from the weight of the weave in the atmosphere. He looks regal, practicing his craft. Your shared craft.

You swore off dating other wizards when you were at university. Men were insufferable at the best of times, let alone wizard men who thought they were Mystra's gift to spellcraft. You'd made a promise to yourself, after one unsuccessful date of many, with a man who started trying to explain how cantrips worked to you, that you would only date non magic-users.

Gale had been quite disappointed to find that out, bless his heart.

But Rolan. There's just something about him, which is weird.

It's mostly weird because when you met him you absolutely despised��him. He demonstrated all of the worst qualities you'd come to expect from your peers during your education; arrogance, self-importance, pride, vanity, etcetera, etcetera. You distinctly remember sharing a look with Karlach as you walked away from him and his siblings, both of you pulling a face of utter disdain.

He'd changed though, over the course of the journey. After his siblings being kidnapped, his apprenticeship souring, he'd become incredibly grounded. Besides, his arrogance actually wasn't completely misplaced. He's incredibly gifted with his manipulation of the weave. Not that you'd ever tell him that.

In the aftermath of the Absolute's invasion you've spent a lot of time with him, and you've decided he looks rather beautiful when he casts. His brow furrows in concentration and his eyes gleam with a determination that's easy to get caught up in.

And his hands. You stare at his hands a lot.

"Do you want to try again, or are you just planning on standing there all day?"

His words bring you back to the present. Ah, yes. Magic lesson.

It's probably time to end the charade, really. You definitely can't keep this up forever. It's actually rather difficult to keep doing spells wrong when you've been trained so thoroughly on how to do them right.

By the Gods, though, you're going to have some fun with it. You took a couple of acting classes in your second year, at a local bard college, so you're determined to sell it.

You make a big show of taking a deep breath in, shaking your hands out as if you're trying to dispel nervous energy. Rolling your neck around it makes a large crack, and you lace your fingers together and stretch your arms out in front of you to crunch your knuckles. He watches you eagerly, ready to appraise your efforts, and you can't help the upward tick at the corner of your mouth.

The movements are second nature, really. You twirl your hands into elegant shapes as you raise your arms, and twist them around you in a circular motion; a grand emulation of Rolan's earlier demonstration. As you surge your hands forwards, a bright burst of light surges forwards, bathing the pair of you in a velour glow.

Rolan's face is absolutely priceless. You have to physically swallow down the laugh that threatens to bubble up within you.

"... Like that?" The mirth in your voice, however, is more difficult to disguise.

Rolan just stands, staring at you. His mouth is agape, and he's gradually turning a rather beckoning shade of crimson. The laugh you've been holding back bubbles out of you, and you fold over yourself and brace your hands on your knees as you cackle.

"I... You..." His difficulty forming his words only makes it more entertaining, and you clutch at your stomach as the hilarity of the situation rolls over you. You manage to steel your breathing and calm your laughter, and glance back up at him, but he's still got that incredulous look on his face with his mouth hung open, and it sends you back into hysterics.

"You... You're a wizard?! Why did... Why didn't you..." He trips over every half-thought word, trying to come to terms with the fact that he's been completely blindsided and utterly bamboozled. You calm your laughter and straighten up, a light chuckle spilling from you.

"Yes, Rolan, I'm a wizard. I'm sorry for teasing, I just couldn't resist."

His face is so red he could be mistaken for a gith's dragon.

"I don't... How did I not..." He evidently is still struggling with stringing coherent thoughts together, but you know what he's trying to say. You shrug in response, a smile plastered on your face.

"I don't know, to be honest. I killed at least two of the shadow-creatures that were after you with Magic Missile, and I don't think I could survive without Mage Hands. I'm too short to reach any of the shelves in the library."

"Well." He huffs. "... I could get you a step-stool, if you like."

You can't help throwing your head back at that and laughing openly, "it's fine, really. I manage just fine."

"Why didn't you tell me? I've been stood here like an imbicile, making a big glim show trying to-" He cuts himself off, and the flush that had just began to subside comes back in full force. "I mean- I was-"

"Trying to impress me?" You can't be blamed for teasing him more, surely? When he looks so utterly delectable with that blush over his cheeks? "Don't worry, sweetheart," you drawl out the syllables of the pet name and throw him a wink, "consider me impressed."

As you turn to leave you hear the way his breath catches as he breaths in, and he chokes and splutters on the air. You barely contain your laugh as you begin ascending the stairs back to the main hallway.

Rolan stands behind you, staring at your back as you depart; face burning and tail flicking in wild arcs behind him.

[astra-galaxie]

Single! Dad! Nathan! AU! Anon- Glad you love the au! I’m getting into criminal case again so I’ll probably post it a bit and I’m planning on revamp it a bit. There were some other scenarios I found and some more context on Arielle. I’m getting into criminal case again so some of this will be OOC for Nathan and others.

Context on her and Nathan.

Arielle and Nathan met during their freshman year during August of 1995. The two didn’t interact much during their first semester, until during the middle of it December of 1995 when Arielle’s parents couldn’t pick up her school so Nathan offered to walk her home which Arielle accepted. The two of them talked for a bit and joked around with each other until they made it to Arielle’s house, she thanked Nathan for walking her home and went inside. The next day the pair began to interact and eventually gave each other their house numbers. Nathan and Arielle eventually bonded over shared interests, and slowly fell for eachother, the two began dating in Summer of 1995 and really hit off and got along well with eachother over the course of their relationship.

Robyn-Anne.

1999

Nathan and Arielle ended up sleeping together and Nathan got her pregnant. When the couple realized this they were both trying to figure out what the hell they were gonna do since graduation was on the way and the two were accepted into college. Nathan ended up telling Grace and Jones and jones asking if he was joking but seeing the serious look on Nathan’s face quickly shifted his attitude and Grace trying to support their best friend, and Jones being like, “DAMN NATE YOU WILDING.” that Jones joked would try to give the baby donuts and cookies when he babysits which earned him a whack on the back of his head and a glare from Grace.

After Nathan told his parents and his grandpa about the pregnancy, they were all shocked but also disappointed because they wondered and questioned him on how him and Arielle are going to mix school and a baby, but they told him that they’d support him as best they can.

November 24, 1999 Robyn-Anne Pandit was born. The couple was happy their daughter was born however on Arielle’s side she realized how now she has a kid she wouldn’t have the freedom she had before, and opportunities so some weeks after they had Robyn, Arielle secretly left during the night while Nathan and Robyn were asleep. Nathan woke up in the morning only to see that Arielle was gone, in his panic and calling everyone she knows he found out through one of her friends that she bought a bus ticket and basically Arielle had bailed on him and didn’t even leave a single note nor letter, so imagine how Nathan reacted to finding out his girlfriend basically left him and ran off on him and their baby which leaves him depressed.

With other scenarios, the first one is Arielle is a better person and never planned on running off on Nathan. But she ends up dying giving birth to Robyn, which leaves Nathan upset his girlfriend died but also having to raise their daughter.

Scenario 2 is she and Nathan broke up some months after Robyn was born and Arielle and him co parent.

Scenario 3 is one where Arielle doesn’t die but she ends up getting killed months after Robyn was born.

TW: Mentions of suicide

If you’re wondering what would’ve happened if Robyn was left with her the answer is Robyn would be dead, the answer is Arielle ends up driving Robyn into killing herself and promptly gets despised for it by Nathan and the rest of GPD

Welcome back to the fandom! I hope you enjoy being back with us, and I look forward to learning more about this and any other AUs you might have!😊

Each scenario makes for a good alternative to what you first suggested. Given that it sounds like Arielle wouldn't be the best mother, I'm curious about the co-parenting scenario and how it would affect Robyn to have Arielle around instead of abandonment or Arielle being dead.

Side note: Jones strikes me as someone who would try to be the "cool" uncle by giving the kids sweets and playing games with them.

[totally-a-different-person]

AYO I FOUND U ON AO3 (love ur stories btw) AND IMMA NEED MORE OF THAT TEACHER TORD! X COLLEGE STUDENT!EDD AU PLEASE 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Ever since you sent this I've been so excited to write it, I had a lot of fun with the first one (nsft past this point, proceed at your own risk)

Edd had just waiting since he had some time before his next class, Tord's, sitting on the lawn with his skethbook. Then, a close friend of his, Tom came. He had Tord too, not at the same time as Edd though, which for any other class would have been disappointing, but considering the... Nature of his and Tord's relationship, Edd was sort of glad.

"hey, Mr Dahl told me to send you early, he wants to talk to you about something" he said sitting down as well and Edd felt his cheeks go pink, that always meant the same thing. "R-right... I should probably go then" Tom nodded and chuckled a little to himself.

He figured Edd just had a crush on him, teachers aren't supposed to date students though so even if he does seem like the professor's favorite he wasn't worried about it, Edd can give him goo goo eyes all he wants, it's not like it's gonna go anywhere.

Edd walked down the hallway and into the classroom once he got there. His class with Tom had just ended so the room was empty, other than the two of them. He looked up at Edd, not even cracking a smile. He just nodded for the brunette to come closer once he shut the door.

The year was ending soon, and it was Edd's last year there which meant they wouldn't have to sneak around anymore. It was great of course, but Tord was honestly just a little bit disappointed. He thought it was so hot watching Edd try to act natural around the other students or trying to keep himself quiet so no one would find them, he would miss that. So they have been doing it in the classroom a lot more lately.

Edd came in, sort of meekly, as always when he was flustered. He was always a little bit intimidated by Tord, even with how close they had become. "Mr Dahl you... Wanted to see me?" He nodded, standing up to look down at the boy "I got something the other day I need your help with. Come here" it was a new toy, a vibrating one. He was honestly trying to contain his own excitement, he just loved this.

Though he liked coming off as serious, especially to Edd, he looked so cute when he got all nervous. The boy walked over, gasping as Tord grabbed his hip and pulled him closer rather aggressively. He kissed him with no warning, deeply and passionately. He shoved his tongue in and Edd melted right away, letting his hands find their place on Tord's strong shoulders as his eyes fluttered shut.

The norsk wrapped his arm around Edd's waist to pull him closer, the other opening up the drawer of his desk he had reserved for Edd, getting out the new toy. The artist didn't notice, too busy swooning for his boyfriend. His lips were rough, and he seemed so good at this, it was just wonderful.

Edd blushed deeper as he felt the man's hand move lower to hold his ass, pushing his hips forward a bit as he grinded against him causing him to give a few little gasps and moans into the kiss, whimpering softly and holding Tord tighter. The taller couldn't help smirking slightly into the kiss before it was broken.

"Sir th-the class is about to start-" he mumbled looking up at him with big, worried eyes. Surely he didn't want to now right? The door wasn't even locked, everyone could start coming in any minute. "I'm well aware Edd, bend over for me" despite being very concerned, Edd did as he was told, bending over Tord's desk. "Good boy~" the man coed softly making him blush deeply, feeling a little shudder through him, making Tord chuckle softly.

He gently slipped Edd's pants down, not all the way. He sadly wasn't wearing any of the langire Tord had bought him, it was always a nice surprise when he did. He pulled his underwear down as well, gently rubbing his sub's cock as he grabbed the lube out of the drawer. He opened it, watching the way Edd wined and squirmed a little, getting fully hard in Tord's hand.

He poured some of the lubricant onto his fingers, rubbing them together a bit before shoving two inside of Edd with no warning, electing a sharp yelp from the shorter. He whined, hints of pain in his voice but mostly pleasure. "Ohh, sir~" he softly moaned as the man began slowly moving his fingers, pushing his hips back just a bit. Tord couldn't help a chuckle at his sudden eagerness, he thought it was just adorable.

He added a third finger, making sure to push them deep, but purposely avoided his sweet spot. This was a little frustrating especially when he got so close to it but it still felt amazing and Edd was too focused on that to be too upset. Soon though, Tord took his fingers out and Edd braced himself for what was to come, but it wasn't what he expected.

Tord took the toy, rubbing it down with a little lube just to be sure before carefully pushing it inside Edd. It was a red egg about the size and shape of Tord's thumb, it had a cord for easy removal and a little remote that could control how much it vibrated. Edd tensed up slightly as it was pushed in, but he seemed confused.

He didn't know what this was, Tord had made him wear plugs before but this was different. Mr Dahl slowly pushed it deeper until the brunette in front of him gasped, flinching a bit. He smirked to himself and left it right on his prostate, taking his fingers out.

"stand up" he said helping Edd put his underwear and pants back on, and he obeyed despite being fully hard still. "W-what-" "you should get your things and sit down, the others are gonna get here any second" he said it as if nothing had happened, sitting back in his desk and looking at Edd expectantly. The shorter was speechless, and very curious as to what Tord put in him.

He just did as he was told, grabbing his bag, and surely enough the other students began coming in. It rubbed against his spot as he sat down, his face still a bright red. Soon all the chairs were full and Mr Dahl stood up, both of his hands in his pockets at first, then Edd felt something click and the toy started vibrating.

It took him by surprise and he quickly covered his mouth before just biting his lip hard to be less suspicious. He was just melting in his chair, whimpering quietly under his breath as it buzzed against his spot. He could hardly think, his brain totally scrambled. Tord kept catching his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips as he reached into his pocket again, turning it to the second setting.

He watched as Edd nearly doubled over, his eyes blowing wide and fighting as hard as he could to keep quiet and not raise alarm. A well meaning and concerned girl looked at him for a moment before leaning over "Are you ok?" His face went bright red and Tord had to stop himself from laughing in the middle of the lecture as the artist forced a smile "Y-yeah! Yeah, I'm f-" It was turned up even more for just a moment before back down, Edd quickly covering his mouth to muffle a sharp moan he managed to disguise as one of pain "Fine, I-I'm fine just uh- having some stomach cramps, thanks" she nodded with a little smile and went back to her notebook.

It was nearly impossible to do anything like this, he had to totally focus on not being noticed. With his brain so foggy and scrambled, he ended up with his hands in his lap rubbing his legs together and trying to grind against them, desperate for friction against his painfully hard cock.

Tord, upon seeing his very flushed and sweaty partner squirming and grinding, turned it up more watching him totally tense up with a whine, putting his forehead down against the desk and his hands gripping the chair between his legs. He was getting closer to orgasm by the second, and that thought terrified him beyond words.

The class was coming to an end thankfully, Edd didn't know how much longer he could have managed in such a state. He was so much less focused on not getting caught, he could hardly focus on anything other than how good it felt and how badly he wished Tord would touch him. The man wrapped up the lecture, his eyes catching Edd's for a moment before turning it all the way up as he dismissed them.

Everyone around the artist had gone packed their bags and stood up to go thankfully, leaving. The second the door closed behind everyone Edd fell apart, whining as he put his head down and gave a desperate moan. Mr Dahl laughed, hard, it wasn't mean spirited, it sounded warm and joyous, despite the fact the joy was coming from Edd's torture.

He walked over, and took the remote out of his pocket, turning it off and the student nearly began sobbing, just collapsing into tears. He had been so so close, and now that everyone was finally gone he was stopped. It was so frustrating. Tord cupped his cheek and wiped away a stray tear of pleasure on his face.

"You did so well sweetheart, I'll make sure you get to feel very very good now" he promised, placing his thumb on Edd's lips as his hand moved down to gently rub the tent in his pants with his fingertips. The brunette gave a little whimper and leaned into his hand, looking up at him with his desperate glossy eyes.

He took his hands away, standing up straight and once again using his commanding tone "come here" he walked to his desk, and the artist scrambled to get up and follow him. Tord sat down in his chair and had Edd stand in front of him so he could unbutton and remove his pants as well as his boxers, tugging them off of him.

The brit flinched slightly as his fully hard cock sprung up, tip flushed and covered with pre, which Tord just loved. He always thought it was such a pretty sight, how desperate his Edd was for him. Edd tensed up and whined as the taller man gently ran his fingers up the underside of his dick, it twitching slightly. It was so over sensitive since he had been edged, desperate to finish.

Tord's other hand grabbed the cord of the toy and slowly pulled the vibrator out of his hole, watching him shudder but try his best to stay still. He liked being good for Mr Dahl and doing what he told him to, he wanted to be praised and be his good boy. "Hand me the lube"

"yes sir" he grabbed the bottle off of the man's desk again and handed it to him, sitting on his lap when guided to do so "good boy..." He was straddling the professor, a warm hand slowly running up under his hoodie. He used his other hand to unbutton his pants, as much as he loved teasing Edd he was so hard from watching him he couldn't have gone much longer without getting to be inside of him.

"will you help me put some on Edd?" He asked like he was asking the brunette to do something simple like bring him some papers or deliver a message for him. Said man blushed deep scarlet and nodded, opening the lube as Tord took his member out, pouring a bit on his hand before then gently wrapping his hand around his lover's cock.

The taller took a sharp breath from the cold liquid, exhaling softly again as Edd gently pumped his hand, then using two. He bit his bottom lip slightly, not looking at Tord's face, he was too embarrassed. It was warm in his hands, and so hard, the thought that it was going to be inside of him in a matter of moments was so exciting, he could hardly bare it.

"just like that... Very good" sweet praise was whispered to him as he continued applying the liquid, only being allowed to continue for another few seconds before he was stopped, having his hands gently taken away. Tord then grabbed his hips and had him raise them a bit, lining up with his dick. He gently guided the artist as he sank down on it slowly, though it seemed like he understood what he was supposed to do.

His face got several shades more red and he held Tord's shoulders tight, not taking it all just yet. He didn't start moving right away yet either, taking second to himself to get comfortable before he did. He began slowly raising and lowering his hips with a bit of Tord's guidance to keep a steady pace. "Good boy... Doing so well" Mr Dahl spoke softly, very softly as he kissed the shorter man's neck.

The brit just melted in his arms, giving soft sweet moans and gasps, starting to come down a bit harder and faster when he did. Tord encouraged him, even bucking his hips up a bit occasionally to push it deeper in which case Edd would give a high pitched yelp "sir!~" before moaning. "That's it" "just like that" the teacher's accent was thick as he spoke quietly, giving his sub's ass and thighs little squeezes as he guided him up and down.

His moans and panting only escalated as he started going harder, now taking it all in almost every time he came down. He would cry out every time it touched his sweet spot, tears beginning to well up in his eyes as his shaky hands held onto Tord tight.

The taller began tugging him down slightly when he came down, making him take it all every time. He wasn't thinking about being quiet, moaning loudly for Tord, whimpering and trying to stay as close to him as he could. He was starting to struggle to bounce, not able to focus on it while Tord plowed him.

Edd put his face in Tord's neck, squeezing his eyes shut tight as tears rolled down his cheeks and he moaned loudly. It was more the teacher thrusting up into him then anything but he didn't mind at all, holding the smaller close to him as he did, listening to his moans and whimpers and the way he'd gasp and jolt whenever his prostate was touched. His insides were so tight and hot around Tord, he could feel himself starting to get close.

Edd was addicting, he could never get enough of him he always wanted more, it was intoxicating really. "Taking it so well for me sweetheart" he said softly, kissing his cheek then neck as he melted, holding Tord a bit tighter. "Oh God- it feels- Ah!~ f-feels soo good" he mumbled, barely managing to get the words out before moaning again and letting his head fall.

Tord held his hips and gently rubbed him as he bounced. "P-please sir, I think I'm gonna cum-" he spoke quickly and almost frantically as if it were some kind of emergency, making Tord laugh a bit. "Not yet sweetheart" he started going harder making Edd moan loudly, holding the fabric of Tord's shirt tight in his hands.

"Mr Dahl- please!~" he begged, his voice breaking and cracking, his shoulders shaking in a heavy sob. Tord was huffing and grunting quietly as he fucked the brunette. He yanked him down by his hips as he thrust all the way in, going especially deep, making the man in his lap scream.

"go ahead" and Edd was glad he said so, because he didn't know if he could have helped it. He gave a high pitched moan as he came on Tord's shirt, panting and whining softly. The way his walls squeezed around the norsk's dick pushed him over the edge too, climaxing deep inside of him electing another soft moan, this one sounding more surprised.

He leaned fully against Tord and panting softly, drooling a bit. He couldn't think, he just felt so stuffed and foggy. The professor held him close, running his hands further under his hoodie, just rubbing his back to offer comfort and affection. He kissed his forehead "such a good boy, so pretty, my beautiful Eddie" he whispered kissing his face more, watching it flush as the big brown eyes looked up at him. "You wanna get off and let me clean you up some?"

Edd huffed a bit and thought for a moment, frowning slightly "um, I wanna stay just a little longer... Please" Tord felt his heart flutter, Edd was always able to leave him at a loss for words so easily without even trying, just by being himself. He was just so sweet "of course, as long as you want" he kissed his cheek again and held the smaller as he got comfy again.

[angelgendered]

I had my coffee date with ste. Things were said.

This morning was good. I had avocado and eggs and coffee in a fancy place (well it was fancy to me cos I'm poor lol) paid for and I got a kiss goodbye which... is something we generally avoid?? It's too cliche and feels too boyfriendy to us but. We kissed today and it was rly nice after our little heart to heart.

We went shopping beforehand and he got me lego and some records 🫠

He wants to see me more often, and is gonna make an effort at least once a fortnight (cos that's my pay schedule and he understands that I'm poor lmao) to come down and see me which considering he lives and works in Scotland is a big thing.

We're edging toward boyfriend territory I think but idk. We're both still so up in the air about it, like the way we've both been treated in the past is making it difficult for us to reconcile. We probably both need therapy tbh but that's expensive and time sinky.

So for now we're going forward, relationship status still ??? but like. He called me fuckin beloved and told me he can't get me off his mind and I just guh why are older men sp much more romantic than guys my age tbh

He also offered to thump the guy who stood me up earlier this week which was very daddy sexy of him

Ste gets more gorgeous every time I see him and he had a new cologne on which was so damn good and he was all sexy in his glasses with his doc martens on and hhhhhhh. Also I lvoe how when I'm in my wheelchair he's so diligent and puts his arm around my back liek I was jsut walking with him and my god I don't even like the word but I think I might eb a teensy bit in love???????

Don't tell him/anyone.

[forthedancingandthethriving]

Takes place before/during the Dinner Disaster! The writing for after will be done separately hehe

(Context/Inspiration) (The last line is from that. It just fits, tbh.)

○●○

"It still doesn't make sense!" Shantae groans as she flops onto the ground. "Why would she go to some stupid formal event? She's always said she hated them!"

"It really is weird.." Ash frowns, messing with some blades of grass.

The Avatars were all in a circle in a field near the castle. None of them really had the will to do anything, purely because what Tulip had said the last meet-up weighing on their minds.

"Sorry guys, I can't come next time.." Tulip shook her head as she gently pushed Shantae's hand off of her shoulder. "There's some.. stupid formal thing I have to go to."

"What?" Everyone paused to look at her.

"But you hate formal stuff." Nimbus frowned, crossing her arms. "Well, when it's not something happening in my world, but still."

"That's.. that's different." Tulip shrugged, and everyone saw how distant she looked. "Listen, I.. I just gotta go, okay?"

No one had any more time to question the teen, as she had turned and walked through the portal leading to her home.

The silence that persisted was heavy.

"It really is weird." Sora nods, crossing his arms. "And the way she looked so sad too.."

As the Avatars begin to discuss, voicing their various concerns, two pairs of footsteps draw their attention. They turn head heads, seeing Juliano and Lily by his side. Tucked under her arm was her laptop.

The two stop, and the former Avatar looks down at his (informal) granddaughter. His expression firm but gentle. The child's expression was nervous. "Tell them, Lily." Juliano gently urges. "Tulip is their friend, and you know as well as I do that hiding information like this isn't good."

"What? Tulip?" Shantae frowns, sitting up.

Lily fidgets in place before she walks forward. "So.. Tulip probably.. told you guys about some formal event, right?"

The Avatars look at Mario, who holds up his hands. "I didn't tell her!" the plumber shook his head.

Lily opens her laptop and turns it on. After a moment, the screen blinks on to show an article. She holds out the laptop, and the Avatars get up and crowd around to get a look.

Orpheus Transfer Co. to hold a formal event following Tulip Dellora Orpheus's return

Lily then scrolls down after seeing the looks of shock to show a picture with Tulip and her family. Some paragraphs were underneath.

To the shock (and delight) of many, Tulip Orpheus, youngest child to Daisy Orpheus and Andrew Orpheus, returned early this morning to her parents' home, to the joy of her parents and older brother.

To celebrate the return of the company's heir, the current owners of the company have decided to throw a formal event, where several well-known partners and the five Ministers to the event.

"So that's who they were.." Olimar sighs, shaking his head.

"Huh?" Lily frowns, peering over her laptop as everyone looks at the astronaut.

"I'm sure everyone remembers when the President, Pom, and I's portal command glitched, and we started hopping from universe to universe." He starts, making everyone nod. "Well, we ended up in Tulip's universe at out point, and.. we ended up hearing her fighting with her parents."

Shocked silence fills the air as Olimar continues. "They were just absolutely vicious to her. They were gaslighting her, bringing her down, manipulating. It didn't seem like Tulip bought any of it, but when she managed to get them to leave, they said she'd end of coming back to her rightful place soon."

Olimar frowns. "I never brought it up to Tulip purely because I didn't know how to, and how she would react if I did."

"Definitely explains why she's so downtrodden lately." Arle frowns. "But this is horrible! They can't just do this to her!"

"So then we go help her." Shantae declares, narrowing her eyes. Her voice was serious as well. "We're gonna head over there and get her out."

"Counterpoint, how?" Nimbus frowns. "I don't doubt Domain or Forum getting us there, but it's a matter of the Admins of her universe. I mean, what if they say no?"

○●○

"They said yes." Domain hums, looking up from a command box.

"That answer yer question?" Tune looks up at Nimbus.

"Shut up." the cat sighs.

Domain only shakes his head before he extends his hand. Code sparks around his hand before a portal appears, gently crackling with energy. "I've set it to put you guys by her van. Does that work?"

"Yup! Thank you!"

The Avatars all rush through, with Domain, Juliano, and Lily to stand there as the portal closes.

"Not going?" Domain raises a brow.

"No. Too tired." Juliano shakes his head.

"Old." Lily snickers.

"Listen here, you little.." Juliano growls playfully, gently tugging over Lily and noogieing her head, making the girl shriek with laughter.

○●○

"What the fuck." Dale narrows his eyes as he looks seeing Tulip's van, SMG10, and seeing 12 people (one of which he was pretty sure was a child) all talking to 10. Who was looking increasingly more frantic.

"Dale!" 10 cries as she rushes in, practically knocking the door off of its hinges. There's a look of pure panic on her face, which he's never seen from her before. "Please tell me Tulip is here!"

Dale frowns. "No, the last time she was here was when you two stopped by for some parts a few weeks ago."

"Damn it!" 10 grits her teeth and rushes back out. Dale walks out after her.

"The fuck is happening here?" Dale narrows his eyes, looking at the group.

"Tulip is at her parents home!" 10 calls as she rushes to the van, fling the doors open, and runs inside. "I should've fucking known!"

Dale is pretty sure he's never heard her swear before.

"Her leaving her jacket here, leaving her phone, refusing to tell me why she was crying after I got back from the store a while ago.. FUCK!" 10 curses so loudly it makes everyone flinch, and Dale sees the man wearing a red shirt and overalls quickly cover the child's ears.

Now that he looked at them, they all had red on them somewhere. Except for the weird.. pink thing, but that was a shade of red in the air, so who cared. One of the girls was wearing blue and white as well, but his point still stood.

"Have you not seen the news, sir?" a boy with spiky looking hair frowns. "About Tulip going back to her parents?"

"Boy, those articles pop up every year or so." Dale shakes his head. "I've learned to just ignore them."

"Well, it's real this time!" a girl with purple hair in a ponytail jumps forward. "We've got to help her?"

The uncle crosses his arms. "Listen, I understand that. Tulip is my niece, and god, I care for her, but that's nearly impossible to get to her. My godforsaken brother is going to have security all over the place." He shakes his head. "Unless you can magic yourselves in there.."

"Well, first." What Dale is pretty sure is a cat woman holds up a hand- paw- he doesn't fucking know. "Can you.. tell us more about her parents? What happened?"

"Sure." Dale nods. "You seem close enough to her."

"I remember it like it was yesterday, to be honest. Something fell from the sky, landed in the plains not too far from her parents' manor, and a weird pulse when out. Turned out to be 10's Pod." Dale looks over at the van, and makes a point not to mention how it was moved to be stored underneath his shop.

"Next thing I know, I'm getting a call from Andrew, and I can hear Daisy sobbing in the background. He's spewing some shit about how Tulip went and ran off after rejecting her place as the company heir. He said it was like she changed overnight." Dale sighs.

"Told him to fuck off, and said that even if I knew where she was, like hell I was telling him." That got a few snickers out of the group, and he smiles. "But next thing I know, Tulip is at my shop, and she's got 10 in tow. I think 10 might've known something bad had happened because she was hovering around Tulip a bit."

Dale sighs. "Fact of the matter is, Tulip's parents are dangerous. They're going to have security all around that manor. It'll be tough to get in."

The man with a red cap grins. "Lucky for you, tough doesn't exist in our vocab!"

Dale pauses before he smiles gently. "You guys are Avatars like Tulip, huh?"

"You know she's an Avatar?" The group looks at him, shocked.

"I do." Dale nods. He then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a note card and pen. He writes something down before he hands it to the girl with purple hair. "That's their address. Head that way -" he points. "- and you'll get there soon enough."

"Wait.. just like that?" the girl looks at him.

"It took Tulip forever to tell me her new role. If she's found others like her, and she trusts you, than you're good in my book." Dale chuckles. "Just do me a favor and wreck hell there, yeah?"

At the various noises of agreement, and SMG10 finally exiting the van to give more information, Dale exhales softly.

Tulip, I'm glad you've found friends. Dale smiles.

○●○

Knowing better than to take the van to the Orpheus manor, lest it get taken somehow, the Avatars opt to walk. They all walk and talk.

The most surprising conversation was between Nimbus and Tune, and for once it wasn't jabs or remarks.

"The more I think about it, the more something comes to mind. Tulip probably didn't have time to grab anything she wanted." Nimbus frowns, adjusting the bag of clothes on her shoulder.

"What d'ya mean?" Tune raises a brow.

"Well.. she ran from home." Nimbus shrugs. "It was obviously impromptu, going off of what her uncle told us. She probably didn't have any time to snag anything she wanted."

Tune narrows her eyes to think before she nods in agreement. "If the kid was tryna get outta there, makes sense she couldn't grab anything."

Nimbus pauses before she opens her mouth, then closes it. She then speaks. "Maybe.. we could try and grab the stuff that was hers?"

"Ya mean me, don't ya?" Tune asks, a bit of amusement seeping into her tone.

Nimbus only looks forward, a small smile gracing her face. "I have no clue what you mean."

The two both chuckle softly, oblivious to the smile Mario has as he glances back at them.

○●○

Really, it isn't hard for Tune to sneak off as her fellow Avatars just reign havoc. She can hear the music from Nimbus's world, commotion from the kitchen, the cries of Ash's Pokémon.. everything, really.

She doesn't mind it, in all honestly.

But what she does mind is why every single damn thing she comes across is fake. Its honestly just pathetic, though Tune really expected no less.

She tosses a (very obviously) fake golden ring to the floor before she walks out, shaking her head. There were few trinkets actually worth grabbing, but even then she doubted their value..

Still though, the things she had grabbed were never the main focus.

With little care or concern, knowing everyone was preoccupied on the second floor (and she was on the theid), she makes her way ti Tulip's room. It's easy to find, seeing as how the kid's room wasn't as extravagant as the other doors.

Tune walks in, and she sets the bag she had been carrying with her on the ground. It was the bag Nimbus had been carrying earlier, having a change of clothes for Tulip. The teen had obviously changed out of the dress from before but left the high heels on.

The reason why still made Tune snicker, despite how sad it was.

"I want Archie to know just how much pain I felt when he tricked me."

Tune shakes her head to focus, and it's not too hard for her to find the small nooks and crannies a younger Tulip hid all the things the thief she knew the kid wanted.

She, of course, comes across some things that were clearly not to Tulip's taste, and she makes a point to either knock them to the floor or flat out makes it impossible for them to be found.

Tune puts the items into the bag, picks it up, and walks out. She glances around before shrugging.

Not her funeral when all the insurance costs came in to these deadbeat parents.

...

As the group make their way away from the manor, chaos still reigning in their, Tune shares a look with Nimbus and she hands the bag to the cat.

Nothing is said, but both know.

Tune glances forward to Tulip, who is being carried on Shantae's back.

A smile grows on her lips. She can't wait to see the look on the kid's face when they get back to the van.

[darkmasterkattsvault]

Long rambling update under the cut, please give it a read.

aight, so I'm hella bad at actually keeping my word on here. said I was coming back, immediately got sucked into playing Cyberpunk again cos my brother in law has it on his PC and I wanted my goddamn Iguana and to finish the game. So... I may or may not have grinded out the entire game, including all endings. Now, this has led to 2 things: not being active here and now wanting a muse based off Rogue (or just Rogue honestly but is there a market for that?).

now, I could say I'll be active here, but truth be told, I won't be. Not for a while, at least. Come Monday my brother in law is driving me home and one of two things is going to happen, I'm going to spend the week or more following helping him and my dad fix the house or he's gonna help me pack to come here to live permanently. I won't even be unpacking my computer until after we find out what my fate is, cos no point unpacking it until I know I'm staying.

with that said, part of me is thinking of letting this blog go. I created it out of grief, four years ago come November. I used this blog and the characters on it to help myself heal. and I'm starting to think I've outgrown it. yes, this is the remake, but ever since I remade it my activity has been minimal at best. I have a small handful of people I write with and I love writing with y'all, it's just getting harder and harder to do so. To find the mental energy to get on this blog and actually do replies. I want to be here but at the same time, I don't.

if you want my discord, provided you don't already have it, please let me know and I'll pass it along. I might come back, when the dust settles and I know what my life is going to look like moving forward, but I also might not.

if I do come back it will probably be with a lot of changes to my muse list. a lot of cutting back, a lot of removing. this may also just become a private blog. in the sense that I start locking muses to certain people and only write those characters with those people unless discussed.

so, this isn't goodbye, not yet, but it is, at minimum, a see ya later.

Charlie/Katt

[meowww-ffxiv]

"You're gonna leave?" Mordred asked, in the soot-stained and weary aftermath of the battle at the Steps of Faith. Theodore's ears were still ringing with the screams of dying knights and dragons, and he told himself this was why he couldn't hear his friend as he continued to pack his things.

But then Mordred limped over to him and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You're gonna leave, without even going inside?" he asked again, incredulous and a bit annoyed. "After making us all haul mad ass to kill an army of dragons for this gods-forsaken stone urn of a city? We're here 'cos it's your home, y'know. At least go get a drink at some pub in Ishgard or something."

Theodore shrugged him off, both irritated and tired...down to his soul, to his bones. "This city will not take me back," he said curtly. It hurt too much to think about stepping beyond those gates because then Theodore could trace the road home with his mind. To the house he grew up in, where he no longer belonged.

"Tell 'em to kiss your ass. You saved it from getting blown sideways by world's ugliest dragon," Mordred replied. "If you wanted to go back inside, hells, Halone Herself might roll out the welcome-home rug."

Theodore flinched.

Mordred straightened. Then he sat down next to him.

There was a frozen moment where Theodore neither continued to pack nor ceased to pack. His hands were frozen. His thoughts, his heart. Regret and something borderline venomous churned in Theodore's guts, bile-like. Hatred-like. But it hurt too much to be hatred. It reeked too much of homesickness.

Mordred's hand, small and slight and ungloved, came to rest on top of Theodore's. Warm, almost burning.

Time and motion resumed, spreading from that point of contact.

Theodore breathed deeply. "I'm fine," he heard himself say. He did not know if he told Mordred that, or himself that. So tired. He was so tired. He had done himself the public humiliation of rushing to the Scions, begging them to come to Ishgard's aid. He had himself done the deed, throwing his body and spear and every pent-up ounce of terror and homesickness into this fight that they had won.

And still, still... Theodore could not muster the courage to walk through those gates again.

Up through those gates, to the left, would be the aetheryte plaza. Theodore could feel its pull even from here, at least three miles away. If he closed his eyes and willed himself towards that bright destination, he'd end up there in no time. And then he'd head north, down three flights of stairs in brightly-lit stone tunnels, and there would be his home nestled in that comforting darkness, windowless but all the more secure for it.

And there would be no one in that home that he still loved. His sister fled, too. His brothers were dead. His father-- And Mother--

"Hey, Teddy," Mordred said softly.

"How stupid," Theodore said, and willed himself to continue packing. "To miss a place utterly devoid of everything and everyone important to me."

"You grew up here," Mordred told him. "It's normal to miss somewhere familiar."

"But it's not home." But then why did Theodore miss it so much that it felt like his insides were burning when he was this close to it yet could not cross through? Could find no way back?

Mordred had no answer to that. Theodore should probably say something to lessen this knife-sharp, silent awkwardness. Mordred was trying his best, he could tell. He'd rushed all this way with every favor he could call up for Theodore's sake because Ishgard, more than anything, was Theodore's home. And now to hear all this... it wasn't any wonder Mordred was both confused and possibly outraged.

But he was so tired. Theodore was so tired, and he wanted to throw up. He couldn't muster enough words to string together. But he didn't want to stay here in this deafening limbo where he could neither go back nor forward.

"So be it," Mordred said then. There was a shift of fabrics and then he was helping -- collecting the remaining knickknacks, rolling up Theodore's blankets and bedroll. He worked efficiently, decisively, the way he often did when he'd made up his mind about their next destination.

The sight of it, the understanding, brought an embarrassingly warm flood of comfort. Theodore yielded to it. He just needed to follow, wherever Mordred planned on going. He could do that.

"What about yours?" Theodore asked.

"Dragons fucking burned 'em, big surprise." Mordred sneered. "I'll buy new ones later. Oh, and we're due at Camp Dragonhead."

"What else do they want? Unless it is a very fat purse of gils, I do not think I care."

"Hot drinks and Haurchefant clapping you on the back and yelling in your ear," Mordred replied. "Bloke scares me, honestly. Northerners don't act like that."

The bloke in question had actually been surprisingly modest in temper around Mordred. After Theodore had taken him aside and politely requested he kept his hands and whatever earnest intentions away from the miqo'te, anyway. Haurchefant and Theodore got along famously these days...and the thought of a warm hearth and hot drinks were very inviting indeed.

Inviting enough to drown out the memory of Ishgard's lonely gates and the road beyond that was familiar but led to nowhere friendly. Why go north, indeed, when just a little further south lay Camp Dragonhead...?

"Don't mind Haurchefant," Theodore said. "He likely finds a miqo'te to be an adorable, novel visitor."

"There's other miqo'tes," Mordred wrinkled his nose.

"But none as adorable as you."

"I'll bite you."

It was not an empty threat. Theodore chuckled.

[wbwoqlqxoxxms]

Yishun Revengers Episode 3 "Triple murder double burger single mother case"

"Snickers! *removes the n* Sickers! *removes the s and puts back the n* Sikers! *removes the s* ni-"

-random man on the internet

"Uh....actually, good sirs and mams...or furries and pillars...can you help me with one more thing?" Stefen Hua like 有点不好意思地说.

"What lah," Esse asked, as he moved the queen to a position where it would confirm plus chop get eaten one.

"Actually ah...there have been cases of...um...something weird happening in Sengkang Public Library...I'm just gonna pretend it's Yishun and gaslight the viewers...ehehe..." Stefen Hua laugh it off like very sus liddat.

"Why don't you just film at the actual cursed places of Yishun instead of gaslighting the viewers?" Sunda questioned and then ate Esse's queen with his rook.

"I...scared mah, whatever happens in Sengkang is definitely less scary than Yishun what..." Stefen answered truthfully.

"Mm. Whatever. We'll go with you later." Esse mumbled before checkmating Sunda in a trap he didn't realise when he ate his queen.

"Damnit! Ok fine let's go now, Stefen!" Sunda like sore loser liddat.

(Also August, Mendax and Laju who bet all their life savings on him 💀)

"AH AH AH WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT FOR ME I WANNA GO TOO!" That 9/11 HIHS Sec 1 boy just popped out of nowhere and subtly not-so-subtly demanded that they bring him as well. Kiefer, was it?

"Yeah yeah yeah whatever, you've got our protection anyway, nothing bad will happen one lah!" Mendax took one look at him and spoke dismissively.

"Go back first, ok?" Stefen like UWU told the assistant to go back, cos the boys (and girls) are about to get into serious business now, ain't no space for a random camera assistant guy here!

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

"Bruh...Sir, for the gazillionth time for the love of SPF, NO, THE LIBRARY IS UNDER LOCKDOWN, I DUNNO WHY, YOU CAN'T JUST GO IN, STOP ASKING WHY, STOP ASKING TO GO IN!" Wa lao eh, the library staff like so tok cok liddat leh, say no means no. We got business to get done here, buddy!

"What a pity...that was supposed to be my last...friendly...attempt to get in before you so rudely turned me down...then, don't blame me," Esse talked like a badass powerful guy-in-charge.

Then before anyone could say anything, his eyes flashed bright red, and then he stepped forward and covered the staff's forehead and eyes and his eyes flashed bright red again, then suddenly all the people in the vicinity got on their knees and kneeled down, like they were in a trance.

"Um..." Codeine questioned, despite not literally being Esse's disciple.

"Walao, you know I have hypnotising powers one lah, don't act like you dunno anything leh!" Fentanyl then affirmingly replied.

"Siao ah, the Pillar or Psychological Defence, hypnotising people...sure, sure, we can leave our country to these people to defend..." Kiefer side-remarked.

And so, with the security disabled, in our heroes went...

and in they would soon find something much worse than your average Yishun cat.

In they found...the entire library turned upside down (or upside-down depending on where you live but honestly who cares about that).

Actual, turned completely upside down. Books literally flying all around and scattered messily across the entire library, the shelves are arranged disorderly and left over the place (in fact, the only reason why they aren't flying around is probably because they're too heavy for that), the walls are scribbled with numbers and drawings like it's a kid's artwork, the CD players are all carelessly placed...the list goes on and on...

And in the heart of the library-a man sitting comfortably on a table, engrossed in writing data onto multiple messy papers on his desk. From afar, it seems hard to tell the man's bodily details, but a few things are clear-he's wearing a white mask covering his entire face, which is rather lacking in details save for the two holes for his eyes, a black top magician's hat, and a black trenchcoat (probably the reason why the air con is set so low here) with black gloves.

All that was really hot and entrancing, but what really caught the attention of our friendly neighbourhood heroes was the man in the animal cage-knocked unconscious, with multiple IV drips attached to his body.

The masked man then clicked his pen away and took out a syringe, and stabbed it in the blood vessel of the man-to reveal his blood being absorbed in the syringe. It was white.

[actualtext]

Dec 11, 2022

Refelction 3

1. What is going on inside your head right now?

The closer February gets, the more excited I am to start a new chapter in life. I think what I'm most excited about aside from the change is the fact that I'm going to have to do things in order to succeed at this task of moving. For instance, I'll -at some point- need to set up an appointment for the DMV to register my car to Indiana. I get really excited about potentially completing tasks (if I can remember to do them).

2. What negative emotion keeps cropping up the most lately?

I've been worried I'm not working hard enough and that I wont be able to make my deadline. I will say that the only reason I don't work so hard is simply becasue I take time off to socialize as a form of self care. I still feel guilty sometimes about that. I feel like I don't deserve to take a break if I haven't reached my goal. I'm going to be honest, I don't think I'll be reaching my goal this week. I only have $100 to go, but I went to a birthday party out of town which took all of my day and today I got my car worked on, decided to journal, and have a girls night planned with some ex co workers. I know me spending time with friends is healthy, and I will admit, I do feel a whole lot better than I did a couple days ago. I just someitmes forget how healthy it is to not always work all the time. haha

3. What has made you the happiest lately?

It's gonna sound weird but the other day I was sitting with Vlad at a coffee shop in Austin, Christmas music was playing it was a vibe. We had ordered a vegan chocolate chip cookie, it was the last one in the display case. That first bit was complete bliss. They warmed it up for us, and we paired with with vegan lattes and let me tell you. It was like I bit into a little piece of heaven. I felt a shock go through my body from the sweetness that first bite held. It was like when you think of eating a pickle and yoru mouth starts to salivate. Simply amazing. That feeling, that setting, the complany, the taste. All together it made me so happy. I felt joy for the first time in a hot minute.

4. The last time you felt this way, what did you do?

The last time I felt like I wasnt working hard enough, I became a workaholic and ignored any social opportunities. It was very isolating and I've learned from that experience to not do that again. lol This time I've made the effort to hang with friends at least once a week.

5. What holds you back the most from moving on from negative emotions?

Just constantly forgetting what path I've chosen to take. Like one day I could choose to work out three times a week, but after a few days of being of track I might fall off cause its not part of my everyday life. With that being said, if it's not something I need to think about regularly, I'll probably forget it. So, working out in this example, I would only think of when when I finally remembered. It would actually be easier if I just told myself "I'm going to choose healthier options for each meal instead of what I would normally eat" since I eat on average, three times a day.

6. Which emotions are you trying to avoid right now? why?

I'm trying to avoid feeling unmotivated. I feel like I'm not doing enough while also feeling like I'm doing the most that I can. I'm just constantly trying to find a balance, while also trying not to stop moving forward. I'm trying not to think about how I can be better and trying to be satisfied with what I'm able to do. Right now theres a giant (HUGE) pile of clothes on my floor and bed that needs to be washed. I literally just ignore it because right now I'm focusing on other things. Getting my car worked on, working, trying to socialize, etc. I know I should do it, and I want to do it, but if I think about doing it right now while I have so many other things going, I'm going to feel overwhelmed. I'll do it tomorrow when work is slow, and I don't have anythiing planned. And at that, I'll only do as much as I can before I start getting frustrated with how much laundry I have to do. lmao As you can probably tell, I'm trying to control how much stress I'm exposed to. I'm honestly really good at doing this. It's like eternal compartmentalization. XD I have a feeling I'm going to get back on to-do list kick.

SIDE NOTE-sometimes I go into phases of super interest, and then just as quckly hop out of those phases. to do lists were on. I used to make to do lists for everything, and then I stopped. I used to make spreadsheets and then I stopped. Same with everything else. Sometimes I'll be really interested in something for a while and then just like nothing, that.... fixation(?) will just go away and I'm either on to the next thing or dont have anything I'm fixated on. It feels like little bursts of obsession. Its kinda of weird.

7. What is your inner critic telling you lately?

I'll probably never be able to make up my mind about anything. Even in high school, I didn't know what electives I wanted to do so I did them all. I was in choir most of my school career, but I also did mariachi, art, dance, JROTC, graphic design, theater. Everything except for band, cheer, and athletics.

Why can't I chose things? At this point is effecting my life. Like I don't know what path to follow because theres so many and it's so overwhelming so Im just kinda of stuck in limbo not going in any particular direction. haha I hate this.

[when-did-this-become-difficult]

Here i go, again. I have some things to get off of my chest and frankly im curious what do you think!

We are almost halfway season 2 - 1 episode away -, and things still haven't happened, we still not see Milo enough to know what he is up to, we still have not seen Mike actually doing something but at least we got some Kyle and Miriam. Im curious what Mike thought when Bunny told him they are moving them to another prison. That he is bluffing? He seemed so surprised at the end when he found the empty tents. Like i get it, he is a fixer of Kingstown. But im sure there is a major and a senator and such, so the correctional facilities tasks and businesses are far higher than Mike can reach. If could have intervened, he should have by now because now it is out of his hands reach. And also where is my Robert Sawyer dose of the week? I would have bad feelings about this if i would think that the plot is actually gonna move forward - i was afraid that Robert and Ian, and a bunch of guys who are on the side of the law are gonna get killed or seriously injured because they have been mentioning if they loose the prison, they loose Kingstown and then it is really war, but i still don't understand how that could happen and what it means to certain characters. Im a little disappointed so far.

Yeah, I feel like Milo's doing very very little this season still in a way that I find kind of annoying. I was overjoyed that they dealt with the box in the ground! Finally! That seems like an interesting piece of money/power that will maybe end up giving Mike something to work with, because the whole episode he just felt like he was running round saying the exact same thing to every little stakeholder, but not making any moves or decisions at all himself.

I am cautiously in favor of them at least making an effort with Mariam, and I think the new environment of the juvenile detention center might work out a little better than her former stuff. The Kyle stuff I'm also cautiously open to. I found him talking to Mitch being a real </3

I'm a little bit dubious about Taylor Sheridan dealing with release of nonviolent offenders in this way. Am I really supposed to believe that some guy who got arrested for weed or something is really a huge threat? As opposed to—oh well, you know the whole spiel by now. There's a lot more that's caused chaos on the streets.

Not a fan of Sawyer, but I have a happy prediction for you, which is that he'll probably turn up in the following sequence of events: the removal of everyone from tent city makes the leadership lose faith in Mike -> the leadership is unable to keep hold of their people and violence arises again -> Sawyer & co have to go arrest people about it. So he'll almost certainly be in the next two episodes at some point, in my mind.

Ian is one of those characters where I know he won't die because he's played by Dillon, but I'm not even mad about it, he's an easy hang especially compared to the vast majority of other characters.

I again appreciate Tasha Williams's direction, and hope she returns for season 3 (if there is one)

[alphamales-rp]

Blake was still dripping with sweat from his practice, having not bothered to shower as the confrontation he'd had had left him pent up and aggressive and Rory was his go-to outlet for that. "Also, it works out perfectly - both their sperm donors are alumnus but bitchface's Dad wanted him on the team super badly, didn't really care about him being the frat, since he has that prissy apartment of his, and cockslut's Pops really wanted him in the frat and didn't really care about him being on the team," he grinned, "I'm a fucking genius is what I am," he said smugly, his team mate agreeing with a loud 'yeah' and a high five before Blake started thrusting harder and faster into Rory, holding the other by his waist, "Pussy feels good today," he commented off hand, slapping Rory's ass, "Glad I told 'em nobody gets to use it before I got back."

CJ then entered the room and Blake greeted him with a casual "Sup, bro?" and a fist bump as the other started talking to him about the plans for the next kegger which was set to happen in a few days. Blake never slowed his hips and none of the guys acted like Blake pounding the bound and gagged boy was anything out of the ordinary - because for them, it wasn't. "Sounds good- let small-cock over here handle the food and drinks this time though," he said, nodding to Rory, "While he was sniffing my pits after the last one he was talking some shit about better ideas for the food and how to set up the drinks and kegs and shit and some gay shit about how to co-ordinate the event," he shrugged and rolled his eyes, "I wasn't really listening and food is more of a bitch's responsibility and I figure a sissy like him probably knows what he's doing - ain't that right?" the last part of his sentence directed at Rory, grabbing a fistful of the other's hair and tugging his head back as he continuously and mercilessly fucked him, "You're not gonna fuck up my kegger, are you, faggot?" he growled, "Because if you make me look bad at my own event, you're out on the streets," he threatened before leaning down and forward so he could speak right into the other's ear, "But if you do a good job ... and you make me and the boys look good ... there might just be a reward in it for you."

closed starter for @zombiewriterr

"So I said to him, I was like 'Dude, the only reason we lost is because you were playing like a fucking sissy'!" Blake said to one of his other team mates as they entered their fraternity house. They were sweaty from practice and Blake lead them into the living room, "And of course then the pussy got all triggered and shit with me," he rolled his eyes as he dropped his bag on the couch and gave the boy, Rory, who was naked, blindfolded, gagged and had his hands tied behind his back, laying across the coffee table, a spank on the ass in greeting, both he and the other frat brother continuing as the sight was nothing abnormal, "I texted CJ to prep him for me," he said in passing and the other nodded, taking a seat on the couch a little ways in front of Rory so he could face the team captain while Blake parted Rory's cheeks and spat on his hole as he knelt behind him, "And I was like, 'Bro, before you get your fuckin' panties in a knot, just remember that I got a whole bench of dudes ready and waiting to take a spot if you don't like it here'," He loosened the strings at the front of his football trousers, shifting his jockstrap to the side and pulling his cock out, spitting into his hand and stroking himself to full hardness before immediately pushing his fat cock inside of Rory with nothing more than a small nonchalant grunt as he continued his conversation, "'Course that finally made that pissy bitch shut up and he stomped off," he rolled his eyes, laughing, "I know he's still pissed we didn't let him into the frat and gave his spot to the fag but like ... nobody fucking likes the prick and he's only our kicker because his Dad's got a fat wallet," he said, starting to fuck Rory, "And we can all agree that even this fucking cum dump," he gestured to the boy he was balls deep inside of, slapping his ass again, "Is worth more to the team here than he would be."

[i-got-a-bad-feeling-about-this]

I'm sorry, did someone say Camp Counselor!Mark?? Was available?? For requests???

I've got four words for you: There's. Only. One. Tent.

A few more words for clarity: There probably isn't actually only one tent, but rather not enough for everybody on the camping trip, so the reader and Mark have to share one. Obviously the reader would be an adult, not a camper! They could be a fellow counselor again, or maybe a lone hiker who stumbled upon the camp unexpectedly and was invited to spend the night since it was getting dark. That would explain why there's a shortage of available tents, at least.

Camp!Mark seems very gentlemanly the way you write him (which I LOVE, seriously, excellent choice, gold star) so I bet he'd be a little shy about spending the night so close to a handsome and/or beautiful person like the reader ;D. (Bonus points if the reader picks up on this and finds it adorable, so they fluster him on purpose a little~). All in all just a very sweet, cozy, twitterpated vibe would be nice~.

One Tent (Camp Mark x GN Reader)

Summary- you and your co-counselor are taking the campers to a special spot in the woods for actual camping and a bonfire. What happens when your tent is unusable and it starts to rain, looks like you have to share a tent with your lovely co-counselor Mark.

TWs- LONG 2981 words, mention of a lake, a kid almost falls into said lake, you and Mark change in the tent but no NSFW.

Heeeeeeeey, so we're gonna ignore the fact I haven't uploaded in 4 weeks because I started school again. I think I'm finally getting back into a rhythm again, gonna try to write more. I had fun writing this, but it also took a couple days cause it's long af. I think it's worth it, and hope you enjoy it.

Masterlist

Join the taglist <3

"Alright guys, let's get going" you shouted to the group of campers before you. The kids scrambled around grabbing their camping packs and running out of the doors of the food hall. You shook your head and followed through the doors grabbing your own bag after the last kid ran out.

It had been about a month at the summer camp, and the kids were excited to finally go camping in the woods, near the lake. They had been looking forward to this, and you won't lie and say you haven't. It’d be a nice change of pace, the cabins were nice but there was nothing like some good old fashion camping.

When your co-counselor Mark told you about the trip, you couldn't hide your excitement. Speaking of your co-counselor, he stood in front of the group of children holding a clipboard and going over the list of supplies. It was an hour's hike, so it would be a pain if they forgot something back at camp. Most of the supplies were already up, but it would be impossible to take everything up there.

As Mark looked up from his clipboard, his hat no longer shielding his warm brown eyes, he smiled and waved you over. You jogged over to him and asked, “We got everything?” He nodded, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. “We sure do. Though I wasn't able to fit the s’mores supplies in my bag.” You hummed and saw the bags of marshmallows, boxes of chocolate, and gram crackers. You kneeled and picked up your backpack from where it had been resting and opened your bag taking out the single-person tent.

“Well we have two options here, I could let one of the campers carry the s’more stuff.” You eyed the children staring at the bag of marshmallows, “ Or I could let one of the campers hold my tent and I carry the food.” Mark looked down at you and then back at the children. He bit the inside of his lip taking his hat off, to run a hand through his dark brown hair.

“Well, I wish I could say I trust the campers not to eat the goodies, but..” He paused, a look sent the way of Max, a camper who had attempted to raid his cabin in search of sweets.\ “Well, Maybe I can just carry your tent.” He finished. You waved in dismissal, packing up the sweets and standing up. “There's no need for that, I'm sure with the promise of some extra s’mores one of the campers will put my tent in their bag. “ You finished, noticing some of the kids turning their heads in your direction. Marks smile was as sweet as marshmallows, “Well If that’s what you want. I’m sure the campers are gonna be happy about that.” you nodded and you turned to face the campers to announce your proposal when Max ran up to you and yelled, “I’ll carry your tent!” You and Mark let out a laugh, but you eventually handed him the single-person tent. You watched as he put it in the top of his bag, the green color sticking out from the top. With that, you and Mark lead the group up into the hilly trail through the forest. You are sticking at the back of the group and Mark is leading.

You smiled, a warm feeling invaded your chest as you watched Mark lead the group, and talk to the kids. He looked so damn good in the counselor uniform. Something about the almost too tight shirt wrapped around his muscular form and the dorky hat he loved to wear, made you swoon. If you would have met him on the street, you wouldn't have ever guessed how kind he was. He was truly the definition of a southern gentleman, but somehow better. You remember almost crying when you found him up late at night working on individual pronoun pins for each of the campers. Not only was he hot, but he was also kind. You had no idea how he wasn’t already dating someone, but he made it clear he wasn't. Mark stole a glance back towards you, his eyes softening, he sent you a little wave and you grinned. You smiled and waved back, watching as he turned to face the front. Maybe after the campers went home you would shoot your shot with him.

After finishing the trail, you all arrived at the lake. Most of the kids quickly dropped the bags and ran towards the edge of the lake. You grinned at Mark before rushing over to the kids by the lake, as he talked to the other campers. “Okay guys, let's go get set up before any of you fall into the lake and get yourselves wet. “ The kids laughed at your claim and most started to walk off. Though as Max turned to walk he slipped on the mud and started to fall towards the water. You quickly grabbed him by the straps of his backpack, pulling him back up. “You okay Max?” you questioned looking over him, he nodded. “ Yeah I'm good!” he answered walking away from you, as you were about to follow you saw something in the lake. You groaned when you realized Your tent had slipped from the top of his bag and into the lake, where it was sinking into the shallow bottom. You quickly reached and grabbed your bag and found it to be soaking wet.

“Shit” you mumbled under your breath. You opened the bag that held the tent to see if it somehow made it and found that it was soaking wet. You rubbed your face with your hand, this was just great. “What's wrong?” you heard Mark’s voice question from behind you. You turned around and held up your wet tent with a frown. He grimaced at the sight. “Max slipped on the mud and while I caught him, I did not catch my tent.” He frowned, walking up to you and placing a hand on your shoulder. “I'm sorry (Y/N), You can always take my tent. It’s supposed to be nice tonight. “ You shook your head, “Thanks for the offer, but I'll be fine in my sleeping bag,” You replied, his face twisted with doubt. “Are you sure? I really don’t mind.” You shook your head at this, “I'm sure Mark, you deserve to have some privacy, you did take the lead today.” He looked uncertain and before he could reply you started to walk off backward, “ I’ll be fine Mark, let's go check on the kids, and make sure none of them are destroying the tents.” He nodded and followed you with a small smile on his face.

So you and Mark watched over the kids and helped them with some activities. When the sun started to set, you and Mark created the bonfire quickly. Mark frowned as he saw some dark clouds, he had checked the weather, and it wasn't supposed to rain tonight. He looked over at you helping some of the kids make some s’mores. There was something so stunning about how the light of your fire framed your face, it made his face warm. He let himself look at you for a second more, before answering the call of one of the campers.

The bonfire was dying out and the campers had all headed to their tents. You sat next to Mark watching the fire die out. You chuckled at the story he had just finished telling. Your gaze lingered on his face, he seemed so happy here, out in nature. Nature truly was his passion and you could tell. “Well, that is certainly one hell of a story mister, who would've guessed you were a party guy in college.” Mark blushed a bit and rubbed the back of his neck, “ I wouldn't say that, I only went to a few.” You laughed, “My point stands, god I can just imagine you drunk singing along to some party song. “ You tapped your chin, before finishing, “ Maybe Pump it by black-eyed peas.” Mark grinned at you, and with a fake gasp answered, “Oh, how did you know? “ You both laughed and fell into a comfortable silence. You saw his hand lay next to him and considered maybe holding it. After a moment of deliberation, he turned to you.

“Did you feel that?” he asked, looking towards the sky. You nodded and watched him squint at the dark sky. He then grabbed your hand and held it up to the air, Your face heated up and before you could speak you felt it. It was starting to rain, You mumbled some curses under your breath. “Did we bring any extra tarps,” you asked him and groaned as he answered with a no. You rubbed your face as you and Mark stood up, grabbed some of the supplies to put under the tree, and wrapped them in the tarps.

You frowned as the rain got heavier, quickly grabbing your bags and standing under a tree. Your hair stuck to your forehead as you watched Mark shake some of the rain from his hat. “Fuck, what am I going to do?” you mumbled to yourself, You looked up at the tree before saying, “Maybe if I camp out under here I'll be okay. My hair’s already wet, and that's gonna be a pain to deal with, I didn't bring any of my hair shit.” As you rambled on Mark bit his lip and replied, “I don’t think so Darlin, Looks like the rain is getting heavier, we’ll just” he paused, “ We’ll just have to share. As much as I’d like to give the tent to you, I don't think It’s good if either one of us got hypothermia.” He said, his face heating up as he looked away from you.

Your face heated up, and before you could say anything. “I promise I’m not trying to be creepy or anything, I just don't want you to get sick. You know it’s okay actually, I can sleep out here. I’ll just wear my hat and put the blanket over me.” You shook your head and stepped in front of him grabbing his shoulders to calm him, “Mark it’s okay, I know you don’t mean anything bad by it. As much as you want to, I’m not gonna let you sleep out here. I don't want you to get sick and, “ You paused, looking away slightly, “ I don’t mind sharing a tent with you, but we'll have to put our bags in there too. “ You stepped from him and he nodded in agreement. “Well if you are really okay with it…” You nodded and you went to grab your bag, he grabbed it for you. He went over to the tent and held open the door as you went inside. He quickly followed by kicking off his shoes and taking his hat off before entering.

You scooted away, trying to give him as much room as you can as he entered. It was a small space, but you all would fit. As he placed the bags on each of the sides of the tent, he looked toward you. He blushed to find your face to be much closer to his than he imagined. He leaned back, moving from his knees to sitting down fully. He grabbed the sleeping pack from both your bags and your sleeping clothes. “ I can step out while you change.” You nodded and as he was about to leave there was the sound of the rain getting heavier. Before he could leave you grabbed his shoulder. He looked back in surprise, and you quickly answered.

“You're gonna get soaked out there, just.” Your face heated up, “ turn around.” A look of surprise crossed his face as his face heated up. He raised his hands and started to stammer out, “No-no it’s okay, I don't mind Darlin. I don't wanna make you uncomfortable.” You let go of his shoulder and turned to face away from him. “If you are not comfortable with it I understand, but I don't want you to get soaked just for my sake.” You shrugged, “Plus I trust you, You won’t make me uncomfortable.” You waited a second before turning your head around to look at Mark and saw him turn around. He was reaching for his clothes. “Well, If you're sure I won’t make you uncomfortable, that's okay. Just tell me when I can turn around, or if you change your mind. “ You smiled and said, “Will do, I'll tell you when I'm done, so you can change next.” You started to change, your face heating up. You quickly slid on your pajamas and put your folded clothes next to you.

“I'm good.” You said quietly, and you heard the tent floor shuffle as he changed. You scooted yourself, further, from him, your face feeling like the surface of the sun. As he got changed you dealt with your hair, getting it to a decent point. You of course didn't look over at Mark until you heard Mark’s voice say, “I’m done now, Darlin.” You smiled and turned to face him, He returned with a shy smile. He started to spread out the sleeping bags, to make a makeshift bed pad for the two of you. You put the pillows and extra blankets down, and the bed was finished. Because of the bags on either side of you two, somewhat protecting you both from the cold seeping in through the side of the tent. As you both laid down, you hear Mark say, “I’ll try to give you your personal space, but there's not much room in here.” you smiled, “Thank you, Mark, but don’t worry about me, just get comfy.” You took a deep breath, “I don’t mind if you touch me.”

At that Mark blushed and started to stammer, There was no way you actually meant that. He turned around to face you and tell you he didn't mind, but his words got caught in his throat as he looked at you. You looked tired, your hair was a wet mess and your pj’s were wrinkled, but you looked like an angel to him. He had imagined sleeping next to you and waking up next to you, but those can’t compare to the real thing. You let out a giggle and said, “You know you're cute when you're flustered.” He bit his lip and replied, “Well, how can I not be flustered sleeping next to someone so.” He paused looking away, “Stunning.” Your face heated up and Mark loved it. He loved the way your face warped when he made you smile.

“You're not too bad yourself handsome.” he laid down completely facing you, “Aw, you're just flattering me.” You shook your head in disagreement, “No, I really do think you're handsome Mark.” You gently raised your hand to hold the side of his face. He leaned into your hand, and you felt the heat from his face. You moved closer to him, your bodies almost touching.

“ Your amazing Mark, in everything you do. I don’t think you realize how kind, sweet, strong, smart, and handsome you are.” Mark looked away from your eyes but laid his hand overtops yours. “ I’m nothing compared to you Darlin,” Your heart skipped a beat, “ You are so clever and kind, and your smile is more beautiful than the sunrise. “ He looked you in your eyes, finally pulling you to his chest. “I’d do anything to see you smile, you deserve all good things.” He finished, his free hand laying on your hip. Your eyes sparkled as you saw the warmth in his bark brown eyes. You felt his warm breath on your face and felt his hand soothingly rub your hip.

“Can.” he paused, taking a deep breath, “ Can I kiss you?” Your smile widened as you shook your head yes. He smiled and pulled your face to his, closing your eyes, and your lips met. His hand moved from your hip, to the small of your back, pulling you as close as he could. His other hand moved to the back of your neck, pulling you closer, and playing with your hair. Your hands wrapped around his body, your hand rubbing up and down his back.

His lips felt like heaven, he was gentle but passionate, and he tastes like s'mores. He smelt like the forest, with the scent of mahogany wood, and the sweet scent of fruit. He really was amazing in every aspect. As you pulled away, breathing heavily, a half-lidded look on his face. He looked like a dream. He buried his face in your neck and mumbled something. “What was that sweetheart?” you asked in a soft voice, He pulled away from your neck a bit so you could understand him. His breath tickled your neck and he whispered in your ear, “I love you, Darlin, I have for a while now.” You smiled as shivers went down your spine. You quickly replied, “I love you too Mark, More than I can express with words.” He let out a soft chuckle and let his grip loosen a bit, “ You have no idea how happy that makes me, how happy you make me,” he said, watching your soft smile return, gods he loved your smile. He loved everything about you.

“ Well, maybe not, but if it's anything close to how happy you make me then I'll do whatever I can to make you happy sweetheart.” you softly said as mark pulled the blanket over you two, the idea of personal space gone. “ Get some sleep Darlin, we're gonna have a big day tomorrow. “ You nodded and as Mark held you you drifted off to sleep, the last thing you felt was a soft kiss on your forehead.

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[spectaclespencer]

Morning Escapades // Spencer Reid x GN!Reader

A/N; A tiny little blurb that I used to distract myself from a multi part fic I'm in the process of. :D

Summary; Spencer is especially needy one morning, but Reader insists they have to get to work.

Category; Fluff, Smut (minors DNI!!!)

Content Warnings; Kissing, heavy petting, sub!spencer

Word Count; 1.3k

Waking up like this was always a treat. I loved the feel of Spencer’s body against mine, I adored the way he refused to use his own pillow most of the time. ‘I just like being close to you, ____,’ he would stammer out when I brought it up to him. That just assured that he would be firmly pressed against me every morning, sometimes parts of him on top. It wasn’t often that I awoke before the alarm, so I liked to make the most of it with him. It was probably our most peaceful time together, either just falling asleep or waking up. Especially for Spencer, who was hard to get to bed.

“Good morning, Spencer,” I hummed, feeling the weight of my boyfriend’s head on my chest. Running a hand through his hair, I kissed his forehead to coax him awake.

He grumbled at me in return, stretching his body out similarly to a cat in the mornings. Sometimes he reminded me of just that; a domestic feline.

“It was a good morning until you woke me up from a dream. I’m tired,” he sighed, having yet to open his eyes. He inched his body up, so that he could nestle his face in the crook of my neck and place a harsh kiss there. “Your skin is so soft, you’re so warm, you smell so good...I don’t ever want to get up.”

“Oh, a dream? Tell me about it,” I replied, leaning over to our shared nightstand to check the time. It was only twenty minutes before we really had to get up, and I considered letting him have a bit of his fun this morning.

“Uh…” he started, finally opening his eyes in a flash. I cocked my head to the side, silently urging him to go on. He looked so adorable like this, embarrassed. His cheeks flushed red, mouth opening and closing trying to form an answer. The way he avoided my eyes was a tell that I was right about my suspicions.

I place my hands on his cheeks, forcing him to look up to me from his position on my chest. “Oh don’t become all shy now, Doctor Reid,” I smirked, catching on to his little game.

“I-I’m not, ____,” his skin was burning at the touch, his awkwardness consuming him.

I sat up then, slightly spreading my legs to invite him closer. He followed- without even having to be told.

He ran his nimble fingers from my thighs to my stomach, up my chest and all the way back down. The touches became more and more rigid, him turning more and more impatient with every passing second. Leaning forward, he attached his plump lips to my throat. I released a shaky breath at the contact. He was so well tuned, always listening to my body and the way I reacted when he embraced me.

“Please,” he whimpered, his kisses trailing up to my face. He pressed one last peck on my nose as I peered up at him, waiting for him to continue. “Please, ____.”

“I don’t know what that means,” I shook my head, looking up at him with a confused expression on my face. “You’re gonna have to be more specific, baby.”

His reply to that was him kissing me and pressing his body against mine, hard. I snuck my tongue into his mouth, tasting the leftovers of the previous night’s minty toothpaste. It only added to the thrill, every sensation felt like a prick of my skin. Every time our lips connected I swear I short-circuited, so sure that it would be the cause of my death. His touch was like venom, every swipe of a finger leaving me more breathless than before.

I ran my hands up his back, earning small whimpers from his lips. They were muffled into my mouth, causing me to swallow his moans gratefully. He was so passionate, consistently being one to please. I slotted my right leg between his, giving him the choice to grind against it.

“Please, give me more.”

“If you don’t like my teasing, why are you moaning?” I asked, stopping him in his tracks. I removed my leg, a whine coming from his puffy lips. “I can feel how frantic I make you.”

“Shut up,” he mumbled, flattening his lips against mine. He moaned yet again, when I pulled him back by holding a grasp on his hair.

“I’m sorry? What was that?”

“Nothing.”

“Behave,” I commanded, and he bit his lip in response. He couldn’t help but push his hips on mine, making me feel his obvious arousal. “Aw, already? Do I really have that much of an effect on you?”

“Yes,” he choked out, caught off guard at my hand making contact with his crotch.

“We have to go into work, my dear,” I sighed, forcing myself to pull away.

“You’re mean,” Spencer groaned, with a lazy smile across his face. It was hard for me not to lean back in and kiss him, for the way his skin glowed under the morning light was beautiful. He leaned against the pillows with his head thrown back, lips swollen, and half-lidded eyes blinking at me. It was like we entered our own lust filled world every time we kissed, growing more eager in next to no time.

As soon as I stood up and pulled a shirt over my head, he sat up to pout. He wedged his fingers under the waistband of my shorts to yank me back over to him, causing an oof to fall from my lips. I tilted my head down at him, sighing softly as he kissed across my stomach.

“Or, we could stay in for a while longer,” he smirked, glancing up with his pupils blown wide, a pleading look illustrated through his features. I raised my hands to his hair and lightly scratched at his scalp, which earned me a groan in response. “Please?”

“Don’t give me that look,” I whispered. Usually I’d love to stand between his legs as he did something more useful, but there just wasn’t time today.

“What look?”

“You know perfectly well ‘what look’. The one you pull when you’re not getting what you want.”

“And what is it that you think I want?” He asked, eyebrows shooting up. I could see the little games he tried to play, how he thought I wouldn’t notice how needy he truly was.

I didn’t give him the satisfaction of a response, pushing him off of me and leaving him on the bed to start getting ready for the day.

“You know, it’s sometimes cute when you’re so desperate.”

“Always, because I never seem to get anything.”

He was returned with nothing but a hum of acknowledgement, as he finally stood up from the bed. I could tell he was just looking for a reaction of any sorts at this point, him being the brat he is. It was sort of cute, knowing I could get him this worked up so easily. It brought me a sense of pride.

“You are thirty-two years old. Get ready for work."

“Gonna need a cold shower first,” he mumbles with a frown, before stomping off into the bathroom.

“Sounds like a personal problem,” I laughed. If he wants to act out, he can deal with the consequences of it. “Now hurry up, because we’re running late already.”

-----

Give me your thoughts on this piece here!

[btssunnyboy]

Unbelievable - Choi San

He was always rude to you, embarrassing you in front of everyone. So why is he mad that someone better made you an offer?

Warning - Profanity, mention of caffeine, San is mean as fuck, Yandere towards the end, He makes a threat.

Word Count - 3,362 idk if they will be a part 2!

BTS , NCT , ATEEZ — request open.

__________________________________________

Good god, your blood was boiling the moment you saw his door crack open. You could feel your fingernails digging into your palms as you tried to remain calm. The last thing you needed to do was lose your temper and give this man another opportunity to ridicule in front of your co-workers. But judging by that horrendous look on his face you already have a gut feeling that all taht hard work to keep your anger in check is going to fly right through the window. Taking the deepest breath you could take and plastering on that fake smile, you gladly greeted the man that makes your life a living hell.

“These numbers are definitely not to my liking and I refused to be the laughing stock at the board meeting tomorrow.” He huffed heavily as he practically threw the binder down onto your desk. The heavy plastic slamming against the steel desk with a loud thud that echoed through the big hallway. The wind from the fall making papers that previously occupied your desk go flying in every single direction. You could feel your anger bubble up in your chest at the mere disrespect that this man was giving you, and it was driving you insane.

“With all do respect sir, it’s already twelve thirty, and I highly doubt I’ll be able to go over all of these documents by seven thirty in the morning.” You resisted their urge to grit your teeth as you wanted to appear somehow considerate of his complications. Truth be told you didn’t want to do another all nighter when you barely pulled through from the other night. “Besides, I looked over the revenue and margin growths three times before I sent them to your office.”

He scoffed loudly as he licked one of his fingers and then continued to rummage through the papers that were bonded together. His long finger skimmed over the lines multiple times and he flipped each page within a minute. Those piercing eyes stayed locked in on every single number that crossed the page. “Ah, right here it states that we made a profit revenue of fifty million last year, but then it states that this year we’ve only grossed sixty five million. And that’s definitely less than the fifty percent revenue growth that we expected.”

“So, sixty five is not as bad as you’re making it out to be, besides multiple people double checked.” You spoke tiredly as you started packing up your briefcase. Different papers getting stacked together and even crumpled because of the rapid pace that you were going. No matter what happens tonight you were leaving before the clock strikes one in the morning. As you were packing up your eyes met his furious ones and it felt like your world was crumbling down. “Mr. Choi, I’m being honest, your accounting department checked all of these numbers multiple times and I looked over them as much as I could.”

“I know for a fact that we had a fifty percent increase in revenue, now look over these damn numbers again. Or you’ll be kissing this cushy office job goodbye in the morning.” He harshly slammed the binder closed and stalked over to his office door. The audacity of that stupid man, how dare he even threaten you with this job. But as much as you wanted to spit in his face and tell him to shove it you really needed this job, this really well paying job.

You poked your cheek with your tongue out of agitation and roughly grabbed your purse. The bottle of caffeine pills made a clicking sound as you unscrewed the cap within a second. Without a drink of water you downed the pill and grabbed the ugly binder. This was going to be a long night, and these numbers were not going to supposedly fix themselves.

Your fingers tapped the keys on the keyboard rapidly as you searched each collaboration revenue. All of these numbers were lining up, no matter what you searched. Out of the six collaborations Choi enterprise only grossed sixty five million, but for some reason he just won’t listen. All you wanted to do at this point was slump forward and go to sleep, but with that anger that Mr.Choi has you’re scared he might kill you in your sleep. But as the long hours went on and on, you could feel yourself slipping. Your eyelids felt like a ton, and your head was suddenly too heavy for your neck to hold. Before you knew you were out like a light.

—

You’d shoot the person who was jabbing their finger into side if you could. Their bony finger feeling a knife stabbing your rib cage with immense pressure. “Please wake up, y/n, if he notices you’re asleep, who knows what he’ll do!” The jabbing didn’t cease one bit, in fact they just jabbed even harder.

“Okay! I’m up!” You groggily scoffed as your vision was trying to focus on the object in front of you. The figure was simply a mush of different colors all moving in different directions. The harsh lights in the office are in no way making the situation any better. You could make out their hand moving from left to right to try and grab your attention. “Hongjoong?”

“What are you, blind? Of course it’s me, but please I’m begging you get up and go freshen up in the bathroom.” He sighed sadly as he helped your wobbly stance straighten up. His soft hands wrapping around your waist and pulling you close. The soft scent of his cologne filling your nose as you clung to him. “Do you still carry extra clothes in your car?”

“Thankfully yes, but what time is it?” You question as you rubbed your eyes, trying to make all the colors of the world blend back together to form one coherent thing. “Oh god, is it past seven thirty, oh shit! He’s gonna kill me!”

“Calm down, it's only six thirty, but he always gets here at seven. So please go wipe that old makeup off and I’ll get your other clothes.” Hongjoong smiled slightly at you before his eyes shifted towards the oh so famous brown binder. “Did that dick make you go over more numbers the whole night?”

“God yes and it was terrible, but I looked over all six collaborations and I kid you not it all equals sixty five.” You could hear a pin drop on the silence that coated the room. It was beginning to feel suffocating and you physically felt your chest growing heavy with dread. “There were only six right, because that’s all the forms I received.”

“Maybe i'm just thinking of something else, because maybe just maybe -“

“Stop wasting time! Is there more than six?” You panicked as you shoved him away and pulled the rolling chair back to your side. Before your fingers could even reach the keys, Hongjoong’s were there in a second. They tapped rapidly and skimmed through all your emails at a neck breaking pace. “Oh my god I never refreshed the email.”

“We don’t have time to sit here and panic, we have three pages of numbers to go through.” Hongjoong tried to make the situation less tense by offering a helping hand, but he knew that if these numbers weren’t corrected all hell would break loose. And no one wanted to see what Choi San was like when he more than ticked off. He’d probably be past the point of furious if ever saw these unfinished numbers.

—

San’s eyes were narrowed as he eyed the unfamiliar man at your desk. Where the hell were you? He didn’t pay a shit ton of money for you to be everywhere and not in that chair looking pretty. But at this moment he couldn’t control himself as the words flew from his mouth. “What the hell is this?”

That look, that gorgeous look of fear that made his blood rush and his heart pound. Was etched across the unknown man's face and he was basking in the glory of it. San cocked his eyebrow slightly as he leaned forwards on his palms. “Did I suddenly grow two heads or some shit, no? Then answer my question, what the hell is this.”

“I’m so sorry Mr.Choi, but I didn’t notice that there were seven collaborations. I only had six in my email. And Mr.Kim was only helping me scrunch the numbers.”

“You mean to tell me that these numbers aren’t finished! And this meeting is in less than an hour?” His demeanor was calm but the sheer venom in his voice was enough to bring you to your knees. He poked his cheek with his tongue and gave a mean smile in your direction. “I mean it, l/n you’re on thin ice. But if those numbers aren’t corrected then you’re fired.”

“Yes sir.” You gulped as you watched him take heavy steps towards his office. You were in deep shit now. San rubbed his chin as he tried to remain calm and not fire you on the spot. Out of all the times you could have missed up, you decided now was the perfect time. Messing up these numbers would make other investors think that this company cannot handle the responsibility of simply matching numbers. This mistake could completely tank the company and put everyone here out of a job.

Fifty five minutes have passed and investors from other companies are already showing up at the doors. And here he was sitting at the head of the table empty handed, and it was all your fault. It was your fault for not refreshing that damn email, for not paying closer attention to the numbers, for simply not giving it your all. And now it’s going to be your fault that the entire company crumbles and falls straight into the depths below.

“So San, when is this meeting going to officially begin?” Questioned one of the many associates as he leaned back against the velvet chair. A smile bright on his face as if he didn’t care to wait a moment or two for it to begin. But, on the other hand, the leader of the meeting was so furious he could start foaming at the mouth. Because guess what crucial piece of information still wasn’t on his desk.

“We will begin momentarily if my secretary would get her head out of her ass and bring them those god damn numbers.” San spoke with a soft smile on his face. The look he gave the men was a completely different tone from the words he just spoke. Those words help fury and degradation but his smile was so bright it could light up a room or cause someone’s heart to flutter out of their chest. But at this moment all of those men knew at this moment San was anything, but happy.

The sound of the doorknob being yanked on caught everyone’s attention. Their heads jolted towards the cause of the noise as they watched you fiddled with the dozens of papers in her hand. Your smile was uneasy as you tried to reorganize them on your way towards the head of the table. They watched your clammy hands shake with fear as San ripped the paper from your hands. Judging by the way you quickly held your pointed and middle finger they could only guess what happened.

“Why the hell are you still standing here? Do I need to draw you a picture and make it clear that you’re done here?” San scolded as he shoved you a bit and forced you to walk to the door. Fumbling over your own two feet and almost hitting the floor head on at one point. But he didn’t care, because all he wanted to do right now was get this meeting over with. With a final shove and a quick slam of the glass door, he swiftly turned back around to be met with very difficult to decipher expressions.

“Well now that all distractions are gone, let’s get down to business.”

—

Your face was flushed and you could feel your hands start to shake. From the mere interaction with the stupid CEO. The vivid picture of his icy eyes and cold stare were burned into your brain, as his words pounded in your skull without mercy. The man practically belittled you, in a room full of successful CEOs who now probably think you’re a joke.

“Hey, don't worry yourself sick. It was an honest mistake.” Hongjoong consoled you as he eyed your shaken form. The tearful eyes and the constant bouncing of your leg was a dead giveaway of the way you felt at this moment. And he wanted nothing more than to just say everything will be okay, that everything is going to be just fine. But he can’t, because who knows what the jerk will do you do considering your almost costed him a deal.

“Do you think he’ll fire me?” The question hung in the air with such heaviness that it was almost hard to breathe. The thought of losing this job was sending you into a whirlwind of erratic emotions. If this job is gone, there goes the ability to afford your car, hell there goes the ability to afford the damn apartment you’re living in at this moment. You’ll lose eveything, if you’re cut off.

“He better not, and trust me if he ever does, I would be more than happy to have you on my team.” A new man smiled brightly in your direction as he made his way over to your desk. He wasn’t an unfamiliar face around the office as he and Mr.Choi have done business deals of many kinds in the past. “It would truly be an honor to have someone like you working at Jeon Marketing.”

A small smile took over your face as you eyed the man in front of you. Mr.Jeon was an extremely well known CEO in this business, and he’s not too much older than Mr.Choi. You’re genuinely surprised these men are allies in this type of business, if anything you thought they’d be enemies. “Thank you for such kind words, but trust me your opinion on me may change soon.”

“Nonsense, I’ve seen the way you handle situations at this company, especially time crunched ones. I can tell just by looking at your face you stayed up hours just to make sure his numbers were perfect.” Mr Jeon stated as he leaned forward on the desk and clapped his hand together. “And truth be told I wouldn’t mind having such a beautiful face be the face of my company.”

His compliment left you stumped as you eyed his face. The tone he held was lighthearted because he knew this stressful situation needed a little laughter, but you knew from the look on his face he was being serious. About both of his statements. Before you could form a response, he long fingers were reaching into his jacket pocket. “I promise, if you ever need anything. I’m just a call away.”

“His top rival and best friend just offered you a sweet ass deal, are you gonna take it?”

You truly didn’t know the answer to that. I mean on one hand you have your secretary job here, and it pays well. The boss may be a pain in the ass, but it’s the only thing keeping you afloat. And you know that these two companies are neck and neck right now for the top spot, so it’s hard to decipher just how much he’s willing to pay you. But would there be any harm in simply asking the man?

“I’m not gonna lie and say it doesn’t intrigue me, but at the same time I don’t wanna leave you all alone.” You mumbled as you tapped away at the computer keys. Just trying to find any small amount of information about his company. But only mere surface information popped up in the search box. “Would it be a bad thing if I did leave?”

“Sometimes trying something new is good thing, but it really all depends on how you feel. And I have a friend that works there and she told me she makes over 250k a year.” Hongjoong shrugged his shoulders as he stood up to leave. His soft eyes giving a sense of comfort as he started to walk away. “I promise whatever option you pick, you’ll be fine.”

A heavy huff of air passed through your lips as you tried to think of the right answer. If he was right you’d make just a little bit more working for him and he genuinely seems like a nicer boss in general. So the real question is what’s keeping you tied to this job? The only perk about this job is working with Hongjoong and he’s the main reason why you’ve stuck around this long. The men from before were now exiting San’s offer with bright smiles on their faces, and you could only conclude that those numbers truly were the right ones. But just as your eyes leave their smiles you’re met with someone who has the complete opposite expression.

He briskly walked towards you and hastily cleared his throat. The stone cold expression he was supporting made a shiver go down your spine. Without a second thought he grabbed your hand and hauled you off in the direction of his office, with his nails piercing the skin of your wrist. Within a second he shoved you into his office and slammed the door behind him.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” His stern voice echoed in the office. Bouncing off the walls left and right and continuing to bounce inside your skull. The fingernails that were pressing into your skin felt like sharp needles protruding into you. You could have sworn you saw blood pass through his fingers. “Answer me!”

“I’m sorry! But I don’t understand what you’re talking about.” You panicked as you tried to yank your arm away from his hardened grasp. Those eyes of his start to terrify you the longer you stay in his touch. But he wasn’t letting you get away if anything the more you struggled against him the tighter his hold got.

“I saw that dumb fucker hand you his card, and for some unknown reason you took it. So what that’s it, you’re just gonna fucking leave after everything I’ve done for you?” He spat words at you left and right. Not bothering to back up any of his claims. He speaks as if he’s given you pure gold to walk but in reality all he’s given you is eggshells. You have to be careful around you, you’re never treated well, and he wants to sit up on his throne and act as if he’s treated you like royalty?

“If anything you’ve given me shit! You’re treating me like crap any chance you get, I made one mistake and your response to that is belittling me in front of other people!” You shouted back with just as much venom as he has done to you. With a final yank from your arm, you relaxed yourself from his grip. Tired of his antics you looked him dead in the eyes and spoke. “And so what if I take his offer, he’d be a better boss than you ever were!”

“I mean it, L/n, you take that deal and I’ll make your life a living hell.” He threatened as he got closer and closer. His minty breath fanned your face slightly as he harshly grabbed your chin. “Trust me, this is one bet you’ll regret taking if you leave.”

“I’ll take that damn bet any day.” You tried to push his chest back but he was stronger than you. What surprised you the most was the cackle-like laugh that passed through his lips. A wide smile taking over his face and that somehow made the situation more sinister.

“I warned you, Y/n.”