#this whole year. year of temporary arrangements.

[dawn-moths]

"Snow Angel"

Nanami Kento x Female Reader

word count: 2600+

tags: sfw! christmas special, takes place in my i’ll be your angel au, a kiss at the end but nothing too suggestive, reader is briefly carried, reader is called “princess”.

(hi, everyone! i know it’s been a while since i’ve seen you last, but i wanted to post just a little something for the holiday season. i hope everyone has a happy and healthy holiday and a wonderful new year! i look forward to getting back to writing more regularly in 2025 ♡)

⋆꙳•❅*• •*❆ ₊⋆⋆꙳•❅*• •*❆ ₊⋆⋆꙳•❅*• •*❆ ₊⋆⋆꙳•❅*• •*❆

Christmas with Nanami was truly magical. 

Everything was shimmering with pink and silver, big, glittering ribbons tied perfectly atop every neatly wrapped box waiting beneath the snow-trimmed tree. The whole house had been frosted over with a layer of winter festivity, every single year Nanami taking you on a weekend getaway while the house was professionally decorated with all your favorite colors, the first moment you stepped through those grand front doors your face lighting up with glee at the scene.

You, in your big fluffy white coat, fuzzy pink earmuffs and mittens to match, with innocent wonder shining in your eyes. Nanami in his long, sleek tan coat, soft blue scarf folded perfectly around his neck and hanging over one of his broad shoulders while he wore a look of pride.

He’d lean in, press a tender kiss to your head, and whisper, “Merry Christmas, princess,” as if you didn’t expect this surprise single every year. As if you’d forgotten. As if it was the first time he’d surprised you with the transformation all over again.

Sometimes, Yuuji, Nobara, Megumi, and Gojo would be waiting there to surprise you as well. They’d stay for dinner and all six of you would sit by the fireplace and talk and laugh until it got late and your eyes would inevitably begin to grow heavy and flutter shut. Nanami would notice, would call it a night and see everyone out, handing them their holiday bonuses in shiny black and gold packaging, the envelopes thick with cash. Then it would be off to bed for the both of you, snuggling up under the fluffy layers of blankets while you dreamt of dancing bears and sugar plum fairies.

Every year there was a little something different though, so he supposed there was still an element of surprise left after all.

Last year, he’d had a temporary ice skating rink installed in the backyard, giving you hours of enjoyment, as well as honing your skating skills until you and Nanami could glide steady laps around the fake frozen lake hand in hand.

The year before he’d arranged a carriage ride pulled by four beautiful reindeer decked out in silver bells and mistletoe through the vast neighbourhood of mansions, marveling at the way each one was so intricately decorated for the holiday season as you passed them by.

He’d turned the kitchen into an elaborate candy display, all of the glossy, vibrant sugars beckoning you to sample each and every one. He’d had the hedges trimmed and decorated with lights to look like giant gift boxes with glittering bows. He always made it special, his decorating team always knowing just the right touch to add on that kept that holiday magic alive.

This year, Nanami had the entire house decked out in your favorite pastel pink and white, making you feel like you’d waltzed into the dream house you kept inside your mind, each room themed to fit along with the different numbers from The Nutcracker, since Nanami knew how much you loved the ballet. When you’d first walked into the living room that night, you’d actually been greeted by six dancers performing Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, their glittering tutus and satin pointe shoes mesmerizing as they all did pirouettes and pas de bourées and piqués in perfect unison.

It was all so magical it nearly brought tears to your eyes, the level that Nanami had gone above and beyond this year feeling like something out of a story book, not your real life. But, as Nanami was also quick to remind you, this was your real life. And it would be for as long as you two were lucky enough to love each other as much as you did.

But tonight, one week after the breathtaking spectacle, the living room was filled with the scent of hot cocoa and marshmallows, soft piano classics echoing faintly from the old record player as the fire added its crackling ambiance to the delicate, twinkling melody. Beyond the vast windows that overlooked the yard, the blackness of night shimmered across the freshly fallen snow, the iridescent sparkle just barely visible from the dim light that cast a faint glow upon the back porch.

It was Christmas Eve and you were curled up on the couch next to Nanami, gently dozing off while the end of It’s A Wonderful Life played on the TV. George Bailey had just walked into his house, all of his friends and neighbours gathered around to offer their help. He was holding his daughter. She was telling him that everytime a bell rings, an angel gets their wings.

You’d always loved this movie.

So had Nanami.

Making it a Christmas tradition the two of you could share only made it that much more enjoyable.

But you’d had a long day. Baking cookies and playing in the snow was hard work, after all. It had all been worth it though, because now the kitchen smelled like cinnamon and molasses and a cute little snowman waved at you from the yard.

“What do you want for breakfast tomorrow, princess?” Nanami murmured as he pulled you a little closer, lightly stirring you awake as your eyelids began to flutter closed. “Pancakes?” he asked. “Eggs benedict?”

Because it was a holiday, and therefore a special occasion, that meant that Nanami was going to cook you something special himself. You could have anything you wanted, even waffles topped with ice cream and sprinkles, but since it wasn’t every day that you were allotted one of Nanami’s delectable home-cooked breakfasts, you took a moment to ponder on that.

“Mmm…” you thought. Then, remembering how good your choice for Christmas breakfast had been last year, you looked up at him with an adorably sleepy smile and said, “Can we have gingerbread french toast again?”

Nanami hummed out a velvety chuckle, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear before gently taking your chin in his fingers. “Of course we can, princess,” he said, smoothing his thumb across your cheek.

“And hot chocolate?” you added.

“Anything you want,” he affirmed.

As the end credits began to roll, you let out a yawn, nuzzling closer into Nanami’s side, your weight laying a little heavier over him and serving as a warning that you weren’t going to be able to stay awake much longer. It was late, and you’d insisted on finishing the movie anyway, but Nanami couldn’t have you drifting off into dreamland just yet.

At least, not until you’d opened your customary Christmas Eve present. 

He handed you a pretty little pastel blue box topped with a silky white ribbon, and as you carefully began to pull back the pristine wrapping paper you attempted to guess what it could possibly be this year. Nanami made a regular habit of gifting you anything from diamonds and furs to designer handbags and luxury accessories.

You were beginning to wonder if he’d ever run out of ideas.

Besides, what did you get for a girl who had practically everything?

Yet he somehow always found new ways to spoil you, new ways to take your breath away with his gifts, gestures, and trips.

By the time you were carefully lifting the lid off of the palm-sized box and Nanami was saying “Merry Christmas, angel,” you almost thought you’d fallen asleep beside him on the couch and this was a dream after all.

A few weeks back, on one of your holiday shopping excursions, you and Nanami had perused around your favorite jewelry store, you carefully examining every new piece behind the spotless glass display cases while Nanami sipped some complementary champagne and chatted about tennis with the enthusiastic salesman.

You knew you were always allowed to pick out one “early” Christmas gift for yourself, one that you didn’t have to endure the painfully long wait until the twenty-fifth to open, so you were always very selective about what that one very special item would be.

You had to admit, this year it was proving extremely difficult. So many of your favorite designers, stores, and brands had released tempting new collections. Not that you wouldn’t get to take your pick among the lot of them, of course. It was just the waiting, the anticipation that caused you to become so picky about this particular gift.

But, as soon as you saw it, you knew.

It was a dainty diamond bracelet that looked like it was made of sparkling, frosted snowflakes, a limited edition run that would be around for this holiday season and then never again, no two pieces exactly alike. They’d been designed so that each and every diamond snowflake on the bracelet was different, and not only that, but different from all the others of its kind as well, the gesture meant to mimic the real thing of which it was modeled after.

Once you’d decided and waved Nanami over, the eager salesman trailing after him, Nanami was already taking out his wallet and preparing to hand over his matte black credit card, but just as your hopes were at an all time high, your joy came crashing down when the salesman regretfully informed the both of you that the bracelets were already sold out and the one on display was intended to be returned to the designer to be stored away in the company vault.

“Surely, there must be a way,” Nanami began to bargain, noticing how quickly and severely your spirits had plummeted. “Even if we need to have it custom made,” he’d said, putting his arm around you in an attempt of comfort. “Whatever it takes.”

The salesman grew slightly more nervous, but no less firm on his stance. “I’m very sorry,” he repeated with a sympathetic press of his lips. “If it were up to me, I’d sell it to you, but the designer was adamant that the original be returned into their hands for safekeeping.”

“It’s ok…” you sulked, though tried to convince yourself you’d find something even better. “I understand…” After that, the salesman had tried to show you several other pieces that perhaps you’d like in the snowflakes’ stead, but both you and Nanami knew that it was no use.

Once you’d made your mind up about something, it was very hard, if not impossible to change it.

He knew you’d forget about it eventually, that once you were surrounded by a plethora of other beautiful, sparkling things it would probably pale in comparison. So the two of you left the store empty handed and headed out to your dinner reservation where, luckily, your mood brightened a little more throughout the remainder of the night.

And you let it go. Knew that Nanami always astounded you more and more with every present you unwrapped come Christmas morning. It would be ok. You already had plenty of other pretty things anyway.

But Nanami, on the other hand, could not let it go.

He was determined to get his hands on one of those bracelets for you, even if it meant sitting down and negotiating with the designer himself.

And, as it just so turned out, he knew someone who could get him in contact with her before the holiday arrived. Because of course he did. If Nanami Kento didn’t have the desired connection firsthand, then it was guaranteed he knew someone within his extensive network who did.

So, while he was driving home from work the following week, he got on a call with her, utilized every ounce of his gentlemanly charm and business negotiation skills, and was able to convince her to have one more of those bracelets made specially for his most favorite, precious girl.

The two of them were able to become fast friends, as it so turned out, and the designer was actually vaguely familiar with the two of you from when you’d attended the Wimbledon Championship the previous summer. Besides, how could anyone who’d taken the time to look ever forget such a striking couple as you and him? They’d made plans to have lunch the following summer at the same event, but Nanami was going to save that as something to surprise you with in the spring.

“Oh… Ken…” you sighed, carefully lifting the bracelet from its resting place as if it were made of the most delicate glass— as if it were made of real snowflakes and not expertly cut and precisely set diamonds. Even in the dimness that the flickering fire provided, it glittered like the golden sun hitting the freshly fallen snow, entrancing and majestic.

You truly didn’t know what to say, you were so taken aback. It wasn’t until Nanami was carefully taking it from your grasp and offering to clasp it around your wrist that you managed to ask, “But how did you—?”

“I pulled a few strings,” he teased, giving you a mischievous side eye that caused you to flash a naughty smile right back at him. “Besides—” He pulled you into his lap, you unable to tear your gaze away from admiring the gift that now adorned your wrist. “What my snow angel wants, my snow angel gets.”

You leaned in and pressed your lips to his, savoring the sweet and spicy taste that was created when both your mouths met, the warm glow emanating from the fireplace casting the both of you in dancing amber light. And, holiday or no holiday, you were just so happy that you got to call him yours, that you got to fall asleep beside him, wake up next to him, share these moments together, these memories, things you’d always cherish more than any amount of diamonds anyone could ever give you.

Nanami felt lucky to have found a girl like you to call his own, too. He tried not to feel bad about having to leave for long business trips so often, knew that the time away was a big part of what helped him give you everything your precious little heart desired. But the truth was, he did feel bad. He felt bad every single time he had to go, the guilt steadily gnawing away at him until he’d returned home to you again.

“I love you so much,” you murmured as he held you, lovingly stroking the back of your hair. “So, so much… More than anything…”

Once the initial excitement wore off, he knew your previous tiredness would return, and so he lifted you from the couch and carried you up to the master bedroom, helping you get ready and all tucked in. You’d refused to let him take the bracelet off of you, said you wanted to keep it on so, when you woke up in the morning, you’d know it hadn’t all just been a dream.

“Alright, baby…” Nanami cooed. “I’ll be right in… Sleep well.”

He knew you’d try and wait for him like you always did, but by the time he returned and was ready to fall into bed himself, you’d already be fast asleep. He’d carefully wrap himself around you, cradling your body against his so you could soak in each other’s warmth, and then quickly run through tomorrow’s to-do list before allowing himself to truly clock out for the day.

Because, yes, while you could be a lot of work sometimes, he always knew you were worth every single minute of it.

But first Nanami had to return to the living room to put out the fire and turn off the TV, leaving the Christmas tree lights on and giving the snowman the two of you had made that afternoon a playful little wink before switching off the porch lights. Then he hurried back to you, already imagining how your face would light up with glee over and over again throughout the day tomorrow. Because, whether swathed in the rich, velvety warmth of the summer or bundled up and trodding through the snow, you were, and always would be, his most precious little angel.

[kraniumet]

i am gonna miss my no effort sparse #girlapartment. a bit.

[steddieas-shegoes]

Steve and Eddie go through the whole adoption process in 1996, despite how difficult it was to find somewhere willing to help them at all and despite their conflicted feelings on adoption.

The way they saw it though, providing a loving home for a child who needed one was better than the alternative. Eddie had enough experience with temporary foster homes to know stability was better than constant moving and questionable foster parents.

They get a foster placement almost immediately, a six year old girl named Amelia. She’s quiet, but not in a way that worries them. She’s very focused, and enjoys going to school more than any regular children’s hobbies. Neither of them know what to do with that other than keep encouraging it.

She stays for months, months turn into a year, and the agency finally gives them the go ahead to complete the adoption process.

But they don’t do anything without talking to Amelia.

She’s happy there, her therapist signs off on it immediately and explains that Amelia has shown more personality development and less signs of trauma with them than she had even living at home. Not to mention they actually brought her to appointments, unlike her previous guardians.

To celebrate, they throw a party with all their friends and family and tell Amelia she can invite anyone from school she wants. She invites everyone.

Turns out their daughter is a social butterfly and is friends with everyone.

At the party, Eddie pulls out his guitar, plays a bunch of popular kid-friendly songs after a very scathing look from Steve as a reminder to behave.

Amelia walks over to him after a few songs, on a sugar high like he’d never seen on her before, and asks to play the guitar.

He’s hesitant, but not because he’s still protective of his guitars, more because he doesn’t want her to embarrass herself in front of her friends. Kids are cruel, even and especially at seven, and the last thing he wants is this to be the thing that kids talk about for the next ten years.

She sits on the couch and holds it, arranging her fingers…correctly. Eddie watches.

Steve is watching from across the room.

She starts strumming, very quietly at first, not as confident as she’d been a moment ago. And then she starts really playing.

It’s one of the songs Eddie wrote. He played it for the last four months nonstop as he perfected it, and she’d apparently been watching.

Eddie’s jaw is on the floor and he quickly looks over to Steve, who has a similar look of surprise on his face.

He doesn’t interrupt her. She makes it through the entire song.

She looks up.

“When did you learn to play guitar?” Eddie asks.

“When I was watching you.”

“But have you played before tonight?”

Amelia shook her head, looking down. “Didn’t wanna touch it without asking.”

Eddie pulls the guitar from her hands and sets it aside, then pulls her into his lap and hugs her. Steve sits down on the couch next to them, hand on her back.

“You can always ask, sweetie. And if you’re this interested and this natural, we can buy you your own guitar if you want. I didn’t think you were interested in playing.”

“I wanna be like you,” Amelia admitted against his shoulder.

Eddie was done for. He looked at Steve, half-panicked, trying not to cry in front of these people, but Steve wasn’t faring any better.

“Then we can go get you a guitar tomorrow. You can get your own picks, too. They might even have purple ones.”

“Can I have red? Like yours?”

“Of course, sweetie.”

It only took them two days after that to realize she could play by ear, just like Eddie.

And then it only took another day after that to realize she had taught herself to read music too.

They spent hours and hours every week playing together while Steve cooked dinner or checked her homework or just watched them.

When Eddie’s band decided to record another album and go on tour when Amelia was 12, Eddie insisted that she get to be on it.

She ended up helping write one of their songs, played on the track on the album, and with a lot of work, convinced Steve to let them homeschool her for the entire 8 months they’d be on tour so she could perform on stage with her dad.

“Can’t believe she’s not even genetically yours. Are you sure you didn’t have an affair?” Steve asked the night before they were leaving for Europe.

“When would I have had an affair? I came back to the tour bus or hotel with you every single night,” Eddie kissed him softly. “She’s amazing, huh?”

“She is. What happens when she wants to be a full blown rockstar like her dad too?”

“Then we make sure she’s protected and has good people around her like I have. She could be a rockstar easily. She’s got the talent and the presence,” Eddie smiled. “And she’s got me to make sure no one takes advantage of her. But she’s only 12. We’ve got time to worry about that later.”

“You’re bringing her onstage every single night all over the world for the next eight months, baby. I think later is now.”

Eddie sighed. “She’s gonna blow them all away. I’m proud of her. Let’s focus on that for now.”

And she did blow everyone away. The fans and the media had nothing but good things to say, and Steve didn’t have to go into overprotective mom mode at all until she was 15 and signing a record deal of her own.

But between Eddie and him, the entire industry knew better than to fuck with her or them.

They made rules, of course. School still came first, she still had required family events to be at, she still had regular friends at home. She wasn’t allowed at any parties, not even the events for award ceremonies.

But she didn’t really need those rules. She had no interest in parties or abandoning her friends or family, and she was a straight A student who still had hopes of getting into Brown for Journalism like her Aunt Nancy. She had a passion for music and wanted to share it, but not at the cost of the rest of her life.

And Eddie and Steve did everything they could to make sure she got to have everything. That’s what they’d promised her from day one.

[spnbangbang]

Handfasted

Author: tiamatv

Artist:  anyrei

Primary Ship: Dean/Castiel

Other Ships: N/A

Length:  39,000

Warnings: N/A

Tags: AU- Royalty, Arranged Marriage, Temporary Marriage, Prince Castiel, Prince Dean Winchester, Strangers to Lovers, Internalized Homophobia, Cultural Differences, Misunderstandings, Rope Bondage, Pining

Summary Dean Winchester never wanted to wear a crown. He had no idea that he even could. It wasn't until the Campbell royals all got themselves assassinated by demons that he and Sam found out that King Samuel was actually their grandfather, and well, shit.

But Dean was a soldier before he was anything else. So maybe that's why he'll do anything to stop this awful demon war--anything. Even try to make an alliance with the angels.

They think they're gonna scare him off by telling him he's gotta be magically married--okay, okay, handfasted, but call it what it is--to some snooty noble angel for a whole year? They think Dean's gonna back out because the angels want him to be handfasted not to a proper princess, oh no, but to a prince?

Bring it on.

Link to Fic | Link to Art

[cryptidghostgirl]

Ritornello (Alastor x Cursed!Gn!Reader)

Pairing: Alastor x Reader

Warnings: I don't think there are any but please correct me if I am wrong.

Word Count: 3,565

Previous Part: Rhapsody

Next Part: Rapture

Master Lists:

Master Lists 

Hazbin Hotel Master List

A/N Okay I know that canonically Charlie is like 200 but we're gonna make her 25.

After everything with Alastor, Y/n tried to continued their life as it had been before he'd stepped into. It was challenging, they faltered and misstepped. They had been good at being on their own once but now that they had a taste of the alternative, it was difficult to fall back into their old ways. Eventually, they managed to fall into a new pattern of being.

They were a bit more careful now, they didn't dash out unannounced from behind corners or secret hiding places. Seeing Alastor was the last thing they wanted to do. Now, they had someone to avoid.

For seventeen years, they continued on like this. They struggled through their battles on their own, against the overlords and against their own personal situation. They searched high and low for a cure but the only things they ever seemed able to come up with were false promises and temporary fixes. Every day, the curse the overlords had placed on them to limit their powers was growing stronger. Every time they used their magic, played their music, it became more and more corrupted and so, they learned to fight with their hands. This was until they got the call from Lucifer, of course.

The pair were old friends of a sort. Y/n had met him by chance within their first few days in Hell when he'd pulled them out of a tight spot. They didn't spend time together ever or really see one another at all but, Y/n had a vague sort of trust for the man, a strong sense of a debt needing to be repaid. Y/n didn't like owing people things, not even back when they were alive. They didn't like depending on people in that way. When he asked them if they could keep an eye on his daughter, they couldn't refuse.

Charlie was a lot. At twelve years old, she was bright and over the top and constantly bursting out into song. At first, Y/n had been rather uncertain about the whole arrangement, even when she'd gone through her emo phase at fifteen.

Y/n tried to steer clear of them for the most part. Picking her up from school, dropping her off. Babysitting when her parents needed a night to themselves, the normal stuff. When the issues started between Lilith and Lucifer, Charlie was suddenly thrust into Y/n's life a lot more. She had no idea the real reason, both her parents wanting to keep the trouble from her due to their own care and protective natures, and Y/n tried their best to keep it that way. It didn't help that by sixteen, Charlie had practically moved in with the demon but they managed.

Charlie had always pushed for a connection, something more than Y/n making her dinner and getting her where she needed to go. Y/n resisted at all costs. They'd been hurt before by trust, by care. The idea of going through it all again was terrifying. That all changed the day Charlie found out about the curse.

Y/n hadn't meant for her to find out. One of their situation's many many downsides was that while the curse ate away at their magic, it also ate away at their physical form. If they weren't careful, if they didn't temper their emotions and make sure they were eating enough raw meat, the beast would take over.

The beast was a horrific thing in their eyes, blood hungry and devastating. It was sub-human, sub-demon even, writhing and scornful. A mass of twisting shells of prey, a mass of claws and sharp teeth.

Of course, Y/n couldn't keep it from Charlie forever and on one fateful evening, Y/n had transformed. They'd been overworked, stressed about the fact that the Vees were gaining more territory and power, that soon they would be practically untouchable. They had forgotten to take care of themselves in the rush of it all, prioritizing Charlie and their plans.

When they had come back to their senses, come back to themself, it had been to the sight of Charlie. With a damp rag held to their forehead by the demoness and a whole lot of bones from victims of their situation on the floor around them, they had opened their eyes. Y/n had expected Charlie to flinch, to run in fear, to tell Lucifer who knew nothing about the curse. Instead, she had smiled brightly and told Y/n she was glad they were okay. From that day forward, they were absolutely inseparable, completely attached at the hip.

With Charlie's help and cheerful influence, Y/n was beginning to learn how to exist. They loved the girl like she was their own and Charlie knew if she ever had an issue of any sort, she could go to Y/n about it. Even when Y/n had relayed the story of how they'd been cursed and why, there had been no issues, no qualms, nothing. Charlie promised her watcher that she would help them break the curse, no matter what it took.

It was watching Charlie come into herself as a young adult, watching her meet and fall in love with Vaggie that made the real difference. The princess of Hell was unapologetically herself and Vaggie took everything she had to offer with open arms. Slowly but surely, the search for a cure took a back seat as did Y/n's goal of taking down the overlords of Hell. Their life was different, but they were happy. They found themself wishing for the past, the one they had shared with Alastor, less and less, channeling their energy into the world around them. They didn't even notice when the reports started to come in that the Radio Demon of the overlords had seemingly vanished.

Things hadn't been without their challenges. Charlie's relationship with her dad was strained to say the least and when her mom had disappeared? She'd been absolutely inconsolable but with one another's help, they figured things out, made it through.

When Charlie pitched the idea of the Happy Hotel, Y/n had been doubtful. They knew a lot about Hell, the way it functioned, the way the demons within were. It came from decades running around back streets and surviving in the underworld of the underworld. It was Charlie's hope that did it, her earnest gaze. Y/n had caved and after months of hard work, the Hotel had finally opened.

Things were going well, too well even. Then there had been the interview with Katie Killjoy, the other shoe dropping. Y/n had watched it from the sidelines with Vaggie. As soon as Charlie had come down off the set, they had enveloped her in their arms and held them close. With Vaggie's help, they managed to get Charlie back to the hotel.

Once she had calmed down a little bit, Charlie stood from where she had been seated in the sitting room beside Y/n, Vaggie, and the hotel's one resident: Angel Dust. She mentioned something about calling her mom before disappearing into the lobby.

Y/n and Vaggie exchanged a look. They both knew the situation Charlie was in with regards to her mother and how she tended to get after one of her failed attempts to contact the woman. Neither thought this was the time or the place to step in however, and remained seated, chatting idly with Angel as they waited for Charlie's return.

When she finally did, it was with a nervous attitude and a strained expression.

"Hey Vaggie?"

"What?" Vaggie asked as she and Y/n twisted to look at Charlie who stood in the door way behind the couch.

"Can you come help me please?"

Vaggie got to her feet and exited the sitting room with her girlfriend. Y/n turned to Angel to continue their conversation but had barley gotten a word to the spider demon out when Vaggie stepped back in the room.

"Y/n?"

"Yeah?" Y/n replied calmly.

"Charlie actually needs our help with this one, I think."

"Alright then." Y/n got to their feet, shooting a glance back at Angel, "A true hotelier's work is never done." they lightly joked and Angel rolled his eyes.

"What's this about?" Y/n asked Vaggie as they followed her down the hall towards the hotel's main entrance.

"Just..." Vaggie sighed, "you'll see."

Noting the girl's odd behavior and stressed demeanor, Y/n steeled themselves. Not much put Vaggie on edge. She was strong, toughened, as far as Y/n knew, by a brutal upbringing in the streets of Hell. While each use of their powers made the curse grow stronger, they would not hesitate to protect Charlie or her dreams should the need arise. Besides, they'd become quite good at other means of self preservation over the years.

As they rounded the corner into the lobby space, Y/n was greeted by a flash of red as someone pushed past Charlie into the space from the street and a familiar voice.

"Excuse my sudden visit, but I saw your fiasco on the picture show and I just couldn't resist. What a performance! Why I haven't been that entertained since the stock market crash of 1929. So many orphans."

Y/n let out a low growl, summoning their lute into their hands and Vaggie pointed her spear at the Radio Demon. It was pure instinct. If they knew anyone, they knew Alastor and redemption was not the Radio Demon's cup of tea. As Charlie shut the door, he turned to face them. Y/n walked a few steps forward, planting their feet a little ways away from Alastor and poising their fingers to play.

"Get out of here." They said through gritted teeth.

Alastor's eyes widened with recognition for the smallest moment. As quick as he had lost it, he regained his composure.

"My what a protective force this Hazbin Hotel has." Alastor mused.

"It's called the Happy Hotel actually?" Charlie hesitantly corrected and he laughed.

"Not anymore its not. I did you the favor of fixing your sign."

A little threat couldn't hurt, a little reminder of who he was dealing with. Alastor had no idea Y/n was any less capable than when he'd first met them. One little note couldn't hurt, wouldn't show any of the damage done. Y/n plucked a single string on their instrument and the room around them began to glow. Everyone's hair lifted around their faces, the loose edges of their clothes beginning to flutter.

"Get out of here now. I wont ask you again."

"Now, is that anyway to treat an old friend?" Alastor replied, smirking.

Everything suddenly clicked into place. There was something different about him. Y/n couldn't put their finger on exactly what it was, but they could tell he hadn't been lying. He'd been at the Hotel for at least five minutes by now, maybe more with all Charlie and Vaggie's running back and forth since his arrival. If he had had any truly negative intentions, they would have revealed themselves, especially to Y/n. Alastor was a good liar, but no one was that good, good enough to trick someone who had watched them become the person they are.

"Old friend?" Vaggie repeated, turning to Y/n in confusion.

Their grimace faltered, before falling completely. They released their instrument, letting it hang loosely in their hand by their side.

"Alastor! You're embarrassing me in front of my kid."

"Your kid?" Alastor asked after a moment.

This time the shocked expression that crept its way onto his face stayed there.

"You know him?" Charlie asked at the same moment as Alastor spoke.

Y/n let their instrument dissolve into the air and gestured to Charlie.

"My kid. And yes, Charlie. I know Alastor."

Alastor turned, looking Charlie up and down.

"You got with Lucifer?" Alastor asked in confusion as he looked back at Y/n.

They laughed lightly at the notion, unable to stop themselves. They shook their head.

"No. Oh my gosh, I would never. Seriously just... great guy and all but no thank you. I just take care of his kid for him. Well, used to. We sorta got attached."

Charlie walked up to Y/n as they spoke, pulling them into a side hug.

"Y/n practically raised me. They were kinda the only one who was always there for me."

Y/n looked down at Charlie with a fond smile. They ruffled her hair and Charlie quickly batted their hand away.

It was clear to Alastor that Y/n had changed. They were no longer the trouble making demon he had known, that he had loved. Still, there was that same spark in their eyes, that fervent desire, that want. From just the small interaction playing out before him, he could tell that Y/n had learned how to trust and protect rather than just fight. They had learned to live hand in hand with that creeping need woven so tightly around their bones, rather than despite it.

It made him happy to see, it made him happy for her. At the same time, it caused his heart to ache terribly. They had finally been able to let someone in, and it hadn't been him.

In the years since their separation, Alastor had never stopped thinking about Y/n. Their memory was tender to the touch, shot sparks of joy or anguish down him depending on the day. It was like an old wound that had never quite healed right. Seeing them now was unexpected. The wound reopened. He sheltered himself.

Y/n saw the way Vaggie still had her spear pointed at Alastor, aimed straight at his neck. Gently, they placed a hand on it, pushing it down. Vaggie looked at them, her eyebrows raised.

"If he wanted to hurt anyone here, he would have done so already."

Vaggie stared at Y/n for a moment. Seeing how serious the demon that had become a mentor to her was in this moment, she lowered her blade. Y/n's hand fell back to their side.

"Now," Y/n turned to look at Alastor once again, "why are you here?"

----

It was late. Vaggie had told Y/n that Charlie wanted to speak to them about something in their office and so, Y/n found themselves outside the familiar door. They knocked once on the dark red wood.

"Yeah?"

They opened the door and Charlie smiled.

"What'd you wanna talk to me about, Sunshine?" Y/n asked as they entered the room, taking a seat in the chair across the desk from their young charge.

"Just about Alastor."

They should have known. Not only was the hotel at a potential risk thanks to the decision to allow him to work with them but Charlie had always had a sharp sense of curiosity. Y/n sighed.

"Fire away, kiddo."

"Well, how do you two know one another? Can we trust him? Do you think he means what he says he does? I thought you hated overlords? I.. I..."

Y/n smiled softly, the change in their face easing Charlie's nervous temper.

"We will handle these one at a time, no prying. Deal?"

"Y/n, you realize how suspicious that makes you sound, right?"

"Fine. A little prying. Deal?"

"Deal."

Y/n leaned back in their chair, letting out a sigh of nostalgia. Their hands rested on their stomach as they kicked their feet up onto Charlie's desk.

"I... I met Alastor practically right after he arrived. We both thought the overlord system was dumb and so, we decided to team up."

There was a moment of silence, broken by Charlie. The young demoness had always loved Y/n's stories, begged to hear them. They had never once heard this one before.

"Is that all?"

Y/n shook their head.

"We dated."

"You dated!" Charlie exclaimed in shock, nearly jumping out of her seat, "You dated the Radio Demon. Were you in love?"

Of course she'd go on and ask that next. Not 'how'd that happen?' not 'when was this?' No, Charlie had to go for the hardest question first, like she always did.

"Yes." Y/n hesitantly replied, "I did."

"I... oh my god. This is actually crazy. You dated? You actually dated. Like for real, in love, dated."

"Alright." Y/n clapped their hands, taking their feet off the desk and righting themselves in their chair, "Next question."

"Bu-"

"I said some prying."

"Fine." Charlie sighed, crossing her arms, "But I am gonna get that story out of you eventually."

"I'm sure you will, sunshine." Y/n chuckled lightly, "Now. Can we trust him? I... I'm not sure."

All the excitement vanished from Charlie as she looked seriously over at Y/n.

"Why didn't you say something sooner?"

"Because, he's up to something but not with us. Or, if it is with us, it's not to hurt us. I... something happened to him, something is different. I am not sure what I just... he's not here to hurt us... I think..."

"You think?" Charlie repeated indignantly, "Can you be a little more sure of that maybe? Why only think?"

"It's been a long time since I've seen him, Charls. Maybe being an overlord is what changed him. I have no way of knowing but my gut tells me he's okay, at least for now."

"You knew him before he became an overlord?"

"You really think I would team up with one of those bitches? Come on. You know I hate them."

"I-"

"Next question." Y/n quickly interrupted, not wanting to think on the past anymore than was necessary, "I think he does mean what he says, as was implied in whether or not I trusted him but the same caveats that applied there apply here too. And I do hate overlords, I just..."

"You just love him." Charlie teased.

Y/n's cheeks grew hot. They looked away.

"I do not. I loved him. There is a difference."

"Uh-huh. Sure. Why did you guys break up?"

Y/n turned back to Charlie. They couldn't say no to those eyes.

"Well, he became an overlord. Also I maybe... never told him. About the curse. He could tell something was up and..." Y/n took a breath, "couldn't take it after a while I guess."

"So you guys still loved each other when you broke up."

"What are you scheming over there."

"Nothing! Nothing!" Charlie quickly replied as she not so discreetly scribbled something on a piece of paper, "How long were you together?"

Y/n placed their hands on the arms of the chair, pulling themselves to their feet.

"Alright, trouble maker, I think thats enough lore outta me tonight."

"But Y/n!"

"I'm gonna go to bed. Vaggie already headed upstairs for the night I think. Sweet dreams, princess."

"Good night Y/n." Charlie dejectedly replied as she realized she really wasn't going to be getting anything else out of her mentor that night.

"Good night."

Y/n was about half way through the Hotel back to their room when they felt a hand on their shoulder. Reacting purely out of instinct, they ducked out from under the person's grip, spinning around with their fists raised. Alastor smiled down at Y/n and they sighed.

"What is it?" they asked, straightening up.

He had expected Y/n to be angry, to have that familiar sharp edge behind their voice. Instead, they looked up at him. As if everything was normal, as if it hadn't been thirty years since they'd last seen one another, as if they had just been together yesterday, their eyes met his.

"I... it's good to see you."

"It's good to see you too." they replied after a moment's thought, "What are you doing up this late?"

"You know me, sleep is not my preferred way to pass time."

"I meant what are you doing in the hall, but sure. Yeah, I know you."

"That darling Charlie asked to see me."

Y/n scoffed, shaking their head with a tired smile.

"Of course she'd... yeah."

They stood in the hall facing one another. Just a few feet apart. The silence was thick.

"You seem happy."

"I am." Y/n nodded, "Charlie is a great kid. I was pissed when Lucifer first asked me to look after her, I'll admit it but, she has grown on me."

"I didn't know you were acquainted with the big man. I thought you despised all authority figures."

Y/n looked critically at Alastor, over his whole being. He felt they were looking into his very soul, the heart of all his intentions and desires. He felt absolutely naked in the worst way under their gaze.

"No, just overlords. Especially ones who make deals for the souls of others. It's a stupid and outdated system. Even the best of them like Rosie abuse their power to get what they want."

It was a well sharpened arrow, the remark. Perfectly aimed. Alastor had, after all, introduced the small group inhabiting the hotel to Husk and Nifty just that afternoon. Y/n turned their back to Alastor.

"She has big dreams and the passion to see them through. I believe in her. Don't... don't fuck this up for her, Alastor."

----

Next Part -> Rapture

@moonmark98 @luzzbuzz @snowlotr @randomuser-89 @fakeguysarehot @xdolls-crownx

[wangxianficfinder]

I'm in the mood for...

July 15th

~*~

1. For the next itmf I had 2 requests

A) Wei Wuxian not being okay after his 3 months in the burial mounds. Like, not just being mean, I want him to barely be holding to reality, maybe some amnesia, but for him to be bad to a concerning point

B) Wei Wuxian feeling isolated

Thank you! ♡

1A)

🔒 At heart by apathyinreverie (M, 36k, WangXian, WIP, Dark LWJ(Ish), Amnesia, WWX gets to be Not Okay after the BM, Hurt WWX, Recovery, Caring, Protective LWJ, Possessive LWJ, some definite manipulation, but not everything is as it seems, not nearly as dark as the tags make it sound, Canon Divergence, Golden Core Reveal, Golden Core Transfer Fix-It, kind of, Domestic WangXian, Fluff, WWX Goes to Gusu, Possessive WWX, WWX happily atticwifing away, Sunshot Campaign, BAMF WWX, BAMF LWJ, ridiculously self-indulgent) LWJ finds WWX in the Burial mounds and he heals slowly. Has Amnesia, doubting the reality and malnutrition as focus points

they who refuse to be blessed by sysrae (E, 7k, WangXian, JC & WWX, Canon Divergence, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Whump, Golden Core Reveal, Developing Relationship, wwx can have a little scurvy, as a treat, Bathing/Washing, Confessions, Sharing a Bed) things happen and lwj gets to take care of wwx immediately after finding him, noting all the damage his time in the mounds has done

🔒 between the shadow and the soul by Reverie (cl410) (M, 22k, WangXian, JYL/WQ, JC/NHS, Canon Divergence, Angst with a Happy Ending, Family, Dark WWX, Feral WWX, Memory Loss, Magic, Magical Realism, Protective LWJ, Protective JC, Protective JYL, Grief, BAMF WWX, POV Alternating)

🔒He knows He knew Once by StarClearWaters (Readoutloud) (G, 6k, WangXian, Temporary Amnesia, Resentful Energy, Burial Mounds-Induced Amnesia, Blanket Permission, POV Multiple, Not as angsty as it sounds)

1B)

Concord by Deastar (T, 41k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, Gūsū Lán Sect Rules, Depression, Canon Divergence, Angst with a Happy Ending)

Grave dirt by esama (T, 92k, wangxian, canon divergence, necromancy, demonic cultivation, farming, found family, pre-slash, politics, Fix-it of sorts, yilingwei sect au)

Having Enough (of your foolishness) by makexianxianhappytoday (T, 18k, WangXian, Hurt WWX, YLLZ WWX, BAMF WWX, WangXian Get a Happy Ending, Angst with a Happy Ending, Jiang Family Bashing, Canon Divergence, CSSR and WCZ Live, Yunmeng Jiang Sect Bashing, JYL Lives, JZX Lives, (but what are the consequences), JC Bashing)

~*~

2. [ITMF ask] Are there any fics where the resentful energy from the Burial Mounds (physically? Mentally? Metaphorically??) love wwx and try their best to help him survive? Especially when they still recognize wwx in mxy's body after the whole 13 years thing

Mud on Your Feet by AvoOwO (Not Rated, 59k, WangXian, JC & WWX, Nightmares, Sentient Burial Mounds, Burial Mounds, Possession, Panic Attacks, Night Terrors, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Good Sibling JC, Hurt WWX, Soft WangXian, Feels, Blood and Injury, Hallucinations, Delusions, JC Loves WWX, Insomnia, Good Sibling WWX, Sleepwalking, Sleeptalking, LWJ just wants to sleep with his husband, Protective JC, WWX Sees Dead People, LJY pulls through, POV LWJ, Cloud Recesses, PTSD, Post-Canon, YLLZ WWX, resentful energy, Fluff, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Thirteen Years of WWX’s Death, WWX’s Three Months in the Burial Mounds, Angst with a Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, WWX is tired, LWJ literally just wants to sleep with WWX again is that too much to ask for??, Soft JC, Yunmeng Siblings Feels)

Devil Flute Upon Graves, Wei Ying by cloudyrobinwrites (jwyoomi) (M, 18k, WangXian, HuaLian, JYL/JZX, MXY & WWX, Major Character Death, Graphic Depictions of Violence, Angst, Hints of Fluff, Burial Mounds Settlement Days, Sentient Burial Mound, Ghost WWX, Future Calamity WWX, Pre-WangXian, what if wwx actually died when he first fell into the burial mounds and came out as a wrath level ghost, he has a murder of crows like HC's silver butterflies, grab some popcorn watch him spiral, WWX is Not Okay, He'll get better I promise, Canon Divergence, WWX is a Calamity, WWX is not having a fun time, the burial mounds is a tiger mom, how to motivate yourself to finish mount tonglu: think of LWJ, hualian are WWX's emotional support parents, deity JYL, Deity JZX, Good Sibling JYL, JZX is So Whipped, Heavenly Emperor XL, but like forced he doesnt want to be on the throne but fate is like lol nope, Xuanli Raise Jin Ling as They Should, dont worry the MCD refers to the canonical character deaths theyre fine, The Burial Mounds Wants More Kids, what happens when a ghost king gets thrown into a murder mystery, WWX picked up MXY and decided he'll be his student now, MXY managed to summon a calamity level ghost what a guy, WWX disguises himself as a rogue cultivator) It's a MDZS/TGCF crossover in which the Burial mounds is an actual character

~*~

3. itmf fics with the wei family. any where cssr and/or wcz are alive and taking care of their baby, or ones where wwx has a sibling! ty!

Building a home by R95irth (T, 586k, WCZ/CS, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Time Travel Fix-it, Angst with a happy ending, Family fluff)

Cartwheels In Cloud Recesses Series by ShanaStoryteller (Not Rated, 23k, WangXian, CSSR/WCZ, CSSR and WCZ Live, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, Cloud Recesses Shenanigans)

The Different Paths We Tread Series by Admiranda, Rynne (T/G/E, 345k, WangXian, CSSR/WCZ, Canon Divergence, No Sunshot Campaign, CSSR and WCZ Live, Rogue Cultivator WWX, Different First Meeting, Genius WWX, Inventor WWX, Drama, Fluff, Strangers to married, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Minor Violence, Case Fic, There Was Only One Bed, Getting Together, First Kiss, Meeting the Parents, Resolved Sexual Tension, Resolved Romantic Tension, WWX Is a Good Big Brother, Chinese Mythology & Folklore, Blood and Injury, Yiling siblings, Married WangXian, Wangxian's Baby Fever, POV Outsider, Twin Jades of Lan Dynamics, PWP, Desk Sex, Inappropriate Use of Gusu Lan Forehead Ribbon, Light Bondage, Dirty Talk, Teasing, Anal Sex, Top LWJ/Bottom WWX, LWJ Has a Biting Kink, Anal Fingering, wwx's debatably self-lubing asshole, xxc and cssr meet, WWX is a Lan, WWX is Xiao Xingchen's Shizhi, Non-Graphic Depictions of Donkey Childbirth)

~*~

4. Back again with a hand out, begging! Love you all so much! This is an ITMF request: Jiang Cheng-centric groundhog-day AU? I've seen a few with WWX but I'd love one with Jiang Cheng being put through it! (no JC bashing, prefer canon era) @kimboo-york

~*~

5. Is there a Cloud Recesses Study Arc fanfics where they see the future in the classroom? @tjrc18

Wei Wuxian’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good First Meeting With His Future by Enigmatree (T, 3k, wangxian, Time Travel, Cloud Recesses, YLLZ WWX, POV Outsider)

~*~

6. Hello! I'm making an 'im in the mood for' fic request! I'd really like to read a fic where Wangxian adopt Xue Yang and give him a good childhood :D

Also if there are any ships with xy, i have a STRONG preference for songxuexiao

🔒 if you can’t beat them, recruit them by moeblobmegane (T, 228k, Wangxian, NHS & WWX, WWX & WQ, Time Travel Fix-It, Conspiracy, Spies & Secret Agents, Team as Family, Found Family, Burial Mounds, Temporary Character Death, Canon-Typical Violence, Pining, Morally Ambiguous Character, Rumors, Politics, Developing Friendships, Good Uncle LQR, Demonic Cultivation, YilingWei Sect) He gets taken in as a son/disciple together with MXY into the sect WWX is totally not creating on accident

Unstoppbble by Immortal WangXian (Mr_Pervert) (M, 85k, WIP, WangXian, XiCheng, XuanLi, NingSang, QingJue, Immortal LWJ, Immortal WWX, Good Parent YZY, Good Parent JFM, Good Uncle LQR, Good Person XY, Evil JGY, Travel Fix-It, Top LWJ/Bottom WWX, Bottom JC/Top LXC, Bottom NHS/Top WN, Supportive NMJ, YLLZ WWX, Possessive LWJ, Protective LWJ, Fluff and Crack, Shameless Smut, Action/Adventure, Mpreg) Time travel fix it where Wangxian pick up XY when he's 6

Alternate by Hanashi_o_suru (M, 60k, WIP, WangXian, Fix-It, Time Travel Fix-It, Canon Divergence, Established Relationship, Established WangXian, Canon-Typical Violence, POV Third Person Limited, WWX is a Tease, mentions of rape/non-con, Sporadic and Random Updates) Also a time travel fix it fic where they pick up XY while he's a child. Another plus: he started ironically calling WWX A-Niang and now it's stopped being ironical. It happens

~*~

7. Hello everyone! This time I will use the "I feel like..." section because I would really like fics where only Wei Wuxian is a time traveler and helps everyone live while she wins back her husband! I really just imagine hijinks and fluff. Thank you very much for your effort @makolashida

And Time Is But a Paper Moon by sami (M, 139k, WangXian, XiChengQing, Time Travel, Fix-It, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Healing, Mental Health Issues, PTSD, Hurt/Comfort, Depression, BAMF WWX, BAMF JC, BAMF LWJ, BAMF JYL, Getting Together) may have more angst then they are seeking but it fits the other requirements.

~*~

8. Hi! This is for ITMF

A) WWX has a chronic illness but not a sickness like cancer. What i want is he was sick in the past and recovered but if he does something his past illness will come again or something like The Porcelain Lotus of Yungmeng by The Feels Whale (miscellea) or 🔒A Burning Cold by MountainRose

B) WWX wants to fix JFM and YZY marriage (because he thinks that it was his fault they always fighting) and JYL or JWY says "you cant fix something that never been whole before" Or something like that or saying that its not WWX responsibility to fix that @idontknowwhattowriteforusername

8A)

misunderstood 'verse by sysrae (M, 7k, WangXian, Modern, College/University, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, getting hit by cars, Past Child Abuse, Friends to Lovers, Abusive YZY, Caring LWJ, Injured WWX, partial hearing loss, the real OTP is everyone x therapy) modern au wwx is deaf on one eat because of a past experience

A Bad of Nibs (Nibs are Bad) by Enk (M, 17k, WangXian, Quarantine, Slice of Life, Friends to Lovers, Chronic Illness, Chronic Pain, Fluff and Angst, Mild Sexual Content, Found Family, Vague Canadian Location, JYL Lives)

~*~

9. hi! for the itmf, idk if this is specific but any modern au fics where wwx is estranged from the jiangs for some reason either during or before the fic, a-yuan is his kid (adopted or biological) and the jiangs don’t know about him, and they reconnect? thank you for the work!

🔒moonlight falls Series by RoseThorne (T, 19k, WangXian, Modern AU, Corporate Espionage, Family Fluff, Adoption, Bad parent LQR, Pre-JC & WWX Reconciliation, Dissociation, Mental Health Issues, Food as a Metaphor for Love, Found Family, Emotional Constipation, Communication Failure, JC is Bad at Feelings, JC is Trying, WWX Needs a Hug, POV WWX, POV Third Person, Implied/Referenced Sex, Food Sex, Reconciliation, Psychological Trauma)

~*~

10. itmf fics where wwx discovers evidence that lwj is in love with him. like maybe wwx discovering his floorboard stash and finding his painting of lwj, or alternatively, smth like letters, diary entries, song lyrics, lwj’s own art for wwx, or self-insert fanfic. things like that! @nalalie

Ever Thine, Ever Mine, Ever Ours. by JaenysBloodcourt (T, 3k, WangXian, Immortal LWJ and WWX, Fluff and Angst, Happy Ending, Well it could be a Bittersweet Ending, Love Confessions) Immortal WWX finds a poem immortal LWJ wrote in the 13 years he was dead. It's a love poem

rather cruelly used and rather reserved by x_los (M, 13k, wangxian, sugar daddy (slightly), case fic, domestic horror, architectural horror, gift giving, happy ending, getting together, confessions) is perfect for it

~*~

11. I’m in the mood for no-war AUs about wangxian getting together post CR study arc. Just want to read about how these two might have figured it out without the stress of war and growing up too fast! Thanks in advance!

Dazzle Like a Diamond by Tsukimiko_san (T, 4k, WangXian, Dragon LWJ, Crow WWX, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, No Angst, ok maybe a tiny sprinkle of angst but like, usual LWJ thinking WWX is just teasing him, it doesn’t last long, Getting Together, they are both so whipped, Boys Kissing, Courting Rituals) iirc there's not even a mention of war on this one, but I do have to warn that it's crowxian and dragonji

Dispersing Clouds by dreamingofcake (E, 283k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Genius WWX, Inventor WWX, Not Jiang Family Friendly, Abusive YZY, Canonical Child Abuse, Hurt/Comfort, Slow Burn, Eventual Sex, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm (Background Character), Background Character Deaths, child deaths, Canon JC, Good Uncle LQR, Accidental Baby Acquisition, Cultivation Sect Politics, Homophobia, Heteronormativity, Feelings Realization, WWX is Not Oblivious) Fits both 11 & 12. It's a no war AU (mostly - there is some conflict between the Wen & Nie, but WX's role is solely helping refugees) set shortly after CRSA where WX get together. There's also a subplot about WWX setting up a charitable venture to help Yiling's street kids

💙 Holding shreds by barisan (T, 5k, WangXian, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, No Sunshot Campaign, Body Swap, Not for sexy shenanigans, Chronic Pain, Hurt WWX, Hurt LWJ, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Abusive YZY, Bad Parent YZY, Bad Parent JFM, Good Uncle LQR, Hurt/Comfort, Medical Inaccuracies, POV WWX, Angst with a Happy Ending, Not Jiāng Family Friendly, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Getting Together, Smart WWX)

Orchids in Lotus Pier by Vamillepudding (G, 21k, wangxian, canon divergence, romantic comedy, pining, protective JC, friends to lovers, misunderstandings)

For you by 10thNoNamePerson (T, 16k, WangXian, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, Cloud Recesses Shenanigans, Canon Divergence, No War AU, Fluff and Hurt/Comfort, Jealous WWX, Soft WangXian, Teenage LWJ/Teenage WWX, No Sunshot Campaign)

Straight at the Sun by diamondbruise (E, 33k, WangXian, Canon Universe, no war though, Mutual Pining, Pining while fucking, Misunderstandings, First Time, Anal Sex, wwx desperately wants lwj's attention, lwj desperately wants to marry wwx, Miscommunication, Jealousy, in abundance, Happy Ending, Top LWJ/Bottom WWX)

~*~

12. Itmf fics that deal with wwx caring about kids (esp canon era), adopting fostering having an official or unofficial ward, looking out for street children in any way he can even in little ways as a kid etc

🔒❤️ Joy In the Midst of These Things Series by Glitterbombshell (T/G, 53k, WangXian, Angst with Happy Ending, Post-Canon, Teacher WWX, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Fluff) wwx teaches Lan kids stuff

the low sky, raining over by chibilwj (thelogicoftaste) (M, 37k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Established Relationship, Kid Fic)

❤️ Attempting the Impossible by Ariaste for williedustice (T, 36k, WangXian, JC & WWX, Post-Canon, Yunmeng Bros Reconciliation, Adoption, Family Fluff, Kid fic, Family drama, Fluff, 🔒[PODFIC] Attempting the Impossible by Ariaste by lunatique)

He never had a plan, he just went with the flow by CrazyGeek_TheGachatuber15 (Not Rated, 65k, WIP, XiYao, WangXian, Gusu Lan Elders Bashing, LXC Bashing, LXC gets his shit together, Twin Prides of Yunmeng Dynamics, Twin Prides of Yunmeng Are Bad at Communicating, Twin Jades of Lan Dynamics, WWX is Good With Children, Water Spirit WWX, Deity WWX, Good Sibling JYL, Protective NHS, Scheming NHS, BAMF LSZ, Angry LSZ, Good Friend LSZ, Demonic Cultivator LSZ, but not really?, WWX Creates a Sect | Yiling Wei Sect, accidentally, MXY Lives, JRS Lives, OP WWX, Deity LSZ, Inventor WWX, slight OOC behavior, Canonical Character Death - WWX, Future Character Death, Canon Divergence) In it WWX founded an orphanage before the war and is now, after his death, gathering homeless children to bring there and visits them when he's not traveling. The last few chapters were about it, kind of (currently has 9 chapters)

🧡 Vow by draechaeli (E, 216k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, BeliefGod!WWX, Adoption but WWX birthed them all, Pregnancy Kink, Mpreg, minor male lactation, Consensual Non-Consent, Light Bondage, Non-Graphic Rape/Non-Con because JGS, Mentions Canon Typical Incest, Canon Typical Violence)

~*~

13. Hi! I love this blog. I was looking for fics where LWJ considers his love wholeheartedly rejected and/or unrequited and as the reader, you feel his pain viscerally. I’ve found some fics like this which I adore like - “it’s always open” by Scarlettstorm, “heart at ease” by Diamondbruise and “A little late (but can I come home anyway?)” by Anobtra (animeobsessedtrash) - but am always interested in more!

Thank you!

~*~

14. helloooo! could i have time travel fanfics where they DON'T end up in their younger bodies? that's it. they teleport as they are, in their future selves. the future can be from whichever arc and teleported to any arc in the past. whichever canon is fine, angst is fine. i'd prefer it completed and somewhat humor but i'll take whatever i can get. i trust this blog's fine tastes. c:

i just really want fics where they co-exist with their younger selves because i don't know how to tag it separately from the "wake up in their younger self" fanfics. thank you very much! @lovewly

💖 From the Future for the Past by friedchickenlord (G, 27k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Time Travel Fix-It, First Love, Love Confessions, Fluff and Humor, accidental time travel due to one husband malfunctioning array, teen wangxian meet adult wangxian, Happy Ending, adding extra chapter, in this household we hate JGS, in which WWX love library pavilion, (in a way) Yiling Laozu x Hanguang Jun, Denial, Mutual Pining) Adult LWJ finds himself in the CRSA era due to a mishap with an array

River Stones by littlesystems (M, 18k, WangXian, Time Travel, Post-Canon, Cloud Recesses Study arc, Junior Quartet, Oblivious WWX, Suffering LWJ, Voyeurism) Both CRSA-era WWX & LWJ go forward in time & meet post-canon WX

there's a story on Tumblr with JC who time travels. I don't know how to link it, but you can find it on this blog under fic compilation -> non AO3 (the second one is Tumblr) and then by scrolling all the way down to the master post from Shana storyteller. The fic is just titled "Time travel Jiang Cheng" (link is to the latest part - mod c)

Song of Joy and Regrets by HelloKitten (Not Rated, 134k, wangxian, hualian, WIP, TGCF, Angst, Self-Harm, Child Abuse, characters watching their series, Time Travel Fix-it)

Key Differences by pupeez4eva (T, 5k, WangXian, Humor, Dimension Travel, Crossover, Drama!WWX meets Novel!WWX, Public Confessions, Post-Canon) sort of fits in that it's Novel Wei Wuxian meeting Drama Wei Wuxian, resulting in hilarity.

~*~

15. Hi Mods! Can I get SongXIao Fic recs please? Like main pairing SongXiao fic recs?

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16. Itmf a fic where wei wuxian adopts a 2nd child (or more). So it's not just a-yuan. Esp if it's a developed oc. Ex: twelve moons and a fortnight (oc a-shui), please take this radish (xue yang), mxy, others, etc

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17. hiii!! itmf!! is there any modern au fics where wei ying makes lan zhan jealous on purpose?? @yesibest

Wei Ying's Favourite Customer by QueenofThyme (T, 3k, WangXian, Modern, Coffee Shops & Cafés, Barista WWX, Jealous LWJ, Texting, Fluff, Flirting, Mutual Pining, Multi POV)

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If you didn’t get an answer to your ask here, don’t forget to make use of @mdzs-kinkmeme and MDZS KINK MEME on Dreamwidth. Authors actually do use them for ideas. You may get what you order!***Your prompt doesn’t have to be kink! Fluff, crack, whatever - it’s all good!***

[marvelslut16]

The Flu

Prompt number: 22 "Who takes care of you?"

Fandom: Criminal Minds

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner

Rating: T(een)

Word count: 2.8k+

Warnings: Age gap relationship. Dbf. Swearing. Boss and employee.

A/N: A few hours late for day 4, but I was a busy woman today. Aaron and Jack never go into the witness protection program, they catch Peter Lewis right away.

The job was just supposed to be temporary, one to help you get back on your feet after dropping out of school, and you got to help your long time infatuation Aaron Hotchner now that Jess was moving out of state. It was a win win in your eyes, and it got your dad off your back. But that was almost two years ago now, and there was no end in sight for your current arrangement as Jack’s live in nanny. 

The one flaw in your logic was how drop dead gorgeous your boss is. Not that that is new information, you’d been drooling over him since you were sixteen when you saw him shirtless at a backyard/pool party your dad threw. But now it’s so much worse, because he’s so sexy doing all of his mundane tasks. Making coffee at five in the morning with bedhead? Sexy. Making dinner in one of his tight white dress shirts when he gets home from a case early? Still sexy. Dressed down in casual clothes coaching Jack’s soccer team? The most sexy.

As you lament, yet again, to your best friend over text about how unfairly hot Aaron Hotchner is, the front door opens. As if he knew you were talking about him, he enters the house with a thud having dropped his go bag by the front door. He slowly makes his way to the kitchen, where you are, and when he does you finally notice how miserable he looks. His dark hair is slicked to his forehead, his face pale- except for his cheeks which are bright red, and his eyes are bloodshot.

“Oh my god, Aaron! Are you okay?” your voice raising an octave, you rush over to him and guide him to one of the barstools in front of his large island.  

“I’m fine, the team overreacted and sent me home,” he almost sounds convincing, until he finishes the sentence with a loud sneeze. 

“Awww,” you rub your hand up and down his back comfortingly. “Did Jackers give you the flu?”

“No,” he argues, and tries to quietly sniffle. 

“That’s it, straight to bed young man,” your hands resting on your hips as you tell him the same thing you told Jack a week ago when he came home from school with the flu. “While you take a nap I’ll make you some homemade chicken noodle soup.”

“It’s fine (Y/N), you don’t have to do that. I’m capable of making my own lunch,” he looks like a petulant child, his hands balled in fists also resting on his hips. 

“When was the last time you let someone take care of you Aaron?” you ask, becoming annoyed that he keeps fighting you. “Six months ago when you were in the hospital, that’s when. And then you still fought it tooth and nail. Who takes care of you?”

“I can take care of myself,” he starts coughing as a result of lowering his voice in order to use his boss voice. A voice he only ever uses on you when you try to care for him too.

“You want to go back to work again soon right?” he nods. “So just listen to me. Take some Tylenol and go lay down. Please let me make you some soup.”

He finally relents and heads upstairs to bed, but not before you get him a large glass of water. Thankfully you were planning on making chicken for dinner, so you already have some thawing. You waste no time and start cooking the chicken in one pot, then you chop the vegetables. After the chicken has been shredded and the soup is simmering, making the whole house smell delicious, you sneak upstairs to check on your patient.

You’re happy to see that he’s laying in the middle of his bed bundled up in his sheets with little snores escaping him.Despite him being sick, he still looks far more at peace and relaxed in this moment then he has since you met him back when he was still a prosecutor. After a few minutes of taking him in, you head back to the kitchen and toast and butter bread to go with his soup. The soup is done ten minutes later, and you ladle a nice heaping bowl for him. 

You trek back up the stairs, walk into Aaron’s room and stand beside his bed. You’ve woken him up a bunch of times when he falls asleep watching movies with you and Jack or when he falls asleep at the island going over paperwork for work, but this feels different. You’re in his bedroom, you’re boss’ bedroom. Overcoming your nerves you reach forward and gently shake his shoulder, he wakes with a start whipping his hand to grasp your wrist in a bruising grip. 

“Aaron,” you startle, he doesn’t register that you aren’t a threat in his half asleep stupor. “It’s me, it’s (Y/N).”

“(Y/N)?” he snaps out of it, face contorting into a frown when he sees his white knuckled grip around your wrist. “Shit! I’m so sorry!”

“It’s fine,” you smile lightly, rubbing your wrist when he finally lets go. “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have woken you up like that.”

“It’s my fault,” he argues, sitting up and leaning against his mahogany headboard. “I couldn’t stop thinking about the case at work before I fell asleep, I must have dreamt about it.”

“It’s fine Aaron, I just wanted to let you know the soup is done, there’s a bowl cooling on the island for you,” you smile as you slowly back out of his room, suddenly feeling like you’re intruding. 

Aaron doesn’t say anything else, so you slip out of the room and head back to the kitchen to start cleaning up. Aaron joins you a few minutes later, wrapped tightly in his blue robe Jack picked out for him for Christmas last year. Aaron lets out an involuntary moan after taking a spoonful of soup, and you clench your thighs together at the delicious sound.

“This is the best chicken noodle soup I’ve ever had,” Aaron says once he’s scarfed down half of his bowl. 

“You hate chicken noodle soup,” you giggle, remembering the cute way his nose crinkled in disgust when that was the only soup at some fancy restaurant the team and their families went to last year. 

“Not this one!” he shovels in another spoonful. 

You give Aaron another helping of the soup, glad that he’s eating and hydrating himself, before putting the rest into a container and into the fridge. You have just enough time to wash the pot and counters before heading to pick Jack up from school.

“I’m gonna head out and get Jackers in a few minutes,” you tell Aaron as he starts sneezing again. “Once you finish that, go lay back down and drink lots of water.”

“You can’t tell me what to do,” he murmurs thinking you won’t be able to hear him. But you do, and you glare at him for his childish antics. He finally relents, “okay.”

The drive to get Jack isn’t very long, but after the whole Peter Lewis fiasco, Aaron won’t let Jack walk home or ride the bus. And you don’t blame him. Your dad told you about Jack getting stalked during one of your weekly phone calls while you were away for school, you were rattled for the Hotchner’s. 

“(Y/N)!” Jack comes running at you when he sees you, you bend down and scoop him into your arms and carry him to the car. You’ll never get tired of how excited he gets to see you when you pick him up, it’s the same happy reaction every day. 

“How was school buddy? Get all the homework you missed last week when you were home sick?” you bombard him with questions as you unlock the car.

“It was great! We got to play soccer in gym today and I scored three times!” Jack wiggles in excitement before you set him back on the ground. 

“That's great buddy!” you smile at him as he slips into his seat. 

“Yes I got all of my make up work,” he pouts once you get into the driver's seat. “Lots of fractions, and you know how much I hate those.”

“I’ll tell ya what, you do one of your math worksheets and then we can make your dad a get well soon card,” over your time with the Hotchner’s you’ve learned that bargaining is how to incentivise the both of them. “He came home from work early with the flu.”

“Dad’s home?” Jack start’s to excitedly bounce in his seat, happy that he’ll get to spend more time with his favorite person.

“Yeah, but just remember that he’s not feeling his best so he won’t be able to do a lot,” a bittersweet smile crosses your face, it’s not fair that they don’t get to spend more time with one another. It’s not fair that Aaron has to sacrifice his personal life to make the world a better place for everyone else. 

When you walk in the door you're greeted with the sight of Aaron bundled up on the couch under three blankets, the news playing quietly on the TV. Jack gives his dad a big hug before scurrying off to the kitchen to grab a snack and start his homework. You walk up to the lump on the couch that was once Aaron and reach your forearm forward to feel his forehead, and sure enough he’s much warmer than he should be. 

“I don’t feel good,” Aaron whines, making the same pouty face Jack made all last week. “Everything aches.”

“I know sweetheart,” you let the term of endearment slip without thinking, too focused on trying to comfort Aaron. “You have a fever, you need to drink lots of water and get out from under those blankets.”

“No,” he huffs, clutching onto his blankets like he needs them to live. “I don’t have a fever, it’s just cold in here.”

“Aaron it's seventy two degrees in here, it’s not cold. You need to take the blankets off, it’ll only make it worse,” he shakes his head sinking further into the couch. “Fine, if I go grab the thermometer and it says you have a fever, I’m taking both of your blankets into the kitchen with me while I help Jack with his homework.”

You don’t give him time to respond before you head to the upstairs bathroom where you had checked Jack for a fever this morning before school. When you get back to him, Aaron has sunk further down into the couch and cocoon of blankets trying to hide from the thermometer in your hand. You eventually get it in his mouth and sure enough he has a one hundred one degree fever.

“Hand over those blankets,” you reach your hand out for them, and he reluctantly gives them to you. “Now drink some water and watch the news. And no more blankets!”

You help Jack with two math worksheets before he remembers your deal, and demands you make a card. He decorates the printer paper in every color marker and tops it off with those marker stamps you got him for his birthday. Jack even makes you sign your name on the card. 

“Is this for me?” Aaron coughs and sits up when Jack thrusts the card in his face. “Aww thanks buddy, I love it!” Jack sits on the couch with his dad for a few minutes, but after seeing the news is on he gets up and leaves. 

“You feeling up for dinner?” you ask Aaron, when Jack heads back to finish some more homework. “It’s too late for me to make something, is there any take out you want?”

“Happy Meal!” Jack yells from the kitchen

“You heard the little man, we’re having McDonalds tonight,” Aaron smiles at you as you grab your keys and call Jack to come ride with you.

The rest of the night is stress free, Jack actually listens to you when you tell him it’s time to shower and get ready for bed, all because his dad is sick and doesn’t want to make it worse. Well it’s stress free where Jack is concerned, you still have to deal with the full grown baby you call your boss. 

“Time for bed Aaron,” you tell him after you’ve dried Jack’s hair and read him to sleep. “I know you don’t want to but you need to get your rest.”

“I’m not tired,” he says, even though he grabs your hand when you hold it out to him, you pull him out of his chair and lead him up the stairs and to his room 

“Now take two more Tylenol and go to sleep,” he reluctantly takes the pills out of your hand and throws them back dry.

“There, are you happy?”

“I’m ecstatic,” you deadpan, moving to fluff his pillows for him.

“Thank you,” Aaron catches your gaze when he speaks, making sure to hold it.

“It's my job,” you dismiss his praise, not wanting to let yourself think about it too much and read too deep into it. 

“No it's not, you always go above and beyond for us, for me,” Aaron gently catches the wrist he squeezed earlier making a mental image of the faint bruise marring your skin, and vowing to never let the world hurt you. 

“Aaron,” your breath catches at the delicate ghosting of his fingertips on the inside of your wrist.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispers, leaning forward and now it’s his lips ghosting over your wrist. You swear your heart stops when he pushes down harder, leaving a trail of kisses around your wrist. 

“What are you doing?” you ask breathlessly, the last thing you want is for him to stop, but you also need to make sure he’s in his right mind when doing this. 

“Kissing you,” the words fall out of his mouth effortlessly, like they’re said all of the time. His mouth travels up your arm and he’s kissing the sensitive crook of your elbow. 

Aaron pulls you down next to him in bed, quickly scooping you up and cradling you in his arms. You're at a loss for words, your dream is coming true. Aaron Hotchner actually wants you as much as you want him, and it isn’t a dream. When you’re lost in thought his lips descend on yours, and soon you get lost in him instead. There’s no rush to your kiss, just a slow languid strokes of his tongue twining with yours. It’s the perfect first kiss, there’s a heat to it, but no sense of urgency to get it over with. 

“(Y/N), you have my heart,” Aaron admits breathlessly, arms wrapping around you tighter. “I know it’s wrong for many reasons, but you made my heart beat again. You love Jack and you’re wonderful with him. He loves you. I love you. You take care of me even though you don’t have to, you are the most amazing person. You’re perfect for Jack and me.”

“You have my heart too, I love you too,” you grip his chin and pull him in for another kiss. “You and Jack are everything to me, I finally feel like I belong somewhere, here with the two of you. I never want to lose this, lose you.”

“You won’t,” he kisses you one more time before pulling away completely. “But you should probably go to your own room now, wouldn’t want you to get sick from sleeping with me tonight.”

“I was home with Jack all last week, I’m fine. Plus it’s probably better I stay in here and keep an eye on you,” he smirks, kissing you one last time before resting his head on your chest.  

The rest of the week is wonderful, Aaron still argues with you when you try to take care of him, but when Jack’s at school you two let the facade down. You cuddle with him and kiss him whenever you walk past him, making out on the couch like you’re two horny teenagers. Before you know it, it’s Sunday and Aaron is feeling better so he has to go into work in the morning. As the two of you say goodnight to Jack you start sneezing and the sniffling you’ve had all day rears its ugly head. 

“I told you not to sleep with me,” Aaron teases you after you close Jack's door, pulling you with him and back into his room.

“I’m fine,” your arguing falls short as you start sneezing again.

“I think the team can do without me for another case,” Aaron smiles as you slip into bed with him. “I need to be here to take care of you now.” Who would have thought the flu would be what finally got you two together?

[rafesapologist]

the setback ─ rafe cameron; part two

summary: it's been two years since your departure from the outer banks and rafe cameron has seemingly convinced himself that he can go on with his life as if you never happened, except now more than ever his addiction is at an all time high. whether he was snorting lines of cocaine at wild parties or drowning himself in alcohol to numb the pain, rafe couldn't escape the memories of you. despite his efforts to bury his feelings, your absence lingered like a shadow, haunting him at every turn. meanwhile, you've been navigating life outside the outer banks, trying to carve out a new path for yourself. but no matter how far you've traveled, the memories of rafe cameron still linger in your heart, leaving you with a sense of unfinished business. as you find yourself facing new challenges and opportunities, you can't help but wonder if fate will eventually bring you back to the place where it all began.

warnings: substance use, alcohol, mentions of crime, infidelity

Rafe navigated through the throngs of partygoers, a forced grin plastered on his face as he exchanged pleasantries with familiar faces. Topper and Kelce were holding court near the keg, their laughter mingling with the music as they regaled their friends with tales of their latest conquests.

"Hey, Rafe!" Topper called out, clapping him on the back as he approached. "Glad you could make it, man. This party's gonna be legendary."

Rafe forced a chuckle, the weight of the small bag tucked into his pocket suddenly feeling heavier than ever. "You haven't seen anything yet," he replied, flashing a sly grin as he reached into his pocket and produced the bag of coke.

Topper's eyes lit up with excitement as he took in the sight, a wolfish grin spreading across his face. "Now we're talking," he said, his voice barely audible over the pounding music. "This party just got a whole lot better."

Kelce nodded in agreement, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for the perfect spot to indulge. "Hell yeah, let's do this," he said eagerly, his voice tinged with anticipation.

Rafe felt a surge of adrenaline course through him as he handed the bag to Topper, a sense of reckless abandon washing over him. In that moment, surrounded by the pulsing beat of the music and the raucous energy of the party, he couldn't help but feel alive in a way he hadn't in a long time.

But beneath the surface, a nagging voice whispered warnings of the dangers that lay ahead, a reminder of the thin line between euphoria and despair. As he watched Topper and Kelce prepare to indulge, Rafe couldn't help but wonder if tonight would end in triumph or tragedy. Only time would tell.

The living room pulsed with the rhythmic beat of the music, the air thick with anticipation as Rafe, Topper, and Kelce huddled together on a couch and chairs arranged around a coffee table. With shaky hands, they set out lines of coke, each one a promise of temporary escape from the realities of their lives.

"Ready, boys?" Topper asked, his voice a hoarse whisper as he leaned in close to the table.

Rafe nodded, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched Topper and Kelce prepare to snort a line each. He felt a strange mixture of excitement and trepidation coursing through him, a sense of danger lingering in the air like static electricity.

"Let's do this," Kelce muttered, his voice trembling slightly as he leaned in closer to the table.

With a shared glance, the three of them leaned down simultaneously, their noses hovering just above the lines of coke. In unison, they took a deep breath, their hearts racing as they prepared to snort the powder.

And then, with a swift motion, they each inhaled sharply, the powder disappearing into their nostrils in a cloud of white dust. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as they savored the rush of euphoria coursing through their veins, the world around them fading into oblivion as they surrendered to the sweet embrace of escape.

As the boys lifted their heads from the table, Rafe couldn't help but let out a low groan, the rush of the substance hitting him with a jolt of energy. For a moment, he tilted his head back, allowing the sensation to wash over him before shaking his head quickly to clear it.

"Alright, enough of that," Rafe exclaimed, his voice cutting through the haze of the room. "It's time for shots!"

His words were met with enthusiastic cheers from the group of boys, their excitement palpable as they eagerly rose from their seats and made their way towards the makeshift bar. The promise of alcohol served as the perfect complement to the rush of the coke, a potent combination that promised to take the night to new heights.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Rafe led the way, his steps sure and steady as he navigated through the crowd towards the bar. As he reached for a bottle of liquor, he couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through him, the thrill of the night stretching out before him like an endless expanse of possibilities.

Tonight, he would embrace the chaos, revel in the euphoria of the moment, and forget, if only for a little while, the weight of his troubles. And as he raised a shot glass in a silent toast to the night ahead, Rafe couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom wash over him, a fleeting glimpse of paradise in a world fraught with uncertainty.

With a grin plastered on his face, Rafe passed out shot glasses to his friends, the anticipation of the night's adventures coursing through their veins. The room buzzed with excitement as they raised their glasses in a silent salute, the clinking of glass filling the air like a symphony of celebration.

"Here's to tonight!" Rafe declared, his voice ringing out above the din of the party.

The group echoed his sentiment with enthusiastic cheers, their voices blending together in a chorus of anticipation. And then, with a simultaneous motion, they threw back their shots, the fiery liquid burning a path down their throats as they swallowed it down in one smooth gulp.

For a moment, the room fell silent, the weight of their shared experience hanging in the air like a heavy fog. And then, as if on cue, the music resumed, the party roaring back to life with renewed fervor.

Rafe grinned, the rush of the alcohol mingling with the remnants of the coke, sending a surge of energy coursing through his veins. Tonight was shaping up to be one for the books, a night filled with adventure and excitement, a night where anything was possible.

As he glanced around at his friends, their faces illuminated by the pulsing lights of the party, Rafe felt a sense of camaraderie unlike anything he had ever known. In this moment, surrounded by the people he loved, he knew that no matter what the night held in store, they would face it together, united in their pursuit of the ultimate thrill.

As the effects of the alcohol and coke began to course through Rafe's system, a warm and intoxicating haze enveloped him, dulling the edges of his inhibitions. Sofia, the beacon of his thoughts just moments ago, faded into the background, her presence replaced by the allure of the party and the promise of new experiences.

With a devilish grin, Rafe's gaze wandered across the crowded room until it landed on a girl nearby. She caught his eye, returning his smile with one of her own, and Rafe felt a surge of confidence surge through him.

"Hey there," he said, sauntering over to her with a cocky swagger. "What's your name?"

The girl laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she sized him up. "I'm Lily," she replied, her voice low and sultry. "And you are?"

Rafe flashed her his most charming grin, leaning in closer as he extended his hand. "I'm Rafe," he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "And I have a feeling tonight's about to get a whole lot more interesting."

Lily's amusement danced in her eyes as she leaned in closer to Rafe, the tantalizing promise of the night hanging in the air between them. With each exchange of words and lingering glance, the tension crackled like electricity, a palpable energy drawing them closer together.

As the music pulsed in the background, Rafe and Lily engaged in a dance of seduction, their banter filled with innuendo and playful teasing. Subtle touches and shared laughter further fueled the flames of desire, igniting a fire that burned hotter with each passing moment.

Rafe couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement coursing through him as he reveled in the thrill of the chase, his heart pounding with anticipation. Lost in the heat of the moment, he allowed himself to be swept away by the allure of this mysterious girl, his thoughts consumed by the promise of what could be.

Deep down, beneath the veneer of confidence and bravado, a nagging voice whispered warnings of caution in Rafe's mind. This wasn't him—not the Rafe who valued loyalty and sincerity, the Rafe who would have never considered flirting with a stranger while in a committed relationship.

Two years ago, he wouldn't have even looked at Lily twice, let alone engage in the flirtatious dance they were now entangled in. But the potent mixture of substances coursing through his body had clouded his judgment, turning him into a stranger—a ticking time bomb on the brink of something self-destructive.

Despite the thrill of the moment, a sense of unease gnawed at Rafe's conscience. He knew he was playing with fire, dancing dangerously close to the edge of a precipice from which there might be no return. But in the haze of the party, with the allure of the substances pulling him further into the abyss, he found himself unable—or unwilling—to pull away.

As he continued to exchange seductive glances and subtle touches with the random girl, Rafe couldn't shake the feeling that he was teetering on the edge of a precipice, one wrong move away from tumbling into the darkness below. And yet, in that moment, the pull of the unknown was too strong to resist, and Rafe found himself surrendering to the intoxicating rush of desire, heedless of the consequences that awaited him on the other side.

As the heat of the moment intensified and Rafe found himself locked in a passionate embrace with Lily, a sudden surge of clarity pierced through the fog of intoxication. In the midst of their heated makeout session, an unexpected image flashed before his eyes—a haunting vision of your face, your eyes filled with hurt and disappointment.

The sight stopped Rafe in his tracks, his heart skipping a beat as the reality of his actions came crashing down around him. With a sharp intake of breath, he pulled away from Lily, his mind reeling with confusion and guilt.

"Wait," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he struggled to make sense of what had just happened.

Lily blinked in surprise, confusion flickering across her features as she searched his face for answers. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

But Rafe couldn't bring himself to answer. The image of your face lingered in his mind like a ghost, a haunting reminder of the person he used to be and the choices he had made.

As the image of your face flashed before him, a pang of longing pierced through Rafe's heart, stirring up a torrent of conflicting emotions. In that moment of vulnerability, he found himself grappling with the overwhelming desire to seek solace in the arms of the girl before him, even as the memory of you lingered like a specter in his mind.

With a mixture of desperation and resignation, Rafe seized the opportunity to pull Lily close once again, his lips crashing against hers in a feverish kiss. But despite the physical connection, his mind was elsewhere, lost in a whirlwind of regret and yearning.

As their kiss deepened, Rafe's thoughts drifted further away from the present moment, consumed by the memory of you—the person who had captured his heart and held it captive, even in your absence. In the heat of the passion, he clung to the fleeting illusion of intimacy, desperate for a temporary reprieve from the ache of longing that gnawed at his soul.

As the intensity of their embrace deepened, Rafe found himself losing himself in the moment, the rush of desire clouding his senses and driving him to seek solace in the arms of the girl before him. But as their passion reached a fever pitch, a sudden surge of guilt and longing welled up within him, threatening to overwhelm his fragile facade.

As the name slipped from his lips, a surge of panic shot through Rafe's veins, but the intoxicating blend of substances clouding his judgment stifled the impulse to address his slip-up. With a reckless abandon fueled by the drugs coursing through his system, he ignored the weight of his mistake and instead doubled down on the kiss, burying the nagging voice of guilt beneath a veil of indifference.

Lily pulled back, her eyes wide with surprise and confusion as she searched his face for answers. "What did you say?" she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

Lily's momentary confusion was met with Rafe's feverish embrace, his lips moving hungrily against hers as if trying to drown out the echoes of your name with each fleeting touch. The urgency of his actions masked the turmoil churning within him, a futile attempt to escape the truth of his betrayal and the longing that threatened to consume him whole.

As the kiss intensified, Rafe lost himself in the sensation, allowing the rush of desire to wash over him like a tidal wave. With each passing moment, the boundaries between reality and illusion blurred, and he surrendered himself to the reckless abandon of the night, heedless of the consequences that awaited him on the other side.

In that fleeting moment of abandon, Rafe relinquished himself to the seductive allure of the substances coursing through his veins, allowing them to guide his actions and shield him from the harsh glare of reality. And as he sank deeper into the embrace of the girl before him, he pushed aside the lingering doubts and fears, choosing instead to embrace the fleeting ecstasy of the present, no matter the cost.

As Rafe's lips moved against the stranger's, a wave of ecstasy washed over him, momentarily transporting him to a place where reality and imagination intertwined. In that fleeting moment of bliss, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to succumb to the illusion, imagining you standing before him as if you had never left the islands, as if you had never vanished without a word of explanation.

In his mind's eye, he saw you as vividly as if you were there in the flesh, your presence filling the empty spaces within him with a warmth he had longed for since the day you disappeared. He imagined the sound of your laughter, the sparkle of your eyes, the gentle touch of your hand against his cheek—all the things he had missed and yearned for in the lonely nights that followed your departure.

With each passing moment, the line between reality and fantasy blurred, and Rafe found himself lost in a reverie of what could have been, of the life they could have shared if only things had been different. The weight of his longing mingled with the intoxicating rush of the substances coursing through his veins, amplifying the intensity of his emotions until they threatened to consume him whole.

But even in the midst of his ecstasy, a nagging voice whispered warnings of caution in Rafe's mind, reminding him of the painful truth he had tried so desperately to bury. As he opened his eyes, the illusion shattered like glass, leaving him grappling with the harsh reality of your absence and the wounds it had left behind.

Rafe's mind raced as he looked at the girl before him, torn between the conflicting desires warring within him. The potent cocktail of liquor and coke coursing through his veins clouded his judgment, blurring the lines between right and wrong, desire and regret.

For a moment, he entertained the dangerous idea of surrendering to his desires, of allowing himself to indulge in the illusion that the girl before him could fill the void left by your absence. But deep down, he knew that she could never compare to you—that no one could ever take your place in his heart.

As he weighed his options, Rafe felt the weight of your memory pressing down upon him, a constant reminder of the love he had lost and the pain he had endured in your absence. The thought of betraying your memory filled him with a sense of shame and guilt, but the allure of escape proved too tempting to resist.

With a heavy sigh, Rafe made his decision, choosing to give in to his desires for just one night—to pretend, if only for a fleeting moment, that you were still here by his side. It was a reckless choice, driven by the desperate longing that gnawed at his soul, but in that moment, he couldn't bring himself to care about the consequences.

As he leaned in to resume their embrace, Rafe pushed aside the doubts and fears that threatened to engulf him, allowing himself to be swept away by the illusion of intimacy and the promise of temporary escape. And as he lost himself in the heat of the moment, he couldn't help but wonder if, just for tonight, he could find solace in the arms of a stranger and forget, if only for a moment, the pain of your absence.

With a reckless abandon fueled by the intoxicating mix of substances coursing through his veins, Rafe found himself surrendering to the moment, his inhibitions drowned out by a desperate longing for escape. Ignoring the warnings of his conscience, he turned to the girl beside him with a daring glint in his eyes.

"Hey," he said, his voice husky with desire. "Wanna go upstairs?"

The girl's eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting in a silent gasp as she met his gaze. But instead of recoiling, a mischievous smile spread across her face, a silent agreement passing between them.

"Lead the way," she replied, her voice a sultry whisper.

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈• ｡ﾟ

As you lay on the towel, the golden warmth of the sun kissing your skin, the rhythmic lullaby of the ocean waves enveloped you in a soothing embrace. Lost in the tranquility of the moment, you felt a sense of peace wash over you, the worries of the world melting away with each gentle caress of the breeze.

Suddenly, the serene ambiance was shattered by JJ's arrival from the ocean, his surfboard in tow. Standing above you, he unleashed a playful assault, shaking his wet hair vigorously, sending a cascade of droplets raining down upon you.

You let out a surprised squeal, laughing as you shielded yourself from the impromptu shower. Despite the initial shock, you couldn't help but join in JJ's infectious laughter, the carefree joy of the moment washing over you like a wave crashing upon the shore.

"JJ, seriously!" you protested, your voice tinged with mock annoyance as you brushed the droplets from your face.

As you reclined on the towel, still recovering from JJ's playful assault of seawater, he settled in beside you, a grin playing on his lips as he observed your sun-kissed complexion.

"Hey there, beach babe," he teased, nudging you gently with his elbow. "You're looking pretty tan today. And check it out, your freckles are making a comeback."

You couldn't help but laugh at his observation, running a hand self-consciously over your face as if to confirm his words. The summer sun had indeed left its mark, sprinkling your cheeks and nose with a smattering of freckles that seemed to multiply with each passing day.

"Blame it on all those hours we've been spending out here," you replied, a playful smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "Guess I can't complain about getting some color, though."

JJ chuckled, the sound mingling with the gentle rhythm of the waves as he settled back on the towel, his gaze lingering on your face.

"Nah, you're rocking it," he said, his tone genuine as he reached out to give your shoulder a playful squeeze. "Besides, freckles are cute. Adds character."

You rolled your eyes playfully at his compliment, but couldn't help the warmth that spread through you at his words. As you settled into conversation with JJ, the cares of the world seemed to melt away, replaced by the easy camaraderie and warmth that defined your friendship. And as you laughed and joked together, surrounded by the beauty of the beach and the comfort of each other's company, you couldn't help but feel grateful for moments like these—for the simple joys that made life worth living, and for the blond boy who made every day a little brighter.

JJ's azure eyes lingered over your sunscreen-covered skin, the sunlight casting a soft glow upon it, enhancing its silky texture. A smile played at the corners of his lips as he took in your lively demeanor, the way the sunlight danced in your hair and the warmth of your laughter filled the air. In that moment, it seemed as though you had been brought back to him, vibrant and full of life.

As he watched you, a sense of gratitude welled up within JJ, grateful for your presence beside him, for the easy companionship and genuine connection you shared. In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, you were his anchor, grounding him in the here and now, reminding him of the beauty that surrounded them.

With a gentle sigh, JJ leaned back on the towel, content to bask in the warmth of the sun and the comfort of your company. As he gazed at you, a sense of peace washed over him, knowing that as long as you were by his side, everything would be okay. And in that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the beach and the warmth of your friendship, JJ couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the gift of your presence in his life.

You caught JJ's gaze lingering on you, and with a playful grin, you raised an eyebrow in mock suspicion. "What are you looking at?" you teased, nudging him gently with your elbow.

JJ's expression softened, his azure eyes warm and genuine as he met your gaze. "Just admiring the view," he replied with a lopsided smile. "I haven't seen you this happy in a long time."

A blush crept up your cheeks at his words, surprised by his observation but warmed by the sincerity in his tone. "Well, I have you to thank for that," you admitted, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "Being out here with you, it's like all my worries just melt away."

JJ's smile widened at your words, a flicker of pride shining in his eyes. "Glad I could help," he said, reaching out to give your hand a reassuring squeeze. "You deserve all the happiness in the world, you know."

You squeezed his hand back, touched by his sincerity. "Right back at you, JJ," you said, your voice soft but earnest. "Thanks for always being there for me."

JJ's gaze lingered on you, his eyes searching your expression as if trying to read your thoughts. A curious furrow creased your brow as you met his gaze, wondering what had prompted his sudden inquiry.

"Do you ever miss your life back on the cut?" he asked, his voice quiet but earnest.

The question hung in the air between you, the weight of its implications sinking in. Memories of your past life on the cut flooded your mind, a mix of nostalgia and pain intertwining as you considered JJ's question.

A wistful smile tugged at the corners of your lips as you thought back to the carefree days spent on the islands, the salty sea breeze and the warmth of the sun on your skin. But beneath the surface, there was a darkness—a shadow that lingered in the recesses of your mind, a reminder of the trials and tribulations you had faced.

"It's complicated," you replied finally, your voice soft but tinged with emotion. "There are definitely things I miss about it—the freedom, the sense of adventure. But there are also things I'm glad to leave behind."

JJ nodded understandingly, his gaze softening with empathy. "I get that," he said, his tone gentle. "Life on the cut wasn't always easy, but there were moments of magic too."

As you sat together, lost in contemplation, a sense of camaraderie settled between you—a shared understanding of the complexities of life and the bittersweet nostalgia of memories past. And as you gazed out at the endless expanse of the ocean before you, you couldn't help but feel grateful for the present moment.

But JJ's question lingered in your mind like a persistent echo, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions as you contemplated your past life on the cut. Memories, both sweet and bitter, flooded your mind—the bustling streets of the chateau, the familiar faces of the locals, and the thrill of adventure that had once defined your days.

But amid the nostalgia, there was a darker undercurrent—a reminder of the tumultuous relationship you had shared with Rafe Cameron. For a fleeting moment, you found yourself swept up in memories of the highs and lows, the dizzying rush of passion and the crushing weight of betrayal. There had been a time when you had believed in him, when you had thought that love could conquer all.

But as you reflected on the pain and heartache he had caused, the illusion shattered like glass, leaving behind a bitter taste in its wake. The truth was clear now—Rafe Cameron was nothing more than a manipulative and selfish individual, incapable of genuine love or loyalty. And with each passing day, your hatred for him grew stronger, fueled by the wounds he had inflicted and the scars that still lingered.

In that moment of clarity, you realized that while life on the cut had held its moments of magic, it had also been fraught with danger and deception. And as you looked to the future, you knew that leaving it all behind had been the right choice—one that had freed you from the toxic grip of Rafe Cameron and paved the way for a new beginning.

"I'm just glad to be away from Rafe Cameron," you admitted, your voice steady but tinged with a hint of defiance.

JJ nodded in understanding, a flicker of sympathy flashing in his eyes. "I get that," he replied, his tone somber. "He's caused a lot of pain for a lot of people."

You nodded in agreement, the weight of his words resonating with your own experiences. "Yeah," you said, a bitter edge creeping into your voice. "But I'm not going to let him define me or my future. I'm done with that part of my life." As you spoke, a sense of determination settled over you, a steely resolve to move forward and leave the darkness of your past behind.

As the memories flooded back, you found yourself transported to that fateful day—the day you arrived on the island that would change your life forever. The sun beat down mercilessly as you and JJ made your way through the dense underbrush, your hearts pounding with a mixture of fear and determination.

John B stood at the center of the group, his expression grave as he recounted the events that had led to their current predicament. "They're framing me for murder," he explained, his voice tinged with desperation. "But it wasn't me. It was Ward, trying to cover up what Rafe did." His words hung heavy in the air, the weight of their implications settling over you like a suffocating blanket. The betrayal cut deep, leaving you reeling with shock and disbelief.

As John B's words hung in the air, a wave of confusion and disbelief washed over you. "What do you mean, 'what Rafe did'?" you asked, your voice trembling with a mixture of shock and incredulity.

John B met your gaze, his expression grim as he recounted the harrowing truth. "Rafe… he's the one who killed Sheriff Peterkin," he explained, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Ward's been covering for him, making it look like I'm the one responsible."

The world seemed to tilt on its axis as John B's words sank in, the enormity of the revelation hitting you like a ton of bricks. Rafe Cameron, the boy you had once known, had committed an unforgivable act—a crime that had shattered lives and torn apart families.

A swell of emotions rose within you—anger, disbelief, betrayal. How could Rafe, someone you had once been in love with, be capable of such a heinous act? And how could Ward, his own father, be complicit in covering up the truth?

As John B's words sank in, a cold shiver ran down your spine, and your knees threatened to give way beneath you. The world around you seemed to blur, and your stomach churned with a sickening mix of disbelief and horror.

The boy you had once loved, the boy whose laughter had once filled your days with warmth and joy, was capable of something so heinous—a crime that had torn apart lives and shattered families. It felt as though the ground had been ripped out from beneath you, leaving you reeling in a sea of uncertainty and despair.

But even more devastating was the realization that Rafe, the boy you had once trusted and cared for, could be so shallow as to let his own father accuse one of your friends for his wrongdoing. The betrayal cut deep, leaving a bitter taste in your mouth and a knot of anger and sorrow in your chest.

As you struggled to process the enormity of what John B had revealed, a sense of determination ignited within you—a resolve to seek justice for Sheriff Peterkin and to clear John B's name of the false accusations that had been leveled against him. No matter the cost, no matter the obstacles that lay ahead, you would stand by your friends and fight for what was right, even if it meant facing the painful truth about those you once held dear.

As Sarah's voice broke through the heavy silence, her words filled with remorse and sorrow, you felt a pang of sympathy wash over you. Despite the betrayal her family had inflicted, she remained steadfast in her loyalty to her friends.

"I'm so sorry," Sarah murmured, her voice trembling with emotion. "I never thought… I never wanted any of this to happen."

Kiara's comforting presence at your side offered a small solace amidst the storm of emotions raging within you. As she wrapped her arms around you, you buried your face in her shoulder, the weight of the truth crashing down on you like a tidal wave. Tears streamed down your cheeks, unchecked and unbidden, as the shock and disbelief threatened to overwhelm you.

"How could he do this?" you whispered brokenly, your voice choked with emotion. "How could Rafe… How could he let Ward frame John B for something he did?"

The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of betrayal and grief. The boy you had once cared for, the boy you had once believed in, had committed an unspeakable act of violence, and in his cowardice, he had allowed another to shoulder the blame. As you grappled with the painful truth, Kiara's presence offered a glimmer of comfort, a reminder that you were not alone in your pain.

As the weight of betrayal and sorrow pressed down upon you, a fire ignited within your heart—a fire fueled by anger, pain, and a deep-seated sense of betrayal. In that moment, you made a solemn vow to yourself, a vow born from the depths of your anguish and despair.

"I hate him," you whispered, your voice trembling with emotion. "I hate Rafe Cameron and all that he stands for."

The words hung heavy in the air, a declaration of war against the boy who had once held your heart in his hands. With each syllable uttered, you felt a surge of determination wash over you, a determination to rid yourself of the toxic influence that had poisoned your past and tainted your memories.

In that moment, you swore to yourself that you would forget—forget the love you had once felt, forget the pain of betrayal, forget the boy who had shattered your illusions and broken your heart. You would bury those memories deep within the recesses of your mind, locking them away behind a wall of resentment and indifference.

And though you knew that forgetting would not be easy, you were determined to try—to scrub clean the slate of your past and start anew, free from the shadows that had haunted you for so long. With each passing day, you would strive to leave behind the pain and sorrow of yesterday, forging ahead into a future untainted by the darkness of your past.

As you grappled with the decision to erase Rafe Cameron from your life, you couldn't help but feel a sense of relief knowing that physical distance now separated you from him. Thousands of miles stretched between you, a vast expanse of ocean and land that made the chance of a chance encounter slim to none.

In some sense, the physical separation made it relatively easy to move forward without him. No longer would you have to worry about catching a glimpse of him on the street or in public places, no longer would you have to navigate the awkwardness of shared social circles or mutual acquaintances. He was now a world away, a distant memory fading into the depths of your past.

But despite the physical distance, the reminders of his presence lingered like ghosts in the corners of your mind. The memories of the love you had once shared, the laughter and the tears, the moments of joy and heartache—they were all still there, etched into the fabric of your being. And though you tried to push them away, to bury them deep within the recesses of your mind, they persisted, a constant reminder of what once was.

The hardest part, you realized, would not be the physical absence of Rafe, but rather the emotional weight of his memory. The knowledge that he had once been a part of your life, that he had once held a place in your heart—it was a bitter pill to swallow. But with each passing day, you vowed to chip away at the walls he had built around your heart, to reclaim your sense of self and your identity, free from the shadows of the past.

In your mind, he was dead to you—a relic of a bygone era, a chapter in your life that had come to a close. And though the road ahead would be fraught with challenges and uncertainties, you were determined to walk it alone, forging ahead into a future untainted by the ghosts of your past.

As you forged ahead with your determination to leave Rafe Cameron and the memories of your past behind, unbeknownst to you, he remained trapped in the very place where you had once shared countless memories together. Every corner, every street, every familiar landmark served as a haunting reminder of the love that had once bloomed between you.

But for Rafe, these reminders were not bittersweet echoes of a bygone era. Instead, they were a constant source of torment, a relentless barrage of memories that threatened to consume him from within. He had no idea of the repulsion you felt towards him, no inkling that you had moved on and left him behind.

Instead, he found himself spiraling into a downward spiral of self-destructive behavior, his mind clouded by a fog of regret and longing. Despite the passing of two long years, the pain of your absence still gnawed at him like a festering wound, leaving him adrift in a sea of loneliness and despair.

And as he wandered the familiar streets, lost in a haze of nostalgia and longing, he couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness, a void that no amount of alcohol or drugs could ever hope to fill. He longed for the comfort of your presence, the warmth of your touch, but knew deep down that it was a longing that could never be fulfilled.

In his mind, you were still the girl he had once loved, the girl who had changed the trajectory of his life, his first love. And though he tried to push you away, to bury the memories of your time together deep within the recesses of his mind, they persisted, a constant reminder of what he had lost.

But as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months, Rafe began to realize the depth of his mistake—the magnitude of the pain he had caused and the consequences of his actions. And though he knew that he could never erase the past, he vowed to do whatever it took to make amends, to find redemption for the sins of his past and to prove himself worthy of the love he had once taken for granted.

For you, the decision to leave Rafe Cameron and the memories of your past behind was a choice born from a place of strength and determination. With each step forward, you felt a sense of liberation, a freedom from the chains of your past that had once bound you so tightly. Though the road ahead was uncertain, you walked it with a newfound sense of purpose, determined to carve out a future untainted by the shadows of your past.

But for Rafe, the passage of time had done little to ease the ache of your absence. Despite his best efforts to bury his feelings deep within the recesses of his mind, they persisted, a constant reminder of the love he had once lost. The pain of your departure gnawed at him like a festering wound, leaving him adrift in a sea of loneliness and regret.

As he wandered the familiar streets of the island you had once called home, Rafe found himself trapped in a downward spiral of self-destructive behavior. Each reminder of your absence served as a cruel twist of the knife, a relentless barrage of memories that threatened to consume him from within. Though he tried to drown out the pain with alcohol and drugs, it was a futile effort—a temporary reprieve from the agony that lingered in his heart.

And though you despised him, repulsed by the thought of the boy he had once been, Rafe remained unaware of your feelings, his mind clouded by a haze of longing and regret. In his eyes, you were still the girl he had once loved, the girl who had captured his heart and changed his life forever.

taglist: @ellesalazar, @champomiel, @vadinaleme, @kys4-20, @gills-lounge, @allsmilesreally7, @sublimepenguinpeach-blog, @sp00ky-spr1te, @bibliophilewednesday, @haroldpotterson, @i-love-rafe, @ellesalazar, @calmoistorm, @abundantxadorations, @fals3-g0d, @gillybear17, @oiiviagrande, @hockeybabe87,

@augustlikesdeath, @wpdailyminimeta, @palmwinemami, @loxleys-blog, @ikisscline, @flyestvenustrap, @ilovesteveharrngton, @ijustwanttoreadlols, @fastlovela, @wickedlovely121, @fals3-g0d, @givemylovetoall, @lucfics, @briefwinnerpersonaturtle, @maybankslover, @peachy4u2, @hockeybabe87, @yeosxxx, @zizouu23, @h34rtsformilli, @maybankslover, @yawnzshit, @rubixgsworld

[deanbrainrotwritings]

— the politics of knife fighting

SUMMARY : tom tried to live a normal life after getting away from his hometown, but he should’ve known his little slice of heaven would go bad eventually. 

PAIRING : tom hanniger x fem!reader

CHARACTERS : emmeline kipling (OFC), klaus cassidy (OMC), donald white (OMC), gilly fawkes (OFC)

WARNINGS/TAGS : explicit(18+), angst, gore, blood, murder, DID (dissociative identity disorder), set after the events of MBV

WORD COUNT : 4.5k

A/N : title from jamies elsewhere song. this fills the on the run square on my @jacklesversebingo card. I listened to every MCR song to finish this 😭✋🏻

TOM’S POV

It was pretty morbid, if he thought about it too hard. 

You, getting so worked up after a funeral. 

To be fair, Gilly and Don weren’t even your friends anymore. In fact, there was an intense animosity between the three of you that reminded Tom of himself, Sarah, and Axel. 

Except it was much more complicated than that and you weren’t interested in dating Donald. It was more… a case of unrequited love, but much darker. Donald didn’t want you to have the choice to not be with him and Gilly hated you despite not wanting to be with Donald herself. 

Gilly and Don made your life hell for two whole years before he met you. 

He opened his eyes, his vision blurry. His head was pounding and something warm, soft, and wet slid across his face. 

He saw you, your face pinched in concern as you wiped his blood from the wounds you’d sewn up for him. 

“Hey, you’re okay,” he remembered your soft voice and reassuring smile, right before he passed out again.

That was the day he found out that Harry Warden hadn’t returned to get him, Harry Warden was a part of him and had done all those horrible things. The only good thing about it was that Harry had an interest in keeping him alive and got him out of the mine before he was found and arrested. 

When he came to, two days later, he was on the couch in your living room wearing new clothes—clothes Donald had left at your place and you wanted to get rid of. 

You let him stay, you respected that he didn’t want to share much about himself, and you allowed him to stay in your home until he was ready to make it on his own. Despite knowing nothing about him, you took care of him. But you did also threaten him by telling him your dad was an ex-Marine. He figured that’s the reason you knew how to properly stitch up a bullet wound.

After a few months of your arrangement, his temporary stay at your home became permanent. And he went from being a stranger to being your lover. 

Within months, miles away from his hometown, he finally felt like he’d established a sense of safety with you. He finally felt that his mind and his life had stabilised. The blackouts and the fear of Harry taking over his body reduced to nothing.

With your help, he was finally able to find a neurophysiologist who could treat him and help him with his condition. He confronted what was wrong with him while he was with you. 

Hell, he thinks he may have matured drastically since he’s known you. He used to be so arrogant and cowardly. 

You didn’t know the specifics about his past or his condition at first, but you seemed happy that he was getting help for whatever it was that was troubling him so profoundly. He started working through his trauma, who he was, what he wanted for himself—it was easier knowing you were back home waiting for him. 

He was finally able to share most of his past with you. Most of it. Because he just couldn’t bring himself to tell you his diagnosis or the fact that the bunkmate in his head was a murderer. 

It took a few years, but eventually, he was able to integrate those traumatic memories and he taught himself to not be afraid of Harry coming to ruin everything he’d built for himself.

He didn’t know if the medication was actually helping or if being far away from Harmony and Hanniger Mine made Harry Warden stay down and out of his way. 

He only knew that he was grateful to have met you.

You were gentle and patient with him. He felt that you understood him. Profoundly. Not knowing him as he was back then and not having expectations of him like everyone else back in Harmony did, it helped, too. 

He was getting to learn who he was on his own and you were part of that journey. The rediscovery of himself. 

You accepted him and all that he was, but he didn’t know if you’d still love him knowing there was someone else living inside him.

He pushed it to the back of his mind and focused on you and your wandering hands, but you caught him, once again, in the middle of his thoughts.

“Tommy, you okay?” You murmured against his jaw as you worked on loosening his black tie. He felt himself get warmer the lower your hands wandered and his heart pounded loudly in his chest when you got to his belt.

He smiled at you and buried his fingers in your hair to bring you up for a slow, long kiss. He finally felt you fumble for the first time, your fingers slowed at his belt, and you moaned into his mouth softly.

“Yeah, I was thinking about you,” he reassured you when he pulled away. His hands moved out of your hair, slowly sneaked up your warm thighs, and beneath the soft black dress you wore.

You gazed into his eyes and bit your lip. 

He could see your concern and your curiosity. He knew he appeared to be distracted these past couple of weeks, but especially today at the funeral for both Gilly and Donald. You asked him about it, but he would dismiss it, and you hesitantly accepted his response every time. 

He dreaded the day you found out the truth about him. 

But it seemed the universe believed he was asking too much for wanting to be happy with you.

He squeezed your bare hip beneath your dress, the absence of underwear excited him. You must have slipped them off in between kissing him senseless and pushing him into the couch you both currently rested on. He helped you get his belt off and kissed you passionately. 

You finally conceded and cupped his face to kiss him back with as much fervour, and successfully managed to ease his mind of his concern and amend the lack of control he was starting to feel again. 

READER’S POV

As you turned the corner into the street leading to your home, the sight of red and blue sirens instantly made your heart speed up.  

You hoped it wasn’t your home. That Tom was okay. That nothing happened to him. But those thoughts didn’t comfort you and your breathing picked up so that you almost felt your lungs burning.

You slowed your car as you drove closer to your home, the source of police cars. Your neighbours stared at you and murmured to each other and your stomach ached, nauseous.

You parked nearby with your hands trembling and managed to get out of the car without stumbling on your weak knees. Your eyes fell to police officers standing and talking around your house, but there was no ambulance in sight. 

“Please, please, please,” you murmured shakily. 

You pulled the yellow tape that kept you out over your head to enter your front lawn, and looked around for Tom, but he wasn’t outside with any of the police officers.

You hoped to talk to someone who might know something. Where’s Tom? 

“Miss, you’re Tom Hanniger’s girlfriend?” You recognised the woman’s voice behind you. 

See, usually, you’re not one to hold a grudge if things happened before the age of 14, but Emmeline Kipling went from being your middle school bully, to a bully of a police officer. Way to beat the stereotype. 

“Fiancée,” you muttered before you turned to face her. “What’s happened? Where’s Tom?”

“He’s wanted for the murder of Donald White and Gilly Fawkes,” she answered bluntly. Your mouth dropped open and you blinked at her. You shook your head and looked away from her, stared intently at your home, and wondered why or how it was possible that you could’ve missed this. 

“No, he wouldn’t do that, that’s-that’s not-”

“We’ve got the evidence to back it up,” she interrupted you, laying her hand on your arm instinctively. God, can everything just stop? “We found the murder weapon and his clothes with Don and Gilly’s blood in your basement.” 

Tears stung your eyes, but it wasn’t because you felt bad about what happened to Gilly and Don. They had it coming. You were afraid of what would happen to Tom if they found him. Would they shoot him on sight? Would he be sent to his death if they captured him alive?

“You’re playing detective now? I mean.. it could be… mine, for all you know,” you rambled nervously, stepping away from her touch as your knees became wobbly.

“No, it’s mining clothes in his size and we’ve taken the murder weapon to check the prints. We both know you don’t have a bone in your body that could hurt a fly,” she smiled at you, but you sensed some malice in her tone. Did she forget that you choked her for physically abusing your other friend? You wanted to do it again. Your fists clenched along with your jaw, but you stopped yourself from making a move. “Did you know about his past in Harmony? He was wanted for nine murders there… They thought he was dead… until now…” she watched you but you remained as calm as you could possibly be with the information she dumped on you. “If you know where he is, tell us… you know, this case will help me get to detective.”

You laughed in disbelief and blinked your tears away. “Well, then, I hope you don’t catch him.” 

“I don’t like you either, but it doesn’t change the fact that your… fiancé is a bad person. Worst of all, a murderer.”

“He’s not a bad… He-”

“I’ve dealt with plenty of cases like these. Most people who’ve lived with evil always tell me the same thing: He never could, never would. That’s not possible. He’s so good to me. But they always find out that they’re wrong in the worst way possible. And it looks like you know nothing about Harmony. There are witnesses. He’s the guy.”

You looked around silently at your neighbours and wondered if they’d already heard about Tom. That he was a murderer. Could he be? Could he really be the one that did it?

“We’ve found an address for a cabin, Emmy,” an officer took the silence between the two of you as a go. He looked at you with empathetic eyes and a comforting smile. You tried to return it, but it was an awful lot of work, especially after hearing about your aunt’s cabin. 

Tom offered to help you clean it up for her.

You hated your aunt for the way she treated your mom… but he’d been adamant about it for weeks after you vented to him about her audacity. How could she ask you for anything after the way she treated your mother? 

Emmeline took the paper from the officer to read it.

You stared at the torn paper that was once stuck to your fridge with a magnet containing the location. You should’ve just put “cabin”, but Tom occasionally went alone after he convinced you to stay home and relax. 

You always wondered why he was so interested in getting it cleaned for her.

“Could he be there?” Emmeline broke your train of thought. Barley.

“I… I don’t know,” you lied and shrugged. Being overwhelmed helped you cover whatever your tell was, that’s all you knew for sure. For all you know, Tom was up there… 

How could he hide this from you? How could you be so blind? Were there signs that you missed? Why were you helping him?

“Let’s check it out,” she told him anyway. He nodded and paused for a moment when he looked at you, but he changed his mind and left. Emmeline did the same and followed him after shoving the piece of paper into her pocket.

“Wait!” You turned to follow her to the car her partner was getting into. “Let me come.” Emmeline turned around and hesitated. “You owe me for that fake-ass apology you gave for how cruel you were.”

“You’re not gonna let that go?” She chuckled. You narrowed your eyes. 

“Don’t act like you don’t victimise yourself to this day for what I did to you after all the torture you put me through. I’ve heard plenty from your fellow officers who know better than to believe your lies…”

“Fine,” she replied begrudgingly and rolled her eyes at you. You resisted the urge to hit her with your clenched fist and opened the door to get into the back.

You had a hard time believing that Tom could actually murder Gilly and Don. He was always so gentle and loving. Soft. Quiet. Kind.

Was that only for you? 

Was it an act? A cover for his real life as a murderer?

You imagined: if he did do it. Would that change anything? Would you love him less? And those people he supposedly murdered in Harmony. Were they innocent? Were you actually thinking this? You felt awful, but part of you needed to believe that he had a good reason for committing murder. 

He can’t be a bad man. He can’t be. 

It was hard for you to believe it. So damn hard, but you knew him. He had problems he didn’t talk about with you completely. If he had some sort of breakdown, he just needed help and you weren’t giving up on him. 

You don’t know how long you were in your thoughts. Or how much time you spent thinking of a way to get Tom to safety. To think of words that would convince Tom to stand down if he was still out of his depth. Or to think of words that would convince Emmeline and her partner to stand down. 

The car came to a stop as the sun began to set behind deep green trees. They reminded you of Tom’s eyes. The wheels crunched on the dirt and twigs, and then there was complete silence as Emmeline looked around from inside the car.

She was afraid. 

You hoped that wouldn’t make her do something stupid that would put Tom’s life in danger. 

“Stay here with her,” Emmeline told her partner after a few moments. She inhaled deeply and exhaled before opening the car. 

“Um… okay?” He looked back at you, leaned forward to shout, “shouldn’t we call for backup first and wait?” Emmeline stopped for a beat or two.

“No, I don’t think he’s armed,” she reassured him. When she smiled at you, it made you nervous. Something was off…

“But you don’t actually know… that…” he trailed off after she slammed the door on him. He turned to you and you couldn’t help smiling nervously at him. He didn’t seem too bad. “I'm, uh… Klaus Cassidy,” he offered, but your mind instantly drifted off to Tom.

You didn’t trust Emmeline for a second. You could just be paranoid because she was an awful person, but you were done with making excuses for people. You had to trust your gut.

Just like you should’ve trusted your gut and done something to help Tom. He had been so jumpy, on edge, and distant ever since Gilly and Don’s death were announced on the news. 

You really thought he was doing well in therapy.

“I… I need some air,” you whispered shakily.

“Yeah, okay,” Kalus frowned at you. 

You stepped out of the car to breathe in the crisp air of nature. Silence. Branches. Animals in the distance. Peace and space. You couldn’t stand being trapped in the car anymore.

Klaus made his way around the car and stood close to you. Protectively. You saw his gun, his nervousness. It was a quick thought, but you knew you probably wouldn’t get another chance. 

“Klaus,” you felt guilty and genuinely bad, but you needed to do something about Tom. Klaus turned to look at you and you didn’t think twice about hitting him square in the jaw like your dad taught you. 

He fell to the ground and you apologised to his unconscious body. You opened the car, quickly rummaged through the glove compartment where you found some surgical gloves. 

You put them on and apologised once more as you took Klaus’ gun and legged it in the direction of the cabin. You knew this place better than Emmeline did, you just hoped you’d make it to Tom before she could hurt him.

TOM’S POV

He wasn’t quite used to this sensation. 

Seeing himself outside of his body, something else… someone else using it to move around, it was horrible.

He shouted, begged, and just about did everything he could think of to regain control, but Harry didn’t give his body up.

Harry didn’t speak to him.

All he could do was watch as Harry put a new disguise on. A clean, black miner’s uniform. He could smell the newness, the softener that reminded him of you. But there was the old gas mask on his face again, filled with the hellish stench of sweat, dust, dried blood, and firesmoke.

From inside the cabin, staring out the window as he cursed and swore at Harry, all he could do was watch as some police officer approached. Harry grabbed an axe he found lying around, his gloves squeaked slightly with his tightened grip. 

Harry was excited at the sight of her with her gun and flashlight pointed in his direction.

We’re not immortal, dammit!

“Tom Hanniger!” She shouted at him, but Harry tilted his head indifferently. “Put the axe down or I’ll shoot you.” 

She fired at the cabin, the bullet hit the wooden wall close to the window he was staring out of. He flinched, forgetting that he technically wasn’t inside the cabin. 

Harry angrily put the axe in one hand and held it stiffly in the middle. He breathed through the mask, deeply inhaled, a long exhale. Completely calm, which was not the way he was feeling about adding another person to the list of people… he’s… killed.

“That was a warning shot, Tom! Put it down now, I won’t miss you next time!”

Rustling within the trees made the police officer lower her gun and turn slightly to the source. Her guard was down and he felt like he could breathe again, but unfortunately, Harry began to charge menacingly towards her.

“Klaus?” She turned her flashlight in the direction of the sound of what could only be something getting thrown onto the ground and skipping across a few times before stopping. 

“Tom?” 

No. 

God, no, not you. Not here, not now. Not like this. 

Your voice called out from a completely different direction, but he looked opposite to where the police officer faced. At least it was enough to bring him back to himself. You. Your voice calling his name.

He murmured your name and released the breath that began to make him feel lightheaded. His grip loosened on the axe, but he didn’t let go of it completely. 

He could see you faintly as you stepped out from the thick trees. He stepped towards your voice and the police officer turned in your direction, sadly for her. Her gun was ready, her flashlight lit you up like the beautiful star you were. 

“Tommy, please don’t make things worse for yourself. Put the axe down, please,” you tried to speak calmly, but he could hear the tremble in your voice as you walked the rest of the way towards him. 

His eyes fell over your body. Your work clothes, uncomfortable heels, and surgical gloves loose on your hands. You were vulnerable, unarmed in the middle of a gunfight. The police officer lowered her gun again after a moment of hesitation as she watched the events unfold. 

He’d completely forgotten that you’d eventually catch wind of it all. Of what he was accused of… of what he’d done. He just never expected you to do this, to involve yourself with his other side. 

“Tom… what did you do?” You asked quietly. He could only feel the warmth of your hand seep through the glove and the mask. Your fingers gently threaded into his hair and your other hand took the axe from him.

All he could do was say your name, his voice cracked with his heart at the sight of your tears. All your dreams shattering, your hopes, your future together. From shards, to dust. Irreparable.

He felt the police officer taking his wrists carefully to place the cuffs on him. He struggled for a moment, wishing he’d gotten to touch your face one last time, to kiss you, to take the costume off and feel you for the last time. 

“Don’t do that!” You tried to stop her, subsequently dropping the axe on the ground.

She relented briefly before coming to her senses. “I have to arrest him and take him in.” 

You pushed her away and the cuffs fell to the ground with a clink against the axe. You rubbed your eyes with the back of your hands and Tom took the chance to remove the gas mask and finally took a deep breath outside of the suffocating mask underneath it. 

“Please, baby.” He grabbed your arms, hoping to calm you down, but you moved away from him. 

“Don’t move, Tom!”

“God! Shut up and let me think, Em!” You shouted in frustration.

“There’s nothing to think about!” She argued with you, getting down to retrieve the cuffs, but you kicked them away. She instantly stood up straight and pulled her gun on you, cocked and ready. Tom stepped in front of you protectively. She looked between you and him for a moment, then laughed dryly. “You’re working with him! Aren’t you? Yeah! You wanted him… no, you told him to kill them for you, didn’t you?”

“What? No! That’s not true!”

“Doesn’t matter,” she smiled and shrugged. “I can just say that you admitted it. You told him to kill Gil and Don for you. Then, you attacked me once we got here. I defended myself and shot you and you died. I’ve been looking for a way to get rid of you ever since-”

You lifted Klaus’ gun and fired it, the bullet flew straight through her forehead before she could speak another word. Tom flinched and gasped in shock, he opened his eyes once her body hit the dirt. 

He stared in disbelief and horror at the hole in the police officer’s forehead, the light spatter of blood from the entry wound. Her eyes were opened to the sky, dead as the stars above. 

He heard you moving around him and saw you put her cuffs back in her pocket. He couldn’t believe you did that. No second thought, no hesitation. And you knew her. Em—that's what you called her.

“Tom!” You shouted at him desperately. “Come on, Tommy. We-we have to get to my dad’s place.” The tremble in your voice reminded him that you were quite shaken up after all. 

“I thought you didn’t talk to him anymore,” he commented distractedly, hoping to hide his distress. But he could tell, now that you took him by his hand, that you weren’t as put together as he imagined. 

He felt the weight of the axe in his other hand and wondered how it got there. He didn’t care. He just watched you lead the way as he tried to collect himself, but he couldn’t do it without giving Harry control. He pushed away his distraught and squeezed your hand.

“Well, no, but I’m still his daughter and he’s not going to let anything bad happen to me.” He remained quiet and suddenly he stood in front of a cop car where you planted the gun on an unconscious officer. 

You apologised to the man and removed your gloves, but shoved them into your dress pants. He watched you wipe your hands on your shirt as if somehow the blood got on you. You did it multiple times as you multitasked: hid your footprints and walked in the direction away from the cop car. 

This was such a mess. 

He didn’t want this for you. 

He didn’t want this for himself. 

He deflated. He let your hand go and stood a few metres away from the road, defeated. “Why are you doing this? Just leave me, I’ll-”

“I can’t!” You frowned at him and took his hand in your once more. Your beautiful wide eyes full of fear and love made his heart wrench. “Okay? I… I love you too much to just leave you alone with all of… this. You’d do the same for me, wouldn’t you?”

“I guess I already did something stupid…” he murmured, dropping the axe to hold your waist and pull your body flush with his. You were also angry— it seemed, because you crossed your arms and glared at him. 

“Yes! You did! You absolute… melon!” He felt bad for laughing at that, but you looked so cute when you angrily shoved him away. “God, Tommy! What were you thinking?!” You tangled your fingers in your hair, overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused. 

He took your hands and brought you in for a comforting embrace, hoping to somehow calm you down. He kissed your hairline and you slowly softened in his arms. He felt you cling tightly to the back of the miner’s uniform he wore. 

“You had to see them every day. After what they both did to you- I don’t know, I’m having a hard time feeling sorry that they were… that I…” 

“How did this happen? Why did you do that? Tommy… you’re such an idiot,” you whispered. He pulled away just to cup your face in his calloused hands. He kissed you once, then a second time, and on the third try, you finally kissed him back. 

“It wasn’t… me… it was, but it wasn’t. It’s hard to explain, actually,” he laughed wryly and breathed against your lips. You shivered and kissed him firmly. He wanted to drown in you, to be covered in your stars and your heart and your body. 

His entire body lit up and turned hot like an overpowered bulb about to burst. 

You pulled away from his lips just in time and he pressed his forehead against yours. “Let’s just get out of here and talk about it outside of these creepy fucking woods.” 

You wrapped your arms around yourself, making you way deeper into the forest. He quickly picked the axe up again and made his way to you, nervous, but ready to face whatever the future may be like on the run with you. 

“It can’t be that creepy here,” he smiled hesitantly. You rolled your eyes at him about to argue your case to demonstrate why the woods were scary. “We fucked against that tree over there after you thought I got us lost.” 

He pointed across to where a red ribbon was wrapped around a tree. He did that to remember you whenever or if he ever found himself in this part of the woods. 

You stopped dead in your tracks with your mouth agape. He joined you and smiled shyly when you smiled at him in surprise. “Shut up,” you couldn’t help laughing. 

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[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <CHAPTER 001 SIDE-A: Sun will R1ze!> 001-A02 Proof of determination

A translation of 18TRIP's CHAPTER 001 SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude.

TL note:

金転がし (kanekorogashi) is an alternate name for まわり将棋 (mawarishogi), a traditional Japanese children’s game using the four Gold General shogi pieces and the pawns move into an anti-clockwise direction. The rules and gameplay elude me, but this website described it as Snakes and Ladders, which I am more familiar with, thus I went with that.

Kafka: HAMA will fully cease accepting special financial support from the prefecture of Tokyo!

Hakkei: …Wha- what is the meaning of this, Kafka! No- 0th Ward Mayor!

Kafka: Ah, you recognized me as the 0th Ward Mayor. Thank you very much ♪ It’s a given, though. 

Hakkei: Leave the trifling matters aside. Refusing funding from the capital? What are you planning to do with HAMA’s dwindling budget!

HAMA ward resident A: S-seriously, what is the plan here…

HAMA ward resident D: A stop to financial support… A declaration of a full stop to HAMA… 

Kaede: (...Kafka, just what in the world are you thinking?)

Kafka: Please be at ease. Now that I’ve been inaugurated as the 0th Ward Mayor, I’m intending to fully restore all of HAMA. Hence, the current method of doing things is no longer applicable.

Kafka: Rather than being restricted by insufficient funding and having our hands tied, I must go as far to propose a temporary termination in order to be able to enforce more drastic measures. 

Hakkei: And instead of that trifling amount of funding, from where do you intend to procure your capital?

Hakkei: This isn't child’s play- do you even comprehend that these politics are intertwined with the foundation of a whole city? 

Kafka: Towards these ends, I’ve invested every single penny to my own name into establishing a travel agency that will have direct control over the 18 wards of HAMA.

Kafka: Its name is HAMA Tours!

Kafka: It will be in charge of directing all general tourism affairs of HAMA,  and arranging package tours which haven’t been done before now. Proceeds will in turn serve as financial support for tourism.

Hakkei: Hmph! A mere pipe dream fabricated by some anklebiter. Tourism is not to be underestimated! Is your purpose to smash all of HAMA with that company of yours to pieces, Kafka!?

Hakkei: If you’re using your legal obligation as the 0th Ward Mayor to play house, then I will not allow this in a million years!

Kafka: …Who’s the one playing house here?

Hakkei: …

Kafka: Let me make it clear how I’m putting my life on the line.

HAMA ward resident A: The president of the biggest bank in all of HAMA!? And… they’re shaking hands!?

Kaede: (Kafka… Just when did you meet up with the president of the bank!?)

Hakkei: This is…

Kafka: A few days ago, fundraising for HAMA Tours found itself in a rough spot, so we were able to come to an agreement about receiving a loan♪  

Kafka: Incidentally, as a safety net, we have all that is in my possession, and everything under the name of the Oguro Family. Not only our estate and plot of lands we own, but the colossal amount of intellectual property left by mother is included too. In other words—

Kafka: When HAMA sinks to the depths of the ocean, I too sink. I am mentally prepared to lose anything and everything. Still feeling inclined to describe this as playing house?

Hakkei: ……

Kafka: Of course, sinking to rock bottom is not in my agenda. Therefore, the days of receiving financing will not come back. To all ward residents of HAMA…

Kafka: Together with me, we’re facing a big gamble to bring our HAMA back to life. So you’ll place your bets, right?

HAMA ward resident B: I changed my mind! If he’s willing to go that far, then I'm onboard!

HAMA ward resident C: “HAMA Tours”, eh?- Good luck! Come partner up with our joint!

HAMA ward resident D:  The new Ward Mayor’s top of the grade determination… Gleefully accepting resolution…  One chance of HAMA’s regeneration…

Kaede: (The whole venue’s mood flipped completely…! Kafka… you went as far as putting everything you own into this. You really are out of this world…!)

Kaede: (I also have to contribute with all I can! We’ll absolutely make HAMA Tours a success!)

Hakkei: …Hmph, you've gotten the extent of your determination across. If you’re willing to declare that much, then you'd better show it with your actions. On the other hand!

Hakkei: I won’t cut any corners. Reviews will not get higher ratings out of compassion. I have not a single clue about how many times you’ve succeeded with your investments, but I’ll have you know tourism differs from a game of snakes and ladders. At most, you’ll flail hopelessly. 

Kafka: …Please continue to enjoy the view as a spectator. We will show you achievements beyond your expectations. …Uncle Hakkei.

Hakkei: Hmph!

Kafka: Good work out there, Kaede-chan. How was the inauguration? I gave it all I got, right?

Kaede: Kafka… I was anxious, to be honest. And I was relieved everything turned out well. When I heard that you’re cutting off funding, everyone around me was shaken to their core, you know. 

Kafka: Eeeeh~ That’s noooooot much praise. Especially when I did my oh-so best out there too~

Kaede: I thought you were amazing! I really did! It was just such a risky bet…

Kafka: Well, can’t deny that. But there were a lot of people passionate about the tourism industry from the ward residents that gathered, and I wanted them to properly accept HAMA’s situation and make it a personal problem. 

Kafka: Hospitality isn’t viable if only those at the top put in the effort. I wanted each and every single ward resident to consider contributing to HAMA. But, ultimately, I wanted to show there’s hope. You get me?

Voice of newscaster: “Furthermore, as declared by the new 0th Ward Mayor Oguro Kafka, the establishment of the travel agency HAMA Tours was made public.”

Kafka: Ah, look at that display over there! Our company logo is being shown on it!

Kaede: That’s… our new company’s…

Kaede: …. It is cute, but why a dog?

Kafka: Because I’m a dog person ♪ Which you already knew, yeah? Ah, I also have plans for a company song to be made.

Kaede: You are not going to put dogs in the song too, right?

Kafka: It’s a surprise for when you listen ♪

Kaede: (....Kafka, you look like you’re having fun. The inauguration today gave me chills all over, but if he can smile like that, then I have a feeling it'll be okay.)

Kaede: (Maybe the reality of all this is starting to sink in for me too. I’m going to be working for the sake of HAMA going forward…!)

(Kafka smiling)

Kafka: …

Kafka: Okay, I’ll send you the location of our company office building and schedule on PeChat. Work begins immediately starting next week! And, as for Kaede-chan himself~

Kafka: Given you're the first commemorable employee, the role of chief goes to you! 

Kaede: Chief!? Are you suddenly shoving me into an executive position!? 

Kafka: I'm the company president, after all. I’m looking forward to working with you, right, Chief-chan ♪

Kaede: Eeeh~.... Geez, still pushy as always..… 

Kaede: (But, I’m not complaining. There’s an incredible feeling in my chest. I want to try it. I feel like this is what I’ve been truly wanting to do…) 

Kaede: (If I take this one step forward, the radiant sun will be ahead of me.)

Kafka: As if it’s a morning where the sun rises from the depths of the dark sea. There is hope for the future. 

Kafka: Don’t you believe we can convey that through our work? At least… that’s what I want to believe.  

Kaede: …Yes!

Kaede: (I’m sure that a lot of new encounters await me from now on. And… I want to believe that they’ll bloom into something beautiful!)

<<previous chapter / next chapter>>

chapter 001 side A directory: TBA upon completion

[allwaswell16]

A fic rec of One Direction fics in which one or both of the main characters meeting the family plays an important role in the fic as requested in this ask. If you enjoy the fics, please leave kudos and comments for the writers! You can find my other fic recs here. Happy reading!

- Louis/Harry -

🍍 Darling, so it goes by @disgruntledkittenface

(E, 195k, Grace Kelly au) Harry Styles is a world-famous actor at the height of his career but a personal low point when he meets His Serene Highness Prince Louis of Monaco by chance. He doesn’t think they’ll ever see each other again, but after striking up a correspondence, it turns out they have more in common than he thought. 

🍍 Like a Bullet in the Dark by @vurdoc

(E, 99k, Will and Kate au) Prince Harold Edward Styles Lancaster is second in line to the throne of Great Britain. He is also your average Uni student- or he tries to be, anyway.

🍍 Let Our Hearts Collide by @crinkle-eyed-boo

(M, 76k, While You Were Sleeping au) When Harry, a lonely transit worker, saves the life of the handsome commuter he's been secretly pining for, an innocent mistake results in Liam Payne's family believing that Harry is engaged to their son. In the Paynes, Harry finds the big family he's always longed for...and a love he never saw coming.

🍍 Them Butterflies by momentofclarity / @gaycousinlarry

(E, 68k, falling in love) This is the extraordinarily ordinary AU where Harry falls in love for the first time and Louis learns how to fall in love all over again.

🍍 Brasswood Boys by Tomlinsontoes / @pianolouis

(M, 59k, royal) the one where Harry doesn't realize his boyfriend is a prince until he takes a "royal soulmate" quiz online and has to decide if he wants to pack up his life and try to fit in with royals.

🍍 take my hand (my whole life too) by beckywritesthings / @beckydoesthings

(E, 43k, royal) a Crazy Rich Asians AU with a royal twist where Harry is a prince, Louis is most definitely not, and there’s a royal wedding to attend.

🍍 The Happiest Season by @sadaveniren

(E, 37k, movie au) “You’re going to spend Christmas - and your birthday - with his homophobic WASP parents? That’s gonna be hell.”

🍍 If I Stay by Rearviewdreamer / @all-these-larrythings

(M, 37k, A Walk in the Clouds au) Harry and Louis agree to a temporary arrangement that Harry can't seem to walk away from no matter how many times he tries.

🍍 I Keep Looking For Magic by @lululawrence

(NR, 36k, Christmas) Harry cannot go home alone when he had promised to bring a significant other again. This leaves him with little choice but to find someone to pretend they are his fiance.

🍍 Find You Home by @kingsofeverything

(E, 35k, fake relationship) When Louis lies to his family and says he’ll bring his new boyfriend home for Christmas, his best friend and roommate Harry agrees to play the part. It’s that, or be left alone over the holidays.

🍍 I Just Want You to Stay by @sadaveniren

(E, 34k, omegaverse) Louis and Harry have been roommates for four years, comfortable in their routine and their relationship. But all of that is about to change.

🍍 From the Start by @allwaswell16

(E, 32k, fake relationship) Louis has no idea that one act of kindness will cause his life to spiral out of control. But that's what happens when his new friend fake proposes to him and a video of it goes viral.

🍍 my kingdom for a kiss (tonight you're on my mind) by @leighbot

(E, 30k, royal) the one where Zayn and Louis make a friendly wager and it goes too far, Harry's a baker with a heart of gold and really great hair, Liam is an overworked PA who just wants to enjoy his holiday and Niall is completely at ease, as always. An accidentally married AU mixed with a splash of modern royalty.

🍍 Turn and face the strange by orphan_account

(E, 26k, royal) the one where Harry is going to be King, Louis can't handle it like he thinks, Zayn is finally happy, Liam's a massive geek and Niall's marrying a princess.

🍍 What Side Of Love Are You On? by @fallinglikethis

(T, 25k, movie au) Ever since Harry finally made the decision to come out to his mother as bisexual, she’s been foisting women on him left and right, determined it’s just a phase. But when she puts out a personal ad to find the perfect partner for her son, things really get complicated. 

🍍 bring out feelings in me i never show by orphan_account

(M, 24k, fake relationship) Louis accidentally hires a felon to be his fake boyfriend for Thanksgiving. Or, the fake boyfriends au no one asked for

- Rare Pairs -

🍍 It's simple and it goes like this by yourlionheartx / @djtommotomlinson

(G, 3k, Zayn/Liam) Liam and Zayn have been fake dating for almost a year to get their parents off their backs. Liam’s a closeted lesbian and Zayn’s a trans woman who is also not out to her parents. It seems like the perfect plan to give them both some peace, until feelings get involved.

🍍 Fine Line by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13

(G, 1k, Louis/Nick Grimshaw) Telling his family was always going to be a big deal, but doing it alone was a sacrifice he could make. He never thought they’d fall about laughing.

[m-jelly]

Mask of the heart - Chapter 1

Levi x fem!readerRoyalty, Alternate Universe - Royalty, Curses, Curse Breaking, Demons, Alternate Universe - Supernatural Elements, Alternate Universe - Magic, Romance, Drama & Romance, Falling In Love, Love, Love Confessions, True Love, Demon Levi Ackerman, Eventual Smut, Fluff, Running Away, Arranged Marriage, Obsessive Behavior, Soft Levi Ackerman, Levi Ackerman Needs a Hug, Protective Levi Ackerman, Possessive Levi Ackerman, Cuddly Levi Ackerman, Masks, Curvy Reader

When the psychotic prince of your country tries to force you to marry him you manage to run away to the next country over and right into the arms of a demon Count called Levi. Levi has been cursed to be forever stuck in his demon form, believing he is ugly and scary to others he always wears a mask. Levi looks after you and helps you learn how to trust others again. While Levi teaches you the world's joys, you teach him how loveable and handsome he is. With encouragement from yourself and a lot of your pure love, Levi starts taking his mask off more and allowing his people to get to know him. With romance blossoming between you, the prince of the other kingdom wants you back and tries everything to get you back. Levi helps you and works with King Erwin to stop the prince of the other land and free the people of his tyranny.

This first chapter mentions blood, the prince hurting workers and possessive behaviour.

Ao3

Part 2

Pleasure flowed through the prince as he pressed the hot symbol against his servant’s chest. Every scream that was emitted from the man was incredible. The prince took joy in hurting others, it was his favourite pastime. When he wasn’t hurting someone, he was busy partaking in the flesh of many women. Never loyal to one woman, there was always another each night. Sometimes he’d have them for just a week.

However, a part of him longed to have someone he could devote his heart to. No matter how many times he met countless women, not a single one of them stirred his heart or moved him. As he placed the hot brand against the man’s flesh again, he decided that a ball was needed. The prince was determined to meet the woman of his dreams.  

He lifted the hot iron and inspected the skin clinging to it. “Mr Clarke? Organise a ball for me and make sure that every single bachelorette of age is invited. I want a wife.”

Mr Clarke gazed at the prince as the words settled in his head, it was shocking to hear his master tell him to gather women so one can find a bride. Prince Jareth Lovell was a cruel man to all those around him, yet charming and alluring to those he needed to be. It was hard not to be captivated by the prince with his chiselled jawline, angled cheekbones, almond eyes were icy blue, lips plump that always held a wicked smile, a tall frame to tower over others, muscles over every inch of him, small waist, large hands and a mane of long silver-white hair with a few pieces at the front to create layers.

He bowed to the prince. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Jareth lowered the iron and gazed at his helper. “I want it soon. I crave a wife. No more temporary lovers. Make sure the ones I have are cleared out.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

The whole palace was in a frenzy about organising the ball, as soon as everything was in order the invites were sent and news broke out. The charming prince was after a wife. Most women were excited to be the one the prince married, especially those who had taken him as a lover some nights. However, one rare woman despised the prince and the country after everything that had happened.

Your parents had owned a lot of land, and your father was a well-loved Lord by many and cared for those in need. The royal family were not keen on your father and his influence on people. Your father and mother wanted to take their money and run away to the next country over. During a trip to the border to organise their escape with you, their sweet eight-year-old daughter, there was a carriage accident. With every fibre in your body, you believed the royal family did it.

After your parents died, your uncle and aunt took you in. The two of them were obsessed with money and fame, so they tried everything to take what was your father’s but thanks to the will your father made, it was all yours. When you came of age, you moved out and returned to the land your family owned and lived in a small home. However, your aunt and uncle were always around and wouldn’t leave you be.

Today you were even more irritated by them because your cousin, who was younger than you, was screaming about an invite from the palace. “Ruby, please stop screaming.”

She shoved the white invite card in your face. “The prince has invited us to a ball!”

“Am I supposed to be excited?”

“Yes!” She huffed. “It’s a chance to be a princess and then a queen!”

The idea of being a royal did not interest you, so you looked back down at your work. “I’m good.”

“I’m telling mum!”

You rolled your eyes. “You do that.” It didn’t take long for your young cousin to rush out of the room and return with your aunt and uncle. “Before you speak, no I am not going.”

Your uncle huffed as he said your name. “She is only 20, she is of age to marry the prince. You don’t need to go as a potential bride, but you could at least escort her! She’s younger than you and she’s not used to those types of places. At least escort her.”

You glanced over at your cousin. “You do know the prince is a monster. His whole family are terrible.”

Ruby pouted. “I just wanna go to a ball.”

Part of you felt bad because she’d never been to a ball or a grand event but you had. So, you decided to push your issues aside. “Very well, I’ll escort her.”

“I ah…” She hesitated.”

You cast your gaze on her. “Yes?”

Nerves began to show on through her playing with her dress. “I do not have a ball gown.”

Your aunt moved closer. “Help her, please? We aren’t rich enough to get her something so fine and beautiful.”

You rose to your feet. “I know of a local lady in my land who will give us a good deal.” The clacking of your heels on the wooden floor echoed in the room. When you noticed no one was falling you paused. “Are you coming?”

It was a nice day with Ruby in the shop, to see her so happy dressing up warmed your heart a little. For a long time you’d been hurting and rather closed off, it had become so bad that your ex left you and said you were a cold-hearted bitch that didn’t understand love. It was true, that you were rather cold-hearted but you did know love and it wasn’t for him. A part of you craved and longed for love, but you believed it was somewhere out there, not within this country. You were going to finish what your parents started, you were going to take your money and power then leave this place and never return.

Sometimes you would feel bad about leaving, mainly because Ruby was sweet and the people you looked after in the small land you owned were incredible. There was this sweet bond that was between everyone in the town and you, so walking away was going to be hard. The land was near the border on the beach, so a part of your plan was to possibly sell the land to a royal or lord in the country bordering this one. Someone had to be better than your royal family.

After helping Ruby with her dresses, you spent a few days teaching her how to dance and greet royals. You ensured she knew that her head must be slightly bowed and eyes downcast when she spoke and only to lift your head when requested. The greeting bow was also important, the deeper the bow the more respect you had for the royal. Ruby had told you she was going to go for a very respectful bow, which you supported.

When the day of the ball arrived, you felt sick to your stomach about going but you had promised Ruby to take her. Ruby was too young to go alone and was not educated enough to speak to royals and powerful people. It was sweet seeing her bounce in her carriage seat, but for you, your anxiety was eating away at you the closer you got. Wearing a corset and a tight ball gown was a little bit soothing for you, it was like a tight hug.

As you walked up the stairs and held your dress you gave Ruby the last bits of information. “Now, when we go in there they will announce us. You will have a Miss as a title and I Lady. This is a little odd because the prince will already be there. Normally at balls, the prince or royal enters last, but he wants to see every woman enter.” You stopped at the top. “This is like a parade of things he can shop for.”

Ruby nodded. “I understand. Are we first or last? It’s always good to be around there.”

You handed over the invites to the butler. “We’re middle.”

The butler checked the cards. “Correct, you are in the middle. Do not worry miss, the prince cares for all ladies.”

“A word?”

“But of course.”

You moved to the side with the butler. “Ruby is a potential bride, but I am not. I am here as her escort.”

He was in utter shock. “My Lady, you were invited as a potential bride.”

“And I decline that invite. I am just an escort, nothing more. Please announce me as the escort.”

A slight fear shot through him, he was sure the prince would not like this. “A-Ah um…very well, my Lady.”

The grand white doors with gold leaf trim were pushed open to reveal a large hall with a white marble floor sprinkled with gold. In the ceiling were paintings of battles, women taking lovers and grand scenes of royal successes. Two chandeliers sparkled in the light like the sunlight bouncing off the sea. Below was an overhearing throne with the prince sitting upon it, quivering behind him was Mr Clarke and a few women on the floor begging for attention.

As the soft music played, the prince brought his gold chalice to his lips and felt unamused by the women so far. Not a single person had interested him and he was beginning to get antsy. When the doors opened he dragged his bored eyes up and felt his ears prick with interest when he heard Ruby being announced with a female escort. As soon as he heard your name, he held back a laugh and couldn’t believe you had come here.

Jareth smirked. “Is that the girl whose parents died due to my father?”

Mr Clarke leaned closer. “Indeed, Your Highness.”

“It’ll be interesting to see that little welp. I find it amusing that she is an escort and not a potential bride. She must have rejected me.” He downed some of his red wine. “Rightly so, that disgusting…” Words failed him as soon as you walked out with Ruby in your figure-hugging dress and hair up and away from your stunning face. “Such beauty.”

“She is a fine one. Let’s see how she bows.”

Jareth saw Ruby give a deep bow, but you gave a small one which was disrespecting the prince. Rudy was blushing, but you could not care less about this occasion and didn’t even bother to sneak a glance at him, like most of the ladies tonight.

Clarke gasped. “How disrespectful, I am so sorry Your Highness.”

Jareth rose to his feet. “Don’t be. I liked it. What a hypnotic creature.” He moved past the pleading women as Clarke scrambled to follow. “I must have her. She will be my bride.”

“Your Highness?”

Jareth turned to his helper with a glint in his eyes. “Being a lady means she is well educated. She is beautiful like a goddess. She is willing to speak and act her mind even though there could have been a risk to her life. She was bold too by rejecting me of all people. Send an invite to her. I wish to see her in private.”

Clarke bowed. “Yes, Your Highness.” With quick movements, Clarke made it across the room to you. Getting closer to you now, he was beginning to understand why the prince was so taken by you, you were a vision. “My Lady?”

You turned with a glass in your hand and a smile on your face due to speaking with a rather charming Lord, a friend of your father’s. “Yes?”

“The prince would like to see you privately.”

Your nail tapped against your champagne glass. “Does he now?” You flicked your gaze to the prince as he watched. “Tell him I decline. I am an escort tonight and I am conducting business. I am not interested in marriage or a roll in the sheets with him.”

Fear shot through Clarke. “M-My Lady! Please.”

“I understand your situation, but I decline. He can find a play toy elsewhere.” You returned your attention to the man you were speaking to. “As I was saying, I am happy to meet up to create a contract of trading between the two of us.”

The gentleman chuckled. “Excellent. You remind me so much of your father, he was a good man. He would be so proud of you.”

“Thank you, that means a lot to me.”

Mr Clarke cried out your title and name causing people to stare and the prince. As soon as you turned to him he spoke. “His Royal Highness would like a meeting with you.”

“As I explained to you the first time.” A strained smile spread over your lips. “I decline his invitation. I am an escort tonight, that is all. If it upsets him so much that I say no, then he can come here himself and I will tell him no to his face.”

Mr Clarke felt irritated when he saw people were trying to hide that they were laughing. “Fine.” A part of him was excited at telling the prince you said no because then you would get tortured, Clarke rather liked it when that happened. “Your Highness.”

A tingle rushed through Jareth. “Well? When is she meeting me?”

“She declined.”

Amusement and excitement now consumed him, this was even more exciting. “Declined?”

Clarke glanced over at you. “She did.” Seeing you be strung up and tortured by the prince was exciting him. “She said you can talk to her and she will reject you to your face.” He gazed at his prince and waited for a reaction of disgust, but was shocked.

Jareth laughed. “What a woman. I will speak with her.” People parted out of the way as Jareth’s long and muscular legs moved him over to you. He towered over you with his height. “Excuse me.” He softly said your name and felt arousal when you turned to face him. To him, you were incredibly beautiful and your plump breasts were wonderfully pressed in your dress and corset. “I was told you wanted to tell me your response to my invitation.”

Your neck hurt a bit looking up at him. “Goodness, you are too tall.” You huffed a little. “I informed your little messenger that I will not meet with you in private. I am escorting my cousin Ruby, that is all. If you want so woman to roll around in the sheets with for a night or few nights, I am not the woman for you. So, no I will not have a meeting with you.”

“I am not looking for a woman to lay with. I am looking for a bride.”

You bowed your head to your friend and started walking away. “You are not husband material.” You stopped in a hall half open to the garden. “Knowing you, you would have countless affairs. You cannot stick to one woman.”

He grabbed your upper arm and yanked you to him, he made sure you looked him deep in the eyes. “You are different. I will give everything to have you. I will destroy anyone in my path. You are everything I could ever want and more.”

“I do not want you.”

He gripped tighter making you wince. “Perhaps I will have a word with your uncle. You may be a lady and have power, along with being well over the age of 18, but he still has the final say. The law states that the male of the family has the final say on marriage.”

A cold fear went through you. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“I enjoy a challenge and you are the biggest challenge. I desire you deeply and I will make you mine.” He pulled you close and forced a kiss on you. “I will visit your uncle soon.”

It hurt deeply in your heart that your Uncle and Aunt went against your pleas. No matter how much you told them both you did not want to marry the prince, it fell on deaf ears. Arrangements were being made for you and as soon as your Uncle said yes, you were whisked away to the palace. Being in the palace was so deeply lonely and soul-crushing. The prince was deeply obsessed with you in a very disturbing way. Anyone who said anything against you was tortured personally by his hand.

There was only one good thing about the palace and that was one maid and a carriage driver. The two of them cared for and looked after you, they even made sure you stayed mentally healthy. Sometimes when you were alone with them, you would just talk for hours which gave you a boost to keep going. When they saw you weren’t going to get any better, talks of escaping started and a plot of you running away began.

It was hard to plot your escape, mainly because the prince had spies all over the palace who were very loyal to him. Plus, the prince made sure he was with you as often as possible and took you on countless dates. The prince wanted you to fall in love with him, he knew it was a hard job to do so wearing you down first was the best option and hoping the Stockholm syndrome would kick in.

Today you were hoping for an easy day. You’d been sleeping more and hardly eating, so you were weaker than normal. You were a plump person, but the weight was starting to drop off. It scared you that it was happening because you liked your curves, you were proud of them and Jareth was just draining you of so much happiness and health.

Your maid moved closer to you as you sat up in your grand bed. “Good morning, my lady. Did you sleep any better?”

You shook your head slowly. “More nightmares. I don’t know if I can keep doing this. Marrying him…” Bile rose in your throat. “I feel sick.”

She helped you out of bed and to the bathroom. “I will get you some water, my lady.”

Jareth shoved your bedroom doors open. “Doll! Where are you?”

The maid flinched at seeing the prince. “Your Highness.” She bowed deeply. “My lady is in the bathroom.”

A devilish smirk spread over his plump lips. “Bathing?”

“N-no, she is unwell.”

The smile faded away. “Unwell?”

“She had a restless night and is currently being sick.”

“What?”

You walked out of the bathroom and hummed. “I am fine before you start a tirade.”

Jareth was soothed as soon as he saw you. “Doll, you look so cute in your night dress. Your maid has told me you struggled with sleep, perhaps sharing my bed would help.”

You glared at him. “I would rather sleep on a bed of broken glass.”

“I do adore your sharp tongue.” He clicked his fingers. “Maid, dress my bride up in something beautiful; it’s date day.”

You walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. “Are you not tired of this constant charade?”

“It’s entertainment for me.”

You released a grow. “Leave so I may change.”

A dark and deep chuckle came from him. “Leave me waiting until the wedding day, hm?” He glanced at his maid. “Hurry up and dress her, I don’t like waiting and if I am not pleased…”

You stormed over to Jareth and shoved him out of the room. “I asked you to leave. Please don’t pressure my maid either.”

He stopped outside your room as he chuckled. “You continue to surprise me.” He turned to face you. “Such a beautiful thing.”

You slammed the door in his face. “Let’s get this over with.”

It didn’t take long for the maid to dress you up into an incredible dress that fit you perfectly, you were like a walking goddess. Jareth was speechless and over the moon about how you appeared. After joining him, you were escorted all over the palace so he could show you off. Eventually, he took you to the garden for some lunch together.

Jareth paused while eating and noticed you weren’t. “Why are you not eating?”

You sighed. “I’m not hungry.”

“You haven’t eaten all day!” He stood and dragged his chair closer to you before sitting again. “You need to eat.” He put some food on a fork made of gold. “You like fighting me all the time. You can’t fight me if you’re weak.” He offered the food to you. “Besides, your plump and curvy frame is divine.”

You released a long sigh and knew he was right. You had started to like how you looked and you needed your strength. “I will eat but, please don’t feed me.”

He handed the fork to you. “I will get you to love me.”

You started eating your lunch and rather enjoyed it. “Mm.”

He caressed your cheek. “So cute and precious.”

“Do you really think I’ll love you? You’ve used your power and the law to force me to be your fiancée.” You downed some of your drink. “Love will not happen between us.” You flicked your gaze to him. “Are you even capable of love?”

He leaned his cheek on his hand as he took you in. “I love you, so yes.”

“You torture workers for your amusement and I am sure your father was behind the death of my parents.” You leaned closer to him. “You love it when people get hurt or die by your hand. Plus, you have slept with so many women who knows what diseases you have inside you. I would never want to touch you or let you near me. I will never give you a child because I don’t want your infected body to touch mine.”

The rage inside Jareth built up, he had never been called disgusting and infected before. As soon as you finished talking he flew into a fit of rage. When he stood up the chair scraped loudly against the floor. It all happened in a blink of an eye. One minute the butler was standing waiting for instructions, the next moment Jareth had smashed the hot teapot against him. Blood flew through the air when Jareth’s fist connected with the butler’s face over and over.

You launched yourself at Jareth and hugged his arm. “Stop!” You pulled hard. “Stop it!”

A fearful scream escaped you when Jareth grabbed and threw you across the grassy floor. The thud of your body was loud when it connected with it. Jareth didn’t give you a moment to think because he was on you pinning you against the ground. His large bloodied hand gripped your jaw and mouth in a painfully hard squeeze. You breathed heavily through your nose causing his hand to heat up.

Jareth panted a little as his silvery white hair created a curtain around you both. “I am not disgusting or dirty.”

Part of you hoped someone would come to pull him off you, but no one would dare because he would break them. Plus, it seemed a lot of people who worked for him enjoyed it when he was violent. You were doomed if you stayed with this man. As he pinned you in place you knew that you had to run away because no one was ever going to save you.

He leaned down a little more so he was inches from your face. “I might have enjoyed fucking a lot of women or having them suck my cock, but I ensure that everyone was well protected. I don’t want a dirty child being made from them. You have me all wrong, little doll. I never came inside a single woman. I protect my seed.” He released your face and caressed your cheek. “I am saving myself for you.” He dragged his thumb over your bottom lip. “I was to fill your breedable cunt with all my seed. Our children will be perfect.”

You went numb when he leaned down and kissed you. You didn’t kiss him back, so for him, it was like kissing a doll. Even when his teeth pulled at your lip, you didn’t react. As soon as he gripped your breast, then you got angry. You slapped him hard causing him to pull back. You sat up and wiped the blood off your lip and felt annoyed by him.

Jareth sat back and rubbed his cheek. “Doll.”

You stood up and gently rubbed your jaw. “You will never have me.” You glared at him. “I won’t allow it. You don’t deserve a woman like me.” You released a long sigh. “I am done with this date. I don’t want to see you for the rest of this day.” You walked over to the hurt butler. You took his hand and helped him to his feet. “I’m sorry you got hurt because of my words. Let me care for you.”

The butler shook his head. “I’m okay, my lady. We have a medic.”

You pulled back and smiled. “Let me know if you need anything.”

Jareth stumbled to his feet. “Doll, please don’t leave me. I am sorry for my actions.”

You turned to your maid. “Please could you take me to my room?”

She bowed. “Yes, my lady.”

After returning to your room, the maid helped you change. The room was silent for a while before the maid started talking about helping you escape the palace. It was unexpected to hear her want to do that for you, but you weren’t going to turn her down. So, you started plotting your escape. You worked hard and passionately, but something seemed off with your maid and she seemed to be putting a bit of her ideas in the open.

The way your maid was sometimes with you was a little harsh after how romantic Jareth had tried to be recently. Even though not everything seemed right, you still had some sense of hope and you made a little backup plan with the carriage driver just in case. Your carriage driver was a wonderful older man who seemed the most genuine.

One day your plans came crashing down and breaking your heart. You were enjoying some peace in his grand garden, which seemed to be the only nice place in the palace. Your peace was ruined when Jareth came storming over with two guards and Mr Clarke. Whatever he wanted brought him some sick joy because he had a smirk on him that said he was going to hurt someone.

“You think you’re so slick, don’t you?” Jareth chuckled. “You thought you could get away with this.”

You closed your book and looked up at him, but it seemed he wasn’t looking at you but your maid. “Jareth?”

He glanced over at you and kissed you. “Not you, my doll. You’re a good doll. Someone has taken advantage of you to get my attention.”

“I don’t understand.”

He played with your hair. “Your maid.” He smiled as he took in your beauty. “I still can’t get over how beautiful you are.”

You looked over at your maid as the guards grabbed her. “What are you doing with my maid?”

She smiled at you. “Looks like I’ve been found out.”

“Found out?” Fear shot through you, it had to be your escape plan. “What do you mean?”

Jareth sat next to you on the loveseat and released a long sigh. He pulled you close and held you. “Well, have you ever wondered why you’ve been so unwell?”

You gripped your book. “I thought it was due to stress.”

“Well, this little bitch has been poisoning you. While she’s been doing that, she has been leading you on and pretending to help you go on a trip.”

You felt a pain in your heart. “Oh…why?”

Jareth hummed a laugh. “Why indeed. Why don’t you tell us why, little bitch?”

The maid huffed. “You have had countless women, but you never once wanted me!” She shook a little. “I could give you everything you could ever want.”

Jareth held the side of your head and pulled you close so he could kiss your temple. “You are nothing because you are not my doll.” He held you close. “Clarke, you know what to do with this bitch.”

Mr Clarke smiled. “Yes, Your Highness.”

He waited for everyone to leave before speaking to you. “I am ever so sorry for the treatment you have received, but now you are protected and safe. We’ll get your health back on track.”

Tears stung your eyes. “Mm.”

He hugged you tightly. “Now it’s just me and you, no more maid in our way.”

A few maids hurried around you as you were pushed and pulled into your wedding dress. The number of layers and the tightness of the corset were too much. Since your maid was taken away, Jareth was with you every second he could meaning it was impossible to plot your escape. It seemed like there was no escape for you and you were stuck. All you could think about was having to sleep with Jareth because of the royal rules that the marriage had to be consummated.

“My lady?”

You lifted your head and registered your carriage driver standing at the door of your carriage. “Today is the day that I die. As soon as I marry him, everything inside me will die.”

He watched you sob into your flowers. He reached inside your carriage and placed his hand on your arm. “I won’t let that happen.”

You sniffed. “What do you mean?”

He clenched his jaw. “It has been an honour.”

You flinched when he slammed the door and climbed into his seat. “What is happening?” You yelped when he cracked the reins and the carriage sped off. Your back slammed into your seat as the carriage raced off. “Harold!” You clambered over to the other seat and opened the little window to the driver seat. “Harold?”

The loud thumping of the horse's hooves and their breathing was so loud, but he managed to shout over them. “I’m setting you free. I’m getting you to the border!”

“Harold, he’ll kill you.”

He sighed. “I know, but I cannot let you do this. Run across the border, do not look back. Get yourself safe and find love.”

You let the tears fall. “Thank you, Harold.” You pulled back and started pulling at your dress so it’d be easier for you to run. You yanked your engagement ring off and tied it to the flowers. After shoving the door window open, you tossed the flowers out. “Freedom.”

As the carriage shook and travelled along the road to the border, you sat back and closed your eyes so you could enjoy some peace. A shout made your whole body jump. It seemed like Harold was shouting about something. You leaned out the window and looked behind you to see it was the royal guards in the distance racing towards you as well as Jareth.

Harold cracked the reins. “Don’t worry, my lady! I’ll get you close to the border! We’re almost there!”

You breathed out to see it was cold out. The mountain path was the only way you could escape. “Harold, thank you!”

“I’ll race into the woods. You need to jump out and start running, okay? I’ll draw them away.”

You nodded. “Okay.” You braced yourself against the door. “I’m ready!”

He turned the carriage into the thick snow-covered woods. He glanced back to see you were out of view. “Now!”

You threw the door open and leapt out and into the snow. You cried out when your body slammed against the floor on a bank then you started rolling. You yelped as your body rolled over hidden rocks. You kept rolling until you banged into a tree causing the air to be knocked out of you. “Ow.”

As you lay there in the snow you heard the carriage race away. Horses hooves and shouting got closer, meaning Jareth was getting close to the carriage. You winced as you leaned up and listened closely to what he was ordering, it seemed like he didn’t know you had jumped. Knowing you’d be safe for a bit, you pushed yourself up onto your shaky-cut legs and started sprinting as fast as your broken body could take you.

Time seemed to mean nothing to you as you stumbled through the forest. It was hard to see where you were going now, but you were sure hours had passed. You had prepared for your sham wedding in the morning and now it was the middle of the night. The bright moon lit up your path as you stumbled around. The once glamorous wedding dress you wore was not ripped, wet, dirty and had your blood on it.

Exhaustion bit away at your body, you needed to stop and rest but another part of you was telling you to fight. You slowed down and spotted a light from a lantern moving closer to you. A boost of energy rushed through you. You ran towards the light and saw a man dressed in black with a long cloak with a thick fur collar. When he moved into the moonlight you felt breathless.

The man was muscular and of average height. The clothes he wore indicated that he was rich, but likely not a royal. His hand gripping the top of the lantern was not fully human, it was black with claw-like fingers that seemed so soft and warm. The cold winter air blew his raven undercut hair a little to show off his stunning face that was dotted with black markings and some scales. Two reddish horns curled from his head and framed his handsome features. There were dark marks under his eyes to show he lacked sleep. A tail flicked behind him as he looked around. The most beautiful part was his steel blue eyes, you wanted to look deep into them for the rest of your life.

Levi had gone out for a night walk because he had heard there was a runaway bride who had escaped the prince in the neighbouring country. He had heard that the love of his life would run right into his arms and break his curse. This runaway bride might be his destined love that the one who cursed him was pissed off about. Levi had been cursed by someone who loved him but he didn’t love them, they tried to see Levi’s love future and saw a woman dressed as a bride running into Levi’s arms. So, they cursed Levi to be unable to change out of his demon form.

Tonight Levi had not worn his mask because he knew he wouldn’t meet anyone, so no one would be scared of how he looked. Levi was ashamed of how he looked, he believed he was frightening and ugly. He moved his lantern a little and squinted to see there was a figure running towards him. Something hopeful gripped Levi’s heart, it was just like he was told. His beloved bride and the love of his life seemed to be running right to him.

A gasp escaped him when the light caught you, you were his bride. Levi felt a hot rush go through him, you were the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen even though your wedding dress was ripped. He dropped his lantern when you jumped into his arms. He held you close to him as butterflies fluttered in his stomach. He glanced down at you to see a sparkle in your eyes.

You reached up and caressed his cheek. “You’re so handsome.”

Levi felt a rush of emotions, one was panic that you saw his real face but pure happiness and love fought with the fear because you saw the real him and liked it. “Th-Thank you.” He studied you. “My bride, you’re hurt.”

You rested your head against him. “Worth it all because I ran into your arms.”

He blushed hard. “Mm, yes.” He gazed at your pretty face. “You’re cold.” He yanked his massive cloak off and put it around you. “Here.”

You hugged it around you. “Smells wonderful.” You looked up at him. “You smell nice.” You cupped his face. “My saviour.” You leaned up and kissed Levi.

Levi wrapped his arms around you and kissed you back, but then you went limp. “My bride?” He pulled back to see you’d passed out. “Poor thing.” He grabbed the lantern and scooped you up. “Let’s get you home.”

The walk was short to his black horse, but he knew the ride would be a little long. It was spring in his land which meant the mountains were covered in snow, but when he took you down from the mountains to his home, it’d be a lot warmer for you. He made sure you were held against him as he rode back down the mountain path.

As the excitement of finding you died down a little, he realised how awful this was for you as well as how bad you looked. There were cuts and bruises all over your body, along with your toes and fingers looking blue. He was going to get you back and help you soak in a hot bath. Levi was very aware of the terror that was the prince in the other country because he was working closely with King Erwin to help people cross the border and escape him.

The land Levi lived in was welcoming and loving. It was a mixture of humans and other magical beings. Levi, like King Erwin, was part of the demon clan but preferred to appear human in form. There were a lot of policies to keep things fair and people to be treated equally. The balance between the poor and rich wasn’t massive, people were happy and comfortable. The biggest focus right now was making sure people fleeing Jareth’s country were cared for, kept safe and moved somewhere they wanted to go.

Levi dragged you off his horse once he arrived at his stables. Using the darkness, he rushed you inside his grand home and upstairs to his room. He lay you on his bed wrapped up in his cape and hurried over to his mask. He pulled on the mask that only showed his eyes and felt comfortable now he had hidden away.

Once Levi felt comfortable, he rushed out of the room and found a maid. “Ah, Anne. I need your help.”

Anne gazed at her kind, shy and sweet master. “Of course, I’m more than happy to help you.”

He fiddled with his hands. “Th-thank you.” He turned and hurried down the hall. “This way.” He opened his room door. “I ah…I found my bride running through the snow up in the mountains.”

Anne walked over to you as you slept, she could see the damage on you was horrific. “Poor thing, she needs a good bath, lots of food and new clothes. “She is very beautiful though.” She smiled at Levi. “Did she run into your arms like you were told she would?”

“Y-yes.” He smiled as his tail flicked. “She’s perfect. I-I want to help her.”

“Could you carry her to the bathroom for me?”

Levi nodded. “Y-Yes.”

She followed her master. “Is she the runaway bride? I heard that the tyrant prince lost his bride yesterday.”

Levi carefully lay you on the lounging sofa in the bathroom. “I think so. She must have been really scared to run all this way and get this hurt.”

Anne knelt by you and started undressing you. “Could you check your pool bath? It should be warm. I think something nice should be added to it.”

Levi checked the different bottles. “Ah, lavender.”

“Perfect.” She held you close and light woke you. “My lady, I know you are tired but we need to bathe you.”

You inhaled deeply and hummed. “Okay. Thank you.”

“Anne. It’s lovely to meet you.” She looked up. “Your Lordship, I need to get this lady naked.”

Levi flinched. “S-Sorry. I will get some clothes.”

You hummed a laugh. “Cute.”

Anne giggled. “The Count is as sweet as anything.” She helped you out of the last of your clothes and then over to the bath. “I’ll help you bathe.”

You sat there for a while as your body warmed up. “Is the count married?”

“No, he is single. Why?”

You released a long sigh. “I think in my ill state I kissed him.”

Anne smiled. “That explains why he’s so happy.” She washed your hair. “He’s a good man, very shy and gentle. He helps out those in need. All of us who work here for him have escaped your country.” Anne lifted her dress and showed you that one of her legs was a prosthetic. “The prince is a monster.”

You reached over and touched her leg. “I’m so sorry.”

“I’m happy here and I have a handsome boyfriend.” She giggled. “So, it’s okay. Now it’s your turn to be happy and okay.” She helped you out of the bath and dried you off. “His Lordship will take care of you. You won’t be hurt anymore.”

You welled up. “I’m so glad.”

Anne hugged you. “You’re safe here.” She smiled and then ushered you out into Levi’s room to see he was fiddling with some clothes. “My Lordship.”

Levi flinched. “A-Ah! I uh…I bought clothes. A-are they okay?”

You walked over and looked them over. “They’re beautiful.” You smiled up at Levi. “Thank you.” You leaned closer and kissed his mask right where his lips would be. “You saved my life. I owe you everything.”

Levi gulped hard. “Y-You’re welcome. A-Ah, you should r-rest. Y-you can use my room.”

You held his clawed hand making him flinch at the contact. “You’ll be sharing it with me, right? I’m afraid to be alone.” You looked down and welled up as your body shook. “What if he comes back?”

Levi wrapped an arm around you and pulled you against him. “I’ll stay. The bed is massive.” He released you and turned his back. “Anne? Could you help her?”

Anne took the towel off you and dressed you in a lovely night dress. “Here you go, my lady. So pretty.” She stepped back. “She’s all ready for bed, your lordship.” She bowed and moved to the door. “I will take my leave.”

Levi turned to face you as soon as Anne left and was glad he had a mask on because he would be bright pink with a blush. To him, you looked incredibly beautiful with your hair down, the soft white nightdress on and it being lowcut. “P-pretty.” He went to reach for you before pulling back. “S-sorry, I shouldn’t touch.”

You smiled. “You’re nothing like him. That makes me so happy and safe.” You let out a big yawn and looked so adorable to Levi. “Mm, tired.”

“Bunny.”

You looked up at him. “Bunny?”

He whined. “Sorry, you remind me of a cute bunny.”

“Really?”

He walked over to the bed and pulled back the covers for you. “Bunny’s are amazing. They’re strong, durable and determined little things. They might be cute, but they have a mean kick.”

You climbed into the bed. “You don’t see me as a fragile thing?”

“N-no.” He tucked you in. “I will change.”

You lay back and felt so exhausted that you didn’t fully contemplate your situation, that some demon man had scooped you up, brought you to his massive home, washed you up and now had you in his bed. Your thoughts and slight worries washed away when Levi walked back over in a very loose and lowcut white shirt and high-waisted comfy trousers. The muscle you could see was plump and kissable with a few black markings and scales on.

Levi stopped on his side of the bed and whined. “S-sorry, my body is ugly.”

You sat up. “It’s the opposite! You’re the most handsome and beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”

Levi sat on the bed and felt confused. “Jareth is supposed to be that.”

You shook your head. “No, you are.” You reached over to his mask and lightly touched it. “I wish I could see your wonderful face again.”

“Mm, you won’t like it or me after you’re well rested.” He helped you to lie back. “Sleep.”

You softly said your name and title. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

Levi smiled behind his mask. “Count Levi Ackerman. I am the right-hand man to the King.”

You tried to fight sleep, but it was hard. “Mm, pleasure.”

Levi watched you drift off. “Pleasure is all mine.”

[lovestruckelf]

We Saved Each Other: Chapter 2 (Legolas x Reader Short Story)

Read on Ao3 "We Saved Each Other -Chapter 2"

CHAPTER 1: AO3 or Tumblr

CHAPTER 3 PREVIEW

Summary: Legolas and Reader have been sharing her chambers while she recovers from her trauma. The prince ensures she is well looked after as he personally sees to her full recovery. It was during this time when they both realise that their love has become something deeper and they decide to show each other the depths of this love with physical touches.

FLUFF, FLUFF AND MORE FLUFF.

Seriously, it doesn't get much fluffier than this. And it will continue in the third and final chapter. Get ready, it's going to be fluff dialled up to 1000.

Enjoy!

Note: Yes this was intended to be a one shot, that was turned into 2 chapters which is now 3... Im sorry! This story just kept growing and growing and I couldn't stop my hands from typing the words which poured from my mind. I hope the content of the story makes up for the length. I swear chapter 3 is the final one and the whole reason why this story exists in the first place xx

Pairing: Legolas x Reader (female elf)

Warnings: head trauma, angst, smut, virginity loss, fluff fluff and more fluff. Oh and a bit of fluff... on top of fluff.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Weeks had very quickly turned into two months and you were enjoying the company of your temporary roommate very much. Your beloved, the prince of Mirkwood had made it his personal mission to see you back to full health. Legolas ensured the level of his care was of the highest quality as he did not want you to ever feel alone or bored while you were spending most of your time within your chambers, allowing your body the time it needed to heal properly. The prince brought with him a variety of activities that he knew you enjoyed; painting being the most common one. He loved it when he could get a visual on what you saw in your mind which he thought was brilliant from the conversations you shared.

The past two months saw you reach your full strength once more and both you and Legolas had become closer than ever. You had only been a couple for the better part of three years, not long by elven standards, and were still learning all there was to know about each other. Physically, you and the prince had not moved past innocent kissing and embracing one another with the occasional playful touch here and there. It was expected that elves remained intimately untouched until they were joined by the Valar in marriage. When their souls would join to become one for all eternity. As Legolas had shared your chambers for the past eight weeks, he still slept within his own bed which he had requested be made in a different room as he knew of the important elven custom. He feared his strong resolve would break should he find himself resting next to you at any point so he took away temptation at the source.

It did not help when you would ask him to sit with you on your bed so you could either read together or just get lost in each others conversations. The two of you could talk and talk for hours and at times, the sun would rise before you both realised how long you had been engaged in the tales of the other. Yes, the connection between you and the prince had strengthened and while you both were loath to admit it, you had physically made a full recovery. Legolas' presence was no longer needed and this was not lost on the King who brought it to his son's attention. He made it clear that by the end of the current week, your beloved Legolas must return to his own chambers and your temporary living arrangements must come to an end. The prince had yet to relay this information to you out of fear of losing the connection with you which he had come to cherish. It was the evening and you both had returned from supper in the hall but something wasn't right. Legolas' energy which you had come to know as well as your own was off and it troubled you.

You opened the door to yours and Legolas' chambers and walked through it, falling onto the bed and wanting to curl up like a cat after eating a full meal. You were feeling the best you had since waking up from your coma and your relationship with the prince was flourishing. So why couldn't you shake this sick feeling in the pit of your stomach. Noticing that Legolas chose to sit on the sofa next to the fire, you sat up and began to speak, "My love? Come to me, tell me what troubles you." Legolas felt his own stomach drop but he answered your request by moving to sit next to you on the bed. Looking at your hands, he gathered them both within his own and just stared at them, not knowing how to begin speaking his mind. "Legolas, you're scaring me." you said as you tried looking into his eyes which he averted. Taking a deep, long breath, the prince looked up at you and tried to give you a small smile, but you did not believe it. Whispering now, you spoke once more, "Talk to me, my love. Please".

The nervous prince finally opened his mouth to speak, "My father, he has noticed your excellent recovery and has commanded I return back to my own chambers." Within your heart, you knew this day was coming but it didn't make it any easier. You had loved living with your soulmate, it was the most natural feeling in the world to you. How empty your chambers would be now with him gone. "When?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper as you tried to stay your emotions which threatened to come forth. The prince heard the slight tremble in your voice and squeezed your hands, "The end of the week" he answered. His response echoed through your head as you realised that that only left you two more days to spend together like this. Your heart was breaking but you understood. The King had given you and Legolas a gift by even allowing his son to share your quarters to see to your recovery, knowing that you were both romantically involved. He also knew the prince held himself to the highest elven customs and that Legolas would not seek to share a bed with you during his stay while he was not wed. He trusted his son implicitly.

You did not know what to say so you allowed your heart to take over. You placed your forehead against Legolas' and spoke from your soul, "I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me, my love. I have cherished every single moment we have shared and feel as though our love has developed into something much more profound than either of us intended. I will miss your constant company immensely". Legolas swallowed hard at your words as they were thoughts and feelings he too shared. He gently kissed your forehead before bringing your head down to rest on his chest as he wrapped his arms around your shoulder, holding you tight. "There is nothing to thank. As you saved me from an act of love, I would see you well and strong again with the love I have for you. And I do, y/n. The love I have for you is immeasurable and I feel it has only deepened over the last two months. I have..." he stopped speaking to take a breath and you heard his heart racing in his chest. You moved your head to look into his eyes as you sensed his hesitation but said nothing, hoping he'd continue. Legolas saw the question in your eyes and brought his hand up to delicately caress the side of your face. "I have fallen in love with you, y/n. Deeply and utterly in love. The thought of you not being the first person I see with each new day is tearing me up. You are apart of me in every single way... except one"

Legolas and yourself had told each other that you loved one another and shown that love through physical touches but this was something else entirely. The prince was baring his very soul to you and you felt as though your heart would explode. "Legolas... I..." you trailed off trying to unscramble the words that were flying through your mind. What the prince had just confessed to you had you feeling both full with unconditional love and empty at the thought of no longer seeing him in such close proximity as you had become accustomed to. Bringing his free hand up to rest on your other cheek, his eyes encouraged you to continue your thought. He needed to hear what he felt you were going to say. Needed it like he needed the sun to energise his very being, "My y/n, please continue. I need to hear it, whatever it is you were going to say. Whether it be uplifting or a harsh truth, I need it. Please." You swallowed hard, finding the courage to speak as openly and honestly as he had done, "Legolas... I have also fallen so deeply in love with you. The love I had for you before was a surface level love compared to what I feel now. My very soul is weeping at the knowledge that we will no longer spend each night within the same quarters together. That you wont be there to speak sweet nothings with until the sun rises and we both laugh until our stomachs ache."

As the words left your lips, Legolas felt his heart lurching within his chest almost as if it was trying to force him to take you within his embrace and hold you until you both become one. However, he stayed himself as he didn't feel he was strong enough to stop himself from going too far and potentially ruining what he shared with you. "My y/n. My beautiful, girl. What have you done to me?" Legolas whispered as he stared into your glistening eyes, seeing the stars within them. You smiled at him and gently responded, "I took you within my heart and cherished you as you did for me." Your carefully chosen words were the prince's undoing and he gasped before taking your lips and gently pressing his own onto them. The heat coming from both of you was intense, much more intense than anything either of you had felt previously. This was not a kiss that just two elves who fancied each other shared. This kiss was one of connection and intimacy. A kiss so powerful that the love you both had for one another poured from one set of lips and into the others, the world stopping around you.

Something had changed in the relationship and you both knew it. Legolas slowly pulled away to look into your eyes, seeing in them exactly what he was feeling and when he saw no sign of hesitation or uncertainty, he brought his lips back to yours for a more heated kiss. This kiss was pure passion and it made your body shudder in a way that lit up your centre. You felt Legolas' lips part slightly and were unsure if you should reciprocate the action having not shared anything more than a surface level kiss with him before now. You felt his lips gently take your bottom one and gently drew it in between them, running the tip of his tongue against it. You let out a small gasp but it was enough to stop Legolas' actions as he looked at you concerned he had made you uncomfortable. He pulled away slightly, panting along with you as you both tried to calm your rapidly beating hearts. Looking at you with concern, he spoke softly, "Is this... is this too much? I do not wish to make you uncomfortable." You shook your head and smiled slightly at him. The consideration he had for you just made you want to continue the moment even more. You felt completely safe with him and he knew it. Bringing the tip of your nose to the side of his and playfully nudging it, you tilted your head and placed your lips back onto his, hoping he would resume what he had started.

Not missing the obvious sign to continue his earlier advances, Legolas held your face within his hands a little tighter as he opened his mouth ever so slightly once more and began caressing your bottom lip with the tip of his tongue. After a few brief moments, you felt his tongue begin to press lightly between your top and bottom lips, asking for permission to enter your sweet tasting mouth. Understanding the unspoken request, you pushed aside your nerves that were filling up your entire being and slowly began to part your own lips. When Legolas felt your resistance falter, giving him permission to taste you more intimately than he had ever done before, he pushed his tongue sensually into your mouth and began caressing your own with his. Bringing one of his hands behind your head, he gently laced his fingers within the strands of your hair and pulled you in to deepen the kiss if that was even possible. The involuntary moan that escaped your throat vibrated into his very being and the sensation caused his eyes to roll back into his head. The taste of you combined with the vibrations of your moan, the prince was losing control and fast. He found the strength needed to pull away and quickly placed his forehead against yours as he panted rapidly, trying to control his breathing. Your own breaths matched his as you were also becoming lost in his unique taste and the feel of his hands on you.

"Did... did I do something wrong?" you breathed out. Legolas chuckled at your question and lightly shook his head, his eyes remaining closed as he held you face between his hands once more. "No, my love. You did nothing wrong. Quite the opposite, I assure you." Hearing his response, your opened your eyes as you heard his struggle come through his voice, "Then why did you stop?" Moving his head away, his eyes bored into yours and for the first time in your relationship you saw a distinct lack of colour within them as his pupils were dilated from the intensity of the moment you both just shared. It was almost animal-like and the image both scared and excited you, waking up something within you that hadn't yet made itself known in your lifetime. Legolas answered your question with complete honestly, "I stopped not for any other reason than knowing if I continued, then I would not be able to stay myself. I would become too lost within the moment and the urge to claim you fully would overtake all reason within my mind."

Hearing the prince admit to struggling to not completely claim you for his own this night exhilarated your senses and your breath hitched in your chest. The idea was one you had thought on often and you knew in your very soul that it was Legolas you desired to take your purity. The concept was exciting and terrifying but you knew more than anything that you wanted him to be your first. With your heart racing and showing no signs of settling, the words left your mouth before you even had a moment to contemplate them. "What if I wanted you to?" Legolas' eyes blew wide open at your question, not sure if he had heard you correctly. "What did you say?", the prince gasped as he dropped his hands from your face to rest on your hands. Taking a deep breath you repeated your earlier statement, "What if I wanted you to... claim me?" you asked again with a bit more clarity. Legolas was now certain he had heard you correctly the first time but he did not believe it. "You offer yourself to me completely? Your purity is a gift and you truly offer it to me?" He was shocked and in awe of what you were proposing and he would be a fool to deny that he had also thought of taking your body with his own many times. Watching you intently, he waited for your answer. Hardly being able to look him in the eye, you nodded your head and quietly said, "I do, I am offering you the entirety of me. Body and soul. Legolas, I want you to be my first and my last."

The prince felt his heart skip many beats as he took in the enormity of the moment. How long he had wanted to touch you in every way imaginable and show you the extent of his love that was more than just simple affectionate gestures. He had dreamed of how you would feel under him, around him, inviting him in and enveloping him completely. The thought alone made his member twitch within his breaches and he had to lightly bite the inside of his mouth to bring him out of his head and back into the present. You watched his response to your request carefully, hoping he would not reject you. "My y/n... what you are asking of me is nothing I have not longed for myself. Valar knows how much I want you in every conceivable way. There is just one little problem... we are not a married pair and it is looked down upon to perform the act of ultimate love before our hearts are joined in marriage." You let out a sigh, feeling a little defeated and disappointed but you also knew to some extent that being intimate with your beloved tonight would not be possible. Still, you had hoped. Sensing your disappointment, Legolas took your hands within his and kissed them repeatedly. He did not want you to think for a second that he did not desire you and his own resolve was faltering as unspoken thoughts were racing through his mind.

He stopped caressing your hands with his lips and looked up at you. Gazing deeply into his eyes, you saw a small flicker of a thought. "May I ask you a question, y/n?" you nodded your head and smiled at him. "Have you thought of us being... betrothed?" The question had both your heart skipping and stomach falling. Of course you had, you just didn't speak of it. With your voice trembling, you responded, "Y... yes, I have. It is an idea I have thought of fondly. Have you?" Legolas smiled at you, almost beaming and nodded his head, "I have. I cannot imagine my life with any other than you. I knew you were my one the moment my heart found you all those years ago. When I first looked upon you, it was like I was seeing light for the first time. The colours surrounding me seemed more vibrant, richer. My life had purpose." Your eyes widened with his words as all he was expressing were emotions you had also known. You watched him move to stand and felt the loss of his closeness within your soul. Watching him move across the room and disappear into his temporary sleeping quarters within your chambers, your mind was reeling, wondering what he was up to. You needn't wonder too long as he reappeared just a soon and stood before you, holding a small circular piece of exquisite jewellery within his fingers. Looking upon the ring, you thought you felt your heart stop along with your breathing as the room around you seemed to spin uncontrollably. You looked from the ring up to your beloved's face and saw warmth and love radiating from his features. "Legolas..."

He stopped you from finishing your thought by gently placing his index finger against your lips and then moving the palm of his hand under your chin, cupping your face. He whispered, "Wait, my love. I need to say something first." You stayed your words as you gave him your full attention, sensing that what he was about to say was of the upmost importance. Opening his mouth, Legolas closed his eyes briefly before looking back at your waiting face and began, "I acquired this when you were sleeping" he took a deep shuddering breath as the memory of you in your coma came to the forefront of his mind. "When I thought I was losing you... when I was made to believe that you would never wake up, I couldn't accept it. You were stronger than that and I felt the life that we were yet to share together dwelling within my heart. I knew then, when I almost lost you, that should you ever wake up that I was not going to let you go again. So I approached my father to inform him of my intentions of asking you to marry me. He gave me his blessing and with it, this ring. It was my mother's." The gasp that escaped your lips at learning that not only the King had given the union his blessing but also imparted the ring he gave his late wife to his son to gift to you, it was all too much and tears began forming in your eyes. Still, you said nothing, allowing Legolas this moment to speak all he needed to.

After allowing you a brief moment to take in what he had just said, you saw the prince move down to one knee in front of you as you sat on the edge of your bed, eyes wide and mouth open, waiting for him to ask the only question you were ever going to be able to answer with complete certainty. Eyes never leaving yours, Legolas extended his hand which held his mother's ring out in front of him and your eyes were immediately drawn to it. It was absolutely exquisite. A design of pure silver as it resembled branches of trees intertwining with each other and a magnificent jewel of pure starlight placed in the centre of it. "Y/n..." Legolas whispered, "My y/n, I kneel before you not as a prince but as an ellon who is deeply in love. I wish to see you smile for the rest of my days and want only for you to know of happiness and unconditional love and support. I want to be the one to bring you constant merriment as I vow to share my life with you. To share myself completely with you, mind, body and heart, forever. Will you allow our souls to be joined and become my beautiful wife?"

The tears were streaming down your face and a sob which you were trying to hold back escaped your chest. Legolas raised his spare hand to wipe away your tears as he smiled gently up at you. You took a deep, shuddering breath and gave him an answer, "My love, my Legolas, of course I will be your wife. It's all I've ever wanted." The prince's heart practically leapt out of his chest as he was now also contending with tears which were streaming down his face. Bringing a shaking hand down to gather your left one within his, he brought his other hand which was holding the ring and placed it upon your wedding finger. Sliding it on with great care and beaming at how it looked upon your elegant finger, Legolas brought his face up to yours and kissed you deeply. You felt him smiling through the kiss and you couldn't help the smile that appeared on your face either. "My gorgeous future bride, I love you so much" Legolas whispered as he gently placed his lips on yours once more. "As I love you, my future husband" you responded. The words feeling so surreal, it was going to take you a little while to get used to them.

This kiss lasted many precious minutes and the power of the moment you both shared was drawing you closer to each other than you ever had been before. While deep in the kiss, Legolas' mind swirled through the words you spoke earlier //"What if I wanted you to... claim me?"//, //"I am offering you the entirety of me", //"I want you to be my first and my last"//. The words that flew through his head in addition to the feel of your lips crushing against his and the heat radiating from your body was breaking down the last of his defences. The prince was justifying what he truly desired by telling himself you were pledged to each other, it was just as good as being wed, right? And then there it was once again, that moan of yours which sent shockwaves down through his entire body and stopping directly in his stomach... he was gone. He intensified the kiss by bringing both his hands around your body; one resting within the stands of your hair as before and the other winding around your back to pull you in impossibly close to his body. You let out a little squeal as you felt him attempt to practically consume you and he broke the kiss to look upon you, both of you panting as he did.

"My love, we don't have to do anything tonight if you do not wish it." he softly spoke to you. Shaking your head slightly, you spoke your own desires, "No, it was just unexpected. It felt... rather nice. Being that close to you." Legolas watched you intently as you chose your words, bringing his hands down to rest on either side of your waist, "There is something else though, isn't there?" he asked as he gently brushed a strand of hair away from your face and placing it behind your pointed ear. The sensation of just that movement alone made you jump slightly and had your eyes closing. You felt the prince chuckle as he kissed the tip of your nose, "Apologies, my love. That was an accident". Allowing a smile to creep onto your face, you looked up at him as his eyes spoke of nothing else but love and desire. "Please do not apologise. It seems I enjoy the sensation." As you had not been intimate with the prince before, you were both about to enter brand new territory and learn what made the other come alive, but you hesitated and this was not lost your future husband. "Then what has you troubled? I can feel it, my love." You looked at the prince and answered honestly, "It's as you said earlier... we are not yet married" you responded as you looked down at your new ring. "I would not have you shamed for not being able to control your urges, nor I the same, even though my desire for you to have me completely is pulsing through me with every heartbeat."

Your words had once again levelled the prince and he had to fight back his yearning for you, even momentarily. "My love, look at me." he asked as he brought his finger under your chin, lifting your face to meet his. With his other hand he gently held yours which carried the ring and lifted it up between you both, fingering the piece of delicate jewellery as he spoke. "This is a promise, y/n. A promise to share everything I am with you for all eternity. That includes me... my body. I almost lost you mere weeks ago, who knows what may happen between now and when we take our vows. As long as your heart is true and your promise to vow yourself to me in the same way is real, I do not see this to be any different than if we were actually married." The words turned your breathing rapid as you realised what Legolas was trying to suggest. Could tonight be the moment where you became one with the ellon you loved above all else? Noting the response in your body but not hearing any words, the prince continued, "Y/N, if you will have me, I would show you how loved one can feel this night. I would make you feel whole, complete with my touches and have my body worship yours the way it should be worshipped." You swallowed hard as you tried to calm the nerves coursing through your body as you began to tremble.

The feeling of your form shaking slightly within his grasp had Legolas concerned that he had pushed too far and took your hands in his before speaking again, "My love, if this is too much too soon, please speak freely. I would only wish to have you fully once you were completely ready for me." Finally, you found what little courage you had to express what you were feeling, "My love, I want you this night. I want you to claim me as yours forever... it's just..." you paused, taking a breath. Legolas looked into your eyes, trying to calm you down and reassure you with his blue orbs. "It's just?" he asked hesitantly. Taking another breath you continued, "It's just, are you sure you want to do this before we take our vows?" Smiling down at you, the prince brought your ringed hand up to his lips and placed a soft yet firm kiss upon it. "I am sure, my love." That was it, those final words were all you needed to hear and you felt all defences crumble. You nodded your head and Legolas brought your lips upon his own again for the fourth time this night. One of his arms came around your waist as he placed the other flat in the middle of your back and he gently lifted you up, sitting you down on his lap with your legs on either side of his own. You felt it, for the first time, you felt his hardened member pushing against your clothed centre and you gasped while he let out a soft groan from the contact.

Breaking the kiss he looked up at you and you were magnificent on top of him, even fully clothed. He was taken aback by your beauty and the fact that you were offering yourself completely to him. Bringing the back of one of his hands up to gently stroke your face, you heard him begin to speak, "My love, my y/n. Look at me" You looked down into his stunning eyes and felt overwhelming emotions of love and safety within them. He whispered, "I ask you for the final time... are you sure you want to do this?" You had never been so sure about anything before in your entire life and you nodded, never breaking eye contact. Legolas nodded in response, "Then I shall have you this night, my love. I cannot promise it won't be uncomfortable at first but what I can promise is that you're in control. If you need me to stop at any point, you tell me straight away. Do not endure what is not pleasurable for my sake. Tonight is all about you." Your heart fluttered as your body shuddered with his words and you knew you were safe. Whatever it was your body was about to feel, pleasurable or not, you knew you were safe with this ellon. You whispered your consent, "I give myself to you completely, Legolas." And with that, the prince slowly picked you up and gently placed your body on the bed beneath him as he moved over you and kissed you deeper than he had previously done this night.

[jaydovekj]

my favorite ace attorney characters and what I head canon their middle names to be

apollo - jovie. his mom got to pick his first name.... and jove picked his middle name.

kristoph - mortium. I rlly like the sound of it and also it has the root word "mort" which means death in latin and... yeah. ium indicates a metallic element and like. blood tastes like copper, no? idk but its mainly about the "mort" root part. sounds classy and a little bit pretentious, like kristoph

klavier - audium. its a theater name, yes. "aud" is a latin root word that means "to hear" or "to listen." he's musical, duh, but also I think it fits his character well. in aa4, really, that's what he does: listen. he listens to and trusts kristoph wholly in the beginning. also, literally, they listened to lamirior's song ike a million times and they listened (before the trial) to guilty love to figure out where the missed cut was. the name sounds like autumn. I think klavier is an autumn child. it also matches kristoph's middle name. they're doomed siblings, entwined fates, etcetera blah blah. that now post I need to dig up about aa4 being about what you hear instead of what you see lamiroir being blind and only able to hear what happened in turnabout serenade, apollo's loud ass voice, klavier's whole rock band thing, phoenix speaking up about kristoph n stuff, and just that resent theme. you can't trust what you see [ ex. forged evidence ] in favor of what you hear [ ex. witness testimony and such ]. idk I feel like it fits. this was a bit ramble and tbh I made it up last minute but now I like it enough to use it

trucy - aiko. japanese name. means love child, apparently, based on my sources (Japanese girl baby name website). anyways trucy is a child born of love. her first parents did love her, truly. her dad wore a necklace with a. picture of her all those years after leaving. her mother..... uh, no comment im pretty sure lamiroir does love her kids but she just. can't deal w/ them rn. (pretty shitty she's waited so long if you ask me but hey, I'd probably need a bit after getting all those memories back too. again, no comment.)anyways, despite her dad straight up LEAVING and stuff, he does love her. he left her in good hands--with phoenix wright. now here's where I really mean this name is important. the father-daughter bond between trucy and phoenix is, I think , unrivaled. allow me to explain. phoenix took her in and, clearly, at first, he was nervous. he thought it was a temporary arrangement. replay aa4, you'll see. I just can't find the screenshots rn. you can see how deeply he began to care for her though and it literally melted my heart. she accepted him as her dad, too. and they stuck with each other all that time. they're the father-daughter duo and you can't convince me otherwise. I love thinking about the wright family.

if I come up with more, ill prolly reblog with them

[spnbangbang]

Handfasted

Author: tiamatv

Artist:  anyrei

Primary Ship: Dean/Castiel

Other Ships: N/A

Length:  28,000

Warnings: N/A

Tags: AU- Royalty, Arranged Marriage, Temporary Marriage, Prince Castiel, Prince Dean Winchester, Strangers to Lovers, Internalized Homophobia, Cultural Differences, Misunderstandings, Rope Bondage, Pining

Posting Date: November 9, 2024

Summary Dean Winchester never wanted to wear a crown. He had no idea that he even could. It wasn't until the Campbell royals all got themselves assassinated by demons that he and Sam found out that King Samuel was actually their grandfather, and well, shit.

But Dean was a soldier before he was anything else. So maybe that's why he'll do anything to stop this awful demon war--anything. Even try to make an alliance with the angels.

They think they're gonna scare him off by telling him he's gotta be magically married--okay, okay, handfasted, but call it what it is--to some snooty noble angel for a whole year? They think Dean's gonna back out because the angels want him to be handfasted not to a proper princess, oh no, but to a prince?

Bring it on. Excerpt Gods and goddesses. Dean hasn’t even kissed the guy. Is he supposed to? The thought makes his whole face tingle–the thought of pressing his lips to that rich, pink mouth–but… that’s not what this is about, is it? Right?

“Look, I know you're not… I know this wasn't your choice,” Dean says, low. “Mine either, not really, I just… Lemme do this, okay? Pretty sure I can make it feel good for you.”

Shit, Dean's babbling, but what the fuck else is he supposed to do? He’s been thinking about how to fulfill the handfasting magic without everything going wrong for a while. Too long.

‘Consummation,’ right? Seed going into… somewhere? Yeah.

Castiel doesn't stop him, his hands falling back to hang loose by his side when Dean carefully untangles their fingers and then undoes the buttons of the placket of Castiel’s snowy white, coarse linen breeches, one by one. He does say something in that low gravel of his language, but none of them are the few words of Enochian that Dean understands. Dean just hopes he's not commenting on how Dean's hands are shaking.

His little sigh against the side of Dean's face as Dean starts nudging his breeches downwards with his fingertips, a warm, sweet, shaky puff on Dean’s cheek, sure doesn't sound like he's mad about it, though. His halo is glowing soft and bright, brighter than the lantern lit in the corner of the room, not that angry lightning flash that Dean’s gotten way too used to in the past week.

That does make Dean feel better. A little.

“You doing okay?” Dean says, pulling back and running a hand over the jut and arch of Castiel's hip, under the linen. And then doing it again, ‘cause. Huh. It's weird to feel those hard, firm planes, the jut of bone, rather than softness and curves. Weird, but not bad. He’s not wearing smallclothes under the stupid sacred pants–neither is Dean–but unlike Dean, Castiel hasn’t got any hair on his legs or his belly to catch on the rough woven cloth.

Cas nods and voices a low Enochian affirmative that Dean recognizes. Well, at least there's that.

But the quizzical look on Cas's face, the lilt of his voice, says volumes when Dean carefully pushes him down to sitting on the bed and then gets slowly down on his knees on the rug, shuffling his way forward between those spread thighs–shit, it's gotta be obvious to him by now what Dean's up to, right?

Because sure, Dean was in the Campbell army a long time, he’s heard some things about the kind of activities that men can do with other men… but like hell is Dean going to be sticking his bits into someone who can barely understand what he's saying.

He's not thinking about how hard–no, nope, difficult, difficult–it was to shimmy those breeches down and off Castiel's thighs, because well, fuck, the dude might be a prince of the angels, but he’s juicy like a game chicken, and–

Nope, nope, nope.

So here Dean is, down on his knees, staring face-level at another guy's floppy dick, surrounded by the same thick, dark curls that Castiel has on his head but nowhere else on his body, smelling of incense and linen and… something musky and heavy. Not sweat, something darker than that, sharper, and…

And Dean’s mouth is fucking watering. It's watering. And he can feel the heat on his cheeks. On his neck. Spreading into the line of this stupid, scrubby, itchy linen tunic. Twitching in his breeches.

Gods of sea and stars. Is this the handfasting magic? What if it is?

But what if it isn’t?

[the-sprog]

Minato Live AU where since energy can't be destroyed or created (but only transformed) and the Bijuu are made of chakra (energy), when Minato gave himself to the Shinigami as a bargain to keep half the Kyuubi contained, it was a temporary arrangement. Not that Minato knew. The Shinigami did though.

So 12 years after the attack, when Kurama regains all of his strength (which iirc happens during the wave mission right? That's the turning point? If it wasn't it is now) Minato also shows up inside of his own body. Logic dictates that even if the whole thing was temporary his body would've rot, but no. Because since it was a temporary arrangement, the Shinigami only took his spiritual chakra so that his body wouldn't get consumed by the earth.

So Minato has to quite literally dug his way out of his own grave, which is probably a horrifying experience (why not hiraishin? Well he doesn't know where he is, what is happening, why it's happening, and he's freaking out a little).

What would follow would probably be a trip to T&I, an audience with Hiruzen, a message sent for both Tsunade and Jiraya, and a lot -and I mean a LOT- of questions.

This is pre chunin exams so they don't know about a possible successful Edo Tensei, so I don't know if they'd look into the possibility of that.

Danzo would HATE this an unbelievable amount. Minato is not as manipulable as Hiruzen. He's a paranoid asshole at heart so he'd never believe it's the real Minato.

However they'd also probably worry about "if the deal with the Shinigami was keeping the Kyuubi in exchange for you.... And you're here... Then what's happening with the Kyuubi?" Cue frantic searching for Naruto, who's on the other side of the country, currently getting swallowed by red chakra, and almost killing a Kiri nukenin.