#they've come to gut you with a knife made from words

[paris-writes]

I should be counting blessings- Something is better than nothing.

Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it?

It's close enough to perfect... What doesn't hurt a little bit?

A little bit. A "little" bit.

Nobody ever loved me. Ever loved me. Like she loves me.

Nobody ever loved me. Ever loved me. Like she (tells me she) does.

[uzurakis]

hi :D can you do jjk boys doing like a tiktok prank and telling reader to shut up but they've a really bad day and either get mad/really sad? angst with or w/o comfort plz

CAN YOU SHUT UP FOR A SEC?!

featuring: gojo satoru. fushiguro megumi. itadori yuuji. geto suguru.

n. some comfort and some w/o comfort lol. thanks for the req babes, not breaking my angst writing stride. if you could understand why i wrote gojo like that, then you paid attention to s2. enjoy </3

GOJO SATORU. you dropped your bag by the door and took a deep breath, hoping to find some comfort in his presence; finding your boyfriend lounging on the couch, his eyes glued to the tv screen.

“satoru,” you said, voice tinged with fatigue. “i had a really bad day today. the higher ups are a fucking pain—“

“shut up, babe, i’m watching tv. see?” without looking away from the tv, gojo cut off your words.

you froze, the sting of his words hitting you harder than you expected. you stared at him in disbelief, feeling a mix of hurt and anger rising within you. “wow. thanks for that. really needed it today,” you said laced with passive aggression.

gojo finally turned his head to look at you, but it was too late. you could feel the tears welling up in your eyes, and you didn’t want him to see you cry. you pivoted and exited the living room, displacing him in the process.

as you retreated to the bedroom, you could hear the faint sound of the tv continuing in the background. the reality of the situation settled in, and you felt the tears spill over, silently streaming down your face. you sank onto the bed, burying your face in your hands.

moments later, the sound of the tv stopped, and you heard footsteps approaching the bedroom door. it opened slowly, and gojo stepped inside, looking all confused and a tad concerned. “babe,” he said softly, “seriously, what’s going on?”

FUSHIGURO MEGUMI. “can’t you see i’m busy? can you shut up for a sec?”

you froze, his words hitting you like a punch to the gut. your shoulders slumped further, and you felt a knot form in your stomach. “i don’t need this today. just leave me alone,” you muttered, turning on your heel and heading towards the door.

megumi’s head snapped up as he realized something was wrong. “wait, hold on,” he called out, but you didn’t stop. “hey, i was just joking. come on, talk to me.”

your pace quickened as you left the dorm room, but you remained silent. you needed to leave before you totally lost it because you could feel the tears starting to burn in your eyes. megumi's voice could be heard calling after you as you went down the corridor; growing more concerned with each attempt.

“please, wait!” he shouted, tone now filled with worry. “fuck, i didn’t mean it like that! it’s a tiktok prank, babe!”

you kept moving, the door closing behind you as you stepped outside into the crisp evening air. you leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths to calm yourself. the last thing you needed was more pain on top of an already unbearable day.

ITADORI YUUJI. anger flared within you and your eyes widened. “why would you say that to me? what’s wrong with you?” you snapped, voice sharp as a knife.

yuuji’s gaze moved to look at you, and he immediately saw the pain in your eyes. his expression shifted from surprise to regret. “wait, wait, baby, i’m so sorry! it’s just a tiktok prank. i swear i didn’t mean it like that. please, forgive me.”

“a tiktok prank? do you think this is funny?”

he scrambled off the couch and came over to you, face earnest and pleading. “no, no, it’s not funny. i thought it would be harmless, but i can see now that it wasn’t the right time. i’m really sorry…”

“forgive me, please?”

you took a deep breath, trying to calm down. the sincerity in his voice and the worry in his eyes made it hard to stay mad at him. “yuuji, i’ve had a really bad day. the last thing i needed was for you to tell me to shut up.”

your boyfriend nodded vigorously, looking like a guilty puppy. “i know. i messed up big time. can we start over? we’ll order your favorite takeout and watch a movie? my treat!”

GETO SUGURU. your frustration, already simmering beneath the surface, boiled over. “excuse me? you don’t get to talk to me like that, geto suguru. especially not today!”

“whoa, hey, calm down. it was just a tiktok prank. i didn’t mean it seriously.”

“and you think that’s funny?”

the guy stood up, hands raised in a placating gesture, trying to approach you cautiously. “okay, okay, i get it. not funny. i’m sorry. how about we forget about it and i make it up to you?”

you could see the genuine concern in his eyes, but you weren’t ready to let it go just yet. “you really don’t understand how bad my day has been, do you? and you choose today to pull something like this?”

suguru sighed, taking a step closer to you. “i do understand. i’m sorry i made it worse. i was just trying to be playful. let me make it up to you.” he dropped his voice to a softer, flirtatious tone, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “you know i can’t stand it when you’re upset with me.”

“you damn flirt,” you huffed, trying to maintain your anger, but the familiar charm in his voice made it difficult. “you can’t just flirt your way out of everything, geto suguru. i’m still mad.”

he stepped closer, gently taking your hands in his. “maybe not, but i can try. let me make it up to you tonight. we can do whatever you want. i’ll be on my best behavior, promise.”

@uzurakis

[muunsick]

It was always impressed onto Eden that gambling was a sin. Chance was a mistress who so rarely expressed mercy, and even less so towards those who sought to exploit her for selfish gain. No, Eden had never been one to hedge bets on something so flimsy as luck. Time and time again they've been proven humble by the repercussions of such a folly.

So, it was rightfully out of their character to be standing where they were now. Clutching a pair of scissors, quaking, all pale in the face and clammy under the collar.

Gambling was a sin. And there was no gamble riskier than asking Astarion for help.

There weren't exactly a lot of options they could choose from. Karlach would burn them bald within seconds, Lae'zel would sooner flay the skin from their bones than humor such a trivial request, Gale would find some way to spin the night into a long-winded anecdote on his lost love, and Shadowheart had something you could barely call a haircut.

They supposed it might be worth asking Wyll, but he's been especially bleak since sprouting horns and infernal anatomy just a night prior. Best to leave him to brood peacefully.

Alas, there would be no use in delaying the inevitable. Either it would work or it wouldn't. The best they might dare to hope for is a snap of teeth and a stern warning to keep their distance. Though Astarion has made it abundantly clear he holds preference towards dealing matters with a swift knife to the flesh. May the gods protect them.

With a surge of bravery, (aided by a lofty swig of wine swallowed down before coming) they made way towards the vampire's tent.

He was situated where he most often chose to perch. Browsing the worn and yellowed pages of some dusty tome, lounging amongst his belongings. His expression, tempered and practiced, gave away nothing. Not the barest indication of his mood or intent. Maybe they were catching him on a good night … but, if they must be honest, this entire week had been nothing but terrible nights. At least, for them.

Eden softly implored his attention with the clearing of their throat, iron shears held plainly in their left hand, clutched against their gut.

"Astarion, hey, good evening, hope you're enjoying the night." Words hastily tumbled out, barely held together. This man terrified them to their core, and he knew it. "Couldn't help but notice you're not occupied … or, er, I mean, you're obviously reading. But—" Oh, they'd better just come right out with it.

"Okay, do you know how to cut hair? I don't … know who else to ask … and I messed up my good hand today climbing those rocks." Almost accentuating their point, their shaggy mop of a hairstyle flopped askew, obscuring eyes and nose.

Thinking on their feet, they opted to preen the vampire, just a bit. He seemed to enjoy vanity, and it wouldn't hurt to sweeten their selfish plea, just a mote. "Your hair is always so lovely. I always catch you brushing it—" Oh, gods. "Not that I watch you all the time! Uhh, oh, fish shit …"

Eden hung their head, that wispy tail curled tight around their calf. "Can you help?"

@fcllxn-stcr

[rezzyromance]

Idk if this is how you request things or if it's just asking, BUT-

How would the Lords react to an S/O that's usually the chillest person that you will ever meet (not to be confused with a pushover because they are not), they've never seen them even mildly annoyed when something bad happens. But then something happens and, turns out, the S/O is utterly TERRIFYING when they're mad.

Hope this makes sense!

Aw man I'm gonna feel awful scaring Moreau and Donna :(

Alcina

You're relaxing on a beautiful morning. The sun is shining through the window just enough to warm the room but not hurt your eyes. You hadn't even changed out of your sleep wear. "How are you feeling, my dear?", a sweet voice rang from the doorway. You were sitting in your favorite chair near the window. You turn and smile at her. She walks over and rubs your face in her large hand before leaning down and giving you a soft kiss. "I'm feeling amazing. And you?", you grab her hand before she pulls it away and you place a kiss on her knuckles. "I'm feeling alright. There's a new maid here. She's a bit slow. I'm giving her until tonight to finish dusting the entire castle or else she won't see another sunrise." It was almost comedic how dark her words were as you both stared out the window and gazed at the beautiful scenery. "Come on Alcina.", you stand up and place your hands on hers, trying to hold them despite the size difference. "Give the girl a break. It's a huge castle AND it's her first day.", you knew your words would probably change nothing. Alcina was rather cruel, but you looked past it. You tried your best to make the nervous maids comfortable whenever they arrive.

"We'll see how she does." She gives you one more kiss before leaving the room. You sit back down in your chair, enjoying the warmth of the sun for a little while longer. You lose track of time, minutes maybe even hours go by. Suddenly, there's a crash not far from the door. You jump and stand up, no longer comfortable after being startled. "What in the name of Mother Miranda?!", you leave the room and look down the hallway. The new maid stood there with a terrified look on her face. In front of her was one of the paintings Alcina had on her walls, now with a broken frame and a hole punctured. Your blood began to boil. It was a painting of you, her, and the girls all together. It was your favorite. "How in the hell did you manage to do that?!", you begin to stomp towards her. She cowers and struggles to find her words. "I-I-I was just dusting! It fell and I-I didn't mean t-", you cut her off. "How the fuck did you knock such a large painting over just by dusting?! DO YOU THINK YOU'RE ALLOWED TO MAKE SUCH STUPID MISTAKES HERE?!", you unravel. "I-I didn't mean to! I'm sorry!", she almost begins to weep. "SORRY ISN'T GONNA SAVE YOUR ASS!"

"MISS DIMITRESCU PLEASE HELP!", she cries out. You freeze, realizing that the lady herself is right behind you. You turn to face her. Her eyes are wide with shock. She has never seen you like this before and never even knew you had this type of side to you. She was impressed as much as she was terrified. "(Y/N)? Are you alright my love?" She had no idea what to do as your seething slowed down. "Why don't you go back to the room, yes? Settle down a little and deal with her later.", she places a hand on your back helps walk with you back to the room. Once you're there, she bends down to whisper in your ear. "I don't know where this side of you has been this whole time, but I am so amazed by you. And also a little frightened."

Donna

The Beneviento house was usually a calm place despite its creepy aura. You and Donna are both quiet and chill people. Never once have you fought or even raised your voices at each other. It was pleasant.

You had planned a nice dinner for the both of you. You wanted to try out a new recipe and surprise her, so you made your way to the kitchen to get started. "Okay, what first? I guess I'll need a pot.", you go rummaging through the kitchen and you find the pots stacked within each other inside one of the top cabinets. You groan and stand up on your toes, grazing the pots with your fingers. It didn't take much to cause them to tumble down, crashing on top of you with a loud sound that followed. "Aw shit.", you sighed and picked up the knocked over pots. A small but annoying pain began to throb in your head from where it made contact with a pot. What you didn't notice was you forgot to pick one of the pots up. It remained unnoticed. "It's fine.", you say to yourself as you maintain your composure. Next, a cutting board and knife. You turn around and begin to walk forward to find the cutting board, but you slam your toe into counter. You wince in pain and grab your foot. "SON OF A BITCH!", you yell.

You calm yourself, still wanting to have a pleasant meal with Donna. "Alright. Everything's fine." You step forward and kick the pot that you had forgotten to pick up. It caused your freshly kicked toe to ache even more. "OH COME ON! GOD FUCKING DAMMIT!", you scream and swear as you throw your arms up in pure rage and shock.

"...(Y/N)?", a gentle voice whispered from the doorway, causing you to whip your head in that direction. It was Donna. She looked absolutely horrified and almost looked like she could cry. "Is.. is everything... are you alright?", she worried. "Yes. I'm sorry. Just got a little pissed off.", you took a deep breath to calm yourself down, feeling bad for scaring the poor girl.

Moreau

You were sitting on the dock together, looking into the water as your feet swung back and forth above it. It was a sunny day and you two decided to spend it outside. Your hand slowly made its way over to his. His feet stopped swinging for a second as you entangled your fingers. "I don't know what I'd do without you, (Y/N)." his words were bitter sweet as a gentle smile formed from his lips. "Oh, Sal. You don't have to think like that. I'll always be here for you.", you kiss his cheek and continue to relax as you sway your legs.

"There it is! There's the beast!", a voice yelled from not so far away. You both look in the direction of the voice and see a few young village boys. Possibly between the ages of 13 and 16. Moreau had become some what of a scary story for the villagers. A tale that kids spread on school court yard and bring up during dares. But, you've never seen a kid brave enough to actually make it far enough into the reservoir to actually see Moreau. Now, there were about 3. All of them stood and pointed, shocked and terrified.

"Hey beast! Come get me!", one kid teases. You glare at the kids as a newfound rage begins to boil inside you. "Let's go back inside.", Moreau says before standing up from the doc. The sadness in his voice was heartbreaking. Suddenly, one of the children gathers the guts to pick up a rock and throw it as hard as he could. His aim was off, but not by much. It slammed into the wood near Moreau's feet, startling him. "Take that you devil!", he laughs. "THAT'S IT YOU LITTLE SHIT!", you begin sprinting in the direction of the immature brats. Two of them run from the direction they came from while the one who threw the rock was frozen in fear. You took the opportunity to grab him by the collar of his shirt. "Listen here you little waste of space. I'm gonna give you 3 seconds to turn around and run for your goddamn life. If you or any of your little snot-nosed friends come around here again, they'll be goddamn fish food. Do you understand?" The kid was too scared to speak and instead began to nod rapidly. You let him go and watched as he ran as fast as he could, screaming the whole way.

You walk back to the shack and find Moreau standing in the same place he was when you took off. His mouth was agape and he looked almost as scared as the kids. "You alright Sal? I made sure those little shits won't be coming around here anymore." "Yeah... I didn't know you could be so... scary", he says. "I'm sorry. But those kids were being cruel. I had to do something.", you say. "Well... it was awesome!", he smiled. "But also very scary!" You laugh which helps sooth him a little.

Heisenberg

"Screw driver.", is all Karl said with an outstretched palm. He was working on some type of mechanical heart for his experiments. He wanted you to lend a "helping hand" even though he could easily do it all by himself. He did this because he wanted to be around you, he was just too stubborn with too big of an ego to simply say it. So here you were, handing him every little tool he asks for.

"Do you want the big one or the little one?", you say with a hint of boredom in your tone. "Aw c'mon don't sound like that! Isn't this exciting? It's like you're working on it with me! Also, hand me the big one.", you do as he says and hand him the big screw driver. "I just don't get it. You literally have powers. You can easily do this by yourself and have been for so long. Why do you need me to help?" He pauses for a second and looks over towards you, his brow slightly furrowed. "I don't NEED you to help. I just thought it would be nice for you to help out. Plus, you're the one always bitching about me constantly working. Well, here you are! Helping me work! So, either suck it up or you can leave." His harshness had no real ill will in it. He was just confused and a bit too ignorant to consider his words. But, he was testing your patience. He continued to use the screwdriver until handing it to you without saying a word.

"Hand me a screw.", he demanded with his hand facing palm up again. "Which size?" "They're all the same sizes, dumbass." You feel your blood begin to boil. "They're different fucking sizes! This one is smaller than this one!", you hold up two screws that are obviously different sizes. This makes Karl angry. Not because you were right, but because you seemed upset over something that seemed so insignificant.

"If you came here just to yap in my ear, then I don't think I need your assistance.", he huffed. You put the selection of tools and supplies he was making you hold on the table he is working on and ball your fists. "You're the one who told me to do this in the first place!", you yell. "Yeah, because you won't stop bitching! Non-stop you're always compla-" you cut him off before he can finish. "SHUT UP!", you yell. The room goes silent. "YOU SAY I'M BITCHING? HAVE YOU HEARD YOURSELF? JESUS FUCKING CHRIST KARL YOU BITCH AND MOAN ALL THE TIME! I'M DONE TAKING SHIT FROM YOU!" He wanted to be angry, but he couldn't. He felt something much more overwhelming. Was he.. intimidated? He didn't move from his seat. All he could do was look up at you with a confused expression. What now? What is there to do? If he pushes you further, what would happen? He was actually too scared to find out.

You take a deep breath to calm down before speaking. "Now, if you want me to help with your shit, I'll stay as long as you keep your mouth shut. Can you possibly manage to do that?" He gulps nervously. "Yes ma'am."

[alisonsfics]

close call

pairing: stucky x reader

request: “can you imagine reader had a tough mission and totally fucked up and hates herself for it and on top of that hurt herself bad by breaking a couple bones, but steve and bucky help her out and comfort her through the nightmares and panic attacks and the guilt and the recovery from the injuries. but like she also feels bad being pampered by them cause they've just started dating and she's not used to people doting over her like this and they obviously are having none of that. like what good boyfriends 😭 *give me all the cuddles and smooches💞💞😘😘😘*” - anonymous

word count: 1.5k

warnings: mentions of stabbing, near-death, wounds, blood, broken bones, explosions, pain medications, nightmares, and extreme guilt

a/n: follow @buckydaisy ! i’m switching my work over to that account!!

You felt all the air leave your lungs as you watched his knife jut into Natasha’s gut. Her body made a loud thud as she hit the floor. You screamed her name as you ran over to her side.

Dr. Dahmer had stabbed her.

All because you hadn’t seen the knife in his hand.

Dr. Peter Dahmer was a criminal scientist who had been running inhumane experiments to create an army incapable of disobeying orders.

It was brainwashing.

The mission was personal because Bucky had been brainwashed in a similar way, and you saw how much it effected him. It hurt to see one of the loves of your life in pain.

So, you were more in your head than usual.

And it made you miss the knife.

Then, Natasha had gotten stabbed.

It was your fault.

“Nat—hey hey, look at me!” you said, trying to keep her from closing her eyes. You applied pressure to her wound, still talking to her. She had all of your focus.

It was your fault she got stabbed, you couldn’t also cause her death.

“Stay with me.” You said, tying some cloth around her stomach. You felt the fear take over your body, your hands were shaking. “I’d say she was a pretty good distraction” Dahmer said, with an evil tone in his voice.

You looked up towards him, dreading what you would see. All you saw him do was press a giant red button.

There was a rumbling sound and saw flames appear. The explosion began to race down the hallway. You knew the explosion would let him escape, and also destroy all the evidence at his lab.

“Nat, we have to go!” you said, pulling her up to her feet. You wrapped your arm around her shoulder, heading towards the exit. You sprinted down the hallway, trying to outrun the explosion.

You could feel the blaze from behind you. The flames would reach you in a matter of seconds, and you were four floors up.

With adrenaline running through your veins, you made it out just as the building collapsed into flames.

You smashed through the window, jumping towards the ground. You pulled Natasha with you. You felt the impact as your body hit the ground, shielding Nat from hitting the ground.

You rolled her off of your body, knowing instantly that you had broken bones.

“Tony we need med evac. Nat got stabbed.” Your voice was rushed and you could hear the emotion in your own voice.

As you sat outside of the infirmary, you couldn’t focus on any of the chaos around you. You couldn’t even focus on your own thoughts.

You had the past hour replaying in your head, watching your stupid mistakes over and over again. You looked down at your blood-stained hands, knowing the blood would fade but not your memories. You would have those images burned into your brain forever.

Despite all the tragedy, you still hadn’t let yourself cry yet. You were like a bomb waiting to explode. As soon as you were alone, you would explode into a fiery ball of tears.

“Sweetie, come here.” you heard someone say. You finally looked up and saw Steve kneeling in front of your chair. You couldn’t look him in the eye, your gaze returning to your bloodied hands.

Your entire body ached after being bandaged up from your wounds.

Steve frowned as he watched the guilt written across your face. “Let’s get your cleaned up, honey.” he said, swooping you into his arms. You buried your face in his chest as he carried you away from all the people rushing around.

He got you to his room and set you down on his bed. You remained silent as he went to grab a wash cloth. Before you knew it, he was kneeling in front of you and took your hands into his.

He handed you your pain medication before washing your hands. He rubbed the warm cloth over your hands, cleaning off the blood. The gesture was so genuine and caring. All he wanted was to ease your mind.

“There you go, honey.” he said, pressing a kiss to your forehead. He left the room to put away the wash cloth. You pulled the blankets over your body and couldn’t stop the sobs that escaped you.

All of your emotions reached a breaking point. You couldn’t stop the tears.

As soon as Steve laid eyes on you, his heart broke for you. He pulled you into his lap, cradling your shaking body. “It’s okay, love.” he said, running his hands up and down your back.

The tears didn’t want to stop. “It’s my fault.” you mumbled into his chest. He knew you felt guilty, but he knew you weren’t to blame. He wiped the tears off of your cheeks. “You did what you were trained to do. You helped Nat when you saw that she was hurt. You did the right thing” he told you.

His words did little to calm you. “But as I helped her, I took my eyes off Dahmer. If I had watched him, he wouldn’t have been able to set off the explosion” you explained. He pressed a soft kiss to your lips, trying to at least distract you from your guilt.

“You saved her life.” He said, simply before kissing you again. You kissed him back and then buried your head in his chest. He hated seeing you upset.

“Let’s get you out of your tactical suit.” He told you, grabbing a sweater and sweatpants from his closet. He unzipped the tight suit, pulling it off your body. He pressed soft kisses to your lips before putting the other clothes on you.

You sat down on the bed and crawled under the blankets. “I’ll go get you some water, okay?” He said, kissing your forehead. You relaxed into the mattress.

Every time you tried to close your eyes, the flames flashed back into your mind. It was hard to relax when it was mind-numbingly terrifying to close your eyes.

You felt a pair of arms wrap around your waist, pulling you into their body. Someone’s lips attached themselves to your neck, giving gentle kisses.

You recognized Bucky’s cologne instantly. “Hi there, bug” he said, his voice soft and comforting. You rolled over to face him, balling his sweater up in your hands.

“No more tears” he said, placing kisses on both of your cheeks. A tiny smile snuck onto your face. Steve came back in the room, lying behind you on the bed. Both of them wrapped your arms around you, keeping you safe. They couldn’t make your guilt and anxiety magically disappear, but they would damn well try.

“Nat wanted to thank you for saving her life.” Steve told you, rubbing his hands up and down your back.

“I don’t deserve that,” you mumbled softly. You didn’t see either of them frown, but they did immediately. “You deserve the world, honey.” Steve said, nuzzling his face into your neck.

“You’re a hero,” Bucky added, kissing your forehead. Contently in their grasps, you finally were relaxed enough to fall asleep. They couldn’t help but feel in awe of you, as you peacefully fell asleep.

They hated seeing you being so hard on yourself. You needed to give yourself a break every now and then.

They both started to doze off slowly, until you jumped up out of bed screaming.

They both jumped away, assuming they had hurt you by bumping one of your injuries. They very quickly noticed the tears streaming down your cheeks. “I’m sorry, Nat” you mumbled, as you were startled from your nightmare.

“It’s just a nightmare, doll.” Bucky said, pulling you into a hug. You sobbed into his chest, the scarring images still fresh in your brain.

He held you until your breathing steadied and you stopped crying. As he pulled away, his hand grazed one of your broken ribs. You winced and pulled away.

It had been an immediate reaction, but it broke Bucky’s heart. To know that he caused you pain, sent daggers through his heart.

“I’ll get you an ice pack, honey” Bucky said, darting towards the kitchen. You frowned as you sat back down on your bed. You didn’t want Bucky or Steve to have to go out of their way for you.

“You guys don’t have to—” you began to say before Steve interrupted you. He shook his head while grabbing your hands. “Don’t even think about it, honey. You know we both love taking caring of you. You aren’t burdening anyone. You take care of us, so let us help you.” He said, sweetly.

Steve always knew how to make you swoon.

“Thank you,” you said, giving him a genuine smile. He returned your smile and pressed a light kiss to your lips. “Always, darling. How about you pick a movie and I get to cuddle by amazing girlfriend?” He suggested, lying beside you.

You couldn’t help but giggle at his charm. “That sounds like a great plan.” Bucky added, joining you both in bed. The three of you got positioned, them both making sure your ice packs stayed in place. “How did I get so lucky?” You asked, looking at your caring boyfriends.

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Requests OPEN

[tiredandangryaboutit]

Short ficlet about Hubert facing his father. But for what purpose was the Marquis truly killed?

Hubert steps into his father's study, a wicked smile on his face. His father is doing some paperwork, but when he looks up he puts down the pen. Carelessly, like he was interrupted mid-writing. Hubert smiles wider.

"Hubert," He says in greeting. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Hubert can't deny that there's a part of him that feels gleeful. Everything, everything is finally happening.

"I think you know why I am here, father," he says. "Marquis Vestra. I hereby declare you guilty of betraying the Emperor, the Empire an the people you swore to serve." He extends his hand, a hidden stiletto emerging from his sleeve. "Your sentence is death," he announces.

His father looks at him for just a moment. Smiles for a fraction of a second. Then he moves, swiftly, and Hubert has to narrowly avoid a knife being thrown at his face. When his father and teacher charges at him, he's reminded of every training session he's ever had with the man. The man who molded him into who he is. A weapon. A blade. A tactician. And now, his final exam has come.

Vestra against Vestra charges, parries, ducks and weaves. Blades and spells both fly, missing and hitting as student and master both show just how much they know. The battle isn't long. Like most battles between power it just comes down to the fraction of differences. Strength, conviction, cleverness.

Hubert knows none of those won him this battle as he plunges his dagger into his father's gut.

Gently, a stark contrast to the fierce and quick fight, he lowers the defeated master to the floor. His father still clings to life, but Hubert knows he has accepted his lot. With a grimace, Hubert can't help but to wish he actually won for his skill.

"You fought well," he says quietly, confident that right now, right here, he can speak freely. The fallen Marquis chuckles wetly, a speck of blood coming from his lips and staining his cheek. "Had to... make it convincing," he points out.

Quietly, and weakly, he whispers the thing Hubert always knew. "I am proud of you, son. Well done."

"My work is not over," Hubert points out.

"No. But mine is," the older man coughs. "I taught you well. Now I must leave our task to you..."

Hubert nods, suddenly finding his throat tight. "We can see the end, son. The last stretch of the road. Now it is up to you to finish this. Our crimson path we have laid for centuries, that our ancestors started..." Another cough. "I am proud... of the role I played," he laughs weakly.

A weak and bloodied hand reaches up to Hubert's face.

"But before I finally return to the darkness from whence I came... Might I see your eyes, as my last vision?"

Again, the words get caught in his throat but Hubert nods and pulls his bangs behind one ear. Even here, in the safest place they've made in this viper's nest, he is reluctant to drop his disguise.

But his eyes shift, going from pale green to bright yellow. His markings resurface, for the first time since he was a boy, and the roots of his hair bloom white as his face reveals itself. A reverse mask, the rest of his body still hidden.

His father always said that keeping himself pale was both risky and genius, hiding in plan sight beneath the open sky. A open challenge to the Fell Star. Come at me, he had said. I am not afraid of you any longer.

"My boy..." His dear father breathes, and Hubert feels him grow heavier. "The cycle... must... continue..."

As the marquis passes, Hubert sits with him for a few moments. Then he carefully lays him down and stands up. His men, his true and loyal men, will care for the body. He will go and report to her. Their puppet who has begun to pull at her strings.

He doesn't wipe the single tear from his face. It will help the charade. Now, once and for all, she will see how far he is willing to go for his mission, and once again he will admit that his mission is her victory.

"The cycle must continue," he affirms.

[maplecornia]

chapter 29

𝔴𝔬𝔯𝔡 𝔠𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔱: 1.44K

𝔤𝔢𝔫𝔯𝔢: romance | slice of life | fluff | angst | bts x female!reader | ot7

𝔰𝔲𝔪𝔪𝔞𝔯𝔶: You watched them from the sidelines ever since you were a young teenage girl. Now you’re grown up, they’ve returned after 2 long years and everything has changed. What happens when you pull back the mask and find the darkness within? What happens when you see that they’re broken?

𝔞/𝔫: this one is kind of lighthearted, but a very much needed interatction eheheh

𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔰: cliffhangers | angst | fluff | slight mentions of self hatred | depression | mental health illness | self harm | occurs in the year 2024 | set in a timeline where BTS went to the military together | slight language

tags:@kookaine |@fangirl125reader |@kookiebbyxx |@taradevonne |@rae-bear |@mangminnie |@pixiekooo

Why is this so annoying?

Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, at the luminescent lights surrounding it, as though he were preparing for a show, a concert, he can feel a cold icy feeling begin to creep around his heart.

Funny to think about.

A concert after all this time.

Will he be able to dance the same? Perform the same? After years without practice will he be able to meet their expectations?

Or will he disappoint them all over again?

Now, now Jimin, we promised we wouldn't do this.

Right?

Sighing, he runs his hands through his hair, the slight crunch of hairspray and dye that comes with it making him wince.

It's not that easy to forget, is it?

So then why does he want to do it?

Sighing, glances up at the far corner of his mirror, spying Tae in the background.

How long has it been since there was empty air between the two of them? When was the last time Jimin had struggled for something to say? He bites his bottom lip before glancing away.

Why did things have to change?

"Come on, I'm sure we can find you something." At the sound of the door opening, and an erratic Jin bursting through, Jimin jumps, his eyes flashing to the top of his mirror once more. Jin's smiling over his shoulder at someone, and Jimin can't help but smile himself.

How is it that with Jin, nothing changes? How is it that he's able to pretend that everything is fine, even when it isn't? Always a smile on his face even when he doesn't feel like it.

How is that possible?

Jimin can't help but wonder if one day...

...he might break.

When the girl comes into his line of vision, however, his thoughts are broken and he jumps up, spinning around to catch a good glimpse of her.

Yen.

As she raises her eyes, she catches sight of Taehyung, who just so happens to have his shirt off at the moment. His clothes are forgotten in a pile on the desk, and she blushes at the sight, frantically looking away.

Jimin tries to be amused, he really does.

But a strange feeling erupts in his chest at the sight, something that makes him cold and numb.

Glancing towards Taehyung, he notices his ears are a bright pink and he has gone still. Rolling his eyes, Jimin tries to ignore the feeling that's swirling in his gut.

What concern is their relationship to him?

"Oh, I didn't know you guys were in here." Jin smiles before stepping forward, and stunned, Yen holds him back. Shocked, he stumbles before turning to her and raising an eyebrow.

"What are you doing? I'm trying to find you an outfit to change into."

"Outfit?" When Jin turns to Jimin and your eyes raise to his, he wonders why he opened his mouth. It was a lapse of curiosity, but now he can't tear his eyes away from your large ones. They remind him of eyes he's seen before...perhaps in a dream.

Large and full of life, sparkling green eyes with soft eyelashes at the corners, eyes that touched his heart and helped him move on.

Not quite unlike yours, but not the same either.

"Yeah, she spilled coffee on herself." Jin begins to explain in answer to Jimin's question before another newcomer interrupts.

"Again?"

Startled, the room turns to the door, looking beyond you and Jin to find Jungkook standing at the entrance with an amused smile on his face.

With wide eyes you stare at him, wondering if this whole thing is a dream.

He smiles softly before stepping forward into the room.

At the silence, he rolls his eyes before finding a shirt on a table and throwing it Taehyung's way.

"Get dressed will you?" he scoffs, and Tae, as though waking up from a dream, starts and immediately pulls the shirt over his head. You make sure that your gaze is expertly averted, your cheeks heating up.

It's one thing to watch his chest be exposed at concerts or performances.

Quite another to see it in real life.

Jungkook notices your not-so-subtle attempt to hide your face behind an oblivious Jin, who has since made it his job to personally make sure Taehyung is humiliated.

Jimin, growing distracted from their futile bickering, turns to you once more and watches as Jungkook steps a bit closer.

With tenderness, Jungkook brushes a stray strand of hair behind your ear, startling you. You flinch away from his touch, turning to him. If he's hurt by the act of distance, he doesn't show, just smiles down at you.

"Yen, I know where I can find a new shirt for you."

"Oh, so you're Yen!" a voice at the door breaks the contact between you two, and you turn to the newcomer, surprised to find J-Hope standing there, Namjoon not too far behind.

Hoseok nearly bounces into the room, pausing a little too close for comfort in front of you, inspecting your face.

"I knew I recognized you!" He exclaims, his face breaking into that smile that melts hearts worldwide, and you fumble for words to say. Leaning back, he places his hand on his chin as though he were a painter preparing for his next project. "I must say, you look cuter this way."

You furrow your brow, about to ask what he means, but he boops your nose before you can say much else.

"Hoseok," Namjoon says behind him, a bit preoccupied with a conversation on his phone. "What did we say about personal space?"

J-Hope rolls his eyes before dancing away, claiming one of the seats at the mirror. When Namjoon reaches you, he lowers his phone, giving you a slight smile and a moment of reprieve.

"Strange to see you here, Yen. Did you need something?" You open your mouth to give him a response, but Jin interrupts you using your head as an armrest.

"She needs a new shirt, she spilled coffee on herself." He explains. Namjoon narrows his eyes at Jin, brushing his elbow off of your head before pocketing his phone and turning to you, concern clear in his eyes.

"Are you alright? Did you get burned anywhere?" He leans forward, inspecting the spill, and you blush, crossing your arms over your midsection. Confused, he stands, and you chuckle nervously.

"No, I'm fine, thank you." You murmur, avoiding eye contact as much as possible.

"Let the girl breathe for heaven's sakes." Jimin snaps from his perch in the back, and J-Hope clucks his tongue.

"Grumpy?"

Jimin snarls his way, and J-Hope makes a face before laughing and continuing to inspect the multiple assortments of makeup at his mirror.

"Jin, I don't think you'll be able to find a shirt her size in our dressing room." Namjoon begins, inspecting you as though he could guess your size just by looking at you. You don't know why but the stare makes you feel just a tad bit exposed, and you narrow your eyes his way.

"So what if it's oversized? She'll be fine, it's only for a day anyway." Jin scoffs, glancing around the room for a worthy specimen. "I'm sure we have something to spare."

"How about one of Jimin's shirts? He's already changed and is closest to her size." Jungkook suggests, but Jimin literally throws himself over his discarded clothes. He narrows his eyes Jungkook's way and nearly hisses.

"Don't even think about it." Jungkook holds his hands up in mock surrender and you have to look away, hiding a smile.

However, that proves to be difficult as the room erupts into a chaotic mess of people trying to find some form of clothing to exchange for your soiled ones.

You can't help but smile at the way they interact, their brotherhood, and their friendship. Wherever they are, the place becomes warm and welcoming, and you can't help but feel a tinge of nostalgia.

Seeing them together reminds you of a time where you were dedicated to watching them on your TV screen. A time where they were the reason you smiled, the reason you were able to continue.

It's a bit different now, but it doesn't change the impact they've had on your life.

The impact they will have for an eternity to come.

You would have stayed there like that for a while if it weren’t for the cold icy voice that cuts through the joyous energy in the room like a knife.

"What the hell."

Your smile vanishes as you catch sight of who's at the door.

Min Yoongi.

And he doesn't look too happy.

𝔫𝔬𝔱𝔢: we finally got interactions with all of BTS! ehehehe i'm so excited for NO REASON

chapter 30 here

check the Infinite Stars masterlist for more chapters

check my BTS masterlist for other BTS content

check out my masterlist for other kpop fanfics

[one-boring-person]

Only Traitors Consort With The Damned. (Part Fourteen)

The Lost Boys x reader

Warnings: injuries, death, blood, use of harmful gas, bad language

Context: (Y/n), Dwayne, Nico and Paul try to reunite themselves with David and Marko.

A/N: I'm sorry if this is getting a bit repetitive now, I promise it won't go on much longer!😅

Edited By: @jawline-of-steel

Masterlist

A hand on my shoulder wakes me, the gentle yet insistent sensation of someone shaking me from my dreamless sleep becoming apparent. I crack my eyes open to look at who it is, immediately meeting a hard grey stare as I do so, Nico's slightly dishevelled hair falling into his face slightly as he carefully tries to wake me, a grim smile creasing his features as he sees me looking at him. Withdrawing his arm, he replaces it where it was before: at the small of my back. Realising now that I'm lying on his chest, I go to roll off, hoping I haven't made him feel awkward in any way, only for him to stop me and gingerly help me sit up with him.

"Go steady, (Y/n). You're hurt, remember?" The werewolf chides me, lifting me very carefully off of his lap and onto the sofa beside him, keeping his hand at the crook of my back as I let out a whimper of pain, accidentally putting weight on my back leg.

"Yeah, thank you." I smile at him, turning my gaze to the room, where I see Dwayne and Paul watching us closely, both of them tense and jittery. Somehow neither of them look as if they've slept well.

"Sleep well?" Dwayne asks, voice sounding oddly detached, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"Surprisingly, yeah. You?" I respond, rubbing my head as the events of the night before come flooding back to me, dread reawakening itself in my core at the memory.

Paul laughs, bitterly.

"Not at all." 

I nod, hearing exactly what I expected, pulling a sympathetic face as I do so.

"Do you think we can get back to the cave?" Dwayne interjects, the brunette anxious to get back to his friends.

I think for a minute, considering the dangers and odds of what might happen if we did, replying a minute or so after, noticing now how Dwayne has started pacing.

"We should be able to. If they found nothing, then the team will have moved on to the next likely spot, so there'll probably be very little risk in trying. If there is any threat, it'll probably only be a guard or two left there to catch me, but I reckon David and Marko will have taken care of them." I frown momentarily, "You guys must be hungry. When was the last time you fed?"

Paul and Dwayne look at each other briefly, seemingly considering when their last meal was, neither of them particularly sure of themselves.

"It definitely wasn't yesterday. We were going to, but then things went wrong, so we never really got a chance." The blonde reveals, scratching his head slightly, "Can we go, please?"

Unsurprised at their eagerness, I go to stand up again, groaning when a bolt of agony spikes up my leg. Frowning, Nico moves to support me, pushing me back onto the sofa with a firm hand.

"Take it easy. I'll carry you." He reassures me, getting up to stretch out his rippling muscles, his bones cracking audibly as he does so, the sheer size of him made more apparent than ever in the small confines of the safe house. The three of us can only watch in awe at the sight of the werewolf tensing and flexing some of his more painful muscles, eyes naturally drawn to him. Noticing our stares, Nico lifts an eyebrow.

"What?" He asks, looking at us all in turn, clearly confused.

"Nothing." We all say in unison, looking away again until he's finished, at which point he comes over to me and scoops me into his arms again.

"Ok, let's go." Dwayne proposes, leading the way out of the safe house and to the ladder leading up to the abandoned gas station above, where Nico briefly hands me to Paul so he can climb up and take me from him again when he's made it through the opening. Once the three of us are out in the open again, we start walking in the direction of the Bluff, Nico following on after Dwayne and Paul, who are going much faster than him, despite his broader stride, due to their nervous disposition. Neither of them say a word, choosing instead to focus on getting where they need to be, navigating the darkened surroundings with ease, using their heightened senses to the best of their ability. 

As we walk, however, I become increasingly aware of Nico tensing behind me, the werewolf becoming warrier with each step, his grip on me incredibly tight as he moves along behind the vampires. The werewolf's head twitches in each direction every now and then, listening out for any tell tale sounds, though I can tell from the set of his jaw that he has not heard anything.

"What's wrong?" I ask him softly, worried at his behaviour.

"It's too quiet, I don't trust it." He says, looking down at me momentarily.

I frown, tensing my own muscles as I realise he's right: the surroundings are silent, not a sound to be heard for miles around except the footsteps of the three walking beings, the air laced with secrecy, my gut starting to wrench as my instincts start screaming at me to run. Before I can say anything, however, I notice that we've arrived at the Bluff, the raging sea audible from here as the cool breeze blows harshly around us.

Instantly, the two vampires run forwards into the light fog that surrounds the top of the cliff, something which I've never seen before up here, both of them eager to see their friends. Nico is more hesitant to follow, only just stepping into the mist to avoid continuing on into what could be certain doom. As he does so, I catch sight of two familiar figures standing at the crest of the cliff, looking as if they are waiting for us, their features obscured by the fog, though their silhouettes are very recognisable: David and Marko.

With cries of relief, Dwayne and Paul run towards the other vampires, only to slow down when neither of the others reciprocate the movement, both of them remaining stock still. Paul and Dwayne come to a halt, calling out their friends' names, only to be met with silence, something finally clicking in my mind.

"Shit, they used gas. Cover your face, now!" I yell out to them, aware now that we've been duped into feeling safe. Nico growls and steps back, his head twisting frantically from side to side, eyes flashing amber as Dwayne and Paul turn to face us, clearly confused. As they do so, two audible whooshing noises are heard, grunts of surprised pain escaping the vampires as crossbow bolts suddenly appear, protruding from their stomachs, blood erupting from the new wounds as they look at each other, then at me, terror clouding their eyes momentarily before they collapse to the floor, unmoving.

"No!" I scream out, wishing I could go to them, horror flooding me like a burning acid, fear and panic shredding any rational thought I had beforehand, my body writhing in Nico's grip.

"(Y/n) we have to go! Come on!" The werewolf says to me, sounding oddly aggrieved and reluctant to do so, clearly regretful that we have to leave them behind, only for a yelp of pain to fall off his own tongue, his eyes widening as he looks down at the silver knife in his chest. Staggering, he tries to hold me up, only to awkwardly fall to his knees, dropping me in front of him as his hands clutch at the bloody wound in his chest, his breathing heavy and ragged, the light leaving his eyes as he looks over at me one more time, before he drops to the floor, his muscular body soon going still.

"No, no, no! Nico please wake up! Please! Come on, this can't be happening! Oh, god, please wake up!" I shriek out, tears suddenly finding their way out onto my cheeks, coursing down my face as I sob into the bloodied shirt of my best friend, clutching at him as if I can bring him back.

"And this, my dear, is precisely the reason why you are no longer suitable for your job." A cold, snake-like voice cajoles me from somewhere behind me, the sound inciting a feeling of anger deep inside me, "You know the rules."

"Fuck off." I spit, turning to face the newcomer, keeping a grip on Nico's limp body.

"Now, now, there's no need to be vulgar." She chides me, coming closer, though her features are obscured by the presence of a gas mask. I know exactly who it is without needing to see her, however, and my suspicions are only confirmed when she makes a hand signal and the gas is switched off, the fog gradually clearing.

"I'll be vulgar if I want to be." I snarl back at her, glowering defensively at her as she removes her mask.

"Maybe around the scum you consort with, but not with your superiors." Valentine Fletcher commands, her pale, gaunt features highlighted harshly in the light from the tower just past the Bluff, each alabaster plane of skin cast in a bluish hue. Her pallid hair is swept up into a tight bun, her piercing heterochromatic eyes fixed sharply on me as she nears, "Plus, if you behave yourself, your friends might stand a chance of surviving."

At this, I frown and look ober where she is pointing, my heart dropping even further when I see what it is. 

David and Marko are tied to respective chairs, their legs staked to the seats with their eyes covered in what I can only assume are holy-water soaked blindfolds, blood staining their skin and hair, their heads bowed to their chests. Behind them stands a line of black-clad Hunters, their faces masked, too, to ward off any remaining effects of the gas. Horrified, I look back at Valentine, who smiles at the look on my face.

"Well? Can we discuss things in a civil manner?" She chuckles mockingly.

Part Fifteen

[arsonistslut]

Chapter 9: Reminders of Tragedy

"Hey, Jane!"

"Hey, Ingrid! How is my favorite person in the world?"

Jane's girlfriend of a good 9 years now happily walked over and kissed her on the cheek, beaming as she always seemed to do whenever she looked at her lover.

"Amazing now that you're here. Hey, you wanna go to that party Randy's having at his house tomorrow?"

"He's having a party? I didn't figure him the partying type."

"Despite the whole business parents thing, he is a real party animal. Hey, you know what's weird about the party?"

"What is?"

"He invited that Jeff guy there..y'know, that creep with the Conduct Disorder?"

She gestured to the tall, dark clothed young adult that sat alone at a lunch table nearby, playing with a switchblade.

"Hey, I remember him being pretty nice.."

"Remember him? You two date at some point?"

"We did, actually, wayyyy back."

Jane smirked when she saw the look of surprise and pride on Ingrid's face when she realized she guessed right.

"What was he like?"

"He was a sweetheart. Cheesy, but a sweetheart. Hell, even cheesier than me."

"Jane, you've carved our names into multiple trees. There's no out-cheesing that."

"Oh, you wouldn't believe how we met, either. My dad was out mowing the lawn, and he accidentally ran over a rock and it hit Jeff in the head."

"Oof, that sounds bad.."

"I visited him in the hospital with my parents one time, and I will never forget what he said to me as a pick-up line."

"What did he say?"

Jane cleared her throat, before trying her darndest to do an impression of a young Jeff.

"Did you come from heaven? Because you look like an angel!"

Ingrid couldn't help but let out a giggle as she quickly pulled Jane into her arms.

"Aww, that sounds so cute!"

"It was!"

Jeff himself was hearing this conversation from afar, the little tricks he played with his knife not an adequate distraction from the constant reminder of what could've been.

"I don't think he handled our breakup too well..nobody really wanted to treat him as anything other than a freak after his diagnosis went public. One time, I heard him ranting to his brother about how it was hypocritical of the school to do a health topic on depression when they wouldn't stop judging him for his CD."

"Sheesh, it sounds like he's been through a lot..poor kid could use a friend."

"It doesn't really look like he wants any. Liu isn't sitting with him..that's weird, Liu always sits with him."

"Prolly had an argument or something, you know siblings."

"Yeah.."

The day continued without incident, Jeffrey getting home at the same time as usual..yet his mind was not thinking about the party, or school, he was thinking about Jane and Ingrid. Why was Jane so special that she had everything she wanted in life and not him? What crime did he commit that landed him with absent parents, demonization from his peers, and a fucking smile cut into his face? That love, that relationship they had..Jeff came to the conclusion that it was something to be destroyed.

Liu, meanwhile, was..struggling with something. Something he never expected would be a problem in his life. Lately, he began having these thoughts..these violent, awful, intrusive thoughts, thoughts that seemed to be begging to be spoken aloud, the actions they describe seeming to grow more and more appealing as time passed.

Kill Randy.

Maim Keith.

Skin Troy like the cattle he is.

Maybe if he gave the thoughts an identity, they'd be easier to handle, he thought as he thought of a name for these urges..one stood out from the others. Not at all goofy, but not as laughably edgy as the other options.

Chapter 10: Enter Sully

Liu ended up speaking to Sully for the entire night..and even into the morning. When Jeff woke up the next morning, he could already hear Liu downstairs talking with..someone.

"It's sad, really..so concerned about themselves..no time spared for you."

"I-I guess..but they've got more important things to worry about.."

"Child, they do not have a thought in them about you. They're all self centered egomaniacs that would rather get pushed around by a genetic failure of a human rather than do anything about their situation!"

"That's not true, Sully! You're lying!"

A horrible growl soon came from the room.

"We are friends, child! Friends do not lie to each other, do they?"

"I..I guess not..goodbye for now, Sully."

"Where are you going?"

"I..I need some time to think."

Liu got back up, jumping from fear when he saw his brother staring at him.

"Holy shit, Jeff! You scared me!"

"I bet."

Awkward silence soon filled the dining room where they stood.

"Hey, Jeff...?"

"What?"

"I'm..sorry about punching you, and saying all that shit about you. I shouldn't have done that."

"No shit, Sherlock."

The elder brother turned around and began walking back up to his room, but not before his brother called out to him.

"Hey..is there any way I could make things up between us?"

"You could make things up by not betraying my trust again. You're all I've got, Liu..don't pull a Jane and fuck it up for me."

Liu always did question that grudge Jeff held for his ex, after all, he chatted with her in the past, and it always seemed like she genuinely enjoyed what her and Jeff had, and she always felt bad for leaving him like that. Hell, it sounded like it was as painful for her to leave him as it was for him to find out that his girlfriend left him. He was tempted to point that out, but he feared ruining things with his brother again.

"Alright.."

Chapter 11: A Hell of A Party

When Jane and Ingrid rounded the corner home, they found..a disturbing sight. A dead raccoon laying in the middle of the street, it's guts ripped out of it's body and thrown aside, Jeff gleefully pawing through the freshly murdered animal, childishly gawking and giggling over the corpse.

"Hey, Jeffrey! What happened here, what the fuck did you do?!"

Ingrid cried out to the blood-soaked kid, who looked up at her, confusion riddling his bloodied face.

"I killed a raccoon. It's not like anyone's gonna miss it."

"Why, you little-"

Ingrid slapped Jeffrey right across the face, knocking him to the ground as Jane held her girlfriend back and tried to keep the situation from escalating any further.

"What the hell was that for?!"

"You killed a helpless animal, you freak!!"

"I oughta kill you next, you piece of-"

Woods choked on his own spittle as he made his threat, never having been particularly..elegant with his words.

"Oh, really?! I'll kick your teeth down your fucking throat!"

"I swear to God, I'll strangle you with your own fucking intestines!!"

When Jeff reached for his switchblade, Jane panicked and grabbed her lover's hand, running off with her as Woods continued to scream at them.

"Your last words better be some Mark Twain shit, because it's going on your tombstone!! You hear me?!"

That experience was all on Jane's mind as she watched Jeff steadily get more and more wasted by the bonfire outside as time went on, at least, what glimpses she could catch of him when she wasn't busy dancing with the other students. Randy was also outside, reluctantly playing Truth Or Dare with the others as well as his increasingly hot and bothered enemy.

"Ok, Jeff!"

"Whaddup, baby?~"

"Truth or dare?"

"Dare, hit me with the worst ya got!"

"Slow dance with Randy."

"What the-no! I'm straight as a arrow, dude!"

"So is spaghetti until it gets wet~"

"Jeff, never say that again."

"C'mooooon, do the dare, ya pussy~ I don't bite!~"

Woods took his time getting up, but still had enough cognitive function to put on Grover Washington Jr's "Just The Two Of Us", to try and improve the mood, but Randy still wasn't having any of it. In a last ditch effort to try and seduce Randy, Jeffrey just..up and took his shirt off. That'll get things going, right? No, it didn't. Despite some swooning from some of his classmates, Randy himself didn't want any part of this. He was a few drinks deep as well, so in a drunken haze, he grabbed one of the bottles of booze they had, took a running start, and smashed it right over Jeff's head. The problem with that is that they were only a couple feet away from a bonfire, so when Jeff stumbled backward, he fell right into it, the alcohol on his exposed flesh quickly igniting. He quickly burst into flames, screaming and running off as the fire quickly seared his body, every remaining nerve ending he had that wasn't burnt away shocking his body with waves of pain. He could feel his scalp burning up once his hair was scorched away, finally finding solace in a nearby puddle that put out the flames. Jeff could see his life flashing before his eyes..his family, his brother..that was all he could see. As Randy and the other students' screams of horror faded away, Woods silently cursed himself for not doing anything more with his life..a single bloody tear rolled down his face as he shut his eyes for what he believed would be the last time.

Chapter 12: The End Of The Beginning

Suddenly..he was in some sort of void. The ground beneath him was black as pitch, and footsteps began to grow ever closer to him. When Jeff looked to see who was approaching, he found no earthly being waiting for his attention. When he laid his eyes on whatever approached, the previously totally dark void began to turn a sickly red. What stood before him was a monster unlike any other, an otherwordly monster many believed to be a mere tall tale.

HE COMES.

[hellishmess]

39: The Terrible Truth

March 6,2019 11:00 pm

[Ana]

I laid in the trunk of the car, recalling overhearing Maeve tell Aspen they’re leaving at 11pm in the little Chevy Impala.

It was a crazy thing to do, but I'm finally going to see what they've been doing.

I laid tucked away as they got into the car and began the drive to wherever they were heading.

The car turns onto gravel before we roll to a stop. Satisfaction makes me grin like a cat, and a smugness made me giddy.

Ooooh, no. They weren’t expecting this.

I listen as they quickly get out of the car, flinching into the floor when I heard a sudden crack of sound.

Undeterred, I pulled the emergency release lever in the back of the trunk, crawling out of the car and across the yard.

My grin fell when I got to the porch. They must have stormed the house. The door was hanging off it's hinges. Splintered strips of wood hung crooked along with the light fixture that hung above the door.

I wondered deeper into the house.

The stereo was untouched. You belong to me by patience and prudence plays on repeat.

However, the rest of the house was total chaos. A total of 6 adversaries stood, all fully busy trying to fight off Aspen, Shay, and Maeve.

3 were already dead on the floor.

Blood sprayed through the air accompanied by a scream that rose every hair on my body. I froze as my eyes found the source of both chilling things.

Shay had a huge butcher's knife in one hand and a dude pinned to the counter with the other. The dude was withering in the vampire's grasp, blood gushing out of the stub that is now his arm.

“Ana?!” Aspen’s suddenly beside me. “What the fuck are you doing here?!”

She’s dotted with blood, but her face was a stricken mask of concern and surprise.

“I hid in the trunk.” The words felt dumb coming out of my mouth.

Maeve and Shay didn’t stop at my entrance like Aspen did. They still fought, killed.

“Let’s go outside,” she says.

But we get cut off. Shays there, fighting with someone while looking unconcerned as ever.

I yelp, skittering into the kitchen.

Aspen follows me, only pausing in front of the fridge, Her head cocked as she considers something. "Do you need some water?"

I don't answer her. I literally cannot believe what I'm seeing.

Aspen shrugs, closing the fridge and moving to lean against the kitchen's sliding door. No one pays attention. No one moves to attack her. I follow, not wanting to get in the way of anyone here.

A sudden pop of sound whips my head around.

Maeve is on the defense, taking on a woman with a cruel looking whip. It cracked again and I heard Maeve swear when it tore flesh.

A few feet away a boy my age is screaming as he runs towards Shay with an ax. He swipes through thin air. The vampire gone in a matter of milliseconds.

My stomach churns as I see the boy's head fly across the room. It hits the wall and lands close to where the severed arm rests.

"Jesus Christ." I try to keep my stomach down as I stand with Aspen.

My body is stiff as a board. My arms wrapped around myself for some kind of comfort. I can’t look away.

My grasp on reality tilts, my mind disassociating from the horrors before me. The song makes it worse. I can almost trick myself into thinking it's all a scene from a movie.

The vampire doesn't stop for a second. No one is able to touch him. He backs up Maeve, throwing a shard of glass at the lady with the whip. It sliced through the side of her throat.

Her eyes flash as blood starts to pour. The whip drops to the floor when her hands go to the wound. They press against the sliced flesh in vain, desperately trying to stop the bleeding.

I look away when Shay grabs her. His bared fangs were enough of a warning for what's to come.

Movement erupts to my right causing me to flinch back closer to Aspen. My eyes close for a heartbeat as fear consumes me. Another pathetic yelp tears away from my throat.

Aspen, however, was fearless. She materializes a knife, meeting our attacker head on.

Their fight is drawn away from me. I press against the glass door, helpless to watch my girlfriend fight a man 3x her size.

I flinch at the screech of metal against metal. Aspen takes a hard blow to the side of her jaw. Her retaliation was swift and bloodily. The man stumbled back, pausing to watch blood start to wet his clothes.

He thunders towards Aspen again, but she might as well have been death itself. Her movements were so sudden when she strikes.

My eyes barely follow as she slits the man's throat while dodging his tackle. The man halts, confusion and shock opening his eyes.

Bile rises in my throat as his life force splatters onto my shoes.

Aspen is back in my vision again, rising behind the dazed man. My eyes find hers and I shiver at what I see.

A darkness that's clear as day and cold as ice peers back at me.

She stabs the man through his temple. The man's final sound was like a gunshot through me. The hard thud of his body the echo. More blood splattered my legs and shoes.

Aspen bends down and retrieves her blade, wiping it clean on the cheap table cloth.

The nonchalance in her movements furthers my spiral out of reality.

Killers. All of them.

My head shook and my vision tunneled. I stare at the wall, forcing myself to keep breathing.

Aspen resumes standing beside me, leaning against the door.

Her skin's stained with blood this time though. I don't know where the knife is hid.

Her eyes flash in the back of my mind. They were something I haven't seen before. This Aspen was darker than anything I ever knew.

Silence.

I looked over into the living room. Aspen was standing before the stereo, cutting off that creepy ass song.

I blink, not recalling her moving from my side.

They all stood there, taking in their destruction. Slowly their gazes made it over to me.

I froze, unsure of what to say. Death hung around us. Blood, limbs, and bodies, all testaments of the viciousness of just two girls and a vampire.

The bile is back and this time I don't fight it. Stumbling over the body of Aspen's kill, I puke over the corner of the kitchen's island.

I realize why they didn't want me knowing now. This was something they understood mutually. The violence and the murder. They weren't strangers to it, but I was.

The sound of footsteps echo in the silence, disrupting my thoughts. A man stands, a gun in his hands and pointed level with my chest.

I freeze, fear jumping into my throat once again.

Aspen is the one to react. With a flick of her wrist, the man is bent sideways with pain. I see a flash of the anguish that crosses his face, hear his piercing scream before he hits the ground dead. The gun forgotten beside him.

I stare down at the body. He dropped dead in a moment just because Aspen flicked her fingers?

I stood surrounded by kills made by the people I called friends. It seemed so easy for them too. Effortless.

This was what Aspen was trying to protect me from. This was what Aspen was trying to hide.

Conflicting emotions make me gag again.

Killers. They just slaughtered everyone here.

I should have listened to them. I shouldn't have snuck out. They were right. I didn't want to see this side of them.

Aspen warned me. She told me, but I wouldn't listen.

“I can't rest knowing I don't know a side of you.”My words haunt me.

Who would want to see this side of them? Who would want to know the merciless destruction they could lay onto a person?

I was stupid.

I met Aspen's eyes. Her whole face was guarded as if she knew what I must be thinking right now.

I pick my way through the house and leave through the busted door. No one follows.

I'm disappointed and glad all at the same time. The fresh night air was exactly what I needed. It eased something in me that was threatening to break. I perched on the hood of the car, tilting my head back to lose myself in the night sky.

Shay was the first one to come out, Maeve a few steps behind him. Both joined me in silence.

Maeve opened the passenger side door but didn't get in. Neither spoke a word.

"Are we not leaving?" My voice sounds far away in my head.

"We've got to clean up." Maeve answers.

I don't get to ask what she means. Aspen stands on the porch. I watch as her hands raise. A flicker of light can be scene through the window.

Fire.

Aspen keeps her position at the front door, her hands raising steady higher. The flames consume everything inside, climbing higher and burning hotter every second Aspen pours her magic into it.

This is what they meant by clean up.

They're covering their tracks from the human police.

The stench of burning flesh reaches us. I resist the urge to hack, covering my nose and mouth with both my shirt and my hand.

Once the fire reaches the roof, Aspen makes a gesture and steps away, jumping down the steps and pacing towards us.

"If that doesn't burn the bodies then even hell itself can't." She opens the door to the backseat, "Let's go."

We all obey, eager to get away.

Shay spins us out of the yard and down the pig trail they call a drive.

It's quiet between us all. I'm pressed against the door, unable to shake the uncomfortable feeling in my gut.

I keep stealing glances at all of them.

Shay butchering that man flashes before turning into Aspen. The darkness reflected in Aspen's gaze matched Shays own twisted glee.

Maeve was still nursing the few wounds she got.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"Yeah. Nothing too bad." She grits out, pressing McDonald's napkins to her arm.

"I could heal it for you," Shay offered.

"You know I'll pass."

He shrugs at the wheel.

Shay hits a rough pothole, jolting Maeve entirely. "You know Aspen. You really could have helped us out more," Maeve snaps.

Aspen's chuckle only lightly sounded humorous. "I figured I'd let you and your boyfriend bond."

"Whatever." She hisses, but I get the hunch that she's holding back a few things.

The ride back was silent. Shay sped down the highway. It was 3:40 am. Despite everything, the rocking of the car threatened to lull me to sleep.

I couldn't fight it. Hell I didn't even want to. Leaning against the window, I let my eyes close.