#though i have to say the way some of them choose to hide really sends me to the end of the galaxy

[monstersholygrail]

New City, New Life

5k celebration ‘Choose your own adventure’ story

Orc x fem!reader— cum eating, dry humping, fingering, voyeurism, rough sex, clitoral stimulation

Pt1

“Hey neighbor, I was just talking about you,” your hot Wolf Hybrid neighbor says as you walk over to his little group hanging out in his driveway.

His Orc, Naga, and Wolf friends all flash you a knowing smirk, their varying fangs glimmering sends a heat in your belly before you quickly stop yourself. You had to tone your horny ass self down. You didn’t wanna make a bad impression on a new city of people by being desperate for everyone’s cocks. You didn’t think that would fly here. As they stare your cheeks begin to heat up in a way you know is noticeable.

“Mentioned how I wanted to bring over a cup of coffee I made you,” he adds as if sensing your thoughts and trying to reassure you.

So he wasn’t going around talking about you to all his friends? Something tells you that’s not exactly true as his eyes gleam with arousal. You imagine it as you take the cup of coffee from his hands. Your hot neighbor sitting around with his equally hot friends, going over every little dirty detail. Raving about how good your tight cunt felt around his thick cock. All of them growing hard as he recounted the noises you made and how desperate you were to be filled while imagining it was them with you instead.

A choked whimper escapes you that you quickly try and hide beneath a pleased hum. You try your best to look casual as you subtly rub your thighs together, desperate for some kind of friction. But you’re briefly brought back to reality as your hot neighbor hands you the mug of coffee.

“Thank you for this, but—“ you say as you bring the mug to your lips only for your neighbor to brush a clawed finger along the edge of the cup and tilt it up, forcing you to take long gulps of the nicely warm drink. You meet his burning gaze, unable to look away, the tension simmering between you. And in front of all his friends. Fuck you can feel how wet you’re getting.

When he finally removes his finger you lower the cup with only a bit less than half left. Your mouth smacks as the taste bursts across your tongue. It was bitter as you expected coffee to be but also a bit sweet and… salty? It was certainly creamier than you expected it to be. You liked it. Probably more than you liked whatever blend you usually get. You’ll have to ask what his special ingredient is later.

“Thank you again but I was wondering if you guys could give me a ride? I’m in a really tough spot and I just need someone to get me going,” you say, voice strangely huskier than normal.

You clear your throat, glancing away, and look back up to all four of these damn fine men staring down at you as if they’re about to pounce. Your pussy flutters, clamping down around nothing at the thought of them actually doing just that. Their claws digging into your plush form, fangs grazing your sensitive skin, their big tongues ravaging your body to prepare you for their giant cocks.

“Work that is,” you add, voice growing husky all over again.

Your Wolf Hybrid neighbor chuckles darkly, the sound shooting right down to your core. He glances at his friends and a silent conversation passes between them. Then all of them are moving toward the car as if suddenly eager to get in.

“C’mon, sweetheart. We’re headed to work ourselves but we’ll get you off. Who are we to deny someone as cute as you?” He says smoothly, his raspy voice making that sound much more suggestive than you think he meant to.

Your hot neighbor rounds the car, taking the drivers seat. While his Wolf Hybrid friend quickly takes passenger. As if he didn’t want you getting to it first.

“You’ll have to ride in my lap though,” His Orc friend immediately says with a smirk as he hops in the backseat of the car. You follow after him, not wanting anymore seats taken from you.

“And why would I do that?” You ask, not wanting him to know how much you like the idea.

Just as you’re about to sit in the middle seat instead, the Orc’s giant hands are gripping your waist and plopping you down in his lap. Before you can argue or pretend to complain, the Naga gets in last and he curls half his long rattling tail into the middle seat while the rest takes up the remaining one.

“There’sss no more room,” the Naga says, forked tongue slipping out as he speaks and a second later his eyes dilate.

You blush, knowing he can probably taste your arousal in the air. In fact, they all probably can. The realization has you blushing deeper and growing wetter on the hot Orc. Especially as the Orc tugs you closer to his chest and you can feel the distinct bulge of his half-erect cock pressing deliciously along your clothed slit.

Hot neighbor starts on his way and you share your new place of work with them. They’ll know exactly where you are now nearly every day. It sends a strange thrill through you. Wolf Hybrid neighbor tells you that it’s on the way to their place so they’ll drop you off first but that it might take a little longer. They usually like to down the back roads.

You find that you don’t mind as you’re a lot more than just comfortable sitting in the hot Orc’s lap. That is until they actually start driving down the back roads and their… bumpy terrain.

A small grunt escapes you, eyes widening as the car starts rocking. Each jolt of the car has the Orc’s hardening length rubbing right up against your pussy. Your throat tightens as you try and choke down your moans. The Orc feels huge and he’s rubbing over every inch of your cunt. You swear you feel him rocking in sync with the rock. But what would be crazy.

Small talk fills the car and you’re grateful no one seems to be able to notice your inner torment. Small whines leave you as you practically bounce on the Orc’s clothed dick. It sends shocks through your system and you quickly grow more and more needy. The need to be filled and stuffed full itching at your skin.

“I think you’re wet enough f’me now, sweetheart. My patience grows thin. Fuckin’ need to get inside ya,” the Orc says, breaking you out of your lustful daze. It’s only then you register his panting breaths and the way everyone’s eyes shift toward you in the car.

“W-what?”

You yelp as the Orc jerks off your slacks and panties in one swift move and hooks your legs over each of his knees, spreading you wide for the whole car to see. Your glistening folds spasm as they’re exposed to the cold air.

Thoughts run through your head at a mile a minute. You should want to stop this. To scramble off this sexy Orc’s lap. But you only get more turned on, your arousal gushing out of you at the thought of him so suddenly taking you.

“Don’t act like you haven’t been wantin’ to fuck me since your fine ass walked over. That’s how this place works, right?” The Orc asks, almost mockingly.

His words wash over you, clouding your mind, as his hands explore your body. Slightly clawed fingers trail down and dip into your soaked folds. A low moan leaves you and instead of trying to get away you melt back into his chest, hips rolling with the movement of his fingers. He takes the time to prep you for his length and it slowly has you becoming an absolute mess in his lap. And you haven’t even had his cock yet.

You suck in a sharp breath as the hot Orc’s fingers leave you only to replace them with his thick angry tip. His pre-cum creating an even bigger mess of you. Your mind threatens to gain clarity again but then the Orc is pushing you down and splitting you open on his cock.

“Nngh! Ooh… Oh fuck,” you cry out, throwing your head back. The stretch of his girth forcing your gummy walls to accommodate him has your eyes rolling back. The deeper he goes the more you swear you’ve never been filled this good in your life.

The fact that you’re in a car full of men shifts back to the front of your mind and you lift your head to see them all still watching you with a fierce intensity.

Your hot neighbor continues to drive but you notice the way his eyes keep flicking back to you in the mirror. While his Wolf Hybrid and Naga friends each have all their cocks out, languidly stroking them to the sight of you stretched pretty on their friend’s cock. You whimper, basking in the attention, and a second later the Orc starts slamming you down on his massive cock.

“Fuck, dude, you were right. What a perfect pussy. They’re drenched f’me, just slipped right in. So warm and tight. Poor thing won’t get a moments rest in this place,” the Orc huffs and the car erupts into soft breathless laughter.

Aha! You knew your hot neighbor had talked about you with them. The praise is all you focus on and it has your walls squeezing the Orc’s length, wanting to make him go mad. A low growl vibrates from his chest to your back as he feels you get even tighter. His claws sink into your hips as he starts using his grip to fuck his cock up into you at a bruising pace. His thrusts syncing up perfectly with the rocky jostling of the car that only seems to be getting worse.

You cry out as the car’s movements also deepens the Orc’s momentum. You swear you can feel his dick all the way up in your throat. He’s stuffing you so full of him you don’t know if you can take it. You arch back into the Orc, putting on a show for him and everyone in the car. Through hooded eyes you watch as they furiously pump themselves to the sight of your body. It gets you so fucking hot. Their lustful eyes raking over your form. All of them wanting a piece of you, all of them jealous of the one who gets to fuck you.

The Naga flicks out his tail, the rattle on its tip moves in between your legs, wanting to do anything he can to give you more pleasure. You wait with bated breath and shriek as he rattles his tail, the vibration sending sparks throughout your body. The Orc snarls in your ear and picks up pace, jerking up his hips and meeting your thrusts in a way that has your toes curling.

“How do they look?” Your hot neighbor growls, knuckles white on the steering wheel, and sounding borderline feral. His cock aching against his slacks.

“They look so fucking sexy, man. Their tight pussy can barely take him,” His Wolf Hybrid friend moans, his hips twitching as he jerks himself off even harder.

“But they’re doing ssso well. Pretty thing will be ruined for anyone else,” the Naga adds, roughly rattling his tail against your clit. He thrusts up into each of his hands that pump at both of his dicks. You mewl, vision blurring at the intensity that wracks through you.

“Fuck, I think they’re about to cum!” One of them shouts but you’re too lost in the haze of pleasure to focus on which one it is. But then the Orc’s hot breath is curling around your ear and your mind clears enough to hear his rumbling voice.

“That’s it, sweetheart. Fuckin’ let go and cum on my cock. Squeeze the damn life out of me, you can do it.”

The cord snaps and jaw drops, fierce screams echo throughout the car as you explode all over his cock. Waves of ecstasy wash over you and you try your best not to pass out. The sight of you coming is a vision of pure art and none of the other men can hold on much longer.

The Naga lets go first, shooting his cum over any inch of bare skin he can reach. The Wolf Hybrid is close to follow in his friend’s footsteps as he cums all over you two. Seeing you all wrecked and messy quickly has the Orc slamming into you, burying himself to the hilt and shooting spurt after spurt of his cum deep inside you.

“Such a pretty slut you are, sweetheart. So easily made a mess from our cocks. You’re perfect,” the Orc rasps in your ear and you preen under his praise.

The rest of the car ride is spent with the monsters cleaning you up as you lay limply in the Orc’s lap. You take the time to regain your strength and you hope you’ll be able to feel your legs enough to walk into work.

When you arrive your hot neighbor gets out and greets you as the door opens. He helps you out and you immediately melt into his embrace. Your Wolf Hybrid neighbor laughs, leaning down and kissing the crown of your head.

“Next time, darling. Now get into work,” he murmurs intimately in your ear. Giving your butt a nudging pat.

As you walk in on wobbly legs, you glance around the lobby, looking for the headhunter that recruited you. He was meant to meet you and show you the ropes of the job. But he isn’t anywhere to be seen and you wonder what you’ll do next. You could ask the Demon Guard by the door where you could find him, head down the closest hall and hope you find the headhunter down one of the rooms, or you could head to your Minotaur Boss’ office and hope he can show you around.

[mentalmeles]

Was listening to Star Spangled Man With a Plan (as one does) and it got me thinking about Steve during his USO tours--mainly Steve and his relationship with the USO girls.

At first, the USO girls are all business and are only polite to Steve when they have to be. They're not cold to him, but they're not particularly friendly or warm either. They just stay in their lane and he stays in his. Maybe, after a bit of time, one or two of em decide to test their luck and flirt with Steve, but he declines their advances every time. (I know that the MCU says it's canon that Steve lost his virginity to one of em or something like that, but I'm actively choosing to ignore that he had sex with any of em at all lmao)

But then, after doing a handful of tours, one of the USO girls decides 'fuck it' and decides to throw Steve a bone;

"Can you help me zip up my outfit?" She asks.

Steve flounders a bit at first, but she assures him that she doesn't mean anything by it. She only wants his help. She's letting him help. So, he does. Suddenly, from that moment on, the majority of the USO girls begin to ask Steve for help too--whether it be for their outfits, their hair, or their makeup. Maybe it's because they've realized he's not going to try anything. Maybe they've realized just how lonely he really is. So, over time, they begin to let him in on their card games, their smoke breaks (even though Steve himself doesn't smoke, since it doesn't do anything for him now, anyway), and talks about home. They even teach him some dances and acrobatics. Eventually, Steve gets comfortable enough to tell them about Bucky. He tries not to say too much, lest he give away the true depth of their relationship. He's not the best at lying, so he speaks in half truths. He's always very careful. He has to be, after all.

But then, maybe, one of em figures it out anyway.

"You're sweet on him, aren't you? Your friend?" She asks. It's the girl who first asked for his help. The one who first let him in.

And Steve is so fucking scared all of a sudden. He doesn't know how she figured it out. He thought he'd been hiding it well. He had been so careful. So careful. Fuck, what will he do if she tells people? If she tells people what he is, it's all over. They'll send him home and he'll lose his one actual chance of potentially getting out on the field and helping Bucky. And Bucky... If word somehow gets to the army... What will they do to Bucky?

But then, suddenly, she drops another bombshell;

"I have a girl back home," she says quietly. "I had a feeling you were in the same boat as me, what with the way your eyes look every time you talk about him. Her eyes do the same thing when she talks about me. Everyone back home thinks she's just my best friend. But she's worth a helluva lot more than that."

Steve can only stare at her. For a moment he wonders if she's lying, but everything about her--all the way down to her voice, her expression, and posture--tells him that she's being honest. He gives a broken laugh, suddenly feeling very, very small.

"Yeah. Yeah, he is too. Worth a helluva lot more to me than just a friend, I mean..."

She nods. "Does anyone else know?"

"I think one of his sisters might. But, other than that, it's just you." He pauses. "What's her name?"

"Hilda. I call her Hildie."

"That's right. You've mentioned her a couple times... She sounds wonderful."

"She is." She pauses for a moment before speaking again. "You know, you can talk to me about him. Whenever you want or need. People like us...we gotta stick together, ya know?"

Suddenly, Steve doesn't feel like he's talking to a friendly coworker. He feels like he's talking to a friend.

So, he gives her one of his increasingly rare smiles, real and warm. "I think I'd like that," he says. "Thank you."

[devildomditzy]

“You gotta starin’ problem or what?”

“Huh?”

You jump at the sound of his voice, his words hitting you like a jolt of electricity, recognition that he’d caught you gazing at him washing over you like a bucket of ice cold water, sending a chill to your spine. The suddenness finds you trying your best to look nonchalant, moving your arm out from under your chin where it supported your head while your eyes tore into him, daydreaming. You brain fails to catch up with your movements in time, leaving you to smack your forehead directly on the desk, earning you a few strange looks from classmates around you.

“Geez, you’re clumsy. You’ve got your work cut out for ya if you wanna make sure ya don’t die down here.”

You glare at him, rubbing the newly forming mark adorning your skin. “Aren’t you supposed to make sure I don’t die down here?”, you ask incredulously.

“Sure”, he shrugs at you, “but it ain’t my fault if ya get mauled cause you were too busy staring into space.”

You try your best to look annoyed, but ultimately end up frowning, holding the affected area with your hand, choosing to look straight down at your desk. Anywhere but at him.

You hear a loud sigh, one you were sure was accompanied by eye rolling though you didn’t see.

“Lemme see ya.”

“Huh?!”, you shift in your desk, blush apparent as you try to hide your shock. “R-Really, I’m fine Mammon!”, you say, trying to shoo him away with one hand.

But of course, that doesn’t stop the second born as he bats your hands away from your face, replacing them with his own as he moves you bangs to the side to see the extent of the damage.

He makes a small ‘tch!’ sound under his breath and suddenly rises to his full height, standing up and sticking a hand out to you.

“C’mon”, he says. One word, super matter-of-factly. By his tone alone, you can’t tell if he’s annoyed, uninterested, or upset by this turn of events - but it was definitely one of the above.

But, by the blush on his face, you can tell that was far from how he truly felt.

“We’re goin’ to the nurse’s office. Can’t have my human gettin’ all banged up.”

He avoids looking at you while saying it. You feel yourself heating up at the phrase, heart beating faster, excitement and fear rising in a beautiful mixture of the two. You reach your own hand out to take his own, eyes shining in anticipation-

“I mean, then who will be The Great Mammon’s servant?”

Ah. There it is.

That’s right.

Mammons not into you. There’s absolutely no way he would be, right? You’re just an obligation to him, maybe an acquaintance at best. You’re not even sure you could call him a friend. If he’d even let you call him a friend.

He’s only caring- pretending to care - because he has to. He has to or Lucifer will have his head, right?

He notices your hesitation and takes your hand in his own, surprisingly gently.

He has to…right?

Days have passed since then, and though you still feel like Mammon’s actions were forced, a little part of you wants to believe. Believe that he meant it, believe that he cares about you, believe that he could maybe feel some type of way towards a human. That type of way.

You’ve been enamored by him from the get go. And though his attention was given more as a favor than as an act of kindness, you still vied for it, craved it.

You find yourself putting a little more effort into your appearance, hoping to catch his eye. Hell, you even consider maybe tripping and falling in the hallway, or bumping into a desk. It did work the first time…

Weeks pass and you don’t have to fake an injury to see if he’ll look your way. No, you didn’t have to do a thing. Belphie’s got you covered, currently holding you over a stairwell by your neck, claws digging into your skin, puncturing it in multiple places, causing more blood to drip down your body onto the tile floor below. Your pain being drowned out by your current and urgent need to breathe.

You hear the sound of multiple screams and gasps, Lucifer’s stern voice threatening his youngest brother, a clear sound of panic being hidden within. Asmo’s worried wails calling out both your and the seventh brother’s name, Beel’s confused and tired voice, happy to see his twin but not understanding why you were being attacked. Surely, the person attacking you, that couldn’t really be his brother, could it? Satan’s fear, actual literal fear, something you never see in the fourth born, showing through his shaking voice. Levi’s hyperventilating, his breath not being able to quite stabilize due to the scene before him.

And Mammon.

You hear every emotion in Mammon’s voice.

You hear his unbridled rage, screaming his youngest brother’s name at the top of his lungs. His worry, calling out your own name the sight of your bleeding, mangled body as Belphegor drops you to the floor and you collapse in a heap. His sadness, running over to you and scooping you up, a shell of your former self he just saw ten minutes ago, perfectly fine. His regret, not being there to protect you, not hearing your screams. How long had you held out fighting against his brother . If only he was fast enough…

And finally, the sound of his spirit breaking, clutching at your shoulders, trying his damnedest to shake you awake as your pulse began to fade. Covering himself in your blood as he held you to his chest and shook.

You use the last of your strength to reach out, caressing his face, causing him to look up with tears in his eyes, startled. He grabs on and clutches to your hand so tight, you’d think it might break too.

“Hey. I finally got you to look at me”, you sputter out, smiling at him before you take your last breath.

Except it wasn’t your last breath.

Thanks to Barbatos, you’re still alive. Timeline manipulation was something you didn’t like to think about too deeply, or you’d start spiraling.

But all the same, you stood there, alive.

As your corpse disappeared from his arms (and this timeline), Mammon rises to his full height, grabbing you fiercely and pulling you tight to his chest, breaking down with you in his arms.

It wasn’t long after that he finally told you how he really felt about you.

Now months and years have passed, and you couldn’t be happier, and neither could he. The second born loves you more than you could ever know.

So, the next time you hear him say to you -

“You gotta starin’ problem or what?”

You don’t shy away. You reach a hand out in the middle of class to caress the back of his neck, uncaring about your classmate’s judging looks.

“Of course I do. How could I not stare at The Great Mammon.”

He blushes, trying to hide the smile of his face as he shoos your hands away.

“That’s right, shouldn’t a servant always be lookin’ at their master?”, he asks with a cheesy smile, bolstered personality returning to him.

“That’s right”, you smile back. “That’s why you’re always staring at me, right?”, you tease right back.

“Shuddup.”

Ah. There it is.

That’s right.

Mammons into you. There’s absolutely no way he wouldn’t be, right? You’re everything to him, maybe his whole world at the very least. You’re not even sure you could call him just a friend. He’d let you call him more than that for the rest of time.

[altaiiriss]

The plan was simple.

Go to this world.

Check in on the Agency.

Make sure that everything went according to his counterpart's plan.

Leave.

The most important part: do not cross paths with Chuuya.

But when he spots ginger hair and a tacky hat from afar, it's only a matter of seconds before he's pinned to the ground, a familiar knife pointed at his throat.

"What kind of disgusting ability is this?" the man above him barks, words filled with venom.

"This is not an ability." Dazai states, calmly.

"Don't you dare imply you're him," the knife brushes against his throat, a sharp vessel for the man's rage. "Boss died. Threw himself off the Port Mafia building."

Dazai swallows. This Chuuya looks different from the one he has known for seven years.

He's not as vibrant. He doesn't shine as much he does.

He looks like he almost gave up on living.

"Chuuya—"

"You have no right to say my name, you fucking imposter."

"Please, listen," he pleads. Damn, he doesn't like this Chuuya. "I am Dazai, just—not the one from this world. Not the one you knew."

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Chuuya questions through gritted teeth.

"I came here from a different timeline," he explains, careful, "I do share some memories with this world's Dazai, though."

"If you truly are Dazai," the name burns like liquid fire on his tongue, "then you must be a pathological liar as well. Why should I believe you?"

Dazai smirks. This Chuuya is a ticking bomb and he's ready to light his fuse.

"The first time he made love to you," he chooses his words carefully—they had sex plenty of times, but making love was new to them—"he told you he lov—"

Chuuya's fist meets Dazai's cheek.

It's painful, but Dazai didn't expect anything less from him.

"How the fuck did you come to this place?"

"I take it that Chuuya believes me." he grins, satisfaction making its way across his face. "It doesn't really matter. Let's say my ability comes in handy sometimes."

His Chuuya would have laughed at him. Probably told him he's a pain in the ass.

This Chuuya stays quiet and just... walks away?

Dazai's brow furrows.

"Where are you going?" the brunet asks, still sitting on the ground.

"I got nothing to say to you. You can go back to your fucking timeline." he snarls, that gloomy look plastered on his face.

"My, my, holding me accountable for what my counterpart did?" Dazai singsongs in his usual cheerful tone.

The next second he's avoiding the knife thrown at his head.

"I'm giving you one last warning," he growls, and Dazai swears he sees a reddish hue where Chuuya's brown eye should be. "Go. The fuck. Away."

"I just want to talk. About everything."

"You said you're not him, hah? Then you're nothing more than a stranger to me."

"I can explain why—"

"I don't care!" the ground shakes, courtesy of Tainted, but doesn't move beneath Dazai's shoes. "If he truly cared he would have told me about his fucking death plan instead of hiding everything from me!"

A long silence follows.

"Five minutes," Dazai pleas, "and I'll explain everything. Then I'll go back to my world."

Ten minutes later they're in the Port Mafia building, more precisely in Chuuya's office, which previously belonged to Dazai.

The detective glances at the empty chair and he can see it—the ghost of his counterpart, legs crossed, and the redhead standing fiercely on his left, covering his blind side.

There's something terrifying about it. A bond that was way different from the one he shares with his Chuuya; an unmatched level of trust and intimacy.

Imagining himself as the Port Mafia boss is making him sick to his stomach.

"I don't have all day," Chuuya complains, arms crossed. "Go on. I'll listen."

Once Dazai is done talking, the tension in the room is palpable.

"Why," Chuuya mutters, gripping the red scarf hanging over his shoulders, "Why didn't he tell me? Why did he send me on that fucking mission in London? I could have saved him."

"That's the point." Dazai sighs. "Saving him wasn't part of the plan. It would have ruined it."

"So ruining my life was the safest option, hah?" he scoffs, bitterness seeping through his words.

"You would have done the same for him."

'Yes', Chuuya wants to scream. 'Yes, and the fact that he prevented me from doing it keeps me awake at night'.

"You know," the redhead begins, breaking the silence, "I sensed something was off. At some point I realised we weren't on the same wavelength anymore. He treated me like shit then almost worshipped me as if his life depended on it."

"I guess you have figured out why."

"Yeah," the realisation burns the back of his throat. "He tried to detach himself. To make it easier for both of us."

'But he couldn't' is left unsaid.

"I don't know what you do to us, Chuuya," he blurts out, his mouth talking on its own, "It's terrifying."

He finds it easier to be a little bit honest with a Chuuya he's never going to see again.

If it makes him a coward, he doesn't care.

The redhead remains quiet and Dazai spots a myriad of emotions in his eyes.

Hurt, anger, sadness, longing.

"Am I happy?" Chuuya suddenly asks, "In your world."

"Are you happy in this one?" Dazai asks back, unsure.

"You want me to say 'yes' so you can feel better about all the mess your counterpart left for me to deal with? 'Cause I won't."

"This is the only world in which Od—"

"I know." he stops him. He doesn't want to hear that name again. "I just wish he talked to me instead of making all decisions on his own as if I didn't matter a damn thing to him. I guess I was useful as his strongest weap–"

"Don't." Dazai interrupts him, his voice firm. "You've never been a weapon. Not to him. Not to us."

The silence that follows eats them both alive. Talking to this Chuuya is filling Dazai with uneasiness for some reason he doesn't understand.

Seeing him so empty, inevitably similar to himself, makes him uncomfortable.

Does his Chuuya feel the same? Is he hiding all that resentment as well?

"Well, this took more than five minutes. I'll leave as I promised." he announces, suddenly unable to stand in that room anymore.

"Wait." Chuuya calls, his voice unsure.

He walks to Dazai until they're facing each other.

"I have one request. Then I'll let you go."

Dazai knows where this is going. That's why he didn't want to meet this Chuuya in the first place.

"Can I..." the redhead hesitates, "Have one last kiss before you go?"

Dazai's heart aches for the first time in ages.

"I'm not him." he states, voice flat.

They stare at each other's eyes, lost in the moment, and Dazai barely registers the way Chuuya is delicately pushing him against the desk until he's sitting on the black surface.

Neither of them dare speak, for any word would ruin the sacred religiousness of the moment.

Chuuya slots himself between Dazai's legs, bringing their bodies impossibly closer, and his hands reach for his scarf.

He removes it, his movements painfully slow, and Dazai swallows as the red cloth is placed around his shoulders.

Dazai's throat wobbles.

Chuuya's vision blurs.

Dazai feels seen as the redhead's eyes wander all over his face, scanning every feature so that he can store it in his mind until the last memory of the two of them fades.

A gloved hand reaches for Dazai's bandaged neck, caressing the fluffy brown curls, and Dazai's arms instinctively circle Chuuya's waist.

Would his Chuuya be mad at him if he found out?

"A Port Mafia traitor from another world, wearing his precious scarf... He would be feral." Dazai mutters, the forced proximity making him dizzy.

"He owes me." is all the current boss of the Port Mafia says, his eyes fixated on the detective's chapped lips.

His right hand comes to rest on the left side of Dazai's face, covering his eye, and their lips finally connect.

The kiss is tender, almost heart-shattering—it's nothing like the ones he shares with his Chuuya, and it's surely way different than the ones this Chuuya used to share with his counterpart—and yet its bitterness is suffocating.

This life wasn't designed for them, Chuuya thinks, but for now he'll just pretend his former boss is right in front of him.

It can't hurt more than it already does anyway.

Dazai pulls away first, fully aware that the longer this lasts, the more it's going to hurt, and Chuuya heaves a shaky breath in return.

He tries to keep the ghost of his former Boss close to him, but all his efforts are pointless against death.

"I'm going now," Dazai announces, placing the red scarf back on Chuuya's shoulders.

'It doesn't suit you at all', he thinks.

The detective twirls a ginger curl around his finger before walking away. "Take care."

"You will come back, will you?" Chuuya asks, both hopeful and hopeless, and Dazai wonders if this is how his Chuuya felt when he left the Mafia after Odasaku died.

Dazai smiles, quietly. "No. I have no right to be here."

"Always leaving me behind, no matter which universe you fuckers come from." Chuuya mocks him, but he speaks in loneliness. "Go, before I kill you."

"You wouldn't, neither of you." he replies, smiling to himself. "He's doing fine, by the way. Has gone through a lot, but never once lost his colours."

'You're both too good for us and that's why you'll never fully stop hurting', he thinks.

They steal one last glance at each other before Dazai finally disappears behind the door.

"Goodbye, Chuuya."

[nemisuki]

𐔌 ✧.* ᴛᴡɪꜱᴛᴇᴅ .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱

ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ || Who gave them the right to even speak to you? A man finding a way to claim his woman… in his own messed up way.

᧔o᧓ || dabi x f!reader, she/her pronouns, no smut or angst, dark romance, steamy kisses, oneshot, possessive dabi, jealousy, villain reader, kinda yandere if u squint but not rlly, minor deaths mentioned, mha s6 spoilers, 1.2k word count

The smell of burning flesh lingers in the air – screams of agony and fire cackling, now drowned out in the background – her eyes solely focused on the man beside her.

A distant expression on his face as he continues burning the corpses – fellow members of the PLF, who were ranked much below themselves – murdered in cold blood by his own hands.

She would've usually laughed at the sight but the pissed off look in his eyes stopped her from doing so.

Though a villain, it's not often he flat-out kills without reason.

He doesn't acknowledge her but she knows he can feel the intensity of her gaze – choosing to ignore her concerns as usual – yet either way, that never stopped her from speaking so straightforwardly.

"what's gotten you in such a pissy mood?"

The man simply scoffs at her words, not bothering to face her as he makes sure to burn every single remain – was it out of spite or to hide evidence, who knows – but his muscles tense, letting the blue flames take spread across in the empty forest.

She sighs and strides beside him, trying to get a glimpse of whom exactly he killed.

As predicted however, no luck, all that's left behind being a pile of ash.

"sheesh I would hate to be on your bad side..."

His gaze slowly travels to her as she stands close, roaming across her face as she confidently stares back.

This new appearance of his – natural white hair that makes his crystal blue orbs pop – has her in a complete chokehold, though she masks it as best as she could.

They haven't talked much since his real identity came to light.

Frankly she doesn't know what to call him anymore – or what they even are – given the chaotic circumstances of the first battle that ended in a draw, relationship talk was probably the last thing on their mind.

"yeah? well be damn glad I tolerate you."

The rasp in his voice is beyond aggravating.

She hates that he can make her heart race by just speaking, and what's worse is that he knows it – the subtle gleam in his eye proving her point – only fueling his ego.

"soooo.... you love me that much~"

"fuck off."

Hearty laughter bubbles within her as he sends a glare her way – notably not denying her words – but she doesn't comment on that.

She'll let the fact marinate for a while.

"Why'd you kill them? You aren't really one to kill randomly."

"There's a lot of things you don't know about me."

"oh trust me i know."

The blunt tone of his words leaves her confused, unsure of what's going through that mind of his.

But Y/N is not one to back down.

"Did they say something to you?"

Her brows furrow in contemplation, clearly noticing somethings wrong if he resorted to wiping them off the face of the planet.

He could only narrow his eyes at her question, looking oddly on edge as he spoke.

"I saw them talking to you yesterday."

The earlier confusion lingers for a few seconds but then realization dawns upon her – there was indeed a correlation – the way he stormed off after they made eye contact yesterday.

She was in the middle of talking to some guys about an upcoming mission when she saw him, not even getting even a hello as he stormed off right after.

Her eyes widened as she looked over to the ashes, then back to him.

"Did you-"

"What were you talking about, hm?"

The soft rhythm of her heart suddenly spikes up as he takes a step closer – having no care in the world as he invades her personal space – bright blue orbs boring into her own.

He was beyond dangerous yet... it only has her yearning for more. After all, she knew he wouldn't ever hurt her.

"It was just about a mission."

Dabi just hums, either pretending to not care about her answer or genuinely not interested – she could tell his mind was already made up – his fingers clenching together to possibly stay grounded.

The eye contact was unwavering as he stared back.

"So are you just playing stupid or did you really not notice them undressing you with their eyes?"

Her heart comes to a full stop at his accusation, not expecting this from him.

Of course she noticed the stares, she just didn't pay them no mind.

The hint of disgust and jealousy – specifically behind those two words – ignited a sudden excitement within her, proof that he actually does care.

It was shameful she felt this way, but their villains after all, everything in their lives was twisted.

Even love.

"Well I did but I was more focused on you-"

Her words waver as he randomly plucked two of the metal staples from his hand – specks of blood trickling down his palm – an idea seeming to pop into his mind.

"Dabi what the hell?!"

A small blue flame emits from his palms – beginning to use his quirk to melt the metal together – melding the silver ore into whatever he was making.

He continues ignoring her questions as he focuses on the task, and once satisfied, slowly lifts a hand to grab a hold of her own.

The hot touch sending a shiver down her spine – a given after he used his quirk so much – the remnants of the flames, leaving his skin absolutely heated.

Maybe a little too much, it has her feeling like she's on fire.

Y/N wasn't aware if she was even breathing when he slid something onto her ring finger, his eyes meeting hers with an array of emotions.

Jealousy, possessiveness and some fucked up form love.

Her eyes widened at the makeshift ring on her hand – unable to believe it – was this his way of claiming her?

"You're mine now doll, revel in it."

He roughly whispers in her ear – the sultry tone making her mind and heart stammer – his lips making contact on her skin, peppering hot kisses up her neck before trailing along her jawline.

Leaving her absolutely breathless as his hands roam under her clothes – feeling every patch of skin that he's already too familiar with – leaving a trail of heat in its wake, but if that wasn't enough... he places a single hand on her throat.

Tight enough to assert dominance but not to the point of pain.

His lips crash into hers not a second later – desperate and eager – as their lips move in unison, a heated exchange of passion.

She doesn't need a mirror to know the lust that casts over her gaze, not when he bites her bottom lip, earning a gasp from her.

But instead of continuing, he suddenly pulls away, wiping off the dripping saliva from the corner of his lip.

What a tease.

And he knew it – a small smirk appearing on his face as he effortlessly picks her up – earning a yelp from her as he walks away from the burning flames.

"H-Hey- put me down asshole!"

The man simply chuckles at her protests, holding her like a sack of potatoes as he calls Kurogiri for a portal, walking in with sheer confidence as they make it inside the PLF base.

All eyes on them, just like he wanted.

"No can do sweetheart, gotta show the others who you belong too."

✦ ⎯⎯⋆ ˚｡⋆ ୨ masterlist || taglist || intro || socials ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⎯⎯ ✦

ᴀ/ɴ ||| ahhh my first dabi fanfic and ofc i had to write him all toxic haha, but their villains so it makes sense. i remember seeing this c.ai bot a while ago and it had a similar concept, i found it funny so why not write a story about it but make it more insane! ɴᴇxᴛ ꜰɪᴄ ||| kid deku & f!reader (fluff)

[bueckers2fudd]

fluff alphabet |clarisse la rue

author's note: Hi lovelies, please send me requests! I don't know what gave me the confidence to think I can write, probably delusion. Also, this is according to my personal views of Clarisse so don't be mad if it's different from what you've imagined. Leave a comment, I love interacting with people, xx.

warnings: I tried my best to keep it gender/race/cabin neutral for the most part but there are still some feminine coded things here and there. English is not my first language so excuse any grammar mistakes.

A ctivities - What do they like to do with their s/o? How do they spend their free time with them?

Starting off strong because with Clarisse sparring is a must. Although she doesn't like to think there will ever come a time in which she won't be there to protect you, it's still an essential part of life as a half-blood. And who better to train you than the daughter of war herself? And in case the apprentice becomes the master and you happen to beat her or pin her to the ground or even hold your dagger to her neck? Oh boy, she's done for. Actual heart eyes.

B eauty - What do they admire about their s/o? What do they think is beautiful about them?

She pretty much loves everything about you, she can't really just choose one aspect. Though, if she had to, she'd probably say she loves you for being supportive, understanding, and patient with her. You understand her better than anyone. That's what made her know you were the one for her. You can control her anger issues and calm her down when she's on the verge of exploding and she thinks that's beautiful.

C omfort - How would they help their s/o when they feel down/have a panic attack etc?

The art of intimacy or comfort never came easy to Clarisse. Her relationship with her mother isn't the best and hasn't been for a while now and her father is a grade A asshole. Her first instinct when you're feeling down is to fix it, to ask you who or what happened and give them a physical piece of her mind, but that's not always how it works. She'll pull you to her lap and hold you through the night or for as long as you need, wiping your tears and kissing your cheeks. She'll let you vent your heart out. You can tell her anything. Or nothing, if you prefer. She's not the best with words but her actions speak much louder.

D reams - How do they picture their future with their s/o?

She's never thought that much ahead if she's being honest. Never allowed herself to daydream too much into the future, choosing to live off the present for now. Sometimes, however, she pictures what could be only described as an utopia; to go on such a fantastical quest that the gods can't help but grant the both of you immortality, that way you'd bask in the glory of your love forever and ever.

E qual - Are they the dominant one in the relationship, or rather passive?

On the outside looking in it would seem Clarisse is the dominant one for sure. And in some ways she is; she likes that you can rely on her, she wants to provide for you, yearns to prove herself capable of such. Still, you're the one in charge. Clarisse is completely devoted to you, and your relationship means more to her than anything she's ever felt before. She cherishes it like no other, always at your beck and call.

F ight - Would they be easy to forgive their s/o? How are they fighting?

Clarisse is intense, that much we know. Her anger runs deep and her passion burns red. She's not perfect, and doesn't try to hide it either. She's hot-tempered, arrogant, she's got a short fuse and she holds grudges. Her fatal flaw is pride, which sometimes gets in the way of her good senses, so you'll most likely be the one apologizing first. Despite all that, she can't bear the thought of you being mad at her and absolutely hates fighting with you. It's like it's tearing her apart, especially if you're sad over something she said or did in the heat of the moment. Truth is, she is a fighter at heart so when all is said and done she'll try and make it up to you in some way, somehow.

G ratitude - How grateful are they in general? Are they aware of what their s/o is doing for them?

She is so appreciative of everything you do and are. As previously stated, Clarisse didn't get much love growing up so any semblance of that is something she clings hard to. She notices everything, every little thing you do for her and the underlying of your words. How you treat her and others is always stored in the back of her mind and she loves to be loved by you.

H onesty - Do they have secrets they hide from their s/o? Or do they share everything?

Clarisse is a very closed off person in general, she doesn't like feeling exposed and being possibly seen as weak. She'll tell you things but there's still some matters you have to pick up on your own and know how to approach them, especially regarding her feelings and personal struggles. She's very honest though, she feels like she owns you that much and appreciates you if you do the same for her. The more your relationship progresses you'll notice being able to read her like an open book because although she does her very best to hide it there's an underlying vulnerability to her behavior in certain moments you'll take proper notice of the more you know her.

I nspiration - Did their s/o change them somehow, or the other way around? Like trying out new things or helped them overcome personal problems?

Clarisse has definitely become more gentle since you. It still doesn't extend to your friends and family but more so how she behaves around you and knowing she doesn't have to put up that though front all the time. Her sense of self worth has improved as well, especially when you reassure her through her insecurities and doubts (never being the son her father wanted etc.)

J ealousy - Do they get jealous easily? How do they deal with it?

Oh, boy. Clarisse’s jealousy is very fuelled by… Well, anything really. She doesn't necessarily need a motive to go toe to toe with someone, just staring at you for a second longer than she deems them worthy of and she's ready for a fight. It's hard for anyone to get close enough to flirt with you because she's always there, by your side, kind of like a guard dog. But only because she knows how amazing you are and her insecurities do blurry some lines on what's acceptable. She's working on it though.

K iss - Are they a good kisser? What was the first kiss like?

Clarisse is definitely a good kisser. She doesn't have much experience, if any, but she's a natural. It sounds cheesy but the first time she kisses you was like butterflies and church bells dancing loudly in the wind. The way she cups your face so uncharacteristically soft and how she breaks off the kiss with a series of small pecks only to smile one of her beautiful smiles so close to each other's faces… Magical. It could be at the fireworks on the fourth of July or it could be in your favorite spot in the woods, soaked in lake water during a midnight swim or after a heated argument. No matter how many times Clarisse kisses you, she'll never not feel electricity similar to her spear’s sharp edge digging into her body and soul.

L ove Confession - How would they confess to their s/o?

Clarisse does not have a clue what she's doing. I feel like she'd say something in the heat of the moment; either confessing her true feelings or masking them by saying something hurtful she doesn't actually mean. In the latter scenario she'd storm off and berate herself over it but her pride and fear that you'd never look at her again made her put off her apology for some time and let it all sink in to talk to you when she's ready. That is until you start properly ignoring her and she nearly goes crazy with longing, just missing your overall presence and having her stomach turn to knots at the way things were left between you two. That's one of the few times Clarisse sucks it up and reaches for you. The apology is awkward but overwhelmingly honest and she tells you she's an idiot but you're content in forgiving her and giving her a second (actual first) chance.

M arriage - Do they want to get married? How do they propose? What would the marriage be like?

Again, Clarisse never thought she'd live to see the day she'd actually have a marriage prospect. Her life just doesn't seem complete without you anymore and the moment she realizes that she's done for. It would probably be while you're laying in bed together, your head on her chest while you play with her fingers. Your eyes are heavy with sleep but hers are wide open, thinking. “Will you marry me?” said while staring into the distance and you probably think she's joking except Clarisse is not one to joke about that sort of thing. “Not now. But eventually.” and whether you ask if she's serious or just accept it right away, she'd look at you seriously for a beat and then tackle you into a bear hug, crushing you underneath her. She doesn't see the point in a big wedding, but if that's what you're into, she won't mind.

N icknames - What do they call their s/o?

She is not immune to babe or baby but would still like to keep some variety. Things like sunshine, gorgeous, angel or others (I'm looking at you, person who created the “mama/s” HC). She does like your name very much, or probably a shortened version of it. Don't expect her to not tease you if any of these make you flustered.

O n Cloud Nine - What are they like when they are in love? Is it obvious for others? How do they express their feelings?

Clarisse likes to think she's good at hiding it when she's absolutely not. As Taylor Swift once said, you can hear it in the silence. Just the way her eyes soften when she's looking at you speaks millions, but people also get whiplash at how fast her mean attitude changes whenever you're around. Her love giving languages are probably acts of service and physical touch. She loves to do things for you, feeling all big and mighty whenever she can make your life just a little easier. Touching is also a must but we'll get to that in a second.

P DA - Are they upfront about their relationship? Do they brag with their s/o in front of others? Or are they rather shy to kiss etc. when others are watching?

Clarisse is not very comfortable with public displays of affection, because she is afraid of being judged or mocked by others for being weak or soft. She prefers to keep her relationship with you private and intimate, but doesn't mind the little things. She does gloat about being with you as well as showing you off, so that everyone on camp knows you're hers. She brags about you all the time and I mean, seriously, all the time. She's not a big hand holder but she almost over compensates by grabbing at your hips and thighs, throwing an arm over your shoulder or hiding her face in your neck. She especially loves bonfires when you sit on her lap and she can hold firmly onto your waist while she's talking to her siblings or just press her forehead against yours when her social battery is low.

Q uirk - Some random ability they have that’s beneficial in a relationship.

She's very perceptive. She may not know what has changed right away but she's also persistent so she'll figure it out in an instant. If it's the way you did your hair or something that happened along your day, even if you change your usual greeting. She notices and she'll definitely ask you about it.

R omance - How romantic are they? What would they do to make their s/o happy? Cliché or rather creative?

Clarisse wants to be loved, that's all she’s ever wanted, and she has so much love to give, therefore I believe she'll do just about anything to make you happy. That includes being an absolute sap. She honestly doesn't mind how cliche it is, if it works on you, you bet she's using it. If anyone cares to say anything remotely negative about you or your relationship she will promptly glare them into oblivion or give them something to really worry about.

S upport - Are they helping their s/o achieve their goals? Do they believe in them?

She is your absolute biggest supporter. Especially if you don't believe in yourself, then she's trying even harder for you to see just how well you can do something if you put your mind to it. With something like sword training she is more than willing to help you, rewarding you with kisses and cursing you for distracting her with your pretty face.

T hrill - Do they need to try out new things to spice out your relationship? Or do they prefer a certain routine?

Clarisse doesn't mind change, she rolls with it. If you have a certain way of doing things, a routine you like to follow, that's fine by her. If you're unpredictable, even better. She just loves to see what comes next in terms of your relationship, not necessarily needing anything to amplify her love for you. It's already hardwired into her.

U nderstanding - How good do they know their partner? Are they empathetic?

She knows you like the back of her hand. Even the slightest furrow of your eyebrows or tilt of your head and she'll be there in a second asking what's wrong. She does learn to be more empathetic towards your own struggles, which was hard at first because she wasn't sure how to see things from someone else's point of view. Though road but you make it work.

V alue - How important is the relationship to them? What is it’s worth in comparison to other things in their life?

She doesn't have much to look forward to so Clarisse values her relationship with you very highly, as you are one of the few people who can see past her tough and aggressive exterior and appreciate her softer and more vulnerable side. She is fiercely loyal and protective of you, and would do anything to keep you safe and happy.

W ild Card - A random Fluff Headcanon.

I actually read this one on a Wattpad story a while ago so credit to the original creator but, Clarisse has a teddy bear named Mr. Muscles she's had since she was like, nine and she cherishes it like it's her most prized possession. When she introduced this piece of information to you, you just found her so incredibly adorable you couldn't contain the giggles and she gets so hot in the face she pushes you off her bed and it's honestly one of the most memorable moments in your relationship.

X OXO - Are they very affectionate? Do they love to kiss and cuddle?

I headcanon Clarisse as your personal furnace as well as a koala bear so kisses and cuddles are a must, especially if it's cold outside. She loves to take naps with you, it gets to the point where she has trouble sleeping without you (so you give her a vial of your perfume to spray on Mr. Muscles for when you're away).

Y earning - How will they cope when they’re missing their partner?

Clarisse with you: 🥰

Clarisse without you: 😡

She gets snappier than usual and easily annoyed but she'll also get really sad because she's never had to deal with being away from you. Her siblings try to cheer her up by shoving some kid's head into the toilet but she's so disinterested in anything that does not involve you she just goes about her days training until she can see you again and show off her muscles.

Z eal - Are they willing to go to great lenghts for the relationship? If so, what kind of?

The answer is yes, one hundred percent. “Touch her and you die” trope goes so hard. Not only that but she would willingly sacrifice the world and herself for you and your relationship. She would go out of her way to make sure you are okay, that you are fed and hydrated and well rested, even messing up her own sleeping schedule in order to take better care of you.

[nexisnue]

ᝰBANKOTSU ─ SFW and NSFW Romantic HCs

pairing(s): bankotsu x gn! reader

warning(s): NSFW ; sexual content ; depictions of violence ; blood ; characters are of age

note(s): something to get this blog started...also because i heard there was an inuyasha sequel. watched it. suffered. 345 minutes gone. rip.

ᝰSafe For Work

For one thing, Bankotsu is unafraid to speak his mind and express how he feels. If you're the object of his affection, don't be surprised if he doesn't hold back when it comes to showing you how much he cares

Big on physical affection, especially when he’s comfortable with someone. Hand on your waist, arm slung over your shoulders, pulling you close just because. Sometimes it's just his way of saying he likes having you close.

But as much as Bankotsu's a physically affectionate guy, he's not the type to be all over you in front of others...

He's not ashamed of you nor is he trying to hide anything, he just thinks those private moments are more special when shared away from prying eyes.

He reserves the heavier stuff behind closed doors when it's just the two of you;

Kisses fall into this category.

He loves kissing every inch of you. From your face, neck, hands, or anywhere on your body.

But if he had to choose, your lips would always be his top priority.

Still, nothing leaves him all mushy and sappy than when you're the one peppering and showering his face with kisses.

Do that every night and he swears he'll fall harder and deeper for you.

Battle scars are a part of the life he leads and while he takes pride in most of them, there are a few that carry stories he'd rather not dwell on.

But he won't stop you from running your fingers over them, softly tracing the ragged lines that marred his skin. He’s used to rough hands and gentle contact is rare, and he’s a sucker for it. He won't say it out loud but he craves and cherishes that kind of contact with you.

Bankotsu’s definitely the type to enjoy a bath together, not just for the usual reasons, but because it gives him an excuse to have you close — especially when you're washing his hair and braid it afterwards.

It puts him at ease having your fingers run through his hair and massage his scalp.

It's not intended to be sexual but he's a bit of a tease, though, so you might find him nudging things in a flirtatious direction if he’s in the mood.

Loyal...to a fault.

Some might call it devotion, some might call it obsession—it’s a fine line, really The point isss, he’s all in. If you ever so much as doubt that, he’ll go to ridiculous lengths to prove otherwise. He’ll carve it into stone if he has to.

You’re his, and he’s yours—end of discussion.

Quick to jealousy. But it isn't his fault people just don't know their place (preferably 10 feet away if their words and gaze start carrying a little too much intent)

If you’re oblivious to it...well...you’re getting an earful later, because how could you not notice when it was so obvious someone else was shooting their shot!?

That said, Bankotsu's not the overbearing, possessive type. He trusts you. Confident enough to know he doesn't need to police your every interactions. You can talk to whoever you want, be friendly, socialize...but the moment he picks up on that kind of interest from someone else—or god forbids, from you— the mood shifts.

He has something to say...or do.

He likes knowing your focus is solely on him. Always. And he definitely won't shy away in asserting his place in your life even if it means going as far as sending that someone to an early grave.

Your bullshit is his bullshit.

You wanna do something dumb? Great. Sounds like a good time. You have weird habits? Fine, he probably does too. You wanna do something absolutely unhinged at godforsaken hours in the night? Say less, he's already on his feet.

Half the time, your antics fuel his own, and before you know it, you’re both enabling each other in the worst (or best) ways possible.

If you're a fighter like him, Bankotsu's idea of quality time is throwing down in a sparring match.

Nothing gets his blood pumping than when you show off your fighting prowess. There's something undeniably sexy about someone who can go toe-to-toe with him and hold their own.

Get a good hit in, and he might just have to pin you down and kiss the fight out of you.

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ᝰNot Safe For Work

He's not unduly concupiscent. Despite his youth, he doesn't have a high libido...but he indulges in physical gratification every now and then.

With that established, how he behaves in bed is dependent on his mood or your preference.

Although, most of the time, he likes it rough and hard (whether he's penetrating, the one getting penetrated, or none at all, go wild with him).

Switch (I don't make the rules and I'll debate anyone on this/j). He prefers dominating/topping but he won't turn you down if you want to switch the dynamic.

Whatever you're down for, he's in. He's willing to push himself out of his comfort zone if you suggest experimenting or try out new things in the bedroom.

Weird kinks? Some freaky stuff you like? No need to tell him twice, his clothes are already off.

His stamina is ridiculous. But it's none too surprising. All those years of training, fighting, and honing his skills aren't for nothing; so rest assured he can go for hours until you tap out.

Bankotsu's either a sadist or a masochist under the sheets. Or both. Take your pick.

Undoubtedly, he'll leave bruises and teeth marks all over your skin, enough to draw blood. It gives him a dark sort of satisfaction knowing that they won't heal until a little later.

Likewise, he enjoys it when you rake your nails along his back until he bleeds and mark him with your teeth in turn. Pull his hair. Hurt him. Leave bruises. Pain is pleasure.

Press a knife or blade against his neck while you're riding him and he's already throwing his head back, falling closer and closer to the edge.

Very vocal. He won't shy away when it comes to letting you know (or hear) how good you feel or how much he loves how you make him feel.

Missionary, cowgirl, mating press... basically any position wherein he's able to face you and have easy access to your lips. He enjoys watching your face twist in pleasure and eyes roll back as he fucks your brain out.

A tease in bed. You don't know how much he loves the sight and sound of you begging and drooling for him to do something as he denies you orgasm for the umpteenth time.

Or when you beg him to stop after making you come so much until you're shaking with oversensitivity, eyes glazed over and muttering incoherent words.

If you're AFAB, having a kid is nowhere near on his list of priorities but damn does he love cumming inside you and fucking his release back in.

On the rare occasions when he's feeling particularly soft, he'll go with gentle sex— exploring every crevice of your body with his touch and tongue while he whispers praise and words of reverence against your skin.

Aftercare cuddles are the best with him. He makes sure to clean you up if he left you too exhausted to move and join you under the blankets after, drawing mindless patterns on your skin as you both drift to sleep.

Covering up the visible love marks on your skin is a job for later.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

[lost-in-fandoms]

Winter Warmers Day 5: Fireworks (...very loosely.) Maxiel. About 900 words.

Max is laying on the floor when Daniel calls him.

"Hello?"

He wasn't expecting Daniel to call him. He had already talked to his mom, his dad and his sister, and everyone else had just texted. But Daniel calls.

"Maxy! Happy new year!"

It sounds like Daniel is outside, maybe at a party. Max is not sure of where he is, if he's still in America, or back home in Australia, or maybe somewhere in Europe, so he isn't sure if it's the new year for him already or not.

"Happy new year Daniel," he says anyway.

There's more fireworks going off, further down the harbor, and Max turns his attention back to Jimmy and Sassy, hiding under the couch.

"Having a fun night?" Daniel asks, the swell of music in the background almost swallowing his words.

Max isn't sure why Daniel is trying to make conversation now or why he called at all.

"I am on the floor," he tells him, partially because it's the truth and partially because he can perfectly picture Daniel's puzzled expression.

"Are you...okay?" Daniel asks, confused and a bit hesitant. It makes Max want to laugh, but also cry, for some stupid reason. He wishes he didn't still know Daniel like this.

"The cats are of course very scared, so I am keeping them company," he explains, reaching a hand under the couch, leaving it there for Sassy to sniff. "It's been midnight, and they're still doing fireworks."

"Oh!" Daniel explains, sounding a bit relieved. Max wonders if he was thinking about sending someone to check on Max already. "So no parties for you?"

"No, no parties."

He doesn't offer any explanation for it. He doesn't owe it to him, to tell him about the invitations he had turned down, about the ring that had been in his dresser, useless now. He's not heartbroken, not really, but he didn't feel like facing the world, freshly broken up, on the night he had been planning to propose.

He doesn't even know if Daniel knows about his breakup yet, if he's seen the posts on Instagram, the ones he didn't even write, just pressed post on.

"Okay, well I hope you're having fun anyway."

Daniel's voice is weird again, and the fireworks going off outside his windows are maybe rattling Max a bit too, which is stupid, because he's seen fireworks a hundred times.

He kind of wants to go to bed.

"Why are you calling, Daniel?" he asks, instead of saying goodbye like a sensible person would have.

Daniel lets out a startled sound, like he wasn't expecting the question, and Max almost wants to shake him, ask him do you think I have forgotten? Do you think I don't know you anymore?

"Uhm, I..."

Max can almost see it, the way Daniel is deciding if he wants to be truthful or to put on his mask again. Can almost feel it, when he chooses in the sigh he lets out.

"Listen, I wanted to ask if you were okay. Martin said you have been hiding away, and that he's worried about you."

Max bristles a little at that. He hasn't been hiding! Sure, maybe he has turned down a few more invites than usual, replying to texts a little slower, but he's allowed to want his peace and quiet, since he's always busy during the season.

By the end, he wasn't even sure either of them loved each other anymore, so he's not even heartbroken. He just. Needs space. He's allowed to want his space.

Apparently though, Daniel still knows him too, because he interrupts before Max can get his angry reply out.

"Hey, don't shoot the messenger! I'm just checking on you, Maxy."

Max sighs, feeling himself deflate, and closes his eyes.

"I'm fine. You don't have to worry."

He doesn't know if Daniel is worried about him, he just said Martin was worried, but it's nice to pretend. Max is a little drunk and a little lonely, he's allowed to fool himself for a minute.

"What about a compromise?" Daniel suggests, making Max open his eyes again.

"What kind?"

"I tell Martin you're fine and to not worry about you," Daniel starts, clearly knowing he's gotten Max's attention, the smile audible in his voice, "and you let me personally check on you when I am in Monaco next week."

"Deal."

It's maybe embarrassing to agree this quickly, but the double win of getting Martin off his ass and the opportunity of seeing Daniel soon is just too tempting.

It makes Daniel laugh, sound washing over Max, drowning out the fireworks.

"Great! I'll text you then," he says. It sounds like he's getting closer to the party again, maybe walking back. For a moment, Max wishes he was there instead of here, but Sassy's whiskers against his fingers immediately change his mind.

"Happy new year, Maxy. I'll see you next week!"

If Max was more foolish, he'd think Daniel doesn't want say goodbye. It seems like Max is pretty foolish tonight.

"Happy new year."

There's a moment of silence, in which Max would think Daniel just hung up if it wasn't for the background noise, then Daniel speaks again, rushed and a little nervous.

"It's a date!"

Before Max can even think about a reply, the call disconnects, and he's left on the carpet, with two scared cats, the sound of fireworks, and a thumping heart.

[swaps55]

Please I have to know! Do you have any other ‘what we choose’ multiverse first kiss scenes in-progress/in your mind/etc? I just reread the moment between them when Kaidan’s putting on Sam’s N chain and sjsksjsjsk

Apologies for making you wait, but since I didn't have the heart to tell you that I didn't have one cooking, I just wrote one. <3

This may start out looking familiar to you. Until it doesn't. :D

~

In Your Universe

02 December, 2182, Arcturus Stream, Arcturus, Arcturus Station

A steady crowd of people mill through the observation deck on the Callisto section of Arcturus’ torus ring. This time Kaidan knows where he’s going, but even though he’s a few minutes early, the buzz of Shepard’s biotic field slips under his skin before he spies the small opening in the wall just below the ceiling. The only difference between now and that morning almost four years ago is the souvenir shop where the empty storefront used to be.

Shepard pokes his head out of the alcove and holds out his hand for Kaidan to grab. No biotic energy to pull him up this time – Kaidan brings his own momentum. But Shepard’s pull is still stronger, and for half a heartbeat Kaidan winds up in his arms. He clears his throat as they disentangle, and settles beside him in this strange little architectural oddity that’s a perfect fit for two people to sit and watch the stars.

“Still beautiful,” Kaidan murmurs, looking out the window. He mostly means the view.

“Never lets me down, I’ll give it that,” Shepard admits. He pushes a datapad out of the way and stuffs a stylus in his pocket.

“Been here long?” Kaidan asks. “Didn’t mean to keep you waiting.”

“Nah. Needed some time to do a little thinking. Been a hell of a day, and it’s not over yet.”

Kaidan sticks one foot out in front of him, so it hangs just off the ledge. “Yeah. New rank, new ship, new crew. What did you think?”

Shepard ducks his head, hiding a smile behind a fist. When had Kaidan first seen him smile like that? It should stand out in his memory, but it doesn’t. Sometimes it feels like there have never been any firsts with Shepard. They’ve just always been.

“The ship’s pretty incredible. You’d have a field day. She’s got stealth tech.”

“Stealth? Really?”

He nods. “Get this. It’s a cross-species effort with the turians.”

“Huh.”

“The chief engineer threw a lot of jargon at me, but the long and short of it is, she’s got an internal emissions sink system that stores waste heat. She can run silent for close to three hours before the crew is in danger of cooking.”

“Damn. I’m guessing wherever they plan on sending you won’t be lacking for action.”

“Not from what I gather. Crew is hand-picked. She’s small, fast, top of the line, and you would hate the pilot.”

Kaidan snorts and leans back on his elbows. “Why would I hate the pilot?”

“Just trust me.”

“Okay,” Kaidan says with a wry smile. “Guess I’ll have to take your word for it.”

There must be a little more misery in his tone than he intends, because Shepard’s expression sobers, and the gravity well flips.  

“Anderson’s the CO,” Shepard says, right before the quiet that settles between them starts to get heavy.

Kaidan’s eyes widen. “Oh, that’s great, Shepard. Really great.”

“Should make things interesting, that’s for sure. I sure can drive him batshit. Wonder how long before he wants to put me out the airlock.”   

“He thinks the world of you, Shepard. You know that right?”

Shepard shrugs a shoulder and pulls the stylus out of his pocket, twirling it in his fingers. “Lot to live up to, still.”

“Hey. You’ve worked so hard for this. And you’re going to get to do it with the person who means the most to you. Enjoy it, okay? At least for a minute. This is everything you wanted.”

Shepard looks at him, right at him, eyes so clear and sharp there can’t possibly be anything Kaidan can hide.

“Yeah. Guess it is.”

Maybe the hint of regret in his voice isn’t real, just Kaidan hearing what he wants to hear. Just like the hand on his shoulder at the café didn’t mean anything, the damn crooked pin at the ceremony had just been harmless banter, and the way Shepard’s looking at him right now is just Shepard.

That’s what he always tells himself.

What if it is something? His stomach churns with a rush of exhilaration and anxiety. What would you do if I told you the truth? If I kissed you, would you push me away, or put your arms around me and tell me not to stop?

But then Shepard drops his eyes and the moment’s gone. He shoves the stylus back in his pocket, scowls, and digs something else out and holds it up to examine. It’s a chain, for a dress uniform, but black instead of the regulation gold. Just like the one Shepard already has on, linking the top button of his jacket with the gold trim of the shoulder pad. The chain worn by anyone who’s achieved N status – the only adornment allowed by anyone who isn’t N7.

Kaidan raises a curious eyebrow as Shepard rolls it between his fingers, the gaze that moments ago had only been for Kaidan now bent elsewhere.

“Did you bring an extra this time?” Kaidan asks, trying not to smile. The last time Shepard had taken that dress coat off, after the N7 ceremony, he’d forgotten to undo the chain first and snapped it in half.

He shakes his head. “My mom gave it to me today. It…was my dad’s.”

Oh.

“Why today?” Kaidan asks. “Why not when you made N1?”

His laugh is bitter. “She didn’t know she had it. She never went through his things.”

“Oh,” Kaidan says softly. “I’m sorry, Shepard.”

“It’s just a chain,” he says with a shake of his head, and starts to shove it back in his pocket. “Never been the sentimental type, anyway.”

Kaidan stops him, leaning in close enough the sharp hum of their mingled fields leaves him a little lightheaded. Shepard’s lips hover close, too close while Kaidan detaches the chain on his uniform. When he drops it in Shepard’s open palm and takes the one that belonged to his father, an electric shock passes through their fingers. Kaidan swallows, makes the mistake of glancing up at those eyes that may as well hold the depth of the stars inside, then fastens the chain carefully in place. Throughout, Shepard watches him in silence that feels like it means something.

“Thanks,” Shepard says softly.

Kaidan traces the chain with a finger, lump growing in his throat, all the times Shepard had nearly killed himself chasing N7, carving the path that’s now leading him away from the ‘Yang to Anderson and the Normandy flashing in front of his eyes.

They’re sending you somewhere I can’t protect you.

Like a reflex, he splays his hand against Shepard’s chest. There’s still an undershirt, dress jacket and dress uniform between them. Sometimes it seems like there’s so much standing between them, even when they’re side by side, and that space is about to become so vast.

But he can still feel Shepard’s heartbeat. Not a number in his HUD. Just a steady rhythm under his palm. He draws in a ragged breath.

“I don’t want to lose you.”

The words are out before he can stop them.

He curls his fingers against the fabric of Shepard’s uniform, trying to break the spell, trying to pull away while he still can, but instead Shepard cups his knuckles, trapping them in place.

He’s always been trapped in Shepard’s gravitational pull. There’s never been any other star he’s wanted to orbit.

“Hey,” Shepard says. “Kaidan, I…”

Without giving himself time to think about what it could cost them, he hooks Shepard’s neck with his other hand and erases the space between them.

Kaidan does little more than brush their lips together, so quick and reckless he almost misses. It’s nothing like what he's imagined in the rare moments where he let himself imagine anything at all. But when they part it’s only by inches. He can’t bring himself to move farther away.

But Shepard doesn’t move either.

They hover nose to nose. Shepard sits still as a stone, breath warm against Kaidan’s cheek, gaze unfocused, like the galaxy has just reordered itself around him. When he finally manages to speak, it's with a voice Kaidan's never heard before.

"Oh."

Kaidan inhales, the reality of what he’s just done setting in hard. “I’m sorry,” he says hastily, trying to scramble away, trying to think of a way to fix it, but Shepard tightens his grip on Kaidan’s hand, keeping it pressed against his chest. His eyes glitter like the stars in front of them, though reading his expression is like being on the wrong side of a two-way mirror. For agonizing seconds, he doesn’t say a word.

“Oh,” he repeats, softer this time, eyes dropping to Kaidan’s mouth. The gap between them narrows until it doesn’t exist.

The kiss starts awkward, hesitant, like they’re a flickering candle that can’t get enough oxygen to catch. But then Shepard’s head tilts to the left ever so slightly, and suddenly…it does.

Shepard’s lips part wider, drawing Kaidan in, before returning to something chaste, like he’s testing what it means, how it feels. Kaidan goes with it, he’ll go anywhere Shepard leads, so long as they go there together.

The gravity well swirls with a gentle hiss of static. Shepard’s fingers curl around the hand Kaidan still splays against his chest, like an anchor locking them together. Kaidan traces the back of Shepard’s neck with a thumb, catching the stubble of freshly shaved hairs at the base of his hairline.

In the space of heartbeat, kissing Shepard is as effortless as breathing. Soft, slow, with only the stars as a witness. They take their time, letting it grow around them, taking its own shape, until it feels familiar. Theirs. Callisto buzzes with the sounds of conversations, life, and laughter taking place below them. But here, in this little pocket of time and space Shepard has carved out for them, there is only the warmth of his mouth, the hum of his biotic field, the beat of his racing heart.

It’s racing for me.  

Kaidan grips the front of Shepard’s uniform, black chain tangling in his fingers, still trapped under Shepard’s hand.   

I was made for you, Kaidan thinks as Shepard slips an arm around him.

But that isn’t true, is it? There is nothing predestined about it. Nothing written in the stars.

Only what they’d spent four years writing themselves.

When they finally part they rest their foreheads together, breathless. Shepard’s eyes flick to Kaidan’s. He reaches a hand up, hesitates, then gently runs his fingers through Kaidan’s hair. Kaidan closes his eyes and breathes deep.

“That felt…like something we should have done a long time ago.”

A laugh slips out of Kaidan. Not quite the reaction he’d planned, not that he’d had anything planned. But at the sound of it, Shepard’s face lights up like the sunrise.

“When, um. When the hell were you gonna tell me you could kiss like that?”

A flush builds at the back of Kaidan’s neck. “Didn’t, uh. Didn’t think it was relevant to your, uh, interests.”

“My fucking interests.” Shepard’s turn to laugh. “You dick.” He wraps Kaidan up in a tight embrace. Kaidan hooks an arm around his neck, the way they’ve done so many times for helmet checks, always with armor in the way.

No armor now.

“I’m sorry,” Kaidan says, head buzzing with a mix of euphoria, elation, and dread. In a matter of hours, Shepard is supposed to report to a new ship. “My timing for this is really terrible.”

“Epically terrible, are you kidding me?”

Kaidan huffs. “Well, I planned to take it to my grave, but it turns out going back to the ‘Yang without you wasn’t…something I could do.”

Shepard pulls away from him, expression turning solemn. Kaidan tries to look away, but Shepard catches his chin in his fingers and holds his gaze.

“You weren’t going to tell me. You were just gonna let me walk onto another ship and not say anything. Why? You’re—” His face scrunches up as several different emotions pass across it at once. “Why.”

“And risk losing you, because I wanted something you didn’t?” Kaidan scoffs. “No. You’re the best thing I’ve ever had in my life. I just wanted to…be in your universe, I guess. Whatever that looked like. Whatever that meant…to you. If it didn’t mean, well—”

“Making out with me.”

Kaidan rolls his eyes. “Fine, if it didn’t mean making out with you…so be it. We part ways here, and I hope like hell you call me every now and then so I can still hear your voice.”

Shepard waggles an eyebrow. “So you’re into my voice, too, huh?”

“You know what, never mind,” Kaidan says, stifling a grin. “Forget it. I’m finding another hiding spot where I can spill my guts to someone who isn’t the actual worst.”

Shepard seizes hold of him with a laugh that’s light as a bell and pulls him in close until his back is pressed against Shepard’s chest, and presses his nose to Kaidan’s ear.

“You idiot. You are my universe.”

A shiver runs down his spine. Shepard might have a point about the voice thing. The low resonance of it in his ear is…well, it’s fucking exhilarating. He grips Shepard’s arm, closes his eyes, and exhales. “Kinda feels like we’ve been saying that to each other for four years now.”

“Maybe it’s time we finally listened to ourselves.”

Kaidan turns his head and kisses him again, deep and slow.

“Fuck, I’m a great listener,” Shepard murmurs when they part. Kaidan laughs, and Shepard’s grin gets even wider.

There is no star that shines like you do.  

Shepard’s omnitool flashes. He dismisses the notification with a grunt, using the opportunity to rearrange his limbs into a more comfortable shape. A shape that includes Kaidan. His head spins.  

“Something you need to deal with?” Kaidan asks, nodding to his omnitool.

“Later. Don’t worry about it.”

“Come on, I worry about everything.”

“Yeah, I love that about you.”

Shepard’s eyes widen the moment the words are out of his mouth. Kaidan’s heart does a somersault.

“Um,” Shepard stammers. “What I meant was…” He stops. Shakes his head. “No. That’s, uh. That’s what I meant. I think I love a lot of things about you. Everything, probably. You’re—”

Kaidan cuts him off. Continuing to exist in a galaxy where the words haven’t been said out loud is something he can’t stand anymore. 

“I love you.”

It’s the truest, boldest, most honest thing he’s ever said in his life.

Shepard gazes at him, poleaxed, then chuckles weakly. “Well. We’re just having revelations all over the place today, aren’t we?”

“Figured a few more couldn’t hurt.”

“No. I…think kind of the opposite. It’s, ah.” His face relaxes a little. “It sounds kind of amazing. Something I didn’t know I wanted to hear.”

“I love you,” Kaidan repeats, softer this time.

Shepard holds him tighter, resting his head on Kaidan’s shoulder. For a few minutes, they just sit in each other’s arms and watch the stars.  

So many stars, home to so many worlds. Humanity had ventured out into the night sky and found new life, new constellations, new technology that had taken them to more stars, where they built new homes in alien frontiers. And somehow, through it all, I still managed to find you.

Some days the galaxy feels so big. Other times…it doesn’t.

“You know,” Shepard says quietly. “The day I first brought you here…I almost didn’t.”

“Oh?”

A wistful smile tugs at his lips. “I thought if I didn’t say anything, maybe you’d give up and go away and I could be left the hell alone. It was a miserable day for me. Last thing I wanted was someone else to see it.”

“What…changed your mind?”

“I knew you. You’re stubborn as hell and never give up when you’re set on something. I was doomed to never know peace.”

Kaidan chuckles.

“And you were—” He hesitates. Kaidan gives him space to put his thoughts together. “I grew up coming to this spot. Never told anyone about it. It was mine. No one could find me when I came here. But then…you did. And I realized…I wanted you to. Felt your field and was actually relieved that maybe I wasn’t going to be miserable…alone.” He laughs weakly. “Yeah, looking back, this is pretty obvious and I’m kind of an idiot.”

“I love that about you,” Kaidan says softly.

Shepard presses a kiss to his temple, but that’s not enough. Kaidan turns his head and kisses him like he means it. Shepard makes a sound that goes straight to Kaidan’s groin.

Which is when reality sets in. Kaidan pulls back and drops his gaze, fingering the black chain on Shepard’s uniform. “So…I just, ah. Made things a lot more complicated.”

“We. Team effort, here.”

“We,” Kaidan repeats. “Guess it could be worse. Could have done it while you were still my superior officer.”

Unease flicks past Shepard’s face. He shifts restlessly. “Yeah, that would, uh, make things a little more complicated.”  

Kaidan gives him a wan smile and traces the line of his jaw with his fingers, something he’s never done before, and hopes to do a thousand more time. “What do we do now?”

“How about we worry about now later? You’re the one who said I should just enjoy things for a minute.”

This is everything you wanted.

Kaidan settles back against him and exhales. Shepard wraps his arms around him. A few hours ago, the future had felt so bleak. As empty as the space between all those stars.

Leave it to Shepard to shine bright enough to fill up the gaps.

“Thanks,” Kaidan murmurs.

“For what?”

“For not turning me away that day.”

The gravity well hums as Shepard leans in and kisses him again, the way it only does when their fields collide.

“Thank you…for staying.”

[alienaiver]

Hello Love, I would love to request a reader with IBS with Bakugo crushing on them

hi my love !!! i hope you'll enjoy this, thank you for sending in a request! <3

warnings: none, fluff + sfw wordcount: 1.3k notes: kept the specific IBS triggers as vague as possible. we all know bakugous a big fan of organizing and planning. impressing you is no less meticulous than his entire career plan. timeskip, semi-early prohero bakugou under best jeanist's agency!

Bakugou prides himself in his cooking, always has. So when Best Jeanist gave him his own department in the agency with various heroes, sidekicks and support under him, he decided he’d build up trust in various ways.

One of them was to cook for his colleagues weekly, gathering them for lunch in the open office at the center of his department floor, only asking them all to provide their own drinks.

It’s popular immediately, everyone gushing over the homemade food by a rising hero like Dynamight. He takes the praise in stride and it motivates him to surpass his own dishes every week. There’s only one issue.

You don’t eat any of it.

It’s not like you choose to be anti-social when this particular lunch break rolls around. You just always bring your own bento box, even if he keeps insisting it’s all free and that he always makes more than needed so that no one needs to hold back.

He makes a variety of dishes; Asian, European, even American styled foods, and whenever he goes directly to your seat to personally present the dishes, you just give him this wide smile that turns his knees into jelly before you say, “that’s so kind of you, Bakugou! Thank you.” before you stab your chopsticks into your own lunch.

It ticks him off, but mostly, it makes him deflate. Of course Bakugou’s not cooking for eight people once a week only to impress you, but it had been part of his 12-step plan to make you fall in love with him. Though he won’t ever admit that he has specific steps set in motion.

First was to get noticed by you in the agency as a whole. Then, to be promoted by Best Jeanist from newly hired sidekick to established hero, and third's to get his own secretary – which you became, because you got along so well by the water cooler. After that was to get this department. A minor step in the right direction was also to get you a new desk that had more space for your trinkets.

His current step, the food, seems to be his Achilles heel. He hadn’t even considered the possibility that you’d have the audacity to be uninterested. You’ve gotten along so well for years now, it’s strange that you don’t even want to taste. He can’t find it in himself to see it as rude, because as earlier established, you dutifully show up and socialize.

He’s in his office, boots on the desk as he contemplates his next move. His food was supposed to have given him an in into your life outside of work, inviting you home to teach you a few cooking tricks, have a nice wine and fluid conversations that’d make you laugh and weak in the knees.

And yet, here he is, dateless.

For a few weeks now he’s been taken peeks at your lunches whenever he passes your desk, but it’s not like anything specific glares at him, like a heavy gluten allergy or lactose intolerance. There’s dairy some days, he’s seen peanuts in your bento, too – and meat. Your diet really doesn’t exude vegetarianism or like you have any other food restrictions. Before weekends, he’s seen you taste the cakes that Himiko, the support secretary, brings with her. But you declined the baked goods he was given once from a rescue mission on a Tuesday. They were both the same type of cake.

Are you just incredibly picky?

He shakes his head and hides his pout in the collar of his suit; he needs to go on patrol soon. He doesn’t have time to think about this all day.

//

A few more grueling weeks of grumbling and groaning over how to make you eat his food, he notices a pattern in your lunches that’s taken him a while to put together. Certain items are never in the bento, like eggs or pineapples.

The other night he ate out with his parents, and his mother loudly talked about her colleague’s stomach issues, not caring that everyone in the restaurant was turning their heads to the conversation; Masaru kept trying to douse her noise level. Not only was the topic sort of awkward when everyone around you is eating (though husband and son were no strangers to such subjects during dinner at the Bakugou household), it’d be a bother if a patron recognized Bakugou.

Of course, Mitsuki paid no heed to anyone else but her family at their table, and explained about the condition she’d just learned about. About certain food triggering reactions even if no official allergy was involved; luckily, the healthcare provided by Mitsuki and Masaru’s company covered some very expensive allergy tests, and she’d then told Mitsuki that she had been diagnosed with IBS.

After being dropped off at his own apartment, he’d sat by his computer and googled IBS, which he learned stands for irritable bowel syndrome. He sucked up all knowledge available on the internet, scientific papers and healthcare provider’s talk about certain diets, testimonials from affected people and watched tons of videos from influencers creating awareness on TikTok. If the bags under his eyes were visible at work the day after, no one commented on it.

//

Now his heartbeat’s through the roof as he puts out the food like usual on the center table, everyone gathering and complimenting him on the smell. His hands are sweaty; more so than normal. He keeps wiping them off on his pants, swallowing excess saliva. In the thermal bag, at the bottom, is a dish specifically made with you in mind. He wonders if you’ll hate it.

You walk in next to Himiko, laughing about a joke she made. You part when you go directly for a seat and Himiko comes up to the make-shift buffet, patting his back in praise.

While everyone is busy filling their plates, Bakugou grabs the last bento box and goes straight to you. He puts it on top of the bento you’re just about to open, “here.”

You freeze for a second, eyes locked on the box. Then you smile up at Bakugou, “that’s so sweet Bakugou, but I brought my own food.”

He almost rolls his eyes before he squats down to lean his arms and head on the table and look up at your eyes. Gently, he says, “it should be safe.”

He hopes his voice doesn't sound as raw as it feels.

The comment takes you back as your eyes are locked onto his. He searches them, drowning in the richness of the color. It’s like he’s at the deep-end of the pool, entranced by a spell, only able to keep himself floating. You raise your brow, “safe?”

He turns away from you with a pout, “I often put pineapple in my curry. And eggs in my bibimbap. This is curry without all the things I’ve noticed you avoid.”

Your eyes travel between the lunch and him, comically back and forth like a cartoon character. “That you’ve noticed I avoid?”

Bakugou blushes; shit. He’d really hoped you wouldn’t catch on to that part. He hides his face in the arms that’s resting on the table edge. “Yeah,” he mutters out, muffled by his hidden face. The silence stretches out, and he’s holding his breath.

After what feels like entirely too long, you let out a small laugh and he hears the lid clicking open. You inhale deeply, and let out a satisfied sigh, “this looks delicious, Bakugou. Did you make it all for me?”

He lifts his head, his eyes still locked to the side. His ears are burning, “mhm,” he nods. You almost coo at him, as you pick up your chopsticks, “this is very kind of you.”

Neither of you notices your colleagues standing around you, various expressions of awe and admiration. You’ve both been the office gossip for some months now.

Bakugou looks at you as soon as you’ve taken the first bite, determined to see your reaction through his embarrassment. Through your chewing you can’t help but smile, stars emerging glittering and shimmering in your eyes as you reach a hand to your cheek, “Bakugou, this is amazing!” you say, taking another mouthful as fast as possible. He loves the way his name sounds when it comes out from your lips; you use it so often it makes him dizzy.

“Can you teach me how to make this? Please?”

Step six completed.

He smirks, “sure. It’s a date.”

check out if my requests are open here ✨

[scarletwinterxx]

start of something new - jaemin scenario

so.... i still can't believe he sent this on bbl😂 my whole tl was in chaos and now we're here

if you have a request or scenario you want me to do, just send me a message I'll see what I can do😊💌

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"Hey come look, do you think I should send this?" Jaemin taps his phone on your back, calling your attention.

You didn't even think twice before looking over at what he's showing, but it's Jaemin. You'd be a fool to expect anything normal from him.

"What the fuck, Jaem. Why would you show me that?"

"Why not?" he asks back

"I'd rather not know what you're sending to your latest conquests, thank you very much" you mumble, going back to what you were doing but failing to focus.

Only a fool would not notice the change in Jaemin's physique. He changed from being this lanky quiet guy to his sexy muscular mysterious dude.

Damn Na Jaemin and his sexiness.

But it's Na Jaemin, the very same Jaemin you've been friends with for forever. Sexy would be the last thing you'd call him.

"But I trust your opinion, of course I'd ask you. Isn't that what friends are for?"

You're seriously three seconds away from smacking him on the head, turning to look straight at him again. "Exactly, we're friends. Everyone already thinks we're sleeping together" you mumbled

He hears you though, turning his phone off to give his full attention to you. It's true he heard the rumors going around the two of you, even though he's seen in public with other girl or girls. A lot of your acquaintances still thinks something is going on between the two of you.

And he may or may have not also said you're the prettiest girl on campus. It happened during a party and Haechan asked the question to which he answered with your name loud and clear without even missing a beat. You didn't know about it until now, he'd probably never tell you because he's too scared to ruin what you have.

Does he think about kissing you? yes. Maybe once or twice, but that's still too many times to think about kissing your bestfriend than normal.

"Earth to Jaemin" you wave a hand infront of his face

"Does that make you uncomfortable?" he asks, crossing his arms. He didn't miss the way your eyes look at his arms for a quick second, smirking but quickly hiding it.

"What?"

"That people think we're sleeping together"

You choked on air, hitting your chest a few times while trying to process what he said. The words sleeping and together is not something you envisioned ever talking to Jaemin about.

"I- uh- like- the fuck am I suppose to answer to that?"

"Yes or no, I can tell them to stop if it's making you uncomfortable" he tells you

"And if I say no, what would that even mean?

He raises a brow at you, chuckling at your flustered state. "Alright, I'll stop now" he laughs, earning a hit on the arm from you.

"I hate you" you grumbled, throwing the closest thing to you which was a cat plushie he gave you.

From that moment on something changed. At first you thought it was just Jaemin being Jaemin but he's been more touchy with you. Of course he's still very respectful, but he would always have a hand on your back when you're in crowded places. Like that time you attended an event on campus, he was standing right behind you the entire time. At some point you felt his hands rest on your waist, choosing not to say anything about it.

You also noticed he's on his phone less, and if he is he's just talking to Jeno or Renun or texting you really. You haven't heard any new news about his latest conquest.

"Okay, something's wrong and you're not telling me" you told him

Currently, the two of you are in his room hanging out.

"What do you mean?" he asks, "You, something's wrong. Are you sick?" you ask back, putting your hand on his forehead

"And why would you think that?"

"Because you're not being very Jaemin right now, I haven't heard you speak about any other girl for weeks. Just last Friday night during the party you said no to that girl who was offering you a drink. The Jaemin I know would've charmed her pants off but you just brushed her off" you told him,

He smiles, resting back on the headboard as he listens to you

"What? Why are you smiling like that?"

"I was with you during that party, I got you drinks remember"

"I do remember, you won't leave my side. Are you sure you're okay?" you ask again, this time leaning closer to look at him straight in the eyes. Jaemin gulps at the close proximity. Right now your hands are resting on each side of him on the bed, he's trying so hard to keep his focus on you but he can't help but glance at your lips.

"I'm ehem I'm good"

You take one look at him again before going back to sitting beside him, Jaemin releasing the breath he was holding.

"You'd tell me if something was wrong right?" you ask, this time your voice was softer. Jaemin takes your hand that was closest to him, holding it in his. "Of course, I promise"

"I think he's in love with you"

"No he's not"

"Well either that or he's going celibate, because I have not seen that man with any other girl besides you. Like literally" your friend tells you, her statement making you even more confused.

If it really is the truth, you refuse to face it until he's literally screaming it at you. You'd rather live with the what ifs than make things awkward between you and Jaemin because of your wrong assumptions.

Just then you get a text from him, speaking of the devil. He's telling you to come over for dinner and to help him with some coursework.

"Is that him?"

"What? It's just Jaemin. He texted" you mumbled, gathering your things

"Yea exactly, you have this smile on whenever he texts you"

"No, I do not"

"Yes you do, but we can argue about it later after the two of you finally kissed then I can tell you I told you so" she says then bids you goodbye.

You then make your way to Jaemin's apartment, knocking a few times and when he didn't answer you punch the code in letting yourself in.

"Jaem?" You call out, when you didn't get an answer you walked to the kitchen to get yourself a bottle of water. After you closed the fridge door, your soul felt like it left your body

"What the fuck" you shouted, getting scared by Jaemin

"Sorry" he laughs, holding both hands up "I didn't hear you, I was in the shower"

You can tell, he's literally shirtless in front of you. Your eyes wander before snapping back to his eyes, "Shirt, is that not a thing now?" you ask him, passing by to sit on the living room couch. Jaemin laughs before walking back to his room to get a shirt.

"What are we doing again?" you ask when he takes the seat beside you

"I just need help revising my paper, then we can get dinner then maybe make out"

"Sure sounds good- wait what?!"

You look over at Jaemin, seeing the big smile on his face. You hit him with the pillow a few times while he laughs, "You're so dumb" you grumble, slumping further on the couch.

To be honest Jaemin didn't mean to say it outloud but he missed you today, you're wearing your usual casual clothes but you look so pretty in his eyes. The overwhelming feeling of wanting to kiss you is winning, disolving any remaining restraint he had.

Not like he was putting up a fight anyways. The moment he knew he liked you more than a friend, he surrendered. You had him wrapped around your finger and you didn't even know.

"How about a kiss on the cheek then?" he asks,

"Did you even need help or am I here so you can mess with me" you frown at him and Jaemin almost grabbed you by the face to kiss you.

But instead he just smiles, shaking his head "No, and a little kiss won't hurt anybody"

"Friends don't kiss, Jaemin"

"Then I don't want to be your friend"

"What?" you whisper

From the playful vibe, it's now more serious. Did you really hear him say that? Or was it the voices in your head

"I said maybe I don't want to be just your friend anymore"

"Maybe?"

"Let me rephrase that. Fuck being friends, I want to kiss you and hug you and hold you. I want to do all things friends aren't suppose to do" he says while looking straight at you

"But why??" was all you could reply

"What do you mean why? Because I like you, I've liked you for a while now but I didn't want to say anything because we're friends but I don't think I can keep telling myself that's all I'll ever be to you"

"But you can have any girl you want, any girl would kill to be in this place" you tell him, he shakes his head before answering you

"I don't want any girl, I want you"

There isn't really any manual or textbook that taught you what to say when your friend confess to you. Nothing really prepared you for this moment. Hell you never thought this moment would even come.

"Jaemin, do you even know what you're saying?"

"Yes, and I know it's hard to believe with my trackrecord and all that but I swear I haven't talked to any girl in like months. How could I even try when you're all I can think about. At first I though I was going crazy then I realized I wasn't, I was just falling inlove with my bestfriend. Maybe I am crazy" he mumbles the last part making you laugh lightly. This made Jaemin smile

"Do you hate me now?" he asks

"No, I just don't know what to say. I knew something was up with you I didn't know it was this"

"Just me being in my feels for you" he says, this made you laugh.

"So.. can we make out now?" he jokingly asks, "Ha you gotta take me out on a date first and I don't even know if I'm good at kissing you might not want to go out with me after"

When he didn't reply, you look at him again only to see him staring at you. "What?"

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"I think I've told you before but I kissed a total of two guys, like one way back in high school then that dude from that party way back. Don't make me say the whole story again, it's embarrasing"

"So like technically I'll be your first kiss?" he asks

"I don't think that's how it works"

"We can make it that, I bet it's not because you don't know how to kiss they just didn't know how to kiss you"

You can feel your cheeks get red upon hearing his words

"Shut up"

"Kiss me then" he tells you, turning sideways to this time he's facing you

"What?"

"Kiss me"

"Didn't you hear me, I don't know how. This is em-" you didn't finish your sentence because his lips are on yours. One hand on the back of your neck while the other holds you from behind, pulling you closer to him.

Jaemin waits for you to kiss him back, each second making his heart drum harder in his chest. Just when he's about to pull away, he feels your lips move against his and he swears you just sent him to his own heaven.

He lets you lead kiss, whatever you're comfortable with. When you pull away from him, he takes this chance to pull you on his lap. Your hands automatically going on his shoulders

"See, that wasn't so bad. They just didn't know how to kiss you" he whispers while staring at your lips, this time it's you who kisses him first. From the quick pecks, the kisses turn into something more. The two of you getting breathless but he can't bring himself to stop. It's like you're his air.

When you pull away to catch your breath, Jaemin takes this chance to kiss your jaw down your neck. Grasping your waist to hold you down, you tilt your head to the side to give him more access.

"Okay we need to pause for a sec or else I'm not going to stop" he tells you but he also still had his lips attached on your skin. Like it was torture to pull away. With one more kiss on your lips, he leans back to look at you.

"Go on a date with me?" he breathes out, you smile at him. Nudging your nose against his and giving his lips another peck, "Only if you say please"

"Pretty please"

You smile down at him then you kiss him again

"Since we're not friends anymore, I'm gonna kiss you again"

[maddragonfruit]

On the Run Au

I'm gonna lore dump about an AU I made because I can.

So Thomas is this regular guy, but he has a deal with the government. He'll let them clone him, and every twenty years, when said clones have grown up into twenty-year-old adults, a surgery is done to switch Thomas's brain into the clone of his choosing. So he gets to be young again, and the government gets twenty years to run tests, and then another twenty years, and another, etc. The government also pays him for the rights to his image. It works out for everybody.

So Thomas is going to the facility where the clones are held, to pick out a clone to be switched into. But there's an issue, between 20 hours to when Thomas arrived (I haven't got a set time), one of the clones escaped, and helped all the other clones out too, and now they can't find them. So the whole facility's on lockdown and Thomas is just kind of wandering around until one of the main researchers comes up to him with the idea that "We think they're hiding in the vent, but we can't tell where in there, and we don't have any way of checking, unless someone goes in. So we're going to dress you up in the same company issued jumpsuit they're all wearing with a tracker, send you up to the general area we think they are, and hopefully you'll find them, say you're a seventh clone who was located in a different area, and escaped in the ruckus of them escaping, and hope they buy it long enough for us to send people to you." And so Thomas does that, not too enthusiastically, but he wants his money and younger body so he does it. (Thomas isn't the greatest person at the start of this)

He manages to find them, hidden out in some kind of large vent room. Most of them are pretty suspicious, but they don't throw him out.

They begin talking about plans to somehow get out, Thomas listening in. None of them know anything about outside the facility, because obviously. And Thomas realizes something while he's there. The clones have actual feelings and thoughts.

He always assumed (And was nudged in that direction by the government) that the clones were just mindless husks. Just being complete copies of Thomas, just without the experience and the personality he gained from experiences in his life. But listening to the clones talk, made it very clear they all had different personalities and thoughts, and Thomas feels a bit bad. He went from viewing the clones as like mindless copies, to actual people.

So he reveals who he is, and tells the clones a way he knows out, cause even though Thomas isn't a genius, he's been engaging in highly secretive government business for like 60 years so he does know a little bit about how the process of leaving the building and getting out works.

They knock him out and escape before anyone comes and gets Thomas. Thomas retains minor injuries, but he mostly fine.

So the government basically apologize to Thomas, gives him some extra cash, and sends him to his new house, because he'd relocated every time he gets made younger.

When he gets to his new house, after a couple of days. The clones just arrive, as the guards who mistook them each for Thomas separately gave them each Thomas's new address, and they managed to find it through combined navigation.

Thomas knows that the government had put out a team dedicated to finding the clones, cause you can't just have six genetically identical people walking around with no proper knowledge of the world.

He feels even worse now, and lets them hide out in his house. The team comes and searches Thomas's house after a couple more days, and Thomas runs off with the clones.

He doesn't really have a plan, he just feels too bad to turn them in, and generally wants to help.

I know this is pretty bad and probably confusing to read but I just really wanted to word vomit everywhere, so thanks for reading this if you have. If you have any questions please send an ask cause I want to explain this better, but this is basically how it all starts.

[alexxncl]

‼️NIGHTBRINGER LESSON 40 SPOILERS‼️

masterlist | all lessons | season 2 | season 3 | lesson 39 | lesson 41.1 | lesson 41.2

the end of an era (season 2)

normal and hard spoilers

oh baby :(

see every time i remember how sheltered diavolo is it makes me hate his father that much more. he grew up with everything in the world, but practically nobody to share it with.

diavolo had to have been smart enough to have caught onto the reason behind mephisto's attachment to him at an early age. he might be dense, but he's not stupid. even if he and mephisto did end up becoming really good friends, diavolo knew early on that their proximity was for business and royalty purposes only, and that friendship and a genuine relationship was second to their professional relationship

i feel like this is why he initially thought of the brothers as treasures in regard to status rather than as people, and the mindset shifted to seeing them as treasures in regards to the relationship he formed with them. he wanted genuine connection, but forming a professional connection before a genuine relationship was so deeply ingrained in him that he defaulted to it without even realizing it

...he can't be fucking serious

GET HIM OUT I BEG

he would've done this regardless of the option we picked during the angel's trial i hate it here...can't he take a class or smth instead of experimenting on us

i'm gonna kill him /j

i'm a whore in the game so i technically date everyone at once. but why does he NEVER say i love you back ????? not even in the first game ????????

like ok you're a time demon who shouldn't get attached to anyone and you choose to stay unattached bc you'll lose everyone anyways blah blah blah but at least indulge me a little bit 💔

SOBS UNCONTROLLABLY I LOVE THEM

i feel like they know this is their last goodbye yk? obviously barbatos does, but this feels very, very final on their part. maybe it's a different version the feeling they have when they go into mc's room, like they can feel mc being pulled away from them physically

what if the end of the lesson or the story in the hard part of the lesson is them portalling back to their timeline and the brothers getting a glimpse of their alternate selves? and then everything clicking into place after mc leaves?

the fact that simeon has as many doubts about his father's intentions as lucifer and his brothers did really solidifies my belief that he wanted to, in the worst case, fall with the brothers. and if he didn't fall, he'd at least have begged for answers as much as lucifer did before the war. he was demoted after the war for helping the brothers in canon, and i feel like he still beats himself up about it because of the side he chose. him and raphael both, but raphael is better at hiding it

(i have a whole post about simeon and michael before the war here)

i've said this about a million times but...

the brothers ever 🫶🏽

they're such shitheads but also extremely concerned i love their dynamic sm

SEE I TOLD YOU ‼️ HE MASKS HIS FEAR WITH ANGER (even though i'm pretty sure this was confirmed in canon in the og game and in nb s1)

him admitting that he was scared though? putting his pride aside and actually talking about his feelings for once? this is proof of how much he trusts mc, how much he loves and cares for them, even if he can't explain why the feelings he holds for them are so strong

it also shows that he's thankful to have someone who will care about and protect his brothers as much as he does, and some of the weight of the "oldest brother" mantle has been lifted. it allows him to be vulnerable and at least a little more carefree, which is why he's seen joking and laughing with his brothers so much more often in the later lessons in comparison to season 1 and early season 2

i feel like i'm SUPOOSED to reach bc why would he phrase it like that ??? i don't think he knows...but he's really intuitive

or maybe this was a way of the devs using him to unofficially-officially send us off and into our original timeline. idk. i'm reaching but they made me

THEY DID NOT

oh i'm really gonna cry...they took what we wrote in season 1 and showed it to the boys

i COMPLETELY forgot we even did this 😭 god i'm gonna cry i love this game sm

I KNEW NO TIME PASSED THANK GODDDDDD

i don't think i'd be able to handle it if the same amount of time passed across realms

i also think this is why they emphasized "time soup" so heavily, you can be put anywhere at any time as if nothing had changed

...i can't believe it's over

...for now at least

well time to read the HDD story and catch up on devilgram

[quillusquillus]

HELL YEAH I'M DOING THIS AGAIN BITCHES!! After literally over a decade since doing the last one, I decided to once again throw my OCs at this ridiculous how-do-your-OCs-react adventure text.

This was very cathartic because I haven't written anything for my OCs in a really long time, but I also made it REALLY LONG sorry. Content warnings for: cringe, gore, lots and lots and lots of swearing, very mild spoilers for the 2016 Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency tv show, and me getting way too into making my OCs fight each other

Blank template is here!

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THE ULTIMATE OC ADVENTURE MEME!

RULES

Don't look at the questions before you fill this out! That's cheating!

Tag three people (or more) at the end of this meme and you'll get a cookie.

Try not to skip any questions!

Have fun!

Fill out the forms below:

CHOOSE EIGHT ORIGINAL CHARACTERS:

Kasrou Euler

Pat Grundy (human bound form)

Quentin Barlington (Level 4)

Beau Boggart

King Imsara (wastelander version)

Effa

Happon

Zombie James

CHOOSE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS FROM A FANDOM:

.21. The Mariner (Waterworld (1995))

CHOOSE YOUR LEAST FAVORITE CHARACTER FROM A FANDOM:

.41. Gordon Rimmer (Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (2016))

CHOOSE #5's LEAST FAVORITE FOOD:

.61. "long pork"

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

.1. Each of your OCs receive a letter in the mail. Upon opening the letters, they realize that the letters were sent to them by the king! The letters ask your OCs to report to the king's palace at once. How do your OCs react?

King Imsara: Heheh :) Quentin: Did you send this? Imsara: No, I'm the king of the -wasteland- not the king of the fantasy land. This will be interesting though. Effa: Fuck this, they better be paying me for this. I don't do work for free. Kasrou: *nodding shyly but solemnly* Quentin: Well I'm sure we will, and even if we aren't how wonderful to go and visit a king!- Ah, oh, no offence… Imsara: None taken :) Pat: Oh yeah, this'll be something all right heh heh Happon: <Awesome!> :D

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.2. Upon reaching the palace, 3, 5, and 8 are grabbed by guards - they apparently resemble wanted criminals! What happens?

Quentin: Oh there's been a terrible mistake, please let me go! We've been summoned by the king and certainly aren't any sort of criminals! James: help Imsara: *completely relaxes* Yeah it's okay, we're okay, we have nothing to hide :) Guard: you've got dirty great knives on you! Imsara: Ah but they aren't -hidden-, are they? Guard: :0 … >:I James: I'm not… I'm really not dangerous I swear Quentin: Exactly! We're expected by the KING, you know. If you'll just fetch someone in charge I'm sure we can get this whole misunderstanding cleared up right away! Go on now! (+6 to persuasion)

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.3. The guards realize their mistakes and release the "criminals". As your OCs are escorted to the king's chamber, 4 realizes that they need to use the restroom. The guards point down one of the hallways, and 4 quickly goes exploring for the restrooms. But they get lost in the process! What happens?

Beau is a living patch of fear-eating darkness in the shape of a scary goth clown and absolutely does not need to use the restroom. They use this excuse to creep around the corridors and stalk and scare the absolute shit out of a poor maidservant, haunting her with howling shadows until she runs screaming down into the main hall babbling incoherently.

---

.4. 1 gets worried and goes to find 4. What happens?

Kasrou: Um. h-Hello? Beau? *holds floofy tail and creeps about nervously* Is that you? Um I noticed you weren't saying much earlier and you went off on your own, is everything okay? Beau: *a door creaks open revealing Beau, standing motionless with red glowing eyes* Kasrou: Eeek! *clutches tail* Oh! Um… sorry that was rude. Are you all right? Beau: ….*tilts head* Kasrou: Well um. It's okay if you need some time on your own, I just thought you should know we're going to see the king very soon. Beau: ….. Kasrou: I was a bit worried you might have gotten lost, actually, it's awful complicated in here. Would you like to walk back with me?

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.5. 1 and 4 eventually find their way back to the other group. Everyone bows as the king approaches them. He speaks of a horrible problem that had befallen the kingdom - the world's chocolate supply went missing! The king then moves on to revealing that your OCs are the "Chosen Ones" who must bring back the kingdom's supply of chocolate. How does everyone react?

Quentin: *gasps* No!! All of it?? ALL of the chocolate?? Happon: <Ehh even the chocolate cakes?> :0 Kasrou: Oh noooo :( Effa: Why is this you guys' fucking concern in this situation Pat: Well I'm sure we can handle that, mister king- er, your majesty. Personally I'll be needing it in writing of course, technicalities of my profession and all that, feel free to cast your eye over these terms and see if they're to your liking. *does a very inaccurate bow with several spinny hand motions* Imsara: As one king to another… I'm not sure I'd recommend that. King: Oh? And why might that be? Pat: *turns slowly to look at Imsara with eyebrows raised like are you seriously doing this? here? now?* Imsara: You chose him so it's your decision of course, but from what little I know of this guy… *meets Pat's look* …I feel being in his debt means bad news for you. Pat: *turns to the king with arms spread wide* Eyy I'm a demon, okay? We all know it, we both went into this relationship eyes wide open et cetera, I'm not beating about the bush with ya here. If I'm supposed to be one of yer "Chosen Ones" this is the way it's gotta be. Couldn't change it even if I wanted to. You sign; I do. 's the way it's gotta go. King: Hmm… I have read your terms, and they seem fair. I will accept this, for the sake of the kingdom's chocolate. Sign here, you say? Pat: *turns to Imsara while the king signs his contract and does a grin and a shrug at him as if to say 'well, what can ya do?'* Imsara: *shrugs and smiles back at him, but the smile doesn't reach his silvery eyes*

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.6. Before the king sends the Chosen Ones off on their journey, a big banquet is held for the new heroes. Unfortunately for 5, all the food served has 5's least favorite food (61) in their recipes! How does 5 react?

Imsara: *completely freezes for 2 seconds after taking a particular bite, then eyes flick quickly around the table. nobody else who is eating has noticed anything* Pat: *catches Imsara's eye and grins knowingly, raising a goblet of wine in toast then stabbing a forkful of food and putting it in his mouth* Imsara: *looks around the rest of the table again, thinking, then relaxes and leans back casually away from his plate as if full, looking content. he says nothing* James: *doesn't even have a plate* This food smells kinda weird… Kasrou: Oh, are you sure you don't want any? James: No I'm… I'm good. Happon: <That's a real shame cuz this is super tasty!> Very good! *he gives a thumbs up to the king*

---

.7. After being given instructions to travel to the Temple of Chocolate, the Chosen Ones set off on their journey. However, as the sun sets on their first day together, 2, 6, and 7 get into a brawl! What happens, and what are they fighting over?

This group splits off from the rest of the group for a bit. Pat immediately clocked Effa right away as someone who is really motivated and hedonistic and a good mark. Effa has zero respect nor fear of Pat, since demons in Effa's universe are entities they deal with regularly that are overwhelming powerful forces and Pat just seems to be some annoying humanoid guy and not a demon at all.

Effa: And I'm saying I wouldn't need your stupid contract to make you do as I say, unless you have some kind of hidden power you're not showing us besides making paper appear and disappear. I don't know what kind of stupid weak bitch universe you come from but in mine, THIS is a demon. *tearing, glitchy sound and suddenly a huge, rainbow arm sprouts from their back* Kasrou: Yikes! *holds sides of face* Pat: Wowie! Yeah, that's very impressive! Something I ain't never seen before that's for sure. You two buddy-buddy back there? I wouldn't wanna compete, that's a very close relationship I see, I respect that. Can't help but make the observation though, that I would surmise I could provide a, ah, different sorta skillset than offered by a giant glowing hand? Effa: *grinding teeth with a faint cricket chirp noise* You really don't fucking shut up do you? Don't you fucking get it? I don't NEED help from someone as pathetic as you! *snatches the air with their own small hand as the giant rainbow hand rockets forward and grabs Pat by the head, lifting him off his feet* Pat: *grabbing the hand encasing his head, legs kicking in the air vaguely* Hmmg! mmnf? Ermnnff! Happon: *steps in and waves hands* <Whooaaa wait wait!> Stopp, stopp! No fighting, please! Effa: *sneers at him* And you can shut up too <fucking bastard> I'm tired of hearing your stupid nihon jabbering just speak fucking english. Happon: My english is not good :( Please no fighting! <I'm beggin', put him down!> Effa: *ignoring Happon* No I'm gonna rip his fucking head off, if he's really a demon he'll be fine Pat: *kicking* Mmmf mm mmmn! Happon: <Stop!> *dashes forward and transforms in the same motion, rushing into a hovering shimmering wall of blue coils in front of Effa. his dragon snout stops right in front of their much smaller face, ears down, round yellow eyes enormous and pleading* Effa: *stumbles back, startled, waving Pat though the air* Pat: Hmmf! Effa: *recovering their composure* Oh I see, fucking magic dragons and shit, I forgot that's the kind of bullshit I have to deal with here. You want to fucking go instead, huh? *they turn and stare hard at the rainbow arm, after a second or two it opens and lets Pat fall to the ground* Pat: Owf. Effa: *another ripping, crackling sound and a second demon arm joins the first, both of them arcing over Effa as they sneer at the blue dragon* Happon: *cowers, ears drooping, making a low keening sound* <We aren't here to fight, we're here to help each other out… right?>

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.8. 1 convinces the brawlers to stop fighting. However, 2 and 7 are still ticked off at each other, even after the fight. What happens?

Kasrou: uh… um. Effa? I think everybody here thinks you're the strongest, you don't need to hurt anyone to show it! Happon: *nodding vehemently* Effa: *narrows eyes* Kasrou: And I think Mx. Grundy got the message too! Pat: *still lying on the ground* I sure fucking did. Yeesh kid, a simple "I'm taken" woulda sufficed you don't have to get catty about it. Effa: *rounds on Pat again, eyes narrowed* What did you call me? Pat: *getting up and dusting himself off* Hey no offence, most people are kids to me, ancient being from the dawn of time and all that, nothing personal. Effa: Yeah RIGHT. These losers are right, why am I even wasting my time with you… *raises hands and focuses for a moment, the giant rainbow hands fade and disappear* Kasrou: *sits down hard and holds her face in her hands* Oh thank goodness Happon: *transforms back to human and crouches next to Kasrou, putting a hand on her furry back* Are you okay? You are very… ah.. <how do I say you have courage..> good strong fight? Very small, very tough. :D Kasrou: Aw Happon that's very sweet of you to say. Magic users are so scary!! Happon: *leans in conspiratorially and stage whispers* Next time, you let them fight, okay? Pat is demon, you don't need to fight for demon. He is strong, and bad. Head off? Baaan… no trouble. Pat: Hey I heard that. I'd like to keep my head attached as much as possible, if you don't mind.

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.9. Dawn! Your OCs wake up to another beautiful day. After shaking the sleepiness out of their systems, they check their packed bags to pull out breakfast. Unfortunately due to poor planning, there's only enough food for seven people! What happens, and who doesn't get a meal?

Beau and James don't eat food anyway so this is not a problem. Pat doesn't need to eat food but does so anyway just to be obnoxious.

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.10. Your OCs arrive at a small, ocean-side village. 1 and 8 are sent into the village to look for a grocery store of some sort. After a few hours of searching, they can't seem to find any stores! When they return to the group empty-handed, what happens?

Kasrou: Oh dear, don't they even have food printers or anything? James: Uh, I don't think this place has that kinda technology… Still, it's pretty weird there's no stores… Kasrou: Do you think if we knock on some of the houses they might share some food if they have any? James: Um. If we do that it'd probably be up to you, I'm usually not that great at getting strangers to trust me Kasrou: Really? But you seem so nice! James: Oh… uh….. thanks….. *embarrassed and mildly flustered by this* -they return to the others- Quentin: What?! Nothing?! Are you sure you looked properly? I refuse to believe this. *starts trotting off into the village to check for himself* (+0 to perception)

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.11. Frustrated, the rest of your OCs go into the village and eventually find a vendor of food. As night falls, they choose to spend the night at a local inn. It's a very small inn, however, and 2, 8 and 3 are forced to share a room! What happens?

Quentin: This is outrageous, this place doesn't sell food and has the smallest inn I've ever seen, do they even WANT people to stay here? *is pulling a blanket off the bed and laying it on the floor for himself* James: I mean I don't have to be in here, I don't sleep so… I can just be on watch. Pat: Yeah I don't need sleep either *swings himself into the bed, fully clothed and with his boots on, and lights a cigarillo* Quentin: You are NOT smoking that in here, put that out immediately Pat: *grins* Is that a formal request? Quentin: No it is not! >:( *flicks his wand and puts the cigarillo out with prestidigitation* Pat: Aw

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.12. As it turns out, 2 snores very obnoxiously. How do 3 and 8 handle 2's awful snoring?

Quentin: *throws a pillow at Pat every 10 mins for the first hour or so, getting increasingly cross* James: *is sitting knees up on the open windowsill, watching with pale eyes catching the moonlight* I'm pretty sure he's doing that on purpose Quentin: *sleepy, cross* Oh, of course he is! And he can certainly stop it! Pat: *cracks one eye open and grins* James: I mean I could probably just throw him out the window if you wanted me to Quentin & Pat: *both look at James* James: …I'm just saying I can, it's a suggestion. He'd probably be fine, right? Pat: You know, I think I like you, kid

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.13. 4 wakes up early and goes downstairs to eat breakfast at the inn's small restaurant. But as 4 orders their food, 21 approaches 4 out of nowhere! 21 announces that they are an assassin from a rival kingdom, and that it is their job to kill 4. How does 4 react?

I love this meme because it puts characters together in situations you'd never think to come up with in a billionty years. I think if the Mariner was hired to assassinate Beau specifically (because Beau previously haunted that rival kingdom and now they're mad about this evil creature becoming one of this kingdom's chosen ones?? idk), then he'd have to not know what he was up against or he would have refused. So imagine this Kevin Costner-looking guy creeping stealthily around the inn with a speargun and a big fuckoff knife. Beau doesn't sleep and so was never in a room in the first place, just sitting and staring unblinking with teeth bared at an empty table the entire night. The Mariner peeks into an open window, sees this enormous freaky clown person, catches their rancid vibes IMMEDIATELY and vanishes without a trace. Beau's head turns slowly to look at the place where he was moments before.

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.14. 6 hears the commotion downstairs and quickly rushes to 4's aid! After a bold fight with 21, 6 emerges victorious, and 21 drops to the floor, dead. How does 4 react to 6's heroic efforts?

There was no commotion and Effa wouldn't rush to anyone's aid anyway, but they encounter the Mariner on his way out by coincidentally running into him. Effa: *hissing* Watch where you're FUCKING going! The Mariner: *instinctively swipes his knife at Effa to get them out of the way as fast as possible* Effa: !!!! *stumbles back, summons arms in a sharp crackle and immediately lunges for the Mariner* [Scenes of Unimaginable Violence] I don't want to describe this because I love the Mariner very much but Effa is a professional supervillain and would absolutely destroy his fish mutant ass no question. For a visual, imagine that scene in one of the Avengers movies where Hulk grabs Loki by the legs and bashes him from side to side like a chimp with a dead snake. Beau does not react because Beau doesn't know this happens, and indeed the entire rest of the party remains unaware that the wanton murder of a beloved franchise character just occurred outside.

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.15. And they're off! Your OCs now travel along a cool, windy path running along the ocean. 7, who has gotten bored over time, suggested to the group that they go take a dip in the ocean for a break. 5 thinks this is irresponsible, but the rest of the group agrees to 7's idea. What happens, and how does 5 feel?

Imsara only thinks this is irresponsible because they should send the tougher folks in first to see if there's any unexpected fantasy beasties, but Happon is waaay too enthusiastic and persuasive and is yeeting himself ocean-ward followed by about half the group. Happon: <Wa'hoiiiii it's the ocean!> *flings his shirt off and he runs and jumps in, submerging fully and disappearing* Kasrou: *holding her tail out of the edges of the waves and giggling as they splash over her clawed feet* Quentin: *galloping through the waves with big splashes, tossing his tail and laughing* Oh this is fun! Exactly what was needed! Imsara: Well, too late now I suppose! *also pulls his shirt off and dives into the waves gracefully, emerging and happily doing some powerful strokes through the water* Effa: *is crouched on the wet part of the sand like a goblin, hunched and focused on digging in the sand. they take out a shell of some kind and hold it up without looking at it, letting go. it stays suspended in the air, surrounded by a barely visible grey-rainbow jitter, and Effa continues whatever they're doing* Pat: *chilling and smoking in the shade of the road's embankment* What's he doin over there? Is that magic? Weird kinda magic. You got magic wherever it is you come from? James: *is crouched in the same shady spot* Uhh… not sure really. Pat: But you're like some typea undead magicy sorta thing yourself right? A zombie? James: *looks awkward* Yeah but I mean like we don't have wizards or demons or… whatever that is. …I don't think so anyway. *slumps his chin into his hand* Man… the world got all fucked up, I don't know, maybe we do. Jesus… Pat: *winces slightly* Pat: Well I know what THAT thing is, that's a fucking boggart. *jerks his thumb at Beau, who is leaning against the embankment a short distance away in the shadiest spot, smoking a black cigarette that oozes thick black smoke that sinks downwards* Beau: *tiny high-pitched giggle*

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.16. How refreshing! It's such a scorching hot day, and even 5 grudgingly agrees to go swimming as they watch the others having fun. As time passes, your OCs realize that they need to get back to work. But as they leave the water, 1 suddenly gets attacked by a shark! What happens to 1, and who comes to 1's rescue?

Kasrou was in the shallowest edge of the water and was attacked by a little juvenile shark beach feeding who thought that her scaly clawed feet were delicious dead crabs. Kasrou: *shrieks horrifyingly* HYEEEEEEEEIIIIK Oh oh oh! Owwww! Ohh! Quentin: *galloping over with big splashes* What is it! Are you all right? What happened? Kasrou: *falling down butt-first into the waves, clutching her bleeding foot and keening* Something bit me! T A T Imsara: *swimming over fast* Quentin: Oh dear, let me see… oh that looks… *patting his coat pockets for any kind of potion* I don't have any healing spells, Pip's usually here for that sort of thing… :( Imsara: *walks up and crouches next to Kasrou in the waves* I'm gonna pick you up and take you somewhere dry, okay? Keep holding it just like that :) Kasrou: *sniffle* Okay…. Imsara: *bodily lifts the smaller Kasrou in a princess carry and brings her up the shore, trailing drops of water and a spot or two of blood* Quentin: *trots after, fretting*

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.17. 1 got away from the attack with minor injuries. However, this slows the pace of the group down, since they need to walk slower for 1 to keep up. 6 gets fed up with how slow the group is moving, and eventually abandons the group! A day later, does anyone miss 6? If so, who misses 6, and why?

Kasrou's foot is bandaged by Imsara (and given a "get better kiss" by Happon which surprisingly does make her feel much better). Quentin offers to let her sit on his back but, bizarrely, it's Beau who wordlessly picks her up, walking with her on their broad shoulder, supporting her with one hand. Effa is the one who leaves. They simply stop, go "tch" and start walking off in a different direction.

Quentin: Now where are YOU going? Did you see something? Effa: *without turning around* No, I just realised how stupid this is. You all have fun Pat: Wow, he just straight up gave up, huh? Quentin: Oh come on, you can't just walk off like that, what about, er, all your rewards from the king when we complete this quest! Effa: *flips him the bird without turning around* James: Guess they really don't like working in teams

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.18. The Chosen Ones now have one less comrade. Now it's a little bit more dangerous for them to travel… As the Chosens journey through a ragged mountain pass, they are jumped by bandits! The bandits team up on 2, who was the farthest away from the bigger section of the group. What happens to 2, and how does 2 react?

Pat: Whoa! Hey! Whoa! I'm not the guy you want, look at me, look at these clothes, do I look rich? Go bother those other guys! *gets jabbed in the side with the point of a sword* Ow, hey! Quentin: *a short distance away, facing off fewer bandits with the rest of the group* Oh bother this, don't you chaps have anything better to do? *flourishes with his wand and makes snapping, crackling firework sparks, causing the bandit nearest to him to back off* (+6 intimidation) James: Hey uh, Pat the demon guy's in trouble I think Quentin: *sighs disgustedly* Do we… really have to bother with that right now? Imsara: *says breezily as he slips through the others to get to Pat* Would be hypocritical if we didn't! Beau: *standing still a short distance away, holding Kasrou on their shoulder and grinning at the two bandits who look like they really don't want to get any closer* Pat: *gets knocked down by a guy with an axe and shield* Ah fuck me, come on! Imsara: *parries a sword swipe with one of his long knives and does some kind of cool twisty thing that completely disarms the bandit, moving smoothly to the next guy and dodging his axe before twirling around behind him and pressing his knife in front of his face, grabbing the man's hair* Happon: Waow :O Imsara: *in an almost freakishly calm tone of voice, still holding the knife to the man's face and throat* Okay, okay, everybody calm down, it's all right, we can stop fighting now. Bandits: *don't move, warily regard this standoff* Imsara: *turns slightly to address the man he's holding* You're the leader, yes? Sorry if I'm mistaken. Bandit leader: *a little confused* ….yes Imsara: Excellent! Excellent. Can we come to an agreement then? As you can see we can defend ourselves quite well, so maybe there's something you want that we can get you? Without any of us getting hurt? *he adjusts the knife minutely* Bandit leader: …well we were just… you know. Trying to get some money. You know? No hard feelings… you seemed like a bunch of fre- uh. Nice folks who might have something we could sell. To feed our families, you know… *he glances around at his men, who glance at each other and then all nod enthusiastically* Imsara: *with complete seriousness* Oh absolutely. I understand very well, I sympathise with that. *he takes the knife away from the startled bandit's throat, letting go of his hair and clapping him on the back instead* Pat: Hey what the fuck I'm bleeding here, you should gut that guy like a fish before he does the same to you Imsara: Absolutely not. The first step is always a show of faith. I'm sure we can come to some kind of agreement with these fine gentlemen

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.19. Surprise! 6 emerges from the shadows and helps the group defeat the bandits. How does 6 react, and how does the group react to 6's arrival?

Effa: You guys really do suck ass. Agreement? This is what you do when weak bitches get big ideas [MORE SCENES OF UNIMAGINABLE VIOLENCE] Quentin: Oh my gods D: Imsara: *rubs forehead and sighs* James: *in the background not watching and being sosososo glad he didn't have to fight humans either way*

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.20. Dun-dun-dun-duuuuun! 4 has leveled up! What's this? 4 has learned a new skill! What new skill is that?

Beau learned…… Empathy???

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.21. 3 is starving, because they forgot to pack plenty of food before they started journeying through the mountain pass. While the group is taking a break, 3 spots an absolutely ADORABLE bunny in some tall grasses a few feet away! 3's stomach growls mercilessly. What happens?

This wouldn't happen because Quentin doesn't like eating meat and thinks small animals are cute, however it's really funny to me specifically because why does the universe keep pitting Quentin against rabbits anfghtg (this will only make sense to me and my DM). Quentin instead goes "aww, a bunny :)" and then goes and acts forlorn and weak and whines at the others until somebody shares their food with him.

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.22. 7 catches an awful sickness. During one night out in the wilderness, 7 keeps everyone awake with their persistent coughing. How do the others react?

Happon: *coughing* <I'm dying, I'm definitely gonna die> T_T Effa: Stop being so fucking dramatic and shut upp Imsara: How do dragons get better from sickness? Do you want some more water? Happon: Yes please T_T Kasrou: Have you ever had this type of sickness before? Happon: I'm never sick, don't get sick… ocean magic sick maybe… Quentin: Oh dear, is that a thing? Do we all have that now? D: James: Nah it would spread faster to the smaller people first. …I mean, I think Happon: Bad bad bad sick *groans and coughs* <Aahh I want to become a pond loach…>

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.23. The Chosen Ones are nearing the end of the mountain pass…when they come across an ancient, dilapidated temple amid the trees. 3 dares 1 and 6 to enter the temple, no matter how creepy it looks. Do 1 and 6 take the dare, or are they chicken?

Quentin WOULD do that… He dares Kasrou because it looks pretty safe and he wants to cheer her up and get her feeling brave again after her injury (and also just because he wants to poke around in temple ruins. he's a ttrpg character after all, he's GOTTA). He doesn't dare Effa but they tag along anyway.

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.24. Whether 6 and 1 like it or not, the group decides to take a chance and enter the temple. Ancient runes cover the walls, and many plants have broken through the ground and have taken over the place. And there, in the center of the main chamber, lies a stone dais. On top of the dais lies eight weapons. As the Chosen Ones approach the weapons, the walls and the weapons start to glow! A voice speaks out to the Chosen Ones… "Take the weapons and use them against the evils of the world. You are the only ones who can save the world, Chosens." The Chosens take their weapons and leave the temple with renewed hope. How do they react to this experience?

James: *staring at his ornate machete-like shortsword* This is the sickest shit ever Imsara: Ohoho yes *spinning and feeling the balance of his new blades* Effa: You basic bitches got it easy I have to figure this shit out first *examining a multi-faceted crystal that they've suspended in the air, they flick it in annoyance and it spins around, sending sparkles everywhere* Happon: *holding his pendant and feeling the small localised rainstorm around him falling on his palm* :D Kasrou: I'm um, I'm not sure I understand mine yet either… *she is holding a delicate ornate monocle to one of her large eyes, with a hook that goes over one ear* Imsara: Seems like a magic-y thing, no? Perhaps Quentin can help Quentin: *stops galloping around excitedly trying out his new wand* What? Oh. Want me to take a look at it? Yes, I can do that, just give me ten minutes. *he begins to cast Identify* James: Well there's no need to identify the use for… that… *he points over at Beau* Beau: *curiously hefts an absolutely ridiculous giant wedge of a blade, more like a plank of rusty iron with a point and an edge, with two handles along the back and several spikes sticking out :) they lift it up to their mouth and play their three snaking tongues over the rusty metal, drooling* James: Okay well that's horrifying Kasrou: And what did you get, Pat? Pat: *slipping a large ring-shaped piece of coppery metal into his coat and winking* Never you mind Quentin: Got it! Looks like if you focus, you should be able to cast illusions with this! :) Kasrou: Ooooh :o Effa: *teleporting from point to point in the background using their crystal*

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.25. Alas, the final destination lies in the distance! Atop a hill, the Chosens can see the Temple of Chocolate, standing heroically in front of them. They begin to trot down the hill, when it starts pouring rain. 5 slips in the mud and slams into 7, causing 7 to drop their legendary weapon. How do they react?

Happon: <My pendant!!> D: Imsara: I'm so sorry, are you all right? Happon: Necklace, necklace! *scanning around the muddy ground* Imsara: Oh dear, did you see which direction it went? Effa: What are you two dummies fussing about *is using wizardry to make an almost invisible "umbrella" and is completely dry* Quentin: I think Happon lost his magic item, I don't see it anywhere… Oh this rain is AWFUL James: *super zonked out* Uh-huh… Imsara: Ah-ha! *sticks his hand into the mud and pulls out the pendant, handing it to Happon* Happon: Uwaaa thank you! Haha very dirty. *he starts brushing the mud off it* Quentin: Oh, here, let me *he taps it with his wand and casts prestidigitation, flicking the mud off and cleaning it immediately* Kasrou: Oh that's so handy :O Quentin: Isn't it?!? Pat: Aren't you a rain dragon, can't you do something about this fuckin rain? My smoke keeps going out *grumbling as he's relighting his cigarillo* Happon: Yes… <_< But… I like rain Pat: *glares at him* <Don't you wanna show them you're good for something? You've done nothing but slow them all down so far> Happon: *pales, then blushes and looks away. Slowly, the rain around them stops* Quentin: Oh it's stopping! Imsara: What did he just say to you? Happon: *bouncing up again brightly, only a little strained* All okay! I stop the rain :D Quentin: Oh hurrah! Imsara: *looks at Pat suspiciously* Pat: *ignores him and cheerfully puffs his cigarillo*

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.26. The group reached the Temple of Chocolate! The stairway glows as the Chosens approach, and the Temple seems to come to life. There, at the end of the hall, hangs the Sword of Chocolate on the wall. It must be pulled to save the kingdom from a chocolate-less fate! But as your group runs down the hallway, they're jumped by none other than 41! What happens?

They don't get jumped, Gordon and his comrade freaky cult bald guys with crossbows and cattle prods are already there. They've rigged up a welded-together framework of sparking cable and metal braces to the Sword of Chocolate, some weird chocolatey energy pulsing through it and snaking down through the cables into another, smaller device with about 50 levers and buttons, held together with spot welds and hazard tape. The whole thing hums dangerously. The Chosens burst in from the long hallway and Gordon-- a hunched middle-aged man wearing big square glasses and a huge off-white fur coat-- whirls to see them.

Gordon Rimmer: What the hell, who the fuck are these guys?? Effa: *manifesting two giant rainbow hands with a glitchy crackle* Who the fuck are YOU Gordon: Who the fuck are YOU?? *gestures to the drone Men of the Machine* Get these guys outta here, we have to get the rest of the chocolate energy. Come on! *he turns away and lets them deal with it while he presses some buttons on the device* Men: *stride stiffly towards the group, two of them hanging back and raising crossbows* Imsara: *sighs and flicks his knives out of their holsters* Men: *one of the crossbow men fires at Quentin, who has spread out away from the group. The bolt shanks him in the side and a second later a buzzing crackle of electricity surges down the attached wire* Quentin: *yelps and bucks, knocking the bolt out* Ohhhh that! Hurt!! :( *he flicks his wand in the air and a blinding light shines down on his attacker briefly, singing his skin and setting his sleeve on fire* Men: *while the one who shot Quentin is awkwardly patting out the fire on his clothes, another advances on James with cattle prod outstretched* James: *doesn't dodge* Aw come on please I really don't wanna- *jerks and exhales as the prod jabs him in the chest. sparks buzz between the metal bars of his mask and he looks up at the man, annoyed, then whacks the cattle prod out of his hand with the back of his sword and slips behind his guard to deliver a gut punch* Men: *the one who James punched doubles over slightly and gives a wheezing monotone 'Ouch'. elsewhere, the second cattle prod wielder advances on Happon, who yelps and runs away behind Beau, who has Kasrou on their shoulder again* Kasrou: *as the man strides towards them, cattle prod sparking, Kasrou taps the lens over her eye and suddenly both her and Beau scatter and are lost in a dizzying rain of pink cherry petals, the Men of the Machine drone man looks around in confusion, blinking* Beau: *from the edge of the petal storm, one enormous pale, purple-clawed clown hand reaches out and grabs the man by the head, yanking him into invisibility. there is a very heavy, meaty clanging sound*

Men: *the second crossbowman fires at King Imsara, who deflects the slow bolt with a lightning fast movement of his knives, leaving it sparking as it rolls across the floor* Gordon: *whirls around, taking in the state of things* What the hell are you guys doing?? *huffs and mutters and throws his hands in the air in exasperation, turns back to the machine. suddenly a massive rainbow hand grabs him by the back of his enormous coat and pulls him back* Effa: Better question is, what the hell are YOU doing? This machine looks pretty interesting, tell me what it does! Gordon: You came all the way here and you don't even know? What the hell are those hand things? Effa: This is a demon that can pull the skin off your entire body like a fucking snack wrapper, now tell me what this thing does or I'll let it- Hey!! *Effa's second demon arm has twisted around and seized the bundle of cables that feed into the machine, the weird chocolatey energy pulsing into the translucent rainbow appendage as well* You let go of that right now, we can take it apart later! D:< *the hand seems to be ignoring them, growing larger and starting to emit light, gripping tighter. the eye patterns on it suddenly move, the pupil dots on it and on the other hand flicking over to look at Effa between them* Gordon: It's using the energy! Let go of me I gotta shut it down! *he reaches into his coat and pulls out a gun* Effa: *before he can even finish levelling it at Effa they flinch and the hand holding Gordon reacts, slamming him down into the ground with brutal force and then flinging him across the room like a grey rag to crash into some distant rubble. the hand then flicks over and snaps onto the cables as well, pulsing larger. Effa raises from their startled crouch and takes in the situation* Shit!! Come on you bitch, you will DO WHAT I SAY! LET GO!

Men: *continue to harass the others, the crossbow men have switched to short nasty knives. they are unskilled but don't seem to react normally to pain and it takes a few moments for the group to successfully bring them down. the one Beau vanished is never seen again* James: *crouched on the back of one of the men, who is moving feebly but not getting up* What the heck is going on up there Quentin: *poking gingerly at his bleeding wound* I was wondering the same thing, is their magic getting out of control? Effa: *hissing* This is unacceptable behaviour, you'll regret this later… *another arm fizzles and glitches into existence, as if forcing itself through, followed immediately by a fourth. the hands are now massive, more than twice their usual size, and lazily pulsing with a weird energy that distorts the light around it. sparks are beginning to shower from the machine, and the Sword of Chocolate itself is vibrating slightly with the sheer power of vanilla and cocoa* Happon: I think we go now? Machine looks baaaad bad… James: We still gotta get that sword though. …somehow Kasrou: *from Beau's shoulder, who has reappeared* Demons where Effa and I are from are like forces of nature with intelligence. Effa's the one who summoned it, so if they can't control it I'm not sure there's anything we can do D: Pat: *chuckling* Demon. Yeah sure. *he fishes around in his coat as the others turn to look at him* That thing? *he takes the coppery ring object out of his coat. it's revealed to be a slim circlet made of twisting, intertwining metal* I'll show you a real demon. *he slips the circlet over his head, and immediately tiny red flames ignite along the top of it. it rises and floats above his head as he begins to grow in size. he's laughing wetly, the sound getting deeper and deeper. the others step back as a wave of heat emanates from his growing form. his clothes wither and slough off his body like old skin as his actual skin thickens and turns a dull red. he drops to all fours as his neck and face lengthen, long teeth sticking out of his face and his eyes sinking into hollow sockets that duplicate out of the sides of his face from two to six. the light in the entire temple begins to turn a weird diffuse orange, heat and the taste of ash making the air thick. everyone else backs to the walls of the chamber as he almost entirely fills the space: a gargantuan quadrupedal beast with legs like elephantine pillars, a huge spike on his back around which the flaming crown-- now giant-- lazily rotates. his wrinkled, sucker-dotted neck is tall enough that he holds it bent and pressed against the ceiling, hollow eyes in a face like a horse skull with a brick in it leaking fine dribbles of liquid metal as he looks down over Effa and the device* James: Okay. What the fuck Effa: *has finally noticed something's going on, looks around, then up* Oh shit, what the fuck are you supposed to be? *there is a hint of actual distress at this unexpected manifestation in the middle of being unable to control their powerful arms. they raise their own, much more fragile arms and a crackling, jittering angular shape appears in the air above them like an angry shield* Pat: *in a voice the same but much lower, wetter, that reverberates around the entire temple* I'm the Wandering Waste, bitch *he begins to raise his head, his thick neck cracking inexorably through the temple's stone ceiling. massive chunks of worked stone begin to fall and smash the device in huge showers of sparks and screeches of metal. the eyes on Effa's hands flick to Pat and the pupils tremble and jitter but it doesn't let go of the cables*

Effa: *the crackling shield is struck by rubble and the stone simply explodes softly like a clump of ash, instantly turned into powder* Oh you think I'm scared of a big cow? I'm a fucking WIZARD *a rainbow glitter crosses their faceted red eyes for a second as they raise their hand and a thin shaft of grey-white rainbow light appears from floor to ceiling like a blade. terrifyingly fast, it swishes horizontally across the room and through Pat's rotund middle. the light scores a deep smoking line in the floor and where it hits the pillars on the side of the chamber they crack and shatter along a perfect vertical slice, part of the supports collapsing* Pat: *freezes for a moment, then pulls his head out of the hole he's made in the ceiling and looks at his middle, then back down to Effa* Was that supposed to do something. Cuz it sure didn't. Effa: *looks genuinely afraid for the first time, antennae curling down flat against their head and their mouth hanging open slightly* Pat: *opens his skull-like jaw as he chuckles thickly* I'll take that as a yes. *with a great big stomp, he surges one giant leg forward and crashes it down on the machine. a big explosion goes off, a prismatic glitter sparks among plumes of electrical smoke as Effa disappears behind writhing cables, clouds of dust, and another pile of rubble from the collapsing ceiling. Pat lifts the enormous cylinder of his foot away and the pulses of energy surge back into the Sword of Chocolate and a shockwave blasts from it, sending the framework that was draining its energy crashing to the floor. as the dust settles, there's no trace of Effa or their demon arms, and the machine is quite literally flattened like a coke can. the crown on Pat's back begins to break apart and unravel, the flames sputtering, and he starts to shrink to his regular self as the others creep out of hiding*

Quentin: WELL.. That was… certainly something. Is the rainbow demon thing gone? James: Wow… just, wow. There's nothing left Pat: *brushing off his coat, which grew out of him horribly as he returned to his human form* Imsara: How… *shaking his head* did you do that? Pat: *grins* A little jaunt back to my usual self, shall we say. Looks like a one shot wonder though. *he nudges a piece of copper with his toe; the remains of the circlet scattered across the floor* Happon: <Bastard, if you could do that kinda thing from the start you shoulda said right away! People got hurt for that!> >:( Pat: Hey, bad guys getting hurt doesn't count, right kids? Everyone knows that *he turns to the rest of the group and grins* James: :/ I'm just gonna… I'll go get the sword I guess.

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.27. The Chosens finally reach the end of the hallway, and 8 pulls the Sword of Chocolate from its place. They have fulfilled their destiny! They return to the king's palace and are honored by the rich and the poor alike. Chocolate has returned to the kingdom. How do your OCs act to their sudden rise to fame?

James: Cool cool I'd really like to go home now actually Quentin: Oh but this is the best part! *trotting happily down the main street and waving to all the people* This is where they get to show us how happy they are, and we get to show them that we were happy to do it! AND they're giving us stuff :3 Karou: Quentin, are you sure you're all right, you were bleeding pretty badly yesterday :( Quentin: Oh I had a night's sleep, I'm fine! Wound's completely gone James: …What

---

.28. Your OCs say goodbye to one another and return to their old lives. How do they handle the memories of their travels with each other?

Effa: *crouched on a hilltop moving the teleportation crystal back and forth in their grasp, idly watching its facets glitter. they are thinking violent thoughts of revenge*

---

.29. WHAT? Your OCs roll over in their beds, startled awake by thunder and lightning outside. IT WAS ALL A DREAM! How do they handle such a stunning realization? Do they miss the people they traveled with?

Kasrou: Ohhhhh that was an exciting dream!! I'm going to write this down on my blog before I forget! Pat: …*smokes contemplatively, wondering how the hell he had a dream. maybe he's been bound in this form long enough for weird shit to start happening*… Quentin: *yawning and stretching delicately on his bedroll* Oh you guys are NOT going to believe this insane dream I had, I was working with a zombie, and a little furry person, and a dragon and… I mean… well I suppose that part wasn't all that different, anyway I- Imsara: *holding face in hands* Heh. I could probably take some parts of this and turn it into a story for Gem. Effa: *jolting awake, wrapped and twisted in their silk sheets, they'd be sweating if they had sweat glands* Gah! Ooooohhh… fuck that guy. Fuck him! *gets out of bed shirtless and pours themself an expensive drink in an expensive glass to calm down. it doesn't really help* Happon: *yaaawns expansively and stretches his talons, before curling up in his river embankment nook and falling back asleep, entirely unbothered by the mysteries of his own subconscious* James: *snaps 'awake' from whatever strange dissociated version of sleep he was in that allowed him to dream. he goes over to the edge of his lookout tower and leans on the windowsill* …..damn… DO we have wizards? Beau: … *in the pitch dark of a closed funhouse, Beau taps their shoulder thoughtfully and gives a little high pitched giggle* …Sweet little thing….

[threeletterslife]

36 | Legends of Darlaria

⨰ summary: You wake up in yet another unfamiliar place. This time, however, these strangers seem to recognize you. With your previous judgments and aspirations thrown out the window, you're now forced to face where your loyalties really lie. Who will you betray? And which General will you choose to stand by his side?

⨰ pairing/rating: yoongi x reader & jungkook x reader | PG-15

⨰ genre: 70% angst, 30% fluff | war!au & magic!au

⨰ warnings: profanity, brief mentions of blood and injuries

⨰ wordcount: 3.4k

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⧖⧗Many, Many Circas Ago⧗⧖

Fighting for your nation should be an honor. And after training in the castle grounds for nearly five years, you were supposedly more than prepared to go to war. Graduation was only a week away.

You hoped it was normal to feel nervous about serving your nation, but then again, your level of discomfort seemed to surpass any ordinary level of nervosity. You’d been unable to get up from your bed, calling in sick from training for the past two days. Any food you consumed didn’t want to stay down. You were constantly ensconced in your thick covers, alone with your thoughts and as a result, spiraling quite intensely. 

When the covers managed to suffocate you more than your thoughts, you allowed your head to peek out momentarily to breathe in fresh air. Before you slipped back under your sheets, however, you caught sight of the swirling canvas up on your ceiling. The shades of purple thread undulated in hypnotic movements that you could not discern. It was frustrating, knowing that the readings of the future were just above you, yet in a language you were unfamiliar with. The threads mocked you, reminded you of your lack of skill in divination, and evoked memories of your disappointed parents. 

Hajin sensed your low spirits, and though she wasn’t sure why you were so upset, she thankfully didn’t ask any questions. Instead, she did her best to cheer you up.

“Hey, let’s check out the tunnels again before we leave! Ooh, I know! Then, we’ll have a delicious deviled egg feast! Come on, come, Y/N, let’s go!”

Through the tunnels, she took you to the 1st city, which was really the last place you wanted to go, yet you didn’t have it in you to tell her.

“You see all those soldiers?” Hajin asked, giddy with excitement. “We’re going to be one of them! We’ll get to wear their fancy uniforms! And you’ll get to be closer to Jungkook,” she teased with a wink. 

You tried to smile, but out of the corner of your eye, you spotted a soldier limping away on a bandaged-up leg. Fresh blood seeped through the white gauze, and more spots blossomed with each pained step they took. You saw a soldier vomiting up her lunch as another soldier held her hair out of the way. Both were holding back tears. A crowd of medics passed by in front of the bush you and Hajin were hiding behind, carrying an unrecognizably burned person on a stretcher. Something told you that they weren’t on the way to the infirmary. 

You looked away.

Hajin frowned at your silence. “You’re nervous,” she said.

You nodded, though nervosity was only scratching the surface.

Hajin grasped your hands, squeezing them tightly. “It’s okay,” she said in her most soothing, grownup voice. “You and I are in this together! I’d climb Guseul’s Hill for you, Y/N. Without hesitation and a thousand times over if I had to.” She grinned. “We’re going to march into this damn city next week, and we’re going to kick some Solarian ass! Are you with me?”

You couldn’t say no, not to Hajin’s face, so you faked a smile. “Of course I am,” you said, squeezing her hands back. “I’d climb Guseul’s Hill for you, too, Hajin. I’ll always be with you.” This was the truth.

“Damn right!” Hajin said, letting go of your hands to pump a fist in the air. “Now, come on, let’s get back to the 12th city. Our deviled eggs are waiting!”

With Hajin’s coaxing, you managed to stay out of sulking in bed for the next few days. It was easier to pretend things were okay when you realized you couldn’t possibly screw up your best friend’s dream of marching into the 1st city with you. So you ate deviled eggs and explored the tunnels and kept a pleasing smile on your face, though you felt like crumbling on the inside.

Jungkook wasn’t so easily fooled by your mask of emotions. When he came back to the 12th city under orders from General Son, you greeted him with a wide smile while Hajin gave him an annoyed eye roll, but she failed to hide the grin on her face. Jungkook’s gaze shifted to your fingers tugging frantically at your necklace. 

Something wrong? he tapped discreetly in monocode.

I’m fine, you tapped back.

But you weren’t. Because it was three days before graduation. And now there was another thing to worry about.

You’re not fine, Jungkook responded. You’re nervous about being called into the throne room.

He could read you so well.

Don’t worry. I’m sure General Son and the king have nothing but good news for us.

You hoped that was true.

You always knew Jungkook had nerves of steel. You wished you could learn a thing or two from him in that regard, but it was difficult to, considering that yours and his presence have been requested by both the Darlaean General and King. Even now, you weren’t sure how Jungkook wasn’t nervous, standing before these two men weathered and wisened by tragedy and the burden of leadership. You couldn’t imagine this being about good news.

But perhaps it was the divinist in Jungkook who knew all along what this conversation was supposed to be about. 

“My daughter, my near son-in-law,” Hoseok said. “Thank you for coming at such short notice.”

General Son stood behind him, watching quietly.

“I do hope we did not make you nervous, calling for you at such an odd time, only three days before your graduation, Y/N,” Hoseok continued. “But time is of the essence. In three days, I will be alone in this grand castle, with the last of my family 11 cities away.” Hoseok paused, only to smile quite proudly at you and Jungkook. You tried hard to hide the confusion from manifesting in your expression.

“Taegi tells me that the two of you are quite talented,” Hoseok said. “He has called you time and time again, the future leaders of the army, though he wouldn’t approve of the fact that I’m now sharing this with you. He prefers to keep his compliments to himself.”

General Son gave no discernible reaction, though you noticed a slight twitch of his left eye.

“You must be puzzled with where I might be going with this,” Hoseok said. “But I am humbly asking you for a favor.”

“A favor,” you repeated quietly. This time, you couldn’t hide the confusion on your face.

“Yes, my dear,” Hoseok said. “I am beseeching the two of you, not as a royal subject but as a father.”

Hajin’s face immediately flashed in your mind.

“You’d like us to protect your daughter,” Jungkook said. 

But of course. It made sense now.

Hoseok smiled. “Hajin is… eager,” he said. “Sometimes a little too eager, and I must admit in confidentiality that she is not quite up to par with the two of you yet.”

That hurt hearing this come from Hajin’s own father.

“We’ll look out for her on the battlefield, Your Majesty,” Jungkook said without missing a beat. “I’ll do everything in my power to protect the Princess of Darlae.”

As much as you thought Hajin was perfectly capable of protecting herself, you didn’t want to risk losing a friend you considered a sister. Her father was only doing this because he loved his daughter—the last heir of the Jung Dynasty. He’d do anything to ensure her safety, even if it meant deploying Hajin’s two closest friends to secretly protect her, despite that might hurting her pride. It would truly break Hajin’s heart if she found out. But she’d still be alive.

“I’ll protect Hajin as if my life depended on it,” you said. “I promise.”

Hoseok looked relieved at your and Jungkook’s overwhelmingly positive responses, yet the relief failed to erase the dark circles sagging under his eyes. It pained you to think that he lost sleep over worrying about his daughter going to war.

“You don’t have to worry,” you said. “I’ll ask her to write to you often, and we’ll come visit when we can.” Somehow, attempting to solace another helped you momentarily forget about your own worries.

“That would be lovely, my dear,” Hoseok said, smiling at you with kind eyes. “Thank you. Both of you. But remember, though I ask of you to protect Hajin, never cease to protect yourselves. The two of you are the future of Darlae.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Jungkook beamed brightly next to you. “We won’t disappoint you.”

You could only smile nervously.

“Ah, well, that was what I wanted to discuss with you today,” Hoseok said. “Although Taegi has a few things he wanted to say that he believed would sound better coming from him than me.” 

You’d nearly forgotten General Son had been in the room. But here he was, stepping out from behind Hoseok, his face neutral despite the king’s teasing. “You heard from Hoseok what I think of the two of you.” He gave you and Jungkook equally long looks. “This means that I will train you even harder. I will expect even more of the two of you. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir!” you and Jungkook chimed in unison out of habit.

“Good, good,” he said. “I’m sure you already know, Private Jungkook, that the war is not a playground.” He stared at you, though it really felt like he was peering into your soul. “Cadet, there are no ranking boards out there and surely no second chances. You must do things correctly the first time or die. That is the reality of the war. You will shed your youth as you shed your cadet title in three days.” 

Suddenly, your worries rushed back. A deep, hollow pit began growing in your stomach.

“Oh, Taegi, don’t scare your best soldiers, now,” Hoseok laughed, but General Son didn’t respond. He only stared at you, which made you want to shrink, run back under your covers and stay there until graduation.

Even after you and Jungkook had been dismissed, you couldn’t stop thinking about General Son’s words, replaying them in his gruff voice over and over again in your head.

You must do things correctly the first time or die. 

You recalled the limping soldier, his face twisting in pain every time he dragged his injured leg forward, new splots of dark red blood appearing on the snowy white gauze.

That is the reality of the war. 

This time, you saw the vomiting soldier on the verge of tears. She was holding her stomach, doubled over as she hacked the contents of her breakfast.

You will shed your youth as you shed your cadet title in three days.

The vision of the completely incinerated body on the stretcher flashed in your mind.

You couldn’t bear it, and so you covered your face with your hands, pressing your fingers hard against your forehead as if that would erase the vivid images from your head.

“You have a lot on your mind,” Jungkook said softly. You were lying on the bed, face covered, and he was sitting at the edge, flipping the page of a strategy book he’d picked up a couple of hours ago. “Was it what General Son said today?”

“I guess…” You kept your face covered. “I’m just… I’m so nervous.”

Jungkook set his book down. “You have nothing to be nervous about.”

But that wasn’t true at all. Most of your life—ever since you began your studies at Botswana—you’ve been told that you were talented. So much so that you were beginning to believe it. But being talented didn’t mean you were invincible. If you were set on fire, you would still die a slow, painful death. Just like everybody else. Just like the soldier burned to a crisp on the stretcher. And if it wasn’t you on the stretcher, you’d still have to witness the flames on the battlefield kill your comrades. You’d come back to the 1st city vomiting and never being able to keep your food in your stomach. Or you’d come back with scars, an unwalkable leg and trauma that would never go away until you were inevitably scorched to death.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you out here,” Jungkook whispered as if reading your thoughts. 

You shook your head, your hands coming away from your face. “You’re going to be a hell of a lot busy then, Private, protecting both me and the crown princess.”

“I can handle it, cadet,” he said with a gentle smile. 

There was a small pause.

“I know you’re scared,” Jungkook said. “You shouldn’t be.” He leaned back to place a gentle hand over yours. 

He knew. Perhaps he knew all along. It was fear that ate your insides, that made you unable to climb out of bed, that made you want to stay in the security of the 12th city. It was fear that was holding you back from becoming your nation’s pride. It was also fear that made honoring your nation simply not worth the trouble. He knew you so well that there was no use hiding it anymore. 

“I can’t help it,” you replied, feeling your insides twist. “I’m not like you, Jungkook. I can’t just… go to war because my superior told me to. I mean, I have to, and in three days, I will… But I…” You had to stop yourself from speaking because you could feel tears welling up in your eyes.

“Don’t cry,” Jungkook said, using his free hand to wipe away your tears before they rolled down your face. “Sometimes I think you’re too kind for the war, Y/N.”

“Maybe I am,” you whispered. “No,” you said, shaking your head. “I’m a coward. I’m scared of death, Jungkook. No, I’m scared of the process of death on that battlefield. I’m scared of being in pain. I’m scared of living the last few seconds of my life in panic, in agony, in fear. I-I… I think I’m more scared of getting hurt than inflicting that pain on someone else. I haven’t been sleeping and eating because I’ve been so scared. I haven’t even graduated yet! It’s so pathetic.” More tears rolled down your face. You caught them with the sleeve of your gown. “I don’t deserve to be a soldier.” 

Much less be the future of Darlae.

Jungkook didn’t respond for a long time. But you knew he was only thinking of the right thing to say. He wasn’t the best at sugarcoating his words, but he tried very hard to do it for you. He held onto your hand tightly, rubbing his thumb over your skin. Finally, he spoke.

“Well, we need you.”

Your lips parted, but no sound came out.

“The army needs a talented alchemist like you,” Jungkook said, gently. “You think others aren’t scared?” he asked. “They march into that damn field despite their fear, despite their cowardliness, despite their wishes to run back to safety. They do it for their nation, for their loved ones, hell, even for themselves. So do it for something, Y/N. Do it to make a difference. Maybe to fucking win the war once and for all.”

Your eyes sparkled with tears. “Jungkook…”

“You’ve always been altruistic,” he said. “Let that fuel you. Feel the fear but don’t let it consume you entirely.”

It was moments like these that made you realize you were talking to the future General of the Darlaean Army. 

“Do you ever get scared?” you asked.

“No,” Jungkook said—short and simple.

“Not even of death?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know what will happen after I die, but I don’t really care,” he said. “So I might as well live without fear.”

You wished you could share that sentiment. But the truth was, you were a coward. You couldn’t understand what General Son saw in you to think you could be a future leader of the army. Even if you were a decent alchemist, it didn’t matter if you could barely hold yourself together even thinking about the atrocities war could bring. Your fear of pain was rooted in conceited self-preservation, which had no room in military leadership.

“I know you’re doubting yourself again,” Jungkook said.

Your thoughts halted.

“You shouldn’t,” he said gently. “The Y/N I know is resilient. She always finds a way. And besides, I’ll be your extra pair of eyes, though I doubt you’ll need it.”

Just a bit of your anxiety began melting away. “Jungkook…”

“You and I both know that you’re the best alchemist the Training Corps has seen in decades,” he replied. “The nation needs to see your talent. And if you’re too shy for that, then at least know that one day your talent will change Darlae for good.”

You glanced nervously upward at the swirling pools of thread on the canvas above you. “Did the divination charm tell you that?”

“No.” Jungkook smiled. “I can just feel it. Can’t you?”

You weren’t so sure.

As if to make matters worse, the day before graduation, General Son found you staring up at the night sky in the castle orchards. You hadn’t expected him to be taking a nighttime stroll, much less around the orchards, but then again, you weren’t really a divinist.

“You don’t seem very excited about your graduation, cadet.” General Son broke the silence.

You didn’t know how to respond. Instead, you rose from the grass and saluted. “Sir.”

“At ease,” he said. “A lot on your mind, I presume?”

You weren’t sure how to respond without lying or going down the rabbit hole of your embarrassing fears.

“I did tell you six circas ago that things will only get harder from here,” General Son said, quirking his brow. “I hope it hasn’t already started.”

“Just a bit, sir,” you managed to say. “Though most of it’s self-inflicted.”

General Son did not pry. Instead, he allowed silence as he stared up at the fruit trees, his silver epaulets shining in the moonlight. Then, he spoke. “Do you know what it takes to be the General of an entire army?”

You stared at him. “L-Logistically, yes, sir. B-But… I also know that no book can ever teach me what it is truly like to be the General of an army. So no. I admit that I do not know what it takes.”

General Son raised an eyebrow. “You will have private lessons with me every other day now, cadet,” he said. “I will be at my temporary office in the 1st city for most days of the week, and on the weekends, we will travel to the 12th to continue your studies. I hope that this will help you understand what it takes to run an army.”

You completely froze in place.

Was he saying what you thought he was saying? It was too much to digest. In fact, it was simply impossible. There was no way he could ever think that you could become the Darlaean General. Not when someone like Jungkook existed. Somehow, he’d predicted this, too. You remember so clearly now: I may have the traits, but I’m not what General Son is looking for. He had been strangely… jealous? disappointed? that ostensibly, General Son was more fond of you than him, which you didn’t even think was true… Until perhaps now. But it didn’t make sense. How could you be what General Son was looking for? You, who cried uncontrollably at the mere thought of war? You, who Jungkook had to console?

“S-Sir, I’m still just a cadet—” 

“I was a cadet once too,” General Son said. “But talent is talent, it doesn’t matter who wields it.”

But what about Jungkook? you wanted to say. Forget about me. He would be so much better.

“Train like you’re already the General of the Darlaean Army,” General Son told you. His cold, black eyes stared you down. Clearly, denial was not an option. “Fight like you’re already commanding thousands of soldiers,” he said. “Do you understand?”

You couldn’t, but you said yes anyway.

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⨰ a/n: it's been a while! thanks for getting to the end of this much-delayed chapter. in terms of updates, there will be one every month/every two months. sorry for leaving for so long :') hope you enjoyed <3 it starts getting pretty real from here on out

please consider telling me your thoughts with a comment, an ask or a reblog :) i love hearing readers' impressions/rambles/predictions! if you want to join the taglist, send in a private message, ask, reply to this post or reblog with your request!

[acreaturebythewater]

What single track would you use to introduce your bg3 OC?

thank you for the tag @scandistar <3 this game was hard (how do i choose one song omg???) but also so much fun!!

🗣 Rules:

Pick 1 song for each OC!

Include a link to the song/artist/composer

You can add more than one OC (but no more than 3)

brief canon/lore (I'm a curious sort)

Tag people!

tags for: @redroomroaving @lizziemajestic @judasiskariot if you want to <3

(Note: Any fandom is welcome to join!! And please, don't forget to link to your fanfics so we can find them! It's time to shine, babes!)

my beloved tav from a change of heart who i have no screenshots of so you're getting a couple of picrews

picrew 1 and picrew 2

Tav/OC name: tavaxeni tumbledown Level: 12 (10 pre-canon) Race: tiefling Born: baldurian (tumbledown) Background: criminal/soldier Class: rogue thief/fighter multi class Alignment: chaotic neutral Love interest: no aradin Sworn enemy: happiness, it seems.

backstory short: growing up on the rugged outskirts of baldur's gate on her grandmother's small farm, she spent her childhood ditching school (she's really bad at reading and counting (go to school kids!!!)), roaming the streets, fighting with the brampton boys (probably didn't get killed because she was faster and better at hiding than them), nicking things off whoever looked like they could afford losing some gold, got thrown in jail a couple of times, got better at lock picking her way out of jail. joined a semi-legal mercenary band to "straighten herself up", sort of just ended up working a lot of security for the rich tossers that she loathes the most. cares for her people and the less fortunate and would probably be a folk hero is she didn't cut corners and made impulsive and stupid decisions.

i have a playlist for the fic, some are relationship songs and some are just for her. it was sooooo hard to choose one but this one's both vibe and a bit of lyrics.

don't look back into the sun - the libertines

Don't look back into the sun You've cast your pearls, but you're on the run And all the lies you said, who did you save?

...

They will never forgive you, but they won't let you go (let me go) She will never forgive you, but she won't let you go, oh no

(other honourable mentions: the fallen AND bite hard by franz ferdinand, take aim by kasabian, do me a favour by arctic monkeys, better in the dark by jordana & tv girl, do the right thing by d.i.d)

~*~*~*~*~*~

tav number 2! (or number one, truly, my golden child) from you keep showing up

(same picrew makers as above (and her hair should be a colder brown in the right one smh))

Tav/OC name: ester tavanthuriel Level: 12, 15 pre-canon Race: moon elf Born: evereska Background: noble Class: storm sorcerer Alignment: chaotic good (or chaotic whimsy as someone described her in a comment which i really liked) Love interest: raphael Sworn enemy: [redacted]

short backstory: as the second child of an evereskan noble family, she was born with both a silver spoon and the lucky feat. really, i mean it, spoiled rotten for a century!!! but as it is with second children, they have the purpose of being used in political marriages. now, tav's a free spirit, and getting tied down in marriage was just about the last thing she'd like to do with her life. thus, she postponed it through arguing she needed to pursue academia for a while and went to silvery moon. spent a couple of years there before fucked off and traveling the sword coast, spending a decade here and there (ran a potion shop in neverwinter, a restaurant in waterdeep, went to baldur's gate to open up a flower shop before getting snatched by the nautiloid), ignoring the letters and sendings from her family but still picking up the gold they sent her way (spoiled rotten, as i say. though that's kind of her parents way of showing love since they don't really know how to talk to each other without putting their own expectations on tav and making her lash out). and here we are!

i do not have a playlist for this fic or for tav so i had to think long and hard about this one... (technically it should be you keep showing up by drowners but it has nothing to do with them except i thought the title was fitting lol).

sprawl ii - arcade fire

now this one's a feeling, i can imagine her listening to this as a young elf in her room, wanting to see the world and what's beyond.