#to explain why Hunter would be water

[diremoone]

remember to water the flowers

no warnings really, just fluff and soft sylus wanting to take care of you and make sure you take care of yourself <3 (also first fic with him pls be gentle)

Sylus nearly chucks the twins out of the nearest visible window the second he sees you shift in your sleep. The two quickly get the memo to leave upon his glare and the heavily emphasized wave of his large hand.

You stop shifting when the door closes, unbothered by the energy that the twins had brought in. Sylus breathes a silent sigh of relief and goes back to scouring through the online auction. He stops at an expensive bottle of old wine, noting the sweetness level and the brand before flicking it away. You wouldn’t like that type of wine anyway. You were picky about the alcohols you indulged in.

It also didn’t help that him spoiling you with said beverages to try helped make you as picky as you are today.

Sylus glances at you again. The dark circles underneath your eyes are fading the more you sleep… He scowls at the sight of you having such awful eye-bags. Why on earth the Hunter’s Association had the audacity to overwork their best hunter was beyond him.

Well, it wasn’t them overworking you. You did that yourself. Your employer just didn’t want to do anything about it.

And that was how you nearly landed in the jaws of a powerful Wanderer to nearly be slung around like a ragdoll. Had it not been for the weapons he’d programmed into Mephisto, you’d surely be locked up in a hospital with severe injuries to your body.

No, he wouldn’t allow it. If no one else was going to catch you before you fell, then he would without question.

Even if it meant sending your precious Hunter’s Association into a frenzy of you missing in action for a few days.

Sylus quietly sips on his tea and watches your brows furrow peculiarly in your sleep. You would wake up shortly, he notes.

And you do. You blink your eyes several times upon awakening. You gaze at a spot on the wall before flicking your eyes to him. He chuckles at the disbelief in them.

You grumble and lift yourself off the couch.

“What’d you do?”

“Bold of you to assume I did anything, sweetie.”

You shake your head. “You did something. What’d you do?”

Sylus chuckles and places his head on his fist, elbow on the back of the couch and replies simply, “I protected what is mine and kept her safe. That’s all.”

He watches as your memories of the last 24 hours flood your mind. You toss yourself out of the weighted blanket and get up.

“I have to go,” you say. “People must be looking for me. Xavier must be—”

Sylus scowls at the name of another man coming from your mouth. He grabs your hand as you pass by him. Thankfully, you don’t fight him. You knew you wouldn’t win against his iron grip—not without hurting yourself—no matter how much you pulled.

“Stay.”

You’re unable to retort. Not with the way he’s looking at you. It gives him the opportunity to explain before you run off.

“I’m aware of how much you’ve been running yourself ragged, Kitten. Don’t think I don’t see it.” At that, he watches your lips press into a firm line. He continues on, slowly softening his grip. “After Mephisto barely made it in time to get rid of that Wanderer, I brought you back to the N109 Zone to rest.”

“Well…” You huff. “I’ve got to get back. Thanks for letting me nap, but—”

Sylus raises his brows. “What’s the harm in staying a few more days to get some rest?” he questions. “It’s not like they won’t find you near where you disappeared in a few days. Not after spending your time in a Protofield trying to get rid of a powerful monster.”

You shift on the balls of your feet, looking away from him. You know exactly what he’s doing.

“The cameras—”

“Exploded in the fight,” Sylus quips.

His warm hand lets go of your wrist, but he keeps his palm opened and outstretched.

“Stay. Rest. Take a break then return in a few days. Your people may be looking for you, but they’ll be alright without you for a few days… worried or not,” he argues, nailing his points down.

You exhale in defeat. “Sylus…”

“We never forget to water our own garden, sweetie. And yours is quite dehydrated,” he hums.

You can’t help the sudden tiredness that overcomes you again, even after spending goodness knows how long asleep already. You don’t think you can help it this time. Not with Sylus and his honey-coated reassurances.

Sylus grins that grin and you want to groan. He’s won, and he knows that you know he’s won.

You take his hand. His long fingers intertwine with yours and he gently pulls you around the couch to him. You don’t question it when he pulls you into his side to let you rest on him.

“Just one day,” you grumble.

Sylus chuckles and wraps his arm around your shoulders.

“Just one day.”

(You spend a total of three. And no one is any wiser when you return to Linkon. Not after spending those days in a… ‘Wanderers Protofield’.)

a/n: help me i’m making a playlist for this man now i’m no longer sane AHH. lol, but why is this man the one getting me out of my writing slump?? then again I shouldn’t be surprised, he’s so fine haha

[queen-of-deans-booty]

Unable To Hide

Pairing: Castiel x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~1.4k

Warnings: hiding an injury, blood loss, fluff at the end

Summary: You return home from a hunt all bloodied and bruised. Hiding it from the brothers is going to be easy but hiding it from Castiel? That’s a whole other game that you’re not ready to play.

Square Filled: distracting them with affection (2023) for @heavenandhellbingo

Author’s Note: any and all comments are appreciated <3

x

Don’t think about how Dean is gonna kill me. Just get to the Bunker and everything will be okay. As you drive down the desolate road to the Bunker, you look down at the seat that’s covered in your blood. Oh, Dean is so gonna kill you. If he doesn’t know you stole the Impala, he will as soon as you pull into the garage. If he doesn’t know you went on a hunt by yourself, he will when he sees the blood in his car.

You don’t even want to know what Castiel will do. He loves you so much and never wants to see you hurt even though it was your own fault. You didn’t know how many werewolves there would be, and you got in over your head. You take a deep breath and feel a gush of blood spill over your fingers. As much as you try to stop it, you can’t keep the entire wound covered.

What you thought was one werewolf turned out to be five in a pack, and they were all pissed at you for picking on one of their own. They got their claws in you, ripped your skin to shreds, and broke you down but you managed to kill all five of them. The reason why you took this case by yourself is because you wanted to prove to Sam and Dean that you’re capable of doing a hunt alone. You wanted them to take you more seriously as a hunter but now you’re hurt and you won’t hear the end of it.

Dean will be pissed you got his car fucked up, Sam will be worried about you, and Castiel… You two started dating six months ago, and he’s always been overprotective of you. Even before you two started dating. He refuses to let you out of his sight on hunts. That’s another reason why you went on this hunt alone. You wanted to prove that you didn’t need an angel watching over you twenty-four-seven.

Apparently, you do.

You pull as gently as you can into the garage, but you end up jerking when you go over the small bump by the door. You hiss in pain as more blood comes gushing out. You turn off the car and slide out of it, struggling to even stand up. The more you do, the more blood comes out. You put a bloody hand on the window and close the door as quietly as you can.

If only you can get to the bathroom, you can stitch yourself up and crawl into bed. Your main mission now is to hide just how badly you’re hurt in front of the brothers and Castiel. You’re sure they’re wondering where you are by now. You answered their first call and told them you were out and would be back late tonight but you didn’t give them any details on what you were doing.

How the hell am I gonna hide this from them? Luck is on your side when you spot Sam’s jacket hanging by the door that leads into the Bunker. It’s big enough to completely envelop you. You grab the hose and turn the water on to wash away the blood on your hands. The only indication that you’re not okay is the ghostly look on your face, dazed eyes, and shaky hands. All easily explainable.

After taking a moment to collect yourself, you stumble into the kitchen. Every step is a painful jab into your side. You can feel your skin splitting even more. You want to scream and cry but you have to keep your mouth shut if you want to hide it from everyone else. You walk into the library and lean against the bookshelf as a way to give yourself a break.

Castiel walks in and smiles when he sees you. You immediately stand up straight despite the need to cry in pain. You might be an idiot for not accepting his help, but you need to prove to them that you can do this. They’re such experienced and skilled hunters. All you want to do is be able to do what they do. You joined Team Free Will only two years ago because you were such a shitty hunter and almost got yourself killed.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Where you’ve been?” Castiel walks over to you and leans down to kiss you. “I missed you.”

“Oh, you know. Just around. I gotta go.”

You can’t walk past him because he is standing in your way, and you don’t have enough energy to push him away.

“You look sick. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m just not feeling well.” Castiel raises his hand to heal you but you jerk back. Again, another sharp pain that makes you want to cry. “I’m okay. Seriously. I’m just gonna lie down.”

“I can heal you.”

“No, it’s okay.”

If you know Castiel, he won’t let things go when it comes to you. You have to distract him even though you know it’s going to bring you so much pain to do so. You remove your hand from your side and put it on Castiel’s chest knowing the blood is going to run down your body since there is nothing putting pressure on the wound.

“I’m okay,” you whisper.

You lean up and kiss him as a way to distract him. It pains you to do this but there is no way you’re gonna tell him you’re injured. They’ll figure it out when they see Dean’s bloodied car but by then, you’ll have come up with a better excuse of where you’ve been. You slide both arms around his neck just as his hands grip your waist.

Right. Over. Your. Wound.

You yelp loudly against his mouth and pull away from him, and he grips your waist as a way to steady you. You can’t hide this now. The pain is too much.

“Are you okay?”

“Not really. I’m sorry. I’m gonna pass out now so you should catch me.”

Just then, your eyes roll to the back of your eyes and you fall against Castiel’s body.

“Dean! Sam!” Castiel yells as he catches you. Both brothers come rushing into the library. “She just passed out.”

“Why is there blood on the ground?”

Castiel looks down to see a pool of blood next to your feet, and blood staining Sam’s jacket. Sam walks over and peels the layers of clothes back to reveal the multiple gaping wounds.

“Get her to the infirmary. You can heal her there.”

You’re not sure how long you’re passed out for but when you wake up, you can see all three men by the door to the infirmary whispering to each other. You don’t feel like Death but that’s probably because Castiel healed you of your injuries. You’re still out of it due to the blood loss which he can’t heal. You’ll need fluids and plenty of rest for that to be fixed.

“Why the hell did you let her go on a hunt?”

“We didn’t let her do anything! We didn’t even know she left.”

“She’s lucky she survived. It was like a blood bath in the car,” Dean pouts.

“I wanted to prove to you I can be a good hunter,” you say quietly.

All three of them look at you, and the brothers leave to give you and Castiel some time alone. They’ll yell at you when you have enough strength to take it. The angel walks over to your bed and sits on the edge of it.

“What you did was reckless. Five werewolves by yourself? Not to mention Dean is pissed because you got blood all over his car.”

“I didn’t know there were five in the beginning. By the time I realized, it was too late. I’m sorry. I just wanted to be a good hunter.”

Castiel reaches over and tucks your hair behind your ear. “You can be one but not if you go into situations like that alone. What if you died? How do you think we’d all feel?”

“I’m sorry,” you sniffle.

“Just focus on getting better right now. If you want to be a better hunter, there are ways to go about that. Train with Sam and Dean. They’ll help you.”

“Okay,” you nod. “Are they mad at me?”

“More worried than mad. They’ll yell at you and scold you, but just know they’re not doing it to hurt you. It’s because they care so much.” You nod and Castiel stands up. “Now, would you like to watch a movie?”

“Only if you’ll watch it with me.”

Castiel scoops you bridal-style, careful not to hurt you further. You snuggle into his chest, grateful you have such a loving boyfriend who understands what it means to be part of this life.

x

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[alnair-jpg]

Olympics AU Info dump!

First, I am blown away by how much love the series is getting, thank you all so much! I do really enjoy all the comments and reactions in the tags. Know that they all delight me and the only reason I don’t reply to everything is because there are so many! But I read them all 💕

General questions:

Can you draw the designs or concepts? Write fanfic in this AU?

Yes of course! I’d love for you to tag me if you post them so I can see

Do they all know each other?

At first, I would say no- with the exception of Nico and Will (they’re developing a whole backstory in my head that I cannot and will not stop.). But they all meet in the Olympic Village after the opening ceremonies and quickly become friends. They all try their best to attend each other’s events. (Someone please tell me how Percabeth becomes a thing. Please. 🙏 )

Why didn’t Percy win gold?

Percy was an Olympic medalist in swimming before moving to diving. After competing in several swimming events and feeling like they were all just small variations of the same thing, he wanted more of a challenge. He chose diving to stay rooted in to the water, but to add a new dimension to his bodily awareness and control.

What’s Annabeth and Luke’s rivalry?

They most definitely trained together, and it was Luke’s skill that motivated Annabeth to aim for the Olympics. But, she wanted to compete for her home country, Greece, which Luke thought was just a shortcut since there was a clearer path to an Olympic team in a smaller country. Annabeth is constantly trying to prove to him that she would have made it to the top of the sport either way.

Also, apologies to the IRL fencers out there for the inconsistency. I know fencing is a gendered sport, and Annabeth’s gear/style are inconsistent, please forgive the oversight ☺️🫶

Volleyball?

The whole Hunters of Artemis are a volleyball team (that apparently has no country 😅). Thalia ends up the captain. When Reyna moves on from tennis they welcome her with open arms.

Rejected sports

Will as a runner. Canonically, he’s super fast, but just having him as a sprinter didn’t fit with his personality.

Will as a pole vaulter. Specifically the guy that lost because he was ‘blessed a little too much’ and knocked down the bar. I will not explain further.

Will as a gymnast. He was this || close to being a gymnast essentially modeled after Steven Nedoroscik, I had the sketch and everything. (I shared it here!) But when an anyonomous ask clued me into the sick medical team uniforms it all fell into place from there. (Thank you no-longer-anon @helyeahmangocheese !)

Percy in anything equestrian related. I see him not having the patience for all the formality of it all, but he definitely crashes Hazel’s shows and chats up all the competition (the horses.)

Annabeth on a sailing team. Also, related to that, Reyna on a sailing team. It was a fun idea, especially for Reyna and her history with pirates but ultimately it was really hard to capture in a few illustrations.

Nico in several winter sports. For consistency mostly. He could fit for a lot of winter sports - ice skating and snowboarding are my personal favorites.

Leo as a shooter. He would most definitely build his own gear and make tweaks to his weapon. Which would get him immediately disqualified.

Jason in discus. Jason as a basketball player. Golf is just… fitting. 😂

Other Characters I’ve been thinking about

(that may have art in the works… and may not actually be athletes!)

Clarisse

Meg

Grover

Rachel

Lester / Apollo

Mr. D

Chiron

[vigilante24ish]

🌙 Moon Phases 🌙

Agatha Harkness X Fem!Reader

Word Count: 1846

Chapter 21:

After the sole topic about witch hunters and the bitter past, you all chose to try and get some sleep; needing all the energy you could recover for the next trial.

With the sky being always night, it was hard to keep track of time, and if it weren't for the exhausting trials; one would have trouble sleeping.

While the others slept close to one another, some laying on their jackets for some insulation against the cold floor; you had chosen to leave, for a little bit.

You knew not to stray from the road, but sleep would not come to you, and you needed some alone time.

You barely had one lately, with everyone being on top of one another all the time.

The moon was almost and completely full. Its beautiful white light seemed to follow you; illuminating your path. Your steps were quiet, and you eventually came to a halt, leaning your back against a tree.

You closed your eyes as you let the moon shower you with light, offering a cold warmth you could never explain but always welcomed.

So many nights have you spent in a similar position, neck and back arched to the full moon above you. Endless hours had you spent bathing in its white light, swearing you could hear it talk to you through some ethereal plane.

Some nights, you would hum and sing with the moon as your audience; a silent observer that never judged you, never tried to harm you.

Even when you need it the most, it chooses to grace you with power and help you escape your bonds; showing just how terrifying its power could be when it was passed through you.

Your mind wandered and you gently hummed a tune, the lyrics a mere whisper traveling through the night; not wishing to awake or scare the others.

Come little children

I'll take thee away

Into a land of enchantment

Come little children

The time's come to play

Here in my garden of shadows

Your white magic had come alive in your hands, dancing between your fingers as if responding to your song.

Yet before you cold continue; you felt a presence close by and your guard was immediately raised.

"I remember that song of yours," Agatha said as she walked out of the shadows and towards you.

You let out a sigh of relief, feeling your heart beating faster for a moment as you thought it was someone else.

"It led us into a lot of trouble that night," you reminded her, memories of your adventures flashing into your mind.

Agatha waved her hand dismissively. "It's not our fault those children thought to take a peak. It was way past their bedtime. The fault lies to the parents."

Her excuse brought a smile on your face, having missed her view of the world. Sometimes, your thoughts could get the best of you, and you failed to see the light in this world; like the people that feared the shadows whenever a new moon was in the sky.

Sometimes, you felt as if you were laying in the bottom of a deep pit; forced to face dark creatures fuelled by your emotions and thoughts; only to always climb to the surface renewed; reborn.

But when you were with Agatha, those things almost never happened. Her unique way of seeing the world had kept you focused, her presence a life vest to keep you aflot during dangerous waters... her kisses and touches, burning you from inside, making your magic core glow so powerful that no shadow ever had the chance to manifest.

Your smile remained, and you silently admired her beneath the moonlight as you stood next to one another, bodies barely touching but equally tempted.

Her expression changed into a more serious one. "Why didn't you call for me?" She suddenly asked, earning a puzzled expression from you. "When you were at the mercy of those witch hunters. Why didn't you call for me?"

You glanced to the side, ashamed of confessing your true intentions.

Time might have passed since your last meeting, but your body remained equally strong. You had the power, a little spell, that would alert Agatha of your presence. You had sworn to her under a blood red full moon that you would use it, should you ever need her help.

You never did, always hesitating; feeling you would pull her away from whatever goal she had in mind. You were afraid you would be a burden, to a woman you sometimes wondered if she would ever come back to you; after all those times, you refused to join her on a mission.

Familiar long fingers grabbed your chin and forced you to look straight into the face of the woman you had fallen in love with, whose initials felt carved on your heart; forever claimed by her.

"You remember I don't like asking more than twice, isn't that right?" She asked you, cutting any nicknames she had for you; a sign of how serious she was.

You tried to nod, but her grip on your chin remained. In the end, you took a deep breath and gathered your courage.

"I didn't want to burden you. Not when I knew how focused you were in mastering the darkhold, " you confessed, making her realize around what time period you fell victim to those barbarians that dared to mark your skin... only she was allowed to do that to you.

If Agatha still had powers, they would have been going crazy around her. She was pissed and you could see it by the darkness in her eyes, by the way she gripped your chin and the way her breathing changed.

In the end, she let you go and stormed a few feet away in an attempt to calm down. If she could use magic, she would have long blasted a few trees around you; it always helped when things were burnt or destroyed.

"This is not the promise you made to me, Y/N," she called you out by your name, one finger pointed at you.

"What would you have me do, Agatha?" You questioned, feeling your emotions getting the best of you. It was a full moon, after all. Y, so you can murder them in cold blood? Add more names to your never-ending list?" Your tone started to rise faintly, doing your best to keep it low and not alert the others.

"Yes," she answered as if it was not obvious enough before marching your way. "You are mine, Y/N," she hissed as she now stood in front of you. "And I protect what is mine..." she took a deep breath. "What is precious to me"

You parted your lips in surprise, never seeing it coming.

Agatha had outloud claimed you as hers, had confessed just how much you meant to her, and she meant it. Every. Single. Word.

You found no words to argue, and whatever anger was once rising had disappeared as if there was nothing there.

In a moment of weakness or perhaps desperation, you chose to act with your body. Your hands grabbed her cheeks and you pulled her towards you, sealing her lips with yours.

Agatha was startled for a moment before she followed, quickly claiming the lead from you by sucking your lips with an inner need. Her kiss spoke of hunger, lust, and need to be with you; to be reminded of the unique flavour your lips always had.

You let her lead, eagerly parting your lips to let her tongue enter. One hand went into her thick hair, fingers tangled with dark locks as you held her tightly; trying somehow to balance the power dynamics between the two of you.

Your back was pressed harder against the tree, one of her hands holding your waist as her body was pushed more against yours.

Eventually, you both needed air and with some reluctance you let each other's lips go; but your hands remained on one another.

She immediately buried her nose to the crook of your neck, continuing what she started by kissing the soft spot of your neck, making you see stars and reminding you she had not forgotten how to play you like an instrument.

You gasped faintly, your grip into her dark locks only increasing, and you forced your eyes closed; trying to fight the feeling of building up pleasure, your body succumbing to her lips and her roaming touch.

Agatha did not continue the torture for long, having taken her dose by finally being able to enjoy you in peace. She would have much preferred to do it in a warm house, preferably on a soft bed, but she had to be patient for now.

Her lips trailed ghostly marks across your collarbone before settling faintly on your lips. The peck that followed was quick, and only then did she stop and pull faintly back.

You looked at her, lips faintly bruised as your noses almost touched. You let go of her hair and instead cupped her cheek tenderly.

"You have no idea how long I have been waiting to hear you say that," you confessed, slightly out of breath.

"What, claiming you?" She questioned as she quickly connected the dots. She gently pushed a strand away from your face. "Sugar, I made you vow to me and call me when in trouble. I made you bleed upon a dark pact. Wasn't this enough of a sign?"

Your cheeks felt slightly flustered. "Should be?" You dared to question, earning a look from her that reminded you not to ruin the mood. "I know it should... but I always wondered... especially now, with Rio..." Your voice trailed off.

"Rio is in the past, hon," she told you in a sweet voice. "You are the present and hopefully the future. That is, if you don't turn me down after all this"

You could not help but chuckle faintly. "I think me agreeing to walk this shitty sadistic road for a second time should be enough of an answer"

Without waisting another time, you moved your hands and pulled Agatha into a much needed hug. You pressed her tightly against you, your nose buried to the crook of her neck; almost hidden beneath her thick locks.

You felt her hugging you back with equal need, your presence easing the turmoil within her heart. She rested her chin on your shoulder, eyes closed as your scent overwhelmed her senses and momentarily clouded her mind.

"I am with you, Ags. From now until my last day on this cursed world. I vow to you in the name of my mother" you confessed.

Agatha stared with wide eyes in front of her, lips parted faintly in silent surprise. Your words were serious, she could tell, but she could also sense the magic within them; an invisible silent spell bowed to a promise.

She could not help but glance at the full moon as you vowed sacredly to your mother, a name you rarely let it leave your lips...for when it did, it meant business.

Chapter 22

[homunculus-argument]

A story of how this one guy's dog almost got killed by a whistling weiner:

The difference between a great story and mediocre one is all about presentation. Today I was reminded of the time when I was around 7-8 years old, and me and a handful of my cousins were at our grandparents' house when one of grandpa's hunting buddies came to visit. Drinking his coffee with a flock of curious small kids cautiously staring at him, this guy decided to amuse himself by telling us a story of the time his dog almost got killed by a sausage. A whistling sausage.

Knowing the local peoples' sense of humour, I figured that this guy is just doing a bit, even when he swore that this story is completely true. And as we giggled and kept insisting that he's talking fairytales, he reassured us again, it was true, grandpa was there. And we looked at our grandfater who was smiling, clearly seeing where this is going, and nodded very slowly. And our grandfather wasn't the type of a guy to tell stories, he rarely said three words in a row and certainly didn't waste them on nonsense. And he, an honest man, had just verified that he was there to witness this.

They had been on a hunting trip, I think it was 5 men altogether, with their dogs. It was that time of the year when people argue whether it's very late autumn or very early winter. Stinging cold, nonetheless. Taking a break before heading home, the hunters made a fire at a spot next to a lake, observing that the lake already had a thin crust of ice over it. If it wasn't already winter, it sure would be soon.

Now this is where the sausage comes in. Innocuously in the same package as its peers, indistinguishable from the others. Warming up by the fire, with their dogs gathered around them - sitting, sleeping, or begging, each according to their own nature - the men cooked their sausages, drinking coffee and talking jovially amongst themselves about whatever hunters do on pauses like that. The man telling the story had his best dog with him, he mentioned her by name, and at the time, she was still quite young but definitely promising, and was sleeping curled up beside his feet.

And then, the sausage he was cooking whistled. The way that they sometimes do as you heat them up on a fire, but somehow the whistling of this one was abnormally loud and high-pitched, and comically long, going

PWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

This scared the shit out of this guy's dog. Born and bred to chase moose and corner bears, and accustomed to the sounds of gunfire, this dog was startled fuckless by the sound of this whistling weiner. Snapping from dead sleep to her feet, she bolted. To the lake. And right through the ice.

At this point I would like to stress that while everyone who loves their dogs would go to great lengths to save them, these hunting dogs are a treasure to their hunters. I don't know what a good dog would even cost if you could convince a hunter to sell one, but my grandfather's best dog had a grander funeral than my father did. They are a big deal. So it was rescue mission time.

The guy telling the story went into much greater detail about what a huge ordeal getting that bitch out of the ice was than I will here, but it was certainly a hassle. By the time the dog was out of the water, two men were soaked to their waists with icy water and the dog was wet all the way through. Two of their cars were started and kept idling with full heat blasting to warm and dry the two men and one dog while the other three men tried their best to thaw and dry the men's pants, laughing about how the guys would even start explaining their wives why they had to drive home literally ass naked.

And to express her gratitude for being saved from a certain and icy death, the hunting dog in question pissed on a car seat.

And that was the story of how this guy's dog was almost killed by a whistling weiner.

[jess-the-vampire]

Professor Caduceia and Snakely

Checked out the storyboard for the deleted s1 episode "Homesick"

You can read it here : https://t.co/WpZJFWbR48

I just loved these cut villains, one whose design def seemed like it was given to raine when they got cut. (I wonder if the color palette was similar, but we don't have a reference to that so idk)

Thoughts on the cut episode below:

An episode where king and owlbert of all characters bond is kinda neat, especially since it provides owlbert himself a bit more character here.

The opening is def far different from any of the final ones we ever see in the series, in fact it feels like it should be taking place during the episode but it can't be given we see hooty from being sick to not being sick in pretty chronological order?

A focus on the healing coven was nice to see, especially since we never got that in the show itself, and get some idea of their powerset and what they do magic wise.

So Manny was an ambulance driver, and Camila was a nurse in this. People originally assumed camila was a nurse when the show started, and it makes me wonder if that was changed between seasons at some point cause clearly the crew decided to change her profession and it's unclear why.

you can use your palisman as a communicator? and an umbrella? I do think it's so weird that even at the very end of the show, they establish brand new rules for palisman. Like them being able to shapeshift into objects is straight up not explained and just sorta....happens in the show, like i feel like hunter would have no issue hiding flap if this is a thing. (It also kinda makes stringbean's ability slightly less unique) Like this is displayed in these boards, but they kept it even in the show itself, and i think palisman might need a proper rulebook.

On that same note, owlbert uses magic in this board, like we kinda knew palisman could do some magic without a witch, but this is the only time we've seen one use it to fight another witch that wasn't the batqueen. Like owlbert tries to full on blast people in this. I don't know if removing this episode makes this ability less canon in the world itself since they still can do magic in the show, it's just worth noting that palisman, according to this board, CAN fight back, even if they're not incredibly strong it seems. Certainly the kinda thing that makes you think on other episodes tbh.

This episode also brings up the idea that eda actually CAN and DOES bring human food to the BI, which never happens in the show, in fact luz implies she gets to eat very little options there, so this idea seems no longer canon?

The demon hunters at one point don't even seem to recognize owlbert as a palisman, which does not entirely make sense given they seem to be mostly common to the townsfolk, so I'm kinda glad for that plot hole being gone.

Caduceia makes it out like the emperor's coven forced her to teach? and she thought handing over a house demon to belos would get her out of teaching as if it were some kinda punishment or job she was made to do? I have questions

side note, house demons are called rare in this, like they're not common, not sure if this still applies in the final show, but yeah.

there's some very sweet moments in this with luz and eda especially, but also some funny moments, and some jokes that land a little less....i don't think we needed Caduceia to be kissing her snake like that from that angle, even if it was meant to be a little uncomfortable.

one reason i think this episode did get cut? we got a glyph in this

a healing glyph, which has some ties to water based on it's symbol

i'm guessing since they kept the main glyphs element based, a healing glyph would of stuck out and been a bit weird. Like it just heals people, it doesn't produce water despite looking close to the alchemy symbol for water, and well....we already got ice so this would be redundent.

so yeah, this episode introduced a new glyph that saved them in the end so it would of come back in future episodes, but to keep it simple that would mean cutting the entire episode as a whole just to keep the four.

Since they enjoyed Caduceia's design so much, they must've repurposed it for raine somewhere down the line.

very fun insight into a scrapped episode.

[xomakara]

Beyond The Bounty

(re-posting from my old account seulrinnie-rinrin/xomakara-secondary)

SUMMARY | When you get caught by Seonghwa, the bounty hunter, for the hefty bounty on your head, you can't help but want to know his story. PAIRING | Seonghwa/Reader GENRE | bountyhunter!Seonghwa, cowboy!Seonghwa, outlaw!Reader, off to the wild west we go, smut with no plot, uprotected sex (wrap it up everyone!), first time, fingering, vaginal sex, oral sex, praising, pet names RATING | Mature LENGTH | 7026 words AUTHOR’S NOTE | They fit the cowboy concept so well. Plus I watched too much westerns the past few days LOL. I actually couldn’t decide which member would suit this story so I let a name pick generator decide haha. And Seonghwa it is~

There was no point in struggling. No point in trying to escape when your hands and feet were tied by the harsh ropes. All you could see was the passing terrain of dirt and grass.

Your body was aching from the uncomfortable position you had been bound in. The bounty hunter that caught you didn't even give you a horse to ride, instead opting to lay you unto his saddle as he steered his horse.

"You know...You'd think that you treat a lady better than this." You muttered to your captor. He scoffed at your remark before starting up his horse again.

"You're not exactly a lady though." The man replied, smacking your ass hard enough to make you yelp out in pain. "What man would treat an outlaw like you as a lady?"

"Ouuu, tough words for the big bad bounty hunter." You scoffed. "Come on, you only caught me for my big bounty and left all these other bastards untouched. It doesn't really seem fair does it?"

"For a woman, you talk too much." The man chuckled.

He rode for hours without speaking another word. You tried getting him to say something else but failed every time. Your captor was a silent man. So you had nothing to do but look at the passing terrain of dirt, grass, the man's boots, and the horse's hooves. It seemed like the endless landscape never ended. It was almost maddening how monotonous it was. If it weren't for the horses hooves hitting against the earth constantly, you might have lost your mind.

After what felt like ages, the man finally stopped. He got off his horse and untied you.

"This ain't no prison." He explained while keeping his grip on the ropes. "But if you don't start being nice, I'll tie you back up until I find someplace we can settle down. What do you say?"

"Whatever you say." You shrugged.

"Good girl." The man said happily before letting go of the ropes and walking away. You watched him walk off into the distance before laying on the ground.

Oh, your back aches so badly. Being bound in the same position for such a long time hurts your muscles horribly. A few moments later, you heard the man come back and he squatted next to you. He lifted a flask of water and gave it to you. You took it from him and drank, glad that the damn water tasted good. When you finished drinking, you handed the empty flask back to him.

"It's getting dark and we're not going to make it to town at this rate. I'm setting camp up here." He started and gave you a look. "If you promise to behave, I'll leave you untied tonight. But if you try to run, I'm tying you back up. Do you understand?"

"Yeah yeah. I won't run." You rolled your eyes. You watched as the man prepared to set up camp. You laid back on the ground and let your mind wander.

"What's your story?" You asked suddenly.

The man looked at you with a frown. "What makes you ask?"

"You're just a lone man traveling around and collecting bounties. No family or friends to speak of. How did you end up doing this? And why are you alone?"

"I can ask you the same question." He asked you back, as he leaned against his saddle. "How did a woman like you become an outlaw?"

"Easy." You answered, rolling your eyes. "My seven brothers decided they wanted to be cowboys, so I went with them. We raided ranches and stole cows. We got chased by the sheriffs all the time and got shot at several times. I helped them hijack a train one day, escaping with a large amount of money and guns. And then we split up after finding out that we had a large amount of bounty on our heads. I was just in town stocking up on supplies when you caught me. And here we are."

"Interesting." He said simply. "So you're telling me that you used to live a normal life?"

"Normal?" You laughed. "Nothing about me is normal! It's probably a miracle that I survived growing up the way I did. I have seven brothers. Imagine the chaos!"

"Seven." The man nodded. "That must have been difficult."

"To put it mildly." You nodded. "If you ever get the chance, tell me your story."

"No thanks." The man shook his head. "I prefer living my life alone."

"What's your name anyway?" You asked suddenly.

"Why?" The man replied with a frown.

"Just curious." You shrugged. "I'd like to know the name of my handsome captor. I'm Y/N by the way."

"Seonghwa." The man told you.

You smiled slightly and nodded. "Nice to meet you Seonghwa."

Seonghwa didn't mutter anything and when you turned your head to look at him, you let out a soft gasp. You never got the chance to really look at what your captor looked like since you were hanging off the horse most of the time. But now that you weren't looking at the dirt, you were able to take in his full appearance.

Holy shit, he was beautiful. From his black hair to his brown eyes, there wasn't a part of his face that you didn't like. His arms were also well toned. Every muscle was defined and showed signs of the many adventures he had lived through. Not to mention his chest was pretty impressive too. Even with the jacket covering it, you could still make out a decent sized pec.

'Damn it.' You cursed yourself silently. 'Now I feel guilty for getting captured by him.'

You quickly shifted your gaze back towards the horizon. You couldn't afford to think about him right now. You had to stay strong. Your past experiences with men made it impossible to trust anyone except for yourself. Even if he treated you well, you couldn't get attached to him because you were bound to be killed eventually.

You did have a hefty bounty on your head.

Sighing, you continued to watch the horizon as you waited for the sun to set. "I've never met a handsome bounty hunter before." You sighed, unable to hold back your thoughts anymore.

"What makes you say that?" Seonghwa inquired.

"You're good-looking, ruggedly handsome, in fact. Most bounty hunters I've seen aren't exactly the best looking." You told him honestly. "You got a wife and kids back home?"

"No." Seonghwa shook his head. "I've been traveling since I was young. Sometimes for months at a time. Other times, for weeks. No attachments."

"Hmm..." You pondered over the situation.

"And you?" He looked at you as you slowly sat up. "Anyone waiting for you?"

"Well..." You trailed off. "I did once upon a time. Before I became an outlaw. But he was gunned down before we could consummate the marriage."

"Damn." Seonghwa cursed. "How awful."

"Yeah, it sucked." You frowned. "I warned him what would happen if he were to stay in my life. And he chose to stay anyway. It wasn't even an hour after we were wed that he got shot in front of me. He was so young. Only eighteen. That bastard never should have gotten himself into such a dangerous line of work."

"Did you avenge him?" Seonghwa inquired curiously.

"Yes." You said simply. "After he died, I joined my brothers. I shot the bastard in the head once I found him. I went straight from being a naive girl of sixteen to a widow in a matter of hours."

"Do you miss him?" Seonghwa asked softly.

"Sometimes." You whispered. "It's been nearly ten years so I can't remember how he looks now. But sometimes I do. It gets hard living my life alone knowing that he's dead."

"You said that you came from a large family." Seonghwa remarked. "Are you sure that you're alright without someone by your side?"

"Of course." You scoffed. "A simple trip across the country isn't going to kill me. Plus, I have a handsome bounty hunter here to keep me company. It's definitely a win-win situation."

"Ha ha." Seonghwa snorted. "Keep joking like that and you'll regret it."

"Really?" You giggled. "Handsome bounty hunter says that I'll regret joking with him. Should I believe you?"

"Absolutely not." Seonghwa told you sternly. "I'm not like those other men. I may be a bounty hunter, but that doesn't mean that I'll touch women without consent."

"Such a gentleman. I like you already. Sad that you're turning me in though." You said before giving him a sweet smile. "Just kidding. Seriously though, don't turn me in. Let's be friends."

"Friends?" Seonghwa raised an eyebrow. "No way in hell."

You let out a sigh as you resumed watching the dirt and grass below you. Hands and feet tied again, you thought you would be sitting upright on the saddle in front of him but he decided to lay you down instead. You could feel his warm hands near your back, holding the reins to keep the horse steady. He didn't say anything. There was no conversation. In fact, you couldn't hear any sound at all. Nothing but the sound of the wind blowing and the horse hooves hitting against the land.

"Back to looking at dirt and grass." You huffed. "Wonderful."

"There are other things to look at besides the dirt." Seonghwa pointed out.

"Like what? Cacti? Rocks?" You suggested sarcastically.

"Sounds about right." Seonghwa agreed. "Tell me something."

"Anything." You answered, trying to glance at him but to no avail.

"Have you always been this bold? Most women I've met don't exactly act like you." Seonghwa said with a slight hint of surprise.

"And how do they act?"

"Most are demure and coy. They don't talk much and prefer to remain quiet. They're happy to stay within their own circle and keep themselves safe." Seonghwa informed you. "They want security and nothing more. They want a nice home, some children, and the rest of their lives will follow suit. You, on the other hand, aren't afraid to challenge yourself and take risks. I mean what woman becomes an outlaw?"

"Me." You admitted. "This woman. So yes, you're correct. I am very different from other women. My parents were both strong people. They raised me differently than others. And when my parents died and I went with my brothers, they taught me to be tough. I've had to fend for myself since I was little. There was never a moment where I felt safe. Even after my husband died, I knew I had to go out on my own. If I wanted to survive, I needed to learn to fight. After joining my brothers, I learned how to shoot, rob trains, and kill. I have to admit, however, I never liked the killing part. But what choice did I have? All I cared about was keeping myself alive."

"I never said I disliked it. I respect your strength. It's admirable." Seonghwa said sincerely.

"Thank you." You smiled, staring at the man who stared at the land with equal intensity. "But let me ask you something."

"Go ahead." Seonghwa said simply.

"Why the sudden interest in knowing about me?" You asked. "You're going to turn me in anyway. What difference does it make whether or not you know my backstory?"

"True enough." Seonghwa conceded. "But I find it interesting."

"Okay. I guess curiosity killed the cat. Ask away." You rolled your eyes. "But first, can I ride sitting up? Laying like this is awkward and it hurts."

"Sure." Seonghwa said. He grabbed the reins and pulled gently to make sure the horse stopped. When the animal compiled, he released his grip, untied the ties that bound your feet and positioned you onto the horse seat. You were grateful to finally be able to sit properly and look around.

As soon as you sat up, you immediately took in every detail of the man that sat behind you.

He wasn’t as tall as your brothers Yunho and MIngi but still tall nonetheless. His broad shoulders barely fit into the leather jacket he wore. Black pants and boots completed his attire. However, his favorite piece of clothing seemed to be the black shirt that he wore underneath his jacket. It was open just enough to show a glimpse of his chiseled chest. It was slightly unbuttoned and made him seem even more desirable.

"Stop staring or you'll go back to looking at the ground." Seonghwa chastised you with a glare.

"Okay. Fine, no staring." You sighed in defeat. "Ask your questions. Or whatever it is that you want to know."

"Your siblings." Seonghwa began. "Who are they?"

"Don't you know the Ateez gang?" You asked curiously.

Seonghwa stared down at you. "Those are your brothers? The seven men with five thousand dollar bounties each on their head? You rode with them?"

"Is it that surprising? I'm surprised my oldest brother Hongjoong doesn't have a bigger bounty..." You paused for a moment before continuing. "If you're wondering, yes I am the youngest."

"I wouldn't have guessed that you were the youngest." Seonghwa commented. "It must be tough having to live up to everyone else."

"It's not that bad. We're actually quite close." You shrugged. "Everyone else has big personalities and we all get along really well. They all became my brothers when my parent's adopted them. I will always be their sister and they will always be my brothers even if we don't share a single drop of blood."

"You must care for them very much. To risk everything for them." Seonghwa said in understanding. "Have you fallen in love again after your husband died?"

"Again? I don't understand what you mean." You replied innocently.

"You fell in love with a man and married him. Have you fallen in love with another man since then?" Seonghwa pressed.

"Uh... What? I never said that I was in love with my husband. But I did respect him. He was a good friend and would have been a good husband." You explained. You turned to look at him. "Seriously. It’s not fair that I’m the only one talking. Tell me about you."

"I...I had a wife and child." Seonghwa said sadly. "She died from childbirth and my son died too from illness. He was only a few months old."

"Oh...I'm sorry." You muttered. Your heart broke a little bit at the sad news. You really hoped that the man beside you wasn't going to turn you in. Because right now, he reminded you a lot of her. Of your past self. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Seonghwa reassured you. "It's been about five years now since she died. Sometimes it still feels fresh. But I've gotten used to it. Since then, I haven't found anyone else to settle down with. Not because I don't want to. But because it's not possible. I just can't bring myself to trust another person."

"Trust is hard to earn." You murmured. "So I understand why you can't do it. But perhaps you should try? Just one more time?"

"One more time?" Seonghwa repeated incredulously. "What makes you think that I would fall in love again?"

"Well...first of all, you are not alone." You argued. "Second, most of the world is lonely. They may have many friends, but they don't have a companion that they can share everything with. That special someone that is there for them when times are good and also for them when times are bad. Someone that they can depend on to be there through thick and thin."

"Someone like you?" Seonghwa questioned, looking at you curiously.

"Calm down, big boy." You laughed. "I'm not telling you to marry me. I'm just saying that maybe you shouldn't shut off your chances at finding happiness because you're afraid of getting hurt."

"Wise words coming from an outlaw." Seonghwa muttered with amusement. "Alright. Let's give it a shot. One more time."

"Another question for you." You said casually. "Of all outlaws to catch, why me? There were a ton in the town I was in. I don't even resemble my wanted picture. So why me?"

"I don't know the exact reason...but I think it's because you are so unlike any other woman I've ever met." Seonghwa answered honestly. "I know I said that you're different. But it's true. You're not like any of the traditional women out there. You're not a saloon girl and you're not a prostitute. When I saw you standing there next to your horse, I just had this feeling come over me. Like I could tell that you're more than meets the eye."

"You like the mysterious type, huh?" You teased.

"I like it when a woman stands out from the crowd." Seonghwa told you honestly. "I like it when they dare to defy society. I find it very attractive. My wife was like that."

"That sounds wonderful." You breathed out.

Seonghwa watched you intently. Your hair flew freely behind you. For some reason, he couldn't stop staring at you. You stared back at him curiously. Something about him intrigued you. From the way he spoke, to the way he looked. Maybe it was the aura he emitted that intrigued you. Whatever it was, you couldn't deny the fact that you were drawn to him. It didn't matter if you got arrested, turned in, or got a bullet to the face, you had to admit that he was handsome. And charming. He was just...so unlike any other man you've ever known.

In a good way.

After a while, Seonghwa cleared his throat. You instantly snapped out of your thoughts and forced yourself to focus.

"How long until we reach town?" You asked curiously.

"Not long." Seonghwa confirmed. "We'll stop at the nearest inn for dinner and drinks. Then it will take us another day to reach our destination."

"I guess I should get comfortable, huh?" You sighed as you adjusted yourself on the saddle. You looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Since I'm going with you peacefully, can you untie my hands too? Please?"

"You promise not to run?" Seonghwa asked curiously.

"I swear." You nodded.

"Alright." Seonghwa sighed. He removed the rope binding your hands together and loosened the knots on the other side of your wrists. "There."

You rubbed your wrists appreciatively. Now that you weren't tied up, it gave you the freedom to stretch your arms out. In response, Seonghwa wrapped his arm around your waist. You looked up at him with wide eyes but he seemed to just stare off into the distance.

You looked down at his hand resting against your hip. He hadn't removed it yet. Instead, he held it firmly as if he intended to keep it there forever. Without thinking, you leaned into his touch and placed your head on his shoulder.

For the rest of the journey, neither of you moved. You didn't speak. You didn't say anything either.

Both of you just stayed silent, savoring each other's company.

You reached the inn that was in the middle of nowhere. If you looked at the map carefully, it wasn't even a real city. However, it served as the last outpost for food supplies and travellers before they arrived at the main city.

You and Seonghwa walked up to the counter where a grizzled old man stood, watching you both. "Lookin' for a room?" He grunted gruffly.

"Yeah." Seonghwa said confidently. "Do you have any vacancies?"

The old man glanced over at you before answering. "I only got a small room meant for one traveler and not two. Does your pretty wife mind the small space? I reckon she'd prefer the comforts of a larger room."

Seonghwa didn't even correct the man as he looked down at you. "You don't mind the small room, do you sweetheart?" He asked softly.

You shook your head. "We'll take it. After all, it's only for one night."

The old man led you inside the small room. You pulled back the curtain and took a look around. It wasn't too bad, but it definitely wasn't a large luxurious room. There was a bed, which was only big enough for one person, a dresser and a table with chairs. It seemed to be more of a bachelor room rather than a couple's. But hey, at least you wouldn't have to sleep on the floor tonight.

"This room is the cheapest we have." The old man announced as he pointed to the bed. "But I suggest you make yourselves comfortable. Dinner will be ready soon."

He left without waiting for your answer. Once he closed the door behind himself, you turned to look at Seonghwa.

"Wife? Sweetheart?" You asked in confusion. "Am I missing something here?"

Seonghwa sat in one of the chairs as he gestured for you to take the bed. "It's a good excuse for a man and woman that’s together to be in these parts. To most folks, a female outlaw is unheard of. But a man and woman travelling together under such circumstances?"

"I guess...yeah. Makes sense." You mumbled.

"Take the bed." He muttered. "I'll sleep in the chair."

"Why not let me share the bed with you?" You suggested.

"You trying to seduce me?"

"Do you want to be seduced?" You countered playfully.

Seonghwa looked away guiltily. "No, I..."

You placed a finger on his lips, silencing him. "Don't worry about it. I won't seduce you."

"Go to sleep, Y/N." Seonghwa urged gently.

Reluctantly, you climbed onto the bed. Your skin prickled as you stared at Seonghwa who was already sitting in the chair.

You waited until he finally laid down on the chair before you finally relaxed. It was a short wait. Within minutes, you were fast asleep.

This time he didn't tie you up and lay you down on the saddle. This time, he actually put you on his lap as he steered the horse with one hand. As you sat comfortably in his lap, his free arm went around your waist.

You stared out at the beautiful scenery around you. It was truly amazing how vast the plains were and how beautiful the sunset was.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Seonghwa whispered. His breath tickled the back of your neck as he spoke.

Your heart fluttered at the feel of his voice against your ear. You lifted your head to look at him. "Yes. It's beautiful." You breathed out.

"Right now, you don't look like an outlaw. Don't act like one. Be yourself." Seonghwa encouraged. "Enjoy the ride and the view. Just be happy. It's alright if you want to enjoy being in my arms. I'm not going to tell anyone."

His voice made your heart beat faster. You couldn't help but lean into his chest. "Thank you, Seonghwa." You breathed out.

"Y/N. Can I ask you a question?" Seonghwa asked curiously.

You turned to look at him curiously. "Sure."

"I know we just met but...can I kiss you?" Seonghwa breathed out nervously.

"Why the sudden interest in me now?" You questioned jokingly.

"Because I want to." Seonghwa admitted. "I never thought I would meet someone like you. Someone that doesn't follow the rules. Who dares to break away from what others expect her to do. A smart woman with such high morals. And she's honest and has strong principles. I always knew that I wanted to be around someone like you."

You opened your mouth to say something, but all that came out was a strangled sound. At first, you didn't know what to say, but then he pressed his soft lips against yours. Your body reacted involuntarily, giving in to his gentle kisses.

His warm lips felt good against yours. 

It felt right. 

Everything felt right.

When he pulled away, he didn't look disappointed. In fact, he looked completely content. As if he hadn't been looking for you, but found you anyway. That realization filled you with hope. It may have only been the second day since you met him, but you could tell that there was something special between the two of you. You didn't know if it would go anywhere in the future, but you were glad that you met him nonetheless.

You didn't know what this feeling was. Surely it couldn't have been love. This was your second day of knowing each other after all. Love was impossible. So you couldn't possibly be in love with him. Right?

Still, you couldn't help but smile. Maybe this would turn into something great after all.

As you rode into the main city, you gazed out at the streets, amazed by the hustle and bustle around you.

People were everywhere, running around and buying and selling their wares. Despite the bustle, you couldn't help but think that everything looked calm and peaceful. It almost seemed unreal.

But despite the chaos and turmoil, people still smiled and laughed. Even amidst all the commotion, they managed to make jokes and laugh. You found that incredibly reassuring.

"You're turning me in?" You asked, his chest warm against your back.

"Do you want me to? Or do you want to stay with me?" Seonghwa replied softly.

"Do you want me to stay with you?" You asked him, as his horse trotted along the streets.

"Would you be unhappy staying here?" Seonghwa asked with uncertainty.

"I'd be locked in a cell for the rest of my life. Why do you ask?" You questioned.

Seonghwa sighed. "Because for some odd damn reason, I don't want to turn you in."

Your brows furrowed. "Why?"

"I dunno." Seonghwa shrugged. "It's probably because I'm a soft-hearted bastard on the inside. Maybe I want you to partner up with me to hunt outlaws instead. Heard you're pretty good with a gun."

"You tryna make me one of the good ones?" You teased.

Seonghwa smirked. "Only if you wanna."

"If it means that I won't get hunted down..." You glanced over at him and grinned. "I might take you up on that offer. Thanks."

"Good girl." Seonghwa replied happily as he pulled you closer to his chest. "Let's go rest up in our rooms and decide our plan of action tomorrow morning."

You and Seonghwa decided on one room again but this time the bed was much larger to accommodate a couple. You both took a bath and washed your clothes before settling in to sleep.

As you lied in bed, listening to Seonghwa breathe, you couldn't help but think of your future. For the past few years, all you did was spend money and travel the west with your brothers. You grew tired of doing that. Of taking people's possessions and running away. It was boring. Sure, there was the occasional excitement and danger but you always escaped alive. What else could you possibly gain from living like that? All you had to show for your adventures were scars and bruises.

Now you have the chance to live your life differently. This might be your last chance to do so. Now that you had met Seonghwa, things weren't exactly the same anymore. The path ahead of you was still uncertain, but the unknown was always exciting. What would happen next?

You heard Seonghwa move in his sleep beside you. Then, a few moments later, you felt his fingers lightly tracing your cheek. You smiled, enjoying the warmth radiating from his touch. "Seonghwa?"

"Hmm?" Seonghwa replied sleepily. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." You told him honestly. "Just thinking."

"What are you thinking about?" Seonghwa whispered suddenly.

"About us." You confessed.

Seonghwa's eyes snapped open and he quickly rolled over to face you. He cupped your cheeks with his hands. "What about us?"

"Us as partners." You stated simply. "And lovers."

His thumb brushed against your bottom lip. "Are you sure?"

"Very." You assured him as you leaned forward and kissed him tenderly.

"Have you ever been with a man since your husband passed?" Seonghwa asked as his lips trailed down your neck.

"No. Not once." You replied quietly. “Still a virgin, here.”

"Then I promise that you'll find no better lover than me." Seonghwa whispered against your lips. "Let's leave the past behind us and start anew. We'll see where this takes us."

Slowly, you drew back and nodded. "Alright." You murmured.

Seonghwa leaned in and kissed you passionately. "Do you want to keep going?"

You sighed in pleasure as he nipped at your bottom lip. "Can't stop now. I need to taste every inch of you."

With that, he continued down your neck, kissing you lovingly as his fingers slowly explored your curves. Soon, he was stroking your breasts through your shirt and teasing your nipples with his thumbs.

When his lips returned to your lips, you parted them eagerly, your own tongue reaching out to taste his. Soon, the passion between the two of you increased, intensifying with every passing moment. When he started kissing your neck, moving lower and lower down your chest, you held onto his shoulders.

"You're so soft, baby." Seonghwa breathed out huskily. "Soft as silk and sweet as honey."

"Mmm..." You moaned.

"So sensitive." Seonghwa breathed out as he traced his tongue across your nipple. "I could lick you all night long."

You whimpered as he circled your breast with his tongue, teasing you with the tips. "Seonghwa..."

"You've never been touched like this before, have you?" He questioned in a hoarse whisper. "Touched like this and felt loved."

"Yes." You whispered as you reached out to touch him.

"Have you ever tasted a man's flesh before?" Seonghwa asked curiously.

"Uh..." You shook your head. "No. Despite my flirtatious and bold nature, you'd be the first man I've ever given myself to."

"That's quite a confession." Seonghwa chuckled. "I think it's time that I changed that."

You gasped as he bit gently on your breast, making you arch off the bed in ecstasy. "S-Seonghwa!"

"I love it when you say my name like that. You know that, right?" He whispered against your skin. "I could listen to you say my name forever."

He began to suckle on your breast while tracing his fingers down your stomach. "God, I wish you were naked." He mumbled. "Wish I could touch you. Feel every inch of your soft, silky skin."

Before you knew it, he had undone the buttons of your shirt, revealing your chest. With shaking hands, he removed it and tossed it aside. "Look at how perfect you are." He breathed out. "So fucking sexy."

"Like what you see?" You asked breathlessly.

"Every damn thing." Seonghwa groaned as he caressed your naked skin. His fingers traced down your abdomen, trailing lightly over your stomach, stopping at your hip bones. He tugged at your pants and undergarments until they fell to the floor. "Fuck, you're gorgeous. So sexy and beautiful."

He lowered his head and ran his tongue along your belly button. You sighed in pleasure as he ran his nose up your abdomen, inhaling deeply. Suddenly, he pushed himself up and sat back on his knees, gazing at you seductively. "I want to taste you so badly." He said darkly. "I want to savor every part of you."

Without warning, he reached out and grabbed your hips, pulling you towards him. Then, he lowered his mouth to yours and kissed you deeply. The sensations coursing through your body left you wanting more.

Slowly, he slid down your body, tasting you with his tongue as he went. One hand caressed your thighs while the other trailed lightly up your side. "Beautiful." He whispered. "So damn beautiful."

His lips trailed up your ribs, to your collarbone, to your chin. He nibbled at your jawline before kissing your lips softly. Slowly, he began to explore the insides of your mouth, sucking and licking at your lips. “How are you feeling, my sweet girl?” He whispered against your lips.

You smiled. “Amazing.” You breathed out.

Seonghwa grinned. “Let’s give your body even more pleasure.” He whispered huskily as he stood up and yanked off his shirt. His muscles rippled with every movement as he approached you. Then, he knelt down in front of you and pressed his lips against your thigh. You squirmed slightly at the contact.

“Oh!” You exclaimed softly. “Seonghwa!”

“Shhh.” He soothed as he rubbed his lips against your leg. “Just let yourself enjoy this.”

Slowly, he moved his way up your thigh, giving you goosebumps with every stroke. You couldn’t help but feel excited as he kissed your inner thigh, his fingers continuing to stroke you gently. “Seonghwa…” You whispered softly. “What are you doing?”

“Shh…” He repeated. “Trust me.”

A low moan escaped your lips as he slipped his finger into you, gently caressing your walls. “Ah…”

“Such a good girl.” Seonghwa murmured, smiling at you. “So eager and eager to please.”

His fingers played with your clit while he continued to kiss you tenderly. You could barely contain your excitement as his lips traveled higher and higher up your thigh. Then, he slid his tongue into your cleft and licked up and down your slit, his hands stroking you gently as he went. Your hips bucked up against his face as his fingers continued to work their magic on your g-spot.

Soon, he sucked your clit into his mouth, gently biting down on it. You moaned loudly as you began to tremble. Your legs tightened around his head, forcing his head deeper inside you. He didn’t seem to mind though as he continued to play with your clit.

“Seonghwa…” You moaned again as your entire body tensed up. You couldn’t hold back any longer as you came apart underneath him.

He continued to lick and suck at your pussy, making sure to drink in every drop of your orgasmic juices. He kissed your inner thigh several times before getting up and standing over you. “I want you to take off my pants.” He commanded as he kicked off his boots.

Slowly, you undid his pants and took them off, throwing them to the side. Once you finished removing his pants, you pulled off his underwear, his erection springing free. Your eyes widened as you gazed at his cock. It was already half hard and incredibly large.

"My sweet girl, can you take me in your mouth?" He asked with a wicked grin.

You nodded slowly. "I'm willing to try anything once."

His eyes darkened. "Do you really mean that?"

"Yes." You answered as you wrapped your hand around his shaft and gave him a gentle squeeze. "I'll do whatever you want."

He cupped your cheek with one hand and looked deep into your eyes. "You'll let me fuck your pretty little mouth?"

You nodded enthusiastically. "Of course."

"Oh, baby…" He breathed out, closing his eyes as he imagined the two of you together. You on your knees in front of him, holding his thick member in your hand as you prepare to slide it inside your warm, wet mouth. You looking up at him, your hair cascading down your back as you stare into his eyes, begging for him to fill your throat with his seed. "I bet you look amazing like that. Can you imagine it?"

"Mmm... Yes." You moaned as you felt him sliding his fingers through your hair. "I can definitely picture it."

He moaned in pleasure. "God, I want you." He growled.

He reached down and guided himself into your waiting mouth. As soon as the tip of his dick hit your lips, you closed your eyes and swallowed the head of his cock. He winced in pleasure as you started to move your head back and forth, taking more and more of him inside your mouth. He could hear you moaning in pleasure as you bobbed your head up and down. Soon, you started to take him further and further down your throat.

"You're taking it so well, my sweet girl." He breathed out, leaning forward to run his fingers through your hair. "Is it too much?"

You shook your head. "No." You breathed out. "Keep going."

He grinned. "Good girl." He moved his fingers from your hair to caress your cheeks. "I'll take it slow if you want."

You didn't answer him, instead simply nodding your head as you sucked harder on his cock. You could tell he was enjoying the sensation because his breathing became heavier and faster. "Baby, can you take more?" He whispered huskily. "Can you handle the whole length of my cock?"

"I'll take you as far as you want, Seonghwa." You replied breathlessly.

Suddenly, he thrust himself deeply into your throat, causing you to gag a little. He held onto your head and forced himself to keep going, knowing that if he stopped, you would struggle to breathe. "There we go." He breathed out. "I knew you could handle it."

With every inch of him that entered your mouth, you felt yourself growing hotter and hotter. You were starting to shake with desire as you leaned forward, trying to take more of him inside you. He didn't stop, pressing himself into your mouth and stroking your throat gently.

"Keep going, my sweet girl." He encouraged you. "Take all of me. Make me explode inside your mouth."

As you kept moving your head back and forth, sucking and slurping on his dick, he reached out and caressed your cheek. Your face flushed red as you looked up at him. "You look so fucking beautiful like this." He whispered. "Taking everything I have to give."

He watched you continue to suck and lick at his cock. His breathing was beginning to become irregular as he fought the urge to come. "Oh god... God, I need to fuck you now." He moaned. "I can't take this anymore."

With that, he turned around, pulling you with him. "Come here, my sweet girl." He commanded. "I want you on top."

Once he lay down on the bed, you straddled him, hesitating. "Seonghwa...you're so big. Will you fit?"

"You won't know unless you try." He encouraged you as he caressed your face. "Put me inside you. As much as I need you, tell me if it hurts and I'll stop."

You bit your lip nervously. "Alright." You said softly. "I'll try."

"Good girl..." He murmured as you slowly sank down on him. "Are you okay?"

"Yes." You gasped as you felt him filling you completely.

"It's not too painful?" He breathed out.

"Not at all." You answered honestly. "It feels amazing."

He smiled. "That's my sweet girl." He said as he caressed your breasts. "Feels so good to finally be inside you. To be buried deep inside you."

His words sent chills down your spine as you rode him, bouncing up and down. Every time you bounced, he gripped your hips tighter and held you in place, ensuring that you stayed impaled on his dick. With each thrust, you could feel him throbbing against your pussy walls. He could see how badly you wanted to come, how badly you needed to come. But you knew Seonghwa wouldn't come before you did.

"Tell me what you want." He whispered softly as he stroked your stomach. "Say the word and I will give it to you."

Your pussy clenched around his dick as you bit your lower lip. "Fuck me harder, Seonghwa." You breathed out. "Please."

"Such a naughty girl." He chuckled. "But I love it."

He grabbed your ass and started thrusting into you harder. "This is our first time having sex, you know?" He breathed out. "You're doing so well, my sweet girl. Don't worry about anything. Just ride me and let me give you pleasure."

You smiled as you pumped up and down on him, loving the feeling of his cock inside you. The room was filled with heavy breathing and low moans as the two of you tried desperately to reach your orgasms.

"I think I'm close." You breathed out.

"I think you are too." He agreed as he kissed your neck. "Just let go, sweetheart. Let go and come with me."

Then, you felt an intense wave of heat building within you. You trembled as you reached your peak and cried out loudly, squeezing Seonghwa's hips tightly. As your orgasm ripped through your body, he continued to fuck you even harder, wanting to make sure you came just as hard as he did.

"That's it, my sweet girl." He grunted. "Let it all out. Come all over my cock. Take everything I have to give."

As the two of you rode your orgasms out, you held onto Seonghwa's arms tightly. "Oh... oh god... I don't know if I can take anymore..." You panted out as your body relaxed.

"Hold on, my sweet girl." He replied as he ran his fingers up and down your arm. "We've still got some time left."

The next few minutes were filled with kisses and soft touches as both of you recovered from your climaxes. After a couple of minutes, you opened your eyes and gazed lovingly at him. "Wow... that was incredible." You said softly.

He smiled and brought his thumb to his mouth, tasting you. "Yes, it was." He replied. "And it gets better every time."

"Oh, really?" You asked with a smile.

"Really." He replied as he cupped your cheek. "If you're willing to be patient with me, I promise you that it will only get better and better. And someday, I will give you something you've never experienced before."

You shivered slightly. "Like what?"

"Hmm... I haven't decided yet." He admitted with a sheepish grin.

You let out a laugh, cuddling closer to his body. "Well, that doesn't exactly help me decide whether or not to be patient."

"Sorry, my sweet girl." He apologized as he brushed a strand of hair away from your face. "I'm trying to be romantic, but I'm very rusty at this sort of thing."

"You'd better get used to it." You replied with a wink. "Because I plan on being your partner for a long time."

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

Leon Day

Summary: The reader makes Dean breakfast on Leon Day and explains what the day is. While she has some fun things planned, Dean shares some of his own future plans with her...

Pairing: Dean x reader

Word Count: 1,000ish

Warnings: language, 15x20 finale spoiler (fic takes place post 15x20 though)

A/N: Enjoy!

_______

“Y/N,” said Dean, scratching his head when he came into the kitchen for breakfast. “I haven’t been in a coma lately right?”

“No...why would you ask that?” you said. Dean pointed behind him to the string lights hanging in the hall, colorful lights twinkling along the wall. “Oh that? It’s Leon day.”

“Who’s Leon?” he asked, padding over to his usual stool, yawning and curling into himself. You ruffled his hair and slid a cup of coffee in front of him.

“It’s June 25th. Exactly six months from Christmas,” you said.

“Is it Leon’s birthday?” he asked. “Whoever he is?”

“No silly,” you said, returning your attention to making pancakes.

“Can I have chocolate chips?” he asked. “Please.”

“Uh we’re out of chips but blueberries instead?” you asked, holding up the package.

“That’s fine,” he said, spinning in his seat. “So...lights?”

“Well Leon is Noel backwards and since it’s six months from Christmas it’s kinda like a mini-Christmas day,” you said.

“Never heard of it.”

“Well most people have never heard of a devil’s trap but that’s a thing that exists too,” you said. He hummed and sipped on his coffee, crossing his legs on his seat. He looked younger like that and you smiled, hoping he was in a good mood this morning. “I only decorated a little bit.”

“So it’s like Christmas? I didn’t get you any presents,” he said.

“We don’t have to do presents. It’s more about, doing things together, making cookies, having a nice dinner together. Maybe take a day off from hunting,” you said. You put your back to him and finished with his pancakes, dropping some fresh blueberries on top for him when you were all done. You hummed and slid the plate in front of him, giving him a fork and knife along with a glass of water.

“I uh, actually wanted to talk to you about hunting. Sam and I saw something online,” he said. You sighed and poured more batter into the pan.

“A new case?” you asked, forcing a smile into your voice.

“This big house in Lawrence. Not obnoxiously big but it’s big, big enough for like eight people I’d say,” he said.

“Is it haunted?” you said, watching the batter bubble and begin cooking.

“It’s for sale. We were thinking of buying it. He was gonna talk to Eileen and I said I’d talk to you about it.”

“About…”

“Buying it,” said Dean. You turned and frowned at him, Dean shoveling his second pancake into his mouth. “What?”

“First off, chew. Second, why would you guys buy a house? You’re not suddenly going to become the Property Brothers are you?”

“No silly. The house would be for us. Obviously we’d ward the shit out of it but yeah, house. What do you think?” 

“Why would we get a house?” you asked. Dean rolled his eyes and you put the rest of the pancakes on a plate, bringing them over and taking a seat beside him. “Like, is there something wrong with the bunker?”

“Nothing wrong with her. But Jack and Cas are up working in heaven and the world’s not so scary...and I did have a house in heaven when I was there.”

“You still haven’t told me about whatever space time continuum crap you broke in order to be back from the dead.”

“Jack just said it was alright so I’m back and considering you weren’t up in Heaven like we all thought you were, we all decided on a do over. I missed you and I liked that house but I want you in that house with me.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying...let’s go live in a house and maybe I hunt every once in a while, maybe I run point for some other hunters, if we decide to go that route. Maybe I do something different for work. But I’m also saying, I like waking up and having pancakes and having random holidays and being happy and I can decide to do what I want, for me. I want a warm happy house with my family. You can decorate it for whatever holidays you want if I can have that.”

“We can have that,” you said quietly. You reached over and he already was meeting you there, hugging you with a happy sigh. “You’re really ready to leave all this behind?”

“We can always come visit this place. But I think our family should grow up the way we didn’t get to. We deserve that at the very least.”

“And you said you didn’t get any presents,” you said, holding him tight.

“I may have known you were planning this,” he teased. “I waited a little longer to share the news than I was hoping to but I figured you wouldn’t mind your Leon day present.”

“No, no I don’t,” you said. He kissed you and grinned before he hopped up. He dug around in the pantry and pulled out a bag of peppermint white chocolate chips. “Well now you’re just bragging.”

“I heard we were making cookies,” he said, dropping them on the counter. “Later though. After my yummy breakfast.”

“After your breakfast,” you said, kissing his cheek. “Love you. Best mini Christmas ever.”

“Love you too sweetheart. This Christmas you’ll have a whole house to decorate. Think you can handle that?”

“Absolutely. As long as I get some help?”

“Yeah I think you can swing that,” he said. He kissed your temple and hummed, throwing an arm over your shoulder. “So where’s my present in all this? I mean, I got a house and like a life changing decision for you and I got pancakes?”

“You fucking love pancakes,” you said.

“Guilty as charged,” he said. 

“I’ll make you them every single day if you want, how’s that sound?”

“Every single day?” he hummed.

“For the next week.” He chuckled and nodded. “Love you.”

“Love you back Dean.”

___________

[nsharks]

bleeding blue | apocalypse au

part nine —other parts

pairing: Simon "Ghost" Riley x fem!reader words: 3.2k tags: death. blood. zombies of course. reader menstruates. single dad ghost. there will be sex but it isn't here yet. slow burn!!! enemies to lovers. summary: After losing your companions, you run into a skull-masked man and his daughter. They are your last hope for survival. a/n: no comment

The beam gave a nasty cut to your hand.

Tetanus, blood, infections— more threats.

You sit on a rock by the river to fix it up. Before you can dab on the hydrogen peroxide from your new med kit, Blue insists on doing it for you— soft fingertips against your broken skin. She is by far a gentler nurse than her father. You focus on her pink cheeks and scrunched nose as she concentrates. It helps you ignore the sting.

"You scared the shit out of me for a second there, Twix.”

"Sorry. I guess I need to work on my balance."

She gives a stilted laugh. The gauze comes next, just a thin layer since the bleeding has already stopped.

"Thanks for asking him to help me," you add in a whisper. You smile. "I don't think I've ever had a friend save my life so many times."

Blue cuts the gauze and begins tying it off. "I didn't actually have to ask him this time, you know. Like I said, he doesn’t hate you.”

You glance to where Ghost has taken the short break to lean against a tree and drink some water, pale jaw and pink lips exposed. An actual human hides under all that gear and horrifying mask. It annoys you that he doesn't just take it off.

You look back at her, eyes rolling. “You're lying."

She closes the med kit and shrugs. “Friends don't lie."

The afternoon sun bleeds white light over your cheeks as the three of you keep walking. Just meters away from the river, Ghost points out a small cabin. One that hunters used back in the day, you bet. He says it could be a good place to stay for the night. The scent of the rushing water nearby should do some to mask your human scent.

Rolling hills take place of the trees. To the west, you can see the faint outline of mountains dipped in white snow. Well, as much of mountains as you can find in England. They are not nearly as tall as the ones your parents used to take you skiing to in France.

You grow quiet and let Blue do all the talking. Maybe you are embarrassed after almost falling into the river.

Just when she asks - How much further? - something strange pops up in the distance. White medical tents— well, you assume they were once white. They are now torn and grey, with some blue crates beneath them. Confusion swells in your chest and you can't help but speak up.

"Why is this all here?" you ask, your boots stepping over some stray medical tools. Scalpels, tweezers, and syringes. Pressed into the rich earth like fossils. You would pick them up if they weren't rusted past the point of being useful.

"I don't know," Blue answers. "Ghost?"

"Emergency medical camp the military set up," he says. 

"After shit happened?" she asks.

He gives a curt nod as he looks around at the remnants. "Those that were left were tryin' to help survivors in the first few days. Didn't last long, though."

"Is that what your friends were doing after you ditched them?"

"Told you, kid. They weren't my friends."

"Alright, teammates. Whatever. Were they helping with injured people here?" she asks curiously.

"A few of them were.”

Blue looks at you. "Twix, did I ever tell you about that?"

"Um. About what?"

"Well, Ghost was supposed to be working when shit happened," she raises her brows and juts a thumb at him. "But he snuck away from his post to get all our stuff and come find me and my mum."

You swallow at the mention of her mom and avoid looking at Ghost. "Snuck away?"

"Yeah," she nods, "It's called dessert."

"Desertion," he gruffly corrects her.

"What?" you ask.

"He abandoned his assignment," she explains. "But he always says he would do it again if he had to. Anyway, he used to talk to his teammates on his radio to see how they were and stuff— what was happening. But then they got too far away for it to work."

Of course Ghost had a radio.

Paul had one, too. You can remember huddling around that radio like it was a mouthpiece for some god. The static grew choppier and choppier over the first few days. The channels dwindled. Eventually, it stopped working altogether and you didn't learn much about what happened in the outside world. You did learn that London was one of the quickest cities to succumb to the infection. Then, Paris, Bangkok, and Chicago.

Everywhere.

You process the new information as you keep walking through the tents, peering into some opened crates to see if anything is left— nothing is.

Now you know Ghost left his post when he found out about the virus. He stocked up on supplies and then got Blue and her mom. By the way Blue mentions her, it must be an old loss. How long did her mother survive with them, then? Did she use to live in the cabin with them?

You don’t know why your stomach grows tight, but the questions in your brain fade once the military base comes into view.

"Finally," Blue sighs rather dramatically.

A high, chain-link fence surrounds the place. There are a few buildings and some abandoned vehicles that look like jeeps. The fence has multiple gaps cut into it so climbing is unnecessary. Ghost leads the way. You continue sniffing the air. With your bandaged hand, you keep your bow poised and subconsciously walk closer to their footsteps. 

Ghost takes you to the main building in the center. The British flag flutters beside it on a pole, faded and as meaningless as the one sewn on Ghost’s bicep.

"Are we going through the barracks again this time?" Blue perks up.

"We have to go through 'em to get to the armory,” he says.

"Cool. There might be some good shit left behind."

There isn't much good shit, actually.

You don't know what the other military base they went to was like, but this one is unsettling and seems to be ransacked. Sunlight pours in through the shattered windows. Scattered papers and strewn bones decorate the tile floors. Thick cobwebs hang in the corners.

As you walk through the hallway of old dorms, Blue and Ghost stop looking in them after the first four turn out to contain only tipped-over cots, walls smeared with old blood, and even a few scampering vermin that make her yelp and grab hold of Ghost's arm.

He grows stiffer than usual. You don’t have to pry off the skull mask to know what he is thinking. Ghost is not the only person who thought of coming here. If these rooms are mostly empty, then what is left in the armory?

Still, you check out a few more of them on your own as they walk up ahead. You rummage through closets and drawers. You find three pairs of men's socks. More useful than one might think.

In one room, you kneel down by the unkempt cot to dig a black backpack out from under it. You can’t believe that Ghost, as big as he is, ever slept on these things. The backpack’s zipper catches as you try to open it, the metal teeth rusted, so you cut a hole in the fabric with your knife. Inside, you find another military-grade knife to add to your arsenal and some wrapped ready-to-eats.

When you check the closet, the sight of a full skeleton causes you to jump back in a startled step, a few rats running out between your boots.

"Oh, fuck," you mutter, noticing a bullet hole in the skull. A handgun lies beside the body, but you discover the magazine to be empty. Whatever bullet it once had was likely spent on this person's suicide. You stick it in your bag, anyway. A preserved uniform hangs loose on the bones. There is a mouth-sized tear in the forearm of the right sleeve, fitting for a bite. In the breast pocket, a silver chain spills out. Curiously, you grab it. A dog tag with an engraved name catches the light. John MacTavish. You run a thumb over the letters.

“Sorry, John.”

You decide to respectfully put it back in the pocket, and head out, satisfied enough with your modest finds. It’s not like you own as much as Ghost does. You leave the room and run to catch back up with them.

"You okay? Find anything?" Blue asks.

"Not much," you quietly admit. "A knife and some new socks."

"Finally. Your old ones are starting to stink," she remarks with a playful smirk.

You scrunch your nose at her, making a face. “Gee, thanks."

She returns the teasing gesture just before Ghost’s arm ushers her behind him.

The moment he does, your guard rises back up. You slap an arrow onto your bow. You smell them before you see them. Four - no, five - drag out of opened doorways up ahead along with a cacophony of whistled moans. Most are still dressed in the same military uniforms as the skeleton you found. One isn't wearing anything at all. It’s disgusting.

Ghost doesn't bother to let Blue practice this time.

He shoots the faster, fresher one first as it runs up to them. For the slower ones, he saves his ammo and opts for the axe. The sight of him effortlessly striking their skulls is almost enough to distract you. Almost. Your fingers release the string and send a headshot to the last one. It is a perfect shot. An arrow straight through the milky-white eye. One of your best.

You meet his eyes just as he slips the axe back to his waist, shooting him a raised brow. The two of you hold an awkwardly long stare-off. Though you loathe to admit it, you hope for some type of approval - for once - but all he gives is a short nod.

Blue retrieves the arrow for you and you tuck it back into your quiver.

"Great aim, Twix," she quips. "Where did you learn how to use your bow?"

"My old friend taught me a bit," you say as the three of you step over the fallen corpses.

"What was his name again?"

"Paul."

"Oh, right." She pauses, and then: "Were you having sex with him?"

"Jesus Christ, kid," Ghost says.

"What?" She peers up at him.

Before he can say anything else, you answer with a light flush crawling up your neck, “No, I wasn’t. He was just my friend.”

The three of you make it to the armory.

The aluminum door is already parted open. Ghost clicks on a flashlight and gives the room a quick sweep of fluorescent light before entering.

A number of pried-open crates and olive-green cabinets litter the inside. Drawers hang open like a tornado ripped through. A few stray rifles lay scattered on the floor. Ghost picks up each one and checks for cartridges. Empty. Each rifle is thrown back on the floor with more force than the previous. He needs more ammo, not more guns.

Whatever was in this armory is gone. This truth hangs heavy in the air. The mood shifts. Blue doesn’t talk. Billows of growing frustration roll off Ghost's body as he continues to search through every crevice and every drawer for almost an hour.

You know what he is feeling, even if he half-expected this.

It is a feeling that made you cry in the empty pharmacy. For Ghost, it ends up driving a clenched fist into one of the cabinets, dented metal left in its wake. He swears explosively. Another shudder runs through your spine, stealing your breath, but it feels far different from the one his soft voice invited.

"Is there... is there anywhere else we can check, Dad?" Blue speaks up softly. “Maybe in all those cars outside?”

He takes a moment to breathe before answering. "We don't have time to check ‘em all.”

“Well, maybe we could come back in the morning and look a bit more?”

“Maybe,” he says, but you read the tone in his voice. It is unlikely there is ammo left in the vehicles, and even if there is, it is definitely not as much as he was hoping to have found in here.

Before leaving, he stuffs one of the rifles in his backpack. An uncomfortable silence consumes the journey back through the hall.

You make it outside again. The afternoon has aged. You need to get back to that hunting cabin by the river before the threat of dark.

Ghost guides you back towards the fence.

You hear Blue's soft humming. The flap of the old flag. Your own steady heartbeat.

And then, out of nowhere, he stops and grabs Blue's arm to bring her to a halt beside him. He looks around. Confused, you scan the view up ahead of you, but all that is there are a few of those military jeeps and the fence you entered through. You sniff the air. It doesn't smell particularly awful. 

Then, the cause for Ghost's unease arrives loud in your ears.

A single gunshot sounds from a direction you can't discern. Your heart stutters. The suddenness freezes you for a moment. In your peripheral, you think you catch a brush of movement in some bushes to your right.

Ghost quickly pulls Blue behind one of the vehicles for cover. Only when you feel the rush of another bullet whizzing past your shoulder do your legs finally move— so fast that your feet catch on the ground and you stumble down beside them. Your knees dig into the earth as you land on your hands, but you quickly lift up and press your shoulder against the side of the car. 

You choke. "Ghost… people."

People are fucking shooting at us, is what you mean to say. Panic steals your voice.

Who? How many?

Another bullet ricochets off the other side of the car, clanking against the metal. And then another. Glass shatters. 

Ghost doesn't respond to you. Underneath the loud sounds, a soft voice whimpers. You finally look to where Blue is propped up against the large tire, Ghost kneeling at her front. His hand is tightly clamped over the side of her right thigh, and it is now that you notice the blood soaking through her jeans and his glove.

Blue's blood.

Crimson and glistening.

She whimpers again and her fingers twist the fabric of his coat.

"Dad, it— it feels like it's burning," she cries out, her cheeks turning wet from a sudden onslaught of tears.

"Fuck. I know, baby. I know."

She flinches when another gunshot rings out. "W-What do we do?"

You try to form a proper thought— try to make sense of everything. Before you can, Ghost grabs your hand, firmly replacing his hold on her wound with yours. The warm liquid immediately drenches your palm and you swallow, pressing as hard as you can, attempting to pack it crudely.

He speaks decisively. "Stay here with her. Wrap it up.”

"Ghost, you don't know how many fucking people there are," you say, panic turning your voice into something unrecognizable as you place your other hand on his arm. The muscles tense and leap.

“I didn't fucking ask you. I am telling you. Now do it."

He doesn’t give you the opportunity to protest again, but you wouldn’t even if he did because you fully realize that this is the best course of action. He needs to get rid of them. You need to tend to her wound. A strangled cry leaves Blue's lips when he departs. You coax her with soft hushes.

"It’s okay. He'll be right back.”

Urgently, you sling the bag off your shoulder and take out your own med kit. You don’t think twice about it. Not for a second. Not when all you can think about is making sure her soft, blue eyes stay open. When you move your hand from her thigh, the sight worries and relieves you at the same time.

You don't know much about bullet wounds, but you know where the femoral artery runs, and by the looks of it, it was missed. Still, a nice chunk of her flesh has been torn, revealing obliterated muscle. You don't see any bone or bits of metal, but it is hard to see much of anything with all the blood.

With fingers that shake, you use the same gauze she nursed your hand with to begin tightly dressing her thigh. As you do, your eyes flash up and around in a feeble search for where Ghost could be, but you can’t see him from behind the vehicle.

"Is it bad?" she asks, voice laced with a tremor. When your gaze returns to her, you notice that pale lips replace her usual rosy-pink ones. Her forehead is sheened with sweat.

"It looks worse than it is," you say.

"Are you... are you telling me the truth?"

"I am. Promise," you whisper. "Friends don't lie, right?"

Sporadic gunfire continues to pierce your ears. It sounds more distant now. You have no idea if it belongs to Ghost or whoever these people are. You push the uncertainties away, assuring yourself that he can handle however many of them there are, and focus on tying off the gauze, desperate to keep her blood in.

Blue suddenly blurts out, “Twix.”

You look up and meet her eyes. They are pointed at something behind you.

[emperordinozenmon]

Apex of Ferocity

Y'all lucked out Dinozen was gonna scrap this idea but its soo good. you can thank @leafostuff for helping Dinozen solidify the idea and concepts, and thank you to @faebled-stories for Tsuki fic sparking the idea. expect a smutty sequel from me later.

I walked into the IBPA (Investigative Bureau of Paranormal Activity) to a surprisingly calm and relaxed morning. Usually, the IBPA office was a hive of chaos—agents scrambling to respond to a new supernatural threat, researchers shouting over each other in the labs, or some unfortunate soul rushing a monster to containment. For the office to be this quiet was a rare and almost unsettling occurrence.

I headed straight to dispatch and saw my good friend Douglas working behind the counter. His usual bored expression shifted into a grin the moment he spotted me.

“Well, Agent Dino, it’s good to see you,” he said, far too pleasantly for my liking.

My eyes narrowed. Douglas was never this kind unless he wanted something. “Nope. Not happening,” I said preemptively, shaking my head. “I’m not taking on another case. I’m cashing in my vacation time before I lose it.”

Douglas sighed dramatically and leaned on the counter. “But you’re already heading in the direction, and it would be easy for you to hunt—”

I raised a hand to cut him off. “Not listening.”

He chuckled and changed tactics. “Okay, fine. Why are you here then?”

“Meeting with Retsu. She’s prepping me for the final Witch Hunter trial,” I explained.

His eyes lit up with amusement. “Oh, that’s today? Don’t you have to beat her in combat to pass?”

“Unfortunately,” I muttered, and his laughter burst out immediately.

“Dude, she’s what, 9 feet tall? She’s beaten you how many times again?”

“776,” I replied flatly.

Douglas wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. “Good luck. You’ll need it.”

With a thumbs-up, I walked off to the section of the building reserved for Witch Hunters. It was tucked away in a quiet wing, separate from the bustling main office. The long walk left me feeling slightly winded, but I eventually reached the familiar doors.

Retsu greeted me with a warm smile, towering over me as usual. She placed a massive hand on my head, giving it a gentle pat, which made me feel about five years old.

“Dinovaldo,” she said warmly. “On time for once.”

“Gotta keep you guessing,” I replied with a faint grin.

She chuckled, leading me into the training chamber. Her long black hair was braided neatly down her back, the sharpness of her features softened by her ever-present smile. Retsu had been my mentor since I joined the Witch Hunters, and even though we weren’t related, her presence felt maternal. She was fierce in combat and relentless in training, but she’d always been there for me when I needed guidance—or, more often, a reality check.

“You ready?” she asked, glancing down at me as we entered the arena.

“Not really,” I admitted.

Her laugh was deep and full of affection. “You’ve said that the last 776 times, too. I’m still proud of you, though.”

“Proud of what? Losing?” I asked wryly.

“Of getting back up,” she said simply, her voice gentle. “That’s the part that matters.”

Her words hit me harder than I’d like to admit, but I just nodded, not wanting to dwell on it. As we took our places in the arena, I summoned my weapon, Incursio: Tyrannolegend, its form shifting into a sleek, polished gun.

Retsu unsheathed her own weapon, Muramasa, the blood-red blade glinting ominously in the light. As always, she performed her ritual, slicing her palm along the edge of the sword. I winced as the blood dripped down the blade, activating its ominous aura.

“Are you ready, Dinovaldo?” she asked again, her smile still disarmingly calm.

I nodded and fired off a few shots to test the waters. She dodged with ease, her speed as overwhelming as ever. We fell into a familiar rhythm—me scrambling to keep my distance, her closing the gap faster than I could counter. This time, though, I had a trick up my sleeve.

When her blade came down toward me, I switched Tyrannolegend into its sword form and blocked the attack. Retsu blinked in surprise, the briefest flicker of pride crossing her face.

“Since when could you do that?” she asked.

“Defeat 215,” I replied. “Been saving it.”

“Oh, so you’ve been holding out on me in our sparring sessions?” she teased. “Guess I’ll have to beat the rest of your tricks out of you.”

I switched Tyrannolegend into massive Cestus with T-rex visages and slammed one toward her. She dodged, but the force created enough space for me to reposition.

“You’ve been holding out,” she said with a mock sigh.

“This is an actual test,” I shot back.

Her smile widened. “Fair point. A witch won’t hold back in a real fight. Neither will I.”

I saw her shift into a stance I knew all too well. Before she could execute her move, I transformed Tyrannolegend into a spear and hurled it at her. The weapon lit with energy as it flew, and her eyes widened slightly as it pierced her shoulder, pinning her to the wall.

I approached cautiously, trying not to let my guard down. “Do you yield?” I asked.

She nodded, clapping as I released her. “Well done, Dinovaldo. You’ve earned this.”

The relief hit me all at once, and I gave her a shaky thumbs-up before my legs buckled.

I woke up two hours later in the medbay, bandaged but alive. A note sat beside me in Retsu’s sharp handwriting:

“Have fun on the trip! Also, I finished Tyrannolegend’s Incursio ritual. You are now a Master Witch Hunter.”

The words brought a grin to my face despite the aches in my body. Retsu always had a way of showing she cared, even if she’d never admit it out loud.

The flight to Seoul was exciting but stressful. The home I’d be “renting” for the next three months was a bit out of the way and not in a high English-speaking neighborhood, but I made it despite my worries. Entering the apartment building felt strange. There was a pleasant aura that enveloped the place, something almost like magic but faint, subtle, like a lingering memory. It put me a little on edge, but I told myself to let it go. Not wanting to think about work, I climbed the stairs to the cozy one-bedroom apartment, collapsed onto the bed, and let sleep claim me for several hours.

The next morning—or midday, I guess, since jet lag still had me in a headlock—I ventured out to find food. A nearby café seemed like a good spot, so I made my way there.

Stepping in, I instinctively scanned the room. I didn’t mean to, but old habits die hard. Back home, walking into a place as a “darker-skinned foreigner” usually came with stares, awkward curiosity, or worse. But here, no one batted an eye. It was almost disorienting how normal it felt. My guard loosened, just a little.

That was when I saw her.

By the window, sitting in the corner by herself, was Tsuki—the Tsuki, from Billlie. I nearly froze in place. Out of all the faces in the café, hers seemed to glow like a beacon. Without thinking, I found my feet moving toward her.

“Excuse me,” I said as I reached her table. “Is this seat taken?”

She glanced up, startled, her eyes darting to the other open seats around the café. Her wary gaze lingered on me for a moment, sizing me up. For a brief second, I wondered if I’d made a mistake.

“No,” she said finally, her voice quiet but steady.

Taking her answer as permission, I ordered a breakfast platter and settled into the chair across from her. She was surprisingly quiet, her focus shifting back to the notebook in front of her. The silence between us felt thick, almost charged. I could tell she was aware of me, but she seemed content to let it sit there, unbroken.

Clearing my throat, I decided to take a chance. “Sorry about the abrupt circumstances,” I began. “My name’s Dinovaldo. Most people just call me Dino.”

She looked up from her notebook, her expression guarded but curious. “Are you American?” she asked.

I nodded, and she smiled faintly before laughing—a soft, musical sound that eased some of the tension between us.

“I can tell,” she said, teasingly. “You have the accent.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? And what does an ‘American accent’ sound like to you?” I challenged, my tone light but playfully defensive.

She grinned, leaning forward slightly. In charmingly accented English, she said, “Don’t worry. I like it, though.”

The unexpected compliment caught me off guard. For a moment, I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. It wasn’t often that someone disarmed me like that, but she had.

Her gaze shifted to my shirt, and her eyebrows raised in recognition. “Oh, you like Love Before World Domination?” she asked, closing her notebook.

I glanced down, realizing the logo on my shirt was a dead giveaway. “Yeah,” I said with a small laugh. “Hopeless toku fan right here.”

She tilted her head, her smile turning sly. “Oh, so the big scary man likes henshin heroes? Cute.”

Her teasing tone had a sharpness to it, but the glimmer in her eyes softened the words. I chuckled, scratching the back of my neck. “What can I say? They’re timeless.”

She studied me for a moment, her smile lingering. There was something feline about the way she carried herself—subtle, graceful, with an air of mischief. It wasn’t the bubbly energy she projected on stage. No, this was different. Her gaze was keen, appraising, like she was trying to figure out what made me tick.

At first, I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.

“You’re not like I expected,” she said suddenly, breaking the silence. Her voice had a slight edge to it, almost like she was testing the waters. “Most people who come up to me either want something or act like they’re trying to win a prize.”

I blinked at her, caught off guard by her bluntness. “And what do you think I want?” I asked, keeping my tone even.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and I felt the weight of her scrutiny again. But before I could overthink it, her expression softened. “I’m still figuring that out,” she admitted with a small shrug.

“Well,” I said, leaning back in my chair, “for what it’s worth, I’m just here for breakfast. Everything else is a bonus.”

That earned me a surprised laugh. It wasn’t the kind of polished, public laugh you’d expect from an idol—it was real, unfiltered. “You’re a weird one,” she said, shaking her head. “But… I guess that’s not a bad thing.”

I smiled, my guard dropping a little more. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Her shoulders relaxed as she sat back, her wariness fading. I could see the shift in her now—the cautious cheetah turning into something more playful, almost trusting.

Here’s an expanded version of the scene, adding more lighthearted banter, subtle flirting, and cute dynamics between Dino and Tsuki:

“Alright, Dino,” she said, her tone lighter now, her smile growing playful. “Tell me—what’s your favorite henshin hero?”

Without hesitation, I replied, “Kamen Rider Fourze.”

Tsuki’s lips curled into a sly, almost mischievous smile. She laughed, the sound warm but carrying a teasing edge. “Oh, that explains the friendliness,” she said, leaning forward slightly, her body language shifting. It wasn’t a retreat, though—it was more like she’d decided to test the waters, and suddenly I felt like the one being assessed.

Her gaze sharpened, turning predatory in the most disarming way possible. It wasn’t threatening; it was more like I’d unknowingly stepped into her game, and now she was setting the rules. For the first time in a while, I felt something strange welling up in my chest—a mixture of excitement and unease, like I was bracing for something I wasn’t sure I wanted to dodge. It was fleeting but enough to throw me off balance for just a moment.

“By the way, I’m Tsuki,” she said, as if her identity needed any introduction.

“I kind of knew that,” I replied with a small grin, trying to sound casual.

Her eyes narrowed as her smile turned sharper. “Oh, a bit of a fanboy, huh?” she teased, tilting her head.

I hesitated, unsure if denying it would make me seem disingenuous. Before I could respond, she reached over without warning and plucked a bite from my plate, popping it into her mouth with an air of triumph. “Thanks,” she said smugly, her gaze daring me to object.

“Hey!” I protested, laughing despite myself.

“What?” she asked innocently, her expression anything but. She chewed slowly, savoring the food like it tasted better just because it was mine. Then, with a glimmer in her eye, she asked, “So, who’s your bias?”

Her question caught me off guard, but I saw the trap for what it was. She expected me to name someone, probably her, and then she’d have the upper hand. I decided to flip the script.

Raising my hands in mock surrender, I shrugged dramatically. “Honestly? I don’t have one.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, the confident mask slipping for just a second. “Oh,” she said, blinking. “Well… fair, I guess.” She quickly recovered, whipping her hair back as if to reclaim the upper hand. “Still, not even a favorite member?”

“Nope,” I said, leaning back in my chair, trying not to smirk. “I think the whole group is great.”

Her smile twitched, a mix of amusement and challenge lighting up her expression. “Huh. Nice save,” she said, arching an eyebrow. “But you can’t fool me. I bet you secretly have a favorite. You’re just too chicken to say it.”

“Or maybe,” I said, leaning forward slightly, “I just appreciate talent where I see it.”

Her eyes narrowed again, but this time, there was no wariness left—just intrigue. She was about to retort when I decided to go for broke.

“You know,” I said softly, “you’re much prettier in real life.”

For a moment, her teasing confidence faltered, her cheeks tinged with the faintest hint of pink. She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a mock-sweet tone. “Aww, you’re so sweet,” she cooed, fluttering her lashes exaggeratedly.

I laughed, shaking my head. “Okay, okay, I walked into that one.”

Tsuki leaned back, a triumphant smile on her face. “You did,” she said, crossing her arms smugly. “But I’ll give you points for trying. Flattery works about half the time.”

“Oh, yeah?” I asked, crossing my arms in return. “What about the other half?”

“Hmm,” she said thoughtfully, her gaze drifting over me. “That depends on how good the food is. Which reminds me…” She reached for another bite from my plate, this time without asking.

I grabbed my fork just in time, blocking her. “Nope. Not again.”

She pouted, her lower lip sticking out in a way that was probably illegal in several countries. “Aw, come on! Sharing is caring, Dino.”

“Yeah, but this is breakfast, and breakfast is sacred,” I countered, holding firm.

She tilted her head, pretending to consider this. “Okay, fine,” she said, leaning back with a mock-sigh of defeat. “But only because you called me pretty earlier.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Glad to know it’s not entirely wasted effort.”

She grinned, her eyes sparkling with something between mischief and genuine warmth. For all her teasing, there was a softness to her now, like she’d let me peek behind the curtain just a little.

“Alright, Dino,” she said after a pause, resting her chin on her hand. “You’ve got my attention. Let’s see if you can keep it.”

And just like that, I realized I was in deeper than I thought—and I didn’t mind one bit.

“Alright, Dino,” she said, her chin resting on her hand as she grinned. “You’ve got my attention. Let’s see if you can keep it.”

Before I could respond, she glanced at the time on her phone and let out a small gasp. “Ah, shoot,” she muttered, more to herself than me. “I’ve got schedules.”

She started gathering her things, her notebook sliding into her bag with practiced ease. I felt a pang of disappointment—our conversation was far too short for my liking, and her leaving left an unexpected void.

“So,” I said, leaning back in my chair, feigning nonchalance, “you’re just gonna leave after stealing my food and winning all the banter?”

Tsuki paused, her gaze flicking back to me, and for a moment, her smile widened like she had just remembered one last play to make. “Stealing?” she said, stepping closer to the table. “You make it sound so dramatic.”

Then, without hesitation, she swooped in and snagged another bite off my plate, the fork disappearing into her mouth before I could react. She chewed slowly, her expression making it seem like this was the best meal she’d had all week. “Mmm,” she hummed, her voice playful. “Good taste, Dino. Very… refined.”

I shook my head, laughing. “You’re shameless.”

“Absolutely,” she said unapologetically, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “It’s part of my charm.”

I couldn’t argue with that.

As she turned to leave, she paused by my chair, pulling out her phone. She tapped the screen a few times before handing it to me. “Here,” she said, holding it out. “Put your number in.”

Surprised, I looked up at her. “Oh, so now you want my number? What for, stealing more of my breakfast?”

“Maybe,” she teased, her grin turning sly. “Or maybe I’ll just text you to remind you how cute you looked, trying to keep up with me.”

I chuckled, shaking my head as I punched in my number and handed her phone back. “You’re something else, you know that?”

She winked, slipping the phone into her bag. “I’ve been told.”

As she started toward the door, she glanced over her shoulder one last time. “Don’t forget to save my number. And, Dino?”

“Yeah?” I called after her.

“Next time, order extra food. You’ll need it,” she said, her voice full of teasing warmth. Then, with a final flash of that mischievous smile, she was gone, leaving me sitting there with an empty plate and a number saved in my phone.

I stared at the door long after she left, a grin creeping across my face. Yeah, she was definitely something else.

After Tsuki left, the haze in my head finally cleared, and the world seemed to snap back into regular time. It was like my body had been frozen in her presence, every movement slowed and deliberate, and now everything moved forward again, albeit with a lingering buzz of warmth from her smile. I shook my head, chuckling softly to myself as I finished the last bite of breakfast—what was left of it after Tsuki’s little theft, anyway—and headed back “home” for the day, determined to rest up and shake off the remnants of jet lag.

The next morning, my phone buzzed, pulling me from a half-dream where I was flying through space like Kamen Rider Fourze. I rubbed my eyes, grabbed my phone, and blinked at the screen: a message from Tsuki.

Hey, so what are you doing today?

A small smile crept onto my face as I quickly typed back, Um, get groceries, then probably going to the N Seoul Tower.

There was a pause, the kind that made me second-guess my decision to respond so quickly. Then, I saw the little “…” appear as she typed, and I could almost hear her thinking on the other end. Finally, her reply popped up.

That sounds fun. I have a bunch of dance training and recording for our new comeback. Make sure to take pictures for me, babe.

I stared at the last line, my eyes widening. Babe? Did she just call me babe? Was it intentional? A typo? Some kind of casual thing I was overthinking? My mind raced as I re-read the message a dozen times, trying to decipher the meaning. For a split second, I wondered if I was still dreaming. But I took a deep breath and grounded myself, the weight of my phone in my hand reminding me this was very real.

“Alright,” I muttered to myself, “let’s just take it slow.”

I went about my morning, showering and making plans to hit the local market before heading to N Seoul Tower. I was halfway through scribbling a shopping list when my phone rang. The name “Douglas” flashed on the screen, and I groaned. Douglas never called without a reason, and it was rarely a good one.

Reluctantly, I picked up. “Hey, man. What’s up?”

“Dino!” Douglas’ voice came through, loud and enthusiastic. “How’s Korea? You settling in alright?”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s good. Just enjoying the vacation. Taking it easy,” I replied, leaning back on the couch.

“Well,” he started, his tone shifting into the familiar, persuasive pitch he used when he wanted something, “how would you feel about shaking things up a bit? There’s a new witch popping up, and it’s close enough that—”

“Nope,” I cut him off.

“C’mon, man, hear me out—”

“Nope.”

“Look, I know you’re technically on vacation,” Douglas said, his voice heavy with exaggerated patience, “but this is a perfect opportunity. Fresh witch, untrained, probably not even a real challenge for you. In and out. Easy.”

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Douglas, I’m on vacation. You know what that word means, right? No witch hunting. No chasing down supernatural drama. Just me, some sightseeing, and…” My mind flicked briefly to Tsuki’s text, and I hesitated before adding, “…meeting people.”

Douglas snorted. “Meeting people, huh? Sounds like there’s a story there.”

“There’s not,” I said quickly, too quickly.

“Oh, there definitely is,” he shot back, amused. “Fine, fine. Have your little break, but don’t come crying to me when this witch gets out of control and you’re stuck dealing with the fallout. Just saying.”

“Thanks for the concern,” I said dryly. “I’ll keep that in mind while I’m not chasing witches halfway across the globe. Talk later.” I hung up before he could argue further and tossed my phone onto the couch with a groan.

Why couldn’t Douglas just leave it alone? I wasn’t even sure I wanted to keep hunting witches at all anymore, but that was a conversation for another time. Right now, I had a day to enjoy.

A ping from my phone pulled my attention, and I glanced at the screen. Another message from Tsuki:

Don’t forget those pictures, okay?

A small laugh escaped me as I grabbed my shopping list and headed out the door. Whatever was going on with her—and with me—was a whole lot more interesting than chasing witches.

After picking up my groceries, I make my way back home. Just as I round the corner to the stairwell, I nearly bump straight into Tsuki. She startles slightly, her wide eyes locking with mine for a brief moment before her expression shifts. Slowly, her lips curve into that signature predatory smile that had already burned itself into my memory.

“You just couldn’t stay away, huh?” she teases, her voice a silken drawl as her fingers trail a slow line down my chest, brushing lightly between the bags of groceries I’m carrying.

I blink at her, caught off guard by the sudden closeness, and then stammer, “Uh, I think this is just a coincidence. I’m renting an apartment on the fifth floor.”

For a second, Tsuki looks genuinely surprised. Her brow lifts, her mouth parts slightly, and then her smile returns—only this time it’s sharper, almost mischievous. She tilts her head, her gaze narrowing as if she’s sizing me up all over again. “Oh, so you’re right under us,” she says, her voice laced with playful implication.

Before I can respond, another voice cuts through the charged air between us.

“Come on, lovebirds,” Moon Sua, Tsuki’s group mate and leader, calls out, her tone half-teasing, half-impatient. “I want to take a shower and nap before we all turn into pumpkins.”

Tsuki doesn’t pull back immediately, though. Instead, she lingers close, her eyes flicking from Sua back to me, her earlier boldness softening just slightly. “Guess I’ll see you around, neighbor,” she says, her tone still flirtatious but no longer as biting.

I lead the way up the stairs, Tsuki and Sua following closely behind. When I pause in front of my door to unlock it, they stop as well. Tsuki leans casually against the railing, her gaze roaming the hallway like she’s trying to memorize it.

“You really live here, huh?” she says, her voice quieter now, almost contemplative.

“I didn’t plan any of this,” I blurt out, gesturing vaguely between us, the groceries, and the building as if I need to defend myself.

Sua laughs softly, crossing her arms. “We believe you,” she says, though there’s a teasing edge in her voice. “But don’t think this means we’ll go easy on you if you cause trouble.”

Tsuki doesn’t join in on the teasing this time. Instead, she just looks at me. Her predatory edge has dulled entirely, replaced by something gentler. Her eyes are softer now, searching mine as if she’s trying to read me. Then, with a small smile, she turns and follows Sua upstairs without another word.

As I watch them disappear, two distinct feelings settle over me. The first is that odd, almost magical sensation I’d felt when I first arrived at the apartment. The second is a warmth in my chest, one that lingers even after I close the door behind me.

Later, after I’ve unpacked my groceries and am about to settle in, there’s a knock at my door.

When I open it, Tsuki is standing there, dressed down in grey sweatpants and an oversized hoodie. The shift in her demeanor is immediate and striking—gone is the teasing vixen from earlier. Now she looks almost shy, her hands tucked into the front pocket of her hoodie as she glances up at me.

“Hey,” she says softly, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. Before I can ask why she’s here, she leans in and wraps her arms around me in a loose but warm hug. The gesture is so unexpected, so different from the confident, sharp-edged girl I met yesterday, that I freeze for a moment.

Her voice is muffled slightly against my shoulder as she says, “I know you wanted to see the N Seoul Tower today… but can we just hang out for a bit instead?”

I pull back enough to look at her, and the vulnerability in her expression catches me off guard. This isn’t the same Tsuki who teased me relentlessly or appraised me with that piercing gaze. This is someone softer, someone who—at least for now—seems content to just be.

“Sure,” I say, a small smile tugging at my lips.

She lights up at my response, her earlier hesitation melting away into something more familiar, though still calmer. “Great! I brought snacks, but… oh, wait—did you already eat? Or can I just steal some of your food again?” she asks, her voice light and teasing as she peeks toward my kitchen.

I chuckle and shake my head. “You might as well, since you’re here.”

We settle onto the couch, and before long, we’re watching Kaguya-sama: Love is War. Tsuki leans against me, her head resting lightly on my shoulder as we laugh at the antics of the characters on screen. There’s a warmth to her presence now, something that feels less like a game and more like genuine comfort.

For the first time since I arrived in Seoul, I don’t feel like a stranger in a new place. And as Tsuki’s soft laughter fills the room, I can’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Later that evening, as we’re halfway through an episode of Kaguya-sama: Love is War, I notice Tsuki’s gaze drifting. At first, I think she’s losing interest in the show, but then I realize her eyes are locked on my arm.

“What’s this?” she asks softly, her fingers brushing over the faint, jagged scar that runs along my forearm. Her touch is light but curious, and she looks up at me with wide eyes, waiting for an explanation.

I glance at the scar, then at her, hesitating for a moment. “It’s… kind of a long story,” I say, my voice careful.

Tsuki smiles, her expression warm and encouraging. “I’ve got time,” she says, settling in closer to me. “Besides, I’m great at listening—and judging, if needed.”

I chuckle at that, shaking my head. “Okay, okay,” I start, leaning back against the couch. “So, a while back, I was volunteering on a paleontology dig. It was this remote site where they’d found some pretty rare dinosaur fossils. I was mostly there to help with grunt work—hauling dirt, reinforcing trenches, stuff like that—but I’ve always loved dinosaurs, so it felt like a dream come true.”

Tsuki perks up at the mention of dinosaurs, her eyes sparkling with interest. “Wait, wait—you’re a dinosaur nerd?” she asks, cutting in. “That’s… honestly adorable.”

“Hey, I’m telling a story here!” I protest, though I can’t help but smile.

“Fine, fine,” she says, biting her lip to stifle a grin. “Go on, dino boy.”

I roll my eyes but continue. “Anyway, one day, we were working in this trench, and it was pretty deep—like ten or twelve feet. The lead paleontologist, Dr. Patel, was down there with me, and we were trying to excavate this massive femur. But then… the walls started to collapse. There wasn’t much time to react. I saw Dr. Patel freeze, and without thinking, I pushed her out of the way. She made it, but I… didn’t exactly get out unscathed.”

Tsuki gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh my god,” she says, her voice hushed.

I nod. “Yeah. The trench caved in on me, and a lot of my bones were either crushed or fractured. It was bad. They got me out pretty quickly, but when I woke up in the hospital, the doctors were saying things like ‘limited mobility’ and ‘permanent damage.’ Dr. Patel, though—she was different. She was this genius paleontologist and a bit of a mad scientist on the side. She didn’t want to lose me or see me stuck like that after I saved her.”

Tsuki leans in closer, completely captivated. “What did she do?”

“Well,” I say, letting the suspense hang for a moment, “she had this idea. A crazy one. Some of the fossils we’d found were in pristine condition, and apparently, some of the material had regenerative properties when bonded with human bone. So, she asked if I’d let her… experiment.”

Tsuki’s jaw drops, and she smacks my arm. “Wait—you’re telling me you’ve got dinosaur bones in you?!”

“Pretty much,” I admit with a sheepish smile. “She grafted parts of the fossils to my damaged bones, and it actually worked. My body healed. I’m not saying I’m part dinosaur or anything—”

“But you are part dinosaur,” Tsuki cuts in, her grin wide. “Oh my god, you’re like some kind of dino cyborg!”

“Okay, now you’re just making it weird,” I say, laughing despite myself.

“No, no, this is amazing,” Tsuki says, her excitement bubbling over. She sits up, crossing her legs and turning to face me fully. “So, what—you’ve got, like, super strength or dino instincts now? Do you randomly crave raw meat?”

I groan. “It’s not like that. I’m still just a guy. The only real difference is that my bones are a little stronger, and sometimes they ache when the weather changes.”

Tsuki pouts, clearly disappointed. “You’re telling me you don’t even roar or anything? What’s the point?”

“You’re impossible,” I say, shaking my head.

She giggles, leaning back into me, her earlier teasing softening into something more affectionate. “Seriously, though, that’s incredible. And… kind of heroic, saving Dr. Patel like that. I mean, you sacrificed yourself for her.”

I shrug, trying to play it off. “It wasn’t that big of a deal.”

“It was, though,” she insists, her voice quieter now. “And it just makes me like you even more.”

The way she says it—so simple, so earnest—makes my chest tighten. Before I can respond, though, she’s back to teasing.

“So, tell me,” she says, her grin returning. “Was this whole dinosaur thing fate, or were you just born to love dinos? Like, did baby Dino collect T-Rex toys?”

I laugh, running a hand through my hair. “Maybe a little bit of both. I mean, I did go through a phase where I tried to convince my parents I was a velociraptor.”

Tsuki gasps dramatically. “Oh my god, that’s adorable. You’re like a walking dino encyclopedia, aren’t you?”

“Guilty,” I admit, grinning.

She sighs happily, leaning her head on my shoulder again. “Well, dino boy,” she says softly, her voice tinged with affection, “you’re officially the coolest guy I’ve ever met. Literally.”

For the rest of the night, we don’t watch much of the show. Instead, she peppers me with questions about dinosaurs and the dig, her fascination turning what could have been an embarrassing story into something that feels… special.

It was late, and the quiet hum of the city filtered in through my open window. Tsuki had just left after another evening of teasing, laughter, and watching anime. I was tidying up when my phone buzzed.

“Forgot something. Coming back down,” her text read.

A knock came moments later. When I opened the door, Tsuki stood there with an apologetic smile, her hand tucked behind her back. “I left my bracelet,” she said, brushing past me and scanning the room.

“Uh, I don’t remember seeing one,” I said, following her.

She made a beeline for the couch, crouching down and checking underneath. “Ah, found it,” she said, holding up a delicate silver chain with a small charm—a crescent moon.

“I’m pretty sure that wasn’t there five minutes ago,” I said, narrowing my eyes.

Tsuki shrugged, but there was a flicker of something mischievous in her expression. “You must’ve missed it,” she said lightly, slipping the bracelet onto her wrist.

I wasn’t convinced, but before I could press further, the light above us flickered. Once, then twice, before going out completely.

“Great,” I muttered, fumbling for my phone flashlight.

“Wait,” Tsuki said quickly, her voice unusually firm. “Don’t.”

I paused, looking over at her in the dim light. Her expression was… different. Serious. Focused.

“What are you—”

She raised her hand, palm up, and for a split second, I thought I saw a faint glow—a soft, silvery light that danced along her fingertips. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, and before I could even process it, the overhead light flickered back to life, steady and bright.

Tsuki straightened, her usual playful smile sliding back into place as if nothing had happened. “See? Problem solved,” she said, brushing her hands together.

I blinked at her. “What… was that?”

“What was what?” she asked innocently, tilting her head.

“The lights,” I said, gesturing vaguely at the ceiling. “They just… fixed themselves?”

“Maybe the wiring just needed a second to chill,” she said, casually brushing past me toward the door. “Anyway, thanks for letting me grab my bracelet. I’ll see you tomorrow, dino boy.”

Before I could respond, she slipped out, leaving me standing there, more confused than ever. I glanced at the couch where she’d “found” her bracelet, then at the door she’d just closed.

For a moment, I thought back to the way the air had seemed to shift when the lights went out—heavy, electric, and charged with something I couldn’t quite name.

I shook my head. “Must be the jet lag,” I muttered to myself, turning off the lights and heading to bed.

Still, as I lay there, I couldn’t shake the image of her hand, glowing faintly in the darkness.

After that I finished unpacking my groceries.After unpacking the groceries and settling onto the couch, I let out a long sigh. My phone buzzed on the table, lighting up with Retsu’s name. I debated letting it ring, but guilt pushed me to pick up.

“Hey, Retsu,” I said, trying to keep my tone casual.

“Dino,” she said softly, her voice immediately grounding me like it always did. “I’ve been worried about you. How are you holding up?”

I leaned back against the couch, staring at the ceiling. “I’m fine. Just… tired, I guess.”

Her sigh on the other end was subtle but heavy with understanding. “It’s no surprise. You’ve been running yourself ragged these past few years. You’ve never really let yourself rest.”

“Yeah, well, that’s kind of the job, isn’t it?” I said, trying to downplay the weight in my chest.

“Maybe,” she admitted, her voice warm and gentle, “but you’re not a machine, Dino. You’re still human, even with everything you’ve been through. You deserve a break.”

Her kindness made my throat tighten. Retsu had always been like a second mother to me—always looking out for me, even when I didn’t think I needed it.

“I’m trying to take one now,” I said, my voice quieter.

“I know, and I’m glad you are,” she said, her tone softening even more. “But I wouldn’t be calling if I didn’t think it was important. There’s something stirring in Seoul, Dino. Something we haven’t seen before. I wouldn’t ask you to get involved unless I thought you could handle it. But… I also won’t push you. If you’re not ready, I understand.”

Her words caught me off guard. I had been expecting her usual insistence, but instead, she sounded… careful. Like she was trying not to hurt me.

“I don’t know, Retsu,” I admitted, running a hand through my hair. “I came here to clear my head. I don’t even know if this is who I am anymore.”

“You don’t have to decide that today,” she said gently. “Take your time. But promise me something?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t shut yourself off from the world. Let yourself feel things, experience things. If you let your heart lead you, I think you’ll find your way.”

I closed my eyes, the weight of her words settling over me. “I’ll try.”

“That’s all I ask,” she said, her voice warm with approval. “And Dino?”

“Yeah?”

“You’ve always been stronger than you give yourself credit for. Whatever path you choose, I’ll always be here for you. Don’t forget that, okay?”

A lump formed in my throat, and I had to swallow hard before responding. “Thanks, Retsu.”

“You’re welcome, my boy,” she said, a faint smile in her voice. “Take care of yourself. And… be careful out there.”

Before I could hang up, her voice softened even further. “Wait, Dino. One more thing. You’ve seemed… different lately. Lighter, almost. Is there something—someone—making you smile?”

I froze for a moment, caught off guard. Then, without thinking, I said, “There’s this girl.”

Retsu chuckled on the other end, a sound full of warmth and encouragement. “Oh? Tell me about her.”

I hesitated, a smile creeping onto my face despite myself. “Her name’s Tsuki. She’s… different. Confident, funny, kind of overwhelming at first, but in a good way. And she’s so full of life, like she’s daring the world to keep up with her.”

Retsu hummed thoughtfully, her tone teasing. “Sounds like she’s made quite the impression on you.”

“She has,” I admitted, my voice softening. “She’s not just… some random person. There’s something about her. When I’m with her, I feel like… I don’t know. Like I can just be myself, without everything else hanging over me.”

Retsu was quiet for a moment before speaking again, her voice full of tenderness. “It sounds like she’s good for you, Dino. And I can tell she means a lot to you already.”

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “She does. But… I’m worried, too.”

“Why?”

“Because of who I am. What I’ve done. What if she finds out and…” I trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

“Dino,” Retsu said firmly but gently, “you deserve happiness, just like anyone else. If this girl is as special as you say she is, then give her the chance to see the real you. You might be surprised at how strong she is.”

Her words settled in my chest, warm and reassuring. “Thanks, Retsu.”

“Always,” she said softly. “Now, go on and enjoy your time with her. The rest will figure itself out.”

I was running late, the result of spending far too much time debating whether my outfit was too casual or trying too hard. When I finally arrived at the park, Tsuki was already there, perched on a bench under the shade of a cherry blossom tree. She wore a simple sundress, white with small floral patterns, and her hair was loose, flowing like a soft curtain around her shoulders.

She didn’t notice me at first, her focus on the sky above. For a moment, I just stood there, watching her. She looked peaceful, almost otherworldly, like she belonged to this quiet corner of the world more than anyone else.

“Are you just going to stare, or are you going to join me?” she called, turning her head with a smirk.

I laughed, walking up to her. “How’d you know I was here?”

She tapped her temple. “Intuition. I’m good at sensing things.”

We started walking along the park trail, the sunlight filtering through the leaves above. She was full of energy, asking me questions about my time in Korea so far, teasing me whenever I gave a hesitant answer. But as we reached a quieter part of the trail, her demeanor shifted slightly, becoming softer, more introspective.

“You know,” she said, brushing her hand against the petals of a low-hanging branch, “this spot is one of my favorites. It feels… alive. Like it has its own rhythm.”

“I can see that,” I said, glancing around. The air did feel different here—lighter, warmer.

She stopped and turned to face me, her eyes searching mine. “Do you ever feel like there’s more to the world than what we see?”

It was an odd question, but there was something in the way she asked it that made me pause. “I guess so,” I said carefully. “Like… there’s stuff out there we can’t explain?”

Tsuki smiled faintly, her fingers trailing along the bark of a nearby tree. “Exactly. Sometimes I think people get too caught up in what’s ‘normal.’ They don’t notice the small, magical things happening all around them.”

She looked at me then, her gaze intense but kind. “You seem different, though. Like you might actually notice.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so I just shrugged. “I guess I’ve always been a little curious about things. Or maybe just weird.”

She laughed, the sound light and musical. “Weird is good. Weird is… charming.”

We kept walking, eventually settling on a grassy hill overlooking a pond. We sat close together, and I noticed her playing with her bracelet—the same crescent moon charm I’d seen before.

“Is that special to you?” I asked, nodding toward it.

She hesitated, her fingers pausing. “Yeah. It was a gift.”

“From someone important?”

Tsuki tilted her head, her expression unreadable. “You could say that. It’s kind of like… a reminder. Of who I am. Or maybe who I’m supposed to be.”

Before I could ask more, a sudden gust of wind blew through the park, scattering petals into the air. They swirled around us, catching the light in a way that felt almost deliberate, like the wind had chosen that moment just for us.

“Wow,” I said, watching the petals dance. “That’s… beautiful.”

Tsuki smiled, her eyes following the petals. “It is, isn’t it?”

There was something in her tone, like she knew more about what was happening than she let on. She reached out, catching a petal in her hand and holding it out to me. “Here. A little souvenir.”

I took it, my fingers brushing against hers. The touch lingered longer than it should have, but neither of us pulled away.

“You’re full of surprises,” I said, looking at her.

“You have no idea,” she replied, her smile playful but her eyes holding a depth that made my chest feel tight.

As we walked back toward the entrance of the park, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something extraordinary about her—something just out of reach. And yet, I didn’t care. Whatever it was, I wanted to know her more.

Over the next few days, Tsuki and I bonded over music, anime, and video games. She had this infectious enthusiasm that pulled me into her world effortlessly. When we weren’t geeking out over the latest Demon Slayer episode or arguing over who had the better K-pop playlists, we were out exploring Seoul—Hongdae, Gwangjang Market, Myeongdong. Every street seemed brighter with her beside me.

By the end of my first week, something shifted between us. Tsuki… well, she kinda asked me out. Let me explain: as we spent more time together, her emotional state changed. The flirtatious, dizzying vixen I first met gave way to someone softer, clingier, and—dare I say—sweeter. She became an affectionate, lovesick bunny, and I finally understood how she’d earned that nickname.

If we could be together, we were. Always. She was constantly reaching out, whether it was grabbing my hand, looping her arm through mine, or wrapping me in spontaneous hugs. She craved physical affection in a way that made it impossible not to reciprocate. Her energy, which was already high when we met, seemed to triple whenever I was around. We were always doing something—or on our way to do something else—whenever she “borrowed me,” as she put it.

Part of me loved it. Part of me found it exhausting. It was like being swept up in a whirlwind I didn’t know I’d stepped into.

By the time my third week in Seoul ended, I realized I’d done nearly everything I’d planned for this trip—except visit the N Seoul Tower. The one thing I’d wanted to do solo had slipped through the cracks, buried under a mountain of late-night game marathons, impromptu karaoke sessions, and hours spent wandering the city with Tsuki.

We were sitting in a cozy corner booth at her favorite café that day, the soft hum of chatter and clinking mugs offering a much-needed reprieve from the chaos of the streets. Tsuki, of course, was the opposite of calm.

“You’re so wrong about that!” she exclaimed, waving a forkful of cheesecake at me. “How can you think the opening to Attack on Titan is better than Demon Slayer? Like, no contest!”

“It’s objectively better,” I said, trying to keep a straight face. “The vocals? The composition? It’s iconic.”

She groaned dramatically, collapsing against the booth. “You’re hopeless, Dinovaldo. Completely hopeless.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “And yet here you are, stuck with me.”

“Stuck? Please,” she said, sitting upright again with a teasing grin. “I chose this. You’re like my favorite toy. I don’t just toss you aside.”

The comment caught me off guard, but before I could respond, she reached across the table to steal a bite of my sandwich.

“Hey!” I protested, though I didn’t really care.

She grinned, chewing triumphantly. “You shouldn’t leave it unattended. Rookie mistake.”

I rolled my eyes, leaning back in my seat. Watching her bask in her small victory, I felt that warm, confusing pull in my chest again. She had this way of making me feel like I was the only person in the world, even when she was teasing me to no end.

“Hey,” she said suddenly, her tone softening as she looked at me. “You’re quiet. What’s up?”

“Just… thinking,” I said, glancing out the window. “I’ve been here almost a month now. Time’s flying by.”

Her face fell slightly, and for the first time in days, she seemed to sit still. “Oh. Right. You’re leaving soon.”

There was a pause, the kind that made my chest tighten uncomfortably.

“You know,” she began, her voice quieter now, “I’ve really liked having you around. You make everything feel… I don’t know. Better?”

Her honesty caught me off guard. I wasn’t used to hearing her so vulnerable, and it made me feel guilty for ever thinking she was too much.

“I’ve liked being around you too,” I admitted, scratching the back of my neck. “It’s been… different, in a good way.”

She smiled, a softer one than her usual cheeky grin, and it made my chest tighten all over again.

“Then let’s keep making memories while we can,” she said, suddenly back to her high-energy self. “Starting with me absolutely crushing you in Mario Kart later.”

I laughed, the tension easing. “You’re on, bunny.”

Later, as we strolled back to my apartment, she suddenly stopped in front of a street vendor selling handmade bracelets.

“Wait, wait!” she said, tugging my sleeve. “Look at these!”

Before I could respond, she was already chatting with the vendor, her eyes sparkling as she held up a delicate bracelet with tiny charms shaped like stars and moons.

“This one’s cute,” she said, holding it up to me. “What do you think?”

“It’s nice,” I said, smiling at her enthusiasm.

She handed it to the vendor, along with another bracelet—this one with little dinosaur charms.

“For you,” she said, slipping it onto my wrist before I could protest. “Now you can’t forget me, even when you go back home.”

I looked at the bracelet, then at her, feeling that now-familiar warmth in my chest. “Thanks, Tsuki.”

“Don’t mention it,” she said, looping her arm through mine as we walked.

And for the first time, I realized I didn’t want this whirlwind to end.

“So, what are you planning to do today?” Tsuki asked, practically bouncing in her seat, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand as she stared at me with that eager look she always had. “You better be planning something fun! I mean, you’re in the city, you can’t just sit around!”

I laughed, trying to keep up with her rapid-fire thoughts. “I was thinking of seeing some of the sights, maybe going to the N Seoul Tower.”

Her eyes widened with excitement, and before I could say anything else, she nearly hopped out of her seat. “Oh my god, yes! That sounds amazing! We should totally go together, I’ve always wanted to check it out with someone fun!” She leaned across the table, suddenly much closer than I expected, her grin wide and full of energy.

I blinked in surprise, not quite prepared for how enthusiastic she was. “Uh, sure, if you want,” I said, unsure whether it was just the coffee or Tsuki’s presence making my heart race a little faster.

“Of course I want! I want to see everything! I love exploring, and I’m gonna make sure you have the best time ever!” Tsuki’s energy was contagious, and for a moment, I found myself caught up in it. She reached over, ruffling my hair playfully. “You’re just too cute, you know that?”

I laughed, trying to play it cool, though I was clearly flustered. “Thanks, I guess? You really know how to make someone feel… special.”

“Of course I do!” Tsuki’s grin grew wider, and she leaned even closer, her face inches from mine now. “You’re one of my favorite people already. It’s like we’ve known each other forever!” She placed her hand on mine, squeezing it tightly. “I’m serious, Dino. I’ve got this feeling, and I know it’s gonna be amazing. You’re gonna love spending time with me!”

Her words were filled with such affection, and her smile was practically glowing. It was hard not to feel the warmth of her presence, as if her energy was completely infectious.

“Well, if you’re that excited about it, how can I say no?” I replied, half-laughing, half-lost in her enthusiasm.

Tsuki leaned back slightly, eyes twinkling. “Exactly! You’ll thank me later, I promise.” She suddenly looked at me with a playful smirk. “But first, are you gonna finish that pastry or do I need to help you out?”

I blinked at her, confused for a moment, but before I could answer, she grabbed the last piece of my pastry and took a big bite, all while laughing like it was the funniest thing ever. “Mmm, you really have good taste, Dino,” she teased, licking her lips.

I shook my head, trying to hide my smile. “That’s… that’s my food, Tsuki.”

She just shrugged with a grin. “I know. But I’m your friend, right? Friends share everything!” She leaned in closer, eyes sparkling mischievously. “And I’m totally gonna make sure you’re happy on this little adventure of ours. I just know you’re gonna fall for this city once we’re done.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head at how carefree and affectionate she was. It was almost as if she couldn’t help herself, her excitement and energy just spilling over. But the thing was—there was something about it that felt… nice. Warm. Comfortable. Like a constant, reassuring presence.

She rested her head on my shoulder for a moment, still holding my hand, completely unbothered by the affectionate gesture. “I’m serious, though,” she said, her voice much softer now, “I’m really glad we’re hanging out. I like being around you, Dino.” Her tone had shifted from playful to something sweeter, more genuine. “You’re one of the easiest people to talk to, and I can’t wait to make more memories with you.”

I felt a strange warmth spread through my chest, her words wrapping around me in a way that made me feel like I was part of something bigger than just a random meeting.

Before I could respond, Tsuki was already back to her high-energy self, her eyes wide with excitement again. “So, are we going to the tower now or what?”

I smiled, completely charmed by her infectious energy. “Yeah, let’s go.”

She grinned ear to ear, squeezing my hand once more before practically dragging me out of my seat. “Yesss! I knew you’d be the best! This is gonna be SO much fun!”

The date started with the golden hues of twilight painting the sky as Tsuki grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the base of N Seoul Tower. She was practically vibrating with excitement, her energy spilling over into hurried footsteps and constant chatter.

“Finally, the tower!” she exclaimed, bouncing slightly as we reached the cable car station. “Can you believe we almost didn’t do this? I mean, this is like the iconic Seoul date spot. You’re lucky to have me planning things.”

“Planning?” I teased, raising an eyebrow. “Didn’t I bring this up like three weeks ago?”

Tsuki stopped mid-step, turning to pout at me. “Okay, fine, maybe it was your idea. But who actually made it happen?” She jabbed a finger into my chest, her eyes narrowing in mock accusation.

“Point taken,” I said, chuckling. “You’re definitely the brains of this operation.”

“And don’t forget it,” she said, her pout melting into a triumphant grin as she pulled me into the cable car.

The ride up was breathtaking. The city stretched out below us in an endless sea of lights, twinkling like stars on Earth. But even with that view, I couldn’t take my eyes off Tsuki. Her face was pressed against the glass, her eyes wide with wonder, and her excitement was contagious.

“Look at that!” she said, pointing at the illuminated tower as we approached. “Isn’t it magical?”

“It’s pretty amazing,” I admitted, though I wasn’t sure if I was talking about the view or her.

When we finally reached the top, Tsuki immediately dragged me to the observation deck. She was practically bouncing on her toes as we walked around, taking in the panoramic view of Seoul.

“This is it,” she said, stopping at the railing and leaning over slightly. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

I nodded, standing beside her. “Yeah, it is.”

She glanced at me, her usual energy dimming for a moment as a shy smile crept across her face. “Thanks for coming here with me, Dino. This… this means a lot.”

Before I could respond, she tugged on my arm. “Come on, let’s do the locks!”

She pulled me over to the section of the deck filled with colorful padlocks, each one a promise of love left by couples from all over the world. Tsuki rummaged in her bag and pulled out a small, heart-shaped lock and a marker.

“I got this earlier,” she said, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “I thought it’d be fun, you know?”

I watched as she scribbled her name on one half of the lock, then handed the marker to me. My heart pounded in my chest as I wrote my name beside hers.

“Perfect,” she said, grinning as she clipped the lock onto the railing. “Now we’re officially part of the tower’s history.”

There was a pause, the kind that felt charged with something unspoken. Tsuki turned to face me, her usual high energy replaced with something softer, more vulnerable.

“You know,” she began, her voice quieter now, “I’ve been thinking a lot about… us.”

I swallowed hard, my pulse quickening. “Yeah?”

She nodded, biting her lip. “You make me feel… different. Like I’m more myself when I’m with you. I know I’m all over the place and maybe too much sometimes, but—”

“Tsuki,” I interrupted, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “You’re not too much. You’re perfect the way you are.”

Her eyes widened slightly, and for once, she seemed at a loss for words. Then, as if some invisible wall had broken, she stepped closer, her hands reaching for mine.

“I really like you, Dinovaldo,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I really like you too,” I replied, the words coming out before I could even think.

Her smile lit up the night, and in that moment, it felt like the entire city disappeared. But as we stood there, something strange happened.

The air around her seemed to shimmer faintly, like heat waves rising from the pavement on a summer day. It was subtle at first, but then I felt it—a warmth spreading through my chest, a gentle, all-encompassing comfort that felt like a hug for my soul.

I blinked, looking at her in confusion. “Tsuki… what is that?”

She froze, her eyes widening as if she’d been caught. “What’s what?”

“That… feeling,” I said, struggling to put it into words. “It’s like… warmth. But not physical. It’s coming from you.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she stepped back slightly, breaking eye contact. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Tsuki,” I said, my voice firm but gentle. “I felt it. Don’t lie to me.”

She hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip. Finally, she sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Okay, fine. But… can we talk about it later? Tonight’s supposed to be special.”

I wanted to press her, to demand answers, but the look in her eyes stopped me. Instead, I nodded. “Okay. Later.”

Her smile returned, though it was a little shaky. She reached out, intertwining her fingers with mine. “Thank you, Dino. For everything.”

As we stood there, gazing out at the city lights, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment was the start of something much bigger than either of us could have imagined. Something magical.

The subtle shimmer around Tsuki intensified as we stood on the observation deck. The warmth I’d felt earlier was no longer faint—it wrapped around me like a cocoon, seeping into every corner of my being. The feeling wasn’t just comforting; it was electric, powerful, and alive.

And it was coming from Tsuki.

I stared at her, my breath catching in my throat. Her usual high-energy glow had transformed into something otherworldly. The air around her seemed to ripple, faint tendrils of soft pink light swirling around her like an aurora. It was mesmerizing, but also terrifying.

“Tsuki…” My voice came out as a whisper, barely audible over the hum of the city below. “What’s happening?”

She froze, her fingers still entwined with mine. Her wide eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw fear flicker across her face. “Dino,” she said softly, her voice trembling, “I didn’t want you to find out like this.”

“Find out what?” I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.

Tsuki took a deep breath, her hands clutching mine as if grounding herself. The swirling light around her grew stronger, more defined, taking on the shape of tiny hearts that floated upward before dissolving into the night. “I… I’m a witch, Dino. A love witch.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. A witch. She was a witch.

I’d spent years hunting her kind, carrying out the mission that Retsu had entrusted to me. Witches were dangerous, deceitful, and destructive. They weren’t supposed to be… Tsuki.

My mind raced, piecing together all the moments that hadn’t made sense—the way I felt so inexplicably drawn to her, the way her presence could shift my emotions, the warmth that seemed to radiate from her. It was all her magic.

“You’re a witch,” I said, more to myself than to her. My head screamed at me to pull away, to remember my training, to see her as the enemy. But my heart refused to let go.

“Yes,” she admitted, her voice barely audible. “But I’m still me, Dino. I’m still the same girl who loves anime, video games, and exploring Seoul with you. I didn’t want to use my magic on you, but sometimes… sometimes it’s hard to control.”

Her confession was raw, vulnerable, and it shattered something inside me. Despite everything I knew—or thought I knew—I couldn’t bring myself to see her as a threat. She wasn’t dangerous. She wasn’t deceitful. She was just Tsuki.

As I stood there, torn between my duty and my feelings, she stepped closer, her gaze searching mine. “Dino, I understand if you hate me now,” she said, her voice trembling. “But please believe me when I say I didn’t mean to make you feel anything you didn’t already feel.”

I stared at her, my mind spinning. Did I feel this way because of her magic? Or was it real? The questions swirled in my head, but one thing was clear: whatever this was, it wasn’t something I could fight.

“I don’t hate you,” I said finally, my voice hoarse.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, the shimmering light around her stilled. “You don’t?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel, but I know I can’t hate you. You’re… you’re too important to me.”

Her lips parted, and the light around her flared again, brighter this time. It pulsed, synchronizing with the pounding of my heart. “Dino,” she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

Before I could think, before I could second-guess myself, I leaned in. Her breath hitched, and then our lips met.

The moment we kissed, the magic surged, enveloping us in a burst of energy. I felt it wrap around us, binding us together in a way that went beyond the physical. It wasn’t just warmth anymore—it was a blazing fire, a connection so deep and overwhelming that it left me breathless.

Images flashed through my mind, memories of every moment we’d shared: her laughter, her touch, the way she looked at me like I was the only person in the world. And then there were glimpses of her—a younger Tsuki, alone and scared, her magic blooming for the first time, the joy and pain that had shaped her into the woman she was now.

When we finally broke apart, I was trembling. She was too, her hands clutching my arms as if afraid to let go. “Dino,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, “our souls… they’re connected now.”

I didn’t fully understand what she meant, but I could feel it—this invisible thread that tied us together, stronger than anything I’d ever known. It wasn’t just her magic. It was us.

“I don’t know what this means,” I admitted, my voice shaky. “But I know I don’t want to lose you.”

Her eyes filled with tears, and she smiled—a smile so radiant it outshone the city lights. “You won’t,” she said softly. “I promise.”

As we stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I realized that everything had changed. I didn’t know what the future held, but I knew one thing for certain: I couldn’t imagine it without her.

[starry-crossing-zone]

Nail Polish - Hunter (TBB)

Summary: After Omega shows an interest in some nail polish, you steal some for her. Hunter pretends to be annoyed. Length: 1816 words Warnings: Female Reader; Former Bounty Hunter Reader; No Physical Description of Reader; No Y/N Used; Pickpocketing; Mentions of Dark Pasts (Reader)

Walking through the busy streets of a Mid Rim planet, you kept a close eye on Omega as you made your way back to the Marauder. The Bad Batch had split up to gather supplies and you and Omega had been sent to get a new water purification filter, which was securely strapped to your chest.

“Come on, Meg, this way,” you directed, resting a hand on Omega’s shoulder.

“Wait, what’s that?” Omega asked, pointing at a stand to the side.

You glanced over before slowly leading Omega over to the small stand. A group of merchants greeted you as you approached, and you quickly sized them up. Glancing down at what Omega was curiously examining, you bent down to Omega’s height.

“That’s nail polish.”

“What’s its purpose?” Omega questioned, turning to you.

“You paint your fingernails or your toenails with it. It’s pretty to look at,” you explained to her.

“Is it permanent?”

“No, just temporary. It’ll last longer if you add more layers of it,” you continued, glancing over the various colors at the stall.

“And can you only pick one color?”

“No. You can pick as many as you want. In the Inner Rim, there’re artists that spend their whole day painting people’s nails.”

“Really?” Omega gasped, causing you to nod.

“Where are you two from?” the vender asked, eyeing the two of you.

“Outer Rim. Just passing through,” you replied, shrugging your shoulders nonchalantly. You stared down at Omega, who was still curiously studying the vials of nail polish. You paused for a moment before nudging Omega in the side. “Come on, Meg. Let’s get going. The boys will worry if we’re late.”

“Alright,” Omega agreed, setting the vial of nail polish back.

Bidding the venders goodbye, Omega and you turned to head back to where the Marauder was docked. You waited until you were a few streets over before sliding two vials of nail polish out of the hidden compartment in your vambrace.

“I thought that you liked these colors the best,” you stated quietly.

Omega’s eyes widened in surprise when she spotted the two vials of nail polish in your hand. She quickly grabbed them, smiling giddily, before she quickly connected the dots. Turning back to you, Omega frowned.

“When did you pay for these?”

“That’s not for you to worry about, Meg,” you dismissed, pushing Omega forward to stay on schedule. Omega hissed your name, looking around nervously.

“We can’t do that," she insisted.

“Why not?”

“It’s illegal.”

“Well, I can think of quite a few other illegal things that we’ve done,” you replied evenly, leading Omega into the docking bay. “We’ll just add it to the list.”

“How did you do it?” Omega asked curiously.

“That’s far from the most impressive move that I can pull off,” you stated, shooting Omega a smirk. “Come on, Meg, give me more credit than that.”

“Can you show me?”

“I don’t think that Hunter would approve of that,” you mused. After a moment, you added, “We can start tomorrow.”

Omega grinned, but you shot her a look to keep a low profile. Omega stowed the nail polish into her pockets as the two of you walked towards the Marauder. Tech looked up from his datapad and perked up when he spotted the water filter.

“Ah, just what I was waiting for.”

“Sorry, got a little sidetracked,” you replied, tossing it over to Tech.

“What kind of sidetracked?” Hunter asked, stepping off of the ship. “Imperial trouble?”

“Just some window shopping,” you spoke evenly, folding your arms over your chest. “Don’t get your bandana all in a twist.”

“We now possess all of the items that we needed to acquire on this pitstop. We should depart shortly, if we want to return to Ord Mantell for a new mission,” Tech announced, causing the Bad Batch to make their way onto the Marauder.

You were about to take your seat in front of the computer when Omega gestured for you to follow her to the back of the ship. Smiling, you headed back, missing the way that Hunter turned in his seat to look back at you. He heard the clinking of glass earlier when Omega and you approached, but now he was certain that it was coming from the two of you.

“Can you show me?” Omega asked quietly, holding out the vials.

“Give me your hand,” you instructed, sitting across from Omega.

Opening the nail polish bottle, you gently grabbed Omega’s right hand and started to apply the dark gray nail polish. Omega watched, fascinated, as you worked to carefully paint her nails.

“Where did you learn how to do this?”

“I used to paint nails. When I was about your age,” you explained elusively.

“For who?”

“A lady.”

“Did she paint her nails like this too?” Omega asked, causing you to shake your head as you switched to Omega’s thumb.

“No, she preferred this weird green color. It looked horrible but apparently it complimented her eyes.”

“Can I paint yours next?” Omega questioned, causing you to look up.

“Course you can. Maybe if you ask nicely, you can paint the boys’ nails too,” you mused, dipping the brush back into the polish.

“They didn’t have nail polish on Kamino,” Omega continued, causing you to nod.

“I wouldn’t expect the Kaminoans to have much need for it. Do they even have fingernails?” you snorted, working on Omega’s left hand. “But a lot of species use this stuff. And there’s other types of polish or things that people put on their nails. But you have to be really rich to get those.”

“Like what?”

“Some people get gems and other valuables embedded into their nails,” you explained, causing Omega to frown.

“Why?”

“The same reason that why rich people do most things. Because they can,” you stated a bit blunter than you intended.

“Did you ever get your nails painted?” Omega asked, causing you to shake your head. “The lady whose nails you painted, she never painted yours?”

“No,” you replied, placing the brush back into the vial and screwing the bottle shut.

“Why not?”

“She wasn’t as nice as I am,” you responded, not meeting Omega’s confused gaze. “Now, keep your fingers apart and don’t touch anything. You have to let the paint dry first. It could take some time, but I didn’t put too thick of a layer on it.”

“And then what?” Omega asked, looking at her newly painted nails.

“Then we can put another layer on, or I can start with the red,” you explained kindly. “Your choice, Meg.”

“What did you do when you painted nails before?”

“I would put another layer of the gray first,” you stated, causing Omega to nod. “It could make the polish a little more durable.”

“What do we have here?” Hunter drawled, leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded across his chest. He noted the nail polish bottles on the floor and paint on Omega’s nails. And even if she hid them, he would have smelled it. “I didn’t realize that we had a salon back here.”

Hunter’s gaze drifted over to you, and you stared back at him with some measure of defiance, knowing that the edge in his tone was directed at you. But Omega got in between the two of you.

“Look at my nails, Hunter!” she called, causing Hunter to turn to her. He bent down to her height and reached out to grab one of her hands, but Omega quickly drew them towards her chest. “Careful! The polish is still drying!”

“I’ll be careful,” Hunter assured Omega before looking down at her nails. “Dark gray, huh?”

“To match your armor,” Omega explained, causing Hunter to nod. “We got red too. She said that she’s going to do designs on my nails once the layers dry.”

 “Anything specific picked out?”

Omega turned to you with a questioning look, but you simply smiled and casually leaned back against your hands.

“It’s whatever you want, Meg. You get to pick,” you assured her.

After the top layers of the nail polish dried, you got to work on the red nail art that you promised Omega. You did a horizontal stripe to represent Hunter’s bandana, two adjacent dots to represent Tech’s goggles, an ‘H’ to represent Wreaker’s lula, and a ‘V’ to represent Echo’s kama. And then a '99' symbol too.

“They should be all set now,” you stated, causing Omega to smile and get to her feet.

You watched with an amused smile as Omega ran around and showed off her nails to every member of the Bad Batch. Wrecker seemed most excited for Omega, though the others offered her their praise in their own ways. And it wasn’t long before Omega was going around and painting all of their nails.

You walked over to where Hunter was sitting in front of the computer, watching as Echo offered Omega his hand. Wrecker was blowing on his nails, not wanting to disappoint Omega by ruining her hard work. You folded your arms over your chest, as Hunter had done earlier.

“You going to give me a lecture on pickpocketing again?” you asked him, not taking your eyes off of Omega.

“I’ll make an exception. This time,” Hunter replied, slowly turning to look at you. “I still don’t like it though.”

“Yes, I’m aware,” you stated, pushing off the computer table.

“Then why do you keep doing it?” Hunter asked, causing you to raise a playful eyebrow.

“Well, someone has to teach her how to have fun,” you responded, brushing past Hunter. He turned slowly in his chair, watching as you kneeled down beside Omega. You smiled at her work and offered some praise. “You’re getting the hang of it, Meg.”

“You think so? It’s still sloppy compared to yours,” Omega replied, glancing down at her own nails.

“With practice, comes perfection, as with everything else,” you assured her before standing up.

Walking past Hunter once again, you could feel his eyes on you, but kept walking. Hunter shook his head and turned around to find Wrecker staring at him with a grin. Nudging Hunter in the arm with his elbow, Wrecker let out a teasing laugh.

“Did you want her to do your nails, Hunter, huh?” he teased, causing Omega to pick her head up.

“She’s the best at it,” Omega vouched innocently.

“I’ll just wait for you, Omega,” Hunter replied awkwardly, sinking in his seat.

[imagination-mess]

IMAGINE Human Turned Vampire Shoto Todoroki

Takes place at the university level; there is some lore about him. Here is some lore of the University, it is open ended though.

Here is Ghost Izuku, and Werewolf!Katsuki

Word Count: 680+

Human! Shouto comes from an interesting, complicated family. He wasn't always a vampire. He was human, just like everyone in the world, along with his siblings. In short, his mother's vampire genetics were dormant growing up just like the rest of his siblings. 

Human! Shouto grew up in a town filled with monsters seeking refuge, trying to hide away from his father. It was a town where supernatural creatures resided and protected each other. His father was a human wizard who was obsessed with creating powerful beings. He almost killed Touya when he was a teenager. 

Human! Shouto has a vampirism virus running through his veins. The only way to awaken that virus is by dying. However, his body is already acting as if he is a full-fledged vampire; his body craves drinking blood. 

Human! Shouto and his siblings would have to resort to drinking a special drink created by a witch to make it more manageable. It satisfies the hunger for blood. They would also have the same struggles that vampires would, like being deathly allergic to real silver and not being able to be around certain flowers. 

Human! Shouto remained human until he turned 20 years old. On his birthday, he turned into a vampire due to a fatal mistake made by a hunter who was following him and his group of friends. The hunter was truly aiming at one of Shoto's friends but missed fatally injuring Shoto. 

Vampire! Shouto surprisingly adjusted to being a vampire very well and quickly since he has been taught self-restraint since he was a toddler. He keeps his new fangs to himself and buys blood bags along with the special drink from the local witch shop near campus.

Vampire! Shouto wasn't expecting to fall in love with you, his classmate who is considered to be Normie at Arcane University. A human who doesn't know anything about the supernatural. It was one of the transfer students that Arcane University had to let in to avoid suspicion from the government. 

Vampire! Shouto feels like he is human again around you. He gets that weird sensation in his gut whenever he is around you, especially when you are smiling and laughing. 

Vampire! Shouto guards his water bottle that has human blood with his life depending on it. He subconsciously places it beside him and away from your reach. It became a habit when he started dating you. 

Vampire! Shouto had to leave abruptly during your first makeout session with you in your dorm room. His fangs popped out and cut your lip by accident. He was too relaxed and excited all at the same time. His fangs just popped out. He was also overdue to get some human blood in his system.

Vampire! Shouto's actions made you believe that he was scared of blood, but it was far from the truth. He liked your blood. If a vampire finds someone attractive, their blood is much sweeter to them. The way he left in the dormroom so fast that he had left his wallet and keys. 

Vampire! Shouto felt a certain way at the sight of you dressing up as a vampire in the modern age for Halloween. 

Vampire! Shouto was terrifying in the hide and seek game. He makes people scream in terror, feeling him hanging upside from the balcony with glowing eyes in the plain darkness of the night. It was the glowing eyes in the dark that looked terrifying. He is a monster of the night.

Vampire! Shouto is a monster of the night. He was using this game to let out that pin-up predator drive of hunting down prey. It explains why his eyes were glowing so menacing, making people feel trapped and small. That night was the birth of the rumors about him being some sort of demon. 

Bonus:

Your words were playing on repeat in his mind for the rest of the night that you found him handsome with fangs and all. You were flustered at him when he smiled or smirked throughout the night.

It was attractive—unknowingly, it was his real fangs.

Please feel free to ask me anything to request anything within this universe. I am sucker to supernatural au.

[vidvana]

I know that nobody asked, but here's some Telvanni lore for all the foodies.

Before you begin this culinary journey, check out this post about ash yams it's essential.

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

Telvanni Cuisine

It’s obvious that Telvanni have an extensive knowledge of fungi.  After all, they live in huge mushrooms and collect and plant numerous species from all across the Tamriel to use them in their potions. It goes without saying that their cuisine is also quite fungal. The commonfolk at Telvanni settlements as most of the Dunmer source their protein both from fungi* and insect meat. But Telvanni nobles love nurturing peculiar worldviews and traditions that differentiate them from other races - or even other Dunmer. One of them is their distaste for anything that doesn’t grow in soil. They frown upon hunter traditions of Ashlanders and stock-raising of house Redoran and regard them as “primitive” in contrast to the delicate art of growing fungi. The alchemy ingredients are an obvious exception from this rule, but in general as their occupations don’t usually include menial work, their light and low-calorie cuisine perfectly matches their lifestyle. This resulted in traditional cuisine of the nobility being solely plant-, or more specifically, mushroom-based**, that contrasts sharply with the cuisine of Skyrim that is rich in venison and other animal-based foods***. Noble Telvanni shun debilitating ingredients such as alcohol and moon sugar in their everyday cuisine, as keeping their minds sharp is their main priority. In order to get an indulgent sweet taste marshmerrow is used instead. Telvanni rarely import vast quantities of vegetables from other provinces as house Hlaalu does. They use commonly grown foods like saltrice, ash yams or mushrooms as the base ingredients of the dishes. In some aspects they prefer to stick to the Dunmer traditions. The nobles, though, indulge themselves in expensive imported berries - not only because of their magic-enhancing abilities but also because of their extravagant taste. As the Telvanni ranks feature numerous alchemists the import of alchemical ingredients is obviously very common. Telvanni chefs gradually incorporated some of the exotic spices into traditional cuisine. Especially valued are the most characterful of them that fancy up the bland taste of mushrooms, such as juniper, ginseng or garlic****. * In real life mushrooms are a rather poor source of protein compared to legumes like beans and lentil. But since there are no legumes in TES universe (at least as far as I know) let's suppose there are some protein-rich mushrooms Telvanni can plant. ** It’s also worth mentioning that I’m a Telvanni-fixated vegan ass myself so that’s a more probable reason why I made my beloved house also vegan xD *** A lovely example of that contrast you can encounter in @thana-topsy ‘s fanfic “Breathing Water”. This would nicely explain Neloth’s preference for apple cabbage stew. **** This recipe for example resembles Telvanni cuisine, it was one of the inspirations from my imaginary dishes above.

Above I’ve come up with some examples of what noble Telvanni would eat on a daily basis.

Thanks for reading that and take care :3

[marvelwitchergilmore]

Punch At First Sight

Summary: Anthony Lockwood x Fe!Reader -> You and Lockwood have met a few times before, however after a punch to the face for the third time, Lockwood, which a push from Lucy, decides to make things different.

Disclaimer: Multiple uses of the f-word. Mentions of accidental violence, ghosts, Kipps being a dick, a slap across the face. Fluff, angst, hints of jealousy, and Lucy giving Lockwood a needed talking to. Not Proof Read.

It was meant to be an easy case. 

A couple of type ones haunting an abandoned building just outside of London. The local ghost hunters had all created that big of a myth they had scared themselves away. And the cost of a Fittes agent was too high of a price for the type of ghosts they had. So, Lockwood and Co were the business chosen. 

Only, it would have been nice to know if one of the previous agents had reached out to an old friend to take care of the job as well. 

But, no. 

Instead, whilst listening out for the ghosts, Lockwood stepped around a corner and when getting ready to attack what he thought was a ghost, he was met with a punch to the face and then a voice calling out; “Oh my god, you’re human.”

“Do you make a habit of punching ghosts?”

Then, through watered eyes, he saw the outline of the person who had punched him and it seemed she had clear enough vision in the dark to recognise him. 

“Lockwood?”

“Wait.” he knew that voice. “Y/n?”

“Holy crap. I am so sorry. Are you okay? Wait. Why are you even here?”

“The same as you, I’m guessing. Unless you tend to sneak into abandoned buildings at two in the morning.”

“Sophie didn’t even tell me they hired someone else. Are you sure you’re alright?”

Lockwood managed to stand up straight this time just as Lucy and George came running round the corner. 

“We heard a scream.”

“What’s going on?”

George looked from Lockwood to you. “Y/n?”

“Hi, George.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Nice to see you, too.”

“She was hired.” Lockwood explained just before Lucy spotted him. 

“Holy crap, are you okay?”

Lockwood nodded. “Just a little stunned.”

“I really am sorry.”

“We really have to stop meeting like this.” Lockwood said, with a slight smile as he looked at you. 

Then came a scream. 

“Considering we’re all here and considering no-one else was hired to do this job-” George began. 

“That wasn’t a human.” Lucy finished. 

“And since we’re here with minimal weapons.”

One of the ghosts, a woman, came floating through a wall and turned to look at them. 

“Run?” you offered. 

“Run.” Lucy replied. 

Making a break for it, you all tried to outrun the ghost before another one of her friends joined her, pushing all four of you down a different corridor. 

“I’m Lucy, by the way.”

“Y/n. Nice to meet you.”

“You, too.”

By the time the sun was beginning to rise over the city, you all made it back to Portland Row where a fresh bruise had made its way to decorate Lockwood’s face. 

“You have a hell of a punch.” Lockwood said before prodding his own bruise in his reflection of the pan on the stove. 

You chuckled, pulling a bag of peas from the freezer before closing it and walking over. “Quit moaning. It could have been worse. Here.”

Standing, Lockwood seemed to have grown even taller than you. Taller than when you’d both last met. 

Looking at you, you watched as his eyes closed at the cold contact of the bag as you pressed it to his face. 

“Hold it there for a while. It should help with the swelling.”

“You know, we really need to stop meeting like this.”

You narrowed your gaze a little and clicked your tongue. “You’ve already used that line.”

“Have I?” Lockwood seemed to think for a moment before, “Oh, yeah. Suppose I have. But it is true.”

“Hey, the first time was an accident. I thought you were trying to-”

“The first time is an accident, three times is a pattern.”

You smiled sheepishly. “An accidental pattern.”

“Sure about that?”

“Yes.” you said before, “Maybe? Can never be too careful when hunting alone.”

Lockwood’s demeanour changed for a moment. “Alone? You’re hunting alone again?”

“Relax. I’m safe enough.” 

You moved backwards and began to tidy the kitchen a little to give yourself something to do whilst Lockwood leaned back against the kitchen counter, lowering the frozen bag from his face so he could watch you more closely. 

“Are you?”

“Yes, Lockwood. I’m fine. Honestly, you don’t have to worry about me.”

“Doesn’t mean I won’t.”

You held his gaze for a moment, a million thoughts running through your head until it landed on He’s just a friend…

From there, you shifted yourself from the kitchen table and placed the empty glasses in your hand in the sink beside him. 

“Move here.”

“What?”

Lockwood stood tall once more and turned to face you properly. “Move in here. Lucy got a deal when she bought her bed, so she’s got a second one spare. We can set it up on the other side of the loft. I don’t like the thought of you hunting alone.”

“Lockwood, I said I’m fine.”

“What happens if something happens to you? Look, I can put you on the payroll so it won’t be a favour. You’ll be working with us. And you’ll have a team behind you. You’ll also be safe. Please.”

“Lockwood-”

“Please.”

Looking up at him, you saw the desperation in his eyes. 

It wasn’t often he opened himself up or let himself show any kind of vulnerability but when he did…

“Okay. Fine. But you can’t hover over me.”

“I don’t hover.”

“You hover.”

“No I don’t.” 

“Why did George kick you out of the Archive room in the last case we were in together?”

Lockwood thought back and when he didn’t answer, you answered for him. 

“Because you hover.”

“Okay, maybe I hover a little.”

“But before anything is written, the others have to agree. Lucy, too.”

“She will. I know so. It’ll be nice for her to not be outnumbered.”

You moved in three days later.

Lucy had prepared the spare bed for you and even decorated the walls behind your bed with a couple of pictures she found in some old boxes that had yourself, George and Lockwood in them. 

“I didn’t know what you’d want to do, but I thought I would do something to help at least.”

“I love it.” you smiled, dropping one of the boxes onto your bed. “Thank you.”

Over the following week, yourself and Lucy got to know one another, sharing stories late into the night when researching cases and in desperate need of a break. 

Lucy came to learn what Lockwood meant by the punch when you all met not being the first time. You came to find out what brought Lucy to London. And you both came to discover that, with the right planning, you could both scare Lockwood and George. 

Only, one night, George and Lucy decided to tag team which also gave them a chance to talk about you and Lockwood. 

“Do they know? They have to know.”

“Don’t bother.” George sighed. “Three years and nothing has changed.”

“They’ve been like that for three years?”

George just nodded. 

“Seriously?”

“You know I walked into the kitchen yesterday and they were slow dancing in the kitchen and…it was like nothing happened.”

“Yeah…” 

“What?”

“What?” Lucy asked. 

“Your face. You have that…look.”

“What look?”

“The “I’m making a plan” face.”

“Maybe because I am.”

“Well then?”

“What if we tried?”

“I already have.”

“Maybe,” Lucy nodded. “But that was then. Now you’ve got me. Tag-team. What do you say?”

“Well, considering it would take an earthquake to wake them both up from whatever coma they’ve convinced themselves that they’re in…sure. Why not? But how.”

“I haven’t got that far into the plan yet.”

But it didn’t take too long. 

After six months of living with each other, the plan practically made itself. The chemistry between yourself and Lockwood was palpable and even more so when you were outside together. 

Like when you and Lockwood were in the library with George and Lucy where Lockwood was standing behind you, reading the section of paper you were pointing to, his arms caging you in from where you sat, when a group of Fittes Agents waltzed over. 

“You might want to give your girlfriend a little breathing room, Tony. After all, PDA can be off putting especially in such a public place.”

Standing, and not denying it, Lockwood practically burned Kipps a hole in the ground for him to fall through. 

“Relax, Tony. Just having a little fun. So, are you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?”

“I’m not his girlfriend.”

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

Kipps couldn’t help but widen his smile. “You’re not. Well then, Tony.”

However, you were up like a shot standing beside Lockwood. “But I would be very careful in your next choice of words. He might not be my boyfriend but he is my friend.”

Closer up, Kipps seemed to recognise you. Or at least, that’s what his face told you. 

“You know, for all the people in the world, I wouldn't have considered one of the best rogue agents being best buddies with our very own Anthony Lockwood.”

“And why not?”

“Although, rogue is very fitting for Tony. After all, it was breaking the rules that got him into trouble in the first place. Sweetheart, if I were you, I’d walk away whilst you still can.”

The only thing anyone could remember was hearing the contact of your palm across Kipps’ cheek and the red mark left in its place. 

“Fuck you.”

It took a moment to get over the shock before Kipps and his team walked away and you relaxed a little before grabbing your jacket and telling the others you’d be back. 

“Are you-”

“I’m fine, Lockwood. I’ll be back in five.”

It was in those five minutes that one of Kipps’ team found you by the vending machine. 

“I’m sorry about what he said.”

“Why? You didn’t say it. And I’m guessing you’re assigned to be with him.”

“Still, I could have said something to stop him and I didn’t.”

“Something tells me even if you did, he still would have said it anyway.”

“Maybe.”

“What’s your name?”

“Victor.”

“Nice to meet you,Victor.”

Meanwhile, across the room and up a level, Lucy spotted you talking to Victor. Even laughing every once in a while. And when Lockwood joined her, she saw the pain in his eyes before a brick wall came up. 

“We should be getting ready. George found something. I’ll be back in a minute.”

For the rest of the day, Lockwood seemed closed up. Especially towards you. 

“What is your problem?” you eventually asked him. 

“Nothing.”

“Lockwood, I heard you snap at Lucy earlier.”

“She made a mistake.”

“Exactly,” you cut him off. “A mistake. And she’s never made one before.”

“One that could have put one of us in serious danger-”

“We were outside the perimeter.” You could have laughed, until Lockwood asked you a question you weren't expecting. 

“Do you like him?”

“Who?”

“The guy you were talking to earlier.”

“Kipps? You did see me slap him, didn’t you-”

“Not Kipps. Vinny. Or Vincent or…whatever his name is.”

You thought back for a moment. “Victor.”

Lockwood nodded. 

“Do I like him? What are we? 12?”

“Just answer the question.”

“Why?”

“Because I need to know if you’re fraternising with the enemy.”

You laughed. “Fraternizing?”

But when Lockwood didn’t change, you did. 

“You know what, fuck you, Lockwood. What I do with my time outside of work is no concern to you. You know what, do this yourself. I’ll go and help George.”

A few minutes later, Lucy walked inside the room to a very grumpy Lockwood. 

“What the hell did you do? Fraternising? This isn’t Bridgerton, Lockwood.”

“Will you just help with the set-up?”

Sighing, Lucy did as she was told, but not before telling Lockwood a couple things he desperately needed to hear. 

“You’re gonna lose her.”

“What?”

Picking up some of the iron chains and laying them down, Lucy explained. “It might not be Victor, but one day it will be someone. And it probably won’t be long before they come along and whisk her away from your grumpy arse because you’re too stubborn to tell her the truth.”

“What truth?”

“That you like her. Love her, even. If my gut feeling is right. And it usually is.”

“Lucy-”

“Look, you can go on being an arsehole because you’re scared. Or you can talk to her. All I’m saying is do something about it before somebody else does. Both me and George have seen the way you look at her. It’s more than you want to admit, Lockwood. But one day you’re going to have to, or else you are going to lose her and all you’ll have is a bruised eye and a broken nose once every couple of years, if that.”

Lucy didn’t say anything else after that but Lockwood did apologise for snapping at her earlier which she forgave him for after calling him a frustrating bastard. From then, she watched as you all completed the job together and that look that she often saw in Lockwood’s eyes, returned when he looked at you. 

Yet, by the time you had all gotten home, he still hadn't apologised to you. So, with a hard nudge from Lucy, Lockwood finally made his way to find you. 

“Do something before somebody else does, and that includes apologising. And she’s in the Library. Goodnight.”

Lockwood stood outside of the Library door for a while, trying his best to find the right words so he wouldn’t end up with a broken nose, despite how much he probably deserved one. 

You had lit the fire to try and cancel out the cold that had seeped in through a forgotten open window, and if you didn’t know any better, you would have thought it was midnight, not 6 in the morning. 

“Hey.”

Looking behind you, you tried your best not to roll your eyes at Lockwood as he walked inside. 

“I’m just looking over some old cases. Just so you know that I’m not fraternising with the enemy by reading a book.”

“I shouldn’t have said it like that.” Lockwood began. “I shouldn’t have said it at all. I just…I guess I panicked.”

“That’s a bullshit excuse and you know it.”

“You’re right. And I’m sorry.”

You looked at him.

“Really, really sorry. For the fraternising comment and the bullshit excuse.”

You took a minute and it was the longest minute of his life. 

“Okay, guess I can forgive you.”

“I’m still sorry.”

“I know, that’s why I forgave you. But a cup of tea wouldn’t hurt.”

Lockwood smiled. “Okay. One tea coming up.”

Only, as he walked away, you answered his question. 

“And I’m not…fraternising with the enemy. Victor and I were just talking. I think you’d like him. I think he might hate Kipps just as much as you do. And, no.” you shook your head. “I don’t like him. Just so you know…”

Lockwood nodded and for a moment, turned to walk away until Lucy’s words echoed again in his head. 

“Do something about it, before somebody else does.”

So he did. 

Sighing under his breath, he took the jump, turned around and reached for you. 

Taking your head in his hands, he cupped your jaw before bringing your lips to his. At first, it shocked you and for a split second, he thought he was about to get his nose broken for good this time. 

Until you kissed back. 

You felt yourself stumble a little but Lockwood caught you, holding you close to him before his forehead came to touch yours, your eyes still closed. 

“Wow.”

“I’m sorry but I just had to-”

You shook your head, “Don’t apologise.”

“No?”

You couldn’t help but smile. “No.”

“So you’re not going to break my nose.”

“Not this time,” you laughed a little. 

“Okay…then I’m gonna jump. I like you. Well, I more than like you. Like way, way more. And I…I want to do something about it before someone else does.”

“Like Victor?”

“Yeah,” Lockwood laughed a little. “Like Victor.”

“Then…good. I’m glad you finally jumped.”

“You are.”

You nodded. “I mean, you have terrible timing but yeah, I’m glad you jumped.”

“Good.”

“Good. Now, are you gonna kiss me again or am I gonna have to-”

Lockwood didn’t need telling twice. 

[ax-killjoy]

☆ you think i’m pretty ??

synopsis ! 𖦹 : things that make them flustered <33

notes ! 𖦹 : school, art block, and writer’s block has been kicking my ASS.

Lo’ak, Kiri, Neteyam x Gn!reader

Lo’ak

It was something simple, something that not even Lo’ak knew he could get flustered by. Yet something just hit him right in the soul, making his heart melt, he felt warm, a blush over this cheeks, up to the tips of his ears.

You had been teaching how to ride an Ilu, yet he was so fustrated. Why couldn’t he get this down ? If this creature was nicer than a Ikran, why couldn’t he ride it ? Irritation coursed through his body, his mind running almost a thousand miles an hour. As he falls yet again into water. The ilu almost laughing at him as it swims away.

He growls in frustration, angrily splashing the water as he wipes his face. “this is bullshit.” Lo’ak mutters, watching as you call for the Ilu again. You chuckle, resting your hand on his shoulder, caressing it slightly with your thumb.

“Don’t worry about it too much. You’ve got all the time in the world to learn this, Prettyboy.” You say ever so casually, petting the ilu and feeding it more fish.

Yet Lo’ak stood frozen, his tail up and his ears perked. “Pretty boy ?”

ﾟ*✩‧₊˚ !!

Kiri

Kiri has NEVER been one to have crushes. She remembers when Jake would talk about growing up with little puppy crushes, and Neytiri would explain about her younger years swooning over the male Na’vi.

But Kiri never really felt that kind of attraction, never felt the need to. She was too busy ! Her reckless brothers always did something stupid, leading her to heal them with her grandmother. Who she bickers with until no end, and she runs around the forest feeling Eywa beneath her feet and in the air, grabbing herbs for future salves. And if she wasn’t doing any of that, she was running around the forest with Tuk.

But now that she moved to Awa’altu, she had all the time in the world it seemed. She sat under water for what seemed like an eternity, staring at the colorful fish and feeding her ilu, staring into sand that hid small crustaceans. Now that she wasn’t busy, she had time to indulge in her feelings, indulge in her feelings for you.

The two of you had been wandering the island all day, it one of those days that neither of you had tasks. Planning this day in advance, making sure to do all the chores just so the two of you could run wild for the rest of the day. And now, it was almost eclipse. The two of you sat in the warm sand, watching as the night and day mixed, making a sweet gradient above. “You know, I could do this with you forever.” You say, and she looks at you. “Do what ?” she asks.

“This. Just being with you, being part of the land. I could do this with you forever.” You say, before looking back at the eclipse. And for the first time, Kiri feels a blush spread across her cheeks. Not a blush out of embarrassment, but a blush of giddiness, puppy love, and hope for the future.

･:* ೫̥♡*

Neteyam

Similar to Kiri, Neteyam was a busy bee. He ran everywhere, constantly doing different tasks and doing anything the people asked for. He was one of the best hunters for his age, constantly going on hunting trips with his father and other adult Na’vi, and coming back just to do more tasks. He sailed the skies and scouted for sky people during Operations, he listened in onto strategies for the War party.

And if there was ever a second that he didn’t have any tasks, he was playing with Tuk. Helping his mom with something, running around with his siblings letting them do whatever stupid things they planned. Only for them to get scolded by their father once they came home. A never ending cycle, a consistent and eventful cycle to say the least.

This was no different, you were another skilled hunter for your age. Jake had tasked both you and Neteyam to hunt together, to see who paired good with who, and to see what two amazing hunters could bring back. What Jake didn’t know is that the two of you made this into a game of tag. Whoever catches who first doesn’t have to carry all of the meat to the village.

Neteyam hid well into the trees, his breath covered by the sounds of strong winds and bustling trees. He had killed 2 animals already, thanked their bodies, and was ready to leave. Now he just had to see where you were to catch you.

Suddenly he hears a branch snap. Before he can turn his head, he feels something flipping him over, and his back hitting the soft soil. He lets out of low groan, he opens his eyes. The sun hitting his eyes, suddenly he saw your face above him. He feels the weight of you straddling him to keep him in place. You giggle and smile mischievously.

“Now you’re mine, tsamsiyu” you say softly, the vibrations of your voice make Neteyam’s ears perk up. Before Neteyam could even open this mouth you jump up laughing, “I won !! now go grab all the meat we got !!!” You cheered before running away.

He gets up, a raging blush runs across his cheeks to each of his ears, his tail swaying sharply. Oh Ewya, what did you do to him ?

ﾟ*✩‧₊˚ !!

Tsamsiyu - Warrior

[mysticstronomy]

ARE WE SAFE FROM BLACK HOLES??

Blog#419

Wednesday, July 17th, 2024.

Welcome back,

Astronomers have discovered a black hole coming towards Earth. Before you get too alarmed, just know that we aren’t actually in danger — however, that doesn’t make the news any less unsettling.

Instead of freaking out, we can learn more about what it even means to have a black hole in space and how it affects us (or why it doesn’t).

For the majority of us, most of our ideas about black holes originate from sci-fi movies or books. It’s not very typical to know everything there is to know about the mysterious phenomena — in fact, even scientists still have a lot to uncover.

Nothing can escape a black hole. Its gravitational pull is so strong that even the brightest of light can’t survive, which is exactly how the interesting spectacle earned its name, according to NASA.

When in space, it’s said that these black holes form when a large star collapses and its life comes to an end. Most of the time, scientists can’t even see them, despite the fact that millions (literally) exist.

However, when astronomers decided to borrow a few techniques from exoplanet hunters, they ended up making a huge discovery. After observing shifting light frequencies — a sign that there’s gravity nearby from an invisible companion — they found a black hole incredibly close to Earth, according to Science.

This invisible force had a mass that was four times larger than the sun, which ruled out any idea that it was a star. To confirm that this area was in fact a black hole, the astronomers had to find a star that was orbiting something invisible, which is exactly what they found.

Its closeness — only 1,000 light years away — offers scientists the opportunity to learn more about binary systems and how they function.

So, a large black hole is facing Earth and nothing can escape it. Those two facts together might sound a little bit scary, but there’s actually nothing to worry about.

As mentioned earlier, there are millions of black holes out there, and they don’t just run around swallowing worlds. “They follow the laws of gravity just like other objects in space. The orbit of a black hole would have to be very close to the solar system to affect Earth, which is not likely,” NASA explained.

Even the most massive black holes that are directly facing Earth aren’t a threat, even though they are much larger than the sun and extremely powerful. An expert in the field — an astrophysicist and black hole researcher — even told Mashable that humans are “unbelievably safe” from these black holes.

We aren’t in any danger, luckily, but black holes could still affect us in a different, perhaps unexpected, way. Elizabeth Landau, a senior storyteller for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, told The Independent that the merging of these black holes and stellar explosions could cause new solar systems and stars to form.

Originally published on https://www.greenmatters.com

COMING UP!!

(Saturday, July 20th, 2024)

"IS THERE WATER FLOATING IN SPACE??"